A fluid mixing device (1) includes a chamber (3) and a bluff body (4) defining one end of the chamber (3). A first fluid inlet (5) is located toward an opposite end of the chamber (3) from the bluff body (4) and arranged to direct fluid toward the bluff body (4). A region substantially surrounding the bluff body (4) has a flow divider (8) defining second fluid inlet(s) (11) to the chamber (3) and mixed fluid outlets (12) from the chamber (3). A fluid flow from the first fluid inlet (5) and/or from the second fluid inlet (11) establishes a recirculating vortex system (14) within the chamber and results in a mixture of fluids from the first fluid inlet (5) and the second fluid inlet(s) (11) being directed through the mixed fluid outlets (12).

Numerous applications exist in which a burner is required to provide a stable flame while being subjected to winds or draughts of widely variable direction and speed, and under highly turbulent, or gusting conditions. Examples include flares, camping stoves, ceremonial torches and pilot burners in boilers and other industrial applications.
Flame stability is commonly achieved by the generation of a flow recirculation or a vortex flow pattern, either in the wake of a bluff-body or within the "vortex breakdown" associated with strongly swirling flows. While such flame holders are very successful in the relatively well defined conditions that occur within industrial combustion systems, they usually require that the combustion air be introduced through the burner in a carefully controlled manner in order to generate the necessary flow recirculation. The size, strength and stability of the recirculating flow is usually influenced by cross draughts in the furnace, or in the case of a flare, by the wind. To overcome the problem of sensitivity to the direction of the wind or cross-draught, the ideal aerodynamic flame holder should produce a recirculating flow pattern which is
(1) independent of the direction of the wind or cross draught, and
(2) insensitive to sudden changes in speed or to wind gusts.
A limiting factor in flame stability is the propagation speed of the flame front. Flame speed is a function of the fuel type and the air/fuel ratio and the turbulence. For most hydrocarbon fuels, the flame speed in a laminar flow (i.e. laminar flame speed) is typically less than 0.5 m/s. Although it is possible to produce stable flames in turbulent flows where the mean flow speed is an order of magnitude higher than the laminar flame speed, the actual local flame speed is still limited by the laminar flame speed. In contrast, instantaneous wind speeds in gusting conditions readily exceed 20 m/s and can reach speeds of 100 m/s or more. Hence a further purpose of a flame holder is to provide an aerodynamic "shield" which protects the flame (or at least the root of the flame) from high speed wind gusts. The aerodynamic shield provides a zone in which the flow speed is limited to the range of values necessary for good flame stability.


A method of depositing a layer includes spraying a source gas and a reactant gas onto a substrate disposed on a susceptor unit using at least one source gas spray nozzle and at least one reactant gas nozzle to form a first source gas region and a first reactant gas region on the substrate, respectively, moving the susceptor unit by a distance corresponding to a width of the source gas spray nozzle or a width of the reactant gas spray nozzle in a first direction, and spraying the source gas and the reactant gas onto the first reactant gas region and the first source gas region using the source gas spray nozzle and the reactant gas nozzle, respectively, to form a first monolayer.

Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to semiconductor manufacturing methods and apparatuses. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to methods of depositing atomic layers and atomic layer deposition apparatuses.
Discussion of the Background
An atomic layer deposition (ALD) method is a surface controlled process which results in two-dimensional layer-by-layer deposition. The ALD method is conducted in a surface kinetic regime, thereby ensuring excellent step coverage. In ALD method, source gas and reactant gas are applied periodically, chemical exchange takes place, and a thin film is formed with very high density. Moreover, since by-products generated in the ALD method are always gas, it is easy to remove the by-products using an exhaust nozzle.
Generally, in the ALD method, the substrate should be moved in and out of a gas sprayed region onto which gas is sprayed by a gas spray unit. To maintain the uniformity of the thin film, the gas spray unit should maintain a fixed distance from the gas sprayed region. The fixed distance between the gas spray unit and the gas sprayed region is maintained by the substrate when the substrate is within the gas sprayed region. When the substrate is moved out of the gas sprayed region, however, extra plates (i.e., buffer plates) may be arranged at both sides of the substrate to maintain the fixed distance. Further, each buffer plate should have a length corresponding to a length of the substrate, or an entire length of the gas spray unit.
As the size of the display panel increases, the length of each buffer plate increases correspondingly, thus increasing the size of the atomic layer deposition apparatus. As the size of the atomic layer deposition apparatus increases, a tact time of the ALD method is increased, a usage of gas is increased, and the uniformity of the thin film is decreased.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form any part of the prior art nor what the prior art may suggest to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


An imaging device may be configured to monitor a field of view for various objects or events occurring therein. The imaging device may capture a plurality of images at various focal lengths, identify a region of interest including one or more semantic objects therein, and determine measures of the levels of blur or sharpness within the regions of interest of the images. Based on their respective focal lengths and measures of their respective levels of blur or sharpness, a focal length for capturing subsequent images with sufficient clarity may be predicted. The imaging device may be adjusted to capture images at the predicted focal length, and such images may be captured. Feedback for further adjustments to the imaging device may be identified by determining measures of the levels of blur or sharpness within the subsequently captured images.

Today, imaging devices such as video cameras are frequently used for conducting surveillance or monitoring operations. For example, video cameras are commonplace in financial settings such as banks or casinos, where money changes hands in large amounts or at high rates of speed. Video cameras are also often used to monitor the arrival or departure of goods or services in warehouses, fulfillment centers or other like facilities, as well as the travels of persons or objects in locations such as airports, stadiums or other dense environments, or the flow of traffic on one or more sidewalks, roadways or highways.
When conducting surveillance or monitoring operations, video cameras may be aligned and configured to capture imaging data such as still or moving images of actions or events within their respective fields of view, and information regarding the captured imaging data or the observed actions or events may be configured and subjected to further analysis in order to identify aspects, elements or features of the content expressed therein. Such video cameras may be provided alone or in groups, and programmed to recognize when an action or event has occurred, such as when a frame-to-frame analysis of video imagery suggests that a predetermined threshold has been exceeded or that a predetermined condition has been satisfied, or otherwise implies that the action or the event has occurred based on information or data captured by the video cameras.
In dynamic environments such as transportation centers or fulfillment centers in which diverse collections of people, objects or machines enter and exit from such environments at regular or irregular times or on predictable or unpredictable schedules, it is difficult to determine which portions of a field of view of an imaging device should be kept in focus, e.g., by adjusting one or more lenses or other components to place such portions within a depth of field of the imaging device, at a given time. In particular, where an imaging device has a fixed orientation, or where the field of view of the imaging device includes large numbers of people, objects or machines that have varying sizes or shapes and travel at varying velocities, determining a person, an object or a machine on which the imaging device should be focused, and on which of the people, objects or machines the imaging device need not focus, may be exceptionally challenging.

Focus specification and focus stabilization


New compounds useful in photodynamic therapy are of the formula

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) generally involves the administration of compounds that are capable of absorbing light, typically in the visible range, but also in the near ultraviolet, followed by irradiation of locations in the subject for which a toxic or inhibitory effect is desired. PDT was initially developed using hematoporphyrin and related compounds in the treatment of tumors, as it appeared that these compounds would "home" to locations containing rapidly dividing cells. The tumor could then be irradiated with light absorbed by the hematoporphyrin and destruction of the surrounding tissue resulted. PDT has since been shown to be useful for treatment of atherosclerotic plaques, restenosis, infections in the blood stream, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and in the treatment of ocular conditions not necessarily limited to tumors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,749 and patents issuing on related applications, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,255; 5,399,583; 4,883,790; 4,920,143; and 5,095,030; all of which are incorporated herein by reference, describe and claim a class of photoactive compounds useful in PDT designated the monohydrobenzoporphyrins, or "BPDs." This class is obtained by Diels-Alder reaction of a mono- or disubstituted alkyne with protoporphyrin-IX and the resultant compounds can further be isomerized, reduced, and/or derivatized to obtain a large class of BPDs. As disclosed in these patents, a particularly useful subclass of this group results from hydrolysis or partial hydrolysis of the ester groups of the 2-carboxyethyl side-chains on rings C and D. Esterification as protection of these groups during the Diels-Alder reaction results in initial products which contain 2-carbalkoxyethyl groups. It was found that facile hydrolysis of these esters could readily be conducted, leaving any carbalkoxy groups associated with the Diels-Alder product obtained from a dicarbalkoxyalkyne virtually completely unhydrolyzed. This resulted in four species of compounds, BPD-MA, BPD-MB, BPD-DA and BPD-DB as depicted in FIG. 1; this figure taken from U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,749. In this depiction, R1 and R2 are carbalkoxy groups, typically carbomethoxy or carboethoxy, and R is alkyl (1–6C).
BPD-MA was found to have particularly useful properties for PDT and is currently in clinical development. However, there remains a need for additional specific forms of photoactive agents which expand the repertoire of photoactive compounds for the variety of indications to which PDT is applied, as noted above. The present invention provides compounds in which rings C and D contain ethylene glycol esters of the carboxyalkyl substituents. These compounds have pharmacokinetic properties which are advantageous in certain instances where PDT is employed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ethylene glycol esters as photoactive agents

