The invention relates to a housing (1) that is especially designed to be associated with a device for a tight connection to a second housing (2), said first housing comprising a structure including a wall (3) defining a space (1a), an opening (4) defined by a flange (5) that can be hermetically applied to a second flange (9) of the second housing (2), holding means that can keep the first flange and the second flange (9) applied to each other, a door (6) supported by carrying means (11 a), the door leaf (6v) being mobile in such a way as to be closed or open and having an outer face (6a) that can ensure the hermetic application of a second door (10) of the second housing (2), fixing means for holding the leaves (6v, 1 Ov) against each other, displacement manoeuvring means (11b), and means for controlling the displacement manoeuvring means (11b), and, when the leaf (6v) is open, an inlet/outlet space (13a) in/of the inner space (1a) forming part of a communication space (13) between the two housings (1, 2), wherein the carrying means (11a) and the displacement manoeuvring means (11b) for the door (6) are arranged in such a way that, when the leaf (6v) is open, it extends essentially past the limit (13b, 13c) of the inlet/outlet space (13a), a distancing space (12) being thus created between the inlet/outlet space (13a) and the leaf (6v) in the open state.

Aseptic transfer devices of the double-door type are already known. Purely by way of example, the devices known under the trademark BIOSAFE® and the sealed junction devices between a first chamber and a second chamber isolated from an external environment that are described in the document EP-A-0688020 can be cited.
The object of the invention is said first chamber of devices of this type. In the text as a whole, this chamber is most often called "chamber" or sometimes "first chamber" particularly to distinguish it from the other chamber of the junction device and of the transfer device, this other chamber being called "second chamber." It is understood that the term "chamber" without any other details and the expression "first chamber" are synonyms and indicate the same object.
A first known chamber such as the one used in the biopharmaceutical field is typically stationary, rigid, and of relatively large size, and it comprises:                A structure that includes a closed wall that borders an inside space,        At least one opening—the diameter of which can typically be on the order of 10 to 40 centimeters—made in the wall and bordered by an annular flange whose outside surface is able to ensure the hermetically-sealed flattening onto itself of the outside surface of a second complementary flange that is part of the second chamber,        Removable holding means, at least partly combined with the flange, able to hold—in a removable way—the flange and the second flange that are flattened against one another by their outside surfaces,        A door supported by the structure by means of carrying means, of a mechanical, movable, or deformable nature, the panel of which is arranged and mounted so as to be able to be moved to be either in the closed state where it works with the flange while closing the opening or in the open state where it is separated from the flange and placed in the inside space while opening the opening, and whose outside surface is able to ensure the hermetically-sealed flattening onto itself of the outside surface of the panel of a second complementary door that is part of the second chamber,        Removable interlocking means at least partly combined with the door, able to hold—in a removable way—the panel and the second panel that are flattened against one another by their outside surfaces,        Movement actuation means able to move the panel, with which the second panel is interlocked, between its closed and open states, and means for monitoring the movement actuation means,        And, when the panel is in the open state, an entrance/exit space in/of the inside space, in the general shape of a truncated cylinder, cone, or pyramid, that extends into the inside space at least approximately axially from the opening and from the flange, able to make it possible to pass certain contents into/out of the inside space from one to the other of the two chambers.
The second chamber is typically a movable container, disposable, at least partly flexible and of a smaller size, and it comprises the second wall equipped with the second opening bordered by the second annular flange that forms, on the one hand, an interface with the first flange, and, on the other hand, a seat for the second door whose panel is mounted for movement and arranged to be in the closed state or in the open state where, respectively, it closes or opens the second opening.
In the case of the embodiment known under the BIOSAFE® trademark, the carrying means and the movement actuation means of the first door and of its panel comprise a hinge whose axis—vertical and lateral—is located in the first chamber itself (the inside space of this first chamber), in or near the inside surface of its wall, near its opening and its flange, the pivoting around the hinge being performed manually or in a motorized way (actuator, motor . . . ). In the closed state, the panel is retracted in or in the vicinity of the plane of the wall, of the opening and of the flange. In the open state, the panel is projecting, in particular placed more or less perpendicularly to the plane of the wall, of the opening, and of the flange. The movement of the panel between its closed state and its open state (and vice versa) is on the order of one-third of a rotation. As for the movement actuation means, such as an actuator, motor . . . , they are able to move the panel to rotate on this course.
In the embodiments described in the document EP-A-2091051, where the axis is also vertical and lateral, in the documents EP-A-1 141 974, EP-A-1 454 328, EP-A-0 730 907, EP-A-0 830 896 where the axis is inferior horizontal (below the opening and the flange) and in the document EP-A-0 662 373, where the axis is superior horizontal, in the open state, the panel is also projecting and more or less perpendicular to the plane of the wall, the opening and the flange.
When the two chambers are in communication with one another through their respective openings in the open state, the entrance/exit space is part of a communication space between the two chambers that makes it possible to pass certain contents from one to the other of the two chambers and, thus, to transfer them from one chamber to the other.
In these embodiments, in the open state of the panel, the panel is laterally adjacent to the lateral boundary of the entrance/exit space, which can pose the problem that the panel is an impediment to the use of the sealed junction device and of the aseptic transfer device because a panel obstructs the passage of the certain contents from one of the two chambers to the other and, also, because the certain contents can reach the panel during their passage into the entrance/exit space, with risks of deterioration or contamination.
Transfers, such as those in question, can be necessary in a number of technical fields, particularly but not exclusively the biopharmaceutical field. The invention focuses especially on this field, as on those that can be considered as similar with regard to the requirements imposed.
Transfers, such as those considered here, occur most often in the framework of more complex processes in which the certain contents undergo one or more operations before and/or after the transfer. These operations consist in manufacturing, assembly, treatment, handling, use, measurement, monitoring, analysis, or the like . . . .
In the case of an operating line, a chamber can be provided that comprises a wall equipped with the same plurality of openings and doors, as well as sealed junction devices with a multiplicity of second chambers.
As document EP-A-1141672 states, one skilled in the art knows that with the type of aseptic transfer device under consideration, there exists what is called a "critical line" having residual contamination by the environment external to the two chambers. It is possible that this line comes into contact with the external environment that is found in the passage between the two chambers or into contact with the contents passing through this passage to be transferred from one chamber to the other, with, as a consequence, contamination. This critical line is sometimes called "critical zone" or "ring of concern" (see PIC/S—Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention—RECOMMENDATION—ISOLATORS USED FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING AND STERILITY TESTING).
An inside critical line is found on the outside surface of the first door, more precisely of its panel, in contact with the external environment and not overlapped by the outside surface of the second door, more precisely of its panel, when the two panels are flattened against one another. An outside critical line is found on the outside surface of the second flange in contact with the external environment and not overlapped by the outside surface of the first flange, when the two flanges are flattened against one another.
Embodiments such as those described in the documents EP-A-1 141 974, EP-A-1 454 328, EP-A-0 730 907, EP-A-0 830 896, EP-A-0 662 373 and EP-A-2091051 have as a drawback that in its open state, the panel is close to the opening of the chamber and of the entrance/exit space, so that the certain contents can reach the panel during their passage into the entrance/exit space, with the inherent risks of deterioration, contamination . . . .
Several solutions have been proposed for the purpose of overcoming the risk of contamination in the critical lines, a risk that is also mentioned in ISOLATION TECHNOLOGY—A PRACTICAL GUIDE, published by CRC Press in 2004.
The document EP-A-0960698 provides decontamination means using ultraviolet, pulsed-ultraviolet, or pulsed-light radiation. The document EP-A-0662373 provides that a flanged ring of the aseptic transfer device comprises a heat-resistant annular element. Variants of heating technology are described in the documents EP-A-730907 and EP-A-830907. The technology of sterilization by dry heat has been indicated as being the preferred solution according to the presentation made by the Barrier Users Group Symposium (BUGS) at the conference of Jan. 17 and 18, 1995. The document EP-A-1454328 describes an aseptic transfer device that comprises a device for protection of the single outside critical line.
The state of the art also comprises the documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,298, EP 0586307, EP 0 830896, WO 03/041087, WO 95/34078, FR2833745, FR 2787 235, US 2009/212054 and WO 96/21615. However, none of these documents provides for the chamber being such that:                On the one hand, the carrying means and the movement actuation means are arranged so that in the open state of the panel, the panel is substantially separated beyond the boundary of the entrance/exit space, and so that thus an empty separation space is made between the entrance/exit space and the panel in the open state, beyond the lateral boundary and the distal end boundary of the entrance/exit space opposite the opening and the flange;        And, on the other hand, the carrying means and the movement actuation means, structurally integrated into the door, constitute means for protection against the risks of contamination for the inside critical line, constituted by the separation space of appropriate size formed and placed between the entrance/exit space and the inside critical annular line, so that the certain contents normally cannot reach the panel during their passage into the entrance/exit space.
The problem at the base of the invention is to equip a (first) chamber designed to be part of a sealed junction device and of an aseptic transfer device with a second chamber of a structure such that the (first) panel of the (first) door of the (first) chamber in the open state is not an impediment to the use of the sealed junction device and of the aseptic transfer device, particularly does not obstruct the passage of the certain contents from one to the other of the two chambers, especially the passage of the certain contents into the entrance/exit space of the first chamber, and also that the certain contents cannot reach the first panel during their passage into the entrance/exit space, with the advantage of overcoming the risks of deterioration or contamination when that is not the case. In other words, the invention aims at seeing to it that the entrance/exit space and the communication space are separated, which is particularly useful, for example, for the passage of certain powdered contents when a transfer cone is used.
Another aspect of the problem on which the invention is based is to produce a chamber whose opening has a diameter that is larger than the currently typical openings—on the order of 10 to 40 centimeters. Such a wider opening increases the obstruction problem previously mentioned.

