A resin coated piston manufacturing apparatus for a shock absorber is provided with a means for pressing a piston raw material to a resin sheet until the resin sheet is locked to a resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material in such a manner as to be capable of reciprocating on a center axis of a set mold. The apparatus having an aligning guide mateable with an inner diameter of the piston raw material set to a piston set hole of the set mold. The aligning guide presses the piston raw material to the resin sheet so as to lock the resin sheet to the resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material, and can press the piston raw material to which the resin sheet is locked, to a heating and cooling cylinder apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a resin coated piston manufacturing apparatus for a shock absorber in which a resin sheet such as a tetrafluoroethylene resin or the like is adhered to an outer periphery of a piston raw material, in order to improve a sealing performance, an abrasion resistance and a sliding performance of a piston used in a hydraulic shock absorber for a motor vehicle or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent No. 3400080 (patent document 1) discloses a structure which aims to manufacture a resin coated piston for a shock absorber having a good quality by securely adhering a resin sheet made of a thin and soft raw material to a piston raw material without damage.
The prior art is structured such that in a resin coated piston manufacturing apparatus for a shock absorber in which a washer-shaped resin sheet is adhered to an outer periphery of a cylindrical piston raw material having a plurality of annular grooves in an outer periphery, there is provided: a set mold in which a resin sheet set hole is open to an upper end portion, a means for setting the resin sheet within the resin sheet set hole of the set mold, a means for aligning and setting a cylindrical piston raw material on the resin sheet set to the set mold, a means for pressing the cylindrical piston raw material to the resin sheet until the resin sheet is locked to a resin sheet locking annular groove of the cylindrical piston raw material, and continuously arranged heating and cooling cylinders having reciprocating ram pressing the piston raw material to which the resin sheet is locked, wherein the resin sheet set hole open to the upper end portion of the set mold has an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the washer-shaped resin sheet to be adhered, a concave portion having a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the piston raw material is formed in a lower side of the resin sheet set hole via a step portion, the step portion has a curved surface having a radius R of curvature, and an aligning guide to which an inner diameter of the piston raw material is capable of being fitted from a center of a lower concave portion is provided so as to extend to a center axis of the set mold.
Further, the prior art is structured such as to be provided with an injection jet holding a laminated body of the washer-shaped resin sheets having a center hole so as to move up and down along a vertical holding rod inserted to the center hole, and separating the top end resin from the resin sheet in a lower side thereof by injecting a gas in a tangential direction near the top portion of the laminated body, and a pressure reduction suction device adsorbing and holding the sheet in the top stage so as to set within the resin set hole of the set mold from the laminated body.
Further, in this prior art, the heating cylinder has an inlet end inner diameter D which is smaller than a dimension obtained by adding twice the thickness of the resin sheet to all outer diameter of the piston raw material, and an inner diameter E which is smaller than the inlet end inner diameter D from the inlet end via a taper portion. The cooling cylinder has an inner diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the heating cylinder, and is provided with a reciprocating plusher pressing the piston raw material to an upper end inlet of the heating cylinder from a resin sheet locking end portion so as to push forward at a predetermined press pitch.
Further, in this prior art, the structure is made such that a plurality of the set molds are provided on a turn table at spaced positions in a circumferential direction, the resin sheet set apparatus, the piston raw material set apparatus, the resin sheet locking apparatus and the heating and cooling cylinder apparatus are arranged around the turn table, and a control apparatus is provided in such a manner as to synchronously actuate the turn table, the resin sheet set apparatus, the piston raw material set apparatus, the resin sheet locking apparatus and the heating and cooling cylinder apparatus.
The prior art has the following problems.
(1) Since the cylindrical piston raw material is set on the resin sheet set to the set mold, it is necessary to be provided with the means for aligning and setting the piston raw material on the resin sheet, specifically, the aligning guide to which the inner diameter of the piston raw material can be fitted from the center of the lower concave portion of the set mold in an extending manner.
It is necessary to execute the operation of fitting the inner diameter of the piston raw material to the aligning guide during setting of the piston raw material into the set mold, complicating the piston raw material set apparatus.
(2) Since the cylindrical piston raw material is set on the resin sheet set to the set mold, it is impossible to simultaneously execute a step of setting the resin sheet to the set mold, and a step of setting the piston raw material to the set mold, extending the manufacturing time.
(3) Since the means (the pressing cylinder apparatus) for pressing the piston raw material to the resin sheet until the resin sheet is locked to the resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material is separately formed from the reciprocating ram (the press cylinder apparatus) pressing the piston raw material to which the resin sheet is locked, two cylinder apparatuses are necessary, and the structure becomes complicated.
(4) Since the means (the pressing cylinder apparatus) for pressing the piston raw material to the resin sheet until the resin sheet is locked to the resin sheet locking annular groove of the piston raw material is separately formed from the reciprocating ram (the press cylinder apparatus) pressing the piston raw material to which the resin sheet is locked, the step of pressing the piston raw material by the pressing cylinder apparatus is discontinuous from the step of pressing the piston raw material by the press cylinder apparatus, and the manufacturing time becomes elongated.
(5) The structure is made such that the means for setting the resin sheet to the resin sheet set hole of the set mold is provided with the injection jet injecting the gas in the tangential direction near the top end portion of the laminated body of the resin sheet so as to separate the resin sheet in the top end from the resin sheet in the lower side thereof and the pressure reduction suction device adsorbing and holding the sheet in the top stage so as to set within the resin sheet set hole of the set mold from the laminated body. It is necessary to adjust an injection pressure of the injection jet, and it is hard to always accurately and stably separate only one resin sheet. Since the pressure reduction suction device is used, a pressure reduction generating means such as a vacuum pump or the like is necessary.
(6) Since the inner diameter of the cooling cylinder is made equal to or less than the inner diameter of the heating cylinder, the resin sheet adhered to the piston raw material is caught on a boundary between the heating cylinder and the cooling cylinder during pressing of the piston raw material. Because the resin sheet is locked to the cooling cylinder via the heating cylinder, it is impossible to smoothly press, and there is a risk that the resin sheet hot formed within the heating cylinder is damaged.
(7) Since the resin sheet set apparatus, the piston raw material set apparatus, the resin sheet locking apparatus and the heating and cooling cylinder apparatus are arranged around the turn table, and the respective apparatuses are synchronously actuated, the number of the steps is totally four, extending the manufacturing time, and the manufacturing apparatus is enlarged in size.

Resin coated piston manufacturing apparatus for shock absorber


A light-emitting element includes a first conductivity type semiconductor base, a plurality of first conductivity type protrusion-shaped semiconductors formed on the semiconductor base, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer that covers the protrusion-shaped semiconductors.

A conventional rod-type light-emitting element having a light-emitting area increased as compared with light-emitting areas of planar light-emitting elements is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 (JP 2006-332650 A).
In the rod-type light-emitting element, as shown in FIG. 38, a first polarity layer 910 is formed on a substrate 900, and a plurality of rods 920 composed of an active layer that emits light are formed on the first polarity layer 910. The rods 920 are wrapped in a second polarity layer 930. The plurality of rods 920, consisting of the active layer, and the second polarity layer 930 constitute the rod-type light-emitting element.
According to this prior art, the rods 920 each emit light to entire surfaces and therefore attain increase in the light-emitting areas and increase in amount of light emitted from the light-emitting element.
In the prior art, however, the rods 920 are composed of the active layer, and the active layer exclusively serves to increase light emission efficiency by confinement of carriers therein and commonly has high resistance. In the prior art, it is necessary to increase length of the rods in order to increase the light-emitting areas. Thus there has been a problem in that the increase in the length of the rods involves increase in length of the highly resistant active layer, causes decrease in brightness of extremity parts thereof because of failure to pass a sufficient current to the extremity parts, and hinders obtainment of a sufficient emission intensity.
A conventional light-emitting diode of which a section is shown in FIG. 39 has been proposed (see Non-Patent Literature 1). In the light-emitting diode, a core 3001 made of n-type GaN, an InGaN layer 3002, an i-GaN layer 3003, a p-AlGaN layer 3004, and a p-GaN layer 3005 are sequentially formed into shape of a shell so that the latter four cover periphery of the core 3001. The InGaN layer 3002 and the i-GaN layer 3003 constitute an active layer.
In the conventional light-emitting diode, incidentally, selection of material for the core 3001 is restricted because the n-type core 3001 is used as an n-type electrode and because the material is selected with priority given to possession of a function as the n-type electrode. Therefore, it is difficult to freely select the material of the core 3001 and to make the core have desired properties. Thus making the core have the desired properties will increase the manufacturing cost and decrease the production yield.

