A set-up scheme for a cut-through connection in a network system capable of realizing a high throughput, low latency internetwork communication efficiently under an internet environment. A network node checks source/destination information of the transport layer and/or a source/destination information of the network layer of a received packet, and if the checked information satisfies a prescribed condition, determines the packet to be a trigger. Then, the network node instructs another node capable of initiating a set-up operation, which may be the network node itself, to initiate the set-up of the cut-through connection for traffic corresponding to the trigger packet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network node apparatus such as a packet transmission node, a packet transfer node, and a packet reception node, and a connections set-up method suitable for internetworking.
2. Description of the Background Art
In recent years, as indicated by the Internet Draft (draft-ietf-ipatm-frameworkdoc-06.txt and draft-katsube-router-atm-overview-01.txt), the techniques described in 1) and 2) below have been proposed.
These techniques provide methods of implementing a cut-through connection in a large scale switched network.
A connection whereby packet transfer without network-layer processing can be effected inside a logical network (e.g. IP subnet) is called a datalink connection. A connection constituted by linking a plurality of datalink connections at the network layer for inter-network communication is called a "hop-by-hop" connection. In a hop-by-hop connection, the network layer processing is performed by routers located at subnet boundaries.
In contrast, in a "cut-through" connection, the network-layer processing is bypassed by some means, even if the hop-by-hop packet transfer would conventionally be necessary. In other words, in the cut-through connection, packet transfer from one logical network to another logical network can be performed solely by processing at a lower layer than the network layer.
1) Next Hop Resolution Protocol (hereinafter abbreviated to NHRP): when a packet transmission node which belongs to one logical network interrogates a server about a network address of a destination node which belongs to another logical network, the server returns the link address of the destination node or the nearest router to the destination node. Then, a datalink connection from the transmission node to the destination node or the router nearest the destination is established based on this link address. This datalink connection is a cut-through connection.
2) Cell switch router (hereinafter abbreviated to CSR): for specified traffic, packet transfer is performed using only information of the datalink layer, bypassing the network layer processing in an intermediate router. This is implemented as follows. The intermediate router stores the correspondence relationship between a datalink connection belonging to one logical network and another datalink connection belonging to another logical network for the specified packet flow, and transfers packets using this correspondence relationship. As a result, a cut-through connection is formed.
Such cut-through connections can achieve high throughput and low latency packet transfer for internetwork environment.
However, in NHRP, normally every packet to be transmitted is a trigger for setting up a cut-through connection. Specifically, when a node intends to transmit a packet to an address for the first time, a cut-through connection is set up by resolving the address; after that, all packets having the same destination network address are transferred through this cut-through connection. Consequently, a cut-through connection will be established even when the improvement in throughput achieved by the cut-through connection does not in fact outweigh the overhead involved in setting up the cut-through connection. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to utilize the bandwidth of the communication channel efficiently because the cut-through connections which are not in fact much used occupies the bandwidth.
In contrast, for the set-up of a cut-through connection under CSR, apart from using every packet transmission as the trigger, is possible to use as the trigger a) the fact that more than a fixed number of packets have been transmitted to a given destination or b) the fact that a TCP (transmission control protocol) message in which the flag SYN is set is to be transmitted. However, in the case of a), the fact that it is necessary to count the number of packets for all destinations makes the node structure complicated, and besides, a cut-through connection cannot be set up until the number of packets has reached a certain value. And in the case of b), a cut-through connection will be set up even for traffic in which only small amounts of data are exchanged a small number of times (i.e. for traffic in respect of which benefit matching the overhead involved in setting up the cut-through connection is not obtained, and established cut-through connections unnecessarily hogs the communication channel bandwidth).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Network node apparatus and connection set-up method for setting up cut-through connection


A random access resource configuration method and a communications device. The method includes receiving, by a terminal device, index indication information, where the index indication information is used to indicate a first configuration index, determining, by the terminal device based on the first configuration index, first configuration information corresponding to the first configuration index, where the first configuration information is used to indicate a time domain resource for a first group of random access preamble occasions (ROs) or a time domain resource for a second group of ROs, and where the time domain resource for the first group of ROs and the time domain resource for the second group of ROs are located in a first time unit in a random access configuration period.

A synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block (SSB) is defined in a 5th generation (5G) communications system such as new radio (NR). One SSB occupies four consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The SSB includes a new radio-primary synchronization signal (NPSS), a new radio narrowband-secondary synchronization signal (NR-SSS), and a new radio-physical broadcast channel (NR-PBCH).
A terminal device needs to search for a cell and obtain cell system information, to access a network. For example, the terminal device may search for the foregoing SSB, to achieve downlink synchronization with a cell. Then, the terminal device needs to obtain cell system information, and establish a connection to the cell through a random access procedure, to achieve uplink synchronization. Specifically, the terminal device may send a random access preamble sequence on a resource for a random access occasion (RO) that is configured on a network device, to initiate random access.
Currently, in NR, only a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration in a frequency band below 6 GHz in a frequency division duplex (FDD) system and a PRACH configuration of a long preamble sequence in a frequency band below 6 GHz in a time division duplex (TDD) system are specified in an existing protocol. Because there is a relatively large difference between configurations of SSBs and remaining minimum system information (RMSI) that correspond to different frequency bands or different systems, parameter designs in configurations in the frequency bands below 6 GHz cannot be directly applied to a PRACH configuration in another frequency band or another system, otherwise, there are a relatively small quantity of valid ROs in a PRACH configuration period, and random access efficiency of the terminal device is lowered.
Therefore, how to improve random access efficiency of a terminal device becomes an urgent problem to be resolved.

Random access resource configuration method and communications device


The presently described embodiments provide electric paper, in one form, that is bisymmetrical, both sides of the paper have the same thicknesses of mylar layers and the same thicknesses and patterns of ITO islands. In another form, a disordered layer of conductive particles, non-conductive particles and display elements has the same percolation threshold throughout, and thus is bisymmetrical. In either form, in a system for printing all asymmetries in the printing process are transferred to the printhead, just like in conventional ink printers and paper. As a result, both sides of the electric paper are equally capable of being printed on, just like conventional paper, and the electric paper has the same flexural properties when flexed in a concave or convex manner, just like conventional paper. This construction has the additional practical advantage that there is no longer any need to ensure the electric paper is oriented “right side up” before printing on it. These improvements all make electric paper more paper-like in feel and use.

