The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I)

The present invention concerns new compounds containing in the same molecule two functional groups, which can give rise to radicals by a photochemical process. The compounds are suitable as polymerisation photoinitiators in photopolymerisable formulations containing ethylenic unsaturated systems.
Known photoinitiators contain in the molecule a functional group, which can give rise to radicals by excitation by an electromagnetic radiation, generally an UV radiation. These compounds are reported, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,293, DE 2722264, EP 161463, EP 3002, EP 88050, EP 284561, EP 192967, EP 850253. They are commonly used in polymerisation of ethylenic unsaturated systems. When pigmented systems are involved, such as in printing inks, the irradiating light cannot fully penetrate into the layer due to reflection and absorption of the pigment in the formulation. To obtain a good polymerization degree both at the surface level and in the inner layers of an ink, i.e. the so called surface and through cure of an ink, it is common practice to prepare formulations containing both a photoinitiator with a maximum UV absorption in the region of 250 nm and a photoinitiator with a significant absorption in the region above 300 nm. In fact above 300 nm most pigments have minimum in absorption and reflection (optical window) allowing the penetration of the light. The combination of the two kind of photoinitiators allows both surface and through cure of the formulation.
We have now surprisingly discovered the subject of the present invention, namely that molecules containing in their structure two different active moieties, both suitable to give rise to radicals, display high activity as photoinitiators, in particular in pigmented systems. The molecules can develop surprising synergies in comparison with the combined use of two photoinitiators containing each only one of the corresponding photoactive groups.
Moreover the absence in the molecule of functional groups that release volatile, odorous products by photolysis, improves the safety in the working environment, limiting the presence of volatile substances during the photopolymerisation stages in industrial processes.
Molecules generally used for the above mentioned purposes are based on two phenyl groups linked together, each substituted by a photochemically active ketonic moiety. The aromatic groups can be further substituted by non-photochemically active moieties. Among these molecules those based on two phenyl rings connected together through a suitable linking group and substituted in positions 4,4xe2x80x2 by two ketonic moieties are the most suitable.
Therefore the present invention deals with compounds having formula (I)
wherein
X1 and X2 are different
X1 is a group
wherein
R1 and R2, each independently, are xe2x80x94H or C1-C12 linear or branched or cyclic alkyl chain, aryl, alkylaryl groups.
Z1 is xe2x80x94SO2R3, xe2x80x94NR4R5, xe2x80x94OR1, halogen.
R3 is: C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, or:
wherein
R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 each independently, are xe2x80x94H or C1-C12 linear or branched or cyclic alkyl chain, aryl group,xe2x80x94OR11, -alcohoxyhydroxy, hydroxyalkylthio-, xe2x80x94SR11, xe2x80x94Sxe2x95x90OR12, xe2x80x94SO2R13, xe2x80x94Cxe2x95x90OR14, xe2x80x94NR15R16, CN, -halogen;,
R11 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group,
R12 is C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group,
R13 is C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94OAlkyl, xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94NHAlkyl, xe2x80x94N(Alkyl)2, xe2x80x94NH Aryl, xe2x80x94N(Aryl)2,
R14 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94OAlkyl, xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94NHAlkyl, xe2x80x94N(Alkyl)2, xe2x80x94NH Aryl, xe2x80x94N(Aryl)2,
R15 and R16, each independently, are xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, COR1 or, if coincident, represent C2-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 oxa-, thia- or aza-alkylene,
R4 and R5, each independently, are xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, COR1 or, if coincident, represent C2-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 oxa-, thia- or aza-alkylene,
X2 is a group
wherein
R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 have the meaning already stated or X2 is a group
wherein
R1, R2 have the meaning already stated, and Z2 has the same meaning of Z1 provided that X2 is different from X1
Y is: single bond, C1-C12 linear or branched alkylene, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94,  greater than Sxe2x95x90O,  greater than SO2, xe2x80x94NR17xe2x80x94,
wherein
R17 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, CO R1.
The present invention further relates to photopolymerisable formulations containing at least one of the components of formula (I).
Preferred photonitiators for pigmented systems are compounds of formula (I) in which:
Y is: single bond, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR17xe2x80x94, wherein R17 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, CO R1.
Particularly preferred as photoinitiators for pigmented systems are compounds of formula (I) in which:
X1 is a group
wherein
R1 and R2, each independently , are xe2x80x94H or C1-C12 linear or branched or cyclic alkyl chain, aryl, alkylaryl groups.
Z1 is xe2x80x94SO2R3, xe2x80x94NR4R5, halogen
R3 is: C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, or:
wherein
R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 each independently, are xe2x80x94H or C1-C12 linear or branched or cyclic alkyl chain;
R4 and R5 are each independently, H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl, aryl, COR1 or, if coincident, represent C2-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 oxa-, thia- or aza-alkylene,
X2 is a group
wherein
R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 each independently, are xe2x80x94H or C1-C12 linear or branched or cyclic alkyl chain, aryl group,xe2x80x94OR11, -alcohoxyhydroxy, hydroxyalkylthio-, xe2x80x94SR11, xe2x80x94Sxe2x95x90OR12, xe2x80x94SO2R13, xe2x80x94Cxe2x95x90OR14, xe2x80x94NR15R16, CN, -halogen;
R11 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group,
R12 is C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group,
R13 is C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94OAlkyl, xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94NHAlkyl, xe2x80x94N(Alkyl)2, xe2x80x94NH Aryl, xe2x80x94N(Aryl)2,
R14 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94OAlkyl, xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94NHAlkyl, xe2x80x94N(Alkyl)2, xe2x80x94NH Aryl, xe2x80x94N(Aryl)2,
R15 and R16, each independently, are xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, COR1 or, if coincident, represent C2-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 oxa-, thia- or aza-alkylene,
or a group
wherein
R1 and R2, are defined above.
Z2 is xe2x80x94SO2R3, xe2x80x94NR4R5, xe2x80x94OR1, halogen wherein R1, R3, R4 and R5, are defined above
Y is: xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR7xe2x80x94, wherein R17 is xe2x80x94H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl chain, aryl group, CO R1.
Examples of compounds suitable for the application according to the present invention are the following, however the present invention is by no means limited thereto:
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (1)
4-(4-methylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (2)
4-(4-phenylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (3)
4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (4)
4-(2-methylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (5)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (6)
4-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (7)
4-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (8)
4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (9)
4-(4-cianobenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (10)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-(2-bromo-2-phenyl-1-ethanoyl)diphenylsulfide (11)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (12)
4-(4-methylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (13)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-phenylacetyl-diphenylsulfide (14)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-phenyl-1-ethanoyl]diphenylsulfide (15)
4-(4-phenylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (16)
4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (17)
4-(4-morpholinobenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (18)
4-(2-methylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (19)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (20)
4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (21)
4-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (22)
4-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (23)
4-(4-cianobenzoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (24)
4-(4-mercaptobenzoyl )-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (25)
4-benzoyl-4xe2x80x2-(2-methyl-2-morpholino-1-propanoyl)diphenylsulfide (26)
4-(2-methyl-2-morpholino-1propanoyl)-4xe2x80x2-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanoyl) diphenylsulfide (27)
4-(2-methyl-2-hydroxy-1-propanoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (28)
4-[4-(2-hydroxy-1-ethoxy)-benzoyl-]4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (29)
4-(2-methyl-2-morpholino-1-propanoyl)-4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (30)
4-[4-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-benzoyl-]4xe2x80x2-[2-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-propanoyl]diphenylsulfide (31)
According to the present invention, pigmented photopolymerisable formulations contain at least one of the following compounds: compound (12), compound (13), compound (15), compound (16), compound (17), compound (18), compound,(19), compound (20), compound (21), compound (22), compound (23), compound (24), compound (25), compound (26), compound (27), compound (28), compound (29), compound (30), compound (31).
According to the present invention, compounds having formula (I) are used as photoinitiators in photopolymerisable systems containing reactive monomers and oligomers. The words xe2x80x9cphotopolymerisable systemxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cphotopolymerisable formulationxe2x80x9d means in the present text a mixture of photopolymerisable or cross-linkable monomers and oligomers, at least one photoinitiator, fillers pigments, dispersants, and other additives of general use. The expression xe2x80x9cphotopolymerisationxe2x80x9d is meant in broad sense and includes, for instance, further polymerisation or cross-linking of polymeric material, for instance of prepolymers, homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of simple monomers, and combination of these reactions. Suitable monomers which can be used in the system described in the present invention, comprise: acrylonitrile, acrylamide and their derivatives; vinyl ethers; N-vinylpyrrolidone; mono and polyfunctional allyl ethers, such as trimethylolpropandiallyl ether; styrenes and alpha-methylstyrenes; esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid with aliphatic alcohols, glycols, polyhydroxylated compounds, such as pentaerythritol or trimethylolpropane or amminoalcohols; esters of vinyl alcohol with aliphatic or acrylic acids; derivatives of fumaric and maleic acids.
Reactive oligomers, suitable for the present invention, include polyesters, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, epoxy resins, polyethers containing acrylic, fumaric or maleic functionalities. Pigments used comprise inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide and xe2x80x9cCarbon blackxe2x80x9d, organic pigments based on azo, phtalocyanine, antraquinone etc.
Compounds of formula (I) of the present invention act as photoinitiators and may be used alone or in combination with other photoinitiators such as benzophenone, benzyldimethylketale, alpha-hydroxyketones, benzoin ethers, alpha-amminoketones etc. Particularly advantageous turns out the combination with tertiary amines, which increase the cross-linking rate and reduce oxygen inhibiting effects such as triethylamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine, esters of p-dimethylaminobenzoic acid. For pigmented systems turns out particularly advantageous the use of sensitising substances or co-initiators, such as thioxanthones and their derivatives.
In addition to the compounds having formula (I), many components may be included in the photopolymerisable system, such as thermal stabilisers, sensitisers, photo-oxidation stabilisers such as sterically hindered amines, antioxidants, atmospheric oxygen exclusion agents, thermal generators of radicals such as organic and inorganic peroxides, peresters, hydroperoxydes, benzopinacols, azoderivatives such as azoisobutyronitrile, metallic compounds such as cobalt (II) salts, manganese, antifoam, fillers, dyes, glass and carbon fibres, thixotropic agents. Other components are constituted by not-photopolymerisable polymers, present as chemically inert substances, such as nitrocellulose, polyacrylic esters, polyolefines, etc., or cross-linkable polymers by alternative routes such as peroxides and atmospheric oxygen or by acid catalysis or thermal activation, such as polyisocyanates, urea, melamine or epoxy resins. Such photopolymerisable systems may be either of transparent or pigmented kind, and they are used in printing, graphic arts, plastic materials, metals, wood, glass etc. fields. It is noteworthy their use in the inks field, above all those having high pigmentation level: in this application pigments are present in amounts ranging from 10 to 60% by weight, and preferably between 15 and 40%.
Compounds having formula (I) are generally used in a quantity of from 0.01% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight, based on the composition. They show great dispersability in photopolymerisable systems, to which they give high photochemical reactivity and light stability.
Examples of light sources used for photopolymerisation are high, medium or low-pressure mercury-vapour lamps, superactinic lamps or excimer lamps, with emission bands in the UV-vis region up to 400 nm. Among possible light sources even sunlight or other artificial sources, such as xenon, tungsten lamps, and laser sources are included. In cross-linking of inks containing titanium dioxide, xe2x80x9cdopedxe2x80x9d lamps with a particularly high emission between 350 and 450 nm are preferably used.
In preparation of inks, the above mentioned compositions containing pigments are ground up to the obtainment of a granulometry comprised between 0.1 and 2 xcexcm and preferably lower than 1 xcexcm in a three cylinders refiner. Such grinding may be carried out either before or after the addition of a photoinitiator and co-initiator mixture, wherein the photoinitiator is contained in an amount of from 30% to 70% by weight. Finally the polymerisation is obtained by known methods, by irradiation at the suitable wavelength range.
The preparation of the above mentioned photoinitiators, having formula (I), can be performed by several methods described in scientific and patent literature and well known to those skilled in the art.
In particular compounds having formula (I), in which Z1=xe2x80x94SO2R3 or halogen and R3 has the above meaning already, X2=
wherein R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 have the above meaning, are preferably prepared according the following process comprising the following steps:
a) reacting an arylacylchloride of formula (II)
wherein R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 have the meaning above defined with the exclusion of one of them being=xe2x80x94NR15R16, with the compound of formula (III)
wherein Y has the above mentioned meaning in the presence of a Lewis acid such as, for instance, AlCl3, at temperature comprised between 5xc2x0 C. and 25xc2x0 C., thereby obtaining the compound (IV)
b) reacting the intermediate (IV) with a dialkylhaloacetyl halogenide of formula (V):
wherein R1 and R2 have the above meaning, except for R1 or R2=H and R1 or R2=Aryl; X=halogen, preferably Cl or Br, in the presence of a Lewis acid such as, for instance, AlCl3, at temperature ranging from 5xc2x0 C. and 25xc2x0 C., to obtain compound (IA)
or
b1) reacting intermediate (IV) with a dialkylacetyl halogenide of formula (VI):
wherein R1 or R2=H and R2 or R1=Aryl and X=halogen in the presence of a Lewis acid such as, for instance, AlCl3, at temperature comprised between 5xc2x0 C. and 25xc2x0 C., thereby obtaining the intermediate of formula (VII)
which is further halogenated, preferably brominated or chlorinated thereby obtaining intermediate (IA) wherein R1 or R2=H and R2 or R1=Aryl and X=halogen.
c) reacting the intermediate of formula (IA) coming from step (b) or (b1), with the sodium sulfinate derivative of formula R3SO2xe2x88x92Na+, wherein R3 has the significance already stated, in an organic solvent, preferably an alcohol or an amide, at a temperature of between 60xc2x0 C. and 120xc2x0 C. thereby obtaining the compound of formula (IB)
d) optionally reacting derivative (IB) wherein R8=halogen, with an amine of formula NHR15R16 thereby obtaining compound of formula (IC)
Alternatively in the above-mentioned process, steps (a) and (b) can be carried out at the same time.
In particular the preferred process to synthesise compounds of formula (I) wherein
X2 is a group
wherein R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 have the above meaning and X1 is a group
wherein Z1 is NR4R5, besides steps (a), (b) or (b1) above mentioned, includes the following steps:
cxe2x80x2) reacting the compound of formula (IA) obtained from (b) or (b1) with sodium methylate in methanol under reflux to obtain the intermediate of formula (VIII):
dxe2x80x2) The intermediate of formula (VIII) reacts with the amine of formula HNR4R5 in anhydrous acetonitrile to obtain the compound of formula (I).
We report the following examples for illustrative but not limitative purposes of the preparation of the compounds of the present invention and of the photopolymerisable formulations.

