A network over which a medium is transferred. The network includes S core rings. Each core ring can be modeled as a set of nodes interconnected by links, where S is greater than or equal to 4 and is an integer, each said core ring having at least N nodes, where N is greater than or equal to 4 and is an integer. Each node/link is configurable in terms of directing the medium from a given source toward a given destination, and where each of the core rings is directly connected by means of k spanning links, where k is greater than or equal to 2, so as to comprise a spanning ring to at least a second and a third of the other core rings. The combinations of core rings spanned by each core ring is such that there is a path comprised of links and nodes from each node on any core ring to any other node on any other core ring. A method for transferring a medium.

A distributed computing architecture will be described that is particularly appropriate for the support of the processing demands associated with what will be referred to as generic conferencing applications. From a broad and general perspective, the concept of a conference among a set of users can be viewed as a collaboration in which formatted discrete or continuous information is provided and accepted by users according to protocols and specifications that are application dependent. Within such an abstract conferencing scenario, the processing of the transmitted information can take place both at the source and destination devices employed by the users as well as by means of processing of information in-route to and from the users. Both modes of generic conference operational support represent valid modes of operation that must be provided by the conferencing infrastructure. Increasingly data-intensive, real-time conferencing applications depend on the availability of an underlying infrastructural capability that offers the needed functionality. The essence of the distributed computing architecture to be presented in the following can be characterized in terms of a highly efficient use of conferencing resources in order to provide a robust conferencing capability relevant to comprehensive range of generic applications.

Scalable configurable network of sparsely interconnected hyper-rings


An intramedullary nail comprises longitudinal channel, a first transverse passage and a second transverse passage. A lag screw extends through the first transverse passage of the intramedullary nail. An anti-rotation shaft extends through the second transverse passage of the intramedullary nail. A cannulated lag screw lock is positioned in the intramedullary shaft and engages the lag screw. The anti-rotation shaft extends through a cross channel in the lag screw lock. A second shaft lock is positioned in the intramedullary nail with the second shaft lock engaging the anti-rotation shaft. In at least one embodiment, the lag screw lock includes a substantially cylindrical body portion rotatably connected to a threaded head portion. In at least one embodiment, the second shaft lock is provided as an end cap including a threaded upper portion and a lower post portion that extends into the lag screw lock.

The skeletal system includes many long bones that extend from the human torso. These long bones include the femur, fibula, tibia, humerus, radius and ulna. These long bones are particularly exposed to trauma from accidents, and, as such, may be easily fractured.
When a fracture occurs, the distal end or proximal portions of the long bone may be fractured into several components and must be realigned. For example, subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures of femurs are often accompanied by fractures of the femoral neck portion and head portion. Areas around the greater trochanter and lesser trochanter may also fracture.
Mechanical devices, commonly in the forms of pins, plates, screws, nails, wires and external devices are commonly used to attach fractured long bones. The pins, plates, wires, nails and screws are typically made of a durable material compatible to the human body, for example titanium, stainless steel or cobalt chromium.
One mechanical device commonly used to treat subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures is the intramedullary rod or nail. The intramedullary nail is typically provided as a cannulated shaft that is inserted into the marrow canal of the femur or other long bone in order to stabilize the fractured bone parts. Before the intramedullary nail is inserted into a long bone, a ball-nose guide wire is typically inserted into the bone canal. The intramedullary nail follows the guide wire into the canal. The guide wire is then removed from the canal and further work may be done on the bone with the implanted intramedullary nail.
Intramedullary rods or nails are often provided with openings for receiving transverse screws or pins. These transverse screws are used to secure the femoral bone fragments, for example the greater trochanter, the lesser trochanter, the neck portion, and the head portion. When securing bone fragments of the neck portion and head portion of the femur, a transverse screw in the form of a lag screw is typically fitted through an opening in the intramedullary nail and screwed into the neck portion and head portion of the fractured femur. At the option of the surgeon, an anti-rotation peg or screw may also be positioned in a second opening in the intramedullary nail to provide a more rigid construction for securing the fractured bone fragments of the femoral neck and head.
To promote the healing of the bone fracture the lag screw and anti-rotation screw are designed to provide a load or force on the reduction or fracture site. Accordingly, the lag screw and anti-rotation screw are designed to provide for sliding compression or movement of the screws in the openings of the intramedullary nail when the intramedullary nail is implanted in the patient during surgery. However, following implantation, during the healing process, movement of the screws relative to the bone is undesirable.
In order to reduce movement of the screws following surgery, some locking device is typically inserted into the intramedullary nail to engage the screws and limit their motion relative to the nail. However, before the locking piece may be inserted into the nail, the ball-nose guide wire must first be removed from the nail. Thus, the locking device is not typically preinstalled in the intramedullary nail and instead must be inserted during the surgical procedure. This process of installing the locking device takes up valuable time during the surgery and is generally inconvenient for the surgeon. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an intramedullary nail arrangement having a locking piece that is pre-installed in the nail before the surgical procedure.
During a surgical procedure where the surgeon uses both a lag screw and an anti-rotation screw, a surgeon may wish to independently lock down the lag screw or the anti-rotational screw to control the rotational and axial translation of one screw while allowing the other screw to move independently. However, current intramedullary nail arrangements do not provide the option to lock down the lag screw while allowing the anti-rotation screw to move independently. Accordingly, it would also be advantageous to provide an intramedullary nail arrangement where the lag screw may be locked down while still allowing the anti-rotation screw to move independently.
Some prior art arrangements have utilized a set screw and spacer provided in the intramedullary nail to control the lag screw. However, in these arrangements, the set screw and spacer are two separate pieces. This is also not optimal because the complete assembly is not cannulated and does not allow the lag screw to translate along its axis. Furthermore, other proposed arrangements for controlling movement of the lag screw do not allow for an anti-rotation screw when desired. For these intramedullary nails having a lag screw but no option for an anti-rotation screw, some means may be provided to screw down a pin or rod to either statically lock the lag screw or only allow translation. However, in past arrangements calling for both a lag screw and an anti-rotation screw no means is provided for controlling only the lag screw with the anti-rotation screw in place or for locking the lag screw while still allowing translation of the anti-rotation screw.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an improved intramedullary nail assembly. As discussed above, it would be particularly advantageous to provide an intramedullary nail assembly where a locking piece may be preinstalled in the nail prior to surgery. It would also be advantageous if such intramedullary nail assembly was configured to include both a lag screw and an optional anti-rotation screw that may be selectively locked in place on the nail assembly. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the intramedullary nail assembly included an arrangement to control movement of the lag screw with the anti-rotation screw in place in the intramedullary nail or for locking only the lag screw while still allowing translation of the anti-rotation screw within the intramedullary nail.


A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to data processing, and more specifically relates to allocation of shared resources in a computer system.
2. Background Art
Since the dawn of the computer age, computer systems have evolved into extremely sophisticated devices that may be found in many different settings. Computer systems typically include a combination of hardware (e.g., semiconductors, circuit boards, etc.) and software (e.g., computer programs). As advances in semiconductor processing and computer architecture push the performance of the computer hardware higher, more sophisticated computer software has evolved to take advantage of the higher performance of the hardware, resulting in computer systems today that are much more powerful than just a few years ago.
The combination of hardware and software on a particular computer system defines a computing environment. Different hardware platforms and different operating systems thus provide different computing environments. In recent years, engineers have recognized that it is possible to provide different computing environments on the same physical computer system by logically partitioning the computer system resources to different computing environments. The iSeries computer system developed by IBM is an example of a computer system that supports logical partitioning. If logical partitioning on an iSeries computer system is desired, resource and partition manager code (referred to as a "hypervisor" in iSeries terminology) is installed that allows defining different computing environments on the same platform. Once the resource and partition manager is installed, logical partitions may be created that define different computing environments. The resource and partition manager manages the logical partitions to assure that they can share needed resources in the computer system while maintaining the separate computing environments defined by the logical partitions.
A computer system that includes multiple logical partitions typically shares resources between the logical partitions. For example, a computer system with two logical partitions could be defined that allocates 50% of the CPU to each partition, that allocates 33% of the memory to the first partition and 67% of the memory to the second partition, and that allocates two different I/O slots to the two logical partitions, one per partition. Once logical partitions are defined and shared resources are allocated to the logical partitions, each logical partition acts as a separate computer system. Thus, in the example above that has a single computer system with two logical partitions, the two logical partitions will appear for all practical purposes to be two separate and distinct computer systems.
One problem with known logically partitioned computer systems occurs when hardware resources need to be transferred between logical partitions. For example, if a PCI slot in a first logical partition needs to be transferred to a second logical partition, the PCI slot must first be removed from the first logical partition, and the PCI slot can then be allocated to the second logical partition. Note, however, that once the PCI slot has been removed from the first logical partition, in the prior art two logical partitions might compete for control of the PCI slot at the same time. In addition, when a PCI slot is allocated to a different logical partition, it may contain data from the previous logical partition that could be compromised under certain circumstances. Furthermore, the PCI slot may be configured in a particular state suitable for the first logical partition, which is not necessarily suitable for the second logical partition. Without a way to dynamically transfer I/O resources in a logically partitioned computer system without the drawbacks known in the art, the computer industry will continue to suffer from potentially insecure and inefficient mechanisms and methods for performing I/O resource transfers in logically partitioned computer systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Controlling resource transfers in a logically partitioned computer system

International Business Machines Corporation


Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-5 desaturase along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using this delta-5 desaturase in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.

