A circuit board for mounting an electric device having a plurality of leads, the circuit board including an insulating substrate and a pad electrode formed on the insulating substrate, the pad electrode including an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower being configured to be bonded to a lead portion. Also, an electric device mounted on a circuit board which has a plurality of pad electrodes each having a surface contacting the circuit board, the electric device including a package having a semiconductor device and a plurality of leads each having one end portion which is bonded to a corresponding pad electrode among the plurality of pad electrodes, at least three of the leads being longer than other ones of the leads, a bonding material filling a gap between each of the other leads and its corresponding pad electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board and an electric device suitable for mounting on a printed circuit board. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in the configuration of pad electrodes on a printed circuit board and the shape of leads found in IC (integrated circuit) packages such as LSI (large scale integration) packages.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, industrial machines and tools, computers, and the like have been required to be smaller and perform more advanced or complicated functions. Accompanied with this situation, current electric devices (such as semiconductor devices) are manufactured to be small and integrated. The printed circuit boards on which such electric devices are to be mounted are often required to be correspondingly small in size.
FIG. 1 shows a partial sectional view of a conventional printed circuit board 300. Printed circuit board 300 comprises an insulating board 302 and circuit patterns 304 composed of conductive (e.g., copper) films formed on the insulating board. Circuit patterns 304 include a plurality of land portions, i.e., pad electrodes. An electric device 306, such as a semiconductor device, is mounted on printed circuit board 300. Electric device 306 has a plurality of leads which are soldered to corresponding pad electrodes of circuit patterns 304, respectively. One of the leads, designated by the reference numeral 308, and its respective pad electrode 310, are shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, a surface 312 of pad electrode 310 is soldered together with one end portion 314 of lead 308. Surface 312 is parallel to the upper surface of insulating board 302, such that pad electrode 310 has a uniform thickness. Soldered surface 312 is in contact with end portion 314 and bonded to lead 308 by solder material 316.
According to the conventional technology described above, the amount of solder material disposed between soldered surface 312 of pad electrode 310 and end portion 314 of lead 308 is very small. This is because semiconductor devices are currently manufactured to be integrated and minute with narrow lead widths, and the end portion 314 of leads in such devices is parallel to the surface of insulating board 302. Due to the small amount of solder material present between surface 312 and end portion 314, a sufficient lead pull strength between lead 308 and pad electrode 310 cannot be fully attained.
The foregoing problem seriously affects the performance and manufacturing of devices such as the Quad Flat Package (QFP) type semiconductor device 400 illustrated in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). These figures show a plan view and a partial side view of QFP type semiconductor device 400, respectively. As is apparent from FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the sectional size of each lead 402 of QFP semiconductor device 400 is small, such as 0.2 mm.times.0.2 mm or 0.1 mm.times.0.2 mm, and the spacings between such leads are narrow in dimension (e.g., 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm).
FIG. 2(b) illustrates that QFP type semiconductor device 400 is mounted on a printed circuit board 408. With reference to FIG. 2(b), it is difficult to ensure that a fillet portion of solder material 404 will be formed at an edge portion of lead 402 such that the lead will be securely bonded to pad electrode 406.
As is apparent from FIG. 2(a), the leads 402 of QFP type semiconductor device 400 are not always properly bonded to their respective pad electrodes 406 due to, for example, various errors in the manufacturing process and the like. As a result, a relative alignment error between each lead 402 and its respective pad electrode 406 occurs, and a lead pull strength between each lead 402 of QFP type semiconductor device 400 and printed circuit board 408 is largely decreased. Reference numeral 402a of FIG. 2(b) is representative of a lead that is not securely bonded to its respective pad electrode.
Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. 3-104148 describes a method to improve a lead pull strength by forming a step portion in one end portion of a lead. This document contends that by forming a step portion in one end portion of a lead, a soldered portion having a greater thickness can be formed and the lead pull strength between a lead and a land portion of a printed circuit board can be improved.
The method of this document is deficient, however, in that it requires the formation of a step portion in each lead, thereby complicating the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process becomes even more difficult when the number of leads being fabricated is increased or when leads having minimized dimensions are being fabricated. A further deficiency associated with this method is that it cannot sufficiently resolve the above-described problem resulting from relative alignment error.
The above-described problem resulting from relative alignment error is also observed in a Pin Grid Array (PGA) type semiconductor device 500, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c). These figures show, respectively, a side view and a plan view of PGA type semiconductor device 500, and a partial magnified side view of soldered portions of leads extending out from the device.
PGA type semiconductor device 500 has a plurality of lead pins 502, which are regularly arrayed in a lattice located at the bottom surface of its body. The configuration of each lead pin 502, and the length of such lead pins, are the same. Each lead pin 502 is mounted so as to contact with a respective pad electrode 504 formed on a printed circuit board 506.
According to the structure shown in FIG. 3(c), a relative alignment error between each lead pin 502 and its respective pad electrode 504 occurs because the accuracy of forming lead pins 502 or pad electrodes 504 at pre-designed sizes, and the alignment of each lead pin 502 and its respective pad electrode 504, are subject to deterioration an accompanied by effects resulting from the fabrication of lead pins which are small or minute. Due to the foregoing factors, it is difficult to properly carry out the soldering of each lead pin 502 to its respective pad electrode 504. Accordingly, the lead pull strength between such lead pins and their corresponding pad electrodes is largely decreased.
In light of the foregoing problems, a new method which minimizes or eliminates deterioration of the lead pull strength, without requiring complex manufacturing techniques, is desired.

Printed circuit board and electric device configured to facilitate bonding


Controlled release non-aqueous air care gels comprising from about 1 to about 50 percent on a weight basis of diblock, triblock, multiblock and/or radial block copolymers based on synthetic thermoplastic rubbers. The ratio of the diblock to triblock, multiblock and/or radial block copolymers can be varied from about 0 percent to about 100 percent in either direction. The material to be gelled is a hydrocarbon, one or more hydrocarbon-soluble substances, or mixtures thereof, which based on its physical properties plays an important role in setting the controlled release rate. The composition of the hydrocarbon can vary in carbon length from about C-5 to about C-30 and can vary in vapor pressure up to about 600 mm Hg at 20.degree. C. The hydrocarbon range on a weight basis is from about 20 to about 95 percent of the total weight of the gelled composition. The controlled release agent or active agent is one or more air care active substances, such as fragrances, deodorizers, masking agents, pest repellents or pesticides, and may comprise from about 0.1 to about 30 weight percent of the gel.

Controlled release agents have been used in the art in a variety of applications, including the release of pheromones, insect repellents, animal repellents and pharmaceuticals.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,613 discloses a detergent bar to release insect repellents which contain poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone) homopolymers and other polymers (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene). U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,722 discloses a low density polyethylene/high density polyethylene copolymer for use in controlled release. Controlled release in the system described therein is affected by the use of a layered structure, with a core containing the agent to be released and a "burst layer" which confines the active substance from being prematurely released.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,744 discloses porous particles for controlled release of an active substance. The particles are blocked by use of a cross-linked hydrogel polymer, the blocking agent being sensitive to its physical environment.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 05 345 011 discloses hydrogenated block copolymers of aromatic vinyl compounds as carriers for fragrances, such as room deodorizers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,534 discloses gels comprising a mineral oil and blends of copolymers and including health and beauty aid components.
PCT Patent Application No. WO88/00603 of Francis et al. describes block copolymer compositions which are described as gels or gelloid liquid extended polymer compositions which comprise an intimate mixture of a block copolymer containing relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks. A suitable block copolymer is Kraton 1651, a triblock copolymer. The copolymer additionally contains at least 500 parts by weight of extender liquid per 100 parts of the block copolymer, the liquid being present to extend and soften the elastomeric blocks of the block copolymer.
European Patent Application No. 224389 of Gamarra et al. discloses styrene-diene block copolymer compositions and in particular a mixture of triblock copolymers and a hydrocarbon oil. These compositions are useful as sealing materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,284 describes a transparent gel prepared from triblock copolymers and oils useful as molded products. The triblock copolymers used therein receive specific styrene end blocks to ethylene and butylene center blocks. The end block to center block ratio is given as being between 31:69 and 40:60.
The present invention provides an improved controlled release air care product using unique vehicle systems.

Non-aqueous controlled release pest and air care gel composition


A programmable routing scheme provides improved connectivity both between Universal Digital Blocks (UDBs) and between the UDBs and other micro-controller elements, peripherals and external Inputs and Outputs (I/Os) in the same Integrated Circuit (IC). The routing scheme increases the number of functions, flexibility, and the overall routing efficiency for programmable architectures. The UDBs can be grouped in pairs and share associated horizontal routing channels. Bidirectional horizontal and vertical segmentation elements extend routing both horizontally and vertically between different UDB pairs and to the other peripherals and I/O.

