A method for reducing angular blur in radar pictures achieved in range bin based detection systems includes measuring a variable S(x, y) such as amplitude or power as a function of an angle x and a distance y. An expression:corrected angular position=angular position+angle correctionis determined in each range bin for a plurality of angular values x. The term “angle correction” includes derivative(s) of first or higher order of the variable S(x). The variable measured at the angular position “angular position” is moved to the variable in the angular position “corrected angular position”, and the moved variable and the variable in “corrected angular position” are processed by adding or maximizing the values.

The present invention refers to a method for reducing angular blur in radar pictures.
A radar works by radiating electromagnetic waves from an antenna, and detecting the reflected waves (the echoes) from objects close to the radar. Very often, the radar can distinguish echoes from objects at different distances and thus has a range resolution. Often, the range measurement is discrete, in the sense that the measured range values are not continuously variable, but rather take one of a predetermined set of values, very often equidistant. The following discussion is limited to such radars, with a discrete-valued range measurement (range bins).
To survey a large area, many search radars have a scanning antenna, very often rotating to cover all directions, or going back and forth to cover a sector, say in azimuth. In this case, the radar receives in each angular position echoes from all studied range bins (in some range bins, there may be no echo). If the radar is pulsed, the detection is made only in discrete angular positions, one for each pulse.
In this case, the received amplitude (or power) of the radar echoes can be illustrated as a radar picture with a finite set of radar picture elements (pixels). In most cases, the radar picture of a cartesian sector is presented as a rectangle in polar coordinates, with a finite number of angular positions along the horizontal axis and a finite number of range bins along the vertical axis (this is called a "B scope" presentation). For convenience, very often the logarithm of the amplitudes (powers) are presented (deciBel scale, dB).
The following discussion is limited to radar with data presented as such rectangular B scope pictures with a finite number of pixels. The angular coordinate is generally thought of as azimuth, radar antenna scanning about a vertical axis, but elevation is also possible.
The radar sensitivity is greatest in a direction determined by the antenna. In most cases, this direction is in front of the antenna. Since the physical antenna width is a limited number of wavelengths corresponding to the frequency used, the antenna main beam, where the sensitivity is greatest, is not infinitely narrow, but has a certain angular width. The radar receives an echo from an object not only when the antenna is pointed directly towards the object, but also when the antenna is pointed slightly to the right of the object, when the object is illuminated by the left part of the antenna main beam, and when the antenna is pointed slightly to the left of the object, when the object is illuminated by the right part of the antenna main beam. A small (point-shaped) radar reflector thus gives echoes during the whole angular extent of the radar main beam.
Since there are—for redundancy, for Doppler analysis, or for other reasons—generally several angular positions used (several pulses transmitted) per radar antenna main beam width, the effect is to make radar pictures blurred in the angular coordinate. This blur makes analysis of the radar picture more difficult. It becomes non-trivial to determine the angle to a radar target, even if the target is point-shaped, and comparison between the radar picture and a picture of the same area by another sensor with different characteristics (maybe another radar) becomes difficult.
A number of methods exist for reducing angular blur and some major lines will be discussed below.
According to a first major line the methods are based upon deconvolution. Since the blur can be considered the result of convoluting a blur-free picture with the antenna beam, it can be eliminated in theory by making a Fourier transformation of the picture, in the angular direction, dividing with the Fourier transform of the antenna diagram, and then performing an inverse Fourier transformation. The rationale is that Fourier transformation converts convolution to multiplication.
According to a second major line methods within general radar are discussed. Frequently, data such as those in FIG. 1 showing a measured radar picture of a Cartesian sector in dB scale with angular positions along the horizontal axis and range bins along the vertical axis are passed through a "target extractor" which often works by defining a "target" as a local maximum with amplitude exceeding a suitably defined threshold. Then, in a given range bin, the angular position of the target is defined as the position where the maximum is attained. A more exact angular position can be computed by fitting a suitable curve, such as a parabola with angle position as the independent variable, to the data near the local maximum, and compute the angular position of the maximum of the parabola fitted. In particular, it is not difficult to fit a parabola to the three points closest to the local maximum, with the highest amplitudes, in particular if the angular positions are equidistant. To fit a parabola to more than three points, a least squares computation can be used.
This procedure generally works well for tracking of a limited number of targets, but is not always practicable for de-blurring a whole picture, for presentation or for other purposes.
According to a third major line a moving radar is used. For airborne radars, advanced methods as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR, [LHMN Ch. 15]), in its simplest form "Doppler Beam Sharpening" [LHMN p. 260], use a moving radar with a radar radial velocity (Doppler) measurement, and advanced signal processing, to get a very sharp "picture" of the surveyed part of the ground (not always described as a rectangle in polar coordinates). In this specification LHMN is used as a short reference to Lacomme/Hardange/Marchais/Normant, Air and Spaceborne Radar Systems. An Introduction, ISBN 1-891121-13-8, SciTech Publishing 2001.
According to a fourth major line methods for reduction of angular blur presuppose a particular type of radar antenna, as a monopulse antenna or an array antenna.
Tracking radars are radars which can measure how much the radar antenna direction (the boresight) differs from a desired direction (the difference is generally called the error angle). Tracking radars are used for aiming guns, guiding missiles, keeping an antenna tracked on a communications satellite, etc. Generally a tracking radar uses a monopulse antenna [Sherman]. In this specification Sherman is used as a short reference for Sherman, Monopulse Principles and Techniques, ISBN 0-89006-137-8, Artech House 1984. A monopulse antenna can use at least two antenna patterns, a sum pattern with its maximum directivity in the antenna direction, and a difference pattern which is sensitive for targets slightly off the antenna direction. There is one difference pattern for every angular variable used (azimuth, elevation). FIG. 3 shows typical sum and antenna patterns ([Sherman p. 138]). In FIG. 3 the quantities (field strengths) have both positive and negative signs. FIG. 4 shows the absolute value of the difference pattern, compared to the sum pattern.
Some radars—often airborne multi-function radars—use a monopulse tracking antenna when surveying and searching. Then, the difference channel can be used in various ways to reduce the picture blur due to the main (sum) antenna beamwidth. Two kinds of established methods are indicated below. Both may be covered by the name "Monopulse Beam Sharpening".
Let S and D indicate the sum and difference channel respectively. Then S−k-abs(D), with a suitable small positive constant k, is a pattern which is =S in the antenna direction (boresight), where D=0, but which is smaller than S off boresight, and thus narrower than S. Such a pattern can be used to reduce the angular blur in radar pictures. To avoid negative amplitude (power) values, a combination max(0, S−k-abs(D)) may be used.
A much better and more sophisticated method is to compute the monopulse error angle in every point in the picture and determine a corrected angular position as "angular position+error angle". The power detected in a range bin in a certain angular position is not stored in the original angular position, but rather in the corrected angular position [LHMN pp. 205-206]:corrected angular position=angular position+error angle
This gives a very effective "beam sharpening" for display or for other purposes.
Generally, in the picture to be de-blurred, there are only a limited number of allowed angular positions (called "sub-beams" in [LHMN, p. 206]), and then the right hand side of the formula will have to be rounded to the nearest allowed position. The "storage" may be performed by addition to already stored values (especially when adding powers), or by using an operation of type max(new_value,already_stored_values). An alternative, which in some cases gives more exact results, is to distribute the magnitude (power) on the two nearest allowed angular positions, maybe by linear interpolation.
If the radar uses an array antenna with several independent transmitting or receiving elements special methods are also available.

