A photocurable and thermosetting resin composition comprising (A) a photosensitive prepolymer having a carboxyl group in combination with at least two ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in its molecule, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a diluent, (D) an oxetane compound having at least two oxetanyl groups in its molecule, and (E) a curing promotor is developable with an alkaline solution and can be formulated as a one package preparation. Such a photocurable and thermosetting resin composition and a photosensitive dry film prepared by the use thereof are useful as various resist materials and electrical insulating materials, particularly as solder resists for printed circuit boards, interlaminar insulating materials for build-up multi-layer printed circuit boards, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photocurable and thermosetting resin composition and a photosensitive dry film formed from the composition, and more particularly relates to a photocurable and thermosetting resin composition which is suitable for the formation of a solder resist etc. in a household grade printed circuit board and an industrial grade printed circuit board and a photosensitive dry film which is suitable for various applications such as the production of circuit boards and the mounting of the electronic parts. This invention relates further to a method for forming a pattern by the use of the photocurable and thermosetting resin composition and the photosensitive dry film mentioned above.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the household grade printed circuit boards and the industrial grade printed circuit boards, generally a solder resist is formed before supplying a solder during the step of mounting electronic parts for the purpose of preventing molten solder from adhering to irrelevant portions and protecting circuits. As a resin composition for this solder resist, a developing type solder resist composition which is used to form a pattern by a photolithographic method is widely adopted from the viewpoint of ensuring highly accurate formation of circuits with high density. Particularly, with due respect to the problem of environmental safety and from the viewpoint of cost, the solder resist composition of the alkali developing type which implements development with a dilute aqueous alkaline solution has come to play the leading role.
Such a solder resist composition usually contains a polyfunctional epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups as a thermosetting component for the purpose of improving the resistance to soldering heat. However, since the polyfunctional epoxy compound exhibits high reactivity, the photocurable and thermosetting resin composition containing this compound exhibits unduly short shelf life (useful life) and is liable to gain in viscosity prior to being applied to a blank circuit board. As a result, it is possible to formulate it as the one-package type only with difficulty. Accordingly, the composition requires to be formulated as the two-package type consisting of a hardener solution containing a polyfunctional epoxy compound as a main component thereof and a main agent solution containing a photosensitive prepolymer as a main component thereof and a curing promotor etc. added thereto. This poses the problem in working properties because it is necessary to mix them immediately prior to use.
Further, when the photocurable and thermosetting resin composition containing the polyfunctional epoxy compound is formed into a dry film, the shelf life (useful life) of this film becomes short and the preservation in the refrigerated state at a temperature of not more than 0° C. is required. That is to say, it is deficient in shelf stability at room temperature. Further, this dry film poses the problem in working properties because increase of its temperature to room temperature is required prior to use thereof.
When the photocurable and thermosetting resin composition containing the polyfunctional epoxy compound is applied to a substrate, exposed to light, developed and then thermally cured, a cured film having excellent properties such as hardness owing to the cross-linking reaction of the polyfunctional epoxy compounds is obtained. However, when the cross-linking reaction unduly proceeds, there is the possibility of causing shrinkage of the coating film on curing and cracks therein.

Photocurable/therosetting resin composition, photosensitive dry film formed therefrom and method of forming pattern with the same


A two-stage vapor cycle compressor includes a first stage impeller, a second stage impeller situated adjacent to the first stage impeller, an electric motor running on a pair of foil bearings, a thrust disk including two foil bearings and being positioned between the second stage impeller and the electric motor, and a compressor housing enclosing the first and second stage impeller and the electric motor. A refrigerant vapor compressed by the first stage and second stage impeller flows through an internal passageway formed by the compressor housing and cools the foil bearings and the electric motor. The compressor may be a gravity insensitive, small, and lightweight machine that may be easily assembled at low manufacturing costs. The two-stage vapor cycle compressor may be suitable for, but not limited to, applications in vapor compression refrigeration systems, such as air-conditioning systems, for example, in the aircraft and aerospace industries.

The present invention generally relates to vapor cycle compressors and, more particularly, to a low cost two-stage vapor cycle compressor and a method for operating an electrically driven two-stage vapor cycle compressor.
Vapor compression refrigeration is a refrigeration method that is widely used for air-conditioning spaces, for example, public spaces such as private and public buildings, automobiles, and aircraft cabins, or for domestic or commercial refrigerators and other commercial and industrial services. Vapor-compression refrigerant systems typically circulate a liquid refrigerant as a medium that absorbs and removes heat from the space to be cooled and subsequently rejects that heat elsewhere. Vapor-compression refrigerant systems typically include a compressor, a condenser, a throttle or expansion valve, and an evaporator. The circulating refrigerant enters the compressor in a thermodynamic state known as superheated vapor, which has a low pressure and a low temperature, and is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting in a higher temperature as well. The hot vapor is routed through a condenser where it is cooled and condensed into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is routed through the expansion valve to the evaporator, where the refrigerant absorbs and removes heat from air circulating through the evaporator and goes over into the superheated vapor state. To complete the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant in vapor form is routed back to the compressor. Consequently, the main purpose of the compressor is to boost the pressure of the refrigerant in vapor form so that the refrigerant cycle can be completed.
A typical two-stage vapor cycle compressor includes two impellers to realize two stages of compression. Industries, and especially the aerospace industry, typically strive for vapor cycle compressors that have a high reliability and long life span, that have a compact size, are easy to assemble, and can be manufactured at a low cost while operating highly efficiently. U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,560, for example, utilizes ceramic roller element bearings to achieve an oil-free liquid chiller. Still, the roller element bearings have to be actively lubricated by liquid refrigerant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,348, for example, utilizes non-lubricated radial bearings, such as magnetic or foil gas bearings cooled with refrigerant in vapor form, as journal bearings. First and second stage impellers are mounted on opposite ends of a drive shaft driven by a high-speed brushless DC (continuous current) permanent magnet motor. This layout may not allow a compact design of the compressor. The arrangement of the compressor components on the drive shaft and the use of return channels and guide vanes may not enable the most efficient cooling method for the air bearings and the motor but may increase the number of parts used in the assembly of the compressor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,686, for example, teaches a two-stage compressor including a first impeller and a second impeller connected in series by a transition pipe and using a low-pressure refrigerant, such as R134a. Foil gas bearings are used in combination with an induction motor running at high speeds. An encoder disc is included to sense the rotational speed of the rotating assembly of the compressor. The compressor housing includes a separate cooling inlet and outlet for circulating liquid refrigerant in an inner cooling jacket. O-rings are used to seal the cooling jacket within the compressor housing.
As can be seen, there is a need for a two-stage vapor cycle compressor that has a simple design including a reduced number of parts and interfaces compared to prior art compressors and that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost by taking advantage of modern high volume production techniques. Furthermore, there is a need for a method that optimizes the flow cooling the bearings and the motor to increase the efficiency of the compressor compared to prior art compressors.


A combined support and seal ring supports the aft end of an annular combustor and provides a seal to contact the leading edge of the platform of the adjacent stator vane for sealing the cooling air from the gas path in a gas turbine engine.

Annular combustors for gas turbine engines are typically supported at its aft end to the surrounding diffuser case and serves to inject combustion gases through the high pressure stator vanes to the turbine blades for powering the turbine rotor and generating thrust. Inasmuch as the area of concern of this invention is one of the most hostile environments encountered in the engine, consideration must not only been given to securing the structural integrity of the components, improving maintenance, and assuring that weight and costs are held to a minimum, it must also take into consideration the leakage problems. Since the combustor liner is encased in a surrounding diffuser case that defines with the liner a passageway for directing cooling air from the compressor to cool the combustor and components of the engine located downstream of the combustor, precautions must be made to prevent the leakage so that there will be sufficient air for cooling the other components located downstream therefrom.
This invention constitutes an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,623 granted to H. G. Reynolds on Nov. 22, 1988 entitled "Combustor Seal and Support" and assigned to the assignee common to this patent application. This patent, supra, teaches a support that includes complementary lugs on the diffuser case and combustor liner that utilize the radial side surfaces of the lugs to frictionally engage each other to restrict upstream movement. A separate split ring seal is biased against a side edge of the platform of the adjacent high pressure stator vane to seal against leakage from the surrounding cool air passageway into the engine's gas path.
Obviously, since there is radial movement between the complementary surfaces of the lugs, it has been necessary to hard coat these surfaces in an attempt to increase the life of these component parts. Notwithstanding this process which adds significantly to the cost of the parts, these parts, at best, have a limited life span.
Additionally, because of the intimate relationship between the integral lugs on the combustor liner and the complementary integral lugs on the diffuser case it was necessary to hold the tolerances of these parts very closely. These tight tolerances, like the coating, contribute significantly to the cost to manufacture these parts. Another problem that exists in this configuration is the problem evidenced during installation. In assembly the stator vanes are installed after the combustor liners have been installed. Since the split ring and wave spring are loosely held in a U-shaped recess, there is a propensity for them to fall out. Hence, care must be taken when installing the stator vanes that contact is avoided since the insertion of the vanes could easily inadvertently knock out the split ring and wave spring from its operative position.
Other supports for combustors consisted of conical flanges bolted to the diffuser case. Because of the thermal mismatch between the combustor and the diffuser case owing to this environment, these parts evidenced severely high stresses. The large flange of this configuration blocked the flow of cooling air from reaching the high pressure turbine stator vane which necessitated large slots in the conical flange to pass the cooling air to these vanes. This not only adds to the cost of manufacture but also subjects the parts to acquiring fatigue cracks which tend to propagate and limit the part's life.
I have found that I can obviate the problems alluded to in the above by combining the support ring with the seal into a single part. Hence the material selected to fabricate this part doesn't require the hard coat that was necessary to obtain adequate wear resistance parts used in heretofore known designs. In my design the axial movement of the parts relative to each other is inherently restricted which not only simplifies the installation of the combustor but also provides a low stressed axial and radial support as well as damping of vibratory motions encountered.

