A modular overload relay provides a low cost analog base unit performing overload detection functions and one or more add-on units communicating with the base unit through an electric conductor on a side of the base unit to which the add-on module may be attached. The add-on units augment the circuitry of the base unit through additional analog or microprocessor-based circuitry communicating with various points within the analog circuitry of the base unit.

Overload relays are current sensitive relays, normally used in conjunction with an electomechanical contactor, that may be used to disconnect power from equipment, for example, from a three-phase motor, when an overload condition exists.
In a typical installation, the contactor provides three contacts, one associated with each of the three phases of power, closed by an electromagnetically operated armature. The overload relay includes current sensing elements that are wired in series with the three phases passing through the contactor. In this way, the overload relay can monitor current flowing in the three phases through the contactor, and based on current magnitude and duration, may interrupt the current flow through the contactor armature circuit to open the contactor contacts when an overload occurs. For this purpose, the overload relay includes a set of latching contacts which can be used to control the contactor coil and/or provide a signal indicating an overload conditions.
Generally, an overload relay provides a different protective function than that of a circuit breaker which may also be wired in series with the contactor and overload relay.
Simple overload relays make use of mechanical elements, such as bimetallic strips for current sensing, communicating with contacts for providing a switched output. It is known, however, to construct overload relays from solid-state analog circuit components using current transformers for the current sensing element. Power for the solid-state analog overload relays is obtained through separate wiring or may be tapped from the secondary windings of the current transformers. The solid-state analog circuitry may be implemented in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) making the solid-state overload re-lay inexpensive and reliable.
It may be desirable to incorporate additional features into an overload relay, for example, to allow it to check for three-phase current imbalance, ground faults, or motor jam conditions. Remote operation and monitoring of the overload relay, for example, may also be desirable. These latter features may be implemented by providing dedicated wiring, to communicate, for example, a reset signal to the overload relay, or by providing the overload relay with a network connection, allowing serial digital data to pass between the overload relay and a separate controller.
When one or more of these additional functions is required, the analog circuitry of the overload relay is normally replaced with a microprocessor or microcontroller-based circuit. Measured current from the current transformers of the overload relay may be converted to digital values by an analog to digital converter and the base and supplemental protective functions are implemented in the microcontroller's firmware. The microcontroller may further implement a network interface allowing the overload relay to communicate with external sources for external control and readout of the overload relay function.
The use of a microcontroller in an overload relay substantially increases the cost of the overload relay, both because of the cost of the microcontroller but also because of the ancillary circuitry needed to support the microprocessor including power processing circuits, clock circuits, start-up circuits, memory and other interface circuits, and so-called "glue" logic circuits. Accordingly, additional overload relay functions are normally available only in feature rich, high priced overload relays. Mid-tier overload relays for users who need only a single additional feature, for example, represent a relatively low volume (fragmented by the number of different mid-tier products that are possible) making manufacturers reluctant to address this market.


A honeycomb structure body has promoter particles made of ceria-zirconia solid solution, and inorganic binder particles made of alumina arranged between the promoter particles, and a cerium aluminate phase formed on a boundary surface between the promoter particles and the inorganic binder particles. Further, a method of producing the honeycomb structure body has at least first and second steps. The first step molds raw material to form a honeycomb molded body. The raw material has a mixture of promoter particles and a sol containing inorganic binder particles. The second step fires the honeycomb molded body in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of not more than 0.5 vol. % to produce the honeycomb structure body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to honeycomb structure bodies made of promoter particles and inorganic binder particles and a method of producing the honeycomb structure bodies.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are known honeycomb structure bodies made of cordierite or SiC, etc., capable of purifying exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Specifically, an exhaust gas purification catalyst is supported in the honeycomb structure body. That is, inorganic binder particles forming the honeycomb structure body support a promoter (or co-catalyst) made of ceria zirconia solid solution and noble metal catalyst.
Recently, there has been proposed a honeycomb structure body made of promoter components, etc. However, because it is difficult to perform the process of compacting and forming a solid mass of promoter particles together, i.e. the sintering of the promoter particles together, the produced honeycomb structure body has a weak strength when the honeycomb structure body contains such promoter particles. In order to solve such a conventional problem, there has been proposed a honeycomb structure body made of ceria particles, a ceramic material and inorganic binder particles. This ceramic material has a low self-sintering properties as compared with that of the ceria particles. For example, a patent document, Japanese patent No. 5185837 discloses such a honeycomb structure body.
By the way, it is requested to have an increased amount of components other than ceria particles in order for the honeycomb structure body to have an adequate strength. However, in this case, the properties of the promoter would cause a possible problem of deteriorating the exhaust gas purification performance. As a result, it is difficult for the honeycomb structure body to obtain the benefits of using the promoter particles.
On the other hand, increasing of the amount of the promoter particles would cause the honeycomb structure body to decrease in the necessary strength.

Honeycomb structure body and method of producing the same


A graphical display of a vertical speed indicator showing “fly-to” and “no-fly” commands on the periphery of a vertical speed indicator during TCAS traffic or resolution advisory conditions.

Situational awareness refers to the degree of accuracy by which one's perception of his current environment mirrors reality. With regard to the operation of an aircraft, situational awareness relates to a pilot's perception of what is happening to the aircraft within the four dimensions of space and time. Situational awareness also relates to the pilot's comprehension of a present situation and a projection of the status of the aircraft into the near future.
During the operation of an aircraft, multiple operational parameters and systems must be monitored simultaneously, including the airspeed, attitude, engines, fuel management, navigation indicators, and weather radar. Many of these operational parameters and systems on the aircraft must be supervised by a pilot reacting to subtle changes in the alignment of needles on gauges or of pictorial displays on screens.
The present invention relates to improved displays of aircraft operation data that increase the situational awareness of a pilot and flight crew. The present application claims new displays or presentations of aircraft data. The displays of the present invention employ commercially available systems that may be used without modification to supply the necessary signals to operate the displays of the present invention. The present invention relates to improved displays of aircraft operation data that increase the situational awareness of a pilot and flight crew. More particularly, the displays of the present invention include a vertical speed indicator (VSI) display.
Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is a system for detecting and tracking other aircraft approaching the vicinity of a TCAS-equipped aircraft. By continuous interrogation of the transponders of the approaching aircraft, the TCAS system estimates and updates the flight paths of the approaching aircraft relative to the TCAS-equipped aircraft. Through the projection of the approaching flight paths of other planes relative to the position and path of the TCAS-equipped aircraft, the TCAS system will determine if an approaching aircraft is a possible collision hazard. If a collision hazard exists according to TCAS, the system will issue visual and auditory advisories, also known as resolution advisories, to the crew for appropriate vertical avoidance maneuvers.
The present invention includes the display of "fly-to" commands on a vertical speed indicator during a TCAS traffic or resolution advisory condition. The present invention typically includes a representation of an arc or semicircular depiction of a vertical speed indicator scale. The present invention may also comprise a marker, such as a pointer, or a viewing window having a digital numeric display showing the current vertical speed of the TCAS-equipped aircraft. The display of the present invention may also comprise indices or graduations along the arc or semicircle that are representative of typical analog-type displays. For example, a display of the present invention may have a vertical speed scale showing a continuous range of indices matching the typical markings of analog scales such as 0 (zero), +/−500, +/−1000, +/−1500, +/−2000, +/−2500, +/−3000, +/−4000, +/−5000, and +/−6000 feet per minute. It is also possible for examples of the present invention to arrange said indices in a nonlinear fashion around the scale. Also typical of an example of the present invention is the showing of no-fly segments around the periphery of the VSI scale in a red color, and conversely, fly-to segments may be shown in a green color. In addition, examples of the present invention may include other uses of color, particularly the red color as an indicator of no-fly segments and green at fly-to segments, on elements such as the marker, the digital display or other elements in a viewing window, or on the periphery of the VSI scale. It is also possible for examples of the present invention to include a change in size, in particular an enlargement of the VSI display on a typical viewing device, in order to provide additional visual cues to a flight crew in order to indicate determinations of TCAS or resolution advisory flight conditions for an aircraft.
Examples of the present invention may also include representations of fractional sections of a VSI scale. The fractional section may be shown either on a semicircle, as a fixed arc, or along a portion of an ellipse. The particular portion of a VSI scale shown with an example of the present invention would typically present the current vertical speed of an aircraft on the VSI scale bounded equidistant by the range of the values for vertical speed shown on that portion of the VSI scale. This type of display may be provided by linear or nonlinear distributions of the indices for reading along the VSI scale. Conversely, the VSI scale may by bounded on at least one end by an upper limit, such as −6000 or +6000 feet per minute. To assist the flight crew in the readability of the display of the present invention, on the occasion wherein the actual VSI was at or above an upper (or lower) limit or extreme of the VSI scale, the VSI scale may at least provide an additional indicia marking such as the 0 (zero) mark to provide a frame of reference. It is also possible for an indicator such as the vertical speed marker having a numeric display to show actual vertical speed figures beyond the range of the displayed VSI scale, for example +/−9999 feet per minute.
In addition to the features mentioned above, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following description.