Abstract: and their 1,4-diene isomersand the metallated and/or labeled and/or conjugated forms thereof                wherein each R1 is independently alkyl (1–6C);        each n is independently an integer of 0–6; and        R2 is vinyl or a derivative form thereof.


An apparatus comprises in combination, an engine compartment having an engine with related engine components, and a step or series of steps. The step is securely mounted in a manner for supporting the weight of a person. The step is adapted with a non-slip upwardly facing surface for standing on is positioned for enablement of proximity positioning of a person for applying maintenance to the engine and related engine components.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to large engines and more particularly to a step arrangement used in conjunction with a large engine for use in gaining access to key maintenance points in the engine bay.
2. Description of Prior Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Brooks, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,534 describes an automotive vehicle having an access door above a front wheel, a removable step assembly located at the center of a front wheel and mounted to the front spindle of the automobile's wheel. There is a first mounting member comprising an extension nut, which is threaded onto and locked to the front spindle. At the outer end of the extension nut is a hexagonal locking head connected by a neck portion of reduced diameter. The removable step has at its inner end a locking member comprising a pair of downwardly extending arms which reach around the neck of the extension nut, and is formed with a locking recess which mates with the locking head. A spring member mounted to the step adjacent the two locking arms holds the step in place and prevents any rattling of the step. A locking tab secures the extension nut to the automobile's front spindle.
Bergskoog, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,084 describes a truck box access apparatus adapted to be mounted along the inside of the lower sill of the truck body comprising a pair of spaced vertical parallel support bars having brackets at one end of each of the bars for mounting the apparatus along the inside of the lower sill of a truck body. A pair of crossbars is disposed at the other end of each of the support bars. The cross bars extend between the support bars and are spaced from each other. A step platform is slidably supported between the crossbars and between first and second extreme positions. The step platform in its first extreme position extends outwardly from the support bards and at a right angle thereto and in its second position is nested flush between the bars.
Stevens, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,122 describes a folding step for vehicles, and specifically for use on the front bumpers of large semitrailer tractors. The step is used for servicing the vehicles, for example, cleaning the windshield and the like and yet will permit the step to be folded up very quickly for transport position. It also may be used as an entrance step for vehicles. The step automatically locks under spring pressure in either its usable or stored positions, and thus minimum time is utilized in operating the step, and safety is enhanced.
Dignan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,485 describes a new and improved folding step especially useful on trucks or rail transit vehicles. The folding step includes a support bracket, a step member pivoted to the bracket, and a spring urging the two together and into one of two pivoted positions. The step member has parallel arms that straddle a box-like portion of the bracket. Stub shafts extend from the arms into the bracket through slots and carry cams that are urged into contact with the bracket by the spring. The cams and spring provide an over-center snap action between the step member and bracket.
McCafferty, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,264 describes a portable step cooperative with the bumper and wheel of large automotive vehicles for use by mechanics, drivers, and service personnel in achieving access to windshields, windows, and engine compartments for servicing: comprising frame means to hang upon and press against a bumper or a large tire with a step means attached thereto and in various forms in a fixed configuration, or in a collapsible configuration, with means to hang upon a mechanic's tool box or to be stowed within a truck, bus, or the like directly, the step being formed of slip resistant material and provided with adjustable stops for proper alignment for use upon a bumper or tire, with an adapter for use on a tire integrally or separately provided.
Kravitz, J. S. U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,896 describes a retrofit, motor vehicle step kit which easily mounts to a motor vehicle regardless of the motor vehicle's make and model. The step kit comprises a step body, two L-shaped brackets, two stiffening members and four nuts. The kit further includes three bolts for connecting the step body to a motor vehicle body and three adaptor brackets for use with trucks having a model year of 1991 or later. A first section of each L-shaped bracket is attached to a motor vehicle frame while a second section of each bracket engages an associated one of the stiffening members. A first of the end portions of each stiffening member engages its associated one of the brackets while a second of the end portions is connected to a support receptacle of the step body. Once the brackets are properly corrected to the motor vehicle frame, the effective length of the stiffening members are adjusted with the nuts to level the step body and the step body is connected to the motor vehicle body, thereby allowing the step to support the weight of a person.
Conger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,479 describes a compactable access step for use with vehicles to make it easier for a person to reach into the engine compartment and radiator compartment of the vehicle and including a platform for a user to stand on and support means allowing the vehicle to be suspended from either a vehicle bumper or a vehicle wheel.
Frerichs, U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,064 describes a truck bed pull out step system installed under the front of a passenger pickup truck bed on one or both sides giving the user the ability to enter the pickup bed area or retrieve items with ease. When not in use the step is concealed under pickup bed.
MacCabbee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,709 describes a retractable step assembly including a step pinned to the lower ends of a pair of swing arms depending downwardly from a bracket for mounting the step assembly to the underside of a vehicle. An electric motor powers the upper end of a swing arm to rotate the two swing arms between retracted and extended positions. A clutch assembly is interposed between the electric motor and the swing arm to allow the motor to continue to operate to the end of its cycle if the step or swing arm become obstructed A lack assembly is provided to lock the step in retracted position, with the lock being automatically disengaged when the step assembly is actuated to extend the step from retracted position.
Bundy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,125 describes a truck step securable to a vehicle via a mounting bracket an having a step arm capable of swiveling between a "storage" position underneath the vehicle and an "in use" position where the step arm extends outward from under the vehicle. A distal end of the step arm is provided with a step plate where a user's foot may be placed when stepping into the vehicle, and a proximal end of the step arm is provided with a lower swivel plate, which swivels relative to an upper swivel plate provided on the mounting bracket. The lower and upper swivel plates have mating valleys and ridges to lock the step in one of several positions.
Stuart et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,989 describes an apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps, which hold a fuel ran to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots, which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.
Stuart et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,007 describes an apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tan straps, which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots, which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.
In addition to the above styles of step devices, the prior art teaches the use of stands and scaffolds for gaining access to large engines, whether in bays in cars and trucks or in stationary installations, but especially large engines in large vehicles as used for earth moving such as loaders and such.
The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.


A graphics output system stores a collection of graphic segments that are intended for display, potentially in overlapping relation, in a two-dimensional output image. The stored graphic segments are converted into a representation of an output image. The stored graphic segments are specified by boundary inter-relationship data respectively determining the boundary of each segment and the relative depth priorities of the segments in the output image and any clipping of each said segment to the boundary of a lower-priority segment that it can potentially overwrite. The collection of graphic segments is modified, for example, by deleting or adding segments. A new image representation is not formed from the beginning each time the segment collection is modified. Instead, the output image representation is within a region delimited by the boundary of one or more segments associated with the modification. Preferably, this bounded updating is facilitated by maintaining association data identifying the segment corresponding to each image position.

