A fluid applicator having a multi-zone noncontacting die set for dispensing a selected plurality of thin flat fiberized adhesive streams as uniform rectangular strips of adhesive on a substrate. The die set uses shims to establish the fiberizing air slot, and the adhesive dispensing and fiberizing air shims have tapered tabs to provide improved coating edge control. The fiberizing air die also has simplified fiberizing air flow, and the die set includes a mechanism for clamping the die set together which is especially suited for a multi-zone die set. The fluid applicator includes a manifold heater with a simplified and improved air flow, and a universal adhesive manifold.

The present invention relates generally to the area of fluid applicators and more particularly to a fluid applicator with a noncontacting die for fiberizing a flat fluid stream and applying the fiberized fluid stream as a thin coating strip with sharply defined uniform edges on a substrate.
Hot melt thermal plastic adhesives have been widely used in industry for adhering many types of products and are particularly useful in applications where quick setting time is advantageous. Further, in many applications, the adhesive must be sufficiently thinly applied so that its presence is not apparent on the opposite side of the substrate. In those applications several different designs of fluid applicators have been developed. For example, the adhesive may be dispensed as a straight adhesive bead which is then swirled by air passing through air jets circumferentially spaced around the adhesive bead. An applicator of that type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,481 issued to the assignee of the present invention. Fluid applicators may also contain contacting dies which are effective to spread extruded streams of adhesive in predetermined patterns across a substrate. An example of a contacting die is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,137 also owned by the assignee of the present invention.
More recent applicators are of a noncontacting die design, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,921 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The die includes an adhesive dispensing die with a dispensing zone, or slot, terminating at a dispensing die outlet. The die further includes fiberizing air dies mounted to the die to form fiberizing slots arranged adjacent to and on each side of the dispensing die outlet. The slotted die extrudes a continuous flat stream of hot melt adhesive through the dispensing die slot. Simultaneously therewith, hot air is dispensed through the adjacent fiberizing die slots. The hot air impinges upon and tears or separates the continuous flat stream of extruded adhesive into a discontinuous or fiberized stream of hot melt adhesive. The fiberized adhesive stream is then applied as a thin uniform coating on a substrate. The fiberizing air may be activated, or turned on, in each fiberizing slot in any combination with the adhesive dispensing cycle to obtain the desired shape and spread or control of the fiberized adhesive stream to be applied as a thin coat to the substrate.
The above described die set includes a pair of dispensing dies which are joined together with a dispensing shim therebetween to form the dispensing die slot through which the adhesive is dispensed. Each of a pair of fiberizing dies is attached to a respective one of the dispensing dies. Each fiberizing die has two surfaces which intersect to form a corner of the fiberizing die and which interface with two surfaces on its respective dispensing die. The dispensing and fiberizing dies have opposed first surfaces with intersecting air passages to connect a source of pressurized air passing through the dispensing die to the fiberizing die slots. In addition, the air and dispensing dies have opposed second surfaces that are operably connected to form the fiberizing slots terminating at a fiberizing die outlet on each side of the dispensing die outlet. The second surface of the fiberizing die has orifices connected to the air passages for porting the pressurized air into the fiberizing die slot and out the fiberizing die outlet.
As disclosed in the above referenced patent application, the fiberizing dies contain precision machined bosses which bear against interfacing surfaces of the dispensing dies to define the fiberizing die slot. Such a construction relies on metal to metal contact to form the required air seal which is difficult and expensive to manufacture and requires a different fiberizing die in order to change the size of the fiberizing die slot. In addition, the fiberizing air is typically routed through the fiberizing dies and enters a wide groove or cavity formed in the first surfaces of the fiberizing dies. The air cavity extends around a corner edge of the dies and across the second surfaces of the fiberizing dies such that the air cavity is contiguous with the fiberizing slots. Consequently, the handling of the pressurized air in a slotted die set is particularly complex and requires fiberizing die components which are difficult and expensive to manufacture.
The fiberizing dies of the above described slotted die set are clamped to the dispensing dies using a single screw or fastener at each end of the die set. Those screws are effective to provide the desired clamping forces at the ends of the dies, but the clamping forces diminish in proportion to the distance moved away from the ends of the die set. For example, at the midpoint of the die set, the clamping forces on the metal-to-metal contacts between the fiberizing and dispensing dies may be insufficient to provide reliable air seals.
In the above described noncontacting slotted die set, a slotted dispensing shim is located between opposed surfaces of the dispensing dies. The dispensing shim has a longitudinal member which extends the full length of the die outlet. The slotted dispensing shim further includes downward projecting tabs that extend to the die outlet. The slotted dispensing shim in combination with the opposed surfaces of the dispensing dies form the dispensing slots through which the adhesive is discharged. The shim tabs have straight sides which terminate into pointed ends. The straight sides of the tabs are effective to provide coating edges which are sharp and clean; however, when using multi-zone die sets, it is desirable to have the ability to adjust the location of adjacent coating edges.
Many coating applications require that the pressurized air discharged with the adhesive stream be heated. Typically, air is heated on the applicator by passing ambient air through a heater comprised of a generally rectangular manifold which has cartridge heaters extending its full length. The manifold further has air passages drilled both along its length and width which are connected in a desired pattern such that the proper heat exchange takes place as the air moves through the manifold. During the manufacture of the heater it is necessary to seal openings in the surfaces of the heater which were created by drilling the required passages. Typically, 20 to 30 such holes must be filled. Those holes are most often plugged with a commercial plug sold for that purpose. However, such plugs generally require precise machining and special assembly tooling. Further, it is possible that in the manufacturing process, a hole may not be plugged, a wrong hole may be plugged or a hole may be plugged improperly. Further, if the heater requires internal cleaning, removal and replacement of the plugs is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, a heat exchanger of the above construction is relatively expensive to manufacture, difficult to maintain, and may be the source of an inadvertent manufacturing error or unreliable operation.
Different adhesive dispensing processes, for example, straight bead dispensing, swirled bead dispensing and flat stream dispensing have the same general fluid control process. Hot melt adhesive is received by an adhesive manifold from a source; is channeled to a pump attached to the manifold; the pump output is connected to the manifold; and the pump output is distributed within the manifold to either a supply plate or a return plate depending on the applicator operation. From the supply plate, fluid flow is controlled by valves which direct the fluid to dispensing mechanisms. The return plate also has valves mounted thereon the outputs of which merge the fluid flow into a single return line which exits the return plate. However, each different dispensing process uses an adhesive manifold, and supply and return plates that have different adhesive routings which require different patterns of porting interfaces between the adhesive manifold and the supply and return plates. Therefore, it is necessary to use a different set of manifold and supply and return plates for each different dispensing process.


