A face annotation method and a face annotation system are provided. The face annotation method is adapted for a current owner to annotate contacts in online social networks. The face annotation method comprising: providing a pyramid database access control module which consists of a plurality of pyramid database units and performs a first batch of access control procedure and a non-first batch of access control procedure, wherein the pyramid database unit is constructed according to social relationship information; providing a multiple-kernel learning face recognition module implemented through the use of a MKL classifier unit which uses a MKL algorithm to achieve a face identification; and if the MKL-FR model is not able to identify query faces, providing a multiple-kernel learning face recognition fusion module to perform a collaborative face recognition strategy by utilizing a user who features a highest priority rule within a collaborative face recognition framework.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to face annotation techniques, in particular, to a face annotation method and a face annotation system employed within a collaborative framework and a multiple-kernel learning algorithm.
2. Description of Related Art
Over the past decade, the rapid development of digital capturing devices and handheld electronic products has led to a dramatically and continually increasing number of photographs that can be captured at any place and any time. A large proportion of these photographs contain face images which are associated with the daily lives of the photographers who captured them. This has given rise to interest in developing a face recognition system by which to determine the identities of people featured in photographs. Currently, online social networks (OSNs) such as Facebook and MySpace are a prevailing platform on which people communicate with their close friends, family members, and colleagues in the real world. Therefore, research conducted in the area of face recognition has been oriented towards a new service, called face annotation, for the purpose of management and entertainment in regard to social network platforms.
The research field of face annotation techniques can be classified into three approaches: manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. Manual face annotation is the act of annotating identities of individuals or subjects in personal photographs. However, annotation of a large number of uploaded photographs is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. In effort to improve this situation, semi-automatic face annotation has become a popular approach in the last few years. This technique requires interaction and feedback from users in order to determine the identity label of a given query face in a photograph. While these manual operation procedures are practical for the purposes of face annotation, they still require substantial amounts of user-time. To lessen the need for manual operation and thereby reduce time consumption, the development of automatic face annotation approaches has recently become a prominent research area. This technique automatically determines the identity of subjects in photographs.
To identify faces in personal photographs, the kernel face recognition (FR) engines can be divided into two major systems: single FR classifier and multiple FR classifiers. The single FR classifier system tends to fail at face identification under uncontrolled condition, whereas the multiple FR classifier system is able to achieve practical application in uncontrolled conditions by means of combining a set of single classifiers to obtain accuracy which is superior to that of the single classifier system. Recently, a face annotation approach which uses a collaborative FR framework has been proposed previously. This approach utilizes the three characteristics such as socialization, personalization, and distribution of OSNs to effectively select and merge a set of personalized FR classifiers which belong to members who have close relationships with a particular owner. Nevertheless, an automatic face annotation system which uses a collaborative FR framework is excessively time-consuming because execution time significantly rises when the number of selected FR classifiers increases to the range of 10 to 91.
Accordingly, how to efficiently and accurately achieve highly reliable face annotation results has become an essential topic to researchers for the development of face annotation techniques in OSNs.

Face annotation method and face annotation system

National Taipei University of Technology


An operating mechanism is for a circuit breaker housed by an enclosure assembly including a panel movable between a closed position and an open position. The operating mechanism includes a linkage and an operating member. The operating mechanism is coupled to the handle of the circuit breaker to provide operation of the handle from the exterior of the enclosure when the panel is closed. The operating member includes a first end having an engaging portion coupled to the linkage of the operating mechanism, and a second end structured for gripping by a user. The operating member enables the handle of the circuit breaker to be operated, without requiring the use of separate hand tools, when the panel of the enclosure is open and the handle portion of the operating member is actuated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical switching apparatus and, more particularly, to an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism with an operating member therefor. The invention also relates to an enclosure assembly employing an operating mechanism with an operating member.
2. Background Information
For a variety of reasons, such as, for example and without limitation, operator safety and to prevent unauthorized access, electrical switching apparatus, such as molded case circuit breakers, are often mounted behind a panel or housed with an enclosure (e.g., without limitation, panelboard; load center; switchgear cabinet).
FIG. 1 shows an example of one such installation wherein the circuit breaker handle 4 is not directly accessible by the operator. Specifically, the circuit breaker 2 is installed inside an enclosure 6 having a door 8, with the circuit breaker handle 4 being suitably located behind the door 8. In the example of FIG. 1, an operating mechanism 10, which includes a rotary handle 12 mounted on the exterior of the door 8, is employed. A mechanical linkage 14 is used to interconnect the rotary handle 12 with a pivot mechanism 16 inside the enclosure 6. The pivot mechanism 16 drives a sliding mechanism 18 which moves the circuit breaker handle 4 between the operating positions (e.g., ON; OFF; reset) thereof. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,084 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
When the enclosure 6 is open, for example during maintenance of the circuit breaker 2, the rotary handle 12 is disengaged from the linkage 14. Hence, the rotary handle 12, and thus the circuit breaker handle 4, cannot be actuated absent the use of one or more separate hand tools (e.g., without limitation, wrenches; pliers; vice-grips; pipe clamps; screwdrivers) (not shown). Such tools are required, for example, to grasp the mechanical linkage 14 and/or pivot mechanism 16 in order to drive the sliding mechanism 18 and move the circuit breaker handle 4.
There is a need, therefore, for a device to operate the circuit breaker even when the enclosure door is open. There is a further need for a device for operating the circuit breaker without requiring the use of separate independent hand tools when the enclosure door is open.
Accordingly, there is room for improvement in operating mechanisms for circuit breakers, and in enclosure assemblies employing operating mechanisms.

Electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism with operating member therefor, and enclosure assembly employing the same


Disclosed herein is an electrochromic display device comprising a pair of transparent substrates facing each other, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively formed on the transparent substrates, an electrolytic layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, an electrochromophore layer of a nano structure formed on at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and a redox promoter layer coated with a conductive compound, on the other electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrochromic display device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing an electrochromic device, in which the manufacturing process steps are simplified in order to significantly improve the manufacturing process efficiency. Also provided is an electrochromic device characterized by excellent driving properties with regard to both memory properties and response properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, electrochromic display systems are based on the color variations that occur in various types of metal oxides, and organic or inorganic compounds, resulting from electrochemical reactions, particularly oxidation-reduction reactions.
An electrochromic device typically has a sandwich type structure. The electrochromic device generally comprises two glass substrates one, on each outer side; a counter electrode and a working electrode disposed between the glass substrates; an electrochromic material; and an electrolytic solution enabling the permeation of ions.
As an example, an electrochromic device can be manufactured in such a manner that a nanocrystal semiconductor material is layered onto a cathode, and the electrochromic material is subsequently adsorbed onto the nanocrystal semiconductor layer. In addition, a metal layer that can be reversibly oxidized is arranged on an anode. This electrochromic device has disadvantages in that the electrochromatic device has a slow response speed, and it does not have sufficient memory properties.
In another example, an electrochromic device can be manufactured in such a manner that the cathode is constructed as described above and an electrochromic compound, having a p-type oxidation-reduction promoter, is adsorbed onto the nanocrystal semiconducting layer on the cathode. This electro-chromic device is advantageous in that it has a fast response speed and enhanced memory properties. However, this electro-chromic device still has problems in that it is difficult to synthesize an oxidation-reduction chromophore compound, which can be adsorbed into a nanocrystal semiconductor material. In addition, the manufacturing process steps of such a device are complex.

Electro-chromic display device and method of manufacturing the same


The present invention incorporates the use of model-driven and data-driven methodologies to attenuate multiples in seismic data utilizing a prediction model which includes multiply-reflected, surface-related seismic waves. The present invention includes beam techniques and convolving a predicted multiples beam with a segment of a modeled pegleg beam to obtain a convolved multiples beam. The convolved multiples beam can then he deconvolved to attenuate the multiples that are present in the original input beam.