It is well known to build up an internal representation of a two-dimensional image to be displayed, in terms of discrete graphic segments that potentially overlap in the image. Where these graphic segments are to be displayed as solid bodies, then it is necessary to determine which segment has priority in the event of overlap between two segments. This depth priority issue is generally handled by assigning differing priorities to the various segments (either explicitly, or implicity through an hierarchical organization of the segments) and then resolving any overlap conflicts according to the assigned priorities of the segments concerned. The actual resolution process is effected as part of the overall process of converting the graphic segments into an output image.
A general discussion of image construction from multiple segments and of the priority resolution issue, can be found in most standard textbooks on graphics systems such as "Principles of Interactive Computer Graphics" William M. Newman and Robert F Sproull, second edition. McGraw-Hill.
When it is desired to update the output image, the previously existing collection of graphic segments is modified for example by the deletion or addition of one or more segments or by the alteration of the defining parameters of one or more segments. segments. The process of converting the segments into a new output image can then be carried out anew for the modified segment collection.
Reconstructing all of the output image is generally inefficient where only a small part of the image is effected by the modification of the segment collection. Accordingly, it is known to store an image representation and then restrict updating to a portion only of that representation, this portion being sufficient to encompass the affected area of the image. In one known system, the output image is nationally divided into an array of rectangular tiles delimiting update zones; whenever the underlying segment collection is modified, updating of the image representation is then restricted to a reconversion of the update zones that are affected by the modification. In another known system, updating of the image representation is restricted to a rectangular bounding box enclosing the affected image area. Both the foregoing approaches thus rely on artificial boundaries to delimit the update zone.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a graphics output system in which updating is bounded in a more natural manner.

Graphics output system with bounded updating


A clinical information reporting system for use with an electronic database for a health care facility, the electronic database being a rotational and modular database for the provision of a scalable and extensible configuration preferably consisting of a workstation as the base configuration and being configurable for use in small and medium network situations and being particularly adapted for the receipt, manipulation, modification and generation of cardiology reports such as resting ECG records and stress ECG records.

Many hospitals today have a hospital information system (HIS), although the quality and sophistication of the HIS systems vary dramatically. The HIS typically is the backbone of the hospital computer network and contains the basic information for all of the hospital's patient records, billing, ordering and other business information.
The medical records of a patient in a hospital typically contain laboratory and test data, physicians orders and other information which is important to the treatment of the patient and which is also typically not available on the HIS. Additionally, with the increase in insurance and other third party payment plans, it is important for a hospital to accurately bill for the services and treatment provided as well as to monitor their costs of providing the treatment and services. In many hospitals which provide the full range of cardiac services, the hospital may receive between 25 and 35 percent of their revenues from cardiology patients. This category of patients also has one of the highest needs for rapid and complete access to their medical records.
In about 1976, the Marquette Electronics Company introduced a computerized electrocardiography management system. This system provided data storage, viewing, retrieval and report generation capabilities for diagnostic 12 lead electrocardiographs acquired from Marquette equipment. This type of system is known as a closed system because it communicates only with electrocardiography equipment purchased from the manufacturer of the management system. Therefore, once a hospital purchases a closed management system, all future pieces of medical equipment must be purchased from the same manufacturer in order to communicate with the management system. With the increased concerns about the increasing costs of healthcare, it is increasingly important that each piece of equipment purchased by a hospital or clinic communicate with existing equipment and perform as many functions as possible.
ECG management systems are a vital component of the computerized ECG equipment market. These systems expedite the flow of ECG reports in a hospital by improving the access to records for copies and serial comparison analysis. The computer also assists with the information routing tasks such as editing, sorting, tracking and printing of the ECG records. Many of the functions of a cardiology department are significantly improved by the increased access to the ECG information. The staffing required to process ECGs may be reduced with the addition of an ECG management system.
The cardiology diagnostic department of a hospital uses an ECG management system extensively. One part of an ECG management system is typically a computer based ECG interpretation program. Although this program is not as skilled as a cardiologist, the program often provides a useful initial review from which the cardiologist may make further revisions and provide the final diagnosis.
Additionally, the computer program adds the ECG measurements and interpretation in a text format that may be edited by the clerical staff. This improves the accuracy, throughput and efficiency of the entire department in maintaining the medical records of a patient. Additionally, both adult and pediatric ECG records are typically managed and stored by the ECG management system for use in follow-up or subsequent visits of the patient.
Some of the basic functions of the current ECG management systems are data storage, data retrieval, data viewing and the streamlining of the overread process. In the prior practice which used paper copies of the ECG of a patient's records or with an ECG management system, an unconfirmed report of the ECG test is provided to the central station for later overreading or review by a cardiologist. A second copy of the unconfirmed report is typically left in the patient's record at the nurse's station. At some point, the physician on duty will pick up the ECG tracings from the central station and overread or edit them as time permits. The annotated reports are then returned to the central station for editing and data entry. Once the edited record is entered, the confirmed report is then printed and dispatched to the nurse's station to replace the unconfirmed report in the patient's record. It is extremely important that the patient's records not be lost or delayed. The major advantage of the ECG management system is that the transfer to the patient's primary record is instantaneous once it has been entered and there is no likelihood that the confirmed report will be lost or delayed in the hospital delivery system. Additionally, there is less opportunity for data entry errors because it is no longer necessary to clerically enter the physician's comments or diagnosis.
A further advantage of the ECG management system is that a hospital administrator may request a status report from an ECG management system to determine how many ECGs are at the various stages of being overread. In larger hospitals, this allows the administrator to monitor the need for data entry personnel or to monitor the efficiency of various other medical personnel.
Additionally, smaller hospitals, clinics or cardiology offices may contract with outside services for data storage and/or overread services. The ECG management system provides the smaller facility with the benefit of an ECG management system without the additional investment or additional staff. The administrator of the facility may also obtain traffic and management information to help their facility to be more cost effective and efficient.
The currently available ECG management systems have only touched the surface of potential applications for a cardiology information system (CIS). This inability to reach their full potential has resulted primarily from the use of closed systems which limit their own usefulness to the breadth of the product line offered by their manufacturer. As a result of the existence of "closed" systems, a number of software development companies have begun selling "translation boxes" to hospitals to enable the various acquisition devices to communicate with the pre-existing hospital systems.
It is an axiom of a hospital that the most vital record is the hardest to access and the most likely to be lost. Whether the record is an ECG or an x-ray film, the more handling it receives, the more likely it is to be lost or damaged. The ECG management system can easily produce high quality duplicate master records which may be printed or transmitted to other sites for review, editing, printing or storage. With remote transmission capabilities, hospitals may efficiently offer ECG management services or support to satellite facilities.
In addition to the record management benefits described above, a cardiology patient typically has other procedures and records which must be managed and archived. For example, the cardiology patient may have HOLTER records, stress test records, catheterization laboratory records, echocardiographic records, electrophysiology, telemetry, metabolic testing records or pacemaker follow-up test records. At present, only a few of these records are accessible to a hospital through the current ECG management system.
Therefore, there is a need for a cardiology information system which provides individual and integrated procedure reports that incorporate key clinical data from all available procedures to reliably and accurately provide proper clinical decision making and accurate reimbursement.
Additionally, there is a need for a cardiology system that provides a simple graphic user interface and standard PC hardware which also uses other standard PC software for word processing, spreadsheet and desktop publishing applications.
There is yet another need is for a cardiology information system which provides a standardized hospital information system connection so that common patient census data, billing capture, results reporting and order driven systems may be used throughout the hospital.
There is a further need for a cardiology information system which provides a standardized communication protocol so that common patient data, billing information, procedure results and medical records information may be acquired by nearly any currently available data acquisition device which may then be reviewed throughout the hospital.

Open architecture cardiology information system


System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving monitoring of traffic flows. In one embodiment, a method includes aggregating perception data associated with a road network from information sources to a server over a network. The method also includes generating a graph structure from the perception data in association with a neural network model. The graph structure is an incomplete representation of the road network in view of missing data. The method also includes completing the graph structure using the neural network model that forms a graph model of the traffic flows to de-noise the graph structure according to road constraints between two points in the road network. The method also includes communicating the graph model of the traffic flows to a vehicle to navigate traffic in the road network.

