In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

High density lipoprotein (HDL), its main protein, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and mimetics of apoA-I have been shown in a number of laboratories to reduce inflammation in animal models of disease (Getz and Reardon (2011) J. Inflamm. Res. 4: 83-92; Navab et al. (2012) Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 32: 2553-2560; Degoma and Rader (2011) Nat. Rev. Cardiol. 8: 266-277; Yao et al. (2012) Front. Pharmacol., 3: 37; Navab et al. (2010) Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 30: 164-168).
In particular, the use of such ApoA-I mimetic peptides such as 4F to modulate diseases has been demonstrated in a wide variety of contexts including, but not limited to animal models of arthritis (Charles-Schoeman (2008) Clin. Immunol. 127: 234-244) asthma (Nandedkar et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res., 52: 499-508) atherosclerosis (Navab et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res. 52: 1200-1210), Alzheimer's disease (Handattu et al. (2009) Neurobiol. Dis. 34: 525-534), cancer (Su et al. (2010) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 107: 19997-20002; Gao et al. (2011) Integr. Biol. (Camb). 3: 479-489; Ganaphthy et al. (2012) Int. J. Cancer, 130: 1071-1081), diabetes (Morgantini et al. (2010) Diabetes. 59: 3223-3228), hepatic fibrosis (DeLeve et al. (2008) Am. J. Pathol. 173: 993-1001), kidney disease (Vaziri et al. (2009) Kidney Int. 76: 437-444; Vaziri et al. (2010) Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 25: 3525-3534), obesity (Peterson et al. (2009) J. Lipid Res. 50: 1293-1304), osteoporosis (Sage et al. (2011) J. Bone Miner. Res. 26: 1197-1206), scleroderma (Weihrauch et al. (2007) Am. J Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 293: H1432-H1441), systemic lupus erythematosus (Woo et al. (2010) Arthritis Res. Ther., 12: R93), transplant vasculopathy (Hsieh et al. (2007) Transplantation 27:84:238-243), and vascular dementia (Buga et al. (2006) J. Lipid Res. 47: 2148-2160). Thus, the potential benefit of such peptides is great.
The apoA-I mimetic peptide 4F showed great promise in a variety of mouse models of disease (Navab et al. (2010) Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 30: 164-168) leading to a phase I/II study in humans with high risk cardiovascular disease (Bloedon et al. (2008) J. Lipid Res. 49: 1344-1352). In this study the 4F peptide synthesized from all D-amino acids (D-4F) was administered orally at doses that ranged from 0.43-7.14 mg/kg. The resulting plasma peptide levels were low (Cmax 15.9±6.5 ng/mL). Despite these very low plasma levels, doses of 4.3 and 7.14 mg/kg significantly improved the HDL inflammatory index (HII), which is a measure of the ability of a test HDL to inhibit LDL-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production by cultured human artery wall cells; doses of 0.43 and 1.43 mg/kg were not effective (Id.). A second clinical trial focused on achieving high plasma peptide levels using low doses (0.042-1.43 mg/kg) of the 4F peptide synthesized from all L-amino acids (L-4F) delivered by intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SQ) administration (Watson et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res. 52: 361-373). Very high plasma levels were in fact achieved (e.g., Cmax 3,255±630 ng/mL in the IV study), but there was no improvement in HII (Id.).
To resolve this paradox, new studies were conducted in mice that led to the surprising discovery that the major site of action for the peptide may be in the intestine, even when the peptide is administered SQ (Navab et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res. 52: 1200-1210). Moreover, the dose administered, not the plasma level, was the major determinant of efficacy (Id.). Efficacy was the same at the same dose when the peptide was administered orally or SQ suggesting that in the compartment controlling peptide efficacy, peptide concentrations should be similar; the peptide concentration was similar only in the feces (Id.). In a subsequent study, this compartment was further identified as the small intestine (Navab et al. (2012) J. Lipid Res. 53: 437-445). Additionally, metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids in the enterocytes of the small intestine were found to be ˜10-fold higher than in the liver, but the percent reduction in these metabolites after oral 4F peptide administration was significantly greater in the liver compared to the small intestine strongly suggesting that the small intestine is a major site for peptide action (Id.). As a result of these studies (Navab et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res. 52: 1200-1210; Navab et al. (2012) J. Lipid Res. 53: 437-445), it was concluded that doses of peptide ranging between 40-100 mg/kg/day would be required instead of doses of 0.42-1.43 mg/kg/day as was used in the studies of Watson et al. (Watson et al. (2011) J. Lipid Res. 52: 361-373).
The 4F peptide (Ac-D-W-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-NH2, (SEQ ID NO:1)) has end blocking groups (Ac— and —NH2) that stabilize the class A amphipathic helix and dramatically increase efficacy (Venkatachalapathi et al. (1993) Proteins Structure Function Genet. 15: 349-359; Yancey et al. (1995) Biochemistry. 34: 7955-7965; Datta et al. (2001) J. Lipid Res. 42: 1096-1104; Anantharamaiah et al. (2007) J. Lipid Res., 48: 1915-1923). In unpublished studies in mice, it was found that in the absence of these end groups the 4F peptide is 25,000-fold less effective in vivo. The required end (protecting) groups for 4F and for a number of other apoA-I mimetic peptides (Navab et al. (2010) Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 30: 164-168) can only be added by chemical synthesis; living organisms cannot be engineered to make a molecule containing these end groups. Thus, the production of peptide for clinical use at these doses would not be practical because of the cost of producing this amount of peptide by solid phase synthesis.

Modulating disease through genetic engineering of plants

The Regents of the University of California


A deflector disposed immediately above and outboard of a rotating vane wheel in a pulverizer/classifier is protected from wear and abrasion by side-by-side abutting high-hardness wear plates having an alloy content of approximately 15 percent chromium and three percent molybdenum by weight. The abutting edge surfaces of the wear plates are mitered. For pulverizers/classifiers having discontinuous deflectors, end plates are disposed over the end surfaces of the deflector segments and are serrated. Inside threaded fasteners are used to hold the wear plates in place over the lower surface of the deflector.

Coal pulverizers/classifiers are well known structures used in coal-fired electrical power generating plants to crush lump coal into fines which are suitable for use in fueling boiler fireboxes. A typical coal pulverizer/classifier comprises a vertical and substantially cylindrical housing containing a pulverizer bowl and crusher rollers in engagement therewith. A vane wheel is typically mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the bowl to rotate therewith. The vane wheel has angled vanes to produce an upwardly spiral air flow within the interior of the housing which air flow carries coal fines through a classifier assembly. A coal pulverizer/classifier of the type generally described is further illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,751, issued Mar. 13, 1990, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
As disclosed in the above-identified patent, it is desirable to use a circumferential deflector above and radially outside of the vane wheel to direct the upwardly spiral pattern of airborne coal fines back toward the center of the pulverizer/classifier housing. Because of the abrasive nature of the airborne coal fines, this deflector is subject to abrasive wear.

Deflector for coal pulverizer/classifier


A clamp including at least one clamping element (e.g., clamping jaw, clamping strap, etc.) and a hand-operated actuator operative to move the clamping element in a clamping direction, and a clamping force sensor in operative connection with the clamping element.

There are many kinds of clamps used to grip objects. One kind of clamp, often referred to as a spring clamp, is provided with a spring that forces the jaws of the clamp towards one another. In order to use a spring clamp, one squeezes the handles of the clamp together, wherein the squeezing action works against the force of the spring, thereby spreading the clamp jaws apart and permitting insertion of a workpiece or workpieces between the jaws. Upon release of the squeezing force, the spring forces the jaws against the workpiece or workpieces.
A variation of the spring clamp is known as an adjustable clamp. In an adjustable clamp, a spring is provided that forces the jaws of the clamp away from one another. When a user squeezes the handles of the adjustable clamp towards one another, the clamp jaws are gradually brought closer to one another until they finally abut each other. A ratchet mechanism is provided that works against the force of the spring and arrests the clamping jaws at discrete positions as they approach one another. The ratchet mechanism thus permits adjusting and maintaining the clamping jaws at any desired position as the handles of the adjustable clamp are squeezed together. In this manner, the jaws may be clamped against a workpiece or workpieces placed between the jaws.
Bar clamps generally comprise a pair of clamping jaws that slide along a bar. A workpiece may be clamped between the jaws by abutting the jaws against opposite sides of the workpiece, and then tightening the jaws against the workpiece, such as by repetitive squeezing of a hand-held trigger mechanism.
The bar clamp may also be used to spread objects apart. This may be accomplished in some bar clamps by turning around the clamping jaws 180°, which reverses the advancing movement of the jaws along the bar towards each other into a retreating movement away from each other. The objects may be spread apart by abutting the jaws against the appropriate surfaces of the objects, and then moving the jaws in the spreading direction, such as by repetitive squeezing of the hand-held trigger mechanism.


