A sheet brake improves laying sheets off onto a stack in the take-off unit of a sheet-fed rotary printing press. The sheet brake is provided with a crank drive that generates a back-and-forth stroke by way of a synchronized drive mechanism at the rate traveled by the sheets. The rear portion of each sheet is forced by suction against a suction strip provided on the brake so that the sheet is braked while being stretched and then lowered onto the top of the stack. The suction strip has a groove arranged such that the sheet is braked and stretched as the suction strip works in conjunction with an operation of a take over gripper to accurately guide the sheet to the stack.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet brake for use in a printing press, and more specifically, to a sheet brake for a printing press for seizing a bottom portion of a printed sheet and guiding the sheet to a stack while stretching and decelerating the sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional printing presses, sheets are transported through a sheet-fed rotary printing press from a sheet feeder, through the printing cylinders, and, by way of a chain conveyor system to a sheet take-off device, which lays printed sheets off onto a stack. The printed sheets must be decelerated from a maximum speed to zero speed at a location of the sheet take-off device. The floating sheets must simultaneously be lowered onto the top of the stack of printed sheets.
There are problems not only in decelerating the sheets but also in that the sheets descend in a direction which is perpendicular to a major plane of each sheet and, as a result, the descending travel of the sheets is impeded by air resistance. This causes problems in laying off sheets at high speeds due to the oncoming sheet coming into contact with the rear edge of the sheet which has just been laid off.
Solutions to such problems in the form of blowers located above the stack have been used to force the laid-off sheet in a downward direction. The sheets, however, are powerfully affected by the streams of air and air resistance as described above. Precise sheet guidance is very difficult at high speeds, especially at the rear edge of the sheet. This is especially true when the rear corners of the sheet are forced upwardly by the streams of air coming from the cushion of air present below the sheet.
A sheet take-off apparatus for a rotary press is described in German OS 2 720 674. The sheet take-off apparatus has a sheet brake in the form of a box with several slots at the top on the printing press take-off device located near the rear edge of the stack of sheets. The box is adapted to blow air escaping through a first part of the box from slots arranged to direct air against the direction in which the sheets travel. Due to aerodynamic principles, lower-pressure currents are generated toward the box by other slots located at the top of the box. The resulting vacuum or suction allows a sheet which is secured by the conveyor gripper system and traveling past the top of the box to be captured via suction and held with a certain level of force. As the sheet travels on, the sheet skids over the box and, once released by the gripper system, is braked or decelerated by the force. The sheet can subsequently be guided at rest against stops in the vicinity of the take-off stack. For this purpose, the path traveled by the sheets or conveyor must slope down above the stack in the vicinity of the take-off device and in the direction of travel.
This is a major drawback because the above-described arrangement severely restricts the space available for the intervention of a possibly necessary sample-sheet extractor. To improve the downward motion of the taken-off sheet traveling from the conveyor to the top of the stack, the box or brake is provided with a stroke extending across the direction of travel. The sheet being laid off and secured by the gripper system is accordingly guided out of the direction of travel and drawn down to approximately the level of the top of the stack by aligning stops, where the sheet can be laid off.
This device has other drawbacks. Large and accordingly heavy sheets in particular cannot be braked or decelerated as desired, which is why the device has the extra, separately driven aligning stops at the rear edge of the stack to ensure that the sheets will directly encounter the stops at the forward edge of the sheet. Due to the blowing and suction action that occurs at the brake, the sheets must be held by the gripper until almost the last second to allow the sheets to be guided down accurately enough against the forward-edge stops. The downward-sloping sheet guidance is also a drawback. Otherwise, the above-described brake is also similar to what is called a sheet catcher. Sheet catchers are generally used to guide a sheet along its path and force the sheet into a prescribed direction, and the braking action is intended only to smooth the sheet along its path and not really intended to brake or decelerate the sheet, due to the priority of its guidance action.
Another sheet take-off device is described in DE-GM 80 03 052. It includes a sheet brake in the form of a combination suction cylinder and blowing-sucking device accommodated in a take-off device located upstream of the rear edge of a stack in the direction of travel and raised and lowered between a capture position and a lay-off position. Since the blowing-sucking device is rigidly fastened to the suction cylinder, the blowing-sucking device executes the rising and falling strokes together. The blowing-sucking device is intended to capture the sheets and feed them to the suction cylinder. This device has several is drawbacks related to how it handles the sheets being laid off. First, since the sheets are guided along the edges of the cylinder only at certain points, smooth and flat as possible contact cannot always be ensured in the case of large sheets. Again, the blowing-sucking device blows a current of air below the oncoming sheets, disturbing the sheet flow and preventing reliable capture of the sheets, especially large-format printed stock. The same approach also impedes flat take-off.
"Take-overs" are known as another means of facilitating the take-off of large sheets in particular. Take-overs accept the delivered sheets from the conveyor gripper system, decelerate the sheets, and guide the sheets against the forward-edge stops. The take-overs act only against certain points on the sheet, which can cause buckling and irregular braking. Furthermore, the sheets are exposed at high speeds to powerful deceleration within an unstable plane of orientation.


Provided herein are aminoquinolones of formula I and compositions containing the compounds, wherein formula I is

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine protein kinase having α and β isoforms that are each encoded by distinct genes [Coghlan et al., Chemistry & Biology, 7, 793-803 (2000); and Kim and Kimmel, Curr. Opinion Genetics Dev., 10, 508-514 (2000)]. GSK-3 has been implicated in various diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, CNS disorders such as manic depressive disorder and neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiomyocete hypertrophy [see, e.g., WO 99/65897; WO 00/38675; and Haq et al., J. Cell Biol. (2000) 151, 117]. These diseases may be caused by, or may result in, the abnormal operation of certain cell signaling pathways in which GSK-3 plays a role.
GSK-3 has been found to phosphorylate and modulate the activity of a number of regulatory proteins. These include glycogen synthase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme required for glycogen synthesis, the microtubule-associated protein Tau, the gene transcription factor β-catenin, the translation initiation factor e1F-2B, as well as ATP citrate lyase, axin, heat shock factor-1, c-Jun, c-myc, c-myb, CREB, and CEPB α. These diverse targets implicate GSK-3 in many aspects of cellular metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and development.
Small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 have recently been reported in, for example, WO 99/65897 (Chiron) and WO 00/38675 (SmithKline Beecham), however, there is a continued need to find more effective therapeutic agents to treat GSK-3 mediated diseases.

7-cycloalkylaminoquinolones as GSK-3 inhibitors

Abstract: The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful in the amelioration or treatment of GSK-3 inhibitors mediated diseases.


A pinball machine having a vertically displaceable ramp play feature. The ramp moves between an upper position in which it does not interfere with gameplay, and a lower position in which the lower edge of the ramp rests on the playfield. When the ramp is in the lower position, balls can be directed up the ramp towards a suitable target, such as a raised playfield.

The invention relates, generally, to pinball machines, and more particularly to an improved play feature for such games which is designed to foster and maintain player interest therein.
A typical pinball game includes an inclined playfield which supports a rolling ball, a pair of flipper, a vertical backbox containing the game electronics and a variety of play features. The person who plays the game has control of flippers mounted on the playfield which, when activated by the player at the appropriate time, proper the pinball across the table. A typical object of pinball games is for the player to direct pinballs at selected play features or targets to score points. When a ball passes into an out hole, the ball is no longer accessible and another ball has to be propelled onto the playfield. The duration of the game is normally determined by the length of time that a certain predetermined number of balls can be kept in play.
As will be appreciated, the success of a manufacturer's line of pinball games depends on its ability to attract players to its games. To attract players, it is necessary to provide new, exciting and challenging play features that test the player's skill in addition to entertaining the player.


An electronic tide watch comprising a memory for storing a table of tide times, heights, and geographic offsets, an input circuit for entering times, dates, and geographic offsets, a processing circuit for identifying stored tide information corresponding to an input time and date, and a display for showing selected tide times and heights.

