A vibration alerting mobile terminal configured to adjust an amplitude parameter and a frequency parameter of a vibration alerting mode, to implement diverse vibration alerting modes to meet vibration requirements of the mobile terminal in different environments. The terminal provides for: displaying a first interface, wherein the first interface includes an amplitude adjustment control, a frequency adjustment control, and a vibration mode adjustment control; responding to an adjustment operation for at least one of the amplitude adjustment control, the frequency adjustment control, and the vibration mode adjustment control; generating a first vibration alerting mode; and alerting a user according to the first vibration alerting mode.

Currently, a vibration apparatus is usually built in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. After a user sets a mobile phone to a vibration alerting mode, when an event such as an incoming call, a new SMS message, new information, or an alarm happens, the mobile phone vibrates to alert the user. Usually, the vibration of the mobile phone is implemented by using a motor. A prior-art motor usually has two states: on and off. In other words, the motor has only a fixed amplitude and frequency. As a result, vibration requirements of a terminal cannot be met in different environments.

Vibration alerting method for mobile terminal and mobile terminal


Disclosed herein is a decode processing apparatus including, a plurality of decode processing section configured to decode moving picture data in units of a predetermined processing block, a distribution section configured such that when supplied with encoded moving picture data, the distribution section splits each of screens formed by the moving picture data into vertical bands in units of the processing block as the smallest unit in keeping with the number of the plurality of decode processing section, the distribution section further distributing the moving picture data belonging to each of the split vertical bands to a different one of the decode processing section, and a formation section configured to form the picture data of one screen when supplied with the decoded moving picture data from the plurality of decode processing section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a decode processing apparatus, a decode processing method, a data distribution program, and a decode processing program for decoding moving picture data encoded in units of a predetermined processing block such as a macro block.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent years have witnessed widespread use of moving picture encoding methods such as MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2), MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 4), H.264 (MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding), and VC-1 developed by Microsoft Corporation. To use the moving pictures encoded by any one of the methods above involves decode processing. Where moving picture data encoded by one of the moving picture encoding methods is to be decoded by multiple processors that carry out the decode processing in parallel for load distribution purposes, each of the processors typically performs its processing in units of a macro block constituting the minimum processing unit.
As shown in FIG. 11, a macro block is one of split areas making up a picture of a single screen (i.e., one frame) having a predetermined picture width and picture height. Each of the split areas measures 16 by 16 pixels (a square pixel block).
According to the recently developed moving picture encoding methods such as MPEG-4, H.264 and VC-1, it is stipulated that a target macro block be decoded by referencing the decoding results of the macro blocks positioned left, top left, on top, and top right of the macro block to be processed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, suppose that the centrally located macro block shown shaded is the macro block to be processed. In this case, decoding the picture data of the macro block in question requires referencing the decoding results of four macro blocks positioned left, top left, on top, and top right of the target macro block. It follows that the decoding of the target macro block needs to be started after completion of the decoding of at least four macro blocks positioned left, top left, on top, and top right of the macro block in question.
Conversely, as long as the above-mentioned order of processing of macro blocks is maintained, decode processing is carried out with no conflict between processors regardless of which processor deals with which macro block. That is, as long as the defined order of processing of macro blocks is kept intact, the multiple processors involved may handle macro blocks in any order.
In the circumstances outlined above, various decode processing methods have been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 2006-129284 and 2006-129285 (hereinafter referred to as the Patent Documents 1 and 2, respectively) disclose a technique whereby macro blocks are processed while processing status (e.g., execution underway, processing completed, etc.) of each of the macro blocks involved is being managed and scanned (in parallel if possible).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the technique disclosed by the Patent Documents 1 and 2 involves processors each concurrently processing the macro block two blocks left of a target macro block positioned one macro block row above.
That is, as in FIG. 13, each of processors 1, 2 and 3 deals with one row of macro blocks having the width of a picture. The macro blocks positioned one row below are handled by another processor.
Each of the processors 1, 2 and 3 processes each row of macro blocks sequentially from left to right. The macro blocks one row below are each processed two blocks later.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2008-072647 (hereinafter referred to as the Patent document 3) discloses a technique which takes advantage of the absence of dependence between intra macro blocks and inter macro blocks and which involves delimiting each macro block row immediately before an inter macro block so as to determine the boundaries between the macro blocks to be shared by processors.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-319944 (hereinafter referred to as the Patent Document 4) discloses a technique that involves slicing a screen horizontally in a manner reflecting the number of decoders in use, the screen slices being shared by the multiple decoders. Slicing the screen horizontally means splitting the screen into a plurality of areas in the vertical direction.

Decode processing apparatus, decode processing method, data distribution program, and decode processing program


In a particular embodiment, a circuit device is disclosed that includes a data generator adapted to output a random pulse sequence having a particular spectral shape. The circuit device further includes a pulse edge control circuit to selectively apply a carrier suppression operation to at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal in response to the random pulse sequence to produce at least one modulated PWM output signal. The spectral energy associated with a PWM carrier of the modulated PWM output signal at a carrier frequency and associated harmonics is changed such that the modulated PWM output signal has a spectral shape defined by the particular spectral shape.

Conventionally, class D audio amplifiers have the benefit of high power efficiency, but such amplifiers can also have a drawback in terms of electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can interfere with nearby wireless receivers, violate Federal Communication Commission (FCC) emission limits, or any combination thereof. Audio Class D amplifiers often switch at a frame rate of a few hundred kHz, and common mode energy at a carrier frequency and its harmonics can fall directly in the amplitude modulated (AM) radio frequency band, interfering with nearby AM receivers.
FIG. 1 illustrates a graph 100 of a "BD modulation" employed by many class D amplifiers. Class BD-D modulation varies pulse widths of two pulse waves that are time-aligned and often nominally centered within a pulse-width modulated (PWM) frame, which has a frame width (T). For positive input signals, the pulse width PWM B signal 102 that drives the high side of the bridged output (typically referred to as a P or B pulse) is increased (such as by a delta (Δ)) while the pulse width of PWM D signal 104 that drives the low side of the bridged output (typically referred to as an N or D pulse) is decreased (such as by the delta (Δ)). For negative PWM input signals, a width of the PWM D (or N) signal 104 is increased while the width of the PWM B (or D) signal 102 is decreased, resulting two similar but negative differential pulses. Differentially, this is an efficient arrangement since there is no wasted differential energy.
In this example, a differential mode signal 106 includes pulses that are nominally centered at ±T/4, where T is the width of the PWM frame and the reference time position T=0 represents the center of the frame. The differential mode signal 106 is applied across the load (such as a filter in cascade with a speaker). The carrier frequency of the differential mode signal 106 is at twice the PWM frame rate. However, the common mode signal 108 has a peak energy that is nominally centered at the PWM frame rate. Carrier energy of the common mode signal 108 can interfere with nearby circuitry or radio receivers.
FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of a resulting differential mode power spectrum 200 at the output of an associated H-bridge circuit. As shown, the graph 200 illustrates the differential mode component at twice the frame rate in the frequency domain, where the frame rate is 960 kHz.
FIG. 3 illustrates a graph of a resulting common mode power spectrum 300 at the output of an associated H-bridge circuit, showing a common mode component at the frame rate of 960 kHz. The strong common mode component created at the PWM frame rate, as illustrated by the common mode power spectrum 300, can interfere with nearby radio receivers. Given that practical switching frequencies for audio applications range from approximately 200 kHz to 1000 kHz and that the AM band ranges from 520 kHz to 1710 kHz, there is a problem with radiated interference of the common mode carrier and its harmonics interfering with reception of an AM receiver in close proximity to or within the same system. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the common mode carrier of a class-BD double sided symmetrical modulated signal with little or no compromise in the differential mode performance. Embodiments described below provide solutions to these and other problems, and offer numerous advantages over the prior art.

System and method of shaping a power spectrum in PWM amplifiers


An apparatus (10) includes a base (30) defining a passage (32) which receives a seat belt tongue (16). The base (30) has an intermediate portion (108) between a pair of opposite end portions (106 and 112). The apparatus (10) further includes a housing (28) which contains the base (30). The housing (28) and the end portions (106 and 112) of the base (30) have structures (100, 128, 132) that interlock following movement of the base (30) within the housing (28) in a first direction and subsequently in a second, opposite direction. One of the housing (28) and the intermediate portion (108) of the base (30) defines a slot (144). The other of the housing (28) and the intermediate portion (108) of the base (30) defines a tab (102) which moves into abutment with a surface (146) in the slot (144) upon movement of the base (30) in the second direction.

A seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant typically includes seat belt webbing, a seat belt locking tongue on the webbing, and a seat belt buckle. The tongue on the webbing is inserted in the buckle when the webbing has been placed about a vehicle occupant. A latch mechanism in the buckle interlocks with the tongue to secure the webbing about the occupant.
In addition to the latch mechanism, the buckle typically includes a base and a housing. The base supports the latch mechanism, and defines a passage in which the tongue is received upon insertion in the buckle. The housing contains and conceals the base and the latch mechanism from view.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,393 discloses a seat belt buckle with a housing containing a base and a latch mechanism. When the buckle disclosed in the '393 patent is being assembled, the latch mechanism is first mounted on the base. The latch mechanism and the base are then received together in the housing. Specifically, the base (with the latch mechanism attached) is moved fully into the housing. The base is subsequently moved a short distance in a direction extending back outward of the housing. When the base is moved within the housing in this manner, a pair of tabs on a front end portion of the base are received in a pair of slots in a front end portion of the housing. Another pair of tabs on a rear end portion of the base are then deflected forcefully into a corresponding pair of slots in a rear end portion of the housing. This interlocks the base with the housing.


An apparatus, and a system for manufacturing a bioplastic material from a blend solution of gum arabica (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is provided. The apparatus includes a panel having a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and a plurality of walls extending from a periphery of the panel, the panel configured to accommodate the blend solution. The apparatus further includes a plurality of support members coupled to the first end and the second end of the panel and configured to adjust a slope angle of the panel; and one or more vibration generating units coupled to the plurality of support members and configured to vibrate the panel when the blend solution flows from the first end to the second end of the panel. A method of preparing the bioplastic material is also disclosed.

Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymers that break down, after its intended purpose, by bacterial decomposition process, to result in natural byproducts such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts. There are several kinds of biodegradable polymers that are used in different industrial applications such as a poly-lactic acid/poly-lactide, a poly-3-hydroxy-butyrate, a thermoplastic starch, a gelatin and a GA.
Among other biodegradable polymers, GA has been widely used in many applications since ancient Egyptians time due to its water soluble and polysaccharide nature. PVA is a synthetic polymer that has been used during the first half of the 20th century worldwide. It exhibits good film forming ability with good mechanical properties, good chemical resistance, and adhesive property. In the recent years a blend of GA and PVA have been used for manufacture of bioplastic materials. However, the drawbacks associated with this process for manufacture of the bioplastic material is the drying process for the casted GA membrane due to its high parent-content of water, thereby making the entire process time and cost intensive. Hence, there exists a need to develop an apparatus/method which overcomes the above limitations.

System, apparatus, and methods for manufacturing biodegradable biopolymeric materials


The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate 2 including a gate bus line 12a, a data bus line 28, a thin film transistor 18 formed near an intersection between the gate bus line 12a and the data bus line 28, and a pixel electrode 52 including a transmission electrode 32a electrically connected to the thin film transistor 18 and a reflection electrode 48b electrically connected to the transmission electrode 32a; a second substrate 4 opposed to the first substrate 2 and including an opposed electrode 68 opposed to the pixel electrode 52; and a liquid crystal layer 6 sealed between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4. The reflection electrode 48b is formed over another gate bus line 12b which is different from the gate bus line 12a, with an insulation layer 40 formed therebetween. The decrease of a voltage applied between the reflection electrode 48b and the opposed electrode 68 can be prevented while the space which can be not used as the transmission region can be utilized. Thus, the area decrease of the transmission part is prevented while the area of the reflection part can be increased, whereby a reflective transmission type liquid crystal display of higher display quality can be provided.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display and a method for fabricating the liquid crystal display, more specifically a liquid crystal display including reflection electrodes and a method for fabricating the liquid crystal display.
Reflective type liquid crystal displays are noted because they require no back light, which makes the electric power consumption low, and allows the displays to be thin and light.
However, the reflective type liquid crystal displays cannot have good visibility in dark surroundings.
As liquid crystal displays which can have good visibility even in dark surroundings, transmission type liquid crystal displays including back lights are proposed. The transmission type liquid crystal displays, which include back light, can have good visibility even in dark surroundings.
However, the transmission type liquid crystal displays, which have high current consumption, cannot satisfy the requirement of low electric power consumption.
Then, reflective transmission type liquid crystal displays which can work as reflective type liquid crystal displays in bright surroundings and in dark surroundings can work as transmission type liquid crystal displays are proposed.
Following references disclose the background art of the present invention.
[Patent Reference 1]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. Hei 11-101992
[Patent Reference 2]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. Hei 11-316382
[Patent Reference 3]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2001-343660
[Patent Reference 4]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2000-111902
[Patent Reference 5]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2000-298271
[Patent Reference 6]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. Hei 10-268289
[Patent Reference 7]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2000-267081
[Patent Reference 8]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2001-166289
[Patent Reference 9]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2002-296585
[Patent Reference 10]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2002-221716

Liquid crystal display having reflection electrodes


An extraction system for testing microbial contamination includes a biocompatible outer vessel that has a side wall and a biocompatible suspension system that is positionable within an interior of the biocompatible outer vessel. The biocompatible suspension system includes a horizontal member on which a sample may be supported and a securement mechanism that is engagable with the side wall of the biocompatible outer vessel to maintain the suspension system at a desired position within the biocompatible outer vessel.

Certain medical procedures, such as reconstructive orthopedic procedures, can involve the use of tissue products, such as allografts (e.g., a tissue graft from a donor that is of the same species as the recipient, but not genetically identical), xenografts (e.g., a tissue graft from a donor that is of a different species than the recipient), and/or autografts (e.g., a tissue graft in which the donor and recipient are the same). During such medical procedures, various equipment, components, methods, or techniques can be used to detect microbial contamination of the tissue products before tissue transplantation.
For instance, a vessel containing an extraction fluid and a tissue product can be sonicated to release microorganisms from the tissue product into the extraction liquid and the extraction fluid containing the microorganisms can be tested to detect microbial contamination of the tissue product. However, such vessels may be unable to hold large or oddly shaped tissue products or do so in an efficient manner. Moreover, such vessels may not be suitable for testing microbial contamination of soft tissue types (e.g., skin) that may become folded or damaged during microbial contamination detection processes. Furthermore, conventional methods for microbial contamination detection may involve cotton swab or destructive testing methods or techniques. However, cotton swab testing methods may present several disadvantages such as, for example, the antibacterial effects of cotton, the inability of cotton swabs to maintain bacteria for extended periods of time, the inability of cotton swabs to be sensitive to microbial contamination detection from assorted surfaces (e.g., porous, freeze-dried, or frozen tissue products), or the inability of cotton swabs to interact with a full surface area of a tissue product (e.g., a cotton swab may miss crevices or specific folds that makeup a tissue product), which can lead to inaccurately detecting microbial contamination. Destructive testing methods may involve using a small quantity of an unfeasible or low-quality portion of a tissue product to detect microbial contamination of the entire tissue product. However, destructive testing methods also present several disadvantages including, for example, using a small quantity of a tissue product to detect microbial contamination of the entire tissue product, which can lead to inaccurately detecting microbial contamination of the entire tissue product, and use of valuable tissue only for testing.
Thus, existing systems and methods for detecting microbial contamination of a tissue product present disadvantages such as, but not limited to, those discussed above. As a result, existing systems and methods may inaccurately detect microbial contamination of a tissue product, which can expose a recipient of the tissue product to a risk of infection.