Combined support and seal ring for a combustor


A heated injection molding nozzle having a cylindrical locating flange extending forwardly from a rear collar portion to mount the nozzle in a well in a cooled mold. The nozzle has a cylindrical central portion with an insulative air space extending between it and the surrounding cooled mold. A hollow thermocouple tube extends through the rear collar portion and along the inner surface of the locating flange to removably receive a thermocouple element which extends from the rear end of the nozzle and through the insulative air space to monitor the operating temperature near the forward end of the nozzle. In the event of pressurized melt escaping to fill the air space, contact of the thermocouple tube with the locating flange cools the melt which flows into the thermocouple tube sufficiently to freeze it and prevent leakage out amongst the wiring in other parts of the mold.

This invention relates generally to injection molding and more particularly to a heated nozzle having a tube for removably receiving a thermocouple element extending along the inner surface of a cylindrical locating flange where it is spaced from the outer surface of the central portion of the nozzle.
Mounting a heated injection molding nozzle in a well in a cooled mold with an insulative air space between them is well known. It is also known to run a thermocouple element through the air space to monitor the operating temperature near the forward end of the nozzle. An example of this is shown in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,284 which issued Apr. 22, 1986 where the thermocouple element extends into the insulative air space through an opening in the mold. Another example is seen in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,283 which issued Sep. 6, 1988 where the thermocouple element extends into the insulative air space through a thermocouple bore extending forwardly through the rear collar portion of the nozzle. While these previous configurations are usually satisfactory, they have the danger that in the event of a leak of pressured melt into the air space, the melt will flow out of the air space along the thermocouple element and fill the electrical wire channels in the mold. The resulting plastic spread throughout the mold is very difficult to remove when the mold has to be disassembled.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,473 to Schmidt which issued Nov. 10, 1987 shows an arrangement which avoids this problem by extending the thermocouple bore entirely through the nozzle and not entering the insulative air space around it. However, this configuration has the disadvantage that it is more difficult to make and is not possible when the nozzle diameter is reduced to produce compact nozzles.

Injection molding nozzle with thermocouple tube


A molded rotor block, as well as other molded articles of manufacture, are made from a resin material selected from the group consisting of epoxy thermosets, polyester thermosets, phenolic, and melamine; and a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting of glass and mineral filler. The article of manufacture is adapted to withstand temperatures that range from about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C.xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. and to withstand centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM while functioning as an insulator. The molding operation provides many advantages over CNC machining and other manufacturing methods.

The present invention relates in general to a molded article of manufacture and, more particularly, to a molded rotor blocking for use in a turbine generator within power generation plants.
Many power generation plants produce electricity by converting energy (e.g. fossil fuel, nuclear fusion, hydraulic head and geothermal heat) into mechanical energy (e.g. rotation of a turbine shaft), and then converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy (e.g. by the principles of electromagnetic induction). Some of these power generation plants, such as a fossil-fuel power generation plant, comprise a turbine, a generator and an exciter.
One aspect of the above-described power generation scheme involves use of rotor blockings to support, separate and insulate conductive windings in the generator rotor. The rotor blockings must withstand temperatures that can range from about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. and more typically from about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C, and centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM and more typically at about 2000 RPM to about 3500 RPM. The rotor blockings come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and may also include channels that direct a flow of cooling fluid (e.g. air, hydrogen) over the conductive windings during generator operation. The rotor blocking should also be resistant to oil which is used for rotor shaft lubrication, as well as other detrimental substances found within the rotor.
As shown in FIGS. 1, heretofore, rotor blockings, and other articles of manufacture, typically have been constructed from a glass 10 and resin 12 composite material that is formed into laminate sheets 14 such as NEMA G-9 melamine-glass fabric, NEMA G10 and G11 epoxy-glass fabric, and NEMA GPO glass-polyester. These resin treated glass sheets 14 are stacked upon each other and orientated relative to each other to maximize the overall physical properties of the overall anisotropic composite material. The sheets 14 are then pressed during curing to achieve high temperature properties suitable for operation up to about 180xc2x0 C. The cured composite material is in the form of planar plates.
The cured composite material is then processed by CNC. machining or other similar means to form the composite material into the desired rotor blocking size and shape. The unused portions of the composite material are usually thrown away because recycling anisotropic composite scrap material is difficult and expensive.
There are many shortcomings, however, to the above-described rotor blocking and manufacturing process. One shortcoming involves the limited ways in which fibers within each layer of resin-glass fabric can be oriented with respect to the other resin-glass fabric layers and fibers. Another shortcoming involves the difficulty of incorporating materials other than sheets of resin or glass into the overall composite structure. Another shortcoming involves the relatively high cost of laminated plates of resin-glass fabric and the relatively high cost of CNC. machining a resin-glass material. For example, it costs several thousands of dollars of machine time and material costs to make a set of rotor blockings for a turbine generator, and laminate scrap from CNC. machining can constitute about 20-70% of the finished rotor block weight which adds up to thousands of dollars per turbine generator. Another shortcoming involves the significant number of rotor blocking defects caused by CNC. machining a resin-glass material, such as delamination, cracking and surface fracturing. Also, machining laminated materials degrades certain physical properties, such as strength and fatigue resistance. Another shortcoming involves the significant amount of space and number of operators needed to make rotor blockings by CNC machining a resin-glass material.
There is thus a need for an improved rotor blocking and an improved method of making a rotor blocking. There is also a more general need for an article of manufacture capable of withstanding temperatures that can range from about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. and preferably from about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C., centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM and preferably at about 2000 RPM to about 3500 RPM while functioning as an insulator, and for a method of easily, flexibly, and inexpensively manufacturing that article.
The present invention provides a molded rotor blocking, or other article of manufacture, capable of withstanding temperatures that can range from about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 to about 180xc2x0 C. and preferably from about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C., centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM and preferably at about 2000 RPM to about 4500 RPM, while functioning as an insulator. The rotor blocking is advantageously constructed of a thermoset resin matrix having glass fiber reinforcements embedded therein and manufactured from a molding process that can easily, flexibly and inexpensively form the rotor blocking into a desired size and shape.
The present invention also provides a relatively unlimited number of ways to arrange glass fibers or other reinforcements within a resin, and an easy way to incorporate materials other than sheets of thermoset prepreg into an overall composite structure.
The present invention also provides a composite material constructed from relatively low cost materials and made from a relatively low cost manufacturing process. For example, molding and material costs to make a set of rotor blockings for a turbine generator are just a few thousand dollars, and a negligible amount of raw material scrap is created.
The present invention also reduces, if not prevents, defects and degradation inherent from machining laminated composite materials, such as delamination, cracking, and fatigue resistance. Moreover, the present invention has a tougher skin layer that resists fracture initiation and provides stronger strength values versus machined parts under flexural, shear or torsional loading.
One aspect of the present invention thus involves a molded article of manufacture, comprising, a resin material selected from the group consisting of epoxy thermosets, polyester thermosets, cyanate ester, bismaleimide, phenolic, and melamine; and a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting of glass and mineral filler; wherein the molded article of manufacture is adapted to withstand temperatures that range from about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. and preferably from about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C., and to withstand centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM at preferably at about 2000 RPM to about 3500 RPM while functioning as an insulator.
Another aspect of the present invention thus involves a molded rotor block adapted for use in a generator within a power generation unit, comprising, at least one thermoset resin material with a glass transition temperature above a maximum operating temperature of a conductive winding located within the generator; and at least one reinforcement material adapted to provide the molded rotor block with a suitable stiffness and strength to inhibit damage to the molded rotor block damage during normal operation of the generator.
Another aspect of the present invention thus involves a method of making of molded article of manufacture adapted to withstand temperatures that range from about negative 40xc2x0 C. to about 180xc2x0 C. and preferably from about negative 10xc2x0 C. to about 140xc2x0 C., and to withstand centrifugal loading at about 1500 RPM to about 4500 RPM and preferably at about 2000 RPM to about 3500 RPM while functioning as an insulator, comprising, placing a reinforcement material within a mold cavity; placing a resin material to the mold cavity; heating the mold cavity to a temperature of at least about 100xc2x0 C. for at least about 40 minutes to form the molded article of manufacture; and removing the formed molded article of manufacture from the mold cavity.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows.

