Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for processing a substrate in an electrochemical mechanical planarizing system. In one embodiment, a cell for polishing a substrate includes a processing pad disposed on a top surface of a platen assembly. A plurality of conductive elements are arranged in a spaced-apart relation across the upper planarizing surface and adapted to bias the substrate relative to an electrode disposed between the pad and the platen assembly. A plurality of passages are formed through the platen assembly between the top surface and a plenum defined within the platen assembly. In another embodiment, a system is provided having a bulk processing cell and a residual processing cell. The residual processing cell includes a biased conductive planarizing surface. In further embodiments, the conductive element is protected from attack by process chemistries.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for electrochemical mechanical processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrochemical mechanical planarizing (ECMP) is a technique used to remove conductive materials from a substrate surface by electrochemical dissolution while concurrently polishing the substrate with reduced mechanical abrasion compared to conventional planarization processes. ECMP systems may generally be adapted for deposition of conductive material on the substrate by reversing the polarity of the bias. Electrochemical dissolution is performed by applying a bias between a cathode and a substrate surface to remove conductive materials from the substrate surface into a surrounding electrolyte. Typically, the bias is applied to the substrate surface by a conductive polishing material on which the substrate is processed. A mechanical component of the polishing process is performed by providing relative motion between the substrate and the conductive polishing material that enhances the removal of the conductive material from the substrate.
Copper is one material that may be polished using electrochemical mechanical planarizing. Typically, copper is polished utilizing a two-step process. In the first step, the bulk of the copper is removed, typically leaving some copper residue projecting above the substrate's surface. The copper residue is then removed in a second, or over-polishing, step.
However, the removal of copper residue may result in dishing of copper features below the plane of a surrounding material, typically an oxide Or a barrier layer of other materials, such as TaN, and the like. The amount of dishing typically is related to polishing chemistries and processing parameters utilized in the over-polish step, along with the width of the copper features subjected to polishing. As the copper layer does not have a uniform thickness across the substrate, it is difficult to remove all the copper residue without causing dishing over some features and not removing all of the copper residue over others. However, at the present time, it is difficult to perform both bulk and residual material removal at a single polishing station. Thus, it would be advantageous to perform bulk and residual material removal on polishing stations optimized for those processes to enhance substrate throughput while providing copper residue removal and minimized dishing.
Thus, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus electrochemical mechanical planarizing.

Method and apparatus for electrochemical mechanical processing


A memory expansion assembly includes a first plate having first electrical slots and a first electrically connecting portion, a second plate pivotally connected to the first plate and having second electrical slots and a second electrically connecting portion, a first engaging assembly, and a second engaging assembly. The first electrical slots are electrically connected to the first electrically connecting portion. The second electrical slots are electrically connected to the second electrically connecting portion. The second plate is adapted to pivot relative to the first plate to have a folded position when the two are close to each other and an unfolded position when the two are away from each other. The first engaging assembly is disposed on a side of the first plate. The second engaging assembly is disposed on a side of the second plate. The first engaging assembly is removably engaged with the second engaging assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates to an expansion assembly, and more particularly to a memory expansion assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer uses a Random Access Memory (RAM) as a data storage area. The CPU stores all calculation results and program instructions in the RAM. When required by execution of a program, data stored in the storage area can be accessed.
However, functions of the computer become more and more powerful, and requirements on data processing speed and the amount of data increase correspondingly. Therefore, a user usually expects the number of memory slots to be increased to expand capacity of the memory. However, the increase of the number of memory slots inevitably increases the area of a motherboard, which increases the volume of the computer, thereby affecting the computer being compact. Furthermore, if the number of memory slots is increased without increasing the area of the motherboard, spaces arranged for other electronic components are occupied.
Therefore, how to increase the number of memory slots in a limited space of the motherboard to increase the capacity of the memory and therefore improve computing performance of the computer is a problem needs to be solved.

INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION


An optical transmit assembly having a temperature sensor patterned on an electro-optic transducer die. Due to the close proximity of the electro-optic transducer junction and the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor more accurately measures the temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction. This permits for more refined control of the frequency characteristics of optical light emitted by the electro-optic transducer junction since the emitted optical frequencies of most electro-optic transducers are heavily temperature dependent.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical transmitters. More specifically, the present invention relates to optical transmit assemblies in which a temperature sensing device is patterned on an electro-optic transducer die.
2. Background and Related Art
Computing and networking technology have transformed our world. As the amount of information communicated over networks has increased, high speed transmission has become ever more critical. Many high speed data transmission networks rely on optical transceivers and similar devices for facilitating transmission and reception of digital data embodied in the form of optical signals over optical fibers. Optical networks are thus found in a wide variety of high speed applications ranging from as modest as a small Local Area Network (LAN) to as grandiose as the backbone of the Internet.
Typically, data transmission in such networks is implemented by way of an optical transmitter (also referred to as an electro-optic transducer), such as a laser or Light Emitting Diode (LED). The electro-optic transducer emits light when current is passed through it, the intensity of the emitted light being a function of the current magnitude being passed through the electro-optic transducer. Information is conveyed optically by transmitting different optical intensities. The emitted light is more specifically emitted by the PN junction of the electro-optic transducer.
The optical emission frequencies from the PN junction of the electro-optic transducer have strong temperature dependencies that can seriously affect performance, depending on the application. For example, in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (DWDM) laser applications, different optical channels are transmitted simultaneously, each optical channel having a tight frequency range that the corresponding optical signal should stay within. Any variance outside of the frequency range could cause inter-signal interference, seriously increasing the error rate of the transmission. Thus, in DWDM laser applications, it is critical that the laser's transmitted frequency be tightly controlled. Nevertheless, the frequency characteristics of the emitted light from the PN laser diode junction are heavily temperature-dependent. Although DWDM has been discussed here, there are a wide variety of applications in which it may be desirable to accurately control the temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction.
The temperature control of the electro-optic transducer junction typically relies on a temperature feedback system. Specifically, a temperature sensor is provided in proximity to the electro-optic transducer junction. Depending on the sensed temperature, a temperature driver then heats or cools the temperature sensor as appropriate until the temperature sensor detects a temperature within an acceptable temperature range. The aim here is that by tightly controlling the temperature of the temperature sensor, the temperature of the proximate electro-optic transducer driver junction will also be tightly controlled.
However, the temperature sensor and the electro-optic transducer junction cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Therefore, the temperature sensor, though relatively close to the electro-optic transducer junction, is still placed some finite distance from the electro-optic transducer junction. There will thus be some finite amount of thermal resistance between the temperature sensor and the electro-optic transducer junction.
The temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction may vary significantly as the electro-optic transducer itself generates heat. Furthermore, the temperature sensor may also generate heat. In addition, the temperature sensor and the electro-optic transducer may dynamically exchange heat with other surrounding components and the environment. Thus, due to the thermal resistance between the temperature sensor and the electro-optic transducer, there will be some error between the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the actual temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction. In this way, even very tight control of the temperature of the temperature sensor, will not necessarily result in tight control of the temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction.
Accordingly, what would be advantageous are mechanisms in which there is tighter control of the temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction.

Temperature sensing device patterned on an electro-optic transducer die


There is disclosed a system and a method of real time stream provisioning. The method includes dynamically allocating one of a plurality of servers in a server cluster for use in a chat, the chat including an audio component for each of n chat participants and encoding the audio component for each of the n chat participants, using at least one graphical processing unit, into n audio streams, where the n audio streams each include audio components for n−1 of the n chat participants where each of the n audio streams does not include the audio component for a different one of the n chat participants. The method further comprises transmitting one of the n audio streams to the n chat participants such that a chat participant of each of the n chat participants receives an audio stream excluding the audio component associated with the chat participant.

