Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to manage bias levels of components in an image forming unit. A photoconductive surface is charged to a first bias level, a developer member is charged to a second bias level, and an imaging unit selectively discharges image feature locations on the photoconductive surface to a third bias level. In certain regions having a predetermined image feature density, the imaging unit may discharge an area in the vicinity of the image features to a fourth bias level that is between the first and third bias levels. The amount by which the imaging unit discharges the area in the vicinity of the image features changes as image feature density changes and as the difference between the first and third bias levels change.

The electrophotography process used in some imaging devices, such as laser printers and copiers, utilizes electrical potentials between components to control the transfer and placement of toner. These electrical potentials create attractive and repulsive forces that tend to promote the transfer of charged toner to desired areas while ideally preventing transfer of the toner to unwanted areas. For instance, during the process of developing a latent image on a photoconductive surface, charged toner particles may be deposited onto latent image features (e.g., corresponding to text or graphics) on the photoconductive surface having a lower surface potential than the charged particles. At the same time, the charged toner particles may be prevented from transferring or migrating to more highly charged areas (e.g., corresponding to the document background) of the same photoconductive surface. In this manner, imaging devices implementing this process may simultaneously generate images with fine detail while maintaining clean backgrounds.
The precise magnitudes of these electrical potentials and the nature of the voltages (e.g., AC or DC) varies among devices and manufacturers. In general, however, a laser or imaging source is used to illuminate and selectively discharge portions of a photoconductive surface to create a latent image having a lower surface potential than the remaining, undischarged areas of the photoconductive surface. The toner is charged to some intermediate level between the discharge potential of the latent image and the surface potential of the undischarged photoconductive surface. The toner may be charged triboelectrically and/or via biased toner delivery control components, such as a toner adder roll, a doctor blade, and a developer roller. The developer roller supplies toner to develop the latent images on the photoconductive surface. The developed image is ultimately transferred onto a media sheet, typically by employing yet another surface potential that attracts the toner off of the photoconductive surface (or an intermediate transfer surface) and onto the media sheet where it is ultimately fused.
The various surface potentials may be optimized to strike a balance between maintaining clear backgrounds while producing quality images with fine detail. For example, the surface potential of a developer roller may be optimized to develop images with a desired toner density. Another variable termed a "white vector" may be optimized as well. White vector refers to the difference between the surface potential of the developer roller and the surface potential of undischarged portions of a photoconductive surface. An optimal white vector achieves certain desirable characteristics, one of which is to provide a clean media sheet with little or no appreciable background toner in areas other than where printing is desired. Very large white vector values may adversely affect the density of deposited toner and detail of a resulting image. This problem may be more apparent with fine, isolated features where the illumination energy applied to form such features may be insufficient to discharge the photoconductive surface. Conversely, as white vector values fall, unwanted background may begin to appear.
In addition, image quality may be affected by imaging power. Imaging power affects the formation of the latent image on a photoconductive surface. For instance, a low imaging power may be insufficient to discharge the photoconductive surface, particularly with a large white vector. One method of overcoming this problem is to locally control the background energy density on the surface of the photoconductor, particularly in the vicinity of isolated features or isolated clusters of features. The background energy or charge on the photoconductive surface may be controlled on a global basis through some combination of white vector control and discharge via illumination. However, print density variations may call for local control over background energy. As a result, improved image production may be obtained through local modifications of background energy density on the basis of feature density.

Background energy density control in an electrophotographic device


This invention concerns cleaning compositions like laundry compositions containing a chondroitinase enzyme. More in particular, the invention relates to compact detergent compositions, granular and liquids as well containing said chondroitinase enzyme.

Performance of a detergent product, for use in washing or cleaning method, such as a laundry method, is judged by a number of factors, including the ability to remove soils, and the ability to prevent the redeposition of the soils, or the breakdown products of the soils on the articles in the wash.
Stains comprising body soils like skin flakes and sebum based stains are often difficult to remove effectively from a soiled substrate. The substrates can be fabrics like collar, sleeve, underwear, but also towels, sheets or clothes.
Chondroitin sulphates B are common in skins. They are proteoglycans, also called protein polysaccharides with a total MW of 2.times.10.sup.5 to 2.times.10.sup.6. They contain between 20 to 60 polysaccharide chains per molecule.
It is known that chondroitinase enzymes have the ability to degrade the complex polysaccharide chains found in chondroitin sulphates. In the art chondroitinases are used in the pharmaceutical or medical field. commercially available are the chondroitinase enzyme types ABC, AC, B and C from Sigma.
In the Japanese patent application J04330280 (Seikagaku) is disclosed a stabilised dry chondroitinase ABC enzyme with good storage stability and suitable for use in medical injection.
In EP 576 294 (Seikagaku) is disclosed a crystallisable purified chondroitinase ABC used in a composition together with serum albumin and gelatin to treat intervertebral disc displacement. When used as a drug the activity is apparently hardly lost.
However, benefits for use of chondroitinase ABC, AC, B and/or C in cleaning compositions have not been previously recognized.

Cleaning compositions comprising chondroitinase


A manufacturing method for a ferroelectric memory device includes: forming a ferroelectric capacitor on a substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode; forming a first hydrogen barrier film that covers the ferroelectric capacitor by a chemical vapor deposition method; forming a dielectric film on the first hydrogen barrier film; forming a sidewall composed of the dielectric film on a side of the ferroelectric capacitor by etching back the dielectric film; forming a second hydrogen barrier film on the first hydrogen barrier film and the sidewall by a chemical vapor deposition method; and forming an interlayer dielectric film on the second hydrogen barrier film.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a ferroelectric memory device having a ferroelectric capacitor.
2. Related Art
A ferroelectric memory device is generally provided with a ferroelectric capacitor having a ferroelectric film composed of metal oxides. In the process for manufacturing such a ferroelectric memory device, if the ferroelectric film, after having been formed, is exposed to a reductive atmosphere such as hydrogen (H2) or water (H2O), the ferroelectric film is reduced, such that the electrical characteristics of the ferroelectric material is changed, causing a deterioration of the ferroelectric capacitor characteristics. In order to prevent this hydrogen damage, usually, a dielectric film having a hydrogen barrier function (AlOx or the like) is deposited on the capacitor as a hydrogen barrier film, after the capacitor is formed. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-119978 may be an example of relevant art. According to a known method in which hydrogen barrier films are provided, two hydrogen barrier films are formed. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-183843 may be an example of relevant art.
In case of a ferroelectric memory device having capacitors in a stacked structure, the capacitors can be densely disposed, and a ferroelectric memory cell array can be composed. However, when the capacitors are densely placed, a gap-fill technique is required for filling gaps between the capacitors with dielectric films. If the capacitors are covered by a dielectric layer without completely filling of the gaps between the capacitors, unfilled portions remain as voids, residual gas may stay there, and the gas causes the deterioration of the ferroelectric material with the passage of time, whereby the device reliability is lowered.
When gaps between adjacent capacitors are large enough, the capacitors could be covered without voids by an ordinary film forming method, such as, for example, a CVD method, without any special gap-fill technique.
However, in recent years, there have been greater demands for further miniaturization and higher integration of ferroelectric memory devices, and there are also demands for higher density in the capacitor arrangement. For example, the gap between adjacent capacitors is required to be less than 0.5 μm. When the gap between adjacent capacitor becomes so narrow, it would be difficult to fill the gap with the ordinary film forming method described above.
Generally, in ordinary wiring processes of the semiconductor manufacturing, narrow gaps between Al wirings are filled with high-density plasma (HDP) SiO2 films or SOG (spin-on-glass) films which have excellent coverage abilities.
However, in the process for manufacturing ferroelectric memory devices, gaps between the capacitors need to be filled without deteriorating the characteristics of the ferroelectric capacitors as described above, and this requirement causes greater difficulty compared to the case of filling gaps between metal wirings. The characteristics of the capacitors are damaged by both the high density plasma and the chemical attach of the hydrogen or water generated during the HDP or SOG film formation. For this reason, dielectric film forming and gap-filling techniques without any damage to the capacitor are required.

Manufacturing method for ferroelectric memory device


A subterranean pump is delivered on coiled tubing with power and control cables running inside. The pump suction has a tubular inlet that seals in a polished bore in the surrounding tubular. A diverter opens a lateral port and closes entry to the pump suction when the pump is not running and the formation pressure is high enough to bring production to the surface. This configuration prevents the pump from turning while the formation pressure allows production to the surface. If the pump is started it reduces pressure ahead of a movable plug to draw it toward the pump against a spring bias. The lateral ports close and an inline flow path opens to allow the pump to draw through the diverter and discharge into the annular space around the coiled tubing on the way to the surface.