Method for reducing angular blur in radar pictures


A new and distinct cultivar of geramium plant named xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by the combined features of dark-red, single flowers, large umbels and rich flowering, intense green, slightly zoned foliage, and tall, trailing, though well-branched plant habit.

Pelargonium peltatum L""Hxc3xa9ritier ex Aiton.
xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99.
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium, botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99. xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objective of creating new ivy geranium cultivars with single type flowers, relatively vigorous, but well-branched growth habit, and in various flower colors. xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 originated from a hybridization made by the inventor Angelika Utecht in a controlled breeding program in Galadar, Gran Canaria, Spain, in 1996.
The female parent was the variety xe2x80x98Fiscoralxe2x80x99, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,295, having orange-red, double flowers, fresh-green, slightly zoned foliage, and tall, well-branched plant habit. The male parent of xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 was a hybrid seedling, no. 823/39 (unpatented), derived from a cross with xe2x80x98Fisrockxe2x80x99, U.S Plant Pat. No. 10,365, and characterized by deep red single-type flowers, medium-green, zoned folige, and medium to tall plant habit.
xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 was selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Angelika Utecht in a controlled environment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, in 1997.
The first act of asexual reproduction of xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in the fall of 1997 in a controlled environment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, or under the supervision of, Angelika Utecht. Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings initiated in the spring of 1998 in Hillscheid, Germany, and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.
xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.
The following observations, measurements, and comparisions describe plants grown in Hillscheid, Germany, and in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99, which in combination distinguish this geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Dark-red colored, round, single-type flowers;
2. Large, flat semi-sperically shaped umbels;
3. Relatively dark-green, smallish, and slightly zoned leaves;
4. Vigorous growth and relatively tall, trailing, through well-branched plant habit; and
5. Early spring flowering response.
Of the many commercil cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparision to xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 is xe2x80x98Fizzardxe2x80x99, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,992. In comparison to xe2x80x98Fizzardxe2x80x99, xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 has a distinctly darker red flower color, slightly shorter upper petals and therefore more round shaped flowers, and darker green, smaller, somewhat stronger zoned leaves with entire margins, while xe2x80x98Fizzardxe2x80x99 develops weak crenation near the tips. Furthermore, flowering response of xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99 is early, but not extremely early, as with xe2x80x98Fizzardxe2x80x99.

