The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of hematopoietic cells, the numbers of which have been increased by contacting the cells with human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also provides assays for the utility of particular human chorionic gonadotropin preparations in the treatment or prevention of hematopoietic deficiencies or in the increasing of hematopoietic cell numbers in vitro. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of are also provided.

3.1. Hematopoietic Cell Production
The morphologically recognizable and functionally capable cells circulating in blood include erythrocytes, neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and basophilic granulocytes, B-, T-, non B-, non T-lymphocytes, and platelets. These mature hematopoietic cells derive from and are replaced, on demand, by morphologically recognizable dividing precursor cells for the respective lineages such as erythroblasts for the erythrocyte series, myeloblasts, promyelocytes and myelocytes for the granulocyte series, and megakaryocytes for the platelets. The precursor cells derive from more primitive cells that can simplistically be divided into two major subgroups: stem cells and progenitor cells (for review, see Broxmeyer, H. E., 1983, "Colony Assays of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells and Correlations to Clinical Situations," CRC Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 1:227-257). The definitions of stem and progenitor cells are operational and depend on functional, rather than on morphological, criteria. Stem cells have extensive self-renewal or self-maintenance capacity (Lajtha, L. G., 1979, Differentiation 14:23), a necessity since absence or depletion of these cells could result in the complete depletion of one or more cell lineages, events that would lead within a short time to disease and death. Some of the stem cells differentiate upon need, but some stem cells or their daughter cells produce other stem cells to maintain the precious pool of these cells. Thus, in addition to maintaining their own kind, pluripotential stem cells are capable of differentiation into several sub-lines of progenitor cells with more limited self-renewal capacity or no self-renewal capacity. These progenitor cells ultimately give rise to the morphologically recognizable precursor cells. The progenitor cells are capable of proliferating and differentiating along one, or more than one, of the myeloid differentiation pathways (Lajtha, L. G. (Rapporteur), 1979, Blood Cells 5:447).
A variety of infectious agents, genetic abnormalities and environmental factors can cause a deficiency in one or more hematopoietic cell types. For example, hematological abnormalities have been observed in HIV-1 infected individuals (the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been implicated as the primary cause of the slowly degenerative immune system disease termed acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Barre-Sinoussi, F., et al., 1983, Science 220:868-870; Gallo, R., et al., 1984, Science 224:500-503)) particularly in the late stages of disease (Lunardi-Iskandar, Y. et al., 1989, J. Clin. Invest 83:610-615). These abnormalities include a reduction in CD4.sup.+ T cells as well as cytopenias of one or more hematopoietic lineages, often associated with bone marrow morphologic abnormalities and deficient progenitor cell growth (Lunardi-Iskandar, Y. et al., 1989, J. Clin. Invest 83:610-615; Louache, F. et al., 1992, Blood 180:2991-2999). Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), characterized by significant reduction in platelet numbers, often afflicts subjects infected with HIV (Ballem, P. J. et al., 1992, N. Engl. J. Med. 327:1779). The destruction of platelets in sufferers of ITP appears to be mediated by platelet associated autoantibodies (Berchtold, P. and Wenger, M., 1993, Blood 81:1246; Ballem, P. J. et al., 1987, J. Clin. Invest. 80:33). Thus, because management of ITP generally involves immunosuppression, treatment of ITP in HIV infected patients is complicated as administration of immunosuppressive drugs is extremely detrimental in HIV infection.
Additionally, chemotherapy and radiation therapy used in the treatment of cancer and certain immunological disorders can cause pancytopenias or combinations of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Thus, the increase or replacement of hematopoietic cells is often crucial to the success of such treatments. (For a general discussion of hematological disorders and their causes, see, e.g., "Hematology" in Scientific American Medicine, E. Rubenstein and D. Federman, eds., Volume 2, chapter 5, Scientific American, New York (1996)).
Furthermore, aplastic anemia presents a serious clinical condition as the overall mortality of all patients with aplastic anemias, in the absence of stem cell therapy, is high. Approximately 60-75% of individuals suffering from the disorder die within 12 months, in the absence of new stem cells. The overall incidence of these diseases is approximately 25 new cases per million persons per year. Although it is extremely unlikely that a single pathogenic mechanism accounts for all aplastic anemias, it is clear that provision of new hematopoietic stem cells is usually sufficient to allow permanent recovery, since transplantation of patients with aplastic anemia with bone marrow obtained from identical twins (i.e., syngeneic) (Pillow, R. P., et al., 1966, N. Engl. J. Med. 275:94-97) or from HLA-identical siblings (i.e., allogeneic) (Thomas, E. D., et al., Feb. 5, 1972, The Lancet, pp. 284-289) can fully correct the disease. However, some patients with aplastic anemia reject the transplanted marrow. This complication is particularly common among patients who have been immunologically sensitized as a result of multiple therapeutic blood transfusions.
The current therapy available for many hematological disorders as well as the destruction of the endogenous hematopoietic cells caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy is bone marrow transplantation. However, use of bone marrow transplantation is severely restricted since it is extremely rare to have perfectly matched (genetically identical) donors, except in cases where an identical twin is available or where bone marrow cells of a patient in remission are stored in a viable frozen state. Except in such autologous cases, there is an inevitable genetic mismatch of some degree, which entails serious and sometimes lethal complications. These complications are two-fold. First, the patient is usually immunologically incapacitated by drugs beforehand, in order to avoid immune rejection of the foreign bone marrow cells (host versus graft reaction). Second, when and if the donated bone marrow cells become established, they can attack the patient (graft versus host disease), who is recognized as foreign. Even with closely matched family donors, these complications of partial mismatching are the cause of substantial mortality and morbidity directly due to bone marrow transplantation from a genetically different individual.
Peripheral blood has also been investigated as a source of stem cells for hematopoietic reconstitution (Nothdurtt, W., et al., 1977, Scand. J. Haematol. 19:470-481; Sarpel, S. C., et al., 1979, Exp. Hematol. 7:113-120; Ragharachar, A., et al., 1983, J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 7A:78; Juttner, C. A., et al., 1985, Brit. J. Haematol. 61:739-745; Abrams, R. A., et al., 1983, J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 7A:53; Prummer, O., et al., 1985, Exp. Hematol. 13:891-898). In some studies, promising results have been obtained for patients with various leukemias (Reiffers, J., et al., 1986, Exp. Hematol. 14:312-315; Goldman, J. M., et al., 1980, Br. J. Haematol. 45:223-231; Tilly, H., et al., Jul. 19, 1986, The Lancet, pp. 154-155; see also To, L. B. and Juttner, C. A., 1987, Brit. J. Haematol. 66: 285-288, and references cited therein); and with lymphoma (Korbling, M., et al., 1986, Blood 67:529-532). Other studies using peripheral blood, however, have failed to effect reconstitution (Hershko, C., et al., 1979, The Lancet 1:945-947; Ochs, H. D., et al., 1981, Pediatr. Res. 15:601). Studies have also investigated the use of fetal liver cell transplantation (Cain, G. R., et al., 1986, Transplantation 41:32-25; Ochs, H. D., et al., 1981, Pediatr. Res. 15:601; Paige, C. J., et al., 1981, J. Exp. Med. 153:154-165; Touraine, J. L., 1980, Excerpta Med. 514:277; Touraine, J. L., 1983, Birth Defects 19:139; see also Good, R. A., et al., 1983, Cellular Immunol. 82:44-45 and references cited therein) or neonatal spleen cell transplantation (Yunis, E. J., et al., 1974, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72:4100) as stem cell sources for hematopoietic reconstitution. Cells of neonatal thymus have also been transplanted in immune reconstitution experiments (Vickery, A. C., et al., 1983, J. Parasitol. 69(3):478-485; Hirokawa, K., et al., 1982, Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. 22:297-304).
Clearly, there is a tremendous need for methods of expanding blood cells in vitro or therapies which increase the production of hematopoietic cells in vivo.

Method of promoting hematopoiesis using derivatives of human chorionic gonadotropin

University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute


An adenoviral vector is disclosed that includes two adenoviral ITRs, wherein the two adenoviral ITRs flank a packaging signal and a single retroviral LTR operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence of interest, wherein the adenoviral vector does not include a nucleic acid sequence encoding the retroviral structural proteins and wherein the adenoviral vector does not include a second retroviral LTR. In one embodiment, a method for transforming a cell is disclosed. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for introducing a transgene into a cell with a single viral vector. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for preventing or treating disorder in a subject. A pharmaceutical composition is also provided.

