A personal sound processing apparatus has an earphone; a microphone; an electronic sound processor connected between an automatic gain controller (AGC) and a digital volume controller, an automated feedback tracker operatively connected to the microcontroller, and an audio signal amplifier to amplify audio signals which level is controlled by the digital volume controller. The microcontroller is configured to execute electronic instructions for recognizing at least one of a feedback noise condition and a background noise condition in the audio signals and to send a control signal to the digital volume controller to adjust volume level in response to presence of the at least one of the feedback noise condition and the background noise condition.

Hearing aid devices, or hearing aids, cannot correct hearing loss but are an aid that makes external sounds more assessable through amplifying them. However, hearing aids use microphones, electronic resistors, amplifiers and other electronic components. These components all produce noise and heat that is perceptible by the user. The volume of these background noises can be as loud as that of ordinary conversation taking place a meter away from a hearing aid user. Such noises are extremely annoying and uncomfortable to the hearing aid user, even when the surroundings are actually very quiet. Contrary to the common assumption that hearing impaired people cannot hear these white noises, survey and experiments show that most people, including hearing aid users, are quite sensitive to background white noises. Moreover, while hearing impaired people generally have difficulty hearing conversations and other sounds around them, they can certainly hear high decibel noises of various frequencies.
Current hearing aids on the market have a number of common problems and defects. There are currently three types of commonly used hearing aids now: body worn hearing aids, behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids.
With body worn hearing aids, the device amplifies background noises while making the sound signals loud enough for the user to hear. Such noises are continuous and of very high decibels (dB), usually 55 dB or more, which is at a similar volume to that of a person speaking at normal volume from one meter away from the aid user. Such background noises are a nuisance to the aid user, especially when the surroundings are very quiet. The hearing aid's sound sensor (e.g., a microphone) is usually placed in the device's case and any contact with the case, such as friction with clothing, accidental touch by hand, etc., tends to produce irritating high volume noises as a result of amplification by the hearing aid device. Volume adjustment often is achieved through a mechanical potentiometer via a turning knob; therefore volume control is difficult to be precise. Improper use of the body worn aid devices therefore tends to result in high dB feedback noise. Further, earphone used in a hearing aid device is usually the moving-iron type that produces annoying and uncomfortable high frequency sounds and also causes sound distortion. Sound generated by such feedback often is a squealing/whistling high frequency sound that can cause further hearing impairment. Occlusion effect is a common complaint for users of conventional body worn hearing aids.
With BTE hearing aids, the aid amplifies background noises while it makes the sound signals loud enough for the user to hear. Such amplified noises are continuous and of very high decibels (dB) (usually 55 dB or more, at a similar volume to that of a person speaking from one meter away from the aid user). They are a real nuisance to the aid user, especially when the surroundings are very quiet. Volume adjustment is achieved through a micro mechanical potentiometer via a turning knob. Because the mechanism often is very tiny for a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid device, it is very hard for the user to set the volume at the desired level. Because of the structural design of the BTE aid, the microphone and the loudspeaker are placed close to one another so the earphone must be plugged tightly in the user's outer ear; if not, the sound amplifying mechanism tends to produce high dB feedback noises that can cause further hearing impairment. The earphone uses the moving-iron type loudspeaker that produces ear-splitting high frequency sounds, another nuisance to the user. Because the battery used generally is required to be tiny so it can fit into the small size of a BTE aid device, battery lift is short. As a result, the user has to change the battery frequently, which is a cost concern. Occlusion effect is also a common complaint for users of conventional BTE hearing aids.
ITE hearing aids are custom made to fit each individual's ear and they are very expensive. Because the components are tiny, normal maintenance is more complicated, therefore not really convenient for elderly users. When such an ITE device malfunctions, e.g., due to defects or damages, repair time tends to be long and cost is also high. Battery life is short and battery change is frequent, which is a cost concern. The volume adjustment mechanism is micro and tiny; as a result it is not convenient for the user. As a design requirement, ITE hearing aids generally must fit perfectly in the user's outer ear bawl to prevent sound leaking. However this tight fit condition often causes discomfort. Venting also produces high dB feedback noises that can cause further hearing impairment. ITE earphones use micro moving-iron-type loudspeakers that may cause sound distortion. Occlusion effect is a common complaint for users of conventional ITE hearing aids.
Current noise elimination technology digitally processes analog signals (i.e., sound signals). To do so, samples must be selected from the input sound signals. However, no matter how fast or how precisely samples are taken, the stored data is never the same as the actual sound signals. Digitalization cannot duplicate precisely and completely the original signals. This distortion caused by digitalization is called "quantizing distortion". Processing digital signals relies on the digital circuit's working frequency (or sampling frequency). In order to keep the sampled signals substantially the same as the input sound signals, sampling frequency must be set high. However, high frequency necessitates increased electrical current, which in turn leads to high power consumption. Digital technology can eliminate some noise, but digital noise elimination generally is based on certain algorithms that are implemented as computer programs developed by a programmer. Since there are numerous kinds of noises in the real world environment, it is generally not possible to include all possible scenarios in one or a small number of algorithms. Current technology of digital filtering and frequency compensation tend to make the original and natural sound signals differ greatly from those a listener has been exposed to and used to. Consequently the processed sound signals may cause perception problems or mental/physical discomfort.
Current analog technology used for noise elimination uses various electronic techniques, especially analog filters. However, because sound signals are of diverse noise frequencies, it is extremely difficult to determine a priori while designing the filter which range of frequencies should be eliminated. Moreover, in the process of filtering, certain frequencies in normal and natural sounds will be faded out or eliminated altogether, which leads to sound distortion. Sound distortion usually causes difficulty in detecting and distinguishing sounds, especially for people who suffer from hearing problems.
It is known to use electronic techniques to deal with feedback noise. The following are some examples, which all have their own disadvantages and difficulties.
Frequency Shift: A 2-8 Hz frequency shift may be performed on the microphone signals so that when the microphone receives sound signals from the speakers, those signals generate reduced feedback. However, frequency shift cannot eliminate feedback noise entirely and typically increases audibility of the original sound by only about 6 dB.
Phase Modulation: In a self-induced feedback in an audio system, the feedback loop (return circuit) is a regenerative one. If sound signals from the microphone are processed by phase modulation, conditions for feedback self-excitation will be broken. However, high level phase modulation will distort sound effect and sound signals will sound unnatural to the listener.
Time Delay: Signals from the microphone may be recorded and played back after a time delay. Time delay can prevent feedback self-excitation in the audio system, no matter how loud the sound volume is tuned. However, time delay can only be used to prevent feedback when the signal from the microphone is very brief or in situations where the time delay does not cause perception issues. It is not suitable for use during conversation, due to the time delay between lip movement and sound perception.
Feedback Sensor: Feedback sensors can be used to decrease the amplifying effect of an amplifier. However, using a feedback sensor usually makes the sound volume too low.
The forgoing creates challenges and constraints for providing sound processing devices addressing the aforementioned difficulties and deficiencies. There remains a need for improving performance of sound processing devices, for example hearing aids, especially in terms of reducing feedback to improve hearing aid performance and reduce the likelihood of further hearing damage. It is also important that these sound processing devices be low cost, easy to maintain and have acceptable real world performance. It is an object of the present invention to mitigate or obviate at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages.

Hearing aid devices with reduced background and feedback noises


A method of community gaming comprising: collecting at least one element in a main game for eligibility into a community game by at least one player; and conducting the community game for each eligible player, in which each collected element is employed in determining the community game outcome.

The present invention relates to a method of community gaming and a gaming system.
Current electronic gaming machines allow a player to place a wager or bet, in return for which a play of a main game provided by the gaming machine is conducted. Some gaming machines allow entry into further game, such as a community game conducted for eligible players. In this case, the community game may comprise a different game to the main game with different rules.
While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems to provide users with further enjoyment.

Method of community gaming based on elements collected in a base game and a gaming system

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited


Apparatus for detecting head movement of a golfer relative to an address position. The apparatus includes a movement switch positioned on the golfer's head which provides a signal indicative of head movement from a first position to a second position. The position of the movement switch on the golfer defines the first position as approximately the address position prior to the golf swing. The apparatus also includes a transducer which detects the sound of a golf club striking a ball and provides a signal in response thereto. A microcontroller becomes active in response to the transducer signal and then generates an alarm signal in response to the movement switch signal. In response to the alarm signal, the transducer produces an audible alarm to inform the golfer of the head movement during the golf swing. The apparatus has a housing with a clip for securing it to a hat worn by the golfer. The clip is biased toward a closed position and moveable from the closed position to an open position for engaging the hat. When the clip is in its open position, the clip closes a power switch in the housing. The power switch is connected in series between the microcontroller and a battery so that the microcontroller is connected to the battery when the power switch is closed.

