The present invention is a method and apparatus for analyzing image data, and more particularly for analyzing image data representing images containing text to partition the image into running and non-running text regions therein. The present invention utilizes characteristics of running text regions to identify such regions and to subsequently group all non-running text regions into related groups.

The present invention is generally directed to techniques for analyzing image data, and more particularly to the analysis of image data representing images containing text to identify running and non-running text regions therein without assuming a specific page layout. The invention employs the characteristics of running text regions to distinguish them from non-running text regions in a page image. As the input of the present invention, there is assumed to be digital representation of a hardcopy document that contains text regions. In addition, the image will have been processed by any one of a number of well-know processes for segmenting text regions in an image, and identifying the boundaries of such regions. While it is understood that such boundaries may be represented by a polynomial, it will be assumed that such boundaries are rectangular in shape for purposes of simplifying the description of the instant invention.
This invention presents a geometric, bottom-up method for partitioning a scanned page into two kinds of regions: (i) regions encompassing running text, i.e., text formatted in paragraphs and columns; and (ii) regions encompassing text formatted in other layout structures, such as headings, lists, and tables. This partitioning supports classification of the non-running text regions and selective scanning for text recognition. For example, table detection, crucial for establishing reading order, is done by testing the non-running text regions for alignment relations.
Page layout analysis processes may be divided into two broad categories: geometric layout analysis and logical structure analysis (R. Haralick. Document image understanding: geometric and logical layout. Proc. IEEE Conf. On Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 1994: 385-390). Geometric layout analysis, also termed bottom-up analysis, extracts whatever structure can be inferred without reference to models of particular kinds of pages - e.g., letter, memo, title page, table, etc. Intuitively, this is the structure that would be apparent even to an illiterate person. Also, it is the structure common to pages of all kinds. Logical structure analysis classifies a given page within a repertoire of known layouts, and assigns functional interpretations to components of the page based on this classification. Geometric analysis is generally preliminary to logical structure analysis.
Bottom-up analysis schemes attempt to segment a page into homogeneous regions of text, line art (graphics), and photographs (halftone images), and then stop. This is normally taken to be the highest level of structure that can be established bottom-up. However, the present invention establishes that a yet higher level of structure can be extracted using a bottom-up analysis technique, and that this can benefit subsequent logical structure analysis.
Heretofore, a number of patents and publications have disclosed methods for segmenting images and the identification of structure therein, the relevant portions of which may be briefly summarized as follows:
Text block segmentation has been addressed by R. Haralick, "Document image understanding: geometric and logical layout," Proc. IEEE Conf. On Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 1994: 385-390. Component aggregation or clustering methods that assemble homogeneous regions from individual connected components subject to size similarity and proximity constraints were described by L. O'Gorman, "The document spectrum for bottom-up page layout analysis," Advances in structural and syntactic pattern recognition, Ed. H. Bunke, Singapore: World Scientific, 1992: 270-279. Background structure methods detect bands of white space (gutters) in the image and treat these as the boundaries of text blocks as described by H. S. Baird, "Background structure in document images," Advances in structural and syntactic pattern recognition, Ed. H. Bunke, Singapore: World Scientific, 1992: 253-269; T. Pavlidis and J. Zhou, "Page segmentation by white streams," Proc. 1st Int. Conf. On Document Recognition, Saint-Malo, 1991: 945-953; and A. Antonacopoulos and R. T. Ritchins, "Flexible page segmentation using the background," Proc. 12th Int. Conf. On Pattern Recognition, 1994: 339-344.
Top-down logical structure analysis processes do attempt to distinguish types of text, but do so using a priori layout models as taught, for example, by G. Nagy, S. Seth, and S. Stoddard, "Document analysis with an expert system," Pattern Recognition in Practice II, E. Gelsema and L. Kanal, editors, North Holland, Amsterdam, 1986: 149-159; and R. Ingold and D. Armangil, "A top-down document analysis method for logical structure recognition," Proc. 1st Int. Conf. On Document recognition, Saint-Malo, 1991: 41-49.
J. Fisher, in "Logical structure descriptions of segmented document images," Proc. 1st Int. Conf. On Document recognition, Saint-Malo, 1991: 302-310, describes a rule-based system that identifies geometrical and logical structures of document images. Location cues, format cues and textual cues (OCR) are employed to make identifications and transformations during the identification of text and non-text regions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,596 to Mahoney, issued Aug. 24, 1993, incorporated herein by reference for its teachings, describes techniques for labeling pixels in an image based upon nearest neighbor attributes.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: retrieving an input image, the image comprising an array of image signals and associated data defining a set of boundaries of a plurality of text-blocks represented therein, and storing the array of image signals in a bitmap array and the data defining the set of boundaries in a second array; partitioning the text-blocks defined by the set of boundaries stored in the second array into text groups; and classifying the text-groups to determine those text-groups which represent running text regions of the image and those which represent non-running text regions of the image.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method operating on a programmable computer for partitioning an image containing text into regions of running text and non-running text, the image consisting essentially of an array of image signals and associated data defining a set of boundaries of a plurality of text-blocks represented therein, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving an input image and storing image signals thereof in a first bitmap array memory location and the data defining the set of boundaries in a second memory location; partitioning the text-blocks defined by the boundaries stored in the second memory location into text groups; and classifying the text groups to determine those text groups which represent running text regions of the image and those which represent non-running text regions of the image.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: a first memory for storing image data; a second memory for storing data representing characteristics of an image, the bitmap data for said image being stored in said first memory array; instruction memory; a text processor, connected to said first and second memory and said instruction memory for accessing the data stored in the first and second memory in accordance with instructions stored in said instruction memory, the processor in executing the instructions: accessing the image data stored in the first memory location to produce text block boundaries representing text blocks in the image, the data defining the text block boundaries being stored in the second memory as image characteristic data; partitioning the text-blocks defined by the boundaries stored in the second memory location into text groups; and classifying the text-groups to determine those text-groups which represent running text regions of the image and those which represent non-running text regions of the image.
One aspect of the present invention deals with a basic problem in image recognition-that of applying structural norms in a top-down analysis. In top-down or logical structure analysis, a given page image is analyzed based upon functional interpretations of components of the page. In the more generalized geometric analysis techniques employed by the present invention, it is possible to extract a similar level of structure in a bottom-up approach. This aspect is further based on the discovery of a technique that alleviates this problem. The technique partitions a page image into two principal types of regions: running text and non-running text. The technique, using four separate analysis phases, detects text blocks, groups the text blocks, extracts text blocks that represent running text and regroups regions of contiguous, non-running text blocks, with the output representing a list or similar representation of running and non-running regions of the page image. Such output may be further processed to identify tabular regions in the non-running text.
The techniques employed in the present invention are advantageous to the analysis of a document (page image), because they provide important information about the layout structure of the page without the assumption of any specific page layout. Conventional top-down analysis techniques typically depend on such specific assumptions and, therefore, cannot be applied as generally. This invention has practical advantages in optical character recognition systems and may also be employed in document search and retrieval systems wherein a user might select a document category to focus the search. In the latter, the classification of a page image in accordance with the present invention would enable the document type to be accurately classified (e.g., memo, technical report, journal article, etc.). Accordingly, a wide variety of operations can be implemented using the output of these techniques.

