An example embodiment is directed to an arrangement and method for phase-aligning digital data to be sent by transmit-data modules over respectively-situated serial links. A reference clock signal is communicatively coupled to each transmit-data module, each transmit-data module having a data driver and a clock circuit. At the serial links, each respective data driver sends digital data in response to a clock-output signal and a phase-adjusted clock-load signal that is used to load the data driver. The phase of the clock-load signal is adjusted relative to misalignment between the clock-load signal and the reference clock signal so that each data driver loads the digital data in a time-aligned manner for link transmission. The present invention is useful in applications involving programmable logic devices and other skew-susceptible parallel transmission arrangements.

Demands for high-speed data communication continue to push the electronics industry to develop faster and higher-functioning circuits, as has been realized in very-large-scale integration of circuits on small areas of silicon wafer. These complex circuits are often implemented as functionally-defined modules that operate to manipulate data presented for such high-speed transmission. The transmitted data can be passed in small or large amounts of data sets from these functionally-defined modules to various end points including, for example, a node dedicated to receive and process the data sets and a semi-open environment (such as a wired data bus) that provides access to one or more different nodes.
Whether these functionally-defined modules are implemented as stand-alone chips or in combination with other circuit arrangements (e.g., systems or subsystems), many applications for high-speed data communication are benefited by proper alignment of data, especially at the receiving end where the data is typically assembled for subsequent use. Data that is improperly aligned at the receiving end can present a data integrity issue that would typically require extraneous and time-consuming processing and/or unintelligible data.
The speed at which a given amount of data can be passed between two such communication nodes is referred to as "throughput." Many high-speed communication applications increase throughput by using parallel data transmission in which multiple data bits are simultaneously sent across parallel communication links. As an example of this approach, one such parallel-communication system would separate the data in each set for loading into transmission-link drivers that feed the loaded data onto respective parallel communication links. In this context, the parallel communication links carry the data from the respective transmission-link drivers to respective link receivers for reassembly of the separated data into the original data sets.
In some applications, the channel includes a separately-transmitted signal (such as a reference clock) to the transitions over the parallel signal lines leaving the sending module in a synchronous relationship with each other and/or to the clock on the sending module. At the other end of the parallel data interconnect, the data is received along with a clock signal; the receive clock is typically derived from or is synchronous with the clock on the sending module. The rate at which the data is passed over the parallel signal lines is sometimes referred to as the (parallel) "bus rate."
In such systems, proper data recovery is typically obtained by ensuring that the signals received over each communication link (which signals represent the transmitted data) have a specific phase relationship relative to the intended phases of data carried by the other links. Systems designed to communicate data at relatively high speeds are often designed to allow for a certain amount of "skew" from the time at which the parallel data is transmitted and the time at which the data signals are received. There are many sources of skew including, for example, transmission delays inherently introduced in each line due to impedance factors, circuit variations and signal delays in the I/O (input/output) drivers and receivers, and intersymbol interference. Typically, the potential for this undesirable skew increases with increases in line transmission rate.
Programmable devices are a class of general-purpose integrated circuits that, when configured for such high-speed data transmission applications, can present an accentuated potential for skewed data. Such programmable devices, whether mask programmable or field programmable, can be classified as programmable memory devices or programmable logic devices. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) have become very popular for telecommunication applications, Internet applications, switching applications, routing applications, et cetera. Generally, an FPGA includes a programmable logic fabric and a programmable input/output section. The programmable logic fabric may be programmed to perform a wide variety of functions corresponding to the particular end-user applications. The programmable input/output section provides the high-speed data transmission.
The programmable input/output section is fabricated on the perimeter of a substrate supporting the FPGA and provides coupling to the pins of the integrated circuit package allowing users access to the programmable logic fabric. Typically, the programmable input/output section includes a number of serial/deserial transceivers to provide access to the programmable logic fabric. Such transceivers include a receiver section that receives incoming serial data and converts it into parallel data and a transmitter section that converts outgoing parallel data into an outgoing serial data stream.
The transceivers of the I/O section often use a different clock domain than the programmable logic fabric. As the speed of the incoming and outgoing serial data increases well into the gigabit-per-second range, the separate clock domains of the input/output section and the programmable logic fabric can present a synchronization problem between the two sections that, in turn, can cause corruption of data.
One approach for addressing this issue is to rely on a reset-signal in each serial line of a channel-bonded set to set the phase of the clock divider circuit. Due to the large distance between the serializer/deserializer (SerDes) transceivers that are typically used to communicate a channel-bonded data, and a synchronization of the reset-signal to the local high-speed clock, the best phase alignment that can be accomplished is plus or minus two clock cycles.
For many present and future applications involving programmable devices and other types of skew-susceptible parallel transmission arrangements, with regard to its integrity and/or overall throughput, data communication can benefit from different phase alignment approaches.

Approach for adjusting the phase of channel-bonded data


The composition of hydrogen storage alloy particles used in a negative plate of an alkaline secondary battery is expressed by a general formula: (Laa Prb Ndc Zd)1-w Mgw Niz-x-y Alx Ty. In the formula, Z is an element selected from the group consisting of Ce and others, and T is an element selected from the group consisting of V and others. Subscripts a, b, c and d fall in ranges of 0≦a≦0.25, 0<b, 0<c, and 0≦d≦0.20, respectively, and satisfy the relationship expressed by a+b+c+d=1, where 0.20≦b/c≦0.35. Subscripts x, y, z and w fall in ranges of 0.15≦x ≦0.30, 0≦y≦0.5, 3.3≦z≦3.8, and 0.05≦w≦0.15, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy and an alkaline secondary battery using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A hydrogen storage alloy is capable of storing hydrogen safely and easily and therefore gains public attention as an energy conversion material and an energy storage material.
As one application example, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery using a hydrogen storage alloy for its negative electrode is in great demand as a consumer battery for its property such as high capacity and cleanliness. A negative electrode using a hydrogen storage alloy consisting of a rare earth-Mg-based alloy has recently been developed with a view to actualizing a higher capacity of the nickel-hydrogen secondary battery.
The rare earth-Mg-based alloy is alloy obtained by substituting Mg for a portion of a rare earth element of a conventional AB5-type rare earth-based alloy. Compared to the AB5-type rare earth-based alloy, the rare earth-Mg-based alloy is characterized by a capability to store a great quantity of hydrogen gas at around ambient temperature.
On the other hand, the rare earth-Mg-based alloy has the disadvantage of low corrosion resistance against alkaline electrolyte. As a consequence, the secondary battery using the rare earth-Mg-based alloy for its negative electrode also has the disadvantage of a short cycle life.
Japanese Patent Application Publication NO. 2005-290473 discloses that the reason of the low corrosion resistance of the rare earth-Mg-based alloy is that magnesium easily reacts with alkaline electrolyte and creates hydroxides. The publication also explains that if the percentage of La and Ce in the rare earth-Mg-based alloy is set equal to or less than prescribed percentage, this prevents the generation of hydroxides, namely corrosion reaction, and elongates the life duration of the secondary battery.
The rare earth-Mg-based alloy disclosed in the above publication is surely enhanced in alkali resistance. However, the alkaline secondary battery employing this alloy is liable to be increased in battery internal pressure when it is charged after being overdischarged, for example, after it has been used for a long term as a power source of a low-power appliance, such as a remote controller, a clock, and a flashlight. Such increase of internal pressure is not desirable for the cycle life of the battery.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hydrogen storage alloy and alkaline secondary battery using the same


An HVAC controller with a simplified and/or lower cost user interface. In one illustrative embodiment, the HVAC controller includes two switches, a movable member, and a plurality of detents. The detents are configured to cause the two switches to be switched in a sequence when the movable member is moved. In some cases, a controller is coupled to the two switches, and may change an HVAC control parameter based on the switch sequence.

Controllers are used on a wide variety of devices and systems for controlling various functions in homes and/or buildings and their related grounds. Some controllers have schedule programming that modifies device parameter set points as a function of date and/or time. HVAC controllers, for example, are employed to monitor and, if necessary, control various environmental conditions within a home, office, or other enclosed space. Such devices are useful, for example, in regulating any number of environmental conditions with a particular space including for example, temperature, humidity, venting, air quality, etc. The controller may include a microprocessor that interacts with other components in the system. For example, in many modern thermostats for use in the home, a controller unit equipped with temperature, humidity and/or other sensing capabilities may be provided to interact with a heater, blower, flue vent, air compressor, humidifier and/or other components, to control the temperature, humidity, and/or other environmental conditions at various locations within the home. For example, a sensor located within the controller unit and/or at one or more remote locations may be employed to sense when the temperature or humidity reaches a certain threshold level, causing the controller unit to send a signal to activate or deactivate one or more component in the system.
The controller may be equipped with an interface that allows the user to monitor and adjust the environmental conditions at one or more locations within the building. With more modern designs, the interface typically includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel inset within a housing that contains the microprocessor as well as other components of the controller. In some designs, the interface may permit the user to program the controller to activate on a certain schedule determined by the user. For example, the interface may include a separate menu routine that permits the user to change the temperature at one or more times during a particular day. Once the settings for that day have been programmed, the user can then repeat the process to change the settings for the other remaining days.
Many of these controllers have one or more push buttons located on the front of the controller. A microcontroller or the like typically receives and interprets the signals from the push buttons, and implements the desired function. It has been found, however, that some users have difficulty controlling and/or programming their controllers using such pushbuttons, particularly those users that are not familiar with modern computers and/or computer interfaces. In addition, push buttons and the supporting hardware and/or software can significant increase the cost of such controllers. As such, it would be desirable to provide a simplified and/or lower cost controller interface for an HVAC controller.