The present exemplary embodiments relate to bisymmetrical electric paper and a system therefor. It finds particular application in conjunction with electric paper applications where it is desired to have the ability to print on either side of the electric paper, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments are also amenable to other like applications.
By way of background, electric paper can be defined as any electronically-addressable display medium that approximates paper in form and function. To be most versatile, electric paper should be light-weight, thin and flexible, and it should display images indefinitely while consuming little or no power. In addition, electric paper should be reusable. One must be able to erase images and create new ones repeatedly. Preferably, electric paper should display images using reflected light and allow a very wide viewing angle.
One way to make electric paper possible using traditional electronic display technology is to completely remove the driving electronics from an electronic display package and use external addressing electrodes to write and erase images. This approach both reduces the per unit cost of electric paper sheets and enables the use of cheap, flexible plastic films in place of glass plates for packaging. Multiple electric paper sheets can then be addressed by a single set of external driving electronics, much like multiple sheets of pulp paper are printed on by a single printer.
A known sheet and display system, dubbed Gyricon, is disclosed in various patents and articles, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,854 by Sheridon titled "Twisting Ball Display." The Gyricon display system is comprised of an elastomeric host layer of approximately 300 micrometers thick which is heavily loaded with rotating elements, possibly spheres, tens of micrometers (e.g., 100 micrometers) in diameter that serve as display elements. Each rotating display element has halves of contrasting colors, such as a white half and a black half. Each bichromal rotating element also has an electric dipole moment, nominally orthogonal to the plane that divides the two colored halves. Each bichromal rotating element is contained in its own cavity filled with a dielectric liquid. Upon application of an electric field between electrodes located on opposite surfaces of the host layer, the rotating elements will rotate depending on the polarity of the field, presenting one or the other colored half to an observer.
A Gyricon sheet has many of the requisite characteristics of electric paper, namely, bistable image retention, wide viewing angle, thin and relatively flexible packaging, and high reflectance and resolution. U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,945 issued to Sheridon on Feb. 14, 1995, and titled "Writing System Including Paper-Like Digitally Addressed Media and Addressing Device Therefor," describes an electric paper printing system that employs independent, external addressing means to put images on the Gyricon sheets. The external addressing means is described as a one-dimensional array of electrodes connected, either directly or by wireless technology, to modulating electronics. As the one-dimensional array is scanned across the sheet, modulating electronics adjust the potential at the individual electrodes, creating electric fields between the electrodes and an equipotential surface. An image is created in the sheet according to the magnitude and polarity of the electric fields.
FIG. 1 shows a representation of a Gyricon sheet comprised of a plurality of bichromal rotating elements, or display elements, cast in a retaining medium, or media plane, 200. It is contained between a first encapsulating layer, or image plane, 202 and a second encapsulating layer 204. The sheet 200 and encapsulating layers 202, 204 are placed in proximity to a supporting back plane 206 that is electrically grounded. The layer 204 and plane 206 comprise a ground plane. An external addressing device 208 connected to a power supply 210 is depicted moving across the sheet in a direction D. Each bichromal sphere, or display element, 220, 226, 232 is contained in its own liquid-filled cavity 221, 227, 233 within the retaining medium 200. An electric field exists directly between the external addressing device 208 and the equipotential surface 206 that causes the local bichromal sphere 226 to rotate.
To improve performance, more recent embodiments of these sheets advantageously incorporate charge-retaining islands thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,513 B1, issued Apr. 24, 2001 and entitled "Charge Islands for Electric Paper and Applications Thereof" describes electric paper having these features. Turning now to FIG. 2, an exemplary Gyricon sheet of this type is shown. The Gyricon sheet is comprised of the following elements: a sheet 300, a first encapsulating layer 302 patterned with conductive charge-retaining islands 306, and a second encapsulating layer 304 that may or may not be patterned with charge-retaining islands.
Together, the first encapsulating layer 302 and the second encapsulating layer 304 do the following things: indefinitely contain a sheet 300, provide at least one transparent window through which the sheet 300 can be viewed, and provide at least one external surface patterned with charge retaining islands 306 that can be addressed with an external charge transfer device. The first encapsulating layer 302 and second encapsulating layer 304 could take the form of thin plastic sheets that are sealed or fastened around the perimeter of the sheet 300. The second encapsulating layer 304 need not be entirely separate from the first encapsulating layer 302. The second encapsulating layer 304 could simply be an extension of the first encapsulating layer 302, folded over and around the edge of the sheet and then sealed or fastened around the remaining perimeter. The first encapsulating layer 302 and second encapsulating layer 304 could also take the form of a coating, applied by spraying, doctoring, or some other method to hold the contents of the sheet 300.
FIG. 2 also shows a pattern for the charge retaining islands 306 of the outer surface of the first encapsulating layer 302. Charge-retaining islands 306 have square perimeters and are organized in a regular two-dimensional array. Narrow channels 303 of insulating material separate the charge-retaining islands 306. The channels 303 serve to isolate the charge-retaining islands 306, preventing migration of charge laterally across the encapsulating sheet, and should be small with respect to the charge-retaining islands 306, so that the maximum possible area of the display is covered with conductive charge-retaining material.
FIG. 3 simply illustrates a second possible embodiment of a charge-retaining island pattern that utilizes a random array of islands. The top view of the first encapsulating layer 400 shows randomly shaped and oriented charge retaining islands 404 separated by channels 402. The fraction of surface area covered by charge retaining islands 404 must still be relatively large compared to that of the channels 402, but in such a random distribution, both feature sizes must be much smaller than the pixel size of a displayed image.
The charge retaining islands can be created on or in an encapsulating layer by many means with any conductive material. One technique, which has been tested, creates islands of conductive and transparent Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) on a transparent polyester film. The polyester is coated with a very thin layer of ITO, and then channels are etched in the ITO by photolithographic processes well known in the art. The remaining conductive ITO regions act as charge retaining islands, while insulating channels are created by the underlying polyester. Another technique, called Flexography, has also been used to form these island structures on electric paper configurations.
In U.S. application Ser. No. 10/739,614 filed Dec. 18, 2003, entitled "Flexible Electric Paper Display Apparatus," naming Gregory P. Schmitz, Eric J. Schrader and Michael B. Heaney as inventors, a double-sided electric paper apparatus is disclosed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, this dual-sided electric paper apparatus 600 is illustrated. As shown, a ground plane 612 is shown as having attached to each side thereof a media plane 618. Attached on opposite sides of the media plane are second encapsulating layers 620 which have formed thereon charge retaining islands 622. Also shown are printheads 624 whose operation is well known in the art. Notably, in this embodiment, the ground plane 612 may take a variety of forms that are described in the application, or others. However, it should be noted that the ground plane is flexible to provide the ultimate flexibility of the paper. Moreover, the ground plane in this configuration is preferably non-transparent so that separate images can be viewed on each side. This embodiment allows for improved flexibility over other embodiments of electric paper that do not use a flexible ground plane.
In U.S. application Ser. No. 10/739,839, filed Dec. 18, 2003, entitled "Improved Flexible and Transparent Ground Plane for Electric Paper," naming Gregory P. Schmitz and Michael B. Heaney as inventors, are illustrated a variety of embodiments of a ground plane that is discontinuous and is implemented together with a conductive ground wiper that touches the discontinuous ground plane. The conductive wiper ensures that the discontinuous ground plane islands opposite the print head are all at uniform ground when the print head is depositing charge on the top surface of the electric paper to form the image. The discontinuous ground plane may be located in a number of locations, as described in that application. With reference to FIG. 5, an electric paper structure incorporating an example discontinuous ground plane is described. As shown, a sheet of electric paper 1100 includes a media plane 1102 having display elements 1104 disposed therein. Electric paper 1100 is also provided with an image plane 1106 having charge retention devices or islands 1108 formed thereon. Notably, the electric paper includes a ground plane assembly 1120 formed by a base layer 1122 and a plurality of grounding bars 1124. It is the discontinuous ground plane assembly 1124 that provides increased flexibility to allow the electric paper to actually be rolled, similar to actual paper.
This type of construction (e.g., the electric paper assemblies of FIGS. 1–3 and 5) is asymmetrical in two ways. First, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on the top surface is patterned into unconnected islands, while the ITO layer on the bottom surface is one continuous layer. Second, a mylar layer on the top surface is a different thickness than the mylar on the bottom surface. As a direct consequence of these asymmetries, it is only possible to print on one side of the electric paper, the island side. Another direct consequence of these asymmetries is the flexibility of the electric paper is different for flexing in a concave manner versus a convex manner. Both of these properties make this construction of electric paper less paper-like. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can withstand printing on two sides but has other limitations because of the presence of the ground plane.
An alternative technique for providing conductivity to the surface of electric paper structure has been developed and described in a commonly assigned and co-pending patent application bearing U.S. Ser. No. 10/739,809, filed Dec. 18, 2003, entitled "Disordered Percolation Layer for Forming Conductive Islands on Electric Paper," and naming Gregory P. Schmitz and Michael B. Heaney as inventors. This alternative approach includes providing an electric paper application including a charge retention layer formed from a disordered mixture of conductive and non-conductive particles. In one form, as shown in FIG. 6, the disordered mixture is attached to a non-conductive surface. For example, randomly mixed and pre-measured amounts of non-conductive particles (e.g., 10 micrometer glass spheres) with conductive particles (e.g., 10 micrometer silver-coated glass spheres) are sprinkled onto a flexible plastic film. The film is coated with adhesive to retain the particles. This film is then joined to the rest of the electric paper structure as an image plane, or encapsulating layer. In another form, as shown in FIG. 7, the randomly pre-mixed amounts of conductive and non-conductive particles are sprinkled directly onto a smooth and sticky layer of the media plane of electric paper. This form provides the advantages noted above as well as the additional advantage that any voltage applied to a conductive island will substantially appear at the surface of the media plane with negligible voltage drop.
In either form, if the relative fractions of conductive and non-conductive particles within the disordered mixture are below a percolation threshold (which can be calculated and measured), then randomly located and shaped conductive islands (comprised of one or more of the silver-coated glass spheres) will be formed. This structure of adhered particles replaces the above-noted conductive island layers formed using photolithographic patterning of ITO films deposited on flexible plastic sheets and other techniques.
In U.S. application Ser. No. 10/927,691, filed Aug. 27, 2004, entitled "Disordered Three-Dimensional Percolation Technique for Forming Electric Paper," naming Michael B. Heaney and Gregory P. Schmitz as inventors, an electric paper structure is illustrated having a single layer, or sheet, of relatively disordered particles that heretofore were separated as uniquely formed layers in electric paper structures. In this regard, the single layer includes display elements, such as bistable pixel structures and conductive particles, both preferably embedded in an insulating matrix of material (e.g., non-conductive particles).The display elements take the exemplary form of microencapsulated bichromal spheres and the conductive particles serve as both conductive island and as a ground plane. The conductive particles form a discontinuous random layer of conductive islands on one side of the sheet, and a continuous electrically conductive percolative network or matrix, or ground plane on the other side of the sheet. This is accomplished by varying the effective percolation threshold across the thickness of the sheet. That is, particle ratios on one side of the sheet are below the percolation threshold (e.g., forming the conductive islands) while the particle ratios on the other side are above the percolation threshold (e.g., forming the ground plane).

Bisymmetrical electric paper and a system therefor


A semiconductor device has an isolation layer pattern, a plurality of gate structures, and a first insulation layer pattern. The isolation layer pattern is formed on a substrate and has a recess thereon. The gate structures are spaced apart from each other on the substrate and the isolation layer pattern. The first insulation layer pattern is formed on the substrate and covers the gate structures and an inner wall of the recess. The first insulation layer pattern has a first air gap therein.