Method and apparatus for detecting running text in an image


Controlling the merging of nodes into a single-partition merged system using the nodes' service processors is disclosed. The system runs a single instance of an operating system. A user communicates with a service processor of a predetermined boot node to enter partition configuration information for the system without using a dedicated console. The partition configuration information is stored by the service processor of the boot node, and transmitted from the service processor of the boot node to the service processors of predetermined secondary nodes. The service processor of each secondary node then stores the partition configuration information. At reset, power-up, or power-down of any secondary node, the reset, power,-up or power-down is conveyed to the service processor of the boot node, which resets, starts up, or shuts down the system, including transmitting commands to the service processors of the secondary nodes to individually reset, start up, or shut down.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to merging scalable nodes of a system into a single-partition merged system running a single instance of an operating system (OS), and more particularly to the control of such merging by using the service processors of the nodes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As computing needs for organizations have increased, one common way to obtain greater computing power is to merge a number of scalable multiple-processor and/or single-processor nodes of a system so that the nodes function as a single-partition merged system. This is known as hardware partitioning. Such a system typically runs a single instance of an operating system (OS). The resources of all the nodes are thus conceptually combined, so that in effect the user experiences a single, more powerful computing system functioning as one scaled up node, instead of a number of less powerful nodes.
A traditional approach to combining multiple nodes of a system into a single-partition merged system running a single instance of an OS is to manually configure each node. An administrator interacts directly with each node, configuring each node with the proper partition configuration information, and specifying one of the nodes as the primary, or boot node, and the other nodes as secondary nodes to the primary node. This approach is cumbersome, however, especially where there are more than a few nodes to manually configure, and is prone to user data entry error.
Another approach is to have dedicated hardware that is responsible for configuring the nodes as a single-partition merged system running a single instance of an OS. An administrator interacts with the dedicated hardware, which may be, for instance, a dedicated management console. The hardware is then responsible for ensuring that the nodes operate as a single-partition merged system. However, this approach requires the addition of potentially costly hardware, and may require modification to preexisting systems that do not allow for the addition of such functionality.
A third approach is to have a luck-of-the-draw or timing-based approach programmed into the nodes of the system. When a node boots up, it determines whether a single-partition merged system is already running, and if so, joins the system. If the node does not find a preexisting system to join, it starts one, and becomes the primary node for the new system. The node thus becomes the primary node due to timing issues and the luck of the draw. Such an approach, however, can be complex, and does not provide the administrator with control over which node becomes the primary node.
For these and other reasons, therefore, there is a need for the present invention.

Merging scalable nodes into single-partition merged system using service processors of nodes

International Business Machines Corporation


A large-scale photovoltaic direct current (DC) series boost grid-connected system with a power balancer, including N photovoltaic DC converters and N−1 power balancers, wherein N≥2. The output ends of the photovoltaic DC converters are connected successively in series and then connected to the DC grid, and the input ends of the photovoltaic DC converters are respectively connected to the output ends of the photovoltaic power generation unit. Among the photovoltaic DC converters, which are arranged successively in series, a power balancer is disposed between the input ends of two photovoltaic DC converters adjacent to each other. The N−1 power balancers are arranged corresponding to the set N−1 photovoltaic DC converters respectively to balance the input power of the corresponding photovoltaic DC converter, thereby eliminating a difference between the output voltages of the photovoltaic DC converters.

The development and utilization of new energy such as solar photovoltaic and wind power are an important way to solve the energy crisis and environmental issues. At present, many million kilowatt-scale photovoltaic bases have emerged. Traditional large-scale photovoltaic power stations are usually integrated into the alternating current (AC) transmission network by means of centralized AC collection, boost, and medium/high-voltage AC. Since photovoltaic power stations are becoming larger, the traditional AC grid-connected mode presents problems such as harmonic resonance, inability to absorb and send power, and requires large-capacity reactive power compensation. Also, the conversion equipment and conversion links required for AC grid-connection are numerous and have low-efficiency.
With the rapid development of flexible medium/high voltage DC transmission, currently, the photovoltaic DC boost collection access scheme is used, which can effectively avoid the problem of sending out power in an AC grid connection of traditional photovoltaic power station. Moreover, the photovoltaic DC grid connection can reduce power conversion links, save power conversion equipment, lower system cost, and improve overall system efficiency, which has obvious economic and technological advantages. In particular, the photovoltaic DC series boost grid-connected system has become an active area of research. The technical difficulty of the photovoltaic DC series boost grid-connected system lies in that, when there is a mismatch of input power of the photovoltaic DC converters in the series system, the problems of outputting overvoltage and curtailment will occur in the photovoltaic DC converters.

Large-scale photovoltaic DC series boost grid-connected system with power balancer

INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES


A connector and a package body that can be transported without exposing a filler to the outside and can stably deliver predetermined performance during use are provided. A connector (10) comprises: a pair of a first fitting object (16) and a second fitting object (30); a first opening (29) and a second opening (44) formed respectively in the first fitting object (16) and the second fitting object (30) and opened to a fitting side; and a filler (70) provided inside at least one fitting object of the first fitting object (16) and the second fitting object (30), wherein, before the first fitting object (16) and the second fitting object (30) are fitted together, the filler (70) is located inside of an opening of a corresponding fitting object, and an end surface of the second fitting object (30) on the fitting side forms a plane.

A conventionally known connector has the following structure: A filler is provided on each of a pair of fitting objects to be fitted together, thus protecting a contact portion in a corresponding contact from entry of external foreign matter such as water or dust when the pair of fitting objects are fitted together.
For example, PTL 1 discloses a connector that has a drip-proof structure by causing a pair of elastic annular members of a grommet to adhere to each other when fitting a cover and a main body together.


The present invention relates to new 2-Phenyl-1-4-(amino-1-yl-alk-1-ynyl)-benzyl!-1H-indol-5-ol compounds which are useful as estrogenic agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment utilizing these compounds, which have the general structure below. ##STR1##

The use of hormone replacement therapy for bone loss prevention in post-menopausal women is well precedented. The normal protocol calls for estrogen supplementation using such formulations containing estrone, estriol, ethynyl estradiol or conjugated estrogens isolated from natural sources (i.e. Premarin.RTM. conjugated estrogens from Wyeth-Ayerst). In some patients, therapy may be contraindicated due to the proliferative effects of unopposed estrogens (estrogens not given in combination with progestins) have on uterine tissue. This proliferation is associated with increased risk for endometriosis and/or endometrial cancer. The effects of unopposed estrogens on breast tissue are less clear, but are of some concern. The need for estrogens which can maintain the bone sparing effect while minimizing the proliferative effects in the uterus and breast is evident. Certain nonsteroidal antiestrogens have been shown to maintain bone mass in the ovariectomized rat model as well as in human clinical trials. Tamoxifen (sold as Novadex.RTM. brand tamoxifen citrate by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Del.), for example, is a useful palliative for the treatment of breast cancer and has been demonstrated to exert an estrogen agonist-like effect on the bone, in humans. However, it is also a partial agonist in the uterus and this is cause for some concern. Raloxifene, a benzothiophene antiestrogen, has been shown to stimulate uterine growth in the ovariectomized rat to a lesser extent than Tamoxifen while maintaining the ability to spare bone. A suitable review of tissue selective estrogens is seen in the article "Tissue-Selective Actions Of Estrogen Analogs", Bone Vol. 17, No. 4, October 1995, 181S-190S.
The use of indoles as estrogen antagonists has been reported by Von Angerer, Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 99, No. 7 (1983), Abstract No. 53886u. Also, see, J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 2635-2640; J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30, 131-136. Also see Ger. Offen., DE 3821148 A1 891228 and WO 96/03375. These prior art compounds share structural similarities with the present compounds, but are functionally different. For compounds containing a basic amine, there is no phenyl group to rigidify the side chain.
WO A 95 17383 (Karo Bio AB) describes indole antiestrogens with long straight chains. Another related patent WO A 93 10741 describes 5-Hydroxyindoles with a broad range of side chains. WO 93/23374 (Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Japan) describes compounds sharing structural similarities with those of the present invention, except with the structure referred to as R.sub.3 in the present formulas I and II, below, is defined as thioalkyl and the reference discloses no such compounds having chains from the indole nitrogen having the same structure as the ones provided by the present invention.

2-phenyl-1-4-(amino-1-yl-alk-1-ynyl)-benzyl!-1H-indol-5-ols as estrogenic agents


A device includes a light source configured to emit an image light. The device also includes an optical assembly configured to direct the image light to an eye-box of the device. The optical assembly includes a first optical element portion configured to focus a first portion of the image light propagating through the first optical element portion. The optical assembly also includes a second optical element portion configured to focus a second portion of the image light propagating through the second optical element portion. The second optical element portion includes a liquid crystal (“LC”) lens having an adjustable optical power.

Near-eye displays ("NEDs") have been widely used in, e.g., video playback, gaming, and sports. For example, NEDs such as head-mounted displays ("HMDs") have been used in virtual reality ("VR"), augmented reality ("AR"), or mixed reality ("MR"). It is highly desirable to have an NED that is compact and light-weight, and having a high resolution, a large field of view ("FOV"), and a small form factor. An NED generally has a display element configured to generate an image light that propagates through an optical system to reach an eye (or both eyes) of a user. The optical system includes a plurality of optical elements, such as lenses, waveplates, reflectors, etc., for directing the image light to the eye.

Accommodation bifocal optical assembly and optical system including same


Disclosed embodiments provide a tool and methodologies for increasing security, and ease-of-access for a computer to connect privately to a specific network and or series of network-based services via a network access point without additional setup or configuration operations required of a user of the computer. In accordance with at least some disclosed embodiments, a mechanism and methodologies are provided for adaptive and dynamic provisioning of network devices for private access to network-based services for computers in a real-world environment.