A variable resistance refillable exercise apparatus includes a generally hollow container having an outer surface and an interior volume, top and bottom generally bulbous end sections and a reduced circumference waist section between the end sections such that the container is generally dumbbell-shaped. A container fill opening is formed in the container extending between the outer surface and interior volume for filling the container with fluids and/or solids, and a cap is provided for removably sealing the container fill opening. A handle extends between and connects the top and bottom generally bulbous end sections, the handle including a gripping device such as finger-shaped depressions for facilitating gripping of the handle. A weight scale is printed on the container, the weight scale including a plurality of generally parallel lines and at least one weight amount marking adjacent the lines, the weight scale facilitating measurement of a specific amount of fluid and/or solids within the container to determine the amount of resistance to lifting the container. Finally, a strap is detachably and adjustably mounted on the container whereby the container may be removably attached to a user of the exercise apparatus.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to variable resistance exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a variable resistance refillable exercise apparatus including a hollow container which is generally dumbbell-shaped and has a permanent handle, the container being fillable with various materials such as sand and/or water to provide variable resistance to lifting of the container by a user of the exercise apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Resistance training exercise devices are important tools in building and toning muscles in the body. Various types of exercising devices have been proposed and are being used, including free weights, dumbbells, weight stack gym sets and devices such as the SOLOFLEX machine. However, with the notable exception of dumbbells, the user of the resistance exercise device must go to the location of the device to use it, and may not transport the device to a different location without encountering much difficulty. There is therefore a need for an easily portable resistance training device.
It is further desirable to have an exercise apparatus which may be adjusted to provide variable resistance to lifting of the apparatus. Several examples are found in the prior art which attempt to address this need, such as Hull et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,778, Elmore et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,422, and Piccini, U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,113. However, without exception, none of these prior art devices provides a simple and efficient system by which the exact weight of the exercise apparatus may be determined. There is therefore a need for an exercise apparatus which is capable of providing variable resistance which may be accurately measured.
It is likewise important that any exercise apparatus be usable by a variety of persons, including those having large hands, small hands or arthritic hands or the like which restrict the ability of the person to hold items in their hand. It is well known that the gripping of large-diameter cylinders, such as those found in Hull et al. and Elmore et al., are not easily gripped by persons having small or weak hands. It is just these persons, however, who most often need to do exercise to increase the strength in their various limbs, and therefore there is a need for an easily grippable exercise apparatus.
Finally, many of the prior art exercise devices cannot be used in connection with the working out of ankles or legs, as many of the prior art devices do not include straps or the like for securing the exercise device to the foot or leg of the user. Moreover, whereas Hull et al. does disclose a strap for securing the barbell to a shoe, it is clear that the shape of Hull does not lend itself to such a use, and furthermore requires multiple straps to secure the barbell to the shoe (see FIG. 3 of Hull). There is therefore a need for an exercise apparatus which may be quickly and easily attached at various points on the body to allow for exercising of the various limbs.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved variable resistance refillable exercise apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which may be filled with water, sand or the like to varying degrees to provide variable resistance when lifting the apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which may be easily used by any persons wishing to exercise, and is particularly suited for use by persons having small hands, persons having weak hands and/or travelers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which may be quickly filled with fluid and/or sand to a determinable degree whereby an exact weight resistance may be determined.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which includes a strap for fastening the device to a body limb for exercising of that limb.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable resistance refillable exercise apparatus which is simple and durable in construction and safe and efficient in use.

Variable resistance refillable exercise dumbbell


A game racket frame of metal material comprises a head frame, a handle, and a throat located between the handle and the head frame. The handle has a shaft portion which has one end that is coupled with the throat and another end extending axially and outwardly to form a hand grip. The hand grip is provided with an area adjacent to the shaft portion and having therein at least a slit of a width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the area. The width of the slit is at least corresponding to 3% of the circumferential length of any cross section of the area. The slit serves to interrupt and attenuate the shock wave that is generated by the head frame upon hitting a ball and is subsequently transmitted to the handle.

The prior art game racket of a metal material, such as an aluminium alloy, can be made easily at a low cost and is still in demand. However, such a metal game racket is vulnerable to a severe vibration upon hitting a ball. In order to overcome the problem of vibration, a prior art reference discloses a metal game racket having a shock-absorbing casing, which is disposed at the top end of the connection portion between the shaft and the hand grip. The shock-absorbing casing is used to attenuate the intensity of shock that is generated by the metal game racket upon hitting a ball; nevertheless the shock-absorbing casing is in fact an ineffective remedy. Another prior art reference suggests a metal game racket having a head frame and a neck portion, which are provided respectively with a surface layer of a continuous helical construction. Such a surface layer is used to weaken the shock wave that is generated by the metal game racket upon hitting a ball. However, the surface layer is also ineffective in attenuating the shock wave of the metal game racket. In fact, these two prior art references suggest two kinds of shock-absorbing means, which are similar in approach in that they all try to attenuate the shock by providing the surface of the metal racket frame with a shock-absorbing means. In other words, the "surface approach" is ineffective in attenuating the shock wave of the metal game racket.


Saturable absorption, polarization, and retroreflection are integrated into a single solid-state optical element. The optical element comprises an undoped substrate having front and rear surfaces disposed at a predetermined angle. A dielectric coating is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate, and at least one saturable absorber platelet is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. The saturable absorbing species used in the platelet(s) are either F.sub.2 - color-centers in lithium fluoride or Cr.sup.4+ dopant ions in one of several suitable host optical materials. Linear polarization of the laser beam is achieved by orienting the input face of the optical element at Brewster's angle. The dielectric coating (mirror) on the back surface of the optical element provides 100% reflectivity. The optical element is a monolithic, simple to fabricate, easy to align multi-functional element for use in a laser resonator. The optical element provides passive Q-switching, discrimination for linear polarization, and laser beam reflection. The mirror is an integral part of the optical element, and it is easy to align the integrated polarizer. By aligning the optical element for retroreflection, the Brewster's angle condition is automatically met and optimal polarization discrimination is achieved. The optical element improves the quality and efficiency of lasers in which it is employed. The present invention is easy to align and reduces the number of optical elements in the laser, thereby improving system reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to solid-state optical elements, and more particularly, to a quasi-monolithic saturable optical element that provides for saturable absorption, polarization, and retroreflection in a single solid-state optical element.
2. Description of Related Art
Each of the individual functions performed by the present invention (saturable absorption, polarization, and retroreflection) is generally well known in the art. Saturable absorbers are well-known in the art. Brewster's angle orientation for polarization selection is well known. Dielectric high reflection coatings can be deposited on substrates without difficulty using conventional practices. Although individual devices exist that perform each of the above functions, the disadvantages and difficulties associated with aligning three functionally different elements are believed to be self-evident.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,883, entitled "Reflective Polarization Retarder and Laser Apparatus Utilizing Same", issued to Eastman et al. discloses a reflective polarization layer for a laser element. U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,598 entitled "Laser Internal Coupling Modulation Arrangement with Wire Grid Polarizer Serving as a Reflector and Coupler", issued to Abrams discloses a laser having a combined reflector and wire grid polarizer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,220 entitled "Laser Tube for Polarized Laser Emission", issued to Krueger et al., has two integrated laser mirrors, and the integrated mirror has a polarizing surface thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,481 entitled "Gas Laser Having Two Longitudinal Modes of Laser Oscillation", issued to Fritzsche et al. is similar to the Krueger et al. patent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,415 entitled "Laser Resonator Mirror with Wavelength Selective Coatings on Two Surfaces", issued to Kolb et al. discloses a laser mirror having reflective surfaces which operate in first and second wavelength modes.
In addition to the above-cited patents, prior work relating to solid-state saturable absorbers is typified by the following publications. An article entitled "Formation, optical properties, and laser operation of F.sub.2 - centers in LiF", by W. Gellermann et al., in J. Appl. Phys., 61, 1297 (1987) investigates the formation conditions, optical properties, and lasing behavior of F.sub.2 - color centers in LiF crystals. An article entitled "Phototropic centers in chromium-doped garnets", by L. I. Krutova et al., in Opt. Spectrosc (USSR), 63, 695 (1987) discusses the use of chromium-doped garnets as passive Q switches. A presentation entitled "Room temperature Q-switching of Nd:YAG by F.sub.2 - color centers in LiF," presented by D. S. Sumida et al., CLEO, San Francisco, Calif., Paper WM5 (1986), discusses research on the passive Q-switch properties of F.sub.2 -:LiF, a color center material of interest for solid-state laser designs because of its saturation behavior at high intensity levels. An article entitled "Room Temperature Laser Action and Q-Switching of F- Aggregate Color Centers in LiF" by S. C. Rand, et al., presented at the 5th International Conference on Dynamical Processes in the Excited State of Solids, Lyon, France, Jul. 1-4, 1985, indicates that passive Q-switching by F.sub.2 - centers in gamma-irradiated LiF produced 30 ns Nd:YAG pulses. An article entitled "Photochromic properties of a gadolinium-scandium-gallium garnet crystal," by E. V. Zharikov et al, Preprint #238, USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of General Physics, Moscow (1985) discusses the photochromic properties of a GSGG:Cr, Nd crystals.
However, the above-cited prior art does not disclose combining three functions (saturable absorption, polarization, and retroreflection) into one element and no such prior art devices appear to exist. Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a quasi-monolithic saturable optical element that provides for saturable absorption, polarization, and retroreflection in a single solid-state optical element.

