A solid bleach-fixing composition for a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, comprising at least one specific 5-membered heterocyclic azoliumthiolate compound, particularly, a solid bleach-fixing composition wherein the specific thiolate compound is a diazolium-thiolate compound substituted by a water-soluble group. A method for processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, comprising using a bleach-fixing solution containing a specific 5-membered heterocyclic azoliumthiolate compound, and regenerating at least 50 mass % of the used bleach-fixing solution as a bleach-fixing processing agent for replenishment; and a method for processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, comprising regenerating at least 30 mass % of the used processing solution further containing used rinsing solution as a bleach-fixing processing agent for replenishment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, more specifically, the present invention relates to a processing method where a used bleach-fixing solution is regenerated and used to reduce the amount of waste solution and also reduce the running cost. The present invention relates to a processing composition for a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, more specifically, the present invention relates to a solid bleach-fixing composition for a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in order to provide quick services to general users and rationalize the collection/delivery transportation between a photo-shop and a processing laboratory, an automatic processor called a mini-lab is abruptly spreading, which is installed at the front of a photo-shop and performs the processing of a photographic light-sensitive material. Conventionally, a liquid concentrate has been supplied as the processing agent for mini-lab use, but this processing agent is a liquid and therefore, has problems such as regulation at the transportation, danger of the container breakage due to impact, inconvenience in handling at the processing laboratory and restriction in the storing space. In order to solve these problems, studies are being made on, for example, a granular processing agent in JP-A-2-109042, a tablet processing agent in JP-A-5-127322 and a processing method of directly adding a solid processing agent to a processing tank in JP-A-5-188533. According to these methods, since the processing agent is a solid, the size and weight of the processing agent can be greatly reduced as compared with a liquid-type processing agent and this is very advantageous in view of transportation and storage but at the same time, new problems are incurred, that is, when stored in aging, a solid bleach-fixing agent using a hygroscopic fixing agent deliquesces to impair the stability, whereas a solid processing agent using a non-hygroscopic fixing agent is solidified by undergoing consolidation with each other. Furthermore, it is revealed that insoluble matters are generated when the solid agent is dissolved.
JP-A-6-186686 discloses a technique of preventing deliquescence by incorporating a mesoion compound together with a thiosulfate fixing agent into the solid fixing agent for the processing of a black-and-white light sensitive material. However, the object of JP-A-6-186686 is only to prevent deliquescence of the solid fixing agent and the problems of consolidation or generation of insoluble matters encountered in using a solid bleach-fixing agent, which are to be solved in the present invention, are not referred to at all. Thus, those problems which are to be solved in the present invention cannot be overcome by the technique disclosed in this patent publication.
Heretofore, a solid bleach-fixing agent succeeded in simultaneously solving all of the problems of deliquescence, consolidation and generation of insoluble matters has not been found.
In a method for processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, the used processing solution is generally discarded as an overflow solution, but in the overflow solution, effective components are remaining and therefore, a large number of studies are being made on a so-called regeneration technique of adding lacking components consumed in the processing to enable reuse of the solution and again using it as a replenisher. The recycling as a replenisher by using the overflow solution can realize not only resource saving and cost reduction because of use of chemicals is a small amount as compared with the case of newly preparing a replenisher, but also great reduction of the environmental load value resulting from decrease in the amount of overflow solution discarded, and therefore, this method is preferred in view of environmental conservation.
However, the technique of regenerating the overflow solution cannot be easily developed. Particularly, the bleach-fixing solution is considered highly difficult to regenerate. More specifically, the bleach-fixing solution generally contains at least three functional chemicals, that is, an aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex as the bleaching agent, a thiosulfate as the fixing agent, and a sulfite as the preservative. The overflow solution of the bleach-fixing solution further contains silver ion and color developer components carried over from the previous bath and at the same time, contains a ferrous aminopolycarboxylate. The reuse of this solution is accompanied with desilvering retardation, leuconization (leuco dye reciprocity failure) of cyanine dye, or undesired staining (staining of white base) due to accumulation of halogen ion or silver ion, accumulation of ferrous aminopolycarboxylate, accumulation of developer components, or accumulation of sulfate generated resulting from oxidation of sulfite ion.
A method of reducing silver ion by electrolysis and recovering it is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,764. Also in this case, the iron(III) complex is simultaneously reduced into an iron(II) complex or sulfite ion at the anode is oxidized into sulfate ion, as a result, desilvering failure or leuco dye reciprocity failure is readily generated and at the same time, the stability of the solution decreases.
Also, a technique of regenerating an overflow solution by reducing the equilibrium accumulated amount of silver ion through dilution or the like without positively removing silver is disclosed in JP-A-48-49437 and JP-A-50-145231. This is a simple and inexpensive method because the regeneration and reuse can be realized without using a special apparatus for silver recovery. However, in this method, desilvering retardation is caused due to accumulation of silver halide dissolved out from the light-sensitive material, particularly, silver bromide dissolved out in a large amount, and furthermore, undesired staining or browning is readily generated due to accumulation of developer components. Thus, this method has a problem in the stability of running performance.

Solid bleach-fixing composition for silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, and method for processing silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material


A composite component is provided having at least one felt layer as reinforcement when used for crash and/or noise management applications, and preferably also including at least one reinforcement fiber layer. At least one of the reinforcement layers, preferably a felt layer, may be formed into a preform which is placed into a mold of suitable shape to form the component, along with the other reinforcement layers, with a resin/polymer being injected into the mold and then cured to form the composite component.

Composites fabricated of one or more layers of a woven or nonwoven fiber reinforcing a polymer matrix have found wide application in space, aeronautic, and other applications where the high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios of composites, along with their corrosion resistance and overall durability, offset the significantly higher cost of such materials over various metals such as steel and aluminum. However, since to achieve optimum performance in applications of composite components such as automobile bumpers or other components used for crash management, multiple layers of expensive reinforcing fabric, formed for example from glass or carbon fibers, are currently utilized, use for such applications has been very limited. In particular, while such use can result in components which are significantly lighter, permitting the vehicle on which they are utilized to achieve better gas mileage, have better corrosion resistance properties and greater durability than the comparable steel or aluminum components, and are at least as effective for crash management purposes, the automobile industry has been unwilling to incur the cost penalty in switching to such components.
A need therefore exists for a composite which can provide components with good crash management properties and which substantially retains the other advantageous properties of high performance composites, including desired strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, as well as corrosion resistance and overall durability, while permitting the cost of the composite to be significantly reduced so as to make the use of such composites more attractive for use in crash management and other components. Costs would be further reduced, and the ecological corrections of the product improved, if at least some of the reinforcement could be provided by "waste" and/or recycled materials.

Composite components having felt reinforcement and method for the manufacture thereof

The Regents of the University of California


The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for generating a modified digital image from extracted spatial and global codes. For example, the disclosed systems can utilize a global and spatial autoencoder to extract spatial codes and global codes from digital images. The disclosed systems can further utilize the global and spatial autoencoder to generate a modified digital image by combining extracted spatial and global codes in various ways for various applications such as style swapping, style blending, and attribute editing.

In the field of digital image editing, deep generative models have become increasingly effective at producing realistic images from randomly sampled seeds. These models, such as generative adversarial networks ("GANs"), have revolutionized digital image synthesis, enabling photorealistic rendering of complex phenomena such as faces and other object categories. However, using conventional deep generative models for controllable manipulation of a specific existing digital image remains surprisingly challenging. Indeed, despite the advances of systems that utilize these models, conventional digital image editing systems continue to suffer from a number of disadvantages in accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility.
For example, many conventional digital image editing systems inaccurately generate digital images. Indeed, to generate digital images, many conventional systems learn a mapping from an easy-to-sample (typically Gaussian) distribution of the image domain. As a result, these conventional systems are effective at drawing random samples of arbitrary digital images in a target domain, but these systems cannot accurately generate specific digital images (e.g., a particular user-selected digital image).
In addition to inaccuracy, many conventional digital image editing systems are also inefficient. To elaborate, in attempts to solve the above issue for generating specific digital images, some conventional systems utilize conditional generative models, which directly synthesize an output conditional on a given input digital image. However, such systems not only require the task to be defined a priori, but they further require extensive training data and retraining of the model for each new application. Thus, these conventional digital image editing systems inefficiently utilize computing resources such as processing time, processing power, and memory to perform such expensive training and retraining. Other conventional systems retrofit pretrained unconditional GAN models by looking for semantically meaningful editing operations in an existing latent space. However, the operations of these systems are both computationally expensive and time-consuming in projecting a specific digital image onto its corresponding latent code.
Beyond inaccuracy and inefficiency, many conventional digital image editing systems are further inflexible. Particularly, as mentioned above, conventional systems often generate digital images based on arbitrary sampling, and therefore, cannot adapt to scenarios where generating specific digital images is required, such as editing of a user-selected digital image. In addition, some conventional systems are too slow for application in on-the-fly image manipulation. Indeed, the extensive human-curated training data and/or the retraining of a model for each new application of conventional systems prevents these systems from flexible runtime use.
Thus, there are several disadvantages with regard to conventional digital image editing systems.