1. Field of the General Inventive Concept
Example embodiments relate to semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices. More particularly, example embodiments relate to semiconductor devices having air gaps and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices having air gaps.
2. Description of the Related Art
As semiconductor devices have been highly integrated, a threshold voltage may be changed due to the parasitic capacitance between floating gates. Thus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which the parasitic capacitance may be reduced is needed, and a method of forming an air gap between word lines has been developed. However, a method of forming an air gap effectively at a desired position to address these and other problems has not been developed.

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


A system and method to facilitate the translation of Command Line Interface (CLI) configuration scripts associated with a device into the corresponding equivalent CLI configuration scripts of another device. The system includes a translator and one or more data dictionaries. The translator includes a user interface module, a translator logic module to enable the translation, and a current data dictionary module for retaining a selected data dictionary. Each of the data dictionaries includes common syntax generated for a variety of CLI script types. A particular data dictionary is referenced based upon initial input from a network administrator. The translator then generates the automated translation of corresponding scripts from those scripts associated with an original device into a device having differing script requirements.

Computing systems are useful tools for the exchange of information among individuals. The information may include, but is not limited to, data, voice, graphics, and video. The exchange is established through interconnections linking the computing systems together in a way that permits the transfer of electronic signals that represent the information. The interconnections may be either wired or wireless. Wired connections include metal and optical fiber elements. Wireless connections include infrared and radio wave transmissions.
A plurality of interconnected computing systems having some sort of commonality represents a network. For example, individuals associated with a college campus may each have a computing device. In addition, there may be shared printers and remotely located application servers sprinkled throughout the campus. There is commonality among the individuals in that they all are associated with the college in some way. The same can be said for individuals and their computing arrangements in other environments including, for example, healthcare facilities, manufacturing sites and Internet access users. In most cases, it is desirable to permit communication or signal exchange among the various computing systems of the common group in some selectable way. The interconnection of those computing systems, as well as the devices that regulate and facilitate the exchange among the systems, represent a network. Further, networks may be interconnected together to establish internetworks.
The devices that are designed to effect computer system interconnection include, but are not limited to, routers, gateways, switches, bridges, hubs, and repeaters. There are a variety of suppliers of such devices. While the means of signal exchange has been substantially well defined through accepted standards and protocols, there remain variations in certain important aspects of individual supplier devices, such as the Command Line Interface (CLI). The CLI is the means by which a network administrator configures the particular operating attributes of one or more of the signal exchange devices associated with a network. Although the basic functioning of particular devices offered by different suppliers may be the same, the configuration commands or scripts associated with equivalent functionality often vary. For that reason, it can be difficult for a network administrator to acquire and implement network equipment from different suppliers without undertaking significant effort to ensure that the commands suitable for one device equate to the commands for a similar device from a different vendor.
Presently, the network administrator must manually translate the CLI commands associated with one supplier's device(s) to those associated with a different supplier's device(s), if configuration compatibility is desired. Alternatively, the administrator is left with the choice of using network devices from a sole source with common CLI configuration scripts. Such a choice may be undesirable if that sole source is not the most cost effective one.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and related method to translate easily, and preferably substantially automatically, the configuration function of one system type to the configuration function of a different system type.

Translating configuration files among network devices


Provided are means and methods for sensing proteasome activity and other degradation pathways with a high level of sensitivity.

The Proteasome
The proteasome is a large, multi-protein complex present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of all eukaryotic cells. The 26s proteasome is involved in the constitutive and controlled degradation of proteins that control vital processes such as cell cycle progression, differentiation, and apoptosis. It also participates in the clearance of misfolded and damaged proteins and in the generation of peptides for MHC class I restricted antigen presentation (Schwarz et al, Annual Review of Medicine. 50:57–74 (1999). Recently, inhibition of the activity of the proteasome was observed in cells expressing aggregation-prone proteins, which are at the center of several neurodegenerative diseases (Bence et al. Science. 2001 May 25;292(5521):1552–5).
The diverse roles of proteasomal degradation place the proteasome at the core of pathological processes such as inflammation, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. This key position in important pathological systems has motivated efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of action of the proteasome and to identify compounds to modulate its activity. Several inhibitors of the proteasome are now tested in clinical trials for cancer therapy (Adams, Trends Mol Med. 2002;8(4 Suppl):S49–54).
Proteins are identified for degradation by the proteasome via covalent modification with the small polypeptide ubiquitin or by sequence motifs in the target protein, which act as proteolytic signals (Schwarz Annual Review of Medicine 50:57–74,1999). One such motif, the PEST sequence, is found extensively in short-lived proteins (Rogers et al Science. 234(4774):364–8 1986). Mouse Ornithine DeCarboxylase (MODC) is one of the shortest half-lived proteins in mammals. The constitutive degradation of MODC by the proteasome is controlled by PEST sequences in its carboxy terminus (Loetscher et al. J Biol. Chem. 1991 Jun. 15;266(17):11213–20; Ghoda et al Mol Cell Biol. 1992 May;12(5):2178–85).
Proteomics
The study of proteasome function is also an important consideration in the emerging field of proteomics, the study of the proteins that are the gene products. A broad definition of proteomics is the effort to establish the identities, quantities, structures, and biochemical and cellular functions of all proteins in an organism, organ, or organelle, and how these properties vary in space, time, or physiological state.
As an example of immediate goals of the proteomics area of research is the Human Proteomics Initiative, which has as it goal annotating each know protein, providing information that includes the description of protein function, domain structure, subcellular location, post-translational modifications, splice variant, and similarities to other mammalian proteins.
A core need of proteomics efforts is to understand the cells specific protein degradation processes as these effect the levels and identities of proteins in the cell. Cellular levels of proteins will often vary substantially from the initial levels of productions due to degradation. Having a sensitive means of assessing the level of proteasome function in response to various factors would be of great value to this field of research.
Reporter Constructs
In monitoring biological systems, a number of reporter molecules have been usefully employed in tracking the cellular production and ultimate fate of a protein of interest by linking its genetic code to that of the reporter molecule. Then, when the reporter molecule is detected in the cell, this result indicates that the protein of interest is also present or not present. These reporters can include such molecules as luciferases among other reporters. However, the most widely used of these molecules are the fluorescent proteins, typically derived from marine animals, because currently they are the main source of non-invasively assessing the biological systems.
Fluorescent proteins are widely used as reporters for the detection of events in live cells. After the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP and the enhanced EGFP) and its yellow (YFP) and cyan (CFP) variants, the discovery of the reef coral fluorescent proteins (RCFPs) ZsGreen, ZsYellow, AmCyan, AsRed (red), DsRed (orange-red) and HcRed (far-red) has expanded the spectrum of colors available for these studies (Matz et al., Nat Biotechnol. 1999 October;17(10):969–73; Gurskaya et al., FEBS Lett. 2001 Oct. 19;507(1): 16–20).
GFPs and RCFPs are stable proteins which, when they are produced accumulate in cells along with the protein of interest, allows easy detection of the movement and final degradation of that protein. The fusion of EGFP to amino acids 422 to 461 of MODC was shown to decreased the stability of EGFP(Li et al., J Biol Chem. 1998 Dec. 25;273(52):34970–5). The vector encoding for the resulting fusion protein is marketed by BD Biosciences Clontech as d2EGFP. Several point mutations in the MODC sequence yielded an EGFP protein with an half-life of 50 minutes compared to 26 hours for the unmodified EGFP (Corish et al, Protein Eng. 1999 December;12(12):1035–40). The latter fusion protein was called d1EGFP. Clontech researchers used d1EGFP to analyze the regulation of gene expression in live cells (Li et al., 1998).
Proteasome Sensors
Researchers have exploited the fact that d2EGFP is targeted for proteasomal degradation to monitor the activity of the proteasome in live cells. Variations in the activity of the proteasome result in variation in the fluorescent signal of cells expressing d2EGFP (Andreatta et al., Biotechniques. 2001 March;30(3):656–60; Nahreini et al., Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2001 October;21(5):509–21). Other fusion proteins between GFP and proteasome targeting motifs have also been successfully used for this purpose (Bence et al. Science. 2001 May 25;292(5521):1552–5; Dantuma et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2000 May;18(5):538–43). Fluorescent sensors of the activity of the proteasome are to date the most powerful tools to monitor the activity of the proteasome.
The Dantuma group (Nature biotechnology (2000) vol 18 p538–543) constructed a fusion of GFP to Ubiquitin using a standard peptide bond on the N-terminus. The ubiquitination occurs during translation, producing a peptide bond. The sensitivity achieved is —4 μM Z-L3-VS and 60 μM NP-LLG-VS at 15 hours using flow cytometry (FACS).
The Bence group out of Stanford (Science (2001) vol 292 p1552–1555) designed a proteasome sensor construct which is a fusion of GFP to an artificial peptide, CL1, identified in yeast. The CR1 sequences was inserted in 3′ of the reporter. The sensitivity achieved is 845 nM Lactacystin using flow cytometry.
The Andreatta group (Biotechniques (2001) vol 30 p656–660) has reported a construct designed from the fusion of GFP to a fragment of the Mouse Ornithine DeCarboxylase (MODC) protein. The sensitivity achieved is 2.5 uM Lactacystin and 2.5 uM MG132 at 20 hours using flow cytometry.
It would be an important advancement in the art to develop a sensor for proteasome activity with improved sensitivity, and other features to make available new, important areas of applications such as drug screening and analysis of the proteolytic systems of cells. Improvement of sensitivity of an order of magnitude or more over prior art systems would be of particular benefit.

