The present invention provides a bumper reinforcement made of a hollow material, including: a rear wall facing a vehicle body; an upper wall extending forward from a top of the rear wall; a lower wall extending forward from a bottom of the rear wall; a front wall supported only by the upper wall and the lower wall; an upper reinforcing wall extending from a middle in a height direction of the rear wall up to a middle in a front-rear direction of the upper wall; and a lower reinforcing wall extending from the middle in the height direction of the rear wall up to a middle in the front-rear direction of the lower wall, wherein: the front wall is located frontward of a virtual line passing through a foremost of the upper reinforcing wall and a foremost of the lower reinforcing wall in a cross section.

Each of WO2007/110938 and WO2009/110461 (hereinafter referred to respectively as Patent Documents 1 and 2) discloses a vehicle bumper structure which includes a hollow bumper reinforcement and a pair of right and left bumper stays supporting the hollow bumper reinforcement. This bumper structure: absorbs collision energy during a process in which the bumper reinforcement undergoes bending deformation (hereinafter referred to as a "beam deflection process"); absorbs collision energy during a process in which the bumper stays break into the bumper reinforcement (hereinafter referred to as a "beam crushing process; and absorbs collision energy during a process in which the bumper stays are crushed (hereinafter referred to as a "stay crushing process"). Such a bumper structure can increase the amount of collision energy absorbed while lowering the peak of the collision reaction force, and as a result, can reduce a damage to the vehicle body, while preventing malfunctions of safety apparatus (such as, for example, an air-bag) on a light collision. In addition, in a beam deflection process of a bumper reinforcement having a bent portion or a curved portion, collision energy is absorbed during a process in which the bent portion or the curved portion is rectilinearly extended.
The bumper reinforcement of each of Patent Documents 1, 2 includes: a rectangular outer shell; and a partition that partitions the inner space formed within the outer shell into an upper space and a lower space. The partition is provided parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall of the outer shell in a manner to join the front wall with the rear wall. The provision of the partition increases the section stiffness of the bumper reinforcement. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the wall thickness and thus the weight of the bumper reinforcement without reducing the amount of collision energy absorbed.


A technique for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARD) transmissions using low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding with self-decodable retransmissions is disclosed. Data is encoded using a low-density parity check code to obtain encoded data, where the encoded data includes core data and non-core data. The encoded data is then stored in a buffer for transmission. A plurality of redundancy versions of the encoded data is then transmitted, wherein all redundancy versions of encoded data include core data, and each of the transmitted redundancy versions of the encoded data includes at least a different subset of the core data. The core data may be reordered prior to obtaining at least one of the different subsets of core data. Each of the transmitted redundancy versions of the encoded data includes sufficient core data to permit self-decodability of the transmission at a receiver.

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These wireless networks may be multiple-access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing the available network resources. Examples of such multiple-access networks include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, and Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks.
As the use of mobile wireless devices, such as smart phones and tablet devices, becomes more ubiquitous, the demands on the limited amount of radio frequency spectrum used by those devices has increased, resulting in wireless network congestion and reduced bandwidth for devices operating in the licensed spectrum. A variety of techniques have been introduced to provide improve the effective data throughput, including coding and error correction. Furthermore, techniques for encoding and modulating data can improve efficient usage of bandwidth as well as enable reliable decoding or error detection at a receiver.

Self-decodability for low-density parity-check codes


A system and method are disclosed for providing a gain control signal for a multilevel read signal. In one embodiment, maximum automatic gain control marks are periodically inserted amongst a series of data fields. The automatic gain control marks include a series of high level marks such that the maximum signal detected in the interior portion of each maximum automatic gain control mark is not reduced by intersymbol interference. Minimum automatic gain control marks are also periodically inserted amongst a series of data fields. The automatic gain control marks include a series of high level marks such that the maximum signal detected in the interior portion of each minimum automatic gain control mark is not reduced by intersymbol interference. In another embodiment, multilevel signals are encoded to facilitate automatic gain control. The effect of a plurality of candidate merge symbols on the residual running total power associated with a current data block is determined. A preferred merge symbol is selected based on a residual running total power minimization criteria. The preferred merge symbol is added to the current data block.

The following acronyms are defined in this specification:
A/D analog-to-digital
AGC automatic gain control circuit
CAP constant average power
CD compact-disc data-storage drives.
DCC DC control
DML differential multilevel
DV digital value
DSS digital sum square
EFM eight-fourteen modulation
ISI intersymbol interference
PR1 partial-response class 1
RAP The running average power
RLL run-length limit
RRTP residual running total power
RTP running total power
In order to increase the capacity and speed of optical data storage systems, multilevel optical recording systems have been developed. Note that in this specification, the term multilevel refers to more than two levels. In a traditional optical recording system, reflectivity of the recording medium is modulated between two states. The density of data recorded on an optical recording medium can be increased by modulating the reflectivity of the optical recording medium into more than two states. U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,615 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MULTILEVEL INFORMATION issued to Kobayashi (hereinafter "Kobayashi") discloses a system for recovering multilevel data from an optical disc.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system disclosed in Kobayashi for recovering such data. Analog data read from a detector is input from a mark-length detection circuit 101 and a reflectivity detection circuit 102. The outputs of these circuits are sent to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 103. The A/D converter 103 includes an n-value circuit 104 which determines the value to which the signal corresponds by comparing the signal to predetermined reference voltages. Subsequently, the n-value signal is converted into a binary signal by binary circuit 105. While this system discloses the concept of reading a multilevel signal and converting it into a digital signal in a basic sense, no method is disclosed for handling various imperfections in a multilevel signal read from an optical disc that tend to occur in practice. Specifically, envelope fluctuations in the multilevel signal can significantly degrade the performance of subsequent detection circuits. These envelope fluctuations are a form of amplitude modulation of the signal caused by variations in the characteristics of the optical disc or in the drive mechanism that are separate from the multilevel modulation.
For example, variations in the index of refraction or the thickness of the polycarbonate material covering the surface of the disc cause distortions. Also, disc warpage may cause variations in both the recorded and readback signals because, as the disc spins, different portions of the disc come into and out of focus. Envelope fluctuations can be separated into two components: a common-mode component, or DC offset; and a differential-mode component. These envelope fluctuations are often called snaking of the signal, which alludes to the snake-like visual appearance of such a signal plotted over a long period of time. The process of removing such fluctuations, particularly the differential-mode component, is called desnaking.
Simple high-pass filtering, such as AC-coupling, can remove the common-mode component. An automatic gain control (AGC) circuit can desnake the differential-mode component of the signal. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a typical analog AGC circuit for removing envelope fluctuations. The analog input signal enters a variable-gain amplifier 200. The amplifier output enters an analog envelope or average-power detector 202, which feeds back information on the current envelope or average-power level to control the variable-gain amplifier in order to maintain a relatively constant output signal envelope. Analog AGC circuits are commonly used in communications and data-storage systems. Such circuits are inexpensive and easy to manufacture. However, they normally achieve only coarse adjustment of envelope fluctuations. When finer adjustment is needed, a digital AGC circuit, in addition to or in place of an analog AGC circuit, can be used.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a digital AGC circuit. The analog input signal first enters an A/D converter 210. The converted digital signal then enters a digital variable-gain amplifier 212. The amplifier output enters a digital envelope or average-power detector 214, which feeds back information on the current envelope or average-power level to control the variable-gain amplifier in order to maintain a relatively constant output signal envelope. Alternatively, the A/D converter and variable-gain amplifier can be combined together, so that the feedback signal directly controls the gain and offset of the A/D converter. Both analog and digital AGC circuits use either an envelope or average-power detector, which requires that the original signal either reach the envelope extrema (both maximum and minimum envelope levels) or have constant average power, respectively, over the time scale of the feedback loop.
Binary signals in data-storage systems, whether magnetic, optical, or magneto-optic, all have run-length limit (RLL) and DC control (DCC) coding, such as eight-fourteen modulation (EFM) in compact-disc (CD) data-storage drives. Consequently, the binary signals written to the disc have constant average power and, even in the presence of intersymbol interference (ISI), will reach envelope extrema frequently.
Multilevel signals, however, are not guaranteed to ever reach their extrema because the signals can stay within middle levels indefinitely. Even when extreme levels do occur, if ISI is present, the multilevel data signal must stay at that maximum or minimum level for several marks for the read signal to reach the envelope extreme. Moreover, the average power of a multilevel signal, even with DCC, is not necessarily constant. In order for a multilevel optical read system to reliably desnake a read signal, a method for detecting envelope fluctuations is needed for a multilevel signal with the characteristics described above.

