A method of detecting unreacted termini within a dendritic structure is achieved by exposing a dendrimer to a single generating compound capable of bonding to and tagging a deprotected but uncoupled termini. A signal generated by the signal generating compound to an otherwise uncoupled termini provides detection of the unreacted termini.

Dendrimer chemistry is expanding at a rapid rate. Dendrimers are being adapted for pharmacological uses, industrial uses, coatings, as well as other areas where unimolecular isolar molecules can be engineered to provide specific chemical properties to a system. For example, dendrimers can be used as carriers of drugs, metals, or the like and site directed to specific low side. Dendrimers can also be used in or as coatings to, for example, impart a homogeneous layer to a substrate.
In producing dendritic macromolecules, especially those which are megatiered (four tiers and greater), there is a continued inability to determine quantitatively or qualitatively the absolute homogeneity of the resultant structures. This has lead many researchers to claim a monodisperse character of their products, since there is no way to insure monomolecular structure.
By monodisperse, it is meant that the dendrimer is defined as a mixture of closely related macromolecules within a given family. These molecules include what are considered "faults", albeit they may be to only a minimum degree.1 A monomolecular dendrimer means herein that a perfectly defined structure of known composition, possessing no detectable faults is obtained.
In the efforts to determine the existence of faults in dendritic molecular domains, there has been an inability to effect chromatographic separation of the macromolecular components. This has been coupled with the general lack of resolution of spectral analysis associated with current instrumentation. This situation has lead researchers to a quest for chemical methods to circumvent this quandry.
It has been recognized in accordance with the present invention that most divergent procedures for obtaining dendritic macromolecules are two step coupling-deprotecting sequences. It has therefore been recognized, in accordance with the present invention, that it is feasible to analyze those uncoupled termini, the uncoupled termini being referred to as "loose ends". These uncoupled termini are effectively loose ends in that they represent the heterogeneity of the otherwise homogeneous molecule. The loose ends represent heterogeneity in that they are reactive components or at least capable of reactivity which is differentially effected relative to the remainder of the macromolecule. In other words, the present invention recognizes the uncoupled termini as areas of reactivity which can be differentiated from the remainder of the macromolecule.
Illustrative of the above chemically defined situation wherein dendritic molecules have uncoupled termini, FIG. 1 shows the introduction of faults during the creation2 of a dendritic polyamido-based dendritic family. This family is chemically described as Z-Cascade:methane[4]:(3-oxo-6-oxa-2-azahaptylidene):(3-oxo-2-azapent-ylidyne)n:propanoic acid.3 Practically, this series of dendritic molecules is formed by a repetitive treatment of a polycarboxylic acid with "Behera's Amine"4 by a peptide coupling procedure5, followed by quantitative hydrolysis with formic acid to afford higher generations. The purity or monodispersed character of each resultant macromolecule was monitored by normal spectroscopic and analytical procedures. A problem was reached beyond the third generation of the macromolecule. The analytical procedures normally used in the prior art were less definitive as to the monodispersity and, in particular, "unimolecular" character of the larger products. This general observation is consistent with all current divergent procedures used for generating dendritic macromolecules.
In order to circumvent the above limitations relating to the inability of confirming unimolecular character of larger products, the inventors of the present invention reported the creation of bis-dendrimers6. These bis-dendrimers were assembled by the coupling of two totally characterized halves through a metal ion connectivity. The presence of the metal's content and oxidation state was then ascertained electro-chemically.
The present invention provides a novel application of traditional qualitative analysis procedures7 to evaluate the presence of residual termini which fail to react during a coupling procedure. Hence, the present invention provides a method of detecting unreacted termini within a dendritic structure. Likewise, the present invention provides a method of characterizing the termini of dendrimers as well as determining the monodisperse versus monomolecular character of a dendrimer. Such methods find utility in characterizing dendrimers made by diverse methods as the characterization procedure is not dependent upon the method by which the dendrimers were constructed. Rather, the inventor procedure can be utilized for the characterization of dendrimers made by any procedure which is divergent in character.

Detection and functionalization of dendrimers


An integrated stress reduction system detects the stress level of a subject and displays a light pattern reflecting the relationship between the subject's stress level and a target level. At the same time, the system provides relaxing visual, sound, tactile, environmental, and other effects to aid the subject in reducing his or her stress level to the target level. In one preferred embodiment, the intensity, type, and duration of the relaxing effects are controlled by a computer program in response to the measured stress level. The light pattern stress level display uses a laser which is deflected on one axis by a measured stress level signal and on a second axis perpendicular to the first by a target signal representing the target stress level. The pattern produced is more complex when the two signals do not coincide, and becomes a less complex geometric figure as the subject's stress level approaches the target.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing stress in a human subject through the production of soothing audio, visual and other sensory effects.
In today's society, men and women live active and often very stressful lives People frequently fail to take the time to relax and, as a result, stress builds up without release causing a variety of physiological and psychological problems. Research has shown that stress can be reduced through the alteration of brain wave patterns which the brain utilizes in order to function. Stimuli such as sound and light can affect and actually alter the flow of these brain wave patterns.
Biofeedback systems are well known in the art for use in detecting levels of stress in subjects and providing the appropriate stimuli to affect and alter the flow of brain wave patterns The biofeedback system monitors and processes bioelectrical signals generated in specific topological regions of a subject's nervous system and produces a sensory stimulus if the system detects the presence or absence of certain characteristics in the signal's wave form patterns. These characteristics may be correlated with a certain desired condition of the subject's nervous system. The sensory stimulus provided by the biofeedback system, typically an audio or visual stimulus, or combination thereof, is fed back to the subject which associates the presence of the stimulus with the goal of achieving the desired condition of its nervous system. By responding to the stimulus, the subject can be trained to control the waveform patterns of the monitored bioelectrical signals and thereby control his or her own nervous system. Such a system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,616 to Ross.
Because biofeedback devices operate on the basis of internal stimuli, that is, stimuli produced in response to bioelectrical signals generated by the subject, the success of the true biofeedback device is dependent upon a subject attempting to consciously control his or her state of stress. Many people cannot effect such control over their involuntary nervous systems. In addition, biofeedback systems are traditionally quite expensive and require complex equipment.
Prior art devices have attempted to overcome these drawbacks by producing a state of mental harmonization or relaxation in a subject without detecting the subject's state of stress, that is, through the use of a program of external stimuli. In the apparatus and method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,534 to Stiegler, the subject wears a specially designed helmet through which a programmed combination of lights, colors, words and music is transmitted. U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,502 to Gorges illustrates another type of device for stimulating brain function which does not rely upon a subject's internal stimulus. The device provides stimulation and coordination of whole brain wave function through a combined source of pulsating light in an eye covering mask which locates the light sources adjacent the left and right eyes of a subject and an audio headset which applies sound signals to the left and right ears of the subject. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,826,250 to Adams and 4,640,266 to Levy show systems providing an enclosed chamber in which the subject sits while various stimuli are provided through loudspeakers or on visual displays. However, because none of the above-mentioned systems provide a stress detection method, the stimuli cannot be tailored to a subject's changing state of stress and individual needs.
There is a need for an improved method and apparatus for reducing physiological and psychological stress in people which is readily available to the general public at an affordable cost, which is computer-controllable, which exposes the subject to a fully choreographed stress reduction session, which detects the subject's state of stress and modifies the session in response to any changes, and which effectively reduces stress in the subject without the requirement that the subject effect control over his or her involuntary nervous system.


An electronic device such as a cellular telephone or other device may have a housing with front and rear faces joined by a sidewall. A display may be mounted on the front face. The electronic device may include multiple ambient light sensors such as a front ambient light sensor on the front face and one or more supplemental ambient light sensors on the rear face and/or on the sidewall. The front ambient light sensor gathers a front ambient light intensity measurement and the supplemental ambient light sensor gathers a supplemental ambient light intensity measurement. During operation, control circuitry in the electronic device adjusts the display brightness based on data from the ambient light sensors. The control circuitry may implement power saving restrictions that limit when the supplemental ambient light intensity measurement is taken into account and/or that impose a brightness cap on the display brightness.

Electronic devices such as cellular telephones, tablet computers, and other equipment are sometimes provided with light sensors. For example, ambient light sensors may be incorporated into a device to provide the device with information on current lighting conditions. Ambient light readings may be used in controlling an electronic device. For example, the brightness of a display may be increased in bright ambient light conditions and decreased in dim ambient light conditions.
In conventional electronic devices, ambient light readings may not accurately represent the ambient light conditions perceived by a user, which can cause the display to appear too dim or too bright in certain situations.