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) have been used in data communication and telecommunication systems. Conventional PLDs and FPGAs consist of an array of programmable elements, with the elements programmed to implement a fixed function or equation. Some currently-available Complex PLD (CPLD) products comprise arrays of logic cells. Conventional PLD devices have several drawbacks, such as limited speed and limited data processing capabilities.
In developing complex integrated circuits, there is often a need for additional peripheral units, such as operational and instrument amplifiers, filters, timers, digital logic circuits, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, etc. As a general rule, implementation of these extra peripherals create additional difficulties: extra space for new components, additional attention during production of a printed circuit board, and increased power consumption. All of these factors can significantly affect the price and development cycle of the project.
The introduction of the Programmable System on Chip (PSoC) features digital and analog programmable blocks, which allow the implementation of a large number of peripherals. A programmable interconnect allows analog and digital blocks to be combined to form a wide variety of functional modules. The digital blocks consist of smaller programmable blocks and are configured to provide different digital functions. The analog blocks are used for development of analog elements, such as analog filters, comparators, inverting amplifiers, as well as analog to digital and digital to analog converters. Current PSoC architectures provide only a coarse grained programmability where only a few fixed functions are available with only a small number of connection options.

Universal digital block interconnection and channel routing


A transmission shift device includes a rotary shaft rotationally connected to an input shaft of a transmission, first and second clutch rings rotationally connected to an output shaft of the transmission at a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio, respectively, a clutch hub fixed to the rotary shaft between the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring, a sleeve restricted a relative rotation with the clutch hub and movably engaged with the rotary shaft in the axial direction, first and second dog clutch portions projected from respective side surfaces of the first and second clutch rings and engageably and disengageably meshing with sleeve spline formed at the sleeve, and an elastic member positioned between the clutch hub and the sleeve and restricting a movement of the sleeve in the axial direction in each of a neutral state, a first shift state and a second shift state.

A known transmission shift device for a vehicle is provided to change a shift stage. Such a shift device includes a holding mechanism holding a sleeve of a shift device in a neutral state and in each of the shift states of the shift stage. For example, as disclosed in JPH9-177823A (hereinafter referred to as Patent reference 1), a shift device shifts a sleeve meshed with a synchronizer hub fixed at a rotary shaft in an axial direction of the rotary shaft using, for example, a motor when changing a shift stage. At this time, by shifting the sleeve in the axial direction, the synchronizer ring is pressed by a leaf spring positioned between the sleeve and the synchronizer ring, and accordingly, presses against a clutch gear. Thus, respective rotary speeds of the sleeve, synchronizer ring and the clutch gear are gradually synchronized with one another. Then, an inner circumference of the sleeve is meshed with an outer circumference of the clutch gear to establish a desired shift state.
The leaf spring, as a holding mechanism holding the sleeve, includes one projection facing the sleeve and two projections facing the synchronizer ring. When the projection facing the sleeve engages with a center recessed portion of the sleeve, the center recessed portion of three recessed portions formed side-by-side in the axial direction at the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, the sleeve is held in the neutral state. When the projection facing the sleeve engages with one of the recessed portions positioned at opposing ends in the axial direction of the three recessed portions, the sleeve is held in either of the shift states. Two projections projecting toward the synchronizer ring engage with respective recessed portions formed at the synchronizer ring. Thus, when the sleeve is held in the neutral state, the synchronizer ring is held to be close to the sleeve.
According to Patent reference 1, the leaf spring is fixed by engaging with cutouts of the synchronizer ring facing against the leaf spring. Thus, for example, the construction disclosed in Patent reference 1 cannot be applied to a shift device which includes a dog clutch without the synchronizer ring. Further, because the three recessed portions are formed side-by-side in the axial direction at the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, the size of the shift device may be increased due to the long axial length. While the sleeve requires a strong holding force in the neutral state to increase the reliability, the holding force cannot be increased because the change of the position of the recessed portions engaged with the projections is the only operation to be done by the shift device when the shift device is shifted between the neutral state and the shift states.
A need thus exists for a transmission shift device which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.


Methods for developing a positive photoresist comprise providing a positive photoresist and developing the positive photoresist with a developer comprising a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium halogenide. The positive photoresist has an unexposed portion dissolution rate with a 2.38 weight % aqueous solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide of about 1 .ANG./sec or less. The quaternary ammonium halogenide is of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are selected from the group consisting of ethyl, methyl, hydroxy methyl, hydroxy ethyl and hydrogen, and X is a halogen atom.

Conventionally, a base substrate is subjected to a selective process by, e.g., etching or diffusion in the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit element, a mask for manufacture of an integrated circuit, a printed wiring board, a printed board and the like. In this case, a composition which is sensitive to active rays of light such as ultraviolet rays, X-rays or electron rays, is used to form a so-called photoresist film on the base substrate in order to selectively protect non-process portions of the substrate. Light is then selectively directed onto the photoresist film employing a mask, and thereafter photoresist patterns are formed on the substrate by developing the photoresist film.
There are two types of the photoresist, namely positive type and negative type. The positive photoresist is of such a type that the exposed portion dissolves in a developer, while the unexposed portion does not dissolve therein, and the negative photoresist is of the opposite type. A representative of the positive photoresist is a composition of an alkali-soluble novolak resin being a base and a naphthoquinone di-azido compound being an agent for photodecomposition. For this quinone di-azido-type positive photoresist, a water solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide of 2.38% by wt (weight) is generally employed as a developer.
FIGS. 2A-2E are cross-sectional views showing conventional processing steps of forming a photoresist pattern.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a uniform thin film of a photoresist 1 is first formed on a substrate 2 by dropping a solution of the positive photoresist on substrate 2 and then spinning substrate 2. For the positive photoresist are employed MCPR2000H (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.) MCPR3000E (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.) and TSMRV5 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Co., Ltd.). These positive photoresists generally have an unexposed portion dissolution rate with a 2.38% aqueous solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide of about 1 .ANG./sec or less. For example, MCPR2000H has an unexposed portion dissolution rate of 0.16 .ANG./sec, MCPR3000E has an unexposed portion dissolution rate of 0.10 .ANG./sec and TSMRV5 has an unexposed portion dissolution rate of 0.10 .ANG./sec. The dissolution rate of the unexposed portion of these resists with respect to the developing solution is significantly lower than that of conventional resists. The difference in dissolution rates for the developing solution between the exposed portions and the unexposed portions of the resists is increased in order to achieve a higher resolving power.
Referring to FIG. 2C, ultra-violet rays 4 are then selectively directed onto thin photoresist film 1 through a photomask 3 on which an electronic circuit is drawn.
The substrate 2 is then placed on a hot plate and heated at 100-120.degree. C., as shown in FIG. 2D. This heating process to be carried out after exposure and before development is called a PEB (Post Exposure Bake) process. This step is not indispensable but may be carried out if necessary.
Referring now to FIG. 2E, development of the resultant film with the water solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide of 2.38% by wt causes dissolution of the portion irradiated with light, thereby forming a pattern of photoresist 1.
Next, a photosensitive mechanism of the positive photoresist is shown in FIG. 3. Naphthoquinone di-azido I! residing in the photoresist absorbs ultraviolet rays, then transforms to carbene II! and then to ketene III!. This ketene III! reacts with water existing in the system and then transforms to indene carboxylic acid IV!. This indene carboxylic acid IV! dissolves in an alkali solution of the developer, whereby the exposed portion of the photoresist 1 is removed, as shown in FIG. 2E.
A super LSI is currently manufactured according to a design rule of 1 .mu.m or less by employing the above-described positive photoresist materials.
The foregoing conventional method, however, causes the following disadvantages, as a degree of integration of super LSI becomes further enhanced, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4D.
A principle of the formation of a positive photoresist pattern is briefly the utilization of a difference in dissolution rates between the exposed portion and the unexposed portion of the photoresist.
Referring to FIG. 4A, ultraviolet rays 4 directed to the photoresist 1 produce interferences with light reflected from the substrate 2 in the film of the photoresist 1 and, consequently a standing wave occurs. Thus, the degree of decomposition of a photosensitive agent in the film of the photoresist 1 is uneven, thereby producing distributions as shown in the figure. Accordingly, development causes formation of a pattern in accordance with the distribution in degree of the decomposition of the photosensitive agent, as shown in FIG. 4B.
When the width of the pattern is extremely narrow (approximately 0.5 .mu.m), photoresist in the vicinity of the substrate 2 is not developed even by a further advanced development, and thus the photoresist 1 is not completely removed, with reference to FIG. 4C. Consequently, a resist pattern having a poor resolving power is obtained, as shown in FIG. 4D.
In order to solve these disadvantages, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 61-232454 discloses a technique in which a trialkyl methyl ammonium compound having an alkyl group containing 3 to 5 carbons is added to a developer. According to this conventional technique, the addition of the above-described quaternary ammonium compound to the developer enables a considerable degradation in the solubility of the exposed portion. This enhances the selectivity in dissolution between the exposed portion and the unexposed portion and also enhances the resolution.
This method, however, still has problems in causing a degradation in the solubility of the exposed portion as well as the unexposed portion, and consequently, a degradation in total sensitivity results.

Methods and developer for developing a positive photoresist


A beverage composition has a source of fiber, as well as one or more additional nutrients. The composition is in the form of a shearform matrix as a result of flash-flow processing. The beverage composition is highly storage stable.