Bifunctional photoinitiators suitable for photopolymerization and photopolymerizable systems containing the same

Abstract: wherein

Abstract: X1 and X2 are different form each other and have the meanings reported in the following description

Abstract: Y is a simple bond, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl groups, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94,  greater than Sxe2x95x90O,  greater than SO2, NR17xe2x80x94, wherein R17 is H, C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl groups, COR1, and photopolymerisable formulations containing as photoinitiators the aforementioned compounds of formula (I).


Embodiments are associated with conditional teacher-student model training. A trained teacher model configured to perform a task may be accessed and an untrained student model may be created. A model training platform may provide training data labeled with ground truths to the teacher model to produce teacher posteriors representing the training data. When it is determined that a teacher posterior matches the associated ground truth label, the platform may conditionally use the teacher posterior to train the student model. When it is determined that a teacher posterior does not match the associated ground truth label, the platform may conditionally use the ground truth label to train the student model. The models might be associated with, for example, automatic speech recognition (e.g., in connection with domain adaptation and/or speaker adaptation).

Systems that use machine learning to perform tasks often require large datasets of well-maintained and annotated data to train the models used by those systems to accurately identify spoken words, images, text, etc. Gathering such large datasets is often time consuming, and maintaining such datasets requires large expenditures of computer storage space. Individual systems are frequently trained for a single domain (such as a given user's voice, a given compression codec, a given microphone setup, etc.), and new models need to be trained for each domain to accurately perform the task within that domain, requiring the gathering and storage of ever more and ever larger datasets to accurately create models.
It is known that Teacher-Student ("T/S") learning can help create models of smaller sizes on in a new domain. Such T/S learning has been shown to be effective for a variety of problems, such as domain adaptation, speaker adaptation, and model compression. One shortcoming of T/S learning, however, is that a teacher model is not perfect and may sporadically produce incorrect guidance (in the form of posterior probabilities) that may mislead a student model and result in suboptimal performance. What is needed is a system to accurately and efficiently improve T/S model learning.

Conditional teacher-student learning for model training


Disclosed herein is a rotation-stop mechanism for a folder of a portable wireless terminal. The rotation-stop mechanism enables the folder to be opened away from the terminal body at various angles, according to the user's need, while smoothly maintaining the opening and closing operation of the folder. The rotation-stop mechanism can stop the rotation of the folder in a state wherein the folder is opened away from the terminal body at an angle of or about 90°, according to the user's need, while allowing the folder to be smoothly opened away from or closed to the terminal body. Further, the folder can be freely opened away from the terminal body at angles of at or about 90° or at or about 150°. Furthermore, in the case of the portable wireless terminal installed with a camera lens, since the folder can be firmly fixed when it is opened away from the terminal body at an angle of or about 90°, the portable wireless terminal is advantageous for stable image capturing and video communications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable wireless terminal, and more particularly to a hinge module for a portable wireless terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, portable wireless terminals (terminals) can be classified according to their shape. For example, there are bar type terminals, flip type terminals and folder type terminals.
The bar type terminals are configured as a single body housing, and comprise data inputs and outputs, and receiver and transmitter modules. In the case of the bar type terminals, there is a disadvantage in this configuration, since a keypad used as data input means is always exposed to the outside, thereby causing the keypad to malfunction. In addition, the bar type terminals have a limit in their miniaturization due to a required minimal distance between the receiver and transmitter modules.
The flip type terminals generally comprise a terminal body, a flip cover, and a hinge module adapted to rotatably couple the flip cover to the terminal body. The terminal body is mounted with data inputs and outputs, and receiver and transmitter modules. The flip cover serves to cover a keypad used as data input means, thereby preventing malfunctioning of the keypad as in the bar type terminal. However, the flip type terminals also have a limit to their miniaturization due to the required minimal distance between the receiver and transmitter modules.
The folder type terminals generally comprise a terminal body, a folder, and a hinge module adapted to rotatably couple the folder to the terminal body. The folder type terminal is thereby opened or closed by the rotation of the folder relative to the terminal body. In a folded state, wherein the folder is in contact with the terminal body, the portable wireless terminal is in a call waiting mode thereby preventing malfunction of the keypad as a data input, since the keypad is mounted on the terminal body. Furthermore, when the folder type terminal is rotated from a folded position to an open position, the portable wireless terminal enters the conversation mode. This "unfolding" provides sufficient distance between the transmitter and receiver modules, thereby allowing miniaturization of the terminal. For these reasons, folder type terminals have increased in popularity.
In the flip type or folder type terminal the hinge module is adapted to rotatably couple the flip cover or folder to the terminal body. In these two terminal types, when the flip cover or folder is opened away from the terminal body in excess of a predetermined angle the hinge module is configured to cause the flip cover or folder to be forced towards its open position, without requiring any additional external force if, however, the flip cover or folder is opened below the predetermined angle, the flip cover or folder is forced to come into close contact with the terminal body (i.e., it is pre-disposed to shut when opened below a certain angle).
The conventional hinge module for use in the flip type or folder type portable wireless terminals is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,980, issued to Yi et al. on Sep. 25, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The disclosed hinge module, comprises a hinge cam and hinge shaft, which are formed with mountain-shaped portions or valley-shaped portions, respectively, and a hinge spring received in a hinge housing and adapted to urge the hinge cam to come into close contact with the hinge shaft. In this case, the hinge module is designed to open and close a flip cover or folder of a portable wireless terminal by means of the mountain-shaped and valley-shaped portions and by means of elastic force of the hinge spring for urging the mountain-shaped portions to come into close contact with the valley-shaped portions.
Although the number of functions of the portable wireless terminals has rapidly increased as mobile services have become increasingly diversified, the conventional hinge module retains the simple function of causing the flip cover or folder of the portable wireless terminal to be opened away from, or closed to, the terminal body. This functionality limits modification of the specifications of the portable wireless terminals. For example, there are limitations to the addition of certain devices to the terminals for utilizing various mobile services. In addition to the limitations of specification and design of the terminals, the conventional hinge module has an additional disadvantage in that it cannot satisfy diverse customers' tastes and increasingly diversified mobile services.