The transfer of genes into cells provides a means to determine gene function and treat diseases of genetic basis. In addition, gene transfer provides the basis for high-level protein expression, used by molecular researchers to study protein function and to produce new protein drugs. The introduction of genes into animals can also produce useful animal models of human diseases.
Viral vectors, such as adenoviral or retroviral vectors, have been used to introduce foreign DNA into cells with high efficiency. These vectors include adenoviral vectors and retroviral vectors.
The wild type adenovirus genome is approximately 36 kb, of which up to 30 kb can be replaced with foreign DNA. There are four early transcriptional units (E1, E2, E3 and E4), which have regulatory functions, and a late transcript, which codes for structural proteins. Replication-defective vectors have been produced, which have an essential region of the virus (e.g. E1) deleted. Other genes (e.g. E3 or E4) can be also deleted in the replication-deficient vectors. These additional gene deletions increase the capacity of the vector to carry exogenous nucleic acid sequences. The E2 region can also be deleted in a replication-defective vector; this type of vector is known as a "mini Ad," "gutted vector," or "gutless vector." In order to utilize these "gutless vectors", a helper cell line, (e.g. 293 cells), is needed to provide necessary proteins for virus packaging. Although adenoviral vectors, including gutless vectors, can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, they generally do not stably integrate into the cellular genome (Dales and Chardonnet, 1973; Greber et al., 1997; Greber et al., 1996; Harui et al., 1999; Schaack et al., 1990).
In an alternative strategy, retroviruses, such as Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV), have been used to introduce genes into cells. Retroviruses are RNA viruses that, when they infect cells, convert their RNA into a DNA form, which is then integrated into the cellular genome. The integrated provirus can produce RNA from a promoter located in the long terminal repeats (LTRs), which are DNA repeats located at the end of the integrated genome. Retroviral DNA vectors are plasmid DNAs which contain two retroviral LTRs, and a gene of interest inserted in the region internal to these LTRs. The retroviral vector can be packaged by packaging cell lines, containing the gag, pol, and env genes, which provide all the viral proteins required for capsid production and the virion maturation of the vector.
A retroviral vector integrates into the cellular genome once it is introduced into cells, thereby stably transfecting the cells. However, most retroviruses except the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can transfect only cells that are dividing; retroviral vectors cannot be used to introduce nucleic acid into non-dividing cells. Efficient integration of MoMLV requires the viral integrase (IN) and CATT sites located at the termini of the viral 3′ and 5′ long terminal repeats (LTRs). Both the 5′ and 3′LTRs are considered necessary for the integration (Asante-Appiah and Skalka, 1997; Brown, 1997; Donehower and Varmus, 1984; Goff, 1992; Panganiban and Temin, 1983; 1984; Roth et al., 1989; Schwartzberg et al, 1984).
Hybrid vectors have also been developed in order to overcome disadvantages of single viral vectors (Caplen et al., 1999; Feng et al., 1997; Ramsey et al., 1998; Torrent et al., 1998; Vile et al., 1998). For example, multiple adenoviral vectors were constructed to provide different transcomplementing functions able to support the production of a recombinant retroviral vector in vivo. One disadvantage to this approach is that individual cells must be infected by more than one adenovirus. Additionally, since the recombinant vector produced in vivo is a retrovirus, cell division is still required for the virus to enter the nucleus and become integrated. This latter fact is a significant drawback to use of such a system with cells that are terminally differentiated and non-dividing.
The high-efficiency transfer of genes is also of use in vivo. Over the past decade a new approach to the treatment of disease has been developed using genes as therapeutic agents. The goal of gene therapy is to deliver DNA into the body for the treatment of an array of inherited and acquired diseases. Since the first clinical gene therapy protocol for severe combined immunodeficiency disease started in September 1990, more than 300 clinical protocols have been approved worldwide. Clinical experience suggests that gene therapy has the potential to treat a broad range of human diseases, with a low risk of adverse reactions. However, the efficiency of gene transfer and expression in vivo is still relatively low (Donehower, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81: 6461–6465, 1984.
The gene delivery system is frequently the limiting factor for successful gene therapy. Ideally, a gene therapy vector should efficiently and safely deliver therapeutic genes to the target tissues, and should produce a therapeutic amount of gene product for the appropriate time, without requiring any complementing functions supplied in trans. Unfortunately, none of the vector systems presently in use meet all of these requirements.
Both retroviruses (e.g., Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus, MoMLV), and adenoviruses, have been used for human gene therapy. Experience has demonstrated that although a retroviral vector such as a MoMLV vector is a minimal safety risk, its low titer and low gene transfer efficiency make it most suitable for ex vivo use. In addition, as described above, MoMLV can integrate into the genome only in dividing cells.
In contrast to a retrovirus, the transport of an adenovirus to the nucleus is rapid in both dividing and non-dividing cells in vivo. However, an immune response can be generated against the adenoviral proteins produced by an adenoviral vector. In general, the "gutless vectors" induce less of an immune response than other adenoviral vectors. In addition, although adenoviruses can be produced at very high titers and may infect cells with high efficiency, they integrate into the cell genome only at very low frequency, which results in unstable gene expression.
Thus a need exists for a single vector which can be used to stably introduce nucleic acid into both dividing and non-dividing cells, which can be used both in vitro and in vivo.

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


A system and method for controlling movement of a vehicle body is disclosed. The system and method determines conditions operator input, vehicle speed, and a selected gear. PTO engagement, hydraulic valve displacement, and engine speed commands are determined in response to the conditions.

Vehicles equipped with power take off (PTO) systems are known which provide a means for mechanical output in addition to the usual drivetrain functions. Such PTO systems commonly provide power for sprayer pumps, chain drives, hydraulic pumps, and generators. Power for the PTO comes from a combustion engine that drives a transmission. The PTO shaft is typically driven directly from the transmission or via a drop box. The operator of the vehicle typically activates the PTO by a switch that engages a clutch. The operator then controls the engine speed by pressing increment/decrement buttons or by working the accelerator pedal. Engine speed must be controlled to provide the changing power needs of the PTO. The operator then must manipulate an input to control whichever accessory that is being powered by the PTO. In the case of a hydraulic system, this may involve moving a lever that controls a hydraulic valve. In this example, the operator must engage the PTO via a switch, change engine speed via switches or the accelerator pedal, and move a lever to control the hydraulic valve at the same time. In many cases, the accessory driven by the PTO is on the rear of the vehicle or in a location that is difficult to see from the operator station. In this case, it is inconvenient for the operator to look behind the operator station and simultaneously work all three controls at the same time.
In addition, it is difficult for the operator to operate the engine and PTO accessory at optimal levels. For instance, the load on the PTO can increase before the operator can increment the engine speed, potentially stalling the engine. Further, it is possible for the operator to increment the engine speed to a speed at which the PTO accessory can be damaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,312 to Bauerle et al discloses a PTO system with separate controls for engaging the PTO and incrementing/decrementing the engine speed. Bauerle et al does not disclose combining control of multiple PTO functions into a single operator input. Nor does Bauerle et al disclose a transmission controller configured to send an engine control message that contains a maximum allowed PTO accessory speed.

System and method for controlling a PTO accessory


Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for determining properties of a channel response in frequency and time at a subcarrier basis. The determined properties of the channel may include a power delay profile (PDP), channel impulse response, attenuation and phase response over frequency and time, and antenna correlation over the wireless network.

In wireless communications, channel characterization refers to the channel properties of a communication link. The channel properties include information associated with how a signal propagates from a transmitter to a receiver. The channel properties may include information such as scattering, fading, power decay, etc. that may be responsive to the environment between the transmitter and the receiver. Because different environments have different topologies and elements that cause signals to propagate differently, wireless networks require knowledge of a channel's properties to effectively transmit signals across a channel.
Conventionally to determine a channel's properties, measurements of the channel response in terms of average power are determined over the channel. Determining the average power over the entire channel is very time consuming and requires expensive equipment that is not economically efficient or capable with drive tests.
Accordingly, needs exists for improved methods and systems for determining a channel's characteristics.