Electronic device with multiple ambient light sensors


Methods and systems for routing SS7 messages based on DPC-based routing rules and non-DPC-based routing rules are disclosed. For a message containing signaling system 7 (SS7) information, a message routing function at an SS7 signaling message routing node searches a list of message routing rules using a search key including a DPC parameter extracted from the signaling message. If a matching entry is not located in the first routing rule list, a default SS7 routing rule may be used to route the message. The default routing rule may include wildcard values for each of the network ID, network cluster, and cluster member components of the DPC address field. Multiple default routing rules may be defined using various SS7 discriminator parameters. In addition, new DPC-based routing rules can be created and added to the list of DPC-based routing rules based on lookups in the set of non-DPC-based routing rules.

In a signaling system 7 (SS7) network, signal transfer point (STP) nodes are employed to route SS7 signaling messages through the network. Conventional STP operation involves the routing of SS7 messages based on a destination point code (DPC) value contained in a message transfer part (MTP) routing label in the SS7 messages. Such routing is commonly referred to as MTP routing. One type of SS7 message that is subject to MTP routing is an ISDN user part (ISUP) message. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an ISUP message. In FIG. 1, ISUP message 100 includes an origination point code (OPC) 102, a DPC 104, and a signaling indicator 106, as well as a number of other well defined parameters. ISUP messages are usually routed based on DPC 104. Another type of SS7 message is a signaling connection control part (SCCP) message. SCCP messages may include a field referred to as a global title address that must be translated into a DPC value before MTP routing can be performed. Thus, like ISUP messages, SCCP messages are routed based on DPC values after GTT is performed.
Signaling links connected to an STP are organized into groups of up to 16. Each group is known as a linkset. All signaling links in a linkset terminate at the same adjacent node. In a combined linkset, all signaling links in the combined linkset terminate at the same mated pair of adjacent nodes. STP nodes are typically provisioned to distribute message transmission across all of the links in a linkset for load sharing purposes. For the same linkset, SLS is used inherently in the protocol to distribute the load among the links in a linkset. Typically, different linksets (routes) are used to get to the same DPC for diversity. The route chosen is typically provisioned by relative cost.
In addition to signaling links and linksets, signaling routes are also defined at STPs and other nodes, such as signaling gateways. A signaling route may include one or more signaling linksets. An STP may maintain a cost value associated with each route, and route availability is affected by received network management information. When multiple routes to the same destination exist, the STP may select the lowest cost route to the destination. Thus, all messages received at an STP that are addressed to a particular DPC will be routed to the appropriate destination via the first available, lowest cost route. Such a routing mechanism ensures that a message will be routed to the appropriate DPC via the lowest cost route.
An SS7 point code typically includes three address components: a network identifier component, a network cluster component, and a cluster member component (ITU-N not). As discussed in GR-82-CORE Signal Transfer Point (STP) Generic Requirements, Issue 5, Telecordia Technologies, December 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, when determining a route over which a message should be sent, a routing node may use the full DPC specified in the message, examining the network ID, network cluster, and cluster member components, or it may use only the network ID and network cluster portions of the DPC to determine the proper outgoing route. In the full DPC case, a routing node consults a member route set. This type of routing is referred to as full point code or member routing. In the case where only the network and cluster portions are used, the routing node consults a cluster route set. This type of routing is referred to as cluster routing.
Cluster routing and cluster management are procedures that use partial point code information (i.e., the network ID and network cluster fields of the DPC present in each SS7 message) to route messages and perform network management functions. These procedures also include determining how to respond to signaling route management messages that refer to clusters. As such, cluster routing involves the implementation of one or more routing rules that allow the cluster member component of the point code address to be wildcarded (i.e., utilize a wildcard operator that represents any valid cluster member value), as indicated below in Table 1.
TABLE 1Conventional Routing Rule ExamplesNetwork IDNetwork ClusterCluster MemberLinkset81*LS16**LS310212LS5As illustrated in the first entry in Table 1, a received signaling message with a DPC that includes a network ID value of 8 and a network cluster value of 1 will be routed over linkset LS1. The cluster member field is a wildcard. Thus, the cluster member value is not used in routing a received signaling message with a DPC having a network ID of 8 and a network cluster value of 1.
In 1994, the assignee of the present invention developed a network routing solution that extended the cluster routing concept. This network routing solution defined two types of partial point codes, network only point codes and network/cluster partial point codes. With this solution, a wildcard operator (e.g., the number 255) could be specified for the cluster member component or both the cluster member and network cluster components of a routing rule. Consequently, all messages addressed to a particular network ID could be routed using a single routing rule, and/or all messages addressed to a particular network ID and network cluster could be routed using a single routing rule. The second entry in Table 1 illustrates this type of conventional routing. In the second entry, the network cluster and cluster member fields are wildcarded. The network ID field is the only field used to route messages. The assignee of the present invention developed a second network-only routing solution in 2000. However, even with this solution, message arriving for a network not provisioned in the routing table would be discarded.
The third sample routing rule entry in Table 1 illustrates a full point code routing rule that does not include a wildcard operator. Thus, only messages addressed specifically to member 12 of cluster 2 of network 10 will be routed over linkset LS5.
While cluster and network routing have proven to be useful in SS7 networks, one problem with these conventional routing schemes is that messages will be discarded if a matching entry is not present in a network routing table. Referring again to the routing rule examples in Table 1, if a signaling message having a DPC of 2-2-2 is received by a routing node that has implemented these routing rules, the message would be discarded because there is no routing rule defined for a message with such a destination address.
An exemplary network diagram illustrating such a message routing scenario is presented in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a signaling network 150 includes end office signaling facilities 152, 154, 156 and 158, edge router STP 160 and central STP 162. In this example, it is assumed that SSP 156 has a point code of 2-2-2. Edge router STP 160 may have limited processing capacity and thus its routing tables may not have entries for all nodes in the network. In this example, it is assumed that edge router STP 160 does not have a specific routing table entry for SSP 156. Accordingly, when edge router STP 160 receives a message destined for SSP 156, the message will be discarded. When the MSU in FIG. 2 is discarded due to lack of a routing table entry, an error message may be returned to the message originator, but the original message is not routed to its destination, because a route to the destination 2-2-2 has not been defined in the routing table of edge router STP 160.
One reason for the routing problem illustrated in FIG. 2 is that telecommunications industry standards documents mandate that SS7 messages be discarded if no routing table entry exists that matches the DPCs in the messages. For example, according to GR-310-CORE, CSS Operations System STP Interface Specification, Issue 2, Telecordia Technologies, December 2002 an MTP routing function should discard a received signaling message when the MSU's DPC does not match the routing node's self-identity (i.e., an STP's unique signaling point code or any of its capability codes) and does not have a route specified for it in a routing rule set or table. Because signal transfer points have conventionally followed the industry standards rules as specified in GR-310-CORE, if a signal transfer point receives a message that is not addressed to it and for which it does not have a specific route, the message is discarded. This result is undesirable, since some limited capacity STPs, such as edge router STPs, may not have routing table entries for every point code in the network. As a result, legitimate message traffic may be discarded. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for routing signaling messages at signal transfer points.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and systems for default routing in a signaling network


This invention relates to isolated or recombinant N-CBZ-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides that catalyze the removal of CBZ from CBZ-protected amino acids and alcohols, and variants, modifications, and fragments thereof. Also related are isolated nucleic acids encoding N-CBZ-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides, and variants, modifications, and fragments thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these nucleic acids. The invention also relates to methods of obtaining isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies, and methods of using polypeptides in various reactions for industrial or pharmaceutical applications.

Carbobenzyloxy (CBZ) group is commonly used to protect amino and hydroxide groups during organic synthesis. Other similar "carbamate" and "carbonate" protecting groups are also used to protect amino and hydroxyl groups. Chemical deprotection is usually achieved by methods such as hydrogenation with palladium catalyst. However, if other groups are present which are susceptible to the methods of deprotection are necessary. It would be beneficial to have alternate methods of deprotection that would not destroy susceptible groups. An enzymatic method of deprotection using S. paucimobilis N-carbobenzyloxy-deprotecting enzyme isolated from soil samples has been disclosed in WO 02/053724, which application shares a priority claim with this application. The enzymatic method can be conducted under mild conditions (i.e., aqueous medium at room temp and atmospheric pressure) and without the destroying susceptible groups. Given the importance of the enzyme and its relatively low presence in the host bacterium, it would be useful to clone and express in a heterologous host such as Escherichia coli to ensure a sufficient supply for large-scale reactions.