Extraction system for testing microbial contamination of tissue products


A roller brake or drum brake for a two-wheeler includes a guide case rotating with a wheel, a ring of a sintered copper alloy that is fixedly fitted into the guide case, and a brake shoe of an iron material that is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the ring thereby exhibiting a braking effect. The sintered copper alloy forming the ring contains hard particles dispersed in the interior of respective grains of copper alloy powder forming the matrix.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a braking device employed for a two-wheeler such as a bicycle or a motorcycle, and more particularly, it relates to a roller brake or drum brake for braking a two-wheeler under dry frictional sliding conditions without a solid or semisolid lubricating component such as grease or oil.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIGS. 1A and 1B show a conventional drum brake for a two-wheeled vehicle, which is generally called a roller brake for a two-wheeler herein. This roller brake comprises a guide case 1 which is fixed to a wheel and rotates with this wheel, and a brake shoe 2 which is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the guide case 1 to exhibit a braking effect. The brake shoe 2 has an outer peripheral surface which is substantially identical in radius of curvature to the inner peripheral surface of the guide case 1.
In the conventional roller brake, both the guide case 1 and the brake shoe 2 are made of steel or an iron alloy. In order to prevent a discomfort phenomenon such as squeaking or chattering during braking, seizing of the guide case 1 and the brake shoe 2, or locking causing adhesion between the guide case 1 and the brake shoe 2, the inner peripheral surface of the guide case 1 is grooved in the conventional roller brake for allowing intervention of a solid or semisolid lubricant such as grease or oil.
When the lubricant such as grease intervenes between the guide case 1 and the brake shoe 2, however, the braking force is disadvantageously reduced although the lubricity is improved. In this case, the roller brake can exhibit only a small braking force of about 0.1 in terms of the friction coefficient, for example. If maintenance such as supplementation of the lubricant such as grease is neglected, the grease or the like intervening between the guide case 1 and the brake shoe 2 is used up, which will result in locking of the brake shoe and the guide case.
Recent high-performance two-wheelers aim to avoid the use of the lubricant such as grease, in order to improve the braking force for attaining a friction coefficient of at least about 0.1. However, it has been recognized that locking is caused by adhesion when a two-wheeler is braked under dry sliding conditions without intervention of grease in case of employing a conventional brake material such as a friction material for a brake disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 56-133441 (1981), 56-120787 (1981), 2-11936 (1990) or 5-331451 (1993), for example. Thus, further improvement is necessary for a brake material to be used in such an application.

Drum brake especially for a two-wheeled vehicle


The present invention relates to nano-resin particles that are suitable for pharmaceutical use and their use in the pharmaceutical field. The present invention provides nano-sized resin particles having a particle size distribution characterized in that D90 value is between 200 nanometers to 900 nanometer and D10 value is not less than 50 nanometers, wherein the nano-resin particles are in pure form and safe for pharmaceutical use. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these purified nano-resin particles and their use in the treatment of diseases.

There is plethora of prior art on the use of resins, particularly ion exchange resin, to complex the drug to meet various objectives such as to make a taste masking composition, to improve chemical stability of a drug, controlling the release of the drug etc. Ion exchange resins are commercially available, but the average particle size is in micrometer size, such as for example in the range of 50 to 150 microns. Till date, ion exchange resins are known to be available only in the micrometer size range, and not in nanometer range which may be suitable for pharmaceutical use. This may be due to the fact that while reducing the particle size of the ion exchange resins, the resin material tends to break down forming impurities which raise safety concerns or toxicity concerns such as irritation to the mucosa, skin irritation, hypersensitivity, allergic reactions and so on. For example, the limit for water extractable impurities for Amberlite IRP-64 is not more than 2%. The present inventors faced with a problem of unacceptable higher levels of water extractable impurities as high as 3% and more than 10 ppm of organic extractable impurities, when the resins were reduced to a particle size in the nanometer range.

Abstract: The present invention further provides a process for preparing purified, nano-sized resin particles that are suitable for pharmaceutical use, the process comprising steps of: (i) washing an ion exchange resin and suspending in an aqueous liquid, (ii) subjecting the suspension of (i) to wet milling for a period such that the particles have a particle size distribution characterized in that the D90 value is between 200 nanometers to 900 nanometers and D10 value is not less than 50 nanometers, (iii) subjecting the suspension of (ii) to purification to remove impurities, (iv) drying the purified suspension to obtain nano-resin particles in the form of dry powder.

SUN PHARMA ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPANY LIMITED


A system includes a memory system and a processing system operably coupled to the memory system. The memory system includes a plurality of address spaces. The processing system is configured to perform operations including creating a data space from within a primary address space and a primary address space number access list entry referencing the data space. An unauthorized caller routine in a home address space configured to issue a service request including an address space-switching program call from the home address space to a program call target routine in the primary address space. The address space-switching program call references the primary address space number access list entry in the primary address space. A vulnerability identifier associated with the program call target routine is created and logged based on one or more conditions indicative of a cross-memory integrity violation detected responsive to the service request.

The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly, to cybersecurity for space-switching program calls.
In a computer system, a kernel is a core component of an operating system that handles various tasks, such as running processes, managing devices, handling interrupts, and the like. Some tasks are performed by the kernel responsive to a system call from a process, while other tasks are performed responsive to system conditions and system management logic. The kernel has access to a memory system of a computer and can control provisioning of the memory system to user processes and operating system processes. The kernel can support virtual addressing through grouping portions of memory into pages to make larger segments or frames of memory available and appear contiguous even if the underlying physical addresses of the memory are non-contiguous.
Computer system architectures can support address space-switching program call (PC) routines operable to execute at a higher level of authority than typical user routines. In an access register (AR) mode, a virtual address used in general registers (GRs) can be combined with the corresponding AR to denote a virtual address in a different address space. It is the responsibility of a PC target routine to verify the AR usage by space-switching PC routines.

Cyber security for space-switching program calls

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A method for controlling Listeria in floor drains wherein an aqueous solution composed of a chlorinated caustic material which is soft metal compatible is introduced into a drain where Listeria is present. In a preferred manner, the aqueous solution is introduced into the drain employing a hose end dispensing device having a foam producing nozzle. The resulting aqueous solution has a sufficient viscosity to remain in the drain for about 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a method for cleaning floor drains. More particularly, it relates to a method for reducing the amount of Listeria in floor drains.
2. Background Art
Cleaning devices and formulations which are especially formulated for cleaning floor drains are known. For example, Ecolab Pathways Drain Ring available from Ecolab, Inc. in St. Paul, Minn.; CRS Power Strips available from Supply Systems of Dallas, Tex. and Spartan Chemical Consume Drop-In-A-Drain in Maumee, Ohio.
Listeria control is a critical issue for food retail customers. Listeria monocytogenes has three characteristics that make it a serious food safety concern. One of these characteristics is its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures. Most food borne pathogens do not grow at all at refrigeration temperatures. Although Listeria grows slowly at low temperatures, it can grow to high levels given enough time. This means that just a few cells contaminating a food that will not be further cooked prior to eating it can, given enough time, grow to millions of cells, even if the food is kept refrigerated.
The second reason that Listeria is a food safety concern is that the organism is so common in the environment. It can be isolated from soil, plants, and many species of animals and birds. Because it is such a common organism, it is virtually impossible to keep Listeria out of a food retail setting where customers, employees, and equipment are moving in, out, and around the store throughout a day. If the organism finds its way into a niche where the environment is favorable and there is a source of food and water, it can colonize that location and grow to high levels. It is possible for the organism to then spread from that location to food contact surfaces like slicers, cutting boards, or hands and so contaminate food. It will grow at refrigeration temperatures and may be found in many locations in a retail setting. It takes a relatively high number of cells to have a high risk of causing disease so the key to controlling this disease is not to let the organism grow to high levels in the food or a food retail setting. One way of controlling this disease is by good cleaning programs.
The final reason that there is so much attention given to Listeria is that the disease it causes is very serious. The mortality rate for Listeriosis is approximately 20%–25%. Although Listeria generally causes a relatively minor illness that is often mistaken for the flu in healthy adults, in an individual that is immune compromised, the illness it causes can be far more serious. Immune compromised individuals are those whose immune systems are not fully functional. This can include the very young and very old, people that have other underlying illness like diabetes or cancer, pregnant women, or someone that is recovering from some surgical procedures such as a transplant. Immune compromised individuals are far more likely to develop complications from listeriosis like septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, endocarditis, and spontaneous abortion. Many of the complications can result in death.
Given the nature of Listeria and the disease it causes, it is not surprising that retail customers are concerned about controlling this organism. Floor drains are a specific environment within a retail setting that is frequently cited as a potential reservoir for this organism. A floor drain provides a very favorable location for Listeria to grow. There is a lot of food and water present in most floor drains. Listeria can form biofilms that can attach to surfaces and many floor drains have very high surface areas. In many retail food stores, floor drains are cleaned infrequently so the organism has time to establish itself and grow to high levels.
Previous Studies
A study was conducted that examined floor drains and methods to control Listeria in them indicated that sanitizers may not be the best way to control pathogens in this environment. That study found that Listeria was present in approximately half of the drains tested. The level of Listeria was generally low, from one to two log10 colony forming unit (CFU). Aerobic Plate Counts (APCs) showed that the total level of microorganisms on the drains was from 4–8 log10 CFU. During this study two sanitizers were tested. A quat based sanitizer was tested at 200 and 400 PPM as well as a 10 PPM solution of chlorine dioxide. None of the tested sanitizers achieved much reduction. The chlorine dioxide was able to reduce but not eliminate the Listeria and the quat had a very small effect (ca. 0.3 to 0.5 reduction in log10 CFU).
The relatively poor performance of the sanitizers tested in this study was possibly the result of poor cleaning. Although the drains were cleaned with a degreaser that is used for general cleaning, there was still significant soil on the drains even after they were cleaned. The high soil level likely reduced the performance of the sanitizers tested in this study.
The prior art does not provide a floor drain cleaner which can effectively control Listeria. Neither does the prior art provide a floor drain cleaner of this type which is easily applied to the drain.
The objects of the invention therefore are:
a. Providing an improved floor drain cleaner.
b. Providing a floor drain cleaner which substantially reduces the presence of Listeria.
c. Providing a floor drain cleaner of the foregoing type which is easily applied to a drain.
d. Providing a floor drain cleaner of the foregoing type which reduces the need to disassemble the drain and obviates contact with a drain.
e. Providing a floor drain cleaner of the foregoing type which provides competitive exclusion of bacteria in the drain.
f. Providing a floor drain cleaner of the foregoing type which is economical to use.