Rotation-stop mechanism for folder of portable wireless terminal


A portable information terminal for inputting complicated data is disclosed. The portable terminal comprises a main housing having first and second top surfaces formed in a step form; a data input housing disposed on the main housing in a foldable manner and having top and bottom surfaces; and a hinge for joining the data input housing to the main housing in a rotatable manner. The second top surface of the main housing has a first plurality of keys, the top surface of the data input housing has a second plurality of keys, and the bottom surface of the data input housing has a third plurality of keys.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal for inputting complicated data in an easy convenient manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, "a portable information terminal" refers to a device which a user can carry with him/her to perform wireless communication with a corresponding communication partner. This portable communication device is classified into various types based on its geometry. For example, a wireless terminal is classified into a bar-type, a flip-type or folder-type in accordance with its geometrical appearance. The bar-type wireless terminal is generally constructed as a single housing having a bar shape. The flip-type or folder type wireless terminal typically has a folder that is pivotably coupled to a single bar-shaped housing by a hinge device to make the folder to be foldable. This configuration of aforementioned bar-type, flip-type or folder-type wireless terminal may easily be understood by those skilled in the art.
Furthermore, the portable wireless terminal may be classified into a neck wearable type or a wrist wearable type based on a use position or the way in which a user puts it on. The neck wearable type wireless terminal is worn around the neck using a string, while the wrist wearable type wireless terminal is worn around the wrist.
Furthermore, the wireless terminal may be classified into a rotation-type or a sliding-type based on an opened and closed way thereof. In the rotation-type wireless terminal, two housings are coupled to each other in a manner in which one housing is capable of being rotatably opened or closed with respect to the other. In the sliding-type wireless terminal, two housings are coupled to each other in a manner in which one housing is capable of being slidably opened or closed with respect to the other through a sliding movement. These foregoing various classified wireless terminals are easily understood by those skilled in the art.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned conventional portable wireless terminals are typically provided with a data input/output unit, respectively. A data input unit typically employs a key pad through which data are input by pressing the key pad. This may also be true for a touch pad or a touch screen. Moreover, a data output unit generally makes use of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) for outputting data.
Typically, the key pad used to input data combines a plurality of keys. These keys include numeric keys, character keys, sending keys, end key, functional keys, and the like. In addition, the keys are generally held in place on a top surface of the housing of the portable wireless terminal, and the number of keys is from 15 to 20. The keys are exposed on the top surface the portable wireless terminal so that a user can push them with his/her finger to input desired data.
However, the reality is that users have increasingly higher demands for information and that it is very inconvenient for users to input complicated data using the foregoing number of keys, within the Internet or multimedia environment. The conventional portable wireless terminal has shown a tendency not only to become smaller and lighter but also to reduce dimensions of the housing. This tendency places restrictions on the number of keys that can be set on the terminal. To solve this problem, a voice recognition device or a separate data input unit has been used.
In other cases, the number of keys are increased to allow inputting of complicated data. This increase in the number of keys, however, tends to increase the dimensions of the housing of the conventional portable wireless terminal. Therefore, a problem arises in that the portability of a conventional portable wireless terminal is compromised.

Portable information terminal having expandable data input unit


A closure and tightening device buckle comprising a tightening lever (5; 25; 25′; 45; 45′) wherein it comprises a docking element (7; 27; 27′; 47; 47′), wherein the tightening lever (5; 25; 25′; 45; 45′) is mounted so as to be able to rotate about a shaft (8; 28; 28′; 48; 48′) relative to the docking element (7; 27; 27′; 47; 47′) and wherein it comprises a docking lock (11; 31; 31′; 51; 51′) capable of locking/unlocking a binding of the docking element (7; 27; 27′; 47; 47′) on a matching insert (2; 22; 22′; 52; 52′).

The invention relates to a buckle of a binding and tightening device of a sport boot on a sliding board, particularly suited to the snowboarding bindings, allowing two levels of binding. It also relates to an application of such a buckle in a device for the tightening and closure of rigid boots of the ski boot type. It finally relates as such to several devices incorporating the buckle of the invention such as a device for attaching a boot to a sliding board and a sliding board fitted with such a binding device and a sport boot with such a device for its closure and tightening.

Binding buckle with secure docking element


The presence or absence of a clock component is detected for an input signal. If the input signal does not comprise a clock component, the operation of a computing circuit is halted, thereby further improving the accuracy of phase estimation. A signal generating circuit produces a twiddle factor for DFT. A DFT circuit performs discrete Fourier transform on an input signal for a predetermined number of symbols based on the twiddle factor for DFT. A pattern detecting circuit examines the input signal for its pattern based on the output from the DFT circuit. An averaging filter turns on or off the operation of the subsequent averaging filter according to the detected pattern, and averages the outputs from the DFT circuit to remove a noise component.

a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to clock recovery by a demodulator in a data communication system.
b) Description of the Related Art
A conventional clock recovery circuit to recovers a clock by determining a phase component of an input signal's clock by Fourier transformation and performing a reverse modulation of the determined phase component. FIG. 12 shows an example of configuration of a conventional clock recovery circuit, which is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-232933, "Clock Recovery Circuit". In FIG. 12, reference numeral 101 denotes an input terminal, 103 and 104 multipliers for multiplying an input signal by a twiddle factor (cos or -sin component) for the Fourier transform, 105 and 106 low pass filters for averaging outputs from the multiplier 103 or 104, 107 a multiplier for multiplying output from the low pass filter 105 by a twiddle factor, 108 a multiplier for multiplying output from the low pass filter 106 by a twiddle factor, 109 an adder for adding outputs from the multiplier 107 and the multiplier 108, 110 is a signal generating circuit for preparing a twiddle factor, and 111 indicates an output terminal for a recovered clock output from the adder 109.
The operation of a known method will be described with reference to FIG. 12. To simplify description, the number of samples per symbol will be defined as N=4, and the Fourier transform referred to in this specification is the discrete Fourier transform (hereinafter called "DFT", including FFT). The input signal entered into the clock recovery circuit is a signal prepared by having a received signal undergo non-linear processing to facilitate the extraction of a clock component.
The multiplier 103 and the multiplier 104 multiply an input signal by a twiddle factor. As the twiddle factor, the multiplier 103 uses cos component, while the multiplier 104 uses -sin component. Assuming that the number of samples per symbol of the input signal is N, the cos and -sin components output from the signal generating circuit 110 are given by the respective following equations (1) and (2). EQU cos (2 .pi.n/N) (where n=0, 1, 2, . . . ) (1) EQU -sin (27 .pi.n/N) (where n=0, 1, 2, . . . ) (2)
Then, assuming that the input signal is expressed as follows: EQU X(n) (3)
output X.sub.1 (n) from the multiplier 103 and output X.sub.2 (n) from the multiplier 104 are expressed by the following equations (4) and (5), respectively. EQU X.sub.1 (n)=X(n).multidot.cos (2 .pi.n/N) (4) EQU X.sub.2 (n)=X(n).multidot.(-sin (2 .pi.n/N)) (5)
And, the following equation (6) is applied to the equations (4) and (5) to obtain the following equations (7) and (8): ##EQU1##
The low pass filter 105 and the low pass filter 106 average the output from the multiplier 103 and the output from the multiplier 104 respectively to remove noise components.
The conventional DFT performs processing on a single sample basis to simplify a processing structure, namely a hardware structure, and does not perform processing on a symbol basis.
The multiplier 107 multiplies the output from the low pass filter 105 by the cos component, and the multiplier 108 multiplies the output from the low pass filter 106 by the -sin component. The adder 109 adds the output from the multiplier 107 and that from the multiplier 108 to prepare a recovered clock. When it is assumed that N=4, the cos component and the -sin component with respect to a single symbol are given as follows: EQU {1, 0, -1, 0} (9) EQU {0, -1, 0, 1} (10)
The output from the adder is obtained by alternately selecting the output from the multiplier 107 and that from the multiplier 108 and adding a code of the input signal in compliance with a code of the twiddle factor.
Accordingly, when it is assumed that the output from the low pass filter 105 is Y.sub.1 (n) and that from the low pass filter 106 is Y.sub.2 (n), the recovered clock may have a sequence such as: EQU {Y.sub.1 (n), -Y.sub.2 (n+1), -Y.sub.1 (n+2), Y.sub.2 (n+3), Y.sub.1 (n+4), -Y.sub.2 (n+5), . . . }.
Since the low pass filter is an averaging filter, it is necessary to increase the number of averaging symbols in order to improve the accuracy of the recovered clock. However, when the number of averaging symbols is increased, the number of bits also increases, and circuit scale is enlarged. Therefore, generally when averaging, either a moving average is performed as shown in FIG. 13 or a forgetting factor is multiplied while cumulative adding as shown in FIG. 14 to prevent the circuit scale from becoming large. If the input signal does not have a clock component, the input value of the low pass filter becomes {0, 0}, the output value from the low pass filter becomes small, and an estimated clock phase tends to be affected by noise.