A metal halide lamp in which the radiant efficiency is not adversely affected, in which outstanding color reproducibility is obtained, and which is suitable for a light source of an OHP or a direct projector is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that, within an arc tube provided with a pair of electrodes, together with mercury and a starting rare gas, halides of dysprosium (Dy), yttrium (Y) and cesium (Cs) are encapsulated with the molar ratio of the encapsulated metals Dy to Y is being fixed in the range of 0.3.ltoreq.Dy/Y.ltoreq.1.0. In this way the green portion to which there is a sensitive visual reaction is reduced, the blue portion increased, and thus the color reproducibility is increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a metal halide lamp of the short arc type which is used as a light source of an overhead projector (OHP), a direct projector, and the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an overhead projector is known as an information presentation tool. However, recently, a liquid crystal projector which projects a liquid crystal display, and a direct projector have become common; only by simply placing an article to be projected on a sample carrier can the direct projector project its color and shape as it is. Conventionally, halide lamps are used for light sources of these projection devices. However, recently, instead of halogen lamps, metal halide lamps of the short arc type have been used because in halogen lamps there are the disadvantages of more frequent bulb changing than in discharge lamps, low radiant efficiency, image brightness on the projection screen which is inadequate due to its yellowish, warm-color emission in a bright room, and the like.
In a metal halide lamp of the short arc type, a pair of electrodes disposed opposite one another within an arc tube at a distance of a few millimeters, encapsulated together with mercury as a buffer metal, a starting rare gas, and metal halides as emission metals. The metal halides melt during luminous operation and are present on the wall of the arc tube as a liquid, while they partially vaporize as a gas, and dissociate into metal atoms and halogen in the high temperature range of the arc center, the metal elements being excited by the arc and emitting spectra which are typical of the metals.
In a metal halide lamp, the metal halides vaporize in this way. Therefore, a vapor pressure is obtained to a sufficient degree at a temperature which is lower than in the metal elements. Furthermore, better radiant efficiency than in a high pressure mercury lamp, and in addition, good color reproduction can be obtained by means of suitable selection of the metals to be encapsulated,.
In the above described projection device, the liquid crystal projector in which a metal halide lamp is used as the light source has a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter. By combining the light from the lamp with these color filters, good color reproducibility can be achieved on the screen surface. In an OHP or direct projector, however, the light does not pass from the metal halide lamp through the filter, but is projected directly. Therefore, here, there is a need for more exact color reproducibility than in a liquid crystal projector.
If, for example, a metal halide lamp which is often used for a light source of a liquid crystal projector and in which halides of dysprosium, neodymium and cesium are encapsulated as the emission halides is used for the light source of an OHP or direct projector, the proportion of green color to which an individual reacts sensitively increases in the image projected onto the screen, and the component of blue decreases, resulting in the disadvantage that sufficient color reproducibility cannot be obtained.

Short arc type metal halide lamp with encapsulated rare earth metal halides to increase color reproducibility


In photomask making, the environmental sensitivity of a chemically amplified photoresist is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced, by overcoating the photoresist with a thin coating (topcoat) of a protective but transmissive material. To provide improved stability during the long time period required for direct writing of a photomask pattern, typically in the range of about 20 hours, the protective topcoat material is pH adjusted to be as neutral in pH as possible, depending on other process variable requirements. For example, a pH adjusted to be in the range from about 5 to about 8 is particularly helpful. Not only is the stability of the chemically amplified photoresist better during direct writing when the protective topcoat is pH adjusted, but a photoresist-coated substrate with pH adjusted topcoat over its surface can be stored longer prior to imaging without adverse consequences.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to a method of fabrication of photomasks, sometimes referred to as reticles. In particular, the photomasks are fabricated using a direct write process which employs exposure of a chemically amplified photoresist to laser-produced Deep Ultra Violet (DUV) radiation or to electron beam radiation.
2. Brief Description of the Background Art
Photoresist compositions are used in microlithographic processes for making miniaturized electronic components, such as in the fabrication of semiconductor device structures. The miniaturized electronic device structure patterns are typically created by transferring a pattern from a patterned masking layer overlying the semiconductor substrate rather than by direct write on the semiconductor substrate, because of the time economy which can be achieved by blanket processing through a patterned masking layer. With regard to semiconductor device processing, the patterned masking layer may be a patterned photoresist layer or may be a patterned "hard" masking layer (typically an inorganic material or a high temperature organic material) which resides on the surface of the semiconductor device structure to be patterned. The patterned masking layer is typically created using another mask which is frequently referred to as a photomask or reticle. A reticle is typically a thin layer of a metal-containing material (such as a chrome-containing, molybdenum-containing, or tungsten-containing material, for example) deposited on a glass or quartz plate. The reticle is patterned to contain a "hard copy" of the individual device structure pattern to be recreated on the masking layer overlying a semiconductor structure.
A reticle may be created by a number of different techniques, depending on the method of writing the pattern on the reticle. Due to the dimensional requirements of today's semiconductor structures, the writing method is generally with a laser or e-beam. A typical process for forming a reticle may include: providing a glass or quartz plate, depositing a chrome-containing layer on the glass or quartz surface, depositing an antireflective coating (ARC) over the chrome-containing layer, applying a photoresist layer over the ARC layer, direct writing on the photoresist layer to form a desired pattern, developing the pattern in the photoresist layer, etching the pattern into the chrome layer, and removing the residual photoresist layer. When the area of the photoresist layer contacted by the writing radiation becomes easier to remove during development, the photoresist is referred to as a positive-working photoresist. When the area of the photoresist layer contacted by the writing radiation becomes more difficult to remove during development, the photoresist is referred to as a negative-working photoresist. Advanced reticle manufacturing materials frequently include combinations of layers of materials selected from chromium, chromium oxide, chromium oxynitride, molybdenum, molybdenum silicide, and molybdenum tungsten silicide, for example.
As previously mentioned, the reticle or photomask is used to transfer a pattern to an underlying photoresist, where the reticle is exposed to blanket radiation which passes through open areas of the reticle onto the surface of the photoresist. The photoresist is then developed and used to transfer the pattern to an underlying semiconductor device structure. Due to present day pattern dimensional requirements, which are commonly less than 0.3 μm, the photoresist is typically a chemically amplified photoresist. In the making of the reticle itself, a chemically amplified DUV photoresist has been used in combination with a laser-produced DUV radiation or a direct write electron beam writing tool. An example of a continuous wave laser-produced DUV direct write tool is available under the trade name ALTA™ from ETEC Systems, Inc., Hillsboro, Oreg. An example of an electron beam direct writing tool is available under the trade name MEBES™ from ETEC Systems, Inc., Hayward, Calif.
Preparation of a photomask/reticle is a complicated process involving a number of interrelated steps which affect the critical dimensions of a pattern produced in the reticle, including the uniformity of the pattern critical dimensions across the surface area of the reticle. By changing various steps in the reticle manufacturing process, the reproducibility of the manufacturing process itself may be altered, including the processing window. Processing window refers to the amount process conditions can be varied without having a detrimental outcome on the product produced. The larger the processing window, the greater change permitted in processing conditions without a detrimental affect on the product. Thus, a larger process window is desirable, as this generally results in a higher yield of in specification product produced.
One processing variable which has significantly reduced the processing window for photomask fabrication is the shelf life of a reticle substrate with the photoresist applied over its surface. As previously mentioned, the photoresist used for pattern imaging of 0.3 μm or less feature sizes is typically a chemically amplified photoresist. The chemically amplified photoresist (CAR) is generally designed to produce an acid in the area irradiated by ultraviolet light, laser light, X rays or an electron beam. The irradiated area forms an image in the CAR which is subsequently developed into a pattern. The acid produced renders the irradiated portion of the CAR soluble in a basic developing solution. Many variations of chemically amplified resists are commercially available primarily for 257 nm, 248 nm, and 193 nm deep ultraviolet (DUV) light lithography application. Many of these CARs have been used in electron beam light lithography.
It is generally known that photoresists, and especially CAR, are sensitive to certain environmental contaminants, thus rendering their use for mask fabrication somewhat problematic, often requiring special handling. It has been found that CAR deteriorates in terms of lithographic performance as soon as one hour (or less) after its application over a substrate. To prevent this, applicants developed a protective coating for application over the CAR, as a means of extending the time a photomask substrate with CAR applied could be stored prior to exposure to the imaging/patterning radiation. However, subsequent to development of the protective coating, we discovered that reproducibility of patterning during the direct write imaging processing was not good. A direct write process for a photomask may take up to about 20 hours, and during the 20 hour time period, the photoresist was being affected in a manner so that the critical dimension of the patterned feature was becoming smaller as the direct writing on the photoresist progressed. The present invention solves the problem of how to maintain a uniform and reproducible pattern critical dimension in the CAR during the direct writing process for imaging a photomask.