In order to obtain information about the heights and times of future tides, tide tables, such as those produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must be consulted. These tide tables are constructed to provide tide information at various locations along given coastlines. In general, to obtain tide information at one of the specific locations for which tide information is available, two different tables must be consulted. A table of baseline tide information is first consulted. This table of baseline information provides the tide time and tide height on different dates for a single baseline location along the coastline for which the particular table is constructed.
If the location for which tide information is desired is the baseline location (for which tide information is provided), then the tide information is taken directly from the table of baseline information and the second table does not need to be consulted. Most often, however, tide information is desired for locations other than the baseline location. To avoid having to compile complete tide tables for every location along a given coastline, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has compiled a complete tide table only for a baseline location, along each major coastline, and then provides offsets for other locations along that coastline. These offsets include a time offset, a high tide height offset, and a range. The time offset is the difference in hours and minutes between when a tide occurs at the baseline location and when the same tide occurs at the location for which the offset applies. A positive time offset indicates that the tide occurs at the offset location later than at the baseline location. A negative time offset indicates that the tide occurs at the offset location earlier than at the baseline location. The high tide height offset is the difference in feet between the height of a high tide at the baseline location and the height of a high tide at the location for which the offset applies. The range is the difference between the height of the high tide and the height of the low tide, at the offset location. Therefore, given the height of the high tide at the baseline location, the high tide offset, and the range, then the height of both the high and low tides can be calculated for the offset location.
Therefore, after the baseline information is found in the first table, then offsets are found in a second table. These offsets are applied to the baseline tide information to get the correct tide information for the required location.
For example, a 1988 tide table which purports to be "for the coast of Southern California" provides the following baseline values for Monday, Nov. 21, 1988:
______________________________________ HIGH TIDE LOW TIDE AM Ht. PM Ht. AM Ht. PM Ht. ______________________________________ 6:57 7.1 8:55 4.6 12:35 1.1 1:52 -1.0 ______________________________________
Where AM and PM are the respective times of day and Ht. is the height of the tide in feet. Note that each tide, high and low, occurs twice each day. This tidal information is only accurate for a single specific geographic location somewhere along the coast of Southern California, such as Los Angeles. If the user of the table is interested in obtaining precise tidal data for a different specific location, such as Muertos Bay, Calif. then the following offsets must be applied to the above-shown tidal times and heights:
______________________________________ Time Height of Range of Tide High Tide of Tide (h/m) (feet) (feet) ______________________________________ Lower California -0:45 0.65 2.8 Muertos Bay ______________________________________
where h/m is the time in hours and minutes and the height of the low tide is equal to the height of the high tide minus the range. Similarly, if the user of the table is interested in a more northerly location, such as San Clemente, Calif., the following different offsets would be applied to the tabular data:
______________________________________ Time Height of Range of Tide High Tide of Tide (h/m) (feet) (feet) ______________________________________ California -0:18 0.91 3.7 San Clemente ______________________________________
Accordingly, in order to obtain accurate tidal data for specific coastal locations, a certain amount of mathematical manipulation of the available tabular data is required. Moreover, in order to make use of the tide tables, one must keep a tide table book on his person or at some readily accessible place so as not to be without the necessary information when it is needed.
Tide information is important to marine navigators, boaters, fishermen, and coastal dwellers. Many activities, particularly those of commercial vessels, require planning weeks or more in advance. Deep draft ships, for instance, may only use certain waterways during high tide. Therefore, it is necessary for these navigators to consult tide tables such as those produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Frequently, persons planning recreational events have no access to tide information and rely solely upon chance in scheduling. However, if the fishing, for example, is always better in a certain area at high tide, then it makes sense to plan the fishing trip in advance so that the fishing will take place when the tide is high.
An explanation of the many factors affecting tide heights and times is important to this invention because the prior art neglects to take into consideration all of these factors in determining tide times, whereas the present invention does consider all of these factors.
Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon acting upon the earth's oceans. Because the moon is closer to the earth than the sun, its influence is approximately twice as great as the sun's. The combined gravitational forces of the sun and the moon cause the oceans of the earth to bulge on diametrically opposite sides of the earth. The height of the water in this bulge is greater than in the surrounding non-bulging areas, therefore we have tides. The actions of the sun and moon result in tides having a duration of twelve hours and twenty-five minutes between highs. Because a flood tide is approximately five hours in duration and an ebb tide is approximately seven hours in duration, this results in a time of approximately six hours and thirteen minutes between a high tide and its next low tide.
In addition to the effects of the sun and moon, tides are also affected by seasonal changes, climate, and geography. Seasonal changes cause variations in the tides because the distance between the sun and the earth changes during the year. Climate affects tides on a daily basis as barometric pressure and winds affect the flow of water upon the earth's surface. Geography is a major consideration because the tidal bulge varies from place to place upon the earth's surface. Therefore, the amount of tide experienced at any given moment depends upon the exact location considered.
All of the prior art devices operate strictly by calculating the time of the next high or low tide based upon the relation of tide times to chronological time.
Tides in their diurnal cycle, occur each time slightly later in the day. The delay is approximately 25 minutes for each individual cycle. That is about 50 minutes for a complete diurnal cycle in a 24-hour period.
For example, if a high tide occurred at 12:00 noon on Saturday, then the next high tide would be at 12:25 midnight and the following high tide would occur at 12:50 Sunday afternoon.
As is evident from the above discussion, tide occurs on a regular basis and on a schedule where the time between tides is a constant ratio to chronological time. This ratio, which is determined by celestial factors, is 57/59. It is this ratio that prior art devices use to calculate the time of the next high or low tide. Other factors, such as seasonal changes, climate, and geography are not considered at all by prior art devices.
Mechanical watches are well known which indicate both the present time and the time of the next high or low tide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,617, issued to Banner, discloses a typical prior art mechanical watch wherein the clock face has a high tide and a low tide indication. The high tide indication is at the 12 o'clock position and the low tide indication is at the 6 o'clock position on the watch face. A third hand, which is operated by the clock movement, indicates whether the next tide is to be high or low by pointing to the appropriate tide indication on the watch face.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,749 issued to Showalter, discloses an electronic clock which alternately displays the present time and the time of the next high or low tide. Whether the next tide will be high or low is indicated by a colored light.
Neither prior art mechanical watches nor the prior art electronic clock provides a convenient indication of tide times in the future. The prior art devices only indicate the time of the next high or low tide. While knowing the time of the next high or low tide is certainly useful, it does not help in planning beyond a few hours into the future.
Neither prior art mechanical watches nor the prior art electronic clock provides any indication of tide height. Knowledge of future tide height can be crucial to some users. For instances, a deep draft ship may require a minimal tide height in certain waterways.
Although the prior art has recognized to a limited extent the need to have tide information readily accessible, the proposed solutions have to date been ineffective in providing a satisfactory remedy. Therefore, there exists a substantial need in the art for an improved tide-indicating device.


The systems and methods described herein relate to use of a reverse diffusion system for removal of dissolved ions from a fluid, for example, salt ions. Specific embodiments include a system for desalinating salt water to produce potable water. The systems and methods can include pulsing low levels of electricity via electrodes in a scrolling pattern, so as to sweep the ions across a unit.

The demand for fresh water is becoming a critical issue in many nations of the world. Providing pure, fresh water to a burgeoning population of domestic, agricultural and industrial users is becoming increasingly difficult as existing sources of fresh water are stressed to their limits.
Paradoxically, the oceans of the world contain millions of cubic miles of salt water unfit for human consumption. In addition to the oceans, vast amounts of brackish waters and salt brines exist in underground aquifers beneath some of the most parched and barren deserts on earth.
In addition to the high salt content of the seas, many sources of fresh water have been contaminated with heavy metals from industrial waste. Many, once pristine waters, are now too toxic to consume.
Many desalination plants are in operation today producing millions of gallons of potable water from the sea, but the associated high capital and operating costs of these facilities prevent all but the wealthiest nations from using the current technologies. These and other deficiencies exist.


A diaphragm pressure gauge includes a base, an inner cover, a diaphragm, a movement assembly, a pointer assembly, a dial plate, and an outer cover. The movement assembly is disposed within the inner cover. The diaphragm is disposed at a bottom end of the inner cover. The pointer assembly is disposed above the inner cover and connected with the movement assembly. A pressing worm shaft connected to the movement assembly is disposed at a central portion of the diaphragm. The base includes a connecting portion defining therein a pressure chamber in which a piston is disposed. The base defines a piston hole for engaging with the piston. One end of the piston extends through the piston hole and presses against the pressing worm shaft. The diaphragm pressure gauge can effectively prevent corrosion and damage of components inside the pressure gauge and detect a pressure as high as 1000 kg/cm2.

A diaphragm pressure gauge generally consists of four parts including a diaphragm part, a movement part, a pointer part as well as an outer cover connection part. The diaphragm pressure gauge uses a diaphragm as the elastic element of the instrument. When the pressure of a medium to be detected acts on the diaphragm, the diaphragm generates a displacement. This displacement is transmitted to the movement part which in turn drives the pointer part to operate, such that the detected pressure is clearly indicated on a dial plate. However, current diaphragm pressure gauges have the following problems. First, the diaphragm is usually made of spring steel (SK5) in order to satisfy the elasticity requirement. The diaphragm made of spring steel gets rusted and corroded easily because of a direct-contact between the structure of the diaphragm and the detection medium (e.g. water or polluted water). Second, there is a large pressure contact area, which requires a large amount of material, a large thickness and strength. These requirements translate into a high cost. Finally, because of the large pressure contact area, this construction is usually suitable only for detecting a low pressure below about 10 kg/cm2 but not suitable for detecting a high pressure such as 1000 kg/cm2.


The present disclosure teaches a method of utilizing image “match points” to measure and detect changes in a physical object. In some cases “degradation” or “wear and tear” of the physical object is assessed, while in other applications this disclosure is applicable to measuring intentional changes, such as changes made by additive or subtractive manufacturing processes, which may, for example, involve adding a layer or removing a layer by machining. A system may include a scanner, and a digital fingerprinting process, coupled to an object change computer server. The server is coupled to a datastore that stores class digital fingerprints, selected object digital fingerprints collected over time, match measurements, and deterioration metrics.

