An adhesive composition containing (i) from 55 to 95 wt. % of a tackifying polymer and (ii) from 4 to 40 wt. % of a crystalline polycaprolactone polymer based on a total weight of the composition is disclosed. The tackifying polymer is a polymer (i) that is compatible with the polycaprolactone at a first temperature equal to or greater than the melting point of the polycaprolactone, and (ii) is crosslinked at the first temperature.

Some publications disclose adhesive compositions which control the adhesion properties as desired by the use of a tackifying polymer having pressure-sensitive adhesion properties, and a crystalline polymer in combination.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,612 (=JP-B-3021646) discloses a pressure-sensitive composition comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive base resin (a tackifying polymer such as an acrylic polymer), a detackifying resin and a detackifying particulate. A specific preferable example of the detackifying resin is substantially linear polycaprolactone having a molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 342,000. Polycaprolactone is a crystalline polymer which exhibits non-tackifying properties at room temperature (about 15 to 30° C.)
The above-described pressure-sensitive adhesive can be adhered to an adherent by pressing the adhesive against the adherent. The above detackifying resin and the detackifying particles effectively reduce tack on the surface of the adhesive at room temperature and improves repeelability. The repeelability means that an adhesive material can be adhered, peeled, readhered and repeeled, and the positioning or the position-adjustment is easy prior to the final adhesion. In this art field, the repeeling properties are also known as "repositionability", "slidability" (ease of sliding) or the like. The amount of the pressure sensitive adhesive base resin contained in the above pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably from 55 to 98 wt. %, while that of the detackifying resin is preferably from 1 to 30 wt. %, based on the entire weight of the adhesive. However, in the above US patent, it is not supposed that the adhesive is peeled off during or after the use, once the adhesive is finally adhered to the adherent.
The pressure sensitive adhesive disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,035 (=JP-A-6-510548) is a pressure sensitive adhesive composition which becomes pressure sensitive at least at one temperature in the range between 20° C. and 40° C., and comprises (1) at least 50 wt. % of a polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesive component and (2) a crystalline polymer in an amount of larger than 0 wt. % and less than 50 wt. %, each based on the weight of the whole solid components. The crystalline polymer is usually non-tacky at room temperature and intimately mixed with the polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesive component.
The melting point Ta (° C.) of the crystalline polymer, which is measured in the composition, is lower than the melting point Tm (° C.) of the crystalline polymer as such, and the difference Tm−Ta is preferably from 1° C. to 9° C. In the above US patent, Tm is preferably from 20° C. to 102° C. The disclosed adhesive composition is an adhesive having thermal repeelability, that is, a peel strength P2 (g/cm) at a certain temperature higher than Ta is smaller than a peel strength P1 (g/cm) at a certain temperature lower than Ta. Such an adhesive may be called a "thermal-peeling-easy" adhesive. The above peel strength P1 is measured at a temperature T1 in the range between (Ta-10) and (Ta-4), while the peel strength P2 is measured at a temperature in the range between (Ta+4) and (Ta+10).
That is, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,035 teaches that the thermal-peeling-easy adhesive, which is be easily peeled off during or after the use once the adhesive is finally adhered to the adherent, can be produced through the optimum combination of the polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesive component and the crystalline polymer which is intimately mixed with the polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesive component. This US patent specification or the corresponding JP-A publication does not disclose that polycaprolactone may be used as a crystalline polymer.
JP-A-2000-119624 discloses a heat-activation adhesive comprising a specific tackifying polymer and a polyester such as polycaprolactone, etc. Using the disclosed adhesive, an article such as an electronic part or a polymer film can be adhered to an adherent by heat pressing (pressing after heating or pressing while heating). Polycaprolactone efficiently functions as a thermoplastic polymer, and the combination of polycaprolactone and the tackifying polymer having good compatibility with polycaprolactone can form a heat-activation adhesive having improved adhesion strength.
It is essential for the disclosed tackifying polymer to have two functional groups, that is, a hydroxyl group and a phenyl group, in the molecule, and the compatibility with polycaprolactone is improved by the functions of these functional groups.
With the above-described thermal-peeling-easy adhesive disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,035, an adhered article (e.g. an adhesive sheet comprising a substrate fixed to an adhesive layer containing an adhesive, etc.) can be relatively easily peeled off from an adherent, after it is heated to a specific temperature, usually, a temperature higher than the melting point of the crystalline polymer. However, the conventional thermal-peeling-easy adhesives may be insufficient in the following properties, and thus their improvements are necessary:
(i) The easily peelable state is maintained for a specific period of time (to prolong the easily peeling time),
(ii) The adhered article can be peeled off cleanly without leaving the adhesive (the polymeric components such as the tackifying polymer) on the adherent (to avoid so-called "adhesive leavings").
With the conventional adhesives, the thermal-peeling-easy effect is relatively quickly lost when the temperature of the adherent becomes lower than a certain specific temperature. For example, the adhesives recover the peel strength of substantially the same level as that prior to heating only within 2 to 3 minutes after heating.
For instance, when such an adhesive is used as the adhesive layer of an adhesive sheet to be used outdoors (e.g. exterior decorative sheets or reflection sheets for signs, etc.), and the adhesive sheet is peeled off under relatively low temperature conditions such as winter seasons, the temperature of the adherent is spontaneously lowered to a temperature less than the specific temperature before the entire sheet is peeled off.
When such as adhesive is used as the adhesive layer of an adhesive sheet having a relatively large area (usually 400 cm2 or larger), the following problem may arise:
When a certain part of the adherent is heated through the adhesive sheet, and then other part of the adherent is heated, the once heated certain part starts to cool while the other part is heated. Even when the entire adhesive sheet and the adherent are uniformly heated, one part of the adhesive sheet start to cool while other part of the adhesive sheet is being peeled off.
When the above adhesive is used to adhere relatively small parts (e.g. electronic parts, etc.) to adherents (e.g. other electronic parts), the following problem may arise:
When the relatively small articles are peeled off and separated from the adherents, it is efficient to heat a plurality of the parts in an oven or the like, take them out from the oven and then remove each part from the adherent. However, if the number of the parts is large, the remaining parts are cooled while some parts are being removed from the adherent.
In any case, when the peelable time is short, the peeling work becomes difficult.
Sometimes, the articles such as the adhesive sheets or the parts should be removed from the adherents, after they are used for a relatively long time (several months or longer). When the articles are removed from the adherents after the long time use, the adhesive layer is cohesively failed, so that the adhesive layer is often left on the adherent. Such adhesive leavings should be prevented in any applications.
However, none of the above patent specifications and publications disclose any method to solve the above problems (i) and (ii).
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,035 does not disclose a thermal-peeling-easy adhesive which can be readhered after peeling. Readhesion properties are important properties when the adherents are changed, or the position of the adhesion on the adherent surface is changed. In such applications, adhesives, which can be easily readhered only by pressing, are very advantageous.
Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide a thermal-peeling-easy adhesive composition, (1) which achieves the easily peelable state by heating it to a specific temperature to decrease the peel strength to a value smaller than that prior to heating, on a desired occasion after it is adhered to an adherent, (2) which can maintain such an easily peelable state for a certain period of time, (3) which can be peeled off without leaving the adhesive on the adherent, and (4) which can be easily readhered to an adherent (including other adherent) after peeling.

Adhesive composition and adhered structure which thermally peeled with ease


A three axis passive motion exerciser which moves the patient's foot in dorsal/plantar, valgus/varus and abduction/adduction movements. A microprocessor provides signals to control motors which drive cradles and a plate in the desired motions. Potentiometers provide positional feedback information about the actual location of the cradles and the plate, with series resistors providing feedback of the actual motor drive current values. The microprocessor monitors the positions of two motions versus a master motion to keep the movements in synchronization. The movements are synchronized so that the end of the travel limit is reached for each axis simultaneously. The microprocessor further monitors the drive currents to prevent overcurrent conditions and the speeds to limit travel rates. A display and keyboard are provided to allow the operator to monitor and change operating parameters, such as travel limits, force limits and session times.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to continuous passive motion exercise equipment, and more specifically to a multiple axis exerciser used for moving the foot.
2. Description of the Related Art
Continuous passive motion of joints for therapeutic reasons is an area undergoing growth. By passively moving the desired joint when the patient is not capable, joint, ligament and muscle degradation is reduced while the patient is recovering sufficiently to allow him to perform the exercises on his own volition. Continuous passive motion generally is a gentle cyclic motion of the particular joint along its natural axes. Various devices are well known for doing this, many being related to the hip, knee and a single axis of the ankle. Other devices are available for shoulders, elbows and the fingers of the hand.
One complicating factor to development of devices for several joints such as the ankle, hip or shoulder is that these are joints that can move in a large number of axes. Unlike the elbow and the knee, which are effectively only single axis or pinned joints, the ankle, hip and shoulder can move in three independent axes, at least within certain movement ranges. This greatly complicates exerciser design if adjustments for the various axes are to be determined. Typically this has been resolved by using separate machines for the separate motions or axes, thus not allowing concurrent motions of the various axes.
One area where multiple axis continuous passive motion is desirable is in the treatment of hind or club feet in infants. Many infants are born with their feet in a hind or curled position and having relatively limited movement. One prior technique for helping to correct this situation required a therapist on a periodic basis to use large amounts of force to attempt to stretch the various ligaments, tendons and other elements in the ankle which were causing the condition. This was quite painful to the child because of the great forces used and great stresses developed. Additionally, access to a trained therapist was required on a frequent basis, thus increasing expenses and being very inconvenient.
A second alternative was a surgical technique. The necessary elements were severed and lengthened so that various portions could be reattached in a more natural location and proper movement of the foot could be obtained. This was quite complicated and often resulted in the foot being immobile for long periods of time while any healing or mending took place. Additionally, it was a surgical procedure on an infant with all the resultant problems and concerns. Quite often the combination of the two techniques was utilized, further increasing costs and difficulties.