Generating modified digital images utilizing a global and spatial autoencoder


In some embodiments, a first provider edge (PE) router is coupled to a first customer edge (CE) router; a second CE router; and a second PE router. The second PE router is coupled to the first CE router and the second CE router. The first PE router is configured with a primary label comprising a primary next hop of the first CE router and a backup next hop of the second PE router and a secondary label comprising a primary next hop of the first CE router and a backup next hop of the second CE router. The second PE router is configured with a primary label comprising a primary next hop of the first CE router and a backup next hop of the first PE router and a secondary label comprising a primary next hop of the first CE router and a backup next hop of the second CE router.

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is an exterior gateway protocol that exchanges routing and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS). BGP used for routing within an AS may be referred to as Interior BGP (IBGP), and BGP used for routing between AS may be referred to as Exterior BGP (EBGP).
To improve BGP convergence time, some networks may configure prefix independent convergence (PIC). There are two types of PIC. BGP PIC Core improves convergence time when a core router fails and the internal gateway protocol needs to find a new best path to the provider edge (PE) router. BGP PIC Edge improves convergence time when a PE router fails and BGP needs to switch to a different PE router.
Under normal circumstances, BGP can take several seconds to a few minutes to converge after a network change. At a high level, BGP goes through the following process. BGP learns of failures through either interior gateway protocol or bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) events or interface events. BGP withdraws the routes from the routing information base (RIB), and the RIB withdraws the routes from the forwarding information base (FIB) and distributed FIB (dFIB). This process clears the data path for the affected prefixes.
BGP sends withdraw messages to its neighbors and calculates the next best path to the affected prefixes. BGP inserts the next best path for affected prefixes into the RIB, and the RIB installs them in the FIB and dFIB.
This process takes a few seconds or a few minutes to complete, depending on the latency of the network, the convergence time across the network, and the local load on the devices. The data plane converges only after the control plane converges.
BGP PIC adds functionality in the BGP, RIB, Cisco Express Forwarding, and multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). With respect to BGP functionality, for Internet Protocol (IP) prefixes BGP PIC calculates an additional second best path along with the primary best path. The second best path is referred to as the backup/alternate path. BGP installs the best and backup/alternate paths for the affected prefixes into the BGP RIB. The backup/alternate path provides a fast reroute mechanism to counter a singular network failure. BGP also includes the alternate/backup path in its application programming interface (API) to the IP RIB.
With respect to BGP PIC RIB functionality, the RIB installs an alternate path per route if one is available. With the BGP PIC functionality, if the RIB selects a BGP route containing a backup/alternate path, it installs the backup/alternate path with the best path. The RIB also includes the alternate path in its API with the FIB.
With respect to BGP PIC and Cisco Express Forwarding functionality, Cisco Express Forwarding stores an alternate path per prefix. When the primary path goes down, Cisco Express Forwarding searches for the backup/alternate path in a prefix independent manner. Cisco Express Forwarding also listens to BFD events to rapidly detect local failures.
With respect to BGP PIC and MPLS functionality, MPLS forwarding is similar to Cisco Express Forwarding, in that it stores alternate paths and switches to an alternate path if the primary path goes down.
When the BGP PIC feature is enabled, BGP calculates a backup/alternate path per prefix and installs it into BGP RIB, IP RIB, and FIB. This improves convergence after a network failure.


A receiving apparatus in a wireless communication system is provided. The receiving apparatus includes a first interference cancellation unit configured to cancel interference from a received signal that is received through an antenna according to a first scheme, a second interference cancellation unit configured to cancel interference from the received signal that is received through the antenna according to a second scheme, and a combination unit configured to combine the signal from which interference is cancelled according to the first scheme and the signal from which interference is cancelled according to the second scheme.

Generally, wireless communication uses a limited frequency resource. Therefore, wireless signals that are different from or identical to each other are transmitted and received within a narrow band. Consequently, interference occurs between frequencies. The interference occurring between frequencies may be classified roughly into co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference according to the type of interference. According to the to the related art, various techniques for canceling co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference are used depending on the employed technology of wireless communication. When interference cancellation techniques are indiscreetly used even in a case in which no interference is present, performance may be degraded. Therefore, techniques for detecting whether there is interference are already known.
For example, means for detecting whether interference occurs and for canceling interference according to a result of detection may be configured as illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a unit for detecting and canceling interference in a wireless communication system according to the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the interference cancellation means includes an interference detection and control unit 110 and an interference cancellation unit 120. The interference detection and control unit 110 detects an interference signal and controls application of interference cancellation techniques depending on a situation. The interference cancellation unit 120 cancels interference from a received signal according to the control of interference detection and control unit 110. The interference detection and control unit 110 detects the magnitude of the interference signal and controls the interference cancellation unit 120 according to the magnitude. The interference detection and control unit 110 and the interference cancellation unit 120 use different signal processing methods according to the types of the interference signal (e.g., adjacent channel interference signal and co-channel interference signal).
Interference cancellation techniques according to the related art consider only one type interference. Therefore, when two or more multi-interferences are cancelled, high operation complexity is required. Generally, in an area in which frequency resources are scarce, a multi-interference having two types of interferences occurs in many cases. Therefore, in a receiving apparatus having a plurality of interference cancellation devices, interference is cancelled by applying respective interference cancellation devices according to a situation. In this case, when two or more interference cancellation units are used, and the respective interference cancellation devices are influenced by one another, the receiving apparatus is required to determine the influence of the respective interference cancellation devices in advance and to control the respective cancellation units. However, in practice, determining the effects that the respective cancellation units have on one another in advance is very difficult or nearly impossible.
A receiving system for canceling a multi-interference signal using a plurality of cancellers for canceling a single type interference signal in a wireless communication system is configured as illustrated in FIG. 2. An interference signal generally needs to be cancelled before an equalization unit. Therefore, when two or more interference cancellation units are used, the interference cancellers are connected in series as illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a receiving apparatus including a plurality of interference cancellation units in a wireless communication system according to the related art.
Referring to FIG. 2, a first interference detection and control unit 210-1 and a first interference cancellation unit 220-1 are provided in order to cancel first interference, and a second interference detection and control unit 210-2 and a second interference cancellation unit 220-2 are provided in order to cancel second interference. In this case, the blocks for canceling the first interference (e.g., the first interference detection and control unit 210-1 and the first interference cancellation unit 220-1) and the blocks for canceling the second interference (e.g., the second interference detection and control unit 210-2 and the second interference cancellation unit 220-2) are connected in series. A channel estimation unit 230, an equalization unit 240, and a channel decoder 250 are connected subsequently thereto.
A problem does not occur when a plurality of interference cancellation units operate independently without interfering with each other. However, the signal processing algorithms of employed interference cancellation units influence each other with respect to signal processing methods as a result of the characteristics thereof. In addition, when reception performance is influenced due to the above-described reason, the respective interference cancellation units connected in series as illustrated in FIG. 2 may not be controlled independently. For example, when co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference both exist, the case of using only a co-channel interference cancellation unit may represent better performance than the case of using both the co-channel interference cancellation unit and an adjacent channel interference cancellation unit. The reason for this is that the characteristics of the adjacent channel interference cancellation unit has an influence on the signal processing process of the co-channel interference cancellation unit, so that the quality of a received signal is degraded in a co-channel interference cancellation process.
As described above, when two types of interference signals exist, the receiving apparatus needs to estimate influence occurring between interference cancellation units and determine an optimal control combination. However, determining the influence between interference cancellation units is difficult, thereby hardly determining the optimal control combination.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Virtual reception diversity apparatus and method in wireless communication system


A straightening apparatus for straightening cables includes a first roller group having several rollers and a second roller group having several rollers opposite the first roller group. The cable alternates in a transport direction between the rollers of the first roller group and the rollers of the second roller group. The straightening apparatus further includes an infeed device with which the first roller group can be displaced in a closing direction against the second roller group. In order to secure the position of the first roller group displaced in the closing direction by the infeed device, the straightening apparatus includes a backstop which blocks a backward movement of the first roller group against the closing direction. The backstop has a clamping roller which is received in a wedge gap.