1. Field
This disclosure relates to a real time stream provisioning infrastructure for use in audio-visual multi-user chat interactions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Audio-visual chat has been available among a plurality of computer users for some time. For example, Skype® enables audio-visual user-to-user calling via a peer-to-peer system with server-based initiation and messaging protocols. More recently, Skype®, Facetime®, and Google® Hangouts have enabled various permutations of so-called "group" audio-visual chat sessions. Facetime® and Skype® also enable mobile-to-mobile single-user-to-single-user audio-visual calling.
In a related field, websites such as YouTube®, Netflix® and Vimeo® have enabled streaming of stored videos. Sites such as UStream® and Twit.tv® have enabled real time or "live" (or nearly-live) audio-visual streaming. Stored video streaming has relied upon conversion of the video into a format suitable for low-bandwidth streaming. In some cases, such as with Netflix®, algorithms can dynamically alter the quality of the stream in real-time so as to accommodate higher or lower bandwidth availability. Real time audio-visual streaming typically relies upon a single stream and, encodes the stream before it is broadcast directly from the stream to any number of watchers using multicast protocols. Some of these real time streaming services can operate directly from mobile devices, but offer limited streaming capabilities, low resolution, and delay the stream in order to account for issues related to mobile device processing capability, latency and bandwidth considerations.
Throughout this description, elements appearing in figures are assigned three-digit reference designators, where the most significant digit is the figure number and the two least significant digits are specific to the element. An element that is not described in conjunction with a figure may be presumed to have the same characteristics and function as a previously-described element having a reference designator with the same least significant digits.

Real time stream provisioning infrastructure


A speaker clustering apparatus generates HMMs for clusters based on feature quantities of a vocal-tract configuration of speech waveform data, and a speech recognition apparatus provided with the speaker clustering apparatus. In response to the speech waveform data of N speakers, an estimator estimates feature quantities of vocal-tract configurations, with reference to correspondence between vocal-tract configuration parameters and Formant frequencies predetermined based on a predetermined vocal tract model of a standard speaker. Further, a clustering processor calculates speaker-to-speaker distances between the N speakers based on the feature quantities of the vocal-tract configurations of the N speakers as estimated, and clusters the vocal-tract configurations of the N speakers using a clustering algorithm based on calculated speaker-to-speaker distances, thereby generating K clusters. Then the clustering processor trains an initial HMM based on the speech waveform data of speakers respectively belonging to the generated K clusters, thereby generating K hidden Markov models corresponding to the K clusters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a speaker clustering apparatus based on feature quantities of a vocal-tract configuration, and a speech recognition apparatus provided with the speaker clustering apparatus. In particular, it relates to a speaker clustering apparatus for generating hidden Markov models (hereinafter, referred to as HMMs) for a plurality of clusters by performing a speaker clustering process based on feature quantities of a vocal-tract configuration of speech waveform data. It further relates to a speech recognition apparatus for recognizing speech by selecting an HMM, which is optimum for a speaker targeted for speech recognition, from the HMMs of the plurality of clusters generated by the speaker clustering apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Use of gender-dependent acoustic models for speech recognition is an effective way to improve the recognition performance. However, since there is still a wide variety of speakers having different features even within each same gender, several speaker clustering methods for obtaining more detailed speaker cluster models have been proposed. For example, the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 7-261785 proposed not only a tree-structured, hierarchical speaker clustering method but also a fast speaker adaptation method based on selection of speaker clusters defined on the tree structure of speaker clusters. The effectiveness of these methods also as an initialization model for speaker adaptation was disclosed in, for example, the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 8-110792.
In order to obtain highly efficient speaker clusters by such a speaker clustering method, there is a need of setting an appropriate distance across speakers. In previous work on speaker clustering, acoustic feature quantities, in particular, distances across acoustic models to be used for the recognition of speaker dependent HMMs or the like have widely been used as distances across speakers for clustering.
However, in the speaker clustering using distances across acoustic models to be used for the recognition of speaker-dependent HMMs or the like, as shown in these prior arts, there have been such problems that large amounts of speech waveform data would be required to obtain a higher speech recognition rate, it is necessary to provide a storage unit having a large storage capacity, while the amount of computations involved in speaker clustering would become very large. Further, in speech recognition using HMMs resulting from speaker clustering with relatively low amounts of speech waveform data, there has been another problem that the speech recognition rate would still be low.

Speaker clustering apparatus based on feature quantities of vocal-tract configuration and speech recognition apparatus therewith

ATR Interpreting Telecommunications Research Laboratories


An integrated printed circuit board-based solid state line voltage interface for use in automation control system applications. Relays connect various functional loads to the line level source in response to input from a controller unit. Switches enable a user to override the controller and manually control the connection of the functional loads. An alternative embodiment further includes limit switches and time delays. The compact nature of the device facilitates ease of installation, mounting of multiple units in less space, and mounting in various specialized location as desired.

Automation systems employ controller devices such as microprocessors, computers, and programmable logic controllers (PLC's), to control machinery, equipment, and processes. These systems may control various equipment including fans, dampers, valves, vents, shades, and other equipment. Often, automation controller units read a set of digital and/or analog inputs, apply a set of logic statements, and in response generate a set of low or very low voltage analog and/or digital output signals. These output signals are then often transferred from the automation control system to either additional low voltage interface relays or pilot relays, which are operative of final power relays. Power relays then engage the relevant line voltage loads, resulting in, for instance, an electrical motor performing a function that corresponds to the instruction originating from the automation control unit. These existing low voltage pilot relays or interface devices may or may not have integral override switches, but are not capable of transferring the full motor load.
Automation interfacing of reversing or multi-speed motors also requires additional relays, wiring, and override switches, all of which are usually custom-built from individual electrical components. The sheer volume of components required often necessitates that large or multiple electrical boxes be utilized. Such a bulky arrangement can prohibit mounting of the equipment in tight or compact spaces. Additionally, in some situations it may be desirable to locate the reversing motor interface so as to facilitate the electrical installations (e.g. locating the interface next to the controller versus next to motor). The complicated and non-compact manner in which present art relay/switch systems are built for automation interfacing inhibits the ability to locate components and wiring in the most cost-effective, compact, and desirable configuration.
Therefore, there is a need for an integrated device to act as an interface between automation control units, multifunction load devices, including, for instance, reversing or multi-speed motor applications, and the power sources that drive those loads. Such an integrated device would incorporate relays and switches in a single, compact, easily installed interface; the use of which would require minimal electrical knowledge on the part of the user, including an owner and/or installer. Such a device would facilitate automatic control of the line voltage load by a controller unit, while also providing a means for manual override (including means for the user to select individual functions), powering the system off, and control for special situations.

Line voltage interface for automation systems


A search index for searching a graph-based data store can include triple entries, each triple entry having a posting list value, at least one intersection identifier associated with the posting list value, and at least one result identifier associated with the intersection identifier. The index may also include search entries having a posting list value that corresponds to a text search aid. The search index may also include pre-computed path entries, such as chain path entries and converge path entries. The index may also include bucket posting lists representing ranges of object values for a particular predicate and proximity posting lists that include one or more entities and the areas of a location hierarchy with locations within the proximity of the entity. Queries for the data graph may have at least two stages, each stage being associated with a posting list from a graph index.

Large search engines traditionally create and store an index that enables a user to search for one or more words in the content of documents. Such a search engine may store the document content, such as text, and an index that indicates what phrases appear in the content of each document. Such an index can comprise posting lists, where a posting list typically tracks a list of documents, or a first dimension, for each phrase, or posting list value. Such indexes work well for a document corpus such as the internet, but may not be used to search data graphs efficiently. A data graph stores nodes, or entities, and the relationships between the nodes. The one-dimensional posting list model used by a search index often cannot efficiently search for information in a data graph.