Vehicles may be equipped with sensors that facilitate perceiving other vehicles, obstacles, pedestrians, and additional aspects in an intelligent transportation system (ITS). A traffic system may generate traffic flow information using sensors and fixed roadside unit (RSU) data. Examples of traffic flow information may include the vehicle states on the road, an intersection layout, traffic light positions, or stop-n-go profiles. Vehicles may use traffic flow information to avoid traffic congestion, construction, and accidents. Vehicles avoiding traffic congestion may reduce pollution, increase operator satisfaction, reduce vehicle wear, and so on.
Moreover, a traffic system may need accurate, reliable, and complete data for real-time traffic flow monitoring in an ITS. However, a traffic system may receive erroneous data due to missing, incomplete, or lost data from vehicle sensors, fixed RSUs, operators, and so on in a large-scale road network. For example, the traffic flow data collected from a fixed RSU may have high noise, missing data, high-error data, and so on. A traffic system may have difficulty with traffic analysis, routing, and planning using traffic flow information that includes erroneous data. Thus, current traffic system constraints may limit the benefits and capabilities of traffic flow information for intelligent traffic management.
Furthermore, current traffic flow monitoring systems rely on fixed RSUs in limited geographic areas and vehicle counters. For example, a graph of traffic flows generated by a monitoring system may have gaps when combining raw vehicle counting data and fixed RSU data. An ITS may be unable to scale real-time traffic flow monitoring using error-prone fixed RSUs and vehicle counters that may fail often. Thus, a traffic system may be ineffective at real-time traffic flow monitoring using fixed RSUs, vehicle counters, or other data sources.

Systems and methods for a traffic flow monitoring and graph completion system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


An animation producing process for producing an animation having fluid color, texture and consistency throughout the entire sequence. The process comprises the steps of creating key frames containing objects and characters having substantial color and texture and which correspond to an animated sequence. The key frames are digitized into a computer system for storage in a predetermined memory space. Two consecutive key frames are then defined as a source key frame and a target key frame. Corresponding features in both the source key frame and the target key frame are then outlined, preferably while projected upon a computer monitor. In-between frames are then generated that depict a substantially linear interpolation of each outlined figure in the source key frame and a corresponding outline in the target key frame.

The art of animation is the rapid succession of a series of drawings, each showing a stage of movement slightly changed from the one before, to create the illusion of motion. Many methods for generating animated drawings and for producing animated sequences using computer hardware and software are known. Many of these methods have been considerably successful. Few of these methods, however, are capable of producing animated sequences in which the scenes comprising the sequences are fluid and precise, and which include even shading and blending of colors and textures.
The current practice of producing animation which utilizes paper, paint, ink, acetate or "cel" sheets, and film is a laborious task which has been illustrated in a series of U.S. patents dating back to the early 1900's. U.S. Pat. No. 1,107,193 (1914) to Bray, first introduced the notion of separating still or background elements from moving elements and figures. This permitted still elements to be drawn only once. U.S. Pat. No. 1,143,542 (1915) to Hurd, introduced a more practical method for doing this, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,715,127 (1929), taught an improved method of registering sheets of cel material.
Traditionally, animation is created using hand drawings and photographic equipment to record the hand drawings in a sequence to depict motion. This procedure first involves pose planning by an artist who then proceeds to draw a series of rough position poses on paper. Next, several key frames of a character are drawn on paper sheets or boards. The key frames, generally a source key and a target key, are intended to indicate the extremes of a range of motion the character is to undergo, or a distance to be traveled, and are generally designated as the main or key positions of the character. Next, these two key frames are placed on a translucent surface with a light or lightboard disposed underneath the translucent surface. An artist, generally referred to in the art field as an in-betweener, arranges the two key frames on the translucent surface so that the lines of both cels are clearly visible. An additional cel is then superimposed over the first two key frames. While viewing the underlying lines of the key frames, the in-betweener traces between the lines of the two key frames to produce an "in-between" frame having lines between the original lines of the key frames. Using the newly drawn in-between frame and the target frame, the process of producing another in-between frame is continuously repeated using the newly created in-between frame and the target key until the required number of frames are reached such that several in-between cels have been produced. The difference between the in-between drawings must be comparatively slight, consistent and of the proper character. When skillfully done, the object in the in-between drawings will appear to move smoothly and naturally when the pictures are displayed rapidly in sequence. Up to this point, the animator is dealing only with outlines having no color or shading.
After all the in-between frames have been produced, all of the frames are checked for smoothness, correctness, and continuity in the animations. A crude, but quick method of checking for continuity is to stack the cels upon each other in sequence and examine them in order by "rolling" them. "Rolling" is performed by firmly holding one edge of the stack of cels and slightly bending the other edge releasing the pages one-by-one in rapid succession. Alternatively, the cels may be viewed by scanning or digitizing the paper cels into a computer system and projecting the cels on the computer monitor at their appropriate rate of 24 or 30 frames per second, depending upon the medium to which they are to be ultimately stored upon. Using either of these methods, corrections are easily made by revising the in-between or creating substitute cels. Since the drawings cannot yet be seen in animation at true speed, oftentimes a "pencil test" is performed. A pencil test involves photographing or videotaping the rough drawings frame by frame, onto film or video tape. After developing the film or tape, the animator is able to judge the drawings and make any required correction. The pencil test is, however, extremely time consuming and often requires additional expensive equipment. As such, the test is done infrequently and often skipped altogether.
When all the drawing are complete, the paper cels are then traced or photocopied on to clear plastic acetate cel, or scanned onto a computer if electronic inking and painting is going to be used. If coloring is performed by hand, each cel is then carefully inked and painted on the reverse side. During painting, the colorist must be extremely careful not to paint outside the lines or to blend any colors. Oftentimes several layers of cels are used in complex animations, and different parts of the animation are painted onto separate cels. Cel paint must, therefore, be mixed to slightly different shades so that colors appear to match when covered with a differing number of layers of cel material. Cel paint must also be carefully matched from batch to batch. Moreover, once painted and cleaned, cels must be reordered and carefully checked prior to photographing. The cost of paints, inks and the skill and time required to paint each of the cels render this step in the animation process extremely expensive. Furthermore, since there are likely to be numerous cels which have all been excessively handled up to this point in the animation process, dust, fingerprints, and smudges may be a major problem. The cells thus require a careful cleaning after painting has been completed.
After all the cels have been painted, checked for accuracy and cleaned, they are photographed one by one and composited or overlaid on a background. This process is extremely tedious and time consuming. Furthermore, it is essential that the color sections be prevented from blending, since it would be impossible to retain a consistency of texturing, shading, and/or blending throughout the multiple cels.
For many years, the application of computers to animation has been part of an attempt to save the animator from making all of the in-between drawings, generating them instead by computational means rather than manually. In most instances, however, the artists skill in drafting the key frames is preferred over computer generated drawings which may often be crude and lack certain texture or "feeling." Computer technology has also introduced numerous software programs for adding special effects to the traditional animation process. In order to provide a desired texture to a character or object, some software programs require the animator to scan into the computer a small photograph of the texture which is desired. Thereafter, every time the animator desires that texture, it must be retrieved from the computer's memory and repeated or "layered" over the character or object until the desire texture is attained. In addition to producing less than acceptable texturing, this procedure is extremely burdensome and time consuming.
In addition to the traditional prior art method of animation, numerous other animation processes have been disclosed, both manual, computer generated and a combination of the two, along with numerous alternative methods for performing individual stages of the traditional animation process as disclosed. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,9452,051 to Lovell et al. describes a method and system for drawing and manipulating cels via computer interface. The process recited for creating frames is similar to the traditional manner yet performed by a computer instead of by hand. The computer creates the bounding lines or character keys of the desired image and permits the animator to create in-between frames via computer computations of any two drawn key frames. Cel position may then be manipulated and color may be added using the computer. However, the resulting animation sequence generated by this process is less than desirable.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple and time saving animation process which provides animated sequences in which non-segregated colors and shading, full texture, and fluid and concise movements are maintained over the entire animation.