Characterizing a broadband wireless channel


The electric supercharger includes a vehicle connector, an impulse signal generator empowered by a power source, and a signal amplifier. The vehicle connector has a positive terminal and a negative terminal for electrically connecting to an electrical source of said vehicle. The impulse signal generator, which is electrically linked to the vehicle connector for receiving an impulse signal from the electrical source of the vehicle, includes a signal integral circuit stably generating a rectangular impulse signal. The signal amplifier electrically connects to the impulse signal generator to amplify the rectangular impulse signal and to send the amplified rectangular impulse signal back to sparkplugs and injectors of the vehicle through the vehicle connector for enhancing a combustion-efficiency of an engine of the vehicle.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an electric supercharger, and more particularly to an electric supercharger for vehicle which can improve engine ignition system and combustion-efficiency of the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Arts
Nowadays vehicle engine design and production have reached a very mature state. However, according to the variety of situations, most of the engines are not carrying out their best performance and results in an inefficient combustion process. The immediate direct effects are not enough power produced by the engine, weak acceleration, excessive carbon build up in sparkplugs, pollution and emission problem, and difficult to start engine. If the problem is not solved, excessive fuels are sent to the combustion chamber for combustion and will eventually lead to mechanical wears, loss of torque, and insufficient horsepower. These problems are hard to fix unless the engine is replaced. The engine is the most important and complicated part of a vehicle. Therefore, replace or repair for the engine is very time consuming and expensive.


A communication device includes a communication interface and a processor configured to generate, transmit, receive, and process signals. The communication device generates orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame(s) that include a two-dimensional (2D) start burst marker (BM), a data payload, and a 2D stop BM, and transmits the OFDM frame(s) to another communication device. Alternatively, the communication device receives OFDM frame(s) that include a 2D start BM and a 2D stop BM, and then identifies a data payload within those OFDM frame(s) based on the 2D start burst marker and a 2D stop BM. The 2D start and stop BMs are based on predetermined sequences having particular formats based on corresponding 2D sub-carrier and OFDM/A frame based structure. A receiver communication device then detects the 2D start BM and 2D stop BM within the received OFDM frame(s) based on knowledge of these predetermined sequences and particular formats.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems; and, more particularly, to indicating start and stop of data transmissions within such communication systems.
Description of Related Art
Data communication systems have been under continual development for many years. The primary goal within such communication systems is to transmit information successfully between devices. Unfortunately, many things can deleteriously affect signals transmitted within such systems resulting in degradation of or even complete failure of communication. Examples of adverse effects include interference and noise that may be caused by various sources including other communications, low-quality links, degraded or corrupted interfaces and connectors, etc.
Some communication systems use forward error correction (FEC) coding and/or error correction code (ECC) coding to increase the reliability and the amount of information that may be transmitted between devices. When a signal incurs one or more errors during transmission, a receiver device can employ the FEC or ECC coding to try to correct those one or more errors.
A continual and primary directive in this area of development has been to try continually to lower the signal to noise ratio (SNR) required to achieve a given bit error ratio (BER) or symbol error ratio (SER) within a communication system. The Shannon limit is the theoretical bound for channel capacity for a given modulation and code rate. The ideal goal has been to try to reach Shannon's channel capacity limit in a communication channel. Shannon's limit may be viewed as being the data rate per unit of bandwidth (i.e., spectral efficiency) to be used in a communication channel, having a particular SNR, where transmission through the communication channel with arbitrarily low BER or SER is achievable.
There continues to be room for improvement in various forms of signaling, coding, transmission, etc. of communications between various communication devices within communication systems. In addition, as new technologies continue to be development, the prior art does not present or provide adequate means by which such communications can effectively be performed therein.

Two-dimensional (2D) burst marker (BM) to identify data start and stop


The present invention provides a system for training a subject to recognize the onset of hypoxia, the system including (i) a flight simulation system, and (ii) a hypoxia induction system, wherein the flight simulation system is operably linked to the hypoxia induction system. The system provides a tool for pilot training to a pilot, allowing for the delivery of standardized training programs where the tasks required for the operation of an aircraft are able to be coordinated with an induction of hypoxia in the subject. Such a system is also able to provide an assessment tool to demonstrate when a pilot has had sufficient training in recognizing the effects of hypoxia.

The safe operation of aircraft is heavily dependent on the experience and skill of the pilot. However, even for a highly experienced pilot, aviation can be a dangerous activity for crew and passengers alike.
A particularly perilous scenario occurs upon depressurization of the cabin at altitudes where the partial pressure of oxygen is not sufficiently high so as to provide the pilot with sufficient oxygen for normal functioning. In particular, a slow depressurization may not be noticed by the pilot, and hypoxia can set in insidiously. Early recognition of hypoxia is critical in preventing incapacitation to enable corrective actions to be taken. Sudden explosive decompression is self-evident but hypoxic symptoms from slow or unrecognised depressurisation are often subtle and may be difficult to recognise without previous training. Depending upon the altitude, there is often very limited time for aircrew to recognise any hypoxia symptoms before losing consciousness.
Hypoxia is a condition of reduced oxygen bio-availability caused by decreased oxygen diffusion from the lungs to blood, impaired oxygen transport in blood, decreased tissue perfusion or chemical toxicity in cells. At altitude decreasing barometric pressure leads to a decreasing partial pressure of oxygen in the air, which reduces the force driving oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream. Hypoxia triggers various cardiovascular and respiratory adjustments in the body, but despite such compensations it causes impaired function in vision, cognition, motor control, and ultimately severe incapacitation, unconsciousness and ultimately death. At altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet consciousness can be lost rapidly, and this has been called the hypoxia "Critical Zone".
The dangers of hypoxia in aviation have been clearly demonstrated numerous times, with one example being the crash of the Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 into a mountain on 14 Aug. 2005, killing all 121 passengers and crew. An investigation implicated pilot hypoxia due to failure of the cabin to pressurize at takeoff. Another accident caused by decompression resulting in pilot hypoxia was the loss of a Learjet in 1999 over South Dakota, and that of a Beechcraft 200 Super Air King which impacted near Mt Isa, in Queensland Australia.
In November 2010, United States Air Force F-22 Raptor crashed in Alaska, killing the pilot. Investigations showed the cause to be related to oxygen deprivation of the pilot. In 2011 the Air Force grounded its entire F-22 fleet for four months due to problems with the aircraft's oxygen generating system. Further problems were noted in 2012, with pilots being forced to land after experiencing symptoms of oxygen deprivation. In total, oxygen deprivation has been reported in at least 12 separate incidents across the 187 strong F-22 fleet since its 2005 launch.
A recent Australian Transport Safety Bureau report on hypoxia and loss of cabin pressure describes 517 incidents in Australia between 1975 and 2006. Indeed, the risk of hypoxia in civilian aircraft may be increasing as the performance and flight envelope of civil registered aircraft expands.
Oxygen warning systems on aircraft may not provide adequate protection and can malfunction or be missed or ignored. The effects of gradually developing hypoxia are subtle and can occur insidiously. At 25,000 feet aviators have three-five minutes to recognise hypoxia and act and rescue themselves.
A number of training programs are offered in the aviation industry in an effort to assist pilots in detecting the first signs of hypoxia. Early recognition is important because the pilot is able to take advantage of a breathing apparatus and prevent any further decrease in cognition. However, many of these training programs are deficient, as evident from the numbers of hypoxia related incidents which are still seen in aviation.
It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or alleviate a problem of the prior art by providing improved systems, methods and devices for hypoxic flight training.


Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for using full waveform inversion for imaging surveyed mediums are provided. The full waveform inversion uses a Sifrian functional to fully leverage Hessian information and update a model by augmenting and assembling data derived from the Sifrian functional when equilibrated. The Sifrian inversion produces high resolution images of the surveyed medium typically only seen with full Hessian inversions and can produce such images without requiring supercomputer computation power or extremely long computation time.

Many different imaging techniques are known and used in various industries. It is desirable for the images generated using these techniques to be as accurate and definitive as possible. To satisfy these objectives, computationally expensive techniques are used to build models that accurately synthesize properties of a propagation medium. One way to achieve high-resolution results involves the estimation of the inverse of a Hessian, to properly scale gradient-based updates. A Hessian is a square matrix of second-order partial derivates of a scalar field. However, computing and storing the Hessian is computationally expensive and infeasible for real-world applications. The scale of a Hessian is about N2, with N being the number of inverted parameters. N is typically on the order of millions to tens of millions for a relatively small inversion task. In addition, the Hessian is often degenerate, and even with regularization, its inversion has an N3 computational cost. Furthermore, the Hessian typically contains negative eigenvalues, defeating a cost minimization process. As a result, many conventional methods that desire to use the Hessian are required to use truncated or approximated approaches to generate an approximated scaling matrix representative of the Hessian or its inverse. Images generated using this approximated scaling matrix, are easy to compute and implement but can lack sufficient levels of resolution. For example, when an approximate scaling matrix is being used to model a subterranean formation, the numerous approximations might yield a scaling that performs no better than the identity, and the final in-depth resolution may not enable a user of the image to identify items of interest such as oil, gas, and other natural resources or anomalies in general.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop better imaging techniques and devices to fully leverage the Hessian information for investigating the structure of a surveyed propagation medium.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for utilizing a Sifrian inversion to build a model to generate an image of a surveyed medium


A liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing process thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a transparent substrate having a plurality of grooves, color filters of red, green and blue formed in the said grooves of the transparent substrate, a protective film formed on said color filters, and an electrode layer formed atop said protective film. A liquid crystal display panel having improved color reproduction and color characteristic can be obtained.

