The apparent voltage used to program an EEPROM cell is increased by applying a negative voltage to the memory control gate of the sense transistor in the cell. This method is applicable to devices in which the substrate is negatively biased.

A typical electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) cell includes two MOS transistors connected in series. An EEPROM of this kind is shown schematically in FIG. 1 and structurally in FIG. 2. It includes a select transistor 10 and a sense transistor 11, which are connected in series between a bit line 13 and an array ground 17. The gate of select transistor 10 is connected to a row line 12. Sense transistor 11 is controlled by a memory gate 16 and a floating gate 15. When the state of the cell is to be read, select transistor 10 is turned on via a voltage applied to row line 12, and a read voltage is applied to bit line 13 to determine the conductive state of sense transistor 11. If sense transistor 11 is conductive (programmed) a current will flow; if it is non-conductive (erased) a current will not flow.
Sense transistor 11 is programmed or erased by applying an appropriate voltage between memory control gate 16 and bit line 13, with select transistor 10 turned on. If memory control gate 16 is grounded and a positive programming voltage (typically about 14.5 V) is applied to bit line 13, electrons tunnel from floating gate 15 through a very thin tunnel oxide layer 18 (shown in FIG. 2) to the N.sup.+ region designated 14 in FIG. 2, leaving floating gate 15 with a net positive charge. In this state, the cell is programmed. If bit line 13 is grounded and a positive programming voltage is applied to memory control gate 16, the reverse occurs. Electrons tunnel from N.sup.+ region 14 through the very thin oxide layer 18 into floating gate 15, leaving floating gate 15 with a net negative charge. In this state, the cell is erased.
The charge on floating gate 15 determines the threshold voltage of sense transistor 11. If floating gate 15 is positively charged, sense transistor 11 has a relatively low threshold voltage V.sub.TL. If floating gate 15 is negatively charged, sense transistor 11 has a relatively high threshold voltage V.sub.TH. Normally, a reference voltage V.sub.ref about halfway between V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL is applied to memory control gate 16. Thus, if sense transistor 11 has been programmed, it will be conductive; if it has been erased, it will be an open circuit.
It is desirable to have the margin between V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL be as large as possible because a large margin provides for a strong cell current and longer data retention.
For a particular tunnel oxide layer thickness, the margin is primarily determined by two factors: (i) the coupling ratio and (ii) the voltage difference between memory control gate 16 and the common point between sense transistor 10 and select transistor 11 when the cell is being programmed or erased. The latter in turn is proportional to the voltage difference applied between cell memory control gate 16 and bit line 13. With smaller cells and greater cell densities, both of these factors have a tendency to reduce the margin. The coupling ratio is established by the layout of the cell, and a smaller layout tends to reduce the coupling ratio. As explained below, smaller cell dimensions also tend to limit the voltage difference that can be used in programming and erasing the cell.
FIG. 3 illustrates V.sub.TH and V.sub.TL as a function of the potential difference (V.sub.pp) between the memory control gate and the bit line during the erase and programming operations, respectively. As FIG. 3 indicates, V.sub.TH increases with increasing V.sub.pp and V.sub.TL decreases with increasing V.sub.pp. Thus, the margin (V.sub.TH -V.sub.TL) also increases as V.sub.pp increases.
The desire for a large margin is in conflict with the increasing miniaturization of EEPROM cells. With thinner oxides, tighter design rules and more highly doped and shallower junctions, breakdown voltages such as punch through, field-aided junction breakdown, and field device turn on tend to decrease. For example, referring to FIG. 2, as the thickness of gate oxide 20 decreases, the field-aided junction breakdown voltage (BV.sub.DSS) of select transistor 10 decreases as a result of breakdown at the PN junction in the area designated 21 in FIG. 2. Thus, while a thinner gate oxide has the beneficial effect, for example, of increasing the transconductance (G.sub.m) in select transistor 10, the price of greater transconductance is a lower BV.sub.DSS. This in turn limits the voltage which can be used in programming or erasing the cell and makes it more difficult to obtain a wide margin. The relationship between G.sub.m and BV.sub.DSS, respectively, and the thickness of gate oxide 20 is illustrated in FIG. 4.

Method of programming electrically erasable programmable read-only memory using particular substrate bias


Methods for rounding the bottom corners of a shallow trench isolation structure are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method comprising forming a first masking layer on a sidewall of an opening in a substrate, removing, to a first depth, a first portion of the substrate at a bottom surface of the opening having the first masking layer therein, forming a second masking layer on the first masking layer in the opening, and removing, to a second depth, a second portion of the substrate at the bottom surface of the opening having the first and second masking layers therein. Other embodiments also are described.

Device integration has been, and will continue to be, an important design factor in the integrated circuit manufacturing industry. As the degree of device integration continues to increase, so too does the importance of device isolation. Device isolation ensures that devices are adequately isolated from each other as needed. Shallow trench isolation (STI) is a commonly-used isolation technique as it may allow for the formation of isolation structures in smaller dimensions and may also avoid bird's beak encroachment and other problems sometimes associated with local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) and other isolation techniques.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for forming shallow trench isolation structures having rounded corners


A method and apparatus for allowing a user device to avoid undesired state transitions when the user is present but not performing activities is provided. The method provides for detection of activity in the proximity of the user device by monitoring for sounds via an audio input device connected to the user device. The method further provides for analysis of the detected audio signals on the audio input to determine if the sound detected matches a voice reference sample of the user of the user device. If the detected sound matches the existing voice reference sample of the user, the method provides for simulation of activities on the user device, thereby preventing the user device from performing an undesired state transition, and in turn pre-empting resource saving operations.

A user device that is to be utilized by a user will typically have varying degrees of usage at different times. There are times when the user device is heavily utilized, and other times when the user device is lightly utilized. The light utilization times can result in periods where the user device operates for an extended length of time without activity. During these inactive periods, it is desirable to curtail unproductive consumption of resources. It is further desirable that the savings of resources be automatically achieved.
A typical saving achieved during periods of non-utilization by a user is related to the curtailing of power usage. The power saving is especially desirable when the device is operating from a battery. For example, when using a laptop computer that is running in a battery mode, it is typical to detect whether there is any activity on the input devices connected to the laptop computer. If there is no activity on the input devices for a certain period, then the laptop computer will automatically save appropriate recovery information to a fixed disk and enter a sleep mode. Similarly, on another type of user device, after a certain period of inactivity on the input devices, the user device will switch off the user device's display to conserve power.
Another type of conservation occurs when a user is connected to a server via a limited resource network access, and there is a period of inactivity on the connection. For example, a handheld user device may be connected to a network though a dial-up connection via a wireless modem. If the handheld user device is not utilized, while the connection remains in place, the wireless channel used for the connection to the network is tied up and unavailable for other usage. In such a case, the handheld user device will detect when the handheld user device is inactive and, at some time (most likely pre-determined by the user in advance), will automatically disconnect the handheld device from the network, thus freeing the wireless channel.
These are but two examples of the types of resource savings that can occur when a user leaves a user device without user input activity. There are however, times when a user device is not experiencing user input activity but, nonetheless, the user does not wish for the user device to engage in the state transition that will bring about the resource saving operations. For example, a user may stop utilization of a user device to receive a phone call. Upon completion of the call, the user may wish to return to the use of the user device. If the call lasted for a period only slightly longer than a timeout associated with initiation of a state change in the user device, it may well be that the state transition is not desired. Thus, a method for more intelligently determining when to engage in these resource saving operations is desired.


A landscaping mat is provided for surrounding a tree trunk and upstanding posts so as to eliminate the need to mow and trim around the tree or post. The mat includes a flexible inner portion, an intermediate portion surrounding the inner portion, and an outer portion surrounding the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is thicker than the inner portion, and the outer portion is tapered to an outer perimeter edge. A slit extends from the perimeter edge to a central opening in the inner portion so as to allow the mat to be placed in position around a tree trunk or post. Alternatively, the slit may extend through the diameter of the mat so as to define two mirror image mat sections. Concentric scored lines are provided around the central opening and can be cut so as to increase the diameter of the opening so as to accommodate different sized tree trunks or posts. A rib may be provided on the intermediate portion for retaining ornamental materials, such as rocks, bark, wood chips or mulch. Alternatively, the upper surface of the mat may be textured and colored so as to resemble such ornamental materials.