The importance of PUFAs is undisputed. For example, certain PUFAs are important biological components of healthy cells and are recognized as: "essential" fatty acids that cannot be synthesized de novo in mammals and instead must be obtained either in the diet or derived by further desaturation and elongation of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 omega-6) or α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 omega-3); constituents of plasma membranes of cells, where they may be found in such forms as phospholipids or triacylglycerols; necessary for proper development (particularly in the developing infant brain) and for tissue formation and repair; and, precursors to several biologically active eicosanoids of importance in mammals (e.g., prostacyclins, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, prostaglandins). Additionally, a high intake of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs produces cardiovascular protective effects (Dyerberg, J. et al., Amer. J. Clin. Nutr., 28:958-966 (1975); Dyerberg, J. et al., Lancet, 2(8081):117-119 (Jul. 15, 1978); Shimokawa, H., World Rev. Nutr. Diet, 88:100-108 (2001); von Schacky, C. and Dyerberg, J., World Rev. Nutr. Diet, 88:90-99 (2001)). And, numerous other studies document wide-ranging health benefits conferred by administration of omega-3 and/or omega-6 PUFAs against a variety of symptoms and diseases (e.g., asthma, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, cancer).
A variety of different hosts including plants, algae, fungi and yeast are being investigated as means for commercial PUFA production. Genetic engineering has demonstrated that the natural abilities of some hosts (even those natively limited to LA and ALA fatty acid production) can be substantially altered to result in high-level production of various long-chain omega-3/omega-6 PUFAs. Whether this is the result of natural abilities or recombinant technology, production of arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4 omega-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 omega-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 omega-3) may all require expression of a delta-5 desaturase.
Most delta-5 desaturase enzymes identified so far have the primary ability to convert dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA; 20:3 omega-6) to ARA, with secondary activity in converting eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA; 20:4 omega-3) to EPA (where DHA is subsequently synthesized from EPA following reaction with an additional C20/22 elongase and a delta-4 desaturase). The delta-5 desaturase has a role in both the delta-6 desaturase/delta-6 elongase pathway (which is predominantly found in algae, mosses, fungi, nematodes and humans and which is characterized by the production of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3 omega-6) omega and/or stearidonic acid (STA; 18:4 omega-3))omega and the delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway (which operates in some organisms, such as euglenoid species and which is characterized by the production of eicosadienoic acid (EDA; 20:2 omega-6)omega and/or eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA; 20:3 omega-3)) omega (FIG. 1).
Based on the role delta-5 desaturase enzymes play in the synthesis of e.g., ARA, EPA and DHA, there has been considerable effort to identify and characterize these enzymes from various sources. As such, numerous delta-5 desaturases have been disclosed in both the open literature (e.g., GenBank Accession No. AF199596, No. AF226273, No. AF320509, No. AB072976, No. AF489588, No. AJ510244, No. AF419297, No. AF07879, No. AF067654 and No. AB022097) and the patent literature (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,972,664 and 6,075,183). Also, commonly owned, co-pending application having Provisional Application No. 60/801,172 (filed May 17, 2006) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a delta-5 desaturase enzyme from Euglena gracilis, while commonly owned, co-pending application having Provisional Application No. 60/915,733 (filed May 3, 2007) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a delta-5 desaturase enzyme from Euglena anabaena.
The instant invention concerns the identification and isolation of additional genes encoding delta-5 desaturases from Peridinium sp. CCMP626 that would be suitable for heterologous expression in a variety of host organisms for use in the production of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids.

Delta-5 desaturase and its use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids


An automatic method for the registration of prone and supine computed tomographic colonography data is provided. The method improves the radiologist's overall interpretation efficiency as well as provides a basis for combining supine/prone computer-aided detection results automatically. The method includes determining (centralized) paths or axes of the colon from which relatively stationary points of the colon are matched for both supine and prone positions. Stretching and/or shrinking of either the supine or prone path perform registration of these points. The matching and registration occurs in an iterative and recursive manner and is considered finished based on one or more decision criteria.

Computed Tomographic Colonography (CTC) is a minimally invasive method for the examination of the colon using spiral/helical CT volume data. The standard imaging process includes colon cleansing and air-insufflation, followed by CT imaging of the abdomen while the patient is in the supine position. However, insufficient cleansing and air-insufflation often cause some parts of the colon wall to be covered with water (See e.g. S. C. Chen et al., "CT colonography: value of scanning in both the supine and prone positions," Am J Roentgenol, vol. 172(3), pp. 595–599, 1999; J. G. Fletcher, et al., "Optimization of CT colonography technique: prospective trial in 180 patients," Radiology, vol. 216(3), pp. 704–711, 2000; J. Yee, et al., "The usefulness of glucagon hydrochloride for colonic distention in CT colonography," Am J Roentgenol, vol. 173(1), pp. 169–172, 1999). Furthermore, retained solid fecal material can mimic a polyp in CT images (See e.g. J. G. Fletcher et al., "CT colonography: potential pitfalls and problem-solving techniques," Am J Roentgenol, vol. 172(5), pp. 1271–1278, 1999 (With comments in Am J Roentgenol, vol. 172(5), pp. 1179, 1999)). These limitations are largely overcome by imaging the colon a second time with the patient in the prone position. The radiologists then compare the two sets of images to assess for movement of feces and to examine surfaces hidden in supine position. This requires careful anatomic alignment between the two data sets. However, as the patients change position, their colons deform and may stretch or shrink in length. Currently, anatomic matching the two data sets is tedious and time consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for a more convenient and automatic method that would allow matching of these two data sets.

Method for matching and registering medical image data

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


The present invention is a method and a system for controlling a voltage at a node in a circuit such that the node is prevented from having an unknown floating voltage during a steady state of a clock signal. The circuit includes a transmission gate which has input and output terminals, and operates in response to a clock signal. The node is located proximal to the output terminal of the transmission gate. The method includes the operations of driving the node with an input signal when the transmission gate is open during a first steady state of the clock signal and pulling the node to a fixed voltage when the transmission gate is closed during a second steady state of the clock signal

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for controlling a voltage at a node in a circuit such that the node is prevented from having an unknown floating voltage. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and a system for controlling nodes susceptible to floating voltages in a dynamic register included in a high speed communication integrated circuit while the integrated circuit is undergoing IDDQ testing for detection of circuit faults.
2. Background of Related Art
Local Area Networks (LAN) provides network connectivity for personal computers, workstations and servers. Ethernet, in its original 10BASE-T form, remains the dominant network technology for LANs. However, among the high speed LAN technologies available today, Fast Ethernet, or 100BASE-T, has become the leading choice. Fast Ethernet technology provides a smooth, non-disruptive evolution from the 10 megabits per second (Mbps) performance of the 10BASE-T to the 100 Mbps performance of the 100BASE-T. The growing use of 100BASE-T connections to servers and desktops is creating a definite need for an even higher speed network technology at the backbone and server level.
The most appropriate solution to this need, now in development, is Gigabit Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet will provide 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) bandwidth with the simplicity of Ethernet at lower cost than other technologies of comparable speed, and will offer a smooth upgrade path for current Ethernet installations.
In a Gigabit Ethernet communication system that conforms to the 1000BASE-T standard, gigabit transceivers are connected via Category 5 twisted pairs of copper cables. Cable responses vary drastically among different cables. Thus, the computations, and hence power consumption, required to compensate for noise (such as echo, near-end crosstalk, far-end crosstalk) will vary widely depending on the particular cable that is used.
In integrated circuit technology, power consumption is generally recognized as being a function of the switching (clock) speed of transistor elements making up the circuitry, as well as the number of component elements operating within a given time period. The more transistor elements operating at one time, and the higher the operational speed of the component circuitry, the higher the relative degree of power consumption for that circuit. This is particularly relevant in the case of Gigabit Ethernet, since all computational circuits are clocked at 125 Mhz (corresponding to 250 Mbps per twisted pair of cable), and the processing requirements of such circuits require rather large blocks of computational circuitry, particularly in the filter elements. Power consumption figures in the range of from about 4.5 Watts to about 6.0 Watts are not unreasonable when the speed and complexity of modern gigabit communication circuitry is considered.
A Gigabit Ethernet transceiver includes a larger number of adaptive filters, which in turn require a large number of registers. Dynamic registers are preferred over static registers due to their low power consumption and faster operating speed. Thus, the requirements of small layout, low power consumption, and high operating speed of the Gigabit Ethernet transceiver necessitate the use of dynamic registers instead of static registers in most of the adaptive filters included in the Gigabit Ethernet transceiver. However, the use of dynamic registers poses a problem in IDDQ testing of the transceiver chip.
IDDQ testing, where IDDQ is the IEEE symbol for the quiescent current in CMOS integrated circuits, is a cost-effective test strategy for detecting faults in digital CMOS integrated circuits. IDDQ testing is ideal for static CMOS integrated circuits which draw extremely low leakage current IDD when no transistors are switching. This non-switching state is known as the quiescent state. Any defects in CMOS integrated circuits that cause a higher current than the assumed threshold value of IDD can be detected by this testing. When an integrated circuit includes a dynamic CMOS register, IDDQ testing becomes unreliable because floating nodes in the dynamic register may cause a substantial amount of power supply current to be dissipated in the dynamic register during the quiescent state. It is not possible to determine whether a large amount of power supply current drawn by the circuit was caused by a defect in the circuit or by floating nodes. Thus, floating nodes render the IDDQ test unreliable.
Thus, there is a need for a method and a system for controlling voltages at nodes that may become floating nodes in a dynamic register included in an integrated circuit while the integrated circuit is undergoing an IDDQ test.

