A method of forming a color image which comprises providing a silver halide color photographic material including a support having thereon at least one photosensitive layer containing at least one coupler which forms a dye upon a coupling reaction with an oxidized product of an aromatic primary amine color developing agent and a substantially silver iodide-free silver halide emulsion containing at least 90 mol. % of silver chloride, which silver halide color photographic material further contains at least one compound of the following formula (I) or (II), and subjecting said silver halide color photographic material to imagewise exposure and then to development with a substantially benzyl alcohol-free developer for not less than 90 seconds. ##STR1##

The increased use of color photographic light-sensitive materials has been accompanied by a steady increase in color development processing load. As a consequence, an effective reduction of pollution due to processing waste liquor and increased processing speed are currently in great demand.
Processing of color photosensitive materials generally consists of color development, bleaching and fixing or bleach-fixing, and rinsing and/or image stabilization. Intensive research for meeting the above demand led to the discovery that the pollution load due to processing waste liquor could be reduced by removing benzyl alcohol, a substance which is high in both BOD (biological oxygen demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) from the color developing bath while compensating for the resulting marked loss of development speed by using silver chloride-rich grains in the silver halide emulsion layers of the color photographic material to thereby increase the intrinsic development speed of the emulsion. These innovations are described in, for example, Laid-open International Patent WO 87-04534 and JP-A-62-269957 and JP-A-64-26837 (the term "JP-A" as used herein refers to a "published unexamined Japanese patent application").
An effective approach to hastening silver removal is to reduce the silver coverage of the photosensitive material. As a corollary, it is preferable to use 2-equivalent couplers rather than 4-equivalent couplers and more preferable to use couplers with high color developing properties. This approach has also been studied previously.
Referring to the washing and/or image stabilizing process, attempts have been made to shorten the processing time or reduce the rate of replenishment or refill for reduced pollution loads. However, as a consequence of these efforts, a problem has emerged in that stains develop during storage of the photosensitive material which mar the white background and color image. This condition is attributed to residues of the developing agent in the processed photosensitive material, which react with the residual unreacted couplers to produce stains.
Particularly, a photosensitive material adapted for rapid processing can be developed by using conventional non-rapid automatic developing equipment but alloting more time than usual to processing. This practice does not involve a new capital investment and, as such, is advantageous to users (when the process is carried out over a considerably long time, the processing temperature is sometimes lowered) but a marked degree of stain inevitably develops during storage.
The color print photosensitive material of the type that color photographs are viewed by transmitted light demands an increased emulsion coverage to insure sufficient color density but this results in a decrease in development speed and a prolonged developing time. Even when using this technique, marked staining is a major problem.
To correct these problems, several techniques have been developed for inhibiting the residual developing agent. These techniques are described in, for example, the specifications of JP-A-63-158545 and JP-A-64-86139.
However, the present inventors have found that when a silver halide color photographic material is made using the stain inhibitor described in the aforesaid patent literature, and a silver chloride-rich emulsion is developed with a color developer substantially free of benzyl alcohol, desensitization occurs during storage of the photosensitive material after exposure, although a marked inhibition of stain was attained. This indicates that this photographic material does not insure a stable image and has a serious drawback from a commercial standpoint.


An air-flow sensor is configured to be positioned in an air-flow and attached to a surface in a manner that allows air to flow over an extremity of the sensor. The air-flow sensor includes a base plate, a first heater, a first temperature sensor, a spacer, a second heater, a second temperature sensor, and a cap. The base plate is configured to be the coupled to the surface. The first heater is positioned on the base plate and is configured to heat the base plate. The first temperature sensor is positioned to measure a first temperature of the first heater. The spacer is positioned on the first heater and the second heater is positioned on the spacer. The second temperature sensor is positioned to measure a second temperature of the second heater. The cap is positioned on the second heater, which is configured to heat the cap.

The disclosure generally relates to a data processing system and, more specifically, to an air-flow sensor for adapter slots in a data processing system.
In many modern data processing systems (e.g., servers), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) adapters are placed at a rear of the systems, which subjects the adapters to upstream preheat from processors, memory, and other components of the systems. In addition, power levels for adapters have generally risen over time. For example, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) modules routinely dissipate 20 to 30 Watts (W). The increased power dissipation and preheat associated with other components of a data processing system have made cooling PCIe adapters increasingly challenging.
While processors and memory usually have built-in temperature sensors that feed into thermal management algorithms of a data processing system, PCIe adapters have been relatively unprotected and rarely have on-board thermal instrumentation that is accessible by the system. In addition, knowledge of the thermal environment (i.e., approaching air speed and air temperature) to which a given adapter is subjected is often times more useful for determining supportability or understanding problems than component temperature alone. Unfortunately, a mechanical layout of an allocated PCIe area (of a data processing system) usually includes multiple narrow slots and/or pluggable cassettes which are not particularly suited for the implementation of standard air speed measurement techniques, e.g., anemometry or pressure taps.
Even when a temperature of approaching air is known, the temperature only represents one piece of information and without additional information (e.g., a speed of the approaching air) diagnosing cooling problems with PCIe adapters is problematic. Information limited to approaching air temperature also does not facilitate the implementation of 'smart servers' (with internal knowledge of air-flow) that can adjust fan speeds, as needed, according to the adapters that are implemented.

Air-flow sensor for adapter slots in a data processing system

International Business Machines Corporation


A shut off plate assembly for use in a slide gate includes a refractory plate having on respective opposite sides thereof a planar surface defining a slide plane of the slide gate and a recess. A discharge opening extends through the refractory plate and at opposite ends thereof opens onto the planar surface and into the recess. The recess thus expands outwardly the discharge opening. An insert is formed of a highly refractory material and has therethrough a discharge opening. The insert is positioned in the recess with the discharge openings of the plate member and the insert in alignment and defining a discharge passage through the assembly. The insert and the plate member have respective confronting surfaces that define a joint that opens into the discharge passage. Thus, a gas may be injected through the joint into the discharge passage.

The present invention relates to a shut off plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit or a slide gate mounted on a vessel containing molten metal for controlling the discharge of the molten metal from such vessel. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a shut off plate assembly of the type including a refractory plate having therethrough a flow or discharge opening, and an insert surrounding the discharge opening and to enable a gas to be injected into the discharge opening.
German DE-PS 19 38 117 discloses a slide gate including a stationary shut off plate assembly of the above type and including an insert in the form of a gas permeable annular sleeve surrounding the discharge or flow opening. Thus, when the slide gate is closed, gas can be injected through the gas permeable annular sleeve into the discharge opening, thereby preventing molten steel from solidifying within a discharge spout of the metallurgical vessel. Additionally, gas can be injected through the gas permeable annular sleeve when the slide gate is in an opened position, for example during a pouring or discharge operation, for the purpose of preventing molten steel from clogging the discharge opening and also for the purpose of forming a seal to prevent the molten steel that is being discharged from absorbing exterior oxygen or air.
However, in this known arrangement, the gas permeable annular sleeve is formed of a relatively porous refractory material and as such has a relatively low resistance to abrasion and erosion that occurs during molten metal discharge. The refractory plate on the other hand normally is formed of a highly refractory material, for example usually compressed or more dense, that has a greater resistance to abrasion and erosion. As a result, material of the plate assembly in the region of the annular sleeve very rapidly can be washed out or eroded away. As a consequence, the entire plate assembly becomes useless and must be taken out of service. This particularly is disadvantageous when the plate assembly is a bottom or stationary plate assembly.


A method of performing digital asset management of media content. In this method, a watermark reader device reads a watermark embedded into media content. The watermark conveys watermark information, such as a content identifier and creator identifier. The reader forwards the watermark information to a router. The router then uses the watermark information to find a metadata database identifier. It then sends a request for metadata along with the watermark information to the metadata database identified by the metadata database identifier. The metadata database uses the watermark information to find related metadata for the media content and sends the related metadata to the reader device.