An endodontic file (10) has a handle (11) and a spiral cord (15) of helically wound metallic wire wound in a predetermined direction around a central metallic cord (13) formed between opposite ends of the central cord so as to form an integrated structure (18) of generally conical cross-section including a narrow tip end (17) and an opposite wider upper end (16) supported at the upper end by the handle. A flexible conical reinforcement (26, 31) supported by the handle covers an outermost layer of an upper portion of the spiral cord remote from the tip end, its lower end being of sufficiently low diameter to enter the root canal and dimensioned at its upper end to limit bending of the upper portion. An outer surface (20) of the spiral cord is configured for removing material from inside the root canal when the endodontic file is rotated in the predetermined direction.

US20070099149 entitled "Endodontic device and method of utilizing and manufacturing same" corresponding to IL 171705 in the name of the present applicant discloses an endodontic device for cleaning, filing or reaming root canals. The device includes one or more metallic, flexible strands having an edge, a working section, a connecting section and a coupling head connected thereto. The wire strands are coated along the working section with a thin layer of a binder having abrasive particles embedded therein. In the file disclosed by US20070099149 the flexible, longitudinal strands are so constructed that their outer surfaces serve as active filing surfaces.
The invention described in this publication heralded a series of improvements, some of which are described in WO 2008/102352 entitled "Endodontic File" and WO 2011/104705 entitled "Rotary Endodontic File with Frictional Grip".
Common to both these publications is an endodontic file for use with a dental instrument having at least one cord and a helical wire wound around at least a major portion of the cord and having an abrasive outer surface. In WO 2011/104705 the handle is adapted to be gripped in a handpiece by friction alone. This act as a safety clutch that helps to prevent fracture of the endodontic file should it snag inside the root canal, since once the force required to rotate the drill exceeds the friction of the clutch, the tool can no longer rotate.
In some prior art endodontic files, it is known to make the central cord so rigid that the inner cord can unintentionally penetrate the side wall of the root canal during the root canal procedure.
In WO 2011/104705 the handle is formed separate from the file portion with a hollow bore as best shown in FIG. 2 thereof and the upper end of the file portion is bonded within the hollow bore. As well shown in FIG. 7 thereof, the central cord of the file portion is of slightly smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the helical coil, so that it is free to slide within the helical coil. This requires that the upper end of helical coil be fixedly attached to the end of the cord, for example by tightly coiling a few turns of the helical wire around the end of the cord as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 prior to attachment of the handle. Furthermore, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the central cord protrudes forward of the helical wire toward the working or tip end of the endodontic file by a length of 3 to 6 mm. The central cord at the tip end of the file may be treated to form a globule such that the tip of the file serves as a guide, rather like a mole's snout, for guiding the file through a pre-formed cavity as shown in FIG. 5. However, the small diameter of the cord, typically 0.2-0.3 mm, and its relative rigidity, render the file subject to penetration through the wall of the dental cavity.
Conventional approaches to forming an abrasive surface are as described in WO 2008/102352 where an abrasive layer is composed of a binder containing abrasive particles and is then coated on the outer surface of the file. It has been found during use of such files that the small abrasive particles can separate from the binder and become dislodged in the tooth canal, which is obviously undesirable.

Endodontic file having an outer spiral cord


An item locking apparatus for releasibly anchoring personal items to beach sand includes an auger having an upright auger shaft with a shaft lower end and a shaft upper end and a ramped auger screw flange below the shaft upper end for screwing into beach sand; a lug structure fixedly secured to the shaft upper end; a locking post extending upwardly from and free spinning relative to the lug structure and having a padlock engaging structure through which a padlock bolt can pass; a shield disk having a central disk port through which the auger shaft upper end passes so that the shield disk is rotatably mounted immediately below and is retained by the lug structure and a free spinning shield dome lockingly covering the lug structure having a dome port through which the post extends upwardly, so that the shield disk and shield dome spin freely around the auger shaft and prevent unauthorized persons from gripping and rotating the auger shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of personal items securing and locking devices. More specifically the present invention relates to an item lock apparatus for releasibly anchoring items to beach sand while the owner is swimming, picnicking or is otherwise occupied. The apparatus includes an auger having an upright auger shaft and a ramped auger screw flange at the shaft lower end for screwing into beach sand, and a lug structure preferably in the form of a lug box fixedly secured to the shaft upper end. A locking post extends upwardly from the lug structure, preferably in the form of a free spinning rod having a retaining flange at the rod lower end inside the lug box and has a lock engaging structure in the form of a post diametric bore through which a padlock bolt can pass. A shield disk having a central disk port is fitted over the auger shaft upper end so that the shield disk is rotatably mounted immediately below and is retained from above by the lug structure, the shield disk preferably having a disk stabilizing tube encompassing the disk port and the auger shaft and secured to the shield disk to extend downwardly from the shield disk, so that the shield disk and disk mounting tube spin freely around the auger shaft, and obstruct access to the auger shaft to prevent others from gripping and rotating the auger shaft, a shield dome having a dome apex port for fitting over the lug structure and around the locking post to a level below the post diametric bore to spin freely about the auger shaft and so that a padlock bolt can be fitted through the post diametric bore and locked above the shield dome so that the shield dome encloses and prevents unauthorized access to the lug structure, so that personal items can be lockingly secured to the padlock and unauthorized persons have access only to the free spinning post, dome and shield disk and thus cannot engage and rotate the auger shaft to remove the apparatus and steal the engaged items. It is contemplated that the apparatus be used to anchor a cooler box or other container to the beach sand to provide a secure dry compartment for items. A lug engaging lever structure is provided preferably in the form of a lug wrench sized and configured to engage the lug structure for rotating the auger shaft to screw the lock apparatus into and out of the beach sand.
2. Description of the Prior Art
People have long brought personal items such as rings, watches and other items to the beach, only to have to remove them before entering the water. Often these items are secured in an automobile, but where beach parking is a long walk from the beach this is not always convenient. Where items are brought to the beach, the only way to secure the items typically would be to hide them such as underneath a beach towel, a strategy fully understood by potential thieves.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a beach lock for securing personal items and other possessions to the beach itself.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a beach lock which is easily and quickly anchored in beach sand and just as quickly and easily removed by the owner of the items to be secured, and yet which is extremely difficult for a thief to dislodge without attracting attention.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a beach lock which is light weight and compact so that it can be carried and stored easily.
It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a beach lock which is sturdy, reliable and inexpensive to manufacture.


A method is provided for monitoring the light-off temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst of a combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to measuring the temperature of the exhaust gas upstream and downstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst during a post injection phase or after injection phase of the combustion engine, determining whether a catalyst light-off occurred by using the temperature data of the exhaust gas, calculating the surface temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst by using the measured temperature data of the exhaust gas, and defining the calculated temperature as light-off temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst in the case that a catalyst light-off is determined. By means of the method, it is possible to determine the actual light-off temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst for instance after each engine start by means of calculating the surface temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst. Since the light-off temperature is not considered as a constant but as a changing variable, the aging of the diesel oxidation catalyst is sufficiently considered. Thus, it is provided a means for monitoring the light-off temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst considering an aging of the diesel oxidation catalyst.

Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) placed in the exhaust flow path of diesel-powered engines are known to treat the exhaust of diesel engines before venting to the atmosphere in order to convert noxious pollutants such as hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide by catalyzing the oxidation of these pollutants to carbon dioxide and water.
The diesel oxidation catalyst activity generally increases with temperature. For diesel oxidation catalysts a threshold temperature is necessary for the diesel oxidation catalyst to "light-off" and convert the noxious gases by oxidation. The "light-off temperature" is defined as the temperature at which 50 mol % of present HC-compounds are catalytically converted. It is important for a diesel oxidation catalyst to reach the necessary working temperature as soon as possible after a cold starting in order to work properly.
The light-off behaviour and performance of a catalyst not only is a function of catalytic formulation and coating density but also of operating conditions. The most significant shift in the light-off temperature occurs with the age of the diesel oxidation catalyst, as the light-off temperature increases with age. Usually, the onboard system of a motor vehicle is adjusted to that on the basis of the assumption of a completely aged diesel oxidation catalyst which leads to a high light-off temperature.
It is a disadvantage that the shift in light-off temperature of aging diesel oxidation catalysts is not sufficiently considered in the motor vehicle.
It is at least one object of the invention to provide a device or means for monitoring the light-off temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst considering an aging of the diesel oxidation catalyst.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the light-off temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst


This invention provides a novel process for preparing soluble phthalocyanines by microwave irradiation in the absence of any organic solvent. Three different starting materials, i.e. t-butylphthalic anhydride, t-butyl phthalonitrile and metal-free H2Pc (tetra-t-butylphthalocyanine) have been adopted, respectively. The starting material with proper metal compound, such as chloride or acetate were irradiated in a commercial microwave oven for a period of 1 to 30 minutes at a power of 200xcx9c900 W. This process is noted to reduce drastically reaction time of MPc formation from 8xcx9c24 hours to 10xcx9c30 minutes due to its unique heating by microwave irradiation. Sandwiched type MPc2 (such as Lu Pc2) can be produced only through metal replacement from metal-free phthalocyanine by microwave irradiation.