Dynamic register with IDDQ testing capability


An analysis device obtains hash lists from databases of a server cluster. The analysis device determines repetitive hash values and repetitive data blocks. The analysis device deletes the repetitive data blocks from servers of the server cluster.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to management technology, and particularly to a repetitive data block deleting system and method.
2. Description of Related Art
A data center is a facility which houses a large number of computers and stores huge amounts of data. By using cloud computing, the files are uploaded into a data center. However, at present, a file stored in the data center may include one or more same portions, which waste a lot of storage spaces. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.

Repetitive data block deleting system and method

Shenzhen Airdrawing Technology Service Co., Ltd


An improved method for loading a cache is described. The present invention monitors memory access to identify specific types of memory access, for example, requests to launch executable program code stored in a hard disk drive. The method maps the stored program code into a plurality of memory blocks. The memory block access during the launching of the executable program code is then profiled. When the computer remains idle for a predetermined time the profiling process is stopped. Alternatively, if the computer does not remain idle, for the predetermined time, the profiling process is stopped after a timeout period. The profile is then evaluated to identify the most frequently accessed memory blocks. A list of the most frequently accessed memory blocks is stored. The number of memory blocks stored in the list depends upon the size of the cache. The file access system is monitored to identify the next time that a profiled memory access process is initiated. When a profiled process is initiated, the list of the most frequently accessed memory blocks for that process is retrieved. These memory blocks are then pre-loaded into the software disk cache. Pre-loading the memory blocks into the disk cache avoids the long access times required to load pages from persistent storage devices, and thus significantly increases the execution speed of the application program. The present invention predictive cache system can reduce the time required to load executable programs from a hard disk by 40%.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of computer system information retrieval systems, and more specifically to computer system cache memories.
2. Background Art
Loading information into a computer processor memory from a persistent storage device, such as a hard drive, introduces significant delays into computer system operation. Persistent storage caches typically contain information most recently loaded from a persistent storage device. These caches often do not contain requested information thereby requiring the information to be retrieved from a persistent storage device and delaying system operation. The following background information is presented to provide a better understanding of this problem.
A typical computer system consists of a number of modules or components. Computer systems typically include a central processing unit (CPU) such as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is a program-controlled device that obtains, decodes and executes instructions. A computer system also includes storage components for storing system operating software, application program instructions and data. These storage components may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or tape storage, or any other suitable storage means.
A computer system typically also includes input/output (I/O) components for connecting external devices to the microprocessor. Special purpose components, such as memory management units or co-processors, may also be part of the computer system.
Computers are used to process data. To allow processing of data, input data must be stored until it is to be used by the central processing unit (CPU). Also, output data must be stored after it has been processed. During some processing operations, the CPU may also require the storage of data temporarily while instructions are executed on that data. In addition, the application program that controls the processing and the operating system under which the program runs must be accessible to the CPU. This information is made available to the CPU by storing it either in a resource known as "main memory," or in a "cache" memory.
The memory component known as main memory is dynamically allocated to users, data, programs or processes. Main memory is typically a silicon-based memory such as a RAM. In many applications, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is used as the main memory. The operating speed of CPU's often exceeds the speed at which DRAM can be accessed. For example, a CPU may operate at 100 MHz, with therefore a 10 ns cycle period. By contrast the DRAM main memory may have a standard access time of 60 ns. To improve the system operating speed small high speed secondary memory is used called cache memory. Cache memory is typically Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) with a typical access time of 15-25 ns. Because SRAM devices typically require larger device packages and are considerably more expensive than DRAM devices, cache memory is typically between ten and a thousand times smaller than the main memory. Cache memory combines the advantages of fast SRAMs with the low cost of DRAMs to maximize the efficiency of the memory system. Cache memory that is incorporated into the microprocessor chip is called a primary cache. A secondary cache is a cache memory that supports the main memory and is located outside of the microprocessor chip.
Where information is stored in a computer system generally depends on the amount of information to be stored, the importance of rapid access to the information, and the amount of time that the information is to be stored. The different storage resources in a computer system are each optimized to serve different storage functions. As discussed above, with regard to the access speed of the different memory resources, cache memory provides the fastest information access, followed by DRAM main memory, then a hard disk, and finally a floppy disk or an optical disk such as a CD ROM. With regard to storage capacity, hard disk drives generally provide the largest storage capacity. For example, a personal computer system may have a two gigabyte ("Gbyte") hard drive, a 1.4 megabyte ("Mbyte") floppy disk, a 32 Mbyte main memory RAM, a 16 kilobyte ("Kbyte") primary cache, and a 256 Kbyte secondary cache. An application program such as a word processor, may initially be stored on a hard disk. When the word processor program is executed the primary functional blocks of the program may be loaded into main memory so that the CPU can execute the primary functions of the program rapidly without having to access the hard disk.
A small subset of the program instructions stored in main memory are also stored in the cache memory to maximize the program operating speed. When the CPU reads code, it sends out the corresponding memory address. A cache controller is located between the CPU and main memory. The cache controller determines whether the requested code is available in the cache. When the requested code is found in the cache it is called a cache hit. When the requested code is not found in the cache it is called a cache miss. When the requested code is stored in the cache, the cache controller reads the code from the cache and passes it on to the CPU. The read access is intercepted by the cache and the main memory is not accessed.
When a cache miss occurs, the code is obtained from main memory. This slows down the operation of the program because of the slower access speed of main memory. Typically when a cache miss occurs, in addition to the requested bytes, the entire cache line which includes the requested bytes is read from the main memory into the cache. This is called a cache line fill. Cache lines are typically 16 or 32 bytes in size. One approach to loading code into the cache is to replace the cache line that has not been accessed for the longest time. Another approach to loading the cache is to randomly select the cache line to be replaced.
When an application program is loaded it is transferred from persistent storage, such as a hard drive, to main memory. Microprocessors with the Windows.RTM. 95 operating system use 32-bit physical addresses to address physical memory. Memory addresses that application programs use are called "virtual" addresses. Virtual addresses are translated to physical addresses through a "page table."
Memory shortages can occur if more memory is needed than the physical memory available. A paging system is used to, in effect, extend the amount of physical memory available on a system. A paging system can be used to free allocated memory thereby making it available for use by another memory requester. The contents of allocated memory is typically written to a storage medium (e.g., a hard disk drive). This process is referred to as "swapping out" the contents of memory. Once the contents of allocated memory are "swapped out" the memory can be freed for allocation to another. Contents that were "swapped out" can be reloaded into memory from storage as it is needed.
Each page of memory includes control bits. One bit indicates whether a particular page has been accessed; another if the page has been written to; a third bit indicates whether the page has been swapped out to disk and must be reloaded into memory. The operating system uses the control bits to determine whether a page can be swapped to a disk file to obtain more free physical memory. Windows.RTM. 95 uses a least-recently-used (LRU) algorithm to determine what pages to swap out to disk.
In the Windows.RTM. 95 operating system, application programs get loaded into memory in 4 Kbyte pages. The use of relatively small independent pages provides the multi-tasking advantages described above; however, the page system typically reduces the efficiency of the memory loading process. The pages are generally loaded in an essentially arbitrary order. Therefore, the pages are not read from disk in the most optimal way. Furthermore, the process of loading files from a hard disk is slow compared to accessing files stored in main memory. One primary factor that contributes to the relatively slow information retrieval speed for a hard disk is the time required to physically move the head relative to the disk to read the requested information. This disk seeking time is compounded for files that are comprised of sections stored at different locations on the disk. This is often the case because as a hard disk begins to fill up with files, the size of the free contiguous disk sections decrease. A new large file may therefore be stored in numerous small fragments. As files are repeatedly written to and deleted from the disk, the remaining free space on the disk becomes highly fragmented. Highly fragmented files combined with the already slow hard disk information retrieval speed can create significant delays in computer system operation.
A major problem that significantly reduces performance is that memory pages or disk sectors are loaded from the hard disk in the order in which they are executed, not the order in which they are stored on the hard disk. Thus, even if adequate contiguous storage is available on the hard disk and files are stored in consecutive order in a contiguous area of the hard disk, the files may be accessed in a different order, thereby requiring the read head of the hard disk to perform many seeks to read the data stored on the hard disk. Each seek typically requires the head to be moved to the track or cylinder in which the desired sector is located, to be precisely positioned over the track or cylinder, to locate the desired sector within the track or cylinder, to wait for the desired sector to pass by the read head, and to read the data stored in the desired sector. Thus, the loading of memory pages or disk sectors from the hard disk in an order different from the order in which they were stored significantly reduces system performance.
To reduce the delays caused by slow hard disk information retrieval speeds many operating systems include a software disk cache. The software disk cache is a section of main memory that is allocated to store information retrieved from the hard disk. The relationship between the software disk cache and the hard disk is conceptually similar to the relationship between the main memory and the secondary cache. In a personal computer system the software disk cache typically ranges in size from 512 Kbytes to 16 Mbytes. Generally the software disk cache stores the information most recently loaded from the hard disk. Some prior art cache loading systems load the software disk cache with information from the hard disk following a simple sequential access pattern. For operating systems that do not provide a software disk cache, programs, such as SmartDrive, can be purchased to add this feature. SmartDrive essentially stores executable code after a program has been launched. SmartDrive does not anticipate what code will be required by a program before the program is launched.
The prior art disk cache loading systems that load the software disk cache with information from the hard disk using a simple sequential access pattern are generally ineffective with files accessed in a non-contiguous manner because the software disk cache does not contain the non-contiguous segments when they are requested. Prior art software disk cache systems that merely retain the most recently loaded information from the hard disk often fail to contain a requested memory page the first time the page is requested. As a result significant delays due to slow hard disk information retrieval speeds persist in prior art software disk cache systems. Thus, an improved method of loading a software disk cache is needed to increase the software disk cache hit rate and, therefore, to reduce system delays due to slow hard disk information retrieval speeds.