Sensitive proteasome sensor constructs and methods for their design and use


A flush toilet includes a toilet main body and a control unit. The toilet main body includes a skirt, a rear storage configured to store at least a part of the control unit, and an opening to which a drain pipe is connected is formed penetrating, in a front-rear direction, a portion below a center in a left-right direction of a rear wall of the skirt. The rear storage forms a discharge socket storage on a front side of the opening in a region below a center of the rear storage in the left-right direction. And a side wall surface in the discharge socket storage protrudes more in a center direction of the opening than a side wall surface in the opening, to reduce an opening cross-sectional area of the discharge socket storage to be smaller than an opening cross-sectional area of the opening.

Conventionally, as a flush toilet which is flushed with flush water to discharge waste, there is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-95867), a so-called "full skirt" or "total Hakama" flush toilet in which a skirt formed on an outer side than a side surface of each of a bowl of a toilet main body made of ceramics and a water discharge trap is formed all around the toilet main body. In this conventional "full skirt" or "total Hakama" flush toilet, a storage region that can store a control unit including a function of controlling the spout water to the bowl of the toilet main body is provided in a region more rearward than the bowl of the toilet main body.
Further, in each of conventional flush toilets described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-95867), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-270469) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-256707), a drain pipe extending from a rear wall back side of the flush toilet toward a toilet main body is connected to an outlet of a water discharge trap of the toilet main body via a discharge socket, behind and below the toilet main body. Consequently, a water discharge mode of the flush toilet is a water discharge mode of so-called "wall side discharge" in which water discharged from a bowl of the toilet main body to the water discharge trap is discharged from the outlet of the water discharge trap through the discharge socket to the drain pipe on the wall back side.
On the other hand, one of aims that have been requested to be achieved in recent years with design diversification of the flush toilet and improvement in design such as appearance of the flush toilet is to acquire a large storage region that stores a control unit in a region more rearward than a bowl of a toilet main body, while reducing (slimming) an external dimension of the whole toilet main body. Particularly, it is necessary to provide an opening to which a drain pipe extending from a wall side is connected, in a lower rear part of a toilet main body of a flush toilet with a wall side discharge mode, but around this opening, a space has to be acquired for providing a discharge socket that connects an outlet of a water discharge trap and the drain pipe extending from the wall side. However, as the opening of the drain pipe and the space around the discharge socket enlarge, a space to store a control unit in a region more rearward than the bowl of the toilet main body reduces. Therefore, there is a problem that, when a sufficient storage space for the control unit is to be acquired, the whole toilet main body enlarges. Also, an outer diameter of a conduit of the drain pipe is generally set to be larger than an outer diameter of a conduit of the discharge socket. Consequently, it is necessary to design a dimensional shape of the opening in a rear wall of a skirt, in accordance with a dimensional shape of the drain pipe rather than that of the discharge socket. Further, the discharge socket that connects the drain pipe and the outlet of the water discharge trap of the toilet main body made of ceramics is generally made of a flammable material such as a resin, and hence it is desirable not to expose the discharge socket to outside for fire protection. Furthermore, in each of the conventional flush toilets described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, as a measure of fire protection for the flammable discharge socket, a refractory member is provided around a joining portion between the opening in the toilet main body and the discharge socket, but there is also a problem that the space, around the discharge socket, required for the refractory member reduces the storage space of the control unit. Additionally, for example, there is a problem that as the drain pipe is connected to an inner side than the opening in the toilet main body (a region on a front side of the opening), the drain pipe occupies a larger internal space of the toilet main body in the region on the front side of the opening, and thus a storage region to store the control unit in the region more rearward than the bowl of the toilet main body is also reduced. Consequently, there is a problem that it is difficult to acquire a sufficient storage region that is available for storing the control unit in the region more rearward than the bowl of the toilet main body.
Accordingly, the present invention is aimed at solving problems of the conventional arts described above and is aimed at providing a flush toilet in which a large storage region that stores a control unit can be acquired in a region more rearward than a bowl of a toilet main body, while suppressing an external dimension of the whole toilet main body.


An system and method for converting standard characters or emoticons in electronic messaging service messages to animated characters. The system and method for animating electronic messages is embodied on a mobile electronic communications device configured through executable software to perform the primary steps of identifying convertible characters, associating convertible characters with a corresponding, stored animation, and converting the associated convertible character with the corresponding animation. Text or emoticons in messages sent over electronic messaging services such as SMS and MMS, is converted into animated characters prior to transmission from the sending mobile electronics communications device. The animated message, or message with contains an animated character, is then received and displayed on the receiving mobile electronic communications device through its conventional MMS messaging handling system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mobile device communication applications and, more particularly, to a system and method for converting characters entered on a user interface to images or animations on a display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of mobile electronic communications devices, such as smart phones, to send and receive messages is well known. Electronic messaging services such as short messaging service ("SMS") and multimedia messaging service (MMS) are well established, and a employed in societies across the globe daily to facilitate communication between users of such communications devices.
One result of the proliferation mobile electronic communication devices and the increasing use of electronic messaging services has been the development of various acronyms and shorthand expressions for various thoughts and reactions a user may have during a messaging conversation. In accordance with the same, conventional messaging service software on mobile electronic communications devices allow a user to covey emotion or express a current disposition through the use of emoticons. A problem which still exists, however, is that conventional emoticons are static, bland, and sometimes difficult to comprehend. Thus, what is needed is an electronic messaging system and method which causes to be displayed an animated character who acts out and/or demonstrates the emotions or thoughts connected with a particular emoticon. It would be helpful if such a system and method for animating electronic messages was configured to automatically integrate into exiting messaging service applications of a mobile device. It would be additionally desirable for such a system and method for animating electronic messages to automatically associate animations with characters or emoticons in a message and replace such characters or emoticons with associated animations.
The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a system and method for replacing designated characters and/or emoticons in electronic messages with an animated character who acts out a thought or message. The primary steps of Applicant's system and method for animating electronic messages include identifying an particular emoticon or character string in a message, associating the identified emoticon or character string, and replacing the associated emoticon or character string with an animated character. When in operation, the system and method for animating electronic messages allows a user to send and receive an animated character over conventional messaging systems in place of standard characters or emoticons. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by conventional messaging services are removed.

Method of animating mobile device messages


A method of determining an amount of at least one molecular species in a sample from an image of the sample captured by an image acquisition device is provided, each molecular species being indicated by a dye. A dye space representation of a plurality of dyes is formed by orthogonally adding the correspondence tables of the dyes, each correspondence table having a plurality of normalized RGB triplets and incrementally extending from 0% to 100% transmittance. The dye space representation has one dimension for each dye and provides a reference model for a combination of the plurality of dyes. Each pixel of an image of the sample stained with the combination of the plurality of dyes is compared to the reference model, each pixel having a color defined by an RGB triplet, so as to determine an optimal combination of normalized RGB triplets from the respective correspondence tables of the dyes producing the color of the respective pixel. An artificial image of the sample is then formed from the normalized RGB triplets for each dye as determined from the optimal combination. The artificial image thereby indicates a distribution of the respective dye over the sample image and facilitates determination of the amount of the corresponding molecular species. Associated methods, systems, and computer software program products are also provided.

Effective analysis of microscopic images is essential in cellular biology and pathology, particularly for detection and quantification of genetic materials such as, for example, genes or messenger RNA, or the expression of this genetic information in the form of proteins such as, for example, through gene amplification, gene deletion, gene mutation, messenger RNA molecule quantification, or protein expression analyses. Gene amplification is the presence of too many copies of the same gene in one cell, wherein a cell usually contains two copies, otherwise known as alleles, of the same gene. Gene deletion indicates that less than two copies of a gene can be found in a cell. Gene mutation indicates the presence of incomplete or non-functional genes. Messenger RNAs (mRNA) are molecules of genetic information, synthesized from a gene reading process, that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Protein expression is the production of a given protein by a cell. If the gene coding for the given protein, determined from a protein expression process, is enhanced or excess copies of the gene or mRNA are present, the protein may be over-expressed. Conversely, if the gene coding is suppressed or absent, the protein may be under-expressed or absent.
Normal cellular behaviors are precisely controlled by molecular mechanisms involving a large number of proteins, mRNAs, and genes. Gene amplification, gene deletion, and gene mutation are known to have a prominent role in abnormal cellular behaviors through abnormal protein expression. The range of cellular behaviors of concern includes behaviors as diverse as, for example, proliferation or differentiation regulation. Therefore, effective detection and quantification in gene amplification, deletion and mutation, mRNA quantification, or protein expression analyses is necessary in order to facilitate useful research, diagnostic and prognostic tools.
There are numerous laboratory techniques directed to detection and quantification in gene amplification, deletion and mutation, mRNA quantification, or protein expression analyses. For example, such techniques include Western, Northern and Southern blots, polymerase chain reaction ("PCR"), enzyme-linked immunoseparation assay ("ELISA"), and comparative genomic hybridization ("CGH") techniques. However, microscopy is routinely utilized because it is an informative technique, allowing rapid investigations at the cellular and sub-cellular levels while capable of being expeditiously implemented at a relatively low cost.
When microscopy is the chosen laboratory technique, the biological samples must first undergo specific detection and revelation preparations. Once the samples are prepared, a human expert typically analyzes the samples with a microscope alone in a qualitative study, or with a microscope coupled to a camera and a computer in a quantitative and generally standardized study. In some instances, the microscope may be configured for fully automatic analysis, wherein the microscope is automated with a motorized stage and focus, motorized objective changers, automatic light intensity controls and the like.
The preparation of the samples for detection may involve different types of preparation techniques that are suited to microscopic imaging analysis, such as, for example, hybridization-based and immunolabeling-based preparation techniques. Such detection techniques may be coupled with appropriate revelation techniques, such as, for example, fluorescence-based and visible color reaction-based techniques.
In Situ Hybridization ("ISH") and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization ("FISH") are detection and revelation techniques used, for example, for detection and quantification in genetic information amplification and mutation analyses. Both ISH and FISH can be applied to histological or cytological samples. These techniques use specific complementary probes for recognizing corresponding precise sequences. Depending on the technique used, the specific probe may include a colorimetric (cISH) marker or a fluorescent (FISH) marker, wherein the samples are then analyzed using a transmission microscope or a fluorescence microscope, respectively. The use of a colorimetric marker or a fluorescent marker depends on the goal of the user, each type of marker having corresponding advantages over the other in particular instances.
In protein expression analyses, immunohistochemistry ("IHC") and immunocytochemistry ("ICC") techniques, for example, may be used. IHC is the application of immunochemistry to tissue sections, whereas ICC is the application of immunochemistry to cultured cells or tissue imprints after they have undergone specific cytological preparations such as, for example, liquid-based preparations. Immunochemistry is a family of techniques based on the use of a specific antibody, wherein antibodies are used to specifically target molecules inside or on the surface of cells. The antibody typically contains a marker that will undergo a biochemical reaction, and thereby experience a change color, upon encountering the targeted molecules. In some instances, signal amplification may be integrated into the particular protocol, wherein a secondary antibody, that includes the marker stain, follows the application of a primary specific antibody.
In both hybridization and immunolabeling studies, chromagens of different colors are used to distinguish among the different markers. However, the maximum number of markers that may be used in a study is restricted by several factors. For example, the spectral overlapping of the colors used to reveal the respective markers may be a limiting factor because dyes may absorb throughout a large portion of the visible spectrum. Accordingly, the higher the number of dyes involved in a study, the higher the risk of spectral overlapping. Further, the spectral resolution of the acquisition device may be a limiting factor and the minimal color shift that the device is able to detect must be considered.
In addition, immunochemistry, as well as chemistry in ISH, are generally considered to exhibit poor sensitivity when quantification of a marker must be achieved. However, the quantification accuracy of these techniques may be dependent upon several factors. For instance, the type of reaction used may play a role in the accuracy of the technique since the linearity of the relationship between ligand concentration and the degree of the immunochemical staining reaction may strongly depend on the reaction type. More particularly, for example, a peroxidase/anti-peroxidase method may be more linear than a biotin-avidin method. The cellular localization of the markers may also affect accuracy where, for example, if membrane and nuclear markers spatially overlap, the resulting color is a mixture of the respective colors. Accordingly, since the corresponding quantification is subjective, the accuracy of the determination may be affected. In addition, a calibration standard such as, for example, cells with known features, gels with given concentrations of the marker, or the like, may be required where a developed analysis model is applied to a new and different case. Staining kits are generally available which incorporate calibration standards. However, the calibration standard is usually only applicable to a particular specimen, such as a specific cell or a structure of a specific type which is known to exhibit constant features with respect to the standard, and may be of limited utility when applied to a sample of a different nature.
Overall, the described "colorimetric" studies present sample analysis information in color and facilitate processing and quantification of the information to thereby help to provide a diagnosis or to form a prognosis of the particular case. For illustration, the detection and quantification of the HER2 protein expression and/or gene amplification may be assessed by different approaches used in quantitative microscopy. HER2 is a membrane protein that has been shown to have a diagnostic and prognostic significance in metastatic breast cancer. Because HER2 positive patients were shown to be more sensitive to treatments including Herceptin® (a target treatment developed by Genentech), the definition of the HER2 status of metastatic breast cancers has been proven to be of first importance in the choice of the appropriate treatment protocol. This definition of the HER2 status was based on a study of samples treated with either hybridization (FISH, ISH) or immunolabeling (IHC) techniques.
In such studies, using FISH with, for example, an FDA approved kit such as PathVysion® produced by Vysis, requires an image analysis protocol for counting the number of copies of the HER2 gene present in every cell. In a normal case, two copies of the gene are found in each cell, whereas more than three copies of the gene in a cell indicate that the gene is amplified. Alternatively, using IHC with, for example, an FDA approved kit such as Herceptest® produced by Dako, requires an image analysis protocol that classified the cases into four categories depending on the intensity and localization of the HER2 specific membrane staining. Current studies tend to show that these two investigation techniques (hybridization and immunolabeling) may be complementary and may help pathologists in tumor sub-type diagnosis when combined.
However, such colorimetry studies require extensive sample preparation and procedure control. Thus, when disposing of adapted staining protocols, it is critical to be able to verify that the staining for each sample matches the particular model used in the image acquisition and processing device such that useful and accurate results are obtained from the gathered information. Otherwise, the analysis may have to be repeated, starting again from the sample preparation stage, thereby possibly resulting in a costly and time-consuming process.
In a typical microscopy device based on image acquisition and processing, the magnified image of the sample must first be captured and digitized with a camera, prior to analysis. Further, in order to exploit the color properties of the sample, multispectral image acquisition devices and associated multispectral imaging methods have been developed, where such multispectral imaging is typically directed to acquiring multiple images of a scene at different spectral bands. More particularly, charge coupled device (CCD) digital cameras are typically used in either light or fluorescence quantitative microscopy. Accordingly, excluding spectrophotometers, two different techniques are generally used to perform such colorimetric microscopy studies. In one technique, a black and white (BW) CCD camera may be used. In such an instance, a gray level image of the sample is obtained, corresponding to a monochromatic light having a wavelength specific to the staining of the sample to be analyzed. The specific wavelength of light is obtained either by filtering a white source light via a specific narrow bandwidth filter, or by directly controlling the wavelength of the light source, using either manual or electronic controls. Accordingly, using this technique, the analysis time increases as the number of colors increases because a light source or a filter must be selected for every different sample staining or every different wavelength. Therefore, many different images of the sample, showing the spectral response of the sample at different wavelengths, must be individually captured in a sequential order to facilitate the analysis. When multiple scenes or fields of view must be analyzed, the typical protocol is to automate the sequence in a batch mode to conserve processing time.
According to a second technique, a color CCD digital camera is used, wherein three gray level images of the sample are simultaneously captured and obtained. Each gray level image corresponds to the respective Red, Green and Blue channel (RGB) of the color CCD camera. The images are then analyzed directly in the RGB color space by restricting the analysis to pixels located in a specific region of the RGB cube, the specific region also including pixels from a corresponding training database. Alternatively, the images are analyzed, after mathematical transform of the RGB color space, in one of the many color spaces defined by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) such as, for example, an HLS (Hue, Luminance or Saturation) space. Alternatively, some camera manufacturers produce specific CCD cameras, wherein narrow bandwidth filters for targeting specific wavelengths may replace the usual Red, Green and Blue filters. In such an instance, the camera allows a fast image capture of the three spectral components of a scene in a parallel manner. However, cameras modified in this manner may be restricted to specific spectral analysis parameters because the filters cannot be changed and therefore cannot be adapted to address a unique dye combination used for the sample. Thus, the second technique generally relies upon either the detection of contrast between the species of interest and the remainder of the sample or the analysis of the sample over a narrow bandwidth.
Accordingly, techniques used in colorimetric analyses of prepared samples are of limited use in the detection and quantification of species of interest due to several factors such as, for example, spectral overlapping, mixing of colors due to spatial overlap of membrane, cytoplasmic, and nuclear markers, chromatic aberrations in the optical path, limited spectral resolution of the acquisition device, calibration particularities, subjectivity of the detection and quantification process, and inconsistencies between human operators. The image processing portion of colorimetric analysis techniques has historically been directed to the subjective detection of contrast within the prepared sample or to a complex and voluminous analysis of the sample at various specific wavelengths of light using a combination of light sources and filters.
Thus, there exists a need for a simpler and more effective colorimetric analysis technique that overcomes detection and quantification limitations found in prior art analysis techniques. Such a technique should also be capable of providing high quality data, comprising the necessary analysis information about the sample, while reducing subjectivity and inconsistency in the sample analysis.

Method for quantitative video-microscopy and associated system and computer software program product


A system and a method are disclosed providing user information in a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: providing over a vehicle network a cryptographic key in response to receiving a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter at a first electronic control unit (ECU); receiving at a second ECU the cryptographic key; authenticating the cryptographic key at the second ECU; and providing user information via the second ECU based on the authentication.

Cellular devices or Smart phones may be encrypted to protect the computing system thereon as well as the data. Further, the encryption key itself may need to be properly protected (e.g., using a PKCS#5-based mechanism) to prevent an unauthorized party from accessing the data and computing system, and thereby defeating all protection rendered by the original encryption. For example, the Smart phone may request a password, personal identification number or PIN, or the like which is used to generate the encryption key.

Controlling access to personal information stored in a vehicle using a cryptographic key


The invention relates to a method for handling, namely forwarding and extracting, data, especially messages, in a system comprising at least one data source and a plurality of data receivers. The invention also relates to a corresponding system comprising at least one data source and at least one data receiver. At least one set of data, especially a message, is forwarded to a plurality of data receivers from a data source. According to the invention, when a set of data forwarded from the data source is acknowledged by one of the data receivers, said acknowledged data is preferably automatically extracted from the data source for the rest of the data receivers.

There are a number of applications, in which data is transmitted from a data source to a number of data receivers, but with a transmitted set of data only having to be processed by one data receiver. One example is an automation system, in which a warning message or error report is transmitted in the automation system from an automation device serving as the data source to a number of automation devices serving as data receivers, whereby, when one of the automation devices serving as data receivers has processed the warning message, the warning message or error report becomes invalid for the other automation devices serving as data receivers.

Method and system for handling data based on the acknowledgement and extraction of data packets


A method for responding to a page message is provided. The method can include a wireless communication device receiving a page message on a first channel of a first network; suspending a connection to a second network in response to receiving the page message; transitioning to a second channel of the first network prior to responding to the page message; and sending a response message responsive to the page message on the second channel.

Efforts are ongoing to develop and deploy new and improved cellular radio access technologies (RATs). For example, networks implementing Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, developed and standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), are currently being deployed. LTE and other newer RATs often support faster data rates than networks utilizing legacy RATs, such as various second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) RATs.
However, in some deployments, LTE and other new RATs may not fully support some services that can be handled by legacy networks. Accordingly, LTE networks are often co-deployed in overlapping regions with legacy networks and wireless communication devices may transition between RATs as services or coverage may require. For example, in some deployments, LTE networks are not capable of supporting voice calls. Thus, for example when a wireless communication device receives or initiates a circuit switched voice call while connected to an LTE network that supports data sessions, but not voice calls, the wireless communication device can transition to a legacy network, such as Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) 1X, which is standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), that supports voice calls.
Some wireless communication devices use a single radio to support operation on multiple cellular RATs. For example, some wireless communication devices use a single radio to support operation on both LTE and CDMA2000 1X networks. The use of a single radio for multiple RATs makes transitioning between networks, such as in response to a page message for an incoming voice call or circuit switched service, more complex.


A low contact resistance and low junction leakage metal interconnect contact structure for use with ICs. The contact structure includes an interconnect dielectric material layer on the surface of an IC semiconductor substrate. The interconnect dielectric material layer has a contact opening which extends to a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate (e.g. a source region, drain region, or polysilicon gate layer). The contact structure also includes a cobalt (or nickel) silicide interface layer on the surface of the predetermined region that is aligned with the bottom of the contact opening, a cobalt (or nickel) adhesion layer on the sidewall surface of the contact opening, a refractory metal-based barrier layer on the metal adhesion layer and the metal silicide interface layer, and a conductive plug. Manufacturing process steps for such a contact structure include first providing a semiconductor substrate with at least one predetermined region (e.g. a drain region, source region or polysilicon gate layer), followed by depositing an interconnect dielectric material layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Contact openings are formed through the interconnect dielectric material layer to expose the predetermined region. A cobalt (or nickel) adhesion layer is then deposited, followed by the deposition of a refractory metal-based barrier layer, and the reaction of cobalt (or nickel) from the adhesion layer with silicon from the exposed predetermined region to form a metal silicide interface layer. Finally, a conductive plug layer is deposited on the barrier layer, filling the contact opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated circuit structures and, in particular, to metal interconnect contact structures for use in integrated circuits and processes for their manufacture.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typical integrated circuits (ICs) include metal interconnect structures that serve a variety of purposes, such as carrying electrical signals between individual device elements in the IC, supplying power, and providing a connection to ground and to external apparatus.
FIG. 1 illustrates a basic metal interconnect structure 10 disposed above a semiconductor substrate 12. Metal interconnect structure 10 includes patterned metal layer 14, interconnect dielectric material layer 16, and contacts 18, 20 and 22. Semiconductor substrate 12 has a conventional MOS transistor formed on its surface that includes source region 24, drain region 26, gate sidewall spacers 28 and 30, polysilicon gate layer 32 and gate oxide layer 34. The contacts 18, 20 and 22 of metal interconnect structure 10 provide an electrical connection between the patterned metal layer 14 and various parts of the MOS transistor: the source region 24, polysilicon gate layer 32 and drain region 26, respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional and more elaborate design of a metal interconnect contact 40, which includes a first metallic layer 42, a second metallic layer 44 and a center plug (i.e. core) 46. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,622 to Bornstein et al., which is hereby fully incorporated by reference, for a further description of metal interconnect structures in general. The first metallic layer 42 of the metal interconnect contact 40 is conventionally a titanium adhesion layer, while the second metallic layer 44 is a titanium-nitride (TiN) layer. The center plug 46 is typically formed of tungsten (W). Standard tungsten plug deposition processes employ WF.sub.6. The presence of a TiN layer in the metal interconnect contact acts as a barrier layer to prevent WF.sub.6 from reacting with silicon from the source region, drain region or the polysilicon gate layer during the tungsten plug deposition process. The use of a Ti layer in the metal interconnect contact is designed to improve the adhesion of the TiN layer to the Ti layer, as well as the adhesion of the W plug to the TiN layer. The presence of the Ti layer in the metal interconnect contact also improves the contact resistance between the patterned metal layer and the various parts of the MOS transistor, namely the source region, polysilicon gate layer and drain region.
The Ti and TiN layers employed in metal interconnect contacts are often subjected to a thermal annealing process to further improve contact resistance. This is normally done using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) equipment at temperatures in the range of 600.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. The data in Table 1 below show the effect of such an RTA process, namely that contact resistance is inversely proportional to the temperature of the RTA process. Therefore, as the temperature increases, the contact resistance advantageously decreases.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Average Patterned Metal to RTA Temperature Polysilicon Contact Resistance ______________________________________ No RTA 3.9 ohms/square 600.degree. C. 2.9 ohms/square 650.degree. C. 2.6 ohms/square 700.degree. C. 2.3 ohms/square ______________________________________
An increase in the temperature of the RTA process, however, also increases the junction leakage of the P+ source and/or drain, which is detrimental to integrated circuit device characteristics. This effect of the RTA process temperature on the junction leakage is indicated by the data in Table 2 below.
TABLE 2 ______________________________________ Average P+ Junction Leakage RTA Temperature log (amps) ______________________________________ No RTA -10.3 600.degree. C. -9.9 650.degree. C. -9.3 700.degree. C. -9.0 ______________________________________
Still needed in the art is a metal interconnect contact, and process for its manufacture, that provides for both low contact resistance and low junction leakage. In addition, the process for its manufacture should be compatible with standard integrated circuit manufacturing techniques.

Low contact resistance and low junction leakage metal interconnect contact structure


Row crop cultivator rolling shields mounted on an arm pivotally connected to a support extended rearwardly from a tool bar prevents soil moved by earth working tools from covering and damaging row crops. Each shield has a dish shaped body having a number of arcuate segments. Each segment has angularly disposed parts providing the body with a circumferential wave-like structure. A roller bearing secured to the central porion of the body mounts the shield on an axle mounted on the arm.

Row corp cultivators mounted on tractors have a plurality of earth working tools, such as shovels and rotary hoes, that work up the soil adjacent opposite sides of the crops. When the crops are small the earth working tools can turn and move the soil toward the crops so as to damage and cover the crops. The speed of the tractor accommodating the cultivator must be reduced to prevent crop damage. This increases the time and cost of cultivating a field of row crops. Shields and hoods have been attached to the cultivators to protect the crops from soil moved by the earth working tools.


A molding compound formulation is provided that includes a unsaturated polyester, a low profile additive, and high surface area conductive carbon black particulate. The carbon black is dispersed in at least one of the unsaturated polyester and the low profile additive to produce a cured panel having a surface resistivity value of between 1×105-108Ω, and a Diffracto analysis D number of less than 100 when cured against a mold platen having a Diffracto analysis D number of 25. A process for producing such a molding compound panel is also provided that includes mixing through rotary mechanical stirring the high surface area conductive carbon black particulate into one side of the molding compound formulation under conditions that satisfy:ln(viscosity)≦−0.82{ln(RPM)}+12.734  (I)                where viscosity is in Centipoise and RPM denotes revolutions per minute.

Electrostatic painting of various vehicle components presents an attractive and cost effective scheme as compared to usage of a conventional paint line. Electrostatic painting of vehicle parts, such as doors, hoods, quarter panels, and other vehicle skin parts can be routinely performed. Owing to the high visibility and environmental exposure encountered by such vehicle parts, a high quality paint finish surface is demanded that is commonly referred to in the industry as a Class A finish associated with a high degree of reflectivity and a surface free of visual defects. Electrostatic painting requires the part to be electrically conductive and support an electrical potential on the part needed to attract oppositely charged paint aerosol droplets to the part. Early attempts at producing inexpensive molding compound components amenable to electrostatic painting involved the application of an electrically conductive primer. With the primer application adding considerable cost and the primer application defects being manifest in the resulting painted article. As a result, these previous attempts to make sheet molding compound conductive articles were relegated to vehicle portions other than the vehicle skin, such as radiator brackets and wheel wells.
The development of an inherently conductive sheet molding compound obviates the need for the application of a conductive primer coat. Such a conductive sheet molding compound (SMC) is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,919. As tolerances for the acceptable amount of SMC article shrinkage relative to mold specifications decreases, as well as increased demands as painted surface finish attributes, low profile additives are increasingly found in SMC. Representative of these high-performance SMC formulations inclusive of low profile additives are those current marketed by Continental Structural Plastics under the trade name TCA. The inclusion of low profile additives is compatible with a conductive particulate to render an SMC article amenable to electrostatic painting, however, the inclusion of loadings of conductive particulate necessary to make an article sufficiently conductive, modifies the flow properties of the molding compound resins, leading to inhomogeneous molded articles, degrades the surface finish, and the higher viscosity forces molding filling conditions that degrade the conductivity of a given volume of conductive filler.
Thus, there exists a need for a molding compound composition that is conductive to provide a high quality paint finish provided through electrostatic painting that has handling properties allowing mold filling without damaging the delicate structure of high surface area conductive particles.

Electrically conductive polyester molding composition having a high quality surface finish


The present invention describes the plant-based production of a therapeutic anti-virus antibody.

The development and implementation of targeted monoclonal antibody (MAb) therapy has provided new opportunities for controlling a wide range of clinical diseases. Although MAbs produced in mammalian cell culture systems have achieved remarkable clinical success, their high cost, long manufacturing time, and restricted production capacity have limited the availability, utility and potential of these drugs. Several of these challenges might be overcome by using plant expression systems, because they offer highly scalable production of MAbs at low cost with a low risk of introducing adventitious human or animal pathogens. Functional antibody production requires a eukaryotic host cell that can assemble four antibody polypeptides into a heterotetramer and perform complex N-linked glycosylation. Despite this complexity, a MAb was successfully expressed in tobacco plants only three years after the first plant-made biologic (Hiatt A, Cafferkey R, Bowdish K (1989) Production of antibodies in transgenic plants. Nature 342: 76-78). Since then, a variety of MAbs and their derivatives, such as IgG, IgA, single-chain variable fragments (scFv), and diabodies have been produced in plants (De Muynck B, Navarre C, Boutry M (2010) Production of antibodies in plants: status after twenty years. Plant Biotechnology Journal 8: 529-563). The largest reported MAb-based molecule produced in plants is a recombinant immune complex (RIC) (Phoolcharoen W, Bhoo S H, Lai H, Ma J, Arntzen C J, et al. (2011) Expression of an immunogenic Ebola immune complex in Nicotiana benthamiana. Plant Biotechnology Journal 9: 807-816). The ability of plants to express and assemble larger or more complex MAb-derived molecules such as tetravalent MAbs or bifunctional MAbs has not been described.
N-linked glycosylation of proteins occurs as a series of post-translational modification steps in host cells and depends on the proper folding of the target protein and its transport to the appropriate endomembrane compartment (Roth J (2002) Protein N-glycosylation along the secretory pathway: relationship to organelle topography and function, protein quality control, and cell interactions. Chemical reviews 102: 285-303). As such, MAb variants with significant polypeptide structural differences from the native molecule also may have appreciable differences in glycan structures. This potential structural difference may impact the pharmacokinetics, antigen binding, stability, effector functions, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a MAb and its derivatives. Currently, the difference of N-glycosylation between the parent MAb and its structural variants and the precise cause of these differences are not fully understood.

Plant-derived antibodies and derivatives that reduce risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection

ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY


Disclosed is a method for the production of diamond films, which comprise introducing a diamond-forming gas into a reaction chamber in which a substrate is located, activating the gas in the reaction chamber and depositing diamond on the substrate by decomposition of the gas, wherein the diamond-forming gas is a gas or gas mixture containing hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms at an atomic ratio satisfying requirements represented by the following formulae: EQU 2.gtoreq.C/H.gtoreq.0.0005, and EQU 4.gtoreq.O/C.gtoreq.0.0005.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing diamond films, in which the diamond characteristics of a formed film are improved and the film-forming speed is increased. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cutting tool provided with a diamond film and a process for the production thereof.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Diamond is synthesized under a super-high pressure at a super-high temperature by using an expensive apparatus. Furthermore, the low-pressure gas phase synthetic technique is investigated as means for providing diamond capable of being widely applied to various uses by utilizing excellent characteristics such as high hardness and thermal conductivity and excellent semiconductor characteristics and increasing the synthesis efficiency. For example, the synthesis of diamond by the plasma (Chemical Vapor Deposition) CVD method is proposed.
According to this synthesis of diamond by the plasma CVD method, a mixed gas comprising a hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen gas is introduced into a reaction chamber, a plasma is generated by a high-frequency wave, a microwave or a direct current voltage, and a diamond film is formed on the surface of a substrate (see Japanese Patient Laid-Open Nos. 58-153774 and 59-3098).
However, if the mixed gas comprising a hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen gas is used as the diamond-forming gas, the diamond-forming speed is low, and 3 to 4 hours are necessary for obtaining a film thickness of about 1 .mu.m.
Moreover, the diamond film obtained according to this plasma CVD method is still insufficient in the diamond characteristics such as high hardness, and further improvement of the diamond characteristics is desired.
A cutting tool prepared by arranging a diamond film obtained by this plasma CVD method on a predetermined substrate is insufficient in the cutting properties, and further improvement of the cutting properties is desired.
Especially, since amorphous carbon is contained in the diamond film formed according to the conventional CVD method, the purity is low, and therefore, the excellent abrasion resistance is not sufficiently exerted. Since the abrasion resistance is very important as a factor deciding the life of a cutting tool for r precision working or finish working, development of a cutting tool having an excellent abrasion resistance is desired.


Hydrocracked bottoms fractions are treated to separate HPNA compounds and/or HPNA precursor compounds and produce a reduced-HPNA hydrocracked bottoms fraction effective for recycle. A process for separation of HPNA and/or HPNA precursor compounds from a hydrocracked bottoms fraction of a hydroprocessing reaction effluent comprises contacting the hydrocracked bottoms fraction with heteropoly acid compounds to promote adsorption of HPNAs onto the heteropoly acids and to produce a heteropoly acid treated hydrocracked bottoms fraction, that is recycled within the hydrocracking operation.

