A miniature apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders is provided which is a combination of electronic and pharmacological devices placed and powered entirely within the human body. The apparatus is based on the dual, electricalxe2x80x94molecular, nature of intercellular communication in the brain. The hybrid neuroprosthesis monitors the electrical activity of a dysfunctioning brain area, analyzes the incoming electrical signals, and delivers drug molecules into the dysfunctioning area to correct its function. The apparatus delivers drugs into the brain in such a way that the timing and duration of the drug deliveries are determined by the brain""s own electrical activity. The hybrid neuroprosthesis includes (a) an electrophysiological recording electrode implanted in a dysfunctioning brain site, (b) a miniature electrical signal conditioner to amplify, filter and digitize the incoming electrophysiological signals, (c) a cannula or catheter implanted in the dysfunctioning brain site, (d) a miniature, refillable pump for driving drug solutions through the cannula or catheter, (e) a microcontroller which analyzes on-line the digitized electrophysiological signals and either activates or inactivates the pump on the basis of the analyzed electrophysiological data, (f) a miniature radiotelemetry system which provides data transfer between the apparatus and the outside world, and (g) a rechargeable power supply to power the components of the apparatus. The recording electrode can be complemented with a neurochemical sensor to transmit not only electrophysiological but also neurochemical information from the dysfunctioning brain area to the microcontroller. The components of the apparatus are encapsulated in medical grade silicon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of brain disorders, and more particularly, to a hybrid neuroprosthesis apparatus implanted subcutaneously in a human subject.
2. Prior Art
At the dawn of the year 2000, effective therapy is still unavailable for the treatment of Alzheimer""s disease and other degenerative disorders, stroke is still the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer, and currently marketed drugs are still ineffective in about 60% of patients with complex partial seizures. These few examples may demonstrate that the challenges for neurology and psychiatry in the new century will be as enormous as the achievements of these medical fields in the past one. New therapeutic strategies are needed, which capitalize on the progress in drug research, molecular biology, computer technology and electronics. Constructing neuroprosthetic devices is part of these efforts.
The first generation of successful neuroprosthesis included diaphragm pacing devices to stimulate the phrenic nerve in patients with respiratory paralysis, the Neurocybernetic Prosthesis for seizure control via vagus nerve stimulation, and cochlear implants for acoustic nerve stimulation in individuals with hearing loss. A second generation of neuroprostheses, designed to restore sensory and motor functions are under development in various laboratories. A common feature of these existing and experimental neuroprosthetic devices is that they stimulate the neural tissue electrically.
However, the neurons of the brain are not merely living electronic machines. While these cells indeed transmit information to other neurons with the use of purely electrical tools referred to as xe2x80x9caction potentialsxe2x80x9d, the generation and spacing of action potentials are regulated by molecular mechanisms. In fact, these mechanisms are sophisticated interplays of a large number of intra- and extracellular molecular systems. Thus, the neurons work as molecular-electronic computers, as they process their inputs with molecular mechanisms in order to generate electrical outputs.
The hybrid neuroprosthesis device of the present invention is essentially the translation of the dual: molecular-electronic nature of neurons into a medical device. The term xe2x80x9chybrid neuroprosthesisxe2x80x9d refers to a subcutaneously implanted miniature apparatus which simultaneously acts as an electrophysiological data recorder and a drug delivery means such as a pump. This allow it to monitor the electrical activity of a dysfunctioning brain area and to correct the dysfunction by delivering drugs into the environment of the abnormal neurons.
Accordingly, the hybrid neuroprosthesis of the present invention fundamentally differs from all prior neuroprostheses, as the hybrid neuroprosthesis aims to correct neural dysfunctions pharmacologically, and not electrically. The advantage of the hybrid neuroprosthesis approach is that with drugs neuron- and synapse-specific actions can be achieved, which is difficult to accomplish with electrical stimulations.
The hybrid neuroprosthesis of the present invention also differs from the intracerebral drug delivery technologies of the prior art. No prior intracerebral drug delivery systems, including drug-loaded ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAc) rods, are able to monitor the electrical activity of the targeted brain tissue. As a consequence, no feed-back is obtained from the targeted tissue. This may lead to too high, therefore damaging, or too low, therefore ineffective, drug concentrations. No prior intracerebral drug delivery systems can apply the drug solutions periodically, only when this intervention is necessary.
Indeed, a device is needed which is able to monitor the electrical activity of a dysfunctioning brain area without interfering with the patient""s daily life, yet also being able to deliver drugs into the dysfunctioning brain area: precisely when it is necessary. The hybrid neuroprosthesis device of the present invention satisfies this need, especially since the device can also be extended to monitoring not only the electrical but also the neurochemical activity of the dysfunctioning brain area and to deliver drugs into this area in response to either the neurochemical signals, or the electrical signals, or both.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders which overcomes the problems of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders which stimulates brain tissue by pharmacological stimulation.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders which can be used in controlled human studies.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders for analyzing neuronal firing in natural circumstances, during behavior.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders in which a delivered drug solution does not affect the cells of the whole body which can drastically change the subject""s behavior.
It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for the treatment of brain disorders which regulates intracerebral drug delivery.
Accordingly, an apparatus for the treatment of brain disorders in a subject is provided. The apparatus comprises: a drug delivery means implanted in the subject for delivering at least one drug solution to the brain of the subject; a drug driving means that drives the at least one drug solution to the drug delivery means; a recording electrode implanted in the brain for outputting an electrical signal characteristic of an electrical activity of the brain; and a microcontroller for controlling the drug driving means on the basis of the electrical signal. Preferably, the entire apparatus is subcutaneously disposed in the subject. Preferably, the recording electrode is complemented with a sensor to detect neurochemical signals such as neurotransmitter release or other molecular events. Alternatively, the recording electrode is replaced by a neurochemical sensor.
The drug delivery means is preferably a cannula, such as a multi-port cannula having a plurality of ports, each port delivering the drug solution to a corresponding portion of the brain or an intraventricular cannula for delivering the drug solution to a substantial portion of the brain. Alternatively, the drug delivery means can be a catheter, microdialysis probe, or other drug ejector device. The drug delivery means is implanted in the brain of the subject or in the ventricular system of the subject.
The drug driving means is preferably a pump, that includes a drug reservoir for holding the at least one drug solution and which is also preferably subcutaneously disposed in the subject and is externally accessible on the surface of the skin for periodic refilling. Alternatively, the drug driving device can be a microcapillary device, nanotube, microtube, microfabricated pathway using electrokinetic force, or other components.
The apparatus preferably further comprises an electrical signal conditioner disposed between the recording electrode and the microcontroller for amplifying, filtering and digitizing the recorded electrical signals from the brain and inputting the conditioned signals to the microcontroller, wherein the electrical signal conditioner is also preferably subcutaneously disposed in the subject.
The microcontroller is preferably equipped with a microprocessor, to analyze the electrophysiological data stream from the electrical signal conditioner and regulate the drug driving means accordingly. Alternatively, the microcontroller can be a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logical array (PLA), a programmable logical device (PLD), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar device. The processor can be equipped with a transmitter to transmit, preferably via a communication system, the analyzed electrophysiological signals to outside of the body for more advanced human and computer analysis. The processor is preferably further equipped with a receiver to receive, preferably via a communication system, human and computer commands from outside of the body.
The apparatus still further comprises a power source, such as a battery, for supplying power to the drug driving device, the microcontroller and the electrical signal conditioner. The battery is preferably a NiMH or Lithium-ion battery which is also subcutaneously disposed in the subject and is rechargeable from the outside of the body from an electromagnetic or optical power source. Alternatively, the power source is a subcutaneous current generator.
In a preferred configuration of the apparatus, the microcontroller, the drug driving means, the electrical signal conditioner and the battery are housed in a single container subcutaneously disposed in the subject. The container is preferably an elastomer case fabricated from medical grade silicon and is subcutaneously disposed in the subject at the base of the brain and back of the neck. Alternatively, the microcontroller, the drug driving means, the electrical signal conditioner and the power source can be housed in individual containers, located in distant body parts under the skin, and are interconnected via subcutaneous tunneling.
Also provided are methods for the treatment of brain disorders with the apparatus of the present invention.

Hybrid neuroprosthesis for the treatment of brain disorders

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


In a continuous form printer, a passage of the leading edge of the sheet is detected by a top sensor located along a feeding path thereof. If the top sensor detects the leading edge of the sheet while the sheet is fed in a reverse direction, the control unit of the printer determines whether the detection of the leading edge by the top sensor is correct or not, by feeding the sheet once in the forward direction and then feeding the sheet in the reverse direction and by checking whether the top sensor again detects the leading edge of the sheet being fed in the reverse direction.

