A mobility aiding device, such as a walker, a wheelchair, a transport chair, a shower seat or a rollator, are used in providing support to injured or ailing persons during activity or movement. A solid two-piece seating platform is provided with a structural support for distributing the weight of the user to the frame. Furthermore, the two pieces of the seating platform are inter-hinged, enabling the entire device to fold up into a storage position. A lock is provided for maintaining the structural support in place, and a handle is provided for facilitating folding the device into the storage position.

A large, aging, urban population has created a demand for various mobility aiding devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, transport chairs, shower seats and rollators, which facilitate actions and movements in their daily lives without requiring additional assistance, to ensure a certain degree of independence. Walkers, transport chairs, shower seats and rollators (walkers with wheels) have become more popular than wheelchairs, crutches or canes as mobility aids for people with sore legs, hips or backs, because of their added structural support and their versatility. Present day rollators, such as the one disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0079663 filed Jul. 18, 2001 in the name of Hallgrimsson et al, come complete with brakes, a seat and a storage basket. Another feature highly sought after in mobility aids is their ability to fold up into a storage position for travel or simply to save space when not in use. Conventional wheel chairs have long since disclosed the ability to fold two sides of a frame into a storage position; however these devices have always had a flexible or hammock seat. Hard platforms are now desired to provide more comfortable seating and a useable supporting surface for other items. Complicated, one piece seats have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,371,183; 4,493,488; and 5,605,345. Unfortunately, these devices require a great deal of manual dexterity and strength to open and close. Accordingly, two-piece seats have been developed, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,432 issued Sep. 13, 1988 in the name of Kenneth Wagner; U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,222 issued Sep. 14, 1993 to Robert Benoit; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,475 issued Oct. 24, 2000 to Richard Brown et al. These devices either require extra support panels that must be accessed from below the seat, as in the Wagner device, or rely on an extra wide abutting surfaces between the pivoting seat panels, as in the Benoit and Brown et al devices. Unfortunately, the extra wide abutting surfaces do not always provide sufficient strength for long term use. Moreover, the abutting surfaces can pinch body parts or items therebetween causing damage or pain.
An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, transport chair, walker, shower seat or rollator, with a solid seating platform made up or two pivotally connected sections, with structural reinforcements, that fold up easily into a storage position.


This invention relates to a new nonwoven material which has very high Frazier permeability while having substantial hydrostatic head liquid barrier properties. The material is comprised of fibers which are approximately one denier and finer fibers which have sufficient strength properties so as not to need a support scrim. The fabric is quite comfortable because of its breathability, quite soft because of its construction, and protective from liquids from rain to hazardous chemicals.

Nonwoven fibrous structures have been around for many years and today there are a number of different nonwoven technologies in commercial use. To illustrate the breadth of nonwoven technologies, paper is probably one of the earliest developed nonwoven fibrous structures. Nonwoven technologies continue to be developed by those seeking new applications and competitive advantages. One broad market area that has proven to be highly desirable because of its large volume and economics is the protective apparel market. This market comprises protection from hazardous chemicals such as in chemical spill clean up, from liquids such as blood in the medical field and from dry particulates or other hazards such as painting or asbestos removal. This market is served by a number of competing technologies.
Focusing simply on the medical protective apparel market, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) makes Sontara.RTM. spunlaced fabrics which are used extensively for medical gowns and drapes and, for certain applications within the medical field, Tyvek.RTM. spunbonded olefin.
Sontara.RTM. spunlaced fabrics have long been used in the medical field because of their exceptional performance and comfort. Sontara.RTM. spunlaced fabrics for medical protective apparel uses are typically comprised staple length polyester fiber hydroentangled with woodpulp. The fabric is finished with a moisture repellent coating to render it strike through moisture resistant.
Tyvek.RTM. spunbonded olefin is particularly useful in medical packaging where it provides valuable advantages such as permitting sterilization in the package. It also is extremely low Tinting thereby minimizing contamination in the operating room.
Other technologies that compete in the medical field include composite or laminated products. The composite provides a balance of properties suitable for the end use. One competitive technology is generally called "SMS" in the industry for Spunbond/Meltblown/Spunbond. The basic SMS nonwoven material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,203 with further improvements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,374,888 and 4,041,203. The spunbond outer layers are comprised of spunbond nonwoven which provides strength but is not able to attain the barrier properties of the meltblown inner layer. The technology for making meltblown fibers is swell suited to making fine low denier fibers which are able to have barrier and breathability but is not suited to obtaining suitable strength to withstand use as a garment.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,622,259 and 4,908,163 are directed to an improvement over SMS technology by making the meltblown fibers with improved tensile properties. By providing better meltblown fibers, one may avoid applying the scrim reinforcement and obtain a lighter weight fabric.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a further improved nonwoven structure which has a balance of properties which are better suited to barrier end uses.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a nonwoven structure that has more substantial barrier and breathability properties compared to currently known barrier materials.

Low or sub-denier nonwoven fibrous structures


Benzoyl peroxide intended for topical application is incorporated in novel formulations in which it is retained as impregnants inside the pores of porous solid particles or microspheres. The pores form a continuous network open to the exterior of the particles, permitting outward diffusion of the benzoyl peroxide impregnant at a controlled rate depending on the pore size. The impregnated particles are prepared by impregnation of preformed particles with the benzoyl peroxide.

The present invention relates to controlled release compositions comprised of porous polymeric microbead carriers retaining acne treatment substances within their pores. The invention further relates to methods of preparing such compositions and their methods of use.
Acne is a pleomorphic skin disease characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and various sized nodules and scars which, in the inflammatory stage of the disease, are contaminated with bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. The disease involves the pilosebaceous units of the dermis which consist of the sebaceous follicle which include the sebaceous glands and ducts and small hairs.
Sebum (skin oil) is a complex mixture of fats and waxes liberated by the breakdown of the sebaceous cells. The production of sebum is intimately associated with the pathology of acne. Obstruction of the opening of the sebaceous follicle forms a comedo, a solid horny mass or plug made up of keratinized cells and commonly referred to as whiteheads or blackheads, by blocking or stagnating sebum flow through the sebaceous follicle. This blockage may lead secondarily to rupture of the follicular contents (bacteria and sebum) into the dermis, and then to perfolliculitis. This provokes an inflammatory response which leads to the formation of pustules (pimples) when the rupture is small, and cystic nodules with complete rupture. A scar may eventually form, dependent on the depth and extent of the inflammatory response.
Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent believed to be one of the most effective topical nonprescription medications available for acne. Benzoyl peroxide is one of several topical agents used in treating acne to cause mild irritation and desquamation, thereby preventing closure of the pilosebaceous orifice. The irritant effect of benzoyl peroxide can cause an increased turnover rate of epithelial cells lining the follicular duct, which increases sloughing. The desired effect is to reduce the tendency of the skin to form new comedones and to loosen the structure of the formed comedones and aid in their extrusion. The primary action of benzoyl peroxide, however, is as a bactericide, but it is believed that the irritancy also has a beneficial effect, as described below.
In the past, benzoyl peroxide has been administered to the skin in the form of gels, creams, lotions or ointments in concentrations of 2.5%-5.0% and 10%. There are several disadvantages to prior methods of delivering benzoyl peroxide to affected areas. Strong concentrations of benzoyl peroxide cannot be used because high concentrations of the topical agent can cause localized reactions such as stinging and burning. Benzoyl peroxide is also a strong bleaching agent, and can permanently discolor sheets, pillowcases, towels, clothing or any other colored textiles if a liquid or gel containing the agent is spilled or otherwise contacts such articles.
A common problem with the use of benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne has been excessive skin irritation. Although a controlled irritation is believed to contribute to effectiveness, it would be desirable to reduce the side effects of irritancy without substantially reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Methods and compositions for topical delivery of benzoyl peroxide


A sound system with a howling-prevention function comprises an all-pass filter having group delay characteristics, which vary with the elapse of time, provided on a line used for the transmission of an audio signal from a microphone. Owing to the provision of such a sound system, any deterioration in the sound quality with respect to high frequencies and a chorus phenomenon is not produced, thereby making it possible to prevent howling without causing inferior sound quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sound system with a howling-prevention function.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a sound system such as a public address system, is designed to receive voice or the like at a microphone 1 for thereby converting the same into a microphone signal, and thereafter to amplify the microphone signal as an output audio signal of the microphone 1 with a microphone amplifier 2 and a power amplifier 3 thereby to produce sound from a speaker 4. Such a sound system often develops howling when one attempts to turn up the volume or to bring the microphone 1 close to the speaker. The howling is produced by forming repeatedly carried out positive feedback loop in which sound corresponding to the microphone signal is produced from the speaker 4 and the produced sound is received at the microphone 1 again thereby to be reproduced from the speaker 4.
In order to avoid such howling, there is provided a sound system including the microphone amplifier 2 having frequency characteristics in which high frequency components have been cut off. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, there is also provided a sound system of such a type that an A/D converter 5, a delay circuit 6 and a D/A converter 7 are disposed between the microphone amplifier 2 and the power amplifier 3 thereby causing a delay time interval introduced by the delay circuit 6 to vary with the elapse of time in response to an output signal from an oscillator 8, thereby to subject the same to digital processing.
However, the former is accompanied by the problem that there is no effect on the howling caused by signal components other than the high frequency components as well as deterioration in the sound quality because high frequency components of the microphone signal are omitted or disregarded. In addition, the latter is also accompanied by the problem that since the microphone signals within all bands are delayed, a chorus phenomenon appears in the sound issued at the speaker, thereby causing inferior sound quality.