The cables, such as insulated strands or solid conductors made of copper or steel, which are processed on a cable processing machine, are usually provided in drums, on rolls or as a bundle and are therefore more or less curved and provided with a twist after unrolling. Straight cables are important in order to be able to reliably carry out process steps such as stripping, crimping and possibly fitting with connector housings provided on the cable processing machine. In order to straighten the cables as straight as possible, they are usually pulled with the help of the drives in the cable processing machine through a straightening apparatus attached to the machine inlet.
A generically comparable straightening apparatus is known, for example, from EP 2 399 856 A1. The straightening apparatus has an upper and a lower roller group. The cable to be straightened is passed between the rollers of the two roller groups in a transport direction. The roller groups can be moved relative to one another to set the straightening parameters. Starting from an open position in a closing direction that is perpendicular to the direction of transport of the cable, the upper roller group is first displaced against the lower roller group into a closed position. In this closed position, the parallel rollers of the upper and lower roller group are on the cable and touch it. This process is also known and familiar to the person skilled in the art under the name "infeeding". The distance between the rollers can be set manually using a rotary knob. An additional quick-release lever enables the straightening apparatus to be opened and closed quickly when the cable is removed and inserted between the rollers. Alternatively, the roller spacing can also be set automatically. For this purpose, the infeed mechanism for displacing the upper roller group against the lower roller group is provided with a motor drive, for example. However, this variant is technically complex and costly.


An apparatus for producing containers made of paper-base laminate, the apparatus comprising: an intermittently drivable rotor 42 having radial mandrels 43 each adapted to support a tubular container blank of square to rectangular cross section as fitted therearound, the mandrels 43 being so arranged as to successively stop at each of processing stations I to VI including a pressure bonding station V, and a bottom bonding unit 48 disposed at the pressure bonding station V, each of the mandrels 43 having in a forward end face 54 thereof a groove 55 for forming the recess 36, the bottom bonding unit 48 comprising a bonding member 52 having a pressing face 56, the pressing face 56 being opposed to the forward end face 54 of the mandrel 43 as stopped at the pressure bonding station V, the pressing face 56 being provided with a ridge 57 corresponding to the groove 55.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing containers made of paper-base laminate and filled with contents such as fluid food.
Such containers have a closed bottom portion generally bulging outward, are therefore not positionable upright with good stability but tend to rock, and can not be displayed in a stable position. Further when allowed to rock, the container becomes damaged at the corners of the closed bottom portion.
To overcome the above problem, the present applicant has already proposed a container having a bottom portion which is recessed in the form of a pyramid centrally thereof, and an apparatus for producing the container (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,847).
The container proposed by the present applicant is positionable with good stability, whereas the liquid level within the container rises by an amount corresponding to the bottom recess of the container. The liquid is then likely to spill from the container during transport. This must be prevented by reducing the transport speed of the container transport conveyor, consequently entailing the problem of impairing the efficiency of the packaging machine.
On the other hand, the container producing apparatus has mandrels and a pressure bonding member. To form the recessed bottom portion, each of the mandrels needs to be formed in its forward end face with a cavity defined by a pyramidal recessed surface, and the bonding member has a pressing face which must be provided with a projection corresponding to the cavity. However, the cavity and the projection are not easy to make, necessitating an increased machining cost.

Apparatus for producing containers made of paper-base laminate


The invention pertains to a portable device comprising a housing, a display, a storage medium, at least one acceleration sensor, means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display. The said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof.

The invention pertains to a portable device comprising a housing, a display, a storage medium, at least one acceleration sensor, means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration, sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display. The invention further pertains to a method of generating instructions or advice on how to increase physical activity as well as to a computer program comprising program code means for performing all the steps of the said method.
An example of a device as described above is known from e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,655, which relates to an exercise amount measuring device. This particular device calculates and displays total consumed calories, a remaining target calorie value, and a life activity index, which is classified into e.g. one of three ranks (I 'light', II 'medium', and III 'a little heavy'). To calculate these parameters, gender, age, height, and weight should be inputted by means of switches on the device.
Similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,200 en European patent application EP 0 797 169 A1.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,951 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,083 disclose a pedometer comprising a accelerometer subsystem. This subsystem and a heart beat subsystem are sampled and a moving average of acceleration is computed at each sample time. This moving average serves as a baseline for describing the acceleration waveform of a locomotor step.
Nowadays, many people are aware of the importance of healthy nutrition and sufficient exercise, yet appear unable to accomplish the same.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which stimulates (daily) physical activity through relatively uncomplicated and user-friendly means.
To this end, the device according to the invention is characterised in accordance with claim 1.
To this end, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof. It is preferred that the PAI or a derivative thereof is calculated by multiplying an average of a processed signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant.
It was surprisingly found that the PAI can be established readily, because the relation between the PAI and a processed signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor is substantially linear.
For instance, PAI can be established by subtracting an offset from the processed signals or sample and multiplying the result with a constant. Such a constant is preferably determined by measuring the oxygen consumption of several subjects. Personal data of a user, such as gender, age, height, and weight, need not be inputted thus further enabling straightforward construction and enhancing ease of use. Also, the PAI is universal in that e.g. a PAI of 1.5 indicates a sedentary lifestyle independent of personal data, i.e. for a woman in her early twenties and a middle-aged man alike. Thus, suitable instructions or advice on how to increase physical activity can be readily selected based on the measured PAI and competition between e.g. colleagues or family members is being provoked.
It is preferred that the device comprises an input/output connector which enables the transfer of at least some of the stored information to a computer that contains or is connected or connectable to an electronic database and/or an electronic algorithm.
The method of generating instructions or advice according to the invention involves electronically obtaining, from an individual, the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof and selecting, based on this parameter, one or more instructions or advice components from a database. It is preferred that the said parameter is downloaded by a remote server system, which selects, based on this parameter, one or more instructions or advice components from a database and wherein the selected items or a processed version thereof are subsequently uploaded.
The invention further pertains to a computer program comprising program code means for performing all the steps of this method. The computer program product may of course comprise both modules intended for implementation on a remote service system, e.g. located at a service provider, and modules intended for implementation on a local processing unit, such as a personal computer and/or portable computer device of some sort.
The Physical Activity Index (PAI), sometimes also referred to as Physical Activity Level (PAL), can be established by dividing the Total Energy Expenditure (TEE), i.e. the amount of energy that is consumed by a person during a selected period of time, e.g. a day, by the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), i.e. the amount of energy that is consumed by a person lying still on a bed for the same period of time. Typically, the PAI has the value of 1.0 when the person is lying on a bed, 1.5 when the person leads a sedentary life and 2.0 when the person has an active lifestyle.
It is noted that the TEE is roughly equal to the sum of the Activity Induced Energy Expenditure (AEE), the BMR, and the Diet Induced Energy Expenditure (DIE). The latter is usually equal to approximately 10% of the TEE.
Both AEE and BMR are proportional to the body weight of an individual. When compared to a relatively heavyweight person, a relatively lightweight person will consumes less energy both when in rest (BMR) and while performing a certain physical activity (AEE). In other words, the ratio of TEE to BMR, i.e. the PAI, is substantially independent of body weight. In this respect, the PAI and its derivatives differ from indices derived directly from AEE, such as joule or calorie consumption or an index proportional to such consumption. The latter indices require individual data (gender, age, height, and weight), whereas the device according to the present invention does not require such data.
An example of a preferred derivative of the PAI is the ratio of AEE to BMR, preferably multiplied by 100.