This invention relates to seismic exploration and processing, and more specifically to imaging with beams and a method to predict multiples based on primaries by combining both model-driven and data-driven methodologies.
In the petroleum industry, seismic prospecting techniques are commonly used to aid in the search for and the evaluation of subterranean hydrocarbon deposits. In seismic prospecting, one or more sources of seismic energy emit waves into a subsurface region of interest such as a geologic formation. These waves enter the formation and may be scattered, e.g., by reflection or refraction, by subsurface seismic reflectors (i.e., interfaces between underground formations having different elastic properties). The reflected signals are sampled or measured by one or more receivers, and the resultant data are recorded. The recorded samples may be referred to as seismic data or a set of "seismic traces". The seismic data may be analyzed to extract details of the structure and properties of the region of the earth being explored.
Seismic prospecting consists of three separate stages: data acquisition, data processing and data interpretation. The success of a seismic prospecting operation depends on satisfactory completion of all three stages.
In general, the purpose of seismic exploration is to map or image a portion of the subsurface of the earth (a formation) by transmitting energy down into the ground and recording the "reflections" or "echoes" that return from the rock layers below. The energy transmitted into due formation is typically sound and shear wave energy. The downward-propagating sound energy may originate from various sources, such as explosions or seismic vibrators on land or air guns in marine environments. Seismic exploration typically uses one or more energy sources and typically a large number of sensors or detectors. The sensors that may be used to detect the returning seismic energy are usually geophones (land surveys) or hydrophones (marine surveys).
During a surface seismic survey, the energy source may be positioned at one or more locations near the surface of the earth above a geologic structure or formation of interest, referred to as shotpoints. Each time the source is activated, the source generates a seismic signal that travels downward through the earth and is at least partially reflected from discontinuities of various types in the subsurface, including reflections from "rock layer" boundaries. In general, a partial reflection of seismic signals may occur each time there is a change in the elastic properties of the subsurface materials. Reflected seismic signals are transmitted back to the surface of the earth, where they are recorded as a function of traveltime at a number of locations. The returning signals are digitized and recorded as a function of time (amplitude vs. time).
One prevalent issue with the seismic energy recorded by the receivers during the data acquisition stage is that the seismic traces often contain both the desired seismic reflections (the "primary" reflections) and unwanted multiple reflections which can obscure or overwhelm the primary seismic reflections. A primary reflection is a sound wave that passes from the source to a receiver with a single reflection from a subsurface seismic reflector. A multiple reflection is a wave that has reflected at least three times (up, down and back up again) before being detected by a receiver. Depending on their time delay from primary events with which they, are associated, multiples are commonly characterized as short-path, implying that they interfere with their own primary reflection, or long-path, where they appear as separate events.
There are also a variety of multiple events which are well known in the art. There are signals which are "trapped" in the water layer between two strong reflectors, the free surface and the bottom of the water layer. There are "peg-leg" multiple events, which are reflections that are characterized by an additional roundtrip through the water layer just after emission or just before detection. There are "remaining" surface-related multiple events, where the first and last upward reflections are below the first (water) layer, and there is at least one reflection at the free surface in between. There are also "interbed" multiples which has a downward reflection occurring from a subsurface reflector.
In most cases, multiples do not contain any useful information that is not more easily extracted from primaries. Moreover, water-bottom multiples have been recognized as the most serious noise problem in seismic data processing in many offshore areas. Multiples can severely mask primary reflection events for structural imaging and contaminate Amplitude vs. Offset ("AVO") information. For those reasons, removal of multiples, or at least attenuation of multiples is a necessary part of the seismic data processing stage in many environments, particularly in marine settings where multiples are especially strong relative to the primaries.
In the case of deep-water data, suppression of first-order and the next few orders of sea-bottom multiple and peg-leg reflections are of great importance. These rather strong multiples may have the same travel time as the primary reflections of target reflectors.
There are several prior art methods to attenuate multiples depending on the attributes of the multiples utilized. One class of multiple attenuation methods is the predictive methods where the multiples are predicted from their respective primaries. Prior art predictive multiple attenuation techniques can be generally divided into two categories; model-driven methodologies and data-driven methodologies. Model-driven methodologies generally use an earth model and the recorded data to predict or simulate multiples utilizing the estimated sea-bottom reflectivity function and calculated amplitude functions to model water-layer multiple reflections, those predicted multiples are then subtracted from: the original data. Other model-driven technologies utilize an earth model or reflectivity model to predict the stationary multiples. The data-driven methodologies exploit the fact that primaries and multiples are physically related through a convolutional relationship and predict multiples by crossconvolving the relevant primaries thought to contain the stationary contributions for multiples. Data-driven methodologies can generally handle complex geometries and need little or no information about the properties of the subsurface. The model-based technologies are typically cost-effective compared to data-driven technologies, while the latter are typically more flexible.
Some model-driven methodologies require structural information, i.e., information about the subsurface structure, the determination of which is the reason for doing seismic exploration in the first place. Other model-driven methodologies require the shape of the source wavelet that will not be a pure delta function because of the reverberations and frequency bandwidth limitation. Some model-driven methodologies require both structural and source wavelet information while others use a matching filter to account for a distorted source wavelet.
Data-driven methodologies rely on the predictability of multiples from primary components. In effect, that methodology utilizes existing seismic data to generate multiples and those generated multiples are then subtracted from the existing data. One such prior art methodology that is data-driven is known as "surface-related multiple elimination" or "SRME". In brief, this method operates by utilizing the existing data to create a dataset that contains only predictions of the multiples that are present in the data. Specifically, the method seeks to predict the seismic expression of multiples, and after adaptation to the existing multiples in the data the predicted multiples are subtracted from the original data leaving behind (at least theoretically) only the primary energy.
Data-driven SRME techniques are attractive solutions for predicting multiples in complex geologic settings, they do no require any a-priori knowledge of the subsurface (reflectivity, structures and velocities). However, these methods do require one shot location for each receiver position, and this is not the case for most three dimensional ("3D") acquisition geometries. SRME methodologies are generally challenged by complex 3D multiples because of large shot spacing, narrow spread length and/or wide cable spacing. The missing data can be interpolated or extrapolated from the existing data, but interpolation of extrapolation has trouble with aliased seismic data caused by the large shot and/or receiver spacing. Advanced interpolation or extrapolation methods can also be difficult to implement and expensive. A common cause of these complex 3D data that challenge 3D SRME methods is rugosity on the top of salt. But, any type of complex overburden can cause complex 3D seismic data that is hard to interpolate.
Another data-driven methodology utilizes predictive deconvolution which is a filtering method that assumes that multiples are periodic while primaries are not. This assumption is usually met for data from water depths less than 500 msec (approximately 1,200 feet) and approximately layered subsurface geology. In areas of water depths greater than 500 msec where the velocity difference between primaries and multiples are significant, velocity-filtering methods (as opposed to predictive methods) such as tau-p and f-k filtering can be used, where the variable f represents frequency, k represents the wave-number, p represents the ray parameter, and tau represents the zero offset intercept time.
However, filtering methods generally require determination, or at least an educated guess, of the apparent wave propagation velocities in the subsurface media through which the reflected seismic waves pass in their journey from the seismic source to a receiver. These velocities can differ significantly due to the combination of the variations of the subsurface structure and rock properties. In addition, predictive deconvolution often leads to inadvertent damage to the primaries due to the difficulty in separating the multiples and primaries. Moreover, predictive deconvolution often fails to take into account the nonlinear factor in the reflectivity, which are generally caused by peg-leg multiples.
One prior art method which has extended predictive deconvolution for applications in deep water has utilized beam techniques. That method applies local slant stacking (or other dip-discriminating methods) to the data to decompose the recorded wavefields into beam components. These components travel approximately along raypaths. Simple raytracing within the water layer describes the long-period reverberations and relate primary and multiple events occurring in the beam components of the wave-field. Based on the information from the raytracing the time series of the beam-component of the primary can be shifted according to raytraced traveltimes and then analyzed with a multi-channel prediction filter. The predicted time series is considered as multiple energies and is removed from the beam components of the original data after a multi-channel matched filtering.
FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart for one example of a prior art method 2 wherein deconvolution is utilized with a beam technique for attenuating multiples. The prior art method includes initializing an earth model 4 which relates to a geological region of interest, and initiating a beam dataset 6 that has been determined from seismic data of the geological region of interest. The prior art method further includes a series of loops wherein an input beam 3, a multiple-generating surface 10 and a time gate 12 are selected. One or more time gates (or windows) are selected to ensure that the signal within each gate is stationary. Trial rays are then "sprayed" from a detector location 14 and a stationary pegleg is determined 16. The stationary pegleg is the pegleg that satisfies the Snell's law for reflection at the multiple-generating surface. A primary beam corresponding to the stationary pegleg is obtained 13, and the primary beam is transformed into a predicted multiples beam 20. The predicted multiples beam is then deconvolved to remove multiples which are present in the input beam 22. Deconvolving the predicted multiples beam to remove the multiples in the input beam 22 can occur within the loop for selecting the time gate 24, the loop for selecting the surface 26, or the loop for selecting the input beam 28.
While the beam techniques have improved prior art multiple attenuation techniques, there is still a need for an improved method which provides a more accurate prediction of multiples and therefore allows for more accurate subtraction of those multiples from the data. The prior beam techniques assume that there is a single dominant multiple-generating surface 10 and the predicted multiples beams are related only to this multiple-generating surface 10 and do not contain predicted multiples from other multiple-generating surfaces. The current invention improves prior art beam techniques to incorporate predicted multiples beams from multiple-generating surfaces that were not explicitly utilized to determine to stationary peglegs.

Method for identifying and removing multiples for imaging with beams


According to the plunger-typed master cylinder of the invention, because deformation of seal cups fitted in the hydraulic pressure chambers with the pistons (primary piston and floating piston) inserted is minimized, that is, the deformation of the inner flange being in contact with pistons does not substantially affect the outer flange being in contact with hydraulic pressure chambers when the master cylinder is in operation, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the performance of passing or stopping oil due to the deformation of seal cups and durability.

