A photo detector having a substrate and a first structure formed on the substrate. The first structure includes an emitter layer formed on the substrate and a base layer formed on the emitter layer. Further, the first structure includes a collector layer formed on the base layer. The collector layer has a plasmonic structure. The plasmonic structure includes a first plurality of mesa structures. Each of the mesa structures of the first plurality of mesa structures includes a second plurality of mesa structures having ridges arranged in a regularly repeating pattern.

An infrared photodetector is an electronic device that converts infrared electromagnetic waves into an electronic signal. Infrared photodetectors are used widely in both military and civilian applications related to, for example, biomedicine, surveillance, communications, and astronomy.
Infrared photodetectors are increasingly being used in high temperature environments. Unfortunately, conventional infrared photodetectors have demonstrated relatively poor performance at higher temperatures due to thermally induced noise. As conventional infrared detectors are sensitive to thermal noise, they are typically cooled and operated at very low cryogenic temperatures to achieve low leakage currents (i.e., noise).
The effectiveness of existing detectors remains limited, especially at higher temperatures, by thermally generated diffusion currents. The noise in these detectors is often affected by the thickness of the absorber region. Furthermore, other operational characteristics, such as quantum efficiency, can be degraded depending on absorber thickness. Therefore, there is a need for infrared detector architectures capable of realizing more robust and efficient operations over a wider temperature range with lower noise and higher quantum efficiency.

Infrared photodetector architectures for high temperature operations


In one embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed which provide that a plurality of physicians each enter operative event data into an operative event database, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events and the physicians enter the operative event data use a wide area network through a user interface assisting the physicians in coding operative events in a consistent manner. The physicians access the operative event database to obtain information concerning upcoming or previously performed operative events, with a service provider maintaining an on-line system including one or more servers to support the entering of operative event data into the database through the Internet and the user interface. The physicians subscribe to the on-line system wherein the physicians are allowed access and use the on-line system, and wherein the physicians retain control over the use and disposition of the operative event data entered by the physician.

As many as 72 million surgical procedures are performed in the United States each year. For every one of these procedures, information about the diagnoses, treatment and relevant procedure documentation must be captured. A major problem in this information capture is that different entities need the same data but they capture the data in different ways and at different times due to a disjointed health care information structure with no one master.
Before a physician performs surgery in a hospital or outpatient clinic, basic information about the procedure is captured first for the hospitals (or clinics) operating room/suite system. This is usually done in an analog manner via telephone. This data, collected by the MD's office, is needed for the hospital to plan the procedure, but it is not generated in a consistent, standard, or legible fashion. Once an Operative Event has been completed the physician or her/his assistant completes dictation into a tape bank that will later be transcribed into an operative note. To be maximally useful, these notes should be transcribed and added to the patients' record immediately. However, it is common for the "draft" note to be outstanding for five or more days. Thus, it is uncommon for a hospitalized patient to have a real and/or complete Operative (event) Note in their chart during the hospital stay. Accordingly, the JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) requires that some minimal information be "Hand Written" in to the hospital chart. Once the note is transcribed, it is added to the patients' record, but it is not "official" until the physician who performed the operation reads the operative note and corrects any errors. About 20-40% of these initial operative notes need changes. Once the operative note is corrected and signed by the physician, the "draft" note is removed from the patients' medical record and replaced with the signed operative note. Separately, getting the notes to and from the physician is a significant problem for hospital medical records departments and for the physicians/physician offices. Not surprisingly, a percentage of operative notes go missing-in-action. These MIA notes are a large portion of the hospital's focus when it is required to complete an audit of its system by the JCAHO every three years. Most importantly, the lack of timely availability of an accurate operative note for the use of involved parties, leads to billing delays and errors causing payment delays, denials, and reductions to all interested parties.
It is a universal requirement that a record of surgery be created. This record is created for three purposes:    1. To comply with facility/governmental requirements;    2. To provide documentation of procedure completion for insurers; and    3. To facilitate future or current disease/procedure specific research.
Physicians using current analog/dictation methods do not routinely consult the coding texts which their office-clinic and the hospitals billing department use to numerically describe to the insurers the procedures and diagnosis for a given patient. Consequently, operative/procedure notes do not always match the codes that should be used to describe a specific event. Additionally, current dictation methods do not assist a single and certainly not a group of physicians to describe a procedure(s) in a consistent/reproducible fashion. Of additional importance, more than one group (Hospital, Proceduralist, Anesthesiologist, Pathologist, Radiologist) is often coding the same event independently. This creates more than a little confusion for the insurer looking at a bill for a particular patient who received treatment from three or more distinct entities, for example the 1) hospital, 2) anesthesiologist, 3) pathologist, and 4) surgeon, all on the same day which by report is for varying diagnosis with varying treatments. Variations in dictation combined with coding variations can also result in wide variations in how the physician is paid by insurance companies. Finally, because the current data is inconsistent, not a database, and not readily available to the physicians, it cannot be used by the physician to improve care, facilitate marketing, or enhance re-licensing usage without separate time consuming data entry.
There are a number of systems in the marketplace that allow for the entry of procedure information. These systems range from low cost Palm Pilot based systems to online billing systems. These systems have several major flaws. The Palm based systems are expecting the physician to significantly change their behavior in order utilize their software. They are complex and cumbersome to use and provide little value to the physician, other than a portable subset of the patients' record. These systems do not integrate into existing systems and other than early adopter "geek doctors", have not succeeded in the market. The existing billing systems are designed as accounting first and an easy way to input procedure information last or not at all. Billing systems are also different between the hospital and the doctors' offices, thus information is consistent only by random luck.
Accordingly, there is considerable room for improvement in the area of operative event documentation and the storage and use of the associated data.

Method and apparatus for operative event documentation and related data management


A pyrazolone derivative represented by general formula (I) or a salt thereof: ##STR1## [wherein one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is ##STR2## (wherein A is a cyano group, a cyano C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, an amino group, an amino C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, an amidino group or a guanidino group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups or the like) or the like],. the other of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, a C.sub.3-6 alkenyl group, an aryl C.sub.1-4 alkyl group or an aryl group,. one of Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is ##STR3## (wherein Q is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Z.sup.1 is an oxygen atom, a --NR.sup.7 -- group or a --CHR.sup.7 -- group, Z.sup.2 is a cyclic C.sub.3-7 alkylene group, a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group, a --CH.sub.2 CO-- group or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CO-- group, Z.sup.3 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a sulfinyl group, a sulfonyl group or the like, Z.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group, and Z.sup.5 is a carboxyl group or the like, and. the other of Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 is a D-E- group [wherein E is a bond, a C.sub.1-4 alkylene group or a phenylene group, and D is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group or the like which has an inhibitory action on platelet aggregation and is useful as a preventive or therapeutic agent for various thrombotic diseases.

Platelets play an important role in the normal hemostatic mechanism, and it has turned out that aggregation of platelets plays an important role in thrombogenesis from a pathological aspect. Major thrombotic diseases resulting from thrombogenesis include cerebral thrombosis, pulmonary thrombosis, myocardial infarction, cardiac angina and peripheral arterial obstruction and all of them require development of effective drugs. As preventive and therapeutic agents for these thrombotic diseases, antithrombotic agents having a platelet aggregation inhibitory action are drawing attention. Heretofore effects of aspirin have been studied extensively for a long time, and ticlopidine and cilostazol are used recently. However, the present situation is that drugs stronger in respect of efficacy are demanded.
A platelet has various membrane-binding glycoproteins including adhesive membrane proteins of the integrin super family on the membrane surface. The most plentiful integrin on the cell membrane of a normal platelet is GPIIb/IIIa. The GPIIb/IIIa on activated platelets binds a number of ligand proteins such as fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin and the von Willebrand factor. These various ligands such as fibrinogen have the tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), which is considered to be the most important site recognized for the binding. In recent years, compounds which inhibit GPIIb/IIIa from binding fibrinogen are assumed to be useful as antiplatelet agents, and chemical analogues of RGD have been examined on the usefulness as antiplatelet agents.
In addition to the above-mentioned thrombotic diseases, it is indicated that various diseases including nephritis and cancer cell metastasis are likely to be associated with platelets. Recently, extensive research is conducted on the preventive and therapeutic effects of antiplatelet agents which suppress the platelet function on these diseases.
The relevancy of the novel pyrazolone derivatives represented by general formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention to some compounds disclosed in the published literature is stated below.
(a) German patent publications No. 4124942 (hereinafter referred to as reference (a)) and No. 4302051 (hereinafter referred to as reference (a')) disclose pyrazolone derivatives but discloses nothing about their preparation, their specific examples or their medicinal activity. PA1 (b) European patent publication No. 537696 (hereinafter referred to as reference (b)) discloses 3-alkoxypyrazole derivatives.