Digital automatic gain control of a multilevel optical disc read signal


Disclosed is a lever operating device having a simple structure and high durability without a contact defect.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a lever operating device used for a vehicle.
2. Related Art
In general, a pair of stalk switch devices, which are examples of lever operating devices, are provided on the left and right sides of a case fixed to a steering column to form a combination switch. A user can tilt each of the stalk switch devices in a desired direction to perform, for example, an operation of switching the beam position of a headlamp, a turn signal switching operation, and a wiper switching operation. For example, in the case of a stalk switch device in which an operating lever is tilted substantially in the vertical direction to perform a turn signal operation, the operating lever is tilted substantially in the front-rear direction to perform an operation of switching the beam position of a head lamp (switching between a low beam and a high beam) or a passing operation.
The general structure of the stalk switch device will be described below. A base portion of the operating lever is rotatably connected to a lever support (holder), and the operating lever can be tilted with respect to the lever support in a predetermined operating surface (first operating surface) In addition, the lever support is rotatably connected to a housing (first and second cases), which is a stator member, and the operating lever and the lever support can be integrally tilted in another operating surface (second operating surface) that is substantially orthogonal to the first operating surface. That is, the rotating axis of the operating lever with respect to the lever support is substantially orthogonal to that of the operating lever and the lever support with respect to the housing, and the operating lever can be tilted in two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other. A circuit board is fixed to the housing so as to extend substantially in parallel to the second operating surface, and two sets of contact patterns are formed on the circuit board. In addition, a pair of moving bodies (sliding-element supporting members) are slidably provided on the circuit board, and sliding elements are attached to the moving bodies. When the operating lever is tilted in the first or second operating surface, one of the moving bodies is driven and slides on the circuit board. In this way, a contact point switching operation is performed by variation in the position of the moving body relative to the circuit board (for example, see JP-A-2001-6494).
However, in the above-mentioned lever operating device according to the related art, the sliding elements attached to the moving bodies slide on the contact pattern of the circuit board, thereby switching the contact points. Therefore, when the operating lever is frequently tilted, the contact pattern may be worn away over time, or conduction defects may occur due to the oxidation or sulfurization of the contact pattern. In addition, two sets of contact switching mechanism each having a sliding element and a contact pattern are provided. One contact switching mechanism is operated by the tilting of the operating lever in the first operating surface, and the other contact switching mechanism is operated by the tilting of the operating lever in the second operating surface. Therefore, the number of components of the contact switching mechanisms is increased, and a large space is needed to arrange the components.

Abstract: In the disclosed lever operating device, when an operating lever is tilted in one of the first and second operating surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to each other, a slider supported by a lever support is selectively moved in one of two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other in a plane parallel to a circuit board, and the electric resistance of a GMR sensor mounted to the circuit board varies depending on the position of a permanent magnet held by the slider. In this way, the operating position of the operating lever is detected.


In an elevator control apparatus, a power supply voltage monitoring circuit monitors a power supply voltage supplied to a processing portion. A voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit outputs a monitoring input voltage forcible change signal for forcibly changing a power supply voltage input to the power supply voltage monitoring circuit in response to a control signal from the processing portion. A voltage abnormality detection signal from the power supply voltage monitoring circuit is input to the voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit. The processing portion checks the soundness of the power supply voltage monitoring circuit by reading data held by the voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit.

In a conventional elevator door control apparatus disclosed in, for example, JP 3-256992 A, a voltage monitoring circuit monitors a power supply voltage of a door driving motor, and forcible braking means brakes the door driving motor when an abnormality in the power supply voltage is detected.
However, in a door control apparatus as described above, when an abnormality occurs in the voltage monitoring circuit itself, for example, an output signal of the monitored result is fixed to the side indicating a normal state, the voltage cannot be monitored normally until that abnormality is eliminated.
Therefore, application of a conventional monitoring system to essential components of elevator control apparatuses such as an operation control unit and a safety unit is insufficient in reliability.


The present invention relates to methods for dynamically detecting the interactions between various materials including bioactive molecules and for detecting target molecules. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for dynamically detecting bait-prey interactions and a method for easily detecting target molecules which blocks or activates the interactions, the method comprising: allowing a material capable of forming a nano-assembly matrix, a bait and a prey to interact with each other, and analyzing whether a nano-assembly matrix is formed by the interaction between the bait and the prey in vitro or in vivo; or allowing a material capable of forming a nano-assembly matrix, a bait and a prey to interact with each other, inducing the formation of a nano-assembly matrix by a mediator (regulator) material in vitro or in vivo, and then analyzing whether the prey and the bait co-localizes on the nano-assembly matrix.

In general, various physiological functions are regulated by the dynamic interactions between various bioactive molecules. If such interactions do not occur properly, problems arise to cause diseases. For example, proteins in vivo perform their functions by interaction with other proteins. Generally, two proteins having complementary structures interact with each other, and a bioactive compound interacts specifically with the specific portion of the three-dimensional protein structure. Generally, the interaction between two proteins strongly implies that they are functionally related. Furthermore, a bioactive compound interacting specifically with the specific portion of a disease-associated protein has potential as a therapeutic agent which can diagnose, prevent, treat or alleviate the disease by controlling the activity of the protein.
Accordingly, in the field of new drug development, various methods for detecting novel target proteins or screening bioactive molecules as drug candidates by detecting the interaction between a "bait" whose function and feature are known and a "prey" which is an interaction partner to be analyzed and detected have been studied. Thus, the identification and isolation of a novel target protein through the analysis of the interaction between bioactive molecules are considered as very important research projects for obtaining useful information about the activity, effectiveness and adverse effects of bioactive compounds. Additionally, target proteins promote the understanding of biological pathways and signal transduction systems and provide information on fundamental cellular regulation and disease mechanisms. Such information is a very powerful tool for developing new drugs, improving existing drugs and discovering the novel pharmaceutical use of existing drugs by analyzing and detecting bioactive compounds which interact with the target proteins.
Modern medicine faces the challenge of developing safer and more effective therapies. However, many drugs currently in use are prescribed by the biological effects in disease models without their target proteins and molecular targets (L. Burdine et al., Chem. Biol. 11:593, 2004; J. Clardy et al., Nature 432:829, 2004). Bioactive natural products are an important source for drug development, but their mode of action are usually unknown (J. Clardy et al., Nature 432:829, 2004). Elucidation of their physiological targets and molecular targets is essential for understanding their therapeutic and adverse effects, thereby enabling the development of improved second-generation therapeutics. Moreover, the discovery of novel targets of clinically proven compounds may suggest new therapeutic applications (T. T. Ashburn et al., Drug Discov. 3:673, 2004).
In chemical-biological field employing high-throughput cell-based screening, "target screening" is used to identify small molecules with a desired phenotype from large compound libraries (R. L. Strausberg et al., Science 300:294, 2003; B. R. Stockwell, Nature 432:846, 2004). Despite the great benefits of such screening, this approach has been hampered by the daunting task of target identification. However, the development of such identification technology is very important in various bioscience fields, including genomics, proteomics and system biology, because effective detection of diverse intracellular molecular interactions, including protein (or small molecule)-protein, is essential for understanding dynamic biological processes and regulatory networks.
In the field of target screening, several technologies, including affinity chromatography (Phizicky, E. M. et al., Microbiol. Rev., 59:94, 1995; Mendelsohn A. R. et al., Science, 284:1948, 1999), protein-small molecule microarray, phage display (Sche, P. P. et al., Chem. Biol., 6:707, 1999), yeast two-/three-hybrid assay (Licitra, E. J. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:12817, 1996), expression profiling, and parallel analysis of yeast strains with heterologous deletions (Zheng et al., Chem. Biol., 11: 609, 2004), have been used to analyze interactions between bioactive molecules. However, such technologies all suffer from diverse problems, including high background, false positives, low sensitivity, inappropriate folding after protein expression, indirectness, lack of modification after protein expression, or limited target accessibility including cellular compatibility. In addition, the use of artificial experimental milieu, such as in vitro binding conditions or non-mammalian cells, sometimes causes errors in experimental results.
Accordingly, it is most preferable to directly examine the interaction between bioactive molecules in a state in which high sensitivity and selectivity were considered in physiological or pharmaceutical terms. Technologies for probing molecular interactions within living mammalian cells such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) (Moshinsky, D. J. et al., Screen., 8(4): 447, 2003) or protein-fragment complementation assay (PCA) are available, but they are limited by the requirements for specific spatial orientation or distance between the interaction partners.
Thus, it is considered that it is very important to develop the above-described base technology in order to offer various advantages over the prior art.
First, by probing the interactions between physiologically or pharmaceutically relevant bioactive substances or molecules, misleading outcomes produced by an artificial experimental setting can be greatly diminished. Second, it is possible to directly translate the interaction between bioactive molecules into a clear readout signal, unlike indirect readout methods that are dependent on overall expression profiles or complex biological phenotypes. Thus, intrinsic false positives/negatives or error-prone deductions about bioactive molecules and molecular targets can be obviated. Third, it is possible to perform dynamic, single-cell analysis for the interactions between bioactive molecules. Dynamic analysis of individual living cells provides an effective method which can analyze intracellular processes occurring non-simultaneously among heterogeneous cells, over a broad range in physiological and pharmaceutical terms.
Therefore, the above-described base technology can be used to detect a variety of biological interactions (e.g., interaction between a bioactive small molecule and a protein) and protein modifications (e.g., phosphorylation) within living cells in a broad range of tissues and disease states.
In order to satisfy the requirements of the above-described base technology and solve the problems occurring in the prior art, the present inventors have studied a method for dynamically analyzing the interactions between bioactive molecules not only in vitro, but also in vivo. As a result, the present inventors have found that the interactions between bioactive molecules can be analyzed and detected by analyzing whether the interactions between various bioactive molecules result in the formation of a nano-assembly matrix or the bioactive molecules co-locate on the nano-assembly matrix, thereby completing the present invention.