The present invention relates to a tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in which the glandular heads of type VI trichomes are absent, and that has a modified composition of flavonoids and volatiles. Furthermore, the typical tomato smell is absent or nearly absent. The plant comprises a mutant allele, which is obtainable from a tomato plant, representative seed of which was deposited under deposit accession number NCIMB 41845. The said mutant allele is located on chromosome 9 between positions 1750800 bp and 4517648 bp, preferably between positions 1939546 bp and 2970346 bp, most preferably at about position 2454946 bp on a physical map of the Solanum lycopersicum genome.

Tomato is a vegetable crop grown worldwide in all conditions and climates, both in protected cultivation or in open field. Growing tomato plants requires a lot of labor and attention, during which the plants are handled repeatedly by various persons. Handling the plants includes activities such as grafting, planting, pruning, winding, and of course harvesting.
Persons working in a tomato crop rapidly notice that with every contact of a green part of the tomato plant, a green substance comes off on the skin or any surface the contact is made with. The substance can also be yellowish in color. Especially hands and clothes become covered with this substance, which after very intensive handling can result in almost black greenish stains on for example the hands. The main difficulty of this substance is that it is very hard to remove from the skin or clothes by normal washing. The green or yellowish substance results in green staining.
Another aspect of a tomato plant is the typical tomato smell that it emits. This can become rather unpleasant when one is frequently exposed to a tomato crop.
The surface of the various plant parts of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is covered with trichomes, both non-glandular and glandular. Non-glandular trichomes are usually regarded as 'hairs' and do not produce, store, or secrete specific biochemical compounds.
A variety of biochemical compounds in tomato however are produced in glandular trichomes. A glandular trichome typically consists of a stalk, made up of one or more cells, and one or more glandular cells at the tip of the stalk that form the glandular head. Four different types of glandular trichomes are identified in tomato and related Solanum species, namely types I, IV, VI, and VII. These types differ in size and length of the stalks, and in number of secretory cells that form the glandular head (McDowell et al., Plant Physiology Vol. 155, 524-539 (2011)). The unicellular glands, which may comprise one glandular cell that forms the glandular head, are classified as secreting glands, while multicellular glands are classified as storage glands.
Type VI trichomes are composed of four disc cells, or glandular cells, at the end of a one- or two-celled stalk. The four disc cells form the multicellular glandular head (FIG. 1).
Biochemical compounds that are produced by the various glandular trichomes in tomato comprise terpenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids, and acyl sugars such as acyl glucoses and acyl sucroses. A substance such as chlorophyll however is not among the compounds known to be produced or secreted by glandular hairs in tomato. The produced compounds are known to play important roles in attracting and repelling various insects and in determining susceptibility to certain diseases. However, many aspects of the roles of these metabolites are still unclear, and extensive research is ongoing to determine more precisely the functionality of glandular trichomes and the substances they excrete.
In addition, data on the distribution of which substances are produced by what type of glandular hairs is rather limited and requires specialized approaches to obtain. For many substances it is assumed that they are or may be produced by several glandular hair types, although it is indicated that there are differences in the quality and quantities that are produced by a certain type of glandular hairs. It is for instance known that acyl sugars, which play a significant role in insect resistance, are mainly produced in tomato type I and IV trichomes.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.


An over-current protection device comprises two metal foils and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material layer. The PTC material layer is sandwiched between the two metal foils and comprises plural crystalline polymers with at least one polymer melting point below 115° C., and a non-oxide electrically conductive ceramic powder. The non-oxide electrically conductive ceramic powder exhibits a certain particle size distribution. The PTC material layer has a resistivity below 0.1 Ω-cm. The initial resistance of the device is below 20 mΩ, and the area of the PTC material layer is below 30 mm2. The over-current protection device exhibits a surface temperature below 100° C. under the trip state of over-current protection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an over-current protection device and, more particularly, to an over-current protection device comprising a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) conductive material. The over-current protection device presents better resistivity and resistance repeatability, especially suitable to the protection of a power source used in portable communication applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The resistance of PTC conductive material is sensitive to temperature change. With this property, the PTC conductive material can be used as current-sensing material and has been widely used in over-current protection devices and circuits. The resistance of the PTC conductive material remains at a low value at room temperature so that the over-current protection device or circuits can operate normally. However, if an over-current or an over-temperature situation occurs, the resistance of the PTC conductive material will immediately increase at least ten thousand times (over 104 ohm) to a high-resistance state. Therefore, the over-current will be counterchecked and the objective of protecting the circuit elements or batteries is achieved.
In general, the PTC conductive material contains at least one crystalline polymer and conductive filler. The conductive filler is dispersed uniformly in the crystalline polymer(s). The crystalline polymer is mainly a polyolefin polymer such as polyethylene. The conductive filler(s) is mainly carbon black, metal particles and/or non-oxide ceramic powder, for example, titanium carbide or tungsten carbide.
The conductivity of the PTC conductive material depends on the content and type of the conductive fillers. Generally speaking, carbon black having a rough surface provides better adhesion with the polyolefin polymer, and accordingly, a better resistance repeatability is achieved. However, the conductivity of the carbon black is lower than that of the metal particles. If the metal particles are used as the conductive filler, their larger particle size results in less uniform dispersion, and they are prone to be oxidized, which causes high resistance. To effectively reduce the resistance of the over-current protection device and prevent oxidation, the ceramic powder tends to be used as the conductive filler in a low-resistance PTC conductive material. Since it lacks a rough surface like carbon black, the ceramic powder exhibits poor adhesion with the polyolefin polymer, and consequently, the resistance repeatability of the PTC conductive material is not well controlled. In prior arts, to improve the adhesion between the metal particles and the polyolefin polymer, a coupling agent will be added into the conventional PTC conductive material with the ceramic powder as the conductive filler. The coupling agent may be an anhydride compound or a silane compound. However, the total resistance of the PTC conductive material after the coupling agent is added cannot be reduced effectively.
Currently, a low-resistance (about 20 mΩ) PTC conductive material with nickel as the conductive filler is available in the public market, but it can only sustain a voltage up to 6V. If the nickel is not isolated well from the air, it is prone to be oxidized after a period, and this results in increasing resistance. In addition, the resistance repeatability of the low-resistance PTC conductive material is not satisfied after tripping.


A transformer driver circuit connected to the primary or "system" side of a transformer has a system clock connected to an input thereof the system clock having a frequency selected to constitute the desired clock frequency of a CODEC circuit located on the secondary or "line" side of the transformer. A signal line is connected to a point on the secondary of the transformer so as to tap the system clock frequency, whereby both the system clock and the source voltage for the CODEC are derived from the transformer's secondary.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to the field of communications and more particularly to circuitry designed to provide power and a clock signal across a high voltage isolation barrier.
2. Description of Related Art
Digital telephone coder-decoder circuits [CODEC's] are known in the prior art for performing digitization of voice signals. In order to operate a CODEC connected directly to a telephone line, it is necessary to provide a system clock and power to the line side of the high voltage isolation barrier. For a variety of reasons, locating a CODEC on the line side of the high voltage isolation barrier appears to the inventors to be a good approach to creating a VLSI device for a low cost, high performance telephone interface.
Conventionally, power has been transferred across the high voltage isolation barrier by a DC-to-DC converter or derived from the telephone line loop current. A system clock is sent across the barrier by a separate electrical circuit, extracted from the data, or generated locally on the line side, which is both expensive and inaccurate.

Method and apparatus for deriving power from a clock signal coupled through a transformer


A footwear construction includes a midsole including a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, and a mesh substrate layer covering the lateral sidewall and medial sidewall to protect the surfaces of those sidewalls from abrasion, wear and damage, and in some cases to provide tuned stiffness to the sidewalls and thus the midsole. The mesh substrate layer can wrap partially above and below the midsole so that edges of the layer can be conceals between the midsole and an upper, or between the midsole and an outsole layer. The mesh substrate can include a mesh material and a film sheet bonded to one another, with the film sheet facing the midsole and the mesh textile facing outward in the finished footwear. A related method of manufacture also is provided.

The present invention relates to footwear, and more particularly to footwear including a sole assembly having a mesh substrate layer disposed adjacent an outer surface of a sole component to provide protection and/or predetermined cushioning and stiffness characteristics to the sole component.
A variety of different types of sole assemblies are used in footwear. Many sole assemblies include a midsole constructed from foam, and an underlying outsole, usually constructed from rubber for durability. The foam provides underfoot cushion, and the outsole can include lugs for traction and wear resistance. Some sole assemblies also can include a footbed above the midsole to enhance comfort while the footwear is worn by a wearer.
Many manufacturers, particularly of running and performance footwear, construct the midsole or the footbed from a soft, lower density material so that the midsole can provide enhanced cushioning and energy return. A variety of materials are available to construct such a midsole, including ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU), and more recently, polyether block amides (PEBA). While all these midsole materials function to provide cushion and some energy return, the latter are lighter and many times more spongy to provide enhanced functionality. Some types of eTPU and PEBA, however, can be relatively soft, compliant and easily damaged, degraded and/or abraded.
One issue is that many manufacturers want to show the consumer that these materials are present in the midsole as a marketing tool. As a result, the exterior surface of midsoles from such materials is usually bare and exposed to the environment. Accordingly, when shoes including such materials are worn in more hostile environments, objects, dirt, debris, sticks and rocks can degrade, abrade, puncture and deform the exterior surface, which can impair and/or change the functionality and cushioning or energy return characteristics of these materials. In some cases, such midsoles abrade away quickly. This also can lead to an unsightly, ragged or beat up appearance to the midsole, which is unacceptable to many, and can necessitate replacement of the footwear after minimal use.
Another issue with some midsoles constructed from eTPU and PEBA is that they do not have much shear strength, which can make the midsoles roll side to side underfoot, potentially causing ankle or knee injuries. Some manufacturers therefore include large plastic support plates at the heel of the footwear to reduce this rolling and instability. While this helps, it can add to the weight of the shoe, and can produce an interrupting extra structural component on an otherwise clean exterior of the midsole. These pieces of plastic also do not protect other parts of the soft material midsole from abrasion and puncture.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the construction of sole assemblies made from softer, abrasion and wear prone materials to improve their durability, wear resistance and stiffness or support.


Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, employee identifying data that identifies an employee may be associated with the consumer identifying data to facilitate consumer assistance and employee payment.

For many businesses, different employees of a merchant are typically required to assist consumers in an interchangeable fashion. However, consumer loyalty and satisfaction can be improved when merchants are capable of providing a personal touch to interactions between their employees and consumers. In this regard, areas for improving current systems have been identified. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, solutions to improve such systems have been realized and are described in connection with embodiments of the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Employee profile for customer assignment, analytics and tip payments


An engine has a crankshaft, a combustion chamber and a valve that selectively opens and closes the combustion chamber. The valve has a timing relationship to the crankshaft and lift characteristic. A control device hydraulically alters at least one of the timing relationship and the lift characteristic. A lubricant passage is connected with the control device to supply oil to a mechanism that is formed by engine parts slidably contacting one another within the engine. An auxiliary passage is provided for supplying the oil to the mechanism. Oil supplied from an oil pump to said auxiliary passage is restricted by an electromagnetic valve that is actuated based on the instruction from an electric controller when engine speed is lower than a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying oil in engines. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an improved apparatus for supplying oil to a hydraulic variable valve performance mechanism and a structure for supplying lubricant oil.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many existing engines are equipped with a mechanism for varying characteristics, such as valve timing and lift, of a set of intake valves or a set of exhaust valves in accordance with the engine running conditions. This enhances the power and performance of the engine and reduces undesirable emissions. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-13403 discloses a variable valve performance mechanism that hydraulically changes valve lift and an apparatus for lubricating the moving parts in the variable valve performance mechanism.
As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), a mechanism 71 for varying valve performance includes a rocker shaft 73, in which an oil pressure passage 72 is defined. A low speed rocker arm 74 and a high speed rocker arm 75 are pivotally mounted on the rocker shaft 73 in association with a valve. The rocker arms 74, 75 are pivoted about the axis of the rocker shaft 73 by a low speed cam and a high speed cam (neither of which is shown), respectively. Pivoting of the low speed rocker arm 74 about the axis of the rocker shaft 73 opens and closes the valve. "Right" and "left" as used below refer to the right and left directions of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).
A hole 76 extends in the low speed and high speed rocker arms 74, 75 parallel to the rocker shaft 73. A segmented coupling pin 77 is slidably fitted in the hole 76. An oil chamber 78 is defined between the right end of the pin 77 and the right end of the hole 76. The chamber 78 communicates with the oil pressure passage 72. A coil spring 79 extends between the left end of the coupling pin 77 and the left end of the hole 76.
When moved to a position close to the left end of the hole 76 against the force of the coil spring 79 as shown in FIG. 6(b), the coupling pin 77 couples the low speed rocker arm 74 with the high speed rocker arm 75. This causes the low speed rocker arm 74 to pivot integrally with the high speed rocker arm 75. As a result, the valve is opened and closed by the high speed cam by way of the low speed and high speed rocker arms 74, 75. This increases the valve lift. When the coupling pin 77 is moved to the right end of the hole 76 by the force of the coil spring 79, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the low speed rocker arm 74 is uncoupled from the high speed rocker arm 75. This causes the valve to be opened and closed by the low speed cam by way of the low speed rocker arm 74. This decreases the valve lift.
The valve lift is generally changed based on the engine speed. For example, when the engine is running at a lower speed, the valves are opened and closed by the low speed cam as illustrated in FIG. 6(a) to decrease the amount of air drawn into the engine. When the engine is running at a higher speed, the valves are opened and closed by the high speed cam to increase the amount of air drawn into the engine.
An oil passage 85 is connected to the oil pressure passage 72 for supplying oil to the passage 72. The supplied oil is used to lubricate the low speed and high speed cams. The sliding surfaces between the cams and the rocker arms 74, 75 also need lubrication. The passages 72, 85 are connected to an oil pump 83 via a switching valve 87. The switching valve 87 includes a variable orifice 86 and is connected to an oil pump 83. The oil pump 83 is driven by a crankshaft of the engine (not shown). The pump 83 draws oil from an oil pan 84 and discharges the oil to the switching valve 87.
When the engine is running at a high speed, the switching valve 87 sends oil from the oil pump 83 to the oil pressure passage 72 as illustrated in FIG. 6(b). The oil is then flows to the passage 85. In this state, the restriction amount of the orifice 86 is controlled to deliver enough oil to the chamber 78 to displace the pin 77 against the force of the spring 79 as shown in FIG. 6(b). Thus, the oil pressure actuates the mechanism 71 and switches the cams for increasing the valve lift. Part of the oil passing through the oil passage 85 is injected from holes 88 for lubricating the sliding parts of the cams and the rocker arms 74, 75.
When the engine is running at a low speed, the switching valve 87 sends oil from the oil pump 83 to the oil passage 85 as illustrated in FIG. 6(a). The oil then flows to the passage 72. In this state, the restriction amount of the orifice 86 is controlled so that the oil pressure in the chamber 78 is too low to displace the pin 77 against the force of the spring 79. As a result, the mechanism 71 switches the cams to decrease the valve lift. Part of the oil passing through the oil passage 85 is supplied to the cams for lubricating the sliding parts of the cams and the rocker arms 74, 75.
However, when the engine is running at a low speed, the power of the oil pump 83, which is driven by rotation of the crankshaft, is also lowered. This results in less oil being discharged from the pump 83. At low speeds, oil is supplied to the oil pressure passage 72 via the oil passage 85. In other words, after part of the oil in the passage 85 is diverted to the sliding parts, the remaining oil flows to the oil pressure passage 72. Accordingly, the oil pressure in the passage 72 is lowered. Thus, when the engine is running at a low speed, it takes a significant amount of time to generate enough oil pressure in the oil passage 72 to actuate the mechanism 71 in the oil passage 72. Under these conditions the mechanism 71 has a relatively slow response.
When the engine is running at a high speed, oil is supplied to the oil passage 85 via the oil pressure passage 72. The pressure of the oil in the passage 72 falls when the mechanism 71 is actuated. Accordingly, the oil pressure in the oil passage 85 is lowered. This reduces the amount of oil supplied to the sliding parts. Thus, the lubrication of the sliding parts may be insufficient.


The present invention provides a method for producing a thermoplastic resin by reacting reactants comprising a dihydroxy compound. In this production method, the dihydroxy compound comprises a dihydroxy compound represented by the following formula (1), and at least one of a compound represented by the following formula (A), a compound represented by the following formula (B), and a compound represented by the following formula (C), wherein the total weight of the compound represented by the formula (A), the compound represented by the formula (B), and the compound represented by the formula (C) is 1,500 ppm or more, based on the weight (100 parts by weight) of the dihydroxy compound represented by the formula (1).

In recent years, electronic devices such as digital cameras, smart phones and tablets have become popular, and a demand for compact camera modules has been increased. For these camera modules, plastic lenses are preferably used, rather than glass lenses. This is because a plastic lens can be used in various forms such as a thin lens or an aspherical lens, and the plastic lens is inexpensive and the mass production thereof is easily carried out by injection molding.
For optical lenses, resins having various structures, which are to be replaced for glass, have been developed, and various monomers have been studied as raw materials therefor. Among optical transparent resins, an optical lens consisting of a thermoplastic transparent resin is advantageous in that it can be produced in a large amount by injection molding, and further in that the production of an aspherical lens is easy, and thus, it is presently used as a lens for cameras. Conventionally, as such an optical transparent resin, for example, polycarbonate consisting of bisphenol A (BPA) had been mainly used, but thereafter, polymers having a fluorene skeleton, such as 9,9-bis(4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl)fluorene (BPEF), have been developed (Patent Literatures 1 and 2). These resins having a fluorene skeleton have a high refractive index, and thus, they are preferably used as optical materials. However, these resins have been problematic in terms of fluidity or tensile strength. Accordingly, it has been desired to develop a thermoplastic resin, which is useful as an optical material and is excellent in fluidity and tensile strength.


