A VCSEL settling fixture provides for a plurality of VCSEL chip packages to be selectively tested within a burn-in or environmental chamber having a remote pendant controller. The settling fixture includes a mounting frame including a plurality of recesses and throughbores for positioning and aligning the VCSEL's on the mounting frame. The mounting frame further includes a plurality of terminal blocks in proximity to the recesses for interconnecting the mounting frame with the controller. An activation system including a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connects the individual VCSEL chip packages with the terminal blocks so that the controller can selectively trigger a laser output from the VCSEL chip package.

In order to transmit data over fiber optic networks, edge-emitting lasers and Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL) are commonly used to generate the data carrying signal. Edge-emitting lasers, emit photons out of one edge of the wafer after the photons rebound off mirrors cleaved in the substrate. Manufacturing edge-emitting lasers requires a wafer cutting operation to expose the sides from which the laser is emitted. VCSELs, on the other hand, include mirrors grown into the surface of the structure allowing laser light to emit a cylindrical beam in a perpendicular orientation to the wafer surface. As VCSELs require no wafer cutting operation to expose the laser light, VCSELs have reduced costs for manufacturing, packaging, alignment and testing. In addition, VCSELs can be tested in an uncut state such that defects can be identified prior to the expenditure of additional processing resources.
VCSELs are frequently used in parallel optical transceiver packages to generate photons for transmission through a fiber optic cable. The VCSEL is mounted to the electronic substrate of the parallel optical transceiver package by a flexible circuit. The VCSEL can then be disposed generally transverse to the electronic substrate as the conductive path of the flexible circuit is bent approximately ninety degrees.
As adhesives are typically used to bond the flexible circuit to the electronic substrate, there is a need to insure the VCSEL works appropriately prior to mounting. If not, the VCSELs must be pried from the substrate, typically resulting in damage and higher production costs or alternatively, the entire transceiver package must be disposed of. Therefore, there is a need to test the VCSELs with the attached flexible circuit under typical operating conditions prior to mounting.


Compounds, genetic constructs, and cancer treatment methods are provided. Expression vectors were designed to express fusion genes including hIL-2 with a Fcε-γ transmembrane anchor derived from a subunit of the FC epsilon receptor. mRNA and the IL-2tm fusion protein was expressed in transfected RD995 tumor cells. Expression of the IL-2tm protein on the tumor cell surface membrane was confirmed by microscopy. RD995 cells transfected with IL-2tm or pCMV2b (empty expression vector) were implanted subcutaneously into C3H/HEN mice. Tumors of mice implanted with 106 or 105 RD995 cells transfected with IL-2tm grew slower than controls. It is believed that selective expression of cytokines such as IL-2 on the surface of tumors is likely to stimulate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes that are primed and already recognize tumor antigens, enhancing tumor recognition and killing, potentially avoiding toxicity associated with known cytokine therapies.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in cancer therapeutic applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to fusion proteins, expression vectors, and cancer treatment methods using fusion proteins according to the invention.
Interleukin 2 ("IL-2) is a cytokine produced primarily by T cell lymphocytes. It is also a compound that has been shown to have anti-tumor effects. Mertelsmann & Welte, Human interleukin-2 molecular biology, physiology and clinical possibilities., Immunobiol. 172: 400-419 (1986). Human IL-2 is a 15-kD glycoprotein composed of 133 amino acids. Eckenburg et al., The First α Helix of Interleukin (IL)-2 Folds as a Homotetramer, Acts as an Agonist of the IL-2 Receptor β Chain, and Induces Lymphokine-activated Killer Cells. J. Exp. Med., 191:529-539 (2000); and Kurzrock, Cytokine: Interleukins and Their Receptors. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1995; 83-97. Produced primarily by CD4+ helper T cells, the cytokine consists of four anti-parallel alpha helices that are connected by three loops. IL-2 was first described as a T cell growth factor for antigen-activated T cells. Id. IL-2 is necessary for induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells. In addition, this cytokine is a differentiation-maturation factor for B cells and T cells. Herblot, et al. IL-2-Dependent Expression of Genes Involved in Cytoskeleton Organization, Oncogene Regulation, and Transcriptional Control. J. Immunol., 162:3280-3288. (1999). At high concentrations (>600 IU/ml), IL-2 is also the principle cytokine responsible for inducing NK cell-derived lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Cytotoxic T and NK lymphocytes are believed to be critical for recognition of aberrant or malignant cells and eradication of tumors. Mertelsmann & Welte, Human interleukin-2 molecular biology, physiology and clinical possibilities., Immunobiol. 172: 400-419 (1986); Kurzrock, Cytokine: Interleukins and Their Receptors. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1995; 83-97; Grimm & Wilson, The human lymphokine-activated killer system. Purified recombinant interleukin 2 activates cytotoxic lymphocytes which lyse both natural killer-resistant autologous and allogeneic tumors and trinitrophenyl-modified autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes, Cell Immunol., 94: 568-578 (1985); Yao L, et al. Contribution of natural killer cells to inhibition of angiogenesis. Blood. 5:1612-1621. (1999); Luo et al., Comparison of the Effects of Immunosuppressive Factors from Newly Established Colon Carcinoma Cell Cultures on Human Lymphocyte Proliferation and Cytokine Secretion, Tumor Biol., 21:11-20. (2000); Schneeberger, et al., The Tumorigenicity of IL-2 Gene-Transfected Murine M-3D Melanoma Cells Is Determined by the Magnitude and Quality of the Host Defense Reaction: NK Cells Play a Major Role, J. Immunol., 162:6650-6657. (1999).
These anti-tumor properties provide the basis for IL-2 therapy of cancer. Gilboa & Lyerly, Biologic therapy of cancer updates, Vol. 4:6 (1994). Intravenous administration of recombinant human IL-2 is FDA-approved for use in the treatment of advanced melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Kurzrock, Cytokine: Interleukins and Their Receptors. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 83-97. (1995). IL-2 immunotherapy produces responses in about 15% of melanoma patients and 20% in renal cell carcinoma patients. Fisher et al., High-dose aldesleukin in renal cell carcinoma: Long term survival update, Cancer J., 3: S70-S72 (1997). Interestingly, 5-10% of patients that respond to IL-2 immunotherapy experience a durable complete response with up to 15 years follow up. Legha, Durable complete responses in metastatic melanoma treated with interleukin-2 in combination with interferon alpha and chemotherapy, Semin. Oncol., 24: S39-S43, (1997). However, IL-2 therapy produces severe dose-dependent toxicity that often prevents the patient from completing the IL-2 treatment regimen. Siegel & Puri, Interleukin-2 toxicity, J. Clin. Oncol., 9: 694-704 (1991). Common specific side effects of the therapy include weight gain, ascites, dyspnea, pulmonary edema and severe hypotension.
Efforts to circumvent these side effects have led to IL-2-based gene therapy protocols. Gilboa & Lyerly, Biologic therapy of cancer updates, Vol. 4:6 (1994). In some of these protocols, tumor cells were engineered to secrete IL-2 into the microenvironment surrounding the tumor. Most tumors contain infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes. Topalian et al., Tumor-specific cytolysis by lymphocytes infiltrating human melanomas, J. Immunol., 142:3714. (1989), Rosenburg et al., Use of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and interleukin-2 in the immunotherapy of patients with metastatic melanoma, N. Engl. J. Med., 319:1676. When these cells are initially isolated from tumors, they can be activated and clonally expanded in the presence of IL-2 to generate tumor-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. Thus, a goal of gene therapy is to cause intratumoral secretion of activating cytokines resulting in enhanced activation of cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) within tumors. Emtage et al., A double recombinant adenovirus expressing the costimulatory molecule B7-1 (murine) and human IL-2 induces complete tumor regression in a murine breast adenocarcinoma model, J. Immuno., 160: 2531-2538 (1998).
Examples of successful IL-2 based gene therapy have been published. Rochlitz et al., Gene Therapy Study of Cytokine-Transfected Xenogeneic Cells (Vero-interleukin-2) in Patients with Metastatic Solid Tumors, Cancer Gene Therapy, 6:271-281, (1999). Horton et al. evaluated IL-2 gene therapy of murine ovarian cancer. Horton et al., IL-2 plasmid therapy of murine ovarian carcinoma inhibits the growth of tumor ascites and alters its cytokine profile, J. Immunol., 163:6378-6385 (1999). Murine ovarian tumors (MOT) were treated with an IL-2 plasmid DNA complexed with the cationic lipid, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-3-bis(tetradecyloxy)-1-propanaminium bromide/dioleoylphosphatidylethanol-amine (DMRIE/DOPE). MOT tumor-bearing mice injected intraperitoneally with IL-2 plasmid:DMRIE/DOPE on days 5, 8, and 11 after tumor cell implantation demonstrated a significant inhibition of tumor ascites as well as a significant increase in survival. By day 26 after tumor cell injection, 10% of the mice treated with the control pCMV-neo DNA were still alive compared with 70% of the mice treated with IL-2tm:DMRIE/DOPE. Furthermore, the peritoneal fluid of mice treated with IL-2 containing vector: DMRIE/DOPE had an IL-2 specific increase in the levels of IFN-γ and GM-CSF.
Horton et al. also investigated the nature of the immune response to the MOT cells, using nude mice (immunodeficient mice without a thymus and without T cells). Only a modest inhibition of tumor growth occurred in nude mice. This helped to show that T cells are required for IL-2 gene-mediated anti-tumor effects. Horton et al., IL-2 plasmid therapy of murine ovarian carcinoma inhibits the growth of tumor ascites and alters its cytokine profile, J. Immunol., 163:6378-6385 (1999).
These added studies and methods further demonstrate the utility and potential safety of IL-2-based therapies. It would thus be a benefit in the art to provide an alternate method for concentrating cytokines in a tumor to initiate an immune response and attack on the tumor. It would be a further benefit in the art to provide methods for concentrating IL-2 in a tumor to initiate an immune response.