Methods for detecting molecular interactions

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology


A system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a display device including a display substrate configured to display at least one image. In embodiments, the display substrate includes a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels. The system further includes a sub-pixel drive communicatively coupled to the display substrate. In embodiments, the sub-pixel drive is configured to generate one or more control signals configured to selectively modify a sub-pixel luminance level of at least one sub-pixel of the plurality of sub-pixels in order to adjust one or more characteristics of the display substrate.

Pixelated displays require varying levels of brightness in different ambient lighting conditions. For example, a display may require higher brightness levels during daytime operations (e.g., high ambient light conditions) to maintain sufficient image quality for a user. Conversely, a pixelated display may be required to produce lower brightness levels during night-time operations (e.g., low ambient light conditions) to both maintain a sufficient image quality for a user and so as not to adversely affect a viewer's night vision.
Currently, the lighting efficiency of displays (e.g., pixelated displays) has been improving by increasing the brightness per unit power or current. However, display devices have a minimum current requirement to achieve a minimum brightness operational state. This minimum brightness operational state makes it difficult to achieve the low-end brightness levels (e.g., dim brightness levels) which are required for night-time operations (e.g., low ambient light conditions). Furthermore, the low-end brightness levels are no longer achievable because the brighter, more efficient displays are unstable at low currents, resulting in poor image qualities or the display not turning on at low currents.
The low performance levels and unstable nature of displays at low current levels (e.g., low brightness levels) results in displays having to be operated at higher brightness levels. These higher brightness levels have been found to be incompatible with night-time operations, as the contrast between the high-brightness display and the low ambient light surroundings negatively affect a user's night vision and/or the user's ability to see the real-world. Furthermore, dimming the display for night operations is not feasible, as the displays exhibit low image quality and instability at low brightness levels. In the field of avionics, the highest quality video image is of utmost importance when conducting night-time operations (e.g., low ambient light conditions). Accordingly, the inability of emissive pixelated displays to operate efficiently in low-ambient light conditions render them ill-suited for use in many aircraft settings.
Additionally, for some types of emissive pixelated displays, the displays are generally not as efficient/bright as transmissive displays. In order to compensate for lower luminance efficiency, pixelated emissive displays are designed with a high fill factor, such that as much of the emissive display surface as possible is active, and the photometrically inactive area of each pixel is kept to a minimum. While high fill factors may be associated with improved efficiency/brightness, high fill factors also result in lower Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) values (e.g., contrast modulation), thereby reducing image quality.
Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method which cure one or more of the shortcomings identified above.


Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing a bus arbitration priority encoding scheme with fairness. Bus arbitration logic is connected to multiple primary components or devices. The multiple primary components send requests to bus arbitration logic. The bus arbitration logic uses a request vector and an arbitration vector to determine a grant vector. The grant vector indicates what primary component should be allowed bus access.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bus arbitration. In one example, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for implementing a bus arbitration priority encoding scheme with fairness.
2. Description of Related Art
A system implemented programmable chip typically includes multiple primary components such as processors and multiple secondary components such as timers and memory interconnected using one or more buses. A system implemented on a programmable chip provides a number of benefits as well as drawbacks. One drawback is that programmable chip buses are typically slower than comparable buses on specialized devices such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Buses use arbitration logic to handle requests from the primary components for bus access to communicate with secondary components. Arbitration logic selects a bus master at any given time. Bus arbitration logic efficiency can significantly impact system performance.
It is typically beneficial to implement bus arbitration schemes that provide priority and fairness considerations. For example, there may be some higher priority components that deserve at greater share or bus access time. However, no primary component should be entirely locked out of bus access. Providing both priority and fairness considerations, however, can lead to inefficient and complicated arbitration logic chains on programmable chips. Consequently, many programmable chip bus arbiters are kept relatively simple. In many instances, programmable chip bus arbiters consider priority only and do not consider fairness. Consequently, some components may be provided with an undesirably disproportionate share of total bus access.
It is therefore desirable to provide improved methods and apparatus for implementing efficient bus arbitration schemes that provide fairness and/or priority considerations when selecting primary components for access to a programmable chip bus.


A method and apparatus for the testing of vehicle fuel tank caps includes the mounting of a cap to be tested upon a mating socket. The socket/cap combination define a sealed chamber which can be pressurized and/or evacuated in a controlled manner. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure within the chamber. The monitored pressure is compared to reference values to determine cap integrity. The apparatus may be incorporated into a vehicle testing system using microprocessor control and having a database of vehicle, cap and performance data.

The testing of the functional systems of automobiles, trucks and the like has progressed to the point that extremely sophisticated and detailed tests may be performed to insure both that the components of an automobile are working properly from a mechanical and electro-mechanical point of view, and that system performance is in accordance with mandated guidelines, whether they be on the federal, state or local level. The federal Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), for example, has promulgated extensive regulations limiting the emissions of motor vehicles. Typically, a battery of tests may be performed by a test technician utilizing computer-controlled interface and analysis system which provides essentially real time evaluation of the parameters under test.
One area in which test technology has lagged, however, is in the analysis of the system and components utilized to control fuel evaporation to the atmosphere from the fuel tank and associated piping. Such loss of fuel is both wasteful and environmentally unsound, as the evaporated fuel, in addition to creating a possibly dangerous situation, contributes to unwanted hydrocarbon pollution. Indeed, the EPA has imposed requirements that vehicle fuel evaporation control systems be inspected for proper performance. Typically, however, such inspections have been conducted manually, without the benefit of automated test procedures which would simplify the inspection and provide more reliable and consistent testing. In co-pending application Ser. No. 839,318 of Feb. 20, 1992 by the present invention, a method and system are disclosed for testing the integrity of the fuel evaporation control system of a vehicle. The testing is performed by the application of a pressure source to the fuel tank inlet. The removed fuel tank cap is thus not subject to testing. As the E.P.A. has identified fuel cap leaks as a main contributor to hydrocarbon emissions from passenger vehicles, the testing of fuel caps is an important anti-pollution action.
It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for testing the integrity of a vehicle fuel tank cap.
Yet a further purpose of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus and method which permits testing to be conducted in an automated, non-intrusive manner.
Still a further purpose of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus which may be incorporated into existing test systems and test routines.
Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide such a method and apparatus which can provide both qualitative and quantitative measurements relating to the condition of the fuel tank cap.


A hinge is mountable between two casing parts of a flexible electronic device, and includes a base seat and two rotating modules disposed at two sides of the base seat for respectively mounting the casing parts thereon. Each rotating module includes a primary support plate pivotably connected to the base seat, and a secondary support plate pivotably connected to the primary support plate. When the rotating modules are rotated from an initial position, where the secondary support plates are flush with the primary support plates for resting and supporting a flexible display thereon, to a terminal position, where the secondary support plates are turned away to provide a leeway, the casing parts are shifted from an unfolded state to a folded state.

In recent years, flexible displays have been widely used for a variety of foldable electronic devices. These flexible displays have an infolding structure and an outfolding structure. In the infolding structure, a base seat of a hinge is disposed to generate an appropriate leeway for accommodating a bending portion of a flexible display and to prevent damage to the flexible display when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state. For this design, a clearance between two support plates of the hinge is made large when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, which results in insufficient support force for the flexible display upon use, and is liable to cause formation of dents on the flexible display. Thus, the operation of the flexible display is adversely affected.