A multi-purpose automobile rear spoiler assembly includes a reversing sunshade roller fastened inside a rear spoiler mounted on the tail of an automobile, and two automatic return straps are provided with anchoring claw hooks for securing the reversing sunshade roller in an operative position. The reversing sunshade has an air bag at the bottom to shield the automobile from the radiant heat of the sun, and two side panels secured by the automatic return straps with anchoring claw hooks to cover the door windows of the automobile as the sunshade of the sunshade roller is pulled out of the rear spoiler and disposed operatively over the top of the car.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to motor vehicle rear spoilers, and more particularly to a multi-purpose automobile rear spoiler assembly which combines a rear spoiler, a sun screen and a signal lamp assembly together.
2. Description of Prior Art
A variety of accessories and devices including a remote-control burglar alarm system, sun shade, accelerator, spoiler, third stop lamp, etc., may be added to a car so as to improve its performance or make it more versatile. A third stop lamp is typically for giving a signal to the people behind the car upon a brake. If a rear spoiler is installed in the tail of a car to break up airflow around the car body, the third stop lamp of the car may become less visible. Further, the coating of a car may be caused to fade and crack when the car is often parked in places under direct sunlight. When a car is being parked in a place under direct sunlight, the internal space of the car will become hot within a short time.

Multi-purpose automobile rear spoiler assembly

Nan Chen Village, Tien Wei Hsiang, Changhua


A system for retrieving information about an advertisement that was viewed or heard by an individual. The system includes an advertisement content server having at least one file containing information about the advertisement and a device for accessing the information via a communications network. The content server enables the individual, using the device, to retrieve a subset of the information based on a limited knowledge of the individual concerning the advertisement.

An experience common to many is the exposure to advertisements in audio or visual formats, or combinations of the two. For example, a person driving an automobile and listening to a local radio station will inevitably be exposed to commercials from a wide variety of individuals, businesses and like entities. As is often the case, the individual glosses over the advertisements or commercials. Although advertisements are structured to capture one's attention, the constant bombardment from advertisers often leads to sensory overload. The result—the individual forgets most, if not all, of the information provided in the advertisement. The process of ignoring advertisements and not committing to memory the information being provided can lead one to inadvertently overlook or gloss over an advertisement that contains information of interest to the individual.
Another common occurrence is switching to a station in the middle of an advertisement broadcast so that the listener has not had an opportunity to hear all of the pertinent information. A yet further occurrence is when one hears an advertisement of interest while driving, but does not have a pen and paper available to write down the information. One has to commit the information to memory, which may lead to inaccurate recordation of the pertinent information.
Presently, the options for retrieving the information are limited. If provided over a radio broadcast for example, the individual can continue listening to the broadcast in the hope that the advertisement will be replayed. Another option is to contact the broadcasting entity to request the desired information. This, of course, requires knowing the name of the broadcast entity. If not known, the individual will have to engage in further investigation for the sole purpose of retrieving information about an advertisement.
Another example of overlooked advertisement information involves the placement of advertisements on billboards. Billboard advertisements require an individual to physically pass by the billboard in order to be exposed to the advertisement. If an individual passes a billboard advertisement, but only glances at the billboard long enough to realize the information is of interest, the individual has to alter his or her course of travel to pass by the billboard a second time in order to review the information contained in the advertisement. This is often not feasible or is substantially inconvenient if the billboard is visible from a highway with few off-ramps near the billboard location.
Television provides a further example of advertisement sources that can be easily overlooked. Whether the individual is channel surfing and catches only a glimpse of an advertisement, and does not remember on which channel the advertisement was broadcast, or glosses over an advertisement as a matter of habit, the result is the same—advertisement information of interest that cannot be easily retrieved. The individual is again left with few options to retrieve the information from the advertisement of interest.

Systems and methods for delivering advertisements


A lamp heat sink includes a plurality of heat dissipating fins disposed around a body and extending away from the body. The lamp heat sink further comprises a heat dissipating circumferent skirt surrounding the body and disposed between the plurality of heat dissipating fins. The lamp heat sink further comprises a plurality of channels disposed around the body, formed by the plurality of heat dissipating fins and the heat dissipating circumferent skirt. The plurality of channels each include an intake opening configured to receive cold air and an exhaust opening configured to release warm air.

An LED lamp consists of, among other components, a heat sink to help cool the lamp by dissipating emitted heat to the surrounding air. A heat sink helps ensure that the lamp operates properly, even at high temperatures. The amount of heat that a heat sink is able to dissipate depends on the surface area of a heat sink. The larger the surface area, the more heat a heat sink is able to dissipate. Increasing surface area, however, may increase the dimensions of the heat sink which may result in a larger a larger lamp.
Increasing the size of the lamp may not be desirable, however. When designing a retrofit LED lamp to replace an incandescent lamp, for example, it is desirable that the replacement lamp approximate or closely resemble a standard form factor of the incandescent lamp being replaced. Otherwise, the replacement lamp may not properly fit the application for which it was intended. Increasing the size of the heat sink may also result in increased costs of manufacturing the lamp. Thus, it may be desirable to increase the surface area of a heat sink without increasing the size of the heat sink and without increasing the cost of manufacturing the heat sink.


A protection device for a rope saw assembly (5) includes at least two, telescopically displaceable relative to each other, cover members (12, 13) having each a circular cross-section, an extending along a longitudinal axis receiving space (14) for the saw rope (8), and a longitudinally extending opened slot (15, 16), and provided each with a securing device (18, 20) located on one end (17, 19) of each of the cover members (12, 13) for securing a respective cover member (12, 13) to a respective deflection roller (6, 7) of the rope saw assembly (5).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protection device for a rope saw assembly and including at least two, telescopically displaceable relative to each other, cover members having each an extending along a longitudinal axis, receiving space for the saw rope and a longitudinally extending opened slot.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Rope saws are used in particular for sawing large workpieces such as, e.g., stone blocks. A saw rope carries cutting bodies in form, e.g., of sintered diamond pearls and is driven by a motorized drive of the rope saw. Deflection rollers guide the saw rope about a to-be-cut workpiece, with the deflection rollers being arranged in accordance with a profile of a to-be-produced cut. A load applied to the saw rope could cause a rope break, and the broken saw rope would shoot up through the air like a whip.
German Publication DE 10 2004 012 606 A1 discloses an arrangement of a protection device on a rope saw assembly for protecting a broken or torn rope. The protection device includes two telescopically displaceable relative to each other, U-shaped cover members having each an extending along a longitudinal axis, receiving space for the saw rope, and a longitudinally extending opening. The cover members can be arranged with a possibility of a pivotal movement relative to each other by 90°. By flexibly arranging the cover members on the deflection rollers, other angular arrangements of the cover members with respect to the pattern of the deflection rollers can be insured.
The drawback of the protection device of the German Publication consists in that the cover member themselves can pivot relative to each other only by 90°, and for covering other angular deviations, further, specially produced, expensive constructional arrangements are necessary.
The object of the present invention is to provide a protection device for a rope saw that can be easily mounted on freely displaceable sections of the saw rope, and the alignment of the adjacent deflection rollers can be freely selected.

Protection device for a rope saw assembly


A process for producing threads by metal cutting when a more or less gradual change of the thread profile is desired in at least one of its sections. When producing a thread by turning, by milling or by turning and milling, the thread is cut in at least two successive operations with at least two different thread pitches and/or an offset value or a continuously changing pitch. The process is preferred for making possible a gradual change in the height and shape of the teeth or, as the case may be, the design of the thread bottom of a self-cutting thread to be progressively adapted to the curved outer profile of an artificial hip-joint socket.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a special process for the cutting production of threads, in which, at least in a part region of their extension, a more or less sliding influence on or correction of the thread profile is desired. Such a design can be advantageous for specific uses. Such a preferred use of the process is proposed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Threads are in widespread use as constructive elements in general mechanical engineering. Threads are usually made cylindrical, and in addition conical threads are also commonly used, for example for oil-field pipes. A large number of different thread profiles are known and are laid down in standards. The said profile on a workpiece is usually invariable, that is to say the thread profile at the thread start is identical to that at the thread end. Exceptions are conceivable, however, in which it could be advantageous to have a shape of the thread profile formed from thread groove and thread tooth which changes in a flowing manner at least in a part region of the thread, for example in order to make it easier to introduce a screw thread into a nut thread.
However, special geometrical conditions with respect to the thread prevail primarily in threads on curved surfaces, such as occur particularly in the case of screw-in artificial hip-joint sockets. Here, with regard to the outer shape of the shell body, for example hypospherical, hemispherical or hyperspherical, conico-spherical, parabolic, toroidal, elliptic or similar geometries are known. Metal-cutting production processes for the threads of screw sockets of this type result, sometimes necessarily, in distortions of the thread profile which vary in flowing manner and which in most cases are neither intended nor desired. Particularly the use of thread teeth having asymmetric flank angles, there is the phenomenon that, depending on the tilting direction of the resulting thread tooth, the tooth height from the socket equator towards the socket pole increases or decreases in a flowing manner, the result of this then being either much too large or virtually stunted thread teeth at the near-pole thread start. In the first case, extremely large thread teeth led to the fact that very high forces become necessary in order to screw in the socket or the implant cannot be screwed in until there is full bone contact. In the second case, only very feeble primary fixation is to be achieved. In both cases, there is the risk that the implant will work loose, and this would mean a further operation on the patient as a consequence.