Compagnie Generale De Materiel Orthopedique


The present invention provides a liquid crystal additive, a liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal panel thereof. The liquid crystal additive of the present invention has a higher clear point, so that adding the liquid crystal additive into a liquid crystal composition of a liquid crystal panel can omit the process of forming alignment films to reduce manufacturing costs and time of liquid crystal panels; meanwhile, the MURA phenomenon due to the different effects of liquid crystal molecules and liquid crystal reactive monomers on alignment films is avoided, so as to improve the uniformity of liquid crystal panel.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display device using the characteristics of the liquid crystal materials to display images which has many advantages, such as lightweight, low driving voltage and low power consumption, and has becoming the mainstream products in the whole consumer market.
Liquid crystal panel is the most important component of the LCD which contains a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a color filter (CF) substrate that are laminated in vacuum, a liquid-crystal layer and alignment films filled between them. The alignment films are equipped on the TFT array substrate and/or CF substrate to control the predetermined initial arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid-crystal layer in order to influence the performance of the liquid crystal panel.
The manufacturing process of liquid crystal panels is mainly divided into three parts: array process, cell process and module assembly process. A TFT substrate and a CF substrate are provided in the array process, and the TFT substrate and CF substrate are laminated in vacuum while a liquid-crystal layer and alignment films filled between them in the cell process. The module assembly process is a production process in which a liquid crystal cell obtained after the cell process is assembled with various components such as backlight plate, circuit, frame, etc.
The cell process generally is: an alignment film is formed on the TFT substrate and CF substrate respectively, then liquid crystal compositions are dropped on the substrates by one-drop filling technology (ODF), and lastly, the two substrates are laminated in vacuum followed by UV curing process. One method to form alignment films is to coat alignment materials on the inner surface of the TFT substrate and CF substrate while manufacturing the TFT substrate and CF substrate. In this method, static electricity and impurities carried on a brush for coating are generated easily to cause damages to a liquid crystal panel. Meanwhile, special devices and time required for forming alignment films and high costs of alignment materials remind the manufacturing costs of liquid crystal panels high. Moreover, a MURA phenomenon is caused due to different effects of liquid crystal molecules and liquid crystal reactive monomers on alignment films contained in liquid crystal compositions.
As a result, it is necessary to provide a new monomer to solve the problems existing in the conventional technologies.

Liquid crystal additive, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal panel thereof

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


There is provided a vehicular lever switch including an operational lever, a tubular case forming part of the operational lever, and a switch device provided in the tubular case to be operable in an axis Y direction. In addition, the switch device comprises an operational knob provided to be inserted into an opening formed in an operational component in the case, a push switch operated by the operational knob, and a knob holder provided in the case to support the operational knob to be movable forward and backward in the axis Y direction as an operational direction of the push switch. In this structure, the knob holder is fixed and supported to a side of the case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicular lever switch and a method of assembling the vehicular lever switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
As to a vehicular lever switch, operational switches for in-vehicle equipment, such as vehicular lights and wipers are provided in an operational lever thereof. For example, in a vehicular lever switch disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-269898, a first push switch, a rotary switch, and a second push switch are provided in that order from a front end side of an operational lever.
FIG. 11 is a cross section of the vehicular lever switch disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-269898. The vehicular lever switch 100 disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-269898 is provided with a ring-shaped rotary switch 104 to be rotatable between an annular stoke component 102 and a case component 103 forming part of a case 101. A holder 106 a base end of which is fitted into and fixed to the stoke component 102 is positioned inside the case 101 and the rotary switch 104. The holder 106 is provided with a first push switch 105 mounted at the front end.
A second push switch 107 is supported through a knob holder 108 to the holder 106, and an operational component 107a of the second push switch 107 is structured to be movable forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the holder 106 (base board 106a).
Here, the vehicular lever switch 100 is assembled according to the following procedure. (1) Components of the rotary switch 104 and the first push switch 105, and the knob holder 108 of the second push switch 107 are assembled to the holder 106. (2) Next, the holder 106 is fitted into the stoke component 102. (3) Then, the operational component 107a is inserted through an opening 102a of the stoke component 102 to be connected to the knob holder 108. The second push switch 107 is completed according to the above procedure of (1) to (3).
Therefore at the time of inserting the holder 106 into the stoke component 102 for installation, for assembling the operational component 107a followed by it, it is necessary for the knob holder 108 to be arranged inside the opening 102a of the stoke component 102 with excellent positional accuracy. However, the second push switch 107 is structured to be supported through the knob holder 108 to the stoke component 102, and indirectly supported by the stoke component 102. Therefore there possibly occurs a positional deviation between the opening 102a and the knob holder 108 caused by a dimensional tolerance or the like.
In this case, there is a possibility that the operational component 107a having been inserted into the opening 102a can not be assembled to the knob holder 108 and the second push switch 107 can not be completed. Therefore according to the conventional vehicular lever switch, for preventing the operational component 107a from being not assembled to the knob holder 108, it is required to widen a size of the opening 102a in advance assuming the dimensional tolerance or the like.
Therefore it is required to reduce the positional deviation between the opening and the knob holder.

Vehicular lever switch and method of assembling same


A graphics controller for use in a computer system includes a run slice line draw engine to generate a line as a plurality of slices. The run slice line draw engine calculates the length of the slices responsive to line definition parameters, such as the coordinates of the two line endpoints. Groups of like-sized slices can be determined to decrease the computations necessary to compute the size of each slice. The slices can be either drawn to the display through the frame buffer or used as endpoints for other lines to be generated. To increase the speed of operation, while parameters requiring a division are being calculated, the partial quotient is being used to generate partial slices. Clipped lines can be generated in part using normal Bresenham techniques for partial slices and using the run slice techniques for the full slices entirely within a window. The run slice line draw engine can be used for a plurality of functions other than simple line draws, such as polygon fills, stretching, shrinking or shading.