A liquid crystal display enjoys a lighter weight and smaller size than a display using a cathode ray tube, and thus it is conveniently portable. Further, it has the advantage of not radiating an electromagnetic wave which is considered harmful to humans. Therefore, the liquid crystal display is widely used for small displays (e.g., of an electronic calculator) and large displays (e.g., of a notebook computer).
A structure of the conventional liquid crystal display panel is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, a process for manufacturing such a liquid crystal display panel will be described.
Black matrixes 15 are formed on a glass substrate 11, and a red filter 16, a green filter 17, and a blue filter 18 are, respectively, formed between the black matrixes 15. The combination of the black matrixes 15, red filter 16, green filter 17, and blue filter 18 is commonly referred to as a color filter layer. To planarize the color filter layer and to enhance chemical resistance, a protective film 13 is formed thereon, and an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode layer 14 is then formed on the protective layer 13.
When forming the red, green, and blue filters, a red coloring resin composition is first coated on the whole surface of the substrate 11 having black matrixes 15 formed therein, which is exposed through a photo mask and then developed, to produce the red filter 16. The above procedure is repeated for green and blue, which produces, respectively, the green and blue filters 17 and 18.
A general photosensitive coloring resin composition includes a binding resin, pigments, a dispersing agent, a photo-polymerizable monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator, dilution solvents and additives. Such photosensitive coloring resin composition can be obtained according to the following procedure.
First, binding resin and pigment are mixed with dispersing agent, such that the pigment is sufficiently dispersed into the resin. Then, the photo-polymerizable monomer and photo-polymerization initiator are added, to form a mixture. Finally, the mixture is diluted with solvent, to form a photosensitive coloring resin composition.
When a liquid crystal display panel is manufactured by the above procedure, since the coloring resin composition is coated on the whole surface of the substrate, the coloring resin composition is used for an undesired portion of the substrate, thus, greatly lowering the utility of a material. Also, in the photosensitive coloring resin composition for the color filter, since the ratio of photosensitizer and bonding resin amounts to more than 50%, the ratio of pigment is rather low.
On the other hand, the protective film is generally disposed between the color filter layer and ITO electrode layer. Before and after the protective film formation, a grinding process in which the whole surface of the substrate is planarized should be accomplished.
As above, the process for manufacturing the conventional liquid crystal display panel is complicated, and the thus-obtained liquid crystal display panel has a narrow color reproduction range and poor color characteristics.

Process for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel


A control apparatus for a vehicle having an idle stop function includes a measurement unit that measures the characteristic of a battery provided in the vehicle, an identification unit that identifies the type of the battery based on the measured characteristic, and a control unit that stops the idle stop function in a case where the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for an idle-stop vehicle, and permits execution of the idle stop function in a case where the execution of the idle stop function is permitted by an input of a predetermined signal from an external terminal even when the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for the idle-stop vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a technique for controlling a vehicle having an idle stop function.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, in order to achieve low fuel consumption of a vehicle, an idle stop (also referred to as idle reduction) technique is widely used. With regard to a technique for performing the idle stop, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-208639 (JP-2009-208639 A) discloses a technique in which the type of a battery provided in a vehicle is identified based on characteristics of the battery and, in a case where it is determined that the battery different from a battery for an idle-stop vehicle is provided in the vehicle, the execution of the idle stop is prohibited.
However, in the technique disclosed in JP-2009-208639 A, even in a case where the battery for the idle-stop vehicle is erroneously identified as a normal battery due to some cause, the execution of the idle stop is prohibited. As a result, there are cases where the idle stop function cannot be properly executed even when the battery for the idle-stop vehicle is provided in the vehicle. Therefore, a technique that allows proper execution of the idle stop function in the vehicle having the idle stop function is in demand. In addition, in conventional vehicles, proper determination of battery replacement, simplification of a configuration, a reduction in cost, and an improvement in usability are in demand.

Control apparatus, vehicle, and control method


A method of and device for detecting a leak in reciprocating machinery, comprising at least two pistons, by the volume flow at least out of the reciprocating machinery being monitored and analysed, e.g. by means of Fourier analysis, in order to make it possible to detect a flow component, where the flow component has a frequency that differs from the fundamental frequency of the reciprocating machinery, the fundamental frequency of the reciprocating machinery being constituted by the rotational frequency of the reciprocating machinery multiplied by the number of pistons in the reciprocating machinery.

This invention regards a method of detecting a leak in a piece of reciprocating machinery. The method may also be used for localising a leak. In this context, reciprocating machinery means all types of pumps and hydraulic machineries that are equipped with a rotating crankshaft or cam, where the crankshaft or cam drives or is driven by at least two pistons in a controlled reciprocating motion, and where each piston cylinder is provided with at least two check valves designed to rectify the direction of flow through the machine. The invention also comprises a device for implementing the method.
When operating reciprocating machinery, safety considerations and economics make it very important to detect leaks in e.g. piston seals and valves at an early stage. Leaks of this type are acceleratory, and when they become large enough for the operator of the reciprocating machinery to detect them through large abnormal pressure variations, the reciprocating machinery must often be shut down and overhauled immediately and without the option of postponing the maintenance work to a later and operationally more suitable time.

Method and device for detecting leaks in reciprocating machinery


The cut-off frequency and boost value of an analog filter on a read channel is set to initial values When the data is read from a disk, the read data is subjected to PR equalization at an FIR filter. At that time, a learning function provided on the FIR filter adjusts the tap coefficient so that an equalization error may be minimized. The cut-off frequency and boost value of the analog filter are modified until the adjusted tap coefficient has gone in a permitted range. After the tap coefficient of the FIR filter has gone in the permitted range, the cut-off frequency and boost value are stored in an EEPROM so that they can be used in a normal mode.

This invention relates to a storage device using a partial response method (or provided with a read channel) and a filter adjusting method applied to the storage device.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 9-357338, filed on Dec. 25, 1997, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Many storage devices, such as magnetic disk drives, have used a PRML (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood) method in their read channel instead of a peak detection method. In the PRML read channel, a digital equalizer (e.g., a digital filter), such as an FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter, has been used. The FIR filter has no phase delay and plays an important role in effecting a partial response to shape the waveform digitally.
In recent years, almost all learning functions provided for LSIs including PRML read channels (PRML-LSIs) have caused FIR filters to automatically optimize a tap coefficient according to an input signal, as disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-21906 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,359.
To cause an FIR filter to perform an ideal PR (Partial Response) equalization, multiple stages of taps are needed. As the absolute value of the tap coefficient of the FIR filter becomes larger, the delay time of the digital feedback gets longer, causing a PLL (Phase Lock Loop) circuit and an AGC (automatic Gain Control) amplifier to delay stating their operations. This makes longer the time required for the PLL and AGC to settle down, which worsens the formatting efficiency of the disk considerably, because each data sector on the disk requires a preamble section corresponding to the settling time.
A method of switching between an analog loop (a loop not including an FIR filter or a digital equalizer) and a digital loop (a loop including an FIR filter or a digital equalizer) has been known as a method of preventing the formatting efficiency of a disk from deteriorating. In the method, as shown in FIG. 1, immediately after the read gate RG has turned on, the data immediately after the A/D conversion is fed back to the loop and the AGC amplifier and PLL circuit are operated; when the loop becomes stable after a certain time has elapsed, the analog loop is switched to the digital loop.
However, the method of switching between the analog loop and the digital loop has the following problem: when the analog loop is changed to the digital loop, with the absolute value of the tap coefficient of the FIR filter being large, a large error will occur in the phase.
To overcome this problem, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-21906 has disclosed the technique for estimating a phase shift resulting from the tap coefficient of an FIR filter and using a phase-shift correction FIR filter to correct a phase error occurring when the analog loop is switched to the digital loop.
The inventor of the present invention has found out the following problem: when the analog loop is switched to the digital loop, with the absolute value of the tap coefficient of the FIR filter being large, both of the PLL loop and the AGC loop become unstable, because large errors occur in not only the phase but also the amplitude (gain).
In the PRML read channel (read/write channel), since a phase error is sensed from information on the amplitude, the sensed phase error is vague, especially when a lot of amplitude errors remain (when there are many boosts at the FIR filter), aggravating the settling of the PLL and AGC.
The reason why the amplitude fluctuates at the digital equalizer will be described by reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, using a case where the digital equalizer 3 is a 3-tap FIR filter.
In the 3-tap FIR filter of FIG. 2, when a signal (input waveform) is input to the filter, the tap coefficient is set negative against to a direction for boosting, making the amplitude of the filter output (OUTPUT) smaller as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. To compensate for the decrease in the amplitude, feedback is applied to the AGC amplifier in such a manner that the input to the FIR filter becomes larger, leading to fluctuations in the amplitude. Similarly, when the tap coefficient is set positive (when the FIR filter is forced to function as a low-pass filter), the amplitude of the filter output is larger than that of the filter input. To compensate for this, feedback is applied to the AGC amplifier in such a manner that the input to the FIR filter becomes smaller, resulting in fluctuations in the amplitude.
Almost all the present-day read channels, when the read gate RG is off, operate in a mode where the AGC amplifier is controlled at the peak value of the input waveform without operating the A/D converter or PLL circuit to save the power consumption. In such read channels, the amplitude of the output of the AGC amplifier has a larger error at the instant that the read gate RG actually turns on.
For this reason, the amplitude fluctuates at the digital equalizer when the analog loop is switched to the digital loop.
The fact that the amplitude fluctuates at the digital equalizer when the analog loop is switched to the digital loop means that the final target values of the AGC loop and PLL loop differ greatly between the digital loop and the analog loop. The difference of the final target values between the digital loop and the analog loop becomes larger in proportion to (the absolute value of) the tap coefficient of the digital equalizer. When there are variations in the characteristics of the heads (e.g. the characteristics of the heads themselves, the head's floating height), the film thickness of the recording layer of each disk (magnetic recording medium) and the magnetic characteristics of each disk, this gives rise to an extremely large or small user density (the value determined by the product of the transfer rate of the disk and the waveform width (time width) at the position of 50% of the amplitude of an isolated waveform). In this case, the absolute value of the tap coefficient of the digital equalizer becomes larger. This prevents the analog loop from switching smoothly to the digital loop, attributing to the digital equalizer's failure to learn or errors on ECC (Error Checking and Correction).