Process for the production of a thread having a variably modifiable thread profile and preferred application of the process


A computer-implemented method for controlling invocation of application programming interface (API) is provided. The method includes categorizing a plurality of APIs according to a plurality of API categories. The API categories are categorized by an API function through which user information is obtained. The method further includes setting a default invoking permission for a respective API category, and detecting, in real time, an attempt by an application to invoke an API in the respective API category. Upon detecting the attempted invocation of the API in the API category by the application, the method further includes controlling the invoking behavior of the API by the application in accordance with the default invoking permission for the API category.

Applications developed for intelligent devices (e.g., smart phones, smart televisions, tablets, and the like) emerge one after another. Often, these applications are capable of obtaining user information (for example, contacts stored in an address book, a geographical location of the device as determined by a global positioning system (GPS), etc.) by invoking an API (sometimes called an "API call") provided by an operating system. However, it is not always apparent to users of such devices what sorts of information is being accessed and obtained. In some circumstances, malicious applications may also perform unwanted actions through APIs, for example, by thieving information of a contact person, surreptitiously reading the geographical location of the device, monitoring phone calls made by the user, or silently installing/uninstalling applications. Such actions violate the privacy of the user.
In conventional methods of controlling invocation of an API by an application, the user is informed of an invoking permission of an application when the application is installed. Specifically, an invoking permission list of the application is sometimes listed in an installation interface of the application, and the user is asked to agree to the terms of use of the application, including the listed invoking permissions. If the user agrees with the terms of use, the application is installed. If the user does not agree with terms of use, installation of the application is canceled.
Thus, there is no middle ground that allows the user to use the application but with limited permission to invoke certain APIs. Furthermore, it is difficult for the user to identify whether an invoking permission in an invoking permission list is necessary for an application, and most users neglect presentation of the invoking permission list when an application is installed and directly agree to install the application, which leads to the application maliciously obtaining user information. As a result, the security of the device is reduced, and the user experience is affected.

Method and device for controlling invocation of an application programming interface

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


A solid dispersion transdermal drug delivery system comprising a therapeutic agent in a stable amorphous form and a combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent having a hydrogen bond-forming functional group, and a method of manufacturing these systems is provided. The weight ratio of the combination polymeric stabilizing and dispersing agent to the therapeutic agent is also disclosed.

Transdermal drug delivery, delivery of drugs through the skin, provides many advantages. Primarily, it is a comfortable, convenient and non-invasive way of administering drugs. Drugs delivered transdermally directly enter subdermal blood vessels, and are transported to the target site via by-passing the first-pass liver metabolism and decomposition. This method allows for high drug bioavailability. The system requires a relatively small amount of drug and can be an effective method for sustained drug delivery, allowing for a reduced frequency of administration. Moreover, such a means of delivery provides uninterrupted therapy and a higher degree of control over drug concentrations in the blood. These characteristics help avoid side effects caused by temporarily high blood concentrations of drugs which accompany administration of oral dosage forms and injections.
The outer layer of the skin called the stratum corneum, however, forms a barrier to drug absorption for almost all compounds and often prevents the delivery of an effective amount of the drug. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the stratum corneum, absorption of the hydrophilic salts of drugs is especially difficult. Large molecules and extremely hydrophobic drugs also have difficulty being absorbed through the skin.
Chemical enhancers are commonly used to overcome the stratum corneum barrier. These enhancers, however, can introduce side effects such as skin irritation and formulation incompatibility and often still can not increase drug absorption sufficiently to meet the drug's therapeutic dose requirement.
Additionally, physical means are a common method used to overcome the stratum corneum barrier function. These means include iontophoresis, electroporation, sonophoresis, and skin micro abrasion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,206 discloses a preparation in the form of a polyacrylate film with an amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredient embedded therein.
United States Publication No. 2005/0064022 describes a terazosin transdermal device and methods of use. The publication discloses the preparation of terazosin in amorphous form by spray drying, roller drying and freeze drying prior to incorporation into the transdermal delivery device. More specifically, the publication discloses a transdermal therapeutic system for the administration of amorphous terazosin to the skin, comprising a backing layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive reservoir layer and/or a matrix layer, and optionally a removable protective layer.
United States Publication No. 2005/0175678 is directed to a polymer matrix suitable for the transdermal administration of rotigotine and a method of preparing the same. The polymer matrix contains a supersaturated amount of a rotigotine base such that the portion of the rotigotine that is not dissolved in the matrix polymeric adhesive is dispersed in the adhesive matrix as amorphous particles. The publication further discloses that the matrix adhesive may be a component of a system for transdermal administration of rotigotine, wherein the system can have components such as a protective layer, a backing layer, further polymeric adhesive layers, and/or a membrane which controls the release of the rotigotine.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,741 is directed to a transdermal system which includes a sex hormone-containing adhesive matrix, containing inclusions of sex hormone in a hydrophilic non-crosslinked polymer. The active sex hormone contained in the inclusions is preferably amorphous to an extent of more than 50% by weight of the active substance. The active sex hormone-containing laminate is characterized in that the active sex hormone inclusions are contained in the adhesive matrix in dissolved or dispersed form and that the active sex hormone inclusions are pre-prepared prior to incorporation to the adhesive matrix. Thus the process requires a step of pre-preparation of the active hormone inclusion, followed by another step of incorporating the inclusions to an adhesive matrix polymer solution.
Various methods of manufacturing transdermal systems in which the drug is supersaturated are known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,409,206, 4,490,322, 4,797,284, 4,880,633, 5,352,457 5,869,089, 5,906,830, 6,153,216, 6,156,335, and 6,623,763 describe methods of manufacturing transdermal systems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,332 discloses a method of manufacturing a polyacrylate film for long term transdermal administration by forming a solution of a pharmaceutical and a freeze-dried latex polyacrylate copolymer in a solvent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,830 discloses a method of manufacturing a supersaturated transdermal system comprising heating a mixture of undissolved drug and reservoir matrix material to a predetermined temperature, followed by cooling.
Scopolamine is a difficult molecule to administer transdermally as the molecule recrystallizes in both laminate and patch delivery systems. As this recrystallization occurs, the delivery rate is reduced. Several U.S. patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,953, 5,662,928, 6,569,448, 6,238,700) describe an annealing method to anneal laminates and patches for removal or prevention of formation of crystalline scopolamine or their hydrates. These processes are tedious, complex and costly.
Oxybutynin is also a troublesome molecule for transdermal delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,190 discloses transdermal administration of hydrophobic drugs via a diffusion mechanism in which the drug is dissolved in a carrier at concentrations between 20% and 80% of saturation concentration. U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0057985 discloses a transdermal system wherein a matrix layer comprises two phases which are immiscible with each other, namely an inner phase and an outer phase.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0081683 discloses a transdermal system containing a self-adhesive matrix consisting of an adhesive polymer and an amine functional drug including oxybutynin and is free of particles that absorb salts of amine functional drugs.
Naltrexone is poorly absorbed through the skin and therefore prodrugs have been developed to enhance the skin absorption. The absorption rate of the prodrugs, however, is still insufficient to achieve therapeutic dosages.
Testosterone is also poorly absorbed from the skin even in the presence of a high level of enhancers.
Although the required therapeutic dose is low, the transdermal delivery rate of crystalline estradiol often can not achieve the therapeutic level.
Thus there remains a need for a stable transdermal system which can improve the absorption rate through the skin for various therapeutic agents.

Stabilized transdermal drug delivery system


The present invention is a system and method for efficient and flexible testing of data communication over computer networks. The system generates traffic streams and sends them to at least one server, and receives in return replying traffic streams. Traffic outgoing streams are generated in accordance with test parameters set by a test session creator. The system generates and receives dynamic traffic streams, and further has the capability to control the traffic rate of the reply traffic streams.