Geranium plant named xe2x80x98Fisblizdarkxe2x80x99


A sleeve (21) includes a core (22) of transparent synthetic resin and a cladding (23), also of transparent synthetic resin, having a smaller refractive index than the core. The core includes an optical waveguide (24) extending in an optical axial direction to taper in a conical shape and a lens (27) formed at the large diameter end of the waveguide. The lens receives light and converges it. There is a circular flange-like guide integral to the outer wall in the vicinity of the lens. The cladding (23) is formed concentrically with the core in intimate contact with the outer wall of the core. The configuration improves the transmission efficiency of light and contributes to cost reduction of the sleeve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sleeve for an optical connector which is arranged between an optical fiber and an optical element module and serves to transmit light emitted from one to the other. The present invention also relates to a receptacle constituting an optical connector together with an optical plug and provided with the sleeve for the optical connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical sleeve for an optical connector (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9csleevexe2x80x9d) located between the optical fiber and the optical element module is disclosed in J-UM-6-33443 by the inventors of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of a conventional optical connector, and FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 12. In FIGS. 12 and 13, reference numeral 1 denotes a sleeve, and reference numeral 2 denotes an optical connector.
Sleeves 1 are attached to a receptacle (connector on the side of a device) constituting the optical connector 2. These sleeves 1 are arranged between optical element modules 4 (consisting of a light receiving element module and a light emitting element module) and a pair of optical fibers 6 which are attached to an optical plug (connector on the side of the optical fiber) constituting the optical connector 2, respectively. The sleeves 1 serve to make an optical connection between the optical element modules 4 and optical fibers 6.
A more detailed explanation will be given of the optical connector 2 as well as the sleeves 1.
The optical connector 2 includes the receptacle 3 and the optical plug 5 fit into the receptacle 3.
The receptacle 3, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, has a housing 7 made of synthetic resin and having a pair of housing chambers 8. The housing chambers 8 each houses an optical element module 4 which is supported by a back sheet 9 made of elastic material such as rubber. The rear of the housing chambers 8 is covered with a cap 10. The receptacle 3 has a pair of receiving cylinders 12 which are arranged in front of the housing chambers 8, and extended forward so as to accord with the respective axes of lenses 11. The sleeves 1 are inserted in the receiving cylinders 12, respectively.
The sleeve 1 can be formed by grinding both end surfaces of the optical fiber composed of a core and a cladding (not shown) after it has been secured to a cylindrical holder 14.
On the other hand, the optical plug 5 fit in the receptacle 3, as seen from FIG. 12 and 14 which is a horizontal sectional view of the optical plug shown in FIG. 12, includes a pair of ferule assemblies 15 each covering the optical fiber with its end face exposed at the tip of the assembly, a plug housing 17 with a pair of cylindrical partitions 16 for protecting the ferule assemblies 15 housed therein, a spring cap 17 fit over the plug housing 18 and a boot 19 fit over the rear of the spring cap 18.
The plug housing 17 has shoulders 17a each to be engaged with a flange 15a formed on the rear half of the periphery of each ferule assembly 15. The ferule 15 is urged forward normally by a spring 20 which is located between the flange 15a and inner cylinder 18a of the spring cap 18.
As shown in FIG. 14, by engagement between the flange 15a and shoulder 17a, the tip A of the ferule assembly is always pulled more internally than the tip of the plug housing 17. The tip A of the ferule assembly 15 corresponds to the light-incident/emitting face of the optical fiber 6.
As regards the above configuration, referring to FIG. 12, an explanation will be given of connection between the receptacle 3 and the optical plug 5.
When the receptacle 3 is fit over the optical plug 5, the receiving cylinders 12 advance into the plug housing 17, and the ferule assemblies 15 also advance into the receiving cylinders 12. At this time, the ferule assembly 15 is brought into contact with the tip of the receiving cylinder 12 and a suitable contact pressure is kept by the elastic force by the spring 20.
In this state, the tip A (FIG. 14) and sleeve 1 are arranged with a minimum gap (not shown) kept. Therefore, the loss of the gap can be minimized.
The prior art described above, in which the sleeve 1 has an optical fiber 13 and is formed in a ring-shape, presents the following problems.
As shown in FIG. 15, with respect to a light beam c1 (within a range of a critical angle) which is propagated through an optical fiber 6 and sleeve 1 along an optical path indicated by arrow in FIG. 15, when the light receiving face 4a of the light receiving element module 4 is smaller than the light-emitting face 1a of the sleeve 1 (the width of the module 4 is smaller by d than that of the optical fiber 13 on the one side with respect to a center line), the light beam c1 may not be received by the light receiving element module 4. This is one of causes reducing the transmission efficiency.
Although not shown, when the light beam emitted from the light emitting face (not shown) of the light emitting element module is diffusive-LED light, part of the light cannot enter the sleeve 1. This is one cause reducing the transmission efficiency. Even if such a light beam is incident on the sleeve 1, it becomes a light beam c2 out of the critical angle range. Therefore, the light c2 does not reflect totally but permeates through the sleevel. The light c2 will be not be propagated.
