Methods and apparatus implementing systems and techniques for differencing token streams and detecting moved blocks of tokens. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: obtaining a first token stream and a second token stream, comparing the first and second token streams to identify a group of tokens that are substantially similar in the first and second token streams, the similar-tokens group including common sub-sequences, which are identical in the first and second token streams, and at least one unmatched token, and presenting matched token information corresponding to the similar-tokens group to represent changes in document flow.

The present application describes systems and techniques relating to token stream differencing, for example, comparison of text documents to identify document changes.
Various techniques exist for comparing token streams. Such comparison is commonly referred to as differencing or as a diff operation. Differencing two token streams typically involves comparing two versions of a token stream, commonly referred to as the original stream and the modified stream, and looking for differences between them. In the context of text comparison, many differencing processes use individual text characters or words as the tokens. Such diff processes are fairly good at detecting additions to and deletions from a document. A typical output of a diff operation is an editscript, which is a sequential list of modifications needed to convert an original stream into a modified stream.
Some existing differencing techniques, such as that employed by WinDiff provided by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., also support moved-text detection. Typically, these techniques operate at levels of token granularity above the word level. Some use tokens that represent entire lines of text in a document. Such whole-line techniques work well with documents containing software source code because the lines of text in such documents are most likely unique, and because changes to such documents rarely result in text reflows (e.g., adding a word that shifts some words to the next line, which in turn shifts more words to the next line and so on in a domino effect).
Differencing techniques that operate at word-level token granularity, such as the technique employed by Acrobat® 5.0 provided by Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif., frequently misidentify moved blocks of text as additions and deletions. Moreover, when such techniques actually do identify moved blocks, the displayed results can be very confusing because small additions and/or deletions within a moved block of text can create a checker-boarding effect in the generated results, where moved and unmoved words interleave each other, thus cluttering the results report.

Token stream differencing with moved-block detection


The present invention provides a method for predicting whether a patient having varicocele-associated infertility will have an increase in sperm in the ejaculate after varicocele repair surgery. In the method of the present invention, the present or absence of undelete forms of exons 6, 7, 8 and 9 the patient's L-VDCC α1c transcript is detected. The presence of undeleted forms of the exons indicates that varicocele repair surgery will result in increased ejaculate, and the absence of undeleted forms of the exons indicates that varicocele repair surgery will not result in increased ejaculate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to probes, assays and kits for diagnosing infertility in men.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the medical study and practice of human reproduction, infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of trying. The term infertility is not the same as sterility, since many couples ultimately may achieve a pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Over 4.5 million American men and women—or roughly 1 out of 5 (15-20%) couples—fail when attempting their first pregnancy. In these couples, about half of the men will have a significant abnormality that makes them unable to father children. Male infertility may be caused by abnormalities in the testes or other areas of the male reproductive tract, as well as immune system defects. Yet the most common cause of male infertility is disordered sperm production. Other medical conditions that could cause infertility include a varicocele, abnormalities of the testes, penis, prostate or secondary sex traits.
Four main factors govern male fertility: hormones, sperm production, the ductal system of sperm delivery, and sexual function. Among these factors, physical variables that affect the structure of the testes are particularly important. There are many types of male infertility with a variety of causes and results.
"Varicocele" describes dilated internal spermatic veins forming the pampiniform plexus. This dilation results from increased intra-abdominal and hydrostatic pressures transmitted to the internal spermatic veins. Varicoceles have been associated with a common type of male infertility in which there is loss of ipsilateral testicular volume, oligozoospermia with increased numbers of sperm with a tapered head shape ("stress pattern"), impaired sperm motility and a reduced ability to undergo an acrosome reaction.
Approximately 40% of males from infertile couples present with varicocele. The mechanism(s) underlying the production of infertility with varicocele, however, are poorly characterized. The most widely accepted explanation for the pathophysiology of varicocele in male infertility is abnormally elevated testicular temperature due to impaired heat transfer by the scrotum and/or changes in testicular blood flow. Although men with varicocele exhibit higher mean scrotal temperatures, there is a large overlap with the range of scrotal temperatures in fertile men. More importantly, only 13% of men with varicocele are infertile, and, although varicocele repair has been documented to reduce testicular temperature, only ⅓ of infertile men with varicocele-associated infertility will experience a return of fecundity following varicocele correction. These findings suggest that varicocele may not be a primary cause of infertility and that it is the interaction of varicocele with other factors that produces the infertile state.
Other etiologies of human male infertility include such conditions as cryptorchidism, retrograde ejaculation, testicular tumor, endocrine disorders, Kallmann's syndrome, fertile eunuch syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Prader-Willi syndrome, Lawrence-Moon-Biedl syndrome, hemochromatosis, primary hypogonadism, Klinefelter's syndrome, XX disorder, XYY syndrome, mixed gonadal dysgenesis, Noonan syndrome, Myotonic dystrophy, 5-alpha-reductase deficiency, androgen receptor deficiency, among other known conditions.

Methods for predicting increase sperm ejaculate in a varicocele associated fertility patient

The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research


A method of setting a grayscale value of a liquid crystal panel, each pixel unit in the liquid crystal panel comprises a main pixel M and a sub pixel S, having an area ratio between the main and sub pixels. The method includes acquiring an actual brightness value of each grayscale of the liquid crystal panel under a front view and a squint angle; dividing the actual brightness values based on the area ratio, and establishing a relationship between the grayscale and the actual brightness; calculating a theoretical brightness value of each grayscale; setting a grayscale combination input to the main pixel M and the sub pixel S, so a sum of difference values between actual and theoretical brightness would be the smallest under the front and squint angles; repeating the previous step for all grayscales of the liquid crystal panel. A liquid crystal display is also disclosed.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a planar and ultrathin display apparatus, which is constituted by a number of colored or black and white pixels that are placed in front of a light source or a reflection plate. The LCD has very low power consumption, and is advantageous in its high image quality, small size and light weight, thus is very popular and becomes a mainstream among displaying products. The LCD has been widely applied to various electronic products, such as a computer having a display screen, a mobile phone or a digital photo frame, while a wide view angle technology is one of develop priorities of the current LCD. However, when the viewing from the side or squinting, if a view angle is too large, a color shift phenomenon might occur to the wide view angle LCD.
To solve the color shift problem of the wide view angle display, a technology called 2D1G is adopted in industry. The 2D1G technology refers to dividing each pixel unit in the liquid crystal panel into a main pixel and a sub pixel having different areas, and the main pixel and sub pixel in the same pixel unit are connected to different data lines and the same gate line. Different display brightness and squint view brightness can be generated by inputting different data signals (i.e. different grayscale values) into the main pixel and the sub pixel, so as to reduce the color shift occurred when viewing from side and squinting. Regarding a grayscale value of a pixel unit, there still remains a problem as for how to set the grayscale values of the main pixel and the sub pixel respectively, so that a combination of the grayscale values of the main pixel and the sub pixel may achieve a better display effect when reducing the color shift problem.

Method of setting grayscale value of liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A drive control circuit for controlling an electrochromic element is substantially integrated into an integrated circuit, with the exception of resistive elements for dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit. The drive control circuit includes a current regulator for generating a select one of at least two discrete amounts of current to drive the electrochromic element. Further, a control system individually controls a plurality of electrochromic elements and includes shunts coupled in parallel with the individual electrochromic elements. The control system controls the ratio of the reflectance of the individual electrochromic elements as a function of sensed glare.

The present invention generally relates to electrochromic elements, such as electrochromic mirrors, and, more particularly relates to a drive control circuit for driving one or more electrochromic elements.
Electrochromic elements (EC) are increasingly employed for use in electrochromic mirrors, window systems, and other electronic glare control applications, particularly for use on automotive vehicles. In automotive applications, an electrochromic element is commonly employed in the inside rearview mirror for use in varying the reflectance of the mirror to automatically control glare from external light sources. In addition, it is known to employ a plurality of electrochromic elements in a vehicle, including electrochromic elements in the inside rearview mirror and one or more outside rearview mirrors. The reflectance of an electrochromic element generally is a function of the voltage applied to the electrochromic element as, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,108, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The aforementioned U.S. patent disclosure is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Automotive electrochromic mirror systems typically employ an electronic drive circuit for applying power to the electrochromic element(s) from a vehicle battery (e.g., 12-volt DC supply). Each electrochromic element is typically required to operate at a voltage of less than 1.5 volts. In a typical application, the drive circuit is required to regulate the voltage applied to each electrochromic element to about 1.2 volts, and thus the drive circuit must drop the remaining voltage potential applied by the battery. When two electrochromic elements are connected in series, a total voltage of up to 2.4 volts may be applied across the two series connected electrochromic elements. To drop the remaining voltage potential (e.g., 12 volts−2.4 volts=9.6 volts), the conventional drive circuit typically employs a series pass transistor. One example of a series drive circuit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The use of the series pass transistor to drop the voltage to an EC operating level generally results in power dissipation that is converted to thermal energy. Excessive thermal energy generated in the series transistor within the mirror housing may damage the drive circuit and other electronic circuitry, and thus temperature tolerant components are generally required which adds to the cost.
The drive circuit is typically made-up of electronic components, some of which may be formed on an integrated circuit. However, many of the components of the drive circuit in conventional electrochromic mirror applications are not formed on the same integrated circuit, but instead are configured on multiple circuits which are hard-wired on a circuit board due in part to the requirement to dissipate the thermal energy away from the integrated circuit chip. Previous attempts have been made to more fully integrate the electrochromic element drive circuitry, but such attempts generally have not optimized the integration of the drive circuit components while meeting the heat dissipation requirements.
It is therefore desirable to more fully integrate the electrochromic element drive circuit components into an integrated circuit, while dissipating thermal energy in a manner that does not adversely affect the drive circuit. It is also desirable to control one or more electrochromic elements to vary the reflectance and manage temperature constraints. It is further desirable to control the reflectance ratio of multiple electrochromic elements.