Computer networks have grown increasingly complex, employing technologies such as distributed client/server applications, mixed platforms and multiple protocols, all on a single physical backbone. A trend which has added to the abovementioned complexity of the networks is the shifting of traffic control methods on the networks from centralized information system departments to distributed workgroups. Another catalyst of the increased complexity is the growing utilization of computer networks. This growth of utilization is what also makes the operation of computer networks more mission critical for day-to-day business operations.
Computers which are part of a computer network such as the abovementioned networks, communicate with each other by means of protocols based on the Open Systems Interconnection model ("OSI"). The OSI model is an internationally accepted framework of standards for communication between different systems manufactured by different vendors. The OSI model creates an open system networking environment in which any vendor's computer system, connected with any network, can freely share data with any other computer system on that network, or on a linked network. The OSI model defines seven layers of communication with which all devices must comply.
Data transfers between servers and clients in a computer network are performed through switches, routers, or gateways. Routing and switching functions are provided by layers 1 through 3 of the abovementioned OSI model. Layers 4 through 7 of the OSI model deal with end-to-end communications between a source computer sending data ("source") and a destination computer, which should eventually receive the data ("destination").
In order to ensure reliable traffic flow between sources and destinations within a network, and from a source in one network to a destination in another network, it is important to provide a testing system for testing the various network components responsible for the proper routing and channeling of traffic within networks and between networks ("system under test" or "SUT" e.g. servers, switches, routers, gateways, systems for wire-speed application layer classification of data packets, and pre-processing of data packets in a full duplex network).
Testing systems are connected with the SUT either directly, or through various network components that are responsible for performing network management functions such as network restoration, customer servicing, circuit testing, and call monitoring, through which nodes the test machines perform their tests.
Most testing systems are implemented on the third layer of the OSI model (the "network layer"). There are also known in the art testing systems that are implemented on the seventh layer of the OSI model (the "application layer").
The advantage of using application layer testing systems ("ALTS") is that when running a test which is initiated in the application layer, all other layers participate in the process, and are therefore testable, whereas when using a network layer testing system ("NLTS") the test sequence begins at the network layer, and therefore only layers 1-3 participate in the testing process.
Application layer testing systems are used for testing of the protocols that provide the actual service sought by an end user of a computer connected to a network, and these protocols can only be tested by means of application layer test machines. These examples of service protocols include hypertext transfer protocol ("HTTP"), file transfer protocol ("FTP"), simple mail transport protocol ("SMTP"), real time streaming protocol ("RSTP"), and others.
In general, for the purpose of testing a SUT, application layer testing systems generate traffic streams, which require the use of the specific protocol being tested (e.g. e-mail messages when the SMTP protocol is being tested). Once generated, these traffic streams are sent to a remote destination in the network for the purpose of testing the network component involved in the process of handling the generated traffic. The traffic streams are routed through the network according to unique network addresses (e.g. IP address).
The test results (i.e. success or failure) are determined according to the feedback returned from the SUT, which is gathered by a monitor program, probing the SUT, and from other network components that took part in handling the generated traffic.
As mentioned hereinabove, currently available test machines provide reports only as to the success or the failure of each test, but they do not provide any additional details regarding the results of the test.
Generally speaking, testing systems are capable of generating two different types of traffic streams, dynamic test traffic, and static test traffic, each by means of a different protocol. For the purpose of sending dynamic traffic testing systems use the transmission control protocol ("TCP"). For the purpose of sending static test traffic the testing system uses the user datagram protocol ("UDP"). Each of these types of test traffic has its own unique properties, as follows:
Static test traffic enables the testing system to send the test traffic at varying traffic rates (i.e. to control the traffic rate, usually measured in bps, of the traffic streams used in the test), but it can not interact with the destination network component, nor with any other network component participating in the channeling of the generated traffic stream. Therefore no acknowledgement information is received from these network components. In addition, even when generating a static traffic stream, the different rates from which a user of the testing system can choose are discrete, rather than continuous (e.g. a user can only choose from the following three traffic rates: 5 bps, 10 bps, or 15 bps). In contrast, a testing system generating a dynamic traffic stream can interact with the destination network component, or with any other network component participating in the channeling of the generated traffic stream, but it cannot control the traffic rate during a test session.
The dynamic characteristics of the dynamic traffic generated by the testing system are generic and inherent to the standard TCP/IP mechanisms, and are not unique to the testing system (i.e. the information regarding the acknowledgment of traffic in the network is automatically generated by the TCP protocol, and is sent from the destination network component, or from any other network component participating in the channeling of the generated traffic stream to the client that generated the stream). These dynamic characteristics does not exist as part of the UDP protocol, which enables control over the traffic rate.
Interacting with the destination network component, or with any other network component participating in the channeling of the generated traffic stream is desirous since it enables retrieving of acknowledgement information regarding the test traffic. Controlling the traffic rate is desirous for the purpose of being able to test the SUT under different loads of traffic.
Currently, no known testing system can generate test traffic which has the characteristics of both the dynamic and the static traffic streams. Moreover, the known dynamic traffic testing systems that generate dynamic traffic don't use the full acknowledgement information received in return, only providing the basic responses of failure or success of a certain test.
Furthermore, no known testing systems are capable of sending test traffic to a large number of servers during a single test session, a property which is desirable for the purpose of testing of vast loads, or for the purpose of testing of more than one protocol in a single test session.
Therefore, there is a need for a testing system capable of generating test traffic that has both dynamic characteristics and static characteristics, and that will further query the full acknowledgement information of the test traffic for more detailed results regarding the acknowledgement of the test traffic (e.g. number of bytes sent, number of packets that were transmitted, and the number of packets that were received, including their serial number etc.), and that is further capable of communicating with more than one destination server during a test session.

System and a method for testing network communication devices


The present invention provides a method of making an auxiliary electrode layer for a common electrode pattern in a thermal printhead. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a master substrate (1') which has an obverse surface provided with a common electrode pattern (4) and corresponds to a plurality of head substrates; forming at least one slit (9) in the master substrate (1') where the slit extends along the common electrode pattern (4); and forming an auxiliary electrode layer (6) on a reverse surface of the master substrate (1') so that the auxiliary electrode layer (6) extends via the slit (9) for electrical connection to the common electrode pattern (4). The slit has a width of no less than 0.5 mm for example, particularly no less than 0.8 mm for controlling to provide a proper turnover (R) of the auxiliary electrode layer (6).