As digital content continues to proliferate, management of digital assets becomes an increasingly difficult challenge. Enhancements in computer networking and database technology allow companies to manage large collections of images and other media and make the content available to third parties. While network communication provides a powerful tool to enable the manager of the database to share content with others, it makes it more difficult to control and track how the content is being used.
For example, some companies maintain extensive databases of images and other media content used to promote their products. Customers or service providers such as advertising and marketing firms can access this content remotely via extranet, web site, or other file transfer transactions. Though computer networking telecommunication technology facilitates access, it makes it difficult to ensure that the customers and services providers are getting the latest content, and that they are getting accurate and helpful information relating to the content.
In these applications, there is a need to enable digital asset management to reliably link media content with additional data about the content. One way to associate content with information about the content is to place the information in a file header or footer. This approach, however, is less effective because the information often does not survive file format changes, conversion to the analog domain, etc. Another way to associate multimedia content with other data is to hide identifying information in the content through data hiding or steganography. Steganography refers to a process of hiding information into a signal. One example of steganography is digital watermarking. Digital watermarking is a process for modifying media content to embed a machine-readable code into the data content. The data may be modified such that the embedded code is imperceptible or nearly imperceptible to the user, yet may be detected through an automated detection process. Most commonly, digital watermarking is applied to media such as images, audio signals, and video signals. However, it may also be applied to other types of data, including documents (e.g., through line, word or character shifting), software, multi-dimensional graphics models, and surface textures of objects.
Digital watermarking systems have two primary components: an embedding component that embeds the watermark in the media content, and a reading component that detects and reads the embedded watermark. The embedding component embeds a watermark by altering data samples of the media content in the spatial, temporal or some other transform domain (e.g., Fourier, Discrete Cosine, Wavelet Transform domains). The reading component analyzes target content to detect whether a watermark is present. In applications where the watermark encodes information (e.g., a message), the reader extracts this information from the detected watermark.
The present assignee's work in steganography, data hiding and watermarking is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,260; in copending application Ser. No. 09/503,881 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,914) and Ser. No. 09/452,023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,082); and in published specifications WO 9953428 and WO0007356 (corresponding to U.S. Ser. Nos. 09/074,034 and 09/127,502). A great many other approaches are familiar to those skilled in the art. The artisan is presumed to be familiar with the full range of literature about steganography, data hiding and watermarking. The subject matter of the present application is related to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,862,260, 6,122,403 and in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/503,881 filed Feb. 14, 2000, Ser. No. 60/198,857 filed Apr. 21, 2000, Ser. No. 09/571,422 filed May 15, 2000, Ser. No. 09/620,019 filed Jul. 20, 2000, and Ser. No. 09/636,102 filed Aug. 10, 2000; which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to methods and systems for managing digital content using watermarks to link the content to related metadata. One aspect of the invention is a method of performing digital asset management of media content. In this method, a watermark reader device reads a watermark embedded into media content. The watermark conveys watermark information, such as a content identifier and creator identifier. The reader forwards the watermark information to a router. The router then uses the watermark information to find a metadata database identifier. It then sends a request for metadata along with the watermark information to the metadata database identified by the metadata database identifier. The metadata database uses the watermark information to find related metadata for the media content and sends the related metadata to the reader device.
Further features will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Digital asset management and linking media signals with related data using watermarks


The present invention provides a chromatography medium comprising one or more electrospun polymer nanofibres which in use form a stationary phase comprising a plurality of pores through which a mobile phase can permeate and use of the same.

The biotechnology market is the fastest growing sector within the world pharmaceutical market accounting for 18% (S130 bn) of all market sales in 2010. This growth from 10% of the market share in 2002 is set to grow 48% between 2010-2016 from 130 bn to 192 bn [1]. Biopharmaceutical therapeutics encompasses four main biomolecule types: recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), viral vaccines, and plasmid DNA [2]. There are currently over 200 MAb products on the market with over 1000 in clinical trials [3]. As with most therapies there is a global pressure to continue developing new biotherapuetics while driving down the cost of production increasing their availability to a wider scope of the population [4,5]. This is particularly apparent to the downstream bioprocess (DSP) involved with the purification of biomolecules where chromatography alone accounts for over 50% of the cost of goods (COGs). Advancements in upstream processes over the last 15 years have seen fermentation titres grow from 0.5 g/L-50 g/L, and with this not being mimicked in the DSP there has been a clear drive in industry and academia for development [6,7].
Conventional chromatography involves various techniques for the separation of mixtures by passing a mobile phase through a stationary phase. The analyte (load/feed) is the mobile phase which is passed through the solid stationary phase in the form of a packed bed system based on adsorbent beads 50-100 μm in diameter. This stationary phase has differing affinities for different species contained in the load. The species that are either wanted (product capture) or not wanted (contaminant capture) bind to the stationary phase allowing for the purification of the product stream.
Affinity chromatography, developed by Pedro Cuatrecasas and Meir Wilchek [8], separates on the basis of a reversible interaction between a biomolecule and a specific ligand coupled to a chromatography matrix. The ligand most commonly used is Protein A due to its high selectivity which means equipment only needs to be scaled for product output requirements [9].
Other ligands in use include Protein G, Protein A/G and Protein L. Each has a different binding site recognizing different portions of antibodies which becomes useful when the product are antibody fragments as opposed to a whole MAbs [10,11].
Ion exchange chromatography is a widely used technique for the separation and purification of proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, due to its widespread applicability, high resolving power, high capacity and simplicity. Separation in ion exchange is obtained as biomolecules have ionisable chemical moieties which render them susceptible to charge enhancement as a function of ionic strength and pH. This implies biomolecules have differing degrees of interaction with an ion exchanger (insoluble matrix to which charged groups have been covalently bound) due to differences in their charges, charge densities and distribution of charge on their surface.
At a pH value below its PI (isoelectric point) a protein (+ve surface charge) will adsorb to a cation exchanger (−ve). At a pH above its PI a protein (−ve surface charge) will adsorb to an anion exchanger (+ve).
Consequently under a set of defined mobile phase conditions a biopolymer mixture may be chromatographed using an ion-exchange medium in suitable contactor. Dependent on the relative ionic charge of the components, some biopolymers will adsorb (adsorbates) and others will remain in solution. Desorption of bound material can then be effected resulting in a degree of purification of the target biomolecule [12].
The projected increase in the number of antibody therapies over the next 4 years along with improvements in upstream productivity, and process economics gives a requirement for improved downstream processing techniques. The limitations of chromatography systems are already being seen in the form of expensive resins and throughput volumes which gives strong argument to the demand for improving technologies in this field.
There are two major drawbacks of traditional packed bed column chromatography; pressure drop and residence times. The operational flow rates in a packed column are limited by the pressure drop across the column. The compressible packed bed is susceptible to high pressures which can have drastic consequences with implosion of the column itself. At such a stage in the bioprocess where material is extremely high value this can have severe economic impacts for any company. Packed bed columns usually employ porous ca. 50 μm diameter Agarose beads as highly porous structures that achieve a suitable surface area for adsorption. However the system relies on diffusion for the large target biomolecules to come into contact with these surfaces which requires long residence times. As such the flow rates must be kept at a relatively low value, often in the range of 100 cm/h, which therefore limits the throughput of the system. The concern here is regarding the inefficient use of expensive chromatography resins [13,14].
Membrane adsorbers have been commercially available for many years now, but these have only proven to be useful at small scale [15]. Using membrane chromatography allows for operation in convective mode thereby significantly reducing the diffusion and pressure drop limitations seen in column chromatography. Operating at much higher flow rates offers advantages such as decreasing process time thereby increasing throughput and reducing damage to product biomolecules due to shorter exposure to unfavourable medium [16].
Kalbfuss, et al. described how the use of a commercially available anion exchange membrane proved to be a potentially viable option for the removal of viral particles operating in contaminant capture mode with relatively high flow rates of 264 cm/h performing consistently well [21].
Zhou and Tressel carried out a cost analysis based on their experimentation using anion (Q) exchange membranes to remove four model viruses. Results suggested that the economic viability of the Q membrane over the Q column was highly dependent of production scale along and specific to each production process [22]. Research suggests that there is potential for Q membranes though the advantages do not seem significant enough for the industry to adopt such a significant change. Additionally, chromatographic operations that run in capture mode such as cation-exchange chromatography (CEX) and affinity chromatography have proven to be much more challenging with poor peak resolution observed [23]. One aspect working in the favour of membrane chromatography systems is the increased uptake of disposable systems in industry, of which membranes hold many advantages over conventional packed bed columns.
There are many examples of membrane adsorbers in use and in continuing development [24-29].
It is clear from the work that is already published on membrane adsorbers that several important properties are required relating specifically to the membrane structure. For efficient utilisation of binding surface area the inlet flow must have even dispersion and the pore size distribution must be small so as to minimize any channelling. Membranes used in the chromatography method discussed above also excel when combined with other technologies.
Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) technology has been in use for many years in the chemical industry, originally developed for difficult petrochemical separations [32]. Later its use in the pharmaceutical industry quickly grew due to its strong ability to perform chiral separations with the first US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approved drug manufactured by SMB technology reaching the market in 2002 with Lexapro [33]. Traditionally the powers of SMB to carry out separation based on the different moieties of complex components have been focused on systems that yielded poor productivity using column chromatography. Today however more focus is being placed on bind/elute chromatographic processes in an effort to improve the utilisation of expensive adsorptive resins and reduce the large volumes of buffers used at large scale production [34,35].
In this fashion SMB chromatography operates by employing three or more fixed adsorbent substrates, such as packed bed columns, with buffer and feed streams flowing into to system continuously. A counter-current solid substrate is simulated by switching various valve inlet ports periodically.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Herbo-mineral formulation for prevention and treatment of Renal disorders are disclosed herein. The formulation includes combination of herb and mineral elements for treating Renal disorders. Renal disorders include any condition associated with Kidney function such as Chronic renal failure.