Texture controlled and color synthesized animation process


A semiconductor package includes a die that is interposed, flip-chip style, between an upper lead frame and a lower lead frame. The lower lead frame has contacts that are aligned with terminals on the bottom surface of the die. The upper lead frame contacts a terminal on the top side of the die, and the edges of the upper lead frame are bent downward around the edges of the die, giving the upper lead frame a cup shape. The edge of the upper lead frame contact another portion of the lower lead frame, so that all of the contacts of the package are coplanar and can be surface-mounted on a printed circuit board. The terminals of the die are electrically connected to the lead frames by means of solder layers. The thicknesses of the respective solder layers that connect the die to the lead frames are predetermined to optimize the performance of the package through numerous thermal cycles. This is done by fabricating the lower lead frame with a plurality of mesas and using a double solder reflow process.

There is a continuing need for packages for semiconductor dice that are compact, easy to manufacture and economical. There is a particular need for packages that can be used to make connections to terminals on both sides of the die. For example, vertical power MOSFETs, whether of the planar or trench-gated variety, typically have source and gate terminals on the front side of the die and a drain terminal on the backside of the die. The package must therefore provide connectibility to both sides of the die. Similarly, integrated circuits may need a ground contact to the front side to minimize transient effects.
Vertical trench MOSFETs, in particular, are now widely used in high-end electronic systems such as high-frequency DC-DC converters. These components are used in desktop and notebook computers and servers. In these applications it is critical that the MOSFETs have minimal electrical and thermal resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,124 describes a semiconductor die package that has many advantages. The die, for example a trench MOSFET, is mounted in a flip-chip manner inside a cup-shaped lead frame. The drain terminal on the top side of the die is in electrical contact with the cup-shaped lead frame, which has leads that are configured to be coplanar with the bottom surface of the die, on which the source and gate terminals are located.
While the package described in the above-referenced patent has excellent electrical and thermal properties, there is still a need for a package that has even better thermal and electrical characteristics. Moreover, the package should be sufficiently rugged to be able to withstand numerous thermal cycles without failure and the lower surface of the die should be protected from scratching.

Method of fabricating semiconductor package including die interposed between cup-shaped lead frame having mesas and valleys


A container holding unit includes a wall mountable bracket and a drip container bracket. The wall mountable bracket includes a mounting portion, a container holding portion extending from the mounting portion configured to substantially surround a portion of a container while allowing a dispensing tip of a container to pass through, and a plurality of container engaging slats extending inward from the container holding portion. The drip container bracket includes a back section configured to engage the wall mountable bracket and a drip container extending from a bottom of the back section. The drip container further includes a depression formed therein.

This invention relates generally to mounting brackets for dispensed products, and more specifically to, a wall mounted bracket with an optional drip container bracket.
As is well known, products are packaged in containers that come in many different types, shapes, and sizes. One product which has increased in use recently is the aerosol-type dispenser for various foams, particularly in the medical field where there are various alcohol-based, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial foams marketed which reduce the spread of germs, diseases, and the like.
In a particular application, such a container is suspended upside down in a wall bracket, so that a user of such products can easily dispense the product from the container for use in both hands. However, such a dispensing system still has drawbacks. Most known wall brackets are custom made for a specific container size. Further, while certain products utilize various sizes of the same type of container, the wall brackets cannot accommodate more than one size of these containers. In addition, since the products are mounted to the wall in a dispensing top facing down orientation, it is common for excess material to drip on the floor and along the wall between the bracket and the floor.


An insulin-like growth factor binding protein is isolated from rat serum and partially sequenced. Using nucleotide probes based upon the amino terminal sequence of the isolated protein, the complete sequence for the 233-residue rat protein, termed IGFBP-4, is deduced, and the homologous 237-residue sequence of the human protein is separately deduced. These proteins are useful in the inhibition of cell differentiation and/or proliferation requiring IGFs and are particularly useful in combating breast cancers. Antibodies to the proteins may be employed in diagnostic assays, in purification of the protein and in the modulation of bone growth.

Two insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are presently known to exist and to be required for the proliferation of various cells. For example, the topical use of IGF-II for wound-healing is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,163 (Dec. 5, 1989). It is also reported that IGFs have a particular effect upon the growth of cells of mesodermal origin and on their differentiation, and further, that the IGFs exhibit potency in stimulating DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts and in rat osteoblasts. In addition, it is suggested that IGF-I may serve to stimulate collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts, whereas studies report that IGF-II may have a predominant role in undifferentiated cell proliferation.
Several proteins have been discovered which bind to these IGFs and modulate IGF actions either in an inhibitory or a stimulatory manner, and these proteins are termed insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs).
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are synthesized by multiple tissues and circulate in plasma to modulate the growth of various cell types. They do not exist in the blood as free hormones but are bound to carriers in the form of IGFBPs. To date three distinct classes of IGFBPs have been characterized, based on their complete primary structure having been obtained by molecular cloning, all of which are able to bind both IGF-I and IGF-II and to modulate IGF actions either in an inhibitory or a stimulatory manner.
Based on the recommendation proposed by an IGFBP conference held in Vancouver, Canada in June 1989, the first BP class whose complete primary structure was deduced has been named IGFBP-1; its structure was deduced from cDNA clones identified in the libraries prepared front a human HEP-G2 hepatoma cell line, from human placenta and from both human and rat decidua. A human genomic clone encoding IGFBP-1 was also isolated and characterized (Brinkman, A., et al., B.B.R.C. 157, 898-907 (1989)), the gene locus of which is mapped at location p12-p13 on chromosome 7, Alitalo, T. et al., Hum. Genet. 83, 335-338 (1989). This protein exhibits a molecular weight (M.sub.r) of 28 kDa on SDS/PAGE under non-reducing conditions and has almost equal binding affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II. It contains no potential N-linked glycosylation sites, but it has at least five potential O-linked glycosylation sites, which may account for a reported 4.3% carbohydrate content of the protein. The circulating level of the IGFBP-1 is elevated in patients and animals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The second BP class is one for which the complete primary structure was deduced from cDNAs isolated from a rat BRL-3A cell library as well as from adult rat and human fetal liver libraries; it has been named IGFBP-2. This BP, having M.sub.r of 31.5-33.0 kDa on SDS/PAGE under non-reducing conditions, exhibits equal affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II when IGF-I is used as a radioligand, but it shows a marked preference for IGF-II when the radioligand is IGF-II. The level of IGFBP-2 in rat serum is high in fetus but decreases in adult. The physiological role of IGFBP-2 is not well known, but Adashi et al. Endocrinologqy, 126, 1305-1307 (1990) recently reported that pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) inhibits the constitutive release of IGFBP-2 from rat ovarian granulosa cells.
The third BP class is a high molecular weight IGFBP within the 150 kDa IGF-binding complex found in plasma. Its complete primary structure was deduced from human, porcine and rat cDNAs, and it has been named IGFBP-3, see Shimasaki, S., et al., B.B.R.C., 165, 907-912 (1989). This 150 kDa complex consists of three components, an IGFBP-3 of 53 kDa bound to an IGF and an acid-labile 80 kDa protein which can only bind to IGFBP-3 in association with IGF under neutral conditions. Both the 53 kDa IGFBP-3 and the 80 kDa acid-labile subunits are glycosylated. Moreover, the circulating level of the complex is dependent on growth hormone (GH). This protein has recently been isolated from ovarian follicular fluid, and it appears to act as an inhibitor to the FSH-stimulated production of estradiol in cultures of rat ovarian granulosa cells.
Besides these three IGFBPs, it is believed that other BPs for IGF exist.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies


Method and apparatus for selecting a reference frame for motion estimation in a video encoder is described. In one example, motion estimation is performed on a current macroblock in a current frame with respect to a reference frame to obtain a motion vector, a sum of absolute difference (SAD), a global motion vector, and an average SAD. A first relative change of the motion vector with respect to the global motion vector is computed. A second relative change of the SAD with respect to the average SAD is computed. A functional based on the first relative change, the second relative change, a first parameter, and a second parameter is computed. The functional is compared with a threshold. The reference frame is selected if the functional satisfies the threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video encoders and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for selecting a reference frame for motion estimation in video encoding.
2. Description of the Background Art
Video compression technology plays an important role in video storage and video transmission over wired and wireless channels. The technology reduces the representation of the original video data by applying mathematical transformation, quantization, and encoding to reduce redundancies within a video sequence. An important process in video compression is motion estimation and motion compensation.
A video sequence is composed of a sequence of frames. When a video sequence is compressed, a frame is coded based on its difference from another frame. Each frame is divided into blocks. A block is coded based on the difference from a matching block on another frame, which is referred to as a "reference frame." The process of identifying such a matching block is known as motion estimation. Motion estimation also identifies the position of the best matching block relative to the reference block, which is referred to as the "motion vector."
While there are many criteria and techniques for fining a motion vector, the most commonly used approach is to identify a displacement vector (i,j) that minimizes the distortion between two blocks, or:
                                          D                                      (                              i                ,                j                            )                                =                                    ∑                              m                =                0                                            M                -                1                                                                                ∑                                  n                  =                  0                                                  N                  -                  1                                                                                                                                r                                          m                      ,                      n                                                        -                                      S                                                                  m                        +                        i                                            ,                                              n                        +                        j                                                                                                                                    ,        i        ,                  j          ∈                                    [                                                -                  p                                ,                                  p                  -                  1                                            ]                        .                                              Eq        .                                          1            The quantity rm,n is a pixel (m,n) on a reference block r; Sm+i,n+j is a pixel (m+i, n+j) on a candidate block S; [−p, p−1] is a search window for the motion vector; M×N is the dimension of a coding block; and D(i,j) is known as a sum of absolute difference (SAD).
Video encoding standards, such as MPEG-2, H.263, MPEG-4 (part 2), and H.264 (also known as MPEG-4 part 10 or Advanced Video Coding (AVC)), provide a syntax for compressing a video sequence. In MPEG-2, H.263, and MPEG-4, motion estimation is computed using a single reference frame. This reference frame is the most recently encoded, and hence reconstructed, frame prior to coding the current frame. Newer standards, such as H.264, allow for multiple reference frames in which the candidate block can be searched. This is due to the fact that certain video scenes may have sudden scene changes or cuts, where the best reference frame is not the very last reconstructed frame. Allowing the encoder to use the best matched reference frame rather than always the very last reconstructed frame provides for improved coding efficiency.
One technique for selecting a candidate block for motion estimation among multiple reference frames is to test every block within a search window on every reference frame using Equation 1. The computation in finding a satisfactory result is costly and time consuming. Thus, this technique is impractical for many real-time applications. Simplifying the process and computations for the decision of selecting a reference frame from which the candidate block is to be selected will reduce encoding cost.
The reference implementation from the H.264 standards uses an exhaustive approach for determining a candidate reference frame. The exhaustive approach examines all possible reference frames and their corresponding bit-rate cost and distortion. The goal of this technique, referred to as the rate-distortion optimization, is to achieve the best encoding result in terms of visual quality and coding rates. In order to perform the rate-distortion optimization, the encoder encodes the video by exhaustively searching the best reference frame in the rate-distortion sense among all possible reference frames. As a result, the computational complexity of the encoder using the rate-distortion optimization is increased dramatically, which limits or prohibits the use of such an encoder for practical applications, such as real-time video communications.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for an improved method and apparatus selecting a reference frame for motion estimation in video encoder.

Method and apparatus for selecting a reference frame for motion estimation in video encoding


An electrical accumulator unit wherein an energy storage device is utilized in conjunction with an actively controlled bidirectional power converter to provide auxiliary power to an electrical network is disclosed.

The movement to more-electric aircraft (MEA) architectures during the past decade in military and commercial aircraft systems continues to increase the complexity of designing and specifying the electric power system (EPS). The addition of numerous high-power electric loads has drastically altered the dynamics of power flow on the electrical bus. Such loads include electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs), electromechanical actuators (EMAs), advanced radar, and directed energy weapons (DEW). Although these loads represent a relatively small portion of the average power draw from the EPS, the short-term transient power may exceed twice the average power capabilities of the generator, with peak-to-average power ratios in excess of 5-to-1 for brief periods of time (50-5000 ms). In addition to this high peak-power, some of the loads can produce regenerative power flow during deceleration of motors and drive trains which is equal to peak power draw for brief periods of time (typically 20-200 ms).
There exists a wide variety of architectures which are capable of addressing the challenges of this dynamic power profile. For example, one architecture is to force regenerative power to be handled locally with diodes and/or power resistors and to size the generator (including the gearbox, shafts, etc.) to be capable of peak power generation. Such architecture can be challenging to design and may lead to an unnecessarily large increase in system weight due to increased demands on the thermal systems and derating of key mechanical components in the generator drive-train.
Another viable approach is to allow the electrical bus to support bidirectional power flow all the way back to the engine. Aircraft generators often already have the requisite power electronics to support bi-directional power flow due to their dual role of providing main-engine start capability. While this approach reduces the thermal concerns associated with burning regenerative power locally, it actually increases the derating factors required in the mechanical drive-train of the generator which again could result in increased system weight. In addition, such architecture requires all sources (i.e. emergency power units, auxiliary power units, battery, and ground power carts) to support bi-directional power flow. The resulting increase in size, weight and cost associated with these sources may be unacceptable in relation to the system design and cost constraints. A need exists for an improved design which increases the load-handling capabilities of the aircraft electric power system while minimizing the weight and size requirements of the associated components.

Electrical accumulator unit for providing auxiliary power to an electrical network


Methods of inhibiting the cytokine or biological activity of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) comprising contacting MIF with a compound of formula (I) as defined herein, is provided. The invention also relates to methods of treating diseases or conditions where MIF cytokine or biological activity is implicated comprising administration of compounds of formula (I), either alone or as part of a combination therapy. Novel heterocyclic compounds are also provided for.

MIF is the first identified T-cell-derived soluble lymphokine. MIF was first described as a soluble factor with the ability to modify the migration of macrophages (1). The molecule responsible for the biological actions ascribed to MIF was identified and cloned in 1989 (2). Initially found to activate macrophages at inflammatory sites, it has been shown to possess pluripotential actions in the immune system. MIF has been shown to be expressed in human diseases which include inflammation, injury, ischaemia or malignancy. MIF also has a unique relationship with glucocorticoids by overriding their anti-inflammatory effects.
Recent studies have indicated that monoclonal antibody antagonism of MIF may be useful in the treatment of sepsis, certain types of cancers and delayed type hypersensitivity. Antibody antagonism of MIF has also been shown to have activity in adjuvant- or collagen-induced arthritis animal models and other models of inflammatory and immune diseases.
Although antibody antagonism of MIF is one potential way to provide therapeutic treatments, such biological molecules can be expensive to prepare on a commercial basis and further, can be limited in the way they are administered (generally by injection) and do not readily lend themselves to formulations for administration by other means eg oral administration.
Small molecule inhibitors may overcome one or more such difficulties connected with the use of biological therapeutic treatments. There exists a need, therefore, for small molecule inhibitors of the cytokine or biological activity of MIF. Small molecule inhibitors of the MIF would have therapeutic effects in a broad range of diseases, whether given alone or in combination with other therapies.
Examples of agents which could be used in combination with a compound of formula (I) include glucocorticoids, antirheumatic drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, anti-cytokine therapies, antagonists or inhibitors of nitrogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, antagonists or inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signal transduction pathway, antibodies, protein therapeutics or small molecule therapeutics interacting with adhesion molecules and co-stimulatory molecules, bronchodilators, antagonists of eicosanoid synthesis pathways, agents used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, anti-cancer drugs, antisense oligonucleotides, interfering RNA and ribozymes.
For example, glucocorticoids have been used to treat human diseases for over fifty years and are effective in a range of diseases which include inflammation, injury, ischaemia or malignancy. Although debate continues in relation to their impact on disease prognosis, their influence on symptoms and signs of inflammation, especially in the short term, can be dramatic.
Despite their benefits and efficacy, the use of glucocorticoids is limited by universal, predictable, dose-dependent toxicity. Mimicking Cushing's disease, a disease wherein the adrenal glands produce excess endogenous glucocorticoids, glucocorticoid treatment is associated with side effects including immunosuppression (resulting in increased susceptibility to infections), weight gain, change in body habitus, hypertension, oedema, diabetes mellitus, cataracts, osteoporosis, poor wound healing, thinning of the skin, vascular fragility, hirsutism and other features of masculinization (in females). In children, growth retardation is also noted. These side effects are known as Cushingoid side effects.
Since the side effects of glucocorticoids are dose dependent, attempts to reduce the dosage requirement have been investigated, including combination therapies in which glucocorticoids are administered with other therapeutic agents. These combination therapies are sometimes referred to as "steroid-sparing" therapies. However, currently available combination therapies are non-specific as the other therapeutic agents do not address biological events which inhibit the effectiveness of glucocorticoids. Such combination therapies are also typically associated with serious side effects.
Furthermore, glucocorticoids are incompletely effective in a number of disease settings, leading to the concept of "steroid-resistant" diseases. Agents which amplify or enhance the effects of glucocorticoids would not only allow the reduction of dose of these agents but may also potentially render "steroid-resistant" diseases steroid-sensitive.
There is a need for effective therapies which enable a reduction in the dosage level of glucocorticoids. There is also a need for effective treatment of "steroid-resistant" diseases. Preferably, such therapies or treatments would address factors which directly limit the effectiveness of glucocorticoids.
Therapeutic antagonism of MIF may provide "steroid-sparing" effects or be therapeutic in "steroid-resistant" diseases. Unlike other pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines, the expression and/or release of MIF can be induced by glucocorticoids (3), (4). Moreover, MIF is able to directly antagonize the effects of glucocorticoids. This has been shown to be the case for macrophage TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 secretion (5), (6), and for T cell proliferation and IL-2 release (7). In vivo, MIF exerts a powerful glucocorticoid-antagonist effect in models including endotoxic shock and experimental arthritis (5), (8). In the context of an inflammatory or other disease treated with glucocorticoids, then, MIF is expressed but exerts an effect which prevents the glucocorticoid inhibition of inflammation. It can therefore be proposed that therapeutic antagonism of MIF would remove MIF's role in inhibiting the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids, thereby allowing glucocorticoids to prevail. This would be the first example of true "steroid-sparing" therapy. In support of this hypothesis is the observation that anti-MIF antibody therapy reverses the effect of adrenalectomy in rat adjuvant arthritis (9). By neutralizing the natural glucocorticoid 'counter-regulator' effect of MIF, it is envisioned that with MIF antagonism, steroid dosages could be reduced or even eliminated in inflammatory disease, particularly in those diseases that are associated with the glucocorticoid resistance (10), (11). There is a need, therefore, for therapeutic antagonists of the cytokine or biological activity of MIF.


The preparation of tin tetrachloride from tin granules and chlorine can be conducted safely even at high temperatures if the chlorine, before coming into contact with the tin, is brought into a highly disperse distribution in the circulating tin tetrachloride and develops a uniform flow profile.

1) Field of the Invention
Processes for preparing tin tetrachloride from the elements, tin and chlorine, have long been known, from EP-B-0 057 929, EP-B-0 094 003 and the literature cited therein, for example. In these processes, tin tetrachloride is circulated and chlorine is passed into the reaction chamber from below. The chlorine dissolved in the tin tetrachloride then enters into reaction with the metallic tin.
2) Description of the Related Art
These processes are well established in practice. However, it has been found that, with high specific conversion rates and/or in start-up operation, the reaction cannot be carried out with sufficient reliability. Disruptions may occur as a result of local overheating, leading to melting of the tin granules. This disrupts the required uniform flow traversal of the tin granules. The consequence may be incomplete chlorine consumption in the reactor, and hence a product of increased chlorine content. This may to a greater or lesser extent restrict the production capacity. In the worst-case scenario, there may be total failure of the plant and, as a result of damage to the reactor, the emergence of chlorine and tin tetrachloride.
EP-B2-0 441 931 discloses a process for continuous preparation of tin tetrachloride by reacting excess metallic tin with chlorine in a reaction chamber in the presence of liquid tin tetrachloride, in which tin tetrachloride is removed in a circuit from the reaction chamber, and is passed back with or without cooling, and the amount of tin tetrachloride removed from the circuit is such that the level of tin tetrachloride in the reaction chamber remains the same, said process comprising passing the chlorine into the circulated stream of tin tetrachloride outside the overall circulating reaction chamber in an amount such that it is dissolved completely in the tin tetrachloride. In this process it is said that the good solubility of chlorine in the tin tetrachloride can be utilized with advantage in order to bring about a favorable reaction regime and to allow the reaction conditions to be easily adjusted. When liquid chlorine is used it is said to be possible judiciously to take the heat of evaporation required from the heat of reaction present in the liquid tin tetrachloride emerging from the reactor.
In addition, a slight temperature difference is indicated between the entry of the tin tetrachloride into the reaction chamber (70 to 80.degree. C.) and the exit from the reaction zone (91.degree. C., or 10.degree. C. difference between entry and exit of the main reaction zone of the tin bed). However, this known process gives relatively low space-time yields.
Depending on the space-time yield, in the upper limiting range the difficulties specified at the outset may nevertheless still occur. Although it is in accordance with the teaching of process engineering to counter reactor overheating by temperature monitoring and automatic chlorine shutoff, local overheating of the reaction zone still always puts at risk or limits the plant capacity or availability. Another critical safety point is the loss of the tin tetrachloride supply stream, which is also necessary for dissipating the heat of reaction. In this case the automatic shutoff of the chlorine supply in accordance with the teaching of process engineering is an absolute safety necessity in order to rule out an uncontrolled reaction regime as a result of oversupply of chlorine, with the danger of plant destruction. Nevertheless, the restarting of the plant remains a critical step, which can very easily proceed in an uncontrolled manner. The moment of risk is determined by disruption of the tin bed in the reaction zone in the case of sudden pressure drop, as is the case with failure of the tin tetrachloride circulation pump.
The fine to ultrafine tin sludge formed by reaction of the tin granules in the reaction zone, which has a greatly increased tin surface area, can react with excess chlorine and so give rise to critical temperature peaks. Important in this context is the strong temperature-dependency of the solubility of chlorine in tin tetrachloride; the temperature of the tin tetrachloride circuit which is normally low under startup conditions, corresponds to a chlorine solubility which is much higher than that at the customary reaction temperature. For example, at 20.degree. C. 125.5 g of chlorine dissolve in 1 l of tin tetrachloride, and at 30.degree. C. a further 96 g of chlorine, in each case at 1 bar of chlorine pressure.


Methods and apparatus for determining a portion of a channel, e.g., a peer discovery channel, to use in a communications network, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer network, are described. In the communication network, the channel includes a recurring set of time/frequency resources. A device monitors the congestion level and decides to use a whole channel or a fraction of a channel (e.g., ½. ¼) as a function of the congestion level. The device may change the fraction of the channel it occupies as the congestion level changes. The device broadcasts control information indicating the fraction of the channel it occupies. The device may be a mobile wireless terminal.

In peer to peer wireless communications systems in which wireless terminals directly communicate with one another it may be expected that there will be different numbers of wireless communications devices in a local vicinity at different times. It would be beneficial if a peer to peer wireless device could communicate small amounts of information, e.g., discovery information, relatively frequently to other devices which may happen to be in its vicinity. Thus devices in a local vicinity could maintain situational awareness. There is a limited amount of air link resources available to be used for discovery purposes. Resources allocated to discovery take away from the amount of resources that can be allocated for other purposes, e.g. peer to peer traffic signaling.
A rigid peer discovery implementation which is designed to accommodate a large number of users is good for times of high congestion but can be inefficient during times of low congestion where many potential slots may go unused. Alternatively, a rigid peer discovery implementation which is designed to accommodate a small number of users can be good during periods of low congestion, but may be overwhelmed during high congestion times, with users being unable to obtain a slot.
Based on the above discussion, it should be appreciated there is a need for methods and apparatus facilitating flexible use of peer discovery resources.