1. Field of the Invention Received
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing soluble phthalocyanines by microwave irradiation in the absence of any organic solvents and represented by the general formula shown in FIG. 1 wherein R is an alkyl group such as t-butyl or an alkoxy group like pentoxy, and Mt is a metal or non-metal, like Co, Ni, Cu, Mg, Al, Pd, Sn, Tb, Lu, Ce, La, Zn, or H.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
Phthalocyanines exhibit extremely good stability and photoelectric properties due to its unique chemical structure, and hence have been used widely. They are currently the largest consumed dyes and/or pigments in the world, and play a major role in the application for the high technology industry.
Phthalocyanines can be made into a film that in turn can be fabricated into an element by means of a variety of methods. Among those methods, the spin-coating has the lowest cost(1-2). Films made from phthalocyanines have been applied over various fields such as photo-recording materials(3-4), gas sensors(5), electrochromic elements(6), non-linear optics (NLO)(7) and photocells(8).
The structural formula of phthalocyanines is given in FIG. 1, wherein R represents alkyl, t-butyl, or an alkoxy group like pentoxy, and Mt represents a central material of metal, like Co, Ni, Cu, Mg, Al, Pd, Sn, Tb, Ce, La, Zn, Lu or a metal-free material like H atom.
Microwave was developed from the radar during the Second World War. At that time, it was discovered that microwaves emitted from the radar were capable of drying large ceramic objects. The application of microwaves for the household electric commodities had been, however, since 1970. Nevertheless, in recent years, many studies have been devoted to exploring the feasibility of the application of microwaves on chemical reactions.
Microwave is an energy in the form of an electromagnetic wave. It is a non-ionization radiation that can induce the migration of electron and the rotation of dipole moment, and hence cause the motion of a molecule. Microwave heating is different from conventional heating method mostly in its mode of energy delivery. Traditional heating method delivers heat energy by conducting through a container containing the solution, and homogeneously distributes the heat to the solution and hence raising the temperature thereof. On the contrary, microwave heating delivers heat by radiation, and therefore, can heat reactants directly and accordingly promoting its efficiency.
Synthesis of phthalocyanine by microwave irradiation was first proposed by Ahmad Shaabani(12) in 1998 using a phthalic anhydride lacking a side group as the starting material. This method had, however, a disadvantage in that the phthalocyanine synthesized had a poor solubility. It is insoluble in almost every solvent other than concentrated sulfuric acid. In 1999, Cezar Ungurenasu(13) proposed a process for preparing phthalocyanine by microwave irradiation with phthalonitrile or diiminoisoindoline as the starting material. The product thus prepared had a defined solubility, however, it was disadvantageous in that the solvent must be involved in the reaction, i.e., it was not a dry preparation, and hence contained high production cost. Further, it differed from the scope claimed by the present invention.
The traditional syntheses of phthalocyanine, no matter what starting material is used, required a relatively long reaction time and a considerable high energy to provide sufficient kinetic energy to overcome the reaction kinetic barrier and hence, promote the collision probability and energy of molecules, which results in low efficiency. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for preparing phthalocyanine by microwave irradiation that can eliminate the above-described disadvantage associated with the traditional process. Consequently, it is possible to shorten the reaction time, and produce soluble phthalocyanines that can be used to fabricate elements by avoiding an expensive vacuum sputtering method, and thus, increasing its industrial practicability.

Synthesis of phthalocyanines by microwave irradiation


A rotating gun stock for a firearm having a gun stock fore-end, the rotating gun stock comprising: a rotary positioning disc fixed within the fore-end, the fore-end having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the rotary disc fixed within the fore-end substantially at the distal end; the rotary disc further having a first and a second face and a center coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the first face directed towards the proximal end and the second face having a plurality of concentric accepting slots and a radial slot formed therein, the radial slot formed to communicate perpendicularly with the plurality of accepting slots; a butt positioned substantially perpendicularly to the fore-end at the distal end, the butt rotatably attached to the center of the rotary positioning disc, the butt constrained to rotate only about the longitudinal axis; a selector inserted within a selector slot in the butt, the selector protruding into the radial slot and thereby successively into the plurality of accepting slots; wherein rotation of the butt is configured to be selected by the selector to enable a plurality of butt rotational positions about the longitudinal axis, including a lock position of zero degrees.

The current invention relates to firearms in general, and specifically to a rotating gun stock suitable for an array of firearms.
In the specification and claim which follow hereinbelow, the term "stock" as used in "gunstock" and/or "gun stock" is intended to have equivalent meaning to "butt", as "gun butt" or "butt stock". Additionally, as is clarified hereinbelow, embodiments of the current invention are not limited to a gun stock suitable for a rifle (i.e. assault or hunting rifle, inter alia) but to other firearm configurations, such as a hand gun, inter alia.
Gun and rifle stocks are manufactured to fit the average right-handed shooter—whereas specialized stocks can be manufactured to fit the exact requirements/anatomy of the shooter. There are a number of variables such as: head position; eye-sighting; recoil pad; inter alia, that are taken into consideration to make a suitable fit of the gun stock, and which can change the dynamics of the firearm.
Prior art which addresses his issue includes, inter alia:
U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,099, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, in which Sisk describes a multi-axis adjustable buttstock that incorporates a buttstock, having, a grip neck, and a butt along with an interfaced set of two serrated grip retainers attached onto the buttstock grip neck, for buttstock tilt adjustment. A plurality of selectable flat and tapered grip spacers engage the grip serrated retainers for trigger grip length, cast and drop adjustment of the buttstock. A flanged stock bolt is disposed through a portion of the buttstock retaining the spacers and grip retainers while being embraced tightly by a first lock ring. A threaded rod is inserted into the buttstock a desired distance for length of pull adjustment and a second threaded lock ring is positioned on the threaded rod for securement. A recoil pad adapter plate, having a plurality of concentric holes, is attached to the threaded rod, for recoil pad slant adjustment, and a recoil pad is attached to the adapter plate aligned with selected recoil pad holes for recoil pad height and angle adjustments.
Fitzpatrick et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,018, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describe a modular gunstock utilizing a two-piece mounting structure and a stock module. The structure comprises a weapon attachment, in the case of an AR15/M16 rifle a receiver extension tube, and a sleeve slidable over the attachment and containing mounting structure for the stock module. The stock module is adjustable for length and features a length pre-set system, a latch with independent dual-pawls and an integrated impact buffer, modular tailpiece, and storage. The sleeve also features a position selectable fixed cheek plate.
Prior art rotating gun stock solutions however have shortcomings including, but not limited to: incompatibility with protective vests worn when firing; difficulty in switching stock positions easily; difficulty in assembly and disassembly of the gun stock; gun stock suited only to right-handed or only left-handed firer (and not both); incompatibility across an array of firearms, including handguns; and overall difficulty and/or limitations to adjust/operate.
There is therefore a need to provide an adjustable gun stock which can be readily adapted to a wide variety of firearms and which may be adjustable in the field using adjustments on the gun stock itself, without specialized tools—among other improvements.