Further, the prior art intends to minimize the gap loss to improve the transmission efficiency. However, a slight gap between the optical fiber 6 and sleeve 1 and axis displacement therebetween may influence the transmission efficiency.
There is also a problem relative to productivity of the sleeve 1 as well as the problem of the transmission efficiency.
Specifically, as described above, in order to improve the optical characteristic (transmission efficiency of light) of the sleeve 1, after the optical fiber 13 is inserted in and attached to the holder 14, both end surfaces of the optical fiber 13 as well as the holder 14 must be ground using abrasives of plural grain sizes. Thus, production of the sleeve 1 requires many manufacturing steps inclusive of necessary previous steps of making its components, and is inferior in productivity.
Further, production of the sleeve 1, which requires monitoring the production status of its components and testing the size, is involved with complicate production management. This deteriorates the productivity of the sleeve and increases the production cost.
It is also demanded to assemble the sleeve with a receptacle smoothly.
A first object of the invention is to provide a sleeve for an optical connector, capable of improving the transmission efficiency and improving the productivity to reduce the production cost.
A second object of the invention is to provide an improved receptacle which can be smoothly assembled with the sleeve.
In order to attain the first object, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a sleeve comprising: a core of transparent synthetic resin; and a cladding of transparent synthetic resin and having a smaller refractive index than the core, wherein the core includes an optical waveguide extending in an optical axial direction with an outer wall to taper in a conical shape and a lens formed at the large diameter end of the waveguide, the lens receiving light and converging it, and the cladding is formed concentrically with the core in intimate contact with an side wall of the core.
In this configuration, the light outgoing from one of the optical fiber and optical element module is received and converged by the lens. The light is propagated through the waveguide while repeating total reflection and gradually converged. Thus, the transmission efficiency of light is improved.
The discrepancy of the optical axis from the sleeve can be relaxed by the lens. The outer wall of the waveguide is covered with the cladding which prevents scratch or dust from being deposited. This contributes to an improvement of transmission efficiency of light and also to easiness of the work of assembling. Further, the sleeve is made in such a manner that the cladding is formed in contact with the outer wall of the waveguide after the core is molded. Therefore, if the molding die for the core is mirror-finished, polishing is not required afterwards. The high accuracy of dimension of the molding die permits the suitable supply of the sleeve for the optical connector. Thus, the sleeve can be made by a fewer steps than the prior art.
Preferably, the core has a circular flange-like guide integral to the outer wall in the vicinity of the lens, the guide having a belt-shaped circumferential surface to be coplanar with that of the cladding. In this configuration, the guide and cladding serve as the holder in the conventional sleeve. This reduces the number of components by one. Further, provision of the guide easily assures the gate position of the core. The cladding can be molded while the guide is held.
Preferably, the guide has an end face flush with an apex of the lens. In this configuration, when either one of the optical fiber and the optical element module is brought into contact with the end face of the guide, the apex of the lens is also brought into contact therewith. Therefore, gap loss between the apex and lens can be restricted. The lens is also protected by the guide.
Preferably, the cladding and/or the guide has a groove or projection formed on their outer surface. In this configuration, the sleeve can be assembled into the receptacle without misconceiving the direction of assembling.
Preferably, the sleeve has an open space formed at a small diameter end of the waveguide so as to separate the core from the cladding. In this configuration, a part of the molding die can be arranged in the open space when the cladding is molded. This permits the core to be surely held within the molding die when the cladding is molded, thus increasing the productivity.
The cladding is made distinguishable from the core and colored so as to reflect light propagated through the waveguide.
In this configuration, the sleeve can be assembled into the receptacle without misconceiving the direction of assembling.
Preferably, the lens is covered with an antireflective coating. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of light incident on the lens from reduced. Thus, a large amount of light can be incident on the lens and propagated.
Preferably, the sleeve comprises a light emitting element embedded in the waveguide.
The sleeve and the one-core type fiber bi-directional communication system can further provide the effects of miniaturization, cost reduction and improvement in reliability.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a receptacle including the sleeve and optical element modules having a light emitting element and a light receiving element module, wherein the sleeve is located between each of the optical element modules and corresponding one of two fibers of an optical plug coupled with the receptacle. In this receptacle, the transmission efficiency of light is improved and work relative to assembling is simple.
The above and other objects and features of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Sleeve for optical connector and receptacle