Quasi-monolithic saturable optical element


A hybrid fastener comprises a composite body having a tip, and a metal sleeve surrounding and locked to the tip.

1. Field
The present disclosure generally relates to fasteners, and deals more particularly with a hybrid fastener and method for making the fastener.
2. Background
Composite fasteners such as threaded bolts and screws have been developed for use in several applications because of their relatively light weight, compared with metal fasteners. Composite fasteners may be fabricated using any of several manufacturing techniques, and may include continuous, axial fiber reinforcements that strengthen the fastener in its axial direction to resist tension forces. Because the fiber reinforcement is designed to provide strength substantially only in the axial direction, the fastener is substantially anisotropic and therefore may not be suitable for some applications. Moreover, composite threads may not be capable of carrying the desired loads.
Accordingly, there is a need for a high strength, composite fastener that exhibits quasi-isotropic properties, and which includes threads, or similar features, capable of carrying high loads. There is also a need for an efficient method for fabricating such fasteners quickly and in high-volume.

Hybrid fastener and method of making the same


The invention relates to the prophylactic and therapeutic applications of certain estrogenic components, such as estetrol, in neurological disorders, such as neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Neurological disorders, in particular central nervous system (CNS) disorders, encompass numerous afflictions, including inter alia acute CNS injury (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathies, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia), and a large number of central nervous system dysfunctions (e.g. depression, epilepsy, and schizophrenia).
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a neurological disorder that causes damage to cells in the brain in neonates due to inadequate oxygen supply. Brain hypoxia and ischemia due to systemic hypoxemia and reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) are primary reasons leading to neonatal HIE accompanied by gray and white matter injuries occurring in neonates. Neonatal HIE may cause death in the newborn period or result in what is later recognized as developmental delay, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy (CP). Even though different therapeutic strategies have been developed recently, neonatal HIE remains a serious condition that causes significant mortality and morbidity in near-term and term newborns and therefore, it remains a challenge for perinatal medicine.
Over the past several years, a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage became the most employed model in perinatal medicine. At post-natal day 7 (P7; day of birth=P1), the rats brain is histologically similar to that of a 32- to 34-week gestation human fetus or newborn infant, i.e., cerebral cortical neuronal layering is complete, the germinal matrix is involuting, and white matter as yet has undergone little myelination. In order to produce hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the 7-day-old rat pups, they undergo unilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by systemic hypoxia produced by the inhalation of 8% oxygen/balance nitrogen, at constant temperature (37° C.) (Vanucci et al. 2005. Dev Neurosci, vol. 27, 81-86).
The rat model has proven to provide important information regarding underlying mechanisms of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and how tissue injury can be prevented or minimized through therapeutic intervention. In particular, physiologic and therapeutic manipulations have been applied to the immature rat model of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in order to evaluate potential treatments, including hypothermia, xenon treatment and erythropoietin administration.
Promising neuroprotective agents include antiepileptic drugs, erythropoietin, melatonin and xenon. Data from animal models of asphyxia further suggest that neurologic outcome after HIE can be improved by adding adjuvant therapies to hypothermia, beginning in the hours to days after insult. These promising treatments need now to be assessed in clinical trials. Phase 1-2 clinical studies using biomarker outcomes, e.g., phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and involving small number of infants are key to assess safety and potential efficacy before new treatments are taken to pragmatic trials. Phase 1-2 trials of xenon and erythropoietin are already planned or underway.
Therapies for neurological disorders, in particular CNS injuries or neurodegenerative diseases, may center on protecting against brain or spinal cord damage or restoring nerve cell activity, e.g., through the use of neurotrophic factors. Neurothrophic factors, such as e.g., epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α), are polypeptides that variously support the survival, proliferation, differentiation, size, and function of nerve cells. Treatment of neurological disorders may also encompass the administration of stem cells to replace those neural cells lost by natural cell death, injury or disease.
A problem encountered with the administration of such neurotrophic factors or stem cells is the blood-brain barrier, which may impede their transfer from the blood flow into the CNS. Therefore, treatments often require the direct application of a neurotrophic factor or infusion of stem cells to a site of injury or damage in the CNS in a subject in need of such treatment.
Given the paucity of successful treatments for neurological disorders in general, there remains a need for additional therapeutic agents and methods, that preferably do not rely on invasive intracranial procedures or substances with improved blood-brain barrier passage.

Estrogenic components for use in the treatment of neurological disorders


A tool bit retaining assembly for a tool of a type having a tool bit receptacle and a spring receiving region with a hole opening into the receptacle and a tool bit insertable into the receptacle. The tool bit has a transverse groove proximate an insertion end thereof, and includes a ball bearing with a diameter only slightly larger than that of the hole such that upon being pressed against the hole the ball bearing extends through the hole into the receptacle and engages the transverse groove in said tool bit. A split ring spring having a split extending from one end to the other with a portion transverse to the axis thereof is positionable around said spring receiving region such that the transverse portion of the split is opposite the ball bearing. The spring also has a hole on a side opposite the split of a diameter smaller than that of the ball bearing, such that with the hole in the spring against the ball bearing, the latter is pressed against the hole in the tool and engages a tool bit groove of a tool bit positioned in the receptacle.

The present invention relates to an assembly for retaining a removable tool bit in place while at the same time allowing it to be manually removed against a biasing force applied to the tool bit by the assembly.
Removable tool bit assemblies must be capable of accommodating rapid insertion and removal of the tool bit without the need for screwing and unscrewing locking assemblies or imparting any other time consuming operation in order to retain and remove the tool bit. One solution as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,733 is to use a magnet in the nosepiece abutting an end of the tool bit when inserted. However, the magnet constitutes and additional expense and assembly step to install. Moreover, magnets can lose their strength and become ineffective, particularly when the make contact only with the pointed end of the bit.
Another common arrangement is a receptacle in a shaft or nose piece into which the bit is inserted until a notch in the tool aligns with a hole in the shaft. A ball bearing slightly larger than the hole in the shaft is held against the hole and extends through the latter to engage the notch by a spring that is held against the ball bearing. The spring is in the form of a split ring with a hole opposite the split so as to impede movement of the ring relative to the ball. One problem with such a device is that the ring often slips off of the ball bearing and turns to the degree that the split straddles the ball bearing. At the latter point it is often the case that the ball will squeeze through the split, drop to the ground and become lost. The screwdriver thus becomes inoperative.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved assembly for releasably holding a tool bit in place.


In order to enhance the enjoyment of assembling a puzzle of the three-dimensional type, a puzzle is disclosed in the form of a building-like structure having walls to be joined at corners thereof. The puzzle includes a plurality of wall pieces capable of interlocking in a plane to form walls of the building-like structure. It is also contemplated that each of the wall pieces will have peripheral male and female contours capable of interlocking engagement to form a portion of a wall. The puzzle further includes at least one corner piece capable of joining a pair of walls at a corner of the building-like structure. It is also contemplated that the corner piece will be formed so as to have a groove in a backing material opposite an image-bearing outer surface of the same types which are also to be used for each of the wall pieces. With this understanding of the components of the puzzle, the groove in the corner piece has a depth dimension sufficient for folding the corner piece to form a corner for the building-like jigsaw puzzle structure.