Portable device comprising an acceleration sensor and method of generating instructions or advice


The present apparatus stabilizes the behavior of the vehicle when a lateral disturbance occurs and includes a lateral disturbance detection unit, a target yaw rate computation unit and a vehicle yaw rate control unit. The lateral disturbance detection unit detects a lateral disturbance. The target yaw rate computation unit calculates a driver's steering angle when the lateral disturbance is detected, and calculates a target yaw rate using the calculated driver's steering angle, and vehicle information, including vehicle behavior information and vehicle specification information. The vehicle yaw rate control unit controls a vehicle yaw rate so as to attenuate a turning moment attributable to the lateral disturbance, thereby causing the controlled vehicle yaw rate to converge on the calculated target yaw rate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the lateral stability of a vehicle, which controls the yaw rate of the vehicle so as to attenuate a turning moment attributable to an external disturbance applied laterally to the vehicle, thereby preventing the vehicle from deviating from driving lane and preventing a traffic accident.
2. Background Art
Many control technologies for vehicle safety have been developed, such as Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) technology for the stable traveling of a vehicle.
Such control technologies, such as ASV technology, are control technologies that employ a method of performing control intervention for straight roads for which a driver's intention to steer a vehicle is low, and performing no control intervention and handing over control to the driver for curved roads for which the driver's intention to steer the vehicle is high.
However, when a lateral disturbance such as side wind is abruptly applied to a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling along a curved road, a turning moment is generated due to the yaw component by the lateral disturbance. Control technologies for vehicle safety have problems in that they do not provide appropriate control or measures for counteracting such a lateral disturbance, so that drivers move off of roads along which they intend to travel, and thus serious traffic accidents may occur.
The above information disclosed in this the Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Method and apparatus for controlling lateral stability of vehicle


Disclosed is a calcium salt, Ca(HMDS)2, where HMDS is the hexamethyldisilazide anion (also known as bis(trimethylsilyl)amide), enables high current densities and high coulombic efficiency for calcium metal deposition and dissolution. These properties facilitate the use of this salt in batteries based on calcium metal. In addition, the salt is significant for batteries based on metal anodes, which have higher specific energies than batteries based on intercalation anodes, such as LiC6. In particular, a calcium based rechargeable battery includes Ca(HMDS)2 salt and at least one solvent, the solvent suitable for calcium battery cycling. The at least one solvent can be diethyl ether, diisopropylether, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), 1,3-dioxane, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), tetrahydropyran, glyme, diglyme, triglyme or tetraglyme, or any mixture thereof.

Across the globe, scientist are interested in what is coming after lithium batteries. The rechargeable batteries have become the dominant power source in any number of consumer electronics, from phones to cars. It has been suggested that the global lithium ion battery market will hit 100 billion by 2024.
However, that growth comes with several challenges. For example, there are limited sources suitable for large-scale lithium extraction. In addition, lithium extraction results in extreme environmental impacts, such as heavy water consumption. Thus, there is a continued need for replacement of lithium-based batteries.
Calcium has the potential to act as a replacement. For example, it is already used in lead acid batteries, which are often seen in automotive starter motors. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and the third most abundant metal, with equal geographical resource distribution around the globe. Calcium also lacks lithium's troublesome trait of catching fire. The challenge for the adoption of calcium has been finding a workable electrolyte. Within batteries, an electrolyte is a medium that allows the battery to move ions from one place to another. For a battery to work, it needs to transfer ions from its cathode to its anode and back. Electrolytes come in many varieties, including soluble salts, acids, or other bases in liquid, gelled, and dry formats.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University


Elongate bases (10) for guiding a movable end (37) of a conductor path (30). Cross sections taken through the bases substantially normal to the elongation directions of the bases are substantially identical to one another and substantially constant along the elongation direction of the bases. Thus, the bases (10) can be obtained by cutting an elongated raw material to a specified length in conformity with a vehicle type, thereby enabling a cost reduction. Further, since the bases (10) are symmetrical with a moving path of the movable end (37) located therebetween, it is sufficient to prepare only one kind of elongated raw material. In this respect as well, costs can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for guiding a conductor path for slide door.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-25850 discloses a device for guiding a conductor path for automotive slide door. This device has two guiding plates mounted on the slide door and a flexible conductor path is arranged in a folded manner between the guiding plates. A fixed end of the conductor path is fixed to the guiding plates and a movable end of the conductor path is connected movably with a guiding portion that extends along a guiding direction of the slide door.
Different types of vehicles often have differently sized slide doors and hence have used differently configured guiding plates. The guiding plates of the above-described guiding device are produced by press-working plates that are stamped into a specified shape. Thus, special guiding plate press molds have been required for each vehicle type and costs have been high.
A movable end of the above-described guiding device is supported on a guidable portion that is engaged slidably with guide rails that extend along a sliding direction of the slide door. Thus, the movable end of the conductor path is not engaged directly with the guide rails and a clearance is defined between the movable end of the conductor path and the guide rails along the guiding direction of the guide rails. The clearance causes a section of the conductor path extending from the movable end to displace towards the guide rails and to take an oblique posture relative to the guide rails when the movable end and the guidable portion move towards a folded section of the conductor path. As a result, a reaction force acts on the guidable member from a side of the movable end in a direction oblique to the guide rails. This oblique reaction force on the guidable member increases sliding resistance at portions of the guidable member that contact the guide rails and may hinder smooth sliding movement of the guidable member.
The invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to provide a simple guiding device that operates efficiently.

Device for guiding a conductor path for slide door


A method and system are provided for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) structures having micron or submicron features. The method includes providing a continuously-formed relief structured material, the relief structured material having a first layer comprising a material having a pattern of relief structures formed on a first surface thereof. The structured material includes second layer comprising a photosensitive material that is disposed on the first layer. The relief structured material is exposed to radiation through the first layer, where the pattern of relief structures formed on the first surface of the first layer generates a 3-dimensional light intensity pattern of the radiation that is incident on the second layer. The exposed material is developed, where the developed material comprises a plurality of 3D structures having micron or submicron features.

The present invention relates generally to manufacturing systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) structures on the micron and submicron scale in a continuous manner.
The demand for new products with more features in smaller areas has resulted in an increasing demand to manufacture smaller features at higher yields. Some conventional techniques for manufacturing periodic structures of three dimensions (also referred to as "3D periodic structures" or, more particularly, "3D periodic nanostructures" where such structures have length, height, and width features in the nanometer regime) are known. By "3D structure" it is meant that the structures can be quasi-periodic in all three dimensions (length, width, and depth). These conventional methods include techniques based on colloidal sedimentation, polymer phase separation, templated growth, fluidic self-assembly, multiple beam interference lithography, multiple exposures of two optical beams and methods based on printing, molding, and writing. Fabrication of 3D periodic structures using a single diffraction element masks have also been demonstrated.
For example, I. Divliansky, et al., "Fabrication of three-dimensional polymer photonic crystal structures using single diffraction element interference lithography", Appl. Phys. Letters, Vol. 82, No. 11 (Mar. 17, 2003) describe a four-beam interference pattern that is recorded in a photosensitive polymer via a single diffraction element that has a central opening surrounded by three diffraction gratings positioned 120° relative to one another.
In another conventional approach, S. Jeon et al., "Fabricating complex three-dimensional nanostructures with high-resolution conformable phase masks", PNAS, Vol. 101, No. 34, pp. 12428-12433 (Aug. 24, 2004), describe the use of an elastomeric (PDMS) mask to expose a photopolymer film. In this approach, light passing through the phase mask that has features of relief comparable in dimension to the wavelength of the light generates a 3D distribution of intensity that exposes the photopolymer film throughout its thickness. The phase mask utilized includes a conformable, elastomeric phase mask with features of relief that have dimensions comparable to the optical wavelength. The relief structure is brought in conformal contact with the resist surface allowing for high mechanical and fabrication tolerances. The geometry of this intensity pattern depends on the design (i.e., depth and layout of the relief structures and the index of refraction) of the mask and the wavelength, polarization, and coherence of the exposure light.
However, the conventional fabrication methods are not applicable for fabricating large volume and large area structures of micron or sub-micron periodicity. In addition, these conventional fabrication methods referenced do not present the capability of building different types of lattices with ease of fabrication and with fabrication defect control.