A zoom lens system consists of four lens elements arranged in two groups. Counting from the object side, the first two elements form a front lens group with positive refracting power and the last two elements form a rear lens group with negative refracting power. An airspace is reserved between the front lens group and the rear lens group and it is made variable for zooming. The first lens element in the front lens group is a negative lens element and has its concave lens surface directed toward the object side. Both the two lens elements in the rear lens group are negative lens element. In the lens composition, both the front lens group and the rear lens group at least include an aspherical lens surface respectively for aberration correction.

The present invention relates to a zoom lens system, and more particularly to a compact zoom lens system suitable for use in a 35 mm type twin lens camera.
It has been noted that the a zoom lens system is widely used in various types of cameras nowadays because it is capable of conveniently zooming the focal length of the lens system to facilitate the use of the camera. The zoom lens system having a variable zooming ratio, for example, from 1.3 to 2.0, falls into two categories. Typically, the first category consists of a front lens group having a negative refractive power and a rear lens group having a positive refractive power. An airspace is reserved between the front lens group and the rear lens group, and it is possible to effectuate variation of the focal length of the lens system by varying the airspace. Such a conventional zoom lens system is particularly suitable for use in the well-known single lens reflex cameras. However, such kind of zoom lens system has a serious disadvantage is that it has a long back focal length and a large diameter, and therefore making it impossible to make the zoom lens composition compact.
In view of the drawback of the first category of the prior art mentioned above, the second category of the zoom lens system is therefore designed to intend to shorten the back focal length and reduce the diameter of the lens system. Typically, the second category of the zoom lens system consists of a front lens group having positive refractive power and a rear lens group having negative refractive power, thus forming a so-called telephoto type zoom lens system. An airspace is also reserved between the front lens group and the rear lens group for zooming. This kind of zoom lens system is characterized in that it has a relatively shorter back focal length relative to the first category zoom lens system and therefore making it possible to be compact and sufficiently lightweight.
Various prior patents has been developed in this field. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,680 discloses a zoom lens system comprising five lens elements as a whole.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,669 discloses a zoom lens system having positive refractive power and a rear lens group having negative refractive power. The front lens group of the lens system consists of a positive meniscus lens, a negative lens, and at least one positive lens. The rear lens group of the lens system consists of a positive lens, a biconcave lens, and a negative meniscus lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,860 discloses a zoom lens system comprising a front lens groups having a positive refractive power and a rear lens group having a negative refractive power. The first lens group includes at least two positive lens elements and at least one negative lens element; the second lens group includes at least one positive lens element and at least one negative lens element. It is noted that the fourth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B of this U.S. patent comprises five lens elements forming a zooming lens system. However, it has lens elements with relatively steep radii of curvature and thus is relatively costly to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,945 disclosed a zoom lens comprising five lens elements. The first three elements form a positive lens group and the last two elements form a negative lens group.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A communication system for transmitting relatively high frequency broadband electrical signals representative of broadband information and for transmitting relatively low frequency baseband electrical signals representative of baseband information. The system includes a length of communications media having at least one twisted pair of wires and a "multi-signal interface coupler" connected to one end of the communications media. The interface coupler has an RF signal port for passing the broadband signals in the unbalanced mode and a data signal port for passing the baseband signals. A circuit connected to the RF signal port and the data signal port, transmits both the broadband signals and the baseband signals in a balanced mode on the communications media.

The present invention relates, generally, to a communication system for transmitting both data and television signals to and from one or more user work stations. More particularly, the invention relates to a communication system employing an industry standard local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) to communicate on a broad spectrum of frequencies.
As used hereinafter, the term "backbone communication network" is intended to mean an electrical signal transmission facility which makes electrical signals available to a plurality of user work stations but which is not directly connected to any work station. The backbone network may form a part of a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
The term "baseband signals" is intended to mean information signals within the frequency range of 0 to 100 MHz. Computer data is normally transmitted by baseband signals. The term "broadband signals" is intended to mean information signals at a frequency higher than the highest baseband frequency--typically in the frequency range of
100 to 500 MHz. If the upper limit of the baseband range terminates at 50 MHz, the lower limit of the broadband range can commence at this frequency. Video information (i.e., television) is normally transmitted by broadband signals.
A so-called "baseband network" is designed to transmit baseband signals, whereas a "broadband network" is designed to transmit broadband signals.
The term "balanced signal mode" or "balanced mode" is intended to mean a signal condition wherein the amplitudes of the signals applied on each of the wires of a "twisted pair" cable are oppositely poled relative to the cable shield or ground.
The term "unbalanced signal mode" or "unbalanced mode" is the signal condition wherein the applied signal amplitudes are likewise or similarly poled on each of the wires of a twisted pair cable relative to the cable shield or ground.
The term "equally unbalanced signal mode" or "equally unbalanced mode" is the signal mode wherein the signal amplitudes are likewise poled and of equal amplitude on each of the wires in the twisted pair cable relative to the cable shield or ground.
As so-called "multimedia" are incorporated into desktop computers (also known as "personal computers" or "PC's") and as "videoconferencing" is merged into user work stations which incorporate a PC, the increased system integration requires a substantial increase in the quantity of transmitted information as compared to the information conventionally transmitted on an industry standard local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
To this end, it is known to transmit both baseband and broadband signals on a common backbone network which, in turn, is connected to a plurality of user work stations by a distribution network. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,747 to Foglia discloses a so-called "filter coupler" or "F-coupler" by which the baseband signals are transmitted between a backbone network and a PC via a twisted pair shielded cable in a balanced mode and the broadband signals are transmitted between the same backbone network and the same PC via the same shielded cable in an unbalanced mode. The disclosure of this U.S. patent is incorporated herein by reference.
Among the drawbacks of the communication system disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,747 is the requirement that a specific type of twisted pair shielded cable must be used as the transmission line between a backbone network and each individual user work station. As specified by IBM Corp., this transmission line is so-called "type 9" wire. This requires, in some cases, recabling an entire floor or an entire building to accommodate this system.