Method of increasing the shelf life of a photomask substrate


The apparatus relates to a vibration absorber for mounting onto the outer circumference of a rotating shaft or axis having an inner part (3) of substantially resilient material for abutting against the outer circumference of the shaft or axis, and an outer part (2, 2′), which comprises at least two segments (2, 2a, 2b), that grips around the inner part and abuts it vibratingly, and serves as an inertial mass member. The segments (2, 2a, 2b) are configured at their two ends in the circumferential direction with connecting members (5a, 5b, 5a′, 5b′, 6a, 6b, 6a′, 6b′) formed integrally therewith for establishing a mutual latching connection.

A vibration absorber provided for a drive shaft in a motor vehicle is known, for example, from DE 196 38 290 A1. Since the latter is not segmented, the later assembly of the vibration absorber is complicated because the shaft has to be detached at least at its one end in order to put the vibration absorber over it. It was found in practice that, due to tolerances in the production of the vehicle or of its drive components, it is frequently necessary to retrofit vibration absorbers. There is a basic demand for simplifying this retrofitting by the shaft or axis not having to be disassembled.
A vibration absorber that can be retrofitted in this manner is known from DE 43 35 766 A1. It comprises an inner part including two half-shells, which rest on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft, and a deformable spring member. An outer part serving as an inertial mass member is disposed so as to grip around the spring member. It consists of two segments respectively connected, at their one end, in an articulated manner, and which are clamped at their other end by means of a separate closing member. What is disadvantageous in this structure on the one hand is the fact that the closing member is formed as a separate component. In order to fasten the closing member, recesses are required in the outer part, which cause imbalances and must be compensated for elaborately, at least at high rotational speeds. In addition, the clamp can become detached due to the high centrifugal forces and in particular in the case of fatigue in the clamp, which is based, inter alia, on the fact that the clamp can drop off in the radial direction. Moreover, due to the separate closing member, an additional part is required which has a negative effect on the storage and transport costs. Moreover, a plurality of parts renders assembly more difficult, because the outer part first has to be compressed, in order to attach the clamp in the next step while the outer part is compressed. This demands a lot of skill on the part of the fitter. On the other hand, the articulated connection is disadvantageous in that it disadvantageously provides for recesses in the ideally rotation-symmetrical outer part because of the provision of pivotability; the recesses must be compensated for elaborately in order to avoid imbalances. In addition, a certain amount of space is required for assembly in order to be able to attach the folded-open outer part on the shaft or axis vertically in relation to the axis of rotation. As a rule, the drive shafts of a motor vehicle lack this space.
A torsion bar bearing is known from DE 690 00 203 T2 in which a relatively rigid frame of two opposite half-shells has ribs of resilient material on each of the insides of the half-shells. The half-shells are configured at their two ends in the circumferential direction with connecting members formed integrally therewith, in order to establish a mutual latching connection.
In view of the above drawbacks of the prior art, it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved vibration absorber for clamping attachment to the outer circumference of a rotating shaft or axis, which enables an inexpensive, secure and simple attachment. This object is achieved with a vibration absorber as set forth in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are in each case the subject matter of the dependent claims.


Disclosed is a method for secured communication by a V2X communication device. A method for secured communication by a V2X communication device comprises the steps of: receiving a message on the basis of V2X communication; extracting adaptive certificate pre-distribution (ACPD) target information when the message includes the ACPD target information; pre-authenticating a short-term certificate; and transferring the pre-authenticated short-term certificate so that the pre-authenticated short-term certificate can be broadcasted at a predicted position.

In recent years, a vehicle has become the result of the industrial convergence technology in which an electric technology, an electronic technology, and a communication technology are mixed, rather than the result of mechanical engineering technology. For this reason, the vehicle is also called a smart car. The smart car will provide not only a traditional vehicular technology, such as traffic safety and solving a traffic congestion, but also various user-customized transport services in the future by connecting a driver, a vehicle, a transport infrastructure, etc, one another. Such connectivity may be implemented using a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology. A system that provides the connectivity of a vehicle may also be referred to as a connected vehicle system.

V2X communication device and secured communication method thereof


An impact tool includes: a spindle disposed in a housing; an anvil disposed in front of the spindle and rotatably supported by the housing through a metal bearing, a rear surface of the anvil having a bearing hole in which a front end of the spindle is received; an impact mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of the spindle to the anvil; an outer groove formed on an outer periphery of the anvil and opposed to the metal bearing; and a connecting opening radially extending in the anvil and connecting the bearing hole and the outer groove to provide a communication therebetween. The outer groove is formed to have a depth in the range of 3-10% of an outer diameter of the anvil, and the connecting opening opens at a rear end of the outer groove in an axial direction of the anvil.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an impact tool, such as an impact driver, which causes an anvil protruding from a front side of a housing to generate a rotary impact force.
2. Description of Related Art
As disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2003-231067, an impact tool such as an impact driver includes: a spindle disposed in a housing and configured to be rotated by a motor; an anvil disposed in front of the spindle and rotatably supported by the housing through a metal bearing in a manner coaxial with the spindle, a front end of the anvil having an insertion hole for attaching a bit and protruding from a front side of the housing; and an impact mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of the spindle as a rotary impact force to the anvil, and an action of the impact mechanism caused by a rotation of the spindle is transmitted to the anvil as a rotary impact force.
A bearing hole is formed at the rear end of the center axis of the anvil, and the front end of the spindle is rotatably supported in the bearing hole. Further, a connecting opening radially extends in the anvil and connects the bearing hole and the inner peripheral surface of a metal bearing to provide a communication therebetween. Grease in the bearing hole is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the metal bearing through the connecting opening so that lubrication is ensured between the anvil and the metal bearing.
However, the connecting opening is formed in such a position to correspond to a grease receiving groove that is circumferentially formed on the inner peripheral surface of the metal bearing and at a center of the metal bearing in the axial direction thereof. For this reason, the connecting opening is often formed in the anvil in a position ahead of the bearing hole and is connected at the front end of the bearing hole. Since the insertion hole for a bit is formed in the anvil at a region ahead of the connecting opening, the overall length of the anvil is determined based on a depth of the insertion hole at the region ahead of the connecting opening. In consideration of the fact that a necessary depth for the insertion hole has to be ensured for the anvil, the size of the anvil cannot be reduced.
In view of the above drawback of the prior art, the present invention seeks to provide an impact tool, which can reduce the overall length of the anvil while ensuring necessary lubrication between the anvil and the metal bearing.
The present invention has been made in an attempt to eliminate the above disadvantages, and illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above.


