A device for increasing the magnetic flux density includes a semiconductor body and a first magnetic sensor integrated into the semiconductor body, whereby a housing section, which forms a cavity, is arranged above the sensor on the semiconductor surface and the cavity is filled with a ferromagnetic material and the material comprises a liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for increasing a magnetic flux density.
2. Description of the Background Art
A semiconductor body with an integrated magnetic sensor, whose sensitivity is increased by means of a ferromagnetic layer which lies on the semiconductor surface and conducts the magnetic flux through the sensor is known from the publication, R. S. Popovic, C. Schott, "Hall ASICs with integrated magnetic concentrators", Proceedings SENSORS EXPO & CONFERENCE, Boston, Mass., USA, Sep. 23-26, 2002.
Another device is known from the publication, C. Schott, R. Racz, S. Huber, "Smart CMOS Sensors with Integrated Magnetic Concentrators"; Sensors, 2005 IEEE, pp. 959-962. In this case, the magnetic field is concentrated by means of the overlying ring-shaped ferromagnetic layer and the direction of the outer magnetic field is determined by an evaluation circuit.

Device for increasing the magnetic flux density


A process for large-scale production of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells, films of the cells being deposited, in sequence, on a transparent substrate, the sequence comprising the steps of: depositing a film of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) on the substrate; depositing a film of CdS on the TCO film; depositing a film of CdTe on the CdS film; treating the CdTe film with CdCl2; depositing a back-contact film on the treated CdTe film. Treatment of the CdTe film with CdCl2 comprises the steps of: forming a layer of CdCl2 on the CdTe film by evaporation, while maintaining the substrate at room temperature; annealing the CdCl2 layer in a vacuum chamber at a temperature generally within a range of 380° C. and 420° C. and a pressure generally within a range of 300 mbar and 1000 mbar in an inert gas atmosphere; removing the inert gas from the chamber so as to produce a vacuum condition, while the substrate is kept at a temperature generally within a range of 350° C. and 420° C. whereby any residual CdCl2 is evaporated from the CdTe film surface.

Conventional CdTe/CdS solar cells typically comprise a transparent glass substrate carrying a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) film, a CdS film serving as the n-conductor, a CdTe film serving as the p-conductor and a metallic back-contact. A solar cell of this general description is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,499, which issued on Apr. 19, 1994.
While this "float" glass concept may be adapted for commercial use as a transparent substrate, frequent diffusion of Na into the TCO film has often resulted. Consequently, despite its relatively low cost, special glasses are often preferred over such a "float" glass arrangement.
Perhaps the most common TCO material is In2O3 which contains about 10% Sn (ITO). This material is usually characterized by a very low resistivity on the order of 3×10−4 Ωcm and a relatively high transparency (>85%) in the visible spectrum. While useful this material is made by sputtering and, after several runs, the ITO target forms noodles which contain excess In. In addition, a discharge may occur between noodles during sputtering which can damage the film.
Another material that is commonly used for the transparent conductive oxide film is fluorine doped SnO2. Although helpful, this material exhibits a higher resistivity close to about 10−3 Ωcm. As a result, a 1 μm thick layer is necessary to keep the sheet resistance at about 10 Ω/square. Generally, a high TCO thickness decreases the transparency and, in turn, the photocurrent of the solar cell. In addition, a novel material, namely Cd2SnO4, developed by the NREL group (X. Wu et al., Thin Solid Films, 286 (1996) 274-276)) has been utilized. However, since the target is made up of a mixture of CdO and SnO2, CdO being considered highly hygroscopic, the stability of the target has often been found unsatisfactory.
Generally speaking, the CdS film is deposited either by sputtering or Close-Spaced Sublimation (CSS) from a CdS granulate material. The latter technique allows thin films to be prepared at a substrate temperature considerably higher than that used in simple vacuum evaporation or sputtering. This is because the substrate and evaporation source are positioned very close to one another, i.e., at a distance of 2-6 mm, and deposition is performed in the presence of an inert gas such as Ar, He or N2 at a pressure of about 10−1-100 mbar. A higher substrate temperature usually allows growth of a better quality crystalline material. A significant characteristic of close-spaced sublimation is a very high growth rate up to about 10 μm/min, which is suitable for large-scale production.
Next, a CdTe film is deposited on the CdS film through close-spaced sublimation at a substrate temperature of 480-520° C. CdTe granulate is generally used as a source of CdTe which is vaporized from an open crucible.
An important step in the preparation of high efficiency CdTe/CdS solar cells is the treatment of CdTe film with CdCl2. Traditionally, most research groups would perform this step by depositing a layer of CdCl2 on top of CdTe by simple evaporation or by dipping the CdTe in a methanol solution containing CdCl2, and then annealing the material in air at about 400° C. for between about 15 and about 20 min. It is generally believed that CdCl2 treatment improves the crystalline quality of CdTe by increasing the size of the small grains and removing defects in the material.
After CdCl2 treatment, the CdTe is etched in a solution of Br-methanol or in a mixture of nitric and phosphoric acid. Etching is necessary as CdO or CdTeO3 are generally formed on the CdTe surface. CdO and/or CdTeO3 must be removed in order to provide for good back-contact onto the CdTe film. Also, it is believed that, since etching produces a Te-rich surface, formation of an ohmic contact when a metal is deposited on CdTe is facilitated.
The electric back-contact on the CdTe film is generally obtained by deposition of a film of a highly p-dopant metal for CdTe such as copper, e.g., in graphite contacts, which, upon annealing, can diffuse in the CdTe film. Use of a Sb2Te3 film as a back-contact in a CdTe/CdS solar cell is set forth by applicants in N. Romeo et al., Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 58 (1999), 209-218).
Industrial interest in thin films solar cells has increased in recent years, especially in view of the relatively high conversion efficiency achieved. Recently, for instance, a record 16.5% conversion efficiency was reported (see X. Wu et al., 17th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion Conference, Munich, Germany, 22-26 Oct. 2001, II, 995-1000). Accordingly, a number of attempts have been made to provide processes suitable for large-scale, in-line production of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells. A state-of-the art report of these efforts may be found in D. Bonnet, Thin Solid Films 361-362 (2000), 547-552. While helpful, they include crucial steps that also affect either the stability and efficiency of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells or their costs, thereby hindering achievement of a commercially viable process.
A significant problem of these processes is the etching step to which the CdTe surface must be submitted for removing CdO or CdTeO3 oxides that form thereon. Although etching requires the steps of immersing substrates carrying the treated CdTe/CdS films into acid solutions, rinsing and drying, machinery suitable for such continuous operation does not currently exist. Another difficulty that can negatively affect the stability of TCO films, as well as the cost of the final product, are the aforementioned disadvantages encountered using known TCOs. Moreover, known TCOs typically require the use of special glasses, such as borosilicate glass, to avoid Na diffusion and associated damage to the film that often occurs when soda-lime glass is used.
A further drawback of conventional processes relates to the source from which the CdS film and the CdTe film are produced through close-spaced sublimation. When relatively small pieces of these materials which contain dust, are used as a sublimation source, because of a different thermal contact, some micro-particles can overheat and, together with the vapor, split onto the substrate. In an attempt to avoid this inconvenience, complicated metallic masks are often used which make continuous operation problematic.

Process for large-scale production of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells


A quick release clutch interposed between the handle and rod of a manual seat adjuster uses a piezoelectric element to create a rapid disconnect on the selective application of an electrical signal. A resilient bearing on one side of a shoulder interface maintains frictional contact between two clutch members, while an expandable piezoelectric stack on the other side pushes the shoulders apart.

Manually operated vehicle seat adjusters typically have an elongated rod journaled to the upper channel of one of a pair of slidable seat tracks, which rod serves both as the central pivot axis for, and prime mover of, the various components of a seat latch. The rod is turned manually by a generally L shaped handle at the end, which is normally rotated down along with the rod and held down by the same return spring that biases the seat latch down into locked position. The rod and handle are typically one continuous piece, with no disconnect therebetween.
There is a potential need for a quick disconnect means for such a manual seat adjuster, one capable of a very rapid response, in the order of no more than 10 milliseconds. More typical actuators, such as electrical solenoids, cannot operate that quickly. So called piezoelectric materials, which expand very quickly, if very slightly, with the application of a voltage, are capable of such quick responses. However, current thinking is that the amount of linear displacement of which such materials are capable is insufficient to render them effective in direct clutch or release applications.

Manual vehicle seat adjuster with quick release clutch


A device for exercise and self-protection comprising a combination of hand-weights and a canister of pepper spray. The device includes a hollow handle with two openings, one for the thumb of a user and one for the spray from a canister of pepper spray inserted within the hollow handle. The device further includes threaded ends for accommodating a set of real or fake weights.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a combination hand-weights and self-defense spray for personal protection. No past devices were found to have been proposed that used the combination of hand-weights and a pepper spray type devices.
The advantage of using this device is that the people who use hand-weights while jogging/running/walking will be able to exercise and have the pepper spray type defense spray ready to use. This device will be designed so that either fake weights (light weight end pieces) or real weights can be used. The weights can be of different heaviness so that people of different fitness levels will be able to use this device effectively. This device is desirable for all who exercise in or outdoors. The device will give people a means of self-defense without having to stop and try to find a pepper spray type of canister before they are attacked either by humans and/or animals.
There has been a need for a device that people could use for both exercise and as a means for self-defense for a long time. For some of the elderly, women, and physically challenged, this device would provide immediate access to a defensive way of protecting oneself or others. Since this device is also disguised, the would-be attacker will be completely taken by surprise, thereby allowing the victim to escape to safety.


A backlight module and a liquid crystal display are provided. The backlight module includes a first light-emitting unit and at least one second light-emitting unit. The first light-emitting unit is located outside of a light guide region between an optical film and a reflection plate, and the at least one second light-emitting unit is located within the light guide region. The at least one second light-emitting unit includes a curved reflection sheet. The curved reflection sheet faces the first light-emitting unit, and is used to reflect the lights being projected to the at least one second light-emitting unit unto the optical film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal displaying technology field, and more particularly to a backlight module and a liquid crystal display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the continuous development of a liquid crystal displaying technology, the demand for the function of every component of the liquid crystal display becomes more and more high.
Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a structure schematic view of a backlight module of the prior art.
The backlight module includes a light source 11, a reflection cover 12, a reflection plate 13 and an optical film 14.
The reflection plate 13 is located under the optical film 14 and is parallel to the optical film 14. There forms a light guide region Q between the reflection plate 13 and the optical film 14. The light source 11 is disposed in the reflection cover 12. The reflection cover 12 can reflect the lights of the light source 11 unto the reflection plate 13 or the optical film 14.
Please continue to refer to FIG. 1, the transmission distance K of the light in the light guide region Q and the height H of the light guide region Q are interacted with each other. Only if the value of K/H is less than 40, the uniformity requirement of the luminance can be satisfied.
However, with the continuous development of the large-sized liquid crystal display, the transmission distance K of the lights will increase. For maintaining the uniformity luminance, the height H of the light guide region Q needs to increase. But this will undoubtedly increase the thickness of backlight module, and contravenes the developing trend of the lightweight liquid crystal display.
Hence, it is one of the technical problems needed to be solved in the liquid crystal displaying technology field that how to reduce or maintain the thickness of the backlight module under the case of the increasing size of the liquid crystal display.

Backlight module and liquid crystal display

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.


A wireless communications architecture having first and second synchronous memory devices coupled to a virtual channel memory controller by corresponding first and second data buses, and a shared address and control bus interconnecting the virtual channel memory controller and the first and second synchronous memory devices. The first and second synchronous memory devices are addressed with the shared address bus, and the first and second memory locations are accessed via the first and second data buses, respectively.

The realization of increased data rates and operation of processor intensive applications, including multimedia, Internet access, etc., in future generation wireless communication systems, for example 3rd Generation W-CDMA systems and beyond, will require substantial amounts of memory and processing performance, which are constrained by cost, power consumption, packaging and other considerations.
In prior art FIG. 5, a known wireless communication architecture comprising discrete basesband and application processing circuits provides relatively good performance, but at a high cost and high part count, and with a large footprint.
In prior art FIG. 6, another known wireless communication architecture comprising integrated baseband and application processing circuits has a reduced the part count and a reduced foot print in comparison to discrete architectures of the type illustrated in FIG. 5. The RISC core performance in the architecture of FIG. 5, however, is limited by the memory system implementation, and DSP expansion is limited by the amount of on-chip memory.
The various aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention with the accompanying drawings described below.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention relates to a homogenous method for detecting at least one target polynucleotide in a sample comprising the steps of                contacting a sample comprising said polynucleotide or polynucleotide forming nucleic acids or derivatives thereof, with labelled oligonucleotide probe under conditions where said oligonucleotide probe selectively hybridizes to said target polynucleotide, wherein the signal of the label increases or decreases upon the hybridization between the oligonucleotide probe and the target polynucleotide,        exciting the label, and        monitoring the signal intensity of said label to indicate the presence or absence in a sample of said target polynucleotide.According to the invention, said label is measured by time resolved fluorometry.

The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention, and in particular, cases to provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Saiki et al., 1985) is by far the most important nucleic acid diagnostic tool. The first diagnostic tests based on PCR were quite cumbersome and not amenable to large scale screening methods (Isaksson et Landegren, 1999). Several post PCR steps, such as restriction enzyme analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis or heterogeneous hybridization assays were needed to confirm the identity of the PCR product (Kricka, 1999). Recently, the development of new fluorescent techniques has, however, led to novel assay formats that greatly simplify the protocols used for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. These methods involve the detection of a specific PCR product in a homogeneous solution without the need to open the amplification tubes after PCR (Williams et al., 1998). The results can be read in real time as the PCR product is accumulated or at the end of the thermal cycling protocol directly from the amplification wells. The choice between real time or end point measurement modes depends on whether a quantitative or qualitative assay is desired.
At the moment four technologies enabling specific sequence detection in a closed tube are commercially available. All of them (the TaqMan, Molecular Beacons, LightCycler and Amplifluor technologies) are based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) (Clegg, 1992; Selvin, 1995). TaqMan (Holland et al. 1991; Lee et al., 1993) uses a linear probe that has a FRET donor in its 5′ end and an acceptor moiety at the 3′ end (Livak et al., 1995). When the probe is single stranded, the three dimensional conformation of the probe brings the two labels close enough to each other for the acceptor to quench the donor fluorescence. As the probe hybridizes to its target or when a DNA polymerase that has a 5′ to 3′ exonuclease activity cleaves it, the distance between the two labels increases enough for the donor fluorescence intensity to increase markedly. The difference between TaqMan probes and molecular beacons (Tyagi et Kramer, 1996) is that the optimized stem-loop structure of molecular beacons brings the two labels as close together as possible when the probe is not hybridized to a target sequence. This ensures maximal quenching efficiency. Upon hybridization to a target (or when cleaved by a DNA polymerase), the fluorescence intensity of the FRET donor increases as the physical contact between the two labels is disrupted. The Amplifluor technology (Nazarenko et al., 1997) utilizes hairpin shaped primers that basically function the same way molecular beacons do: when the primer is incorporated into a PCR product, the donor and quencher moieties are separated and donor fluorescence is thus increased. The Hybridization Probe format (Morrison, 1995) used in the LightCycler system (Wittwer et al, 1997a; Wittwer et al, 1997b) uses two adjacent probes that are labeled such that when both probes are hybridized to a target, the labels are brought close to each other and a FRET occurs between them. The sensitized acceptor emission is measured instead of the donor fluorescence.
All of these methods based on FRET are characterized by relatively high signal-to-noise ratios and a good ability to discriminate between positive and negative reactions. However, they are all limited in the sense that either a dual label probe or primer or two separate probes per each target have to be used. This seriously complicates probe design and synthesis. In addition, since they all employ labels with rapidly decaying fluorescence and broad emission peaks, the possibilities for multiplex detection are limited.
The two labels used in the homogenous assays described above are of different kind, i.e. one of the labels shall quench the other label as long as the probe to which they are attached is non-hybridized.

Homogenous method for the detection of a polynucleotide, with e.g. cleavable lanthanide chelate label


The present disclosure is directed to an electronic monitoring system having various sensors for monitoring a pumping unit and/or well head. In an embodiment, the system includes a load cell and position sensor that generate dynamometer information. The monitoring system is suited for remote well applications as the system is self-powered (e.g., solar powered) and has wireless communication capabilities allowing remote monitoring in substantially real-time.

Oil is commonly pumped oil from underground reservoirs utilizes a reciprocating downhole pump. At the surface, a motor drives a pump jack or hydraulic pumping unit (hereafter pumping unit) either of which is connected to a polished rod that is in turn connected to a string of sucker rods which extend down the borehole to support the downhole pump. As the pumping unit operates, the polished rod and string of sucker rods raise and lower causing a pump to lift the fluid from the reservoir up to the surface.
It is often desirable to monitor conditions of a wellhead and/or the operation of the pumping unit. In the former regard, wellheads are commonly monitored to detect the escape of hydrocarbons (e.g., gases or fluids), which may result in, for example fire hazards. In the latter regard, it is known that a number of downhole conditions can affect the operation of the pump. For instance, when well production rate does not fill the pump, the pump can become jammed, worn or experience other difficulties. Typically, there are no sensors to measure conditions at the downhole pump, which may be located thousands of feet underground. Instead, numerical methods are used calculate the position of the pump and the load acting on the plunger from measurements of the position and load for the sucker rod string at the surface wellhead. These measurements are typically made at the polished rod, which is a portion of the sucker rod string passing through a stuffing box at the wellhead and connecting to the pumping unit.
Devices for monitoring the surface conditions of a sucker rod well pumping unit are commonly referred to as sucker rod pump dynamometer systems. A typical dynamometer system has a load cell mounted on the polished rod, between the pumping unit and the polished rod. In various embodiments, the load cells monitor forces on the polished rod to determine the load on the polished rod. Such load cell measurements are often obtained in conjunction with motion characteristics of the rod including top of stroke, bottom of stroke and rod acceleration during the stroke. Use of information from the load cell is sometimes used to create what the oil industry refers to as a dynamometer card or dyno card. Such a dyno card primarily focuses on two variables: the motion/displacement of the polished rod (e.g., as measured from its topmost position) and the tension/force in the rod. These variables are graphed against each other with motion/displacement on the horizontal axis and the tension/force on the vertical axis. The resulting graph or plot shows the system is in cyclic motion; the resulting graph/curve has a closed locus. Travel once around the locus takes the same amount of time as it takes the rod pump to complete one full cycle of down stroke from a top most position and upstroke returning to the top most position. The shape of this plot is sometimes used to diagnose problems with the pump and/or alter the operation of the pumping unit.
While these surface-measured data provide useful diagnostic information, they may not provide an accurate representation of the same properties observed downhole at the pump. Because these downhole properties cannot be easily measured directly, they are typically derived from the surface data. However, due to logistic constraints, such dynamometer systems most commonly gather such surface data intermittently and such data is often analyzed off-site.
One logistic constraint of dynamometer systems is the remote locations of many oil and gas wells. More specifically, many wells are in remote locations where electrical power is not readily available. Pumps of such remote wells are commonly diesel or gas (e.g., natural gas) powered. Accordingly, there is a limited electrical supply for the dynamometer system. To conserve energy, such systems typically take measurements once or twice a day or even less frequently.

Solar powered pressurized electronics enclosure for pumping units


A color image encoding method to encode a color image signal expressed by a plural number of color component signals, wherein the plural number of color component signals of a pixel of interest are input serially, encoding conditions are serially determined in relation to each color component signal of the pixel of interest input serially, and each color component signal of the pixel of interest input serially is encoded according to the encoding conditions determined serially.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color image encoding method for a color facsimile etc. for communication of color image.
2. Related Background Art
In the conventional image encoding method, a run length encoding system represented by G3, G4 facsimile recommended by CCITT (Consultative Council of International Telephone and Telegraph) has been generally used. In this encoding system the length of continuation (run length) of white or black pixels is counted and in reference to the predetermined code table, the code corresponding to the counted value is determined. The encoding table used here is so characterized that a relatively short code is allotted to the long white run which often appears in the case of a document image.
On the other hand, low cost color printers have been developed in recent years and an image communication system with binary color having 1 bit data for each of red (R), green (G), blue (B) or yellow (Y), cyan (C) and magenta (M) has been introduced.
One such binary color encoding system, can perform encoding for each of the 3-color bit planes and can use one MH and MR encoding method for black & white picture.
FIG. 1 is an example of the image transmission device to conduct encoding for each 3-color bit plane. In the buffer memories 90-a, b and c are stored, color by color, the R, G and B color signals binarized by a color image reading device not shown in the figure.
First the R signal 300 is input into the encoder 93 from R buffer memory 90-a through selector 98. At the encoder 93, MH and MR codes etc. are encoded and R code 94 is generated. This R code 94 is decoded at decoder 97 and via the selector 99 it is input into R buffer memory 91-a. When encoding of the R signal is over, the G signal 301 is output from G buffer memory 90-b in the same way and then through the similar encoding processing, a G code 95 is generated and, through the similar decoding processing, decoded data are stored in G buffer memory 91-b. In the same way, B code 96 is produced by the B signal coming from B buffer memory 90-c and it is encoded and stored in B buffer memory 91-c.
At printer 92, all data are accumulated in buffer memory 91-a, b and c and thereafter each color data is output and recorded. Or alternatively, it may be so arranged that after accumulating all the data in buffer memory 91-a and 91-b, the B signal is obtained by decoding the B code and is recorded first at printer 92 and then the color data of 91-a and 91-b are recorded.
However, when such a method as to encode each color of a 3-color bit plane, is used the code of each color is independently produced. Therefore, even for a printer which can simultaneously record three colors, such as an ink jet printer, it is necessary that the decoding device is equipped with a buffer memory corresponding to three or two colors.
This method also presents the following drawback: recording can be started only after 3- or 2-color image data are decoded, which includes promptness in data transmission.
Individual encoding of the R, G and B bit planes also increases the entropy of the original R, G, and B data source and, as a result, encoding efficiency deteriorates. To put it in another way, it does not utilize the correlation data of colors.
Another problem is that when the statistical character of the black & white run length of the image is different from that of an image which has been used as the standard when the code table was prepared, for example when a semi-intermediate tone image is transmitted, on-off of color dots is frequently repeated. As a result, the amount of codes may finally exceed the original data.
This method also decreases efficiency because when an image is encoded where black & white images are mixed into color images, R, G and B have the same value. Therefore, even the black & white images which can be expressed in monocolor, must be encoded for each of the R, G and B bit plane.
In other words, with the system to encode color images in 3 bits, when
(1) the input manuscript is only in a few colors out of 8 available colors such as white, black and red or white, blue and green, or when PA1 (2) the printer at the signal receiving side can express only a few colors out of the eight colors, then the system encodes unnecessary color data and thus data compression becomes insufficient.


The isolated and purified PAI from several active snake venoms is described and characterized. In addition, PAIs lacking the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) adhesion sequence but containing K* -(G/Sar)-D wherein K* is a modified lysyl residue of the formula EQU R.sup.1.sub.2 N(CH .sub.2).sub.4 CHNHCO--. wherein each R.sup.1 is independently H, alkyl(1-6C) or at most one R.sup.1 is R.sup.2 --C.dbd.NR.sup.3 wherein R.sup.2 is H, alkyl(1-6C), phenyl or benzyl, or is NR.sup.4 .sub.2 in which each R.sup.4 is independently H or alkyl(1-6C) and R.sup.3 is H, alkyl(1-6C), phenyl or benzyl, or R.sup.2 --C.dbd.NR.sup.3 is a radical selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## where m is an integer of 2-3, and each R.sup.5 is independently H or alkyl(1-6C);. and wherein one or two (CH.sub.2) may be replaced by O or S provided said O or S is not adjacent to another heteroatom PA1 are prepared and shown to specifically inhibit the binding of fibrinogen or von Willebrand Factor to GP IIb-IIIa.

Heart disease is the primary cause of death in most western societies. Death from heart disease is often induced by platelet-dependent ischemic syndromes which are initiated by atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis and include, but are not limited to, acute myocardial infarction, chronic unstable angina, transient ischemic attacks and strokes, peripheral vascular disease, arterial thrombosis, preeclampsia, embolism, restenosis and/or thrombosis following angioplasty, carotid endarterectomy, anastomosis of vascular grafts, and chronic cardiovascular devices (e.g., in-dwelling catheters or shunts "extracorporeal circulating devices"). These syndromes represent a variety of stenotic and occlusive vascular disorders thought to be initiated by platelet activation either on vessel walls or within the lumen by blood-borne mediators but are manifested by platelet aggregates which form thrombi that restrict blood flow.
Numerous studies have contributed to an understanding of the mechanism of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Platelets respond to a variety of blood vessel injuries, such as narrowing of the lumen, plaque formation, and the presence of foreign bodies (e.g., catheters) and the like. The response of platelets to these injuries is a sequence of events including platelet adherence and activation, and the release of platelet granular components, including potent cellular mitogenic factors. The activated platelet aggregates induce the formation of fibrin, which further stabilizes the thrombus.
Much is now known about mechanisms regulating these responses. Although unstimulated platelets contain receptors for several adhesive proteins including laminin (VLA 2, VLA 6) and collagen (VLA 2, GPIV, others), the initial attachment of platelets to subendothelium is believed to be mediated by the binding of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib to the immobilized von Willebrand factor. Subsequent platelet activation can be initiated by one or more of the known physiological agonists including: ADP, epinephrine, thrombin, collagen, and thromboxane A2.
Platelet aggregation is mediated by GP IIb-IIIa complex on the platelet membrane surface. GP IIb-IIIa exists on the surface of unstimulated platelets in an in-active form. When platelets are activated by adhesion and the physiological agonists, the GP IIb-IIIa also becomes activated such that it becomes a receptor for fibrinogen (Fg), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and fibronectin (Fn) (see Phillips et al., Blood (1988) 71:831-843); however, it is the binding of fibrinogen and/ or von Willebrand factor that is believed to be principally responsible for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in vivo. Therefore, substances which specifically inhibit the binding of fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor to GP IIb-IIIa inhibit platelet aggregation and could be candidates for inhibiting thrombus formation in vivo.
Platelet GP IIb-IIIa is now known to be a member of a superfamily of structurally related adhesive protein receptors known collectively as the "integrins." Like GP IIb-IIIa, all integrins known to date are two subunit molecules with a larger alpha-subunit (e.g., GP IIb) and a smaller beta-subunit (e.g., GP IIIa). There is a high degree of homology between the known sequences of the integrin subunits indicating that the integrins evolved from a common precursor. Integrins function in a variety of cellular adhesions and have been found in leucocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and other cells in the vasculature. Because integrins are widely distributed, while GP IIb-IIIa is restricted to platelets, a preferred antiaggregating agent would selectively inhibit GP IIb-IIIa as opposed to other integrins.
Several classes of peptides have been disclosed which block the binding of adhesive proteins to activated platelets and inhibit platelet aggregation (see Hawiger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,471; and Rouslahti et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,614,517; 4,578,079; 4,792,525; and UK application GB 2,207,922A). In one class of peptides, the sequence RGD is critical, and the tetrapeptide sequences RGDS, RGDT, RGDC, have been used specifically. The amino acid sequence RGDX is found in a variety of adhesive proteins including Fg, Vn, vWF and Fn. This sequence has been demonstrated to play an important role in the interaction of adhesive proteins with adhesive protein receptors because peptides containing this sequence block the binding of adhesive proteins. See, e.g., Pierschbacher, M.D., et al., J Biol Chem (1987) 262:17294-17298; Ruggeri et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) (1986) 83:5708-5712; and Rouslahti et al., Cell (1986) 44:517-518. Tetrapeptides containing this sequence are disclosed in EP application 319,506 published Jun. 7, 1989. Short peptides containing homoarginine instead of arginine in the RGD sequences are disclosed in PCT application WO89/07609 published Aug. 24, 1989.
The structural variations permitted in RGD-containing containing peptides have been explored by Pierschbacher, M. D. et al. J Biol Chem (supra). In these studies, it was found that manipulating the RGD-containing sequence not only affected the activity related to inhibition of binding of fibronectin or vitronectrin to substrate, but could also effect differentiation between binding of the two ligands. The peptide sequence GRGDSPC which was taken from the cell attachment domain of fibronectin was used as a model peptide. Certain substitutions, such as replacement of L-Arg with D-Arg seem to have no effect on the binding of either ligand, but substituting D-Ala for Gly or D-Asp for L-Asp destroyed the inhibition activity. While substituting D-Ser for L-Ser reduced inhibition of vitronectin interaction with vitronectin receptor, there was little effect on fibronectin interaction with fibronectin receptor; substitution of Asn for Ser resulted in a peptide that had enhanced inhibition of fibronectin binding, and a decreased effect on vitronectin binding. Alternate substitutions for Ser had other effects. Threonine substituted for Ser gave a peptide with increased inhibition of binding to the vitronectin receptor substitution of L-Pro led to an inactive peptide. A cyclic peptide was also prepared of the sequence Gly-Pen-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys-Ala, wherein "Pen" is penicillamine and a disulfide bridge was formed between the Pen and Cys. In the view of the authors, penicillamine had the function of increasing conformational restraints on the ring whereas the N-terminal Gly and carboxy-terminal Ala were added to distance the free amino and carboxyl groups from the ring. This cyclic peptide was able to inhibit vitronectin binding more strongly than the same peptide before cyclization, but was ineffective in inhibiting fibronectin binding.
Recently, an antithrombotic peptide with a modification of the RGD sequence having the "R" residue alkylated was reported by Samanen, J., et al., J Cell Biochem (1990) Suppl 14A:A229. A review of structure/activity relationships in RGD-containing peptides has been published by Ali, F. E. et al. in Proc 11th Am Peptide Symp, Marshall et al., ed. ESCOM Leiden 1990.
European Patent Application publication no. 341,915 published Nov. 15, 1989 discloses two groups of peptides, one linear and the other cyclic, which are said to bind the platelet GP IIb-IIIa receptor and thus to inhibit its ability to bind vWF, fibronectin and fibrinogen-fibrin. No data are provided which relate to the specificity of binding of these peptides. The group of cyclic peptides includes modifications of the RGD sequence wherein the R is substituted by D or L homoarginine, dimethyl or diethyl arginine, lysine, or an alpha-alkylated derivative of these residues. Minimal cyclic structures comprise simply the "R" GD sequence bracketed between the two residues which form the disulfide bridge.
A separate class of inhibitory peptides utilizes peptide sequences modeled on the carboxyl terminal sequence derived from the gamma chain of fibrinogen, the dodecapeptide HHLGGAQKAGDV (Kloczewiak et al., Biochemistry (1989) 28:2915-2919; Timmons et al., (Ibid), 2919-2923 U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,471 (supra); EP application 298,820,). Although this sequence inhibits Fg and vWF binding to GP IIb-IIIa and subsequent platelet aggregation, the usefulness of this peptide is limited because it has a low affinity of interaction with platelet receptors (IC.sub.50 .dbd.10-100 uM).
Recently, several groups have isolated and characterized a new class of low molecular weight polypeptide factors from snake venoms which have extremely high affinity for the GP IIb-IIIa complex. Huang, T.-F., et al., J Biol Chem (1987) 262:16157-16163; Huang, T.-F., et al., Biochemistry (1989) 28:661-666 report the primary structure of trigramin, a 72 amino acid peptide containing RGD and 6 disulfide bridges isolated from Trimeresurus gramineus. Gan, Z.-R., et al., J Biol Chem (1988) 263:19827-19832, report the properties and structure of echistatin, a 49 amino acid peptide also containing RGD and 4 putative disulfide bridges which is isolated from Echis carinatus. Williams, J. A., et al., FASEB Journal (1989) 3:A310, Abstr. No. 487 m, report the sequence and properties of the related peptides elegantin, albolabrin, and flavoviridin. In addition, characterization of bitistatin was reported by Shebuski, R. J., et al., J Biol Chem (1989) 264:21550-21556; and the PAI from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus was reported by Chao, B. H., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1989) 86:8050-8054. The relationship between various GP IIb-IIIa antagonists from snake venoms was discussed by Dennis, M. S., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1989) 87:2471-2475.
Included in this group of inhibitory peptides from snake venoms are alboabrin isolated from Trimeresurus albolabris, elegantin isolated from T. elegans, flavoviridin isolated from T. flavoviridis, batroxostatin isolated from Bothrops atrox, bitistatin isolated from Bitis arietans reported by Niewiarowski, S., et al., Thromb Haemostas (1989) 62:319 (Abstr. SY-XIV-5). In addition, applaggin has been purified from Aqkistrodon p. piscivorus and reported by Chao, B., et al., Thromb Haemostas (1989) 62:50 (Abstr. 120) and halysin, purified from Agkistrodon halys which was reported by Huang, T. F., et al., Thromb haemostas (1989) 62:48 (Abstr. 112). All of these peptides show a high degree of sequence homology. In addition, all of the peptides reported to date from snake venoms which inhibit the binding of adhesive proteins to integrin receptors contain the RGD sequence.
Although these reported snake venom factors are potent platelet aggregation inhibitors in vitro, these peptides also bind with high affinity to other members of the adhesive protein receptors such as the vitronectin and fibronectin receptors (Knudsen, K. A., et al., Exp Cell Res (1988) 179:42-49; Rucinski, B., et. al., Thromb Haemostas (1989) 62:50 (Abstr. 120). This lack of specificity of snake venom factors for GP IIb-IIIa is an undesirable feature of their therapeutic use as inhibitors of thrombus formation, because they have the potential of affecting the adhesive properties of other cells in the vasculature, particularly those adhesions mediated by integrins.
Another approach developed for the generation of platelet thrombus inhibitors has been the use of murine anti-GP IIb-IIIa monoclonal antibodies which block the binding of the adhesive proteins to stimulated platelets. These monoclonal antibodies have been used to prevent coronary artery reocclusion after reperfusion with tissue plasminogen activator in dogs (Yasuda, T., et al., J Clin Invest (1988) 81:1284-1291) and to prevent cyclic reduction of flow in injured canine coronary arteries with a high grade stenosis. Potential side effects of the use of such monoclonal antibodies in humans may result from their long-lasting effects and from their potential immunogenicity.
Clearly, additional therapeutic treatment regimens are needed for preventing or at least mitigating undesirable thrombus formation. In particular, therapeutic agents capable of blocking or inhibiting thrombus formation at specific locations without compromising hemostasis and without affecting other cellular adhesions, would provide major therapeutic benefits. Ideally, these agents should be potent, specific for GP IIb-IIIa, and nonimmunogenic to most patients; they also should be easy to administer, stable and economical to produce. Further, these agents should act transiently and be capable of functioning at the earliest stages of thrombus formation, without interfering with long-term hemostasis. The present invention fills these and other related needs.


A stirred bead grinding mill includes a substantially cylindrical grinding shell and a central stirring shaft within the grinding shell. The central stirring shaft is provided with axially spaced stirring elements, preferably grinding discs, along the central stirring shaft. A replaceable grinding element is provided that includes an axial support structure arranged to form the outer periphery of the grinding element adapted to fit within the grinding shell, and at least one counter disc arranged to project radially inward from the axial support structure to an extent separating two grinding zones in an axial direction while allowing the central stirring shaft within the grinding shell, wherein at least part of the counter disc and/or the support structure is provided with castellations.

Stirred bead grinding mills are typically used in mineral processing to grind mineral ore particles into smaller sized particles to facilitate further downstream processing, such as separation of the valuable mineral particles from unwanted gangue. For example, mineral ore particles in the range of about 30 μm to 4000 μm in diameter may be ground down to particles of 5 to 100 μm in diameter.
A stirred bead grinding mill typically has a stationary mill body or shell arranged vertically in the mill and an internal drive shaft. The drive shaft has a plurality of stirring elements, such as grinding discs or rotors, so that rotation of the drive shaft also rotates the stirring elements, which in turn stirs a suitable grinding media, and the mineral ore particles, in the form of a feed slurry, passes through this stirred bed of media. The resulting stirring action causes the mineral ore particles to be ground into smaller sized particles. However, the grinding discs and the shell tend to suffer from high wear, especially when the grinding mill is operated at high speeds through the action of the harder grinding media acting against the grinding discs.


A simple, rapid and reliable method for diagnosis of thalassemia is described. The method comprises amplification of the cDNA by polymerase chain reaction and determining the ratio between .alpha. and .beta. hemoglobin chain mRNAs.

The thalassemias represent a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by the absence or diminished synthesis of one or the other of the globin chains of hemoglobin A. In .alpha.-thalassemia, .alpha.-chain synthesis is decreased or absent; whereas in .beta.-thalassemia, .beta.-chain synthesis is diminished or absent. Numerous molecular defects account for the various thalassemias. The degree of clinical expression is generally dictated by the nature and severity of the underlying globin gene (DNA) defect. Thalassemia major (homozygous .beta.-thalassemia) defines the most severe variety of the disease. Thalassemia intermedia and thalassemia minor refer to the heterozygous state, generally associated with milder clinical manifestations.
Beta-thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by absent (.beta..sup.o) or decreased (.beta..sup.+) synthesis of the .beta.-globin chain. Thalassemia is found in almost all population and ethnic groups around the world. It has been estimated that 3% of the world's population or 150 million people carry .beta.-thalassemia genes. Indeed, it is among the most common genetic diseases in the world. Alpha thalassemia, the corresponding disorder of .alpha. hemoglobin chain is also of great prevalence, especially in the Orient.
By the next century, probably over 50% of the world population in certain groups will be at risk for the thalassemias. Thus, in world terms, the problem would be anticipated to increase with time. Because these predictions have tremendous medical, social and economic implications, particularly in developing nations, a major challenge to health professionals is the development of methodologies for molecular diagnosis of the thalassemia syndromes that are simple and reliable, especially those that do not depend on radioactivity. Such a strategy would allow for detection, as well as facilitate genetic counseling of carriers.
Traditional detection of .beta.-thalassemia has relied heavily on the hematological tests. With the more generalized use of electronic cell counters, the diagnosis is first suspected by the discovery of a low MCV and MCH on routine "complete" blood counts. Increased levels of HbA.sub.2 (to 4-6 percent) and/or increased HbF (up to 5-20 percent) demonstrated by quantitative hemoglobin electrophoresis supports the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia and .beta.-thalassemia trait can be difficult in practice, if there are not reciprocal increases in HbA.sub.2 and/or HbF. Moreover, in the presence of concomitant iron-deficiency, HbA.sub.2 levels in .beta.-thalassemic individuals may fall into the normal range. Occasionally, the diagnosis of iron deficiency cannot be made on the basis of measurements of serum iron, iron binding capacity and/or the absence of stainable iron in the bone marrow. In these instances, the demonstration of a reduced .beta.-globin synthetic rate (compared to .alpha.-globin), generally employing .sup.3 H-leucine to analyze globin chain production in reticulocytes is required for a conclusive diagnosis. This procedure is cumbersome and not well-suited for large scale investigations.
Recently, with improvements in techniques in molecular biology and with the cloning of the human globin genes, cloning and sequencing the .beta. globin genes from a patient with suspect .beta. thalassemia (or the .alpha. globin gene from patients suspected to have alpha thalassemia) have become possible. More recently, it has been found that a number of point mutations that result in the thalassemic phenotype are genetically linked to specific restriction fragment length polymorphisms or haplotypes. Thus, by isolating DNA from peripheral tissues (usually leukocytes), one can perform restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA and Southern blotting to examine for the presence of specific haplotypes from which one can infer the particular thalassemic mutation. However, the linkage of different .beta.-globin gene cluster haplotypes with specific mutations giving rise to the .beta.-thalassemia is not definitive. Moreover, the isolation, cloning and sequencing of the defective .beta.-globin gene(s) in suspected carriers is time-consuming and not well suited for large population studies.

Simple, rapid and reliable method for detecting thalassemia

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


A hot and cold vending machine. The vending machine may include a product compartment, a refrigeration system, and a ventilation system in communication with the refrigeration system and the product compartment. The ventilation system may include a valve positioned in communication with the product compartment. A heater may be positioned about the product compartment. The valve and the heater may be selectively activated such that product compartment may be hot or cold.

Hot and/or cold vending machines are common in certain countries. For example, such vending machines are particularly popular in Japan. These vending machines typically have several compartments that can be run either hot or cold. The vending machines generally use a standard Rankine cycle refrigeration device. The overall refrigeration system may include evaporators in each compartment connected to the Rankine cycle device by valves and refrigeration lines. These valves may control which evaporators are "on", thereby controlling which compartments are cold. Each of the compartments also may have a heater. The heater may be turned on in any compartment with products that are to be vended hot.
One of the drawbacks with these vending machines is that the evaporators generally are fixed within their respective compartments. Likewise, the Rankine cycle device may be fixed within the overall enclosure. Removal or replacement of the refrigeration system or the individual components therein therefore may be difficult and time consuming.
Another drawback with known hot and cold vending machines is the use of the Rankine cycle device itself. For example, a Stirling cycle cooler may be desirable as compared to a Rankine cycle device because the Stirling cycle cooler is non-polluting, efficient, and has very few moving parts. The integration of Stirling cycle coolers into conventional refrigeration cabinets, however, requires different manufacturing, installation and operational techniques as compared to those used for conventional refrigeration systems. One example of the use of a Stirling cycle cooler is shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,389 B2, entitled, "Merchandiser using Slide-out Stirling Refrigeration Deck", incorporated herein by reference.
What is desired, therefore, is a hot and cold vending machine with an easily removable refrigeration system. Further, such a refrigeration system may be driven by a Stirling cycle cooler system, although a conventional Rankine cycle system or any type of known refrigeration system may be used.

Removable refrigeration cassette for a hot and cold vending machine


A system for forming a cross-directional fiber reinforcement layer has a feeder for feeding an array of continuous fiber and a chopped fiber dispenser for distributing generally aligned, closely spaced chopped fibers onto the array of continuous fibers in a cross-directional manner.

Structural composites and other reinforced molded articles are commonly made using manufacturing processes such as resin transfer molding and structural resin injection molding. These molding processes have been made more efficient by using reinforcement fibers that are used to make a reinforcement layer or mat. The preformed fiber reinforced layers or mat "preforms" or filament winding prepregs have the approximate shape and size of the molded article.
As the technical requirements for reinforcement products increases, new methods for dispensing and laying down reinforcement fibers are required. One requirement is that the reinforcement fibers be delivered at faster speeds than used previously. Another requirement is that the reinforcement fibers be laid down in varying degrees of thickness or density to achieve the desired reinforcement result. Another requirement is that the reinforcement fibers be laid down in a predetermined orientation.
When preforms are made with specific amounts and specific orientations of the reinforcement fibers, the preforms provide improved strength to the molded product precisely at the weakest or most stressed locations. Because of this new design requirement, there often is a requirement that the fibers be dispensed in a very controlled manner.
Efforts to control the orientation of the fibers have not been entirely successful, especially at the high speeds necessary for commercially successful operations. When typical fiber dispensers are operated at a faster speed, the fibers cannot be successfully laid down in a pattern that is as controlled as is desired.
It is clear that improvements in dispensing precisely oriented fibers in a controlled manner, enabling a more precise distribution of fibers, would be desirable.

System for forming reinforcement layers having cross-directionally oriented fibers


A power control system and method receives and filters a valid GPS signal received by a navigation device and outputs a corresponding performance parameter for the GPS signal, and upon determining that a power management signal is a power-off management signal, determines whether the performance parameter exceeds a predetermined first threshold. Alternatively, if the power management signal is not a power-off management signal, the performance parameter is determined whether it is smaller than a predetermined second threshold value. A processing module is managed to send a GPS power control signal that controls power provided to a GPS module in the navigation device, thereby reducing power consumption of the navigation device.

In order for electronic devices, such as a vehicle navigation system or personal digital assistant (PDA), to provide global positioning services, a navigation device with a global positioning system (GPS) has to be perform signal transmission (if any), reception and processing, which allows determination of the coordinates of the current location of such a device. GPS utilizes twenty-four artificial satellites circling in six different orbits above the earth to continuously transmit GPS signals. If the navigation device is able to receive GPS signals transmitted by at least three satellites, then its current longitude, latitude and elevation, can be determined and its velocity and traveling direction can be computed with respect to a prior reading.
Additionally, when using the above navigation device to receive GPS signals, reception is sensitive to the external environment (such as weather and the surrounding terrain and buildings). For example, if the weather is rainy with heavy clouds in the sky, the amount of free electrons in the clouds is large, which may interfere with the GPS signals, such that the GPS signal strength received by the navigation device is too low to perform a proper reading. Also, if the navigation device is used in a tunnel or underground passage, the navigation device may not be able to receive GPS signals from the satellites well. However, in such situations, the GPS module inside the navigation device would not stop operating even if no sufficient GPS signals are received, which wastes power.
In order to solve the above problem, one current approach is to provide a button for turning on/off the power of the navigation device, such that the operating power of the navigation device is controlled by a user upon determining the strength of the signals received by the navigation device. However, such a solution requires the user to check for the signal strength from time to time while possibly engaging in some other activities (e.g. driving a car), in order to know whether to turn off the operating power of the navigation device when the GPS signal strength is too low. This approach is not very convenient and even poses danger if the user is driving. Moreover, since the signal strength is manually checked, periods with low signal strength may be overlooked, such that wasteful power consumption is not completely avoided.
Therefore, there is a need for a power control system and method for the same that prolongs the operating time of the satellite navigation device by saving power and eliminating the need for manual operation.

Power control system and method for the same


A method is described for the preparation of electrostatographic toner particles which involves the surface treatment of a pigment by depositing thereon a coating of an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer. The method involves preparing a polymer solution by dissolving an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of linear styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymers, linear styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymers, linear styrene-isoprene diblock copolymers and linear styrene-ethylene-propylene diblock copolymers in a first solvent capable of dissolving the polymer at ambient temperature; forming a pigment dispersion by mixing at ambient temperature a pigment, a first polymer material and a second solvent in which the elastomeric thermoplastic polymer is insoluble at ambient temperature; admixing the polymer solution with the pigment dispersion so resulting in the elastomeric thermoplastic polymer precipitating out upon the surface of the pigment; mixing the elastomeric thermoplastic polymer coated pigment dispersion thus formed with a solvent in which the elastomeric thermoplastic polymer is insoluble at ambient temperature and, optionally, a second polymer material and, optionally, a charge-control agent to form an organic phase; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase comprising a particulate stabilizer and, optionally, a promoter; homogenizing the resultant mixture, and evaporating the solvent and washing and drying the resultant product.

Electrostatic toner polymer particles are commonly prepared by a process frequently referred to as "limited coalescence." In this process, polymer particles having a narrow size distribution are obtained by forming a solution of a polymer in a solvent that is immiscible with water, dispersing the polymer/solvent solution in an aqueous medium containing a solid colloidal stabilizer, and removing the solvent. The resultant particles are then isolated, washed, and dried.
In the practice of this technique, toner particles are prepared from any type of polymer that is soluble in a solvent that is immiscible with water. Thus, the size and size distribution of the resulting particles can be predetermined and controlled by the relative quantities of the particular polymer employed, the solvent, the quantity and size of the water insoluble solid particulate suspension stabilizer, typically silica or latex, and the size to which the solvent-polymer droplets are reduced by the agitation employed.
Limited coalescence techniques of this type have been described in numerous patents pertaining to the preparation of electrostatic toner particles because such techniques typically result in the formation of toner particles having a substantially uniform size and uniform size distribution. Representative limited coalescence processes employed in toner preparation are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,833,060 and 4,965,131.
In the conventional limited coalescence techniques described heretofore, the judicious selection of toner additives such as charge control agents and pigments permits control of the surface roughness of toner particles by taking advantage of the aqueous organic interphase present. However, if any toner additive employed for this purpose is highly surface active or hydrophilic in nature, it tends to be present at the surface of the toner particles. Unfortunately, this leads to numerous potential problems such as toner particles having lower charge/mass ratios, rougher particles, poor thermal transfer, poor electrostatic transfer, reduced pigment coverage, interference with the limited coalescence process, sensitivity to environment, and the like.
Accordingly, workers in the art have recognized that toner additives must either be avoided or kept away from the particle surface. One method for obviating this limitation is to select an additive which is neither surface active or hydrophilic in nature. However, it is often not feasible to find an alternative additive evidencing the properties sought. Thus, it then becomes necessary to modify the surface of the additive.
Efforts to achieve this end have generally focused upon the use of suitable dispersion aids as, for example, polymers with acid or other polar functionality as described in copending application Ser. No. 501,819, filed by M. Nair, Z. Pierce and D. Tyagi. These polymeric stabilizers are used to treat carbon pigment to prevent the hydrophilic carbon from migrating to the surface. Toners prepared in this manner evidence enhanced electrostatic transfer, reduced electrical conductivity, and low D-min or fog.
A similar treatment employed in conjunction with toners of smaller particle size has frequently been found unsuccessful due to an increase in solution viscosity of the organic phase at the concentration of dispersant and pigment level employed. Limited coalescence toners prepared with an organic phase of this type tend to yield particles of broad size distribution and tend to interfere with the limited coalescence process. Furthermore, use of this technique requires the presence of reactive sites on the additive surface of the toner particles to which a dispersant may associate.
Recently, a technique was described in copending application Ser. No. 890,053, filed May 28, 1992, entitled "Electrostatographic Toner Including A Wax Coated Pigment and Method for the Preparation Thereof," for obviating the foregoing limitations wherein a highly surface active pigment was coated with a hydrophobic wax which is insoluble in the solvents commonly employed in toner preparation. Studies revealed that the wax coating prevents the pigment from migrating to the surface of the toner and provides a spherical surface thereto. This results in a narrow distribution of charge from particle to particle and permits image transfer without the occurrence of fog in the background. The wax coating also reduces the likelihood of surface contamination by the pigment due to the fact that is kept away from the surface. Particulate material prepared in accordance with this technique evidences charging characteristics that render the particles suitable for use as electrostatographic toner particles.
The technique described comprises the steps of dissolving a low melting point wax in a solvent at an elevated temperature, admixing the resultant solution with a heated pigment dispersion in colloidal form, and permitting the mixture to cool slowly to ambient conditions, the wax precipitating upon the pigment surface during the cooling process; recovering the wax coated pigment particles from the mixture and mixing therewith a polymer material, a solvent and, optionally, a charge-control agent to form an organic phase; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase comprising a particulate stabilizer and, optionally, a promoter, homogenizing the mixture, evaporating the solvent and washing and drying the resultant product.
Unfortunately, this technique requires the use of elevated temperatures to dissolve the wax in the solvent to form the wax solution prior to admixing the wax solution with the pigment dispersion and to heat the pigment dispersion prior to combining it with the wax solution. This is undesirable because the requirement of having to heat both the wax solution and the pigment dispersion in practicing this technique requires the expenditure of substantial amounts of time and energy which adds to the overall cost of producing the toner compositions by this technique.

Toner composition with elastomeric thermoplastic polymer and process of preparing


Method for the separation of a gas mixture comprising providing a PSA system with at least one adsorber vessel containing adsorbent material that is selective for the adsorption of carbon monoxide and nitrogen, passing a feed gas mixture containing at least hydrogen and carbon monoxide and optionally containing nitrogen through the adsorbent material in a feed step and withdrawing a purified hydrogen product from the adsorber vessel, wherein the feed step has a duration or feed time period of about 30 seconds or less. The adsorbent material is characterized by any of (1) a Henry's law constant for carbon monoxide between about 2.5 and about 5.5 (mmole/g)/atm; (2) a carbon monoxide heat of adsorption between about 6.0 and about 7.5 kcal/gmole; (3) a Henry's law constant for nitrogen greater than about 1.5 (mmole/g)/atm; and (4) a selectivity of carbon monoxide to nitrogen between about 5.0 and about 8.0.

Pressure swing adsorption is a well-known method for the separation of bulk gas mixtures and for the purification of gas streams containing undesirable impurities. The method has been developed and adapted for a wide range of feed gases, operating conditions, product recovery, and product purity. Most large pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems utilize multiple parallel adsorber beds operated in staggered sequential cycles using typical process steps of feed/adsorption, pressure equalization, depressurization, evacuation, purge, and repressurization. These PSA systems are widely used in the chemical process industries for the recovery and purification of valuable gaseous products such as hydrogen, carbon oxides, synthesis gas, light hydrocarbons, and atmospheric gases.
The design and operation of these PSA systems can present complex engineering challenges because of the large number of variables and parameters involved. These variables and parameters may include, for example, adsorbent type, adsorbent particle size, bed length/diameter ratio, gas flow velocities, gas residence times, type of PSA operating cycle, duration of steps in the PSA cycle, number of adsorbent beds, feed gas pressure, feed gas composition, product throughput, and product purity.
A large worldwide market exists for the supply of high-purity hydrogen in the chemical process, metals refining, and other related industries. A typical commercial method for the production of hydrogen to satisfy this market is the reforming of natural gas or other methane-rich hydrocarbon streams. The reforming process is carried out by reacting the hydrocarbon with steam and/or an oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air or oxygen-enriched air), producing a crude reformate gas containing hydrogen, carbon oxides, water, residual hydrocarbons, and nitrogen. If carbon monoxide recovery is not required and hydrogen is the main product, the carbon monoxide may be converted to additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide by the water gas shift reaction to yield a shifted synthesis gas. Hydrogen recovery from this shifted synthesis gas typically includes a multiple-bed PSA process in which each adsorbent bed uses a layer of activated carbon for the removal of CO2 and CH4 followed by a layer of zeolite or molecular sieve adsorbent for the removal CO and N2. Other hydrogen-rich gas sources that can be upgraded by PSA technology to provide a high purity hydrogen product include refinery off-gases containing hydrogen and C1-C6 hydrocarbons, and include effluent streams from hydrocarbon partial oxidation units.
The overall cost of hydrogen from integrated reformer/PSA systems includes both capital and operating cost components. The economic production of high-purity hydrogen requires low operating and capital costs, wherein the capital costs depend largely upon the size of the reformer and the size of the vessels containing the PSA adsorbent beds. PSA bed size typically decreases as the hydrogen productivity (i.e., the amount of hydrogen produced per unit bed volume) of the PSA system increases, and the bed size also decreases as the hydrogen bed size factor (i.e., the volume of adsorbent bed required to produce a given amount of hydrogen product) of the PSA system decreases. Clearly, a smaller bed size factor and a larger hydrogen productivity are preferred.
Hydrogen productivity and recovery in PSA systems can be increased by improved process cycles and/or improved adsorbents. For example, the use of improved rapid cycle PSA processes can improve the overall economics of hydrogen production, since the size and cost of the reformer is impacted significantly by the performance of the PSA system, and improvements in PSA hydrogen recovery result directly in a smaller reformer. Improvements in PSA hydrogen recovery also result in a reduced demand for reformer feed gas, i.e. natural gas, which constitutes the largest operating cost of the reformer.
There is a need in the field of hydrogen production for improved design and operating methods to reduce overall capital and operating costs. This may be achieved by the use of improved PSA systems for final hydrogen recovery and purification, particularly by the application of improved rapid cycle processes in these PSA systems. This need is addressed by the embodiments of the present invention described below and defined by the claims that follow.

Adsorbents for rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption processes


Methods of synthesizing compounds of the Formula V: ##STR1## wherein X.sub.c is a chiral auxiliary, m is from 1 to 4, and R.sub.8 is hydrogen or --OH, are provided.. Additionally, methods of synthesizing compounds of the Formula XII: ##STR2## wherein m is from 1-4; B is hydrogen or a blocking group; and R.sub.13 is a leaving group or a compound of formula R.sub.14 --N--R.sub.15 ;. wherein R.sub.14 is hydrogen or branched or straight-chain C1-C6 alkyl; and R.sub.15 is hydrogen, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or branched or straight-chain alkyl;. are also provided. Novel compounds useful in the synthesis of cyclopentenes and carbocyclic nucleosides are further provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,394 to Daluge discusses 6-substituted purine carbocyclic nucleosides of the general formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.6 represents C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl, and R.sub.7 represents a hydrogen atom or branched or straight chain C.sub.1-6 alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable ester or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Particularly preferred compounds of the Daluge '394 invention include (-)cis-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino-9H-purin-9-yl]-2-cyclopentene-1-meth anol and (-)cis-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylmethylamino-9H-purin-9-yl]-2-cyclopentene- 1-methanol or racemic or partially resolved enantiomers thereof.
European Patent Application No. EP 0 434 450 A2 to Daluge discusses enantiomeric compounds of the general formula ##STR4## wherein R represents a cyclopropylamino or N-cyclopropyl-N-methylamino group, and A represents the 2-cyclopentene-1-methanol-4-yl group in either the (1S,4R) or (1R,4S) configuration and their derivatives, with compounds and their derivatives each being in the form of an enantiomer substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer.
PCT Application No. WO 92/18444 to Evans et al. discloses enantiomers of cyclopentene given as the following formulae: ##STR5## wherein X (at the one 1-position) represents hydrogen or an acyl group, and Y (on the CH.sub.2 OY group at either the 4- or 5-position) represents hydrogen or a group that can be readily replaced by hydrogen, optionally substituted by non-interfering substituents. The compounds may be made by biocatalyst-mediated esterification of the racemic secondary alcohols, or deesterification of acyl derivatives or the racemic alcohols. These compounds are useful in the preparation of optionally-protected carbocyclic nucleosides, wherein a heterocyclic base is reacted with an enantiomer IIIa or IIIb by displacement of an acycloxy group. Alternatively, the protected carbocyclic nucleosides may be prepared by reacting a heterocyclic base with enantiomer IVa or IVb, wherein OX is a strong leaving group, via direct S.sub.N 2 displacement.

Enantioselective synthesis of cyclopentenes

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Disclosed herein is a housing wheel engine that has a wheel shaped combustion housing, the housing wheel engine can hold several pistons which both sides working inside the combustion housing. The housing wheel engine transfers its rotating movement directly to the driveshaft by the planetary gearsets. A four-stroke time mechanism provided by the planetary gearsets.

A reciprocating engine has two different movements in the running, which are a piston's back and forth linear motion and flywheel's rotating motion. The crankshaft is an intermediate been used to convert these two movements each other. The engine also needs a complicated timing system working together with pistons and crankshaft to complete four strokes.
The piston has two functions in the engine. First, the piston getting gas power by the one end which works within combustion housing to complete four strokes cycle; second, the another end of piston link to the crankshaft by connecting rod in order to transfer piston's reciprocating motion to flywheel's rotating motion. Each cylinder holds only a combustion housing that piston works within. Usually the multiple cylinders are needed in an engine for increasing the engine power and decreasing vibration.


A microprocessor controlled security tag and accompanying security system is described. The tag generally includes a housing having external contacts to interface with elongated contacts on a connecting band. The band forms a complex impedance circuit with a patient's limb that allows detection features such as removal and band compromise. A microprocessor and related circuitry as well as a transmitter and receivers are enclosed in the housing. The tag is adapted to communicate inductively with an activator/deactivator unit as well as a tag programmer that updates and changes tag features in the tag firmware. The overall system further includes a hub to receive the data from a plurality of tags in the system. The tag can also communicate with a phased multiple antenna that sends signals to the tag.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of security systems and, more particularly, to a microprocessor controlled security tag apparatus, system and method.
II. Description of the Related Art
Prior security systems where patients need to be monitored typically include a patient tag that sounds an alarm if the tag approaches a prohibited zone or is otherwise damaged or compromised. Prior security systems using tags are limited because often times there are dead zones in the antenna fields used to monitor the tags in prohibited zones. These prior antennas are limited due to the fact that they create fields in which certain orientations of the tag may create null points in which it is possible for a tag to escape detection in the prohibited zone. Other limitations in prior systems are due to the fact that the tags sense the skin direct current (DC) resistivity of the patient which can create detection limitations. For example, in an infant application, an infant's skin tends to be an effective insulator thereby potentially approaching infinite resistance. Furthermore, many prior tags utilize discrete circuitry in processing detection information and can therefore lack processing power to determine certain specific conditions. In addition, the lack of processing power makes it difficult to update features and parameters of the tag.


Aspects of a method and system for a radio data service (RDS) demodulator for a single chip integrated Bluetooth and frequency modulation (FM) transceiver and baseband processor are presented. Aspects of the system may include circuitry on a single chip that enables demodulation of an RDS signal, filtering of the RDS signal, and detection of binary bits in the filtered RDS signal. The filtered RDS signal may be generated by filtering the RDS signal based on a raised cosine filter, or a doublet filter. In general, the RDS signal may also be filtered by a filter that is a first, or greater derivative of a Gaussian filter in either the time or frequency domain. Aspects of the method may include demodulating the RDS signal, filtering the RDS signal, and detecting binary bits in the filtered RDS signal.

With the popularity of portable electronic devices and wireless devices that support audio applications, there is a growing need to provide a simple and complete solution for audio communications applications. For example, some users may utilize Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as headphones and/or speakers, to allow them to communicate audio data with their wireless handset while freeing to perform other activities. Other users may have portable electronic devices that may enable them to play stored audio content and/or receive audio content via broadcast communication, for example.
However, integrating multiple audio communication technologies into a single device may be costly. Combining a plurality of different communication services into a portable electronic device or a wireless device may require separate processing hardware and/or separate processing software. Moreover, coordinating the reception and/or transmission of data to and/or from the portable electronic device or a wireless device may require significant processing overhead that may impose certain operation restrictions and/or design challenges. For example, a handheld device such as a cellphone that incorporates Bluetooth and Wireless LAN may pose certain coexistence problems caused by the close proximity of the Bluetooth and WLAN transceivers.
Among the multiple audio communication technologies is the radio data system (RDS). RDS is a standard established by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for sending digital information via conventional FM radio broadcast signals. In the United States, the National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) has approved the radio broadcast data system (RBDS) standard. The RDS and RDBS standards are substantially equivalent.
RDS may be utilized to communicate various types of data that may be displayed at an RDS-enabled FM receiver. For example, RDS data may include clock time information that may be utilized to synchronize a clock at the FM receiver. Program service information may include information that identifies a radio station that is currently being received at the FM receiver. Program service information may include the call letters of the radio station and/or station identity. Program type information may include information about the genre of the programming broadcast by the radio station, for example, music types such as classical, pop, or soft rock. Radio text information allows radio, stations to transmit free-form textual information, such as the title and/or artist of a song currently being broadcast.
RDS may also be utilized to transmit traffic information. The traffic management, channel (TMC) may be utilized to deliver traffic and travel information. Traffic and travel information may include information about alternate routes, warnings about traffic congestion, or estimates of travel times to reach destinations. RDS may also be utilized to communicate global positioning system (GPS) information to an RDS-enabled FM receiver.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Method and system for a radio data system (RDS) demodulator for a single chip integrated bluetooth and frequency modulation (FM) transceiver and baseband processor


A double locking handcuff includes an interior spring laterally moveable between single- and double-lock positions. A finger-operated, pivoting cam is disposed within a slot extending through the cuff frame, and has a wide upper end accessible from the top of the cuff and a narrow, leg-like lower end positioned for movement against the spring. For double locking the handcuff, the cam upper end is moved downwards by hand. This causes the cam leg to press against and laterally shift the spring to its double-lock position. Because the cam is movable by hand and without the need for the handcuff key or for finding a double lock slot or pinhole, the double lock mechanism can be easily and quickly actuated. Also, when the handcuff is double locked the cam can be freely pivoted back and forth, providing direct tactile feedback that the handcuff is double locked.

Manacles, shackles, and handcuffs are portable locking devices used, e.g., by law enforcement personnel, to temporarily but securely bind or restrain suspects and other persons in custody. The basic modern handcuff design has proven very successful both in terms of functionality and low manufacturing costs, and has changed little over the years.
One typical design for double locking handcuffs is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,731. In the '731 patent, in a central cavity in the handcuff frame, a laterally-moveable spring element biases a pivoting bolt in a downwards direction against the cuff's pivoting jaw. The jaw and bolt have cooperating, oppositely facing ratchet teeth. When "single locked," the jaw can be moved to tighten the cuff, but the bolt prevents the jaw from disengaging in a release direction. The cuff is unlocked entirely simply by using the handcuff key to rotate the bolt out of engagement with the jaw. For double locking the cuff, one end of the key has a small, pin-like protuberance. This is inserted into a small slot in the front of the cuff frame, and is moved from left to right to laterally shift the spring element. Once shifted, the spring element blocks the bolt, preventing it from being moved away from the jaw, while at the same time biasing the bolt against the jaw. In this manner, the jaw cannot move, and the cuff is rendered more difficult to pick or otherwise bypass. (It should be noted that once the spring element is laterally shifted, it lies past the slot and can no longer be engaged by the pin-end of the key.) To unlock the cuff, the key (placed in the keyhole slot) is rotated away from the bolt, contacting and laterally shifting the spring element. Then, the key is rotated the other direction to pivot the bolt away from the jaw.
Other double locking cuff mechanisms replace the slot with a small bore or hole that extends through the side of the frame and into the region of the end of the spring element. To double lock the cuffs, the pin-like end of the key is pushed into the hole to either directly push on the end of the spring element, or to push on an intermediate element (an internal pin) that in turn acts on the spring element.
While these and similar designs have proven to be effective in terms of general operation and robustness, the difficulties faced by law enforcement personnel have revealed the need for improvements in the area of situational functionality. In particular, restraining and handcuffing a suspect is one of the most dangerous and difficult operations faced by law enforcement personnel. Typically, the suspect is less than fully cooperative, and may in fact be making concerted efforts to resist arrest. This will require that the suspect be physically subdued, and even then there may be arm and leg movement.
In such situations, it is difficult in the first place just to position the cuffs for engagement around the suspect's wrists. Moreover, considering the very small size of the key and key pin-end, double locking the cuffs will be even more difficult. First, if not readily available, the handcuff key has to be located, a difficult task with an unruly suspect. Then, two hands may have to be used to hold the key, find the small front or side slot/hole in the cuffs, and maneuver the pin-end into the slot or hole. Such problems are compounded at night or in other low-light situations. Also, considering the potentially fast-moving situation, and in light of the small size of the double lock actuation components (e.g., key and hole or slot), it may not be possible for the officer to tell whether or not the double lock has actually engaged.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved double lock mechanism for handcuffs that can be easily and quickly engaged by a law enforcement officer by hand and without the need for the handcuff key, and that provides a measure of positive feedback to the user indicating that the double lock mechanism has been actuated.


A method of testing an array-based semiconductor device for defects during fabrication of the semiconductor device detects defects in said entities forming the semiconductor device at an intermediate stage in the fabrication of multiple types of entities forming the semiconductor device; determines whether the detected defects exceed preselected thresholds for the types of entities in which said detects are detected; if the detected defects do not exceed said preselected thresholds, continues the fabrication of the semiconductor device; and if the detected defects exceed said preselected thresholds, identifies the types of defects detected, repairs the identified defects, and continues the fabrication of the semiconductor device.

There is a need for techniques to provide accurate measurement of the display temporal and spatial information and ways of applying this information to improve display uniformity in an AMOLED display. There is also a need to determine baseline measurements of pixel characteristics accurately for aging compensation purposes.
Both the OLEDs and the thin films transistors (TFTs) used in AMOLED displays can demonstrate non-uniform behavior across display panels due to production problems. Such problems can be corrected if the defects and non-uniformities can be identified at the time the panels are produced, e.g., during or immediately following fabrication.

Defect detection and correction of pixel circuits for AMOLED displays


A method of combining at least one captured generated digital image and/or text with at least one prestored digital image. The method includes selecting a prestored digital image. The prestored digital image has a predetermined location where a selected captured generated digital image and/or text may be placed. A selected customer generated image in digital form is obtained for placement at the predetermined location. The selected image prior to placement at the location is automatically modified in accordance with predetermined size or shape relationship of the location.

It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,819 to combine at least two different digital images so as to form a single merged digital image. When these two different images are combined, adjustments are typically required in order for the images to have an appropriate aesthetic appeal. For example, if the size of one of the images is disproportionate to that of the other image, an overall unaesthetic appearance may result in the merged image. Thus, it may be desired to have a very specific size relationship between objects of one image to that of the other. While this modification can be made with the prior system, this requires a substantial amount of operator time in order to make these adjustments.
Applicants have solved this problem by providing means for automatically sizing or adjusting the shape of one of the selected images with respect to a prestored image having a location for receiving the selected image. The selected image is automatically adjusted in size and/or shape in accordance with a predetermined relationship. Thus, any size or shape relationship can be made quickly, and easily obtained with a minimum of operator time and effort.

Method of combining two digitally generated images wherein one is customized in view of the other


A method for preventing dozing off, comprising the steps of: a measurement step measuring human heartbeats; a decision step (S4 to S8) generating a trigger, hereinafter referred to as a “drowsiness trigger”, for indicating occurrence of drowsiness when a state in which a time interval between adjacent heartbeats, hereinafter referred to as a “heartbeat interval”, is longer than the previous heartbeat interval consecutively occurs; and a warning step (S9) giving a warning to prevent dozing off when the drowsiness trigger is generated.

In recent years, the number of car accidents has been decreasing. However, the number of accidents caused by health condition has been increasing. Here, the accidents caused by health condition refer to "accidents where due to drivers' diseases, the drivers were unable to continue driving their cars" (car accident reporting rules, Article 2, Item 9). The drivers' diseases in the accidents caused by health condition mainly include a myocardial infarction, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a cerebral hemorrhage, a stroke, a heart failure, etc., and only brain and heart diseases form a majority. When drivers suffer from such diseases during driving, it inevitably leads to serious accidents and thus complete health care is strongly demanded.
In addition, about 15% of the accidents caused by health condition are accidents caused by dozing at the wheel. As with the case in which drivers suffer from a brain disease or a heart disease during driving, dozing at the wheel is highly likely to lead to serious accidents. Thus, various methods for preventing dozing at the wheel are studied. Specifically, there are, for example, a method in which driver's physical information such as a heartbeat and respiration is detected by a sensor mounted in a car and the physical information is analyzed to detect driver's drowsiness, and a method in which a driver's face image is photographed by a camera and dozing off is detected from eyelid condition, etc. For example, a "dozing prevention warning device that senses a moment of a person going into a dozing state, from his/her brainwave frequency or heart rate and gives a warning" is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Abstract). In addition, for example, a "driver's state estimation device that detects driver's heart beat intervals and estimates a driver's state based on whether there is a change in the beat intervals" is disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Abstract).

Dozing prevention method, and dozing prevention device


A heat sink for cooling a heat generating member, provided with a first cooling part which cools the peripheral edge part of the heat generating member and a second cooling part which cools the center part of the neat generating member, the first cooling part is equipped with a first base member having first fins on the top surface thereof and a recess at the bottom surface thereof, the second cooling part is equipped with a second base member which can be accommodated in the recess, a slide member which is provided on the top surface of the second base member and which is inserted in a through hole which is provided in the recess, second fins which are provided on the free end of the slide member, and a cooling water passage which is provided inside of the second base member and which is supplied with cooling water.

In the past, the semiconductor, in particular a CPU package, which was provided at the inside of an electronic apparatus would generate heat during operation and become high in temperature, so a heat sink was attached to prevent an excessive rise in temperature. The heat sinks up to now have been formed from aluminum and other metal materials with a good heat conductivity. Ones comprised of base members, which are placed on the heat generating member, on which large numbers of heat dissipating fins are provided sticking out at predetermined intervals have been the mainstream.
On the other hand, if electronic apparatuses become higher in performance and the amount of heat generated by the semiconductor packages increases, the heat dissipating efficiency of the heat sinks would have to be improved, or else a rise in the temperature of the semiconductor package could no longer be prevented. For this reason, apparatuses have appeared in which a Peltier device which utilizes the Peltier effect is attached at the bottom of the base member of the heat generator and a DC current is run to the Peltier device to control the cooling performance of the heat sink. Furthermore, a heat sink of a type which provides an independent temperature monitor inside of the heat sink for the purpose of detecting the surface temperature of the semiconductor package is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-232519.
In this regard, in recent years, along with the higher operating frequencies of LSI's (large scale integrated circuits), there have been more severer instantaneous changes in the operating current (load fluctuations). There has therefore been the issue that with conventional heat sinks, temperature control of the semiconductor package has not been possible. This is because conventional heat sinks are high in thermal resistance and narrow in cooling control range, so temperature control of the semiconductor package has not been possible. Further, if temperature control of the semiconductor package is not possible, at the time of a temperature test of a semiconductor package, it would be difficult to suppress self heat generation until the device destruction temperature. Further, if high speed temperature control is not able to be realized, the temperature test conditions (temperature, voltage, etc.) may be eased to run the tests, but there was the issue that it was not possible to eliminate the fault rate in the later steps. The reason why it was not possible to eliminate the fault rate in the later steps is that the temperature test may not be conducted under the "system test conditions".

Heat sink and electronic apparatus provided with heat sink