Chamber for sealed junction device and aseptic transfer device


A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly where a negative plate and a positive plate are rolled in the form of a spiral while interposing a separator with a modulus of elasticity of around 2.0 kgf/mm2 or less in the longitudinal direction. A can, inside of which the electrode assembly is mounted together with an electrolyte, is electrically connected to one of the negative plate and the positive plate of the electrode assembly. A cap assembly is fitted to the top of the can, and is electrically connected to the other of the positive plate and the negative plate of the electrode assembly.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery, and in particular, to a separator for an electrode assembly.
(b) Description of Related Art
Generally, batteries are largely classified into a secondary battery which is capable of being repeatedly charged and discharged, and a primary battery which is not rechargeable and is disposed of after it is depleted. The battery is formed with various shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, and a pouch shape, depending upon the profile of the target appliance.
The secondary battery has an electrode assembly in which a negative plate and a positive plate are spirally wound to form of a "jelly-roll," while interposing a separator therebetween; a can mounting the electrode assembly therein together with an electrolyte; and a cap assembly fitted to the top of the can.
The positive plate of the electrode assembly is electrically connected to the cap assembly via an anode lead, and the negative plate thereof to the can via a cathode lead.
With the lithium ion secondary battery, lithium composite oxide is used as the positive active material to form the positive plate, and carbon is used as the negative active material to form the negative plate. The charging and the discharging occur due to the migration of lithium ions between the anode and the cathode.
The lithium ion secondary battery involves high voltage and high battery capacity, and hence, exhibits excellent performance characteristics for usage as a power supply in portable electronics. However, as an organic electrolyte is used, battery safety is problematic. In order to solve such a problem, there is a need for a separator having performance characteristics differentiated from those of other anhydrous secondary mini batteries. That is, it is very important in enhancing battery capacity and improving battery safety to provide an optimum separator for the battery design system, taking into account such characteristics as chemical stability, thickness, mechanical strength, and current breakage.
The separator basically separates the positive and the negative plates from each other, and maintains high ionic conductivity by absorbing an electrolyte needed for the battery reaction. Particularly in the case of the lithium ion secondary battery, the separator should also prevent the migration of unwanted materials caused by battery reaction, and secure battery safety when any abnormality occurs.
Furthermore, the separator inhibits the thickness expansion of the battery that occurs during the repeated cycles of charging and discharging.
The thickness expansion of the battery due to the repeated cycles of charging and discharging seriously deteriorates the battery reliability. In order to solve such a problem, a battery has been designed to inhibit gas generation therein by removing fine particles from the active material or using an additive in the electrolyte. However, the inhibition of thickness expansion by removing the fine particles from the active material or using an additive in the electrolyte is limited.
Furthermore, as lithium ion secondary batteries have been developed having a high capacity and a thin and flat structure, the separator is made thinner so that it cannot effectively absorb the expansion of the active material due to the repeated cycles of charging and discharging, thereby accelerating the thickness expansion.

Lithium secondary battery and separator therefor


A package includes a first and a second wafer stored therein in a stacked configuration. The first wafer has interconnection conductor material portions extending from a first surface thereof. The interconnection conductor material portions have a maximum height. An interleaf member is located between the first and second wafers. A first recessed portion is formed in the interleaf member, and it has an outer perimeter shape corresponding to an outer perimeter shape of the first wafer. The first recessed portion has a first depth from a top surface of the interleaf member. A second recessed portion is formed in the interleaf member and located at least partially within the first recessed portion, and it has a bottom surface at a second depth from the top surface. The second depth is greater than the first depth. The second depth minus the first depth is greater than the maximum height.

Some manufacturers produce semiconductor wafers at one geographical location and have the wafers further processed at another geographical location. Also, some manufacturers ship large quantities of packaged wafers to other geographical locations. In such cases, the wafers are often delivered in a container filled with wafers in a horizontally stacked configuration. Such containers are sometimes referred to as coin stack boxes.
Many wafers have interconnection conductor material portions (e.g., solder bumps, bond pads, post-passivation interconnects) protruding from the wafer surface. There have been problems with the interconnection conductor material portions being damaged when shipped in coin stack boxes in a horizontally stacked configuration. The damage often occurs when the surface of one wafer is in contact with the back side of a wafer above it. Currently, a 2–3 mil thick sheet of antistatic film is placed between stacked wafers. But even with a wafer separator sheet between the wafers, the damage often still occurs. Scratches may occur on wafer surfaces due to particles or contamination on the antistatic film. During shipping, the interconnection conductor material portions may experience sheer forces (e.g., from one wafer rotating and/or shifting relative to another wafer). Such sheer forces tend to smear and/or shear some of the interconnection conductor material portions. Also, the interconnection conductor material portions are often flattened during shipping. Because the interconnection conductor material portions are often grouped very close together, such smearing and/or flattening may cause adjacent interconnection conductor material portions to be electrically connected, which is highly undesirable. Also, a sheared interconnection conductor material portion often acts as a disconnect or a resistor that will quickly bum through during normal current flows, which is also highly undesirable. Hence, there is a need for a way to ship horizontally stacked wafers while not damaging the interconnection conductor material portions extending from the wafers.
An experiment has shown that shipping wafers in a vertically position using existing vender boxes results in little or no damage to the interconnection conductor material portions extending from wafers. However, shipping the wafers in a vertically stacked and separated configuration can be more expensive than shipping them in a horizontally stacked configuration, as it may require a larger volume of space when shipping. Also, some manufacturers already have large investments in wafer carrier containers adapted for containing horizontally stacked wafers therein. Thus, it would be highly desirable to enable a way to use the existing wafer carrier containers for horizontal stacking, while preventing damage to the interconnection conductor material portions extending from the wafers during shipping.

Protective interleaf for stacked wafer shipping


Some embodiments are directed to systems for authoring predictive models. An embodiment includes a computer system implementing a development environment for generating predictive models. The predictive model authoring tool is configured to perform a modeling operation based on one or more user inputs provided to interface controls of the predictive model authoring tool, determine a modeling context for the modeling operation, log the one or more user inputs, generate a predictive model based on one or more model parameters defined during the modeling operation, link the predictive model to an asset, such that one or more sets of data received from the asset are provided to the predictive model during execution of the predictive model, cause the predictive model to be executed such that the predictive model receives data from the asset, and provide the modeling context, the one or more user inputs, and the one or more model parameters.

Industrial equipment or assets, generally, are engineered to perform particular tasks as part of a business process. For example, industrial assets can include, among other things and without limitation, manufacturing equipment on a production line, wind turbines that generate electricity on a wind farm, healthcare or imaging devices (e.g., X-ray or MRI systems) for use in patient care facilities, or drilling equipment for use in mining operations. The design and implementation of these assets often considers both the physics of the task at hand, as well as the environment in which such assets are configured to operate.
Low-level software and hardware-based controllers have long been used to drive industrial assets. However, the rise of inexpensive cloud computing, increasing sensor capabilities, and decreasing sensor costs, as well as the proliferation of mobile technologies have created opportunities for creating novel industrial assets with improved sensing technology that are capable of transmitting data that can then be transmitted to a network.
By transmitting locally acquired sensor and environment data to a computing infrastructure, this data may be processed and analyzed to measure and predict the behavior of the underlying assets. Predictive models can assist with determining the likelihood of particular outcomes based on sensor data received from the asset, past performance of the same or similar assets, predicted future performance of the same or similar assets, and the like.
The development of these predictive models is often laborious and time consuming, requiring users to have intimate knowledge of the underlying assets and sophisticated data science and statistical or machine learning modeling techniques. Such models must be manually coded by software developers, tested and validated against data sets, and subsequently published for execution against "live" data received from assets.
It would therefore be desirable to provide authoring tools that leverage predetermined knowledge to improve the process of developing, generating, and executing predictive models.

Methods and systems for capturing analytic model authoring knowledge


A hockey stick handle has an inner shaft member which provides flexing characteristics and an outer tubular member in which the inner shaft member is fitted and which provides protection for the inner shaft member.

For many years, hockey sticks have been made with wooden handles. Relatively recently however, hockey stick handles have been made of carbon fiber composite material. Although such handles have various advantages over wooden handles, they are relatively expensive and tend to break during use, with consequent expense to the player or his or her team.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hockey stick with a handle which has substantially all the advantages of a carbon fiber handle, but which has a reduced tendency to break during use.


A method of producing a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet suitable for working uses which utilizes a steel material having the following composition: not more than 0.006 wt % of C, not more than 0.5 wt % of Si, not more than 2.0 wt % of Mn, and not less than 0.01 wt % but not more than 0.10 wt % of Ti, the Ti, C and N contents being determined to meet the condition of Ti>(48/12) C wt %+(48/14) N wt %, the steel also consisting essentially of not less than 0.0010 wt % but not more than 0.0100 wt % of Nb, not less than 0.0002 wt % but not more than 0.0020 wt % of B, not less than 0.03 wt % but not more than 0.20 wt % of P, not more than 0.03 wt % of S, not less than 0.010 wt % but not more than 0.100 wt % of Al, not more than 0.008 wt % of N, not more than 0.0045 wt % of O, and the balance substantially Fe and incidental inclusions. The steel material is cast and hot-rolled and then subjected to a cold rolling conducted at a sheet temperature not higher than 300.degree. C. under such a condition that the sum of the rolling reductions of passes which meet the following condition between said sheet temperature (T .degree.C.) and the strain rate .epsilon. (S-1) is 50% or greater: EQU T.times..epsilon..gtoreq.50,000.degree. C. S.sup.-1. The steel sheet is then continuously annealed or galvannealed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet which excels in workability and which is free from the problem of P segregation zone which is produced when a large amount of P is added for the purpose of enhancing the strength of the steel sheet.
In recent years, there is an increasing demand for high-strength steel sheets in the field of automobile production, in order to meet current requirements for reduction in the weight of automobiles to attain a higher fuel economy and for ensuring safety of drivers and passengers.
In modern automobile production, high-strength cold-rolled steel sheets are used not only for the inner panels but also for outer panels such as engine hoods, trunk lid and fenders. As a consequence, high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet is required to have an excellent workability.

Method of producing high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet suitable for working


According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for automatically generating software code operable to detect a defined signature in network traffic comprises providing an inspector shell, generating a plurality of parameter name-value associations from provided configuration data, and automatically generating, by computer, an instance of the inspector shell having a signature defined by the parameter name-value associations.

Telecommunications is becoming increasingly important in today's society. Both voice and data networks are pervasive and are relied upon in many aspects of one's day-to-day life. For example, local area networks within a company are widely used and the use of the Internet, one example of a wide-area network, has become commonplace. With the pervasive use of networks, the possibility exists for nefarious attacks on the networks. Such attacks or misuse may be effected as a prank or for more deliberate reasons. In order to combat such attacks or misuse, intrusion detection is used. Intrusion detection refers to detecting activity on a network that is associated with an attack or misuse on the network.
Intrusion detection conventionally involves examining traffic and comparing it to stored signatures. Stored signatures characterize particular traffic that is known to be associated with attacks on a network, and in this way are analogous to fingerprints, or a person's handwritten signature. A signature stores a set of events or patterns associated with network traffic. A problem with conventional intrusion detection is that generating signatures is a difficult and time consuming process and such generation may take too long to rapidly adjust to new network intrusion threats.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for configurable network intrusion detection


An aluminum composite material has a surface structure in which a part of lubricative granules projects by 2 μm to 25 μm from the surface of the aluminum alloy base material. The lubricative property of the lubricative granules is utilized sufficiently, and the abrasion of the aluminum alloy base material can be prevented. Further, according to a manufacturing method of the aluminum composite material where the surface of the aluminum alloy base material is eroded with a etching solution, a level of erosion of the aluminum alloy base material can be easily adjusted and a surface structure from which the lubricative granules project can be formed sufficiently.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aluminum composite material and a method of producing the same; wherein lubricative granules are provided at least on a base material surface of an aluminum alloy base material.
(2) Description of the Background Art
An aluminum alloy has been optimally used in devices including such as automobiles, electric appliances, electronic parts, and precious measurement equipment because of its lightness and malleability. Nevertheless, the application of the aluminum alloy is limited to a sliding portion of structures because of low resistance to abrasion. Accordingly, various composite materials such as graphite and activated charcoal with superior lubricating property have been added to a base surface to promote resistance to abrasion.
A composition in which an activated charcoal and ceramics such as alumina particles and alumina fiber are dispersed in an aluminum alloy material was disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. S58-81.948. Further, a method of manufacturing the composite material was disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. H6-240305 in which a compact, which was obtained by dehydration or de-alcoholization after alumina short fiber and graphite were mixed with water or alcohol, and an aluminum alloy were made into a complex.
The aluminum composite material as produced above is generally cut mechanically in accordance with the type of application. By the mechanical processing, the lubricative granules exposed on the surface of the aluminum composite material are grinded off. Accordingly, when such an aluminum composite material is used as a sliding member, the lubricative granules are not exposed on the surface or only a very small amount exists, and accordingly, an initial sliding ability or sliding property at a low surface pressure could not be adequately utilized. Accordingly, the aluminum composite materials disclosed in the above JP58-81948 or JP6-240305 could not utilize a desired sliding property even as a sliding member of a specific structure produced by a simple machinery process.

Aluminum composite material and method of producing the same


A method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states, and the use of at least one soluble receptor-binding (RBD), for the identification and quantification of the expression of membrane receptors present on the surface of target granulocytes, said identification and quantification taking place at a given time or during a given time interval, and allowing the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory states in a mammal.

Virus receptor-binding domain (RBD) are found in particular in the envelope glycoprotein (Env) of viruses and are able to bind to membrane receptors of different target cells.
Gamma and deltaretroviruses have been shown to interact with cell surface through active receptors that belong to the multimembrane protein family. Those receptors for which a function has been identified (or most certainly those with no identified function) are directly involved in cellular metabolism.
Retroviral envelope-derived probes, which can be used for specific, high-affinity tagging of metabolic transporters on human cells, have been disclosed in WO 2010/079208. These transporters carry a wide variety of metabolites, including, but not limited to: neutral amino acids (AA), cationic AA, glucose, heme and vitamins.
Retroviral envelope-derived probes of WO 2010/079208 have been used for the detection of membrane receptors present in a target cell such as haematopoietic stem cells, such as CD34 cells, or differentiated cells such as B-cells or T-cells.
Myelocyte and monocyte lines (granulocytes) play a major role in body's response to stress. During infestation by pathogens, regulated signals by epithelial and inflammatory cells get position to coordinate innate and acquired immunity. A rapid intervention is necessary and involves a complete reprogramming of quiescent circulating myelocyte and monocyte lines to be activated and migrate to injury sites. This turn over, requiring gene transcription and protein production, is energy-dependent. It needs nutrients and metabolites absorption that can be reflected with an increase of metabolic transporters at the surface of inflammatory cells.
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by bronchoconstriction, wheezing, cough and breath difficulties during exacerbations. This pathology affects about 300 million worldwide. The airway inflammation is generated by an influx of myelocyte and monocyte lines in the lungs; mostly eosinophils seem to be implied as well as neutrophils.
Allergy is also a disorder of the immune system caused by the suractivation of mast cells and basophils when they identify allergen-specific immunoglobulin IgE. Activated cells release histamine and cytokines maintaining and aggravating the reaction of inflammation. Allergic crisis could manifest minor symptoms but also serious reactions as respiratory difficulties and coma.
Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF) is a common disease which affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and often early death.
Difficulty breathing is the most serious symptom and results from frequent lung infections that are treated, though not cured, by antibiotics and other medications. A multitude of other symptoms, including sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, and infertility result from the effects of CF on other parts of the body.
The increasing importance of these pathologies makes the discovery of a rapid detection of them or of therapeutical agents highly desirable.
One of the aims of the present invention is to provide RBD for the detection of membrane receptors present in granulocytes indicating an inflammatory state.
Another aim of the invention is to provide a diagnosis and/or prognosis process of an inflammation state.
Still another aim of the invention is to provide a method for measuring the therapeutic efficacy of a potential anti-inflammatory drug in a mammal.

Method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of granulocyte-related inflammatory states

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

UNIVERSITE MONTPELLIER 2 SCIENCES ET TECHNIQUES


A computing device receives a plurality of media files. Further, the computing device associates an item with a media file from the plurality of media files according to an association. The item is displayed during display of the media file. The association has a predetermined playback time during playback of the media file at which item data is displayed in addition to the display of the media file. In addition, the computing device generates a hierarchical logic model for media playback. The hierarchical logic model organizes the plurality of media files for playback into a hierarchy according to a predetermined set of conditions. A set of code is provided to a media player for media playback based upon the logic model and the association between the item and the media file.

1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to the field of computing systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to media customization.
2. General Background
Media systems may generate and/or provide playback of various types of media. Examples of media include video and audio data. Many media systems are static based systems. In other words, a set of media may be generated and unchanged. The user has to then watch and/or listen to a set of media for which the user has no participation. As an example, a user may watch a movie and want to perform a different action than that of an actor in the movie. Currently, the user has to watch the movie based on that statically generated movie and cannot participate in that movie.

Logic model for media customization with item association


A distal end part of an endoscope including an objective optical system which is disposed in the distal end portion of an insert part of the endoscope so that the optical axis of the objective optical system perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal axis of the distal end portion of the insert part. The distal end part further includes a planar image sensor which is incorporated in the distal end portion, so that it can be inserted and removed along the longitudinal axis of the distal end portion. The planar image sensor is secured in opposed relation to the objective optical system to convert an image of an object, which is formed by the objective optical system, into an electric signal.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-278194 (filed on Oct. 25, 1991) and Japanese Patent Application No. 4-249379 (filed on Sep. 18, 1992), which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a distal end part of a side-viewing endoscope having a planar image sensor, such as a solid-state image pickup device, which is incorporated in the distal end portion of an insert part thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The distal end part of a side-viewing endoscope of the type described above has heretofore been arranged with an objective optical system disposed in the distal end portion of the insert part with its optical axis perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal axis of the insert part distal end portion. A planar image sensor is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the insert part distal end portion, in opposing relation to the objective optical system. The planar image sensor is incorporated in the distal end portion of the insert part, so that it can be inserted and removed in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insert part distal end portion (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 62-59914).
In the case of the distal end part of a side-viewing endoscope having a planar image sensor incorporated in the distal end portion of the insert part thereof, if an illuminating light guide fiber bundle 91 is disposed to lie through the space at the back of the planar image sensor 92, as shown in FIG. 9, the limited space can be utilized efficiently, and the diameter of the distal end portion 90 of the insert part can be minimized. Reference numeral 93 in the figure denotes an objective optical system.
However, if the planar image sensor 92 is incorporated in the distal end portion 90, so that it can be inserted and removed in directions (vertically as viewed in FIG. 9) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal end portion 90, the space at the back of the planar image sensor 92 must be kept vacant as a dead space, and the illuminating light guide fiber bundle 91 must lie through the other portion.
Consequently, the distal end part of the side-viewing endoscope, according to the prior art, which has the planar image sensor 92 incorporated in the distal end portion 90 of the insert part, increases in the diameter, thus intensifying the pain inflicted on the patient, when it is inserted into his/her body cavity.


Exemplary embodiments are directed to a display assembly. A display assembly may comprise a display unit and at least one antenna at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the display unit. The at least one antenna may be configured for at least one of receiving wireless power, transmitting data, and receiving data.

Field
The present invention relates generally to wireless power, and more specifically to a display assembly including at least one antenna.
Background
Typically, each battery powered device requires its own charger and power source, which is usually an AC power outlet. This becomes unwieldy when many devices need charging.
Approaches are being developed that use over the air power transmission between a transmitter and the device to be charged. These generally fall into two categories. One is based on the coupling of plane wave radiation (also called far-field radiation) between a transmit antenna and receive antenna on the device to be charged which collects the radiated power and rectifies it for charging the battery. Antennas are generally of resonant length in order to improve the coupling efficiency. This approach suffers from the fact that the power coupling falls off quickly with distance between the antennas. So charging over reasonable distances (e.g., >1-2 m) becomes difficult. Additionally, since the system radiates plane waves, unintentional radiation can interfere with other systems if not properly controlled through filtering.
Other approaches are based on inductive coupling between a transmit antenna embedded, for example, in a "charging" mat or surface and a receive antenna plus rectifying circuit embedded in the host device to be charged. This approach has the disadvantage that the spacing between transmit and receive antennas must be very close (e.g. mms). Though this approach does have the capability to simultaneously charge multiple devices in the same area, this area is typically small, hence the user must locate the devices to a specific area.
A need exists for a display assembly including a display unit and at least one antenna configured for near-field communication, wireless charging, or both.

Devices and methods related to a display assembly including an antenna


An automatic vibrator assembly includes a single vibrator mechanism or first and second vibrator mechanisms connected to first and second switch assemblies that are all housed with a case that attaches between a concrete finishing tool float and adaptor using industry standard bolt layouts. The vibrator mechanisms propel the float when the switch assemblies recognize a predetermined amount of forward and backward float tilt. Where the assembly uses two vibrator mechanisms or a single bidirectional vibrator assembly, the vibrator mechanisms can propel the float in different directions depending on the direction of tilt. Additional features include a variable speed controller, master switch for operating in automatic or manual mode, and docks that accommodate one or two removable batteries.

Concrete finishing tools, such as floats, jointers, screeds and the like, are used to provide a particular finished surface adjusted to a freshly poured concrete mass. In the conventional method of use of such concrete finishing tools, an operator moves the tool across the surface of the freshly poured concrete, usually in a back and forth manner, before the concrete mass cures or dries.
It has also been recognized that the addition of a vibratory action to the concrete finishing tool aids in the creation of a surface, characteristic, such as a smooth surface and in the case of a jointer, possesses a groove to control cracking of the finish concrete slab. Vibration devices for concrete finishing tools are useful for this purpose and include those where an external motor is mounted to a handle or shaft and linked to a remote vibration mechanism by the use of a cable or gear mechanism and where a power source is placed within the handle of the concrete finishing tool and provides power to vibrators that are located atop of the head of the finishing tool adjacent the concrete. Additionally, some concrete finishing tools include a vibrator that is placed within the handle structure of the tools and powered by a battery that is also found in the handle. These vibration devices and tools do not account for controlling the vibration within the handle, other than by control of electrical power to the vibrator mechanism. These tools also do not provide assistance to the operator for propelling the concrete finishing tool in multiple directions and do not provide an automatic adjustment for optimizing assistance when the operator changes the direction of the tool's path.
A vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that is self-contained and between the handle and terminus of the concrete finishing tool and allows for optimum vibration of the vibrator mechanism and that automatically assists the operator in propelling the concrete finishing tool forward and backward would be a notable advance in the construction arts.

Automatic vibrator assembly usable with a concrete finishing tool


Presence information for an object in a digital image is determined. An identifier associated with at least one object depicted in the image is allowed to be stored as image metadata. The identifier is sufficient to determine presence information from at least one of a presence application and a presence roster list. Presence information for the at least one object is determined based on the identifier from the at least one of a presence application and a presence roster list. An action related to the object is performed using the determined presence information.

One advantage of digital cameras over digital film based cameras is that digital cameras have the ability to store data along with a captured image that may later be accessed by a viewer. For example, once the digital image has been transferred from the digital camera to a PC and displayed, a user may also view information about the image, such as date and time of capture, the name of the image, and image size, for instance. Typically, the data regarding a captured image is stored in metadata within the image file of the captured image.
A conventional image file typically includes a header, image data itself, and the metadata. The image file may optionally include a thumbnail image and/or a reference to audio data. The header preferably includes information that identifies and describes the various contents of image file. The image data contains actual captured image data, the resolution of which depends on the settings of the image capture device (e.g., camera, scanner, and the like). The image metadata stores various types of data that correspond and relate to the image data. The image metadata may be populated by the image capture device at the time of image capture, or subsequent to image capture by a user when cataloging the images.
The image metadata may comprise system metadata and user metadata. System metadata is typically populated by the image capture device and includes various types of camera information that preserve command settings at the moment of capture and correlate with the captured image data. For example, system metadata may indicate focus setting, aperture setting, and other relevant information that may be used for effectively processing or analyzing the corresponding image data. The data written to the system metadata is controlled by the camera or scanner and cannot be modified by the user.
The user metadata, in contrast, enables the storage of data that the user enters on either a PC or on the image capture device. For example, most, if not all, images depict a scene that includes multiple objects (e.g., people, buildings, landmarks, nature, etc.). The user may wish to identify these objects by entering metadata describing the objects. Image applications exist that enable the user to do so by entering this information in text format. The text is then stored as user metadata and associated with the image. When the image is subsequently displayed using the same or a different image application, the metadata associated with the image is made available to the viewer. For example, the metadata may be displayed and/or printed as text along with the image.
Although the conventional metadata allows the user to more fully describe the objects appearing in the image, there are limitations to the metadata. For instance, the metadata may not adequately describe the image. In particular, if the metadata describes more than one object depicted in an image, the user often has a difficult time determining which descriptions pertain to which object. For example, assume an image depicts two people and two houses, and the metadata identifies the individual's names (e.g., Richard and Scott), as well as the houses (e.g., Richard's house and Scott's house) in the image. In this case, a viewer who does not know Richard or Scott may be unable to correlate the names with the individuals and to the houses solely on the basis of the metadata that was provided in this example. The user who entered the metadata may be able to provide more specific metadata (e.g., Richard is on the left and Scott is on the right). However, this places a greater burden on the user to enter more information and requires the user to more carefully choose the terms used in the metadata.
In addition, while looking at a digital image taken in years past, it would be beneficial to users who view the image to be reminded or notified who (or what) is depicted in the image and whether or not the object(s) in the image are available for communication. Existing image applications fail to provide this functionality.

Associating presence information with a digital image


The present invention provides a methodology for forming an electrically conductive contact on the external surface of superconductive materials. The methodology is employed using any Noble metal to form the conductive contact; and is used with any superconductive material conventionally known. The resulting conductive contact provides a low electrical resistance and firm point of electrical junction for the superconductor with any conductive material in any electrical circuit or use.

Superconductivity was first observed by the Dutch physicist H. K. Onnes in 1911 during his investigations of the electrical conductivities of metals at very low temperatures. He observed that as purified mercury is cooled, its electrical resistivity vanishes abruptly at a temperature of 4.16 K. Above this temperature, the electrical resistivity is small but finite and measurable; alternatively, when the temperature is reduced below 4.16 K., the electrical resistivity is so small that it is effectively zero. This distinct temperature at which the transition and loss of effective electrical resistivity occurs has been termed the critical temperature or "T.sub.c ". Onnes believed he had discovered a new physical state of matter at temperatures below the critical temperature and coined the term "superconducting state" for the observed phenomenon at temperatures below the critical temperature (T.sub.c) and the term "normal state" for the electrical properties observed at temperatures above the critical temperature. Onnes also found that the superconducting transition is reversible and that the superconducting material recovered its normal, electrical resistivity at the critical temperature.
The modern theory of superconductivity is the result of the research investigations by Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer [Phys. Rev. 106:162 (1957)]. Their proposal, conventionally known as the "BCS theory", has now gained universal acceptance because it has proved capable of explaining most of the observed phenomena relating to superconductivity. Their principles employ a quantum mechanical treatment of the superconductive phenomenon; and their theory has been employed to explain the various observable effects such as zero electrical resistance, the Meissner effect, and the like. Since the BCS theory is so steeped in quantum mechanics, the reader is directed to published texts in the scientific literature for a complete description and explanation. These include: M. A. Omar, Elementary Solid State Physics: Principles and Applications, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1975, pages 496-527; M. Tinkham, Introduction to Superconductivity, McGraw-Hill Co., 1975.
Superconductivity has been found not to be a rare phenomenon. It is exhibited by a substantial number of atomic elements, metallic alloys, and most recently, refractory oxide ceramics. For many years, the highest known critical temperature was only 23 K. There has, accordingly, been intense interest and research investigations into finding superconductive materials with much higher critical temperatures, most desirably those which hopefully would approach room temperature (20.degree. C.). Until relatively recently, efforts to achieve this goal have met with complete failure. Beginning about 1986, however, polycrystalline scintered ceramic pellets of yttrium-barium-copper oxide and mixtures of potassium, barium, bismuth, and oxygen without copper have been found to demonstrate relatively high critical temperatures (T.sub.c) and superconductivity at temperatures up to 120 K. [Bednorz, J. G. and K. A. Muller, Z. Phys. B64:189 (1986); Wu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58:905 (1987); and Chu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 60:941 (1988)]. These compounds are now conventionally termed high transition temperature or "high T.sub.c " superconductors.
Thus, since about 1986, the interest in superconductive materials as potential replacements for conventionally known metal alloy wiring and microcircuitry has risen appreciably; and the search for ever-higher T.sub.c superconductors in various formats is presently an area of intense exploration. Merely representative of these continuing research investigations and recently reported developments are the following publications: Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, (R. C. Richardson and E. N. Smith, editors), Addison Wesley Inc., 1988, pages 118-123; G. K. White, Experimental Techniques in Low-Temperature Physics, Oxford University Press, 1959, pages 295-298; Advances in Superconductivity, Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on Superconductivity, August 1988, Nagoya, Japan; Yeh et al., Phys. Rev. B36:2414 (1987); Morelli et al., Phys. Rev. B36:3917 (1987); Chaudhari et al., Phys. Rev. B36:8903 (1987); Tachikawa et al., Proc. IEEE 77:1124 (1989); Tabuchi et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 53:606 (1989); Sacchi et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 53:1111 (1988); Abell et al., Physica C162-164:1265 (1989); Bailey et al., Physica C167:133 (1990); Xiao et al., Phys. Rev. B36:2382 (1987); Matsuda et al., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 99:695 (1988); Witanachchi et al., J. Mater. Res. 5:717 (1990); Superconductive Industry, Winter, 1989, page 31; Engineer's Guide to High-Temperature Superconductivity, Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1989; and D. Newman, Superconductive Industry 3:16 (1990).
A concomitant and continuing problem has also arisen regarding the electrical joining and union of superconductive materials, particularly the juncture of high T.sub.c superconductors to each other and to other electrically conductive materials in the normal state at temperatures between 70 K. and 300 K. to conventional superconductive materials which have a transition temperature below 30 K. By definition, electrically conductive materials in the normal state include both the normal conductors such as gold, silver, copper, and iron; and the semi-conductors such as carbon, silicon, gray tin, and germanium; as well as their respective mixtures with indium, gallium, antimony, and arsenic. It is also difficult to make effective low resistance juncture and electrical union with the atomic elements and alloys most frequently used in practical superconducting applications. These typically are the conventionally known superconductors Nb, NbTi, and NbSn; and they frequently serve as materials used to make superconducting motors, generators, and magnets which operate at liquid helium temperature (4.5 K.).
Traditionally, solders--a general term for alloys useful for joining metals together by the process of soldering--have been used directly as an intermediate to join superconductors to themselves, to semi-conductors, and to normal conductors. The principal types of solder conventionally known are: soft solders such as lead-tin alloys; and brazing solders such as alloys of copper and zinc and sometimes silver. Representative of conventionally known solders and soldering techniques are U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,144 describing a low melting point brazing alloy; U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,956 describing a method of chemically bonding metals to refractory oxide ceramics; U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,714 disclosing a hard solder alloy comprising copper, titanium, aluminum, and vanadium; U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,240 revealing a method for intermetallic diffusion bonding of piezo-electric components; U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,761 identifying a brazing process for forming strong joints between metals and ceramics while limiting the brazing temperature to not more than 750.degree. C.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,099 describing a method for adhesion of oxide type ceramics and copper or a copper alloy. Unfortunately, solders alone and the conventionally known soldering techniques have proven inadequate for junctures of high T.sub.c superconductors.
Recently, many investigators have attempted to refine specialized techniques for lowering the resistance of electrical contacts between two high T.sub.c superconductive materials or between high T.sub.c superconductors and a metal. These techniques have included: vapor deposition of silver followed by annealing bulk sintered samples of yttrium-barium-copper oxide at temperatures up to 500 C. for an hour [Superconductor News, May-June, 1988, page 5]; the use of laser energy to deposit a thin film of superconductive yttrium-barium-copper oxide directly onto a silicon substrate [Superconductor News, May-June, 1988, page 1]; electrolytic depositing of gold onto superconducting particles [U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,944]; sputter depositing a layer of silver on a yttrium-barium-copper oxide surface [Eikin et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 52 (1988)]; U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,523]; deposition of silver or gold on a superconductive material [Van der Mass et al., Nature 328:603 (1987)]; thermal evaporation of silver on a yttrium-barium-copper oxide surface [Tzeng et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 52 (1988)]; the use of silver paste on superconductive materials [Munakata et al., Jap. J. Appl. Phys. 26: (1987)]; the pressing of platinum against YBCO [Grader, G. S., App. Phys. Lett. 51: (1987)]; and spark bonding [Lye et al., Jap. J. App. Phys. 27: (1988)].
There are a number of major problems within these reported methods and techniques: each requires the extensive use of vacuum deposition equipment; each limits the uses and applications by the size of the required equipment; and each requires multiple annealings of the superconductive material as a concomitant part. Moreover, many of these methods or techniques generate a high electrical resistance; and many of the electrical contacts cannot be recycled or reused because they typically become detached from the superconductor over time.
Clearly, therefore, there remains a well recognized need for effective means and methodology by which to join conductors which are electrically functional at temperatures between 300 K. to 70 K. to those conductors which become electrically valuable at lower temperatures. If such electrically conductive means and methods were available, the electrical junction and union between the electrical circuits and instruments of our everyday world could then be linked and employed in combination with the minimal electrical resistance of circuits provided by superconductors generally. Such effective means and methodology for electrical juncture, however, have as yet been unavailable in this art.

Method for making an electrically conductive contact for joining high T.sub .


An electronic device for a multi-antenna communication apparatus in a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to: map a first information bit to a first reconstructed channel in a plurality of reconstructed channels associated with a plurality of antennas of a multi-antenna communication apparatus; and provide a reconstruction parameter corresponding to the first reconstructed channel, so as to reconstruct an actual channel from the multi-antenna communication apparatus to a peer communication apparatus to bear the first information bit, wherein the plurality of reconstructed channels are determined by configuring, based on a plurality of groups of reconstruction parameters, the plurality of antennas of the multi-antenna communication apparatus, so that the plurality of reconstructed channels have a low correlation with each other.

The multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission system can provide multiplexing gain, diversity gain and antenna gain. Therefore, the MIMO technology has been applied to many recent communication standards, such as IEEE 802.11n IEEE 802.16 and 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE). However, the MIMO technology results in increase of complexity and hardware consumption. This is mainly due to the following reasons: 1) strong interference between channels; 2) it is difficult to maintain synchronization between antennas; and 3) a high cost of a multi-radio-frequency link.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the MIMO system while reserve advantages of the MIMO system, a new modulation mode applied to the MIMO system is put forward recently, which is referred to as Spatial Modulation (SM). The spatial modulation can greatly reduce system complexity and hardware consumption in a case of meeting a data rate requirement. The spatial modulation serves as a new modulation technology for the physical layer due to the following two features. First, low complexity and a low cost. In any time slice, only one antenna is activated for data transmission. In this case, interference between channels is avoided without multi-antenna synchronization only one radio frequency link is required, the receiving end is required to receive only one data stream, and thus a simple detection algorithm can be directly used, such as the maximum ratio combing (MRC) detection algorithm. Second, extra modulation order. The basic principle of the spatial modulation is that information on a position of the activated antenna in an antenna array is used for information transmission. This is based on a one-to-one mapping between the antenna numbers and the information bits. Therefore, although only one antenna is activated in each time slice, the spatial modulation can still improve the data transmission rate.
Actually, transmission of the extra information bit provided by the spatial modulation is based on a condition that the receiving end can correctly detect an antenna for transmitting a signal by the transmitting end for each time slice. Therefore, the performance of the spatial modulation severely degrade in a case that the channel vectors of the transmitting antennas have strong correlation.

Electronic device and method for multi-antenna communication apparatus


A process for depositing a coating on short fibres of carbon or silicon carbide from a coating precursor, the short fibres having a length of between 50 μm and 5 mm, the process including at least heating the short fibres by placing a mixture including the fibres and a liquid phase of the coating precursor in a microwave field so as to bring the surface of the fibres to a temperature allowing the coating on the fibres from the coating precursor to be formed by calefaction.

The present invention relates to the general field of processes for depositing a coating on fibres, and more particularly on short carbon or silicon carbide fibres, by calefaction from a precursor of the coating.
Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, known for their good mechanical properties that make them suitable for use as structural elements and for maintaining these properties at high temperatures, are a viable alternative to traditional metal parts. Their reduced mass compared to their metallic equivalent makes them the ideal choice to respond to the problems of increasing efficiency and reducing polluting emissions from engines in the aeronautical field.
Parts made of CMC material comprise a generally continuous fibrous reinforcement in the form of a woven textile, which is densified by a ceramic matrix. The fibrous reinforcement thus consists of continuous long fibres, the orientation of which can be adapted to the main stress directions of the part during use. The preform to form the fibre reinforcement must be woven from the continuous fibres to the dimensions of the workpiece (for example two-dimensional or three-dimensional weaving) using a suitable loom. The weaving step is a long and expensive process that is unsuitable for making small parts.
One solution for producing small parts is to obtain them by a process using a mixture of short fibres and a removable binder which is shaped into a blank, the binder is then removed from the blank and finally consolidated by heat treatment. However, the introduction of processes of this type poses the problem of interphase deposition on these fibres.
Techniques are known for the deposition of an interphase on continuous fibres or textiles woven from such fibres, which involve the infiltration or gas phase deposition (CVI/CVD) of these fibres from a gaseous precursor of the interphase. The problem with these techniques is that the fibres must then be cut to form short fibres, which can damage the interphase and result in poor mechanical properties of the CMC material obtained after densification.
Therefore, there is a need for a short fibre coating process that allows a homogeneous and continuous interphase coating to be deposited directly on short fibres over the entire fibre surface.

Process for depositing a coating on short fibres by calefaction


A method of suppressing residual echo includes calculating a spectral mismatch of an acoustic echo canceler based upon a program content signal and a residual signal; determining a set of filter coefficients based at least in part upon a selected spectral mismatch; filtering the residual signal based upon the set of filter coefficients; freezing the calculation of the selected spectral mismatch in response to detecting a double talk condition in the residual signal; waiting a predetermined hold period in response to detecting that the double talk condition has ended; and, after the predetermined hold period, resuming the calculation of the spectral mismatch based upon the program content signal and the residual signal.

Audio systems, especially automobile audio systems, are used to produce acoustic signals for various purposes such as entertainment (e.g., music, talk radio, sports), navigation (e.g., route guidance), and communication (e.g., telephone calls). Some such audio systems include one or more microphones intended to pick up a user's voice for certain applications, such as the near end of a telephone call or for commands to a virtual personal assistant. The acoustic signals produced by the audio system also contribute to the microphone signals, and may undesirably interfere with processing the user's voice signal.

Mitigating impact of double talk for residual echo suppressors


The present invention provides transparent conductive oxide (TCO) thin films with improved optical and electrical properties and methods of making the same. More specifically, the invention provides on-line processes for producing TCO thin films that allow for improvements in optical properties and post-production improvements in electrical properties of the TCO.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coatings for use in photovoltaic (PV) devices and methods of making the same. More particularly, the invention relates to improving the optical and electrical properties of transparent conductive oxide thin films and methods of making the same.
2. Discussion of the Background
All United States patents referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.
As the global population continues to grow, so does the demand for energy and energy sources. Fossil fuel consumption has seen steady increases during the last century, as expected for an energy thirsty global population. It was estimated that in 2004, 86% of human-produced energy came from the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources and fossil fuel reserves are being depleted quicker than they can be replaced. As a result, a movement toward the development of renewable energy has been undertaken to meet increased demand for energy. Over the last ten to twenty years, there has been an increased focus on developing technology to efficiently harness energy from alternative sources, such as solar, hydrogen and wind energy to meet the increased global demand.
Of the alternative sources, the sun is considered the most abundant natural resource, with an infinite supply of energy showering the Earth on a daily basis. Numerous technologies exist that are directed to capturing the sun's light energy and converting it into electricity. A photovoltaic (PV) module represents such a technology and, to date, has found many applications in areas such as remote power systems, space vehicles and consumer products such as wireless devices.
PV modules are known to incorporate thin films. Thin film photovoltaics require a transparent front conductor, usually a thin film. The most common conductive thin films used are transparent conductive oxides such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and indium tin oxide (ITO). The main function of a TCO is two-fold. First, the TCO allows light to pass through to an active light absorbing material beneath it. Second, the TCO serves as an ohmic contact to transport photo-generated charges away from the light absorbing material. Such TCOs are desirable for all types of photovoltaic and solar modules, and are especially desirable for photovoltaic and solar modules based on amorphous silicon.
Improving the efficiency of PV devices incorporating TCO thin films typically has been limited by a number of factors. One of these factors is the inherent limitation of the TCO thin film conductivity, whereby it has been found that attempts to increase the conductivities are hampered by a simultaneous decrease in light transmission through the TCO thin film, which, in turn, decreases the efficiency of the PV device. The benefits of small improvements in photovoltaic efficiency can accrue over the life of the module and enhance financial return. Improvements in TCO optical and electrical properties can add to photovoltaic efficiency.
While photovoltaics have found many uses, there still exists a number of obstacles to overcome before photovoltaics can be competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Along these lines, cost and light-to-electricity conversion efficiency represent two of the obstacles preventing photovoltaics from being competitive with fossil fuels.
Most PV modules that exist today are based on silicon. Glass is omnipresent and, as such, provides an existing infrastructure for deployment of PV modules. One approach along these lines has been to adapt established glass production methods for later incorporation into a PV module. One such glass production method is the float-line method for producing float, or flat, glass.
Thin films on glass are desirable for numerous reasons. For example, architectural glass that is coated with a low emissivity coating possesses better insulating properties and is more energy efficient than architectural glass that is not coated. As a result of this desirability for thin films on glass, many methods exist for producing glasses coated with thin films. One of these methods is pyrolytic chemical vapor deposition, in which a metal containing species with micron and/or submicron thicknesses are deposited directly onto the glass surface. Such metal containing species include, but are not limited to, metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal oxynitrides and metal oxycarbides.
There are many methods that exist for manufacturing thin films on glass. One such method is known as the online method, defined generally herein as coating the glass ribbon during the glass production. With respect to TCO thin films on glass incorporated into PV modules, there is still a need for methods that allow for improvements in the optical and electrical properties of these films before, during and after deposition on a glass substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,085 discloses a method of making a metal oxide thin film wherein hydrogen chloride (HCl) is added to a gas stream of starting materials used for deposition of the metal oxide thin film. The purpose of HCl addition to the starting material gas stream is to prevent the starting materials from undergoing chemical reaction prior to reaching a surface of a glass substrate. This, in turn, leads to the ability to manufacture metal oxide thin film coatings having relatively uniform film thicknesses over a wide area and a long time at high film deposition rates (about 4500 nm/min or greater). It is disclosed that when metal oxide thin film coatings made by the methods of U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,085 are incorporated into photovoltaic devices, the likelihood of defects, such as pinholes, over the lifetime of such a photovoltaic device is reduced and the conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic device can remain high. However, there is no disclosure as to whether the addition of HCl to the starting material gas stream can lead to improved electrical conductivity of the metal oxide thin film coating after deposition of the metal oxide thin film.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,262 discloses a method of making a doped tin oxide film using hydrogen fluoride (HF) as a dopant source in order to obtain low and uniform sheet resistance of the metal oxide thin film. The metal oxide thin film layer therein is made from the starting materials: dimethyltin dichloride, oxygen, water, hydrogen fluoride and helium. It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,262 that the fluorine doped tin oxide coatings made therein exhibit lower sheet resistance and improved uniformity in sheet resistance over the coated surface of the glass. However, the fluorine doped tin oxide coating disclosed therein still suffers from hazing. With a thickness of the fluorine doped tin oxide coating of only 320 nm, the size of the crystal grains therein would be limited, thereby preventing large irregularities of the film surface, which prevents a high haze ratio from being achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,715 discloses a glass sheet with a transparent conductive doped tin oxide film wherein the tin oxide film is processed in such a way that a decrease in the conductivity of the tin oxide film is suppressed after a heat treatment of the tin oxide film. It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,715 that conventional transparent conductive films of about 200 nm thicknesses disposed on glass substrates, when heat-treated, usually undergo a considerable sheet resistance increase. In order to minimize this sheet resistance increase, the thickness of the tin oxide film is set to at least about 400 nm. It was found that the decrease in sheet resistance by increasing the tin oxide film thickness tends not to be affected by heat treatment in air.
Thus, there remains a need in the art for transparent conductive oxide thin film layers that can overcome the above-noted problems of prior art films. In particular, there is a need in the art for TCO thin films having improved electrical and optical properties and for methods of making them.