In general, a brake system of a vehicle is operated to slow down or stop the vehicle that is in travel.
Brake systems are largely classified into a hydraulic brake that brakes a vehicle using hydraulic pressure generated by operating a brake pedal, a hydraulic servo brake that is designed to be used for vehicles requiring a large brake force, such as large-sized vehicles, and an air brake that brakes a vehicle using pressure of compressed air.
In the hydraulic brake system, a master cylinder generates hydraulic pressure using a booster that increases the operational force of the brake pedal and supplies the pressure to a caliper on the wheel or a wheel cylinder in the drum, and this operation is very important, that is, the performance of the master cylinder is the main factor to determine the performance of the brake system.
A plunger-typed master cylinder of master cylinders in the related art includes a primary piston that receives a force from a booster increasing a stepping force applied on the brake pedal and a floating piston that is disposed in the cylinder and actuated by the force transmitted to the primary piston, in which hydraulic pressure is generated by the primary piston and the floating piston in the master cylinder, respectively.
The plunger-typed master cylinder is commonly provided with seal cups with the inner circumferences being in contact with the primary piston and the floating piston and the outer circumferences with the insides of a hydraulic pressure chambers to generate hydraulic pressure, such that the seal cups function as oil passages while the brake is not in operation or the stepping force is released and stop the oil flow in braking.
However, the contact conditions of the inner and outer circumferences of the seal cups inserted in the hydraulic pressure chambers in the master cylinder are different, that is, the inner circumferences of the seal cups are deformed because it is in contact with the pistons that move in operation of the master cylinder, whereas the outer circumferences are kept in contact with the insides of the hydraulic pressure chambers, such that deformation is different at the inner and outer circumferences. Therefore, when the difference in deformation of the seal cups is excessive, it may reduce the durability due to increase in the contact areas, in addition to reducing the oil supply passage.

Plunger-typed master cylinder for brake system of vehicle


A fixation device can be delivered to the body of a patient by coupling the fixation device to a delivery instrument at a head of the fixation device. Engaging the fixation device to the delivery instrument at the fixation device's head allows the fixation device to be secured to a tissue and/or ligament of the patient. The fixation device can be a sling for placement around the bladder neck of a female patient.

Conditions such as rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, vaginal prolapse, and protocele involve tissues or organs that have been damaged, prolapsed, weakened, or otherwise herniated. A prolapse refers to the slipping of an organ, or organ part, from its normal position. For example, a prolapse of the rectum refers to the protrusion of the rectum through the anus. Rectocele is the prolapse of the rectum into the perineum. A prolapse of the uterus refers to the falling of the uterus into the vagina due to stretching and laxity of its supporting structures. Vaginal vault prolapse refers to the prolapse of the cephalad extreme of the vaginal wall toward, through, and beyond the introitus. Cystocele (i.e., vesicocele) is a hernia formed by the downward and backward displacement of the urinary bladder toward the vaginal orifice, due most commonly to weakening of the musculature during childbirth. However, any abnormal descent of the anterior vaginal wall and bladder base at rest or with strain is considered cystocele. Enterocele is a hernia of the intestine, though the term is also used to refer specifically to herniation of the pelvic peritoneum through the rectouterine pouch (i.e., posterior vaginal, rectovaginal, cul-de-sac, or Douglas' pouch hernia). Proctocele is a prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum due mostly from relaxation of the sphincter. Treatment of these conditions frequently requires a sling, such as a mesh sling, implanted at the anatomical site-requiring repair.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) primarily affects women and generally is caused by two conditions that may occur independently or in combination, namely, intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and hypermobility. In ISD, the urinary sphincter valve, located within the urethra, fails to close properly, causing urine to leak out of the urethra during stressful actions. Hypermobility is a condition in which the pelvic floor is distended, weakened, or damaged, causing the bladder neck and proximal urethra to rotate and descend in response to increases in intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., due to sneezing, coughing, straining, etc.), resulting in insufficient response time to promote urethral closure and, consequently, in urine leakage and/or flow.
Biological factors that may affect hypermobility include: poor endopelvic fascia muscle tone (from, for example, age or limited activity), endopelvic fascia muscle stretch/tear from trauma (e.g., childbirth), endopelvic fascia/arcus tendenious (muscle/ligament) separation (lateral defect), hormone (e.g., estrogen) deficiency, concombinant defects (e.g., cystocele, enterocele, and ureteral prolapse), and vaginal prolapse. Traditional treatment methods include urethra or bladder neck stabilization slings in which a sling is placed under the mid-urethra or bladder neck to provide a platform preventing over distention.
Slings are traditionally placed under the urethra or bladder neck to provide a urethral platform limiting endopelvic fascia drop while providing compression to the urethral sphincter to improve coaptation. The urethral placement location provides mechanical stability to a less moveable anatomical structure. Bladder neck slings traditionally have been affixed in the desired location using a bone anchoring method. Mid-urethral slings, being placed in a low mobility area, may be placed using an anchorless approach. Recognizing that minimal tension, if any, is necessary, a physician may need only to secure a mid-urethra sling through the endopelvic fascia. The sling in this placement provides a fulcrum about which the pelvic floor will drop (taking advantage of the hypermobility condition of the patient) and a urethral "kink" or higher resistance to obstruct urine flow during high stress conditions.
A known method for stabilizing organs and tissues within the pelvic region involves the use of bone anchors. Deployment of a bone anchor requires drilling a hole in a bone, either by using a separate drilling instrument or by utilizing the anchor itself as a drilling tool. Bone anchors generally have one or more barbs that project outward to prevent the anchor from exiting the hole. Such anchors generally are not amenable to implantation in soft tissues, since the barbs would tear the soft tissue, causing irritation and/or passage of the anchor back through the tissue.
Other known methods include making one or more incisions in a patient's abdomen. For example, one method for treating female stress urinary incontinence involves supporting the urethra with an implant anchored in the patient's skin after the implant has been passed through the skin of the patient's abdomen.


Provided are a method of coating a catalyst metal layer by using a nucleic acid, and a method of forming nanocarbon using the method of coating a catalyst metal layer. The method of coating a catalyst metal layer includes preparing an aqueous solution; the aqueous solution including ions of a transition metal and a nucleic acid; disposing a carbon matrix including carbon, in the aqueous solution, and disposing a catalyst metal layer including a transition metal on a surface of the carbon matrix.

1. Field
Disclosed herein is a method of coating a catalyst metal layer on a surface of a carbon matrix by using a nucleic acid, and a method of forming nanocarbon on the carbon matrix by using the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Carbon fibers have excellent electrical properties (e.g., high electrical conductivity) and mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength), and thus research is being conducted into methods of using carbon fibers in various devices. When carbon nanotubes ("CNTs") are grown on a surface of a carbon fiber, a fiber-type device having excellent electrical characteristics may be manufactured. Such a fiber-type device may be used as a fiber-type emitter (having excellent light emitting characteristics) in a light emitting device including a field emission display or a field emission type backlight unit that uses light emitting characteristics of the CNTs. Also, the fiber-type device may be used in a variety of applications, such as, for example, a complex material using carbon and nanocarbon, an electrical device using a carbon material, a lightweight material using a carbon material, an energy material using a carbon material, or a semiconductor material using a carbon material.
Meanwhile, a product including carbon, such as a carbon fiber, has a hydrophobic surface, and thus has low coherence with a material that is disposed in an aqueous solution. Accordingly, it is difficult to combine CNTs dispersed in an aqueous solution with a surface of a product including carbon such as a carbon fiber.

Method of coating catalyst metal layer by using nucleic acid and method of forming nanocarbon by using the method of coating the catalyst metal layer


Disclosed herein is a device for holding a substrate having one or more samples in a position for ionizing the samples with a light energy source. The device has a receiving plate with a receiving surface, a back surface and an edge defining an outline. One or more receiving lips project from the receiving surface. The receiving surface receives the back face of the substrate with at least one edge received by the receiving lips for positioning the substrate for ionization of the sample. The device also has at least one substrate clip that has a front finger and a back finger for capturing and aligning the substrate. The front finger extends across the thickness of the receiving plate and substrate to engage the front edge of the substrate to hold the substrate in position. The back finger engages the back surface of the receiving plate. The receiving plate cooperates with the space in a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometer to hold the samples in position for ionization.