Sound system with howling-prevention function


The present invention relates to preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic compositions and methods employing lymphocytes having T-cell receptors and chimeric receptors. In particular, the invention relates to pre-selected dual-specificity lymphocytes having endogenous T-cell receptors and chimeric T-cell receptors that recognize a strong antigen and tumor associated antigens where the pre-selected population of adoptively transferred lymphocytes is activated by in vivo immunization, thereby increasing the effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy.

Classic modalities for the treatment of diseases such as human cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal diseases include surgery, radiation chemotherapy, antibiotics or combination therapies. However, these therapies are not effective against a majority of these diseases. Alternate therapies for preventing or treating human diseases are greatly needed. In the past decade immunotherapy and gene therapy utilizing T-lymphocytes have emerged as new and promising methods for treating human disease, in particular human cancers.
The T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) is responsible for the recognition of antigen associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The TCR expressed on the surface of T cells is associated with an invariant structure, CD3. CD3 is assumed to be responsible for intracellular signaling following occupancy of the TCR by ligand.
The T cell receptor for antigen-CD3 complex (TCR/CD3) recognizes antigenic peptides that are presented to it by the proteins of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Complexes of MHC and peptide are expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells and other T cell targets. Stimulation of the TCR/CD3 complex results in activation of the T cell and a consequent antigen-specific immune response. The TCR/CD3 complex plays a central role in the effector function and regulation of the immune system.
Two forms of T cell receptor for antigen are expressed on the surface of T cells. These contain either α/β heterodimers or γ/δ heterodimers. T cells are capable of rearranging the genes that encode the α, β, γ and δ chains of the T cell receptor. T cell receptor gene rearrangements are analogous to those that produce functional immunoglobulins in B cells and the presence of multiple variable and joining regions in the genome allows the generation of T cell receptors with a diverse range of binding specificities. Each α/β or γ/δ heterodimer is expressed on the surface of the T cell in association with four invariant peptides. These are the γ, δ and ε subunits of the CD3 complex and the zeta chain. The CD3 γ, δ and ε polypeptides are encoded by three members of the immunoglobulin supergene family and are found in a cluster on human chromosome 11 or murine chromosome 9. The zeta chain gene is found separately from other TCR and CD3 genes on chromosome 1 in both the mouse and human. Murine T cells are able to generate a receptor-associated η chain through alternative splicing of the zeta mRNA transcript. The CD3 chains and the zeta subunit do not show variability, and are not involved directly in antigen recognition.
All the components of the T cell receptor are membrane proteins and consist of a leader sequence, externally-disposed N-terminal extracellular domains, a single membrane-spanning domain, and cytoplasmic tails. The α, β, γ and δ antigen-binding polypeptides are glycoproteins. The zeta chain has a relatively short ectodomain of only nine amino acids and a long cytoplasmic tail of approximately 110 amino acids. Most T cell receptor α/β heterodimers are covalently linked through disulphide bonds, but many γ δ receptors associate with one another non-covalently. The zeta chain quantitatively forms either disulphide-linked ζ-η heterodimers or zeta-zeta homodimers.
Another example of a type of receptor on cells of the immune system is the Fc receptor. The interaction of antibody—antigen complexes with cells of the immune system results in a wide array of responses, ranging from effector functions such as antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, mast cell degranulation, and phagocytosis to immunomodulatory signals such as regulating lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytosis and target cell lysis. All these interactions are initiated through the binding of the Fc domain of antibodies or immune complexes to specialized cell surface receptors on hematopoietic cells. It is now well established that the diversity of cellular responses triggered by antibodies and immune complexes results from the structural heterogeneity of Fc receptors (FcRs).
FcRs are defined by their specificity for immunoglobulin isotypes. Fc receptors for IgG are referred to as FcγR, for IgE as FcεR, for IgA as FcαR, etc. Structurally distinct receptors are distinguished by a Roman numeral, based on historical precedent. Three groups of FcγRs, designated FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII are now recognized. Two groups of FcεR have been defined; these are referred to as FcγRI and FcεRII. Structurally related although distinct genes within a group are denoted by A, B, C. Finally, the protein subunit is given a Greek letter, such as FcγRIIIAα, FcγRIIIAγ.
Considerable progress has recently been made in defining the heterogeneity for IgG and IgE Fc receptors (FcγR, FcεR) through their molecular cloning. These studies make it apparent that Fc receptors share structurally related ligand binding domains, but differ in their transmembrane and intracellular domains which presumably mediate intracellular signaling. Thus, specific FcγRs on different cells mediate different cellular responses upon interaction with an immune complex. The structural analysis of the FcγRs and FcεRI has also revealed at least one common subunit among some of these receptors. This common subunit is the γ subunit, which is similar to the ζ or η chain of the TCR/CD3, and is involved in the signal transduction of the FcγRIII and FcεRI.
The low affinity receptor for IgG (FcγRIIIA), is composed of the ligand binding CD16α (FcγRIIIAα) polypeptide associated with the γ chain (FcγRIIIAγ). The CD16 polypeptide appears as membrane anchored form in polymorphonuclear cells and as transmembrane form (CD16TM) in NK. The FcγRIIIA serves as a triggering molecule for NK cells.
Another type of immune cell receptor is the IL-2 receptor. This receptor is composed of three chains, the α chain (p55), the β chain (p75) and the γ chain. When stimulated by IL-2, lymphocytes undergo proliferation and activation.
Antigen-specific effector lymphocytes, such as tumor specific T cells (Tc), are very rare, individual-specific, limited in their recognition spectrum and difficult to obtain against most malignancies. Antibodies, on the other hand, are readily obtainable, more easily derived, have wider spectrum and are not individual-specific. The major problem of applying specific antibodies for cancer immunotherapy lies in the inability of sufficient amounts of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to reach large areas within solid tumors. In practice, many clinical attempts to recruit the humoral or cellular arms of the immune system for passive anti-tumor immunotherapy have not fulfilled expectations. While it has been possible to obtain anti-tumor antibodies, their therapeutic use has been limited so far to blood-borne tumors [Lowder, J. N. et al. Cancer Surv. 4:359-375 (1985); Waldmann, T. A. Science 252:1657-1662 (1991)] primarily because solid tumors are inaccessible to sufficient amounts of antibodies [Jain, R. K. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 81:64-66 (1989)]. The use of effector lymphocytes in adoptive immunotherapy, although effective in selected solid tumors, suffers on the other hand, from a lack of specificity (such as in the case of lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK cells) [Mule, J. J. et al. Science 225:1487-1489 (1984)] which are mainly NK cells) or from the difficulty in recruiting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and expanding such specific T cells for most malignancies [Rosenberg, S. A. et al. Science 233:1318-1321 (1986)]. Yet, the observations that TILs can be obtained in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma tumors, that they can be effective in selected patients and that foreign genes can function in these cells [Rosenberg, S. A. J. Clin. Oncol. 10:180-199 (1992)] demonstrate the therapeutic potential embodied in these cells.
A strategy which has been developed (European Published Patent Application No. 0340793) allows one to combine the advantage of the antibody's specificity with the homing, tissue penetration, cytokine production and target-cell destruction of T lymphocytes and to extend, by ex vivo genetic manipulations, the spectrum of anti-tumor specificity of T cells. Chimeric T cell receptor (cTCR) genes composed of the variable region domain (Fv) of an antibody molecule and the constant region domain of the antigen-binding TCR chains, i.e., the α/β or γ/δ chains have been expressed in T cells and found to be functionally active. Adoptive immunotherapies using tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and IL-2 have been developed for some cancers. These therapies have resulted in significant long-term responses in some patients with melanoma.
In an effort to broaden the applicability of adoptive immunotherapy to common cancers, such as, for example, ovarian, breast and colon cancer treatments that redirect the immune reactivity of lymphocytes to antigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies have been developed. To do this, retroviral vectors that encode chimeric receptor genes consisting of the variable regions of a monoclonal antibody joined to the transmembraneous and cytoplasmic domains of a T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling chain have been utilized. Using this approach, the safety of the administration of these chimeric receptor-transduced lymphocytes has been demonstrated. However, a need for improving the effectiveness of the chimeric receptor-transduced lymphocytes exists.
Thus, one object of the present invention is to produce an activated chimeric receptor-transduced lymphocyte capable of binding to and obliterating cancer cells.

