Novel compounds of the general formula (I), the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of treatment employing these compounds and compositions. The present compounds may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions mediated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), in particular the PPARδ suptype.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death in Type 2 diabetic and metabolic syndrome patients (i.e. patients that fall within the 'deadly quartet' category of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia and/or obesity).
The hypolipidaemic fibrates and antidiabetic thiazolidinediones separately display moderately effective triglyceride-lowering activities although they are neither potent nor efficacious enough to be a single therapy of choice for the dyslipidaemia often observed in Type 2 diabetic or metabolic syndrome patients. The thiazolidinediones also potently lower circulating glucose levels of Type 2 diabetic animal models and humans. However, the fibrate class of compounds are without beneficial effects on glycaemia. Studies on the molecular actions of these compounds indicate that thiazolidinediones and fibrates exert their action by activating distinct transcription factors of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) family, resulting in increased and decreased expression of specific enzymes and apolipoproteins respectively, both key-players in regulation of plasma triglyceride content. Fibrates, on the one hand, are PPARα activators, acting primarily in the liver. Thiazolidinediones, on the other hand, are high affinity ligands for PPARγ acting primarily on adipose tissue.
Adipose tissue plays a central role in lipid homeostasis and the maintenance of energy balance in vertebrates. Adipocytes store energy in the form of triglycerides during periods of nutritional affluence and release it in the form of free fatty acids at times of nutritional deprivation. The development of white adipose tissue is the result of a continuous differentiation process throughout life. Much evidence points to the central role of PPARγ activation in initiating and regulating this cell differentiation. Several highly specialised proteins are induced during adipocyte differentiation, most of them being involved in lipid storage and metabolism. The exact link from activation of PPARγ to changes in glucose metabolism, most notably a decrease in insulin resistance in muscle, has not yet been clarified. A possible link is via free fatty acids such that activation of PPARγ induces Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), Fatty Acid Transport Protein (FATP) and Acyl-CoA Synthetase (ACS) in adipose tissue but not in muscle tissue. This, in turn, reduces the concentration of free fatty acids in plasma dramatically, and due to substrate competition at the cellular level, skeletal muscle and other tissues with high metabolic rates eventually switch from fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation with decreased insulin resistance as a consequence.
PPARα is involved in stimulating β-oxidation of fatty acids. In rodents, a PPARα-mediated change in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism lies at the basis of the phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation, a pleiotropic cellular response, mainly limited to liver and kidney and which can lead to hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents. The phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation is not seen in man. In addition to its role in peroxisome proliferation in rodents, PPARα is also involved in the control of HDL cholesterol levels in rodents and humans. This effect is, at least partially, based on a PPARα-mediated transcriptional regulation of the major HDL apolipoproteins, apo A-I and apo A-II. The hypotriglyceridemic action of fibrates and fatty acids also involves PPARα and can be summarised as follows: (I) an increased lipolysis and clearance of remnant particles, due to changes in lipoprotein lipase and apo C-III levels, (II) a stimulation of cellular fatty acid uptake and their subsequent conversion to acyl-CoA derivatives by the induction of fatty acid binding protein and acyl-CoA synthase, (III) an induction of fatty acid β-oxidation pathways, (IV) a reduction in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis, and finally (V) a decrease in VLDL production. Hence, both enhanced catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles as well as reduced secretion of VLDL particles constitutes mechanisms that contribute to the hypolipidemic effect of fibrates.
PPARδ activation was initially reported not to be involved in modulation of glucose or triglyceride levels. (Berger et al., j. Biol. Chem., 1999, Vol 274, pp. 6718–6725). Later it has been shown that PPARδ activation leads to increased levels of HDL cholesterol in dbldb mice (Leibowitz et al. FEBS letters 2000, 473, 333–336). Further, a PPARδ agonist when dosed to insulin-resistant middle-aged obese rhesus monkeys caused a dramitic dose-dependent rise in serum HDL cholesterol while lowering the levels of small dense LDL, fasting triglycerides and fasting insulin (Oliver et al. PNAS 2001, 98, 5306–5311). The same paper also showed that PPARδ activation increased the reverse cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette A1 and induced apolipoprotein A1-specific cholesterol efflux. The involvement of PPARδ in fatty acid oxidation in muscles was further substantiated in PPARα knock-out mice. Muoio et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 2002, 277, 26089–26097) showed that the high levels of PPARδ in skeletal muscle can compensate for deficiency in PPARα. Taken together these observations suggest that PPARδ activation is useful in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and conditions including atherosclerosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and mixed dyslipidaemia (WO 01/00603).
A number of PPARδ compounds have been reported to be useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia (WO 02/59098, WO 01/603, WO 01/25181, WO 02/14291, WO 01/79197, WO 99/4815, WO 97/28149, WO 98/27974, WO 97/28115, WO 97/27857, WO 97/28137, WO 97/27847).
Glucose lowering as a single approach does not overcome the macrovascular complications associated with Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Novel treatments of Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome must therefore aim at lowering both the overt hypertriglyceridaemia associated with these syndromes as well as alleviation of hyperglycaemia.
This indicate that research for compounds displaying various degree of PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ activation should lead to the discovery of efficacious triglyceride and/or cholesterol and/or glucose lowering drugs that have great potential in the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, syndrome X (including the metabolic syndrome, i.e. impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertrigyceridaemia and/or obesity), cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerosis) and hypercholesteremia.
In WO 97/48674, various antimicrobial diaryls has been described as anti-infective agents. The invention comprises compounds of the formula:
wherein    L may be selected from the group consisting of N, CH and C;    G, E may independently be selected from phenyl, substituted phenyl, phenylC1-4-alkyl, substituted phenylC1-4-alkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-thienyl and 3-thienyl;    J may be CH or O;    X may be selected from the group consisting of is O, S, NR, and C(O)NR;    Ar may be aryl or substituted aryl;    W may be O or S;    A may be selected from the group consisting of i.a. NRR, amidino, COOH; CHRCOOH, CH═CHR, CH═C(COOH)2;    q, p may independently be are 0 or 1; and m, n may indenpendently be 0–6.Definitions
In the structural formulas given herein and throughout the present specification the following terms have the indicated meaning:
The term "C1-6-alkyl" as used herein, alone or in combination, represent a linear or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylcarbonyl as used herein, represents a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above having the indicated number of carbon atoms linked through a carbonyl group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, butylcarbonyl, isobutylcarbonyl, sec-butylcarbonyl, tert-butylcarbonyl, n-pentylcarbonyl, isopentylcarbonyl, neopentylcarbonyl, tert-pentylcarbonyl, n-hexylcarbonyl, isohexylcarbonyl and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylsulfonyl" as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above linked through a sulfonyl group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, n-propylsulfonyl, iso-propylsulfonyl, n-butylsulfonyl, isobutylsulfonyl, sec-butylsulfonyl, tert-butylsulfonyl, n-pentylsulfonyl, isopentylsulfonyl, neopentylsulfonyl, tert-pentylsulfonyl, n-hexylsulfonyl, iso-hexylsulfonyl and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylamido" as used herein, refers to an acyl group linked through an amino group; Representative examples include, but are not limited to acetylamino, propionyl-amino, butyrylamino, isobutyrylamino, pivaloylamino, valerylamino and the like.
The term "C3-6-cycloalkyl" as used herein, alone or in combination, represent a saturated monocyclic hydrocarbon group having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.
The term "C2-6-alkenyl" as used herein, represent an olefinically unsaturated branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 2 to the specified number of carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, allyl, iso-propenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 1-butenyl, hexenyl, pentenyl and the like.
The term "C2-6-alkynyl" as used herein, represent an unsaturated branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 2 to the specified number of carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl and the like.
The term "C4-6-alkenynyl" as used herein, represent an unsaturated branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 4 to the specified number of carbon atoms and both at least one double bond and at least one triple bond. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, 1-penten-4-ynyl, 3-penten-1-ynyl, 1,3-hexadiene-5-ynyl and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkoxy" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched configuration linked through an ether oxygen having its free valence bond from the ether oxygen. Examples of linear alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, hexoxy and the like. Examples of branched alkoxy are isopropoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, isopentyloxy, isohexyloxy and the like.
The term "C3-6-cycloalkoxy" as used herein, alone or in combination, represent a saturated monocyclic hydrocarbon group having the indicated number of carbon atoms linked through an ether oxygen having its free valence bond from the ether oxygen. Examples of cycloalkoxy groups are cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylthio" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched monovalent substituent comprising a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free valence bond from the sulfur atom and having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio and the like.
The term "C3-6-cycloalkylthio" as used herein, alone or in combination, represent a saturated monocyclic hydrocarbon group having the indicated number of carbon atoms linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free valence bond from the sulfur atom. Examples of cycloalkoxy groups are cyclopropylthio, cyclobutylthio, cyclopentylthio, cyclohexylthio and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylamino" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched monovalent substituent comprising a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, butylamino, pentylamino and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkylaminocarbonyl" as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-monoalkylamino group linked through a carbonyl group such as e.g. methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, n-propylaminocarbonyl, isopropylaminocarbonyl, n-butylaminocarbonyl, sec-butylaminocarbonyl, isobutylaminocarbonyl, tert-butylaminocarbonyl, n-pentylaminocarbonyl, 2-methylbutylaminocarbonyl, 3-methylbutylaminocarbonyl, n-hexylaminocarbonyl, 4-methylpentylaminocarbonyl, neopentylaminocarbonyl, n-hexylaminocarbonyl and 2-2-dimethylpropylaminocarbonyl and the like.
The term "C3-6-cycloalkylamino" as used herein, alone or in combination, represent a saturated monocyclic hydrocarbon group having the indicated number of carbon atoms linked through amino having a free valence bond from the nitrogen atom. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino, cyclohexylamino and the like.
The term "C1-6-alkoxyC1-6-alkyl" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above whereto is attached a "C1-6-alkoxy" group as defined above. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl and the like.
The term "aryl" as used herein refers to an aromatic monocyclic or an aromatic fused bi- or tricyclic hydrocarbon group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, azulenyl and the like.
The term "arylene" as used herein refers to divalent aromatic monocyclic or a divalent aromatic fused bi- or tricyclic hydrocarbon group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, phenylene, naphthylene and the like.
The term "arylcarbonyl" as used herein represents an "aryl" group as defined above linked through a carbonyl group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, phenylcarbonyl, naphthylcarbonyl, anthracenylcarbonyl, phenanthrenylcarbonyl, azulenylcarbonyl and the like
The term "arylsulfonyl" as used herein refers to an "aryl" group as defined above linked through a sulfonyl group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, phenylsulfonyl, naphthylsulfonyl, anthracenylsulfonyl, phenanthrenylsulfonyl, azulenylsulfonyl, and the like.
The term "arylamido" as used herein refers to an arylcarbonyl group linked through an amino group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to phenylcarbonylamino, naphthylcarbonylamino, anthracenylcarbonylamino, phenanthrenylcarbonylamino, azulenylcarbonylamino and the like.
The term "halogen" means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
The term "perhalomethyl" means trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl or triiodomethyl.
The term "perhalomethoxy" means trifluoromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, tribromomethoxy or triiodomethoxy.
The term "C1-6-dialkylamino" as used herein refers to an amino group wherein the two hydrogen atoms independently are substituted with a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, dimethylamino, N-ethyl-N-methylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylamino, di(n-pentyl)amino and the like.
The term "C1-6-dialkylaminocarbonyl" as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a C1-1-dialkylamino group linked through a carbonyl group such as dimethyl-aminocarbonyl, N-ethyl-N-methylaminocarbonyl, diethylaminocarbonyl, dipropylaminocarbonyl, N-(n-butyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl, di(n-pentyl)aminocarbonyl, and the like.
The term "acyl" as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a "C1-6-alkyl" group as defined above linked through a carbonyl group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, pivaloyl, valeryl and the like.
The term "heteroaryl" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a monovalent substituent comprising a 5–7 membered monocyclic aromatic system or a 8–10 membered bicyclic aromatic system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, e.g. furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinnyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, pteridinyl and purinyl and the like.
The term "heteroarylene" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to divalent 5–7 membered monocyclic aromatic system or a 8–10 membered bicyclic aromatic system containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, e.g. furylene, thienylene, pyrrolylene, imidazolylene, pyrazolylene, triazolylene, pyrazinylene, pyrimidinylene, pyridazinylene, isothiazolylene, isoxazolylene, oxazolylene, oxadiazolylene, thiadiazolylene, quinolylene, isoquinolylene, quinazolinylene, quinoxalinnylene, indolylene, benzimidazolylene, benzofuranylene, pteridinylene and purinylene and the like.
The term "heteroaryloxy" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a heteroaryl as defined herein linked to an oxygen atom having its free valence bond from the oxygen atom e.g. pyrrolyloxy, imidazolyloxy, pyrazolyloxy, triazolyloxy, pyrazinyloxy, pyrimidinyloxy, pyridazinyloxy, isothiazolyloxy, isoxazolyloxy, oxazolyloxy, oxadiazolyloxy, thiadiazolyloxy, quinolinyloxy, isoquinolinyloxy, quinazolinyloxy, quinoxalinyloxy, indoltloxy, benzimidazolyloxy, benzofuranyloxy, pteridinyloxy and purinyloxy and the like.
The term "aralkyl" as used herein refers to a straight or branched saturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 6 carbons substituted with an aromatic carbohydride. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-naphthyl-methyl, 2-(1-naphthyl)ethyl and the like.
The term "aryloxy" as used herein refers to phenoxy, 1-naphthyloxy, 2-naphthyloxy and the like.
The term "aralkoxy" as used herein refers to a C1-6-alkoxy group substituted with an aromatic carbohydride, such as benzyloxy, phenethoxy, 3-phenylpropoxy, 1-naphthyl-methoxy, 2-(1-naphtyl)ethoxy and the like.
The term "heteroaralkyl" as used herein refers to a straight or branched saturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 6 carbons substituted with a heteroaryl group; such as (2-furyl)methyl, (3-furyl)methyl, (2-thienyl)methyl, (3-thienyl)methyl, (2-pyridyl)methyl, 1-methyl-1-(2-pyrimidyl)ethyl and the like.
The term "heteroaralkoxy" as used herein refers to a heteroarylalkyl as defined herein linked to an oxygen atom having its free valence bond from the oxygen atom. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, (2-furyl)methyl, (3-furyl)methyl, (2-thienyl)methyl, (3-thienyl)methyl, (2-pyridyl)methyl, 1-methyl-1-(2-pyrimidyl)ethyl linked to oxygen, and the like.
The term "arylthio" as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free valence bond from the sulfur atom, the aryl group optionally being mono- or polysubstituted with C1-6-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or C1-6-alkoxy. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, phenylthio, (4-methylphenyl)-thio, (2-chlorophenyl)thio and the like.
Certain of the above defined terms may occur more than once in the structural formulae, and upon such occurrence each term shall be defined independently of the other.
The term "optionally substituted" as used herein means that the groups in question are either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more of the substituents specified. When the groups in question are substituted with more than one substituent the substituents may be the same or different.