Mass spectrometry is used to measure the mass of a sample molecule, as well as the mass of the fragments of a sample molecule to identify that sample. The simplest mass spectrometers introduce a gaseous, electrically neutral sample into a vacuum, normally at pressures of 10−6 torr or less. Silverstein, et al, Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds, p. 7 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1963). The sample then passes through an electron beam.
The fast-moving electrons from the electron beam strike electrons on the sample being studied, ejecting one or more electrons from the sample. After a subject sample molecule has lost an electron, the sample has a net positive charge, or is "ionized."
Mass spectrometry measures the ratio of the mass of the molecule to the ion's electric charge. The mass is customarily expressed in terms of atomic mass units, called Daltons. The charge or ionization is customarily expressed in terms of multiples of elementary charge. The ratio of the two is expressed as a m/z ratio value (mass/charge or mass/ionization ratio). Because the ion usually has a single charge, the m/z ratio is usually the mass of the ion, or its molecular weight (abbreviated MW). Often, the terms m/z, the mass of the sample in Daltons (or molecular weight, abbreviated MW) are used interchangeably.
Molecules that are not easily rendered gaseous are more difficult to study with mass spectrometry. Accordingly, many modern advances in mass spectroscopy address problems regarding the handling of liquid or solid samples. When a molecule is 'on' a substrate, the sample is adsorbed to that substrate. Desorption is the process by which a molecule adsorbed on a substrate is removed from the substrate. Removing a molecule from a surface is "desorbing" a molecule from that surface. When desorbed, the molecule may be "vaporized", that is rendered into a gaseous state. Instead of starting with a gaseous sample, as basic mass spectrometry does, desorption mass spectrometry starts with the sample adsorbed on a substrate and desorbs the sample, thereby providing the gaseous sample to the mass spectrometer.
A desorption mass spectrometric methodology used for analysis of biological samples is matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). In conventional MALDI, the sample is typically dissolved into a solid, ultraviolet-absorbing, crystalline organic acid matrix. The liquid matrix/sample is deposited onto a inert base plate in a specific pattern and allowed to dry into target spots. Pulsed laser radiation ionizes some sample molecules while vaporizing the spot carrying the sample with the vaporized matrix. Many MALDI instruments are preconfigured to ionize the spots in sequence to maximize throughput of the system.
MALDI-MS allows for desorption and ionization of non-volatile samples (e.g., biological samples) from a solid-state phase directly into the gas phase without charring, fragmentation, or chemical degradation. MALDI-MS is used to analyze substances such as polypeptides, polynucleotides, proteins, DNA fragments, biopolymers, and other large molecules. The development of proton transfer ionization has made biomolecular mass spectroscopy possible.
MALDI is severely limited in the study of small molecules. The MALDI matrix interferes with measurements below a m/z of approximately 700, called the low-mass region, which varies somewhat depending on the matrix used. Even with large molecules, MALDI has significant limitations. The matrix and matrix fragments can form adducts with the sample ion that can cause the measured signal to have a range of molecular weights. A spectrum from such an analysis may have substantially shortened peak heights.
New methods of desorbing samples have been developed that utilize a substrate to hold the sample rather than having the sample be mixed with a matrix and then be adsorbed to the base plate as was previous practice with MALDI spectrometers. Substrates of porous silicon have been used with laser equipped mass spectrometers to perform analyses of samples. As used herein, the term "DIOS" refers to desorption ionization on silicon, a structure that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,496 the contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A DIOS substrate (referred to as a chip) typically has dimensions of approximately three to five centimeters and a thickness of 0.5 millimeters. The sample, generally in the form of an aqueous solution in which one or more compounds are dissolved, is received on the porous silicon surface of the substrate. When used in the determination of mass and charge information of ions formed by laser ionization, the substrate is placed in close proximity to the inlet of a mass spectrometer. The laser is discharged or pulsed, ionizing and vaporizing a portion of the sample but leaving the substrate behind. The vapor, ions and gases are drawn into the inlet of the mass spectrometers for analysis.
The DIOS methodology provides the beneficial effects of having a direct laser desorption/ionization technique for use in biomolecular and other analyses. The DIOS methodology addresses the unfulfilled needs of the present methods for dramatically simplified sample preparation. Sample preparation is simplified because of the absence of the matrix or the need for covalent linkage of the analyte to the substrate. Further, substrates do not need to be tailored to the needs of a particular sample, and the DIOS method has a tolerance for salts and buffers.
In order to utilize the DIOS chip with existing MALDI instruments, ways need to be developed to secure the substrates in the instruments without introducing chemicals. It would be preferable to have the chips positioned repeatably so that the instrument does not need to be retargetted between chips. Further, when the analysis of the samples on the substrate is complete, an easy way to remove and dispose of used substrate would be useful. The present invention addresses these needs.

Substrate adapter for use in mass spectroscopy analysis


An electrical load driving apparatus comprising a thyristor circuit arranged to control a transmission of electric power to an electrical load, wherein the thyristor circuit is connected to a conversion module arranged to convert a characteristic of the thyristor circuit to operate with a load characteristic of the electrical load.

Lighting apparatus is essential for daily lives of human beings, for the illumination in dark/low-light environment, or as a supplementary visual aid in varies situations such as repair and maintenance. Lighting apparatus is also essential components such as backlight module of a flat panel display, and signal indicators.
In the past, lighting apparatus are usually made with incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs/tubes. With recent advances in solid-state lighting technology, high brightness (HB) light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely adopted in various commercial, residential and industrial lighting applications, due to their high luminous efficacy and long life expectancy. An LED lamp consists of a single HB-LED multiple LEDs connected in the form of arrays with each array having several LEDs connected together.
To meet the requirement of energy saving and various application of these lighting devices, various methods may be adopted to modulate the electrical power being delivered to the devices, so as to dim the light. However, known dimmers may not operate with all types of lighting devices or other electrical load with different characteristics.


In a data processing method of this invention, data having an amount of a designated total data transfer length is transferred from a data buffer in a data mover to a designated start address of a control memory at a data transfer rate of a control data transfer control unit. Data having an amount of a designated block data transfer length is transferred from the buffer in the data mover to a designated start address of a high-speed arithmetic memory at a data transfer rate of a high-speed data transfer control unit.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling data transfer between a high-speed arithmetic memory used by a high-speed arithmetic processor and an input/output device.
In general, a supercomputer has a capability for performing arithmetic processing at very high speed as compared with general purpose computers. The supercomputers allow high-speed solutions of various equations which represent natural phenomena using a large amount of data to achieve various technical studies and developments in scientific and technological fields.
For example, in an aircraft manufacturer, a supercomputer is used to analyze an air whirl formed around each wing. This analysis has been conventionally performed by experiments using a wind tunnel.
In such a supercomputer for performing a large amount of scientific and technological calculations, many problems are involved, and a very large amount of data are required.
A large amount of data, therefore, are stored in a secondary memory device such as a magnetic disk unit, and the data are input/output between the magnetic disk and a high-speed arithmetic memory, as needed, thus performing calculations.
More specifically, the larger a ratio of a transfer period of time between the secondary emory device and the high-speed arithmetic memory is, as compared with a transfer period of time executed between an arithmetic processor and the high-speed arithmetic memory at high speed, the larger an adverse effect to an execution performance of an entire program becomes.
Conventionally, a supercomputer of this type includes a system control unit, an input/output processor connected to the system control unit, a control processor, a control memory mainly used for these processors, a high-speed arithmetic processor, and a high-speed arithmetic memory mainly used for the high-speed arithmetic processor.
In a data transfer operation between the secondary memory device and the high-speed arithmetic memory in a conventional data processing apparatus of this type, the control processor serves as a main unit, and the data contents transferred from the input/output processor to the control memory are transferred to the high-speed arithmetic memory, or the contents are directly transferred from the input/output processor to the high-speed arithmetic memory.
In this method, however, a rate of transfer to the high-speed arithmetic memory is undesirably limited by a rate of transfer from the control processor or the input/output processor to the control memory.
In general, the rate of transfer from the control processor or the input/output processor to the control memory is considerably lower than that between the high-speed arithmetic processor and the high-speed arithmetic memory. As a result, a ratio of an input/output period of time between the secondary memory device and the high-speed arithmetic memory is undesirably larger than a transfer period of time between the high-speed arithmetic processor and the high-speed arithmetic memory.
More specifically, in the above-mentioned conventional data processing apparatus, a transfer period of time between the secondary memory device and the high-speed arithmetic memory is undesirably longer than that between the high-speed arithmetic processor and the high-speed arithmetic memory, and an execution period of time of the entire program may also be increased, thus degrading performance of the apparatus.

Data transfer control system between high speed main memory and input/output processor with a data mover


The combined shredder mailbox apparatus provides a single case having a mailbox with downwardly pivoted door positioned above a drawer. The shredder is disposed within the case between the mailbox and the drawer. The apparatus thereby allows a user to shred unwanted mail items rather than carry them elsewhere for disposal. Typical electrical plug, the solar panel and battery, or both can power the apparatus. The heavy duty shredder can shred up to 10 folded sheets or paper at once. The shredder can also shred credit cards and the like and compact discs.