When ESPs are installed in a wellbore they are not always operated. If the formation has enough pressure to produce on its own without the need for the pump to run then the pump is left off. The problem has been that the formation produces particles that can settle if production is stopped for any reason and accumulate in the pump. The large deposit of solids in the ESP can cause damage when the pump is later turned on. The shaft can break from being over-torqued or the impellers can get jammed and not turn.
Diverters have been put in the discharge of the ESP that use the pressure developed by the ESP to shift a sleeve to close a lateral port while at the same time opening a path between the pump discharge and the diverter that is a through path for pumped fluids. Conversely when the pump is turned off the reduction of internal pressure allows a sleeve to shift to open a lateral port through the diverter while closing the through port back to the ESP. What this does is to redirect the settling debris or particles out of the discharge piping just above the ESP discharge connection and send the solids back into the wellbore rather than into the pump discharge where they can later cause damage when the pump is restarted.
Some examples of flow responsive diverter valves include: GB 2,411,416 A; WO 02/14650; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,571,856; 4,749,044; 3,907,046; US 2004/0159447; US 2006/0225893; US 2001/0042626; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,020; 6,595,295 and 6,571,876. Other techniques to protect and ESP from debris accumulation when it is not running are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,048,057 and 7,431,093 and US Publication 2007/0274849; WO2007/083192; WO2007/026141 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,990. Also of general interest is U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,308.
These devices worked well when installed in the pump discharge piping but not all installations involved a pressurized discharge line from the pump. In some cases the pump was installed inside a tubular string such that its suction line entered a polished bore receptacle (PBR). The pump was positioned in the subterranean location with a string such as coiled tubing that had power and instrumentation cables inside the coiled tubing. The pump discharge was into the annular space around the coiled tubing rather than through the coiled tubing. In such applications the known diverter valves would not function for their intended purpose as that purpose was only accomplished when such known diverters were in the discharge line of a pump where an interruption of pump operation allowed solids to move by gravity potentially into the inside of the pump through the discharge line.
The present invention addresses this different situation where the discharge of the pump is an annular space and provides a way to isolate the pump suction when the pump is off while allowing a reconfiguration urged by the startup of the pump to move a sleeve to overcome a bias so that a lateral port is closed and flow can enter the pump suction around an internal movable barrier. Those skilled in the art will better appreciate the details of the invention from a review of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the associated drawings while recognizing that the full scope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

Automatic bypass for ESP pump suction deployed in a PBR in tubing


A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device includes at least an IC region and a SAW element region. A semiconductor element layer and wiring layer is located in the IC region, and the semiconductor element layer has a semiconductor element and an element insulating film. The wiring layer is formed by stacking wiring to connect with the semiconductor element and a wiring insulating film extending to the SAW region. The semiconductor element layer further includes a piezoelectric thin film formed above the wiring insulating film, and in the SAW element region, a SAW element is formed on the piezoelectric thin film equipped with an IDT electrode provided with a plurality of electrode fingers, and at least one layer of layer thickness adjusting films having linear shapes and arranged in parallel to and with the same pitch as the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a surface acoustic wave device provided with an IC region and a surface acoustic wave element region on a semiconductor substrate to form a single chip.
2. Related Art
Surface acoustic wave devices represented by a SAW resonator or a SAW filter have various superior characteristics such as high frequency, compact size, or high mass productivity, and therefore, are widely used in the telecommunications field. In recent years, along with the popularization of mobile telecommunication devices, downsizing and weight saving of components used in the high-frequency area are strongly desired.
To cope with the desire, as shown in a document of J. H. Viseer, IEEE, Ultrasonics Symposium, p.195-200 (1989), for example, there is proposed a surface acoustic wave device having a SAW filter formed by providing a piezoelectric thin film on a semiconductor substrate partially provided with a high-frequency amplifier circuit or the like instead of using a surface acoustic wave element as a filter unit.
In such a surface acoustic wave device equipped with an IC region and a surface acoustic wave region on a semiconductor substrate to form a single chip, semiconductor elements and wiring for connecting the semiconductor elements are formed via an insulating film as a multi-layered structure in the IC region. Since, in contrast, only the insulating film is stacked in the surface acoustic wave element region, a step is created between the IC region and the surface acoustic wave element region. Typically, in case of such a surface acoustic wave device, a large number of surface acoustic wave devices are formed in a semiconductor wafer so as to border on each other, and as layers such as the insulating layer are stacked, the step inclines and advances to the surface acoustic wave element region, this causes a problem that the flatness of the surface of the surface acoustic wave element region cannot be assured. If the flatness of the surface is not sufficient, the surface acoustic wave element cannot be manufactured with sufficient dimensional accuracy, which degrades the performance of the surface acoustic wave element. Further, the unevenness of the surface caused by the insufficient flatness causes a variation in the thickness of the piezoelectric thin film formed thereon, and a variation in the resonant frequency of the surface acoustic wave element is concerned.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Surface acoustic wave device and method of manufacturing a surface acoustic wave device


According to the method, a blade is provided having at least one base for a rim at its free end, and the projecting portion of the rim is built up by depositing successive layers on the base by performing the following steps:                activating a laser source connected to an optical head focused on a point of the surface of the top of the base and activating a powder source connected to a spray nozzle, whereby a localized melt is formed at said point, into which the powder is injected, thereby forming a localized region of extra thickness; and        aiming the optical head and the nozzle on another point adjacent to said region of extra thickness and returning to the preceding step until a layer has been formed over substantially the entire base.

By way of illustration, document WO 02/097241 illustrates a blade of the first type and document FR 2 858 650 illustrates a blade of the second type.
The function of such rims is to limit the areas facing each other between the free end of the blade and the corresponding annular surface of the turbine or compressor casing so as to protect the body of the blade against damage that might be caused by coming into contact with an annular segment, while nevertheless providing sealing between the rotor and the stator.
This function of sealing the ends of blades is most important since it determines the performance of the turbomachine, concerning efficiency, both in a turbine stage and in a compressor stage having moving blades. Depending on the operating conditions of the turbomachine, various instability phenomena exist that have the effect of reducing the efficiency of a turbomachine and/or leading to mechanical or thermal overloads on the blades.
In addition, there is clearance between the tops of the blades and the stator. In operation, this situation leads overall to friction appearing between the blades and the stator which can lead to damage to the ends of the blade and/or to the surface of the stator, or to possible variation in the above-mentioned clearance. In addition, the rotor and the stator that is concentric thereabout are of shapes that are not strictly perfectly circular, and variations in differential thermal expansion as well as mechanical deformations resulting from the stresses acting thereon change the dimensions of such parts.
In order to reduce such friction while guaranteeing the necessary sealing, it is the practice to use sealing linings suitable for being worn away, which linings are constituted by rings of "abradable" materials placed on the inside surfaces of the stator where they face moving blades. This means that the sealing linings of the stator become worn or abraded as the blades move past them so as to become matched to the shapes of the blades. Under such circumstances, the blades are provided with rims forming wipers on their radially-outer peripheries, for the purpose of co-operating with abradable linings, said rims themselves presenting a variety of streamlined shapes and being made of abrasive material.
For blades of the second type, the rim is not in the form of a plurality of wipers, but in the form of a generally continuous rim defining an open cavity at the free end of the blade, but said rim nevertheless performs the same function.
Such rims are usually made by being cast simultaneously with the remainder of the blade, after which they are finished by machining in order to give them their final shape.
In addition, in order to avoid damage to or even destruction of such rims, particularly when they are located in a high pressure compressor or turbine, they can be coated by thermal spraying (plasma torch, high velocity oxyfuel (HVOF), . . . ) an abrasive deposit e.g. of the alumina and titanium dioxide or carbide type, e.g. on an underlayer of an alloy of aluminum, chromium, and nickel for providing bonding.
Deposition by thermal spraying is a technique that is expensive and requires relative spray angles to be maintained between the axis of the torch and the surfaces of the parts to be coated so that the impact of the sprayed particles is as orthogonal as possible relative to the surface for coating in order to obtain satisfactory quality and adhesion for the deposit.
Furthermore, when depositing such a coating, the propulsive or plasma-generating gases used for spraying must be capable of being removed easily but without blowing away the projected powder by creating turbulence.

Method of making a rim situated at the free end of a blade, a blade obtained by the method, and a turbomachine fitted with the blade


An improved radiation detection device measures a broad range of dose rate levels. According to one arrangement, the radiation detection device calculates a radiation value based on, gamma count information representing counts for different energy levels of radiation in a radiation field as well as a radiation intensity indicator value (e.g., photomultiplier tube anode DC current, measured directly by conventional Analog to Digital Converters or indirectly by power or current consumption information indicating how much energy is required to maintain a photomultiplier tube at a constant voltage) that is at least proportional to an amount of overall radiation energy detected in the radiation sample. Based on a combination of the gamma count information and the radiation intensity indicator value, a controller associated with a corresponding radiation detection device can calculate a radiation dose rate associated with the received radiation sample.

