The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting potential subscriber dissatisfaction and preventing termination by subscribers of telecommunication services providers. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an interface for receiving information regarding a subscriber. A processing device then utilizes the information to determine if the subscriber is likely to terminate his subscription. An output device is used to initiate action to prevent a subscriber who may be likely to terminate from terminating his subscription. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a device for using rate plan information to determine if a subscriber is likely to terminate his subscription.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to monitoring telecommunication systems, and more specifically, to an apparatus for detecting potential dissatisfaction and preventing termination by subscribers of telecommunication services providers. Telecommunication systems include both wireless systems (e.g., cellular telephones, satellite transmission, etc.) and systems utilizing transmission lines (e.g., common telephone systems). Subscriber termination refers to action by subscribers to a telecommunication service to terminate or modify the conditions of service provided to the subscriber by a particular telecommunications service provider. The invention also relates to measurement of customer satisfaction of telecommunication system subscribers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because immediate access to information has become a necessity in virtually all fields of endeavor--including business, finance and science--telecommunication systems usage, particularly for wireless telecommunication systems, is increasing at a substantial rate. Along with the growth in telecommunication use has come a proliferation of telecommunication service providers. As a result, a variety of service alternatives has become available to consumers.
Subscribers to telecommunications services, particularly wireless telecommunications services, who are dissatisfied with the quality of service or the value of the service provided by a particular provider may terminate their current service and subscribe to a different service. This switching behavior is sometimes referred to as "churning".
Churning has a negative effect on telecommunications service providers. In many cases, the initial cost to a provider of signing up a subscriber and providing the initial service to that subscriber cannot be recouped by the provider unless the subscriber uses the service over a period of time. Accordingly, detecting and remedying situations which might cause a subscriber to terminate the service before the end of that time period would be highly desirable.
Therefore, a system which reliably and accurately identifies potential consumer dissatisfaction permits a provider to take preventative action, thus reducing the likelihood that the subscriber will terminate the service, and which is compatible with all types of existing telecommunication equipment, is needed.

Apparatus for use in inhibiting telecommunication subscriber termination


Provided is a process for preparing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, wherein at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of chloropropane represented by formula (1): CX3CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, chloropropene represented by formula (2): CClY2CCl═CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, and chloropropene represented by formula (3): CZ2═CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, is used as a starting compound, and said at least one chlorine-containing compound is reacted with hydrogen fluoride while being heated in a gaseous state in the presence of 50 ppm or more of water relative to the chlorine-containing compound. The process of the present invention makes it possible to produce 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) in a manner that is easily conducted, economically advantageous, and suitable for industrial scale production.

2-Chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) represented by the chemical formula: CF3CCl═CH2 is a compound that is useful as an intermediate for producing various kinds of fluorocarbons, and also as a monomer component of various kinds of polymers.
A known process for preparing HCFO-1233xf comprises reacting some material with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a gas phase in the presence of a catalyst. For example, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 listed below discloses a process comprising fluorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230xa, CCl2═CClCH2Cl) in a gas phase using a chromium-based catalyst. Patent Literature 2 listed below also reports a process comprising fluorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene in a gas phase using a chromium-based catalyst. Further, Patent Literature 3 teaches that 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230xa), 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane (HCC-240db), 2,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230xf), etc., can be fluorinated in the presence of a stabilizer for minimizing catalyst deterioration.
However, the processes disclosed in the above literature have various disadvantages. For example, further improvement in the yield of HCFO-1233xf is required, use of a catalyst is costly, and many products are produced by the reaction in addition to the target product of HCFO-1233xf, resulting in unsatisfactory selectivity. Further, since catalytic activity tends to decrease as a reaction proceeds, there have been many attempts to use a stabilizer for the purpose of minimizing catalyst deactivation.
Patent Literature 4 discloses a process comprising reacting 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230xa) with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a liquid phase in the presence of a halogenated antimony catalyst. However, this process is unsuitable for industrial production, because handling the catalyst is difficult, the process is uneconomical due to the occurrence of reactor corrosion, necessity for waste treatment, etc., and its operation is problematic.
Patent Literature 5 reports that HCFO-1233xf can be prepared by reacting 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230xa) with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a liquid phase in the absence of a catalyst. However, this process is not suitable for industrial-scale production because a longer reaction time is required as a result of its low reaction rate, an overly large amount of HF is necessary, severe reaction conditions under high pressure are necessitated, etc.
As described above, a process by which HCFO-1233xf is easily and economically prepared at a high yield has not yet been established.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for preparing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene


Methods for purifying pteroic acid, analogs of pteroic acid, and derivatives of pteroic acid are described. Methods for synthesizing and purifying conjugates of vitamins, including FITC conjugates of folic acid, folic acid analogs, and derivatives of folic acid and folic acid analogs are also described. Purified forms of pteroic acid, derivatives and analogs of pteroic acid, and conjugates thereof are also described.

Pteroic acid is a convenient starting material for making folate derivatives that can be conjugated to drugs for use as conjugates in therapies that include vitamin receptor-based targeting. Vitamin-drug conjugates can be targeted, for example, to cancer cells that uniquely express, over-express, or preferentially express vitamin receptors. Illustratively, pteroic acid has been used as the starting material for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a folic acid derivative linked to fluorescein via a gamma carboxyl-linked ethylene diamine bridge. This conjugate is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/822,379, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The conjugate is used to label pathogenic cells, such as cancer cells, with fluorescein to make the cancer cells antigenic resulting in their recognition and elimination by the host immune system.
Pteroic acid may be prepared by a variety of conventional means including by synthesis, microbial degradation of folic acid, enzymatic degradation of folic acid, hydrolysis of folic acid, and other conventional methods. Generally, pteroic acid prepared by these methods is contaminated by folio acid, often in substantial amounts. For example, pteroic acid prepared by enzymatic degradation can contain as much as 25% folic acid. Accordingly, efficient methods are needed to remove folic acid contaminants and other impurities from preparations of pteroic acid.
Vitamin-drug conjugates, including conjugates of pteroic acid may be prepared using synthetic methods. In some cases, those synthetic methods may also lead to the formation of side products, impurities, or other contaminants. Accordingly, synthetic and/or purification methods are needed to either avoid the formation of these side products, impurities, or other contaminants, or to remove these side products, impurities, or other contaminants from the vitamin-drug conjugates.

Synthesis and purification of pteroic acid and conjugates thereof


A bread maker including an oven compartment, parallel kneading drums inside the oven compartment that alternate between winding and unwinding rotations, and a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums. Each kneading drum includes a rotation shaft rotating according to the drum driving part; a hollow, cylindrical drum member disposed concentrically along an axis of the rotation shaft; and a clutch between the rotation shaft and the drum member, transmitting a rotary movement from the rotation shaft to the drum member in one direction and allowing the drum member to freewheel in the other direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bread maker, and more particularly, to a bread maker with an improved rotation structure between kneading drums.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, making bread is so complicated that it is difficult for an average person to manually make satisfactory bread at home. That is, making the bread is complicated because multiple steps are involved including mixing raw materials such as flour, sugar, baking powder, etc. to form a dough; kneading the dough; leavening the dough; baking the dough; and so on.
Therefore, a bread maker has been developed that allows a user to easily make bread. The bread maker automatically performs the foregoing multiple steps and provides finished bread to the user.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional bread maker includes a main body 100 divided into an oven compartment 110 and an electric component compartment 130, a door 300 in the front of the main body 100 to open and close the oven compartment 110, and a control panel (not shown) provided in the front of the electric component compartment 130 to allow a user to control the bread maker.
Inside the oven compartment 110, upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 are provided in parallel. The upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 have a plurality of projections 157 and 177 that engage a plurality of holes in upper and lower ends of a bag (not shown) filled with raw materials ingredients for preparing the bread. The projections 150 and 170 engage the holes in the bag to wind the bag in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 are rotatably connected to upper and lower opposite inner-walls of the main body 100 using respective bearings 111.
Between the upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 is provided a baking tray 113 in which the dough is contained for baking. On the inside walls of the main body 100 and the door 300 are respective heaters 115 for heating the baking tray 113.
Beside the oven compartment 110 is the electric component compartment 130. Inside the electric component compartment 130 are a drum driving part 133, including a motor 133b incorporated with a gear reducer 133a to rotate the lower kneading drum 170 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and a belt 135 connecting the upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 to transmit a rotary movement from the lower kneading drum 170 to the upper kneading drum 150. The drum driving part 133 and the lower kneading drum 170 are connected by a coupler 131.
With the conventional configuration, the process of setting up the bag on the upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 is performed as follows.
First, the holes provided in the upper end of the bag engage with the projections 157 of the upper kneading drum 150, and then the bag is wound on the upper kneading drum 150 by rotating the drum driving part 133. At this time, the bag is wound only enough to place the lower end of the bag at the projections 177 of the lower kneading drum 170. Then, the holes provided in the lower end of the bag engage with the projections 177 of the lower kneading drum 170, thereby completing the setting up process.
However, in the conventional bread maker, because the upper and lower kneading drums 150 and 170 are mechanically bound with the drum driving part 133, the projections 157 of the upper kneading drum 150 are rotated depending upon the rotary movement of the projections 177 of the lower kneading drum 170. Hence, if the holes provided in the lower end of the bag deviate from the projections 177 of the lower kneading drum 170 because, for example, the bag is not wound sufficiently to place the lower end of the bag at the projections 177 of the lower kneading drum 170, the user must restart the setting up process.
Further, in the conventional bread maker, the drum driving part 133 must be operated to remove the bag from the bread maker, which increases electric power consumption.


Disclosed herein is a light emitting element driving apparatus for controlling a light emitting unit including serially connected light emitting element arrays. The apparatus includes a rectifying unit configured to provide a rectified signal to the light emitting unit according to a result of rectifying an alternating current (AC) signal, a switching unit configured to selectively connect output terminals of the light emitting element arrays to a first node, an amplifying unit configured to amplify each of reference voltages having different levels and a voltage of a second node and to generate first amplified signals controlling the switching unit according to an amplification result, a sensing resistor connected between the second node and an electrical ground, and a current sensing circuit configured to generate mirrored current by mirroring current supplied from the first node and to provide the mirrored current to the second node.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments relate to a light emitting element driving apparatus.
Discussion of the Related Art
Thanks to advances in semiconductor technology, efficiency of a light emitting diode (LED) has been remarkably improved. The LED is environmentally friendly as well as economical because the LED has a longer lifespan and consumes less energy than an existing illumination device such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp. Due to these advantages, the LED is attracting attention as a light source to replace a traffic light, a backlight of a flat panel display device such as a light crystal display (LCD), or the like.
When LEDs are used as a lighting device, the LEDs are connected in series or in parallel and are turned on and off by a light emitting element control device.
As such, the light emitting element control device controlling a plurality of LEDs generally rectifies an alternating current (AC) voltage and causes the LEDs to be turned on and off by the rectified ripple voltage.

Light emitting element driving apparatus


Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating of diseases, syndromes, or disorders that are affected by the modulation of STING. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I), wherein R1, R1′, X1, B1, R2, R2′, B2, X2, R3, Z-M-Y, and Y1-M1-Z1 are as defined herein.

STING (stimulator of interferon genes), also known as TMEM173, MITA, MPYS, and ERIS, is a transmembrane receptor located inside the cell and a key sensor of cytosolic nucleic acids (Zhong B, et al. "The Adaptor Protein MITA Links Virus-Sensing Receptors to IRF3 Transcription Factor Activation". Immunity. 2008. vol. 29: 538-550). Recent studies have revealed the biology of STING and its role in mobilizing an innate immune response resulting in robust antitumor activity in mouse models. Activation of the STING pathway results in production of Type I interferons (mainly IFN-α and IFN-β) induced through the IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) pathway. Activation of IRF3 is thought to be mediated by TBK1 that recruits and phosphorylates IRF3 thus forming an IRF3 homodimer capable of entering the nucleus to transcribe type I interferon and other genes (Liu S, et al. "Phosphorylation of innate immune adaptor proteins MAVS, STING, and TRIF induces IRF3 activation" Science. 2015: 2630-2637). TBK1 also activates the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway which leads to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, etc.), via the oncogenic transcription factor NF-κB. In addition, STING activates STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) to induce (Th2-type), increase (IL-12) or decrease (IL-10) production of various cytokines, including the chemokines CCL2, CCL20, and CCL26 (Chen H, et al. "Activation of STAT6 by STING Is Critical for Antiviral Innate Immunity" Cell. 2011, vol. 14: 433-446). Direct phosphorylation of STING on Ser366 upon activation has also been reported to occur through TBK1 (Corrales, L. et al "Direct activation of STING in the tumor microenvironment leads to potent and systemic tumor regression and immunity" Cell Reports, 2015, vol. 11: 1-13; Konno, H. et al. "Cyclic dinucleotides trigger ULK1 (ATG1) phosphorylation of STING to prevent sustained innate immune signaling" Cell, 2013, vol. 155: 688-698).
The natural ligand that binds to and activates STING (2′,3′)cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (2′,3′-cGAMP) and the enzyme responsible for its synthesis (cGAS, also known as C6orf150 or MB21D1) have been elucidated providing an opportunity to modulate this pathway. cGAMIP is a high affinity ligand for STING produced in mammalian cells that serves as an endogenous second messenger to activate the STING pathway. It is a cyclic dinucleotide with a unique 2′,3′ linkage produced by cGAS in the presence of exogenous double-stranded DNA (e.g. that released by invading bacteria, viruses or protozoa) or of self-DNA in mammals (Wu et al., 2013; Sun, L. et al. "Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase Is a Cytosolic DNA Sensor That Activates the Type I Interferon Pathway" Science, 2013, vol. 339: 786-791; Bhat N and Fitzgerald K A. "Recognition of Cytosolic DNA by cGAS and other STING-dependent sensors". Eur J Immunol. 2014 March; 44(3):634-40). STING activation can also occur through binding of exogenous (3′,3) cyclic dinucleotides (c-di-GMP, c-di-AMP and 3′3′-cGAMP) that are released by invading bacteria (Zhang X, et al. "Cyclic GMP-AMP Containing Mixed Phosphodiester Linkages Is An Endogenous High-Affinity Ligand for STING" Molecular Cell, 2013, vol. 51: 226-235; Danilchanka, O and Mekalanos, J J. "Cyclic Dinucleotides and the Innate Immune Response" Cell. 2013. vol. 154: 962-970).
Activation of the STING pathway triggers an immune response that results in generation of specific killer T-cells that can shrink tumors and provide long lasting immunity so they do not recur. The striking antitumor activity obtained with STING agonists in preclinical models has generated a high level of excitement for this target and small molecule compounds that can modulate the STING pathway have potential to treat both cancer and reduce autoimmune diseases.
Activation of the STING pathway also contributes to an antiviral response. Loss-of-functional response, either at the cellular or organism level, demonstrates an inability to control viral load in the absence of STING. Activation of the STING pathway triggers an immune response that results in antiviral and proinflammatory cytokines that combat the virus and mobilize the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Ultimately, long-lasting immunity is developed against the pathogenic virus. The striking antiviral activity obtained with STING agonists in preclinical models has generated a high level of excitement for this target and small molecule compounds that can modulate the STING pathway have potential to treat chronic viral infections, such as hepatitis B.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health problem, affecting over 5% of the world population (over 350 million people worldwide and 1.25 million individuals in the U.S.). Despite the availability of certain HBV vaccines and therapies, the burden of chronic HBV infection continues to be a significant unmet worldwide medical problem due to suboptimal treatment options and sustained rates of new infections in most parts of the developing world. Current treatments are limited to only two classes of agents: interferon alpha and nucleoside analogues acting as inhibitors of the viral polymerase. Yet none of these therapies offer a cure to the disease, and drug resistance, low efficacy, and tolerability issues limit their impact. The low cure rates of HBV are attributed at least in part to the fact that complete suppression of virus production is difficult to achieve with a single antiviral agent. However, persistent suppression of HBV DNA slows liver disease progression and helps to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapy goals for HBV-infected patients are directed to reducing serum HBV DNA to low or undetectable levels, and to ultimately reducing or preventing the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is, therefore, a need in the art for therapeutic agents that can increase the suppression of virus production and that can treat, ameliorate, or prevent HBV infection. Administration of such therapeutic agents to an HBV infected patient, either as monotherapy or in combination with other HBV treatments or ancillary treatments, may lead to significantly reduced virus burden, improved prognosis, diminished progression of the disease and enhanced seroconversion rates.
The potential therapeutic benefits of enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity make STING an attractive therapeutic target that demonstrates impressive activity by itself and can also be combined with other immunotherapies.


A magnetic tunnel transistor (MTT) having a pinned layer that has no antiferromagnetic material in an active area of the sensor. The MTT can include a layer of antiferromagnetic material that is exchange coupled with the pinned layer in an area outside of the active area of me sensor, such as outside the track-width, beyond the stripe height, or both outside the track-width and beyond the stripe height. The pinned layer can also be pinned without any exchange coupling at all. In that case, pinning can be assisted by shape enhanced magnetic anisotropy, by extending the pinned layer beyond the stripe height.

The heart of a computer's long term memory is an assembly that is referred to as a magnetic disk drive. The magnetic disk drive includes a rotating magnetic disk, write and read heads that are suspended by a suspension arm adjacent to a surface of the rotating magnetic disk and an actuator that swings the suspension arm to place the read and write heads over selected circular tracks on the rotating disk. The read and write heads are directly located on a slider that has an air bearing surface (ABS). The suspension arm biases the slider into contact with the surface of the disk when the disk is not rotating but, when the disk rotates, air is swirled by the rotating disk. When the slider rides on the air bearing, the write and read heads are employed for writing magnetic impressions to and reading magnetic impressions from the rotating disk. The read and write heads are connected to processing circuitry that operates according to a computer program to implement the writing and reading functions.
The write head includes a coil layer embedded in first, second and third insulation layers (insolation stack), the insulation stack being sandwiched between first and second pole piece layers. A gap is formed between the first and second pole piece layers by a gap layer at an air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head and the pole piece layers are connected at a back gap. Current conducted to the coil layer induces a magnetic flux in the pole pieces which causes a magnetic field to fringe out at a write gap at the ABS for the purpose of writing the aforementioned magnetic impressions in tracks on the moving media, such as in circular tracks on the aforementioned rotating disk.
In recent read head designs a spin valve sensor, also referred to as a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, has been employed for sensing magnetic fields from the rotating magnetic disk. The sensor includes a nonmagnetic conductive layer, hereinafter referred to as a spacer layer, sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic layers, hereinafter referred to as a pinned layer and a free layer. First and second leads are connected to the spin valve sensor for conducting a sense current therethrough. The magnetization of the pinned layer is pinned perpendicular to the air bearing surface (ABS) and the magnetic moment of the free layer is located parallel to the ABS, but free to rotate in response to external magnetic fields. The magnetization of the pinned layer is typically pinned by exchange coupling with an antiferromagnetic layer.
The thickness of the spacer layer is chosen to be less than the mean free path of conduction electrons through the sensor. With this arrangement, a portion of the conduction electrons is scattered by the interfaces of the spacer layer with each of the pinned and free layers. When the magnetizations of the pinned and free layers are parallel with respect to one another, scattering is minimal and when the magnetizations of the pinned and free layer are antiparallel, scattering is maximized. Changes in scattering alter the resistance of the spin valve sensor in proportion to cos Θ, where Θ is the angle between the magnetizations of the pinned and free layers. In a read mode the resistance of the spin valve sensor changes proportionally to the magnitudes of the magnetic fields from the rotating disk. When a sense current is conducted through the spin valve sensor, resistance changes cause potential changes that are detected and processed as playback signals.
When a spin valve sensor employs a single pinned layer it is referred to as a simple spin valve. When a spin valve employs an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer it is referred to as an AP pinned spin valve. An AP pinned spin valve includes first and second magnetic layers separated by a thin non-magnetic coupling layer such as Ru. The thickness of the spacer layer is chosen so as to antiparallel couple the magnetizations of the ferromagnetic layers of the pinned layer. A spin valve is also known as a top or bottom spin valve depending upon whether the pinning layer is at the top (formed after the free layer) or at the bottom (before the free layer).
The spin valve sensor is located between first and second nonmagnetic electrically insulating read gap layers and the first and second read gap layers are located between ferromagnetic first and second shield layers. In a merged magnetic head a single ferromagnetic layer functions as the second shield layer of the read head and as the first pole piece layer of the write head. In a piggyback head the second shield layer and the first pole piece layer are separate layers.
Magnetization of the pinned layer is usually fixed by exchange coupling one of the ferromagnetic layers (AP1) with a layer of antiferromagnetic material such as PtMn. While an antiferromagnetic (AFM) material such as PtMn does not in and of itself have a magnetization, when exchange coupled with a magnetic material, it can strongly pin the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer.
The push for ever increased data rate and data capacity has lead a drive to increase the performance and decrease the size of magnetoresistive sensors. Such efforts have lead to an investigation into the development of tunnel junction sensor or tunnel valves. A tunnel valve operates based on the quantum mechanical tunneling of electrons through a thin electrically insulating barrier layer. A tunnel valve includes first and second magnetic layers separated by a thin, non-magnetic barrier. The probability of electrons passing through the barrier layer depends upon the relative orientations of the magnetic moment of the first and second magnetic layers. When the moments are parallel, the probability of electrons passing through the barrier is at a maximum, and when the moments are antiparallel, the probability of electrons passing through the barrier is at a minimum.
To further increase the signal output generated as a result of reading a given magnetic signal, some researchers have investigated the possibility of incorporating tunnel junction sensor technology into a transistor device (tunnel transistor). To date, however, no practical tunnel transistors have been developed. The failure of such devices has been in large part to the inability to satisfy the needs of a tunnel, valve (such as strong pinned layer pinning) while also meeting the needs of a transistor device (such as the selection of appropriate emitter, base and collector materials).
Therefore, there is a need for a magnetoresistive device that can greatly increase magnetoresistive output from a given magnetic signal. Such a device would preferably incorporate the magnetoresistive advantages of tunnel junction sensors with the large gain advantages of transistor devices.

Magnetic tunnel transistor with high magnetocurrent

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


A method and apparatus for an optical fuel detection system. The optical fuel detection system comprises an outer tube, and inner tube, and a set of optical fibers. The outer tube has a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and is configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located. The inner tube is located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface. The set of optical fibers are mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. Each optical fiber has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic devices and systems and in particular to a method and apparatus for detecting liquids. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for detecting fuel in a fuel tank.
2. Background
The amount of fuel present in an aircraft fuel tank is important for a pilot to know. The amount of fuel present can be used to verify fuel consumption of a flight. Measuring fuel levels in an aircraft fuel tank may be made using a fuel measurement system, such as a fuel gage. These systems include a sender unit and an indicator. The sending unit may be for example, a float connected to a variable resistor. The indicator may be an analog readout or a digital display of the amount of fuel present in the fuel tank.
In an aircraft, a capacitive probe is as another example of a sender unit. Multiple probes may be mounted within the fuel tank in low voltage capacitors are present. The fuel may go between the capacitors in the probes. At different fuel levels, different capacitances are present. The capacitance, in these types of systems, is proportionate to the height of the fuel in the tank. By receiving the capacitance values, the amount of fuel present in the fuel tank may be determined. This component, however, requires these components and wiring to be placed into the fuel tank.
Although they are reliable, failures do occasionally occur in a probe, requiring the aircraft to be taken out of service for maintenance. The replacement of one or more probes may take several days. Consequently, the aircraft is out of commission for this type of maintenance. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus for detecting fuel that reduces the need for maintenance.


A cyclone and inlet duct apparatus which includes a cyclone having a cylindrical axial portion. The cylindrical axial portion has a metallic housing and the housing has wall. The apparatus also includes a rectangular inlet duct that has an interface with the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone. The rectangular inlet duct is disposed in fluid communication with the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone. One side of the rectangular inlet duct is disposed in generally tangential relationship to the wall of the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone. A first refractory material stop block extends vertically in the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone proximate to the wall of the cylindrical axial portion and proximate to the intersection of a first side of the inlet duct and the cylindrical axial portion in substantially parallel relationship to the intersection of the first side of the inlet duct and the cylindrical axial portion. The stop block is secured to the wall of the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone. A plurality of refractory bricks line the cylindrical axial portion of the cyclone. At least some of the reflector bricks abut a side of the first refractory material stop block.

The invention relates to the refractory system for use in a cyclone or other cylindrical, conical or truncated conical shaped apparatus that handles very hot gases with entrained solids. The cyclone or cyclone separator refers to to a funnel shape device for removing particles from air or other fluids by centrifugal means. Such apparatus is used to remove dust from air or other fluids, steam from water, and water from steam, and certain applications to separate particles into two or more size classes. The cyclone is used to collect the solids entrained in the fluid stream. The present invention has particular application for use in collecting the solids entrained in the hot gases having a furnace of a circulating fluidized bed steam generator, it will be understood that the invention also has application to other cylindrical, conical or truncated conical chambers that handle hot materials and which must be lined with refractory materials because of the high temperatures within the chamber.
Fluidized bed apparatus is being increasingly utilized for a wide variety of applications. The use of a circulating fluidized bed is particularly advantageous because of technological developments which have resulted in significant advances in both operating and fuel flexibility. While the present invention has primary application to a combustion process in a steam generating system, it will be understood that the present invention may also be used in a wide variety of fluidized bed apparatus. Fluidized bed combustion apparatus can bum coal efficiently at temperatures low enough to avoid many of the problems of combustion in other modes. The term "fluidized bed" refers to the condition in which solid materials are given free flowing, fluid-like behavior. As a gas is passed upward through a bed of solid particles, the flow of gas produces forces which tend to separate the particles from one another. At low gas flows, the particles remain in contact with other solids and tend to resist movement. This condition is referred to as a fixed bed. As the gas flow is increased, a point is reached at which the forces on the particles are just sufficient to cause separation. The bed is then deemed to be fluidized. The gas cushion between the solids allows the particles to move freely, giving the bed a liquid-like characteristic.
The fluidizing gas is generally combustion air and the gaseous products of combustion. Two main types of fluidized bed combustion systems are (1) bubbling fluid bed (BFB) in which the air in excess of that required to fluidize the bed passes through the bed in the form of bubbles The bubbling fluid bed is further characterized by modest bed solids mixing rate and relatively low solids entrainment in the flue gas and (2) circulating fluid bed (CFB) which is characterized by higher velocities and finer bed particle sizes. In such systems the fluid bed surface becomes diffused as solids entrainment increases, such that there is no longer a defined bed height. Circulating fluid bed systems have a high rate of material circulating from the furnace to the particle recycle system and back to the furnace. Characteristics of apparatus of this general type are further described in the publication Combustion Fossil Power, edited by Joseph G. Singer, P.E. and published by Combustion Engineering, Inc.; a subsidiary of Asea Brown Boveri, 1000 Prospect Hill Road, Windsor, Conn. 06095, 1991.
In the refractory brick and masonry field it is well-known that a brick lining system will be self supporting when properly installed in a cylindrical configuration contained within a rigid cylindrical steel or high strength concrete structural hoop shaped enclosure. Such refractory brick installations typically include truncated pie shaped bricks having the widest part thereof disposed farthest from the center of the enclosure. In a typical refractory brick array, such as the recycle cyclone of a circulating fluid bed boiler, the structural stability of the lining system is further enhanced by the thermal expansion of the refractory lining with increasing temperature. As the temperature increases the individual bricks expand and even more firmly lock the bricks in place. In a properly designed system at full operating temperature, each individual brick will be in compression and the skin of the external enclosure will be in tension. The stresses are collectively referred to as "hoop stresses". The stability of such a system is dependent on the balance between the two opposing sets of compressive and tensile stresses. When a cylindrical brick lined enclosure is penetrated by any kind of opening it is essential to provide a method to redirect or transfer the hoop stress around the discontinuity inherent in the opening.
In the recycle cyclone of a typical fluid bed boiler, a rectangular cross section inlet duct connects the furnace to the recycle cyclone. The inlet duct intersects the cylindrical (barrel) section near the top of the cyclone. The outside (the side farthest from the geometric axis of the cyclone) wall of the inlet duct is tangent to the steel cylinder which forms the wall of the cyclone barrel. The inside wall of the inlet duct forms an acute angle to the barrel section. Since the cylindrical part of the cyclone is broken by the flat vertical walls of the inlet duct, the inherent hoop stress of the hot face lining must be accommodated in a manner that will insure stability of the system.
In older recycle cyclone refractory lining systems the stresses associated with such discontinuities were transferred to the steel skin of the cyclone enclosure by means of a metallic assembly formed by two steel flange faces fixed at a 90 agree angle. The steel flange faces, in such structures, are braced by a gusset plate web. Such systems have two inherent limitations. First, because of the mass of the steel flange and web, a significant amount of heat is transferred to the outside steel enclosure. This is undesirable because it compromises the efficiency of the thermodynamic system. Second, because of the physical limitations of steel and alloy building materials, the metallic stop block cannot be exposed to the full heat of the gases and solids flowing into the cyclone. The properties of metals, such as steel, that limit use of such metals in such temperature environments include (a) the allowable design stress of a steel component decreases as the temperature increases: (b) long term exposure to high temperature causes detrimental changes in the grain structure of steels and alloys; (c) the rate of heat transfer in a metallic material is a least 10 to 20 times higher than that of a high strength refractory material; and (d) the coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is 3 to 4 times greater than that of typical refractory material. Since the thermal stresses are greatest at the inside surface of the refractory and since the steel support used in the prior art must be positioned back from that face, no support can be placed at the most mechanically advantageous position to resist the thermal stress loading of the inner (and hottest) refractory face.
The design of structure that can physically be placed at the most mechanically advantageous position and which can absorb the hoop stresses is complicated by the non-planar, moment force at the hot face of the lining systems as the result of the varying tensile and compressive forces within the hoop structure.
Another problem with the prior art structure is that the that structure does not equally accommodate tensile and compressive forces because of the geometric shaped employed.


Provided are compounds useful for treating cancer and methods of treating cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound described herein.

Isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs) catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to 2-oxoglutarate (i.e., α-ketoglutarate). These enzymes belong to two distinct subclasses, one of which utilizes NAD(+) as the electron acceptor and the other NADP(+). Five isocitrate dehydrogenases have been reported: three NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases, which localize to the mitochondrial matrix, and two NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases, one of which is mitochondrial and the other predominantly cytosolic. Each NADP(+)-dependent isozyme is a homodimer.
IDH1 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), cytosolic) is also known as IDH; IDP; IDCD; IDPC or PICD. The protein encoded by this gene is the NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase found in the cytoplasm and peroxisomes. It contains the PTS-1 peroxisomal targeting signal sequence. The presence of this enzyme in peroxisomes suggests roles in the regeneration of NADPH for intraperoxisomal reductions, such as the conversion of 2,4-dienoyl-CoAs to 3-enoyl-CoAs, as well as in peroxisomal reactions that consume 2-oxoglutarate, namely the alpha-hydroxylation of phytanic acid. The cytoplasmic enzyme serves a significant role in cytoplasmic NADPH production.
The human IDH1 gene encodes a protein of 414 amino acids. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for human IDH1 can be found as GenBank entries NM_005896.2 and NP_005887.2 respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for IDH1 are also described in, e.g., Nekrutenko et al., Mol. Biol. Evol. 15:1674-1684 (1998); Geisbrecht et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:30527-30533 (1999); Wiemann et al., Genome Res. 11:422-435 (2001); The MGC Project Team, Genome Res. 14:2121-2127 (2004); Lubec et al., Submitted (DEC-2008) to UniProtKB; Kullmann et al., Submitted (JUN-1996) to the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases; and Sjoeblom et al., Science 314:268-274 (2006).
Non-mutant, e.g., wild type, IDH1 catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate thereby reducing NAD+ (NADP+) to NADH (NADPH), e.g., in the forward reaction:Isocitrate+NAD+(NADP+)→α-KG+CO2+NADH(NADPH)+H+.
It has been discovered that mutations of IDH1 present in certain cancer cells result in a new ability of the enzyme to catalyze the NAPH-dependent reduction of α-ketoglutarate to R(−)-2-hydroxy glutarate (2HG). The production of 2HG is believed to contribute to the formation and progression of cancer (Dang, L et al., Nature 2009, 462:739-44).
IDH2 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (NADP+), mitochondrial) is also known as IDH; IDP; IDHM; IDPM; ICD-M; or mNADP-IDH. The protein encoded by this gene is the NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase found in the mitochondria. It plays a role in intermediary metabolism and energy production. This protein may tightly associate or interact with the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Human IDH2 gene encodes a protein of 452 amino acids. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences for IDH2 can be found as GenBank entries NM_002168.2 and NP_002159.2 respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence for human IDH2 are also described in, e.g., Huh et al., Submitted (NOV-1992) to the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases; and The MGC Project Team, Genome Res. 14:2121-2127 (2004).
Non-mutant, e.g., wild type, IDH2 catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) thereby reducing NAD+ (NADP+) to NADH (NADPH), e.g., in the forward reaction:Isocitrate+NAD+(NADP+)→α-KG+CO2+NADH(NADPH)+H+.
It has been discovered that mutations of IDH2 present in certain cancer cells result in a new ability of the enzyme to catalyze the NAPH-dependent reduction of α-ketoglutarate to R(−)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). 2HG is not formed by wild-type IDH2. The production of 2HG is believed to contribute to the formation and progression of cancer (Dang, L et al, Nature 2009, 462:739-44).
The inhibition of mutant IDH1 and/or mutant IDH2 and their neoactivity is therefore a potential therapeutic treatment for cancer. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for inhibitors of IDH1 and/or IDH2 mutants having alpha hydroxyl neoactivity.

Therapeutically active compounds and their methods of use


Apparatus for identifying wireless subscriber units and for determining if access to a communications network should be granted. A plurality of wireless subscriber units each generates a wireless subscriber signal including internal data traits and external signal traits. The internal data traits include an identification code. A RF downconverter is located remote from the wireless subscriber units and receives the wireless subscriber signal. A characterizing device is connected to the RF downconverter and extracts parameters that characterize the external signal traits of the wireless subscriber units. A decision device computes the likelihood that the observed parameters belong to the validated wireless subscriber unit to determine if access to the wireless subscriber service should be granted. The apparatus may be used to prevent cellular telephone cloning fraud.

This invention relates to wireless subscriber systems and, more particularly, the use of devices for granting or denying access to wireless subscriber systems to prevent cellular telephone cloning fraud.
Fraudulent or other unauthorized users reprogram clone phones with the MIN (mobile identification number) and ESN (electronic serial number) from authorized phones of subscribers. This cloning permits the unauthorized users to place cellular phone calls without paying for them. A technique is needed to distinguish between cloned phones and authorized phones so that steps can then be taken to prevent the cloned phones from having access to the cellular phone system.
In the Magril (U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,591), Ferrell patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,210), and Fredrick patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,760) patents, systems are provided for preventing access by unauthorized users. Neither the Magrill, Ferrell, nor Fredrick patents takes into account the RF propagation effects that distort the transmitted waveform from the wireless subscriber unit. Transmitters that are a long distance away from the identification system will have a low signal-to-noise ratio. In cellular telephone applications, frequencies are reused which increase the probability of co-channel interference from a nearby cell. Some wireless subscriber units attempt to access the wireless subscriber system at the same time as other units thereby causing co-channel interference.
A fraudulent user may attempt to gain access to a wireless network several consecutive times within a short period of time. Such repeated attempts may be detected or may result in the fraudulent user gaining access to the system. Prior systems do not use the results of previous decisions on access to aid in the current decision as to whether or not the current attempt is legitimate.
Prior systems do not provide a technique of fraud detection using the outputs of diversity and sectorized antennas typical of cellular base stations.
Although the Ferrell system extracted a few transient parameters to characterize transmitters and may have worked in the environment that consisted of a few ham radio transmitters, a need exists for the ability to distinguish between thousands of legitimate cellular phones and unauthorized phones.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved fraud prevention systems having parameters that are effective in distinguishing between authorized cellular phones and unauthorized clones.

Cellular telephone fraud prevention system using RF signature analysis


The present invention provides a walker including a fastening assembly. The walker has a connection part including two brace units, the fastening assembly assembled with the two brace units, and two side frames mounted to the connection part. The fastening assembly has a first baffle having a pivot end, a second baffle having a clasping portion, a curved wall having at least one plug and connecting the first baffle and the second baffle, and a clasping component pivotally mounted to the pivot end and selectively engaged with the clasping portion. The at least one plug of the fastening assembly is inserted into and fixed by the two brace units; and the clasping component is engaged with the clasping portion for further enhancing stability of the connection part and the fastening assembly to prevent the fastening assembly from falling off.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fastening assembly, especially to a fastening assembly with a clasping structure; the present invention also relates to a walker, especially to a walker with said fastening assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art(s)
People in need of mobility aids, such as the elder or patients with injured lower limbs, often use a walker to assist with walking. However, a conventional walker does not have any folding feature and is inconvenient for storage.
With reference to FIG. 7, a conventional walker 9 comprises a connection part 70, a fastening assembly 80, and two side frames 90.
The connection part 70 comprises two brace units 71, an inner face, and an outer face. Each brace unit 71 comprises a joint portion 711 and a mounting portion 712. The joint portions 711 are used for connecting the two brace units 71. Each mounting portion 712 is mounted on each side frame 90 respectively. The inner face of the connection part 70 faces a user of the walker. The outer face is opposite to the inner face.
The fastening assembly 80 comprises a fixed member 80 and a stick 82. The fixed member 81 comprises an internal face, two clamping ends 811, and an insertion opening 812. The insertion opening 812 is formed between the two clamping ends 811. The stick 82 is formed from the internal face and extends to the insertion opening 812.
The stick 82 of the fastening assembly 80 is transversely inserted into the joint portions 711 of the two brace units 71 from the outer face of the connection part 70 and clamps the connection part 70 by the two clamping ends 811.
Although the conventional walker 9 can easily be disassembled for storage, the fastening assembly 80 of the conventional walker 9 does not have any other fixing member between the two clamping ends 811 after being assembled to the connection part 70. Hence the fastening assembly 80 may fall off when the user inadvertently touches the fastening assembly 80 and the two brace units 71 will separate from each other. It may make the user lose support from the conventional walker 9 and fall.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a fastening assembly and a walker comprising the fastening assembly to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Fastening assembly and walker comprising the same


A composite protective layer for a photoelectrode, the composite protective layer including a chemical protective layer; and a physical protective layer, wherein the chemical protective layer has corrosion rate of 0.1 Coulombs per square centimeter per 10 hours or less when evaluated at a water decomposition potential, and the physical protective layer has a moisture transmittance rate of 0.001 grams per square meter per day or less and has an electrical conductivity.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to composite protective layer for a photoelectrode structure, a photoelectrode structure including the composite protective layer, and a photoelectrochemical cell ("PEC") including the photoelectrode structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A photoelectrochemical cell ("PEC") that obtains hydrogen and oxygen through decomposition of water by using solar energy is environmentally friendly because sunlight and water are used as an energy source and a reactant, respectively.
In most conventional PECs, a photoelectrode directly contacts an aqueous electrolyte and as a result, performance of the PECs is reduced due to corrosion caused by a reaction between the photoelectrode and the aqueous electrolyte. Also, because only materials stable in the aqueous electrolyte may be used as the materials for the photoelectrode, there is a limitation in using semiconductor materials capable of exerting better photoelectric efficiency. Thus there remains a need for an improved photoelectrode material.

Composite protective layer for photoelectrode structure, photoelectrode structure including the composite protective layer, and photoelectrochemical cell including photoelectrode structure


The rotary drive system includes: a direct voltage source (102); an electric motor (104) having an axis of rotation (A), and including independent phases having directions about the axis of rotation; an inverter (106) for connecting each phase to the direct voltage source (102); and a control device (110) for supplying a command to the inverter (106). The control device includes: elements (118) for selecting a formula from predefined formulas, each predefined formula being intended to calculate either a homopolar voltage set-point, or a homopolar current set-point; elements (124) for determining a set-point intended to apply the selected formula to determine, according to the formula selected, either a homopolar voltage set-point, or a homopolar current set-point, and elements (126) for determining a command intended to determine the command of the inverter (106) based on the set-point determined.

The prior art includes the use of a rotary drive system of the type comprising:                a direct voltage source,        an electric motor having an axis of rotation, and comprising independent phases having directions about the axis of rotation,        an inverter for connecting each phase to the direct voltage source, and        a control device for supplying a command to the inverter.
In some drive systems, the control device is intended to control the inverter so as to obtain a zero homopolar current in the electric motor, so as to meet some objectives, whereas in other drive systems, the control device is intended to control the inverter so as to obtain a non-zero homopolar current in the electric motor, so as to meet other objectives.
It may be sought to have a drive system suitable for meeting a plurality of objectives during the operation thereof.

Rotary drive system, method for controlling an inverter and associated computer program


A positive-type photoresist composition is disclosed, which comprises:. (A) an o-quinonediazide compound; PA0 (B) an alkali-soluble phenol resin; and PA0 (C) at least one compound selected from a group consisting of urea compounds, thiourea compounds and arylamine compounds; A positive-type photoresist composition which comprises: PA0 (A) an o-quinonediazide compound; PA0 (B) an alkali-soluble phenol resin; and PA0 (C) at least one compound selected from a group consisting of urea compounds, thiourea compounds, and arylamine compounds represented by general formulae (I), (II) and (III), respectively, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or any two of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 form at least one ring together, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a phenyl group unsubstituted or substituted with halogen atom(s), or a naphthyl group unsubstituted or substituted with halogen atom(s).

Among the characteristics of photoresists to be used in fine processing for the production of semiconductors and electronic devices such as liquid crystal devices, fluorescent display tubes, thermal heads and image sensors, adhesiveness to the surface of a base board to be etched is particularly important. Common positive-type photoresists frequently suffer from peeling or undercut caused by wet-etching with a strong acid or a weak base. It has been attempted, therefore, to treat the surface of a base board to be etched with, for example, hexamethyldisilazane so as to improve the adhesiveness. However such a treatment does not provide a satisfactory effect. It has been further attempted to heat a base board before or after the application of a positive-type resist or after development, though the effect thus achieved is limited.
JP-B-50-9177, JP-B-54-5292 and JP-A-53-702 each disclose a method for the improvement of the adhesiveness to the copper surface of a print base board (the terms "JP-B" and "JP-A" as used herein respectively mean an "examined Japanese patent publication" and an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). However each of the disclosed photosensitive materials is the negative-type photoresist which is exclusively applicable to a copper base board.
In the field of fine processing, positive-type microphotoresists having high resolving power have been mainly employed. However no effective additive such as an adhesion aid for positive-type photoresists has yet been known. In the field of processing electronic devices such as displays or thermal heads, wherein base boards made of various materials are employed, no effective additive has been found thus far, since the adhesiveness of the photoresist would vary depending up on the base boards used.

Positive image-forming process utilizing glass substrate with oxide film of indium-tin alloy, coated with o-quinonediazide photoresist, with etching of the oxide film in the imagewise exposed areas


Th invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, namely, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to a 2-hydroxylated phenazine, and isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention is also directed to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells including the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to (a) nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, that is, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to 2-hydroxylated phenazines and (b) isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention also relates to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.
2. Description of the Art
Root diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces glaminis, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium and diseases caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium cause a significant adverse impact on the production of important crops worldwide. The root disease take-all, caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt), Rhizoctonia root rot, caused by Rhizoctonia solani and R. oryzae, and Pythium root rot caused by any of several Pythium species, notably, Pythium ultimum and P. irregulare, are important root diseases of small grain crops, e.g., wheat, barley, triticale, and rye, worldwide. Fusanium graminearum (Schwabe) and Fusarium culmorum are the primary causal agents of a disease known as Fusarium head blight, head blight, or scab, of wheat, barley, oats and rye. Fusarium solani causes root and crown rots, and Fusarium oxysporum causes wilts.
Widespread diseases of small grain crops and turf grass are caused by the soil-borne fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis (Gg), a member of the ascomycota class of fungi, and result in significant economic losses due to reductions in crop yield. Take-all, a disease caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) occurs in all wheat-growing regions of the world and is probably the most important root disease of wheat and related small grains worldwide. Symptoms of wheat take-all include dark longitudinal lesions on roots; in severe cases, the entire root may become blackened with disease with the fungus migrating to the crown of the wheat plant (where the crown roots originate) and the tillers (stems). Severely infected wheat plants are identified in the field by their white heads which result when infection of the crown by the fungus cuts off water transport to upper plant parts causing the plant to die prematurely. Yield losses can be considerable, up to 50% of the potential wheat yield. There are no resistant wheat cultivars, and registered fungicides perform inconsistently. Further, growers are being increasingly challenged to grow wheat with minimum or no tillage to reduce soil erosion. These practices increase the severity of take-all and other root diseases. Although wheat is particularly susceptible to the take-all fungus, many other Gramineae such as barley, rye, and triticale can also be infected.
Traditionally, take-all has been controlled by a combination of crop rotation and tillage, practices which reduce the inoculum potential of the pathogen. However, because long rotations are often not economically feasible and tillage contributes to soil erosion, the trend in cereal production is toward less tillage and two or three wheat crops before a break. Both of these practices exacerbate take-all. There is no known source of genetic resistance in wheat against take-all, and methods of chemical control are limited. The need for agriculture to become more sustainable and less dependent on chemical pesticides has necessitated the development of alternative approaches to control take-all and other soil-borne diseases.
Other Gg fungi, for example, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae (Gga), infect oats and grasses and have been identified as causing take-all patch in turf grasses such as bent grass. Gaeumannomyces graminis var. grammis (Ggg) infects some grasses and has been suggested as causing crown sheath rot in rice.
Rhizoctonia, a member of the basidiomycota class of fungi, causes root and stem rot on most food, fiber, and ornamental plants throughout the world, including small grain crops, turf grass, asparagus, canola, corn, sugarbeet, tomatoes, potatoes, peas, rice, beans, soybeans, strawberries, zucchini, and cotton. Root rot on small grain crops caused by Rhizoctonia occurs throughout the United States Pacific Northwest, in Australia, and South Africa, and potentially throughout the temperate regions of the world wherever small grains are grown, especially if grown with reduced or no-tillage (direct drilling). Rhizoctonia root rot caused by R. solani AG8 begins as brown cankerous lesions on the seminal and crown roots that eventually girdles and then severs the roots. Plants with roots pruned off by this disease remain stunted and eventually die without making heads. The disease tends to affect plants in patches and has given rise to other names, such as bare patch disease, purple patch, crater disease, and barley stunt disorder. Of all small grain crops, barley is especially susceptible to R. solani AG8. Rhizoctonia oryzae infects the embryos of germinating seeds, preventing germination or limiting the formation of seminal roots to only one or two when healthy seedlings produce five or six seminal roots. These two Rhizoctonia species, together with Rhizoctonia cerealis and possibly other Rhizoctonia species occur as different mixtures, depending on the soil, cropping systems, weed management practices, and possibly other factors not yet identified.
The soil-borne pathogen complex of Pythium spp. comprises a group of fungi that are among the most successful of all microbial colonists in agricultural soils. It is estimated that nearly all cultivated soil in the world contains spores of at least one, two, three, and even as high as ten Pythium species. Pythium, a member of the oomycetes class of fungi, like Rhizoctonia, affects virtually all food, fiber, and ornamental plants throughout the world. Examples of these plants are given above. Pythium damage to small grains begins as embryo infections and associated poor emergence or stand establishment and continues as destruction of the fine lateral rootlets and root hairs. Plants with Pythium root rot have the appearance of plants without enough fertilizer, because the disease limits the absorptive capacity of the root system through destruction of fine rootlets and root hairs. There are several species of Pythium with ability to attack cereals, either embryos of germinating seeds, root tips and fine rootlets, or all of these delicate and usually juvenile or meristematic tissues.
Fusarium head blight or scab is a fungal disease of wheat, barley, oats, rye, and wheatgrasses that affects both grain yield and quality. It occurs worldwide, particularly when temperatures and humidity favor the proliferation of the causal agent, Fusarium graminearum, at the time of heading. Head blight has caused losses in the billions of dollars to United States and Canadian growers and processors within this decade. Yield and grain quality losses of wheat due to Fusarium head blight approached one billion dollars in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota in 1993 and 200–400 million dollars across the region in subsequent years. Losses were in excess of 300 million dollars in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois in 1995 and 1996. Quality of grain is also compromised since infected grain is usually contaminated with a mycotoxin, vomitoxin or DON, produced by the fungus that is detrimental to humans and livestock. In addition, the disease has threatened barley production in the upper Midwest because brewers have imposed zero tolerance limits for vomitoxin in grain.
Certain strains of root-colonizing fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. have gained attention in recent years because they produce broad-spectrum antibiotic metabolites that can provide protection against various soilborne root pathogens (Thomashow and Weller, pp. 187–235. In G. Stacey and N. T. Keen (ed.), Plant-Microbe Interactions. Chapman and Hall, New York, N.Y., 1996). One such class of antibiotics, the phenazines, encompasses a large family of heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds produced in late exponential and stationary phase. The ability to produce phenazines is limited almost exclusively to bacteria, and has been reported in members of the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Nocardia, Sorangium, Brevibacterium, and Burkholderia (Turner and Messenger, Advances in Microbial Physiol. 27: 211–275, 1986). There are currently over 50 known phenazine compounds with the same basic structure, differing only in the derivatization of the heterocyclic core. These modifications largely determine the physical properties of phenazines and influence their biological activity against plant and animal pathogens.
The broad-spectrum activity exhibited by phenazine compounds against fungi and other bacteria is not understood. It is thought that they can diffuse across the membrane and, once inside the cell, accept a single electron, disrupting respiration by interfering with the normal process of electron transport. This results in the overproduction of O2− and H2O2, which overwhelm cellular superoxide dismutases and ultimately cause cell death. The cellular superoxide dismutases in P. aeruginosa, which produces the phenazine compound pyocyanin, are more active than those of phenazine-non-producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, and they provide protection against phenazines (Hassan and Fridovich, J. Bacteriol. 141:156–163, 1980; Hassett et al., J. Bacteriol. 177:6330–6337, 1995).
Several studies conducted in the early 1970s revealed tight links between pheniazine biosynthesis and the shikimic acid pathway (Turner and Messenger, 1986, supra), but the biochemistry and genetic control of phenazine synthesis are still not fully understood. Chorismic acid has long been recognized as the branchpoint from the shikimic acid pathway to phenazine synthesis (Longley et al., Can. J. Microbiol. 18:1357–1368, 1972). Studies with radiolabeled precursors suggest that the phenazine core is formed by the symmetrical condensation of two molecules of chorismic acid (Chang et al., Can. J. Microbiol. 72:581–583, 1969; Herbert et al., Tetrahedron Letters 8:639–642, 1976; Hollstein and McCamey, J. Org. Chem. 38:3415–3417, 1973; Longley et al., 1972, supra), while the amide nitrogen of glutamine serves as the immediate source of nitrogen in the heterocyclic nucleus of phenazine compounds (Römer and Herbert, Z. Naturforsch. C 37:1070–1074, 1982). Phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid is the first phenazine formed, and it is thought to be converted to phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), a key intermediate in the synthesis of other phenazines by fluorescent pseudomonads (Bying and Turner, J. Gen. Microbiol. 97:57–62, 1976; Herbert et al., 1976, supra; Hollstein and McCamey, 1973, supra; Messenger and Turner, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 18:65–68, 1983).
Genetic studies in fluorescent Pseudomonas spp., the only microorganisms for which the genes responsible for the assembly of the heterocyclic phenazine nucleus have been cloned and sequenced, support this model. The phenazine biosynthetic loci from P. fluorescens 2-79 (Mavrodi et al., J. Bacteriol. 180:2541–2548, 1998), P. aureofaciens [synonym: P. chlororaphis] 30-84 (Mavrodi et al., 1998, supra; Pierson III et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 143:299–307, 1995), P. aeruginosa PA01 (D. V. Mavrodi and L. S. Thomashow, unpublished), and P. chlororaphis PCL1391 (Chin-A-Woeng et al., Pseudomonas '99: Biotechnology and Pathogenesis, S48, Maui, Hi., 1999) are highly conserved. Each contains a seven-gene core operon regulated in a cell-density dependent manner by homologues of LuxI and LuxR (D. V. Mavrodi and S. K. Farrand, unpublished; Latifi et al., Mol. Microbiol. 17:333–343, 1995; Wood and Pierson III, Gene 108:49–53, 1996). In P. fluorescens 2-79, P. aureofaciens 30-84, and P. chlororaphis PCL1391, the phzI/R genes are found directly upstream from the phenazine core. Phenazine production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is controlled by two sets of regulatory proteins, rhlI/R and lasI/R, located elsewhere in the genome. The core gene products PhzC, PhzD, and PhzE, which are homologous with PhzF, PhzA, and PhzB in strain 30-84, are similar to enzymes of shikimic and chorismic acid metabolism. Sequence comparisons of PhzD and PhzE with other chorismate-modifying enzymes have shed new light on probable intermediates in the PCA pathway, suggesting that phenazine synthesis proceeds via the intermediates aminodeoxyisochorismic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilate (Mavrodi et al., 1998, supra) rather than anthranilate, as suggested previously (Essar et al., J. Bacteriol. 172:884–900, 1990). It should be noted that P. aureofaciens strains are also known as P. chlolroraphis. In cases where the cited references use the term P. aureofaciens, this designation has been retained.
Although the phenazine biosynthetic loci of fluorescent pseudomonads are highly homologous, individual species typically differ in the range of phenazine compounds they produce. Previous work by Pierson et al., 1995, supra, suggested that the phzC gene of P. aureofaciens 30-84, and in particular the last 28 amino acids of the PhzC protein, are essential for the production 2-hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid (2-OH-PCA) and 2-hydroxyphenazine (2-OH-PHZ), derivatives characteristic of strains previously designated P. aureofaciens but now classified as P. chlororaphis (Johnson and Palleroni, Inter. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 39:230–235, 1989).
Phenazine product specificity directed to compounds having biocontrol activity or active in the biosynthesis of phenazines having biocontrol activity and transformed microorganisms and plants producing such compounds can provide an important resource for control of plant disease or lead to the development of novel pharmaceutical products.

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

Washington State University Research Foundation


The present disclosure relates to an additive for soil conditioning and an agricultural composition comprising additive and plant growth regulator. The additive comprises a mixture of esters of fatty acids and an emulsifying agent. The additive of the present disclosure can be used in the conditioning of the soil which results in improvement in plant growth. The agricultural composition of the present disclosure can be used for improving soil condition and promoting plant growth.

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Plant growth and crop productivity is dependent mainly on the physical conditions of soil. Characteristics of good soil are high water holding capacity, adequate minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc for promoting plant growth and it (the soil) being well-drained. The soil characteristics can be improved through the use of good management practices. The soil characteristics can also be improved using microorganisms containing the potential to decompose soil organic matter, which in turn promotes plant growth by producing metabolites, increasing water retention capacity of the soil and also improving the physical condition of the soil. The improvement in soil texture and thereby the overall soil physical property is termed as soil conditioning.
The organic contents of soils are reduced due to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and repeated farming which leads to hardening of the soil. Further, soil particles become compact and are not able to retain nutrients and moisture due to repeated and overuse of chemical fertilizers. Due to this, higher amounts of chemical fertilizer are required to supplement mineral ions and macro nutrients which are gradually lost from the soil. Extensive use of chemical fertilizers is a major cause of imbalance in the micro and macro nutrients in the soil and has deteriorated soil health, which ultimately results in low productivity and stagnancy in agriculture growth. For optimum plant growth, nutrients must be available in sufficient and balanced quantities. Excessive and exclusive dependence on nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizers can be very harmful to the soil. As a result, overall agricultural productivity gradually declines.
The constant assault on land (soil) by agricultural and horticultural chemicals cause imbalance in the amount of essential nutrients in the soil. Thus, the soil is rendered unsuitable for sustained farming and at times the soil denatures to such an extent that normal levels of plant life cannot be supported.
A number of soil conditioners for improving soil physical properties are available commercially in the market. However, these soil conditioners have limited activity and are not effective on all types of soil and/or crops/plants.
Therefore, there is felt a need for an additive (soil conditioning agent) that mitigates the aforestated drawbacks.
Further, there is felt a need for an agricultural composition that mitigates the aforementioned drawbacks.

Additive for soil conditioning and an agricultural composition containing said additive for plant growth


A nitride semiconductor device including a light emitting device comprises a n-type region of one or more nitride semiconductor layers having n-type conductivity, a p-type region of one or more nitride semiconductor layers having p-type conductivity and an active layer between the n-type region and the p-type region. In such devices, there is provided with a super lattice layer comprising first layers and second layers which are nitride semiconductors having a different composition respectively. The super lattice structure makes working current and voltage of the device lowered, resulting in realization of more efficient devices.

Nitride semiconductors have been recently produced as materials used for a high bright blue LED and a pure green LED, a full color LED display and a traffic signal LED. Such LEDs are provided with an active layer of SQW (Single Quantum Well) or MQW (Multi Quantum Well) where the well layer is made of InGaN and positioned between a p-type nitride layer and an n-type nitride layer to form a DH (Double Hetero) structure. The wavelength of the blue or green light emitting from the active layer depends on a ratio of In in the InGaN well layer.
The inventors have first realized laser emitting by using the above nitride materials and reported it in Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 35(1996)L74 and Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 35(1996)L217. The laser device comprises the DH structure where the active layer is MQW having InGaN well layers and showed the following data:    Threshold current: 610 mA;    Threshold current density: 8.7 kA/m2;    Wavelength: 410 nm    (pulse width 2 μm and pulse cycle 2ms)
The inventors have further improved the laser device and reported it in Appl. Phys. Lett. 69(1996)1477. The laser device comprises a ridge strip structure formed on a part of p-type nitride semiconductor and showed the following data.    Threshold current: 187 mA;    Threshold current density: 3 kA/m2;    Wavelength: 410 nm    (pulse width 2 μm, pulse cycle 2 ms and duty ratio: 0.1%)
The inventors have first succeeded in CW (Continuous-Wave) Oscillation or Operation at room temperature and reported it in Gijutsu-Sokuho of Nikkei Electronics issued on Dec. 2, 1996, Appl. Phys. Lett. 69(1996) and Appl. Phys. Lett. 69(1996)4056.
The laser diode showed a lifetime of 27 hours at 20° C. under the threshold current density of 3.6 ka/cm2, the threshold voltage of 5.5 V and the output of 1.5 mW.
On the other hand, the blue and green LED of nitrides showed a forward current (If) of 20 mA and a forward voltage (Vf) of 3.4 to 3.6 V which are higher by 2 V or more than those of red LEDs made of GaAlAs semiconductors. Therefore, further decrease of Vf in the blue and green LED was required. Additionally, there was required an effective LD which can decrease the threshold current and voltage to get a longer lifetime of CW operation at room temperature, because the conventional LD still had a higher threshold current and voltage.
The inventors have gotten the idea that technology of decreasing the threshold in LDs was applicable to LEDs in order to decrease the Vf. Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to decrease the threshold current and voltage of nitride semiconductor LDs and realize a longer lifetime of CW operation.
In the specification, it should be understood that the general formulae: InxGa1−xN and AlyGa1−yN show chemical atoms which compose of nitride layers and therefore, even if different layers are represented by the same formula, the different layers do not necessarily have the same composition, that is, the same x or y does not mean the same ratio.


Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for processing audio signals to influence the reproduction of the audio signals. The apparatus may include a speaker, a headphone (over-the-ear, on-ear, or in-ear), a microphone, a computer, a mobile device, a home theater receiver, a television, a Blu-ray (BD) player, a compact disc (CD) player, a digital media player, or the like. The apparatus may be configured to receive a virtualization profile including a digital audio filter with a design sample rate, resample the virtualization profile to a different sample rate, filter the audio signal with the resampled virtualization profile, and reproduce the filtered audio signal as sound.

In traditional audio reproduction, digital audio filters are designed for particular sample rates. If audio is reproduced at a different sample rate than the designed sample rate, digital audio filters must be redesigned or the applied filter effects need to be scaled in frequency. It would therefore be desirable to have a method and apparatus to deliver a flexible filter design that adapts to variable sample rates.

Digital audio filters for variable sample rates


In differential amplifier circuitry formed on a semiconductor substrate, first and second transistors constitute a differential pair of the differential amplifier circuitry. First and second pads are connected with emitters of the first and second transistors, respectively. The first and second pads are connected with first and second external ground terminals via first and second rewiring layers to be grounded, respectively. The first and second rewiring layers are preferably connected with each other. Further, bases of the first and second transistors are connected with first and second bias circuits via first and second resistors, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to differential amplifier circuitry formed on a semiconductor substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to differential amplifier circuitry formed on a semiconductor substrate with a rewiring technique.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of high-frequency differential amplifier circuitry according to a prior art (See Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP-2003-133862-A). Referring to FIG. 12, the high-frequency differential amplifier circuitry is configured by transistors Q1 and Q2, a bias circuit 103, resistors 104 and 105, pads 201, 203 and 204, CSP (Chip Size Package) output terminals 205, 207 and 208, and input terminals IN1 and IN2. The transistors Q1 and Q2 constitute a differential pair of the differential amplifier circuit. The bias circuit 103 generates a predetermined bias current, and supplies the bias current to a base of the transistor Q1 via the resistor 104 and to a base of the transistor Q2 via the resistor 105 so as to control the biased states of the transistors Q1 and Q2, respectively. The CSP output terminal 205 is connected with emitters of the transistors Q1 and Q2 via the pad 201 and a parasitic inductance L1. The CSP output terminals 207 and 208 are connected with collectors of the transistors Q1 and Q2 via the pads 203 and 204, respectively.
In the high-frequency differential amplifier circuitry according to the prior art configured as described above, when differential signals are inputted to the respective bases of the transistors Q1 and Q2 via the input terminals IN1 and IN2, the respective differential signals amplified by the differential pair, which is constituted by the transistors Q1 and Q2, are outputted from the collectors of the transistors Q1 and Q2 via the output terminals 207 and 208.
However, due to the parasitic inductance component L1 caused by rewiring to form the above-mentioned high-frequency differential amplifier circuitry according to the prior art on a semiconductor substrate, the emitters of the transistors Q1 and Q2 come into a common impedance state, which generates a higher-harmonic wave having frequencies, such as two times, three times and the like, as high as that of the differential signals inputted to the emitters of the transistors Q1 and Q2. Thus, a problem is created in that the higher-harmonic wave interferes with input signals and deteriorates distortion characteristics of the differential amplifier circuitry.
An additional problem is created in that the resistors 104 and 105 for biasing the bases of the transistors Q1 and Q2 attenuate the input signals, which causes a gain reduction.
Furthermore, in the case of forming the high-frequency differential amplifier circuitry on one chip with a modem circuit part and a frequency synthesizer part, there is still a further problem in that signals from the respective circuits interfere with one another via a semiconductor substrate, which causes characteristic deterioration such as generation of spurious signals and deterioration of noise and the like. For example, in the case of forming a transmission driver amplifier on one chip with the modem circuit part and the frequency synthesizer part, the frequency of the oscillator might be shifted when an output signal of the transmission driver amplifier leaks into and interferes with the oscillator. Otherwise, carrier leakage might occur when a local oscillation signal, inputted to a modulator, directly leaks into the transmission driver amplifier, which causes deterioration of modulation accuracy.

Differential amplifier circuitry formed on semiconductor substrate with rewiring technique

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A device for producing a ceramic sintered body consisting essentially of a mixing trough for mixing ceramic powder with water to form a slurry, the mixing trough having stirring blades, a separate slurry circulation conduit and a slurry mixing deflocculating unit, said separate slurry circulation conduit connecting said mixing trough and said deflocculating unit, said slurry mixing unit deflocculating said powder which has been flocculated with no grinding of powder by means of causing a high-speed shear flow and a high-speed contraction flow in the slurry, said slurry being repeatedly circulated form said slurry mixing unit to said mixing trough through said separate slurry circulation conduit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process and a device for producing a ceramic sintered body such as silicon nitride, etc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sintered bodies of ceramics, such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide, or alumina, are produced through a process comprising steps of mixing of starting powders, molding, and sintering it by using a powder metallurgy technique. In particular, sintered bodies of silicon nitride are widely used as materials for cutting tools or structural materials because of their high strength and toughness as well as superior thermal shock resistance and wear resistance. In recent years, ceramic sintered bodies of high quality have been desired that offer an improved strength with less variations in strength as application thereof to parts of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle.
In the production process for these ceramic sintered bodies, a grinder such as a ball mill is typically used to mix starting powders. Wet mixing is commonly used with a solvent such as alcohol to form a more uniform mixture. The slurry obtained as a result of the wet mixing is typically granulated by means of spray drying and is then molded through dry pressing and sintered. Alternatively, other available methods used in practice include injection with an addition of a large amount of plasticizer to granulated powder and wet molding to mold the slurry simultaneously with dehydration thereof by means of cast molding or the like.
The mixing method with a conventional grinder such as a ball mill imparts shock, friction, and shearing force to the starting powders by means of falling, colliding or rolling balls, rods, or pebbles in mixing, which causes the flocculation to be deflocculated or destroyed while the starting powders are ground. The starting powders are thus progressively dispersed in the solvent. In particular, pulverization of the starting powders by grinding is used positively as an approach to improve the strength of the sintered body in producing silicon nitride sintered bodies of high quality with a high strength. The imparted energies are, however, expended on motion or friction of a ground medium. This deteriorates the efficiency of mixing of the powders or dispersion thereof into the solvent, which is a primary object of grinding. Accordingly, a long time is inevitably required for mixing.
In addition, grinding of the starting powders in mixing will cause the variation in the particle diameter and the particle size distribution of the powders, depending on the mixing lot or mixing condition. This directly affects moldability of the powders and a powder packing structure of a molded compact, accompanying variation in density of the molded compact. This variation is a cause of deterioration or variations in strength and other properties of the final sintered bodies. Further, the ground medium may be worn during repeated collision or scrubbing with each other or with a pot. The tailings are contaminated in the starting powders as impurities. This contamination amount is increased as the mixing is performed over a prolonged period of time to ensure uniform mixture, deteriorating the quality of the sintered bodies.
On the other hand, a slurry of high powder content is preferable which contains a smaller amount of solvent and has a good fluidity when considering a molding rate in the wet molding of the slurry through, for example, the cast molding. A viscosity of the slurry is, however, increased and hence the fluidity thereof is deteriorated as the amount of the solvent is reduced. It may finally be difficult even to form a slurry. With this respect, grinding ability of the grinder has heretofore been improved or the grinding and mixing have been continued for a long time to obtain a slurry of high powder content. These methods are, however, disadvantageous in that the amount of contaminants from the grinding media is increased with the properties and the quality of the sintered bodies deteriorated. Similar problems occur in a case where the particles are formed from the slurry because there is also a need for increasing the powder content of the slurry by the energy-saving considerations.

Device for producing ceramic sintered body


A custom-made orthotic support unit including specific orthotic magnet elements formed into a unitary arch support for insertion, into and/or onto contemporary footwear for providing both postural corrections and magnetic therapy for the wearer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to footwear and specifically to custom-made footwear incorporating orthotics and magnets.
2. Background Art
It is common knowledge that the nervous system of the human body includes a membrane surrounding each nerve fiber, which membrane is polarized, or has opposite electrical charges on opposite sides. Positive ions, or positively charged particles, are located outside the membrane. Inside the membrane are negatively charged particles. It is further known that the polarized membranes enable the nerves to pass impulses between different parts of the brain and spinal chord, and between the sensory and motor neurons.
Concurrently, it is commonly known that magnets such as permanent magnets of a bar-type have opposed poles where the magnetism is the strongest and which set up a magnetic field about the magnet, the field at one pole applying a force away from the pole, and the field at the opposite pole applying a force toward that opposite pole. In addition to applying force at the magnetic poles, the magnetic field also applies force on moving electric charges, such as the moving impulses of the human nervous system.
That part of medical science that studies and relates to different ways of helping normal body functions to restore health includes the field of physical therapy. Physical therapy does not use drugs, medicines or the like, but uses only physical means such as heat, cold, water, electricity and change of climate.
It is also well recognized in the medical profession and particularly by podiatrists and chiropractors, that many health problems related to the spine and specific joints can be corrected by properly constructed foot supports. To this area of orthopedics for the correction of the skeletal system in persons of any age, the application of magnetics for enhanced and synergistic electromagnetic therapy is combined.

Custom orthotic foot support with magnetic therapy

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A shadow mask for depositing solder bumps includes additional dummy holes located adjacent holes corresponding to most of the perimeter chips of the wafer. The additional dummy provide more uniform plasma etching of contacts of the wafer, improve etching of contacts of perimeter chips, and lower contact resistance of contacts of perimeter chips. The extra holes also provide solder bumps outside the perimeter chips that can be used to support a second shadow mask for deposition of an additional material, such as tin, on the reflowed solder bumps for mounting the chips on a plastic substrate at low temperature. An improved mask to wafer alignment aid is formed from standard solder bumps. The improved alignment aid avoids damage to test probes and provides improved course alignment.

Semiconductor wafer fabrication concludes with forming contacts to access circuitry on the wafer. Increasingly flip chip bonds formed of solder bumps are being used for contacts since a very large number of contacts can be provided in an area array. Evaporation or sputtering through a shadow mask made of a thin sheet of molybdenum has long been used for forming the solder bumps.
Traditionally, a high reliability solder bump connection has been achieved by providing a solder bump with a very high lead content. This has been acceptable for solder bump contacts to ceramic substrates that can tolerate the high temperature needed to melt high lead content solder. However, for connection to low temperature substrates, such as plastic substrates, a composition that provides a low melting point tin cap on a standard reflowed high-lead composition solder bump is desired, as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,896, to Dalal et al., incorporated herein by reference. A two-mask process for forming these tin cap solder bumps is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,496, to Dalal et al., incorporated herein by reference. However, the present inventors found that the second mask for tin cap deposition damages high melting point solder bumps formed in the first masking step. Thus, a solution is needed that improves the process to avoid damage to solder bumps formed in the first masking step.
In addition, the invention also provides a solution to a second problem. After the first shadow mask has been positioned, the wafer is subjected to a plasma etching step to remove oxide that may be covering contact pads, to reduce contact resistance between contact pads and ball limiting metallurgy that underlies the solder bump. Portions of the wafer that are covered by the molybdenum mask are protected from the plasma while contacts that are located under holes in the mask are subjected to the plasma and have oxide removed. However, uniformity of oxide removal across the wafer has been a problem, and some regions of the wafer were found to have lower contact resistance than others. Thus, a better solution for plasma etching is required to provide a way to provide more consistent low contact resistance across the wafer. A solution that both provides substantially improved contact resistance uniformity as well as avoiding damage to solder bumps if a second masking and deposition step is used, is provided by the following invention.