An Access Point ("AP") is a network infrastructure device in a physical location where network-enabled devices may obtain access to telecommunications or computer network, for example, a Local Area Network ("LAN"), Wide Area Network ("WAN"), or the Internet. This access occurs using either wired or wireless networking protocols (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to connect a computer (e.g. computer, laptop, smartphone, etc., collectively, "Computer devices") to an AP that is connected to a LAN, WAN, the Internet and/or one or more private Intranets (collectively, "Networks"). An AP and/or one of the network infrastructure elements (collectively, "Network Devices") control access to a Network and perform functions such as authentication, encryption, segmentation, etc. to facilitate the connection(s) made by Computers. Network Devices may be located in a variety of physical locations to enable users at the locations to connect to a Network, including but not limited to indoor offices, homes, hotels, retail locations, travel locations, outdoor public places, etc.
In telecommunications and computer networking, when two or more Computers join the same Network, they enable a connection between them, either logically, or physically. This connection enables communication between the Computers. These connections are typically organized via protocols and standards, organized and managed by multiple governing bodies within the telecommunications and computer networking community. Standards are typically outlined in Requests for Comments ("RFC") publications from governing bodies such as the Internet Engineering Task Force ("IETF") and Internet Society ("ISOC"), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ("IEEE"), among others. Specifically, the IEEE sets out specifications widely used in networks, known as IEEE 802. Within 802 are standards outlining wired connections (802.3 Ethernet) and wireless connections (802.11).
Typically, Network Devices enable connections to multiple Networks, and then assign access to each Network based on which Device (and corresponding user) is trying to connect. (For example: hotels may make a guest Wi-Fi network with Internet connectivity available to its guests during their stay at the hotel, but those guests do not have access to the LAN). In scenarios where guest users exist, Computers from guests may all connect to the same Network together (e.g. Guest_Wi-Fi_Network), rather than having a Network for each guest (for example, Network_1 for guest 1, Network_2 for guest 2, etc.). These connections are typically shared by all of the guests, regardless of their background, creating a shared network connection between all of the guest Devices.
While communication between Computers is traditionally the goal of joining a Network, the connection of two or more Computers that do not wish to be connected can have unintentional negative security consequences as the Computers are now able to communicate directly, even if they do not wish to do so.
While guests may join a dedicated guest Network to access things like the Internet, they almost never wish to connect their Computers to other Computers that they do not know. These guest networks are typically under-secured due to a number of aspects including, but not limited to, network sharing, shared passwords, no encryption, non-unique encryption, limited user visibility to a Network, and limited Network visibility to the user, among others. As such, Computers in guest environments may be vulnerable to privacy and security issues including, but not limited to eavesdropping, hacking, hijacking, identify theft, including theft of sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, emails, photos, etc.
While there are certain security mechanisms that exist to prevent certain security concerns (e.g. Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 ("WPA2"), Virtual Local Area Networks ("VLAN")), platforms that use the most optimal combination of these security mechanisms do not exist that ensure the highest level of privacy and security.
By creating a private Network on the Network Device that is segmented from other Networks and other Computers, a guest user, their Computer may connect privately without fear of unwanted connections to other Computers. And by offering a user-specific private network, the user may trust that their Computer's connection is unique, private, and secured.

Adaptive and dynamic network provisioning


A display device includes: a first substrate; a gate electrode on the first substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from each other on the semiconductor layer; a first passivation layer including a silicon nitride-based material and on the semiconductor layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; a second passivation layer including a silicon nitride-based material and on the first passivation layer; and a third passivation layer including a silicon nitride-based material and on the second passivation layer, where a content ratio of silicon in the first passivation layer is higher than a content ratio of silicon in the second passivation layer, and the content ratio of silicon in the second passivation layer is higher than a content ratio of silicon in the third passivation layer.

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to a display device in which color distortion caused by a leakage current is effectively prevented, and to a method of manufacturing the display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Display devices are typically classified into liquid crystal display ("LCD") devices, organic light emitting diode ("OLED") display devices, plasma display panel ("PDP") devices, electrophoretic display ("EPD") devices, and the like, based on a light emitting scheme thereof.
An LCD device may include two substrates disposed to face each other and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates.
A plurality of thin film transistors ("TFT") and a pixel electrode are disposed on one of the two substrates of the LCD device, and a driving operation of the pixel electrode may be controlled by the TFT. In such an LCD device, the TFT serves as an on/off switch to allow electric charges or electricity to be transmitted to or blocked from flowing to the pixel electrode.

Display device and manufacturing method thereof


A floating seal ring is disposed within a retainer ring encircling a shaft which extends through the retainer ring. The seal ring is permitted to float radially with respect to the shaft but is retained axially with respect to the shaft. A pin protrudes from the seal ring into a bore in the retainer ring to preclude rotational movement of the seal ring relative to the shaft. The seal ring has an inner diameter which is greater at one end thereof than at the other end thereof so that fluid flow through an annular clearance between the seal ring and the shaft is accelerated. In one embodiment, the seal ring has an annular inner surface that is tapered. In another embodiment, the seal ring has an annular inner surface that is stepped.

Floating seal rings are used in pumps to control fluid leakage and generally consist of a seal ring that floats freely within a retainer ring and encircles a rotary or reciprocating shaft. The annular clearance between the seal ring and the shaft is relatively small (i.e., in the range of 0.001 to 0.002 inch). Hydrostatic pressure generated in the pump causes the seal ring to center itself on the shaft. When a pump is operating, high fluid pressure will exist at one end of the floating seal ring while low fluid pressure will exist at the other end of the floating seal ring. If the shaft is deflected or becomes misaligned, the seal ring may be moved against the shaft and cease to float freely, thereby resulting in an undesirable situation commonly referred to as "hydraulic lock".
Stationary seal rings have also been used in pumps to control fluid leakage around shafts. These stationary seal rings are fixed in a housing and, therefore, do not float freely. They have included an annular inner surface which is tapered.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present floating seal rings. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.


The invention is directed to the use of cpn10 in transplantation and particularly to treatment and/or prevention of graft versus host disease. The invention provides a method of administration of cpn10 to a donor and/or recipient animal or cells, tissues or organs derived from the donor, although in a particularly advantageous form treatment of both the donor and recipient animal. The method may further include the administration to the donor and/or recipient animal at least one other immunosuppressive agent to prevent or alleviate graft versus host disease.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a condition that can develop when immunologically-competent cells have been introduced into an individual, for example during bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. GVHD refers to the immunological process whereby the newly transplanted cells mount a rejection response against host tissue. GVHD can develop after the transplantation or transfusion of bone marrow tissue, haematopoietic stem cells, unirradiated blood products and solid organs containing lymphoid tissue.
There are two types of GVHD, acute and chronic. Acute GVHD develops within the first three months following transplantation and clinical symptoms include dermatitis, enteritis and hepatitis. Chronic GVHD usually develops three months after transplantation and is an autoimmune syndrome affecting multiple organs and tissues, such as the skin, GI tract and liver.
Donor T cells are responsible for triggering the development of GVHD. Donor T cells recognise the host cell antigens as foreign and respond by proliferating and releasing cytokines which in turn may activate cells of the innate immune system.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation or haematopoietic cell transplantation remains the most effective curative therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies, such as leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma and aplastic anaemia. Severe acute GVHD is the primary cause of mortality and morbidity during bone marrow transplantation. Chronic GVHD can also result in death and survivors are often severely disabled.
Immunosuppressive drugs play a large part in the prevention, therapeutic treatment and management of acute and chronic GVHD. The drugs may be administered to the patient before and after the transplant. Current drugs used in the therapeutic treatment of GVHD include cyclosporine, methotrexate, tacrolimus, sacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Immunosuppression regimens often involve the administration of a combination of drugs for maximal effect.
Chaperonin 10 (cpn10) is present in a variety of organisms, from bacteria to humans, and is a member of the heat shock family of proteins (chaperones) which are among the most evolutionary stable proteins in existence. The chaperone molecules are involved in post-translational folding, targeting and assembly of other proteins (Hartman et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 3394-8) but do not themselves form part of the final assembled structure (Ellis et al., 1991, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 60, 321-47). These proteins play essential roles in normal cells but their production is upregulated during cellular stress (eg. metabolic disruption, infection, inflammation, transformation).
It was unexpectedly discovered that chaperonin 10 has the same amino acid sequence as Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) (Morton et al., International Publication WO 95/15338). EPF is a pregnancy-associated substance that appears in the maternal serum within 6-24 hr of fertilization (Morton et al., 1974, Nature, 249; 459-460 and Morton et al., 1976, Proc. R. Soc. Lond., 193; 413-9). It is present for at least the first half of pregnancy and is essential for continued embryonic growth and survival (Morton et al., 1987, Current Topics in Developmental Biology 23; 73-92). It is now clear that EPF has many physiological functions and its production is not confined to pregnancy.
It has been reported that EPF can act as an immunosuppressant, release suppressor factors from lymphocytes (Rolfe et al., 1988, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 73, 219-225) and augment the rosette-inhibiting properties of an immunosuppressive anti-lymphocyte serum (Morton et al., 1974 and 1976, supra). EPF can suppress the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to trinitrochlorobenzene in mice (Noonan et al., 1979, Nature, 278, 649-51), suppress mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation (Athanasas-Platsis, 1993, PhD Thesis, The University of Queensland) and suppress IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells.
However, there has been no direct evidence as to whether EPF or cpn10 may have potential as an immunosuppressive agent in transplantation, and in particular in the prevention of GVHD. Chaperonin 60, a related heat shock protein, which can also act as an immunosuppressant, has not been shown to possess any therapeutic effects in GVHD. In fact, the prior art teaches that heat shock proteins may have adverse effects on transplantation (Ogita et al., 2000, Transplantation, 69, 2273-2277).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A liquid handling apparatus is employed for washing a coated microtiter plate well. The apparatus includes a probe with a bent outlet which is employed for directing the wash current against the sidewall of the well and for creating swirling current of wash liquid upon such sidewall.

