An automotive compressor is provided having a casing defining an intake section for fluid for compression, and a delivery section for delivering the compressed fluid. An impeller is movable angularly inside the casing to increase the pressure of the fluid. A distributor is carried by the intake section of the casing to conduct the fluid for compression to the impeller. The casing and the distributor are defined by separate members connected releasably to each other.

The present invention relates to an automotive compressor, in particular for supplying pressurized fluid to fuel cell systems.
Automotive centrifugal compressors are known which substantially comprise a fixed portion, and one or more bladed impellers driven by an external motor. The fixed portion is normally defined by a hollow casing, in which the impeller rotates to produce the desired compression of the fluid flowing through it.
More specifically, the casing defines, integrally, an intake section through which the fluid to be compressed is fed to the impeller to increase its kinetic energy; and a delivery section defined by a diffuser, in which the kinetic energy is converted to pressure energy.
The intake section may have a number of fixed blades acting as a distributor, i.e. defining respective channels of given shape to conduct and accelerate the fluid intake onto the impeller in the desired direction of impact on the impeller blades.
In other words, the fixed blades substantially provide for imparting to the fluid for compression an optimum direction of impact on the movable blades of the impeller, so as to reduce fluid-dynamic losses and improve the overall efficiency of the compressor.
Fuel cell drive systems require compressor impellers of variable geometry, both for test purposes and to permit a certain amount of flexibility in the equipping of different types of vehicles.


A method for forming a nickel silicide layer on a MOS device with a low carbon content comprises providing a substrate within an ALD reactor and performing an ALD process cycle to form a nickel layer on the substrate, wherein the ALD process cycle comprises pulsing a nickel precursor into the reactor, purging the reactor after the nickel precursor, pulsing a mixture of hydrogen and silane into the reactor, and purging the reactor after the hydrogen and silane pulse. The ALD process cycle can be repeated until the nickel layer reaches a desired thickness. The silane used in the ALD process functions as a getterer for the advantageous carbon, resulting in a nickel layer that has a low carbon content. The nickel layer may then be annealed to form a nickel silicide layer with a low carbon content.

The metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) is a common transistor used in the production of integrated circuits. During the fabrication of a MOSFET, silicide layers may be used to improve the conductivity of polysilicon-containing active regions of the MOSFET. For instance, silicide may be formed on the source and drain regions of a MOSFET to improve their conductivity. The silicide layer has better electrical properties than the polysilicon alone.
The process in which silicide is formed is often called salicide (i.e., self-aligned silicide). The process to form salicide begins by depositing a thin transition metal layer, such as a nickel layer, onto the polysilicon-containing active regions of the device. The metal and a portion of the polysilicon are then alloyed together to form the silicide layer. For instance, if nickel is used, the nickel reacts with the polysilicon to form nickel silicide. The alloying process may include a series of annealing and/or etch processes. Following the silicide formation, any remaining transition metal may be removed by chemical etching, leaving silicide layers in only the active regions of the MOSFET.
An atomic layer deposition process may be used to form the thin nickel metal layer. Unfortunately, in conventional processes, the metal layers that are formed have an unacceptably high amount of carbon incorporation. The carbon content is generally greater than 5%. The presence of carbon may increase the resistivity of the silicide layer. Accordingly, there is a need for salicide processes that generate nickel silicide layers with low carbon content.

Methods of forming nickel silicide layers with low carbon content


A method for integrating first and second type devices on a semiconductor substrate includes forming openings within an active semiconductor layer of a dual semiconductor-on-insulator in first and second regions of the semiconductor substrate. First and second non-MOS transistor device implant regions are formed within portions of an intermediate semiconductor layer underlying first and second openings, respectively, in a first device portion, filled with a fill material and planarized. A top surface portion of the active semiconductor layer disposed in-between the first and second openings is exposed, first and second low dose non-MOS transistor device well regions are formed in respective first and second portions of the intermediate semiconductor layer underlying a region in-between the first and second openings. The method further includes forming a salicide blocking layer, forming first and second contact vias within the fill material of the first and second openings, respectively, exposing a portion of the underlying intermediate semiconductor layer, forming first and second non-MOS transistor device contact regions in exposed portions of the intermediate semiconductor layer, and saliciding the semiconductor substrate, the salicide blocking layer preventing salicidation of the first and second low dose non-MOS transistor device well regions.

The present embodiments relate to a method of forming different devices types on the same integrated circuit, and more particularly to integrating non-MOS transistor devices with CMOS devices on the same integrated circuit.
As semiconductor processes and lithography continue to improve, transistor switching speeds continue to improve, which results in higher performance circuit functions. The circuits provide their outputs to other circuits. Often buses that are relatively long carry these signals. These buses inherently have capacitance and resistance so that an RC delay is present for an electrical signal being carried by the bus. The buses can be made bigger to reduce the resistance but that can also increase capacitance. Also there can be a great number of buses so that increasing bus size can cause the size of the integrated circuit to increase as well. The net effect is that the carrier of the signal is often a major speed limitation. Thus, additional increases in transistor switching speed can result in relatively small increases in overall speed of operation. Furthermore, the need to integrate a multitude of different device types (such as, RF, bipolar, and photonic enabled devices) on broad reaching CMOS platform technologies are desirable for low-cost manufacturing integration.
One difficulty has been finding a practical way to take advantage of multiple device integration for improved signal routing or increased integrated circuit functionality. One major issue is the integration of dissimilar device types on an integrated circuit chip in a manner that is manufacturable and consistent with transistor manufacturing considerations. The considerations are different for the two type devices and either device can become marginally functional or prohibitively expensive.
Furthermore, discrete non-MOS transistor components are often high cost components. While integrating non-MOS transistor devices on silicon can provide a low-cost solution, examples of such devices which have been demonstrated in single SOI are subject to imperfections in the manufacturing process, such as, geometry non-uniformity and imprecise dopant profiles in what can be complex 3-dimensional geometries. Such geometry non-uniformity can induce variations in device characteristics and thus degrade a desired device performance.
Many non-MOS transistor devices are based upon a diode or a series of diodes. Examples of non-MOS transistor devices include, but are not limited to, a bipolar transistor, an RF device, a photonic enabled device. The electrical properties of the diode influence the performance of the non-MOS transistor device. However, precise location of the dopants within the diode are necessary across the wafer to improve manufacturing yields of such a device. Furthermore, non-MOS transistor devices may have different requirements on geometries other than what is required for high performance CMOS. RF device and photonic enabled device performance, for example, is very geometry dependent per device type. However, the standard high performance CMOS flow for making CMOS devices is inadequate for processing such non-MOS transistor devices.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved method for integrating non-MOS transistor devices with CMOS electronic devices on the same integrated circuit allowing for high yields at the desired performance levels. In addition, it would be desirable to provide a method for manufacturing a non-MOS transistor device for overcoming the problems in the art.

Method of forming a semiconductor device


A semiconductor memory device stably performs a write operation with reduced current consumption. The semiconductor memory device includes a global data, a control unit, a termination resistor unit, and a storage unit. The global data line transmits data. The control unit generates a global control signal during a read operation or a write operation. The termination resistance unit supplies termination resistance to the global data line in response to the global control signal. The storage unit stores the data transmitted to the global data line while the termination resistance unit is inactivated. A method for driving the semiconductor memory device includes detecting a read operation or a write operation and supplying termination resistance when the read or write operation is detected.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device; more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device for stably performing a write operation with reduced current consumption.
In a conventional semiconductor memory device, a global input/output (GIO) line is used at both of the write and read operations. A data input/output path in the write and read operations is briefly described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a data input/output path in a conventional semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a GIO line GIO, a termination resistor unit 10 and a storage unit 20.
The termination resistor unit 10 controls pull-up and pull-down resistance of the GIO line GIO when a read period signal RDS is activated. The storage unit 20 stores data loaded on the GIO line GIO when the read period signal RDS is inactivated.
FIG. 2 is a signal timing diagram illustrating an operation of the conventional semiconductor memory device in FIG. 1.
A read period signal RDS is activated in response to an internal read signal. The termination resistor unit 10 makes pull-up and pull-down resistance of the GIO line GIO to be identical in response to the read period signal RDS. Accordingly, a voltage on the GIO line GIO maintains a half of a supply voltage level ½ VDD. Data output from a memory cell unit is transmitted to the GIO line GIO, in order to be outputted to an external device.
After delay time corresponding to a burst length passes from activation timing of the internal read signal, at point a, the read period signal RDS is inactivated. The termination resistor unit 10 turns off and the active storage unit 20 stores the data transmitted to the GIO line GIO.
If a write operation is performed after the above read operation, an external data is inputted into the GIO line GIO in response to an internal write signal. FIG. 2 illustrates a voltage level change on the GIO line GIO in case that the write operation for a data having a high logic level is performed after the read operation for a data having a low logic level. The voltage level transitions from a ground voltage level VSS corresponding to the low logic level to a supply voltage level VDD corresponding to the high logic level.
In this way, a conventional semiconductor memory device turns off a termination resistor unit of a GIO line during the write operation. When the level of data input during the write operation is different from the level of data on the GIO line GIO, data transition from the ground voltage level VSS to the supply voltage level VDD is required. Accordingly, time for data to be inputted into the GIO line GIO increases and set-up/holding time margin needful for the next process becomes in short supply. During the next process, malfunctions can be caused by abnormal data.