Method and system for fabricating three-dimensional structures with sub-micron and micron features


There is provided cladding apparatus comprising a body portion (108) having an inner surface (110) and an outer surface (112) extending longitudinally between a leading edge (114) and a trailing edge (116) and transversely between opposed side edges (118). The leading edge (114) is provided with a formation (124) which inter-engages with complementary formation (126) provided on an adjacent body portion thereby permitting the body portions to inter-engage when laid in a longitudinal sequence. The body portion (108) is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending elongate mounting portions (128) on the inner surface (110) thereof. A longitudinal mounting batten (144) is attached to the fascia panel (106) adjacent to the exposed edge of the tiles (104), and into which the elongate mounting portions (128) may slide. A roof batten (132) is laid on the tiles and has on its lower face a plurality of steps which compensate for the overlapping nature of the tiles to provide a level upper face (140) when laid on the tiles (104), the upper face (140) forming a labyrinth with the inner surface (110) to assist in excluding weather in use.

This invention relates to cladding apparatus and methods and systems. More particularly, this invention has application in roofing and thus roofing apparatus, its method of implementation and to a roofing structure formed thereby are, for illustrative purposes described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, the apparatus, methods and structures formed by embodiments of the present invention may readily find application in wall cladding, lining and other structural applications.


In one embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a conductive slug and columnar leads in spaced relationship thereto. The columnar leads are coupled to an electronic device attached to the slug, and are exposed at least on one side of the package opposite the die attach slug. The die attach slug is further exposed to provide a package configured in a slug up orientation.

The handheld consumer products market is aggressive in the miniaturization of portable electronics. Driven primarily by the cellular phone and digital assistant markets, manufacturers of these devices are challenged by ever shrinking formats and the demand for more PC-like functionality. This challenge asserts pressure on surface mount component manufacturers to design their products to command the smallest area possible. By doing so, this allows portable electronics designers to incorporate additional functions within a device without increasing the overall product size.
In Chip Scale Packaging (CSP) technologies, manufacturers strive to bring the package size as close as possible to the size of the semiconductor chip. The electronics industry has accepted the Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) defined Quad Flat Pack No Lead (QFN) outlines as good alternatives for low cost chip scale packages. In typical QFN packages, the lower side of a semiconductor chip is attached to a metal lead die attach paddle. Wire bonds are then used to connect circuitry located on the front side of the chip to leads. The chip and lead frame are covered by an epoxy resin to form an assembled component. The die attach paddle and the leads are then attached to a next level of assembly such as printed circuit board.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional QFN package 10 including lead frame 11. Lead frame 11 comprises a slug, flag or die attach portion 13 for supporting semiconductor chip 14, and leads 16. Wire bonds 17 connect semiconductor chip 14 to leads 16. Epoxy layer 19 covers semiconductor chip 14 and portions of lead frame 11, while leaving lower portions of flag 13 and leads 16 exposed. In the QFN package, leads 16 terminate at the edge of the package to provide a smaller package footprint. QFN packages typically are square with leads 16 present on all four sides of the lower surface of the package. FIG. 1 shows package 10 attached to a printed circuit board 21, which includes attach or bond pads 22. FIGS. 2 and 3 are isometric top and bottom views respectively of package 10. As shown in FIG. 3, slug 13 and leads 16 are both exposed on the bottom or lower surface of package 10 for attaching to printed circuit board 21.
There are several advantages to QFN packages including small package footprints, matrix lead frame arrays that allow for easier assembly, and established automated assembly tools. However, there are several problems associated with these packages including poor heat transfer capability for high power device applications. Specifically, in device 10 slug 13 is placed next to or adjacent printed circuit board 21, which must accommodate for heat dissipation. This results in inefficient heat dissipation and heat transfer problems, which impact device performance, reliability, and product life span.
Accordingly, a need exists for a package structure and method of assembly that provide enhanced heat dissipation capability. It is desirable for such a structure and method of assembly to be cost effective by using, for example, existing assembly process techniques.

Semiconductor package structure and method of manufacture

Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.


Dual-tub junction-isolated voltage clamp devices and methods of forming the same are provided herein. The voltage clamp device can provide junction-isolated protection to low voltage circuitry connected between first and second high voltage interface pins. In certain implementations, a voltage clamp device includes a PNPN protection structure disposed in a p-well, a PN diode protection structure disposed in an n-well positioned adjacent the p-well, a p-type tub surrounding the p-well and the n-well, and an n-type tub surrounding the p-type tub. The p-type tub and the n-type tub provide junction isolation, the p-type tub can be electrically floating, and the n-type tub can be electrically connected to the second pin. The first and second pins can operate at a voltage difference below the junction isolation breakdown, and the second pin can operate with higher voltage than the first pin.

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to electronic systems, and more particularly, to dual-tub junction-isolated voltage clamp devices for protecting low voltage circuits connected between high voltage interface pins.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Certain electronic systems can be exposed to a transient electrical event, or an electrical signal of a relatively short duration having rapidly changing voltage and high power. Transient electrical events can include, for example, electrical overstress/electrostatic discharge (EOS/ESD) events arising from the abrupt release of charge from an object or person to an electronic system.
Transient electrical events can damage integrated circuits (ICs) inside an electronic system due to overvoltage conditions and/or high levels of power dissipation over relatively small areas of the ICs. High power dissipation can increase IC temperature, and can lead to numerous problems, such as gate oxide punch-through, junction damage, metal damage, and surface charge accumulation. Moreover, transient electrical events can induce latch-up (in other words, inadvertent creation of a low-impedance path), thereby disrupting the functioning of the IC and potentially causing permanent damage to the IC.

Dual-tub junction-isolated voltage clamp devices for protecting low voltage circuitry connected between high voltage interface pins and methods of forming the same


An end fitting for a composite tube used in high pressure hydraulic systems. The tube includes a composite matrix wrapped around a metal liner. The fitting includes an inner sleeve having a plurality of holes with pins therein extending into the matrix for securing the sleeve to the matrix. An outer sleeve fitting over the inner sleeve retains the pins within the holes, and the inner sleeve prevents the outer sleeve from sliding off the end of the tubing. A forward inner sleeve or ring encloses the end of the matrix and is also surrounded by the outer sleeve. A nut is retained on the outer sleeve for joining to a connector having an end surface which mates with the end of the liner flared against the end ring.

This invention relates to a system for securing end fittings for light weight, but strong composite tubing and the like. The system is particularly useful with tubing subjected to high operating pressures, one example of which is use in aircraft hydraulic systems.
Composite tubing has proven to be increasingly useful in many applications due to its high strength and low weight. A prime example of this is the use of composite tubing in aircraft high pressure hydraulic systems. Improvements in materials has created composite tubing that can provide the necessary strength but with less weight than that of metal. As is well known, any weight saving is of great value in aircraft because of energy conservation and resulting cost saving.
Such composite tubing typically is being made of large numbers of strong, long fibers or filaments bonded together by suitable resins to create a strong rigid matrix. Various materials are being used for fibers, such as Kevlar, carbon and glass. The fibers are arranged in a wide variety of patterns, usually involving many layers of crossed fibers. For example, one or more layers may be arranged spirally around a mandrel alternately arranged with other layers of fibers spiraling in the opposite direction so that the fibers intersect. In other approaches, the fibers are braided or woven, still resulting in crossed fibers or mesh-type constructions. Resin is applied to the fibrous mesh in various ways or stages. In high pressure fluid applications, the matrix has a thin inner liner of metal or other fluid impervious material to provide additional sealing capability.
Currently, end fittings for composite tubing are attached by winding filaments over one or more ridges on the end fitting and curing the composite so that the ridges support the longitudinal loading, by attaching end fittings with adhesive, or by mechanically squeezing the tubing wall between ridged, tapered and/or grooved mating sections that grip the ID and OD of the tubing. Curing the end fitting in place requires that each tube length be fabricated to size at the factory. Fitting ends attached with adhesive do not provide the strength for high pressure applications. Current mechanical means do not provide sealing for high pressure applications.
Also, there is a need to fabricate tubing lengths for repair of damaged tube assemblies in the field. This can be for permanent installations like oil field pumping stations, for aircraft at remote air fields or carriers, or for space stations in orbit.
The problem of damaged tubing has sometimes been handled by shipping the tubing back to the factory where end fittings can be installed. Because it is not practical to let expensive equipment sit idle, a damaged tube has instead typically been replaced by a new one, while the damaged one if repairable was returned to the factory. This in turn creates a need for carrying inventory of adequate replacement tubes. Compounding this problem is the fact that most tubing in aircraft hydraulic systems is cut to a precise length. Thus, a supply of a few sizes is not sufficient, but instead it is necessary to have a supply of each particular tubing that has a likelihood of being needed for replacement.
While there are many different systems shown in the prior art for connecting end fittings to a tubular member, the high pressure operation must be kept in mind. For example, commercial airplanes typically have hydraulic systems operating at 3000 psi; military planes typically have operating pressures of 4000 psi and some newer ones reaching 5000 psi. Moreover, there are some research and development activities utilizing pressures in the range of 8000 psi. In addition, it is necessary from a safety standpoint that such tubing be able to withstand three to four times the operating pressures. By extreme contrast, everyday garden hoses are typically subjected to no more than a 100 psi.
Metal tubing, which is replaced by the composite tubing, may have a circumferential score line formed in its periphery to assist in connecting an end fitting, but such an approach is unsatisfactory for composite tubing because the fibers cannot be cut without having an unacceptable corresponding loss of strength.
Thus, there is a significant need for an improved end fitting for composite members, particularly tubing subjected to high operating pressures such as in hydraulic systems. Such a fitting should be capable of easy connection on the job site without the use of complex machinery so that a supply of uncut tubing may be kept at the job site and then cut to a desired length for connection to an end fitting. A satisfactory fitting can of course not be significantly detrimental to the resin fiber matrix of the tubing.