Landscaping mats and other types of covers have long been used to prevent grass and weeds from growing in undesired areas. Such mats have been used around trees so as to facilitate mowing around the tree trunk. Protector devices have also been used around trees to protect the tree trunk from damage. An example of one such protector device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,203, which has a central opening through which the tree trunk extends, and a plurality of semi-circular slits forming concentric flaps, which can be removed to increase the diameter of the opening. While U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,203 is primarily a tree protector device, the device inherently functions to minimize the growth of weeds and grass around the tree trunk. However, the presence of the slits extending through the mat disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,203 allows grass and weeds to grow through the slits.
A primary objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat which covers and prevents growth of weeds and grass around tree trunks, sign posts, light posts, and other objects extending upwardly from the ground.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat adapted to fit around tree trunks, posts, and other upwardly extending objects having various diameters.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat which eliminates the need to mow or trim an area immediately adjacent a tree trunk or post, and which allows for easy mowing and trimming around the perimeter of the mat.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat which will contain decorative material, such as rocks, bark, wood chips or mulch.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat having an upper surface textured so as to simulate ornamental rocks, bark, wood chips or mulch.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat having a plurality of concentric scored circles which can be selectively cut and removed so as to accommodate various diameter tree trunks, posts and the like.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a landscaping mat which is economical to manufacture, which can be quickly and easily installed, and which is durable in use.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.


The present invention provides for compounds of formula (I)

Bromodomains refer to conserved protein structural folds which bind to N-acetylated lysine residues that are found in some proteins. The BET family of bromodomain containing proteins is comprised of four members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDt). Each member of the BET family employs two bromodomains to recognize N-acetylated lysine residues found primarily, but not exclusively, on the amino-terminal tails of histone proteins. These interactions modulate gene expression by recruiting transcription factors to specific genome locations within chromatin. For example, histone-bound BRD4 recruits the transcription factor P-TEFb to promoters, resulting in the expression of a subset of genes involved in cell cycle progression (Yang et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 28: 967-976 (2008)). BRD2 and BRD3 also function as transcriptional regulators of growth promoting genes (LeRoy et al., Mol. Cell 30: 51-60 (2008)). BET family members were recently established as being important for the maintenance of several cancer types (Zuber et al., Nature 478: 524-528 (2011); Mertz et al; Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 108: 16669-16674 (2011); Delmore et al., Cell 146: 1-14, (2011); Dawson et al., Nature 478: 529-533 (2011)). BET family members have also been implicated in mediating acute inflammatory responses through the canonical NF-KB pathway (Huang et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 29: 1375-1387 (2009)) resulting in the upregulation of genes associated with the production of cytokines (Nicodeme et al., Nature 468: 1119-1123, (2010)). Suppression of cytokine induction by BET bromodomain inhibitors has been shown to be an effective approach to treat inflammation-mediated kidney disease in an animal model (Zhang, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 287: 28840-28851 (2012)). BRD2 function has been linked to predisposition for dyslipidemia or improper regulation of adipogenesis, elevated inflammatory profiles and increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases (Denis, Discovery Medicine 10: 489-499 (2010)). The human immunodeficiency virus utilizes BRD4 to initiate transcription of viral RNA from stably integrated viral DNA (Jang et al., Mol. Cell, 19: 523-534 (2005)). BET bromodomain inhibitors have also been shown to reactivate HIV transcription in models of latent T cell infection and latent monocyte infection (Banerjee, et al, J. Leukocyte Biol. doi:10.1189/jlb.0312165). BRDt has an important role in spermatogenesis that is blocked by BET bromodomain inhibitors (Matzuk, et al., Cell 150: 673-684 (2012)). Accordingly, there is an ongoing medical need to develop new drugs to treat these indications.

Abstract: wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, J, and X3 have any of the values defined therefor in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as agents in the treatment of diseases and conditions, including inflammatory diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and AIDS. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula I.


A vehicle jack configured to provide lifting of either the front end or the rear end of the vehicle wherein the vehicle jack is operably coupled to a winch secured to the vehicle. The vehicle jack includes a frame having a vertical support member wherein the vertical support member further includes a base member secured to the first end thereof. The vehicle jack includes a vehicle attachment assembly that is slidably coupled to the vertical support member and is provided in a first embodiment operable to secure to the rear end of a vehicle and a second embodiment that is configured to be secured to the front end of the vehicle. The first embodiment of the vehicle attachment assembly is configured to operably couple with a frame hitch. The second embodiment of the vehicle attachment assembly operably couples to the front bumper.

Millions of individuals drive large four-wheel drive vehicles such as but not limited to larger trucks and four wheel drive Jeeps. These vehicles are configured for either recreational purposes or for other specific tasks. Many of these types of vehicles are often equipped with larger tires and wheels and can additionally have suspension modification that positions the frame of the vehicle higher off the ground. The aforementioned types of vehicles will typically weigh thousands of pounds more than a conventional automobile operated by the average individual.
One problem with the larger four-wheel drive vehicles is the tire changing process or lifting the vehicle as needed for certain other maintenance activities. Conventional automobile jacks do not have the lift range to provide the necessary lift in order to perform activities such as but not limited to changing a tire. Manual high-lift bumper jacks that are configured to secure to the bumper of these vehicles are available and can be utilized to provide the necessary lift to execute the desired tasks. One issue with the aforementioned is the weight of the vehicles. As these larger vehicles weigh more than the average automobile, utilizing a manual jack can present physical challenges. Many of the larger four-wheel drive vehicles are configured with winches that are typically integrally mounted with the front bumper of the vehicle. The winches are powered by the electrical system of the vehicle and utilize a cable wherein the winch/cable assembly can be used for various tasks such as but not limited to releasing a vehicle that is stuck.
Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle jack that can be operably coupled to either the front end or rear end of a vehicle that has a winch secured thereto wherein the vehicle jack is configured to operably couple to the winch so as to utilize the winch to provide lifting of the vehicle.


A depaneling system is disclosed for cutting a panel. The depaneling system comprises a tooling apparatus and a cutting apparatus. The tooling apparatus helps hold the panel in place with suction during cutting of said panel and collects dust particles generated by the cutting of the panel. The cutting apparatus is comprised of a housing, a drive motor, a cutting unit, and a drive connector. The housing separates the drive motor from the cutting unit. The housing comprises a first section and a second section separated by a dividing member. The drive connector, such as a belt, passes through the first section of the housing. The second section of the housing forms a path for the dust particles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of depaneling systems, and in particular, to depaneling systems with cleaner and more efficient operation.
2. Statement of the Problem
There are a variety of machines used to cut Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) out of a stock panel. Some of the PCBs that are cut are have components on them, and other PCBs are bare. Most machines on the market have a saw with a blade or router bit that is fixed in the machine and faces upwardly. The machines also have movable tooling positioned above the saw. To cut the PCBs out of a panel, the panel is clamped into the tooling. The tooling is then moved into place above the saw. The tooling then moves the panel over the saw to cut the PCBs from the panel.
There are other machines that have a movable saw. The saw may be positioned above the tooling instead of below the tooling. To cut the PCBs out of a panel, the panel is again clamped into or set onto the tooling. The tooling is then moved into place underneath the saw. The saw then moves over the panel to cut the PCBs from the panel. Some examples of depaneling systems are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,648, U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,740, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,554, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,789, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,615, which are all hereby incorporated by reference.
Most of the machines include some kind of suction with the saw to catch dust generated by cutting the PCBs. Unfortunately, these machines only catch the dust particles from one side of the PCB, that being the saw side. Dust on the other side of the panel, that being the tooling side of the PCB, may drift into the air.
The current machines also are direct drive, meaning that the saw blade is directly connected to the motor. Such a configuration saves space and allows for use or saw blades or router bits. Direct drive saws spin at speeds between 10,000 to 50,000 rpm. Unfortunately, these high speeds shorten the life of the saw blades. The high speeds also generate finer dust when cutting, which makes it more difficult to collect the dust during cutting.