Magnetic storage device and filter adjusting method applied to the same


A product specification complex analysis system is provided which inputs product specifications of an external form and materials, design parameters determined by analysis and evaluation in the specifications, the range of the change of the parameters and a plurality of items of estimates as external input data, calls out and executes an evaluation program corresponding to each item of the estimates and stored in advance, from a group of evaluation programs whenever the item of the estimates is renewed, in order to sequentially evaluate the product specifications for each item of the estimates, determines the fluctuation of analysis results with respect to the change of the design parameters within designated ranges of changes, evaluates trade-off between the analysis results by changing the design parameters from the analysis results corresponding to the items of the estimates so as to make maximal evaluation values in an evaluation formula as an estimate function with weights comprising each of these analysis results, and can thus obtain optimum design parameters.

This invention relates to a product specification complex analysis system which obtains optimum product specification values when product specifications are designed, by collectively analyzing and evaluating the design specifications from a plurality of aspects such as the aspect of reliability during use of products, the aspect of processability, the aspect of operability, and so forth.
A large number of analysis methods or analysis systems for evaluating and determining product specifications have been announced in the past. For example, an analysis system for effecting flow analysis, cooling analysis, etc, for designing a molding die is discussed in "Die Technology--Plastic Injection Molding Die Design Data Book--", Vol. 2, No. 11, chapter 2, pp. 16-19 (published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbunsha, Oct. 20, 1987). According to this prior art, flow analysis, heat transfer analysis, structure analysis, and so forth, are sequentially carried out for designing a molding die and the product specifications are merely confirmed by the individual analysis results.
However, according to these conventional analysis methods or analysis systems, the design specifications are merely confirmed by the individual analysis results. Though the molding die itself is a kind of jigs for molding products, the analysis results when the product specifications are analyzed should originally be compared with the analysis result of the die specifications, but the prior art technology has failed to make collective judgement by combining and uniting the analysis results from a plurality of different aspects.
In other words, since the prior art technology involves the following various drawbacks, the product specifications cannot be determined by the evaluation based on a plurality (at least two kinds) of different aspects.
1 Specific analysis or analyses are conducted with a high level of accuracy (to yield accurate calculation results for an assumed model) and the analysis results are merely displayed graphically. Therefore, collective evaluation based on the correlation between the analysis results cannot be made. PA0 2 If collective evaluation is based on a common scale of evaluation, analysis results cannot be evaluated from different aspects. PA0 3 Compatibility or the common use of a data base has been accomplished so as to carry out a plurality of analyses as a series of analyses, but evaluation of each analysis result is entirely left to the judgement of users. Moreover, the methods or systems do not support the users' judgement on a plurality of analysis results.

Product specification complex analysis system


A trailer communications system (36) is provided. The system (36) includes a trailer transducer unit (22) for location on a trailer (12). A vehicle transducer unit (24) can be located on a vehicle (26, 28, 30) or a stationary object (32). The trailer transducer unit (22) and the vehicle transducer unit (24) may communicate information in the form of acoustic signals broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event.

In recent years, due to their versatility, trailers have evolved as a preferred way to move goods from one location to another. For example, trailers can be carried or transported in a number of ways, such as over roadways by tractor, over railways on the back of rail cars, or over waterways by ships or barges. In addition, various devices, such as refrigeration units, humidifiers, and anti-shock devices, can be incorporated into trailers for the transport of different products, such as perishable foods, electronics, antiques, chemicals, and the like.
In order to monitor, track, control, or otherwise manage such trailers, it is often desirable to communicate with the trailers during transport. Accordingly, various systems were previously developed for transmitting and receiving information from a trailer. These prior systems have proven to be inadequate for one reason or another. For example, despite the presence of the prior systems, trailers were often misplaced or lost. This was especially problematic at any location where the mode of transportation was altered, such as a shipping yard. Also, in prior systems, the kind and amount of information communicated to and from trailers was extremely limited. In addition, prior systems did not consolidate information from a plurality of trailers at a central location, but rather supported communication only proximate each individual trailer, such as in a vehicle transporting the trailer. Furthermore, some prior systems employed techniques, such as the broadcast of signals at radio frequencies, which generated "cross-talk." Cross-talk occurs when one receiving device receives and processes signals which are intended for another receiving device. Radio frequency techniques also required approval by a regulatory agency, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).


In one embodiment of the invention, a scanning carriage in a color inkjet printer houses three identical color pens for printing cyan, magenta, and yellow. A separate array of nozzles is associated with each color ink. The nozzle arrays are such that they scan over the same print area of the medium during a single scan. To prevent the wet ink from one color swath being deposited over or bleeding into the wet ink from another color swath during the same scan, only a section of each nozzle array is used for printing during a single scan such that wet ink of two different colors cannot overlap during a single scan. This technique reduces ink bleed between colors as well as paper cockle. In another embodiment, a single tricolor pen is used where a single nozzle plate contains three nozzle arrays, one for each color. A section of each nozzle array is used during a single scan, as described above, to prevent wet ink of two different colors from overlapping during a single scan.