The invention relates to devices for evacuating and washing coated microtiter plate wells. More particularly, the invention relates to devices which wash the sidewalls of microtiter plate wells by directing the expression of a current of wash liquid thereupon.
Many homogenous immunoassays employ a separation and wash step in which bound components are separated from unbound components. If the immunoassay is performed in a coated microtiter plate, the separation step entails the evacuation of the liquid phase from each well within the microtiter plate. Since the evacuation may be incomplete, the separation step may be followed by a wash step so as to remove residual unbound components from the solid phase.
A manifold type device for washing coated microtiter plate wells is disclosed by Namba et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,665, incorporated herein by reference. Namba's device includes an array of paired concentric pipes for both aspirating and expressing liquids. Each pair of concentric pipes includes one pipe for aspirating liquid and an other pipe for dispensing liquid. The aspirating pipe is attached to a vacuum manifold; the dispensing pipe is attached to a liquid manifold. The concentric pipes are arrayed so as to be alignable with an array of microtiter plate wells. Namba's device may be employed for simultaneously evacuating liquid from an entire array of microtiter plate wells by immersing the array of concentric pipes within the liquid phase of the array of microtiter wells and then activating the vacuum manifold. Similarly, Namba's device may be employed for simultaneously expressing liquid into the same entire array of microtiter plate wells, by activating the liquid manifold. When liquid is expressed from Namba's device, it is directed toward the bottom of the well.
Since, coated microtiter plate wells may be coated both on the sidewalls and on the bottom, it is desirable to wash both regions as thoroughly as possible. Accordingly, what was sought was a device which could direct the expression of a current of wash liquid onto the sidewalls of coated microtiter plate wells and impart a swirling motion to such current.

Device for washing microtiter plate well with swirling current


A combination selecting unit (20) creates a plurality of element combinations of which each is a combination of two display elements, and selects element combinations in which a distance between two display elements is a threshold value or less. A combination classifying unit (30) selects element combinations, in which any one of color difference, saturation difference, brightness difference, and both brightness and saturation of a color combination of two display elements exceed respective predetermined threshold values, from the element combinations. Then, the combination classifying unit (30) calculates an appearance ratio for each color combination. The appearance ratio is a ratio of the number of the element combinations belonging to the color combination to the total number of the element combinations created by the combination selecting unit (20). A screen determination unit (40) determines that the screen data in which the sum of the appearance ratios exceeds a threshold value has an undesirable color combination which makes the user feel fatigue or discomfort.

As a method and a device which inspect color combinations of screen data displayed on a screen, such as Web content, there are a method disclosed in Patent Document 1, aDesigner (product name: manufactured by IBM), and ColorSelector (product name: manufactured by Fujitsu). For example, a technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 analyzes structures of display elements contained in a document, calculates a difference in each color index (brightness, hue and saturation) of elements in which layers are adjacent with each other, and determines that the document lacks readability in a case where the difference is less than a predetermined threshold value.
As a mechanism which inspects harmony (beauty and comfort) of color combinations between display elements contained in the document and presents examples of appropriate color combinations, there is a method disclosed in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3. The method disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses a calculation algorithm to calculate whether, with respect to display colors of elements displayed on the screen, colors that the user sets satisfy sensitivity conditions that were set in advance by the user (which define a visual state represented by an entire document or an overall tone), and notifies the user of the calculated result.
There is a method disclosed in Patent Document 4, as a method having a mechanism to prevent eye fatigue, in a device which displays an image of a document, and the like. The method disclosed in Patent Document 4 prevents eye fatigue, by harmonizing automatically the brightness of the image and peripheral regions of the image, when the image is displayed by a projector, or the like.

Screen inspection device, screen inspection method, and program


A network device determines whether the network device has a local link for a link aggregation group (LAG), and identifies, when the network device has a local link for the LAG, the network device as a designated forwarder for the LAG. The network device also identifies, when the network device does not have a local link for the LAG, a closest network device to the network device, with a local link for the LAG, as the designated forwarder for the LAG.

Large data center and enterprise networks (e.g., service provider networks) following a two or three tier architecture (e.g., an access layer, an aggregation layer, and a core layer) typically have more than one network device (e.g., a chassis, a switch, a router, etc.) at the aggregation layer. Such an arrangement provides network device-level resiliency. Access layer network devices will typically have connections (e.g., links) to all the aggregation layer network devices for link-level and device-level resiliency. Furthermore, the aggregation layer network devices are interconnected by links which are in the forwarding state all the time. Therefore, if a protocol (e.g., a spanning tree protocol (STP) or other protocols) is executed between two aggregation layer network devices and one access layer network device, a loop may be formed between the three network devices. If failover for the protocol (e.g., the STP) is in the order of seconds, a multi-network device link aggregation may be implemented to prevent looping.
A link aggregation (e.g., as set forth in IEEE 802.3ad) is a computer networking term which describes using multiple links (e.g., Ethernet network cables and/or ports in parallel) as one logical port to increase the link speed beyond the limits of any one single link. Other terms used for link aggregation may include Ethernet trunking, port teaming, network interface card (NIC) bonding, link bundling, and/or a link aggregation group (LAG). A LAG will be used hereinafter to refer to link aggregation.
Current implementations of a multi-network device LAG are either restricted to two network devices (e.g., a two switch aggregation layer model) or have one of the links of the multi-network device LAG in a passive mode. The passive link will switch over to an active mode when an active link becomes disabled (e.g., non-operational). However, these arrangements provide no scalable way to implement a LAG across multiple (e.g., more than two) network devices.

Scalable method to support multi-device link aggregation


A technology is described for generating window images of a program window in a service provider environment and providing the window images to a client device for display on the client device when a preview event is detected on the client device. An example method may include detecting a modification to a program window associated with a program hosted on a computing resource located in a service provider environment, obtaining a window image of the program window capturing a graphical state of the program window, and sending the window image to the client device to allow the client device to display the window image on the client device in response to a preview event on the client device that is associated with the program window.

The advent of virtualization technologies for computing resources has provided benefits with respect to managing large-scale computing resources for many customers of a computing service provider with diverse needs and has allowed various computing resources or computing services to be efficiently and securely shared by multiple customers of the computing service provider. For example, virtualization technologies may allow a single physical computing machine to be shared among multiple customers by providing each customer with one or more computing instances hosted by the single physical computing machine using a hypervisor. Each computing instance may be a guest virtual machine acting as a distinct logical computing system that provides a customer with the perception that the customer is the sole operator and administrator of a virtualized hardware computing resource.
Application software may be loaded on a computing instance and a customer of a computing service provider may be provided with access to the application software. For example, a desktop application that performs defined tasks (e.g., a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, a graphics application, etc.) may be installed on a computing instance located in a service provider environment (e.g., a "cloud" computing environment) and a customer may access the desktop application hosted on the computing instance using a client device (e.g., a laptop or a desktop computer), allowing the customer to remotely access and utilize the desktop application from any client device capable of connecting to the service provider environment.