Over the years, there have been a vast number of different entertainment sources generally in the form of games and puzzles. It is particularly noteworthy that jigsaw puzzles have had significant popularity which has spanned generations. Typically, a jigsaw puzzle will include a plurality of two-dimensional puzzle pieces, each having a different and unique portion of an overall image.
As is well known, the puzzle pieces are loosely accumulated in a random order. The puzzle is "solved" by correctly assembling the pieces in expanding, interlocked relation until the entirety of the puzzle has been assembled. As the puzzle is assembled, the image becomes more complete until the entire image fully appears.
More recently, there have developed a number of different types of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles. These are typically designed to be self-standing structures which have a plurality of walls, each of which essentially comprises a two-dimensional puzzle in and of itself. Further, the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles often are provided with a two-dimensional puzzle base.
With this form of puzzle, the walls which form the structure must be joined in some effective manner. This is particularly true where the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle is adapted to be assembled into a building-like structure wherein the walls are to be joined at the corners thereof. In the past, this has simply not been accomplished in a manner that gives a finished appearance.
In this connection, the corners of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles have had an interrupted image-bearing outer surface. This has diminished enjoyment inasmuch as the aesthetics of the fully-assembled puzzle have lacked the realism of an actual building-like structure. To overcome this problem, Roy U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,112 proposed the utilization of corner pieces that utilize a shoulder-cut rabbet joint.
With this arrangement, the backing material of each corner piece is cut out to permit adhesive joining in a substantially right-angle arrangement. This does achieve the objective of a continuous image-bearing outer surface at the corners, but there are several notable deficiencies. In particular, it is well recognized that there are both structural and aesthetic problems with the corners which have been proposed in Roy U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,112.
More specifically, the corner pieces have a weakness where the backing material has been cut all the way through to the laminated image-bearing outer sheet. This can be particularly critical where, after a considerable amount of play, the adhesive fails, and the corner piece is no longer retained as a substantially right-angle piece. Furthermore, even when the adhesive is performing its intended function, the right-angle corner pieces are less than desirable from an aesthetic viewpoint.
In this regard, the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle would provide greater enjoyment in the event all of the pieces were initially in a single plane. Thus, it would be highly desirable to have not only the wall pieces but also the corner pieces such that, when the pieces are loosely gathered, they have the initial appearance, at least from viewing the image-bearing outer surface, of all being wall pieces. Thereafter, when properly identified, the corner pieces could be formed by the participants in solving the puzzle into a substantially right angle.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the foregoing problems and achieving one or more of the resulting objects.


An improved metallized structure (10) is formed from a copper seed layer (46) and a copper structure (48). Semiconductor devices to be connected (16-18) are covered by a conductive barrier layer (20). An oxide layer (28) is then deposited over the barrier layer (20) and patterned using standard photolithographic techniques and an anisotropic plasma etch. Vertical sidewalls (36-38) are formed by the etch and an HF deglaze. A seed layer (44-46) is then sputtered onto a photoresist layer (30) and the exposed barrier layer (20). After stripping the photoresist (30) and the seed layer (44) thereon, the copper structure (48) is electroplated over the remaining seed layer (46). The structure (48) thus formed has approximately vertical sidewalls (24-26) for improved contact with subsequent layers.

In the fabrication of semiconductor devices, several layers of metallization are built on top of each other separated by insulating layers- The metallization typically is formed by the deposition of aluminum. Aluminum is used rather than copper to form leads and other metallization structures on a semiconductor device despite the fact that copper has lower resistance than aluminum due to problems associated with the deposition and etching of copper. Specifically, when copper is etched, it does not form a volatile gas with the plasma to allow removal from the processing chamber. Once copper is etched, it tends to be redeposited either elsewhere on the semiconductor device or on the processing chamber itself. In either case, contamination by copper in unwanted locations can destroy the circuits being constructed.
In an attempt to obtain the benefits of copper and avoid the problems with copper etching, the use of a thin sputtered seed layer of copper followed by a thick plated conductor layer has been developed- The copper seed layer method comprises depositing over a plasma oxide a multi-layered structure comprising a conductive barrier layer, a seed layer and a third protective layer. A standard photoresist process forms patterns within the photoresist over the multilayered structure. Once the patterns have been formed within the photoresist, the third protective layer is removed by reactive ion etching with carbon tetrachloride. Once the third protective layer has been removed, copper may be electroplated onto the seed layer, followed by a solvent strip to remove the resist.
The electroplated copper device thus formed has negatively sloped sidewalls due to inaccuracies inherent with the photolithographic process. Nonvertical sidewalls may result in inconsistencies in further processing, which may damage the functioning of the device being formed. Additionally, a step of etching is required to remove that portion of the seed layer not covered by the electroplated copper and to isolate the plated leads. As previously stated above, etching copper allows the unwanted redeposition of the etched material.
Another method known as "lift-off" has been developed for metallization processing but has only been used with aluminum. In addition to the disadvantages previously stated above, aluminum does riot provide a structure with sufficiently fine lines or small enough pitch for the increasingly down-scaled devices that are currently being designed. Aluminum must also be deposited in relatively thick layers which can add to the overall dimensions of the device. Thus, there is a need for a method for forming a copper metallization device on integrated circuits that has vertical sidewalls and does not require the etching of copper.

Integrated circuit copper metallization process using a lift-off seed layer and a thick-plated conductor layer


To reorganize a striped file system, data blocks are sequentially moved from storage locations in original data storage to storage locations in an array including the original data storage and additional data storage. If the new striping has the same precedence order as the original striping, then temporary storage is not needed for the block movement. Otherwise, stripes of the data blocks are sequentially moved to a stripe of temporary storage locations, and moved from the stripe of the temporary locations to storage locations in the array. Once a pivot point is reached, however, there is no need to use the temporary storage. Moreover, there is an increasing separation between the read and write pointers. Once this separation exceeds the stripe length, the file system metadata can be synchronized at decreasing intervals and still permit concurrent read access. The number of block transfers between the synchronization points can increase exponentially, and the synchronization points can be aligned with extent boundaries.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to data storage systems, and more particularly to striping of data across a group of data storage devices in the data storage system.
2. Description of the Related Art
For superior performance and load balancing, it is known to stripe data for a data set across a group of data storage devices such as disk drives. Such striping permits access to the data set at a high, sustained throughput by simultaneously accessing multiple disk drives. This is particularly desirable for streaming backup data and for isochronous access to continues media datasets for video-on-demand applications, for example, as described in Duso et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,915, issued Apr. 6, 1999.
Data storage systems are often sold with a storage capacity less than the maximum capacity that can be installed. The customer can install additional storage adapters and storage devices on an as-needed basis until the maximum capacity is reached. Once the storage is added, the customer may expand existing file systems to permit storage of new files in the file systems in the newly added storage. File system implementations including UFS (the conventional Unix File System) and VxFS (a Video File System) allow offline expansion. VxFS describes the expansion of a file system while it is on-line, but this on-line expansion is feasible only when a single host accesses the file system. Moreover, neither UFS nor VxFS allows the expansion of striped file systems.
When storage is added to a system having a relatively small number of data storage devices, it is often possible to increase substantially the sustained throughput for access to a striped dataset by reorganizing the striped dataset so that it becomes striped across the newly added data storage devices as well as the initially installed data storage devices. Such a reorganization has been achieved by backing any existing data onto secondary storage (such as tape), rebuilding a new stripe volume, and restoring the content from the backup. However, in situations where a secondary backup system is not readily available, storage expansion must be facilitated by reorganizing content on the fly. The expansion scheme must also ensure that the original data is not corrupted during the reorganization.
The present invention provides a method of operating a data storage system for on-line expansion of a file system so that the file system uses additional data storage added to original data storage of the data storage system. The data of the file system resides in the original data storage prior to the expansion. The method includes reorganizing at least a portion of the data of the file system by moving some of the data of the file system from the original data storage to the additional data storage so that the data of the file system is distributed over the original data storage and the additional data storage. The method further includes repetitively updating metadata of the file system during the movement of data of the file system to permit a host processor to access concurrently the data of the file system during the reorganization of the file system.
In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a method of reorganizing striped data initially striped over original storage devices. The data is reorganized by striping over an array of storage devices including the original storage devices and additional storage. An order of striping of the data over the original data storage prior to the reorganization is not preserved during the striping of the data across the array of storage devices. The method includes sequentially moving data from storage locations in the original storage devices to temporary storage, and from the temporary storage to storage locations in the array of storage devices, until a pivot point is reached. After the pivot point is reached, data is moved data sequentially from storage locations in the original storage devices to storage locations in the array of storage devices, without using temporary storage for the data that is moved.
In accordance with yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of reorganizing striped data initially striped over original storage devices. The data is reorganized by striping over arrays of storage devices including the original storage devices and additional storage. The method includes receiving specifications of orders of striping of data over arrays of storage devices. Upon receiving each specification of an order of striping of data over an array of storage devices, the specification is inspected to determine whether or not an order of striping of data over the original storage devices is preserved in the specified order of striping of data over the array of storage devices. When an order of striping of data over the original storage devices is preserved in the specified order of striping of data over the array of storage devices, a linear reorganization is performed by sequentially moving blocks of data from original storage locations in the original storage devices to new storage locations in the array data storage devices. When an order of striping of data over the original storage devices is not preserved in the specified order of striping of data over the array of storage devices, a random reorganization is performed by sequentially moving stripes of the blocks of data from original storage locations to a set of temporary storage locations, and from the set of temporary storage locations to storage locations in the array of storage devices.
In accordance with still another aspect, the invention provides a method of permitting a processor to access striped data of a file while the striped data is being reorganizing. The striped data of the file is initially striped over original storage devices. The data is reorganized by striping over an array of storage devices including the original storage devices and additional storage. The method includes reorganizing the striped data of the file by sequentially moving blocks of data from respective storage locations in the original storage devices to respective storage locations in the array of storage devices. There is an increasing offset between the storage location from which each block is read and the storage location from which said each block is written. The method further includes repetitively updating metadata of the file at a decreasing rate as the offset increases between the storage location from which said each block is read and the storage location from which said each block is written. Therefore, the processor concurrently accesses the striped data of the file by accessing the metatdata of the file to determine a current storage location of the file data to be accessed.
In accordance with still another aspect, the invention provides a data storage system. The data storage system includes original data storage containing a file system, and a data processor for accessing the file system in the data storage. The data processor is programmed for on-line expansion of the file system so that the file system may use additional data storage added to the original data storage. The data processor is programmed to perform the on-line expansion by moving some of the data of the file system from the original data storage to the additional data storage so that the data of the file system is distributed over the original data storage and the additional data storage, and repetitively updating metadata of the file system during the movement of data of the file system to permit a host processor to access concurrently the data of the file system during the reorganization of the file system.
In accordance with a final aspect, the invention provides a program storage device containing a program for a data processor of a data storage system. The program is executable by the data processor for on-line expansion of a file system so that the file system may use additional data storage added to original data storage. The program is executable by the data processor to perform the on-line expansion by moving some of the data of the file system from the original data storage to the additional data storage so that the data of the file system is distributed over the original data storage and the additional data storage, and repetitively updating metadata of the file system during the movement of data of the file system to permit a host processor to access concurrently the data of the file system during the reorganization of the file system.