Phase estimating circuit and demodulating circuit


A power amplifier includes a quadrature hybrid and input impedance matching network. The power amplifier also includes at least one amplifier that includes an output electrode, and a quadrature hybrid and output impedance matching network. The quadrature hybrid and input impedance matching network exhibits a low pass frequency response.

Handsets or cell phones are commonplace in society. The handsets are equipped with an antenna that sends outgoing signals and receives incoming signals. One important element in the handset is a power amplifier that is typically connected to the antenna. The power amplifier is utilized to receive signals (e.g., signals representing voice or sound) and to amplify these signals to a level suitable for transmission through the antenna. Cell phones typically operate at frequencies in the range between 1 GHz and 2 GHz.
Each country regulates the operating characteristics of handsets that are allowed to operate in that country. For example, many countries regulate the maximum amount of power that devices (e.g., handsets) are allowed to emit in adjacent channels (i.e., channels that are not the intended operating channel of the device). The amount of undesired or unwanted power emitted in adjacent bands is measured by using a ratio of the amount of power in the intended or specified channel divided by the amount of power emitted in channels adjacent to the intended channel, which is referred to as "adjacent channel power ratio" (ACPR). Each country can have an appropriate regulatory body specify the minimum acceptable ACPR for a device before approval of that device is granted.
The performance of the power amplifiers at the highest power output is dependent on the load impedance of an output transistor. Generally, it is desired that the amplifier operate in the linear region of operation, where the gain of the amplifier varies in a generally linear fashion. However, an unfavorable load impedance can cause the amplifier to operate in the saturation region that adversely affects or degrades the amplifier's performance. Unfortunately, this load condition is difficult to control in a wireless environment especially in the case of mobile communication because power reflected back to the antenna and the power amplifier can change the load impedance seen by amplifier, which in turn can adversely affect the performance of the amplifier. Specifically, power transmitted by the handset can be reflected back to the handset by the presence of metal objects in the environment (e.g., bars in a concrete wall beside a person placing the call) and eventually back to the amplifier, thereby affecting the load impedance.
One approach is to employ an isolator between the power amplifier module and the antenna to ensure a well-controlled impedance for the power amplifier. Unfortunately, this added component incurs both cost and space for mobile phone handsets. Furthermore, current isolator technology is incompatible with integrated circuit technology and packaging technology, thereby excluding the possibility of integrating the isolator with other components in the power amplifier. Consequently, the isolator is contrary to and militates against the trend to increase the functionality of electronic devices and components.
One approach to enable a power amplifier to accommodate a wide range of loads is described in "A Low Distortion and High Efficiency Parallel-Operation Power Amplifier Combined in Different Phases in Wide Range of Load Impedances," by H. Ikeda, H. Kosugi and T. Uwano, IEEE Microwave Technologies and Techniques Symposium (MTT-S), pages 535 to 538, 1996. Ikeda et al. propose the use of two or more power amplifiers with equal but phase-shifted signal paths. By diverting the reflected power into to different paths, where one of the paths includes a phase delay, the performance of the power amplifier may be improved. This approach is known as "balanced power amplifiers."
Unfortunately, the implementation proposed by Ikeda et al. uses 3 dB hybrids, Wilkinson combiners, and delay lines, that result in large physical sizes. Consequently, the large area required by the Ikeda implementation makes such an implementation unsuitable for miniature power amplifier modules that are utilized in may mobile telephone handset applications.
Stated differently, a primary disadvantage of this approach is that the approach requires components that are relatively large. Consequently, this approach is not conducive for space-efficient designs, which is the current trend. For example, as the handsets decrease in size or as more functions are integrated into the handsets, the space that is allocated to power management and control is rapidly decreasing.
Based on the foregoing, there remains a need for a mechanism to reduce the size or area occupied by the balanced power amplifier so that the balanced power amplifier can be utilized in miniature, space conserving applications and to further overcome the disadvantages set forth previously.

Power amplifier utilizing quadrature hybrid for power dividing, combining and impedance matching

Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


The present disclosure relates to an administration mechanism for a medicament delivery device having a movable sleeve, and a delivery member cover having a distal end portion configured to receive the movable sleeve. The delivery member being configured to be linearly displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the movable sleeve, wherein the distal end portion has an end face defining a guide surface and the movable sleeve has a radially outwards extending first follower structure configured to cooperate with the guide surface when the delivery member cover is moved from the first position towards the second position, causing the movable sleeve to rotate.

Medicament delivery devices such as auto-injectors are very common on the market as they facilitate for users to manage medicament administration.
An example of a medicament delivery device is disclosed in WO 2011/123024 A1. The medicament delivery device has a tubular housing and a tubular activation member, displaceable from an extended position to a retracted position relative to the housing, and configured to be returned to the extended position. The medicament delivery device also has a tubular operation member configured to cooperate with the tubular activation member. The tubular activation member has first co-acting means in the form of two oppositely arranged radially inwards extending protrusions, and the tubular operation member has second co-acting means interactively connected to the corresponding first co-acting means. In particular, the second co-acting means include grooves on the outer surface of the tubular operation member and the radial inwards extending protrusions are adapted to be guided within a respective groove, forcing the tubular operation member to rotate when the tubular activation member is axially moved from the extended position towards the retracted position. Moreover, the tubular operation member has locking means, e.g. a respective flexible tongue, in the grooves, which lock a respective one of the radially inwards extending protrusions when the tubular activation member returns from the retracted position towards the extended position and the radially inwards extending protrusions move over the respective tongue. In this manner, the tubular activation member is locked from displacement as it returns to the extended position after medicament administration.

Administration mechanism for a medicament delivery device


A tapping tee assembly and method for tapping a conduit and fluidly connecting to the conduit include a body defining a conduit recess for receiving the conduit and further defining a main passage with a cover disposed therein. The main passage has a first end adjacent the conduit recess and a second, open end spaced apart from the first end. The second end is closed by a cap. The body of the tapping tee assembly is secured to the conduit with the conduit received in the conduit recess. The cutter is advanced along the main passage toward the conduit without removal of the cap from the body to tap the conduit and fluidly connect the conduit and the main passage.