A test apparatus that easily tests a device under test having an optical interface. Provided is a test method, a test apparatus, and a device interface apparatus on which is mounted a device under test having an optical interface, the device interface apparatus comprising a device mounting section on which the device under test is mounted; an optical connector that is connected to the optical interface of the device under test; and an optical signal detecting section that detects an optical signal output from at least one of the optical interface and the optical connector, before the optical interface of the device under test mounted on the device mounting section is connected to the optical connector.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device interface apparatus, a test apparatus, and a test method.
2. Related Art
A conventional test apparatus tests a device under test such as a CPU or memory. A proposal has been made to include an optical interface in the device under test, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example.    Patent Document 1: International Publication WO 2007-013128
When testing a module under test or a device under test including an optical interface, the test apparatus establishes an optical connection with the device under test and uses an optical signal as the test signal that is input into an optical input section of the device under test, and the test apparatus must also be able to detect the optical response signal output from an optical output section of the device under test. It has been difficult for the test apparatus to perform the optical connection with a device under test that includes an optical interface. Furthermore, when the optical signal cannot be obtained from the device under test by the test apparatus, it has been difficult to determine whether the device under test has been damaged or whether there is a problem in the optical connection.

Device interface apparatus, test apparatus, and test method


Aspects of the invention provide a method, in a semiconductor device, such as a thin film transistor, a technology capable of preventing or reducing the electric field concentration at the edge section of the semiconductor film to enhance the reliability. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the invention can include a first step of forming a semiconductor film discretely on an insulation substrate, a second step of covering the semiconductor film including an edge section of the semiconductor film with a first insulation film, a third step of opening the first insulation film above the semiconductor film excluding the edge section of the semiconductor film, a fourth step of forming a second insulation film thinner than the first insulation film on the semiconductor film corresponding to at least the opening of the first insulation film, and a fifth step of forming an electrode wiring film on the second insulation film.