A MEMS resonator includes a main movable beam, at least one sub movable beam, and at least one exciting electrode. The main movable beam is electrically insulated from a substrate and fixed to at least one fixed end, the sub movable beam is formed to extend from the main movable beam, and the exciting electrode is provided to be close to the sub movable beam. The sub movable beam is excited by an electrostatic force to oscillate by exciting the exciting electrode using an alternating-current signal, such that the MEMS resonator resonates with at least one of a fundamental resonant frequency and harmonic frequencies thereof. The resonant frequency is changed by changing at least one of number of the at least one exciting electrode and a position of the exciting electrode relative to the sub movable beam.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) resonator formed using MEMS technique capable of realizing an ultra-fine mechanical mechanism using a fine processing technique for semiconductors, and also, the present invention relates to a MEMS oscillation circuit using the MEMS resonator, and a MEMS device using the MEMS resonator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, demand for RF technology has increasingly risen. Various requirements are made of RF devices to follow functional diversification and a sharp increase in the number of users of the RF devices. It is particularly desired to provide a multi-clock function for directly generating a plurality of frequencies in addition to downsizing and low cost to an oscillator because of the need to make effective use of limited RF frequencies. In such social background, attention has been paid to the MEMS technique for application of portable wireless terminal devices. This is because a MEMS device is characterized by low power consumption, high density packaging, broadband characteristics, and the like.
A MEMS resonator has been actively studied mainly in the U.S.A. since the latter half of 1990s. At present, a few companies have now been able to provide MEMS resonator samples. These products mainly replace crystal oscillators and can characteristically downsize devices. On the other hand, possibility of the MEMS resonator is not limited to simple replacement of the crystal oscillator. For example, the multi-clock function of the MEMS resonator is expected to create a new market differently from overtone technique related to the crystal oscillators.
Documents related to the present invention are as follows:    Patent Document 1: Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,147;    Patent Document 2: Japanese patent laid-open publication No. JP-2007-184931-A1;    Non-Patent Document 1: Wan-Thai Hsu, "Vibrating RF MEMS for Timing and Frequency References", Digests of IEEE MTT-S 2006 International Microwave Symposium, pp. 672-675, 2006; and    Non-Patent Document 2: Kun Wang et al., "VHF Free-Free Beam High-Q Micromechanical Resonator", Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 347-360, September 2000.
For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes outline of a vibrating RF-MEMS oscillator. In this case, types of the RF-MEMS oscillator are classified into a beam type, a disk type, a ring type, and an FBAR (Film Bulk Acoustic Resonators) type. Among these types, a "free-free beam MEMS resonator" disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 (which resonator is also described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) will be now described with reference to FIG. 18.
As shown in FIG. 18, the "free-free beam MEMS resonator" according to a prior art is configured as follows. A central beam 100 (called "free-free resonating beam") supported by a ground surface and four springs 101 fixed to anchors 102, respectively, on a detection electrode 90 is provided in a lower portion of the center of the resonator. The central beam 100 is bent and oscillates by receiving an electrostatic force from an electrode 91 excited by an alternating-current (AC) signal Vi. In FIG. 18, reference symbol 103 denotes a concave portion, reference symbol 104 denotes a node point in a flexural mode, and an oscillation signal output circuit 110 is connected to the detection electrode 90. A basic oscillation mode of the resonator is a mode in which the central beam 100 flexes vertically. Parts having high amplitudes (oscillation centers) are located at three portions, i.e., the center and both ends of the resonator, respectively. In view of waveform, this oscillation mode corresponds to a wave having a half-wavelength. Further, the Non-Patent Document 1 reports that devices of various dimensions are designed and that a device having a resonant frequency of 30 MHz to 90 MHz is produced as a prototype.
However, the "free-free beam MEMS resonator" according to the prior art has the following problems. A resonant frequency of the resonator is decided by dimensions of a device. For example, when a length of the resonating beam is set to 16 μm and 14 μm, corresponding resonance frequencies are 50 MHz and 70 MHz, respectively. In this way, according to the prior art, only one resonant frequency can be pulled out from one device. The reason is as follows. Generally speaking, a resonator can excite an oscillation of a higher harmonic wave that is an integer multiple of a fundamental wave. However, since the support springs supporting the oscillating beam function to suppress harmonics, the frequency pulled out from the resonator is limited to a constant frequency. As can be seen, a structure of the resonator according to this prior art is disadvantageously incapable of changing frequencies.
Moreover, the electrostatic force generated from the electrode provided to be opposed to the oscillating beam directly acts on the oscillating beam. Therefore, as the frequency is higher, the oscillating beam is smaller in dimensions and an area of the oscillating beam opposed to the exciting electrode is made smaller. As a result, it is disadvantageously difficult for the electrostatic force to effectively act on the oscillating beam and driving voltage disadvantageously increases.
On the other hand, in a manner different from the structure according to the prior art in which the four support springs 101 are provided in portions that are nodes of traverse vibrations corresponding to modified directions of the oscillating beam, respectively, there has been known another structure of fixing both ends of an oscillating beam according to another prior art. In this case, it is possible to use a harmonic wave in addition to the fundamental wave. However, the structure according to another prior art has a problem that the harmonic wave is always low in amplitude than a lower-order harmonic wave. Accordingly, although a plurality of resonance frequencies can be used by use of the overtone technique, strains occur to an oscillation waveform as a higher-order resonant frequency is used. Furthermore, the structure according to another prior art also has a problem of need of a filter circuit suppressing lower-order frequency.

MEMS resonator including main and sub movable beams, and exciting electrodes excited by alternating-current signal

Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center


Silicon containing compounds having Si-bonded hydrogen are added to an aliphatic multiple bond in the presence of a platinum catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum compounds of the formula EQU (R.sup.1)PtX.sub.2,. where R.sup.1 represents a cyclic hydrocarbon radical or a substituted cyclic hydrocarbon radical having 2 aliphatic carbon-carbon double bonds, X is the same or different halogen atoms and/or the same or different alkyl radicals, and compounds of the formula EQU (R.sub.2 SO)(Z)PtY.sub.2. where R represents the same or different hydrocarbon radicals or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, Z represents a hydrocarbon having a carbon-carbon double bond and Y represents the same or different halogen atoms.. An example of a platinum compound having the general formula EQU (R.sup.1)PtX.sub.2,. is dicyclopentadiene-platinum dichloride, while an example of a platinum compound having the general formula EQU (R.sub.2 SO)(Z)PtY.sub.2. is dimethylsulfoxide-ethylene-platinum-(II)-dichloride.

The addition of organosilicon compounds containing Si-bonded hydrogen to an aliphatic multiple bond is well known and is often referred to as "hydrosilation". Likewise, it is known that hydrosilation can be accelerated with catalyst, such as platinum catalysts. Hydrosilation is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,730 to Karstedt, in which platinum catalysts are used to effect the addition of an organosilicon compound having a silicon bonded hydrogen atom to an aliphatically unsaturated compound having either olefinic or acetylenic unsaturation and thereby form an adduct having a new silicon carbon linkage.
Compared to the catalysts known heretofore for the addition of Si-bonded hydrogen to an aliphatic multiple bond, the platinum complexes used in this invention have the advantage that they are more effective and/or can be obtained more readily in a pure state from the precipitation reaction and consequently can be diluted to the proper concentration more readily than the conventional platinum catalysts used heretofore.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a catalyst for effecting the addition of organosilicon compounds containing silicon bonded hydrogen to unsaturated organic compounds. Another object of this invention is to provide a catalyst which is more effective in promoting hydrosilation. Still another object of this invention is to provide a catalyst which is available in substantially pure state and is effective at room temperature. A further object of this invention is to provide a process for promoting the addition of organosilicon compounds having silicon bonded hydrogen to a compound having aliphatic unsaturation.

Addition of Si-bonded hydrogen to an aliphatic multiple bond


A tire monitoring assembly is used with a wheel and tire assembly having a wheel rim, with the wheel rim including a mounting hole. The tire monitoring assembly includes a sealing grommet having an inner sealing ring, an outer sealing ring, and a main body extending between the inner sealing ring and the outer sealing ring, with the inner sealing ring being pressed through the mounting hole. The assembly also includes a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head, with the shank extending through a fastener hole in the sealing grommet. A mounting member has a fastener through hole that receives the shank therethrough, a generally semi-spherical surface extending about a first end of the fastener through hole, and a recess extending about a second end of the fastener through hole that receives the inner sealing ring. Also, the assembly includes a housing having a semi-spherical recess in surface contact with and slidable relative to the semi-spherical surface, a slotted fastener hole located within and extending through the semi-spherical recess and having the shank extending therethrough, and feet that maintain contact with the wheel rim. A nut engages the threads of the shank and a curved surface on the housing to thereby secure the housing and semi-spherical mounting member to the fastener, while allowing for limited pivoting of the housing relative to the mounting member to allow for use on various wheel designs.

The present invention relates to tire pressure monitoring systems and associated methods, and in particular mounting such systems to a vehicle wheel.
It is known in the automotive industry to provide for wireless monitoring of tire pressure, and sometimes other parameters, for pneumatic tires mounted on a vehicle. In such monitoring assemblies, pressure and sometimes other sensors, as well as transmitters and power sources, such as batteries, are mounted inside each tire, typically mounted to the valve stem on the wheel. The pressure in each tire is transmitted—typically via radio frequency transmission—to a receiver located in the vehicle. A controller in communication with the receiver processes the information and then may display the tire pressure information, or actuate some type of visual or audible warning device if one of the tires is beyond a certain predetermined threshold, or both. Such assemblies, then, allow the vehicle operator to assure that the vehicle tires are adequately inflated while traveling down the road.
For these monitoring systems, there are circumstances when it is more desirable to mount the tire pressure monitoring systems at locations other than the valve stem. For example, one may wish to employ a common and inexpensive valve stem assembly, thus avoiding the creation of sealing concerns around the stem with the addition of the tire pressure sensor assembly thereto, as well as minimizing the cost of the valve stem assembly. Also, unlike a valve stem, where regular access is required by a vehicle operator, no regular access is required for the pressure monitoring system mounted to the wheel. Thus, one may wish to have the pressure monitoring system mounted on a surface facing inwardly toward the vehicle rather than exposed on an outwardly facing surface, as is required with a conventional valve stem. This will allow the pressure monitoring assembly to remain hidden and avoid contact with objects that may damage the system.
Moreover, since wheel shapes and designs are different, it is also desirable to be able to mount the pressure assemblies on the various shapes of wheels without requiring a different or modified mounting system for each wheel. And, since many wheels not designed originally for a tire pressure sensor system may not have accommodations designed-in to mount the assembly, it is preferable that such an assembly can mount to such wheels with minimum modifications to the wheels.
Thus, it is desirable to have a tire monitoring assembly for tires that can be readily mounted to a variety of wheels without requiring redesigning the wheels or pressure monitoring assemblies, and that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

Adjustable mounting of tire monitoring assembly


The ostomy bag includes a multi-stage filter system that provides contamination protection for a deodorizing filter in the system. The multi-stage filter system also includes protection elements that are impassable to semi-liquid waste material but permit passage of gaseous waste. The protection elements are located such that gaseous waste must pass through the protection elements before it passes through the deodorizing filter. In one embodiment of the invention, the protection elements include a fluid and gas-impermeable cover layer with fluid bypass ports. The fluid and gas-impermeable cover layer is followed by a barrier filter that restricts passage of semi-liquid waste material. The barrier filter is followed by a liquid-impermeable membrane that prevents passage of liquid. The liquid-impermeable membrane is followed by a moisture-absorbent pad that is adjacent the deodorizing filter. The moisture-absorbent pad absorbs moisture condensate that may progress as vapor through the liquid-impermeable membrane. Thus semi-liquid waste cannot contact the deodorizing filter, since it cannot bypass the protection elements to reach the deodorizing filter.