An MMA fighting glove is disclosed herein which has a smooth front profile especially at the top and lateral side of the glove when the glove is clenched. In this manner, the glove is less likely to cut an opponent's skin or training partner's skin when the lateral side grazes the opponent or training partner. Moreover, a sleeve may cover a strap mechanism of the MMA glove described herein or a prior art MMA glove to cover any protrusions or aberrations of the strap mechanism to further mitigate cutting of the opponent or training partner.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an improved mixed martial arts (MMA) equipment.
An MMA glove typically has minimal padding so that the MMA match is as real as possible to a street fight. Unfortunately, by adding gloves to the MMA sport, the gloves themselves become a hazard to the participants of the sport. For example, the gloves may have protuberances and other rough features. These protuberances and rough features may cut the opponent's skin and cause bleeding. During a fight, the fighters will jab and throw punches. As the opponent maneuvers to avoid being hit, the glove may graze his/her skin. The protuberances and rough features of the glove may cut the fighter and cause the fighter to start bleeding. If excessive, the fight may be stopped or temporarily suspended until the bleeding can be controlled. Moreover, due to protrusions and rough features of the glove, certain maneuvers are not performed during a fight for one reason or another.
In addition to padding, fighters tape up their hands to provide support and to prevent hand fractures when punching. Unfortunately, the process of taping up a fighter's hand is quite cumbersome. By way of example and not limitation, fighters will wrap their hands with a strip of cloth material numerous times. Each wrapping is supposed to provide additional wrist and bone support to mitigate hand fractures during punching. Unfortunately, fighters still fracture their hands when punching. Moreover, since the strip of cloth material must be wrapped around the fighter's hand numerous times, the wrapping is quite thick which makes inserting the hand into a glove more difficult, if not impossible thereby requiring the fighter to wrap his or her hands again.
The MMA fighter trains as he/she will fight. This means that the MMA fighter will use the same equipment that he/she fights in to train. This means that the normal fighting glove is used to train. Unfortunately, this exposes the training partner to potential cuts from protuberances and rough features of the glove. Prior art gloves or MMA gloves expose training partners to an increased risk of cuts and abrasions caused by various protrusions or aberrations of the MMA prior art glove. Other padding used by the fighter may have protuberances and rough features that cause cuts during training and an actual fight.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved mixed martial arts fighting glove.


A hanger for hanging a product having a flat surface for display is provided in the form of a flat, flexible sheet having a plurality of bonding sections provided adjacent to opposite edges of the sheet which are adapted to be attached to the product. The flat, flexible sheet has a top section, a bottom section, two side sections and an intermediate section bounded by and coplanar with the top, bottom and size sections. Inside the intermediate section is provided a centrally located fold-up portion which is defined by a cut-line and a fold-line. The fold-up portion is rotatable about the fold-line between an initial position at which the fold-up portion is provided below the fold-line and a second position at which an upper portion of the fold-up portion is provided above the fold-line. The upper portion of the fold-up portion contains a member for supporting the hangar and the bottom section of the flat, flexible sheet has a gap provided therein which extends throughout the height of the bottom section to the cut-lines to enable easy access to a bottom edge surface of the fold-up portion.

It is known to display products for sale, such as video cassettes, by attaching them to plastic flat hangers which have an adhesive portion to bond to the product and a hanging means, such as a through-hole, by which the hanger and the product is supported. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,301, discloses a fold-up, self-adhesive, merchandise display hanger made up of a flat plastic sheet having a bonding section for attachment to a product and a fold-up hanging portion which is rotatable out of the plane of the flat sheet around a fold-line to an upright position at which the hanger and the product can be supported by a support means provided in the fold-up portion.
The hangers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,301 have advantages in that they can be automatically applied to a number of products in its original state without interfering with the automatic packaging of the products into a box. Additionally, the hanger can be automatically applied to each product so that no irregularity of bonding position takes place among the products and the products can always be displayed in desired positions.
However, the hangers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,301 have a disadvantage in that once the hanger is applied to the product, it is difficult to lift up the fold-up portion to an upright position since the fold-up portion is initially contained in the same plane as the rest of the hanger and the user cannot readily engage the bottom edge surface of the fold-up portion to lift it to the upright position. Therefore, there is a need to provide a hang tab which can be automatically applied to a product and contains a fold-up portion which can be easily accessed by the user.


A device and a method for eliminating feedback common mode signals are provided, which belong to the electronic technology field. The device includes an operational amplifier circuit with two output ends. The two output ends are a first output end and a second output end. The device also includes a feedback unit. The feedback unit is configured to receive level signals of the first output end and the second output end of the operational amplifier circuit, and superpose feedback common mode signals to input ends of the operational amplifier circuit according to states of the level signals. The method includes: the feedback unit receives level signals of a first output end and a second output end of an operational amplifier circuit, and superposes feedback common mode signals to the input ends of the operational amplifier circuit according to the states of the level signals. Thus, the feedback common mode signals of the operational amplifier circuit are stabilized, the requirements for the operational amplifier circuit are lowered, and the performance of the operational amplifier circuit is improved.

An operational amplifier is a circuit unit that possesses a high amplification factor. In an actual circuit, an operation amplifier often forms a functional module together with a feedback circuit. Operational amplification can be achieved by an independent device or in a semiconductor chip. For a transistor amplifier, the amplifier may be a class A amplifier, a class B amplifier, a class AB amplifier or a class D amplifier.
Taking the class D amplifier for example, as shown in FIG. 1, an output structure of Bridge Tied Load (BTL) can output four states formed by high level and low level, namely, high-high, high-low, low-low and low-high. When the BTL outputs are the high level or low level at the same time, high level common mode signals or low level common mode signals may occur. In order to achieve high performance, it is inevitable for the amplifier to use feedback common mode signals. A formula for calculating the value of feedback common mode (VFCM) signals is: VFCM=(OUTP+OUTN)/n, where OUTP is the sum of all feedback signals at a BTL input positive end, OUTN is the sum of all feedback signals at a BTL input negative end, n is the number of feedback circuits, and OUTP and OUTN may be either high level AVDD or low level AGND.
FIG. 2 shows an operational amplifier circuit with feedback signals. An output Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal is directly transmitted back to the input ends of the operational amplifier. Because the PWM signal has very strong common mode signals, the input ends of the operational amplifier will have very strong common mode signals too. Also, OUTP and OUTN may be either high level AVDD or low level AGND, so that the value of the feedback common mode signals of the operational amplifier circuit is AGND, AVDD or AVDD/2. The feedback common mode signals of the circuit are as shown in FIG. 3.
After analyzing the conventional art, the inventors find that: because the feedback signals of an operational amplifier circuit have relatively strong common mode signals, if the feedback signals are directly transmitted back to the input ends of the operational amplifier circuit, the input ends of the operational amplifier circuit will have very strong common mode signals too. In order to guarantee the normal operation of the operational amplifier circuit, the operational amplifier circuit must have a wide common mode input range and have a high common mode rejection ratio. Otherwise the performance of the circuit will be lowered.

Device and method for eliminating feedback common mode signals


According to some embodiments, described herein is a system and method for classifying and grouping users of a task database system based on their activities in completing tasks defined in the task database system. A cloud server communicatively coupled to the task database system receives task data from the task database system, receives a request for ranking users under a particular level in a user hierarchy, gathers user activity data from an activity data server, uses a predetermined algorithm calculate a raw score for each user based on the user's activity, normalizes the raw score, and generates a ranking of the users based on their normalized scores. The ranking can be used as an indicator for determining which users need additional training in communicating with outside parties in completing assigned tasks.

In organizations that use a task database system, it is important for system administrators to have sufficient information and visibility of activities of users of the task database system, as the activities may be an important driving factor for progress in completing certain tasks defined in the task database systems.
For example, users of the task database systems often need to communicate with outside contacts/parties in completing tasks defined in the task database systems. The communication can be an important indicator of user engagement with the outside parties, and as such, can provide useful information for system administrators to identify users that need further training and coaching in completing their assigned tasks.