This invention relates generally to printers and, more specifically, to printing techniques for color printers.
Thermal inkjet printers operate by selectively energizing heating elements to expel droplets of ink through associated nozzles. Each heating element, which is typically a pad of resistive material about 50 .mu.m by 50 .mu.m in size, is located in a chamber filled with ink supplied from an ink reservoir. A nozzle plate, defining an array of nozzles, overlies the various chambers. Upon energizing a particular heating element, a portion of the ink in the chamber is vaporized and a droplet of ink is expelled through an associated nozzle toward the print medium, whether paper, fabric, or the like. The firing of the heating elements is typically under the control of a microprocessor, the signals of which are conveyed by electrical traces to the heating elements. The arrangement of printed dots may form any pattern, such as text or graphics.
One embodiment of an inkjet pen is described in Hewlett-Packard's U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,584, by Brian J. Keefe, et al., entitled INK DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AN INKJET PRINTHEAD, incorporated herein by reference.
Some of Hewlett-Packard's color printers will include a scanning carriage housing one inkjet pen containing black ink, as well as housing one or more color inkjet pens for printing cyan, magenta, or yellow ink. These color inkjet pens typically have a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi) in both the x and y axes and a printhead width (along the direction of paper travel) on the order of one-third inch.
During printing, the pens are scanned across the width of the medium to be printed upon while the medium remains stationary. During each scan, the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are ejected by the nozzles under control of the microprocessor to create the desired colors and patterns. Each completed scan across the medium can print a swath approximately as wide as the width of the entire nozzle array of a pen. After each scan, during which all colors and the black ink may be printed, the medium is moved forward the width of a swath, and the pens begin printing the next swath.
The color pens may be either a single tricolor pen, having three sets of nozzles for cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, respectively, or consist of three separate and identical pens each containing a respective one of the cyan, magenta, or yellow inks. Secondary colors are obtained by overlapping the various colors of ink or printing different color dots adjacent one another.
Various problems arise when printing using the above technique. Because of the wet ink being drawn into the surrounding dry media by capillary action, the edges of the printed images tend to become less defined. Also, when inks of differing colors are printed adjacent to each other, the different color inks tend to bleed into each other. Another problem encountered in inkjet printing is paper cockle. The ink used in inkjet printing is typically of a liquid base. When the liquid ink is deposited on wood-based papers, it absorbs into the cellulose fibers and causes the fibers to swell. As the cellulose fibers swell, they generate localized expansion, which, in turn, causes the paper to warp (cockle) in these regions. This can cause a degradation of print quality due to uncontrolled pen-to-paper spacing, and can also cause the printed output to have a low quality appearance due to the wrinkled paper.
What is desirable is a method for controlling the color pen(s) in a scanning carriage to mitigate the above-mentioned problems of ink bleed and cockle.

Simultaneously printing with different sections of printheads for improved print quality


A data licensing technology is described. A dataset is provided with license tags attached to data items in the dataset. A license file is deployed having a license tag. A query is run against the dataset with the license file, and data items are filtered out that do not have the license tag attached.

Large datasets are often licensed by dataset consumers. As an example, a geospatial dataset provider may place 900 terabytes (TB) of LiDAR data representing the United States (US) into a distributed database. The geospatial dataset provider may then sell access to the dataset to dataset consumers. Dataset consumers may, as an example, use the dataset to generate digital elevation models.
Because of the size of some datasets or out of a desire to retain control of some datasets, access to some datasets may include running applications against the datasets directly. Accordingly, the dataset may remain in a storage medium or storage service with an application accessing the storage medium directly, rather than the dataset being duplicated onto another storage medium and sent to a dataset consumer for processing locally by the dataset consumer.
Map-reduce is a programming model for processing large datasets using a parallel, distributed method on a cluster of processing devices. A map-reduce application includes a map procedure that performs filtering and sorting and a reduce procedure that performs a summary operation. A map-reduce application generally runs on a cluster in parallel fashion. One framework implementation for running map-reduce applications is APACHE™ HADOOP®. The map-reduce programming model may be applied to the large datasets described above in order to provide desired processing results from the large datasets.


Systems and methods for providing network configuration information and/or additional information to terminals. A central administration server may, for example, determine the network configuration and/or additional information to be provided to a terminal. In some cases, the information provided depends on one or more factors. The data provided may, for instance, include terminal IP address, netmask, gateway address, WAP (wireless application protocol) gateway address, landing page, advertisement information, and service group identifiers. A terminal wishing to receive network connectivity from an access point may, for example, request such from the access point.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b. In one aspect, there has been a increase in devices that support these technologies. Such devices include wireless terminals, personal computers, and PDA's.
In another aspect, these technologies are being employed with increasing frequency in various locations to provide network connectivity to devices. For example, 802.11b and Bluetooth access points may be found in bookstores, libraries, coffee shops, and many other locations.
Accordingly, there may be increased interest in technologies that make use of these wireless technologies.

System and method for terminal configuration


A quantum cascade detector includes a semiconductor substrate, and an active layer formed by laminating unit laminate structures each having an absorption region with a first barrier layer to a second well layer and a transport region with a third barrier layer to an n-th well layer. A second absorption well layer has a layer thickness ½ or less of that of a first absorption well layer thickest in one period, and a coupling barrier layer has a layer thickness smaller than that of an exit barrier layer thickest in one period. The unit laminate structure has a detection lower level arising from a ground level in the first well layer, a detection upper level generated by coupling an excitation level in the first well layer and a ground level in the second well layer, and a transport level structure for electrons.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a quantum cascade detector utilizing intersubband light absorption in a quantum well structure.
2. Related Background Art
As a photodetector in the mid-infrared wavelength region, normally, a HgCdTe (MCT) detector is used. However, this MCT detector has a problem such as containing toxic environmental pollution materials, so that the MCT detector cannot be generally and widely used. Therefore, a novel photodetector in such a wavelength region has been demanded.
In recent years, as such a photodetector, quantum cascade detectors (QCD) using GaAs/AlGaAs quantum cascade structures, etc., have been reported. A quantum cascade detector is a photodetector which absorbs light in its cascade structure, and by measuring the amount of current flowed by carriers generated by the light absorption, detects incident light, and is operable with no bias. Further, in the quantum cascade detector, as in the case of a quantum cascade laser, by multistage cascade-coupling semiconductor lamination structures each including an absorption well layer that absorbs light, light can be more efficiently absorbed and detected (refer to Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-41933    Non-Patent Document 1: F. R. Giorgetta et al., "Quantum Cascade Detectors," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics Vol. 45 (2009) pp. 1039-1052    Non-Patent Document 2: L. Gendron et al., "High resistance narrow band quantum cascade photodetectors," Appl. Phys. Lett. Vol. 86 (2005) pp. 121116-1-121116-3


Disclosed is an automatic chalk ash cleaner including an elongated casing horizontally fastened to a blackboard at the bottom and covered with a wire netting cover, a brush assembly driven by a power drive through a transmission mechanism to sweep chalk ash away from the erasers placed on the wire netting cover and to sweep out fallen chalk ash.

The present invention relates to a chalk ash cleaner which is fastened to a blackboard and driven to remove chalk ash from the blackboard and the erasers automatically.
In schools, chalks are commonly used for writing things or drawing patterns on a blackboard. Whiling writing on a blackboard with a chalk or hitting a chalk mark eraser against an object to shake off chalk ash, chalk ash may move with the wind, causing the teacher and the students to suck in chalk ash.


A voltage conversion circuit for the conversion of an input d.c. voltage into a three-phase a.c. voltage (UR, US, UT) in the mains frequency range having at least one inductor (L1, L2) and having multiple switches (S1, . . . , S9) controlled by a drive circuit (AST) in which a first converter section is provided (S1, D1, L1, S2) to produce positive output voltage portions and a second converter section (S3, L2) is provided to produce negative output voltage portions and the output of the first converter section is connected to the three phase outputs (R, S, T) via one each of first longitudinal phase circuit breakers (S4, S5, S6) and the output of the second converter section via one each of second longitudinal phase circuit breakers (S7, S8, S9).