This invention is directed to ostomy bags and more particularly to an ostomy bag with a novel multi-stage filter that resists contact contamination by semi-liquid waste collected in the bag.
Gases emitted from the stoma into an ostomy bag and gases that issue from waste material confined in the bag are usually deodorized before being evacuated from the bag. A deodorizing filter is generally located adjacent a gas outlet opening in the bag to ensure that the outward flow of gas from the bag passes through the deodorizing filter.
Most ostomy bags are normally worn for several days before the deodorizing capability of the filter begins to lose effectiveness. An ineffective or exhausted deodorizing filter can be replaced if the bag has provision for replaceable filters as in ostomy bags of U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,652. If there is no provision for filter replacement as in the ostomy bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,851, the entire bag is often replaced when the deodorizing filter is no longer an effective deodorizer.
If the deodorizing filter is inadvertently contaminated by contact with waste material that accumulates in the bag, it may be desirable to replace the disposable bag immediately. Waste material contact with a deodorizing filter can occur as a result of physical activity by the wearer that, for example, shifts the contents of the bag toward the deodorizing filter, especially if such waste material is of a liquid or semi-liquid consistency.
Contact of the deodorizing filter with semi-liquid waste material will often clog the filter, thereby preventing adequate deodorization and evacuation of waste gas. Whenever a deodorizing filter is contaminated by contact with semi-liquid waste material and such contamination impedes the function of the deodorizing filter, the filter or bag should be replaced as soon as possible. The need for unexpected or accelerated replacement of deodorizing filters and/or ostomy bags because of contact contamination by waste is often at an inconvenience to the wearer.
Ostomy bag deodorizing filter contamination from contact with semi-liquid waste also commonly occurs when an individual is asleep or reclining and the ostomy bag is in a relatively horizontal orientation. In such instances of filter contamination, gas pressure is likely to build up in the bag because of a diminished rate of gas evacuation due to deodorizing filter clog. Occasionally pressure buildup in the bag will overcome the seal between the bag and the bag mounting surface. Once the seal between the bag and the mounting surface is broken, leakage of gas and other contents of the bag can occur, and if such leak or seal break is not detected, it can result in offensive odors as well as the soiling of an individual's garments.
It is thus desirable to provide an ostomy bag with a multi-stage filter system that prevents semi-liquid waste material from contaminating a deodorizing element but does not inhibit evacuation of gaseous waste through the deodorizing element.


A composition mixture for controlling axillary and terminal buds of agronomic, horticultural and forestry crops including from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of at least one first fatty alcohol having up to about 10 carbon atoms and from about 95 to about 5 percent by weight of at least one second fatty alcohol having at least 11 carbon atoms. A method according to the present invention includes contacting the crop buds with such a composition.

It is known in the agronomic, horticultural and forestry crop raising industries, such as in tobacco farming, that the overall crop yield can be increased by removing axillary and terminal buds that would otherwise take away nutrients that can be directed toward another section of the plant. In tobacco farming, the leaves of the plant will grow larger more quickly if the axillary and terminal buds are removed.
One easy and yet time consuming and expensive method of removing axillary and terminal buds is to have a worker pinch, cut or otherwise remove the buds by hand. Because of the time and costs involved, chemical debudding agents have been developed.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, it is necessary for a debudding agent to be active enough to sufficiently destroy or inhibit the growth of the buds, and yet it must not kill the plant itself, known as "necrosis", or impart hazardous phytotoxicity levels to the plant to make it unfit for human or animal use.
Fatty alcohols have been used as debudding agents. It is commercially known that 1-decanol is useful as a debudding agent because of its high activity in debudding and inhibiting bud growth and because it imparts low phytotoxicity to the plants themselves. One known preparation contains 1-decanol mixed with 1-octanol.
Fatty alcohols having higher than 10 carbon atoms have not been employed as debudding agents, because they are known to cause high necrosis and phytotoxicity in plants such as tobacco leaves. Those known compositions that do contain a fatty alcohol with more than 10 carbon atoms, have included these alcohols only as an unintentioned impurity imparted to the composition during manufacturing processes. These impurities are generally of about 3 percent by weight or less.
Even though the fatty alcohols having fewer than 10 carbon atoms showed the desired activity levels and the desired low levels of necrosis and phytotoxicity, these compounds are more toxic to humans and animals than the fatty alcohols having a larger number of carbon atoms.
For example, it is known that 2600 to 3100 milligrams per kilogram of 1-hexanol is considered lethal to fifty percent of a rabbit population (LD50), while the number is greater than 10,000 milligrams per kilogram for 1-dodecanol.
Furthermore, flammability hazards are greater with fatty alcohols having 10 or fewer carbon atoms than for those with a greater number of carbon atoms.
Therefore, debudding agents that have heretofore been commercially employed in the agronomic, horticultural and forestry industries have been those with fewer than 10 carbon atoms, because these alcohols cause less damage to the plants themselves. However, these alcohols with lower numbers of carbon atoms also present the most hazards because of their greater toxicity to humans and animals and the greater flammability hazards when compared to those fatty alcohols having greater than 10 carbon atoms.
Therefore, a need exists for a chemical debudding agent which has the high activity and low necrosis and phytotoxicity inducing levels of fatty alcohols having less than 10 carbon atoms, and the high stability and low human toxicity levels of the fatty alcohols having greater than 10 carbon atoms. No single alcohol or mixture of alcohols heretofore known, has possessed or been expected to possess these characteristics.

Fatty alcohol composition and method for controlling axillary and terminal buds of agronomic, horticultural and forestry crops


A mixed reality control apparatus for a system having at least one remote data source requiring at least one physical control input, the apparatus comprising a headset for placing over a user's eyes, in use, the headset including a screen, the apparatus further including a processor configured to receive data from the at least one remote data source and display the data on the screen within a three-dimensional virtual environment, and image capture means for capturing images of the real world environment in the vicinity of the user, the processor being further configured to: blend at least portions or objects of the images of the real world environment into the three-dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment, including the data, to be displayed on the screen; and generate a virtual representation of the at least one physical control input and blend the virtual representation into the mixed reality environment at a selected location, and generate a marker representative of the selected location; wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a user input in association with the marker, identify the user input as an action in respect of the control input, or the virtual representation thereof, and generate a control signal to effect the action accordingly.

Many complex systems rely on highly specialised components in order to achieve their functionality or perform a particular role, and information tends to be handled using a combinations of physical hardware and graphics represented on a two-dimensional screen. Generally, the user interacts with such information provided on-screen using a mouse or touchscreen input method, whereas specific/specialised tasks tend to be effected through the use of bespoke switch panels, dials, buttons, slide controls, and the like. The result is a complex physical control environment, which places a relatively high workload and training burden on individuals, and increases the potential for human error during interaction.
Technological advances have addressed this issue to a limited extent, by, for example, the integration of LCDs into a single control element, thereby allowing the control element to perform multiple functions. Advances in touch screen and alternative technologies, such as voice commands and gaze recognition, have also attempted to alleviate some of the problems identified above. However, such technologies have severe limitations, particularly in relation to the types of control elements they can be used to replace or enhance, and the user is still, in any event, provided with a system with which they are required to interact in a 'conventional' manner, i.e. as if the physical controls were still present and in the same relative locations as in a system comprised entirely of physical controls. Thus, the user is still constrained, to a large extent, by conventional methods of interacting with the system, with the result that the above-mentioned disadvantages are still present.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for controlling the functions and/or operations of a system which at least addresses some of the problems outlined above.
Virtual reality systems are known, comprising a headset which, when placed over a user's eyes, creates and displays a three-dimensional virtual environment in which a user feels immersed and with which a user can interact in a manner dependent on the application. For example, in some prior art systems, the virtual environment created may comprise a game zone, within which a user can play a game. However, in an environment where the user needs to be able to see where they are going in order to function appropriately within their physical environment, such systems are unsuitable.
More recently, augmented and mixed reality systems have been developed, wherein an image of a real world object can be captured, rendered and placed within a 3D virtual reality environment, such that it can be viewed and manipulated within that environment in the same way as virtual objects therein. Other so-called augmented reality systems exist, comprising a headset having a transparent or translucent visor which, when placed over a user's eyes, creates a three-dimensional environment with which the user can interact, whilst still being able to view their real environment through the visor.
However, in an augmented reality environment, whereby the user can "see" all aspects of their real world environment through the visor as well as the multiple sources of data in the virtual environment, the resultant 3D environment becomes excessively cluttered and it becomes difficult for a user to focus on the important elements thereof. Furthermore, this does not address the problem outlined above, whereby in complex systems, multiple physical controls are provided in fixed locations within the real world environment, which do not enable the user to interact with them conveniently or intuitively.
It is therefore an object of aspects of the present invention to address at least some of these issues.

Interactive system control apparatus and method


A beam shape compensation optical system includes a first anamorphic beam expander which expands a cross section of a parallel beam incident along a predetermined direction at a first magnification ratio M1 at least in a first direction which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and a second anamorphic beam expander which expands a cross section of a parallel beam incident along the predetermined direction at a second magnification ratio M2 at least in a second direction which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The first and second anamorphic beam expander are rotatable so that an angle between the first direction and the second direction on a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction is changeable.

