A dosage form of glucose and a method of performing an oral glucose tolerance test or challenge test on a patient are disclosed. The dosage form of glucose may be a drinkable gel formulation and include water, a primary gelling agent, and a pH adjuster. The water, the primary gelling agent, and the pH adjuster may be present in amounts which ensure proper hydration and a formation of a firm gel with a bloom grade of at least 100, which can be sheared to make it more fluid, such that it is a drinkable gel.

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) has been used for many years to determine how quickly glucose is cleared from the blood. This test may be used to detect diabetes, insulin resistance or other disorders of glucose metabolism.
The general procedure of the OGTT is that at zero time and blood sample is taken from an overnight-fasted patient, and the patient is then given a measured dose of glucose solution to drink within a short time period, typically five minutes. Typically, the dose is 75 g of glucose in all adults, or alternatively 1.75 g of glucose kilogram body weight to a maximum of 75 g as practised in the USA.
Blood sample measurements are then taken at different time intervals after the dose. For simple diabetes screening, the most important sample is at two hours after dose, and in a simple form of the test only the 0 and 2 hour samples may be collected and analysed for glucose concentration.
Zero time plasma glucose (measured before the OGTT begins) should be below 6.1 mmol/L (110 mg/dL). Fasting levels between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/L (110 and 125 mg/dL) are borderline ("impaired fasting glycaemia"), and fasting levels repeatedly at or above 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) are diagnostic of diabetes. A 2 hour OGTT glucose level below 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) is normal, whereas higher glucose levels indicate hyperglycemia. Blood plasma glucose between 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) and 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) indicate "impaired glucose tolerance", and levels above 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) at 2 hours confirms a diagnosis of diabetes.
The oral glucose challenge test (OGCT) is a simpler version of the OGTT which is used to check pregnant women for signs of gestation of diabetes. It is performed in a non-fasted state and involves the ingestion of 50 g of glucose rather than 75 g, with a reading after one hour.
Many patients find the oral glucose drink containing 50 g or 75 g of glucose very unpleasant, and many patients suffer nausea, bloating, gastrointestinal pain or vomiting.
Some hospitals suggest that the patients take instead a number of jellybeans in the belief that the carbohydrate provided by the various sugars in jellybeans can be equivalent to an oral glucose liquid load, although the particular number and brand of jellybeans that might be equivalent has not been established. Jellybeans typically contain 53 percent sucrose, 14 percent dextrose (glucose), six percent cornstarch, and 18 percent higher saccharides. In 2010 an article appearing in CAP Today by Kevin F. Foley, PhD, and Shirley L. Welch, PhD concluded that "Those who are using this "off-label" method don't appear to be consistent in the number or brand of jelly beans used. Preanalytical testing issues are, as CLIA mandates, under the purview of laboratory directors and managers. In our opinion, the advantages of jelly bean administration do not outweigh the risks of a false-negative screen in an expectant mother. Until this approach has been validated, the jelly beans should stay in the Easter basket and out of the clinics."
The fact that an approach as non-standard and non-controllable as jellybeans has become common place is testament to the practical problem of organoleptic challenge faced by practitioners using the OGTT when faced with the many patients who find ingestion of the liquid glucose difficult. There is therefore a need to provide an improved product and method for administering a standardised glucose load.
The inventors have conceived an improved method and product which can maintain the accuracy of the liquid glucose method while avoiding its disadvantages.

Method and product for testing response to oral glucose load


A system includes a digital-to-analog converter comprising a plurality of unit elements, and a dynamic element matching encoder coupled to the digital-to-analog converter. The dynamic element matching encoder includes a circuit configured to determine a number of unit elements of a digital-to-analog converter to be transitioned (Ntm), determine a first number of unit elements to be turned on, and determine a second number of unit elements to be turned off. The circuit may further generate a first signal identifying individual unit elements of one or more unit elements of the digital-to-analog converter in the off state to be turned on, and a second signal identifying the individual unit elements of one or more unit elements of the digital-to-analog converter in the on state to be turned off.

Many modern high-speed communication systems, including wireless and wireline communication systems, have become digital-to-analog converter (DAC) based systems. High-resolution, high-speed DACs typically suffer from mismatch in timing or amplitude, which limits overall performance of these systems. Conventional approaches to mitigating these errors result in increased power consumption and hardware complexity while not addressing harmonic effects of the data waveform.
Thus, methods, systems, and apparatuses for transition aware dynamic element matching are provided.

Transition aware dynamic element matching

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED


In some aspects, a system is provided that includes (1) a plurality of mobile devices; and (2) an application on each mobile device, the application adapted to (a) allow exercisers to form an exercise group; (b) track position or change in position of each exerciser in the exerciser group; and (c) display an avatar having a position that is controlled by a position or change in position of one or more member of the exercise group. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Numerous applications for mobile phones, tablet computers or the like are available for tracking fitness and exercise. Examples include applications that track food consumed, provide work out routines or the like. Such applications continue to grow in popularity.
However, a need exists for mobile applications and systems that motivate an exerciser to continue exercising, exercise harder and have fun.

Systems and methods for fitness and video games


Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data bits. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to generate a transmission signal corresponding to the data bits and having a periodic transition, a data line configured to transmit the generated transmission signal, and a receiver configured to generate a reception clock signal from the periodic transition of the transmission signal (“reception signal”) transmitted through the data line, sample the reception signal according to the generated reception clock signal to recover the data bits. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit clock information without a clock line separate from the data line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data bits.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Point-to-point differential signaling (PPDS) disclosed by National Semiconductor Corporation is a conventional interface technique between a timing controller and a data driver of a display.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating PPDS. Referring to FIG. 1, separate data lines 3 are connected between a timing controller 1 and respective data drivers 2. PPDS has advantages of reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) and the reduced number of whole signal lines, compared with conventional reduced swing differential signaling (RSDS) and mini-low voltage differential signaling (LVDS). Clock lines 4 and load lines 5 are connected between the timing controller 1 and the data drivers 2. The clock lines 4 and the load lines 5 are connected in common with the data drivers 2. Since differential signaling is used for transmission of a data signal and a clock signal, each of the data lines 3 and the corresponding one of the clock lines 4 constitutes a differential pair.
The above-described point-to-point differential signaling (PPDS) has some drawbacks.
First, PPDS requires a clock line separate from a data line. To be specific, since a clock signal is transmitted from a timing controller to a data driver through a different line from that of a data signal, a clock line for transmitting the clock signal is needed. Thus, the complexity of wiring and the production cost of a display increase.
Second, in PPDS, a high-frequency clock signal transmitted through a clock line causes an increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI) components.
Third, in PPDS, when skew exists between a data signal transmitted through a data line and a clock signal transmitted through a clock line, an error may occur during a data sampling process.

Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data bits


In one embodiment, a memory apparatus is provided with at least one local bit-line; a precharge control circuit, coupled to the at least one local bit-line, and adapted to be operable to initiate a precharge pulse after the at least one local bit-line is discharged and to terminate the precharge pulse after the at least one local bit-line has been precharged; a precharge pull-up device, coupled to the precharge control circuit, a first voltage source, and the at least one local bit-line, and adapted to be operable to connect the first voltage source to the at least one local bit-line during the precharge pulse to precharge the at least one local bit-line; and a selected one of a plurality of evaluation pull-down devices, coupled to a clock source, a second voltage source, and the at least one bit-line, and adapted to be operable to couple the at least one local bit-line to the second voltage source during the clock signal pulse to discharge the at least one local bit-line.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention are related to the field of electronic devices, and in particular, to memory devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, conventional processor designs typically include one or more register files 10 located on the processor chip to provide data to the execution resources with very low latencies. Typically, a register file 10 includes memory array 12, and multiple read and write ports (not shown) to access selected word register entries in the memory array 12. The memory array 12 includes columns and rows of memory cells 14. Each memory cell 14 stores a single bit register entry (logic 0 or logic 1) identified as "Data", with the register entries in a column forming a word register entry. Each port typically includes an address decoder (not shown) and a word-line driver (not shown). Multiple word-lines 15 are selectively driven one-at-a-time by the word-line driver, with one of the word-lines 15 being coupled to each of the columns of memory cells 14 so as to be able to provide an enable signal EN to each of the word register entries. The register file 10 also includes multiple local bit-lines 16, with one of the local bit-lines 16 being coupled to the memory cells 14 in one of the rows. In response to the enable signal EN provided over a selected word-line 15, a word register entry is fed, one Data bit at a time, over the multiple local bit-lines 16 to a single global bit-line 17. In one design, there are different bit-lines for read operations and write operations.
The register file 10 may be implemented with multiple domino logic circuits 18. Each local bit-line 16 forms a domino node for one of the domino logic circuits 18, with each bit-line 16 being coupled the drain of a PMOS precharge transistor P1 (pull-up device) and the drains of multiple, cascaded pairs of NMOS transistors N1 and N2 (pull down devices forming domino stages). The gate of the precharge transistor P1 is coupled to a precharge clock signal. The gates of the transistors N1 and N2, respectively, are coupled to a read-enable signal Rden and the Data state stored in one of the memory cells 14. The signal Rden is provided by ANDing a clock signal CK and the enable signal EN via an AND gate 19. Typically, the precharge clock signal and the clock signal CK have the same frequency and phase. The voltage state of the Data stored in the memory cell 14, consisting of a logic 0 (low voltage state) or a logic 1 (high voltage state), drives the gate of the transistor N2. The precharge transistor P1 is connected between a supply voltage VCC and the associated local bit-line 16. The transistors N1 and N2 provide a series connection between the associated local bit-line 16 and ground.
The operation of each of the domino logic circuits 18 is divided into a precharge phase and an evaluation phase, with the mode of operation being delineated by the clock signals. When the precharge clock signal is low (logic 0), the local bit-line 16 is precharged to the supply voltage VCC by the precharge transistor P1. During this precharged phase, the evaluate transistors N1 are off, so that the pull down paths to ground are disabled. When the precharge clock signal is high (logic 1), the precharge transistor P1 is off and the evaluate transistor N1 is turned on. For example, to read the Data state in a given cell 14, the signal Rden for that cell is brought high so that the evaluate transistor N1 conducts. If Data is in a low voltage state, the transistor N2 does not conduct and prevents the associated local bit-line 16 from discharging. When the precharge clock signal subsequently goes low, there is no need to recharge the local bit-line 14. If Data is in its high voltage state, the transistor N2 conducts and allows the local bit-line 14 to discharge. When the precharge clock signal subsequently goes low, the local bit-line 14 is recharged through the precharge transistor P1. In summary, the local bit-line 14 is charged to an initial precharged state and then, depending on the voltage state of Data in a selected cell 14, the precharged state is maintained or discharged.
Each of the local bit-lines 16 is coupled to the global bit-line 17 through an inverter 20 and a NMOS pull-down transistor N3. When the local bit-line 16 evaluates to logic 0, then the transistor N3 pulls down the global bit-line 17 to logic 0 from its precharged state; hence, the local bit-line 16 provides its Data value to the global bit-line 17. The global bit-line 17 is coupled to a set-dominate latch (SDL) 22. The SDL 22 has coupled thereto its own precharge transistor P2, which is driven by the precharge clock signal. The SDL 24 is a dynamic state device used for holding a logic state, which in this case is the Data value.
Register file 10 may create significant power demands on the processor. Domino logic provides greater speed and lower loading than static logic in return for greater power dissipation. The register file 10 has clock power dissipation on the precharge clock nodes. Prior art designs have used clock gating to prevent the precharge clock node from switching under certain conditions when precharge may not be necessary. However, when precharge is necessary and all of the Data voltage states are low (logic 0s), then precharge clock will continue to dissipate power. In other words, even though the stream of zeroes does not cause the domino logic circuit 18 to toggle between charged and discharged phases, the logic gates of transistors P1 and N1 continue to toggle between high and low states in response to different phases of the clock signals, thereby consuming additional power.

Memory array with precharge control circuit


Two photomultipliers (14,16) are arranged one on either side of a CRT (10) primary optical axis adjacent the imaging lens. High frequency components of the detected CRT brightness signal from the two photomultipliers are applied to the "gate" 32. When the signals are equal, one or other of the signals will be selected by the "gate". When the signals are unequal, the lower one will be rejected. Thus signals caused by faceplate (22) dirt are eliminated, since they appear displaced in time from the photomultipliers, due to the spacing of the dirt from the scanning beam and the spacing of the photomultipliers. Phosphor grain and blemish signals occur at the outputs of the photomultipliers simultaneously and are allowed through the "gate" to provide correction and attenuation of these unwanted signals.

The efficiency of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) phosphors normally decreases with use. If the scan is moved or changed in any way during use, the brightness of the phosphor will vary over the used scan area in a random way giving rise to what is called a burn pattern.
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to manufacture a CRT phosphor screen with no blemishes and an insignificant grain structure. Even after careful processing and selection, there will always remain a few blemishes of small size and amplitude, and a detectable grain structure. For the purposes of this specification, burn correction should be regarded as correcting for errors originating from the phosphor screen such as phosphor burn, grain pattern and blemishes.
The above errors can be removed by a burn corrector, and one well known method uses a photomultiplier to measure or monitor the CRT brightness and uses the signal so generated to modulate the video signals and correct the error.
A further problem affecting signal integrity is dirt on the CRT faceplate. Even though many precautions are taken to eliminate dirt, one speck of dirt can cause annoyance.
The dirt on the faceplate is displaced from the phosphor by the thickness of the faceplate. It is therefore necessary that the burn and dirt detector are on the same optical axis as the film scanning axis to ensure correct spatial registration of the dirt and burn correcting signal with the main signal it is going to modulate.

Flying spot scanner burn corrector with dual photomultiplier sampling and mismatch signal suppression


This contactless electricity supply device, which contactlessly performs charging of the battery (28) of a vehicle, is provided with: an electricity transmission coil (12) disposed at a road surface; and an electricity reception coil (22) disposed in the vehicle. A foreign object detection coil (13) is provided to the upper surface of the electricity transmission coil (12), and on the basis of induced voltage arising at the foreign object detection coil (13) during a trial electricity supply, foreign objects between the electricity transmission coil (12) and the electricity reception coil (22) are detected.

An electricity supply system is known which includes: a power feeding means; a power receiving means for contactlessly receiving power from the power feeding means; an efficiency sensing means for sensing an efficiency of transmission between the power feeding means and the power receiving means; a determination means for determining whether or not the sensed efficiency of transmission is above a prescribed value; and a control means for determining that normal electricity supply is prevented by an obstacle, etc., in response to a condition that the sensed transmission efficiency is below the prescribed value, and temporarily suspending the power feeding of the power feeding means, and restarting power feeding by a small power a prescribed time period after the suspending (see patent document 1).
However, since the efficiency of transmission can be lowered when the power feeding coil and the power receiving coil are deviated in position from each other, it is impossible to accurately detect on a basis of change in the efficiency of transmission a foreign object coming into between the power feeding coil and the power receiving coil.

Contactless electricity supply device with foreign object detector


Compounds are provided having an excellent hypoglycemic effect and β cell- or pancreas-protecting effects, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition having an excellent therapeutic effect and/or prophylactic effect on type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and the like, which cause hyperglycemia due to abnormal glucose metabolism. A compound represented by general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease basically characterized by a chronic hyperglycemic state due to impaired insulin action. The treatment of diabetes is generally performed by drug therapy together with diet and exercise therapies. Oral hypoglycemic agents, which are one type of anti-diabetic agent, include biguanides and thiazolidinediones that improve insulin resistance; sulfonylureas and glinides that promote insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells; and α-glucosidase inhibitors that inhibit sugar absorption.
However, it is reported that they have side effects: biguanides produce gastrointestinal symptoms and lactic acidosis; thiazolidinediones produce weight gain and edema; sulfonylureas and glinides produce hypoglycemia or secondary failure due to long-term use; and α-glucosidase inhibitors produce diarrhea etc. Therefore, development of an oral hypoglycemic agent which can address such problems is desired. In recent years, compounds having new structures have been developed as oral hypoglycemic agents (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 to 9).


Disclosed are a method for treating an aging-related disease and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for an aging-related disease. The method for treating an aging-related disease includes administering to a subject a progerin expression inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for screening a therapeutic agent for an aging-related disease includes selecting a candidate drug inhibitory of progerin expression.