Molded rotor blocking and other molded articles of manufacture


In accordance with other aspects, the present invention relates to a system for identifying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system having at least one other software product of the first type installed on the computer system. The system includes a first license associated with the first software product; at least one second license associated with the at least one other software product installed on the computer; and a license module that compares the first license and the at least one second license and selects one of the first and second licenses based on predetermined criteria. Methods for identifying and displaying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system are also disclosed.

Typically, software is not sold outright, but rather the users purchase licenses to use the software. Typically, each software product is provided with a license, referred to as an end-user license agreement (EULA), that the user must accept before installing or being granted access to the software product. The EULAs are important to the user because they describe the terms and conditions, such as how many computers it can be installed on, that are associated with the software product.
Identifying an appropriate EULA for a given software product has become difficult for users. EULAs are typically stored onto the computer in a text form when each software product is installed. Often, the EULAs do not specifically identify a product within the EULA because most EULAs are generically written so that they can be used with different software products and types. It is easy for the user to get confused and misidentify a EULA for a product.
A related problem is associated with multiple EULAs that could potentially apply to a software product. It has become common for computer users to have multiple versions of the same software products installed on their computer at any given time. This can happen for a number of reasons.
One main reason this occurs is due to the practice of providing software products as stand-alone products and also providing collections of software products (a practice referred to as "bundling") as a single bundled product. One common example of a bundled product is to sell an "office suite" product that may consist of separate professional versions of wordprocessing, spreadsheet, presentation, and communication applications (each of which may also be provided individually as stand-alone products). Often, because of the cost savings, a user may purchase the bundled product even though the user already has one or more of the software products in the bundle, because it is cheaper than purchasing the desired software products individually. A bundled product is often provided with its own EULA that applies to all the software products within the bundle. In this case, the user may end up with multiple different EULAs that potentially apply to the same software product.
For example, a user may purchase a computer with a limited use OEM version of a word processor stand-alone product already installed. This version of the word processor would be subject to an OEM EULA that may include terms relating to the computer manufacturer. Later, the user may purchase and install a full version of the same software product (possibly to get additional features or as an upgrade), now storing a full, perpetual EULA on the computer. Later, the user may install a trial version of a bundled product that contains the word processor with a trial EULA. At this point, there are three different EULAs on the computer that may apply to the software product.
Misidentification of the applicable EULA can cause problems both for the user and the computer manufacturer and software developers. The users can inadvertently overestimate the scope of their rights to a software product and violate the terms and conditions of their license. Alternatively, if the license terms (as often is the case) dictate who is responsible for certain problems that may arise with the software, misidentification of the EULA may cause the user to contact the wrong party when there is a problem.
It is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Method and system for identifying the controlling license for installed software


In a bent axis type axial piston motor, so as to smoothly rotate a drive shaft without lowering motor efficiency and brake the drive shaft if necessary, when the drive shaft is rotated through a cylinder block by causing piston rods to reciprocate, relative rotation between separate plates and friction plates is allowed by removing a pressing force applied by a braking piston, and when the separate plates and the friction plates are pushed to a brake force receiving plate by the braking piston, relative rotation between the separate plates and the friction plates is restrained and thus the drive shaft is braked. Restriction members are disposed between a casing and the brake force receiving plate so as to restrain the brake force receiving plate from moving relative to the casing along the axis of the drive shaft.

A bent axis type axial piston motor in which a braking mechanism is disposed in a casing is already proposed. The braking mechanism is disposed in an accommodation space formed in the casing outer circumference of an end part of a drive shaft, and the braking mechanism includes a plurality of friction plates and a plurality of separate plates. Each of the friction plates and the separate plates is an annular thin flat plate, and the friction plates and the separate plates are alternately arranged in a manner such that separate plates are disposed on both sides of the arrangement. The friction plates are movable along an axis of the drive shaft and are restrained from rotating relative to the drive shaft, and the separate plates are movable along the axis of the drive shaft and are restrained from rotating relative to the casing.
A braking piston is disposed at a position facing a side of the alternate arrangement of the friction plates and the separate plates, and a brake force receiving member is disposed at a position facing the other side of the alternate arrangement. The braking piston is movable along the axis of the drive shaft, and in a normal state, the braking piston is pushed toward the separate plate by a braking spring disposed between the braking piston and the casing. If hydraulic pressure is applied to the braking piston from a hydraulic circuit (not illustrated), the braking piston is moved away from the separate plate against the pressing force of the braking spring. The brake force receiving member has an annular shape and is disposed in the accommodation space between the casing and the separate plate, and when the braking piston is pushed toward the separate plate, the brake force receiving member restricts movement of the fiction plates and the separate plates to generate friction forces between the friction plates and the separate plates.
In the above-described bent axis type axial piston motor, if a pressing force applied by the braking piston is removed, relative rotation between the friction plates and the separate plates is allowed, and thus the drive shaft can be rotated relative to the casing. On the other hand, if the friction plates and the separate plates are pushed to the brake force receiving member by the braking piston, relative rotation between the friction plates and the separate plates is restrained owing to friction forces acting therebetween, and thus the drive shaft is restrained from rotating relative to the casing (See, for example, Patent Literature 1).


An apparatus and method for controlling selected functions of a machine is provided. The machine includes a seat having at least one armrest supportably positionable adjacent to the seat. An interface module has a connecting portion connectable to the armrest and adapted to shift a working portion laterally between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the armrest. This permits placing the interface module in either a stored mode or a working mode such that it is available to an operator as needed and conveniently out of the way when not needed.

A variety of machines include operator interface modules that are provided with various actuating devices to enable a machine operator to engage and disengage various elements of the machine. For example, industrial work machines such as hydraulic excavators typically include clusters of switches, indicators, and other devices positioned for convenient use by an operator to control the various functions associated with the excavator. Quite commonly, such interface modules are integrated into an armrest associated with an operator seat. Such an arrangement facilitates ready access by the operator in a functionally efficient manner.
One example of a machine having such an operator interface can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,282 issued on 17 Aug. 1999 to Agco GmbH & Co. This patent discloses a control device for use with a vehicle. The control device is located on and near the front of the armrest of an operator's seat and includes control members to control various functions of the vehicle.
Similar operator interface modules can be used with other machines and vehicles that include an operator seat, for example, agricultural tractors, various types of earthmoving equipment, aircraft, lift trucks, and motorized personal vehicles such as wheelchairs and golf carts.
Because these operator interface modules are mounted on and associated with an armrest which is typically part of or mounted adjacent to the operator seat, they are conveniently positioned for comfortable and efficient use by the operator. However, they also may often be in the way of the operator or maintenance personnel under certain circumstances. Likewise, because these interface modules may extend in various directions from the operator armrest, they may be subject to damage at times when they are not being used to control the machine.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.


Method and apparatus are disclosed for interfaces for remote trailer maneuver-assist. An example trailer maneuver-assist system includes a mobile device including a touchscreen to present an interface. The interface includes an icon for receiving a direction-of-travel and a track for receiving a continuous motion input. The example trailer maneuver-assist system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes a communication module for wireless communication with the mobile device and a local control unit that performs motive functions in the direction-of-travel while the mobile device receives the continuous motion input via the touchscreen.

Many vehicles include functions in which at least some motive functions are semi-autonomously controlled by the vehicle. For example, some vehicles include cruise control features (e.g., adaptive cruise control features) in which the vehicle controls acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle so that a speed of the vehicle is maintained. Many vehicles also include features that may be controlled remotely. For instance, remote parking features allow a user to control a vehicle remotely, via a mobile device, into and/or out of a parking spot. Remote trailer backup-assist features allow a user to monitor and guide a trailer hitched to a vehicle into a desired position from a remote location via a mobile device.

Interfaces for remote trailer maneuver assist


A method for determining a percent ground cover over an area of land is provided. An image of the area of land is captured, and an area of interest within the image is defined. The area of interest image is converted to a gray scale image, a user-adjustable threshold is specified for distinguishing ground cover from soil and the percent ground cover present in the gray scale image is calculated and reported.