The present invention relates to a beam shape compensation optical system for compensating a cross-sectional shape of a beam, and an imaging device employing the beam shape compensation optical system.
Among devices utilizing light beams, some require a beam of which a cross sectional shape is compensated. For example, in an imaging device utilizing a scanning beam, it is preferable that a beam spot formed on a surface on which an image is formed has a circular shape. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of a beam emitted by a light source such as an argon laser source is compensated to have a circular cross section.
Conventionally, such compensation is done at a designing and/or manufacturing stage. Optionally or alternatively, a compensation optical system such as a zoom expander including a plurality of cylindrical lenses or the like is adopted to compensate the shape (i.e., to compensate to have the circular cross section) of the beam.
In order to design and manufacture an optical system which is capable of compensating a laser beam as desired, the optical system should be designed for individual devices since the cross sectional shape of the laser beam emitted by the laser sources have individual differences. Further, even in a single device, if the laser source is replaced with another one, the compensation optical system should also be replaced according to the characteristic of the new laser source.
If the zoom expander is used, a relative inclination between the generating lines of the respective cylindrical lenses greatly affect wavefront aberration. Therefore, when the zoom expander is used, a troublesome adjustment of the zoom expander is required. Further, decentering of the cylindrical lenses when zooming is performed also causes a relatively large amount of aberration. Therefore, the compensation of the cross-sectional shape of the beam by the zoom expander is very difficult.


Provided is a detection apparatus of Raman scattering and light scattering, and more particularly, a simultaneous detection apparatus of Raman scattering and dynamic light scattering and a detection method using the same. The simultaneous detection apparatus of Raman scattering and light scattering includes: a detection unit for applying incident light to a sample, and detecting Raman scattering in 90° or 180° geometry and light scattering in 90° or 180° geometry in order to simultaneously collect Raman scattering and light scattering; and a computer connected to the detection unit to obtain at least one of the size and distribution of particles from the detected light scattering, and to obtain information of the molecular structure from the detected Raman scattering. This apparatus may simultaneously observe the size of nano-sized or larger material and molecular information thereof, and phenomena accompanying changes in molecular environment according to material variation and changes of the material in size and distribution, and thus is very useful for studying nano materials and protein antigens and antibodies.

Detection apparatuses of Raman and light scattering detect information of a molecule's vibrational structure and particle's size and distribution, respectively. The Raman scattering causes a change in vibration potential of a molecule, and vibration frequency and structural information of the molecule are obtained by measuring the frequency shift of the scattered light from the incident light. Such Raman scattering is inelastic, and scattering energy intensity is approximately 1/1000 of that of elastic scattering. Thus, in the Raman scattering, a light collection device needs a device for removing elastic scattered light.
Meanwhile, the light scattering detection apparatus detects size and distribution of nano-sized particles, wherein the light scattering corresponds to elastic scattering. The energy intensity of the light scattering is determined by angle formed between the incident light and scattered light, and thus light scattering collection angle has to be small as much as possible, and inelastic light, which is relatively weak, does not need to be removed.
According to known arts so far, while the Raman scattering and light scattering have been individually detected by common apparatuses which had been developed separately, any simultaneous detection result of the Raman scattering and light scattering has not been reported. Thus, when an environment of molecules constituting an object material are changed according to changes of the object material in size and shape, the changes of the molecular environment, and its size and shape can not be simultaneously detected. Particularly, phenomena such as growth and change of a nano material, binding between a nanomaterial and protein, and reaction between an antigen and an antibody may often go with the changes of the material's size and its molecular environment. The prior arts have problems in that, in order to study such phenomena, both detection apparatuses for Raman scattering and light scattering should be equipped at the same time, and light sources thereof are difficult to be altered, if necessary. That is, the prior arts have difficulty in simultaneously analyzing information such as chemical characteristics of components according to the kinds of samples, environmental changes, sizes and shapes of the components around the sample.

Simultaneous detection apparatus of raman and light scattering


The engine (10) includes at least one firing tube (12) wherein an exhaust stream (32) from the firing tube (12) drives a turbine (30). A scroll ejector attenuator (40) is secured between and in fluid communication with an outlet end (28) of the firing tube (12) and an inlet (76) of the turbine (30). The attenuator (40) defines a turning, narrowing passageway (72) that extends a distance the exhaust stream (32) travels before entering the turbine (30) to attenuate shockwaves and mix the pulsed exhaust stream (32) into an even stream with minimal temperature differences to thereby enhance efficient operation of the turbine (30) without any significant pressure decline of exhaust stream (32) pressure and without any backpressure from the attenuator (40) on the firing tube (12).

In the field of pulse detonation engines ("PDEs") it is generally known that such engines operate by producing a series of pulsed detonations within one or more firing tubes of the engine. An oxidant such as atmospheric air and fuel are directed into an inlet of the firing tube and then combusted within the tube. This results in a dramatic pressure rise as a pressure wave of combusted oxidant and fuel moves along the firing tube increasing in velocity to produce a detonation wave that results in very substantial thrust as an exhaust stream passes out of an outlet of the firing tube.
It is also known that PDEs are integrated with traditional turbine engines, wherein the exhaust stream from the pulse detonation engine ("PDE") is directed to flow into the turbine to drive the turbine. In such turbine hybrid PDEs, it is common that the turbine typically drives a compressor to force air into one or more of the firing tubes within the PDE.
While such PDEs have tremendous potential for efficient use of fuel and production of enormous thrust per unit mass of the PDE, they nonetheless also have many challenges that have hindered development of an efficient, long-running PDE for an aircraft or a hybrid turbine PDE for production of electrical power. For example, firing PDE tubes directly into a turbine provides a very efficient system layout or architecture. However, in a typical PDE, firing tubes pulse at different times producing a very unsteady flow of the exhaust stream out of the firing tubes. Additionally, the resulting exhaust stream has an extremely high and uneven temperature with localized temperature spikes, etc. This results in significant structural, thermal and performance duress on the turbine.
Firing directly into the turbine also creates a partial-admission turbine effect, wherein a full force of the exhaust stream from the firing tubes only impacts a partial section of the turbine. Even if the firing tubes discharge around a full annulus of the turbine, the unsteady flow of the pulsed and turbulent exhaust stream has the effect of changing incidence angles with each cycle or pulse. This has the same effect on the turbine as the partial-admission turbine effect resulting from a varying number of firing tubes firing at different times and impacting the turbine. For example, it is known that many PDEs utilize a bundle of firing tubes and activate one, several or all of the tubes to meet varying thrust requirements. Studies of PDEs have shown that unsteady, high-temperature exhaust, while manageable on the basis of an average thermal load, nonetheless has the potential to cause deleterious thermal erosion of turbine air foil surfaces due to high-temperature peaks. It is known that, efficient, long-term operation of turbines requires minimizing vibratory stress. Unfortunately, combining PDEs with turbines imposes great vibratory stress upon the turbine, primarily because of the unsteady, turbulent flow of the exhaust stream at supersonic speeds combined with the fluctuating and extremely high temperatures of the exhaust stream.
Therefore, there is a need for a pulse detonation engine that minimizes structural, thermal and long-term, operational duress upon a turbine driven by an exhaust stream from firing tubes of the pulse detonation engine.

Pulse detonation engine having a scroll ejector attenuator


A system for suspending a cab frame relative to a base component of a work vehicle may generally include a sensor assembly coupled between the cab frame and the base component. The sensor assembly may include a sensor coupled to the cab frame and a sensor arm configured to pivot relative to the sensor. The sensor assembly may also include a sensor linkage extending lengthwise between a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the sensor linkage may be coupled to the sensor arm. Additionally, the second end portion of the sensor linkage may be coupled to the base component such that the second end portion is rotatable relative to the base component about at least two different axes.

A wide range of off-highway, work vehicles have been developed for various purposes. In smaller work vehicles, seats and other operator supports may be sufficient, and these may be mounted on various forms of springs and other suspension components. However, in larger or more complex works vehicles, such as certain agricultural tractors and construction equipment, a partially or fully enclosed cab is more desirable, providing one or more operators with a comfortable location from which the vehicle may be operated. Such cabs, sometimes referred to as "operator environments" also provide a central location to which controls and operator interfaces may be fed, and from which most or all of the vehicle functions may be easily controlled.
In most instances, the cab of a work vehicle is formed by a cab frame that includes a plurality of structural members coupled to one another to create a relatively stiff structural frame. The cab frame, in turn, is typically suspended relative to a fixed component of the work vehicle, such as the vehicle's chassis, via a suspension system. The suspension system is generally designed to allow movement of the cab frame relative to the chassis or other fixed component above which it is suspended. For instance, the cab frame may be allowed to rotate about two or more axes (e.g., pitch rotation and roll rotation) and may be allowed to translate linearly in three directions (e.g., forward-to-aft movement, side-to-side movement and vertical movement).
Given such freedom of the cab frame to rotate/translate, it is often desirable to monitor the position of the cab frame relative to the fixed component above which it is suspended. However, the development of a sensor or sensing device that is capable of monitoring the position of the cab frame while accommodating the various degrees of freedom that the frame is allowed to move relative to the fixed component has proven difficult.
Accordingly, a suspension system for a work vehicle and a related sensor assembly for monitoring the position of a cab frame relative to a fixed component of the work vehicle that is configured to accommodate movement of the cab frame in multiple directions would be welcomed in the technology.