Activated dual specificity lymphocytes and their methods of use

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


An image forming apparatus includes a transport belt, a carriage, a reflection sensor, and a control unit. The transport belt transports a recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction. The carriage, mounting a recording head, reciprocally moves in a main scanning direction to record an image on the recording sheet. The reflection sensor, mounted on the carriage, receives light reflected from the transport belt to detect a leading edge of the recording sheet, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light. The control unit controls a contamination check process. The control unit instructs the carriage to move to a given position over the transport belt and to drive the transport belt for one rotation while maintaining the carriage at the given position. The control unit determines whether contamination exists on the transport belt based on the detection signal output from the reflection sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to an image forming apparatus having a carriage for holding a recording head, which is reciprocally moved in a main scanning direction, and a transport belt for transporting a recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction, in which an image is recorded on the recording sheet by using the recording head.
2. Description of the Background Art
Some image forming apparatuses have a configuration employing a carriage mounting a recording head (e.g., inkjet head), which is reciprocally moved in a main scanning direction, and a transport belt for transporting a recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction to record an image on the recording sheet by using the recording head. In such a configuration, the recording sheet is closely attracted to the transport belt, which is in an electrically charged state.
In such image forming apparatus, the carriage has a reflection sensor to detect a leading edge of a recording sheet. However, if the transport belt is contaminated, a leading edge of a recording sheet may not be correctly detected (i.e., missed detection).
One background art technique to prevent such missed detection employs a method that detects contamination on a transport belt so that sheet position can be correctly detected prior to sheet feed. However, such detection may need to be conducted for each page, thereby degrading overall printing efficiency (or printing productivity) of an image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatus and method of detecting contamination in the image forming apparatus


The present invention is directed to an annular gasket for providing a fluid-tight seal between an inner pipe and an outer pipe, when the pipes are in a relative surrounded and surrounding relationship. The gasket includes a gasket portion configured to sealingly engage the inner and outer pipes when the pipes are in a relative surrounded and surrounding relationship. The gasket includes a low coefficient of friction surface which is applied to the gasket portion. The gasket may be formed by a method in which a low coefficient of friction film is inserted into a mold before injection of compounds used to form the gasket.

It is well known to form a seal between two pipe sections, such as two corrugated pipe sections, where the end of one of the pipe sections has annular grooves and one of the pipe sections has an enlarged bell portion at one end. Some prior art elastomeric gaskets are placed around the end of the pipe section having annular grooves. The pipe section having annular grooves is inserted into an enlarged bell portion of a second pipe section. The elastomeric gasket contacts each of the pipe sections to form a seal between the pipe sections.
Typically, a large frictional force is encountered when the inner pipe and the elastomeric gasket is inserted into the outer pipe. As one end of the inner pipe is pushed into the enlarged end or bell of the outer pipe section or pipe connector, the gasket is sometimes pulled from the groove by the large frictional force. When the pipe is not properly sealed, ground water may leak into the pipe or fluid may leak out of the pipe and contaminate the ground.
Lubricant has been manually applied to elastomeric gaskets before the inner pipe and the gasket is inserted into the outer pipe. The lubricant reduces the frictional force between the gasket and the outer pipe. The reduced frictional force reduces the likelihood that the gasket will be pulled from the groove by the frictional force. The manual application of the lubricant is labor intensive. In addition, the manually applied lubricant is wiped from the gasket if the pipe joint is disassembled. As a result, the lubricant must be reapplied before the pipe joint is reassembled.
Prior art methods have been developed that self lubricate gaskets as they are assembled. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,318 to Tolliver discloses a seal including a cavity containing a lubricant, which is released when one pipe joint is slid over the seal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,381 to Temple is directed to a seal, which has an internal chamber containing a lubricant. A slit in the body of the seal extends into the chamber. When one pipe is moved over another pipe end, the slit is spread, thereby releasing the lubricant against the sealing surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,349 to Sutherland et al. concerns a sealing ring containing a lubricant enclosed within a membrane formed on the ring's body. When a connecting pipe is slid into the pipe joint, the membrane is ruptured, releasing the lubricant and reducing the frictional forces imparted on the sealing ring during the joining of the pipes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,528 to Olsson discloses a seal containing a lubricant. The lubricant migrates to the surface of the seal, thereby providing self-lubricating properties. Each of these methods provide the lubricant only the first time, or a limited number of times, the gasket forms a seal. The lubricant is eventually wiped off or spent. After the lubricant is wiped off or spent, a lubricant may need to be manually applied to ensure a proper seal.
There is a need for a gasket that includes a low coefficient of friction surface, which aids in the assembly and disassembly of pipe joints.


The present application discloses carbonaceous nano-fibrous materials developed by electrospinning mixtures of alkali lignin with a polymer at varied mass ratios. The present application also discloses processing of the lignin/polymer fibers via progressive heat treatments for stabilization, pre-carbonization and carbonization. The resulting carbon nanofibers maintain a uniform shape and have high specific surface area.

Lignin is a natural macromolecule in the cell wall of vascular plant. It is a naturally existing amorphous biopolymer widely found at an average of 20-30% dry mass and is the second most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Lignin contains hydroxy- and methyoxy-substituted phenylpropane units. It is also a high-volume by-product of wood pulping, which exceeds 15 million tons per year in the United States. Lignin must be removed before wood is turned into high quality paper and the three dimensional network of lignin in wood is generally disrupted under alkaline conditions. Newsprint, brown sack paper, and cardboard each contain certain levels of lignin.
There are a number of types of lignin. Sulfite pulping yields lignosulfonates (lignin sulfonates or sulfite lignins). Alcell lignin comes from the organosolv process and contains very small amounts of inorganic materials. Alkali lignin (also known as Kraft lignin or sulfate lignin) is the dominant lignin by-product from the Kraft pulping process, the predominant wood pulping process today. The Kraft process is the conversion of wood into wood pulp consisting of almost pure cellulose. Wood chips are first treated with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, which break the bonds that link lignin to cellulose. Lignin is then isolated from the resulting black liquor with alkali and precipitated using mineral acids. Alkali lignin thus contains high amount of inorganic materials (ashes and salts). Based on the type of wood and the extraction process used, the physical and chemical properties of lignin can differ.
To date lignin has been used mostly as a low-grade fuel, providing heat and power to run mills and associated wood pulping processes. However, there is a growing demand to identify applications with high economic value for the lignin by-product of wood pulping.
Carbon fibers have excellent chemical, electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties and thus have a wide range of potential technical applications. One representative application of carbon fibers is so-called high performance fibers, which generally have superior mechanical properties useful for fiber-reinforced composite materials; and a second example is general purpose carbon fibers, which generally have high specific surface areas. These high surface area carbon fibers typically have applications that do not rely on their mechanical properties. Such applications include, but are not limited to, catalysis, adsorption/separation, energy storage and conversion, gas storage, nanoelectronics and other application requiring materials with a high specific surface area.
Preparation of carbon fibers from various types of lignin has been suggested; but, a number of problems, including but not limited to low mechanical properties of the resulting carbon fibers, have prevented their commercial use in reinforcement and/or composites applications. In one approach, carbon fibers have been generated using melt extrusion. The diameter of the resulting carbon fibers generally ranges from 30-80 microns and carbon fibers have not been successfully prepared at smaller diameters because of limitations in the melt extrusion process.
The rapidly developing technology of "electrospinning" provides a mechanism to produce nano-scaled polymer fibers (generally with diameters <1,000 nm). Electrospinning low-cost and renewable alkali lignin into carbonaceous nanofibrous materials would provide a novel method of manufacture for a product with many applications.
Energy storage and conversion has become an important global subject, including research efforts on fuel cells, batteries and capacitors. Electrochemical capacitors are important electrical energy storage devices. New type of electrochemical capacitors that have specific capacitance values up to 10,000 times of electrolytic capacitors have been developed rapidly in recent years. In general, two energy storage modes are present in these super high capacitance capacitors: electric double layer capacitors (also referred to as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors) and pseudocapacitors. Supercapacitors store and release electrical energy by ion absorption and desorption on electrode surface and their capacitance is generally proportional to the specific surface area of their electrodes. Pseudocapacitors achieve energy storage and release by charge transfer at electrode surface between electrode and electrolyte via reversible redox or Faradaic reactions.
Supercapacitors have demonstrated application in memory backup system, auxiliary power unit, instantaneous power compensation, and energy storage. Electrode material is one factor that influences the efficiency and practicality of supercapacitors. To date, a variety of carbon materials have been investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitors such as traditional activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon aerogels, carbide-derived carbon, and composite materials containing vanadium oxide and graphene nanosheets. Among current electrode materials, activated carbon is one that is widely used. However, the process of activating carbon is costly and energy-consuming. In addition, preparation of a free-standing electrode from activated carbon generally requires additional organic binder, which can degrade the overall performance of the electrode.
The generation of free-standing carbon electrode materials with high specific surface area from renewable carbonaceous sources remains a challenge for high performance supercapacitors.