The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, comprising a liquid-permeable surface layer (102), a liquid-impermeable surface layer (103), and an absorption body (104) arranged between the two surface layers (102, 103). The product also has a front portion (109) and a rear portion (110), and fastening arrangements (113a, 113b, 113c) comprising an adhesive attachment-means zone (120a, 120b, 120c) to be attached to the body of a wearer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and comprising a liquid-permeable surface layer, a liquid-impermeable surface layer, and an absorption body arranged between the two surface layers, the liquid-permeable surface layer being intended to face the body of a wearer during use, and the product also having two side edges in its longitudinal direction, a front edge, a rear edge, a front portion and a rear portion, the product also comprising fastening arrangements comprising an adhesive attachment-means zone to be attached to the body of a wearer.
2. Background Art
The production of absorbent products such as incontinence pads, sanitary towels, panty liners or the like has been known for a long time. Such absorbent products are placed in the crotch region of a wearer and absorb discharged bodily fluid. Sanitary towels, panty liners and incontinence pads for slightly incontinent people are usually relatively small and can be accommodated in a pair of ordinary briefs. In order for the absorbent product to stay safely in position during use, it is usual to provide the product with some type of fastening arrangement for fastening the product in the briefs. In this connection, the most common type of fastening arrangement is adhesive which is used to attach the product in the briefs.
However, one problem with absorbent products provided with fastening arrangements which are attached in the underwear, is that the absorbent product tends to move together with the briefs during use. This means that the product may move laterally or that gaps arise between the product and the body of the wearer. The inadequate contact between the body of the wearer and the product can lead to liquid leaking out at the side of the product, or to liquid running on the surface of the product out over the edges of the product. Moreover, an absorbent product which moves in relation to the body of the wearer during use can give rise to an uncomfortable and unreliable feeling.
To solve these problems, it has been proposed that the absorbent product be provided with glued surfaces which are attached to the body. In comparison with products which are attached in the briefs, such an absorbent product has a number of advantages. For example, the absorbent product is located in the same position in relation to the body throughout the entire period of use. As a result, it is possible to obtain a controlled and well-defined target area for the bodily fluid discharged. This means that the absorbent product can be given a design in which the absorbent material is used optimally. By virtue of the fact that the product stays still during use and is not loose, and does not otherwise move in relation to the body of the wearer, a product attached to the body is more leakproof than a product which is attached in the briefs. Furthermore, the product can be worn virtually imperceptibly under normal briefs and, if so desired, the product can be worn without briefs.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,952 describes a sanitary towel with narrowing end portions which are adjustably connected to two identical self-adhesive pieces intended to be attached to the body of a wearer. The sanitary towel is applied to the wearer by the self-adhesive pieces being attached to the body just above the genital region and, respectively, above the cleft between the buttocks.
A problem with a product according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,952 is that it can feel unstable to wear as a result of the way the self-adhesive pieces are arranged on the sanitary towel. By virtue of the fact that the product is attached to the body at only two attachment points, there is a risk that the product will be unstable or will be turned over to the side as a result of the bodily movements of the wearer. Moreover, there is a risk that the self-adhesive pieces may come away from the body as they are arranged in such a manner on the sanitary towel that they are subjected to point loading during use of the sanitary towel. Another problem associated with absorbent products provided with fastening arrangements which are attached to the body is that they can cause discomfort for the wearer as there is a risk that a fastening arrangement may get caught in the genital hair and that the fastening arrangements may chafe against the skin.
An absorbent product attached to the body is therefore desirable, in which the fastening arrangements are designed and arranged on the product in such a manner that the problems referred to above are minimized or eliminated.
Another problem with absorbent products provided with fastening arrangements which are attached to the body is that the side edges of the product may be folded in over the liquid-receiving region during use. The result of this is that the liquid-impermeable surface layer is exposed to the wearer, which leads to the absorption capacity of the product being reduced. Moreover, folded-in side edges lead to an increased risk of edge leakage. Furthermore, there is a risk that the product is subjected to forces by the muscles in the groin area and the thighs, so that it is pressed together. The result of this is that the risk of edge leakage increases and the product may feel uncomfortable to wear.
An absorbent product attached to the body is therefore desirable, which is designed in such a manner that it is not deformed during use, such as being pressed together or its side edges being folded in over the liquid-receiving region.

Absorbent product with fastening arrangements

Abstract: The invention is characterized in that the product is essentially triangular in shape and in that two fastening arrangements (113a, 113b) are arranged on the front portion (109) of the product and one fastening arrangement (113c) is arranged on the rear portion (110) of the product, said fastening arrangements (113a, 113b, 113c) each comprising a part which extends in the form of a strip beyond the periphery of the product and bears the adhesive attachment-means zone (120a, 120b, 120c).


A refrigerating machine oil composition comprising at least one ester additive selected from tetraesters of pentaerythritol and one selected from fatty acids having 5 to 18 carbon atoms and hexaesters of dipentaerythritol and one selected from fatty acids having 5 to 18 carbon atoms, and a base oil that is an ester other than the ester additive, in which the content of the ester additive is 2 to 20 mass % based on the total amount of the refrigerating machine oil composition, and the kinematic viscosity of the refrigerating machine oil composition at 40° C. is 3 to 500 mm2/s.

Conventionally, as refrigerants for cold storage chambers, car air-conditioners, room air-conditioners, industrial refrigerating machines and the like, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a), R410A that is a mixed refrigerant of 1/1 (mass ratio) of difluoromethane (R32) and pentafluoroethane (R125), which are hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), and the like have been widely used.
As refrigerating machine oils used together with the above-described HFC refrigerants, there are those into which various additives are blended so as to improve a lubricating property.
It is to be noted that, in a general field of lubricant oils, as antiwear additives for improving a lubricating property, oiliness agents such as alcohols, esters, and long-chain fatty acids, antiwear agents such as phosphates and metal dithiophosphates, and extreme pressure agents such as organic sulfur compounds and organic halogen compounds are known. However, in the case of refrigerating machine oils, only additives which do not precipitate when coexisting with refrigerants and do not have a negative effect on stability can be used, and thus, alcohol or ester oiliness agents, and, among phosphates, triphenyl phosphate and tricresyl phosphate are used.
Moreover, Patent Literature 1 discloses a refrigerating machine lubricant oil to which a phosphorous additive and a specific epoxy compound are added together, Patent Literature 2 discloses a compressor lubricant oil for a HFC refrigerant, to which triphenyl phosphate and tri(alkylphenyl) phosphate are added together, and Patent Literature 3 discloses a refrigerating machine oil for a HFC refrigerant, to which tricresyl phosphate, and an epoxy compound consisting of glycidyl ether, or carbodiimide are added, respectively.

Refrigerator oil composition, method for producing same, and working fluid composition for refrigerators


Disclosed herein is a stretching device which makes it possible for a user to stretch muscles such as the calf muscles and Achilles tendons. The foothold unit (10) includes a base plate (12), and an inclined foothold (11) disposed above the base plate at a position spaced apart from the base plate. A support pole unit (30) is disposed in a central portion of the foothold unit. The support pole unit includes a lower tubular member (31) fixed to the base plate (12), an upper tubular member (32) disposed in the lower tubular member so as to be adjustable in height, with a handle (36) provided on an upper end of the upper tubular member, and a fastener (33) fastening the upper tubular member to the lower tubular member. The inclined foothold is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the support pole unit.

Generally, people who have jobs that are unrelated to physical labor or require working in one place do not sufficiently move their bodies. Particularly, office workers who work at desks or aged people are inactive, generally suffer a weakening the muscles of parts of their bodies, thus making them evade exercise, further reducing physical activity. Such a lack of exercise may induce a variety of adult diseases.
Recently, interest in health has increased, so there is an increase in people who exercise. Thus, it is easy to find people who go to local mountains to hike or go to playgrounds or parks and run. Many people who cannot exercise outdoors or at playgrounds due to living conditions also use different kinds of exercise machines in their homes or local fitness centers. In many households, various kinds of exercise machines such as running machines, bench presses, etc. are being used.
However, such exercise machines are typically expensive and take up much space. Further, it is difficult for the elderly and the infirm to use such exercise machines.
Particularly, among parts of the body, the legs function to support the weight of the body and move the body. Therefore, because weakening of leg muscles reduces the ability to quickly react, mortal injuries may be caused. Particularly, many modern office workers wear shoes with high heels. Such people must sufficiently exercise the leg muscles or stretch them, because the time maintaining the leg muscles in a contracted state is excessively increased. Recently, there is an increase in the aged population. Aged people are typically slow-moving because of muscle weakening. Thus, aged people lack the ability to react to sudden danger, so that the risk of injury is increased. Therefore, a device to enable a user to conveniently and safely perform stretching exercises is required.
In an effort to achieve the above purpose, introduced were stretching devices which can be easily used indoors even by the elderly and the infirm, are comparatively inexpensive, and are provided with an inclined foothold to make it possible to strengthen waist muscles.
In an example, a muscle and joint stretching exercise device, which is made of wood and is configured in such a way that an inclined foothold is installed by means of a support that is disposed on a base plate, was proposed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0199661 (Publication date: Oct. 2, 2000).
However, in this conventional stretching exercise device, the foothold is supported on a small area of the support on the base plate, so that it is not reliably stable to support the foothold. Further, the structure of the device is complex, because separate front and side partitions are required to install the support. The complex structure increases the production cost.
In another example, a device for stretching the calf muscles and twisting the waist was proposed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0100018 (date: Sep. 20, 2006). This conventional device includes an inclined foothold body which is provided on a rotating plate that is rotatably installed on a main body, and an inclination adjustment unit which has a height-adjustment support to adjust the inclination of the foothold body.
However, in this conventional device, the inclined foothold body is installed on the rotating plate. Thus, when a user stands on the inclined foothold body to stretch the waist, calf or thigh muscles, the rotating plate may undesirably rotate. In this case, the elderly and the infirm who are slow in their movements may fall down and be injured.
Particularly, it is required to restrictively rotate the rotating plate, since the elderly and the infirm may lose balance and fall when the rotating plate rotates.
Give this, a stretching device which has an improved structure to enable a user to more reliably and conveniently perform stretching exercises for the leg and waist muscles is required.