Method for classifying and grouping users based on user activities


An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having discharging ports which discharge a recording liquid, a capping device capable of being mounted on the recording head, a pressure device which enables the recording liquid to flow under pressure in the ink supply passages to the recording head, and pressurizes the interior of the recording head when the capping device is mounted. A first ink supply tube to conductively connect the pressure device and the recording head, a second ink supply tube conductively connects the recording head and a recording liquid reservoir container; a conductive tube conductively connects the first ink supply tube and the second ink supply tube, and a controller controls the flow in the conductive tube, hence making it possible to remove air bubbles in the ink supply systems and ink passages easily and effectively by providing a conductive tube for a conventional ink supply systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a discharge recovery systems to eliminate from the discharging member the defective discharges brought about by the clogging due to dust particles and the increase of viscosity of ink, or the mixture of air bubbles or the like.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the recording head used for an ink jet recording apparatus according to the prior art. Here, a reference numeral 1 designates a discharging element comprising the ink passages in which the heat generating elements composed of HfB.sub.2 and others are integrally arranged in parallel for enabling discharging energy to act on the recording liquid (hereinafter referred to as ink); the open orifices 10 which are provided in the front part of each of the ink passages; and a common liquid chamber where the ink is retained for supply to each of the ink passages, among some others. Thus, the ink droplets are discharged from the orifices to execute an image formation. A reference numeral 3 designates a base plate on which the element 1 is adhesively bonded, and 2, a front plate fixed by bolts or other tightening members to the end faces of the discharging element 1 and base plate 3, having the apertures which enable the orifices 10 to face a recording medium such as a recording sheet directly. Each of the members 15, 16, and 17 is the one constituting a part of the ink supply systems; 15 is an elbow type connecting member which leads the ink into the common liquid chamber in the discharging element; 17 is a filter unit arranged on the way of the ink supply passages from an ink tank or the like which serves as an ink supply source; and 16 is a supply tube connecting between the connecting member 15 and the filter unit 17.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are cross-sectional views taken along the vertical and horizontal planes of the recording head shown in FIG. 1, respectively, which represent a state where a cap 4 is coupled to cover the entire surface of the aperture plane of the orifices 10 of the discharging element through the front plate 2 when a discharge recovery processing is executed.
The ink passages 12 corresponding to a plurality of orifices 10 are connected to the so-called eave portion or appentice cave portions 13. The appentice cave portions 13 are connected to the common liquid chamber 14. A reference numeral 11 designates an energy generating element provided in the ink passage 12 to cause the discharging energy to act on the ink, which is formed by a heat generating element, for example. In the filter unit 17, a filter 100 composed of ridge meshes, for example, is provided in order to remove fine dust particles and air bubbles.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the discharge recovery systems in an ink jet recording apparatus according to the prior art. In a usual recording state, the cap 4 is set in an appropriate position where it does not hinder any recording operation. At the same time, a valve B2 is opened, while valves B1 and B3 are kept in the closed condition. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 6 to the discharging element 1 by the application of the capillary phenomenon through the valve B1. When a discharge recovery operation is executed, the cap 4 is installed on the discharging element 1. Then, at first, the valves B1, B2, and B3 are kept in the open state. In this state, a pump 7 is driven to send the ink from the ink tank 6 into the ink supply passages under pressure, thus circulating it through the ink tank 6.fwdarw.ink supply passage L.sub.1 .fwdarw.discharging element 1.fwdarw.ink supply passage L.sub.2 .fwdarw.ink tank in that order to remove air bubbles in the ink supply passages L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 as well as in the discharging element 1. Then, by closing the valve B1, the pressurized ink is supplied to the discharging element 1 so that the ink is forcibly discharged from the orifices 10.
At this juncture, the fine dust particles, the over viscous ink resulting from the evaporation of the ink solvent, and the air bubbles contained in the ink, which are among those causes of the defective discharge, are all exhausted from the discharging element 1 together with the ink discharged from the orifices. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ingressive fine air bubbles a in the ink passages 12 are removed from the orifices 10 together with the ink when the pump 7 is driven. The ink thus discharged from the orifices 10 are received by the cap 4 and led out to a waste ink tank 5.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the hydrodynamic equivalent circuit for ink in the conventional. apparatus at the time of discharge recovery operation. Here, given the pressure exerted by the pump 7 as .DELTA.P; the number of nozzles, as n; the fluid resistance per nozzle of the nozzles 12, as R1; fluid resistance in the appentice caves 13, as RH; fluid resistance in the common liquid chamber 14, as RC; fluid resistance in the filter unit 17, as RF; fluid resistance in any portions between the ink tank 6 to the common liquid chamber 14 other than the filter unit 17, as RS; and flow rate per one nozzle of the nozzles 12 when pressurized by the pressure .DELTA.P, as q, the following relationship will be satisfied at the time of discharge recovery operation: EQU .DELTA.P=qR1+nq (RH+RC+RF+RS) (1) EQU .thrfore.q=.DELTA.P/{R1+n (RH+RC+RF+RS)} (2)
Usually, the supply systems are designed to obtain the relationship of R1>>RH+RC+RF+RS. However, in a recording head having a mode that the nozzles 12 are arranged in a number corresponding to the recording width, that is, the so-called full-multi type recording head, the number of the nozzles n becomes great, and the flow rate per nozzle q becomes extremely small. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, if there exist ingressive air bubbles a, dust particles, and the like in the nozzles 12, the fluid resistance R1 in the nozzles in which the air bubbles or others exist becomes high. Therefore, the flow rate to the nozzle where the defective discharge takes place becomes still smaller than to the nozzle in the normal state.
As a result, when the conventional recovery systems are employed, the nozzle which has brought about the defective discharge may not be restored to the normal condition, or the discharge recovery processing should be repeated before it is restored.
Also, it is necessary to make the pressure greater in order to overcome such a fluid resistance as this. Hence, there may be a need for the provision of a greater pump 7, leading to the increased consumption of ink, and still more, to the enhancement of the strength of each connecting part between the members to enable them to withstand the increased pressure.
Also, in the conventional discharge recovery systems, although the air bubbles, dust particles, and others in the nozzles can be removed, it is still difficult to completely remove the dust particles and ink droplets adhering to the circumference of the apertures for discharging.
Meanwhile, the filter 100 provided for the ink supply passage is arranged to prevent the dust particles from being ingressive into the recording head 1 (the common liquid chamber 14 and ink passages 12) from the ink supply systems. The smaller the meshes of a filter of the kind, its effectiveness is greater, but the smaller the meshes of the filter, the greater becomes the fluid resistance RF in the filter portion. Thus, the pressure loss will become greater at the time of discharging the ink, leading to the increased frequency of the defective discharge.
To counteract this, it may be attempted to select the filter with a view to avoiding the defective discharges in the entire discharging ports while reducing the pressure loss. In this case, however, the required area of the filter becomes great particularly when the full-multi head having many numbers of discharging ports should be arranged. Therefore, the recording head 1 must inevitably be large in its size as the structure requires the filter to be arranged for the recording head 1 (in the common liquid chamber 14). This is a disadvantage encountered in this respect. Also, in a structure that the filter is installed on the way of the ink passage, it should be possible to adopt a filter having a large area comparatively easily, but there is still a disadvantage that the handling of the recording head 1 becomes inconvenient because it is necessary to keep the ink supply tube connected to the recording head 1 at all times. Moreover, the problems are encountered in that the assembling operation becomes difficult in the process of fabricating the recording head, and that there is a possibility that the dust particles can enter after the replacement of the heads if such a type is adopted as to make the detachment and replacement possible individually on the ink supply side and the recording head side.

Ink jet apparatus provided with an improved recovery mechanism


A spray arm assembly is provided that is configured for receiving a docking station at two different heights so as to, for example, accommodate an adjustable upper rack in a dishwasher appliance. The spray arm assembly includes a chamber and a check valve plate having two check valves with closure protrusions extending therefrom to provide this functionality.

Dishwashing appliances generally include a tub defining a wash compartment wherein one or more rack assemblies, into which various articles may be loaded for cleaning, are positioned. Each rack may include features such as, e.g., tines that hold and orient the articles to receive sprays of wash and rinse fluids during the cleaning process. The articles to be cleaned may include a variety of dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, and other items.
A dishwashing appliance is also typically provided with one or more spray assemblies that can apply or direct wash fluid towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. The spray assemblies can include a lower spray assembly mounted to the tub at a bottom of the wash compartment, a mid-level spray arm assembly mounted to an upper rack assembly, and a top spray assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash compartment.
The size of the articles to be cleaned can vary significantly. For example, glasses are available in a variety of different heights, dishes are manufactured with various diameters between large and small, and pots used for cooking can have different depths.
In order to accommodate the larger articles, the upper rack assembly of a dishwashing appliance can be provided with features for height adjustment of the assembly. Such adjustability allows for movement of the upper rack assembly along a vertical direction. By moving or lifting the upper rack to a higher vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in e.g., a lower rack assembly positioned beneath the upper rack assembly. Conversely, by lowering the upper rack to a lower vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in, e.g., the upper rack assembly.
In order to accommodate the height adjustment of the upper rack assembly, the mid-level spray arm assembly needs a construction that allows it to adjust to the various heights of the upper rack assembly. Valve assemblies have been proposed for accommodating the height adjustment of the rack assembly. For example, elastomeric valves have been used that rely on the elasticity of the valve to close. However, the elasticity of such materials can degrade over time and reduce the effectiveness of the valve closure.
Accordingly, a spray arm assembly having a conduit valve assembly that can accommodate more than one height would be beneficial. In particular, a spray arm assembly that can accommodate more than one height without necessarily the use of elastomeric materials would useful. Such an assembly that can be used repeatedly to properly secure a fluid connection between the spray assembly and a fluid supply for a height adjustable rack assembly of an appliance such as e.g., a dishwashing appliance would be particularly useful.