The present invention provides a compound that has an excellent inhibitory activity on STAT6 activation and is effective against allergic diseases, and a medicinal composition thereof. According to the present invention, disclosed is the compound represented by the General Formula (I)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel heterocyclic compound which has an oxime group, and has an Inhibitory activity on STAT6 activation.
2. Description of Related Art
IgE, which is an immunoglobulin, is believed to be involved in generating the symptoms of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis or pollenosis and the like.
After being produced in a B-cell due to sensitization by an allergen, an antigen-specific IgE binds to an IgE receptor of a mast cell. It is known that when a human body is re-exposed to the allergen, binding of the allergen and the IgE triggers mast cell degranulation, releasing inflammatory mediators such as histamine, thereby giving rise to an allergic inflammation. (Refer to Non-Patent Reference 1)
Here, IL-4 and IL-13, which are cytokines generated by type II helper T-cells (Th2 cells), are said to play a central role in a series of allergic reactions: activation of B-cell that generate IgE, proliferation of mast cells and acceleration of histamine secretion. (Refer to Non-Patent Reference 1)
STAT6 protein is known as an important transcription factor that transmits signals from cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, and there are reports that when a signaling pathway involving STAT6 is blocked, the action by IL-4 and IL-13 become ineffective, and that in a STAT6 knock-out mouse, inflammation of the respiratory tract and increase in hypersensitivity of the respiratory tract due to sensitization by an allergen are not observed at all. (Refer to Non-Patent References 2 to 4)
Accordingly, since a compound that possesses an inhibitory action on STAT6 activation, in addition to being considered to be effective for the prevention or the treatment of allergic diseases, can also be thought to have an effect on the balance and adjustment of the immune system, it can also be considered to be effective for the prevention or the treatment of autoimmune disease, various infectious diseases, obesity, hyperphagia, malignant tumor or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the like.
Currently, for instance, Patent References 1 to 4 and the like describe the compounds having an inhibitory activity on STAT6 activation. However, the compounds described in Patent References 1 to 4 have chemical structures that are totally different from a 5 membered ring compound having an oxime group, which is a compound according to the present application.
On the other hand, 5 membered ring compounds having an oxime group with a similar structure to the compound according to the present application are described in Patent References 5 to 8, Non-Patent References 5 to 6 and the like.
However, the compounds included in the present application are not described in these references, in addition, no description is given at all on the inhibitory activity on STAT6 activation in any of these references, and uses of the references differ entirely from those of the present application.
[Patent Reference 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H10-175964
[Patent Reference 2] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H10-175965
[Patent Reference 3] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H11-106340
[Patent Reference 4] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H11-116481
[Patent Reference 5] WO 03/11851
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Heterocyclic compound having oxime group

Abstract: [where R1 and R2 independently represent a C1-6 alkyl group and the like that may have a hydrogen atom or a substituent;                R3 represents a C1-6 alkyl group and the like that may have a substituent;        R4 and R5 independent represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group and the like that may have a substituent;        R6 represents a hydrogen atom and the like;        W represents —SO2—and the like; and        X represents a sulphur atom and the like.]        or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.


A method for maintaining and/or adjusting a system pressure in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, in which the internal combustion engine is a part of an hybrid power train, which includes in addition at least one further drive. A system pressure in a reservoir element of the fuel injection system is monitored using a pressure sensor. In operating modes in which the internal combustion engine is shut down and/or is separated from the hybrid power train, the maintaining or the adjusting of the system pressure takes place via a pressure-regulating valve. The activation of the pressure-regulating valve takes place directly or indirectly via a control unit or a vehicle control unit or a clutch control unit.

Hybrid drives for motor vehicles are being increasingly developed at this time, in which the hybrid drive is implemented in that, in addition to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, a further drive, such as an electrical drive, is built in. The usefulness of this development lies mainly in the reduction of fuel usage and the low emissions of such drives. In hybrid drives, hydraulic drives are also used as additional drives, besides electrical machines. The use of hydraulic drives extends in a heavily concentrated way to construction equipment, fork lift trucks and military applications.
Besides combustion engines having externally supplied ignition, drives may also include self-igniting internal combustion engines, such as a Diesel engine. The injection of fuel into the combustion chambers of self-igniting internal combustion engines, such as Diesel engines, is made via high pressure injection systems such as high-pressure reservoir injection systems (common-rail). These fuel injection systems consequently represent a component of hybrid power trains. Vehicles that include a hybrid drive, which as an internal combustion engine includes a Diesel engine, may get into driving situations, such as purely electrical operation, start-stop situations or recuperation operation in which the actual pressure (actual system pressure) prevailing in the high-pressure reservoir (common-rail) does not agree with the setpoint system pressure of the respective driving situation of a conventional drive, that is, a power train having only an internal combustion engine, in this case a Diesel engine.
In the state of development reached today, with respect to high-pressure reservoir injection systems, such as a common-rail injection system, pressure-maintaining functions are already being used in internal combustion engine stop-start functions. For this purpose, immediately before shutting down the internal combustion engine in vehicle stopping phases, the fuel pressure in the high-pressure reservoir (common-rail) is not reduced, but is kept in reserve using a pressure-maintaining valve, so that when there is a restart of the internal combustion engine, the required fuel pressure-injection pressure in the high-pressure part of the high-pressure reservoir injection system is directly, or rather very rapidly available. Because of the pressure-maintaining valve, which is associated with the high-pressure reservoir, the pressure prevailing in the high-pressure reservoir is able to be maintained in the ideal case, and consequently the system pressure is able to be maintained. If a creeping pressure loss takes place, this will be very slight, so that the required system pressure will be able to be built up again very rapidly by the high-pressure pump applied to the high-pressure reservoir (common-rail). Very short starting times of the internal combustion engine are necessary for the acceptance of stop-start systems on the part of the user in the vehicle.
While a method for controlling a vehicle drive unit is discussed in German patent document DE 10 2005 040 783 A1, in which a continual comparison is made between an overall actual torque and an admissible overall torque, a system pressure monitoring in high-pressure reservoirs using a pressure-maintaining valve is already known from the related art, to be sure, but a situation-dependent pressure adjustment, as may occur within the scope of hybrid drives, such as during the transition from purely electrical driving or from recuperation operation to normal internal combustion engine operation, is not available yet.
German patent document DE 10 20005 040 783 A1 relates to the continual comparison of an overall actual torque to an admissible overall torque, the overall actual torque being calculated from individual actual torques of at least two individual engines and the admissible overall torque being calculated from admissible individual torque values of the at least two individual engines, and then a fault reaction being initiated if the comparison reveals that the overall actual torque is greater than the admissible overall torque. These design approaches known from the related art relates only to an admissible overall torque. Whereas in stop-start systems in conventional vehicle drives, the restart of the internal combustion engine, be it a self-igniting internal combustion engine or one having externally supplied ignition, takes place in driving situations in which no load, or rather a small load has to be raised, in vehicles equipped with hybrid drives, a restart of the internal combustion engine is executed also at high loads, and thus also higher fuel setpoint pressures in the fuel accumulator injection system (common-rail).