If one wants to feed power that is generated in local d.c. generators, e.g. photovoltaic generators, fuel cells, etc., into an a.c. power system of a power supply company, the d.c. voltage must be converted using a power inverter into an a.c. voltage that conforms to the grid. In this context, the power levels are in the private user range of approximately 1 to 5 kVA.
Typically, for the power range mentioned, there is only a single-phase feed into the grid, but this can lead to unintended and undesired asymmetries of the three-phase system when there is great penetration of small feeders, especially in the local district. Moreover, with single-phase feeding, an intermediate storage of the power is necessary for the inverter, because although the d.c. generator, e.g. photovoltaic generator, supplies constant power, no power may be fed into the grid around the phase zero-crossing of the a.c. current. For example, in Germany, according to the VDEW guideline "Parallel operation with the low-voltage grid", power levels above 4.6 kVA must generally be fed into the grid of the power provider in three-phase mode. A single-phase feed is not allowed.
An attempt is therefore made, even at lower power levels, to carry out a three-phase power feed. For this purpose, voltage conversions of the type specified at the outset were used, with either three single-phase inverters having been indirect-coupled or a d.c./d.c. controller and a jumper having been linked to a two-step concept. A single-step design, in any case, has the disadvantage that it may only cover a modest input voltage range but would be necessary, for example, in view of the different interconnection variants of photovoltaic modules.
A microprocessor-controlled, single-phase inverter has become known, for example, from German patent 196 42 522 C1, in which five controlled switches and one inductor are used. If these inverters are modified to produce a three-phase version, the number of switches in particular increases substantially, namely to fifteen, and three inductors are also needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,938 A describes a voltage transformer for supplying power to a three-phase motor that includes a single transformer element for producing a positive voltage. Using a bridge circuit having six switches, positive and negative voltages are then produced for the three-phase output.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,085 B1 describes a voltage transformer for supplying power to a consumer device in a three-phase wye connection. The transformer uses two controlled switches for each phase and assumes the presence of two voltage sources, in this case batteries, as well as an inductor in the load branch, that is, a motor or a transformer as a load. The circuit also allows no uninterrupted ground connection between input and output, that is, a continuous PEN conductor. The use of this known transformer must therefore remain limited.
An object of the invention is to create an inverter that transforms a d.c. voltage, which is supplied by, for example, solar power systems, fuel cells, batteries, d.c. machines, etc., into a three-phase a.c. current to feed into three-phase grid. In so doing, the use of controlled switches and inductors should be kept to a minimum; nevertheless, a great input voltage range should be covered, whereby the input voltage may be not only smaller than the output a.c. voltage, but also greater.
This objective is achieved, starting from a voltage conversion circuit of the type specified at the outset, by a first converter section being provided to produce positive output voltage portions and a second converter section being provided to produce negative output voltage portions, and the output of the first converter section being connected to the three-phase outputs via one each of first longitudinal phase circuit breakers and the output of the second converter section via one each of second longitudinal phase circuit breakers.
The invention provides a voltage transformer that does not just satisfactorily achieve the objective or objectives in question, but also offers the possibility of enabling a continuous ground connection between the negative (or positive) pole of the input d.c. voltage and the PEN conductor of the three-phase grid, whereupon no stray currents to ground and no mains frequency (50 Hz) fields are output by the d.c. power source, e.g. the photovoltaic generator.
An advantageous variant of an embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a pole of the d.c. voltage is direct-connected to the PEN conductor of the three-phase output, the series connection of a first transverse switch and a transverse inductor is between one pole of the d.c. current and ground, the junction point of this series connection is connected via one each of the second longitudinal phase circuit breakers to the three-phase outputs, the one pole of the d.c. voltage is also conducted via a longitudinal circuit breaker and, in series therewith, a longitudinal inductor via one each of the first longitudinal phase circuit breakers to the three-phase outputs and via a second transverse switch to ground, and the junction point of the series connection of the longitudinal circuit breaker with the longitudinal inductor is connected to ground via a diode situated in the blocking direction in relation to the input voltage, the longitudinal inductor together with the longitudinal circuit breaker and the second transverse switch and one of the first longitudinal circuit breakers as well as the diode as a step-up/step-down converter forming the first converter section, and the transverse inductor together with the first transverse switch and one of the second longitudinal circuit breakers as a negative phase-sequence converter forming the second converter section. In this variant, a continuous PEN conductor is realized and the number of controlled switches is only nine.
An easily realized microprocessor-based variant provides that the drive circuit has:                an input watchdog that is set up at least to monitor input voltage and/or input current,        a grid watchdog that is set up to monitor voltage and/or current and/or phase angle of the three-phase a.c. voltage,        a hierarchical system manager to which the output signals of the input watchdog and the grid watchdog are fed and which is set up to determine setpoint values pertaining to the voltage values to be generated,        a converter drive to which setpoints for the creation of positive and negative output voltages are fed by the system manager in order to drive the switches of the first and second converter sections, and        a phase drive to which setpoints are supplied by the system manager to switch the first and second longitudinal phase circuit breakers in order to drive these longitudinal circuit breakers.
It may also be expedient if the output of the first converter section is conducted via a first longitudinal diode in the conducting direction to the first longitudinal phase circuit breakers and/or the output of the second voltage converter section is conducted via a second longitudinal diode in the blocking direction to the second longitudinal phase circuit breakers. The advantage of this design is that in this case the requirements imposed on the hierarchical system manager are less complex.


A microcontroller with the capability of allowing a user to expand the capabilities of the controller such that the added functionality performs as if the controller were designed with that added functionality onboard. This capability is implemented by providing at the pinouts of the controller access to a special function register area onboard the controller, as well as certain internal control signals. Each peripheral controller which is desired to be interfaced with the microcontroller must have a special address decoding block added. By use of the present invention, a microcontroller can be customized to a user's specifications without the costs associated with a custom designed chip.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to the field of single chip microprocessors and controllers. In particular, this invention relates to circuitry which brings certain internal signals of a controller to the user interface to allow a user to customize the controller for use with peripheral devices without the expertise of custom layout and device/circuit engineers.
2. Prior Art
Single chip microcontrollers having onboard functionality usually performed by peripheral controllers are well known devices. A representative controller sold by Intel Corporation having such onboard functionality is known as an 8051 microcontroller which incorporates a serial channel which provides input/output for serial devices. In the 8051 controller, a special function register (SFR) area is provided which is used by the software to "talk" to the outside world. Although not part of a standard 8051 controller, other frequently desired functionality includes analog-digital and digital-analog converters as well as various special purpose controllers. While it is possible in the prior art to provide such additional functionality by allocating one or more of the onboard ports as an address and data bus, since not all controller instructions can address the data and address bus normally used to interface with peripheral devices, additional programming is necessary which necessarily slows down input/output, requires additional memory space and generally results in poorer performance. For example, in an 8051 microcontroller, only 4 out of 76 instructions, and none of the bit manipulation instructions, can directly access a peripheral device controller attached to a port.

Microcontroller peripheral expansion bus for access to internal special function registers


The present invention relates to the use in personal care products of a series of novel silicone polymers (referred to as linear silicone resin) that by are made by the hydrosilylation reaction of a terminal vinyl silicone and a terminal silanic hydrogen polymer. The properties make the compounds very useful in a variety of personal care applications including personal care.

Manufacturers of cosmetic products are on an eternal quest to formulate cosmetic compositions that provide better films on keratinous surfaces. The ideal cosmetic film lasts until the consumer wants to remove it by washing with water or using remover compositions. At the same time the film provides a very natural, aesthetic appearance on the keratinous surface without looking fake or "made up". A suitable cosmetic film should permit the underlying keratinous surface to breathe, retain moisture, and exhibit a superficially attractive appearance that is not too artificial in appearance.
Most often, polymers are incorporated into cosmetic compositions to form the cosmetic film. Generally, such polymers contain many repeating units, or monomers, that give the polymer substantive, film forming properties. Such polymers may be natural or synthetic. Natural polymers such as cellulosics, gums, and resins, have been used as film formers in cosmetics for many years. In more recent years, as polymer chemistry has advanced, polymer manufacturers have been able to manufacture a wide variety of synthetic polymers for use in cosmetics. In general, synthetic polymers fall into one of two classes: silicone polymers (based upon silicon and oxygen), or organic polymers comprised of repeating organic moieties, for example, polymers obtained by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as acrylates or alkylenes, optionally with organic moieties such as amides, urethanes, and the like. Certain synthetic polymers that contain both siloxane monomers and organic moieties are also known.
While synthetic polymers comprised of organic moieties such as ethylenically unsaturated monomers are excellent film formers, they sometimes do not exhibit optimal properties on keratinous surfaces such as skin. Skin is a very dynamic substrate that is in constant movement so cosmetic films that are affixed to skin or lips must exhibit some degree of plasticity. Synthetic organic polymers do not always exhibit the necessary plasticity, and will sometimes crack on dynamic keratinous surfaces such as skin. For this reason, synthetic organic polymers are not as widely used in cosmetic compositions that are applied to skin.
On the other hand, silicone polymers are excellent film formers and have been used to form cosmetic films in many successful commercial products. While silicones provide excellent wear and adhesion in general, organic synthetic polymers often provide desired surface properties that are lacking in silicones. It has been found that a certain silicone polymer, referred to as linear silicone resin, when used in cosmetic compositions, provides excellent substantivity to the composition, promotes formation of a suitable cosmetic film, and provides a light, pleasant feel to the composition.
The term silicone resin has been applied both to and misapplied to a variety of materials over time. Silicone resins as used herein refer to a series of products which include at least two silicone backbones that are joined by a "crosslinking group". The number of crosslinking groups that are present as a percentage of the total molecular weight will determine the properties of the resulting polymer. Quite to the contrary, our compounds, although the reaction of linear SiH and linear vinyl siloxanes, form elastomeric films when the solvent is removed. We have no crosslinking groups and consequently are quite surprised that the compounds are film formers. While not wanting to be bound by any one theory, we believe that as the polymers grow, "backbiting" occurs forming cyclic structures. A number of materials cyclize forming an interlocked system of cyclic compounds making a film as the solvent evaporates.
Our compounds surprisingly and in an unexpected manner have no crosslinking groups, but form films. As previously stated we believe this is because of interlocking of the cyclic structures. The size of the cyclic is controlled by the choice of raw materials. As will become clear, there are two competing reactions, chain growth and cyclization.
The literature contains many patents that deal with silicone resins. Many patents deal with improvements of the resins. However, there are only a number of classes of resin compounds differing in the nature of the crosslinker. One class is the so called "Q resins".