Semiconductor memory device and method for driving the same


A primary master node and a standby master node monitor the health of a shared nothing database appliance to afford high availability while minimizing false negatives and duplicate alerts by executing continuously in parallel complimentary processes that determine whether the database is running, and which master node is the active database master node. The active database master node monitors the health of the components of the database appliance by polling each component to detect failures and warnings, and the other master node monitors the status of the active master node. Upon detecting a failure of the active master node, the other node takes over health monitoring. If the database is not running, the designated primary master node performs health monitoring.

This invention relates generally to health monitoring of clusters of distributed server systems, and more particularly to monitoring and reporting on the health of components of a shared nothing distributed database cluster.
Large distributed processing systems, such as shared nothing databases, comprising a cluster of multiple, e.g., thousands of, database servers and storage units are employed by enterprises for storing critical data and for executing applications such as real-time transaction processing, etc. As such, system failures are costly, which necessitates that the systems have high availability. Accordingly, health monitoring systems and processes must quickly detect and report hardware, software and database faults and warnings (alerts) so that they can be promptly addressed to minimize system downtime.
Moreover, it is of utmost importance that the health monitoring systems and processes employed for monitoring system health avoid, or at least minimize, false negatives, i.e., failing to report an alert when it occurs. If something is broken and an alert is not sent, it is worse than reporting that something is failing when it is not. For example, if a disk fails and a RAID-5 mirrored system goes into a degraded mode, a notification must be sent as soon as possible so that the failed disk can be replaced. Otherwise, there is a risk that the system could lose a second disk and then go completely down. Therefore, it is important to report an alert promptly when a problem occurs.
To address this, some existing approaches employ duplicate, redundant hosts one of which actively manages the database, and the other of which is a backup. Health monitoring processes can run on each of the hosts. When the primary host fails, the monitoring process can be manually switched over to the backup host, which is costly and slow. In other approaches, both of the hosts simultaneously run health monitoring processes without communicating with each other. While this has the advantage of continuing health monitoring should one host fail, and may minimize false negatives, it has the disadvantages of requiring additional redundant hardware and of generating duplicated alerts which are costly to process.
It is desirable to avoid or minimize duplicated alerts since they create noise and confusion in the backend alert processing, cause additional load, and are costly to process. For instance, a large customer support center may receive alerts from thousands of customers which require a server farm just to handle the incoming load. If the number of alerts is doubled, the size of the server farm would have to be increased accordingly to handle the increased traffic. Furthermore, more sophisticated logic is required to deal with duplicated alerts in order to avoid generating duplicate support tickets each time an alert is received.
It is desirable to provide systems and methods that address these and other problems of known approaches to monitoring the health of systems, and it is to these ends that the invention is directed.

Minimizing false negative and duplicate health monitoring alerts in a dual master shared nothing database appliance


A bicycle control apparatus is configured to control a drive unit having a motor that assist in manual driving. The bicycle control apparatus includes an operating unit and a control unit. The operating unit is configured to be operated in accordance with first and second operating methods that are different from each other. The control unit is configured to change a setting state of a function that is set in advance without driving the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the first operating method. The control unit is configured to drive the drive unit in response to the operating unit being operated in accordance with the second operating method.

Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a control apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle control apparatus that controls a drive unit with a motor for assisting manual pedaling.
Background Information
Regarding a control apparatus that controls a drive unit configured to assist manual driving with a motor, a control apparatus that is configured to drive a motor during pushing-walking is conventionally known (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1997-263290). In a conventional control apparatus, a motor is driven during the operation of a pushing-walking operating unit, and the motor is stopped when the operation is canceled. Additionally, in a conventional control apparatus, the traveling speed of the bicycle is detected; during pushing-walking, the motor is controlled so that the vehicle speed will be less than or equal to 5 km per hour.


A sheath and cerclage thread for mitral cerclage annuloplasty, where the cerclage thread is inserted into a lumen created independently from the lumen through which the guide wire is passed.

The heart is an organ that pumps blood. The valves that make the blood flow in a fixed direction without backflow are essential for heart function. There are 4 chambers (2 atria and 2 ventricles) and these chambers are connected to 4 blood vessels (aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary vein).
The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle is called the mitral valve; the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle is called the aortic valve; and the valve between the right atrium and the pulmonary artery is called the pulmonary valve.
The valves should open and close completely as the heart beats. Backflow of blood or flow disturbance occurs when the valve does not move smoothly, including incomplete closing or opening. Heart valve disease is classified as blood leakage because of the incomplete closure of the valve (regurgitation) or incomplete opening of the valve (stenosis).
Mitral regurgitation is a disease causing heart failure. The heart becomes strained from the backflow of blood caused by incomplete closure of the mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.
The standard treatment for mitral stenosis is the repair of the mitral valve by incising the heart after opening the sternum, or replacing the valve with an artificial valve. This treatment is very effective, but it is very invasive with a mortality rate of up to 5%. Because of this mortality rate, treatment is usually confined to severe mitral stenosis. However, a newer treatment with percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty, in which the mitral valve is repaired through a simple procedure by means of a catheter, prevents the need for surgery that includes incising the heart after opening the chest.
In line with this newer treatment, the detailed description of mitral cerclage coronary sinus annuloplasty was published in an international journal (Kim et al., Mitral cerclage annuloplasty, a novel transcatheter treatment for secondary mitral valve regurgitation: initial results in swine. Journal of American College Cardiology 2009; 754(7):638-51) and described in an international patent application (WO2008/060553), which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The usefulness of this technique is attributed to the circular pressure that can be applied to the perimeter of the mitral annulus.
The technique for percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty is as follows. The right ventricle is accessed through the jugular vein, and the cerclage thread is passed though the proximal septal vein by positioning the catheter in the coronary sinus. The thread can then be fed through the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), into the right ventricle, and then into the tissue adjacent to the mitral annulus. The mitral annulus is constricted when tension is applied to the thread: incomplete closure is reduced by making the two valve leaflets come into closer contact. Constricting the mitral annulus reduces the backflow of blood through the mitral valve.
Routing of the thread is achieved with a guide wire to position the cerclage thread around the mitral annulus. After a sheath is passed along the guide wire, the cerclage thread is inserted into the sheath and the sheath is removed.
However, it is difficult to pass the cerclage thread through the curved sheath as the cerclage thread is not as rigid as the guide wire. This problem extends surgical time and can result in an unfavorable outcome for the patient.
In addition, the adjacent cardiac tissue is often damaged during constriction of the mitral annulus by the relatively rigid cerclage thread.
Patent literature 1) WO 2008/060553 (THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES) May 22, 2008.
Patent literature 2) KR 1116867 (Joon Hong Kim) Feb. 8, 2012.
Non-Patent literature 1) Kim et al., Mitral cerclage annuloplasty, a novel transcatheter treatment for secondary mitral valve regurgitation: initial results in swine. Journal of American College Cardiology 2009; 54(7):638-51.