The invention relates to a continuous sheet feeding system for a printer.
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding system for feeding a sheet such as a continuous form sheet used in a continuous form printer or the like.
A sheet feeding system is provided with a top sensor for detecting the passage of a leading edge of a sheet being fed by the feeding system. The top sensor generally includes a swingable lever swingable between an erect position, where the swingable lever projects across the feeding path of the sheet, and a retracted position, where the swingable lever does not project into the feeding path. When the sheet is present at the position of the swingable lever, the swingable lever is pressed down by the sheet below the feeding path. The top sensor further includes a detecting sensor for detecting the position of the swingable lever. In general, the detecting sensor is arranged to generate an OFF signal when the swingable lever is in the erect position and to generate an ON signal when the swingable lever is in the retracted position. The passage of the leading edge of the sheet can be detected in response to a change in the signal from the detecting sensor.
However, there is a possibility that the sheet may bend or be warped, causing a portion of the sheet to be deflected upward. In this case, if the portion of the sheet deflected upward is above the swingable lever of the top sensor, the swingable lever may not be pressed down by the sheet even though the sheet is present. Consequently, the detecting sensor may incorrectly send an OFF signal even though the continuous form sheet is correctly positioned. In such case, a control unit of the printer may mistakenly determine a leading edge of the sheet, which causes a deviation of the printing position on the sheet.
More particularly, a recent continuous form printer using a continuous form sheet is arranged to discharge a printed page of the continuous form sheet out of the printer so that a user may check the result of the printing or may separate a page from the continuous form sheet. In such a printer, since a user touches the discharged page for checking or separating, the chance of the continuous form sheet being bent (or warped) and deflected is increased. Thus, the above-mentioned incorrect detection of the leading edge and resulting incorrect printing may occur more often.

Sheet feeding system including leading edge detection


Even when a semiconductor device having field effect transistors driven by relatively different power supply voltages provided over a semiconductor substrate is manufactured by the gate-last process, the breakdown voltage of the transistor on the higher voltage side can be ensured.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device and can be preferably applied, for example, to a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which uses, when forming field effect transistors with different power supply voltages over a semiconductor substrate, a gate-last process of forming a gate electrode after having performed heat treatment to activate the semiconductor region for the source and drain.
A semiconductor device such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) or an SoC (System on Chip) has a high-voltage MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) driven by a high power supply voltage and a core MOSFET driven by a low power supply voltage formed over a semiconductor substrate.
The gate length of a core MOSFET is being reduced every year for a higher performance, a higher functionality and a higher integration, and for an advanced product using a planar core MOSFET, the gate length has attained 20 to 40 nm. In addition, the most advanced product with a three-dimensional gate structure has attained a gate length shorter than 20 nm.
On the other hand, there is a demand for a high-voltage MOSFET that, in order to ensure the reliability for the hot carrier and the breakdown voltage between the source and drain thereof and the semiconductor substrate, the source and drain thereof should be formed deeper with a gradual impurity distribution compared to the source and drain of a core MOSFET. When forming a MONOS (Metal-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon) type flash memory over a semiconductor substrate, for example, a power supply voltage of 5 V is often required for the high-voltage MOSFET, for which ensuring the reliability and the breakdown voltage of the high-voltage MOSFET has become an important issue.
Descriptions of a method of forming field effect transistors with different power supply voltages over a same semiconductor substrate are provided in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-245167), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-243937) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-305711), for example, each of which discloses a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using a gate-first process of performing heat treatment to activate the semiconductor region for the source and drain after forming the gate electrode.
In addition, there is disclosed in Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-150321), for example, a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using a gate-last process of forming a gate electrode after performing heat treatment to activate the semiconductor region for the source and drain.

Manufacturing method of semiconductor device

Abstract: When forming, over the substrate by the gate-last process, a MOSFET of a core region driven by a first power supply voltage and a MOSFET of a high-voltage region driven by a second power supply voltage higher than the first power supply voltage, the thickness of the hard mask film formed over a dummy gate film of the high-voltage region is made thicker than that of the hard mask film formed over a dummy gate film of the core region, prior to a process of patterning a dummy gate of the MOSFET of the core region and the MOSFET of the high-voltage region. Thereby, the breakdown voltage of MOSFET of the high-voltage region can be ensured.


A process to control the heat transfer coefficient in slurry olefin polymerization processes comprising shocking the polymerization reactor is provided. This shock comprises quickly decreasing and then restoring to normal operating conditions, the higher alpha-olefin comonomer to ethylene monomer weight feed ratio.

This invention relates to the copolymerization of mono-1-olefin monomers, such as ethylene, with at least one higher alpha-olefin comonomer.
It is well known that mono-1-olefins, such as ethylene, can be polymerized with catalyst systems employing vanadium, chromium, or other metals on supports such as alumina, silica, aluminophosphate, titania, zirconia, magnesia and other refractory metals. Initially, such catalyst systems were used to form primarily homopolymers of ethylene. It soon developed, however, that many applications required polymers having more impact resistance than ethylene homopolymers. Consequently, polymers were developed having short chain branching, like the more flexible free radical polymerized ethylene polymers, by adding comonomers such as propylene, butene, hexene and other higher alpha-olefins which were copolymerized with ethylene to provide resins tailored to specific end uses. These polymers, and processes to make such polymers, were improved in order to more efficiently incorporate comonomers into the polymer to produce linear, low-density copolymers having high impact resistance, especially when made into films.
Unfortunately, during polymerization processes to produce these improved copolymers, the heat transfer coefficient of the polymerization reactor can be severely reduced. Loss, or decrease, of the heat transfer coefficient can result in a loss of cooling efficiency of the reactor. During the polymerization reaction, polymer product can coat, or plate out on, the reactor walls and start foul conditions in the reactor. This coating phenomenon can cause a loss of cooling efficiency, which is indicated by a decrease of the heat transfer coefficient in the reactor. A significant loss of reactor cooling efficiency creates polymer production limits on the reactor. Generally, once foul conditions begin, the condition is very difficult to reverse and fouling continues at an ever increasing rate. Eventually, the reactor can enter a condition known as "full foul", which can result when a significant build-up of polymer plates out on the reactor walls. In fact, fouling conditions can be so bad that the entire reactor can become completely plugged with solid polymer. Correction of such types of foul conditions usually requires a complete shut-down of the reactor and cleaning of the reactor walls. A reactor shut-down to correct fouling conditions can take up to several days, depending on the severity of the fouling, and can result in a significant loss of polymer production and can have a serious detrimental economic impact. Cleaning the reactor walls can restore the heat transfer coefficient to original operating conditions and can improve the cooling efficiency of the reactor.

Ethylene polymerization processes and products thereof


A bagless canister vacuum cleaner having a chasse, an air blower and a dust extraction and collection unit is provided. The dust extraction and collection unit has an easily removable inlet chamber and an easily removable outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is substantially cylindrical, and the outlet chamber is disposed concentrically within the upper portion of the inlet chamber. Duct work within the chasse conducts air from the air inlet and into the inlet chamber in tangential fashion, such that air swirls about the inside walls of the inlet chamber. Air within the inlet chamber is then allowed to escape from the inlet chamber into the outlet chamber via a plurality of small holes disposed in the side walls of the outlet chamber. Air within the outlet chamber is exhausted to the blower via a top wall opening in the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber contains a vertical, cylindrical filter disposed concentrically within the outlet chamber and a second, planar filter disposed across the top wall opening of the outlet chamber.