It is often necessary or desirable to determine whether or not a physical object has changed from a prior state and, in certain cases, to determine how much a physical object has changed from a prior state. The need remains to reliably identify objects, detect and measure changes in the object over time, and from those changes assess authenticity, provenance, quality, condition, and/or degradation over time.

Object change detection and measurement using digital fingerprints


In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a power management device is described. The power monitoring device includes an input line to receive input power information from a power supply device. The input power information is indicative of a level of input power from the power supply device. A controller of the power monitoring device determines a scaling amount of the input power information based on a power rating of the power supply device. A programmable scaling device scales the input power information based on the scaling amount to generate output information and an output line passes the output information to a set of recipient devices.

Computing devices are made up of multiple, and various, components. Examples of these components include processors, memory units, and input/output devices. Each of these devices consume power, which power is supplied by a power supply device of the computing device. As computing devices become more powerful, they consume more power.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

Input power scaling of power supply devices

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method for preparing compounds containing (hydrocarbonoxy)silyl groups by reacting an unsaturated organic compound with a hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy)silane compounds by means of the catalytic action of platinum or a platinum compound in the presence of a carboxylic acid compound.

The present invention is a method for manufacturing industrially important compounds containing (hydrocarbonoxy)silyl groups with good efficiency using hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy) silane compounds and aliphatic unsaturated organic compounds as source materials.
Hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy)silane compounds, as typified by SiH-functional alkoxysilanes, are important raw materials of modified silicones and are also used as crosslinking agents, for example, in the surface modification of various types of substrates and in curing reactions of polymers.
Methods for manufacturing compounds containing (hydrocarbonoxy)silyl groups, as typified by alkoxysilyl groups, can be divided into the following two main categories:
1. Methods in which a hydrosilylation reaction is caused to take place between aliphatic unsaturated organic compounds and hydridochlorosilane compounds, and in which an alcohol decomposition of the chlorine atoms bonded to the silicon atoms is further performed. PA1 2. Methods in which a hydrosilylation reaction is caused to take place between aliphatic unsaturated organic compounds and hydridoalkoxysilane compounds. PA1 (a) Carboxylic acids, with no particular restrictions on these acids, as long as the acids have carboxyl groups. Examples of such acids include saturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acids, monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids. The portions of these carboxylic acids other than the carboxyl groups are ordinarily selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, halogenated hydrocarbon groups and hydrogen atoms. Furthermore, substituent groups such as amino groups, silyl groups, or hydroxyl groups may also be bonded to these hydrocarbon groups.
Of these methods, the second method involve a simple process and allow the manufacture of products containing few ionic impurities. However, in order to perform the second method effectively, the use of a catalyst which has superior activity and selectivity for the hydrosilylation reaction is indispensable.
In regard to hydrosilylation reactions, it is known that certain types of compounds prevent a loss of activity by the catalyst and increase the reaction activity. However, such characteristics are limited to chlorosilane compounds and siloxane compounds. Furthermore, in the case of hydrosilylation reactions, it is often necessary to add oxygen to the reaction atmosphere in order to realize and maintain the catalytic activity and accordingly there is a danger of ignition and explosion.
The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for making compounds containing (hydrocarbonoxy)silyl groups by means of a hydrosilylation reaction using hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy)silane compounds. Specifically, the present invention makes it possible to make compounds containing (hydrocarbonoxy)silyl groups by increasing the activity of the platinum or platinum compound catalyst in a hydrosilylation reaction between a hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy)silane compound and an aliphatic unsaturated organic compound, and preventing any drop in this activity so that hydrosilylation can be performed efficiently and economically.
Furthermore, the activity of the aforementioned platinum catalyst is increased, and the duration of this activity is improved, by the present method. As a result, the hydrosilylation reaction can be performed at a low oxygen partial pressure or in an inert atmosphere so that the danger of ignition or explosion during the hydrosilylation reaction is reduced.

Method for making compounds containing hydrocarbonoxysilyi groups by hydrosilylation using hydrido (hydrocarbonoxy) silane compounds


The present disclosure envisages an air grille. The air grille comprises a front face and a duct face end. The duct face end is in the opposite of the front face. A plurality of flaps are configured on the duct face end, wherein the flaps are capable of collapsing. During shipping the flaps are collapsed whereas before installation the flaps are uncollapsed to facilitate containment of an air filter. The air grille has first thickness when the flaps are collapsed and second thickness when the flaps are uncollapsed, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

The present disclosure relates generally to an air grille and, more particularly, to an air grille for an air duct of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
A wide range of applications exist for HVAC systems. For example, residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial systems are used to control temperatures and air quality in residences and buildings. HVAC systems include ducts that guide airflow. As an example, air return ducts remove air from a room and return the air to the HVAC system. Recycling the air through the air return duct maintains pressure within the building or residential space during operation of the HVAC system. The air removed from the room often includes airborne particulates, such as pollen, dust, and other airborne debris, that may damage the HVAC system. Accordingly, air grilles are positioned at an opening of the air return duct or a plenum positioned upstream of the air return duct to remove large airborne debris (e.g., a balloon) and conceal the air return duct. In certain HVAC systems, the air grille may include a filter frame housing a filter that removes the airborne particulates from the air before returning the air to an HVAC unit of the HVAC system. Air grille may also be used with different ducts and components of an HVAC system. Such air grilles are typically located on a wall, ceiling, or floor of a confined space. Therefore, the air grilles are generally visible to a person. It should be noted that air grilles may also be utilized in conjunction with other features, such as dampers, to provide products, such as registers for use in HVAC systems. Other air grilles may be employed in different systems to facilitate, guide, or manage flow.

Air grille for an HVAC system with a collapsible filter holder


A sample handling tool includes a body having at least one plunger associated with a channel and arranged for axial movement within the channel. A seal is provided in the channel and sealingly engaged with a contact surface. The contact surface may include a surface feature, such that when contact surface moves, the seal and surface feature come into at least partial contact with one another. The seal may include an elastomeric member, such as an O-ring or X-ring, and the contact surface may be formed from any suitable material, including ceramic. The surface feature may take on a variety of forms including any suitable texture, surface porosity or include one or more grooves, holes, recesses, indentations, bumps, protrusions, etc., or a combination thereof.

Sample handing tools having a plurality of pipetting devices are widely used, for example in proteomic and genomic research and in laboratory and clinical procedures which require a predetermined amount of material to be taken from one work area and dispensed on another work area. These devices are used to move material samples both to and from a variety of different types of work areas, such as microtiter trays, gels having separated DNA fragments, and other material holding devices. Some such tools may have a plurality of pipetting devices arranged in an array that corresponds to wells in a microtiter tray, such as the commonly-known 96-well or 384-well plate. This arrangement may allow material to be simultaneously deposited in, and removed from, wells in the microtiter tray, thus increasing the speed at which a plurality of samples in a microtiter tray are processed.
The pipetting devices in the tool typically include a plunger or piston that moves within a channel. The plunger may be actuated in one direction to draw fluid into the channel, e.g., to cause aspiration of a sample at a corresponding needle or pipette tip, and in the opposite direction to discharge fluid from the channel, e.g., to dispense a sample. A seal is typically provided between the plunger and channel to create a pressure differential as the plunger is moved in the channel. Commonly, the plunger is made with a highly polished or otherwise smooth surface, and forms a seal with an O-ring or other member mounted on the channel. The integrity of the seal is important to being able to draw and discharge material into and from the pipette. Thus, a longer useful life and reliability for the seal is desirable.

Liquid handling device with surface features at a seal


A filter arrangement may include a housing having an untreated space inlet and a clean space outlet and a filter insert configured to attached to the clean space outlet in the housing and to separate a clean space in the interior of the filter insert from an untreated space outside the filter insert. A lining part may be arranged on the filter insert at the clean space, wherein the lining part is configured to form a collection space for dirt retained by the filter wall in the vicinity of the clean space outlet.

Such air filter arrangements are used as standard for various types of internal combustion engines. As the raw space is accommodated in the housing outside the filter insert, it can easily be seen during an inspection whether the filter insert must be replaced. However, there is the problem that, if the filter insert is changed carelessly, some of the dirt held in the interior of the housing can get into the clean space outlet. Therefore, the object of the invention is to create a filter arrangement with which the filter insert can be changed without dirt particles being carried into the clean space outlet.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that a lining part for a region of the interior of the housing in the vicinity of the clean space outlet is arranged or can be attached to the filter insert.