Adjustable dishwasher conduit valve system


The present invention relates to novel benzodiazepinone compounds of Formulae (I)

The amino acid, glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system and exerts its effects mainly through ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The mGluRs are seven-transmembrane helix G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The eight known members of the mGluR family are divided into three sub-groups (i.e., Groups I, II, and III) based on sequence homology, signal transduction and pharmacology. mGluR1 and mGluR5 belong to Group I, mGluR2 and mGluR3 belong to Group II, and mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8 belong to Group III.
The orthosteric binding site of the mGluRs, which consists of a large bi-lobed extracellular amino terminal domain, is highly conserved, particularly within each group. For this reason it has been difficult to develop subtype-specific ligands (agonists and antagonists) for these receptors. Recently, advances have been made to develop highly selective compounds which modulate the activity of these receptors by binding within the receptors transmembrane heptahelical domain. These allosteric modulators are compounds that bind receptors at a non-active or non-orthosteric site and thereby can modulate receptor function even if the endogenous ligand is also bound to the receptor (orthosteric site). As a result, an allosteric modulator does not have to compete with the ligand to impact the receptor's function and permits a different approach to designing receptor modulators. As an example, the binding of an allosteric modulator may have a lower affinity to the site and still be effective unlike most conventional antagonists that must block ligand-receptor interactions. Moreover, the modulation of the allosteric site permits the natural processes of the endogenous ligand and associated receptor to continue. One type of allosteric modulator is a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) in which the modulator acts to decrease the signal sent by the endogenous ligand via the receptor. Another type of modulator is the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) which does not exhibit intrinsic agonism of the receptor but facilitates or potentiates agonist-mediated receptor activity. In some instances the modulator may be classified as an allosteric agonist in that it alone, without the effects of the natural ligand, induces receptor activity.
The GPCR contains two distinct domains; a large extracellular domain which binds glutamate at the orthosteric binding site and a heptahelical transmembrane domain, which has been found to bind a variety of ligands at one or more allosteric binding sites. Recent experimental findings show that GPCRs, form homodimers, heterodimers and in some cases hetero-oligomers with members of their own class as well as with other unrelated GPCRs and impacts their trafficking, signaling, and pharmacology (Milligan Drug Discov Today 2006, 11(11-12): 541-549). Although a GPCR monomer is sufficient to activiate a G protein, it is believed that dimerization leads to stabilization of the active conformation and enhancement of G protein activation. It has been clearly established that mGluRs exist as constitutive dimers with the two subunits being linked by a disulfide bridge (Romano et al. J Biol Chem 1996, 271(45):28612-28616). Recent studies have found that activation or inhibition of either monomer of the dimer complex facilitates a change in the activity or function of the adjoining monomer. As an example, it was found that Gi/o protein regulation, which is necessary for the effects of hallucinogens, is enhanced by the formation of the 5HT2A/mGluR2 dimer complex and that activation of the mGluR2 monomer suppresses hallucinogen-specific signaling, while by contrast, the affinity of mGluR2/3 agonists was reduced in the presence of an hallucinogen (Gonzalez-Maeso et al. Nature 2008, 452(7183):93-97).
The neuropsychological effects of hallucinogens present commonalities with the psychosis of schizophrenia, and both conditions are accompanied by disruptions of cortical sensory processing. Comparing the densities of 5HT2A and mGluR2/3 binding sites in the cortex of schizophrenic subjects and controls, it was found that schizophrenic subjects had increased 5HT2A and reduced mGluR2/3 receptor levels. It was found through mRNA assays that expression of mGluR2, but not mGluR3, was reduced in the cortex of schizophrenic subjects (Gonzalez-Maeso et al. Nature 2008, 452(7183):93-97).
Other various CNS disorders have been associated with the mGluR2 and/or mGluR3 receptors, and specific modulators of such receptors might be effective in the treatment of these acute and chronic diseases and conditions. Such acute and chronic diseases and conditions include Alzheimer's disease (Kim et al., J. Neurosci. 2010, 30:3870; Caraci et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2011, 79, 618), schizophrenia (Patil et al., Nature Med 2007, 13:1102), Parkinson's disease (Samadi et al., J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol 2009, 68:374), anxiety (Yoshimizu et al., Psychopharmacology 2006; 186:587-593), depression (Yoshimizu et al., Psychopharmacology 2006; 186:587-5930), obsessive-compulsive disorders, addiction (Beveridge et al., Neurosci Letts 2011, in press; Baptista et al J. Neurosci 2004, 33:4723; Dhanya et al., J. Med. Chem, 2011, 54:342; Tsunoka et al Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010, 34:639), epilepsy (Kinon et al., J. Clin Psychopharmacol 2011, 31:349), insomnia (Kinon et al., J. Clin. Psychopharmacol. 2011; 31 (3):349-355; Supplemental Table SDC3), peripheral pain (Carlton et al., Brain Res 2009, 1248:86; Zhang et al., Brain Res. Bulletin 2009, 79:219-223), and cognitive and/or memory deficiencies due to diseases or aging, and the like (Nikiforuk et al., JPET 2010, 335:665). The efficacious treatment of such diseases may be through the activation or inhibition of the glutamate binding site or through a process regulating the activity of the mGluR2 and/or mGluR3 such as by an allosteric modulator. Antagonism of the mGluR2 and/or mGluR3 receptor may also prove beneficial as a therapy for treatment resistant depression, as orthosteric antagonists have been shown to activate the mTOR signaling pathway similar to the downstream effects of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine thus enabling synaptic plasticity (Karasawa et al., Brain Res. 2005, 1042(1): 92-98; Li et al., Science 2010, 329 (5994): 959-964; Koike et al., Neuropharm. 2011, 61(8):1419-1423; Dwyer et al., Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012, 15(4):429-434). Other disorders and conditions associated with metabotropic glutamate receptors are cancers directly or indirectly linked to mGluR2/3, including but not limited to glioblastoma (D'Inofrio et al., J. Neurochem 2003, 84:1288-1295; Arcella et al., Neuro-Oncology 2005, 7:236-245), melanoma (Prickett et al., Nature Genetics 2011, 43:1119-1126), colon cancer, esophageal cancer (Chattopadhyay et al., Oncology Reports 2009, 21:1135-1146), pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.
The efficacious treatment of such diseases may be through the activation or inhibition of the glutamate binding site or through a process regulating the activity of the mGluR2 and/or mGluR3 such as by an allosteric modulator. Antagonism of the mGluR2 and/or mGluR3 receptor may also prove beneficial as a more rapid treatment for major depressive disorder and a therapy for treatment resistant depression, as orthosteric antagonists have been shown to activate the mTOR signaling pathway similar to the downstream effects of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine thus enabling synaptic plasticity (Karasawa et al., Brain Res. 2005, 1042(1): 92-98; Li et al., Science 2010, 329 (5994): 959-964; Koike et al., Neuropharm. 2011, 61(8):1419-1423; Dwyer et al., Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012, 15(4):429-434).
Citation of the above documents is not intended as an admission that any of the foregoing is pertinent prior art. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicant and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.
A need still exists for new drug therapies having greater receptor selectivity for the treatment of subjects suffering from or susceptible to the above diseases, disorders or conditions. In particular, a need still exists for new drugs having one or more improved properties either alone or when combined with other agents (such as safety profile, efficacy, or physical properties) relative to those therapies currently available.

Benzodiazepinones as modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor functions and neurological uses thereof

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods of use of such compounds and compositions, and methods for preparing the compounds and compositions. The compounds are Group II metabotropic glutamate antagonists or allosteric modulators and are useful for the treatment of a variety of CNS disorders.

SANFORD-BURNHAM MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A method is provided of fabricating a thin film resistor semiconductor structure. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a thin film resistor on the dielectric layer, and annealing the thin film resistor at a substantially high temperature for a predetermined time period to set the thermal coefficient of resistance of the thin film resistor. A passivation layer is formed over the semiconductor structure.