Sheath and cerclage thread for mitral cerclage annuloplasty


A prophy angle comprising a body, a drive system, and a paste feed assembly. The body includes a cylinder and a head portion associated with the cylinder. The drive system extends through the body and includes a drive shaft assembly and a cup shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly extends through the cylinder. The cup shaft assembly extends through the head portion. The cup shaft assembly is coupled to the drive shaft assembly and further includes a prophy cup disposed at one end thereof. The prophy cup is in fluid communication with the body. The paste feed assembly includes a piston assembly and a piston movement assembly. The piston movement assembly includes a handle member. The handle member includes a second end associated with the piston assembly, a first end distally spaced therefrom and a pivot point positioned therebetween. Rotation of the first end of the handle member about the pivot point rotates the second end, moving the piston assembly relative to the body, to, in turn, direct paste positioned within the body to the prophy cup.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a dental apparatus, and more particularly, to a dental polishing apparatus, i.e., a prophy angle, which is configured to facilitate the dispensing of paste from within the apparatus into a prophy cup upon selective actuation by a user.
2. Background Art
The use of polishing devices by dental practitioners is known in the art. Generally, such devices are termed prophy angles, and include a prophy cup which rotates about an axis. The prophy cup includes an inner cavity into which a polishing paste is inserted. Once the polishing paste has been applied to the prophy cup, the prophy cup is rotated and introduced to the teeth of a patient. The rotation of the prophy cup directs the paste along the surface of the teeth, and, by way of abrasion, serves to polish the teeth of the patient.
While the use of prophy angles has been known in the art for several years, there still exist a number of deficiencies associated with such prophy angle use. For example, in certain embodiments, the prophy angle may comprise a reusable device to which separate prophy cups are attached. Once attached, the paste is applied to the prophy cup from a separate, small container. However, use of such reusable devices may introduce health and sanitation risks when transferred from one patient to another, despite the changing of the prophy cup. Therefore, for sanitary purposes, the preferable embodiment of the prophy angle comprises a disposable, single-use device which is utilized for a single patient and is then discarded. However, while the use of disposable devices has been developed, the paste is nevertheless manually applied from a separate container, which may be inconvenient for the dental practitioner. To remedy this situation, certain new embodiments of prophy angles now incorporate paste dispensing means integrally associated with the prophy angle. While such embodiments exist, certain drawbacks have precluded the widespread acceptance and use of such devices.
Certain devices have included automatic feed mechanisms which include a particular feed rate when the device is operating. Often times, however, such systems are not reliable and the user has no ability to control the application of paste.
Other devices have provided a manually manipulatable application means. However, with many such manually manipulatable application means, it is quite difficult to control the quantity of paste that is applied. As such, often times, too little or too much paste is applied.
To overcome such deficiencies, other designs have relied on manually actuatable application means which provide a particular quantity of paste each time they are actuated. As such, the user can control the quantity of paste that is directed to a prophy cup. While such solutions have been an improvement, they nevertheless include various drawbacks. In particular, the actuation mechanisms and assemblies may be difficult to actuate due, in part, to the relatively small size of the prophy angles and, in turn, the actuating mechanisms. In addition, the actuation mechanisms and assemblies may be actuatable only when the prophy angles are disposed in a particular orientation. As the dental practitioner is constantly manipulating a prophy angle in a variety of orientations during polishing, it has proven difficult to actuate the actuation mechanisms and assemblies while such prophy angles are in use.
As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide a prophy angle which includes a paste feed assembly that overcomes the deficiencies and/or drawbacks identified above.


A fixture used in a rotary machine which includes a rotary unit which has a rotary shaft, and a stationary unit which rotatably supports the rotary shaft, includes: a plate which comes into contact with an end portion of the rotary shaft; a fastening member which fixes the plate to the end portion of the rotary shaft; and a constraining member which connects the plate and the stationary unit, and constrains the plate from moving with respect to the stationary unit in an axial direction and a rotation direction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fixture used in a rotary machine in order to prevent backlash of a rotary unit with respect to a stationary unit, and to a method for transporting the rotary machine using the fixture.
Priority is claimed from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-173131, filed Aug. 8, 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Background Art
A rotary machine such as a centrifugal compressor includes a rotary unit in which various members are attached to a rotary shaft, and a stationary unit which rotatably supports the rotary shaft. For example, when the rotary machine is transported to a customer for delivery, backlash occurs in the rotary unit with respect to the stationary unit by vibration during transportation. When damage to the rotary unit or the stationary unit occurs due to such backlash, there is a problem in that the performance of the rotary machine is impaired.
In particular, when a so-called dry gas seal is disposed in a gap between the rotary unit and the stationary unit in order to prevent gas inside the rotary machine from leaking out, the problem of backlash becomes significant in the rotary unit. This is because the dry gas seal has a precise internal structure which is likely to be damaged and lose function due to such vibrations.
In this regard, a rotary machine includes a vibration-proof structure for preventing shaking, during an operation of the rotary machine (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). However, according to the vibration-proof structure, shaking of the entire rotary machine can be reduced, but backlash of the rotary unit with respect to the stationary unit cannot be prevented.
Therefore, as means for preventing backlash of the rotary unit with respect to the stationary unit, a fixture has been proposed which is used in the rotary machine for fixing the rotary unit so as not to move with respect to the stationary unit. The fixture used in the rotary machine is configured to have an axial direction fixture which fixes the rotary unit so as not to be slidable in an axial direction and a rotation direction fixture which fixes the rotary unit so as not to be rotatable in a rotation direction. According to the fixture which is used in the rotary machine configured as described above, since the rotary unit is fixed with respect to the stationary unit in the axial direction and the rotation direction, it is possible to reliably prevent backlash from occurring in the rotary unit. This enables a rotary machine having a dry gas seal to be safely and reliably transported without degrading the performance of the dry gas seal.

Fixture used in rotary machine and method for transporting rotary machine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation


An electronic information device which uses a memory card to which a liquid crystal display using liquid crystal with a memory effect is attached. If a command to turn off the electric power source is issued during writing of information on the liquid crystal display, a power-off process is executed after completion of the writing. This electronic information device is adapted, for example, to be used as a digital camera.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to various kinds of electronic information devices such as digital cameras, TV sets, personal computers, electronic books, man-machine interfaces, etc, and a control method of such a device.
2. Description of Related Art
With development of electronic information devices which require a display section to display images, such as computers, digital cameras, etc., various display devices using materials with a memory effect have been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. 8-317324 describes an embodiment of adopting ferrodielectric liquid crystal to an electronic camera. Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. 10-197850 describes an embodiment of using ferrodielectric liquid crystal in a display device for a pen computer so as to save energy.
Such a display device using a material with a memory effect has an advantage of consuming no electric power in maintaining a picture on the display, while consuming electric power in writing information on the display. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-101336 discloses that a supply of electric power to a display panel with a memory effect is shut off after the display panel has made a display of a calendar, a picture, etc.
In the display device disclosed by Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-101336, however, if a supply of electric power is shut off during image writing on the display, an incompletely written picture stays on the display, which is ugly. Thus, in such a display device using a material with a memory effect, the display sequence must be changed. There is no prior art which focuses on a power-down during image writing on a display with a memory effect. If a supply of electric power is shut off suddenly, there may be a case that an incompletely written image is displayed continuously. In order to avoid such trouble, it is necessary to time a power-down of the display section to completion of image writing on the display, which is inconvenient.
Conventionally, only ferrodielectric liquid crystal is regarded as a material with a memory effect. Recently, however, cholesteric liquid crystal and chiral nematic liquid crystal start to be used practically. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,477 discloses a method of displaying a multi-tone image on chiral nematic liquid crystal.
Accordingly, in the art of display devices using materials with a memory effect, it is required to improve the control of image writing and power off so as to display a complete picture at all times. Further, in the art of electronic information device used as a man-machine interface which has an input section (including a power switch) with which an operator inputs a specified command and a display section with a memory effect, it is necessary to improve the association of the input section with the display section to improve the operability.

Electronic information device having a display and method and apparatus for controlling power-off of the display


In one aspect of the invention a trenching machine for degrading natural and man-made formations, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies exteriorly mounted to a trenching boom or wheel. The rollers comprising a plurality of pointed inserts radially arranged along the wheel's outer diameter. The inserts are adapted to degrade the formation when the boom or wheel is activated.

In the trenching industry, earth may be degraded using picks or teeth to break up minerals and rocks. Picks are generally attached to trenching booms or wheels and are used for making trenches in the earth for installing pipes and utility lines and digging foundations for homes or other buildings.
Some of the trenching machines of the prior art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,150,131; 6,854,201; 6,457,267, and 6,341,823.


Systems and methods of providing a visual output of a compilation phase is provided. An example method includes receiving input source code for compilation by a compiler and displaying a multi-dimensional coordinate system including first and second axes. The method also includes providing a first user interface object associated with the first axis and providing a second user interface object associated with the second axis. The first user interface object enables a user to select one or more compilation phases, and the second user interface object enables the user to select one or more compiler versions. The method further includes receiving via the first user interface object a user selection of a compilation phase and obtaining an output of the input source code compiled in accordance with the selected compilation phase. The method further includes displaying the output between two axes of the multi-dimensional coordinate system.