A coating composition is described comprising, in an aqueous medium:. A) a resin having a plurality of primary amine groups, and PA1 B) a curing agent having a plurality of cyclic carbonate groups.

Electrodeposition coating compositions and methods are widely used in industry today. During electrodeposition, an ionically-charged resin having a relatively low molecular weight is deposited onto a conductive substrate by submerging the substrate in an electrocoat bath having dispersed therein the charged resin, and applying an electrical potential between the substrate and a pole of opposite charge (usually the walls of the vessel holding the bath). This produces a relatively soft coating on the substrate of low molecular weight resin. This coating is usually converted to a hard high molecular weight coating by curing or crosslinking the resin.
One curing mechanism utilizes a melamine formaldehyde resin curing agent in the electrodepositable coating composition to react with hydroxyl functional groups on the electrodeposited resin. This curing method provides good cure at relatively low temperatures (e.g., 132.degree. C.), but the crosslink bonds contain undesirable ether linkages and the resulting coatings provide poor overall corrosion resistance as well as poor chip and cyclic corrosion resistance.
In order to address some of the problems with melamine-crosslinked electrocoats, many users employ polyisocyanate crosslinkers to react with hydroxyl functional groups on the electrodeposited resin. This curing method provides desirable urethane crosslink bonds, but it also entails several disadvantages. In order to prevent premature gelation of the electrodepositable coating composition, the highly reactive isocyanate groups on the curing agent must be blocked (e.g., with an oxime or alcohol). Blocked polyisocyanates, however, require high temperatures (e.g., 150.degree. C. or more) to unblock and begin the curing reaction. The resulting electrocoats can also be susceptible to yellowing. Moreover, the volatile blocking agents released during cure can cause other deleterious effects on various coating properties, as well as increasing VOC. There is thus a need in the art for electrodepositable coating compositions that could provide desirable urethane crosslink linkages, but avoid the problems that accompany the use of blocked polyisocyanate curing agents. Also, since melamine and polyisocyanate curing agents for hydroxy-functional resins are also used in a variety of coating compositions other than electrocoat, and still entail the same sets of disadvantages, this need is observed throughout the coatings art.

Cyclic carbonate-curable coating composition


One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a memory module that includes at least one memory chip, and an intelligent chip coupled to the at least one memory chip and a memory controller, where the intelligent chip is configured to implement at least a part of a RAS feature. The disclosed architecture allows one or more RAS features to be implemented locally to the memory module using one or more intelligent register chips, one or more intelligent buffer chips, or some combination thereof. Such an approach not only increases the effectiveness of certain RAS features that were available in prior art systems, but also enables the implementation of certain RAS features that were not available in prior art systems.

1. Field of Invention
This application relates generally to memory systems and more specifically to memory modules that include reliability and serviceability features and functionalities.
2. Description of the Related Art
Memory systems in computers are typically built from memory modules. An example of a common type of memory module is a Dual Inline Memory Module or DIMM. It is very important for many computers, particularly in classes of computers known as servers, that the memory system be as reliable as possible. It is also very important that the computer and memory system are built in such a way that the computer can be serviced as quickly, easily and as inexpensively as possible. Together these important features are often known as Reliability and Serviceability (RAS) features.


A fence support system includes brackets that may be attached to t-posts. The system includes modular brackets that may be configured in either a single or dual embodiment for attachment to components on multiple sides of the brackets. The bracket may also be configured with a round plate situated atop the body portion, such that the top of the bracket may be attached to components at a variety of angles. The bracket may be configured in large and small embodiments. The system includes an adjustable brace assembly configured to extend between brackets so as to support respective posts. The bracketry provides a means to hang gates from t-posts, create and support field fence corners and mid fence span supports using common t-posts, including fence intersections that are at non-90-degree angles, and other applications.

T-posts are a type of post commonly used in fencing. Such posts are typically fabricated out of steel. The bottom end of the post typically has a t-shape, or sometimes a y-shape, that allows it to be easily driven into the ground and to maintain stability once in the ground. The spine of the posts is typically lined with cleats, studs, or nubs, sometimes referred to as "teeth". Those teeth or cleats may typically secure the fencing wire, such that it will not slide in a vertical direction.
Brackets exist in the marketplace that may be used in connection with a t-post fencing system. However, those brackets have a number of drawbacks, as described herein. For example, most known bracketry that can be used in connection with t-post fencing systems are limited to use in post-to-post bracing applications. Typically, such brackets are used to connect a t-post that is being used as a fence post, to a second t-post. The second t-post will be placed at an angle to the first, and will serve as a brace for the fencing structure. The bottom end of second t-post has to be connected to an adjacent third t-post by some means.
Because such brackets are designed to connect one or more t-posts, they have the drawback that they are not capable of connecting a t-post to another structure, such as a gate or other component of a fencing system.
In addition, such brackets have fixed components, with the result that they can only connect one post to another at a fixed angle. As a result, the applications for which they can be easily be used is limited.
Known brackets that are used for bracing applications also have the drawback of being labor intensive. Generally, the fence post interval will need to be precisely measured, such that the bracing post fits neatly between fence posts. Alternatively, the bracing posts will need to be cut to fit. Given that the posts are comprised of steel, the cutting process would require specialized equipment not traditionally used in field fence building.
As a result of these drawbacks, it is often necessary to incorporate wood into a t-post fencing structure. For example, because known t-post compatible bracketry is not compatible with gate structures, it is generally necessary to include a wood fence post to anchor the gate. However, wood posts have the disadvantage of being subject to decay and needing replacement. Wood Posts are generally large and require large deep holes that have to be dug by hand or with specialized equipment. Quite often the process of digging holes for wooden post in tales the removal or breaking of rocks or the cutting of tree roots. All of which are negated by the invention and its components.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a fencing system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and existing bracing systems.


A network card with searching ability inquires connection information from all network cards at a network by using a broadcasting manner when it is connected to the same network, and build a connection list according to the received connection information. A user terminal can connect to a management page by one of the network cards on the network by a browser thereon, and check the connection list at the management page upon login successfully. User can obtain connection information of all network cards at the network through the connection list. Therefore, the user terminal can connect to a target network card according to the obtained connection information through a redirection manner. Else, it can also connect to the target network card via the logged network card through a relay manner.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to a network card and a monitoring device having the same, and more particularly to a network card with searching ability, a monitoring device having the network card, and a searching method used for the network card and the monitoring device.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, various apparatuses, such as the server host, the monitoring device, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), or the gateway, usually have separated webpage interfaces. The network administrator connects to the webpage interfaces through the IP address of the used apparatuses and then monitors data of the apparatuses.
In the existing technologies, the network administrator has to record IP addresses of all apparatuses so as to connect to and login the webpage interface through the IP addresses. The dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server is usually used to record IP addresses and manage the IP address allocation. However, it is inconvenient to coordinate the apparatuses to the allocated IP addresses.
In addition, the network administrator usually opens a browser and then inputs the corresponding IP addresses to connect to the webpage interfaces so that the network administrator can directly record the IP addresses of the apparatuses on the browser. However, the apparatuses would not correctly correspond to the IP addresses to result in invalid connections once the apparatus in the system is changed or the host is replaced.
In addition, an additional searching program is developed to be installed in the computer of the network administrator for conveniently searching IP address of the apparatuses. In some management conditions, however, the additional searching program cannot be installed in order to avoid the network security. Accordingly, it is difficult for the network administrator to manage and monitor data of the apparatuses.

Network card with searching ability, monitoring device with the network card, and searching method used for the same


Methods and apparatus to process cache allocation requests are disclosed. In an example method, a priority level is assigned to a cache allocation request. Based on the priority level, an allocation probability associated with the cache allocation request is identified. Based on the allocation probability, the cache allocation request is identified with either an allocate condition and a bypass condition.

Typically, cache is memory that a processor may access more quickly than random access memory (RAM) on a main memory chip. Cache may be identified based on how close and accessible a memory is to the processor. For example, a first-level unified (L1) cache may reside on the same chip as the processor. When the processor executes an instruction, for example, the processor first looks at its on-chip cache to find the data associated with that instruction to avoid performing a more time-consuming search for the data elsewhere (e.g., off-chip or on a RAM on a main memory chip).
Caches implemented in current processor systems are typically unaware of how cache lines are allocated to multiple incoming application streams. When a processor issues a load/store request for a data block in a cache, for example, the processor only checks for the data block in the cache. That is, if the data block is not in the cache, the cache controller issues a request to the main memory. Upon receiving a response from the main memory, the cache controller allocates the data block into the cache.
In processor systems employing multi-threaded cores, multi-core processors, multi-tasked cores, and/or virtualized cores, multiple incoming application streams may interfere with each other and as a result, may cause a shared cache to operate inefficiently. With multiple incoming application streams sharing cache space with equal priority often results in sub-optimal allocation of cache resources to the more important memory intensive application(s).