A closed system for flushing an IV site comprises a unitary reservoir assembly of a first fluid reservoir for containing a first flush fluid, a second fluid reservoir for containing a second flush fluid, a tubing array for connecting the first and the second reservoirs to an IV site comprising a common tube having a connector on one end thereof for connection to the site, and mounted in a housing having depressible panels for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid from each of the first and the second reservoirs.

The present invention relates to an IV drug delivery apparatus and pertains particularly to an improved IV site flush system.
Because of the high cost of administering health care in this country, many patients administer their own intravenous therapy (IV) at home. Many times, such therapy requires the periodic infusion of one or more therapeutic fluids, such as an antibiotic. The patient is usually equipped with an IV tubing set, typically called an IV infusion site or IV site when installed. The IV site typically consists of a needle or catheter inserted into a vein of the patient by trained medical personnel and attached to a tubing set which is strapped or taped to the patient to enable easy attachment of an infuser device. The tubing set is equipped with an injection port or cap into which a needle is inserted to administer or infuse the therapeutic fluid. It may also have other forms of coupling, such as a luer lock coupling.
Between infusions, blood may coagulate and clog the IV needle and/or tubing. In order to overcome this problem, an anticoagulant such as heparin is introduced into the IV site after an infusion. A preferred procedure is to flush the IV site with a saline solution before and after the infusion, and fill or flush the IV site with heparin after the second saline flush.
Currently in the health care industry, IV sites are flushed with a saline solution before infusion and after the infusion is complete. A heparin solution is then injected into the site to prevent coagulation between infusion periods. This is carried out by means of a separate syringe and hypodermic needle for each saline flush. The catheter and needle area of the vein are then filled with the heparin by means of another syringe after the infusion and second saline flush.
This procedure is carried out with at least three syringes, three 25G needles, and vials of saline and heparin. The patient or nurse draws fluid into the syringe and pierces the injection port of the IV site to inject for each stage of the procedure. The IV site is pierced first for saline, second for the IV therapy, third for saline and fourth for heparin. This requires the use and disposal of at least three syringes and four needles with each treatment, and increases the risk of mistake or contamination due to the many open instruments and connections.
The present invention provides a closed system wherein the syringes and multiple needles are eliminated, and the IV site is pierced only once for each treatment.


Terminal block for automation device, notably for programmable controller, mounted movably and electrically connected to an interface module. The lateral wall of the body of the terminal block which is situated on the side of the openings for passage of the flexible leads connected the units of the automated system comprises a pivoting flap.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a terminal block for an automation device, more particularly for a programmable controller, comprising a movable terminal block body that can be mounted on and electrically connected to an electronic processing module or interface module of the automation device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such a terminal block, known after French patent No. 2,544,556, comprises connection terminals, on the one hand electrically connected to connection elements specific to the module, and, on the other hand, susceptible of receiving and clamping ends of leads connected to units of the automated system of which acquisition of the status or control of the working according to a predetermined program is required. The clamping terminals have, to the front, openings for access by a tool such as a screwdriver, and, to the side, openings for the passage of the ends of the leads to be clamped. The body of the terminal block also has a lateral gorge to house the bundle of leads, and a closing front wall and lateral walls.
The words "front" and "rear" in this instance qualify elements respectively situated towards and opposite the operator in the normal position for utilisation of the device.
It is preferable that the operator be able to easily wire and use a terminal block of the type described.


The invention relates to the field of molecular biology, nucleic acid chemistry and medical diagnostics. More specifically, it relates to methods and compositions for promoting the hybridization of a nucleic acid probe with a target nucleic acid sequence which is not perfectly matched to the probe.

The ability to control hybridization of a nucleic acid strand (a probe) to its complement, while excluding imperfectly base-paired probe hybridization has been central to the advancement of both molecular biological techniques and to design of nucleic acid diagnostic systems. Much attention has been paid to this issue because identification of a particular mutant nucleic acid sequence fully complementary to a probe can permit detection of, for example, the existence of a mutant sequence (genetic disorders) or a particular virulent bacterial or viral strain in a patient. Thus, is studies of the physics of mismatched probe:target energetics has focused on the difference in free energy of such mismatches with the hope that such knowledge will benefit the development of assays in which such mismatches are excluded. For example, in diagnosis of a genetic disorder a mutant probe for targeting a nucleic acid molecule having a sequence containing a single base mismatch associated with such a disorder would produce a false positive result if the probe also hybridizes to the wild-type (unmutated) sequence. In other words, the assay must be sufficiently discriminatory in order for the probe to bind to the molecule having the mutated base and not to the molecule lacking the mutated base. If the probe hybridizes to both molecules, then the hybridization result would indicate the presence of the single base mutated sequence even though it was not, in fact, contained in the tested sample. In general, the environment of the reaction is manipulated to eliminate such mismatch probe:target interactions by modifying the physical conditions for hybridization (e.g., temperature and or time) or composition of the hybridization buffer (e.g., salt, divalent ions denaturing agents, etc.).
On the other hand, however, it is advantageous, in some applications, to have a probe which is known to hybridize with molecules containing particular mismatched sequences (a "marginally indiscrimninant" probe) within a desired degree of homology to the probes' perfect complement. This would permit a single probe to be used in an assay for determining the presence of nucleic acid molecules containing any of the mismatched sequences. Such an assay would thus reduce, or possibly even eliminate, the need for more than one probe, each containing a nucleic sequence precisely corresponding to a sequence of a target molecule. Achievement of such a probe could be useful as a "multiplex" (multiple assays from one probe) probe. To date, for example, conventional multiplexing has relied upon the inclusion of multiplex specific probes into one cocktail reaction (e.g., multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), rather than just one probe.
There are always going to be constraints on an indiscrimninant probe. It would be generally acceptable for a probe to hybridize to any nucleic acid molecule whether complementary or not (although there may be limited use for such a probe in detecting the presence or absence of any DNA). This type of probe and/or conditions for hybridization of the probe would detect even sequences which shared no homology with the probes' complement. At the other end of the spectrum, it is desirable that when designing a marginally indiscrimninant probe for detecting viral nucleic acid sequences, for example, to design a probe such that a single probe will pick up all known of sequence within a limited degree of homology (say 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50% homology).
There are known approaches for detecting target nucleic acids by hybridization of a probe having a nucleic acid sequence fully complementary to or substantially complementary to a sequence of a target nucleic add. Methods have thus been developed to detect viral nucleic acid sequences and their variants by hybridization using probes fully complementary to or substantially complementary to the viral nucleic acid sequences, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,008,182; 5,079,351; 5,268,268; 5,567,603; 5,594,122; 5,594,123; 5,599,662; and 5,733,781, the text of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The specifications of these patents disclose methods and compositions of nucleic acids for as probes for detecting nucleic acid sequences of the family of Human T-cell Leukemia Viruses (HTLV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV and its variants are thought to be responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The probes and methods disclosed in these patents for detecting the presence or absence of the viral DNA utilize probes to conserved regions of these viruses, but the disclosed approaches have limited applicability. This is because of the now well-known genetic variability of human immunodeficiency viruses. Genetic variations arise with high frequency. This variability has complicated the development of assays for detecting the presence of their genetic material. Further, while a comparison of various HIV-1 isolates has revealed, regions of the genome that are reasonably well conserved, it is possible that even the conserved regions, regions to which the probes have been designed to hybridize, may at mutate in the future. If so, probes designed for detecting the conserved regions may not hybridize to the one is conserved region as a result of base mismatches.
As a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,603 describes probes for detecting HIV-3 that hybridize neither with the sequences of HIV-1 nor with the sequences of HIV-2 under stringent hybridization conditions. Thus, the ability to design a single nucleic acid probe and a method that will allow hybridization of the probe to all HIV strains and their variants but not to other non-target partially complementary nucleic acid sequences or other non-related viral nucleic acid sequences would have advantages over current approaches.