In order to communicate with a user, a computer must be able to output information to a display. In a graphics system, the display is defined by an array of pixels. For example, in a standard-mode VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) system, the screen is addressed as an array of 640.times.480 pixels. Each pixel on the display may be set to a desired color. The color of each pixel on the screen is stored in a frame buffer. The colors may be directly specified in the frame buffer or specified by reference to a palette which stores color information for a predetermined number of colors. Typically palettes are used for color depths of 16 or 256 colors. When larger color depths are used, such as 32K or 16.7M (true color) color depths, each pixel location in the frame buffer stores data for the RGB (Red, Blue Green) components of each pixel. The number of pixels which may be displayed is defined by the graphic subsystem. Typical VGA modes support 640.times.480, 800.times.600, and 1024.times.768 resolutions. VGA modes with resolution greater than 640.times.480 are generally referred to as "Super VGA". The size of the frame buffer is therefore dependent upon the resolution and color depth of the display.
The speed at which a personal computer operates is dependent upon a number of factors. Naturally, the speed of the microprocessor has a significant influence on the speed of operation of the overall computer system. Next to processor speed, in many cases, the video graphics subsystem has the most influence on the performance of the overall computer system. This is particularly true when a graphical user interface, such as MICROSOFT WINDOWS (by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.) is used. In order to boost performance, most modem day personal computers use either a local video bus (which has a higher data bandwidth than the main peripheral bus) and an accelerated graphics card which increases the speed of certain operations. An accelerated graphics card allows the graphics card to perform selected graphics operations at high speed, rather than using the CPU to perform the operation. Hardware acceleration improves the operation of the computer system in two ways: (1) the CPU no longer needs to perform low-level graphics operations handled by the graphics card and (2) the data bandwidth for certain operations is greatly reduced, resulting in less bus traffic.
In order for acceleration to increase the responsiveness of the system, the operating environment, such as WINDOWS, must know the capabilities of the accelerated graphics subsystem. When the operating environment is loaded, it initiates the loading of a graphics driver, which is a program which acts as an intermediary between the operating environment and accelerated graphics hardware (similarly, application software may have their own drivers to take advantage of acceleration features found in an accelerated video card). The driver passes parameters to the operating environment which specify the accelerated capabilities of the graphics subsystem. Thereafter, when the operating environment (or application) needs to perform a graphics operation which could benefit from one of the accelerated capabilities, it passes the necessary data to the driver. The driver interprets the information from the operating environment, processes the information and passes data via the bus to the graphics subsystem. The graphics subsystem then performs the graphics operation by writing data to its frame buffer.
Many of today's application programs are graphics intensive. For example, a computer-aided design program, such as AUTOCAD by AutoDesk, Inc., Sauseleto, Calif., may spend a substantial amount of time drawing a figure to the screen. In some cases, even a small change in the drawing will require the entire drawing to be redrawn. In this case, the ability of the graphics processor to draw lines quickly becomes of critical importance. In addition to the use of line drawing by applications, a graphics card's ability to draw lines may directly affect its other accelerated functions, such as block transfer of data, since the BLT (Bit Block Transfer) engine may use the line draw engine to perform the block transfer.
With regard to line drawing, many problems are addressed in an article "Ambiguity in Incremental Line Rastering", by Jack E. Bresenham, IEEE CG&A, May, 1987, which is incorporated by reference herein. The Bresenham article describes problems in drawing a line using an array of pixels, since lines having real values between two discrete pixels will have to be approximated using one pixel or the other. A speed improvement on this technique involves processing a Bresenham line as a number of segments. This technique is referred to as "run-slice" processing and is described in Jack E. Bresenham, "Run Length Slices for Incremental Lines", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin 22-8B, January 1980.
In other applications, manipulation of color information is very important. For example, some applications generate a continuum of colors between two color values (for a line) or three color values (for a triangular region). This operation is commonly referred to as "shading." Typically, the intermediate color values are computed by the CPU, which can significantly affect the responsiveness of the computer system. On the other hand, delegating responsibility of shading functions to the graphics card, while freeing the CPU, can seriously degrade the graphics card's ability to perform other functions.
Further, many programs, including game software, now make use of "three dimensional" (3D) graphics, where color manipulation of objects is used to provide the effect of a three dimensional object on the screen. Calculation of the 3D color information is processor intensive and therefore can significantly affect the responsiveness of the computer system.
While the speed and functionality of graphics cards has been steadily increasing, the demands of software requires even more graphics power. Accordingly, a need has arisen in the industry for a graphics processor which increases the speed at which information is displayed, particularly in connections with line draws, and performs complex graphical operations without requiring additional expensive hardware.

Run slice line draw engine with enhanced clipping techniques


Methods and apparatus are provided for magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices and arrays, comprising metal-insulator-metal (M-I-M) structures with opposed first and second ferro-magnetic electrodes with alterable relative magnetization direction. The insulator is formed by depositing an oxidizable material (e.g., Al) on the first electrode, naturally oxidizing it, e.g., at about 0.03 to 10 milli-Torr for up to a few thousand seconds at temperatures below about 35° C., then further rapidly (e.g., plasma) oxidizing at a rate much larger than that of the initial natural oxidation. The second electrode of the M-I-M structure is formed on this oxide. More uniform tunneling properties result. A second oxidizable material layer is optionally provided after the initial natural oxidation and before the rapid oxidation step during which it is substantially entirely converted to insulating oxide. A second natural oxidation cycle may be optionally provided before the second layer is rapidly oxidized.

Magnetoelectronics devices, spin electronics devices, and spintronics devices are synonymous terms for devices that use the effects predominantly caused by electron spin. Magnetoelectronics effects are used in numerous information devices, and provide non-volatile, reliable, radiation resistant, and high-density data storage and retrieval. The numerous magnetoelectronics information devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic random access memory (MRAM), magnetic sensors, and read/write heads for disk drives.
Typically, a magnetoelectronic device, such as a magnetic memory element, has a structure that includes multiple ferromagnetic layers separated by at least one non-magnetic layer. In the magnetic memory element, information is stored as directions of magnetization vectors in the magnetic layers. Magnetization vectors in one magnetic layer, for instance, are magnetically fixed or pinned, while the magnetization direction of the other magnetic layer is free to switch between the same and opposite directions that are called "parallel" and "antiparallel", respectively, and other directions or states. In response to parallel and antiparallel states, and in certain instances other states, the magnetic memory element represents different resistances. The resistance can have minimum and maximum values when the magnetization vectors of the two magnetic layers point in substantially the same and opposite directions, respectively. Accordingly, a detection of change in resistance allows a device, such as an MRAM device, to provide information stored in the magnetic memory element. The difference between the minimum and maximum resistance values divided by the minimum resistance is known as the magnetoresistance ratio (MR).
One type of magnetic memory element, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element, comprises a fixed ferromagnetic layer that has a magnetization direction fixed with respect to an external magnetic field and a free ferromagnetic layer that has a magnetization direction that is free to rotate with the external magnetic field. The fixed layer and free layer are separated by an insulating tunnel barrier layer that relies upon the phenomenon of spin-polarized electron tunneling through the tunnel barrier layer between the free and fixed ferromagnetic layers. The tunneling phenomenon is electron spin dependent, making the electrical response of the MTJ element or device a function of the relative orientations and spin polarization of the conduction electrons between the free and fixed ferromagnetic layer.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of test circuit 30 for exemplary MTJ device 31. Magnetic tunnel junction device 31 comprises metal-insulator-metal (M-I-M) sandwich 32 and magnetic field source 34. M-I-M sandwich or structure 32 comprises lower electrode 36 of a ferro-magnetic material (e.g., CoFeB), upper electrode 38 of another ferro-magnetic material (e.g., NiFe) separated by very thin dielectric 37 through which tunneling current It can flow in response to voltage Vt applied across electrodes 36, 38. Resistor Ro is provided in series with MTJ 31 so that the electrical response It of M-I-M structure 32 and MTJ 31 to applied voltage Vt can be measured. The ratio Vt/It defines the resistance Rt of M-I-M structure 32 and MTJ 31. In general, It and Rt are non-linear functions of Vt. Arrows 40, 42 indicate the magnetization direction, in electrodes 36, 38, which can be set in particular directions. In an exemplary implementation, the material of electrode 36 is chosen so that magnetization direction 40 is fixed and the material of electrode 38 is chosen so that magnetization direction 42 is free, that is, it can be varied so as to be parallel or anti-parallel or otherwise to magnetization direction 40. This change in magnetization direction 42 is caused, for example and not intended to be limiting, by current Im passing through nearby conductor 34 whose magnetic field 35 intercepts at least electrode 38. By sending a current pulse Im through conductor 34, magnetization direction 42 can be flipped from one orientation to another relative to magnetization direction 40, and will remain in such orientation until a different current pulse is provided. Rt depends upon the relative orientation of magnetization directions 40, 42 and, other things being equal, Rt can have different values depending upon relative orientations of magnetization directions 40, 42. Thus, MTJ device 31 can function as a non-volatile memory or a measuring element whose state is detected by measuring Rt.
Tunnel barrier layer 37 of M-I-M structure 32 is important to the performance of MTJ element 31, as the MR is strongly dependent on the tunnel barrier quality. Furthermore, because future generations of magnetoelectronic devices, such as MRAMs and others, may be scaled to smaller sizes, thinner tunnel barrier layers will be desired. MTJ devices, such as MRAMs, inherently employ very large electric fields across very thin insulating dielectric layers 37. Generally, it is very hard to make such MTJs with uniform, predictable and stable values of resistance Rt. The variations in Rt among nominally identical structures and the variations in the stability of Rt values with time even among substantially identical structures, are significant limitations of MTJ devices, especially when such devices are used in large arrays containing, perhaps, millions of individual MTJ devices. Thus, there is an ongoing need to provide MTJ devices of improved properties.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide MTJ devices having, among other things, more uniform, predictable and stable properties. In addition, it is desirable that the methods, materials and structures employed be compatible with present day manufacturing capabilities and materials and not require substantial modifications of manufacturing procedures or substantially increase manufacturing costs. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Magnetic tunnel junction device with improved barrier layer


The disclosed computer-implemented method for providing computing security by classifying organizations may include (1) identifying a request to classify an organization, (2) generating a web page dynamically in response to the request, the web page including content that describes the organization, (3) locating, within the web page, an advertisement that is dynamically generated by an advertisement network based at least in part on the content of the web page, (4) analyzing the advertisement to determine an organizational classification associated with the advertisement, and (5) imputing the organizational classification to the organization based at least in part on the advertisement having been dynamically generated by the advertisement network based at least in part on the content of the web page. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Individuals and organizations often seek to protect their computing resources from security threats and corresponding attackers. Accordingly, enterprise organizations may employ a variety of security product solutions, such as endpoint antivirus products and network firewall products. However, computing administrators within organizations and third-party security vendors may find difficulty in assessing the computing security risk profile of an organization or the optimal computing security configurations for an organization.
Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all approach to computing security may fail to meet the various needs of organizations operating within different industries. Different organizations may have differing computing security needs, different computing infrastructures, and/or different risk profiles. Various organizations may have different security vulnerabilities, face different security threats, and/or be subject to different regulatory requirements relating to computing security. Security vendors may have difficulty providing adequate service to various organizations, particularly smaller, newer, and/or less established organizations that may be little known.
The instant disclosure, therefore, identifies and addresses a need for systems and methods for providing computing security by classifying organizations.