Accurate local depiction of preview of a program window included in a remote graphical desktop


To provide a compact lifter device, which can attain a work-piece's lifting/lowering operation in a stable supporting state and can reduce the parts number and an assembly load. A lifter device 100 in which a pair of work-piece lifting chains 130, 130 respectively fed movably forward and backward by a pair of regularly/reversely rotatable driving sprockets 120, 120 while being sandwiched by the sprockets includes flexing suppression members 140, 140 disposed oppositely to each other, and each of these flexing suppression members 140, 140 comprises a number of blocks 141 disposed at mounting intervals of two times the chain pitch P on a drawing side of the work-piece lifting/lowering chain 130 and a lifting/lowering support bar 142 of a length corresponding to a chain's upright state, disposed on a feeding side continued to the drawing side of the work-piece lifting/lowering chain 130, so that the flexing suppression members 140, 140 are engaged with each other to lift or lower a work-piece in a chain's upright state of the fed chain.

As a lifter device, which lifts or lowers a work-piece in a chain's upright state with lifting/lowering chains, an elongated feed device for a band body, which successfully performs the feeding of opposed chains and in which a stop position of an operating portion during a power cutting or the like can be maintained in an accurate and simple configuration, has been known (see Japanese Patent Reference 1).
Further, as another lifter device, a feed device for band bodies, which accommodates adjacent band bodies in a compact manner so as to be able to feed the band bodies without making into contact with each other, and can be miniaturized while sufficiently forming the length of an operation portion (see Japanese Patent Reference 2).
Patent Reference 1 is Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei. 9-119495.
Patent Reference 2 is Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei. 9-165196.
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
However, since in the former elongated feed device, a winding angle with respect to a driving sprocket for a chain fed in an elongated manner is 90° or more, there was a problem that an accommodating space for the chain in an elongated feed device cannot be miniaturized. Additionally, since oppositely-connected block-shaped control members serve as a columnar operating portion having rigidity during the feed of the chain, there was a problem that the parts number is increased and significant incorporation manpower is needed, and when a member to be operated is a heavy lift or when feeding of an elongated member is performed at high speed, the member to be operated cannot be sufficiently supported, resulted in a unstable elongated feed state.
Further, since in the latter feed device, control members serve as a columnar operating portion having rigidity, there was a problem that when a member to be operated is a heavy lift or when extended feed is performed at a high speed, the member to be operated cannot be sufficiently supported, resulting in an unstable feed state. Additionally, since the latter device includes a pair of chains having a control member on a pedestal for a lifting/lowering base on which a loading such as an automobile or the like is placed inside the device, there was a problem that a pedestal side space for the lifting/lowering base cannot be designed in a compact manner.
Accordingly, the problems to be solved by the present invention that is the object of the present invention is to provide a compact lifter device, which can attain a work-piece's lifting/lowering operation in a stable supporting state and can reduce the parts number and an assembly load.
Means for Solving the Problems
First, the invention according to claim 1 solves the above-mentioned problems by a lifter device in which a pair of work-piece lifting chains respectively fed movably forward and backward by a pair of regularly/reversely rotatable driving sprockets while being sandwiched by said sprockets includes flexing suppression members disposed oppositely to each other and said flexing suppression members are engaged with each other so that a work-piece is lifted or lowered in a chain's upright state of the fed chain, characterized in that each of said flexing suppression members comprises a number of blocks disposed at mounting intervals of one to two times the chain pitch on a drawing side of said work-piece lifting/lowering chain and a lifting/lowering support bar of a length corresponding to a chain's upright state, disposed on a feeding side continued to the drawing side of said work-piece lifting/lowering chain.
Second, the lifer device according to claim 2 solves the above-mentioned problems by the facts that, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 1, said pair of driving sprockets are oppositely disposed while engagement positions with said pair of work-piece lifting/lowering chains are shifted in a lifting/lowering direction within a range of the chain pitch.


The present invention is embodied in a process for creating a dual damascene structure. The process includes the steps of forming a photoresist film on a substrate, pattern exposing the photoresist film to form a first pattern in the photoresist film, and forming an etch resistant layer in the first pattern. The resistant layer is resistant to a further pattern exposure and etching. The photoresist film is pattern exposed a second time to form a second pattern in the photoresist film. The sections of the photoresist film corresponding to the second pattern are removed and the substrate is etched to form the second pattern in the substrate. The resistant layer is removed and the substrate is etched to form the first pattern in the substrate. Finally, the remaining photoresist film is removed from the substrate.

Integrated circuits are manufactured using lithographic processes. A lithographic process introduces energy onto selected portions of an energy sensitive photoresist material overlying a substrate. Energy is introduced onto selected portions of the photoresist through openings in a mask substrate interposed between the energy source and the photoresist material. These openings in the mask substrate define the pattern. The pattern is transferred into the photoresist material by the energy that is permitted to pass through the openings in the mask substrate and into the photoresist. Thus, it is an image of the pattern defined by the mask substrate that is transferred into the photoresist material.
After the image is transferred into the photoresist material, the photoresist material is developed to form a pattern. The pattern is then transferred by etching into the substrate underlying the photoresist material. Once the pattern is incorporated into the substrate, it becomes a feature of the integrated circuit. The energy used to expose the photoresist material, the composition of the photoresist material, the thickness of the photoresist material, and many other factors affect the ability of a lithographic process to delineate a feature in a substrate. The smaller the design rule, the more precisely the feature must be delineated. For example, design rules for 0.5 .mu.m are being replaced by design rules of less than 0.5 .mu.m.
Another factor which affects the ability of a process to define features in a substrate is the topography of the substrate surface. Substrate surface topography is either planar or non-planar. Non-planar surfaces are referred to as such because their surfaces are not in a single plane. When a photoresist material is applied over a non-planar substrate, the photoresist layer only approximately conforms to the non-planar substrate surface. As a result, the distance between the photoresist surface and the substrate surface tends to be nonuniform. This nonuniformity can adversely affect the pattern developed in a photoresist material because the depth at which the image is focused in the photoresist will also vary. If the depth of focus varies over the photoresist surface, the features resolved in the photoresist may not satisfy the applicable design rules.
The effects of planar and non-planar surfaces on the lithography process are apparent in the formation of dual damascene structures. Dual damascene structures include line trenches and via trenches. Via trenches are formed in the bottom of the line trenches. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a prior art dual damascene structure formed on a substrate 500 in an oxide film 530. The dual damascene structure includes via trenches 520 formed in line trench 510.
Current fabrication techniques used to produce a dual damascene structure include forming a first photoresist film on an oxide film to be etched. The first photoresist film is patterned using a line-pattern mask and etched to form the line-pattern in the oxide film. The remains of the first photoresist film are removed and a second photoresist film is formed on the etched oxide film. The second photoresist is patterned using a via-pattern mask and etched to form the via-pattern in the oxide film. Alternatively, the via-pattern and then the line-pattern may be formed in the oxide film. By using this process, the vias and the lines are formed in the oxide film 530 using two, separate photoresist films.
Results achieved using lithography are typically better when the photoresist is applied to a planar surface such as the surface of the oxide film 530 before any etching. When the surface is planar, the photoresist film may be formed with a uniform thickness. As a result, the focal plane has a uniform thickness. In this case, the line-pattern or the via-pattern may be formed in the photoresist film with high fidelity.
In the prior art example above, it is relatively easy to transfer the line-pattern to the photoresist film with high resolution and high fidelity across the surface using state-of-the-art lithographic equipment and materials because the initial surface of the oxide film is planar. Then the line-pattern in the photoresist may be transferred to the substrate with high resolution and high fidelity using reactive ion etching. The surface of the substrate is now non-planar because of this first step. Next, the vias are formed. The photoresist film used to form vias is applied on the non-planar surface. As is shown in FIG. 15, a typical line-pattern consists of large variations in both line widths and space widths. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a photoresist film 550 for forming the via-pattern on an oxide film 552 after the line-pattern has been etched into the oxide film 552. The line-pattern density varies across the oxide film 552 from low (narrow lines and wide spaces) in the line-pattern-density region 554 to high (wide lines and narrow spaces) in the line-pattern-density region 556.
The via photo resist film 550 is thick in the low line-pattern-density region 554 and thin in the high line-pattern-density region 556. As a result, the focal plane varies because the thickness of the photoresist film 550 varies from region 554 to region 556. Reference lines 558, 560, and 562 illustrate the variations in the thickness of the photoresist film 550. It is more difficult to produce a good via-pattern in the photoresist film 550 using the same state-of-the-art lithographic equipment and materials used to form the line-pattern because the starting surface is non-planar.
A comparison of reference lines 558 and 560 illustrates a second problem caused by forming the via photoresist film 550 on the non-planar oxide film 552. The photoresist film 550 is thicker in a trench than it is in the field surrounding the trench. Usually, the thickness of the photoresist film is selected so that some photoresist material will remain in the field, the area surrounding the via structure 564, after the etch is complete. Typically, the thickness of the photoresist film is also minimized because it is easier to form minimum-sized structures in a thinner photoresist film. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the via structure 564 is in a trench where the photoresist is thick. As a result, an increased exposure dose is necessary to expose the thick photoresist which makes it more difficult to produce minimum-sized vias. The line and via-patterns are therefore more difficult to produce which causes yield loss, the use of more expensive equipment, and more rework. Reversing the process to apply vias first and lines second provides little or no relief from these problems.