Methods and apparatus to process cache allocation requests based on priority


An article of manufacture formed from the reaction product of at least one plant based polyol and at least one isocyanate free monomer, comprising a foam structure having wide commercial applicability.

This technology relates generally to plant based foam production and, more particularly, to cushioning composed at least in part of plant based materials.
In consumer products designed for comfort such as mattresses, seat cushions, etc. a wide range of materials have been used to ensure the appropriate balance between support and comfort. In particular, various types of foams have been used in the commercial production of car seats, bedding and the like. The foam produced for these applications is typically manufactured from carcinogenic petroleum based materials that can have an adverse impact on the environment and the user. Two component polyurethanes comprised of isocyanate-hydroxyl chemistry and petroleum polyols are widely used because these conventional polyurethanes possess high elasticity, abrasion resistance and other outstanding properties. Due to the toxicity of isocyanates, which are synthesized from an even more toxic phosgene predecessor, exposure to isocyanates can result in health effects, such as skin irritation and long-term asthma. This can lead to unintended consequences as the resulting foam is incorporated into crib mattresses and other consumer and industrial products.

Comfort apparatus and method of manufacture


A composite comprises a carbonaceous and a metallic nanotube conjugated with a carbonaceous support. The composite may be used to remove contaminants from water.

Separating and degrading organic micro-contaminants in drinking water represents a major challenge in safeguarding human health. However, conventional technologies such as adsorption and oxidation are often limited due to limited adsorption capacity, poor regeneration, and low degradation efficiency. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides composite materials formed via a process based on commercial charcoals and a metal oxide and methods of utilizing the improved composites.
The composites and methods of the present disclosure provide several advantages compared to alternatives known in the art. First, as an adsorbent, composites of the present disclosure offer not only rapid adsorption rate but also high adsorption capacity for contaminants which may be due to the modified pore size distribution and formation of the high-capacity ink-bottle-shaped pores.
Second, as a photocatalyst, composites of the present disclosure display superior photocatalytic activity compared to neat nanotubes, owing to the carbonaceous support-mediated electron transfer and enhanced generation of ROS. The composites of the present disclosure are capable of performing over a broad pH range and at high ionic strength and also display resistance to organic fouling. The degradation may regenerate the composites and allow for use in multiple operations.
Third, a two-step adsorption/photodegradation-regeneration may concentrate hydrophobic micro-pollutants like phenanthrene from large volumes of polluted water onto a small amount of composite. This property may allow for efficient photodegradation of contaminants compared to that known in the art.
The following numbered embodiments are contemplated and are non-limiting:
1. A composite comprising a carbonaceous support and a metallic nanotube conjugated with a carbonaceous support.
2. The composite of clause 1, wherein the carbonaceous support comprises charcoal.
3. The composite of clause 2, wherein the charcoal is activated charcoal, powder activated charcoal, activated carbon fibers, biochar, or a mixture thereof.
4. The composite of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite comprises at least 5% of a metal.
5. The composite of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite comprises less than 80% carbon.
6. The composite of clause 4 or clause 5, wherein the metal comprises titanium.
7. The composite of any one of clauses 4 to 6, wherein the metal comprises a dopant.
8. The composite of clause 7, wherein the dopant is iron, cobalt, or nickel.
9. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite has XRD peaks at 2θ of about 24°, about 28°, about 48°, and about 62°.
10. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite has XRD peaks at about 26°, about 43°, or both.
11. The composite of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite has an XRD peak at about 9.5° or about 10°.
12. The composite of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite has an IR spectra comprising peaks at about 900 and about 500 cm−1.
13. The composite of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the carbonaceous support comprises a plurality of pores.
14. The composite of clause 13, wherein each pore of the plurality of pores has a diameter of about 2 nm to about 50 nm.
15. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composite has a BET surface area of at least 275 m2/g.
16. The composite of clause 15, wherein the BET surface area is less than about 570 m2/g.
17. The composite of clause 15 or clause 16, wherein the BET surface area is less than about 680 m2/g.
18. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the metallic nanotube has an inner diameter of about 2 nm to about 10 nm.
19. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the metallic nanotube comprises a first metal and a second metal.
20. The composite material of clause 19, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in a mass ratio of at least about 2:1.
21. The composite material of clause 19 or clause 20, wherein the first metal is titanium.
22. The composite material of any one of clauses 19 to 21, wherein the second metal is sodium.
23. The composite material of any one of clauses 19 to 22, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in a mass ratio of at least about 3:1.
24. The composite material of clause 23, wherein the first metal is titanium.
25. The composite material of clause 23 or clause 24, wherein the second metal is sodium.
26. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the carbonaceous support and the metallic nanotube are in a mass ratio of about 4:1 to about 0.5:1.
27. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the carbonaceous support comprises a plurality of pores, each having a diameter that is generally larger than a diameter of the metallic nanotube.
28. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the metallic nanotubes are arranged in multiple layers on the carbonaceous support.
29. The composite material of clause 28, wherein composite material comprises at least 3 layers of metallic nanotubes.
30. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the metallic nanotubes comprise carbon.
31. The composite material of clause 30, wherein the carbon is in the form of a partial coating of microscale carbonaceous support on the metallic nanotube.
32. The composite material of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the metallic nanotubes comprise tubular walls.
33. The composite material of clause 32, wherein the tubular walls comprise the metal and carbon.
34. A method of removing one or more contaminants from water, the method comprising the step of contacting a composite according to any one of clauses 1 to 33 with contaminated water to form a composite-contaminant complex.
35. The method of clause 34, wherein the contaminant is a hydrocarbon or a heavy metal.
36. The method of clause 35, wherein the hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons.
37. The method of clause 35, wherein the heavy metal is lead or uranium.
38. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 37, comprising regenerating the composite.
39. The method of clause 38, wherein the step of regenerating comprises degrading the contaminant.
40. The method of clause 38 or clause 39, wherein the degrading is carried out by exposing the composite-contaminant complex to light.
41. The method of clause 40, wherein composite produces radicals in response to being exposed to light.
42. The method of clause 41, wherein the radicals comprise hydroxyl radicals.
43. The method of any one of clauses 40 to 42, wherein at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the contaminant is degraded within about four hours.
44. The method of any one of clauses 40 to 42, wherein at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the contaminant is degraded within about two hours.
45. The method of any one of clauses 40 to 42, wherein at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the contaminant is degraded within about one hour.
46. The method of any one of clauses 40 to 42, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 2 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
47. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 4 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
48. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 10 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
49. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 100 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
50. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 200 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
51. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the composite has a binding capacity of at least 500 mg contaminant per gram of composite.
52. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 46, wherein the pH of the contaminated water is selected from a range of about 2 to about 12.
53. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 52, wherein the contaminated water comprises dissolved organic matter.
54. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 52, wherein the composite is not fouled by the dissolved organic matter.
55. The method of any one of clauses 34 to 52, wherein the step of contacting is performed for about 2 minutes to about 48 hours.
56. A method of forming a composite comprising the step of combining a carbonaceous support with a metal oxide in an alkaline solution to form a composite, wherein the alkaline solution comprises a base.
57. The method of clause 56, wherein the metal oxide comprises titanium.
58. The method of clause 57, wherein the metal oxide comprises TiO2 or organo-titanium compounds.
59. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 58, wherein the base comprises sodium hydroxide.
60. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 59, wherein the concentration of the base in the alkaline solution is at least about 8 M.
61. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 60, wherein the step of combining is performed for at least about 3 hours, at least about 4 hours, at least about 6 hours, at least about 8 hours, or at least about 10 hours.
62. The method of clause 61, wherein the step of combining is performed for about 12 hours.
63. The method of clause anyone of clauses 56 to 62, comprising the step of heating the carbonaceous support and the metallic salt.
64. The method of clause 63, wherein the step of heating is performed at a temperature of at least about 120° C., at least about 150° C., or at least about 180° C.
65. The method of clause 63 or clause 64, wherein the step of heating is performed at about 130° C.
66. The method of any one of clauses 63 to 65, wherein the step of heating is performed for at least 3 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 12 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 36 hours, at least 48 hours, or at least 60 hours.
67. The method of any one of clauses 63 to 66, wherein the step of heating is performed for about 72 hours.
68. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 67, comprising washing the composite with water or methanol.
69. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 68, comprising drying the composite.
Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

Material for removing contaminants from water


A string vibration sustaining device according to the present embodiment includes a rear pickup converting string vibration into an electrical signal, an amplifier amplifying the converted electrical signal, and an ultrathin electromagnetic driver converting the amplified electrical signal into a magnetic signal to excite strings. The ultrathin electromagnetic driver includes two magnetic pole plates formed of a magnetic material, a rare earth magnet arranged in parallel with the strings between the two magnetic pole plates, and a coil wound in a direction perpendicular to the strings around the rare earth magnet, is formed to be ultrathin to have an entire thickness equal to or smaller than 3 mm, and is arranged in a slight gap between a neck end portion and a front pickup of the electric guitar.