The present disclosure generally relates to the art of tapping conduits, pipes or tube-like workpieces and more particularly to tapping an existing conduit for connection with another conduit. In one embodiment, a tapping tee assembly and method are provided with an improved cap assembly for tapping into an existing plastic conduit (e.g., a gas main or a water main) to establish fluid communication between the plastic conduit and another, secondary conduit without requiring removal of the cap assembly. Though the present disclosure will describe the afore-described embodiment in particular detail, it is to be appreciated that the subject matter described herein has broader applications and may be advantageously employed in related environments and applications.
Polymer and plastic piping has become ubiquitous in many industries and is used within many varying types of pipeline networks (e.g. water pipelines, gas pipelines, etc.). The pipeline network typically includes pipe mains, which are often buried, for conveying the carried fluid (e.g., water or gas) to various locations and service lines, which interconnect a home or business with a selected pipe main. In particular, the pipe main is often an existing or previously installed main that continuously carries a fluid (i.e., a live main), the shutting down of which is highly discouraged and inconvenient. Tapping tees are frequently and advantageously used for connecting secondary conduits, such as service lines, to pipe mains, particularly when the secondary conduit is to be installed to a live main. A tapping tee can incorporate a drill-like or cutting tool with a mounting collar for allowing the tee to be positioned at any desired location along the main.
Typically, the tee is first attached to the main by using a split collar arrangement or, alternately, the tee may be fused to the main. Thereafter, the cutting tool is advanced through the sidewall of the main to open a fluid passage between the main and tapping tee. The tapping tee often includes appropriate structure for more easily and conveniently connecting to the secondary conduit, wherein such connection is often completed prior to tapping the main (i.e., advancing the cuffing tool to establish fluid communication). One advantage of such a tapping tee is that it is not necessary to actually sever the entire main, or otherwise interrupt service provided through the main, in order to interconnect the tee. Rather, the tapping tee requires only that a hole be drilled into the main in order to provide for fluid communication therewith.
One exemplary mechanical tapping tee for use in connecting a service line to a main is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,735, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the '735 patent discloses a tapping tee assembly including a surrounding saddle or support assembly that is received around the main conduit. A generally cylindrical body is integrally formed with the support assembly and receives a tapping assembly therein. An internally threaded passage extends through the body and is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main line. The cylindrical body includes an exterior threaded region that selectively retains a cap in threaded engagement on the body to close an open, upper end of the passage. The tapping assembly is threadedly received in the internally threaded passage and can be selectively advanced or retracted by an appropriate tool when the cap is removed thereby providing access into the passage to the tapping assembly.
More particularly, the tapping assembly includes a cutter member that, when the cap is removed, can be selectively threadedly advanced through a sidewall of the main conduit, forming an opening as it is rotated through the sidewall. Specifically, a spreading or tapered portion of the cutter member advances through the opening to firmly grip the inner wall of the main conduit when properly positioned in place. An elongated portion of the cutter member remains within the main conduit, generally radially inward of the tapered portion. An upper portion of the tapping assembly is subsequently threadedly retracted from the cutter member to establish fluid communication from the main line, through apertures provided in the cutter member, and to a branch or service line connected to the body. Once access to the tapping assembly is no longer needed and fluid communication with the main conduit has been established, the cap can be replaced on the body to close the upper, open end of the passage. The '735 patent also discloses a second embodiment wherein a two-part cutter is again used, but is modified so that material cut from the sidewall of the main conduit, or coupon as it is generally referred to, is removed from the interior of the main conduit. In most other respects, this modified embodiment works in much the same way to establish a fluid passage from the main conduit to a branch passage or service line.
Another exemplary mechanical tapping tee for use in connecting a service line to a main is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,395, which is also expressly incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the '395 patent discloses a tapping tee assembly including a body member having an internal passage that receives a tapping apparatus comprised of a cutter having a cutting edge at one end thereof and a sleeve received over the cutter. Like the '735 patent, the body member includes exterior threads for selectively retaining a cap in threaded engagement on the body member to close an open, upper end of the internal passage. When the cap is removed, the tapping apparatus in the internal passage is accessible for selective advancement or retraction.
In particular, the cutter has external threads which enable the tapping apparatus to be advanced, when the cap is removed, to form an opening in a sidewall of the main about which the body member is secured. A retainer member, such as an o-ring, can be used to hold the sleeve and cutter together, particularly during advancement of the tapping apparatus, and the sleeve can include external threads that grip into the main's sidewall. After forming the sidewall opening and threadedly engaging the sleeve with the sidewall, retraction of the cutter leaves the sleeve in place to secure the tapping apparatus to the main and establish fluid communication therethrough. The external threads of the cutter and sleeve preferably have different thread pitches so that the sleeve advances at a slightly faster rate than the cutter to facilitate sealing engagement between the main and the body member. A one-way drive arrangement is advantageously provided between the sleeve and cutter so that once the sleeve is positioned in the main, the cutter can be removed without altering the location of the sleeve. An o-ring can be provided annularly about and radially spaced from the sleeve to sealingly engage around the opening formed by the cutter through the sidewall of the main. Also like the '735 patent, the cap can be replaced on the body to close the internal passage after access to the tapping apparatus is no longer needed (i.e., after fluid communication with the main is established and the cutter has been retracted).
The mechanical tapping tees of the '735 and '395 patents have been commercially successful and are able to provide a leakproof seal with the mains to which the tapping tees are connected. However, one drawback with these tapping tees is that access to the internally disposed tapping apparatus is only achieved by removing the cap from the body in which the tapping apparatus is disposed. Thus, advancement and retraction of the tapping apparatus and its cutter can only occur while the cap is removed. This may not be desirable in certain applications because the fluid carried by the main may escape through the passage after fluid communication is established with the main and prior to the cap being secured to the body to close and seal the internal passage.


Gastric residence systems comprising therapeutic agent formulations for sustained gastric release of therapeutic agents are disclosed, as well as methods for using such systems. The systems are characterized by use of a dispersant in the formulations, which improves the burst release characteristics and long-term release rate characteristics of the systems. Milling of therapeutic agent can also be performed to prepare agent particles of desired size.

Gastric residence systems are delivery systems for therapeutic agents which remain in the stomach for days to weeks, or even over longer periods, during which time drugs or other agents can elute from the systems for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of such systems are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/035423 (WO 2015/191920). Gastric residence systems are most conveniently administered to a patient via a capsule in a compacted form. Upon dissolution of the capsule in the stomach, the systems expand to a size which resists passage through the pyloric sphincter over the desired residence period. The need for the system to release a therapeutic agent at a steady rate over an extended time period in the gastric environment places a particularly stringent demand on the formulation of the system.
The current invention describes advancements in formulation of gastric residence systems, including the use of dispersants in the components which elute therapeutic agent during gastric residence, and milling of the agent to desired sizes. The systems described herein provide improved performance of the systems when administered to a patient.

Gastric residence systems for sustained release of therapeutic agents and methods of use thereof


An aircraft of the type having twin booms (14): which connects the main wing (28) with two fin stabilizers (16) and an optional trim stabilizer (22) articulate to change aircraft direction and airspeed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to stabilizing an aircraft in flight, specifically an improved structure over conventional designs.
2. Description of Prior Art
Aircraft have been flown with various tail arrangements since the original Wright Brothers aircraft of 1903.
One type of stabilizer fin (FIG. 1A) known as the inverted "V" has been flown and tested showing evidence of improved performance but the overall concept is ill conceived.
a. Conventional inverted "V" tail presents a basic configuration design problem--providing adequate tail clearance for full stall landings. An overly long and heavy landing gear is the usual solution to this requirement as well as being a reason the conventional inverted "V" tail arrangement is not popular. PA0 b. Conventional inverted "V" tails require heavier tail structures necessary to support the combined horizontal and vertical surfaces at a centralized location. PA0 c. Conventional inverted "V" tails are usually supported by long fuselages that create wasted space and overly costly manufacturing processes. PA0 a. To provide improved ground clearance while the aircraft is taking off or landing. PA0 b. To provide shorter, lighter landing gear that creates less drag and a lighter structure. PA0 c. To provide stronger landing gear, shorter landing gear create less bending stress during take-off and landing. PA0 d. Aerodynamic and landing loads (stress) can be distributed directly to the main wing structure. PA0 a. To provide a structure that can channel engine thrust between the stabilizers which creates less drag, vibration and stress on the airframe PA0 b. To provide a structure that because the engine is mounted close to the aircrafts center of gravity no major changes in fuselage length or stabilizer location need take place if a heavy more powerful engine is installed. PA0 c. To provide a structure that has less profile drag due to the smaller diameter aft fuselage making the aircraft more fuel efficient. PA0 d. To provide a structure that has fewer detail parts, reducing the cost of manufacturing. PA0 e. To provide a structure that acts as a propeller guard if the aircraft is built with a pusher type engine installation. PA0 f. To provide a structure that is structurally stronger, allowing the aspect ratio of the stabilizer to be greater than most conventional built aircraft which is a proven method of increasing performance and reducing fuel consumption.


Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) composition are provided. The compositions include at least one chemotherapeutic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or mixture thereof, at least one biocompatible surfactant, wherein the at least one biocompatible surfactant includes surfactin, and at least one co-surfactant. Methods of enhancing the bioavailability of the chemotherapeutic compound and for treating cancer are also provided.

For more than a decade, several research studies have been conducted for oral delivery of anticancer drugs in order to increase the patient compliance over the parenteral route of drug administration [1]. Beyond the advantages such as low cost drug therapy and noninvasive route of administration for oral drug therapy, it primarily suffers from challenges like low and inconsistent bioavailability of drugs due to poor solubility and permeability, hepatic first-pass effect, metabolism by gastrointestinal enzymes and instability under acidic conditions [2]. Thus, novel oral formulations for effective delivery of the drugs are urgently needed which can reduce the challenges associated with the oral delivery of anticancer drugs. These include nanostructured formulations of the drugs which improve the bioavailability and anticancer activity of the drugs [3, 4].
Paclitaxel is a derivative of taxane used for its potent anticancer activity over the past three decades. However, it exhibits very low oral bioavailability (5%) due to its practically insoluble nature along with minimal intestinal permeability and efflux by P-gp transporters [5]. In order to overcome these challenges, several researchers have already explored the worth of using a variety of nanoformulations for paclitaxel delivery and a score of success is available in this domain [6-11], especially the albumin-based nanoparticles and similar products are available on the market, as described in the literature elsewhere [12, 13]. Although such formulations have gained immense popularity despite high manufacturing challenges and cost of drug therapy, yet there has been a continuous surge for developing more effective, efficient and cost-efficient therapeutic products.

Chemotherapeutic self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems and uses thereof


In a vehicle side airbag device, when inflator operates, gas is supplied to left and right chambers of rear bag portion, and gas is supplied from communication opening through between a left and right side partitioning portions directly into a front bag portion. When inflation and expansion of the chambers are completed, the left and ride side partitioning portions are pushed against one another by internal pressures of the chambers, and the communication opening is closed-off. A valley, that is recessed toward a vehicle rear side, is formed at a front surface of the rear bag portion. At a time when the rear bag portion interferes with a vehicle occupant who is at an improper position, this valley is expanded due to the left and right chambers moving apart from one another in a vehicle left-right direction.