Filter arrangment, in particular air filter arrangement


An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit which fixes toner image on a sheet by heat; a first portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; a second portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; and a fan provided between the first portion and the second portion and for cooling the sheet in the first portion and the sheet in the second portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and is suitably applicable to specifically an image forming apparatus having a fan for cooling a sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, print of a color image forming apparatus has been demanded to be high-speed and consequently, printed sheets are stacked on a discharge stacking unit before heat at the time of ink fixing is cooled. Thus, countermeasures for defects such as sheet adhesion, image rubbing, separation and the like, which occur due to contact between toners particularly at the time of two-side print have been urgently demanded.
When the curl amount of a sheet which is produced by reversing at the time of two-side print is large, it may affect conveyance and transfer of a sheet, print accuracy and the like. More specifically, there are such problems as breaking of a front end, winding of a sheet around a roller, jamming, transfer failure, skewing and thus; therefore, solutions for these problems have been demanded from viewpoints of improvement of print quality.
The sheets stacked on the stacking tray are under high temperatures due to heat at the time of fixing. If the sheet at this high temperature is stacked as it is, toner on an image face is likely to adhere to the sheet. As a consequence, a problem in image defect such as distortion of image face and contamination of sheet rear face may occur. Particularly, when images are formed on two sides, the sheets are stacked successively, so that this problem is likely to occur due to contacts of one toner with another toner.
For the reason, conventionally as a countermeasure thereto, providing a conveying path with a fan so as to lower the sheet temperature has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-148674. In this structure one fan is installed in the duct with the two vents for two sheet trays. Because the distance of the sheets on the trays and the fan is long, there is a possibility that the sheet may not be cooled sufficiently by the fan.
According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-011148, a fan is provided on the bottom of the side face of the apparatus below the downstream end of the conveying path. Because the fan cools the sheets in one portion, the fan is not efficiently used. In addition, a sheet to be reversed for forming images on two sides is under a high temperature and when, such a high temperature sheet is conveyed in order to form, an image on the rear face, the temperature within the apparatus compartment is raised or the transfer unit is heated.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-196079 has disclosed an image forming apparatus comprising an image reading unit, a fixing apparatus, a reversal paper discharge unit and a motor fan. According to the structure described in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-196079, an opening portion of the motor fan is disposed perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the sheet such that it opposes an area containing the image reading unit and the reversal paper discharge unit and a wind passage direction is along the width direction of the sheet. Because the motor fan is disposed on the back side in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the reversal paper discharge unit and a sheet stacking portion, the distance of the motor fan and the cooling object (the reversal paper discharge unit and the sheet stacking portion) is long. Therefore there is a possibility that the sheet may not be cooled sufficiently by the motor fan.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-307996 has described a structure in which a fan is provided on the side portion of the apparatus in order to discharge air around a discharge stacking means, on which the sheets are to be stacked to the outside. Because there is a conveying path between the fan and the discharge stacking means, a distance between the fan and the sheets stacked on the discharge stacking means is so long that the stacked sheets may not be cooled sufficiently.


A microelectromechanical (MEMs) resonator includes a concave bulk acoustic resonator (CBAR). One embodiment of a CBAR includes a substrate and a resonator body suspended over the substrate by a pair of fixed supports that attach to first and second opposing ends of the resonator body. The resonator body has a first concave-shaped side extending between the first and second ends of the resonator body and a second concave-shaped side extending opposite the first concave-shaped side. The resonator body may be configured to have a minimum spacing of λ/2 between the first and second concave-shaped sides, where λ is a wavelength associated with a resonant frequency of said resonator body.

Microelectromechanical (MEMs) resonators can provide small form factor, ease of integration with conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques and high f·Q products. High frequency and high-Q width-extensional mode silicon bulk acoustic resonators (SiBARs) and film bulk acoustic wave resonators (FBARs) have demonstrated atmospheric quality factors (Q) in excess of 10,000 at or above 100 MHz, with moderate motional resistances. Such resonators are disclosed in an article by S. Pourkamali et al., entitled "Low-Impedance VHF and UHF Capacitive Silicon Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators—Part I: Concept and Fabrication," IEEE Trans. On Electron Devices, Vol. 54, No. 8, pp. 2017-2023, August (2007), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Unfortunately, such resonators may be characterized by relatively high temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) values that require active compensation using temperature compensation circuits and/or relatively complex fabrication techniques to reduce TCF. Circuit-based compensation techniques typically increase the complexity of a resonator device and increase power consumption. Alternatively, fabrication-based compensation techniques that reduce TCF may cause a reduction in resonator quality factor (Q) and/or increase in resonator insertion loss.

MEMS resonators having resonator bodies therein with concave-shaped sides that support high quality factor and low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency


A P4 variant protein that has reduced enzymatic activity and that induces antibody to wild-type P4 protein and/or has good bactericidal activity against non-typable H. influenzae (NTHi) is useful as an active component in an immunogenic composition for humans. Methods of using these proteins, and compositions containing them in combination with additional antigens, are also provided.

Non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) causes diseases in humans including pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, and acute febrile tracheobronchitis in adults. This bacterium is also a frequent etiologic agent of otitis media in children and infants. Because infection with NTHi confers only strain-specific immunity, humans can be repeatedly infected. In fact, the most chronic disease caused by this bacterium is repeat otitis in children, resulting in treatments including repetitive exposure to antibiotics or surgery to insert drainage tubes in the ear.
None of the immunogenic compositions available to treat typable H. influenzae strains (which are characterized by a known capsule) are useful in the treatment of NTHi. Thus, considerable research has been conducted to find a component that would be useful in preventing infection caused by NTHi. In investigations of candidate components to prevent the occurrence of otitis media in humans, the bacterial lipoprotein called Protein 4 (P4; previously referred to as "outer membrane protein e") of NTHi has been identified as a desirable component because of its ability to elicit bactericidal antibodies to the bacterium in humans. P4 has been found to elicit bactericidal antibodies, which act in synergy with antibodies against other outer membrane proteins of NTHi. Because of this, the protein may be used in conjunction with other outer membrane proteins to induce a more potent bactericidal response.
The hel gene that encodes P4 is antigenically conserved within and between strains of H. influenzae. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,780,601; 5,955,580 and 5,601,831 and European Patent Nos. EP 0 606 921 and EP 0 462 210, among others, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The sequences of the hel gene (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the encoded, 274 amino acid, pre-protein (SEQ ID NO: 2) are available from the NCBI database, Accession No. M68502 and identified in Green, B. A., et al, 1991 Infect. Immun., 59(9):3191-3198. The mature P4 of NTHi is a lipidated protein of 254 amino acids in length (SEQ ID NO: 3), encoded by nucleotides 209-970 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The 274 amino acid unprocessed pre-P4 protein has a 20 amino acid signal peptide that specifies a site for fatty acid acylation (SEQ ID NO: 2, amino acids 1-20), and is encoded by nucleotides 149-970 of SEQ ID NO: 1, with nucleotides 149-208 encoding the signal or leader peptide.
The function of the P4 protein in Haemophilus was originally thought to be hemin transport (Reidl, J., and J. J. Mekalanos. 1996 J. Exp. Med., 183:621-629.5). However, the P4 protein was later discovered to be an outer membrane enzyme, i.e., a bacterial acid phosphatase (Reilly, T. J. et al, 1999 J. Bacteriol., 181:6797-805). More recent work in the area has shown differing opinions by laboratories as to the true function of the P4 protein (Kemmer, G. et al, 2001 J. Bacteriol., 183:3974-3981; Reidl, J. et al, 2000 Mol. Microbiol., 35:1573-81; Reilly, T., and A. Smith, 1999 Prot. Exp. Purif., 17:401-409; Reilly, T. J. et al, 1999. J. Bacteriol., 181:6797-805; and Reilly, T. J. et al, 2001 FEBS Lett., 494:19-23).
The identification of P4 as an enzymatic protein has created a potential concern for its use as a component of an immunogenic composition for humans. This protein is enzymatically active and its in vivo substrate is not completely defined. While wild-type P4 has no known detrimental effects when administered into humans, it is generally accepted that non-enzymatically active proteins or those with reduced activity are preferred to enzymatically active proteins for use in immunogenic compositions to be administered to humans. An enzymatically active protein is not preferred for use as an immunogenic component because its enzymatic activity may cause an unexpected, undesired, reaction in the immunized human, other than the induction of antibodies.
Fragments of P4 protein or variant "mutant" P4 sequences described generally by the above-mentioned documents and patents are not characterized in terms of the most important property for an immunogenic composition, i.e. immunogenicity. No information is provided on the effects of mutation on immunogenicity. Further no indications are provided that changes that effect enzymatic activity have any effect on immunogenic potential. Thus, nothing in the prior art provides any direction for the selection of mutants of the P4 protein to yield a component for an immunogenic composition.
A continuing need exists in the art for therapeutic and prophylactic compositions comprising NTHi P4 variant proteins, which have reduced enzymatic activity and which are immunologically equivalent to the wild-type protein, for safe use in immunogenic compositions in humans.

The Curators of the University of Missouri


The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha. with high sensitivity, a hybridoma producing said monoclonal antibody, a method of establishing said hybridoma and an immunoassay method for 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha. using said monoclonal antibody.. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention makes it possible to conveniently measure 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha., a stable metabolite of prostaglandin I.sub.2 thought of as reflecting the concentration changes therein, with specificity and high sensitivity. It is useful in determining the content of prostaglandin I.sub.2, which exhibits platelet aggregating inhibitory activity, vasodilating activity and other activities, in biological samples.