United States Homeland security requirements set forth a need for devices capable of sensitive detection of gamma rays originating from hidden radioactive material (e.g. ANSI N42.32, IEC 62401). Conventional technology includes commercial grade radiation detectors that are sensitive enough to easily detect small increases in the intensity of a gamma radiation field, which could be of interest regarding the detection of hidden radioactive sources. In certain cases, such radiation detectors are configured as portable devices that measure a so-called dose rate, which is a measure of the biological impact of the current radiation field. A time integration of the dose rate yields the accumulated dose value, which is of significant interest for the user of the radiation measurement device.
Different dose units are in use in various parts of the world and are preferred by different user groups. For example, dose rate can be measures as absorbed dose rate (Gray/hour); ambient dose equivalent rate (Sv/hour), exposure rate (R/hour). For details regarding various conventional definitions, see the ICRU Report 51 of the international Commission on Radiations. In this document the terms "dose rate" and "dose" shall be understood as a generic term for all these quantities.
In this document the term "gamma" or "gamma radiation" is used for any photon radiation above 5 keV (gamma and X-ray radiation). However, by applying or using a gamma count analysis using the highly sensitive detector, which is required for the detection of very small amounts of radiation, the useful measuring range with respect to the dose rate is very limited. Due to saturation above certain gamma count values, these devices are not able to measure radiation at significantly higher levels that are hazardous to a person exposed to such radiation. In contradistinction to the highly sensitive, low-level radiation detector device as discussed above, other types of commercial radiation devices are able to accurately measure levels of radiation well above a background level. However, such devices typically are not sensitive enough to accurately measure a presence of hidden radioactive material, which is known to be present based on a presence of radiation near or just above a natural background radiation level.
Attempts have been made to combine two different types of radiation detector systems into a single portable radiation-measuring device to detect radiation in a broad dose range such as levels just above a background level as well as levels much higher than a background level. One of two such radiation detector systems in the single portable device can be configured to detect radiation at a range just above natural radiation background level, but cannot be configured to measure the dose rate at higher levels of radiation. Another of the two different radiation detector systems can be configured to measure radiation well above the natural background radiation level, but cannot be configured to detect the lower levels of radiation. These different subsystems can produce very inaccurate and inconsistent measurement results in the respective measuring ranges due to different directional and energy response behavior of the different detectors.

Radiation measurement using multiple parameters


Water-soluble photoactive polymers, included polymer tandem dyes, as described as well as methods for their preparation and use. The photoactive polymers can be prepared by direct modification of core polymers (e.g., violet excitable polymers) with dyes or other functional groups. Methods of detecting analytes using the polymers are also described.

Water soluble fluorescent polymers can be used in a variety of biological applications by generating signals which can be monitored in real time and provide simple and rapid methods for the detection of biological targets and events. Water soluble fluorescent polymers are generally prepared by polymerizing monomers (e.g., violet excitable dihydrophenanthrene monomers) containing polyethylene glycol units for solubilizing the polymer. A general approach for the preparation of polymers with different colors/emission wavelengths involves the covalent attachment of acceptor dye molecules to a common polymeric backbone, allowing for efficient fluorescncnce resonance energy transfer (FRET). These polymers are often referred to as "tandem polymer dyes."
The tandem polymer dye approach requires the introduction of an additional reactive monomer that carries one or more chemically modifiable functional groups for acceptor dye attachment. However, introducing new monomers presents a number of drawbacks. For example, extra synthetic steps are required for preparation of new monomers—which can be costly and time-consuming—and polymerization conditions need to be adjusted or entirely re-designed due to changes in monomer structure. Furthermore, replacing a monomer having a water-solubilizing group with a monomer for dye attachment can comprise the solubility of the desired product. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,362,193 and 9,896,538. Considerable amounts of trial and error are necessary to identify the right combination and amounts of various monomers for preparing polymers with acceptable FRET properties and solubility levels.

Polymer dye modification and applications


A jack frame includes a jack frame block having a front surface, a pair of side surfaces and a top surface. The front surface has a plug opening with a plug axis along which a plug connector can be inserted to connect to the jack frame block. The front surface is dimensioned to be received in a jack opening in a face plate, and the inner periphery of the jack opening is defined in part by a pair of side walls and a top wall. The top surface of the jack frame block has a first surface portion that extends at a first angle relative to the plug axis of the plug opening in the block's front surface, and a second surface portion that extends at a second angle relative to the plug axis. Either the first or the second surface portion can be aligned with the top wall of the jack opening, so the frame block can be mounted on the face plate with a desired orientation depending on which one of the first and the second surface portions is aligned with the top wall of the jack opening. Engagement members on the frame block are arranged to engage walls of the jack opening when the frame block is mounted in the desired orientation, to limit movement of the frame block relative to the face plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting arrangements for electrical connectors, and particularly to a communications jack frame that can be mounted on a face plate in one of a number of different orientations.
2. Discussion of the Known Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,439 (Mar. 17, 1992) discloses a communications jack and a wall plate having an opening for receiving the jack. The jack has flexible members on its side surfaces, for engaging corresponding slots in the sides of the wall plate opening. The jack is mounted on the wall plate with its front face parallel to the front of the wall plate, i.e., a flush mount. Thus, when a plug connector is inserted in the jack, a wire or cable extends away from the connector in a direction perpendicular to the wall plate. Sufficient space therefore must be available for the cable to bend and be routed in a direction other than perpendicular to the wall plate. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,018 (Aug. 20, 1991); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,140 (Apr. 12, 1994).
Recently, a demand has arisen for wall or face plates that allow jacks to be mounted with a sloped orientation, so that the front of the jack will directly face, e.g., a floor surface beneath the face plate. Such a sloped or inclined orientation would allow a cable to be routed directly downward toward the floor when its plug is inserted in the jack. See co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/534,218 filed Sep. 26, 1995, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Manufacturers of communication jacks have invested largely in wall plate and mounting box hardware that provides a parallel or flush mounting orientation for the jacks. To build new molds for wall plates that would allow existing jacks to be mounted to face downward (i.e., toward the floor), for customers desiring a sloped jack orientation, would be very expensive. As far as is known, there are no wall plates and jacks that can be combined to allow the jacks to mount either flush or facing downward, at the user's option. As mentioned, different products are needed depending on which mounting orientation is desired. This means additional costs and inventory for the jack and wall plate manufacturers, and for their customers.
Another problem arises with respect to icons, i.e., small legend-bearing tabs that snap onto the front face of the jack. The icons serve to identify the jack function, e.g., whether the jack is associated with a telephone, or a data or modem communications line. If a jack is to be mounted on a face plate in either one of a flush or a sloped orientation, then the icon must be clearly visible to the user in either jack mount position.


The aim of the invention is to monitor the travel way of a road processing machine that drives on a basic surface as well as the working height of a working part which is disposed thereon in a vertically adjustable manner. Said aim is achieved by detecting the three-dimensional position of a positional element, determining a direction of travel from at least two three-dimensional positions, and determining the working height of the working part. The determined direction of travel is compared to a setpoint direction while the working height is compared to a setpoint height. The positional element is placed in a position that is at a horizontal distance from the working part.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the travel path of a road processing machine which drives on a base surface, a road processing machine and a system for carrying out a method for monitoring the travel path of a road processing machine driving on a base surface and the working height of a working part arranged thereon in a vertically adjustable manner.
In the construction and repair of roads and squares, machines which drive along a predetermined travel path and carry out a desired processing step are used for various operations. For example, road finishers comprising a vehicle and a smoothing board or a screeding beam fixed thereon in a vertically adjustable manner are used for applying asphalt surfaces. The asphalt material is distributed from the vehicle along the front edge of the smoothing board. When the machine advances to the prepared road bed, the smoothing board scrapes over the asphalt material and smoothes and compacts it in order to provide a continuous asphalt surface having the desired surface profile.
The prior art discloses various solutions by means of which the smoothing board can be positioned vertically so that a desired surface profile is achieved as exactly as possible. For the vertical positioning, for example, a reference is used. If, for example, a rope or a wire has to be stretched as a reference line along the road to be asphalted, this entails considerable effort. If the base surface to which the asphalt is applied is used as a reference, it must be formed very exactly with great effort. According to a further solution, a laser beam is used as a reference, in which case the height of the smoothing board relative to the laser is determined using a sensor fixed to the smoothing board, and the smoothing board is kept at a desired height.
DE 100 60 903 describes a prior art in which the position of a reference surface is determined using a sensing ski or using three laser measuring heads a distance apart in the direction of movement. In order to avoid a complicated construction for holding the laser sensors, it is proposed to arrange, at a point above the smoothing board, three differently oriented laser telemeters which determine the distance to three measuring points located one behind the other in the direction of movement. The distance values are each converted into a height and a horizontal distance. Depending on the heights determined and on the required height, a height control signal for the smoothing board or another processing tool is generated.
The accuracy of the height determination using the obliquely oriented laser telemeters is reduced by the accuracy of mounting and by the fact that at least one measuring point lies on the already applied surface. In the case of road construction machines, an exactly constant sensor orientation is scarcely achievable owing to vibrations and large temperature and humidity variations. In the case of telemeters directed obliquely forwards, a small unknown change in angle is sufficient to lead to a considerable error in the height calculated from a measurement assuming the false orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,412 discloses a method in which a road processing machine comprising a vertically adjustable working part is used together with at least one transmitter. A sensor on the machine receives at least one signal of the at least one transmitter, and height position information which is used for the vertical positioning of the vertically adjustable working part is derived from the received signal. For example, a GPS system is used as the system comprising transmitter and sensor. In order to achieve a desired surfacing over a reference surface, the reference surface is driven over without processing merely for determining the reference surface position, which is associated with a double driving effort.
EP 1 079 029 A2 discloses a solution in which a GPS system and a tilt-adjustable rotational laser system are used for the three-dimensional control or levelling of the construction machine. The GPS system on the construction machine determines two position coordinates of the construction machine, which are communicated to the stationary rotational laser system. A required height is coordinated with the actual position coordinates, and the rotational laser is oriented so that, in the case of a linear laser receiver of the construction machine, it marks the required height. The laser receiver determines the actual deviation of the working tool from the required height. The height position of the working tool is adjusted according to this deviation. This solution is very complicated because it comprises a GPS system, a complex rotational laser system, a radio link between these systems, a linear laser receiver and at least one control. In addition, problems arise in areas, for example, under bridges, where the satellite signals required by the GPS system cannot be received.
Further possibilities for height determination of the working part are described in DE 196 47 150, in which a device and a method for controlling the installation height of a road finisher are described. The determination of the height of the screeding beam edge is effected here by potentiometer sensors, ultrasonic sensors or laser receivers.
DE 199 51 297 C1 relates to an automatic longitudinal control of a road finisher during the installation of a road layer. Solutions are used in which a prism arranged on the road finisher is followed by a total laser station. This station follows the prism by means of an optical system which can be oriented in all directions. The position of the construction machine or of the screeding beam is calculated from the solid angle of the optical system, the distance between prism and optical system and the position of the total station. For the exact height regulation of the screeding beam, the prism must be arranged as directly as possible above the rear edge of the screeding beam. However, this then results in inaccuracies in steering which adversely affect the surface profile. In order to compensate the effects of the inaccuracies in steering, parts of the screeding beam which are displaceable transversely to the travel direction are proposed, so that, even in the case of an inaccurate travel path, a precise application of the surface is ensured by an optimum lateral displacement of these parts.
A road processing machine comprising laterally displaceable screeding beam parts has a complicated mechanical design. In the case of construction machines without possibilities for lateral adjustment, the problems arising from the inaccuracy in steering persist.