A mounting head includes a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly. The first pivot assembly may be configured to pivot a platform of the mounting head about a first axis, and the second pivot assembly may be configured to pivot the platform about a second axis. A pivot assembly may comprise a threaded shaft having an attachment element configured to move linearly along the axial length of the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft is rotated. The linear movement of the attachment element may drive pivotal movement of the platform. The mounting head may further include position indicators, configured for indicating, in linear coordinates, the position of the platform. Methods of using and adjusting a mounting head are disclosed.

Cameras and other optical devices such as scopes, binoculars, laser transits, and camcorders are often mounted on a tripod or other support by a head that enables panning by rotating about a vertical axis and tilting by rotating about a horizontal axis. Panning and tilting enable a user to search an area for a target or locate a point of interest with an optical device. Typical examples are using a telescope to locate astronomical phenomenon, using a spotting scope or binoculars to locate an animal while hunting or bird watching etc., or using a camera to find and photograph a point of interest.
Conventional tripod heads usually include a base that mounts on the tripod and a platform on which the camera or other optical device mounts. The platform may be independently positioned relative to the base by pivoting about two or three mutually perpendicular axes, which enables flexibility in aiming the optical device. Some tripod heads have a locking mechanism to lock the optical device in a desired position.
One such tripod head is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,828, the head being a pan-tilt tripod head that is capable of panning, tilting, and rolling to either side about three orthogonal axes and has a locking mechanism for all three axes controlled by a single trigger. A cylindrical rotatably mounted trunnion enables the head to pan about one axis, a clamp bracket journalled on the trunnion enables the head to tilt about a second axis, and a head bracket pivotally mounted on the end of the clamp bracket enables the head to roll about a third axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,151 discloses a universal tripod head that has a base member that mounts on a tripod for pivotal movement about a panning axis and a platform on which a camera may be mounted. Components are provided that enable independent pivotal movement of the platform member about two mutually perpendicular tilting axes. A locking mechanism locks the platform against movement about both of the tilting axes by operation of a single knob.
When a point of interest is found with a conventional tripod head, it may be easily lost if the optical device is bumped or moved when in an unlocked position. Particularly when using a spotting scope for viewing a target at a great distance, even a slight shift of the scope will take the target out of the scope's field of view. The point of interest, whether a landmark or an animal, may be difficult to relocate once lost from the field of view of the optical device. To avoid losing a point of interest, most tripod heads have a lock that holds the tripod head in a desired position. However, just the act of locking the tripod head in a desired position can cause the tripod head to shift out of the desired position. Additionally, locks require time and effort that can cause a viewer to miss a photo opportunity or miss spotting an animal or other object of interest.
Various attempts have been made to provide a tripod head that cures these deficiencies. Once such example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,452 to Korling, which discloses a camera mount that is independently or simultaneously pivotable about three axes. Pivot assemblies with plastic friction washers enable the camera to be moved from one position to another, yet it will stay in the second position without needs of a locking means. However, the Korling tripod mount requires a bracket specifically designed for hand-held single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Only hand-held SLR cameras may be properly balanced in the mount. Other optical devices may be imbalanced, causing creep from the position to which the optical device is set.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mount for a tripod head which may provide the capability to pan and tilt without requiring a locking mechanism.


A display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The display device includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, a backlight module, a first light shielding body and a second light shielding body. The liquid crystal cell includes a light transmissive area. The first polarizer is provided with a first opening. The second polarizer is provided with a second opening. The first light shielding body is disposed in the first opening. The second light shielding body is disposed in the second opening.

With the development of display technologies, people have a higher pursuit of full screens, and the full screen technologies with higher screen ratio, larger effective display area, and more stunning display effects have gradually become a mainstream. Following notch screens and water drop screens, hole-cutting screens are introduced on the market, that is, full-screen display effect is realized by an opening of the display panel. While preserving a complete visual effect of a fuselage, the hole-cutting screen can better position a front camera lens and other photosensitive components.
In in-plane blind hole designs of current display panels, when a backlight board and a glass substrate are assembled, a light-shielding glue is coated on an opening of a polarizer. However, due to poor coating precision of the glue, the glue will overflow at an edge of the opening, which affects appearance of the glue, thereby narrowing a viewing angle range of a camera.

Display device and method of manufacturing same

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A method for determining the position of an in vivo feeding tube. The method includes the step of sampling a bodily fluid from the distal end of an in vivo medical device. A concentration of one or more substances selected from a group consisting of bilirubin, pepsin, and trypsin contained within the bodily fluid is then identified. The position of the medical device is then determined using the concentration of the one or more substances in the sampled bodily fluid.

Patients unable to ingest food can be provided with nourishment through the use of feeding tubes. Feeding tubes preferably are positioned to deliver enteral nutritional products to the patient's stomach or small bowel.
Feeding tubes are positioned in a patient using two primary methods. First, a feeding tube can be inserted through the patient's nose such that it passes through the esophagus and into the stomach or small bowel. Alternatively, feeding tubes can be placed percutaneously such that they pass through the patient's abdominal wall and directly into the patient's stomach. The feeding tube can be placed in the patient's small bowel using the percutaneous placement method by passing the feeding tube through the patient's abdominal wall, through the patient's stomach, and into the patient's small bowel. Feeding tubes also can be placed percutaneously directly into the patient's small bowel.
Regardless of the method by which the feeding tube is placed in a patient, it is necessary to confirm that the distal end of the feeding tube is positioned properly within the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Improper placement of the distal end of the feeding tube can result in negative health consequences. For example, it is possible that a nasogastric tube will inadvertently be placed in the patient's respiratory system, i.e., in the patient's tracheobronchial tree, in the patient's pleural space, or in the patient's lung. If an enteral nutritional product is delivered to a patient having such an inadvertently placed feeding tube, the enteral nutritional product will be delivered to the patient's respiratory system, thereby creating the potential for damage to the patient's respiratory system. For this reason, it is important to confirm that a feeding tube is not placed in the patient's respiratory system prior to the delivery of an enteral nutritional product through the feeding tube.
It also is possible for feeding tubes to "double back" during placement. For example, if a nasointestinal feeding tube is being placed into the small bowel, the feeding tube is fed through the patient's esophagus and stomach until it is properly positioned within the small bowel. However, due to the anatomy of the stomach and the pylorus, it is possible for the feeding tube to reverse directions in the stomach and return to the esophagus as it is fed into the patient. Thus, the distal end of the feeding tube may inadvertently be placed in the patient's esophagus rather than in the patient's small bowel. The positioning of the feeding tube in the esophagus also may have detrimental health consequences as there is an increased risk that an enteral nutritional product delivered through such a feeding tube will migrate to the patient's respiratory system, e.g., as a result of aspiration by the patient.
In some cases it is important to confirm the precise location of the feeding tube within the patient's gastrointestinal tract. For example, it may be preferable to place the feeding tube in the patient's small bowel in order to reduce the likelihood that the enteral nutritional product will be aspirated by the patient. The potential for aspiration exists when fluids move upwardly into the patient's esophagus, thereby creating an opportunity for the fluids to migrate into the patient's respiratory system. The potential for aspiration is decreased when an enteral nutritional product is delivered into the patient's small bowel. The patient's disease state may also dictate a preferred placement of the distal end of the feeding tube.
The most common methodologies for determining feeding tube placement are (a) radiography; and (b) auscultation. Radiographic techniques require that the patient be subjected to X-rays for the purpose of determining the precise location of the distal end of the feeding tube. Such techniques can be time consuming due to the fact that the patient must be moved to an X-ray laboratory in order to confirm feeding tube placement. Alternatively, a portable X-ray apparatus may need to be transported to the patient's bedside to confirm feeding tube placement. In addition, X-ray verification of feeding tube placement is a relatively costly procedure. Finally, safety concerns regarding the exposure of patient's to X-rays must be considered.
Auscultation entails the introduction of air through the feeding tube. As the air is introduced into the patient's feeding tube, a medical professional uses a stethoscope to listen for abdominal sounds produced by the air. A failure to clearly hear loud sounds may indicate that the feeding tube has been inadvertently placed in the patient's respiratory system instead of the gastrointestinal tract. However, auscultation may be inconclusive because sounds may be transmitted to the abdominal area even when the feeding tube is in the respiratory system. For example, it has been found that a minor gurgling sound may be referred to the gastrointestinal tract in some patients even though the distal end of the feeding tube is positioned within the patient's respiratory tract or in the patient's pleural space. This minor gurgling sound can be misinterpreted as an indication that the feeding tube is placed correctly in the gastrointestinal tract.
An alternative methodology for determining feeding tube location entails the placement of the proximal end of the feeding tube (the end positioned external to the patient) in a container of liquid. This methodology theorizes that a feeding tube inadvertently placed in a patient's respiratory system will produce bubbles in the liquid as the patient exhales. However, placement of the feeding tube in bronchioles may occlude the port or ports on the distal end of the feeding tube, thereby precluding the passage of air through the tube. Alternatively, the port or ports of the feeding tube may be lodged against pleural tissues, thereby precluding the passage of air through the tube.
Yet another methodology for determining feeding tube location entails the monitoring of the patient for signs of respiratory distress such as coughing, dyspnea, or cyanosis. This methodology may be inconclusive in patients having decreased levels of consciousness, diminished cough or gag reflexes, and/or temporary laryngeal incompetence. Further, the delivery of even a small amount of an enteral nutritional product into a patient's respiratory system may produce deleterious health consequences. Thus, merely waiting for the manifestations of improper feeding tube placement may not be adequate for many patients.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,735 to Gallagher discloses a method for determining feeding tube location using the pH of fluids aspirated through the feeding tube. However, this methodology also has drawbacks in that fluids aspirated from both the small bowel and the respiratory system are usually alkaline while gastric fluids are acidic. Thus, the pH method can be used to confirm gastric placement, but cannot be used to differentiate between placement in the respiratory system and placement in the small bowel. Further, medications can significantly increase the pH of gastric fluids, thereby rendering the pH methodology useless in certain groups of patients.

Method for determining feeding the tube location


A phase-change memory device includes a lower electrode; and at least two phase-change memory cells sharing the lower electrode. Another phase-change memory device includes a heating layer having a smaller contact area with a phase-change material layer and a greater contact area with a PN diode structure.

The disclosure relates to a nonvolatile memory device, and more particularly, to a phase-change nonvolatile memory device using a phase-change material and a method of fabricating the same.
Recently, a Phase-change Random Access Memory (PRAM) device has been proposed as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. A unit memory cell of a phase-change memory device uses a phase-change material as a data storage medium. The phase-change material has two stable phases (e.g., an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase) depending on the heat supplied thereto. A known phase-change material is a Ge—Sb—Te (GST) compound that is a mixture of germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), and Tellurium (Te).
If the phase-change material is heated for a short time at a temperature close to its melting temperature (Tm) and is then cooled quickly, the phase-change material changes from the crystalline phase into the amorphous phase. On the contrary, if the phase-change material is heated for a long time at a crystallization temperature lower than the melting temperature and is then cooled slowly, the phase-change material changes from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase. The phase-change material has a higher resistivity in the amorphous phase than in the crystalline phase. Thus, whether data stored in a phase-change memory cell is logical '1' or logical '0' can be determined by detecting a current flowing through the phase-change material.
Heat is supplied to effect a phase-change in the phase-change material. For example, a current is supplied to an electrode connected with the phase-change material, so that heat is generated from the electrode and supplied to the phase-change material. The temperature caused by the heat supplied to the phase-change material varies depending on the supplied current.
Thus, one of the most important factors in development of a high-integration phase-change memory device is to supply a sufficient current to an electrode connected with a phase-change material, that is, an operation current (e.g., a program (write) current or an erase current). To this end, a method has been proposed to use a PN diode as a switching device of the phase-change memory device. A PN diode allows a higher integration ratio of the phase-change memory device and increases the operation current in comparison with a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) transistor or a bipolar transistor.
FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a known phase-change memory device using a PN diode. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the phase-change memory device taken along line X-X′ of FIG. 1A.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the known phase-change memory device includes: a substrate 11 having a device isolation region (not numbered) and an active region 12, a lower electrode 13 having a PN diode structure including a stack of an N-type silicon layer 13A and a P-type silicon layer 13B on the substrate 11 of the active region 12, an insulating layer 14 covering the lower electrode 13 and burying a heating layer 15, a phase-change material layer 16 disposed on the insulating layer 14 to contact the heating layer 15, and an upper electrode 17 disposed on the phase-change material layer 16. The heating layer 15 is plug-shaped, and a program region 18 of a hemispheric shape is formed in the phase-change material layer 16 in contact with the heating layer 15.
The size of the phase-change memory device is desirably reduced for high integration and low power consumption of the phase-change memory device. However, a sufficiently high operation current is required because high-temperature heat should be generated to change the phase of the phase-change material layer 16. Accordingly, there is a limit in reducing the size of the lower electrode 13 (i.e., the size of the PN diode) that controls the operation current.
Accordingly, a method has been proposed to reduce the operation current of the phase-change memory device with the above-described structure by reducing the contact area between the heating layer 15 and the phase-change material layer 16 by reducing the size of the heating layer 15. This method can generate high-temperature heat even in the event of a decrease in the operation current, because the resistance of the heating layer 15 increases with a decrease in the contact area between the phase-change material layer 16 and the heating layer 15.
However, the known method uses an expensive fine patterning technology (e.g., a photolithography process using an ArF exposure source) to form the heating layer 15. This increases the fabrication cost of the phase-change memory device. Moreover, the fine patterning technology has a limitation in that it is difficult to increase the integration ratio of the phase-change memory device.


A conduit connector assembly which receives an end of a conduit carrying electrical wires includes a body, a grommet and a spring clip. The grommet and the spring clip are each mounted to the body. The spring clip is disposed within an interior bore of the fitting body and has a resiliently flexible body and a leg having a gripping end portion. The grip end has a substantially scalloped configuration for gripping and fitting partially about the conduit so as to center the grip end of the spring clip body on the conduit. The spring clip also includes a latching member to couple with the body to hold the spring clip in position and apply a biasing tension of the gripping end of the leg against the conduit. The grip end having the scalloped configuration is in the form of an arcuate concave-shaped edge surface on the gripping end portion of the body. The grip end of the spring clip body makes line contact with an inner convolution on an exterior of the conduit and makes at least a single point contact with an outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit. The grip end may be disposed at a predetermined angle for matching a predetermined pitch angle of the convolutions on the exterior of the conduit and thereby make line contact with the inner convolution on the exterior of the conduit and make a pair of point contacts with the outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit.

Electrical wiring is connected to an electrical box which supports various electrical devices such as switches and electrical receptacles. The wiring in some environments includes an armor cable wound around the wiring to protect the wiring. The armor cable must then be coupled to the electrical box. A variety of coupling devices have been produced for connecting the armor cable or conduit to the electrical box.
Electrical wiring is used for connecting electrical power lines and electrical outlets in order to provide access to electrical power in residential and commercial buildings. Electrical junction boxes are provided in the buildings to receive portions of the electrical wiring and contain and isolate therein splices in the wiring which extends from the junction boxes to the main electrical power lines and to outlets and switches in the building. For protection of the electrical wiring, the wiring is generally housed and carried within metal conduits or metal cables. It is also desirable to connect ends of the metal conduits to the electrical junction boxes.
Examples of various coupling devices and connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,543, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,557 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,326 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirely include a body and a spring clip. The spring clips couple the armor cable to the body with a spring tension when the devices are inserted into the opening in the electrical box. These devices do not enable the armor cable to be attached to the body before installation into the electrical box.
A variety of devices have been used over the years for connecting conduits which carry electrical wires to electrical junction boxes. Representative examples of these devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,071 to Tuisku, U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,578 to Moran et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,604 to Dola et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,387 to Stikeleatheret al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,721 to Sheehan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,164 to O'Neil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,499 to Favalora, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,280 to Ball, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,013 to Schnell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,106 to O'Neil et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,437 to Schnell.
One example of a conduit connector, includes a fitting body having an interior bore with four integral end tabs folded ninety degrees to serve as an end stop at a first opposite end of the fitting body for insertion into an electrical junction box and a spring clip for attachment at the bottom of a second opposite end of the fitting, body for gripping a conduit carrying electrical wires inserted within the fitting body. While this connector device has performed with satisfaction over the years and has met objectives it was originally designed to achieve, the device does not meet current performance standards. As in the case of any product, over time improvements are required.
While the above noted connectors generally satisfy the intended need, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved conduit connector devices.


This disclosure relates to JAK1 pathway inhibitors and the use thereof in treating gastrointestinal diseases or disorders such as ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease worldwide. It is a chronic, idiopathic, relapsing disease of the mucosa, which typically involves the rectum and extends proximally to involve the colon, resulting in diffuse friability and erosions with bleeding. There is some correlation between disease extent and symptom severity; however, the course of disease is mild in many patients (Solberg et al., Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 2009; 44:431-440). In most patients, the disease is characterized by periods of symptomatic flare-ups and remissions, and patients may also experience disease extension over time.
Patients with UC typically experience recurrent episodes of rectal bleeding and diarrhea, often associated with crampy abdominal pain and tenesmus. The hallmark clinical presentations include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, passage of mucus, tenesmus, urgency, and abdominal pain. Patients may also experience fatigue, fevers, weight loss, and dehydration, particularly in more severe cases. Mortality is not increased in UC in general but the disease may present as life-threatening fulminant colitis. Most patients follow a chronic intermittent course with periods of increased disease activity separated by periods of disease remission. After the initial diagnosis, approximately half of patients will have active disease at any single point in time and approximately 90% will have a disease course characterized by intermittent flares.
The incidence of UC in developing countries has been steadily increasing since the mid-20th century. The annual incidence of UC is 1.2 to 20.3 cases per 100,000 people with the highest incidence seen in populations in Northern Europe and North America (Loftus et al. Gastroenterology 2004; 126:1504-1517). The typical onset for UC occurs between 15 and 30 years of age (Andres et al., Gastroenterol. Clin. North Am. 1999; 28:255-281). Males and females appear to be affected in equal proportions. A westernized environment and lifestyle are recognized as risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease.
Current therapies for UC include mesalamine, glucocorticoids, thiopurines, and inhibitors of TNFα and α4β7 integrin. Many patients do not have a response to these therapies or have a response that is not sustained.
Despite these treatment options, a significant proportion of UC patients still require colectomy for refractory, severe fulminant disease, or, in some cases, for cancer prevention. Although patients with UC are often considered to be cured by colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy, the quality of life may be poor and the surgery can be associated with short-term and long-term complications, including decreased female fecundity and the development of pouchitis.
At present, no current pharmacological therapy is able to provide a cure for UC. The primary treatment goal is to induce remission and then to maintain that state.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop new therapies for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases or disorders, such as ulcerative colitis. This application addresses this need and others.

JAK1 pathway inhibitors for the treatment of gastrointestinal disease


A water treatment method by catalyzing ozone with a persulfate comprises the following steps: introducing the ozone into an ozone contact reactor filled with water to be treated; at the same time putting the persulfate into the reactor, wherein a stirring state is kept in the water treatment process. The method solves the problems of difficulty in the ionization of hydrogen peroxide, low capability in inducing the decomposition of the ozone, high hydrogen peroxide residues and inconvenience of hydrogen peroxide transportation and storage existing in the conventional water treatment method for catalyzing the ozone by using the hydrogen peroxide. Hydroxyl radicals and sulfate free radicals with strong oxidizing properties, which are generated by catalyzing ozone with the persulfate, are oxidized to remove pollution, so that the method has the advantages of high catalytic capability, high oxidative degradation efficiency, wide pH application range, a small amount of catalyst residues, convenience of operation and the like, and can be applied in mass production.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a water treatment method which utilizes ozone for the water treatment process.
2. Description of Related Arts
Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent and is widely used in drinking water and sewage processing. However, ozone is quite selective on oxidation and degradation of organic substances. Catalytic ozone oxidation technology is an advanced oxidation processing technology in recent development in which ozone is used to produced highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals (.OH) under catalytic reaction. Compared to ozone-only mechanism, the hydroxyl radicals produced under catalytic reaction can oxidize organic substances non-selectively and the reaction is rapid and efficient. Accordingly, catalytic ozone oxidation technology becomes the hotspot of research and development at international level. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzes ozone mainly by the HO2− released from ionization of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution to induce the decomposition of ozone to produce the hydroxyl radicals. However, the treatment process which utilizes catalytic ozone oxidation with hydrogen peroxide has the following drawbacks in practice: (1) ionization of hydrogen peroxide is not easy by itself and therefore the ability to induce the decomposition of ozone is weak; (2) the residual hydrogen peroxide will require a large additional amount of chlorine in the subsequent disinfection process; (3) the hydrogen peroxide itself will reduce the number of free radicals (.OH+H2O2→H++O2−.), therefore in practice, a multi-points addition method is employed for the treatment process, which is very inconvenience to operation and management; (4) hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution is highly unstable and easily decomposed, which is very inconvenience for storage and transportation.

Water treatment method by catalyzing ozone with a persulfate


A system and a method for docking a wireless communications device are provided. The system includes a docking station on which a wireless communications device is docked. A display on the docked wireless communications device provides the display for the docking system.

Known wireless telephones include for example cordless telephones, analog cellular telephones and digital cellular telephones. A typical know cordless telephone includes a base unit and a handset. The handset connects to a telephone network via a cordless connection with the base unit, which in turn is connected to the telephone network via telephone cables and connectors. Such cordless telephones suffer from a number of disadvantages, such as a limited cordless operating range. Mobility is also limited, for example, by the length of the telephone cables connecting the base unit to a phone jack in a wall. Another disadvantage of the conventional cordless telephone is that a particular handset is compatible with one particular base unit when the particular handset is communicating over the telephone network.
Known analog and digital cellular telephones typically provide greater mobility than cordless telephones, as they typically do not require a base unit to operate. Instead, a telephone network connection typically is made via a tower receiver with which a wireless communication link is achieved. However, such cellular phones typically lack the look and feel of tabletop desk or cordless telephones. For example, a typical cellular telephone does not provide a dial tone automatically when the user picks up the handset, as with typical table top or cordless telephones. Furthermore, typical cellular telephones do not provide a unit in which to program the cellular phone via linked computer.
Accordingly there is a need for a docking system that can receive and link with a wireless communications device, providing operational similarities to typical desk or cordless telephones, or a programming linkage with a computer, all without compromising the mobility offered by the wireless communications device.

Wireless communications device docking system and method


A charge pump circuit includes a first plurality of capacitors, and a first precharge circuit. The first plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel to each other. The first plurality of capacitors receive clock signals to perform sequentially pumping operations which generate a first higher voltage from a power voltage supplied. The first precharge circuit precharges a predetermined number of capacitors in the first plurality of capacitors at the power voltage. The predetermined number is greater than one.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a charge pump circuit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a charge pump circuit that improves power efficiency.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-291068, filed Nov. 13, 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, LSI (large-scale integrated) circuits, such as semiconductor memory devices, have required multiple internal power voltages such as 3V, 5V, and 10V. In addition, in many cases, the LSI circuit requires a high voltage. Therefore, a charge pump circuit is used in order to boost a single external power voltage to generate a plurality of voltages.
The charge pump circuits are mainly classified into a parallel type, a serial type, and a serial-parallel type. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication, No. JP-A-2008-161014 discloses a serial-type charge pump circuit.