A shade system includes a plurality of shade assemblies each including an elongated shade tube having an inner surface defining an inner cavity, an outer surface for winding receipt of a flexible shade, at least one coupling end, and an axis of rotation; a connector assembly having a first coupling unit secured to the inner surface at the coupling end of a first shade tube and a second coupling unit secured to the inner surface at the coupling end of a second shade tube substantially adjacent the first shade tube, the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit cooperating to transfer an applied torque from the first shade tube to the second shade tube; an end bracket for rotatably supporting a free end portion of a shade tube when attached to a supporting structure; and a mounting bracket for adjusting the connector assembly.

Window coverings serve multiple functions. For example, window coverings may be used to shield or filter light, provide privacy, enhance security, and/or function as a decorative piece for a particular space or room. Common window coverings include blinds and roller shades.
Both blinds and roller shades typically use a bracket assembly located at the top or above the window to support the blinds or roller shade. To control the extent that a blind or shade is open, conventional systems often rely on simple mechanical controls, such as a ratchet and pawl mechanism or a clutch and chain system, to move the blind or shade up and down, and to position the shade at intermediate locations along a predetermined extent of travel.
As roller shade designs evolved, motor powered shades were desired. Motorization of the roller shade was accomplished, in one example, by replacing the simple, mechanical control system with an electric motor that is directly coupled to the shade tube. The motor may be located inside or outside the shade tube, is fixed to the roller shade support and is connected to a simple switch, or, in more sophisticated applications, to a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) transceiver, that controls the activation of the motor and the rotation of the shade tube.
Many known motorized roller shades provide power, such as 120 VAC, 220/230 VAC 50/60 Hz, etc., to the motor and control electronics from the facility in which the motorized roller shade is installed. Recently-developed battery-powered roller shades provide installation flexibility by removing the requirement to connect the motor and control electronics to facility power. The batteries for these roller shades can be mounted within, above, or adjacent to the shade mounting bracket, headrail or fascia.
Often it is desirable to couple a group of blinds or shades move in unison. There are several conventional ways to mechanically link blinds or shades together so that the blinds or shades move in unison, particularly when actuated by motorized control. For example, flex cable systems may be used to transmit the rotational force between multiple shades and blinds. However, these conventional systems often induce substantial parasitic drag and require excessive power to operate. For battery powered blinds and shades, the need for excessive power to overcome the difficulties of conventional systems can quickly drain the power source, resulting in the frequent loss of automated control and the accompanying need to constantly replace the batteries to restore operation. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus for linking a group of blinds or roll shades to reduce parasitic power loss when in a motorized configuration while maintaining aesthetic appeal and convenience of use.

Methods and systems for mechanically operating a group of shades or blinds


Disclosed are a photovoltaic frame and a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic frame includes a top support portion, a bottom support portion, a transverse edge portion, a first side edge portion and a second side edge portion. The top support portion, the transverse edge portion and the second side edge portion enclose a holding slot. The photovoltaic frame further includes a first weather-resistant protective layer configured to cover a part of outer surfaces of the top support portion, the bottom support portion, the first side edge portion, the second side edge portion and the transverse edge portion, and a second weather-resistant protective layer configured to cover at least part of the outer surfaces that are not covered by the first weather-resistant protective layer. A thickness of the second weather-resistant protective layer is less than a thickness of the first weather-resistant protective layer.

Generally, a frame is installed around a photovoltaic module, an edge of a solar cell laminate is accommodated in a notch of the frame, and the photovoltaic module is installed on a bracket through the frame. The frame of the photovoltaic module plays a role in enhancing the strength of the module and sealing the edge of the module.
At present, in order to adapt to the development of photovoltaic modules, various photovoltaic frames have appeared. However, the existing production process of photovoltaic frame is complicated and costly, and the quality of the photovoltaic frame needs to be improved. Therefore, how to improve the quality of the photovoltaic frame while meeting the requirements of the shape and structure of the finished product without adding too many process steps has become an urgent problem to be solved in the design and manufacturing process of photovoltaic solar modules.

Photovoltaic frame, photovoltaic module and method for manufacturing photovoltaic frame


In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, disclosed is an air-cooled turbine blade having an airfoil shape, including a convex suction side wall, a concave pressure side wall, the walls including an interior surface that defines an interior with the blade, a suction side flow circuit formed within the blade interior, a pressure side flow circuit formed within the blade interior; and a trailing edge pin bank positioned aft of the suction side and pressure side flow circuits. The turbine blade includes a wishbone-shaped architecture at a transition point between the suction side flow circuit and the pressure side flow circuit and the trailing edge pin bank.

Gas turbine engines, such as turbofan gas turbine engines, may be used to power various types of vehicles and systems, such as, for example, aircraft. Typically, these engines include turbine airfoils (or airfoils) that are impinged by high-energy compressed air that causes a turbine of the engine to rotate at a high speed. Consequently, the airfoils are subjected to high heat and stress loadings which, over time, may reduce their structural integrity.
Modern aircraft jet engines have employed internal cooling systems in the airfoils to maintain the airfoil temperatures within acceptable limits. Typically, the airfoils are air cooled using, for example, bleed air from a compressor section of the engine. The air may enter near the airfoil root, and then flow through a cooling circuit formed in the turbine airfoil. The cooling circuit typically consists of a series of connected cooling passages that form serpentine paths, which increase the cooling effectiveness by extending the length of the air flow path.
One exemplary cooling system is multi-walled and includes independent cooling circuits for the various surfaces of an airfoil, such as pressure and suction side surfaces, to thereby control specific heat load distributions thereon. The walls form intricate passages through which the cooling air flows to feed serpentine thin outer wall passages that incorporate pin fins, turbulators, turning vanes, and other structures therein. Although the cooling system operates adequately to cool most of the airfoil's pressure and suction side surfaces, it has been found that some portions of the airfoil may not be sufficiently cooled. Specifically, in some instances when these portions are exposed to extreme heat environments, they may oxidize, fatigue, and may become prematurely worn.
Hence, there is a need for an improved cooling system that is capable of cooling turbine airfoils in extreme heat environments without allowing the airfoil to fatigue or become prematurely worn. Additionally, it would be desirable for the system to be designed such that the airfoil may be manufactured relatively easily and inexpensively. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.


A fusing device comprising a pressure roller, a heating roller, a pressure applying element and a releasing element is provided. The pressure roller is installed in a frame. The heating roller opposite to the pressure roller is installed in a housing. The pressure applying element connects the pressure roller and the housing at a first side and applies a force on the pressure roller and the heating roller. The releasing element releases and locks the pressure roller and the housing at a second side. A printer from which jammed sheet may be easily removed is provided. The printer comprises a frame, a housing, an image forming device, and the fusing device. The first and second sides are parallel to axial direction of the pressure roller and the heating roller. The image forming device forms an image on a medium. The fusing device fuses the image on the medium.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a fusing device and printer using the same, and more particularly to a separable fusing device capable of easily separating a heating roller from a pressure roller and a printer using the separable fusing device.
Description of the Related Art
In order to fuse toner on the surface of a sheet, a conventional printer and copy machine normally comprise a fusing device, which melts the tone with high temperature and high pressure and further fuses the toner on the surface of the sheet. The fusing device comprises a heating roller and a pressure roller, which are modularized and combined together as a fusing module. Then, the fusing module is installed in a frame. However, such design not only increases material cost and assembly procedures but also makes it difficult to separate the heating roller from the pressure roller. Once sheet are jammed between the two rollers and the user is unable to remove the jammed sheet, the user will have to need to call on a professional maintenance technician to resolve the problem. Such situation not only causes inconvenience to the user but also incurs maintenance cost to the supplier.

Separable fusing device and printer using the same


A system and method is disclosed for using a differential wet etch stop technique to provide a uniform oxide layer over a metal layer in a laser trimmed fuse. A layer of boron doped oxide with a slow etch rate is placed over the metal layer. A layer of phosphorus doped oxide with a fast etch rate is placed over the boron doped oxide. The time period required for a wet etch process to etch through the phosphorus doped oxide is calculated. The wet etch process is then applied to the phosphorus doped oxide for the calculated time period. The wet etch process slows significantly when it reaches the boron doped oxide. This method forms a uniform layer of boron doped oxide over the metal layer.