In the side airbag device described in following Patent Document 1, a side airbag is divided into a first inflating portion (a rear bag portion) and a second inflating portion (a front bag portion) by a partitioning wall (a front-rear partitioning portion) that is provided at the position of the ribs of a vehicle occupant who is at an improper position. An inflator is provided within the first inflating portion, and gas generated from this inflator is supplied to the interior of the front bag portion through a communication hole that is formed at the front-rear partitioning portion. Due thereto, by making the rear bag portion have higher pressure than the front bag portion, the ability at the initial stage to restrain the vehicle occupant who is at the proper position is ensured, and, even if the vehicle occupant is positioned at an improper position (out of position), effects on the vehicle occupant are suppressed.

Vehicle side airbag device and vehicle seat


A strain sensor fabrication and its use as flexible elastic heart strain sensors in form of a Wheatstone bridge are described. All arms of the bridge are nanocomposite based strain sensors. The silver selenide nanocomposite is especially developed by simple rubbing in method where the nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Ag2Se nanoparticles are embedded into a porous rubber. This is a low cost easy to make strain sensor that has excellent resistance to humidity and temperature.

The wearable market is exploding and the heart rate monitors and other measuring devices are becoming increasingly important. Many individuals are becoming more conscious of their health and many others are suffering from heart diseases. To aid these individuals and patients a cardiac pacemaker is surgically placed in the body. Pacemakers have a problem of occasional failure or premature discharging of the batteries. In hospitals there are testing devices for the monitoring of heart rate. However, usually these devices are quite bulky. The real problem associated with these essentially stationary testing devices is that they are intrusive and are not adapted to be worn by the patient outside of the hospital. Therefore a number of heart rate sensors were designed and fabricated that was based on different physical principles. Out of these the simplest and reliable sensors are based on strain sensors.
For heart rate measurements a finger-mounted strain sensor for the measurement of small volume of blood changes can be used (Aston R., et al 1991). A strain sensor is a device that converts the changes in the length (Δl) of the sensor or object into change in the resistance (ΔR) in the sensor. Strain (S) is ratio of Δl to length (l):S=Δl/l  (1)Sensitivity of sensor or gauge factor (G) is:G=ΔR/RS  (2)
The strain sensitivities of some sensors that are used in practice, for example, for constantan and silicon are equal to 2.1 and 120, respectively. Cardiac monitor that can be strapped around the wrist (where a radial pulse is normally detected) was developed (Manual B et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,937). The sensor can detect heart rate and abnormalities in the heart beat rate.
Broadwater et. al (1982) fabricated a digital watch for the measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. This watch has a piezoelectric transducer that is held in contact with the wrist adjacent to the radial artery. The electronic circuitry of the watch allows to detect blood pressure pulses and systolic and diastolic pressures.
Pinter and Muehlsteff (2009) have developed a sensor for the combined heart rate and respiration measurement of a patient. The sensor consists of a strain gauge that is assembled on an elastic carrier and two stickers for sticking the sensor on the patient's chest. The movements of the patient's chest due to heart beat and/or respiration lead to a varying strain gauge signals.
Rytky (US 2006/0142654 A1) fabricated a sensor system, a garment and a heart rate monitor. The sensor system comprises at least one flexible film structure consisting of a first insulation layer, at least one electric conductor layer formed on the top of first insulation layer and an electrode area, which is configured to establish an electric contact with the surface of the user's skin and to generate an output signal (electric signals) proportional to a momentary value of the electrocardiogram.
The invention by Sullivan (U.S. Pat. No. 7,689,271) determines the heart rate and respiration rate of a patient through the patient's extremities. Heart rate and respiration rate are determined via an energy spectrum, period gram or histogram using a time series analysis. A patient can stand near the device and lean on it, or stand on a piezoelectric pad. A microcomputer provides calculations to determine heart and respiratory rates using signal processing and time series analysis of data. For heart rate measurements, a finger-mounted or strapped about the wrist strain sensor (which measures small changes in the volume of blood) can be used. The strain sensor is usually connected in one of the arms of Wheatstone bridge. Sensitivity, reliability, cost and size of the strain sensors depends on materials, technology of fabrication and sensor circuit. This circuit connects the sensor or sensors to electronic circuit that filters, amplifies counts (heart pulse rates) and displays them on the screen. However, there is a need for a better composite that is cost effective, accurate and sensitive.

Composition and method of making a strain sensor and its use


A process and a device for clearing out joints in masonry is disclosed. The clearing out is effected by producing a groove by high-pressure water jets that are so oriented and guided relative to one another and relative to the desired groove. Further, a groove with a determined cross section of determined width and depth results.

a) Field of the Invention
Up to the present time, the clearing out of joints in masonry ducts or conduits for renovation purposes has been carried out in practice by means of cutting tools or shaping toots which are generally driven by hand-held machine tools for mechanically removing the joint mortar from the joint. The widths of the joints and the strength of the mortar, whose composition is frequently unknown, vary widely. In every case, the mortar must be removed as far as possible over the entire width of the joint and over a joint depth which is at least twice as large as the joint width in order to restore statically sound stability to the conduit by subsequent repointing. The extremely poor working conditions prevailing in such conduits in general and particularly when clearing out joints (high noise and dust nuisance, poor air) can be improved only with great effort, so that such endeavors tend toward the automation of this work process in such a way that a direct operation of the machine tool in situ is no longer required and operation is effected via a control unit outside of the conduit.
b) Description of the Related Art
DE U1 90 04 589 proposes a device with a work vehicle which can travel in the longitudinal direction of the conduit to be renovated and which is outfitted with a renovation tool in the form of a cutter and with at least one camera and with an operating console arranged remote from the work vehicle for controlling the work vehicle. With a device of this kind, it is no longer necessary for a work force to stay in the conduit while the joints are cleared out. Nevertheless, all of the disadvantages associated with clearing out by means of mechanical tools basically persist:
high tool wear due to extensive continuous loading and high machining forces; PA1 high maintenance for the machine tools in order to prevent the effects on the driving accuracy and guiding accuracy of the workpiece caused by the resulting fine dust and to avoid impairment of the service life of the machine tool; PA1 relatively slow feed rate; PA1 along machining times,
e.g., the minimum removal depth cannot be achieved by means of cutters in one machining step, so that the joint must be reworked repeatedly when cutting is used. In the case of saws, both joint edges are sawed one after the other and the remaining web is subsequently chiseled out.
The disadvantages indicated above make the clearing out of joints a time-consuming and costly process. Elaborate steps taken to automate this process cannot decisively increase the effectiveness of the process as long as the clearing out of joints is carried out by means of mechanical tools.
Water jet cutting is a known nonmechanical process for removing or severing material. The corresponding devices differ essentially in the shape and arrangement of the nozzles depending on the respective use. For example, for surface-oriented removal of material or to clean surfaces, a plurality of nozzles are arranged relative to one another in a plane of a nozzle head in such a way that they direct the water jet in the same direction. The nozzle head is set in rotation by means of its own drive or by means of an external drive. When cutting stone, for example, only individual nozzles are used, wherein an abrasive is added to the water depending an the hardness of the material in order to increase cutting power. For this purpose, the distance of the nozzle from the surface and possibly the size of the nozzle opening is selected depending on the material and the cutting depth of the water pressure. The cutting width is essentially invariable.

Process and device for clearing out joints in masonry


A non-membrane type electrolytic cell (10) comprises an anode plate (16, 20) and a cathode plate (18) which are arranged opposite to each other with an electrically insulating spacer (22) sandwiched therebetween. The spacer (22) is formed of plastics having a water absorption of not more than 0.3%, preferably not more than 0.2%, more preferably not more than 0.01%. Deposition of scale, such as calcium carbonate, on the spacer (22) is prevented.