Electrochromic element drive control circuit


The invention relates to a Y-type zeolite having a modified faujasite structure, the intracrystalline structure of which includes at least one network of micropores, at least one network of small mesopores having an average diameter ranging from 2 to 5 nm, and at least one network of large mesopores having an average diameter range from 10 to 50 nm. The invention also relates to particles including such zeolites and to the use thereof in a method for processing crude oil, particularly as a hydrocracking catalyst.

The invention relates to the field of catalysts, in particular zeolites Y of faujasite structure.
The various zeolites are distinguished by different structures and properties. A few structures commonly used in the field of catalysis are described below.
Zeolite Y (FAU) is a large-pore three-dimensional zeolite whose structure has large cavities interconnected by channels formed from 12-membered rings (there are 12 cations (Si4+ and Al3+) and 12 anions O2− present in the ring).
Beta zeolite (BEA) is a large-pore three-dimensional zeolite comprising pores formed from 12-membered rings in all directions.
Zeolite ZMS-5 (MFI) is a medium-pore virtually three-dimensional zeolite, comprising pores formed by 10-membered rings in one direction that are interconnected by zig-zag channels formed by 10-membered rings (it is for this reason that this structure is considered as being virtually three-dimensional).
Mordenite (MOR) is a large-pore zeolite formed by 12-membered rings, with channels extending in only one direction and which has, between these channels, small pockets formed by 8-membered rings.
Ferrierite (FER) is a medium-pore dimensional zeolite comprising main channels formed by 10-membered rings, which are interconnected via side channels formed by 8-membered rings.
Zeolites are important catalytic materials that are widely used in acidic catalytic reactions such as cracking, especially hydrocracking, FCC and olefin cracking, isomerization reactions, especially of paraffins and olefins, and also in methanol conversion technologies, for example MTO, MTP and MTG.
In these reactions, zeolites, and in particular their microporous structures, are often a determining factor for obtaining good catalytic activity, good stability and/or good selectivity.
However, microporous structures may also have drawbacks, for example the poor access of molecules in zeolite crystals, undesired adsorption of reagents and/or of products during catalysis. These steric constraints reduce the accessibility of the microporous volume of the zeolite during the reaction, which may lead in certain cases to sparingly efficient or inefficient use.
Thus, one of the important factors is to obtain zeolites that offer sufficient accessibility to reagents and/or products, in order to improve the efficacy of the catalyst.
Among the envisioned solutions, mention may be made of the reduction of the size of zeolite crystals. However, this solution is not always industrially applicable.
Another strategy consists in creating a system of secondary pores, consisting of mesopores (2-50 nm), in the microporous crystals of zeolites. Traditionally, mesopores are introduced into zeolite or quasi-zeolite crystals by dealumination, for example using a hydrothermal treatment, acidic leaching techniques, or chemical treatments based on EDTA or (NH4)2SiF6.
In recent years, various alternative techniques have been proposed:                recrystallization of the walls of a mesoporous zeolite material,        preparing at the mesoscopic scale a cationic polymer matrix,        constructing a mesoporous material by means of zeolite precursors of organosilicon type, and        direct assembly of zeolite seeds using a matrix to form the mesopores.
Some of these approaches have led to improved catalysts. However, these techniques are very complex and involve the use of very expensive organic matrices. Thus, the industrial use of these materials is still very limited, especially on account of their very high price.
Moreover, certain prior art techniques may require very specific conditions and/or the use of hazardous and/or pollutant reagents, expensive reagents and/or may not allow mass production.
Finally, certain techniques do not allow good control of the characteristics of catalysts, for example "random" or unoptimized mesoporosity, or alternatively some of the mesopores are cavities, i.e. they are not accessible or not readily accessible from the exterior.
Moreover, an alternative technique for the formation of intracrystalline mesopores has recently consisted of a desilication treatment in alkaline medium.
For example, the publication J. C. Groen et al., Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 114 (2008) 93 describes the alkaline treatment of beta zeolites, performed on the zeolite as prepared, without prior dealumination treatment. At room temperature, virtually no formation of mesopores is observed. Only a higher temperature, of about 318 K, makes it possible to observe the formation of mesopores.
Other publications concern the alkaline treatment of zeolites ZMS-5 (J. C. Groen et al., JACS 127 (2005) 10792) or MFI, BEA, FER and MOR (J. C. Groen et al., Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 69 (2004) 29).
Thus, the invention is directed toward solving all or some of the problems mentioned above.

Modified Y-type zeolites having a trimodal intracrystalline structure, method for making same, and use thereof

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE


Methods for a low voltage antifuse device and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming a plurality of fins above a substrate, removing a portion of a fin, forming a fin tip, forming a first area of a gate oxide layer above at least the fin tip, forming a second area of the gate oxide layer above a remaining portion of the plurality of fins, wherein the first area is thinner than the second area, and forming a gate over at least the fin tip to form an antifuse one-time programmable device.

Consumer electronic device manufacturers and wireless markets are under heavy pressure to reduce costs, increase performance, minimize power consumption, and increase security. Configurability and programmability can aid in achieving these goals. One-time programmable (OTP) memory is one approach that enables configurability and programmability. OTP memory that is area efficient, requires low power, and has high performance, while being reliable and secure may afford a particular OTP memory solution. OTP memory that does not require a high voltage from a charge pump or external power supply may prove particularly useful in achieving the goals. Further, an antifuse device is one type of OTP memory that is programmed by applying an electrical stress that creates a low resistance conductive path, such as a short. Such a short may be achieved by the breakdown of an oxide layer. However, controlling the location of the breakdown in the oxide is critical to reduce electrical variability of the shorted structure.
A need, therefore, exists for methodology for forming an antifuse OTP memory with a low programming voltage, and the resulting device.

Forming a low votage antifuse device and resulting device


Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.

Conventionally power column memory controllers use a relative position system to track the positions of the steering column axis. This type of system requires that the memory controller accumulates information and computes the current position based on previous positions of the steering column. Errors that occur in this type of system involve issues in accumulating change in position of the steering column and detecting incorrect previous positions of the steering column.
Issues in accumulating change in position occur when the controller does not recognize motion has occurred and the motion information thereby is not captured. This may be a result of a faulty monitoring algorithm. For example, a controller monitoring an actuator that enables the movement of a steering column may stop monitoring the actuator before movement of the steering column is complete or poor signal quality may cause integral information related to the movement of the steering column not to be recognized. More specifically, over accumulation may occur if noise on the signal is misinterpreted as relevant information. Errors associated with the accumulation of information can be compounding and even small errors can add up to become significant errors with time. These errors will eventually cause issues in detecting the correct positioning of the steering column.
The detection of an incorrect starting location is usually associated with a loss of information. The current position of the actuator can be lost if not saved to non-volatile memory within a certain period. In some instances, the current position of the actuator may not be saved before a steering column system is reset. As such, the current position recalled after the system is reset will not be the actual current position of the steering column, but the previously saved position information.

Absolute position non-contact rake sensor for a steering column

Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation


In a semiconductor fabrication apparatus composed of a plurality of components, such as fluid control devices, a manager is to be enabled to identify components by intuition. Information on the identified component is to be provided to the manager in an easy-to-understand manner. In a system in which a manager terminal 3 and an information processor 2 are communicably configured via networks NW1 and NW2, the manager terminal 3 receives component information on a semiconductor fabrication apparatus 1 from the information processor 2. Upon the identification of the position of a component constituting the semiconductor fabrication apparatus 1 on the captured image of the semiconductor fabrication apparatus 1 using an identification processing unit 32, a compositing processing unit 33 creates a composite image in which component information is composited with the captured image at the position of the component identified, and an image display unit 34 displays the composite image. On the other hand, the information processor 2 makes reference to the component information storage unit 2A to extract the component information using an extraction processing unit 21, and transmits the component information to the manager terminal 3.