Light emitting element and production method for same, production method for light-emitting device, illumination device, backlight, display device, and diode


An electro-optic device including a pixel circuit that includes an electro-optic element and a driving transistor; a first data generation unit that, during a first period when image display operation is not performed, detects a temperature and generates first data which allows control of brightness of an image in accordance with the detected temperature; and a luminance control unit that, during a second period when image display operation is performed, performs control of luminance of the electro-optic element on the basis of the first data which is generated during the first period.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a technology for controlling electro-optic elements for use in an electro-optic device or the like.
2. Related Art
Recently, display devices, each employing electro-optic elements, such as organic EL elements, which emit light with a luminance level in accordance with an amount of electric current flowing therethrough, have been in practical use. Such a display device, generally, uses pixel circuits each controlling an electric current supplied to the electro-optic element in accordance with an electric potential of the gate of a transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a "driving transistor"). The electric-current characteristic of the driving transistor varies depending on temperature. Thus, a variation of temperature results in a variation of the brightness of displayed images. In this regard, in JP-A-2011-221127, there has been disclosed a technology for detecting a temperature and correcting the luminance of electro-optic element on the basis of the detected temperature.
In conventional temperature correction methods, nevertheless, a correction for temperature has been made on the basis of a detected temperature on a real time basis. Thus, any correction error immediately results in a variation of the luminance of currently displayed images. In particular, in the case where the pixel circuit is formed on a silicon substrate, a sub-threshold region of the driving transistor is sometimes used as an operation area of the driving transistor. Since, in the sub-threshold region of the driving transistor, the electric-current characteristic thereof sensitively and largely varies, any real time process of measuring a temperature and controlling the luminance of a currently displayed image based on the measured temperature causes frequent and large variations of the luminance of the currently displayed image. Thus, there has been a problem that this frequent and large variations of the luminance of an image on a display screen result in the occurrence of flickering of the image.

Electro-optic device and electronic device


Device (1) for sealing a closed container (2) comprising a neck (3), the opening (3a) of which is plugged, and provided with an external annular lip (3b), the device firstly comprising an internal cap (5) for fitting coaxially over the neck (3) of the plugged container (2), comprising catching teeth (6) distributed angularly about the axis (7) of the cap, each teeth having a radially outwards elasticity starting from a position (FIG. 3) of snap-fastening under the annular lip (3b), secondly, means (9) of access, which are arranged on the cap (5), and thirdly, an external sleeve (10) for sliding coaxially against and on the outside of the catching teeth (6), including a circumferentially continuous band (10a) provided along one of its edges with an internal annular ridge which may be continuous or discontinuous, for snap-fastening under the rim (6a), when the said sleeve (10) is in the fitted position. The band is radially elastic so that it can be fitted onto the cap when the annular ridge (11) is in the snap-fastened position, but strong so as to be indivisible, unless the said sleeve (10) is permanently destroyed.

The present invention relates to connection with a closed container comprising a neck, the opening of which is plugged by a stopper made of a relatively soft material, for example made of elastomer, and provided with an external annular lip, the said rigid container being, for example, made of glass. As a non-exclusive preference, this connection is used to provide communication between, on the one hand, the aforementioned closed container and, on the other hand, another closed container comprising an end piece, the opening of which is also plugged by a stopper made of a relatively soft and elastic material. This definition applies to various applications among which is included therapy or the administration of a medicinal product, in which case the closed container contains, for example, an active ingredient in the form of a powder, and the other container consists of a flexible pouch containing a liquid medium which can dissolve the powder or active ingredient of the container or place it in suspension, this all being in order to obtain a medicinal preparation in liquid form ready to be administered to the patient.
A connection device, or connector, intended to be assembled in a leaktight manner, on the one hand, with a closed container as previously described, comprising tearable or puncturable tamperproofing means keeping the stopper sterile and, on the other hand, with another container as previously described, itself also comprising tearable or puncturable tamperproofing means keeping the stopper present in the opening of the end fitting sterile without having to remove the tamperproofing means of the two containers to be connected, is described and proposed in accordance with the document WO-9003536.
This connection device comprises:
a cap intended to fit coaxially over the neck of the container plugged with the stopper, and also covered around the annular lip by the tamperproofing means covering and sealing the whole of the external part of the stopper; this cap is also designed to be fitted over the neck 3 and for this purpose has radially outward elasticity so that it can snap-fasten, by means of an internal annular ridge, under the annular lip of the neck of the container; moreover, this cap comprises a coaxial collar lengthening it and forming an internal bore, which will be dealt with later, PA1 a transverse element made of a flexible and elastic elastomeric material, attached to and arranged inside the cap, including a transverse wall designed to come into contact with the external part of the stopper; this transverse element comprises an axial end piece or sleeve tube fitted in a leaktight manner over the perforating end of the needle which will be dealt with later, this sleeve tube being closed and perforable at its end sealing the needle, PA1 means for connecting with the inside of the container, through the stopper, comprising a piston mounted so that it can slide in the bore of the collar of the cap, and a central needle passing through the said piston and including the aforementioned perforating end, capped inside the sleeve tube or end piece of the transverse element made of elastomer. PA1 an axial and exterior sleeve tube which is of a single piece with the stopper made of elastomeric material, at its blind end forming a membrane which can be perforated by the central needle PA1 means for connection with the inside of the container, these consisting solely of a central or axial needle held in the aforementioned sleeve tube by its perforating end, PA1 a tubular cap sealed by a rim to the annular rim of the neck of the container, PA1 a protecting means or lid, lengthening the cap coaxially by use of a manual separation means, such as a circumferential line of weakness of the plastic, the lid and the cap together being arranged to cover the needle of the connection means, and especially its other perforating end, coaxially. PA1 first of all, the cap is designed to fit directly over the neck of the container, and come into contact with its wall, PA1 the transverse wall of the cap is made of a relatively hard material so that it comes directly to rest against the external part of the stopper, and it has a central opening for the passage of the needle from its disconnected position to its connected position, perforating the stopper, PA1 in addition, an external sleeve is provided which is designed to slide coaxially between and outside of the internal cap, having a circumferential continuous band, provided along one of its edges with an internal annular ridge for snap-fastening under the free rim of the internal cap; this band is sufficiently radially elastic to fit tightly against the internal cap and clamp the latter and snap-fasten by means of the annular ridge under the free edge of the internal cap, but strong enough to be indivisible, unless there is a desire to destroy it. PA1 a means for protecting the connection means from the outside is also provided, in leaktight contact with the collar of the cap. PA1 first of all, it makes it possible to make maximum use of the inherent viscoelastic properties of the stopper, in terms of sealing, both with respect to the outside and with respect to the inside of the container. PA1 the means of the invention also make it possible to get away with relatively high tolerances both on the stopper in terms of thickness and on the annular lip of the container, also in terms of thickness, which means that when the aforementioned tolerances are at a maximum, the inside of the connection device remains sealed to the outside. PA1 the connection device remains compatible with all standard containers as used particularly in pharmacy, and in accordance with the standards ISO4362-3 or ISO8362-1, PA1 the user has no visible or external means available which would allow him easily to force or to tamper with the connection device once the latter has been fitted permanently on the closed container. PA1 and this device can easily be fitted on the already-closed container without, in particular, modifying the lines or equipment used for packaging the product contained in the said container.
Such a device is not designed or suited to providing tamperproofing of the container with its stopper, because this tamperproofing is obtained by other means already present on the container. In particular, this device can be fitted and removed at will, relative to the plugged container.
Further, this device provides only temporary sealing, at the moment of connection, with each of the two containers in direct contact with their own sealing means.
A device for connection with a closed container, as previously defined, and completely closing this container, but without tamperproofing it in the sense that it is not put in place permanently on the container is described in accordance with the document U.S. Pat. No. C4624667.
This device interacts with a specific, non-standardized container which can be distinguished from the one described earlier by the presence of an annular rim running round the outside of the external annular lip and forming a housing for a flat, which is also annular, belonging to the stopper which in this case has a specific special shape.
The connection device proper comprises:
The cap previously described, of a single piece with the lid, does not fulfil a tamperproofing function in the sense that these elements may be detached from the annular lip of the container either deliberately or accidentally then put in place and bonded, for example, to this same lip, in which case the user has no visible indication or sign that the connection device has been tampered with, and particularly that the sterile conditions, in the case of the connection device being used in pharmacy or in therapy has been broken.