Aspects of the invention can relate to an improvement technology of a field-effect semiconductor device, such as a MOS transistor. Research and development of a technology of forming a thin film transistor having high current drive efficiency using a crystalline semiconductor film (e.g., polycrystalline silicon film) formed by a low-temperature process is in progress. In general, polycrystalline silicon films are formed by crystallizing amorphous silicon films by irradiating with laser thereto. However, the polycrystalline silicon films thus formed tend to have larger roughness in surfaces thereof because of protrusions formed of boundaries (grain boundaries) of crystal grains grown at various portions during the crystallization. In a thin film field-effect transistor (TFT) formed by depositing a gate insulation film and a gate electrode on the upper side of the polycrystalline silicon film, electric field is apt to be concentrated to the protrusions of the surface of the polycrystalline silicon film to cause dielectric breakdown of the gate insulation film. In view of such a problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-40828, for example, discloses a technology for preventing the dielectric breakdown of the gate insulation film in the thin film transistor by grinding to planarize the surface of the formed polycrystalline silicon film.
Incidentally, if the thickness of the gate insulation film is made thinner in order to enhance miniaturization of thin film transistors, the gate insulation film is apt to have a thinner part in the edge of the semiconductor film. In particular, when the gate insulation film is formed using a film deposition method having the low step-coverage capability, such as a sputtering process or a CVD process, the tendency of the above becomes marked. If the gate electrode is formed so as to traverse the edge portion, the electric field concentration occurs at that portion to cause the dielectric breakdown very often. Thus, inconvenience of degrading the reliability of the thin film transistor can occur. In the related art technology described above, it is difficult to achieve relaxation of such electric field concentration at the edge portion of the semiconductor film, and therefore, a further improved technology has been desired.

Reduced dielectric breakdown/leakage semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, integrated circuit, electro-optical device, and electric apparatus


A substrate assembly includes a chip coupled with a carrier, a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a support structure mounted to the second surface of the substrate and in contact with the carrier. A method of bonding a chip and carrier assembly to a substrate includes contacting the chip and carrier assembly with the bond material and applying heat and force on the chip and carrier assembly until the support structure is mounted on the second surface of the substrate and in contact with the carrier. A substrate assembly includes a chip coupled with a carrier, a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and one of the carrier or the substrate comprising a trench having a periphery, wherein the second surface of the substrate supports the carrier along the periphery of the trench.

The disclosure relates to heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), and particularly to alignment features and assembly methods to improve placement accuracy of a laser Chip-On-Submount Assembly (COSA) on a magnetic recording write head assembly.
Information storage devices are used to retrieve and/or store data in computers and other consumer electronics devices. Energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) or heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology may be used to increase areal density (AD) of hard disks.
Heat assisted magnetic recording technology requires a laser source to provide additional energy during the data writing process. The energy source normally comes from a semiconductor laser diode chip bonded on a submount assembly which is referred to as the Chip-On-Submount-Assembly (COSA). The COSA is attached to the back of a conventional magnetic head slider and the light energy from the laser diode chip is guided to an air bearing surface (ABS) through a waveguide to heat up the magnetic media. Heat from the laser beam lowers the coercivity of the magnetic medium and enables a write pole to magnetize the media with high density, which helps to realize the magnetic recording process with increased AD.
Efficient coupling of the laser beam with the optical waveguide enables writing data at high density to the disk. A requirement for bonding the COSA to the slider is the accuracy which must be achieved, typically at a submicron level. Accurate bonding helps to ensure that the output of the laser diode is aligned to the entry point of the waveguide attached to the slider. The alignment accuracy defines the amount of energy channeled into the waveguide and therefore an efficiency of the whole assembly. When the alignment is poor, more energy is needed from the laser diode to ensure sufficient energy is channeled through the waveguide. Poor alignment leads to low energy efficiency and potential degradation of laser life due to higher required output.
Another aspect impacting efficiency of light coupling into the waveguide is the distance or gap between the laser diode and the waveguide entry point. Due to the large divergence angle of the laser beam, it is desirable to have a gap between the laser diode and slider. However, conventional methods of bonding the COSA to the slider while leaving a gap between the laser diode lead to several problems. For example, the laser diode may crash into the slider during the bonding or the COSA may tilt relative to the slider thereby causing a misalignment between the laser diode and the waveguide.
Thus, there is a need in the art for methods and apparatuses to facilitate alignment of the laser COSA with the optical waveguide and avoiding crashing of a laser diode with the slider.

Slider assembly and method of manufacturing same


The disclosure discloses a printer comprising a take-up portion, a first memory, a consumed amount calculating portion, a first correcting portion, an operation signal input portion, and a second correcting portion. The take-up portion takes up a recording medium on which printing was performed by the printing head. The first memory stores a value related to a remaining amount or a consumed amount of the recording medium. The consumed amount calculating portion calculates a first consumed amount based on a fed amount by the feeder. The first correcting portion corrects the value stored in the first memory by the first consumed amount. The second correcting portion corrects the value r stored in the first memory by using a predetermined second consumed amount, triggered by input of the operation signal to the operation signal input portion.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a printer that perform printing on a long recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are known printers that perform printing on a recording medium. In this printer of prior art, storage means that stores a remaining amount of the recording medium is provided. When printing is executed on the recording medium, the consumed amount of the recording medium is calculated based on a fed amount of the recording medium resulting from feeding means. Further, the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the storage means is read, and corrected by the calculated consumed amount. After printing is completed, the corrected consumed amount is written to the storage means.
However, as one type of printer, there is a configuration wherein a printed matter is generated by performing printing on the long recording medium fed out from a roll, and then further taking up the recording medium by take-up means. In such a case, as a preparation operation prior to the start of generation of the printed matter, a tip end of the recording medium on the transport direction downstream side, positioned on the outside of the roll, needs to be pulled out and connected to the take-up means.
If the above prior art technique is applied in a printer with a configuration such as described above, the calculated consumed amount of the recording medium is based on the fed amount by the feeding means, and therefore is not corrected by the length of the recording medium pulled out during the preparation operation. As a result, the precision of the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the storage means decreases.


Thresholding gray-scale images to produce bitonal images. In one example embodiment, a method for thresholding a gray-scale image to produce a bitonal image includes several acts. First, a first portion of gray-scale pixels of the gray-scale image are thresholded based on a global threshold and edge strength information. Next, a second portion of the gray-scale pixels are thresholded based on the global threshold and local pixel information. Finally, a third portion of the gray-scale pixels are thresholded based on a local threshold.

Gray-scale digital images include pixels that are black, white, and various shades of gray. Bitonal digital images include only pixels that are either black or white. A gray-scale digital image can be converted to a bitonal image using a process known as thresholding. Thresholding gray-scale images to produce bitonal images can be useful, for example, in separating foreground features of a check, such as handwriting and printed text, from background features of a check, such as background patterns, in order to make the foreground features of the check more readable for humans or optical character recognition (OCR) techniques.
Typical thresholding techniques generally convert each pixel of a gray-scale image to a black pixel if the intensity of the gray-scale pixel is above a threshold and convert the pixel to a white pixel otherwise. However, typical thresholding techniques may not be effective for some check images. In particular, foreground intensity levels in some check images may not differ significantly from background intensity levels due to noise or widely varying intensities in the background and/or foreground. Thus, typical thresholding techniques may produce an image of a check that does not accurately depict foreground features of the check.


A lot sewing time required for sewing a lot of embroidery patterns is calculated based on data of the embroidery pattern to be sewn and on data indicating the number of times the embroidery pattern is to be sewn in the lot. After data for the calculated lot sewing time is received, the lot is allotted to one of a plurality of sewing machines. The lot time for each of a plurality of lots allotted to the plurality of sewing machines is displayed on a display.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a production system for managing sewing operations of a plurality of embroidery sewing machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent-Application Publication (Kokai) No. HEI-7-194880 describes a sewing machine system including a personal computer connected to a plurality of embroidery sewing machines. The personal computer is used to monitor the present production situation of each sewing machine. The personal computer receives information about production performed by each of the plurality of embroidery sewing machines and displays the information in tables on a display. The information is updated in real time. Information displayed by the personal computer for each sewing machine includes the total running time up to present, the time consumed while switching embroidery frames, and the time consumed to correct thread breakage. This enables a manager to better grasp the present production situation.
Also, this Japanese publication describes using a bar graph to indicate percentage of each order each sewing machine has completed. This enables the manager to better grasp how production is progressing.
The system can also be used to accurately plan future production. For example, when an order is received, the personal computer refers to how operations for the subject embroidery pattern progressed in the past to predict how many sewing machines would have to be operated for how many hours to complete the order. Then the personal computer distributes the work out to the sewing machines in the system taking the present work situation into consideration.

