The present invention relates to novel thiazolylcinnamonitriles and pest controlling agents containing the said compounds as active ingredients.
A large number of pest controlling agents, such as insecticides and acaricides, have been used so far. However, many of them are hardly satisfactory as controlling agents because of insufficient efficacy, restrictions on their use due to drug resistance problems, phytotoxicity or pollution on plants, or strong toxicity on humans, domestic animals and fish. Therefore, there has been a desire for the development of agents applicable safely and having less of the drawbacks mentioned above.
As for cinnamonitrile derivatives similar to the compounds of the present invention, for example, 3-hydroxy-2-(4-phenyl-2-thiazolyl)-cinnamonitriles are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 53-92769, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 55-154963 and EP 189960, and their alkali metal and ammonium salts in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 55-154962. However, none of them has been put to practical use as insecticides because of insufficient efficacy and other problems.
Further, WO 95/29591 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-158254 have disclosed cinnamonitrile derivatives, similar to the compounds of the present invention, that are useful as anti-fouling agents for aquatic adhesive organisms. There are, however, no descriptions on their insecticidal activities.
It is an object of the present invention to provide pest controlling agents containing thiazolylcinnamonitriles as active ingredients, that have sure efficacy and can be used safely.
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula (1)
[wherein
A is halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted C3-6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted thienyl, substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenoxy;
B is hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, optionally substituted phenyl, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl or C3-6 cycloalkyl;
R is C1-6 alkyl, a group of Formula COR1 (wherein R1 is C1-12 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-6 cycloalkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl, mono-C1-6 alkylamino, di-C1-6 alkylamino, optionally substituted phenyl C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted phenoxy C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted phenylthio C1-6 alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl), or a group of Formula SO2R2 (wherein R2 is C1-6 alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl);
X is cyano, nitro, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkoxy, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenoxy; and
n is an integer between 1 and 5], and pest controlling agents containing one or more of the said compounds as active ingredients.
In the above Formula (1),
A is halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine;
C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl and its isomers, and hexyl and its isomers;
C1-6 haloalkyl such as chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, bromomethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dibromomethyl, trichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, tribromomethyl, trichloroethyl, trifluoroethyl and pentafluoroethyl;
C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, sec-butoxy, isobutoxy and t-butoxy;
optionally substituted C3-6 cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, 1-methylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and 1-methylcyclohexyl;
optionally substituted pyridyl, such as 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl that may have substituents at arbitrary positions of the pyridine ring;
thienyl, such as 2-thienyl and 3-thienyl 1 that may have substituents at arbitrary positions of the thiophene ring;
phenyl having substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring; or
phenoxy having optional substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring.
Examples of substituents of the aforementioned pyridyl, thienyl, phenyl and phenoxy groups include halogens such as fluorine and chlorine; C1-6 alkyl such as methyl and ethyl; C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy; and nitro. These pyridyl, thienyl, phenyl and phenoxy groups may have two or more, same or different, substituents.
B is hydrogen;
halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine;
C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl and t-butoxycarbonyl;
C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl and hexyl;
C1-6 haloalkyl such as chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, bromomethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dibromomethyl, trichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, tribromomethyl, trichloroethyl, trifluoroethyl and pentafluoroethyl; or
C3-6 cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.
R is C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and t-butyl; or
a group represented by Formula COR1 or SO2R2,
wherein R1 is C1-12 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and its isomers, hexyl and its isomers, heptyl and its isomers, nonyl and its isomers and dodecyl, and branched alkyl groups are particularly preferred;
C1-6 haloalkyl such as chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, bromomethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dibromomethyl, trichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, tribromomethyl, trichloroethyl, trifluoroethyl and pentafluoroethyl;
optionally substituted C3-6 cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, 1-methylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and 1-methylcyclohexyl;
C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl such as methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl and butoxymethyl;
C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl such as methylthiomethyl, methylthioethyl, ethylthioethyl, ethylthiomethyl, propylthiomethyl and butylthiomethyl;
mono- or di-C1-6 alkylamino such as methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, dibutylamino and ethylisopropylamino;
optionally substituted phenyl C1-6 alkyl, such as benzyl, phenethyl and phenylpropyl that may have substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring;
optionally substituted phenoxy C1-6 alkyl, such as phenoxymethyl and phenoxyethyl that may have substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring;
optionally substituted phenylthio C1-6 alkyl, such as phenylthiomethyl, phenylthioethyl, phenylthiopropyl and phenylthiobutyl that may have substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring; or
phenyl having optional substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring.
R2 is C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and its isomers, and hexyl and its isomers, or phenyl having optional substituents at arbitrary positions of the benzene ring.
In these R1 and R2, examples of benzene-ring substituents of the phenyl C1-6 alkyl, phenylthio C1-6 alkyl, phenoxy C1-6 alkyl and phenyl groups include halogen such as fluorine and chlorine, C1-6 alkyl such as methyl and ethyl, C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy, and nitro. These benzene rings may have two or more, same or different, substituents.
X is cyano, nitro,
halogen such as chlorine, bromine and fluorine;
C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and its isomers, and hexyl and its isomers;
C1-6 haloalkyl such as chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl and pentafluoroethyl;
C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy and butoxy;
C1-6 haloalkoxy such as chloromethoxy, dichloromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 1-fluoroethoxy and 1,1-difluoroethoxy;
optionally substituted phenyl, or
optionally substituted phenoxy.
Examples of substituents of these phenyl and phenoxy groups include halogen such as fluorine and chlorine; C1-6 alkyl such as methyl and ethyl; C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy and isopropoxy; and nitro. The said phenyl group may have two or more, same or different, substituents.
When n is 2 or larger, X""s may be the same or different groups.
Compounds having particularly excellent pest controlling effects among the compounds of the present invention, compared to similar, known cinnamonitrile compounds, are those where, in the above Formula (1), A is C1-6 alkyl, optionally substituted C3-6 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted thienyl or substituted phenyl; B is hydrogen; R is COR1 or SO2R2; and X is halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl or C1-6 alkoxy, and at least one of the substituents is at position 2.
The compounds of the present invention are prepared, for example, according to the following:
(wherein A, B, R, X and n are as defined above, and L1 is a leaving group such as halogen, C1-6 alkoxy, phenoxy, 1-imidazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, p-toluenesulfonyloxy, methanesulfonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy).
That is, 1 mole of a compound of Formula (2) is reacted with 0.5 to 2 moles of a compound of Formula (3) in an inert solvent in the presence of a base, to give a compound of Formula (1).
Examples of bases used for this reaction include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; organic metals such as n-butyl lithium and lithium diisopropylamide (LDA); and organic bases such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and pyridine.
Solvents able to be used include N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetonitrile, hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPT), benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Preferred reaction temperatures are from xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. to the boiling point of solvents used.
The compounds of Formula (1) of the present invention have 2 stereoisomers. One of the isomers or a mixture of the isomers may be produced, depending on reaction conditions and purification methods. These isomers are all covered by the present invention.
A compound of Formula (2) of a starting material can be prepared as follows:
(wherein A, B, X and n are as defined above, and L2 is a leaving group such as halogen, C1-6 alkoxy, phenoxy, 1-imidazolyl or 1-pyrazolyl).
That is, 1 mole of a compound of Formula (4) is reacted with 0.5 to 2 moles of a compound of Formula (5) in an inert solvent in the presence of a base, to give a compound of Formula (2).
Examples of bases used for this reaction include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; organic metals such as n-butyl lithium and LDA; and organic bases such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and pyridine.
Solvents able to be used include DMF, DMSO, THF, acetonitrile, hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPT), benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Preferred reaction temperatures are from xe2x88x9278xc2x0 C. to the boiling point of solvents used.