Hydrocracking Process
Hydrocracking processes are used commercially in a large number of petroleum refineries. They are used to process a variety of feeds boiling in the range of 370° C. to 520° C. in conventional hydrocracking units and boiling at 520° C. and above in the residue hydrocracking units. In general, hydrocracking processes split the molecules of the feed into smaller, i.e., lighter, molecules having higher average volatility and economic value. Additionally, hydrocracking processes typically improve the quality of the hydrocarbon feedstock by increasing the hydrogen to carbon ratio and by removing organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The significant economic benefit derived from hydrocracking processes has resulted in substantial development of process improvements and more active catalysts.
In addition to sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds, a typical hydrocracking feedstream, such as vacuum gas oil (VGO), contains small amount of poly nuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds, i.e., those containing less than seven fused benzene rings. As the feedstream is subjected to hydrocracking at elevated temperature and pressure, HPNA compounds, i.e., those containing seven or more fused benzene rings, tend to form and are present in high concentration in the unconverted hydrocracker bottoms.
Heavy feedstreams such as de-metalized oil (DMO) or de-asphalted oil (DAO) have much higher concentration of nitrogen, sulfur and PNA compounds than VGO feedstreams. These impurities can lower the overall efficiency of hydrocracking unit by requiring higher operating temperature, higher hydrogen partial pressure or additional reactor/catalyst volume. In addition, high concentrations of impurities can accelerate catalyst deactivation.
Three major hydrocracking process schemes include single-stage once through hydrocracking, series-flow hydrocracking with or without recycle, and two-stage recycle hydrocracking. Single-stage once through hydrocracking is the simplest of the hydrocracker configuration and typically occurs at operating conditions that are more severe than hydrotreating processes, and less severe than conventional full pressure hydrocracking processes. It uses one or more reactors for both treating steps and cracking reaction, so the catalyst must be capable of both hydrotreating and hydrocracking. This configuration is cost effective, but typically results in relatively low product yields (e.g., a maximum conversion rate of about 60%). Single stage hydrocracking is often designed to maximize mid-distillate yield over a single or dual catalyst systems. Dual catalyst systems are used in a stacked-bed configuration or in two different reactors. The effluents are passed to a fractionator column to separate the H2S, NH3, light gases (C1-C4), naphtha and diesel products boiling in the temperature range of 36-370° C. The hydrocarbons boiling above 370° C. are unconverted bottoms that, in single stage systems, are passed to other refinery operations.
Series-flow hydrocracking with or without recycle is one of the most commonly used configuration. It uses one reactor (containing both treating and cracking catalysts) or two or more reactors for both treating and cracking reaction steps. Unconverted bottoms from the fractionator column are recycled back into the first reactor for further cracking. This configuration converts heavy crude oil fractions, i.e., vacuum gas oil, into light products and has the potential to maximize the yield of naphtha, jet fuel, or diesel, depending on the recycle cut point used in the distillation section.
Two-stage recycle hydrocracking uses two reactors and unconverted bottoms from the fractionation column are recycled back into the second reactor for further cracking. Since the first reactor accomplishes both hydrotreating and hydrocracking, the feed to second reactor is virtually free of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. This permits the use of high performance zeolite catalysts which are susceptible to poisoning by sulfur or nitrogen compounds.
A typical hydrocracking feedstock is vacuum gas oils boiling in the nominal range of 370° C. to 520° C. DMO or DAO can be blended with vacuum gas oil or used as is and processed in a hydrocracking unit. For instance, a typical hydrocracking unit processes vacuum gas oils that contain from 10V % to 25V % of DMO or DAO for optimum operation. 100% DMO or DAO can also be processed for difficult operations. However, the DMO or DAO stream contains significantly more nitrogen compounds (2,000 ppmw vs. 1,000 ppmw) and a higher micro carbon residue (MCR) content than the VGO stream (10 W % vs.<1 W %).
The DMO or DAO in the blended feedstock to the hydrocracking unit can have the effect of lowering the overall efficiency of the unit, i.e., by causing higher operating temperature or reactor/catalyst volume requirements for existing units or higher hydrogen partial pressure requirements or additional reactor/catalyst volume for the grass-roots units. These impurities can also reduce the quality of the desired intermediate hydrocarbon products in the hydrocracking effluent. When DMO or DAO are processed in a hydrocracker, further processing of hydrocracking reactor effluents may be required to meet the refinery fuel specifications, depending upon the refinery configuration. When the hydrocracking unit is operating in its desired mode, that is to say, producing products in good quality, its effluent can be utilized in blending and to produce gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel to meet established fuel specifications.
HPNA Formation and Treatment
In addition, formation of HPNA compounds is an undesirable side reaction that occurs in recycle hydrocrackers. The HPNA molecules form by dehydrogenation of larger hydro-aromatic molecules or cyclization of side chains onto existing HPNAs followed by dehydrogenation, which is favored as the reaction temperature increases. HPNA formation depends on many known factors including the type of feedstock, catalyst selection, process configuration, and operating conditions. Since HPNAs accumulate in the recycle system and then cause equipment fouling, HPNA formation must be controlled in the hydrocracking process.
The rate of formation of the various HPNA compounds increases with higher conversion and heavier feed stocks. The fouling of equipment may not be apparent until large amounts of HPNA accumulate in the recycle liquid loop. The problem of HPNA formation is of universal concern to refiners and various removal methods have been developed by refinery operators to reduce its impact.
Conventional methods to separate or treat heavy poly-nuclear aromatics formed in the hydrocracking process include adsorption, hydrogenation, extraction, solvent deasphalting and purging, or "bleeding" a portion of the recycle stream from the system to reduce the build-up of HPNA compounds and cracking or utilizing the bleed stream elsewhere in the refinery. The hydrocracker bottoms are treated in separate units to eliminate the HPNA molecules and recycle HPNA-free bottoms back to the hydrocracking reactor.
As noted above, one alternative when operating the hydrocracking unit in the recycle mode is to purge a certain amount of the recycle liquid to reduce the concentration of HPNA that is introduced with the fresh feed, although purging reduces the conversion rate to below 100%. Another solution to the build-up problem is to eliminate the HPNAs by passing them to a special purpose vacuum column which effectively fractionates 98-99% of the recycle stream leaving most of the HPNAs at the bottom of the column for rejection from the system as fractionator bottoms. This alternative incurs the additional capital cost and operating expenses of a dedicated fractionation column.
Lamb, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,315 discloses a single-stage recycle hydrocracking process in which unconverted bottoms are contacted with an adsorbent to remove PNA compounds. Unconverted bottoms having a reduced concentration of PNA compounds are recycled to the hydrocracking reactor.
Gruia U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,242 describes a single-stage recycle hydrocracking process in which an HPNA containing heavy fraction from a vapor-liquid separator downstream of a hydrocracking reactor is contacted with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone. The reduced HPNA heavy fraction is then either recycled to the hydrotreating zone or introduced directly into the fractionation zone.
Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,763,163 discloses adsorption of a DMO or DAO feedstream to a hydrocracker unit to remove nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and PNA compounds. This process is effective for removal of impurities including nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and PNA compounds from the DMO or DAO feedstock to the hydrocracker unit. A separate VGO feedstock is also shown as a feed to the hydrocracker reactor along with the cleaned DMO or DAO feed. However, a relatively high concentration of HPNA compounds remains in unconverted hydrocracker bottoms.
Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,534,179 discloses an adsorptive process to remove HPNA compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feedstream. Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,219 discloses an adsorptive and solvent-based process to remove HPNA compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feedstream. Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 11,180,701 discloses a solvent-based process to remove HPNA compounds from an unconverted hydrocarbon feedstream. Commonly-owned U.S. App. No. 2021/0130703 discloses a sulfonation process to remove HPNA compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feedstream. Commonly-owned U.S. App. No. 2021/0130702 discloses an oxidation process to remove HPNA compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feedstream. Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,920,157 discloses an adsorptive and ionic liquid extraction process to remove HPNA compounds from a heavy hydrocarbon feedstream.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,407 discloses the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are benzocoronenes, within the hydrocracking reaction zone. The HPNA usually forms when zeolitic catalysts are employed in the hydrocracking process. These molecules cannot penetrate into the pores of the zeolitic catalyst and build in the recycle stream. It is well-known in the art that these compounds have a limited solubility in the effluent of the hydrocracking zone and may tend to build up in residual or heavy recycle streams present in the process. In addition to build-up in the recycle stream, the HPNA molecules are soluble in the hydrocarbon stream at the reaction conditions however, when the thermodynamic conditions changes, these compounds come out of the hydrocarbon solution and precipitate downstream of the reactor. These materials foul various parts of the refining equipment as they have a very low solubility level in the product hydrocarbon. They tend to accumulate on the cold surfaces of heat exchangers used to recover heat from the effluent of the hydrocracking reaction zone. The coating caused by PNA deposits decreases the efficiency of the heat recovery step and may lead to undesirably high pressure drops within the heat exchanger. At an extreme the deposits may require termination of the processing in order to clean the heat exchangers. PNA compounds are also believed to have a role in the deactivation of the hydrocracking catalyst by acting as a precursor for the "coke" deposits associated with catalyst deactivation. There are several solutions to alleviate this problem including, bleeding some portion of the recycle stream, adsorptive removal of HPNA from the recycle stream or HPNA precursors from the hydrocracking feedstock, hydrogenation of HPNAs, etc.
Activated carbon is commonly used adsorbent for HPNA removal (US 20180044599). Other adsorbents including molecular sieves, silica gel, activated carbon, activated alumina, silica-alumina gel, zinc oxide, clays were claimed for HPNA removal (U.S. Pat. No. 9,023,192). Also, Pilawan et al. used different types of activated carbon to determine HPNA removal efficiency. Wijai Pilawan, Wisanu Sirikarn and Kriangsak Kraiwattanawong, Removal of Heavy Polynuclear Aromatics by Activated Carbons, Key Engineering Materials, 775 (2018): 371-375.
Heteropoly Acids
Heteropoly acids (HPA) are condensed products which consist of inorganic oxyacids of phosphorus, silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and others. They are crystals which are characterized by Keggin structures, with strong acidity and oxidation power, with high electronegativity and the ability to remove electrons from other species.
Heteropoly acids are used in the chemical industry and show strong acidity in both solid and liquid states. For example, when in concentrated solutions, HPAs have higher acidity levels than perchloric acid (HClO4) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Tungstic heteropoly acids are more advantageous to acid catalysts. In homogeneous reactions, HPAs are typically provided in liquid form, and depending on the specific heteropoly acid compound, they are soluble in solvents such as acetone, water, ethanol and are applicable for hydration, transetherification and polymerization. Moreover, HPAs can be used for dehydration, etherification and esterification in solid heterogeneous catalyzed reactions. Molybdic heteropoly acids and Mo-based heteropoly acids coordinate bonded with vanadium or tungsten have not only strong acidity but strong oxidation power, and are the common catalysts for oxidative reaction. These solid acid catalysts are typically applied to the manufacturing of methacrylic acid by gas phase oxidation of methacrolein.
Despite the known methods for hydrocracking, problems still exist in the removal of HPNA compounds from the bottoms recycle stream of hydrocracking units, and a need exists for efficient and cost effective methods for hydrocracking including treatment of HPNA containing streams such as hydrocracker bottoms fractions.

Hydrocracking process and system including separation of heavy poly nuclear aromatics from recycle with heteropoly acids