A fuse is a circuit element that is designed to self destruct when too much current flows through the fuse. The destruction of the fuse breaks the circuit, stops the flow of current and protects other circuit elements from being damaged. In semiconductor integrated circuits a laser trim technique is used to apply laser energy to blow a fuse.
Laser trimmed fuses typically comprise a strip of aluminum metal. The strip of aluminum metal is the metal link layer that is broken when the fuse is blown. Aluminum has a relatively low melting point and a high surface tension. When the aluminum metal link layer receives laser energy the energy creates heat that melts the aluminum. The melted aluminum then vaporizes and breaks the electrical circuit through the fuse. As the melted aluminum vaporizes the melted aluminum tends to splatter.
To prevent retention of traces of metal and link splattering and to prevent standing wave effects, the metal link layer of the fuse is covered with a thin layer of oxide. The thin layer of oxide enables the melted aluminum metal to build up pressure until it explosively vaporizes through the oxide layer. The thin layer of oxide also separates the metal link layer from an upper layer of metal that contains pad connections that are accessible from outside the integrated circuit.
It is very important that the thin layer of oxide over the metal link layer be uniform in thickness. If there is no oxide at all over the metal link layer, then the metal link layer will be subject to corrosion. If the thin layer of oxide is too thin (e.g., less than two thousand Ångstroms), then cracks in the fuse may form that are likely to cause yield loss and reliability concerns. If the thin layer of oxide is too thick (e.g., more than eight thousand Ångstroms), then a high laser energy will be required to blow the fuse. The use of a high laser energy can easily lead to substrate damage, again causing yield loss and reliability concerns.
An optimum thickness for the thin layer of oxide is approximately one half of the laser wavelength. The laser wavelength is typically about one micron. A micron is equal to one millionth of a meter (10−6 m). An Ångstrom is equal to one ten thousandth of a micron (10−10 m). Therefore the optimum thickness for the thin layer of oxide is about five thousand Ångstroms (5000 Å).
One prior art method for creating the thin layer of oxide over the metal link layer of the fuse employs a masked partial etch-back of the passivation layers over the final layer of metal. Partial etch-back processes are difficult to control due to variations from machine to machine and due to variations over time in both deposition thicknesses and etch rates. Prior art etch-back processes are often done with an endpoint detection technique that monitors the plasma for changes in emission and/or wavelength distribution.
In laser trimming the endpoint detection method can not be used (1) because the film in question is still being etched in the entire process, and (2) because the trim structures occupy only a small percentage of the die.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system and method that is capable of providing a uniform oxide layer over a metal link layer of a laser trimmed fuse. In particular, there is a need in the art for a system and method that is capable of providing an oxide layer over a metal link layer of a laser trimmed fuse that is approximately five thousand Ångstroms thick.

System and method for providing a uniform oxide layer over a laser trimmed fuse with a differential wet etch stop technique


A vinyl fence rail remover for use where the rail is held in the fence post via tabs cut into the rail and rail tabs must be depressed to remove the rail from the hole cut into the fence post. The fence remover has a handle/tube on a first end, a metal “U” shape section, a straight section, and a tapered second, opposing end from the handle/tube. The handle/tube is as long as necessary to reach the bottom rail through the inside of the fence post. The “U” shaped middle piece is ⅛ inch to ¼ inch smaller than the exact size of the fence rail. The open end of straight section extending from the “U” shaped section is tapered or bent outward to allow it to slip over the tabs of a fence rail as the device is driven over the rail inside the fence post.

According to various industry estimates, the vinyl fencing industry is anticipated to exceed 1.6 billion USD by 2024. The industry has recognized that here been a shift in preference among the consumers towards sustainable and eco-friendly fencing solutions, propelling the demand for vinyl fencing.
Vinyl is expected to witness steady growth over the coming years. Vinyl has accounted for over 50% of the material used in U.S. plastic fencing market. Vinyl fencing has excellent durability, weather, and abrasion resistance coupled with cost-effectiveness has bolstered its demand in the region. Vinyl fencing also provides ease of application when compared to wood and metal fencing as it doesn't require painting or staining and is available in ready to install strips.
Repair or removal of vinyl fencing requires use of specialized tools to remove sections without damage to other sections of the fencing, which is typically comprised of both a plurality of horizontal sections top and bottom and pickets, located between opposing posts to retain the plurality of horizontal sections. As the amount of vinyl fencing increases, the need for removal and replacement will also drastically increase, necessitating the use of a specific tool, designed to make the job quicker and easier with a substantial reduction in damage to existing vinyl fence sections or parts when removing other sections or parts for repair or replacement.
The prior art does teach tools for fence rail removal, generally referring to them as fence rail retractors. Generally, the prior art teaches tools which approach the rail tab problem from outside the fence post. These tools are cumbersome to use and expensive to manufacture as they consist of two separate pieces and during operation, the method of removal requires them to be inserted on each side of the rail, which is impossible for most applications unless multiple workers are present and a large gap is present between the rail and the hole in the post.
Therefore, what is needed is a one-piece tool solution that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and only requires one worker. The present invention teaches just such a solution, where the removal device is a one-piece tool which is inserted inside the fence post and requires one swift action by a single worker to push in the tabs on both sides of the rail.
Additionally, the solution taught by the present invention works no matter how tight the rail fits into the fence post, which is a common problem with prior art designs that require an existing gap in the fence rail construction in order to be useful without potentially causing undue damage to other parts of the fence or the worker when forcing them into position.


An image capture apparatus includes an image pickup device, a first image stabilization unit which optically corrects an image blur by driving part of the optical system, a second image stabilization unit which electronically corrects the image blur by controlling the image readout position of the image pickup device, a shake detection unit which detects a shake of the image capture apparatus, a correction amount calculation unit which calculates an image stabilization amount based on the detected shake signal, and a division unit which divides a first image stabilization amount of a predetermined frequency band into a second image stabilization amount for correcting the image blur by the first image stabilization unit and a third image stabilization amount for correcting the image blur by the second image stabilization unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image capture apparatus having an image stabilization function.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known an image capture apparatus having a shake correction function (optical image stabilization function) of detecting a shake of the image capture apparatus and driving a movable imaging lens to correct an image blur arising from the shake. There is also proposed an image stabilization function (electronic image stabilization function) of controlling an image readout position in moving image shooting in a direction in which the movement of an image caused by a shake is canceled. This function is used in compact, lightweight image capture apparatuses and mobile phones equipped with image capture apparatuses. Image stabilization of this type is called electronic image stabilization.
Recently, there is also known a technique of widening the image stabilization range on the wide-angle side in moving image recording to enhance the image stabilization effect, compared to the conventional one, for a large image blur generated by shooting during walking or the like. At this time, there is also known a technique of obtaining a greater correction effect by using both optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization so as to cope with a larger image blur.
The following technique is known as the technique using optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-004370, a detected image blur signal is divided into high and low frequencies by a filter. The high-frequency image blur is corrected by optical image stabilization, and the low-frequency image blur is corrected by electronic image stabilization. This makes control calculation efficient, enhancing the correction effect.
In Japanese Patent No. 2803072, when the image blur amount falls within a range of up to a predetermined value, an image blur is corrected by electronic image stabilization. When the image blur amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, an image blur is corrected by optical image stabilization. As a result, the correction range is simply widened, enhancing the correction effect.
Although image stabilization can be implemented during exposure by optical image stabilization, it cannot be performed during exposure by electronic image stabilization because image stabilization is performed by image extraction. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-004370, therefore, only optical image stabilization can be performed during still image exposure. In addition, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-004370, only a high-frequency image blur is subjected to optical image stabilization. As a result, only high-frequency image stabilization can be performed in still image shooting. Further, this technique has problems that a filter for dividing a frequency is necessary, and that the calculation load and program volume increase owing to calculation of an optical image stabilization amount and calculation of an electronic image stabilization amount after division, and the like.
In Japanese Patent No. 2803072, there is a boundary between electronic image stabilization and optical image stabilization. At this boundary, an image is disturbed under the influence of an overshoot upon driving for optical image stabilization, and the like.

Image capture apparatus and control method thereof


The invention relates to a system for identifying the position of a machine for three-dimensional measuring or machining in a fixed frame of reference. In accordance with the invention, the system comprises:                a first base for resting at an identified point on a support wall associated with the machine stand, said base being provided on its top with a bearing platform;        a second base identical to the first base, for resting at an identified point on a support surface associated with the fixed frame of reference; and        a multi-axis assembly having two hinged arms that are coupled together, and having two endpieces coupled to said arms, each endpiece having a main axis that coincides with the central axis of the corresponding base when said endpiece is in place, said multi-axis assembly also being fitted with integrated angle encoders measuring the respective angles of rotation about each of its axes.