This invention relates generally to canister vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to bagless canister vacuum cleaners.
Bagless vacuum cleaners have become very popular over the last several years. This popularity is due in large part to the ease with which dust and dirt can be removed from such vacuum cleaners. These vacuum cleaners include canister vacuum cleaners. A canister vacuum cleaner is a type of vacuum cleaner that has a lower chassis than a stand-up type of vacuum cleaner. A typical canister vacuum cleaner has a chassis that is about two (2) feet from the ground. In old style cloth bag-containing canister vacuum cleaners, dust and dirt removal is a difficult and awkward process, frequently requiring the user to extend his or her hand into the cloth bag to physically disengage dust clumps. Canister vacuum cleaners using disposable liner bags minimize the problems associated with cloth bags, but the use of such canister vacuum cleaners requires the continuous replenishment and installation of disposable liner bags. (Also, owners of older model disposable liner bag-containing canister vacuum cleaners often find it difficult to locate a source of properly sized replacement liner bags.) Contrary to these problems associated with bag-containing canister vacuum cleaners, dirt and dust vacuumed up using bagless canister vacuum cleaners is conveniently deposited into an easily removable permanent container, from which dust and dirt can be disposed of without the effort associated with cloth bag-containing canister vacuum cleaners and without having to continually purchase and reinstall disposable liner bags.
Bagless canister vacuum cleaners of the prior art, however, have not been fully satisfactory. Most bagless canister vacuum cleaners have not demonstrated the ability to fully disengage dust and dirt from the vacuum air stream. Those prior art bagless canister vacuum cleaners which have been reasonably successful in disengaging dust and dirt from the vacuum air stream have required a high degree of mechanical complexity. Such mechanical complexity has tended to make those prior art bagless canister vacuum cleaners unduly expensive to manufacture and maintain.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bagless canister vacuum cleaner which avoids these problems with the prior art.
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a bagless canister vacuum cleaner that is (a) a chassis having a housing unit, the housing unit having an air inlet and roller means for moving the canister vacuum cleaner across a flat surface, (b) an air blower disposed within the chassis, (c) a dust reaction and collection unit disposed within the housing unit and (d) duct work for serially connecting in fluid communication the air inlet in the housing unit, the inlet chamber, the outlet chamber and the air blower. The dust extraction and collection unit comprises an enclosed inlet chamber and an enclosed outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is substantially cylindrical with a typical internal diameter between about 130 mm and about 200 mm. The inlet chamber comprises a bottom wall, generally vertical sidewalls, an upper section, a lower section and an air inlet opening. The sidewalls have an interior height, typically between about 200 mm and about 250 mm, and the upper section of the inlet chamber has an air inlet opening through the sidewalls. The enclosed outlet chamber is disposed concentrically within the upper section of the inlet chamber. The outlet chamber has a bottom wall, a top wall and generally vertical sidewalls. The top wall has a top wall opening and the sidewalls have an interior height, typically between about 50 mm and about 100 mm. The sidewalls also have a large plurality of inlet apertures, each inlet aperture, typically defining an area between about 3 mm2 and about 30 mm2. The inlet apertures are disposed in a band around the sidewalls of the outlet chamber, the band typically has a width between about 20 mm and about 50 mm and a median line disposed between about 30 mm and about 50 mm above the bottom wall. The outlet chamber also has an upper section, a lower section and a circular exterior perimeter edge member disposed around the sidewalls in the lower section of the outlet chamber. The exterior edge member has a diameter which is typically between about 10 mm and about 60 mm less than the internal diameter of the inlet chamber.
In one embodiment, the outlet chamber contains at least one filter for filtering out residual dust within the air prior to the air being exhausted from the outlet chamber. In preferred embodiments, the outlet chamber contains at least two separate filters. In more preferred embodiments, an additional filter, most preferably a HEPA filter, is disposed downstream of the blower to remove virtually all remaining traces of entrained dust particles.
The invention has been found to provide a canister vacuum cleaner with all the conveniences of prior art canister vacuum cleaners, but with increased dust removal efficiency and without excessive mechanical complexity and resulting expense of manufacture.


A multi-stage amplifier circuit arranged to take advantage of the desirable characteristics of non-field-plate and field plate transistors when amplifying a signal. One embodiment of a multi-stage amplifier according to the present invention comprises a non-field-plate transistor and a field-plate transistor. The field-plate transistor has at least one field plate arranged to reduce the electric field strength within the field plate transistor during operation. The non-field plate transistor is connected to the field plate transistor, with the non-field-plate providing current gain and the field plate transistor providing voltage gain. In one embodiment the non-field-plate and field plate transistors are coupled together in a cascode arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to transistors and particularly to amplifier circuits utilizing field plated transistors.
2. Description of the Related Art
High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are a common type of solid state transistor that are regularly fabricated from semiconductor materials such as Silicon (Si) or Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). One disadvantage of Si is that it has low electron mobility (approximately 1450 cm2/V-s), which produces a high source resistance. This resistance can degrade the Si based HEMT's high performance gain. [CRC Press, The Electrical Engineering Handbook, Second Edition, Dorf, p.994, (1997)]
GaAs based HEMTs have become the standard for signal amplification in civil and military radar, handset cellular, and satellite communications. GaAs has a higher electron mobility (approximately 6000 cm2/V-s) and a lower source resistance than Si, which allows GaAs based devices to function at higher frequencies. However, GaAs has a relatively small bandgap (1.42 eV at room temperature) and relatively small breakdown voltage, which prevents GaAs based HEMTs from providing high power at high frequencies.
Improvements in the manufacturing of AlGaN/GaN semiconductor materials have focused interest on the development of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for high frequency, high temperature and high power applications. AlGaN/GaN has large bandgaps, high peak and saturation electron velocity values [B. Belmont, K. Kim and M. Shur, J. Appl. Phys. 74, 1818 (1993)]. AlGaN/GaN HEMTs can also have 2DEG sheet densities in excess of 1013/cm2 and relatively high electron mobility (up to 2019 cm2/Vs) [R. Gaska, J. W. Yang, A. Osinsky, Q. Chen, M. A. Khan, A. O. Orlov, G. L. Snider and M. S. Shur, Appl. Phys. Lett., 72, 707 (1998)]. These characteristics allow AlGaN/GaN HEMTs to provide high power at higher frequencies.
AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have been grown on sapphire substrates and have shown a power density of 4.6 W/mm and a total power of 7.6 W [Y. F. Wu et al., IEICE Trans. Electron. , E-82-C, 1895 (1999)]. More recently, AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown on SiC have shown a power density of 9.8 W/mm at 8 GHz [Y. F. Wu, D. Kapolnek, J. P. Ibbetson, P. Parikh, B. P. Keller and U. K. Mishra, IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev., 48, 586 (2001)] and a total output power of 22.9 at 9 GHz [M. Micovic, A Kurdoghlian, P. Janke, P. Hashimoto, D. W. S. Wong, J. S. Moon, L. McCray and C. Nguyen, IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev., 48, 591 (2001)].
U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,987 to Khan et al. discloses GaN/AlGaN based HEMTs grown on a buffer and a substrate. Other AlGaN/GaN HEMTs and field effect transistors (FETs) have been described by Gaska et al., "High-Temperature Performance of AlGaN/GaN HFET's on SiC Substrates," IEEE Electron Device Letters, Vol. 18, No 10, October 1997, Page 492; and Ping et al., "DC and Microwave Performance of High Current AlGaN Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors Grown on P-type SiC Substrates," IEEE Electron Devices Letters, Vol. 19, No. 2, February 1998, Page 54. Some of these devices have shown a gain-bandwidth product (fT) as high as 67 gigahertz [K. Chu et al. WOCSEMMAD, Monterey, Calif. (February 1998)] and high power densities up to 2.84 W/mm at 10 GHz [G. Sullivan et al., "High Power 10-GHz Operation of AlGaN HFET's in Insulating SiC," IEEE Electron Device Letters, Vol. 19, No. 6, Page 198 (June 1998); and Wu et al., IEEE Electron Device Letters, Volume 19, No. 2, Page 50 (February 1998)].
Electron trapping and the resulting difference between DC and RF characteristics have been a limiting factor in the performance of GaN based transistors, such AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. Silicon Nitride (SiN) passivation has been successfully employed to alleviate this trapping problem resulting in high performance devices with power densities over 10 W/mm at 10 Ghz. U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,781 discloses methods and structures for reducing the trapping effect in GaN-based transistors. However, due to the high electric fields existing in these structures, charge trapping is still an issue.

Cascode amplifier structures including wide bandgap field effect transistor with field plates


A control system for a wind park includes a plurality of limit controllers. Each limit controller is configured to output a limit value set based upon a specific grid code requirement. A selection unit compiles a limit value set from the plurality of limit value sets according to a number of grid code requirements. The control system further includes a plurality of main controllers, wherein a main controller is configured to generate a setpoint for one or more wind turbines of the wind park according to the compiled limit value set. Further, a wind park and a method of controlling a wind park are provided.

A wind park generally comprises a plurality of wind turbines to generate output power that is usually fed into a grid for distribution to one or more population centers or industrial regions. Because of the fluctuating nature of the energy source, namely the wind, the output of each wind turbine can fluctuate, and the output of the wind park as a whole will also fluctuate.
However, to ensure that a wind park may feed into a grid, the wind park must comply with certain grid codes at the point of common coupling or point of common connection (PCC). The PCC is the point at which the local regulation or grid code requirements should be satisfied. Electric properties at the point of common connection may be directly or indirectly controlled by a park controller (also referred to as "park pilot", "wind farm controller", "high-performance park pilot (HPPP)") to satisfy particular requirements.
Different countries or regions can have different grid code requirements. To this end, the park controller monitors the output of the wind park and generates (or "dispatches") setpoints to the controllers of the wind turbines on the basis of the monitored output. As "setpoint" is to be understood a value or set of values that is used as a reference by a wind turbine controller. The park pilot can therefore monitor the overall performance of the wind park and manage the wind turbine controllers accordingly.
In the known control systems, a grid code specifies requirements for various operating parameters such as allowed operating power factor range, allowed operating voltage range, etc. For example, a grid code might require that the power factor should be within a range of 0.95 inductive and 0.95 capacitive and that the voltage at PCC point remain within 0.95 and 1.05 of the nominal voltage. During operation, the prior art control system monitors the output of the wind park and adjusts a setpoint which will be dispatched to wind turbines of the wind farm on the basis of a main control mode. A limit controller or "limitation controller" will generate a limit set consisting of an upper bound limit and a lower bound limit, and will forward this to the main controller.
The setpoint generated by the main controller will be constrained by the upper and lower bound limits delivered by the limit controller. For example, a known type of park pilot can operate in only one of two modes at any one time—a voltage limitation mode or a power factor limitation mode, and therefore comprises a voltage limitation controller and a power factor limitation controller. When working in voltage limitation mode, the park pilot observes the output voltage at the PCC, determines whether or not this is within the specified range, and the voltage limitation controller will generate a limit set which will be used as a constraint for the setpoint generated by the main controller. The resulting setpoint is sent to the wind turbines of the wind park. At some point, the park pilot changes over into power factor limitation mode, monitors the power factor, determines whether or not this is within the specified range, and the power factor limitation controller will provide a new limit set and use this as a constraint for the setpoints of the its main controller. The resulting setpoint is issued or dispatched to the wind turbines of the wind park. Characteristic of this known type of control system is that the control system can only work in one mode at any one time, and only one aspect of the grid requirement can be considered while the park pilot operates in that mode. Therefore, a known control system can fail to simultaneously fulfill multiple grid code requirements. In the example given above, the setpoint generated during voltage limitation mode may result in a power factor that does not comply with the power factor grid code requirement. In the same way, the setpoint generated during power factor limitation mode may result in a voltage that does not comply with the voltage grid code requirement.