A method of assembling a wire harness circuit includes providing a plurality of module plates, attaching wire connection terminals to predetermined wires of a plurality of wire sub-harnesses, inserting one or more wire connection terminals into selected wire housing grooves on the module plates, laminating the module plates on each other so as to form a laminated body, and inserting at least one connection member into the laminated body through openings in the module plates to electrically connect selected wire connection terminals on respective module plates. A wire harness according to the invention includes a plurality of wire sub-harnesses, each wire sub-harness comprising a plurality of wires, a plurality of wire connection terminals engageable with preselected wires to establish an electrical connection, a plurality of module plates laminated on each other so as to form a laminated body, and at least one connection member insertable into the laminated body through openings in the module plates to electrically connect selected wire connection terminals on respective module plates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit configuration method. More specifically, the invention relates to a wire harness circuit configuration method which is capable of configuring a splice circuit or the like arbitrarily.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Related arts of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-80318 (1994) and No. 6-54214 (1994).
A symbol J in FIG. 1 shows an electric connection box. This electric connection box J is schematically composed of a cover main body 1, sub-wire harnesses SW1, SW2 and SW3, a rear cover 2, a rear cover 3 and a rear cover 4. The cover main body 1 is made of synthetic resin having an insulating characteristic. The sub-wire harnesses SW1, SW2 and SW3 are sorted per load system and are made of a plurality of electric wires W. The rear cover 2 is connected to the sub-wire harness SW1. The rear cover 3 is connected to the sub-wire harness SW2. The rear cover 4 is connected to the sub-wire harness SW3. The rear covers 2, 3 and 4 are fixed to the cover main body 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, relay cavities 5, fuse cavities 6, female connector cavities 7 and fusible link cavities 8, for example, are formed suitably in positions of an outer face of the cover main body 1 corresponding to the rear covers 2, 3 and 4.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main section of the electric connection box J viewed from the rear side. As shown in FIG. 2, bus bars 10 and 11 which are bent into L shape intervene between the cover main body 1 and the rear cover 2 and between the cover main body 1 and the rear cover 3. The bus bars 10 and 11 compose an internal circuit of the sub-wire harnesses SW1 and SW2 in the electric connection box J. Supporting walls 14 and 15 having bus bar sandwiching grooves 12 and 13 are arranged in a standing condition on an inner face of a ceiling wall 1a of the cover main body 1. A plurality of terminal housing chambers 17 corresponding to various relay terminals 16 are protruded at end and middle portions of the supporting walls 14 and 15. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a state that the sub-wire harnesses SW1 and SW2 are connected to the main section of the electric connection box J. In this case, when the sub-wire harness SW2 is lead, end portions of electric wires 9 hang or terminals of the end portions are damaged.
However, as shown in FIG. 1, in the first prior art, the rear covers 2, 3 and 4, to which the sub-wire harnesses SW1, SW2 and SW3 are connected respectively, are attached to the cover main body 1. Due to this structure, in the case where the circuit configuration becomes complicated, when a number of rear covers increases, a plane area (projection area) of the cover main body 1 increases. As a result, there arises a problem that the electric connection box J is enlarged. Particularly in the electric connection box to be mounted to an automobile, an installation space is limited, the enlargement of the electric connection box becomes a problem.
In addition, in this electric connection box J, the bus bars 10 and 11 which intervene between the cover main body 1 and the rear covers 2, 3 and 4 configure a circuit practically. For this reason, in the case where connection sections are added due to a change in the arrangement of the relay cavities 5, the fuse cavities 6 and the female connector cavities 7 and the fusible link cavities 8 provided to the cover main body 1 and due to a modification of the circuit, a pattern of the bus bars is changed or becomes complicated. For this reason, in the electric connection box to be attached to an automobile, in the case where the type and standard of cars are different, it is necessary to prepare bus bars having peculiar patterns. This prior art is the electric connection box J which has the bus bars 10 and 11 as circuit components, but the circuit is occasionally configured by electric wire wiring. In this case, different wiring connection works are required for respective types of the electric connection boxes.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the electric connection box J which is a power supply section has a plurality of circuit sections, a lot of electric wires Ware centered, and an assembly characteristic to an automobile is deteriorated.
The present invention has been achieved with such points in mind.
It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a wire harness circuit configuration method and a wire harness which are capable of eliminating incomplete-connection of electric wires, simplifying and miniaturizing a structure of an electric connection box to be connected, forming a space-saving branch wiring section and improving versatility of wire harnesses so that the wire harnesses can be used between systems where types and standards of cars are different.
A first aspect of the invention provides a wire harness circuit configuration method including the steps of: laminating a plurality of sub-wire harnesses whose one end is connected to a connector on a load side and the other end is connected to branch wiring of an electric connection box; layering a plurality of electric wire groups which belong to an electric wire aggregate; and short-circuiting predetermined electric wires between the respective layers by means of connection members, thereby a desired circuit is configured.
Therefore, in the invention from the first aspect, the electric wire groups, which are composed of the predetermined electric wire(s) in the electric wire aggregate, are layered, and the predetermined electric wires on the different layers are short-circuited with each other by the connection members so that a desired circuit can be configured. For this reason, the layered electric wire groups and the connection members can form one portion of the circuit configuration in the electric connection box, and the structure of the electric connection box can be simplified. Therefore, in the present invention, the same parts can be used between power supply systems where the type and standard of cars are different, for example. As a result, the wire harness can be standardized or can be versatile, and the circuit configuration of the electric connection box can be simplified.
A second aspect of the invention depending from the first aspect provides the wire harness circuit configuration method further including the steps of: connecting electric wire connection terminals to the predetermined electric wires composing the electric wire groups on the respective layers; arranging the electric wire connection terminals connected to the electric wires belonging to each of the electric wire group so that the terminals are separated from each other on each of module plates; laminating a plurality of module plates on each other so as to form a laminated body; and putting the connection members through the laminated body so as to connect the predetermined electric wire connection terminals on the respective module plates with each other.
In the invention from the second aspect, the predetermined electric wire groups are arranged on the plural module plates so that the plural electric wire groups composing the electric wire aggregate can be layered. The module plates are laminated so that the predetermined electric wires can be arranged in an up-and-down direction. The electric wire connection terminals, to which the electric wires arranged in the up-and-down direction are connected in such a manner, can be connected to each other by putting the connection members through predetermined positions of the laminated body.
A third aspect of the invention depending from the first or the second aspect provides the wire harness circuit configuration method further including the steps of: housing the laminated body of the module plates and the connection members which are put through the laminated body in a housing: and forming a branch connector section for allowing end portions of the connection members to function as connector terminals in the housing.
In the invention having such a structure, the laminated body is housed in the housing so as to be capable of being held there. Moreover, the branch connector section is formed in the housing, and the branch connector allows the end portions of the connection members to function as the connector terminals. For this reason, branch wiring can be obtained even in a position separated from the electric connection box. For this reason, a plurality of branch wirings can be efficiently obtained from an middle portion of the wire harness arranged in the vicinity of a load arranged in a position separated from an interior light and sunroof system and a load system in the vicinity of an instrument panel.
In addition, a fourth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the first aspect to the third aspect provides the wire harness circuit configuration method that the electric wire connection terminals are connected to the end or middle portions of the predetermined electric wires.
Therefore, when the middle portions of the electrical wires are connected to the electric wire connection terminals, the circuit can be configured or the branch wiring can be made in a position separated from the electric wire connection box without cutting halfway portions of the electric wires. Therefore, waste of electric wires can be prevented.
A fifth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the first aspect to the fourth aspect provides the wire harness circuit configuration method that the laminated body and the connection members form one portion of a branch circuit in the electric wire connection box.
In the invention having such a structure, the layered plural electric wire groups and the connection members form one portion of the branch circuit in the electric connection box so that a number of branch wirings to be connected with the electric connection box can be reduced. For this reason, the wiring operation can be performed quickly and securely, and the cost of the wiring operation can be reduced. Particularly, since bus bars having peculiar pattern according to the type and standard of cars should not prepared in the electric connection box, the cost can be reduced.
A sixth aspect of the invention provides a wire harness, comprising: a plural bunches of sub-harnesses composed of a plurality of electric wires, each of the sub-harnesses having an electric wire aggregate, one end of each of the sub-harnesses being connected to a load side and the other side of each of the sub-harnesses being connected to a branch circuit on a power supply side, wherein module members of circuit configuration connection means, which can form an arbitrary circuit by connecting the means to at least one of predetermined electric wires in the electric wire aggregate of another sub-harness or a branch circuit, are connected to the other sides of the predetermined electric wires to be connected to the branch circuit together with predetermined electric wires in the electric wire aggregate of another sub-harness in the plural electric wires of the sub-harnesses.
In this wire harness, since the other sides of the predetermined electric wires of the sub-harness are connected to the module members, these sides of the predetermined electric wires can be collected. As a result, the predetermined electric wires can be in a so-called completed state. As a result, the electric wires can be prevented from hanging, and the terminals of the end portions of the electric wires can be prevented from being damaged.
Further, in this wire harness, the circuit configuration connection means is connected to the other sides of the electric wires of the sub-harness so as to be connected to predetermined electric wires of another sub-harness or the branch circuit. As a result, the plural electric wires can be short-circuited with each other. Therefore, one portion of the circuit configuration in the electric connection box can be configured directly. As a result, the structure of the electric connection box can be simplified, and the same parts can be used between power supply systems where the type and standard of cars are different for example. As a result, the wire harness can be standardized and be versatile. Therefore, the cost of the wire harness can be reduced.
A seventh aspect of the invention depending from the sixth aspect provides the wire harness that the circuit configuration connection means has a laminated body which is formed by laminating the module members in which the other sides of the predetermined electric wires of the plural electric wires in the electric wire aggregate of the sub-harnesses are independently arranged and housed, and connection members which are attached to the laminated body and connect the arbitrary electric wires arranged on the module members to each other.
According to this wire harness, in addition to the function of the invention depending from the first aspect, when the electric wires on the module members composing the laminated body are connected with each other by the connection members, the branch circuit or a predetermined circuit can be formed arbitrarily. Moreover, when the connection members are connected to a branch connection section, a suitable power can be fed from the branch connection section to a load system, for example.
An eighth aspect of the invention depending from the sixth or seventh aspect provides the wire harness that the module members includes: a plate main body; electric wire housing grooves which are provided on one side face of the plate main body and into which the terminals of the predetermined electric wires of the sub-harnesses are housed; and electric wire connection terminals which are arranged in the electric wire housing grooves and to which terminals or intermediate portions of the predetermined electric wires of the sub-harnesses are connected.
In the invention from the eighth aspect, the terminals or the intermediate portions may be connected to the electric wire connection terminals. In this invention, when the intermediate portions of the electric wires are connected to the electric wire connection terminals, the electric connection box and the circuit configuration connection means can be arranged in positions separated from each other without cutting halfway portions of the electric wires. As a result, the electric connection box and the circuit configuration connection means can be arranged in suitably separated positions. For this reason, the circuit configuration connection means can be easily arranged in a position where the attaching operation to an automobile is easy, and the operability can be improved.
A ninth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the eighth aspect provides the wire harness that: the connection members have a length across the predetermined module members and are composed of connection bars having conductivity; the electric wire connection terminals respectively have engagement connection sections which can contact with the connection members; and through holes into which the connection members are inserted are formed on the plate main body correspondingly to the positions where the engagement connection sections are arranged.
In the invention from the ninth aspect, in addition to the function of the invention from the third aspect, the connection members composed of connection bars are inserted into the arbitrary through holes of the plate main body composing the module members, and the connection members can be electrically connected to the engagement connection sections on the arbitrary electric connection tools to which the predetermined electric wires are connected. As a result, when the electric wires are selected, the positions of the electric wire connection terminals are determined and the electric wires which are short-circuited with each other by the connection members are set, an arbitrary circuit can be configured and the wiring branch can be made simply and securely.
A tenth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the ninth aspect provides the wire harness that the electric wire connection terminals have a pair of press-fitting blades, and when the electric wires are press-fitted into the press-fitting blades, the press-fitting blades cut into the covered sections of the electric wires so as to contact with conductor sections.
In the above invention, when the electric wires are press-fitted between the press-fitting blades, the press fitting blades easily cut into the covered sections of the electric wires so that the conductor sections are connected to the electric wire connection terminals. For this reason, in the present invention, the electric wires can be easily attached to the modules where the electric wire connection terminals are arranged, and the operability can be improved.
An eleventh aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect provides the wire harness that the circuit configuration connection means has a housing for housing the laminated body, and the branch connection sections are formed on the housing.
In the above invention, the laminated body which is constituted by laminating the modules is held in the housing. In this invention, since the branch connection sections are formed in the housing, the branch connection sections are connected to the load system so that the convenience is improved.
A twelfth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the eleventh aspect provides the wire harness that the circuit configuration connection means is provided integrally with the electric connection box.
In the above invention, the circuit configuration connection means is provided integrally with the electric connection box so that a cover which is peculiar to the circuit configuration connection means can be omitted. Moreover, since one portion of the configured circuit in the electric connection box can be formed by the circuit configuration connection means partly, the structure of the electric connection box can be simplified. Particularly in this invention, it is convenient to the case where a plurality of load systems are arranged in the vicinity of the electric connection box.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the twelfth aspect provides the wire harness that the circuit configuration means is provided separately from the electric connection box.
In the above invention, since the electric connection box and the circuit configuration connection means are provided separately, the electric connection box can be miniaturized, and an installation space for the electric connection box can be reduced. Moreover, the branch wiring of the electric connection box is lengthened, and the circuit configuration connection means is separated from the electric connection box. As a result, the circuit configuration connection means, which bear one portion of the configured structure in the electric connection box is allotted, can be arranged in the vicinity of the load system, or the circuit configuration connection means can be connected directly to the load system. Therefore, hanging of the electric wires can be suppressed.
A fourteenth aspect of the invention depending from one aspect among the sixth aspect to the thirteenth aspect provides the wire harness that the circuit configuration connection means can form one portion of the branch circuit in the electric connection box.
In the above invention, the circuit configuration connection means form one portion of the branch circuit in the electric connection box so that a number of the branch wirings for connecting the electric connection box to the circuit configuration connection means can be reduced. As a result, The wiring work can be executed quickly and securely, and the cost for the wiring work can be reduced.

Wire harness circuit configuration method and wire harness


The present invention is directed to certain piperidines, pyrrolidines, and hexahydro-1H-azepines of the general structural formula: ##STR1## wherein B is selected from: ##STR2## and R.sup.1, R.sup.1a, R.sup.2a, R.sup.3a, R.sup.3b, R.sup.4, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.4c, R.sup.5, D, X, Y, n, x and y are as defined herein. These compounds promote the release of growth hormone in humans and animals. This property can be utilized to promote the growth of food animals to render the production of edible meat products more efficient, and in humans, to treat physiological or medical conditions characterized by a deficiency in growth hormone secretion, such as short stature in growth hormone deficient children, and to treat medical conditions which are improved by the anabolic effects of growth hormone. Growth hormone releasing compositions containing such compounds as the active ingredient thereof are also disclosed.

Growth hormone, which is secreted from the pituitary, stimulates growth of all tissues of the body that are capable of growing. In addition, growth hormone is known to have the following basic effects on the metabolic processes of the body: (1) Increased rate of protein synthesis in all cells of the body; (2) Decreased rate of carbohydrate utilization in cells of the body; (3) Increased mobilization of free fatty acids and use of fatty acids for energy. A deficiency in growth hormone secretion can result in various medical disorders, such as dwarfism.
Various ways are known to release growth hormone. For example, chemicals such as arginine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), glucagon, vasopressin, and insulin induced hypoglycemia, as well as activities such as sleep and exercise, indirectly cause growth hormone to be released from the pituitary by acting in some fashion on the hypothalamus perhaps either to decrease somatostatin secretion or to increase the secretion of the known secretagogue growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) or an unknown endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone or all of these.
In cases where increased levels of growth hormone were desired, the problem was generally solved by providing exogenous growth hormone or by administering GRF or a peptidal compound which stimulated growth hormone production and/or release. In either case the peptidyl nature of the compound necessitated that it be administered by injection. Initially the source of growth hormone was the extraction of the pituitary glands of cadavers. This resulted in a very expensive product and carried with it the risk that a disease associated with the source of the pituitary gland could be transmitted to the recipient of the growth hormone. Recombinant growth hormone has become available which, while no longer carrying any risk of disease transmission, is still a very expensive product which must be given by injection or by a nasal spray. Other compounds have been developed which stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormone such as analogous peptidyl compounds related to GRF or the peptides of U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,890. These peptides, while considerably smaller than growth hormones are still susceptible to various proteases. As with most peptides, their potential for oral bioavailability is low. Non peptidal growth hormone secretagogues are disclosed in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,206,235, 5,283,241, 5,284,841, 5,310,737, 5,317,017, 5,374,721, 5,430,144, 5,434,261, 5,438,136, 5,494,919, 5,494,920, 5,492,916 and 5,536,716. Other growth hormone secretagogues are disclosed e.g., in PCT Patent Publications WO 94/13696, WO 94/19367, WO 95/03289, WO 95/03290, WO 95/09633, WO 95/11029, WO 95/12598, WO 95/13069, WO 95/14666, WO 95/16675, WO 95/16692, WO 95/17422, WO 95/17423, WO 95/34311, and WO 96/02530. The instant compounds are low molecular weight peptide analogs for promoting the release of growth hormone which have good stability in a variety of physiological environments and which may be administered parenterally, nasally or by the oral route.

Piperidines promote release of growth hormone


A control device of a vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, and a first clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and a second clutch configured to achieve a mechanically directly-coupled state of a power transmission path between the engine/the electric motor and drive wheels, the control device of a vehicle increasing a torque of the electric motor and causing the second clutch to slip-engage when the engine is started by controlling the first clutch toward engagement during motor running using only the electric motor as a drive force source for running with the first clutch released and the second clutch engaged, when the torque of the electric motor increased at the start of the engine relative to the torque of the electric motor during the motor running is larger, a slip amount of the second clutch being made larger as compared to when the torque is smaller.

A vehicle is well-known that includes an engine, an electric motor, and a clutch (also referred to as a direct clutch) capable of achieving a mechanically directly-coupled state of a power transmission path between the engine/the electric motor and drive wheels. It is proposed that if a pull-in (drop) of drive torque occurs in such a vehicle when the engine is started during motor running using only the electric motor as a drive force source for running, torque of the electric motor is increased to suppress an engine start shock due to the pull-in. For example, this corresponds to a vehicle described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that, in a control device of a vehicle including an engine, an electric motor, and a torque converter with a lockup clutch disposed between the engine and drive wheels, when the torque of the electric motor is increased at the engine start from the motor running, the lockup clutch is slip-engaged depending on a margin torque, i.e., a difference between the maximum torque that can be output by the electric motor and a generated torque of the electric motor during the motor running, so as to more advantageously alleviate the engine start shock. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses that, if the torque of the electric motor is increased at the engine start from the motor running, a slip amount of the lockup clutch is made smaller when the margin torque of the electric motor (i.e., an available torque increase amount) is larger. In particular, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the margin torque of the electric motor is relatively larger, the pull-in at the engine start can sufficiently be compensated by the electric motor and, therefore, the slip amount of the lockup clutch is made smaller and, when the margin torque is relatively smaller, the slip amount of the lockup clutch is made larger to alleviate the engine start shock.


The present disclosure relates to a zipper fastener including: an upper plate; a lower plate disposed to correspond to the upper plate; a head disposed in a predetermined region of an upper surface of the upper plate; and a pull body configured to be fastened to the head. The head includes a body portion and a flange portion extending to one side end of the body portion. The pull body includes a main body portion. The main body portion includes a main body portion lower surface disposed at a lower portion of the main body portion, a main body portion first side surface disposed at a first side of the main body portion, and a main body portion second side surface disposed at a second side of the main body portion and disposed to face the main body portion first side surface.

Generally, zippers have been used by being formed at openings of clothes in order to facilitate putting on and taking off of clothes such as dresses, jumpers, and trousers.
A zipper includes a pair of support tapes formed at both sides of an opening.
A pair of chains arranged to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction are respectively formed at the support tapes. A zipper fastener is used in order to couple or separate the pair of chains, which are respectively formed at the support tapes, to or from each other.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are views for describing use states of a conventional zipper fastener.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper plate 1, a lower plate 2, and a guide post 3 are integrally formed in a conventional zipper fastener 10.
Also, a head 4 configured to be coupled to a pull tab 5 is formed at an upper portion of the upper plate 1. A deviation preventing flange 8 is formed downward at both sides of the upper plate 1. A chain accommodation 7 is formed between each deviation preventing flange 8 and the guide post 3.
A support tape accommodation 6 is formed between each deviation preventing flange 8 and the lower plate 2.
In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the zipper fastener 10 holds support tapes T using the support tape accommodations 6, chains C respectively formed at the support tapes T are inserted into the chain accommodations 7 formed in the zipper fastener 10.
The chains C inserted into the chain accommodations 7 are prevented from deviating to both sides by the deviation preventing flanges 8 formed at both sides of the upper plate 1.
When the zipper fastener 10 holding the support tapes T moves in a fixing direction, the chains C are coupled to each other such that a zipper G is closed. When the zipper fastener 10 moves in the opposite direction, the chains C are separated from each other such that the zipper G is opened.
Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in order to prevent a case where the zipper fastener 10 holding the support tapes T that is formed at a piece of clothing (not illustrated) continuously moves in the fixing direction or the opposite direction such that the support tapes T deviate from the support tape accommodations 6, stopping member 9 are formed at upper and lower portions of each support tape T.
In this way, in producing a piece of clothing, the support tapes T formed at an opening are held in the zipper fastener 10, and then the upper and lower portions of each support tape are finished with the stopping member. The conventional zipper fastener 10 in which the upper plate 1, the lower plate 2, and the guide post 3 are integrally formed is used as a pair with the zipper G in which the upper and lower portions of each support tape T are finished.
Meanwhile, regarding the zipper fastener used in the process of putting on or taking off a piece of clothing, a user continuously moves the zipper fastener in the fixing direction or the opposite direction using the pull tab 5 while gripping the pull tab 5 with his or her fingers such that the chains C are coupled to or separated from each other.
In this case, since the pull tab 5 is used while being fastened to the head 4 in the conventional zipper fastener, the pull tab 5 has a structure that is not separable from the head 4.
Therefore, the pull tab 5 is only used as a means for moving the zipper fastener.
Meanwhile, the pull tab 5 may be configured in various forms. If the pull tab 5 is separable from the head 4, the pull tab 5 would be replaceable, and thus, pull tabs of various forms would be applicable to the zipper fastener according to the user's moods. However, at this time, such a zipper fastener in which a pull tab is replaceable has not been developed at all.


Medical devices, such as stents, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an alloy having tantalum, tungsten, zirconium and niobium. For example, the alloy can include from about 20% to about 40% by weight of tantalum, from about 0.5% to about 9% by weight of tungsten, and from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of zirconium.

The body includes various passageways such as arteries, other blood vessels, and other body lumens. These passageways sometimes become occluded or weakened. For example, the passageways can be occluded by a tumor, restricted by plaque, or weakened by an aneurysm. When this occurs, the passageway can be reopened or reinforced, or even replaced, with a medical endoprosthesis. An endoprosthesis is typically a tubular member that is placed in a lumen in the body. Examples of endoprostheses include stents, stent-grafts, and covered stents.
An endoprosthesis can be delivered inside the body by a catheter that supports the endoprosthesis in a compacted or reduced-size form as the endoprosthesis is transported to a desired site. Upon reaching the site, the endoprosthesis is expanded, for example, so that it can contact the walls of the lumen.
When the endoprosthesis is advanced through the body, its progress can be monitored, e.g., tracked, so that the endoprosthesis can be delivered properly to a target site. After the endoprosthesis is delivered to the target site, the endoprosthesis can be monitored to determine whether it has been placed properly and/or is functioning properly. Methods of tracking and monitoring a medical device include X-ray fluoroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Medical devices and methods of making the same


A method for producing molded hose branches of rubber and a molded hose branch produced according to the method, includes slipping completely vulcanized rubber hose lengths with ends onto free ends of a plastic tubing branching piece for forming an assembly, placing the assembly into a mold, and injection molding a thermoplastic rubber material in the form of a blended mixture of polypropylene and EPDM around the assembly for joining the thermoplastic material to the rubber hose lengths for forming a sleeve around the rubber hose lengths and free parts of the tubing branching piece between the ends of the rubber hose lengths.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing molded hose branches from rubber, especially motor vehicle radiator or coolant hoses, in which fully vulcanized lengths of hose are slipped onto the free ends of a plastic tubing branching piece and are secured in a fluid-tight manner, as well as a molded hose branch produced according to the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A method of this kind is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Application DE-OS 32 39 623. According to that method, suitable lengths of hose are slipped onto a plastic or metal tubing branching piece which has flared free edge surfaces, with the introduction of a vulcanizable adhesive compound, and are completely vulcanized. As a result, even although a firm coupling is produced and in particular free manipulability of the location of the branch is attained, because of the repetitive stresses arising with radiator hoses especially due to fluctuating pressure in the interior of the hoses, there is the danger that the hoses, will come loose from the tubing branching piece, since there is no external clamping force that prevents the hoses from stretching open.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method for producing molded hose branches from rubber and a hose produced by the method, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and products of this general type and which reliably intercept such repetitive forces so as to reliably avoid stretching open of the hoses in the vicinity of the coupling location and a gradual loosening from the tubing branching piece.

Method for producing molded hose branches from rubber and a hose produced by the method


A method and apparatus for printing ceramic or glass flat substrate, wherein a fusible powder is applied to an image forming medium in order to form an image thereon which is transferred to an intermediate medium, and the powder image formed on the intermediate medium is brought into contact with the substrate in a contact zone, the ceramic or glass substrate being heated in a pre-heating device before the contact zone to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., and wherein the intermediate medium in the contact zone is heated to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for decorating ceramic and glass flat plates and to a toner powder use in such a system. Flat plates or substrates of this kind are processed in an apparatus in which the substrates are moved from one processing station to another and are provided with a print in each of the processing stations. In conventional processing stations for decorating ceramic and glass substrates, use is made, for example, of a screen printing apparatus. For this purpose, a screen has to be made for each series of substrates in order to print the same. In the case of multi-color printing, more of these screens are required.
Making the required screens in this way is extremely complicated and expensive and obstructs rapid change of substrates with different prints. The processing machines have to be stopped for each new image in order to replace the screens and re-start the process.
The decoration of ceramic and glass substrates can also be carried out in accordance with EPT 0 647 885, wherein an electrophotographic method is used to make an intermediate original, e.g. a paper substrate covered with gum Arabic, the intermediate original subsequently being brought into contact with the substrate. The toner image applied to the intermediate original is then transferred to the ceramic or glass substrate in a manner similar to the decalcomania process. The transferred image is then fired into the substrate at high temperature. This method requires considerable manual labor and is time-consuming. The object of the present invention is to drastically reduce the above disadvantages.
To this end, according to the present invention, use is made of a method and apparatus for printing ceramic or glass substrates, wherein a fusible powder is applied to an image forming medium in order to form an image and transferred to an intermediate medium, the powder image on the intermediate medium being brought into contact with the ceramic or glass substrate in a contact zone, the substrate being heated in a preheating device before the contact zone to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., e.g. 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. and wherein the intermediate medium in the contact zone is heated to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C., e.g. 100.degree. to 140.degree. C. As a result, different images can be applied to the image forming medium in rapid succession and these images can be transferred to the ceramic or glass substrates without stopping the processing machine, thus increasing the machine productivity and providing bonding between the transferred images and the substrates. High quality mechanically resistant decorations are obtained if the image is fired in the ceramic or glass substrate.