In the particular field of motor vehicles, there can be a need to identify various points on the bodywork of a motor vehicle that has suffered an accident or that is in the process of being assembled, in order to verify its shape by identifying predetermined points of said bodywork by means of a three-dimensional measuring device associated with a reference structure, commonly referred to as a "slab". Similarly, with a machining robot, it is advantageous to be able easily to identify the points of the motor vehicle bodywork that require special machining, such as milling or drilling.
In this content, reference can be made to patent documents FR-A-2 750 546 and FR-A-2 764 992 in the name of the Applicant.
Proposals have also been made for position-identifying systems using an emitter module carrying a source of light radiation mounted on a stand that can pivot about two distinct axes that are not mutually parallel, associated with two angular position sensors for sensing the rotary movement corresponding to the source relative to the stand, a plurality of targets being disposed around the emitter module in locations that are defined relative to a fixed frame of reference, as described in patent document WO-A-95/35479. Reference can also be made to patent document U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,346 (US 2001/0024283 A1) in the name of the Applicant, describing a position-identifying system using interactive bushings that are integrated in the support wall.
The above systems are entirely satisfactory in terms of accuracy, but they remain very constricting when the machining or measurement machine needs to be moved frequently relative to the article being measured, in particular motor vehicle bodywork.
On each occasion it is necessary to restart the position-identifying process in order to know where the machine is located in the frame of reference of the workpiece or where the workpiece is located in the frame of reference of the machine.
In order to complete the technological background, mention can be made of patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,267 and EP-A-0 398 073 which illustrate systems for identifying position in two dimensions, the first system also not being self-contained but being associated permanently with a supporting turntable, and the second system using a rod-and-cylinder type sliding assembly. Mention can also be made of patent document FR-A-2 776 373 in the name of the Applicant which discloses another system having a carriage that slides on a rail mounted to pivot about at least one axis.

System for identifying the position of three-dimensional machine for measuring or machining in a fixed frame of reference


A calibration target for calibrating an optoelectronic device for analyzing biomolecules by detecting fluorescence signals from a sample includes a substrate and a solid fluorescent layer that is disposed on the substrate and capable of being excited by laser light. The fluorescent layer has an optically inactive matrix having embedded therein a carbon-based component that is excitable to light emission.

Systems for analyzing biomolecules by detecting fluorescence signals from a sample are an important tool in the field of medical diagnostics or also in biotechnology. Such systems contain optical detectors that detect light emitted by a sample. A typical application of such systems is gene sequencing.
This is done, for example, by labeling the four DNA bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) with fluorescent dyes that are specific to the respective bases. When the sample treated in this way is excited by laser light, these dyes emit different wavelengths, which can be associated with the respective bases. If the intensity of this emission is detected and resolved by location and the respective wavelength, it is possible to make statements even about the exact structure of a DNA.
For this purpose, however, it is crucially important to calibrate the optical detectors; i.e., to apply light with a known frequency and intensity thereto so as to be able to adjust the detector signal to a reference level. Such calibration may be necessary from time to time, during servicing, or even each time before the system is used in order to obtain results with the required accuracy.
Calibration is typically performed using a calibration target instead of a sample. The calibration target is either permanently installed in the respective system or inserted into the system for calibration purposes.
Frequently, the calibration target used is a module such as is also used for the actual measuring process in the respective system. These modules have channels and reservoirs through which the samples to be analyzed are pumped. When these channels and reservoirs are filled with a known mixture of the dyes that are also used for the measurement, then excitation of the dyes by laser light having one or more excitation wavelengths produces defined signals of different fluorescence wavelengths in the detectors.
A disadvantage of these calibration targets is the short lifetime of the dyes. The dyes may bleach or otherwise degenerate when irradiated by laser light, and may therefore emit less light intensity after some time. They are then useless for calibration purposes. A known countermeasure is to provide for replacement of the aged dyes through constant movement of the dye mixture within the channels (for example by Brownian motion or by pumping). However, this method of obtaining a stable calibration target is relatively complex and time-consuming.
WO 2017084998 A1 describes a calibration target which is based on a fluorescent, nanocrystalline solid in order to avoid degradation of the dyes. In this context, metal sulfides are mentioned as suitable solids. However, due to the relatively narrow-band emission of these nanocrystals, four different materials are required to cover the wavelengths to be calibrated. In addition, such nanoparticles often have a relatively large Stokes shift, so that detectors which need to be sensitive near the excitation wavelength cannot be calibrated.


A drive control device having: a storage circuit configured to store a reference rotational speed table; a drive signal generation circuit configured to output a drive signal to the direct current motor; and a control circuit. When an absolute value of a difference between a second rotational speed corresponding to a first rotational direction and a third rotational speed corresponding to a second rotational direction is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit creates separate rotational speed tables for the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction in which each rotational speed table indicates a relation between a rotational speed and an electric power amount per unit time, and determines an amount of electric power that is supplied to the direct current motor which corresponds to a designated rotational speed according to the rotational speed table selected in accordance with a designated rotational rotation.

The present invention relates to a drive control device for controlling a direct current motor that drives a movable body provided in a game machine.
A game machine, such as a reel game machine or a pinball game machine, has been devised for executing a performance that appeals to the player's sense of vision, sense of hearing or feeling so as to enhance the player's interest. Especially, in order to execute a performance that appeals to the player's sense of vision, a movable body, such as a movable accessory, may be provided in the game machine. A movement range and a moving speed of the movable body have previously been set in accordance with the performance. Hence, in general, a rotation amount per step has been fixed and the movable body is driven by a stepping motor capable of controlling a rotation amount in units of steps. Then, a processor unit for performance (hereinafter simply referred to as performance CPU) as one example of an upper-level control device transmits, to a control circuit of the stepping motor, a command to rotate the stepping motor just the number of steps corresponding to a movement amount of the movable body that moves to a designated position in accordance with a state of a game. Hence the stepping motor is rotated just that number of steps, resulting in that the movable body moves to the designated position (e.g., Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-247833). Further, in order to accurately control an operation of the movable accessory, the following technique has been proposed: step-out of the motor is detected based on the number of steps given to the motor and a position of the movable accessory detected by a photo sensor, and a CPU sets a deceleration pattern for the motor in accordance with the degree of the step-out and controls the motor in the deceleration pattern (e.g., Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-67429).
In recent years, there has been a tendency of increase in number of movable bodies installed in a game machine so as to enhance the player's interest. With increase in number of movable bodies installed in the game machine, the number of motors that drive the respective movable bodies also increases. However, since a space of the rear surface of the game machine is limited, the more the number of motors increases, the more difficult it is to arrange those motors in the game machine. In particular, the stepping motor needs to perform excitation control on a plurality of phases, and thus has a complicated structure, making a size of the stepping motor large. Further, a price of the stepping motor is relatively high. Therefore, the increase in number of stepping motors is not preferred.
Moreover, a large-sized movable accessory may be installed in the game machine so as to enhance the player's interest. Driving such a movable accessory requires a motor with high torque. However, increasing the torque of the stepping motor necessitates increasing the size of the stepping motor itself, which might result in making the arrangement space more difficult to ensure.
On the other hand, there are generally available motors such as a direct current motor. A price of the direct current motor is lower than that of the stepping motor, and for exertion of the same torque as that of the stepping motor, the direct current motor may be made be smaller in size than the stepping motor. However, the direct current motor cannot directly designate a rotation amount. Therefore, even when electric power that drives the direct current motor remains unchanged, a rotation amount per unit time, namely a rotational speed, changes depending on a load that is applied to the direct current motor.


A method of lowering cholesterol and/or PCSK9 levels in a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject an ADH inhibitor, AKR inhibitor, and/or SNO-CoAR inhibitor at an amount(s) effective to reduce serum cholesterol and/or PCSK9 levels.