The present disclosure generally relates to compilers, and more particularly to providing a visual output associated with a compilation process.
Instructions for a programmable processor may be stored in a form that is directly executable by the processor ("object" or "executable" form), or the instructions may be stored in a human-readable text form called "source code" that can be automatically processed by a development tool commonly known as a "compiler" to produce executable code. The compiler may be used to develop the source code and ensure that it executes properly.
A compiler translates an input program written in a programming language into an equivalent program in another language. In particular, the compiler takes a program written in a high-level programming language as input and translates the program into an equivalent program in a low-level language such as machine language or assembly language. The program written in the high-level language may be referred to as the source program, and the program converted into the low-level language may be referred to as the object (or target) program. After compilation of the source program, the target program may be loaded into memory for execution. The compilation process has many phases and debugging a compiler may be time consuming.

Multi-dimensional, multi-configuration compilation phase output visualization technique


Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating viral and bacterial infections, by administering certain thiourea compounds, specifically acylthiourea, carboximidoylthiourea and S-alkyl isothiourea derivatives and analogs, in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed.

Flaviviridae
Dengue is a member of the Flaviviridae family which are enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses whose human pathogens also include West Nile virus (WNV), yellow fever virus (YFV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) among others. Dengue transmission is through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito that is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Dengue fever (DF) is an acute febrile disease caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4). Dengue fever is classified based on its clinical characteristics into classical dengue fever, or the more severe forms, dengue hemorrhagic fever syndrome (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Recovery from infection from one serotype produces life-long immunity to that particular serotype, but provides only short-lived and limited protection against any of the other serotypes.
Each year regional epidemics of dengue cause significant morbidity and mortality, social disruption and substantial economic burden on the societies affected both in terms of hospitalization and mosquito control. Dengue is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be the most important arthropod-borne viral disease with an estimated 50 million cases of dengue infection, including 500,000 DHF cases and 24,000 deaths worldwide each year (36, 37). Dengue is also a CDC and NIAID Category A pathogen and in terms of bio-defense, represents a significant threat to United States troops overseas. Preparedness for both biodefense and for the public health challenges posed by dengue will require the development of new vaccines and antiviral therapeutics.
Orthomyxoviridae
The influenza virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family. Each year regional epidemics of influenza cause significant morbidity and mortality, social disruption and substantial economic burden. During "flu season" it is estimated that influenza infects 10-20% of the US population resulting in over 100,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 to 40,000 deaths. The economic impact caused by influenza due to decreased productivity and increased health care utilization is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
Recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has elevated our fears of a possible human pandemic. The current circulating H5N1 strain of virus is unusually pathogenic in birds causing destruction of domestic and wild bird populations. In rare instances, the virus has infected humans causing mortality in almost 50% of cases. Should this virus acquire genetic traits that increase person to person transmissibility widespread adverse public health and economic outcomes would be expected. FDA-approved antiviral drugs are currently in use, but increasing resistance to existing countermeasures necessitates the development of new antiviral therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action against influenza.
Poxviridae
Orthopoxviruses are members of the Poxviridae family. Human orthopoxviruses cause a spectrum of diseases ranging from severe disseminated lesional disease characteristic of the most common type of variola virus infection (variola major) to localized lesional infection caused by vaccinia virus. Of the several species of orthopoxvirus known to infect humans, variola virus, the etiological agent of smallpox, causes far more serious infections than the other species of poxviruses. While variola virus no longer exists in the environment, other orthopoxviruses continue to circulate and cause disease. Monkeypox virus, which is endemic in some areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, causes a zoonotic disease that is characterized by a generalized infection resembling a milder version of smallpox. Vaccinia-like viruses have been isolated from patients in Brazil presenting with localized lesions of the hands and arms and cowpox virus infections are increasing in certain parts of Europe. These viruses are believed to be maintained in the population through rodent reservoirs and zoonotic disease is thought to arise from contact with infected animals, or through an intermediate species such as cattle or domestic pets. Disease severity in all cases is influenced by the status of the host immune system, with individuals suffering from certain skin disorders or who are immunocompromised developing the most severe infections. Preparedness for both biodefense and for the public health challenges posed by human orthopoxviruses requires the development of new antiviral therapeutics.
Togaviridae
Alphaviruses are members of the Togaviridae family. Alphaviruses cause a spectrum of human disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe encephalitis and death. The virus is transmitted by mosquito and is maintained in the environment through an enzootic cycle involving infection of sylvatic hosts. Some alphaviruses achieve further amplification by exploiting domestic animals such as equines and pigs. Interest in alphaviruses has been renewed, because of reports that certain species of alphaviruses have been developed into efficient, stable biological weapons that are infectious by aerosol delivery and easily produced in large quantities. No licensed vaccine or therapeutic exists to treat or prevent infection of pathogenic alphaviruses. Moreover, the antigenic diversity of this group of viruses presents a formidable challenge for vaccine development. Thus, therapeutics that target conserved replication functions of the virus serve as useful countermeasures for treatment of alphavirus disease.
Bunyaviridae
Based on recommendations by the CDC and the NIAID, viruses that might be used as biological weapons have been separated into three categories. Category A viruses are considered the most serious threat to national security. These viruses have the greatest potential to cause widespread illness and death in human populations. Category B viruses are considered biothreats due to the potential for weaponization of these pathogens, and the projected high morbidity and mortality rates that would accompany their use as aerosolized agents. Category C viruses include emerging pathogens with the potential to be developed as biowarfare agents or to otherwise pose a risk to public health and safety. A national research and development effort has been undertaken to develop a comprehensive biodefense strategy against these agents. Of note is the presence of four different members of the family Bunyaviridae among the viruses characterized as biothreats to the United States. This fact reflects the diverse worldwide impact of bunyavirus infections on populations of livestock and humans. RVFV, a Category A bunyavirus, has been the cause of massive agricultural and social hardship in Egypt and the Arabian peninsula. Infections of as many as 200,000 people have been estimated in two epizootic epidemics resulting from RVFV transmission in 1977 and 1978, with an estimated 600 associated fatalities. The second of the Category A bunyaviruses, hantavirus, has been the recognized cause of significant morbidity and mortality among military and civilian populations for over fifty years. U.S. troops suffered from chronic exposure to endemic hantavirus during the Korean conflict, and, more recently, hantavirus transmission from rodent vectors to human populations has resulted in outbreaks of human disease and death in the American southwest. CCHF, a Category C pathogen, is a virus transmitted to humans who work in close contact with livestock in geographic regions that extend from sub-Saharan Africa to northern China. Infection with CCHF can lead to death in as many as 30% of diagnosed individuals. CCHF has all of the characteristics of the Category A viruses, except that current cell culture systems limit large-scale production capabilities; any technological advances in this area would elevate the risk posed by CCHF. The category B bunyavirus, La Crosse encephalitis virus, is the leading cause of pediatric encephalitis in endemic regions of the) United States. To date, there are no specific vaccines or antivirals approved for the treatment of the Category A, B, or C bunyavirus infections in humans.
Arenaviridae
The arenaviruses are a diverse family of enveloped RNA viruses found worldwide. These viruses generate high morbidity and mortality and can be highly infectious by aerosol dissemination, promoting concern over their weaponization. Arenavirus infection in humans can lead to viral hemorrhagic fever, a serious illness characterized by extensive vascular damage and bleeding diathesis, fever, and multiple organ involvement. Arenavirus infection in rodents, the natural host animal, is usually chronic and asymptomatic. Five distinct arenaviruses cause severe HF in humans and are classified as category A pathogens, defined as those pathogens posing the greatest threat to public health and safety. These are Lassa fever, Machupo (causative agent of Bolivian HF), Junin (Argentine HF), Guanarito (Venezuelan HF), and Sabia, (Brazilian HF) viruses. Lassa fever is the most prominent biodefense target in this group, due to its current prevalence (estimated at up to a half-million cases annually, primarily in West Africa) and history of weaponization research. Junin and Machupo viruses (endemic in South America) were also reportedly pursued as biological weapons by the former Soviet Union. Preparedness for both biodefense and for the public health challenges posed by human arenaviruses requires the development of new antiviral therapeutics.
Filoviridae
Filoviruses including Ebola and Marburg viruses cause severe hemorrhagic disease in humans resulting in high mortality. Infections result from zoonotic transmission from an infected animal to humans. The natural reservoirs and routes of transmission are not fully understood. Person-to-person transmission occurs primarily through physical contact with infected material. No licensed vaccine or therapeutic exists to treat or prevent infection of filoviruses. Thus, therapeutics that target virus replication would serve as useful countermeasures for treatment of filovirus disease.
Retroviridae
The HIV virus is a member if the retrovirus family. Currently, over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and 74 percent of these infected people live in sub-Saharan Africa. By the year 2011, five countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria, China, India, and Russia) with 40 percent of the world's population will add 50 to 75 million infected people to the worldwide pool of HIV disease. An estimated one million people are currently living with HIV in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections occurring each year. FDA-approved antiviral drugs are currently in use, but increasing resistance to existing countermeasures necessitates the development of new antiviral therapeutics and treatment regimens/drug combinations to combat this lifelong infection.
Paramyxoviridae
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA virus in the Paramyxoviridae family. The RNA codes for ten viral proteins-three are associated with the nucleocapsid (NS1, NS2, N), three with the envelope (SH, G, & F), two non-glycoslyated matrix proteins (M and M2), a phosphoprotein (P), and a major polymerase subunit (L). RSV ollness begins most frequently with fever, runny nose, cough, and sometimes wheezing. During their first RSV infection, between 25% and 40% of infants and young children have signs or symptoms of bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and 0.5% to 2% require hospitalization. Most children recover from illness in 8 to 15 days. The majority of children hospitalized for RSV infection are under 6 months of age. RSV also causes repeated infections throughout life, usually associated with moderate-to-severe cold-like symptoms; however, severe lower respiratory tract disease may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or among those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems. RSV is spread from respiratory secretions through close contact with infected persons or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Infection can occur when infectious material contacts mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, or nose, and possibly through the inhalation of droplets generated by a sneeze or cough. In temperate climates, RSV infections usually occur during annual community outbreaks, often lasting 4 to 6 months, during the late fall, winter, or early spring months. The timing and severity of outbreaks in a community vary from year to year. RSV spreads efficiently among children during the annual outbreaks, and most children will have serologic evidence of RSV infection by 2 years of age.
RSV infects most children by age 2 and is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. It can also be a significant cause of disease in immunocompromised adults and the elderly. Estimates vary on the actual number of cases, the most important of which are those involving hospitalization. One report (CDC) estimates that up to 126,300 children are hospitalized in the US each year. Another report describes a more global view, which estimates that "a total of 18 million people annually become infected by RSV in the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, including three million adults with underlying disease and almost 400,000 premature infants. Approximately 900,000 of the individuals in these risk groups are hospitalized for this infection each year.
Picornaviridae
Viruses in the family Picornaviridae replicate a positive sense, single-stranded genome and are transmitted as non-enveloped, infectious virions. Picornaviruses include the causative agents of such human diseases as the common cold, Polio, Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and Hepatitis A. These viruses are distributed across the globe, and a long-term international eradication effort is currently underway to control and eliminate poliovirus infection in humans. The significant respiratory and enteric disease burden caused by these pathogens worldwide has led to numerous campaigns to identify antiviral therapeutics and vaccines to combat picornavirus-associated diseases. Preparedness for the public health challenges posed by picornaviruses requires the development of new antibacterial therapeutics.
Chlamydiaceae
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that cause serious diseases in humans and animals of veterinary significance. Sexually transmitted infections caused by C. trachomatis affect approximately 92 million men and women worldwide, leading to a variety of pathologies including urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The pathogen also causes blinding trachoma, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness, primarily in underdeveloped countries. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a significant cause of respiratory infections, and there is evidence that these infections predispose individuals to atherosclerosis and perhaps other chronic conditions. Veterinary infections by a set of different chlamydiae lead to epidemic in a diverse collection of species, and some of these can manifest as zoonoses in humans having contact with infected animals. Chlamydia psittaci, one such zoonotic agent, is considered a potential biothreat agent. Preparedness for both biodefense and for the public health challenges posed by C. burnetii requires the development of new antibacterial therapeutics.
Coxiellaceae
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen of ruminants that can be acquired by humans through contact with infected aerosols. C. burnetti is the etiologic agent of Q fever. Following an initial flu-like illness, which occurs within 2-3 weeks of exposure to the bacteria, a subset of Q fever patients develop pneumonia or hepatitis. 1%-2% of people with acute Q fever die of the disease. Acute infections can also give rise to chronic disease, which may lead to endocarditis and death in infected individuals. C. burnetii is a highly infectious agent that is rather resistant to heat and drying. It can become airborne and inhaled by humans. A single C. burnetii organism may cause disease in a susceptible person. This agent could be developed for use in biological warfare and is considered a potential terrorist threat. Current treatment options for acute disease include doxycycline. For chronic disease treatment, protocols combine doxycycline and quinolones. Preparedness for both biodefense and for the public health challenges posed by C. burnetii requires the development of new antibacterial therapeutics.