Method and apparatus for decorating ceramic and glass substrates and the toner powder used in such a system


This invention is a scooter manufactured in combination with a water cannon or a scooter accessory comprising: a scooter having a platform, standard, and handle; a fluid reservoir carried by said scooter in fluid communications with an actuator; a nozzle in fluid communications with said reservoir and carried by said handle so that fluid contained in said reservoir is forced through said nozzle when said actuator is activated. The nozzle can rotate without moving the handle and the actuator can be activated by the rider's hand or foot and be manual or motorized.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an amusement device that squirts water from a personal mobility device platform such as a scooter or skateboard.
2. Description of Related Art
Water guns and bubble makers have been around for decades and now include manual pump type water guns, electric water guns, back mounted water guns, and the popular "Super Soaker". Examples of water guns and their variations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,214,674; 4,591,071; 4,743,030; 4,854,480; and 5,074,437. Examples of bubble makers and their variations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,295,248; 3,861,076; 4,775,348; 6,200,184; 6,450,851 and 6,953,376.
Scooters also have been around for decades with some of the first patents directed to scooters beginning in the early 1900's. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,395,4978 is directed to a platform having a plurality of wheels that can be ridden by an individual. U.S. Pat. No. 1,516,105 is directed to a platform having an upright handle with three wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 1,832,018 is directed to a motorized scooter including an upright handle bar, riding platform, and steering bar. U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,832 is directed to a motor scooter having a foldable handle and a friction drive system.
When riding a scooter and using a water gun, there are challenges, specifically, one hand is needed for the water gun and the other for driving the scooter. Obviously, there are safety issues concerning occupying one hand and the other hand being dedicated to holding and manipulating the water gun.
It would be advantageous to provide for the ability to squirt water while riding a platform without requiring the elimination of one hand from the driving process of the scooter.
Further, it would be advantageous to provide for a system that can squirt water without requiring the hands of the rider to be removed from the scooter nor require the handle of the scooter to be rotated to change the direction of the water.
It would be advantageous to provide for the ability to produce bubbles either automatically or electrically while riding a skateboard, scooter or other personal mobility device without requiring the rider to use his/her hands to turn on or off the bubble maker while riding the skateboard.
It would be advantageous to provide for the ability to produce bubbles either automatically or electrically while riding a skateboard, scooter or other personal mobility device having a fluid reservoir integrated into the platform of the mobility device.

Fluid delivery system for personal mobility devices


An automatic gain control circuit in the feedback path for a laser wavelength control circuit is described herein. This gain control circuit automatically adjusts the amplification of the analog signals output from a photodetector array, where the array detects a fringe pattern created by a laser beam. Another feature of the preferred embodiment feedback circuit is the automatic setting of a DC offset voltage that compensates for errors in the feedback path and enables an accurate determination of a dark level signal in the fringe pattern signal. This dark level signal provides a reference for measuring the magnitude of the fringe pattern signal. Varying photodetector outputs may now be more accurately measured. The preferred embodiment feedback circuit also employs a very fast amplifier anti-saturation circuit using LED's connected in a clamp circuit.

Lasers are used for many applications. In one example, lasers are used in steppers for selectively exposing photoresist in a semiconductor wafer fabrication process. In such fabrication processes, the optics in the stepper are designed for a particular wavelength of the laser. The laser wavelength may drift over time and, thus, some means is typically employed to detect the wavelength of the laser and correct the wavelength as necessary.
In one type of feedback network used to detect and adjust the wavelength of a laser, an etalon receives a portion of the emitted light from the laser. The etalon creates an interference pattern having concentric bands of dark and light levels due to destructive and constructive interference by the laser light. The concentric bands surround a center bright portion. The position of the bright center portion of the interference pattern is used to determine wavelength to a relatively coarse degree, such as to within 5 picometers (pm). The diameter of a light band is used to determine the wavelength of the laser to a fine degree, such as to within 0.01-0.03 pm. The width of a light band is used to determine the spectral width of the laser output. The interference pattern is usually referred to as a fringe pattern.
In order to measure the light levels in the fringe pattern, the fringe pattern must be optically detected by a sensitive photodetector array and the resulting signal amplified. This signal usually contains errors due to manufacturing and temperature related variances in the components forming the feedback system. The amplified signal is then applied to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. Since the analog signals applied to the A/D converter have a relatively large dynamic range, the A/D converter must also have a large range, such as at least 12 bits of quantization, in order to adequately resolve small signals as well as large signals. Such a wide-range A/D converter and the processing circuits required to process this wide range are relatively expensive.
What is needed is a technique to lower the cost of the feedback path in such a laser control system without losing accuracy in the measurement of the wavelength.

Control circuit with automatic DC offset


A lifeguard observation station having a support structure, a platform member and stairs. The platform member is supported by the support structure and is elevated from ground level. The platform member has a first side, with at least a portion of the first side of the platform member being configured to be positioned proximate to or in-line with an edge of a pool or body of water. The stairs extend between the ground level and the platform member. The support structure is offset from the stairs. The lifeguard observation station provides a lifeguard unimpaired line-of-sight to swimmers or bathers in the pool or body of water whether when the lifeguard is positioned on the platform member or on the stairs.

Lifeguard chairs are used at pools and beaches to allow a lifeguard to sit and observe individuals swimming or recreating in or near the water. Generally, a lifeguard chair includes a raised platform with a seat attached thereto. The seat allows the user to be positioned approximately 4 to 10 feet above the ground. A ladder may be used as part of the chair to allow the lifeguard to access the seat.
In some uses, the lifeguard chair is permanently affixed to the ground. For smaller pools and other environments, however, the lifeguard chair is portable. A frame of the lifeguard chair supports the chair and generally has a sufficiently wide base to provide support on the pool deck or other surface.
In general, lifeguard chairs are configured to provide a chair at the top of a ladder or stairs. Such configurations allow for little or no ability for the lifeguard to stand or move relative to the chair, thereby limiting the ability of the lifeguard to properly observe the individual swimmers in all locations of the pool or body of water. In addition, the positioning of the chair is often set back from the edge of the pool or body of water, as room is required for the stairs. Consequently, as the chair and the lifeguard are removed from the edge of the pool or body of water, the lifeguard's line of site is not optimized, leaving areas of the pool or body of water not visible to the lifeguard.
Another problem with many lifeguard chairs is that they can tip over in high winds. A falling chair can be dangerous for a lifeguard using the chair or for individuals around the chair if no lifeguard is in the chair when the chair falls over. In addition, the chair may be damaged if it tips over in the wind.
It would be beneficial to provide a lifeguard observation station which can be positioned at the edge of the pool or body of water and which provides the lifeguard with maximum visibility of swimmers or bathers when positioned on the platform. It would also be beneficial to provide the lifeguard with maximum visibility of swimmers or bathers when the lifeguard is exiting the platform, thereby allowing the lifeguard to maintain a line-of-sight to any swimmer or bather in distress. It would also be beneficial to provide a lifeguard observation station which is portable and stable.


A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes: a pigment; water; 1,2-alkanediol; and a surfactant represented by the following general formula (1): R1CON(CH3)CH2CH2R2, wherein in the general formula (1), R1 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 9 to 19 carbon atoms; the hydrocarbon group is straight chain or branched chain hydrocarbon group; R2 is SO3M or COOM; and M is Li, Na or K.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water-based ink for ink-jet recording, an ink cartridge and an ink-jet recording apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
There is proposed a water-based ink for ink-jet recording using a pigment (hereinafter referred to as a "water-based pigment ink" in some cases) wherein a predetermined amount of 1,2-alkanediol is added so as to realize a stable discharge (see Japanese Patent No. 4764562 corresponding to United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0139124 and 2003/0097960 and Japanese Patent No. 4764563 corresponding to United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0139124, 2003/0097960 and 2007/0282033).
However, when the 1,2-alkanediol is added to the water-based pigment ink, the re-dispersion property is lowered. In view of this, it is considered to add a surfactant to the water-based pigment ink so as to improve the re-dispersion property. Depending on the kind of surfactant, however, there is such a problem that the chromaticness of a recorded matter is lowered.
An object of the present teaching is to provide a water-based ink for ink-jet recording which uses a pigment and which is capable of improving the re-dispersion property without lowering the chromaticness of the recorded matter.

Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge and ink-jet recording apparatus