While the human body requires cholesterol for multifarious functions like building cell membranes, making hormones, and producing fat digestive compounds, excessive cholesterol increases a person's risk of developing heart disease. People with hypercholesterolemia have a high risk of developing a form of heart disease called "atherosclerotic heart disease" or "coronary artery disease" where excess cholesterol in the bloodstream is deposited in the walls of blood vessels, particularly in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). The abnormal buildup of cholesterol forms clumps (plaque) that narrow and harden artery walls. As the clumps get bigger, they can clog the arteries and restrict the flow of blood to the heart. The buildup of plaque in coronary arteries causes a form of chest pain called angina and greatly increases a person's risk of having a heart attack. In general optimized cholesterol metabolism is required for healthy living.
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins. Several kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body, primarily: low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Having healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important. LDL cholesterol sometimes is called "bad" cholesterol. A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in arteries. HDL cholesterol sometimes is called "good" cholesterol. This is because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. Effective therapeutic management methods for hypercholesterolemia aim to reduce LDL cholesterol (and VLDL) and increase levels of HDL cholesterol so that excess cholesterol may be removed efficiently from the body.
In the past two decades or so, the segregation of cholesterolemic compounds into HDL and LDL regulators and recognition of the desirability of decreasing blood levels of the latter has led to the development of a number of drugs. However, many of these drugs have undesirable side effects and/or are contraindicated in certain patients, particularly when administered in combination with other drugs.
Bile-acid-binding resins are a class of drugs that interrupt the recycling of bile acids from the intestine to the liver. Examples of bile-acid-binding resins are cholestyramine (QUESTRAN LIGHT, Bristol-Myers Squibb), and colestipol hydrochloride (COLESTID, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company). When taken orally, these positively charged resins bind to negatively charged bile acids in the intestine. Because the resins cannot be absorbed from the intestine, they are excreted, carrying the bile acids with them. The use of such resins, however, at best only lowers serum cholesterol levels by about 20%. Moreover, their use is associated with gastrointestinal side-effects, including constipation and certain vitamin deficiencies. Further, since the resins bind to drugs, other oral medications must be taken at least one hour before or four to six hours subsequent to ingestion of the resin, complicating heart patients' drug regimens.
Statins are inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis. Sometimes, statins are used in combination therapy with bile-acid-binding resins. Lovastatin (MEVACOR, Merck & Co., Inc.), a natural product derived from a strain of Aspergillus; pravastatin (PRAVACHOL, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.); and atorvastatin (LIPITOR, Warner Lambert) block cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMGCoA reductase, the key enzyme involved in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Lovastatin significantly reduces serum cholesterol and LDL-serum levels. However, serum HDL levels are only slightly increased following lovastatin administration. The mechanism of the LDL-lowering effect may involve both reduction of VLDL concentration and induction of cellular expression of LDL-receptor, leading to reduced production and/or increased catabolism of LDL. Side effects, including liver and kidney dysfunction are associated with the use of these drugs.
Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is a water-soluble vitamin B-complex used as a dietary supplement and antihyperlipidemic agent. Niacin diminishes the production of VLDL and is effective at lowering LDL. It is used in combination with bile-acid-binding resins. Niacin can increase HDL when administered at therapeutically effective doses; however, its usefulness is limited by side effects and questions of efficacy.
Fibrates are a class of lipid-lowering drugs used to treat various forms of hyperlipidemia, elevated serum triglycerides, which may also be associated with hypercholesterolemia. Fibrates appear to reduce the VLDL fraction and modestly increase HDL; however, the effects of these drugs on serum cholesterol is variable. In the United States, fibrates have been approved for use as antilipidemic drugs, but have not received approval as hypercholesterolemia agents. For example, clofibrate (ATROMID-S, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories) is an antilipidemic agent that acts to lower serum triglycerides by reducing the VLDL fraction. Although ATROMID-S may reduce serum cholesterol levels in certain patient subpopulations, the biochemical response to the drug is variable, and is not always possible to predict which patients will obtain favorable results. ATROMID-S has not been shown to be effective for prevention of coronary heart disease. The chemically and pharmacologically related drug, gemfibrozil (LOPID, Parke-Davis), is a lipid regulating agent which moderately decreases serum triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol. LOPED also increases HDL cholesterol, particularly the HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions, as well as both the AI/AII-HDL fractions. However, the lipid response to LOPID is heterogeneous, especially among different patient populations. Moreover, while prevention of coronary heart disease was observed in male patients between the ages of 40 and 55 without history or symptoms of existing coronary heart disease, it is not clear to what extent these findings can be extrapolated to other patient populations (e.g., women, older and younger males). Indeed, no efficacy was observed in patients with established coronary heart disease. Serious side-effects are associated with the use of fibrates, including toxicity; malignancy, particularly malignancy of gastrointestinal cancer; gallbladder disease; and an increased incidence in non-coronary mortality. These drugs are not indicated for the treatment of patients with high LDL or low HDL as their only lipid abnormality.
Oral estrogen replacement therapy may be considered for moderate hypercholesterolemia in post-menopausal women. However, increases in HDL may be accompanied with an increase in triglycerides. Estrogen treatment is, of course, limited to a specific patient population, postmenopausal women, and is associated with serious side effects, including induction of malignant neoplasms; gall bladder disease; thromboembolic disease; hepatic adenoma; elevated blood pressure; glucose intolerance; and hypercalcemia.
Long chain carboxylic acids, particularly long chain alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids with distinctive substitution patterns, and their simple derivatives and salts, have been disclosed for treating atherosclerosis, obesity, and diabetes (See, e.g., Bisgaier et al., 1998, J. Lipid Res. 39:17-30, and references cited therein; International Patent Publication WO 98/30530; U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,344; International Patent Publication WO 99/00116; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,344). However, some of these compounds while having serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol-lowering activities, have no value for treatment of obesity and hypercholesterolemia (U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,344).
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a proprotein convertase belonging to the proteinase K subfamily of the secretory subtilase family The encoded protein is synthesized as a soluble zymogen that undergoes autocatalytic intramolecular processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Evidence suggest that PCSK9 increases plasma LDL cholesterol by promoting degradation of the LDL receptor, which mediates LDL endocytosis in the liver, the major route of LDL clearance from circulation. The structure of PCSK9 protein shows that it has a signal sequence, followed by a prodomain, a catalytic domain that contains a conserved triad of residues (D186, H226 and S386), and a C-terminal domain. It is synthesized as a soluble 74-kDa precursor that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage in the ER, generating a 14-kDa prodomain and 60-kDa catalytic fragment. The autocatalytic activity has been shown to be required for secretion. After cleavage the prodomain remains tightly associated with the catalytic domain.

Compositions and methods of reducing serum cholesterol and PCSK9

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS CLEVELAND MEDICAL CENTER


The present disclosure provide a method of preparing semiconductor device involving planarization processes. The method includes introducing dopants into the exposed portions of the substrate to form doped portions of the substrate; forming a crystalline overlayer on the doped portions of the substrate, wherein the crystalline overlayer has a conductivity lower than that of the doped portions of the substrate. The crystalline overlayer is formed by an epitaxial growth process, the crystalline overlayer is formed as a saddle shape, and the crystalline overlayer has an excess portion protruding from the substrate.

In semiconductor fabrication, it is common to use planarization processes to obtain a semiconductor structure. Among a variety of approaches developed in the semiconductor industry, chemical mechanical polishing (hereinafter abbreviated as CMP) process is a common technique widely used to remove excess deposited materials and to provide a planar surface for subsequent levels or processes. In general, the CMP process is performed to planarize layer(s) deposited on a patterned layer or a structure. With the increasing demand for miniaturization, planarization has become a critical process in the fabrication of semiconductors.
During the planarization processes, recesses can be formed on the substrate in order to introduce dopants for leak prevention. However, as the semiconductor structure is scaled down to meet the demand for miniaturization, short channel effects, such as drain-induced barrier lowering, velocity saturation, and hot carrier degradation, may occur.
This Discussion of the Background section is provided for background information only. The statements in this Discussion of the Background are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this Discussion of the Background section constitute prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this Discussion of the Background section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this Discussion of the Background section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Method of preparing semiconductor device with crystalline overlayer


A door harness attaching structure includes: an opening provided on an inner panel of a hinge-open/close-type door; and a hole provided on an end wall at the hinge side of the inner panel. The opening is composed of a large main opening covered by a panel unit of a door module and a small sub opening continued to the main opening, notched toward the hole for attaching a grommet and covered by a cover member. A wiring harness of the door module includes: a harness portion projecting from the panel unit; and the grommet provided at a tip end of the harness portion and attached through the hole.

Conventionally, various door harness attaching structures have been proposed for attaching a door wiring harness (door harness) to a side door of a vehicle.
As one conventional example, in PTL 1, it is described that a through-hole is provided on a front end wall of a metallic door frame to be coupled to a vehicle body with a hinge. A rubber-made grommet attached to a door harness is inserted into the through-hole, and the door harness is arranged from a door to the vehicle body. Thus, the grommet is intended to prevent the water from entering via the through-hole.
Further, in PTL 1, as the other conventional example, it is described that a substantially L-shaped groove concave is provided from a vehicle interior side plate to a front end plate of a door inner panel of a door frame. A rubber-made grommet is fitted into the concave and the door harness is routed along the groove. A watertight door weather strip is arranged in a direction crossing an outer surface of the grommet.
Further, in PTL 1, as an invention example, it is described that a substantially L-shaped groove concave is provided from a vehicle interior side plate to a front end plate of a metallic door inner panel. Previously the door harness and various electric components are fixedly provided on a resin-made panel covering a large opening of the vehicle interior side plate of the door inner panel. A rectangular tubular-shaped protector of the door harness is fitted into the substantially L-shaped groove concave of the door inner panel. A rubber-made corrugated member is provided on an attaching hole of the front end plate of the door inner panel. In an interior of the door, a protector and the corrugated member are jointed together with a rubber-made intermediate diameter pipe. A door weather strip is arranged on an outer wall of the front end plate of the door inner panel in between the corrugated member and the protector.
Further, in PTL 2, as a conventional example, it is described that a door module panel is provided on a large opening at a vehicle interior side of a door frame. The door module panel is provided with a door harness, a hole penetrating the door harness, and a first grommet fitted into the hole. A second grommet provided at a tip end of the door harness is inserted into a through-hole provided on a front end plate of the door frame.
Further, in PTL 2, as an invention example, it is described that a visor is provided on a wall of a door module panel outside of a vehicle at a through-hole penetrating a door harness of the door module panel, so that the visor prevents a water drop from entering via an opening for lifting a window glass of a door frame.