Pressure-maintaining function in a fully hybrid drive


Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer storage media for generating stroke predictions based on prior strokes and a reference image. An interactive drawing interface can allow a user to sketch over, or with respect to, a reference image. A UI tool such as an autocomplete or workflow clone tool can access or identify a set of prior strokes and a target region, and stroke predictions can be generated using an iterative algorithm that minimizes an energy function considering stroke-to-stroke and image-patch-to-image-patch comparisons. For any particular future stroke, one or more stroke predictions may be initialized based on the set of prior strokes. Each initialized prediction can be improved by iteratively executing search and assignment steps to incrementally improve the prediction, and the best prediction can be selected and presented as a stroke prediction for the future stroke. The process can be repeated to predict any number of future strokes.

Stylized illustrations (e.g., drawings, paintings, photographs, sketches, etc.) are common forms of art that require significant expertise and manual efforts to create. By using different shapes, tones, colors, lines, textures, arrangement of strokes, and other stylizations, users are able to create illustrations and other works of art with varied styles. Generally, drawings allow a user freedom to add their own expressions through various stylization techniques. In contrast to manual drawings, photography offers a quick creation process. However, photography offers less control and individual stylization opportunities. As such, when creating stylized illustrations, a user may desire to combine the convenience of photography with the artistic control of a drawing.
Conventional methods for creating stylized illustrations may only grant users limited, high-level control. However, users usually prefer controls on various levels of granularity. Additionally, some conventional systems may allow users to control the spatial distribution by creating a labeled guidance map, yet users still have no direct interaction with the final illustration, which can be essential to creativity. Existing applications aim to preserve a user's personal style while beautifying their sketches. But these systems (such as onion skinning) require manual input of individual strokes, which can be a tedious task. Moreover, other conventional methods have the ability to automate only certain drawing and painterly effects using photos. For example, in some applications, a user can select a texture stamp which multiplies with an underlying image intensity to produce various stroke effects. These techniques are mostly practiced by professionals who have the required tools and expertise to obtain naturally appearing effects. Accordingly, there has been minimal effort to develop user-assisted drawing applications.

Stroke prediction for stylized drawings based on prior strokes and reference image


An energy absorbing barrier system comprises a plurality of composite concrete barriers, each barrier including a reinforced concrete section having a back wall upon a support base. The support base is connected to a concrete veneer face section having an upper portion and a lower portion. The face section forwardly slopes from the support base to form an obtuse angle therewith such that the upper portion of the face section extends at least partially over the lower portion of the face section. The back wall and the face section defines an intermediate center core section therebetween consisting of a light density crushable material. The connection of the concrete veneer face section to the support base has a sheer point that facilitates the collapsing in of the face into the intermediate core section.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to traffic barriers, specifically to energy absorbing barriers used in auto racing, oval, street and road tracks.
2. Description of Prior Art
Traditionally, auto racing tracks require a barrier to define the track and separate spectators from the cars participating in the event. In the past, hay bales, dirt berms, wood railings, tires, blocks of polystyrene, and steel guard rails all have been tried, at one time or another, to retain and decelerate a high speed vehicle within the confines of a racing circuit. Steel guard railings in particular worked about the best from the preceding group, but failed in several areas.
(a) In a high speed impact the railing would self-destruct as part of the energy absorbing capability, in a manor requiring a lengthy time to repair, thus causing a delay of an event.
(b) As railings were being destroyed, parts could come loose and act as deadly missiles possibly injuring participants or spectators.
(c) The railings were generally destructive to the offending vehicle.
(d) use as a barrier in a temporary street circuit situation, the cost of erection and tear down are totally prohibitive.
The partial solution was to pour concrete walls in place or to haul in precast units to define the racing circuit. These type of barriers work well in retaining the vehicle on the track, but the drawback is a barrier that has little or no energy absorbing capability; thus having the possibility of seriously injuring the driver or damaging the car.


An example test system includes: a manifold including fluid channels, where the fluid channels are for holding coolant; a quick disconnect mechanically coupled to the manifold, where the quick disconnect includes a channel for passing coolant between a fluid channel and a test board; a containment plate mechanically coupled to the manifold, and a cover over at least part of the quick disconnect, where the cover is hermetically sealed to the quick disconnect and to the containment plate to thereby form a containment chamber.

A tester includes electronics for testing a device. The electronics are often cooled in order to reduce undue heating. Cooling may be performed using liquid coolant, such as hydrofluroether (HFE). Liquid cooling is typically performed using an external stationary assembly, which may include a reservoir, a heat exchanger, and a pump. This assembly is typically connected to the tester.
Current generation testers that use liquid cooling directly on the instrument, need not always require dual containment. This is because the coolant used, namely HFE-7100, is not electrically conductive. HFE-7100 has several other useful properties, such as not promoting biological growth, not leaving residue after spills, and not corroding aluminum or other metals.
There are some benefits to using water or other liquids as a coolant, but there are some drawbacks as well. For example, water promotes biological growth, corrodes metals, and can damage equipment due to its conductivity. Existing water-cooled testers address these issues through materials selection and pre-treated water containing biocides and corrosion inhibitors. For example, the issue of leaks may be addressed by using robust fluid connections that are "hard-plumbed." In other words, there are no regular mated/de-mated fluid connections, since there is no direct cooling of the removable instrument cards.
Water-cooled testers may use direct cooling and cold plates to effect cooling. Such testers may use quick disconnects (QDs) when installing and removing the instrument cards. While QDs can enable liquid connections to an instrument card to be made and broken quickly, many QDs make use of O-rings for sealing. O-ring seals, as employed on QDs, are susceptible to leaking if damaged by handling, contamination in the fluid, or wear due to excessive cycling. Given the large number of QDs used in some testers, leaks may occur.

Test system having liquid containment chambers over connectors


A method, information processing system, and wireless communication device that translate text within an image captured by a wireless device. At least one image (114) is received image from a wireless device (104). A location where the image (114) was captured by the wireless device (104) is determined. A set of text characters is identified (414) within the image (114). A language associated with the set of text characters is determined (416) based on at least the location that has been determined. The set of text characters is translated (418) into a language that is different than language that has been determined.

Travelers or business people in foreign countries often have difficulty with the language barrier. On some occasions these non-native speaking people need a sign, posting, or the like translated. However, in many instances a native speaking individual is not available to perform the translation or is unwilling to do so. An individual can use a translation dictionary or an electronic translator, but these methods can be very time consuming and cumbersome. Furthermore, dictionaries and electronic translators are limited by their word sets. Another solution is to have the individual use the Internet to perform translations. However, the individual is required to access the Internet which may not be readily available to enter the phrase to be translated.
Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

Language translation based on a location of a wireless device

International Business Machines Corporation


An energy sensor comprises a radiation-sensitive detector, a circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter. The radiation-sensitive detector is arranged to receive a pulsed radiation beam and to generate a current in response thereto. The circuit is equivalent to an RC network and is electrically connected across the radiation-sensitive detector. The analog-to-digital converter is electrically connected across a resistive component of the circuit and is arranged to output digital samples measuring the voltage across the resistive component at a sampling rate that is greater than the pulse repetition rate of the pulsed radiation beam. The energy sensor may be provided as part of a transmission image sensor.