Inhibitors and methods of inhibiting bacterial and viral pathogens


Disclosed herein is a sample collection apparatus which includes a pretreatment unit arranged in front of a sample collection section to remove moisture, a first Peltier trap positioned at the lower side of the pretreatment unit to perform cooling condensation and thermal desorption, a switching valve connected to the rear of the pretreatment unit to determine flow paths through first, second, third and fourth ports, a sample collection section arranged at the rear of the switching valve to collect samples, a second Peltier trap positioned at the lower side of the sample collection section to perform thermal desorption, a first air pump connected to the second port of the switching valve to intake air, a second air pump connected to the rear of the sample collection section to intake and exhaust air, and a sample analyzer connected to the fourth port of the switching valve to analyze the samples.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a sample collection apparatus for analysis of air pollution comprising moisture pretreatment means, and more particularly to a sample collection apparatus for analysis of air pollution comprising moisture pretreatment means in which a Peltier trap is disposed below a cooling tube to enable accurate control of temperature so that moisture removal and sample collection are facilitated, thus achieving maximized moisture removal effects and rapid collection of stable samples.
2. Discussion of Background Technology
As is well known, automatic analyzers are currently used to collect and analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or malodorous substances. Analysis for the concentrations of particulate materials using automatic analyzers is conducted by measuring the difference in the weight of a filter before and after collection of particulate materials, or by irradiating a filter after collection of particulate materials with light and measuring the amount of light passing through the filter. In addition, analysis of ingredients, such as heavy metals, adsorbed to a filter is conducted by the dissolving the collected ingredients by various pretreatments, including acid treatment and heating.

Sample collection apparatus for analysis of air pollution comprising moisture pretreatment means

Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corporation


A method of preparing a porous graphene oxide material. The method includes the steps of: (1) preparing graphene oxide sheets from graphite at 40 to 170° C.; (2) providing a graphene oxide suspension containing the graphene oxide sheets; (3) heating the graphene oxide suspension with a base at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to obtain base-treated graphene oxide sheets; and (4) heating a mixture of the base-treated graphene oxide sheets and an acid at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to yield the porous graphene oxide material. Also disclosed are novel porous graphene oxide materials and methods of using these materials as catalysts.

Graphene oxide sheets, inexpensively prepared from graphite, have been used in various reactions as catalysts in place of expensive metal catalysts.
However, they typically have very low catalytic reactivity and require a catalyst loading of 200-400 wt % to substantially covert a reactant to a desired product. See Dreyer et al., Angewandte Chemie, 122, 6965-68 (2010). This low reactivity limits widespread use of graphene oxide catalysts.