A cordless electrical appliance comprises an appliance part comprising at least two functional components (T1, M1) and a base for supplying electrical power to the appliance part. A cordless electrical connector (6) makes electrical connection between the appliance part and the base part in use. Both of the functional components (T1, M1) are connected between a pair of electrical connections provided by the connector (6) and arranged such that at least one of the functional components (T1, M1) is selectively energised in response to a change in the relative polarities of the two electrical connections. A switch such as a diode (D1) may be provided between the two functional components (T1, M1), so as to switch ON or OFF the current to a functional component (T1, M1) depending on the polarity of the connections.

1. Technical Field
The use of a cordless electrical connector in domestic appliances such as kettles, coffee/tea makers and irons for supplying power e.g. to the heating element thereof, and the benefits this brings, are well known. Cordless connectors which allow for engagement of the appliance with the power base regardless of their relative angular orientation, often known as 360° connectors, are popular due to the ease of use which they provide. An example of a basic 3-pole electrical connector is disclosed in the Applicant's prior application published as WO 95/08204. Such a connector is available from Strix Limited under the product name P72.
2. Background Information
In its basic form the appliance part of the cordless connector has, on its underside, a central line pin and two concentric annular conductors. The smaller diameter conductor is for the neutral component of the mains supply, whilst the outermost one is an earth connection. The corresponding base part of the connector has a central aperture for the line pin surrounded by an annular slot for receiving the neutral ring. Electrical connection is made via sprung contacts inside the base connector part below the aperture and a portion of the annular slot respectively, which are biased against the line pin and neutral ring respectively. The base connector part fits within the outermost earth ring of the appliance connector part and has an outwardly sprung contact on one side for making connection to the inner face of the earth ring.
The Applicant has also devised a 5-pole cordless electrical connector which provides two further electrical connections in addition to the basic power connection to the appliance. Such a 5-pole connector is described in the Applicant's prior application published as WO 01/28294. An example is available from Strix Limited under the product name P76. The P76 connector is designed to interface with a Strix U67 control unit, wherein a temperature sensor is connected via the two additional conductor rings in the connector to provide temperature information to control circuitry provided in the power base, for example to a Strix EK03 base electronic control system. An advantage of 5-pole connectors such as the Strix P76 connection system is that the control unit may be provided in the power base while a main electrical component such as a heating element and a further functional component such as a temperature sensor may be provided remotely in the appliance, with the cordless connector enabling both power transmission to the main component and data/control signals to be transmitted to and from the functional component via the additional connections. This has the advantage that electrical power to the control unit in the base may be maintained regardless of whether the appliance is on the base or not. Also the functional component may be placed in an optimum position in the appliance for its intended purpose. In the case of a sensor, for example, it may be positioned in close proximity to the main component so as to be capable of accurately sensing operation of the main component.
It has been recognized by the Applicant that it may be desirable to provide more than one functional component in the appliance in addition to the main power-drawing component. Electronic beverage making appliances, for example, may provide various functions in addition to heating liquid. Further functional components in the appliance may include a temperature sensor, illuminating means, liquid pump, motor for moving parts such as an infusion basket for tea or a grinder for coffee, etc. However each functional component will require one if not two electrical connections in addition to the three standard power connections (line, neutral, earth) to the main component.
Although one theoretical solution is to increase the number of terminals in the cordless connection system, for example moving from a 5-pole connector to a 7-pole connector, this is undesirable for a number of reasons, e.g. the connector would become larger and heavier, and as the number of conductors increased it would become more difficult to engage the two connector parts, in particular over a range of angles as is desirably provided by a 360° connector. Furthermore it would significantly increase the cost of the connector system to include further terminals.
Furthermore the Applicant has appreciated that in any electrical appliance comprising a cordless connector it may be desirable for two components in the appliance to be able to share a common pair of electrical connections provided by the connector.


A work vehicle includes a frame and an axle assembly coupled to the frame. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a first axle housing, with the first axle shaft disposed substantially within the first axle housing; a first wheel coupled to the first axle assembly; an axle lubricating fluid disposed within the first axle housing; and a first axle cooling device disposed within the first axle housing, in contact with at least a portion of the lubricating fluid, and including a first coil. Also disclosed is a method of cooling an axle assembly of a work vehicle. The method includes steps of removing heat from the lubricating fluid by placing the lubricating fluid in contact with the outer surface of a coil, and removing the heat from the inner surface of the coil by circulating the cooling fluid through the passage.

The present invention relates generally to the field of work vehicles. It relates more particularly to removal of braking heat from an axle of a wheeled loader.
Some work vehicles, such as end loaders, must change their directions of movement frequently. To do this, wheel or live axle brakes are generally used to first bring the vehicle to a stop. When this is done frequently, the brakes become overheated.
This has sometimes been resolved by placing the brakes inside an axle housing, where the heat generated by brake friction is removed from the brake by an axle lubricating bath. The lubricant spreads the heat over the entire interior surface of the axle housing, whereupon thermal conduction through the walls of the axle housing heat the exterior surface of the axle housing and provide increased surface area for heat to be convected away by ambient air.
In some instances, however, convection to and from the axle housing surfaces is insufficient to remove braking heat rapidly enough, and the axle lubricant consequently becomes excessively hot (e.g., above 300 degrees Fahrenheit). This is injurious not only to the lubricant itself (accelerating oxidation and breakdown), but also to the bearings and seals associated with the axle shaft.
Typically, the brake is a wet multiple disk brake; xe2x80x9cwetxe2x80x9d, because the disks rotate through a bath of lubricating oil. As the multiple brake disks rotate through the lubricating oil, braking heat is transferred from the disks to the lubricating oil.
The temperature of the lubricating oil consequently increases, and some of the heat within the lubricating oil is transferred to the axle shaft and to the axle housing. The axle shaft and axle housing are of limited size and mass and, hence, of limited heat capacity. Therefore, their temperatures begin to approach (under the duty cycle of frequent stops characteristic of a loader) the temperature of the lubricating oil because ambient air typically does not convect heat from the axle housing as rapidly as the brake convects heat into the lubricating oil. It is therefore necessary to actively cool the lubricating oil.
While one can add a cooling loop to an axle assembly and pump hot lubricating oil through a fan-cooled radiator, this is a costly and cumbersome approach. Further, it increases the number of opportunities for leakage or contamination of the lubricating oil in what is typically a dirty and dusty environment.
It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus and method of removing excessive heat from the axle lubricant, thereby cooling the axle assembly, without substantially increasing the risks of lubricant leakage and/or contamination.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a work vehicle including a frame and an axle assembly coupled to the frame. The axle assembly includes an axle shaft and an axle housing. The axle shaft is disposed substantially within the axle housing, and a wheel is coupled to the axle assembly. An axle lubricating fluid is disposed within the axle housing. An axle cooling device is also disposed within the axle housing, in contact with at least a portion of the lubricating fluid, and is configured as a coil including a plurality of elongate tubes.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to an axle assembly for a work vehicle. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a first axle housing, and a second axle shaft and a second axle housing. The first and second axle shafts are disposed substantially within the first axle housing and the second axle housing, respectively. The second axle shaft and the second axle housing are disposed coaxial with, and in opposing relationship to, the first axle shaft and the first axle housing, respectively. This embodiment further includes a first cooling device disposed within the first axle housing, and a second cooling device disposed within the second axle housing. It further includes a differential gearset housing positioned intermediate the first and second axle housings and defining a chamber configured to receive a differential gearset. A differential gearset may also be included, and is disposed within the chamber and is rotatively coupled to the first and second axle shafts. Further included are a lubricating fluid disposed within the first and second axle housings. Still further included are a first axle cooling device including a first plurality of elongate tubes and disposed within the first axle housing, and a second axle cooling device including a second plurality of elongate tubes and disposed within the second axle housing.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of cooling an axle assembly of a work vehicle. The axle assembly includes an axle shaft, an axle housing configured to substantially surround the axle shaft, a cooling coil housed within the axle housing and having a passage therethrough and outer and inner surfaces, a lubricating fluid disposed within the axle housing, and a cooling fluid disposed within the passage. The lubricating fluid is of a higher temperature than is the outer surface of the coil, and the outer surface of the coil is of a higher temperature than is the cooling fluid. The method includes a step of removing heat from the lubricating fluid by placing the lubricating fluid in contact with the outer surface of the coil. The method also includes a step of removing the heat from the inner surface of the coil by circulating the cooling fluid through the passage.