Generally, an electric guitar needs no or a small inner resonance space for natural amplification of string vibration, compared with an acoustic guitar such a classic guitar, a flamenco guitar, and a folk guitar. Accordingly, a degree of freedom of a form and a design is large, and products of electric guitars having various shapes and forms are designed and on the market.
However, concerning a basic configuration of an electric guitar, two types of models illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are representatively standard.
The electric guitar illustrated in FIG. 7 is a type (referred to as "Gibson (registered trademark)" type in the following) of which the product name is the "Les Paul (registered trademark)" model announced by Gibson (registered trademark) Guitar Corporation in 1952. The electric guitar illustrated in FIG. 8 is a type (referred to as "Fender (registered trademark)" type in the following) of which the product name is the "Stratocaster (registered trademark)" model announced by Fender (registered trademark) Musical Instruments Corporation in 1954.
These two types are used by quite a number of prominent musicians and are the most famous models in the world. Ninety percent or more of electric guitars on the market have basic configurations that are the same as the configurations of these two types of models or that are derivatives of a configuration or combination of these two types of models.
Beginning from these two representative types of models, substantially all electric guitars are each provided with a plurality of electromagnetic pickups.
For example, two electromagnetic pickups are mounted in a main body 2 of the Gibson type of electric guitar 1 illustrated in FIG. 7. The pickup mounted at the end of a neck 3 is called a front pickup 4, and the pickup mounted at the bridge 5 is called a rear pickup 6.
The front pickup 4 and rear pickup 6 are each attached to the main body 2 via a pickup mounting frame body called an escutcheon 7.
Another configuration of the Gibson type of electric guitar 1 is as follows.
The electric guitar 1 includes strings 8, a tail piece 9, a pickup selecting switch 10, control knobs 11, an output jack 12, a pickguard 13, and strap pins 14. Each of the strings 8 are held by a string tuning peg (not illustrated) at a distal end of the neck 3, and passes over the bridge 5 such that the other ends of the strings 8 are held by the tail piece 9. The control knobs 11 can control volume and sound quality (tone).
In the case of the Fender type of electric guitar 15 illustrated in FIG. 8, three electromagnetic pickups are mounted. The pickup mounted at the neck 3 is called a front pickup 16, the pickup mounted at the bridge 17 is called a rear pickup 18, and the pickup mounted in the middle is called a center (or middle) pickup 19.
The front pickup 16, rear pickup 18, and center pickup 19 are attached to the main body 2 via a pickguard 20 formed of a plastic plate or an aluminum plate.
General electric guitars have the above-described configurations. Particularly, a combination of front pickup 4 and rear pickup 6, or front pickup 16, rear pickup 18, and center pickup 19 are mounted to have an important role in musical expression.
The front pickup 4, 16 is attached close to the neck 3. Accordingly, string vibration detected by the front pickup 4, 16 includes a large fundamental tone component and relatively small harmonic overtones so that its tone has a soft and warm sound characteristic.
The rear pickup 6, 18 is attached close to the bridge 5, 17. Accordingly, string vibration detected by the rear pickup 6, 18 includes a smaller fundamental tone component and relatively large harmonic overtones so that its tone has a hard, sharp, and bright sound characteristic.
The center pickup 19 of the latter type has a sound characteristics intermediate between those of the front pickup 16 and the rear pickup 18.
Mounted in the electric guitar 1, 15 is a pickup selecting switch 10 that makes switching between the front pickup 4 and the rear pickup 6, or among the front pickup 16, the rear pickup 18, and the center pickup 19 possible. In the pickup selecting switch 10, two or more out of the front pickup 4, 16, the rear pickup 6, 18, and the center pickup 19 can be simultaneously turned on so that combined sound characteristics can be obtained, as well.
Thus, the electric guitar 1, 15 includes a combination of the mounted front pickup 4 and rear pickup 6, or the mounted front pickup 16, rear pickup 18, and center pickup 19, and includes the selecting mechanism. Accordingly, a musician can play by selecting the pickup in accordance with sound characteristics necessary for expressing his or her own music.
A musician often plays while changing sounds even in single tune by using the front pickup 4, 16 with a soft and warmer sound characteristic at the time of playing a rhythm, and using the rear pickup 6, 18 with a hard and sharp sound characteristic at the time of playing a lead (melody or improvisation), for example.
In other words, in such an electric guitar, it is an essential to mount a plurality of pickups as structural elements.
Generally, an electric guitar has the characteristic that string vibration becomes maximum at the time of picking (or plucking), and then attenuates.
This is the greatest characteristic of what is called a plucked string instrument, i.e., a group of musical instruments to which a guitar belongs. Recently, a string vibration sustaining device that makes string vibration last permanently by electromagnetic energy has been proposed, and has been favorably reviewed in that new expression can be created in an electric guitar.
This string vibration sustaining device has been put on the market by the present applicant with the product name of "FERNANDES SUSTAINER (registered trademark)". In addition, another string vibration sustaining device has been put on the market by Mr. Alan Hoover in America with the product name of "SUSTAINIAC". Further, in the past, a string vibration sustaining device was put on the market by Mr. Floyd Rose in America with the product name of "Floyd Rose•SUSTAINER".
The techniques of the string vibration sustaining devices of these three parties are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,444 (Alan A. Hoover et al.) (referred to as "document 1" in the following), International Patent Application Publication No. WO90/13888 (Alan A. Hoover et al.) (referred to as "document 2" in the following), International Patent Application Publication No. WO89/11717 (Floyd D. Rose et al.) (referred to as "document 3" in the following), U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,999 (Fernandes (registered trademark) Co., Ltd) (referred to as "document 4" in the following), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,588 (Fernandes (registered trademark) Co., Ltd) (referred to as "document 5" in the following).
The string vibration sustaining devices disclosed in the documents 1 to 5 basically have the following configuration.
The string vibration sustaining device is constituted by a rear pickup that detects a frequency of string vibration and converts the detected frequency of string vibration into an electrical signal, an amplifier that amplifies the converted electrical signal, and an electromagnetic driver that converts the amplified electrical signal into a magnetic signal to excite strings.
The electromagnetic driver in such a conventional string vibration sustaining device is desirably mounted near the neck since it is dynamically difficult to excite strings near the bridge because of the configuration of an electric guitar for giving sufficient exciting force to the strings. In other words, the electromagnetic driver is required to be mounted at the position where the strings are most easily excited, i.e. where the front pickup was originally arranged.
This leads to a serious difficulty for the electric guitar in that the front pickup which is indispensable for the electric guitar as described above cannot be mounted near the neck of the electric guitar, and musical expression of the front pickup is spoiled.
To overcome this difficulty, as disclosed in the document 2 by the above-mentioned Mr. Alan Hoover, there is proposed a technique of using the electromagnetic driver as the front pickup when the electromagnetic driver is not used as the exciting device.
The electromagnetic driver basically has a configuration similar to that of the pickup. However, for exciting the strings, a winding number and a wire diameter of a coil of the electromagnetic driver are different from those of the pickup. For this reason, when the electromagnetic driver is used as it is to function as the front pickup, a detected signal is weak. In view of this, according to the technique of the document 2, the detected signal is amplified up to a level of a signal of the pickup by one or both of a boosting transformer and an operational amplifier.
In this way, a sound characteristic approximately similar to that of the front pickup can be obtained. However, there is a problem in that the signal is inevitably processed by the operational amplifier and an internal circuit of the string vibration sustaining device, resulting in an actively operating pickup, and for this reason, the signal becomes largely deviated from the exact original signal of the front pickup.
As described above, the electromagnetic driver and the pickup basically use coils of which wire diameters and winding numbers are different from each other. Accordingly, even when amplification and boosting is appropriately performed, it is difficult to obtain a fundamental sound characteristic of the front pickup.
Meanwhile, since the front pickup inevitably becomes an actively operating pickup as described above, there is a difficulty in that electric power needs to be supplied by a battery for operating the amplifier even when the string vibration sustaining device itself is not used, and when the battery is used up, a sound signal cannot be output at all.
From a different standpoint of suppressing magnetic feedback that is the most difficult problem in this type of string vibration sustaining device, it is necessary to arrange the electromagnetic driver and the rear pickup as far apart from each other as possible.
In other words, since the electromagnetic driver radiates strong magnetic energy while performing excitation, a part of the magnetic energy enters the rear pickup, and as a result, oscillation is caused to output an unnecessary noise other than an original musical signal of a musical instrument.
As a technique for suppressing such magnetic feedback, a string vibration sustaining device adopting "a magnetic un-equilibrium device (shunt plate)" disclosed in the document 2 by the above-mentioned Mr. Alan Hoover was developed. "Horizontal structure drivers" disclosed in the documents 4 and 5 by the present applicant were developed as well.
These techniques effectively enable practical implementation of a string vibration sustaining device. To suppress the magnetic feedback most ideally and theoretically, it was necessary to arrange the electromagnetic driver and the rear pickup as far apart from each other as possible. However, in a string vibration sustaining device in which the electromagnetic driver is arranged at the conventional position of the front pickup, greater separation than at present is impossible.