Suspension system for a work vehicle and related sensor assembly


A rescue device for oil-soaked birds or other creatures including a sanctuary formed by surrounding walls, a lower floor, and an upper floor above the lower floor having apertures for oil to pass therethrough. The upper floor is attached to the interior of the surrounding walls to form a platform for the oil-soaked animal. The upper floor and lower floor together define a drainage space within which excess oil from the animal can drain. The surrounding walls are inflatable, and the device includes a pressurized gas cartridge having a detonator valve for instantly inflating the walls. The device is hexagonally shaped and includes D-rings attached to exterior surfaces to allow a number of the devices to be hooked together to form a floating island of individual sanctuaries. Interior baffles within the surrounding walls help maintain the hexagonal shape of the device. A number of the devices can be connected together to form a floating island of multiple sanctuaries. The floating island can be overturned and to provide a floating platform for larger animals.

One of the major casualties of hydrocarbon oil spills is the resident and migrating populations of birds, mammals, and shellfish that come in contact with and swallow the oil. Marine birds, especially diving birds, appear to be the most vulnerable of the living creatures to the effects of oil spillage. Harm to birds from contact with oil is reported to be a result of breakdown of the natural insulating oils and waxes that shield the birds from water, as well as due to plumage damage and ingestion of oil.
Efforts to cleanse or rehabilitate birds or other wildlife have been generally unsuccessful because of the excessive stress that the animal experiences. If the initiation of treatment is prolonged for any reason, most, if not all, of the animals will die. Prior to attempting treatment, however, the oil-soaked animals must be removed from the immediate danger of exposure to the elements. Most marine birds, for instance, will float offshore until they die of the extreme cold, or drown. Often, as was witnessed in Prince Williams Sound during the Exxon Valdez disaster, hundreds, if not thousands, of oil-soaked animals died before rescuers had a chance to even pull them from the water. Even if animals are reached in time, many die after the trauma of the rescue and clean-up operation.
The state-of-the-art method for capturing birds and other animals either on the ground or floating offshore is to first deploy fishing nets over the animals to confine them. The fishing nets are either thrown by hand or shot from net guns over the birds. Deploying the nets can be extremely difficult in rough seas or over difficult terrains on land. So called "mist nets" are sometimes set up on land to trap oil-soaked animals that walk directly into the mist nets. Unfortunately, these mist nets are not suitable for large oily birds.
After the animals are captured, they are placed manually in boxes and transported to a cleanup center. Traditional cleanup of contaminated wildlife is very slow and laborious. It usually employs the use of soapy liquids (external) for the oil contacted externally and stomach pump devices (internal) for the swallowed oil. One can readily appreciate the dangers to the affected animals caused by the stress of the rescue operation itself. In fact, the best chance of survival for an affected animal is often to place it in a dark and warm place, which is impossible, given the sometimes overwhelming demand on the clean-up crews.

Marine wildlife rescue devices and methods for rescuing marine wildlife


A bearing system includes: a rotatable shaft, a circumferential channel in the shaft with an axially extending profile surface at least part of which is inclined relative to the shaft axis; a bearing, around the shaft in use; a split ring in the circumferential channel in contact with the inclined profile surface, the split ring includes a first part having an outer diameter, and a second part having a greater outer diameter than the first part to provide a thrust surface; a collar, including an internal bore to accommodate the first part of the split ring in use; and a bearing locator for exerting an axial locating force between the split ring and the bearing to locate the bearing on the shaft. An axial thrust load exerted on the split ring by the shaft is transmitted to the collar by the thrust surface, and the split ring is urged along the inclined profile surface so as to produce a radial load on the split ring which is resisted by the collar.

In a rolling mill, work roll shafts are rotatably supported by bearings. Once bearings have been fitted to a work roll shaft, they must be located axially and the axial location must be able to withstand the anticipated axial thrust forces from the shaft.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional arrangement for axial location of a bearing 1 on a work roll shaft 2 having a longitudinal axis X in a circumferential rectangular groove 3 which is cut into the shaft, with radii in the corners, and into which a split ring 4 is inserted. The two halves of the split ring 4 are connected together, for example by a pivot at one side and by a bolt at the other side, so that the assembled ring is slipped over the shaft 2 and then the bolt is inserted to hold the split ring 4 together. A bearing retaining sleeve 5 having a threaded end 5a is tightened against the side of the split ring 4 by a threaded collar 6, forcing the split ring 4 axially against the outer face of the groove 3, while simultaneously holding the inner race of the axial bearing 1 against an abutment face 7, which may be a spacer or a neck ring of the shaft 2. This securely locates the bearing 1 onto the roll shaft 2.
One unintended consequence of this arrangement is to weaken the work roll shaft. Not only is the shaft cross-section reduced, but also the shape of the profile gives rise to stress concentrations. This can lead to premature failure due to fatigue. As the market moves toward wider rolling mills with correspondingly greater torque values, this is a growing problem.


A work machine has a work device mounted on a machine body including a fluid pressure motor for travelling. A controller reduces engine speed to be lower than rated engine speed during normal working mode. The controller controls engine speed so as to obtain a pump flow rate in accordance with a target travelling speed during travelling low-load mode when engine load is lower than a threshold. The controller controls both the engine speed and output torque for pump control so that the engine output becomes maximum in travelling high-load mode when the engine load is higher than the threshold.

In recent years, energy saving (reduction in fuel consumption) has become an important issue in working machines. Moreover, in excavators, it is requested to suppress an engine rotation speed as low as possible in an idling mode or during an excavation operation (normal operation) in a relatively light load.
Here, merely lowering a rated engine rotation speed itself is not possible when traveling performance needs to be ensured. That is, if the rated engine rotation speed is decreased, a maximum pump flow rate decreases to decrease a traveling speed, and a maximum engine output decreases to decrease traveling ability under power-demanding conditions such as on slope land.
Thus, there is a demand for a controller capable of reducing an engine rotation speed during a normal operation state and securing a traveling speed and traveling power.
From such a viewpoint, as a technique of easily realizing low fuel consumption and low noise during an excavation operation while securing traveling performance, an excavator engine controller in which engine rotation speed control means selects isochronous control when a traveling state is detected and selects droop control when the traveling state is not detected so that an engine rotation speed during an operation is lower than the engine rotation speed (rated engine rotation speed) during traveling is disclosed (see Patent Literature 1).
Further, an engine controller is disclosed in which, when the input from travel operation means is detected, a second target rotation speed which is a predetermined target engine rotation speed during traveling is compared with a first target rotation speed which is a minimum engine rotation speed at which a target pump discharge flow rate is realized with maximum pump displacement and the engine rotation speed is controlled by selecting the larger target rotation speed, that is, the smaller engine rotation speed is selected when a machine is not traveling (see Patent Literature 2).
Further, as an engine controller capable of controlling driving of an engine efficiently with low fuel consumption, an engine controller which detects an operation state of a lever with pilot pressure, detects the type and combination of hydraulic actuators operated from the operation state, applies a target engine rotation speed (upper limit) set in advance individually according to the type and combination, and sets an upper limit of an engine rotation speed in a travel-only mode so as to be higher than the lower limit of the engine rotation speed is disclosed (see Patent Literature 3).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-255414
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-074406
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2011-157931
As described above, although techniques of implementing change of an engine rotation speed between during operations and during traveling have been known in the art, the conventional engine controllers cannot deal with power-demanding traveling conditions such as on slope land or during spin-turning.


Compounds of formula I:

Positive-single stranded RNA viruses comprising the Retroviridae family include those of the subfamily Orthoretrovirinae and genera Alpharetrovirus, Betaretrovirus, Gamaretrovirus, Deltaretrovirus, Epsilonretrovirus, Lentiviruss, and Spumavirus which cause many human and animal diseases. Among the Lentivirus, HIV-1 infection in humans leads to depletion of T helper cells and immune dysfunction, producing immunodeficiency and vulnerability to opportunistic infections. Treating HIV-1 infections with highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) has proven to be effective at reducing viral load and significantly delaying disease progression (Hammer, S. M., et al.; JAMA 2008, 300: 555-570). However, these treatments do lead to the emergence of HIV strains that are resistant to current therapies (Taiwo, B., International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2009, 13:552-559; Smith, R. J., et al., Science 2010, 327:697-701). Therefore, there is a pressing need to discover new antiretroviral agents that are active against emerging drug-resistant HIV variants.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I:

Abstract: or salts thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating a Retroviridae viral infection including an infection caused by the HIV virus.


A multifunctional wall socket related to electrical conduction connecting device, comprising socket cover (1) with a conventional power connector (2) and a USB port (3) arranged on the socket cover. The USB port (3) is connected to the output terminals of an AC-DC conversion module (4) arranged on the socket cover (1). The AC-DC conversion module (4) comprises a rectifier filter module (41), modulation step-down module (42), current sampling and protection module (43), voltage reference module (44) and feedback control module (45). A first safety shutter (6) which can be opened or closed in arranged at the USB port (3) on the socket cover (1), or a second safety shutter (7) which can be opened or closed is arranged at the conventional power connector (2).