Communication system providing data and television signals to PC work stations


A moisture management system for use in construction of buildings, particularly for partially covering the framework of a rough opening in a structure. The system has a body having a plurality of pathways to facilitate fluid between the system and any fixture installed adjacent to the system. The pathways allow fluid, especially water, to flow away from the installation surfaces and down along the exterior of the building.

When constructing a building with exterior openings, such as windows and doors, a rough opening is framed in when the wall is constructed. Later, a fixture such as a window or door is placed in this rough opening. One often-encountered problem is that the wood framework of these rough openings has a tendency to rot or otherwise deteriorate under certain conditions. This rotting is usually caused by moisture leaking in along the fixture and becoming trapped between the fixture and the framework of the rough opening in which the fixture sits.
Due to the increasing awareness of energy conversation, there is a desire to build more energy efficient buildings. This is generally accomplished by building a leak-free or leak-reduced structure, which is intended to be generally air-tight. However, problems occur when water or other liquid is present in the framing of these air-tight buildings, because the framework has been sealed in a manner that inhibits air movement and drying out easily.
A product is needed that inhibits moisture from coming in contact with, or building up in, the framework or wall, thusly protecting the framework of the rough opening and wall from rotting. Various devices have attempted to solve this problem. The system of the present disclosure provides a solution to the problem that is truly effective. Previous devices that were positioned on the rough sill, with the fixture installed on top, did not allow for effective transport of fluid (e.g., air or water) out of the space between the fixture and the sill once the fixture was fully installed. The device of this disclosure has solved this problem of effective transport of the fluid out of the space between the fixture and the sill once the fixture is fully installed.


Described is a paid search advertising technology in which advertisements associated with bidding keywords are ranked by relevance when returning one or more advertisements in a response to a query. A relevance score is computed for an advertisement based on the bidding keyword and page data (text and/or other page content) of the advertisement. The relevance score may be based on a similarity vector score computed from a keyword vector and page data vector relationship, combined with a proximity score computed from the keyword's bigram set and the page data bigram set. When a query is received, advertisements are selected based on the proximity of the query to each advertisement's bidding keyword, providing candidate scores. Each candidate score is modified (e.g., multiplied) into a final score based on its respective advertisement's relevance score. The final scores are then used to re-rank the advertisements relative to one another.

Internet users often receive advertisements in response to their queries, whether directly or alongside other query results that show up as links from which the user may further click to view the content select content. In a paid search advertisement system, advertisers bid on certain search terminology (a "keyword" as used herein, whether it is one or more search terms), so that their advertisement is selected and returned when the user's search keyword is similar to the bidding keyword. A vector-based scoring system is typically used in determining similarity.
However, many times a selected advertisement page is not particularly relevant to the user's query. This is because many advertisers have bid on the same keyword for their corresponding advertisement page. This is bad for both users and advertisers, as users see advertisements that are irrelevant, while advertisers pay for showing advertisements that will not result in business.

Relevance score in a paid search advertisement system


A wireless tag reader and writer includes: a plurality of read and write boxes each having an opening at one end, through which an article with a wireless tag is accommodated, and a read antenna and a write antenna on parts of the side wall at the end opposite to the opening; and a box storage having a plurality of storage compartments for storing the read and write boxes. Each of the read and write boxes is fixed in the storage compartment with a fixing screw fixed to the side wall of the read and write box adjacent to the opening in such a manner the fixing screw is fixed in an inclined slide slit in the outer wall of the box storage adjacent to the opening such that the opening is higher than the opposite end. Thus, the wireless tag can be located close to the reading antenna and the write antenna.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless tag readers and writers for reading information from wireless tags stuck to articles and for writing information to the wireless tags.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless tag reader and writer 1 of this type is generally divided into multiple wireless-tag-read-and-write-storage compartments 2. The wireless-tag-read-and-write-storage compartments 2 have accommodated read and write boxes 5, as shown in FIG. 2 and to be specifically described later, for storing articles each having a wireless tag 3 at the end; e.g., mail 4. Since the wireless-tag-read-and-write-storage compartments 2 have a horizontal bottom, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No.2004-43049, the read and write boxes 5 have also been stored in each wireless -tag-read-and-write-storage compartments 2, with the bottom held in a horizontal state.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the conventional wireless tag reader and writer 1 stores multiple pieces of mail 4 each having a wireless tag 3 into the read and write box 5, parts of the mails with the wireless tag stacked thereon are overlapped and therefore the mail 4 is tilted because of the thickness of the stacked wireless tags 3 or the thickness of the contents of the mail 4. This poses the problem that the mail 4 slides toward this side, or toward an opening 6 through which the mail 4 is inserted, to come out of the normal readable and writable area 9 (hereinafter, referred to as a normal reaction area 9) of a read antenna 7 and a write antenna 8 fixed to part of the side wall, thus making it impossible to read positional information from the wireless tags 3 and to write management information to the wireless tags 3.
FIG. 2 illustrates the problem simply. In the drawing, upper two pieces of the mail 4 slide toward the opening 6 because of the thickness of the wireless tags 3 of the mail 4, to bring the wireless tags 3 out of the normal reaction area 9 of the read antenna 7 and the write antenna 8.