Junk mail has become quite prevalent in recent years. While some enjoy receiving unsolicited mail, most view junk mail as just that—junk. Checking a mailbox for mail, receiving junk mail, then carrying it to a trash receptacle becomes a daily chore for most. With some, such as those who have mailboxes far from their door, it is an even greater chore. A further problem with junk mail, if a mailbox is insecure, is that others are privy to personal information contained on and in junk mail. Identity theft has become a major problem in society, and junk mail can contribute to that problem. While secure mailboxes are not unusual, and shredders are equally known, a combination of the two has never been available until now.


An electric heating element is provided with a durable PTC resistance made at least partially of an iron-based alloy, exhibiting stable characteristics to a temperature of 1500 DEG C. and having a resistance/temperature characteristic curve which substantially increases in a linear manner within a temperature range between an ambient temperature and 1500 DEG C. and can be used for a temperature control. The PCT resistance is provided with an oxidation resistant metallization or is gas-tightly enveloped by a jacket (2, 3, 12), a space between the jacket (2, 3, 12) and the PCT resistance (1,13) being filled with a powder or granules (14) which remove an important gas amount from the space.

Electrical heating systems are for example used in home technology as heating plates in ovens, in hair dryers and fan heaters, in motor vehicle technology for heating the supercharged air or the catalysts for gasoline or diesel fuel, and in chemical technology at reaction columns. Normally the temperature is measured and the measured value is used, via a closed loop, to control heating elements in order to achieve the desired target temperature.
The heating conductors in use are normally heating conductors based on ferritic FeCr (AL)—or austenitic NiCr (Fe)—alloys. However, these materials are rather difficult to use for a more finely tuned temperature because of the low temperature dependence of their specific resistance.
Co alloys with additions of Fe, Ni and similar metals have proven their worth for spark plugs in combustion engines, but they are also quite expensive because of their high Co content. In addition, the specific resistance value is very low in such materials, making it necessary to add other resistors for a better adaptation to the internal resistances of existing power sources.
DE 3825012 A1 describes a control element for a spark plug consisting of a cobalt-iron alloy with about 20–35% iron. This alloy morphs into a cubic area-centered crystalline structure beyond about 1,000° Celsius which, because of the frequent temperature changes and the associated phase transformations, leads to the material's thermal fatigue.
According to EP 0523062, cobalt-iron alloys with an iron content of 6–18% that avoid the effect of thermal fatigue are also used. These alloys have the advantage of a high temperature factor, but their disadvantage is the high price.
The use of pure Fe leads to a pronounced temperature-dependence of the resistance, but there are problems with phase transformations in the interesting temperature range above 900° Celsius. This leads to a hysteresis behavior resulting in an ambiguous temperature resistance curve and in thermal fatigue that can lead to rupture.
In addition, at low temperatures and/or low heat volumes the temperature-dependence of a single resistor is currently also used, which in turn itself serves as heat resistance.


A thread control device for a chainstitch sewing machine comprises a thread feeder which is moved simultaneously with the stitching needle by the drive means for the stitching needle. The thread feeder is attached in such a manner as to be able to oscillate at a pivot drive which is allocated to a shaft rotatably mounted in the upper arm casing of the sewing machine.

The invention relates to a thread control device for a chainstitch sewing machine of the type including a rotatably mounted shaft, a reciprocating needle bar having a stitching needle including an eye through which the stitching thread is threaded, drive means connecting said rotatably mounted shaft to said reciprocating needle bar, a thread tensioning device and a thread feeder including a thread-guiding orifice.
A thread control device of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,460,494. In this prior art thread control device a guide eyelet, which serves to draw off or feed the thread, is attached to the needle bar. The stitching thread is threaded through the guide eyelet. A thread feeder of this type serves in a known manner in chainstitch sewing machines during the switch-forming procedure to both draw off a quantity of thread, from the thread supply, necessary to form the stitch and also to tighten the loose stitching thread required to form the needle thread loop.
Although the prior art thread feeder, which guides the thread and is connected to the needle bar, renders it possible for the parts to have a simple design, it does not allow any fine adjustments of the thread control device to suit the quantity of thread required during the individual phases of the stitch formation procedure. Furthermore, the total weight of the needle bar is increased owing to the thread feeder being fixedly attached to the needle bar. As a consequence the mass forces acting upon the needle bar drive are increased. This can cause premature wear of the sewing machine.

Thread control device for a chainstitch sewing machine


The present invention relates to lactams of Formula (I): or stereoisomeric forms, stereoisomeric mixtures, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, which are useful as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease, and to pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic kits comprising the same, and methods of using the same for treating viral infection or as an assay standard or reagent.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of transfusion and community-acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide. Approximately 2% of the world's population are infected with the virus. In the Unites States, hepatitis C represents approximately 20% of cases of acute hepatitis. Unfortunately, self-limited hepatitis is not the most common course of acute HCV infection. In the majority of patients, symptoms of acute hepatitis resolve, but alanine aminotransferase (a liver enzyme diagnostic for liver damage) levels often remain elevated and HCV RNA persists. Indeed, a propensity to chroninicity is the most distinguishing characteristic of hepatitis C, occurring in at least 85% of patients with acute HCV infection. The factors that lead to chronicity in hepatitis C are not well defined. Chronic HCV infection is associated with increased incidence of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. No vaccines are available for this virus, and current treatment is restricted to the use of alpha interferon, which is effective in only 15-20% of patients. Recent clinical studies have shown that combination therapy of alpha interferon and ribavirin leads to sustained efficacy in 40% of patients (Poynard, T. et al. Lancet 1998, 352, 1426-1432.). However, a majority of patients still either fail to respond or relapse after completion of therapy. Thus, there is a clear need to develop more effective therapeutics for treatment of HCV-associated hepatitis.
HCV is a positive-stranded RNA virus. Based on comparison of deduced amino acid sequence and the extensive similarity in the 5′ untranslated region, HCV has been classified as a separate genus in the Flaviviridae family, which also includes flaviviruses such as yellow fever virus and animal pestiviruses like bovine viral diarrhea virus and swine fever virus. All members of the Flaviviridae family have enveloped virions that contain a positive stranded RNA genome encoding all known virus-specific proteins via translation of a single, uninterrupted, open reading frame.
Considerable heterogeneity is found within the nucleotide and encoded amino acid sequence throughout the HCV genome. At least six major genotypes have been characterized, and more than 50 subtypes have been described. The major genotypes of HCV differ in their distribution worldwide, and the clinical significance of the genetic heterogeneity of HCV remains elusive despite numerous studies of the possible effect of genotypes on pathogenesis and therapy.
The RNA genome is about 9.6 Kb in length, and encodes a single polypeptide of about 3000 amino acids. The 5′ untranslated region contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), which directs cellular ribosomes to the correct AUG for initiation of translation. As was determined by transient expression of cloned HCV cDNAs, the precursor protein is cotranslationally and posttranslationally processed into at least 10 viral structural and nonstructural (NS) proteins by the action of a host signal peptidase and by two distinct viral proteinase activities. The translated product contains the following proteins: core-E1-E2-p7-NS2-NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5A-NS5B.
The N-terminal portion of NS3 functions as a proteolytic enzyme that is responsible for the cleavage of sites liberating the nonstructural proteins NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. NS3 has further been shown to be a serine protease. Although the functions of the NS proteins are not completely defined, it is known that NS4A is a protease cofactor and NS5B is an RNA polymerase involved in viral replication. Thus agents that inhibit NS3 proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein are expected to have antiviral activity.
There are several patents which disclose HCV NS3 protease inhibitors. WO98/17679 describes peptide and peptidomimetic ihibitors with the following formula: U-E8-E7-E6-E5-E4-NH—CH(CH2G1)-W1, where W is one of a variety of electrophilic groups, including boronic acid or ester. E4 represents either an amino acid or one of a series of peptidomimetic groups, the sythesis of which are not exemplified. The lactam inhibitors described in the present case are not covered.
WO98/22496 discloses peptide inhibitors of the following general formula: R9—NH—CH(R8)—CO—NH—CH(R7)—CO—N(R6)—CH(R5)—CO—NH—CH(R4)—CO—N(R3)—CH(R2)—CO—NH—CH(R1)—E where E either an aldehyde or a boronic acid. R1 represents lower alkyl (optionally substituted by halo, cyano, lower alkylthio, aryl-lower alkylthio, aryl or heteroaryl), lower alkenyl or lower akynyl.
Llinas-Brunet, Bailey et al WO99/07734 have described hexa- to tetra-peptide analogs containing a P1 electrophilic carbonyl group, a phosphonate ester, or an aza-aminoacid analog. Also, Llinas-Brunet, Poupart et al. WO99/07733 describe peptides terminating in a carboxylate. This latter group of compounds are similar to those described by Steinkuhler et al. Biochemistry 37, 8899-8905 (1998) and Ingallinella et al. Biochemistry 37, 8906-8914 (1998). These investigators report that hexapeptide substrate hydrolysis products are inhibitors of HCV protease. For example, Ac-Asp-Glu-Dpa-Glu-Cha-Cys-OH (SEQ. ID. NO.:1) is reported to have a Ki of <1.0 μM. In related disclosures, Ac-Asp-(D)Asp-Ile-Val-Pro-Cys-OH (SEQ. ID. NO.:2) has been shown to be more effective than its all "L" isomer Llinas-Brunet et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 8 1713-1718 (1998).
Additional peptide inhibitors of HCV protease have been disclosed. Hart et al WO9846630 have described hepta-peptide analogs containing an ester linkage at the scissile bond. Zhang et al. WO9743310 discloses high molecular weight peptide inhibitors. These compounds are also distinct from the present inventions.
Based on the large number of persons currently infected with HCV and the limited treatments available, it is desirable to discover new inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.