Production of carbonaceous nano-fibrous materials with ultra-high specific surface area from alkali (Kraft) lignin

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology


A system, method or computer readable medium to provide efficient congestion notification is described herein. In various embodiments, a packet is received at an intermediate node of one or more data center networks. A current queue length at the intermediate node is determined. A threshold value for the current queue length is tuned by dynamically computing an upper bound and a lower bound based at least in part on the network. The packet is marked to indicate possible congestion in the one or more data center networks when the current queue length exceeds the threshold value. In some embodiments, the packet is marked when it is being de-queued. In a further embodiment, Flexible Initial Packet Size (FIPS) may be utilized to improve the efficiency of the tuning.

Data center networks are designed to support various applications and diverse traffic patterns. Advanced topologies and structures achieve higher bandwidth in data center networks. However, long completion time of short transmission control protocol (TCP) flows in competition with long TCP flows and the congestion due to TCP incast are a few of the concerns about the TCP performance in data centers.
For example, TCP incast congestion is an issue in data center networks. TCP incast occurs when many-to-one short flows are barrier synchronized. Extremely high bandwidth and low latency may be preconditions for incast congestion. Previous solutions are inefficient by requiring complicated modifications to the data center networks.

Tuning congestion notification for data center networks


A fluctuating gear ratio limited slip differential assembly is provided that includes a differential case and a pair of side gears disposed within the differential case. Each of the side gears may have a tooth with a first tooth flank. The differential assembly may further include a pinion shaft disposed within the differential case and a plurality of pinions supported by the pinion shaft. The pinions may be configured for engagement with the pair of side gears and each of the pinions may have a tooth with a second tooth flank. The first and second tooth flanks are configured to cause movement of the plane of action defining all contact points between the first tooth flank of the side gears and the second tooth flank of the pinions in a predetermined and/or controlled manner.

As set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,736, the tooth profiles of gears operating on parallel axes (e.g., cylindrical gears) generally require that the common normal at all points of contact pass through a fixed point on the line of centers, called a pitch point. This is generally a kinematic requirement if one profile is to drive the other at a constant angular speed ratio. A pair of gear profiles contact each other at different positions as the gears rotate. The locus of all possible contact points for a given pair of profiles is called the path of contact. This path of contact is a straight or curved line segment, terminated by the extremities of the gear teeth. The three curves involved in cylindrical gear design are: the profile of the first gear, the profile of the second gear, and the path of contact. Given a fixed center distance and speed ratio, one of these curves may determine the other two. In particular, if the path of contact is shown as a given curve, then the profiles of both gears may be uniquely determined.
For cylindrical gear applications, the gear set may include a first gear with a first profile, a first center point, and a first outside radius (from the first center point to the perimeter of the first gear) and a second gear with a second profile, a second center point, and a second outside radius (from the second center point to the perimeter of the second gear). Pitch radii are the distances between the pitch point and the respective gear centers (i.e., the first center point and the second center point). In other words, the pitch radii specify the distance between the pitch point and the respective gear axis. As the first and second gears rotate, the profile curves of the first and second gears will contact each other at different positions and the locus of all successive contact points determine the shape of the path of contact (e.g., line of action).
Each contact point may be indicated in terms of polar coordinates as being located at a certain distance from the pitch point and at a certain angle which is also the pressure angle from a horizontal line normal to the line connecting the first and second center points. The first and second profiles for the gears may have first and second radii of curvature, respectively, with first and second lengths.
It may be desirable to use tooth flank geometry of a first and second gear (e.g., a pinion gear and a side gear in a differential) to cause movement of a plane of action defining contact points between the tooth flank of a first gear and the tooth flank of a second gear in a predetermined and/or controlled manner.

Fluctuating gear ratio limited slip differential


A surgical device is described. The surgical device may comprise a rotatable cutter configured to cut tissue for insertion of a cannula, and a first driver configured to be driven by a motor arrangement and to rotate the cutter. The surgical device may further include, for example, the cannula, at least one of the rotatable cutter and the first driver being disposed in a bore of the cannula. In one embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include an auger having a cutting thread. In another embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include a disk-shaped blade.

The literature is replete with descriptions of trocar devices, particularly surgical trocar devices. For example, a conventional trocar may include, for example, a seal, a sharp trocar, a cannula, and a safety shield to protect organs once the trocar has penetrated the abdominal wall. The safety shield is generally designed as a mechanical device which is spring-loaded and activated when the trocar tip is inserted into the cannula. The tip of the trocar is protected by the safety shield. As the trocar passes through the layers of the abdominal wall, the safety shield is retracted, exposing the sharp tip of the trocar. When the device finally penetrates the last layer of abdominal tissue, and just prior to entering the open space of the abdomen, the safety shield moves forward to again cover the trocar tip.
The instrument described above suffers numerous disadvantages. For example, if the mechanical safety shield were to become stuck, due to abdominal wall tissue becoming entrapped, the safety shield would not spring forward to cover the sharp trocar. In this case, damage could occur. In fact, damage does occur in a certain number of surgical cases annually. In addition, an unpredictable force is generally required to overcome the resistance of the tissue of the abdominal wall. This force is provided by the user pushing linearly, the trocar handle toward the abdomen. Since the force is variable and unique to the given tissue composition, the user cannot accurately predict how much force may be required on any given insertion.
A further disadvantage of the above-described instruments and systems is the lack of any feedback to the operator as to when then instrument has actually entered into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to damage of vital organs and misuse of the instrument.
A further disadvantage of the above-described instruments and systems is that such instruments and systems typically require manual manipulation and operation. This then requires the user to interpret what constitutes excessive force. When excessive force is used, damage to vital organs can occur.
A further disadvantage of the above-described instruments and systems is that such instruments and systems typically utilize a diamond-pointed-like trocar which penetrates the abdomen like a nail penetrates wood when hammered. This trocar placement method does not account for the potential variation in tissue thickness, tissue variability within the abdominal wall, and does not allow for counter-traction which would provide the users with the need to apply less force.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Embodiments include a method and system for detecting mechanics in an elevator system. The system includes a controller configured to communicate with one or more anchors, and a tag configured to transmit a signal, wherein the signal includes an identifier and location information. The system also includes one or more anchors, wherein the one or more anchors are configured to detect the signal from the tag, wherein the controller is configured to execute a safety action response to detecting the signal from the tag.

The embodiments herein relate to sensors, and more specifically, to sensors for detecting elevator mechanics in elevator systems.
Elevator mechanics perform service and repairs to ensure the proper functioning of the elevator systems. In some instances, the mechanics must gain access to the hoistway of the elevator system to perform maintenance where they are exposed to various cables, beams, structures, and other moving parts. In order to ensure the safety of the mechanics in the hoistway, effective safety measures are needed to detect the presence of a mechanic and perform a responsive action for their protection.

Detecting elevator mechanics in elevator systems


A motor control for an electric motor powered vehicle having an accelerator control connected to a control circuit for supplying the desired driving power that senses possible errors of various types and stops the supply of driving power until normal operation resumes.

This invention relates to a drive controlling device of an electric motor-driven vehicle such as an electric motor-driven golf car or the like ands more particularly to an arrangement for protecting against inadvertent application of power due to a failure in the accelerator control system.
In recent years, there have been proposed a wide variety of electric motor powered vehicles for a variety of purposes. For example, electrically powered golf cars are widely used in golf courses. In such applications controls have been incorporated for accommodating the various terrains over which these vehicles are operated. As a specific example golf carts frequently employ sensors for determining the slope of the ground on which the cart is operating to provide the appropriate power to compensate for changes in grade. An example of such a control arrangement is shown in Japanese Published application JP-A-Hei 10-309005.
In this arrangement, the electric motor-driven golf car, like an ordinary road vehicle, is provided with an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal for operation by the driver to control running of the golf car. Specifically, operation of the accelerator pedal by a driver, for example, is transmitted to an accelerator switch and an accelerator sensor connected to a controller that appropriately controls the drive of a shunt-wound type motor of the vehicle.
However, the electric motor-driven golf car of this type is often subjected to irregular shocks from outside due to particularity of its use. These shocks may be caused from various unique conditions such as the loading and unloading of golf bags or operation over rough ground surfaces. It is not uncommon for these shocks to cause breakage of wire of the accelerator sensor resulting in an abnormality of its output. In such a case, the motor controller fails to read the actual position of the accelerator pedal operated by the driver and the golf car may run against the driver's intention.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide in arrangement for insuring against undesired operation in the event of a failure in the accelerator control mechanism.

Drive controlling device of a motor-driven vehicle


A method for power control includes determining a load power of a load coupled to an output of an isolated AC/DC power supply. The method also includes, when the determined load power is less than a first threshold load power, providing the load power to the load from an interim power source.

Power supply systems convert input power to output load power by, for example, converting between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) or by changing a voltage level. For some of these power supply systems, a nominal voltage level that is expected of the input power may correspond to a standardized voltage level provided by an input power source connected to the power supply system. Examples of input power sources include AC and High Voltage DC (HVDC) transmission systems, batteries, fuel cells, generators, alternators, solar power converters, other power supply systems, etc.
Components of various power supply systems may include isolating components having outputs with low electrical dependence on their inputs, voltage-regulated components having an acceptable range of voltages at their outputs despite varying output currents or input voltages, and embedded components.
Electrical loads drawing load power from the power supply system may include, for example, domestic appliances, office equipment, industrial machinery, or a server computer that hosts software applications to support tasks in a network data center.


A sensor system includes a first sensor to detect environmental conditions of an environment in operational contact with a subject, a second sensor to detect physiological parameters of the subject in operational contact with an asset, and a control unit comprising one or more processors communicatively coupled with the first sensor and the second sensor. The processors receive a first signal from the first sensor indicative of the environmental conditions, and receive a second signal from the second sensor indicative of the physiological parameters of the subject, and determine a relation between the environmental conditions and the physiological parameters based on the first signal and the second signal. The processors determine a responsive action of the asset based on the first signal indicative of the environmental conditions of the environment or the second signal indicative of the physiological parameters of the subject in operational contact with the asset.

Wearable gas sensors are intended to track changes of environmental gases in real time. At present, the accepted limitations of known wearable gas sensors include poor selectivity that can lead to false alarms about the presence of gases of interest in complex real-world environments. Such gases may be masked by other gases, which can lead to interferences in determinations. Wearable physiological sensors experience performance improvements based on design principles that allow these sensors to compete with the performance of standard hospital and wet-electrode-based instruments.
While the number of wearable sensors for diverse physiological parameters is expanding, these sensors do not have the ability to accurately detect environmental parameters. While successful sensors include detection of ambient temperatures, accurate analysis of gases and other environmental parameters is problematic and cannot be accomplished accurately with known wearable sensor technology. Because of the lack of needed accuracy, existing sensors are problematic to utilize for control of environmental conditions and/or assets that are operated by subjects.


Methods, systems, and computer program products for editing configuration data such that alterations in one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data. The altered configuration data may take effect without having to restart a corresponding program module. Multiple alterations to the configuration data may be consolidated. A differencing operation may be used to identify an altered portion of the configuration data. For one or more altered portions, an “updategram” may be generated and used to update a multiple program modules at various interconnected computer systems. A history of alterations to configuration data also may be maintained, making it possible to revert to an earlier version of the configuration data. Erroneous data may be ignored. Access to updated representations of the configuration data may be provided at a configuration management interface.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of configuration data for program modules. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for editing the configuration data such that changes made to one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data.
2. Background and Related Art
Most computer software tends to use configuration data in meeting the needs and preferences of various end-users and circumstances. For example, configuration data may be used to specify available hardware or resources, operating parameters, default behavior, user preferences, etc. Typically, much of this configuration data, particularly data used during software initialization, resides in persistent storage to make the data available each time the computer software is executed.
It is common for certain software to retrieve some configuration data only once, such as during initialization. Often, any changes to this configuration data do not take effect until the software is restarted. Restarting software, however, may represent a significant burden to certain applications. For example, it may be important for software that provides resources over the Internet (e.g., software that is part of an operating World Wide Web ("Web") site) to be available twenty-four hours a day.
Configuration data may be stored in any of a variety of formats or representations, including human readable text files and binary files or representations. Individual text files tend to store information for a single program or group of related programs. While some binary files also may be dedicated to specific software, others contain configuration settings for (perhaps many) unrelated programs. As a general rule, text files impose some additional processing overhead, such as parsing, etc., in providing access to the configuration data. Binary files reduce processing overhead, but require a user interface for access.
Ordinarily, configuration data is stored in either text files or in binary files, but less commonly in both. As a result, access to configuration data may be limited to either (i) tools for modifying a text file, or (ii) some user interface capable of reading and writing a binary file or representation. Under many circumstances, storing configuration data as either a text file or a binary representation may be acceptable. However, like the configuration data itself, some users or circumstances may favor one format or representation to another, making both formats, or the option to chose from either representation, an attractive feature. Accordingly, methods, systems, and computer program products for editing the configuration data such that changes made to one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data are desired.


A data processing apparatus and method are provided for converting an m-bit fixed point number to a rounded floating point number having an n-bit significand, where n is less than m. The data processing apparatus comprises determination logic for determining the bit location of the most significant bit of the value expressed within the m-bit fixed point number, and low order bit analysis logic for determining from a selected number of least significant bits of the m-bit fixed point number a rounding signal indicating whether a rounding increment is required in order to generate the n-bit significand. Generation logic is then arranged in response to the rounding signal to generate a rounding bit sequence appropriate having regard to the bit location determined by the determination logic. Adder logic then adds the rounding bit sequence to the m-bit fixed point number to generate an intermediate result, whereafter normalisation logic shifts the intermediate result to generate the n-bit significand. At this point, due to the incorporation of the rounding information prior to the addition, the generated n-bit significand is correctly rounded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method for performing conversion from a fixed point number to a floating point number, and in particular to techniques for the handling of rounding when performing such conversion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A floating point number can be expressed as follows:
            ±      1.            x    *          2      y                                                where                                      :                                    x                    =          fraction                                                          1.                        x                    =                      significand                                                                                (                              also                                                                                known                                                                                as                                                                                the                                                                                mantissa                            )                                                                    y          =          exponent
A fixed point number format is one where the numbers are expressed by a predetermined number of bits, with the decimal point being considered to exist at a predetermined location within the number of bits. An integer is hence an example of a fixed point number in which the decimal point is considered to exist immediately to the right of the least significant bit position.
If the fixed point number consists of m bits, and is converted to a floating point number having an n-bit significand, it is often the case that n is less than m, and in such situations the floating point number needs to be subjected to a rounding process, as a result of which it may or may not be necessary to add a rounding increment to the significand in order to produce the correct n-bit significand for the rounded floating point number.
Whether a rounding increment will or will not be required will depend on the bit location of the most significant bit of the value expressed within the m-bit fixed point number. For an unsigned number or a positive signed number, this bit location will be given by the most significant logic one value in the number, whereas for a negative signed number, this bit location will be given by the most significant logic zero value in the number. If this bit location is within the least significant n bits of the m-bit fixed point number, then no rounding increment will need to be introduced, since the value can directly be expressed within the n-bit significand of the floating point number. However, if the most significant bit is at a location greater than the least significant n bits of the m-bit fixed point number, then it may be necessary to introduce a rounding increment dependent on the value of a certain number of least significant bits of the m-bit fixed point number.
Traditionally, when converting an m-bit fixed point number to a rounded floating point number having an n-bit significand, the following sequence of steps is performed to produce the n-bit significand:    1. The fixed point number is evaluated to determine if it is a signed negative number. If so, the number is negated and a logic one value is added to the negated value, thereby producing a two's complement version of the fixed point number.    2. The fixed point number, or the modified version produced in step 1 above in the event of a signed negative number, is then subjected to a leading one determination process in order to determine the location of the most significant bit of the value expressed within the m-bit fixed point number.    3. A left shift operation is then applied based on the leading one determination in order to normalise the number.    4. A rounding determination is then performed. If following the above normalisation process there are now only n bits or less remaining in the number, then no rounding is required since the entire value can be directly represented within the n-bit significand. However, if more than n bits are still remaining, then rounding may be appropriate depending on the value of certain least significant bits of the normalised number.    5. If rounding is required, then a rounding increment is introduced at the least significant bit of the destination precision. Hence, by way of example, if the floating point number is a single precision floating point number, and hence the significand is 24 bits in length, then if the normalised result has 28 bits (bits 0 to 27) a rounding increment if required will be introduced at bit 4, since bit 4 is the least significant bit of the 24-bit significand.
The above process is inherently serial, but it is desirable having regard to performance to try and perform some of the steps in parallel.
It is often the case that logic provided to perform such conversion operations is also used for other operations. For example, the logic provided to perform addition operations may also be re-used for such conversion operations. One particular arrangement of adder logic employs two split data paths, referred to as the far path and the near path. The near path is used for unlike signed additions (USAs) with equal exponents or exponents differing by one and significands guaranteed to differ by less than one. The far path handles all other additions. In the near path, no rounding of the result will be required but normalisation may be required due to massive cancellation. Such normalisation logic is not required in the far path. However, in the far path it is necessary to provide logic to account for rounding due to the fact that the input significands may need more than a 1-bit alignment. Through the use of the near and far paths, the pipeline depth of the pipeline required to perform addition can be reduced, since one path requires normalisation whilst the other does not, and one path requires rounding whilst the other does not.
When performing conversion operations in such adder logic, it is required to pass the conversion operation through the near path, since the near path provides the required normalisation logic. However, the near path would not normally have rounding logic provided, and accordingly there is a problem in performing any required rounding when performing such conversion operations. One way to solve this problem is to add a further final stage to the near path to allow such rounding to be performed, but this clearly adversely affects potential performance benefits that can be achieved by using an adder constructed with a near path and a far path.
The performance problem resulting from the provision of additional logic to perform a final rounding process is not limited to the above far path/near path implementation, but instead it is clear that performance of conversion operations will in general be adversely affected if additional rounding logic needs to be provided after the normalisation step.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved technique for performing any required rounding when converting a fixed point number to a floating point number, so as to improve the speed of the operation.

Data processing apparatus and method for converting a fixed point number to a floating point number


An improved process for the transfer of a holographic image from a conventional polymeric support to a tissue paper substrate at reduced temperatures is described in this invention. A host of images may be envisioned and since this image, on tissue paper substrate, may then be wound up in a roll, it can be used within the paper industry for a host of processes such as in the wrapping of candies, gums, gifts and the like. This element and process permits the wide spread use of such holographic images, such use not being available until now. The holographic image is improved over that transferred at a somewhat higher temperature range.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to holographic images formed by a unique process for various security and decorative purposes. Also, this invention relates to aluminized roll-stock holographic images formed on a plastic layer. Further, this invention relates to elements and process for transferring holographic images to yet another substrate. Still further, this invention relates to a unique process for transferring holographic images to a relatively inexpensive substrate which permits a wide-spread use of said holographic image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Holographically enhanced materials are well known in the prior art. These are usually made by very proprietary methods which includes passing a layer of plastic, for example, through a machine which imparts a variation (e.g. which can be an image itself) within covering or upper strata of the plastic layer. This step is somewhat similar to, but not exactly the same, as embossing. A powdered metallic element (e.g. aluminum) is then applied thereon by the so-called metallizing process. After this step, the element appears to have a two or three dimensional diffractional grating holographic image imparted on the layer of plastic. This image is extremely pleasing and is widely used within the credit card and security industries, for example, to impart an image particular to that credit card or to provide a security element thereon. The resulting image is difficult to duplicate and thus these elements assist in the prevention of fraud by counterfeiting, for example. The draw-back to the use of these images is the cost since the machines to produce the image are complicated and costly in and of themselves. Additionally, holographic elements produced by this method (the so-called "shim" method") are usually small in size and thus cannot be imprinted with larger images. Thus, this material has not been widely used outside of the credit card and novelty industry.
Within the food packaging industry it is known use foils and the like for the wrapping of individual food pieces, for example. Sometimes, these foils are embossed with decorative or advertising logos and materials. In addition, it is known in this industry to laminate with glues metallized materials to paper elements for the wrapping of individual food pieces such as candies, gums and the like, for example. There is a long standing need, however, to be able to transfer holographic elements at reduced temperatures on to paper tissue materials that can be used in a variety of applications such as wrapping, advertising, etc.
Recently, a process for making large sheets of holographically enhanced material has been developed. Thus, the costs of such holographically enhanced material have been significantly reduced. However, these large sheets of material are usually placed on a plastic surface which is also rather expensive and thus the use of this material is still rather limited. If the holographic image could be further transferred to yet another substrate, one which was less expensive and one which had higher utility (tissue paper useful within the paper industry, wrapping elements, advertisement sheets and the like), the use of holographically prepared images would find wider use in the use of these paper tissues.
There is also a pressing need in the industry to have an improved holographic image on the aforementioned tissue papers and also to reduce the production costs associated therewith.

Process for the cold transfer of holographic images

Hampshire Holographic Manufacturing Corp.


A biaxially oriented polyester film wherein the ratio (=I.sub.MD /I.sub.ND) of the peak intensity (I.sub.MD) in the longitudinal direction to the peak intensity (I.sub.ND) in the thickness direction determined at 1615 cm.sup.-1 by laser Raman scattering method is 6 or more; and a process for production of a biaxially oriented polyester film which comprises the steps of controlling the ratio (A/B) of the maximum thickness (A) of the edge portion of a cast film to the thickness (B) of the central portion in the transverse direction thereof in the range of 2 to 6, biaxially stretching the cast film, and controlling the peak intensity ratio of the biaxially oriented film determined by the laser Raman scattering method in the above-described range. The biaxially oriented polyester film thus produced has a specific orientation in the longitudinal direction, and therefore has great strength in the longitudinal direction and small irregularity in properties such as thickness or birefringence.

In plastic films, it is possible to continuously produce a film having a great area which cannot be achieved by other materials. Utilizing the characteristics such as strength, durability, transparency, flexibility and separation property between surface side and back surface side, plastic films are used in fields such as agricultural, package and architectural fields which require large amounts of plastic film. Specifically, because biaxially oriented polyester films have excellent mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties, they are used for various fields, and particularly, the usefulness thereof as base films of magnetic tapes is unrivaled by films made from other materials. Recently, such base films have been required to be thinner in order to lighten and miniaturize equipment, enable longer recordings, and therefore, the base films have been required to be further strengthened.
Further, in the fields of heat transfer ribbons, capacitors and thermo-stencil printing plates, thin films have been strongly required, and similarly the films used have been required to be further strengthened.
As a process for strengthening a biaxially oriented polyester film, generally known is a so-called longitudinal re-stretching process for re-stretching a biaxially stretched film in the longitudinal direction and providing a high lengthwise strength to the film (for example, JP-B-SHO 42-9270, JP-B-SHO 43-3040, JP-A-SHO 46-1119 and JP-A-SHO 46-1120). Further, in a case where a film is required to be further strengthened in the transverse direction as well as in the longitudinal direction, there is a so-called longitudinal and transverse re-stretching process for re-stretching the film in the transverse direction after the longitudinal re-stretching (for example, JP-A-SHO 50-133276 and JP-A-SHO 55-22915).
However, even in such a longitudinal re-stretching process, although the principal orientation axis is present in the longitudinal direction, the orientation of the whole of the film is not so great, and irregularity in thickness and irregularities in properties in the transverse direction are not greatly improved.
Moreover, in a process having the above-described longitudinal re-stretching process, because generally a thin film having a large width is stretched by rollers, if an edge portion of the film is thin, the neck down at the time of stretching is violent, thereby causing serious problems such as deterioration of irregularity in thickness, irregularity in other properties, and generation of scratches. In order to avoid these problems, generally edges of a cast film are formed thick and a holding force is provided thereto for preventing the neck down.
In a case where longitudinal re-stretching is performed, a cast film must be formed so that a ratio (A/B) of the maximum thickness (A) of the edge portion to the thickness (B) of the central portion in the transverse direction of the cast film is a value around 10, although the ratio to be controlled depends upon the thickness of the central portion.
However, if the difference between the thickness of the edge portion and the thickness of the central portion is great as described above, although a neck down can be lessened problems occur in that the edge portion having a large thickness is insufficiently pre-heated, thereby causing frequent film breakage, and irregularity in properties in the transverse direction due to the temperature difference becomes great. Further, because the edge portions are finally trimmed away from a film product portion, thick edge portions are not desired also from the viewpoint of yield.