Apparatus and method for cooling an axle


In a method for estimating the width of radar objects in a position finding system for motor vehicles, which has at least two angle-resolving radar sensors, the reflection points positioned by several of the radar sensors, which are to be assigned to the same object on the basis of their distance data and relative velocity data, are combined into a group, lateral positions of the reflection points from this group are calculated, the difference of the lateral positions is calculated for various pairs of these refection points, and the maximum of these differences is sought out to determine an estimated value for a minimum width of the object.

Radar-based position finding systems are frequently used in motor vehicles in connection with driver assistance systems, for example in so-called ACC (adaptive cruise control) systems, which allow automatic distance regulation to a preceding vehicle, or in predictive safety systems (PSS), which are used for the purpose of recognizing an imminent collision and initiating automatic measures to avoid the collision and/or at least mitigating the consequences of the collision.
The radar sensors used are typically long-range, both distance-resolving and also angle-resolving radar sensors (LRR; long-range radar), which operate at a frequency of approximately 76 GHz, or distance-resolving short range sensors (SRR; short range radar), which operate at a frequency in the range of approximately 24 GHz, or combinations of these two sensor types. Using two LRR sensors, whose position finding directions deviate from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle towards opposite sides, so that the left and right roadway edges may be monitored better and a higher position finding frequency is achieved in the overlap area on the roadway, has also been suggested.
The angle-resolving LRR sensors deliver information about the distance and the relative velocity of the positioned objects and about their azimuth angle, from which, on the basis of the distance, the approximate lateral position of the object, i.e., its location in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, may then be calculated.
For various assistance functions, it would also be desirable to have information available about the approximate width of the positioned objects, so that, for example, in a PSS system it may be better decided whether or not it is possible to drive around the object.
In the typical position finding systems, such a width estimation is not possible with satisfactory precision, however, not even if the position finding system has an angle-resolving LRR sensor. One significant reason for this is that the radar signal reflected from an object, for example the rear of a preceding vehicle, is not received uniformly from all points distributed over the width of the object, but rather is localized on one or a few reflection points, at which the perpendicular of incidence of the reflecting surface is coincident with the line of sight of the radar sensor. Depending on the spatial relationship between the radar sensor and the object, the (main) reflection point may "jump" unpredictably between various points on the rear of the object, which also restricts the precision and reliability when determining the lateral position of the object.
German Patent No. DE 103 36 638 describes a driver assistance system for motor vehicles, in which the positioned objects are classified according to their estimated width. However, no special method is specified for estimating object width.
Radar-based position finding systems having multiple 24 GHz sensors are described in German Patent Nos. DE 101 60 299 and DE 102 60 855, in which the width of the objects is estimated on the basis of characteristic patterns in the distance data measured by the various sensors. Inter alia, the circumstance is exploited that in the case of a broad, flat rear, for example, of a truck, all radar sensors situated adjacent to one another measure essentially the same distance, while the distance data of the various sensors are distributed in a characteristic way in the event of one or more localized objects.

Method for estimating the width of radar objects


A device to recuperate the energy produced during the recoiling of a weapon provided with a hydraulic fluid power circuit, wherein said device comprises an energy recuperating cylinder activated by the recoil of said weapon, a double-acting cylinder comprising two chambers separated by a piston, a first chamber of said cylinder being connected to said hydraulic power circuit of said weapon, said piston of said cylinder pushing said hydraulic fluid in said circuit into a storage accumulator when said weapon recoils. The energy recuperating cylinder comprises a second chamber connected to a recoil mechanism that ensures pressurising of said mechanism.

1. Field of Invention
The technical scope of the invention is that of braking systems for an element in motion, for example a weapon during the recoil caused by firing a projectile, and which allow the energy thus developed to be recuperated.
2. Description of Related Art
Such devices are known and reference may be made to patent EP-0403452, which describes a device allowing the stored energy to be used to close the breach of a weapon. The device described only allows the energy to be used for a single type of to and fro movement such as, for example, that of the opening/closing of the breech, or else the ejection of thee stub. Generally speaking, the devices proposed do not allow the recuperated energy to be stored for possible use to other ends.
Moreover, known energy recuperators do not allow several networks to be powered.
The powering of a hydraulic network often requires a hydraulic generator of the engine and pump type whose bulk and mass are problematic and make them difficult to integrate into the frame of the weapon.

Device to recuperate the energy produced during the recoiling of a weapon


An imaging device and method optimize memory usage during a print overrun avoidance operation by employing selected compression schemes upon page bands while ensuring that required decompression times of the bands are met for subsequent rendering purposes. A preferred method includes compressing a band from a page of image data and, if an estimated decompression time for the compressed band does not satisfy a race-the-laser threshold for subsequent video imaging, then decompressing the band and measuring an actual decompression time. If the actual decompression time satisfies the race-the-laser threshold, then the method includes keeping the compressed band for subsequent video imaging. On the other hand, if the actual decompression time does not satisfy the race-the-laser threshold, then the band is re-compressed using an alternate compression scheme and re-evaluated similar to the originally compressed band to determine whether the recompressed band's decompression time will satisfy the race-the-laser threshold.

In printers that employ laser engines as the "print mechanism", data must be provided at a speed that is fast enough to keep up with the print action (which can be measured by the rate of movement of the paper past the imaging drum). In such printers, formatting is either performed on the host computer, with large volumes of rasterized image data shipped to the printer at high speed, or on a formatter within the printer itself. Since a conventional laser printer engine operates at a constant speed, if rasterized image data is not available when a previous segment of image data has been imprinted, a "print overrun" or "punt" occurs and the page is not printable. In essence, the Image Processor that rasterizes the image data "races" the Output Video Task that images the data onto the imaging drum. This is commonly termed "racing the laser".
Several methods have been used in the prior art to avoid print overruns. First, a full raster bit map of an entire page may be stored in the printer so that the print mechanism always has rasterized data awaiting printing. However, this solution requires large amounts of random access memory (RAM) for each page. A second method for assuring the availability of print data to a laser printer is to construct a display list from the commands describing a page. During formatting, a page description received from a host is converted into a series of simple commands, called display commands, that describe what must be printed. The display commands are parsed and sorted according to their vertical position on the page. The page is then logically divided into sections called bands (or page strips), which bands are then individually rendered (i.e., the described objects in the bands are rendered) into a raster bit map and passed to the print engine for printing. This procedure enables lesser amounts of RAM to be used for the print image.
When the display commands are rendered at a fast enough pace, the same memory used to store a first band can be reused for a subsequent band further down the page. For example, in certain prior art printers it is known to employ three raster buffers for storing bands. During page processing, the first buffer is reused for a fourth band on the page, the second is reused for a fifth band, etc. However, under standard (generally maximum) page-per-minute performance, little time is left between finishing printing of a band and when a next band is required to be rasterized from the same print buffer.
Under certain circumstances, "complex" bands will include many display commands and require a longer than normal time for rasterization. Additionally, to rasterize a band (whether "complex" or not), more memory space may be required than is currently available--depending upon several factors associated with the printer, including memory size, memory fragmentation, job to be printed, and other printer system activities. In the case of a complex band, rasterization time may increase to such an extent that the succeeding band can not be delivered on time, thus causing a print overrun to occur. Accordingly, pre-rasterization is commonly performed on a complex band to ensure that the video imaging race with the laser will not cause a print overrun.
Racing the laser requires making a determination regarding how to get the best trade off between printer memory and real time processing requirements. In a properly working printer, a print overrun is avoided because the Image Processor task just manages to win every race with the direct memory access (DMA) video output task. It is undesirable to avoid print overruns by unilaterally pre-rasterizing every video band because (even with compression) that consumes too much precious printer memory for video DMA buffers. As such, one process has been developed to permit minimization of the number of pre-rasterized video buffers and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,049 to Cuzzo et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated in full herein by reference. This was extended for compression and empirical Image Processor cost measurements in U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,587 to Campbell et al., also incorporated in full herein by reference.
In Campbell et al., in the event of low available memory for processing print commands, each band of a page may be reevaluated and passed through several steps in attempt to reduce memory allocation requirements and free up more memory. For example, each band may be rasterized and compressed using one of several compression techniques. After a band is rasterized and compressed, the memory allocation requirement for that band is determined. If the compressed band's memory allocation requirement is less than the memory allocation requirement of the display list for that same band (relative to a comparison threshold), then the rasterized and compressed version will be used and stored in memory rather than the display list. The rasterized and compressed band is stored in memory by being dissected into fragments (segments) and then linked and distributed into "holes" in the memory. The "holes" are, typically, smaller isolated free areas of memory surrounded by larger unavailable (used) areas. On the other hand, if the rasterized and compressed band's memory allocation requirement is not less than the memory allocation requirement for its display list (per the threshold), then the band may be processed again using a different compression technique. These steps of rasterizing a band, compressing it, comparing the size of the compressed version to the display list, and determining if the memory allocation requirement of the compressed version is less than that of the display list, may be repeated multiple times using differing compression techniques and/or thresholds until the band's allocation requirement is less than that of its display list.
Once all of the bands have been rasterized, compressed, evaluated and distributed (when the threshold was met) then processing of the print commands resumes at the point where the event of low available memory was previously detected (i.e., the point that initiated the reevaluation process for the page). The band that was previously attempting a memory allocation (but detected the low available memory event) should now have a better chance of being able to satisfy its memory allocation.
Distinguishing now from Campbell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,622 (Zimmerman et al.) discloses a Page Printer Having Automatic Font Compression and is also incorporated herein by reference in full. In Zimmerman et al., in the event of low available memory for processing print commands, alternative steps occur to alleviate the low memory error including: (i) compressing raster graphic images, and (ii) if no raster graphic images are present or if compression of the raster graphic images does not remove the low memory error, then compressing font characters. Additionally, a large size font whose size exceeds a threshold may automatically be compressed, regardless of a memory low/out signal being present.
With regard to any data that is compressed during image processing, it is generally desirable to utilize a compression algorithm that achieves a high compression ratio in order to minimize memory usage and maximize free space. However, a greater decompression time typically accompanies an increased compression ratio that is achieved. Importantly, the decompression time must be accounted for when the compressed data is output/rendered by the video task. Simply stated, too much decompression time can cause a print overrun (punt) in the race against the laser.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve punt protection processing by balancing memory savings compression requirements with resultant decompression times in the race against the laser.

Balancing compressed storage requirements with decompression times during punt protection processing in a page printer


A method of inhibiting a binding event between a target protein and a binding protein, comprising administering to a cell in vitro an effective amount of a non-naturally occurring bifunctional inhibitor molecule including (a) protein binding moiety, and (b) an effector region, wherein the protein binding moiety binds to a blocking protein, and wherein the effector region binds to the target protein in order to bind the target protein and the blocking protein and prevent access of the binding protein to the target protein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
The inhibition or activation of biological processes with drugs that act as antagonists or agonists is the basis of the chemotherapy of diseases. For a small molecule to interact with high affinity and specificity with a given protein target requires that the molecule is able to establish a sufficient number of molecular interactions which will provide the required free energy of binding. If the active site of a protein is a deep pocket, small molecule drugs can take advantage of interactions that can be established on all sides of the molecule. However, if the active site of a protein target is relatively flat, the contacts a small molecule can establish may be limited to one face. As a result, the affinity of the small molecule for the target may not be very high.
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) occur when two or more proteins bind together, and they represent a large group of drug targets. However, PPIs are difficult to disrupt because they usually involve large, two-dimensional (i.e., flat) target surfaces. The interface of protein-protein interactions can be rather large and may involve contacts between 20 or 30 amino acids on both proteins. Conventional small molecule drugs can bind with high affinity in deep protein pockets that provide a three-dimensional building space. However, due to the flat surface of many PPI's, small molecules often cannot establish the number of contacts required for a high affinity binding event that can compete with the binding of the large protein ligand to the target. Thus, most PPIs are "undruggable" with traditional small molecules, which is a problem.
The development of small molecules that can inhibit PPIs could have great benefit. For example, K-Ras is a member of the small GTP binding protein family which constitutes over 100 members10. Wild-type K-Ras oscillates between an active, GTP-bound form and an inactive GDP form11,12. The GTP-bound form has a distinct conformation that promotes its interaction with multiple effector proteins via its Switch I and Switch II regions. 30% of all solid tumors show activating point mutations in K-Ras. K-Ras mutants are insensitive to down regulation by GAP-mediated hydrolysis of bound GTP. As a result, mutant K-Ras is "frozen" in its activated form which results in constitutive signaling into proliferation and survival pathways. K-Ras point mutations are usually found at codons 12, 13 and 61 and less frequently at codons 59 and 63. Typical point mutations at codon 12 replace a glycine by aspartate or valine. Transgenic mouse models have demonstrated that expression of mutated K-Ras by itself13 or in combination with the introduction of other oncogenic lesions14,15 can promote cancer. Similarly, it was shown that cancer cells undergo apoptosis if oncogenic K-Ras is down regulated by RNA interference.16 These data strongly suggest that inhibition of oncogenic K-Ras may have therapeutic benefits in cancer patients. K-Ras is farnesylated and located at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. In recent years the pharmaceutical industry has attempted to target oncogenic K-Ras proteins by disrupting its subcellular localization with farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs). However, in clinical trials FTIs have proved largely ineffective in pancreatic and other cancers, possibly because the loss of FT activity is compensated for by geranyl-geranyl transferase17.
In view of the above issues, there have been previous attempts develop approaches to modulate the biological activity of small molecules. For example, prior studies have demonstrated that the affinity of a linear peptide for the Fyn SH2 domain can be enhanced when the peptide is coupled to an FKBP ligand and bound to FKBP.47
As another example, it has been shown that conjugation of an FKBP ligand to Congo Red, a dye molecule that binds to beta-amyloid peptide, improved the ability of the dye molecule to disrupt amyloid plaque formation.48 Presumably, binding of FKBP to the molecule creates a steric block FKBP that hinders the beta-amyloid peptide aggregation.
As yet another example, it has been shown that linking a HIV protease inhibitor to an FKBP ligand increased the half-life of the drug in mice.49 It was thought that the association of the bifunctional molecule with FKBP in mammalian cells may have slowed the molecule's metabolism and excretion.
However, a drawback to these previous studies is that they all required a pre-existing ligand with high affinity and specificity to the target of interest. Unfortunately, for many high-value targets such as the flat surfaces involved in protein-protein interactions, no such ligand is available (or possible).
As such, the development of a technique that would allow the disruption of protein-protein interactions, particularly through use of a small molecule therapeutic agent, and particularly without requiring a pre-existing ligand with high affinity and specificity to the target, would be desirable. This need and other needs are satisfied by the present invention.

Small molecule composite surfaces as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions


A method holds wafers that contain patterned structures using a particle blasting tool. Next, the method directs particles at the patterned structures, such that the particles contact the patterned structures with a predetermined velocity and remove the patterned structures. This process of directing the particles at the wafer is controlled to stop directing the particles when substantially all of the patterned structures are removed from the wafer. This process also comprises selecting the particles to have a size equal to or less than 3 microns. For example, the particles can comprise aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, cerium, and/or a plastic. By maintaining the particle size equal to 3 microns or less, the blasting produces a substantially smooth wafer surface, thereby omitting the need for subsequent wafer polishing. Further, the wafers produced by such processing do not exhibit the highly stress lattice and fragile nature of wafers processed by wet processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention generally relate to reuse of previously processed wafers, and, more particularly, to an improved process that uses particle application to remove patterned structures from wafers without removing significant amounts of silicon from the wafers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Large amounts of money are spent every year on silicon wafers that are used to monitor manufacturing operations. To reduce such costs, the monitoring wafers can be sold, recycle, or reclaimed. One issue is that the circuit patterns on the wafers (be it product or monitor wafers) is proprietary and should not be sent out to vendors for rework or sale.
One solution to removing such patterns is a prolonged exposure in a wet bath (such as HF, HNO3, H2O2, S, P, HCL, etc.). While this wet bath process does indeed remove all films, it often causes significant bulk silicon removal as well, since the materials being removed are similar in characteristics to silicon. Further, the non-uniform film coverage creates non-uniform etch spots. The resulting wafer product of such wet bath processing is a highly stress lattice and is fragile wafer after a rework cycle. Also, the costs of such processing are increased by the dedicated wet tank that is needed, the cost of the chemicals that are needed, and the need to dispose of the used chemicals.
Another method for removing patterned structures performs a layer by layer removal process. In such a process, each layer is removed (one at a time) using specific wet chemistry combined with dry etching. While such processing minimizes silicon substrate damage, it has high costs including the requirement for dedicated tools. Further, such processing is time and labor intensive and involves lapping and grinding.
In addition, such layer by layer processing can cause lattice damage causing wafers to break and requires post-processing polishing.