Index and query serving for low latency search of large graphs


The present disclosure provides a method of controlling braking of an electric vehicle in which friction braking force generated by a friction braking unit is applied to front wheels and regenerative braking force generated by a motor is applied to rear wheels includes: determining driver's request braking force by a controller based on a driver's braking-input value; detecting driving information and state information of the vehicle by a detection unit; and determining a braking mode of the vehicle that satisfies the driver's request braking force by the controller based on the detected information and information of running state of the vehicle obtained from the detected information. In addition, the present disclosure provides a system of controlling braking of an electric vehicle.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute the related art.
Generally, a hybrid vehicle refers to a vehicle being driven by an internal combustion engine (ICE) that uses fossil fuel and an electric motor that uses electric energy, which are used as a power source.
As for a type of a power train for hybrid vehicles, a transmission mounted electric device (TMED) type in which a drive motor is disposed at a transmission side is known.
In a typical TMED type, an engine clutch is interposed between an engine and a drive motor, which serve as power sources, a transmission is disposed at an output side of the drive motor, and a combined power of the engine and the drive motor is transmitted to front wheels acting as driving wheels via the transmission when the engine clutch is engaged.
Further, in TMED type hybrid vehicles, the engine and the drive motor are disposed at the front wheels acting as drive wheels so that only the drive torque for the front wheels is controlled in such a manner that torque of the engine and torque of the drive motor are overlaid before the transmission and then transmitted to the front wheels through the transmission.
In addition, a rear-axle mounted electric device (RMED) type is known as another type of hybrid vehicle. In the RMED type hybrid vehicles, front wheels are driven by power from the engine and rear wheels are driven by power from the electric motor.
This RMED type hybrid vehicles adopt a four-wheel drive (4 WD) system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,517,298 discloses an electric-4 WD (E-4 WD) type hybrid vehicle in which a propeller shaft which is a mechanical power unit is removed and a drive motor is applied to rear wheels in order to improve efficiency of the four-wheel drive vehicle.
As disclosed in the patent, in the hybrid vehicle to which the E-4 WD system is applied, independent driving means are applied to the front wheels and the rear wheels respectively wherein an engine is applied as a driving means for the front wheels and the drive motor is applied as a driving means for the rear wheels and each driving means is driven independently or together depending on conditions of driving environment.
On the other hand, in a case of a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle being driven by a motor being used as a power source, a regenerative mode for recovering kinetic energy of the vehicle through power generation by the motor at the time of braking or coasting by inertia and hence charging a battery (charging the motor) is performed.
Such a regenerative braking system improves vehicle fuel economy by converting kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy when the vehicle is braking and storing the electric energy in a battery and thereafter reusing the electric energy to drive the motor during running of the vehicle.
In vehicles where regenerative braking is performed, regenerative braking cooperative control technology for controlling the sum of regenerative braking torque generated in the motor during regenerative braking (i.e., regenerative braking force) and friction braking torque generated in brakes (i.e., friction braking force) to be equal to driver's request braking torque (i.e., target braking force) is required.
In this case, an appropriate distribution of the electric braking force generated by operation of the power generation and rotational resistance of the motor, that is, the regenerative braking force and the friction braking force generated by a friction braking unit is desired.
A hydraulic braking unit is used as a typical friction braking unit, wherein a target braking force, i.e., driver's request braking force is estimated based on signal of brakes corresponding to operation of brakes, i.e., signal of a brake pedal sensor (BPS) in response to operation of a brake pedal by a driver, and the distribution of the regenerative braking force and the hydraulic braking force (friction braking force), which satisfies the target braking force, is performed.
Further, when the regenerative braking torque and the hydraulic braking torque are determined through the distribution of the regenerative braking force generated by the motor and the hydraulic braking force generated by the hydraulic braking unit, control against the regenerative braking and the hydraulic braking (regenerative control of the motor and control of the hydraulic braking unit) is performed so as to output respective values of the distributed torque.
In the hybrid vehicle or the pure electric vehicle in which such regenerative braking is performed, it is desired to provide braking force to enhance fuel economy if it is possible to use the regenerative braking of the motor.
In this case, kinetic energy of the vehicle that can be consumed as heat in the friction braking unit during braking can be reduced and can be converted into electric energy through the motor so that a greater amount of electric energy can be stored in the battery and reused.
However, in a drive system in which the motor is mounted on the rear wheels, if regenerative braking is unconditionally given priority over using brakes of the front wheels, a greater braking force is applied to the rear wheels than the front wheels, resulting in a very unstable behavior of the vehicle.
However, if the greater braking force is always applied to the front wheels compared to the rear wheels similar to a strategy of using brakes in a general engine vehicle, an amount of energy discarded as heat in the brakes of the front wheels becomes greater than an amount of energy recovered through the regenerative braking of the rear wheels, resulting in an adverse effect on the fuel economy.

System and method of controlling braking of electric vehicle


Disclosed in the present invention are a fluorine-containing polymerizable compound of the general formula (1) and a polymer compound obtained therefrom:

Bisphenols are useful as raw materials of engineering plastics. Polymers using bisphenols are suitable in a wide range of applications such as electronic components, separation films for water treatment, gas separation and hemodialysis etc. However, polyesters having bisphenol repeating units are difficult to dissolve in organic solvents and difficult to mold.
There have thus been developed fluorine-containing polymers using, as monomers, bisphenols or dicarboxylic acids each having a hexafluoroisopropylidene group, i.e., C(CF3)2 in the respective chemical structures for improvement in organic solvent solubility (see Non-Patent Document 1). The thus-obtained fluorine-containing polymers feature good heat resistance, corrosion resistance, water repellency, low water absorption, low dielectric constant, low refractive index and the like.
Further, a fluorocarbinol group is known as a functional group to impart adequate hydrophilicity to fluorine compounds. In particular, a resist resin using a fluorine compound with a 2-hydroxy-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl group, i.e., C(CF3)2OH group (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "HFIP group") as a raw material shows high transparency and good substrate adhesion when used for lithographic patterning in semiconductor manufacturing processes. When this fluorine compound is used as a resist resin for photolithography, the resist resin shows high sensitivity for exposure to short-wavelength ultraviolet irradiation with the use of an argon fluoride laser (wavelength: 193 nm) etc. as an irradiation source as well as solubility in developers for patterning after the exposure.
As HFIP-containing aromatic polymers, aromatic polyamide or polyimide compounds with HFIP groups have been disclosed (see Patent Documents 1 to 4). It is described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 that the introduction of HFIP groups to aromatic polyamide or polyimide compounds allows improvement in organic solvent solubility and reduction in dielectric constant. It is also described that: in the case of using, as a raw material of HFIP-containing aromatic polyamide or polyimide compounds, a diamine monomer in which HFIP group and amino group are respectively attached to ortho-position carbon atoms, the HFIP-containing aromatic polyamide can be converted to a specific polymer compound of fluorine-containing heterocyclic ring (heteroring) structure by heating and dehydrating the HFIP-containing aromatic polyamide; and this conversion reaction allows further reduction in water absorption and dielectric constant and improvement in heat resistance due to the disappearance of polar hydroxyl groups.
Although the HFIP-containing aromatic polyamide or polyimide compounds have been disclosed as mentioned above, polymers of these aromatic compounds are low in transparency regardless of their high fluorine contents. One reason for such low transparency is that the conjugated systems of the respective compounds become long in length by the formation of imide rings or heterocyclic rings. Highly transparent materials are usable as not only resist materials but also coatings for flat panel displays, protection films for substrates in electronic circuit boards, protection films for semiconductors and the like.
There is a report about HFIP-containing phenol derivatives (see Non-Patent Document 2) as fluorine-containing compounds in which HFIP groups are added to aromatic polyesters. However, detailed analyses of these compounds, such as identification of the position of substitution of the HFIP groups on the aromatic rings, have not been carried out. Further, there is no report about polymers using fluorine-containing phenolic compounds as fluorine-containing polymerizable monomers. As mentioned above, HFIP-containing aromatic polyesters are expected as polymer materials that combine adequate hydrophilicity with low water adsorption and good transparency of fluorine-containing compounds.
Non-Patent Document 3 discloses the substitution of a hydrogen atom of the HFIP group.

Fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer and polymer compound using same

Abstract: where A represents a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, SO2, CH2, CO, C(CH3)2, C(CH3)(CH2CH3), C(CF3)2, C(CH3)(C6H5), CH2—C6H4—CH2 or a divalent organic group obtained by elimination of two hydrogen atoms from benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, cyclohexene or fluorene; and a and b each independently represent an integer of 0 to 2 and satisfy a relationship of 1≦a+b≦4. The thus-obtained polymer compound combines adequate hydrophilicity and high transparency with low water adsorption of fluorine-containing compound.