Renal Disorders are diseases related to the Kidney function. Kidneys' ability to cleanse blood, maintain water and salt balance, and regulate volume and composition of bodily fluids, makes it one of the most important organs in the human body. Any impairment in this ability of the kidney could have grave consequences. Therefore, maintaining well-functioning kidneys is crucial for good health.
Renal disorders may be due to many reasons as in the case of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) wherein kidney malfunction occurs due to blood loss, dehydration or use of medicines, etc. AKI is usually a more sudden and reversible condition. On the other hand, Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is an irreversible condition with progressive loss in kidney function. One of the primary causes of CRF include Diabetes causing diabetic nephropathy. Others primary indications for kidney dysfunction include hypertension, glomerulonephritis, infection and so on.
Various methods of treating renal disorders are known. The appropriate line of treatment may be chosen based on the cause of Renal Disorder. In some cases, medication may be directed towards treating primary complications affecting the kidney function. Such medication may include medication for treating diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anemia, etc. Further, in cases of end stage kidney disease, treatment would include dialysis and kidney transplant. Although, the symptomatic treatment regime, often implemented in the practice of allopathic medicine may help in alleviating the symptoms temporarily, they often do not focus on improving the overall health of kidneys.
The core philosophy of Ayurvedic medicine on the other hand is to attain/maintain harmony in the system and hence its approach works on improving the health of the body rather than treating symptoms. Ayurvedic interventions have also been known in treating Renal Disorders. Many herbal formulations have been developed based on the knowledge of the healing properties of various herbs. Formulations having herbs such as Tinospora cordifolia, Terminalia chebula, Boerhavia diffusa, etc have been developed. However, the effectiveness of such formulations is arguable. There exists a need for an effective method of treating/managing Renal Disorders.

Herbo-mineral formulation for prevention, treatment and management of renal disorders and method of preparation thereof


A chip package with isolated pin, isolated pad or isolated chip carrier and a method of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment a chip package includes a chip, a package encapsulating the chip, pads or pins disposed on a first side of the package and an isolation pad or an isolation pin disposed on a second side of the package, the isolation pin or the isolation pad electrically isolated from the chip, wherein the chip comprises a magnetic field sensor configured to measure a magnetic field generated outside of the package.

In a semiconductor chip package, the semiconductor chip, or die, is embedded or housed within the chip package and the contact pads of the semiconductor chip are connected to external contact elements of the chip package.
Continuous technology improvements are under way in order to meet the demand for devices with smaller dimensions, enhanced performance, more diverse functionality and improved reliability.

Chip package with isolated pin, isolated pad or isolated chip carrier and method of making the same


A piezoelectric actuator, for example for actuating a mechanical component, has a multilayered structure of piezoelectric layers and, in a piezoelectrically active region, can be acted on with an electrical voltage by means of internal electrodes that are situated between the layers. The layer structure of the piezoelectric actuator includes inactive regions; at least the top part or bottom part, as an inactive region without internal electrodes, is comprised of a material whose dielectric constant is less than the dielectric constant of the active region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved piezoelectric actuator, for example for actuating a mechanical component such as a switching valve in a fuel injector system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
DE 199 28 189 A1 has disclosed that using the so-called piezoelectric effect, a piezoelectric element for controlling the needle stroke of a valve or the like can be composed of a material with a suitable crystalline structure. The application of an external electrical voltage causes a mechanical reaction of the piezoelectric element, which, depending on the crystalline structure and the regions to which the electrical voltage is applied, produces a compression or traction in a predeterminable direction.
Due to the extremely rapid and precisely controllable stroke effect, such piezoelectric actuators can be used in producing control elements, for example for actuating switching valves in fuel injection systems of motor vehicles. In these actuators, the voltage-controlled or charge-controlled deflection of the piezoelectric actuator is used to position a control valve, which in turn regulates the stroke of a nozzle needle.
Since the electrical field intensities required for actuating the piezoelectric actuator lie in a range of several kV/mm and it is generally desirable to use moderate electrical voltages for triggering purposes, the piezoelectric actuator here is comprised of a plurality of layers of stacked metallized piezoelectric ceramics to produce a so-called multilayered actuator. To accomplish this, internal electrodes that are deposited, for example, by means of a printing process are provided between the layers and external electrodes are provided to supply an electric voltage. A typical method for manufacturing such layers is the sheet casting technique. The individual layers are metallized in order to manufacture the internal electrodes and stacked on top of one another, the piezoelectric effect then exerting its action between two layers with internal electrodes of different polarities.
The top and bottom region, however, usually do not have internal electrodes since on the one hand, a certain amount of insulation space toward the end surfaces is required in order to prevent short circuits in relation to the outside and on the other hand, passive zones are used for electrical connection to the external electrodes. Passive regions can also be provided in the middle of the piezoelectric actuator. But the problem with this, however, is that these passive layers, in the form of covering packets, represent parasitic or interfering capacitances in relation to the electrical ground, which can generate electromagnetic radiation in motor vehicles or other applications.
DE 100 25 998 A1 has clearly disclosed the fact that passive regions of changeable length are provided at both ends of the layer structure. In this known piezoelectric actuator, on the one hand, the passive layers are comprised of the same ceramic material as the active region, but with external electrodes that contact only one side or do not contact them at all so that the inactive regions also have the internal electrode/metal layers passing through them. On the other hand, the respective inactive region can also be a whole electrically insulated metal or ceramic block that can simply be glued for example to the piezoelectrically active region.