Prostacyclin (prostaglandin I.sub.2, also referred to as PGI.sub.2 for short), a bioactive substance belonging to the arachidonic acid cascade, possesses potent platelet aggregation suppressive action, vasodilating action and other bioactivities. The bioactivities of PGI.sub.2 are antagonistic to thromboxane A.sub.2 (also referred to as TXA.sub.2 for short); its measurement in vivo has been much emphasized. However, PGI.sub.2 is an unstable substance, whose half-life at 37.degree. C. is reportedly about 5 minutes. For this reason, 6-keto-prostaglandin F.sub.1 .alpha. (also referred to as 6-K-PGF.sub.1 .alpha. for short), which is derived from PGI.sub.2 in the absence of enzyme, has been measured in place of PGI.sub.2 (ALAN R. BRASH et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 226, 78 (1983)).
However, because of their low production rates and short half-lives, the concentrations of 6-K-PGF.sub.1 .alpha. in human plasma obtained under resting conditions are in the low picogram range (FitzGerald, G. A. et al., Circulation, 67, 1174-1177 (1983)). Moreover, sampling-induced artifacts and ex vivo synthesis by blood cells make most plasma measurements of primary icosanoids totally unreliable (Carlo Patrono et al., Advances in Prostaglandin, Thromboxane, and Leukotriene Research, Vol. 15, p. 71-73 (1985), edited by O. Hayaishi and S. Yamamoto, Raven Press, New York). Therefore, because the values of 6-K-PGF.sub.1 .alpha. obtained vary widely among institutions, comparison by absolute values has been almost impossible among different institutions [M. Suzuki et al., Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol. 43, p. 1082 (1985)].
One method of circumventing such problems is measurement of metabolites that have an extended half-life. Although the 6,15-DK-13,14-DH-PGF.sub.1 .alpha. metabolite of PGI.sub.2 has a longer half-life than 6-K-PGF.sub.1 .alpha., it was expected to precisely reflect changes in PGI.sub.2 concentration [C. Patrono et al., Clinical Research, Vol. 29, p. 276A (1981)].
The object of the present invention is to provide a means for conveniently measuring 6,15-DK-13,14-DH-PGF.sub.1 .alpha., a stable metabolite of prostaglandin I.sub.2 thought of as reflecting the concentration changes therein, with specificity and high sensitivity.
In view of the circumstances described above, the present inventors conducted investigations with the aim of developing a practical means of assaying 6,15-DK-13,14-DH-PGF.sub.1 .alpha., and prepared a monoclonal antibody against 6,15-DK-13,14-DH-PGF.sub.1 .alpha. enabling such assay. The inventors conducted further investigations based on this achievement and developed the present invention.

Monoclonal antibody, method of production thereof and use thereof


A locking differential mechanism for supplying torque from a driveshaft to a pair of aligned output shafts including a pair of side gears, a central driver, and a pair of clutch members operatively coupled for rotation with the corresponding one of the pair of side gears. A cam assembly includes a pair of cam members. Each of the pair of cam members includes a plurality of camming teeth extending toward the corresponding teeth on the opposed cam member. Each of the cam members is movable from a first position where the cam teeth are disposed in meshing relationship with respect to each other when the pair of side gears are rotating at substantially the same speed and a second position spaced axially from the first position along the associated side gear so as to move an associated clutch member from its first position to its second position out of driven relationship with the central driver in response to a difference in rotational speed of the associated pair of side gears.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward differentials, generally, and more specifically, toward locking differentials that operatively couple a pair of axle half shafts during most driving conditions and that automatically disengage one half shaft in response to predetermined speed differentials between the axles.
2. Description of the Related Art
A differential is a component of an axle assembly and is used to couple a pair of rotating half shafts which make up a portion of the axle assembly. The differential is driven by the driveshaft via a pinion gear that meshes with a ring gear mounted to the differential. In automotive applications, the differential allows the tires mounted at either end of an axle assembly to rotate at different speeds. This becomes important, for example, when the vehicle is turning. The outer tire travels over an arc of greater distance than the inner tire. Thus, the outer tire must rotate at faster speeds than the inner tire to compensate for the greater distance travelled.
There are a number of differential mechanisms that are known in the related art for use in distributing torque between the output shafts. One such differential functions to lock the axle half shafts together during most driving conditions, while disengaging the axles during predetermined conditions, such as in response to differences in axle speed when, for example, the vehicle is turning. These devices are commonly known as "locking differentials."
Many locking differentials include a housing that supports a pair of side gears. The side gears are splined for rotation with a pair of axle half shafts. A central driver or spider is mounted for rotation with the differential housing and drives a pair of clutch members disposed on each side of the central driver. A cam member is operatively coupled for rotation with the central driver and also includes camming teeth in meshing relationship with a portion of the driven teeth of each of the clutch members. During most driving conditions, the central driver, clutches and side gears are operatively coupled together so that the axle half shafts rotate together. In the event of a predetermined desired difference in speed between the axle half shafts, such as when the vehicle is turning, portions of the teeth on the clutch associated with the faster turning axle, ride up the cam teeth such that the clutch is moved out of engagement with the central driver. This allows the associated axle half shaft to rotate at a different speed than the other axle half shaft that is still driven by the central driver. Once the speed differential is eliminated, the clutch member is moved back to its original position allowing the drive teeth to be meshingly engaged with the driven teeth on the associated clutch member.
While locking differentials of this type have generally worked for their intended purposes, certain disadvantages remain. For example, locking differentials of the type commonly known in the art are relatively mechanically complex and this complexity adds to the cost of manufacturing the devices. In addition, the interaction between the cam teeth and a portion of the driven teeth on the clutch is less than ideal because the driven teeth function to transmit torque from the central driver as well as respond to speed differentials to ride up the surfaces of the cam teeth. The drive teeth on the central driver and the driven teeth on the clutches are usually designed to cause the teeth to remain in meshing engagement. The interaction between the portion of the driven teeth on the clutch member with the cam teeth act against these meshing forces. This results in the creation of noise and vibration during conditions when there is a speed differential between the axle half shafts.
Thus, there remains a need in the art for a locking differential that has a reduced number of components, is mechanically efficient, may be manufactured at a reduced cost, and that, at the same time, reduces the noise and vibration generated when there is a speed differential between the axle half shafts.


The present invention provides a system, method and computer-readable media for creating object messages within a compute environment such as a cluster or grid. The method comprises upon an event affecting the availability or performance of an object within a cluster environment, retrieving messages related to the event from messages logs in different layers of a cluster environment. Next, the method comprises aggregating the retrieved messages into a single location, associating the aggregated messages with the object and, if a user submits a job and the performance of the job within the cluster environment is affected by the event, notifying the user of the event using the associated messages. Administrators may also create messages and associate the messages with objects such as nodes or reservations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to clusters and more specifically a system and method of providing object messages within the context of managing resources within a compute environment.
2. Introduction
The present invention applies to computer clusters and computer grids. A computer cluster may be defined as a parallel computer that is constructed of commodity components and runs commodity software. FIG. 1 illustrates in a general way an example relationship between clusters and grids. A cluster 110 is made up of a plurality of nodes 108A, 108B, 108C, each containing computer processors, memory that is shared by processors in the node and other peripheral devices such as storage discs connected by a network. A resource manager 106A for the node 110 manages jobs submitted by users to be processed by the cluster. Other resource managers 106B, 106C are also illustrated that may manage other clusters (not shown). An example job would be a weather forecast analysis that is compute intensive that needs to have scheduled a cluster of computers to process the job in time for the evening news report.
A cluster scheduler 104A may receive job submissions and identify using information from the resource managers 106A, 106B, 106C which cluster has available resources. The job would then be submitted to that resource manager for processing. Other cluster schedulers 104B and 104C are shown by way of illustration. A grid scheduler 102 may also receive job submissions and identify based on information from a plurality of cluster schedulers 104A, 104B, 104C which clusters may have available resources and then submit the job accordingly.
Several books provide background information on how to organize and create a cluster or a grid and related technologies. See, e.g., Grid Resource Management, State of the Art and Future Trends, Jarek Nabrzyski, Jennifer M. Schopf, and Jan Weglarz, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004; and Beowulf Cluster Computing with Linux, edited by William Gropp, Ewing Lusk, and Thomas Sterling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003.
There is a problem in the environment described in FIG. 1. When objects are passed down through the multiple layers from a grid level to a local level, when it comes time to actually troubleshoot or diagnose issues or failures, one can only diagnose failures that occur within any given layer. The logs of any given layer or the interface of any given layer you can only see issues that have occurred at that layer. When one starts getting into a grid scheduling environment or cluster scheduling environment in which objects or children of objects pass down through multiple layers, it becomes very difficult to track what that object is doing without seeing the messages. Therefore, the prior art model requires an administrator to look at a certain level. When a failure is detected, the administrator checks to see if that failure is local to that layer. If not, then one goes down to the layer below to look at the object and its correlated features and then determine whether the failure is relevant to that layer. If not, the administrator continues going down layers until a root cause of the failure is identified and then the administrator works his or way back up layers.
The issue of failure detection and reporting becomes more pronounced in environments where there are many to one as the administrator cascades down layers. For instance, a grid scheduler 102 may actually be talking to multiple cluster schedulers 104A, 104B and 104C and have a single job that spans multiple cluster schedulers. The cluster schedulers may have a many to one relationship between themselves and resource managers 106A, 106B and 106C causing a single job at a cluster level to be mapped onto multiple resource managers. The resource managers actually map out to multiple nodes 108A, 108B and 108C and therefore tasks associated with each resource manager may be scattered across multiple nodes. In addition, direct startup failures can occur on each one of these person's compute nodes.
When a failure does occur, the system will write information to logs and perform a general failure response routine. FIG. 1 illustrates the logs 112, 114, 116 and 118, each log being related to an individual layer of the cluster or grid.
The problem with this arrangement is that there is a lack of communication between layers in a cluster/grid system. Where a source of failure exists on a node 108A, 108B or 108C, for example an operating system level failure, the reporting and handling of how the cluster or group of cluster should react to that failure is incomplete and deficient. The upper level layers of resource managers, cluster schedulers and grid schedulers cannot receive the information regarding the source of the failure such that they can respond by rescheduling or modifying the cluster environment.
An example can further illustrate the problem. From a job list 120, a user submits a job for processing either on the grid scheduler level or the cluster scheduler level. The grid scheduler 102 communicates With the cluster schedulers 104A, 104B and 104C, and the cluster schedulers commands the resource managers 106A, 106B and 106C to start the submitted job. For example, resource manager 106A attempts to start the job on a number of nodes 108A and 108B. Suppose node 108B actually has an operating system failure wherein it is out of memory. In that case, it will write a detailed message to log 112. The node will then propagate a failure indicating that it cannot start the to the resource manager 106A. The resource manager writes a message to log 114 that the node cannot start will propagate a message to the cluster scheduler 104A. Cluster scheduler 104A writes a message to log 116 that the job cannot start and informs the grid scheduler 102 that for some unknown reason the job cannot start. The grid will write a message to log 118 regarding the failure of the job to start. However, the user looking in his local queue sees the job failed for some unknown reason. What is needed is an improved communication system and method for reporting and handling system failures in a compute environment such as a cluster or a grid.