A disposable undergarment for releasably securing an absorbent pad in a pocket located in the crotch portion of the undergarment and a method for making the same is disclosed. The undergarment is made with a body portion and pocket portion. The pocket portion overlays the crotch portion and is attached to the body portion along a sufficient portion of its peripheral edge to form a pocket therebetween. The pocket is sufficient in size to secure or store an absorbent pad or the like. Preferably, the undergarment is made of an inexpensive material so that it may be disposable.

Disposable undergarments or underpants are known in the art. Also known are reusable undergarments which releasably secure or store absorbent pads.
Some disposable undergarments are made strictly of a non-woven fabric, such as paper, while others also incorporate absorbent padding. Making undergarments of non-woven fabrics generally reduces the cost of manufacturing versus those made of expensive woven materials, i.e. cloth. Both the padded and unpadded undergarments often incorporate elasticized waist and leg openings to provide sealing around the waist and legs. Each type of disposable undergarment has distinct advantages and disadvantages.
The unpadded undergarments, made only of non-woven fabrics, have the advantage of being easily fabricated at a low cost, are very light-weight and comfortable, and can be compactly packaged to be easily carried or dispensed from a vending machine. However, these undergarments suffer the disadvantage of having very little absorbing capacity.
The padded undergarments have the advantage of providing absorption of relative large quantities of bodily fluids and wastes. Examples of such undergarments include baby diapers, which have absorbent liners, hygienic panties having absorbent pads for menstrual use and incontinence, and padded undergarments for use by persons suffering from incontinence, hemorrhoids, wound drainage, and the like.
The features of high-absorbency and disposability are highly desirable in light of such life-threatening diseases as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and hepatitis which are transmittable through body fluids and wastes. This is of particular concern among workers at institutions such as hospitals and corrections facilities where the occurrence of these diseases and the number of patients or inmates, respectively, are high.
These padded underpants or undergarments, while generally cheaper than cloth counterparts, are still more expensive and complex to manufacture than are the unpadded undergarments. Further, rather large boxes or containers are needed to package even a single pair of the padded undergarments.
Reusable undergarments, typically made of woven material such as a cotton fabric, are generally washed and used many times. Certain of these undergarments are designed to releasably secure absorbent pads. After use, the pads are discarded and the underpants cleaned. Often these underpants have means for securing the absorbent pad such that only the pad contacts the body and absorbs discharged fluids, thereby avoiding soiling of the underpants by the discharge.
A number of unpadded and padded disposable undergarments, as well as undergarments intended to be cleaned and reused and which releasably secure absorbent pads, are disclosed in U.S. patents.
Greene, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,135, issued Jun. 23, 1987, discloses a disposable undergarment formed from a single sheet of non-woven cellulose material, but without a pocket. A crotch insert, also cut from the single sheet, is superposed and fixedly secured to a crotch portion for reinforcement, but is attached along its entire periphery.
Heren et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,381 issued Feb. 10, 1987 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,362 issued Mar. 3, 1987, disclose an underpants which has front and rear panels, which are joined along side seams, and elasticized waist and leg openings. The underpants has three layers, an outer cover having an outer sub-layer of non-woven fibrous material and an inner sub-layer of impervious plastic material, a bodyside liner, and absorbent batt which is fixedly secured therebetween.
Ales et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,819 issued Feb. 17, 1987, discloses a disposable panty having a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent batt sandwiched therebetween. The absorbent batt may be attached to the outer cover, bodyside liner, or both.
Parravicini, U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,162 issued Jan. 28, 1969, discloses a disposable hygienic panty, made at least partially of cellulose material, having a portion that may incorporate a gauze insert sewn into the crotch portion, or else a complete gauze liner which is sewn to the body portion.
Steer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,279 issued Sep. 22, 1987, discloses reusable incontinence briefs and pants. A pocket, releasably securing an absorbent pad therein, is located in the crotch portion and is defined by an outer wall of a liquid-impervious material and an inner wall of like material having an oval hole therein.
Nathan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,323 issued May 29, 1990, discloses a reusable undergarment that has inner and outer, relative to a crotch portion, cooperating pocket panels for releasably securing to the ends of an absorbent pad. The pocket panels are longitudinally spaced from the center of the crotch portion.
Papajohn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,769 issued Aug. 30, 1977, discloses a reusable panty with a sanitary napkin. The absorbent napkin is releasably secured by two laterally spaced, overlapping portions, secured together by Velcro, having an opening therebetween for receiving discharged fluids.
Title, U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,170 issued May 23, 1961, discloses a reusable sanitary garment which has two longitudinally spaced, cooperating end pockets which receive the ends of an absorbent pad.

Undergarment with a pocket for releasably securing an absorbent pad


A loop delay control circuit is provided between a comparator and a power switch stage. When the amplitude of an input signal is especially high, the loop delay control circuit secures an oscillation threshold value by setting a delay amount at a low value. On the other hand, when the amplitude of the input signal is not so high, the loop delay control circuit reduces an average switching rate by increasing the delay amount, but does not reduce the oscillation threshold value. This makes it possible to provide a delta-sigma modulator allowing realization of both (i) a high oscillation threshold value, i.e., high output power, and (ii) high power efficiency.

