A method for manufacturing graphene-based materials includes (a) positioning graphite into an inner chamber of a rotatable housing of a rod mill. A plurality of elongate rigid rods are loosely positioned in the housing. In addition, the method includes (b) rotating the housing of the rod-mill after (a). Further, the method includes (c) rod milling the graphite with the rods during (b) to produce a first portion of the graphene-based materials and milled graphite. The first portion of the graphene-based materials include 30 layers or less of graphene and the milled graphite comprises more than 30 layers of graphene.

A variety of commercial products such as touch screens, battery straps, and tennis racquets are made with graphene and graphene-based materials such as multi-layer graphene and graphene nano-platelets. Usage of such materials (i.e., graphene, multi-layer graphene, and graphene nano-platlets) is expected to grow in coming years. However, production of such materials is limited (relatively low volume) and many conventional techniques for producing such materials may not be scalable, cost effective, or environmentally friendly.

Methods for producing graphene-based materials from graphite


An iodinated neuroprobe is provided for mapping monoamine reuptake sites. The iodinated neuroprobe is of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R=a C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=0-6, an alkenyl group, a monofluoroalkyl group including .sup.n F where n=18 or 19, or a .sup.m C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=1-6 and where m=11 or 14 for at least one .sup.m C;. R'=a C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=0-6, a p-iodophenylmethyl group, a p-iodophenylethyl group, a phenylmethyl group, or a phenylethyl group; PA1 X=an isotope of F, an isotope of Cl, an isotope of Br, an isotope of I, CH.sub.3, or Sn(R".sub.1 R".sub.2 R".sub.3); PA1 R".sub.1 =a C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=1-6, or an aryl group; PA1 R".sub.2 =a C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=1-6, or an aryl group; PA1 R".sub.3 =a C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 group where n=1-6, or an aryl group; and PA1 Y=H only if X is an isotope of I, or R' is a p-iodophenylmethyl group, or R' is a p-iodophenylethyl group, else Y=an isotope of I.. Related analogs are also provided. Additionally, a precursor of a radiolabled neuroprobe and a kit for preparing the iodinated neuroprobe are provided.

A brain consists of a plurality of neurons that interact by exchanging chemical messengers. Each neuron generates neurochemicals, referred to as neurotransmitters; neurotransmitters act at sites on the cellular membrane of a neuron, the sites being referred to as receptors. Receptors are associated with either ion channels through the cellular membrane or secondary neurochemical messenger systems. By contrast, reuptake sites are molecular complexes which transport chemicals across the cellular membrane of a neuron. When a neurotransmitter has served its function, it is removed from the vicinity of the receptor by being bound to a reuptake site which transports the neurotransmitter to the interior of the neuron.
Just as there are many specialized neurons in the brain, there are also a variety of neurotransmitters, associated receptors, and reuptake sites. The distribution of specialized neurons depends upon the particular organism under study, and the state of health of that organism.
A neuron can be classified according to the type of neurotransmitter that it uses to communicate with other neurons. Certain types of neurons can be found predominantly in particular regions of the brain. For example, the striatal region of a mammalian brain is innervated by neurons using dopamine as a neurotransmitter. The striatum also contains a large number of non-dopaminergic neurons that have dopamine receptors. Certain compounds, such as cocaine, have a preferential affinity for dopamine reuptake sites, and therefore tend to bind to such reuptake sites. The effect of a molecule such as cocaine upon a dopamine reuptake site is to inhibit reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine, leaving more dopamine available in the vicinity of the dopamine receptors.
In certain neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, distinct groups of neurons lose their normal physiological functioning. Consequently, the abnormal neurons may behave differently in the presence of some neurotransmitters, and may also produce neurotransmitters in a manner that differs from a healthy neuron.
The major neurotransmitters, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, are referred to collectively as the monoamine neurotransmitters. Many neurons have receptors adapted to receive at least one of these neurotransmitters. Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of some of the dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The neurons lost in Parkinson's disease have a large number of dopamine reuptake sites; cocaine and chemical analogs of cocaine have an affinity for such reuptake sites.
A radioisotope is commonly incorporated in molecules that have a demonstrated binding affinity for a particular type of neuroreceptor, and such molecules are commonly used as neuroprobes. The localization of neuroprobes can be used to find specialized neurons within particular regions of the brain. It is also known that a neurological disease can be detected by observing abnormal binding distributions of a neuroprobe. Such abnormal binding distributions can be observed by incorporating a radionuclide within each molecule of the neuroprobe with a high binding affinity for the particular reuptake sites of interest. Then, an imaging technique can be used to obtain a representation of the in vivo spatial distribution of the reuptake sites of interest.
In single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, the most commonly used radionuclides are heavy metals, such as .sup.99m Tc. Heavy metals are very difficult to incorporate into the molecular structure of neuroprobes because such probes are relatively small molecules (molecular weight less than 400).
In positron emission tomography (PET), the radiohalide .sup.18 F (fluorine) is commonly used as a substitute for H (hydrogen) in radiopharmaceuticals because it is similar in size. Not all halogens will work, however. For example, I (iodine) is much larger than both H and F, being approximately half the size of a benzene ring. However, due to the small size of typical radiopharmaceuticals for use as neuroprobes, the presence of iodine markedly changes the size of the compound, thereby altering or destroying its biological activity.
In addition, the presence of iodine in a neuroprobe tends to increase its lipophilicity, and therefore increases the tendency of the neuroprobe to engage in non-specific binding For example, paroxetine is a drug with high affinity and selectivity for serotonin reuptake sites, and [.sup.3 H]paroxetine has been shown in rodents to be a useful in vivo label (Scheffel, U. and Hartig, PR. J. Neurochem., 52:1605-1612, 1989). However, several iodinated analogs of this compound with iodine attached at several different positions had unacceptably low affinity, in fact being one tenth of the affinity of the parent compound Furthermore, when the iodinated compound was used as an in vivo radiolabled neuroprobe, non-specific binding activity was found to be so high that no measurable portion of the brain uptake appeared to be specifically bound to the serotonin reuptake site. Thus, the iodinated form of paroxetine is not useful as an in vivo probe.
The addition of iodine to a neuroprobe can unfavorably alter its biological properties. For example, tomoxetine has high affinity and selectivity for norepinephrine reuptake sites. However, when tomoxetine is iodinated, e.g. to form R-4-iodotomoxetine, the resulting labeled compound has low affinity for such reuptake sites, and relatively high affinity for serotonin reuptake sites. In vivo labeling studies have shown that it is an unacceptably poor probe even for the serotonin reuptake sites because it exhibits low total brain uptake and immeasurably low specific uptake.
An iodinated compound can be useful as an in vitro probe, but may be useless as an in vivo probe, because an in vivo probe must meet the requirements associated with intravenous administration of the probe to a living subject. Reasons for the loss of in vivo utility include the fact that the compound may be metabolized too quickly, that it may not cross the blood-brain-barrier, and that it may have high non-specific uptake into the lipid stores of the brain. In vitro homogenate binding studies remove these obstacles by isolating the brain tissue from hepatic metabolic enzymes, by homogenizing the brain tissue so as to destroy the blood-brain-barrier, and by diluting the brain tissue so as to decrease the concentration of lipids in the assay tube. Accordingly, it cannot be assumed that a probe will be useful in both in vivo and in vitro modalities.
An in vivo SPECT probe was developed by iodinating cocaine. However, this probe shows a binding affinity and specificity no better than cocaine itself, which is inadequate for purposes of SPECT imaging.

Iodinated neuroprobe for mapping monoamine reuptake sites

Research Biochemicals Limited Partnership


Stable solid forms of preservative and embalming compositions are described which can be prepared by adding a sufficient amount of a chemical or chemicals containing at least one polar group capable of forming hydrogen and Van der Waal bonds with the reactive moieties of the aldehydes and antimicrobial agents in the preservative and embalming compositions. The amount of polar chemical(s) necessary to stabilize the reactive aldehydes and antimicrobial compounds/agents is based on a molar ratio of (i) polar groups in the stabilizing chemicals to (ii) reactive groups in the active preservative ingredient of at least 0.8.