Device for connection with a closed container


A plurality of devices used alone or in combination for releasing moisture from a building are provided. The devices are especially suitable for use in new or existing masonry and frame buildings with low-slope roofs, on parapet walls and mansard roofs, and on masonry walls and foundation walls. The devices give buildings adequate wall and roof system ventilation and moisture vapor release portals so as to better prevent mold and other water related damage. The devices may be used individually or in combination wherein the devices are placed on or against a parapet wall, masonry wall or foundation wall of a building. Further, the devices may be used in connection with a joist or truss system of a building to prevent moisture damage to the joists or truss system and to prevent compromises and other structural integrity problems to a building which often occur with moisture.

A plurality of devices used alone or in combination for releasing moisture from a building are provided. The devices are especially suitable for use in new or existing masonry and frame buildings with low-slope roofs, on parapet walls and mansard roofs, and on masonry walls and foundation walls. The devices give buildings adequate wall and roof system ventilation and moisture vapor release portals so as to better prevent mold and other water related damage. The devices may be used individually or in combination wherein the devices are placed on or against a parapet wall, masonry wall or foundation wall of a building. Further, the devices may be used in connection with a joist or truss system of a building to prevent moisture damage to the joists or truss system and to prevent compromises and other structural integrity problems to a building which often occur with moisture. The devices are adjustable in size so as to allow them to be utilized in connection with virtually any size wall, which may eliminate waste and promote ease of installation.
Attempts have been made to provide construction devices that release moisture vapor from buildings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,750 to Clearfiled discloses a seal for a flashing joint on an open frame structure using a first barrier sheet having first and second adhesive strips on opposing primary surfaces proximate to opposing edges and running the length of the first barrier sheet by applying the first barrier sheet over the flashing joint with one edge below the flashing joint and adhering an adhesive strip to a building element below the flashing joint with the first adhesive strip and applying a second barrier sheet overlapping the first barrier sheet and adhere the first and second barrier sheets together using the second adhesive strip. The process can include applying flashing over the first barrier sheet and flashing joint and then overlaying the flashing with the second barrier sheet and sealing the second barrier sheet to both the first barrier sheet and the flashing.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,301 to Schilger discloses a building construction device for exterior building walls. The construction comprises an interior frame formed of a plurality of laterally spaced studs or beams, a layer of rigid insulation adjacent to the exterior side of this steel frame, exterior building cladding adjacent the exterior side of the rigid insulation and a plurality of low conductivity connectors, e.g. insulating plastic connectors or thin metal strips having an insulating plastic foam coating, extending through the layer of rigid insulation and connecting together the exterior cladding and the interior steel studs or beams. Vertical channels are formed adjacent both the inside and outside faces of the insulation layer to remove moisture. This provides the required structural strength with a minimum of thermal conductivity from the warm side to the cold side of the building envelope, while providing exterior drain channels and interior moisture removing channels.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,288 to Snipes, Jr. discloses a foundation vent assembly for a masonry foundation wall having a metal frame mounted in an opening registering with a crawl space area. The frame orients and supports a series of spaced vertical grill blocks matching the foundation masonry and integrated with the surrounding mortar joints, thereby providing a continuous appealing exterior appearance. The spaces between the grill blocks register with ventilation slots in the rear of the frame. The ventilations slots are covered by a screen mesh to prevent pest infiltration, and optionally covered with a pivoting damper for selective opening and closing, having a rear wall covering the opening with spaced screen vents. The grill blocks are aligned by tabs on upper and lower flange walls between the vents and provide for extension of the foundation mortar joints thereby providing a consistent overall facade.
However, these patents fail to provide a device for releasing moisture from a building as described in the present application. A need, therefore, exists for an improved device for releasing moisture from a building that has the features of the present invention.

Construction device for releasing moisture from a building


A transducer, and a method for manufacturing the transducer are provided. The transducer includes a substrate-side electrode provided in one side of an insulative substrate and an opposite plate including an opposite electrode disposed opposite to the substrate-side electrode, and which performs a function such as a reduction in impedance, conversion of capacitance, signal amplification, thereby achieving size reduction of the transducer itself. An upper plate is made of a silicon monocrystal and is arranged so as to face a substrate-side electrode. In the upper plate, an integrated circuit section which is an impurity region of an IC circuit is formed by a thermal diffusion method or an ion implantation method. By this transducer, an improvement in conversion efficiency, an improvement in productivity, and a size reduction of a mount system are achieved.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an example of a configuration of the conventional CMUT (Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer)-type ultrasonic transducer.
The conventional CMUT-type ultrasonic transducer comprises a substrate 104, a vibrating membrane 105 which sends and receives an ultrasonic wave, and a vibrating-membrane supporting section 101 which is provided in one side of the substrate 104 and supports the vibrating membrane 105 so that the vibrating membrane 105 faces the substrate 104. Also, a membrane-side electrode 102 formed in the vibrating membrane 105 is disposed opposite to a substrate-side electrode 103 formed in the substrate 104.
In the CMUT-type ultrasonic transducer provided with the above-described configuration, when the vibrating membrane 105 receives an ultrasonic wave (sound pressure), the vibrating membrane 105 and the membrane-side electrode 102 vibrate, and the ultrasonic transducer sends an electric signal concerning the received ultrasonic wave, based on the capacitance change which occurs at the time of vibration between the membrane-side electrode 102 and the substrate-side electrode 103. Also, DC voltage and AC voltage are applied between the membrane-side electrode 102 and the substrate-side electrode 103, thereby the vibrating membrane 105 vibrates and the vibrating membrane 105 sends an ultrasonic wave. Such a CMUT-type ultrasonic transducer has an excellent frequency response such as a wide band, a high sensitivity.
For example, the non-patent literature 1 discloses such a conventional CMUT-type ultrasonic transducer and a manufacturing method thereof. In the CMUT-type ultrasonic transducer described in the non-patent literature 1, at the time of a later-described wet etching, a nitride layer for protecting a substrate is formed on a silicon substrate, and a so-called sacrifice layer containing polycristal silicon is vapor-deposited on the nitride layer. Then, both a vibrating membrane containing nitride and a vibrating-membrane supporting section are vapor-deposited on the sacrifice layer, and a hole for removing the sacrifice layer is formed in the vibrating membrane, and then the sacrifice layer is removed by wet etching. Subsequently, the hole is filled, a membrane-side electrode is vapor-deposited on the vibrating membrane, and then a protective layer is formed on the membrane-side electrode.

Transducer, and manufacturing method of the transducer


The present invention relates to a long term storage stable multi-dose ready-to use or ready-to dilute pharmaceutical liquid formulation comprising pemetrexed or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an antioxidant, a preservative, a buffering agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable fluid. The invention also relates to a process of preparing the formulation, a kit and a method of treatment of patients having lung cancer by administering the pharmaceutical formulation to a subject in need thereof.