A ratchet screwdriver includes a screwdriver body, a magazine body journalled and disposed removably within the screwdriver body for receiving a plurality of bits, and a ratchet unit disposed on a front end of the screwdriver body. A driving rod is movable in the screwdriver body between a front limit position, where a selected one of the bits projects from the ratchet unit for performing a screw driving operation, and a rear limit position, where the magazine body can be removed from the screwdriver body.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hand tool, and more particularly to a ratchet screwdriver that includes a replaceable bit magazine unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional screwdriver includes a screwdriver body 1, a sliding unit 2 disposed movably in the screwdriver body 1, a controlling member 3 operable to move the sliding unit 2 in the screwdriver body 1 along a straight path, a handle 4 disposed fixedly on the screwdriver body 1 and located behind the controlling member 3, and a bit magazine 5 journalled in the screwdriver body 1. The screwdriver body 1 includes a shaft seat 101 and a circular tube 102 connected fixedly to a rear end of the shaft seat 101. The shaft seat 101 has an annular outer surface that is formed with a recess 103. The circular tube 102 is formed with two open-ended axial slots 104. The sliding unit 2 includes a hook rod 201 and a guiding block 202. The hook rod 201 includes a hook portion 201′ disposed at a front end thereof, and an integral stub 203 disposed at a rear end thereof and extending through a hole 204 in the guiding block 202. A C-shaped retaining ring 205 is received within an annular groove 206 in the stub 203 so as to retain the guiding block 202 on the hook rod 201. The guiding block 202 is formed with two guiding rod portions 202′ at two opposite ends thereof, which extend respectively through the axial slots 104 in the circular tube 102. The bit magazine 5 is journalled within the recess 103 in the shaft seat 101 by a shaft 7, and has an annular outer surface that is formed with a plurality of bit slots 501 for receiving respectively a plurality of screwdriver bits 6 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) therein. Each of the bits 6 has an annular outer surface that is formed with an annular groove 601. The controlling member 3 can be rotated in a direction to move the sliding unit 2 rearwardly in the screwdriver body 1. When the sliding unit 2 moves to its rear limit position, the hook portion 201′ engages the annular groove 601 in a selected one of the bits 6. Subsequently, the controlling member 3 can be rotated in an opposite direction to move the sliding unit 2 forwardly. When the sliding unit 2 moves to its front limit position, the selected bit 6 projects from the screwdriver body 1 for performing a screw driving operation. The bit magazine 5 can be rotated manually within the screwdriver body 1 to change the bit 6 to be moved by the sliding unit 2.
The aforesaid conventional screwdriver suffers from the following disadvantages:
1. The bit magazine 5 cannot be removed from the screwdriver body 1 for replacement.
2. The bits 6 are put respectively into the bit slots 501 in the bit magazine 5 in a radial direction of the bit magazine 5. As such, the bits 6 are apt to become dislodged from the bit slots 501.
3. To allow for operation by the sliding unit 2, it is necessary for the bits 6 to be formed with the annular grooves 601. Current screwdriver bits are not suitable for use with said conventional screwdriver because they are not provided with annular grooves.
4. To perform a screw driving operation, the controlling member 3 must be rotated to move the sliding unit 2 in the screwdriver body 1. This results in a troublesome operation.
5. The conventional screwdriver is not provided with a ratchet unit.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ratchet screwdriver with a replaceable bit magazine unit


Systems and methods for enhancing performance of a microphone are disclosed. An airflow control system may include a block-shaped structure and an airflow impedance element residing within a cavity of the block-shaped structure. The airflow impedance element may be formed by filling the cavity with a plurality of pre-processed airflow impedance elements and sintering these elements, and may include a plurality of non-linear pathways. The plurality non-linear pathways may both impede airflow therethrough (e.g., when a force exerted by the airflow exceeds a predetermined amount) and pass sound that may match a frequency response of a microphone without substantially affecting the amplitude and frequency characteristics of the sound.

Many electronic devices include microelectromechanical system (MEMS) components. Sometimes referred to as a micromachine, a MEMS component, such as a MEMS microphone, is smaller than a conventional counterpart, and may thus allow an electronic device to be made smaller. A MEMS microphone may be situated within a housing of an electronic device, such as adjacent to a surface of the housing. One problem with existing MEMS microphones is that, if a MEMS microphone is subjected to forceful airflow (e.g., from a deliberate forceful blasting of compressed air thereon, or from severe environmental conditions, such as extreme winds), air particles of the forceful airflow may be directed up one or more apertures and towards the MEMS microphone. When this occurs, the performance of the microphone may become affected.


A method for constant-current generation by means of a rotational energy source, a generator and a control circuit connected to the generator. Mechanical rotational energy is generated by the energy source and the mechanical rotational energy is transmitted to the generator rotor. The magnetic field distribution produced in the generator is controlled by the control circuit that controls the current distribution in the generator between load current and generator current by feedback control by generating an opposing magnetic field. The power uptake and the current output are adapted without losses and the alternating current generated by the generator is transferred to an averaging direct-current circuit. A suitable device for carrying out the method is also provided.

The invention relates to a method for constant-current generation and device used to carry out said method.
Electrical power generators, in particular those that produce electrical power from internal combustion engines, are known, for example generators whose output frequency has a fixed relationship with the rotational speed of the drive. Known in particular are electrical power generators which operate at a constant rotational speed. In the case of smaller generators having permanent-magnet excitation and a d.c. intermediate circuit, attempts to achieve a constant voltage independently of rotational speed have usually involved the use of parallel regulators, in the case of which any excess power generated was converted into thermal losses/energy, i.e. was wasted.
In this regard a combined motor/generator system for generating electrical power for single-phase emergency power supply systems has been disclosed, for example, by HONDA, in which an external rotor of a generator was integrated in an internal combustion engine, with the result that savings could be made in terms of costly generator shafts and generator components. This known system was disadvantageous, however, in that it always required a specially designed and adapted internal combustion engine as the energy source. This construction also does not satisfy stringent protection class requirements—i.e. it is not suitable for use in certain environmental conditions, such as outdoor use subject to weathering conditions or else in areas of high humidity or in areas in which a high protection class is required by law, for example by fire services, technical assistance organizations, field hospitals, etc.
One object of the invention is therefore to specify a method for generating electrical power which enables a current level which is independent of rotational speed for a wide range of input rotational speeds.

Method for constant-current generation and device used to carry out said method

Permagen Motoren- und Generatorentechnik GmbH


Provided herein are processes for preparing an oligomer (e.g., a morpholino oligomer). The synthetic processes described herein may be advantageous to scaling up oligomer synthesis while maintaining overall yield and purity of a synthesized oligomer.

Antisense technology provides a means for modulating the expression of one or more specific gene products, including alternative splice products, and is uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications. The principle behind antisense technology is that an antisense compound, e.g., an oligonucleotide, which hybridizes to a target nucleic acid, modulates gene expression activities such as transcription, splicing or translation through any one of a number of antisense mechanisms. The sequence specificity of antisense compounds makes them attractive as tools for target validation and gene functionalization, as well as therapeutics to selectively modulate the expression of genes involved in disease.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a defect in the expression of the protein dystrophin. The gene encoding the protein contains 79 exons spread out over more than 2 million nucleotides of DNA. Any exonic mutation that changes the reading frame of the exon, or introduces a stop codon, or is characterized by removal of an entire out of frame exon or exons, or duplications of one or more exons, has the potential to disrupt production of functional dystrophin, resulting in DMD.
Recent clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of splice switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) for the treatment of DMD are based on SSO technology to induce alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs by steric blockade of the spliceosome (Cirak et al., 2011; Goemans et al., 2011; Kinali et al., 2009; van Deutekom et al., 2007). However, despite these successes, the pharmacological options available for treating DMD are limited.
Eteplirsen is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) designed to skip exon 51 of the human dystrophin gene in patients with DMD who are amendable to exon 51 skipping to restore the read frame and produce a functional shorter form of the dystrophin protein. Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for the treatment of DMD in patients amendable to exon 51 skipping. Sarepta's NDA is currently under review by the FDA.
Although significant progress has been made in the field of antisense technology, there remains a need in the art for methods of preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers with improved antisense or antigene performance.

Processes for preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers


A plasma etching method includes etching an amorphous carbon film by a plasma of an oxygen-containing gas using, as a mask, an SiON film having a predetermined pattern formed on a target object, etching a silicon oxide film by a plasma of a processing gas using the amorphous carbon film as a mask while removing the SiON film remaining on the etched amorphous carbon film by the plasma of the processing gas. The plasma etching method further includes modifying the amorphous carbon film by a plasma of a sulfur-containing gas or a hydrogen-containing gas while applying a negative DC voltage to an upper electrode containing silicon after the SiON film is removed from the amorphous carbon film, and etching the silicon oxide film again by the plasma of the processing gas using the modified amorphous carbon film as a mask.

Conventionally, a technique for etching a multilayer film formed on a target object has been known. For example, there is disclosed a technique of etching an amorphous carbon film by a plasma of a sulfur-containing gas using, as a mask, an SiON film having a predetermined pattern formed on the target object, and etching a silicon oxide film by a plasma of a CF-based gas using the amorphous carbon film as a mask (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-216644).
However, in the conventional technique, since the roughness of the amorphous carbon film due to etching is transferred to the underlying silicon oxide film, the lines formed by etching may be roughened, or the cross-sectional shape of the lines may be deteriorated.
For example, in the conventional technique, when etching a silicon oxide film without supplying a high frequency bias power, the cross-sectional shape of the lines formed by etching may be tapered. Meanwhile, in the conventional technique, when etching the silicon oxide film while supplying a high frequency bias power, wiggling of lines formed by etching may occur.