Method and device for monitoring a road processing machine


A retort is described for use with paperboard containers (48) to reduce moisture absorption during processing of foodstuffs therein. The improvement includes using solid cone spray nozzles (50) with spray angles in the range of about 100 degrees to about 115 degrees. In one embodiment, the distance (D′) between the nozzles and the container is in the range of about 70 mm to about 200 mm. In another embodiment, the flow rate if each nozzle (50) is reduced relative to known systems, while the total vessel flow rate is kept the same as per cubic meter load. Further, an overpressure may be added to the vessel via compressed air. In accordance with other aspects, an Impact reduction is used which relates nozzle flow rate, pressure, distance, etc. with moisture absorption in paperboard containers.

Overpressure retorts are used for the in-container preservation of foodstuffs, either for pasteurization or sterilization processes. In general, these machines use a combination of pressure and temperature to sterilize packaged food according to a predefined schedule. Their popularity has increased in the past few years because of the development of processes that allow for the use of media other than only saturated steam. Using other fluids enables the application of an additional partial overpressure on top of the basic steam vapor pressure associated with the process temperature. Such additional overpressure is useful in coping with new types of containers that are being introduced on the market.
The additional overpressure is usually achieved by adding air to the interior of the retort vessel. As air has poor heat transfer properties, the mixture of steam and air has to be assisted for good heat transfer to the containers and their content. This can be accomplished in any number of ways. In steam-air retorts, the mixture is recirculated through the retort load by means of fans. In full immersion retorts, the load is immersed in water. In trickling water type retorts, water is trickled from the top of the retort to the bottom, passing through the load in-between. In spray water retorts, water is sprayed from the top (and optionally also from the sides) of the container through the load. The latter type can make use of external means to heat the water or alternatively can have direct steam injection into the vessel.
FIG. 1 illustrates a recirculation system in a known spray water retort. A cylindrical pressure vessel 10 houses a load 12, a header 14, and various spray nozzles 16. The load is supported on a horizontal pallet (not shown). Distribution pipes 18 extend the longitudinal length of the vessel. Using the various spray nozzles 16, the distribution pipes 18 direct process water into the vessel and onto the load. The header 14 is positioned at select locations needed to support the distribution network (e.g., in the middle of the vessel). Use of side spray nozzles 20 is optional, depending on the type of load being processed. In general, the spray pattern shown provides a good distribution of process water through the load. The process water is collected in a lower sump 22, passed through a strainer 24, and recirculated through the system via a recirculation pump 26. The recycled process water is passed through piping 28 and one or more filters 30 and then reintroduced to the distribution pipes. Control valves 32 regulate the recirculation process.
Referring to FIG. 2, the nozzles used have a solid cone spray characteristic, with a cone angle β of approximately 75 degrees. This angle can vary slightly, depending on the pressure of the fluid in the distribution pipes. In one arrangement, this pressure is on the order of 1 bar overpressure. The distance D between the nozzles and the load in prior art arrangements is generally in the range of about 70 mm to about 200 mm. The distance is chosen so that the spray water flowing through the load provides a good temperature distribution. The load may be baskets (which are typically used for cans and jars) or stacks of trays (which are typically used for containers that are not rigid enough to allow stacking on top of each other, e.g., plastic lunch bowls and pouches).
During use, the load is subjected to a preservation phase having a predefined temperature schedule and a predefined pressure schedule. The temperature distribution is important within each individual basket or stack, and also between the different baskets or stacks placed along the length of the retort. The fluid flow per nozzle and the number of nozzles in the retort system determine the total flow of process water being continuously recirculated over and through the load. From experience it was found that satisfactory temperature distributions are achieved with a flow capacity per processing position (i.e., a basket or stack) of approximately 30 m3/hr per cubic meter load for static processing retorts, and, 40 m3/hr for agitation processing retorts. A typical flow per nozzle is in the order of 17 liters/min. In some arrangements, the recirculation system is also used for cooling the load after completion of the preservation phase.
Recently, a new type of paperboard package has been introduced for use with various types of foodstuffs. These packages are generally composed of a coated paperboard folded into a rectilinear shape. Currently, fluids such as juices, soups, soy milk, etc. are packaged in these kinds of containers. The packages have some degree of protective coatings on their surfaces, but, in general, are susceptible to fluid absorption along their exposed edges. The edges typically do not receive coatings due to manufacturing cost considerations. The amount of absorption that may occur is a factor in determining the package quality. If there is too much absorption, the package will be considered defective.
The spray water retort process described above has been found to cause excessive fluid absorption in some paperboard packages. Thus, a need exists for an improved retort system that reduces the amount of absorption and thereby reduces the number of defective packages. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs and others as described below.

Water spray retort system suitable for paperboard packages


This invention relates to a practical low cost method and devices which exploits the benefits of several photo-assisted analytical techniques involving controlled light sources. The method comprise the use of a program controlled display (like computer, mobile telephones to TV screens) used as a light source for illuminating a detector specially suited to capture the light interaction with a test environment, allowing to generate distinctive spectra and chemical or biochemical images of the environment. Additionally, the information can be acquired in situ but immediately analyzed on line via internet.