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) are a frequent genitourinary malignancy with a morphological characteristic of an irregular nuclear shape, which is used as the index of RCC grading. In addition, p53 inactivation without genetic mutation and radiation-resistance are also suggested as the hallmark of RCC. In contrast, pVHL (Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein) is frequently mutated from the early stage of RCC. However, molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated for a pleomorphic nucleus, p53 inactivation and radiation resistance.
Cancer is well defined as an aging related disease and also as a genetic disease. It has been clearly demonstrated why aged populations shows higher susceptibility to cancer. In general, it has been explained by multistep carcinogenesis. To reach malignant cancer, normal cells should accumulate significant genetic mutation. Thus, cancer formation requires a long period for development. However, in the case of the familial cancer syndromes including Li-fraumeni syndrome, von Hippel Lindau, and familial adenomatosis colis, the tumor formation thereof does not takes much time, and even rapidly progresses under a certain condition. In this regard, a recent, very interesting report has claimed that the biological function of the strong tumor suppressor p53 is declined in the aging process. Since p53 is a gatekeeper tumor suppressor, its functional decline may promote cancer development. Thus aging related change of the cellular context or gene expression profiling which can suppress the p53 function would be an important clue to understanding carcinogenesis in aged populations.
RCC is well known as an age related cancer. Its onset, although not high in young populations, is obviously increased in the aging process. In addition, RCC shows nuclear irregularity and resistance to IR treatment. However, the genetic mutation of p53, which has been suggested as the cause of IR-resistance, is very low. These features indicate that there might be a novel mechanism that can suppress the p53 function in RCC.
An additional significant genetic event of RCC is frequent mutation of pVHL. Although pVHL has been cloned from the human cancer syndrome von Hippel Lindau, its genetic mutation is known to reach 70% in primary clear cell renal carcinoma. As an E3 ligase, pVHL serves to degrade HIF-1a and block transcriptional activity. Since HIF-1a induces VEGF, EPO, and other pro-angiogentic factors in response to hypoxia, the activation of HIF-1a seems to be important for cancer progression, in particular, tumor-angiogenesis progression. However, in many kinds of solid cancers, HIF-1a can be stabilized and activated as a hypoxic condition is established at the inner cell mass of a tumor. In contrast, the deletion or functional loss of pVHL seems to be inessential for earlier carcinoma development. Moreover, angiogenesis is required at a late stage of cancer and the kidney is histologically characterized by plenty of well organized blood vessels. Hence, pVHL loss for achieving angiogenesis in the early stage of RCC is not critical for tumor formation. In fact, pVHL deletion is not detected in other kinds of invasive cancers. Thus, these features suggest that a novel tumor suppressing role of pVHL would exist and should be related with an RCC-specific function.
Taking into full consideration the fact that the onset of RCC dramatically increases in the aging process, the p53 function declines even without a genetic mutation, and pVHL is frequently mutated at an early stage, the present inventors proposed the hypothesis that the loss of pVHL would be related with aging-related gene expression, which can suppress the p53 function. To explore the hypothesis, a focus was made on the nuclear irregularity of RCC, which resembles the nuclear deformation in Hutchinson-Gilford progeroid syndrome (HGPS), discovering that progerin, a causal gene of HGPS, is expressed in aged cells.
In this context, the present inventors made an examination of relationship between the characteristics of RCC and the elevated expression of progerin, and found that the elimination of progerin can ameliorate the nuclear irregularity of RCC and restore p53 responsibility to DNA damage, and that both the elevated expression of progerin and the inactivation of p53 are attributable to pVHL dysfunction. In addition, pVHL can interact with progerin and block the progerin-induced p14/ARF inactivation whereas progerin sequesters p14, resulting in the inactivation of p53 and nuclear irregularity. It was also found that progerin expression can be detected in human leukemia samples and derived primary cell lines. From these data, progerin expression was discovered to be important for cancer progression, in particular, in an aged population, which leads to the present invention.
Expression of progerin can induce several morphological changes such as nuclear irregularity and a reduction of nuclear-plasmic Lamin A (LMN A). In fact, reduction or knock down of Prg can rescue the nuclear deformation, indicating that gained function of progerin is a causal factor for HGPS. In addition, it has been reported that progerin is accumulated in aged normal fibroblasts and evokes nuclear deformation. In iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) of HGPS patient, Prg as well as LMN A/C expression are obviously reduced and cellular senescence markers including nuclear deformation, H3K9me3, and SA-β-gal, are restored. In contrast, differentiated HGPS cells re-express the senescence markers, following progerin expression.
Since aging phenotypes and progression of HGPS seem to resemble normal aging or senescence processes, the present inventors investigated the function of progerin in cellular senescence through a study on HGPS, and found that a senescence progress proceeds with the interaction of progerin with Lamin A. Inhibitors against the interaction were excavated by chemical screening and evidenced to exert therapeutic effects on aging-related diseases, leading to the present invention.

Pharmaceutical composition for treating aging-associated diseases, containing progerin expression inhibitor as active ingredient, and screening method of said progerin expression inhibitor

PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION

THE INDUSTRY & ACADEMIC COOPERATION IN CHUNGNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY


The angular position of an output gear can be determined from the phase difference between the angular positions of pinions engaged with the output gear. The first pinion can have a K-number of teeth, the second pinion can have an L-number of teeth, and the output gear can have an M-number of teeth. The relationship between K, L, and M can include the following: M is the least common multiple of K and L; and the absolute value of the difference between M divided by K and M divided by L is one. It can also be said that the absolute value of L subtracted from K is a non-zero integer.

In a variety of devices and systems, it can be useful to know an angular position of an element of the device or system. For example, in a directional antenna system, it can be important to determine an angular position of a directional antenna about an axis relative to another part of the system. Optical systems and weapons systems are other examples of systems in which it can be desirable to determine an angular position of an element. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved apparatus and processes for determining an angular position of a gear to which such an element of a device or system can be attached.

Determining an angular position of an output gear


An apparatus for substantially horizontal connection of a conduit to a subsea structure: A frame connectable to and supportable by the subsea structure, the frame has a docking device operable to allow a horizontal connection device, including one of a remotely operated vehicle and a toolskid, to dock with the frame such that the frame is capable of bearing at least part of an operational load associated with the horizontal connection of the conduit to the subsea structure.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention is an apparatus and method for horizontal subsea connection of flexible or rigid flowlines and umbilicals or bundles (hereinafter referred to as conduits) to subsea structures.
2. Relevant Art
One of the most complex tasks required to be undertaken by means of diverless intervention is that of connecting conduits to subsea structures. Typically connection is achieved by fitting a termination head of a conduit to a connection hub of a subsea structure and then performing the connection with a subsea connection clamp.
Where the conduit is deployed to the seabed with an end termination head at some time prior to connection, the technique is called On-seabed connection. In such cases, the conduit is pulled to the subsea structure after deployment on the seabed and the termination head connected to the subsea structure at a later date. This type of connection is used predominantly in the North Sea or other offshore environments where the weather conditions are unpredictable. These types of connections are usually compact and, as the connections are horizontal, the size of the seabed structure is usually small.
Deployment of horizontal connections onto the seabed, rather than onto the structure, involves some risk associated with the type of seabed onto which the conduit is to be placed. Deployment on soft seabed will result in sinkage of the conduit termination head, an increase in pull-in loads and reduced visibility. The operation of pulling the termination across the seabed and into the connection position is typically performed by a mobile manipulating device in the form of a toolskid mounted onto an ROV. The ROV provides the electrical or hydraulic power, and buoyancy to allow it to support the toolskid and the termination head of the conduit. Thrusters are provided on the ROV to manoeuvre it and the toolskid around. In general the toolskid functions to pull the termination head of the conduit to the subsea structure and to connect the termination head to the subsea structure and is typically actuated by the ROV through a wetmate connection.
The toolskid is designed to accommodate high pull-in and alignment loads. Consequently toolskids are required to be large enough to cope with these mechanical loads as well as hydrostatic pressure.
On-seabed connection becomes very difficult in deep water. Whilst it is possible to use known, standard ROVs and toolskids up to a depth of 600 m, new designs of ROV and toolskid are required because the toolskids must be larger and more powerful, because the hydrostatic pressure increases with depth. Furthermore, as depth increases, transmission becomes slower and more difficult, and the consequent delay means that the ROV is more difficult to control and higher pull-in and alignment loads are experienced.
Conduits may be connected to subsea structures by docking an ROV and toolskid onto the conduit termination head then flying the termination head to the subsea structure along guide ropes, using a winch and the ROV thrusters. The ROV and toolskid then dock on the subsea structure and connect the conduit to the structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,249 describes an ROV having a skid frame mounted on it. The ROV is used to 'fly' the conduit from its position on the seabed to the subsea structure. The skid frame houses a pair of winches which are used as well as the ROV thrusters to position the open end of a flowline at a suitable position for connection to the subsea structure. In such applications, a large load is borne by the ROV. This makes the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,249 unsuitable for use in deep water, because of the large hydrostatic pressures and mechanical loads that would be borne by the ROV.
It is also known to use the ROV and the toolskid docked directly on the subsea structure to perform the pull-in operation, using pull-in ropes previously attached to the termination head by the conduit. But during the pull-in operation and the aligning operation, all the loads are borne directly by the toolskid and the ROV which have to be designed in order to resist to these loads.
Another known conduit connection system (U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,549) consists of a housing with a pivotable frame which is used to manipulate the end of the conduit between a slanting pulling position and a final horizontal connection point.
In yet another known conduit connection system, (GB2307288), an ROV is used in conjunction with a lift line that extends from the surface to support a skid and flowline. In this case, it is difficult to control the position of the skid and conduit from the surface. Any heave or pitch occurring at the surface will cause erratic movement of the flowline and may result in damage to the flowline and to the subsea structure.

Apparatus and method for horizontal subsea connection


A travel bag fabricated of flexible material such as nylon and is combined with a specialized rigid support to form combination. The support is configured to protect portions of the bag which are subject to high wear and tear during normal use. In addition, the support is formed to receive and hold wheels therein which facilitate transportation of the bag. The support is constructed of a high impact rigid material such as plastic to resist wear due to friction and impact which may accompany a bag in use. The support is specially arranged to cooperate with the flexible portion of the bag. The shape of the support tends to defend the corners of the bag against particular wear. The flexible main portion and the support portions are affixed together.

1. Field
This invention is generally concerned with luggage materials, configurations and designs, and is specifically concerned with travel bags having specialized support integrated therewith to provide a strong base which is resistant to wear and damage occasioned by use of said bag.
2. Prior Art
The frequent traveler is well aware of need for high quality travel bags. Transit systems tend to be quite taxing on baggage of low quality. Bags get stuck or snagged on equipment such as doors, escalators, conveyors, carts, handrails, armrests, among others. As travel bags tend to be heavy when loaded, they may be equipped with wheels to facilitate transport across smooth floors. Wheels are typically mounted into the bottom of such bags. An additional feature may include a handle. Handles are sometimes retractable into the bag such that the bag occupies a smaller space and allows for convenient storage.
Some bags are designed for very heavy loads. Commonly known as "duffel" bags, a flexible material forms an enclosure into which objects may be packed. For example, a bag designed to carry sporting equipment may be made of strong canvas and reinforced at the seams with webbing or alternative durable materials. These bags may be particularly suited for carrying large and bulky objects which cause increased wear on the bags.
An example of a travel bag suited for sporting equipment is taught by Mr. Kjose in U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,135. The bag is designed to carry a second containment vessel of similar shape. It is shown with wheels 70 attached about its bottom at various locations. Additionally, it has a zip opening 21 and a handle 80. With the wheels distributed as shown, i.e. with a long wheelbase, the bag tends to be difficult to steer. In addition, the lower corners of the bag tend to be exposed. They may be engaged by or come into contact with many objects which may cause wear to them.
An enclosure for sporting equipment is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,768 by inventor Muse. The enclosure is particularly designed to protect its contents against the elements and specifically rain. The cover may similarly be equipped with a handle which cooperates with the cover to which it is attached.
Mr. Hauer of Washington teaches a wheeled bag in the form of a cart with a handle and accessory holder in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,465. The two wheels are spread such that they are broader than the bag is in order to resist tipping in a lateral direction.
Finally, Mr. Dunn of Santa Ana, Calif. teaches a novel bag in which a golf club set is to be carried. U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,894 shows a bag which includes wheels 32 and a handle 25. Of particular interest is the bottom member which is a rigid element. The sides of the bag are fastened to the bottom member which supports the wheels.
Perhaps the most sophisticated experts with regard to travel bags include airline personnel. Airline travelers will certainly recall that flight attendants and pilots often tote a wheeled bag through airport and hotel lobbies. The bag is typically made of durable canvas or similar cloth material. With a retractable handle, the bag is pulled behind the user while the bottom is supported on two wheels in contact with the floor. The wheels are preferably quite small and are sometimes built into the bag at wheel wells which are riveted to the canvas bottom. These bags are conveniently designed to fit the compartments of airplanes. They are durable in design, but tend to support a load of only a few tens of pounds. As such, the material used to form the bags is generally only mildly resistant to high friction loads. The corners of these bags are generally made of soft materials which tends to get caught on various objects including sharp metallic objects such as those of which a conveyor might be comprised. The metallic objects tend to tear and destroy the bags. Additionally, the wheels are sometimes subject to very high impact force and may easily break away from the canvas bag to which they are attached. These travel bags may be dragged up or down stairs. Designers have included ribs made of plastic which run in a longitudinal direction down the back of the bag. These ribs may help allow the bag to be dragged over a bumpy surface such as stairs. However, the ribs are usually attached to the soft material of the bag by rivets or adhesives. Objects may operate to tear the ribs from the bag when they engage the ends of the ribs.
Most travel luggage can be classified either "soft" luggage or "hard" luggage. Soft luggage is lightweight and more easily made compact for storage; while hard luggage tends to be more bulky. However, hard luggage is quite strong and may stand up to extreme conditions which act to wear or damage the luggage. Soft luggage is more easily destroyed by conditions to which it may be exposed in normal use. It would be desirable to provide luggage which benefits from the advantages offered by each of these types of luggage, without having the problems associated with either.
Notwithstanding, new configurations have been discovered which provide novel designs and forms far travel bags, particularly travel bags subject to high wear and damage due to the heavy loads which they support. In contrast to the good and useful inventions mentioned, each having certain features that are no less than remarkable, the instant invention is concerned with providing a long lasting, wear resistant travel bag far heavy loads.

Flexible travel bag with integrated support to protect bag from wear


A rotary angle encoder in which the adjustment of the sensor signal desired in the starting position can be changed by simple manipulation. In the rotary angle encoder set forth herein, upon assembly, the coupling is slid only partially onto a cylindrical shaft connected to the sensor part in a first position. In this first position, the coupling can be rotated in relation to the sensor part. Then the sensor signal desired in the starting position is set and after that, the coupling is slid still further onto the cylindrical shaft so that an unintentional rotation of both parts in relation to each other is not possible after the adjustment is complete. The rotary angle encoder is provided for controlling the power of a vehicle drive unit.

The invention is based on a rotary angle encoder for controlling a drive unit for control devices.
There are rotary angle encoders for electric control devices or regulating devices, for example like the ones used for electric motor adjustments of throttle valves of internal combustion engines. A coupling part of the rotary angle encoder can be adjusted by a gas pedal coupled to it.
There are rotary angle encoders (DE-A-34 11 455) with a first sensor part disposed fixed in a housing and with a second sensor part, which is supported so that it can rotate in relation to the housing or the first sensor part and which can be adjusted in the direction of rotation via a coupling connected to the gas pedal. Depending upon the relative position of the second sensor part in relation to the first sensor part, the rotary angle encoder generates a sensor signal via an electrical line, which signal can be supplied to an electronic evaluation device.
In a rotary angle encoder, it is particularly important that when the coupling is disposed in a starting position, the sensor signal has a particular, defined value. Often, the sensor signal is defined so that when the coupling is disposed in its starting position, the initial signal is zero.
In the known rotary angle encoder, the second sensor part is connected to a rotary shaft on which a conical fluting is provided. When assembled, the coupling part is pressed against the fluting via a nut. To adjust the rotary angle encoder, this nut is loosened and the coupling is rotated in relation to the rotary shaft until the sensor signal has the desired value in the particular starting position of the coupling part. After the adjustment of the rotary angle encoder, the nut is tightened so that the coupling part is fixed in relation to the second sensor part.
The known embodiment has the particular disadvantage that the nut eventually loosens. Furthermore, subsequent improper manipulations and changes of the adjustment can easily occur.
Incidentally,this kind of adjustment is not particularly easy and in large-scale mass production, requires an expenditure which should not be ignored.
The rotary angle encoder embodied according to the invention has the particular advantage over the prior art of an essentially more reliable, simpler, and better potential adjustment.
The rotary angle encoder advantageously permits a structural form which is easy to assemble and reasonably priced. The rotary angle encoder can be advantageously embodied so that only detent connections or press connections are required. Problematic screw connections can be eliminated.
Advantageous updates and improvements of the rotary angle encoder are possible as a result of the steps taken herein.
Providing a cylindrical shaft either on the second sensor part or on the coupling produces a simple, advantageous possibility for adjusting the coupling part in relation to the second sensor part, from the first position into the second position.
By providing a frictional, non-positive connection between the coupling and the second sensor part in the first position, a relative rotation of the second sensor part in relation to the coupling part can advantageously be easily achieved and by providing a positively engaging connection between the coupling part and the second sensor part, the advantage is achieved that in the second position, an unintended relative rotation of the coupling part in relation to the second sensor part is reliably prevented.
The use of the cylindrical shaft to support the second sensor part and the coupling part essentially simplifies the construction of the rotary angle encoder.
In a particularly simple manner, the snap device prevents an unintended adjustment of the relative position of the coupling part in relation to the second sensor part, from the second position into the first position.

Rotary angle encoder having an adjustable coupling


A heat treatment apparatus includes: a processing container extended in a vertical direction; and a heater provided to surround the processing container. The heater includes: a first insulator of a cylindrical shape that has a ceiling surface and an opening at a lower end; a heat generator provided along a circumferential direction on an inner circumferential side of the first insulating member; and a second insulator arranged along the circumferential direction of the first insulating member at a position adjacent to the heat generating elements.

A batch type vertical heat treatment apparatus has been known in which a heat treatment is performed on a plurality of substrates at once. In the vertical heat treatment apparatus, a heater device configured to heat the substrates is provided on an outer circumferential side of a vertically extended processing container so as to surround the processing container. The heater device is formed by spirally winding a heater wire on an inner circumferential side of an insulating layer of a cylindrical shape (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-039006).


A fluidtight zip fastener includes a pair of fluidtight zip fastener carrying tapes each having a base tape with a soft covering layer. Sewn to each carrying tape is in an offset position a continuous coupling member row. A zip fastener slider is provided for transferring the zip fastener carrying tapes into an open and closed position. The slider has lower and upper plates and a slider wedge interconnecting the plates. A guide border is shaped in a central area of the slider wedge. For increasing the sealing action of the zip fastener in an end position of the slider, the interconnected two ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes are provided with a dimensionally more confined and consequently an overpressing-ensuring elastomer guiding the slider over its guide border shaped onto the slider wedge.

The invention relates to a fluidtight zip fastener, having a pair of fluid-tight zip fastener carrying tapes in each case comprising a base tape with a soft covering layer of elastomer, thermoplastic or the like covering at least one surface thereof and to which is in each case sewn a continuous coupling member row in a position offset in spaced manner transversely to the carrying tape longitudinal edges in such a way that the facing borders of the soft covering layers are in contact with one another along a longitudinal plane intersecting the zip fastener at a central axis thereof and at right angles to the principal plane of the zip fastener, but projecting over said longitudinal plane to such an extent that when the coupling member rows are disengaged and the coupling member rows are engaged they are bent away from that side which carries the coupling member rows and extend roughly at right angles to the principal plane of the zip fastener, the soft covering layers of the facing borders of the two zip fastener carrying tapes projecting over the base tape engage with one another in fluidtight manner under pressure action and in which the zip fastener slider transmitting the zip fastener carrying tapes into the open and closed position in the case of longitudinal displacement, apart from a lower plate, an upper plate and a slider wedge interconnecting said two plates, has a guide border shaped in the central area of the slider wedge and extending roughly parallel between the upper plate and the lower plates and which on either side of the slider wedge separates the two first chambers receiving the coupling member rows from the two second chambers receiving the facing borders of the zip fasteners carrying tapes.
Such a zip fastener forms the subject matter of the applicant""s earlier-dated application 199 24 539.8-26, in which the disadvantages of conventional zip fasteners are eliminated and despite a simpler construction there is a perfect sealing action both against liquids and gases, even under pressure action, also over a longer time period. However, in the case of said earlier zip fastener it is not ensured in a completely satisfactory manner that the zip fastener slider, when transferred into the closed zip fastener state, also keeps the final coupling members of the coupling member row in a position ensuring a hermetic fluid seal. As on either side of a slider wedge, the slider keeps spaced apart the coupling members located there, special sealing measures must be taken in order to ensure an absolutely reliable seal in this end region.
On the basis of this, the problem of the invention is to so further develop a fluidtight zip fastener of the aforementioned type in such a way that in a relatively simple manner a full fluidtightness is ensured, also in the area of the zip fastener slider.
According to the invention this problem is substantially solved in that for increasing the sealing action of the zip fastener in the slider and end position, the interconnected two ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes are provided with a dimensionally more confined and consequently an overpressing-ensuring elastomer guiding the slider over its guide border shaped onto the slider wedge. Not only along the coupling member rows in the closed state, but also in the end region of the zip fastener the sought hermetic fluid seal is ensured between the upper plate and the lower plate as a result of the elastomer overpressing obtained.
In this connection is has proved very advantageous that on the side of the two interconnected ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes remote from the coupling member rows is injection method or vulcanized an oversize-possessing, approximately U-shaped, elastically flexible cam engaging on the underside of the slider upper plate. Although during the transfer of the slider into its end position such a cam offers a certain resistance due to the need of elastomer deformation, but as a result of an appropriate dimensioning of the flexible cam said resistance can be limited and consequently the actuating possibility of the slider can be controlled without disadvantageously limiting the quality of the seal.
It is particularly advantageous if in the U-shaped cam is formed at least one groove bounded by two adjacent protuberances, because this reduces the resistance action without impairing the sealing action.
According to another favourable development the groove extends over the two U-legs of the U-shaped cam and the crossbar connecting the latter and runs out in each case at the crossbar-remote leg end. In practice said leg end is the rear area of the slider in the closure/end position, i.e. the area up to which the coupling member rows are in the closed position and with their covering layers in a mutual sealing relationship.
Facing the front area of the slider in the closure position, i.e. in the area of the interconnected two ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes, is appropriately provided a transverse tie bar system absorbing transverse forces and protecting the zip fastener against damage on forcing apart or spreading. Appropriately the transverse tie bar system comprises at least one tension-proof, flexible thread, which is incorporated into the elastomer, thermoplastic, etc. below the cam crossbar linking the U-legs of the U-shaped cam. Advantageously an aramide thread is used as the tension-proof, flexible thread.
It is proved particularly advantageous with a view to a high loadability and correspondingly long zip fastener life for the transverse tie bar system to be provided alongside the coupling member rows in the end area of the zip fastener carrying tapes with in each case strong, flat reinforcing inserts and for the tension-proof, flexible threads to in each case run out over the reinforcing inserts or for them to be woven therein. Use is advantageously made of reinforcing inserts formed by a polyester woven fabric.


A mini-hopper for an agricultural row unit that has a fill tube supplying material to a hopper. A backflow preventer is disposed in the fill tube or in a line to the inlet to prevent flow of material from the mini-hopper through the fill tube when the mini-hopper is in a transport position.

Planters are used for planting seeds of crops (e.g., corn, soybeans) in a field. Planters can have any number of desired rows. As the number of rows increases, the width of the planter increases. To allow for transportation of very wide planters, the toolbar of the planter can have sections with the outer sections constituting wings. The wings can be folded up to reduce the width of the planter.
Planters can also have mini-hoppers for storing seeds at each row on the planter. The mini-hoppers are supplied from a main hopper on the row unit with supply lines transferring seed from the main hopper to the mini-hoppers. With mini-hoppers on rows that are on the wings, when the wings are folded up, the seeds in the mini-hoppers drain out of the mini-hoppers and back into the supply lines.


The present invention includes a method for hydrogen clathrate hydrate synthesis. First, ice and hydrogen gas are supplied to a containment volume at a first temperature and a first pressure. Next, the containment volume is pressurized with hydrogen gas to a second higher pressure, where hydrogen clathrate hydrates are formed in the process.

A clathrate is an inclusion compound in which the guest species are enclosed on all sides of the host species forming a framework lattice. Clathrate hydrates are a wide subgroup of clathrates, with the host framework made up of hydrogen bonded H2O molecules, and guest molecules trapped inside the polyhedral cages of the framework.
Dyadin et al first recognized classical hydrogen clathrate hydrate in 1999; see Dyadin, Y. A. et al., "Clathrate hydrates of hydrogen and neon", Mendeleev Commun, 5, 209-210 (1999); and, Dyadin, Y. A. et al., "Clathrate formation in water-noble gas (hydrogen) systems at high pressures>>, J. Struct. Chem. 40, 790-795 (1999).
In 2002, Mao et al, found that hydrogen hydrate crystallizes in structure labeled as structure-II (sII) clathrate with a cubic symmetry and a lattice constant of a˜17.0 Å; see, Mao, W. L., et al., "Hydrogen Clusters in Clathrate Hydrate", Science 297, 2247-2249 (2002). The crystal structure and precise composition of the hydrogen clathrate were determined by neutron diffraction as a function of pressure and temperature. The hydrogen occupancy in the clathrate (32+X)H2*136H2O, x=0-12 was found to change proportionally to changes in pressure and/or temperature, while leaving the host structure virtually intact. Hydrogen hydrates could form substituted phases with variable compositions.
Referring to FIG. 1, a H2—H2O phase diagram, synthesis of hydrogen clathrate hydrate has been performed using liquid water and hydrogen gas as the starting materials. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,960, "Composition and Method for Hydrogen Storage", issued May 18, 2004, by Mao et al., used diamond anvil cells (DAC) for preparation of clathrate. Mao et al. teaches the synthesis of hydrogen clathrate hydrates by cooling down water and hydrogen gas under a pressure of 1-6 kbar. The clathrate phase formed below 250 K during the cooling process. This process is indicated by horizontal arrow 10, traversing from Region I to Region III. Thus, Mao et al. teaches formation of clathrate directly from liquid water and hydrogen.
The present invention is a novel method where the formation of hydrogen clathrate hydrate occurs directly from ice and hydrogen, as indicated by vertical arrow 20, traversing from Region II to Region III.
Hydrogen clathrate hydrate presents a completely new technological means for hydrogen storage. Ice-like polyhedral cage frameworks of clathrate hydrate can hold substantial amounts of guest molecular hydrogen; up to 3.77% of total mass at atmospheric pressure and moderately low-temperatures (140 K˜200 K). Under higher pressures, the clathrates hydrate can hold greater amounts of guest molecular hydrogen. Note that the hydrogen storage capacity of clathrate hydrates is higher than the available hydrogen-storage metal hydrides, e.g. Mg2NiH4 (3.59%) and LaNi5H6 (1.37%). A significant benefit of hydrogen clathrate hydrate is that by controlling pressure and temperature, it is possible to reversibly trap and/or release substantial amounts of molecular hydrogen.
Various objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Ice method for production of hydrogen clathrate hydrates


An RC-based sensing method and computer program product to effectively sense the cell resistance of a programmed Phase Change Material (PCM) memory cell. The sensing method ensures the same physical configuration of each cell (after programming): same amorphous volume, same trap density/distribution, etc. The sensing method is based on a metric: the RC based sense amplifier implements two trigger points. The measured time interval between these two points is used as the metric to determine whether the programmed cell state, e.g., resistance, is programmed into desired value. The RC-based sensing method is embedded into an iterative PCM cell programming technique to ensure a tight distribution of resistance at each level after programming; and ensure the probability of level aliasing is very small, leading to less problematic drift.

The present invention relates generally to Phase Change Memory (PCM) cells and programming methods and more particularly to an improved system and method for more efficiently programming bits in multilevel PCM cells to mitigate drift.
A Phase Change Memory (PCM) cell includes a memory element of a phase change material having a first state, in which the phase change material is fully crystalline and has a minimum resistance level, a second state in which the phase change material is fully amorphous and has a maximum resistance level, and a plurality of intermediate states, in which the phase change material includes a mixture of both crystalline regions and amorphous regions having intermediate resistance values. As referred to herein, a cell or phase change material cell is any 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional structure that is formed of or includes a portion of phase change material. PCM materials include Chalcogenides which group of materials contain a chalcogen (Periodic Table Group 16/VIA) and another element. Selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) are the two most common elements in the group used to produce a chalcogenide semiconductor when creating a phase change memory cell. An example of this would be Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), SbTe, and In2Se3.
As known, the amorphous phase of a PCM tends to have high electrical resistivity, while the crystalline phase exhibits a low resistivity, e.g., orders of magnitude lower. Due to this large resistance contrast, the change in sensing signal between fully crystalline state and fully amorphous state is quite large, permitting for the immediate multiple analog levels needed for multi-level cell (MLC) operations.
In a PCM cell reset operation, a larger electrical current is applied in order to melt the central portion of the cell, and if this pulse is terminated abruptly, the molten material quenches into the amorphous phase, producing a cell in the high-resistance state. The reset operation tends to be fairly current and power hungry, and thus care must be taken to choose an access device capable of delivering high current and power without requiring a significantly larger footprint than the PCM element itself.
Typical semiconductor computer memories are fabricated on semiconductor substrates consisting of arrays of large number of physical memory cells. In general, one bit of binary data is represented as a variation of a physical or electrical parameter associated with a memory cell. Commonly used physical/electrical parameters include a threshold voltage, Vth, variation of Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) due to the amount of charge stored in a floating gate or a trap layer in nonvolatile Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), or resistance variation of the phase change element in Phase-change Random Access Memory (PRAM).
Increasing the number of bits to be stored in a single physical semiconductor memory cell is an effective method to lower the manufacturing cost per bit. Multiple bits of data can also be stored in a single memory cell when variations of the physical parameter can be associated with multiple bit values. This multiple bits storage memory cell is commonly known as a Multi-Level Cell (MLC). Significant amount of effort in computer memory device and circuit designs is devoted to maximize the number of bits to be stored in a single physical memory cell. This is particularly true with storage class memory, e.g., non-volatile Flash memories commonly used as mass storage devices.
FIG. 2 depicts an example PCM cell 25 and a programming (e.g., write operation)/sensing (read operation) in an apparatus for performing read and write operations. Typically, an apparatus can program a PCM cell, for example, by a programmed current pulse applied through PCM cell 25 and a control access device (e.g., a transistor device) 30, e.g., a CMOS FET device. From known physical relatiuons, resistance R is determined by fraction of amorphous size, amorphous material properties including trap states distribution, density, etc. and applied voltage V to the PCM cell 25.
In FIG. 2, the PCM cell 25 includes a bit line terminal 28 receiving programming voltage V. One transistor terminal (e.g., source or drain) of FET 30 connects the PCM cell at a second PCM or WL terminal. A gate of FET 30 provides a second PCM cell or wordline (WL) terminal 32 and connects to a wordline conductor WL. A third terminal of the FET device 30 (e.g., drain or source) is shown connected to a ground or neutral. In one embodiment, voltage present at the wordline (WL) terminal 32 in the manner as shown in FIG. 3B, configures the control access device, e.g., FET transistor 30, to control current flow through the PCM cell 25 as it is being programmed.
The electrical characteristics of the PCM cell 25 of FIG. 2 is governed according to known relations:
      Icell    =                  1                              R            0                              β                                  sinh                          (                                    V              a                                    β                    )                          β    =                  q                                                  Δ                                                  z                    kT                                                  2                                                            u          a                                R      0        =                            kT                                                                          τ            0                                          u            a                                                q            2                                          AN            T                              Δ                                                                          z            2                                            ⅇ                  (                                    E              c                        -                                          E                F                                                          /                                          kT                                )                    where R0 is the low-field resistance value; Va is the applied voltage; β is a sub-threshold slope; q is an elementary charge; Δz is an average distance between two traps; k is the. Boltzmann constant; T is the temperature; and ua is the amorphous thickness; NT is a measure of the total effective trap density (a material property of the PCM cell); and the quantity EC−EF is the distance between conduction band to Fermi level (a material property of the PCM cell). Thus, it is clear that current is an exponential function of supply voltage (Va) and, further, that drift is mainly due to exponential term (EC−EF) and total effective trap density NT which vary with time.
Further, known in the industry for programming a PCM memory cell is an iterative technique implemented for adaptively controlling the amplitude of each programming pulse in a sequence of write-verify steps. That is, in a prior art methodology, to achieve multiple resistance levels in a PCM cell, there is typically implemented a programmed algorithm to provide a current pulse used to program the (desired) resistance value for a PCM bit.
FIG. 3 depicts a known implementation of an iterative write system and methodology implemented for adaptively controlling the amplitude of each programming pulse in a write-verify sequence 50. In the write-verify method, the voltage at the wordline is first SET/RESET by application of a pulse 52 to place the cell in an initial state and, with the bitline terminal held at a constant voltage, a next pulse 54a is injected at the WL terminal 32 that is immediately followed by a read operation 55 for reading in the programmed PCM cell value resulting from the application of signal 54a injected at the wordline terminal. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the read value is evaluated according to a programmed reference parameter value, e.g., a programmed reference resistance state (Rref), and the calculated difference (e.g., error) is processed and fedback to a signal generator to provide a next pulse value shown as 54b for application to the WL terminal 32 immediately followed by a read operation 55 for reading in the programmed PCM cell value resulting from the application of signal 54b injected at the wordline terminal. If, as evaluated by processing after a read operation 55, the intended programmed reference resistance state (Rref) is still not achieved, then, based on an error difference, further steps may be employed to apply a next calculated WL pulse 54c for injection at the WL terminal 32 immediately followed by the read operation 55 for reading in the programmed PCM cell value resulting from the application of signal 54c and verifying whether the programmed resistance value had been achieved. The write-verify iterative process continues executing these steps until the programmed target (Rref) parameter value, e.g., resistance, for that cell (or bit) has been reached.
It is understood that, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the pulse voltages 54a, 54b, etc., can be applied to the PCM cell WL terminal 32 (while keeping the voltage at BL terminal 28 constant); or the pulse voltages 54a, 54b, etc., can be applied to the PCM BL terminal 28 while keeping voltage at the WL terminal 32 constant. In either application, for each iteration, the state of the memory cell is always initialized, making it highest R (e.g., fully RESET the cell) or making it lowest R (e.g., fully SET the cell), then perform iterative programming-verify operation.
Thus, in view of FIG. 3, Phase Change Memory resistance can be programmed into different resistance states. For a collection of cells, process induced variations cause distributions of resistance for a target resistance level. That is, the characterized different amorphous volume and different trap density/distributions in amorphous material further results in different drift behavior of the PCM cells and broadening of distributions. The broadened distribution may cause overlap between neighboring levels, leading to cell failures.
One basic requirement for multiple bit storage in a semiconductor memory cell is to have the spectrum of the physical or electrical parameter variation, e.g., PCM cell resistance, to accommodate multiple non-overlapping bands of values. As shown in FIG. 1, the number of bands required for an n-bit cell is 2n. A 2-bit cell needs 4 bands, a 3-bit cell needs 8 bands, and so forth. Thus, the available spectrum of a physical or electrical parameter in a semiconductor memory cell is typically the limiting factor for multiple bit memory storage.
FIG. 11A shows a plot 500 of an example distribution of programmed (resistive) states in programmed multi-bit memory structures. For example, programmed resistance states 501, 502, 503 and 504 are shown depicting an original resistance distribution before exhibiting a drift phenomenon where the resistivity of the amorphous phase increases with time (drift). As a result of structural relaxation, the programmed resistance states experience drift over time as shown as corresponding distributions after drift shown as distributions 501′, 502′, 503′ and 504′. Drift spans a broad time-scale—from ns to the limit of observation time. Drift is typically modeled by the equation empirically:
      R              (      t      )        =                    R        0                          (                  t                      t            0                          )              v  where the drift exponent (v) is proportional to the volume of the amorphous material in the active region of a PCM cell. The drift exponent also varies with the trap configuration and density within the amorphous volume. Drift also has temperature dependency. As drift is a stochastic phenomenon—it can be treated as noise. It adversely affects the reliability of stored levels in multilevel-cell PCM, leading to operational failures of the cell. For instance, drift phenomena may cause overlap of different resistance states 502, 503 as shown as resulting resistive state distribution 502′ overlapping with resulting resistive state distribution 503′ as shown in FIG. 11A that may result in operational failure of a memory cell.
FIG. 4 shows a plot 70 depicting an example programmed voltage curve 71 applied to the PCM cell and the resulting PCM cell Resistance values 73 as a function of the applied voltages 78. As shown in FIG. 4, the plot of the curve 71 shows, in the example, two adaptive write-verify iterations 74 and 75 (at k=2) with each iteration applying a modified current (voltage) required to minimize an error and achieve the programmed resistance value in the example PCM cell (RREF). In the technique as shown in FIG. 4, there is provided the ability to adaptively control the amplitude of each programming pulse in a sequence of write-verify steps. In the control, utilization of the left slope portion 76 of curve includes a Low voltage regime that ultimately uses lower power consumption, and exhibiting higher cell endurance; however, this only enables one directional programming. As a consequence, the current techniques would requires re-initialization if undershoot. Utilization of the right slope portion 77 of curve 71 facilitates two directional programming which can avoid having to implement re-initializations; and, further can operate in a high voltage regime (leading to higher power consumption, and compromised cell endurance).
Even programming cell into the same resistance at particular read voltage based on either left slope or right slope or both, the amorphous thickness should be the same. Any characterized different amorphous thickness indicated different trap density/distributions in amorphous volume. The different trap density/distributions results in different drift behavior of the PCM cells.
In the current iterative write-verify techniques, a read operation is performed to verify cell programming. Typically, in such technique, a feedback is utilized in the form of a sensing circuit for use in sensing the programmed (resistive) state of the PCM cell. Typically, this sensing circuit implements an resistive-capacitive (RC) sensing scheme to effectively sense the time it takes for a floating bitline voltage level to decay to a pre-determined (e.g., reference) voltage value corresponding to the intended (programmed) PCM cell resistance value to ensure the intended resistance value has been achieved (after programming). FIG. 5 depicts a RC-based sensing circuit 20, used to sense the resistive state (R) of the programmed PCM cell 25. As shown in FIG. 5, the bitline is modeled as a capacitive load and the voltage of the floating bit line, VBL(t), at the PCM cell BL terminal 28 is measured.
As a consequence of programmed PCM cell behavior, different resistance levels result in different RC decay speed. Resistance levels can be differentiated by sensing various floating voltage delays on BL's according to RC time constant. That is, from an initial voltage level, e.g., applied during a pre-charge stage in which an initial (e.g., pre-charge) voltage VBL(0) is present on the bitline, after time t=0, the bitline voltage is measured as a function of time, (VBL(t)), such thatVBL(t)=VBL(0)exp(−t /RC)  2)where VBL(t) is the sensed bitline voltage of a floating bitline conductor as a function of time, and VBL(0) is a pre-charged bitline voltage present at time t=0. Different resistance levels i may be sensed according to formulae:VBLi(t)=VBL(0)exp(−t/R0iC); and,t=R0iC*(log VBL(0)−log VBLi(t))where i is a resistance level (e.g., i˜1, 2, . . . 16 for a 4-bit MLC PCM cell) and R=R0i, where R0i is the programmed resistance value for the level i. Thus, the a floating VBLi(t) level associated with the intended resistance R0i should decay according to a known time t to achieve a particular reference voltage VBL value corresponding to the intended resistance R0i value. Although the measured time to achieve that particular reference voltage VBL value represents cell states, it does not indicate the same amorphous material properties (i.e., same trap density/distribution, etc.). Therefore, the programmed cell may be very susceptible in the future to (resistance) drift migration.
It would be highly desirable to provide an improved drift mitigation technique that minimizes drift during programming and improves memory reliability of programmed PCM cells.
Further, as an effort to reduce drift migration prevalent, an efficient sensing circuit is needed for determining whether the phase change memory cell is programmed into correct or desired values after the programming and less sensitive to drift in the future.