Fiber from both soluble and insoluble sources is now well recognized as a necessary "nutrient" in a healthy diet. In particular, it is now widely believed that a diet rich in fiber from many sources may be instrumental in preventing the development of many types of diseases. Colon cancer, for example, is viewed as highly preventable through maintenance of a fiber-rich diet. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of dietary fiber is approximately 25 grams daily for the average adult. Unfortunately, as is the case with most nutrients, many people do not ingest nearly enough roughage to meet even this minimum level. This is because most people do not consume enough of some of the most common sources of fiber, namely fresh fruits and vegetables.
Commercially available supplements have been on the market for quite some time for people who are deficient in their ingestion of roughage. Examples of these preparations include dry beverage drink mixes that yield a sweet-tasting, fruit-flavored liquid when combined with water. These drink mixes too often induce a laxative effect, however, producing maximum effect within a relatively short time period. Once an individual's temporary constipation is relieved, the product is no longer suitable for regular daily consumption. Other products are simply unpalatable with relatively poor organoleptic characteristics. Some of these do not mix well with water or any liquid, leaving bits or even chunks of gritty material suspended in solution. Some others have what has been described as an off-taste. Ingesting these is like swallowing a mouthful of sand and water. Still other formulations, in their attempt to mask the fiber, produce a mix which yields a liquid that is far too slimy or too thin and runny. Individuals thereby forego a sound regimen of fiber consumption due to the unpleasant nature of many of today's products.
The problem therefore exists of formulating a suitable fiber-rich drink which is pleasant and agreeable. Such a beverage should be easy to mix in water and yield a liquid with a substantially grit-free and uniform consistency. The drink should preferably be sweet-tasting. One which provides additional nutrients is even more desirable.
The biggest obstacle to producing such a beverage is the fiber itself. By its very nature, edible fibrous material does not typically dissolve or even mix well in aqueous media. The assignee of the present application has discovered certain unique methods of processing various types of material which have enhanced their solubility in water. Also enhanced is the ability of these ingredients to mix well with one another in a dry state. These "flash flow" processing techniques and apparatus have not been scaled for use with an ingredient such as raw edible fiber, however. The fiber itself presents a unique problem. Fiber particles often tend to be significantly larger than many other types of material processed through a spinning head, thereby greatly increasing the chances for clogging. Fiber particles also tend to attract highly hydroscopic material such as fructose and sorbitol. This in turn further enhances the possibility of clumping as wet globs of material are sent through the processing apparatus. Unlike other types of material which may be flash flow processed in a liquid or semi-liquid state, fiber is typically not well suited to processing in a liquid medium. Thus, flash flow processing of fibrous material has been avoided due to the inherent difficulties associated with the material itself.

Fiber and vitamin-fortified drink composition and beverage and method of making


Compositions and methods are provided which are useful in determining the levels of the C-telopeptide of human Type I collagen. The levels of the C-telopeptide are used as a marker of collagen degradation in an individual, and thus serve as a sensitive and specific indicator of bone resorption. Assays for the C-telopeptide find a variety of uses, including use in diagnosing metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis or postmenopausal rapid bone losers, monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic regimens designed to treat such disorders, determining the extent of imbalances between bone formation and resorption.

This invention relates to a method of measuring bone resorption rates. More specifically, it relates to the use of peptides of the Type I collagen C-telopeptide and antibodies specific to those peptides for the measurement of specific urine and serum peptides produced during the degradation of bone collagen.
Osteoporosis is a widespread disease, afflicting an estimated 15-20 million people in the United States. The disorder is characterized by a decrease in bone mass which leads to a weakening of the bone. The degree of weakening can be severe enough to result in fractures occurring spontaneously or as a result of minor trauma. Osteoporosis is most common in postmenopausal women with 25% of the women over the age of 60 suffering from spinal compression fractures. Although these fractures are seldom fatal, the continued pain and vertebral deformity are a major source of disability in the elderly. On the other hand, hip fractures not only cause pain and disability, but also lead to death within 6 months of the acute fracture in as many as 15% of patients. That 30% of women have hip fractures by the time they reach age 90 demonstrates the magnitude of this problem. Although most common in postmenopausal women, osteoporosis can also occur in older men and younger amenorrheic women. The annual cost of care for osteoporotic-related injuries is estimated to exceed 7 billion dollars (Barnes, O. M., Science, 236:914 (1987)).
Several methods exist for determining bone mass and thus diagnosing osteoporosis. Among these are single photon absorptiometry, dual photon absorptiometry, and quantitative computed tomography. Although very good at demonstrating the present density of the bone, these methods are unable to give an accurate determination of the rate of bone loss. Because of this, present methods cannot be used to monitor the efficacy of short term therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis.
A method of determining the present rate of bone loss would be of great use in monitoring osteoporosis. Assays that are presently used for this purpose are based on the release of a specific amino acid or peptides from degraded collagen, the most common protein found in bone.
Type I collagen is unique to connective tissues and is a major component in bone. Each Type I collagen fiber is composed of three long, helical polypeptide chains (two .alpha.1 (I) chains and one .alpha.2 (I) chain) that bind tightly to each other. The normal synthesis and breakdown of this collagen type can be altered during the pathogenesis of many kinds of disease, including osteoporosis. Because bone is a metabolically active tissue throughout life, indicators of Type I collagen turnover could be useful as markers in metabolic bone disease. The major means for estimating the metabolic rate of bone collagen has been to quantify the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline which is derived from collagenous proteins. Unfortunately, this test has proven tedious, associated with several sources of error, and not specific for Type I collagen. Azria, Calcif. Tissue Int. 45:7-11 (1989). Hydroxyproline is an amino acid produced as a result of posttranslational modification of proline during collagen synthesis. It is found almost exclusively in collagen. During collagen breakdown, hydroxyproline is released into the serum and cleared from the body in urine. There are, however, some difficulties in using hydroxyproline as a marker of bone resorption. First, hydroxyproline is found in all collagens, not just type I collagen, the type found in bone. Therefore it is not a marker entirely specific for bone. Second, a large portion of the hydroxyproline produced from collagen degradation is metabolized by the liver and never appears in the urine. Finally, it has been suggested that about 10 percent of the urinary hydroxyproline is indicative of bone formation and not resorption, being released during the proteolytic processing of procollagen. Because of these problems, hydroxyproline is not a reliable quantitative method for analysis of bone resorption. Despite these drawbacks, urinary hydroxyproline remains the most commonly used marker for bone resorption.
Hydroxylysine is a second amino acid unique to collagen and collagen-like peptides. Similar to hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine is produced by a posttranslational modification of lysine during collagen synthesis. Unlike hydroxyproline, this amino acid can be further modified by glycosylation to produce galactosyl hydroxylysine (GHyl) and glucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine (GGHyl). Although hydroxylysine is found in all collagens, the ratio of GHyl to GGHyl is higher in bone tissue than in other collagens while GGHyl is higher in skin. The urinary GGHyl:GHyl ratio in normal adults is greater than 1.0, whereas in rapidly growing children or in patients with bone disorders such as Paget's Disease, a disease characterized by increased bone resorption, the ratio of GGHyl to GHyl is less than 1.0. Unlike hydroxyproline, the hydroxylysine glycosides are not significantly metabolized prior to urinary excretion. Because of this, it has been estimated that urinary hydroxylysine glycosides can account for 50-100% of collagen breakdown, as opposed to the 10-25% estimated for hydroxyproline. Although the potential for using urinary hydroxylysine glycoside ratios as markers for bone resorption is great, the existing methods for their determination are tedious, making their measurements impractical outside of a clinical research laboratory. Because of the widespread nature of disease associated with the bone resorption, assays which cannot be performed by community clinical laboratories lack general clinical usefulness.
A third group of compounds suggested as potential markers of collagen degradation are pyridinium cross-links. Pyridinium cross-links are derived from the condensation of three hydroxylysine or lysine residues by the action of lysyl oxidase. These compounds have been shown to serve as cross-links between collagen chains and form during the maturation of collagen. Two chemical forms of pyridinium residues have been identified. Hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (HP), also referred to as pyridinoline, is found predominantly in non-bone collagens, such as cartliage. Lysyl pyridinoline (LP), also called deoxypyridinoline, is the form found predominantly in bone and dentin. During collagen breakdown, the pyridinium cross-links are released and cleared by the kidneys. Both compounds are naturally fluorescent with the same excitation and emission spectra. This allows them to be resolved and assayed directly from urine. Unfortunately, the assay involves extensive hydrolysis of urine followed by ion-exchange chromatography and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Although this method provides reproducible results, it is tedious and does not lend itself to the measurement of large numbers of clinical samples.
An enzyme-linked immunoassay to measure HP urine has been reported. (Robins, Biochem J., 207:617-620 (1982)). This assay used a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against free HP that had been conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Using this assay, Robins was able to demonstrate differences between HP levels in urine from normal adults and patients with arthritic joint diseases. Although Robins was able to demonstrate HP levels in urine at concentrations that were proportional to the rate of joint cartilage resorption, the increase in HP could result from cartilage destruction alone and thus, reliable information on bone resorption could not be obtained from this assay.
Other immunoassays for measuring both HP and LP have been developed. Robins, Biochem. J., 207:617-620 (1982). This assay reacts only with the free crosslinks and does not react with the peptide-bound crosslinks and thus is not an accurate reflection of resorption.
Hanson and Eyre, J. Bone & Mineral Res. 6: (Suppl. 1) 251(1991) and Risteli et al., J. Bone & Mineral Res. 6: (Suppl. 1) 251(1991), have reported the development of immunoassays based on cross-linked collagen peptides found either in urine, as described by Eller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,666, or liberated from human femoral bone by enzyme degradation. Both these assays measure levels of pyridinoline crosslinked collagen peptides. Unfortunately, the concentration of the crosslinks in bone is not invariant. The concentration of crosslinks in bones can vary between different types of bone and furthermore, between the bone of different subjects. The pyridinoline formed in bone is a post-translational modification of the collagen molecule. This post-translational change varies with the nutritional status of the patient, with the hormonal status of the patient, with the age of the patient, and it varies considerably from patient to patient. The amount of pyridinoline appearing in the serum or urine will be a direct reflection of the amount in bone. Thus, the urine and serum concentrations of both the crosslinks themselves and the crosslinked collagen peptides depend not only on the amount of bone resorption, but also on the type of bone being resorbed and the concentration of the crosslinks in the bone. These variables limit the clinical utility of assays which measure pyridinoline or pyridinoline-crosslinked peptides because the amount of bone resorption is not predictably related to the pyridinoline measured.
What is needed is an assay measuring a degradation product of collagen, which is not influenced by diet, hormonal status, age, or disease. The method should be one that can be applied to body fluids such as serum or urine. The method also should be sensitive and able to determine rapidly bone resorption rates so that it can be used to assess various therapeutic regimens. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.