A gas box used for a semiconductor fabrication apparatus has a structure in which a large number of gas lines formed of fluid control devices having the same or almost the same configurations are integrated and mounted in an array. In the manual operation of this gas box or the replacement of the fluid control device for maintenance, it has been necessary to carefully check whether a device at an actually correct place is under maintenance work among a large number of fluid control devices in an array while making reference to a diagram showing passage configurations.
Nowadays, the development that aims for lifetime prediction or labor saving for maintenance in which a sensor is installed on a fluid control device, such as a valve, to collect data relating to the operation status of the fluid control device. With this method, information which fluid controller needs replacement or maintenance is obtained. However, similarly to the description above, since fluid control devices in the same or almost the same configurations are in an array, careful attention is necessary in order not to mistake an operation target.
On this point, Patent Literature 1 proposes a valve management support system is proposed which automatically identifies the opening and closing state of a valve by capturing a valve from the side using a camera of a terminal, and while identifying the valve using a two-dimensional barcode, recognizing at which height a handle imaged on the camera is present.
Patent Literature 2 proposes a valve operation support system in which a terminal reads a barcode to identify a valve, and a valve operation instruction is displayed on the terminal.

Management system, method, and computer program for semiconductor fabrication apparatus


Examples of a digital transceiver, a switched-capacitor sampling mixer, and an N-stage switched-capacitor amplifier are generally described herein. The digital transceiver may include a plurality of switched-capacitor sampling mixers and a plurality of N-stage switched-capacitor amplifiers. Each mixer samples a received differential RF signal. The pair of N-stage switched-capacitor amplifiers operates as charge redistribution amplifiers. Each N-stage switched-capacitor amplifier provides a near-constant capacitive load for one of the mixers.

One issue with conventional transceivers is power consumption. Many conventional transceivers are implemented using analog building blocks which may include low-noise amplifier (LNAs), mixers, active filters, etc. These analog building blocks necessarily have an inherent bias current which results in excess power consumption. Reducing the bias current in these analog building blocks may compromise performance. There is generally a limit to the level that the bias current can be reduced to, depending on modulation and operating condition requirements which set certain performance requirements of a transceiver.
One conventional technique to reduce power consumption is to cycle the bias current by switching various circuits within the transceiver from an active state to low power or standby state. To minimize power consumption, the on-period or active state time is minimized, however, set-up and disable periods that occur while the circuits transition between states to establish proper operating conditions limit the amount of power saving that can be achieved. Another issue with analog building blocks is that they are becoming more challenging to implement on deep sub-micron process nodes making it desirable to minimize the analog block content as well as minimize the implementation area.
Thus, there are general needs for transceivers that operate with reduced power consumption. There are also general needs for transceivers that minimize analog block content as well as minimize the implementation area for analog blocks.

Digital transceiver with switched capacitor sampling mixers and switched capacitor amplifiers


Compositions of difluoromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane are useful as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, heat transfer edia, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, expansion agents for polymers such as polyolefins and polyurethanes, and as power cycle fluids.. Near azeotropic compositions comprise admixtures of effective amounts of difluoromethane and tetrafluoroethane to form a near azeotropic composition. Such compositions are useful as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, refrigerants, aerosol propellants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents, and displacement drying agents.

Concern over the ozone depletion potential of certain halocarbons has resulted in a search for alternative compounds having lower ozone depletion potentials. Recently the long-term environmental effects of chlorofluorocarbons and even hydrochlorofluorocarbons have come under substantial scientific scrutiny, because it has been postulated that these materials decompose in the stratosphere, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, to release chlorine atoms. Chlorine atoms are theorized to undergo chemical reaction in the stratosphere, which could deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. A substantial reduction of stratospheric ozone could have a serious deleterious impact on the quality of life on earth.
There is a continuing need in this art for new materials having new combinations of properties for use in the aforementioned applications. In view of the potential environmental problem associated with stratospheric ozone depletion, there is a particular need for new materials possessing properties which make them useful in the subject applications and which are also potentially environmentally safe.
There is a limit to the number of single fluorinated hydrocarbon substances which could be candidates as environmentally safe materials. Mixtures of known materials, however, might be used if the desired combination of properties could be found in a given mixture. Also, certain types of compositions can be formulated that are quite useful due to the temperature glide created through the heat exchangers, that is, the difference in the inlet and outlet temperatures of heat exchangers. These compositions exhibit novel properties that can be useful in increasing the energy efficiency of refrigeration equipment.
Fluorinated hydrocarbons have many uses, one of which is as a refrigerant. In refrigeration applications, a refrigerant is often lost during operation through leaks in shaft seals, hose connections, solder joints, and broken lines. In addition, the refrigerant may be released to the atmosphere during maintenance procedures on refrigeration equipment. Accordingly, it is desirable, when possible, to use a single fluorinated hydrocarbon, an azeotrope, or a near azeotropic composition that includes one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons as a refrigerant.
Fluorinated hydrocarbons may also be used as a cleaning agent or solvent to clean, for example, electronic circuit boards. Electronic components are soldered to circuit boards by coating the entire circuit side of the board with flux and thereafter passing the flux-coated board over preheaters and through molten solder. The flux cleans the conductive metal parts and promotes solder fusion, but leave residues on the circuit boards that must be removed with a cleaning agent.
Preferably, cleaning agents should have a low boiling point, non-flammability, low toxicity, and high solvency power so that flux and flux-residues can be removed without damaging the substrate being cleaned. Further, it is desirable that cleaning agents that include a fluorinated hydrocarbon be near azeotropic so that they do not tend to fractionate upon boiling or evaporation. If the cleaning agent were not near azeotropic, the more volatile components of the cleaning agent would preferentially evaporate, and the cleaning agent could become flammable or could have less-desirable solvency properties, such as lower rosin flux solvency and lower inertness toward the electrical components being cleaned. The near azeotropic property is also desirable in vapor degreasing operations because the cleaning agent is generally redistilled and reused for final rinse cleaning.
Near azeotropic compositions of fluorinated hydrocarbons are also useful as blowing agents in the manufacture of close-cell polyurethane, phenolic and thermoplastic foams. Insulating foams require blowing agents not only to foam the polymer, but more importantly to utilize the low vapor thermal conductivity of the blowing agents, which is an important characteristic for insulation value.
Aerosol products employ both single component fluorinated hydrocarbons and near azeotropic compositions of fluorinated hydrocarbons as propellant vapor pressure attenuators in aerosol systems. Near azeotropic mixtures, with their essentially constant compositions and vapor pressures, are useful as solvents and propellants in aerosols.
Near azeotropic compositions that include fluorinated hydrocarbons are also useful as heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids such as for heat pumps, inert media for polymerization reactions, fluids for removing particulates from metal surfaces, and as carrier fluids that may be used, for example, to place a fine film of lubricant on metal parts.
Near azeotropic compositions that include fluorinated hydrocarbons are further useful as buffing abrasive detergents to remove buffing abrasive compounds from polished surfaces such as metal, as displacement drying agents for removing water such as from jewelry or metal parts, as resist-developers in conventional circuit manufacturing techniques employing chlorine-type developing agents, and as strippers for photoresists when used with, for example, a chlorohydrocarbon such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane or trichloroethylene.

Compositions of difluoromethane and tetrafluoroethane


A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period.

Subscriber television systems are now capable of providing many services in addition to analog broadcast video. In implementing enhanced programming, the home communication terminal ("HCT"), otherwise known as the settop box, has become an important computing device for accessing various video services. In addition to supporting traditional analog broadcast video functionality, digital HCTs (or "DHCTs") now also support an increasing number of two-way digital services such as video-on-demand.
A DHCT is typically connected to a cable or satellite television network and includes hardware and software for providing various services and functionality. Preferably, some of the software executed by a DHCT is downloaded and/or updated via the cable television network. The ability to download software provides flexibility in adding or updating applications executed by the DHCT. Each DHCT also typically includes a processor, communication components and memory, and is connected to a television. While many conventional DHCTs are stand-alone devices that are externally connected to a television, a DHCT and/or its functionality may be integrated into a television or personal computer, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.
One problem with typical DHCTs is that they are not very responsive to an individual user's demands. For example, in television systems that provide hundreds of services, locating desired television programs can require many keystrokes by the viewer and can consume significant amounts of time. Furthermore, different users may have different preferences regarding the information that may be presented via an electronic program guide (EPG), and these preferences may vary from time to time. Therefore, it should be appreciated that there is a need for improved systems and methods that address these and/or other problems associated with providing desirable television functionality.