Method to remove circuit patterns from a wafer

International Business Machines Corporation


A howling detection device capable of detecting the occurrence of howling with a higher degree of accuracy is provided. The howling detection device includes a signal level calculating unit calculating, from the input signal, an input signal level being the signal level of an input signal at each given time, a level fluctuation estimated value calculating unit calculating, from the input signal level, a level fluctuation estimated value being a value gradually increasing or decreasing by a given amount with time, a threshold value calculating unit calculating, from the level fluctuation estimated value, a level threshold value changing in accordance with the level fluctuation estimated value, and a howling determination unit which determines that howling occurs in an input signal under the condition that the input signal level being higher than the level threshold value continues for a given time.

With an acoustic apparatus that amplifies speech input from a microphone and outputs that speech from a speaker, howling occurs when speaker output sound is fed back to the microphone. This is due to the fact that acoustic coupling occurs between the speaker and the microphone, and an acoustic feedback loop is formed.
Howling is a loud continuous sound that is unpleasant for a listener, and there are consequently various kinds of technologies for suppressing howling. However, it is difficult to detect and suppress howling at high speed and with a high degree of accuracy before a listener becomes aware of the occurrence of howling.
A technology that detects howling is described in Patent Literature 1, for example. The technology described in Patent Literature 1 (hereinafter referred to as "conventional technology") calculates the signal level of an input signal from a microphone, and compares the calculated signal level with a predetermined threshold value. The conventional technology then determines that howling has occurred in the input signal, taking the continuation for a predetermined time of a state in which the signal level exceeds the threshold value as a condition. Using such technology enables howling to be suppressed.

Howling detection device, howling suppressing device and method of detecting howling

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


Dialkali metal organosilanolate and dialkali metal organosiloxanolate salts are manufactured from cyclic siloxanes or linear silicone polymers using a heterogeneous interfacial reaction process. A stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide or an alkali metal oxide as a solid or dissolved or dispersed in a compatible solvent, is prepared and used as a first phase. The cyclic siloxane or linear silicone polymer is placed in a second phase either dissolved or dispersed in another solvent which is immiscible with the first phase. The resulting silanolate and siloxanolate salts can be used as monomers for solid-liquid phase and liquid-liquid phase interfacial polymerization or in a polycondensation process for the synthesis of alternating siloxane polymers. They can also be used as ring opening initiators for the base catalyzed polymerization of cyclic siloxanes.

Alkali metal organosilanolates and alkali metal organosiloxanolates can be used as initiators for base catalyzed ring opening polymerization of cyclic siloxanes to produce high molecular weight siloxane polymers. Primarily, potassium trimethylsilanolate is used to ring open cyclic trisiloxanes, cyclic tetrasiloxanes, and cyclic pentasiloxanes. Lithium organosilanolate salts have also been used to ring open cyclic trisiloxanes and cyclic tetrasiloxanes for the production of a narrow molecular weight distribution of siloxane polymers.
Another use for alkali metal organosilanolates and alkali metal organosiloxanolates is in the synthesis of siloxane bonds using a condensation type reaction. A generalized reaction scheme for such a process is shown below: EQU .tbd.Si--X+MO--Si.tbd..fwdarw..tbd.Si--O--Si.tbd.+MX
where M is a Group IA metal such as Na or K, and X is halogen. Thus, when M is Na and X is Cl, for example, the reaction is: EQU .tbd.Si--Cl+NaO--Si.tbd..fwdarw..tbd.Si--O--Si.tbd.+NaCl
Such silanolates and siloxanolates can be obtained by the reaction of diorganoalkoxysilanes with alkali metal hydroxides, or by the reaction of diorganosilanols with alkali metals or alkali metal hydroxides. These methods and their details can be found, for example, in British Patent 631,506 (Nov. 3, 1949), and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,090 (Feb. 8, 1972). Mono-alkali metal organosilanolates have also been produced by cleavage of the siloxane bond from the corresponding hexaorganodisiloxane compound, using an alkali metal hydroxide dissolved in an alcoholic solution. This procedure was reported by Hyde in U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,799 (Nov. 25, 1946); by Hyde, Johannson, Daudt, Fleming, Laudenslager and Roche in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. (75) 1953, 5615; and by Tatkock and Rochow in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. (72), 1950, 528. The synthesis of sodium triorganosilanolate using such a procedure is shown below: EQU 2NaOH+R.sub.3 Si--O--SiR.sub.3 .fwdarw.2NaOSiR.sub.3 +H.sub.2 O
U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,401 (May 13, 1997) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,668 (June 10, 1997) describe the synthesis of solvent soluble dipotassium organosiloxanolates. This was achieved by the equilibration reaction of cyclic siloxanes such as octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane or tetramethyltetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxane dissolved in cyclohexane solvent, with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, where water was continuously removed by a distillation process. It is noted in the '401 and '668 patents that the synthesis of relatively short-chain sizes of soluble dipotassium organosiloxanolate polymers with a chain length of three siloxane units is also possible. Lithium hydroxide aqueous solutions were also used in the '401 and '668 patents for the preparation of dilithium organosiloxanolates by a similar procedure.
In contrast, and with respect to the present invention, a heterogeneous interfacial reaction is used to produce dialkali metal organosilanolate and dialkali metal organosiloxanolate salts. According to this method, a stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal hydroxide or an alkali metal oxide is used in a first phase, while a cyclic or linear siloxane polymer is used in a second phase. The first and second phases are immiscible with each other, so that the reaction occurs at the interface of the two phases, to produce a product which is then isolated using an extraction procedure.
The advantage of this present technique is that it can be tailored such that the product separates as a fine gel or as a suspension in a selected solvent, while excess unreacted alkali metal hydroxide and/or unreacted alkali metal oxide settles to the bottom of the reaction vessel. Isolation of the resulting silanolate or siloxanolate is a simple procedure in which the liquid gel is decanted, leaving residual alkali metal hydroxide and/or alkali metal oxide. Preferably, this is followed by solvent washing of unreacted alkali metal hydroxide and/or alkali metal oxide, and addition of the washings to the decanted gel. If desired, the gel can then be filtered to remove the suspended silanolate or siloxanolate, rewashed with a low boiling point solvent, re-filtered, and dried to obtain a final product.
However, because the dialkali metal organosilanolate or dialkali metal organosiloxanolate salt produced by this present procedure is a progressive degradation of a cyclic or linear polysiloxane reagent, it is necessary to ensure that the correct degree of degradation has occurred. In this regard, dialkali metal organosilanolates and dialkali metal organosiloxanolates formed by the process are alkaline dibasic salts which are readily soluble in water. Thus, they hydrolyze to produce two mole of hydroxy ions for each mole of salt. The OH.sup.- ions can be titrated with standardized hydrochloric acid to determine the alkali content. The titration yields information about the salt such as (i) alkali metal ion content, (ii) the K.sub.b or pK.sub.b of the salt, and (iii) the average number of silicon atoms in the dialkali metal organosilanolate or dialkali metal organosiloxanolate salt, i.e., the chain length of the salt.
In one preferred embodiment according to this invention, dipotassium dimethylsilanolate and dipotassium dimethylsiloxanolate are prepared by a heterogeneous reaction between solid, insoluble KOH, and a polysiloxane dissolved in toluene. The reaction is believed to occur by virtue of an initial cleavage of the siloxane bond by the hydroxy ion, to form a potassium silanolate group and a silanol group. The silanol group is then converted to a second potassium silanolate because of the presence of excess KOH.
This reaction scheme is shown below: ##STR1##
The reaction occurs progressively until the product separates out of solution as an insoluble dipotassium salt. Cyclic polysiloxanes used in the reaction degrade to single dipotassium dimethylsilanolates after about a 48 hour reaction period. Shorter reaction times lead to blends of dipotassium dimethylsilanolate and dipotassium dimethylsiloxanolate containing two silicon atoms. Linear siloxane polymers used in the reaction yield dipotassium dimethylsiloxanolates with 2-4 silicon atoms. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the reaction mix reveals that the rate of polysiloxane concentration reduction in the toluene solution is more rapid and more complete for the linear siloxane polymers than for the cyclic polysiloxanes. It is postulated that this occurs because linear siloxane polymers can more readily migrate onto the KOH surface than cyclic polysiloxanes.

Method of making dialkali metal silanolates and siloxanolates


A driver-assisting system for an industrial vehicle comprising: a first camera mounted on a vehicle cab for viewing an area in front of the vehicle; an image processing unit operatively connected to said first camera for receiving image data from said first camera; a display unit operatively connected to said image processing unit for displaying image to a user based on said image data; a control unit operatively connected to said first camera for modifying operating parameters of said first camera; wherein the first camera is adapted to provide a wide-angle field of vision, and in that the field of vision of said first camera relative to the vehicle can be adjusted by the control unit.