In previous patent applications, the present inventor has reviewed the needs and uses for various safe (non-hazardous) preservative/fixative and embalming/preservative solutions for use in histology, cytology, embalming and anatomic examination procedures. These patents and patent applications include U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,760, U.S. Ser. No. 08/149,820, filed on Nov. 10, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,797, and U.S. Ser. No. 08/160,285, filed on Dec. 2, 1993, now abandoned, the entire specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference. These prior patents and patent applications all relate to solutions for preserving, fixing or embalming biological material.
Also in the group of relatively safe fixative compositions is U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,182 to Streck, which discloses certain antimicrobial compound-based fixative compositions, wherein the active, fixative compound is an antimicrobial compound that is reactive toward biological material. However, the compositions disclosed therein are in liquid form.
The various known aldehyde and antimicrobial agent-based fixative, preservative, and embalming solutions, as well as those disclosed in the patents and applications listed above, all contain one or more aldehyde or antimicrobial agents as the active (reactive) ingredient. The problem with all such solutions, however, is that these fixative, preservative, and embalming chemicals are relatively reactive materials that can easily lose their activity as well as form colored and insoluble polymerized materials when stored in aqueous solutions over time. These chemical reactions generally are oxidative, reductive and polymer-type reactions.
All of these reactive groups are polar in nature, and as such, they tend to be less reactive or non-reactive when stored in a solid anhydrous condition. However, there are two major problems connected with the preparation of anhydrous, solid forms of the types of aldehydes and antimicrobial chemicals that are useful in the compositions described herein.
First, the aldehydes and some of the antimicrobial chemicals described here occur only as liquids or aqueous solutions that cannot be dehydrated and formed into an anhydrous solid. Second, the reactive groups need to be stabilized in order to reduce their reactivity and to permit long-term storage, whether or not the chemicals occur in solid form.
In a few instances, all of the components in such preservative mixtures can be obtained individually in solid anhydrous forms, as is the case with some anti-microbial agent-based compositions. However, even in these few cases where dry powder blends of the mixtures is can be prepared, there is still a need for long-term stabilization of the mixture. The fact that the chemicals may be available in solid form does not does not appear to lessen the need for stabilization when the individual solid components are mixed together.

Solid aldehyde and antimicrobial compositions useful as fixatives, preservatives and embalming agents


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating a shoulder joint, by independently manipulating the upper arm in two directions. One direction is “longitudinal”, wherein the upper arm moves substantially along its longitudinal axis. The second is “lateral”, in which the upper arm moves laterally from a first to a second position, with the second position being spaced apart from the first and such that the longitudinal axes of the upper arm in the two positions are substantially parallel. The apparatus is adjustable, but includes two parts stationary during use; an elongate yet platelike “upper arm supporting plate” configured to be situated under the upper arm of the patient (extending proximate the armpit and extending proximate the elbow) and an elongate “forearm member” configured to be positioned proximate the forearm of the user when the user's arm is in position bent approximately 90 degrees. Two other elements cause controlled movement of the arm relative to the structure so the surgeon may perform the desired procedure. These inflatable bladders may be selectively inflated or deflated to provide a desired effect. These can be referenced as an “upper arm bladder” and a “forearm bladder”, although they may be also referenced as first and second bladders, although not necessarily in that order. By inflating the upper arm bladder, the upper arm is moved away from the upper arm supporting plate, causing perpendicular (a.k.a., “lateral”) force to occur to elevate the humerus perpendicularly from the glenoid to allow good clean glenoid work.

Devices in the past have been used for the purposes of providing manipulation of a joint such as a shoulder in order to provide surgery thereon or other medical attention thereto.
One type of prior art method and apparatus is discussed with reference to FIG. 1. This prior art concept includes use of "cuff-with-cable" apparatus. As may be seen, a patient 5 has a shoulder with a rotational axis SA. From the shoulder extends an arm 6 having an upper arm extending from the shoulder and terminating at an elbow E. A forearm 4 extends from the elbow. This arm 6, which should be considered a typical human arm, is manipulated by a prior art device in FIG. 1. This device includes a cable (a.k.a., "line") 8 and an arm grasping cuff 7. The cable 8 is maintained in tension by an external device (not shown) and pulls upon the cuff 7, which is attached to the arm 6 of the patient 5.
As may be understood, tension on the cable 8 provides a force on the arm via the sleeve in order that the arm can be pulled substantially along one of several axes: A, A′, A′″, etc. These axes are extended substantially through the shoulder axis SA. In the prior art, the surgeon manipulates the cable between the various axes in order to position the shoulder at a preferred orientation.
Adjustments by this prior art device can be made by 1) increasing or decreasing the tension on the cable, so as to separate the associated bones in the shoulder, and/or 2) moving (i.e., pivoting) the cable axis about the shoulder by either moving the patient or by moving the remote cable securing location.
This type of prior art manipulation of a shoulder is currently in use and has its advantages, but there are always opportunities for improvement.

Method and apparatus for multidirectional positioning of a shoulder


In a method of manufacturing an optical attenuator, a bonding medium layer of polymer is used to bond an actuator structure and a support structure. A silicon layer is provided with waveguides for transmitting optical signals from an optical signal transmission line and an activator is formed at a predetermined portion thereof. The waveguides are inserted into cavities of the bonding medium layer. A support layer is attached to the bonding medium layer at an opposite face to a face where the bonding medium layer is bonded with a silicon substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-channel optical attenuator and manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a multi-channel optical attenuator in which an actuator structure and a support structure are bonded to each other by a bonding medium in a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) structured optical attenuator to control a light path using a waveguide, and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical attenuator, which is one of main parts in light transmission, is provided with an attenuating part. The attenuating part of the optical attenuator generates light loss of a predetermined amount and outputs an attenuated light signal through an output terminal. In light communication network, optical power received at a predetermined portion is different depending on the system's construction due to a difference in transmission loss of optical fiber according to the transmission distance, a difference in the number of connection points of optical fibers, optical coupling used in the transmission path, and the like. It is the optical attenuator to function to control the above factors.
The optical attenuator is configured to include an optical fiber part provided with an input terminal and an output terminal, and an attenuating part functioning to attenuate optical signals. Also, in case of a multi-channel structure, due to increase in device size and difficulty in fine alignment of optical fiber, there is sometimes used a structure where semiconductor device processing technologies are employed to fabricate a waveguide array of silica or the like and the respective waveguides are moved to adjust the optical transmission amount.
Optical attenuators are classified into fixed optical attenuator and variable optical attenuator according to the variation in the attenuated amount. Also, the variable optical attenuators can be classified into single channel VOA and multi-channel VOA according to the number of the input and output terminals.
FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of a PLC type multi-channel optical attenuator. Optical signal outputted from an optical fiber 110 of an input terminal passes through an optical attenuator 100 between the optical fiber 110 of the input terminal and an optical fiber 120 of an output terminal. The optical attenuator 100 is divided into a fixed waveguide part 130 connected to the optical fiber and a movable waveguide part 140 between the fixed waveguide parts 130. The movable waveguide 140 is arranged adjacent to an actuator 150 positioned at a side portion and is moved in a horizontal direction by the operation of the actuator 150, thereby adjusting the amount of optical signals transferred from the fixed waveguide 130. In FIG. 1, there is shown the multi-channel structure where a plurality of channels each being configured to include the optical fiber 110 of the input terminal, the optical fiber 120 of the output terminal, and the optical attenuator 100 arranged between the optical fibers 110 and 120.
To drive the optical attenuator shown in FIG. 1, there is essentially requested the actuator 150 arranged between the fixed waveguides 130, for moving the movable waveguide 140. Since silica forming the waveguide is formed on a silicon substrate, it is required to fabricate an actuator of a silicon structure. Also, to enable a precise etching and enable the operation of the actuator without any problem, it is necessary to form the thickness of the silicon membrane used as the actuator as thin as approximately 100 μm or less and to provide a support structure for supporting the actuator.
Accordingly, in case of the conventional art, as the support structure for supporting the silicon membrane, glass or silicon is generally used. This support structure of glass or silicon is bonded with the silicon membrane thereby to fabricate an optical attenuator including the actuator. Especially, since glass is transparent and has a relatively low junction temperature with silicon, it facilitates alignment of the waveguide and the actuator when being bonded with the silicon membrane. Thus, it is frequently used as the support structure.
FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate a manufacturing method of an optical attenuator using glass as the support structure according to the conventional art (Steps a to d).
In FIG. 2A, optical waveguides 220 are formed on a silicon substrate 210. The optical waveguides 220 of a desired number of channels are arranged spaced apart by a predetermined interval from one another. (Step a)
In FIG. 2B, a support structure 230 for supporting the silicon substrate 210 on which the waveguides are formed is prepared. As the support structure 230, transparent glass is used as aforementioned. Cavities 240 where the optical waveguides 220 are inserted and positioned are formed in the support structure 230 of glass. (Step b)
In FIG. 2C, the silicon substrate 210 on which the optical waveguides are formed in the step a (as shown in FIG. 2A) is bonded to the support structure 230 such that the optical waveguides 220 are positioned in the cavities 240. The silicon substrate 210 is made into a thin membrane. (Step c)
In FIG. 2D, the bonded silicon substrate 210 is selectively etch-processed to form an actuator. (Step d)
Thus, in the conventional manufacturing method of the optical attenuator, the silicon substrate 210 is bonded to the support structure 230 of glass by an anodic bonding method in which high voltage and heat are applied. In this bonding process, heat of 400–500° C. is applied, which has an influence on the waveguides formed on the silicon substrate 210. Also, the bonding may be poor depending on the surface state of the bonding surfaces of the silicon substrate and the support structure.
In addition, in the conventional optical attenuator, the support structure has to use a special glass having the same heat expansion coefficient as silicon, which causes the increase of production costs and the difficulty in selecting material.
Further, the conventional method of manufacturing the optical attenuator uses isotropic etching process or sand blasting process to form the cavities in the support structure. However, the conventional manufacturing method makes it difficult to form the cavities having a precise size adapted for the size of the waveguides and it also needs a design to provide a sufficient margin between the channels upon considering the bonding area, which acts as great difficulties in integration and miniaturization of products.