Time-adaptive control of television viewing functionality


In one aspect, the invention relates to a compound of the structure:

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel compound and a crystalline form thereof having neprilysin-inhibition activity. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compound, processes for preparing compound, and methods of using compound to treat diseases such as hypertension, heart failure, and renal disease.
State of the Art
Neprilysin (neutral endopeptidase, EC 184.108.40.206) (NEP), is an endothelial membrane bound Zn2+ metallopeptidase found in many organs and tissues, including the brain, kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and the peripheral vasculature. NEP degrades and inactivates a number of endogenous peptides, such as enkephalins, circulating bradykinin, angiotensin peptides, and natriuretic peptides, the latter of which have several effects including, for example, vasodilation and natriuresis/diuresis, as well as inhibition of cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular fibrosis. Thus, NEP plays an important role in blood pressure homeostasis and cardiovascular health.
NEP inhibitors, such as thiorphan, candoxatril, and candoxatrilat, have been studied as potential therapeutics. Compounds that inhibit both NEP and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) are also known, and include omapatrilat, gempatrilat, and sampatrilat. Referred to as vasopeptidase inhibitors, this latter class of compounds is described in Robl et al. (1999) Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents 9(12): 1665-1677.
Numerous NEP inhibitors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,263,629 to Coppola et al and U.S. Pat. No. 8,586,536 to Gendron et al. Many of these compounds have one or more desirable properties. In spite of these compounds however, there remains a need for a potent NEP inhibitor that has high oral bioavailability and low clearance across all species tested. This invention is directed to that need.
Additionally, to effectively use a NEP inhibitor compound as a therapeutic agent, it would be desirable to have a solid-state form that can be readily manufactured and that has acceptable chemical and physical stability. For example, it would be highly desirable to have a physical form that is thermally stable at reasonably high temperature, thereby facilitating processing and storage of the material. Crystalline solids are generally preferred over amorphous forms, for enhancing purity and stability of the manufactured product. However, the formation of crystalline forms of organic compounds is highly unpredictable. No reliable methods exist for predicting which, if any, form of an organic compound will be crystalline. Moreover, no methods exist for predicting which, if any, crystalline form will have the physically properties desired for use as pharmaceutical agents. Accordingly, a need exists for a stable, crystalline form which has a reasonably high melting point.

Abstract: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a crystalline form of this compound, having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising this compound; methods of using this compound; and processes for preparing this compound.


An endplate for an intervertebral prosthesis includes an inner domed region and a peripheral rim wherein the inner domed region has a non-circular plan and has an area that is at least 50% of the area of the endplate. A surgical instrument for milling a recess in a vertebral endplate includes a cutting tool having a drive shaft with a positioning collar, a guard frame, and a pair of guide plates attached to the guard frame and spaced to confine the positioning collar and having guide slots for the drive shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to prostheses for replacing intervertebral discs of the human spine and more particularly to endplates for intervertebral disc prostheses having a central domed region and a peripheral rim. The invention also relates to surgical instruments for preparing a vertebra to receive an intervertebral disc prosthesis.
2. Background Art
The most common pathologic condition causing chronic low back pain and neck pain is degenerative disc disease. Disc excision, decompression, and/or spinal fusion have been surgical procedures commonly performed on patients with degenerative disc disease when non-operative treatment fails to relieve chronic disabling pain. More recently, replacement of a degenerated disc with an artificial disc prosthesis has become an available choice for pain relief and restoring function.
For successful results from disc arthroplasty, it is desirable that a prosthesis for implantation in the intervertebral space include structures disposed and configured to promote the proper positioning, alignment and immediate post-operative stability of the prosthesis within the intervertebral space. Post-operative stability is important since a disc prosthesis that is not securely stabilized within the disc space may result in accelerated disc degeneration, the formation of osteophytes, and subsidence into the vertebrae, leading to a loss in disc height. The occurrence of such subsidence is in turn affected by three factors: (i) the applied load upon the device, (ii) the quality, or bone mineral density, of the vertebra and (iii) the contact surface area between the prosthesis and the bone. The vertebral endplates of the normal human lumbar-sacral spine have a wide range of variable contours and curvatures. However, in general, they have a concave curvature, with a rim of dense compact or cortical bone and a central region of cancellous bone.
Accordingly, flat prosthetic endplate designs are prone to have problems of incongruous fit between the prosthetic endplate and the vertebral endplate due to mismatched shape, and may not provide post-operative stability of the prosthesis in the disc space. A number of disc prostheses having flat endplates incorporate additional mechanisms of fixation to bone by screws, spikes, keels, or serrated surfaces. Some of such mechanisms may require excessive distraction of the adjacent vertebrae in order to provide sufficient intervertebral disc space for insertion. Such a procedure may damage adjacent tissues or even result in fracture of the vertebral bone.
Other prosthesis endplate designs having somewhat convex surfaces may provide a better match for the generally concave contours of the vertebral endplates. However, the terminal surfaces of the vertebrae do not have a simple geometrical shape, and vary from patient to patient. Various methods of shaping the vertebral endplates to accommodate the matching endplates of an intervertebral prosthesis have been proposed. However, a need has continued to exist for an intervertebral prosthesis endplate that can be readily fitted to the vertebrae of a patient with simple and accurate adaptation of the prosthesis endplate to the vertebral endplate, thereby providing a relatively large contact area between the prosthesis endplate and the vertebral endplate with concomitant good stability of the prosthesis within the intervertebral space.
Proper preparation of the vertebral endplates during disc replacement surgery is an important element of the procedure that can affect the clinical outcome of the surgery. It is desirable that the instruments provide an accurate means of shaping the endplates to receive the implant without damaging adjacent structures. Various instruments have been disclosed or utilized, but many suffer from the disadvantage that they damage or remove some of the peripheral bony rim in order to reach the endplate. The result is that the implant receives less than optimum support from the remaining compact bone, leading to higher interfacial contact stresses and an increased potential for expulsion. It is also desirable that the instruments for preparing the vertebral endplates be easy to use.
Accordingly, a need has also continued to exist for instruments and procedures for preparing a seat in the vertebral endplate to receive a complementary structure on the prosthesis endplate.

Intervertebral disc replacement and associated instrumentation


A keyfob is provided for use in a vehicle having a processor. The keyfob comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and control circuitry disposed within the housing and coupled to the battery. A memory coupled to the control circuitry is disposed within the housing and is configured to store data files therein accessible by the processor.

Portable devices that store and play digital audio files (e.g, MP3, WAV, ACC, and other such audio formats) have become increasingly popular in recent years. A digital audio device may comprise a relatively slim casing having a display and a control (e.g., a touch-scroll wheel and a group of buttons) disposed thereon. The casing contains a battery (e.g., a lithium ion cell), a circuit board, and a hard drive, which may be sheathed in a soft rubber to insulate the hard drive from the circuit board and to protect it from shock damage. The hard drive's capacity may range from, for example, 512 MB to 60 GB in size and store anywhere from 120 to 15,000 audio files, respectively.
To use a portable digital audio device, a user first builds a library of audio files on his or her home computer by downloading purchased songs from an internet site (e.g., the iTunes website) or by uploading converted songs from owned CDs or other media. A user may transfer selected audio files from his or her computer to the portable digital audio device via a docking station and associated software (e.g., iTunes media library software). The docking station may be coupled to the home computer via, for example, a universal serial bus or firewall port and to the digital audio device through a specialized connector port (e.g., a 30-pin connector port).
Consumers have shown a desire to utilize their portable digital audio devices in conjunction with their vehicular audio systems to, for example, play audio files with the vehicle's audio system. FM transmitters have been developed that connect to the digital audio device and broadcast music played thereby over an output frequency (e.g., 87.9 MHz) that may be received by the vehicle's FM radio. Certain audio systems provide auxiliary inputs that may be connected to the headphone output of a digital audio device via an audio interconnect cable. More recently, several automotive manufacturers have begun offering digital audio device interfaces permitting bi-directional communication between the vehicle's audio system and a digital audio device. After connecting a digital audio device to the interface (e.g., via a connector cable stowed in the vehicle's glove box), a driver may then control the device through the vehicle's audio system (e.g., through audio system controls mounted on the steering wheel) to select digital audio files to be played by the audio system system.
While providing users with the ability to play digital audio files with their vehicle's audio system, vehicular digital audio device integration systems of the type described above may be somewhat cumbersome to use. Systems utilizing FM modulators or audio interconnect cables require a user to utilize the controls provided on the digital audio device to select and play songs, which may be inconvenient. Furthermore, when using any of above-described integration systems, a user must repeatedly transport a digital audio device (and possibly other hardware) to and from his or her vehicle and perform the iterations necessary to properly connect the device to the integration system's interface.
In view of the above, it should be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a system for playing digital audio files on a vehicle's audio system that utilizes a reduced number of required components. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that it would be advantageous if such a system facilitates access to the digital audio files. Other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Keyfob with digital file storage and vehicular system for the use thereof


A resilient backrest dampening mechanism is provided for use with chairs having a seat and a backrest, the mechanism comprising four pivot points; a first pivot point arranged on a base different from the backrest; a second pivot point arranged at a distance from the first pivot point on the base, wherein a bracket is pivotally connected to the second pivot point; a third pivot point provided between the bracket and a first end of a backrest connection member, and the backrest connection member being adjustably connected to the backrest; a fourth pivot point provided in the bracket; a resilient member arranged between the fourth pivot point and the first pivot point, and wherein all the pivot points pivot around corresponding axes and all of the axes are parallel.

For the comfort of disabled persons in wheelchairs it is advantageous to equip the wheelchair with a seat having a dynamic reclinable backrest that is capable of absorbing the energy of sudden and forceful voluntary or involuntary movements of the person against the backrest.
The backrest shall also for therapeutic reasons be resilient such that users with a tendency to spasms, sudden uncontrolled movements etc. are not injured when using a wheelchair.
Such a movement will tend to extend the backrest towards a more reclined position. After the energy is absorbed the backrest should be capable of returning the person to an upright sitting position.
Such a wheelchair seat is made available by the applicant with a product known as the "x:panda™". The seat in the wheelchair is equipped with a reclinable backrest having a gas spring operably positioned between the backrest and the seat for absorbing the energy of the previously described movements extending the backrest.
A seat/backrest construction incorporating a gas spring is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,018,825. The gas spring is arranged in a fixed (but selectable) position, and serves to provide added comfort to a user.
In order to cater for persons of various weight and strength the gas spring is selected from a range of gas springs each with a fixed rating. In case of a disabled child who is still growing the gas spring may have to be replaced frequently during the life of the wheelchair, because the forces applied to the backrest increases as the weight and height of the child increase. Therefore a certain size of gas spring (a certain tension) will only be optimally suited for the seat for a limited period of time.
The inventor of the present invention previously addressed this problem in WO 2014/166495, wherein a seating arrangement comprising a backrest and a seat connected by hinges at both sides was disclosed. The hinges each incorporated gas springs, where the gas spring in one end was pivotably connected for example to the part of the hinge fastened to the backrest and the opposite end of the gas spring was mounted on a rail arranged substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the gas spring. The end of the gas spring can be moved along the rail. Consequently the resulting resilient force provided by the gas spring to the dampening action may be varied by a simple relation: arm multiplied by force; the arm being the distance from the hinges' pivot point to the position of the gas springs' position on the rail.
Although this system works well and does provide for adjustment possibilities of the resilient force, it has a number of drawbacks, one of these being the fact that in order to alter the resilient force it is necessary to adjust the mechanism (move the end of the resilient gas spring along the rail (arm)) in both hinges. It has proven difficult for the care personnel handling this during normal use, particularly to adjust the resilient force evenly in both hinges. Consequently in use there will be an uneven application of load to the hinges and thereby the entire seat construction, which may cause failure due to overload or the like.
A further drawback has proven to be the replacement of the gas spring. Although it is contemplated that this may take place in situ, i.e. in the institution where the seating construction is being used (for example in wheel chairs) this has proven to be a challenge, resulting in using the system with wrong settings thereby not achieving the advantages and benefits of the system.
A still further drawback is the relatively expensive construction. Firstly both hinge constructions are specifically designed for the particular arrangement and secondly the system requires two gas springs to be employed.


A cutlery implement includes a blade, a tang and a handle. An insignia or making is located on an end surface of the handle facing away from the blade, the insignia indicating the type of blade attached to the handle. The blade and tang are part of a single piece of forged metal. The tang extends substantially the entire length of the handle and includes a surface visible from the top of the handle.

The present invention is related to cutlery, including knives, forks, shears and other utensils used in preparing food. More particularly, the invention relates to cutlery with an ergonomic handle and a marking that identifies a particular cutlery implement when it is sheathed in a block. In some instances, cutlery is stored in a block of material, typically wood. A cutlery implement may include a working portion (e.g., the blade or prongs) that is stored in an opening or slot in the block allowing the handle of the cutlery implement to be exposed. This arrangement allows the cutlery to be stored in position ready for use and protects the working end of the implements.
When cutlery is stored in the block, the blade or prong is not exposed, and so, the user is not always able to determine readily the type of implement in the block. Often, the user will grasp and remove a piece of cutlery only to realize that the wrong piece of cutlery was selected. In some instances, the size of the handle is proportional to the size of the blade, and the size provides some visual indication of the type of implement. However, when the blades are close in length (e.g., six and eight inches) the difference in the handle size is not readily discernible. Furthermore, in some instances, different pieces of cutlery will have the identical handle (e.g., a fork and a knife of similar size). Constant removal of the knife from the block for inspection purposes creates unnecessary wear and tear on the knife blade.
One known cutlery set includes an icon on the blade of the knife indicating the type of food to be cut by the knife (e.g., poultry, vegetables etc.) and a corresponding icon located on the block. However, this identification method has several drawbacks because if a knife is repositioned incorrectly in the block then the icon on the block does not correctly identify the knife. Also, when the knife is stored or sheathed in the block the icon on the blade of the knife is not visible to the user. Thus, the user does not know whether the knife is the desired choice until the knife is removed from the block.
As a result, there is a need for cutlery that includes a mechanism for quickly and easily identifying the type of implement being stored in the block.
In addition to ease of use, consumers are mindful of the quality of cutlery, particularly with respect to knives. Fully forged cutlery, in which the working end (i.e., the blade or tongs) and the tang are constructed as a single forged piece, are considered to provide durability, strength, and balance. For example, a chef or cook who conducts sustained cutting or chopping operations typically prefers a piece of cutlery that is well balanced in order to minimize fatigue and promote easier control. Preferably, the weight of the cutlery should be evenly distributed between the implement and the handle. For this reason, fully forged cutlery often have tangs with exposed top length portions (i.e., uncovered by the grip material that forms the handle) so that consumers may see the one-piece construction of the working end and the tang.
Another feature important to the consumer is the "feel" of the handle. Cutlery handles are typically fabricated from a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials, or combinations of two or more materials. Resilient or pliable materials have been used as coverings for the rigid tang portion of the knife in order to provide a more comfortable, cushioned grip. Typically, an injection molded one-piece plastic or rubber handle is positioned onto the tang. Some cutlery utilizes a contoured handle that provides a more ergonomic shape for increased comfort. However, such ergonomic handles conventionally have grip material that covers the tang. As a result, the consumer cannot visually inspect the quality of the implement as with is possible implements having exposed tangs.
While contour-shaped, ergonomic handles are known in the art, such handles often are relatively thick and bulky, and do not provide for comfortable use by both consumers with small hands and consumers with large hands. Moreover, thicker, ergonomic handles often are not as comfortable when gripped between the thumb and forefinger over the bolster and the blade, as is typical for professional users.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide cutlery that have contoured, ergonomic shaped handles that are comfortable for both professional and ordinary consumers and for consumers with different sized hands. It is also desirable to provide such cutlery having an exposed tang that allows the user to inspect the quality and characteristics of the implements.


A method for incorporating magnetic materials in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes manufacturing a semiconductor device including interlayers and dielectric layers, depositing a magnetic layer above a semiconductor device and forming metallized contacts for connecting interlayers of the semiconductor device. With the method of the present invention, the deposition of the magnetic material is integrated with the semiconductor manufacturing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to methods for incorporating magnetic materials in a semiconductor manufacturing process and, more particularly, to methods for integrating a process of depositing magnetic materials during a semiconductor manufacturing process.
2. Background of the Invention
Magnetoelectronics is a growing field that is devoted to the development of electronic device structures that incorporate a ferromagnetic element. Magnetoelectronic devices are most-commonly used as storage devices by exploiting the bi-stable orientation characteristics of ferromagnetic material.
The bi-stable orientation characteristic is a defining characteristic of ferromagnetic materials and a natural basis for nonvolatile bit storage. A properly fabricated thin ferromagnetic film exhibits two possible states of magnetization that can be described by a hysteresis loop. As shown in FIG. 1, when a write current (Iw) is applied to an integrated, contiguous write wire 11 that is directly over a ferromagnetic element 12, a magnetic field (H) is generated that is parallel with and close to a surface of the write wire 11. The magnitude of the magnetic field (H) is determined by an inductive coefficient (α) and the write current (Iw), i.e., H=αIw. The magnetization of the ferromagnetic film is a function of the magnetic field and follows a hysteresis loop like that shown in FIG. 2.
More specifically, when the magnetic field is larger than a switching field (Hs), the magnetization of the ferromagnetic film reaches a first saturation value (Ms). The magnetization is thereafter maintained at this first saturation value and particular orientation for periods as long as years, even when power is removed. An output voltage (Vout) of a magnetic sensor in the proximity of the ferromagnetic material is also maintained unchanged until the magnetization is changed to a second saturation value (−Ms). The orientation of the magnetization changes when a magnetic field with a reversed direction is applied to the ferromagnetic element. The magnetization, however, drops down slightly when the reversed magnetic field is applied until the reversed magnetic field is less than −Hs. In this situation, the magnetization and output voltage jump promptly from the first saturation value (Ms, Vout) to the second saturation value (−Ms, −Vout), as shown in FIG. 2. As mentioned above, the magnetization state is maintained at the second saturation value for extremely long periods unless the magnetic field reaches Hs again.
Due to the "latched" or "non-volatile" characteristic of the ferromagnetic element described above, a ferromagnetic element can be maintain at its last state even after a power is removed from a write line. The ferromagnetic element can also be switched between two states in one clock cycle and the switch can be set and reset an infinite number of times. Generally, the switching speed of elements made from common ferromagnetic materials is on the order of a fraction of a nanosecond or even faster. In view of these performance characteristics, magnetoelectronic devices offer the promise of high speed, low power, and radiation hard nonvolatile magnetic memory and instantaneously programmable logic.
Utilization of a ferromagnetic element in an integrated magnetoelectronic device was first disclosed in an article entitled "Hybrid Hall Effect Device" by Mark Johnson et al. in 1997. In Johnson et al.'s prototype, a single microstructured ferromagnetic film and a micro scale Hall cross are fabricated together to create a magnetoelectronic device. Magnetic fringe fields from the edge of the ferromagnet generate a Hall voltage in the Hall cross. The sign of the fringe field, as well as the sign of the output Hall voltage, is switched by reversing the magnetization of the ferromagnet. The Hall cross thus detects the Hall voltage and outputs a value (high or low) corresponding to the direction of the magnetization of the ferromagnet.
Magnetoelectronic programmable logic to execute a Boolean operation can be devised utilizing Johnson's basic idea. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ideal magnetoelectronic programmable logic gate, which comprises two input terminals, A and B, one control terminal C, and separate terminals for bias and readout. Binary input pulses may be applied simultaneously to input terminals A and B, or the control terminal C. Each logic gate is constructed from a ferromagnetic material and associated Hall sensor. The ferromagnetic material is patterned from a thin magnetic film in such a way that a square hysteresis characteristic can be obtained. The up or down polarization of the magnetic material is detected by the Hall sensor as a high ("1") or low ("0") voltage. The logic gate is designed in a manner such that the saturation value of magnetization of the hysteresis loop can be reached only when at least two of the three terminals A, B and C are high inputs. Therefore, when a zero amplitude is applied to control terminal C(C=0), high inputs at terminals A and B are required to switch the gate state, and, accordingly, the logic gate operates as an AND gate. If a unit amplitude pulse is applied to C(C=1), then a single unit pulse at either A or B is necessary and sufficient to switch the gate state, and, accordingly, the logic gate operates as an OR gate. Two other Boolean functions, "NOR" and "NAND", can be achieved by programming the bias current of the Hall sensor in an opposite direction. As mentioned, for a device like that shown in FIG. 3, Boolean operation requires only two clock steps for completion, one to set the initial device state and the second to sum input write currents. The result is then "latched" so that it can be read out at any later time.
FIG. 4 is a logic table showing that the programmable logic gate of FIG. 3 performs AND and NOR operations when C=1, and OR and NAND operation when C=0.
Exemplary electrical circuitry for achieving the logic gate of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 5, in which a VRESET voltage is used to reset the magnetization of a magnetic material to a known state. The logic operation starts with setting a set voltage, VSET, high. Then the input voltages VA, VB and VC switch parallel FETs X2-X8, X3-X7 and X4-X6 on or off, thus generating a write current in a metal strap that is positioned just above the magnetic material (not shown). The write current generates a magnetic field in the magnetic material and traverses the flux versus field hysteresis curve. The magnetic flux flows through active areas of the Hall sensor and generates voltages, corresponding to the vertical axis in FIG. 2. The Hall sensor thus detects the polarization of the magnetic material and outputs "1" or "0" in response to the detection.
In known magnetoelectronic devices, the ferromagnetic structures utilized to perform the bi-stable non-volatile function described have typically included giant mangetoresistance (GMR) structures and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) structures. GMR structures are composed of all-metal ferromagnet-nonmagnetic-ferromagnet laminates that are typically low impedance devices, but require large bias current densities to achieve adequate output levels. MTJ structures are ferromagnet-insulator-ferromagnet structures with high impedance and bias-dependent output. In MTJ structures, output levels of tens of mV can be achieved with hundreds of mV bias, but the device impedance and output are extremely sensitive to the thickness of the insulator layer, and operation regions are difficult to control. Furthermore, GMR and MTJ structures both require two ferromagnetic films, and issues of magnetic coupling between layers impose further limits on their fabrication and yield of the resulting magnetoelectronic integrated circuits. Moreover, GMR and MTJ are distinct structures and cannot be readily manufactured during a semiconductor device manufacturing process.
As the competition in the magnetoelectronics market increases, there is a demand to reduce the volume of the ferromagnetic structure, simplify its manufacturing process, and better integrate it with a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Method of incorporating magnetic materials in a semiconductor manufacturing process


A restricted passage system is used in a vibration damping device, and comprises at least three cylindrical members concentrically arranged from each other at an interval and alternately serving as positive and negative electrodes and having a hole per each member in a position opposite to each other in diameter direction and insulation members fixed to upper and lower end portions of these members.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a restricted passage system usable for use in a vibration damping device enclosing an electrorheological fluid therein, and more particularly to a restricted passage system capable of having a sufficiently long passage length for ensuring a large damping force.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, Japanese Patent laid open No. 1-135938 and No. 2-176230 disclose a vibration damping device enclosing an electrorheological fluid therein, in which a viscosity of the electrorheological fluid passing through electrodes in a restricted passage system can be increased in accordance with a voltage between the electrodes or an intensity of electric field to change a damping force.
In the device described in Japanese Patent laid open No. 1-135938, the restricted passage is a zigzag passage extending outward and inward in the radial direction, so that the full length of the passage and hence the length of the electrode can not be prolonged to a satisfactory length and consequently the given damping force can not be obtained. Furthermore, the restricted passage is fastened at its one end to a side of a fastening member and at the other end to a portion of a movable member to change a sectional area of the passage in accordance with a relative displacement between the fastening member and the movable member, so that there is a problem that the occurrence of stable damping force can not always be obtained.
In the device of the Japanese Patent laid open No. 2-176230, a full length of the restricted passage formed between a piston and a damper casing is short, so that there is caused a problem of causing no large damping force.

Restricted passage system in vibration damping device


In one aspect of the invention, a clip nut for shaft assembly having a tubular shaft is provided. The clip nut includes a first end having a first aperture, a second end having an inwardly extending projection portion with a second aperture extending therethrough, and a connecting portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first and second ends are configured to extend around the tubular shaft such that the projection portion extends into the tubular shaft, and the first and second apertures are configured to receive a fastener to couple the clip nut to the tubular shaft.

Some known steering column assemblies are configured such that when a driver rotates a steering wheel in a desired direction, a steering column shaft connected to the steering wheel is rotated, and an intermediate shaft transmits the rotary force of the steering shaft through a universal joint to a gear box, which may include a rack and pinion gear.
The gear box converts the rotational motion of the steering shaft into a rectilinear motion by the rack and pinion gear, and transmits the rectilinear motion to a rack bar. As such, the rack bar transmits the force to a tie rod connected to a tire knuckle such that the driving direction of the vehicle can be changed.
The axis between the steering shaft and the gear box is configured by an input shaft and an output shaft which are angled to each other rather than being coaxially aligned, which makes it difficult to transmit power with a conventional shaft coupling method. As such, an intermediate shaft and universal joint are utilized so as to make the angle of the steering shaft variable within a predetermined range. However, during shipping or operation, the coupling between the intermediate shaft and the universal joint may become loose or uncoupled. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved coupling between the intermediate shaft and the universal joint.

STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION


An alternating current power strip 1 with network repeating and management 23 functionality is hereby disclosed.

Regardless of the wireless networking protocol utilized, traditional wireless internet gateway computer devices almost always come in two pieces. The internet gateway wireless device (WiFi) typically contains the wired network ports and circuitry needed to send and receive data. The internet gateway wireless device draws its power from a separate AC power supply which converts the alternating current electrical output to a required direct current (DC) voltage supply.
The described two part system has a number of weaknesses, not the least of which include the risk of losing the internet connection when the power supply gets accidentally disconnected and unplugged from the internet gateway. The power connection between the device and related power supply is often held together by a slight spring force within the socket. Diagnosing internet connectivity failures can be a non-trivial task, which is not made easier by the two component system. The long cord commonly found on wireless gateway power supplies presents a tangle and trip hazard which can easily result in loss of power to the gateway component when the power supply becomes accidentally unplugged. Consequently, since the introduction of the two component configuration there has been a need for a more robust wireless networking internet gateway device which does not present electrical connectivity challenges.

Alternating current power strip with network repeating and management


A stentless aortic bioprosthesis having patent, non-ligated coronary artery segments extending therefrom, and methods for surgical replacement of aortic and/or non-aortic (e.g., pulmonary) heart valves with such stentless aortic bioprosthesis. The presence of the patent, non-ligated coronary segments facilitates end to end anastomosis of the patient's native coronary arteries and/or existing coronary artery bypass grafts to the coronary segments of the bioprosthesis even when such native coronary arteries (or coronary grafts) are too short to reach the wall of the aortic segment of the bioprosthesis. The presence of such patent, non-ligated coronary segments also eliminates the need for removal of a "button" or segment of the native aorta in connection with the native coronary artery segments prior to implantation of the bioprosthesis, and is thus advantageous for patients whose ascending aorta is diseased or otherwise compromised.

Heart valve replacement surgeries have been performed in human beings for many years. Most frequently, these valve replacement procedures are utilized to replace the mitral or aortic valves of patients who suffer from valvular heart disease.
In particular, surgical replacement of the aortic valve has proven to be a successful mode of treatment of patients who are diagnosed with a) obstruction (i.e., stenosis) of the aortic valve or b) leakage (i.e., regurgitation, incompetence or insufficiency) of the aortic valve. In some patients, symptoms of both obstruction and leakage are present, this being known as "mixed disease" or "combined lesions". These types of aortic valvular heart disease may be caused by a number of factors, including congenital deformations, infections, degenerative calcification, and certain rheumatological disorders.
Surgical replacement of the aortic valve is typically performed under general anesthesia, with full cardiopulmonary bypass. An incision is made in the aorta adjacent to the heart, and the leaflets of the endogenous aortic valve are removed along with any calcified surrounding tissue, thereby creating an annular opening (i.e. the "aortic annulus") at the site previously occupied by the endogenous aortic valve. Thereafter, a prosthetic aortic valve is selected and sutured into the aortic annulus, as a prosthetic replacement for the surgically-removed endogenous valve.
The available types of prosthetic aortic valves have heretofore included mechanical valves as well as valves formed of preserved animal tissue (i.e., "bioprosthetic" valves). Of the bioprosthetic valves, some (known as "stented" bioprosthetic valves) incorporate a man-made stent or support frame upon which the preserved biological tissue is mounted. Others (known as "stentless" bioprosthetic valves) do not include any man-made stent or support frame, and are formed entirely of preserved biological tissue.
Tissues for use in bioprosthetic heart valves are typically harvested from the hearts of donor animals and such tissues typically contain large amounts of connective tissue proteins (e.g., collagen and elastin). After the desired tissues have been harvested from the donor animals, they undergo a chemical "fixing" process wherein the connective tissue proteins within the tissue are exposed to one or more chemical cross linking agents capable of forming chemical cross linkages between amino groups present on the connective tissue protein molecules. The types of chemical cross linking agents useable for this purpose include: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, dialdehyde starch, hexamethylene diisocyanate and certain polyepoxy compounds.
Examples of commercially available stented bioprosthetic valves include the CarpentierEdwards.RTM., PERIMOUNT.TM. Pericardial Bioprosthesis (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Edwards CVS Division, Post Office Box 11150, Santa Ana, Calif. 92711-1150) as well as the Carpentier-Edwards.RTM. Porcine Bioprosthesis (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Edwards CVS Division, Post Office Box 11150, Santa Ana, Calif. 92711-1150).
Examples of commercially available stentless bioprosthetic valves include the Edwards Prima.TM. Stentless Bioprosthesis (Baxter Edwards AG, Spierstrasse 5, CH-6848 Horw, Switzerland), the Medtronic Freestyle.TM. Aortic Root Bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Inc. 7000 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Minn. 55432-3576) and the St. Jude Toronto.TM. SPV Stentless Bioprosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc. One Lillehei Plaza, St. Paul, Minn. 55117).
The stentless bioprosthetic valves may offer superior hemodynamic performance when compared to their stented counterparts, due to the absence of flow restrictions which can be created by the presence of a stent and/or sewing ring. Also, the stentless bioprosthetic valves may exhibit better post-implantation durability than the stented bioprosthetic valves, because they provide a more flexible structure which serves to dissipate stress during the cardiac cycle.
At least one of the previously available aortic bioprostheses (i.e., the Medtronic Freestyle.TM. Aortic Root Bioprosthesis referred to hereabove) has included a segment of the donor animal's ascending aorta, along with ligated remnants of the donor's coronary arteries extending outwardly therefrom. However, because the coronary artery remnants included in this bioprosthesis have been ligated prior to fixation, the lumens of these coronary artery segments are substantially collapsed and occluded. As a result, it is typically necessary for the surgeon to trim away a substantial portion of each coronary artery remnant, prior to anastomosis of the patient's endogenous coronary arteries thereto.
It is desirable to devise a new stentless aortic bioprosthesis which includes coronary artery remnants which have been fixed in an unligated, natural configuration, such that the lumens of such coronary artery remnants remain patent, and the patient's endogenous coronary arteries may be anastomosed directly thereto.

Stentless bioprosthetic heart valve with coronary protuberances and related methods for surgical repair of defective heart valves


An apparatus for determining the position of a movable separation element which is arranged within an accumulator as a separator between a gas space and a fluid space, wherein the determination apparatus comprises at least one pressure sensor for the detection of pressure data, at least one ultrasonic sensor for the detection of ultrasonic data and at least one calculation unit for the evaluation of the data with the aid of which determination apparatus the position of the separation element can be determined.

Such accumulators, in particular piston accumulators, membrane accumulators or bubble accumulators are used in hydraulic systems, for example of excavators and, amongst other things, serve for the storage of hydraulic energy. In this connection, an accumulator can be configured as a cylindrical tube which is provided with a cover both on the fluid side and also on the gas side. The separation element separates the fluid, in particular a hydraulic liquid, such as e.g. oil, from gas, e.g. nitrogen.
If a fluid is now pressed against the gas in the accumulator, the separation element is displaced, whereby the gas is compressed. The gas therefore takes up energy. The filling of the accumulator typically takes approximately 3 to 5 seconds. At a later point in time the so stored energy can be regained by volume extraction.
In this connection the regained energy depends on the efficiency and on the arising losses. The latter can be attributed to the fact that the change of state does not take place adiabatically over the overall period of time, as it is not possible to configure the walls of the accumulator sufficiently insulated due to the high arising pressures. Moreover, gas losses can arise.
During operation the pressure in the gas space is matched to the pressure in the fluid space, so that the separation element is present at a suitable position within the accumulator. Possible differences between the pressure in the fluid space and the pressure in the gas space are attributed to the friction of the separation element.
In the following any volume which is filled with gas is understood as a gas space. The gas space thus includes both the region of the accumulator which is filled with gas and also one or more gas containers which are connected to the accumulator, as well as possible connection lines filled with gas including gas connections, which connection lines are also referred to as gas lines in the following X. The storage volume can be increased simply and cost-effectively by additionally connected gas containers.
In order to ensure a safe operation it is necessary to control the pressure in the gas space from time to time. Thus, for example, one has to expect certain losses of a gas in dependence on the kind of operation of the accumulator. Moreover, the pressure in the gas space is not allowed to undercut a certain minimum value so that the function of the system can be maintained.
It must also be constantly controlled, whether the accumulator can deliver the desired minimum energy. If a plurality of accumulators are switched in parallel it must be checked that no accumulator undercuts a certain minimum pressure. Moreover, faulty accumulators must be identifiable.
It is known to measure the temperature of the gas for the determination of the pressure in the gas space. A precise measurement of the temperature is, however, difficult in particular due to the inhomogeneous distribution of the gas. A determination of the position of the separation element based thereon with the aid of the gas laws is therefore not possible or flawed with large errors.
It is further known to determine the position of the separation element with the aid of sensors. In this way, for example, cable operated measurement systems are used. However, these are limited with respect to the maximum speed of the separation element and are unsuitable for high changes in load and large numbers of load changes.
Alternatively, the position of the separation element can be measured by means of a rod connected to the separation element which rod is guided out of the accumulator. A guided out rod, however, requires additional seals at the rod. Moreover, the additional demand in space is disadvantageous.
Magnetic apparatuses are also known which are attached at the separation element and which transfer information through the accumulator housing to the outside. Such systems are of complex design and for this reason are frequently prone to trouble.
It is further known to use ultrasonic sensors for the determination of the position of the separation element. However, if the formation of gas bubbles is brought about, for example, due to a fast expansion of the fluid, or an inhomogeneous distribution is brought about, for example due to a strong temperature gradient, the propagation of sound is disturbed by scattering and deflection of the sonic signals, whereby the ultrasonic data is distorted.

MARCO SYSTEMANALYSE UND ENTWICKLUNG GMBH


A fuse checker particularly adapted for use with miniature, plug-in fuses for testing the fuses while the fuses are in operative position in an electrical circuit. The checker includes a housing from which extend a pair of parallel contact points adapted for engagement with terminal tabs that lie within terminal access openings in a fuse housing. A ground lead is provided for completing the circuit, which includes a pair of light emitting diodes that have their lenses positioned to form part of the surface of a checker housing. A separate, current limiting resistor is applied between a respective LED and one of the contact points and the ground lead. The checker housing can be a hollow structure or it can be solid, to fully encapsulate the circuit elements that are positioned within the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact testing device for checking for current flow in an electrical circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a small, portable, hand-held testing device suitable for testing for current flow, including testing the operational integrity of miniature, plug-in, automotive-type fuses while the fuses are in position in a fuse block.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuses of the miniature, plug-in type have largely replaced in automobiles the formerly widely used cylindrical glass fuses that were prevalent in the past. Such plug-in fuses are most often found in a unitary fuse block positioned under the dashboard or along the lower, inner side panel in the forward part of the passenger compartment of an automobile for convenient access to all the fuses, to permit simple, rapid removal and replacement of fuses as necessary. Plug-in fuses have a colored plastic housing, and the fuse link, that often is a thin strip of metal having a low melting point, is more difficult to see when the fuse is in its receptacle than was the fuse link in the formerly-used clear glass fuses.
The operational integrity of a fuse is dependent upon whether the fuse link provides a complete electrical connection between the fuse terminals. One way the operational integrity of a plug-in fuse can be determined is by removing the fuse from the fuse block and holding the fuse housing toward a light source to view the fusible link that extends between the fuse terminals, to determine whether the link has melted or separated as a result of the passage through the fuse of an excessively high current. Because of the number of such fuses provided in a modern automobile, the total number of which can easily aggregate about 10 or 12, and because the markings on the fuse block that correspond with the functional circuit in which the fuse is operative are not always entirely clear, determining which of the number of the fuses in the fuse block might have become inoperative could require the removal, visual inspection, and reinstallation of several of the fuses.
Sometimes a continuity checker having a single probe point is utilized, but such a checker must be separately applied to each of the fuse terminals, which requires that two applications of the continuity checker, one application to each of the fuse terminals, be made to test a fuse.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple-to-use test device for testing for current flow in an electrical circuit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable, hand-held fuse checker that can be used to check the integrity of a plug-in type fuse without removing the fuse from the fuse block.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fuse checker that can be used to test the integrity of a fuse with only a single application of the device to simultaneously check both sides of the fuse without the need to have an operative electrical load connected with the fuse.

Fuse checker for testing integrity of a miniature, plug-in fuse while the fuse is installed in an electrical circuit


A pattern data processing device processes a pattern data adapted for controlling a sewing machine to attain a relative movement between a cloth to be stitched and a sewing needle of the sewing machine thereby forming a desired stitch pattern on the cloth. The pattern data processing device includes: a unit pattern storing device for storing a plurality of pattern data each for forming a unit-pattern; a reference pattern storing device for storing pattern data for forming a reference pattern inside or outside of which the unit-pattern is to be arranged and position-relevant data indicative of positions at which the unit-pattern is to be arranged inside or outside of the reference pattern; a unit-pattern selecting apparatus for selecting pattern data corresponding to a desired unit-pattern from the unit-pattern storing device; synthesizing device for a synthesizing a pattern data for a composite pattern in which the selected unit-pattern is arranged inside or outside of the reference pattern, on the basis of the pattern data of the selected unit-pattern and the pattern data of the reference pattern and the position-relevant data; and a composite pattern storing apparatus for storing the synthesized pattern data for the composite pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pattern data processing device for processing pattern data with which the relative movement between a cloth to be stitched and a sewing needle (i.e., a sewing operation) is controlled to form a stitch pattern corresponding to the pattern data onto the cloth.
2. Description of Related Art
There has been conventionally utilized a sewing machine for forming on a cloth various patterns, for example, a character pattern such as numerals, alphabets, etc., a figured-pattern such as illustration, ornament, etc., a frame pattern such as a linear line, a curved line, etc., and so on. With the use of the conventional sewing machine capable of forming the above patterns on the cloth, for example, a figured pattern G, a character pattern M and a frame pattern W can be automatically and individually formed on the cloth to form a composite pattern on the cloth, as shown in each of FIGS. 18(A), 18(B) and 18(C). In the case where the composite pattern as shown in each of FIGS. 18(A) through (C) is formed on a piece of cloth, a name tag is obtained. In the case where the composite pattern is formed on an outer surface of a bag formed of cloth at its position, for example, a bag of cloth integrally formed with a name tag is obtained.
In order to perform such a composite-pattern sewing operation, every time when the sewing operation for each of the patterns G, M and W is completed, an operator has to move the cloth while paying his or her attention to a relative stitching position between a pattern to be formed next and the previously-formed pattern (hereinafter referred to as "combination position of a pattern"), and then select the pattern to be formed next, to allow the sewing machine to automatically perform the sewing operation for the next pattern. The above-described operation is repetitively carried out until when the composite pattern (e.g., a name tag pattern as shown in FIG. 18) is finally formed on the cloth.
In the conventional sewing machine as described above, therefore, the operator has to determine the combination position of each two patterns with his sense. In other words, the operator has to move the cloth to the desired combination position for the next pattern manually paying his attention to the position. Therefore, the conventional sewing machine has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to accurately locate each pattern at a corresponding desired position (i.e., to accurately combine a plurality of patterns with one another at relative suitable positions with respect to one another). This is because the operator may not accurately grasp a size of a respective one of the plural patterns, a stitch-starting position and a stitch-ending position of the respective one of the plural patterns which are individually different from one another. Therefore, there has been conventionally frequently occurred the problem that a character array (an array of character patterns) erroneously protrudes beyond a frame pattern or the problem that patterns which are required to be linked with each other in design are formed erroneously separately from each other.

Pattern data processing device for sewing machine


An image reading apparatus for scanning an original in different directions is constructed by a light receiving unit to receive a reflection light from the original a transfer unit to transfer charges of the light received by the light receiving unit by using a transfer unit in accordance with the scanning direction a correction unit to correct an image signal outputted from the transfer unit and a control unit to control the correction in the correction unit in accordance with the scanning direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to image processing apparatus and method for correcting characteristics of reading means for reading an original.
2. Related Background Art
Generally, in an image forming apparatus, there has been known a method whereby an image of an original is read by an image input unit and converted to an electric signal and an image processing unit executes image processes to the electric signal and, after that, the processed signal is recorded as an image by an output unit such as a laser printer or the like. However, since the electric signal from the image input unit such as a CCD or the like depends on characteristics of the CCD, after the electric signal was corrected to a standard color space, various image processes are executed. According to such a correction, since the characteristics of the image signal from the CCD are always in the same state, an arithmetic operation by preset coefficients can be performed.
According to the conventional method, however, there is a problem such that when the characteristics of the image signal from the CCD are not always in the same state, it is impossible to correct in correspondence to each state.


Provided herein is a method including the steps of: establishing at least one policy in a centralized policy management framework (PMF), wherein the policy includes at least one policy condition; monitoring data traffic; determining if the data traffic at least substantially meets one of the policy conditions; sending a trigger to the PMF, if at least one of the policy conditions is at least substantially met; generating an enforcement decision at the PMF, wherein the enforcement decision includes at least one enforcement action; sending the enforcement decision to an enforcement function; and enforcing the enforcement decision. A system for realizing this method is also provided.

Deep packet inspection (DPI) is a type of packet filtering performed at the application layer, which takes into account packet payload data to determine the permissibility of a through-passing packet. DPI can utilize a variety of techniques such as, for example, standards compliance, protocol anomaly detection, malicious data detection, application control, signature matching, and behavior-based inspection along with traditional packet inspection techniques (i.e., source/destination Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and ports), to identify and classify data packets in order to obtain end-to-end visibility of the packet traffic traversing a network. Armed with this information operators can implement policies (e.g., quality of service (QoS) policies) to ensure subscribers are provided the level of service to which they are entitled. Accordingly, actions can be taken to properly enforce these policies. Actions can include, for example, allowing, blocking, destroying, rate limiting, and flagging a suspect packet or packet stream.
Traditionally, DPI is deployed in IP data networks for security and network operation purposes. For wireless networks, in addition to what traditional functionalities DPI provides, operators need to have the abilities to manage data services to avoid abuse of network resources. This need requires the ability to detect, analyze, and shape data traffic, and accordingly enforce policies for QoS and/or operator-dependent purposes. Due to the development of newer wireless communications equipment and the development of more sophisticated processing techniques, users can enjoy higher bandwidth connections to wireless networks via their wireless operator. More recently, with the advent of high-speed data access protocols such as Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), and High-Speed Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Packet Access (HSOPA), users have gained the ability to transfer large amounts of data, such as to implement file sharing, download movies, and/or download music files. The accessibility and widespread use of mobile devices (e.g., mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart devices, and laptop computers) increases the vulnerability of the wireless network to bandwidth abuse, security, and legal issues associated with the use (misuse) of the network.
Current DPI architectures for wireless networks incorporate policy management systems for provisioning and managing static policies. These systems provide no means for dynamically updating or creating new policies based upon analysis provided during DPI processes. In addition, these architectures are inflexible with regard to phased development and typically burden the policy enforcement point with the responsibilities of constantly monitoring traffic for enforcement conditions.
These and other deficiencies in the state of the art of DPI are addressed and overcome by the various exemplary embodiments provided herein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Policy-enabled dynamic deep packet inspection for telecommunications networks