The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus, to device manufacturing methods using lithographic apparatus, and energy sensors.
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g. comprising part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
In device manufacturing methods using lithographic apparatus, it is important to ensure that the correct amount of energy (dose) is delivered to the substrate. An incorrect dose causes variation of line width and other imaging errors. Conversely, control of dose level can often be used for fine control of line width or critical dimension. To enable dose control, it is desirable to measure the power output of the radiation source, ideally as close as possible to the substrate. This is particularly important when a pulsed light source, such as an excimer laser, is used as the relationship between input to the light source is complex and may depend on history and factors not under direct control. Many lithographic apparatus divert a known fraction of the projection beam, e.g. using a partly silvered mirror, in the illumination system to an energy sensor. This therefore measures the power output of the radiation source and the effects of the illumination system upstream of the energy sensor during an exposure. Downstream effects can be predicted, based on calibration measurements taken using an energy sensor at substrate level when no exposure is taking place.
As well as dose control, various measurement and metrology processes carried out in lithographic apparatus require a measurement of the power of the radiation source. For example, in a process to align the substrate table to a mask, a sensor known as a transmission image sensor (TIS), which comprises a photodiode covered by a grating, mounted on the substrate table is scanned through the aerial image of a corresponding grating pattern on the mask. The output of the sensor is a periodically varying signal which, along with a position signal, can be used to determine the positional relationship of the substrate table and the mask pattern to a high degree of accuracy. When using a pulsed radiation source, it is desirable to remove the influence of any variation in source output from pulse to pulse. An additional sensor is provided adjacent the TIS to measure the pulse energy. The additional sensor comprises a photodiode connected to a RC network, or equivalent, which is sampled at a fixed time delay after the laser is fired. The resultant voltage measurement is used to normalize the signal from the TIS to eliminate source variations. However, this arrangement does not always give a correct measurement of the energy of a pulse.
. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved method for determining the pulse energy of a pulsed radiation beam.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method and energy sensor


Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, and distributed data-storage systems employing the methods, for recovering redundancy within a distributed data-storage system upon failure of one or more mass-storage devices within a component data-storage system of the distributed data-storage system. In certain embodiments, failure of a mass-storage device within a component data-storage system elicits a redundancy-recovery operation in which segments affected by the mass-storage-device failure or failures are moved, by a process referred to as “migration,” to other component data-storage systems of the distributed data-storage system, and are recovered as a by-product of migration. Certain embodiments of the present invention more efficiently address redundancy recovery by moving only as many segments from the component data-storage system as needed to provide sufficient free space within the component data-storage system to recover the remaining segments affected by the mass-storage-device failure or failures within the component data-storage system.

As computer networking and interconnection systems have steadily advanced in capabilities, reliability, and throughput, and as distributed computing systems based on networking and interconnection systems have correspondingly increased in size and capabilities, enormous progress has been made in developing theoretical understanding of distributed computing problems, in turn allowing for development and widespread dissemination of powerful and useful tools and approaches for distributing computing tasks within distributed systems. Early in the development of distributed systems, large mainframe computers and minicomputers, each with a multitude of peripheral devices, including mass-storage devices, were interconnected directly or through networks in order to distribute processing of large, computational tasks. As networking systems became more robust, capable, and economical, independent mass-storage devices, such as independent disk arrays, interconnected through one or more networks with remote host computers, were developed for storing large amounts of data shared by numerous computer systems, from mainframes to personal computers. Recently, as described below in greater detail, development efforts have begun to be directed towards distributing mass-storage systems across numerous mass-storage devices interconnected by one or more networks.
As mass-storage devices have evolved from peripheral devices separately attached to, and controlled by, a single computer system to independent devices shared by remote host computers, and finally to distributed systems composed of numerous, discrete, mass-storage units networked together, problems associated with sharing data and maintaining shared data in consistent and robust states have dramatically increased. Designers, developers, manufacturers, vendors, and, ultimately, users of distributed systems continue to recognize the need for extending already developed distributed-computing methods and routines, and for new methods and routines, that provide desired levels of data robustness and consistency in larger, more complex, and more highly distributed systems.
Recently, a new distributed data-storage system architecture, referred to as the "federated array of bricks" ("FAB") architecture has been developed. The FAB architecture, is described, in detail, below. The FAB architecture presents new problems with regard to managing and recovering redundancy under various failure conditions and failure modes. Designers, developers, manufacturers, and vendors of mass-storage systems developed according to this new architecture have recognized a need for efficient methods for redundancy recovery upon failure of individual mass-storage devices within component data-storage systems of the distributed data-storage system.

Sufficient free space for redundancy recovery within a distributed data-storage system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes, for each of a plurality of individual storage units collectively comprising a virtual storage unit, mapping an internal address of the storage unit to a unique IP address, wherein each of the storage units comprises a block of storage on one of a plurality of physical storage devices and wherein the IP address includes a virtual storage unit number identifying the virtual storage unit; receiving from a client a request to perform an operation on at least one of the data storage units, wherein the request identifies the internal address of the at least one of the data storage units; translating the internal address of the at least one of the data storage unit to the unique IP address of the at least one of the data storage units; and performing the requested operation on the at least one of the data storage units.

The estimated total amount of digital data generated in 2013 was approximately 3.5 zettabytes (3.5 billion terabytes). By 2020, it is estimated that the world will generate 40 zettabytes of data annually; roughly the equivalent of one million photographs or 1500 High Definition ("HD") movies, for every single person on the planet. Existing storage systems utilize collections of local storage devices (e.g., disks) that may be grouped in different arrangements to create, for example, RAID configurations. This technique has worked relatively well, but while the various arrangements of local storage devices differ in detail, they share a number of deficiencies. These deficiencies are due primarily to a reliance on hardware storage devices, resulting in a number of limitations and technical tradeoffs that render such systems non-optimal for creating massively distributed gigantic storage units.
In particular, multi-disk configurations rely on local physical storage devices combined with controllers and servers. Currently, individual disk size is limited to 10 TB; grouping many disks together in the same place is good for maintaining good performance but results in concerns regarding availability. Additionally, multi-disk hardware controllers are limited in both capacity as well as in the number of hard disks that may be connected to them. Other limitations result from the fact that the need for sophisticated replication strategies to provide high data resiliency and availability and server load scaling leads to the deployment of custom, heavyweight approaches. Moreover, partly due to the complexity of their management, data storage systems are usually located in fairly centralized locations in the network, such as data centers, such that the majority of data traffic originates from this limited number of locations. Finally, bringing in any significant additional data storage usually requires repackaging of the whole system in a format adapted to the new data storage system.

Techniques for implementing IPV6-based distributed storage space


A steering column control module includes a stalk assembly pivotably connected to a control module housing. A plurality of magnets is connected to and movable by the stalk assembly. A plurality of sensors senses the positions of the plurality of magnets and sends signals indicating the positions of the magnets. A controller receives the signals to control vehicle functions.

A steering column of a vehicle has one or more controls mounted on a stalk assembly or lever for controlling functions of the vehicle. The stalk assembly can be pivotably attached to the steering column and used to control left and right turn signals, wipers and/or wiper fluid pumps. The stalk assembly can also include buttons and/or knobs for controlling headlights of the vehicle, high beams, front wipers and/or a rear wiper. The stalk assembly typically uses electrical contact switches to control the vehicle functions.