Thermal printheads have been widely used for a printer of an office automation apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a printer of a ticket vending machine and a label printer. As is commonly known, a thermal printhead selectively provides heat to a printing medium such as thermosensitive paper or thermal-transfer ink ribbon to form needed image information.
Thermal printheads are divided mainly into thin film-type thermal printheads and thick film-type thermal printheads, depending upon methods of forming their heating resistors (heating dots) and electrode conductor layers for example. In a thin film-type thermal printhead, a heating resistor and an electrode conductor layer are made in the form of a thin film on a substrate or a glass glaze layer by sputtering for example. On the other hand, in a thick film-type thermal printhead, at least the heating resistor is made in the form of a thick film through such steps as screen printing and sintering.
In general, for thermal printheads, a series of linear heating dots are formed preferably adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the head substrate. This is because the arrangement of disposing the series of heating dots adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the head substrate advantageously makes it possible to avoid interference with the printing medium as well as to increase degrees of positioning freedom and improve printing quality by holding the head substrate relative to the platen at a certain angle.
However, when the series of heating dots are adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the head substrate, space for formation of the common electrode pattern is correspondingly reduced, thereby failing to provide a sufficient current capacity (current passage) necessary for heat generation. As a result, the resistance of the common electrode pattern will cause a problem of irregular heat generation at the heating dots due to a voltage drop along the series of heating dots, which results in deterioration of printing quality. Particularly for color printing, which has been coming into wider use recently, it is highly required to ensure a large current capacity since all of the heating dots are frequently heated simultaneously to perform so-called "solid printing."
To meet such a requirement, International Publication WO 95/32867 discloses a thermal printhead with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the attached drawings of the present application. (Note that the above international publication was published on Dec. 7, 1995, which is later than the priority date of the present application, Jun. 13, 1995, so that the international publication is not to be regarded as prior art against the present application.) The above-mentioned thermal printhead will be described below.
The thermal printhead illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a head substrate 11 of an insulating material such as alumina-ceramic for example. The head substrate 11, which is rectangular in cross section, includes an obverse surface 11a, a reverse surface 11b opposite to the obverse surface 11a, a first longitudinal edge surface 11c and a second longitudinal edge surface 11d opposite to the first longitudinal edge surface 11c. The obverse surface 11a of the head substrate 11 is formed with a glass glaze layer 12 as a heat reservoir. The glass glaze layer 12 includes a convex portion 12a, adjacent to the first longitudinal edge surface 11c of the head substrate 11, which has a curved cross section.
The surface of the glaze layer 12 is formed with a thin film of a resistor layer 13. The resistor layer 13 is divided by slits S (see FIG. 6) at a predetermined pitch to extend transversely of the head substrate 11 (that is, perpendicularly of the longitudinal edge surfaces 11c, 11d of the head substrate 11).
The surface of the resistor layer 13 is formed with a common electrode pattern 14 adjacent to the first longitudinal edge surface 11c of the head substrate 11, and individual electrodes 15 which are spaced from the common electrode pattern 14 and extend from the convex portion 12a of the glaze layer 12 toward the second longitudinal edge surface 11d of the head substrate 11.
The slits S extending to the common electrode pattern 14 electrically insulate the individual electrodes 15 from each other.
As described above, the individual electrodes 15 are spaced from the common electrode pattern 14. Thus, the resistor layer 13 is exposed between the common electrode pattern 14 and the individual electrodes 15, and the exposed portions function as heating dots (heating regions) 13a linearly extending along the first longitudinal edge surface 11c of the head substrate 11.
The heating regions (heating dots) 13a of the resistor layer 13, the common electrode pattern 14 and the individual electrodes 15 are covered with a protecting layer 20. Due to the protecting layer 20, the common electrode pattern 14 and the individual electrodes 15 are prevented from getting oxidized through contact with the air and worn out through contact with a printing medium (not shown).
The common electrode pattern 14 is electrically connected, at an end closer to the first longitudinal edge surface 11c of the head substrate 11, to an auxiliary electrode layer 16 made of a metal such as aluminum for example. Thus, every portion of the common electrode pattern 14 is electrically connected to each other via the auxiliary electrode layer 16, thereby being kept at a same electrical potential. In other words, the auxiliary electrode layer 16 functions as a member commonly connecting all portions of the common electrode pattern 14.
The auxiliary electrode layer 16 covers the first longitudinal edge surface 11c of the head substrate 11, the reverse surface 11b and the second longitudinal edge surface 11d. Thus, the auxiliary electrode layer 16 has a large area to allow increased electrical passage so that the voltage drop which might otherwise be caused longitudinally of the thermal printhead is substantially eliminated. As a result, a large amount of current is provided even for an instance where all heating dots 13a are simultaneously heated (that is, even for solid printing), thereby preventing deterioration of printing quality.
The thermal printhead with the above arrangement may be formed by a method illustrated by FIGS. 7a-7j for example.
First, as shown in FIG. 7a, an alumina-ceramic master substrate 11' dimensionally corresponding to a plurality of head substrates is prepared. The master substrate 11' will be divided later along longitudinal division lines DL1 and transverse division lines DL2 to provide the plurality of head substrates.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7b, a master glaze layer 121 is formed by sintering a glass paste which is applied over the master substrate 11'.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7c, a groove 17 extending into the thickness of the master substrate 11' is formed by using a dicing cutter (not shown) which cuts through the master glaze layer 12' along a predetermined longitudinal division line DL1. Thus, the master glaze layer 12' is divided into separate glaze layers 12.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7d, the glaze layer 12 is formed with a convex portion 12a adjacent to the groove 17 by heating the master substrate 11' at a temperature of about 850.degree. C. for about 20 minutes. The formation of the convex portion 12a is realized under the influence of the surface tension of the glass material which is in a liquidized state by the heating.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7e, a resistor layer 13 including tantalum nitride as the main component is made in the form of a thin film over the glaze layer 12 by reactive sputtering.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7f, a conductive layer 18 of e.g. aluminum is formed on the resistor layer 13 by sputtering.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7g, after forming the slits S (see FIG. 6) by etching the resistor layer 13 and the conductive layer 18, only the conductor layer 18 is partially removed by etching for exposure of portions of the resistor layer 13 to form heating dots 13a. Thus, the conductor layer 18 is divided into the common electrode pattern 14 and the individual electrodes 15.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7h, the master substrate 11' is divided by a dicing cutter (not shown) along the respective division lines DL1, DL2 to provide separate head substrates 11.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7i, while each head substrate 11 is being moved in the direction of arrow X, conductive metal is sputtered from below to be fixed on the first longitudinal edge surface 11c, the reverse surface 11b and the second longitudinal edge surface 11d for forming a proper thickness of the auxiliary electrode layer 16 made of aluminum for example.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 7j, a protecting layer 20 is formed to cover the common electrode pattern 14, the individual electrodes 15 and the heating dots 13a or the exposed regions of the resistor layer 13.
In the method described above, the formation of the auxiliary electrode layer 16 is performed after the division of the master substrate 11' into the separate head substrates 11 (see FIGS. 7h and 7i). However, it has been found that the following problems will occur by the method of making the auxiliary electrode layer 16 described above.
First, since the auxiliary electrode layers 16 are formed after the master substrate 11' is divided into the plurality of separate head substrates 11, specially adjusted magazines and tools are needed to deal with the plurality of head substrates 11 individually, which results in a larger equipment cost. Further, the process of making an auxiliary electrode layer 16 individually for each of a plurality of head substrates 11 will make the production rate low. Such a factor, together with the increased equipment cost, will increase the production cost.
Secondly, when the auxiliary electrode layer 16 is formed for each separate head substrate 11, the conductive metal to be sputtered can easily reach the obverse surface of the head substrate 11, going beyond the common electrode pattern, and may further extend to the heating dots 13a or the exposed portions of the resistor layer 13. As a result, the auxiliary electrode layer 16 partially or wholly covers the heating dots 13a to prevent the heat generation at the heating dots 13a.
Thirdly, when the auxiliary electrode layers 16 are formed after dividing the master substrate 11' into the plurality of separate head substrates 11, apparatus for carrying and supporting the separate head substrates 11 will come into direct contact with the head substrates 11, thereby possibly causing a secondary damage to the obtained thermal printheads. On the other hand, when the master substrate 11' is not divided, the carrying and supporting of the master substrate 11' can be performed with the use of the marginal portions thereof. Thus, there are much less possibilities of causing a damage to the head substrates 11 which will be separated afterward.

Method of making auxiliary electrode layer for common electrode pattern in thermal printhead


A tape guide for guiding a carrier tape in a component mounting machine, a tape magazine for receiving the tape guide, and a system including the tape guide and the tape magazine. The carrier tape carries components that are positioned in sequence on the carrier tape and are covered by a cover tape. The tape guide includes an exposure mechanism for exposing the components at a picking position, wherein the exposure mechanism includes a separator for separating and lifting a lateral portion of the cover from the carrier tape, leaving the remaining portion of the cover at least partially attached to the carrier tape, and for bringing the lifted portion of the cover aside. The tape guide also includes a lock for enabling ready and quick attachment and detachment of the tape guide to and from the component mounting machine, a guiding for guiding the carrier tape towards a picking position, and a retainer for preventing accidental displacement of the carrier tape along the tape guide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of manufacture and assembly of circuit boards. More specifically it relates to a tape guide for guiding a carrier tape in a component mounting machine, a tape magazine for receiving the tape guide, and a system including the tape guide and the tape magazine.
2. Description of Background Art
Generally, within the field of manufacture and assembly of circuit boards, electronic components are fed to a component mounting machine for mechanically and/or electrically mounting the components onto a circuit board. These surface mounted components are often delivered spaced apart along the length of a component tape, which consists of a lower carrier tape provided with compartments, one for each component, and an upper cover, or cover tape or protective tape. After positioning the electronic components in the corresponding compartments, the cover tape is attached to the carrier tape, and the component tape is wound on a component reel. The attachment of the cover tape to the carrier tape can, for instance, be performed by providing either the cover tape or the carrier tape with adhesive areas, or by fusing the cover tape to the carrier tape. Then, the component reel is transferred to a component mounting machine, which feeds a component to a certain predetermined picking position where it can be picked, or collected, by a pick-up head. WO 86/00778 shows a cassette magazine for a component mounting machine using the above described method.
According to the method conventionally used within the art, the loading of a component tape in a component mounting machine involves the following steps. Placing the component tape reel into the tape holder of a component mounting machine, or into a tape magazine of a component mounting machine; introducing the free end of the component tape into a feeding mechanism, provided in the machine or in the magazine, such that feeding pins engage corresponding holes provided in the component tape; separating, by hand, the end of the cover tape from the end of the carrier tape for a distance sufficient for the cover tape to be engaged with a cover tape handling means; and lowering a locking mechanism over the carrier tape for holding the carrier tape against the feeding mechanism.
Prior to the picking of the components, each component has to be exposed so as to make it available for picking. Conventionally, this is achieved by removing the cover tape from the carrier tape. The cover tape is then fed away by a separate cover tape handling means in order for the cover tape not to disturb the picking of components. Generally, the cover tape handling means comprises a winding hub on which the cover tape is wound. Additionally, when unloading the component tape from the component mounting machine, or the tape magazine, the winding hub has to be cleared of the cover tape.
A considerable length of the end of the cover tape has to be separated from the end of the carrier tape in order to bring the cover tape end to a cover tape handling means. Thus, the first decimetres of a new carrier tape are not provided with components. Otherwise, numerous components would be wasted during loading. However, when reloading a tape reel that already has been partly used, the tape is provided with components throughout, and consequently a large number of components may be wasted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,369 discloses an alternative method and device for exposing the components at the picking position. According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover tape is separated from the carrier tape along one side of the carrier tape only, while the cover tape remains adhered to the carrier tape along the other side. Thereby, the need for separate cover tape handling means is reduced or even eliminated. Using this method, the distance of cover tape that has to be removed from the carrier tape when loading or reloading a carrier tape can be reduced, but not eliminated, thus there would still be some component waste. Further, there would also still be components wasted when unloading a carrier tape from the compartments where the components have been exposed but have not yet been picked-up. Even though this method would be preferred as compared to using a separate cover tape handling means, the loading of the carrier tape into the component mounting machine and the device for exposing the components must still be performed individually for each carrier tape. During this time, the component mounting machine must be shut off.
As realised from the above, the loading of a component tape in a component mounting machine is a time-consuming and complicated process that has to be performed every time a new component has to be added to the circuit board manufacturing process, and every time an empty component tape has to be replaced. This negatively affects the overall time efficiency of the manufacturing process and, hence, the overall costs. Additionally, when using a winding hub, or the like, for handling the cover tape, the required time for the loading process is further increased, and the unloading of the component tape includes the additional step of clearing the winding hub of the cover tape. Furthermore, there is high risk of a considerable component waste with the loading method according to prior art.