Method and apparatus for predictive loading of a cache


A sales and presentation area has an essentially annular region rotatably mounted in the horizontal direction, divided into ring segments able to be moved individually in the vertical direction, and set into horizontal rotational movement via drives during use of the ring segments by customers. A changing section along the path of the moving annular region is kept inaccessible for customers from the exterior of the annular region. A lifting and lowering device is provided beneath the changing section. The ring segments slide over the lifting and lowering device in the course of the rotational movement of the annular region and rest on the lifting and lowering device during a standstill of the annular region for moving the ring segments in the vertical direction. The ring segments may be pushed in the radial direction into rooms below the sales and presentation area.

The present invention relates to a sales and presentation area such as a shopping mall or the like.
In typical sales and presentation areas of this type, the primary intention is to offer the consumers a manifold selection of goods in differently designed sales and presentation regions, which are combined into possibly large-volume sales and presentation areas. It is typical in this case to combine these sales and presentation regions with facilities for gastronomy and entertainment, in order to thus also represent the shopping as an adventure and therefore as a possibility for a recreational activity.
In this case, it is attempted, for example, to draw streams of customers via interesting architectonic design of the sales and presentation area or to awaken the interest of the consumers via diverse events in the freely travelable sections between the individual sales and presentation regions. The operators of the individual sales and presentation regions, in turn, attempt to excite the attention of the customers again and again via a regularly changing design of their individual business regions. "Shopping centers" are thus increasingly turned into "shopping cities", in which shopping is connected with "fun" and "entertainment". However, the selection of sales and presentation areas of this type is increasing and it is becoming more and more difficult to obtain the interest of the consumers. It has been shown to be disadvantageous in this case that the individual sales and presentation regions may be redesigned at a relatively low cost, but the appearance of the entire sales and presentation area may not be changed without something further, so that the effect of familiarity causes increasing disinterest in the consumers.
Furthermore, shopping malls are being increasingly combined with other recreational areas such as sport areas, theatres, gambling areas, and the like. Some of these areas will be used predominantly during day hours, and others during evening and night hours. Thus, some of the sales and presentation regions of the shopping mall may remain unused during most of the day which decreases the revenues of the overall shopping mall.

Sales and presentation area with rotatably mounted annular region divided into vertically movable ring segments


The present invention relates to oil-in-water emulsions, their use as adjuvants, and pharmaceutical, immunologic, or vaccine compositions that may comprise the same. In one embodiment, the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion may comprise an aqueous solution containing an immunogen, a mineral oil, a non-ionic lipophilic ethoxylated fatty alcohol and a non-ionic hydrophilic surfactant. In another embodiment, the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion may comprise an aqueous solution containing an immunogen, a non-ionic lipophilic surfactant, a mineral oil and a non-ionic hydrophilic ethoxylated fatty alcohol. The present invention also encompasses a method of making a vaccine composition using the adjuvant of the instant invention, the vaccine composition so obtained and methods of use.

The use of adjuvants in vaccines is well known. An adjuvant is a compound that, when combined with a vaccine immunogen, increases the immune response to the vaccine immunogen. Among strategies that promote immunogenicity of a protein, glycoprotein or peptide are those that emulsify vaccine immunogens. (Nossal 1999, In: Fundamental Immunology. Paul (Ed.), Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, Pa.; Vogel and Powell, 1995, In: Vaccine Design. The Subunit and Adjuvant Approach. Powell and Newman (Eds.), Plenum Press, NY, N.Y. p. 141). Because of the essential role that adjuvants play in improving the immunogenicity of vaccine immunogens, the use of adjuvants in the formulation of vaccines has been virtually ubiquitous (Nossal, 1999, supra; Vogel and Powell, 1995, supra; the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). Conventional adjuvants, well-known in the art, are diverse in nature. They may, for example, consist of water-insoluble inorganic salts, liposomes, micelles or emulsions, i.e. Freund's adjuvant. Other adjuvants may be found in Vogel and Powell, 1995, mentioned supra. Although there is no single mechanism of adjuvant action, an essential characteristic is their ability to significantly increase the immune response to a vaccine immunogen as compared to the response induced by the vaccine immunogen alone (Nossal, 1999, supra; Vogel and Powell, 1995, supra). In this regard, some adjuvants are more effective at augmenting humoral immune responses; other adjuvants are more effective at increasing cell-mediated immune responses (Vogel and Powell, 1995, supra); and yet another group of adjuvants increase both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against vaccine antigens (Vogel and Powell, 1995, supra).
Generally, emulsions used in vaccine formulation comprise a mixture of oil, aqueous solution and surfactants. Some emulsions incorporate a lipophilic surfactant such as Span 80® and a hydrophilic surfactant such as Tween 80®. These emulsions may also contain compounds such as lecithin or saponin known to have ionic surfactant properties.
However, problems of stability can be observed with emulsions used as vaccine adjuvants, in particular during storage or transport. Lipase or esterase enzymatic activities present in the solution or suspension of immunogen can hydrolyse the surfactants of the emulsion and can lead to a lack of stability of the adjuvant. The lipases or esterases can come for example from the cell culture used to grow viruses or from bacteria This is particularly true when these compositions contain concentrated immunogens, especially non-purified concentrated immunogens. Typically, this is the case with adjuvants used in inactivated (killed) vaccines. This problem is even more significant with multivalent vaccine compositions because the immunogens are more concentrated in the same volume of diluent.
Another problem with adjuvant use is linked to a risk of adverse events such as toxicity or local inflammation at the site of injection. For example, a local inflammatory response and/or granulomae may result after injection. In order to limit such an adverse reaction, surfactants and other components in the emulsion may be reduced; however, the reduction may then result in a decrease in the stability of the vaccine composition. There is, therefore, a need for novel adjuvants and vaccine compositions containing such adjuvants with increased safety and stability.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.