There is a broad range of analytical techniques which rely on light interaction with a particular medium, as for example visible absorption spectroscopy (VIS spectroscopy), surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), or scanning light pulse techniques (SLPT or LAPS) used in chemical or biochemical sensing.
All of them provide useful and complementary information of the target environment (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an "analyte") but due to the complexity of the systems, which are mainly related to the requirements for the light sources, their extension to practical applications is hampered, being in general confined to expensively furnished laboratories or to devices dedicated for specific purposes.
The complexity and sophistication of the involved light sources comprised in these experiments, relate to the optical components and the controlled micro-positioning required to direct the monochromatized light through the output slit.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a practical low cost method and associated devices which supplies micro-positioning, monochromatization and intensity modulation allowing to exploit benefits from the above mentioned techniques and others requiring precisely controlled light sources.
The invented method in general terms, consists of the use of a program controlled display (like computer monitors, mobile telephones or TV screens) as a light source. The mechanical positioning is substituted by the ability of the screen to sequentially illuminate contiguous pixels, precisely and regularly patterned in any of the different alluded displays. Instead of a monochromator this same accurate positioning can be used to monochromatize light using a illuminated region on the screen as a mobile light source in front of a fixed diffractive element specially placed in front of the light.
Additionally, different RGB colors just sequentially displayed in the screen provide a light source suitable with spectral response measurements, which is a main goal for colorimetric sensing approaches. Furthermore the different pixels in the light source can be individually programmed with respect to color and intensity. Through the use of a lens between the light source and the test object also small test objects can be illuminated. The use of a program controlled display as a light source makes it also possible to scan the light over the test object.
The use of detectors like digital cameras, video and web cameras is thus one interesting possibility.
The invention allows for instance simplified illumination of a test sample and/or detector specially designed to be affected by a target environment. In this respect already developed indicator materials or molecules for optical detection using normal (monochromatic) light sources can be used. It is also the possibility to develop indicators which are optimized to be used together with rgb-colors.
Additionally, the information can be processed in situ by the user or only acquired in situ but analyzed on line through an internet connection, where expert interpretation can be supplied.
The general inventive principle mentioned above, has particular characteristics depending on the considered analytical technique that is to be emulated.
For instance, in the case of VIS spectroscopy, the standard technique requires a visible light source, a monochromator, a chopper and a detector.
The monochromatized light, with a narrow spectral width determined by the monochromator slit width, is passed through a transparent cuvette where the sample substance is placed, in this case a liquid, and the emerging light is captured in a detector. Depending on the detector requirements a light chopper can be interposed in the light path (FIG. 1).
The VIS absorbing properties of different materials depend on their composition, and by the introduction of chemical agents (like chromophores or fluorescent labels) a large amount of chemical or biochemical properties can be traced and selectively identified through their spectral response.
The principle is not only limited to liquids, but also absorbing solids, gels or polymers like labeled DNA array slides or gas sensitive polymers can be analyzed.
Spectra acquisition requires a computer controlled system able to coordinate the supplied wavelength and this minimally comprises a programmable monochromator constraining the technique to laboratories.
In the case of SPS, or similar techniques used in semiconductor interface analysis like electric field induced SPS (EFISPS) or internal photoemission spectroscopy (IPE), the main principle is to excite carriers in semiconductor structures which are illuminated at a particular wavelength. The spectral range to scan depends on the semiconductor band gap but also sub-band gap energies can provide information of surface states.
In SPS, a focused monochromatic light beam is used to illuminate the semiconductor substrate at a controlled chopping frequency, which provides transient photocurrents related to surface or interface states (a complete review of SPS and related techniques can be found in L. Kronik, Y. Shapira, Surf. Sci. Reports 37, 1–206 (1999)). The technique, can be adapted for sensing applications, but still requires an expensive controlled light source (FIG. 2).
If the light beam or a laser beam is scanned over the semiconductor, a spatially resolved map of the interface properties can be composed in the so called SLPT techniques (I. Lundström, et al., Nature 352, 47–50 (1991)). Providing chemically sensitive biasing electrodes of different materials and thicknesses spatially distributed the technique provides selective chemical images to gas mixtures and odors (FIG. 3).
If the biasing electrode is replaced by an electrolyte the device becomes a powerful potentiometric tool for chemical or biochemical analysis known as light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS, D. Hafeman, et al., Science 240, 1182–1185 (1988)).
In many of these approaches again, there are complex elements as micropositioned modulated laser beams with the associated focusing optics which makes field applications impracticable.

Method and system for chemical or biochemical analysis of a target analyte in a target environment


Method for controlling output of a classification algorithm which classifies an occupant of a seat in a vehicle in which a bladder or other type of weight sensor is arranged in a bottom cushion of the seat, data relating to the pressure exerted by the occupant on the bottom cushion is obtained from the weight sensor, the occupant is initially classified, a current classification is output using data from the weight sensor, the occupant is periodically re-classified using data from the weight sensor, and a classification change is allowed only upon obtaining evidence of a new classification which is greater than evidence of the current classification. The classification change may be enabled by determining a substantially consecutive period of time when the re-classification is unchanged and different from the current classification, and enabling the classification change upon when the consecutive period of time is greater than a threshold.

Vehicles currently include various systems whose operation depends on the occupancy of the vehicle. For example, it has been known for some time that an occupant restraint or protection device can be designed to deploy differently depending on the type of occupants to be protected by the device (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,782 (Breed et al.)). A classification of the occupancy of the vehicle is therefore desired in order to optimize the deployment of the occupant protection device.
Moreover, it is known that the position of the occupant can also affect the operation of various systems in the vehicle, most importantly, the occupant protection device (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,462 (Breed et al.)). Determination of the position of the occupant is therefore desired to optimize the deployment of the occupant protection device.
Lichtinger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,792) describe a method for controlling output of a classification algorithm having two stages, a track stage and a lock stage. In the track stage, the occupant is repeatedly classified and whatever classification is obtained is output. The track stage continues until a predetermined number of consistent and consecutive classifications are observed, at which time, that classification is locked and considered the current classification, i.e., the algorithm reaches the lock stage. During the track stage however, whenever a classification is obtained which is different from the immediately preceding classification, the count of the number of consistent and consecutive classifications also begins anew. Thus, if the number of classifications needed to lock is 20 and the same classification of an adult is returned for 15 consecutive times, and then a single different classification is obtained, the process would remain in the track stage and the process of counting consistent and consecutive classifications begun anew. The output classification during the track stage would thus be whatever the immediately obtained classification is without regard to any previous classification. This continues as long as the classification has not been returned the predetermined number of times to reach the lock stage. Occupant classification is not likely optimal in Lichtinger et al. because it discloses changing the current or output classification based only on a change between consecutive classifications (in the track stage) or relative to a pre-determined threshold (in the lock stage). During the lock stage, the threshold is invariable
What is needed therefore is an algorithm which can optimize both the classification of the occupancy of the vehicle and the determination of the position of the occupants.

Automotive Technologies International, Inc.


The present invention provides compositions and methods for transforming primary mammalian cells using an oncogenic form of ALK wherein the transformed cells display features of that of a corresponding tumor cell isolated from a cancer subject. The invention also provides a method for immortalizing normal CD4+ T lymphocytes with a lymphoma-characteristic form of ALK such as NPM-ALK.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCL) carrying anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) comprise a distinct clinical-pathological entity (Li et al, 2007, Med Res Rev 28(3):372-412; Wasik et al., 2009, Semin Oncol 36(2 Suppl 1):527-35; Tabbó et al, 2012, Front Oncol 2:41). ALK+ALCL are derived from CD4+ T lymphocytes, typically occur in children and young adults, and involve soft tissues and other extranodal sites. As the name implies, they are comprised of large highly atypical cells with prominent nuclei and abundant cytoplasm and, hence, bear little resemblance to their normal CD4+ T-cell counterparts, either resting or activated. They also display a unique phenotype with the variable loss of CD3 and other T-cell markers and strong expression of CD30; a cell surface receptor from the TNF-R family.
While ALK is physiologically expressed only in a subset of immature neuronal cells (Li et al, 2007, Med Res Rev 28(3):372-412), its aberrant expression has been identified in a subset of ALCL (Morris et al., 1994, Science 263(5151):1281-1284; Shiota et al., 1994, Oncogene 9(6):1567-1574) and, subsequently, in a spectrum of histologically diverse malignancies including subsets of a large B-cell lymphoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, non-small cell lung carcinoma (Li et al, 2007, Med Res Rev 28(3):372-412; Wasik et al., 2009, Semin Oncol 36(2 Suppl 1):S27-35; Tabbó et al, 2012, Front Oncol 2:41) and several other types of cancer. The aberrant expression of ALK typically results in these malignancies from chromosomal translocations involving the ALK gene and various partner genes with the nucleophosmin (NPM) gene being by far the most frequent partner in ALK+ALCL (Li et al, 2007, Med Res Rev 28(3):372-412) and EML4 in lung carcinoma (Soda et al., 2007, Nature 448:561-566). The NPM-ALK, EML4-ALK and other chimeric proteins are constitutively activated through autophosphorylation (Morris et al., 1994, Science 263(5151):1281-1284; Shiota et al., 1994, Oncogene 9(6):1567-1574) and highly oncogenic as documented mainly by using patient-derived cell lines and transgenic mouse models (Fujimoto et al., 1996, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93(9):4181-4186; Kuefer et al., 1997, Blood 90(8):2901-2910; Chiarle et al, 2003, Blood 101(5):1919-1927; Turner et al., 2006, Anticancer Res 26(5A):3275-3279; Giuriato et al., 2010, Blood 115(20):4061-4070). NPM-ALK acts by activating a number of signal transduction pathways such as STAT3 (Zhang et al., 2002, J Immunol 168(1):466-474; Zamo et al., 2002, Oncogene 21(7):1038-1047) and mTORC1 including its down-stream target S6RP (Marzec et al., 2007, Oncogene 26(38):5606-5614). The chronic activity of these signaling pathways leads to the persistent modulation of a number of genes and results in sustained cell proliferation, resistance to cell death, and other oncogenic properties. NPM-ALK is capable of fostering evasion of the anti-tumor immune response by inducing expression of potent immunosuppressive proteins: the cytokine IL-10 and the cell membrane bound ligand PD-L1/CD274 (Marzec et al., 2008, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105(52):20852-20857; Kasprzycka et al., 2006, Natl Acad Sci USA 103(26):9964-9969).
Cellular transformation by NPM-ALK has been demonstrated in immortalized rodent fibroblasts (Bai, R Y. et al. (1998) Mol Cell Biol. 18:6951-6961), and confirmed in studies which have shown that ALK protects Ba/F3 and PC12 cells from interleukin-3 or growth factor withdrawal (Stoica, G E., et al. (2001) J Biol. Chem. 276:16772-16779 and (Bai R Y., et al. (1998) Mol Cell Biol. 18:6951-6961). Transfer of NPM-ALK transduced bone-marrow cells into irradiated host recipient mice resulted in the generation in vivo of large cell B-cell lymphomas (Kuefer, M U. et al. (1997) Blood. 90:2901-2910). The later, even more refined studies using T-cell specific promoters resulted in the development of T-cell malignancies in the host mice (Chiarle et al. (2003) Blood 101:1919-1827). However, these tumors comprise of immature rather than mature T lymphocytes and lack key morphologic, phenotypic and other characteristics of human, patient-derived ALCL.
In the past few years, the molecular mechanisms of ALK-mediated cellular transformation have also been partially elucidated (Duyster, J. et al. (2001) Oncogene. 20:5623-5637). It has been shown that the ALK portion of the fusion protein, corresponding to the cytoplasmic tail of the ALK receptor and containing the catalytic domain, is absolutely required for transformation (Bai, R Y. et al. (1998) Mol Cell Biol. 18:6951-6961), whereas all the N-terminal regions of the ALK chimeras function as dimerization domains (Bischof, D. et al. (1997) Mol Cell Biol. 17:2312-2325) and (Duyster, J. et al. (2001) Oncogene. 20:5623-5637). As a result of spontaneous dimerization, ALK undergoes autophosphorylation and becomes catalytically active. Constitutively active ALK fusion proteins can bind multiple adaptor proteins and activate a series of pathways involved in cell proliferation, transformation and survival. These include the PLC-Shc PI3-K/Akt and the Jak3-Stat3 pathways (Bai, R Y. et al. (1998) Mol Cell Biol. 18:6951-6961; Bai R Y., et al. (2000) Blood. 96:4319-4327 and Zamo, A. et al. (2002) Oncogene. 21:1038-1047).
Given limitations of the existing mouse models and cell lines derived from patient tumors, there is a clear need to develop new models of ALK-driven malignancies. In addition, there are no good models to transform normal human cells including T lymphocytes and bronchial epithelial cells, ALCL and lung carcinoma are derived from, respectively. Thus, there is a need in the art for a model of transformation by ALK chimeras in primary normal cells. The present invention satisfies this need in the art.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as an oncogene capable of transforming normal human cells