A target compound is obtained with usual post-treatments after the completion of the reaction.
The structures of the compounds of the present invention were determined by IR, MNR, MS and other means.
Representative examples of the compounds of the present invention, that can be prepared according to the above processes, are shown in Tables 1 to 4. The symbols used in the tables have the following meanings:
Me: methyl, Et: ethyl, Pr: propyl, Bu: butyl, Pen: pentyl, Hex: hexyl, Ph: phenyl, n: normal, i: iso, t: tertiary, neo: neo, and c: cyclo
(Insecticides and Acaricides)
Compositions containing the compounds of the present invention obtained in such ways as those mentioned above are useful, for example, as agricultural and horticultural insecticides, acaricides, sanitary insect pest controlling agents and anti-fouling agents for aqueous adhesive organisms. It is particularly preferable to apply compositions containing the compounds of the present invention as agricultural and horticultural insecticides and acaricides.
The compounds of the present invention can be used in the pure form without adding other ingredients, when they are actually applied as agricultural and horticultural insecticides or acaricides. When applied as agrochemicals, they may be used in forms that general agrochemicals can take, such as wettable powders, granules, dusts, emulsifiable concentrates, water soluble powders, flowable concentrates and flowables.
In order to make solid formulations, vegetable powders such as soybean flour and wheat flour; fine mineral powders such as diatomaceous earth, apatite, gypsum, talc, bentonite, pyrophylite and clay; and organic and inorganic compounds such as sodium benzoate, urea and Glauber""s salt can be used as additives and carriers. When the purpose is to prepare liquid formulations, as additives and carriers, petroleum fractions such as kerosene, xylene and solvent naphtha, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, DMF, DMSO, alcohol, acetone, trichloroethylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral oils, vegetable oils, water and the like can be used as solvents.
It is possible to further add surfactant, if required, to make these formulations homogeneous and stable forms. There are no particular restrictions on surfactant used. Their examples include nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylene-added alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene-added alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene-added higher fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene-added sorbitan higher fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene-added tristylylphenyl ethers; polyoxyethylene-added alkylphenyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, higher alcohol sulfates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, polycarboxylic acid salts, lignin sulfonates, condensation products of alkylnaphthalene sulfonates with formaldehyde, and copolymers of isobutylene and maleic anhydride.
An amount of the active ingredient (a compound of the present invention) in a formulation is preferably 0.01 to 90% by weight, more preferably about 0.05 to 85% by weight. The obtained wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, flowable concentrates and flowables are diluted with water to specified concentrations to use as suspensions or emulsions. The dusts and granules are used as they are to directly spray on plants or soil.
It goes without saying that the compounds of the present invention are sufficiently effective by themselves. They can be used, however, by mixing with one or more of various fungicides, insecticides, acaricides or synergists.
Representative examples of fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and plant growth regulators that can be used to mix with the compounds of the present invention are shown in the following:
Fungicides
Captan, Forpet, Thiuram, Ziram, Zineb, Maneb, Mancozeb, Propineb, Polycarbamate, Chlorotalonyl, Quintozene, Captafol, Iprodione, Prothimidon, Vinclosolin, Fluorimide, Cymoxanil, Mepronyl, Flutoranyl, Penthichlon, Oxycarboxin, Phosethyl-aluminum, Propamocarb, Triazimefon, Triazimenol, Propiconazole, Dichloptrazole, Bitertanol, Hexaconazole, Microbutanil, Flusilazole, Ethaconazole, Fluotrimazole, Flutriafen, Penconazole, Diniconazole, Cyproconazole, Phenalimol, Triflumizole, Prochloraz, Imazaryl, Pefurazoate, Tridemorph, Fenpropymorph, Triforin, Buthiobate, Pryfenox, Anilazine, Polyoxin, Metharaxyl, Oxadixyl, Flaraxyl, Isoprothiorane, Probenazole, Pyrolnitrin, Blasticidin S, Kasugamycin, Validamycin, Sulfric acid dihydrostreptomycin, Benomil, Carbendazim, Thiophanate-methyl, Hymexazole, Basic copper chloride, Basic copper sulfate, Triphenyl tin acetate, Triphenyl tin hydroxide, Diethofencarb, Methasulfocarb, Quinomethionate, Binapacryl, Lecithin, Sodium carbonate, Dithianon, Dinocap, Phenaminosulf, Dichlomezine, Guazatine, Dozin, IBP, Edifenphos, Mepanipyrim, Ferimzone, Trichlamide, Methasulfocarb, Fluazinam, Etokinorakku (oxolinic acid), Dimethomorph, Pyroquiron, Tecrofutaram, Futharide, Phenazinoxyde, Thiabendazole, Tricyclazole, Vinclozolin, Cymoxanil, Cyclobutanyl, Guazatine, Propamocarb-hydrochloride, Oxolinic acid and the like.
Insecticides and Acaricides
Organophosphorus and Carbamate Insecticides
Fenthion, Fenitrothion, Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos, ESP, Vamidothion, Fenthoate, Dimethoate, Formothion, Malathon, Trichlorfon, Thiomethon, Phosmet, Dichlorvos, Acephate, EPBP, Methylparathion, Oxydimethonmethyl, Ethion, Salithion, Cyanophos, Isoxathion, Pyridafenthion, Phosalon, Methidathion, Sulprofos, Chlorfenvinphos, Tetrachlorvinphos, Dimethylvinphos, Propaphos, isofenphos, Ethylthiomethon, Profenofos, Pyrachlofos, Monoclotophos, Adinphosmethyl, Aldicarb, Methomyl, Thiodicarb, Carbofuran, Carbosulfan, Benfuracarb, Furathiocarb, Propoxur, BPMC, MTMC, MIPC, Carbaryl, Pyrimicarb, Ethiofencarb, Fenoxycarb and the like.
Pyrethroid Type Insecticides
Permethrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Fenvalerate, Fenpropathrin, Pyrethrin, Allethrin, Tetramethrin, Resmethrin, Dimethrin, Propathrin, Phenothrin, Prothrin, Fulvalinate, Cyfluthrin, Cyhalothrin, Flucythrinate, Ethofenprox, Cycloprothrin, Tralomethrin, Silafluofen, Profenprox, Acrynathrin and the like.
Benzoyl Urea and other Insecticides
Diflubenzuron, Chlorfluazuron, Hexaflumron, Triflumron, Tetrabenzuron, Flufenoxuron, Flucycloxuron, Buprofezin, Pyriproxyfen, Methoprene, Benzoepin (endosulfan), Diafenthiuron, Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid, Nitenpyram, Fipronyl, Caltop, Thiocyclam, Bensultap, Chlorphenapyr, Emanectin-benzoate, Tebufenozide, Nicotine sulfate, Rotenone, Metaldehyde, machine oils, BT, agrochemicals for microbial organisms such as insect disease viruses, and the like.
Nematicides
Phenamiphos, Fosthiazate and the like.
Acaricides
Chlorbenzylate, Phenisobromolate, Dicofol, Amitraz, BPPS, Benzomate, Hexythiazox, Fenbutatin oxide, Polynactins, Quinomethionate, CPCBS, Tetradifon, Abermectin, Milbemectin, Clofentezin, Cyhexatin, Pyridaben, Fenpyroximate, Tebufenpyrad, Pyrimidifen, Phenothiocarb, Dienochlor, Etoxazole, Halfenprox and the like.
Plant Growth Regulators
Gibberellins (for example, gibberellin A3, gibberellin A4 and gibberellin A7), IAA, NAA and the like.
The compound of the present invention can be used to control agricultural pests, sanitary insect pests, stored grain insect pests, cloth insect pests, house insect pests and the like, and have activities of killing adults, nymphs, larvae and eggs. Their representative examples are shown in the following:
Examples of Lepidopterous pest insects include cotton leafworm, cabbage armyworm, black cutworm, common cabbegeworm, cabbage looper, diamond-back, smaller tea tortrix, tea leaf roller, peach fruit moth, oriental fruit moth, citrus leaf miner, tea leaf roller, apple leaf miner, gypsy moth, tea tussock moth, rice stem borer, grass leaf roller, European corn borer, fall webworm, almond moth, Heliothis sp., Helicoverpa sp., Agrotis sp., casemaking clothes moth, codling moth and cotton bollworm.
Examples of Hemipterous pest insects include green peach aphid, cotton aphid, turnip aphid, grain aphid, bean bug, common green stink bug, arrowhead scale, mulberry mealy scale, greenhouse whitefly, tabacco whitefly, pear psylla, Japanese pear lace bug, brown planthopper, small brown planthopper, white-backed planthopper and green rice leafhopper.
Examples of Coleopterous pest insects include striped flea beetle, cucurbit leaf beetle, Colorado potato beetle, rice water weevil, rice weevil, adzuki bean weevil, Japanese beetle, soybean beetle, Diabrotica sp., cigarette beetle, powder post beetle, pine sawyer, white-spotted longicorn beetle, Agriotis sp., 28-spotted ladybeetle, rust-red flour beetle and cotton boll weevil.
Examples of Dipterous pest insects include housefly, Calliphora lata, Boettcherisca peregrina, cucurbit fruit fly, citrus fruit fly, seed maggot, rice leaf miner, yellow drosophila, Stomoxys calcitrans, Culex tritaeniarhynchus, Aedes aegypti and Anlopheles hyrcanus.
Examples of Thysanopterous pest insects include Thrips palmi and tea thrips.
Examples of Hymenopterous pest insects include Monomorium pharaonis, yellow harnet and cabbage sawfly.
Examples of Orthopterous pest insects include grasshopper.
Examples of Dictyopterous pest insects include German cockroach, American cockroach and Japanese cockroach.
Examples of Isopterous pest insects include Formosan subterranean termite and Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe.
Examples of Aphanipterous pest insects include human flea.
Examples of Anoplurous pest insects include human louse.
Examples of mites include two-spotted spider mite, Kanzawa spider mite, citrus red mite, European red mite, citrus rust mite, apple rust mite, Tarsonemus sp., Brevipalpus sp., Eotetranychus sp., Robin bulb mite, common grain mite, Desmatophagoides farinae, Boophilus microplus and Haemaphysallis bispinosa.
Examples of plant-parasitic nematodes include southern root-knot nematode, root lesion nematode, soybean cyst nematode, rice white-tip nematode and pine wood nematode.
Many pests such as diamond-back, planthoppers, leafhoppers and aphids, and phytophagous mites have developed resistance against organophosphorus pesticides, carbamate insecticides and acaricides. Therefore, the chemicals have had the problem of lack of efficacy. There has been a desire for chemicals effective on pests and mites of resistant strains. The compounds of the present invention are chemicals having excellent insecticidal and acaricidal effects on pests resistant to organophosphorus pesticides, carbamate insecticides or pyrethroid type agents and mites resistant to acaricides, as well as those of sensitive strains.
The compounds of the present invention induce very slight chemical injuries, have low toxicity on fish and warm-blood animals, and are highly safe.