Ultrathin electromagnetic driver and electric guitar including the same


User profiles of applications installed in a user environment, which may be compromised by malware, are managed to protect against such malware gaining access to sensitive data that may be contained in the user profiles. The method includes the steps of detecting, by a management agent of a user environment, a launch of an application within the user environment, verifying, by a filter driver, an identity of the application against a stored profile of the application, and responsive to determining that the identity of the application matches the stored profile of the application, importing, by the management agent, an encrypted user profile from a remote storage to local storage, decrypting, by the filter driver, the encrypted user profile, and providing the decrypted user profile to the application.

To provide a seamless and unified experience across different user sessions and different devices, many applications rely on maintaining a user profile for each user. A user profile is the collection of settings, customizations, add-ons, and other personalizations that a user has made or installed on their version of the application. In some cases, the user profiles also contain user names and passwords for certain websites to speed up logging in without the user having to remember that information each time they access the website in question. In this way, user profiles allow the user to have access to their saved, personal set of customizations for the next time they use the application. Moreover, this approach allows the user to have a seamless experience regardless of whether they are using the application on a work computer or from a personal device.
Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly common for users to use their own personal devices (such as a phone or a laptop) in order to access corporate data, a practice known as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). However, in contrast to a managed environment in which the administrator has full control over any client devices and the applications running thereon, a personal device is unsecured and can potentially act as a vector for malware or other types of hostile or intrusive software to infect the corporate environment. If a user profile contains sensitive corporate or personal information, this could result in a potentially catastrophic data breach and presents a serious security concern.

Managing user profiles securely in a user environment


The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes etching one or more openings within a substrate using an etch tool, and subjecting the one or more openings to a post-etch clean, wherein a delay time exists between removing the substrate from the etch tool and the subjecting the one or more opening to the post-etch clean. This method may further include exposing the substrate having been subjected to the post-etch clean to a rinsing agent, wherein a resistivity of the rinsing agent is selected based upon the delay time.

Recent advances in the area of integrated circuit metallization technology have been important in decreasing the necessary chip area for modern integrated circuits. One such advance is the increased number of metal levels that are manufacturable in a device, providing both dramatic reduction in necessary chip area and corresponding dramatic increases in device density. Recent technological advances have also provided significant reductions in the line pitch of conductors in these multiple metal levels, also greatly increasing the functional density of the chip.
As the density of the conductors increases, conventional etches and post-etch cleans used to define the vias or trenches (e.g., the vias or trenches that will ultimately form the conductors) tend to be unacceptable. For example, aggressive post-etch solvent cleans designed to remove unwanted residue from the sidewalls and bottom surface of the vias or trenches prior to the deposition of the conductors, tend to induce unacceptable changes in the desired value for the size of the vias or trenches, or so called critical dimensions (CD's) of the vias or trenches. On the other hand, less aggressive post-etch solvent cleans leave the CD's of the vias or trenches substantially unchanged, however, they also leave undesirable residue which tends to lead to yield loss.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a new process for defining openings in a substrate, particularly vias and trenches within dielectric layers, that does not experience the problems of the prior art.

Method for using a modified post-etch clean rinsing agent


There is provided a range of novel disulfide bond containing compounds. These disulfide bond containing compounds can be used in a variety of applications such as solid phase peptide synthesis, solid phase organic synthesis, formation of dendrimers, formation of macromolecules and formation cyclic peptides; and as a component of a delivery vehicle with a bioactive molecule.

Any reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.
Disulfide (—S—S—) bridges formed between cysteine-based thiols and present within molecules sourced naturally or prepared through chemical means, play a fundamental role in maintaining conformational stability. Marketed peptide drugs comprising site-specific —S—S-bonds are first-hand evidence of this, showing enhanced selectivity, stability and pharmacological activity. However, introduction of —S—S-bridges to a peptide/biomolecule during chemical synthesis remains a significant challenge, largely due to the complex thiol-protection & deprotection strategies needed, base lability of —S—S-bridges, and the inevitable formation of regioisomeric by-products when introduced post-synthetically.
Disulfide bridges are also highly attractive from a drug delivery standpoint, with the potentiation of reduction-triggered release of therapeutics from drug delivery systems driven by vast differences (1000-fold) in glutathione (GSH) levels present intracellularly, versus extracellularly.
This interest has led to the design of disulfide bond containing compounds which can be employed in solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and/or solid phase organic synthesis (SPOS) as well as in drug delivery applications.
Significant challenges remain, however, and most current methods of introducing disulfide bridges into peptides/proteins still do so by forming the —S—S— bond itself from two cysteine residues under oxidising conditions using relatively expensive cross-linking reagents. Further, working with peptides that contain multiple cysteine residues results in a low yield of the desired disulfide bridged-product due to the generation of multiple end-products and purification of a desired target product is problematic, as the heterogeneous mixture of end-products tend to possess very similar physiochemical properties resulting in co-elution during purification.
It would be useful to have an alternative approach which minimises or eliminates the need for such cross-linking reagents as SPDP (succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate) and SMCC (succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate) and which minimises the formation of multiple disulfide bond containing side products. A more directed approach to the introduction of disulfide bonds into peptide structures would be highly advantageous.

Disulfide bond containing compounds and uses thereof


An exterior rearview mirror assembly for use on an automotive vehicle comprises a base member having a mounting plate for fixedly securing the mirror assembly to the side of the vehicle and a base plate extending outwardly therefrom. An elongated support arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the base plate and an opposite second end supporting a concave mirror housing. The mirror housing includes a peripheral rim defining an opening for receiving a reflective glass mirror pane. The mirror pane includes a directional indicator for providing directional signaling of the intended vehicle path. The mirror assembly further includes a puddle lamp for illuminating areas adjacent to the vehicle for entry and exit and for signaling rearward of the vehicle. Finally, the mirror assembly includes a display panel operatively connected to the vehicle for displaying information indicative of the vehicles operating conditions.

1. Field of Invention
The subject invention relates to an extendable and rotatable exterior rearview mirror assembly having signal and safety lights and an operator display panel.
2. Description of the Relate Art
Automotive vehicles typically include an exterior rearview mirror assembly secured to both the driver""s side door and passenger""s side door of the vehicle for viewing objects to the side and rear of the vehicle. It is known to provide exterior rearview mirrors which are extendable between a retracted position adjacent the side of the vehicle and an extended position spaced from the side of the vehicle for increased rearward vision, such as for use when towing a secondary vehicle. It is also known to provide exterior rearview mirror which are pivotal or rotatable between an extended use position for rearward viewing by the operator of the vehicle and a folded position, rotated inwardly against the side of the vehicle for storage to prevent contact and damage by objects adjacent the side of the vehicle. Signaling lights and safety lights are also common in exterior rearview mirrors for illuminating directional signals or areas adjacent the vehicle during entry and exit of the vehicle.
However, it is not known to combine each of these components, or features, of exterior rearview mirrors into one mirror assembly. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an operator display panel in the mirror assembly which is viewable by the operator of the vehicle for displaying vehicle information such as navigation information, tire pressure, presence and position of a towed secondary vehicle, outside temperature, distance for objects adjacent the vehicle, etc.
It is also desirable to provide a signal light with is activated when the mirror is in the extended position to warn oncoming vehicles or pedestrian of an approaching towing vehicle.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an exterior rearview mirror assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a base member adapted to fixedly secure said mirror assembly to the vehicle. An elongate support arm extends from a first end coupled to the base member and a second end spaced from the base member. A concave mirror housing is slidably coupled to the support arm for movement between a retracted position adjacent the base member and an extended position spaced outwardly from the base member. The housing having a peripheral rim defining an opening into the concave housing. A light assembly is mounted to the mirror housing opposite the peripheral rim for providing a forward facing lighted illumination from the mirror assembly to alert oncoming occupants of the vehicle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an exterior rearview mirror assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a base member adapted to fixedly secure the mirror assembly to the vehicle. The mirror including an elongate support arm extending from a first end pivotally coupled to the base member and a second end spaced from the base member. A concave mirror housing is rotatably coupled to the second end of the support arm. The housing has a peripheral rim defining an opening into the concave housing. A glass mirror pane is seated within the opening and pivotally secured to the housing. A display panel is coupled to the support arm for displaying information indicative of the vehicles operating conditions.