Production management system for managing sewing operations of a plurality of embroidery sewing machines


A procedure for calibrating walking and/or running measurements in an exercise-related apparatus are provided. As a result of a user running and walking a given distance which may be the same or different for running and walking, respective running and walking motion metrics are obtained during a calibration phase. A relation between the obtained running and walking motion metrics are then used to compute a calibration value applied to calibrate one of running and walking measurements during an exercise.

1. Field
The invention relates to the field of sports activities and, particularly, to measuring motion.
2. Description of the Related Art
One application of motion sensors is to measure speed, distance and/or strides during an exercise or sports activity. A motion sensor may be comprised in an apparatus worn by a user, e.g. a wrist unit, chest belt or a stride sensor attached to a shoe or a belt. The same motion sensor is typically used for measuring all types of motion of the user, including walking and running. Measuring different types of motion may result in inaccuracies.

Method for calibrating exercise apparatus


Embodiments of the disclosure provide a receptacle for a boat drain plug, the receptacle being adapted to support the boat drain plug relative to a boat trailer, the boat trailer having a boat trailer winch, the boat trailer winch including a winch handle shaft, and the receptacle including an aperture sized to receive the boat drain plug, wherein the aperture is located in the winch handle shaft of the boat trailer winch.

For many years boaters have trailered their boats to and from the water. When the boat is on the trailer it is always preferable to remove the boat's drain plug, so that lake water may be removed from the boat and rainwater does not build up in the boat's hull when storing the boat.
The boat operator must then remember to reinstall the drain plug before launching the boat into the water the next time the boat is to be used. If the operator forgets to reinstall the drain plug before launching the boat, the boat will probably sink. If it does not sink it will at least become swamped, resulting in an unpleasant if not costly scenario.
For years boaters have had a long-felt need to devise a way to help them remember to install the boat's drain plug before launching the boat. Many devices have come about to fill this need, from simple devices that attach the drain plug to the boat's ignition key, to the more elaborate devices that have electronic sensors that detect the absence of the drain plug when the boat is in the water and send an audible warning signal to the operator.
The biggest shortfall with these devices is that by the time the operator realizes that he has forgotten to install the drain plug, more than likely the boat has already been launched into the water. The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.


A device for adjustment of the level of inclination of the back part of a motor vehicle seat having a device part (2) connected to the seat part and a device part (3) connected to the backrest, which can be pivoted opposite to each other about a pivot axis (14), wherein both device parts (2,3) have parts of gearings (4,5) forming a swash mechanism, which roll over each other under the influence of cam means (11) that can be rotated about a pivot axis (14). The drive of the cam means (11) is provided via a two-part carrier, comprised of a metal carrier boss (17) and a metal carrier plate (18) non-rotatingly connected therewith. The carrier boss (17) has a collar (17.2) for axial bracketing of the device parts (2,3) on one side of the device for adjustment of the level of inclination (1). The object is to configure this type of device for adjustment of the level of inclination, so that no longer requires an additional locking ring for axial bilateral bracketing of the device parts (2,3). The solution resides in the fact that the carrier plate (18) is fastened axially to the carrier boss (17) on the other side of the device for adjustment of the level of inclination (1) for completion of the bracketing of the device parts (2,3).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for adjustment of the level of inclination of the back part of a motor vehicle seat.
2. Description of Related Art
This type of device for adjustment of the level of inclination is well-known from DE 43 03 819 A1. Its device parts have an inner and an outer gearing, which are manufactured by forming using cutouts of the metal plate of the device parts. When this is done, the outer gearing has a number of teeth that is at least one less than the inner gearing and one of the device parts is supported on cam means that are rotatable about an pivot axis. By rotating said cam about the pivot axis of the device for adjustment of level of inclination, the inner gearing of the one device part over the outer gearing of the other device part. In this fashion, a pivoting of the device part fixed to the seat back corresponding to the gearing number difference is attained relative to the device part fixed to the seat part. The advantage of this and other, in principal identically constructed adjustment devices resides in the fact that they make possible a continuous adjustment, even under conditions of high loading.
In the event of impact, there can be a slippage of the gearing of the two device parts due to bending away of the parts due to the very high, axially acting forces. In order to prevent this, an axial bracketing of the two device parts is provided. Mounting plates are included, wherein one mounting plate is affixed to one of the device parts and the zonally overlaps the other device part. In the case of the device for adjustment of the level of inclination according to the aforementioned DE 43 03 819 A1 the two device parts are in addition axially secured in the zone of the pivot axis by a metal carrier boss. In addition, the carrier boss has a collar, which abuts on one of the device parts, whilst on the other side of the other device part, a lock washer affixed to the carrier boss provides the axial bracketing.
DE 101 34 355 A1 discloses a device for adjustment of the level of inclination, wherein the carrier, comprised of a carrier plate and a carrier boss is formed in one piece. Here, the carrier plate on the one side of the device for adjustment of the level of inclination provides the axial securing, while on the other side a locking ring is affixed on the carrier boss.

Device for adjustment of level of inclination of back part of motor vehicle seat


An electronic directory and entry control system includes, in different embodiments, a scheme for cooling a liquid crystal display ("ILCD") and an interface for a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf ("TDD"). Because entry control systems are commonly installed outdoors under uncontrollable temperature conditions, and because LCDs are typically inoperable in high temperatures, a first embodiment of the present system utilizes a solid-state thermoelectric cooling device to maintain the LCD within a preferred temperature range. Further, because entry control systems typically rely on verbal communications between a visitor and a tenant in determining whether the visitor should be admitted, such systems are often of no use when hearing-impaired individuals visit. Accordingly, a second embodiment of the present system allows for TDD use in communication between hearing-impaired visitors and tenants. The second disclosed embodiment further provides the ability to use a relay service for communication between a hearingimpaired visitor and an unimpaired tenant, or between an unimpaired visitor and a hearing-impaired tenant.