Systems and methods for providing computing security by classifying organizations


An electrostatic precipitator includes a dust-collecting electrode group and a discharge electrode group arranged in the recited order with respect to the gas flow direction of a gas to be treated in the electrostatic precipitator. The discharge electrode group includes a plurality of discharge electrodes, each of which is made of a rectangular metal plate. The longitudinal edges of each plate form semicircles, with a series of saw-toothed portions having tips protruding from between each pair of semicircles. The dust-collecting electrode group includes a plurality of dust-collecting electrodes, each of which is made of a chain suspended adjacent the discharge electrode group at a predetermined spacing. The chains of the dust-collecting electrode groups are suspended so that they can rock back and forth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrostatic precipitator to be used in a power plant, a cement plant, an industrial waste incinerator, a road or a tunnel for removing floating particles or radioactive dust, or for cleaning indoor air.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrostatic precipitator ionizes (charges) fine particle such as dust floating in a gas by applying a high voltage to the gas (or by a corona discharge). The charged particles may then be collected on dust-collecting electrodes of the electrostatic precipitators, by making use of an electric field, to remove the particles (hereinafter referred to as "dust") from the gas. An electrostatic precipitator can collect the particles of most kinds of solids and liquid highly efficiently. In addition, the maintenance and running of the electrostatic precipitator is relatively inexpensive because it has a simple construction and few moving parts. However, the electrostatic precipitator has drawbacks in that its entire structure is large-sized due to the large space where dust is collected, and its construction cost may be raised by expensive parts such as a DC high voltage supply or a high voltage insulator. In addition, its dust collecting performance is determined by the electric resistivity of the dust. (Reference should be made to pp. 1119 to 1121 of Handbook of Electric Engineering, edited by Association of Electricity and issued by OHM Co., Ltd. on Jul. 10, 1983).
The present inventor has already introduced small-sized electrostatic precipitators having a high dust collecting efficiency in the inventions described in Japanese patent Application No. Hei 6-51312 and Japanese patent Application No. Hei 6-132548. The features of those apparatus will be briefly described below.
The electrostatic precipitator shown in FIG. 7, includes rectangular plate shaped metal discharge electrodes 101 formed with a series of saw-toothed portions having tips 101a on the edges thereof; and dust-collecting electrodes 102 formed with a number of pores 102a in their faces. The dust-collecting electrodes 102 are arranged so that their faces are parallel, and the dust-collecting electrodes 102 are connected through spacers 103 (103a, 103b and 103c) to form dust-collecting electrode groups 104. The discharge electrodes 101 are also arranged so that their faces are parallel, and they are connected through spacers 105 (105a and 105b) to form discharge electrode groups 106. These dust-collecting electrode groups 104 and discharge electrode groups 106 are fixed to a frame (not shown) by means of screws 107 extending from the spacers 103 and 105. A gas carrying dust particles is introduced in the direction of the arrow into the apparatus.
This apparatus features pores 102a in the dust-collecting electrodes 102 that cause a current A from the discharge electrodes 101 to be centralized at portions other than the pores 102a on the dust-collecting electrodes 102, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8. This increases the current density at the solid portions of the dust-collecting electrodes 102. As a result, a high dust-collecting efficiency is achieved. In addition, an air flow is established through the pores 102a of the dust-collecting electrodes 102, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9. Dust particles collected on the electrode are rubbed off by the air flow, which prevents deterioration of the dust collecting ability of the apparatus due to dust built-up.
On the other hand, the electrostatic precipitator shown in FIG. 10 is modified such that the dust-collecting electrodes 102 of FIG. 7 are replaced by steel pipes 108. These pipes 108 are supported by steel beams 109, which may be positioned at the upper, lower or intermediate portions of the pipes 108, if necessary. In this apparatus, the pipes 108, acting as the dust-collecting electrodes, have curved faces which causes collected dust particles to drop by their own weight before dust becomes highly deposited. As a result, the dust-collecting electrodes have their surfaces covered with the dust for only short time periods, and the dust collecting efficiency of the apparatus is enhanced.
Because the electrostatic precipitator shown in FIG. 7 is assembled using numerous spacers, the high number of parts seriously increases the number of steps required for assembly. In addition, because the dust-collecting electrodes have to be manufactured into the desired shape before being attached, their manufacturing steps are troublesome. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 10, on the other hand, the steel beams 109 have to be prepared because they are used to support the pipes 108.


There is provided a method in a wireless base station (300), the method comprise transmitting, to a wireless device (100) having a reduced data bandwidth or a reduced control and data bandwidth, control and data signalling within a first bandwidth, in respective control and data regions, wherein signalling within the data region intended for the wireless device (100) is constrained within a second bandwidth which is narrower than the first bandwidth.

Widely deployed wireless voice and data communications systems include multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g. bandwidth and transmit power). Examples include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, GSM/GPRS systems, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
Many of these technologies currently coexist in carrier networks, requiring ongoing support of multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs). Newer and more flexible technologies, such as LTE wireless communication networks are able to support a wide range of legacy applications, however network operators must continue to provide service to devices implementing legacy RATs.
Network operators would like to reduce the cost of overall network maintenance by minimising the number of RATs requiring ongoing deployment and support within their networks. A market experiencing ongoing expansion is that of Machine-to-Machine (M2M in ETSI terminology), or Machine-Type Communications (MTC in 3GPP terminology). MTC involves the automated communication between mechanical or electronic devices, enabling networked machines to exchange information and perform actions without the manual assistance of humans. MTC applications include smart metering, commercial fleet tracking, and so forth.
Many existing MTC devices (e.g. MTC User Equipments) are currently targeted at low-end (e.g. low average revenue per user, low data rate) applications that can be handled adequately by GSM/GPRS networks. Owing to the low cost of these MTC devices and the good coverage of GSM/GPRS, there has been very little motivation for MTC device suppliers to use modules that support the LTE radio interface. Therefore, as more MTC devices of this type are deployed in the wireless communication network, there will be an increased reliance on the existing GSM/GPRS networks. Thus, this will cost network operators not only in terms of maintaining multiple RATs but it will also prevent operators from reaping the maximum benefit out of their spectrum, especially given the non-optimal spectrum efficiency of GSM/GPRS.
According to a recent study [3GPP TR 36.888 v2.0.0 (2012-06), Study on provision of low-cost MTC UEs based on LTE, (Release 11)] the Bill Of Material (BOM) cost of an LTE User Equipment (UE) modem can be reduced to a level comparable with an EGPRS modem by reducing downlink bandwidth to, e.g., 1.4 MHz, reducing peak data rate with transport block size (TBS) restricted to 1000 bits, adopting a single receive RF chain, reducing downlink transmission modes, and adopting half duplex Frequency Division Duplex (FDD).
As the result of the study on provision of low-cost MTC UEs based on LTE, 3GPP RAN-WG1 has recommended that                peak rate reduction and bandwidth reduction be adopted as mandatory techniques,        half duplex FDD be adopted as an optional technique,        single receive RF chain be adopted only if the coverage reduction can be entirely compensated, and        an MTC-specific UE category be introduced.