Reorganization of striped data during file system expansion in a data storage system


In an information processing method of causing a plurality of information processing apparatuses to process information, the contents of a processing operation for data are stored in an information processing apparatus main body, the stored contents of the processing operation are recorded in a portable recording medium, and the data in another information processing apparatus is processed in accordance with the contents of the processing operation recorded in the recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing method and an apparatus therefor, which are applied to a file system in a computer system or a distributed file system in a high-speed network.
2. Related Background Art
(1) When an individual person is to conventionally perform a certain job for a file stored in an information storage (e.g., a file system in a computer system) between remote locations such as locations between his home and an office, identical copies of necessary files and the like must be stored in information storages at these remote locations, and data is manually exchanged between these information storages using a portable recording medium such as a floppy disk (FD) to maintain consistency therebetween.
(2) In a conventional distributed file system, file data to be read out and written are stored in a secondary storage (disk) connected to one server in a network, and the data is read out from or written in the secondary storage through the network. To compensate for the low access speed of the secondary storage, a plurality of secondary storages are arranged in parallel with each other like a disk array.
However, in the prior art (1), every time another information processing apparatus is used, the files are recorded in a portable recording medium and stored in the external storage of this information processing apparatus. At this time, when the number of files is small, file processing for specific files can be easily managed. However, when the number of files increases, selection of files to be recorded is complicated. The user may forget to copy a modified file on the recording medium. Therefore, consistency of files may not be maintained.
The prior art (1) has the following drawbacks because consistency and matching maintenance of the contents of files between a plurality of locations must be manually performed.
An operation for maintaining consistency and matching is cumbersome. PA1 The failure in matching maintenance may occur due to a manual operation error. PA1 The medium has a low input/output speed. PA1 The medium has a small storage capacity. PA1 The medium cannot be used if the quantity of information to be stored exceeds a certain quantity. PA1 The medium cannot have a sufficiently high processing speed in a job using a file.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a series of files A, B, . . . are present in two information storages 100 and 101 at locations a and b. When the contents of the file A in the information storage 100 at the location a are modified at a given time, the following series of operations must be performed. Only the modified file A is selected, and its contents are stored in a floppy disk FD. This floppy disk FD is carried to the location b, and the contents of the corresponding file in the information storage 101 are updated.
Referring to FIG. 8, the files A and B have entities Aa and Ba of the files A and B at the location a and have entities Ab and Bb of the files A and B at the location b.
Jobs necessary for maintaining consistency and matching upon (1) a modification, (2) an addition, and (3) a deletion of a file at one location will be described below.
(1) Modification of Contents of File
Assume that the entities Aa and Ab of the file A which have identical contents are present at the locations a and b, and that the contents of the entity Aa are modified at a given time and the location a. When a user then moves to the location b, he must modify the entity Ab for the modification at the location a before the contents of the file A are referred to or modified.
(2) Addition of File
When the entity Ba which is present at neither the location a nor the location b is formed at the location a, the entity Bb must be formed at the location b when the user moves to the location b.
(3) Deletion of File
Assume that entities Ca and Cb of a file C which have identical contents are present at the locations a and b. When the entity Ca is deleted at a given time and the location a, the entity Cb must be deleted at the location b when the user moves to the location b.
The arbitrary number of combinations of arbitrary jobs of all the jobs are assumed in a practical job.
As one method of avoiding such a job, all the files may be stored in a portable recording medium such as a floppy disk, and all systems may not have any file. However, this medium generally has one or both of the following drawbacks as compared with a storage generally used in a system:
According to this method, even if a file is temporarily copied in a storage in a system, and a job is performed using the file, the following problems are posed:
In the prior art (2), when a plurality of secondary storages are provided, all the secondary storages must be connected to one server. In addition, since only one data line is available between the server and a client, a narrow path is formed by the network to fail to obtain a sufficiently high input/output speed.

System for recording processing operations of one processing apparatus and reflecting contents of the operations which have not been reflected since the previous reflecting


A process for the preparation of compound of formula (I); wherein R1 is hydrogen, linear, branched or cyclic lower alkyl, cyclohexyl, allyl, propargyl or benzyl; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl; or R1 and R2 together with the nitogen to which they are attached form a cyclic moiety of three to eight-membered ring, with or without a hetero atom like nitrogen or oxygen; R3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is a lower alkyl; comprising reacting compound of formula (II); wherein R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, with compound of formula (III); wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above, in the presence of a base, and further resolving the compound of formula (I) to obtain (S)-isomer of compound of formula (I), substantially free of R-isomer