Transparent conductive oxide coating for thin film photovoltaic applications and methods of making the same


A method of reducing an effect of stroke in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits VEGF-B signaling.

Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality after heart disease and the leading cause of disability in Australia. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with over 140,000 people dying each year from stroke. It is also the leading cause of serious, long term disability in the United States. Projected costs for stroke in USA for the period from 2005 to 2050 are US$2.2 trillion.
Disability affects 75% of stroke survivors enough to decrease their employability. Stroke can affect subjects physically, mentally, emotionally, or a combination of the three.
Some of the physical disabilities that can result from stroke include muscle weakness, numbness, pressure sores, pneumonia, incontinence, apraxia (inability to perform learned movements), difficulties carrying out daily activities, appetite loss, speech loss, vision loss, and pain. If the stroke is severe enough, or in a certain location such as parts of the brainstem, coma or death can result.
Emotional problems resulting from stroke can result from direct damage to emotional centers in the brain or from frustration and difficulty adapting to new limitations. Post-stroke emotional difficulties include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, flat affect (failure to express emotions), mania, apathy, and psychosis.
Cognitive deficits resulting from stroke include perceptual disorders, speech problems, dementia, and problems with attention and memory. A stroke sufferer may be unaware of his or her own disabilities, a condition called anosognosia. In a condition called hemispatial neglect, a patient is unable to attend to anything on the side of space opposite to the damaged hemisphere.
Up to 10% of all stroke patients develop seizures, most commonly in the week subsequent to the event. The severity of the stroke increases the likelihood of a seizure.
Stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia (lack of blood flow) caused by blockage (thrombosis, arterial embolism), or a hemorrhage (leakage of blood). As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, which might result in a subject's inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field. Stroke often results in neuronal cell death and can lead to death.
There are two common types of stroke: (i) ischemic stroke, which is caused by a temporary or permanent occlusion to blood flow to the brain, and accounts for 85% of stroke cases, and (ii) hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a ruptured blood vessel and accounts for the majority of the remaining cases. The most common cause of ischemic stroke is occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (the intra-cranial artery downstream from the internal carotid artery), which damages cerebrum (e.g., cerebral cortex), e.g., the motor and sensory cortices of the brain. Such damage results in hemiplegia, hemi-anesthesia and, depending on the cerebral hemisphere damaged, either language or visuo-spatial deficits.
Some neuroprotective agents have been tested for efficacy in treatment of stroke, and have failed, including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists including lubeluzole), nalmefene, clomethiazole, calcium channel blockers (including a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-rnethylisoxazole-4-proprionic acid antagonists, serotonin agonists (e.g., repinotan), and transmembrane potassium channel modulators), tirilazad, anti-ICAM-I antibody, human antileukocytic antibody (Hu23F2G), antiplatelet antibody (e.g., abciximab), citicoline (an exogenous form of cytidine-5′-diphosphocholine), and basic fibroblast growth factor.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that there is a need in the art for therapeutics for stroke.
The growth factor VEGF-B has also been studied for an effect in neuronal survival, including after a stroke. Sun et al., J. Cereb. Blood Flow and Metab., 24: 1146-1152, 2004 studied stroke in mice lacking VEGF-B and found that the lack of this growth factor resulted in significantly larger infarct volume and neurologic impairment. Li et al., J Clin. Invest., 118: 913-923, 2008 showed that injection of VEGF-B into the brain of mice in which a stroke has been induced rescued neurons from apoptosis, again suggesting a role for this growth factor in providing therapeutic benefit following stroke. Extending these studies, Li et al., Cell Adhesion and Migration, 3: 322-327, 2009 suggested that VEGF-B protected neurons against apoptosis and mused that this growth factor may have therapeutic value in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Method of reducing the effect of a stroke comprising administering an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B)


A solubilizing agent of the present invention comprises a polyglycerol fatty acid ester, an ester-constituting polyglycerol of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester comprising polyglycerol having a degree of polymerization of not less than 8 in an amount of not less than 70% by weight based on the weight of the ester-constituting polyglycerol. Such a solubilizing agent capable of solubilizing an oil-soluble material such as colorants, perfumes, vitamins, anti-oxidants, preservatives, germicides or fats and oils in an aqueous solvent, and a hydrosol composition containing the oil-soluble material solubilized in the aqueous solvent.

The present invention relates to a solubilizing agent and a hydrosol composition obtained by using the solubilizing agent, and more particularly, to a solubilizing agent capable of solubilizing an oil-soluble material such as colorants, perfumes, vitamins, anti-oxidants, preservatives, germicides or fats and oils in an aqueous solvent, and a hydrosol composition containing the oil-soluble material solubilized in the aqueous solvent.
Conventionally, in the fields of cosmetics, deodorants, bath agents, aromatizing agents, deodorizers, food, medicines or the like, various products exhibiting a liquid state at ordinary temperature have been prepared by solubilizing oil-soluble materials such as colorants, vitamins, anti-oxidants, preservatives, germicides or fats and oils in an aqueous solvent by using an emulsifier. However, in the case where these oil-soluble materials are solubilized in an aqueous solvent by using such an emulsifier, there have been caused the problem that the oil-soluble materials are separated from the aqueous solvent during the preparation of these products or during storage or transportation after the preparation thereof.
In order to solve such problems concerning oil/water separation, there have been conventionally proposed methods of adding polyhydric alcohols, surfactants or the like as a solubilizing agent to the aqueous solvent. Some of these methods have been already put into practice. Typical examples of conventionally proposed solubilizing agents include surfactants such as lecithin, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (nonionic surfactant), hardened castor oil ethylene oxide adducts, sucrose fatty acid esters or the like.
It is known that polyglycerol fatty acid esters (hereinafter occasionally referred to merely as "POGE") are safe emulsifiers usable for food, cosmetics or the like. In addition, there have been proposed solubilizing agents using the POGE. However, when an oil-soluble material is solubilized in an aqueous solvent by using the conventionally proposed POGE solubilizing agents, it has been required to further add other additives such as polyhydric alcohols. Further, it is necessary to use unsaturated fatty acids having a low stability independent to change with time as main constituting fatty acids of the POGE, thereby adversely affecting perfuming of cosmetics, distribution or storage of the goods or the like.
Also, in the preparation of the conventional solubilizing agents, there arises such a problem that in order to surely solubilize the oil-soluble substance in the aqueous solvent, it is necessary to use an emulsifier, a high-pressure homogenizer or the like capable of applying a strong shear force to a raw composition upon solubilizing operation. For these reasons, it has been demanded to develop solubilizing agents which are capable of solubilizing an oil-soluble material in an aqueous solvent by simple operation and maintaining the obtained solubilized products with a good stability for a long period of time, and do not adversely affect perfuming when applied to cosmetics.
On the aim for solving these problems, there have been proposed novel POGEs (Japanese Patent Applications Laid-open (KOKAI) Nos. 7-308560(1995), 7-100355(1995), 9-238619(1998) or the like). However, since these POGEs are insufficient in solubilizing property, it has been required to use a large amount of the POGE relative to that of an oil-soluble component to be solubilized.
As a result of the present inventor's earnest studies for solving the above-mentioned problems, it has been found that by using polyglycerol having a high degree of polymerization as a base polymer of polyglycerol fatty acid ester, it becomes possible to extremely readily solubilize an oil-soluble material in an aqueous solvent. The present invention has been attained by the finding.

Solubilizing agent and hydrosol composition obtained by using the same


A joint type minnow having a body which is formed so as to imitate a bait fish and divided into a main body portion and a tail portion so that the main body portion and the tail portion are mutually swingably joined to each other through a latch structure, is further equipped with a structure for regulating the mutual swing motion between the main body portion and the tail portion. The structure regulates the swing motion of the tail portion at a casting time to reduce air resistance, thereby avoiding reduction in flight distance of the lure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lure for fishing, and particularly to a joint type minnow which can overcome various disadvantages of conventional joint type minnows, for example, a disadvantage that a joint portion or a hook is tangled with a line, a disadvantage that a casting distance is short, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
As one kind of lures supplied for bass fishing is known a so-called minnow which is formed by imitating the shape of a bait fish. Such a minnow is used while imitating motions of a bait fish such as wobbling, rolling or the like in water by drawing a line connected to a line eye equipped to the head portion of a body which mainly imitates a fish body.
There is further known a so-called joint type minnow in which a body 1′ shown in FIG. 5 is divided into a main body portion 1A′ and a tail portion 1B′ and they are swingably joined to each other in order to make the motion of such a lure as described above more similar to the motion of an actual fish. In such a type of lure, the body 1′ is waggled or inclined by water flow acting on a lip 2′ equipped in the vicinity of the head portion or the like. At this time, the joint portion 10′ is bent and waggles, and thus the body makes a motion similar to the motion of a true bait fish (for example, see JP-A-8-298897 (FIG. 1)).
However, the joint type minnow M′ has structurally the following problem. That is, when the joint type minnow M′ is cast, the tail portion 1B′ is bent in air and thus air resistance increases as shown in FIG. 5(a), which causes reduction in casting distance. Furthermore, particularly when an angler enters a casting operation, the joint type minnow M′ is suspended through a line L. At this time, the tail portion 1B′ is unstably swung, and thus a hook 5′ or a joint portion 10′ equipped to the tail portion 1B′ is easily tangled with the line L as shown in FIG. 5(b). Particularly when the joint portion 10′ is tangled with the line L, it needs a lot of labor to disentangle the line L. Accordingly, the conventional joint type minnow M′ is unsuitable for use under a strong wind condition or against wind condition.


Methods and compositions for treating cancer are provided. Compositions comprising ceramide nanoliposomes are administered to a subject in need of such treatment. The composition administration also enhances immunotherapy. Further administering compositions in combination with tumor antigen specific T-cells, and/or compositions in combination with tumor antigen expressing cells, and/or said compositions in combination with antagonists of PD-1 provides for enhanced results. Administration of the compositions provides for effective treatment of tumors including regression and eradication of established tumors.

Cancer is the leading cause of death world-wide. Manipulating the immune system for the treatment of established cancers has become part of the standard of care for several cancers2-4. Studies of immune checkpoints have led to important advances in the development of immunotherapeutic drugs5, 6. For example, antibody-mediated blockade of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1(PD-1) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced melanoma, bladder, head and neck, and lung cancer7. These exciting advances in multiple cancer types support the translation of immunotherapies.

Ceramide nanoliposomes, compositions and methods of using for immunotherapy

THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI


An induction sealing device for heat sealing packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products and fed in a first direction, the sealing device having an inductor device which interacts with the packaging material by at least one active surface; a supporting body made of heat-conducting material and housing the inductor device; an insert made of magnetic flux-concentrating material and housed in the supporting body; and a member made of plastic material, and having at least a first portion interposed, in the first direction, between the supporting body and the insert so as to be at least partly surrounded by the supporting body.

Many pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
A typical example of this type of package is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated strip packaging material.
The packaging material has a multilayer structure substantially comprising a base layer for stiffness and strength, which may comprise a layer of fibrous material, e.g. paper, or mineral-filled polypropylene material; and a number of layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene films, covering both sides of the base layer.
In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminium foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
As is known, packages of this sort are produced on fully automatic packaging units, on which a continuous tube is formed from the web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging unit, e.g. by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once sterilization is completed, is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, e.g. evaporated by heating; and the web of packaging material so sterilized is maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a vertical tube.
The tube is fed continuously in a first vertical direction, is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and is gripped at equally spaced cross sections by two pairs of jaws. More specifically, the two pairs of jaws act cyclically and successively on the tube, and heat seal the packaging material of the tube to form a continuous strip of pillow packs connected to one another by respective transverse sealing bands, i.e. extending in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.
The pillow packs are separated by cutting the relative transverse sealing bands, and are then fed to a final folding station where they are folded mechanically into the finished parallelepiped shape.
The tube portion gripped between each pair of jaws is heat sealed by heating means fitted to one of the jaws, known as the sealing jaw, and which locally melt the two layers of heat-seal plastic material gripped between the jaws.
More specifically, packaging material in which the layer of barrier material comprises a sheet of electrically conductive material, e.g. aluminium, is normally heat sealed by a so-called induction heat-sealing process, in which, when the tube is gripped by the two jaws, loss current is induced in, and locally heats, the aluminium sheet, thus melting the heat-seal plastic material locally.
More specifically, in induction heat sealing, the heating means substantially comprise an inductor powered by a high-frequency current generator and substantially comprising one or more inductor bars made of electrically conductive material, extending parallel to the second direction, and which interact with the tube material to induce a loss current in it and heat it to the necessary sealing temperature.
The other jaw, known as the counter-jaw, on the other hand, is fitted with pressure pads made of elastomeric material, and which cooperate with the inductor bars to heat seal the tube along a relative transverse sealing band.
Sealing jaw sealing devices comprising inductors of the above type are known.
More specifically, known sealing devices substantially comprise a plastic supporting body connected integrally to the sealing jaw and defining two front seats for housing respective inductor bars; and an insert made of magnetic flux-concentrating material—in particular, a composite material comprising ferrite—and housed inside the supporting body, close to the inductor bars.
More specifically, the plastic supporting body cooperates with the insert, and defines a peripheral portion of the sealing device surrounding the inductor bars and the insert of magnetic flux-concentrating material.
The Applicant has observed that, due to the mechanical loads to which it is subjected in use, the supporting body is susceptible to cracking, which reduces the working life of the sealing device and limits use of the device on high-speed packaging units.

Induction sealing device for heat sealing packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products


Novel techniques are provided for implementing a tonneau cover system. A tonneau cover system might include a first side rail configured to be coupled to a side wall of a bed of a truck, a first connection plate attached to and extending from the first side rail, a second connection plate, an extension plate extending from and attached to the second connection plate, and a cover for covering the bed of the truck and coupled to the extension plate. The first connection plate might include a recess on a bottom surface of the first connection plate. The second connection plate might include a first protrusion mirroring the first recess on the first connection plate. The first protrusion of the second connection plate might removably engage with the recess on the bottom surface of the first connection plate to couple the second connection plate to the first connection plate.

Traditionally, truck cover systems are often used to protect cargo beds of pickup trucks. Cover systems often cover all or a portion of the cargo bed of the truck such that any items stored and/or hauled in the cargo bed are protected from outside elements and theft. In order to accommodate the storage and/or hauling of larger objects, as well as to facilitate easy loading and unloading of the cargo bed, many conventional cover systems are foldable into a storage position. This enables the cargo bed to be exposed without removing the cover entirely from the truck. However, when coupling multiple cover panels and/or hinges, seams are often formed such that water and other liquids may easily pass through and reach any cargo within the truck bed.
Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions for implementing methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing a tonneau cover system.

Tonneau cover systems and methods thereof