The oxygen that needs another bond connects to another polymer as shown:

The crosslinking group is —O—. This type of resin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,823, incorporated herein by reference. This type of material has a tetrafunctional "Q" group in which the Si has four oxygen atoms attached. This type of resin is very powdery and is rarely used without a plasticizer. This class of compounds can also dry the skin.
The next class of resin contain alkyl connecting groups.

In the case where n=1 a multi functional SiH fluid is hydrosilated with a multifunctional vinyl siloxane. As n is increased the reactant is an alpha omega divinyl compound reacted with a multifunctional SiH fluid.

The SiH polymer is crosslinked with the organic divinyl molecule by reacting the vinyl with the SiH groups using the hydrosilation reaction. The reaction is generally run in solvent such as cyclomethicone (D4 or D5 or hexamethyl disiloxane) or in volatile organic like isododecane. A catalyst, generally a platinum based one, is used to effect the reaction. Chloroplatinic acid or platinum divinyl (commonly referred to as Karstedt) catalyst are preferred. The resulting material is a viscous liquid that when the solvent evaporates provides a film. The commonality here is that until the compounds of the present invention it was felt that all film forming resins had to be crosslinked. Our products refute that long held position.
U.S. patent application 20040180020 entitled Cosmetic compositions published Sep. 16, 2004 to Manelski, Jean Marie; et al., incorporated herein by reference discloses Compositions of the invention containing at least one cyclized dimethicone. The term "cyclized dimethicone" means an organosiloxane comprised of repeating —[Si—O2]—, or "D" units, which form one or more cyclized portions in the final polymer. The cyclized portions, or rings, are formed by cross linking certain portions along the organosiloxane chain to form rings that may be structurally aligned along the polymeric chain. The claimed polymers are known compounds and are stated to have the INCI name dimethicone crosspolymer-3) and isododecane; or JEECHEM HPIB which is a mixture of cyclized dimethicone (dimethicone crosspolymer-3) and hydrogenated polyisobutene and cyclomethicone. Unlike the compounds of the present invention these polymers are cross linked internally with a carbon based cross linking agent. The materials are made by the reaction of an internal silanic hydrogen compound and a divinyl organic. Typical of the reaction is below:

The above compounds are referred to as cyclized dimethicone by the referenced patent application. The cyclization results by the "boxing out" of the silanic hydrogen moiety with the organo functionality introduced with the alpha omega divinyl compound. It will be clearly noted that the compounds so described are not truly dimethicone since there are sections of the molecule that are organofunctional. Also please additionally note the branching pattern is internal, that is the organic functional ring can only occur using non-terminal silanic hydrogen compounds.
The compositions of the present invention contain neither organic cross linkers derived from alpha omega divinyl compounds nor are they internally branched.
In theory silicone fluids with no crosslinking groups can freely rotate and consequently are free flowing oily liquids. If a few crosslinking groups are introduced, the ability to rotate is slightly restricted and the oily material becomes "rubbery". The rubbery material should be referred to as an elastomer. The properties are morel like a rubber band than plastic. As the percentage of crosslinking increases the molecule becomes more rigid. These class of compounds are resins.
Our compounds surprisingly and in an unexpected manner have no crosslinking groups, but form films. As previously stated we believe this is because of interlocking of the cyclic structures. The size of the cyclic is controlled by the choice of raw materials. As will become clear, there are two competing reactions, chain growth and cyclization. We have surprisingly found that this pattern results in properties heretofore unknown in resin technology. None of the compounds of the prior art anticipate or make obvious the film forming compounds of the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Linear silicone resins in personal care applications


An aircraft wheel (14) comprises a metal support structure (30) having a first annular ring (31) and a second annular ring (32) connected via at least one connecting element (37); and a fiber-enforced, molded-composite body. The metal support structure (30) is at least partially embedded in the composite body to form a first aircraft wheel section (20, 22) having a rim flange (16a, 16b) for forming a seal with a tire.

Aircraft weight affects fuel efficiency and limits the mass of cargo and passengers that can be carried. It is therefore generally desirable to reduce the weight of aircraft components to increase fuel efficiency and/or load capacity of an aircraft. One method of reducing aircraft weight is to form various components from lighter weight materials. One material useful for some weight reduction applications comprises a composite resin that may be reinforced with carbon or other fibers. However, various factors, including strength requirements, appearance, and the conditions to which the components are subjected, limit the materials that can be used for certain applications. In some cases, substituting a composite material for a metallic element will require a change to the size, shape or construction of the element being replaced. It is generally not possible to reduce aircraft weight merely by replacing every metallic element in the aircraft with an identical composite member.
Aircraft wheels are generally made from aluminum or metal alloys. Wheels are subjected to significant stresses, especially when an aircraft lands and when brakes are applied to rapidly decelerate the aircraft. In light of these stresses, aircraft wheels are examples of metallic parts that cannot easily be replaced with composite elements. It would therefore be desirable to provide an aircraft wheel that achieves weight reduction through the use of composite materials.

Hybrid aircraft wheel comprising metal and composite portions


In a connector system comprising a connector housing having a terminal chamber, a terminal member to be inserted into the terminal chamber, and a terminal retainer to be coupled to a rear portion of the connector housing in two stages, namely, in a first-step engagement and a second-step engagement, the terminal retainer comprising flexible pins extending toward the front side in the terminal chamber, the flexible retainer comprising an engaging end portion capable of being restored to an advance path of the terminal member, and the terminal chamber provided with a stopper for detecting unsatisfactory insertion of the terminal member, the stopper located on the front side of the flexible engaging end of the terminal retainer in the first-step engagement, the engaging end portion, when not restored due to unsatisfactory insertion of the terminal member, making abutting engagement with the stopper when the terminal retainer is tried to be moved to the second-step engagement.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the structure of a terminal retainer to be coupled to a connector housing in order to prevent the after insertion slip-off of a terminal member inserted in a terminal chamber in the connector housing of a connector used for connection of a wire harness or the like.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
For retaining a terminal member inserted in a terminal chamber of a connector housing, it has been a general practice to provide a flexible locking arm integrally on an inner wall of the terminal chamber and to engage the locking arm with the terminal member inserted into the terminal chamber, thereby preventing the after insertion slip-off of the terminal member. Recently, it has been proposed that a terminal retainer be coupled to a rearward portion of the connector housing to prevent securely the after insertion slip-off of the terminal member, by both the terminal retainer and the above-mentioned flexible locking arm or by the terminal retainer in place of the flexible locking arm.
FIG. 9 illustrates the prior art as to the locking structure mentioned above. In this figure, support projections d, d are provided on the inner surfaces of opposite walls c, c of a terminal chamber b in a connector housing a. Tapered actuating surfaces e, e are provided at rearward portions of the support projections d, d. On the outer surfaces of the walls c, c are provided tentative arresting projections f, f and arresting projections g, g in that order from the rearward to the forward side.
Also shown in the figure is a frame-shaped terminal-retaining member h. The terminal-retaining member h comprises, at the inner and outer sides of a frame body i, flexible locking arms j, j and flexible pins k, k both extending toward the forward portion of the connector housing a to be combined therewith.
In coupling the terminal-retaining member h to the connector housing a, a first-step engagement is first established in which the flexible lock arms j, j are engaged with the first arresting projections f, f. In this condition, the flexible pins k, k are extended straight forwardly so that they do not interfere with a terminal member l inserted into the terminal chamber b.
Next, the terminal-retaining member h is pushed forward to establish a second-step engagement in which the flexible lock arms j, j are engaged with the second arresting projections g, g, as shown in FIG. 10. In this condition, tips k.sub.1, k.sub.1 of the flexible pins k, k contacts the tapered actuating surfaces e, e and forcibly bent inward to hold an electric wire clamp portion m therebetween to be disposed on the rear side of support projections n, o of the terminal member l to prevent the after insertion slip-off of the terminal member l.
In the prior art, when the terminal-retaining member h is pushed forward from the first-step engagement to the second-step engagement with respect to the connector housing a, the tips k.sub.1, k.sub.1 of the flexible pins k, k are forcibly bent inward by the tapered actuating surfaces e, e to clamp the terminal member l therebetween. In this case, therefore, there is the possibility that the terminal member l in an unsatisfactorily inserted condition may be clamped as it is. Thus, the terminal-retaining member h does not have a function of checking the unsatisfactory insertion of the terminal member l.