A plurality of profile rolls which are revolving are radially inwardly pressed against the peripheral surface of an end portion of a pipe to be formed so that a suitable profile is plastically formed on the end portion of the pipe. Each of the profile rolls is rotatably carried by a shaft at the distal end of a swing assembly whose proximal end is pivotably mounted to a pivot shaft on a rotary assembly which is rotatable. A cam follower on the distal end shaft of each swing assembly is forced by a cam laterally so that the rotary assemblies are rotated, resulting in radially inward displacement of the profile roll. Thus, the apparatus is compact in size, easily operable at a working site and reliable in operation.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming an end portion of a pipe and, more particularly, to an apparatus for carrying out, at a working site, plastic formation of an end portion of a refrigerant pipe of a refrigerating machine in a simple manner and in such a way that the end portion of the pipe will assume a predetermined profile suitable for connecting two pipe ends through a pipe coupling.
It has been known that plastic formation is carried out at one or both ends of a refrigerant pipe at a working site so that one or both ends of the pipe have a suitably profiled sectional shape in order to facilitate the connection of two pipes through a pipe coupling by merely inserting the formed ends of the pipes into the pipe coupling with a single action. A known pipe-end forming apparatus generally comprises a pipe holding device for rotatably holding a pipe to be formed, a plurality of profile rolls arranged around the peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the pipe held by the pipe holding device so as to press against the pipe end portion during the rotation thereof, and hydraulic cylinders for thrusting the profile rolls radially inwardly against the pipe.
In the known apparatus of the type described above, the profile rolls are radially inwardly pressed by the hydraulic cylinders against the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the pipe which is caused to rotate whereby a profile complementary to the profile of the profile rolls is formed on the pipe end portion by plastic deformation.
In the case of the known apparatus of the type described above, the forces produced by the hydraulic cylinders are exerted radially to urge the profile rolls to press against the end portion of a pipe, and therefore the hydraulic cylinders must be extended radially outwardly. As a result, the forming apparatus must necessarily be large in bulk. Furthermore, since a pipe to be formed normally having a relatively large length must be rotated so that the pipe holding device is necessarily complex in construction and large in size. Such forming apparatus large in size is very inconvenient for transportation to a working site at which pipes are processed.

Apparatus for forming end portion of pipe


A superior soft tissue product, such as facial tissue, bath tissue or paper towels and the like, can be made applying, on the surface(s) of the tissue, large numbers of individual deposits of a melted hydrophilic composition comprising a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a fatty alcohol (C.sub.14 -C.sub.30) and lipophilic emollients or solvents, including water, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution, preferably a uniform distribution, of solid deposits on the surface(s) of the tissue. Because the composition is a solid at room temperature and rapidly solidifies after deposition, it has less tendency to penetrate and migrate into the sheet. These solid deposits are characterized by a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters.

Absorbent tissue products such as facial tissue and bath tissue have been used to absorb body fluids and leave the skin dry. Absorbent tissue, in addition to absorbing fluids, however, also abrade the skin during use and frequently do not leave the skin completely dry and free of the body fluid the tissue is trying to absorb. During frequent nose-blowing or perianal wiping, the skin can become so abraded as to appear red and be sore to the touch. To reduce skin abrasion, tissue additive formulations can be applied to the tissue such that, in use, the additive formulation either provides lubricity causing the tissue to glide across the surface of the skin, or leaves the tissue and is deposited on the skin. To date, these formulations have been liquids or lipid (lipophilic materials) based semi-solids or lipid based solids at room temperature. The liquid or lipid-based semi-solid type of formulations require a high amount of formulation added to the tissue to deliver the benefit of reduced skin irritation and redness because these formulations absorb into a tissue, leaving less on the surface to provide the benefit. The lipid based solid formulations can be applied heated (slightly above the melting point of the formulation) to the surface of a tissue or towel thereafter resolidifying the formulation on the surface(s) of the tissue where the formulation is readily available for transfer to the users skin to protect the skin from or prevent further irritation and redness in an efficient cost-effective manner. However, since these formulations are lipophilic it is sometimes difficult to incorporate hydrophilic or water soluble surfactants, cosmetic materials or active ingredients.
Thus, there is a need for a formulation that is basically hydrophilic and can be applied to a tissue which will remain readily available for transfer to the user's skin to protect the skin from or further irritation and redness in an efficient cost-effective manner.

Soft tissue achieved by applying a solid hydrophilic lotion


A new and distinctive variety of peach tree is described and which is a chance sport of a `Fancy Lady` peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,023), but which is distinguishable therefrom and, characterized principally as to novelty by producing fruit which are ripe for harvesting and shipment some seven days earlier than `Fancy Lady` peach tree at the same geographical location.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree which will hereinafter be denominated varietarily as `Sierra Gem`, and more particularly to a peach tree which produces fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment between about June 12 to about June 16 under the environmental conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The present variety is further distinguished as to novelty by producing a freestone fruit which has a noteworthy flavor in comparison to the commercial varieties which mature in the same season, and which additionally has a higher degree of coloration and a distinctive yellow-orange stripe which occurs along or in the suture. The present variety of peach tree is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately one week before its parent, `Fancy Lady`, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,023).
Although there is a number of criteria which a commercial variety of tree fruit must meet or exceed if it is to be successful in the fresh market, without question, the ripening date, flavor, coloration of the skin, texture, shipping quality and size are among the most important factors. For example, an attractive color as well as good to excellent flavor, if particularly distinctive and different than currently existing varieties attracts immediate attention in the marketplace. These characteristics, among others, enhance the likelihood that the variety will be a commercial success.
It should be understood that fresh market peaches are characterized by two separate color types, that is, white-fleshed peaches and yellow fleshed peaches. In the case of white fleshed peaches, this variety is characterized by a ground color which is lighter than the yellow-fleshed varieties. In addition, the intensity of the blush color and quantity of same is normally greater on the yellow-fleshed varieties. Additionally, the yellow-fleshed peach varieties, in contrast, are typically characterized by a yellow to orange skin coloration with a red blush of various degrees.


A fan motor having a small thickness and its impeller's blades formed to have a longer length in the diametrical direction than a width in the axial direction. Since the blade of the fan motor has a tooth structure or chamfers at its edge end in the diametrical direction, turbulence is forcibly evoked in an airflow to promote the turbulent diffusion, thereby suppressing the trailing vortex and reducing the aerodynamic noises, and thus the ventilation efficiency is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fan motor having a small thickness and its blades formed to have a tooth structure or chamfers at the edge ends.
2. Description of the Related Art
As notebook PCs and other apparatuses have become increasingly thinner, they are expected to become much thinner in the future. Accordingly, cooling devices that will be used in notebook PCs, such as fan motors, will also be required to be much thinner. However, as notebook PCs become thinner, the temperature inside the housing increases and the ventilation efficiency decreases as the width of blades for dissipation of heat to the outside becomes narrow. As a possible method to earn a negative pressure area for extra space produced from the results of making a blade width thinner, there is a technique of making a length of the blade in a diametrical direction longer.
As a fan motor to be mounted on a notebook PC for heat dissipation, a fan motor having a small thickness is used, which has a multi-blade centrifugal impeller to integrally rotate with a motor's rotor of a motor within a housing.
A multi-blade centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan has an airflow structure in which an air current is created by a centrifugal force from the center to an outer circumferential direction. To improve the ventilation efficiency, a sawtoothed structure 42 is provided at edge ends of inner and outer peripheries of a blade 41 in an axial direction, as shown in FIG. 13 (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei-11-141494 (FIG. 4, FIG. 5), or a plurality of annular plates are stacked at an outer periphery of an impeller in a predetermined pitch, (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei-10-306795 (FIG. 1 to FIG. 5)) to reduce aerodynamic noises produced by trailing vortex of the rear edge end-side of the blade.


A detector is provided that generates a leakage signal corresponding to a current imbalance between a line conductor and a neutral conductor for a load, and selectively injects a test signal into the neutral conductor. A frequency of the test signal substantially corresponds to a utility frequency. The detector measures a first value of the leakage signal, determines if the first value is less than first threshold value, and begins injection of the test signal into the neutral conductor in response to determining that the that first value is less than the first threshold value. In response to injecting the test signal, the detector measures a second value of the signal, determines if the second value is greater than a second threshold value, and disconnects the line conductor from the load in response to determining that the second value is greater than the second threshold value.

The field of the disclosure relates to Alternating Current (AC) line circuits, and more particularly, to detecting adverse neutral grounding conditions for AC line circuits.
Utility supplied electrical power typically enters a premises location at an electrical panel as two hot lines L1 and L2, and a neutral conductor N, capable of supplying one hundred Amps or more. L1, L2, and N may then be segmented into a number of sub-circuits comprising i) line (e.g., L1 or L2), neutral (N), and a ground conductor (G), or ii) line-line (L1, L2), neutral (N), and a ground conductor (G) depending on the desired end voltage for the sub-circuits. At the main electrical panel for the installation, the neutral conductors and the ground conductors of the circuits are grounded to the earth, typically through one or more grounding rods driven into the ground near the electrical panel. This scenario creates a single point ground for the neutral conductors of electrical system, ensures that the neutral conductors have a voltage that is substantially tied to the earth, and facilitates a current path through the earth in case of faults that may occur when electricity inadvertently flows outside of their line-neutral or line-line-neutral circuits.
Problems can arise when neutral conductors in the premises are grounded at both the electrical panel and at another location. This situation is referred to as a double grounded neutral fault. A double grounded neutral fault provides an additional current path to the electrical panel for the current flowing in an AC circuit, which can bypass fault detection circuits and create a potential for damage. Double grounded neutral faults can also cause the fault detection circuits to trip without cause, thereby disconnecting the loads for a circuit from the electrical panel. These types of nuisance trips are undesirable, as they may encourage users to disable the protection devices and/or remove the protection devices from the circuits.
Thus, it is desirable to detect double grounded neutral faults in AC line circuits in on premise installations, in order to ensure the safety and reliability of the on-premise electrical system.