A method for resolving optically impure 3-oxa-2-oxobicyclo3.1.0!hexane-1-carboxylic acid esters. A method is provided for producing a 1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid.N-benzyl-.alpha.-phenylethylamine diastereomer salt. An enantiomer of N-benzyl-.alpha.-phenylethylamine is reacted with a 1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to produce a precipitate that is enriched in one diastereomer of the salt. After isolating the optically active salt, the N-benzyl-.alpha.-phenylethylamine may be separated to produce the corresponding 1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Under acidic conditions, the carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups undergo ring closure to afford the optically active 3-oxa-2-oxobicyclo3.1.0!hexane-1-carboxylic acid ester.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing optically active 1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids, which are intermediates useful in synthesizing, for example, non-natural amino acids and anti-viral agents.
2. Description of the Background
It has been known that the optically active 3-oxa-2-oxobicyclo3. 1.0!hexane-1-carboxylic acid ester represented by the following general formula (I) is a starting material useful for producing a variety of non-natural amino acids and anti-viral agents (see Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 72, 1301-1310 (1989) and Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 5-78357). ##STR1## In formula (I), R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which may or may not be substituted with an aryl group, and * designates an asymmetric carbon.
Ester (I) may be produced readily by reacting an optically active epichicrohydrin with a malonate diester. Additionally, a production method from optically active glycidol triflate and malonate diester is known (J. Org. Chem., Vol. 58, 3767-3768 (1993)). However, the optically active epichlorohydrin and glycidol triflate used in these methods are so extremely expensive that such methods are not suitable for industrial production.
A method for producing an optical active substance through the action of esterase on the racemic material, which can be produced inexpensively, to thereby selectively hydrolyze the racemic substance, has been reported (Synthetic Commun., Vol. 21, 1429-1432 (1991). However, this procedure is so complex that the method cannot be considered industrially satisfactory.

Method of producing optically active cyclopropane derivatives


An image forming apparatus for reproducing an image corresponding to a digitized image signal includes; an imaging member; a halftone image forming device for reproducing a latent image composed of a plurality of pixels on the imaging member, and for developing the latent image so that coloring particles are adhered in each pixel being put together as an island, the halftone image including a relatively low density halftone image; and a transfixing device for simultaneously transferring the halftone image and fixing the halftone image onto a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus may further includes an intermediate transfer medium. The island-like toner image reproduces the halftone image clearly.

This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, this invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming toner images onto a surface of a photoreceptor and transfixing the toner image onto a recording sheet.
Recently, image forming apparatus using digital electrophotographic imaging processes have been variously used for printers and copiers. The processes comprise forming of electrostatic latent image onto a surface of a photoreceptor by an irradiating light beam carrying image information corresponding to characters and images. In such digital image forming apparatus, a method for reproducing halftone images as well as solid images for forming an electrostatic latent image having a halftone-dot structure or a line-screen structure by rapidly switching a light beam between an on state and an off state has also been known and utilized for digital electrophotographic type copiers or printers. Algorithm for the method is easily realized at good cost performance.
Such image forming apparatuses comprise the steps of forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, developing the electrostatic latent image by a dry toner for forming a toner image transferring the toner image onto a recording sheet and fusing the toner image. There are some drawbacks such as an unevenness of the density of the toner image or a low reproducibility of the halftone dots of the toner image or a low resolution of the toner image due to toner scattering during the toner transferring step.
Those drawbacks are mainly caused by the process of transferring the toner image using electrostatic phenomena of the toner particles. In other words, due to an irregular surface of the recording sheet, the surface of the photoreceptor and the surface of the recording sheet do not completely fit with each other and produce uneven gaps therebetween sufficient to cause a non-uniform electric transfer field or to induce coulomb inter-toner particles repulsive forces. Thus, image quality of the halftone images are degraded.
To avoid such drawbacks, Japanese Examined Patent Publication (JP-B) Sho. 46-41697 discloses a method for transferring a toner image visco-elastically onto a surface of an intermediate transfer medium, then re-transferring the toner image thermally from the surface of the intermediate transfer medium to a surface of an image recording sheet by melting the toner images. In this method, such degradation of the toner image does not tend to occur because the process of transferring the toner image is done through a non-electrostatic way.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) 51-94939 discloses a technique for obtaining a color image by transferring plural toner images, each having a unique hue, formed on a surface of a photoreceptor to a surface of an intermediate transfer medium such that they overlap each other, melting those toner images on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium and transferring the melted toner images onto a recording medium. In this method, such degradation of the toner image does not tend to occur because the transferring of the toner images is also done through a non-electrostatic way. Such methods for carrying out the transferring process and the fusing process simultaneously is referred to as a `Transfix` technique.

Image forming apparatus for reproducing halftone images


A photographing apparatus, and a photographing method thereof. The photographing method of the photographing apparatus determines if an instruction to photograph is input, and if the instruction to photograph is input, displays a live view by using a first data output from a first pixel group included in an image sensor, and combines a second data output from a second pixel group included in the image sensor with the first data and generates a photographed image, and stores the generated photographed image. Accordingly, the user is continuously provided with the live view even after photographing. Specifically, in continuous photographing, since the user is provided with the live view through which he or she can check the moving subject of photography, the user is enabled to compose images as he or she wishes.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the disclosure provided herein relate to photographing an image, and more specifically, to a photographing apparatus to provide a live view while photographing an image, and a photographing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
While photographing an object with a conventional photographing device, a user can view the object displayed on a viewfinder provided in the photographing device and continue photographing. For instance, the subject of photography can be displayed on an optical viewfinder or an electrical viewfinder of the photographing device.
However, if the user watches the object by only using the electrical viewfinder because the optical viewfinder is not provided, he or she may not find the live view for a while after photographing. The photographing devices may need some time to display the quick view by the electrical viewfinder. Particularly, if the continuous photographing is performed, the user is not able to view the frame of the photographed object due to the quick views of the continuously photographed images. The image sensors of the photographing device operate differently to process the live view and to process the photographed image. Accordingly, the user is not provided with the live view during continuous photographing because the operation to process photographed images is performed. Thus, the user is not able to acquire an image of a desired frame or is inconvenienced when he or she has to repeatedly take photographs.
Further, even if the photographing device is provided with the optical viewfinder, if the user photographs continuously at a lower shutter speed than the frame speed of the live view, he or she is not provided with the frame of the object through the optical viewfinder for the duration of the light exposure.

Apparatus and method to provide a live view while photographing an image


An electrical generator system includes a source for producing heated gases, a conduit connected to the source for receiving a flow of the heated gases, and a generator assembly positioned in close proximity to the conduit. The generator assembly includes a plurality of magnets positioned in a spaced relationship, the plurality of magnets producing a magnetic field. At least one electrical conductor is positioned adjacent the plurality of magnets to conduct an electrical current generated in response to the flow of heated gases in the conduit and the magnetic field.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical generator system, and, more particularly, to a generator assembly used in an electrical generator system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generator systems have long been used to generate electrical energy. One such generator system utilizes a configuration of magnets and electrical coils that move in relation to each other to generate electricity. In an automobile, for example, an electrical generation device, e.g., an alternator, includes a rotor that is driven by the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine to rotate in relation to a stationary stator. Thus, such as generation system utilizes energy that could otherwise be used in powering the automobile.


The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved electron beam apparatus with improvements in throughput, accuracy, etc. One of the characterizing features of the electron beam apparatus of the present invention is that it has a plurality of optical systems, each of which comprises a primary electron optical system for scanning and irradiating a sample with a plurality of primary electron beams; a detector device for detecting a plurality of secondary beams emitted by irradiating the sample with the primary electron beams; and a secondary electron optical system for guiding the secondary electron beams from the sample to the detector device; all configured so that the plurality of optical systems scan different regions of the sample with their primary electron beams, and detect the respective secondary electron beams emitted from each of the respective regions. This is what makes higher throughput possible. To provide high accuracy, the apparatus is configured such that the axes of its optical systems can be aligned, and aberrations corrected, by a variety of methods.

The present invention is related to an apparatus for using a plurality of electron beams to inspect for defects, etc., in patterns formed on the surface of a sample; and in particular, to an apparatus for performing high-throughput wafer defect detection (such as, for example, in a semiconductor device fabrication process) by irradiating the sample with an electron beam; detecting secondary electrons (which vary according to the properties of the surface of the sample); forming image data therefrom; and inspecting and evaluating patterns, etc., formed on the surface of the sample, based on that image data. It is also related to a device fabrication method for high yield production of semiconductor devices, using such an apparatus.
Conventional systems using scanning electron microscopes (SEM) are currently available for performing the above wafer inspection function. These systems form an SEM image by raster-scanning a finely focussed electron beam over an extremely closely spaced raster width, while detecting secondary electrons emitted from the sample using a secondary electron detector. Defects are then found by comparing the SEM image with a reference standard image.
Because of the small beam size, pixel size, and raster width used in SEM systems adapted for defect inspection, however, such inspections required a huge amount of time. Also, when the sample was irradiated with a larger beam to improve throughput, this produced degraded spacial resolution quality of the SEM images.
Multibeam inspection systems, in which the sample is irradiated with a number of beams at the same time, have also been in development over the past few years. Many improvements to such systems are needed, however, for realization of high throughput, while also maintaining good precision.

Electron beam apparatus and device fabrication method using the electron beam apparatus


A method including forming an oxide layer on a top of a substrate; forming a deep trench capacitor in the substrate; bonding a III-V compound semiconductor to a top surface of the oxide layer; and forming a III-V device in the III-V compound semiconductor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly to integrating embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) onto the same chip as III-V semiconductor devices.
2. Background of Invention
Embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) embedded in a logic circuit to function as a high density cache memory. The eDRAM provides comparable access time as static random access memory (SRAM) at a smaller device area per cell. Typically, eDRAM arrays are employed as an L2 level cache or L3 level cache in a processor to provide a high density memory in a processor core. Due to high performance and a compact size, eDRAM has become one of the most efficient means for continued performance of semiconductor logic circuits requiring embedded memory including processors and system-on-chip (SoC) devices.
III-V semiconductor materials have electro-optical and carrier transport properties useful in semiconductor devices. Namely, high electron mobility allowing for increased current drive make III-V materials particularly attractive. Semiconductor devices formed from III-V semiconductor materials, otherwise referred to as III-V semiconductor devices or III-V devices, are promising for high-speed logic devices and for microwave uses. Further, III-V devices have been identified as one potential candidate to aid in the future scaling of integrated circuits.
Compound semiconductors are semiconductor compounds composed of elements from two or more different groups of the Periodic Table of Elements. The term III-V compound semiconductor or III-V semiconductor materials as used throughout the present application, denotes a semiconductor material that includes at least one element from Group 13 (B, Al, Ga, In) and at least one element from Group 15 (N, P, As, Si, Bi) of the Periodic Table of Elements. Typically, the III-V materials are binary, ternary or quaternary alloys including III/V elements. The range of possible formulae is quite broad because these elements can form binary (two elements, e.g., GaAs), ternary (three elements, e.g., InGaAs) and quaternary (four elements, e.g., AlInGaP).

Memory cell with integrated III-V device


The present application discloses various systems, methods and non-transitory computer-readable mediums that include a first device and a second device to perform processing on a digital image. According to one example, a second one or more edits made using the second device are user subjective and a first one or more edits made using the first device are user agnostic. The second one or more edits are reliant on the first one or more edits for processing flexibility to achieve a desired image attribute.

As the popularity of social networking grows, the number of digital images and videos generated, edited and shared using such social networks grows as well. The present inventors recognize some drawbacks with the current methodology by which digital images and videos are processed. For example, when a digital image or video file is edited, the appearance of the original image/video file is generally modified and replaced by the new image/video file. Different devices edit image/video files differently.
Additionally, different devices also generally display the same image differently. Thus, an Apple iPhone® will process and display a digital image or video file differently than a Samsung Galaxy®, for example. This can lead to "data lock" with the image/video having a certain appearance due to the device being used that cannot be fully undone if the end user later desires a different appearance. Additionally, as the number of digital images and videos generated, edited and shared increases, the volume of data that must be carried by a network increases. This increase in data can result in increased download times and increased battery usage for the user.

Systems and methods for multi-device image processing


An image forming apparatus including image forming means for forming a toner image on a toner reception resin layer of a recording medium; conveying means for conveying the recording medium set on a setting portion to the image forming means; and smoothening means for smoothening the toner reception resin layer of the recording medium on which the toner image is formed by the image forming means. The apparatus is operable in a pre-smoothening mode in which the toner reception resin layer of the recording medium is smoothened before the toner image is formed on the toner reception resin layer of the recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus utilizing an electrophotographic system, and in particular, to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, there have been widely well-known an image forming apparatus mainly utilizing an electrophotographic system, such as a copying machine or a printer. Monochromatic image forming apparatuses as well as full color image forming apparatuses are now widely and commercially available. Further, as the image forming apparatus of the electrophotographic type has been used in various fields, demands for the image quality thereof have been higher.
It is noted that a degree of smoothness of an output image may be one of the factors which can determine a quality of an image, that is, a degree of glossiness of a full color image. For example, in order to comply with the above-mentioned demands, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S64-35452 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H05-216322 discloses an image forming method of forming a color image bearing product having a high degree of glossiness, in which a recording medium coated thereover with a transparent resin layer, as a glossy layer, made of thermoplastic resin is transferred thereon with an unfixed color toner image made of thermoplastic resin, and then is heated so as to fuse the color toner image in order to fix the same.
In the above-mentioned image forming method, a belt fixing unit has been proposed for desired fixation. For example, a belt fixing unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H04-216580 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H04-362679 has such a configuration that a recording medium carrying thereon a unfixed toner image is pressed and heated by a fixing belt made of a heat-resistance film having a smooth surface, then is cooled while it is held in close contact with the fixing belt in order to solidify the toner image. Thereafter, the recording medium to which the toner image is fixed is separated from the fixing belt. As a result, the toner image is fixed while being embedded in the transparent resin layer of the recording medium and while the transparent resin layer on the surface of the recording medium and the toner image are both fixed copying the surface configuration of the belt. Accordingly, the entire surface of the recording medium becomes smoother. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a color image which is excellent in glossiness.
Further, a recording medium having a resin layer as a glossy layer is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-084477 which thus discloses an electrophotographic image transfer sheet coated thereover with a resin layer made of, for example, thermoplastic resin, as a main component, having a glass transition temperature of not higher than 85 deg. C. and having a thickness of about 20 μm.
However, as stated above, the glossy image forming method in which a toner image is formed on a recording medium having the glossy layer on its surface, and is fixed by the belt fixing unit so as to obtain a glossy image medium would possibly causes the following problems:
1) First, should the original surface of the glossy layer of the recording medium be unsmooth, the belt fixing unit should apply a heat and a pressure which are required for enabling the glossy layer of the recording medium to have a required smooth surface. That is, the lower the degree of smoothness of the surface of the glossy layer of the recording medium before image formation, higher heat and pressure are required.
However, should the heat value and the degree of pressure of the belt fixing unit be increased, the toner image and the resin layer as the gloss layer would be subjected to heat and pressure which are accordingly high. As a result, the heat and the pressure which are excessive, would cause the toner to be excessively fused so as to be offset onto a fixing belt or to flow over the surface of the recording medium, resulting in a problem of blurring of the toner image, and further, to deviate the toner image together with the resin layer as the glossy layer of the recording medium, resulting in a problem of disturbance of the toner image.
Thus, in the case of a low degree of smoothness of the surface of the glossy layer of the recoding medium before image formation, it is self-explanatory that there is a limitation in increase of heat and pressure of the belt fixing unit for enabling the surface of the glossy layer to have a desired smooth surface.
2) Accordingly, although it is preferable to allow the surface of the glossy layer of the recoding medium to be previously smooth before using, the recoding medium of such kind would possibly cause an occurrence of a problem of double feeding of the recording medium when one sheet of the recoding medium which has been stacked in a paper feed portion is separated from the other sheets of the recording medium and is fed.
That is, in the case of fixing a unfixed toner image on a recording medium having at its one surface a glossy layer, there have been raised the above-mentioned technical problems.

Image forming apparatus featuring a pre-smoothening mode performed prior to formation of a toner image


The present invention relates to a releasing mechanism, an aerosol generating device, a releasing method, and a smoking producing article. The releasing mechanism comprises: a rotary portion connected to the aerosol generating device rotatably between a first position and a second position, an aerosol-forming substrate and a heating body are relatively movable in a circumferential direction during switching from the first position to the second position; both in the first position and in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate is in contact with the heating body. By using the releasing mechanism of the present invention, a user is allowed to easily pull out the aerosol-forming substrate from the heating body, and it is convenient to use and also facilitates cleaning of the aerosol generating device by a user.

In recent years, an impact of traditional cigarettes on health and environment has gradually attracted attentions of countries around the world. Tobacco producers are committed to providing consumers with less harmful tobacco products. Low-temperature heating and non-burning tobacco products as a new form of tobacco consumer good have gradually been welcomed by the market and are increasingly accepted by cigarette consumers in most countries.
For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN106376975A provides an aerosol generating device and a method of using the same. The aerosol generating device comprises: a cavity having a cavity case and a cavity accommodating space formed by the cavity case, wherein the cavity accommodating space is used for accommodating a medium to be heated, and a top of the cavity is provided with filter cotton; a sealing cover disposed at a bottom of the cavity to seal at the bottom of the cavity, wherein a bottom of the sealing cover is formed with a penetrated part; an air deflector disposed below the sealing cover and having a guiding groove and a guiding hole, wherein the guiding hole is disposed correspondingly to the penetrated part; and a heater including a heater bottom cover and a heating ceramic sheet, wherein the heater bottom cover is disposed below the air deflector, and the heating ceramic sheet is fixed to the heater bottom cover, passes through the guiding hole, and pierces the penetrated part to penetrate into the cavity accommodating space.
Chinese Patent Publication No. CN103974640A provides an aerosol generating device configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate and configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate using both an internal heater positioned within the substrate, and an external heater positioned outside of the substrate. The use of both the internal heater and the external heater allows each heater to operate at a lower temperature than it may be required when using either the internal heater or the external heater alone. By operating the external heater at a lower temperature than the internal heater, the substrate can be heated to have a relatively uniform temperature distribution while the external temperature of the device can be kept to an acceptably low level.
Existing aerosol generating device generally heats an aerosol-forming substrate by a heater to generate aerosol which is to be suctioned by a user. The aerosol-forming substrate will stick to the heater when the user pulls out the aerosol-forming substrate after completing suctioning. Thus, the aerosol-forming substrate is difficult to be pulled out from the aerosol generating device, which is inconvenient to use and affects experience feeling in use of consumers.

Releasing mechanism, aerosol generating device, releasing method, and smoke producing article

SHANGHAI NEW TOBACCO PRODUCT RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD


The present invention discloses a method and system for thermal desorption treatment of organic-contaminated soil and treatment of desorbed waste gas. The system includes a thermal incinerator, a desorption flue gas temperature regulating device, a thermal desorption reactor, a dust collector, a heat exchange/steam separator, an absorption reactor, a star-shaped unloader, and a soil cooler. An absorbent containing organic pollutants is used as a fuel, and subjected to thermal incineration to achieve the decomposition and harmless treatment of the organic pollutants; and high temperature flue gas generated by the incineration is used as a heat carrier for thermal desorption remediation of the organic-contaminated soil; and by means of the high solubility capability of fuel oil to organic matter, the fuel oil is used as an absorbent to absorb and purify the organic pollutants in desorbed waste gas, so that the gas is purified gas and up-to-standard discharge is achieved. The present invention achieves the thermal desorption of the organic pollutants, the absorption and purification of the pollutants in the desorbed waste gas, and the thorough decomposition of the organic pollutants; the fuel oil has both functions of the absorbent and the fuel, and the present invention has the advantages of short process, low energy consumption, simple equipment and low cost.

The problem of soil contamination in China is very prominent, and there is an urgent need for a remedy technology. Contaminated soil can be divided into organic-contaminated soil and inorganic-contaminated soil. According to the nature of organic pollutants, technologies for remediation of organic-contaminated soil mainly include thermal desorption, steam extraction, chemical oxidation/reduction, a fixation/stabilization method, an incineration method, a microbial method, a phytoremediation method, and the like. The thermal desorption technology is one of the effective methods for remediation of organic-contaminated soil. Different heat sources are used to heat the organic-contaminated soil to be close to or above the boiling point of organic matter by heating, so that organic pollutants are volatilized and separated from the soil, and then the desorbed waste gas is treated to achieve the goal of remediation. The thermal desorption method can effectively remove volatile and semi-volatile organic pollutants in soil, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This technology began in the 1980s, and the proportion of remediation of organic-decontaminated soil by the organic desorption technology in the United States reaches more than 70%; however, in China, the thermal desorption technology is just in the beginning stage. Existing technologies for remediation of organic-contaminated soil by thermal desorption mainly differ in heat sources and fuels used, energy recovery and energy saving methods, methods for treatment and disposal of desorbed waste gas, and the like.
The heat sources and fuels are the main aspects that determine the cost and feasibility of remediation. Low-cost and easily-accessible heat sources and fuels are favorable for the implementation and promotion of the technology. The heat sources and fuels used in the prior art include: (1) combustion tail gas generated by desorbed organic pollutants as a fuel (CN 106216382 A), (2) electric energy, natural gas or hot flue gas (CN 104971819 A, CN106140801 A, CN105964671 A, CN106 799392 A, CN101972773 B, CN102069088 B), (3) waste heat of high temperature flue gas, high temperature air, high temperature steam or high temperature liquid (CN 104307865 A), (4) natural gas, biomass fuel, and the like (CN104646409 A), (5) coal, liquefied gas or natural gas (CN 101530858A, CN104 759464 A), (6) high temperature flue gas generated by mixed combustion of gas and desorbed waste gas (CN103962374 A), and (7) clean tail gas of a power plant (CN101947543 B). The prior art generally uses gaseous fuels such as natural gas, solid fuels such as coal and liquid fuels such as biomass fuel as fuels for combustion, to generate a high temperature gas for desorption, or directly uses electrolytic heat to achieve thermal desorption, where the gaseous fuels have the problems of being high in cost, limited in source and unfavorable for on-site remediation and use in practical application; the liquid fuels are convenient to transport, but if the liquid fuels are only used to generate high temperature gas, there is a problem of high cost; the costs of the solid fuels are low, but there are problems that a combustion device is complicated and the generated high temperature gas has a high impurity content, making the subsequent purification difficult. For example, the Chinese invention patent with the publication number CN106140801 A discloses a method for remediation of organic-contaminated soil, in which heavily-contaminated soil is preheated with hot tail gas of a thermal desorption device, hot flue gas of a natural gas combustion device is a heat source, the heavily-contaminated soil is subjected to thermal desorption treatment by indirect heating, and the soil is mixed with lightly-contaminated soil and then subjected to low-temperature thermal desorption, and waste gas containing organic pollutants and generated by desorption is mixed with natural gas for combustion, thereby achieving the goal of decomposition. The problem of the technology is that the introduction of the waste gas into a combustion system will affect combustion process conditions of the natural gas, which is not conducive to the control of the combustion process. The Chinese invention patent with the publication number CN 106216382 A discloses a system and method for thermal desorption treatment of organic-decontaminated soil, according to which heat-carrying gas is generated by using the combustion of desorbed organic pollutants, the heat-carrying gas exchanges heat with the desorbed waste gas, and part of all of the heat-carrying gas enters an adsorption system to perform desorption on the contaminated soil by indirect heating. The system utilizes the waste gas generated by desorption as an energy source, and no fuel is added except for the start-up phase of the system. For the soil subjected to contamination by high-concentration organic matter, the system has effects of high efficiency and energy saving. However, if the concentration of organic pollutants in the soil is lower, desorbed waste gas is not sufficient for spontaneous combustion, and when sufficient heat is provided for desorption, the system application is limited. At present, there is no disclosure of a technical solution of using a liquid fuel as an absorbent for purifying desorbed waste gas, and using a mixture of the liquid fuel and desorbed organic pollutants as a fuel.
In the prior art, methods for treatment and disposal of desorbed waste gas containing organic pollutants include direct combustion without refueling as a desorption heat source, dedusting purification, and mixing with gas fuels such as natural gas for combustion decomposition (CN106140801 A, CN103962374 A), activated carbon adsorption and purification (CN 103658165 A), dedusting, combustion or direct use for soil preheating (CN 104307864 A, CN 104607455 A), high temperature incineration treatment after dedusting (CN103008337 B, CN105964671 A), condensation method separation and recovery of organic matter in waste gas (CN106799392 A), chemical oxidation/reduction purification treatment (CN102580994B), adsorption and purification treatment after preheating of desorbed air (CN101972773 B, CN102069088 B, CN104607 455B), lye absorption method purification (CN 101530858A), and incineration purification in a cement kiln (CN 102513346 B). In the prior art, a mode of utilizing waste heat of desorbed waste gas is mainly used for preheating or pre-desorption of contaminated soil and preheating of desorbed air, and there is no disclosure of a utilization mode of heat exchange through adsorbed waste gas and the combustion of combustion-supporting air. In the existing technical solution, the adsorbed waste gas is purified by dry methods such as activated carbon adsorption, and the purification efficiency is high, but it is difficult to ensure the treatment effect on adsorbed waste gas with high-concentration and high-humidity organic pollutants, and the cost is low; a condensation recovery method is only suitable for treatment of high-concentration waste gas, and it is difficult for purified gas to reach the emission standard; some technologies adopt a method for decomposition treatment of waste gas by using a combustion system. For example, the Chinese invention patent No. CN103962374 A discloses a system for thermal desorption remediation treatment of organic-contaminated soil, gas and desorbed waste gas are subjected to mixed combustion in a combustion and tail gas treatment system composed of a combustion chamber and a burner to generate high temperature flue gas, and the thermal desorption treatment of the organic-contaminated soil is realized in a double-tube rotary kiln by indirect heating. However, there is no disclosed technology for absorbing and purifying adsorbed waste gas by using an organic solvent such as fuel oil, and there is also no technology of performing mixed combustion of separated organic pollutants and fuels to decompose the pollutants and generate a high temperature gas for thermal desorption of soil.

Method and system for thermal desorption treatment of organic-contaminated soil and treatment of desorbed waste gas

Kunming University Of Science And Technology


Tuning sizes of cells of an interpolated lookup table may be performed based at least in part on an area specific behavior of a quality metric. A weighted input shaper curve may be determined to reduce interpolation errors in a multi-dimensional color lookup table. An initial input shaper curve may be applied to a color lookup table to create an interpolation result. The interpolation result may then be assessed for accuracy. The accuracy assessment may include comparing the interpolation result with a reference representation. An interpolation error may be calculated as the error between one or more intervals in a prospective color lookup table as compared to a reference representation. The weighted input shaper curve may be based at least in part on the calculated interpolation error.