The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which is excellent in strength and can achieve a weight saving. The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which rotatably supports a roller (3) outward fitted between both end portions (5a, 5b) in a state in which both end portions (5a, 5b) are fixed, and receives a load in a diametrical direction via the roller (3). Recess portions (6, 6) are provided on a side to which the load is not applied, on an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the roller (3). The load applying direction is a vertical direction. A cross sectional shape of the shaft in the recess portions (6, 6) is formed in a shape which is constituted by an upper circular arc portion (10) on an upper side, a lower circular arc portion (11) on a lower side, and a vertical connection portion (12) passing through a shaft axis (O) and connecting the upper circular arc portion (10) to the lower circular arc portion (11).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shaft for a roller wheel which is used in a roller wheel of a crawler type traveling apparatus or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 15, there has been conventionally a crawler type traveling apparatus (a chassis apparatus) structured such that a frame 101, an idler 102 and a sprocket 103 are arranged approximately linearly, a plurality of lower roller wheels 104, . . . are rotatably provided in a lower portion of the frame 101, and a crawler belt 105 is wound around the idler 102, the lower roller wheels 104, . . . and the sprocket 103. The lower roller wheels 104 are structured such as to disperse a weight of a vehicle body and transmit to the crawler belt 105.
In this case, the lower roller wheel 104 is provided with a shaft 106, and a roller 107 rotatably supported to the shaft 106, for example, as shown in FIG. 16. The shaft 106 is constituted by a first shaft portion 108a and a second shaft portion 108b, and the first shaft portion 108a and the second shaft portion 108b are integrally welded. In other words, the respective shaft portions 108a and 108b are constituted by large-diameter main body portions 109a and 109b, and supporting portions 110a and 110b continuously provided in the main body portions 109a and 109b, and hole portions 111a and 111b are provided in the main body portions 109a and 109b. Further, the main body portion 109a of the first shaft portion 108a and the main body portion 109b of the second shaft portion 108b are integrated in an abutted state. Further, the roller 107 is rotatably outward fitted to the main body portion 109a of the first shaft portion 108a and the main body portion 109b of the second shaft portion 108b via a bearing means.
Further, there is a shaft which is not joined (for example, patent document 1). The shaft mentioned above is called as a dumbbell type, as shown in FIG. 17. In other words, in this case, the shaft is constituted by supporting portions 113a and 113b in both end portions, and a large-diameter portion 114 in a center portion, and a peripheral groove 115 is formed in a center portion of the large-diameter portion 114 in an axial direction. Further, the roller 107 is rotatably outward fitted to the large-diameter portion 114 in the center portion via a bearing means.
Patent Document 1
Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-45338 (page 1)
However, since the shaft is formed in a hollow shape in the case of using the shaft in FIG. 16, a weight saving can be achieved, however, it is necessary to join the first shaft portion 108a to the second shaft portion 108b. It is troublesome to manufacture such the shaft, and if there is a defect in the joint of the joining area, there is a risk that the first shaft portion 108a and the second shaft portion 108b are separated from each other at a time when a load is applied during use. Further, in the dumbbell type as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to avoid a joining work, however, since the shaft is a so-called solid type, the weight is increased, and a cost thereof is increased accordingly. Further, in order to supply an oil to an oil reserving portion 116 formed between a roller inner peripheral surface and a shaft outer peripheral surface, it is necessary to form diametrical hole portions 118 and 118 communicated with an axial hole portion 117. The diametrical hole portions 118 and 118 reach an outer peripheral surface from an axis O and are comparatively long, and it is troublesome to work the diametrical hole portions 118 and 118.


A volume image generating method including transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target body divided into a plurality of regions and generating a first sub-volume image corresponding to a first region from among the plurality of regions of the target body, based on a response signal reflected from the target body; generating a second sub-volume image corresponding to a second region contacting the first region from among the plurality of regions; connecting the second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image according to a location relationship between the first region and the second region of the target body; and re-generating the second sub-volume image based on a concordance rate between sectional images of the first and second sub-volume images that contact each other, and connecting the re-generated second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating a volume image of a target body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating a volume image by connecting sub-volume images of a target body to one another.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ultrasonic apparatuses are equipment for observing the interior structure of an organic body. Ultrasonic apparatuses are noninvasive inspecting apparatuses, and show structural details and interior tissue of a body and the flow of a fluid in the body.
Ultrasonic apparatuses acquire an image of an interior structure of a target body by transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the target body and receiving a response signal reflected from the target body.
Ultrasonic apparatuses may generate a volume image, that is, a three-dimensional (3D) image, of a target body, and an examiner may inspect the target body three-dimensionally via the volume image.

Method and apparatus for generating volume image


A position sensor system for detecting an absolute angular position of a rotor axle of an electric motor at a predetermined angular resolution W. The position sensor system include, a first Hall sensor device having a first sensor magnet set-up, set up on the rotor axle, and two first Hall sensors, which are set up at an angular offset with respect to the rotor axle so as to achieve a position angle resolution of 90°, and having a second sensor magnet set-up, set up on rotor axle, having n pole pairs and a number m of second Hall sensors, which are set up at an angular offset to one another with respect to the rotor axle, the set-up and the number n of pole pairs and the set-up and the number m of the second Hall sensors being selected so as clearly to detect angular segments at the predetermined angular resolution W within the angular range of the angular offset of 90°.

For detecting the position of and activating block-commutated EC motors, three Hall sensors providing digital signals are typically used. In a one-pole pair sensor magnet set-up, for example, the three Hall sensors provide a clear assignment to six position regions, each of which has 60°. This detection of the absolute electrical position ensures that the positional angle (i.e., the electrical position of the rotor with respect to the position regions) may be clearly identified already when switching on the EC motor such that an EC motor having a number of stator coils can be activated in an optimal manner. If a more precise detection of the positional angle is required or if special types of commutation (150° block length instead of the usual 120° or 180° block length) are to be used, then it may be necessary to double the resolution of the position regions such that twelve position regions are provided for one electrical revolution, each of which have a magnitude of 30°.
Previous position sensor systems having an angular resolution of 30° have, in addition to a first Hall sensor device having the three Hall sensors and the one-pole pair sensor magnet set-up, a second Hall sensor device, which has two second Hall sensors and one second three-pole pair sensor magnet set-up. In this instance, the total number of required Hall sensors is five. This increases the costs and the manufacturing expenditure of the position sensor system.


A radio control transmitter capable of enhancing controllability of a remotely controlled unit, for example a model car includes a control unit having switches 8 for controlling the neutral positions of servos that operate based on control inputs of a throttle trigger 3 and a steering wheel 4, wherein the switches 8 are provided on a control unit 10 that rotatably supports the steering wheel 4, corresponding to a mount 2a of a main body. The control unit 10 is detachably installed corresponding to the mount 2a of the main body, while capable of being attached to a discretionary position in the direction of rotation. Accordingly, the position of the switches 8 can be adjusted to meet the needs of a user. Consequently, the user can operate the controlled unit with enhanced controllability.

For a radio control device that uses a radio frequency link to transmit commands to a radio controlled unit such as a model car, a user operates a radio control transmitter in order to remotely control the commands transmitted to the radio controlled unit. The transmitted commands control the operating range of a speed control servo and a direction control servo placed in the radio controlled unit, thereby enabling remote control thereof. One of such conventional radio control transmitters is illustrated in FIG. 8. (The transmitter shown in FIG. 8 is intended for a right-handed user) Such conventional radio control transmitter is of a wheel type including a grip handle 1, a main body 2, a throttle trigger 3, a steering wheel 4, an antenna 5, a battery case 6, and a display 7. Ordinarily, the user grips the handle 1 with the left hand in a manner similar to gripping a pistol and places the index finger on the throttle trigger 3, whereas the right hand is placed on the wheel 4 disposed in the center of a front face the main body 2. In case of operating a radio controlled unit, e.g., a model car, by employing such radio control transmitter, the throttle trigger 3 can be squeezed with varying degree in the direction of arrow A to move the radio controlled unit forward at a speed corresponding to the squeezed degree. And when the throttle trigger 3 is pushed forward in the direction of arrow B, the controlled unit moves backward at a speed corresponding to the amount of push or, in case of the unit incapable of moving backward, the brakes thereof operate for example. Moreover, when the operator turns the wheel 4 in a clockwise direction (in the direction of arrow C), the radio controlled unit turns to the right in conformity with the degree of the turn. Likewise, when the operator turns the steering wheels 4 in a counterclockwise direction (in the direction of arrow D), the radio controlled unit turns to the left in response to the degree of the turn. Accordingly, by manipulating in combination the throttle trigger 3 and the steering wheel 4, the user can remotely control the radio controlled unit.
Furthermore, the radio control transmitter of this sort is further provided with a mechanism to regulate controlled variables in controlling the radio controlled unit based on the control inputs of the throttle trigger 3 and the steering wheel 4. More specifically, the controlled variables can be regulated by controlling the neutral position and the maximum rudder angle (maximum operating range) for each of the speed control servo and the direction control servo that operate in response to the amount of inputs of the throttle trigger 3 and the steering wheel 4. Such task of controlling the neutral position and the maximum rudder angles of the servos are carried out by switches that are conventionally located near the throttle trigger 3 and the steering wheel 4, so that such control can be carried out while remotely controlling the radio controlled unit. Referring to the radio control transmitter illustrated in FIG. 8, the adjustment of the neutral positions of the servos for controlling the speed and the direction is performed by utilizing switches 8 provided near the steering wheel 4, wherein there are three switches 8 provided in a top vertical portion and left and right horizontal portions with respect to the axial line of steering wheel 4. One of the switches 8 is installed for adjusting the neutral position of the speed control servo and another for adjusting the direction control servo. The adjustment of the rudder angles (maximum operating range) of the speed control servo and the direction control servo is performed by utilizing a dial 9 placed near the throttle trigger 3, enabling the user to remotely control the radio controlled unit while observing its motion.
Although the switches 8 described above are disposed near the steering wheel 4 to be operable while remotely controlling the radio controlled unit, they are rigidly fixed to pre-specified locations. Despite such configuration, users come from various age groups ranging from a child to an adult, each having different hand holding postures and grips. In particular, with users having various grips, certain users may encounter a great difficulty especially in operating rigidly fixed switches while holding the steering wheel. Accordingly, such configuration may pose great difficulties in controlling the neutral position or the maximum rudder angle while manipulating the steering wheel. Consequently, operating the radio controlled unit under such configuration may force the user to lose control thereof. In case of a model car being controlled by the radio control transmitter under such configuration, the model car may incur collisions with walls or other obstacles for lack of control the user has thereon with such radio control transmitter.
Recent trends show operability of such radio control transmitter has been improving. By interposing an adapter between the main body and the steering wheel, the steering wheel can be placed at positions other than the conventionally pre-determined position (at the center of the front face). In general, the position of the steering wheel is adjusted with the adapter to about the height of the throttle trigger. However, even with such adapters allowing for an adjustment of the location of the steering wheel, there is a need for an easily accessible and operable switches.


A method of fabricating a light duct includes making the light duct as a single piece by injection molding a thermoplastic material in a mold (1) presenting a cavity of shape identical to that of the duct, the injection taking place through a feed orifice disposed on one side of said cavity over a face that is substantially parallel to the plane defined by axes (A-A′, B-B′), the feed orifice presenting a height h lying in the range 0.2 Hmax and Hmax, and a length l lying in the range 0.2 Lmoy and 0.8 Lmoy, the thermoplastic material being injected at a rate lying in the range 400 mm3/s to 1500 mm3/s.

Such a display arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,372 and is shown in plan view in FIG. 1.
Such an arrangement 10 comprises a housing assembly 16 having a first enclosure 20 containing a circuit for receiving data or images and containing an imaging assembly. The light transmitted by the imaging assembly is relayed via an optical device 14 to the eye of the user, e.g. through a spectacle lens 24. This light duct 14 comprises a transparent rectilinear light relay 26 conveying light along its longitudinal axis A-A′, and a deflector assembly 28 comprising a mirror 30 placed on a surface that is inclined relative to the first axis A-A′ and an aspherical lens 32 whose axis of revolution B-B′ is, in this example, perpendicular to the first axis A-A′, and is disposed in register with said inclined wall. The housing assembly 16 is mounted on a temple 34 of the spectacle frame by a clamping assembly 36.
The duct presents a given maximum height Hmax beyond the thickness of the lens, and a given mean length Lmoy along its longitudinal axis A-A′. By way of example, such a prior art light duct presents a maximum height Hmax of 11 millimeters (mm) and a mean length Lmoy of 32 mm.
It is known to fabricate the light duct 14 by sticking together a plurality of plastics parts molded out of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or out of "Zeonex" (a cyclo-olefin polymer). These various parts include the light relay 26 which is made by cutting a rectangular section bar out of a plate and then machining and polishing it at its ends, the bar also serving to carry the mirror 30 and the likewise-molded lens 32 which are bonded thereto by adhesive.
Such a method of fabrication is complex since it includes numerous steps of processing, cutting, machining, polishing, and bonding that require very great precision throughout those steps. It is consequently lengthy and expensive.

Method of fabricating a light duct of thermoplastic material


Disclosed are a database selection system and/or a method to automatically adjust a database schema based on an input data. The method of the database selection system includes identifying an attribute of the input data. An optimal database type is determined in which the input data is to be stored based on a match between the optimal database type and the attribute. The method selects an ideal database based on the optimal database type from a set of distributed heterogeneous databases. The method determines if an existing database schema of the ideal database is optimally structured based on the input data. An ideal database schema is automatically adjusted based on the input data using a processor and a memory.

A database may be an organized collection of data. The database may be organized to model aspects of reality in a way that supports processes requiring this information. For example, organization of the database may include a modeling of goods in a warehouse in a way that supports finding a particular item in a particular category.
A database management system may be a software application that interacts with a user, other applications, and/or the database itself to capture and analyze data. For example, the database management system may be a software system designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and/or administration of databases. Unfortunately, the database is not generally portable across different database management systems.

Database selection system and method to automatically adjust a database schema based on an input data


A TDI sensor includes a first readout register and a plurality of sensor columns. The first readout register includes a plurality of first readout register elements. A first sensor column includes a photogate and a diode photodetector at an end. The diode photodetector is either a photodiode or a pinned photodiode. The photogate is coupled through the diode photodetector and from there through a transfer gate to a corresponding readout register element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a TDI image sensor architecture with a row of photodiodes or pinned photo diodes.
2. Description of Related Art
Quantum efficiencies typical of high quality photodiodes in linescan CCD image sensors, in the visible wavelengths, are on the order of 70%. However, quantum efficiencies of photogates as are typically used in TDI image sensors are on the order of 40% or even lower for red and green light, and as low as around 10% for blue light. Thus, under uniform illumination, the TDI image sensor must operate with between 2 and 7 photogate stages to accumulate the same electronic signal as its single photodiode linescan counterpart. This poses significant constraints of object-imager alignment and synchronization.

Imager with a row of photodiodes or pinned photo diodes


An example apparatus includes a well plate having an array of wells, a light encoding layer positioned under the well plate, an imaging layer to capture an image of the well plate encoded by the light encoding layer, an array of electrodes positioned on a surface of a bottom floor of the at least one well, and a controller. The light encoding layer is to encode light passing through a microscopic object in at least one well of the array of wells. The light encoding layer has a substantially flat form. The controller is to direct electrical voltage to the electrodes to generate a non-rotating, non-uniform electrical field, the electrical field being to rotate an object in the electrical field.

Analysis of biological material, such as cells, is performed for a variety of applications. Analysis is often performed by isolating biological material, such as cells or type of cells, and taking an image of the biological material. The image may be taken using, for example, a microscope. The image may then be analyzed for identification or detection of various features of the biological material.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Rotation and flat-form imaging for microscopic objects

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A two-cycle oil additive composition and concentrate having improved detergency, lubricity and antiwear properties which more effectively controls deposits related to ring sticking comprising A) at least one dispersant prepared by reacting a carboxylic acid acylating agent with a polyalkylene polyamine and optionally a high molecular weight acylating agent; B) a second dispersant which is a succinimide such as prepared by acylating a polyalkylene polyamine with polyisobutylene succinic anhydride; and C) at least one polyolefin; at least one of the dispersants being a borated dispersant and which further optionally comprise at least one of the following: D) a sulfurized alkylphenol; and E) a phosphorous-containing antiwear agent.