A spanner for tightening or loosening bolts which includes a handle a fixed section and an articulated section which makes it possible to be opened out in inaccessible locations. Two shafts extend in the handle, one making it possible to open out the articulated section and the other to turn a collet or socket. A transmission mechanism is used which include two gear trains extending into the fixed and articulated sections. The spanner is applicable for tightening and loosening bolts located in normally inaccessible locations.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an unfolding bolt tightening spanner or wrench.
2. Discussion of the Background:
Difficult access to bolts, for example, occurs when assembling or disassembling the superimposed rings of a compressor drum, which are assembled by flanges located on the side of the inner wall of the rings and between circular walls occupying most of the drum cross-section and which only leave room for the passage of a tool in a central well or shaft having a diameter smaller than the width of the drum rings between the well and the axis of the bolts. The problem then consists of lowering the tool in a retracted position along the axis of the drum to the desired height, then moving it in a direction perpendicular to the drum axis in the gap between two rings in order to reach the bolts of a flange, which is not possible with conventional tools.
The technical field has numerous more complex tools having transmission means and trains of various types between the portion from where the tool movement is controlled and the bolt tightening location. These tools are generally unsuitable either as a result of their lack of rigidity making it impossible to guide them with a sufficient accuracy in bent cavities (this being the case with spanners formed from sections joined by ball and socket joints), or due to their shape, which is only suitable for particular applications, or by their being not very practical use.

Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "SNECMA"


In a corrugated tube, a tubular body is provided with a first slit which extends in an axial direction of the tubular body, and the tubular body is formed with a plurality of hollow ridge portions extending in a circumferntial direction of the tubular body on an outer peripheral face of the tubular body to form a bellows portion. A lap portion is protruded from at least one of opposed end portions of the tubular body separated by the first slit, and the lap portion extends along the first slit. The lap portion is provided with a second slit which extends in the circumferential direction of the tubular body.

This invention relates to a corrugated tube for fitting on a wire harness (a bundle of wires) or the like, and more particularly to a corrugated tube of the overlapping type in which a lap portion, formed in a projected manner at one of opposed side edges of a slit formed in the corrugated tube along an axis thereof, is laid on an inner peripheral face of the other side edge portion,
Generally, in a corrugated tube used for bundling and protecting transmission/distribution wires of an electronic equipment, a wire harness of an automobile or others, spiral or annular ridge portions are formed continuously on an outer peripheral face of a resin tube to form a bellows-like construction, thereby imparting bendability to the corrugated tube.
In order that a wire harness or the like can be easily inserted into and removed from the corrugated tube for protecting the wire harness, a slit is formed in the corrugated tube, and extends along the axis thereof.
However, when such a corrugated tube is bent along an installation path, the slit is partially opened in the vicinity of a central portion of the bent portion, and the inserted wire harness or be like projects outwardly through the opened portion of the slit, thus adversely affecting the inserting operation, and besides there is a fear that the wire harness is caught by the opposed side edges of the slit, so that an insulating sheath of the wire harness is damaged.
Therefore, usually, an insulating tape is wound on the outer peripheral face of the corrugated tube, thereby preventing the slit from being opened. However, there has been encountered a problem that this tape-winding operation requires much time and labor.
In order to solve the above problems with the corrugated tube, there have been proposed various corrugated tubes of the overlapping type in which a slit will not be opened to form an opened portion even when the corrugated tube is bent.
In a corrugated tube 1 of the overlapping type shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plate-like lap portion 8, formed in a projected manner at one of opposed side edges of a slit 5 formed along an axis of a tube body 3, is laid on (laps over) an inner peripheral face of the other side edge portion of the slit 5 so that a wire harness W will not be exposed to outside even when the corrugated tube is bent A tape-winding operation is not necessary.
In the corrugated tube 1, the lap portion 8, laid on the inner peripheral face of the other side edge portion of the slit, has a distal end edge extending straight in the axial direction.
Therefore, when inserting the wire harness W into the corrugated tube after expanding the slit 5, the wire harness W is less liable to be caught by the distal end edge of the lap portion 8, and the harness-inserting operation can be effected smoothly. And besides, there is no fear that the distal end edge of the lap portion 8, laid on the inner peripheral face of the corrugated tube 1, damages an insulating sheath of the inserted wire harness W.
For forming the above corrugated tube 1, first, a tube-like molten resin is extruded from a die into a tubular mold having a predetermined molding face formed on an inner peripheral face thereof, and either by applying pressurized air to the inside of this tube or by applying vacuum to the outer side of this tube, ridge and grooves, formed at the molding fate, are transferred to the tube-like molten resin, thereby continuously forming a long tube body 3.
The tube body 3, molded into an integral construction, includes a plate-like portion 7, extending along the axis thereof, and a bellows portion 9 having a series of arcuate ridge portions 10 which are formed in a bulged manner on an outer peripheral face of the tube body 3 except the plate-like portion 7, and are arranged along the axis of the tube body 23.
Then, the straight slit 5 is formed in the plate-like portion 7 along the axis of the tube body, so that the plate-like lap portion 8 is formed at one of the opposed side edges of the slit 5 in a projected manner.
Then, the corrugated tube 1 is formed by heat into such a shape that the lap portion 8 laps on the inner peripheral face of the other side edge portion of the slit 5, thereby forming the corrugated tube 1 of the overlapping type as shown in FIG. 9.
In the above corrugated tube 1, however, the lap portion 8 is formed into a plate-like shape, and besides end walls 12 and 14 are formed respectively at circumferential end portions of each ridge portion 10 opposed to each other with the slit 5 lying therebetween.
When bending the corrugated tube 1 along an installation path, the lap portion 8, which is formed into the plate-like shape, can not be easily bent, and the corrugated tube I itself can not be easily bent and therefore there has been encountered a problem that the installation operation can be adversely affected.
Particularly when the corrugated tube 1 is bent in such a manner that the lap portion 8 is curved inwardly (curved convexly downwardly as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B), the lap portion 8, together with the end walls 12 and 14 (which are parallel to the bending direction, and have high rigidity), provides a resistance to the bending, and therefore the flexibility of the corrugated tube 1 is not good.
In the corrugated tube 1 of the overlapping type in which the lap portion 8 is laid on the inner peripheral face of the other side edge portion of the slit, when the wire harness W is to be inserted into this corrugated tube after expanding the slit 5, the slit 5 must be opened wide while displacing the lap portion 8, and therefore there has been encountered a problem that the operation for inserting the wire harness W requires much time and labor.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a corrugated tube in which a flexibility can be enhanced though having a lap portion, and a wire harness or the like can be easily received therein.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a corrugated tube comprising:
a tubular body, provided with a first slit which extends in an axial direction of the tubular body, and the tubular body formed with a plurality of hollow ridge portions extending in a circumferential direction of the tubular body on an outer peripheral face of the tubular body to form a bellows portion, and
a lap portion, protruded from at least one of opposed end portions of the tubular body separated by the first slit the lap portion extending along the first slit;
wherein, the lap portion is provided with a second slit which extends in the circumferential direction of the tubular body.
In this construction, the lap portion comprises a plurality of juxtaposed lap piece portions which are separated from one another by the second slits, and therefore the lap portion is reduced flexural rigidity in the axial direction, and can be easily deformed with a stress in a bending direction.
Therefore, the lap portion of the tubular body will not provide a large resistance to the bending of the corrugated tube, and the flexibility of the corrugated tube is enhanced.
The lap piece portions can be flexed more easily as compared with the related lap portion, extending in the axial direction, and these lap piece portions can be flexed independently of one another.
Therefore, when inserting a wire harness or the like into the corrugated tube after expanding the slit, the harness-inserting operation can be effected smoothly.
Preferably, the second slit is extended toward and on the ridge portion.
In this construction, the end portions of the ridge portions cut by the second slit are reduced in rigidity, and therefore can be easily deformed with a stress in the axial direction.
When the tubular body is bent, relieve from bent can be secured also at the end portions of the ridge portions, and the flexibility of the corrugated tube, having the lap portion, can be further enhanced.