It is believed that hydroxyl ion (OH.sup.-) enriched alkaline water, which is often incorrectly referred-to as "alkaline ion water", is useful in health maintenance when served as potable water as well as in accentuating taste when used in cooking or for the preparation of beverages such as tea and coffee. Similarly, hydrogen ion (H.sup.+) enriched acidic water is known as being suitable for boiling noodles and washing the face. More importantly, highly acidic water which is obtained by electrolysis of tap water containing sodium chloride or an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and which therefore contains effective chlorine (hypochlorous acid or chlorine gas) has been noted as having a strong germicidal effect.
To produce alkaline and/or acidic water, an apparatus for electrolyzing water has been used hitherto which is often incorrectly referred-to in the art as an "ion-water generator". This apparatus, designed to subject water to electrolysis, includes an electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode. As a direct electric potential is applied between the electrodes, the hydroxyl ions OH.sup.- being present in water due to electrolytic dissociation of water molecules will donate electrons to the anode at the anode-water interface and are thereby oxidized to form oxygen gas which is then removed away from the system. As a result, the H.sup.+ concentration is enhanced at the anode-water interface so that H.sup.+ enriched acidic water results at the anode-water interface. At the cathode-water interface, on the other hand, H.sup.+ accepts electrons from the cathode and is reduced to hydrogen to form hydrogen gas which is similarly eliminated from the system. As a result, the OH.sup.- concentration is increased whereby OH.sup.- enriched alkaline water is generated on the cathode side. When an aqueous solution of sodium chloride is subjected to electrolysis, chlorine gas is generated at the anode and is dissolved into water to form hypochlorous acid.
To preclude alkaline water and acidic water once generated by electrolysis from being mixed with each other and to remove them separately, the conventional electrolytic cells are typically provided with a water-impermeable, electrically conducting but ion-permeable membrane 3 arranged between an anode plate 1 and a cathode plate 2 as schematically shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic chamber being divided by the membrane into a flowpath 4 for alkaline water and a flowpath 5 for acidic water. The electrolytic cell of this type will be referred-to hereinafter as the "membrane-type" electrolytic cell.
As the electrolytic cell is operated, precipitation of scale 6 comprised of calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and the like takes place in the flowpath for alkaline water. Referring to FIG. 2 wherein the apparent solubility of calcium carbonate versus pH is shown, the mechanism of scale precipitation will be described with reference to calcium hydroxide by way of an example. It will be noted from the graph that under acidic conditions, calcium carbonate is dissolved into water in the form of calcium ions. However, as the pH exceeds 8, the solubility rapidly drops so that calcium carbonate settles in the flowpath for alkaline water. The calcium ions are moved toward the cathode plate under the action of the electric field between the electrodes whereby the calcium ion concentration in the flowpath for alkaline water is increased. This in turn promotes precipitation of calcium carbonate.
In the electrolytic cell of the membrane type, the scale tends to precipitate predominantly on the membrane 3 rather than on the cathode 2, as shown in FIG. 1. Probably, this is because the porous nature of the membrane promotes precipitation of the scale, in contrast to the cathode generally having a polished specular surface. Since the precipitates such as calcium carbonate are electrically insulating, the electrical resistance across the cell is increased thereby lowering the efficiency of electrolysis of the cell. In addition, formation of scale increases the flow resistance across the electrolytic cell. Therefore, unless the scale is removed, the electrolytic cell would become inoperative soon after a short period of use.
Accordingly, there has been proposed in the prior art to remove the precipitates by dissolving them into water as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication 51-77584, Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication 55-91996, Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication 59-189871, and Japanese Patent Kokai Publication 1-203097. According to this method, a polarity reversal switch 7 (FIG. 1) is turned over in such a manner that an electric potential of an polarity opposite to the normal operating polarity is applied between the electrodes to thereby cause the precipitates to dissolve. This method is known in the art as "reverse electrolysis descaling" or "reverse potential descaling" process. The principle of reverse electrolysis descaling is that, upon application of electric potential of the opposite polarity, the flowpath for the alkaline water is changed into acidic conditions whereby the scale such as calcium carbonate is disintegrated into ions to again dissolve into water as will be understood from FIG. 2.
However, since the membrane 3 is more or less spaced from the electrodes as will be understood from FIG. 1, the stream of strongly acidic water which has been generated along the surface of the electrode 2 (originally acting as the cathode, but now acting as the anode because the polarity of potential is reversed) will be carried away by the flow of water flowing through the flowpath so that strongly acidic water could not reach the membrane as long as it is present in moving water. Therefore, the membrane cannot be rendered acidic to a degree strong enough to quickly dissolve the scale deposited on the membrane. Moreover, where the application of reverse voltage is carried out while flow of water is stopped, the hydrogen ions generated at the surface of the initial cathode 2 (now anode because the potential is reversed) will permeate through the membrane 3 and will be diffused toward the opposite flowpath so that acid water and alkaline water once generated are mixed with each other and are neutralized. As a result, the membrane cannot be rendered strongly acidic. According to the experiment carried out by the present inventors, the pH of the flowpath 4 originally for alkaline water did not become less than 3 when the reversed polarity potential was applied. No removal of scale was observed even after about two days of application of the reversed polarity potential.
In this manner, in the "membrane-type" electrolytic cell, it has been difficult to electrochemically remove the scale even though the so-called reverse electrolysis descaling is carried out. Accordingly, it has been usual that the life of the electrolytic cells is only from a half to one year unless the cells are periodically disassembled and are subjected to manual mechanical descaling operations. Furthermore, the membrane is unhygienic since it serves as breeding bed for bacteria. In addition, the space between the electrode plates must be set large enough to ensure that the membrane is installed therebetween. This leads to the disadvantage that the power consumption of the electrolytic cell becomes large.
In order to overcome the foregoing disadvantages of the membrane-type electrolytic cell, proposed in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication 4-284889 is an electrolytic cell which is free from a membrane. The electrolytic cell of this type will be referred-to hereinafter as the "non-membrane" or "membraneless" type electrolytic cell. In the non-membrane type cell, the electrode plates are spaced from one another with a small gap in such a manner that a laminar flow is established as water flows between the electrodes. Therefore, alkaline water and acidic water as generated can be separated from each other without recourse to a membrane.
As the membraneless-type electrolytic cell is not provided with a membrane which is susceptible to deposition of scale, there is an advantage that less scale is deposited. Moreover, the cell is hygienic because of the absence of a membrane which would otherwise breed bacteria. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the electrode spacing to thereby reduce the power consumption of the electrolytic cell. The non-membrane type electrolytic cell is also designed such that the reverse polarity potential is applied to carry out the so-called reverse electrolysis descaling in a manner similar to the conventional membrane-type electrolytic cells. Accordingly, it is possible to remove substantially all of the scale that has precipitated on the surface of the cathode plate.
In the non-membrane type electrolytic cell disclosed in JP 4-284889, it is desirable to arrange the cathode and anode with as small spacing as possible with one another to ensure that the electric power consumption is reduced as well as to ensure that a laminar flow is readily established in the flow of water flowing in the flowpath defined between the cathode and anode. In that event, it is then preferable to sandwich between the cathode and anode one or more electrically insulating spacers of a predetermined thickness to ensure that, even if the electrodes undergo a certain degree of distortion or strain, the electrode spacing is kept constant throughout the flowpath to thereby prevent the electrolyzing performance from fluctuating from cell to cell.
However, in the case where the spacers are placed in this manner between the electrodes, the scale tends to precipitate on the lateral surface of respective spacers so that the flowpath of water will be gradually clogged with the scale, as described later with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is believed that this is due to the fact that the scale readily precipitates on the lateral surface of the spacers since the velocity of water flowing along the boundary between the spacers and water is so slow. The scale that has precipitated on the lateral surface of the spacers could not be readily removed by the application of the reverse polarity potential (i.e., the so-called reverse electrolysis descaling process). Once precipitated, the scale gives rise to the formation of turbulent flow so that the flow of water becomes even slower whereby precipitation of the scale is further promoted.
An object of the invention is to improve the non-membrane type electrolytic cell disclosed in JP 4-284889 and to provide a non-membrane type electrolytic cell that is capable of effectively preventing the accumulation of scale caused by the spacers.
In the non-membrane type electrolytic cell, there exists, in the inlet area of the flowpath defined between the cathode and anode, a turbulent flow region wherein a stable laminar flow is not established as yet. In this turbulent flow region, it is not possible to produce highly acidic water along the surface of the electrode plates. Therefore, it is difficult to effectively dissolve the scale into water even if a reverse polarity potential is applied periodically.
Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a non-membrane type electrolytic cell which is capable of effectively preventing the accumulation of scale throughout substantially the entire length of the electrodes.

Non-membrane electrolytic cell for electrolysis of water


Various techniques for quantifying polishing performance are disclosed, and provide insight on the progression from a planarization regime to a smoothing regime to a blanket polish back regime, as well as providing a single, definable parameter (Quality Characteristic) for optimizing polishing performance. With these analytical tools in hand, it is possible to create novel structures which absorb polish rate non-uniformities across a wafer, and it is also possible to define and employ a "quick" polish step to clear high spots which will be followed by a subsequent etch step for rapid removal of material.