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


A control valve includes a magnetic pole member. An armature is slidably supported relative to the magnetic pole member for movement between a fully open position and a closed position. A biasing spring is disposed between the magnetic pole member and the armature for forcing the armature away from the magnetic pole member. A coil is placed about the magnetic pole member and the armature for inducing a magnetic field for moving the armature toward the magnetic pole member. One of either of the magnetic pole member or the armature has a recess for non-contactingly receiving the other when the armature moves between the fully open and closed positions. The control valve can be embodied as a normally open valve or a normally closed valve. The use of dual lateral poles and triple lateral poles create a flat magnetic force versus travel curve thereby allowing for greater proportional control of the valve. Additionally, the use of double lateral gaps and triple lateral gaps respectively results in force increases of 21% and 12% respectively. Compounding the force increases results in a net additional force of 36%.

This invention relates in general to vehicular brake systems, and in particular to control valves for electronically controlled vehicular brake systems.
Electronically controlled brake systems for vehicles are well known. A typical electronically controlled brake system includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) connected in fluid communication between a master cylinder and a plurality of wheel brake assemblies. The HCU includes a housing containing control valves and other components such as a pump for selectively controlling pressure to the wheel brake assemblies.
The control valves are generally formed as electronically controlled solenoid valves. A typical solenoid valve includes a cylindrical armature slidably disposed in a tube or a sleeve for movement relative to a valve body. The armature may be biased in a fully open or closed position. The typical solenoid valve further includes a coil subassembly that generates a magnetic flux for moving the armature from the biased fully open position or closed position to a closed position or fully open position, respectively.
These types of control valves are generally used to control brake fluid pressure during non-base braking events, such as anti-lock, traction control, and vehicle stability control modes. However, because these types of valves are designed to operate generally in only the fully open and closed positions they do not provide "proportional" control characteristics desirable for controlling brake fluid pressure during base ("normal") braking events. As such, these types of solenoid valves are generally not well suited for applications in which the brake fluid pressure is electronically controlled during base braking events.
Other types of prior art valves, such as spool valves, have been proposed which are capable of providing desirable proportional control characteristics for electronically controlling brake fluid pressure during base braking events. However, these types of valves are relatively expensive.
Accordingly there is a need for a control valve used in electronically controlled vehicular brake systems that is relatively inexpensive and provides for proportional control of brake fluid pressure during base braking events.

EHB proportional solenoid valve with stepped gap armature


An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, an irradiation device and developing device to develop a toner latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a cleaning blade to remove toner particles remaining on the image bearing member, and a transfer device to transfer the toner image formed on the image bearing member to a recording material. The image forming apparatus satisfies relationships (1) and (2): (1) 0.10< or =Dm3/V< or =3.41, wherein Dm represents a weight average particle diameter of the toner and V represents a circumference velocity of the image bearing member; and (2) Tave< or =1.40 kgf·cm, wherein Tave represents the average of a torque T of the image bearing member when the torque is measured for 15 seconds while the cleaning blade is in contact with the image bearing member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for use in image formation using an electrostatic photocopying process such as photocopiers, facsimile machines, printers, etc.
2. Discussion of the Background
Recently, high speed, size reduction and high definition full color images have been demanded for image forming apparatuses for use in image formation using an electrostatic photocopying process such as a photocopier or a printer. To obtain such high definition images, toners having a small particle diameter are used irrespective of the kind of the toners, i.e., pulverized toners and polymerized toners. However, such small-sized toners have a large surface area per a unit weight and therefore the toners have low fluidity and relatively large adhesion. This leads to deterioration of cleaning performance of removing residual toner particles. Therefore, an external additive functioning as a fluidizer is added in a large amount of quantity to the toner to compensate for the decrease in the fluidity. Nevertheless, there is still a disadvantage in that good cleaning performance for such a toner is not securely obtained.
In addition, spherical toners are typically used to obtain a high definition image because such toners have good developability and transferability. Spherical form toners have good fluidity but tend to roll. This leads to a problem in that, when a blade cleaning system is adopted in a high speed image forming apparatus, the toner particles sneak through the blades, resulting in poor cleaning performance.
Cleaning systems are broadly classified into blade cleaning systems and brush cleaning systems. Blade cleaning systems are preferably used in a small-sized image forming apparatus in terms of structure and cost. Therefore, a blade cleaning system with good cleaning performance is desired even when spherical toners having a small particle diameter are used.
Countermeasures against the poor cleaning performance problem with toners having a small particle diameter and a spherical form can be taken from the standpoints of the toner and process.
As for a countermeasure from the standpoint of the toner, unexamined published Japanese Patent Application No. (hereinafter referred to as JOP) 2003-131537 discloses an image forming apparatus containing a cleaning device having a rubber blade and a mechanism for transporting toner particles collected by the cleaning device to a developing device, wherein the toner for use in the image forming apparatus has a volume average particle diameter (d) of from 4 to 10 μm and has a flatness ratio (d/t) of the volume average particle diameter (d) to the thickness (t) of from 2 to 5.
As for a countermeasure against the poor cleaning performance problem from the standpoint of process, JOP 2002-221886 discloses an image forming method in which the following relationships are satisfied: 0.2≧Y100−Y0≧0.01 and 2.95≧Y100/Y0≧1.15 (the unit of Y100 and Y0 is N·m), wherein Y0 represents the average value of dynamic torque created between an organic image bearing member and a cleaning blade when a toner image is not formed on the organic image bearing member and Y100 represents the average value of dynamic torque when a 100% solid toner image is formed on the organic image bearing member.
However, countermeasures from the standpoint of either toner or process are not sufficient to avoid the cleaning problem with toners having a small particle diameter and a spherical form. Especially an image forming apparatus having good ability is desired even when toners having a small toner particle diameter is used to satisfy the demands to produce high definition images at a high speed.
Because of these reasons, a need exists for an image forming apparatus in which toner particles remaining on the surface of an image bearing member can be removed with a cleaning blade even when the toner has a small particle diameter.

Image forming apparatus used in electrostatic process


A system and method for alerting responsible personnel to perform a post-trip inspection check for passengers remaining on a bus at the end of a trip by issuing audible and/or visual alerts when the bus is parked and the motor shut off at the end of the trip. The ignition switch (47) must be placed in ACCESSORY position and a park brake applied for the system to be rendered capable of being disarmed by operation of a disarming device (45S) at the rear of the bus. Operation of the disarming device is indicated by a correct sequence of operating conditions of the device, namely first non-actuated, then actuated, and then non-actuated. The system includes a SNOOZE state that allows the ignition switch to be temporarily turned off during a trip and the alert to be stopped by pressing a snooze switch.