A flexibly configurable power distribution center in which an electrical signal or power is routed by implementing an electrical interconnection at any point along a path of a conductor. Insulative portions or boards within an electrical power distribution center are fabricated having a plurality of recesses for receiving electrical conductors therein. The electrical conductors are in the form of flexibly configurable strips of metal such as steel, copper, brass or the like, which are disposed within the recesses in the insulating portions. The strips of metal are dimensioned and disposed within the recesses forming an exposed conductive ridge which is mechanically and electrically engageable by interface terminals along substantially the entire length of the conductor. The interface terminals have at least one female mating portion for mechanically mating with the conductive ridge to establish electrical continuity therewith. A plurality of recesses can be configured within the insulating portions, and the metal strip can be disposed within selected recesses or portions of recesses as desired to provide various alternative conductive trace configurations with the same insulative portion. The strip metal is cut to desired lengths for automated or manual installation within the selected recesses.

Power distribution centers are known for housing automotive fuses and relays which are operative in the distribution of power throughout an electrical system of an automobile. Typical power distribution centers, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,545, include an electrical component housing body containing a matrix of receptacle cavities for receiving electrical components such as relays, fuses, passive/active electronic components or the like. The electrical components disposed within the cavities engage a bus bar fabricated from electrically conductive material which is shaped to provide an electrical current path from power lead terminals to preselected receptacle cavities.
In this known implementation, illustrated in FIG. 1, the bus bar 10 is configured by stamping sheet steel in a configuration which permits the bending of mating terminals 12. The mating terminals are accessible to receptacles 14 located in preselected receptacle cavities 16. The receptacles 14 are double ended, receiving the mating terminal 12 at one end and a component terminal or lead 18 at the other end and providing an electrical path through the bus bar to an electrical power source. The bus bar 10 is protected from undesirable electrical shorts by an insulator 20 which includes openings that are aligned with the preselected cavities to permit access to the cavities so that receptacle wires or other components can pass through the insulator to effect electrical contact with the bus bar.
Such known power distribution centers, utilizing a stamped metal bus bar to distribute electrical signals, suffer a disadvantage in that the stamping and bending of the bus bar is a relatively elaborate, tool intensive process. The tooling required to stamp and bend the bus bar is costly and involves a process wherein a considerable amount of scrap is generated. The process of stamping and bending results in a bus bar configuration which is dedicated to a particular electrical component mounting configuration. Flexibility is severely limited in implementing such a power distribution center for a variety of electrical accessory options, because a dedicated bus bar must be stamped and bent for each of various particular configurations. Further, a variety of dedicated insulative portions of the housing which accommodates the bus bar, must be fabricated to receive each of the various particular bus bar configurations. Thus, numerous component parts and numerous power distribution centers must be manufactured to accommodate a variety of electrical accessory options.
Other electrical power distribution centers known in the art, implement conventional stamped lead technology, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,752. Conventional stamped lead technology, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, uses pre-stamped metal circuit elements 22, which are removably disposed in recesses in a plurality of stacked electrically insulative boards. The pre-stamped metal circuit elements 22 act as conductive traces to provide electrical interconnection between points. Male terminal blades 24 are formed on the pre-stamped metal circuit elements, and facilitate a contact surface for interconnection with female receptacles on electrical devices or wiring harnesses. The male terminal blades typically are located at ends of the pre-stamped metal circuit elements, significantly limiting interconnectability with the circuit elements. Interconnection with the female receptacles is feasible only at the points where the male terminal blades are located.
Other disadvantages are inherent in stamped lead technology, including the need for costly tooling required for the pre-stamping and bending of the metal circuit elements. The pre-stamped metal circuit elements generally result in considerable amounts of metal scrap as the metal elements are stamped from large sheets of metal which often cannot be optimally utilized in producing pre-stamped metal circuit elements of the shapes required for mounting in the recesses in the electrically insulative boards. The tooling requirements and scrap negatively impact the cost of producing such electrical power distribution centers, resulting in a relatively high piece part cost for stamped lead technology power distribution centers.
Additionally, as with other stamped conductive elements implemented in power distribution centers known in the art, there is very little flexibility in configuring such systems. The pre-stamped metal circuit elements must be particularly fabricated to fit within dedicated recesses in the insulative boards associated therewith. The recesses similarly must be particularly fabricated to accommodate dedicated pre-stamped metal circuit elements.

Electrical power distribution center having conductive ridges


An apparatus includes an optical ring resonator, first and second optical couplers, and control circuitry. The first optical coupler is configured to modulate an input optical signal traversing an optical waveguide, by tuning cross-coupling of energy between the optical waveguide and the ring resonator with a first variable coupling coefficient. The second optical coupler is configured to tune cross-coupling of energy between the ring resonator and an auxiliary optical signal, different from the input optical signal, with a second variable coupling coefficient. The control circuitry is configured to modulate the first coupling coefficient with a first control signal so as to modulate the input optical signal, and to modulate the second coupling coefficient with a second control signal, so as to retain a constant electrical-field complex envelope in the ring resonator.

Electro-Optical (EO) modulators are an important building block in optical communication systems, optical sensors and other applications. Some EO modulators are based on microring configurations, and various microring modulators are known in the art.
Microring modulators are described, for example, by Xu et al., in "Micrometer-Scale Silicon Electro-Optic Modulator," Nature, volume 435, no. 7040, May, 2005, pages 325-327; by Lipson, in "Compact Electro-Optic Modulators on a Silicon Chip," IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, volume 12, no. 6, December, 2006, pages 1520-1526; by Li et al., in "Coupled-Ring-Resonator-Based Silicon Modulator for Enhanced Performance," Optics Express, volume 16, no. 17, August, 2008, pages 13342-13348; and by Popović, in "Resonant Optical Modulators Beyond Conventional Energy-Efficiency and Modulation frequency Limitations," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, volume 14, no. 4, April, 2012, pages 483-485, which are all incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,483,521, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for cavity dynamics compensation in resonant optical modulators. In some disclosed embodiments, a resonant optical modulator includes an optical resonator, a first port optically coupled to the optical resonator with a first time-variable coupling rate, a second port optically coupled to the optical resonator with a second time-variable coupling rate, and a driver for simultaneously modulating the first and second time-variable coupling rates such that a photon population in the optical resonator is substantially constant.

Charge-discharge electro-optical microring modulator

TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD.


Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring temperature of a fluid within a hydraulic vessel using a temperature probe that has an annular recess circumscribing a projecting sensor tip. The annular recess is configured to permit fluid flow into an aperture region of a vessel wall through which the temperature probe contacts the fluid within the hydraulic vessel. Because the temperature probe projects from the annular recess within the aperture, a net projection dimension, as measured in a projection direction from an interior surface of the vessel wall proximate the aperture to a sensor, is less than a gross projection dimension, as measured in the projection direction from a bottom of the annular recess to the sensor tip. In some embodiments, this configuration advantageously improves a ratio of thermal conductivity between the fluid and the temperature probe and thermal conductivity between the temperature probe and a sensor housing.

Measuring temperatures of a fluid in a hydraulic vessel can be performed by providing thermal conduction between a temperature sensor and the fluid in the hydraulic vessel. A temperature sensing system can have a sensing tip that is inserted into the hydraulic vessel so as to make thermal contact with the fluid. Often, an aperture or connecting portal in a vessel wall of the hydraulic vessel is used for providing access to the interior of the hydraulic vessel. The temperature sensor can be configured to sealably couple to the connecting portal in such a manner as to present the sensing tip to the fluid in the hydraulic vessel, while sealing the connecting portal so that the fluid doesn't leak outside of the hydraulic vessel via the connecting portal.
A sensing tip can have a barrier wall configured to provide thermal coupling between a temperature sensor within the temperature sensing system and the fluid, while providing a barrier to fluid flow from outside the temperature sensing system to inside the temperatures sensing system. The barrier wall can also provide thermal coupling within the barrier wall from a center of the sensing tip to the periphery of the sensing tip, to the vessel wall connected thereto, and to the environment outside of the hydraulic vessel. If the temperatures of the vessel wall and the outside environments are not at equilibrium with the fluid within the hydraulic vessel, these competing thermal conduction routes can cause the temperature sensor to be at a temperature not equal to the temperature of the fluid within the hydraulic vessel.

Fast response and accurate temperature measurement of a hydraulic fluid


A composite element is provided. The composite element includes a ceramic component defining a cavity having a first end and a second end, and a metallic component that includes a head and a body. At least a portion of the body of the metallic component is disposed in the cavity, and the head of the component is disposed on the first end of the cavity. A cross-sectional area of a portion of the body is greater than an area of the first end. In addition, the ceramic and metallic components are interlocked. Methods of making a composite element and of making a clearance sensor part are also provided.

The invention relates to composite elements having ceramic and metallic components, and more particularly to ceramic and metallic components that are interlocked and methods of making and using the same.
Various types of sensors have been used to measure the distance between two objects. For example, a turbine has a number of turbine blades that are disposed adjacent to a shroud. The clearance between one of the turbine blades and the shroud varies depending on various factors, such as but not limited to, temperature, RPM, load, and age of the turbine. It is desirable that a gap or clearance between the turbine blades and the shroud be maintained for safe and efficient operation of the turbine. A sensor may be disposed within the turbine to measure the distance between the turbine blades and the shroud. The measured distance may be used to direct movement of the shroud to maintain the desired displacement between the shroud and the turbine blades.
Such sensors typically employ a combination of metallic and ceramic components. The metallic components are partially disposed within the ceramic component. Typically, the metallic components and the ceramic components are held together by braze joints. However, since such clearance sensors are primarily employed in harsh environments (such as inside the engine), the high operating temperatures and pressures are challenging for the sensor components, and the braze joints. If the braze joint accidentally fails during the operation, there is a risk of the metallic or ceramic component being liberated into the engine, and possibly damaging the engine.
Accordingly, a need exists for providing a sensor that employs ceramic and metallic components, which will not liberate into the engine during operation. It would also be advantageous to provide an economically viable method of making such a sensor component.

Methods of making and using ceramic metallic interlocked components


Media content is encoded based on network quality of service parameters. For instance, quality of service parameters for a network between a media server and a media client are determined by a system. The system selects an encoder based on a list of decoders available at the media client and the quality of service parameters, and encodes at least a portion of the media via the encoder. The system can further determine settings for the encoder based on a media type, and encode the media via the encoder according to the settings. The system can detect when the media client moves to a new network, detect new quality of service parameters, and select a new encoder based on the list of decoders available at the media client, the media type, and the new quality of service parameters.

Many variables come in to play when streaming media, particularly video media, over a network from a media source to a media playback client. One main variable is network quality, which is, in fact, a collection of different variables. For example, inconsistent bit rates, jitter, latency, packets arriving out of order, and other Quality of Service parameters can wreak havoc on the client's ability to play back media in a high quality, smooth, pleasing manner.
In existing media streaming approaches, a media provider uses a media encoder corresponding to a media decoder at a client. The media provider and the client negotiate, such as in a handshake, to determine approximate network conditions and an expected baseline of network quality. If the network conditions change (i.e. deteriorate or improve), the media provider changes parameters of the encoder to respond to the changes, such as lowering the bitrate of the media streamed from the media provider to the client. These changed parameters can negatively impact the video playback quality at the client, introducing video compression artifacts. Further, network conditions can degrade so far that the client is unable to display any meaningful image. As more and larger types of media are streamed over packet-switched networks, such as streaming HDTV broadcasts, these problems become more pronounced.
The above-described description is merely intended to provide a contextual overview regarding streaming media, and is not intended to be exhaustive.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for automatically selecting encoding/decoding for streaming media


This invention is directed to an improvement in the process for the production of alkylaromatic compounds that results in lower levels of residual unreacted materials in the final product. This invention comprises: 1) alkylation of an aromatic compound with an alkylating agent and a catalyst to produce an effluent stream comprising an alkylaromatic compound and unreacted materials; 2) heating the effluent stream; 3) stripping the effluent stream in a stripping device in the presence of steam; 4) separating a stripping stream from the stripping device, the stripping stream rich in unreacted materials; and 5) separating a product stream from the stripping device, the product stream rich in alkylated aromatic compound.

Alkylaromatic compounds have been known for many years. They possess good thermal and oxidative stabilities, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,211,665; 4,238,343; 4,604,491; and 4,714,794. Improvements have been made to the compounds over the years. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,254,274 and 5,019,670, for example, disclose methods of improving the thermal and oxidative stabilities of PAOs by alkylating unsaturated oligomers with an aromatic compound. The products have improved stability and solvency due to the aromatic component as well as improved rheological characteristics. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,737,297; 4,714,794; and 4,665,275 disclose various monoalkylate compounds with good oxidative stability and U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,532 discloses a mono- or dialkylate benzothiophene with good oxidative stability. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,284 discloses making an alkylated naphthalene fluid with improved thermal and oxidative stability using low alkylation temperatures and low acidity zeolite catalysts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,086 discloses blends of alkylaromatics with PAOs to improve oxidation stability, solubility, elastomer compatibility, and hydrolytic stability.
Alkylaromatic compounds may be produced by the alkylation of a suitable aromatic compound in the presence of an alkylating agent and an alkylation catalyst such as a Friedel-Krafts catalyst, an acidic clay as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,714,794 and 4,604,491, or a Lewis acid such as aluminum trichloride as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,211,665 and 4,604,491. U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,027 describes the use of a catalyst described as a collapsed silica-alumina zeolite. Various other zeolites may also be used, such as zeolite L, ZSM-4, and ZSM-5 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,316, zeolite MCM-22 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,670, or zeolites USY and Beta as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,284.
In current processes to produce alkylaromatic compounds, a residual amount of unreacted aromatic compound and alkylating agent remains in the reactor effluent. It is advantageous to minimize the amount of unreacted material in the reactor effluent to maximize yield of desired product. It is also desirable to minimize the amount of unreacted aromatic compound remaining because industry regulations limit the amount of this material that may be present in finished products. It has been known to apply a batch stripping process to the alkylated compound to strip unreacted aromatic compound from the product. Following this batch stripping process, some amount of unreacted aromatic compound still remains in the product. An improved process to strip further amounts of unreacted aromatic compound from the final product would be advantageous for the reasons cited above.


Systems and/or methods are presented that provide for recording transactions that occur during a write process for the purpose of recovering the transactions in the event of a power loss. In an aspect a system implements an organization that reflects a cache architecture that is organized according to the cache way and set index of each transaction In this regard, the cache way and set index cache architecture provides for a post-power loss search operation that is limited to identifying duplicate locations within the cache-line and keeping only the most recent modification. Thus the system provides pre-organization in terms of self-aggregation by cache way and set index recording that facilitates cache-line eviction processing in the event that the cache is determined to be full.

A wide variety of memory devices can be used to maintain and store data and instructions for various computers and similar systems. In particular, flash memory is a type of electronic memory media that can be rewritten and that can retain content without consumption of power. Unlike dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices and static random memory (SRAM) devices in which a single byte can be erased, flash memory devices are typically erased in fixed multi-bit blocks or sectors. Flash memory technology can include NOR flash memory and/or NAND flash memory, for example. NOR flash memory evolved from electrically erasable read only memory (EEPROM) chip technology, in which, unlike flash memory, a single byte can be erased; and NAND flash memory evolved from DRAM technology. Flash memory devices typically are less expensive and denser as compared to many other memory devices, meaning that flash memory devices can store more data per unit area.
Flash memory has become popular, at least in part, because it combines the advantages of the high density and low cost of EPROM with the electrical erasability of EEPROM. Flash memory is nonvolatile; it can be rewritten and can hold its content without power. It can be used in many portable electronic products, such as cell phones, portable computers, voice recorders, thumbnail drives and the like, as well as in many larger electronic systems, such as cars, planes, industrial control systems, etc. The fact that flash memory can be rewritten, as well as its retention of data without a power source, small size, and light weight, have all combined to make flash memory devices useful and popular means for transporting and maintaining data.
When flash memory is used to provide a reliable and efficient secondary memory subsystem two characteristics must be considered. One characteristic of flash memory is that it can only write data in one direction, in other words, a "1" can become a "0" but a "0" can not then become a "1". The other characteristic of flash memory to be considered, often referred to as cycle endurance, is the number of times the addressable elements of the device can be erased and programmed before becoming unreliable. Both of these characteristics, which are related, adversely affect the reliability and the efficiency of the device.
In order to write data to a given location in a flash memory requiring a state opposite to that which the device supports requires the location be initialized. The initialization occurs as a result of the erase process; however, at some point in time, after numerous erase program cycles, a given location may either no longer be initialized to a known state or may no longer retain the data as written. As a result of having a finite number of times that a device can cycle between the erase (i.e., initialization) and program state before becoming unreliable, previous attempts to mitigate the problem have focused on extending storage persistence of the device by minimizing the number of erase program cycles.
In current flash memory devices the system writes to a particular address based on one-to-one relationship between the logical or system address and the physical address. If a particular address is used at a higher frequency than other addresses, which is characteristic of the one-to-one relationship, those locations will characteristically undergo more frequent erase program cycles. In addition to latency that is introduced by the write operation requiring initialization prior to recording, the flash memory device will eventually fail based on over use of addresses having a higher erase program frequency (i.e., cycle endurance) while other addresses experience minimal erase program cycling.
FIG. 1 provides a timeline representation 100 of the read and write operations in conventional flash memory device utilizing a one-to-one relationship between the logical/system address and the physical address, in accordance with the prior art. This type of addressing relationship is generally beneficial in that it is simple to implement and provides for minimal latency experienced in determining the location of the data's physical address (i.e., the read operation). For example at block 104, a read operation 102 ensues by providing a system address "1001". At block 106, since the system address has a one-to-one relationship with the physical address, the physical address will be the same as the system address thus, as shown in this example, the physical address is also "1001". This one-to-one relationship allows for the system to retrieve the data from data store 108 in the location 110 designated as physical address "1001" without introducing any latency in the read operation.
However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional write operation 112 in a flash memory device utilizing a one-to-one relationship between the logical/system address and the physical address introduces significant latency due to the flash memory requiring initialization (i.e., erase) of the media prior to recording information. At block 114, a write operation ensues by providing a system address "1001". A read operation must precede the erase operation due to unit size difference of the erase operation versus the write operation. Thus at block 116, the system attempts to read all of the pages within the block indicated by physical address "1000" through "1002" into a volatile memory commonly referred to as a merge buffer. The reading of all pages within the block is indicated in data store 108 by location 118, which includes location 110 designated as physical address "1001".
Once all of the pages within the block have been read, the erase operation, indicated by block 120, ensues. The erase operation, which typically requires about ten times the amount of time required for the actual write operation, will erase all of locations 122 in data store 108 associated with physical addresses "1000" through "1002". Once the erase operation is complete, a merge operation, which combines the unchanged data from location 1000 and 1002 with the new data for location 1001, ensues to prevent the loss of data. As a result of the merge, the amount of data to be written is typically significantly larger that the size of the original write request. The merge operation is indicated by block 124 and results in the merged data from address "1001" merged into location 126 encompassing physical addresses "1000"-"1002" within data store 108. Once the data is merged, at block 128, the system writes out all of the pages back to the block, illustrated in the data store 108 as data residing in the "1001" location 110 and the "1000" and "1002" locations 118.
The write operation that occurs when a one-to-one relationship exists between the system address and the physical address exposes large amounts of data to possible loss in the event of loss of power during the write operation. This is because once the data is erased during the write operation it is no longer available and cannot be recovered. In addition, as previously mentioned, system addresses that are written at a high frequency will typically fail sooner due to cycle endurance limitations.
FIG. 2 provides an architectural overview of a system 200 utilizing flash memory having a one-to-one relationship between the system address and the physical address, according to the prior art. The host command interface 202 is operable to interpret commands for the device. If the command is a data command, the host command interface 202 sends the data to the Level 1 cache 204 in the volatile memory 206 through the host data interface 208 and the Level 1 data cache controller 210. The host command interface 202 is also in communication with flash management 212 and the host command interface 202 indicates to the flash management 212 the need to perform either a read operation from or a write operation to the data store 220. Based on the one-to-one address relationship, flash management 212 will receive the system address from the host command interface 202 and use the address as the physical address to read or write data.
If the command received from the host command interface 202 is a read command and the content is not located in the Level 1 cache, the flash management 212 will retrieve the data from the data pages 216 within the NAND memory 218 of the data store 220 via the data storage NAND media interface 222, store the retrieved data in the Level 1 cache 204 and inform the host command interface 202 of the data availability.
If the command received from the host command interface 202 is a write command, the flash management 212 will read all the data pages 216 in the block associated with the address into merge buffer 224, then erase the data from the location within the data pages 216 on the NAND memory 218 in the data store 220. Once erased the flash management will command a merge operation and the merged data is stored in the merge buffer 224 of volatile memory 226. Once the data is merged it is subsequently written to the location associated with the physical address in the data pages 216 of the NAND memory 218 of the data store 220.
The write operation that occurs when a one-to-one relationship exists between the system address and the physical address exposes large amounts of data to possible loss in the event of loss of power during the write operation. This is because once the data is erased during the write operation it is no longer available and cannot be recovered. In addition, as previously mentioned, system addresses that are written at a high frequency will typically fail sooner due to cycle endurance limitations.
Thus, a need exists to develop a method and system for reading and writing data to flash memory that mitigates wear on the physical device. The desired method and system should serve to distribute writes across the media, thus limiting the amount on times that data is written to a specific location in the nonvolatile flash memory. Thereby, lessening the likelihood of cycle endurance causing premature failure of the flash media. Additionally, and paramount to the present innovation, the desired system and method should provide for ability to recover data in instances in which a write operation is occurring and an error or failure occurs, such as a failure attributed to a power failure or like.
In addition, in order for the method and system for reading and writing data to flash memory to maintain its accuracy through events that disrupt the normal process of updating the data in non-volatile memory, such as a sudden loss of power, a system of logging the transactions must be established. This system will further provide for a process of recovering the transaction record and updating the non-volatile data after such a disruption, as would result upon subsequent power-up after a sudden loss of power event. In a conventional approach of logging, these transactions are recorded in the sequence with which they occur, that is, in a linear fashion. In such a system, when a recovery and update is required, the process is also linear and requires a high degree of processing capability to identify those transactions that belong to the same portion of the data structure, filter duplicates that vary over time and organize the information into update units of cache-lines. Thus, the overall recovery process in such an approach is potentially time-consuming and generally inefficient.
Thus, a need exists to develop a method and system for recording transactions in a manner that is efficient to both the recovery and update process should there be a disruption to the normal update process, such as a sudden power loss. The desired method and system should aggregate transactions in such a fashion that the amount of time and effort required to recover the modified data from such an event is minimized. In this regard, the desired methods and systems for recording the transactions should provide for a recovery search operation that is limited to identifying duplicate locations within the cache-line and keeping only the most recent modification. By providing such methods and systems that pre-organize the transactions the overall search process is greatly reduced and flexibility may be realized in implementing cache-line eviction processing in the event that the cache is determined to be full.

Translation table coherency mecahanism using cache way and set index write buffers


In a tomography apparatus and method for obtaining correction values for two measurement planes, wherein the tomography apparatus an acquisition system disposed in a first measurement plane and a second acquisition system disposed in a second measurement plane that are disposed in the azimuthal direction around a common rotation axis, position correction values for both measurement planes are determined for a substantially constant rotation angle speed of the two acquisition systems using measurement values calculated at a rotation angle position of a reference object that can be introduced into both measurement planes. An artifact-free reconstruction of a slice or volume image can be made using the position correction values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an imaging tomography apparatus of the type having at least a first acquisition system disposed in a first measurement plane, with a first radiator and a first detector for generation of detector output signals that are a measure of the absorption of the radiation emanating from the first radiator, and a second acquisition system disposed in a second measurement plane, with a second radiator and a second detector for generation of detector output signals that are a measure of the absorption of the radiation emanating from the second radiator, whereby both acquisition systems are mounted to rotate around a common rotation axis. The invention moreover concerns a method for such a tomography apparatus for determination of the relative positions of both acquisition systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A tomography apparatus with only one acquisition system is known from German OS 196 15 456 wherein, for correction of image distortions in the reconstructed images, an incorrect angle position between the measurement plane of the acquisition system and the patient table plane is detected.
In contrast to this, German OS 29 16 848 discloses a tomography apparatus with a number of acquisition systems. The acquisition systems are mounted such that they can be adjusted in the direction of the rotational axis so that, depending on the arrangement, alternatively a high scanning speed or scanning of a number of adjacent slices per rotation can be achieved.
A tomography apparatus with a number of acquisition systems is likewise known from German OS 29 51 222, wherein a grid-controlled x-ray tube that is contained in a separate housing together with the filament transformer is used as the x-ray radiator for fast activation and deactivation of an x-ray beam.
Other tomography apparatuses with at least two acquisition systems are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,190 and 6,421,412. The advantage of such tomography apparatuses with a number of acquisition systems compared to an apparatus with a single acquisition system is the capability to examine a subject with an increased sampling speed or with an increased sampling resolution. A high sampling speed is of importance when movement artifacts that are caused by voluntary or involuntary movements of the subject (for example of an organ of an organism to be examined) must be minimized in the reconstructed image. In the examination (for example of a heart), for reconstruction of an artifact-free slice or volume image it is necessary that all exposures used for the reconstruction optimally record the same movement state (phase) of the heart at the various rotation angle positions.
In addition to single image acquisition, entire sequences of slice or volume images are generated for representation of movement cycles for medical examinations. A higher sampling speed thereby offers the advantage of an improved temporal resolution of the imaged region affected by a movement cycle so that rapidly-changing movement states can be acquired.
A tomography apparatus with a number of acquisition systems also can be operated such that a higher sampling resolution is achieved compared to a tomography apparatus with only one acquisition system. This is particularly of importance when organs or organ parts of an organism must be resolved in a small examination volume, as is the case, for example, for an examination of blood vessels.
In a tomography apparatus with a number of acquisition systems, the acquired detector output signals of the various acquisition systems are combined with one another for reconstruction of a slice or volume image, both in the operating mode to increase the sampling speed and in the operating mode to increase the sampling resolution. The reconstruction of a slice or volume image from data of various acquisition systems thereby always ensues based on the prior knowledge of the position of the first measurement plane relative to the position of the second measurement plane.

Imaging tomography apparatus with two acquisition systems in different planes and method for determining position correction values for the planes


Variety Denomination ‘PA1UNIBO’ is a novel cherry tree derived from a seedling of unknown cross which was planted at Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. The genus and species (cultivar) of ‘PA1UNIBO’ is Prunus avium. It was initially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor and, after testing in districts and plantings of differing types, proved to have the qualities proper to a promising new cultivar for the market.

Prunus avium 'PA1UNIBO' originally derived from seedling of unknown cross and called Selection DCA BO A1A1, was planted at Vignola, Modena Province, Italy, in February 2002, and was first cropped in 2004. It was initially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor, tested in different growing districts and planting densities, and proved to have the properties proper to a promising new cultivar for the market. It picks in the last decade of May to the first decade in June in Modena Province, more precisely, about 3-5 days after 'Burlat' and approximately 13-15 days before 'Bing'.

Alma Mater Studiorum-Università degli Studi di Bologna


The present invention relates to the use of shellac as the binder in an ink composition to reduce the problems of sweating when the ink is applied to a soft gelatin surface. Preferably, the shellac is at leat partially neutralised by a volatile base, for example ammonia, to render the shellac water soluble so that a water and/or alcohol liquid carrier medium may be used.

Ink jet printers apply a wide range of ink compositions to a wide range of surfaces as discrete droplets of ink which form an image on the surface. The droplets can be applied using drop on demand or impulse jet printers in which individual droplets are ejected from individual nozzle orifices in an array of nozzles, the position of the printed droplet on the surface being dictated by the nozzle in the array from which it is ejected. Alternatively, the ink jet printer can be a continuous jet printer in which droplets are formed from a jet of ink issuing from a single nozzle, the droplets being given an electric charge and passing through a deflection field which deflects the flight of the individual droplets away from the straight line path by an amount depending upon the strength of the charge and/or the deflecting field. For convenience, the term ink jet printer will be used herein to denote all such types of printer.
The inks can be used to form a wide range of types of image, for example date, batch or quality codes, bar codes, manufacturer's names, logos or other images, both pictorial and alphanumeric. Furthermore, such images need not be visual, but may be machine readable or detectable, for example by electo-optic means when the image is caused to fluoresce under infra-red or ultra-violet radiation or when the pigment is electromagnetic and the image carries electromagnetic data. For convenience, the term image will be used herein to denote in general all such images.
Ink jet printers employ a wide range of inks which, in general comprise a pigment, dyestuff or other image forming component and a resin or other binder in a fluid carrier medium. The fluid carrier medium can be water or an organic solvent or carrier, for example an alkanol, ketone or ester and mixtures thereof. Where the ink is to be used in a continuous jet printer, the ink has a conductivity so that it can accept an electric charge. This conductivity can be provided by salts or other polar materials present in one or more of the above ingredients, or can be provided by one or more additional materials.
It has been proposed to print images on hard gelatin capsules using ink jet printers. Since such capsules usually contain a material which is to be ingested by the user or applied to the skin, the inks used should contain only physiologically acceptable ingredients. However, where such inks are applied to soft gelatin surfaces as opposed to hard gelatin surfaces, it has been found that the gelatin sweats and the printed droplets readily detach from the surface so that the printed image is destroyed. As a result no commercially acceptable method exists for printing images on soft gelatin surfaces.
Surprisingly, we have found that the above problems can be reduced by the use of shellac, notably ammoniated shellac, as the binder in inks applied to soft gelatin surfaces.


A variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly for changing the angular position of concentric camshafts relative to a crankshaft includes a coupling plate having a first plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a first plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a first VCT device and a second plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a second plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a second VCT device; the coupling plate is positioned axially between the first VCT device and the second VCT device permitting the first VCT device and the second VCT device to move radially outwardly and inwardly relative to an axis of camshaft rotation.

Internal combustion engines (ICEs) include camshafts that are driven by a crankshaft according to a particular angular relationship with the crankshaft to open and close valves that regulate the combustion process.
Typically, an endless loop or one or more mechanical gears engages both the crankshaft and the camshaft(s) of the ICE to maintain a fixed relationship between the angular position of the crankshaft and the angular position of the camshaft(s). However, modern engines often incorporate a variable camshaft timing (VCT) device that selectively changes the angular position of the camshafts) relative to the crankshaft. That is, the VCT device can change the relative angular positions (sometimes referred to as phase) of camshafts relative to the crankshaft.
The camshafts used by ICEs can be configured in many different ways. Some ICEs use a single camshaft while others use multiple camshafts. And with, respect to multiple camshafts, an ICE can use separate, discrete camshafts one of which operates intake valves and another of which, operates exhaust valves. In contrast, some ICEs use two, concentrically-positioned camshafts: an inner camshaft can operate one of the intake or exhaust valves while an outer camshaft can operate the other of the intake or exhaust valves. An assembly of concentrically-arranged camshafts can use a first VCT device to angularly adjust one of the camshafts and a second VCT device to angularly adjust the other camshaft. The inner camshaft and outer camshaft can be angularly displaced relative to each other. But concentric camshaft assemblies inherently include some clearances between the inner camshaft and the outer camshaft that can cause binding when the camshafts are misaligned. Then, the VCT devices may no longer be able to angularly displace the inner camshaft with respect to the outer camshaft.

Oldham flexplate for concentric camshafts controlled by variable camshaft timing


A thread cutter has a set thread cutting tip for forming a pitch on a workpiece. The cutting projections that form the cutting edge are staggered by a few radians about the rotational axis of the cutter, so that they do not simultaneously come into cutting engagement with the workpiece surface and instead engages the surface in a predetermined sequence, leading to safe loading and improved machining accuracy.

The invention relates to a profile cutting tool, which has at least one profile blade appropriately extending in a longitudinal direction and which forms two or more juxtaposed cutting projections or between the latter cutting depressions extending in the longitudinal direction, so that the overall profile of the profile blade can be imaged on a planar, curved or similar workpiece surface by metal removing or similar machining.
Particularly if the profile blade has cutting edges at least partly formed from a homogeneous material or not by a single grain size, they appropriately define a blade front surface, a blade back surface and lateral flanks of the cutting projections or depressions. The front and back surfaces are then in a clearly defined cutting angle to one another in cross-section through the cutting edge or transversely to the main longitudinal direction thereof, whilst the back surface can define a clearance angle relative to the workpiece surface and the front surface a positive or negative setting angle relative to said workpiece surface. The said angles are dependent on the material to be worked, the material of the profile blade, the cutting speed, the surface characteristics to be produced and the like.
In order to e.g. simultaneously produce several juxtaposed grooves, which optionally pass into one another continuously through an advance movement, such as the individual thread elements of a single or multiple thread, use can be made of a corresponding profile tool and the latter can be gradually brought into engagement with the workpiece as a result of the advance roughly parallel to the main longitudinal direction. Thus, the furthest forward cutting projection in the advance direction takes on the most important work, so that the following cutting projections have to do less cutting. As a result of the increasing lower construction of the cutting projections in the direction of the furthest forward cutting projection this disadvantage can be reduced, but the cutting projections only gradually engage with the workpiece due to the advance movement, so that long operating times occur.
This can be counteracted in that the workpiece is simultaneously brought into the working area of two or more cutting projections or cutting depressions, which can have roughly the same profile height, by an in-feed at right angles to the main longitudinal direction of the cutting edge or to the advance movement or to the working or cutting movement at right angles thereto. However, said projections and depressions simultaneously engage with the workpiece, which causes a sudden loading of the corresponding portion of the profile blade or the entire blade. This is particularly the case with those tools which, unlike in the case of profile drills, such as tap drills, are not uniformly circumferentially in engagement with the workpiece and instead in the same way as a peripheral cutter, a gouging profile tool or the like during each operating cycle, e.g. during each rotation, are out of engagement over a larger path and in engagement with the workpiece over a smaller path until the machining is ended on terminating a large number of operating cycles as a result of the advance movement and/or an in-feed. An advance movement is also mainly directed roughly identically or oppositely to the cutting direction, depending on whether conventional or non-conventional cutting is taking place.