Drift mitigation for multi-bits phase change memory


A permanent magnet D.C. torque motor has the stator mounted in cantilever from a base and nested in a cup-shaped rotor journalled for rotation on the base. The permanent magnets are disposed about the inner periphery of the rotor. The stator core has a plurality of radially outwardly directed webs with coils therearound and may be formed integrally as one-piece or laminated. The pole segments may be integrally formed with the web or attached as separate members. The pole segments have truncated cylindrical pole shoe surfaces forming radial air gaps with the rotor magnets. The pole segments extend axially and transversely beyond the webs. The axial pole segment extensions provide increased total flux for a given motor volume without an increase in ampere turns of electrical energization. The motor of the present invention is particularly suitable as an engine air throttle actuator.

The present invention relates to direct current torque motors of the type intended for forward or reverse rotation by an amount less than one complete revolution of the motor rotor. Torque motors of this type typically are employed for servo actuator devices where fractional revolution rotation of a shaft is required for performing a work function. In particular, it has been desired to utilize torque motors for actuating the air intake throttle valve of an internal combustion engine in response to a control signal provided by an electronic controller. This is due in part to the recently imposed strict engine exhaust emission requirements for motor vehicles which have necessitated electronic control of vehicle engine operating parameters.
In such internal combustion engine throttle applications and particularly engine throttle applications for motor vehicles, it is desired to minimize the size and weight of the torque motor in as much as it must be attached to the engine throttle body structure and is therefore subjected to the elevated temperature and vibration encountered by the engine structure. Furthermore, the torque motor must provide a substantial torque output with minimum motor coil excitation current in as much as the motor is operating, in a typical automotive application at relatively low voltages on the order 12-24 volts DC. Therefore, it has been desired for an electrically operated motor vehicle engine throttle actuator to provide a torque motor which has a maximum torque with a minimum of magnetic pole structure mass in the rotor and stator and which is robust and accurate in rotor positioning for a given coil excitation current in order to provide accurate positioning of the vehicle throttle in response to an electrical throttle control signal from an onboard electrical controller. Furthermore, it has been desired to provide a low voltage direct current torque motor of minimum mass and size for a vehicle throttle application which does not require pole structure fabrication of relatively exotic or expensive materials of high magnetic permeability but is capable of being fabricated from relatively low cost iron based material.
Heretofore, it has been found possible to provide a direct current torque motor for vehicle engine throttle operation which provides the requisite torque for insuring proper throttle positioning for a given control signal, however, the known torque motor designs have proven either prohibitive in production costs for high volume applications, or have been prohibitively bulky and heavy.
Therefore, it has long been desired to provide a direct current torque motor for servo actuator operation at relatively low voltages, particularly for vehicle engine throttle positioning which has a minimum mass, volume and maximizes the torque output therefrom for a given motor coil excitation current and which does not require relatively high cost materials.

Direct current torque motor with extended stator poles


An anchor point and method for creating an anchor point in a metal composite deck. The anchor point is made by inserting a connector plate into a slot opening formed in the metal corrugated panel used to make a metal composite deck. The connector plate is a flat, elongated bar with two opposite ends. Formed on the upper end is a first opening designed to receive a structural rebar or an ancillary rebar member attached to the-structural rebar that becomes imbedded into the composite deck. Formed on the lower end of the connector plate is a second opening designed to connect to a suitable D-ring connector plate or clip used by a construction worker when working under the deck and installing fixtures to the bottom surface of the metal composite deck.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for fall prevention tie off anchor points for metal composite decks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many buildings are made of poured metal composite decks that use lower metal corrugated panels as forms over which wet concrete is poured. After curing, the metal corrugated panels remain in place providing a clean, attractive surface upon which plumbing and electrical fixtures and suspended ceiling connector plates may be attached.
Ideally, what is needed are inexpensive, easy to install fixed connector plates that are imbedded into the metal composite deck and used as a tie off anchor point that connect to fall prevention system worn by workers or as an end tie-off anchor point that connects to a lifeline for individual.

Fall protection tie-off anchor point and method


A surgical instrument with a scissors-type handle mechanism is provided, with the handle mechanism being characterized by first and second handle members and a toggle linkage coupled to the handle members adapted to lock the handle members in a closed position.

In surgical operations, it is often necessary for the surgeon to be able to grasp and/or manipulate bits of tissue precisely, particularly when the surgeon is relatively remote from the surgical site, as in performing endoscopic procedures. There are many different instruments known to persons skilled in the art for this purpose, e.g., graspers, forceps, disectors, etc. Often the grasping or manipulating is achieved by means of an instrument having a 2-part handle mechanism, a jaw mechanism comprising a pair of opposed mutually confronting jaws, and jaw supporting and operating means coupling the handle mechanism and the two jaws for causing the jaws to be moved into and out of a closed relation with one another by the surgeon's manipulation of the handle mechanism. In a typical prior art instrument, the jaw supporting and operating means comprises a relatively long hollow shaft fixed to one part of the handle mechanism, an elongated operating shaft or rod disposed for telescopic movement within and relative to the hollow shaft and adapted to cause opening and closing of the jaws according to the direction of said telescoping movement, and means connecting the rod to the other part of the handle mechanism so that telescoping movement of the rod and shaft is produced when the two parts of the handle mechanism are moved toward and away from one another. In some instrument constructions, two jaws are pivotably attached to one end of the outer shaft, and a linkage operated by the inner rod causes the jaws to be opened or closed in response to telescoping movement of the shaft and rod. In other cases the jaw mechanism comprises a pair of spring-like jaws carried entirely by the rod, with the shaft acting as a collet to force the jaws together when the telescoping movement is in one direction and release the jaws so as to allow them to open when the telescoping movement is in the reverse direction.
These and other known forms of surgical instruments designed to grasp or manipulate tissues, vessels or organs are commonly provided with some form of locking means for locking the jaws in a tissue-gripping position so that during a surgical procedure, a surgeon may let go of the instrument to attend to some other task of that same surgical procedure without fear of the instrument failing to retain its grip. Such locking means take various forms, e.g., interlocking ratchet teeth on confronting portions of a two part handle mechanism of the type where each of the two parts has a hole for accommodating a finger or thumb of the surgeon. Other types of known locking mechanisms may use a lever or a button member for engaging or disengaging the locking means.
Prior grasper-type surgical instruments are characterized by one or more limitations and disadvantages. For one thing, they are usually designed so that the force with which the surgeon can cause the instrument to grasp tissue is a function of his manual strength and the strength of the components of the instrument. Consequently the grasped tissue may be traumatized as a result of being grasped too tightly. Moreover, in the case where the jaws have teeth or serrations and/or angular rather than rounded edges, the jaws may actually sever or puncture the grasped tissue. Locking mechanisms also present disadvantages. In the case of a ratchet-type locking means, it may be necessary to deliberately warp a portion of the instrument in order to disengage the interlocking ratchet teeth. This is disadvantageous in that the force required to be applied by the surgeon to cause the required warping action may result in a reactive displacement of the instrument relative to the patient being operated, and also may require an awkward movement of the surgeon's fingers. The other types of locking mechanisms described above almost invariably require the surgeon to operate a separate control, such as a lever or button, to disengage or engage the locking mechanism. Such action by the surgeon may be inconvenient and in addition the presence of the separate control may render the instrument less comfortable to hold and maneuver.
Another disadvantage of some prior grasping instruments is that they are highly asymmetric about the longitudinal axis of the operating rod, so that it is difficult to reorient the jaws by rotating the instrument without causing an unwanted lateral excursion of the jaws. It is for this reason that many grasping-type instruments are provided with rotatable shafts and/or operating rods, plus operating means for causing such rotation. Usually this means that the surgeon must operate a wheel, knob, or other movable control member to effect the desired rotation. Depending on the nature and location of such control member, the act of reorienting the jaws can be overly distracting to the surgeon and may require the surgeon to hold the instrument in an uncomfortable or awkward manner or even require him to use a second hand to effect the rotation.
This invention results from recognition of the fact that the utility and safety of a surgical instrument intended for grasping or otherwise manipulating living tissue or a blood vessel or a human organ is diminished if the instrument lacks suitable means for limiting the clamping force exerted by the jaw and has separate controls for locking the jaws or effecting relative rotation between the jaws and the handle mechanism.


An inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite comprising a hydrophilic macromolecular substrate containing the inorganic porous crystals in its inner matrix, production method thereof and use thereof. The present invention affords an inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite comprising the inorganic porous crystals held in the inner matrix of the hydrophilic macromolecular substrate. This composite is particularly superior in adsorption of metal ion, specifically silver and copper ions, and the metal-holding inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite showed noticeably strong adsorption of hydrogen sulfide and the like, so that it can be used as a deodorizer, antimicrobial material and freshness retention material for fruits and vegetables.

There have been made various attempts to carry an inorganic compound, such as zeolite and aluminosilica gel, on a hydrophilic macromolecular substrate, such as cellulose substrate (e.g. paper), to impart various functions. Such attempts conventionally include coating and addition during paper making process. According to these prior art techniques, however, the above-mentioned inorganic compound, which is generally called a filler, is merely held on the surface of a substrate, or when the substrate is paper, in gaps between fiber and fiber, by the action of an adhesive, yield improving agents, binder and the like.
As a consequence, these methods are associated with a limitation on the amount of the filler to be held, and with marked inhibition of desired ion exchange capability and adsorbability, despite the desire to utilize the function of porous material such as zeolite, since the adhesive, yield improving agents, binder and the like block fine pores present on the surface of zeolite and the like.
When paper is manufactured by these methods, the filler coagulates as a result of the action of the above-mentioned binder and the like, thereby clogging a paper making wire. Thus, the paper making process itself is difficult to complete. In addition, the resulting paper sometimes loses strength significantly, because the filler held on between fibers inhibits the hydrogen bonding between fibers.
To solve these problems in the paper making procedure, for example, a starting material of inorganic compound, such as aluminosilica gel, is added to the pulp to be manufactured into paper to allow reaction within the pulp, so that the resulting paper can have improved properties. For example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 125694/1993 discloses a method comprising impregnating paper with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of silicic acid (silicate) to allow contact with an acidic gas, thereby carrying the silicic acid, to manufacture an inorganic paper having optical property, adsorbability, oil absorbability and printability. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 106199/1993 discloses a method comprising immersing fiber holding an inorganic silicon compound, in an aqueous solution of aluminate, and immersing same in an aqueous solution containing at least one member selected from water-soluble salts of copper, silver and zinc, to afford antibacterial property, deodorizing property and adsorbability of the fiber.
These inorganic paper and fiber nevertheless show poor adsorption of the ion of transition metal such as silver and copper, and the metal-substituted silicic acid-carrying inorganic paper and metal-substituted aluminosilica gel fiber show poor deodorizing property. Therefore, a carrier taking the place of the silicic acid and aluminosilica gel has been desired.
In other words, inorganic porous crystals, such as zeolite and hydrotalcite capable of holding metal and the like better than aluminosilica gel and the like, are desired to be held in the inner matrix of hydrophilic macromolecular substrate such as cellulose.

Inorganic porous crystals-hydrophilic macromolecule composite


A method for reconstructing—three-dimensional (3D) lines in a 3D world coordinate system from two-dimensional (2D) lines in a single image of scene detects and clusters the 2D lines using vanishing points. A constraint graph of vertices and edges is generated, wherein the vertices represent the 2D lines, and the edges represents constraints on the 2D lines, then identifying the 3D lines that satisfy the constraints and reconstructing the 3D lines using the identified constraints.

A fundamental problem in computer vision is single view reconstruction (SVR). SVR deals with the problem of recovering a 3D real world scene from a single 2D image.
In a 2D image of an indoor or outdoor scene including man-made structures, e.g., buildings and rooms, the predominant features are 3D lines in three orthogonal directions. It is relatively easy to determine when the lines intersect in the image. However, this does not necessarily mean that the corresponding lines intersect in the 3D real world.
A trivial counterexample are lines that share a common vanishing point in the image. Those lines appear to intersect at the vanishing point, but none intersect in the real world, where the lines are parallel to each other. Thus, identifying when apparent intersections in images correspond to real world intersections is difficult. There are several challenges to infer the 3D structure of lines.
The biggest challenge is with occluding edges in the image that produce false intersections. Line detection methods in real images often, miss important lines and produce spurious lines. Detected lines are often broken or cropped to obliterate any evidence of intersections. In addition, real world scenes are particularly challenging due to clutter.
SVR is a distinctly unsolved problem in computer vision. The reconstruction can be geometric or semantic. The most common geometric reconstruction method is based on labeling lines as convex, concave or occluding lines. The line labeling problem is in general NP-hard. Several challenging line drawings have been studied and novel constraint satisfaction methods have been developed to solve the SVR problem. Those methods primarily operate on synthetic or computer generated line drawings, and are generally unsatisfactory for real world images. Most other geometrical single-view reconstruction methods that give good results for real images rely on some kind of user interaction.
There is a renewed interest in the SVR problem as more holistic approaches become available. For example, pixels in the image can be classified, as sky, buildings and ground. That classification, along with an estimation of surface orientations, can produce 3D models that are sufficient for several applications such as synthesizing, walkthroughs, stereoscopic content generation for movies, and 3D context for object detection and recognition. The methods used for such coarse modeling uses several geometrical and image features.
Along with several image features and weak assumptions on coplanarity and colinearity, one method estimates depth from a single image. Another method approximates a room geometry using a cuboid and samples different hypotheses and selects the best one based on several image and geometrical features. Clutter in indoor scenes has been modeled as cuboids and reconstructed in 3D.
Being a severely ill-posed problem, SVR has led to several solutions, such as the computation of orientation maps, inferring geometry from human activities, explicit use of boundary information, template 3D shapes and even physics-driven stability and mechanical constraints.
Performance can be significantly improved by using optimization strategies for exactly inferring layouts from a larger solution space. Constraints based on Manhattan assumptions have been used for modeling buildings from aerial photos.

Method for reconstructing 3D lines from 2D lines in an image

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.