The invention relates to electronic entry control systems, and more particularly to self-contained electronic directory and entry control systems having liquid crystal directory displays, used to control access to apartment buildings and the like.
In apartment buildings, commercial office buildings, and other multi-tenant complexes, it is common practice to limit access to common areas to those individuals living and/or working within the complex, as well as their authorized guests and visitors. Of course, this can be accomplished in a simplistic manner by merely locking all access doors and providing tenants with keys. However, this approach has proven to be inconvenient and cumbersome in the admission of guests and visitors, as the tenant must physically unlock the door each time someone is to be admitted. Furthermore, with such a system, it is often difficult to determine whether a person is present at a door and desires admission. In the business environment, this can lead to a substantial loss in productivity.
One past attempt to resolve this problem has focused on the use of a dedicated intercom system. In such a system, a visitor actuates a button on an intercom panel outside the complex, alerting the desired tenant to his presence. Optionally, voice communication capability can be provided so that the visitor can establish his identity. Once it has been determined that the visitor is authorized to be admitted, the tenant can either physically unlock the door himself or press a button on the interior intercom panel to actuate a door unlocking mechanism.
The intercom system has several disadvantages. First, significant dedicated wiring is required to support the intercom at the entry door and to provide communication with each tenant unit. Furthermore, if remote door actuation capability is to be provided, further rewiring can be necessary. Expensive intercom hardware is required to be installed within each tenant unit. Finally, if many tenants reside within the complex, providing an individual "call" button for each tenant can result in a prohibitively large intercom unit at the entry door.
In response to the disadvantages of entry systems using dedicated intercoms, telephone-based entry systems have been proposed. Significant rewiring is not necessary, other than to provide electrical power and telephone line access to the station at the entry door. When a visitor desires access, he will place a telephone call from the entry system to the desired tenant, who will either physically unlock the door or, by using the touch-tone keypad on the telephone, provide an authorization signal to the entry system, which will then actuate a door unlocking mechanism. Additional expensive hardware is not needed for each tenant unit, as substantially all tenants have access to telephone equipment and a telephone line. Finally, since each tenant is addressable through a unique telephone number, a separate call button for each tenant is not necessary; numeric codes can be used.
With the resolution of the foregoing recognized problems by the use of telephone-based entry systems, other disadvantages have become apparent. Where a typical intercom system might have a separate call button for each individual tenant, each button can be labeled, making it easy to locate any desired tenant. Where no individual call buttons exist, however, a separate directory of tenants should be provided. Where there is a large number of tenants, the directory can be physically quite large. Moreover, labor involved in the maintenance of such directories to reflect tenant turnover can be significant, particularly when there are several entry doors to the complex.
Accordingly, the need for an easily updatable electronic directory has been recognized. Such a goal is readily accomplished by using digital computer technology. As is well known, a small digital computer, with memory, can be used to store tenant names, telephone numbers, access codes, dialing codes, and other information within the entry system, at the expense of little additional cost or size. The electronic storage of such information makes it possible to update directory information with little or no effort; the revised information can be communicated to the digital computer through a data port, or even remotely via telephone lines.
The use of an electronic display, however, introduces further difficulties. Various display technologies are known and available for use. For example, a cathode ray tube ("CRT") video display, as is typically used for desktop computers, can easily be adapted for use as a directory display. However, CRT displays are generally large, heavy, and fragile, making them ill-suited for in-wall directory use. Furthermore, CRT displays consume a large amount of power. Light emitting diode ("LED") displays are also known, but are expensive and bulky when produced in sizes sufficient to display directory information. Fluorescent and gas-discharge displays, since they make use of a gas-filled glass tube, are also relatively fragile. Moreover, all of the foregoing display devices are light-emitting, which makes them difficult to see under bright light conditions, as in direct sunlight.
Liquid crystal displays ("LCDs") are also known. They have the advantages of low cost and low power requirements. Such displays are selectively reflecting rather than light-emitting, so they are best viewed with ambient light, including bright light conditions that would "wash out" other types of displays. However, LCDs are also easily viewable in low light conditions when backlit.
Unfortunately, LCDs are known to be temperature-sensitive. As temperature increases, the contrast of the display will often decline until it is unreadable. This is a particular problem where entry systems utilizing LCD directories are installed outdoors, in direct sunlight, or elsewhere under adverse temperature conditions. Furthermore, when an LCD is installed in a sealed enclosure with a viewing window, the temperature inside the enclosure may increase to a level far beyond the air temperature outside the enclosure due to a "greenhouse effect."
A variety of attempts have been made to solve the temperature sensitivity problem; none has proven to be entirely successful. One possibility is to provide a "hood" over the display to ensure that the display is shaded. This approach has the disadvantage of reducing the amount of light reaching the display, and it also limits the angles from which the display may be viewed. Furthermore, such an approach does not provide temperature reduction, per se; it merely reduces the possibility that direct sunlight from certain angles will raise the temperature.
A second possibility is to ventilate the enclosure containing the LCD. However, this raises an opportunity for potential vandalism and damage to the entry system, as access to the interior of the enclosure is provided. Furthermore, ventilation of air to the interior of the enclosure will also allow the elements to invade the enclosure to some extent. Damage from oxidation, moisture, and other contaminants can accelerate the deterioration of the entry system and impair reliability. A further possibility is to provide a cooling fan. This, too, is unsatisfactory: moving parts are added to a system that could otherwise be entirely without them; furthermore, mechanical fans are noisy and potentially unreliable. When a fan is provided within a sealed enclosure, very little cooling action is possible.
It is recognized herein that the addition of an electronic display to an entry system complicates the system significantly. Adding the display unit will increase the size and cost of the entry system. Furthermore, if the display unit is of a size insufficient to display all tenant names at one time, a mechanism must be provided to determine which names are shown on the display. This can be accomplished by providing control buttons on the entry system, beyond those necessary for a simple telephonic keypad. Adding these additional controls will further raise the cost and complexity of the system, as well as the operational complexity to a typical user.
Substantially all practical systems of the type described herein providing communications capability between a visitor and a tenant, do so with audio communication. This type of communication is easily accomplished over the telephone system, and requires little additional circuitry or complexity to the system, beyond that already required to access the telephone system. Individuals who are deaf or hearing-impaired are not generally able to use these types of entry systems effectively.
Accordingly, a need exists for an entry control system that avoids the many shortcomings of prior devices. Specifically, a need exists for a self-contained entry system that has a directory display that is easily visible under substantially all lighting conditions, and is resistant to adverse temperature conditions. A further need exists for an entry system that provides accessibility to deaf and hearing-impaired individuals. To reduce costs, such a system should minimize unneeded complexity.

Electronic directory and entry control system


A low emission signal manipulating circuit for reducing emission of a given signal. This is accomplished by manupulating the signal and recovering the original signal. The inventive device includes a transmitter which modifies a given signal, a divider that resides in transmitter which divides the incoming signal, a pulse shaping circuit which generates two pulses one at the leading edge and one at the trailing edge of the incoming signal, a receiver which recovers the original signal from the modified signal, a register which generates a signal based on incoming pulses, a phase locked loop circuit that generates a signal at the output. Transmitter has a divider circuit that divides the incoming signal. It also has pulse circuits where two pulses are generated. Divider has five flip flops that divides the incoming signal's frequency by a predetermined amount. Pulse shaping circuit has two integrators and logic gates. Receiver has a register circuit and phase locked loop. Register has a flip flop. Phase Locked Loop has a phase comparator, charge pump, voltage controlled oscillator and a divider.

1. Field of the Invention
2. Description of the Related Art
Clock generators have been in use for years. Typically, clock generators are comprised of chips from semiconductor companies that utilize Spread Spectrum technology. This technique is used to reduce the electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Main problem with conventional clock generators is that the high frequency of the clock signal causes increased EMI. When the spread spectrum technique is used to reduce the EMI, jitter is introduced in the clock signal which may impact the circuit operation. Another problem with conventional clock generators that use the spread spectrum technique is that the emission reduction can only reach to about −10 dB. Another problem with conventional clock generators that use the spread spectrum technique is that the circuit complexity is increased when compared with clock generators that do not employ the spread spectrum technique.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for reducing emission of any given signal. This is accomplished by manipulating the signal and recovering the original signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,507 B1 discloses a spread spectrum clock generator circuit which automatically compensates for the variation in passive component values and system gain and charge pump current in the phase locked loop. This clock generator is a single chip generator. Modified clock has jitter and the reduction in EMI is limited.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,052 discloses generation of a spread spectrum master clock and plurality of phase-offset spread spectrum slave clocks. Different phase offsets are generated using phase delays. These phase delays are either predetermined or calculated dynamically. This clock generator provides limited EMI reduction.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,148 discloses a spread spectrum clock generator. The design uses current control oscillator. The clock generator has limited EMI reduction. It introduces jitter in the modified clock signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,260 B2 discloses a spread spectrum clock generator that uses single chip to generate a spread spectrum clock.
These patents mentioned above each uses single chip to generate spread spectrum clock which has jitter.
In these respects, the low emission signal manipulating circuit according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing emission of a given signal by using a transmitter and multiple receivers. Transmitter modifies the signal to lower the electromagnetic emission and receivers recover the original signal.

Low emission signal generator and distributor system


An electrocorticography-based brain computer interface (BCI) and related methods are described.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the fields of bioengineering and computer technology, and more particularly to a novel brain-computer interface and related methods involving generating electrical outputs from raw brain signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are systems that provide communications between human beings and machines. BCI's can be used, for example, by individuals to control an external device such as a wheelchair. A major goal of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) is to decode intent from the brain activity of an individual, and signals representing the decoded intent are then used in various ways to communicate with an external device. BCI's hold particular promise for aiding people with severe motor impairments.
Several signal acquisition modalities are currently used for BCI operation in human and non-human primates. These include electroencephalographic signals (EEG) acquired from scalp electrodes, and single neuron activity assessed by microelectrodes arrays or glass cone electrodes. EEG is considered a safe and non-invasive modality, but has low spatial resolution and a poor signal to noise ratio due to signal attenuation by the skull, and signal contamination from muscle activity. In contrast, single-unit recordings of the signals from an individual neuron convey a significantly finer spatial resolution with higher information transfer rates and enable the use of more independent channels. However, single unit recordings require close proximity (within 100 microns) with neurons and therefore are not generally suitable for human applications because of the much higher associated clinical risk, and the lack of durable effect secondary to scar formation around the electrodes.
BCI systems that have achieved closed loop, continuous, and real time control in human subjects are known and typically utilize EEG signal. Most closed loop trials using such systems have utilized low frequency band power changes associated with sensorimotor cortex, known as the mu and beta rhythms. The mu and beta rhythms are thought to be the product of thalamocortical circuits that show suppressed frequency power on cortical activation. These power suppressions, also known as Event Related Descynchronizations (ERD), can be induced by both actual and imagined motor movements. The mu rhythms (8–12 Hz) and beta rhythms (18–26 Hz) are separable in regards to timing and topographical distribution, but tend to show diffuse bilateral (contralateral dominant) suppression with a given motor activity. Additionally, more regionally specific higher frequency bands, known as gamma rhythms, have also been investigated. The gamma band (>30 Hz) is often associated with an increased power (Event Related Synchronization—ERS) in association with cortical activation and has been postulated to be associated with motor programming, attention, and sensorimotor integration. These higher frequency oscillations have not been utilized in a BCI system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,826 (Wolpaw) describes a BCI system using electroencephalographic signal (EEG) in which mu rhythm suppressions (8–12 Hz) are utilized.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,231 describes a hybrid BCI based on EEG brain waves in combination with the biopotentials produced by muscles, heart rate, eye movements, and eye blinks.
However, known BCI systems remain limited by the constraints on spatial resolution and signal strength imposed by the chosen signaling modality, such as the constraints imposed by using EEG. Therefore, a need remains for improved BCI systems that are more readily adaptable to human clinical applications.


A seating system having a plurality of seating sections in which the slope of the understructure thereof can be varied, the treads of the seating sections being pivotable to permit the riser height to vary so as to enable a single seating system to provide varying slopes and sight lines depending on the stadium/arena configuration. The treads are pivotable between low riser and high riser positions by the provision of lever arms movable between angular and upright positions and extending between the treads and the beams for supporting the treads in the high riser position on the upper surface of understructure beams. In the low riser position ends of the treads opposite their pivotal ends are supported on an adjacent tread.

This invention relates generally to a seating system in which the slope of its understructure is variable to provide variable sight lines for multiple stadium/arena configurations. More particularly the treads of the seating system are pivotable such that the height of the risers are variable between different sloping configurations.
There are a number of known telescopic seating systems having variable risers in which each row of seats is structured as to be independently telescopic for both maintaining a predetermined slope of the seating system and establishing the preferred riser height. For example, Japanese patent 4-277267 discloses in its FIGS. 6 and 7 such a variable riser telescoping platform seating system as does French patent 2687713. Japanese patent 2-153171 discloses a variable sloping seating section with the treads being maintained horizontal.
French patent 2,306,319 discloses a tiered seating system for mobile theaters in which the slope of the understructure beams is varied, and the treads are adjustable as to remain substantially horizontal irrespective of the inclination of the structure.
The known prior art systems are, however, of generally complex structure and require many moving parts which therefore bring into question the reliability and economy of such systems.


A sample collection and analysis apparatus is provided comprising a base and a sample collector having a handle and a well. The well contains a porous member having a ligand receptor bound thereto. The base contains an absorbent material for liquids and an opening to expose the absorbent material. The base is provided with means for rendering the sample collector integral with the base and for contacting the porous member with the absorbent material. The apparatus permits detecting or quantitating a target ligand in the sample.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for collecting and analyzing a sample. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus having a sample collection means which can be positioned and retained directly on a means for effecting analysis of the sample which can include a sample incubation means.
Prior to the present invention, bioassays such as antigen-antibody reactions, ligand-receptor assays, enzyme-substrate reactions, hybridization nucleic acid reactions, DNA, RNA lectin or the like have been analyzed in apparatus which permits or excludes a sample incubation step. Generally, a receptor is directly bound, by such means as covalently or hydrostatically or indirectly bound, by such means as by being attached to latex particles or magnetic particles and trapped in or on a porous substrate such as a microporous membrane. The sample then is contacted with the membrane so as to effect binding of the ligand to the receptor. The liquid portion of the sample is removed from contact with the membrane and reagents then are introduced in order to determine the presence and/or quantify of the ligand in the sample. Generally, detection of the ligand is determined with a labeled reactant wherein the label can be an enzyme, radionuclide, fluorescent moiety or the like.
It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,339 to provide a multiwell test device for analyzing a plurality of sample simultaneously. The device includes an upper member having a plurality of wells each having a microporous membrane sealed thereto and having a receptor bound thereon. A bottom member is provided which contains a sorbent material for liquids, a biasing means is interposed between the top and bottom members to bias the membranes away from contact with the sorbent material so that a sample introduced into a well can be incubated in contact with the receptor prior to removing liquid from the wells. Upon completion of incubation, the membranes are contacted with the sorbent material so that filtration of the sample is effected by capillary action. The samples are introduced indirectly into the wells such as with a pipette, or a dropper. This apparatus is not capable of collecting a sample directly such as from a patient or the environment and therefore is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,019 discloses an apparatus for effecting a ligand receptor assay comprising a top member having a well to which is sealed a microporous membrane. A receptor is bound to the top surface of the membrane. A bottom member is provided which contains a sorbent material for liquids. The top and bottom members are positioned so that the sorbent material always contacts the bottom surface of the membrane. This apparatus is undesirable since it does not permit incubation of the sample in contact with the receptor. This is because the sample introduced into the well immediately is filtered by the membrane due to capillary action by the sorbent material. In addition, the apparatus does not permit collecting a sample directly but requires the use of an intermediary means such as a pipette or dropper. This is undesirable since the sample must be handled a multiplicity of times and may contain dangerous components such as hepatitus virus, human immune virus, (HIV) which can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus which permits sample collection, sample concentration and analysis with a single apparatus. Such a method and apparatus would permit a one step sample collection and analyses with a minimum of sample handling. This, in turn, would improve safety for the sample collection and analysis tasks.


A process for hollowing out a cavity, by dissolution, in a ground formation comprising at least one layer containing predominantly salt, the process including the steps of drilling at least one hole having a substantially horizontal section arranged at least in part in the salt layer, providing in the drilled hole(s) an injection pipe, an extraction pipe and a preliminary communication space connecting the injection pipe and the extraction pipe, injecting a solvent of the salt, into the communication space, through one end of the injection pipe forming an injection point, extracting, through the extraction pipe, the brine formed by the dissolution of the salt, in contact with the solvent, producing a plurality of preliminary sub-cavities in the salt layer, and producing a succession of channels, isolated from the layer, the succession of channels connecting the plurality of preliminary sub-cavities in a fluid manner two at a time in order to form an open circuit for circulation of the solvent, expending between a first sub-cavity and a last sub-cavity, the preliminary sub-cavities and the channels defining the preliminary communication space.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject of the invention is a process for hollowing out a cavity, by dissolution, in a ground formation comprising at least one layer containing predominantly salt to be dissolved.
2. Description of the Background Art
The invention aims more particularly to obtain, after hollowing out, a subterranean cavity permitting the storage of a fluid and especially of natural gas in a stratified layer of salt, the thickness of which is typically of the order of several tens of meters, and more particularly between 30 meters and 100 meters. The salt may consist especially of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl), without this being restrictive.
The object of the invention is in particular to provide a solution which will be low in cost in relation to the volume of the cavity. To this end, the invention tends to improve the shape of the cavity obtained in order to adapt it to the shape of the layer of salt and thus increase its volume.
However, since the cavity is to be subjected, in use, to the storage of gas, it is necessary to control the spread of the dissolution process in order to obtain a final cavity having a mechanically stable form. Moreover, the cavity obtained must provide a satisfactory seal with respect to the external environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,273 and WO-A-95 10689 do in fact describe a process comprising the following steps:
drilling at least one hole comprising a substantially horizontal section arranged at least in part in the salt layer, PA1 providing in the drilled hole(s) an injection pipe, an extraction pipe and a preliminary communication space connecting the injection pipe and the extraction pipe, PA1 injecting a solvent of the salt, into the communication space, through one end of the injection pipe forming an injection point, PA1 extracting, through the extraction pipe, the brine formed by the dissolution of the salt, in contact with the solvent. PA1 a plurality of preliminary sub-cavities in the salt layer, PA1 a succession of channels isolated from the said layer to be dissolved containing salt, the channels connecting the sub-cavities in a fluid manner two at a time in order to form an open circuit for circulation of the solvent, extending between a first sub-cavity and a last sub-cavity, the preliminary sub-cavities and the channels defining the said preliminary communication space. PA1 drilling the hole, PA1 introducing a casing into the drilled hole thus obtained, into the layer of salt, PA1 arranging a sealing material (such as concrete) between the casing and the drilled hole, and PA1 eliminating the casing and the sealing material in specific areas in order to form the preliminary sub-cavities.
However, the process described in WO-A-95 10689 is rather complex, since it requires the provision of different injection apertures, the dimensioning of which must be carried out accurately based on the evaluation of different parameters. Moreover, this solution raises the problem of reliability--behaviour over time--since the size of at least some of the apertures is likely to increase owing to wear in contact with the solvent and in other cases to decrease owing to the presence of insoluble elements in the salt layer.
The process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,273 requires sophisticated equipment to control the injection of the solvent in a substantially horizontal plane. Moreover, the solution described in that document is not very well suited to cavities of several tens of meters in thickness and more than one hundred meters long. Finally, the cavity obtained does not guarantee mechanical stability and a satisfactory seal with respect to the external environment.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,167 discloses a process for improving the speed of dissolution of a layer of salt which consists in passing the solvent previously into another layer of salt in order to increase its density.
However, this process is remote from the invention. In fact, this process does not make it possible to control the shape of the cavity obtained. Furthermore, a plurality of separate cavities is obtained, and moreover these belong to separate layers of salt. The present invention itself aims to obtain a single cavity.