Certain motor vehicles that transport people in substantial numbers at one time, such as school busses, are required by law and/or regulation to comply with certain requirements related to the well-being of the people they transport, school pupils in the case of school busses. A typical school bus has a front entrance/exit door at a side of the vehicle opposite the driver's seat, and a center aisle running from front to rear with a row of seats along each side of the aisle.
As a school bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off pupils at various locations along a route, it gives certain signals to other vehicles in the immediate vicinity as an indication that it is coming to a stop for a pick-up. The driver may operate one or more switches to begin flashing certain exterior lamps and/or deploy stop signs at the sides of the bus, or such signals may be issued automatically in one way or another based on conditions indicating that the bus is about to stop for a pick-up or drop-off.
Once the bus has been brought to a complete stop, the front entrance/exit door is opened to allow pupils to board or exit the bus. After the pupils have entered and seated themselves, or alternatively exited, the door is closed. After that, the flashing lamps are extinguished, the deployed stop signs are retracted, and the bus proceeds to the next stop.
Upon the last pupil or pupils having been dropped off, the bus typically proceeds to its final destination which may be on school premises or in a parking yard for school busses not necessarily on the premises of any school.
A number of incidents have been publicly documented where one or more pupils have been left inside a bus after the bus has been parked and the driver has left. These are situations that obviously should not have occurred, but for whatever reason or reasons, actually did.
In efforts to minimize the risk that such incidents might occur in the future, it has been proposed to equip the electrical systems of school buses with systems for alerting responsible persons, chiefly the bus driver, to walk to the rear of the bus at the end of each trip during which pupils have been transported to make sure that none remain inside. Such systems typically rely on the manual actuation of a device near the rear of the bus as an indication that a responsible person has in fact walked to the rear of the bus.
Upon the bus being parked at the end of a trip, a typical system will give an alarm of some sort to alert the driver and possibly other individuals in the immediately vicinity of the need to check the bus for any remaining pupils. If the device at the rear of the bus continues not to be manually actuated within some interval of time after the bus has been parked and the motor shut off, the alarm will continue. In some systems, the driver is given the option of delaying the alarm for a limited time after the expiration of which the failure to have actuated the device at the rear of the bus will cause the alarm to be given.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,128,651, 5,874,891, 6,107,915, and 6,259,358 B1 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0030550 A1 describe various systems that require manual actuation of a device at the rear of a bus as an indicator that a responsible person has walked to the rear to check for any persons remaining on the bus after they should have de-boarded. They disclose various conditions for arming and disarming the systems, various conditions for triggering alarms, and various conditions for allowing alarms to be turned off.
In some systems like that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,651, operation of the vehicle's ignition switch to OFF position is effective to give an alarm. U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,651 allows for the ignition switch to be turned from OFF to ON to silence an alarm without having to manually operate a device at the rear of the bus, but when the ignition switch is again turned to OFF, the alarm will be given and can be shut off only by manual actuation of the device at the rear of the bus.
The system of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,874,891 allows the driver to deactivate the alarm system with the engine still running (ignition switch in ON) by walking to the rear of the bus and then manually actuating the device at the rear. While that is alleged to be a convenience to the driver, U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,651 seems to consider that possibility undesirable because it would allow any pupil, either on the pupil's own initiative or on instruction from the driver, to deactivate the system by manually operating the device at the rear while the driver remains driving the bus.

International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC


The present disclosure relates to an OCT device, which can be simply mounted without changing the structure of a microscope or an endoscope, thereby realizing an OCT system and, more particularly, to a removable OCT device including: a tunable laser configured to emit light to the light output side of an optical device by tuning the wavelength of the light; a first beam splitter installed on a path of the light emitted from the tunable laser; and a reference mirror installed on a path of the light that has passed through the first beam splitter, wherein the removable OCT device is mounted at the light output side of the optical device.

An OCT device is a device capable of taking tomography images of a human body using interference of light in the infrared band. At the initial stage of technology development, it was possible to obtain images of several frames per second by changing the optical path mechanically. Nowadays, tomography images of several hundred frames per second can be taken by employing a three-dimensional OCT technique that makes use of a wavelength tunable laser and a high-speed digitizer.
FIG. 1, shows a conventional OCT device and a microscope equipped with the OCT device. The conventional OCT device captures tomography images with an interference signal of the signal light and the reference light by bypassing the light of an object incident on the microscope.
However, since the OCT device of the type shown in FIG. 1 requires a portion (A) (a beam splitter or the like) of the OCT device to be interposed between the main body of the microscope or the like and the objective lens (B) in order to bypass the signal light. This raises a problem that installation of the OCT device is difficult and that the alignment of precision equipment such as a microscope or the like is disturbed.
FIG. 2, shows an endoscope in which an OCT device is integrally formed. The endoscope in which the OCT device is integrally formed therewith can simultaneously perform the functions of the endoscope and the OCT device because a transducer and a optical fiber for a light source are formed within the endoscope.
However, the OCT device of the type shown in FIG. 2 suffers from a problem that all existing conventional endoscopes should be discarded and replaced by new ones, which leads to excessive waste of resources.

Removable Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device


An optical or an optoelectronic device and methods are provided for data transmission across two interconnects. First, an electrical signal is obtained from an interconnect. Next, the electrical signal is modulated. Within the modulated electrical signal, an occurrence of a transition is determined, in which a change in a power of the electrical signal by more than a threshold amount. In response to the determination of the occurrence of the transition, coefficients indicative of respective amounts of compensation to resolve or mitigate nonlinearities associated with the transition are determined. According to the coefficients, a filter is applied in a vicinity of the transition to obtain a modified electrical signal. The modified electrical signal is converted into an optical signal and coupled to a fiber to transmit the optical signal to a destination at a second interconnect.

Data traffic and data exchange have been skyrocketing, as approximately 90% of the world's data has been created within the last two years alone. Currently, data demand is expected to grow by 40% annually. The increase in data traffic and exchange is manifested particularly in machine-to-machine traffic, such as, between servers, racks, switches, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), and other computing components, and within data centers. Moreover, applications in machine learning and artificial intelligence, which have high computing resource consumption, may harness high network performance and connectivity at all levels of a computing hierarchy. Additionally, transmission speeds, such as broadband speed, Wi-Fi speed, and mobile speed, are predicted to double or triple by 2023 compared to the respective speeds in 2018. Thus, in order to support the ever-increasing demands of data exchange at high speeds, researchers have undertaken efforts to develop improved optical and optoelectronic devices to be used as communication links between computing components. Due to rapid increases in data rate and transmission speeds, optical and optoelectronic devices have slowly begun to replace electronic links, such as copper cables, due to attenuation or distortion of signals, as attributed to skin effect and frequency-dependent dielectric losses through electronic links, especially at high data rates such as rates over 100 Gigabits per second (Gbps).
Photonic devices, such as coherent and non-coherent silicon or indium phosphide transceivers, and intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) technologies such as directly modulated lasers (DMLs), electro-absorption modulated lasers (EMLs), Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), monolithic integrated transmitters, and vertical-cavity surface-emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are increasingly being deployed as optical links to transmit data. In particular, applications of VCSELs, particularly in short-reach optical interconnects and longer wavelength VCSEL applications, have reached fruition. VCSELs may offer cost efficiency, energy efficiency, and small footprint, thereby being tailored to low power consumption and high bandwidth density applications. Additionally, VCSELs may produce circular output beams having less divergence, can be fabricated in arrays due to its monolithically integrated structure which requires a single epitaxial run, and support on-wafer testing. However, some limitations of VCSELs may include bandwidth limitations and nonlinear responses. Transmitter bandwidths of VCSELs are limited by intrinsic laser response, such as, a rate equation-dependent process of converting laser current to optical output, resonant interactions between carrier and photon during a stimulated emission process, and extrinsic parasitic circuit components between the intrinsic laser and a driving circuit, such as driver output capacitance, inductance, and bias-dependent VCSEL impedance. Because current optical links are targeting speeds with a bandwidth larger than 100 Gbps, efforts have been undertaken to counter the limitations of bandwidths. Such efforts to increase bandwidths, however, may result in nonlinearities such as gain nonlinearities and/or relaxation nonlinearities, which could affect the integrity of transmitted data, as well as other undesirable tradeoffs. The nonlinearities may be attributed in part to increased damping effects upon application of a bias current. Although operating the VCSELs at higher average bias currents may improve a linearity of a response to input data, higher current levels may result in an undesirable reduction of a mean time to failure (MTTF) and higher power consumptions. Therefore, rectifying nonlinearities is a currently unresolved issue that has prevented the benefits of optical links such as VCSELs from being fully harnessed.
The figures are not exhaustive and do not limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed.