Many devices represent colors of image elements to users for a variety of purposes. These purposes may typically include representing colors of image elements by a device on a display and/or in print. When a given device represents colors to a user, the device typically employs a color space to define each displayed and/or printed color numerically. The color space of a given device defines the total range of colors reproducible by that device. Typically, the color space of a given device does not encompass all possible colors and is therefore only a subset of all possible colors. As the color space of a given device is typically only a subset of all possible colors, different types of devices, different device models, and/or different manufactures may use varying color spaces.
A given color may be specified or represented in the form of one or more color components, which may be thought of as dimensions in a color space. Each color component may have a numerical color component value and together the color component values may provide information to generate a desired color on an output device. A color space may define the interpretation of the color component values used to represent a color. Examples of color spaces are RGB (Red, Green and Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). For many color spaces, a color may be represented by one to four numbers, one for each dimension or component of the color space.
Different output devices often use different color spaces to represent colors, often resulting in the conversion of colors between different color spaces. It may be challenging to accurately represent each displayed and/or printed color numerically as color data in the device color space, so that the colors appear accurate to the eye of a user. For example, the transfer of color data from one device color space to another device color space may result in inaccurate color representation if the color spaces of the devices are not the same.
Color management often may be used to facilitate the transfer of color data from one device color space to another different device color space. Color management may typically be performed via a color management system (CMS), which may be used to reduce or eliminate color space matching problems and makes color portable. A CMS may reconcile the different color capabilities of scanners, monitors, and/or printers to ensure consistent color throughout the transfer of color data between various devices. For example, the colors displayed on a monitor may be accurately transferred to a printer. Similarly, color management may permit different applications, devices, and/or operating systems to display colors consistently.
A frequently used method in color management for converting color component values from a source color space to a destination color space may include the use of a multi-dimensional color lookup table. The color lookup table may contain a set of reference colors in the source color space, and corresponding mappings to reference colors in the destination color space. For example, if the source color space is L*a*b* (luminance, red/blue chrominance and yellow/blue chrominance) and the destination color space is CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black), a CMYK output color values corresponding to an L*a*b* input color values may be obtained by looking up the L*a*b* input color value in an L*a*b* to CMYK lookup table.
In some cases, the reference colors in a color lookup table may not include all possible input colors. The output color values for input color values that are not reference colors may often be obtained by interpolating among the existing reference colors in the various lookup table dimensions. During the interpolation process the output color values for input color values that are not reference colors may be estimated based on known reference colors in the color lookup table.
Input shaper curves may be applied to input color values prior to the color lookup table. These input shaper curves may be used to linearize device characteristics such as dot gain. In some cases, fixed S-shaped shaper curves may be applied to the "a" and "b" channels in L*a*b* to CMYK conversions.
Reference is made in the following detailed description to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designate like parts throughout to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and/or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of claimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and references, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be used to facilitate the discussion of the drawings and are not intended to restrict the application of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of claimed subject matter defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Tuning cell sizes in interpolated lookup tables


A light emitting device comprising a photonic crystal structure having a crystal structure in which nanospheres are densely arranged in a 3D manner, wherein the nanospheres have phosphors excited by an excitation source to emit light of a wavelength longer than a pump photon of the excitation source, wherein the photonic crystal structure has at least a photonic bandgap (PBG) along a specific crystal orientation, and wherein the wavelength of the pump photon overlaps a photonic bandedge region.

A light emitting diode (LED), which is a type of semiconductor light source, is a compound semiconductor having a p-n junction structure. The LED refers to a device that emits light by recombination of minority carriers (electrons or holes). The LED is increasingly used for various lighting applications, as well as parts of information processing and communication apparatuses because it has low power consumption and long life span. And the LED may be installed in a limited space, and has strong endurance against vibration. Also, the LED has been manufactured in various types of light emitting devices which are suitable for applications. In particular, in addition to the device emitting light of a single wavelength such as a blue, green or red wavelength, white light emitting devices have been launched in recent years. As the white light emitting devices are applied to products for automobiles and general lighting products, their demands are expected to suddenly increase. There are three representative methods of obtaining white light using the LED.
First, there is a method of obtaining a white color by a combination of three LEDs generating the three primary colors of light such as red, green and blue, of light. In this method, luminous efficiency is improved, but exact control of operating drivers is required to obtain a white color with certainty. Also, products may be increased in size, optical properties and reliability of the products may be affected due to different temperature properties of the three LEDs.
Second, there is a method which uses a blue LED as a light source. In this method, yellow phosphors are excited, and blue light which is not absorbed by the phosphors is combined with yellow light to obtain a white color. In this case, since the yellow phosphors should be excited in the vicinity of 450 nm, there is a limit to the kinds of the phosphors, and color rendition is not good.
Third, there is a method of exciting the three primary color phosphors to obtain a white color using an ultraviolet (UV) LED as a light source. Since this method is used to obtain white light using three wavelengths which are converted by the UV rays, it is excellent in theory in that the type of phosphors are diverse and high color rendition is expected. In practice, however, the method has problems regarding low conversion efficiency of the phosphors, degradation of a sealing material by the UV rays, or eye safety in case of UV leakage.

Light emitting device having photonic crystal structure


A new and distinct Leucadendron species cultivar named ‘STARTREUSE’ is disclosed, characterized by dense, upright, mostly vertical growth. Branches are willowy and supple. Floral bracts are pale chartreuse to ivory in color. Floral cone is composed of brilliant red and yellow-gold male flowers. The new cultivar is a Leucadendron, typically suited for ornamental garden use, or as a cut flower.

The new variety is the result of crossings conducted during the Fall of 2010 by the inventor, Luen Miller in Royal Oaks, Calif. Seed was bulk collected from crossing blocks of various unpatented varieties of Leucodendron spissifolium ssp. spissifolium and Leucodendron discolor. The exact parents cannot be identified. The new variety 'STARTREUSE' was selected during the Fall of 2012 at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif.
After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'STARTREUSE' was first performed at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif. in March of 2017. Semi-softwood vegetative terminal cuttings were used for propagation. The inventor continued confidential, controlled evaluation and propagation of 'STARTREUSE'. 'STARTREUSE' has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. Typical asexual reproduction of the new variety is by softwood vegetative cuttings.


Disclosed herein is a power management apparatus including: a power-demand forecasting section configured to forecast a power demand made by an electric-power demander at a future time; a power measurement section configured to acquire a power consumption of the electric-power demander for the time; a demand control section configured to determine a demand for urging the electric-power demander to adjust the amount of electric power consumed by the electric-power demander on the basis of the power demand forecasted by the power-demand forecasting section and the power consumption acquired by the power measurement section; and a demand issuance section configured to issue the demand determined by the demand control section to the electric-power demander.

The present technology relates to a power management apparatus, a power management method and a demand notification apparatus.
In the past, in a number of countries, operations to supply electric power to electric-power demanders were carried out monopolistically by power companies. In recent years, however, the competition principle is introduced to electric-power businesses in order to carry out the electric-power businesses with a higher degree of efficiency and with the purpose of supplying electric power to electric-power demanders at lower prices. The competition principle is introduced to the electric-power businesses carried out by the power companies by letting business operators of businesses other than the electric-power businesses participate in power retail sales businesses in order to realize and promote future-power transactions.
In a future-power transaction, typically, the amount of electric power required in the future is forecasted in advance and the electric power is sold and purchased in a power market on the following day or within 24 hours from the forecasting. Thus, in order for a business operator carrying out power retail sales businesses and future-power transactions to make a big profit by giving priority to the electric-power businesses, it is necessary to forecast a future demand for electric power with a high degree of accuracy.
In accordance with a proposed power total demand forecasting apparatus for forecasting a total demand for electric power on the basis of a technology for forecasting a future demand for electric power, meteorological variables such as past temperatures of the air and past degrees of humidity as well as data representing the total amount of electric power demanded in the past are acquired and, in addition, a learning process is carried out by making use of a neural network. For more information on this power total demand forecasting apparatus, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 5-18995.

Power management apparatus, power management method and demand notification apparatus


A cannabinoid compound for inclusion into a chewing product, having an active emulsion having a cannabinoid resin with a concentration of about 0.00% to about 100% THC, preferably 81.64% THC in a mixture of 816.4 mg THC/1 g concentrate in a mixture having a ratio of the following ingredients: gum arabic approximately 20.00% to approximately 50.00%, preferably 39.18%, water approximately 30.00% to approximately 60.00%, preferably 46.55%, vitamin E as d-alpha tocopherol from 0.00% to approximately 4.70%, preferably 4.70%, polysorbate 80 (surfactant/emulsifier) approximately 0.00% to approximately 1.5%, preferably 1.18%, and cannabinoid concentrate THC@0.00%-100%, from approximately 1.00% to approximately 50.00%, preferably 8.39%.

Human consumption of cannabinoids is finding rapidly increasing acceptance by governments both in medical and recreational applications. The most common method of consuming cannabinoids is through smoking cannabis in its raw form, either encased in cigarette papers or through pipes of various designs. Much effort has been expended to filter out the carcinogens that accompany smoking cannabis. Water pipes draw smoke from burning cannabis through one or more volumes of water, but this mostly removes burning embers and particulate matter from the flow of smoke from the burning cannabis into the user's lungs, but dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide still are ingested by the user, which may lead to severe cardiac and respiratory illnesses.
Edible forms of cannabis are a popular consumption choice. Concentrated forms of cannabinoids are cooked into brownies, cakes, cookies, and confectionary items such as lollipops and hard candies. This method completely eliminates the dangers associated with inhaling smoke.