Lactam inhibitors of Hepatitis C virus NS3 protease


A slicer blade cleaning tool including a handle having a grasping area at a first end of a length and breadth to be easily held by the fingers and palm of one hand, and also having a downwardly extending prolongation and attached scraper at an opposite end, with the prolongation and scraper being constructed of a heavy plastic able to withstand forces downwardly and upwardly applied to the prolongation and to the scraper as the scraper is held against a rotating slicing blade in cleaning cheese and/or meat residue remaining after a slicing or cutting action is completed.

As is known, State and/or Local Boards of Health typically require that the blade of such slicer machines be regularly cleaned. Whether such cleaning occurs once each day--at the end of the work-day, for example--or frequently during the day, the typical manner for cleaning the blade has been found generally inadequate, leaving much to be desired. As will be appreciated, this results from the way in which the slicer blade is typically cleaned.
More specifically, the conventional manner of cleaning the blade is to first remove the blade-guard, take a cloth or linen rag and bunch it up, dipping it in an ammonia and water solution. The wetted rag is then pressed against the blade in an attempt to clean it while the blade rotates electrically. Experience has shown, however, that whether the bunched-up rag be thus used to clean heavy cheese or lunch meat, or otherwise from the blade, the rag tends to bind-up and snag about the blade--frequently causing injuries to the fingers holding the rag if they do not let go in time when the catching of the rag occurs in this manner. Similar attempts of cleaning, using sponges soaked in this type of soapy solution, oftentimes fare no better due to their being grabbed and then ripped apart as the slicer blade rotates, whether the blade rotates in a vertical plane, or rotates at an upward angle of some 30-45.degree., or so. When it is appreciated that the cleaning of the blade many times takes place just to prevent the products from intermingling--as where the slicer blade is cleaned after cutting heavy cheeses as muenster, and after cutting spreadable meats as liverwurst, the problem of the shredding of the cleaning rag, and the possible injuries to the fingers which hold it against the blade become even more understandable. Experience has shown that it is not unusual for a worker to be cut on the sharp blade of the slicer while attempting to clean the blade, requiring medical suturing to close the resulting wound.


A mixer includes a mixer housing provided with two annular skirts respectively extending downward to form a receiving space for communicating with an interior of the tubular housing, a mixer element having a helix extending into the tubular housing, and a mixer inlet portion with a connection plate having two top openings selectively communicating with the two openings such that components received inside the two tubes are able to be selectively forced into the interior of the tubular housing for dispensing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a securing device for a mixer, and more particularly to a securing device for a mixer comprising a mixer housing and a mixer inlet portion such that after the mixer housing and the mixer inlet portion are connected via the securing device, movement of the mixer inlet portion completes alignment and communication with the mixer housing and components inside the mixer inlet portion are able to be forced into the mixer housing for dispensing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A mixer is normally used in dental applications, with which the dentist is able to mix different components simultaneously and then forces the mixed components to wherever required. The background of the prior art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,243 issued to Keller, where detailed description is provided to show how different components are mixed inside the mixer housing. Other information about the variations of the mixer is also available for free access so as to allow people to understand the current technologies used in the dental business.
With all the information provided, none is used to discuss how to decrease the use of the sealing film with which the components are sealed inside the mixer inlet portion before application. That is, when a user is about to use the mixer, the user peels off the sealing film on the mixer inlet portion and aligns the mixer inlet portion with the mixer housing so as to allow a plunger slidable inside the mixer inlet portion to force the components to enter the mixer housing with the influence of the mixer element. The attachment of the sealing film to the mixer inlet portion during the manufacture period increases manufacture cost. Also, the discard of the sealing film causes an environmental issue.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved securing device to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

Slidable securing device for a mixer to allow communication between a mixer housing and a mixer inlet portion of the mixer


An exemplary punch die (30) includes a lower die (40) and an upper die (50). The lower die includes a die core (45), a blank holder (417), and a cylinder (413) disposed in the lower die. The blank holder is disposed on a periphery of the die core. The cylinder is connected to the blank holder and provides a constant force to the blank holder. The upper die includes a punch core corresponding to the die core. A punch machine using the present punch die is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to punch dies and, more particularly, to a punch die for a punch machine.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 3, a related-art punch die 10 includes an upper die 12 and a lower die 14. The punch die 10 is generally installed on a punch machine 20, and configured to punch a metallic workpiece. The punch machine 20 includes a base set 22, and a bracket 24 supported by the base set 22. The upper die 12 is attached to the bracket 24, and can be moved downwards by a first cylinder 242. The lower die 14 is disposed on the base set 22. A blank holder 16 is sleeved on the base set 22. A second cylinder 222 is disposed in the base set 22. The second cylinder 222 is connected to the blank holder 16 for providing a constant force to the blank holder 16.
The second cylinder 222 is disposed in the base set 22. When the second cylinder 222 breaks down, the punch machine 20 should be hoisted up so that the second cylinder 222 can be taken out of the base set 22 for repairing. As such, it is very cumbersome to repair the second cylinder 222. Thus, the blank holder 16 is generally replaced by a spring or an air cushion that is easily disassembled. When a metallic workpiece is punched, the spring or the air cushion applies a force to the metallic workpiece. The force is related to a force provided by the second cylinder 222 and the compression of the spring or the air cushion. Since the compression of the spring or the air cushion is often inconstant, the force applying to the metallic workpiece is unstable, which leads the punched workpiece to have an unstable size.
Therefore, a punch die and a punch machine using the same which is easily repaired and can punch a workpiece with a stable size.

Punch die and punch machine using the same

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


Methods and systems are provided for recirculating compressed air across a compressor through a high flow and a low flow compressor recirculation path. Flow through the recirculation paths is controlled via respective valves and valve opening is adjusted based on a throttle mass flow so as to maintain a compressor flow rate at or above a surge constrained flow rate. By maintaining a sufficiently high compressor flow rate during steady state and transient conditions, the compressor state can be maintained outside a surge region.