In the semiconductor industry, there is a continuing trend toward higher device densities. To achieve these high densities, there has been and continues to be efforts toward scaling down device dimensions to submicron levels (e.g., below 0.35 microns) on semiconductor substrates. In order to accomplish such high device packing density, smaller and smaller features sizes are required. This may include the width and spacing of metal interconnecting lines, spacing and diameter of contact holes, and the surface geometry such as corners and edges of various features. Conventionally, analog precision and mixed signal devices have not been fabricated employing these submicron densities. This is because the precision of the analog devices and the selection of available materials for precision analog devices have been overriding factors over device density and device speed.
Conventionally, doped polysilicon is employed as a material of a resistor in a semiconductor fabrication. However, the resistance of a doped polysilicon resistor is controlled by the size of the predetermined length and area of the doped polysilicon layer. Therefore, to increase the resistance per unit of a resistor, thin film resistor materials are employed such as silicon chromium (SiCr) alloy, nickel chromium (NiCr) alloy, tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, and tungsten. Thin film resistors are very attractive components for high precision analog and mixed signal applications. In addition to a low thermal coefficient of resistance and low voltage coefficient of resistance, thin film resistors provide good resistor matching and good stability under stress. However, the thermal coefficient of resistance can shift during subsequent thermal processing of the thin film resistor.

Method for fabricating a thin film resistor semiconductor structure


A method for controlling a mobile terminal that includes a display and a memory, and that controls one or more lighting devices that illuminate one or more spaces. The method causes a computer of the mobile terminal and includes obtaining terminal location information indicating a location of the mobile terminal, rearranging one or more scene icons corresponding to the one or more scenes on the basis of the terminal location information and the one or more pieces of scene location information, displaying the rearranged one or more scene icons on the display, and transmitting, if one of the one or more scene icons is selected by a user, a control signal for controlling the one or more lighting devices to the one or more lighting devices, so that the one or more spaces are illuminated in an illumination state indicated by a scene corresponding to the selected scene icon.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a mobile terminal that controls a lighting device that illuminates a space and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, a lighting system controller that creates lighting scenes by adjusting the intensity and color of light emitted by a lighting device and that controls the lighting device on the basis of the created scenes has been disclosed (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2011-519128).

Method for controlling mobile terminal and program for controlling mobile terminal

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA


Described are a dielectric conductor arrangement, a method for producing the conductor arrangement, a level radar and a use of the conductor arrangement. The conductor arrangement has a dielectric conductor core made of a solid. Furthermore, the conductor arrangement has a coating 30 which, at least in sections, surrounds the entire circumference of the conductor core without a gap and which consists of a thin conductive layer.

For level measurement or limit level determination, for example in a container, a level radar is used, for example, to measure a certain level of a product, e.g. in the container. For this purpose, radar waves are used which are generated in a radio-frequency unit and radiated by an antenna unit. However, as the frequency increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to transmit the radar waves by means of a coaxial cable. Therefore, the radar waves and/or microwaves of higher frequencies are transferred in many cases by means of rigid metallic waveguides, filled with a gas, for example air. However, the lack of mechanical flexibility of these waveguides may limit the design and/or construction of level radars.


A control circuit for a refrigeration system disposed within an outer cabinet having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, a compressor, a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, an evaporator and a freezer thermostat disposed within the freezer compartment to sense temperature therein. Additionally, a fresh food thermostat is disposed within the fresh food compartment to sense temperature therein. A freezer thermostat switch is switched between an open state and a closed state in response to temperature signals generated from the freezer thermostat. A fresh food thermostat switch is switched between an open state and a closed state in response to temperature signals generated from the fresh food thermostat. An energy saver switch is disposed between the fresh food thermostat switch and a power source, which energy saver switch is switched between an open state and a closed state. If the energy saver switch is disposed in an open position and the fresh food thermostat demands cooling the fresh food switch is switched to a closed position and the compressor and the condenser fan are not energized. If, however, the energy saver switch is disposed in a closed position and the fresh food thermostat demands cooling the fresh food switch is switched to a closed position and the compressor and the condenser fan are energized.

This application relates to refrigeration systems and more particularly relates to energy saving refrigeration systems.
Household refrigerators typically operate on a simple vapor compression cycle. Such a cycle typically includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a specific type of heat exchanger that transfers heat from air passing over the evaporator to refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is then used to refrigerate one or more freezer or fresh food compartments.
The temperatures in the compartments gradually rise due to heat transfer through the walls and doors of the refrigerator as well as from door openings and the loading of food items therein. Temperature gradients and moisture condensation typically occur in fresh food compartments of household refrigerators. Moisture accumulates on surfaces colder than average that are situated in areas of stagnant airflow. Temperature gradients occur due to the on-off cycling of the hermetic cooling system. The application of electric surface heaters and secondary air recirculation fans to combat these problems adds cost to the system and are no longer acceptable due to energy conservation standards.
Therefore, it is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for an independent fresh food and freezer temperature control and for moisture and temperature gradient reduction within refrigeration systems.


In one embodiment, a method comprises determining access network conditions by a network device in an access network, the access network providing communications between a client device and a destination reachable via a data network; selecting, by the network device based on the access network conditions, one of a plurality of coding methods for network traffic between the client device and the destination, including selecting coding parameters for the one coding method; and causing, by the network device, coding to be executed on the network traffic, on behalf of the client device, according to the one coding method and the selected coding parameters.

This section describes approaches that could be employed, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or employed. Hence, unless explicitly specified otherwise, any approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application, and any approaches described in this section are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
The use of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for transport of network traffic over wireless links suffers significant losses due to the inability of TCP to distinguish between losses due to channel errors versus losses due to congestion. Proposals have been advanced for reducing losses of network traffic by applying coding to the TCP layer, for example Loss Tolerant TCP (LT-TCP). The existing proposals, however, have not provided a practical solution that can be commercially implemented on a large scale.

Dynamic coding for network traffic by fog computing node


Toy apparatus is provided including a playbase (22) and at least a first toy member (16) movable relative to said playbase between at least first (36) and second (90) positions via movement means. The movement means are arranged so as to separate the at least first toy member a spaced distance apart from a surface of the playbase in moving said toy member between the at least first and second positions.

This invention relates to toy apparatus and a method of use thereof.
It is known to provide toy apparatus including a playbase with a toy member movable across the playbase using a control mechanism. An example of such toy apparatus is disclosed in GB2315423. The toy apparatus includes a playbase with control means provided under the playbase surface. The control means includes a magnet which is movable relative to the underside surface of the playbase and this magnet is attracted to a magnet provided in a toy character located on the upper surface of the playbase. Thus, movement of the control means under the playbase causes corresponding movement of the toy character on the upper surface of the playbase due to magnetic attraction, thereby providing the appearance that the toy character is moving on its own. This increases the realism of the toy a user, such as a child.
A problem with the abovementioned toy apparatus is that movement of the toy character is limited to sliding movement across the playbase surface, thereby limiting the range of movement and thus the application of the toy character with respect to the playbase. GB2328623 discloses toy apparatus including articulated control means which allows a toy character to be slid between different heights of a playbase but once again movement of the toy character is limited by the requirement for the toy character to be in contact with the surface of the playbase at all times.


Disclosed here are systems for detachable airframe components including detachable nose cones, propeller assemblies and motors. In some example embodiments, the assemblies include a nose cone with a connection receiver, a motor assembly with a rotatable section, where the rotatable section includes torque arms configured to secure with the nose cone connection receiver, and a propeller assembly, configured to connect to the nose cone.

Previously, attaching and detaching parts of aircraft, including fixed wing and rotary aircraft such as drones and models required a myriad of connectors, tools, attachments and loose parts. This included attaching and detaching nose cone assemblies, propellers and motors. Such loose connector parts have the potential of getting lost, coming off in flight and adding cost.
It would be useful to have component parts that could more easily be attached and detached when performance or damage required, without loose connectors and parts.


There is disclosed a molten metal-atomizing apparatus which prevents the formation of a blocking in an ultra-high pressure atomizing of molten metal, and can produce finer metal powder. A vertical distance from the position of occurrence of a primary atomizing effect to a lower end of a jet injection port of a nozzle is 40% to 85% of a vertical distance from the lower end of the injection port to the position of intersection of jets.