This invention relates generally to a golf training aid and, particularly, to an apparatus for detecting excessive head movement during a golfer's swing.
In golf, excessive head movement during the backswing can cause, or is indicative of, a flawed swing pattern which will often result in an undesirable golf shot. For example, straightening the body in the pelvic region during the backswing tends to flatten the club's swing path. A flattened swing path moves the clubhead out of its proper plane during its course through the ball and will likely result in the neck of the club making contact with the ball rather than the face of the club. This type of golf shot will often produce a "shank" which is, perhaps, the most offensive word in golf. In contrast, the golfer can cure this common cause of shanking by maintaining the suspension point at the base of the neck relatively motionless during the golf swing. Thus, a training aid is desired for assisting the golfer at maintaining his or her head position during the golf swing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,502,035, 4,560,166, 4,869,509, 5,108,104, 5,251,902, 5,524,894, 5,558,585, 5,577,729 and 5,599,239, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, disclose various head movement detectors for use by a golfer. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,509, for example, a golfer's training aid audibly signals improper head motion during a golf swing using a mercury sensing switch for motion sensing. Nevertheless, an improved golf training aid which is responsive to the sound of a club striking a golf ball and which incorporates improved battery saving and programming features is desired.


The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated anilines; in particular, it relates to a process including the direct iodination, with suitably activated iodine, of 3,5-disubstituted anilines to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilines, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves.

Iodinated contrast agents are well-known compounds widely used in x-ray imaging diagnostic techniques. Suitable examples of the said compounds include, for instance, diatrizoate, iothalamate, ioxithalamate, metrizoate, iohexol, iomeprol, iopamidol, iopentol, iopromide, ioversol, ioxilan, iodixanol, iosarcol, iogulamide, ioglunide, iogluamide, acetrizoate, iodamide, iocetamide and metrizamide, all having a monomeric structure, and ioxaglate, iotrolan, iotasul, iodipamide, iocarmate, iodoxamate, iotroxate, iotrolan, and the like, that, instead, are dimers. Additional examples of iodinated contrast agents are described, for instance, in WO 94/14478 (Bracco).
As a common feature, their chemical structure shares a triiodinated aromatic nucleus which provides the enhanced contrast effect.
The said compounds may be prepared by a variety of routes, that generally include the iodination of given aromatic substrates, for instance of suitable 3,5-disubstituted phenols, which undergo triiodination on the available 2, 4 and 6 positions, thus leading to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodophenols. These latter, in turn, may be further converted and processed through the so-called Smile's rearrangement, to the expected final compounds.
For a general reference to the above synthetic route and Smile's rearrangement see, for instance, WO 88/09328, WO 97/05097 and WO 00/32561 (Bracco).
Alternatively, the aromatic iodination may be performed on suitable anilines, so as to provide the corresponding 2,4,6-triiodoaniline derivatives, to be further converted and processed to the final radiographic agent, for instance as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,502.
The iodination step may be performed utilizing different procedures.
In this regard, in industrial processes currently used for preparing the above radiographic contrast agents, the iodination of the aromatic ring is generally carried out by using solutions of iodine mono-chloride (ICl) in concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) (44.5% I and 14% HCl) at high temperature (about 90° C.) or, alternatively, by means of analogous iodinating agents such as, for instance, KICl2 or NaICl2 in aqueous solution; see, for a general reference, WO 92/14695 (Guerbet), U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,865 (Mallinckrodt), WO 96/37458 and WO 96/37459 (Fructamine).
The above methods suffer from major drawbacks due to the extremely acidic working conditions, that become harder due to HCl produced during the reaction, and to the corrosive properties and the limited storage life of the iodinating agents.
In addition, relevant problems mainly arise from the presence of chlorine atoms within the iodinating agents themselves, (formed at the high reaction temperature needed for the exhaustive iodination of aniline substrates), that may lead to the formation of hardly removable chlorinated side-products, which may thus affect reaction yields and purity of the final compounds.
On the other side, and from a different point of view, it is an increasingly recognized need to have industrial manufacturing processes which can combine low production costs, high production efficiency and minimized environmental impact.
Thus, attempts have been devoted to address new iodination methods based on the use of iodinating agents alternative to iodine mono-chloride or derivatives thereof.
Among them are, for instance, the electrochemical iodination processes of 3,5-disubstituted anilines or of given 3,5-disubstituted phenols, as disclosed in WO 96/37461 and WO2009/103666, respectively.
Beside the above approaches, the alternative iodination of aromatic nuclei with iodine suitably activated with an oxidizing agent has also been experienced.
For instance, the iodination of given phenol derivatives, referred to as ortho-hydroxy substituted aromatic carbonyl compounds, in the presence of molecular iodine activated with a strong oxidizing agent, including iodic acid, has been described by Patil et al. in Tetrahedron Letters 2005, 46, 7179-7181, and in ARKIVOC 2006, 104-108.
This art is, however, silent on the possibility of exploiting that disclosed synthetic approach, namely the combined use of molecular iodine and an oxidizing agent, to iodinate or poly-iodinate aniline or aniline derivatives.
US 2007/0219396 discloses a method for producing 2-amino-5-iodobenzoic acid by iodination of 2-aminobenzoic acid, solubilized in acetic acid, with iodine and in the presence of an oxidizing agent, especially hydrogen peroxide.
This application, however, does not mention or suggest the possibility of exploiting the disclosed procedure to provide poly-iodinated compounds and, in particular, triiodinated aniline derivatives that, indeed, would hardly have been achieved under the disclosed iodination conditions, as evidenced by the Comparative Example 1 of the following experimental section.
The use of iodine and iodic acid to produce 3-amino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic and 3,5-diamino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acids is also mentioned in Chem. Ber., 1897, 30 (2), 1943-1948 and in Chem. Ber., 1896, 29 (3), 2833-2839, respectively.
These references, however, are quite deficient in the full description of the iodinating conditions used, so as to prevent their accurate reproduction.
In any case, the disclosed iodinating conditions and the amount of iodinating agent, in particular of iodic acid, seems far to be sufficient to allow triiodination of the substrate, at least with appreciable yield and purity, as discussed in greater detail in the Comparative Example 2 of the experimental section below.
Moreover, in both of the cited articles, the obtained brown precipitate needs to be washed with sulfuric acid, solubilized in diluted ammonia and then precipitated with sulfuric acid to have a product of the desired purity.
In this respect, it is worth noting that the use of strong oxidizing conditions with aniline or even halogenated anilines is known to lead to the formation of mixtures of colored by-products, mainly azo-compounds deriving from oxidative coupling reactions involving the aromatic amino group (see, for instance, Erich Baer and Anthony L. Tosoni, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1956, 78 (12), 2857-2858), while all the above art does neither address nor even suggest how to solve this problem.
For contrast, the need of collecting process intermediates and final compounds with a high degree of purity is of utmost importance in order to optimize, to a significant extent, the purification steps required for the final agent, that has to be in compliance with the strict purity profile and limits imposed by the Pharmacopoeia, in particular for products intended for the administration.
For instance, the analytical specifications fixed by the EP Pharmacopoeia for the 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid, are:
Loss on drying ≦3.5%
Title: 98.0-102%
Ashes: ≦1.0%
Total related substances: ≦1% (intended as the sum of all known and unknown impurities, mainly represented by partially iodinated compounds and chlorinated compounds) of which the sum of the chlorinated impurities must be ≦0.35%.
We have now found that the triiodination of suitable 3,5-disubstituted anilines can be advantageously carried out in high yields and purity by using a iodinating system comprising molecular iodine and an oxidizing agent overcoming the above major drawbacks.

Process for the iodination of aromatic compounds


Processes for producing polycrystalline silicon by thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane are disclosed. The processes generally involve thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane in a fluidized bed reactor operated at reaction conditions that result in a high rate of productivity relative to conventional production processes.

The field of the present disclosure relates to processes for producing polycrystalline silicon by thermally decomposing dichlorosilane and, particularly, processes that involve thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane in a fluidized bed reactor operated at reaction conditions that result in a high rate of productivity relative to conventional production processes.
Polycrystalline silicon is a vital raw material used to produce many commercial products including, for example, integrated circuits and photovoltaic (i.e., solar) cells. Polycrystalline silicon is often produced by a chemical vapor deposition mechanism in which silicon is deposited from a thermally decomposable silicon compound onto silicon particles in a fluidized bed reactor. The seed particles continuously grow in size until they exit the reactor as polycrystalline silicon product (i.e., "granular" polycrystalline silicon). Suitable thermally decomposable silicon compounds include, for example, silane and halosilanes such as trichlorosilane.
In many fluidized bed reactor systems and especially in systems where material from the fluid phase chemically decomposes to form solid material such as in polycrystalline silicon production systems, solid material may deposit onto the walls of the reactor. The wall deposits often alter the reactor geometry which can decrease reactor performance. Further, portions of the wall deposits can dislodge from the reactor wall and fall to the reactor bottom. Often the reactor system must be shut down to remove the dislodged deposits. To prevent an untimely reactor shut down, the deposits must be periodically etched from the reactor wall and the reactor must be cleaned thereby reducing the productivity of the reactor. The etching operations may cause stress to the reactor system due to thermal shock or differences in thermal expansion or contraction which may result in cracking of the reactor walls which requires the unit to be rebuilt. These problems are particularly acute in fluidized bed reactor systems used in the production of polycrystalline silicon. Previous efforts to reduce deposition of solids on the walls of the reactor have resulted in a loss of reactor productivity (i.e., less conversion to polycrystalline silicon) and involve relatively larger reaction zones to achieve the same productivity as conventional methods.
Thus a continuing need exists for methods for producing polycrystalline silicon which limit or reduce the amount of deposits on the reactor but which result in improved productivity relative to conventional methods. A need also exists for processes which result in higher yields of polycrystalline silicon.