Existing sockets, as shown in FIG. 1A, generally include a socket cover 1. The socket cover 1 has conventional power connectors 21′, 22′. The conventional power connectors 21′, 22′ are used for connecting to AC (Alternate Current) line power, wherein the conventional power connector 22′ include two live holes. In comparison with the conventional power connector 22′, the conventional power connector 21′ further includes an earth hole. The socket can be mounted onto a wall. As shown in FIG. 1B, a conventional power connector 21′ is also included in the prior art. This conventional power connector 21′ is different from the conventional power connector 21′ as shown in FIG. 1A only by a certain difference in the shape of the connector, but the principles are the same.
Most existing sockets are solely used to provide AC line power connectors. The functions are relatively limited.


A brake booster with regenerative brake force generation comprising a force input element coupled to a brake pedal. A chamber arrangement having a vacuum chamber and a working chamber that are separated from one another by a movable wall. A control valve actuated in accordance with a displacement of the force input element. The working chamber is connectable selectively to the vacuum chamber and the atmosphere to generate and reduce a differential pressure at the movable wall. The control valve has a control valve housing that is connected for joint movement to the movable wall. In a first actuation phase of the brake booster from its rest position, the force input element is displaceable relative to the control valve housing by an idle travel, in which the control valve remains non-actuated to suppress a build-up of a differential pressure at the movable wall.

The present invention relates to a brake booster for an automotive brake system with regenerative brake force generation, comprising: a force input element that may be or is coupled to a brake pedal, a chamber arrangement having a vacuum chamber and a working chamber that are separated from one another by a movable wall, a control valve, by means of which in accordance with a displacement of the force input element the working chamber is connectable selectively to the vacuum chamber and the atmosphere to generate and reduce a differential pressure at the movable wall, wherein the control valve has a control valve housing that is connected for joint movement to the movable wall.
For some time now brake boosters have been a component part of modern automotive brake systems. They are used to boost the brake force exerted by a driver on a brake pedal by means of a synthetically generated servo force in order to enable comfortable actuation of the braking system of the motor vehicle. In other words, a conventional brake booster ensures that a driver has to apply a lower actuating force to the brake pedal for actuating the brake system than would be the case without a brake booster. More recently, brake boosters have been used increasingly to activate the brake system independently of the driver. In this connection, in addition to the generic term "brake booster", the term "brake force generator" is also frequently employed. Such a driver-independent actuation is required for example when drive assist systems carry out an activation of the brake system independently of the driver, for example in the event of hazardous situations or in the event of excessive or too weak actuation by the driver.
A conventional vacuum brake booster is known for example from the document DE 34 13 739 A1. In addition to the conventional booster function, in this prior art it is provided that the air flows, which arise in the brake booster during actuation and may have relatively high flow rates, are guided by means of individual vanes of an air guide element in a desired manner in order to prevent turbulence that may lead to undesirable noise generation.
Conventional brake boosters are used also in the hybrid vehicles that have recently become popular. Such vehicles are characterized by having, in addition to an internal combustion engine, a second alternative drive source, for example an electric motor that may simultaneously also be used regeneratively. In this case it is provided that the electric motor is used for example during braking of the vehicle as a generator, wherein the energy demand for this purpose brings about a deceleration of the motor vehicle. Experience has shown that in specific operating situations such a regenerative deceleration of the motor vehicle is in fact sufficient to cover the deceleration effect requested by the driver through an actuation of the brake pedal. In the case of more powerful braking operations, in particular emergency braking operations, however, this deceleration effect is far from being able to cover the requested deceleration demand. It is therefore necessary, in addition to the deceleration effect produced by the electric motor acting as a generator, also to enable a braking of the motor vehicle by means of a conventional braking system.
Conventional brake boosters, such as are described for example in the document DE 34 13 739 A1, do however have the drawback of responding immediately upon a brake pedal actuation. This is briefly explained with reference to the accompanying FIG. 6, which shows essential components of a conventional brake booster in a starting position. In this starting position of the brake booster a valve element 1 lies sealingly against a first sealing seat 2 of a control valve housing 3. A second sealing seat 4 of a transmission element 5, which is coupled for joint movement to a force input element 6, moreover likewise lies sealingly against the valve element 1. The first sealing seat 2 in the illustrated position separates a working chamber from a vacuum chamber. The second sealing seat 4 in the illustrated position separates the working chamber from the ambient atmosphere. If the force input element 6 is then moved as a result of a brake pedal actuation out of the position shown in FIG. 6, this leads directly to a separation of second sealing seat 4 and valve element 1 and hence to a fluidic connection between working chamber and ambient atmosphere. A pressure difference consequently builds up at a movable wall 7. In other words, the brake booster according to prior art responds immediately to a pedal actuation. This immediate response of the brake booster to a brake pedal actuation considerably complicates use of the brake booster in hybrid vehicles. In particular, with such brake boosters a coordination between the deceleration effect produced by the electric motor and the deceleration effect produced by the conventional braking system is difficult.

Brake booster for an automotive brake system and corresponding automotive brake system


The elastic-port immersion cell (10) is an optical oil immersion vessel which has a flexible latex (or other) sheath (24) protruding from its sidewall. The sheath is affixed to an opening in the wall of the vessel using a collar, O-ring (26) or other connecting means. The base of the vessel is an optical glass window. A sample (20) mounted on to the end of spindle (14) is placed into the cell. The end of the spindle (14), without the sample, is inserted into the sheath and the latex together with the spindle is attached to a goniometer head of a spindle stage such that the spindle is horizontal. Immersion oil (22) that has a refractive index similar to the sample is added to the cell until the sample is totally submerged. Minute features within the sample (20) may then be observed under the microscope as the sample is rotated 360 degrees about a vertical or horizontal axis. The latex sheath prevents the oil from escaping from the cell and also provides the flexibility required to orient and rotate a sample.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to instrumentation used for analyzing microstructures in minerals. More particularly, the invention allows an inexpensive and effective means for observing fluid inclusions, microcracks, and other structures within crystal and other mineral samples.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Morphometric analysis of objects or structures within translucent materials is of considerable interest to geologists and materials scientists. The orientation of planar and linear arrays of fluid inclusions with respect to crystallographic directions in the host mineral is the most important characteristic for determining the temporal classification of inclusions. Knowledge of the orientation of inclusion planes relative to macrostructural features in the host rock is necessary to understand the timing of various fluid events with respect to the tectonic and deformational history of the rock. In addition, the size and shape of individual fluid inclusions and their contained phases must be known for many important applications.
At the present time, there is no inexpensive, straight-forward method for analyzing microstructures such as fluid inclusions and microcracks within mineral samples.
In standard petrographic techniques, the sample is observed in only two dimensions. Three-dimensional properties can be inferred from the two dimensional images using sophisticated mathematical models. De Hoff, J. of Microscopy, 131:259-263 (1982), disclose a technique for quantitative serial sectioning analysis for characterizing three-dimensional microstructures from two-dimensional image information.
Recently, Petford et al., Am. Mineralogist, 77:529-533 (1992) disclosed three-dimensional imaging of fluid inclusions using confocal scanning laser microscopy. In operation, confocal three-dimensional images are achieved by compiling serial sections through the sample with the aid of image analysis software. Despite the advantages, this technique has the disadvantages of requiring a very high instrumentation cost, requiring very complex equipment and software which is not easily understood by researchers, and requiring correction for the refractive index of the host material. Furthermore, materials that are transparent to white light may not be easily observed with laser light.
The spindle stage is a simple and powerful tool used to measure the optical constants of anisotropic crystals by immersion techniques. The attributes and functions of the spindle stage are discussed in detail in Bloss, Am. Mineralogist, 63:433-447 (1973) and Bloss, The Spindle Stage: Principles and Practice, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1981 , 340 pages. For optical studies, it is expedient to use crystals that are typically less than one millimeter (1 mm) in diameter. Therefore, conventional spindle stages are equipped with a shallow immersion cell that is sufficient to completely bathe a tiny crystal in oil. Modified spindle stages are described in Roy, Am. Mineralogist, 50:1441-1449 (1965), Jones, Am. Mineralogist, 53:1399-1403 (1968), and Grattan-Bellew, Am. K. of Science, 274:829-830 (1974). Each of these modified spindle stages are utilized for analyzing very small crystal samples, and each includes the use of an immersion cell with an open side. Oil is retained in the immersion cell via the surface tension with the top and bottom plates, and by adding blotting paper between the plates. Since only small crystal samples are used, oil leakage from the immersion cell is minimal.
Prior to this invention, the spindle stage had not been used for analyzing structures such as fluid inclusions and microcracks in larger mineral samples.

Elastic-part immersion cell for analyzing microstructures in materials

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.