Electrical isolation of semiconductor integrated transistors from one another can be achieved by laterally (in the plane of the wafer) isolating "active" regions of the device with insulating material. Two techniques are common: 1) selectively oxidizing wafer silicon surrounding the active region (known as "LOCOS", or Local Oxidation of Silicon), or 2) depositing insulating material, such as silicon oxide around the active region. In the latter, it is known to form "trenches" around the active region, and to fill the trenches with oxide. This is referred to as Recessed Oxide Isolation (ROI). The oxide-filled trenches extend into the substrate to a depth of from a few hundred Angstroms (.ANG.) to a few microns (.mu.m). One such technique involves filling the trenches with Low-Temperature Oxide (LTO). In the main hereinafter, techniques of planarizing trenches, such as those filled with LTO, are discussed.
FIG. 1 shows a semiconductor device 10, at an intermediate fabrication stage. A substrate 12 has had trenches 14 (one trench illustrated) etched into its otherwise planar top surface, and the trenches 14 surround active, doped regions 16 (two active regions illustrated) of the semiconductor device. Since the active regions 16 are more elevated than the trenches 14, they are sometimes referred to as "islands".
In the process of forming the trenches 14, typically a patterned trench mask layer 18, of a relatively hard material such as silicon nitride, will have been applied with openings allowing for the etching of the trenches. As illustrated, the trench mask material 18 covers the islands 16, and the openings in the trench mask are vertically aligned with the trenches 14. In order to fill the trenches 14, an insulating material 20, such as silicon dioxide, is blanket deposited over the entire trench mask, and overfills the trenches, thereby creating an irregular top surface topography having a trough 22. For purposes of the discussion that follows, the trough 22 can be considered to be a trench in the layer 20. The excess insulating material 20 overlying the active regions 16 must be removed, and in the process of removing same, it is advantageous to planarize the trenches 14 s that the trench-fill material 20 is flush with the diffusion regions 16. (The mask 18 will be stripped away to allow for further fabrication steps.) FIG. 1 shows the semiconductor device 10 at this stage of fabrication--ready to have the excess trench-fill material 20 removed, and preferably planarized.
It is often desirable to smooth, or planarize, the top surface of the device after the insulating layer has been applied, prior to further process steps which may include various levels of metallization. In some cases, polishing techniques are employed to remove excess material over the island areas, leaving either a thin, planarized insulating layer (20), or leaving insulating material only in the trenches (14). In the latter case, the trench mask 18 conveniently acts as an polishing stop, since it (e.g., nitride) typically is much harder than the material being removed (e.g., oxide).
FIG. 2 shows the semiconductor device 10 of FIG. 1, after planarization. It can easily be seen that isolation oxide 20 remains only in the trenches 14 between active regions 16.
It should be undertood that additional process steps, other than those described above, may be employed in the fabrication of trench isolation structures, such as creating an ion-implanted layer and an adhesion layer in the trench. These additional steps are not particularly germane to the present invention, and are omitted from further discussion for the sake of clarity.
A problem with planarization (by polishing) of trench structures, unaddressed by the prior art and of considerable importance, is that depending upon the size of a trench (e.g., 22), trench-fill material (e.g., oxide) may be "prematurely" removed from inside the trench, which would defeat the purpose of planarization. In other words, it is antithetical to planarization to have material being removed from within the trench at the same time that material without the trench is being removed.
FIGS. 3 and 4 graphically illustrate this point. As shown, a semiconductor device 30 includes a substrate 32 with trenches 34a and 34b formed therein, resulting in "islands" 36a, 36b and 36c between adjacent trenches. The trenches 34a and 34b are over-filled with oxide 38. As expected, the top surface of the blanket oxide 38 exhibits an irregular topography, following (to some extent) the topography of the trenched substrate, with commensurate troughs 40 and 42. The problem of planarizing trenches, i.e. avoiding prematurely gouging the trench bottom, is exacerbated when there are trenches having different sizes, namely different widths. (In a generalized case, the depths of all trenches and troughs tends to be uniform.) In this case, the trench 34a is narrower than the trench 34b, and the trough 40 is narrower than the trough 42.
FIG. 3 sets forth dimensions of interest, namely:
t.phi., which is the initial thickness of the oxide 38. After removal of excess oxide, t.phi. will be zero over the islands 36 (a,b,c). For purposes of this discussion, t.phi. is assumed to be equal both within and without the trenches;
t1, which is the in-process thickness of the oxide 38, after partial removal of excess oxide;
t2, which is the in-process thickness of the trench fill material within the wide trench 34b;
W.sub.s, which is the width of the narrow trench 32; PA1 W.sub.l, which is the width of the wide trench 34; and PA1 h, which is the initial depth of the "feature", in this case of the trenches 40 and 42 sought to be planarized. PA1 a) an already planar surface (not illustrated, but which would exist in the case of t2=t1+h PA1 b) having a perfectly flat and stiff polishing pad (which hardly represents reality).
In an "idealized" case, the troughs 40 and 42 also have widths W.sub.s and W.sub.l, respectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a polishing pad 44 has an irregular surface, illustrated herein as features 46a and 46b. These pad features are simply surface irregularities. The pad carries abrasive particles (not illustrated) for polishing the semiconductor device 30, and these particles are typically much smaller than the trench width. As illustrated, the pad features tend to be larger than the trench widths. Because the pad 44 is resilient, its abrasive surface will tend to remove material from the bottom of a relatively wide trench (e.g., 42), without removing material from the bottom of a relatively narrow trench (e.g., 40). This will result from the fact that the polishing pad is not infinitely stiff, but rather is compliant and can deflect into wide trenches.
Returning to FIG. 3, the top surface topography prior to polishing is shown by the solid line 48, and the top surface topography after partial polishing is shown by the dashed line 50. Evidently, if during removal of material (t.phi.-t1) from over the islands the polishing pad removes material (to-t2) from within the wide trench (42), the object of planarization would be defeated, and even exacerbated as polishing continues.
Another problem is measuring the effectiveness of polishing.
Another problem is polishing where trenches having a wide range of widths is involved.
Another problem is that polishing is slow, compared to etching.


In an embodiment of the method of over-writing a recording medium, if data for writing on the recording medium is to be written on a recorded portion of a user data area of the recording medium, an unrecorded portion of the recording medium is selected as a replacement portion for recording the data and the data is recorded in the replacement portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recording media, and methods and apparatuses associated therewith.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A new type of high density optical disc, such as a Blu-ray RE-writable disc (BD-RE), that can record and store high definition audio and video data for a long period of time, is being developed. As shown in FIG. 1, the BD-RE has a lead-in area, a data zone, and a lead-out area. An inner spare area (ISA) and an outer spare area (OSA) are respectively allocated at a fore end and a rear end of the data zone. A recording unit of the BD-RE is a cluster. Referring to FIG. 1, whether or not a defect area exists within the data zone can be detected during the recording of the data. When a defect area is detected, replacement recording operations are performed. For example, the data that is intended to be recorded in the defect area is recorded in a spare area (e.g., the inner spare area (ISA)). Then, position information of the detected defect area and the replacement recorded spare area are recorded and stored as management information in a defect list (DFL) of a disc management area (DMA) located within the lead-in area.
During a read operation of this data, the data recorded in the spare area is read and reproduced, instead of the data of the defect area, by accessing the DFL; thereby preventing a data recording/reproducing error from occurring.
A write-once recordable blu-ray disc (BD-WO) is also under development. Unlike a rewritable disc, data can only be recorded once in the entire area of a write-once optical disc; and data cannot be physically overwritten in the write-once optical disc. Nevertheless, there may occur instances, where it would be desirable to edit or partially modify recorded data. For example, for simplicity of use of the host or the user, the virtual overwriting of the data may be desirable.

Method and apparatus for overwriting data on recording-medium and the recording medium


A multilayered heat-recoverable article 1 includes a base material layer 10 and an adhesive layer 11 disposed on the inner side of the base material layer 10. The adhesive layer 11 includes [A] a thermoplastic resin having a melt flow rate of 15 g/10 min to 1,000 g/10 min at 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kg, [B] an organically treated layered silicate, and [C] a deterioration inhibitor. The shear viscosity at 150° C. of the adhesive layer 11 is 300 Pa·s or more at a shear rate of 0.1 s−1 and 200 Pa·s or less at a shear rate of 100s−1.

Heat-recoverable articles, such as heat-shrinkable tubes and heat-shrinkable caps, are used as covering for joints between insulated wires, wire terminals, and metal pipes for the purpose of waterproofing, corrosion protection, and the like. For example, when a joint between insulated wires is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube and heating is performed, the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks along the shape of the joint and adheres thereto, and thus the joint can be protected.
Examples of such heat-recoverable articles include a multilayered heat-recoverable article in which an adhesive layer is provided on the inner surface of a heat-shrinkable base material layer (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-129042). As the adhesive layer, a hot-melt adhesive, such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), an ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), or a polyamide resin, is used. Furthermore, the adhesive layer may be formed so as to include two thermoplastic resin layers (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-230037 and Japanese Patent No. 4019524).
On the other hand, a multilayered heat-recoverable article is produced by a method in which a heat-shrinkable base material layer and an adhesive layer are each extruded into a tubular shape, then the resulting tubular body is expanded in the radial direction (the diameter is expanded) under heating, and cooling is performed to fix the shape. In some cases, in order to improve heat resistance, the extruded multilayered heat-recoverable article may be irradiated with ionizing radiation so that the heat-shrinkable base material layer can be crosslinked.
When the multilayered heat-recoverable article is used, by performing heating with an adherend being covered with the multilayered heat-recoverable article, heat shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable base material layer occurs, and at the same time, the adhesive layer is fluidized. At this time, the space between the adherend and the heat-shrinkable base material layer is filled with the fluidized adhesive layer, and thereby, the multilayered heat-recoverable article is made to adhere closely to the adherend.
In the case where the multilayered heat-recoverable article is made to adhere to an insulated wire, which is an example of the adherend, in which a conductor is covered with an insulating resin layer, the adhesive layer of the multilayered heat-recoverable article comes into contact with the insulating resin layer. When the insulating resin layer and the adhesive layer are in contact with each other, depending on the types of resin and additive used in the insulating resin layer and the adhesive layer, there is a possibility that the insulating resin layer of the insulated wire will be deteriorated. Consequently, in order to avoid deterioration of the insulating resin layer, it is necessary to appropriately select the combination of the insulating resin layer and the adhesive layer, and the type of adherend for which the multilayered heat-recoverable article can be used becomes restricted. As a result, the user has to select a multilayered heat-recoverable article that is unlikely to be deteriorated according to the type of adherend, such as an insulated wire, which is inconvenient.

Multilayered heat-recoverable article, wire splice, and wire harness


Methods and apparatus are described herein to provide for the decoding of signals in a MIMO communications system. Other embodiments may include a method of deriving a list of possible data vectors and corresponding metrics given a received signal vector and provide the list to a soft bits calculator. Further embodiments include a decoding apparatus that includes a shift and scale module, a linear receiver module, a list generator module and a lattice reduction module. The decoding apparatus may additionally include a soft bits calculator, in further embodiments.

Computing devices have become a ubiquitous part of every user's daily life. Whether wireless or wired, these devices have increased the daily productivity of those users. In the wireless realm, a cell phone, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) capable laptop, a wireless broadband connection for their home, or wireless enabled Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), enables the user to be connected to a wireless network continually. During the past decade it was well established that communications systems employing MIMO architecture, architecture in which transmission and reception are carried out through multiple antennas, are superior systems with respect to reliability, throughput, and power consumption.

Decoding methods and apparatus for MIMO communication systems