A cycle engine. converting thermal energy to electricity includes a cylinder housing having a piston having two oppositely disposed heads and mounted for reciprocating inside the cylinder. The cylinder is disposed between a hot zone to supply hot gas to one piston head and a cold zone to receive discharged hot gas from another piston head, and to transform the discharged hot gas into a liquid. The hot zone supplies hot gas into the first piston head, while the second head discharges hot gas to the cold zone. This action creates a pressure differential between the two piston heads that causes the piston heads to move in one direction. Thereafter, the hot zone supplies hot gas to the second piston head, while the first piston head discharges hot gas to the cold zone, thereby creating pressure differential between the heads causing the piston to move in another direction. The piston is provided with a permanent magnet coupled to electric coil. When the piston reciprocates, it creates a magnetic influx in the electric coil, which is transformed into electricity in the coil.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cycle engine, and more particularly, to a modified cycle engine utilizing thermal energy to reciprocate a piston to generate electricity.
2. Related Art
A well known cycle engine is a reciprocating heat engine that operates by transferring heat from an external source into a gaseous fluid sealed within the piston""s cylinder. The fluid undergoes closed cycle of heating, expansion, cooling and compression, alternating back and forth through thermal storage regenerators. Characteristic of theses engines is the requirement that there be a number of rotating parts, ports, flywheels:, turbine blades, load-bearing and lubricating parts. The relatively large number of parts increases the possibility of malfunction, while seals and bearings are subject to wear ,land require lubrication. Frequent wearing of these parts effects reliability of cycle engines.
It is apparent that there is a need for new and improved cycle engines, which are mechanically uncomplicated, and economical to produce on a large scale. There is a need for greatly simplified mechanical arrangements with a minimum number of moving parts to enhance reliability of cycle engines.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide for simplified cycle engines with minimum moving parts.
It is another object of the invention to provide for an exceptionally quite and reliable operation of such engines within a cylinder housing disposed between a hot zone and a cold zone.
It is another object of the invention to provide for a unique piston arrangement utilizing thermal energy.
It is a further object of the invention to provide for a cycle engine having high degree of reliability.
It is another object of the invention to provide for a piston mechanical arrangements having opposed piston heads whereby the traditional use of cranks, connecting rods, swash plates, cams and other components normally used with pistons are eliminated.
It is still another object of the invention to provide for a double-headed piston whereby hot gas is supplied to one head while hot gas is discharged from the other head thereby causing pressure difference to reciprocate the piston.
Yet, it is another object of the invention to provide for a cycle engine wherein thermal energy is transformed into a pressure difference inside a piston causing the piston to reciprocate to ultimately generate electricity.
The present invention relates to a cycle engine utilizing thermal energy to provide high pressure gas, which is supplied to a first piston conduit while gas is discharged from a spatially distanced second piston conduit thereby creating pressure differential therein causing the piston to move in one direction. Hot gas is supplied to the second conduit while gas is discharged from the first conduit thereby creating pressure differential between the conduits causing the piston to move in an opposite direction. The piston is provided with permanent magnet means spatially coupled to electrical coil means. When the piston reciprocates it creates a magnetic flux in the coil means, which is transformed into electric current.
The piston is disposed between a hot and a cold zone to provide a cycle engine. The cold zone condenses the hot discharged gas from the piston into a liquid and supplies the liquid to the hot zone. The hot zone transfers heat to the liquid to vaporize it into a high-pressure hot gas, which is supplied to the piston.

Apparatus and method for converting thermal to electrical energy


A computer system eliminates overhead due to overlapping input processing for a keyboard, etc., by two operating systems, where one is a minor operating system operating as a subprocess of the other, which is a main operating system. The system uses an interrupt from a keyboard interface for input processing. A data input from the keyboard is determined as to whether or not it has been assigned to the minor operating system. If it has been assigned to the minor operating system, the key data is written directly to the key data buffer by the driver of the main operating system. The application program executable under the minor operating system can receive key data from a keyboard driver of the minor operating system.

The present invention relates generally to computer systems and more particularly to computers having a minor operating system that runs under a main operating system and the processing executed under the environment of the minor operating system does data I/O with peripheral equipment controlled by the main operating system.
UNIX operating systems for personal computers has recently begun to appear in the American market. The IBM model AT and other 80386 based machines, such as from COMPAQ have been selling and will support UNIX. In particular, the AT&T System V Release 4 (or 3.2) UNIX runs on 386-based personal computers.
But only a very few application programs will run directly under UNIX. Whereas thousands of programs are compatible with the original MS-DOS operating system offered by IBM and Microsoft. So utilities that enable MS-DOS applications to run under UNIX begun to appear. Called "DOS BOX," MERGE 386 by Locus Computing and VP/IX by Interactive Systems and Phoenix Technologies. In a conventional DOS BOX, when an I/O command is generated by an MS-DOS application program, the activity is detected by a UNIX device driver. An emulation is then engaged to satisfy the MS-DOS device driver. In such cases, the time to do an I/O can be very long. For example, see Japanese Laid Open Patent 62-78631 (Apr. 10, 1987). Eliminating such emulations of peripherals would speed up the overall system.
Peripherals in prior art computer systems are typically under the control of a single, main operating system. Application programs run under the main operating system and transfer data with peripherals via device drivers provided by the main operating system. Minor operating systems emulate device drivers.
A keyboard, when operated, will usually trigger an input interrupt handler in a main operating system. Data is input and interpreted before being temporarily stored. The occurrence of such an input event and the stored input string will be messaged to a minor operating system as dummy interrupts, which activates an input interrupt handler. The minor operating system interprets the messages from the main operating system, and transfers the input type to an input buffer in a memory. Interrupt handlers therefore enable both the main operating system and minor operating system to accept keyboard and/or application program input.
But overlapping input interpretations in both operating systems creates an undesirable processing overhead. The system response to input and output can be very slow for application programs running under a minor operating system, so real time performance is sacrificed.

Method and apparatus for communicating peripheral data to/from minor operating systems running as subprocesses on a main operating system


An assembly includes a substrate, a chip mounted on the substrate, a voltage controlled oscillator circuit including an inductor and further circuit elements. The inductor is mounted on or in the substrate, and the further circuit elements are mounted on or in the chip. An assembly is disclosed that includes a substrate including a first metallization plane and a second metallization plane, a chip mounted on the substrate, and an inductor mounted on or in the substrate. The inductor includes a first inductor portion in the first metallization plane and a second inductor portion in the second metallization plane. An assembly is also disclosed including a substrate, a chip mounted onto the substrate, and a transformer formed at least in part on or in the substrate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to microchip assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a substrate, a chip mounted on the substrate, and a voltage controlled oscillator circuit, and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Background Information
In the cellular telephone market consumers are demanding an increase of functionality, versatility and usefulness, while at the same time expecting cellular telephone costs to keep decreasing. Electronic devices like cellular telephones utilize a combination of radio frequency (RF) circuits and digital electronics. The RF circuitry is now being integrated into the same chip or a set of chips in order to present the consumer with a compact, light weight, and powerful electronic device.
The effective combination of RF functionality in mainstream digital CMOS technology is the key factor for developing low-power and cost-effective solutions for portable and cellular application devices. One of the crucial RF building blocks to integrate are the high-frequency oscillators, since they normally contain inductors, in particular inductor coils, and their performance depends strongly on the quality factor of the inductors. Over the last years the on-chip integration of the coil has succeeded, achieving the tight phase noise specification for various standards like the Digital European Cordless Telephone (DECT) standard, the Bluetooth standard and even the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) standard. Today, in most CMOS technologies high quality inductors are provided by processing a thick top Cu layer at the expense of an additional non-standard back-end of line (BEOL) fabrication process. The additional fabrication process is however very expensive. The quality factor of the inductor is determined by the losses in the metal layers and at higher frequencies by the resistive losses in the substrate.
FIG. 1 shows the quality factor of a 6.8 nH integrated inductor on a silicon p− substrate. At lower frequencies, the quality factor is determined by the losses of the metal layers achieving a maximum quality factor Q≈6 at approximately 2 Gigahertz. At higher frequencies the quality factor decreases rapidly due to the losses in the silicon substrate. In a GSM RF transceiver the RF oscillator usually operates at 3.8 GHz and by dividing the signal by 2 and 4, respectively, the LO signal is generated depending whether GSM low-band (GSM850/900) or GSM high-band (PCS/DC1800) is chosen. Therefore, achieving high quality factors at about 3.8 GHz is of crucial importance to meet low-phase noise requirements and low-power consumption in an LC-VCO.

Microchip assembly including an inductor and fabrication method


A printing method in which a pixel is resolved into a matrix and the gradation of a picture is variably set by dots printed in each pixel. The method includes a line setting step of setting a print density for lines corresponding to the main scanning direction along which dots are arrayed, and a dot-based printing step of printing dot-by-dot along the main scanning direction based upon line-based print densities set by the line setting step. A picture printing device employing such printing method is also disclosed.