A method of forming a thin, robust nitrided oxide layer. The process results in a manufacturable, uniform, low-defect density, reliable nitrided oxide that may be used as a gate dielectric, as a portion of a spacer, or as a portion of a trench isolation. First, a substrate is oxidized in a chlorinated dry oxidation followed by a low temperature pyrogenic steam oxidation. Next, a low temperature ammonia anneal is performed, followed by a high temperature anneal in an inert ambient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor devices and more particularly to a method for forming a reliable, low-defect, thin dielectric layer.
2. Art Background
In the semiconductor industry, dielectric films, such as silicon dioxide films (S.sub.i O.sub.2, also called "oxide" films) are used in a variety of applications. One important use of an oxide layer is as a gate oxide disposed between the gate of an MOS device and a channel region in the device. In recent years, as device dimensions are scaled to provide for high density and high performance devices, it has become increasingly important to provide extremely thin, reliable, low-defect and manufacturable gate oxides. For example, gate oxides as thin as approximately 25 .ANG. are currently under development.
Oxide layers have been treated with nitrogen containing compounds to improve transistor hot electron reliability. In addition to the improved hot electron reliability, these oxides are insensitive to radiation and provide a barrier to various dopants, such as boron, and contaminants. The treatment may include exposing an oxide film to a compound containing chemically active nitrogen, or forming the oxide film in the presence of such compound. The resulting film typically comprises nitrogen incorporated therein, and may be represented by the formula Si.sub.x O.sub.y N.sub.z. It will be appreciated that the chemical structure and composition may vary depending upon the process, and in a given process may vary throughout the film. Regardless of the chemical structure and composition of the film, all such films are referred to as "nitrided oxides" herein. The nitrided oxides have been produced by furnace or rapid thermal processing (RTP) oxidation using nitrous oxide (N.sub.2 O). Alternatively, a dry oxide using furnace or rapid thermal processing may be formed followed by nitridation using N.sub.2 O, or ammonia (NH.sub.3), or a combination of both in a furnace or RTP system. If desired, the nitrided oxide may then be reoxidized using dry O.sub.2 or N.sub.2 O in a furnace or RPT system. However, these methods have proved to be not manufacturable because of high defect density of the nitrided oxide and/or poor thickness uniformity and control. In addition to the manufacturability problems, the nitridation process is also known to lead to the formation of a large number of electron traps, interface states, high fixed positive charge density, and a susceptibility to stress induced interface state formation, all of which have a deleterious effect on device performance.
What is needed is a manufacturable method of forming a nitrided oxide. The nitrided oxide should have low-defect density, and good thickness uniformity and control. Furthermore, the process should be capable of producing a very thin oxide. Moreover, it is desirable that the oxide may be useful as, for example, a gate oxide, a spacer oxide, a composite oxide or a portion of a trench oxide.

Manufacturable dielectric formed using multiple oxidation and anneal steps


A disposable intake air cleaner for internal combustion engines, particularly relatively large truck engines and the like. The air cleaner accommodates engine intake air ducts of different sizes as well as installation of the cleaner on a motor vehicle without precise alignment of the air cleaner with the engine intake air duct and without the use of a hump hose or other flexible air conduit between the air cleaner and a fixed engine intake duct. The air cleaner has a flexible air duct coupling integrally formed, by a unique method, with a sealing bond between the air cleaner housing and air filter. A reusable flexible boot connects the air cleaner inlet to an engine air intake passage in the vehicle hood when the cleaner is mounted in the engine compartment and the hood is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to intake air cleaners for internal combustion engines and more particularly to an improved air cleaner for engine powered vehicles, especially trucks and other relatively large motor vehicles.
2. Prior Art
Engine powered vehicles have an intake air cleaner which filters the intake air to the engine before the air reaches the fuel input means, i.e. carburetor or fuel injectors. This air cleaner includes an air filter through which the intake air passes and which removes from the air entrained dust and other particulates that can clog carburetor and fuel injector fuel ports, cause excessive engine wear, and otherwise damage the engine.
Engine air cleaners, particularly those designed for use on trucks and other large vehicles, must satisfy several essential requirements. The foremost of these, of course, is highly effective air filtering capability down to the smallest particle size which the engine may ingest in use. Satisfaction of this requirement necessitates not only a highly effective air filter in the air cleaner but also effective sealing of the filter to the air cleaner housing so as to prevent leakage of unfiltered air past the filter.
Another air cleaner requirement is sufficiently high air through flow capacity to efficiently satisfy the engine air intake requirements when running at top engine speed, even after a period of engine operation at least equal to the contemplated useful life of the air cleaner filter. In the case of large vehicles, such as trucks and the like, whose engines require a relatively volumetric intake air flow rate, satisfaction of this requirement necessitates a relatively large air flow passage through the air cleaner and a relatively large surface area filter. As a consequence, air cleaners for such vehicles are quite large and generally mounted on the outside of the vehicle rather than within the engine compartment as in small trucks and passenger vehicles. Both mounting locations, that is outside of the vehicle and within the engine compartment, often present mounting problems, such as alignment of the air cleaner inlet and/or outlet with the engine intake air duct(s) and fitting the air cleaner within the available air cleaner mounting space.
Other considerations which are highly important to vehicle operators, particularly large truck operators who log relatively high mileage, are efficient engine operation, high fuel economy, and economical engine maintenance. Continued high engine efficiency and fuel economy require periodic replacement of the intake air filter since a dirty air filter significantly degrades engine efficiency and increases fuel consumption. In many vehicles, such as passenger vehicles, the engine air cleaner housing is permanently mounted within the engine compartment and contains a removable filter cartridge. Periodic filter replacement involves the simple task of removing a cover from the cleaner housing, replacing the dirty filter cartridge with a clean one, and replacing the cover on the housing. It is unnecessary to disconnect and reconnect any engine air ducts from and to the housing. In contrast, one of the most widely used air cleaners for trucks and other large vehicles are disposable units including a housing and a filter permanently mounted in the housing. Replacement of such an air cleaner involves disconnection of at least one engine air duct from the cleaner housing, removal of the entire air cleaner unit (housing and its contained dirty filter), replacement of the dirty unit by a clean unit (housing and its contained clean filter), and reconnection of the engine air duct(s) to the housing of the new unit.
This necessity of periodically disconnecting and reconnecting engine air duct(s) from and to the air cleaner and replacing the entire air cleaner unit including the cleaner housing and its contained air filter gives rise to two additional requirements which must be satisfied in order to provide a satisfactory truck engine air cleaner. These two requirements are maximum ease of air cleaner removal and replacement and low air cleaner replacement costs. Regarding the ease of air cleaner replacement, it is worthwhile to note that in most cases, at least the engine intake air duct(s) through which intake air flows to the engine is/are fixed and rigid. In many cases, it is difficult or impossible to precisely align the air cleaner housing with such fixed duct(s). For this reason, as well as to accommodate a size difference between the filter outlet and/or inlet and the engine air duct(s), it is necessary to utilize a flexible conduit or hose, such as a so-called hump hose, between most conventional air cleaners and the engine air duct(s). Such flexible air conduits or hoses complicate the filter installation and removal procedure, consume valuable air cleaner mounting space, and constitute additional parts which are subject to wear and periodic replacement. The air cleaner replacement cost is dependent primarily upon the purchase price of a new air cleaner. Accordingly, satisfying the vehicle operator's desire for low air cleaner replacement cost requires an air cleaner capable of manufacture at relatively low cost. The ability to use a given air cleaner on engines having different intake air duct sizes aids in reducing air cleaner manufacturing cost by reducing the number of sizes which must be manufactured and inventoried. Filter replacement inventories and costs are reduced, providing definite marketing advantage.
The prior art is replete with a vast assortment of engine air cleaners of the class described. Among the patents disclosing such air cleaners are the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,350,509, 4,365,980, and 4,488,889.

Air cleaner for internal combustion engine