Provided is a cyclonic dust collection unit for conveniently removing a foreign object filtered therein. The cyclonic dust collection unit includes: a first filtering chamber for filtering a first foreign object having a first size using a cyclone airflow; a second filtering chamber for filtering a second foreign object having a second size smaller than the first size of the first foreign object, the second foreign object being contained in the air passed through the first filtering chamber; a foreign object storing chamber for storing the first and/or second foreign object(s) separated through the first and second filtering chambers; a filter disposed in the first filtering chamber, for separating the first foreign object on an outer surface thereof; and a cutaway hole formed in a longitudinal direction thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a cyclonic dust collection unit, which is accommodated inside a vacuum cleaner. Further, the present invention relates to a filter structure of a cyclonic dust collection unit, which is accommodated inside the cyclonic dust collection unit to filter relatively large foreign object.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vacuum cleaner is used to clean a room or other spaces by sucking air containing foreign objects and filtering the foreign object using vacuum pressure generated therein. In order to filter the foreign objects contained in the sucked air, a dust collection unit with a filtering unit is provided in the vacuum cleaner.
The filtering unit is classified into a porous filter formed of porous material and a cyclone type filter. The porous filter formed of porous material is designed to filter the foreign objects contained in air while the air passes through the filter. The cyclone type filter is designed to filter the foreign objects using cyclone airflow. In order to reuse the porous filter, a user has to clean the filter to remove the foreign objects clogged in the filter. Furthermore, when a large amount of the foreign objects are clogged, the porous filter cannot be reused. Since the cyclone type filter is designed to remove the foreign objects from the air by a rotational air current generated by cyclone airflow, the clogging of the foreign objects in the filter is not incurred. Due to this reason, in recent years, cyclone type filter has been widely used.
In recent years, a multi-cyclone type dust collection unit, in which the cyclone unit is provided in plurality to generate a plurality of cyclone airflows, has been developed. The multi-cyclone airflows improve the foreign object removal efficiency. In addition, since there is no need to additionally provide the porous filter in the dust collection unit, the multi-cyclone type dust collection unit would be advantageous in that the separate filter cleaning is not required.
Also, it is general that the multi-cyclone type dust collection unit is provided, inside the dust collection unit, with a plate type filter for filtering relatively large foreign objects such as a hair or paper piece.
However, in the multi-cyclone type dust collection unit provided with the plate type filter, a long foreign object, such as a hair, wastepaper may be frequently curled on an outer circumference of the plate type filter and piled. When a hair is curled on the filter, cyclonic airflow further increases a curled force, resulting in the hair being wedged on the outer circumference of the filter and never freed from.
Thus, when the amount of foreign objects such as hairs and the like wedged on the outer circumference of the filter increases, a user has to eliminate such foreign objects with a strong force, which is inconvenient.

Cyclonic dust collection unit and filter structure thereof


Disclosed is a cache memory, and more particularly to a cache memory, in which a word-line voltage control logic unit and a word-line driver are added as a logic circuit between a row decoder and a word line, so that a reinforcement voltage signal having a higher level than a basic voltage signal can be applied when accessing the word line corresponding to an access time failure, thereby decreasing an access time delay in the word line in order to minimize an access failure to the cache memory due to process variation. The cache memory including: a row decoder which decodes and outputs an input address signal; a plurality of word-line voltage control logic units which output a basic voltage signal or a reinforcement voltage signal having a higher voltage level than the basic voltage signal according to whether or not word lines involve a cell having an access time failure; and word-line drivers which are one-to-one connected to output lines of the row decoder and supply the word lines with the basic voltage signal or the reinforcement voltage signal output from the word-line voltage control logic unit only if a signal output through the output line of the row decoder is an activation signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cache memory, and more particularly to a cache memory, in which a word-line voltage control logic unit and a word-line driver are added as a logic circuit between a row decoder and a word line, so that a reinforcement voltage signal having a higher level than a basic voltage signal can be applied when accessing the word line corresponding to an access time failure, thereby decreasing an access time delay in the word line in order to minimize an access failure to the cache memory due to process variation.
2. Description of the Related Art
With development of semiconductor technologies, nano-scale technologies have been applied to a chip fabrication. As the size of a transistor used in a chip becomes smaller, a problem of process variation has been on the rise. As a problem that did not occur in a conventional large-scale chip, there is a little difference in characteristics (e.g., the length of an effective channel, the thickness of an oxide layer, etc.) among fabricated transistors.
Accordingly, in the case of a 6-transistors static random-access memory (6T SRAM) cell generally used in a cache memory, if six transistors are a little different in characteristics, two problems may arise. Specifically, it may be unpunctual in an access time and unable to read/write.
Such problems may cause the whole of a cache line having a defect to be unable, and bring a system failure in the case of a direct-mapped cache. In even the case of a set-associative cache, it is impossible to use all ways, thereby causing damage in performance.
In result, there is an unusable cache line owing to the foregoing defect, and thus a yield of the cache memory decreases. Particularly, an access failure due to the unpunctual access time is far more likely to occur than unstable reading/writing. In the case of an L1 cache, because the access has to be accomplished within one cycle, it is very important to consider the access failure in designing the access.

Korea University Research and Business Foundation


A system and method for detecting and locating improper or illicit use of digitized information such as illegal pirating, copying, alteration, and the like. The digitized information may include software, digital music, digital movies, multi-media or the like that may be placed on a user's computer and possibly copied to other computers. The system or method preferably operates in the background so as to be unnoticeable to the user and preferably does not interfere with operation of the digitized information even if determined that copying or alteration has occurred. Thus, there is little motivation to remove the routine that effects transmission over the Internet to a server of information such as a program identification indicia, a computer identification indicia, program alteration identification. The computer routine may be installed on the user's computer by many methods and acts to determine and store the information until such time as an Internet connection is made whereupon the information is transmitted to a server for storage. If information received by the server indicates the same program identification on numerous computers then a signal may be provided or produced that would cause further investigation. The system and method may also provide a routine to detect if alterations have been made to the digitized information to be protected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an Internet system and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for compiling copyright/patent/license infringements and violations.
2. Description of the Background
Worldwide software piracy losses are estimated at the present time to typically run well above $10.0 billion dollars annually. Numerous laws discourage and prohibit software piracy such as worldwide copyright and patent laws, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty, and the No Electronic Theft Act. Additionally contract laws creating licenses specify the rights and duties of the parties involved. Music and multimedia piracy losses are not included in the above figures. As well, those figure do not include improper use such as unauthorized alteration of programs.
Methods, systems, and procedures are well known for making software or digitized information more difficult to copy. However, such devices often interfere with the ease of operation and reliability of operation. Reliable software is very important for many applications. Moveover, these methods do not compile evidence or give any indication of the software or digitized information that is copied or altered. Thus, when such methods of preventing copying are circumvented, there is no record or indication that is readily determinable that copying has occurred. As well, there is significant motivation to overcome these copy prevention techniques because the software or other digitized information does not operate when the copy prevention system is triggered. In some cases, the copy prevention system sometimes interferes with program operation, e.g., requires an original cd rom in the cd rom drive.
While the law is generally sufficient for enforcement, and may include rather harsh criminal penalties that depend upon the particular country in which a violation occurs, it is often difficult to locate and find evidence of pirating. If the location and parties could be determined, and the evidence accumulated, then the piracy could be pursued by either civil law or by notification of governmental authorities for criminal prosecution procedures.
While perhaps no measure is 100% foolproof, each system and method has its place and use. It would be desirable to be able to find the location, number of computers, type of violation, and the like. Those skilled in the art have long sought and will appreciate the present invention which addresses these and other problems.