A binary complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a pixel array and a readout circuit. The pixel array includes at least one pixel having a plurality of sub-pixels. The readout circuit is configured to quantize a pixel signal output from the pixel using a reference signal. The pixel signal corresponds to sub-pixel signals output from sub-pixels, from among the plurality of sub-pixels, activated in response to incident light.

1. Field
Example embodiments of inventive concepts relate to binary complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, and more particularly, to binary CMOS image sensors using photo-conductivity controls or non-volatile memories including a photoelectric conversion regions, methods of operating the same, and image processing systems including the same.
2. Description of Conventional Art
Image sensors are devices that convert an optical image into an electrical signal. Image sensors are classified into charge coupled device (CCD) image sensors and CMOS image sensors.
A conventional 4-transistor active CMOS image sensor is an analog image sensor that generates a signal proportional to the amount of electrons generated in a photoelectric conversion element, e.g., a photodiode. The conventional 4-transistor active CMOS image sensor requires a long integration time to generate the electrons and needs to appropriately control the operations of four transistors in order to suppress thermal noise (e.g., kTC noise).

Binary CMOS image sensors, methods of operating same, and image processing systems including same


A switching power amplifier of class D has a switching stage for generating a block wave signal by alternately switching the block wave signal between supply voltages. A filter (24, 25) generates a power output signal (22) corresponding to an input signal to be amplified, which is coupled to a linear input (19) that is free of hysteresis. A control circuit (27, 28, 29) provides feedback between the output power signal and the linear input for controlling both the gain in the operational frequency range and also the alternately switching of the switching stage. Hence, the amplifier oscillates controlled via the same feedback loop that also controls the operational behavior of the amplifier, resulting in low output impedance and low distortion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a power amplifier for amplifying an electric signal in an operational frequency range, the power amplifier comprising switching means for generating a block wave signal by alternately switching the block wave signal to a first supply voltage or a second supply voltage, filter means for generating a power output signal by low-pass filtering the block wave signal, input means for receiving the electric signal and driving the switching means, and a control circuit coupled to the output power signal and the input means for controlling the power amplifier.
2. Description of the Related Art
A switching power amplifier is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,692. This patent describes pulse modulation amplifiers, also called pulse-width modulation amplifiers or class D amplifiers. In such amplifiers, there is an input stage for receiving an electrical input signal to be amplified, a modulating/switching stage and a filter. The modulating/switching stage generates a block wave signal having a frequency that is much higher than the highest frequency in the operational frequency range of the electric signal to be amplified. The pulse-width ratio of the block wave is modulated so that the average value of the block wave signal is proportional to the input signal. The filter filters the block wave signal to a power output signal. The modulation frequency may be derived from an oscillator, or the amplifier may be self-oscillating. Further, the power amplifier comprises a control circuit. For achieving a high quality power output signal, the control circuit has to control the amplifier in order to compensate numerous non-ideal features of the components of the class D amplifier. Several prior art options for such control circuits are described, and a cascaded control circuit is proposed in the above U.S. patent. The control circuit has a first feedback loop from the output power signal to the input for controlling the operational frequency behavior of the amplifier. The oscillation is controlled by a second feedback circuit coupled between the block wave signal and an input of the modulation circuit. The cascaded control circuit is complicated and requires both feedback circuits to be designed and tuned accurately.


A system and method for communicating information concerning the status of inmates to callers and automatically notify victims registered with the system at a registered electronic address when the status of a specified inmate has changed. The notifications to the electronic address of the registered victim will continue at spaced predetermined intervals until either the registered victim responds with a registered personal identification number or a predetermined time period measured from the initial time notification elapses.

The present invention relates to a system and method for the alerting of victims of the change of status of a defendant in the criminal justice system.
The rights of victims in the criminal justice system is receiving considerable attention today in the midst of a significant violent crime rate and early release of many offenders due to the over crowding of prisons. Many states have passed legislation enacting the right of victims to be alerted to the early release or other changes in status of defendants and mandating that the state justice system timely notify the victims of such change in status. The system for notification has been difficult to implement for various reasons. Victims are extremely mobile and difficult to locate, requiring considerable personal effort and consequential outlay of expenses in a time of governmental budgetary limitations. Moreover, because such systems involve numerous status changes and the notification effort of busy personnel, they are highly prone to error, miscommunications and complete oversight. Most "home grown" systems have proven to be ineffective and the governmental agencies often involved make little or no effort to call victims. The failed approaches result in victims being forced to make repeated and, in many instances unsuccessful, calls to the appropriated agencies to receive status changes. The mental stress and trauma to victims caused by the failed systems can be significant coupled with a high potential of injurious attacks perpetrated by certain vindicative defendants.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for an effective and dependable system for the timely notification of victims of a change of judicial status of defendants.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide for a victim notification system that verifies that the recipient of a notification is the victim.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide for a victim notification system that is flexible and expandable to satisfy a wide variety of options, laws and regulations of different localities.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for a victim notification system that is economically affordable and technological accessible to all communities, particularly to communities of small populations.

System and method for providing crime victims updated information and emergency alert notices


A cooling system for an injector tip for a diesel emission fluid (DEF) injection system is disclosed. The system uses a heat sink, such as a head for a regeneration system, to vaporize cooling fluid, in combination with a phase separation tank, to force cooling fluid backward through a cooling loop thereby allowing cooling of an injector tip following engine shutdown in a “hot” shutdown situation.

Power systems for engines, factories, and power plants produce emissions that contain a variety of regulated exhaust constituents. These regulated exhaust constituents may include, for example, particulate matter (e.g., soot), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur compounds. Due to heightened environmental concerns, engine exhaust emission standards have become increasingly stringent. In order to comply with emission standards, engine manufacturers have developed and implemented a variety of exhaust after-treatment components to reduce pollutants in exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas being released into the atmosphere. The exhaust after-treatment components may include, for example, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), one or more selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices, a diesel oxidation catalyst, a heat source for regeneration of the DPF, an exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR), a muffler, as well as other devices.
For example, an SCR system is a means of converting nitrogen oxides, NOx, with the aid of a catalyst, into diatomic nitrogen, N2, and water, H2O. A reductant, typically anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia, or urea, may be added to an exhaust stream between the DPF and SCR system to allow the reductant to be adsorbed onto the catalyst of the SCR system. Carbon dioxide, CO2, is a reaction product when urea is used as the reductant. Gaseous reductants or fluid reductants may be injected into the exhaust stream. When a fluid reductant is used, such a fluid reductant is known as diesel emission fluid, or DEF. The use of DEF has become popular because of its fluid form, which is easy to store and handle, and it has been found that the use of DEF reduces the need to rely upon EGR to meet modern emission requirements.
SCR systems typically include a DEF reservoir and a DEF injector coupled to the reservoir and positioned upstream of the SCR system. The DEF injector injects DEF into a decomposition space or mixing tube through which an exhaust gas stream flows. Upon injection into the exhaust gas stream, the injected DEF spray is heated by the exhaust gas stream to trigger the decomposition of DEF into ammonia. As the DEF and exhaust gas mixture flows through the decomposition tube, the DEF further mixes with the exhaust gas before entering the SCR system. Ideally, the DEF is sufficiently decomposed and mixed with the exhaust gas prior to entering the SCR system to provide an adequately uniform distribution of ammonia at the inlet face of the SCR system.
In such systems, the tip for the DEF injector can be very sensitive to high temperatures. In particular, it has been found that injector life can be significantly shortened when exposed to high temperatures (generally temperatures exceeding around 120 deg. C.) for prolonged periods of time. Accordingly, DEF injector tips may be provided with a cooling system that is arranged to flow cooling fluid from a coolant source, such as an engine radiator, to and around the injector tip during normal operation. Such a system has been found to effectively prevent the injector tip from prolonged exposure to undesirably high temperatures during regular operations as well as during normal shutdown operations which include a "cool down" period and other protocols allowing the engine, and associated pumps, to continue to run at low-stress conditions for a period of time following heavy use. However, when a shutdown occurs where such protocols cannot be followed (for whatever reason), particularly following strenuous use (known as a "hot" shutdown), the injector tip can be subjected to temperatures 30-40 C above the desired limit thus potentially shortening the life of the injector tip.
Some prior art methods of cooling DEF injector tips in such circumstances have included flowing DEF fluid through the injector tip following shutdown and/or adding cooling fins to the injector to aid in air cooling of the injector tip. For example, US Publication No. 2013/0291523 A1 filed on May 2, 2012 and assigned to Caterpillar, Inc. discloses an apparatus for cooling a DEF injector tip through the use of a heat shield and air cooling provided by a supplementary cooling duct. However, these methods and apparati have been somewhat disadvantageous for multiple reasons, including, but not limited to, deposit formation on the injector tips, waste of DEF fluid, and insufficient cooling.