Chewing gum having encapsulated cannabinoids


An optical waveguide has: a core layer which includes at least one core portion for transmitting a light signal and at least two side cladding portions respectively provided at lateral sides of the core portion so as to be opposed to each other; and two cladding layers respectively provided at vertical sides of the core layer. The core layer is configured to have a horizontal refractive index distribution curve W in a width direction of a cross-sectional plane of the core layer. The horizontal refractive index distribution curve W has a region including at least two local minimum values, at least one first local maximum value and at least two second local maximum values smaller than the first local maximum value. A refractive index in whole of the horizontal refractive index distribution curve W continuously varies.

In recent years, broadband lines which can communicate large volume data at high speed become popular along with a tide of informatization. A data transmitting device such as a router or a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) device is used for transmitting the large volume data through the broadband lines. The transmitting device includes a plurality of signal processing boards on which a circuit constituted of a combination of at least one arithmetic element such as a LSI and at least one storage unit such as a memory are mounted. The transmitting devices including these signal processing boards are interconnected through the broadband lines.
Each of the signal processing boards has the circuit in which the arithmetic element, the storage unit and the like are connected with each other through electrical wirings. Along with increase of data volume to be processed, each of the signal processing boards having the circuit is recently required to transmit data at extremely-high throughput. However, these signal processing boards gradually suffer from some problems including cross-talk, generation of high-frequency noise, electrical signal deterioration and the like along with speed-up of data transmission. The same problems come to the surface in the fields of a super computer, a large-scale server and the like.
On the other hand, an optical communication technology which uses an optical carrier wave for transmitting data is well-known. In recent years, an optical waveguide is gradually coming into use as means for transmitting the optical carrier wave from one place to another place. The optical waveguide includes a liner (elongated) core portion and a cladding portion provided on a peripheral surface of the liner core portion so as to surround the liner core portion. The core portion is constituted of a substantially transparent material with respect to light (wavelength) of the optical carrier wave and the cladding portion is constituted of a material having a refractive index lower than the core portion.
In the optical waveguide, light inputted from one end portion of the core portion is transmitted to another end portion of the core portion with refracting at boundary planes between the core portion and the cladding portion. A light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser is provided at a side of the one end portion (input side) of the core portion. A light receiving element such as a photodiode is provided at a side of another end portion (output side) of the core portion. The light inputted by the light emitting element is transmitted through the optical waveguide, and then received by the light receiving element. According to a blink pattern or an intensity pattern of the received light, data communication is carried out.
By using the optical waveguide for the electrical wirings provided in the signal processing board, it is expected that the aforementioned problems due to the electrical wirings are solved, and thereby allowing the signal processing board to transmit data at higher throughput.
As the optical waveguide, a step-index type optical waveguide has been generally used. The step-index type optical waveguide includes a core portion having a constant refractive index and a cladding portion having a constant refractive index lower than the core portion. However, a graded-index type optical waveguide which has a continuously varying refractive index is recently used (suggested).
For example, the following patent document 1 discloses a graded-index type optical waveguide having a refractive index distribution whose cross-sectional distribution of the refractive index concentrically varies. Such refractive index distribution is provided by dispersing a refractive index adjuster into a polymer base forming the core portion and the cladding portion of the optical waveguide. The graded-index type optical waveguide can reduce transmission loss as compared with the step-index type optical waveguide.
In recent years, there is a growing need for developing an optical waveguide having greater capacity (higher throughput), multi-channel and high density. Along with multiplexing and densification channels of the optical waveguide, a pitch between the channels (a pitch of the core portions) becomes narrower. This causes new problems such as an optical cross-talk (unwanted leakage light interference between neighboring channels) and a rounding of a pulse signal (unwanted broadening of a pulse signal).
These aforementioned problems are especially noticeable in the optical waveguide of the type provided with a core portion and a cladding portion in one layer so that a partial refractive index difference in one layer of the optical waveguide is generated.


A layout for a semiconductor memory device with a triple well structure, comprises a plurality of memory cell regions arranged in a matrix, a plurality of first circuit regions respectively arranged between adjacent ones of the memory cell regions along the first direction and each having the circuits to code and drive the word lines of corresponding memory cell region, a plurality of second circuit regions respectively arranged between adjacent ones of the memory cell regions in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction and each having the circuit to sense the bit line of corresponding bit line, a plurality of third circuit regions respectively arranged between adjacent ones of the first and second circuit regions, first drive elements applied with at least two well-bias voltages to drive the circuits of the first circuit regions, and second drive elements applied with another well-bias voltage to drive the circuit of the second circuit regions, wherein the first and second drive elements are respectively arranged in two adjacent ones of the third circuit regions.

When fabricating a DRAM on a p-type substrate, there are frequently formed the n-channel MOS transistors of the memory cell regions and the n- and p-channel MOS transistors of the peripheral circuit regions in other well tubs. This has the following advantages: first, the memory cell regions are not affected by the noises induced in the peripheral circuit regions; second, the substrate bias of the memory cell regions may be controlled independently of the peripheral circuit region; third, the short-channel effect of the peripheral circuit region may be readily controlled; fourth, the substrate voltage generator circuit may be made more small.
However, it is required that the p-well of the memory cell region should be separated from the p-type silicon substrate in order to form the n-channel MOS transistors of the memory cell regions and the n- and p-channel MOS transistors of the peripheral circuit regions in the other wells, so that there must needs be formed the n-wells deeper than the p-wells of the memory cell regions, and thus to cover them. This results in the triple well structure, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,734 entitled "Method of Fabricating a Semiconductor Memory Device Having a Triple Well Structure".
FIG. 1 illustrates the general structure of a DRAM made of hierarchical word lines or sub-word lines. This includes a plurality of memory cell regions 10, a plurality of sub-word line decoders (SWDs) 21 respectively arranged in the regions 20 between adjacent memory cell regions 10 in the word line direction, and a plurality of sense amplifiers (SAs) 32 respectively arranged in the regions 30 between the memory cell regions 10 in the direction of the bit lines (not shown), through which a memory cell is selected to sense its data by means of SA. The drive circuits (DRVs) for supplying a voltage source and decoding signals Pxj to the above regions 20 and 30 are arranged in the DRV regions 40 between the SWD regions 20 and SA regions 30. One of them is the first drive circuit 41 to drive the decoding signals PXID and PXIB of different levels VPP and VINT to corresponding SWD 21, and the other the second drive circuit 42 to supply a source voltage to the P- and N-latch sense amplifiers 33 and 34 as shown in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram for illustrating a drive circuit of the P-latch SA conventionally used in DRAM, and FIG. 2B a drive circuit of a conventional SWD used n DRAM. FIG. 3A is a plane view for illustrating the structure of the twin well, and FIG. 3B a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3' in FIG. 3A. As shown in the drawings, DRAM using the p-type semiconductor substrate 1 comprises NMOS transistors in the p-type substrate 1 and PMOS transistors in the n-well in the SA region 30, where ground voltage VSS is applied as the well bias voltage of the transistors constituting the N-latch SA 34 of the SA 32, and the internal voltage VINT as the well bias voltage of the PMOS transistors. In this case, the SA region 30 may be laid out by means of the twin well structure, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
Referring to FIG. 1, the drive circuits 41 and 42 of SWD and SA are arranged together in the DRV region 40, where at least two wells are required because the decoding signal Pxj is driven by two voltage sources, for example, VPP and VINT due to the inverter circuits IV1, IV2 and IV3 constituting the SWD drive circuit 41. Namely, the PMOS transistors of the inverter circuits IV1, IV2 and IV3 are separately arranged both in the n-well biased by the voltage VPP and in the n-well biased by the voltage VINT. Additionally required are at least two n-wells for the PMOS transistors applied with a different well-bias source voltage. In this respect, it is substantially impossible to arrange the drive circuits 41 and 42 in the region 40 defined by the SWD region 20 and SA region 30, as shown in FIG. 1. Namely, after determining the space W between the wells and the space S between the boundary of the element active region and the boundary of the well, it is impossible to form the PMOS transistors in the remaining DRV region A(=L-2*[S+W+S'+W'], where L is the width of SWD, as shown in FIG. 6A). In order to cope with this problem, it has been proposed to reduce the size of the SWD and SA drive elements arranged in the DRV region 40 or to arrange them in the external region except the cell region 10. However, this proposition degrades the capacity of the drive elements or lowers the operational speed due to the delay time inhering in the signal lines connecting the external drive circuit with the internal SA or SWD. Or otherwise, the DRV region 40 may be increased to resolve such problem, but this results in increase of the chip size.

Layout for a semiconductor memory device having a triple well structure