Wireless communications system and method in a wireless communications system


Density modulated thin film electrodes, methods of making the same, and applications of the same. The density modulated thin film electrode includes a substrate formed of a current collecting material, and a thin film formed of an electrode material on the substrate. The thin film has a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and a density that is changed with a distance defined from the first surface to a plane in the thin film, the plane being parallel to the first surface. The method includes depositing the electrode material on the substrate to form the thin film, where, during deposition of the electrode material, a pressure of an operating gas is controlled and changed to a predetermined pressure value according to a deposited thickness of the electrode material, so as to make the density of the thin film changed with the distance.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present invention. The subject matter discussed in the background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background of the invention 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 invention.
Battery technologies have been gaining enormous importance over the past decade because of the increasing demand for high-power and high-energy density alternative energy systems especially in electric vehicle and portable electronics applications [1]. Various types of batteries have been developed. Among them, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can offer superior electrochemical characteristics including high-energy density, high-voltage, and low self-discharge compared to other types of batteries such as nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride.5 Because of these unprecedented properties, Li-ion batteries became the most popular battery type in portable electronics such as laptop computers, digital cameras, and cell phones.
Fabrication costs should be considered for the development of practical Li-ion batteries along with making quality electrode and electrolyte materials. A battery cost assessment made by Barnett et al. shows Li-ion batteries produced with the current technology may cost up to $700/kWh7 while DOE is targeting $300/kWh for these batteries by 2015 [3]. Average total cost of the commercial electrolyte, cathode, and anode materials is about $70/kg, while the rest of the cell components cost only $5/kg [7]. For instance, during the production of LiMn2O4 as a cathode material, about 10 MJ/kg energy (approximately 15% of the production energy of a whole battery) is consumed which is the 2nd most costly material in the list [8]. Graphite, which is the current commercial anode material, also has a significant contribution to the fabrication costs (about 8 MJ/kg) [8]. Therefore, new anode materials that will take the graphite's place need to be low-cost and abundant in nature. In addition, each of the components of Li-ion batteries plays important roles in determination of the electrochemical properties. Main important requirements that electrolyte materials should have are high ionic conductivity for Li ions, low electronic conductivity, safety, chemical stability, retention of electrode interface, and limited formation of solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) [9]. Previous studies mostly focused on electrodes instead of electrolyte because the problems in current electrolyte materials such ascarbonates of propylene (PC), ethylene (EC), diethyl (DEC), and dimethyle (DMC) with fairly optimal characteristics seem to be less significant than the problems in electrode materials [10]. The improvement with anode materials also should be done in accordance with the progress on cathode materials in order to make feasible Li-ion batteries. Theoretical specific capacity value of current commercial cathode materials is only a few hundredsmAh/g [11].
Intensive investigation is going on the development of high-capacity cathode materials, yet "high capacity" is theoretically quite limited for intercalation cathodes. High capacity cathode alternatives are limited by the strict chemical criteria for Li-ion batteries [9]. Therefore, it has become more feasible to increase the capacity of anodes rather than that of cathodes [12]. For example, in the case where the specific capacity of a Li-ion cell cathode is 200 mAh/g, the capacity of the anode should be at least 1200 mAh/g in order to reach a theoretical total battery capacity of 86 mAh/g assuming the specific mass (the mass that does not contribute in the capacity) of the other cell components (case, separator, etc.) is 5.8×10−3 g/mAh [12]. Therefore, the limiting factor for the total capacity of a Li-ion battery is considered to be the anode side in the current state-of-the-art cells.
Anode materials made with different modifications of carbonaceous materials have been commercialized and used in Li-ion batteries because of good mechanical stability of carbon. For instance, structural integrity of graphite made from commercial coke (i.e., a carbonaceous material typically obtained from coal) is high enough so that it can tolerate 10% structural change, which is quite small compared to other anode materials. Nonetheless, theoretical maximum capacity limit of graphite has already been reached, and several other materials were tested in order to find new suitable anode materials for Li-ion batteries such as Li-metal and Li-semiconductor composites. Among these materials, significant discoveries have been made in the past decade on the anode materials such as tin (Sn) and silicon (Si). Transition metal oxides also became favorable in recent studies because of their abilities to accommodate more than one Li ion in the unit metal structure, thus making high capacity anodes [14]. However, they have higher lithiation potentials than Si, which limit the cell voltage substantially, and none of them can reach the theoretical capacity value of silicon. The exceptionally impressive properties of Si make it very attractive among others, yet the development of Si anodes is lagged to produce practical batteries because of the problems that will be discussed in the following sections.
Si has become one of the most prominent candidates for lithium-ion battery anodes since it was found to be a reversible host material for lithium intercalation [15]. Structural properties of Li—Si alloys (e.g., Li13Si4, Li22Si5) have been studied and it was shown that although the structure of Li22Si5 was considered to be more favorable for Li-ion battery applications because of its high specific theoretical capacity (about 4200 mAh/g, Table-1), the theoretical value of this morphology or any close capacity values have not been experimentally observed. Instead, capacity of about 3580 mAh/g for Li15Si4 (cubic) structure was observed in recent studies, which is still much better than other candidates [16]. The structure of this phase is assumed to be the same with Cu15Si4 and Li15Ge4 and was able to hold 2.5 Li ions per one Si atom [17].
High Volume Change of Si Anode:
Change of the structural properties of Si during Li insertion/extraction generates a significant problem for Li-ion batteries as in some of the metal and metal-oxide anodes. A vast volume expansion of about 269% in lithiation/delithiation of Li15Si4 causes fracturing and pulverization of the Si anode. This mechanical instability leads to poor charging-discharging cycleability and short battery lifetime. In addition, electronic conductivity of Si, which is already low (about 10−5 S/m), is further reduced due to the cracks and crumbling formed during Li+ incorporation/removal. Therefore, high volume expansion/contraction of Si during lithiation/delithiation reactions eventually becomes the main reason for degradation of its electrochemical properties.
Solid-Electrolyte Interface (SEI) Layer Formation on the Electrode Surface:
SEI layer is a coating incorporating residual materials and Li atoms that forms on the surface of electrodes due to the side reactions occurring during the operation of Li-ion batteries. SEI layer usually emerges in the first few cycles. This initial SEI formation is useful because it acts as a passivation layer and avoids the further side reactions and consumption of Li ions. Once SEI layer forms, it allows Li ions to pass through into the electrode while keeping the electronic resistance high. There is an "energy window" associated with the electrolyte that should be in accordance with the chemical potentials (Fermi energy) of the anode and the cathode [9]. Fermi energies of anode and cathode materials should match the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) of the electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, respectively; otherwise the electrolyte will get reduced (anode) or oxidized (cathode). For instance, potentials (vs. Li−/Li) of graphite (0.05 V) and Si (0.2 V) are much lower than the HOMO energy of a common electrolyte of 1M LiPF6 in EC/DEC (1:1), which is about 1 V. In this case, an SEI layer is necessary to prevent the electrons passing from electrolyte to cathode and from anode to electrolyte [9]. It means that graphite owes its popularity mainly to the formation of SEI layer or else it would be useless in Li-ion batteries. Therefore, Si also needs a stable SEI layer formation in order to be used as an anode material. If the SEI layer breaks and gets pulled off the surface, new SEI layer forms. In this case, more Li ions are consumed, and more undesired residual compounds emerge as dendrites. If this occurs repeatedly, since these dendrites are not wiped out, it finally ends up with shortcut failure. A SEI layer should be stable and be able to repair itself quickly right after any crack emerges. However, silicon's high volume change during charging/discharging, widespread crack formation throughout the whole film, and therefore extensive exposure of fresh Si to electrolyte can further amplify the rate of SEI layer formation and quickly cause cell failure. Therefore, SEI formation on Si anode materials and its relation to film's microstructure and mechanical properties needs to be better understood. SEI layer formation on Si thin film anodes will be further discussed in the following sections.
Earlier Studies to Address Problems Associated with Si Anodes:
Previous studies have attempted several approaches to solve the problems associated with Si/Li intercalation summarized above. Coatings on Si, using active and inactive additives, Si—C composites, nanostructures of elemental Si and its composites, and Si thin films have been investigated for this purpose [1, 12, 18]. These methods were successful only to a certain extent and generally addressed few of the several issues of Si anodes. Using additives and coatings was considered to be an effective way to minimize the stress caused by high volume change. It also provides electronic contact between Si particles that considerably affects the capacity, which then provides enhanced capacity retention. On the other hand, theoretical specific capacity values of Si-based anode materials with active or inactive chemical additives typically range from 300-1700 mAh/g [12, 19], which is much lower than the about 3580 mAh/g capacity of elemental Si. Experimental values for these Si-based composite materials were found to be even poorer. For example, among the highest reported values, Si powder with carbon nanotube additives showed a capacity of 940 mAh/g [20].
Si nanowires were also tested as anode materials [21], and they have provided specific capacity values as high as 2800 mAh/g at the end of 10th cycle [5]. Nano-sized materials can significantly improve the lithium transport properties due to the high surface to volume ratio and high electrode porosity, and therefore, increase in the electrochemical properties has been expected [1]. Nevertheless, the capacity measurements were limited to only a few tens of cycles, which is not compatible for current commercial batteries. Amount of SEI layer formation is also increased with the enlarged electrode surface area, leading to more consumption of Li+, and thus decreasing the cycling performance. Recently, CNT-Si core-shell wire composites showed the specific capacity value of about 2900 mAh/g at the 80th cycle [22]. Cui et al. [23] reported a capacity of 1000 mAh/g and a capacity retention of 90% at the 100th cycle with nanowires that include crystalline Si cores and amorphous Si shells. Another study also reported CNT-Si—Ni nanowires achieving 2000 mAh/g specific capacity at the 100th cycle [24]. Several other Si—C composite approaches were also proposed to overcome the problems with Si anodes. Yi et al. [25] were able to produce Si—C composite materials showing specific capacity value of 1500 mAh/g at the 200th cycle. Focus of another study by Yu et al. [26] was to avoid the stress problems using Si ribbons patterned on soft substrates. A capacity retention of 84.6% was achieved at the 500th cycle with a capacity of 3498 mAh/g. Similarly, Wu et al. [27] proposed the development of Si nanotubes covered with a SiOx layer to improve the mechanical properties of Si anodes. Capacity values of 1200 mAh/g at the 600th cycle and 600 mAh/g at the 6000th cycle were achieved at 1C and 12C discharging rates, respectively, for these novel SiOx/Si nanotubes. To the best our knowledge, these results seem to be the highest specific capacity values over such large number of cycles ever reported among nanostructured Si anodes.
However, fabrication methods listed above are often complicated and high-cost, which make them difficult to be implemented in practical battery applications. Although Si—C composites produced by relatively more well-developed fabrication techniques such as pyrolysis, milling, and chemical vapor reactions have given reasonably good capacity retention (for instance, Kim et al. [28] showed that Si—C composite nanowires can provide a discharge capacity of 2768 mAh/g with the capacity retention of 87% at the 80th cycle), requirement of heat treatment, longtime of production, and in some cases need for nanostructured templates make those methods also significantly complex and expensive [12, 19].
On the other hand, thin film growth techniques such as sputter deposition or chemical vapor deposition are much more practical and inexpensive compared to the approaches listed above [30]. Thin film anodes have several advantages over bulk materials in Li-ion batteries. They usually provide better stability and capacity retention. They operate kinetically faster due to shorter pathways for Li-ion insertion/de-insertion. Si thin films have proven to demonstrate prominent results with extensively high specific capacities [12, 31]. However, for practical use of Si thin films in batteries with overall high capacities, they should be thick enough, at least in micron scales. Growing thick Si thin films is a major challenge since it generally suffers from stress build up during deposition followed by delamination from the substrate. Pulverization and stress problems become even worse when the thickness increases. Additional stress during lithiation/delithiation further decrease the mechanical stability. Although it is also a difficult task, improved adhesion of Si to the substrate can partially improve the resistance to stress and delamination [32]. Researchers tend to reduce the cycle number when the film thickness is higher because of the mechanical instability problems discussed above. To the best of our knowledge, considering the film thickness, cycling number, and the capacity values, the best performance was reported by Uehara et al. [31c] with a 1 μm thick Si thin film anode, which lasted for 200 cycles with a final specific capacity value of 1700 mAh/g. However, we note that high-capacity results in those studies were achieved only after additional processing steps such as substrate roughening by chemical etching to enhance film adhesion.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Density modulated thin film electrodes, methods of making same, and applications of same

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS


Lens pairs include: a first lens to form an intermediate image, which is an inverted image of an object, on an intermediate image plane; and a second lens to form an image of the object, which is an inverted image of the intermediate image, on the image plane. A ratio of SO1 (the distance between the first principal plane of the first lens and the object plane) to SI1 (the distance between the second principal plane of the first lens and the intermediate image plane) is substantially the same as the ratio of SI2 (the distance between the second principal plane of the second lens and the imaging plane) to SO2 (the distance between the first principal plane of the second lens and the intermediate image plane). The distance between the first lens and the object plane is different from a distance between the second lens and the imaging plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lens unit, a LED head, an exposing unit, an image forming apparatus, and a scanning apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional lens unit is used in electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an LED head in which a plurality of LED elements (light emitting diodes) are arranged in an array or is used in a scanning apparatus (such as a scanner or a facsimile machine) having a light receiving portion in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in an array. The lens unit serves as an optical system that forms, on an imaging plane, an erect one-to-one magnification image of an object in the form of a line.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-221445 (see Paragraphs 0017 to 0023 and FIG. 2) discloses a lens unit as an optical system. The lens unit includes plural lens pairs, each of which includes a first lens configured to form a converted reduced-size image of an object and a second lens configured to form a converted enlarged-size image of the converted reduced-size image, arranged in a substantially straight line. The lens unit thus forms an erect one-to-one magnification image of the object in the form of a line.

Lens unit, LED head, exposing unit, image forming apparatus, and scanning apparatus


There is provided a method of identifying at least one foetal erythroblast in a sample, the method comprising analyzing the morphology of at least one cell in the sample; wherein at least one analyzed cell that is nucleated, is CD45 negative and comprises a relatively high cytoplasmic to nuclear ratio is identified as the foetal erythroblast.

Prenatal diagnosis provides valuable information on the health of the unborn child and can include invasive and non-invasive methods. The first reliable genetic diagnosis using amniocentesis was performed by Steele and Nerg in 1996. Later, first trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was shown to be a safe and reliable approach for earlier prenatal diagnosis. Although both are invasive techniques and harbour potential risks of foetal miscarriage they are still considered to be the gold standards of prenatal diagnosis. Hence, these are slowly being replaced by the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) methods wherein foetal cells/genetic material obtained from maternal circulation are being utilized for prenatal diagnosis. In particular, identification of cell-free DNA, mRNA and foetal cells in the maternal circulation made the possibility of NIPD for diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies and single gene defects of the foetus. However, the foetal genetic materials obtained from the maternal circulation are rather insufficient to provide reliable information on chromosomal abnormalities. In particular, the cell-free DNA in maternal circulation is rather insufficient to provide complete chromosomal information such as aneuploidies for diagnosis and is also expensive. On the other hand, the foetal cells are promising candidates for detecting chromosomal abnormalities but their cell numbers are very few. In particular, the utilization of foetal cells circulating in the maternal blood is both promising for detection of aneuploidies as well as in providing complete genetic information of the foetus. Here again the major limitations are their scarcity in maternal circulation and lack of efficient separation techniques. Moreover, some of these cells might persist from previous pregnancy and may not be indicative of the current foetal status.
It is well known that prenatal diagnosis enables early identification of congenital birth defects and other risk factors that impair foetal survival, which in turn helps early intervention thereby avoiding complications and relieving parent anxiety. Of the various methods that are currently available, a diagnosis on isolated human primitive foetal erythroblasts (hPFEs) in the maternal circulation would be the most reliable and non-invasive strategy. This is because hPFEs have unique identification markers and their presence is definitely indicative of the current pregnancy and hence considered a potential candidate for early first trimester NIPD.
However, there are certain hurdles/problems that may be routinely encountered that need to be addressed to facilitate future-NIPD, and they are, (1) the numbers of circulating hPFEs in maternal circulation are very few and it is technically difficult to isolate these cells, (2) even upon successful isolation, these cells may not survive for long in the transport medium and may degenerate within a short period of time, thereby further limiting the possibility of screening for congenital defects and (3) hPFEs have very tightly condensed nuclei, and it is difficult to stimulate these cells to either prolong their life by in vitro culture or proliferate to get adequate cell numbers for future NIPD.
In view of the scarcity of foetal erythroblasts, to date no method has successfully identified and/or isolated foetal erythroblasts. Studies on foetal erythroblasts have relied only on heterogenous culture of cells, which may not provide accurate information in view of maternal cells or other impurities. Poor in vitro viability of foetal erythroblasts also severely limits the possibility of performing further analysis or studies on these cells.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method for detecting, isolating and/or culturing foetal erythroblasts obtained by invasive or non-invasive means that alleviates at least one of the problems mentioned above and provides methods as potential reliable approaches for future NIPD using foetal cells present in maternal blood.

Method of identifying, isolating and/or culturing foetal erythroblasts


There is disclosed a novel dye-forming coupler, a silver halide color photographic material using the same, and a method for processing the silver halide color photographic material, wherein the dye-forming coupler is a cyan dye-forming coupler represented by formula (I), the silver halide color photographic material comprises the coupler represented by formula (I) in at least one of its photosensitive layers, and the method for processing the silver halide color photographic material comprises a color-developing process using a color developer substantially free from benzyl alcohol. The disclosure described provides a silver halide color photographic material whose color image is fast to light, heat, and humidity and whose color reproduction is excellent. ##STR1## wherein H--Z-- represents an unsubstituted amino group or an aliphatic amino, aromatic amino, or heterocyclic amino group, which may be substituted, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an electron-donating group, R.sup.3 represents a substituent, l and m each are 0 or 1, provided that l+m.gtoreq.1, and n is an integer of 0 to 2.

When a silver halide photographic material is exposed to light and then is subjected to a color-developing process, a developing agent, such as an aromatic primary amine derivative that has been oxidized with a silver halide, reacts with dye-forming couplers to form a color image. Generally, in this technique, the color reproduction method by the subtractive color process is often carried out, and in order to reproduce blue, green, and red, color images of yellow, magenta, and cyan, complementary respectively to blue, green, and red, are formed.
As cyan color image-forming couplers, phenols and naphthols are used in many cases. However, the preservability of color images obtained from phenols and naphthols that are conventionally used has some problems that remain unsolved. For example, color images obtained from 2-acylaminophenol cyan couplers described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,531, 2,369,929, 2,423,730, and 2,801,171, are generally poor in fastness to heat, color images obtained from 2,5-diacylaminophenol cyan couplers, described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,162 and 2,895,826, are generally poor in fastness to light, and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthamide cyan couplers are generally not adequate concerning both fastness to light and fastness to heat (particularly heat and humidity).
In order to overcome the defects of these cyan dye-forming couplers, for example, 5-hydroxy-6-acylaminocarbostyryl cyan couplers, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,327,173 and 4,564,586, and 4-hydroxy-5-acylaminooxyindole couplers and 4-hydroxy-5-acylamino-2,3-dihydro-1,3-benzimidazol-2-one couplers, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,423, are developed. These couplers are excellent concerning fastness to light and fastness to heat. Although these couplers are unique couplers having a hetero atom in the mother nucleus that will form a color, any of the rings having a dissociative group for color formation is equivalent to phenol.
Further, cyan dyes obtained from conventionally used phenols and naphthols have subsidiary absorption in the blue and green regions, and therefore are not preferable, particularly in view of the reproduction of green color, so that their improvement is desired.
On the other hand, concerning couplers that have a hetero atom introduced in a ring having a dissociative group, only 3-hydroxypyridine and 2,6-dihydroxypyridine are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,293,004. However, the absorption wavelength of the absorption obtained by 3-hydroxypyridine, described in tis U.S. Pat. No. 2,293,004, is extreme on the short wavelength side and the absorption peak is broad. Further, this 3-hydroxypyridine is soluble in water. Therefore, 3-hydroxypyridine cannot be used as a so-called cyan coupler
Further, although pyridine-type cyan couplers having a dissociative group in the 3-position are disclosed in EP No. 0333185, a more improved one is desired in view of color-forming properties.
On the other hand, in recent years, in view of environmental pollution and solution preparation, color developers free from benzyl alcohol have come to be used, but with rapid processing using such color developers there is a problem that adequate color density cannot be obtained with these cyan couplers, and therefore new couplers that overcome these problems are desired.

Dye-forming coupler, a silver halide color photographic material using same, and a method for processing the silver halide color photographic material


A device extracts data files from different data sources, and processes the data files to generate data from the data files. The device trains a first artificial intelligence model and a second artificial intelligence model based on historical data parameters, wherein the historical data parameters are associated with historical data previously processed by the device. The device utilizes the trained first artificial intelligence model and the data to generate data parameters for the data, and utilizes the trained second artificial intelligence model, the data, and the data parameters to generate a data structure configuration. The device generates a data structure for the data based on the data parameters and the data structure configuration, stores the data in the data structure, and provides a user interface for accessing the data structure.

Data integration includes combining data residing in different data sources, and providing users with a unified view of the data. Data integration has become significant in a variety of situations, such as commercial situations (e.g., when two companies need to merge databases), scientific situations (e.g., combining research results from different repositories), and/or the like.

Utilizing artificial intelligence to integrate data from multiple diverse sources into a data structure


A method of forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS), includes (1) removing material from a first wafer to define a first movable portion corresponding to an x-y accelerometer and a second movable portion corresponding to a z accelerometer, where each movable portion comprises at least one flexure member and at least one proof mass, each proof mass and flexure member being formed by the selective removal of material from a top side and a bottom side of first wafer; (2) bonding the first wafer to a second wafer comprising an electronic circuit, such that a gap is defined between the first wafer and the second wafer. The thickness of the at least one flexure member of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one flexure member of the second movable portion and a thickness of the proof mass of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one proof mass of the second movable portion.

Micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) devices are a combination of micro mechanical and micro electronic systems.
Some MEMS devices may include two chips wired together. It can be difficult to achieve the desired alignment between the two chips.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but possibly not identical, elements.

Forming a micro electro mechanical system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a test tube includes a pump and a cannula assembly housed partially within the pump including a fluid transfer cannula and a vent cannula. Biological fluid or other fluid can be both collected and delivered with the apparatus, which apparatus may remain attached to the test tube during any processing of the collected biological fluid sample.

The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for drawing or collecting blood or other biological fluid from a patient and thereafter dispensing the biological fluid in aliquots for analytical testing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a one-piece disposable apparatus including all of the features needed to draw such fluid and thereafter dispense the fluid.
The separation and analysis of chemical substances provides valuable quantitative and qualitative data for use by researchers and health care providers. Many assaying techniques have been developed which utilize sensitive chemical tests and sensitive instruments to detect both normal and abnormal components of biological fluids such as blood, urine and spinal fluid. In particular, the analysis of samples of these fluids reveals information which is critical to the proper diagnosis and treatment of many disorders. To perform such an analysis, a biological sample is typically withdrawn from the patient into a test tube or vacuum draw collection tube. The biological sample may be subjected to centrifugation. Then the biological sample is dispensed, in suitable aliquots, for testing. In the example of withdrawing blood from a patient, centrifugation separates the serum from the red blood cells and, thereafter, the amount of serum protein, protein-bound iodine, sodium, triglycerides, salicylate, uric acid and the like may all be determined through the analysis of the blood components.
After a biological sample is withdrawn from a patient into a test tube or collection tube, a technician must dispense aliquots or small quantity samples from the test tube. The test tube, of course, is initially sealed to prevent (a) contamination of the sample by ambient constituents and (b) to prevent substances in the sample from entering the atmosphere and/or adversely affecting the technician. Upon removing the conventional stopper from a test tube, the sample is again subject to possible contamination and a phenomenon known as aerosoling occurs. Aerosoling is the expulsion into the air, in the vicinity of the test tube, of minute quantities of the contents of the test tube and is caused by the force of removal of the stopper from the test tube. The removal of the stopper subjects the technician to the risk of exposure to whatever virus, bacteria or the like is carried in the biological sample.
The concern about exposure to the HIV virus has resulted in the adoption of numerous safety precautions in connection with the handling of biological fluids including products for dispensing biological fluids from a test tube without the need for removal of the stopper.

Biological fluid connection and delivery apparatus and method


An apparatus and method to maintain traditional information presentation in a manner that is consistent with existing training and safety methodology, but eliminates confusion generated when a display symbol is placed in a fully pegged position by positively indicating that the symbol is off-scale and not representing actual accurate information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to displaying information on data display instruments and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method of displaying a given condition and a degree of deviation therefrom on electronic data display instruments even when the degree of deviation exceeds the limits of the display instruments so that the instruments become saturated.
2. Description of the Related Art
A navigational system on an aircraft presents guidance cues to a pilot in terms of "steering commands." These guidance cues are used to convey to the pilot whether the aircraft is on course or off course and are applied during multiple phases of flight. Specific examples of use include long-range en-route navigation and precision zero-visibility runway landings.
Guidance cues are generated when the aircraft is off course or "deviated" from a desired navigational course to an intended destination that has been programmed into the navigation system. Upon detecting a deviation, guidance cues are presented to the pilot in the form of steering commands such as "fly up" or "fly down" when vertical guidance is available, and/or "turn right" or "turn left" when lateral guidance is available.
Traditional implementations of these guidance cues have been presented via physical needles including a first needle that may move back and forth, or "deflect" to a left or a right of a center position, and a second needle that may deflect up or down of a center position. If both needles are in the center position, the aircraft is on the desired navigational course. If either needle is not in the center position, the needle is considered to be deflected and a steering command is generated to instruct the pilot as to the direction in which the aircraft should be maneuvered so that the deflected needle returns to the center position, thus returning the aircraft to the desired navigational course.
The degree of deflection of the first and/or second needle corresponds to the degree the aircraft has deviated from the desired navigational course. Small deviations are shown with small needle deflections while larger course deviations are likewise indicated via larger needle deflections. Thus, the amount that the pilot steers left/right or up/down, corresponds generally to the amount of needle deflection present to correct the navigational error.
The physical needle is limited by a range in that there is a maximum right deflection and a maximum left deflection. Since the degree of deflection relates to the degree in which the aircraft is off course, if the aircraft is significantly off course, the navigational error may be greater than what the physical needle can present, thus resulting in the needle being fully deflected or in a "pegged" position. When this condition occurs, the needle provides a misleading presentation.
For example, if a lateral position error is 5 nautical miles and the needle can only show a deviation of 3 nautical miles, the needle will be deviated to a maximum physical extent in either a left or right direction and in the pegged position. From the pilot's point of view, there is no difference between a condition where the actual navigational error is 3 nautical miles and a conditional where the actual navigational error is greater than 3 nautical miles.
In this situation, the pilot may attempt to correct the heading by altering course in reliance of the pegged needle so that the needle returns to the center position. However, depending on the extent the aircraft is off course and the corresponding extent of pegging, the needle may remain in the pegged position for a period of time and possibly after significant course correction, which may cause the pilot to speculate as to the cause of why the needle is not moving. The pilot may assume that the needle is not moving because it is pegged, or the pilot may assume that the needle and/or another device is defective.
Even if the pilot speculates that the needle is pegged and is correct, the extent of pegging or heading deviation is unknown, which results in further speculation. Naturally, any pilot uncertainty is very dangerous even if the timeframe of uncertainty is merely a momentary window.
Some advantages of the present inventive concept become apparent by examining the process a pilot uses to intercept and track a desired course from an off-course condition. When intercepting a new desired course a pilot flies a steady heading until intercepting the desired course, and then turns the aircraft to track that new course. During the intercept phase the course deviation indication may be off scale, or "pegged". If the indicator is pegged, the pilot must continuously monitor this course deviation indication and detect the instant when the instrument transitions from the off-scale, "pegged" condition, to the on-scale condition. Depending on the speed of the aircraft and the angle of intercept, a very short period of time may elapse between the point when the needle transitions from being pegged off-scale until the needle is at the centered position.
This transition is important because it provides a visual cue that the pilot uses to determine when to alter the aircraft heading to capture a new desired course. Because the pilot must take action to intercept the desired course, the transition from the off-scale to on-scale condition must be timely detected in order to properly intercept and capture the desired course. When flying an instrument approach there may be very little time to recognize this transition and make the required course changes. With traditional instruments that represent the current state of the art, this transition is detectable only by the motion of the needle, and can be easily missed if the pilot is not extremely attentive to this gauge. However to properly control the aircraft, the pilot must be extremely attentive of all aircraft gauges, including this gauge, which can contribute to pilot difficulty in detecting the transition from off-scale to on-scale, and subsequently result in the pilot being late to initiate the aircraft heading change to capture the desired course. With the present inventive concept, the transition from off-scale to on-scale is more clearly indicated, and includes attention-getting features such as shape and color changes, enabling the pilot to more easily detect and take the appropriate action at the appropriate time.
Although the examples provided herein relate to flight and navigation, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present inventive concept is equally advantageous in applications unrelated to flight and/or navigation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method to indicate instrument saturation


A system and method for providing a user interface to facilitate the purchase of unique items by presenting past purchase information of unique items to consumers. The user interface is a two-dimensional chart, with each axis of the chart representing a variation of values of an attribute that characterize an item that was previously sold. The system populates the chart with sales data that reflects the past sales of items having attribute values that fall within the chart. By visually presenting to consumers the distribution of past purchases, the consumer is better able to assess whether an item that they are purchasing falls within “typical” purchase behavior of other consumers. In some embodiments, the system allows a user to select a region of the chart and initiate a search for items that are available for purchase that satisfy the attribute values that are associated with the selected region.

When a consumer of unique items, such as gemstones, antiques, used cars, art, and so on, is in the market to purchase an item, the consumer is typically looking for a certain item that has specific attributes desirable to the consumer. For example, in the case of gemstones, a consumer may be interested in purchasing a gemstone having a particular cut, size, color, clarity, shape, and price. Many unique items have a seemingly unlimited number of possible combinations of attributes. These unlimited combinations of attributes cause sellers of unique items to consolidate the items in large inventories or databases, in order to provide a large number of purchase options to consumers. By making the databases electronically available to consumers, such as over the Internet, sellers allow consumers to easily search through the databases to find the item that they would like to purchase.
While making databases available online has been a significant benefit to consumers, deciding which item or items to purchase can be daunting to a consumer given the large number of choices that are now available to the consumer. Making a purchase decision may be particularly challenging to novice or unknowledgeable consumers, who may be overwhelmed by the large number of choices that they are presented. Therefore, an interface providing information to help in selecting a subset of items to investigate further or purchase would have desirable utility.
In order to help consumers search through large databases of items and decide which items to purchase, online retailers have created tools to assist consumers. When consumers are shopping for a product, they often want to know what other customers have chosen. Knowing that other customers have made similar choices can make a customer feel more comfortable about their own choice and lower the barrier to purchase. Such purchase information has recently been made available when choosing between different product manufacturers or product models of non-unique items. For example, Amazon.com has a tool that shows a user that is looking at a particular product whether the majority of consumers purchase the particular product the user is looking at, or whether consumers typically purchase a different product. When looking at a Nikon Coolpix S550 camera, for example, the tool may indicate that 55% of the people who look at the Coolpix camera purchase the S550, but that 30% purchase a Nikon Coolpix L18 (another model) and 15% purchase a Canon model (another manufacturer). Such a comparison tool is not applicable in the area of unique items, however, as no two customers can purchase the same item.
The need exists for a system that overcomes the above problems, as well as one that provides additional benefits. Overall, the examples herein of some prior or related systems and their associated limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or prior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following Detailed Description.
Note: the headings provided herein are for convenience and do not necessarily affect the scope or interpretation of the invention.
A portion of this disclosure contains material to which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure (including the Figures) as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but the copyright owner reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever.

User interface for displaying purchase concentration data for unique items based on consumer-specified constraints


A sheet conveying device including: a separating roller; a separating piece; and conveying rollers. The separating roller conveys each sheet along a predetermined conveying path in a conveyance direction. The separating piece provides a first nip position in cooperation with the outer peripheral surface of the separating roller for nipping a sheet or sheets therebetween. The conveying rollers are provided at positions downstream of the separating roller in the conveyance direction and provide a second nip position where the sheet is nipped therebetween for conveying the sheet conveyed by the separating roller in the conveyance direction. An imaginary flat plane is defined by connecting the first nip position and the second nip position. The separating piece has a portion positioned downstream of the first nip position and protruding toward the separating roller beyond the imaginary flat plane.

Conventionally, there is known, as a separating mechanism provided in a sheet conveying device, one having a separating roller and a separating piece. The separating roller rotates while contacting a sheet. The separating piece contacts the sheet at a side opposite to a side where the separating roller contacts the sheet to apply conveyance resistance to the sheet.
In general, such a conventional sheet conveying device has a plurality of conveying rollers including the above-described separating roller. The plurality of conveying rollers is driven to rotate to convey the sheet along a predetermined conveying path. The sheet nipped between the separating roller and the separating piece (i.e., nip position) is fed downstream in a conveyance direction of the sheet as the separating roller rotates. Then, a leading end portion of the sheet in the conveyance direction is nipped between a pair of conveying rollers that is positioned downstream of the separating roller in the conveyance direction. Thereafter, when the sheet is further fed downstream in the conveyance direction as the separating roller and the pair of conveying rollers rotate, a trailing end portion of the sheet in the conveyance direction separates from the nip position between the separating roller and the separating piece.

Sheet conveying device and image reading apparatus


The present invention relates to a thermally compliant liner for a gas turbine engine. The liner includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall leaving a duct therebetween. A plurality of stiffeners are disposed in the duct. The stiffeners include a flexible medial portion which accommodates differential rates of thermal growth between the outer and inner walls. The stiffeners also include radially extending portions which in conjunction with the medial portion, minimize buckling of the liner due to pressure differentials.

Liners are often employed in gas turbine engines to enclose high temperature, core gas paths. An augmentor which forms an additional combustion chamber for afterburning the gas turbine exhaust, may use a cylindrical liner to define a flow path for the core gas flow from the turbine to the exhaust nozzle. The liners within the augmentor duct protect the duct from excessive temperatures associated with the turbine exhaust.
Liners typically include an outer wall, an inner wall and a means for spacing the two walls a distance apart. A duct defined by such spaced walls is used as a cooling air passage. Cooling air is supplied between the liner walls for convection cooling of the liner. Cooling air also flows inwardly through perforations in the outer wall of the liner to provide impingement cooling of the inner surface of the inner wall of the liner. Perforations in the inner wall of the liner provide a path for the cooling air to exit into the core gas flow.
It is known to provide liners with stiffening structure ("stiffeners") extending between the two walls to maintain spacing the two walls a distance apart. Fasteners attach the stiffeners and the walls together and collectively the stiffeners and the fasteners form a rigid cylindrical structure. Stiffeners protect the liners from buckling or collapsing under differential pressure loads between the outer and inner walls. For example, a significant pressure difference exists across the liner during stall conditions. During a stall condition, a higher pressure exists surrounding the outer wall of the liner relative to the pressure on the inner liner wall. This creates a tendency for the liner to collapse or buckle under the external loading. The sizing of the perforations in the inner and outer liner walls do not allow for enough air flow to form the outer to the inner liner wall to diffuse the pressure loading across the liner walls.
Further, high core gas temperatures can also limit the useful life of the augmentor liner. The inner wall of the liner may operate on the order of 500 degrees Fahrenheit hotter, than the surrounding outer wall of the liner. Cooling schemes such as described hereinabove and thermal barrier coatings are typically used to provide cooling to decrease the rate of thermal damage to the liner walls but do not solve the problem caused by the differential thermal growth of the liner walls.
The stiffeners in the liners of the prior art design provide a very stiff structure that results in low cycle fatigue problems for the liner. In addition, due to differential thermal growth and movement between the outer wall and the inner wall of the liner, the liner experiences undesirable stress. There is a high probability that the stress will result in cracks in the coating disposed on the inner wall of the liner. The stress and cracks compromise the durability of the liner.