Production of polycrystalline silicon by the thermal decomposition of dichlorosilane in a fluidized bed reactor


Systems and methods provide radiotherapy treatment by focusing an electron beam on an x-ray target (e.g., a tungsten plate) to produce a high-yield x-ray output with improved field shaping. A modified electron beam spatial distribution is employed to scan the x-ray target, such as a 2D periodic beam path, which advantageously lowers the x-ray target temperature compared to the typical compact beam spatial distribution. As a result, the x-ray target can produce a high yield output without sacrificing the x-ray target life span. The use of a 2D periodic beam path allows a much colder x-ray target functioning regime such that more dosage can be applied in a short period of time compared to existing techniques.

A basic goal of radiotherapy treatment is the irradiation of a target volume while minimizing the amount of radiation absorbed in healthy tissue. Shaping the electron beam is an important way of minimizing the absorbed dose in healthy tissue and critical structures. Conventional collimator jaws are used for shaping a rectangular treatment field; but, as usually treatment volume is not rectangular, additional shaping is required. On a linear accelerator, lead blocks or individually made Cerrobend blocks are attached onto the treatment head under standard collimating system. Another option is the use of multileaf collimator (MLC). Multileaf collimators are becoming the main tool for beam shaping of the x-rays on the linear accelerator. It is a simple and useful system in the preparation and performance of radiotherapy treatment.
Multileaf collimators are reliable, as their manufacturers developed various mechanisms for their precision, control and reliability, together with reduction of leakage and transmission of radiation between and through the leaves. Multileaf collimators are known today as a very useful clinical system for simple field shaping, but its use is getting even more important in dynamic radiotherapy, with the leaves moving during irradiation. This enables a precise dose delivery on any part of a treated volume. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), the therapy of the future, is based on the dynamic use of MLC.
The problem with using MLC as a field shaping device is that they are relatively slow to alter shape and therefore relatively slow to alter the field shape, e.g., the treatment volume, to the patient. It would be advantageous to provide a system with a faster field shaping response time that might reduce the overall treatment time to the patient.
Moreover, radiation treatment systems employing MLC devices typically use focused electron beams that are directed to a tungsten target to generate the x-rays. Focused electron beams create a large amount of heat on the target that must be dissipated and managed. This typically means that the incident electron beam power/dosage rate must be reduced so that the life of the target can be extended. It would be advantageous to provide a radiation treatment system that could supply a higher dose rate while still maintaining extended life of the tungsten target.

Increased beam output and dynamic field shaping for radiotherapy system


An inflatable bed includes an inflatable bed body having a top layer, a bottom layer, and an annular surrounding layer interconnecting the top and bottom layers and cooperating with the top and bottom layers to define an inflatable space. The surrounding layer is formed with an accommodating groove unit. An air valve is disposed on the inflatable bed body.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an inflatable bed, more particularly to a multi-functional inflatable bed.
2. Description of the Related Art
An inflatable device, such as an inflatable pad, an inflatable bed or an inflatable chair, can be used in outdoor activities, such as camping.
A conventional inflatable bed merely serves as a bed. During outdoor use, in addition to an inflatable bed, electronic devices, for example, a clock, a radio and a flashlight, may be required. Therefore, it is desirable to design a multi-functional inflatable bed.


A method and apparatus (110) for sender controllable modalities includes the step of generating a communication command (108). The method and apparatus further includes generating a priority command (110) wherein the priority command includes a modality alert command. The priority command (108) may be any suitable command indicating a level of priority as it relates to the communication command (110). The method and apparatus further includes thereupon transmitting the communication command and the priority command (112) to the recipient device (120). The method and apparatus further includes the recipient device (120) verifying the sender device (100) and performing an internal verification (124) of whether the sender device (100) has the ability to override the internal modality setting and to verify if the priority level requests overriding the internal modality setting.

The present invention relates generally to an electronic communication device and more specifically to a recipient device notification alert system adjustable in response to a sender device.
With the growth of wireless devices, there is a concurrent growth in providing adaptability and improved ease of use and interactivity. The wireless device may be any device capable of transmitting and/or receiving communication from a wireless or non-wireless device or network, a server or other communication network, including, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a smart phone, or any other suitable device as recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art.
As wireless devices become more integral for communication, there also exists a growth in the ability for the wireless device to provide improved forms of notification to an end user. With the growth of wireless devices, there is a growth in the amount of usage of the device, therefore various techniques may be employed to notify a user of an incoming call, message or notification. For example, currently wireless devices allow for a variety of different ring tones, a vibration alert, flashing light notification, a caller identification alert.
Moreover, wireless devices allow for further personalization such as allowing a specific ring tone to be specific to a particular incoming message from another wireless device. For example, a wireless device may have a standard beeping ring tone for normal incoming messages, but a user may set a specific musical ring tone to designate a particular incoming call, such as a friend, relative, co-worker.
Wireless devices currently include further personalization, such as the above-mentioned ring tones, and also provide for a larger array of applications. With the growth of messaging systems, such as the MMS, SMS and EMS systems, wireless devices can provide more than straight two-way communication, but also may become a portal for time-sensitive information. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for an end user to filter the incoming messages and determine message importance.
Current wireless devices fail to provide for specific high priority communications, wherein the sending device determines the priority. For example, a supervisor may be attempting to contact a co-worker regarding an emergency at work. Upon receipt of the notification, the co-worker cannot immediately determine if the communication is urgent, therefore the co-worker must either take time to engage to device to determine the caller and the communication priority or choose to ignore the incoming communication request.
It is also recognized that the co-worker may set an internal setting to give the communication device a supervisor-specific notification, such as a specific ring tone. Although, in the event of an emergency, an incoming communication bears the same level of priority as all other incoming communications from the supervisor, from the perspective of the recipient communication device. Once again, the co-worker can only immediately determine the originator of the incoming communication, but cannot determine an incoming communication priority level. As such, a sender device cannot provide high priority notification commands to a recipient device.

Method and apparatus for sender controllable modalities


An audio signal processing device includes a signal supply for supplying coded audio signal over more than one input channel and, per input channel, over separate frequency sub-bands domain sub-channels. Further filters are used to decode and synthesize the audio signals over the total frequency domain. Sub-band combination circuits are used for supplying respective input channels to the same sub-band combination circuit the signals from the same sub-band frequency domain audio signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multi-channel audio signal processing device including signal supply means for supplying coded audio signals through several input channels, and for each input channel, through separate sub-channels which cover distinct frequency sub-band domains, and including one or several synthesis or reconstruction filters (SFB) for decoding and synthesizing audio signals over the total frequency domain covered by the sub-band domains.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is usual, in this case, to include filter means, such as main-related filters or sound-widening filter means of a different kind, downstream of the synthesis or reconstruction filters in the signal transport direction, i.e., after the reconstruction of the broadband audio signals. The same number of synthesis or reconstruction filters will then be present as there are input channels. The main-related filters or sound-widening filter means of a different kind, also referred to as "incredible sound filters (ISF)", are then constructed as broadband filters. Instead of such "incredible sound filters", alternative filter means may be provided in the audio signal processing device, such as, for example, equalization or different tone control filters. These, too, will be provided downstream of the synthesis or reconstruction filters.

Multichannel audio signal processing device


Methods of determining levels of unbound metabolites are disclosed. Probes derived from fatty acid binding protein muteins are described that bind preferentially to a number of unbound metabolites including oleate, stearate, linoleate, palmitate, arachidonate and unconjugated bilirubin. A profile for a patient is determined using one or more of the described probes. The profile is useful in diagnosis of disease, particularly myocardial infarction, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, stroke, sepsis and neonatal jaundice. The responses of multiple probes to a test sample are used to classify the degree of acute coronary syndrome by comparison to multi-probe profiles generated from unstable angina, non ST elevation myocardial infarction, and ST elevation myocardial infarction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to diagnostic methods to determine disease state, nutritional state, or effect of therapy by measurement of one or more unbound metabolites by measuring a fluorescence change upon binding to one or more probes. Preferably, the probes are fluorescently labeled muteins of intracellular lipid binding proteins (iLBP).
2. Description of the Related Art
Metabolomics is advancing rapidly as a result of new technologies and the expanding interest in systems biology (Goodacre, R. (2005) Metabolomics—the way forward, Metabolomics 1, 1-2) This advance is being driven by the recognition that physiologic phenotype is essentially a reflection of the metabolic profile, and therefore, metabolic profiling should provide an accurate representation of the states of health and disease. The activity of a given metabolite is frequently dictated by its solubility as a "free" or unbound molecule in aqueous bodily fluids. For many metabolites the unbound concentration represents a small fraction of the total, with most of the total metabolite bound in carrier complexes. Total metabolite concentrations are typically measured, but it is the unbound metabolite that interacts with targets such as protein receptors and cell membranes (for example, Sorrentino, D., et al. (1989) At physiologic albumin/oleate concentrations oleate uptake by isolated hepatocytes, cardiac myocytes, and adipocytes is a saturable function of the unbound oleate concentration, J. Clin. Invest. 84, 1325-1333). A profiling of unbound metabolite concentrations should therefore provide the most accurate measure of physiologic health.
For example, profiling unbound rather than total metabolites is especially relevant for the long chain free fatty acids (FFA), which play major roles in signaling, macromolecular structure and energy production. Long chain FFA are sparingly soluble, yet act through extra- and intra-cellular aqueous phases to bind to target macromolecules (Sorrentino, et al. supra; Cupp, D., et al. (2004) Fatty acid:albumin complexes and the determination of long chain free fatty acid transport across membranes, Biochemistry 43, 4473-4481; Kampf, J. P. et al. (2004) Fatty acid transport in adipocytes monitored by imaging intracellular FFA levels, J. Biol. Chem. 279, 35775-35780). In many instances, FFA-mediated signaling events can be abolished by adding fatty-acid-free bovine serum albumin, which reduces the unbound FFA (FFAu) concentration without changing the total FFA concentration (Poitout, V. (2003) The ins and outs of fatty acids on the pancreatic beta cell, Trends Endocrinol. Metab 14, 201-203; Kleinfeld, A. M, et al. (2005) Free fatty acid release from human breast cancer tissue inhibits cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated killing, J. Lipid Res. 46, 1983-1990). Total serum concentrations of long chain FFA are in the millimolar range while FFA-protein receptor binding affinities are in the nanomolar range as are FFAu concentrations (Kampf, J. P., et al. supra; Richieri, G. V., et al. (1993) Interactions of long chain fatty acids and albumin: Determination of free fatty acid levels using the fluorescent probe ADIFAB, Biochemistry 32, 7574-7580; Richieri, G. V., et al. (1994) Equilibrium constants for the binding of fatty acids with fatty acid binding proteins from intestine, heart, adipose, and liver; measured with the fluorescence probe ADIFAB, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 23918-23930; Apple, F. S., et al. (2004) Unbound Free Fatty Acid Concentrations Are Increased in Cardiac Ischemia, Clinical Proteomics 1, 41-44). The hydrophobic nature of FFA and low FFAu concentrations have made it difficult to measure FFAu in biological fluids, and thus, total FFA is typically measured even though FFA-dependent signaling events are triggered by unbound rather than total FFA concentrations.
More than 40 different species of FFA with widely different biological activities have been identified in human serum (Yli-Jama, P., et al. (2002) Serum free fatty acid pattern and risk of myocardial infarction: a case-control study, J Intern. Med. 251, 19-28). Striking examples of their different biological activities include the induction of apoptosis in various cell types by palmitate (16:0) but not oleate (18:1) (de Vries, J. E., et al. (1997) Saturated but not mono-unsaturated fatty acids induce apoptotic cell death in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, J. Lipid Res. 38, 1384-1394; Listenberger, L. L., et al. (2001) Palmitate-induced apoptosis can occur through a ceramide-independent pathway, J. Biol. Chem. 276, 14890-14895; Hickson-Bick, D. L., et al. (2002) Palmitate-induced apoptosis in neonatal cardiomyocytes is not dependent on the generation of ROS, Am. J. Physiol Heart Circ. Physiol 282, H656-H664) and the inhibition of cytotoxic T lymphocyte signaling by oleate (OA) but not palmitate (PA) (Kleinfeld, et al. supra; Richieri, G. V. et al. (1989) Free fatty acid perturbation of transmembrane signaling in cytotoxic T lymphocytes, J. Immunol. 143, 2302-2310). In addition, alterations in the profile of total plasma FFA have been reported in association with disease states (Yli-Jama, P., et al. supra; Lorentzen, B., et al. (1995) Fatty acid pattern of esterified and free fatty acids in sera of women with normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancy, Brit. J. Obstetrics and Gynecology 102, 530-537; Rodriguez de Turco, E. B., et al. (2002) Systemic fatty acid responses to transient focal cerebral ischemia: influence of neuroprotectant therapy with human albumin, J Neurochem. 83, 515-524; Yli-Jama, P., et al. (2002) Serum non-esterified very long-chain PUFA are associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction, Atherosclerosis 164, 275-281; Freedman, S. D., et al. (2004) Association of cystic fibrosis with abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism, N. Engl. J. Med. 350, 560-569).
Plasma FFAu levels are a reflection of the FFA-albumin binding equilibrium. The affinities of albumin for different FFA can differ by more than 2 orders of magnitude (Richieri, G. V., et al. (1993) supra; Spector, A. A. (1975) Fatty acid binding to plasma albumin, J. Lipid Res. 16, 165-179), and therefore, the equilibrium FFAu profile will differ from the total profile. FFAu profiles have not been reported previously because none of the available measurement techniques can resolve the nanomolar quantities of individual FFAu in the FFAu mixtures present in aqueous biological fluids. However, measurements of individual FFAu and/or average values for FFAu mixtures have been carried out previously using the acrylodan labeled fatty acid binding proteins ADIFAB and ADIFAB2 (Apple, et al. supra; Richieri, G. V. et al. (1995) Unbound free fatty acid levels in human serum, J. Lipid Res. 36, 229-240).


The instant invention provides a vibration insensitive method of precisely polishing an object. The method includes the steps of providing an object to be polished, applying a conductive material to a non-electrical current conductive surface of the object, removing a portion of the object and the conductive material through polishing, and measuring an electric current flowing through the conductive material to monitor a progress of the polishing. Advantageously, the method does not require the polishing process to be interrupted to monitor the progress of the polishing. In fact, since the progress is measured as a function of resistance/electrical current, the progress is measured with an accuracy and precision related to each individual turn of a polishing pad. Advantageously, the instant method is remarkably vibration insensitive and is practical for the simultaneous, automatic, and precise, polishing of monolithic objects.

This invention relates generally to a method of polishing and more specifically to a method for the simultaneous, automatic, and precise, polishing of objects.
Precise polishing is usually performed using rotary type polishing machines, where the polishing surface and the surface to be polished are placed in mechanical contact and rapidly moved relative to each other. Typically, the process is a time-consuming, multi-step task that requires constant monitoring. For example, if polishing to a predefined mark is required indicating the desired polishing xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cendxe2x80x9d point with an accuracy of a few microns or better relative to the mark line, then a mechanical micrometer indicator cannot be used for measuring the polishing progress due to vibration. Accordingly, precisely monitoring the approach to the mark-line often involves stopping the polishing, de-assembling the object being polished, using a microscope to view the polishing progress, re-assembling the object, and continuing with the polishing procedure. This expensive and time-consuming procedure is continued until the mark-line is reached.
Unfortunately, this method suffers from imprecision related to vibrations produced in the polishing procedure, variability in mounting the object, and in general, the skill of the polisher. Obviously, this method is not easily automated.
It is an object of this invention to provide a precise, vibration insensitive method of polishing an object that does not involve the de-assembling and re-assembling of the object to measure the progress of the polishing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of polishing an object that is easily automated and that is more precise than prior art methods.
The instant invention provides a method for precisely polishing a non-electrical current conductive object (alternatively, if the object conducts electric current, the object should be coated with a thin layer of non-electric current conductive material using methods known to those skilled in the art). The method includes applying a conductive layer to the object in a manner such that when the object is polished an electric current flowing through the conductive layer changes in dependence upon a progress of the polishing. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive layer is applied in a predetermined pattern such that a measured resistance across the conductive layer is indicative of a predetermined stop-line for polishing.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of polishing comprising the steps of: providing an object having a first surface to be polished; applying a conductive material in a predetermined pattern to a second surface of the object; applying an electric current across the conductive material; polishing the first surface such that a portion of the conductive material on the second surface is removed; and measuring one of resistance and electric current across the conductive material for monitoring a progress of the polishing, the one of resistance and electric current being dependent on the predetermined pattern and the portion of the conductive material removed.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of polishing as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step of: providing at least one other object having a first surface to be polished; applying a conductive material in a predetermined pattern to a second surface of the at least one other object; simultaneously polishing the first surface of each of the object and the at least one other object; and measuring one of resistance and electric current across the conductive material applied to each of the objects.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided an apparatus for polishing a monolithic object having a conductive pattern coated thereon, the apparatus comprising: a mount for supporting the monolithic object during polishing; a polisher for polishing at least a portion of the monolithic object and the conductive pattern away; a meter having at least two contacts for coupling to the conductive pattern for measuring one of an electric current and a resistance across the conductive pattern; and a processor coupled to the polisher and the meter for receiving data from the meter and providing a signal to the polisher indicative of a progress of the polishing.
In accordance with the invention there is further provided a monolithic object comprising an electrically conductive region coated thereon for indicating when the object is polished to a desired length, at least a portion of said electrically conductive region designed to be polished away, said electrically conductive region having at least two terminals electrically coupled thereto for monitoring one of conductivity and resistance.
Advantageously, the method does not require the use of a microscope to measure the mark line. The approach to the mark line is measured as a function of resistance/electrical currentxe2x80x94thus providing a more accurate and more precise measurement. Since the electrical current conductive bridge becomes thinner and thinner as the mark line is approached, the accuracy is high enough to measure changes in the progress of polishing for each individual turn of a fine polishing pad. Furthermore, the instant method is advantageously vibration insensitive.

Controllably monitoring and reducing a material


Provided are an image processing device, image processing method, and computer program which can accurately detect noise in an input image and eliminate or reduce the noise. A display device extracts a specific area including a target pixel from an input image and determines whether the boundary of noise is included in the specific area. If so determined, the display device performs filtering using a smoothing filter to smooth the target pixel. If not so determined, the display device performs filtering using an edge-preserving smoothing filter to smooth the target pixel. At this time, the display device determines whether to apply the result of the smoothing process using the edge-preserving smoothing filter, on the basis of the pixel values in the specific area, the result of the smoothing process using the edge-preserving smoothing filter, and the like.

Noise in which the pixel value varies stepwise among adjacent pixels, such as block noise, has been known as noise in an image. Block noise occurs when an image is compressed using a scheme such as Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) or Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG). An image compression scheme such as MPEG or JPEG involves dividing the original image into blocks having a specific size and then compressing the image on a block basis. This process makes the pixel value discontinuous across the boundaries of the adjacent blocks, so that the user may visually recognize the block boundaries as noise. Such block noise can occur when compressing an image, as well as when dividing an image into blocks having a specific size and then processing the image.
Patent Literature 1 proposes a block noise detection device which calculates the spatial differences between the adjacent pixels with respect to an input video signal, outputs a spatial difference comparison determination signal on the basis of a comparison among the adjacent multiple spatial differences, counts the spatial difference comparison determination signals for each phase, outputs accumulation signals, makes a comparison among the values of the multiple accumulation signals, and outputs a phase corresponding to an accumulation signal having the largest value as a maximum accumulation time phase signal.

Image processing device, image processing method, and computer program


A medical diagnostic ultrasound receive beamformer includes an upsampler upstream of a time delay device and a summer, and a smoothing filter downstream of the time delay device and the summer. The receive beamformer is automatically programmed into a gate array as a single-beam, dynamic-focus receive beamformer when the user selects B-mode and as a dual-beam, fixed-focus receive beamformer when the user selects color flow mode.

This application includes a microfiche appendix of 47 sheets of microfiche having 2,772 frames. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This invention relates to a medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method. Ultrasound systems generate a sequence of images representing a region of a body. Different processes and hardware are used to generate the images. Many of the processes and hardware components are divided into ultrasound subsystems. Each subsystem is typically implemented with an ASIC. The ASIC is designed to perform a particular process. The processes are determined in part as a function of the system architecture or ASIC based design.
The subsystems are connected to a back plane or common structure to form the ultrasound system. The ultrasound system typically is mounted on a large wheeled cart.
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims.
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described below include a medical diagnostic ultrasound receive beamformer includes an upsampler upstream of a time delay device and a summer, and a smoothing filter downstream of the time delay device and the summer. The receive beamformer is automatically programmed into a gate array as a single-beam, dynamic-focus receive beamformer when the user selects B-mode and as a dual-beam, fixed-focus receive beamformer when the user selects color flow mode.
Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method


It is presented a method for obtaining a set of selected antennas in a mobile communication network, wherein each one of the selected antennas is intended to be used in data transmissions to a first mobile communication terminal. The method is performed in a network node of the mobile communication network and comprises candidate the steps of: obtaining a set of candidate antennas, wherein each one of the candidate antennas is arranged to send out the same cell identifier and at least some of the candidate antennas have different coverage areas; evaluating performance of at least a subset of the candidate antennas in relation to the first mobile communication terminal; and determining a set of selected antennas based on the performance of the candidate performance antennas having been evaluated. A corresponding network node, computer program and computer program product are also presented.

In mobile communication networks, there is always a challenge to obtain good performance and capacity for a give set of hardware. To increase capacity, additional cells can be introduced and a dense infrastructure may be needed to enable high data rates. However, the user distribution is typically non-uniform and this approach may is not always suitable.
It is desired to find a way to balance coverage with capacity where interference between channels for different mobile communication terminals is reduced.

Selecting antennas in downlink cooperative scheduling


An apparatus for simulating a dynamic high-g environment that includes a test specimen, an incompressible liquid situated adjacent to the test specimen, and a device for creating a dynamic force on the test specimen. In one embodiment, the device for creating a dynamic force includes a vibration actuator that creates a force by creating movement between the test specimen and the incompressible liquid.

It is often desirable to test products and/or their component parts under conditions that are similar to those expected in the field. The test results may be used to help ensure that the products and/or their component parts will function properly in the field. For some applications, it is difficult to properly test the products and/or component parts, sometimes because of the extreme conditions for which they are intended to be used. For example, testing projectiles and/or components of such projectiles, such as circuit cards, during conditions of a ballistic event in a controlled and reproducible manner can be difficult. Similarly, testing acceleration sensors and/or cards during conditions of an automobile crash can be difficult. These are just a few examples.
The testing of components for use in a projectile would ideally include simulation of accelerative forces that are similar to those that are expected during actual service in the field. However, the associated long duration, high acceleration environment of ballistic applications, such as the firing of a gun, can typically not be adequately simulated in a laboratory environment. The ruggedness and reliability of many components generally cannot be qualitatively, quantitatively, or comparatively evaluated except under conditions which simulate their actual flight experience without the terminal destruction which would be experienced by actual flight. Not being able to simulate/test these high-g forces has presented some design challenges.
A typical method of simulating forces that are experienced by a projectile include using an "air gun" that accelerates a projectile by air pressure in a confined tube of suitable diameter. However, this and many other previous methods have a maximum force and/or duration that can be produced and simulated. For example, an air gun may be capable of producing levels up to 20,000 G's, but at these force levels, the duration of the event is typically less than a millisecond or so. For many ballistic applications, such as the firing of a gun, as well as other high-g applications, the events may extend over 10 milliseconds or more. Thus, it may be desirable to simulate relatively large forces over a relatively longer duration.

Liquid reaction mass for high-G simulation


Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for modifying DNA within cells as well as compositions and methods for modifying gene expression in a cell. In particular, the invention generally relates to compositions, methods, and kits for DNA editing using single-stranded DNA. Compositions and methods for modifying gene expression using artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) are also contemplated.

The field of the invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for modifying DNA within cells as well as compositions and methods for modifying gene expression in a cell. In particular, the field of the invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for DNA editing using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Compositions and methods for modifying gene expression using artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) are also contemplated.
To ensure overall genome stability and viability, cells have evolved complex mechanisms for the accurate and efficient repair of DNA damage. In eukaryotic cells, the repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) occurs primarily by two pathways: Non-Homologous End-Joining (NHEJ) and Homology Directed Repair (HDR). In the NHEJ pathway, several factors act to re-ligate the two DNA ends created by the DSB. In the HDR pathway, a homologous DNA template is used to repair the DSB.
Exploiting the HDR pathway has become a powerful means of DNA editing, including the editing of genomes. Currently, there are several widely used systems to introduce targeted cuts such as DSBs into the genomes of cells including Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), CRISPR-Cas systems (Clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas)), and Argonaute nuclease systems. See, e.g., Gaj et al., Trends in Biotechnology 31(7): 397-405 (2013); Gao et al., Nature Biotechnology, published online May 2, 2016. ZFNs and TALENs are generally chimeric nucleases composed of programmable sequence-specific DNA-binding sequences linked to nonspecific DNA cleavage domains. The sequence specificity of CRISPR-Cas and Argonaute nuclease systems, on the other hand, derive from guide polynucleotides (e.g., RNA or DNA) that direct the nuclease activity of Cas or Argonaute proteins to particular sequences. By introducing one of these targeted nuclease systems into a cell along with a repair template DNA encoding sequences or "arms" homologous to the upstream and downstream sequences near the nuclease cut site, the HDR pathway can be used to insert a DNA of interest (DOI) at nearly any location in the genome.
The repair-template DNA may be single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Single-stranded DNA repair templates have been typically about 100-200 bases long, consisting of a few bases of altered sequence (e.g., point mutations, recombinase recognition sequences, short deletions or insertions of a few bases) flanked by homology arms of about 40-80 bases. Double-stranded DNA repair-templates generally require long homology arms and typically are inserted with much lower efficiency than ssDNA repair templates. See Singh et al., Genetics 199:1-15 (2015); Yang et al., Nat Protoc 9:1956-1968 (2014); and Ran et al., Nat Protoc 8:2281-2308 (2013). Currently, ssDNA repair templates have not been used to insert long DOIs due to limitations in the overall length of ssDNA that can be synthesized and uncertainties of whether ssDNA repair templates harboring long DOIs would be properly incorporated into a target sequence using a cell's endogenous HDR machinery. Insertion of large DOIs (>100 bases) generally relies on the use of dsDNA with long homology arms, which are laborious to create and have poor insertion efficiencies. Thus, there is a need in the art for simpler, more efficient methods of inserting large DOIs (>100 bases) into target DNA sequences within a cell.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

DNA editing using relatively long single-stranded DNA and CRISPR/Cas9 to increase success rate in methods for preparing transgenic embryos and animals

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BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA


A server includes memory, a connection establisher, a first transmission request receiver, a first determiner, a first screen data transmitter, a second screen data transmitter, and a first disconnector. The connection establisher establishes continuous connection with a communication device. The first transmission request receiver receives a first transmission request t for displaying a setting screen corresponding to a first type of service. In response to the first transmission request being received from the external device, the first determiner determine whether a second type of service is currently provided. The first screen data transmitter transmits first screen data for displaying a first setting screen to the external device in response to the first determiner determining that the second type of service is not currently provided. The first disconnector disconnects the continuous connection in response to selection of a disconnection button included in the first setting screen displayed on the external device.

A multifunction peripheral, a device information collecting server, and a service providing server capable of providing a plurality of services are disclosed. The multifunction peripheral and the device information collecting server establish an XMPP (standing for Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) connection. The device information collecting server collects information for providing a service from the multifunction peripheral and transmits a notification to the multifunction peripheral by using an XMPP connection.

Server and computer program for server for establishing a continuous connection with a communication device to provide screen data


There is provided a method for producing L-leucine using bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, which produces L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-homoleucine in an amount of less than 1% of that of L-leucine produced due to inactivation of ilvE gene coding for branched chain amino acid transaminase and produces increased amount of L-leucine due to increasing the activity of the aromatic amino acid transaminase encoded by tyrB gene.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to microbiological industry, specifically to a method for producing amino acids. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for producing L-leucine using bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia wherein the amount of L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-homoleucine produced is less than 1% of that of L-leucine produced.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally L-amino acids have been industrially produced by a method of fermentation utilizing strains of microorganisms obtained from natural sources or mutants of the same especially modified to enhance the L-amino acids productivity.
Various strains belonging to the genus Escherichia used for production of L-leucine by fermentation are known. There are strains resistant to L-leucine and its analogs, such as 4-azaleucine or 5,5,5-trifluoroleucine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,331), β-2-thienylalanine and β-hydroxyleucine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,231), L-valine, 4-azaleucine, 3-hydroxyleucine and L-leucine (Russian patent RU 2140450); strains requiring lipoic acid for growth (U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,591); strains with increased activities of the enzymes involved in L-leucine biosynthesis, such as ilvE gene product (U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,654); strains with the target enzymes desensitized to the feedback inhibition by produced L-leucine, such as isopropylmalate synthase (European patent EP1067191).
The most known L-leucine producing strains simultaneously produce L-valine and in the small extent L-isoleucine. For example, E. coli strain AJ11478 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,231) produces simultaneously 1.9 g/l of L-leucine and 0.09 g/l of L-valine (amount of L-valine is 4.7% of L-leucine amount). L-valine and L-isoleucine produced simultaneously with L-leucine inconvenience the recovery of L-leucine from cultural liquids. Besides, L-valine and L-isoleucine co-production decreases L-leucine production since both amino acids are originated from a common precursor, 2-ketoisovalerate.
Earlier it was shown, the unnatural amino acids, such as norvaline, homoisoleucine and norleucine, could be formed by L-leucine biosynthetic enzymes in Serratia marcescens from α-ketobutyrate, α-keto-β-methylvalerate and α-ketovalerate, respectively (Kisumi M., Sugiura M. and Chibata I., J. Biochem. 1976, 80(2) 333–9).


A noise from a fuel pump module is reduced by housing a port injection (PI) fuel pump in a pump case of a fuel tank, in a structure in which the PI fuel pump is held with a bracket that is provided at a position between the PI fuel pump and a PI suction filter. The PI fuel pump and the bracket that engages with the pump case are interposed by an elastic member that abuts a base part of the bracket. In operation, when the PI fuel pump transmits its vibration to the pump case through the elastic member and the bracket, the elastic member dampens and reduces the vibration transmitted to the bracket, thereby reducing the noise by a reduction of transmitted vibration through the pump case to a subtank and the fuel tank.

Conventionally, a fuel pump module may utilize a plurality of fuel pumps having respectively different discharge pressures according to an engine operation state, for achieving a high output of the engine and/or for an improvement of the fuel mileage. That is, for example, a patent document 1 (i.e., Japanese Patent No.: JP-A-2009-228653) discloses a fuel pump module that includes a main pump, a sub-pump, a subtank, and a cover member. The subtank houses the main pump and the like in a cylindrical shape body with a bottom. The cover member closes an opening of the sub tank and supports the main pump and the like.
However, in the fuel pump module of the patent document 1, vibration from the two pumps during operation is transmitted to the cover member which supports the two pumps. Such a vibration may be further amplified when it is conveyed to the fuel tank through the cover member and the sub tank.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a fuel pump module that reduces noise.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel pump module that supplies fuel from a fuel tank to an internal-combustion engine. The fuel pump module includes a first suction filter removing foreign substance from fuel in the fuel tank, a first pump discharging fuel that has passed through the first suction filter into a combustion chamber of the internal-combustion engine, a first filter removing foreign substance from fuel that is discharged from the first pump, and a first supply port disposed at a position between the first filter and the combustion chamber and allowing fuel that has passed through the first filter to flow therethrough. The fuel pump module also includes a second suction filter removing foreign substance from fuel in the fuel tank separately from the first suction filter, a second pump discharging fuel that has passed through the second suction filter into an air-intake system of the internal-combustion engine, a second filter removing foreign substance from fuel that is discharged from the second pump, a second supply port disposed at a position between the second filter and the air-intake system and allowing fuel that has passed through the second filter to flow therethrough. Further, the fuel pump module includes a housing member housing one of the first pump and the second pump, a support part formed on the housing member and supporting an other of the first pump and the second pump, a regulating member engaging the housing member at a position between (i) the first suction filter and the first pump or (ii) the second suction filter and the second pump, the regulating member regulating a relative movement of the first pump or the second pump toward a center axis thereof relative to the housing member, and an elastic member made of an elastic material, abutting the regulating member and interposed between (i) the first pump and the regulating member or (ii) the second pump and the regulating member.
In the fuel pump module of the present disclosure, two pumps, two filters, and two supply ports are provided, and a housing member housing one of the two pumps has the support part that supports the other one of the two pumps. Movement of the one of the two pumps housed in the housing member is regulated by the regulating member that engages with the housing member, i.e., the movement of the one of the two pumps toward the center axis of the relevant pump relative to the housing member. In such a structure, vibration caused by an operation of the pump is transmitted to the fuel tank through the housing member and the regulating member. An elastic member in between the pump in the housing member and the regulating member reduces the transmission of vibration from the pump in the housing member to the regulating member, thereby reducing the transmission of the vibration to the housing member. As a result, the noise generated by the vibration is reduced due to the reduction of the transmitted vibration that is transmitted from the housing member to the fuel tank.


An ultra-wide bandwidth dish antenna includes a plurality of transmission nes embedded in feed arms extending from an edge of a reflective dish, The first transmission line is for input and is connected in parallel to two receptive transmission lines having twice the characteristic impedance of the input transmission line, where one of the receptive transmission lines is inverted relative to the other The two receptive transmission lines are each bonded and embedded within separate feed arms of the antenna. The feed arms of the dish antenna converge to a point (apex) where the conductors of the embedded transmission lines are connected. The connection forces a signal on the exterior of the feed arms creating an electric and magnetic field enabling an electromagnetic wave to be propagated down the feed arms and launched into the reflective dish to be radiated outward.

1. Technical Field
The present invention pertains to improvements in ultra-wide bandwidth baluns for dish antennas. In particular, the invention is an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,006 (McCorkle). The disclosure in the patent is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Impulse radar has numerous uses in various radar systems to detect aircraft, ground vehicles, people, mines, buried pipes, roadways, etc. Transmitting antennas for these systems typically require a balanced feed, while transmitters typically produce energy in an unbalanced feed. Numerous commercially available baluns do not have the bandwidth, balance, insertion loss or power handling capabilities required for ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) applications, that is, applications involving frequencies from DC to gigahertz (GHz).
The above-referenced McCorkle U.S. Pat. No. (5,379,006) discloses in FIG. 4 of that patent a balun for ultra-wide bandwidth applications. Specifically, an input transmission line is connected in parallel with two output transmission lines such that one output transmission line is inverted with respect to the other. Each of the two output transmission lines has twice the characteristic impedance of the input transmission line, and all three of the transmission lines have a center conductor surrounded by an exterior shield (e.g., coaxial lines). At a junction where the input transmission line is connected in parallel with the two output transmission lines, the center conductor of the input transmission line is connected to coupled exterior shields of the two output transmission lines. Each of the center conductors of the two output transmission lines are connected to the exterior shield of the input transmission line. This configuration enables a signal from the input transmission line to be divided into two equal and opposite signals, each to be carried by a corresponding one of the two transmission lines. Ferrite cores along each of the two transmission lines provide inductance to isolate the parallel connection of the transmission lines and form balanced signals. For matching over the range of UWB frequencies (i.e., DC to GHz), an RC network is placed between exterior shields of the two transmission lines subsequent to the parallel connection. This balun has the capability of ultra-wide bandwidth applications from DC to GHz.
While the above-described balun provides a balanced feed, it would be desirable to mount the balun in a manner that avoids obstructing the antenna aperture. Further, it would be desirable to feed dish antennas through the feed arms of the antenna.

The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Army


Fluid is efficiently and uniformly removed from successive bodies of a product by a combination of finely perforated wedge shaped hollow blades sufficiently long as to fully penetrate the product body depth, a series of vacuum suction tubes arranged within the blades for pressure differential removal of accumulated free fluid from the lowest point of the product body, a pneumatic or other cylinder to provide linear motion, position control, and cyclic variation in applied load for introduction and withdrawal of each blade and suction tube assembly to and from successive bodies of the product, and mechanism allowing the blade and suction tube assembly to travel only in a defined linear path for repeatable unimpeded entry to and withdrawal from successive product containers, each of which is mechanically fed into and precisely held in a series of locations directly beneath wedge and suction tube assemblies.

The present invention provides an improved means for the controlled primary removal of fluid whey from a body or successive bodies of specifically fresh cheese curd material while the curd material is yet in the soft, particulate, warm, malleable slurry form, and thereby for attaining positive, consistent, and repeatable control of the remaining and subsequently developing whey fluid content, and particularly, control of the distribution of that remaining and subsequently developing whey fluid, by means of combining a number of mechanical innovations to permit the repeated mechanical unimpeded controlled entry and removal of one or more long deeply penetrating wedge shaped perforated hollow drain blade and vacuum suction tube assemblies to and from a succession of containers holding the curd material through the primary fluid removal process. Included are means to precisely control the orientation and path of reciprocating travel of the long perforated wedge shaped drain blade and vacuum suction tube assemblies, means to vary over a time/ location frame of reference, the force applied to the pressure plate / long perforated hollow wedge shaped drain blade and vacuum suction tube assemblies during successive entry and/or reentry to the material containers, means to motivate and accurately position a succession of material containers in precise three dimensional and orientational proximity to a number of pressure plate / long perforated wedge shaped drain blade and vacuum suction tube assemblies, means for remote visual human operator inspection to ensure that each individual vacuum suction tube assembly can be maintained in full operating condition, means to check weigh each container immediately following primary whey removal to detect both insufficient and excessive removal of whey, and means to provide and automatically control all necessary mechanical functions, entirely repeatable on a variable time frame basis to enable the described process and apparatus to optimally function for a variety of cheese curd varieties, and with only the periodic supervisory indirect involvement of human operators during the whey removal process.
A variety of methods for production of cheese and its primary shape molding by direct filling in slurry form into for example the giant "640" block, along with various methods and combinations of methods for extraction of fluid whey, have long been known in the art. A shortcoming of all known and all commercially used such processes to date has been the inability to achieve and consistently ensure, on a commercial production scale, the removal of a precise amount of whey from each particularly larger production body of cheese product, leaving within the body only the most desirable amount of whey. A further consistent shortcoming of known such systems and devices, is the inability to leave the remaining whey in a state where it is uniformly distributed throughout the body of cheese, particularly at the time of shredding or cutting into smaller consumer portions, at which time the whey content in various parts of the original body of cheese is generally tested and evaluated.
Low whey content, while sometimes acceptable in a given product classification, reduces the productivity of the cheesemaking process by transferring more fluid whey than is necessary to disposal or to other low value processes.
High whey content, through part or all of the curd body, while increasing the weight and volume of the final cheese product, becomes unacceptable from a product standards and marketability aspect, resulting generally in devaluation of this product, at least on a per container basis, and possibly on a per shipment or per supplier basis.
A further sometimes adverse condition of known and commonly used methods and mechanisms utilizing tubular vacuum probes, which are forced to penetrate the curd body for withdrawal of fluid whey, is that cavities are sometimes left within the cheese body which attract and tend to become filled with free whey which is thereby not necessarily fully reabsorbed, even over long storage periods, by the parent curd body, producing at times rancidity and a major devaluation of the product.
Said tubular vacuum probes are typically constructed as a tube within a tube, the inner vacuum tube serving to affect fluid extraction and the outer perforated tube serving as a wet well for the accumulation of free fluid in ideal proximity to the lower end of the inner tube, the process for large cheese blocks requiring relatively large numbers of tube assemblies penetrating each body of cheese curd to remove sufficient whey and to leave the remaining whey in a somewhat evenly distributed state. Such multiple tube assemblies are costly to provide in a hygienic state, and are inherently difficult to clean, needing frequent manual disassembly, causing both a frequent high labor usage requirement for sanitary operation, and a major potential for insanitary operation.
Known and commercially used traditional systems for the extraction of whey from large blocks of cheese, utilizing perforated hollow wedge shaped drain blades, have previously required the use of dual sets of blades, one beneath the cheese curd slurry as it enters the container, and another which enters the top of the body of cheese curd shortly after filling is completed, each set penetrating nominally only half of the total depth of the body of product.
Such use of perforated drain blades has not been combined with the use of vacuum tubes placed within the hollow drain blades.
The use of dual sets of blades requires, after a limited time, and after removal of the upper penetrating blade set, that each body of cheese curd in turn be inverted through 180 degrees so that the lower blade set can now be removed from the product body without undue loss of product from the container. The requirement for inversion necessitates further utilization of floor space, additional equipment, additional steps in the process, and is generally labor intensive and dangerous to human operators. Said systems tend to be inefficient in terms of floor space usage, product spillage, cleanup chemical and water usage, and physical human effort requirement, for both production and cleanup.
A further general inefficiency of primary whey removal systems, currently used in cheese manufacturing, is caused by human operator error, heightened by fatigue and repetition based boredom, resulting in a generally high incidence of inconsistencies in the repeatability of many process steps with consequential degradation in product quality and consistency, and in production equipment damage, down time, repair, and replacement.

Fluid removal by mechanized long vacuum blade


An aspiration cannula is used in tectonic lamellar keratoplasty. The cannula is hand manipulatable and aspirates irrigation fluid and repositions a corneal cap or flap during corneal surgery. The cannula comprises a hand manipulatable elongated tube having an inlet end with a plurality of ports spaced apart along the length of the tube for aspirating irrigation fluid around a corneal incision interface and an outlet end for disposing the fluid.

Lamellar corneal surgery has undergone a steady evolution. Advancements in the technology, such as automated keratomes and non-freeze, no-suture techniques have markedly improved safety and effectiveness. When Dr. Luis Ruiz introduced the automated keratome and the in situ non-freeze, no-suture technique to the lamellar bed, other physicians embraced this and have since introduced this technique to thousands of surgeons worldwide. Although a significant advancement, even Dr. Luis Ruiz realized the relative imprecision of making a refractive pass with the keratome. He quickly learned to utilize the excimer laser to precisely reshape the cornea underneath the lamellar corneal flap. The precision achieved has been unparalleled, especially for the moderate to higher myopes.
Worldwide there have been many other surgeons that deserve credit for pursuing the combination of excimer laser with lamellar surgery. As surgeons began doing lamellar corneal surgery, they became concerned about the potential for inducing irregular astigmatism as well as introducing debris such as epithelial inclusions in the stromal interface. Fortunately, with the introduction of the automated keratome and non-freeze, non-suture techniques, irregular astigmatism rates are reduced but still pose a great problem. Debris in the interface also continues to be a chronic problem. Many surgeons have resorted to never wearing gloves during lamellar surgery just for that reason. Although infections in lamellar surgery are quite low, infection percentages, however low, need to be reduced and preferably eliminated. At present, it is unclear whether or not wearing gloves during lamellar surgery is the standard of care. Thus, we need a way to perform lamellar surgery with gloves safely so as not to introduce debris into the interface.
Recently a very famous clinical researcher in excimer laser technology expressed that his job is now to make surface ablation PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) as good or better than LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis). Preserving all the layers of the cornea provides quicker visual recovery and the predictability is less dependent on the ablation characteristics of the laser. Thus, LASIK in its infancy already has a head start over any surface ablation technique. Secondly, while PRK retreatment is not predictable, LASIK enhancement is possible. The tremendous amounts of research and development required to create the perfect surface ablation could be better spent in perfecting LASIK for all ranges of refractive errors.
There is a growing need to introduce lamellar surgery skills to surgeons new to this arena. Surgeons who have been performing ALK (automated lamellar keratoplasty) will be prepared to make an easy transition to LASIK. Many of the surgeons making the transition from PRK to LASIK appear totally consumed in what type of ablation to use in the bed, when in reality their primary concerns should be a safe keratectomy and repositioning the corneal cap/flap so that there is the least likely chance for debris in the interface causing irregular astigmatism. If that can be consistently reproduced, then enhancement is possible and predictability of the ablation for each surgeon will increase with experience.

Corneal aspiration cannula and method of using


A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a main circuit disposed over a front surface of the substrate, and a backside power delivery circuit disposed over a back surface of the substrate. The backside power delivery circuit includes a first main power supply wiring for supplying a first voltage, a second main power supply wiring for supplying a second voltage, a first local power supply wiring, and a first switch coupled to the first main power supply wiring and the first local power supply wiring. The first main power supply wiring, the second main power supply wiring and the first local power supply wiring are embedded in a first back side insulating layer disposed over the back surface of the substrate. The first local power supply wiring is coupled to the main circuit via a first through-silicon via (TSV) passing through the substrate for supplying the first voltage.

As the size of semiconductor devices becomes smaller, a cell height of standard cells also becomes smaller. The cell height is generally defined as a periodic distance (pitch) between two power supply lines, VDD and VSS, and is generally determined by the number and a pitch of fin structures and/or metal lines. The cell height is also called a track height. Typical track heights are 7.5 T, 6.5 T or 5.5 T, where T is a smallest pitch of metal lines running over the standard cell. Scaling down to 4.5 T or 4 T is currently required to further minimize the size of semiconductor devices.

Semiconductor device including back side power supply circuit

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A multi-function protection system (8) for protecting electrical equipment such as a screw compressor motor is shown having a housing (10, 20) mounting current sensing toroids (CT1, CT2, CT3) and associated circuitry as well as associated circuitry for temperature sensing PTC resistors (S1, S2, S3) adapted to be placed in heat conductive relation with respective windings of the motor. The circuitry is connected to an analog-to-digital converter or ADC (U6) which provides a binary coded input to a micro-controller (U5). The micro-controller performs protection sub-routines to control an output switch (Q4) which in turn controls the state of energization of a relay (K1) coupled to the screw compressor motor. The circuitry includes a current unbalance section (30a, 30b), an over temperature section (32), a low voltage cut-out circuit (33), a current transducer section (35), a signal conditioning circuit (36a, 36b, 36c), a micro-controller section (40) incorporating a shorted sensor protection system, current overload calibration section (41) and fault diagnostic section (42). A fault bank routine filters transient voltages resulting from industrial or environmental electromagnetic interference (EMI) for current overload, current imbalance and over temperature transient voltages to distinguish real fault conditions from EMI transients.

Systems for protecting motors from current overload conditions comprising one or more current sensors disposed in a current overload transfer function with respect to percentage of phase current and time are well known in the prior art. Examples of such systems are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,364 and 5,179,495. In these systems, an all solid state protection circuit utilizes one or more current transformers which are responsive to the motor phase current. These current transformers are connected into a timer circuit which in turn is used to control the current overload conditions and de-energize a control relay. Current transformers have also been used to measure actual phase current of the motor. For example, a current transformer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,101 is used in a system to provide a DC voltage which is proportional to the AC current flowing into a motor. A control system may use a current transducer to protect against current overload conditions as well as an input system which is used to operate a compressor more efficiently under time varying load conditions.
There are effective systems that protect against improper sequence of a three phase current from being applied to electrical equipment such as scroll compressors. Energization of a scroll or screw compressor with an improper sequence of the three phase power supply can result in mechanical failure. One effective system is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,258. In this system, an all solid state protection circuit is used to monitor the voltage level of each phase of the power supply and upon detection of an improper phase sequence or loss of a phase the control is used to de-energize a switch. Although this has proven to be an effective means of protecting against improper phase sequence, there is a need to provide additional functions which provide a more efficient and effective protection system, particularly for screw compressors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,358 shows a protection system having over temperature protection including thermal sensors placed in heat transfer relation with the windings of a dynamoelectric machine which includes a minimum off delay timer to prevent rapid cycling and a low voltage cut-out network to protect the machine in the event of the occurrence of low voltage conditions.
While the above described systems for current overload, over temperature improper phase sequence, off delay timer and low voltage cut-out features have proven to be effective, there still is a need to provide functions which will protect a screw compressor form these and other deleterious conditions in a more effective and efficient manner.

Method and apparatus for multi-function electronic motor protection


Disclosed is a combustion machine, including: a hopper, a drying mechanism and a combustion mechanism. The hopper is configured for storing materials and conveying the materials to the drying mechanism. The drying mechanism includes a conveying mechanism and a drying chamber, and the conveying mechanism is connected with the hopper and conveys the materials in the hopper to the drying chamber. The combustion mechanism includes a combustion chamber connected with the drying chamber via a material conveying pipeline, and a fire outlet pipe arranged in the combustion chamber and used for outputting flame. A hot air pipeline is connected between the combustion chamber and the drying chamber, and a first exhaust fan is arranged in the hot air pipeline.

At present, fuel should be dried for a combustion machine which uses crops as combusting fuel, and therefore the crops should be dried before putting into the combustion machine for use. Drying and combusting are two mutually independent processes which require separate energy supply, thus causing too high energy consumption.


A system for evaluating the convergence to a solution for a matrix equation comprises at least one reconfigurable computing device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an update storage element, a conversion element, a summation unit, and a comparator. The FPGA includes a plurality of configurable logic elements and a plurality of configurable storage elements, which are utilized to form the update storage element, the conversion element, the summation unit, and the comparator. The update storage element is configured to store a plurality of updates. The conversion element determines the absolute value of the updates. The summation unit accumulates the absolute values of the updates to produce a total sum, which is compared to a convergence factor by the comparator. Convergence is signaled when the total sum is less than the convergence factor.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to high-performance computing. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for evaluating the convergence to a solution of a matrix equation for stationary method iterative linear solvers.
2. Description of the Related Art
The solution to large-scale matrix equations is often required in a wide variety of scientific and engineering fields. The matrix equation may take the form Ax=b, where A is a known n×n matrix, b is a known vector of size n, and x is an unknown vector if size n. Many times a stationary method iterative linear solver, such as Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, or variations thereof, is employed to find a solution. The solver may perform a number of iterations, such that during each iteration the solver updates the solution vector. Traditional approaches include allowing the solver to perform a fixed number of iterations. There are a couple of drawbacks to this approach. The solver may perform too few iterations to converge toward a solution, thereby providing an erroneous or inadequate answer. Alternatively, the solver may perform more iterations than are necessary to provide an adequate solution, thus wasting time and unnecessarily utilizing resources.

System for convergence evaluation for stationary method iterative linear solvers


Various low stress compact device packages are disclosed herein. An integrated device package can include a first integrated device die and a second integrated device die. An interposer can be disposed between the first integrated device die and the second integrated device die such that the first integrated device die is mounted to and electrically coupled to a first side of the interposer and the second integrated device die is mounted to and electrically coupled to a second side of the interposer. The first side can be opposite the second side. The interposer can comprise a hole through at least the second side of the interposer. A portion of the second integrated device die can extend into the hole.

Field of the Invention
The field relates to integrated devices and methods for packaging the same. More particularly, the field relates to devices and methods for improving three-dimensional (3D) packaging and integration and reducing stresses in packages.
Description of the Related Art
Efforts are continually being made to reduce or minimize the size of integrated device packages. For example, it can be important to reduce or minimize both the height of an integrated device package (also referred to as "the package") and the footprint of the package on an external device substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The size of the package can be based at least in part on the type of device to be packaged. For example, some integrated device packages can include more than one integrated device die. In some implementations with multiple device dies, the dies can simply be placed side by side on a package substrate, such as a leadframe or a PCB material. Placing the device dies adjacent one another on the package substrate can occupy valuable package real estate and can disadvantageously enlarge the footprint of the package on the external device (e.g., a motherboard).
One way to reduce the package footprint on the external device is to stack multiple integrated device dies on top of one another, instead of placing them adjacent one another. While stacking can reduce the area of the package substrate (and thereby reduce the footprint on the external device substrate), stacking can also increase the height of the package. Accordingly, low profile and low footprint integrated device packaging can be beneficial in a variety of devices and arrangements.
Moreover, in various types of devices, stresses can be induced on the integrated device package. For example, in molded packages that are encapsulated with a molding material, the molding material may protect the dies from environmental contamination or impact. However, overmolding can also cause undesirable stresses and strains that can damage the integrated device dies under various conditions. In some arrangements, changes in temperature and/or moisture level in the molding material can cause the molding material to expand and/or contract differentially in different regions, which can also cause undesirable stresses in the device die(s). Accordingly, there is a continuing need to reduce stresses in integrated device packages.
Thus, it can be advantageous to reduce stresses in integrated device packages, without increasing the height of the packages and maintaining a reduced package footprint.