Pemetrexed belongs to the class of chemotherapy drugs called folate antimetabolites and is used in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. Pemetrexed is the active ingredient in the product available as ALIMTA® Injection by Lilly USA, as a sterile, white to light-yellow or green-yellow sterile lyophilized powder in single-dose vials for reconstitution. Each 100 mg or 500 mg vial of ALIMTA® contains lyophilized pemetrexed disodium equivalent to 100 mg pemetrexed and 106 mg mannitol or 500 mg pemetrexed and 500 mg mannitol respectively, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH.
ALIMTA® product requires reconstitution prior to intravenous infusion. The required dose prior to administration of the product to a patient in need thereof is calculated based on the patient's body surface area (BSA). In order to obtain the required dose, healthcare professionals need to reconstitute 2 or more vials to come up with one dose. The process of reconstitution requires several lengthy and complex steps comprising aseptically reconstituting each vial with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (preservative-free) followed by gently swirling each vial until the powder is completely dissolved so that the resulting solution is clear and ranges in color from colorless to yellow or green-yellow. In addition to this, the resulting solution is further diluted prior to administration.
One of the difficulties with the commercially available formulation of pemetrexed is that the administration process is complex and involves many steps. The procedure involves cumbersome reconstitution steps which add significant time in dose preparation and also presents cytotoxic safety issues for healthcare professionals administering the drug to patients. Although a single dose vial (100 mg and 500 mg) comprising pemetrexed lyophilized formulation is commercially available, the prescribing information states that any unused portion of drug has to be discarded as the formulation does not contain any preservative. Thus, such single dose lyophilized formulation is associated with certain concerns and limitations, such as, the aseptic reconstitution of dry powder is cumbersome and time consuming, there is a potential for dosing errors, exposure of the healthcare professional to cytotoxic vapors and wastage of remaining drug in vial after dose administration of the reconstituted medication. Furthermore, the lyophilization process is also time consuming and often incurs significant expense.
Notably, the reconstituted product and reconstituted-diluted product have limited stability as they have to be stored for no longer than 24 hours under refrigerated conditions and to be discarded after 24 hours from the time of reconstitution. The aqueous solution formulation of pemetrexed powder, when stored at room temperature for a longer period of time, unknown impurities may be formed. The relatively rapid formation of degradants is generally accepted as one of the factors which has prevented aqueous pemetrexed formulations having long-term stability from being commercially available.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,365 relates to a liquid formulation of pemetrexed, which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of pemetrexed, an effective amount of an antioxidant and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of monothioglycerol, L-cysteine and thioglycolic acid. However, the drawback of the formulation disclosed in the above patent is, it was reported that, when the formulation was stored at 25° C. for a long period of time, precipitation occurred, suggesting that the long-term stability of the formulation for a desired period cannot be guaranteed.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,832 relates to pemetrexed formulation comprising pemetrexed or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; N-acetyl-L-cysteine; and a citrate salt.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,608 is directed towards pharmaceutical composition comprising pemetrexed tromethamine, and water or an organic solvent, wherein the tromethamine is present in 40% to 90% by weight of the pemetrexed and the pharmaceutical composition is a liquid by virtue of inclusion of the water or the organic solvent.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,898 is directed towards long term storage stable pemetrexed-containing aqueous liquid pharmaceutical composition, comprising pemetrexed or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 1 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml L-methionine, and 0.005M to about 0.5M sodium citratetribasic, and an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable fluid, and preferably propylene glycol, wherein the composition has a pH of from about 8.0 to about 9.5.
WO 2016199053 describes a ready-to-use liquid parenteral pharmaceutical formulation of pemetrexed comprising pemetrexed diacid, one or more amino acids, one or more solvents, and optionally other pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants.
However, all attempts made in the past only provide either short term storage products, single dose formulations, or ready to use formulations. Thus, there exists a need for simple and cost-effective methods of formulating stable ready-to-use or ready-to-dilute multi-dose pemetrexed formulations having high and long term storage stability.
As pemetrexed formulation has limited stability and in view of degradation products formed during the storage, development of long term storage stable multi-dose pemetrexed dosage form such as an ready to dilute or ready to use injection is very challenging. Furthermore, the chances of microbial contamination occurring when such products are stored for long time are also high.
The present invention addresses the need for a pharmaceutically stable multi-dose pemetrexed formulation having long term storage stability and having regard to retaining the solution dosage form and avoiding unacceptable degradation of substances in the formulation.

Stable pharmaceutical formulations of pemetrexed


Merged and unmerged raised active regions on semiconductor fins can be simultaneously formed on a same substrate by control of growth rates of a deposited semiconductor material on surfaces of the semiconductor fins. In one embodiment, a growth-rate-retarding dopant can be implanted by angled ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of first semiconductor fins on which retardation of growth rates is desired, while second semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. In another embodiment, a growth-rate-enhancing dopant can be implanted by ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of second semiconductor fins, while first semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. The differential growth rates of the deposited semiconductor material can cause raised active regions on the first semiconductor fins to remain unmerged, and raised active regions on the second semiconductor fins to become merged.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure, and more particularly to a fin field effect transistor including asymmetric raised active regions, and a method of manufacturing the same.
One of the key design choices among fin field effect transistors is whether raised active regions formed by selective epitaxy are to be merged with one another or to remain unmerged. Each choice offers advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, fin field effect transistors including unmerged raised active regions benefit from lower contact resistance and improved direct current (DC) performance due to increased silicide contact areas corresponding to wrapping around of the silicides around the faceted surfaces of the unmerged raised active regions. On the other hand, fin field effect transistors including merged raised active regions benefit from reduced parasitic resistance between a gate electrode and contact via structures due to the reduction in the number of contact via structures. For this reason, it is desirable to have merged raised active regions for some fin field effect transistors, and to have unmerged raised active regions for some other fin field effect transistors.

Fin field effect transistor including asymmetric raised active regions


The present invention provides a look ahead architecture to satisfy the retransmit recovery time constraints in a mark and retransmit system while allowing a full bitline precharge. A number of sense amplifiers are provided in the look ahead architecture that may be equipped with a "shadow latch" to store the read data when the mark pointer is asserted. As a result, the data to be retransmitted will be retrieved from the shadow latches when the retransmit is asserted, allowing a full precharge cycle before reading from the memory array.

First-in First-out (FIFO) buffers may use mark and retransmit schemes to allow a user to return to a location in the FIFO and read data that was previously "marked" during the read cycle. When a mark pointer is asserted, the current value of the read pointer is stored for a subsequent retransmit. When a retransmit is asserted, the read pointer is updated with the mark pointer which indicates a location in the FIFO where the retransmit is to begin. For proper operation of the FIFO, the write pointer should not pass the mark pointer. Previous approaches implementing mark and retransmit schemes require the operator of the FIFO to ensure that the write pointer does not pass the mark pointer.
Certain known constraints hinder the ability of the retransmit function to have a quick recovery time. Look ahead architectures may be implemented in high performance FIFOs to allow the read pointer to look ahead of its current location so that the information may be accessed faster during a read from the FIFO. A mark and retransmit scheme may interrupt the look ahead architecture due to precharging requirements of the bitlines. Data corruption due to charge sharing on the bitlines may occur without the proper precharge time. To avoid data corruption due to charge sharing, the bitlines of the FIFO should be precharged before the read wordlines are asserted. Another known constraint is that the mark pointer may be set at any word in the FIFO. The FIFO must then initiate a bitline precharged cycle upon the assertion of a retransmit. The more words in the memory array, the longer the precharge cycle time. For large memory arrays, the long precharge cycle creates an unacceptably long retransmit recovery time.
Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit 10 is shown illustrating a previous approach mark and retransmit system implemented with registers to store data for retransmit. The circuit 10 generally comprises a write in register 12, a retransmit lower register 14, a retransmit upper register 16, a holding register 18, a read out register 20 and a read hold register 22. A write data signal is received at an input 24 of the write in register 12. The write data signal is also presented to a bus 26. The bus 26 presents an output 28 representing the read data. The write in register 12 has an output 30 that presents a signal to a bus 32 as well as to an input 34 of the write hold register 18. The bus 32 generally presents a signal to the bus 26. The register 14 is connected through a bus 36 to the bus 32. Similarly, the registers 16 are connected through a bus 38 to the bus 32. The write hold register 18 has an output 40 that presents a signal to the bus 32. The read out register 20 presents a signal on an output 42 to the bus 32. The read out register 20 has an input 44 that receives a signal from the read hold register 22. The read hold register 22 has an input 46 that receives a signal from the memory array. The write hold register 18 also has an output 48 that presents a signal to the memory array. The retransmit lower register 14 and the retransmit upper register 16 begin storing the information when a mark signal is asserted. After a retransmit, data is read from the registers 14 and 16. However, the bitlines must first be precharged before reading, which may interrupt the look ahead architecture. While the registers accommodate the precharge, they generally require complex logic and consume a large amount of area on the chip.
The write in register 12, the retransmit lower register 14, the retransmit upper register 16, the write hold register 18, the read out register 20 and the read hold register 22 are shown generally implemented as 32-bit registers. While the circuit 10 may provide the appropriate mark and retransmit scheme, it becomes cumbersome to create such numerous wide bit registers.

High speed FIFO mark and retransmit scheme using latches and precharge


The present invention relates to stem cell factor analog polypeptide compositions, and vectors, host cells, and processes for recombinant DNA production of the present stem cell factor analogs. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also disclosed.

Stem cell factor ("SCF", see PCT Pub. No. WO 91/05795; also called kit-ligand, PCT Pub. No. WO 92/03459, mast cell growth factor, see PCT Pub. WO 92/00376 and Steel factor (or "SF" or "SLF") White, Cell 63: 5-6 (1990)) is hematopoietic factor which acts on hematopoietic progenitor cells. The gene encoding SCF has been cloned and expressed, e.g., Martin, et al., Cell 63: 203-211 (1990), and PCT Pub. No. WO 91/05795, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
One hallmark of SCF activity is expansion of primitive progenitor cells in the marrow and peripheral blood. Clinically, SCF may prove useful in a number of disease settings where myelosuppression results in significant morbidity and mortality. These settings include the use of SCF in: mobilizing progenitor cells for use in transplantation following myeloablative chemotherapy, priming the marrow before bone-marrow harvest for autologous bone marrow transplantation, and in accelerating hematopoietic reconstitution following standard-dose chemotherapy or myeloablative chemotherapy/total body irradiation.
SCF has numerous active forms, including a membrane bound version and a soluble version. See PCT Pub. No. 91/05795. C-terminal deletion analogs also have activity. For example, SCF 1-137 (with "1" referring to the first amino acid of the mature protein) demonstrates biological activity, and SCF 1-141 demonstrates more or less full biological activity. Langley et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 311: 55-61 (1994). SCF 1-165 having an aspartic acid at position 10, instead of an asparagine as in the native sequence (referred to as "N10D") has also been studied, and found to not appreciably influence the rate of dimer formation. Lu et al., Biochem. J. 305: 563-568 (1995). Certain covalently linked SCF dimers are reported in PCT publication WO 95/26199. Stability is reportedly increased by an intermolecular covalent linkages.
SCF analogs with increased biological activity and stability, such as those provided herein, would be desirable for consumers, as lower dosages may be used to achieve the same biological result. Such analogs would be desirable for producers, as a more active product results in more units of product being sold per production batch. Increased stability, particularly increased shelf-life, would be particularly useful for both consumers and producers. Thus, the present invention provides these advantages and satisfies the needs of consumers and producers.