Method of manufacturing multi-channel optical attenuator


Apparatus for end-to-end alignment of first and second sections of pipe for the welding together thereof including a frame assembly carrying independently expandable and retractable first and second axially spaced clamps for engagement and disengagement with the interior walls of said pipe sections. The frame assembly also carries a drive assembly by which the apparatus is propelled through said pipe sections and a brake assembly to slow or stop movement of the apparatus therein. Controls are connected to the clamps, the drive assembly and the brake assembly which are responsive to sensing of the end of the first pipe section by a sensor to deactivate the drive assembly, activate the brake assembly, arrest movement of the apparatus and, upon predetermined alignment, to activate the first clamp and finally the second clamp for engagement with the walls of the pipe sections.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention pertains to pipe welding apparatus. More specifically, the present invention pertains to internal clamps for aligning pipe sections in end-to-end relationship for welding. In particular, the present invention pertains to internal line-up clamps suitable for welding pipe in cross-country pipe lines.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pipe lines, of course, have been used for many years to transfer fluid products from one point to another. Many of these pipe lines are several hundred miles long. This is especially true of pipe lines which transport hydrocarbon products, gas, oil, gasoline, etc. Typically, such pipe lines are formed of pipe sections which are welded end-to-end as they are installed along a pipe line right-of-way. Such cross-country pipe lines may vary in diameter from eight inches to sixty inches and even more.
In welding one pipe section to another, it is important that the adjacent ends of the pipe sections being welded be coaxially aligned and that the pipe be as near to a true circle as possible. For this reason, internal pipe clamps have been developed for aligning and holding contiguous pipe sections while they are being welded together. A typical internal pipe line-up clamp of the prior art is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,044,431. Such line-up clamps typically include a frame assembly which support a pair of axially spaced and radially expandable clamp assemblies. The frame assembly usually carries some source of fluid pressure, typically a pressurized air tank, which provides the force necessary for operating various components of the clamp. Some type of drive apparatus is usually supported by the frame assembly for propelling the clamp apparatus through sections of pipe as the pipe is joined together by welding. Controls for operation of the line-up clamp are typically placed at the front of the clamp where they may be reached for manual operation. In some cases, e.g. after welding is finished at a joint between two pipe sections, the controls are not within reach. For these situations, a mechanism is provided which may include a long handle or reach rod which extends to and slightly beyond the forward end of the last pipe section so that the controls may be manipulated by an individual standing at the forward end of the last pipe section. Most, if not all, of the currently used pipe line-up clamps operate in this fashion. Other such examples of the prior art may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,425,614 and 4,140,262. While these designs vary somewhat, particularly in the design of the clamping assemblies, they operate in the same general manner.
An internal pipe line-up clamp of the prior art typically operates in the following manner. After welding of a pipe joint, the clamp assemblies are retracted by manipulating the long reach rod which slightly extends from the end of the last pipe joint. Then the drive mechanism is actuated, using the reach rod, causing the line-up clamp to be propelled forwardly through the last pipe joint. As this occurs, the operator must be careful to place the distal or free end of the reach rod within the next pipe section to be welded to the pipe line. Initially, however, enough space must be provided between the end of the last welded pipe section and the next one to be welded thereto so that the operators may control the operation of the internal pipe line-up clamp being propelled toward them.
Typically, the line-up clamp of the prior art is also provided with a pair of cables which extend forward of the line-up clamp for a distance considerably shorter than the reach rod which extends through the next pipe joint. One of these cables is attached to a control device which deactivates the drive motor and the other is attached to a braking device or a motor reversing device. As the line-up clamp approaches the end of the last welded pipe section, these two cables exit the end of the pipe section where they must be grabbed by a worker. Usually one worker grabs the drive cable, deactivating the drive motor, and another worker grabs the brake or reverse motor drive cable, activating the brake assembly (or reversing the drive motor) to arrest the forward movement of the line-up clamp. The length of the control cables are designed so that skilled workers may stop the line-up clamp just short of being ejected from the pipe section. The workers then, by manipulation of accessible controls, position the line-up clamp forwardly or rearwardly so that the rearmost clamp assembly is properly positioned just inside the last welded pipe section. Then the rearmost clamp assembly is expanded for clamping engagement with the interior walls of the last welded pipe section.
After movement of the line-up clamp has been arrested and the rearmost clamp assembly expanded, the next pipe section to be welded to the pipe line is slid over the forward end of the line-up clamp and aligned end-to-end with the last welded pipe section until the two pipe sections are properly spaced for the welding together thereof. At this time, the forwardmost clamp assembly is positioned internally of the next pipe section to be welded to the pipe line. Then by manipulating the reach rod which extends from the front of the line-up clamp through the pipe section to be welded, the forwardmost clamp assembly is actuated expanding into clamping engagement with the interior walls of the pipe section to be welded. With expansion of both clamp assemblies, the ends of the two pipe sections to be joined are coaxially aligned and the walls are forced into true circular alignment. The welding of the pipe sections then proceeds. After the welding joint is completed, both clamp assemblies are retracted by manipulation of the reach rod, the drive mechanism is activated and the cycle repeated for another section of pipe.
These internal pipe line-up clamps are quite heavy, some of the larger sizes typically weighing four to five thousand pounds. In addition, they may be propelled through the pipe line at speeds approaching six feet per second and if on a downwardly inclined grade move even faster. From the previously described typical operation of pipe line-up clamps of the prior art, it can be easily understood that the workers who work with such clamps are subjected to possible injury or even death if the movement of the clamp is not arrested in time to prevent it being driven from the end of the last welded pipe section. Even though a worker is not injured by the line-up clamp itself, the long reach rod which extends through the next pipe section to be welded and the control cables associated with the drive mechanism and the brakes are potentially hazardous.
Even if a worker is not injured when movement of the line-up clamp fails to be arrested in time, there are other problems associated with ejection of the line-up clamp from the end of the last welded pipe section. Such ejection may cause damage to the line-up clamp requiring repair or replacement thereof. In addition, the clamp must be lifted and placed back in the pipe section from which it was ejected. Since these line-up clamps are extremely heavy, some as much as several thousand pounds, heavy lifting equipment and considerable time are required. Loss of time may seriously affect the profits of a pipe line contractor, many of whom bid their jobs on the basis of completing a weld every three or four minutes.
In an attempt to overcome some of the deficiencies of line-up clamps of the prior art, particularly the possibility of the line-up clamp being ejected from the end of the last welded pipe section, additional protections have been sought. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,059 discloses a line-up clamp which is provided with a lever which pivots downwardly as the line-up clamp begins to exit the end of the pipe. As it pivots, the speed of the device which propels the line-up clamp through the pipe is reduced. After a little further movement another lever exits the pipe and pivots downwardly shifting the drive mechanism to a reverse position and with the aid of a stop mechanism is supposed to align the clamp for expansion of the rear clamping assembly. While the purpose of these mechanisms is to solve the aforementioned problems, it is doubtful this has been accomplished since this type of line-up clamp is not generally known and has not apparently met with commercial success. This may be due to the fact that with the speeds and momentum involved in pipe line-up clamps, the operation and control of this prior art design may not have been fast enough.
Pipe line-up clamps of the prior art, including those presently used, have been effective for many years in welding pipe sections. However, they are potentially hazardous in operation and in some cases may result in lost time. Thus, improvements in the operation, safety and efficiency of such pipe line-up clamps are much needed and sought.


A tire pressure monitor provided on a wheel of a vehicle includes a pressure sensor, a transmitter, an acceleration sensor, and a controller. The pressure sensor works to output a pressure signal representative of the inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel. The transmitter works to transmit the pressure signal. The acceleration sensor works to output an acceleration signal representative of a centrifugal acceleration which increases with the running speed of the vehicle. The controller is configured to: 1) determine a change in the centrifugal acceleration for a predetermined time period based on the acceleration signal, 2) determine the vehicle as being in running state when the determined change is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and 3) control the transmitter to transmit the pressure signal when the vehicle is determined as being in running state.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tire pressure monitoring systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a tire pressure monitor, which can accurately detect the state of motion of a vehicle and transmit a pressure signal representative of the inflation pressure of a tire on the vehicle according to the detected state of motion, and a tire pressure monitoring system including a plurality of such tire pressure monitors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional direct-type tire pressure monitoring systems generally include at least one tire pressure monitor and a central monitor.
The tire pressure monitor is directly installed to a wheel of a vehicle and includes a pressure sensor working to sense inflation pressure of a tire fitted on the wheel. The tire pressure monitor is configured to transmit a pressure signal indicative of the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by the pressure sensor.
The central monitor is installed to the body of the vehicle and includes at least one antenna. The central monitor is configured to receive, via the antenna, the pressure signal transmitted from the tire pressure monitor and determine the inflation pressure of the tire based on the received pressure signal.
Japanese Patent First Publication No. 2002-264618 discloses a tire pressure monitor (or tire pressure sensor) for use in a direct-type tire pressure monitoring system. The tire pressure monitor includes an acceleration sensor for detecting the state of motion of the vehicle and is configured to transmit the pressure signal according to the detected state of motion.
More specifically, the acceleration sensor includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode opposed to the fixed electrode. The acceleration sensor is configured to sense a centrifugal acceleration through detecting a change in the electric capacitance between the fixed and movable electrodes; the change is caused by a displacement of the movable contact due to the centrifugal acceleration which increases with the running speed of the vehicle. The tire pressure monitor is configured to determine the state of motion of the vehicle based on the centrifugal acceleration sensed by the acceleration sensor and transmit the pressure signal according to the determined state of motion. For example, the tire pressure monitor may be configured to transmit the pressure signal only when the vehicle is in running state, thereby reducing the electric power consumption of the tire pressure monitor.
Moreover, the determination as to whether the vehicle is in running or stop state can be made through determining whether the centrifugal acceleration sensed by the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. However, the sensing accuracy of the acceleration sensor is usually influenced by the temperature characteristic and aged deterioration of the acceleration sensor; thus, in some cases, it is difficult to accurately determine whether the vehicle is in running or stop state when the vehicle is running at a low speed.
More specifically, since the tire pressure monitor is mounted on the wheel, it rotates with the wheel and thus receives a centrifugal force during the rotation. Referring to FIG. 9, the centrifugal force is an inertia force which has a radially outward direction and a magnitude F that can be determined by the following equation:F=m×r×ω2  (Equation 1)where, m is the mass, r is the rotating-radius, and ω is the angular rate of the tire pressure monitor.
Accordingly, the acceleration sensor of the tire pressure monitor senses the centrifugal acceleration G which is equal to r×ω2. Further, since the angular rate ω increases with the running speed V of the vehicle, the centrifugal acceleration G has the following relationship with the running speed V:G=A×R×V2  (Equation 2)where, R is the radius of the wheel, and A is a constant which depends on the type of the wheel and the mounting position of the tire pressure monitor on the wheel.
As shown in FIG. 10, the centrifugal acceleration G exponentially increases with respect to the running speed V of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the running state of the vehicle based on the centrifugal acceleration G sensed by the acceleration sensor.
However, when the acceleration sensor is configured with a low-cost acceleration sensor which has an accuracy tolerance of ±α%, there will be upper and lower allowable limits of error as shown in FIG. 11.
Further, considering the sensing error caused by the aged deterioration of the acceleration sensor, which is in the range of ±β(G), the sensed centrifugal acceleration may deviate from the actual centrifugal acceleration within the range between upper and lower limits of error as shown in FIG. 12.
Consequently, due to the deviation of the sensed centrifugal acceleration from the actual one, it is difficult to suitably predetermine the threshold for determination of the state of motion of the vehicle.
For example, to detect running state of the vehicle even when the vehicle is running at a low speed, it is desirable to set the threshold as low as possible. However, when the threshold is set so as to be lower than Gr shown in FIG. 13, the vehicle may be determined as being in running state, though it is actually in stop state, due to the sensing error of the acceleration sensor. Thus, the pressure signal may be transmitted even when the vehicle is in stop state, thereby increasing the power consumption of the tire pressure monitor.
On the contrary, when the threshold is set so as to be higher than Gr shown in FIG. 13, the vehicle may not be determined as being in running state unless it is running at a considerably high speed. Thus, when the sensed centrifugal acceleration deviates from the actual one toward the lower limit of error, the vehicle may be determined as being in stop state though it is actually running at a low speed. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of such incorrect determination, wherein the hatched zones represent the time periods for which the vehicle is determined as being in stop state though it is actually in running state.

Tire pressure monitor having capability of accurately detecting state of motion of vehicle


A toner process comprised of a first heating of a mixture of an acicular magnetite dispersion, a colorant dispersion, a wax dispersion, and a core latex comprised of a first latex containing a vinyl crystalline polyester resin substantially free of crosslinking, and wherein said polyester is substantially dissolved in a vinyl monomer and polymerized to provide said first core latex resin, and which mixture contains a second crosslinked resin containing latex wherein said heating is accomplished in the presence of a coagulant to provide aggregates; adding a shell latex comprised of a polymer substantially free of crosslinking, and further heating said aggregates to provide coalesced toner particles, and wherein said further heating is at a higher temperature than said first heating.

Disclosed herein are toner processes, and more specifically, aggregation and coalescence toner processes. More specifically, illustrated herein in embodiments are methods for the preparation of toner compositions by a chemical process, such as emulsion/aggregation/coalescence, wherein a number of latex particles and wherein one of the latexes contains the in situ incorporation of a polyester, especially a crystalline polyester into a vinyl monomer like a styrene butylacrylate acrylic acid (V-CPE). In embodiments the latexes are heated in the presence of colorants, magnetites, waxes, charge additives, know toner additives, and thereafter there is added to the toner obtained surface additives. More specifically, disclosed are methods for the preparation of MICR toner compositions by a chemical process, such as emulsion/aggregation/coalescence, wherein there is aggregated with a wax and a core latex comprised of latexes, magnetite, and a colorant, and wherein one of the core latexes is a V-CPE resin and a second core latex is comprised of a crosslinked gel wherein the gel or crosslinking value is, for example, from about 20 to about 55 percent as measured gravimetrically in the presence of a coagulant like a polymetal halide, or alternatively a mixture of coagulants or flocculating agents; thereafter stabilizing the aggregates with a solution of a silicate like sodium silicate dissolved in a base, such as sodium hydroxide, or an organic complexing compound, and adding a vinyl shell polymer, and thereafter coalescing or fusing by heating the mixture above the core latex resin Tg to provide toner size particles which when developed by an electrographic process generates documents suitable for magnetic image character.
A number of advantages are associated with the toners and toner processes illustrated herein, such as excellent melt fusing temperatures of, for example, an about 20° C. decrease as compared to a number of similar known toners; lower minimum fixing temperatures characteristics, such as from about 15° C. to about 35° C., relative to a reference toner which contains no crystalline polyester (CPE), wherein the reference toners comprise a core of vinyl polymer and a crosslinked vinyl polymer, and a shell is comprised of a vinyl polymer, a noncrosslinked styrene, butylacrylate beta CEA resin, magnetite, carbon black, a wax and a cross linked resin of styrene, butylacrylate beta CEA resin and divinyl benzene in the amounts of 57:25:4.5:8.5:5 percent, respectively; a toner with excellent hot toner offset of, for example, about 210° C., and a fusing latitude of from about 40° C. to about 65° C., wherein fusing latitude refers, for example, to a temperature in which, when a developed image is fused, evidences substantially no offset either to the substrate that the image is fused on, referred to as "Cold" offset or offset on the fuser roll referred as the "Hot" offset; a toner minimum fixing temperature (MFT) of about 140° C. to about 180° C. to thereby extending photoreceptor life; lower fixing temperatures, acceptable rub resistance and excellent document offset, where lower fixing temperature is, for example, the temperature at which the toner image melts and fixes to the paper. Toner offset refers in embodiments to, for example, the image offsetting on paper or the vinyl where on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 refers to an image having no offset issues. Rub resistance in embodiments refers, for example, to when the toner is passed about ten times through a check reader and less than about one percent of the toner is removed from the image.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus are provided with reduced wiring resistance. A second wiring pattern for connecting an upper wiring connected to a mounting terminal to a first inter-substrate conducting terminal includes a base electrode. An inorganic insulating film is not attached to the sides of the base electrode. As a result, the upper wiring on each side of the base electrode and the first inter-substrate conducting terminal are electrically connected to the base electrode through the sides. The path from the mounting terminal to the first inter-substrate conducting terminal is formed in the order of upper wiring, one side of the base electrode, base electrode, the other side of the base electrode, and then the first inter-substrate conducting terminal. The second wiring pattern uses the base electrode formed of a metal film to sharply reduce wiring resistance.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical wiring structure, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus, which are particularly appropriate for use in an electro-optical device, such as a liquid crystal display device, for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display device, in which an electro-optical material such as liquid crystal is interposed between a pair of opposed substrates, has been well known.
The structure of the liquid crystal display device will be more specifically described below. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate constituting a base, a second substrate arranged to be opposite to the first substrate and to be an observation side, and a sealing material having a rectangular shape by which a gap is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate and then a liquid crystal layer is formed in the gap. In addition, first transparent driving electrodes are formed on the first substrate, second transparent driving electrodes extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first driving electrodes are formed on the second substrate, and the electrodes at the intersections of the first and second driving electrodes intersects and liquid crystal interposed therebetween constitute pixels. When a signal is supplied to each of the driving electrodes, a twist corresponding to the signal occurs in the liquid crystal disposed at each pixel. In this case, optical modulation is performed on light passing through the liquid crystal between the driving electrodes by the twist occurring in the liquid crystal.
Liquid crystal display devices include a transmissive liquid crystal display device which arranges a backlight device at the rear side of a first substrate and a reflective liquid crystal display device in which a light reflecting film is formed at a lower layer side of the first driving electrodes.
The transmissive liquid crystal display device displays a predetermined image by performing optical modulation on light emitted from the backlight device while it passes an electro-optical material layer. The reflective liquid crystal display device displays a predetermined image by reflecting external light incident from a second substrate side by a light reflecting film and performing optical modulation while the external light is emitted again from the second substrate.
Further, liquid crystal display devices include a transflective liquid crystal display device. The transflective liquid crystal display device arranges a backlight device at the rear side of the first substrate and forms a light reflecting film having light transmissive holes at a lower layer side of a first driving electrode. The transflective liquid crystal display device transmits light emitted from the backlight device through the light transmission holes to display an image (hereinafter, referred to as a transmissive mode). In addition, the transflective liquid crystal display device reflects incident external light by a light reflecting film in a region in which no light transmission hole is formed to display an image (hereinafter, referred to as a reflective mode).
In order to display an image on the liquid crystal display device, a driver IC for supplying a predetermined signal to both the first driving electrodes and the second electrodes needs to be provided. A method for installing the driver IC in the liquid crystal display device includes a method for installing the driver IC on both the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively and a method for installing the driver IC on one of the first and second substrates.
Therefore, in order to minimize the size of the liquid crystal display device and form a large image display region, a method for forming a protruding region protruding from the second substrate relative to the first substrate and installing the driver IC on the protruding region has been used.
A mounting terminal, on which the driver IC is directly mounted in the protruding region or a flexible substrate to which the driver IC is connected is mounted, is formed in the protruding region. In order to connect the first driving electrodes and the second driving electrodes to the mounting terminal, a first inter-substrate conducting terminal, a first wiring pattern, and a second wiring pattern, which will be described later, are formed on the first substrate, and a second inter-substrate conducting terminal, which will be described later, is formed on the second substrate.
Here, the first wiring pattern is a wiring line for electrically connecting the mounting terminal to the first driving electrodes. The first inter-substrate conducting terminal is formed in a region overlapping the second substrate, and the second wiring pattern is a wiring line for connecting the mounting terminal to the first inter-substrate conducting terminal. The second inter-substrate conducting terminal on the second substrate is formed in a position opposite to the first inter-substrate conducting terminal.
In addition, the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded to each other at a predetermined gap by a sealing material containing conductive particles. The conductive particles electrically connect the first inter-substrate conducting terminal and the second inter-substrate conducting terminal.
In this way, the mounting terminal and the first driving electrode are connected only by the first wiring pattern. In addition, the mounting terminal and the second driving electrode are connected by the second wiring pattern, the first inter-substrate conducting terminal, the conductive particles, and the second inter-substrate conducting terminal.
However, a material, such as a transparent conductive film (for example, an indium tin oxide (ITO) film) forming the first driving electrode, has been used to form the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern.
The ITO film used to form the first and second wiring patterns has greater electrical resistance than a metal material does. As a result, wiring resistance of the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern becomes remarkably great.
The present invention has been made to address the aforementioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus in which it is possible to reduce wiring resistance.

Electrical wiring structure, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus


A process control method and system including partitioning transmit decisions and certain measurements into one logical entity (Data Plane) and partitioning algorithm computation to update transmit probabilities into a second logical entity (Control Plane), the two entities periodically communicating fresh measurements from Data Plane to Control Plane and adjusted transmit probabilities from Control Plane to Data Plane. The transmit probability may be used in transmit/discard decisions of packets or instructions exercised at every arrival of a packet or instruction. In an alternative embodiment, the transmit probability may be used in transmit/delay decisions of awaiting instructions or packets exercised at every service event.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to congestion management of information in computer systems and/or communications networks.
2. Prior Art
The use of flow control mechanisms and techniques for managing congestion in computer networks are well known in the prior art. The mechanisms and techniques are necessary to ensure that quality of service (QoS) obligations are maintained at all times including periods of congestion in the network. The QoS obligations are Service Level Contracts (SLC) between service providers and customers in which the customer pays and is promised (by the service provider) that the customer's data will have certain level of throughput in the network. Failure to provide the agreed upon throughput could result in the provider paying damages for breach of the SLC. To prevent this undesirable result, there is always a desire and need to provide more effective and efficient flow control mechanisms and methods.
In order to manage data and provide for QoS the flow control management is implemented in network devices (such as servers, routers, bridges, adapters, etc.) In particular data packets are placed into pipes or flows. The flow control management (device and method) control the rate at which data packets are moved from flows into a service queue for further processing.
A common prior art flow control of packets in computer networks is called Random Early Detection (RED). This function is positioned to be effective as packets arrive. A packet is called transmitted if the decision of flow control is to enqueue it in a buffer to await processing. A packet is called discarded if the decision of flow control is to delete it. Queue occupancy can be expressed as a fraction of total capacity; so 0 represents no packets awaiting processing and 1 represents complete use of the buffer to store packets. As queue length in the buffer grows from 0 to a threshold Lo>=0, RED at first transmits all packets into the queue. As queue occupancy exceeds Lo and increases further, a decreasing fraction of packets is transmitted into the queue. Finally, if occupancy reaches or exceeds a threshold Hi<=1, RED completely discards all arriving packets. In general 0<=Lo<=Hi <=1. The value of queue length in the buffer relative to these thresholds determines whether RED transmits or discards offered packets. For queue occupancy Q that is between Lo and Hi, the fraction T of packets transmitted can be a linear function of the following form:T(Q)=1−(1−Tmin)*(Q−Lo)/(Hi−Lo); where * represents multiplication operator.Here Tmin is a minimum transmitted fraction reached as Q increases to Hi. Many variations on this theme are practiced in the prior art; for example, Q might actually be an exponentially weighted moving average of queue occupancy. As another example, Lo=Hi, the special case known as taildrop flow control. That is, taildrop flow control calls for transmitting all packets if Q is less than Lo=Hi, otherwise transmitting no packets.
The use of multiple thresholds (weights) is called Weighted RED (WRED).
The use of RED or WRED (including many variants) unfortunately can imply some undesirable consequences including:
1. RED and WRED ignore rate of change of queue (queue going up, down)
2. High thresholds can cause high latency and lack of headroom for bursts
3. Low thresholds can cause burst-shaving (low utilization)
4. There is no direct relationship between thresholds and performance.
5. Administrative input can be needed to retune thresholds as offered loads change.
6. Hand-tuning thresholds is widely recognized as difficult.
7. Little or no guidance appears in vendor documents.
8. Bandwidth allocation for hierarchies of bandwidth limits cannot be easily provided.
9. Bandwidth allocation that respects priority cannot be easily provided.
A drawback of prior art techniques is that the decision to transmit or discard an arriving packet is made in the device based upon heuristically determined threshold or functions. A queue threshold has little or nothing to do with key characteristics of flows. Threshold flow control systems can also be subject to high queueing latency during even a small degree of oversubscription. In addition, the threshold has to be tuned manually. Another drawback with the prior art techniques is that they can control a relatively small number of flows. However, there are several applications in which the flow control management is called upon to manage thousands of pipes or flows.
In view of the above RED or WRED does not give a network administrator sufficient control to manage a computer network efficiently. As a consequence a system and method are required to provide the necessary control.

System and method for automatic management of many computer data processing system pipes

International Business Machines Corporation


Readings of multiple sensors are utilized to estimate transmission output, which is used as a feedback signal to control the torque capacity of a transmission clutch. Some sensor readings, such as transmission output speed, are used to compute an input vector. Then, a current state vector is computed as a linear function of the previous state vector and the input vector. One of the values in the state vector is shaft twist, which is proportional to transmission output torque. Various other sensor readings, including wheel speed, are used to correct for noise. Wheel speed signals are received with a delay. To accommodate this delay, the state vector is expanded to include estimates of wheel speed at various past points in time. An accelerometer reading is used at very low speeds at which the wheel speed sensor and transmission output speed sensor are unreliable.

An automatic transmission establishes various power flow paths having different speed ratios by selectively engaging and disengaging a number of shift elements. The shift elements include friction clutches. The torque capacity of each friction clutch is determined based on a signal from a transmission controller. For example, a controller may send a pulse width modulated signal to a solenoid such that the electromagnetic force exerted by the solenoid is proportional to the pulse width. The solenoid valve may be connected to a spool valve in a valve body such that the hydraulic pressure in a particular passageway of the valve body is proportional to the electromagnetic force. Fluid from the passageway may be routed to a piston apply chamber of a clutch causing the piston to exert a force related to the fluid pressure. The piston force may squeeze friction plates between separator plates to establish a torque capacity of a clutch. Alternatively, the signal may influence the torque capacity by other mechanism such as causing a motor to rotate, thus causing a piston to apply force to a clutch pack. Due to the indirect causal chain between the signal and the clutch torque capacity, a number of unpredictable noise factors may influence the relationship.
When the controller determines that a speed ratio change is needed, the controller may execute a shift by releasing one shift element called an off-going element and engaging another shift element called an on-coming element. For the shift to feel smooth to vehicle occupants, it is important that the torque capacity of the on-coming element and the torque capacity of the off-going element be coordinated with respect to one another and with respect to the engine torque. For example, if the off-going clutch is released prematurely, then the output torque will drop excessively and the engine speed will rise. This phenomenon is called an engine flare. On the other hand, if the off-going element is released too late, then the two shift elements will resist one another and the output torque will drop excessively. This phenomenon is called a tie-up.
Vehicles with certain types of transmissions, such as dual clutch transmissions (DCTs), are launched by gradually engaging a clutch. While the clutch is slipping, output torque is determined by the torque capacity of the launch clutch. The driver indicates a desired level of output torque by depressing an accelerator pedal. If the clutch is engaged too slowly, the vehicle will not accelerate as quickly as the driver desires and the engine speed may increase excessively. If the clutch is engaged too quickly, the vehicle may accelerate too rapidly and the engine speed may drop.
In order to adjust the control signals such that the torque capacities are proper in the presence of unknown noise factors, a controller may utilize a feedback signal. Since, in many circumstances, the control strategy is attempting to achieve a particular transmission output torque, an estimate of actual transmission output torque is often a valuable feedback signal. Direct measurements of transmission torque may not be available in many vehicles. Therefore, an estimate of transmission output torque derived from available sensor readings is desirable.