Many industrial vehicles, in particular trucks, currently employ rear-view and side-view mirrors to enable the driver to see rearward or on the sides, for example, to detect obstacles at the left or right side and at the rear. However, it is not always possible to see hidden areas or blind spots using such rear-view and side-view mirrors. Thus, in addition to these rear-view and side-view mirrors, many industrial vehicles are also equipped with video cameras to help the driver to see blind spots at the rear or at the sides. Furthermore, to assist the driver when maneuvring or parking, many industrial vehicles may be equipped with a video camera mounted on a vehicle cab, said camera providing images of the area extending in the immediate proximity of the bumper of the vehicle. This type of camera is referenced as a class VI camera when the requirements defined in the Regulation UN ECE n° 46 are complied.
Today, class VI cameras are only used to help driver to see better what is on the road at a distance of up to two meters from the bumper of the vehicle. Due to the fixed orientation of the class VI cameras relative to the vehicle cab, it is not possible to view other surrounding areas of the vehicle with such class VI cameras. Furthermore, class VI cameras are controlled to operate only when the speed of the vehicle is low, in particular lower than 15 km/h. Thus, when the vehicle is moving faster than 15 km/h, the camera stops filming.
Considering that the drivers of industrial vehicles would be interested by driving-assistance systems to help them both when manoeuvring and parking at low vehicle's speed, and when driving in bad environment conditions, for example during the night or when it is raining, at medium or high vehicle's speed, the current class VI cameras imperfectly meet the needs of the drivers.

Driver-assisting system for an industrial vehicle


A method for manufacturing the pixel definition layer includes forming a photolithographic material film on a substrate; performing a pre-drying treatment, a first exposure treatment, and a development treatment sequentially on the photolithographic material film to form an initial pattern of the pixel definition layer; and performing a second exposure treatment and a curing treatment sequentially on the initial pattern to form a final pattern of the pixel definition layer.

At present, in a flexible AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) process, a light-emitting layer is formed in an opening area of a pixel definition layer mainly by an organic material evaporation process. After the light-emitting layer is manufactured, it is also required to carry out an ink jet printing process on the light-emitting layer such that a thin film package can be realized.
It should be noted that those contents as disclosed in the Background portion are merely used to reinforce understanding of the background technology of the present disclosure, accordingly the Background portion may include information that does not constitute the related art as already known by an ordinary person skilled in the art.

Method for manufacturing pixel definition layer and display panel, and display panel

CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The invention relates to an underwater digital video camera having an auto record system for automatically starting and stopping video recording at predetermined depths. The camera receives a current depth from a depth gauge and holds a sequence of recent currents depths and auto record settings such as a start trigger depth and a stop trigger depth, wherein the auto record system is adapted to, after the start/stop trigger depth is arrived at or passed for increasing/decreasing depths, start/stop video recording.

Some underwater cameras are normal cameras in an underwater housing, which often makes the operation difficult since the housing buttons are mechanically connected to the buttons on the camera. Dedicated underwater cameras are also prone to difficulties since the waterproof requirement usually means fewer and less sensitive buttons.
The operation of underwater cameras is also made complicated by a large number of circumstances particular to underwater photography such as cold fingers and/or thick gloves, poor visibility, limited scope of vision due to dive mask, limited freedom of movement due to heavy equipment and dive suit, uncontrolled movement due to buoyancy issues, waves and currents, and in general an environment where the operator needs to pay attention to many factors simultaneously.
EP 2 550 559 B1 describes a digital underwater camera using a pressure sensor to automatically select an underwater photography mode. The input from the pressure sensor is used to determine if the camera is currently above or below the water surface and, if it is below, automatically selects various settings applicable to underwater photography.


A device (10) and method for charging rechargeable type batteries (11) in which the charging current (Ib) supplied the batteries is measured and the temperature variation (.DELTA.Teff) of the batteries is determined over an established interval of time. Furthermore, this variation is compared with a reference value (.DELTA.Tref) so that battery charging can be interrupted when the variation equals or exceeds the reference value (.DELTA.Tref). The reference value (.DELTA.Tref) is defined in relation to the current (Ib) charging the batteries (11) so as to take into account all the possible current values with which the batteries are charged. To advantage, battery charging is interrupted and battery overloading avoided when the charging of the batteries (11) is terminated by a very low charging current. The device (10) and method are particularly suitable for charging the batteries of electronic equipment, such as a personal computer or similar.

Today's rechargeable batteries, particularly those used to power portable electronic equipment such as personal computers, have a life-span limited to a few hours so that it is necessary to recharge them often. This is generally done by means of a power supply-transformer connected to the A-C mains.
In order not to damage the batteries and to prolong life-span as much as possible, it is necessary for charging to be performed with the maximum efficiency, without overloading the batteries, i.e. without supplying them a charge greater than the charge they can accept. The charge, or recharge, must therefore be interrupted at the proper time, when the battery is fully charged or at least close to termination of the charge.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,219 a method for establishing when to stop the charging of the battery, wherein the increase in temperature of the battery is detected in a given interval of time, during the recharge process, and this increase is compared with a predetermined reference value. By selecting a sufficiently small interval of time, the temperature increase is considered, with a sufficient degree of approximation, equivalent to the rate of change of temperature with respect to time.
When the temperature increase in the given interval of time, i.e. the rate of change of temperature, exceeds the reference value, it is considered that the battery has reached, or is close to, its maximum allowable charge level and as a result the current supplied to the battery is switched to a lower current, known as trickle current.
It is also known to any person skilled in the art a method for interrupting wholly the supply of current to the battery, at the exceeding of the reference value.
However, these methods of establishing if the battery has reached its maximum permissible charge level are effective and dependable only when the charging current supplied to the battery by the power supply is substantially constant and sufficiently high, as the reference value is set for a given charging current only.
In practice however, it often happens that the charging current supplied to the battery is lower than the set value and, in an extreme situation, is of a value close to zero. This may happen, for example, when the battery is being charged and the electronic equipment using it, a portable personal computer for example, is in operation at the same time. This is due to the fact that the electronic equipment, to power its operating circuits, normally absorbs a large amount of the current supplied by the power supply which is also powering the battery. As the current supplied by the power supply remains substantially constant in time and is not normally susceptible to increases, the current available is obviously shared, with consequent reduction and variability of the current powering the battery.
With less current reaching the battery, temperature of the latter rises more slowly so that its rate of change in time also remains at low levels, which could be practically negligible and, in any case, permanently under the reference value or threshold, if this value were chosen in relation to a high charging current, and it would therefore be difficult to detect when the battery is charged. As a result, the battery would continue to be charged beyond its capacity and could possibly, in an extreme case, explode.

Device and method for charging batteries with a variable current


A port rodder assembly for a recovery boiler includes a duct affixed to and in fluid communication with an air port of the boiler, having a hollow interior, and an air inlet opening. A cutting head is slidably mounted within the duct adjacent to the air port and is adapted to clean the air port. An actuator selectively advances the cutting head though the air port to clean the air port. A wing is pivotally mounted within the duct. The wing interacts with the air inlet opening to control the flow of air through the duct and into the air port and is shaped such that incoming air flows smoothly through the duct to the air port.

Within the cellulose production industry, the spent liquors from paper wood boiling (sulfate spent liquor and, in some cases, sulfite spent liquor) are combusted in a recovery boiler. The nature of the fuel and the process conditions result in a tendency of plugging of the air ports, which are openings through which combustion air is supplied. This clogging occurs through an accumulation of dust particles and flowing cinder products within the boiler. These pluggings are more accentuated in the lower regions of the air port and especially at the bottom. There are numerous known arrangements of cleaning devices which reciprocate through the air port for cleaning which are activated periodically as needed. It is important from environmental and process control points of view to achieve as complete a combustion as possible of the spent liquor within the recovery boiler. The supplemental supply of air through the air ports is an important parameter to achieve this goal. In addition to cleaning the air port, it is desirable to provide a regulating device which allows modulation of the air flow rate through the air port to achieve desired boiler operating parameters.
There are numerous examples of so-called port rodder devices for cleaning air ports which include damper assemblies for regulating air flow. In many examples of the prior art, the air regulating device provides a sharp edge orifice of variable area through which the air flows. Such an orifice configuration produces highly turbulent air flow into the combustion device. Due to its turbulence, this air flow is not able to penetrate deeply into the boiler interior, and thus produces a stratification of the air flow and available oxygen within the boiler interior. An ideal device of this type would produce an air stream into the boiler which has a velocity which enables it to penetrate into the interior of the boiler to provide a more homogeneous supply of combustion oxygen within the boiler interior. Additional examples of prior art rodder devices incorporate damper assemblies which must be retracted to a fully opened position before a cleaning cycle for the air port may be achieved. Thus, in such systems, the precisely adjusted damper position set for providing desirable furnace operating parameters is upset during the cleaning cycle. This can produce undesirable transient operating conditions within the boiler.