Thiazolylcinnamonitriles and pest controlling agents

Abstract: Compounds represented by the general formula (1); and pest controlling agents containing one or more of the compounds as the active ingredients, wherein A is substituted phenyl, C1-C6 alkly or the like; B is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl or the like; R is C1-C6 alkly, a group represented by the general formula: COR1 (wherein R1 is C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkyl or the like) or the like; X is halogeno, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl or the like; and n is an integer of 1 to 5.


A method and a trajectory generator are provided which automatically generate a trajectory, which is converted into control signals (sd) for the purpose of controlling a drive system. The control signals (sd) are used to control actuators of the drive system to carry out the movement according to the calculated trajectory. The method is implemented on a microcontroller (μC) and has a very short runtime and a low memory requirement.

In modern machine and installation construction, the process acceleration and the reduction of cycle and clock times with constant or increased precision are the main challenge for increasing the throughput and enhancing the quality. An important aspect when developing powerful processing machines is therefore the dynamically favorable configuration of their movement sequences. The aim of the motion planning process may be to achieve peak clock rates which are as high as possible or—alternatively—wear which is as low as possible and downtimes which are as short as possible for stipulated nominal clock rates. Therefore, when configuring the movements, various technical parameters need to be weighed up against one another, such as a permissible velocity, acceleration, and the avoidance of acceleration jumps, that is to say, the limitation of jerk.
The related art discloses the practice of automatically generating movement profiles which are jerk-limited, have a minimum execution time and comply with other demands imposed on the movement operation (for example restrictions of velocity and/or acceleration).
EP 2 307935 B1 thus shows a method in which different kinematic cases are checked in a decision tree in order to solve a non-linear system of equations. On account of its complexity, this method is not suitable for use in systems in which the trajectory generator must be implemented on compact, less complex microcontrollers which can process only less code, in particular. On account of the complexity of the method described in the EP specification mentioned, it is too comprehensive for simple applications.
Macfarlane and Croft in "S. Macfarlane and E. A. Croft: Jerk-Bounded Manipulator Trajectory Planning: Design for Real-Time Applications, in: IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 19(1), pages 42 to 52, February 2003," describe an online method for calculating smooth jerk-bounded trajectories which are represented by fifth-order polynomial functions. Complex mathematical calculations, such as cube roots from time to time, are required in this case. A specific conversion into a simple method for controlling a motion controller, in which only basic types of calculations are required and which can therefore be efficiently implemented in hardware using commercially available components, is not described here.

Automatic trajectory generation for controlling a drive system


A carbon black pellet comprising an inner core of de-aerated carbon black and an outer surrounding shell of an encapsulating material, the shell of the encapsulating material having an average thickness of from about 1% to about 10% of the average thickness of the pellet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to carbon black pellets and, more particularly, to carbon black pellets having good dispersibility, good bulk handling characteristics and good attrition resistance, and to a method of manufacturing such pellets.
2. Description of Prior Art
Carbon black finds wide industrial use. Carbon black is used as a reinforcing agent in rubber products such as tires, tubes, conveyor belts, cables and other mechanical rubber goods; as a black pigment in printing, lithographic, letter press, carbon paper and typewriter ribbon inks, paints, coatings, lacquers, plastics, fibers, ceramics, enamels, paper, record discs and photocopier toner; in leather finishes; in the manufacture of dry-cell batteries, electrodes and carbon brushes; in electrical conductors; in conductive and anti-static rubber and plastic products; for electromagnetic interference shielding; video discs and tapes; for UV stabilization of polyolefins; as a high temperature insulating material; etc.
As produced, carbon black particles have a fractal morphology. They are composed of primary particles about 10 to 500 nm in diameter which irreversibly fuse during the furnace/combustion process used and produce primary aggregates having a diameter of from 50 to 20,000 nm. Carbon black cannot be practically used in its produced form because of its light and dusty form making its handling, shipment and end use not only difficult but environmentally unacceptable. To improve these handling, shipping and use problems, the produced, fluffy carbon black is densified. It is well known in the art that for a given grade of carbon black, handling properties improve with increasing degree of densification. However, dispersibility of the densified carbon black is progressively degraded as the extent of densification is increased. Thus, there is a trade off between improvements in bulk handling properties and degradation in dispersibility.
In general, currently the industry uses three basic methods to obtain densification. These, in order of providing increased levels of densification are: agitation or vacuum treatment of the fluffy produced product, dry pelletization and wet pelletization. All of these methods are well documented in the art as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,850,403; 3,011,902; 4,569,834; 5,168,012; 5,589,531; and 5,654,357, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The densification processes mentioned above, all suffer from disadvantages, e.g., product that has poor properties in bulk handling, the formation of pellets which are relatively weak and have poor attrition resistance or relatively dense, hard and attrition resistant pellets which possess good bulk handling properties but are difficult to disperse.
Thus there still remains a need for a densified carbon black which exhibits good bulk handling properties, has good attrition resistance and is readily dispersible.

Core-shell carbon black pellets and method of forming same


In one embodiment, a gas contamination detection apparatus includes a gas analyzer adapted to receive a sample of a gas to be delivered to a patient and to analyze the gas sample to determine whether the gas contains a contaminant, and a gas shut-off valve adapted to automatically prevent the gas from being delivered to the patient if the gas is determined to contain a contaminant.

In recent years, it has become common to use carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as a contrast agent in angiography. CO2 works well as a contrast agent and, unlike iodine which can cause complications for some patients, CO2 is well tolerated by nearly all patients. In addition, CO2 is inexpensive and, because of its high solubility, quickly leaves the body through normal respiration.
CO2 is typically delivered to the body through a gas delivery system that can, for example, comprise a CO2 source such as a bag filled with the gas, a delivery means such as a syringe or pump, and a catheter. Unfortunately, it is possible for leaks to develop in such a system that enable air to enter system and, therefore, the patient. While the oxygen gas within air is relatively harmless, the nitrogen gas within the air can cause serious health problems, including ischemia. Therefore, it is important when performing CO2 angiography to ensure that air does not enter the gas to be delivered to the patient. Although systems and methods have been proposed for detecting such contaminants, none are presently known that are simple, inexpensive, and immediate.

Apparatuses and methods for detecting gas contamination

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.


A control apparatus for a vehicle cooling apparatus that includes: a PCU cooling unit for cooling a power control unit controlling an electric motor; a T/A cooling unit for cooling a drive-force transmitting apparatus including the electric motor; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the PCU cooling unit and the T/A cooling unit. The T/A cooling unit includes a first pump for circulating a refrigerant of the T/A cooling unit, while the PCU cooling unit includes a second pump for circulating a refrigerant of the PCU cooling unit. The control apparatus includes a controlling portion configured to cause the first pump to be driven when a temperature of the power control unit is higher than a threshold temperature value and a temperature of the refrigerant of the PCU cooling unit is higher than a temperature of the refrigerant of the T/A cooling unit.

There is known a cooling apparatus to be installed on a vehicle that includes (i) a drive-force transmitting apparatus including an electric motor and (ii) a power control unit, wherein the cooling apparatus includes a T/A cooling unit for cooling the drive-force transmitting apparatus, a PCU cooling unit for cooling the power control unit and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the PCU cooling unit and the T/A cooling unit. An example of such a cooling apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the cooling apparatus disclosed in the Patent Document 1, the heat generated in the power control unit is utilized to heat a refrigerant (ATF) of the T/A cooling unit through the heat exchanger whereby a viscosity of a lubricant oil is reduced even shortly after start of the vehicle at a low temperature so that a drive loss in a gear mechanism included in the drive-force transmitting apparatus is reduced. Specifically, a temperature (hereinafter referred to as "LLC temperature") of a refrigerant LLC of the PCU cooling unit and a temperature (hereinafter referred to as "ATF temperature") of the refrigerant ATF of the T/A cooling unit are compared with each other, and the heat of the refrigerant LLC is transferred to the refrigerant ATF through the heat exchanger when the LLC temperature is higher than the ATF temperature.

Control apparatus for vehicle cooling apparatus


A toy doll system is provided including a self-pressurized fluid receptacle disposed within the doll having a first outlet valve and a second outlet valve operably connected to the receptacle. The receptacle includes a rigid housing member having an interior and a rigid housing cover including a plurality of apertures, wherein a resilient sheet-like member is disposed between the housing member and the housing cover for providing an airtight chamber for storing fluid under pressure between the resilient member and the housing cover. The doll includes first and second activators for manually opening first and second outlet valves, respectively, for providing tearing and wetting effects. A bottle is provided having a tip configured to be insertable into the doll's mouth opening for injecting fluid therein. As fluid is input between the resilient member and the housing cover, the resilient member stretches and expands into the housing member interior accordingly.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fluid intake and expulsion systems, and in particular, to a system for providing a tearing and wetting effect in toys such as toy dolls and a method for operating same.
2. Description of Related Art
In the art, toy dolls in a variety of styles, shapes, features and characteristics are known. In particular, dolls which exhibit realistic action features such as 'crying' or 'wetting' diapers are known in the art. Such dolls are desirable and appealing because they emulate habits and actions that occur in real-life babies.
Many such dolls typically involve the use of electronic motors to provide the desired crying or wetting effects, whereupon the particular action is performed upon activation of a switch, to cause, e.g., a pumping effect of the liquid to the desired part of the doll. Typically, in such dolls, motors are battery-powered.
However, a toy including electronic parts often has limited entertainment value, since the desired action functions require power to operate effectively. A child's interest often quickly disappears with such toys once the batteries are depleted.
Furthermore, the addition of electronic parts complicates its design, and thus can lead to increased incidents of malfunction. Such problems can be compounded when involving a device which contains and emits fluids.
Accordingly, a toy doll which effectively provides fluid-emitting functions to emulate such actions as 'tearing' and 'diaper wetting' in a manner which is simple to operate, durable and encourages continued play without reliance on a power source, is highly desirable.

System and method for providing a tearing and wetting effect in toys


In the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer, there is produced a sodium-containing heavy residue stream previously suitable only as a low grade fuel. In accordance with the invention, the heavy residue stream is contacted with acid having a molar concentration with respect to water above that which corresponds to the product salt solubility limit, and the resulting mixture is phase separated into an aqueous sodium salt-containing slurry phase and an organic phase reduced in sodium.

Related Application
Co-pending application Ser. No. 07/880,836 filed May 8, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,354 relates to an improved recovery of 1-phenyl ethanol and styrene from heavy residual process streams from the propylene oxide and styrene monomer process. The process of said copending application Ser. No. 07/880,836 involves acid treatment and cracking of the heavy residual process stream.
The present invention relates to improvements in the acid treatment step such as is employed in said co-pending application.

Residual stream upgrading in a propylene oxide-styrene monomer process


A probe for the detection of alternating magnetic fields has a highly permeable probe core (10) and a measuring winding (11) surrounding the probe core, with the measuring winding being put together of several coils (111, 112, 113) which are connected in series. In order to produce a probe which is suitable for the detection of extremely low-frequency alternating magnetic fields from a minimum distance commonly required for the detection of floating bodies that emit such alternating fields, the probe core (10) is put together from flat strips (16) of amorphous or microcrystalline magnetizable material with insulating strips (17) disposed in-between. The coils of the measuring winding (11) are configured as self-supporting coils, preferably as self-bonding wire coils, and surround the probe core (10) with almost no clearance.

The invention relates to a probe for the detection of alternating magnetic field and having a highly permeable core and a measuring winding surrounding the core, with the measuring winding being put together of several coils connected in series.
In a known probe of this type according to German Patent No. DE 26 25 964 C3, the probe core is comprised of mumetal filaments which have a maximum diameter of 2 mm and which are encapsulated or embedded in bundles in a surrounding outer pipe. A slotted, thin-walled brass pipe serves as an outer pipe. The measuring winding is wound from copper and distributed over three coils. Each coil is wound onto a coil shell which is subdivided into three chambers to reduce the winding capacitance, each of the chambers being filled completely with the copper winding. Short distances are left clear between the individual coils, which clearances are engaged by supporting ribs for holding the probe core. The supporting ribs, in turn, are supported by a supporting plate, e.g., a U-shaped aluminum profiled section.
Probes of this type having a probe core constructed from mumetal filaments are not sensitive enough for detection purposes to also be able to detect extremely low-frequency alternating magnetic fields, which are generated in water by floating bodies, e.g., by submarines with electrical propulsion arrangements and electronic data processing systems, at a sufficiently large distance of a few hundred meters from the floating bodies. This is primarily due to the fact that the magnetic properties of the probe core that are required for this application cannot be achieved because the mumetal filaments lose their magnetic property to a great extent due to winding and unwinding and because of the mechanical alignment during the production of the probe core. This could be remedied by carrying out an annealing process after these mumetal filaments have been filled into the outer pipe. But such an annealing process destroys the enamel or lacquer insulation that is normally applied in the case of these mumetal filaments, thus creating electrical connections which increase the eddy-current influence on the probe core to such an extent that the probe no longer behaves linearly. A full annealing-capable insulation of the mumetal filaments would be possible; but this would require such a highly complex manufacturing process that the production costs for the probe are no longer acceptable.
It is the object of the invention to optimize a probe of the type mentioned at the outset for the detection of low-frequency alternating magnetic fields in water from a minimum distance commonly required for the detection of floating bodies that emit such alternating fields and to also pay attention to a simple, cost-saving manufacture.

Magnetic field probe having a rectangular core formed of strips of material


A liquid crystal display comprising first and second switching elements connected to a first signal line; a signal line pair including a second and a third signal line connected to the first and second switching elements, respectively; a first pixel pattern connected through a first connection terminal of the first switching element; a second pixel pattern connected through a second connection terminal of the second switching element; a storage electrode line overlapping with the first and second pixel patterns; and a repair portion for electrically connecting the first and second pixel patterns to each other through a repairing process.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display, and methods of fabricating and repairing the same, and more particularly, to a method of repairing a liquid crystal display with two sub-pixels in one pixel.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Since a liquid crystal display (LCD) has advantages of small size, light weight and low power consumption as compared to a conventional cathode ray tube (CRT), the LCDs are widely favored over the CRTs.
An LCD is a device in which two substrates with electrodes formed thereon are positioned such that the two electrodes face each other, a liquid crystal substance is injected between the two substrates, and an electric field is then applied between the two electrodes to move liquid crystal molecules so that transmittance of light can vary, thereby displaying an image. A conventional LCD has a narrow viewing angle due to gray inversion generated from all liquid crystals of the LCD being oriented in one direction. Accordingly, studies on a technique for increasing the viewing angle of the LCD have been actively conducted in recent years.
A patterned vertical alignment (PVA) type LCD has been developed to improve the viewing angle of an LCD. Liquid crystals within the PVA type LCD are vertically aligned with respect to upper and lower substrates, and an aperture pattern, a protrusion pattern or the like is formed as a domain regulating means on a pixel electrode and a common electrode that is a counter electrode. However, a side visibility distortion phenomenon occurs in the conventional PVA type LCD.
An LCD provided with an S-PVA structure has been developed in response to the phenomenon. A unit pixel is constructed to have two sub-pixels and differential voltages are applied to the respective sub-pixels so that side gray level rounding or reversion can be relieved, thereby enhancing side visibility. Such an LCD comprises two transistors and two pixel electrode patterns within a region of one pixel for expressing one color, and naturally expresses gray levels using a method of differentiating peak voltages applied to the respective pixel electrode patterns so that the side visibility distortion phenomenon can be relieved.
However, where one of two sub-pixels constituting one pixel has a failure in a conventional S-PVA structure, the other sub-pixel should also be repaired. This complicates the repairing process and thus lowers the rate of a successful pixel repair.
S-PVA structures include a structure in which two thin film transistors (TFTs) driven through different gate lines share one data line and a structure in which two TFTs connected to different data lines share one gate line.
FIG. 1 illustrates a method of repairing a conventional LCD.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional LCD comprises first and second TFTs 21 and 22 connected to gate lines 10, first and second data lines 31 and 32 respectively connected to the first and second TFTs 21 and 22, first pixel patterns 41 connected to the first TFTs 21, second pixel patterns 42 connected to the second TFTs 22 and storage electrodes 50 overlapping with the first and second pixel patterns 41 and 42.
A protection film is formed on the first and second TFTs 21 and 22, and the first and second pixel patterns 41 and 42 are formed on the protection film.
The first TFT 21 is connected to the first pixel pattern 41 through a first drain contact plug 43, and the second TFT 22 is connected to the second pixel pattern 42 through a second drain contact plug 44. Further, the storage electrode 50 extends below the first and second drain contact plugs 43 and 44.
Accordingly, there is provided an LCD including a first sub-pixel with a first pixel pattern and a second sub-pixel with a second pixel pattern within a region of one pixel. Here, a gray level voltage with a lower peak value is applied to the first sub-pixel to express a lower gray level, and a gray level voltage with a higher peak value is applied to the second sub-pixel to express a higher gray level.
However, since two pixel patterns are provided within the region of one pixel and two TFTs for respectively driving them are included in the structure, a channel failure generating rate of the TFTs due to contaminations is twice that of a case where one TFT is provided for one pixel pattern. Further, the number of lines for use in driving a plurality of pixel patterns increases, and accordingly, a failure rate increases due to an increase in pattern density.
Furthermore, since the two sub-pixels constitute one pixel, when a failure occurs in one of the two sub-pixels, both the sub-pixels need to be repaired.
A pixel failure can be repaired by disconnecting the TFTs of the pixel from the corresponding pixel patterns. The first TFT 21 can be disconnected from the first pixel pattern 41 by using a laser to cut a region (see region B in FIG. 1) on an extension of the drain electrode 28 between the first TFT 21 and the first drain contact plug 43.
The first pixel pattern 41 and the lower storage electrode 50 are electrically connected by radiating a laser such that the first pixel pattern 41 is not floated and is off upon application of a storage voltage. If the first pixel pattern 41 is floated, a liquid crystal is driven by a voltage applied to a common electrode pattern (not shown). Thus, a storage voltage at the same level as the voltage applied to the common electrode pattern is applied to the first pixel pattern so that a sub-pixel including the first pixel pattern 41 becomes an off-pixel. To prevent the first pixel pattern 41 from being floated due to a connection failure, the laser is radiated twice at both edges of the first drain contact plug 43 (see regions C and D in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the sub-pixel including the first pixel pattern 41 is off.
Since the entire unit pixel becomes a low pixel if one sub-pixel is off, the entire unit pixel should become an off-pixel. Thus, an extension of the drain electrode 28 between the second TFT 22 and the second drain contact plug 44 should be cut using the laser so that the second TFT 22 can be disconnected from the second pixel pattern 42 (see region G in FIG. 1). The second pixel pattern 42 and the storage electrode 50 are electrically connected by radiating a laser twice at both edges of the contact plug 44 (see regions E and F in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the other sub-pixel including the second pixel pattern 42 is also off.
As described above, it requires six laser operations to repair the conventional LCD. Therefore, a need exists for a more efficient method of repairing an LCD.

Liquid crystal display and methods of fabricating and repairing the same


A beverage mug and beverage can holder has slots to accommodate the handles of two mugs, which are nested together with the handles adjacent so as to conserve space. Mugs are supported by the top edges of gussets spaced around the inside bottom. Cans, smaller in diameter than mugs, are retained between the gussets. Cans with foam liners are supported by the gussets. For marine use, the holder will drain liquids to a collection point.

It is common practice to drink a beverage while driving or riding in an automobile, boat, airplane, or other vehicle. It is also common to rest the beverage container in a holder between drinks, to free the hands. Holders for this purpose are known, but have displayed shortcomings. Beverage containers come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, and the holder should be capable of holding the most common of these configurations. A beverage mug has a handle for one or more fingers, and holders have no provision for the handle. A beverage can has a smaller diameter than a mug, and no current holder will accommodate both. Cans are also sometimes provided with a foam coating or slip-on shell or liner for insulation, which increases the diameter. For marine use, the holder should have a drain so that it does not fill with water. Drinks are often enjoyed in company, yet holders will typically accommodate only one beverage container. A dual mug holder should be configured to minimize the required installation space.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a holder that will accommodate a beverage mug with a handle.
There is a further need to provide a holder that will accommodate two beverage mugs with handles, and nest them together in such a way as to conserve space.
There is a yet further need to provide a holder that will accommodate both mugs and cans, with or without foam liners.
There is a still further need to provide a holder for marine use that will drain rainwater, spray, or spilled beverage from the holder to a collection point.


Process and device for reducing the spectral line noise inside an aircraft, especially a rotating-wing aircraft, in particular a helicopter.

The present invention relates to a process and device for reducing the spectral line noise inside an aircraft, especially a rotating-wing aircraft, and in particular a helicopter.
More particularly, it applies to the reducing of the noise in the cockpit and/or in the passenger cabin of said aircraft.
It is known that, on a rotating-wing aircraft, the acoustic spectra defined in the domain lying between 20 Hz and 20 kHz pertain to the superposition of noises of different origins, which can be clustered into two different groups depending on their spectral characteristics, namely pure sounds or spectral line noises and broadband noises.
In a known manner, pure sounds or spectral line noises occur especially, as the case may be:
at characteristic frequencies of the kinematic chain of the aircraft;
at the frequencies of rotation of the blades of the rotors (main and rear) and at the harmonics of these frequencies;
at the frequencies of rotation of the blades of the compressors of the turbomotor sets; and/or
at the frequencies of rotation of the blades of the fans for cooling the main gearbox and/or of electrical equipment, as well as at the harmonics of these frequencies,
while broadband noises comprise especially as the case may be:
noise from a boundary layer developing on the fuselage;
noise generated by the rotors;
noise from the flow in the air inlets and nozzles;
engine noise; and/or
noise from the air conditioning or heating circuits of the cockpit or of the passenger cabin.
Although all these noises may pose problems, the acoustic annoyance experienced by the passengers and the crew is caused essentially by spectral line noises. Consequently, the main object of the present invention, which reckons to limit this acoustic annoyance, is to reduce said spectral line noises.
There are various known solutions for reducing such noises inside a rotating-wing aircraft, especially a helicopter.
A first known solution has the object of reducing the vibratory level of or the radiation from noise sources and/or the fuselage. For this purpose, various physical actions may be implemented, especially:
a reduction in the vibrations of the structure and/or mechanical members, by damping or modifying the stiffness or the mass;
an attenuation in the acoustic transmission, by damping or modifying the stiffness or mass;
a double-partition effect, by shrouding the relevant source;
acoustic absorption by fibrous or cellular materials; and
acoustic absorption by Helmhotz resonators.
The first four physical actions above make it possible to decrease the general level of noise in a wide domain of frequencies, but they entail a considerable and very disadvantageous increase in mass. Moreover, the noise decrease then obtained is not selective enough to dispose of the acoustic annoyance specific to pure sounds.
On the other hand, the fifth and last physical action above makes it possible effectively to reduce the spectral line noise, although only in a narrow band of frequencies, defined during the design.
This above first solution based on passive processing of the noise is therefore hardly effective, especially for spectral line noises generated by vibratory or acoustic excitations dependent in particular on the rotation regime, prone to variations as a function of time, of rotating machines.
A second known solution advocates active noise control.
The document WO-98/06089 discloses a system for actively controlling noise and vibrations in the cabin of an aircraft. This known system comprises:
sensors for measuring the values of vibratory and/or acoustic parameters representative of vibratory and/or acoustic effects of sources of noise of said aircraft;
reference sensors for measuring the values of reference parameters;
active and controllable vibration absorber means which are able to reduce the vibratory and/or acoustic effects of said sources of noise; and
a main computer determining, on the basis of the values measured by said sensors and said reference sensors, control commands for said vibration absorber means, with a view to reducing the noise and the vibrations inside said aircraft.
Another example of active control is described in the document FR-2 732 807 which discloses a personal process and a personal device for acoustic attenuation. This known document envisages an attenuator assembly which comprises sensors and loudspeakers arranged in proximity to the head of a passenger of an aircraft. These loudspeakers are intended to create counter-noises in order to attenuate the noises existing in proximity to the head of the passenger, by combining with these noises.
This attenuator assembly thus only allows individual and very localized attenuation of the noise in proximity to a passenger""s seat.
This known device has numerous drawbacks. In particular:
it requires a number of loudspeakers and of microphones which is proportional to the number of seats for which one wishes to carry out acoustic attenuation, this proving to be expensive, bulky and penalizing in terms of mass, in particular for large cabins;
a loss of available volume in the cabin occurs; and
it is necessary to adapt the existing seats, this of course being expensive.
Consequently, this known solution, which is based on active processing which is both localized and individual, is hardly satisfactory for reducing the spectral line noise in a rotating-wing aircraft furnished with a large cabin which may contain a plurality of pilots and passengers.
The document FR-2 769 396 from the applicant describes a device making it possible to remedy these drawbacks. This known device is a device of reduced mass, cost and bulk making it possible effectively to decrease, in a substantially global and nonindividual manner, the noise, and more particularly the spectral line noise, inside a rotating-wing aircraft. For this purpose, this known device comprises:
sensors for measuring the values of at least one vibratory and/or acoustic parameter representative of a vibratory and/or acoustic effect of at least one source of noise of said aircraft;
controllable mechanical means able to create a loading capable of reducing the vibratory and/or acoustic effect of said source of noise; and
a control unit, for controlling said mechanical means, as a function of the values measured by said sensors.
In a particular embodiment, this known device comprises P sensors Cp arranged at points Mp and capable of measuring one and the same vibratory and/or acoustic parameter, and Q mechanical means Aq able respectively to create loadings capable of reducing one and the same vibratory and/or acoustic effect, and the control unit carries out, repetitively, the following successive operations:
it calculates, for each of said P sensors Cp, a value P1p satisfying the relation:
P1p=P2p+xcexa3q(Tq,p.P3q),
xe2x80x83q varying from 1 to Q,
in which:
P2p corresponds to the value of said vibratory and/or acoustic parameter which exists at the point Mp in the absence of action of said device and which depends on the value measured by the sensor Cp;
P3q is the value of said vibratory and/or acoustic parameter, due to the action of the mechanical means Aq and dependent on the control of said mechanical means Aq; and
Tq,p is a value for transferring between the value of said parameter existing at the level of the mechanical means Aq and the corresponding value existing at the point Mp;
it calculates the sum:
xcexa3p|P1p|2,
xe2x80x83p varying from 1 to P; and
it minimizes the above sum so as to deduce therefrom the control commands for said Q mechanical means Aq, which are addressed to these latter.
Consequently, this known device which can be adapted to the flight conditions, by controlling for this purpose said mechanical means, carries out in particular global attenuation, that is to say at least over the set of P controlled sensors, and not individual attenuation like the device described in the document FR-2 732 807, and is therefore particularly effective.
The object of the present invention is to perfect the teaching provided by the document FR-2 769 396.
It relates to a process for reducing the spectral line noise inside an aircraft, especially a rotating-wing aircraft and in particular a helicopter, which process makes it possible to reduce in a particularly effective manner the most annoying spectral line noise(s), whilst being adaptable to any variation (in particular in frequency and in amplitude) of the source(s) of noise and to any desired modification of the noise reduction (especially relating to its localization).
To this end, said process according to which the following operations are carried out repetitively and automatically:
a) for each of the I points Mi, i varying form 1 to I, situated on said rotating-wing aircraft, the value P2mi of a vibratory and/or acoustic parameter which exists at said point Mi is measured, said vibratory and/or acoustic parameter being representative of a vibratory and/or acoustic effect of at least one so-called primary source of noise of said aircraft;
b) for each of said I points Mi, a value P1i corresponding to the relation:   P1i  =      P2i    +                  ∑                  j          =          1                          j          =          J                                  (                  Tj          ,                      i            ·            P3j                          )
xe2x80x83is measured in real time, in which relation:
P2i is representative of the value P2mi measured in the absence of active control;
Tj,i is a value for transferring between the value of a vibratory and/or acoustic parameter existing at the level of a controllable mechanical element, forming a secondary source of noise, and the corresponding value existing at said point Mi; and
P3j is a value of said vibratory and/or acoustic parameter, due to the action of said mechanical element and dependent on the control of the latter; and
c) on the basis of the values P1i measured in real time for all the I points Mi, a sum S is calculated, satisfying the relation:   S  =            ∑              i        =        1                    i        =        I                                "LeftBracketingBar"        P1i        "RightBracketingBar"            2
d) said sum S is minimized so as to deduce therefrom control commands for said J mechanical elements; and
e) the control commands thus deduced are applied to said J mechanical elements, is noteworthy according to the invention in that, repetitively and automatically, in a preliminary step, the value Vr of at least one reference parameter which is correlated with the noise from said primary source of noise is measured and, on the basis of said measured value of the reference parameter, a reference signal is determined, and in step d), said sum S is minimized by carrying out filtering with respect to said reference signal determined in said preliminary step.
Thus, since said reference signal is correlated with the noise, it is representative (especially in frequency and in amplitude) of the noise existing in the aircraft and hence of the strongest and most annoying spectral lines so that the noise reduction implemented by the present invention is targeted by appropriate filtering at these most annoying spectral lines, thereby making it possible to increase the effectiveness of the noise reduction and consequently the comfort of the pilots and the passengers.
Moreover, advantageously, in said preliminary step, a plurality of R reference values Vr is measured and the reference signal SR is calculated on the basis of the relation:       SR    =                  ∑                  r          =          1                          r          =          R                                  Cr        ·        Vr              ,
the R values Cr representing coefficients. Thus, through an appropriate choice of said coefficients Cr, it is possible to obtain a reference signal SR which manifests all the frequencies whose magnitude one wishes to reduce, especially in the xe2x80x9cSIL4xe2x80x9d frequency domain and for the entire flight domain, the xe2x80x9cSIL4xe2x80x9d frequency domain being defined by the four octaves with central frequencies situated at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz respectively.
Furthermore, advantageously, before control is adjusted and used, in step b) above, each value P2i is determined from the relation:
P2i=xcex1i.P2mi,
in which xcex1i is a weighting coefficient, preferably lying between 0 and 1. This makes it possible to carry out a spatially xe2x80x9cdiscriminatedxe2x80x9d reduction in the noise, by greater or lesser weighting of the values measured at the various points Mi. This characteristic makes it possible to favor, during the noise reduction, certain zones, for example certain passenger places on the aircraft, with respect to others or certain particular frequencies occurring in the noise spectrum.
Moreover, according to the invention, the number J of mechanical elements (loudspeakers and/or mechanical actuators) is less than or equal to the number I of points Mi. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the noise in a number of zones, which is greater than the number of mechanical elements representing the secondary sources of noise, envisaged for this purpose, this of course being particularly advantageous, especially as compared with the known device disclosed by the aforesaid document FR-2 732 807.
Within the context of the present invention, the aforesaid preliminary step of the process in accordance with the invention can be implemented:
either simultaneously with steps a) and b), that is to say in the course of the flight;
or in a phase prior to said steps a) and b), especially in a mission preparation phase.
More precisely, it will be noted that the acquisition of the R reference signals Vr can be effected in two different ways:
either, these signals are measured before the implementation of active control and the R coefficients Cr are selected. During control, the reference signal SR is utilized, with the coefficients Cr frozen;
or, the R signals Vr are measured during control, these being adaptable during the mission, and the user has the possibility of then adjusting the coefficients Cr himself. During effective control, the utilization of the reference signal remains identical, of course, to the previous case.
It will be noted moreover that the measurements P2mi will have to be acquired during an identification flight, before the flights with control. This is because this involves adjusting the dynamic range behavior of the acquisition chain (sensors, recorders, etc.) so as to ensure a sufficient margin so as not to saturate the amplifiers, etc.
The present invention also relates to a device for reducing the spectral line noise inside a rotating-wing aircraft.
This device, which is of the type of that disclosed in the aforesaid document WO-98/06089, comprises in a known manner:
sensors for measuring the values of vibratory and/or acoustic parameters representative of at least one vibratory and/or acoustic effect of at least one primary source of noise of said rotating-wing aircraft;
at least one reference sensor for measuring the values of at least one reference parameter which is correlated with the noise of said rotating-wing aircraft;
controllable mechanical elements forming secondary sources of noise which are able to create, under the effect of control commands, loadings which are capable of reducing the vibratory and/or acoustic effect of said primary source of noise; and
a main computer determining, on the basis of the values measured by said sensors and said reference sensor, control commands for said mechanical elements, with a view to reducing the spectral line noise inside said aircraft.
According to the invention, this device is noteworthy in that said main computer determines said control commands by calculating a sum S satisfying the relation:   S  =            ∑              i        =        1                    i        =        I                                "LeftBracketingBar"        P1i        "RightBracketingBar"            2
on the basis of I values P1i measured by said sensors and by minimizing said sum S by means of filtering with respect to a reference signal which depends on the measured values of said reference parameter.
Thus, by virtue of the invention, said device makes it possible to implement noise reduction targeted at the most annoying spectral lines, as indicated hereinabove.
It will be noted that said auxiliary computer is not necessary when the reference signal corresponds to the value of a single reference parameter, which value is measured by a single reference sensor.
Moreover, by virtue of the invention:
one is able to adapt said noise reduction device to the flight conditions, by controlling the mechanical means;
by reason of a reduced number of components, the device in accordance with the invention is relatively compact, light and inexpensive;
since its components are independent of the aircraft, said device can be embodied in the form of an optional ready-to-mount control kit capable of being mounted on any type or rotating-wing aircraft; and
said device is capable of reducing all annoying spectral line noises liable to exist, regardless of their frequency, below 10 kHz and especially in the xe2x80x9cSIL4xe2x80x9d frequency domain.
Furthermore, said device advantageously comprises means for weighting the values measured by said sensors.
Moreover, according to the invention:
said sensors are microphones for measuring acoustic parameters and/or accelerometers for measuring vibratory parameters; and
said mechanical elements are loudspeakers and/or mechanical actuators of standard type.
The figures of the appended drawing will elucidate the manner in which the invention may be embodied. In these figures, identical references denote similar elements.

Abstract: Said device (1) comprises sensors (Ca, Cb) for measuring the values of vibratory and/or acoustic parameters, controllable mechanical elements (A) forming secondary sources of noise, and a main computer (CAL) determining, on the basis of the values measured by the sensors (Ca, Cb), control commands for the mechanical elements (A), as well as at least one reference sensor (CO) for measuring a reference parameter which is correlated with the noise, and possibly an auxiliary computer (4) for calculating, on the basis of the values measured by the reference sensor (CO), a reference signal, and said main computer (CAL) determines the control commands by carrying out filtering with respect to the reference signal.


The Dove-Tail Sizing Stock with Solder Pockets includes the technique of increasing or reducing the size of a circular object, such as a finger ring. The sizing stock includes dovetail shaped ends with pockets of solder on each end. The solder that is inserted into the holes drilled into the dove-tail crevices on each end of the sizing stock is of the same color, karat and hardness as the sizing stock. The sizing stock will be of the same material, color, karat and hardness as the circular object or finger ring to be sized.

In the Jewelry industry, customers require finger rings to be increased, or reduced in size. This need can be predicated on one receiving a ring as a gift that needs to be resized to fit the recipient, or simply due to the change in ones finger size. If a ring is cut to be sized it must be rejoined. It is common practice to cut the bottom of the ring shank and insert sizing stock of the same material as the ring. An attempt is then made to solder the insert in place.
There are two common joints used in this procedure, the Butt joint and the Dove-tail joint. The butt joint is formed when the shank is cut flat on the ends and brought together to form a tight seam or joint. The dove-tail joint is formed by making a dove-tail shaped cut in the sizing stock and shaping the cut ends of the joint into a "V" shape to match the dovetail.
Several methods have been proposed in the craft for increasing ring size. Although assumed effective for their intended purposes, methods such as the Butt joint shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,450 must be used in conjunction with a device that holds the ring shank, as well as a devise that will hold the sizing stock, in a position to assure proper alignment. An attempt is then made to solder the insert in place. Because the workspace is crowded with holding devices, it is often difficult to place the sizing stock appropriately, and even when correctly placed; the stock may slip during the soldering procedure, thus resulting in an item that either requires re-sizing or has a less than satisfactory appearance. In the Jewelry Industry aesthetics is a key factor. This method is tedious, time consuming and results in a much weaker joint. In this regard, a good jeweler will never use a butt joint.
Solder comes in various sizes, colors, karats and hardness. Jewelers will often pick up the wrong size, color, karat, or hardness. Sizing a 14 karat ring, for example, with 10 karat solder can be disastrous to a jeweler's reputation.
Therefore, it is desirable to have sizing stock of various sizes that will easily slide into the joint and hold itself without the need for multiple holding devices. Further, it is desirable to have sizing stock with solder pockets that produce a much stronger joint in a shorter period of time. Finally, it is desirable to have sizing stock of various sizes that is manufactured with solder of the correct size, color, karat and hardness already incorporated into the stock. In this regard it is faster to size, more efficient, aesthetically acceptable and the cost factor is preestablished.

Dove-tail sizing stock with solder pockets

Abstract: It will be understood that the foregoing description is for illustration purposes only. Other adaptations and uses of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.


In an example, a computer-implemented method to group graphical objects includes displaying, on a display device, a graphical diagram with multiple graphical objects that represent data of a data source. The method includes receiving input to define one or more groups. The method includes, in response to the input, generating one or more containers, each of the one or more containers representing a different one of the one or more groups; and graphically depicting membership of the graphical objects in the one or more groups by relative arrangement of the graphical objects and the one or more containers according to group membership of each of the graphical objects.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Some structured source data, e.g., of networks, organizations, or other structured source data, lends itself to representation in the form of a diagram or other visualization, such as a network diagram or an organizational chart. Some diagram applications allow users to generate graphical diagrams on a computer based on the structured source data. Such graphical diagrams may include graphical objects that represent data objects, resources, or nodes in the structured source data.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.

User-defined groups of graphical objects


An optical disk medium includes a track groove thereon. On the optical disk medium, information is recorded along the track groove on a block unit basis. The block unit has a predetermined length. The block unit having the predetermined length includes a number of sub-blocks that are arranged along the groove. A sub-block mark is provided within each of the sub-blocks and used to identify the sub-block.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk on which information (e.g., digital video information) can be stored at a high density.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the recording density of optical disk media goes on increasing. On an optical disk medium on which data or information can be written by a user, a track groove has normally been formed in advance and a recording film has been formed so as to cover the track groove. Data or information is written by the user on the recording film along the track groove, i.e., either on the track groove or on an area (land) interposed between adjacent parts of the track groove.
The track groove is formed so as to wobble just like a sine wave and a clock signal is generated in accordance with a wobble period. Synchronously with this clock signal, user data is written on, or read out from, the recording film.
To write data at a predetermined location on an optical disk, address information (or location information), indicating physical locations on the optical disk, needs to be allocated to, and recorded at, respective sites on the optical disk while the disk is being manufactured. Normally, an address is allocated to a series of areas that are arranged along a track groove and have a predetermined length. There are various methods for recording such address information on an optical disk. Hereinafter, a conventional method for recording an address on an optical disk will be described.
Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 6-309672 discloses a disk storage medium on which a wobbling track groove is discontinued locally so that an address-dedicated area is provided for the discontinued part. Pre-pits, representing address information recorded, are formed on the address-dedicated area on the track groove. This optical disk has a structure in which the address-dedicated area and a data-dedicated area (for writing information thereon) coexist on the same track groove.
Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 5-189934 discloses an optical disk on which address information is recorded by changing the wobble frequency of a track groove. In an optical disk like this, an area on which the address information is recorded and an area on which data will be written are not separated from each other along the track.
Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 9-326138 discloses an optical disk on which pre-pits are formed between adjacent parts of a track groove. These pre-pits represent the address information recorded.
These various types of optical disks have the following problems to be solved for the purpose of further increasing the recording density.
First, as for the optical disk on which address information is recorded as pre-bits within the address-dedicated area on the track, a so-called "overhead" occurs to secure the address-dedicated area, and the data area should be reduced for that purpose. As a result, the storage capacity available for the user has to be reduced.
Next, as for the optical disk for recording an address thereon by modulating the wobble frequency of the track, a write clock signal cannot be generated precisely enough. Originally, the wobble of the track groove is created mainly to generate a clock signal for establishing synchronization required for read and write operations. Where the wobble frequency is unique, a clock signal can be generated highly precisely by getting a read signal, having amplitude changing with the wobble, synchronized and multiplied by a PLL, for example. However, if the wobble frequency is not unique but has multiple frequency components, then the frequency band that the PLL can follow up should be lowered (as compared to the situation where the wobble has a unique frequency) to avoid pseudo locking of the PLL. In that case, the PLL cannot sufficiently follow up the jitter of a disk motor or a jitter resulting from the eccentricity of a disk. Thus, some jitter might remain in the resultant recording signal.
On the other hand, where the recording film formed on the optical disk is a phase-change film, for example, a signal read out from such a recording film may have a decreased SNR if data is overwritten on the film repeatedly. If the wobble frequency is unique, the noise components are removable using a bandpass filter having a narrow band. However, if the wobble frequency has been modulated, the filter should have its bandwidth broadened. As a result, the noise components are much more likely contained and the jitter might be further worsened. It is expected that the recording density will be further increased from now on. However, the higher the recording density, the narrower the allowable jitter margin will become. Accordingly, it will be more and more necessary to minimize the increase of jitter by avoiding the modulation of the wobble frequency.
In the structure in which the pre-pits representing the address information recorded are formed between adjacent parts of the groove, it is difficult to form long enough pre-pits in sufficiently large numbers. Accordingly, as the recording density is increased, detection errors might increase its number. This is because if large pre-pits are formed between adjacent parts of the groove, then those pits will affect adjacent parts of the track.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optical disk medium and method and apparatus for reading information

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A wheel assembly for an infant support apparatus includes a wheel mount, a wheel pivotally connected with the wheel mount about a pivot axis, and a brake member assembled with the wheel for movement between a braking state and a release state, the brake member when in the release state being rotatable with the wheel relative to the wheel mount, and the brake member when in the braking state engaging with the wheel mount to block rotation of the wheel relative to the wheel mount.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wheel assemblies for an infant support apparatus, and more particularly to wheel assemblies having a brake mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Infant support apparatuses such as infant strollers or high chairs may typically have wheels to facilitate transportation. For safer use, the wheel usually needs to have a brake so that the infant support apparatus can be securely stopped in position. However, the construction of the brake devices are usually complex in construction, difficult to assemble, and may be subject to premature wear.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved wheel assembly that is easy to operate, and can address at least the foregoing issues.

Wheel assembly for an infant support apparatus


Reducing peak current and/or power consumption during verify of a non-volatile memory is disclosed. During a program verify, only memory cells in a first physical segment of the selected word line are verified during an initial program loop; memory cells in a different physical segment of the word line are locked out and not verified. The locked out memory cells may be slower to program. During a later program loop, memory cells in all physical segments are program verified. Locked out strings do not conduct a significant current during verify, thus reducing current/power consumption.

The present disclosure relates to technology for non-volatile storage.
Semiconductor memory is used in various electronic devices. For example, non-volatile semiconductor memory is used in cellular telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, mobile computing devices, non-mobile computing devices and other devices. Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and flash memory are among the most popular non-volatile semiconductor memories.
Some non-volatile memory store information in a charge storage region that is insulated from a channel region in a semiconductor substrate. As one example, a floating gate is positioned above and insulated from a channel region in a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate is positioned between the source and drain regions. A control gate is provided over and insulated from the floating gate. The threshold voltage of the transistor is controlled by the amount of charge that is retained on the floating gate. That is, the minimum amount of voltage that must be applied to the control gate before the transistor is turned on to permit conduction between its source and drain is controlled by the level of charge on the floating gate.
Some non-volatile memory utilizes a charge trapping layer to store information. One such example has an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) region, in which the nitride (e.g., SiN) serves as a charge trapping layer to store information. When such a memory cell is programmed, electrons are stored in the charge trapping layer.
Non-volatile memory could have a 2D architecture or a 3D architecture. Recently, ultra high density storage devices have been proposed using a 3D stacked memory structure having strings of memory cells. One such storage device is sometimes referred to as a Bit Cost Scalable (BiCS) architecture. For example, a 3D NAND stacked memory device can be formed from an array of alternating conductor and insulator layers. A memory hole is drilled in the layers to define many memory layers simultaneously. A NAND string is then formed by filling the memory hole with appropriate materials. A straight NAND string extends in one memory hole, while a pipe- or U-shaped NAND string (P-BiCS) includes a pair of vertical columns of memory cells which extend in two memory holes and which are joined by a pipe connection. Control gates of the memory cells are provided by the conductor layers.
Prior to programming certain non-volatile memory devices, such as a NAND flash memory device, the memory cells are erased. The erase operation removes electrons from the floating gate, for some devices. For some devices, the erase operation removes electrons from the charge trapping layer. Thus, the erase may lower the threshold voltage of the memory cell.

Reduced current program verify in non-volatile memory


The assembly of stacked and hinged modules includes holding and hinging means for holding and hinging the individual modules. Said means are constituted by an assembling and hinging strip mounted and retained directly on a first edge of each module, and having individual hinges for hinging the modules. Application: an assembly of cassettes for optical fibers.

Such cassettes are housings for coiling and protecting optical fibers, and often also for protecting connections or "splices" between the coiled optical fibers. Such cassettes are used for connecting various optical cables together, or for connecting an optical cable to optical jumpers. Each cassette is assigned to two fibers to be connected together, or preferably to several fibers to be respectively connected to several other fibers.
In general, a plurality of cassettes are assigned to handling all the fibers of one or more optical cables to be connected to one or more other optical cables or jumpers inside a splice box. The cassettes are stacked together to form an assembly so as to take up less space inside the splice box, and they are hinge mounted so that each of them can be accessed, in particular for maintenance purposes.
Document FR-A- 2,646,928 describes such an assembly of cassettes inside a splice box for optical fibers. In that document, the assembly of cassettes is mounted at the end of a support plate on which the ends of the cables to be interconnected are fixed. The support plate has side flanges to delimit a protected space in which to transfer the fibers to the assembly of cassettes, surplus lengths being left on the fibers at the ends of the cables.
In that assembly, the cassettes are stacked such that they are slightly offset from one another, and are hinged about individual axes that are similarly offset from one another. To that end, each of the cassettes carries a pair of side arms that swing about a pair of hinge axes on the side flanges of the support plate. Each cassette has a limited possible rotary stroke through which to rotate relative to the plane of the support plate, so that the cassette can be put into the open position transversely to the support plate. Temporary snap-fastening means are provided at the coupling between each pair of arms and the corresponding pair of hinge axes to limit said rotary stroke, and to define an open position.
Such dispositions for assembling and opening the cassettes are relatively complex, are difficult to implement, and are fragile. They require the assembly and the cassettes making up the assembly to be held on the flanges of a channel-section support. With such dispositions, it is relatively difficult to open the cassettes, because they are mounted on long hinged arms. Although the dispositions are organized to limit excessive stresses on the fibers and excessive curvature thereof, the lack of stability of the cassettes when they are being opened prevents the fibers from being properly held under the required conditions.


The invention provides a novel composite bone graft system utilizing a porous collagen scaffold having a matrix impregnated with calcium phosphate particles and more than one bioactive agent, one of which is conjugated to the matrix. The graft system exhibits increased mechanical strength and osteogenic properties by providing sites for tissue attachment and propagation. The bioactive agents are delivered to the scaffold via different mechanisms to enable sequential and sustained release of the bioactive agents over time.