A system and method for classifying a voice signal to one of a set of predefined categories, based upon a statistical analysis of features extracted from the voice signal. The system includes an acoustic processor and a classifier. The acoustic processor extracts features that are characteristic of the voice signal and generates feature vectors using the extracted spectral features. The classifier uses the feature vectors to compute the probability that the voice signal belongs to each of the predefined categories and classifies the voice signal to a predefined category that is associated with the highest probability.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic voice processing systems, and relates more particularly to a system and method for voice signal classification based on statistical regularities in voice signals.
2. Description of the Background Art
Speech recognition systems may be used for interaction with a computer or other device. Speech recognition systems usually translate a voice signal into a text string that corresponds to instructions for the device. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a speech recognition system of the prior art. The speech recognition system includes a microphone 110, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 115, a feature extractor 120, a speech recognizer 125, and a text string 130. Microphone 110 receives sound energy via pressure waves (not shown). Microphone 110 converts the sound energy to an electronic analog voice signal and sends the analog voice signal to A/D converter 115. A/D converter 115 samples and quantizes the analog signal, converting the analog voice signal to a digital voice signal. Typical sampling frequencies are 8 KHz and 16 KHz. A/D converter 115 then sends the digital voice signal to feature extractor 120. Typically, feature extractor 120 segments the digital voice signal into consecutive data units called frames, and then extracts features that are characteristic to the voice signal of each frame. Typical frame lengths are ten, fifteen, or twenty milliseconds. Feature extractor 120 performs various operations on the voice signal of each frame. Operations may include transformation into a spectral representation by mapping the voice signal from time to frequency domain via a Fourier transform, suppressing noise in the spectral representation, converting the spectral representation to a spectral energy or power signal, and performing a second Fourier transform on the spectral energy or power signal to obtain cepstral coefficients. The cepstral coefficients represent characteristic spectral features of the voice signal. Typically, feature extractor 120 generates a set of feature vectors whose components are the cepstral coefficients. Feature extractor 120 sends the feature vectors to speech recognizer 125. Speech recognizer 125 includes speech models and performs a speech recognition procedure on the received feature vectors to generate the text string 130. For example, speech recognizer 125 may be implemented as a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) recognizer.
Speech recognition systems translate voice signals into text: however, speaker-independent speech recognition systems are generally rigid, inaccurate, computationally-intensive, and are not able to recognize true natural language. For example, typical speech recognition systems have a voice-to-text translation accuracy rate of 40%-50% when processing true natural language voice signals. It is difficult to design a highly accurate natural language speech recognition system that generates unconstrained voice-to-text translation in real-time, due to the complexity of natural language, the complexity of the language models used in speech recognition, and the limits on computational power.
In many applications, the exact text of a speech message is unimportant, and only the topic of the speech message needs to be recognized. It would be desirable to have a flexible, efficient, and accurate speech classification system that categorizes natural language speech based upon the topics comprising a speech message. In other words, it would be advantageous to implement a speech classification system that categorizes speech based upon what is talked about, without generating an exact transcript of what is said.

System and method for classification of voice signals

International Business Machines Corporation


A forward error correction (FEC) system and method for use in a multipoint-to-point frame based synchronized transmission communication system in which data from users are sent in selected portions of data frames having coded symbols added thereto by encoders associated with each user. The number of bits per user assigned portions of data frames is established as an integer number of FEC code symbols. The interleaving depth is set equal to a multiple of the total number of code symbols sent by a user in a data frame. The encoders are synchronized such that all of the encoders start processing associated interleaving frames at the same time. In exemplary embodiments, the communication systems include DWMT and TDM communication systems.

The invention relates to a forward error correction (FEC) arrangement for multipoint to single point communication systems such as discrete wavelet multitone (DMT(DWMT)) systems and time division multiplexed (TDM) systems.
Conventional FEC methods use a combination of data interleaving and coding (Reed-Solomon codes are the most frequently used) to achieve protection against burst error events, e.g. impulse noise. At the transmit side of a communication system, data is scrambled into an interleaving RAM and coded. At the receiver side, the data is descrambled after error correction. The scrambling of the data has the effect of spreading the errors due to burst error events along many code words so that they can be corrected by using codes with a reduced error correction capability.
Many interleaving methods have been developed over the years. The oldest are the block interleaving, systematic (code) interleaving and convolutional (Ramsey type) interleaving. Recently, new methods have been proposed in conjunction with ADSL/VDSL applications.
Finding an efficient solution for FEC with interleaving in the case of multipoint to single point transmission systems is particularly difficult. One evident solution is the use of a FEC interleaving scheme for each multiuser as shown in FIG. 1. A 3-to-1 communication system 100 includes data input lines 102.sub.1 -102.sub.3, interleavers 104.sub.1 -104.sub.3, RS coders 106.sub.1 -106.sub.3, and transmitters 108.sub.1 -108.sub.3 on the transmit side. The data is transmitted over a data channel 110, e.g., twisted pair, to a receiver 112. The receive side of system 100 includes RS decoders 114.sub.1 -114.sub.3, deinterleavers 116.sub.1 -116.sub.3, and output data lines 118.sub.1 -118.sub.3.
There are three components which are expensive to implement in every FEC/interleaver system. The components are the interleaver RAM at the transmit side, and the deinterleaver RAM and the Reed-Solomon decoder at the receive side. One additional problem arises when the data rate from each multiuser is adjusted according to the multiuser individual needs. In these cases, the size of the interleaver/deinterleaver RAM for each multiuser should accommodate the maximum data rate. This results in large interleaver and deinterleaver RAMs for each user, which are seldom used at full capacity.

Forward error correction arrangement (FEC) for multipoint to single point communication systems


Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatic product comparison using price comparison with reward redemption options indicating relative price reduction. For instance, the method may include: responsive to a first trigger condition being satisfied, extracting product information from the currently viewed webpage; determining other source(s) corresponding to the product information; generating a first user interface with comparison information and a redirect link, the comparison information including redemption information for a particular source of the other source(s) in response to the particular source being one of a first set of websites and the particular source having at least one product available that corresponds to the product information extracted from the currently viewed webpage, the redirect link being selectable to open a new webpage for the particular source; and causing the browser to display the first user interface with the comparison information and the redirect link.

Product comparison usually requires navigating to several different source(s) to compare each feature as offered from different websites. Moreover, a significant subset of the shopping population do not use rewards associated with various accounts, which could significantly adjust relative price comparisons between different source(s). Therefore, there is a challenge in how to effectively communicate true cost (considering rewards redemptions) and product/price comparison online.
Furthermore, a usual manner of rewards redemption is to generate gift card information for a user and communicate the gift card information in an out-of-band communication (e.g., by mail or email) to a user. This type of activity may significantly delay gift card use for rewards redemption (as users wait for and/or fail to use the gift card information) and may introduce transcription errors in entering gift card information on online purchases. Therefore, another challenge lies in how to promote the use of rewards while reducing delay and/or transcription errors.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of these above-referenced challenges. The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.

Methods and systems for automatic product comparison


A recording apparatus includes a feeding section that feeds a rolled continuous paper into an apparatus body, a recording section disposed in the apparatus body, the recording section performing recording onto the continuous paper fed from the feeding section in the apparatus body, a first transport path along which the continuous paper is transported during the recording performed on the medium by the recording section, and a second transport path along which the continuous paper is transported to be rewound onto the feeding section. The second transport path is different from the first transport path.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates recording apparatuses and inspection methods.
2. Related Art
As an example of recording apparatuses, ink jet printers that eject liquid such as ink from a recording section and print an image or the like on a medium, for example, continuous paper transported on a support section by a transport section are known. Some of such printers have a winding device that winds a transported medium, which is fed from a feeding section, and on which an image or the like is formed by a recording section, on the side opposite the feeding section (for example, see JP-A-2011-161783).
The user checks the medium, on which the image or the like has been formed by the recording section, to check whether the image or the like has been appropriately printed, that is, the user performs inspection of the medium. When the user performs inspection, the user attaches an end, which is a free end portion, of the transported medium onto a winding shaft of an inspection device dedicated to inspection, and while the transported medium is being wound around the winding shaft, the user visually checks the image printed on the transported medium.
The inspection of the transported medium requires the inspection device in addition to the printer, and the user has to set the transported medium to the inspection device. This operation before starting the inspection is troublesome.