This invention relates to a printing method and a picture printing device employing such printing method. More particularly, it relates to a printing method in which a pixel is resolved into a matrix and the gradation of a picture is variably set by dots printed in each pixel, and a picture printing apparatus employing such printing method.
Video reproducing apparatus for reproducing picture signals recorded on a video tape, disc reproducing devices for reproducing picture signals recorded on a disc-shaped recording medium, such as an optical disc or a magneto-optical disc, and or picture reproducing devices for receiving and displaying television signals for outputting the received picture signals, such as a television receiver, are extremely popular in modern society. A picture printing device for printing a picture based on output picture signals of such picture reproducing devices has also been commercialized.
Picture printing devices may be classified into a heat-sensitive type device configured for heating a heat-sensitive sheet using a thermal head, a thermal transfer type in which a printing ribbon is heated using a thermal transfer head for transferring the printing ink from the printing ribbon to the printing sheet, and an ink jet system in which fine ink drops are deposited on the printing sheet.
A pixel 50 printed by the picture printing device is made up of a pre-set number of dots arranged in a 2.times.4 matrix having a main scanning direction X and an auxiliary scanning direction Y normal to the main scanning direction, as shown for example in FIG. 1.
The gradation of each pixel 50 forming the picture is variably set by printing a pre-set number of dots in each pixel depending upon pixel-based luminance of picture signals supplied from a picture signal input terminal.
With increase in luminance of picture signals, the gradation level of the pixel 50 is variably set by printing the respective dots as shown in FIG. 2 in a sequence indicated in FIG. 1. For gradation 0, no dots are printed, whereas, for gradations 1, 2 and 3, dots of the sequence numbers 1, 2 and 3 are printed, and so forth, until all dots are printed for the gradation 8. Thus, nine gradation levels from gradation 0 to gradation 8 may be displayed.
With the above picture printing device, printing is carried out by a printing head as dots are arranged line-by-line in the main scanning direction X, and the line number is incremented in the auxiliary scanning direction Y, for arraying pixels 50 in a matrix configuration on a printing sheet 60 for forming a picture, as shown in FIG. 3.
If printing is to be performed using a picture printing device of the heat-sensitive or thermal transfer system, in which a printing head is heated, the heat storage effect of the printing head is increased with an increase in the number of adjacent dots of a pixel during printing of these adjacent dots, the result is over printing the result over an area larger than the intended print area.
On the other hand, if printing is to be performed using a picture printing device in accordance with a heat transfer system or an ink jet system in which ink is deposited on a printing sheet, the effect of ink flowing and blending into adjacent ink drops is increased with an increase in the number of adjacent dots. Again, the result is printing over an area larger than the intended print area.
Thus an inconvenience arises in that an increase in the print density conflicts with sharply defined luminance of the picture signals. The result is that printing cannot be achieved with high print density and faithful reproduction of the gradations in the picture signals.

Picture printing method and device printing pixels in which columns of dots are printed at different intensity levels


A review system and operation method directs a beam of light toward a sample on a stage. The sample is a wafer level packaging wafer or a backend wafer. Defect review is performed based on the light reflected from the sample. The review system can use one or more of: a fluid supplied by an immersion subsystem that includes a fluid supply unit and a fluid removal unit; an illumination pattern for differential phase contrast; or ultraviolet or deep ultraviolet wavelengths.

Evolution of the semiconductor manufacturing industry is placing greater demands on yield management. Critical dimensions continue to shrink, yet the industry needs to decrease time for achieving high-yield, high-value production. Minimizing the total time from detecting a yield problem to fixing it determines the return-on-investment for a semiconductor manufacturer.
Current review methods for backend and wafer level package (WLP) include using a dry, digitized optical microscope in visible, ultraviolet (UV), or deep ultraviolet (DUV) wavelength bands. While the design rule for such packages are at 5 μm or larger, the defect-of-interest (DOI) may be 2 μm or larger. Current systems having a high numerical aperture (NA) may be able to provide sufficient quality images for defect classification purposes.
As advanced WLP (aWLP) brings about industry motivation to continue Moore's Law, the design rule is shrinking to 1μm and the roadmap exists to 0.4 μm. For example, the defect size in such design rules may be 0.2 μm. The previously-mentioned review methods currently cannot, due to physical limitations of wavelength over NA (where NA is limited to be less than or equal to 1.0), provide the image quality needed for detection and classification purposes in such design rules. Furthermore, UV or DUV may damage the wafer, so the wavelength may be limited to the visible range.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which is cost-inefficient and slow, may be used to detect and classify defects when current review methods are insufficient. However, SEM may not be usable for certain materials in aWLP or backend wafers when they are not compatible with vacuum due to degas or with an electrostatic chuck. Further, some specimens may be damaged under electron beam illumination in SEM. Finally, current SEM capabilities are slower and more expensive than optical review.
Therefore, improved optical review systems are needed.

Systems and methods of high-resolution review for semiconductor inspection in backend and wafer level packaging


Methods and apparatuses for high-temperature and high-pressure measurement of pH and/or alkalinity of a fluid is described.

Accurate measurement of pH is important in diverse fields such as process control, reaction kinetics, environmental and biomedical research and oilfield applications. Many chemical processes require pH monitoring and control at extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and salinity. However, as will be described below, standard potentiometric techniques provide accurate measurements at moderate temperatures, pressures, and salinities. Measurements of pH of standard buffers at high-temperature and high-pressure using hydrogen and/or glass electrodes have been reported by LePeintre, Bull. Soc. Franc. Electr. 1960, 8, 584, and Kryukov, et al. as cited in pH Measurement: Fundamentals, Methods, Applications, Instrumentation VCH Publishers, 1991; however, liquid junction instability results in uncertainties in the measurement. Furthermore, pressure balancing needs and liquid junctions make it practically inconvenient to use hydrogen and/or glass electrodes for routine measurements in high-pressure, high-temperature systems. Boreng, et al. in SPE European Formation Damage Conference, May 13-14, 2003, The Hague, The NetherlandsSPE 82199 describe a solid-state electrode for high-temperature and high-pressure pH measurement. While this proposed method eliminates the liquid junction uncertainty, the pH is measured relative to sodium activity that must be independently determined to determine the absolute pH.
Spectroscopic measurement of pH with very high accuracy using pH-sensitive dyes has been a well-established laboratory technique at ambient conditions since the early 1900's (Bates, Determination of pH: Theory and Practice, Chapter 6, John Wiley, 1964). More recently, this technique has been shown to improve precision for seawater and freshwater pH measurements over a range of ionic strengths where potentiometric techniques can prove to be problematic (Yao, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol., 2001, 35, 1197-1201; Martz, et al. Anal. Chem., 2003, 75, 1844-1850). These references cite the advantages of the spectroscopic technique with respect to low drift, reproducibility, and rapidness of the measurement as compared to the standard glass electrodes. Furthermore, because pH measurement depends only on the molecular properties of the indicator dyes, once the dye equilibrium dissociation constants have been characterized, the need for calibration prior to every measurement is eliminated. The methods described above allow implementation of the spectroscopic technique at close to ambient conditions and narrow ionic strength intervals corresponding to either seawater or fresh water conditions, however, the methods do not allow for implementation of the spectroscopic technique at high-temperatures and/or high-pressures.
Because of the lack of robust high-temperature high-pressure pH measurement techniques, currently high-temperature and high-pressure aqueous system equilibrium and the role of pH is characterized using chemical modeling of complex chemical equilibria to calculate the pH. In oilfields, it is important to know the pH of formation fluid to predict corrosion rates, scale formation, water compatibility, etc. Current practice involves collecting fluid samples in single-phase bottles, bringing them to surface and flashing them. The pH at high-temperature high-pressure downhole conditions is obtained by simulations that use ambient flashed gas and water phase analysis as inputs to chemical equilibrium models. This introduces errors in pH measurement due to sample handling, precipitation of ionic solids from flashed water samples and modeling uncertainties of complex ionic equilibria.
Spectroscopic measurement of pH relies on pH-sensitive dyes that can exist in an acid or base form. The optical absorbance spectra of pH-sensitive dyes change as they convert from their acid (A) to base form (B):AB+H+  Eq. 1The fraction of the dye present in the acid and base forms depends on the pH of the solution. The pH is calculated using the following equation:
                              pH          =                                    pK              a                        +                          log                                                                                γ                  B                                                  γ                  A                                                      +                          log                                                                                [                  B                  ]                                                  [                  A                  ]                                                                    ,                            Eq        .                                          2            where pKa is −log10Ka;
Ka is the thermodynamic equilibrium constant for the dye and is a function of temperature and pressure;
[A] and [B] is the concentration of the acid, base form, respectively, of the dye in the sample; and
γA and γB is the activity coefficient of the acid, base form of the dye, respectively, and a function of temperature, pressure, and ionic strength of solution. Equation 2 is more commonly written as:
                              pH          =                                    pK              a              ′                        +                          log                                                                                [                  B                  ]                                                  [                  A                  ]                                                                    ,                                                    where                                :                                              Eq        .                                          3                                          pK          a          ′                =                  -                                                    log                10                                                          (                                                      K                    a                                                                                γ                      A                                                              γ                      B                                                                      )                                      .                                              Eq        .                                          4
Because pKa′ includes the activity coefficients, it is no longer only a function of pressure and temperature, but also a function of ionic strength. Calibration at ambient conditions using standard buffers of known pH is well established. A two-wavelength measurement allows calculation of [B]/[A] and hence the determination of the pH of unknown solutions using Equation 3.
The challenge is in extending this technique to higher temperatures and pressures where there are no standard calibrating buffers. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 2002 guidelines for pH measurement using standard electrodes are valid only to 50° C., 1 bar, and ionic strengths below 0.1 gmol/kg (see Buck et al., Measurement of pH Definition, Standards and Procedures—IUPAC Recommendations 2002, Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2002, Vol. 74, Issue 11. At higher temperatures, pressures, and ionic strengths, there are inherent uncertainties associated with liquid junction potentials; because of this uncertainty, currently there are no guidelines for making pH measurements under these conditions. Standard buffer solutions are typically certified at room temperatures. When buffer solutions are heated or their salinity (ionic strength) is changed, their pH values change and as a result they are no longer the original pH certified standards.
Raghuraman et al. in Real-Time Downhole pH Measurement Using Optical Spectroscopy, SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Feb. 2-4, 2005, Houston, Tex., USA, SPE 93057 describe a methodology for calibration and extension of the spectroscopic measurement to higher temperatures and pressures. Standard buffer solutions are simple salts whose chemical equilibria have been reported over a range of temperature, pressure, and salinity conditions. As a first step to calibrating dyes for pH measurements at high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, one could use models of standard salt buffer equilibria to calculate pH at these conditions. Using these pH values for calibration, one can determine pKa′ of various pH-sensitive dyes as a function of temperature (to 150° C.), pressure (to 680 bar) and ionic strength (to 3 mol/kg). The dyes chosen should be ones that can survive and have pH sensitivity under these conditions. Once pKa′ is known, Eq. 3 can be used to calculate pH at any temperature, pressure, and ionic strength by measuring the dye-sample spectra.
Commonly owned Great Britain Patent No. 2,395,555, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Analyzing Downhole Water Chemistry," incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, teaches a method of using dyes to measure pH in high temperature pressure oil wells at downhole conditions.
Commonly owned United States Patent Application Publication Number 20040128974, filed Sep. 22, 2003, entitled "Determining fluid chemistry of formation fluid by downhole reagent injection spectral analysis," incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, teaches a method for analyzing formation fluid in earth formation surrounding a borehole that includes storing analytical reagent in a container in a fluids analyzer in a formation tester and moving the formation tester, including the reagent, downhole. Reagent from the reagent container is injected into formation fluid in the flow-line to make a mixture of formation fluid and reagent. The mixture is moved through a spectral analyzer cell in the fluids analyzer to produce a time-series of optical density measurements at a plurality of wavelengths. A characteristic of formation fluid is determined by spectral analysis of the time-series of optical density measurements.
Single dyes are typically sensitive to only about 1.5 units on either side of their pKa. To make measurements over a wide range of pH, one has to either use many single dyes or alternatively use a dye mixture. Commonly owned United States Patent Application Publication Number 20040219064, filed Feb. 19, 2004, entitled "Spectroscopic pH measurement using optimized reagents to extend measurement range," incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, teaches an indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than the reagent individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture. This methodology allows high-accuracy, extended-range pH measurement with a single dye mixture (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Raghuraman et al. in Real-Time Downhole pH Measurement Using Optical Spectroscopy, SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Feb. 2-4, 2005, Houston, Tex., USA, SPE 93057 report pH measurements in high-temperature, pressure oil wells using these techniques and apparatuses.
As mentioned earlier, today there is standard IUPAC recommendation or any spectroscopic method for high-temperature, high-pressure and high-ionic strength measurement of pH in the laboratory. Conventional potentiometric techniques work only to temperatures of 50° C., 1 bar and ionic strength below 0.1 gmol/kg. Thus, there is a need for high-temperature and high-pressure measurements of pH in the laboratory.

Spectroscopic pH measurement at high-temperature and/or high-pressure


The present invention provides an NC system (apparatus and method) for updating a machining program having more than one teaching mode. The present invention enables a machine operator to selectively replace blocks of the preexisting machining program with machine code data produced in one of the teaching modes during use of the machine. The teaching modes are changeable between an automatic teaching mode, a manual mode and an a manual data input (MDI) teaching mode. After the operation of the machine in one of the teaching modes is complete, the machining program is updated and stored. Thus, the machining program can be updated with minimal effort by the operator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a numerical control apparatus, and more specifically to an apparatus having a teaching function and a method of teaching a machining program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Machining programs are specially designed for use in a numerical control (NC) apparatus. Machining programs are also known as "NC programs", and are composed of blocks of NC programming codes. These machining programs are input to an NC apparatus through input devices such as a paper tape reader or a flexible disk drive unit, and are used in the machining process of a workpiece.
The preparation of such machining programs is difficult because a special knowledge is needed of the materials of the workpiece, the conditions of the machining process, and the programming codes of various machine tools and the like.
The codes of the normal machining program generally are not defined if a workpiece has a free curved surface, because such codes typically define linear interpolation and circular interpolation. In such a case an NC apparatus having a teaching function is used. This type of NC apparatus is generally controlled by a machine tool operator in a factory.
The operator produces a machining program during manual operation mode of the NC apparatus by using a teaching mode within the NC apparatus. The resulting machining program is then used for machining of the next workpieces in a play back mode.
However, when using such an NC apparatus, the operator must operate the machine to produce all blocks of the machining program, resulting in an increase in the operator's work load. This increase may be significant since much more time is needed to produce such a machining program.
If an NC apparatus which does not have a teaching function is used, the operator must wait for the machining program to be changed by a programmer if any changes are required, so that response time becomes much longer. The programmer, in general, does not have information regarding machining conditions or the know-how which is required for machining at the machining spot, such as, for example, which tools are used in the machining process, the material of the workpiece, and the true shape of the workpiece.
Further, if a workpiece has a free curved surface, the programmer does not prepare the program to define the code of the machining program and the machining conditions described above in order to produce that surface. Thus the operator must operate in a manual mode or a manual data input mode (MDI mode) and set such machining conditions into the machine. When the workpiece is machined, the operator must operate in the manual operation mode or manual data input mode to produce such free curved surfaces. It is notably difficult to produce a free curved surface using manual operation and manual data input mode. As a result, if there exists a number of workpieces, the operator must repeat this difficult operation for each workpiece.
Since a typical NC apparatus having a teaching mode provides the teaching function only in the manual mode, there is no relationship between the normal automatic mode, the manual data input mode, or the manual mode.

Numerical control apparatus having a teaching function and a method of teaching a machining program thereby


The invention provides a human G-protein coupled receptor (GRecH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode GRecH. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of GRecH.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins characterized by the presence of seven hydrophobic transmembrane domains which span the plasma membrane and form a bundle of antiparallel alpha helices. The transmembrane domains account for structural and functional features of the receptor. In most cases, the bundle of helices forms a binding pocket; however, when the binding site must accommodate more bulky molecules, the extracellular N-terminal segment or one or more of the three extracellular loops participate in binding and in subsequent induction of conformational change in intracellular portions of the receptor. The activated receptor, in turn, interacts with an intracellular heterotrimeric G-protein complex which mediates further intracellular signaling activities, generally interaction with guanine nucleotide binding (G) proteins and the production of second messengers such as cyclic AMP (cAMP), phospholipase C, inositol triphosphate or ion channel proteins (Baldwin, J. M. (1994) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 6:180-190).
The amino-terminus of the GPCR is extracellular, of variable length and often glycosylated, while the carboxy-terminus is cytoplasmic and generally phosphorylated. Extracellular loops of the GPCR alternate with intracellular loops and link the transmembrane domains. The most conserved domains of GPCRs are the transmembrane domains and the first two cytoplasmic loops. GPCRs range in size from under 400 to over 1000 amino acids (Coughlin, S. R. (1994) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 6:191-197).
GPCRs respond to a diverse array of ligands including lipid analogs, amino acids and their derivatives, peptides, cytokines, and specialized stimuli such as light, taste, and odor. GPCRs function in physiological processes including vision (the rhodopsins), smell (the olfactory receptors), neurotransmission (muscarinic acetylcholine, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors), and hormonal response (luteinizing hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors).
GPCR mutations, both of the loss-of-function and of the activating variety, have been associated with numerous human diseases (Coughlin, supra). For instance, retinitis pigmentosa may arise from either loss-of-function or activating mutations in the rhodopsin gene. Somatic activating mutations in the thyrotropin receptor cause hyperfunctioning thyroid adenomas (Parma, J. et al. (1993) Nature 365:649-651). Parma et al. suggest that certain G-protein-coupled receptors susceptible to constitutive activation may behave as proto-oncogenes.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and peptide YY (PYY) are structurally related peptides found in higher vertebrates. NPY is produced in the central and peripheral nervous systems. NPY plays a role in the stimulation of food intake, anxiety, facilitation of learning and memory, and regulation of the neuroendocrine and cardiovascular systems. NPY also stimulates vascular smooth muscle contraction, modulates hormone secretion, and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension, congestive heart failure, affective disorders and appetite regulation (Watson, S. and S. Arkinstall (1994) The G-Protein Linked Receptor Facts Book, Academic Press, San Diego Calif., pp. 194-198). PP is produced in endocrine cells in the pancreas and inhibits pancreatic secretion, gall bladder contraction, and gut motility. PYY is produced in endocrine cells of the pancreas and large intestine. PYY has actions similar to those of PP, and in addition redistributes blood flow in gut vessels. Both PP and PYY are released into the circulation in response to food intake. These structurally related peptides accomplish their varied biological functions through interaction with distinct GPCR subtypes. Several receptor subtypes have been defined by their ability to bind NPY, PYY, PP, and derivatives of these peptides. At least five distinct receptor subtypes have been characterized to date (Weinberg, D. H. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:16435-16438).
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a bioactive peptide which is present throughout the digestive tract, and is also found in smooth muscle tissues such as bladder and uterus, in secretory glands such as exocrine pancreas, and in the brain. The major physiological actions of CCK are gall bladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme secretion, and regulation of secretion/absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. CCK receptors are GPCRs found in peripheral tissues including pancreas, stomach, intestine and gall bladder, and in limited amounts in the brain. CCK receptors mediate pancreatic acinar secretion and gallbladder contraction (De Weerth, A. et al. (1993) Am. J. Physiol. 265:G1116-G1121). The CCK-A receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction and feeding disorders (Watson and Arkinstall, supra, pp. 89-95).
The discovery of a new human G-protein coupled receptor and the polynucleotides encoding it satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of endocrine, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders.

Polynucleotide encoding human G-protein coupled receptor


An illuminance spectrum I of reflected light from a color print of an N-order color having an arbitrary dot percent d.sub.1-N is defined by a diffuse reflection coefficient Sb(d.sub.1-N,.lambda.) and a specular reflection coefficient Ss(d.sub.1-N,.lambda.). These reflection coefficients are obtained in the following manner. A plurality of reference colors are specified on each of N.times.2.sup.(N-1) sides that constitute an N-dimensional color space including the N-order target color. Each reflection coefficient is expressed by a linear combination of a plurality of reference reflection coefficients Sb and Ss, which are set in advance for the plurality of reference colors. The illuminance spectrum of reflected light is then determined according to these reflection coefficients Sb and Ss. Color data representing the colors of the print in a colorimetric system suitable for an output device are subsequently generated from the illuminance spectrum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique of reproducing color prints with an output device, such as a display device or a printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In reproducing a color print with a variety of output devices including a display device and a printer, it is desirable to reproduce colors closest possible to those of the actual color print. The conventional method of reproducing colors of a print utilizes a known equation, such as Marley-Davis's Equation, Jule-Nielsen's Equation, or Neugebauer's Equation. For example, Neugebauer's Equation is used to calculate the values of color components R, G, and B from the dot percents of four color inks Y. M, C, and K.
The known conversion equations are, however, based on an ideal model and can not reproduce the actual colors in many cases. Especially, no model is applicable for simulating observation of a print arranged in a three-dimensional space.
The applicant of the present invention has proposed a method of reproducing a print arranged in a three-dimensional space, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,425. This proposed method determines an illuminance spectrum I(.theta., .rho., .lambda.) of reflected light from a color print according to a specular reflection coefficient Ss(.lambda.) and an internal reflection coefficient Sb(.lambda.), and displays the color print based on the illuminance spectrum I(.theta., .rho., .lambda.), where .theta. denotes an angle of reflection, .rho. denotes an angle of deviation, and .lambda. denotes a wavelength. This method can faithfully reproduce a print having a specific dot percent, such as 100%, of a single primary color, but its applicability was not clear to the faithful reproduction of a color print having an arbitrary dot percent or a color print that is printed in a plurality of inks.

Method and apparatus for simulating color print

Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A stomach lining patch includes a collapsible frame, a membrane covering the collapsible frame, collapsible frame and the membrane providing a collapsed configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery to a stomach of a patient and an expanded configuration suitable for lining an internal surface of a gastric wall of the stomach, and a set of anchoring arms extending from the collapsible frame and being configured to pass through a puncture in the gastric wall and lay flat against an outer surface of the gastric wall when the collapsible frame and the membrane are in an expanded configuration lining the internal surface of the gastric wall.

Millions of adults in the United States and elsewhere are obese. Many adults with obesity further suffer from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and/or with hypertension. Obesity related disorders, including diabetes, cost the United States and worldwide healthcare systems hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
Bariatric surgeries, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are effective treatments for both obesity and T2DM. Recent clinical studies demonstrated bariatric surgeries generally provide significantly more excess weight loss in obese patients as compared to lifestyle and medical therapies. Some studies have shown that more than half of bariatric surgery patients also achieve remission of diabetes within a year of surgery.

Stomach lining patch with central fixation


A device for automatic detection of states of motion and rest includes at least one inertial sensor, having at least one preferential detection axis, and a converter, which is coupled to the inertial sensor and supplies a first signal correlated to forces acting on the first inertial sensor according to the preferential detection axis; the device further includes at least one processing stage for processing the first signal, which supplies a second signal correlated to a dynamic component of the first signal, and at least one threshold comparator, which supplies a pulse when the second signal exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for automatic detection of states of motion and rest and to a portable electronic apparatus incorporating it.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, reduction of power consumption is one of the main objectives in any sector of modern microelectronics. In some fields, however, power consumption has an even determining importance in the evaluation the quality of a product. Many widely used electronic devices, in fact, are provided with a stand-alone battery supply and are normally disconnected from the mains supply; this is, for example, the case of cell phones and cordless phones, of palm-top computers and radio frequency pointer devices for computers (mouses and trackballs). It is clear that the reduction both of supply voltages and of currents advantageously involves an increase in the autonomy of the device and hence a greater convenience of use.
Furthermore, frequently the cited above devices are effectively used just for brief periods, whereas for most of the time in which they are on they remain inactive. Consider, for example, the ratio between the duration of a call from a cell phone and the average time between two successive calls. It is clear that, for almost the entire period of operation, the cell phone remains inactive, but is in any case supplied and thus absorbs a certain power. In effect, the autonomy of the device is heavily limited.
Some devices, after a pre-determined interval of inactivity, can be automatically set in a wait state (stand-by), in which all the functions not immediately necessary are deactivated; for example, in a cell phone it is possible to turn off the screen and all the circuitry that is not involved in identifying an incoming call.
To reactivate the devices from stand-by, it is advantageous to exploit a signal linked to an event (such as, for example, reception of a call signal, in the case of cell phones). However, since it is not always possible to associate a signal to an event (for example, in the case where it is the user who wants to make a call), normally a reactivation key is provided, that the user can press for bringing back the device into a normal operative state.
In this case, however, one drawback lies in that the device is not immediately ready for use: the user must in fact pick up the device, press the reactivation key and wait for the extinction of a transient in which the functions previously deactivated are restored. Although this transient is relatively brief (at the most in the region of one second), it is not however negligible and in some cases can render the device altogether inefficient. For example, in a radio frequency mouse, the restore time would be so long that the advantage of having low consumption in stand-by would be basically nullified by the lower efficiency of use.
It would, instead, be desirable to have available a device incorporated in an apparatus that is able to generate automatically a reactivation signal when the apparatus is to be used.

Device for automatic detection of states of motion and rest, and portable electronic apparatus incorporating it


The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, ENHANCER or NUN 00001 TOR which is especially useful as tomato rootstock.

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits in a single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include greater yield, resistance to diseases, insects or other pests, tolerance to heat and drought, better agronomic quality, higher nutritional value, enhanced growth rate and improved fruit properties.
Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination. There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same genotype. A plant cross-pollinates if pollen comes to it from a flower of a different genotype.
Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for a uniform type over many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny of homozygous plants. A cross between two such homozygous plants of different varieties produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many gene loci. The extent of heterozygosity in the hybrid is a function of the genetic distance between the parents. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of loci produces a segregating population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and are not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performance unpredictable.
Tomato cultivars may be grouped by maturity, i.e. the time required from planting the seed to the stage where fruit harvest can occur. Standard maturity classifications include 'early', 'midseason' or late-maturing'. Another classification for tomatoes is the developmental timing of fruit set. 'Determinant' plants grow foliage, then transition into a reproductive phase of flower setting, pollination and fruit development. Consequently, determinant cultivars have a large proportion of the fruit ripen within a short time frame. Growers that harvest only once in a season favor determinant type cultivars. In contrast, 'indeterminate' types grow foliage, then enter a long phase where flower and fruit development proceed along with new foliar growth. Growers that harvest the same plants multiple times favor indeterminate type cultivars. In response to more recent consumer demands for dietary diversity, tomato breeders have developed a wider range of colors. In addition to expanding the range of red colored fruits, there are cultivars that produce fruits that are creamy white, lime green, yellow, green, golden, orange and purple. Additionally, there are multi-colored varieties exemplified by mainly red fruited varieties with green shoulders, and both striped- and variegated-colored fruit.
Tomato Grafting has been utilized worldwide in Asia and Europe for greenhouse and high tunnel production and is gaining popularity in the United States. In tomatoes, increases in fruit yield are likely due to increased water and nutrient uptake among vigorous rootstock genotypes. The main advantage of grafting is that rootstocks can be used which provide or enhance resistance against soil-borne diseases, especially when genetic or chemical approaches for disease management are not available or not sufficient. Thus, disease susceptible tomato scions can be grafted onto disease resistant rootstocks for tomato production. Apart from providing resistance against fungi and viruses, the use of grafting can also increase tolerance against different abiotic stresses such as cold/low temperature tolerance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, flooding/water tolerance and can have beneficial effects on e.g. growth, yield, nutrient uptake, plant vigor, fruit size and fruit quality. There are several methods for grafting tomatoes each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods are described in Davis et al. (2008), Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences Vol. 27, "Cucurbit Grafting", page 50-74, and are amongst others the following:
1) Tongue Approach/Approach Graft,
2) Hole insertion/Terminal/Top Insertion Graft,
3) One Cotyledon/Slant/Splice/Tube Graft and
4) Cleft/Side Insertion Graft
The fruits of tomato plants which are more suitable for processing are generally red colored and have pink to red/crimson fruit flesh.


The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for operating on a file. A specific embodiment of the method comprises: receiving a request of an operation on a target file, acquiring index information associated with a storage space address of a data page based on a file name and a data page identifier, the index information being stored in an on-chip memory of a processor for executing a machine instruction corresponding to the operation; and finding the data page based on the index information, and performing the operation on the data page. Accordingly, the operation on the file is implemented depending on an index stored in the on-chip memory, so that memory overheads of accessing the index are equivalent to 0, and memory resources are saved, thereby reducing system overheads.

In an embedded device, an operation on a file is performed by an embedded file system. In the existing embedded file system, a log structure is generally used to store the file, that is, indexes and file data are stored in the file at the same time, and data pages of the file are non-contiguous in the storage space. When operating on the file, the approach used is to find the data page via the index, and operate the data page as a unit.
However, when the above approach is used to operate on the file, on one hand, the index occupies a large memory space, resulting in a large overhead during the file operating process, thereby increasing the system overheads of the entire embedded system. On the other hand, the data pages of the file are not contiguous in the storage space, and thus, a dynamic loading of an executable file from a third party application cannot be implemented.

Method and apparatus for operating on file

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.


The invention includes a method for routing traffic from a first node towards a plurality of intermediate nodes. A method includes receiving traffic at a first node and routing respective portions of the received traffic toward respective intermediate nodes according to respective traffic weighting factors associated with the intermediate nodes. Upon receiving the respective portions of the traffic, the intermediate nodes may then route the traffic toward one or more destination nodes, or may route the traffic toward another plurality of intermediate nodes before the traffic is routed to a destination node. The intermediate node traffic weighting factors may be dependent on the first node and the destination node, or may be independent of the first node and the destination node.

In a given communication network, the routing of traffic from a source to a destination can be accomplished by a variety of methods. In the traditional pipe model routing schemes, traffic between network access points is carried through point-to-point pipes having pre-allocated capacities. In one variation of this model, a pipe is allocated for the worst case traffic between each pair of nodes in the network, and the capacities of these pipes are added in order to calculate the required capacity of a link connecting those nodes. In many models, knowledge of the actual traffic in the network (i.e., the traffic matrix) is required in order to route the traffic efficiently.
The traffic matrix is typically difficult to determine, often requiring the use of extensive computing resources. Furthermore, traffic in a network is constantly changing over time, requiring even greater network resources to track and react to the network traffic changes. Ideally, the routing scheme in a network should be changed to accommodate dynamic changes in the traffic matrix. There are often problems with implementing this approach. Unfortunately, it is inherently difficult to change a routing scheme quickly enough to accommodate such dynamic traffic changes.
Since knowing the entire traffic matrix of a network is difficult in practice, there have been alternate approaches to specifying the traffic matrix. One such method that has been recently proposed is the hose model. In the hose model, network traffic is characterized using per-node aggregate ingress and egress traffic volumes instead of using a traffic matrix of point-to-point demands for each pair of nodes in the network. In other words, in the hose model, the ingress and egress capacities are assumed to be known for each of the nodes in a network; however, the exact traffic splits among the nodes are not known. A major criticism of the hose model is that, compared to a network in which the entire traffic demand matrix is known, extensive resources and over-provisioning of capacity are required in order to route traffic.
Tree routing is a variation of the hose model in which a path through a network is computed using a tree approach in which connections through the network are restricted to using a tree subset of the original topology of the network. Since the routing in this case is constrained to the use of a tree, path length can be significantly longer than other variations of the hose model, and additional capacity may be required in order to implement redundancy. Thus, there is no guarantee that the routing algorithm, even an optimal solution to the algorithm, will be bandwidth efficient.
For the case in which the uncertainty of the traffic distribution within a network is high, the flexibility, reduced blocking, decreased traffic loss and ease of specification of the different variations of the hose model make the hose model an attractive alternative to the traditional pipe model of routing. Unfortunately, the over-provisioning currently required to implement the different variations of the hose model, however, is still a major drawback of the hose model, especially since the required over-provisioning factor tends to increase with network size for existing variations of the hose model.

Method for routing traffic using traffic weighting factors


An air treatment device includes a casing, a drain pan provided in the casing, a camera configured to capture an inner surface of the drain pan to obtain image data, and a lighting device configured to apply, to a photographing target of the camera, visible light having a maximum peak wavelength in a wavelength band from 400 nm to 500 nm.

There has been conventionally known an air treatment device including a photographing device configured to photograph an interior of a casing. The photographing device in this air treatment device photographs, as a photographing target, a constituent component such as a drain pan. A service provider or the like can observe a dirtied state of a photographing target based on image data obtained through photographing by the photographing device. The air treatment device thus configured is exemplarily disclosed in Patent Literature 1.