Plasma etching method and plasma etching apparatus


A method for choosing a particular server on a network and performing a remote boot by a client, the network including a plurality of servers operating in accordance with a plurality of network operating systems, includes identifying each of the plurality of servers by address and by type of operating system, and selecting one of the identified servers by address and type for booting on the network. Identifying further includes sending a FIND frame from the client to the network, and receiving a FOUND frame from each of the plurality of servers. A remote program load protocol followed by the server according to the FOUND frame is determined.. Additionally, choosing a particular server on a network and performing a remote boot by a client includes identifying each of a plurality of servers according to characteristics of a FOUND frame including a frequency characteristic, selecting one of the identified servers, and performing a remote program load by a boot ROM on a client through the selected one of the identified plurality of servers. Identifying further includes determining whether a destination address of the FOUND frame is repeated in a same order in a data portion of the FOUND frame, wherein when the destination address is repeated in a same order, a frequency characteristic of the FOUND frame is determined.

Among network protocols is a protocol known as remote program load (RPL) protocol. RPL protocol, originally developed by IBM, allows workstations, such as Heathcliff workstations, to connect to a network and download an operating system from a remote server for configuration on the network. The workstation typically employs a boot ROM on a network adapter card that stores the necessary RPL protocol information, thus allowing the workstation to operate with the network. Thus, the RPL protocol facilitates the use of less expensive workstations on the network.
Although originally developed by IBM, various implementations of the RPL protocol have been developed by other companies for use with their network software, including Novell and Microsoft, two major network system software companies. The variations among these implementations create difficulties, since the workstations cannot blindly attach to a network, but must first identify existence of an appropriate server type on the network to correspond with the implementation addressed by the boot ROM in the workstation.
In prior network configurations, typically only one server of a particular type was available. As networks developed, more than one server existed on the network, but typically only one of each server type appeared on a single network. A block diagram example of such a network is illustrated in FIG. 1. A client workstation 10, such as a Heathcliff workstation, on a network having a plurality of servers, including a Novell server 12, an IBM server 14, and a Microsoft server 16, typically boots to a first available server of an appropriate type for connecting to the network and performing the remote program load. It should be appreciated that server type as used herein refers to the type of system and network operating software and corresponding RPL protocol in use by the server.
Typically, identification and selection begins when a client 10 sends a FIND frame to the network. In response to the FIND frame, the servers 12, 14, 16 each return a FOUND frame. From the FOUND frame, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2, a determination as to the type of server sending the FOUND frame is performed. The example of a FOUND frame in FIG. 2 includes a six byte field of destination address (the client's address), a six byte field of source address (the server's address), a two byte field identifying the packet type, and the data portion of the frame. Once the FOUND frame is received by the client, selection occurs to allow the workstation to boot to the first responding server of a needed type. Conventionally, the FOUND frame from a Novell server has a distinctive `signature` in the data portion of the FOUND frame at an offset from the packet type field of the frame. Thus, if the `signature` is not present, the server type is not Novell. A determination of whether the frame is IBM or Microsoft is suitably performed by comparing the data in the destination address field with the data in the data portion at some offset. An IBM server typically reverses the destination address, while the Microsoft server reproduces the destination address.
With the ability to connect to a network using such techniques, there was usually no need to identify which particular server was being selected for booting. Problems develop, however, in the continued use of these techniques with ever-growing network sizes. Currently, networks tend to have multiple servers of each particular type on a network. Merely booting from a first responding server of a particular type is not guaranteed to allow the workstation access to the network, since the server may not be configured for use with that particular client.
A need exists for a method and system for remote booting to a network with multiple servers of multiple types to allow identification and selection of any one of the multiple servers on the network by a client using a boot ROM.

Server selection method where a client selects a server according to address, operating system and found frame for remote booting


A positioning unit (11) for positioning an optical unit (12, 13) comprising at least one optical element in a beam path (20) of a microscope between an objective lens of a microscope and in front of an eye to be monitored is provided, wherein the positioning unit comprises a connection device (21), by means of which the positioning unit can be coupled to the microscope, wherein the positioning unit comprises a positioning device (22), by means of which the optical element is movable relative to the microscope in the longitudinal direction of the beam path, wherein the positioning device is formed by a first double rocker mechanism (31) and a second double rocker mechanism (32), wherein the double rocker mechanisms are interconnected by means of a common coupling member (33). A monitoring device (10) is also provided that comprises the positioning unit (11).

Microscopes for carrying out eye operations are regularly used for operations in a front area of an eye. Should such interventions be undertaken in a rear area of an eye, it is necessary to supplement the microscope with a monitoring device, which makes it possible to focus on precisely this area of the eye. Such monitoring devices comprise at least one wide angle lens, or ophthalmoscopy lens, for wide-angle examination of the relevant rear part of the eye, wherein the ophthalmoscopy lens provides an intermediate image in a beam path in front of an objective lens of the microscope. This intermediate image cannot be focused with the microscope. Depending on the focal length of the auxiliary optics and of the examined eye, the intermediate image appears sharp in a position that lies closer to the object. To focus the intermediate image, it is necessary to shorten the focal length of the microscope object. A height adjustment of the microscope does not change the focal length. By using a reducing lens in the beam path beneath the microscope object, the plane of the intermediate image may lie in the focus of the microscope. In order to focus this intermediate image using the microscope, the microscope has to be moved or spaced in relation to the ophthalmoscopy lens over a distance. This change in height is basically determined by the individual refractive power of the eye, and by the different refractive power(s) of the selected ophthalmoscopy lens.
The two lenses are held by a positioning unit of the monitoring device, which is fixed directly on the microscope, and, if necessary, they can be positioned in the beam path without the need for considerable adjustment of the microscope during an operation. The positioning unit generally comprises a connection device, by means of which the positioning unit can be coupled to the microscope. The positioning unit is also formed in such a way that the relevant lens can be easily pivoted or slid into the beam path and removed therefrom again.
In order to adapt the intermediate image of the ophthalmoscopy lens, as precisely as possible, to a focal length of the microscope objective lens, at least one of the lenses is designed to be adjustable along the beam path of the microscope. In known monitoring devices, a linear guide is provided on the positioning unit, for example, for adjustment of the lens in a longitudinally displaceable manner, wherein the lens can be moved by means of an adjusting wheel having a screw drive. In order to prevent an accidental collision between the ophthalmoscopy lens and the eye, or to avoid possible damage to the eye during an operation, the positioning unit is formed in such a way that the ophthalmoscopy lens is movable, essentially without resistance, in the direction of the objective lens of the microscope, that is to say, it can move back in the event of a collision with the eye. For example, this is achieved by a second linear guide that also enables a longitudinal displacement of the ophthalmoscopy lens.
In addition to the above-described mechanical and optical requirements, it is important that the monitoring device and the positioning unit are basically sterile during an operation, so as to prevent a possible infection of an eye with germs, for example. In particular, there is a risk of infection since the monitoring device is advanced relatively tightly against the eye in question during an operation. The possibility of an infection of the patient's eye by an insufficiently prepared positioning unit is ruled out by use of a disposable positioning unit, supplied in a sterile state. It is therefore usual to sterilise the monitoring device and positioning unit in question before an operation, for example, by steam sterilisation. To carry out repeated sterilisation, it is absolutely necessary to form all components of the monitoring device and positioning unit, except for any seals made of resilient materials such as rubber, from metal or glass. Other materials, such as plastics materials, have not proven to be very durable for repeated sterilisation. The linear guides and the screw drive also have to be formed in a dimensionally accurate manner to ensure specific fits, and, therefore, only components made of metal are also considered in this instance. To prevent an infiltration of water into the guides during the sterilisation, these can be provided with rubber seals, or seals made of other resilient materials. It is also necessary to lubricate corresponding pairs of sliding surfaces of the guides, and of the screw drive, at regular intervals using a lubricant so as to ensure the function thereof.
The monitoring devices and positioning units known from the prior art pose a range of drawbacks. A weight of the monitoring device, which can be adapted, for example, to an adapter plate on the microscope screwed onto the microscope, is, therefore, relatively high and disruptive in the event of handling of the monitoring device during an operation. The linear guides can also only be sealed or sterilised with difficulty. During steam sterilisation, water or steam can only infiltrate the screw paths of the screw drive with difficulty, and, therefore, undesired water residues or germs may still remain in the screw paths after the steam sterilisation. It is also disruptive that the lubricants used are removed, at least in part, during the steam sterilisation and contaminate the water used for sterilisation. The sterilisation process itself is also to be considered problematic since it cannot be ruled out with absolute certainty that germs will still remain on the monitoring device and on the positioning unit after the steam sterilisation. The quality of a sterilisation process is, therefore, also dependent, inter alia, on water quality in a steam sterilisation apparatus.
Furthermore, a monitoring device and a positioning unit are to be sterilised after each use, and, therefore, the monitoring device and positioning unit cannot be used directly after use in subsequent eye operations owing to the sterilisation times. As the case may be, it is necessary to obtain and have available a plurality of monitoring devices and positioning units so that operations can be carried out without any time restraint. High overall costs for production, sterilisation, and maintenance of the monitoring device and positioning unit are thus sustained by a user, as well as costs incurred owing to increased capital investment.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to propose a positioning unit and a monitoring device that comprises a movement mechanism that is easier to clean.