The present guitar pick holder comprises a housing formed of a front half and a back half. A plurality of slots are arranged on the front half for receiving guitar picks. The slots are positioned very close together and staggered for compactness, but still enable the picks to be easily gripped. The picks may be randomly selected and removed from any slot. Each slot includes a beveled first edge for aiding pick insertion. A resilient tab projects into the slot from the first edge for securing the pick in position. A plurality of ramps are attached to the interior of the back half of the housing and aligned behind the slots. When a guitar pick is inserted into a slot, it is biased by the resilient tab against a second edge of the slot to an angled position relative to the surface of the housing for being easily gripped. The angle is limited by the ramp which engages the inner end of the pick. A clip on the back half of the housing is for clipping to a guitar strap or belt.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to guitar pick holders.
2. Prior Art
A guitar pick is an egg shaped, springy sheet for plucking guitar strings. Many musicians have a collection of guitar picks in different sizes and thickness. Keeping them loosely in a bag or a box makes finding the desired pick a difficult and annoying task. They are also so small that they are easily lost.
Various holders are known in the prior art for storing and dispensing guitar picks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,021 to Longshore discloses a pick holder which comprises a block with a slot where a pick can be inserted. The slot is only wide enough to hold a single pick. U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,238 to Adams discloses a pick dispenser similar to a coin dispenser. The picks can only be accessed sequentially. U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,300 to Silverman discloses a pick holder which comprises an elongated clip into which a plurality of picks can be inserted. The clip must be inconveniently long to hold many picks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,531 to Tischer discloses a pick holder comprising a coil spring into which picks can be inserted. The spring tends to stretch when a pick is removed and causes other picks to fall out.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,708 to Vaughan discloses a pick holder which comprises a series of side-by-side pockets. The holder is for attaching to the body of a guitar. The picks are held parallel and very close to the surface of the guitar, so that they tend to be difficult to grip and remove. U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,431 to Ferguson shows a spring loaded pick dispenser similar to a coin dispenser, wherein the picks can only be accessed sequentially. U.S. patent Des. 355,667 to Burger shows a pick holder which comprises a plurality of side-by-side spring loops for attaching to the tuning pegs on the neck of a guitar. The holder tends to interfere with the operation of the tuning pegs. U.S. patent Des. 309,674 to Gervase discloses a pick holder which comprises a rail with a clip for clipping to a guitar strap or belt. This holder also limits the picks to being accessed sequentially. Many of the prior art guitar pick holders are attached to the guitar body. However, many musicians are reluctant to tape or otherwise attach anything to their guitars.


The present invention relates to a measuring assembly lowered inside a well with an operator. The assembly includes several measuring elements assembled to one another along a longitudinal axis, at least one section of which includes at least one measuring element having a coupling at both ends for assembling with the other measuring elements. The couplings include a rotary joint rotating about the longitudinal axis and the assembly further includes a device for bringing said section into rotation. In a variant, each of the assembling couplings of the section includes a rotary joint.

The present invention relates to a measuring assembly consisting of an assemblage of measuring elements lowered in a well to perform what is referred to as logging operations in the profession. The assembly or sonde is generally several ten meters long. Certain measuring elements can require a particular orientation with respect to the axis of the well in order to perform measurements in a preferred direction.
In this case, the well-known technique for orienting certain measuring elements of a logging sonde consists in rotating about its axis the entire measuring assembly by applying a rotation to the operating rods at the end of which the sonde is fastened.
This operation entails several drawbacks:
Controlling the orientation of the measuring elements is difficult in wells where friction on the sonde and the rods is high. This is the case with deflected wells and particularly horizontal wells where the friction is such that the torsional deformation of the rods and of the sonde prevents precise control of the angular position. PA1 Furthermore, under such conditions, the imperfect control of the effect of a surface rotation on the sonde can lead to a twistoff at the level of the sonde whose inertia is generally lower than that of the operating rods. PA1 In horizontal wells notably, the weight of the sonde can be such that the rotation from the surface may be ineffective for driving the entire sonde into rotation.

Measuring assembly comprising means for orienting a part of the measuring elements


This invention relates generally to molecules that specifically bind bacterial V-tip proteins of the type III secretion system of Gram negative bacteria such as PcrV from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More specifically, this invention relates to molecules that block the injection of effector molecules into target cells. This invention also relates to molecules that specifically bind to bacterial lipoproteins, such as OprI. The molecules of the present invention are monospecific or multispecific and can bind their target antigen in a monovalent or multivalent manner. The invention also relates generally to molecules that specifically bind bacterial cell surface proteins such as OprI, and to methods of use these molecules in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or prophylactic indications.

V-tip proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PcrV) are essential components of the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) that is capable of injecting toxic effector molecules into eukaryotic cells. The V-tip proteins are localized at the extreme end of the T3SS apparatus and oligomerization is thought to be necessary for the functional translocalization of the effector molecules across target cell membranes.
OprI is an outer membrane lipoprotein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other Pseudomonas species. OprI is highly conserved in P. aeruginosa strains and therefore represents an excellent candidate for cell-surface targeting of Pseudomonas bacteria.
Accordingly, there exists a need for compositions and therapies that target V-tip proteins of Gram negative bacteria and cell-surface components such as OprI.

Type III secretion system targeting molecules


The invention discloses a marking device for a mould having a housing in a wall. The device includes a threaded cylindrical body and a circular head of a diameter about equal to the diameter of the housing. A face of the head opposite to the body includes structure that turns the head and a marking distinct from the structure and independent from the position of the structure. A length of the body and head are less than the length of the housing in the mould in order that the face with the marking lies flush with the internal face of the wall of the mould when the device is in the housing.

The subject of the present invention is a marking device for a mould, for injection or press moulding of parts made of synthetic substances or pressure die-cast parts.
This invention relates to the moulding of parts which need to be identified, particularly by a date of manufacture. To do this, a device is positioned in the mould.
There are in existence inserts which comprise a number of parts, which can move with respect to each other. By altering the relative position of two parts, it is possible to alter the marking to be made on the part. Thus, for example, a first part on which there is engraved an arrow and the indication of a year can rotate in an annular part bearing the numbers 1 to 12. By rotating the part placed on the inside, the arrow can point to one of the numbers engraved on the outer part. This makes it possible to indicate the month of manufacture on parts made in a mould fitted with such a marking device.
To reduce the cost of a mould, there are also marking devices which consist of just one part positioned in the mould. This part is, for example, a cylindrical part placed in a housing of a complementary shape. This part, generally of circular cross section, is fitted tightly in its housing, in order to prevent any relative movement between the marking device and the wall of the mould.
However, these marking devices bear an indication that the manufacturer may need to modify. This may, for example, be the indication of a year, or a symbol liable to change (product mark, customer reference, etc.).
The drawback of these marking devices is that it is difficult to change them. They are not easy to remove and this removal generally leads to damage preventing the marking device from being reused, or even destroying it. Indeed it is not uncommon for it to be necessary to make a hole in the marking device in order to be able to extract it from its housing.
This takes a great deal of time. Furthermore, when a hole is drilled, chips are produced and these run the risk of falling into the mould. Finally, there is the risk of damaging the mould.
Document JP 63 013 724 describes a method for indicating a date of moulding on a part made of synthetic material in a mould. This method consists of using a mould which has moulding dates and two different types of screws, and then placing a predetermined type of screw opposite a part of the mould corresponding to the date that is to be shown.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a simple marking device intended to have a fixed position in a mould, but which can be readily removed and refitted.
To this end, it proposes a marking device which comprises:
a head intended to lie flush with the internal face of the wall of the mould, that face of the head that faces towards the inside of the mould having a marking and means allowing the head to be turned,
a threaded cylindrical body forming a single piece with the head of the device.
This marking device can be screwed directly into the interior wall of the mould, such that the head lies flush with this wall. The wall of the mould then has a tapped hole, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the device. To change the marking made on the parts manufactured in the mould, all that is required is for the marking device to be unscrewed and another marking device of the same shape but with the desired marking to be screwed back in in its place.
If the wall of the mould already has a housing for housing a marking device, it is possible to insert into this housing a part which matches the shape thereof, and to make in this intermediate part a tapped hole to allow the marking device according to the invention to be housed.
Advantageously, the marking device has a head of circular cylindrical shape, with an outside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the body. It is then possible to achieve a tight fit between the head of the marking device and the wall of the mould, at the peripheral surface of the head.
In this last instance, a part of frustoconical shape preferably connects the head of the device to its body, so as to obtain a better fit of the device in its housing.
In instances where the wall of the mould does not have a tapped hole, but only has a housing of circular cylindrical shape, the marking device further comprises a tapped bush, the outside diameter of which corresponds to the outside diameter of the head of the device, and the tapping of which corresponds to the screw thread of its body, so that when the body is screwed into the bush, the entity thus formed is of circular cylindrical shape. This assembly can then sit in the wall of the mould. Of course, the outside diameter of the bush and of the head will be adapted to suit the inside diameter of the housing in the wall of the mould.
For the marking devices according to the invention and described hereinabove, the means for turning the head are advantageously a straight slot passing through the centre of that face that faces towards the inside of the mould. However, it may be any other means such as, for example, a hexagonal cylindrical recess or a square shape in relief.
In any case, the invention will be clearly understood from the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing which depicts, by way of non-limiting examples, two embodiments of a marking device according to the invention.