Tape guide and magazine at a component machine


A method of, and apparatus for, processing interference in a cellular communications system. The method includes the steps of determining a quality value per burst; identifying those bursts for which the quality value is below a predetermined threshold; determining a pattern of the identified bursts in terms of transmission frequency and time; calculating respective predicted patterns based on respective hopping determination parameters of other cells and of the given cell; comparing the determined pattern of the identified bursts with the predicted patterns; and responsive thereto predicting the hopping determination parameters of whichever interfering cell produced the determined pattern of the identified bursts by interfering with the given cell. Further possibilities include comparing the given cell with the interfering cell and identifying predicted interfering timeslots. Further interference can be reduced by not transmitting bursts during some or all of the predicted interfering timeslots. Interference produced by overlapping parts of bursts of unsynchronised timeslots can be incorporated.

The present invention relates to interference in a cellular communications system which employs frequency hopping.
One type of communications system is a cellular communications system. In a cellular communications system, the area over which service is provided is divided into a number of smaller areas called cells. Typically each cell is served from a base transceiver station (BTS) which has a corresponding antenna or antennas for transmission to and reception from a user station, normally a mobile station. Presently established cellular radio communications systems include GSM systems (Global System for Mobile Communications).
In a communications system, information is conveyed by means of a communications link which is divided into separate channels. In a digital cellular communications system, a plurality of channels occupy a single physical radio resource by virtue of a multiplexing technique called Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). Time is divided into discrete periods called timeslots which are organised in time division frames, which are often called TDMA frames. In a GSM system each TDMA frame comprises the same number of timeslots, the number being 8. The timeslots are numbered sequentially. In GSM terminology, the timeslot numbers are 0 to 7 respectively. FIG. 1 shows timeslots numbered 0 to 7 arranged in 3 TDMA frames.
In a TDMA operated cellular communications system, the simplest way a channel is formed is by remaining on the same frequency band and allocating the same respective timeslot number of each consecutive time frame to that channel. This is shown in FIG. 2, where channel X is formed by repeatedly using timeslot number 0, and channel Y is formed by repeatedly using timeslot number 5. In the simple example of FIG. 2, all the TDMA frames shown are sent on the same RF carrier, i.e. at the same frequency.
In practical systems the number of cells means that frequency re-use is employed. In order to reduce interference in systems employing frequency re-use, it is known to employ frequency hopping. The same underlying basis of channel operation still applies when frequency hopping is being used, as will now be explained with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, three separate RF carrier frequencies are shown, namely F1, F2 and F3. Channel X is again formed by repeatedly using timeslot number 1 from consecutive TDMA frames, although now in this example such frames appear on different RF carriers according to a frequency hopping arrangement. Similarly, channel Y is again formed by repeatedly using timeslot number 5 from consecutive TDMA frames, with such frames appearing on different RF carriers according to the frequency hopping arrangement.
Within each timeslot a burst of one or more bits is transmitted and received.
Different BTSs will each carry out frequency hopping across their frequencies. The required hopping sequence for each subscriber unit, for example a mobile station (MS), is communicated to the MS as part of assignment signalling.
The frequency hopping arrangement or plan for a given BTS, or sector of a multi-sectored BTS, is determined by hopping determination parameters. For example, in the case of a GSM system, the frequency hopping arrangement is determined by a look-up table function defined in terms of (i) frame number (which is usually cycled, e.g. counted from 1 through to 4,000,000, say, and then started again from 1); (ii) hopping sequence number (an allocated number), and (iii) mobile allocation index offset (a predetermined offset).
Ideally, interference between different cells employing a same frequency or adjacent frequency due to frequency re-use would be entirely avoided by means of careful planning of the frequency re-use patterns and the frequency hopping arrangements selected. However, in practise, geographical factors, errors in planning, and changes to initial situations all lead to interference arising due to different cells transmitting on the same frequency, despite good intentions when planning the frequency re-use patterns. The effect on particular communications channels cannot be predetermined or resolved conventionally since each BTS can or will be operating with different values of hopping determination parameters, and moreover typically different BTSs will start their frame number count at different times so will be at different stages of their frame number count cycle.
The present invention addresses the problem of the above described interference.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing interference in a cellular communications system, as claimed in claim 1.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing interference in a cellular communications system, as claimed in claim 8.
Further aspects of the invention are as claimed in the dependent claims.
The present invention advantageously provides a means for determining the effect of the hopping determination patterns of interfering cells.
Preferred versions of the present invention provide means for alleviating the interference.
Additional specific advantages are apparent from the following description and figures.

Interference in a cellular communications system


The invention relates to a traction device for treating leg fractures 81, wherein the device 1 includes a traction bar 2 or the like which carries at its rear end a branched support 3 intended for abutment with the crotch region of a patient or a person on which the device is used, and which carries at its front end at least one attachment point 4 for the attachment of tensioning devices 5 which are intended to act between the attachment point or attachment points and the feet or lower leg parts of said person. The branched support 3 includes support surfaces 35, 36 which are positioned for supportive engagement with the ischial tuberosities (tuber ossis ischii) 80 of said person. The branched support 3 includes a recess 34 or opening which provides room for the genital organs of said person. The branched support 3 includes a base part 30 which includes a part 31 by means of which the branched support can be affixed to the traction bar 2. The traction bar 2 can be adjusted to different lengths, so as to adjust the distance between the branched support 3 and the tensioning-device attachment point or points 4 in relation to said person.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for applying traction to a fractured leg. The invention also relates to a method of using the device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When administering first-aid to a person who has suffered a fractured or broken leg, such as a fractures femur and/or a lower part of the leg, immediately on the site of the accident, an attempt is normally made to straighten and reset the fractured bone then apply a splint in order to hold the fractured bone in place prior to transporting the injured person to hospital for further treatment.
In the case of a fracture to the lower leg, it often suffices to fixate the broken bone with the aid of splints or some corresponding means. However, fractures to the lower leg and the majority of femur fractures require the leg to be stretched by applying an appropriate stretching or traction force to the leg at the same time as the splint is being applied to hold the fracture fixated. So-called traction bars or stretchers are used in such cases.
Such traction devices enable tension to be applied on affected parts of the leg in its longitudinal direction. Traction can be applied to the leg with the aid of a so-called traction device/traction bar through the medium of a counter-pressure means/support device which is provided at the rear/other end of the device and which lies supportively against the pelvis of the injured person, and also through the medium of an attachment means which is located on the front end/the first end of the device and which acts relative to the foot part of the injured person. It has been found that the traction force required to apply traction to the leg of an injured person in hospital without causing pain to the patient is about 7-10% of the body weight of the person/patient, i.e. a force of about 5-10 kp. The supportive part of the body (the pelvis) and the device attachment part (the foot part) are subject to equal forces when stretching the leg. The fractured bone is extended by traction forces that are applied via the foot of the injured person and the counter-pressure forces acting on his/her pelvis. However, it has been found very difficult to obtain a device-supporting point with which no unpleasantness is inflicted in the form of physical pain and numbness.
The majority of traction devices that are available commercially are constructed for treating only one broken leg at a time. A traction device which is constructed for use with both legs simultaneously will enable both legs to be streched simultaneously and therewith distribute symmetrically on load the body of the patient. Such as device will also find use when both legs are fractured.
Such devices primarily use the pubic bone (crotch) and the ischial tuberosity as their supporting points. Pressure against the pubic bone is liable to cause discomfort, due to squeezing of the external genital organs.
The object of the present invention is to provide an attractive device for optimal traction of a fractured leg while minimizing discomfort and numbness at the same time. This object is achieved with the inventive traction device having the characteristic features set forth herein.
The inventive traction device affords the following advantages, among others:

Device for the treatment of leg fractures


A method of producing thin foils of uranium or an alloy. The uranium or alloy is cast as a plate or sheet having a thickness less than about 5 mm and thereafter cold rolled in one or more passes at substantially ambient temperatures until the uranium or alloy thereof is in the shape of a foil having a thickness less than about 1.0 mm. The uranium alloy includes one or more of Zr, Nb, Mo, Cr, Fe, Si, Ni, Cu or Al.

To reduce nuclear-proliferation concerns, it is desirable to curtail the worldwide use of high-enriched uranium (HEU) by substituting low-enriched uranium (LEU) for research reactor fuel and medical isotope targets. Low-enriched uranium contains <20% 235U. Presently, most research reactors have converted their driver fuel from HEU to LEU; however, several high power reactors require fuel with uranium densities not attainable with dispersion designs. Fuel designs consisting of a solid uranium alloy core rather than uranium alloy—Al dispersions as the fissile part of the fuel will enable conversion of most remaining HEU fueled reactors.
Currently, most of the world's supply of 99Mo for medical diagnostics use is produced by fissioning the 235U in HEU targets, generally enriched to 93% 235U. After irradiation, the 99Mo is separated from the uranium and activation and fission products. Targets have been developed that use uranium alloys to allow the facile transition from HEU to LEU. These targets have been so successful that many producers have completed feasibility studies and moved into planning for their conversion to LEU.

Method for fabricating uranium foils and uranium alloy foils

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy