An aqueous MICR inkjet ink includes between 20% to 60% by weight of a magnetic iron oxide with cobalt doping, pigment dispersion, mixed with between 5% to 30% by weight of a humectant, in a water solution emulsion. The dispersion is milled in a wet media mill to obtain particle size in the 150 nm range. Additional humectant, surfactants, jetting agents, and stabilizing additives are added for the final ink composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to magnetic inks and more particularly to an aqueous magnetic ink composition and a method for making an aqueous magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) ink for use in desktop inkjet printers.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a printing technology used primarily in the banking and financial services markets. The process of MICR encoding involves the printing of magnetically readable characters. These characters are printed using methods such as impact printing (MICR ribbons), electrophotographic printing (MICR toner) and traditional offset printing (MICR ink). More recently, MICR printing has been attempted using inkjet technology.
The printing of MICR characters using inkjet printing presents unique challenges, such as sufficient suspension of magnetic material in a fluid, adequate ink drying, and successful permanence or adhesion of the MICR ink to a given substrate.
MICR inkjet ink requirements include high pigment loadings in the ink to achieve an acceptable MICR signal level. Desktop inkjet printers require low viscosity inks. Providing a low viscosity ink with sufficient magnetic pigment loading to produce acceptable MICR signal levels, present a significant challenge.
Prior art MICR inks for inkjet printers have failed to create an ink that is stable enough for use in desktop inkjet printers and have the required minimum magnetic resonance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,396, granted Jul. 27, 2004, is directed to a process for making an aqueous MICR inkjet ink that uses surfactants and grinding of iron oxide particles, the only achieving a peak magnetic resonance of about 20 emu/g.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,527, granted Jun. 8, 2004, is directed to an aqueous MICR inkjet ink composition which uses a combination of surfactants, an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant for dispersion of the iron oxide particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,757, granted Apr. 27, 2004, is directed to an aqueous MICR inkjet ink composition that coats the iron oxide particles with a hydrophobic coating to aid in dispersion of the particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,433, granted Aug. 14, 2007, is directed to a multiple pass inkjet printing process using the aqueous MICR inkjet ink discussed in the above patents. The process requires laying down at least two layers of the MICR inkjet ink to achieve the minimum signal load required by the ANSI standard.
Accordingly, there is a need for a magnetic ink composition and a method of making a low viscosity MICR inkjet ink suitable for use in desktop inkjet printers.

Composition and method of making an aqueous magnetic ink character recognition inkjet ink


The present invention relates to the coat protein genes of Papaya Ringspot Virus Strain papaya ringspot (PRV-p), Watermelon Mosaic Virus II (WMVII), and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV); to expression vectors which contain a coat protein gene for PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV, and, additionally, the necessary genetic regulatory sequences needed for expression of a gene transferred into a plant; to bacterial or plant cells which are transformed with an expression vector containing the PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV coat protein genes; to transgenic plants which are produced from plant cells transformed with an expression vector containing the coat protein gene from PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV; and to a process of producing transgenic plants which have increased resistance to viral infection.

Potyviruses are a distinct group of plant viruses which are pathogenic to various crops. Potyviruses include watermelon mosaic virus II (WMVII); papaya ringspot virus strains papaya ringspot and watermelon mosaic I(PRV-p and PRV-w), two closely related members of the plant potyvirus group which were at one time classified as distinct virus types, but are presently classified as different strains of the same virus; zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV); and many others. These viruses consist of flexous, filamentous particles of dimensions approximately 780.times.12 nanometers. The viral particles contain a single-stranded RNA genome containing about 10,000 nucleotides of positive (+, coding, or sense) polarity. Translation of the RNA genome of potyviruses shows that the RNA encodes a single large polyprotein of about 330 kD. The polyprotein contains several proteins, one of which is a 49 kD protease that is specific for the cleavage of the polyprotein into at least six (6) other peptides. One of the proteins contained within this polyprotein is a 35kD capsid or coat protein which coats and protects the viral RNA from degradation.
The genome organization of several viruses belonging to the potyvirus family group has been studied in detail, in particular tobacco etch virus, tobacco vein mottling virus and pepper mottle virus. In each case, the location of the coat protein gene has been at the 3'-end of the RNA, just prior to a stretch of 200 to 300 bases) terminal adenine nucleotides residues. The location of the 49 kD protease gene appears to be conserved in these viruses. In the tobacco etch virus, the protease cleavage site has been determined to be the dipeptide Gln-Ser, Gln-Gly or Gln-Ala. Conversation of these dipeptides as the cleavage sites in these viral polyproteins is apparent from the sequences of the above-listed potyviruses.
Expression of the coat protein genes from tobacco mosaic virus, alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and potato virus X in transgenic plants has resulted in plants which are resistant to infection by the respective virus. In order to produce such transgenic plants, the coat protein gene must be inserted into the genome of the plant. Furthermore, the coat protein gene must contain all the genetic control sequences necessary for the expression of the gene after it has been incorporated into the plant genome.
Since the coat protein of a potyvirus is produced by the post translation processing of a polyprotein, the coat protein gene isolated from viral RNA does not contain the genetic regulatory sequences needed for gene expression. The coat protein gene does not contain the transcription and translation signals necessary for its expression once transferred and integrated into a plant genome. It must, therefore, be engineered to contain a plant expressible promoter, a translation initiation codon (ATG) and a plant functional poly(A) addition signal (AATAAA) 3' of its translation termination codon.
In the present invention, the nucleotide sequences of the cat protein genes for WMV-II, PRV-p and ZYMV have been determined, and the genes have been inserted into expression vectors to supply them with the necessary genetic regulatory sequences so that the genes can be expressed when incorporated into a plant genome. Plant cells are transformed with the vector construct and the plant cells are induced to regenerate. The resulting plants contain the coat protein genes and produce the coat protein. The production of the protein confers upon the plant an increased resistance to infection by the virus from which the coat protein gene was derived.

Potyvirus coat protein genes and plants transformed therewith


An upgrade kit and method for converting a typical monophasic defibrillator into a biphasic defibrillator is provided. The upgrade kit is easily connected to a typical monophasic defibrillator and uses control signals that are commonly available in most monophasic defibrillators. Such control signals include the signals for transferring the defibrillation pulse to the patient, and for dumping unwanted energy from the energy storage capacitor. In addition, the upgrade kit avoids the need for information as to the charge level of the storage capacitor by using a discharge method that allows the production of proper biphasic defibrillation pulses regardless of the initial energy settings of the storage capacitor. More specifically, the upgrade kit determines the desired length of the biphasic defibrillation pulses according to two measurements which are taken during the defibrillation pulse. These two measurements are converted to an index referenced in a look-up table to determine the desired lengths of the two phases of the biphasic defibrillation pulse.

This invention relates to defibrillators and, more particularly, to converting a monophasic defibrillator to a defibrillator capable of applying a biphasic defibrillation pulse to a patient.
One of the most common and life-threatening medical conditions is ventricular fibrillation, a condition where the human heart is unable to pump the volume of blood required by the human body. The generally accepted technique for restoring a normal rhythm to a heart experiencing ventricular fibrillation is to apply a strong electric pulse to the heart using an external cardiac defibrillator. External cardiac defibrillators have been successfully used for many years in hospitals by doctors and nurses, and in the field by emergency treatment personnel, e.g., paramedics.
Conventional external cardiac defibrillators first accumulate a high-energy electric charge on an energy storage capacitor. When a switching mechanism is closed, the stored energy is transferred to a patient in the form of a large current pulse. The current pulse is applied to the patient via a pair of electrodes positioned on the patient""s chest. The switching mechanism used in most contemporary external defibrillators is a high-energy transfer relay. A discharge control signal causes the relay to complete an electrical circuit between the storage capacitor and a wave shaping circuit whose output is connected to the electrodes attached to the patient.
The relay used in contemporary external defibrillators has traditionally allowed a monophasic waveform to be applied to the patient. A typical monophasic defibrillator is shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a host control circuit 10 activates a capacitor-charging circuit 12 to charge a storage capacitor C1 up to a high voltage level. Once capacitor C1 is charged, the defibrillator is ready to apply a defibrillation pulse. To apply a defibrillation pulse, the host control circuit 10 activates control line XFER, which closes relay switches SW1 and SW2. Relay switches SW1 and SW2 may be mechanical relays or solid state switching devices, and in some cases may be replaced by a single relay switch, such as switch SW1. Once relay switches SW1 and SW2 are closed, a monophasic defibrillation pulse travels from the capacitor C1 to the patient 14. The path of the pulse energy is from the positive terminal of the capacitor C1 to a line 20 and through switch SW1. Next, the pulse passes through a line 30 and through the patient 14 in the direction of arrow 16. Finally, the pulse passes through a line 32, switch SW2, and another line 22 to the negative terminal of the capacitor C1.
Once the storage capacitor C1 is charged, if the operator decides not to apply a defibrillation pulse to the patient, the capacitor is then discharged by the control signal DUMP. The control signal DUMP may also be activated by a xe2x80x9ctime-outxe2x80x9d period, or when the power to the defibrillator is turned off, or by other selected events. To discharge the capacitor C1, the host control circuit 10 activates the control signal DUMP so as to close the switch SW3 and short out the remaining energy from the capacitor C1 through switch SW3 and a dump resistor R1. Dump resistor R1 limits the current from the capacitor C1 through the switch SW3 so as to prevent damage to the circuit components. by discharging capacitor C1 relatively slowly.
While contemporary external defibrillators such as those described above have traditionally applied a monophasic waveform to a patient, it has recently been discovered that there may be certain advantages to applying a biphasic rather than a monophasic waveform to the patient. For example, preliminary research indicates that a biphasic waveform may limit the resulting heart trauma associated with the defibrillation pulse.
While defibrillators applying biphasic waveforms may have certain advantages, the cost of upgrading from monophasic to biphasic defibrillators can be significant. Consumers and manufacturers who have made substantial investments in the purchase and development of conventional monophasic defibrillators are faced with the costly expense of purchasing or developing entirely new biphasic defibrillators if they wish to upgrade to biphasic technology.
The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus that overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantages. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an upgrade kit for converting a conventional monophasic defibrillator into a defibrillator that is capable of applying a high-energy, biphasic defibrillation pulse to a patient.
In accordance with this invention, a defibrillator that applies monophasic defibrillation pulses to a patient may be converted into a defibrillator capable of providing biphasic defibrillation pulses. This conversion is significantly less expensive than the purchase or development of an entirely new biphasic defibrillator and reduces the training required for those who are already familiar with the controls for operating the monophasic defibrillator.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the upgrade kit is easily connected to and at least partially controlled by the control circuit of the monophasic defibrillator. The upgrade kit connects to easily accessible circuit components such as the terminals of the storage capacitor. In addition, an upgrade control circuit of the upgrade kit uses some of the control signals that are commonly available in most monophasic defibrillator control circuits. More specifically, the control signals for performing functions such as activating the monophasic pulse, and for dumping unwanted stored energy, may be used. These signals are commonly available in most monophasic defibrillator control circuits and are carried by control lines that can be easily coupled to and implemented by the upgrade kit. For the defibrillation pulse control signal, the upgrade kit is able to compensate for any delay time in the relay switches of the original defibrillator by delaying the activation of the faster upgrade kit switches until the slower relay switches have had time to close.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the upgrade kit uses a discharge method that will allow it to apply a proper biphasic defibrillation pulse regardless of the initial energy settings of the host defibrillator. The upgrade kit accomplishes this by using two measurements that are taken near the beginning of the biphasic defibrillator pulse and using the ratio of the two measurements to determine the desired length of the biphasic pulse. The desired length of the biphasic pulse may be determined by a look-up table in the upgrade control circuit. Use of this method allows the upgrade kit to apply a proper biphasic defibrillation pulse without needing information regarding the energy level to which the storage capacitor has been charged. This eliminates the need for a serial interface between the host control circuit in regard to the selection of energy levels to which the storage capacitor may be charged.
As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing description, the upgrade kit of the present invention is easily inserted into a conventional monophasic defibrillator. By using control signals that are readily available, and by not requiring a serial interface between the host and upgrade kit control circuits, the installation of the upgrade kit is simplified. The resulting upgraded defibrillator is less costly than a new biphasic defibrillator but is capable of providing the advantageous biphasic defibrillation pulses to a patient.

Method and apparatus for converting a monophasic defibrillator to a biphasic defibrillator


A drying jig circulating apparatus includes a drying jig assembling apparatus for assembling a drying jig on a movable table, a drying apparatus for drying a ceramic molded body held by the drying jig, and a drying jig disassembling apparatus for disassembling the drying jig on a movable table, and a drying jig circulating conveyor for transporting the drying jig from the disassembling apparatus to the assembling apparatus. The drying jig is configured by two or more separate jigs with a fixing member that integrates the separate jigs, or formed by one openable jig with a fixing member for maintaining a closed state. The drying jig assembling apparatus further includes a molded body mounting mechanism, a ceramic molded body holding mechanism, and a jig delivering mechanism. The drying jig disassembling apparatus further includes a jig receiving mechanism, a jig releasing mechanism, and a molded body taking-out mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drying jig assembling apparatus, a drying jig disassembling apparatus, a drying jig circulating apparatus, a drying method of a ceramic molded body, and a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure.
2. Discussion of the Background
In recent years, particulates such as soot contained in exhaust gases that are discharged from internal combustion engines of vehicles such as buses and trucks, and construction machines and the like, have raised serious problems as contaminants harmful to the environment and the human body.
Various honeycomb filters using honeycomb structures made from porous ceramic materials, which serve as filters that capture particulates in exhaust gases to purify the exhaust gases, have been proposed.
Conventionally, upon manufacturing such a honeycomb structure, first, a wet mixture is prepared by mixing ceramic powder, a binder and a dispersant solution or the like with one another. Moreover, the wet mixture is continuously extrusion-molded through a die, and the extruded molded body is cut into a predetermined length so that a pillar-shaped honeycomb molded body is manufactured.
Next, the resulting honeycomb molded body is dried by using a microwave drying method or a hot-air drying method.
Thereafter, the end portions of this honeycomb molded body are plugged by a plug material paste mainly composed of the ceramic powder into a diced pattern, and then respective degreasing and firing processes are carried out on the resulting honeycomb molded body so that a honeycomb fired body is manufactured.
Thereafter, a sealing material paste is applied to the side faces of the honeycomb fired body, and the honeycomb fired bodies are mutually bonded by using a adhesive so that an aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies in which a number of the honeycomb fired bodies are combined with one another by interposing the sealing material layer (adhesive layer) is manufactured. Next, cutting is carried out on the resulting aggregate of the honeycomb fired bodies so that it is formed into a predetermined shape, such as a cylindrical shape and a cylindroid shape, by using a cutting machine or the like so that a honeycomb block is formed, and lastly, a sealing material paste is applied onto the periphery of the honeycomb block to form a sealing material layer (coat layer); thus, the manufacturing processes for the honeycomb structure are completed.
In such a manufacturing method of a honeycomb structure, JP-A 2001-130973 has disclosed a drying method in which: in order to prevent warping in the honeycomb molded body and cracks and the like in the cell walls from occurring upon drying a honeycomb molded body, a drying jig configured by an upper jig and a lower jig is used and the drying process is carried out with the honeycomb molded body being enclosed into a tightly contact state from above as well as from below with these upper and lower jigs.
Moreover, with respect to the drying method of a honeycomb molded body, WO 2005/024326 A1 has disclosed a method in which, in order to repeatedly use a tray on which the honeycomb molded body is mounted, the tray is circulated.
The contents of JP-A 2001-130973 and WO 2005/024326 A1 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.


A valve assembly, comprises a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an internal volume; a pair of sealing rings and mounted to the housing; and a spherical plug rotatably disposed within the housing for contact with the seating rings, the spherical plug comprising a general spherical main body having a generally cylindrical bore therethrough; and a plurality of slotted plates longitudinally parallel to each other and parallel with the axis rotation of the spherical plug.

For adjusting fluid flow, a wide variety of valve types are known. One type of valve is generally known as a ball valve. A ball valve has a plug or valve body mounted inside a valve housing. A bore or other passageway or passageways is provided through the valve body so that the valve body can be rotated between open, closed and intermediate flow positions. These valves sometimes face certain disadvantages however. For example, the pressure drop characteristic curve when plotted against the rotation of the valve body may have undesirably abrupt or sudden pressure changes. In some instances a more gradual pressure drop is desired. Also, commonly known valves are often subject to undesirable cavitation due to shape pressure transients or high speed flow around edges of the valve opening.
According, it would be desirable to have a fluid control valve that provides desirable characteristics and overcomes the above mentioned difficulties at least to some extent.

Valve assembly and method with slotted plates and spherical ball plug


Antibodies to various fungal antigens are disclosed, including monoclonal antibody 9B4 that selectively binds an antigen of Stachybotrys chartarum spores not found in Stachybotrys chartarum mycelium. The antibodies may be used in a variety of methods, such as detecting the presence of fungal antigens in the environment or within a sample obtained from an animal or plant, or testing the effectiveness of an agent in binding an antigen.

Certain fungi found in indoor environments, including homes and businesses, may cause adverse health effects in people and animals by provoking allergic reactions, causing infection, or releasing toxic substances. Recently, some attention has focused on the fungus Stachybotrys chartarum, which grows in moist indoor environments. Exposure to this fungus has been implicated in respiratory, dermatological, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system disorders in humans and a variety of animals. See, e.g., Fung, F., et al., Clinical Toxicology 36:79-86 (1998); Robbins, C. A., et al., Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 15:773-84 (2000). For example, it has been suggested that Stachybotrys chartarum may be associated with "sick building syndrome," an occupational condition in which workers are sickened by environmental toxins or pathogens. Craner, J., in: Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control, Johanning, E. (Ed.), (Eastern New York Occupational and Environmental Health Center, Albany, N.Y., 1999), pp. 146-157.
Exposure to the toxic substances, such as trichothecenes, or allergens produced by Stachybotrys chartarum is implicated in some respiratory disorders, including inflammation and hemorrhage of the lungs, and also may increase disease susceptibility in exposed subjects by affecting the inflammatory and immune responses after exposure. See, e.g., Dearborn, D. G., et al., Environmental Health Perspectives 107:495-99 (1999); Flappan, S. M., et al., Environmental Health Perspectives 107:927-930 (1999); Elidemir, O., Pediatrics 104:964-66 (1999); and Pitt, J. I., British Medical Bulletin 56: 184-92 (2000). However, the exact role of Stachybotrys chartarum in causing these adverse health effects is not well known and has been controversial, especially regarding human susceptibility to Stachybotrys chartarum.
Accurate and precise monitoring methods are needed to better understand and analyze the role of Stachybotrys chartarum in certain diseases or conditions and the relevance of this fungus in causing or contributing to such health effects. Current methods of detecting this fungus rely on spore counts and cultivation of samples, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, or use chromatographic detection of specific mycotoxins, which can be insensitive and often requires specialized equipment. Therefore, a need exists for a method of assessing exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum that is rapid, accurate, and efficient.
If available, an antibody that binds to an antigen on a fungus may be used to detect some fungi. An antibody-antigen complex, formed when an antibody binds to an antigen, may be detected using a variety of techniques, such as the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), particle immunostaining, or fluorescence-based image analysis. For example, monoclonal antibodies against fungal allergens expressed by Alternaria alternata and several Aspergillus and Penicillium species have been used to identify and characterize environmental contamination. Chapman, M. D., et al., Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology 18:285-300 (2000). The application of these monoclonal antibodies for measuring exposure was compromised by their cross-reactivity with other fungal species, variability or lack of essential expression of allergens recognized by the antibodies, or the lack of assay sensitivity due to low level production of allergens per unit biomass. Mitakakis, T. Z., et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 107:388-90 (2001); Vailes, L., et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 107:641-46 (2001). However, antibodies to Stachybotrys species, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, and associated methods of detecting these fungi were not previously known.

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems and computer program products for learning ranking functions to determine the ranking of one or more content items that are responsive to a query. The present invention includes generating one or more training sets comprising one or more content item-query pairs, determining preference data for the one or more query-content item pairs of the one or more training sets and determining labeled data for the one or more query-content item pairs of the one or more training sets. A ranking function is determined based upon the preference data and the labeled data for the one or more content-item query pairs of the one or more training sets. The ranking function is then stored for application to query-content item pairs not contained in the one or more training sets.

The World Wide Web provides access to an extraordinary large collection of information sources (in various formats including text, images, videos and other media content) relating to virtually every subject imaginable. As the World Wide Web has grown, the ability of users to search this collection of information and identify content relevant to a particular subject has become increasingly important.
A user of a search engine, for example, typically supplies a query to the search engine that contains only a few terms and expects the search engine to return a result set comprising relevant content items. Although a search engine may return a result set comprising hundreds of relevant content items, most users are likely to only view the top several content items in a result set. Thus, to be useful to a user, a search engine should determine those content items in a given result set that are most relevant to the user, or that the user would be most interested in, on the basis of the query that the user submits and rank such content items accordingly.
A user's view as to which content items are relevant to the query is influenced by a number of factors, many of which are highly subjective. Due to the highly subjective nature of such factors, it is generally difficult to capture in an algorithmic set of rules those factors that define a function for ranking content items. Furthermore, these subjective factors may change over time, as for example when current events are associated with a particular query term. Thus, users who receive search result sets that contain results not perceived to be highly relevant quickly become frustrated and may potentially abandon the use of a particular search engine. Therefore, designing an effective and efficient function that is operative to retrieve and efficiently rank content items is of the upmost importance to information retrieval.

Learning ranking functions incorporating boosted ranking in a regression framework for information retrieval and ranking


Provided is an antibacterial agent exhibiting an excellent antibacterial activity effect and exerting a mild influence on the environment and humans. The antibacterial agent of the present invention comprises, as an effective component, a mixture of coumarin analogues extracted from a citrus fruit pericarp, particularly a mixture of coumarin analogues obtained from citrus cold press oil.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an antibacterial agent containing coumarin analogues obtained from citrus cold press oil. This antibacterial agent exhibits excellent antibacterial ability against various bacteria, also exerts a mild influence on humans and environment and does not change flavor and taste even after it is compounded, showing that it can be used for many purposes.
2. Prior Art
Synthetic antiseptics have been developed and used in various fields. For example, synthetic antiseptics such as Trichlosane and Parabene are known in food and drink fields and cosmetic fields. These synthetic antiseptics have, to say in general, safety problems and are limited in the subjects to which these antiseptics are added and the amount to be added at present.
In the meantime, lysozyme, protamine, tea extracts, various spice extracts, various essential oils (components) and the like are known as antibacterial agents of a natural origin. However, these antibacterial agents not only are said to be by no means superior in antibacterial ability to the synthetic antiseptics but also involve such a problem that each affects the taste and flavor of the materials to which it is added.
Also, bacteria, for example, acid-thermophilic bacteria (genus Alicyclobacillus), which grow in favor of high temperature (40 to 70° C.) and acidic conditions (pH=2 to 6) are known. These bacteria cannot be perished in the usual bactericidal condition (86 to 96° C., 2 minutes) of soft drinks and proliferate while these drinks are stored, resulting in, for example, the occurrence of an unfavorable chemical odor, impaired taste and the occurrence of turbidity, indicating that these bacteria are a factor damaging a product value significantly. To avoid this problematic point, a method is proposed in which cane sugar fatty acid ester, which has been found to have an antibacterial effect, is added to low-acidity drinks such as coffee-flavored drinks. However, this ester has inferior dispersibility in an acidic range and is easily crystallized. From this reason, turbidity and precipitates are caused in the acidic drinks. Therefore, it is pointed out that this method has the disadvantage that the product value is impaired.
For this, there is a demand for an antibacterial agent which is of a natural origin, has superior antibacterial ability and has no influence on the taste and flavor of the product.


A tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body, and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid. During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has been opened.

Dispensing plastic closures have come into widespread use by virtue of the convenience by which they permit consumers to readily manipulate the closure for dispensing contents from an associated container. This type of closure typically includes a closure body for fitment to the associated container, with the body defining one or more dispensing openings through which the contents of the container can be dispensed. This type of closure further includes a flip-top lid pivotally joined to the closure body, such as by a living hinge, so that the lid can be moved between open and closed positions with respect to the closure body, thereby opening and closing the dispensing opening. These types of closures are particularly useful on flowable food products, such as condiments or the like, with use on deformable (i.e., squeezable) containers further facilitating convenient dispensing.
Closures of this type are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,444, No. 6,234,334, and No. 6,405,885, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
As will be appreciated, it is desirable to provide this type of dispensing closure with a tamper-indicating or tamper-evident feature, whereby consumers can readily visually discern whether the flip-top lid of the closure has been previously opened. While it is known to provide separate seal elements or the like applied to such closures for tamper-indication, the use of such additional sealing elements complicates closure manufacture. It is thus desirable to configure such a dispensing closure to include an integral tamper-indicating arrangement. At the same time, it is desirable that such a tamper-indicating arrangement function without undue complexity, and avoid the need to separate one or more loose components of the closure during initial opening.
The present invention is directed to a one-piece tamper-indicating dispensing closure which can be economically manufactured, is reliable in operation, is easily and conveniently manipulated by consumers, and avoids separation of any loose components during initial opening of the closure.


CMP pad dressers and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. One aspect of the present invention provides a CMP pad dresser having improved superabrasive grit retention in a resin layer. The CMP pad includes a resin layer, superabrasive grit held in the resin layer such that an exposed portion of each superabrasive grit protrudes from the resin layer, and a metal coating layer disposed between each superabrasive grit and the resin layer, where the exposed portions are substantially free of the metal coating layer. The metal coating layer acts to increase the retention of the superabrasive grit in the resin layer as compared to superabrasive grit absent the metal coating layer.

Many industries utilize a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process for polishing certain work pieces. Particularly, the computer manufacturing industry relies heavily on CMP processes for polishing wafers of ceramics, silicon, glass, quartz, and metals. Such polishing processes generally entail applying the wafer against a rotating pad made from a durable organic substance such as polyurethane. A chemical slurry is utilized that contains a chemical capable of breaking down the wafer substance and an amount of abrasive particles which act to physically erode the wafer surface. The slurry is continually added to the rotating CMP pad, and the dual chemical and mechanical forces exerted on the wafer cause it to be polished in a desired manner.
Of particular importance to the quality of polishing achieved is the distribution of the abrasive particles throughout the pad. The top of the pad holds the particles by means of fibers or small pores, which provide a friction force sufficient to prevent the particles from being thrown off of the pad due to the centrifugal force exerted by the pad's spinning motion. Therefore, it is important to keep the top of the pad as flexible as possible, to keep the fibers as erect as possible, and to assure that there is an abundance of open pores available to receive newly applied abrasive particles.
One problem that arises with regard to maintaining the pad surface, however, is an accumulation of polishing debris coming from the work piece, the abrasive slurry, and the pad dresser. This accumulation causes a "glazing" or hardening of the top of the pad, mats the fibers down, and thus makes the pad surface less able to hold the abrasive particles of the slurry. These effects significantly decrease the pad's overall polishing performance. Further, with many pads, the pores used to hold the slurry, become clogged, and the overall asperity of the pad's polishing surface becomes depressed and matted. A CMP pad dresser can be used to revive the pad surface by "combing" or "cutting" it. This process is known as "dressing" or "conditioning" the CMP pad. Many types of devices and processes have been used for this purpose. One such device is a disk with a plurality of superhard crystalline particles such as diamond particles attached to a metal-matrix surface.
Ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI) is a technology that places at least 1 million circuit elements on a single semiconductor chip. In addition to the tremendous density issues that already exist, with the current movement toward size reduction, ULSI has become even more delicate, both in size and materials than ever before. Therefore, the CMP industry has been required to respond by providing polishing materials and techniques that accommodate these advances. For example, lower CMP polishing pressures, smaller size abrasive particles in the slurry, and polishing pads of a size and nature that do not over polish the wafer must be used. Furthermore, pad dressers that cut asperities in the pad which can accommodate the smaller abrasive particles, and that do not overdress the pad must be used.
There are a number of problems in attempting to provide such a pad dresser. First, the superabrasive particles must be significantly smaller than those typically used in currently know dressing operations. Generally speaking, the superabrasive particles are so small that a traditional metal matrix is often unsuitable for holding and retaining them. Further, the smaller size of the superabrasive particles, means that the particle tip height must be precisely leveled in order to uniformly dress the pad. Traditional CMP pad dressers can have particle tip height variations of more than 50 μm without compromising dressing performance. However, such a variation would render a dresser useless if it were required to dress a CMP pad and achieve a uniform asperity depth of 20 μm or less, for example.
In addition to issues with properly holding very small superabrasive particles, the tendencies of metal to warp and buckle during a heating process, cause additional issues in obtaining a CMP pad dresser having superabrasive particle tips leveled to within a narrow tolerance range. While other substrate materials such as polymeric resins have been know, such materials typically are not able to retain superabrasive particles to a degree that is sufficient for CMP pad dressing.
As a result, a CMP pad dresser that is suitable for dressing a CMP pad that meet the demands placed upon the CMP industry by the continual reductions in semiconductor size is still being sought.

Chemical mechanical polishing pad dresser


A filter head, designed to hold at least two filter elements. The filter head having a housing, into which feed channels to, and return channels from, the filter elements are integrated. A rotatable switching drum is provided for selectively opening or closing the channels to control the flow of fluid to the filter elements. The filter head has a cover, which closes off the housing, and a spring element, which produces an axial force which presses one of the sealing surfaces of the switching drum against the cover and the other sealing surface of the switching drum against the housing.

The invention pertains to a filter head, designed to hold at least two filter elements.
In an internal combustion engine, the fuel is cleaned by two filter elements. These are installed in a stationary filter head. A shutoff lever is used to determine manually the number of filter elements through which the fuel will flow. During normal operation, for example, the fuel will flow through both elements, whereas, during maintenance work, it will flow through only one filter element, which allows the other filter element to be replaced.
A filter head with integrated feed channels and return channels, with two filter elements, and with a shutoff lever is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,805. The lever is connected nonrotatably to a switching drum, so that turning the shutoff lever has the effect of actuating the switching drum, which in turn controls the flow of liquid through the feed and return channels. The switching drum and the filter head are sealed off radially from each other. So that the switching drum is free to rotate inside the filter head, an appropriate annular gap must be present.
A critical aspect of a filter head of this type is that, when one of the filter elements is to be replaced and the filter element has therefore been removed from the filter head, fuel escapes from the filter head through the annular gap. The classification societies for marine engines specify that no leakage may occur while the first filter element is active and the second filter element is being replaced. For this reason, this filter head cannot be used without supplemental measures such as the installation of nonreturn valves. Another critical point is that the shutoff lever must be turned against the force caused by the pressure of the fuel. In the case of a common-rail system, the low-pressure pump produces a pressure level of approximately 8 bars, which means that the shutoff lever is difficult to actuate.


The apparatus and process to compensate for variations in thickness of molding tools and of moldable materials used in an embossing process to be carried out under a vacuum, while ensuring high dimensional stability, and to ensure different molding depths. For achieving this object, a chamber is employed having a pair of oppositely lying chamber parts, of which one is fixed to the framework and the other is adjustable, having side walls which comprise an inner part and an outer part. The inner part is fastened to the fixed chamber part and the outer part, on the outwardly facing end face to of which the adjustable chamber part comes to bear against the force of a spring during the closing of the chamber, is displaceable along guide elements on the fixed chamber part between two stops. Within the chamber there takes place a setting of atmospheric conditions and of temperature conditions at points in time of the closing of the chamber at which an increase in a force acting on the fixed chamber part reaches predetermined values. Apparatus and processes employing such chamber are used in the production of microsystem components

a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the molding of microsystem structures with an apparatus which includes a pair of oppositely lying chamber parts of a closable chamber, which serve as carriers for receiving an embossing tool and a moldable material, and of which one chamber part is fixed to the framework and the other is guided adjustably in a frame.
b) Description of the Related Art
In the process for producing microsystem components which has become known under the name LIGA technique (a German acronym standing for lithography with synchrotron radiation, galvanoplating and plastic molding), the molding is a key to mass production. By pressing a molding tool into a layer of thermoplastic or some other material, preferably under a vacuum and at a temperature above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic, three-dimensional structures are produced with structure heights in the range of just a few nanometers to a few hundred micrometers.
DE 40 10 669 C1 and DE 42 22 856 C1, which relate to processes for producing microstructured elements from plastic, describe in detail the process steps of the so-called vacuum embossing process. The structural design of an apparatus suitable for molding on a mass-production scale is not dealt within detail.
Such an apparatus must meet the requirement of having flexible apparatus possibilities. This includes solving those problems which arise because of different heights of the molding tools to be used and also different thicknesses of the molding material and the molding depth (structure depth). This adaptability is additionally made more difficult by the requirement contained in DE 42 22 856 C1 for very accurate parallel guidance of the tool.

Apparatus for molding microsystem structures


Punch pins which have further extending lobes, and which are designed to punch sockets that have deeper flutes while not having lobes which extend further toward a center axis of the fastener. Using such a punch pin to form a socket in a fastener provides that the resulting socket has flutes which are deeper than they otherwise would be, without having to provide corresponding lobes which extend further toward the center axis of the socket. This extra deepness in the flutes helps to provide extra room for a coating to deposit.

Since its invention, the TORX PLUS® brand drive system has consistently outperformed every other drive system on the market. Its longer tool life and optimal torque transfer have enhanced product reliability, increased productivity, and reduced total assembly costs on assembly lines in a multitude of industries around the world. The TORX PLUS® brand drive system has an elliptically-based geometry, a zero degree drive angle, six lobes with large cross-sectional area, vertical sidewalls and reduced recess fallaway, and greatly increased strength and reliability. The TORX PLUS® brand drive system is also compatible with the drive tools of its predecessor, the TORX® brand drive system. In contrast to the TORX PLUS® brand drive system, the TORX® brand drive system has a cylindrically-based geometry. The TORX® brand drive system is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,667 and the TORX PLUS® brand drive system is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,207,132 and 5,279,190. These three United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Several trademark registrations for the trademarks TORX® and TORX PLUS®, both in the United States and abroad, are owned by Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC, the assignee of the present application.

Punch pins, associated sockets, and methods of forming sockets using punch pins


Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having recess channels and asymmetrical junctions. The method includes forming an impurity region for adjusting the threshold voltage by implanting ions into a bit line junction of a semiconductor substrate, which includes storage nodes junction, the bit line junction, and channel regions between the source and bit line junctions, and portions of the channel regions of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the bit line junction; forming recess channel trenches by etching the channel regions of the semiconductor substrate to a designated depth; forming a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate provided with the recess channel trenches; and forming the storage nodes junction and the bit line junction on the semiconductor substrate provided with the gate stack via ion implantation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having recess channels and asymmetrical junctions.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the integration of semiconductor devices increase, deterioration in the characteristics of semiconductor devices due to short channel effects is of primary concern. Further, in a process for forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) film, an inverse narrow width effect (INWE) due to the edges of an active region is increased. Accordingly, leakage current characteristics are generated in transistors, thereby causing the deterioration in the characteristics of the semiconductor device, for example, deterioration in the refresh or data retention time of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Thus, a semiconductor device having recess channels with an increased length without increasing the density of the dopant on a semiconductor substrate has been proposed. In a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device having the recess channels, channel regions of the semiconductor substrate are recessed to a designated depth and a stack is formed on the recessed channel regions, thereby increasing the length of the channels in a vertical direction. That is, since the effective channel length is increased in proportion to the recessed length of the channel regions of the semiconductor substrate, it is possible to assure the margin of a short channel without increasing the density of the dopant in the channel regions, thereby preventing the deterioration in the refresh characteristics of the DRAM.
In a semiconductor device, particularly a DRAM, storage nodes junction and a bit line junction are electrically connected to storage nodes of a capacitor and the bit line respectively. Leakage current in the storage nodes junction connected to the storage nodes of the capacitor deteriorates the refresh characteristics of the DRAM. Recently, p-type impurity ions for adjusting the threshold voltage, for example, B ions or BF2 ions are implanted into the semiconductor substrate under the condition that the storage nodes junction are cut off, thereby increasing the width of the depletion region in storage node or source junction only, thus decreasing an electric field in the storage noce or source junction only and decreasing the amount of leakage current. Accordingly, a semiconductor device employing the above asymmetrical junctions has been proposed.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are sectional views illustrating one conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having asymmetrical junctions.
First, with reference to FIG. 1A, a mask film pattern 12 for adjusting the threshold voltage and forming asymmetrical junctions is formed on a semiconductor substrate 10, an active region of which is restricted by shallow trench isolation (STI) films 11. The mask film pattern 12 includes an opening 12′ for exposing portions of the semiconductor substrate 10 other than portions of an active region of the semiconductor substrate 10 connected to the storage nodes. Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A, an impurity region 13 for adjusting the threshold voltage is formed by an ion implantation process using the mask film pattern 12 as an ion implantation mask.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1B, after the mask film pattern (12 in FIG. 1A) is eliminated, a gate stack 14 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 10 using conventional methods. The gate stack 14 is a stacked sequentially structured including a gate insulating film pattern 14a, a gate conductive film pattern 14b, a metal silicide film pattern 14c, and an insulating capping layer pattern 14d. Then, although not shown in the drawings, an ion implantation process and an impurity diffusion process for forming source and bit line junctions are performed. When the source and bit line junctions are formed through the ion implantation process and the impurity diffusion process, an impurity region 13 for adjusting the threshold voltage is partially formed on the semiconductor substrate 10, thereby forming the source and bit line junctions having asymmetrical junctions.
In the above conventional method, the position of the impurity region 13 for adjusting the threshold voltage is changed by the misalignment of the mask film pattern (12 in FIG. 1A). The change in position of the impurity region 13 is undesirable, and causes the threshold voltages of transistors not to be uniformly maintained. That is, a left-biased impurity region 13a generated by misalignment of the mask film pattern (12 in FIG. 1A) causes the threshold voltage of a right transistor (B) to be lower than the threshold voltage of a left transistor (A). On the other hand, a right-biased impurity region 13b generated by the misalignment of the mask film pattern (12 in FIG. 1A) causes the threshold voltage of the left transistor (A) to be lower than the threshold voltage of the right transistor (B).
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another conventional method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having asymmetrical junctions.
The conventional method as shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. However, in the conventional method of FIG. 2, impurity ions for adjusting threshold voltage are implanted onto the overall surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 without using a separate mask film pattern. Then, after the gate stack 14 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 10, a mask film pattern 15 for exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate 10 exposed by the gate stack 14 is formed. Here, the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate 10 is not connected to a storage node, but is connected to a bit line. An additional ion implantation process is performed using the mask film pattern 15 as an ion implantation mask film. Then, after the mask film pattern 15 is eliminated, an impurity ion implantation and diffusion process forming source and bit line junctions is performed.
In this case, as the integration of semiconductor devices is increased, an interval between the semiconductor devices is narrowed, thereby causing difficulty of definately defining a mask film pattern for ion implantation due to the scum on a mask film such as a photosensitive film.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with recess channels and asymmetrical junctions


A metastable beta titanium-base alloy of Ti-Fe-Mo-Al, with a MoEq. greater than 16, preferably greater than 16.5 and preferably 16.5 to 20.5 and more preferably about 16.5. The alloy desirably exhibits a minimum percent reduction in area (% RA) of 40%. Preferred composition limits for the alloy, in weight percent, are 4 to 5 Fe, 4 to 7 Mo, 1 to 2 Al, up to 0.25 oxygen and balance Ti.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a metastable beta titanium-base alloy of titanium-iron-molybdenum-aluminum.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the automotive industry, it is advantageous to use components in the manufacture of a motor vehicle that are of lower weight than conventional components. This is desirable from the overall standpoint of manufacturing motor vehicles having increased fuel efficiency. To this end, it has been recognized as advantageous to produce motor vehicle springs, and particularly automotive coil springs, from a high-strength titanium base alloy. More specifically in this regard, high-strength metastable beta titanium-base alloys heat treatable to tensile strengths of about 180 ksi would be well suited for this purpose and achieve weight savings of about 52% and volume reduction of about 22% relative to an equivalent, conventional automotive coil spring made from steel.
Although the properties of these titanium alloys are well suited for this and other automotive applications, the cost relative to steel is prohibitively high. Consequently, there is a need for a titanium alloy having the desired combination of strength and ductility for use in the manufacture of automotive components, such as automotive coil springs, with a low-cost alloy content.


A lay-on roll exerts a nip force against a roll of film winding upon a core. The lay-on roll is rotatably supported by a carriage capable of moving away from the center of the core as the wound roll of film increases in diameter. The carriage is connected to a linear bearing attached to a piston/cylinder assembly for continuously moving the carriage along a straight path colinear with a line connecting the center of the lay-on roll and the center of the core while maintaining a substantially constant nip force.

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for contact winding wherein a lay-on roll exerts a nip force against a roll of film winding upon a core and, in particular, wherein the lay-on roll moves away from the center of the core during winding along a straight path colinear with a line connecting the center of the lay-on roll and the center of the core while maintaining a substantially constant nip force.
Apparatus for winding a thin web of material, such as paper or plastic film, in roll form on a cylindrical core is essential for the production and handling of a film web. It is especially desirable to maintain uniform pressure between the core of a windup roll and an adjacent lay-on roll for compressing film thereon in the case where a thin web of a resilient and deformable material, such as a plastic film, is to be wound. Pressure variation during winding must be minimized to ensure a uniform winding of successive layers and to obtain high quality roll formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,993 discloses apparatus appropriate for automatic web winding including a mechanism for severing a continuous web from a completed roll and transferring the severed end to an empty core of another roll. This winding apparatus has a plurality of positions for holding a winding core on the frame so that the winding of the web can be effected continuously and automatically, allowing the removal of a finished roll to take place at one position while enabling web winding to continue in another. As the web is wound onto the winding core, the core position is held stationary and a lay-on roll is held in contact with the winding roll over the complete working width at a prescribed pressure at the nip, i.e., the area of contact between the rolls. The optimum value for the pressure applied by the lay-on roll during winding is established experimentally and includes factors such as the material width as well as the mechanical properties of the film at the desired film thickness.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,545 discloses an apparatus for maintaining lay-on roll pressure on a winding core while a roll of film is being wound. This reference provides two means for controlling the pressure applied by the lay-on roll to the roll of the film: airsprings pivotally rotate bellcranks holding the lay-on roll to maintain fine control of the loading pressure while piston-cylinder assemblies, synchronized by a connecting shaft, horizontally index the pedestal arms mounted to the lay-on roll bellcrank assembly as the roll increases in diameter.

Method and apparatus for contact winding


The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid crystal panel manufacture, and discloses a cushion block for glass comprising a cushion block body. The cushion block body comprises a support part, at least a portion of which is configured for extending into the underneath of the glass to support a bottom surface of the glass, the portion of the support part configured for extending into the underneath of the glass forming a supporting surface for supporting the bottom surface of the glass; a fixation part fixedly connected with the support part, configured for fixedly connecting with a base platform; and a limitation protrusion fixed to the support part and higher than the supporting surface, wherein the limitation protrusion is located outside the portion of the support part configured for extending into the underneath of the glass, and a surface of the limitation protrusion connecting with the supporting surface forms a limitation surface higher than the supporting surface, configured for abutting against a side of the glass supported on the supporting surface. For the above cushion block for glass, while the supporting surface supports the bottom surface of the glass, the limitation surface can abut against the side surface of the glass to prevent the glass from sliding along the supporting surface, and moreover to prevent the glass from falling off from the cushion block for glass during overturn and movement, thereby improving the support stability of the cushion block for the glass.

According to the prior art, in the technical field of liquid crystal panel manufacture, glass is generally supported by a cushion block during processing. However, the surface of the cushion block for the glass facing the glass to support a bottom surface of the glass is designed typically as a planar surface. And as the size of glass gradually increases, due to factors such as deformation caused by the glass per se, large-sized glass often comes off from the surface of the cushion block during rotation or movement, which may result in shatters because of bumping and knocking between the glass and other components. As a result, the support stability of the cushion block for the glass is rather poor.

Beijing Boe Display Technology Co., Ltd.


In some embodiments, a method, apparatus and system for enabling and disabling voltage regulator controllers are generally presented. In this regard, a sequencer agent is introduced to selectively enable or disable the outputs of voltage regulator controllers in an electronic appliance based at least in part on settings stored in non-volatile memory. Other embodiments are discussed and claimed.

When a silicon component is introduced, there is often much testing that must take place to determine the proper ramp rates and sequences of operating voltage levels for reliable performance. Typically, these ramp rates and sequences are set in hardware through the use of resistors, capacitors, and the like. Not only do these solutions add to the overall cost of the electronic circuit board, but also make it difficult to make any changes to the hardware if the sequences need to be altered.

System for enabling and disabling voltage regulator controller of electronic appliance according to a series of delay times assigned to voltage regulator controllers


A cord holding device and method of use. An embodiment of the device includes a sheet of material having a turned end. The turned end is selectively positionable between a closed orientation and an open orientation. In the open orientation, an opening is formed between the turned end and the sheet to allow for the cord to be inserted within an interior section. In the closed orientation, the turned end wraps around the cord to retain it within the device. A method of using the device comprises mounting the device to a position to receive the cord. A holding section is unturned an amount to allow for the cord to be inserted within the interior section of the holding section. After cord insertion, the holding section re-turns and wraps around the cord.

Cord organization has become more difficult as additional machines and devices make their way into home and business use. These cords can become unmanageable due to many factors including length and number. Unorganized cords may not only be visually unappealing and cumbersome, but they may also lead to preventable injuries. Creating a safe, efficient and aesthetically pleasing environment is important to many businesses and individuals.
Some cords become easily tangled alone along their length or with other cords. The process of untangling these cords may lead to undue frustration and wasted time. Also, locating a specific cord in a tangled mass of cords can be problematic and physically difficult especially when cords are located in a restricted space.
A large amount of time and resources is devoted to making homes and businesses aesthetically pleasing. Unsecured cords can be visually unpleasant and can give an entire home or office an unorganized appearance. In some homes and businesses, it is important to have an environment that appears organized and shows attention to detail. Keeping the cords off the floor adds to the aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Cords can also be hazardous to safety when inadvertently moving objects themselves or interfering with the movement of individuals and objects. Because tripping and falling over cords is common and can lead to serious injuries, it can be important for owners of homes and businesses to prevent their family, pets, employees and visitors from coming into contact with cords. Cords may also move other objects or get in the way and cause injury to valuable equipment and objects. By taking active steps to secure cords that can be potentially hazardous, homes and businesses may be able to avoid human injury and damage to equipment.


Electro-optical liquid-crystal displays having a realignment layer for realigning the liquid crystals whose field has a significant component parallel to the liquid-crystal layer and which comprises a liquid-crystalline medium of positive dielectric anisotropy. The medium comprises at least one mesogenic compound and at least one bisalkenyl compound of formula I*.

In conventional liquid-crystal displays (TN, STN, OMI or AMD-TN), the electric fields for realignment are generated essentially perpendicular to the liquid-crystal layer.
International Patent Application WO 91/10936 discloses a liquid-crystal display in which the electric signals are generated in such a way that the electric fields have a significant component parallel to the liquid-crystal layer (IPS, in-plane switching). The principles of operating such a display are described, for example, by R. A. Soref in Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 45, No. 12, pp. 5466-5468 (1974).
EP 0 588 568 discloses various ways of addressing a display of this type.
These IPS displays can be operated with liquid-crystalline materials either of positive or of negative dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon..noteq.0). However, using the materials known hitherto, relatively high threshold voltages and long response times are reached in IPS displays. In addition, the problem of crystallization of the liquid-crystal medium at low temperatures can occur in IPS displays containing materials known hitherto. The object was therefore to indicate liquid-crystalline materials which are suitable for achieving relatively low threshold voltages and short response times in IPS displays and which, in particular, have an improved low-temperature shelf life.

Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung


A control device installed in an electric water heater to control its operation, the control device including a water temperature control circuit and a power control circuit, the water temperature control circuit being formed of a water temperature detection circuit, which detects water temperature at the water inlet and the water outlet of the electric water heater, a water flow rate detection circuit, which detects the flow rate of water passing through the water inlet, a CPU, an indicator circuit controlled by the CPU to indicate the working conditions of the electric water heater, and a digital display controlled by the CPU to show the value of water temperature at the water outlet, the power control circuit being formed of a power supply circuit, a TRAIC triggering control circuit, which turns on the heating elements of the electric water heater alternatively subject AC phase change, a TRAIC power circuit, which provides the TRAIC triggering control circuit with the base power, an AC phase detection input circuit, a relay circuit controlled by the CPU to cut off power supply from the electric water heater when an abnormal condition occurs, a failure detection circuit, which outputs a signal to the CPU when an abnormal condition of the electric water heater is detected, causing the CPU to cut off power supply from the electric water heater, and an overheat protection circuit for overheat protection.

The present invention relates to an electric water heater, and more specifically to a control device for an electric water heater which drives heating elements to work alternatively subject to AC phase change, automatically turns off heating elements when no water passes through the water inlet, and has an overheat protection circuit to prevent an overheat.
A regular electric water heater, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a water tank 30, four heating elements H1,H2,H3,H4 mounted in the water tank 30, and a thermostat 31, which controls the heating elements H1,H2,H3,H4 to heat water to the desired temperature. This structure of electric water heater is still not satisfactory in function. The drawbacks of this structure of electric water heater is outlined hereinafter.
1. When a low water temperature is required, only one heating element H1 is operated to heat water to the desired temperature. When a relatively higher temperature is required, two heating elements H1+H2, three heating elements H1+H2+H3 or four heating elements H1+H2+H3+H4 are turned on to heat water to the desired temperature. Normally, the first two heating elements H1,H2 are most frequently used. Therefore, the service life of the first two heating elements H1,H2 is relatively shorter than the other two heating elements H3,H4. When the first two heating elements H1,H2 are damaged, the last two heating elements H3,H4 may still function well. However the electric water heater becomes unable to function well when the first two heating elements H1,H2 are damaged. PA1 2. The thermostat controls the operation of the heating elements H1,H2,H3,H4 subject to the temperature of water being heated in the water tank 30. However, because the thermostat cannot detect the temperature of water at the water inlet of the water tank 30 and the temperature of water at the water outlet of the water tank 30, accurate temperature control cannot be achieved. PA1 3. This structure of electric water heater has no means to detect the flow rate of intake water, and water may be overheated or the electric water heater may explode when only a low flow rate of water is guided into the water tank 30 and the heating elements H1,H2,H3,H4 are continuously operated. PA1 4. This structure of electric water heater is not safe in use because it cannot automatically cut off power supply when one or a number of the heating elements H1,H2,H3,H4 are damaged.

Control device for an electric water heater


In a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing thereof, the device includes a substrate of single-crystal semiconductor material extending in a horizontal direction and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers on the substrate. A plurality of gate patterns are provided, each gate pattern being between a neighboring lower interlayer dielectric layer and a neighboring upper interlayer dielectric layer. A vertical channel of single-crystal semiconductor material extends in a vertical direction through the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of gate patterns, a gate insulating layer being between each gate pattern and the vertical channel that insulates the gate pattern from the vertical channel.

With the continued emphasis on highly integrated electronic devices, there is an ongoing need for semiconductor memory devices that operate at higher speeds and lower power and have increased device density. To accomplish this, devices with aggressive scaling and multiple-layered devices with transistor cells arranged in horizontal and vertical arrays have been under development.
In one approach, planar memory cells, for example NAND memory cells, are formed in a conventional horizontal array. Multiple horizontal arrays are then stacked in a vertical direction. Limitations associated with this approach include poor reliability in the resulting device, since critical lithography steps are required for each layer in achieving the minimum feature size. In addition, in this configuration, the size of the driver transistors for driving the control gates is a function of the number of layers; therefore, the driver transistors are scaled as a multiple of the number of layers. This can lead to integration issues and heat removal concerns.
In another approach, multiple-layered memory devices with vertically oriented channels have been under development. In one configuration, a plurality of gate layers are formed on a substrate, and a vertical channel penetrates the plurality of gate layers. In each vertical channel, a lower gate layer is configured to operate as a lower select gate, a plurality of middle gate layers are configured to operate as control gates, and an upper gate layer is configured to operate as an upper select gate. Upper select gates neighboring each other in a first horizontal direction are connected to operate as row selection lines for the device. Vertical channels neighboring each other are connected in a second horizontal direction to operate as bit lines for the device.
Others attempting the vertically oriented channel approach have met with limited success. In one configuration, vertical edge surfaces of the lower and upper select gates are isolated from  the vertical channel using a conventional oxide layer, while vertical edge surfaces of the control gates of the middle gate layers are isolated from the vertical channel using an ONO-type charge trapping layer, in an attempt to form floating-gate type non-volatile memory devices. However, a floating gate is difficult to achieve under this approach.
In addition, others have attempted the vertically oriented channel approach using a poly-silicon vertical channel region. Grain boundaries in a poly-silicon vertical channel lead are associated with crystalline defects, which can increase resistance and form trap sites in the resulting structure. This can lead to increased resistance in the resulting device, which can decrease device speed and increase device power consumption.
Also, others attempting the vertically oriented channel approach have formed the tunnel oxide layer of the ONO charge-trapping layer using a CVD-formed tunnel oxide. Tunnel oxide formed in this manner can quickly degrade over time, leading to poor device reliability and poor device endurance.

Vertical-type non-volatile memory devices


The present invention relates to a heterocyclic compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 that can be used for the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by abnormality in a PRS (prolyl-tRNA synthetase) activity, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a method for preparing the same, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

PRS (prolyl-tRNA synthetase) is one of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) family and serves to activate an amino acid for protein synthesis. That is, ARS performs a translational function to form aminoacyl adenylate (AA-AMP) and then transfer the activated amino acid to the 3-end of the corresponding tRNA. Since ARS plays an important role in the synthesis of protein, ARS inhibitors suppress the growth of all cells. Thus, ARS has been recognized as a promising target for a therapeutic agent for treating diseases that should suppress antibiotics or cell overexpression (Nature, 2013, 494:121-125).
PRS is present in, or functions as, a multi-synthetase complex (MSC) in the form of EPRS (Glutamyl-Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase). In particular, among various MSCs, EPRS functions as a translational silencer that suppresses the production of VEGF A (vascular endothelial growth factor A) which is a key factor in angiogenesis. In addition, it is reported that EPRS is closely related with various solid tumors (Nat. Rev. Cancer, 2011, 11, 708-718).
The only substance, known as the PRS inhibitor, is halofuginone. Halofuginone is a derivative of febrifugine derived from natural products and has anti-malarial effects and various anti-inflammatory effects. It can also be used as an animal feed additive. In addition, it has been reported that halofuginone increases the phosphorylation of GCN2 kinase through PRS inhibition, which induces ATF4 and CHOP expression, and thus promotes cell death (Nat. Chem. Biol. 2012, 8, 311-317). Currently, halofuginone is being clinically studied as anti-cancer agent, an anti-inflammatory agent (J Immunol, 2014, 192(5), 2167-76), therapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases (Arthritis Rheumatol, 2014, 66 (5), 1195-207), therapeutic agents for the treatment of fibrosis diseases (World J Gastroenterol, 2014, 20 (40), 14778-14786), and the like (Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2014, 22, 1993-2004).
However, it has been reported that halofuginone acts on various targets and has a very severe toxicity and further there is a risk of genotoxicity (The EFSA Journal, 2003, 8: 1-45). Therefore, discovering PRS inhibitors having higher safety to the human body among substances capable of inhibiting PRS like halofuginone has a significance in terms of developing an anti-cancer agent of the next generation that can be used as an antifibrosis agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an autoimmune therapeutic agent alone or in combination with an existing targeted anti-cancer agent.
In this regard, the present inventors have conducted numerous studies to develop a novel compound with reduced toxicity while having a PRS enzyme inhibitory effect, and found that the compound having a novel structure which will be described later selectively inhibits the PRS, thereby completing the present invention. The compounds belonging to the present invention themselves have mainly a PRS enzyme inhibitory activity, but do not exclude a possibility of exhibiting a pharmacological action as an efficacious agent by a special body environment or by products of metabolic process, after absorption into the body.

Heterocyclic compound, its preparation method, and pharmaceutical composition comprising the same


An inkjet printhead includes a nozzle plate formed of a polymer material that has been photoablated or photo-etched to form inkjet nozzles. The polymer material preferably is a plastic such as teflon, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethyleneterephthalate or mixtures thereof. The nozzle plate also has formed in it a plurality of vaporization chambers. The inkjet nozzles are preferably formed in a flexible strip of polymer film by masked laser radiation, where the mask is physically spaced from the polymer film. Heater resistors may be formed on the nozzle plate within each of the vaporization chambers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to inkjet printers and, more particularly, to nozzle plates and other components for the printheads of inkjet printers.
2. State of the Art
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional printhead for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a substrate 11, an intermediate layer 14, and an nozzle plate 12. As further shown in the drawing, a nozzle orifice 13 is formed in plate 12 and a vaporization cavity 15 is formed in substrate 11. For convenience of illustration, the drawing shows only one of the orifices 13 and only one of the vaporization cavities 15; however, a complete inkjet printhead includes an array of circular orifices, each of which is paired with a vaporization cavity. Also, a complete inkjet printhead includes means that connect a number of vaporization cavities to a single ink supply reservoir.
As further shown in FIG. 1, a heater resistor 16 of the thin-film type is mounted on substrate 11 and is positioned generally centrally within vaporization cavity 15 such that the heater resistor can be seen when the vaporization cavity is viewed from above. In practice, such heater resistors can be formed on a silicon or glass substrate, for example, by sputtering or vapor deposition techniques. Conventional printheads for inkjet printers include one such heater resistor in each vaporization cavity and the heater resistors are connected in an electrical network for selective activation.
In operation of a inkjet printhead such as shown in FIG. 1, pulses of electrical energy are directed to selected ones of the heater resistors 16. When a particular heater resistor receives a pulse, it rapidly converts the electrical energy to heat which, in turn, causes any ink immediately adjacent to the heater resistor to form an ink vapor bubble. As an ink vapor bubble expands, it ejects a droplet of ink from the orifice in the nozzle plate above the energized heater resistor. To illustrate such action, FIG. 1 shows an ink vapor bubble 17 and an ink droplet 19.
By appropriate selection of the sequence for energizing the heater resistors in an inkjet printhead such as shown in FIG. 1, ejected ink droplets can be caused to form patterns on a paper sheet or other suitable recording medium. For example, a pattern of heater resistors can be energized such that the ejected ink drops form images that depict alphanumeric characters.
For inkjet printers, print quality depends upon the physical characteristics of the nozzles in a printhead. For example, the geometry of the orifice nozzles in a printhead affects the size, trajectory, and speed of ink drop ejection. In addition, the geometry of orifice nozzles in a printhead can affect the flow of ink supplied to vaporization chambers and, in some instances, can affect the manner in which ink is ejected from adjacent nozzles.
Nozzle plates for inkjet printheads often are formed of nickel and are fabricated by lithographic electroforming processes. One example of a suitable lithographic electroforming processes is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,971. In such processes, the orifices in a nozzle plate are formed by overplating nickel around pillars of photoresist.
Such electroforming processes for forming nozzle plates for inkjet printheads have several shortcomings. One shortcoming is that the processes require delicate balancing of parameters such as photoresist and plating thicknesses, pillar diameters, and overplating ratios. Another shortcoming is that the resulting nozzle plates usually are brittle and easily cracked. Still another shortcoming is that such electroforming processes inherently limit design choices for nozzle shapes and sizes.
When using electroformed nozzle plates and other components in printheads for inkjet printers, corrosion can be a problem. Generally speaking, corrosion resistance of such nozzle plates depends upon two parameters: ink chemistry and the formation of a hydrated oxide layer on the electroplated nickel surface of an nozzle plate. Without a hydrated oxide layer, nickel may corrode in the presence of inks, particularly water-based inks such as are commonly used in inkjet printers. Although corrosion of nozzle plates ca be minimized by coating the plates with gold, such plating is costly.
Yet another shortcoming of electroformed nozzle plates for inkjet printheads is that the completed printheads have a tendency to delaminate during use. Usually, delamination begins with the formation of small gaps between a nozzle plate and its substrate. The gaps are often caused by differences in thermal expansion coefficients of a nozzle plate and its substrate. Delamination can be exacerbated by ink interaction with printhead materials. For instance, the materials in an inkjet printhead may swell after prolonged exposure to water-based inks, thereby changing the shape of the printhead nozzles.
Even partial delamination of a nozzle plate of an inkjet printhead can be problematical. Partial delamination can, for example, reduce the velocity of ejected ink drops. Also, partial delamination can create accumulation sites for air bubbles that interfere with ink drop ejection. Moreover, partial delamination of a nozzle plate usually causes decreased and/or highly irregular ink drop ejection velocities.

Excimer laser-ablated components for inkjet printhead


A method for manufacturing a cutting tool according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing a cutting tool, the cutting tool including a base material and a diamond single crystal material fixed to the base material, the diamond single crystal material having a rake face, a flank face continuous with the rake face, and a cutting edge formed by a ridgeline serving as a boundary between the rake face and the flank face. The method for manufacturing a cutting tool according to one form of the present disclosure includes a flank face irradiation step of applying a laser to the diamond single crystal material along the cutting edge from a side of the flank face. The laser has a pulse width of 1×10−12 seconds or less and a peak output of less than 1 W in the flank face irradiation step.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2016-203372 (PTL 1) describes a method for forming a cutting edge and a flank face of a cutting tool by applying a laser to a cutting insert blank fixed to a cutting insert support. In the method described in PTL 1, the cutting insert blank may be formed of single crystal diamond.

Method for manufacturing diamond single crystal cutting tool using laser pulses