Process of forming a dual damascene structure in a single photoresist film

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to a hermetic seal assembly used with a bag to provide a hermetic seal for the bag that can be opened and closed while maintaining the hermetic seal for the bag and materials stored therein. The hermetic seal assembly can include a lid and a collar, wherein the collar can be releasably affixed to the bag or integrated into an opening of the bag. The lid can include a sampling port and a corresponding removeable cap.

The use of large bags of fabric, commonly called flexible, intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) or simply bulk bags, has become commonplace for transporting bulk quantities of materials (e.g., powdered materials, granular materials, liquids, etc.). Bulk bags can be lifted, moved, or transported by forklift trucks and other material handling equipment having hooks or tines. The cloth for the bulk bags is usually woven of strong, tape-like man-made plastic fibers (e.g., polypropylene, among others), though natural fibers can be employed. Flexible intermediate bulk containers have come into widespread use for receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging flowable materials of all types.
Bulk bags can also be fabricated to include an inner layer to prevent atmospheric infiltration or prevention of exposure to ambient humidity conditions. Often, a foil laminate can be included as an inner layer to limit moisture pickup. For example, a bulk bag can house a flux material that is susceptible to moisture pickup and can lead to diffusible hydrogen in the weld metal. Although the bulk bag having an inner layer of foil laminate can limit exposure to moisture, the foil laminate effectiveness is reduced upon opening of the bulk bag.
Accordingly, an improved bulk bag assembly, system, or methodology addressing these concerns is needed.

Hermetic seal for foil-lined FIBC (bulk bag)


A loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use includes a washer that is axially movable on a threaded stud, a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud, and a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis. One of the washer and the nut may include a plurality of protrusions while the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents. The protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions. Rotating the nut on the stud while in contact with the washer results in distinct, audible clicks which may be counted to obtain a pre-determined tightness.

The fastening of components and structures using cooperating threaded techniques is a standard methodology. Innovation in the art of threaded fastening continues as an active area. Conditions of high vibration, temperature cycling, cold flow, and creep are just a few environments which continually test the state-of-the art.
As plastic material is continually substituted into various applications because of desired weight reduction and other economic factors, improved methods of assuring secure fastening of plastic components without increased risk of breakage are sought. Plastics are notorious for premature failure due to overstress and long term stress cycling. This is particularly apparent with threaded plastics.

Loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use


In a rotary piston and cylinder device (1) having a stator and a rotor, in which the stator at least partially defines an annular cylinder space and the rotor includes at least one piston that extends from the rotor into the cylinder space, and in which, during use, the piston moves through the annular cylinder space on rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, wherein at least part of an outer surface (30) of the rotor (22) is a substantially frusto-conical shaped surface.

Rotary piston and cylinder devices can be configured for a variety of applications, such as an internal combustion engine, a fluid pump such as a supercharger, or as an expander such as a steam engine or turbine replacement.
A rotary piston and cylinder device comprises a rotor and a stator, the stator at least partially defining an annular cylinder space, the rotor may be in the form of a ring, and the rotor comprising at least one piston which extends from the rotor ring into the annular cylinder space, in use the at least one piston is moved circumferentially through the annular cylinder space on rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, the rotor body being sealed relative to the stator, and the device further comprising cylinder space shutter means which is capable of being moved relative to the stator to a closed position in which the shutter means partitions the annular cylinder space, and to an open position in which the shutter means permits passage of the at least one piston, the cylinder space shutter means comprising a shutter disc.
The term 'piston' is used herein in its widest sense to include, where the context admits, a partition capable of moving relative to a cylinder wall, and such partition need not generally be of substantial thickness in the direction of relative movement but can often be in the form of a blade. The partition may be of substantial thickness or may be hollow. The shutter disc may present a partition which extends substantially radially of the annular cylinder space.
Although in theory the shutter means could be reciprocable, it is preferred to avoid the use of reciprocating components, particularly when high speeds are required, and the shutter means is preferably at least one rotary shutter disc provided with at least one aperture which in the open condition of the shutter means is arranged to be positioned substantially in register with the circumferentially-extending bore of the annular cylinder space to permit passage of the at least one piston through the shutter disc.
We have devised an improved rotor.
The geometry of the surface interacting with the disc of the rotor for a rotary cylinder device is governed by the curved outer face of the rotating shutter disc that forms the end face of the cylinder, and allows the piston (blade) to pass through an aperture in the shutter disc at the end of a stroke. Depending on the specific configuration this shape can vary, but is in any event substantially curved. A solution apparent to one skilled in the art would therefore be for the outer face of the rotor to be substantially similar and curved with respect to the inner face, resulting in a substantially constant wall thickness, as shown by the rotor in FIG. 1, which has an axis of rotation A-A. The rotor is of substantially convex form, and may be viewed as a dished ring, which an aperture provided at the apex thereof. Such a solution decreases inertia of the rotor, and minimises the volume of working fluid contained in the outlet port, an example of which is described below and shown in FIG. 3. This port volume is the volume that can be taken up by the working fluid within the outlet port of the rotor, through which it passes from the cylinder to the outlet of the device, contained in the stator. Once the rotor passes the outlet aperture on the stator at the end of the stroke, any working fluid within the volume of the port is carried past the disc to the start of the cycle. This fluid represents both a loss in volumetric efficiency of the device, and a decrease in pumping efficiency in most configurations of the device, as the power used to do work on the fluid is wasted since it re-enters the cylinder while the inlet port is still open.
We have realised that it is significantly simpler to manufacture and inspect the accuracy of a conical surface as it does not require the use of user-implemented gauges, and significantly decreases the duration of digital inspection.


A DC to DC converter circuit includes circuitry for generating a PWM waveform signal at a phase node of a DC to DC converter responsive to an input voltage and a monitor output voltage. The circuitry further includes a high side switching transistor connected between the input voltage and a phase node and a low side switching transistor connected between the phase node and ground. An output filter is connected to the circuitry for generating the PWM waveform signal. The output filter includes an inductor having a first side connected to the phase node and a second side connected to an output voltage node. Detection circuitry detects zero current crossings in the inductor responsive to a voltage across the high side switching transistor and a voltage across the low side switching transistor.

DC to DC voltage regulators are used for maintaining a consistent output voltage for application to digital and analog circuitries within various circuit devices. An applied input voltage may vary for various reasons. However, despite these variances in the input voltage it is necessary to maintain the voltage applied to various internal circuitries at a consistent level that does not adversely effect the operation of the associated circuit. A DC to DC voltage converter adequately provides this functionality. The DC to DC voltage converter includes an inductor therein having a current passing there through. Effectively sensing the zero crossing of this inductor current within the DC to DC converter is an important feature for synchronous DC to DC converters.
The zero crossing detection of the inductor current is a critical factor that the DC to DC converter needs in order to determine on/off state of the low side switching transistor in order to save energy and improve the overall efficiency at the DC to DC converter. Improving the efficiency will enable the extension of the battery life of the associated electrical circuit. In prior art environments, the inductor current zero crossing is detected by sensing voltage through the low side switching transistor. Typically, when determining zero inductor current, a determination is made when the current decreases from a particular value to zero. The inductor current decreases only when the low side switching transistor is turned on. This makes traditional zero crossing sensing techniques applicable only during the on condition of the low side switching transistor.
However, the use of the low side switching transistor to determine a conductor current zero crossing has certain limitations. One limitation arises when the switching frequency of the switching transistors of the DC to DC converter increases. As the switching frequency increases, the switching cycle becomes shorter. Therefore for the same duty cycle, both the turn on and the turn off time become smaller. At particular points, the turn on time of the low side switching transistor is so short that the length of time that the transistor is turned on is not sufficient to enable a sensing device to respond to the "on" state of the low side switching transistor. This causes a problem with using the low side switching transistor "on" condition as an indication of zero crossing inductor current sensing. Thus, there is a need for a improved method for detecting inductor current zero crossings in a DC to DC converter.