Stem cell factor analog compositions and method


A new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant named ‘Evera153’, characterized by its upright and rounded plant habit; dark green-colored leaflets; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; large double red purple-colored flowers; flowers held upright on strong and erect peduncles; and good postproduction longevity.

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, commercially used as a potted Rose, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Evera153'.
The new Rose is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Fåborg, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new uniform potted Rose varieties with novel and attractive flower colors, disease resistance and excellent postproduction longevity.
The new cultivar originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor on Apr. 1, 2004 of a proprietary Rose selection identified as code number 03-0309, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unnamed Rose selection, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The cultivar Evera153 was discovered and selected by the Inventor on Mar. 10, 2005 as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Fåborg, Denmark.
Asexual reproduction of the new Rose by cuttings at Fåborg, Denmark since Dec. 20, 2005, has shown that the unique features of this new Rose are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


An energy conversion device comprises an acoustic resonator, a pulse combustion device for creating a standing wave within said resonator, and an electric alternator. The alternator is coupled to the resonator to convert acoustically driven mechanical vibrations into electrical power.

1) Field of Invention
This invention relates to Resonant Macrosonic Synthesis (RMS) resonators which are either pulse combustion driven or thermo acoustically driven for the purpose of energy conversion, having specific applications to electric power production.
2) Description of Related Art
History reveals a rich variety of technologies conceived for the purpose of electric power production. Of particular interest are those technologies designed to combust liquid or gaseous fuels in order to produce electric power.
Many types of internal combustion engines have been employed which convert the chemical potential energy of fuels into mechanical energy which is used to drive an electric alternator. However, internal combustion engines need frequent periodic maintenance and provide low conversion efficiencies. Currently, turbines provide the most efficient conversion of fuels, such as natural gas, into electric power. The design and manufacturing sophistication which is inherent in turbine technology can be seen in both their initial cost and operating cost.
Some effort has been directed to the field of standing acoustic waves as a means of electric power production. For example, it was suggested by Swift that the oscillating pressure of thermoacoustically driven standing waves could be utilized for driving an alternator to produce electric power (G. W. Swift, "Thermoacoustic Engines," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 84, 1166 (1988)). This would be accomplished by coupling a piston to an open end of the acoustic resonator and allowing the vibrating piston to drive a linear alternator. The piston would require a gas seal such as a diaphragm or bellows which raises issues of reliability. Moving pistons also limit the dynamic force which can be extracted from the standing wave, thereby limiting the thermoacoustic generator's efficiency.
Another application of standing acoustic waves to the production of electric power was reported by Swift which exploited Magneto Hydrodynamic effects in a thermoacoustically driven liquid sodium standing wave engine (G. W. Swift, "Thermoacoustic Engines," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 84, 1169 (1988)).
Pulse combustion (PC) is a further field of research where electric power production has been proposed in connection with standing acoustic waves. Other than Magneto Hydrodynamics the PC field has apparently received little attention as a means of producing electric power. Considerable research and development has occurred in the PC field dating back to the previous century. In the early 1920s pulse combustors first received attention as a means to drive electric power producing turbines as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,559 to Nikola Tesla. Most of the applications research performed today relates to producing either heat or propulsive thrust. For these applications, pulse combustors have always been comparatively attractive, due to their self-sustaining combustion cycle, inherent simplicity, and low production of pollutants. Putnam, Belles, and Kentfield provide a comprehensive history of pulse combustor development showing many of the embodiments and applications in the art of pulse combustion (A. A. Putnam, F. E. Belles, and J. A. C. Kentfield, "Pulse Combustion," Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 12, 43-79 (1986)). The field of PC research is very active with significant efforts taking place at institutions such as the Gas Research Institute, Sandia Combustion Labs, and various universities.
In summary, thermoacoustic engines have been proposed as a means of driving piston-actuated electric alternators to produce electric power. However, the concept is in need of certain optimizations, practical improvements, and simplifications. Little effort has been directed toward developing a practical system for utilizing PC-driven standing waves as a means of electric power production. When compared to contemporary technologies, such as gas turbines, a PC electric power generator would provide a fuel-to-electric conversion system of extraordinary simplicity.


Catalyst for hydrorefining hydrocarbon feedstocks including niobium trisulphide, said catalyst is particularly suited for the scission of carbon-nitrogen and carbon-sulphur bonds.

1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a catalyst for hydrorefining hydrocarbon feedstocks and to a hydrorefining process which makes use of the said catalyst.
2) Description of the Related Art
Petroleum and petroleum fractions are highly complex mixtures in which, besides the hydrocarbons, there are present compounds containing heteroatoms such as sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen These are generally impurities which are detrimental to the good quality of the petroleum products. In particular, they are responsible for problems related to pollution, corrosion, smell and stability. It is therefore important to remove them during the refining. This generally involves a treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst which promotes the rupture of the carbon-heteroatom bonds. This treatment is called hydrorefining.
Considerable research effort has been deployed to find efficient hydrorefining catalysts. The catalysts which are most commonly employed are based on nickel, molybdenum, tungsten or cobalt.
The remainder is prepared by impregnating alumina, generally gamma alumina, with an aqueous solution of metal salts. After impregnation the support is dried and then calcined.
The conversion of the metal oxides formed, into sulphides, takes place in the presence of sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, carbon disulphide, elemental sulphur, mercaptans or thioethers. This sulphurisation generally takes place in the presence of hydrogen.
Until now, niobium sulphide has stimulated little interest as a hydrorefining catalyst. Pecorado and Chianelli (J. Catal. 67 430 (1981)) have shown that bulk niobium sulphide has a weak activity for the hydrodesulphurisation of dibenzothiophene. Similarly, carbon-supported niobium sulphide is very weakly active in hydrodesulphurisation (Vissers, Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg. 93 813 (1984)) and in hydrodenitrogenation.
In all the studies the material involved is niobium disulphide, which is the most stable sulphur derivative of niobium and the one easiest to synthesize.
We have now found that another niobium sulphide, the trisulphide, which is difficult to synthesize and unstable in an atmosphere which is not rich in sulphur, exhibits remarkable catalytic properties.

Hydrorefining process employing a niobium trisulfide-containing catalyst


The present invention provides a motor including a stator around which coils are wound, a rotor disposed inside the stator, a rotating shaft coupled to the rotor, insulators positioned between the coils and the stator and including outer circumferential surfaces around which the coils are wound, and a motor housing configured to accommodate the insulators, wherein wings configured to arrange the coils are connected to the outer surfaces of the insulators, and an accommodation space configured to accommodate the wings is formed inside the motor housing.

Motors are apparatuses which convert electrical energy into rotational energy using a force received by a conductor in a magnetic field. Recently, as a use of the motor expands, a role of the motor becomes important. Particularly, as the number of electrical devices in vehicles rapidly increases, demand for the motor applied to a steering system, a braking system, a safety critical system, and the like is greatly increasing.
Generally, a motor includes a rotatably formed rotating shaft, a rotor coupled to the rotating shaft, and a stator fixed inside a housing, and the stator is installed to be spaced apart from the rotor along a circumference of the rotor. In addition, coils for generating a rotating magnetic field are wound around the stator, and the stator and the rotor induce an electric interaction to induce rotation of the rotor. When the rotor rotates, the rotating shaft rotates to generate or supplement various driving forces for running a vehicle.
Generally, in order to arrange coils positioned inside a conventional motor, various methods are used, wherein a structure of an insulator is changed, a busbar is applied thereto, or the like.
However, in a case in which coils are arranged by using a busbar, a height of a motor may be increased due to fixing of the busbar, and in a case in which an insulator integrated with a busbar is used, there is an advantage in terms of height of the motor, but a width of the motor is increased.
This is not consistent with the current trend toward miniaturizing a motor while the motor outputs the same output.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Motor stator insulator with rotatable wings


There is disclosed an electronic game apparatus comprising a plurality of player positions wherein each contestant is assigned a given player position, each position, each position having an equal number of target areas on a display by which each of the contestants proceeds from a first target area to a last target area, wherein the first contestant who activates all of the target areas in the shortest time interval wins, each target area having a light sensitive portion and a visual display portion, the light sensitive portion responsive to a user-controlled light emitting means for aiming and firing a light beam at the light sensitive portion to activate the target area, wherein the visual display portion is activated in response thereto to produce an illuminated pattern indicative of target activation.