BCS AUTOMOTIVE INTERFACE SOLUTIONS US LLC


A composite probe apparatus exhibiting a high performance and a high efficiency in detecting internal defects of a steel pipe or a steel plate, coupled with offering a stable sensitivity and covering a wide range for flaw detection. A plurality of reception oscillators PR1 to PR4 are disposed in a zigzag fashion in both sides of a transmission oscillator PT. The length l T of the transmission oscillator PT is determined such that a near sound field is established over the entire measuring range, while the width WT of the transmission oscillator PT is determined such that a far sound field takes place over the entire measuring range. The transmission and reception oscillators are constructed with a common piezoelectric plate an electrode of which undergoes division.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composite probe apparatus available for an ultrasonic detection of flaws or cracks being internal defects of a steel plate or a steel pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 4 is an explanatory illustration of an ultrasonic flaw detector using a prior composite vertical probe disclosed by the Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 58-33501. In FIG. 4, character T represents a pulse transmitter, character PT designates a transmission oscillator, characters PR1 to PR3 denote reception oscillators, character DT depicts a transmission delaying member, character DR signifies a reception delaying member, character SP indicates a transmission and reception ultrasonic wave separating plate, character TP shows a material under examination, character RS stands for a reception input switch, character R means a reception amplifier, character F shows an internal defect of the material TP under examination, character l T indicates a dimension of the transmission oscillator, a dotted line l designates a defective ultrasonic echo path propagating from the transmission oscillator PT to the reception oscillators PR1 to PR3.
In the prior ultrasonic flaw detector, a plurality of reception oscillators PR1 to PR3 are disposed in parallel to the one transmission oscillator PT, and the transmission oscillator PT generates periodic ultrasonic attenuating vibration in response to the supply of a periodic pulse electric output from the pulse transmitter T. A transmission ultrasonic beam propagating in the material TP under examination covers a range (width) slightly smaller than the transmission oscillator dimension T and advances through the transmission delaying member DT into the material TP under examination as indicated by the dotted line l. Thereafter, the transmission ultrasonic beam is reflected at the internal defect F of the material TP under examination to proceed through the reception delaying member DR to the reception oscillators PR1 to PR3. Moreover, the transmission ultrasonic beams received by the reception oscillators PR1 to PR3 are piezoelectric-transduced into electric signals which in turn, are received by the reception amplifier R after passing through the reception input switch RS, thereby measuring the defect dimension on the basis of the echo level corresponding to the defect F.
In the case of this prior flaw detector, one of the reception oscillators PR1 to PR3, which is positioned to assume the shortest propagation distance from the position of the defect F in the oscillator width direction, receives the defect echo level with a high sensitivity. However, when the defect F lies between the reception oscillators PR1 and PR2, the echo from the defect F is dispersedly received by the reception oscillators PR1 and PR2, and hence the reception sensitivity lowers so that difficulty is encountered to ensure uniform sensitivity among the composite oscillators.
One solution to this problem is that the two successive reception oscillators PR1 and PR2 are simultaneously turned on through the reception input switch RS to receive the echo in parallel. However, the reception oscillator width is doubled to cause the sensitivity to lower and the defect detecting ability lowers because of the increase in the circuit loss of the reception input switch PR. Furthermore, according to this method, when for example the oscillators PR2 and PR3 receive the echo during the reception period of the oscillators PR1 and PR2, the middle oscillator PR2 comes into an overlapped condition so that the uniform sensitivity performance is unobtainable. For this reason, two kinds of signals are received in a time-sharing mode. On the other hand, in the case of an automatic flaw detecting apparatus in an iron and steel line where the material TP under examination moves at a high speed, accompanying the lengthening of the defect F echo reception period, this method signifies making the defect F data obtaining pitch rough or making the scanning speed low, thus lowering the defect detection performance, giving rise to great scattering of the defect detection sensitivity and impairing of the processing ability. That is, since difficulty is experienced in ensuring a uniform sensitivity and a wide effective beam width with one composite probe, the prior method requires a plurality of probes in order to ensure a wide beam width.
The plurality of probes can not be disposed on the same line in the beam width direction because of the restriction of dimension and hence they are required to be disposed in a zigzag fashion such that the separations between the probes in the direction of the transmission and reception oscillators exceed the dimension of the probes. However, this is accompanied by the increase in the dimension and weight of the probe holding device, and in the case of an apparatus such as an iron and steel line thick-plate automatic flaw detector which searches for flaws while the probe holding device follows the vertical movements of the material TP under examination, a problem exists in that the zigzag-disposed probes defy complete scanning of the material TP under examination, with the result that the range of the non-detected plate end portions enlarges, and the probe scanning device becomes complicated with increased cost.


A minimum buffer data amount and a minimum reproduction delay time are found from a line approximation graphic form approximating a media read line and used as a basis for determining whether or not data can be reproduced in a real-time manner from a recording medium at a requested reproduction rate. The media read line is a line expressing the change in cumulative amount of data read out from the recording medium. The minimum buffer data amount is the minimum of the amount of data stored in a buffer as data required in reproduction of the data in a real-time manner at the requested reproduction rate. The minimum reproduction delay time is the minimum of a reproduction delay time from the start of an operation to read out the data from the recording medium to the start of an operation to reproduce the data.

The present invention relates to an information-processing apparatus, an information-processing method and an information-processing program.
If AV (Audio Visual) data such as video and audio data is written onto and erased from a recording medium such as an optical disc repeatedly, for example, the AV data, which should be reproduced continuously from the optical disc, is recorded in recording areas separated from each other on the disc as a result of inadvertent segmentation of the recording face of the disc.
The AV data, which should be reproduced continuously from the optical disc, is also recorded in such recording areas on an optical disc due to typically an unavoidable defect existing on the disc or recorded typically as a result of a so-called non-destructive editing process.
The non-destructive editing process is an editing process adopting an editing method for merely setting so-called edit points, namely, IN and OUT points, in AV data recorded on an optical disc as an edit material but not editing (or destructing) the edit material itself. In a non-destructive editing process, there is typically created a list of edit points to be set at the edit time. The list of edit points is referred to hereafter as a play list. A result of a non-destructive editing process is then reproduced in accordance with a play list created for the edit material. That is to say, a result of a non-destructive editing process of an edit material recorded on an optical disc is reproduced by reproducing the edit material in accordance with edit points described on a play list created for the edit material. In this way, since a result of a non-destructive editing process of an edit material recorded on an optical disc is reproduced by reproducing the edit material in accordance with edit points described on a play list created for the edit material, consequently, the reproduction of the edit material is equivalent to reproduction of contiguous AV data, which should be reproduced continuously but actually recorded in recording areas separated from each other on an optical disc.
As is obvious from the above description, in the course of an operation to reproduce AV data recorded in recording areas separated from each other on an optical disc as such, in some cases, a specific portion of the AV data is reproduced from a specific recording area after reproduction of a previous portion from a previous recording area separated away from the specific recording area. In such a case, it is necessary to read out the specific portion of the AV data from the specific recording area of the optical disc after the operation to read out the previous portion from the previous recording area so that a seek operation needs to be carried out to search the recording face of the recording medium for the specific recording area separated away from the previous recording.
If it takes much time to carry out the seek operation, the specific portion of the AV data cannot be reproduced on time, resulting in an interruption of the reproduction process. That is to say, the AV data cannot be reproduced in a real-time manner.
In order to solve the problem described above, the AV data is reproduced from the optical disc by typically first storing the AV data read out from the disc in a buffer and then processing the AV data stored in the buffer.
In such a solution, a rate at which the AV data is read out from the optical disc is generally set at a value higher than a reproduction rate for the AV data. By reading out the AV data from the optical disc at such a relatively high rate, the AV data is supplied to the buffer at a rate higher than a rate at which the AV data is output from the buffer. Thus, basically, the AV data read out from the optical disc is gradually accumulated in the buffer. If a seek operation takes place, however, no AV data is read out from the optical disc during the seek operation. Accordingly, the AV data is merely output from the buffer for the reproduction purpose so that the amount of the AV data accumulated in the buffer decreases. If the seek operation is not completed so as to allow AV data to be read out from the optical disc again before all AV data accumulated in the buffer is read out from the buffer, an underflow occurs in the buffer, interrupting the reproduction process.
If the amount of AV data accumulated in the buffer prior to a seek operation is sufficiently large, nevertheless, the seek operation does not cause the reproduction process to be interrupted. If AV data is read out from the optical disc continuously, the amount of AV data accumulated in the buffer increases. If a seek operation is carried out and no AV data is read out from the optical disc, on the other hand, the amount of the AV data accumulated in the buffer decreases. Thus, in order to make the amount of the AV data accumulated in the buffer prior to a seek operation sufficiently large, it is necessary to continuously read out enough AV data from the AV disc before a seek operation occurs. In turn, in order to make it possible to continuously read out enough AV data from the AV disc, it is necessary to continuously record the AV data on the optical disc in contiguous recording areas each having a large size to a certain degree.
Thus, in accordance with a technology disclosed in documents such as Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-98447, video data and audio data are recorded in contiguous recording areas of an optical disc wherein the recording areas are obtained by splitting the recording face of the optical disc into concentric circles so that the video data and audio data can be recorded continuously in the recording areas each contiguous to a certain degree.
Nevertheless, even if AV data is recorded continuously on the optical disc in recording areas each contiguous to a certain degree, in dependence on the disc apparatus, a seek operation may still make it impossible to reproduce the AV data in a real-time manner.
That is to say, the buffer used for temporary storing AV data read out from an optical disc has a size varying in dependence on the disc apparatus. In the case of a disc apparatus with a buffer having a large size, the AV data can be reproduced in a real-time manner. In the case of a disc apparatus with a buffer having a small size, on the other hand, the AV data cannot be reproduced in a real-time manner sometimes.
In addition, AV data may need to be reproduced at a high speed instead of a normal speed. Even though the AV data can be reproduced in a real-time manner at the normal speed, the AV data cannot always be reproduced in a real-time manner at the high speed. Here the reproduction in a real-time manner means reproducing the AV data at a requested reproduction rate without interruption.
In addition, interruption of a reproduction process in a disc apparatus after a start of the reproduction process carried out at a reproduction rate requested by the user makes the user feel a sense of incompatibility.
In order to solve the problems described above, it is necessary to determine whether or not the AV data can be reproduced at a reproduction rate requested by the user in a real-time manner and inform the user of an outcome of the determination before reproduction of the AV data is started.
In order to determine whether or not the AV data can be reproduced in a real-time manner, it is necessary to actually read out the AV data from the optical disc and check whether or not the operation to read out the AV data from the disc is in time for the reproduction of the AV data at the reproduction rate requested by the user.
However, the operations carried out to actually read out the AV data from the optical disc and to determine whether or not the AV data can be reproduced in a real-time manner every time the user issues a reproduction command consume much time and are also cumbersome.