In accordance with the present disclosure, deep-learning techniques are employed to find anomalies corresponding to bleed events. By way of example, a deep convolutional neural network or combination of such networks may be trained to determine the location of a bleed event, such as an internal bleed event, based on ultrasound data acquired at one or more locations on a patient anatomy. Such a technique may be useful in non-clinical settings.

Vascular trauma with vessel disruption can occur in a variety of environments, including both military and civilian environments. In some instances, the vascular trauma may be internal, without a clear break (e.g., an entry or exit wound) in the skin corresponding to the location of the trauma. In such circumstances, it may be difficult to localize where in the body an internal bleeding event is occurring so that treatment can be applied or, indeed, if there is internal bleeding occurring at all. Even in the presence of entry and exit wounds, it may be difficult to ascertain which blood vessel was affected and the location of the bleed.
For example, a skilled or trained person may be able to determine if a bleed event is present based on indications of vascular injury that include pulsatile hemorrhage, expanding hematoma, bruit or thrill over the injury site, absent extremity pulses, and arterial pressure index <0.9. However, such indications may be insufficient to make such a determination even by a trained individual, and likely would be impossible or impractical for an untrained individual to evaluate. Further, even to the extent these factors may allow a skilled or trained person to determine if a vascular injury is present, they may be still insufficient to localize the internal site of the vascular trauma, which is necessary to apply treatment, such as cauterization, that may save a patient from excessive blood loss or death.

Automated detection and localization of bleeding


The present invention involves a hydrogenated copolymer obtained by hydrogenating a copolymer having a softening point falling in a range of 45 to 55° C. determined by a ball & ring method, wherein the hydrogenated copolymer has a softening point of 85 to 95° C. determined by the ball & ring method, and a hot melt adhesive composition comprising this copolymer hydrogenated product. The hydrogenated copolymer of the present invention has a small weight reduction rate in heating and a good hue after heating. The hot melt adhesive composition comprising the same has excellent fluidity in heating and has a small heating loss and a small change in a hue in heating and has excellent heat stability.

The present invention relates to a hydrogenated copolymer, a production process for the same and a hot melt adhesive composition using the same, more specifically to a hydrogenated copolymer which has a small weight reduction rate in heating and a good hue after heating and has an adhesion-providing property and which is suited as one component for a hot melt adhesive composition, a production process for the same and a hot melt adhesive composition which comprises the hydrogenated copolymer described above and is excellent in a fluidity in heating and which has a small heating loss and a small change in a hue in heating and has an excellent heat stability and a good weatherability.

Hydrogenated copolymer, process for producing the same, and hot-melt adhesive composition containing the same


An enterprise computer network comprising a hierarchy of client computers interconnected through a plurality of server computers at a plurality of hierarchical levels. A system, method and object oriented computer program for giving a selected controller computer remote control of a selected target client computer in the network comprising the combination of a plurality of server controlled regional hubs, each hub connected to and serving a network region including a set of target client computers; and a function for storing at each server controlled regional hub, a remote control object including data necessary to access and remotely control each of the target client computers served by said hub. This is essentially a standard regional set up for remote control by a remote controller. Into this environment, there is combined a global master hub connected to the plurality of regional hubs, the global master hub being normally functionally independent of the regional hubs and the sets of target computers served by said hubs. The remote controller computers are selectively connected to this global master hub, and there are means in each remote controller for requesting control of a selected target computer via said global master hub combined with means responsive to said requesting means to transmit the remote control object of the regional hub serving the selected target computer to said global hub whereby the global hub acts like a proxy of said regional hub in establishing control by said remote controller of said selected target computer.

The past decade has been marked by a technological revolution driven by the convergence of the data processing industry with the consumer electronics industry. The effect has, in turn, driven technologies that have been known and available but relatively quiescent over the years. Two of these technologies are the network related distribution of computer related work functions and object oriented programming systems. The computer and communications industries have extensively participated in the development and continual upgrading of object oriented programming systems, such as the C++ and Java systems. For details and background with respect to object oriented programming systems, such as the Java programming system, C++ and others, reference may be made to some typical texts: Just Java, 2nd Edition, Peter van der Linden, Sun Microsystems, 1997; Thinking in Java, Bruce Eckel, Prentice Hall PTR, 1998; and Objects, Components and Frameworks with UML, Desmond F. D'Sousa et al., Addison-Wesley, 1998.
The convergence of the electronic entertainment and consumer industries with data processing has greatly accelerated the demand for wide ranging communications distribution channels through computer communication networks.
With the expanded accessibility of hundreds of thousands of programmers, information distributors and users to each other, not to mention to potential users of such programs via the expanded network client bases, an obvious need became apparent: cooperative program systems in a distributed and shared programming environment. Object oriented programming offered the solution. With its potentially interchangeable objects or units within which both data attributes and functions were stored in a predefined uniform framework, as well as the predefined object interfaces with each other, object oriented programming systems have found acceptance as the programming system for the Internet and networks in general.
As a result of this changed global environment with widespread distribution of functions over hundreds and even thousands of miles, the diagnosis and correction of error conditions at particular terminals, i.e. target client computers, is becoming more complex. On complex and widespread networks, the users at client terminals in error conditions or needing help requiring diagnostics do not often have the convenience of direct hands-on help or service. Consequently, remote diagnostics and correction has become a necessity. One typical remote control diagnostic and correction function for network client terminal problems is available from Tivoli Systems: the Tivoli Remote Control function. Such a function enables "Help Desk" and like support personnel to observe activity on a target user's computer, as well as take control of the target computer directly to correct a problem or perform a task that the requesting user is having difficulty with. These functions allow the support personnel to pinpoint the source of the user's problem so that they may be able to provide proper instructions to the user. By taking control of the computer directly, the support personnel may quickly resolve problems without having to go to the user's facility. The present invention relates to remote control systems, such as the Tivoli system, that establish regions each managed through a plurality of regional hub servers. A regional hub server manages a hierarchy usually of several levels including spokes with sub-hubs or nodes in a tree that eventually ends in up to hundreds of client computers that are the potential target computers for the remote controller computers controlling the diagnostics and error corrections. With the expansion of network function distribution over extensive enterprise order proportions, the existing processes in which the remote controller computer is requested to do the diagnostics must proceed directly through each regional hub in order to reach target problem client computers is becoming less efficient and manageable. In the diagnostics and solution of problem conditions, the remote controller computer may have to take control of, or at least look at, several target client computers. Existing procedures wherein the remote controller in seeking its target computers must proceed through a sequence of regional hub servers is becoming too slow and less efficient.

Remote control of selected target client computers in enterprise computer networks through global master hubs


The present teachings disclose a recreational vehicle comprising, in one embodiment, a chassis having a plurality of wheels and a vehicle frame having a front frame member mounted to the chassis. In addition, the recreational vehicle includes a coach having a plurality of walls that are joined together so as to define an interior living space with a floor and a roof, wherein the plurality of walls includes a front wall positioned adjacent the front frame member, and wherein the interior living space includes a first living area defined adjacent the front wall. Also, the recreational vehicle includes an overhead console that is positioned adjacent the front wall and the coach roof so as to be accessible from the front portion of the interior living space. Moreover, the overhead console is pivotally attached to the front frame member, wherein the overhead console articulates from a first position relative to the front wall of the coach to a second position that is a first distance away from the front wall. Advantageously, the articulation of the overhead console away from the front wall of the coach allows a user access to the rear of the of the overhead console.

1. Field
The present teachings relate to recreational vehicles and, in particular, to an articulating overhead console for recreational vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recreational vehicles are becoming increasingly popular with people who wish to retain the comforts and conveniences of home while spending extended periods of time away from home at remote locations. In more elaborate configurations, a recreational vehicle can include amenities such as a bedroom, a bathroom with a sink and a flushing toilet, a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and sink, and a generously sized living area with reclining chairs and an entertainment center. Additionally, a recreational vehicle may be easily parked at a wide variety of locations so that users may enjoy the amenities of the vehicle at their favorite destination. Consequently, people who use recreational vehicles may be assured of a comfortable living environment at their preferred remote destination without having to rely on the availability of suitable hotels.
In response to consumer demand, manufacturers have developed increasingly larger recreational vehicles to accommodate the conveniences of home. In particular, manufacturers have developed recreational vehicles with relatively large overhead entertainment centers or consoles that house various media components, such as televisions, stereo equipment, and various other audio and video components. Typically, in motorhomes, these overhead consoles are mounted above the front windshield. Positioning entertainment devices in this location is convenient as it is generally visible from other locations within the coach and is also placed in a location that is typically not used for storage. However, the space above the front windshield of a motorhome can be rather limited and with increased amounts of entertainment gear positioned in the console, crowding of components can be a problem.
In general, the various media components are electrically coupled together via connection cables or wires so as to communicate with each other. For example, a video component, such as a digital video disk (DVD) player is typically coupled to a television so that video signals produced by the DVD player can be displayed on the television in a viewable manner. Similarly, television monitors can also be linked to game devices, stereo systems, internet connections, satellite or cable outlets, and the like, each requiring some form of connection cables. Unfortunately, these connection wires are not easily accessible due to their position behind the media components and the overhead console.
In many instances, since the recreational vehicle is movable, the media components are securely mounted within overhead console so that the media components do not fall out of the overhead console when the recreational vehicle is in motion. Therefore, as a result, it can be highly difficult for a user to access the connection wires if a problem with the media components occurs or if there is a desire to change or upgrade one or more components. Typically, a user has to completely remove one or more of the media components from the overhead console before access to the connection wires can be achieved.
Unfortunately, removal of the mounted media components can be inconvenient and dangerous in some circumstances. For example, a relatively large television can weigh over 100 pounds and, therefore, must be dismounted from the overhead console by more than one person. In addition, when disconnecting wires from the media components, one has to be careful not to disconnect other wires attached to other media components. This can, unfortunately, create even more problems that subsequently have to be fixed. Further, since the overhead consoles are typically placed above the windshield, these components are often located above the individual's head which complicates access to the console components. Moreover, accessing the back of the components to change the interconnections is further complicated by the presence of seats and other obstructions that inhibit easy access to the components.
Thus, there currently exists a need to improve the structure of conventional overhead consoles for recreational vehicles. In addition, there also exists need to improve the manner in which media components, including the connection wires that electrically couple the media components together, are accessed from the overhead console.

Articulating overhead console for recreational vehicles


Provided herein is a dual cure resin useful for the production of objects by stereolithography, said resin comprising a mixture of: (a) a light-polymerizable component; and (b) a heat-polymerizable component, said heat-polymerizable component comprising: (i) a dicyclopentadiene-containing polyepoxide resin; (ii) a cyanate ester resin; (iii) an epoxy-reactive toughening agent; and (iv) a core shell rubber toughener.

A group of additive manufacturing techniques sometimes referred to as "stereolithography" creates a three-dimensional object by the sequential polymerization of a light polymerizable resin. Such techniques may be "bottom-up" techniques, where light is projected into the resin on the bottom of the growing object through a light transmissive window, or "top down" techniques, where light is projected onto the resin on top of the growing object, which is then immersed downward into the pool of resin.
The recent introduction of a more rapid stereolithography technique known as continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), coupled with the introduction of "dual cure" resins for additive manufacturing, has expanded the usefulness of stereolithography from prototyping to manufacturing See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,211,678; 9,205,601; and 9,216,546 to DeSimone et al.; and also in J. Tumbleston, D. Shirvanyants, N. Ermoshkin et al., Continuous liquid interface production of 3D Objects, Science 347, 1349-1352 (2015); see also Rolland et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,676,963, 9,453,142 and 9,598,606. Also note Das et al., High temperature three dimensional printing compositions, U.S. Pat. No. 9,708,761.
Together, these developments have created an increased demand for additive manufacturing resins and systems that allow for the production of objects with more diverse properties.

Dual cure resin for the production of moisture-resistant articles by additive manufacturing


A solid oxide fuel cell (10) comprises an anode electrode (12), a cathode electrode (14) and an electrolyte (16) between the anode electrode (12) and the cathode electrode (14). A gaseous fuel is supplied to an anode chamber (18) partially defined by the anode electrode (12) and a gaseous oxidant is supplied to a cathode chamber (20) partially defined by the cathode electrode (14). The electrolyte (16) comprises a first dense non-porous layer (22), a second porous layer (24) on the first dense non-porous layer (22) and a third dense non-porous layer (26) on the second porous layer (24). The anode electrode (12) is arranged on the first dense non-porous layer (22) and the cathode electrode (14) is arranged on the third dense non-porous layer (26). The second porous layer (24) acts as a buffer between the first dense non-porous layer (22) and the third dense non-porous layer (26) to prevent defects propagating between the layers (22,26) and to prevent fuel and oxidant leaking through the electrolyte (16).

A solid oxide fuel cell comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and an electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of solid oxides connected in electrical series or in electrical parallel arrangements. In a solid oxide fuel cell a gaseous fuel, for example hydrogen, is supplied to the anode electrode and a gaseous oxidant, for example oxygen or air, is supplied to the cathode electrode.
The electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell is required to form a physical barrier between the gaseous fuel supplied to the anode electrode and the gaseous oxidant supplied to the cathode electrode. The electrolyte comprises a dense non-porous layer. Any gaseous leak paths through the electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode will allow the gaseous fuel and oxidant to come into contact. This leakage produces a reduction in the solid oxide fuel cell performance in terms of fuel utilisation and may detrimental to mechanical integrity and durability of the solid oxide fuel cell. It may even result in combustion of the gaseous fuel in the gaseous oxidant and possibly severe damage to the solid oxide fuel cell.
The electrolyte, in practice, has defects, or flaws, in its microstructure. These defects, or flaws, may be caused by contamination and/or variability in the manufacturing process. It may be possible to minimise these defects, or flaws, by implementing greater manufacturing process control, however, complete elimination of the defects, or flaws, is likely to result in a tightly controlled manufacturing process and hence an expensive manufacturing process.
One possible solution to the problem was to provide a further dense non-porous layer on the existing dense non-porous layer of the electrolyte. However, in practice the original defects in the dense non-porous layer propagate into the further dense non-porous layer resulting in no benefit.


Methods and catalyst compositions for formation of furans from carbohydrates. A carbohydrate substrate is heating in the presence of a 2-substituted phenylboronic acid (or salt or hydrate thereof) and optionally a magnesium or calcium halide salt. The reaction is carried out in a polar aprotic solvent other than an ionic liquid, an ionic liquid or a mixture thereof. Additional of a selected amount of water to the reaction can enhance the yield of furans.

Petroleum, coal, and natural gas are three indispensable resources that support modern civilization and have propelled the rise of advanced technologies. Presently, fossil fuel resources account for 86% of the world's energy supply, as well as 96% of its organic chemicals (US National Petroleum Council, 2007). These values are unsustainable, given the increasing demand for energy and chemicals coupled with the diminishing supply of fossil fuels. In addition, rising CO2 emissions, decreasing accessibility to fossil fuel resources, and increasing consumer costs mandate a reduction in fossil fuel consumption (Kramer & Haigh, 2009; Tilman et al. 2009). Abundant, renewable biomass resources are able to meet this rising demand and alleviate these environmental and socioeconomic concerns.
If biomass is to replace fossil fuels as an energy and chemical resource, it must match the wide array of products derived from fossil fuel reserves. Obtaining furans from biomass is of significant current interest. The six-carbon furanic 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) holds great potential to meet this challenge (Antal et al., 1990; Chheda et al., 2007; Huber et al., 2005); Lewkowski, 2001; Roman-Leshkov et al., 2007; Roman-Leshkov et al., 2006). The carbon skeleton of HMF is identical to those found in the hexose sugars, which are the primary components of cellulose and hemicelluloses found in biomass. Additionally, by utilizing straightforward chemical methods, HMF can be transformed into a variety of useful products including acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and amines, such as common polyester building blocks 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, and 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydrofuran (Chheda et al., 2007; Huber et al., 2005; Lewkowski 2001; Roman-Leshkov, 2006) as well as the promising liquid fuel 2,5-dimethylfuran (Roman-Leshkov, 2007).
Furfural is perhaps the most common industrial chemical derived from lignocellulosic biomass with an annual production of more than 200,000 t (Kamm et al. 2006). The conversion of pentoses into furfural has been reported (Sproull et al., 1985; Moreau et al., 1988; Mansilla et al. 1998; Dias et al. 2007). Most industrial processes achieve yields in the range of 50 molar %, which may be limited by homopolymerization and condensation with unreacted xylose. In typical processes reported, Brønsted acidic catalysts were used in aqueous solution at temperatures greater than 150° C. (Moreau et al., 1998; Dias et al., 2007).
The conversion of cellulose to HMF proceeds through three steps: hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose, isomerization of glucose to fructose, and dehydration of fructose to HMF (see Scheme 1, FIG. 1, below). A number of processes have been reported to transform glucose and fructose into HMF, though few processes can access HMF in high yields directly from cellulose (Moreau et al., 2000; Seri et al., 2001; Watanabe et al., 2005a; Watanabe et al., 2005b; Yan et al., 2009; Tyrlik et al., 1999; Hu et al., 2009; Sthlberg et al. 2010; Zhao et al. 2007; Pidko et al., 2010). Both xylan and xylose can be dehydrated into furfural (Zeitsch, 2000; Mamman et al. 2008). Scheme 2 illustrates the formation of furfural from xylan and xylose. In this scheme, the C-2 hydroxyl group is displaced to form a xylose-2,5-anhydride and subsequent dehydration steps produce furfural (Antal et al., 1991; Nimlos et al., 2006).
An important goal in the art is direct conversion of biomass to HMF and other furans. Recent developments in conversion technologies using solid acid or base (Carlini et al., 1999; Zhao et al. 2011), or heavy metal catalysts (Binder & Raines, 2009; Su et al., 2009) have shown progress toward this goal. The lack of cellulose conversion by solid acid catalysts and the reported environmental toxicity of heavy metals represent practical problems for implementation of such processes. With today's emphasis on "green" chemistry, it is very desirable that a conversion process to HMF use mild reaction conditions to transform cellulose as well as other carbohydrates with recyclable and environmentally benign reagents, catalysts, and solvents. While processes for generating HMF, furfural and other furans are known in the art (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,572,925 and 7,880,049; US 2008/0033187; Zhao et al. 2007; JP 2005232116) there remains a need in the art for conversion processes that efficiently and selectively convert carbohydrates to HMF and other furans. Such efficient and selective processes must be available for biomass to become a viable feedstock for energy and chemicals.
Boric acid is an environmentally benign catalyst that is utilized for the dehydration of alcohols (Brandenberg & Galat, 1950; O'Connor & Nace, 1955).
However, boric acid and phenylboronic acid have both been reported to be inhibitory towards the hydrolysis of cellulose and the dehydration of sugar monomers in a non-aqueous medium; and inhibition was indicated to be due to the stability of cyclic boronate esters to decomposition and dehydration (Kawamoto et al. 2008a; Kawamoto et al. 2008b). More specifically, Kawamoto et al. 2008a reports that boric acid inhibited acid-catalyzed depolymerization of cellulose, and inhibited the formation of dehydration products, including HMF, in sulfolane at high temperature. Kawamoto et al. 2008b reports that boric acid and phenylboronic acid suppressed acid-catalyzed dehydration and formation of furfurals from levoglucosan. In both reports, inhibition or suppression is indicated to be due to stable boronate complex formation. However, Hansen et al. 2011 and Sthlberg et al. 2011 recently reported that boric acid itself can promote dehydration of hexoses to HMF.

Catalytic conversion of cellulose to fuels and chemicals using boronic acids


A scaffold system for supporting workers includes a plurality of end frames including a pair of uprights joined by an overhead cross bar for supporting planks thereon. The end frames are stacked top-to-bottom to form end frame columns and are laterally secured together to form an exterior framework. The scaffold system also includes interior posts coupled vertically end-to-end so as to form interior columns, with pairs of interior columns being secured to each end frame column between the vertical uprights of the end frames. Side rails are mounted to the interior posts extending between the pairs of interior posts. Planks are supported on the overhead cross bars, extending between adjacent end frames, and are bounded at their ends by the pairs of interior posts to form a work space and/or walkway for workers of a reduced size or area.

During the construction or maintenance of elevated structures such as buildings, bridges, walkways, towers, monuments, and the like, temporary scaffold systems are often erected around the perimeter of the structure to support the workers engaged in construction or maintenance activities. These scaffold systems are also typically configured and/or covered to control or inhibit the falling of debris onto other workers or passersby, for example, being enclosed within a protective or containment barrier, generally comprised of flexible plastic sheeting that surrounds both the structure and the scaffold system. Such barriers generally are required to contain or prevent any harmful chemicals or nuisance products of construction from escaping into the surrounding environment.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, one common application for a scaffold system 20 installed around an elevated structure 10 and which requires an outer containment barrier 50 is the periodic sand blasting and re-painting of structures, such as a water tower 12 for maintenance purposes. Water towers and other, similar structures generally have cylindrical or substantially non-planar shapes, and thus the scaffold system typically must be installed in a curved arrangement to provide walkways that substantially conform to the rounded perimeter of the tower 12. The curved scaffold system 20 will generally comprise a plurality of end frames 32 that are stacked top-to-bottom, and will be connected laterally to one another with cross-bracing (not shown) with walk-through openings defined therebetween, to form the scaffold framework 24. Planking 40, typically comprising sets of side-by-side planks 42, is placed on cross bars 36 extending along the tops of the end frames 32, spanning the spaces between the end frames, often in alternating overlapping fashion between segments of the scaffold framework 24, so that workers can move along the walkways formed thereby to conduct their activities. Federal Safety Regulations require the planking be "complete" between the outer posts of the end frames, with no gaps therebetween. The outer containment barrier 50 formed from flexible sheeting 52 is then attached or shrink-wrapped around the outer perimeter of the scaffold framework 24 to seal both the elevated structure 10 and the scaffold framework, including the planking 40, within the volume defined by the outer sidewall of the water tower 12 and the inside surface of the containment barrier 50.
However, even as the arrangement of end frame columns 30 within the scaffold system 20 is curved to follow the contours of the water tower 12, the rectangular shape of the planks 42 of the planking 40 structure, and the requirement that all of the planks 42 be fully supported by cross bars 36 at both ends, does not lend itself to a smooth cylindrical contour. As a result, where curved scaffold systems 20 are used, this often results in the corners 44 of the outermost planks projecting outwardly beyond the outermost uprights 34 of the end frames 32, as shown in FIG. 1B. Since the flexible sheeting 52 must be pulled tight against the scaffold system structure to ensure proper containment, the corners 44 can create stress points 56 at the joints about the curved structure. Over time, wind and other elemental forces and localized motions of the scaffold system 20 caused by the workers moving therealong, can initiate tearing in the sheeting 52 at the stress points 56, creating holes in the containment barrier 50 that, if left uncorrected would allow chemicals or nuisance products of construction to escape into the surrounding environment. Such breaches of containment are impermissible per applicable environmental and safety regulations, the damage to the sheeting 52, and thus may require premature replacement of one or more sections of the containment barrier 50.
Consequently, a need exists for a scaffold system that provides for an efficient and low cost structure that meets regulatory requirements for safety and support when erected next to non-planar elevated structures while maintaining the integrity of the containment barrier. It is toward such a scaffold system that the present disclosure is directed.


An automatic frequency control apparatus includes a mixer, a phase error detector, an absolute value converter, a determination unit, a multiplier and an oscillator. The mixer performs a frequency alternation of a phase modulated signal received thereto based on a frequency of a carrier signal. The phase error detector generates a carrier phase error. The absolute value converter calculates an absolute value of the phase error. The determination compares the absolute value with predetermined threshold values and generates loop gain based on the comparison. The multiplier generates a correction value based on the phase error and the loop gain. The oscillator generates the carrier signal based on the correction value.

The present invention relates to an automatic frequency control apparatus, and in particular to an automatic control apparatus, provided for a demodulator in a radio communication apparatus, that can employ the carrier phase error of a received signal, obtained through digital phase modulation or digital frequency modulation, to quickly and stably converge, at a desired frequency, the frequency of a carrier that is locally oscillated.
Various techniques for reducing power consumption are employed for demodulation of a radio communication apparatus used for a radio communication system. One of the techniques involves the use of an automatic frequency control (AFC: Automatic Frequency Control) apparatus that detects the phase of a received signal obtained through digital phase modulation or digital frequency modulation, and that employs the carrier phase error of the received signal to converge, at a desired frequency, the frequency of a carrier that is processed by a local oscillator.
In a conventional automatic frequency control apparatus, along a time axis a gain unit determines a loop gain to be multiplied by phase error data, and when the loop gain is high, a frequency deviation to be corrected is increased and the frequency quickly follows up a desired frequency, while the operating stabilization is low. When the loop gain is low, the frequency deviation to be corrected is reduced and the frequency slowly follows up a desired frequency, while stabilization of the operation is increased.
Since regardless of the magnitude of the phase error, the conventional automatic frequency control apparatus varies, along the time axis, the loop gain to be multiplied by the phase error data, it is difficult to obtain a correction value that is consonant with an actual change in the phase error.
That is, in accordance with a time-transient instruction from a timer or a controller such as a DSP or a CPU, at the initial synchronization time, whereat it is estimated that the phase error is the greatest, the gain unit either increases the loop gain that is to be multiplied, or reduces the loop gain after a predetermined period of time has elapsed and a range is reached wherein the frequency is stabilized. Therefore, since the high loop gain is multiplied even through the phase error at the initial synchronization time is small, an extended period of time is required before the stable frequency range is reached. Further, since in the stable range, following the elapse of the predetermined time, a low loop gain is multiplied, even when the phase error is increased due to an anticipated change in the transmission condition, an extended period of time is required before the frequency can again be converged at the desired frequency.
Further, since the conventional automatic frequency control apparatus performs the loop process to correct the frequency of the carrier for which local oscillation is provided, phase error vibration may occur due to the loop delay.
That is, for a signal for which the phase is adjusted by a mixer, a loop delay occurs that continues until the correction of the phase error is again reflected to the mixer, and depending on the value of the initial phase error, convergence of the frequency occurs while the phase error is vibrated while being repetitively increased and decreased, when the loop gain to be multiplied is equal to or greater than a specific value. Because of the vibration, the convergence time is extended considerably, and even when the loop gain is increased until it is equal to or greater than a specific value, it is not possible to reduce the convergence time.

Automatic frequency control apparatus for determining loop gain constant based on absolute phase error