Prior Art on Compound of Formula I
European Patent 193926 claims phenyl carbamate compounds and their pharmacologically acceptable salts for use as pharmaceutical agents producing anticholinesterase activity in the central nervous system. The patent discloses the process for the preparation of the title phenyl carbamate compounds involving reaction of hydroxyphenyl-substituted alkyl amines with appropriate isocyanates or carbamoyl halides. The process using isocyanates involves the use of benzene as a solvent. Isocyanates such as lower alkyl isocyanates are hazardous to handle due to their toxic and non-volatile nature. The other alternative reported is the use of carbamoyl halides along with reactive bases like sodium hydride, to prepare the carbamates. The carbamoyl halides are not easy to handle at industrial scales and involve safety hazards. The use of a reactive base like sodium hydride on an industrial scale is hazardous and operationally non-user friendly due to its pyrophoric and reactive nature. More importantly, as per the process, 200% excess of the reagent is required for the reaction, and absolutely anhydrous conditions need to be employed. The excess reagent is quenched with water. This process would cause uncontrollable exothermicity at an industrial scale, and it is also possible that the highly alkaline conditions resulting from the formation of sodium hydroxide during the quenching of excess sodium hydride would cause degradation of the product formed, the degradation being more extensive at reaction temperatures above ambient temperature.
The prior art employs reagents like isocyanates and carbamoyl halides to make carbamates and in the process solvents like benzene, in case of isocyanates, or anhydrous reaction conditions with the use of sodium hydride, are necessary to carry out the reaction. Performing these reactions on a large scale entails several safety measures, in terms of storage, handling and quenching excess of reagents, as well as the poor quality of the end product.
The present invention avoids the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a process for the preparation of compound of formula I,
wherein R1 is hydrogen, linear, branched or cyclic lower alkyl, cyclohexyl, allyl, propargyl or benzyl; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl; or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a cyclic moiety of three to eight-membered ring, with or without a hetero atom like nitrogen or oxygen; R3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is a lower alkyl; comprising reacting compound of formula II,
wherein R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above, with compound of formula III,
wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above, in the presence of a base.Prior Art on Compound of Formula II
The present invention also provides a novel process for the preparation of 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)alkyl-(N-mono/dialkyl)amine, compound of formula II.
The process for the preparation of 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)alkyl-(N-mono/dialkyl)amine of formula I from 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)alkyl-(N-mono/dialkyl)amine by demethylation is known in the prior art. For example, J. Labelled Comp. And Radiopharm. 1997, 39(8), 651-668 reports a process involving a final step of demethylation of the methoxy function of 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl-(N,N-dimethyl)amine, using hydrobromic acid in the presence of hexadecyltributyl phosphonium bromide as the phase transfer catalyst, to yield 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl-(N,N-dimethyl)amine. The use of hydrobromic acid, with or without the use of phase transfer catalysts, for demethylation of the methoxy function has a disadvantage in that the quality of the final product is not satisfactory due to a number of impurities formed in the reaction. Also, the process involves the use of expensive reagents such as phase transfer catalysts.
European Patent No. 359647 discloses a process for the preparation of morphinane derivatives involving demethylation of 3-methoxylated compounds using a sulphonic acid chosen from among methanesulphonic acid and trifluoromethanesulphonic acid, in the presence of a sulphide. However, the disadvantage of using sulfonic acid such as methanesulfonic acid is that it is a very expensive reagent and large volumes of the acid are required to isolate the final product.
There exists a need for a process for the preparation of 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)alkyl-(N-mono/dialkyl)amine, compound of formula II, such that the process utilizes easily available starting materials, simple reagents and standard reaction conditions. The process should result in 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)alkyl-(N-mono/dialkyl)amines of satisfactory quality, in a satisfactory yield.

Process for the preparation of phenylcarbamates


An all terrain vehicle includes a substantially V-shaped front fender, a substantially V-shaped front carrier bar, and a substantially V-shaped grille. Apexes of the substantially V-shaped front fender, the substantially V-shaped front carrier bar and the substantially V-shaped grille are substantially aligned along a common vertical axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). More specifically, the present invention relates to the arrangement of a front fender, a front carrier bar, and a front grille of an ATV, forming a substantially V-shaped front assembly of the ATV.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 illustrates a known all-terrain vehicle (ATV) 101. The ATV 101 includes front wheels 120 provided with low-pressure tires, i.e., balloon tires, and rear wheels 121 provided with low-pressure tires. The front wheels 120 are supported by right and left linkages 130 individually connected to a front lower end portion of the body frame and supported by shock absorbers 133 so as to be able to swing in a vertical plane. The handlebar 122 is operated to control the front wheels 120 for steering.
As shown in FIG. 5, a front carrier rack 131 is mounted on the front fender 107 and permits loading and supporting of baggage thereon from the front side of the ATV 101. Front fender 107 also encloses a pair of headlights 106, as shown in FIG. 5. An engine cooling apparatus 104, such as an air-cooled radiator or an oil or fluid cooled apparatus, is protected by a front bar assembly 150 which includes a lower bars 151 and upper bars 152.
One problem with ATV 101 is that the front bar assembly 150 does not adequately protect the engine and other components located behind it. This is due to the relatively square or rectangular configuration of the front bar assembly 150 and its resulting flat-front configuration of the ATV 101.
Prior Art Reference 1 (Product Brochure of Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd., entitled "2005 GYT-R Accessories," included in the Product Brochure entitled "2005 Sport ATVs") shows a known ATV. The ATV includes a front fender and a front carrier bar that are curved in a rearward direction and are somewhat V-shaped. The headlights are located next to front fender, spaced away from the front carrier bar. A radiator is located behind the front shock absorbers and within the body frame.
One problem with this arrangement of the front fender and the front carrier bar is that the headlights and other engine elements are not well protected. Another problem with this arrangement of the front fender and the front carrier bar is that the air flow to the radiator is obstructed by the body frame and by other elements. Further, the front fender, front carrier bar and other front elements have diverging shapes and configurations which prevents the engine elements from being fully protected from contact and damage caused by foreign objects.


A multi-lumen arthroscopy cannula (MLAC) is described which may be used to contain and manage joint irrigation fluid as a means of improving the state of arthroscopic surgery. The MLAC includes an arrangement of components within a cannula housing. An internal passage (central lumen) through which surgical instruments may be inserted into the body includes a series of components which greatly reduce the leakage path of fluid through the central lumen while enabling manipulation of surgical instruments during arthroscopic procedures. A dual-tapered diaphragm seal grips the instruments as it is manipulated to prevent leakage. This works in concert with the consecutively placed multi-leaflet valves, which act to prevent internal leakage and maintain pressure within the surgical cavity. Unique features of this cannula, aside from the multiple valves and dual-tapered diaphragm seal, include bilateral lumens which provide infusion and withdrawal of irrigation inside the joint capsule. Complementary to this is an elongated central lumen which accommodates both straight- and curved-tip arthroscopic instruments.

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which repair of damage, revision of tissue, or replacement of a joint component is performed through a small incision with specially designed surgical tools. It is technically possible to do an arthroscopic examination of almost every joint, but is most commonly used for the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, foot, and hip. Arthroscopy is particularly useful for exploratory procedures to diagnose and repair abnormalities. For instance, meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction and other repairs of knee damage or abnormality are frequently performed using arthroscopic surgery. One advantage over traditional open surgery is that the joint does not have to be opened up fully. This reduces recovery time and may increase the rate of success due to reduced trauma to the connective tissue. Thus, arthroscopy is generally preferred over traditional surgery due to the body of evidence documenting faster healing and post-surgical recovery times with less scarring.
In general, arthroscopic surgical instruments are smaller than traditional instruments, being specially designed to access and manipulate the surgical target via the small incision sites. For instance, knee arthroscopy is typically performed through two small incision sites, one for the arthroscope and one for the surgical instruments to be used in the knee cavity. In some instances, the surgical tools fit through a lumen of the arthroscopic device in which the access ports can be even more restricted in size. In addition to surgical instruments, an endoscopic camera is inserted into the surgical site so that the joint area can be viewed on a video monitor. An irrigation fluid, such as saline, is used to distend the joint and make a surgical space. The irrigation fluid needs to be suctioned periodically to clear the visual field of the site. The competing needs of irrigation/distention and suction/clearing must be carefully balanced for optimal maintenance of the surgical site during a procedure.
One example arthroscopy tool is the diagnostic needle arthroscopy and lavage system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,505. Disclosed is a system for performing a diagnostic needle arthroscopy and lavage through a single incision and entry port into the joint compartment. A central lumen provides access for surgical tools, and two additional concentric offset channels for fluid surround the central lumen. A handpiece has valves for irrigation and suctioning through the two concentric off-set channels, so that irrigation fluid is delivered and removed through the handpiece. The system also includes a biopsy cannula that can be exchanged for a diagnostic cannula. The biopsy cannula also comprises a pair of piggyback cannulas, one for visualization, diagnosis, irrigation and suction, while the other is for insertion of a biopsy instrument or surgical device.
WO 1993011699A1 teaches a multi-function arthroscope having a laser channel, an irrigation tube and a suction tube, as well as optical fibers housed within a sleeve and tubular sheath. The multi-function arthroscope can be used to perform laser surgery, irrigate with saline, suction saline and vacuum debris in a single insertion though a single incision. An external source of saline solution is under positive pressure in conjunction with a source of negative pressure for suctioning.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,554,788 teaches a method and apparatus for securing an arthroscopic cannula in place during arthroscopic surgery to mitigate leakage of fluid from the joint and seepage of the fluid into surrounding tissue. A further advantage is that reducing leakage of fluid during arthroscopic surgery reduces consumption of saline while simultaneously reducing stiffening of the joint due to seepage into surrounding tissues, and decreasing the likelihood of expulsion of the cannula under pressure from the joint. These aspects are of further benefit because reducing expansion of surrounding soft tissue decreases complications and improves patient recovery. A further benefit is enhancing safety in the operating room by reducing accumulation of fluid on the floor.
Other examples of arthroscopic tools with limited function are known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,030 is a trocar assembly with a single stopcock for insufflation of gas to expand the surgical field. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,675,379 and 10,285,768 show an arthroscopic flexible portal cannula device and delivery system having a single port for liquid irrigation and suction. US2016/0331401 is an arthroscopy cannula with one or more inflatable components to maintain fluid pressure at an incision point through which arthroscopic instruments may be manipulated. Independent pump systems, such as that of U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,701, are typically used to provide continuous flow irrigation and/or suctioning of saline or other liquids during an arthroscopic procedure. Various trocar assemblies for laparoscopic surgeries share similar features with arthroscopic devices, including a port for irrigation, insufflation and/or suctioning, an obturator within a bore for insertion of laparoscopic instruments, and outer sheath component, and various means for secure placement. An assortment of these are commercially available from surgical device companies, including Medtronic, EvoMed, Stryker and Storz.