System for monitoring the association of digitized information having identification indicia with more than one of uniquely identified computers in a network for illegal use detection


The thickness of a workpart (10) is measured to a high degree of accuracy by passing a coherent light beam (20) through an aperture (16) in the workpart (10). The aperture (16′) can alternatively be created between an edge of the workpart (10) and an external reference plate (30). The light is diffracted on the far side of the workpart (10) and its diffraction pattern captured by a CCD camera (22). The captured image is analyzed by a computer (24) which compares the captured diffraction pattern to a stored referenced value to determine whether the thickness of the workpart (10) is within an acceptable range. The method is capable of returning measurements with micron or submicron resolution, and is a robust process readily adaptable to high volume production quality control applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for measuring the thickness of objects by diffracting a coherent beam of light through an aperture or across an edge and comparing the diffraction pattern to a reference diffraction pattern.
2. Related Art
In the manufacturing environment, there is often a need to measure the thickness of manufactured components or workparts with a high degree of accuracy. In some applications, thickness measurements with micron or submicron resolution are necessary.
In situations requiring high resolution thickness measurements, it has been proposed to use the technique of laser triangulation, in which measurements are calculated based on the reflection of multiple laser beams off the surface. One problem with optical measurement methods results from the so-called "noise" created by unwanted light reflections. Such noise can produce false positive and/or false negative measurements. In high-volume mass production manufacturing operations, quality control standards often require defective parts statistics less than one or two parts per million. When the difference between an acceptable and unacceptable workpart is a thickness measurement in the range of a few microns, achieving and maintaining consistent production quality can be a challenge.
Accordingly, there is a need for a thickness measuring technique which is highly accurate, robust, not sensitive to light noise created from unwanted reflections, and adaptable to high production volume settings.

Diffraction method for measuring thickness of a workpart


A transformer includes a covering member, a bobbin, a primary winding coil, plural secondary winding coils, and a magnetic core assembly. The covering member includes plural pins. The bobbin is combined with the covering member, and includes a bobbin body and a channel. A first winding section and plural single-trough second winding sections are defined on the bobbin body. The single-trough second winding sections are arranged at bilateral sides of the first winding section. The channel runs through the bobbin body. The primary winding coil is wound around the first winding section of the bobbin, and connected with the pins. The secondary winding coils are wound around respective single-trough second winding sections of the bobbin. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded into the channel of the bobbin.

A transformer has become an essential electronic component for voltage regulation into required voltages for various kinds of electric appliances.
Since the leakage inductance of the transformer has an influence on the electric conversion efficiency of a power converter, it is very important to control leakage inductance. In the power supply system of the new-generation electric products such as LCD televisions, leakage inductance transformers (e.g. LLC transformers) become more and more prevailing. Generally, the current generated from the power supply system will pass through a LC resonant circuit composed of an inductor L and a capacitor C, wherein the inductor L is inherent in the primary winding coil of the transformer. At the same time, the current with a near half-sine waveform will pass through a power MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) switch. When the current is zero, the power MOSFET switch is conducted. After a half-sine wave is past and the current returns zero, the switch is shut off. As known, this soft switch of the resonant circuit may reduce damage possibility of the switch, minimize noise and enhance performance. As the LCD panels become more and more large-sized and slim, many components (e.g. magnetic elements, conductive winding modules, or the like) are developed toward minimization and high electric conversion efficiency.
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a conventional leakage inductance transformer. As shown in FIG. 1, the transformer 1 comprises a bobbin 11, a covering member 12, and a magnetic core assembly 13. A primary winding coil 111 and a secondary winding coil 112 are wound around the bobbin 11. The output terminals 113, 114 of the primary and the secondary winding coils 111, 112 are directly wound and soldered on pins 115, which are perpendicularly extended from the bottom of the bobbin 11. The cover member 12 is used for partially sheltering the upper portion of the bobbin 11 in order to increase the creepage distances between the primary winding coil 111, the secondary winding coil 112 and the magnetic core assembly 13. The magnetic core assembly 13 includes middle portions 131 and leg portions 132. The middle portions 131 are accommodated within a channel 116 of the bobbin 11. The bobbin 11 is partially enclosed by the leg portions 132. Meanwhile, the transformer 1 is assembled.
As known, after the transformer 1 is assembled, an air gap (not shown) is defined between the corresponding leg portions 132. The air gap is formed between the primary winding coil 111 and a secondary winding coil 112. If the secondary winding coil 112 is in a short-circuit condition, the magnetic path possibly causes individual loops and thus the leakage inductance is increased. Under this circumstance, the leakage inductance of the transformer 1 fails to be stably controlled. In addition, after the outlet parts 113 and 114 of the primary winding coil 111 and the secondary winding coil 112 are wound around and soldered on the pins 115, each of the outlet parts 113 and 114 is usually sheathed by a tube 14. If the tube 14 is omitted, the primary winding coil 111 and the secondary winding coil 112 wound around the bobbin 11 are possibly stained with solder paste because the wire-managing groove 117 is too short or the distance between the pin 115 and the winding section of the bobbin 11 is too short. Although the use of the tube 14 could protect the primary winding coil 111 and the secondary winding coil 112 wound around the bobbin 11, there are still some drawbacks. For example, the tube 14 may be thermally damaged. The procedure of sheathing the tube 14 is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, the use of the tube 14 increases the cost of the transformer.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved transformer so as to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art.


A multimedia console keyboard provides a convenient user interface to provide multimedia functions easily accessible to the user. In general, the multimedia console keyboard provides speakers, microphones, volume control, brightness control, contrast control, a pointing device, an electronic keyboard template with contact sensitive ICON and a real time clock/calendar alarm and computer power control switch at the keyboard. The multimedia console keyboard provides an integrated analog-digital preprocessor with audio compression and expansion capabilities and other analog capabilities. Integrated audio allows for a closed-loop voice activation and control for the computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of user interfaces for multimedia computers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a user interface to control multimedia computer applications to integrate multimedia functions with a computer keyboard.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multimedia computers typically provide integration of audio, video, and computing. A mouse or other pointing device is also often used. User control of the audio and video functions, such as volume, brightness, and contrast are generally provided through a software logical console set up on the computer screen. Speakers are typically provided as independent units, built into the computer display, or into the computer cabinet. Similarly, microphones are typically separate items, integrated into the computer cabinet or into the display. The mouse is typically connected to the back of the computer cabinet via a conventional PS/2 compatible connector. Digitizing the audio signals in a multimedia computer is usually accomplished in the computer cabinet, requiring an analog interface for the main computer.


Various apparatus and methods are disclosed wherein a wedge member and a support engage one another to lock a first structure and a second structure to one another along an axis.

Processor and heat sink assemblies or modules are sometimes mounted to a circuit board such that a portion is cantilevered above the circuit board. Unless supported, the cantilevered portion may impose a torque on the electrical connection between the processor and the circuit board which may lead to damage of the connection. Existing techniques for supporting the cantilevered portion are complex and may use tools, increasing assembly time and cost.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A gas turbine engine vane assembly provides double impingement cooling of a vane platform. An impingement structure disposed adjacent the vane platform defines at least first and second plenums in fluid flow communication, respectively defined in part by the vane platform. The vane platform has first and second surfaces defined within the first and second plenums, and which are cooled by successive impingement of secondary cooling air flow through the impingement structure.

Turbine cooling is typically achieved using compressor bleed air. To improve cycle efficiency, it is desirable to reduce the amount of cooling air diverted form the main gas path. One approach is to use multiple-impingement, or re-use of cooling air to achieve additional cooling. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,865, to Hsia et al. discloses a multiple-impingement cooled turbine shroud having a unitary construction which includes impingement baffles and internal cavities within which a portion of the shroud surface is impinged with cooling air. However, this construction is complex and expensive to manufacture, and not readily adaptable to variations in the impingement cooling characteristics. Improvement is therefore desired.

Double impingement vane platform cooling


An apparatus, system, and method for repairing or reinforcing a damaged oil containment boom. The apparatus includes two end connectors and a curtain attached between the two end connectors. The end connectors are attached to a damaged, existing boom via a vertically extending slot formed in each of the end connectors. After attachment, a tight seal is formed between the curtain and the damaged boom. The method for reinforcing a boom includes engaging the two end connectors to an existing boom while stretching the curtain over the damaged boom section in an overlapping relationship. Finally, the connectors are locked into place via a lock-pin mechanism. This invention creates a tight seal over the damaged area, creating a “patch” to keep out oil contaminants from the protected area. The disclosed invention can be used to repair, patch, or reinforce an existing oil containment boom.