Process for hollowing out a cavity formed of a plurality of sub-cavities in a thin layer of salt


An engine output control apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle supported on a road surface by a pair of driven road wheels and a pair of non-driven road wheels to control an output transmitted from an internal combustion engine to the driven road wheels through an automatic transmission adapted to produce changes up based on engine output and vehicle speed. A traction control signal is produced when the degree of slip of the driven road wheels is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The engine output is reduced in the presence of the traction control signal. Changes up are produced at higher vehicle speeds in the presence of the traction control signal than in the absence of the traction control signal when the engine output is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

This invention relates to an apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle supported on a road surface by a pair of driven road wheels and a pair of non-driven road wheels to control an output transmitted from an internal combustion engine to the driven road wheels through an automatic transmission adapted to produce changes up based on engine output and vehicle speed.
A throttle valve is situated for rotation with an intake passage to control the amount of air permitted to enter an internal combustion engine through the intake passage, and thus the engine output torque transmitted from the engine to the driven road wheels of an automotive vehicle through an automatic transmission adapted to produce changes up based on engine output and vehicle speeds. In order to avoid lateral vehicle motions resulting from a great degree of slip of the road wheels during vehicle acceleration on an iced or snow-covered road surface, it has been proposed to perform a traction control with the use of an auxiliary throttle valve placed for rotation within the intake passage at a position upstream of the throttle valve. For the traction control, the auxiliary throttle valve is rotated in a closing direction to reduce the engine output torque and thus the driving forces transmitted to the driven road wheels when the difference between the speeds of rotation of the driven and non-driven road wheels.
It is preferable to further reduce the tendency of the road wheels to slip by advancing the time at which a change up is produced in the automatic transmission so as to reduce the driving torque transmitted to the driven road wheels during the traction control. However, this engine output control causes the engine speed from overshooting and undershooting a required value repetitively until the slip is converged below a predetermined degree. The degree of slip of the driven road wheels will increase particularly when the engine speed overshoots the required value.


An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier on which Protein A has been immobilized, the Protein A having a specific amino acid sequence that permits the desorption of antibodies under mild pH conditions (specifically, pH 4.0 to 5.5) in which many antibodies do not undergo acid modification; and a manufacturing method for the carrier. An immobilization carrier (excluding an immobilization carrier having a monolith structure) on which a protein is adsorbed by electrostatic interaction, the protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula: R1-R2-R3-R4-R5-R6, wherein the part represented by R1-R2-R3 is used for immobilization on the immobilization carrier, wherein: the sequence represents a sequence from the amino-terminal side towards the carboxyl-terminal side; the sequence of the R2 part is the sequence of a Protein A mutant as a protein to be immobilized or a sequence in which 1 to 3 units of the sequence thereof were linked together, the Protein A mutant having characteristics of strongly binding to an antibody under neutral conditions and dissociating with the antibody bound under neutral conditions under weakly acidic conditions of pH 4.0 to 5.5.

In recent years, the demand for an antibody drug having limited side effects, based on the antibody has been increasing yearly. Affinity chromatography using a carrier on which Protein A is immobilized is widely used as a means for purifying an antibody. Protein A as used here refers to Staphylococcus aureus-derived Protein A (described in A. Forsgren and J. Sjoquist, J. Immunol. (1966) 97, 822-827) or a portion of the domain sequences constituting the protein, capable of exhibiting the function of binding to an antibody.
A typical method for purifying an antibody using affinity chromatography using a carrier on which Protein A is immobilized is as follows. That is, the method involves (1) passing a raw material crude solution containing antibodies through a column filled with a carrier on which Protein A is immobilized to adsorb a desired antibody to the carrier, (2) washing the carrier to which the antibody is adsorbed with a neutral buffer solution to remove impurities, and then (3) eluting the antibody adsorbed to the carrier using an acidic buffer solution (specifically, pH 2.5 to 3.0).
The present inventors developed a technique involving introducing a Protein A-derived protein as a protein specifically binding to the Fc domain of an antibody while controlling orientation into an insoluble carrier by controlling orientation, as a means for efficiently purifying the antibody by increasing the capacity of binding to an antibody per carrier (see Patent Literatures 1 to 16).
The orientation-controlled immobilization method developed by the present inventors is as follows when expressed in a more generalized form.
The method is an orientation-controlled immobilization method comprising using a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula: R1-R2-R3-R4-R5-R6, (wherein the sequence represents a sequence from the amino-terminal side towards the carboxyl-terminal side; the sequence of the R1 part may be absent, and, if present, is a sequence composed of amino acid residues other than lysine and cysteine residues; the sequence of the R2 part is a sequence of a Protein A-derived protein to be immobilized and a sequence adapted to comprise no lysine or cysteine residue so that it can hold a characteristic of binding to an antibody; the sequence of the R3 part may be absent, and, if present, is a spacer sequence composed of amino acid residues other than lysine and cysteine residues; the sequence of the R4 part is a sequence composed of 2 residues of amino acids represented by cysteine-X (wherein X represents lysine or an amino acid residue other than cysteine); the sequence of the R5 part may be absent, and, if present, is a sequence not comprising lysine or cysteine residues and a sequence comprising an acidic amino acid residue capable of rendering the isoelectric point of the whole protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula: R1-R2-R3-R4-R5-R6 on the acidic side; and the sequence of the R6 part is an affinity tag sequence for the purification of proteins) to cyanate the SH group of the sole existing cysteine residue in the R4 part, and reacting the cyanocysteinated protein with an insoluble carrier into which an amino group is introduced as a functional group to immobilize the part represented by R1-R2-R3 by the amide bonding between the carboxy terminus thereof and the amino group of the carrier.
Also in the purification of an antibody using the carrier immobilized by the orientation control of Protein A heretofore developed by the present inventors, a purification means has been applied which involves (1) passing a raw material crude solution containing antibodies through a column filled with a carrier on which Protein A is immobilized to adsorb a desired antibody to the carrier, (2) washing the carrier to which the antibody is adsorbed with a neutral buffer solution to remove impurities, and (3) eluting the antibody adsorbed to the carrier using an acidic buffer solution (specifically, pH 2.5 to 3.0), providing a means for efficiently purifying an antibody by the increased capacity of binding to an antibody per carrier.
However, the above method involving eluting an antibody using an acidic buffer solution having a pH of 2.5 to 3.0 has a serious flaw. Specifically, there is a problem that the contact of an antibody with a strongly acidic (e.g., pH 3.0 or less) buffer solution causes the acid modification of the antibody and changes the higher-order structure of the antibody, resulting in the induction of aggregation and the loss of the activity of the antibody as a medicine. The development of a more stable antibody molecule is attempted in order to solve the problem; however, it is obvious that such a solution cannot be a routine solution for a problem attending purification by affinity chromatography using a carrier on which Protein A is immobilized, and there is a need for the development of a method capable of being widely applied to the preparation of many antibody molecules.

Carrier for antibody purification, manufacturing method for same, and application for same


A line of recessed low-glare lighting fixtures provides a totally built-in architectural recessed appearance: a special cast mounting unit has a recessed duct portion formed integrally with a flat face flange portion defining a light-exit opening. The face flange portion becomes plastered in place in a wall or ceiling with the duct portion supporting the light source and associated components. In a main embodiment for ceiling deployment, the face flange portion is made square, the light-exit opening and the duct portion can be made circular or rectangular, typically square, In an offset hidden source embodiment, usually wall-mounted with a rectangular light-exit opening to “wash” either a ceiling or a floor region, the recessed duct portion is curved and shaped to serve as a reflector surface for desired illumination distribution. The light source can be incandescent, fluorescent or metal halide, in a selection of wattage ratings. The mounting unit can be cast in different sizes according to wattage ratings. Non-metallic casting material prevents plaster cracking.

The evolution in both commercial and residential indoor lighting has been characterized by progress in two directions simultaneously: along with improvements in technical/functional efficiency and variety of options in the illumination produced, there is ongoing development in the styling and aesthetic aspects of indoor light fixtures and enclosures; particularly there has been increasing interest in low-glare lighting fixtures that are architecturally integrated and appear to be built-in as part of the original building construction.
Indirect lighting, defined by Webster as "lighting reflected, as from a ceiling, or diffused so as to provide an even illumination without shadows" has become predominant in various forms that eliminate the annoyance of glare from a small bare bulb in the field of vision. For a light source of given power, i.e. wattage, the perceived glare is a function of the intensity of the visible light source, and thus the glare becomes reduced proportionately as the size of the visible area of the light source is increased through the use of reflected or translucent diffusion techniques.
The glass walls of fluorescent tubes are diffused or "frosted" to reduce glare, and while often deployed directly in industrial and utilitarian environments, they are more likely to be deployed with the well-known translucent diffusion panel for residential and office purposes, to reduce glare by increasing the visible area of the light source.
Even further glare reduction is obtained by the well known practice of concealing the light source behind a baffle of some kind and arranging for the light to be directed to and reflected from a white or light-colored surface such as a room ceiling. This technique is found in many contemporary homes with the baffles located high on one or more walls, e.g. in drapery valences.
In another low-glare approach, multiple small fixtures recessed in a ceiling can be arranged to provide uniform low glare illumination: glare is reduced by recessing the light source deeply enough to conceal the source from view at virtually any room location other than directly beneath, where it would be necessary to tilt ones head back far enough to look straight up into the fixture.
Beyond the functional goal of minimizing glare, a great deal of effort has gone into developing light fixture structures that harmonize function and appearance by blending in with the architecture.
There has been creative development and deployment of low-glare "wash" type indirect lighting fixtures: e.g. directed to floors for safety and security, directed to walls in a special manner to create some specially desired ambiance or mood effect such as relaxation in a living room or quiet dignity in a public building. Such fixtures can be recessed into a wall or ceiling and may include a specially shaped built-in reflector; the source lamps may be hidden by an offset location or by a close-fitting opaque light baffle located centrally in a symmetrical unit with a pair of reflectors.

Built-in low-glare light fixtures recessed in ceilings and walls


A contaminated aqueous composition is withdrawn from a groundwater extraction well and the groundwater is treated in a pump and treat system to remove a contaminant. The treating of the aqueous composition is monitored from a location remote from the groundwater extraction well and the treating is adjusted to remove a contaminant in accordance with the monitoring. A system to treat a contaminated aqueous composition comprises a capture zone to intercept a contaminated aqueous composition and a surface pump and treat system to receive and treat the contaminated aqueous composition from the capture zone. The system also includes a sensor that senses a contaminant in the contaminated aqueous composition and a monitor to receive information concerning the contaminant from the sensor and to consequently control the pump and treat system to treat the contaminated aqueous composition. The monitor is situated at a location remote from the pump and treat system.

The invention relates to a method and system for remote monitoring of groundwater. In particular, the invention relates to remote monitoring of a pump and treat method at a remediation site.
Contaminants from a pollutant source can contact a groundwater aquifer to form a groundwater contaminant plume. The plume can migrate in the direction of groundwater flow. A pump and treat method can be used to provide remediation of the plume-containing aquifer. Pump and treat operates by intercepting the groundwater at a capture zone, pumping the groundwater from the capture zone to the surface, removing the contaminant in a surface remediation unit and then either recharging the treated water back into the ground or discharging it to a surface water body or municipal sewage plant. Once the groundwater has been pumped to the surface, contaminants can be removed to very low levels with established remediation technologies or combinations of established technologies. Examples of commonly applied surface remediation technologies include air stripping, carbon adsorption, oil-water separation, chemical oxidation, membrane filtration, metals precipitation/adsorption and ion exchange.
Pump and treat is an accepted remediation technology however it involves high equipment and labor costs. Efforts to improve pump and treat have focused on control in two distinct phasesxe2x80x94an in situ phase during migration to or at the capture zone and the remediation phase after pumping to the surface. The two phases involve different considerations. It would be advantageous to closely monitor a pump and treat system to assure process effectiveness and regulatory compliance. Further it would be advantageous to provide monitoring that would assure that cost saving from effective monitoring was not dissipated by the cost of monitoring itself. Thus far, effective pump and treat system monitoring has been limited to control of the first in situ phase. For example, Misquitta, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,380 discloses monitoring an extraction well for the purpose of controlling groundwater hydrodynamics. In the Misquitta process, groundwater is extracted from a well at a first flow rate, hydrodynamics of the surrounding area are monitored and the hydrodynamic information is transmitted to a computer controller, which computes a new second flow rate and automatically adjusts a pump to the second flow rate to maintain a desired capture zone. Similarly, Dawson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,085 discloses providing liquid level sensing means within a wellbore. A pump controls the liquid level in response to the sensing means. Lowry et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,448 discloses determining permeability, i.e. soil conductivity to fluid flow.
These monitoring patents are limited to sensing water pressure or hydrodynamics in the vicinity of a well for the purpose of adjusting flow. While this is an important consideration in controlling a pump and treat system, equally if not more important considerations relate to control of the surface treatment step. Control of the surface treatment step may depend on the nature and extent of the contaminant in either or both of the feed groundwater from the capture zone and product water from the treatment facility. Detection of the nature and extent of a contaminant depends upon timely testing of representative samples and the ability of a sampling system to representatively capture the contaminant of interest.
Conventional remediation site monitoring, diagnostics, and reporting are expensive and labor intensive operations. Yearly costs for remediation site monitoring, diagnosing and reporting often exceed over $2000 per well. Conventional remediation site monitoring, diagnosing and reporting methods and systems comprise providing a well or other access means for groundwater at a remediation site. A person visits the remediation site, locates the well, and accesses the well. The groundwater in the well is sampled for characteristics (hereinafter xe2x80x9cgroundwater characteristicsxe2x80x9d), such as, but not limited to, water quality parameters; groundwater level; and contaminants such as benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylenes (BTEX), aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and their degradation products, dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride in the groundwater. The groundwater sample is then transported to a laboratory, often remote from the remediation site. The sample is then analyzed for certain characteristics by appropriate methods. Costs are associated with each step and the costs are often high depending on the well""s location with respect to the laboratory. Exact costs are remediation site dependent, reflecting a complexity of an analysis to be performed. Real-time data for the groundwater is desirable. The transportation of the sample from the well to the laboratory takes time. Further, time delays are associated with the analysis of the groundwater sample.
There is a need first, for monitoring, diagnosing and reporting properties of effluents to or from a pump and treat treatment zone and second, for a system and process to accurately sample the effluents of a pump and treat process and system.
The present invention provides a method and system to monitor a groundwater pump and treat system and to use the information acquired by the monitoring to control the system. In the method, a contaminated aqueous composition is withdrawn from a groundwater extraction well and the groundwater is treated in a pump and treat system to remove a contaminant. The treating of the aqueous composition is monitored from a location remote from the groundwater extraction well and the treating is adjusted to remove a contaminant in accordance with the monitoring.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system to treat a contaminated aqueous composition. The system comprises a capture zone to intercept a contaminated aqueous composition and a surface pump and treat system to receive and treat the contaminated aqueous composition from the capture zone. The system also includes a sensor that senses a contaminant in the contaminated aqueous composition and a monitor to receive information concerning the contaminant from the sensor and to consequently control the pump and treat system to treat the contaminated aqueous composition. The monitor is situated at a location remote from the pump and treat system.

Method and system to remotely monitor groundwater treatment