System and method providing object messages in a compute environment


Infrared communications scheme for an infrared transmitting device having a light emitting diode (LED) ramps up the power of a carrier frequency signal applied to the LED in a given time interval to a given value. The carrier frequency signal is then frequency modulated with a data message for transmission by the LED. The power of a DC signal applied to the LED may then be ramped up in a given time interval to a given value before the carrier frequency signal is modulated with a data message. After transmission of the data message, the power of the carrier frequency signal applied to the LED is ramped down in a given time interval to a given value. The power of the DC signal applied to the LED is then ramped down in a given time interval to a given value.

Current transmission schemes for infrared remote controls include transmitting a signal with a carrier frequency and on/off keying for data transmission. The on/off keyed data is usually transmitted in either BiPhase, Manchester, Pulse Position, or Pulse Width form.
Typically, infrared transmission schemes such as Infrared Remote Controls (IRC) have a carrier frequency falling within the range of 30-60 KHz. A disadvantage associated with IRC is that different remote control devices interfere with each other during simultaneous transmission. Thus, only one device can transmit at a time. This is particularly disadvantageous where it is desirable to control multiple remote devices simultaneously such as in a network configuration.
Another disadvantage associated with IRC is that the data rates are limited up to 4 Kbits per second. For many new generation input devices such as digitizers and touchpads where character recognition is desired, higher data rates are needed.
A further disadvantage associated with IRC results from the light emitting diode (LED) pulse switching transients. On/off keying leads to spectral impurity and associated broadband noises which limit the ability of multiple devices to transmit simultaneously.
A recently proposed technology called Consumer Infrared (CIR) also uses on/off keying. CIR is essentially a faster version of IRC but uses a 1.6 MHz carrier. The data rate for CIR is much higher than IRC. For instance, the data rate for CIR is 50 Kbits per second using Manchester encoding. However, CIR suffers from many of the same disadvantages suffered by IRC.
For instance, it is impossible to control multiple devices simultaneously with CIR. CIR possesses an unacceptable on/off keying spectral impurity similar to that of IRC. Furthermore, CIR has no provision for broadcasting live real time audio. Additionally, CIR supports a maximum of three communication channels. Market convergence requires more bandwidth than can be provided by these existing channels.
What is needed is an infrared communications scheme where multiple channels at separate carrier frequencies can communicate without disrupting each other.


A transition metal oxide dielectric material is doped with a non-metal in order to enhance the electrical properties of the metal oxide. In a preferred embodiment, a transition metal oxide is deposited over a bottom electrode and implanted with a dopant. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxide is hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide and the dopant is nitrogen. The dopant can convert the crystal structure of the hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide to a tetragonal structure and increase the dielectric constant of the metal oxide.

Since the introduction of the digital computer, electronic storage devices have been a vital resource for the retention of data. Conventional semiconductor electronic storage devices typically incorporate capacitor and transistor structures, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), which temporarily store data based on the charged state of the capacitor structure. In general, this type of semiconductor Random Access Memory (RAM) often requires densely packed capacitor structures that are easily accessible for electrical interconnection. Many of these capacitor structures are fabricated with layers of material including semiconductor, dielectric, and metal. DRAM typically uses a cell structure based on a capacitor and a transistor.
Integrated circuit manufacturers increasingly face difficulties with scaling. The area of the chip ("real estate") provided for capacitors in DRAM cells is rapidly shrinking. One way to attain smaller capacitor sizes and maintain storage capacity is to make the dielectric constant, or the K value, of the selected dielectric material very high. Metal oxides, especially transition metals, are commonly contemplated for high capacity DRAMs. One example, tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) has a K-value of approximately 25, and is a preferred dielectric material for DRAM cell capacitors for modern DRAM capacitors. Hafnium oxide (HfO2) is also used as a capacitor dielectric, but the K value is approximately 20. These K-values may not be sufficient as DRAM memory cell capacitors shrink. Barium strontium titanate (Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3), or BST, has a dielectric constant of approximately 300, but BST is difficult to integrate into an integrated circuit. For these reasons, additional dielectric constant materials are needed for capacitors.

High dielectric constant transition metal oxide materials


An embodiment of a method of seeking consensus among computer processes begins with a first step of saving a new timestamp in a timestamp array for a particular process. The method continues with a second step of determining whether a most recent entry in a decision array includes a previously established consensus decision. In a third step, if the most recent entry does not include the previously established consensus decision, the method saves a proposed decision as a consensus decision. Otherwise, in a fourth step, the method saves the previously established consensus decision as the consensus decision. In a fifth step, if a most recent timestamp in the timestamp array continues to be the new timestamp, the method returns the consensus decision. Otherwise, in a sixth step, the method returns an abort indicator.

Reaching consensus is an important component of many fault tolerant distributed systems. Consensus is used to maintain consistency among redundant copies of some state in a distributed system. If there is a failure that affects a part of the distributed system, redundancy guarantees that the system can continue to operate.
Some existing techniques for reaching consensus employ message passing among processes. These techniques are based on rounds. If an invocation of the technique by a process uses an "old" round, it may fail to determine a consensus value. Some other existing techniques for reaching consensus require some degree of synchrony between processes in a distributed system. Other existing techniques use an oracle to help processes reach consensus.
Another technique for reaching consensus employs randomization in which processes have random "coins" to determine execution of the technique. This technique relies on probability to reach consensus and, with a small probability, leaves open the possibility that consensus is never achieved.
Yet another technique for reaching consensus requires that special shared-memory instructions be available. Such shared-memory instructions include load-linked instructions, store-conditional instructions, compare-and-swap instructions, or some form of read-modify-write instructions.

Method of seeking consensus among computer processes


Systems and methods are introduced for managing a multi-band wireless networking system using a robust control plane. In an embodiment, multiple wireless networking devices are interconnected via a dedicated wireless backhaul to collectively form a single multi-band wireless network providing broad coverage to a client device. The multi-band wireless networking system is managed by wirelessly communicating control information between the multiple wireless networking devices over the control plane in a robust manner that guarantees delivery while minimizing latency. Example techniques for achieving this robust transfer of information include use of robust data rates, use of multiple backhaul channels, use of hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), use of dedicated control channels, use of alternative transport protocols, and implementation of distributed router functionality.

Networking systems including multiple wireless APs are a relatively recent innovation. While such networking systems provide several benefits such as enabling broader wireless coverage, they also present certain challenges related to reliability and practicality. For example, effectively operating wireless networking systems including multiple APs often involves the exchange of control information between the APs. However, conventional solutions cannot guarantee delivery of this control information, nor can conventional solutions deliver such information without causing unworkable delays due to latency. As such, deployment of control functionality in current systems often results in disruption of client services.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Robust control plane for management of a multi-band wireless networking system


An efficient trap avoidance and shared protection method in a survivable network with shared risk link groups. The invention includes a fast and efficient heuristic algorithm for avoiding traps, an algorithm, which may also be applied effectively to shared SRLG protection. Compared to other existing algorithms, the algorithm embodied in the present invention runs much faster, and yet falls into few traps, and achieves a much higher bandwidth efficiency. This technology can be applied to MPLS, ATM, SONET, WDM, and other high-speed survivable network designs.

Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) has been widely recognized as an important concept in survivable optical networks by the industry. Both standardization documents and commercial products are incorporating SRLG-aware components. However, SRLG-related problems of theoretical interest have only recently attracted the attention of the research community, and some of them have not been explored fully. More specifically, there are two major issues that are still open: avoiding "traps" (to be defined later) in path determination, and maximizing bandwidth sharing. These issues are more challenging in providing shared SRLG protection than in providing shared path protection without considering SRLGs.
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is a promising technology to accommodate the explosive growth of Internet and telecommunication traffic. Because of the large amount of traffic a fiber carries, a single failure may cause a severe service loss. Hence, survivability is a critical problem in network design. To protect a mission-critical connection from a single link (node) failure, a straightforward solution is to choose a link (node) disjoint pair of active path (or AP, also called working path or primary path) and backup path (or BP, also called secondary path) from a source (ingress) node to a destination (egress) node. Such a scheme is failure-independent and this scheme can realize fast restoration by eliminating route computation in case of failure. In addition, bandwidth usage efficiency can be improved by using shared path protection, which allows a new BP to share the bandwidth allocated to some existing BPs on common links if their APs do not fail at the same time.
The concept of Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) has been proposed as the fundamental input for failure management in the Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control plane. An SRLG is a group of network links that share a common physical resource (cable, conduit, node or substructure) whose failure will cause the failure of all links of the group. In general, the information on SRLGs are obtained manually by the network operator with the knowledge of the physical fiber plant of the network, although some SRLGs auto-discovery schemes have been proposed.
SRLG is an important component in survivable network design. In order to provide the failure-independent protection to a client (e.g., IP, ATM) connection from any single SRLG failure, a pair of SRLG-disjoint paths (AP and BP) for each client connection should be determined. That is, links allowing AP must not share any common SRLGs with links along the corresponding BP.
FIG. 1(a) illustrates an optical layer of an optical network. In general, an optical network has a layered architecture. In the following discussion, a typical optical network is classified into two layers: an optical layer and a physical layer, as shown in FIG. 1a. The physical layer includes fiber spans (e.g., cable, conduit, etc.) and fiber span nodes. And the optical layer consists of optical links and nodes (a subset of the nodes in the physical layer) where Optical Cross-connects (OXC) or Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (OADM) locate. An optical link in the optical layer is a connection in the physical layer, which may traverse over several fiber spans and/or fiber span nodes. At the same time, several optical links may pass through the same fiber span. Therefore, a single failure in the physical layer can cause multiple optical link failures. If we treat each fiber span as an SRLG, then a single SRLG failure may result in multiple optical link failures.
Since a fiber can traverse several conduits, a network link may belong to several SRLGs. Finding a pair of SRLG disjoint paths will be more complicated than finding a link/node-disjoint path (the latter may be considered as a special case as each link or the set of links incident upon each node could be what we call a "trivial SRLG"). In fact, the former is an NP-complete problem, while the later has a polynomial time solution.
To date, only a few Integer Linear Programming (ILP) and heuristic algorithms have been proposed to find SRLG disjoint paths. In shared SRLG failure-independent protection, or shared SRLG protection for short, the objective is to find a pair of SRLG-disjoint paths for a given request such that the total bandwidth consumption is minimized, taking into consideration that the two or more BPs can share backup bandwidth (called BBW) as long as their corresponding APs do not fail at the same time. In addition, the problem of online shared SRLG protection also need to be considered.
As expected, an ILP-based solution to the shared SRLG protection problem is extremely time-consuming and becomes infeasible for a large network size and/or a large number of SRLGs. Accordingly, heuristics such as Active Path First (APF), which finds an AP first, followed by a SRLG-disjoint BP, are attractive alternatives. The major challenge in using the APF heuristic, however, is that once an AP is found, one may not be able to find an SRLG-disjoint BP (even though a pair of SRLG-disjoint paths does exist). This is the so-called trap problem, which is rarely present when finding link/node-disjoint paths using APF, but can occur much more frequently (e.g., 10% to 30% in a typical network) when finding SRLG-disjoint paths using APF. To our knowledge, no effective algorithms have been proposed so far to address the trap problem, especially in conjunction with shared SRLG protection.
What is needed, then, is a fast and efficient heuristic algorithm for avoiding traps, an algorithm which may also be applied effectively to shared SRLG protection. This patent addresses issues related to both shared protection and trap avoidance jointly in survivable networks with SRLG consideration. Compared to other existing algorithms, the algorithm embodied in the present invention runs much faster, and yet falls into few traps, and achieves a much higher bandwidth efficiency. This technology can be applied to MPLS, ATM, SONET, WDM, and other high-speed survivable network designs.

Efficient trap avoidance and shared protection method in survivable networks with shared risk link groups and a survivable network


A device for adjusting rear view mirrors includes a vehicle-side first element and a movable second element. A reflecting surface is attached to the second element. One of the first or second elements has a concave surface, and the other element has a convex surface. The second element pivots about at least one axis that is fixed with respect to the first element. A joining slot is formed where the convex surface slides over the concave surface. One of the elements has a sealing lip that makes sliding contact with the other element and prevents foreign objects from entering the slot between the convex surface and the concave surface. The sealing lip annularly contacts either the convex surface or the concave surface. Alternatively, the concave surface is formed by a spherical shell, and the sealing lip slides over a second convex surface disposed on the shell opposite the concave surface.

Arrangements for adjusting a rear view mirror for vehicles include as a rule a first element on the vehicle side, a second element opposite the first element and a reflecting surface, such as a mirror surface. The first element on the vehicle side is fixed by a fastening arrangement, such as an extension arm or the like that is substantially immovable on the vehicle. The movable second element can be adjusted by a pivot bearing opposite the first element that pivots about an axis.
The movability or adjustability of the movable second element opposite the first element on the vehicle side requires from a structural viewpoint a slot or free space, such as an articulated slot or joining slot between elements or structural parts, that can move or be adjusted relative to each other in order to be able to ensure the required degree or degrees of freedom for the particular adjusting movements.
These articulated or joining slots can be present, for example in the case of so-called head adjusters, directly between the vehicle-side first element and the mirror head supported on it in a movable or adjustable manner. In the case of so-called glass adjusters, such a slot can be present between the vehicle-side first element and the mirror carrying plate that carries the reflecting surface (the mirror glass). In another known construction type of a head adjuster, the element that can move or be adjusted opposite the vehicle-side first element supports the mirror carrier plate. The housing of the mirror head is fixed on the mirror carrier plate and moves with it such that the housing is drawn so far to the rear that it at least partially covers the connecting position between the vehicle-side first element and the movable second element. In addition to the constructional joining slot between the vehicle-side first element and the movable second element, there is in this construction another constructionally conditioned slot or free space between the edge of the opening in the mirror housing and the engagement area between the vehicle-side element and the movable element, such as described in European patent EP2195195B1.
A rear view mirror is known from German application DE19803459A1, which has a circumferential slot between a glass unit and a housing. The glass unit has a mirror element and mirror carrier plate. The glass unit is closed by an elastically deformable damping element that dampens or prevents primarily undesired vibrational movements of the glass unit. This damping element also seals the slot against environmental influences as a side effect.
German patent DE915538B describes a similar construction principle with a circumferential slot between a glass unit and a housing. The glass unit has a mirror element and a mirror carrier plate. The glass unit is closed by an elastically deformable damping element that centers the glass unit in the housing and therefore centers an adjustment unit to the end of the housing. A sealing of the slot against environmental influences results here as a side effect in a manner similar to that of German application DE19803459A1.
In general, slots or free spaces between a glass unit or glass structural group and a housing are necessary for reasons of construction and functionality. The glass unit includes a mirror element and a mirror carrier plate, and the housing comprises the glass unit. However, the slots and free spaces can also cause problems and possible disturbances in daily operation.
Water, road salt or the like, contamination in the form of dust, ice crystals and other foreign objects can get into the slot and adversely affect or even prohibit at least temporarily the functionality of the mirror arrangement. The foreign objects can prevent a smooth adjustment of the particular elements of the mirror over the course of time. Contaminations can very rapidly adversely affects or even prevent the smooth functioning of the articulated connection or hinge connection given the very narrow articulation slots or joining slots between two articulation parts or hinge parts, which are prevented by the foreign objects from touching each other. In the case of a head adjuster, such as the one described in the above-cited European patent EP2195195B1, there is the additional problem that foreign objects enter the housing through the slot. The slot extends through the housing opening between the housing opening and the adjustment mechanism. The slot faces the travel direction of the vehicle so that wind caused by the traveling drives precipitation, stirred-up foreign bodies or the like through the slot into the interior of the mirror head housing.
The attempt is made to construct the slot between the housing opening and the adjustment mechanism on the vehicle side as narrow as possible in order to minimize the penetration of dirt and moisture. However, the problem of icing can then increase. The column freezes and closes, which can lead to problems in the adjustment movements or even to damage of the adjusting drive when the drive must operate against the additional holding force of the ice.
Therefore, a sealing element is located in the circumferential slot between the glass unit and the housing that comprises the glass unit, such as described in German application DE19803459A1 or German patent DE915538B. The sealing element is located on the circumferential outer edge of the glass unit or mirror carrier plate and cooperates with a directly adjacent counter surface that is formed by the mirror housing radially surrounding the glass unit. Therefore, a resistance to the adjusting movements of the glass unit acts through the friction of the sealing means on the counter surface of the housing and on the radially outermost edge of the glass unit. Therefore, the actual adjustment unit (whether manual or motor-driven) must overcome a comparatively high counter-moment, which necessitates in the case of a motor-driven adjustment an appropriately dimensioned drive and force transmission means.
In an arrangement of the seal in the slot between the outer edge of the glass construction group and the inner surface of the housing, such as described in German application DE19803459A1, there is furthermore the danger that the adjustment is rendered impossible by icing. This problem is even addressed in German application DE19803459A1, which suggests as a counter measure an appropriate (for example, inductive) heating device that heats the sealing means and keeps it warm. Of course, this is a structure that requires increased construction and is also more prone to disturbances.
Another problem especially in the construction, such as in the device of European patent EP2195195B1, is the fact that wind noises can be amplified by the slot, or additional whistling noises can even be produced.
Finally, such a slot also adversely affects the entire optical appearance. Considered on the whole, a slot causes the deterioration of the functional, aerodynamic and aesthetic qualities of the entire vehicle mirror.
An arrangement for adjusting a rear view mirror is sought that does not include the slot described above or the associated disadvantages.