Engine systems may be configured with boosting devices, such as turbochargers or superchargers, for providing a boosted aircharge and improving peak power outputs. The use of a compressor allows a smaller displacement engine to provide as much power as a larger displacement engine, but with additional fuel economy benefits. However, compressors are prone to surge. For example, when an operator tips-out of an accelerator pedal, an engine intake throttle closes, leading to reduced forward flow through the compressor, and a potential for surge. As such, surge can lead to NVH issues such as undesirable noise from the engine intake system. For example, during hard surge, the compressor allows air to momentarily backflow through the compressor resulting in rapid pressure oscillations, while during soft surge, smaller pressure oscillations are experienced.
To address either form of compressor surge, engine systems may include a compressor recirculation valve coupled across the compressor to enable rapid decaying of boost pressure. One example of such a compressor recirculation valve is shown by Blaiklock et al. in US 2012/0014812. Therein, the compressor recirculation valve is an open/closed type of valve that is maintained closed during steady-state engine operation and actuated open in response to any indication of surge. By opening the valve, a portion of air discharged from the compressor is recirculated to the compressor inlet.
However the inventors herein have identified potential issues with such an approach. As one example, the valve of Blaiklock may be ineffective for managing soft surge. This is due, in part, because of the relatively smaller instability of compressor operation during soft surge. In particular, unlike hard surge, soft surge tends to occur during otherwise steady-state conditions when compressor speed lines on a compressor map have a positive slope. In this region of the compressor map, soft surge generates relatively small amplitude oscillations in pressure and flow. As a result, soft surge is typically not addressed by opening a compressor recirculation valve but by lowering the engine torque curve such that engine operating conditions lie outside of the areas of the compressor map where soft surge tends to occur. As such, this can lead to compromises in driveability and performance, particularly for highly downsized engine configurations and/or at high altitudes and ambient temperatures. On the other hand, if a compressor recirculation valve were opened in response to soft surge, driver torque demand could not be maintained.
In one example, some of the above issues may be addressed by a method for a boosted engine comprising: adjusting flow through each of a first higher flow compressor recirculation path and a second lower flow compressor recirculation path based on a throttle mass flow to maintain a compressor flow rate at or above a threshold flow rate, the second recirculation passage positioned in parallel to the first recirculation passage. In this way, a compressor flow rate can be maintained above a flow rate at the hard surge line and compressor operation may be kept outside a surge region during steady-state as well as transient engine operating conditions.
In one example, an engine system may include a compressor having each of a first compressor recirculation path and a second compressor recirculation path coupling an outlet of a charge air cooler to the compressor inlet. In alternate embodiments, at least one of the recirculation paths may couple an outlet of the compressor to the compressor inlet. The first and second recirculation paths may be positioned in parallel to each other across the compressor. Flow through each recirculation path may be controlled via respective on/off valves. In addition, the second recirculation path may include a flow restriction, in the form of an orifice or a venturi for example, such that compressor recirculation flow through the second recirculation path is at a lower flow rate than compressor recirculation flow through the first recirculation path. An engine controller may be configured to continually adjust a position of the first and second valves, during steady-state and transient engine operating conditions, based on changes in air flow through an intake throttle so as to maintain a compressor flow rate at or above a surge constrained flow rate (that is, a compressor flow rate at a surge limit (e.g., hard surge line) of the compressor). In one example, the throttle mass flow rate may be determined based on the output of a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor, while the surge constrained compressor flow rate is determined based on the compressor surge limit.
If the throttle mass flow is higher than the desired (surge constrained) compressor flow rate, one or more of the compressor recirculation valves may be maintained closed. For example, both valves may be held closed to decrease recirculation flow. Alternatively, the first valve may be held closed while the second valve is left open so that a smaller portion of compressor recirculation flow is kept to provide an improved surge margin. If the throttle mass flow suddenly drops (e.g., during a tip-out) or if the steady-state throttle mass flow is lower than the desired compressor flow rate, both valves may be opened to increase the recirculation flow. Alternatively, the first valve may be opened while the second valve is left closed so that there is a larger portion of compressor recirculation flow. In either case, the flow rate through the compressor is increased, improving the surge margin.
In this way, by adjusting flow through both the compressor recirculation paths based on a throttle mass flow, a compressor flow rate can be kept sufficiently high. This enables compressor operation during steady-state as well as transient operating conditions to remain outside a surge region (e.g., outside a hard surge region and a soft surge region). As such, this allows both hard surge and soft surge to be better addressed. By improving the surge margin under all engine operating conditions, surge related NVH issues and component damage issues are reduced. In addition, soft surge can be addressed without degrading driveability and engine performance.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Generally, the described techniques provide for efficiently performing dynamic power control with minimal complexity in a dual connectivity mode. In particular, a user equipment (UE) may determine the reserved power (or maximum available power) for uplink transmissions on one or more cells in one cell group to a base station based on the total power available to the UE and the minimum reserved power for uplink transmissions on one or more cells in another cell group. Once the UE determines the reserved power for conflicting uplink transmissions on one or more cells in a cell group, the UE may allocate the reserved power to each uplink transmission on the one or more cells in the cell group (e.g., based on a priority of each of the uplink transmissions).

The following relates generally to wireless communications and more specifically to uplink power control prioritization in dual connectivity.
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM).
A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE). In some wireless communications systems, a user equipment (UE) may be configured to operate in a dual connectivity mode where the UE may communicate with two or more base stations. In such systems, the UE may be scheduled to simultaneously transmit uplink signals (e.g., data, control, or reference signals) to multiple base stations each associated with a cell group (i.e., one or more cells on which the base station may communicate with a UE). In some cases, however, a UE operating in a dual connectivity mode may be power limited (i.e., the UE may only have a limited amount of power for transmitting uplink signals), and it may be challenging for the UE to determine how to allocate power for simultaneous uplink transmissions to multiple base stations.

Uplink power control prioritization in dual connectivity


An ophthalmic apparatus includes a fundus image acquisition unit which acquires a plurality of fundus images acquired by imaging fundus of a subject's eye at different times and at least one fundus image that is fewer than the plurality of fundus images and acquired by imaging fundus of the subject's eye at a different time from those for the plurality of fundus images, a unit which generates a new fundus image by averaging the plurality of fundus images, an extraction unit which extracts a feature region from the generated new fundus image, and a unit which tracks the fundus such that positions of a first polarization tomographic image of the fundus corresponding to the new fundus image and a second polarization tomographic image of the fundus corresponding to the at least one fundus image may be corrected based on the extracted feature region and the at least one fundus image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus and an ophthalmic method.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a multiple-wavelength light wave interference can acquire a high resolution tomographic image of a sample (fundus in particular).
In recent years, an ophthalmologic OCT apparatus can acquire not only a normal OCT image in which the shape of a fundus tissue is captured but also a polarization OCT image captured using a polarization parameter (retardation and orientation), which is one of optical characteristics of the fundus tissue.
The polarization OCT can configure the polarization OCT image using the polarization parameter, and can perform distinction and segmentation of the fundus tissue. The polarization OCT uses light modulated into circularly polarized light as measuring beam for observing the sample to detect interfering light split as two orthogonal linear polarizations and generate the polarization OCT image (refer to International Patent Application WO2010/122118A1). However, International Patent Application WO2010/122118A1 discloses no method for improving the quality of a polarization OCT image.

Ophthalmic apparatus and ophthalmic method


Radiation-curable water-dilutable urethane resins obtainable by reacting cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic diisocyanates with a mixture of a (meth)acryloyl-containing dihydroxy compound in an amount such that the amount of reactive hydroxyl groups present therein is from 0.2 to 0.6 mol, and with a tri or tetrahydric polyol which has been partly esterified with (meth)acrylic acid and has a residual average hydroxyl functionality of from 1.0 to 1.4 in the molecule, in an amount such that the amount of the reactive hydroxyl groups is from 0.4 to 0.8 mol, the sum of the amounts of the reactive hydroxyl groups always being 1.0 mol, and from 40 to 60% of the isocyanate groups being converted into urethane groups, and reacting the resulting intermediate with an aliphatic saturated monocarboxylic acid having at least two hydroxyl groups in an amount such that the amount of the reactive hydroxyl groups is from 0.6 to 1 mol, until the hydroxyl groups have undergone complete reaction and reacting this product, if desired, with further part-esterified polyol in an amount such that the amount of hydroxyl groups in the polyol is from 0 to 0.5 mol until the remaining free isocyanate groups have undergone complete reaction, the molar proportions of the components being chosen so that the ratio of the number of isocyanate groups to the number of hydroxyl groups is from 0.9:1 to 1:1 and the reaction product possesses carboxyl groups in accordance with an acid number of from 20 to 40 mg/g and has a specific double bond content of not more than 3.5 mol/kg.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to water-dilutable urethane resins, to processes for their preparation, and to their use; for example, as binders for coating materials which can be crosslinked by free-radical polymerization and which, in the form in which they are employed, are free from monomers, dried physically and, as a coating film, show a high degree of crosslinking.
2. Description of Related Art
Urethane resins have been described in EP 0694531 A2, where the incorporation of (meth)acryloyl-containing allophanate structures allows an increase to be obtained in the crosslinking density. A disadvantage of the resins, however, is that coating materials based on such resins do not, prior to radiation curing, achieve the adequate physical drying of the coating films that is required specifically for the painting of wood.

Radiation-curable water-dilutable urethane resins, preparation process and use


Corrosion protection agents for treating glassware surfaces, for example dishes and glasses, especially corrosion protection agents comprising zinc-containing materials are provided. Treatment systems and composition of matter, which incorporate these corrosion protection agents, are also provided.

Automatic dishwashing detergents constitute a generally recognized distinct class of detergent compositions whose purpose can include breaking down and removing food soils; inhibition of foaming; promoting the wetting of wash articles in order to minimize or eliminate visually observable spotting and filming; removing stains such as might be caused by beverages such as coffee and tea or by vegetable soils such as carotenoid soils; preventing a buildup of soil films on wash ware surfaces; and reducing tarnishing of flatware without substantially etching or corroding or otherwise damaging the surfaces of glasses or dishes. The problem of glassware surface corrosion during washing the cycle in the automatic dishwashing process has long been known. Current opinion is that the problem is the result of two separate phenomena. On one hand, the high pH needed for cleaning causes silica hydrolysis. This dissolved silica/ate (together with silicates added purposely to prevent china and metal corrosion) deposit on the glassware surface leading to iridescence and clouding. On the other hand, builders cause corrosion. The builders will chelate metal ions on glassware surfaces, which results in metal ion leaching and renders a less durable and chemical resistant glass. After several washes in an automatic dishwashing appliance, both phenomena can cause significant corrosion damage to glassware surfaces such as cloudiness, scratches, and streaks that results in consumer dissatisfaction.
Most consumers agree that corrosion of glassware surfaces, resulting from use of automatic dishwashing (ADW) appliances, is one of their most serious unmet needs. One approach to reducing glassware surface corrosion is to provide corrosion protection agents comprising water-soluble metal salts (such as zinc salts of chloride, sulfate or acetate) to afford some measure of glassware surface protection. Another approach is reduce precipitate formation, caused by the introduction of soluble zinc salts in a high pH environment, by spraying a solution of the water-soluble zinc salt onto granular polyphosphate particles. Another approach is to combine soluble zinc and a chelant. Another approach is to use insoluble zinc salt to control the release of Zn2+ ions in the rinse to avoid filming. Another approach is to provide an automatic dishwashing composition with a mixture of disilicate and metasilicate. Another approach is to provide an additive to an automatic dishwashing composition, such as, a copolymer of an organomineral siliconate, which is obtained by condensation polymerization of an alkali metal disilicate and an alkali metal siliconate. Another approach is to provide an alkali metal silicate partially substituted with calcium, magnesium, strontium or cerium as a counterion. Another approach is the use of metal salts, particularly of aluminum, wherein the metal salt is sequestered to form a metal salt-sequestrant complex, such as, an aluminum (III)-sequestrant complex. In yet another approach, a fast-dissolving aluminum salt is used but this aluminum salt is combined with greater than about 10 wt. % silicate in high alkalinity products.
Thus, while there are many approaches available, there is still a continuing need to develop alternative corrosion protection agents for treating glassware surfaces such that significant glasscare benefits are achieved yet the problem of glassware surface corrosion is reduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Zinc corrosion protection agents for treating glassware surfaces