Biaxially oriented polyester film and process for production thereof


An apparatus and method for sorption and desorption of molecular gas contained by storage sites of graphite nano-filaments randomly disposed in three-dimensional reticulated aerogel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to molecular gas storage, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for containing a molecular gas by sorption in storage sites of a nano-filament laded reticulated structure.
2. Related Art
Hydrogen has become progressively more attractive as an energy source as the price of petroleum increases and its availability declines. Hydrogen is particularly interesting as a fuel because it has the highest energy density per unit weight of any chemical fuel, and because hydrogen can be used directly in a variety of energy converters from reciprocating internal combustion engines to hydrogen fuel cells.
In the art of hydrogen fuel cells, there is an ongoing search for new and improved hydrogen power-generating cells and hydrogen storage systems. Power-generating cells may eventually replace other power generating systems, such as internal combustion engines. Improvements in hydrogen storage systems will make it possible to store enough hydrogen in small storage configurations to not only provide fuel to vehicles, but to one day provide power to cell phones, computers, camcorders and other cordless devices.
Unfortunately, hydrogen is a highly volatile fuel, and its storage in satisfactory quantities to be a commercially viable fuel has been a major obstacle to implementation of hydrogen-based energy systems.
Several methods of storing hydrogen currently exist, but are either inadequate or impractical for most consumer applications. For example, hydrogen can be stored in liquid form at very low temperatures. Cryogenic storage, however, only provides a volume density of 70 grams of hydrogen per liter, which is clearly insufficient for most consumer applications. In addition, the energy consumed in liquefying hydrogen gas is about 60% of the energy available from the resulting hydrogen.
Some hydrogen is stored under high pressure in cylinders. However, a 100-pound steel cylinder can only store about one pound of hydrogen at about 2200 psi, which translates into 1% by weight of hydrogen storage. More expensive composite cylinders with special compressors can store hydrogen at higher pressures of about 4,500 psi to achieve a more favorable storage ratio of about 4% by weight. Although even higher pressures are possible, safety factors and the high amount of energy consumed in achieving such high pressures have compelled a search for alternative hydrogen storage technologies that are both safe and efficient.
In view of the above, there is a need for safer, more effective methods of storing and recovering hydrogen.

Storage device and method for sorption and desorption of molecular gas contained by storage sites of nano-filament laded reticulated aerogel


A fuel and vapor control system for motor vehicle applications is disclosed. The fuel and vapor control system regulates the refueling operation to maintain a sufficient vapor dome within the motor vehicle fuel tank to prevent over-filling thereof upon malfunction of a fuel nozzle's automatic shut-off mechanism. The fuel and vapor control system includes a first valve assembly for controlling the flow of fuel vapors to a vapor capture device, a second valve assembly for controlling actuation of the nozzle shut-off mechanism, and a third valve assembly for controlling the delivery of liquid fuel into the fuel tank in response to actuation of the first and second valve assemblies. A fourth valve assembly inhibits the emission of evaporative fuel vapors upon withdrawal of the nozzle from the fill pipe. The various valve assemblies cooperate to inhibit leakage of liquid fuel and vapors from the motor vehicle fuel system upon impact and/or the occurrence of a roll-over situation.

The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle fuel filling systems and, more particularly, to a fuel and vapor control system for controlling the release of evaporative and running loss fuel vapors into the atmosphere.
In view of stringent environmental and safety regulations which significantly restrict the emission of non-combusted hydrocarbons (i.e. fuel vapors) into the atmosphere, emission control systems are incorporated into modern motor vehicles. These systems are adapted to prevent or substantially minimize the release of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and/or the fuel intake system of an internal combustion engine. Most conventional emission control systems use a vapor capture device, such as an activated charcoal canister, for absorbing or "trapping" evaporative emissions when the engine is shut off. Upon starting of the engine, the flow of filtered air through the charcoal canister purges the vapors therefrom such that the vapors are delivered to the intake system for combustion by the engine.
Unfortunately, vapor control systems incorporated into modern motor vehicles have become increasingly complex and expensive due to a number of critical design requirements. First, the fuel filling system must prevent leakage of fuel and vapors during both refueling and normal operation of the vehicle. In addition, the fuel filling system must allow for the entry of air to replace the fuel within the fuel tank as it is consumed, and must also allow for venting of over-pressure conditions within the tank. The fuel filling system must also provide means for actuating the automatic shut-off mechanism incorporated in fuel dispensing nozzles. Furthermore, the fuel filling system must inhibit the leakage of liquid fuel and vapors upon impact and during the occurrence of a "roll-over" accident. Finally, modern fuel filling systems must prevent the introduction of leaded fuels into the fuel tank of the vehicle.
Conventional fuel filling and vapor control systems permit pressurized fuel vapors present within the motor vehicle fuel system to escape to the atmosphere upon removal of the fuel cap. It will be appreciated that a significant quantity of otherwise combustible fuel is lost to the atmosphere each time a vehicle is refueled. In addition, new fuel vapors are continually generated during refueling due to splash and agitation of the dispensed fuel, as well as from extreme temperature differences between the fuel in the fuel tank and the newly dispensed fuel. Furthermore, as liquid fuel is delivered into the fuel tank, fuel vapors are displaced from the fuel tank's vapor space and are typically released directly into the atmosphere through the fuel tank filler neck.
Another drawback associated with most conventional fuel filling systems is that over-filling of the fuel tank is not monitored and regulated. If the nozzle shut-off mechanism fails to terminate delivery of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, fuel will eventually back-up the fill pipe and spill onto the ground for alerting the operator to manually shut-off the nozzle. However, such over-filling of the fuel tank displaces the required "vapor dome" located above the desired maximum fill level of the fuel tank which can potentially cause fuel leakage during vehicle operation and/or contamination of the activated charcoal canister. In addition, lack of an adequate "vapor dome" within the fuel tank can also cause excessively high tank pressures due to extreme variations in the fuel temperature and volatility.

Fuel delivery and vapor control system for controlling the release of fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank


A fuel cell system having a cooling fluid flowing therethrough includes a fuel cell stack in heat transfer communication with the cooling fluid and a conduit through which the cooling fluid flows. The conduit includes a first layer of hydrogen-permeable material. Hydrogen within the cooling fluid permeates through the first layer of hydrogen-permeable material to reduce a hydrogen content of the cooling fluid.

Fuel cell systems include a fuel cell stack that produces electrical energy based on a reaction between a hydrogen-based feed gas (e.g., pure hydrogen or a hydrogen reformate) and an oxidant feed gas (e.g., pure oxygen or oxygen-containing air). The hydrogen-based feed gas and oxidant feed gas are supplied to the fuel cell stack at appropriate operating conditions (i.e., temperature and pressure) for reacting therein. The proper conditioning of the feed gases is achieved by other components of the fuel cell stack to provide the proper operating conditions.
The fuel cell system includes a cooling system that maintains the fuel cell stack at a desired operating temperature. Generally, this temperature is approximately 80° C. The cooling system is in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack and typically includes a coolant reservoir, a pump and a heat exchanger. Coolant from the reservoir is circulated through the fuel cell stack by the pump. The warm coolant exiting the fuel cell stack flows through the heat exchanger, which enables heat dissipation to atmosphere to cool the coolant. The coolant flows back into the reservoir and is again circulated through the cooling system.
As the coolant flows through the fuel cell stack, it is in heat exchange relationship with the components of the fuel cell stack. In this manner, the coolant draws heat from the warmer components to regulate the temperature of the fuel cell stack. In some instances, the coolant is separated from the hydrogen-based feed gas flowing through the fuel cell stack by gaskets. The gaskets within the fuel cell stack do not provide a complete seal. As a result, hydrogen leakage can occur, whereby hydrogen leaks into the coolant. Additionally, hydrogen leaks can occur in other areas of the fuel cell system increasing the hydrogen content of the coolant. Eventually, the hydrogen content of the coolant achieves an undesirable level.