Transition-based, nonlinear equalization for optical transmission

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


Complexes of .gamma.-cyclodextrin and retinol or retinol derivatives, along with processes for their preparation and compositions for their use. The complexes are useful in cosmetic formulations and in pharmaceutical formulations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to complexes of .gamma.-cyclodextrin and retinol or retinol derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use.
2. The Prior Art
Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides which are composed of 6, 7 or 8.alpha.(1-4)-linked anhydroglucose units. The .alpha.-, .beta.- or .gamma.-cyclodextrins prepared by the enzymatic conversion of starch differ in the diameter of their hydrophobic cavity and are generally suitable for inclusion of numerous lipophilic substances.
Retinol (vitamin A) is a fat-soluble vitamin composed of a cyclohexene ring with a side chain containing conjugated polyunsaturation. It is essential for humans inter alia and plays an important role particularly for vision. The daily requirement is met almost exclusively by the intake of .beta.-carotene (provitamin A), which is converted into retinol enzymatically.
Because of its important physiological function, especially for vision, and also its skincare and antiwrinkle properties, retinol is an extremely valuable substance. In the cosmetics industry, there is great interest in the increased use of vitamin A, particularly in dermatological formulations.
Topical application of retinol stabilizes the vitamin A balance in the skin, which balance can be permanently impaired in particular by exposure to UV light. The deficiency of vitamin A leads to damage, particularly of the epidermis, and to increased formation of wrinkles and horn ("photoaging"). There is also a loss of the skin's elasticity. Moreover, the skin's barrier function against microorganisms is weakened.
The main problem that prevents the wide spread use of retinol is its sensitivity to oxidation, in particular oxidation caused by exposure to light. An autoxidation reaction takes place at the side chain of the molecule which contains the conjugated unsaturation. This reaction leads to the formation of numerous decomposition products, to isomerizations and to polymerizations. The originally crystalline retinol material becomes a viscous mass; and the pale yellow color of pure retinol becomes noticeably darker. As a result of peroxides which are formed as intermediates, the potentially toxic results of using these formulations increases. Also, the cosmetically desired results of the remaining intact retinol are reduced.
Instead of using the uncombined free retinol, which is very sensitive to oxidation, cosmetics, especially antiwrinkle creams, therefore often contain the less effective, but more stable retinyl ester. Examples of these more stable retinyl esters particularly include retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate.
Moreover, retinol containing vitamin preparations are being marketed by the food industry. Furthermore, retinol can be used in pharmaceutical formulations.
Procedures which have the beneficial result of stabilizing pure retinol are thus of exceptional interest. Because free or uncombined retinol is extremely sensitive to oxidative decomposition, its use is severely limited, even though free retinol is highly desirable per se.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,452 discloses how retinol and also retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate can be stabilized using .beta.-cyclodextrin.
CA: 98:52237 describes the use of an .alpha.-cyclodextrin/retinol complex as an additive in food technology.
CA: 110:199059 describes how the photostability of retinyl acetate is increased by .beta.-cyclodextrin and .beta.-cyclodextrin derivatives in aqueous solution and in the solid state.
CA: 120:265222 discloses the complexation of retinyl acetate using .beta.-cyclodextrin.
WO 94/21225 describes a skincare formulation comprising retinyl palmitate and .beta.-cyclodextrin.
In WO 90/14082, retinoic acid is used together with .beta.-cyclodextrin in an aqueous gel for dermatological purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,816 discloses the stabilization of vitamin A and its corresponding fatty acid esters, which may also be present in dermatological formulations, by using antioxidants and UV-absorbers in the form of cyclodextrin complexes.
J. Drug Targeting 2(5) (1994) 449-54 (CA: 122:64224) reports on the complexation of retinol and retinoic acid using hydroxypropyl-.beta.-cyclodextrin and on the inclusion of the corresponding complexes in liposomes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,998 describes how, after parenteral application, the risk of undesired accumulation of retinol as a lipophilic pharmaceutical active substance can be lowered by solubilization using hydroxypropyl-.beta.-cyclodextrin.

Complexes of gamma-cyclodextrin and retinol or retinol derivatives, processes for their preparation and their use


In a hydraulic brake system of the present invention, the communication between a power chamber 30 of a hydraulic booster 2 and wheel cylinders (WCY) 58, 59 is allowed by a switching valve 64 when fluid pressure of an accumulator (ACC) 46 exceeds predetermined pressure. During braking operation, the fluid pressure of the ACC 46 introduced in the power chamber 30 is introduced directly to the WCYs 58, 59, thereby rapidly actuating brakes and thus improving the response. When the fluid pressure of the ACC 46 is less than the predetermined pressure, the communication between a fluid chamber 57 of a master cylinder (MCY) 3 and the WCYs 58, 59 is allowed by the switching valve 64. During braking operation, MCY pressure developed by a MCY piston 53 operated by an input shaft 21 through a power piston 10 is introduced into the WCYs 58, 59 through the switching valve 64. The brakes can securely work even when the fluid pressure of the ACC 46 is less than the predetermined pressure.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic brake system using a hydraulic booster which boosts leg-power exerted on a brake pedal to a predetermined value, in which pressurized fluid introduced into a power chamber of the hydraulic booster is introduced into brake cylinders in order to actuate brakes, and more particularly to a hydraulic brake system in which master cylinder pressure developed in a master cylinder is supplied to brake cylinders through a switching valve when fluid pressure drops, thereby ensuring positive operation of brakes.
Sometimes employed in a vehicle is a hydraulic brake system which uses a hydraulic booster, which boosts leg-power exerted on a brake pedal to a predetermined value by pressurized fluid. In such a brake system, the pressurized fluid introduced into a power chamber of the hydraulic booster is introduced into brake cylinders in order to actuate brakes. Such a brake system can provide sufficient braking force with small leg-power on the brake pedal, thereby ensuring positive operation of the brakes and reducing the driver's labor.
In such a hydraulic brake system, it is desired to ensure positive operation of the brakes even when the fluid pressure drops. As one of conventional hydraulic brake systems which can ensure the positive operation of the brakes even when the fluid pressure drops, proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-47659 is a hydraulic brake system which operates brakes by supplying fluid pressure developed in a hydraulic booster by a switching valve to wheel cylinders during normal operation, and ensure positive operation of the brakes by supplying master cylinder pressure developed in a master cylinder to wheel cylinders when fluid pressure drops.
In the hydraulic brake system disclosed in this publication, the operation of the switching valve is controlled by the fluid pressure introduced into a power chamber of the hydraulic booster during the braking operation. To be described in detail, the system has a piston disposed in the switching valve for controlling the operation of the switching valve and the piston is provided with a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. When the braking operation is not performed, the piston is set in a position where the communication between the power chamber of the hydraulic booster and the wheel cylinders is interrupted and the communication between a fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders is allowed, while when the braking operation is performed and the pressurized fluid is thereby introduced into the power chamber, the fluid pressure in the power chamber is applied to the large-diameter portion of the piston so as to set the piston in a position where the communication between the fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders is interrupted and the communication between the power chamber of the hydraulic booster and the wheel cylinders is allowed.
However, in the conventional hydraulic brake system, the switching valve is set to interrupt the communication between the power chamber of the hydraulic booster and the wheel cylinders and allow the communication between the fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders when the braking operation is not performed.
Therefore, when the braking operation is performed for normal braking under conditions of normal fluid pressure, the pressurized fluid is not supplied to the wheel cylinders until the switching valve is switched even after the fluid pressure is introduced into the power chamber of the hydraulic booster. Accordingly, the response of this system is not necessarily good. In addition, the direction, in which the fluid pressure is exerted on the large-diameter portion of the piston of the switching valve to switch the switching valve, opposes the direction, in which the fluid pressure of the pressurized fluid to be supplied to the wheel cylinders is exerted on the small-diameter portion, thereby causing loss in the fluid pressure. This is also a reason making the response insufficient.
When the fluid pressure drops, the fluid pressure in the master cylinder is supplied to the wheel cylinders through the switching valve. The master cylinder pressure is exerted on the piston in such a manner that the piston is moved in such a direction as to interrupt the communication between the fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders. As the force of a spring is set to large in order to prevent the moving of the piston, the piston of the switching valve is difficult to move quickly when the hydraulic booster is actuated under conditions of normal fluid pressure, thereby further making the response worse. It is therefore not simply solved by just setting the force of the spring larger. Moreover, it is quite difficult to determine the force of the spring biasing a piston and a pressure receiving area of fluid pressure of the piston in such a manner as to securely and rapidly move the piston of the switching valve in the direction that allows the communication between the power chamber of the hydraulic booster and the wheel cylinder and interrupts the communication between the fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders when the hydraulic booster is actuated under conditions of normal fluid pressure, and securely not to move the piston in the direction that allows the communication between the power chamber of the hydraulic booster and the wheel cylinder and interrupts the communication between the fluid chamber of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders when the fluid pressure drops.
There is another problem that components of the switching valve such as a seal of the piston are inferior in durability because the piston of the switching valve moves in such a direction as to increase the volume of the fluid chamber of the master cylinder so as to increase the pedal stroke for normal braking and the piston moves every time the hydraulic booster is actuated.