The present disclosures concerns embodiments of a footwear insole that can be used with various types of footwear, including, without limitation, shoes (including open and closed toe shoes), boots, sandals, etc. The insole includes an upper fabric layer that comes in contact with the foot and a cushioning base layer that contacts the footbed of the footwear. The base layer desirably is formed from a self-adhering material that can be applied to in liquid form to the fabric and bonds directly to the fibers of the fabric when cured, so as to eliminate the need for a separate intermediate adhesive layer for securing the fabric to the base layer. The base layer is also configured to substantially prevent shrinkage of the insole when subjected to multiple wash and dry cycles.

Textiles are used in various applications as an interface between an object or body part and an underlying surface to avoid direct contact between the object/body part and the underlying surface. In many such applications, a slip-resistant bottom layer, usually formed from a polymeric material, is added to the textile to prevent or minimize slippage or shearing between the textile and the underlying surface. Some examples include coasters, floor mats, dining placemats, and footwear insoles. As many of these applications may result in the textile being soiled, it is desirable to employ fabrics that can be repeatedly washed and dried, preferably using a washing machine and dryer. Although many fabrics are generally washable, many polymeric materials that are currently used to increase adherence to an underlying surface (e.g., a floor, shelf, footbed, etc.) are not washable.
When people wear shoes they almost always wear socks. Socks create friction between the foot and shoe for better engagement of foot motions by the shoe, absorb moisture perspired by the foot, create a path between the shoe and skin of the foot to allow air to circulate about the foot, and can keep the foot warm in cold weather or cool in hot weather. However, people wear a number of shoe styles without socks, such as, various sandals, deck shoes, etc. When not wearing socks, the sole of the foot is almost in constant contact with the upper surface of the footbed.
On a hot day a sandal wearer can be very comfortable everywhere but at the sole of the foot. The intimate contact between the foot sole and the footbed of the footwear leaves no room for air to circulate under the foot and can cause considerable sweat under foot. This can be uncomfortable and it can also result in footwear that carries odor.
The problem of lack of breathability at the interface between the footwear and the foot is exacerbated by modern synthetic materials. Some of these synthetic materials can be worse for breathability than traditional materials and can increase both the problem of foot sweat and of footwear odor. For instance, the smooth vinyl foam of the popular Crocs® sandals, when in intimate contact with the sole, can lead to substantial sweating. Many insoles are nothing more than polymer sheets pressed into a shape and are not particularly breathable.
To prevent sweating and foot odor, people often wear socks with sandals and other types of open footwear. However, many people find this aesthetically unappealing. In addition, one loses much of the benefit of wearing open footwear when wearing socks.
Mechanically, open footwear doesn't lend itself to maintaining a breathable textile under foot in the way that a sock maintains itself about the foot. For example, open footwear doesn't capture and retain an insole in place like closed sole footwear, such as a shoe. To solve this, adhesives have been used to bond a fabric insole in place against the footbed of the footwear. Unfortunately, the adhesives do generally not retain their chemistries through the wash cycle of a laundry. Adhesives can delaminate from the textile, and they do not prevent certain textiles from shrinking. Furthermore, adhesives may stick too well to areas of the footbed and can remove portions of the footbed when the insole is removed from the shoe. To overcome the inability to wash the textile, much of the prior art suggests the use of perfume or odor fighting chemistry to hide or mitigate odor.
Ultimately what is needed is a variety of textiles, appropriate for different conditions (warm materials for cool weather, cool materials for warm weather) that can adhere to a footbed (or other substrate in other applications). These textiles desirably should be removable from footwear without pulling out parts of the footbed. These textiles should be washable with household laundry without worry about shrinkage and wearable afterwards. They should be robust to an indefinite number of wash and wear cycles.


Provided are macrocyclic compounds and iron or cobalt coordinated macrocyclic compounds. The compounds can be used as MRI contrast agents. Certain compounds are redox active and can be used to assess the biological redox status of a sample.

An intriguing approach in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the development of contrast agents that utilize endogenous metal ions. Contrast agents containing such ions would provide an alternative to Ln(III) contrast agents that are problematic for patients with compromised kidney function. In addition, contrast agents based on transition metal ions may have new applications as responsive or smart contrast agents that register pH, temperature, cations or anions in the biological environment.
The use of biologically relevant paramagnetic transition metal ions to create diagnostic probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging area of interest. Paramagnetic metal ion complexes may be used as chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) MRI contrast agents.
Many disease states including cancer and cardiac disease involve changes in both intracellular and extracellular redox status. In tumors these changes are triggered, in part, by extremely low oxygen partial pressures arising from poor vascularization. Such hypoxia or low oxygen pressure induces changes in the concentrations of small molecule or macromolecular components in cells that buffer redox state. This affects both intra and extracellular redox potential; both of which may modulate cellular redox signaling and interactions with the microenvironment. The development of improved methods for imaging of oxygen levels and/or redox state may enable better therapeutic treatment of diseases such as cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice for high resolution mapping of tissue, but MRI methods for mapping hypoxia or redox status are currently limited. Blood-oxygenation level-dependent MRI (BOLD-MRI) is used to report changes in T2 relaxation rates as a result of stimulus-mediated increases in the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin, but extrapolating results of BOLD imaging to resting-state pO2 levels remains problematic due to BOLD's intrinsic dependence on flow rates and volumes. MRI methods have also been developed that rely on the oxygen dependence of the 19F signal in fluorinated hydrocarbon contrast agents. Nitroxide spin labels have been used for imaging redox environment by EPR or by MRI. While these methods show promise, all have drawbacks including inherently low sensitivity of detection and lack of accessible instrumentation such as clinical EPR or 19F MRI scanners. An alternative approach is the development of MRI contrast agents containing metal ion or ligand redox switches that report on hypoxic states or redox imbalances. For example, Mn(II)/Mn(III) MRI contrast agents that produce changes in T1 relaxivity in response to oxygen pressure or other biological redox couples and Ln(III) complexes containing ligand-based redox switches have been reported.

Macrocycles, cobalt and iron complexes of same, and methods of making and using same

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible display panel, a method of manufacturing the flexible display panel, and a flexible display apparatus. The flexible display panel comprises: a reinforced insulating layer of an inorganic material, wherein the reinforced insulating layer comprises a reinforced region, and is formed with a reinforcing hole in the reinforced region; an organic material filled in the reinforcing hole; and at least one insulating film which is disposed on at least one of both sides of the reinforced insulating layer and which is in contact with the reinforced insulating layer at least in the reinforced region.

A flexible display apparatus comprises a flexible display panel. In the flexible display panel, an insulating layer of an inorganic material is formed to insulate conductive films located on both sides of the insulating layer from each other. For example, in a flexible AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) display panel, generally a gate insulating layer of a thin film transistor is an insulating layer of an inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), etc., for insulating a gate and an active layer of the thin film transistor from each other. However, when the flexible display apparatus is repeatedly bent, that is, when the flexible display panel is repeatedly bent, the insulating layer of the inorganic material is liable to be cracked or even broken due to stress, thereby causing phenomena such as a short circuit of the conductive films on both sides of the insulating layer of the inorganic material, and thus resulting in a decline in quality or even failure of the flexible display apparatus.

Flexible display panel with reinforced insulating layer, method of manufacturing flexible display panel, and flexible display apparatus


A method of and apparatus for damping vibration such as sound in a vibration generating device such as an appliance. A constraining layer and an adhering layer are provided. The adhering layer including a viscosity enhancing material such as a cellulose fiber, and an adhesive material. The constraining layer is adhered to a surface of an device with the adhering layer.

1) Field of the Invention
The present relates to a method and apparatus for vibration (e.g., sound) damping and, in particular, a constrained layer damping system with an enhanced resistance to creep, i.e., the slow lateral movement of the constraining layer relative to a surface of the source of vibration.
2) Description of Related Art
The damping of vibration of mechanical systems is of increasing importance to industry in that vibration can have a number of undesirable effects. For instance, consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the undesirability of sound created by vibrating systems. Also, vibration can cause electronics, mechanical joints, and fasteners to fail, and can diminish a consumer's perception of quality in a variety of products. For instance, automobile manufacturers have recognized the importance in the purchasing decision of many buyers of a solid thump sound when an automobile door is closed. Likewise, the quality of an appliance is sometimes gauged in part by the perception of the solidity of its construction.
It has become important for the manufacturers of appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, dishwashers, etc. to provide vibration damping on the large, flat sheet material sides of the appliances so that a consumer in making his or her purchasing decision can appreciate the quality of the product by the low frequency sound generated when the side of the appliances is hit. Also, provision of such systems can be important to reduce the noise levels produced by the appliance when such sides vibrate. This is especially true today because of the increase in homes that locate such appliances on the main living floor thereof.
Sound damping systems generally operate by converting vibration energy into thermal energy. For instance, the vibration energy may be converted into thermal energy by interfacial friction, which makes it exhibit a vibration damping property. Alternatively or in addition, shear deformation may be produced within an elastic material having a small elastic modulus when it is located between a source of vibration energy and another surface or constraining layer.
For instance, Pre Finish Metals Inc. provides a product called Polycore.RTM. which consists of metal outer skins surrounding a thin, viscoelastic core material. This inner core converts the mechanical energy of vibration into heat and then dissipates the heat. This combination is purported to reduce vibration generated noise at the source.
Similarly, 3M provides products under the name "Scotchdamp.TM. vibration control systems" in which any one of a variety of adhesive layers joins a constraining layer to a source of vibrating sound. The shear modulus and sound loss factors of these products depend on frequency and temperature, as well as on other factors.
In addition to adhesives, magnetic materials may join a constraining layer to a source of vibratory sound. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,355, the disclosed vibration damping material includes a magnetic composite type damping material constructed by bonding an adhesive elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a constraining plate such as a metal plate. In this system, it is reported that since not only is the damping material attracted by a magnetic force against a vibration source, it is also provided with a superficial adhesiveness to develop vibration damping properties over a wide range of temperatures.
A fundamental problem with vibration damping systems is that it is possible that the constraining layer becomes separated from the surface of the vibration source. In other words, the constraining layer can fall off during shipping or use. To measure the resistance to this form of mishap, a shock/shear test has been developed wherein an appliance, for instance, is dropped from a certain distance at a certain angle and temperature, the effect of which on the placement of a constraining layer is measured. If the adhesive properties of the adhesive are insufficient, the constraining layer can become dislodged, potentially causing mishaps within the appliance and, at a minimum, eliminating its damping effect or even perhaps increasing the perception of unwanted vibratory sound.
A further problem, however, has been perceived in that the viscoelastic materials have, as one of their properties, a limited fluidity. This property of the adhesive can permit the constraining layer to shift laterally with respect to the surface of the vibrating source, particularly when the constraining layer is vertically positioned relative to the vibration source in use. The slow movement of the constraining layer relative to the vibration source is referred to herein as "creep" and eventually can lead to catastrophic failure in the form of the constraining layer becoming loose, if the creep goes unchecked.

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.


An apparatus for treating solid tumors having at least one hollow needle having at least one perforation, at least one ground electrode, a pump for delivering a chemotherapeutic agent through the perforation in the hollow needle, one or more power supplies connected to the hollow needle and the ground electrode capable of delivering a pulse of alternating current between the hollow needle and the ground electrode of at least 1000 volts and no more than 1 millisecond duration, a direct current between the hollow needle and the ground electrode between about 1 mA and 100 mA, and a second alternating current having a frequency range between about 1 MHz and 1000 MHz.

There have been a number of examples of instruments and methods for treating cancerous tumors. While these prior art methods and apparatus have been shown to partially or entirely eliminate cancerous tumors within a patient's tissue and thereby improve the patient's condition, unfortunately, none have proven to completely eliminate the cancerous cells in all cases, or to otherwise provide a complete cure. Further, many of these prior art methods will adversely impact healthy tissues and cells within the patient in addition to the cancerous cells. Thus, there is a need for improved methods and apparatus for treating cancerous tumors.

Method and apparatus for cancer treatment


The present invention provides a dry solid medium for storing a sample of a genetic material, including RNA and DNA, in a form suitable for subsequent analysis. The dry solid medium of the invention includes a dry solid matrix and a composition including a protein denaturing agent, and a chelating agent. The dry solid medium can further include a component which functions in subsequent analysis of the genetic material using, for example, PCR, reverse transcriptase initiated PCR, LCR, RFLP, or genetic hybridization. A component for subsequent analysis includes, for example, a nucleotide sequences such as a primer, DNA or RNA probe, and a target sequence stabilizer. The dry solid medium can also include a retaining agent to enhance retention of a component for subsequent analysis. The invention also provides methods for using the dry solid medium of the invention. The dry solid media and methods of use thereof are particularly suited for use in automated systems.

Blood containing genetic material (including DNA or RNA) to be analyzed has typically been transported from the place of removal, from a human or animal, to the place of analysis as purified genetic material, liquid whole blood, frozen whole blood or whole blood dried onto paper. However, all of these methods have disadvantages. Transport of genetic material in blood as dried, purified genetic material is most desirable, but it requires a high standard of technical assistance to be available at the place of removal from the human or animal. When technical assistance is not available at the place of removal, whole blood or other unpurified samples are usually sent to a central facility where the genetic material is purified.
Transport of liquid whole blood often involves the need for sterility of collection. Under some circumstances, this is extremely inconvenient, for example, where the sample is a heel-prick taken from an infant. The transport of liquid whole blood or frozen blood may also require temperature controlled transport or a transport system other than the regular postal system. This is true even before considering public health concerns. In addition, concern over pathogens associated with whole blood, such as the HIV virus, generally rule out the transport of a potentially infectious liquid or frozen sample except under proper and expensive supervision.
Transport of blood dried on filter paper is a proven alternative to the above procedures. Genetic material can be extracted and isolated from whole blood spots which are dried on filter paper, in a form and in sufficient quantities for use in genetic analysis. McCabe, E. R. B., et al., "DNA Microextraction From Blood Spots on Filter Paper Blotters: Potential Screening Applications to Newborn Screening," Hum. Genet. 75:213-216 (1987). However, the procedure still suffers from a number of disadvantages. For example, typically, there has been no deliberate and rapid destruction of blood associated microorganisms. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms may create a potential hazard for blood handling personnel. Moreover, some microorganisms may cause damage to the genetic material. While some inhibition of microorganisms may occur through desiccation, it is known that slow desiccation, or even a small degree of rehydration under conditions of high relative humidity, may allow the growth of DNA or RNA destroying microflora.
Another disadvantage of present methods for dry transport of genetic material in blood is a lack of deliberate inhibition of processes which degrade genetic material. Hence, even in the presence of a bacteriostatic agent there are conditions that permit enzymatic, nonenzymatic and autolytic breakdown of the genetic material. Furthermore, using presently available methods of dry storage, considerable difficulty is encountered if desorption of high molecular weight DNA or RNA is required. The surface adsorption affects can cause loss of genetic material which may cause the preferential loss of the least degraded, i.e., the most desired class of DNA or RNA molecules.
Thus, there is a need for a safe, convenient and minimally labor intensive means for storage of a genetic material which is contained in a liquid sample.
However, even if a sample of genetic material is collected in a safe, convenient and reliable form for storage, subsequent analysis of the stored sample may give rise to logistic problems. This is especially true when there are many different types of analyses to be performed on a collected sample. The logistics tend to become even more complex when multiple samples are submitted for analysis.
For example, some methods of analysis of genetic material for a specific genetic sequence, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, require use of an oligonucleotide primer-pair. Generally a different primer-pair is used for each sequence analysis to be performed. And, because there are an extremely large number of possible primer pairs (for example, one for each sequence within the genes of humans, animals and all other living organisms including the pathogens of humans and animals), multiple sequence analyses in a single sample may give rise to immense logistic problems. The problems are potentially greater when multiple samples of genetic material are received for analysis, such as at a centralized analyzing facility.
Automated analysis of genetic material provides enhanced efficiency for processing large numbers of samples. However, automated analysis of a sample of genetic material still requires the automated system to have separate delivery devices for each different set of primers to prevent the occurrence of cross-contamination. Therefore, the range of genetic sequence analyses which can be performed at one time may be restricted due to the inherent problem of cross contamination of primers. Hence, there is a need for reducing the restrictions against analyzing multiple sequences or multiple samples of genetic material using automated systems.

Dry solid medium for storage and analysis of genetic material


A sterilization process that preserves the mechanical properties of dilatation balloons and balloon catheters manufactured from polymers susceptible to the degradation reactions induced by ionizing radiation. The advantages of the sterilization process contemplated by this invention results from a reduced oxygen environment during sterilization, thereby preventing the degeneration process initiated in polymers during irradiation. Additionally, a balloon or balloon dilatation catheter sterilized by the process of the invention is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to intravascular balloon catheters and, in particular, the use of ionizing radiation for the sterilization of such devices.
2. Background Art
Surgical procedures employing balloons and medical devices incorporating those balloons (i.e., balloon catheters) have become routine. These procedures, such as angioplasty procedures, are conducted on narrow or obstructed openings in blood vessels, and other passageways in the body, to increase the flow through the obstructed areas. For example, in an angioplasty procedure, a dilatation balloon catheter is used to enlarge or open an occluded blood vessel which is partially restricted or obstructed due to the existence of a hardened stenosis or buildup within the vessel. This procedure requires that a balloon catheter be inserted into the patient's body and positioned within the vessel so that the balloon, when inflated, will dilate the site of the obstruction or stenosis so that the obstruction or stenosis is minimized, thereby resulting in increased blood flow through the vessel.
Measurable characteristics of balloons in general, and more specifically of dilatation balloons, include distensibility (the percent radial expansion with increased pressure), elastic stress response (repeatability of obtaining the same diameter at the same pressure during repeated inflation-deflation cycles), flexibility, tensile strength and optical clarity.
Polymeric materials are increasingly being used to manufacture balloons, particularly dilatation balloons. It has been found that balloons can be formed by processing a polymeric material composed of polymer chains having sufficient regions of molecular structure with inter-molecular chain interaction to ensure the integrity and strength of the structure, as well as sufficient regions which permit sections of the polymer chains to "uncoil" to permit growth. Such balloons are (i) sufficiently distensible (i.e., about 5 to about 20%) to allow treatment of various sized arteries, (ii) have a high degree of elastic stress response (i.e., less than about 5.00), which permits the physician to treat multiple stenosis within the same artery without having to be concerned with increasing balloon diameter after repeated inflations, and (iii) have strength sufficient to treat hardened stenosis (i.e., greater than about 14,000 psi). Therefore, balloons formed by such methods have an overall advantageous combination of these physical properties i.e., distensibility, elastic stress response and tensile strength, that are superior to those exhibited by other balloons of the related art. The sterilization method of the present invention may be used with balloons made from any material that is degraded by radiation doses typically used in ionizing radiation sterilization.
While the foregoing properties are desirable in balloons, these attributes are typically adversely affected by the sterilization process which all balloons and balloon catheters must be subjected to prior to use in the human body. For example, when a balloon is exposed to a traditional sterilization process (e.g., humidity of 60±15%, temperature of about 45±5° C., 100% ethylene oxide for approximately 12-16 hours) the balloon tends to shrink, which causes a corresponding increase in wall thickness. This increase in wall thickness will adversely affect the folded profile of the sterilized balloon product. Furthermore, the distensibility of many balloons is adversely affected by the sterilization processes currently used in the art. Therefore, it is desirable that any sterilization process used to treat balloons and balloon catheters provide adequate sterilization, while at the same time not adversely affecting the physical characteristics of the finished balloon or balloon catheter product.
Ethylene oxide sterilization is one method for sterilization of heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive medical instruments including dilatation balloons and dilatation balloon catheters. However, there are several disadvantages to using ethylene oxide as a method for sterilization. Ethylene oxide is highly flammable and explosive in air and must be used in an explosion-proof sterilizing chamber in a controlled environment. Ethylene oxide is also readily absorbed by many polymers and is not always easily desorbed or eliminated. Toxic emissions and residues of ethylene oxide present hazards to personnel, patients and the environment. Furthermore, the processing conditions employed during the ethylene oxide sterilization process can alter the composition and morphology of some polymeric materials, and hence their mechanical properties.
Sterilization of polymeric medical devices by ionizing radiation is increasingly being employed as an alternative to gaseous ethylene oxide sterilization. The term ionizing radiation is used to designate the emission of electrons or highly accelerated, relatively heavy, nuclear particles such as protons, neutrons, alpha particles, deuterons, beta particles, or their analogs, directed in such a way that the particle is projected into the mass to be irradiated. Radiation sterilization includes the use of ultraviolet rays, electron beams, x-rays, gamma rays, and to a limited extent, gas plasma and microwave radiation. Sterilization by ionizing radiation is usually carried by using either gamma radiation, from Cobalt or Cesium sources, or electron beam (E-beam) irradiation. One difference between the two sources is the dose rate or exposure time over which the dose is delivered. The dose rate for E-beam irradiation can be as high as 20 kGy/s compared to 1-10 kGy/hrs for Gamma radiation. Hence the exposure times are often considerably shorter for E-beam sterilization than for sterilization by gamma radiation.
Sterilization by ionizing radiation is a consequence of the high-energy electrons released from the interaction of Gamma-ray photons or electron-beam particles with the material being sterilized. Depending on the energy of radiation many secondary electrons and free radicals can be created in the vicinity of the original interaction site. The cascade is propagated until all the excess energy above the ionization threshold is dissipated. Thus, from a single incoming photon or electron, a shower of secondary electrons is generated. These high-energy electrons permanently alter the DNA sequences in the microbiological species, rendering them innocuous.
However, the high-energy photons and electrons can also initiate unwanted ionization events in polymeric material during sterilization. The effects vary greatly with the chemical structure of the polymer and the employed dose of radiation. Alterations in molecular structure, caused by the ionization processes, are manifested as changes in physical and mechanical properties of the polymer. The two major mechanisms of degradation that occur during the irradiation process are: (1) chain scission of the polymer molecule resulting in a reduction in molecular weight and (2) cross-linking of the polymer molecules which can lead to the formation of three dimensional network structures. The chemical composition of the polymer largely dictates the degradation mechanism, although the two mechanisms can sometimes occur simultaneously with the final properties being dictated by the net-effect.
The degradation process is initiated when high-energy radiation interacts with the hydrocarbon polymeric molecule to generate macro-radicals, shown in the following reaction, where R—H is the polymer molecule and R•is the "cleaved" polymer chain which forms during irradiation:
Polymeric macro-radicals (R•) rapidly combine with environmental oxygen, which is a very efficient radical scavenger, to form peroxide radicals as shown by the following reaction:
Polymeric peroxide radicals (RO2•) can then react with another hydrocarbon polymeric molecule to further propagate the degradation process:RO2•+R—H→ROOH+R•  Step 3: PropagationWhilst a polymeric macro-radical (R•) can react again with oxygen as in step 2, the hydroperoxide (ROOH) may also decompose to form additional radicals, thus propagating the degradation process further:ROOH→RO•+•OH  Step 4: PropagationAs a result of the auto-catalytic nature of the oxidation process, a single primary event can lead to extensive damage by generating a cascade of radicals from the initial radicals created during the irradiation process.
In relation to the sterilization of polymeric materials, ionizing irradiation has been found to have a negative impact on the properties of dilatation balloons manufactured from certain polymers, such as polyamide block copolymers. Resultant physical changes can include embrittlement, discoloration, odor generation, stiffening, softening, enhancement of chemical resistance, and an increase or decrease in melt temperature. Various high-performance stabilizers have been found to be ineffective in preserving the physical properties of these polymers, probably due to high rates of the degradation reactions. Therefore, alternative methods and devices are needed to minimize the damage caused by ionizing radiation during sterilization of susceptible polymers.

Method of sterilizing balloon with ionizing radiation