A number of land or crop management decisions rely on knowing an accurate percent ground cover present in a field. Traditionally, the percent ground cover in a field has been calculated manually by the "transect method," which involves identifying a boundary defining an area in the field, placing a tape measure, string, or similar object on the ground within the boundary, counting the amount of residue that lies below the placed object, and using the count to estimate the percent ground cover for the defined area. The transect method typically involves a rope with evenly spaced knots, and a user counts the number of times ground cover occurs directly below a knot to estimate the percent ground cover. As this method can be time consuming or inaccurate, an improved method for calculating the percent ground cover in a field is desired.

Field and crop evaluation tool and methods of use


A hinge for a refrigerator is disclosed. The hinge device for a refrigerator, which fastens a door thereto to open/close a storage space formed therein, includes a case having a side opened to define an exterior thereof, a case cap fastened to the case to close the opened side of the case, a rotation shaft provided within the case, the rotation shaft fastened to a side of the door to rotate together with the door, a clutch protrusion that projects outwardly from a lateral surface of the rotation shaft to have a predetermined curvature, and a clutch ring mounted within the case cap. The clutch ring is made of an elastic material and selectively contacts with the clutch protrusion to supply elasticity to the rotation shaft during the rotation thereof. The hinge device can damp an auto-closing section for closing a door of a refrigerator automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge device for a refrigerator, more particularly, to a hinge device for a refrigerator which can damp in an auto-closing section for closing a door of a refrigerator automatically.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As well-known to those skilled in the art, a refrigerator is an appliance which keeps various kinds of food fresh such as vegetables, meat, kimchi and the like. The refrigerator repeatedly performs a freezing cycle including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation to cool an inside thereof, and controls the inside temperature to be optimal based on the kind of the stored food.
Among various kinds of refrigerators, a kimchi refrigerator classified into a draw type, a top cover type and a combination type kimchi refrigerator. The draw type kimchi refrigerator includes a storage space having a front side opened and a door drawable to take out/put the food from/into the storage space. The top cover type kimchi refrigerator includes a storage space having an upper side opened and a door rotating upwardly/downwardly to be opened/closed. The combination type kimchi refrigerator has the draw type and the top cover type combined.
For opening/closing the door of the top cover type and combination type kimchi refrigerator, a hinge device should be provided to connect the door to a body so that the door may be movable upwardly/downwardly. Accordingly, the hinge device has been studied in various methods so far.
Among the hinge devices, hinge devices are disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 10-2005-0043162, 10-2004-0096425, 10-2004-0073640 and 10-2003-0037377, in which a door can maintain a state of being stopped within a predetermined angle range, in other words, a free stop section: the angle between a storage space and a door is within approximately 85˜20°.
As described briefly, the hinge device includes a rotation shaft, a sliding member and a compression spring. The rotation shaft is mounted within a hinge case defining an exterior of the hinge device to rotate in accordance with rotation of a door. The sliding member is provided within the case to move forwardly/backwardly and the compression spring supplies elasticity to the sliding member.
Thus, the equilibrium between the load of the door, when the door is opened/closed, and the elasticity of the compression spring is balanced so that the door is dropped by its load slowly and not closed suddenly to maintain the state of being stopped within the predetermined range of the angle.
However, the conventional hinge devices having the above configuration has a large moment in an auto-closing section, because the centroid of the door is apart from the hinge shaft in the auto-closing section in which the angle between an upper surface of the storage space and the door is 20˜0°, that is, the section where the door is closely adjacent to the storage space.
Thus, since the moment is larger than the elasticity of the compression spring, there is a problem that the door might be closed by its load suddenly and strongly enough to hurt a user's hand.
To solve the above problem, the hinge devices of Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 10-2005-0063170 and 10-2005-0089728 disclose an auxiliary damping unit such as an oil hinge and the like for using air pressure.
However, the above prior art having the above configuration has problems of high production cost as well as low work efficiency, because its structure is too complex. Also, there is another problem that the door is opened heavily when the user tries to open the door fast, because the oil hinge is always operated when he/she opens/closes the door.
Furthermore, there is still another problem that the hinge device has a short usage life, because the load of the door is not uniformly dispersed to the rotation shafts mounted to both opposite sides of the above hinge devices, but concentrated only on either of the two rotation shafts.
Still further, there is still another problem of much noise as well as unsmooth opening of the door, because the prior art hinge devices need much grease to reduce friction of the pair of cams in relative motion and the grease is carbonized by the friction.


Disclosed are various embodiments for performing a backup a device and/or performing a wipe or removal of data from a device enrolled with a device management service. In various embodiments, a wipe request is generated by a management service and transmitted to a client device. The wipe request includes commands to backup enterprise data for a particular application, verify that the management service has received the enterprise data, and remove the enterprise data from the client device. The management service determines that the enterprise data is received from the client device and transmits a confirmation that the management service has received the enterprise data. The confirmation causes the client device to remove the enterprise data from the client device.

In an enterprise setting, users of mobile devices may install and use various enterprise applications in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment. The use of these enterprise applications may cause local storage of enterprise data in memory of the mobile devices. When a user replaces an old device with a new device, the enterprise may have little to no control over the enterprise data in the old device.


A method of validating a procedure allows several processes to be involved in the validation of a single event. The method involves defining relationships between FSMs which describe the entities, selecting the processes which fulfill certain criteria, and processing the event in all of the selected processes.

This invention relates to a method of validating a procedure in a network protocol. In particular, the invention relates to a network protocol such as the Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP) required for support of Capability Set 1 (CS1) defined in the European Telecommunication Standard ETS 300 374.
In a protocol such as INAP CS1, there exist a number of valid procedures, or sequences of operations, which can be carried out to perform specific tasks. However, since the number of possible procedures is large, the valid procedures are not defined directly, but rather are defined by means of a set of rules. Any procedure, or sequence of operations, which does not violate these rules, is then considered a valid procedure.
In the prior art, the rules can be described by defining a finite state machine (FSM) in respect of each entity, and each interface, an interface being a boundary between two entities. The FSM then acts as a model for the behaviour of a process. An FSM consists of states, which can be connected to each other. A process can only be one state at any one time, but can move from one state to a connected state as a result of an event. On the transistor from one state to another, actions can be performed. Such a system is described in KAKUDA et al, xe2x80x9cA Dynamic Resolution Method for Feature Interactions and its Evolutionxe2x80x9d, Feature Interaction In Telecommunications Systems III, pages presented at the third Feature Interactions Workshop (FIW""9, KYOTO, JP, Oct. 11-13, 1995).
When using an FSM to validate a procedure in a network protocol, the events which control the FSM are then operations defined in the protocol, or other events coming from other processes, such as the call process. The rules, which define the valid procedures in a network protocol such as INAP CS1, are the Single Association Control Function (SACF) and the Multiple Association Control Function (MACF) rules. The SACF rules apply where there is a single association, and the MACF rules apply where there are several related associations, an association being a signalling channel, using a specific interface, which allows communication between two entities.
Unfortunately, describing all of the SACF rules and MACF rules formally with a single FSM requires an excessively complex FSM. The result is that many procedures, including all MACF procedures, are still defined in natural language. There are no mechanisms to validate rules for this type of procedure, namely procedures which cannot be specific in terms of a single FSM per association.
The present invention is concerned with a method of validating a procedure by allowing the rules to be specific by multiple FSMs. Specifically, several processes, each running a specific FSM, are allowed to be involved in the validation of a single event.
The validation of an event takes place in two phases. Firstly, the relevant processes are selected, by assessing whether they meet specific criteria. In the second processing phase, all of the selected processes process the event.
This has the advantage that all of the involved processes are in a stable state, before an event is processed by any of them.


Systems and methods of sequentially accessing memory cells in a nonvolatile memory device (NVM) are provided. The NVM has a plurality of strings and a common signal line coupled to the plurality of strings. Each string includes a plurality of memory cells and a selection transistor coupled between the plurality of memory cells and the common signal line. A command that accesses multiple memory cells is received, a voltage is applied to a first selection transistor of a first string to electrically connect the common signal line to the first string, a pulse is applied for a predetermined time period to selection transistors of other strings, and memory cells of the first string are accessed. Advantages such as removal of boosting charges from unselected strings prior to sequentially accessing memory cells from selected strings can improve performance and reliability of NVM-based systems.

The inventive disclosure described herein relates to memory systems including nonvolatile memory and methods of accessing the memory.
Semiconductor memory devices may be volatile or nonvolatile. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device can retain data stored therein even at power-off. Nonvolatile memory devices may be permanent or reprogrammable, depending upon the design and fabrication technology used. Nonvolatile memory devices may be used for a wide variety of applications such as data, program, and microcode storage in the computer, avionics, telecommunications, and consumer electronics industries.