An image forming apparatus has an image carrying member, a charging member, an exposing device, a destaticizer, a high-voltage generation circuit, a current detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a contamination state check mode having a potential saturation step where the surface potential of the image carrying member is saturated by applying a DC voltage alone to the charging member, an exposure step where the image carrying member of which the surface potential is saturated is exposed to light in an exposure pattern extending continuously over its entire area in the main scanning direction while being displaced at a constant rate in the sub-scanning direction by the exposing device, and a current detection step where the charging current that passes while the exposure pattern formed on the surface of the image carrying member passes through the charging member is detected by the current detector.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral having their functions integrated together, that is provided with a charging member in contact with an image carrying member. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for estimating the life of a charging member.
In image forming apparatuses adopting an electro-photographic process, there are used, as a means for electrostatically charging uniformly the surface of a photosensitive drum which is an image carrying member, charging devices of a corona charging type such as scorotron charging devices and corotron charging devices provided with a corona discharge device, and charging devices of a contact charging type provided with an electrically conductive charging member as exemplified by a charging roller. In recent years, instead of the charging devices of a scorotron type or a corotron type, charging devices of a contact charging type are used that are provided with a charging member (such as a charging roller) which is arranged in contact with or close to a photosensitive drum and which electrostatically charges the photosensitive drum and that generate a smaller amount of ozone.
In the charging devices of a contact charging type, a charging member makes contact with a photosensitive drum, and thus toner external additive with high electrical resistance having slipped by a cleaning blade attaches to the charging member. As the attachment amount of toner external additive increases over a long period of use of the charging device, the chargeability of a part of the charging roller to which the toner external additive is attached decreases. This inconveniently makes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum locally low and results in a foggy image.
Conventionally, the toner external additive attached to the charging member is removed by bringing a charging member cleaning member comprising a sponge or a brush into contact with the charging member. However, performing continuous printing of high-density images or continuous printing in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment or in a low-temperature, low-humidity environment may increase the amount of toner external additive slipping by a cleaning blade and also increase the amount of toner external additive attaching to the charging member. Thus, with the charging member cleaning member, it is sometimes impossible to sufficiently remove the toner external additive attached to the charging member.
As a solution, there have been proposed methods for detecting the life of a charging member when its chargeability decreases due to the contamination of the charging member. For example, according to a known method, there are provided a charging means whereby the surface of an image carrying member is electrostatically charged uniformly by a charging member in contact with the surface of the image carrying member, an exposure means whereby the surface of the image carrying member is exposed to light, a detection means whereby the charging current passing during the electrostatically charging by the charging means is detected, and a means whereby a warning that the charging member reaches the end of its life is given when the charging current reaches a predetermined value, and, when the charging current for detection is equal to or lower than a set value, it is determined that the charging member has reached the end of its life and a warning is given.


A biological information measurement apparatus includes a plurality of biological sensors of the same type (111a and 111b) and a controller (120) that measures biological information based on biological measurement outputs obtained from the biological sensors (111a and 111b).

Biological information measurement apparatuses that measure biological information of a user, such as pulse, have been proposed. Biological information is measured by a variety of methods using a biological information measurement apparatus. For example, US2008/0220535 A1 (PTL 1) and US2012/0283578 A1 (PTL 2) disclose a pulse measurement apparatus in which a compact pulse wave sensor is mounted in an earphone. By the user inserting the earphone in the ear, the pulse can be measured using the pulse wave sensor.

Biological information measurement apparatus and biological information measurement method


The invention relates to the field of pressure treatment of metals and can be used in the production of a cold-rolled strip. The problem addressed by the invention is that of being able to exclude a pickling operation in the preparation of semifinished rolled stock for cold rolling. Complete de-scaling of the surface of the semifinished rolled stock without using picking is provided by carrying out preliminary cold rolling of the semifinished rolled stock in rolling-mill rolls according to prescribed values for compression and for the ratio of compression to deformation zone length. The rolling can be carried out in one of two consecutively mounted mills.

A method is known of preparing hot-rolled semifinished steel stock for cold rolling, including its preliminary cold rolling in the rolls of a temper mill having a preset hardness and surface roughness, to a preset reduction in the range of 2 to 4% depending on the planned tonnage of the strip, and its subsequent pickling (RU 2183516, pub. Jun. 20, 2002).
A method is known of preparing hot-rolled semifinished steel stock for cold rolling, including preliminary cold rolling in the rolls of a temper mill with regulated surface roughness parameters of the barrel of these rolls and density of the peaks of the contour line with relative reduction of 2-8%, increasing with increase in the reeling temperature of the hot-rolled strip into coils, and subsequent pickling (RU 2492006, pub. Jul. 24, 2012).
The common disadvantage of these known methods is that their preliminary cold rolling of the semifinished stock does not achieve sufficient mechanical breakdown of the scale and complete removal thereof from the surface of the semifinished rolled stock, necessitating subsequent pickling of the semifinished stock.
The closest analog to the present subject matter is a method for the preparation of hot-rolled semifinished steel stock for cold rolling that includes its preliminary cold rolling in the rolls of a temper mill with a reduction of 3-8% and subsequent pickling (see the P. Polukhin et al. book, Rolling, Moscow, "Metallurgy", 1982, pp. 485-487)—the prototype. The disadvantage of the prototype, as well as of the analogs, is the insufficient mechanical breakdown of the scale and incomplete removal thereof from the surface of the semifinished rolled stock during its preliminary cold rolling, which does not allow elimination of the subsequent pickling of the semifinished rolled stock.

Method for preparing hot-rolled semifinished steel rolled stock for cold rolling


A rate adaptive cardiac pacer is described in which the impedance versus time information derived using impedance plethysmography or the pressure versus time information derived from a pressure transducer in a ventricular chamber is signal processed to recover a modulating envelope due to volume or pressure changes occasioned by respiratory activity. Either or both of the respiratory interval or respiratory depth may be combined in an appropriate rate control algorithm with other parameters also derived from the impedance versus time signal to develop a rate control signal for an implanted pacer.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a cardiac pacing system in which the pacing rate tracks metabolic need, and more particularly to a rate adaptive pacemaker employing a sensor for detecting variations in cardiac chamber volume or pressure due to respiration and producing a control signal related to the respiration frequency and depth for adjusting the pacing rate relative to a baseline value.
II. Discussion of the Prior Art
Workers in the cardiac pacing field have long recognized the desirability of creating an implantable device capable of maintaining an adequate heartrate in a patient suffering from bradycardia at a nominal level with the individual at rest but which would automatically adapt to changes in metabolic need to increase the pacing rate above that baseline value. One of the earliest attempts at providing such a rate adaptive pacemaker is set forth in the 1977 U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,721 to Mario Alcidi. Alcidi describes a variable rate pacer in which a sensor is provided for measuring blood Ph and developing a control signal proportional to that factor, recognizing that the blood becomes more acidic with exercise. Because of the difficulty in obtaining a reliable sensor which would not drift with time, the Alcidi device never became commercially successful.
The patent literature is replete with rate adaptive pacemaker designs in which a wide variety of physiologic parameters are sensed as an indicator of metabolic need and used to develop a pacing rate control signal for a rate adaptive pacemaker. The following table summarizes several of these approaches:
______________________________________ INVENTOR U.S. PAT. NO. CONDITION SENSED ______________________________________ Krasner 3,593,718 Respiration rate Dahl 4,140,132 Physical activity/motion Witzfeld, et al 4,202,339 Blood oxygen saturation Rickards 4,228,803 QT interval in an ECG waveform Knudson, et al 4,313,442 Change in atrial rate Cook, et al 4,543,954 Venous blood temperature Koning, et al 4,566,456 Right ventricular systolic pressure Plicchi, et al 4,596,251 Minute ventilation (respiration) Salo, et al 4,686,987 Stroke volume Nappholz, et al 4,702,253 Minute volume (respiration) Thornander, et al 4,712,555 ECG measured interval Koning, et al 4,716,887 Right ventricular blood pCO.sub.2 Chirife 4,719,921 Pre-ejection period Amundson 4,722,342 Multiple difference sensors Koning 4,730,619 Ejection time Callaghan 4,766,900 Change in depolarization gradient magnitude Citak, et al 4,773,401 Pre-ejection interval Elmquist, et al 4,790,318 Respiration Lekholm 4,817,606 Myoelectrical signals ______________________________________
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive in that various other workers have received U.S. patents on rate adaptive pacemaker devices and improvements utilizing the sensed parameters set forth in the table and are considered cumulative.
In our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,987, there is described a rate adaptive cardiac pacer in which means are provided for measuring stroke volume by utilizing an intracardiac impedance waveform and deriving stroke volume-related information from the peak-to-peak swings in the measured impedance waveform. A closer analysis of the intracardiac impedance waveforms reveals amplitude variations due to changes in intrathoracic pressure. In particular, in that atrial and ventricular volumes are affected by factors which influence preload (i.e., the filling of the chamber) and after-load (i.e., the resistance to flow out of the chamber) and that these factors are modulated by the intrathoracic pressure, it becomes possible to monitor variations in intrathoracic pressure by following the low frequency variations in cardiac volume or pressure parameters. For example, the beat-by-beat variation in end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, average ventricular volume, or stroke volume or correspondingly, the end-diastolic pressure, end-systolic pressure, average pressure or pulse-pressure may be used as indicators of intrathoracic pressure.
Because the intrathoracic pressure is directly related to respiration (pressure drops during inspiration and increases during expiration), the amplitude of the variation in intrathoracic pressure during a respiratory cycle is directly related to the depth of respiration.

Variation in cardiac chamber volume or pressure as a controlling parameter