The invention relates to an additive composition for two-cycle oils and concentrates containing said additive package and a method of preparing the additive composition or concentrates. The additive composition, when incorporated into two-cycle oils, provides greatly improved engine cleanliness, particularly with regard to ring sticking, and improved lubricity and antiwear performance.
Two-cycle (two-stroke) internal combustion engines, including rotary engines are found in power lawn mowers and other power-operated gardening equipment, power chain saws, pumps, electrical generators, marine outboard engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and the like. Two-cycle engines employed as such are operated by mixing the fuel and the two-cycle oil in prescribed proportions. The two-cycle oil additive of the instant invention is designed for use in most types of two-cycle engines and particularly in water-cooled marine outboard engines.
Two-cycle engines are lubricated by mixing the lubricant with the fuel for the engine. The mixture of fuel and lubricant passes through the crankcase of a two-cycle engine, where it lubricates the moving parts in the lower portion of the engine and then flows through intake ports into the combustion chamber. There it lubricates the cylinder zone of the engine and is burned. The combustion products are vented from the combustion chambers through exhaust ports. As a consequence, a satisfactory lubricant for a two-cycle engine must not only provide adequate lubrication for moving engine parts but also must be able to pass into the combustion chamber leaving no objectionable deposits in the intake ports; must burn cleanly to avoid fouling the combustion chamber and spark plug with undesirable deposits; control varnish and sludge formation which leads to ring sticking and in turn to failure of the sealing function of piston rings; and must not result in plugging of the exhaust ports.
The increasing severity of the conditions under which two-cycle engines operate has led to increasing demands for oils to adequately lubricate such engines. Alleviation of the problems has been through the provision of more effective additives for two-cycle engine oils and oil fuel combinations.
The largest and most expensive two-cycle engines are the water-cooled outboards used in marine applications. Engines with up to six cylinders and horse-power ratings to 300 are now available.
In recent years, these engines have shown an increasing tendency towards premature failure via deposit related piston-ring sticking. This may be in part due to a deterioration in fuel quality, both in terms of deposit forming tendency and motor octane number, which has occurred in some areas of the United States as a result of the change to unleaded fuel. Engine changes aimed at increased out-put, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions also may have aggravated the ring sticking problem.
It is known to use acylated nitrogen-containing compounds as dispersants in two-cycle lubricants to prevent the deposition of solid materials on engine surfaces in contact with the lubricating composition. Such acylated nitrogen-containing compounds, as for instance the reaction product of isostearic acid and a polyamine, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,110,673 and 4,705,643.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,110,673 mentioned above discloses a lubricant composition containing a pour point depressant and ashless dispersant. The ashless dispersant is described as the reaction product of a polyalkylene amine and a mixed, branched and straight chain acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,643 also briefly discussed above described an ashless lubricating two-cycle oil-additive comprised of the condensation reaction product of a branched isostearic acid and tetraethylene pentamine.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,568,876 discloses the use of organic nitrogen compounds as corrosion inhibiting compositions. The organic nitrogen compound disclosed are reaction products of monocarboxylic acids and polyalkylene polyamines having one more nitrogen atom per molecule than there are alkylene groups in the molecule, which are further reacted with an alkenyl succinic acid anhydride. The ratio of alkenyl succinic acid to monocarboxylic acid disclosed is 1:1 to 4:1 and the alkenyl radical carbon range disclosed preferably range from 8 to 18.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,936 discloses nitrogen-containing compositions derived from the acylation of alkylene amines and is used to stabilize metal phosphorodithioates antioxidant additives in lubricating compositions. The acylated amines of the patent are prepared by heating together an alkylene amine with an acidic mixture consisting of a hydrocarbon-substituted succinic acid and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid. The equivalent amount of succinic acid to monocarboxylic acid disclosed range from 1:0.1 to about 1:1.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,200,545; 4,708,809; 4,663,063; 4,708,809 and 4,780,111 all disclosed products derived from reacting first and second acylating agents comprising carboxylic acids or anhydrides with polyamines wherein the range of equivalence for the succinic acid agent to monocarboxylic acid ranges from 1:1 to 10:1.
The present invention is directed to an additive for two-cycle lubricating oils especially two-cycle oil additives for water-cooled outboard engines. The invention is further directed to an additive which is stable at low temperatures and which also provides good detergency, lubricity, antiwear and corrosion inhibition.
Copending application U.S. Ser. No. 742,955, filed Aug. 9, 1991, discloses controlling gel formation in two-cycle oil with an additive comprising a reaction product of a monocarboxylic acid, a polyalkylene polyamine and a high molecular weight acylating agent. The application further disclosed additive compositions also containing a polyolefin and a pour point depressant flow improver. Applications Docket Nos. PT-911 and PT-913 filed contemporoneously with the instant application disclosed respectively amide/imidazoline dispersants and amide/imide/imidazoline dispersants used in combination with alcohols and/or wax crystal modifiers to control gel formation in two-cycle oils. Both disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.


A device for circulating an air flow in the passenger compartment of a vehicle including a supply zone for the air, a panel having an emission zone and a recession in the opening of the supply zone. The panel fitted to allow an open circulation of the flow at the same time in all directions in space. The recess is below the emission zone and fitted to allow the distribution of the flow simultaneously over the entire emission zone.

In the automotive vehicles currently known, air circulation is generally carried out by devices opening at the level of the casing components such as, for example, instrument panels, door panels, or others. These devices consist in particular of different conduits which allow the transportation of an air flow to an opening where the aforementioned air flow is projected into the passenger compartment through a ventilation grill, which may be adjustable, appearing on the surface of these components.
They allow, simultaneously and/or selectively, a projection of the flow towards the driver, the passengers, and/or the glass surfaces close to the casing components.
A first disadvantage of these devices consists in the fact that the air flow(s) emitted follow a precise direction and thus give the vehicle passengers a sensation of an air current which, although it may be sometimes desired, is often unpleasant and the source of discomfort when only a light circulation is desired. Moreover, these currents of air do not promote the establishment of an atmosphere of uniform air inside the passenger compartment.
Another disadvantage of these devices is that they are not very aesthetic and detract from the outside appearance of the casing components. In addition, they often generate noise.
Moreover, it can be noted that they are difficult to adjust. In fact, as an example, when a driver is alone in the vehicle, if a side ventilation grill is located on the front passenger side, it is not easy for the driver to reach it; he thus has difficulty in controlling the air flow emitted.
The goal of the invention presented here is to propose a device for circulating an air flow for the passenger compartment of a vehicle which compensates for the aforementioned disadvantages and promotes the circulation of the air flow in order, in particular, to reduce the feeling of the air current.
Another goal of the invention presented here is to propose a device for the circulation of an air flow for the passenger compartment of a vehicle which promotes a dispersion of the air in the space.
Another goal of the invention presented here is to propose a device for the circulation of an air flow for the passenger compartment of a vehicle which makes it possible to improve the aesthetic of the casing component to which it is applied and to integrate it with discretion into the aforementioned passenger compartment.
Another goal of the invention presented here is to propose a device for circulating an air flow for the passenger compartment of the vehicle which makes it possible to reduce the level of noise generated during the emission of the flow.
Another goal of the invention presented here is to propose a device for circulating an air flow for the passenger compartment of the vehicle which is easier to control thanks to, in particular, a centralization and/or a reduction in the number of settings to be made.
An advantage of the invention presented here is to make it possible to establish a uniform atmosphere in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Other goals and advantages of the invention presented here appear in the course of the following description which is only given as a guideline and is not intended to limit it.

Device for circulating an air flow for passenger compartment of a vehicle


A clothing assembly comprising of trousers, the trousers having a waist, a waistband, a right leg, and a left leg; and the trousers having a belt retaining loop, the belt retaining loop being fixedly attached to the right side of the trousers and positioned thereon so that the upper end of the belt loop lies below the waistband; and comprising a flexible belt, the flexible belt being positioned to form an upper loop and a lower loop, the upper loop extending upwardly and leftwardly from the belt retaining loop, the lower loop extending downwardly and leftwardly from the belt retaining loop, the upper loop encircling the waist of the trousers, and the lower loop encircling the right leg of the trousers.

Items of women's apparel and clothing commonly are tailored so that they display various stylistic or fashionable lines. For example, a woman wearing a bateau neck blouse or dress displays a stylistic horizontal neckline, extending from the top of her left shoulder to the top of her right shoulder. Where a bateau neck blouse is worn in combination with a yoke skirt, additional horizontal lines are displayed at the waistline and hipline. Another example of display by women's clothing or apparel of stylistic lines is a women's draped necked dress or blouse which displays a series of concentric curved lines at the neckline. Another example is the diagonally angled lines of a women's dress having a plunging neckline, or the crossing diagonal lines of a women's wrap around dress.
Several common items of clothing or apparel worn by both men and women perform a primary utilitarian function, and perform a secondary stylistic line of displaying function; the secondary function being dictated, sometimes undesirably, by the primary function. For example, the primary utilitarian function of the hatband of a hat is prevention of expansion of the hat, and the secondary function of the hatband is display of a stylistic horizontal line. The horizontal line of the hatband follows and is integral to its utilitarian function. Similarly, the brim of a lady's hat commonly displays a stylistic horizontal line while shading the wearer's face, the shade being the primary function of the brim. Another common example of such primary and secondary functions is suspenders which display stylistic vertical lines while performing their primary utilitarian function of trouser suspension. Similarly, a common belt which, when worn in combination with common trousers, primarily functions to mechanically suspend the trousers in proper wearing position, and secondarily functions to display a stylistic horizontal line. In each of the above examples, the secondary stylistic function is potentially undesirably dictated by the primary utilitarian function. For example, where common trousers, particularly women's trousers, are in need of mechanically assisted suspension, it is not always desirable to achieve either of the secondary functions common to belts and suspenders; i.e, displaying stylistic horizontal and vertical lines. Commonly known configurations of trousers, belt, belt loops and suspenders may cause a wearer, not wishing to display stylistic horizontal or vertical lines, to undesirably compromise; the wearer choosing to utilize a common belt or suspenders despite their horizontal and vertical line displaying functions.
The instant inventive clothing assembly provides a solution to the above problem by providing a novel and unique trouser and belt assembly, such assembly allowing a women's belt to perform a primary trouser suspending utilitarian function while performing a secondary function of displaying stylistic diagonal crossing lines.

Trousers with a belt retaining loop below the waistband