Sequentially accessing memory cells in a memory device

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. A corner span is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. An angle sensor is provided at the pivotal connector of said main boom and said corner span. A span sensor is positioned on the corner boom for sensing shape changes in the corner span. A control connects the span sensor and angle sensor with the drive and steering for driving and steering the steerable drive tower. The control means, when said extension boom is in a trailing position, actuates said steering means to follow the guidance means and actuating said speed control to maintain the shape of the corner span within predetermined parameters; said control means, when the corner span approaches full extension, actuates said speed control to keep the corner span in alignment with the main boom, as determined by the angle sensor and actuating said steering means to maintain the shape of the corner span within predetermined parameters as determined by the span sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a center pivot irrigation system having the ability to irrigate the corners of the field being irrigated. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved means for controlling a center pivot last regular drive unit and corner span.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional center pivot irrigation systems comprise an elongated main boom pivotally connected at its inner end to a center pivot structure and extending outwardly therefrom. The main boom of the conventional center pivot irrigation system is comprised of a plurality of pipes connected together in an end-to-end fashion which are supported upon a plurality of drive towers. In most conventional center pivot irrigation systems, the outermost or last regular drive tower or unit is the master tower with the other drive towers being selectively driven in response to angular displacement of the boom section adjacent thereto.
In the early 1970s, corner systems for center pivot irrigation systems were developed to enable the corners of a square field to be irrigated. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,797,517; 3,802,627; and 3,902,668. Corner systems usually consist of an extension boom or arm, sometimes referred to as a corner span, which is pivotally connected to the outer end of the main boom and which is supported on at least one steerable drive tower. A guidance system is provided for guiding or steering the extension tower, and extension boom, out into the corners of the field as the main arm travels around the field. Perhaps the most popular method of guiding the extension tower is the buried wire system described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,668. However, many different types of systems for driving the wheels of the extension tower have been previously provided. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,508,269 and 4,674,681. Further, in assignee's current production model, relative movement between the main boom and the extension boom is sensed with the drive wheels on the steerable drive tower on the extension boom being driven when the main boom has moved forwardly a predetermined distance with respect to the extension boom. When the extension boom "catches up" with the main arm, the driving of the drive wheels on the extension tower is discontinued. This process is continuously repeated during the movement of the system through the field.
Prior to the instant invention, the corner span relied upon a speed control to maintain position with the last regular drive unit as discussed hereinabove. Therefore, the corner span was required to maintain a slight angle with the center pivot portion of the machine in order to control the joint position. The inability of the corner span to completely extend resulted in less area being irrigated.


The present invention provides attenuated F. columnare strains that elicit an immune response in an animal, particularly a fish, against virulent F. columnare compositions comprising said strains, methods of vaccination against F. columnare, and kits for use with such methods and compositions. The invention further relates to a stabilization buffer, which allows the attenuated compositions to remain storage stable at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time.

Flavobacterium columnare, a causative agent of columnaris disease, causes great annual economic losses for the cultured catfish industry in the United States and many other cultured fish species [1]. It has been recognized as a world-wide pathogen of freshwater fishes affecting wild, cultured and ornamental fish populations including the commercially important species [2-4]. Epizootics of columnaris disease frequently occur in natural populations and have been devastating/troublesome in fish farms, hatcheries, ponds, pens and cages particularly in fishes held under intensive culture conditions with poor water quality [5]. In the catfish industry, columnaris disease is the leading cause of catfish mortality, in-pond mortality rates among adults and fingerlings can reach 60 and 90%, respectively [6]. Columnaris is one of the most frequently occurring disease in catfish, representing an average of 41% of the total cases submitted for diagnosis from 2001 to 2010 [7]. Columnaris disease or mixed infections including columnaris is considered the greatest cause of economic loss on catfish farms by more than 70% of the catfish farmers polled in the four leading catfish-producing states [8]. Catfish at any age, during all seasons, and under variety of water conditions are susceptible to columnaris infection [9].
The intensification of aquaculture operations has increased the incidence of infectious diseases [10]. Sustainable development of aquaculture relies on disease prevention and vaccination has become the best tool to achieve that goal. Effective vaccines are ultimately the safest prophylactic approach to evade infectious diseases. Moreover, the use of antibiotics in aquaculture has been reduced dramatically since the introduction of vaccines [11].
F. columnare is a genetically heterogeneous group of pathogens, divided into three main different genomovars and genetically different strains within the species demonstrate various levels of virulence for different fish species [12-15]. Genomovar II strains were found to be significantly more virulent to channel catfish than genomovar I strains and have higher adhesion capacity as well [14, 16]. Rifampicin resistance strategy has been successfully used to develop modified live attenuated bacterial vaccines for commercial use in aquaculture [17, 18]. Currently, a modified live F. columnare vaccine is available for commercial use to prevent columnaris disease under the licensed name AQUAVAC-COL™. The active ingredient in this vaccine is an avirulent rifampicin-resistant mutant of F. columnare genomovar I, the less virulent group. The efficacy of this vaccine has been publically questioned from farm settings. Recently, inventors have developed safe, and permanently stable, rifampicin-resistant mutants from genomovar II strains, the highly virulent group. Since genomovar II strains are more virulent, a specific vaccine targeting this genomovar is likely to increase the protective effect of vaccination.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy in zebrafish, channel catfish, and Nile tilapia of the new modified live F. columnare vaccines (mutants) developed by repeated passage of virulent genomovar II strains on a medium containing increasing concentrations of rifampicin. It is thus a primary object of the instant disclosure to provide a safe and effective F. columnare vaccine.

Modified live flavobacterium strains, stabilized vaccines comprising same, and methods of making and use thereof


The present disclosure relates to triazolopyridazine protein kinase modulators of Formula (I), methods of using these compounds to treat diseases mediated by kinase activity.

Mammalian protein kinases are important regulators of cellular functions. Because disfunctions in protein kinase activity have been associated with several diseases and disorders, protein kinases are targets for drug development. The Tyrosine kinase family, and particularly the subset of receptor tyrosine kinases, is enriched with proven and putative cancer targets. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as EGFR, HER2, KIT and KDR are well characterized proteins with a clearly established role in cancer. Drugs targeting these RTKs, such as Gleevec, Iressa, and Tarceva, have been approved for the treatment of certain cancers. Other RTKs are less well characterized but have also been implicated in cancer. For example, emerging data suggests that inhibitors of TRKC, ROS, CSF1R/FMS and ALK may be useful in the treatment of cancer. MET and RON are two particularly attractive RTK targets for the development of new agents to treat cancer.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor, is a multi-functional growth factor that enhances transformation and tumor development by inducing mitogenesis and cell motility. Further, HGF promotes metastasis by stimulating cell motility and invasion through various signaling pathways. In order to produce cellular effects, HGF must bind to its receptor, c-Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase. c-Met, a widely expressed heterodimeric protein comprising of a 50 kilodalton (kDa) α-subunit and a 145 kDa β-subunit (Maggiora et al., J. Cell Physiol., 173:183-186, 1997), is overexpressed in a significant percentage of human cancers and is amplified during the transition between primary tumors and metastasis. The various cancers in which c-Met overexpression is implicated include, but are not limited to, gastric adenocarcinoma, renal cancer, small cell lung carcinoma, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. c-Met is also implicated in atherosclerosis and lung fibrosis.
MET was first identified as a transforming DNA rearrangement (TPR-MET) in a human osteosarcoma cell line that had been treated with N-methyl-N′-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (Cooper et al. 1984). The MET receptor tyrosine kinase (also known as hepatocyte growth factor receptor, HGFR, MET or c-Met) and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor ("HGF") have numerous biological activities including the stimulation of proliferation, survival, differentiation and morphogenesis, branching tubulogenesis, cell motility and invasive growth. Pathologically, MET has been implicated in the growth, invasion and metastasis of many different forms of cancer including kidney cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer. Somatic, activating mutations in MET have been found in human carcinoma metastases and in sporadic cancers such as papillary renal cell carcinoma. There is also evidence the MET signaling pathway can play an important role in resistance to cancer therapies. For example, the MET gene has been found to be amplified in lung cancer patients that have relapsed after initial response to EGFR inhibitors such as gefitinib and erlotininb. In addition to cancer there is evidence that MET inhibition may have value in the treatment of various indications including: Listeria invasion, osteolysis associated with multiple myeloma, malaria infection, diabetic retinopathies, psoriasis, and arthritis. Mutations in the MET coding sequence are relatively uncommon in human cancers. However, based on the precedent of the selection of BCR-ABL mutations in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients treated with imatinib and EGFR mutations in cancer patients treated with erlotinib and gefitinib, these and/or perhaps additional MET mutations that might confer drug resistance are predicted to become increasingly prevalent if MET inhibitors become widely use in cancer. Therefore drugs that effectively inhibit some of these MET mutations could become very important tools in future cancer therapies.
MET is closely related to a group of five receptor tyrosine kinases which have not been as thoroughly studied as MET itself. These include Tyro3/Sky, MER, AXL, RYK and RON. The tyrosine kinase RON is the receptor for the macrophage stimulating protein and is the closest relative of MET, belonging to the MET family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Like MET, RON is implicated in growth, invasion and metastasis of several different forms of cancer including colorectal cancer and bladder cancer. There is also evidence that deregulated AXL and MER can play important roles in cancer. MER has many properties consistent with activity as an oncogene. Transgenic mice expressing MER in the hematopoietic lineage develop symptoms similar to T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and it is expressed in most T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients. Studies in mouse models suggested that AXL is important for the growth of breast cancer where AXL appeared to regulate both angiogenic and tumorigenic processes. Additional studies with human cancer cell lines suggest that AXL is involved in NSCLC metastasis and drug resistance. Although very little is known of the normal and pathological roles of Tyro3/Sky this receptor tyrosine kinase shares certain properties and functions with its better studied relatives and may also eventually prove to have an important role in cancer. RYK is also expressed in certain cancers but it is an atypical orphan receptor tyrosine kinase that lacks detectable kinase activity and thus its tractability as a target for small molecule cancer therapeutics is currently uncertain.
Because kinases have been implicated in numerous diseases and conditions, such as cancer, there is a need to develop new and potent protein kinase inhibitors that can be used for treatment. The present invention fulfills these and other needs in the art. Although certain protein kinases are specifically named herein, the present invention is not limited to inhibitors of these kinases, and, includes, within its scope, inhibitors of related protein kinases, and inhibitors of homologous proteins.