Generally, the prior art is aware of numerous types of racing and shooting games which rely on speed and accuracy to determine a winner. Prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,950 issued on Oct. 22, 1996 to R. Senna entitled URINAL ARCADE GAME shows a water gun based game where contestants shoot a water gun into a replica urinal to become the first person to obtain a given water level in the simulated urinal and where a win display of lights and sounds is then provided to notify a winner. U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,229 issued on Nov. 22, 1994 to K. Suzuki entitled SHOOTING GAME MACHINE describes shooting a target projected onto a screen via a mirror using a light beam, photographing the screen with a video camera, and determining the x-y position coordinates to determine if the target has been hit. As one can see by the above and other patents, there are many structures in the prior art which pertain in general to racing and target apparatus. As one can ascertain from the above patents, however, the prior art devices are either relatively simple and do not disclose a sequential light-based target system, or are complicated and difficult to construct, employing camera devices and screen projections for determining target hits. As one can ascertain, it is a requirement the device serves to amuse the users of such device while presenting a reasonable display to enable the user to participate according to the nature of the display. Such devices may be employed for example at amusement parks, carnivals and other areas where games of chance and skill are employed in general.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light-based sequential target racing game which also utilizes unique display characteristics which operate to attract participants and to enable such participants to the apparatus and to enable such participants to operate the apparatus after the start of the race.

Electronic target game apparatus and method


In an end view, a cutting insert 10 comprises a first connecting part 30A which is inclined such that the first connecting part 30A travels in a first direction as it heads away from a second peripheral side surface part 18 and approaches a fourth peripheral side surface part 22, and also comprises a second connecting part 30B which is connected to a center point serving as an end of the first connecting part 30A and which is inclined such that the second connecting part 30B travels in a third direction as it heads away from the second peripheral side surface part 18 and approaches the fourth peripheral side surface part 22. A cutting edge 24 comprises: a first cutting edge part 24A which is formed on the first connecting part 30A so as to be distant, by a first distance L1, from a virtual plane PR1 including a center point C1; a second cutting edge part 24B which has, in a side view, a concave circular-arc shape having a second curvature radius smaller than a first curvature radius and which is formed on the second connecting part 30B so as to be distant, by a second distance L2 greater than the first distance L1, from the virtual plane PR1; and a third cutting edge part 24C connecting the first cutting edge part 24A and the second cutting edge part 24B.

The cutting of a workpiece material, such as a metal, has been conventionally performed using a cutting insert mounted on a tool body.
WO2016/047795 discloses a cutting insert in which, in order to stably fix the cutting insert to a tool body, a peripheral side surface thereof is provided with surfaces inclined so as to head away from a central axis of a through hole and is also provided with surfaces parallel to the central axis. Further, the side view shown in FIG. 4 of WO2016/047795 illustrates a bell-shaped major cutting edge 9 which comprises, in a portion thereof which intersects with a central axis O1, a circular-arc-shaped cutting edge having a small curvature radius, with such cutting edge serving as the apex of the bell-shaped major cutting edge 9.


Method and system for improving azimuth distribution. The system includes plural streamers towed by a streamer vessel; a central source towed by the streamer vessel; first and second front sources located in front of the plural streamers along a traveling direction of the streamer vessel; and first and second tail sources located behind of the plural streamers along the traveling direction. The offset distance between the first and second tail sources, along a cross-line direction, is larger than an offset distance between the first and second front sources.

Technical Field
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for improved azimuth distribution in seismic data acquisition.
Discussion of the Background
Marine seismic data acquisition and processing generate a profile (image) of a geophysical structure (subsurface) under the seafloor. This profile does not necessarily provide an accurate location for oil and gas reservoirs, but it may suggest, to those trained in the field, the presence or absence of oil and/or gas reservoirs. Thus, providing a high-resolution image of the subsurface is an ongoing process.
For a seismic gathering process, as shown in FIG. 1, a data acquisition system 10 includes a vessel 12 towing plural streamers 14 that may extend over kilometers behind the vessel. One or more source arrays 16 may be also towed by the vessel 10 or another vessel for generating seismic waves. Conventionally, the source arrays 16 are placed in front of the streamers 14, considering a traveling direction of the vessel 10. The seismic waves generated by the source arrays propagate downward and penetrate the seafloor, eventually being reflected by a reflecting structure (not shown) back to the surface. The reflected seismic waves propagate upwardly and are detected by detectors provided on the streamers 14. However, such a method results in data having poor azimuth distribution.
An improvement to this conventional data acquisition method is the use of wide-azimuth (WAZ) acquisition. In a typical WAZ survey, two streamer vessels and multiple sources are used to cover a large sea area, and all sources and streamers are controlled at a uniform depth throughout the survey. WAZ acquisition provides better illumination of the substructure and, thus, a better final image. However, the presence of ghosts (e.g., reflections of waves from the surface of the water back to the receivers of the streamers) in the acquired data still affects the final image due to the presence of notches.
A newer approach, rich-azimuth (RAZ) acquisition, shows promising signs for improving the final image. RAZ acquisition is the combination of multi-azimuth acquisition and wide-azimuth geometry. RAZ acquisition may be implemented by shooting a same cell in three directions, 30°, 90°, and 150°, each direction being shot in two passes. A rose diagram for such a rich-azimuth survey shows the benefits of rich-azimuth towed-streamer acquisition, i.e., continuous azimuth coverage from 0° to 360° and uniform offset distribution from 400 m to 8000 m for a 8000 m long streamer.
However, existing RAZ acquisition can further be improved because the number and distribution of the source arrays is not achieved, the size of the surveyed cell is not optimized, the linking of the surveyed cells is not efficient, the azimuth distribution is not as desired, etc. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks, and improve the accuracy of the final image.

Method and device for marine seismic acquisition


A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate retaining mechanism into which retaining members on which substrates are placed are installed to retain the substrates; a substrate transfer unit configured to transfer at least one substrate; a detecting unit configured to detect states of the retaining members installed into the substrate retaining mechanism; a determination unit configured to compare data representing the states of the retaining members, which is obtained by the detecting unit, with master data, which is reference data obtained by detecting normal states of the retaining members, beforehand to determine the states of the retaining members; and a transfer control unit configured to control the substrate transfer unit according to the determination of the determination unit.

As a type of a substrate processing apparatus, a batch type substrate processing apparatus includes a vertical-type reaction furnace, a boat that is a substrate retaining mechanism configured to retain a predetermined number of substrates to be processed (hereinafter referred to as 'wafers') such that the wafers are retained in a horizontal posture and a multistage manner, and a substrate transfer machine configured to transfer the wafers into the boat, and processes the wafers in the reaction furnace while the wafers are retained in the boat.
Conventionally, a wafer crack detecting mechanism is installed in a substrate processing apparatus to detect a defect occurring in a wafer, so that substrate processing may be prevented from being continuously performed when a defect (e.g., bending, a crack, or misalignment) occurs in the wafer due to a thermal stress caused by a temperature rise in the reaction furnace or a cooling process when the wafer is unloaded from the reaction furnace.
The wafer crack detecting mechanism includes a photo sensor, and detects the presence or absence of a wafer, a wafer crack, or wafer dropping in each of slots based on a waveform indicating an increase/decrease in the amount of light obtained by vertically adjusting an optical axis with respect to which the photo sensor radiates light in a horizontal direction in a manner that the radiated light is directed to a position of the wafer retained in the boat located about 5 mm to 10 mm toward a center of the wafer from a circumference of the wafer.
When a wafer is retained normally, the amount of light decreases starting from a lower part of the wafer and returns to its original level at an upper part of the wafer, and the state of the wafer is determined according to whether the amount of light falls within a reference level. When a matter other than the wafer is present in a region in which the optical axis and the wafer overlap, the matter is reflected in the waveform of the amount of light and it is thus determined that the wafer is in an abnormal state.
A substrate processing apparatus may be manufactured such that a ring-type retaining member is mounted on a boat and a wafer is placed on the retaining member so as to improve process performance conditions. However, if the retaining member is mounted on the boat, the retaining member may be present on an optical axis of the wafer crack detecting mechanism and a waveform of the amount of light may thus be influenced by the retaining member. Thus, the wafer crack detecting mechanism cannot be used in this case.
Furthermore, in this case, substrate processing is performed in a state in which the retaining member is mounted on the boat. In this case, deformation or misalignment of the retaining member may occur due to heat. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a mechanism capable of detecting whether deformation or misalignment occurs in the retaining member beforehand.

Substrate processing apparatus, method of transferring substrate, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and state detecting program


A preferred system and method for displaying a set of indicator coordinates in relation to a building information model includes a system administrator, a registration base and a headset unit. The system includes a headset including a display and a registration base for initial placement of the headset. The headset further includes a set of stereo cameras. The cameras capture an image of the construction site and overlay an image which includes the indicator coordinates. A position of the headset is determined relative to the registration base from motion sensors. A set of indicator coordinates is downloaded and projected to the display based on the position and orientation of the headset.

A major goal of any contractor in the building industry is timely job completion. Hence, efficiency is a paramount concern.
Scheduling of construction projects often requires numerous subtasks. The subtasks are often interdependent. These subtasks must necessarily be completed in order to maximize efficiency. For example, electrical conduit and foundation pads must be in place before installation of electrical equipment can begin. If an error is made in any interdependent subtask, it must be corrected before other tasks can proceed. Hence, correcting errors made in interdependent subtasks is expensive and time consuming because it often delays project completion.
As an example, heavy equipment such as cranes and elevators are scheduled to be on site at specific times when they are needed. If errors in subtasks are made, then the equipment must be either stored or rescheduled quickly, leading to increased construction costs and delay in project completion.
In a similar way, delivery of certain engineering, mechanical and scheduling information is critical to timely project completion. For example, engineering change orders, site drawings, schematics, photographs, tool type and location, physical equipment specifications and diagrams and repair manuals and parts lists for heavy equipment all are required to be easily available at a construction site for maximum efficiency. Other critical construction information includes queuing times and scheduling times for skilled personnel, tools and equipment. Any delay in receiving such critical information can effect timely project completion.
In order to be useful, construction information is generally accessed in the field at a construction site by paper drawings or in some cases, on a laptop computer. However, neither paper drawings nor laptop computers display the information to scale. Viewing information in this manner is often difficult to do and can lead to dangerous and costly mistakes.
Modern construction projects have attempted to remedy many of the inefficiencies caused by lack of timely information delivery and errors in interdependent subtasks by employing a consolidated building information model (BIM). The BIM is a set of computer graphics files that, when viewed on a CAD system, provide the current displays of wire frame models of structures in the completed construction project. The BIM also usually includes locator points on surfaces in the model which serve as identification points for the placement of equipment to be installed in the building such as transformers or generators or for post construction modification such as through holes, ducting installation and conduit installation. The CAD display is layered in a manner that allows all separate views and accurate representations of all structures, physical equipment, wiring and plumbing. While the BIM has helped coordination of tasks and schedules, it is still not completely satisfactory because it is not easily accessible in the field. Further, the BIM does not address schedules or query times.
The prior art has attempted solutions to solve some of these problems with limited success. For example, U.S. Publication No. 2014/0184643 to Friend discloses a system and method of dynamically coordinating machines and personnel about a physical worksite using augmented content on an operator display device. To receive the augmented content, which is generated by an off-board management system, the operator display device is associated with a transmitter/receiver attached to a machine, such as an excavator or bulldozer. A position of the machine or personnel is determined by a GPS system or a laser scanning system. The operator display device includes a visor or goggles with transparent lenses, a scaled-down controller that includes a processor or other electronics to communicate with a personnel transmitter/receiver carried by a person and a controller that processes information signals received from the off-board management system and project them on the lenses of the operator display device. The augmented content is projected in the person's field of view as an overlay superimposed on the surrounding environment to show restricted area for personnel, routes of travel for machinery, and areas designated for excavation. However, the operator display device of Friend cannot determine its position without a construction site. Further, it does not display or interact with a BIM model.
U.S. Publication No. 2014/0210856 to Finn, et al. discloses a system and method that integrates augmented reality technology with land surveying. A 3D digital model of internal elements of a building is generated using a 3D laser scanner upon installation of the internal elements, such as electrical and plumbing before wall panels are installed. The 3D digital model is associated with a set of markers that are placed on a finished wall in the building. The markers are used to project the generated 3D model on a mobile device, such as a smartphone, in view of a user. However, the system in Finn requires the 3D model to be generated once the internal systems are already installed, sometimes incorrectly, just prior to installing wall paneling. Therefore, the system in Finn cannot be used to prevent incorrect installation of building elements leading to costly construction overruns.
U.S. Publication No. 2014/0268064 to Kahle, et al. discloses a system and method for projecting an image on a surface in a building under construction. The system includes a projector mounted on a moveable support for supporting a worker at a work position in the building. The projector projects the image on a surface above the moveable support in response to an image signal defining the image to be projected. The projected image indicates the location of connectors, anchors, and holes to be affixed to, or cut through, the surface and features behind the surface. A positioning system for determining the two dimensional position of the projector includes a laser measuring system that projects a rotating beam of laser light that sweeps across the moveable support to determine the distance and heading of the moveable support. However, the system in Kahle is prone to error because the laser measuring system is easily misaligned in the construction environment, thereby providing an incorrect position to the projector. Further, the system must be attached to the moveable support and cannot be transported easily between construction sites.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a portable augmented reality system that provides access to virtual information accurately, in real time, at a construction site to prevent mistakes, thereby increasing the usability of the information and improving safety, time use and cost efficiency.

System for virtual display and method of use


In an embodiment, a flip flop circuit includes a master latch and a slave latch. The master latch comprises a storage element and at least two legs, including a data leg and at least one scan leg. The first node of the storage element may be driven by the data leg. The opposite node of the storage element may be driven by at least one of the scan legs. The slave latch may be coupled to the master latch.

The capability to test digital logic inside Integrated Circuits (ICs) is a chief concern of electronic system vendors. Many different forms of circuits are used for products, by commercial and industrial customers, including Integrated Circuits (ICs), electronic circuits, semiconductors, Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSICs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), circuitry on printed circuit boards (PCBs), nanotechnology circuits, and other types of circuits. With increasing functionality, circuitry is growing more dense and more complex, and testing is becoming an exponentially more difficult task. Scan is a method commonly used for testing circuitry. Types of scan include, but are not limited to, Boundary Scan, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), or other methods. Using scan, a user has direct access to testing flip-flops (also known as "flip flops" or "flops"), thereby bypassing datapath logic that is used in normal operation.
For a multi-gigahertz processor, speed improvement that saves just half of a gate delay may result in a product frequency speedup of 8 to 10 percent. It would be helpful that such a speed improvement also result in the same, or improved, scan functionality.

Scannable flop with a single storage element


The invention comprises a factor having the following characteristics:. a) It inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony and cluster formation; PA1 b) It has a molecular weight of about 8 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE; PA1 c) It has a weak anionic charge at pH 7.4 as shown by anion exchange chromatography; PA1 d) It has a flattened isoelectric titration curve as shown by anion exchange chromatography; and PA1 d) It is a protein.. The invention also comprises methods of making and using the factor and compositions comprising the factor.

This invention relates to biologically active factors. In particular, the invention relates to inhibitors of hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation.
There are several known stimulators and inhibitors of hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. For instance, regulatory molecules termed colony-stimulating factors (CSF) stimulate clonal macrophage and/or granulocyte expansion and differentiation from committed hematopoietic progenitor cells. Broxmeyer, Int. J. Cell Cloning, 4, 378-405 (1986); Broxmeyer and Williams, CRC Crit. Rev. Oncol./Hematol., 8, 173-226 (1988). Other substances are known which inhibit hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation.
One such inhibitor is lactoferrin (LF). In vitro. LF is reported to inhibit the production by mononuclear cells of CSF's which stimulate granulocyte and macrophage colony formation. Broxmeyer et al., J. Exp. Med., 148, 1052-1067 (1978); Pelus et al., J. Exp. Med., 150, 277-92 (1979); Broxmeyer et al., Blood, 55, 324-33 (1980); Bagby et al., J. Clin. Invest., 68, 56-63 (1981); Pelus et al., Cell Tissue Kinet., 14, 515-26 (1981); Broxmeyer and Platzer, J. Immunol., 133, 306-314 (1984); Fletcher and Willars, Blood Cells, 11, 447-54 (1986). LF may act directly on the monocytes to inhibit production of CSF's, but evidence has also been presented that LF inhibits the production of CSF by suppressing the production by monocytes of a monokine (e.g., interleukin-1) that recruits other cells (such as skin-derived human fibroblasts) to produce CSF. Bagby et al., J. Clin. Invest., 71, 340-44 (1983); Zucali et al., Blood, 74, 1531-36 (1989). See also. Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 13, 31-48 (1987).
In vivo, iron-saturated human LF decreases the cycling status and the absolute numbers of murine marrow and spleen granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E) and multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitor cells, whereas heat-inactivated LF does not. Gentile and Broxmeyer, Blood, 61, 982-93 (1983); Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 13, 31-48 (1987). It is believed that the myelosuppressive effects of LF in vivo may result indirectly from the decreased release of growth factors. Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 13, 31-48 (1987); Broxmeyer et al., J. Clin. Invest., 79, 721-30 (1987).
Acidic isoferritin (AIF) has been reported to inhibit colony formation by CFU-GM, BFU-E and CFU-GEMM progenitor cells. Broxmeyer et al., J. Exp. Med., 153, 1426-44 (1981); Broxmeyer et al., Blood, 60, 595 (1982); Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 10, 397-426 (1984). In mice, human AIF suppresses the numbers of CFU-GM, BFU-E and CFU-GEMM per femur, decreases the cycling status of these cells and decreases the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 10, 397-426 (1984); Broxmeyer et al., Blood, 73, 74-79 (1989). There is evidence that the inhibitory activity resides in a subpopulation of AIF molecules. Broxmeyer et al., Blood Cells, 10, 397-426 (1984). Some cell lines producing AIF are also reported to produce other unidentified inhibitory activities. Broxmeyer et al., Blood, 60, 595-607 (1982).
In vitro, prostaglandin E (PGE) inhibits the proliferation of CFU-GM, selectively inhibits CFU-GM in S-phase of the cell cycle and demonstrates a preferential inhibitory effect on monocytopoiesis. Pelus et al., J. Exp. Med., 150, 277-92 (1979); Pelus et al., Cell Tissue Kinet., 14, 515-26 (1981); Pelus and Gentile, Blood, 71, 1633-40 (1988). Intravenous administration of prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) to rebounding or normal mice results in significant inhibition of total nucleated cellularity and absolute number of CFU-GM in spleen and bone marrow, preferential inhibition of monocyte production, and selective inhibition of CFU-GM in S-phase of the cell cycle. Gentile et al., Blood, 62, 1100-1107 (1983); Gentile and Pelus, Exp. Hematol., 15, 119-256 (1987); Pelus and Gentile, Blood, 71, 1633-40 (1988).
Pelus and Gentile, Blood, 71, 1633-40 (1988) reports that the intravenous injection of PGE.sub.2 into intact mice induces a suppressor mechanism capable of suppressing CFU-GM Inhibition of CFU-GM proliferation was observed using either bone marrow or spleen cells from such mice or by using conditioned medium (CM) prepared by culturing the bone marrow or spleen cells. The article further teaches that the CM suppresses BFU-E, as well as CFU-GM, indicating that the inhibitory activity is not restricted to granulopoiesis. The molecular weight of the inhibitory activity was estimated to be about 4-6,000.
Gentile and Pelus, The Journal of Immunology, 141, 2714-20 (1988) further describes this inhibitory activity found in CM prepared by culturing cells from mice that have been injected with PGE.sub.2. The article teaches that morphological analysis of CFU-GM revealed an equivalent inhibition of monocyte, monocyteneutrophil and neutrophil CFU-GM in contrast to the preferential effect of PGE.sub.2 on monocytopoiesis. The inhibitory activity found in the CM was lost when the CM was treated with heat (56.degree. C. for 30 minutes or 100.degree. C. for 5 minutes), trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase, and neuraminidase, but not when treated with lipase. The article reports that acrylamide-agarose gel filtration of the bone marrow CM revealed an active inhibitory fraction in the range of 5.5 to 8.0 kDa.
Taniguchi et al., Blood, 73, 907-913 (1989) reports that CM prepared by culturing cells taken from patients suffering from hairy cell leukemia inhibits the growth of granulocyte and erythrocyte colony forming cells. However, the hairy cell CM did not inhibit colony formation by all CSF's that stimulate granulopoiesis, and the erythrocyte precursors were also heterogeneous in their response to it. The article reports that the inhibitory activity in the CM is nondialyzable, fairly stable to heat treatment and destroyed by treatment with trypsin. The CM was fractionated, and activity against granulopoiesis was found in fractions having molecular weights in the range of 4,000-8,000 and over 160,000. Using another fractionation method, the inhibitory activity against granulopoiesis was found in only one peak of 5,000-6,000 daltons. The characteristics of the inhibitory activity in the hairy cell CM were compared to those of other inhibitors of hematopoiesis in the Discussion section of the Taniguchi et al. article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,991 describes an inhibitor of the proliferation of normal and leukemic myeloid cells. The inhibitor is purified from an extract of white blood cells (granulocytes) isolated from blood or from an extract of an animal organ containing granulocytes. The patent reports that the inhibitor is a polypeptide and that its amino acid composition is Tau.sub.1, Asx.sub.1, Ser.sub.2, Thr.sub.1, Glx.sub.3, Gly.sub.2, Ala.sub.1 (PO.sub.4).sup.2-. From this amino acid composition, the molecular weight can be calculated to be about 1360. The patent further reports that the inhibitor's point of attack is the G.sub.1 phase of the cell cycle and that the inhibitor is thermostable.
Yet another inhibitor is described in Frindel and Guigon, Exp. Hemat., 5, 74-76 (1977). The inhibitor is a cell-free extract of fetal calf bone marrow. The article reports that the extract inhibits the proliferation of bone marrow colony forming cells in irradiated mice and that the inhibitor may have a rather low molecular weight since it is dialyzable.
Wright and Lorimore, Cell Tissue Kinet., 20, 191-203 (1987) teaches that medium conditioned by normal murine bone marrow cells contains an inhibitor of hematopoietic spleen colony-forming cell proliferation. The inhibitory activity can be concentrated in a nominal 50-100,000 molecular weight fraction.
Finally, Rogers et al., Cellular Immunology, 50, 82-93 (1980) describes a factor capable of nonspecifically suppressing phytohemagglutinin lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin lipopolysaccharide-induced mitogenesis. The factor was prepared by culturing glass-adherent T cells in the presence of PGE.sub.2. The article teaches that the culture supernatants contain at least two suppressors with approximate molecular weights of 35,000 and 5,000. The inhibitory activity was resistant to boiling and treatment with RNase and DNase, but was sensitive to treatment with proteases.


An image processing device according to the invention includes: a lens information acquisition unit; a color mixture information determination unit; mosaic image acquisition unit that, when the color mixture information determination unit determines that the color mixture information is unidentified, reads, from the color imaging element, a second mosaic image obtained by reducing the number of types of first pixels in the first mosaic image which includes a pixel of a first color formed by at least one color and a pixel of a second color formed by at least one color and in which the number of types of first pixels determined by the arrangement of pixels that are adjacent to a first pixel, which is the pixel of the first color, at a minimum pixel pitch in four directions is equal to or greater than 4; a color mixture correction unit; and a synchronization unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, and an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique for reducing or excluding the influence of color mixture between pixels on a mosaic image corresponding to the arrangement of color filters which are provided in a single imaging element.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, color mixture occurs due to the leakage of light from adjacent pixels in an imaging element having a mosaic-shaped color filter arrangement.
There is a problem in that color reproducibility (image quality) is reduced when digital signal processing is performed on RGB color signals (which is also referred to as three-layer color data) with a large amount of color mixture to generate an image. In addition, there is a problem in that it is impossible to accurately calculate a white balance (WB) gain for WB correction from the RGB color signals with a large amount of color mixture.
JP2010-233241A and JP1996-023542A (JP-H08-023542A) disclose a technique for removing a color mixture component from a color signal including the color mixture component.
An image processing device disclosed in JP2010-233241A uses a mosaic arrangement in which green (G) signals are arranged on a checkered board to suppress noise, such as a false color.
An imaging apparatus disclosed in JP1996-023542A (JP-H08-023542A) has a structure in which red (R) filters and blue (B) filters are arranged in an offset structure for every three pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction and transparent (Y) filters are arranged between the R filter and the B filter, thereby improving sensitivity and resolution.

Imaging apparatus that generates three-layer color data on the basis of a first mosaic image