Vehicle plumbing to release hydrogen from fluid


A plurality of processing elements are connected in cascade so as to constitute a single signal processing apparatus. The signal processing apparatus has a first path for transferring an input data signal and a second path for transferring a processing result of the input data signal. Each of the processing elements has a first input disposed on the first path, a data holding circuit for holding the data signal supplied through the first input, a product-sum circuit for executing a product-sum operation between the data signal held in the data holding circuit and another data signal, a second input disposed on the second path so as to supply the other data signal to the product-sum circuit, a result register for holding the result of the operation calculated by the product-sum circuit and supplying the held result of the operation to the second path, an output selecting circuit for supplying either one of the data signal held in the data holding circuit and the result of the operation held in the result register, and a processing control circuit for controlling respective operations of the data holding circuit, product-sum circuit, result register, and output selecting circuit. Since a route extending from the result register to the output selecting circuit forms a bypass from the second path to the first path, a flexible process can be performed by the signal processing apparatus by using or not using the bypass depending on control information.

The present invention relates to a signal processing apparatus for performing product-sum operations and, more particularly, to a digital filter.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication SHO 58-162120 has disclosed a signal processing apparatus which functions as a transversal filter. The signal processing apparatus is composed of a plurality of signal processing elements (SPEs) connected in cascade and comprises a first path for transferring an input data signal and a second path for transferring a processing result of the input data signal. Each of the SPEs comprises a first input disposed on the first path and a second input disposed on the second path. Each of the SPEs further comprises: three latches for holding three respective data signals supplied sequentially through the first input; a first selector for sequentially selecting the three data signals held in the three latches; a second selector for sequentially selecting three coefficients in response to the first selector; a multiplier for sequentially calculating respective products of the data signals selected by the first selector and the coefficients selected by the second selector; an accumulator for accumulating the three products obtained in the multiplier; and an adder for calculating a sum of the result of accumulation performed by the accumulator and a data signal supplied through the second input, i.e., a partial sum. The data signal held in the last one of the three latches of each SPE is supplied to the first input of the SPE in the subsequent stage, thereby constituting a shift register on the first path. On the other hand, the data signal representing the partial sum obtained in the adder of each SPE is supplied to the second input of the SPE in the subsequent stage. To implement a 9-tap transversal filter, three SPEs are connected in cascade.
In a television set, it is generally required to perform a sequence of processes, such as a vertical filtering process and a horizontal filtering process to be sequentially performed, with respect to an image data signal. In addition, it is strongly desired to process image data signals in different broadcasting systems by means of a single signal processing apparatus.
However, a signal processing apparatus with the foregoing internal structure in which the plurality of SPEs are connected in cascade has the disadvantage of insufficient flexibility. Once the signal processing apparatus has been formed, the number of taps for a filtering process is fixed depending on the number of the SPEs that have been connected. For example, a signal processing apparatus composed of three SPEs is dedicated to a 9-tap filter and hence cannot function as three sequential 3-tap filters.

Processing elements connected in cascade having a controllable bypass

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In a GaAs substrate as a semi-insulating substrate, a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is formed in an element formation region, while an isolation region is formed in an insulating region. The isolation region formed in the insulating region is formed by introducing helium into the same semiconductor layers as the sub-collector semiconductor layer and collector semiconductor layer of the HBT. In an outer peripheral region, a conductive layer is formed to be exposed from protective films and coupled to a back surface electrode. Because a GND potential is supplied to the back surface electrode, the conductive layer is fixed to the GND potential. The conductive layer is formed of the same semiconductor layers as the sub-collector semiconductor layer and collector semiconductor layer of the HBT.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a technology for manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a technology which is effective when applied to a semiconductor device in which a transistor is formed on a compound semiconductor substrate and to a technology for manufacturing the same.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-273355 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology which forms a field stopper layer (n+-type channel stopper layer) for stopping depletion in the peripheral edge portion of a semiconductor chip and forms an electrode on the field stopper layer.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11(1999)-102917 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technology which forms a channel stopper region composed of a shallow n-type diffusion layer in the surface region of an n−-type epitaxial layer along the outer edge of a substrate and forms a channel stopper electrode over the channel stop region.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-101039 (Patent Document 3) discloses a technology which forms a channel stopper region composed of an n+-type heavily doped impurity layer in the peripheral edge portion of a semiconductor chip. On the channel stopper layer, a third electrode is provided to be electrically coupled to a second electrode formed on the back surface of the semiconductor chip. It is stated that, with the channel stopper region, it is possible to prevent the channel from expanding out of an element. It is also stated that the channel stopper region which is electrically coupled to the third electrode is provided to fix the surface potential of a semiconductor substrate and has the effect of preventing the degradation of breakdown voltage when a depletion layer reaches the channel stopper region. It is stated herein that the n+-type impurity in the channel stopper region may also be a p+-type impurity.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-158603 (Patent Document 4) discloses a technology which provides a p+-type channel stopper region in the element peripheral portion of a semiconductor chip and forms an electrode in the p+-type channel stopper region.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 9 (1997)-283754 (Patent Document 5) discloses a technology which forms a low-resistance n-type end portion layer in the surface of an n-type base layer in the outer terminal portion of a junction termination region to surround a trench. In addition, a ring-shaped end portion electrode is disposed to come in contact with the n-type end portion layer. It is stated that the surface of the junction termination region between a cathode electrode and the ring-shaped end portion electrode is covered with a thick insulating layer.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-203548 (Patent Document 6) discloses a technology which forms a diffusion layer as a guard ring portion in the peripheral edge portion of a semiconductor chip.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 07 (1995)-201855 (Patent Document 7) discloses a technology pertaining to a semiconductor device having a long and thin conductor film such as a guard ring used to improve, e.g., moisture resistance in the region between the peripheral edge portion of a semiconductor chip and wiring pads. The publication discloses the technology which reduces an external stress causing a crack in the guard ring in the mold encapsulation of the semiconductor chip and lessens characteristic failures resulting from the crack to allow an improvement in moisture resistance. It is stated that, specifically, the guard ring composed of a conductive film and provided in the region between the peripheral edge portion of the semiconductor chip and the wiring pads is formed in a meandering or curved pattern.    [Patent Document 1]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-273355    [Patent Document 2]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11(1999)-102917    [Patent Document 3]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-101039    [Patent Document 4]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-158603    [Patent Document 5]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 09 (1997)-283754    [Patent Document 6]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-203548    [Patent Document 7]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 07 (1995)-201855

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same


A transparent high-barrier film having flexibility and a high-barrier property is usable as a packaging material for pharmaceutical products, or as a flexible sealing material. The high-barrier film includes a plastic film and at least a barrier layer stacked thereon. The barrier layer is a layer in which two or more units are stacked, each unit having a structure in which a barrier layer A, a barrier layer B, and a barrier layer A are stacked in that order. The barrier layer A is a layer composed of SiOC in which the content ratio of carbon is in a range of more than 0% and less than 15%. The barrier layer B is a layer composed of SiOC in which the content ratio of carbon is in a range of 1.1 to 4.0 times the content ratio of carbon in the barrier layer A.

For suppressing degeneration of contents to maintain the functions and quality thereof, a general barrier film should prevent influences of gases which degenerate the contents, such as oxygen and water vapor passing through a packaging material or a sealing material. Therefore, the barrier film is required to have at least water vapor barrier property.
A barrier film which is used as a packaging material for pharmaceutical products is particularly required to have high-barrier property for blocking water vapor in order to prevent deterioration of the quality of pharmaceutical products as contents by water vapor and the like. In addition, a high-barrier film is desired which is also transparent so that pharmaceutical products as contents can be visually observed.
With advancement of development of solar cells, electronic paper, organic EL and the like, research and development for making these articles flexible is being conducted. A glass substrate which has been heretofore used as a sealing material for solar cells, electronic paper, organic EL and the like has high-barrier property, but is easily broken because of low flexibility, and thus cannot be used as a sealing material for flexible solar cell, electronic paper, organic EL and the like (hereinafter, referred to as a "flexible sealing material").
In addition, a general barrier film which is used as a packaging material for food products and daily necessities does not have high-barrier property required for a packaging material for pharmaceutical products or a flexible sealing material as described above, and therefore cannot be used as a packaging material for pharmaceutical products or a flexible sealing material.
Patent Document 1 discloses a transparent gas barrier layered film which can be suitably used for packaging materials and FPDs (flat panel displays) in the field of packagings for food products, daily necessities, pharmaceutical products and the like, and the field of materials associated with electronic devices. In the gas barrier layered film, an anchor layer containing a polymerizable acrylic monomer or mixture of a monomer and an oligomer, and a gas barrier layer composed of silicon oxide represented by SiOxCy (x is 1.5 or more and 2.0 or less, and y is 0 or more and 0.5 or less) are stacked in this order on a plastic film.

Transparent high-barrier film and high-barrier layered body using same