This invention relates to an apparatus for producing metal powder, in which molten metal is formed into metal powder by a fluid atomizing method.
In the production of high alloy powder among metal powders used in the powder metallurgy field, an atomizing method is proposed, with such method being broadly classified into a liquid atomizing method using a liquid, composed mainly of water, as an atomizing medium and a gas atomizing method using inert gas as an atomizing medium. With this method, a large amount of metal powder having the average particle size of several .mu.m to several tens of .mu.m can be produced.
However, in order to consistently produce fine powder, it has been desired to provide technical improvements in the atomizing apparatus and the atomizing condition.
One problem which must be solved in order to consistently produce fine powder is a blocking phenomenon. Various causes for this phenomenon have been studied, and main causes with respect to an atomizing apparatus of the general type shown in FIG. 4 will now be described. Referring to one main cause, downwardly-inclined high-speed jets J are arranged to intersect each other, and are disposed symmetrically with respect to a vertical line. When molten metal M is caused to flow in a downward direction (as designated at M') toward the intersection point P2, part of the molten metal M is blown up near the intersection point (atomizing point) P2 by the high-speed jet J impinging on this molten metal M, so that part of the downward flow M' deposits on an inner surface 4 of an injection nozzle 3 to form a blockage. This tendency is apparent particularly with the gas atomizing method.
Another cause of the blocking phenomenon is an atomizing phenomenon due to a flow of the atmosphere. During the downward flow of the molten metal M to the atomizing point P2 where the molten metal M is crushed and cooled by the high-speed jet J, part of the downward flow M' is primarily atomized into molten metal fractions under the influence of the atmosphere flow, blown into the high-speed jet, or a negative pressure. Namely, this primarily-atomized fraction deposits on the inner surface 4 of the nozzle 3 to form a blockage. This tendency is apparent particularly with the liquid atomizing method.
The columnar molten metal flow M', before being crushed by the high-speed jet J, is divided by the above-mentioned primary atomizing effect, and then is vigorously crushed by the atomizing effect of the high-speed jet, and is cooled into metal powder. In the present invention, the initial division of the molten metal is referred to as "primary atomization", and the point at which this primary atomization occurs is referred to as "primary atomizing point", and the crush at the intersection point of the high-speed jet is referred to as "secondary atomization".
The above blocking phenomenon finally makes it impossible to continue the atomization. To overcome this, various proposals have been made and, for example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 57-47805 discloses a method in which gas, introduced by an inducing effect of a high-speed water jet, is maintained by a flow straightener into a laminar flow along a downward flow of molten metal, thereby suppressing a primary atomizing effect to prevent the blockage.
In order to meet recent demands for a particle size of fine powder not to exceed 10 .mu.m, in view of sintering properties and so on, in the water atomizing method, an ultra-high pressure atomizing technique utilizing a high-speed jet with an injection pressure of about 100 MPa has now been mainly used.
With respect to the production technique disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 57-47805, in an ultra-high pressure atomizing method using a pressure of more than 70 MPa, it has been found that the negative pressure atmosphere due to the water jet is excessive, so that it becomes difficult to maintain the laminar flow along the downward flow of the molten metal, and therefore the blocking occurs.
In conventional fluid atomizing methods other than that disclosed in the above Japanese Publication, a negative pressure atmosphere produced by an ultra-high pressure jet is excessive, it is necessary to prevent a blocking which is caused by the deposition of primarily-atomized fractions on a surface of an injection nozzle.
Further, in order to produce a large amount of fine powder having the average particle size not exceeding 10 .mu.m, it has been proposed to adopt an ultra-high pressure atomizing method utilizing an injection jet pressure of 100 MPa or more, as described above. This serves to increase the kinetic energy of the high-speed jet to be injected, but results in a disadvantageous blocking phenomenon caused by the ultra-high pressure jet injection, as described above.


An electrical connector has an insulating housing defining a recess. A receiving plate extends frontward from a rear surface of the recess and spaced apart from a bottom surface thereof. A shell coupled with the insulating housing to form an insertion space where the receiving plate is located has a connecting plate located between the receiving plate and the bottom surface of the recess. A portion of the connecting plate is extended and curved upwards and then curved downwards and upwards sequentially to form a substantial split ring-shaped resilient element. The resilient element comprises an upper resistive portion located adjacent to the receiving plate and a lower resistive portion located adjacent to the bottom surface of the recess. A free end of the lower resistive portion extends obliquely upwardly to form a connecting portion. A distal end of the connecting portion forms a propping portion located above the connecting plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector adapted for electrically connecting with a mating plug.
2. The Related Art
A portable electronic device is usually equipped with an electrical connector for electrically connecting with a mating plug, such as a universal serial bus (USB) plug. The conventional electrical connector generally involves an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals mounted in the insulating housing, and a shell coupled with the insulating housing to form an insertion chamber for receiving the USB plug. The shell, as well as we know, is often punched a plurality of buckling tabs. The buckling tabs extend into the insertion chamber to rest against the USB plug resiliently for making the USB plug connect with the terminals steadily. However, with frequent insertion and extraction operation of the USB plug, the resilience of the buckling tabs decreases gradually, which may affect the steady connection between the electrical connector and the USB plug so as to reduce usage life of the electrical connector.

Electrical connector with improved buckling tab


A system includes reception of an instruction to determine configuration properties of an instance of a first business object, determination of a first type of the instance of the first business object, determination of whether or not the first type is extendable. In a case it is determined that the first type is extendable, a second reference object is determined, the second reference object conforming to the first type, an instance of the second reference object is determined, configuration properties of the instance of the second reference object are determined, and, in response to the instruction, at least the configuration properties of the instance of the second reference object are returned as the configuration properties of the first instance of the first business object.

According to conventional database architectures, a client application interacts with a database application executing on a database application server. In response to requests received from the client application, the database application acquires stored data from an underlying database system, performs any necessary processing, and provides the data to the client application.
The data is typically encapsulated within business objects, and the aforementioned requests, storage and processing are each performed with respect to such business objects. According to conventional business software terminology, a business object is an object model representing real-world items used during the transaction of business. For example, a business object may represent a business document such as a sales order, a purchase order, or an invoice. A business object may also represent items such as a product, a business partner, or a piece of equipment. Particular documents (e.g., SalesOrder SO435539) and/or items (e.g., ACME corporation) are represented by instances of their representing business object, or business object instances.
Business object configurations are used in the development of database applications. A business object configuration is a set of properties associated with a business object. A business object may store its own business object configuration, or the business object configuration may be stored in a supporting object.

Dynamic linked multi-layered business object configurations


The present invention provides a system and method to accurately provide three-dimensional rotary tool point compensation by evaluating a CNC machining center's geometric condition with respect to a trunnioned spindle mechanism of the machining center as it applies to the degrees of freedom of motion that affect the rotary tool point positioning of a cutting tool mounted in a tool holder of the spindle mechanism. The present invention evaluates the geometric condition of the trunnioned spindle mechanism by positioning the tool point in contact with a reference point or datum and recording a first coordinate position, then rotating the spindle mechanism 90.degree. about a trunnion axis and positioning the tool point in contact with the same reference point a second time. A second coordinate location is recorded when the tool point contacts the reference point the second time. The rotary tool point offsets are then determined from the two recorded coordinate locations and the coordinates of the tool point may be appropriately automatically compensated for the offsets during a machining operation.

The present invention relates to computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining centers and more particularly to evaluating and compensating for misalignments or error offsets associated with the multi-degrees of freedom of motion of a tool point of a rotary cutting tool mounted to a spindle mechanism which in turn is pivotably mounted to the machining center for rotation about a trunnion axis.
CNC machining centers are widely used in industry to manufacture components or parts from different types of materials. These machining centers typically have a rotary spindle mechanism with a tool holder at one end for holding a rotary cutting tool during a machining operation. The spindle mechanism is pivotably mounted to the machining center at an opposite end for rotation about a trunnion axis. These machining centers are set up to have an orthogonal X, Y, Z coordinate system and the computer controller monitors or keeps track of the coordinate location of the rotary tool point of the cutting tool during a machining operation or a machine alignment maintenance procedure.
Inaccuracies, misalignments or error offsets can cause the rotary tool point to actually be at one coordinate location while the computer controller has a different coordinate location stored in memory. These error offsets may be caused by wear of the machining center components, such as bearings, guide ways and the like, from extensive use of the machining center, wear of the cutting tool from use, differences between machines in multiple machine installations, misalignment of machine components during the original machine assembly, misalignment of machine components during a maintenance procedure or the machining center's geometric alignment is otherwise different from those geometric parameters which are planned and programmed into the controller.
These differences or error offsets can result in machining errors during manufacturing of a component. For very critical components which require very precise, accurate machining with small tolerances, such as those used in gas turbine engines for aircraft propulsion, these machining errors can be costly. These components are typically made from expensive superalloy type materials, and if a machining error is present, the component may have to be scrapped or reworked, if possible. If the component with a machining error is used in the final assembly of an engine, that component may have a significantly shorter useful life than expected.
It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel comprehensive three-dimensional rotary tool point compensation method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating machining errors during a machining operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a comprehensive three-dimensional rotary tool point compensation method and apparatus which can be used by the computer numerical control of the machining center to adjust the tool point coordinate location during a machining operation for more accurate control of the machining operation.
These and other objects of the invention, together with the features and advantages thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed specification when read with the accompanying drawings in which like referenced numerals refer to like elements.

Comprehensive three-dimensional rotary tool point compensation