Due to an increase in oil production and oil transportation, there is an increase in accidental oil spills. Oil spills can be both devastating and disastrous to ecological and marine environments. It can also affect physical resources, as well as a wide range of organisms that are linked in a complex food chain. This food chain also includes human food resources that are essential. Oil spills can harm living things because its chemical constituents are poisonous. Various types of freshwater and marine habitats that exist in nature have different sensitivities to the harmful effects of oil contamination, as well as different abilities to recuperate. Although some organisms may be seriously injured or killed very soon after contact with the oil in a spill, other effects are more subtle and often longer lasting. For example, freshwater organisms are at risk of being smothered by oil that is carried by the current, or of being slowly poisoned by long-term exposure to oil trapped in shallow water or stream beds. In addition, oil can potentially have catastrophic effects on birds and mammals.
Oil spills can happen in open seas, as well in navigable waterways. Moreover, damage to even a moderate sized oil tanker can result in the leakage of thousands of barrels of oil into the waters around the tanker. A blow-out in an off shore oil rig, can also result in disastrous damage to the environment, as well as the economy. Furthermore, when such oil spills occur close to a shoreline, the danger of damaging fragile environmental ecosystems is considerably higher.
One method for controlling the damage of an oil spill is with the use of oil-containment systems, where inflatable "booms" surround the spill until the oil can be collected. Boom systems prevent the spill from expanding or reaching a protected area such as a shoreline, until it can be collected by mechanical means. A typical boom system employs a plurality of boom sections joined end to end. Each boom section includes a plurality of parallel inflatable chambers that are joined with a weighted curtain. The boom sections are connected by a cable on top and by a weight member (such as a chain) on the bottom. Because boom systems can remain in water for long periods of time, there are incidents where boom sections become damaged. The damage can either be caused by objects in the water, or by strong water currents. A damaged boom can be just as disastrous as the original oil spill itself. For example, a tear in a boom can no longer contain the oil, nor can it prevent oil from reaching a shoreline.
To help detect damaged booms, environmental protection agencies require that boom systems be regularly inspected. Thus, if a breach occurs, the boom must be repaired on site. Furthermore, some repairs require removal of an entire boom section, which can span over 100 ft. in length. Ideally, once a boom section is removed, another boom section is brought in to replace it. However, the time needed to remove and replace a boom section of such an enormous length can take hours. Furthermore, once the damaged boom section is removed, contaminated water will be able to flow freely upon the shoreline. This could be disastrous as miles of shoreline and plenty of wildlife will be at risk.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A liquid-discharge recording apparatus includes a recording head, an emission signal generator, and a heating signal generator. The recording head includes electrothermal energy converting elements for generating energy used to emit liquid in response to an emission signal from an emission signal generated by the emission signal generator. The heating signal generator generates an electrical signal applied to the electrothermal energy converting elements of sufficient level for heating the liquid, without discharging, during a first heating mode when power is supplied to the apparatus and for generating an electrical signal during a second heating mode, subsequent to the first heating mode, when recording begins after an interruption in power supply. In addition, a controller is provided for controlling a heater such that the heater is deactivated when the discharge opening of the recording head is capped. A liquid-discharge recording method is applied to the liquid-discharge recording apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid-discharge recording apparatus and, more particularly, to a liquid-discharge recording apparatus having the mechanism to maintain a viscosity of an ink to be emitted so as to be fitted for emission at least when the ink is emitted.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to liquid-discharge recording apparatuses, a recording liquid (for example, ink) is held in an ink vessel, the ink is led to a recording head unit from this ink vessel, a nozzle provided in the recording head unit is driven in response to a print pattern signal, and at the same time the ink is emitted from a discharge opening at the head of the nozzle, thereby performing the recording such as the printing or the like on a recording material such as a paper or the like. The ink emitted forms a jet liquid droplet and is deposited on the recording material.
As methods of emitting the ink onto the recording material, the method whereby an electromechanical converter such as, e.g., a piezoelectric device or the like is used, the method whereby an electrothermal energy converter is used, and the like are known. According to the method whereby the electrothermal energy converter is used, the ink in the nozzle is heated by the electrothermal energy converter to cause a change in pressure of the ink, thereby emitting the ink.
In the liquid-discharge recording apparatuses to which the above-mentioned emitting methods and other conventional emitting methods are applied, it is a general manner that the discharge opening at the head of the nozzle to emit the ink is always open into the open air irrespective of whether the apparatus is operating or not. Therefore, in the case where the recording is not performed for a long time, the water and volatile organic solvent or the like which are the components of the ink evaporate into the open air from the inks remaining at the discharge opening and in the portion near the discharge opening. Thus, the viscosity of the residual ink increases and exceeds a range of viscosity necessary for emission, causing a problem such that no ink is emitted in spite of the fact that a print signal is applied immediately after the apparatus operated and the recording was restarted.
In addition, there is also another problem such that a temperature of the ink decreases at low temperatures in winter season or the like, so that the viscosity of the ink also increases.
To solve the problem of the increase of the viscosity of the ink mentioned above, there has been proposed the method whereby the ink is heated just before the recording is restarted, namely, just before the ink is again emitted, and the temperature of the ink is increased, thereby reducing the viscosity and maintaining it to a predetermined viscosity range.
However, for such a preheating, the heating condition is largely changed due to the circumstances under which the recording apparatus is used. Namely, there is a drawback such that if the preheating condition is determined so as to obtain good emission of the ink droplets even under low temperature environment (for example, 5.degree. C.), the viscosity of the ink becomes too low due to the heating under high temperature environment (e.g., 35.degree. C.), so that the ink viscosity is out of the range necessary for good emission. On the contrary, in the case where the preheating condition is set so as to derive a good ink viscosity under high temperature environment, the necessary viscosity cannot be derived under low temperature environment.
Further, even when the environmental temperature is constant, the heating condition is also largely changed depending on the use state of the recording apparatus. Namely, due to the use of the recording apparatus, all of the thermal energy applied from the electrothermal energy converter to emit the ink droplets from the discharge opening, for example, is not necessarily used to form the ink droplets but a part of this thermal energy increases the temperature of the peripheral members of the electrothermal energy converter. Therefore, the temperature of the portion where the discharge opening is formed immediately after the completion of the recording is largely changed as compared with the temperature before the start of the recording, so that there is a problem such that, for instance, when the ink is heated at the restart of the recording just after the end of the recording, the ink is overheated and the viscosity overdecreases.
As another method for preventing the occurrence of the problem due to the increase of the viscosity of the ink, there has been proposed the method whereby the ink is always heated when the apparatus is used and the ink temperature is always kept constant in consideration of a change in temperature of the external environment and thereby to cope with the foregoing problem (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 187364/1983). As the ink heating means in this case, there are considered the method whereby the electrothermal energy converter which is used to form the flight ink droplets is used, and the method whereby another electrothermal energy converter is separately provided to always heat the ink.
However, the use of only the above methods also causes the problem such that it takes a time to heat the ink when the recording is restarted. Namely, in the case of using the electrothermal energy converter provided to form the ink droplets, it is possible to apply the electrical signal only within a range such as not to form any ink droplet. Therefore, an electrical signal of a high level cannot be applied and the heating time inevitably becomes long. In the case of using the electrothermal energy converter separately provided, such a limitation does not occur; however, since the heat is concentrated to only a single portion, the peripheral portion is influenced by the heat and the durability deteriorates. Thus, even in this case as well, an electrical signal of a fairly high level cannot be applied.
In addition to the foregoing heating methods, there has been further proposed the method whereby the recording head provided with the discharge opening in the recording apparatus is located at the home position when the recording is interrupted and this discharge opening is covered by a cap at the home position.
However, the use of both the heating of the ink and the capping of the discharge opening causes the viscosity of the ink to exceed the viscosity range necessary to emit the ink, so that the emission of the ink and the formation of the ink droplets are not always accurately performed. Further, in the case where the recording is interrupted for a long time, there is a risk such that the evaporation portion of the ink which is likely to be evaporated due to the heating of the ink leaks from the cap, so that the concentration of the ink near the discharge opening rather increases.

Liquid discharge recording apparatus and method for maintaining proper ink viscosity by deactivating heating during capping and for preventing overheating by having plural heating modes


The disclosed computer-implemented method for virtual boundary enforcement using network filters may include (i) applying a network filter to network traffic associated with a target computing device, (ii) analyzing data generated by the network filter, (iii) identifying, based on an analysis of the data, a potential violation of a virtual boundary associated with the target computing device, and (iv) in response to identifying the potential violation, performing a security action to enforce the virtual boundary associated with the target computing device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

In the information age, parents may wish to monitor the activity and social interactions of their children remotely. For example, parents may use geofencing solutions to monitor the location of their children remotely. Parents may set physical boundaries for the geofence to be limited to their home. However, current geofencing solutions often require a minimum radius of 150 to 200 meters. Such a large radius may not be able detect when the child has exited the boundaries of the established geofence, such as going outside of the home or visiting a neighbor's house. Similarly, parents may wish to remotely monitor the social interactions of the child, such as who they are spending time with when they are outside of the home. Unfortunately, existing solutions may not be capable of consistently identifying people physically near the child for extended periods of time. Additionally, the computing device that may be used to monitor the activity and social interactions of the child may not allow applications to execute continuously in the background to prevent battery depletion or processing capabilities of the computing device. The instant disclosure, therefore, identifies and addresses a need for systems and methods for virtual boundary enforcement using network filters.

Systems and methods for virtual boundary enforcement using network filters