Information-processing apparatus, information-processing method and information-processing program


A steer-by-wire assembly 10 is provided, including a flexible polymer steering column shaft 12 having a fixed end 14 and a free rotational end 16, and a control feature 22 in communication with said free rotational end 16. The flexible polymer steering column shaft 12 provides mechanical feel to the steer-by-wire system where prior mechanically actuated or servomotor devices were required.

The automotive industry has made significant inroads into the practical development of steer-by-wire technology. Steer-by-wire technology involves steering systems for motorized vehicles utilizing electronically controlled steering components. Currently, a wide variety of advancements have been developed for these control systems. These advancements often seek to improve the driver's control over such steer-by-wire systems as well as improve the feel and feedback of such systems such that the driver retains a level of sensory control similar to that experienced in the prior pure mechanical systems.
One approach to steer-by-wire component design has been to develop electronic components that attach to relatively standard steering wheels and steering column shafts. These components, such as magnetic resistance devices, are used to provide resistance to the steering wheel, monitor steering wheel position, and provide road feel. These components often try to additionally incorporate self-centering characteristics into the steering system. Considerable time and effort has been involved in attempting to design these components to simulate the feel of a mechanical system. It has proven difficult, however, to provide a realistic mechanical feel in such systems when most mechanical linkages have been removed.
In addition to the difficulties in providing realistic mechanical feel to the steering system, present steer-by-wire systems can also suffer from the use of steering column shafts similar to those used in mechanical systems. These steering column shafts are typically solid devices fabricated with relatively high strength and weight. While these characteristics may be a necessity in mechanically operated systems, their use may not be appropriate in steer-by-wire systems where their extra strength may not be necessary and their additional weight is unwarranted. The weight detriment of the steering column shaft may be further exacerbated when the weight of components providing resistance, position monitoring, and feedback are mounted to the steering column.
Instead of developing complex electronic components to be mounted to relatively standard steering column shafts, it may be more beneficial to redesign the steering column shaft itself to incorporate some, if not all, of the features normally provided by external components in a steer by wire system. In this way, the functionality of the steering column shaft may be significantly improved, and it may be possible to reduce the weight of the overall steering system. The steering column shaft may also be designed to incorporate functional characteristics that impart a more realistic mechanical feel to the operator.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have an improved steering column shaft for use in a steer-by-wire system with improved functional efficiency by incorporating functionality previously supplied by externally mounted components. It would further be highly desirable to have a steering column shaft for use in a steer by wire system that provided improved mechanical feel to the driver-operator.


Refiner plate elements for a conical mechanical refiner include: a rotor plate element including at least one rotor plate segment having a feedstock inlet opening disposed at a first end of the rotor plate segment; and a rotor plate segment refining area disposed between the feedstock inlet opening and a second end of the rotor plate segment. The refiner plate elements may further include: a stator plate element including at least one stator plate segment having a stator plate segment refining area; and first and second attaching rails configured to couple to the stator plate segment to a stator support frame of the conical mechanical refiner. A separation between the first attaching rail and the second attaching rail that is not covered by the stator plate segment is configured to form a feedstock outlet opening.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Conical mechanical refiners for treating fibrous material typically include two elements substantially opposite to one another. One of the refiner elements, the rotor, is arranged to move with respect to a stationary refiner element, the stator. Between the rotor and the stator, a refiner gap is created into which the fibrous material to be refined is fed. The refiner elements include the refining surfaces that carry out the actual refining. The refining surfaces may be one integral structure or they may consist of a plurality of refining surface segments arranged adjacent to one another forming the refining surface.
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a conical mechanical refiner 100. The conical mechanical refiner 100 may include a conical rotor 110, and a conical stator 120. Rotation of the conical rotor 110 around an axis of rotation "R" may be caused by a motor 130 via a shaft 135. Rotor refining plates 115 may be disposed on the surface of the conical rotor 110 and may rotate with the conical rotor 110, and stator refining plates 125 may be disposed on the surface of the conical stator 120 and may be stationary. A refining gap 140 may be formed between the conical rotor 110, and the conical stator 120.
In the case of a conical mechanical refiner 100 shown in FIG. 1, feedstock 150 such as wood pulp or cellulose is fed into the internal portion of the conical rotor 110 and into the refining gap 140 via a large number of substantially homogeneously distributed openings 117 cut across the rotor refining plates 115 or rotor refining cone. The feedstock 150 travels across the rotor refining plates 115 and stator refining plates 125. The stator refining plates 125 or stator cone also have similar openings 127 that are substantially homogeneously distributed over their surface through which the refined feedstock 155 flows out of the conical mechanical refiner 100. On the remaining surface of both rotor and stator plate segments or cones (the surface that surrounds all the openings), an array of bars and grooves is disposed and provides the refining treatment, as the rotor turns against the stator.
It has been observed in practice that pulp treated with the type of refiner and plate designs illustrated in FIG. 1 show that a significant proportion of fibers are either untreated or very lightly treated by the refining action, indicating that there is a significant amount of stock that possibly travels directly or almost directly through rotor openings directly into stator openings, hence being barely treated in the refining gap. There is a need to improve the flow pattern of pulp stock in this type of refiner construction in order to provide a more homogenous fiber treatment and ensure a better overall pulp development.


An engine control system includes an injection determination module, a correction factor determination module, and a regeneration control module. The injection determination module determines a desired amount of hydrocarbons (HC) to inject into exhaust gas produced by an engine based a flow rate of the exhaust gas. The correction factor determination module determines a correction factor for the desired amount of HC based on engine speed and engine load. The regeneration control module controls injection of an adjusted amount of HC into the exhaust gas during regeneration of a particulate matter filter, wherein the adjusted amount of HC is based on the desired amount of HC and the correction factor.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Internal combustion engines combine air and fuel to create an air/fuel (A/F) mixture that combusted within a plurality of cylinders. The combustion of the A/F mixture within the cylinders drives pistons which rotatably turn a crankshaft generating drive torque. Air may be drawn into the cylinders and compressed using the pistons. Fuel may then be combined with (i.e., injected into) the compressed air causing the pressurized A/F mixture to combust (e.g., a compression ignition, or CI). For example, CI engines include diesel engines.
Alternatively, the air may be mixed with fuel to create the A/F mixture prior to compression. The A/F mixture may then be compressed until the A/F mixture reaches a critical pressure and/or temperature and automatically ignites (e.g., homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI). HCCI engines, however, may also "assist" ignition of the A/F mixture using spark from spark plugs. In other words, HCCI engines may ignite the A/F mixture using spark assist based depending on engine operating conditions. For example, HCCI engines may use spark assist at low engine loads and HCCI at all other operating conditions.
Exhaust gas produced during combustion may be expelled from the cylinders through an exhaust manifold and an exhaust treatment system. The exhaust gas may include carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). The exhaust gas may also include nitrogen oxides (NOx) due to the higher combustion temperatures of CI engines and HCCI engines compared to spark ignition (SI) engines. Thus, the exhaust treatment system may treat the exhaust gas to remove CO, HC, and/or NOx. For example, the exhaust treatment system may include, but is not limited to, at least one of an oxidation catalyst (OC), a particulate matter (PM) filter, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, NOx absorbers/adsorbers, and catalytic converters.

System and method for controlling exhaust gas temperature during particulate matter filter regeneration