Arrangement for adjusting a rear view mirror for commercial vehicles


A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.2 is oxo or hydrogen plus hydroxy which may be acylated; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or hydroxy which may be acylated; at least one of the dotted lines represents a single bond, or a salt thereof, produced from Penicillum thomii has potent RA-89 muscarinic receptor blocking activity and is of value as therapeutic agent for parkinsonism, ulcer, etc. or as mydriatics.

The parasympathetic nerve inervates a diversity of peripheral tissues to manifest multi-facted activity. The receptors of acetylcholine, which is its neurotransmitter, are roughly classified into muscarinic receptors sensitive to muscarine which is an alkaloid of Amanita muscaria and nicotinic receptors sensitive to nicotine which is an alkaloid occurring in Nicotiana tabacum. Atropine and scopolamine, which are the alkaloids of the belladonna plants, have been utilized for centuries as nonspecific antimuscarinic drugs and are in use even today as mydriatics or antispasmodics [Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th ed., 130 (1985)].
It is known that muscarinic receptors can be classified into subtypes, i.e. M1 which has a high affinity for pirenzepine which is an antispasmodic/antiulcer agent and M2 which is low in that affinity [Nature 283, 90 (1980)]. Furthermore, a further ramification of muscarine M2 receptors according to their affinity for AF-DX 116 has been proposed [Life Sciences 38, 1653 (1986) and Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 16, 523 (1989)], and much research is in progress on methoctoramine and other compounds having subtype specificity [Trends in Pharmacological Science 9, 216 (1988)].
On the other hand, muscarinic receptor genes have been cloned by genetic engineering techniques [FEBS Letters, 235, 257 (1986)] and so far at least 5 kinds of genes have been reported to exist in man. While the pharmacologic correspondence of them to receptors remains yet to be elucidated, it will not be long before it is clarified [Trends in Pharmacological Science 12, 148 (1989)]. It is expected that muscarinic blockers having novel pharmacologic activity will be developed in this milieu.
Under the circumstances, search for muscarinic receptor blocking substances in microbial metabolites is also in progress. In fact, Eulissin, Argvalin, IJ2702-I & 2702-II and PF6766 [Journal of The Agricultural Chemical Society of Japan, 62, 338 (1988)] have already been reported but none of them have sufficiently potent activity.
In the above-mentioned situation, the inventors of the present invention explored microbial metabolites for novel compounds which would exhibit potent muscarinic blocking activity and discovered a TAN-1251 series of compounds having strong antimuscarinic activity. TAN-1251 is comprised of 4 species which the inventors designated TAN-1251A, B, C and D. Subsequent research revealed that these compounds have the following structures: ##STR2##
The inventors of the present invention further conducted degradation and derivatizing experiments using TAN-1251A, B, C and D as starting compounds and examined the biological activity of the degradation products and derivatives. As a result, they found that the following compounds were promising candidates for antispasmodic/antiulcer agents. The finding prompted further study which has resulted in the present invention.

TAN-1251 compounds and their production from penicillium thomii


A display panel includes: a first pixel including: a first high pixel configured to represent a first high gray level; and a first low pixel configured to represent a first low gray level; and a second pixel adjacent the first pixel in a first direction, the second pixel including: a second high pixel configured to represent a second high gray level based on a second data voltage and the common voltage in response to the first gate signal; and a second low pixel configured to represent a second low gray level based on the second data voltage, the common voltage, and a second divided voltage different from the first divided voltage in response to the first gate signal.

1. Field
Example embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a display panel and a method of driving the display panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display ("LCD") apparatus may include a first substrate including a pixel electrode, a second substrate including a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. An electric field is generated by voltages applied to the pixel electrode and the common electrode. By adjusting an intensity of the electric field, a transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer may be adjusted so that a desired image may be displayed.
In a vertical alignment configuration LCD apparatus, a unit pixel of a display panel is divided into a high pixel and a low pixel to improve a side visibility.
A ratio between a high pixel voltage and a low pixel voltage may be established by a ratio between sizes of thin film transistors according to the design of the pixels so that the low pixel voltage is not driven independently from the high pixel voltage. Thus, improvement of the side visibility may be limited.

Display panel and method of driving the same


A method and mechanism of accessing segments in data storage systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, extents in a segment are coalesced into groups based on the data storage device each extent is stored on. Rather than submit an I/O operation for each extent, a single I/O operation is submitted for each group of extents.

The present invention is related to data storage systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and mechanism of accessing segments in data storage systems.
Conventional data storage systems include one or more storage devices connected to a controller or manager. As used herein, the term "data storage device" refers to any device or apparatus utilizable for the storage of data, e.g., a disk drive. For explanatory purposes only and not as an intent to limit the scope of the invention, the term "disk drive" as used in this document is synonymous with the term "data storage device."
Data storage devices typically store data on one or more magnetic discs called platters. To access stored data, the platter on which the data is stored has to be moved into the correct position before the data can be read, i.e., the sector of the platter where the data is located on has to be positioned under a special electromagnetic read/write device called a head, which is mounted onto a slider on an arm that is positioned over the surface of the platter by an actuator. Once the platter is in the correct position, the platter rotates at high speed, driven by a spindle motor connected to the spindle that the platter is mounted on, and the head reads the data on the platter as it flies by.
The time it takes to move the platter into the correct position, i.e., the seek time, is frequently the most expensive part of an I/O (input/output) operation. The seek time can vary anywhere from 5–15 ms (milliseconds). Whereas the time it takes to read the data from the platter once it is in the correct position could be as fast as a couple of milliseconds depending upon the transfer rate of the disk drive, which is a function of the RPM (rotations per minute) of the disk drive, and the amount of data to be read.
Data in data storage systems are usually organized into rows, blocks, extents, segments, and tables. Data are stored in rows. Rows, in turn, are stored in blocks. Each block, also referred to as a page, corresponds to a specific number of bytes of physical space on a data storage device. The size of a block is usually set at a prescribed level when the data storage system is created and will typically be a multiple of the operating system's block size.
Blocks, in turn, are stored in extents. An extent is a contiguous set of blocks on a disk drive. Extents are stored in segments, which are logical containers each holding a set of extents. For various reasons, e.g., load balancing, random access, etc., extents of a segment may not be contiguous on a data storage device, may span multiple files on a data storage device, and may even span multiple data storage devices. Each table comprises one or more segments.
There are two types of data access in data storage systems: random and sequential. An example of random access is access using RowIDs. A RowID is a physical identifier of a row. RowIDs may be stored separately from the table, e.g., in an index. A full table scan is an example of sequential access. In a full table scan, the one or more segments in the table have to be identified and all of the extents in each segment have to be located. I/O operations are then submitted to access each segment. The I/O operations are usually submitted on an extent by extent basis since extents are contiguous blocks on a data storage device and extents in each segment may be striped across multiple data storage devices.
Given that the I/O operations are submitted on an extent by extent basis, performance of full table scans can vary greatly depending upon the number of extents in the segment(s) of each table. Fewer extents mean less I/O operations, which result in less time spent seeking data and more time spent reading data. In order to optimize space utilization, however, extent sizes in data storage systems are usually minimized. Smaller extent sizes generally lead to an increase in the number of extents per segment as more extents will be needed to store the same amount of data.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and mechanism where the performance of a full table scan is unaffected by the size of the extents in the segment(s) of the table.
The present invention provides a method and mechanism of accessing segments in data storage systems. In one embodiment, a plurality of extents in a segment are coalesced into a plurality of groups based on data storage device location. A single I/O operation is then submitted for each group of extents.
Further details of aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention are described below in the detailed description, drawings, and claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention.

Method and mechanism of accessing segments in data storage systems