System and method for assigning communications resources in a wireless communications system. A method for operating a base station comprises receiving a resource request for radio resources for a mobile station, in response to a determining that the base station will service the resource request, assigning radio resources based on the resource request and transmitting an indicator of the assigned radio resources to the mobile station, and in response to a determining that the base station will not service the resource request, returning to a normal mode of operations. The assigning of radio requests makes use of a channel tree comprised of two non-orthogonal sets of mappings between nodes of the channel tree and radio resources, with each node corresponding to at least one radio resource.

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communications systems, time-frequency resources may be shared among a number of mobile stations (MS). A base station (BS) may assign the time-frequency resources to an MS using an assignment message, which may be transmitted as part of a control channel. Ideally, information regarding an assignment of the time-frequency resources to an MS may be transmitted to the MS using as little control channel overhead (for example, fewest bits of information) as possible, while maintaining as much assignment flexibility as possible.
In a commonly used technique to minimize control channel overhead, the BS may transmit the time-frequency resource assignment in the form of an index to a channel tree. The channel tree may include channel tree nodes, wherein each channel tree node may correspond to a specific portion of the time-frequency resources of the OFDMA communications system. In general, the structure of the channel tree may dictate the permissible assignments of the time-frequency resources. For example, if there are eight time-frequency resources that may be assigned and if the channel tree has the structure of a binary tree, then an assignment may be transmitted using four bits of information.
In an alternate approach to assigning the time-frequency resources, the BS may transmit a bitmap to the MS, wherein each bit of the bitmap may represent a time-frequency resource that may be assigned and the value of the bit may represent the time-frequency resources assigned to the MS. For example, if there are eight time-frequency resources that may be assigned, then an assignment may be transmitted using eight bits of information, with one bit per time-frequency resource. Additionally, if a bit in the eight-bit sequence has a value of one (1), then a corresponding time-frequency resource may be assigned to the MS, while if a bit has a value of zero (0), then a corresponding time-frequency resource may not be assigned to the MS.


A geographical web browser allows a user to navigate a network application such as the Word Wide Web by physically navigating in geographical coordinates and roaming through coverage areas of cellular base stations, wireless LANs, microcells, and other such broadcast domains. A mobile unit receives unsolicited push messages in a local hotspot area. A packet filter filters local hotspot push messages to see whether they coincide with the user's preferences. In some embodiments, the push message is used to notify the user that information is available for download, and in other embodiments the push message or pushed packet sequence provides the content directly to the user.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mobile data networks. More particularly, the invention relates to a network application program such as a web browser which allows a user to navigate a set of network web pages based on a user's location and the setting of one or more auxiliary control parameters.
2. Description of the Related Art
The concept of providing a local broadcast domain through which a mobile unit passes is well known. For example, when on a cross-country trip, an automobile passes through various areas of FM radio coverage. In the art of cellular communications it has become common practice to reduce the size of a given broadcast domain. This allows frequencies to be efficiently reused. In spread spectrum communications, it is also recognized that multiple users may share frequency within a small-area broadcast domain using differently encoded waveforms for different users. Companies such as Nokia Inc. have proposed systems whereby information is broadcast to mobile subscribers within a telecommunications cell. In some envisioned methods, this broadcast information is accessible from a network application such as a web browser. A mobile subscriber is able to click on an icon and view, for example, restaurants located in the vicinity of the telecommunications cell occupied by the mobile subscriber.
Recently systems have been introduced whereby a mobile unit such as an automobile passes through a series of very small broadcast domains. Each broadcast domain is called a "picocell". For example, as a mobile user in an automobile travels along a road, the automobile encounters a sequence of network air-interface transceivers that are mounted on telephone poles and periodically placed along the roadside. The vehicle can maintain a network connection by accessing the nearest air interface at any given time. Similar picocell based systems allow a user walking through a building or campus environment to stay connected to a wireless local area network (LAN). The term "air interface" is used in the art to mean a set of physical layer protocols used to communicate information via radio and other forms of wireless connections.
Data networks are also available whereby a mobile unit maintains a wireless network connection with a central server. For example, cellular digital packet data (CDPD), Internet packet Data Network (IPDN) and related technologies exist to allow a mobile unit to interact with an application such as a database. In other systems, radio frequency (RF) modems allow a mobile unit to maintain a network connection to stay connected to the Internet or some other type of network. For example, Global System Mobile (GSM) and Personal Communication Systems (PCS) technologies also allow wireless data connections to be established. Pico-cell based systems also provide wireless networks for similar use within buildings and campus environments.
A co-pending application, Ser. No. 09/167,698 by Eric M. Dowling and Mark N. Anastasi is incorporated herein by reference and is referred to as the "Dowling reference" hereinafter. In the Dowling reference, a method is disclosed to allow a mobile unit to maintain a virtual session with a central server. In a virtual session, an application layer program maintains a communication session in the absence of a physical communication path. When the session is inactive, no communication path exists. When data needs to be communicated, a physical connection is automatically established. This allows a remote unit to maintain a presence with a central server using, for example, a cellular connection. The virtual session only establishes the cellular connection when it is actually being used for network communications. In the context of the present disclosure, the "remote unit" as defined in the Dowling reference is termed a "mobile unit." In a virtual-session based system, the mobile unit uses a cellular connection to maintain a virtual session with a network server attached to a network. The mobile unit runs an application program such as a web browser to communicate with a web site, an Internet site, an intranet site or other application program provided by the network server. Only when the user is actively selecting a link or downloading information is a physical communication path established to support the virtual session.
Another known technology is the global positioning system (GPS). GPS receivers use telemetry information broadcast form satellites to calculate a set of grid coordinates to provide positional information. A mobile unit equipped with a GPS receiver can thereby maintain a fix on its geographical position.
Systems have been introduced by several automobile manufacturers that use a GPS receiver to control the display of digital map information in automobiles. The map data includes locations of various types of business establishments. The map and business establishment data for these systems is stored in a PROM or EPROM memory. Typically these storage devices contain data pertinent to one state. In order to update this data the owner of the vehicle must return to the dealer once a year to have change the PROM or reprogram the EPROM. A traveler wishing to travel between states must purchase additional memory modules programmed with data for the states to be traveled in advance of an out-of-state trip. While the aforementioned technologies provide valuable services and capabilities, these systems are lacking in various ways. For example, consumer radio broadcast technology still uses large broadcast domains such as AM and FM radio stations. While next generation systems have been proposed that will effectively broadcast information such as local advertisements and service announcements to vehicles or pedestrians passing through a telecommunications cell, small locality, no technology exists to provide local broadcast information to automatically control a network application such as a web browser by selectively filtering broadcast information using a packet filter. Current approaches require a user to select an icon or navigate a browser application via conventional means to access information specific to a local area. Also, systems do not exist which allow information processed by a GPS receiver to control the flow of information on a network connection with a server. For example, no web browsers exist which process GPS transmissions to determine geographical position, and use this geographical position information to control what web pages are displayed by the browser. Likewise, no systems exist which accept locally broadcast transmissions such as from a local telephone pole and use this information to control information displayed by the web browser.
It would be desirable to have a system that could provide a user with a means to receive information from a first connection to a network based on the user's position. It would be desirable to allow an application such as a web browser to control a flow of information comprising web pages based on a locally received broadcast. It also would be desirable to allow an application such as a web browser to control the flow of web pages based on processed GPS data. It would be desirable to have a mobile unit that could receive one or more transmissions via a second connection and then generate a request packet on a first connection to navigate an application program such as a web browser. It also would be desirable to have a network server that is operative to receive request packets that are generated based on information received from these transmissions.
Systems currently envisioned by telecommunication firms rely on the knowledge of the user's operating wireless cell. As a position or location measurement system, this knowledge is coarse. Further, as a means for regulating pertinent information, reliance solely on cell data is limiting. Cell coordinates are too coarse to allow data such as direction of travel, speed of travel, etc to be used to predict items of interest to the user. It would therefore be desirable to base broadcast content on detailed user information including, but not limited to, past and present GPS location data.
For certain applications it would be desirable to be able to effectively use a relatively small broadcast domain to produce an "electronic sign." As defined herein, an "electronic sign" involves a system whereby a transmitter broadcasts one or more data packets to be received by a mobile unit as carried by a vehicle or a pedestrian. For example, instead of a passenger looking out of a window to see a billboard, the passenger looks at a computer display screen associated with a dashboard computer device within the vehicle. Alternatively it would also be desirable to make use of the relatively small broadcast domain to produce an "indirect electronic sign." As is also defined herein, an "indirect electronic sign" involves a system whereby a transmitter broadcasts at least one data packet to the mobile unit that then extracts information from the packet and uses it to access an associated web page. In such a system, it would be desirable to download the web pages from the server using the first network connection which is preferably a CDPD connection or a virtual session connection. Moreover, it would be desirable for the mobile unit to be able to supply a filter parameter to allow locally received broadcast packets to be selectively rejected (e.g. based on content or subject matter) and thereby not alter the web page displayed by the mobile unit.
Currently in cities and on major highways there are deployed updateable billboard sized displays that are used to inform drivers of upcoming traffic and road conditions. This information may potentially add convenience to the drivers and allow the roadway to be better utilized more efficiently. For example, a large, updateable billboard sized display can inform drivers of an accident on the roadway ahead. This information is used to prompt lane selection or alternate route selection. However, the information contained on these displays is limited in amount, and allows no dialogue or multilevel queries. It would therefore be desirable to have a display system capable of displaying detailed information in a structured manner to allow for navigation, route planning and advanced traffic management.
In other applications it would be desirable to update a large memory device within the mobile unit with current information directly from the network without the need to change memory modules or reprogram memory modules. These on-board memory devices could then be accessed for information without the necessity to access an internet connection. It would thus be desirable to be able to update this stored information by downloading information from the Internet or some other convenient and accessible network.
Patent application Ser. No. 09,195,171, filed on Nov. 17, 1998 entitled "Geographical Web Browser, Methods, Apparatus, and Systems," to including the originally filed claim, set, is incorporated herein by reference.