Methods and compositions for modulating “marginally indiscriminant” hybridizations


An ultrasound color flow imaging system is programmed to optimize display images on a display monitor (18) by automatically adjusting a threshold. B-mode data corresponding to valid color data is subjected to statistical analysis including mean and standard deviation (S3). The threshold is computed according to mean plus k (standard deviation), where k preferably is based on a linear regression equation.

This invention generally relates to ultrasound color flow Doppler imaging of fluid flow fields. In particular, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for improving the display of such imaging by calculating, a threshold.
Ultrasonic scanners for detecting blood flow based on the Doppler effect are well known. Such systems operate by actuating an ultrasonic transducer array to transmit ultrasonic waves into the object and receiving ultrasonic echoes backscattered from the object. In the measurement of blood flow characteristics, returning ultrasonic waves are compared to a frequency reference to determine the frequency shift imparted to the returning waves by flowing scatterers such as blood cells. This frequency, i.e., phase shift, translates into the velocity of the blood flow. The blood velocity is calculated by measuring the phase shift from firing to firing at a specific range gate.
The change or shift in backscattered frequency increases when blood flows toward the transducer and decreases when blood flows away from the transducer. Color flow images are produced by superimposing a color image of the velocity of moving material, such as blood, over a black and white anatomical B-mode image. Typically, color flow mode displays hundreds of adjacent sample volumes simultaneously, all laid over a B-mode image and color-coded to represent each sample volume""s velocity.
Typically, color flow processors estimate blood flow velocity, blood flow power Doppler imaging (PDI) and blood flow variance. Typically, color flow data is used to modify the color of a region of interest on a display screen. The user selects the type of data used for the display. The modes typically available are power only, velocity only or velocity and variance combined.
When operating in the color velocity or power Doppler imaging (PDI) modes on an ultrasound scanner, sometimes the color spills out of the vessel and writes on the vessel walls or surrounding plaque and tissue. This is an artifact caused by the fact that the color firings and the b-mode firings are independent of each other and that the resultant color flow image must be overlayed into the b-mode image. Differences in spatial and temporal resolution and registration between color and b-mode contribute to this articraft. The effectiveness of color flow wall filtering and power thresholding can also contribute to this artifact. The current LOGIQ 700 product manufactured by General Electric has a B/Color priority threshold which helps to minimize this artifact. For a given display pixel location, when the b-mode gray scale level is above this B/Color priority threshold, the b-mode or gray scale pixel will be written to that pixel location on the display. Otherwise color will be written if there is a valid color value associated with that pixel. Plaque, tissue, and vessel walls typically have a higher gray scale level than those regions containing real flow. The B/Color priority threshold, therefore, helps to eliminate color bleeding onto these higher gray scale regions. The problem is that B/Color priority threshold is typically preset to some level which may or may not be adequate for any particular patient anatomy or user settings such as gain and dynamic range. Even if this threshold can be manually adjusted by the user, the typical user is not likely to be willing to search for the best threshold, and the resolution of the threshold selections may not be adequate to start with.
Accordingly, there is a need for a color flow ultrasound scanner which can automatically adjust the B/color priority threshold according to the actual B-mode data.
In the color flow power or color flow velocity modes of operation, known ultrasound scanners provide user selectable color maps that are applied to the color mode data. In the power mode, the possible data values are 7-bits (0-127). In the velocity mode, the data values are signed 7-bits (xe2x88x92128 to +127). In a known system, any given map is fixed with the colors in the map being applied across the range of data values for power or velocity modes. There are also fixed map thresholds which are set such that color data will be displayed if it is above this threshold and will not be displayed if it is below this threshold. Such thresholding typically is used to minimize unwanted noise and artifacts. The fixed map threshold may be too high for some scanning situations, causing low flow to be thresholded out even if no artifacts are present. As a result, there is a need for a color flow system in which the map and map threshold can be adjusted automatically.
The preferred embodiment is useful in an ultrasound imaging system generating color flow signals and b-mode signals in response to ultrasound signals backscattered from a subject under study. In such an environment, improved image display can be achieved in response to the color flow signals and b-mode signals by receiving and altering a conventional threshold signal. Color flow data is stored in response to the color flow signals and corresponding b-mode data is stored in response to the b-mode signals, preferably in a memory. An identification of valid color flow data is obtained and an analysis of b-mode data corresponding to the valid color flow data is conducted, preferably by a logic unit. The value of the threshold signal is altered in response to the analysis. A color flow image is displayed in response to the altered threshold signal, preferably on an ultrasound display.
By using the foregoing techniques, a color flow display can be superimposed on a b-mode display while minimizing color bleeding artifacts.

Ultrasound b/color priority threshold calculation

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A parking brake including a disc fixed to a vehicle and a plurality of clips attached to the disc to align channels on first and second brake shoes with a braking surface on a drum. Each clip has a rectangular shape with a flat first end fixed to the disc and a U-shaped second end defined by parallel first and second sides separated by a spacer. A projection on the first end is mated with the disc to align the second end along a radial plane of the axis of the drum. The sides of the second end resiliently engage the channels and align friction surfaces on the first and second brake shoes with the braking surface. In addition, the clips attenuate any vibration that may occur between first and second brake shoes and the drum during movement of the vehicle to reducing the creation of noise in the brake.

It is common to provide a vehicle with a parking brake such as the drum-in-hat brake disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,037 as many of the components derived from conventional drum brakes, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,232,391; 6,328,141 and 6,394,237. In such drum brakes the first and second brake shoes are retained on a backing plate through the use of pins that extend through the web of the brake shoes. The pins allow the brake shoes some lateral movement within a brake drum during a brake application when a leading edge of the brake shoe engages the braking surface to allow an abutment surface on a trailing edge of second to be brought in engagement with an anchor to oppose the frictional engagement. On frictional engagement it is necessary that the first and second shoes be able to move, however some uneven wear patterns may occur as the webs are not held in alignment with the braking surface on the drum. U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,093 disclosed a brake wherein the web of a unitary brake shoe is retained on the backing plate by a clip member. In this brake, the friction surfaces are ground in a manner such that during a brake application the non-cylindrical surface of the friction material is expanded into a circular shape to function as a parking brake for a vehicle. Later a parking brake as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,449 was developed wherein channels on first and second brake shoes were located on radial guides that extended from an anchor to align friction surfaces thereon with the braking surface on the drum. This parking brake functions in a satisfactory manner, however during periods of travel of a vehicle over rough surfaces, it is possible that some vibration may occur and as a result noise may be introduced into the brake system.


The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS). According to one method, control of access to streaming media content to a subscriber terminal via a BCMCS may be implemented at a network element, such as an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server or a BCMCS controller. The method may include receiving a message associated with a request for access to streaming media content by a requesting mobile subscriber. Mobile subscriber identification and requested content identification information are determined from the message. The mobile subscriber identification is used to identify a content viewing rule for the requesting mobile subscriber. The content identification is used to determine whether allowing the subscriber to view the content would violate the content viewing rule.

Broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS) supports the broadcasting and multicasting of video or other media content to mobile subscribers in cdma2000 networks. BCMCS specifications, including 3GPP2 X.S0022-0 Broadcast and Multicast Service in cdma2000 Wireless IP Network, Version 1.0, December 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, define signaling procedures associated with setup and teardown of facilities used to deliver streaming media content to wireless subscribers.
BCMCS services are accessible by any authorized subscriber with a BCMCS-capable user terminal, however, the authorized subscriber may be a minor, or other individual for whom it may be desirable to prevent or control certain content from being viewed by the subscriber. The above-referenced BCMCS specifications do not provide a mechanism for parties other than the content provider to control access to content delivered via a BCMCS.
Accordingly, there exists a long felt need for methods, systems, and computer program products for methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS)


A moving coil actuator contains a magnet assembly that is movable to shift the range of motion of the coil. The magnet assembly moves between two or more positions along a path of travel that is parallel to the path of travel of the reciprocating motion of the coil. With this feature, the width of an area scanned by a scanning head affixed to the coil can be increased by multiples allowing a simple moving coil actuator to be used for any scanning width.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to scanning systems for microarrays of biological species such as nucleic acids or proteins, and for any type of procedure or analysis where very rapid illumination, observation, and/or detection are performed at a large number of individual sites arranged in a spatial array. In particular, this invention relates to moving coil actuators and is of particular interest in connection with the use of such actuators as a driving mechanism for a mobile optical system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Microarrays are two-dimensional arrays of sites where chemical or biochemical assays are performed, each site often being of microscopic dimensions, with an independent assay and often a different molecular species at each site. These arrays are formed on a variety of substrates, including glass slides, microtiter plates, and membranes. One of the widest uses of microarrays is in binding assays for the identification or characterization of an unknown biological species or the analysis of a sample to determine where the sample contains species with certain binding affinities. The size, number and spacing of the sites in a microarray can vary considerably, depending on nature of the individual species and the procedures to be performed. The sites can be the wells in a standard microtiter plate which has 96 wells in a 12×8 array with a spacing of 9 mm between wells. At the other extreme, the microarray can be formed on a single glass slide with a width of only 25 mm, where the sites are printed on by automated microprinting techniques. As many as 10,000 genes can be printed on a glass slide in this manner.
The monitoring of assay progress in a microarray and the detection of assay results often includes excitation by exposure of each site to incident radiation followed by, or simultaneous with, the detection and measurement of radiation emitted from the sites in response to the excitation. These functions are typically performed by an optical system with a scanning head, typically one equipped with a laser. Scanning systems often incorporate moving coil actuators to move the scanning head across the array, since these actuators can be operated at high speed, are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, can readily meet performance requirements, and are easy to control. The scanning head, which is the "payload" transported by the actuator, may include a mirror and lens assembly plus holders and bearings, or it may be a laser with detector optics. A moving coil actuator utilizes the well-known Lorentz force to drive the coil at high speed and with a high degree of control to meet precise specifications. The moving coil actuators that are commonly used for scanning heads are voice coil actuators, which are direct-drive, limited-motion devices that utilize a permanent magnetic field and an electric coil to produce a force proportional to the current applied to the coil. Examples of voice coil actuators in current use include various products from the Kimco Magnetics Divison of BEI Technologies, Inc., San Marcos, Calif., U.S.A., and from H2W Technologies, Inc., Valencia, Calif., U.S.A. Disclosures of voice coil actuators are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,894,408, 6,870,285, 6,815,846, and 6,787,943.
For high-speed scanning, the moving parts must be limited to those of low inertia, and this is typically achieved by making the coil mobile and the magnet and magnet housing fixed. The length of travel of the coil is limited however, either by the length of the coil or the length of the magnet. As a result, the typical microarray scanner is only capable of scanning a width of about 1 inch (approximately 25 mm). The same scanner cannot be used effectively to scan a wider array such as that formed on a microtiter plate. Conversely, if an actuator is used for scanning an array whose width is narrower than the width for which the actuator is designed, either the coil will be traveling a greater distance than that needed for scanning the microarray or the system will require costly sensors and controls to limit the travel of the coil to a narrower width, with the added burden of additional mass.

Moving coil actuator with expandable range of motion


A toy set is provided including a reconfigurable toy capable of transitioning between a first configuration and a second configuration. The toy set also includes a launch mechanism having an activation means and a toy receiver. A propulsion mechanism transfers movement of the activation means to the reconfigurable toy to propel the reconfigurable toy in a second configuration from the launch mechanism along a propulsion axis.

Toys are popular and provide entertainment and excitement to a user. Toys can be used alone or with other toys and may be used in conjunction with launch devices. In order to add additional play features to these toys it is desirable to provide them with additional features wherein the toys can change from one configuration to another configuration thus the user has in essence, two different types of toys provided by a single structure.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy that can transform from one configuration to another configuration, and to provide a launch mechanism that can be used with such a toy.


By individuals in an organization possessing a portable node and acquiring sound information, an electronic device and a system that analyze human behavior, group formation, and an activity level of the organization and a system is provided. In an electronic device that has a radio communication unit and a microcomputer, sound is converted into an electrical signal by a microphone, and sound waveform information and characteristic information of sound are obtained using an amplifier, a filter, and an envelope generating circuit. An envelope signal being characteristic information of sound is compared with a reference value by a comparator. Characteristic information of sound when the signal does not reach the reference value, and sound waveform information when greater than the reference value are transmitted from the radio communication unit. The server learns human behavior, group formation; and an activity level of an organization by receiving and analyzing these pieces of information.

This invention relates to an electronic device suitable for analyzing human behavior and group formation in an organization, and a system using it.
Presently, a sensor node attachable to persons is being developed as a sensor node having a radio communication function available in a sensor net (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-288619). To bring such a sensor net into wide practical use, it is important that a sensor node including radio communication functions, sensors, and power supply such as a battery must be maintenance-free and keep transmitting sense data for a long time, and be compact in size. Therefore, though the development of very-small sensor nodes and portable nodes that can be mounted anywhere is in progress, in present situations, it is said that they must be usable without battery replacement for about one year in terms of maintenance costs and usability.
On the other hand, examples of devices that handle human voice include a video conference transmitting device and receiving device, and a voice receiving device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-339036). These devices note that a voice signal has a significant part to which pronunciation and generated voice of actual human speech are inputted, and a noise part that contains meaningless sounds such as natural and mechanical noises, and compress only the significant part to transmit the voice signal.

Electronic device and a system using the same


A wafer translator and a wafer, removably attached to each other, provides the electrical connection to electrical contacts on integrated circuits on a wafer in such a manner that the electrical contacts are substantially undamaged in the process of making such electrical connections. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a gasketless sealing means for facilitating the formation by vacuum attachment of the wafer/wafer translator pair. In this way, no gasket is required to be disposed between the wafer and the wafer translator. Air, or gas, is evacuated from between the wafer and wafer translator through one or more evacuation pathways in the gasketless sealing means.

Advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology have resulted in, among other things, reducing the cost of sophisticated electronics to the extent that integrated circuits have become ubiquitous in the modern environment.
As is well-known, integrated circuits are typically manufactured in batches, and these batches usually contain a plurality of semiconductor wafers within and upon which integrated circuits are formed through a variety of semiconductor manufacturing steps, including, for example, depositing, masking, patterning, implanting, etching, planarizing, and so on.
Completed wafers are tested to determine which die, or integrated circuits, on the wafer are capable of operating according to predetermined specifications. In this way, integrated circuits that cannot perform as desired are not packaged, or otherwise incorporated into finished products.
It is common to manufacture integrated circuits on roughly circular semiconductor substrates, or wafers. Further, it is common to form such integrated circuits so that conductive regions disposed on, or close to, the uppermost layers of the integrated circuits are available to act as terminals for connection to various electrical elements disposed in, or on, the lower layers of those integrated circuits. During the electrical testing that takes place as part of the process of manufacturing and preparing integrated circuits for use by customers, these conductive regions are commonly contacted with a probe card.
It has been common to mount the wafer on a moveable chuck, which is used to position the wafer relative to a probe card, and to hold the wafer in place during testing. In alternative arrangements for testing the unsingulated integrated circuits of a wafer, a wafer translator is disposed between the wafer and any other testing or connection apparatus.
What is needed are methods and apparatus for maintaining the wafer and wafer translator in a removably attached state.

Maintaining a wafer/wafer translator pair in an attached state free of a gasket disposed