Multi-lumen arthroscopy cannula (MLAC) and methods of use

University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.


A fluorescent material-containing sealing resin (20) production method of the present invention includes: a kneading step of kneading a powder mixture (24), which has been obtained by mixing a powder of silicone resins (21) and a powder of fluorescent materials (22) together, while melting the powder mixture (24) by heat, so that a kneaded mixture (25) is obtained; and an extruding step of extruding the kneaded mixture (25) in a form of a cord from an output port (37b) of a twin screw extruder (37).

According to an existing light-emitting device that includes an LED chip and emits white light, the light-emitting device uses (i) a blue LED chip and (ii) YAG fluorescent materials (see Patent Literature 1) that emit yellow fluorescence when excited by light emitted from the blue LED chip. The light-emitting device emits white light by mixing together blue light emitted by the blue LED chip and yellow light emitted from the YAG fluorescent materials.
According to such a light-emitting device, an LED chip is sealed by, for example, silicone resins in which a fluorescent materials are dispersed.

Production method for light-emitting device


The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for publishing data. A data summary summarizing the data can be generated and published according to several publishing schemes. In some embodiments, non-zero entries are selected and modified and zero entries are sampled according to one or more distribution functions. The sampled and modified values are added to a data summary, or a sample of the sampled and modified values are added to the data summary. The data summary is published, released, used, or otherwise output. In other embodiments, priority values are assigned to each value associated with the data, and a number of entries with the highest values are selected and added to the data summary.

This application relates generally to publishing data. More specifically, the disclosure provided herein relates to efficient publication of sparse data.
Many entities maintain or use data that includes sensitive information about clients, customers, users, and the like. These data can be valuable to the entities, for example, the data can be analyzed to determine usage patterns or trends, to identify and/or define audiences and potential audiences, to identify business development or improvement opportunities, and/or for other purposes. These data also can be valuable to the entities as a product that can be sold, leased, and/or otherwise shared with other entities for their own analysis, storage, and/or use.
One problem with using, storing, selling, or otherwise releasing these data is that the data often includes sensitive information. For example, entities sometimes store detailed demographic information about customers such as income information, shopping and purchasing histories, and the like. The data and associated sensitive information can include enough detail that third parties are able to apply analysis and data mining techniques to determine identities of one or more customers and their associated demographic information. As such, privacy of customers can be compromised by releasing data.
To address these and other concerns, various laws and regulations have been crafted to govern how data can be published or used without compromising privacy or security of customers or other entities. Various methods are used to release the data in accordance with these laws and regulations, many of which require extensive consumption of resources. For example, some anonymization schemes used to enforce privacy on released data include adding noise to the values of the released data, a process that requires modification of a large number of values associated with the data. For small data sets, these schemes are reasonable, but for large data sets these schemes can become unduly burdensome for the data owner and can make use or sharing of the data impracticable.
Furthermore, another challenge is faced when releasing or using sets or collections of sparse data, i.e., data or data sets having a large proportion, a majority, and/or a vast majority of zero-valued entries. For example, a data set of ten million commuters living and working across one million locations can result in a contingency table having 1,000,000,000,000 entries, the vast majority of which will have values of "0." Simply storing this data set would consume an enormous amount of computing and/or storage resources, while adding noise to each entry or cell in this hypothetical contingency table would consume a dramatically greater amount of computing and storage resources, making such an approach for protecting privacy unwieldy or even unmanageable.


An apparatus for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems of a nuclear reactor without removal/replacement of the old piping. The process involves the steps of machining a counterbore of exposed corrosion-susceptible material and then depositing a corrosion-resistant weld material, thereby isolating the weld joint from corrosion susceptibility. A tool is inserted into the inside diameter of the piping system through an inspection port, valve body or segment removal. Then a tool mounting fixture equipped with axial and rotational capabilities is positioned in relation to the weld joint and locked in place. The tool mounting fixture remains locked in place throughout the entire repair process. A work surface mapping module is programmed to first gather relative reference points throughout the entire repair region. Upon data acquisition completion, the system creates a map of the existing inside diameter configuration. Then in successive stages, a machining head module and a welding head module are respectively manually installed and remotely operated by computer control. The machining and welding processes follow the existing configuration such that upon completion, the final repair blends with the piping inside diameter contour.

A nuclear reactor comprises a core of fissionable fuel which generates heat during fission. The heat is removed from the fuel core by the reactor coolant, i.e. water, which is contained in a reactor pressure vessel. Respective piping circuits carry the heated water or steam to the steam generators or turbines and carry circulated water or feedwater back to the vessel. Operating pressures and temperatures for the reactor pressure vessel are about 7 MPa and 288.degree. C. for a boiling water reactor (BWR), and about 15 MPa and 320.degree. C. for a pressurized water reactor (PWR). The materials used in both BWRs and PWRs must withstand various loading, environmental and radiation conditions. As used herein, the term "high-temperature water" means water having a temperature of about 150.degree. C. or greater, steam, or the condensate thereof.
Some of the materials exposed to high-temperature water include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and nickel-based, cobalt-based and zirconium-based alloys. Despite careful selection and treatment of these materials for use in water reactors, corrosion occurs on the materials exposed to the high-temperature water. Such corrosion contributes to a variety of problems, e.g., stress corrosion cracking, crevice corrosion, erosion corrosion, sticking of pressure relief valves and buildup of the gamma radiation-emitting Co-60 isotope.
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a known phenomenon occurring in reactor components, such as structural members, piping, fasteners, and welds, exposed to high-temperature water. As used herein, SCC refers to cracking propagated by static or dynamic tensile stressing in combination with corrosion at the crack tip. The reactor components are subject to a variety of stresses associated with, e.g., differences in thermal expansion, the operating pressure needed for the containment of the reactor cooling water, and other sources such as residual stress from welding, cold working and other asymmetric metal treatments. In addition, water chemistry, welding, heat treatment, and radiation can increase the susceptibility of metal in a component to SCC.
In particular, intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) occurs in nuclear plant piping systems. Certain weld materials exposed to the reactor water environment are highly susceptible to IGSCC. The present methodology for addressing IGSCC-susceptible piping systems is to remove the entire piping system and replace it with new materials. This is an expensive approach as it involves special materials, requires disposal of old radioactive materials and is very labor intensive. Thus, there is a need for a system for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems without removal/replacement of the old piping.

Remotely operated, automatic contour mapping, machining and welding tooling system


An outboard motor engine includes a feedback control system for controlling the air/fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture combusted within the engine. The control system can be configured to vary the target output value of a combustion condition sensor in accordance with at least one engine operation characteristic, for example, but without limitation, engine speed or throttle position.

This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 11-151478 filed May 31, 1999, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a feedback control system for an engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved feedback control system for an engine of an outboard motor.
2. Description of Related Art
In all fields of engine design, there is an increasing emphasis on obtaining more effective emission control, better fuel economy and, at the same time, continued high or higher power output. In pursuit of better fuel economy and emission control, various types of control systems have been developed in conjunction with internal combustion engines. One of the more effective types of controls is so-called xe2x80x9cfeedbackxe2x80x9d control. With this type of control, a basic air/fuel ratio is set for the engine. Adjustments are then made from the basic setting based upon the output of the sensor that senses the air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber in order to bring the air/fuel ratio into the desired range.
Normally, the type of sensor employed for such feedback control is an oxygen (O2) sensor which outputs an electrical signal. Generally, when the output signal voltage is high, little oxygen is present in the exhaust, indicating that a combusted air/fuel charge was rich in fuel. On the other hand, when the output signal voltage is low, substantial amounts of oxygen are present in the exhaust, thus indicating that a combusted charge was rich in air.
A conventional oxygen sensor is normally associated with a wave forming circuit which manipulates the output of the sensor to indicate an xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d signal when the voltage of the output signal exceeds a reference voltage (i.e., a signal which results when the supplied charge is rich in fuel). On the other hand, the circuit manipulates the signal to indicate that the sensor is xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d when the voltage of the output signal does not exceed the reference voltage (i.e., a signal which results from a supplied charge that is rich in air).
The control operates on a feedback control principle, continuously making corrections to accommodate deviations from the desired air/fuel ratio. Adjustments are made in stepped intervals until the sensor output goes to the opposite sense from its previous signal. For example, if the mixture is too rich in fuel (i.e., the sensor is xe2x80x9con,xe2x80x9d then lean adjustments are made until the mixture strength is sensed to be lean (i.e., the sensor signal turns xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d). Adjustments are then made back into the rich direction in order to approximately maintain the desired ratio.
Most commonly, the oxygen sensor is the type which utilizes inner and outer platinum or platinum-coated electrodes. However, the platinum acts as a catalyst, which catalyzes the exhaust. For example, oxygen remaining in the exhaust may be catalyzed with carbon monoxide at the platinum electrode interface, creating carbon dioxide. While the effects of the platinum in improving the exhaust gas emissions may be advantageous, the oxygen content of the gas being sensed can be affected to a degree which causes the sensor to provide inaccurate data, causing the associated control system to adjust the air/fuel ratio erroneously.
For example, while the actual oxygen content of the exhaust system may correspond to an air rich air/fuel charge such that the actual signal from the sensor should indicate that the sensor is xe2x80x9coff,xe2x80x9d the above-described effect may cause the sensor to indicate little oxygen is present (i.e., as if a rich fuel charge has been supplied) by an xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d signal. In that instance, the feedback control is arranged to adjust the air/fuel ratio in the fuel rich direction in response to the xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d signal even though the mixture is already fuel rich.
One aspect of the present invention includes the realization that some known feedback control systems have been found to inaccurately control air/fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine. In particular, it has been found that known feedback control systems do not accurately generate the desired air/fuel ratio for combustion in the combustion chambers of the associated engine. For example, it has been found that in direct-injected 2-cycle engines, the perceived oxygen concentration in the exhaust gases, and thus the voltage output of the oxygen sensor, varies according to throttle angle and engine speed when subjected to exhaust gases having the same oxygen content. Thus, it is desirable to provide a feedback control system which can compensate for errors generated by the varying output of the oxygen sensor in different operation states of the engine.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine having an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber. A charge former is connected to the engine and is configured to deliver fuel to the engine body to form an air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. A combustion condition sensor communicates with a combustion chamber and is configured to output a signal indicative of a combustion condition in the combustion chamber. A controller is configured to control operation of the charge former. The controller includes a memory having a 3-dimensional map stored therein, the 3-dimensional map includes data regarding a target output value of the combustion condition sensor as a function of a first and a second engine operation condition. The controller is configured to adjust an air/fuel ratio of the fuel and air delivered to the engine such that a value of the output signal of the combustion condition sensor is approximately the target output value.
By including a 3-dimensional map in the controller, the present invention overcomes the problems discovered in connection with the performance of combustion condition sensors. In particular, the present invention overcomes the problems stemming from the variation of the performance of an oxygen sensor with respect to different operating states of the engine. By including a 3-dimensional map which includes data regarding target output voltages of the sensor, the controller can compensate for variations in the performance of the sensor under varying engine operating states.
According to another aspect of the invention, an outboard motor includes an internal combustion engine having an engine body defining at least one combustion chamber, a charge former configured to deliver fuel to the engine body to form an air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, and a combustion condition sensor communicating with the combustion chamber. The combustion condition sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a combustion condition in the combustion chamber. A controller is configured to control operation of the charge former. The controller is also configured to determine a target output value of the combustion condition sensor corresponding to a target air/fuel ratio and to adjust the target output value of the combustion condition sensor as a function of at least a first engine operation characteristic.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for controlling fuel injection comprises determining a target air/fuel ratio for an internal combustion engine, detecting at least a first engine operation characteristic of an internal combustion engine, determining a target output signal of the combustion condition sensor as a function of the first engine operation characteristic and adjusting operation of the fuel injector to generate an air/fuel mixture which causes the oxygen sensor to output a signal having a value approximately equal to the target output value.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.

Oxygen sensor and feedback system for outboard motor engine


A method for treating HER2 positive breast cancer in a subject in need thereof includes administering to cancer cells of the subject an agent effective to modulate the level of HER2-associated RNA in the breast cancer cells of the subject.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women, with over 200,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Breast cancer is composed of several subtypes, with 20-30% of early-stage breast cancers characterized by the amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene, also known as HER2/neu and ERBB2. In normal cells, HER2 signaling is initiated through heterodimerization of HER2 with other ERBB family members in response to extracellular signals. Dimerization and subsequent autophosphorylation through the tyrosine kinase domain initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to changes in gene expression patterns that regulate cell proliferation and growth. However, how HER2 gene amplification in breast cancer leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation is yet to be fully understood.
The human genome encodes, in addition to mRNAs and small non-coding RNAs, over 8,300 long intervening non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs). Recent studies have demonstrated important roles for lincRNAs in embryonic and organ development in vivo. Additionally, gene expression studies revealed that each lincRNA can regulate numerous mRNA genes, mostly at genomic sites far away from a lincRNA site of transcription, and thus, lincRNAs are thought to exert their effects in trans. The impact of lincRNAs on gene expression patterns has implicated lincRNAs in a wide range of biological functions including dosage compensation, genomic imprinting, alternative splicing, nuclear organization, and regulation of mRNA translation. Intriguingly, lincRNAs utilize various mechanisms to exert their effects in the cell. These mechanisms include acting as scaffolds and guides for chromatin-modifying complexes to specific regions of the genome, serving as decoys that regulate transcription factors binding to specific DNA sequences, and as microRNA "sponges" that regulate miRNA:mRNA interactions.
Recently, there has been growing interest in unraveling the roles of lincRNAs in human disease with the hope that these novel transcripts can be used as diagnostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. In addition, there is a significant interest in studying the functional roles of lincRNAs in cancer since numerous lincRNAs have been shown to be dysregulated across multiple cancer types. These studies have also shown that the expression of some lincRNAs correlates with clinical parameters, such as overall patient prognosis and metastasis. For example, the lincRNA HOTAIR is highly upregulated in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo functional studies have implicated HOTAIR in promoting cancer metastasis. The lincRNA linc-p21 is transcriptionally activated by the tumor suppressor p53 and subsequently represses a subset of p53 gene targets in trans through binding of hnRNP-K, thereby facilitating the p53 response in cells. A final example focuses on the X inactive specific transcript (Xist), which has been known for decades to be the key transcript for X chromosome inactivation (Xi) in mammalian females. Recently, it has been shown that genetic deletion of Xist in hematopoietic stem cells results in a variety of hematological cancers and premature death in mice. Taken together, these selected examples, as well as many others, demonstrate important roles of lincRNAs in tumorigenesis and metastasis, and their potential utilization as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

HER2-regulated RNA as a diagnostic and therapeutic targets in HER2+ breast cancer


An electric booster includes a housing having one end including a coupling surface where the housing is coupled to a master cylinder, and the other end including an attachment surface where the housing is attached to a vehicle. A controller includes a flat plate-like control board, and the control board is disposed so as to be positioned between a first plane including the attachment surface of the housing where the housing is attached to the vehicle, and a second plane including the coupling surface of the housing where the housing is coupled to the master cylinder.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electric booster mounted on a brake apparatus of a vehicle such as an automobile, and configured to use an electric motor as its operation source for boosting.
2. Background Art
As a booster mounted on a brake apparatus of a vehicle such as an automobile to function to reduce a force that a driver should exert to operate a brake pedal, there is known an electric booster using an electric motor as its boosting source. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 2009-202867, the electric booster controls an operation of the electric motor by a controller based on an operation amount applied on the brake pedal, which is detected by a sensor, to thrust a piston of a master cylinder to generate a brake hydraulic pressure, thereby supplying the brake hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic brake of each wheel to generate a desired brake force.
Further, the electric booster disclosed in Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 2009-202867 includes a controller (ECU) having a horizontally disposed control board.
However, in a case where an electric booster including a horizontally disposed control board, like the electric booster disclosed in Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 2009-20286, is attached to, for example, a dash panel at a vehicle body side, the attachment of the control board is provided only at the vehicle body side, resulting in a cantilevered support structure. In this case, a vibration of a vehicle body causes generation of a large moment load to easily generate a vibration and a noise, thereby leading to the necessity of a stronger structure.