Geographical web browser, methods, apparatus and systems


An apparatus and method for diagnosing an airflow control system of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: determining if a valve is in a stable position; commanding the valve of the airflow control system to move from a first position to a second position; determining a period of time for the valve to move from the first position to the second position; providing a first signal if the period of time is greater than or less than a predetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time corresponding to an amount of time necessary to move the valve from the first position to the second position under predetermined conditions; and providing a second signal if the period of time is within a range defined by the predetermined period of time.

This present invention relates generally to airflow control systems and more particularly to an apparatus and method for diagnosing the system.
In order to adjust the fluid flow or air flow in the intake manifold of internal combustion engine movable valves (e.g., intake and exhaust valves) are provided to adjust the fluid flow dynamics. As is known in the related arts the intake and exhaust valves are positioned to periodically open and close during operation of the engine. These valves are opened and closed according to the operational state of the engine as well as commanded states via an engine control module or unit (ECM or ECU).
In addition it is also desirable to provide a diagnostic system, which may be able to detect degradation of the valve system or a particular valve. One possible failure mode of such a valve system may include damage to movable linkage members or devices operably coupled between a driving device such as a motor and the valve itself. In this instance a motor may appear to be operating within predetermined tolerance however, the valve may not be operating or moving properly due to damage in the linkage members.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for diagnosing an airflow control system wherein the operational state of the linkage is detectable.

Apparatus and method for diagnosing an airflow modifying control system


Jet fuels are tested for thermal stability by passing the fuel over a hea metal tube and measuring the amount of residue deposited as a film on the tube as a result of chemical changes to the fuel. The thickness distribution and volume of a deposited film on a tube are calculated by scanning the length of the tube with an optical probe, shining light onto the tube, measuring the intensity of reflected light of a preselected wavelength from the tube, and correlating the reflected light intensity with positions on the tube. The tube is then partially rotated, and the process is repeated until the entire surface of the tube is scanned. The volumes of each longitudinal slice of the tube are summed to give the total deposit volume on the tube.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved device and process for measuring the thickness of thermal film deposits on JFTOT tubes, and more particularly to such a device and process using a computer controlled interferometer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Jet fuels undergo chemical changes when subjected to thermal stress, changes that can affect the performance of these fuels. Modern aircraft designs place thermal stress on fuels from a number of sources, such as heating from the engines and frictional heating from the wing surfaces. Consequently, there is an ongoing effort to develop thermally stable jet fuels and to characterize the thermal stability of available jet fuels.
The Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test (JFTOT) is widely used in this effort. In this test, the fuel is passed over a heated metal tube under conditions of limited oxygen availability. The thermal stability of the fuel is characterized by the quantity of insoluble reaction products formed. When this test is performed in accordance with ASTM D3241, the total quantity of insoluble products formed is determined by measuring the amount of insoluble products adhereing to the outside of the heated tube (determined by comparing the color of the tube deposits to standard color charts) and the amount of particulate insoluble products in the fuel (determined by measuring the pressure drop across an in-line filter during the test).
Most fuels fail on the basis of tube deposits. Unfortunately, most of the uncertainty in the test method is attributable to the uncertainty in the measurement of tube deposits. The standard color comparison charts have proven to be quantitatively unreliable.
To increase the reliability of the test, the tube deposit rater (TDR) method was developed to measure tube deposits more accurately. In this method, the attenuation of reflected white light, measured by a photocell, is correlated to the deposit thickness. TDR eliminates the subjectivity inherent in the color chart comparisons, but the method can be compromised by variations in the optical properties of the deposit. Neither TDR nor color chart comparisons correlate well with deposit carbon content determined by combustion.
Other interferometric devices that can measure the deposit thickness on the tube are known. These devices use manual positioning of the probe along the length of the tube. There are several inherent problems with these devices.
One problem with these manual devices is the inability of an operator to position the probe along the tube with accuracy and repeatability. Another problem is that these devices are not equipped for rotating the tube to perform scans about the entire circumference of the tube. Without means for rotating the tube, and without means for positioning the probe relative to the tube with accuracy and repeatability, it is impossible to get accurate information on the radial distribution of a deposit on the tube. As will be shown below, the thermal deposits on JFTOT tubes can show significant radial asymmetry.
Moreover, these devices, because they rely on the human hand to position the probe, may miss significant features of the longitudinal distribution of the deposit on the tube. As will be shown below, significant deposit thickness variations can be found within a very few millimeters along the length of the tube.
Another disadvantage of these manual devices is that they lack an automated system for identifying peaks in the light intensity data, and computing deposit thickness and volume from this data. This lack of automated control and analysis increases the time and tedium inherent in measuring thermal deposits on JFTOT tubes.
Darrah et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,410, describes such a manual interferometer, and is incorporated by reference herein.

Interferometric JFTOT tube deposit measuring device

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A method for initializing a distributed measurement and control system that establishes communication bindings based on context parameters measured or acquired by the nodes.

Many measurement and control applications are solved by using a central controller, in conjunction with remotely located sensors or actuators. In the past, these transducers were connected to the central controller, via a point-to-point link, either an analog, e.g. a 4-20 ma loop, or a digital link such as a RS-232. Recently, a number of "fieldbusses" have emerged that allow these devices to share a packet-based bus or network for communication to the central controller. In principle, these networks also allow peer-to-peer communication, where one smart device communicates directly to another. These networks establish the communication patterns over this shared media using addressing schemes, a process known as "binding".
The binding process modifies configuration tables in one or more computer components (system nodes), such that information packets placed on the network by an application executing on one node (node application) are correctly received by other applications. Most systems use a tag-based architecture for binding, where each network visible entity generated by these node applications is given a unique name. The binding occurs by properly associating the tags of sending and receiving entities and mapping these associations onto the addressing scheme of the underlying network protocol. Most network vendors have installation tools used to accomplish this binding. The installation tool methodology depends upon whether the binding occurs at design time, at commission time, or dynamically when components are replaced or the system is modified.
Except for systems where the bindings occur at design time, these tools typically access the network from a separate computer and individually access the distributed nodes for identification purposes. At a minimum, the factory built-in unique address (UUID) of each node is determined so that the tools can communicate with the device to modify the address tables. At the field level, the tools are implemented in lap-top computers or special purpose handheld devices, often in concert with a simple physical interface, e.g. a button on the remote component. If the node is akin to a computer, then the tools are often part of a separate user interface resident on the processor.
In all cases, the binding process requires specific design information about the global application which determines the communication among the applications executing on the distributed nodes. Typically for initial installation, this involves manual entry and often requires that this information and the resulting bindings be maintained in a form accessible to the tools in the event that system modifications are necessary. These tools usually require users who are computer literate and possess a detailed understanding of the application.
For distributed measurement and control systems, many application specific details for binding concern the identification of specific transducers, i.e. sensors and actuators, with some aspect of the physical world. To illustrate, the system must be aware which pressure sensor is measuring the pressure of boiler-1, as opposed to another point in the system. Since the pressure of boiler-1 is of interest at various points in the system, the information must be consistent system wide. Large systems are often hierarchical. As a result, the binding process is repeated at various levels of the system with different naming schemes. Again, the installers must properly match the names across these boundaries so that at all points of interest the pressure of boiler-1 is uniquely identified. In addition, distributed systems must establish communication patterns among collections of node applications (virtual node applications) that in concert behave as a larger application. Like a single application, collections can form hierarchies or other patterns that need a binding process.