Recording apparatus and inspection method


A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

It is known to use mission planning processes, or task planning processes, to determine tasks for entities such as vehicles to perform.
Many mission planning problems have complex and nonlinear constraints. Communication constraints are an example of such complex and nonlinear constraints.
Conventionally, when attempting to solve mission planning problems with complex and nonlinear constraints, either the nonlinear constraints are approximated with simpler linear constraints, or the size of the planning problem is reduced, for example, by using a receding horizon approach.
H. Nguyen, N. Pezeshkian, M. Raymond, A. Gupta, J. Spector, "Autonomous Communication Relays for Tactical Robots", Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Advanced Robotics, 2003, discloses a system of ground robots, where specialist relay robots form a convoy together with a master robot. The relay robots take a fixed position when a rule-based system indicates that a relay is required for line-of-sight maintenance.
R. Beard, T. McLain, "Multiple UAV Cooperative Search under Collision Avoidance and Limited Range Communication constraints", 2003 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, 2003, discloses reducing the size of a planning problem by approximating communication constraints using a simple range constraint between vehicles.
T. Schouwenaars, A. Stubbs, J. Paduano, E. Feron, "Multivehicle path planning for nonline-of-sight communication", Journal of Field Robotics, Vol. 23, Issue 3-4, pp. 269-290, 2006, discloses a mixed integer linear programming approach to constrain a path planning problem for a group of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). In this approach only a short part of the mission is planned at a time. Also, the complexity of line-of-sight blocking obstacles that can be modelled is limited.
S. Ponda, O. Huber, H. Choi, J. How, "Avoid communication outages in decentralized planning", IEEE Globecom 2010 Workshop on Wireless Networking for UAVs, 2010, discloses a distributed planning system that tends to require strong communication connectivity between vehicles. In this approach, communication constraints are modelled as simple distance constraints. Also, with this approach, the use of specialist communication planning tools tends to be difficult.


The present invention provides an endoscope comprising an elongated insert portion having flexibility, the insert portion being inserted into a space targeted for inspection, a connector portion linked with a proximal end side of the insert portion and having a unit which controls flexible bending and image acquisition of the insert portion mounted thereon, an apparatus main body which controls the connector portion, and an endoscope housing case which houses the insert portion and connector portion and the apparatus main body therein, the endoscope apparatus having an insert portion housing member in which the endoscope main body having the connector portion and apparatus main body assembled with each other is attachable to/detachable from the endoscope housing case, and which is attachable to/detachable from the endoscope main body while the insert portion is held.

The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus mainly used in the industrial field, the endoscope apparatus being inserted into a space targeted for inspection, such as an inside of a pipe, to observe a site or an internal state.
In general, as an endoscope apparatus for industrial use, there may be used an endoscope apparatus comprising an elongated insert portion so as to enable endoscopic inspection of a deep part of plant, for example. In this case, it is poor in usability to carry such an elongated insert portion in its original state.
For example, in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-264643, there is disclosed a drum type endoscope apparatus used by providing a drum for winding an elongated insert portion in an endoscope housing case which houses an endoscope apparatus main body therein, winding the elongated insert portion around the drum, and pulling out the required insert portion. In this endoscope apparatus, the drum for housing the insert portion in the endoscope housing case is provided, and thus, an operation for housing the insert portion in the endoscope housing case is simple. However, in this configuration, when the housing of a drum portion is taken into account, the simplification of the internal configuration of the endoscope housing case and the reduction of a drum mechanism itself must be achieved.
In addition, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,070, there is disclosed an endoscope apparatus comprising an endoscope housing case that houses an endoscope apparatus main body therein. A housing portion of an insert portion is assembled integrally with this endoscope housing case. Further, in this apparatus, the endoscope apparatus main body including an endoscope insert portion and an insert portion casing linked with a proximal end part of this insert portion can be used by removing it from the endoscope housing case. However, in this apparatus, the housing portion of the insert portion is formed integrally with a case, and thus, the case and insert portion must be housed after they are combined with each other.


Systems and methods for transferring value. A method includes posting, by a user device to a blockchain, a deposit transaction comprising a deposit value and conditions and updating, by the user device, a state according to a transaction amount. The method also includes transmitting, by the user device, a state update of the state to a server computer and responsive to transmitting the state update, and receiving, by the user device, a payment complete message comprising a tuple from the server computer. The method also includes verifying, by the user device, the conditions and processing, by the user device, a server deposit transaction on the blockchain in response to verifying.

As cryptocurrency becomes more widespread, there is an increasing number of users with cryptocurrency accounts and an increasing number of different cryptocurrency systems. In general, currency on one blockchain of one cryptocurrency cannot be transferred to a blockchain of a different cryptocurrency. With traditional currency, this exchange from one currency to another can be handled by a trusted authority such as a bank. However, a blockchain based cryptocurrency does not typically have a trusted authority that can carry out the conversion. Instead, the blockchain creates a distributed authority that stores information about transactions. Thus there is no central authority between multiple cryptocurrencies that can perform the conversion while maintaining security.
Additionally, transactions on a blockchain can be very time consuming. Each interaction with the blockchain can take an extended period of time to be verified and appear on the blockchain. In order for a message to appear on a blockchain, the message may be added to a block, and that block may need to be verified before it is added to the blockchain. The verification process may also involve mining which can be time consuming. This process can take a long time, on the order of minutes or hours. Over the course of several messages, such a process can take hours or even a full day to process a single transaction.
Embodiments address these issues individually and collectively.


In a service providing system, a live-distribution service for live-distributing contents supplied according to a reservation, and a chat service for providing the use of a chat space corresponding to the reservation for live distribution are provided. After the live distribution finishes, a communication server sends the whole or a part of the contents of chatting performed in the chat space corresponding to the reservation for the live distribution, to a personal computer. With this, even if the user of the personal computer, who supplies the contents, could not participate in a chat with a user of another personal computer while capturing the contents, for example, the user of the personal computer can check the contents of the chat later.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses, information processing methods, recording media, and programs, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a recording medium, and a program which allow the contents of chatting performed in a chat space corresponding to distribution contents to be collectively supplied to the providing source of the contents.
2. Description of the Related Art
As services provided through the Internet, there have been a service (hereinafter called a live-distribution service) which distributes contents in real time according to a reservation made in advance, and a chat service which provides an environment (chat space) that allows a plurality of users to talk with each other by inputting texts.
When the user uses both of these two services, the user can view contents distributed according to a reservation made in advance while chatting with other persons who are also viewing the contents.
Conventionally, however, a service has not yet developed in which the contents of chatting performed in the chat space are collectively supplied to the providing source of the contents. In other words, when the providing source of the contents cannot participate in chatting, the providing source cannot check the content of chatting later.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium, and program


An improved disposable safety razor is provided which consists of an elongated handle with a head having a convex top surface and a flat bottom surface attached to an upper end of the elongated handle. A pair of single cutting edge razor blades are clamped parallel within the head with the cutting edges angled outwardly and upwardly in opposite direction from the convex top surface of the head, so as to be useful in shaving in both forward and rearward strokes.

The instant invention relates generally to razors and more specifically it relates to an improved disposable safety razor, which provides two angularly positioned single edge razor blades for shaving in forward and rearward strokes.
There are available various conventional razors which do not provide the novel improvements of the invention herein disclosed.


A roller type sprag member consisting of three main elements, an outer roller half section, an inner roller half section, and an assembly-location pin. The sprag locks using roller locking techniques in a manner well known in the case of a three-dimensional (3-D) locking sprag. It unlocks, however, using a roll technique in which the inner and outer roller halves rotate in mutually opposite directions, one clockwise and the other counterclockwise. In the process of rotation, the roller is foreshortened between the distance across the sprag contact surfaces, whereupon it loses its ability to act as a locking sprag and releases.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to sprag type locking devices which operate between a drive member and a reaction member and more particularly to a roll-unlocking roller type 3-D sprag device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Roller type locking brakes including sprag members are well known and have been used extensively for many years because of their unrivaled torque-holding capability while requiring a relatively small package. Also they find favor because they are low power devices and never overheat, because they remain locked with the power off, and because they have extremely long wear life. Such a brake is unique in its ability to release and reengage under full load and does so using rolling friction. Moreover, it excels in applications where safety is paramount, such as overhead cranes, material handling equipment, machine tools and robots.
More recently, the three-dimensional (3-D) roller locking sprag has been developed. Such a structure is shown and disclosed in the above cross-referenced application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/280,979 (GSC13,617), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,144. Such apparatus provides an improvement in sprag-type devices which effectively doubles the sprag locking force without increasing the associated contact stresses.
Also, in the above cross-referenced application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/598,298 (GSC13,674), there is shown and described a screw-released roller brake assembly including an input drive assembly, an output drive assembly, a plurality of 3-D locking sprags, a mechanical tripper nut for unlocking the sprags, and a casing therefor. The sprags operate to lock the output drive assembly to the casing so as to prevent rotation thereof in an idle mode of operation. In a drive mode of operation, the tripper is either self-actuated or motor driven so that it is translated linearly up and down against the spline, whereupon at the limit of its travel, the sprags are caused to rotate and unlock while coupling the input drive assembly to the output drive assembly so as to impart a turning motion thereto in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Sprag and roller and ball locking devices characteristically depend on each rolling member trying to roll over its center and, in the process, creating severe frictional forces as it locks up. The generation of these large frictional forces makes it extremely difficult to free these systems once they are under load. It also means that large radial forces are generated which stress the structure and the rolling members. This stress is relieved by a factor of two or more in the case of 3-D sprags, but is not eliminated. One still cannot disengage and reengage under load using rolling friction. The friction must essentially be overpowered or relieved before the disengagement. If the friction is overpowered, wear will likely result and with it, unwanted particles are produced which can become harmful when located, for example, in a piece of equipment such as a telescope in a spacecraft.

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration