A procedure for preparing 6-O-alkyl erythromycin compounds having the formula: wherein R1 is a loweralkyl group, R2 and R3 an independently hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group, except that R2 and R3 may not both be hydrogen simultaneously; Y is oxygen or a specifically substituted oxime; and Z is hydrogen, hydroxy or protected-hydroxy; by reaction of the compound wherein R1 is hydrogen with an alkylating reagent, is the presence of a strong alkali metal base and also in the presence of a weak organic amino base, in a suitable stirred or agitated polar aprotic solvent, or a mixture of such polar aprotic solvents maintained at a reaction temperature and for a period of time sufficient to effect alkyation.

The 6-O-methylation of various erythromycin derivatives has been reported in several patents or published applications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,717 (issued Jan. 25, 1985) describes the methylation of a 2′-O-,1′-N-dibenzyloxycarbonyl derivative of erythromycin by reaction with a methylating reagent in the presence of a base such as in alkali metal hydride or an alkali metal amide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,549 (issued Jan. 2, 1997) describes the reaction of a quaternary salt of an erythromycin A 9-oxime with a methylating reagent in the presence of a bass such as an alkali metal hydride, hydroxide or alkoxide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,109 (issued Jun. 9,1987) describes the reaction of an erythromycin A 9-oxime with a methylating reagent in the presence of a bass such as an alkali metal hydride or hydroxide. European Application EP 260938 (published Mar. 23, 1988) describes 6-O-methylerythromycin derivatives prepared by the reaction of 2′-silylated erythromycin A 9-oximes with a methylating reagent in the presence of a base, such as an alkali, metal hydride, hydroxide or alkoxide, that is said to prevent undesirable quaternary salt formation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,602 (issued Feb. 5, 1991) describes additional 6-O-methylerythromcyin erythromycin A derivatives (more broadly substituted at the oxime position than those of EP 260938) prepared by the reaction of such 2′-silylated erythromycin, 9-oxime derivatives with a methylating reagent in the presence of a base such as an alkali metal hydride, hydroxide or alkoxide, also with the stated intention of preventing undesirable quaternary salt formation. While the U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,602 and the EP 260938 application point out the desirability of preventing quaternary salt formation, there remains a need for alternative methods for improving yields.
The continued appearance of new patents directed to 6-O-methyl erythromycin compounds is in indication of the importance of and the continuing efforts towards preventing unwanted side-reactions and to increasing the yield of the desired antibiotic compounds (e.g., clarithromycin).
In general, the process for making clarithromycin can be thought of as a four-step procedure beginning with erythromycin A as the starting material:                Step 1: optionally protect the 9-oxo group with an oxime;        Step 2: protect the 2′and 4″hydroxyl groups;        Step 3: methylate the 6-hydroxyl group;        Step 4: deprotect at the 2′, 4′and 9-positions.
We have now found that higher yields of 6-O-alkyl erythromycin derivatives may be obtained and by-product compounds reduced by means of a 6-O-alkylation procedure that utilizes a weak organic base in the presence of a strong base. This alkyation step corresponds to the general Step 3 referred to above.
This procedure is especially useful when a mixture of hydroxy-protected erythromycin derivatives (and especially those protected with silyl compounds, e.g., trimethylsilyl) is to be methylated. Such mixtures of hydroxy-protected erythromycin derivatives (i.e., mixtures of the 2′-mono-, 4Δ-mono, and 2′,4Δ-bis-protected derivatives) may be produced during large scale preparations (i.e., in Step 2 referred to above) if the bis-protection is not fully achieved. The ability to perform the alkylation on a mixture of hydroxy-protected compounds is also a distinct advantage, as costly separation steps may be avoided.

Process for 6-O-alkylation of erythromycin derivatives


A display device which can operate at low power consumption is provided. When multi gray scale display is conducted and when display in which the number of gray scales is reduced is conducted, signal line driver circuits having different structures (first signal line driver circuit and second signal line driver circuit) are provided according to the respective cases. Those signal line driver circuits are separately used to conduct the display. The signal line driver circuit having the structure according to the number of gray scales to be represented is used to conduct the display. Thus, redundant power consumption can be prevented in the display device. Further, a decoder is used as a scanning line driver circuit and pixel rows are selected in an arbitrary order. Therefore, a region displayed by the first signal line driver circuit or a region displayed by the second signal line driver circuit can be set in a frame. Accordingly, a region for which the multi gray scale display is required and a region for which the display in which the number of gray scales is reduced is sufficient are selected in one frame so that power consumption can be effectively reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device in which a light emitting element is provided on an insulting surface, the present invention particularly relates to an active matrix display device having a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, and in each pixel a light emitting element is arranged. Further, the present invention relates to electronic apparatuses applying the display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An active matrix display device having a plurality of pixels in which a switching element and a light emitting element are arranged in each pixel, comes under the spotlight.
For the light emitting element arranged in each pixel, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device has OLEDs included in is described as an example.
In this specification, an OLED denotes a configuration having an anode, a cathode, and an organic component layer sandwiched between the anode and the cathode. The anode and the cathode correspond to a first and a second electrode, respectively. Then, an OLED emits light by applying a voltage between electrodes.
An organic compound layer usually has a laminate structure. A typical laminate structure thereof is one proposed by Tang et al. of Eastman Kodak Company and consisting of a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer. Other examples of the laminate structure include one in which a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer are layered in order on an anode, and one in which a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transporting layer, and an electron injection layer are layered in order on an anode. A light emitting layer may be doped with a fluorescent pigment or the like.
In this specification, all layers provided between the anode and the cathode generally are called an organic compound layer. The above-mentioned hole injection layer, hole transporting layer, light emitting layer, electron transporting layer, electron injection layer, and other layers are all included in the organic compound layer.
A given voltage is applied to an organic compound layer structured as above from a pair of electrodes (an anode and a cathode) to induce recombination of carriers in its light emitting layer. As a result, the light emitting layer emits light. Note that in this specification, emitting an OLED is referred to as driving an OLED.
An OLED in this specification refers to an OLED that uses a singlet exciton to emit light (fluorescent light), an element that uses a triplet exciton to emit light (phosphorescent light), or an OLED that uses the both.
Further, any one of a low molecular material, a high molecular material, and an intermediate molecular material can be a material for an organic compound layer of OLED.
Note that an intermediate molecular material in this specification denotes a material without sublimeness and the length of a chain of its molecular is 10 μm or less.
An OLED display device has advantages like superiority in response, capable of operation with a low voltage and a wide view angle, etc. Therefore, the OLED display device comes under the spotlight as a next generation flat panel display.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic structure of an active matrix OLED display device.
Assume that a video signal inputted to a display device in this specification is a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as digital video signal).
In FIG. 7, a display device includes a pixel portion 704 having a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, a signal line driver circuit 701, a scanning line driver circuit 703, and a signal control circuit 702.
Note that the signal control circuit 702 may be integrally formed on a substrate in which the pixel portion 704 is formed, or may be formed on a single crystalline IC substrate and mounted on the substrate in which the pixel portion 704 is formed.
A digital video signal (video signal) inputted from the outside of the display device is temporarily stored in the signal control circuit 702. After that, the digital video signal is read out from the signal control circuit 702 and inputted to the signal line driver circuit 701.
The signal line driver circuit 701 takes the digital video signal and outputs a video signal to a plurality of signal lines provided to the pixel portion 704. In addition, the scanning line driver circuit 703 inputs signals to a plurality of scanning lines provided to the pixel portion 704.
A specific pixel row is selected by the signals inputted to the plurality of scanning lines. Here, assume that the selection of the pixel row indicates that a pixel row is in a state in which the video signals outputted to the respective signal lines can be inputted to the respective pixels.
Thus, light emission of light emitting elements in the respective pixels is controlled according to the video signals inputted to the respective pixels by the signal line driver circuit 701 and the scanning line driver circuit 703.
Note that the video signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal. Further, the video signal may be a voltage signal or a current signal.
When an analog video signal is inputted, the light emitting element in each pixel emits light at an intensity corresponding to the inputted analog video signal, thereby representing a gray scale.
On the other hand, in the pixel to which the digital video signal is inputted, a light emitting state or a non-light emitting state of the light emitting element is selected. At this time, in each pixel, a period for which the light emitting state is selected is controlled to represent a gray scale (time gray scale method). Alternatively, in each pixel, an area which becomes the light emitting state is controlled to represent a gray scale (area gray scale method).
Structural examples of the signal line driver circuit 701 and the signal control circuit 702 as shown in FIG. 7 will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing structures of the signal line driver circuit 701 and the signal control circuit 702 as shown in FIG. 7.
In FIG. 8, the signal line driver circuit 701 is constructed to output an analog signal as a video signal.
Note that an example in which digital video signals inputted to the signal line driver circuit 701 are signals of 6 bits is indicated. In addition, the digital video signals of 6 bits are inputted for every bit from the signal control circuit 702 through six wirings (VD1, VD2, VD3, VD4, VD5, and VD6). Here, a wiring to which the digital video signal of a p-th (where p is a natural number of 1 to 6) bit is inputted is indicated by VDp.
FIG. 6 shows a list order of the digital video signals inputted to the signal line driver circuit 701 through the wirings VD1 to VD6. Note that SD (i, j)_g indicates a g-th bit signal for a pixel at i-th row and j-th column in FIG. 6.
During a period TA (1, 1), signals SD (1, 1)_1 to SD (1, 1)_6 are simultaneously inputted to the respective wirings VD1 to VD6. Thus, 6-bit signals for the pixel at 1st row and 1st column are inputted to the wirings VD1 to VD6 during the period TA (1, 1). Such operation is conducted during all periods TA (1, 1) to TA (y, x) so that the 6-bit signals corresponding to all the pixels are inputted to the wirings VD1 to VD6.
Note that the display device has pixels of y-row and x-column.
Also, in FIG. 8, the signal control circuit 702 has a CPU 801, a frame memory A 803, a frame memory B 804, a memory controller 805 for controlling reading of the signal from and writing of the signal into the frame memory A 803 and the frame memory B 804, and a display controller 802 for outputting a control signal such as a clock signal inputted to the signal line driver circuit 701 and the scanning line driver circuit 703.
The frame memory A 803 and the frame memory B 804 each have a capacity capable of storing digital video signals corresponding to a frame.
The digital video signals inputted to the display device are temporarily stored in the frame memory A 803 in response to signals from the CPU 801 and the memory controller 805. The digital video signals stored in the frame memory A 803 are read therefrom for every bit in response to signals from the CPU 801 and the memory controller 805 and outputted to the wirings VD1 to VD6.
Note that, while the digital video signals stored in the frame memory A 803 are read, digital video signals corresponding to a next frame are stored in order in the frame memory B 804. Thus, the frame memory A 803 and the frame memory B 804 are alternately used. Accordingly, the storage and the read and write of the digital video signal can be efficiently conducted.
The digital video signals inputted to the signal line driver circuit 701 are held in a first latch circuit 502 in response to a sampling pulse from a shift register 501. When the digital video signals corresponding to one pixel row are held in the first latch circuit 502, a latch pulse is inputted to a second latch circuit 503. Thus, the second latch circuit 503 holds the digital video signals corresponding to one pixel row which are held in the first latch circuit 502 at a time.
The digital video signals held in the second latch circuit 503 are inputted to a D/A converting circuit 504. The digital video signals inputted to the D/A converting circuit 504 are converted into analog signals and outputted as video signals to respective signal lines S1 to Sx.
A circuit example of the signal line driver circuit 701 having the structure shown in FIG. 8 is shown in a circuit diagram of FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the same portion as in FIG. 8 is indicated using the same reference symbols and the description thereof is omitted here.
In FIG. 5, a portion 502_1 of the first latch circuit 502, a portion 503_1 of the second latch circuit 503, and a portion 504_1 of the D/A converting circuit 504 which correspond to a first signal line S1 are shown for a typical example.
A clock pulse S_CLK and an inverted clock pulse S_CLKB obtained by inverting a polarity of the clock pulse are inputted to the shift register 501. When a start pulse S_SP is inputted to the shift register 501, it outputs a sampling pulse to wirings 511_1 to 511_x.
When the sampling pulse outputted from the shift register 501 is inputted to the wiring 511_1, respective blocks 502a_1 to 502a_6 included in the portion 502_1 of the first latch circuit hold the digital video signals inputted to the wirings VD1 to VD6.
The sampling pulse is inputted in order to the wirings 511_1 to 511_x and the first latch circuit 502 holds the digital video signals corresponding to one pixel row.
After that, a latch pulse LP and an inverted latch pulse LPB obtained by inverting a polarity of the latch pulse LP are inputted to the second latch circuit 503. Then, respective blocks 503a_1 to 503a_6 in the portion 503_1 of the second latch circuit hold the digital video signals which are held in the blocks 502a_1 to 502a_6 of the portion 502_1 of the first latch circuit at a time.
The digital video signals of 6 bits which are held in the portion 503_1 of the second latch circuit are inputted to the portion 504_1 of the D/A converting circuit through wirings S1d—1 to S1d—6, converted into analog signals, and outputted to the signal line S1.
Such operation is conducted by the second latch circuit 503 and the D/A converting circuit 504 which correspond to all the signal lines S1 to Sx. Thus, the video signals are outputted to all the signal lines S1 to Sx.
Note that, when the second latch circuit 503 holds the digital video signals corresponding to one pixel row, the first latch circuit 502 starts to hold digital video signals corresponding to a next pixel row.
Such operation is conducted for digital video signals corresponding to all pixel rows, and the digital video signals of 6 bits corresponding to all the pixels are outputted.
Thus, the output of the analog video signals corresponding to a frame to the signal lines S1 to Sx is completed.
Here, it is desirable that the display device is operated at low power consumption. Particularly, it is strongly desirable that a display device mounted in a portable information device has low power consumption.
Also, multi gray scale display is not always required for an image to be displayed on the display device. For example, display in which the number of gray scales is reduced is sufficient for an idle screen of a mobile telephone or the like.
Therefore, an attempt is being made to reduce the number of bits of the signals of the signals used for gray scale display, of the digital video signals inputted to the display device in accordance with a set by a user, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display device.
Hereinafter, an example of a driving method in the case where the number of bits used for gray scale display is reduced and the signal line driver circuit shown in FIG. 5 is operated will be described.
Note that an example in the case where gray scale is represented using the upper 2 bits of a digital video signal is indicated here.
The digital video signals are inputted to the signal line driver circuit through the wirings VD1 to VD6. However, a structure is employed in which the D/A conversion is conducted using only the upper 2-bit signals inputted to the wirings VD1 and VD2 by the D/A converting circuit 504 and analog signals are outputted.
The case of a structure in which the D/A converting circuit 504 has a plurality of gray scale power source lines each set to voltages corresponding to gray scales is considered as an example. When an intensity is represented using the digital video signals of the upper 2 bits, the supply of voltages to the gray scale power source lines corresponding to the lower 4-bit signals which are not used for gray scale representation is stopped.
Thus, the display in which the number of bits of the digital video signals used for gray scale display is reduced can be conducted.
Also, in the example of the above driving method, only the upper 2 bits of the digital video signals are read from the frame memory of the signal control circuit. According to such a driving method, the number of read operations of the frame memory in the signal control circuit can be reduced.
Thus, the display in which the number of bits of the digital video signals used for gray scale display is reduced can be conducted.
According to the display device having the signal line driver circuit 701 as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 in the conventional example, even when the number of gray scales is reduced and display is conducted, the shift register 501 included in the signal line driver circuit 701 operates at the same frequency.
Also, in the first latch circuit 502 and the second latch circuit 503 which are included in the signal line driver circuit 701, blocks corresponding to the lower bits which are not used for gray scale display also operate in response to the sampling pulse from the shift register and the latch pulse, as in the case of general gray scale representation of 6 bits.
Accordingly, there is a problem in that power consumption in the case where the number of gray scales is reduced and the gray scale display is conducted cannot be greatly reduced as compared with power consumption in the case where the 6-bit gray scale display is conducted.

Display device and electric equipment using the same

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Techniques are described for generating high quality entropy in a software only or a hardware assisted software environment, such as a virtualized environment. Embodiments of the invention describe creating an entropy pool within the virtualized environment using multiple sources of entropy. The entropy pool may be used in creating dynamically customizable and high entropy RNG and PUF. The sources of entropy may include trusted sources, untrusted sources and entropy sources with a varied scale of trust and entropy quality associated with them.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to computing technologies. In particular, aspects of the disclosure relate to mobile computing device technologies, such as systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for providing a robust Random Number Generator (RNG) and/or Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF).
In many instances, security and cryptographic strength of an operating environment depends on the entropy associated with the randomness used in the cryptographic algorithms and security protocols. To meet the cryptographic assurance and capabilities high entropy Random Number Generators (RNG) and Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF) are desirable.
Providing high entropy and quality RNG and PUF functionality in software is difficult. The problem of providing one or more high entropy and secure RNG and PUF in a secure container implemented in software is exasperated by the isolation properties in a virtualized environment. For example, a secure container implemented as a virtualized sandbox may virtualize all hardware resources obfuscating many sources of entropy and create a highly predictable (nonrandom) environment. Furthermore, the operating environment that the secure container is implemented in, if malicious, may spoof the entropy sources to significantly weaken the cryptographic routines and security protocols associated with the secure container.
Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems.

Random number generator in a virtualized environment


A method for selecting a path control module (PCM) for a logical unit number (LUN) associated with a host enabled to support multiple PCMs is provided. The method may include selecting a PCM associated with the LUN from a plurality of supported PCMs. The method may also include creating an entry in a configuration database or a configuration file associated with the host, whereby the entry maps the selected PCM with a unique ID associated with the LUN. The method may further include determining a unique ID associated with a hard disk. The method may include matching the unique ID with the created entry. The method may include selecting the PCM from the matched entry based on the matching. Additionally, the method may include loading a kernel extension corresponding to the selected PCM. The method may include configuring the LUN using the loaded kernel extension corresponding to the selected PCM.

When there are multiple input/output (I/O) paths to a disk in a storage area network, the hosts manage the multiple paths using a path management software. The path management software may be referred to as a path control module (PCM). An operating system may have a default PCM which may be used to manage the multiple paths to storage devices. However, alternatively, a storage vendor may also provide a PCM that may also work for that particular storage server model.

Choosing a multipath I/O (MPIO) path control module (PCM) for a logical unit number (LUN) on a host that supports multiple PCMS

International Business Machines Corporation


A main beam support is formed from aluminum and includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is attached to a first end of a main beam hanger, while the lower end is attached to a main beam support mounting bracket that is secured to a vehicle floor. The lower end of the main beam support includes first and second sockets with downwardly directed extensions. The first and second sockets are adapted to receive mounting posts that extend from the main beam support mounting bracket. The first socket is disposed relatively vertically above and rearward of the second socket. Integral keys of the main beam support mounting bracket cooperate with the downwardly directed extensions during assembly to align and restrict movement of the main beam support in forward/rearward and up/down directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward an aluminum hanger beam assembly. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a main beam support that attaches to a main beam hanger and a main beam support mounting bracket.
2. Description of Related Art
Many hanger beam assemblies are known in the art. Such assemblies are structural components that extend between the vehicle A-pillars and serve as a mount for various vehicle components.
A driver beam and a main beam extend between the A-pillars. A variety of brackets/hangers are attached to the driver beam and the main beam. These brackets/hangers are used to mount the vehicle dashboard, instrument panels, control panels, and the steering column assembly. Many types of connection and alignment techniques are utilized to interconnect the brackets/hangers and to connect with the driver and main beams.
These connection and alignment techniques typically include aligning holes between the respective brackets/hangers and driver/main beams and inserting a fastener through the aligned holes. Unfortunately, because the respective holes must be precisely aligned, there is no allowance for tolerances or differences in components of the assembly. Because of this, any dimensional flaws in the assembly cannot be accommodated. If the dimensional flaws in the assembly cannot be accommodated, installation and assembly of the hanger beam assembly in the vehicle is more difficult.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a main beam support that absorbs tolerance imperfections in the assembly to facilitate installation and assembly of the hanger beam assembly in the vehicle.


Provided according to the invention is a fastening tool (10) for tightening/untightening screw threaded fasteners such as bolts or nuts (18). The bolts (18) comprise a head formed with a series of at least three cavities (18a) deployed therearound. The fastening tool (10) comprises at least three peanut-shaped displaceable locking bodies (16) having spherical portions (16a; 16b), and a restricted neck portion (16c) therebetween. The cavities (18a) of the bolt (18) are configured to receive the spherical portions (16b). A seat member (12) is provided, formed with a series of at least three cavities (22) configured to receive the spherical portions (16a). Further provided is a manipulator (14) for rocking the locking bodies (16) about their neck portions (16c) from a non-operative position wherein the spherical portions (16a) are seated in the cavities (22), into an operative position wherein the spherical portions (16b) are seated in the bolt cavities (18a), and vice versa.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,108 to the present inventor, the contents of which being hereby incorporated by reference (hereinafter referred to as "the Prior Patent"), there has been disclosed a theft resistant fastener system which included a rotatable wrench adapted to engage the head portion of the fastener. The wrench and fastener comprised at least three ball-and-socket joints distributed about the fastener axis. Each of these ball-and-socket joints included a ball in the wrench and a socket in the head portion of the fastener, with each socket being provided with a circular cross-section about a socket axis extending at an acute angle to the fastener axis. The wrench comprised a releasable actuator for pressing the balls into respective sockets preparatory to and during rotation of the wrench about the fastener axis. For preventing the clearing the balls from the head while being pressed into the sockets, the head portion at each socket was formed with an overhang extending over part of the ball. The need for auxiliary means for biasing the balls out of the sockets upon release of the actuator has been avoided by providing each overhang with an outer limit closer to the fastener axis than a center of the corresponding one of the balls of the ball-and-socket joints. Actuation of the fastener by a conventional wrench was prevented by providing the head portion with outward extending slopes at the sockets and otherwise about the fastener axis.
Certain limitations of the Prior Patent system have led the present inventor to further develop the conceptual approach therein disclosed. The main limitation relates to the holding or gripping method of the balls by the wrench. As clearly seen and described, the balls are enclosed within sockets formed in the wrench actuator. In order to prevent the balls from free-falling out of their sockets (during non-use of the wrench) it is mandatory to provide a circumferential barrier—whether continuous or at least at three equally distanced locations ("overhang" or "edges" 84 in FIGS. 2A, 2B of the Prior Patent). The fulfillment of this condition dictated that the exposed, "active" portion of each ball be less than half, and practically only about one third.
This inevitable requirement has caused the following drawbacks: It has limited the amount of torque that could be applied by the wrench depending on the strength of the material (metal) of which the bolt has made; and, it has set a limit to the miniaturization degree of the tool. For example, bolts of, say, 3 mm diameter are ruled-out in as much as the Prior Patent system is concerned.
From another aspect, although derived from the above, the Prior Patent system is properly applicable with regard to dome-shaped (semi-spherical or round cap) bolts. This is due to the fact that in order to assure smooth, unimpeded release of the balls from the bolt head sockets back into the wrench sockets, both must be aligned, and the common axis thereof (designated 352 in FIG. 2A of the Prior Patent) must be inclined at an acute angle relative to the bolt axial axis. Therefore, bolts other than of round cap bolts (or nuts) such as PAN bolts or countersunk (flat-headed) bolts were unsuitable to be handled by the Prior Patent wrench system.
It is therefore the general object of the invention to overcome the above listed and other deficiencies of the Prior Patent system, while still maintaining the outstanding advantages thereof.
It is a further object of the invention to substitute the balls configuration by one that will enable enhanced torque transmission capabilities.


A solution based polymer nanofiller composite processing method to improve mechanical, electrical, thermal and/or chemical properties. The solution based synthesis method may include the steps of surface functionalizing carbon nanomaterials and dissolving a polymer in a solvent. The functionalized carbon nanomaterials and dissolved polymer may be mixed until the mixture is homogenous. The mixture may be cured to form the polymer carbon nano-composite material, which provides significant improvements in modulus, hardness, strength, fracture toughness, wear, fatigue, creep, and damping performance.

The reinforcement of polymers with nano-materials can greatly improve the mechanical and also the chemical/thermal stability of polymeric materials. Production of polymer composite materials and components is a process of great practical and technological importance. High quality polymer nano-composite materials show significant elastic modulus, hardness, strength, tear strength, fracture toughness and wear performances. Available elastomer composite products may be manufactured from carbon black/silica filled amorphous rubbery raw materials. For example, un-vulcanized rubber, carbon black/silica and vulcanizing agents may be mixed, followed by molding and curing under high temperature and high pressure. To further improve polymer composite performance, nanomaterials other than carbon black, such as the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), nanoclays, and other nanoparticles, may be mixed with a polymer.
Rubber composite fabrication may utilize mechanical mixing of fillers and curing compounds together with rubber matrix, which can result in dispersion uniformity problems, especially for non-spherical fillers such as CNTs and CNFs. It is understood that controlling nanomaterial dispersion and interfacial bonding strength are two of the most important issues that need to be addressed before polymer carbon composite products can be reliably produced. Due to viscoelasticity of polymer matrices and the small sized of the nanofillers, mechanical mixing can be ineffective and often result in poor filler dispersion in the polymer matrix, especially when the filler concentration reaches the percolation threshold.
Methods and systems for producing polymer nanofiller composite materials are discussed herein. The methods and systems overcome the challenges in mixing multi-scale materials by direct mechanical blending, and utilize a reliable solution based approach to synthesizing the carbon nano-composite materials.

Solution based polymer nanofiller-composites synthesis


A system to control operation of a machine having a ground-engaging work implement for moving material about a worksite include a controller configured to determine a feasible target profile for the work implement to engage material. The feasible target profile may include a preload segment, a cut segment, and a loading segment. The controller determines a feasible prospective cut segment from a plurality of prospective cut segments. The controller generates a prospective preloading segment and a prospective loading segment associated with the feasible prospective cut profile. Position points associated with the loading segment are extracted and the controller determines if the ground-engaging work implement will align with the plurality of position points. The controller may also determine whether the load volume for the prospective cut segment is efficient.

Machines such as dozers, motor graders, wheel loaders and the like are used to perform tasks such as moving material about a worksite like a mine, quarry, construction site, or the like. The machines may operate autonomously, semi-autonomously, or manually. In autonomous operation, the machine is operated according to a predetermined work plan without the assistance of a human operator, while in semi-autonomous operation, a human operator who may be present on the machine or may be at a remote location may be responsible for directing the machine to perform certain tasks. In manual operation, the operator is generally responsible for directing all tasks performed by the machine. To assist in operation, the machine may include an electronic control unit, control module, or controller that is responsive to and capable of processing instructions and commands for performing various tasks associated with the work plan.
One common operation conducted by machines designed in accordance with the disclosure involves removing overburden from a worksite to access more desirable materials, such as coal or ore, located underneath the overburden. The machine may include a ground-engaging work implement such as a blade for pushing the material to a different location. A plurality of machines may operate in conjunction with each other making multiple passes over the worksite to displace the material. Making multiple passes with the machine results in the formation of slots or channels in the worksite as the material is removed, and when a plurality of machines are operating together, multiple parallel slots may be formed.
To improve efficiency, it is desirable that the work implement is controlled to move a significant quantity of material per pass without overburdening the machine. U.S. Pat. No. 9,388,550 (the '550 patent), assigned to the present applicant, discloses a system and methodology for the autonomous control of the machine to alter the terrain of the worksite. The '550 patent describes that the controller can conduct various analytical steps to arrive at a desired loading profile which guides the work implement as it engages the ground. The present application is directed to related, but different, methods for determining a loading profile by which operation of the machine may be controlled.

System and method for controlling operation of a machine


Disclosed is a skin-whitening agent which comprises as its effective ingredient a group of substances capable of forming chemical complexes with melanin monomers. Boron-containing compounds and organelles originated from animals, plants and microorganisms make the invention feasible as they commonly suppress pigmentation through a novel action mechanism where melanin monomers are trapped by chemical complex formation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an entirely novel type of skin-whitening agent which suppresses melanin polymer formation through trapping of melanin monomers, in particular, to a skin-whitening agent characterized in that it comprises as its effective ingredient a group of substances which bear the property of forming chemical complexes with melanin monomers.
2. Description of Prior Art
Various researches have been carried out for skin-whitening agents which may eliminate pigmented spots on human skin such as melasma and freckles, as well as enhancing throughout the whole skin the ability of retaining both beauty and whiteness. It is said that several factors such as melanin, carotene, blood stream level, skin thickness and skin transparency are involved in the color tone of healthy human skin. Among these factors, the level of eumelanin and pheomelanin are also known to be a major cause of pigmentation. Researches for skin-whitening cosmetics have also long been carried out: Such cosmetics are directed at suppressing the formation of melanin, a cause of melasma and freckles, as well as to enhance throughout the whole skin the ability of retaining both beauty and whiteness.
Recently, as to the process of forming melanin polymer in animal and human, in addition to the conventionally known pathway wherein tyrosinase participates, the presence and role of further critical pathways after DOPAchrome and their regulating enzymes are currently being clarified: Such pathways are those which proceed via two distinct types of melanin monomers, i.e. DHICA (5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid) and DHI (dihydroxy-indole), while these two melanin monomers regulating enzymes are those including DOPAchrome tautomerase and DHICA-oxidase.
Various tyrosinase inhibitory compounds including kojic acid have been used as a means of suppressing the formation of melanin: Such compounds however have the disadvantage of being unsatisfactory in efficacy or lacking rapid effectiveness. Thus, there have been great expectations for the development of skin-whitening agents which are capable of achieving consistently high efficacy through any novel action mechanisms.


The lazer ball is a foamed ball or projectile which glows under particular lighting conditions and which can be fired through a standard air gun, such as a paint ball gun. The lazer ball can be prepared from any suitable foam material which is capable of being molded or extruded into a spherical shape, is compressible when pressure is applied to it and can return to its original shape when pressure is released. Other properties of the lazer ball include a density of between about 11.0 to about 15.0 pcf, a skin thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.025" and a shore "A" durometer of between about 35.0 and 45.0. A preferred foam material is an integral skin urethane foam system. Standard foam systems may require chemical modification in order to meet the required surface properties.

Games simulating battle and war situations in which players or teams of players compete against opposing members for amusement are well known in the prior art. Such games range from simple board games to children's playing of war to survival games. One type of survival game which has gained in popularity in recent years is the "paint ball" game in which players fire paint balls through air guns at one another. A player who has been contacted by a paint ball is marked with a permanent marker material, typically paint, thereby indicating a score for the opposing team and taking the "hit" player out of the game. There have been significant drawbacks to the paint ball game, including the damaging of the player's clothing by the marking material as well as injuries to the players, including eye damage and severe bruising caused by the impact of the paint ball to the player's body. Nonetheless, numerous paint balls have been developed to enhance various playing situations. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,018,450 and 5,001,880 to Smith disclose luminescent paint balls for marking nighttime impacts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,054 to Rouffer discloses a paint ball comprising a liquid filled gelatin capsule. The paint ball has a density greater than previously known paint balls, enhancing the ballistic characteristics of the paint ball. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,886 to Lush discloses a reusable paint ball grenade which utilizes a plurality of conventional .68 caliber or smaller paint balls.
Attempts have been made to provide a paint ball or similar type ball which lessens the possibility of injury. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,379 to Kotsiopoulos et al. discloses a paint ball having a shell filled with a liquid coloring agent, wherein the shell readily fractures upon striking a person with a decreased risk of cutting, bruising or welting of the skin of the person struck by the ball. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,616 to Whiting a ball-shaped marking projectile is disclosed comprising a spherical rubber core, a porous layer having a powdered marking material, and a perforated cover. When the projectile strikes a player, the marking material is dispersed through the perforated cover, providing a less hazardous method of marking an opponent.
Despite the efforts of the prior art, a need still exists for a ball which can be fired through a conventional air gun, such as a paint ball gun, which will neither physically mark the player upon impact nor cause severe bruising. Such a ball should be reusable and should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.


This UV light system for use in a central air handling unit of a heating or air conditioning system includes a UV light source and is adapted for operation on, and receives power from, an approximately 24VAC low voltage power supply for a thermostat of the heating or air conditioning system. In its preferred embodiments it is provided with a mounting system including a bendable “Z” shaped mounting bracket, which bracket can be bent to multiple angles allowing the UV light source to be positioned in numerous ways within the central air handling unit. It is preferably packaged in a cylindrical packing case where the elongate cylindrical emitter portion of the UV light source is aligned with the axis of the case.

The present invention relates to a low voltage ultraviolet light apparatus for application into typical centralized air heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The device is intended for the reduction and control of organic contamination that can occur within confines of these central air handling units (AHU's).
Organic contamination such as algal, fungal, bacterial, and viral contamination of central air handling units (AHU's) components is a widespread indoor air related problem in homes and buildings with centralized heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and is a potential source of contamination of the occupied air space. Organic growth has been found growing on air filters, insulation, internal wires, blower wheels and motors, cooling coils, and drain pans as well as in ducts of these systems. This contamination if un-checked can contribute to building-related illnesses and diseases, including both infectious diseases and hypersensitivity diseases.
By applying the present inventions ultraviolet light apparatus into typical central air handling units (AHU's), it can help to maintain components that are susceptible to organic growth and fouling through the use of the germicidal ultraviolet light, which can prevent the organic fouling from occurring and spreading.
The present invention includes a low voltage ultraviolet light apparatus (including its means for attachment) and it's related packaging for marketing. As discussed in more detail below, the ultraviolet light apparatus also involves an extended operating range low voltage power supply, weather resistant lamp cable, weather resistant lamp and related mounting hardware. Further, as also discussed in more detail below, the packing of the ultraviolet light for transport and marketing involves a tube that contains two end caps to contain the product within the tube's interior, a paper insert that contains marketing and technical information on the UV apparatus and two round foam inserts that pad and contain the UV apparatus components on either end, with the UV light source aligned with and within the tube's center.
The low voltage power supply of my invention is intended to receive it's power source from the 24 VAC low voltage source that is commonly found within residential air and light commercial air handling units (AHU's). This power source is typically the source that powers the thermostat and controls of the air handling unit. However, its use is difficult in this application both because it must be made compatible with the normal demand for 60 VAC used to power the UV light source and because the low voltage source for thermostat power is itself subject to great variation in terms of output, often ranging from 18 to 32 VAC.
A weather resistant lamp cable is attached to the low voltage power supply. This cable is intended to supply power to the ultraviolet light source and is weather resistant due to the inherent moist nature found within typical air handling units.
The weather resistant ultraviolet light source is intended to be applied to various configurations of air handling units for the purpose of disinfection and sterilization of internal components that are prone to grow organic microbial contaminates.
The present invention also involves a method for the reduction of typical indoor odors through a combination of ultraviolet light spectrums emitted by the UV light source. The combination of UV spectrums produces a UV oxidative effect that increases the UV's reactivity with odors and other volatile organic compounds (VOC's).
The present invention likewise involves an installation hardware kit for mounting the ultraviolet light apparatus within typical air handling units. The installation hardware kit includes a specially designed magnetic "Z" bracket for the purpose of mounting the ultraviolet light source above the components of the air handling unit.
Finally, The present invention involves special packaging and display innovations. These relate to case packing of the product for display and marketing of a bulk quantity of the product. The case packaging involves a cardboard case box for boxing multiples of the product, such as a case containing 15 pieces. In addition the case packaging involves a marketing display such as a poster attached to the outside of the case box. Further, a lighted counter display unit allows visual display and marketing of the product. The counter display involves a working and lighted sample of the UV apparatus and it's related packaging that is attached to a flat counter mountable base. Additionally, a retail brochure holder can be attached to this base for the purpose of displaying the sales and marketing credentials of the UV apparatus.


A method of specifying a visual style for a set of graphical components is provided for use on a computer system having a graphical operating environment. The method includes providing a schema file of available graphical components for which a visual style can be created. In the schema file, each component is defined by a unique class name. The method further includes selecting graphical components from the schema file that are desired to have a defined visual style. Properties are then assigned to these selected components according to the desired visual style, and pairs of selected graphical components and corresponding assigned properties for the defined visual style together are grouped together in a class data file that defines the overall appearance for the defined visual style.

Computer users in both the business and home environment have become accustomed to using a computer with a graphical operating system. For example, many users operate computers having a Microsoft Corporation "WINDOWS" operating system thereon. Certain components of these graphical operating systems are known as "controls." For example, a control may be an "OK" button, which is generally a rectangular button with "OK" written in it. By moving the cursor over the button and clicking on the mouse, a known operation will begin that is associated with the control. Many other controls exist, with examples including scroll bars, dialog boxes and sliders. Beyond controls, the graphical operating systems also draw, or render, other graphical components as needed on the display of the computer, such as the window frame, the minimize box and the close box, which may collectively be called "non-client" components.
There are two general kinds of controls in WINDOWS: standard and custom. Standard controls are provided by the operating system. The code to create, draw and operate standard controls is contained in the common control library (DLL), or in USER.dll, both of which are standard libraries provided as a part of WINDOWS. Custom controls are all other controls. Custom controls may be created by the manufacturer of the operating system or by third parties. The code for custom controls is contained in a corresponding separate library (DLL) or within an application.
Currently, when a graphical user interface component, such as a control, is used by an application, the application requests that an instance of the component be created. Following this, the operating system transmits a generic message to the component, instructing the component to render itself. The application plays a role in routing the message from the main window to the targeted control, but the control code performs the drawing. The application uses application programming interfaces (API's) to create and interact with the control. An API serves as a software interface to be used by other programs, much as the keypad serves as an interface to a calculator. An API is a fundamental concept of high-level programming. In high-level programming, a program often does not execute tasks by itself. Instead, the program asks some other program to execute these tasks. For example, programs frequently delegate various tasks to the underlying operating system. Continuing with the above example, an application delegates the rendering of a control to the control's code.
In the existing environment, when a generic rendering message is received by a control to draw itself, the control will draw itself using its own drawing software code. In this prior art environment, the control knows what it is supposed to look like, how it is supposed to behave, and can effectuate such a display on the user interface of the computer. Thus, the application may delegate all aspects of visual rendering to the controls, avoiding the need to contain software code to support the visual rendering of the control within the host application itself.
By utilizing the standard controls defined and rendered by the operating system, all controls will have the same appearance, regardless of the application. Users of graphical operating systems can change only a limited number of characteristics of the controls. In the "WINDOWS" operating system, a user can change the color scheme used to display the various controls and components on the monitor. The user can also select one of a number of fonts to be used by the controls and components. The user can also specify nonclient sizes that will control the sizing of the non-client areas. Thus, the colors, fonts and sizes of the controls and components may be changed. However, the basic appearance of the controls and components is dictated by the rendering software code within the control library containing the particular graphical component or control. In the prior art environment, to change the appearance of the controls or graphical components, the rendering software code must be altered. For example, if it is desired to change the appearance of the "OK" button, the rendering software code within the operating system DLL file containing the button control must be altered and the DLL file reconstructed at the binary level. If it was desired to render the button as an oval, the software code would have to be changed accordingly. Such an approach makes it difficult, if not impossible, for a computer user and for software manufacturers, to easily alter the appearance of the controls and graphical components.
In order to enhance the user experience of the computer, it would be desirable for the user to have the ability to change the overall "look and feel" of the graphical display by changing the overall visual appearance or "theme" of the various graphical components. In other words, it would be desirable if the user could change not only the color and font of the graphical components appearing on the monitor, but to change the appearance of those graphical components as well. For example, it would be desirable to be able to alter and direct the layout of the parts of a control, and to define the shape of a control or its parts. It would also be desirable to control all aspects of how a control or its parts are drawn. Because the controls and graphical components existing within the DLL file in the prior art environment are "hard coded" with their own rendering software code, it is difficult and cumbersome to change the appearance of all of the controls and components. To do so would require recoding each of the controls to achieve the desired appearance. If multiple visual styles were required, they would each have to be predefined and each "hard coded" into every control.
Using the current approach, if a user interface designer desires to have a new "look" for a set of graphical components, the designer must communicate this desire to a programmer. The programmer will then attempt to appropriately code the components to achieve the look desired by the designer. The designer will then review the look and communicate any needed changes to the programmer. This process continues, often with multiple iterations, until the designer is satisfied with the look achieved. It can be seen that the above process is time-consuming and is limited by the communication between the designer and the programmer. It would be desirable to allow the designer to be able to perform the tasks necessary to achieve a specific look and to be able to revise the look achieved until the designer is satisfied. This would eliminate the revision time between the designer and the programmer and would give the designer more flexibility in the look achieved.
Certain prior approaches exist that attempt to address the above situation. However, these solutions do not allow all of the controls and graphical components of the entire system to be changed. Instead, the prior art approaches address only limited portions of the set of displayed components. This allows the appearance of some controls and graphical components to be altered, leaving the remainder unaltered. Further, the prior art approaches may suffer from poor performance and may lack the desired level of stability.
Accordingly, there is a need for an effective system, method and file format that allows a designer to efficiently create a visual style for a set of controls and graphical components that addresses the above drawbacks and deficiencies. Such a system and file format should allow a programmer or custom control author the flexibility to create new options for the controls and components, such that the designer has additional options. Adding a new control type or a new custom property does not require a change to the theme manager, including the parser, loader and renderer code. A need also exists for a system and method that allows options within a "theme" or visual style, such as an easy method for creating a different size theme or a different color theme. A need also exists for a method and system that provides a file format for a visual style that defines components in a hierarchical fashion, making the file easier to maintain.

System and theme file format for creating visual styles


A head suspension for supporting a read/write head in a dynamic rigid disk data storage device and applying a load force on the read/write head in a load direction when the storage device is in operation, the suspension comprising an elongated loadbeam portion extending along a longitudinal axis having a bending spring rate in the load direction. The loadbeam comprises a rigid mounting portion at a proximal end of the loadbeam portion for attaching the loadbeam portion to an actuating mechanism, a rigid load portion at a distal end of the loadbeam portion for supporting an assembly configured to carry the read/write head, and a spring portion integrally formed with the mounting region and load region and having partially etched regions with a thickness that is smaller than the mounting region and load region. The spring portion appreciably affects the bending spring rate. The boundary between the spring portion and mounting portion comprises at least a first segment that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The boundary between the spring portion and load portion comprises at least a second segment that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In a dynamic rigid disk storage device, a rotating disk, such as a magnetic disk, is used to store information. Rigid disk storage devices typically include a frame to provide attachment points and orientation for other components, and a spindle motor mounted on the frame for rotating the disk. A read/write element is formed on a "head slider" for reading and writing data from and to the disk surface. The head slider typically is supported and oriented relative to the disk by a head suspension assembly. The head suspension assembly provides both the force and compliance necessary for proper head slider operation. The head suspension assembly typically comprises a load beam and flexure, which can be attached to, or integrally formed with, the load beam. The head suspension assembly typically is attached to an actuator arm or E-block, which is in turn attached to an actuator. As the disk in the storage device rotates beneath the head slider and head suspension, the air above the disk also rotates, thereby creating an air bearing which acts with an aerodynamic design of the head slider to create a lift force on the head slider. The balance between the lift force and load force exerted by the head suspension substantially determines the distance, or "flying height" between the read/write head and the surface of the disk.
The trend in the evolution of dynamic rigid disk storage devices is toward higher data storage density, higher read/write speed, and a more efficient manufacturing process coupled with higher quality products. To achieve high data storage density, the read/write head must be close to the disk surface. That is, the flying height must be small. For example, for a data density of about 7.8 Gigabytes/cm2 or greater on a magnetic hard drive, the flying height of the slider is typically on the order of 10 nm or less.
To consistently attain such small flying heights, the performance parameters of the components of the suspension assembly must be controlled carefully. One parameter is the spring force or vertical load, often referred to as the "gram load", that the head suspension assembly exerts on the slider head to balance the "lift" forces created by the air passing between the slider and the spinning disk. The gram load is typically set by the properties of the spring region (also referred to as the "radius region") of the loadbeam. In a typical loadbeam, the spring region is a portion of reduced material thickness between a rigid load portion and a rigid mounting portion for attaching the loadbeam to an actuator. It is therefore desirable to have small variability in gram load. Depending on the spring portion forming process and the starting material used, the gram load may decrease to a lower level over time or as the loadbeam is deformed ("backbent") beyond its designed normal operating range. It is desirable to reduce the amount of this decrease ("load loss") and to reduce the manufacturing influence variability of the load loss. Another important parameter is the frequency response function ("FRF"), which is the amount of gain of the read/write head as a function of the frequency of an oscillating driving force, such as the force from the vibrations of a disk drive. Typically, the FRF has one or more resonant peaks over the range of frequencies of interest. That is, the head suspension resonates at certain frequencies. It is thus typically desirable to have fewer FRF peaks and to control their frequencies and gain at the intended rigid disk data storage devices operating frequencies. Generally, it is desirable to have FRF peaks of high frequencies, preferably higher than the operating frequencies of the storage devices.
In one common loadbeam manufacturing process, the thickness in the spring portion is reduced by chemically etching away part of the material in the spring portion. Ideally, the partial etching would proceed evenly, and the thickness of the remaining material ("remaining material thickness", or "RMT") would be uniform throughout the spring region. In reality, however, the etching rate is typically higher at the edges of the etching zone than at the center of the zone, as shown by the example illustrated in FIG. 11. As a result, the regions 1126 in the spring portion 1120 near the boundary between the spring portion 1120 and the mounting portion 1116, and between the spring portion 1120 and the load portion 1118, tend to be thinner than the middle portion 1128 of the spring region 1120. In a prior art loadbeam, the boundaries between the mounting portion and the partially etched spring portion and between the load portion and the spring portion are parallel to each other and parallel to the torque bending the loadbeam when the load force is applied to the head. In other words, the boundaries are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the loadbeam. With this configuration, gram load loss and product variability remain significant concerns. There is thus a need for a head suspension with improved characteristics, in particular reduced gram load loss and reduced variability in performance parameters.

Loadbeam with improved partial etching geometry


A system includes emission of first electrons toward a first focal spot using an X-ray tube located at a first position, emission of first radiation from the first focal spot toward an object, acquisition of a first projection of the object based on the emitted first radiation using a computed tomography radiation detector, emission of second electrons toward a second focal spot using the X-ray tube located at the first position, emission of second radiation from the second focal spot toward the object, acquisition of a second projection of the object based on the emitted second radiation using the computed tomography radiation detector, and generation of an image of the object based on the first projection and the second projection.

1. Field
The embodiments described below relate generally to imaging using X-rays. More particularly, some embodiments concern two-dimensional imaging using a computed tomography scanner.
2. Description
Images of internal patient volumes are commonly used in modern medical practice. Such images may be used to generate or confirm a diagnosis and/or to plan a course of treatment.
In order to obtain an internal image, a patient is typically transferred to a facility (i.e., an "RF" room) providing radiographic/fluoroscopic imaging. The RF room includes one or more monolithic systems for obtaining two-dimensional (radiographic) images and/or two-dimensional+time (fluoroscopic) images. In some instances, these images may be sufficient for diagnosis, intervention, and treatment planning.
In other instances, the images obtained in the RF room may indicate a volume within the patient about which more information is desired. Accordingly, the patient may be moved to a three-dimensional imaging system located in another room or building. The three-dimensional imaging system may comprise a computed tomography ("CT") system including an X-ray source and a radiation receiver that are mounted to face one another on opposite sides of a ring. The patient is positioned within the ring so that the volume of interest lies between the X-ray source and the radiation receiver. A three-dimensional image of the volume of interest is generated from two-dimensional projection images obtained by the receiver as the ring is rotated.
Two-dimensional images are initially acquired in the RF room for at least two reasons. First, the significant cost of obtaining a three-dimensional image may be avoided if the images acquired in the RF room are sufficient for their intended purpose. Second, high resolution two-dimensional images acquired in the RF room are frequently sufficient for the clinical task. It has been proposed to use two-dimensional projection images acquired by a CT scanner as an alternative to RF room images, but currently these projection images are not sufficiently detailed for most diagnosis and/or treatment planning.
Systems are desired that may reduce the need for separate RF and CT imaging systems.

Radiographic and fluoroscopic CT imaging


A biopsy device includes a cylindrical hollow stylet having a proximal end, a distal end, and a uniform wall thickness. The proximal end and the distal end are disposed on the longitudinal axis. A longitudinal recess forms a sample chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical hollow stylet. A longitudinal insert has a longitudinal length, a distal terminal end, and an elongate channel. The longitudinal insert is positioned within the cylindrical hollow stylet with the distal terminal end proximal to the longitudinal recess. The longitudinal insert is immovably connected to the cylindrical hollow stylet. The elongate channel is configured to maintain a fluid passageway through the cylindrical hollow stylet from the proximal end to the longitudinal recess.

Often, it is either desirable or necessary to obtain specimens of tissue from humans and other animals, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancerous tumors, premalignant conditions, and other diseases or disorders. For example, when it is discovered that suspicious conditions exist, either by means of x-ray or ultrasound imaging in various tissues of the body, a physician typically performs a biopsy to determine if the cells at the suspected site are cancerous.
A biopsy can be done either by an open or percutaneous technique. Open biopsy is an invasive procedure using a scalpel, whereby either a portion (incisional biopsy) or the entire mass (excisional biopsy) is removed. Percutaneous biopsy is usually done with a needle-like instrument through a relatively small incision, and can be performed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) or through the taking of a core biopsy sample. In FNA biopsy, individual cells or clusters of cells are obtained for cytologic examination and can be prepared such as in a Papanicolaou smear. In a core biopsy, a core or fragment of the tissue is obtained for histologic examination.
Intact tissue from the organ, lesion, or tumor is preferred by medical personnel in order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis regarding the patient's condition. In most cases only part of the tissue in question needs to be sampled. The portions of tissue extracted must be indicative of the organ, lesion, or tumor as a whole. Often, multiple tissue samples from various locations of the mass being sampled may be taken.
The percutaneous biopsy procedure can be performed utilizing various techniques and devices. An example is a method and a device that employs a biopsy needle for cutting tissue sample as described in British Patent Publication No. GB 2018601A. In the described biopsy device, living tissue is drawn into a cutting region under vacuum. The vacuum is created in the needle by employing connecting lines to a vacuum generator situated outside of a hand piece that holds the cannula. The cutting of the sample is done using a cutting mechanism that moves axially over the cannula. After the needle is withdrawn from the host, the sample is flushed out from the tip of the needle. The vacuum established in the hollow needle is regulated externally from the hand-piece.
Another biopsy mechanism is described in European Patent Publication No. EP 0890 339 A1. A biopsy needle, with a cutting mechanism, is integrated into a hand piece. The needle is connected via connection lines to an external vacuum generator and controls. The cutting device is moveable axially in the hollow space of the biopsy needle. A rotary movement, combined with a manual lengthwise push causes the cutting device to sample the tissue from the host. The sample is transported in the hollow channel of the needle. A similar arrangement is also shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,822.
A vacuum-assisted biopsy device is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0011156 A1, provides for a compactly configured hand device, in whose housing all drive elements necessary for propelling the needle of the biopsy needle arrangement are provided. A partial vacuum source is provided separate from the hand device, which can be connected via an appropriate supply line to the needle arrangement inside the hand device at a suitable connection location.
US Patent Publication No. 20050203439, describes a biopsy device for taking tissue samples, which includes a housing, a removable element and a control panel. The removable part has a vacuum pump in the form of a syringe which is driven by a first motor and a biopsy needle which is driven by a separate motor under the control of a controller built into a permanent hand set. The needle and syringe are provided as a sterile package unit.
Small diameter biopsy needles are desirable because they have the potential to generate less tissue trauma in the host during use. Generally, biopsy needles use a cutting tip that slices tissue as the needle is advanced. Since biopsy needles need to be inserted a considerable distance before reaching the location of the tissue to be sampled, having a small diameter means less tissue is cut by the cutting tip.
It would be desirable for a biopsy needle of small diameter to provide greater sample size with less trauma than larger size needles. But small-diameter needles are believed to pose a greater design challenge because of the structural demands on a small diameter device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Large sample low aspect ratio biopsy needle


A packing element for fluid-fluid contact apparatus is of generally tubular form, having a cylindrical wall in which two rows of apertures are formed. The first of the rows includes a plurality of apertures formed circumferentially in the wall, and the second of the rows, longitudinally spaced from the first row, includes a second plurality of apertures distributed circumferentially around the wall. First and second pluralities of tongues associated with the apertures respectively extend inwardly generally towards the longitudinal axis of the element, the tongues being provided in two different lengths. The packing element is preferably formed from strip metal, and the apertures are formed by depression of the tongue from the plane of the strip, prior to curving of the strip into cylindrical form.

This invention relates to packing elements for use in fluid-fluid contact apparatus. The invention also relates to fluid-fluid contact apparatus comprising such elements and to a method of providing fluid-fluid contact utilising such elements or apparatus.
Typically, fluid-fluid contact apparatus is in the form of a tower or column or the like and comprises one or more beds formed from a plurality of packing elements, which in many cases are dumped therein in a substantially random manner.
In typical operation, the fluids to be brought into contact are introduced into the apparatus and the surfaces of the packing elements afford a substantial area on which contact between the fluids may occur.
Thus, for example, where the fluids comprise a liquid typically introduced at or near the top of the bed, and a gas typically introduced at or near the bottom of the bed, the liquid forms a thin film on the surfaces of the elements, which film presents a large contact area, in relation to its volume, to the gas permeating the bed from below, such that mass transfer is promoted between the liquid and the gas. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the liquid may be afforded by a or said gas which has condensed on the packing elements.


A parallel computer system includes information processing devices, each of the information processing devices including a communication control device that performs communication, a main memory that stores data, and an arithmetic processing device that is coupled to the communication control device and the main memory, the information processing devices being coupled to each other through a network by the respective communication control device, wherein the arithmetic processing device includes a cache memory and a cache controller, the cache controller that executes an atomic operation for target data on the cache memory that stores the target data when the communication control device outputs an atomic operation request that is used to request the atomic operation, the atomic operation being not divided into a smaller operation, and notifies the communication control device of a result that is obtained by executing the atomic operation on the cache memory.

In a parallel computer system that is constituted so that a plurality of information processing devices (computers) is coupled to a network as data processing computers (nodes), higher performance may be obtained as the number of nodes that are coupled to the network is increased. Therefore, processing in which high performance is requested is generally caused to be executed by the parallel computer system.
The parallel computer system is a distributed-memory type computer system in which each of the nodes includes a memory space. Therefore, each of the nodes obtains data from further piece of data as appropriate.
Each of the nodes includes a communication control device such as a network interface card (NIC) for communication through a network, and an arithmetic processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU). Generally, in the arithmetic processing device, a plurality of processor cores that functions as a single processor are installed, and in each of the processer cores, a cache memory is provided. Using them, the arithmetic processing device reads desired data on a main memory onto the cache memory.
In the cache memory, a plurality of cache lines is provided as a data storage area. Reading and writing of data in the cache memory is performed in a unit of the cache line.
Data on the cache memory is updated as appropriate. Therefore, the data on the cache memory may not be matched with data on the main memory and data on a further cache memory. In order to execute appropriate processing, it is desirable that appropriate data is used. Therefore, in a system environment in which the plurality of cache memories exists such as the parallel computer system, cache coherency control is performed so that there is no conflict between contents of the plurality of cache memories. A cache coherency protocol is a protocol that is used for the cache coherency control, and as the cache coherency protocol, there are a MSI protocol, a MESI protocol, a MOESI protocol, and the like.
In the MOESI protocol, the states of the cache lines on the cache memory are classified into five states of "M" (Modified), "O" (Owned), "E" (Exclusive), "S" (Shared), and "I" (Invalid).
In the "M" state, data merely exists on the cache memory of the processor core, and the content of the data is not matched with a content of data on the main memory. In the "E" state, data merely exists on the cache memory of the processor core, and the content of the data is matched with a content of data on the main memory. In the "S" state, data exists on the cache memory of the processor core and a further cache memory. In the "I" state, a cache line is invalid. In the O state, a content of data on the cache memory of the processor core is not matched with a content of data on the main memory, and the data on the cache memory of the processor core exists on a further cache memory as well. The "O" state is different from the "S" state in that write-back caching in which data is stored in the main memory is performed. That is, in the plurality of cache memories in which data that is not matched with a content of data on the main memory exists, merely a single cache memory becomes in the O state, and the other cache memories become in the S state.
Generally, for the parallel computer system, "multi-thread" is employed in which the nodes execute the smallest execution units of programs, which are called threads, all at the same time. Pieces of data that are stored on the main memories by the nodes are shared resources, and it is desirable that the pieces of data are synchronized. As an operation that is executed in the parallel computer system, there is an atomic operation that is not divided into a smaller operation in order to synchronize the pieces of data or perform exclusive control.
The atomic operation corresponds to a plurality of series of operations that are used to execute simple mathematical calculation or simple logical calculation for data. When the atomic operation is being executed, data is locked, and the atomic operation is completed before access by a further thread. Therefore, the pieces of data may be synchronized.
As the atomic operation, for example, there is "Fetch and Add". "Fetch and Add" includes the following series of operations.
(1) Read data from the main memory onto the cache memory
(2) Combine the read data and an operand
(3) Perform write-back caching of the addition result to the main memory
When "Fetch and Add" is being executed, a further thread (or process) is not allowed to access data that is a read target on the main memory. As a result, it is avoided that the further thread obtains data before the addition result and performs rewriting to the addition result.
There are further various examples of the atomic operation. For example, "Compare and Swap" is an atomic operation in which values of data of an operand and data on the main memory are compared with each other, and when the values of the data of the operand and the data on the main memory are matched with each other, the data on the main memory is replaced with a value of data of a further operand.
Even when the atomic operation is executed between nodes, it is desirable that consistency of the cache memories (cache coherency) is kept. Therefore, in a related art, an arithmetic processing device (processor core that is installed in the arithmetic processing device) checks a state of a cache line in which target data of the atomic operation is stored, and executes processing that corresponds to the check result. For example, when the checked state of the cache line is the E state or the S state as the check result, the arithmetic processing device causes the state to transit to the I state, and when the checked state of the cache line is the M state or the O state, the arithmetic processing device performs write-back caching of the target data to the main memory and causes the state to transit to the I state. After that, the arithmetic processing device executes the atomic operation for the target data on the main memory. Due to such processing, the cache coherency may be kept.
Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2010-507160, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-204101 are the related arts.

Parallel computer system, control method of parallel computer system, information processing device, arithmetic processing device, and communication control device


A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cab back panel assembly pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle, and a sill assembly that includes a portion of a securing system. The sill assembly is pivotably coupled to the vehicle. The sill assembly is pivotable back and forth between a latching position where the cab back panel assembly can engage the portion of the sill assembly and a stowed position.

A typical pickup truck has a cab providing a passenger compartment and a cargo bed providing a cargo area. A cab back is positioned between the passenger compartment and the cargo bed. A front wall of the cargo bed is spaced a distance from the cab back. In some pickup trucks, such as unibody pickup trucks, the cab back can provide the front wall of the cargo bed.


Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding N-acetylmuramidase M1, polypeptide products of recombinant expression of these DNA sequences, peptides whose sequences are based upon the amino acid sequences deduced from these DNA sequences, antibodies specific for such proteins and peptides, procedures for the detection and quantitation of such proteins and nucleic acids related thereto, as well as procedures relating to the development of bacteriolytic methods, therapeutic agents, and compositions utilizing N-acetylmuramidase M1.