Context parameters for establishing data communication patterns in a distributed control and measurement system


Sarcomas are rare malignant tumors arising from the mesenchymal tissues at all body sites. The inventors show that in a mouse model of p16/p19 deficiency prone to tumor development, the absence of the mouse pantetheinase Vnn1 enhances the frequency of aggressive fibrosarcomas. They also show that reintroduction of a catalytically active form of the Vnn1 pantetheinase limits tumor growth in vivo. Interestingly, VNN1 expression in human sarcomas is associated with reduced aggressiveness and lower risk of metastatic relapse in patients. In conclusion, Vnn1 represents a novel marker of sarcoma and may modulate tumor aggressiveness by sustaining myofibroblast cell differentiation, thereby limiting evolution towards undifferentiated tumors. The present invention relates to the use of Vnn1 as a biomarker and a therapeutic target in sarcomas.

Sarcomas are rare malignant tumors arising from the mesenchymal tissues at all body sites. Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a very heterogeneous family of tumors which derive from mesenchymal cells. These tumors appear to arise from malignant precursor cells which can then differentiate along one or several lineages, such as muscle, adipose, fibrous, cartilage, or vascular tissue. Their classification, insights into molecular pathogenesis, and definition of optimal treatment strategies have evolved considerably over the past 10 to 25 years. There are more than 80 histologic subtypes of STS, many of which are associated with distinctive clinical profiles that may have important implications for therapy and prognosis. The small number of cases seen and the great diversity in anatomic site, histopathology, and biology complicate understanding of the natural history of these tumors and their response to diverse therapies. There is thus a need to identify biomarkers that will allow stratifying the patients, especially in regards of their survival time. Numerous genetic alterations involving p53, Rb, Ink4a/ARF are associated with STS leading to the definition of genomic profiles linked to prognosis. Mutations in the Ras pathway have been identified in aggressive rhabdomyosarcomas {Zhang, 2013}. These mutations are associated with dramatic changes in redox regulation linked to increased mitochondrial activity which might contribute to tumor prognostic. Vnn1 pantetheinase was identified as a key regulator of metabolic adaptation of tissues to stress in diseases {Naquet, 2014}. This inducible enzyme hydrolyzes pantetheine, a degradative product of Coenzyme A (CoA), to regenerate the CoA precursor pantothenate (ie vitamin B5) and cysteamine, a small aminothiol which post-translationally modifies target proteins and impacts signaling. Whereas this pathway is playing a limited role under homeostatic conditions, its induction reflects a local adaptation to metabolic or oxidative stress as shown in gut {Berruyer, 2006; Martin, 2004}, liver {van Diepen, 2014} {Ferreira, 2016} and connective tissue {Dammanahalli, 2012} where it participates to healing processes. However, the involvement of Vnn1 in the progression of sarcoma has not yet been investigated.

Use of VNN1 as a biomarker and a therapeutic target in sarcomas

INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale)

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)


Bus performance in a computer system having multiple devices accessing a common shared bus may be improved by providing a flexible bus arbiter. Bus access is controlled using a bus arbiter which is operationally connected to each of the devices. Each device has a fixed programmable priority level and a dynamic priority level associated with it. The dynamic priority level comprises an arbiter dynamic priority level and a master dynamic priority level. Access to the bus by a device is controlled based on the combination of the programmable fixed priority level and the dynamic priority level associated with each device. While the programmable fixed priority level and the arbiter dynamic priority level as set by the arbiter are not controlled by the master, the master dynamic priority level is controlled by the master. If master dynamic priority is enabled, it overrides the arbiter dynamic priority level. If master dynamic priority is not enabled but arbiter dynamic priority is enabled, master dynamic priority overrides the programmable fixed priority level.

The number of functions on a single integrated circuit chip continues to increase in concert with an increase in chip densities. These "system-on-a-chip" integrated circuits typically use a common, shared bus architecture to provide the communication link between the various devices and subsystems of the "computer system." A common bus provides a low cost communication link since it can be shared between multiple devices in the computer system. However, the linking of multiple devices to a single bus may raise concerns over maximum bus performance.
Achieving maximum bus performance may be difficult in a shared bus architecture. Factors which severely impact bus performance may include system throughput (i.e., bandwidth) and system response time (i.e., latency). For purposes of determining throughput or bandwidth, a bus transaction is a bus transaction completed by the device which is on the receiving end of the transmission. Throughput or bandwidth is the average number of bus transactions over a period of time. Response time or latency is the time it takes to complete a bus transaction for a particular device beginning with the cycle during which the device first requests the bus until the cycle that the last piece of data is transferred from the device across the bus to a second device. A device which requests access to or control of a bus and transmits and receives data across a bus may be referred to as a "master." A device which transmits or receives data across a bus and is responsive to a master may be referred to as a "slave." A slave may not request access to or control of a bus.
In order to achieve a high degree of bus performance, the throughput generally must be high while the latency generally must be low. Further, in order to achieve a high level of bus throughput, the slave preferably is never idle and, consequently, the bus is preferably never idle. In contrast, however, since latency refers to the time it takes to complete a bus transaction beginning with the cycle during which a master first requests the bus until the cycle during which the last data is transferred by the master across the bus, latency includes the time during which a master waits for the bus to become available (i.e., idle). As a result, latency may be reduced by allowing the bus to be idle.
In order for masters to share a common bus and have access to the slaves which are operationally attached to the bus, a bus arbiter may be used to arbitrate which master takes control of the bus at a particular time. Typically, each master which is operationally connectable to the bus has a request signal output which is used to indicate to the arbiter that the master is requesting bus access. The bus arbiter has a corresponding bus grant output which may be used to indicate to the master that the arbiter has granted the bus to the master. Once a master's request has been granted, the master may take control of the bus. Generally, the arbiter considers all pending requests, and if the bus is idle, makes a determination as to which master should receive access to the bus. During the time that a particular master has access to, or control of, the bus, the arbiter may prevent other masters from accessing the bus by not granting their requests for control of the bus until the first master has completed its transfer of data across the bus and relinquished control of the bus.
A number of different methods have been developed in an effort to address bus performance, including throughput and response time. Many of these methods are directed to the design of the bus arbiter and the manner in which the bus arbiter determines the "priority" level of the device seeking control of the bus. Various bus arbitration designs exist determining which master should be granted access, or control of, the bus.
For example, one design is directed to a "fixed" priority. In a "fixed" priority design, each request is assigned a priority level. The bus arbiter grants access to, or control of, the bus to the master having an active request and the highest priority among those masters submitting a request to control the bus.
By way of specific example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,767 to Chen describes a programmable multi-level bus arbitration apparatus for use in a data processing system. The arbitration apparatus of Chen provides a preemptive, interrupt driven method which permits specified masters to interrupt the control of the bus by a first master even though the first master has not completed its operation. Each master has a priority associated with it such that control of the bus is granted to a particular master device based on a pre-programmed priority scheme. In addition to the priority assigned to each master, an additional preemption priority permits certain masters to preempt the ongoing operations of a first master in order to take control of a bus away from the first master prior to the first master having completed its operations.
By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,680 to Larson et al. describes a programmable bus arbitrator which provides for historical feedback, and error detection and correction. The prioritization method employed by Larson et al. is that of a "fixed" priority which takes into account the history of the bus requests, as well as error detection and correction.
Various other methods exist for arbitrating requests by masters to control the bus. However, bus arbitration methods are generally designed to meet the requirements specific to the particular application to be implemented as well as the requirements of the bandwidth for each master that is operationally connectable to the bus.
The bus usage conditions in a system may vary over time, for example, light usage to heavy usage back to light usage. In addition, bus usage conditions may also vary as a result of the "system-on-a-chip" integrated circuit being employed in various applications. Consequently, it may be necessary to change the priority scheme for the arbitration unit, as well as the arbitration unit design itself, dependent upon the application. Moreover, it may be desirable to have a single bus arbiter to implement the arbitration for several different "system-on-a-chip" integrated circuits.
Although various arbitration schemes are presently used to control access to a common bus in multiple devices, these prior designs may not effectively address the need for improving maximum bus performance while accounting for changing applications in which a "system-on-a-chip" integrated circuit is employed and multiple systems being developed around a common bus. In order to improve maximum bus performance, the bus arbiter must be flexible in order to account for changing applications which are implemented using a "system-on-a-chip" integrated circuit, and multiple chips being developed to communicate via a common bus interface.

System, methods and computer program products for flexibly controlling bus access based on fixed and dynamic priorities

International Business Machines Corporation


An exhibit or display for tradeshows or the like having a plurality of support members and an axial connection assembly. The support members include opposing ends and a body portion, and further include an exterior channel and a central bore, the channel defining a flange portion and the bore being in communication with a retention feature. The axial connection assembly is configured to releasably couple an end of a first support member to an end of a second support member such that the two support members are axially aligned. The axial connection assembly includes a collar releasably coupled in the bore of each member, with each collar including at least one locator portion to interact with the retention feature, and a pin having a mid portion and two ends, the mid portion configured to be rotatably selectively restrained within the collar.

Exhibits for tradeshows and other marketing venues utilize eye catching and informative graphics and/or displays that are intended to inform and present an image to customers and potential customers. Typically, such exhibits must be set up and then disassembled in a limited amount of time. Therefore, the exhibits must be capable of being quickly erected and taken down.
Modifications or alterations to the exhibits may also be desirable or necessary. Therefore, it is preferable that the exhibits are easily reconfigurable, facilitating variations to the exhibit and potentially allowing at least the structural framework to be reused in alternate exhibit configurations.
Additionally, utilizing light-weight components that quickly couple together makes the task of assembling and disassembling the exhibit quicker and easier. The use of aluminum extrusion is popular for many applications, including framework in tradeshow exhibits. Extruded aluminum can be easily manufactured in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, and is also typically lightweight and cost-effective.
Various systems and methods exist for connecting framework pieces. In the case of tradeshow exhibits, which are temporary installations and must be set-up and disassembled many times, it is necessary for the framework connections to be releasable. The exhibit can then be partially or totally disassembled, allowing the exhibit to be transported to the next tradeshow or to storage.
Typically, exhibits or displays are custom-made to suit a particular application. The exhibits are often only able to be assembled in one configuration, and modifications to the layout or configuration of the exhibit are not possible. Additionally, many exhibits are constructed from very large components that are difficult and awkward to handle, ship, and store.
It is thus desirable to have a framework and connection system that is inexpensive, lightweight, and capable of being quickly assembled and disassembled.

Multi-configurable tubular display system


An interface (12) for a lamp operating device (13) has two input-side terminals (1, 2) for the connection of bus lines or for connection with a button or switch, an evaluation logic (3) for the processing of signals present at the input-side terminals (1, 2) and for the generation of output-side signals for the control of the lamp operating device (3), and at least one electrical isolation element (4) to electrically decouple the input-side terminals (1, 2) from the lamp operating device (13). Thereby, the evaluation logic (3) is arranged on that side of the electrical isolation element (4) which is towards the input-side terminals (1, 2), and is supplied with voltage via the input-side terminals (1, 2) of the interface (12).

By means of such interfaces it is possible to transmit to a lamp operating device signals from a bus or from a button or switch connected with the mains voltage. Thereby there is usually provided in the interface an evaluation logic which transforms the digital or analog signals present at the inputs of the interface into control signals for the lamp operating device. The signals delivered to the interface may represent commands (desired values for setting values etc.) but also condition-related information. In particular if a bi-directional interface is provided, condition information from the lamp operating device can be transmitted to a bus connected at the interface.
Such interfaces are employed for example in the context of the so-called DALI (Digital Adressable Lightening Interface) industry standard.
From DE 197 57 295 A1 (see there FIG. 7) there is known an example for an interface to which there can be selectively applied signals from a button/switch or rather digital signals from a bus. In the case of a connected button, a connected electronic ballast can then for example be switched on or switched off by means of a pressing of the button. Further, by means of an appropriate temporal duration of the pressure actuation of the button a desired value for a brightness regulation can be attained, since the connected evaluation logic of the interface transforms the duration of the pressure actuation of button into a desired value signal for the electronic ballast (EVG).
As is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, there is provided between the input-side terminals 1, 2 of such an interface 12 and the operating device 13 for one or more lamps 14, an electrical isolation element 4, such as for example an optocoupler. The digital signals, for example, delivered from a bus, are transmitted via this electrical isolation element to the evaluation logic 3, which thus, seen from the bus, is located behind the electrical isolation element 4. Since on the other hand, the evaluation logic 3 must react immediately to incoming signals from the terminals of the interface, with the state of the art there is the problem that the lamp operating device can never be completely switched off, since otherwise also the evaluation logic would be switched off. The evaluation logic must thus be continuously supplied with mains voltage 15, which manifests itself in corresponding stand-by losses (power which is used in stand-by operation).
FIG. 7 shows schematically how the current/voltage supply 27 for the evaluation logic 3 in the ballast 13 resorts to the mains supply 15 of the ballast 13 by means of an AC/DC converter 16. Further, there can be seen also schematically in the ballast 13, the inverter 17, the output driver for the lamp(s) 4 and the lamp control/regulation 19 communicating bi-directionally with the evaluation logic 3.
The stand-by losses stand in contradication to the enormous efforts which have been undertaken in recent times in the matter of energy saving in lamp technology. As an example WO 02/082618 A1 is mentioned, which shows a possibility for reducing the stand-by losses in the case of a DALI interface. In accordance with this state of the art, a DALI processor is put into a stand-by mode when no signals are transmitted on the connected DALI bus. Further, FIG. 3 of WO 02/082618 A1 shows an example for the generally prevailing trend that the evaluation logic, seen from the DALI bus, must be arranged behind the electrical isolation element (isolation 310 in FIG. 3).
From U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,399 there is known a control system for the control of a plurality of consuming units arranged in a distributed manner, in which control units are provided for the control of the consuming units associated with them. The possibility of brightness control of lamps is opened up in that through the control units in each case a control signal between 0 and 10 Volts, corresponding to a desired brightness, is generated, which is then transformed by a lamp operating device connected downstream of the control unit for the operation of a lamp. The configuration of the 0-10 Volt interface needed for the transformation of the control signals, is however, not described in detail.
The present invention now addresses the object of reducing the stand-by losses in an interface for a lamp operating device.
This object is achieved by means of the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further develop the central concept of the invention in particularly advantageous manner.

Interface for lamp operating units with low standby losses


A rotational and translational microposition apparatus includes a first rotary motor, a second rotary motor and a linear motor. The first rotary motor surmounts an upstanding bracket mounted to a support surface. A rigid link having a right angle bend formed in it interconnects the first and second rotary motors to one another. A first end of the rigid link is secured to an output shaft of the first rotary motor and a second end of the rigid link is secured to a mounting plate to which is secured the second rotary motor. A linear motor has an output shaft connected to the output shaft of the second rotary motor. Selective operation of the three motors enables a probe to be positioned in an infinite plurality of positions that collectively form a cone where the tip of the probe is coincident with the vertex of the cone.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to micropositioning devices. More particularly, it relates to a micropositioning device that maintains the tip of a probe in juxtaposition with a workpiece over an infinite number of positions of the probe.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Micropositioning devices have many applications. They are typically used when a job is too precise or too repetitive for human hands to perform.
In biology and physiology research, for example, the traditional method of positioning devices such as microsensors or microinjection probes relies upon commercially available XYZ micropositioners, also known as micromanipulators. However, the angle of approach of the probe of such instruments is typically pre-set and cannot readily be changed. The angle of approach of a probe, in other words, is usually coincident with one of the three orthogonally-disposed-apart axes.
Simple rotational devices such as a simple ball and socket type of adapter may be secured to the known XYZ micromanipulators. Such a device is usually secured to a single axis (typically the x-axis controlling the linear approach to the specimen). The position of such devices is pre-set by hand.
In the field of semiconductors, during reworking and prototyping of microchips it is necessary to approach areas of the chip using miniature test-tools. It is difficult to correct the angle of approach after the target site has been designated.
In the field of fiber optics it is often necessary to align the respective longitudinal axes of two optical fibers with one another to enable efficient transfer of light. Commercially available prior art devices enable XYZ positioning of fibers but do not enable angular alignment.
An XYZ positioning device is a typical micropositioning device. As its name implies, it can move a probe along an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis so that the tip of the probe can be brought into juxtaposition with a location where a job is to be performed. However, whenever the probe's angle of approach is changed, manual repositioning of the tip of the probe is required.
It would be advantageous if a micropositioning device could position a tip of a probe at the location where work is to be performed for any angle of approach of the probe. Productivity would be substantially improved if a probe could approach a preselected location from an infinite number of angles of approach in the absence of manual repositioning.
However, in view of the prior art taken as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

Rotational and translational microposition apparatus and method

Discovery Technology International, LLLP