Bone defects and fractures have spurred widespread research into repairing and regenerating tissue and bone formation. Many synthetic bone graft substitutes have been developed which provide suitable osteoconductivity. See Calori G M, Mazza E, Colombo M, Ripamonti C. The use of bone-graft substitutes in large bone defects: any specific needs? Injury 2011; 42 Suppl 2:S56-63; Greenwald a S, Boden S D, Goldberg V M, Khan Y, Laurencin C T, Rosier R N. Bone-graft substitutes: facts, fictions, and applications. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2001; 83-A Suppl:98-103; and Zimmermann G, Moghaddam A. Allograft bone matrix versus synthetic bone graft substitutes. Injury 2011; 42 Suppl 2:S16-21. However, improvements in the osteoinductivity and osteogenicity of synthetic bone graft substitutes could provide more rapid tissue repair and, consequently, an increase in the number of successful unions. See Giannoudis P V, Calori G M, Begue T, Schmidmaier G. Bone regeneration strategies: current trends but what the future holds? Injury 2013; 44 Suppl 1:S1-2; and Carson J S, Bostrom M P G. Synthetic bone scaffolds and fracture repair. Injury 2007; 38 Suppl 1:S33-7.
The osteoinductivity and osteogenicity of bone tissue engineering substitutes could be improved by the delivery of appropriate growth factors to healing tissue along biologically relevant timelines. See Lauzon M-A, Bergeron E, Marcos B, Faucheux N. Bone repair: new developments in growth factor delivery systems and their mathematical modeling. J Control Release 2012; 162:502-20. While several studies have indicated that the delivery of growth factors, the conjugation of growth factors, prolonged growth factor release, and the delivery of more than one growth factor, may under certain conditions hasten and enhance bone tissue repair, none have achieved sequential and sustained release of growth factors along biologically relevant timelines. See Kempen D H R, Lu L, Heijink A, Hefferan T E, Creemers L B, Maran A, et al. Effect of local sequential VEGF and BMP-2 delivery on ectopic and orthotopic bone regeneration. Biomaterials 2009; 30:2816-25; Boerckel J D, Kolambkar Y M, Dupont K M, Uhrig B, Phelps E, Stevens H Y, et al. Effects of protein dose and delivery system on BMP-mediated bone regeneration. Biomaterials 2011; 32:5241-51; Chung Y-I, Ahn K-M, Jeon S-H, Lee S-Y, Lee J-H, Tae G. Enhanced bone regeneration with BMP-2 loaded functional nanoparticle-hydrogel complex. J Control Release 2007; 121:91-9; Geuze R, Theyse L. A Differential Effect of BMP-2 and VEGF Release Timing on Osteogenesis at Ectopic and Orthotopic Sites in a Large Animal Model. Tissue Eng Part A 2012:1-34; and Ferrara N. VEGF and the quest for tumour angiogenesis factors. Nat Rev Cancer 2002; 2:795-803.
There is a need to improve the rate of non-union in long bone fractures. Estimates indicate that 5-10% of bone fractures exhibit impaired healing, either delayed unions or non-unions, and that many of these result from critical size defects. See Calori G M, Mazza E, Colombo M, Ripamonti C. The use of bone-graft substitutes in large bone defects: any specific needs? Injury 2011; 42 Suppl 2:S56-63; Frölke J, Patka P. Definition and classification of fracture non-unions. Injury 2007; 38S:S19-22; Tzioupis C, Giannoudis P. Prevalence of long-bone non-unions. Injury 2007; 44; and Calori G, Albisetti W, Agus A, Iori S, Tagliabue L. Risk factors contributing to fracture non-unions. Injury 2007:S11-S18.
Limitations in utilizing autograft and allograft sources to promote bone repair and regeneration have led to extensive research in synthetic bone graft substitutes and bone tissue engineering scaffolds aimed at preserving the advantages of autografting and allografting while overcoming their limitations and constraints. See Zimmermann G, Moghaddam A. Allograft bone matrix versus synthetic bone graft substitutes. Injury 2011; 42 Suppl 2:S16-21; O'Brien F J. Biomaterials & scaffolds for tissue engineering. Mater Today 2011; 14:88-95; Salgado A J, Coutinho O P, Reis R L. Bone tissue engineering: state of the art and future trends. Macromol Biosci 2004; 4:743-65; and Szpalski C, Wetterau M, Barr J, Warren S M. Bone Tissue Engineering: Current Strategies and Techniques—Part I: Scaffolds 2012; 18.
Numerous patent applications and papers have been published in this field. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/039,666; WO 2011/109834; U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,667; WO 2012/118843; U.S. Pat. No. 8,022,040; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/435,259; U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,882; Kempen, D. H., et al. 2009. Effect of local sequential VEGF and BMP-2 delivery on ectopic and orthotopic bone regeneration. Biomaterials, 30: 2816-2825; U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,876; U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,691; U.S. Pat. No. 8,318,674; U.S. Pat. No. 8,309,518; U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,973; US Pat. No. 8,293,486; and EP2300033.
Current methods for treating bone defects and fractures via the delivery of VEGF and BMP-2 do not sufficiently achieve sustained release of the growth factors along the physiologically-relevant timelines necessary to enhance spatio-temporal growth factor expression. This is because conventional methods rely on passive adsorption of growth factors on the scaffold biomaterial surface or sponge-like absorption of a growth factor-containing solution within scaffold pore spaces. The conventional methods release a single, super-physiological bolus dose of growth factors, which delivers an excess of growth factors earlier than needed for optimum repair and/or regeneration of tissue and/or bone. Further, conventional methods do not allow for coordinated, sequential delivery of growth factors within the fracture gap and thus cannot take advantage of synergistic effects that might arise from sequential delivery of complimentary growth factors. Moreover, clinical, passive adsorption of BMP-2 in spinal fusion applications has not only resulted in a lack of temporal control of BMP-2 release, but also a lack of spatial control and delivery has been seen. Occasionally the conventional mechanisms have been implicated in negative outcomes including extradiscal, ectopic, or heterotopic ossification and an associated risk of edema.
Therefore, notwithstanding the advancements in the field, many limitations remain in current treatments that contribute to impaired healing, delayed bony unions and non-unions. Thus, there exists a need for improved synthetic bone graft substitutes. The invention described herein provides such an article and methods of using it. The synthetic bone graft substitutes described herein enable sequential and sustained release of growth factors and provide a powerful tool to promote and expedite successful bony union in otherwise problematic fracture non-unions and bone defects.

Tissue scaffolds having bone growth factors


Provided is a wirelessly charged robot cleaning system and a method for wirelessly charging a robot cleaner. The wirelessly charged robot may include a target resonator to receive a resonance power through energy-coupling with a source resonator of a wireless power transmitter, a wireless power receiving unit to convert the received resonance power into a rated voltage, and a battery controller to check the remaining capacity of the battery based and to charge the battery.

1. Field
The following description relates to a robot cleaning system, and more particularly, to a robot cleaning system that may check the battery of a robot cleaner in real time and may wirelessly charge the battery.
2. Description of Related Art
A robot cleaner is a device that may be used to remove dust and other impurities to clean a room. Generally, a vacuum that sucks in dust uses a suction force of a low pressure unit. Recently, a robot cleaner that automatically moves using an auto-driving feature while cleaning without a control of a user, has been developed.
Generally, in a robot cleaning system, a robot cleaner is used together with a station that is located in a predetermined location. The station is used to charge the robot cleaner and to remove dust stored inside the robot cleaner. The station may also be referred to as a docking station.
In the robot cleaning system, the robot cleaner is connected to the docking station to charge the battery. In this example, the docking needs to be accurately performed, and when the docking is inaccurately performed, charging may not be successfully performed.
That is, conventional robot cleaners must be directly connected to a device, such as the docking station, to charge their batteries, or perform operations to change their batteries.

Robot cleaning system and control method having a wireless electric power charge function


A field-effect transistor comprises a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer, a metal gate electrode and a source/drain structure. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer having a titanium-rich surface is disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The metal gate electrode is disposed on the titanium-diffused surface. The source/drain structure is formed in the substrate and adjacent to the metal gate electrode.

As the demand on the device integration of an integrated circuit is gradually increased, the feature size of a semiconductor device (e.g. a field-effect transistor) becomes smaller and smaller, and the thickness of a gate oxide layer of the field effect transistor is reduced. For maintaining the dielectric performance and reducing current leakage, the gate oxide layer of the semiconductor device is usually made of a high-k material.
Moreover, since the doping capacity of the conventional poly-silicon gate electrode is limited, the efficacy of using the doped poly-silicon gate electrode to improve the threshold voltage is usually insufficient. Nowadays, for solving the problems resulting from reduction of the device feature size, the poly-silicon gate electrode is gradually replaced by a metal gate electrode.
However, this approach still has some drawbacks and problems. As to the process for forming a field-effect transistor with a metal gate electrode, it is necessary to remove a dummy poly-silicon gate electrode prior to forming a metal gate electrode to take the place of the dummy poly-silicon gate electrode. However, the process for removing the dummy poly-silicon gate electrode could damage a barrier layer overlaying on a gate dielectric layer of the field-effect transistor. Thus, current leakage of the field-effect transistor may be increased and punch through effect may occur due to metal atom penetrating through the damaged burlier layer and diffusing into the gate dielectric layer during the forming of the metal gate electrode.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved field-effect transistor and the fabricating method thereof to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art.

Field-effect transistor and fabricating method thereof