The present invention relates generally to N-acetylmuramidase M1 and more particularly to microbial N-acetylmuramidase M1, to DNA sequences encoding N-acetylmuramidase M1, to the polypeptide products of recombinant expression of these DNA sequences, to peptides whose sequences are based upon the amino acid sequences deduced from these DNA sequences, to antibodies specific for such proteins and peptides, to procedures for the detection and quantitation of such proteins and nucleic acids related thereto, as well as to procedures relating to the development of therapeutic agents utilizing N-acetylmuramidase M1.
The occurrence of bacteriolytic enzymes in animals, plants, and microorganisms is widespread. These enzymes are categorized into three classes based on their mechanism of action on the carbohydrate polymers, such as peptidoglycans, comprising bacterial cell walls. One class of enzyme, the glycosidases, degrades cell walls by acting on the linear sequence of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and N-acetyl muramic acid residues. A second class, the endopeptidases, splits bonds within peptides and cross linkages between peptides. A third class, the amidases, hydrolyzes linkages between the glycan and peptide moleties.
Those glycosidases that hydrolyze the .beta.-1,4-glycosidic bonds in the polysaccharide backbone of peptidoglycans are known as lysozymes (.beta.-1,4-N-acetylmuramidases). Lysozymes from a variety of sources, including animal, plant, and microbial, are classified into four distinct types on the basis of the homology of their amino acid sequence: i) chicken, ii) phage, iii) goose, and iv) fungal (Chalaropsis). see, Jolles, et al., Molec. Cell. Biochem., 63:165-189 (1984). There is no obvious sequence homology between one class of lysozymes and another class although X-ray structure analyses have shown that the three-dimensional structures of the first three types are similar to one another.
The bacterium Streptomyces globisporus produces two kinds of lysozyme, M1 and M2. Using the culture liltrate of S. globisporus, Yokogawa, K., et al., in Antimicrob. Ag. Chemother., 6:156 (1974), and Yokagawa, et al., in Agr. Biol. Chem., 39:1533 (1975), described the purification of mutanolysin, which contains multiple enzymatic activities including M1 and M2. Both M1 and M2 were found to be N-acetylmuramidases. However, the M1 enzyme (MW-20,000) was noted to show a greater lyric specificity towards Streptococcus mutans cell walls than the M2 enzyme (MW11,000). M1 and M2 also differ from each other in amino acid composition, immunological properties, and modes of lytic action. Kawata, S., et al., Agric. Biol. Chem., 47:1501 (1983). The hydrolyzing action of M1 (composed of 186 amino acid residues) is independent of the presence of 0-acetyl groups on muramic acid residues in the peptidoglycan moiety, while the action of M2 (composed of 99 amino acid residues) is suppressed by the presence of such groups. Thus, M1 is more similar to the Chalaropsis type lysozyme class in that both enzymes have N,O-diacetylmuramidase activity. M2 is more similar to the chicken type lysozyme class in that both enzymes cannot efficiently lyse O-acetylated peptidoglycan. Neither M1 nor M2 has been sequenced nor has the gene for either enzyme been isolated. Only preliminary X-ray crystallographic information is available and only for the M1 lysozyme. Harada, et al., J. Mol. Biol., 207:851-852 (1989). The only described attempts to isolate the gene for a B-1,4-Nacetylmuramidase from Streptomyces has been by Birr, E., et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 30:358 (1989). Lysozyme deficient mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor "Muller" were generated and then transformed with wild type S. coelicolor "Muller" genomic DNA. A 2.9 kb insert was identified and shown to restore lysozyme production in the mutants. However, there was no evidence demonstrating whether the 2.9 kb insert contained a structural gene for lysozyme.
N-acetylmuramidase M1 has a broad spectrum bacteriolytic activity and is particularly efficient in lysing lysozyme-resistant bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Lactobacillus. Evidence implicating involvement of lysozyme-resistant peptidoglycans in the induction of inflammatory arthritis suggests that an agent capable of lysing such resistant peptidoglycans, such as N-acetylmuramidase M1, can be an effective agent against arthritis. Bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans (particularly those which are lysozyme-resistant) are potent stimulators of inflammatory and immunologic processes. For example, when the lysozyme-resistant peptidoglycan-polysaccharide complex (PG-PS) from group A Streptococci or Lactobacillus casei is injected into experimental animals, an inflammatory arthritis develops which closely parallels the syndrome observed in humans. Cromartie, et al., J. Exp. Med., 146:1585 (1977) and Lehman, et al., Arthritis Rheum., 26:1259 (1983). The severity of the disease appears to be directly proportional to the dose of PG-PS that is injected. It has also been demonstrated that rats which are injected with lysozyme-resistant O-acetylated peptidoglycans from Neisseria gonorrhea develop a severe arthritis. However, if the experiment is repeated using lysozyme-sensitive 0-acetylation-deficient peptidoglycan from Neisseria gonorrhea, there is a significant reduction in the inflammatory response. Fleming, et al., Infect. Immun., 52:600-608 (1986).
More recently, N-acetylmuramidase M1 has been shown to be effective in treating the arthritis that is caused by injecting group A Streptococcal PG-PS into rats. This arthritis manifests itself as an acute joint inflammation followed by a chronic recurrent erosive arthritis. N-acetylmuramidase M1 injected up to 3 days (approximately the time for peak acute inflammation) after the injection of group A streptococcal PG-PS results in a complete resolution of the acute arthritis, as well as the prevention of chronic joint disease. Furthermore, when the injection of N-acetylmuramidase M1 is delayed until 14 days (approximately the time when the chronic phase of arthritis begins) after the injection of PG-PS the severity of chronic inflammation still can be significantly reduced. Janusz, et al., J. Exp. Med., 160:1360-1374 (1984).
The ability of N-acetylmuramidase M1 to be used in the treatment of human arthritis depends upon whether lysozyme-resistant peptidoglycans play a role in initiating the human arthritic condition. It is known that numerous bacteria colonize the human gastrointestinal tract. During the life cycle of these bacteria, numerous cell wall components are generated which may localize in joint and synovial tissues. The arthropathic potential of microbial components in humans is apparent in that many gastrointestinal, genito-urinary, and skin infections have an associated inflammatory arthritis.
N-acetylmuramidase M1 has also been shown to be effective in lysing many strains of cariogenic bacteria which induce dental plaque and caries. Yokogawa, et al., Agr. Biol. Chem., 39:1533-1543 (1975). Thus, N-acetylmuramidase M1 could be incorporated into chewing gum, toothpaste or mouthwash for the treatment and prevention of dental caries. While a similar idea was proposed by Yokogawa, et al., Agr. Biol. Chem., 36:2055-2065 (1972) and Yoshimura, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,579 (1975), these investigators proposed that mutanolysin (a mixture of bacteriolytic enzymes from S. globisporus, including N-acetylmuramidase M1) would be used as the preventative agent against tooth decay.
The use of N-acetylmuramidase M1 to attack cariogenic bacteria would appear to have significant advantages over using traditional oral administration of antibiotics to eliminate these bacteria. One advantage is that once ingested, N-acetylmuramidase M1 is degraded by enzymes in the stomach; the enzyme does not circulate systemically the way an antibiotic does. Another advantage of using N-acetylmuramidase M1 is that the enzyme has a bacteriocidal activity, rather than the bacteriostatic activity found with certain antibiotics. Furthermore, many cariogenic bacteria have developed resistances to antibiotics, whereas there have not been any reported instances of cariogenic bacteria that are resistant to the action of N-acetylmuramidase M1.
N-acetylmuramidase M1 could be used in other pharmaceutical or industrial applications where it is beneficial to lyse bacteria that are sensitive to this enzyme. Thus, throat lozenges could contain N-acetylmuramidase M1 to prevent and treat throat infections. N-acetylmuramidase M1 could also be formulated into ointments or creams to combat skin infections. Finally, N-acetylmuramidase M1 could be used as a preservative for foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or any other products susceptible to microbial decay. Currently most products are preserved using chemicals. N-acetylmuramidase M1 would have the advantage of serving as a natural preservative that is not toxic to humans or to the environment.
Clearly, because of its broader spectrum bacteriolytic activity, N-acetylmuramidase M1 has multiple uses as a therapeutic agent requiring bacteriolytic activity. However, to date no one has developed methods for producing isolated and purified N-acetylmuramidase M1 in substantial quantities via recombinant DNA technology. Thus, there continues to exist a need in the art for such methods. To date no one has provided the amino acid sequence for N-acetyl muramidase M1, nor the DNA sequence encoding the protein. The availability of DNA sequences encoding Nacetylmuramidase M1 would make possible the application of recombinant methods to the large-scale production of this protein in procaryotic and/or eucaryotic host cells, as well as DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA, and RNA-RNA hybridization procedures for the detection, quantification and/or isolation of nucleic acids associated with this protein. Possession of the protein, and/or knowledge of the amino acid sequence of this protein, would make possible, in turn, the development of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies thereto (including antibodies to protein fragments or synthetic peptides modelled thereon) for the use in immunological methods for the detection and quantification of the protein as well as homologous proteins, in samples, as well as allowing the development of procedures relating to the development of therapeutic agents utilizing N-acetylmuramidase M1. Knowledge of the amino acid sequence of N-acetylmuramidase M1 would also make possible the application of techniques described as protein engineering, whereby the properties of the enzyme may be altered by changing DNA codons for specific amino acids of the enzyme. Thus, the stability, activity, effective pH range, temperature range, and the like of the enzyme may be altered to impart new and improved properties.

Nucleic acid encoding N-acetylmuramidase M1