Methods and apparatus for controlling channel utilization


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a passivation film on a substrate including a first element region, a second element region adjacent to the first element region in a first direction, a third element region adjacent to the first region in a second direction, and a first scribe region extending to the first direction between the first element region and the third element region, forming a first trench in the passivation film between the first scribe region and the first element region, forming a second trench in the passivation film between the third element region and the first scribe region, and forming a film on the passivation film where the trenches have been formed by coating. The each of trenches is formed continuously along the first and the second element region.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a structure.
Description of the Related Art
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-197743, a passivation film which covers an element region and a scribe region to be diced on a substrate, and has a trench between the element region and the scribe region along the outer edge of the element region is formed. After that, the scribe region is diced. According to this manufacturing method, even if a crack is generated in the passivation film from the scribe region by a mechanical force caused by dicing, the crack is prevented by the trench from expanding to the element region. This reduces this occurrence of the crack, suppresses yield reduction caused by occurrence of the crack which tends to increase in proportion to a dicing speed, and increases a yield and a workability.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and structure with trenches in passivation film


Method for solubilising asphaltenes in an asphaltenes-containing hydrocarbon mixture by adding thereto an effective amount of a dendrimeric compound, and a hydrocarbon mixture comprising, in addition to hydrocarbons, asphaltenes and at least one dendrimeric compound. Preferably, the dendrimeric compound is a hyperbranched polyester amide, more preferably a polyester amide built up from succinic anhydride, diisopropanolamine, functionalised with poly (isobutenyl) succinic anhydride.

In a refinery asphaltenes deposits may block transport at the refinery, or block catalysts that may be used in the relevant refinery processes.
Hence, it is evident that it is desirable to find a method to solubilise asphaltenes in oil, i.e. hydrocarbon mixtures.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,422 a method is described in which asphaltenes deposits in a well bore are removed by injection of a deasphalted oil in order to solubilise the asphaltenes. In the process of U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,684 asphaltenes and waxes are dissolved by employing a specific aromatic fraction of a crude oil.

Method for solubilising asphaltenes in a hydrocarbon mixture


A semiconductor integrated circuit capable of performing internal oscillation with high precision is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a memory circuit, an oscillator circuit for generating an internal clock signal based on control information held in the memory circuit, a logic circuit for generating control information for causing the frequency of the internal clock signal to coincide with the frequency of an external clock signal, and an electric fuse circuit or a blow fuse circuit capable of storing the control information generated in the logic circuit and uses the internal clock signal for the synchronous operation of the internal circuit. This allows, even when an error (an undesired variation) occurs in the oscillation characteristic (oscillation frequency) of the oscillator circuit due to a process variation, the frequency of the internal clock signal to coincide with the frequency of the external clock signal at a target frequency without necessitating the mounting of an external crystal oscillator or the inputting of the external clock signal.

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit which is operated in synchronization with a clock. More particularly, it relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit which is operated in synchronization with a clock and to a technology which is effective when applied to an information processing apparatus represented by, e.g., a microcomputer.
Among semiconductor integrated circuits which are operated in synchronization with clocks such as microcomputers, there are some which generate synchronous clock signals only through internal oscillation without using externally mounted crystal oscillators. Patent Document 1 discloses a microcomputer which generates a synchronous clock signal only through internal oscillation without using an externally mounted crystal oscillator. Patent Document 2 discloses a circuit for trimming the oscillation frequency of an internal oscillator which conducts internal oscillation without using an externally mounted crystal oscillator.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11(1999)-510938
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10(1998)-187273


Passive intermodulation (PIM) and impedance management in coaxial cable terminations. In one example embodiment, a method for terminating a coaxial cable is provided. The coaxial cable includes an inner conductor, an insulating layer, an outer conductor, and a jacket. First, a diameter of the outer conductor that surrounds a cored-out section of the insulating layer is increased so as to create an increased-diameter cylindrical section of the outer conductor. Next, an internal connector structure is inserted into the cored-out section so as to be surrounded by the increased-diameter cylindrical section. Finally, an external connector structure is clamped around the increased-diameter cylindrical section so as to radially compress the increased-diameter cylindrical section between the external connector structure and the internal connector structure, and via a single action, a contact force between the inner conductor and a conductive pin is increased.

Coaxial cable is used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in various applications, such as connecting radio transmitters and receivers with their antennas, computer network connections, and distributing cable television signals. Coaxial cable typically includes an inner conductor, an insulating layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the insulating layer, and a protective jacket surrounding the outer conductor.
Each type of coaxial cable has a characteristic impedance which is the opposition to signal flow in the coaxial cable. The impedance of a coaxial cable depends on its dimensions and the materials used in its manufacture. For example, a coaxial cable can be tuned to a specific impedance by controlling the diameters of the inner and outer conductors and the dielectric constant of the insulating layer. All of the components of a coaxial system should have the same impedance in order to reduce internal reflections at connections between components. Such reflections increase signal loss and can result in the reflected signal reaching a receiver with a slight delay from the original.
Two sections of a coaxial cable in which it can be difficult to maintain a consistent impedance are the terminal sections on either end of the cable to which connectors are attached. For example, the attachment of some field-installable compression connectors requires the removal of a section of the insulating layer at the terminal end of the coaxial cable in order to insert a support structure of the compression connector between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. The support structure of the compression connector prevents the collapse of the outer conductor when the compression connector applies pressure to the outside of the outer conductor. Unfortunately, however, the dielectric constant of the support structure often differs from the dielectric constant of the insulating layer that the support structure replaces, which changes the impedance of the terminal ends of the coaxial cable. This change in the impedance at the terminal ends of the coaxial cable causes increased internal reflections, which results in increased signal loss.
Another difficulty with field-installable connectors, such as compression connectors or screw-together connectors, is maintaining acceptable levels of passive intermodulation (PIM). PIM in the terminal sections of a coaxial cable can result from nonlinear and insecure contact between surfaces of various components of the connector. A nonlinear contact between two or more of these surfaces can cause micro arcing or corona discharge between the surfaces, which can result in the creation of interfering RF signals. For example, some screw-together connectors are designed such that the contact force between the connector and the outer conductor is dependent on a continuing axial holding force of threaded components of the connector. Over time, the threaded components of the connector can inadvertently separate, thus resulting in nonlinear and insecure contact between the connector and the outer conductor.
Where the coaxial cable is employed on a cellular communications tower, for example, unacceptably high levels of PIM in terminal sections of the coaxial cable and resulting interfering RF signals can disrupt communication between sensitive receiver and transmitter equipment on the tower and lower-powered cellular devices. Disrupted communication can result in dropped calls or severely limited data rates, for example, which can result in dissatisfied customers and customer churn.
Current attempts to solve these difficulties with field-installable connectors generally consist of employing a pre-fabricated jumper cable having a standard length and having factory-installed soldered or welded connectors on either end. These soldered or welded connectors generally exhibit stable impedance matching and PIM performance over a wider range of dynamic conditions than current field-installable connectors. These pre-fabricated jumper cables are inconvenient, however, in many applications.
For example, each particular cellular communication tower in a cellular network generally requires various custom lengths of coaxial cable, necessitating the selection of various standard-length jumper cables that is each generally longer than needed, resulting in wasted cable. Also, employing a longer length of cable than is needed results in increased insertion loss in the cable. Further, excessive cable length takes up more space on the tower. Moreover, it can be inconvenient for an installation technician to have several lengths of jumper cable on hand instead of a single roll of cable that can be cut to the needed length. Also, factory testing of factory-installed soldered or welded connectors for compliance with impedance matching and PIM standards often reveals a relatively high percentage of non-compliant connectors. This percentage of non-compliant, and therefore unusable, connectors can be as high as about ten percent of the connectors in some manufacturing situations. For all these reasons, employing factory-installed soldered or welded connectors on standard-length jumper cables to solve the above-noted difficulties with field-installable connectors is not an ideal solution.