A suspension bearing device, comprising: a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup centered on a central axis. The lower cup having a body including a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion. The lower cup is provided with a damper pad including: an inner portion disposed against the annular outward radial portion of the body; an outer portion for bearing a suspension spring; and an annular recess for receiving a creep of material of the damper pad when the outer portion is constrained by the suspension spring. The suspension bearing device can be integrated into a motor vehicle. A method for manufacturing such a suspension bearing device.

In a known manner, a suspension system comprises a strut supporting an axle and a wheel of a vehicle. A suspension bearing device is placed in the top portion of the strut, opposite to the wheel and the ground, between a suspension spring and an upper member secured to the body of the vehicle. The spring is placed around a damper piston rod of which the end may be secured to the body of the vehicle.
WO-A-2011/012484 discloses an example of a suspension bearing device, comprising a rolling bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup. The suspension bearing device is configured for transmitting loads between a suspension spring and the body of the vehicle, while allowing a relative angular movement between the races of the rolling bearing. The lower cup includes a metal stiffening insert to have a high enough rigidity and to allow the transmission of high axial and radial loads. The lower cup also includes a flexible member, comprising an annular ring and two seals connected to the annular ring by axial studs.
The seals are designed to protect the bearing against infiltrations of water or pollutant particles, while the annular ring is designed to absorb in part the vibrations and shocks generated by the suspension spring. However, inconvenient noise can be generated in case of important vibrations. In that case, the axial damping effect of the annular ring is not fully satisfactory due to its small thickness. Besides, the suspension spring can radially collide with the rigid body of the lower cup. Consequently, the car manufacturer usually arranges an additional damping component, namely a rubber insulator, between the suspension bearing device and the suspension spring.

Suspension bearing device, motor vehicle equipped with such a strut bearing device and manufacturing method


This invention relates to the synthesis of Mqn-containing monomeric compounds, comprising a polymerizable moiety, an Mqn-moiety, and an optional chemical spacer therebetween, wherein q, in each instance, comprises an 8-hydroxyquinoline residue, M is a metal such as Mg, Zn, Al, Ga, or In, and n is 2 or 3 as the valence of the metal requires. For example, the polymerization of Znq2- or Alq3-containing monomers, in the presence or absence of a co-monomer, provided a Znq2- or Alq3-containing polymer, which retained the optical properties of Znq2 or Alq3 in solution, respectively. The Mqn-containing polymers may be used in, among other things, the fabrication of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) is a very stable and highly fluorescent solid-state material, which has utility as the emission and electron-transport layer in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). See, for example: Tang, C. W.; VanSlyke, S. A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 1987, 51, 913–915; Tang, C. W.; VanSlyke, S. A.; Chen, C. H. J. Appl. Phys. 1989, 65, 3610–3616; O'Brien, D. F.; Baldo, M. A.; Thompson, M. E.; Forrest, S. R. Appl. Phys. Lett. 1999, 74, 442–444; Kido, J.; Hongawa, K.; Okuyama, K.; Nagai, K. Appl. Phys. Lett. 1994, 64, 815–817; Jang, H.; Do, L. -M.; Kim, Y.; Zyung, T.; Do, Y. Synth. Met. 2001, 121, 1667–1668, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. One of the limitations of using Alq3 in OLEDs is its limited processability. See, for example: Friend, R. H.; Gymer, R. W.; Holmes, A. B.; Burroughes, J. H.; Marks, R. N.; Taliani, C.; Bradley, D. D. C.; Santos, D. A. D.; Bredas, J. L.; Logdlund, M.; Salaneck, W. R. Nature 1999, 397, 121–128; Chen, C. H.; Shi, J. Coord. Chem. Rev. 1998, 171, 161–174; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Currently, OLEDs are typically fabricated by solution-processing, yet Alq3 must typically be vacuum deposited. What are needed are new compounds, materials, compositions, and methods that can address this limited processability problem such that Alq3 can be more amenable to use in OLEDs.

Metal 8-hydroxyquinoline-functionalized polymers and related materials and methods of making and using the same


A partially implantable hearing device comprises a microphone assembly to be worn by the user for capturing audio signals from ambient sound, an audio signal processing unit for processing the audio signals captured by the microphone and an implantable assembly with a power supply and an electromechanical output transducer for stimulating the user's hearing according to the audio signals processed by the audio signal processing unit. Also a microphone assembly provides for transcutaneous transmission of audio signals captured by the microphone assembly to the implantable assembly and for transcutaneous transmission of power to microphone assembly from the implantable assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a partially implantable hearing device comprising an electro-mechanical output transducer.
2. Description of Related Art
Implantable hearing devices are a class of medical devices for treatment of sensor neural and/or conductive hearing loss of patients who are unable or unwilling to use a conventional hearing aid. The main components of an implantable hearing device are a microphone, an audio signal processing unit, an output transducer for stimulating the user's hearing and a power supply, i.e. a battery. In general, the output transducer may be an electro-mechanical transducer which is used for stimulating a member of the ossicular chain or for directly stimulating the inner ear or which is part of a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA), or an electrical stimulator for a cochlear implant, or a combination thereof. If all of these components are implanted, the implantable hearing device is categorized as a fully implantable device. If at least one component remains outside the body, the device is categorized as a partially implantable hearing device; in this case, it requires additional components to transfer power and information between the implanted part and the external part.
Fully implantable devices are beneficial in that they are completely invisible and do not restrict daily activities such as swimming or vigorous movement. However, such devices have to deal with considerable technical challenges related to the implantable microphone which must be biologically stable, which should have low sensitivity to body-generated vibrations such as chewing sounds, and which should not cause feedback squealing by picking-up the output vibration or electrical by-products of the function of the amplifier and transducer. Current fully implantable devices are limited in their available gain, typically due to feedback problems related to either the vibration sensitivity of a microphone covered by a massive layer of skin or to the proximity between the microphone and the output transducer.
A typical design of partially implantable devices has all components except the output transducer outside the body. While this design avoids the microphone challenges of fully implantable devices, it requires large and heavy outside components which are typically held in place by implanted magnets to ensure proper alignment of the implanted and external parts of the transcutaneous link used to transmit power and information into the implanted part of the device. Thus, current partially implantable devices contain bulky, conspicuous external parts, which house the power supply and the audio signal processing electronics, and they are not water-proof, because they contain openings in the housing for access to replaceable batteries, etc. Typically the largest share of the overall power consumption is due to the output transducer. Transcutaneous power transmission is not very efficient, due to technical and physical constraints. Therefore, in conventional partially implantable devices wherein the power source is located outside the body overall power consumption is relatively high, because a significant amount of power is lost in the transcutaneous link, whereby the required size of the power source is increased or the lifetime of the rechargeable or replaceable external battery is reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,094 B2 describes a fully implantable hearing device and, as an alternative, a conventional partially implantable hearing device wherein only the electro-mechanical output transducer is implanted, while the external portion comprises the microphone, the audio signal processing electronics and the power source. A further example of a fully implantable hearing device comprising an electro-mechanical transducer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,694. Also U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,169 relates to a partially or fully implantable hearing device comprising an electro-mechanical output transducer. A further example of a conventional partially implantable hearing device is described in US 2005/0226447 A1.
US 2005/0267549 A1 relates to a cochlear implant device which, according to one embodiment, is a fully implantable device and which, according to an alternative embodiment, is a partially implantable device wherein the implantable part includes the cochlear stimulator, the signal processing electronics and the power source, whereas the external part includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC)-microphone which is connected to the implantable part via a transcutaneous link.
It is an object of the invention to provide for an implantable hearing device comprising an electro-mechanical output transducer, which device allows for relatively high gain and for comfortable use by the patient.