High-side sensing of zero inductor current for step down DC-DC converter


An apparatus for providing dorsiflexion assistance in an orthotic device having ankle and foot sections joined by a hinge connection. The orthotic device may be, for example, an ankle foot orthotic or a night splint. The apparatus includes an elastic member, such as an elastomeric strap, having a first end that is attached to an upper portion of the ankle section of the orthotic device, and a cable that connects a second end of the elastic member to the foot section of the device at a position that is spaced anteriorly from the hinge connection, so that tension supplied by the elastic member creates dorsiflexion torque about the hinge connection. A tension adjuster is provided to allow the amount of torque to be adjusted to meet individual needs. An optional cable guard protects the cable from interference, and can also be used as a cable stop that effectively increases dorsiflexion force to compensate for loss of tension due to shortening of the elastic member upon dorsiflexion. The cable member may be attached to the foot section by routing it through a channel in a bridge piece under the arch area of the foot section of the device. The characteristics and amount of torque can be adjusted by adjusting the distance by which the cable attachment is spaced anteriorly (forward) of the hinge connection. The assist apparatus can readily be mounted to existing orthotic devices without requiring significant modification of the latter.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), and, more particularly, to AFOs which assist in dorsiflexion of the foot.
2. Related Art
Foot drop in a patient can result from several causes. The most common are physical trauma to the tibial nerve, multiple sclerosis, spinal injury and strokes. As a result a person may loose the tone and the ability to contract the dorsal flexors of the foot. This in turn causes a problem termed "foot drop" in which the person points their foot when walking, which results in the person increasing their height of gait in an effort to avoid tripping or dragging their own foot.
The industry has responded to this condition with devices that actively resist plantar flexion. Several early devices utilized a torsion spring in the hinge joint of the AFO. This was only marginally successful, since the joint was large and the spring lost torsion quickly as the foot dorsiflexed.
A more modern device is the Tamarack™ joint developed by Carlson (U.S. Pat. No. D385,358). This device is still widely used today, and is relatively inexpensive to produce, easy to install, and performs successfully in a moderate amount of cases. Nevertheless, it possesses several drawbacks.
For example, in order to use the Tamarack™ joint an AFO must be vacuum-formed specifically for that joint. If it turns out that the patient does not like dorsiflexion assist the AFO can not be changed over to a conventional AFO, and therefore a new AFO must be built. Conversely, patients that have a deteriorating condition, such as MS, may have no need for dorsiflexion assist initially, but in time may deteriorate to a point that need arises in this case; the previously built conventional AFO will need to be discarded and replaced with a new brace incorporating the Tamarack™ joint. This is time consuming and costly. Furthermore, the manner in which the mechanism applies torque is not optimal for treating foot drop: Because the joint relies only on the elongation of the elastic material, as the material stretches the amount of torque exerted through the joint increases more-or-less linearly, i.e., the farther the joint is plantarflexed the more torque it exerts. This is counter to the biomechanics of the foot, since, at a standing position, the calf muscles are not tensed and do not offer much resistance, but as the foot is dorsal-flexed the calf muscles resist due to tension being applied to them through a stretch reflex. However, the Tamarack™ joint rapidly loses tension as the foot is dorsiflexed, and as a result loses the ability to properly dorsiflex the foot. Furthermore, the joint is limited to a peak torque of approximately 2.5 foot/pounds; in many cases this is inadequate to properly dorsiflex the foot, especially with large persons or persons exhibiting spasticity.
The device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,774 tries to rectify several weaknesses in the Tamarack™ joint. This device addresses the loss in torque by using moment arms to create the torque. This in turn produces torque more uniformly through the range of motion. The device utilizes two hooks over which a small strip of rubber tubing is stretched; as the AFO is plantar-flexed the tubing is stretched and its elasticity creates tension. There are several disadvantages to this ankle joint: It is very large and cumbersome, creating fabrication problem for the orthopedist, and as with the Tamarack™ it requires that the AFO be specifically made for the joint.
The device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,217 approached this problem using an elastic strap attached at a location proximate the first metatarsal of the foot. This has several problems in that dorsiflexing the foot results in the elastic material rapidly decreasing in length, leading to a rapid fall-off in tension. This decrease in tension is undesirable. Moreover, the path of the elastic material is undesirable as the shoe may interfere with it and render the device unusable.
In summary, existing devices fail to address the biomechanical properties of the ankle joint with proper torque curves. This results in incomplete dorsiflexion and fails to meet the requirements of many individuals, especially those who fall outside the norm. The dorsiflexion assist devices in use today also cannot be incorporated into or adapted to existing AFOs, and therefore require that AFOs be fabricated specifically for their use.
The issues noted above have been discussed in the context of AFOs, but it will be understood that they pertain to dorsiflexion assist devices that are used with night splints as well.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a dorsiflexion assist device for use with ankle foot orthoses and night splints that applies torque in a manner consistent with the biomechanics of the patient's foot. Furthermore, there exists a need for such an apparatus that is adapted to and used with existing AFOs and night splints, so that fabrication of a special AFO or night splint is not required in order to be able to provide dorsiflexion assistance. Still further, there exists a need for such an apparatus that allows the torque characteristics to be adjusted to meet the specific needs of the patient. Still further, there exists a need for such an apparatus that is not bulky and that can be used without interference being caused by a shoe. Still further, there exists a need for such an apparatus that is durable and long-lasting, and that will not lose effectiveness over an extended period of use.

Apparatus for providing dorsiflexion assistance in ankle foot orthoses and night splints


The invention relates to a method for improved gravity drainage in a hydrocarbon formation, the method comprising: drilling a production well along a substantially horizontal production layer of a reservoir; drilling a perforation well above the production well, either in the production layer or in a layer separated from the production layer by a fluid barrier; perforating the formation adjacent the perforation well to provide a fluid flow path to or within the production layer; inducing gravity drainage through the fluid flow path; and producing fluids collected in the production well.

Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is one technique used in enhanced oil recovery to extract bitumen, heavy or extra-heavy crude oil from a sub-surface formation. It usually comprises the drilling of two parallel horizontal wells with one positioned about 4 to 6 meters above the other. The upper well constitutes an injection well configured to inject high pressure steam into the formation to heat the oil and reduce its viscosity. The heated oil then flows more easily to the lower well, under the action of gravity. The lower well constitutes a production well which collects the heated oil and any water resulting from condensation of the injected steam, and transports this to the surface. Commonly, an artificial lift device, such as an electrical submersible pump (ESP), will be employed to help flow the fluids to the surface.
However, traditional SAGD depends on relatively thick and homogeneous reservoirs for economical drainage. A reservoir which is split into two or more layers separated with horizontal (or near horizontal) rock (e.g. shale) barriers is not likely to be economically producible with traditional SAGD since it would require drilling two wells into each reservoir layer, one for each of the injection and production wells.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a method for improved gravity drainage, which addresses the afore-mentioned problems.

Method for improved gravity drainage in a hydrocarbon formation


A charge control agent whose active ingredient is a calix(n)arene compound represented by formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alicyclic group;. R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and PA1 n represents an integer of 1 to 8, is provided, which can be incorporated into a toner for developing electrostatic images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner for developing electrostatic images used for electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing and other purposes, and a charge control agent capable of controlling the amount of charges of the toner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In copying machines and other apparatuses based on electrophotography, various dry or wet toners containing a coloring agent, a fixing resin and other substances are used to visualize (develop) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor having a light-sensitive layer containing an inorganic or organic photoconductive substance.
The chargeability of such toners is the most important factor in electrostatic latent image developing systems. Thus, to appropriately control the charge amount of toner, a charge control agent providing a positive or negative charge is often added to the toner.
Examples of charge control agents providing a positive charge for toner in actual application include the nigrosine dyes disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2427/1966 and other publications. Examples of charge control agents providing a negative charge for toner include the metal complex dyes described in Japanese Patent Examined Publication Nos. 20153/1966, 17955/1968 and 26478/1970 and other publications.
However, most of the above-mentioned charge control agents have a complex structure and their stability is low. For example, they are liable to decompose or deteriorate to lose their charge control performance due to mechanical friction and impact, changes in temperature or humidity, electric shocks, light irradiation and other causes. In addition, most of them have been relatively densely colored, thus lacking versatility for use in color toners.
In recent years, various charge control agents free of such problems have been disclosed, including the metal complexes of salicylic acid or derivatives thereof disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,064 and 4,656,112, and the metal complexes of aromatic oxyaldehydes disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 206769/1988.
However, these charge control agents are insufficient with respect to resin affinity, dispersibility, etc., and in addition, they comprise a compound containing a heavy metal such as chromium, cobalt, copper or zinc; most of them involve a problem in safety or hygiene to the human body.
On the other hand, there are known toners supplemented with various phenol compounds for the purpose of improving the fixability and offset property of the toner or preventing the deterioration of a surface-treated carrier. For example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 138357/1988 discloses a toner containing an oligomer of a phenol compound having an alkyl-substituted amino group. Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 291569/1990 discloses a toner incorporating a coloring agent resulting from treatment of a xanthene dye with a compound having a phenolic OH group. Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 266462/1988 discloses toners containing a compound such as
2,6-di-tertiary-butyl-p-cresol, PA1 2,6-di-tertiary-butyl-4-ethylphenol, PA1 2,2'-methylene-bis-(4-methyl-6-tertiary-butylphenol) or PA1 2,2'-methylene-bis-(4-ethyl-6-tertiary-butylphenol). PA1 n represents an integer of 1 to 8.
However, the developing agents incorporating such a toner do not have sufficient chargeability, though they are excellent in fixability, offset resistance and durability.
The object of the present invention, developed in view of the above problems involved in conventional methods, is to provide a charge control agent which is good in heat resistance, pulverizability and resin affinity and dispersibility, excellent in charge control property stability to changes in temperature and humidity, i.e., environmental resistance, and stability of charge control property over time, i.e., storage stability, versatile for use in color toners, including the three subtractive primaries yellow, magenta and cyan colors, and safe to the human body, and a toner for developing electrostatic images which is excellent in environmental resistance and storage stability with respect to chargeability and can be used as a toner with various chromatic or achromatic colors.
Although one of the present inventors has already developed the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 201378/1990, the present invention is directed to providing a charge control agent offering more rapidly rising charging and a toner of developing electrostatic images permitting a more rapid rise of charging.

Charge control agent and tower for developing electrostatic images


A bandage type sensor arrangement wherein the sensor includes two parts movable with respect to each other, a carrier assembly is connected to the sensor parts for maintaining the sensor parts in place prior to use, and that is readily detachable for releasing the sensor parts while providing a connection of the sensor parts to a surface to be monitored. A cover is included as part of the carrier assembly to protect the operation of the sensor.

With the ever increasing growth of automated systems used in industrial and medical systems, there is the need for new, low cost and improved sensor apparatus or appliance and means for applying the sensors to substrates to detect movements thereof and for maintaining the sensors in place during tests. In the field of medicine there is continued research and development underway for measuring body internal and external physiological properties by non-intrusive means. This is particularly so as the sensors become miniaturized so as to be attached to the body and be worn with minimal discomfort, allowing the patient a significant amount of freedom of movement without impacting the tests underway.
As the sensors are reduced in size, it becomes more difficult to attach the sensors to the body, particularly if the sensors are in the form of at least two separate movable parts that need to be kept together in a predetermined relationship as they are secured in place for use. Furthermore, depending upon the application of the sensor function and the duration of attachment, it is desirable to have a cover for the sensor so as to reduce the likelihood sensor is moved or dislodged.
A good deal of medical tests made on the body are now performed by nurses and technicians. It is therefore important to simplify the application of the sensors. Further it is desirable if the cost of the sensor and application apparatus therefore can be manufactured to be cost effective as entirely disposable or reusable in part.
Disposable probes, or probes reusable in part, have been developed in the area of oximetry, the study and measurement of oxygen status of blood flow, that are readily attachable and detachable to patients and are disposable units or disposable in part. These probes include a light emitter and a light detector that are placed on opposite sides of a finger, toe or earlobe and the blood oxygen saturation level is detected by the differential absorption of the light waves at several wavelengths. Examples of such probes are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,786, issued on Dec. 18, 1992 to Thomas et al and entitled "Reusable Probe System," and U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,449, May 2, 2006 to Ammar Al-Ali and entitled "Resposable Pulse Oximetry Sensor." However these sensors are not involved in measuring movements.
In a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/321,161, filed on Dec. 29, 2005, entitled Sensor for Monitoring Movements, Apparatus and Systems Therefore, and Method for Manufacturing and Use, for the same inventor William T. Cochran, and owned by the same entity that owns the present application, a bandage type arrangement for a sensor for detecting movement is disclosed. The bandage type arrangement includes a flexible tape with a thin resilient plastic nodule type projection that partially encases the sensor. The nodule includes two caps or projections extending there from that loosely capture the ends of the sensor keeping the sensor parts in place. When applying the bandage type senor arrangement, an adhesive is applied to the opposite free ends of the sensor and the nodule depressed to flex and urge the glued ends of the sensor ends against the substrate under test and adhere thereto, and then the nodule is released to flex back and away from the sensor allowing the sensor parts to move with changes in the substrate.
Although the nodule type bandage sensor arrangement is satisfactory, a lower cost and simplified version is also desirable.

Bandage type sensor arrangement and carrier assembly therefore, and method of manufacture


An animal-resistant system for inhibiting access to refuse containers by animals is disclosed. The system comprises at least one latch mechanism, at least one actuation member, at least one shroud member, and a cover defining an opening which permits access to the actuation member. The actuation member communicates with the latch mechanism so as to move the latch mechanism between the latched and unlatched positions. In the latched position, the latch mechanism secures the container lid to the container base, substantially inhibiting access to the container. The access hole and actuation member are dimensioned and positioned on the container in a selected manner so as allow human hands access to the actuation member and unlatch the container while simultaneously inhibiting such access by animals. The shrouds are further configured to inhibit forcible entry into the container when the system is latched.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to latching systems and, in particular, concerns a latching system for use with a container to inhibit access to the interior of the container by animals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Food and food-containing refuse generated by humans can attract the attention of animals in areas adjacent to animal habitats. Animals, such as bears, have a keen sense of smell and can easily detect food which is stored or discarded in containers left outdoors such as storage lockers and refuse bins on streets or in parks. Because these outdoor containers are accessible and plentiful, they are an attractive source of food for animals compared to foraging in their natural habitat. Furthermore, once animals learn that this source of food is available, they may lose their wariness towards humans and frequently return to areas where the food was located, increasing the probability of an animal-human encounter.
The attraction of animals, and bears in particular, to human populated areas is problematic. The size and strength of some animals, bears, for example, makes them a potential threat to people or property they encounter while attempting to access containers containing food. Further, animals entering settled areas can become injured or killed by moving automobiles, electrical lines, and other human technologies. Thus, to protect people, property, and the animals themselves, it is desirable to inhibit animals from accessing containers storing food and food containing refuse.
Latch systems are commonly placed on containers for this purpose. For example, a common latch system employs a latch which is actuated by a pair of thumb and finger clips to secure the lid of the container in place when the lid is closed. Other systems may further employ large, heavy reinforcing components on the lid of a container, designed to inhibit animals from physically damaging the container in order to gain access.
These latch systems are problematic, however. In one aspect, the latches can require significant dexterity to operate, presenting difficulties for children, the elderly, or the handicapped. In another aspect, these latch mechanisms may require a user to re-engage the latch after each use. Should the user forget to re-engage the latch, the receptacle is vulnerable to animals. In a further aspect, the latches are not guarded against animal access. Thus, animals, by luck, persistence, or cleverness, may succeed in operating the latch to open the container.
In an additional aspect, the reinforcing components can cause premature failure of the container. The reinforcing components may comprise solid, heavy components attached to the container lid which are designed to resist deformation from an animal attempting forcible entry into a container. The added weight of the reinforcing components, however, typically causes damage to container hinge after repeated use of the container. As a result, repair or replacement of the container is required, at the expense of the owner.
These deficiencies in current latch designs illustrate the need for improved animal-resistant latch systems which are easy to use and mechanically robust, while also reducing the potential for user error.