Triazolopyridazine protein kinase modulators


A comparator circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit, a latch circuit, and a control signal generating circuit. The latch circuit includes a pair of cross-coupled inverting amplifiers that pull the output signals of the differential amplifier to the high and low logic levels, a control transistor that activates the latch circuit in synchronization with a clock signal, and an equalizing transistor that equalizes the output signals when the latch circuit is inactive. The equalizing transistor is switched on and off by a control signal generated from the clock signal by the control signal generating circuit. The high-level potential of the control signal is lower than the high-level potential of the clock signal. Switching noise at the control electrode of the equalizing transistor is therefore reduced, permitting high-speed operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high-speed, high-precision comparator circuit that can compare two weak signals and output a digital comparison result value in, for example, a high-speed analog-to-digital converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known comparators used in analog-to-digital converters include a differential amplifier circuit and a latch circuit that outputs a digital value synchronized to a clock signal. One example is shown in FIG. 1. The differential amplifier circuit has n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistors M1, M2 coupled to a current mirror load circuit comprising p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors M3, M4, M5, M6. The latch circuit comprises NMOS transistors M7, M8, M9 and PMOS transistors M10, M11, M12.
In the differential amplifier circuit, the sources of transistors M1, M2 are connected to a current source I1, their gates receive input signals INP, INN, and their drains are connected to the drains and gates of transistors M3, M4 and the gates of transistors M5, M6. The sources of transistors M3, M4, M5, M6 receive a power supply voltage VDD; the drains of transistors M5, M6 are connected to the output terminals OUTP, OUTN of the comparator.
In the latch circuit, transistors M7, M11 constitute an inverting amplifier, which is cross-coupled to another inverting amplifier comprising transistors M8, M12, and is coupled to the input and output terminals OUTP, OUTN. Transistors M9 and M10 synchronize the operation of the inverting amplifiers with a clock signal (CLK) which they receive at their gates. Transistor M9 is inserted between the output terminals OUTP, OUTN; transistor M10 is inserted between the sources of transistors M11, M12 and the power supply. The sources of transistors M7, M8 are connected to ground.
This conventional comparator circuit operates as follows.
When the clock signal CLK is high, transistor M9 conducts, equalizing the output terminals OUTP, OUTN to the same potential, while transistor M10 is taken out of conduction, inactivating the latch circuit. Any potential difference between the input signals INP and INN is amplified by transistors Ml-M4, but as the output terminals OUTP, OUTN are equalized, amplification is confined to the differential amplifier circuit.
Next, when the clock signal CLK goes low, transistor M9 is taken out of conduction and transistor M10 conducts, activating the inverting amplifiers in the latch circuit. Current mirror transistors M5, M6 transfer the amplified potential difference from the differential amplifier circuit to the output terminals OUTP and OUTN. The cross-coupled inverting amplifiers formed by transistors M7, M8, M11, M12 amplify the potential difference further so that the potentials at the output terminals OUTP, OUTN diverge to the power supply level and the ground level. The latch circuit then holds the output terminals OUTP, OUTN at these levels.
One example of this type of comparator is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-67950.
A problem that occurs in this type of comparator is that the output levels are affected by switching noise. More specifically, the high-to-low transition of the clock signal that activates the latch circuit is capacitively coupled through transistor M9 to the input and output terminals OUTP, OUTN. As shown in FIG. 2, accordingly, at the fall of the clock signal (CLK), the output potentials (OUTP, OUTN) dip temporarily toward the ground level before they begin to diverge. The divergence of the output potentials to the power-supply and ground levels (equal to the high and low logic levels of the clock signal) is accordingly delayed, slowing the response of the comparator circuit.

Comparator circuit with reduced switching noise


The rate of release of encapsulated active compound from a multivesicular liposomal (MVL) formulation is modified by selection of a neutral lipid component. A family of MVL formulations containing different slow:fast release neutral lipid molar ratios display different release rates depending upon the molar ratio of the fast release neutral lipid to the slow release neutral lipid in each member. Incubation in plasma or a plasma-like medium at in vivo temperatures so as to obtain a release rate curve for each allows selection from among the members of the family of a liposomal formulation with a desired rate of release in vivo.

This invention relates to liposomal formulations of compounds such as drugs. More particularly this invention relates to methods of modifying the in vivo rate of release of encapsulated compounds from multivesicular liposomes by the choice of the neutral lipid in the liposomal formulation.
When phospholipids and many other amphipathic lipids are dispersed gently in an aqueous medium they swell, hydrate, and spontaneously form multilamellar concentric bilayer vesicles with layers of aqueous media separating the lipid bilayers. These systems are commonly referred to as multilamellar liposomes or multilamellar vesicles (MLV), and usually have diameters of from 0.2 to 5 .mu.m. Sonication of MLV results in the formation of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) bounded by a single lipid bilayer with diameters usually in the range of from 20 to 100 nm, containing an aqueous solution. Multivesicular liposomes (MVL) differ from MLV and SUV in the way they are manufactured, in the random, non-concentric arrangement of aqueous-containing chambers within the liposome, and in the inclusion of neutral lipids necessary to form the MVL.
Various types of lipids differing in chain length, saturation, and head group have been used in liposomal drug formulations for years, including the unilamellar, multilamellar, and multivesicular liposomes mentioned above. The neutral lipids used in the manufacture of multivesicular liposomes to date have been primarily limited to triolein and tricaprylin.
One of the major goals of the field is to develop liposomal formulations for controlled in vivo release of drugs and other active agents of interest. Certain drugs need to be released fairly rapidly upon emplacement of the liposomal depot, and others require a relatively slow rate of release over a sustained period of time. Heretofore, the rate of release of a biologically active compound from a liposomal formulation has been modified by selection of the amphipathic lipid, the accepted membrane forming lipid, or by manipulation of the phospholipid/cholesterol molar ratio. Alternatively, such compounds as an acid or an osmolality spacer have been included in the aqueous solution for encapsulation to aid in modifying the rate of release of the encapsulated biologically active compound.
The control of release rates from liposomal formulations is complicated by the fact that many biologically active agents, such as proteins, need to be stored at reduced temperatures, i.e., about 40.degree. C., to retain full activity. Unfortunately, some liposomal formulations that display excellent release rates at in vivo temperatures disintegrate rather rapidly at such storage temperatures.
Thus, the need exists for more and better methods for selecting liposomal formulations that maximize control over the rate of release of the encapsulated active compound while simultaneously affording shelf life stability for long periods of time at storage temperatures of about 40.degree. C., for example 2.degree. to 10.degree. C.

Method for utilizing neutral lipids to modify in vivo release from multivesicular liposomes


Electrochemical measurement techniques for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a physiological fluid sample are described. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for distinguishing a signal caused by an extraneous event from a desired information providing signal such as one indicative of a measurement error.

Measuring instruments that use an electrochemical cell as are typically provided by a disposable test strip or the like are well known and popular with consumers. These instruments are used for the detection of various analyte levels in physiological fluid samples. For example, the concentration of an analyte in a variety of different physiological samples, such as urine, tears, saliva, and the like can be determined with these instruments. One popular application is for determining the concentration of an analyte in interstitial fluid, blood or blood fractions, and more particularly in whole blood.
A typical test strip includes a fluid sample application area that includes an electrochemical cell having a reagent integrated with a pair of electrodes that can be electrically connected to a measuring instrument. In making a measurement, a small volume of a physiological fluid such as blood is applied to the sample application area so it wets the reagent. The measuring instrument applies a potential across the electrodes and the fluid chemically reacts with the reagent in a way that changes a measurable electrical property of the reaction fluid (its conductivity, for example) that can be correlated to a concentration of the analyte of interest. As a result, an electrical characteristic of the reaction fluid (typically its ability to conduct a current) can be measured with a suitable electronic system of the measuring instrument. The measured electrical characteristic is related to the concentration of the particular analyte being measured in the physiological fluid and can be used to determine the concentration of the analyte. For example, in a blood glucose measurement, an oxidation current that is produced can be measured and used to determine glucose concentration in the blood sample.
Typically, the magnitude of the measured current is integrated over a predetermined time period and used to determine a concentration value for the analyte being measured. Because of this, it is important to measure the current after it is known that a sufficient amount of the sample to be measured is present. Thus, many measuring instruments include a way to check for the presence of a fluid sample before initiating measurements that are used to determine analyte concentration.
One way to check for the presence of a fluid sample on a test strip is to apply a potential to the electrodes of the test strip while the measuring instrument is waiting for application of a sample. The presence of a continuous current for a predetermined period of time and above a predetermined magnitude indicates the presence of sufficient sample, which indication can then be used to trigger the start of a measurement cycle. If a short duration current is measured (less than the predetermined period of time), the measuring instrument determines insufficient sample exists and an error condition is generated. While this technique is effective, an extraneous signal or event can lead to such an error condition even when no sample at all is present (with a dry test strip, for example) or when sufficient sample is present. As one example of such an event, electrostatic discharge can, under certain circumstances, provide a false signal. Electrostatic discharge typically provides a short duration current with high voltage within an electrode that may be detected. Thus, it is desirable for the measuring device to be able to distinguish between a short duration current caused by the presence of insufficient sample and to properly indicate a true error condition and a short duration current caused by an extraneous event such as electrostatic discharge.
Electronic hardware devices can be used to filter or suppress extraneous signals such as those caused by electrostatic discharge. However, such hardware based devices are typically non-adjustably configured to provide a specific filtering or suppression function. For example, many hardware filters are designed to simply block a current spike having a predetermined magnitude anytime it occurs and do not have the ability to consider other factors such as when or how long the current spike occurs.

Methods for measuring physiological fluids


A method of modulating grain size in a polysilicon layer and devices fabricated with the method. The method comprises forming the layer of polysilicon on a substrate; and performing an ion implantation of a polysilicon grain size modulating species into the polysilicon layer such that an average resultant grain size of the implanted polysilicon layer after performing a pre-determined anneal is higher or lower than an average resultant grain size than would be obtained after performing the same pre-determined anneal on the polysilicon layer without a polysilicon grain size modulating species ion implant.

Polysilicon layers are frequently used in forming the emitter of semiconductor devices such as bipolar transistors, the gate electrode of field effect transistors (FETs) and the resistive element in thin film and damascened resistors.
In the case of bipolar transistors and particularly SiGe bipolar transistors having low emitter resistance, high germanium base concentration and narrow base width are highly desirable in high performance devices. However, these conditions can result in extremely high current gain (b). Conventionally, emitter resistance has been lowered and base current increased (resulting in lower b) by reducing the thickness of the emitter/base interface oxide. However, there is a limit to how thin the interface oxide can become and still effectively prevent epitaxial realignment.
In the case of FET and resistor devices, as polysilicon gate electrode (polysilicon lines for resistors) width and height are reduced, depletion of dopant in the gate electrode due to channeling during ion implantation as well as dopant diffusion effects with reductions in activation anneal times and temperatures, results in non-uniform doping of the polysilicon gate (or line).
A method other than reducing the thickness of the emitter/base interface oxide thickness to control emitter resistance and base current in bipolar transistors and to overcome depletion of dopant in the gate electrode in FETs and to improve control of thin film and damascened resistors is required if the trend to smaller feature size and improved device performance is to continue.

Method of controlling grain size in a polysilicon layer and in semiconductor devices having polysilicon structures

International Business Machines Corporation


A programable apparatus and method for assigning drive letters without conflicts to resource devices in a data processing system based upon three signature numbers called a resource serial number, a boot drive serial number and a sequence number, where the signature numbers are assigned by the data processing system""s operating system to the resource devices.

The present invention relates in general to a programable apparatus and method for assigning drive letters without conflicts to resource devices in a data processing system based upon three identification numbers assigned by the data processing system""s operating system to the resource devices.
Many operating systems adhere to the convention of using drive letters to identify accessible resources such as floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and hard drives. Hard drives may be divided into partitions, in which case each partition on the hard drive may be treated as a separate resource. Single drive letters from A to Z are assigned to such resources and are utilized to permit system access to them.
Generally, drive letters are associated with resources during system initialization. In some operating systems, an attempt is made to ensure that each resource receives the same drive letter each time the system is booted. In this case, the drive letter assigned to a resource is said to be xe2x80x9cstickyxe2x80x9d, and may be chosen by the user or by the operating system itself. Other operating systems do not adhere to this convention, and instead associate drive letters with resources based upon BIOS settings and/or the order in which the resources were discovered by the operating system. For operating systems of this type, simple configuration changes (such as the creation of a partition on an existing hard drive in the system or the addition of a new hard drive to the system) can result in changes to the drive letters associated with resources.
Consistently assigning the same drive letter to a specific resource ensures that the system will boot. If the operating system was installed on a specific resource, its configuration files will often refer to that resource by the drive letter assigned to that resource. Should that drive letter change, the configuration files of the operating system will refer to the wrong resource and the system may not boot. Additionally, most application software utilizes configuration files. If these configuration files reference resources specifically (using their drive letters), then a drive letter change in the system may result in application software failures. Therefore, the drive letters associated with resources should remain the same.
For operating systems employing xe2x80x9cstickyxe2x80x9d drive letters, there are two basic methods for associating a drive letter with a device. The first is the centralized database approach and the second is the distributed database approach. As this invention is not applicable to the centralized database approach, only the distributed database approach will be discussed.
In the distributed database approach, when a drive letter is assigned to a resource, configuration data containing that drive letter is written to the resource. When the operating system is booting, it merely has to read the configuration data on a resource to determine which drive letter to assign to the resource. Since the drive letter assigned to a resource is stored on the resource, it will exist as long as the resource exists. Furthermore, it is unaffected by configuration changes, such as a change in how the resource is connected to the system or the creation of a new partition on an existing drive in the system. However, drive letter assignment conflicts become possible if resources are moved from one system to another. If a resource is moved from one system to another, and if that resource contains the same drive letter assignment as an existing resource in the new system, the operating system must decide which resource actually gets the drive letter. An incorrect choice could result in a failure to boot. To assure the ability to boot, conflicts must be resolved in favor of existing resources in the system (xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d resources) and against resources which are xe2x80x9cforeignxe2x80x9d to the system ( i.e. a resource that was just moved to the system and which has not yet been assimilated). Therefore, a way of determining which resources are native and which resources are foreign is needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,705 discloses a drive letter conflict resolution system for resolving conflicts that occur when the operating system attempts to assign a drive letter to a compressed volume file.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,329 discloses a method of assigning a unique code to each device detected in the system. This device code consists of a system bus code which uniquely identifies the system bus where the device was found, and a unique device code which identifies the device on the bus where it was found. The bus code is then appended to the device code to produce the final code which is then used to uniquely identify the device. Logical configuration data is collected and resources are allocated based on the device identifying code and the logical configuration data. It should be noted, though, that the device code produced by this method will change if the device is moved from one bus in the system to another.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,546, discloses a method in which logical drive letters are assigned to a peripheral device in a computer using stored identifying information and a corresponding preferred drive letter assignment for each peripheral device having a preferred drive letter assignment. During initialization of the data processing system, identifying information such as a physical device specifier or a logical volume identifier is derived from the way the peripheral device is connected to the system. This identifying information is compared to similar stored identifying information in a central database. If a match is found, the peripheral is assigned the corresponding preferred drive letter, if possible. It should be noted, though, that the device identifier used by this method will change if the device is moved from one bus in the system to another. This could lead to resources not being assigned a drive letter or being assigned the wrong drive letter.
The present invention solves the problems identified above by introducing a program into an operating system for assigning up to three identification numbers to resources and resolving drive letter assignment conflicts based on these three identification numbers. The three identification numbers are stored on the resource itself, and travel with the resource should it be moved.
The first of the three numbers is called the Resource Serial Number (RSN). This is a unique number used to identify a specific resource. Every resource in a system will receive a unique RSN. The second number is the Boot Drive Serial Number (BDSN). The BDSN of a resource is set once the operating system has determined that it can use the resource. The third number is the Sequence Number (SQN). The purpose of the SQN is to identify which of the xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d resources associated with the system were present the last time a configuration change was made. The SQN of xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d resources is updated everytime there is a configuration change in the system, including any changes in drive letter assignments. Finally, in order for a resource to be considered xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d, its BDSN must match the RSN of the boot resource, and its SQN must match the SQN of the boot resource. Resources without an RSN, BDSN, or SQN, or whose BDSN and SQN do not match the RSN and SQN of the boot resource, are considered to be xe2x80x9cforeignxe2x80x9d.
In operation, the operating system will use the three identification numbers during boot. If a drive letter conflict arises during system boot, the drive letter conflict is resolved by giving preferential treatment ( and hence the drive letter ) to the resource in the conflict which is determined to be xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d based upon its three identification numbers.
Typically, the RSN, BDSN and SQN of each resource will be assigned when the operating system is installed. When resources are added to a system, the RSN of each new resource will be set immediately while the BDSN and SQN of the new resources will be set when the new resources have been assigned drive letters which do not conflict with those of any existing xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d resources in the system.

Foreign drive determination and drive letter conflict resolution

International Business Machines Corporation


An object is to improve the adhesion strength between a circuit pattern and its substrate without increasing the resistance value of the circuit pattern in preparation of a circuit pattern holding substrate. A circuit pattern formation device 100 forms, after forming a precursor circuit-pattern 12 in the surface of a dielectric thin film body 4, a circuit pattern 14 onto a target substrate 23 from the dielectric thin film body. After forming an electrostatic latent image 2 in the upper surface of the dielectric thin film body, the electrostatic latent image is exposed using an exposure unit 3 to prepare a pattern. A development apparatus 7 supplies a conductive particle dispersion solution 6 to this pattern to form a precursor circuit-pattern. By energizing the circuit pattern holding substrate 8, in which an adhesive layer 22 is formed, the precursor circuit-pattern is temporarily transferred to the circuit pattern holding substrate. The transferred precursor circuit-pattern is heated using the heater 13 to form a circuit pattern. The circuit pattern and the adhesive layer are released from the circuit pattern holding substrate, thereby transferring to the target substrate.

In the past, methods of forming a circuit pattern by printing processes, such as screen printing, a dispenser method, ink jet printing, and electrophotographic printing, have been often used because the circuit pattern can be formed conveniently. In these methods of forming a circuit pattern, a conductive microparticle dispersion liquid made by dispersing conductive particles into a solvent, or a toner made by containing conductive material into a resin is used. Then, a target pattern is formed by coating or by electrostatic adsorption, and is heated and burned and thereafter the particles are fused to each other to be conductive, thereby forming wirings.
An example of forming a circuit pattern in a substrate surface is described in Patent Document 1. In the method of forming a wiring board described in this official gazette, in order to reduce disconnections of the conductor wirings formed from a conductive ink, or delamination from a substrate, a substrate containing a resin composition, which exhibits adhesive properties for the conductor wiring after undergoing a predetermined temperature history, is prepared, and a conductive ink is applied to the surface of this substrate. Then, the substrate and the conductive film pattern formed from the conductive ink are heated and cooled based on the predetermined temperature history, thereby providing adhesive properties to the substrate. Accordingly, the conductive film pattern is converted into the conductor wiring.
Another example of forming a circuit pattern in a substrate surface is described in Patent Document 2. In the method of forming a wiring pattern described in this official gazette, in order to prepare a wiring pattern in various substrate materials with high drawing accuracy, a release layer is formed in the transfer sheet surface of a highly heat resistant and flexible film. Then, in the surface of this release layer, a fine wiring pattern is drawn with a metal nano particle dispersion liquid by screen printing or ink jet printing. Then, the wiring pattern is heated and burned. On the other hand, an adhesive layer is applied onto the substrate to be transferred, and the transfer sheet is adhered thereon and is then compression-bonded to each other and heated, so that the wiring pattern is transferred to the substrate to be transferred.    Patent Document 1 JP-A-2005-347571    Patent Document 2 JP-A-2004-247572

Circuit pattern formation device and method of forming circuit pattern to substrate


The present invention provides novel activin IIB5 receptor polypeptides capable of binding and inhibiting the activities of activin A, myostatin, or GDF-11. The present invention also provides polynucleotides, vectors and host cells capable of producing the receptor polypeptides. Compositions and methods for treating muscle-wasting, metabolic and other disorders are also provided.

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of proteins includes the transforming growth factors-β (TGF-β), activins, bone morphogenic proteins (BMP), nerve growth factors (NGFs), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and growth/differentiation factors (GDFs). These family members are involved in the regulation of a wide range of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and other functions. Activins were originally discovered as gonadal peptides involved in the regulation of follicle stimulating hormone synthesis, and are now believed to be involved in the regulation of a number of biological activities including control of section and expression of anterior pituitary hormones such as FSH, GH, and ACTH, neuron survival, hypothalamic oxytocin secretion, erythropoiesis, placental and gonadal steroidogenesis, early embryonic development, and proliferation of some types of tumors. Activins A, B and AB are the homodimers and heterdimer respectively of two polypeptide chains, βA and βB (Vale et al. Nature 321, 776-779 (1986), Ling et al., Nature 321, 779-782 (1986)). These two β chains can also dimerize with a related α chain giving rise to inhibins A and B respectively (Mason et al, Nature 318, 659-663 (1986)). It is well established that inhibins are necessary for maintaining normal function in many tissues, particularly those associated with reproductive functions. In these tissues inhibins oppose many, but not all, of the activin activities.
Growth/differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), also referred to as myostatin, is a TGF-β family member expressed for the most part in the cells of developing and adult skeletal muscle tissue. Myostatin appears to play an essential role in negatively controlling skeletal muscle growth (McPherron et al. Nature (London) 387, 83-90 (1997)). Antagonizing myostatin has been shown to increase lean muscle mass in animals (McFerron et al, supra, Zimmers et al, Science 296:1486 (2002)).
Another member of the TGF-β family of proteins is a related growth/differentiation factor, GDF-11. GDF-11 has approximately 90% identity of the amino acid sequence of myostatin. GDF-11 has a role in the axial patterning in developing animals (Oh et al, Genes Dev 11: 1812-26 (1997)), and also appears to play a role in skeletal muscle development and growth. However, the postnatal role of GDF-11 is not currently understood.
A family of transmembrane serine/threonine kinases are known to act as receptors for activins and other TGF-β family members. These receptors fall into two distinct subfamilies known as type I and type II receptors that act cooperatively to bind ligand and transduce signal (Attisano et al., Mol Cell Biol 16 (3), 1066-1073 (1996)). Most TGF-β ligands are believed bind first to a type II receptor and this ligand/type II receptor complex then recruits a type I receptor (Mathews, L S, Endocr Rev 15:310-325 (1994); Massague, Nature Rev: Mol Cell Biol. 1, 169-178 (2000)). The type II receptor kinase then phosphorylates and activates the type I receptor kinase, which in turn phosphorylates the Smad proteins. Activins initially bind their type II receptors ActRIIA for activin A, or ActRIIB for activin B. This is followed by the recruitment, phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the type I receptor, activin-like kinase 4 (ALK4). On activation, ALK4 binds and then phosphorylates a subset of cytoplasmic Smad proteins (Smad2 and Smad3) that produce signal transduction for activins (Derynck, R et al. Cell 95, 737-740 (1998)).
Cross-linking studies have determined that myostatin is capable of binding the activin type II receptors ActRIIA and ActRIIB in vitro (Lee et al. PNAS USA 98:9306-11 (2001)). There is also evidence that GDF-11 binds to both ActRIIA and ActRIIB (Oh et al., Genes Dev 16:2749-54 (2002)).
TGF-β proteins are known to be associated with a variety of disease states and antagonizing these proteins may be useful as therapeutic treatments for the disease states. In particular antagonizing several TGF-β proteins simultaneously may be particularly effective for treating certain diseases. The present invention provides a novel composition of matter and methods of using the composition of matter as a treatment for muscle-related and other disorders.

Isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1