A switching amplification circuit is known as a class-D amplifier, and allows for high-efficiency amplification of an input signal when used together with a PWM modulation circuit, a synchronous delta-sigma modulation circuit, and an asynchronous delta-sigma modulation circuit. A switching amplification circuit using a delta-sigma modulator is disclosed in Non-patent Document 1 ("A delta-sigma modulator for 1-bit digital switching amplifier", Proceedings of the IEEE 2004 Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, pp 177-180) and in Non-patent Document 2 ("A delta-sigma modulator for a 1-bit digital switching amplifier", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 40, No. 9, September 2005). The use of such a high-order single-loop 1-bit delta-sigma modulator for modulating a signal sent to the switching amplification circuit allows realization of a switching amplification circuit which has a high oscillation threshold value, and which allows for a low distortion, and which has a great dynamic range. Here, as described in page 1865 and FIG. 1 of Non-patent Document 2, the oscillation threshold value refers to the maximum amplitude ratio of (i) the amplitude of a sine wave component contained in a 1-bit output of the switching amplification circuit to (ii) the amplitude of the 1-bit output, when the delta-sigma modulator does not oscillate. The sine wave component corresponds to a sine wave signal which is supplied to the switching amplification circuit and which has a frequency falling within a desired band.
However, for the purpose of realizing high performance, the delta-sigma modulator needs to operate at a sampling frequency sufficiently higher than the desired signal band (e.g., an audio signal band of 0 Hz to 20 kHz). In Non-patent Document 1, the over-sampling ratio (OSR) is 128, and the sampling frequency is 5.6 MHz. The over-sampling ratio refers to a ratio of the sampling frequency to a frequency falling within a band twice wider than the desired signal band.
A delta-sigma modulator similar to the arrangement of Non-patent Document 1 was checked by simulation. As a result, the average switching rate of the delta-sigma modulator was found to range from 2M times/sec to 4M times/sec. Here, the average switching rate refers to a sum of (i) the number of rising edges, per unit time, of a 1-bit output of either the delta-sigma modulator or the switching amplification circuit, and (ii) the number of falling edges, per unit time, of the 1-bit output thereof. An increase in the average switching rate causes a charge current and a through current to proportionately flow through a power switch stage constituting the switching amplification circuit. This causes an increase in power consumption. Therefore, it is difficult for the switching amplification circuit of Non-patent Document 1 to realize high efficiency (high power efficiency) in terms of the electric power.
In order to solve the foregoing problems, a method for reducing the average switching rate has been proposed (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Tokukaihei 11-266157/1999 (published on Sep. 28, 1999; hereinafter, referred to as "Patent Document 1"). FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a switching amplification circuit 101 that operates in accordance with the method. The switching amplification circuit 101 includes a subtracter 102, a loop filter 103, a comparator 104, a pulse width holding circuit 105, and a power switch stage 106.
The subtracter 102 calculates a difference between an input signal X and an output signal V. The input signal X and the output signal V are sent to gain stages B1, respectively. The gain stages B1 multiplies the input signal X and the output signal V by a gain B1. Then, the signals thus multiplied are sent to the subtracter 102. The loop filter 103 includes: seven time-discrete integrators I1 to I7; an adder S, which calculates a sum of respective outputs of the integrators; gain stages A1 to A7; gain stages C1 to C6; and gain stages G1 to G3. The loop filter 103 processes an output of the subtracter 102. The comparator 104 serves as a 1-bit comparator that converts an output signal Y1 of the adder S into a 1-bit signal and that outputs the 1-bit signal as an output signal Y2.
The gain stages A1 to A7 sequentially multiply the outputs of the integrators I1 to I7 by gains A1 to A7, respectively. Then, the gain stages A1 to A7 send the multiplied outputs to the adder S. The gain stages C1 to C6 sequentially multiply the outputs of the integrators I1 to I6 by gains C1 to C6, respectively. The gain stages G1, G2, and G3 sequentially multiply the outputs of the integrators I3, I5, and I7 by gains G1, G2, and G3, respectively. Moreover, the integrator I2 receives a difference between an output of the gain stage G1 and an output of the gain stage C1. The integrator I4 receives a difference between an output of the gain stage G2 and an output of the gain stage C3. The integrator I6 receives a difference between an output of the gain stage G3 and an output of the gain stage C5.
The pulse width holding circuit 105 converts, into a pulse signal having a certain width or greater, the 1-bit signal which is sent from the comparator 104, and which has a minimum pulse width. Then, the pulse width holding circuit 105 outputs the pulse signal as an output signal Y3. The power switch stage 106 amplifies the output signal Y3 supplied from the pulse width holding circuit 105, so as to transmit the output signal V to a load. Further, the power switch stage 106 feeds the output signal V back to the loop filter 103 via the subtracter 102.
The arrangement of FIG. 19 is basically the same as that of Non-patent Document 1, but is different from that of Non-patent Document 1 in that the arrangement of FIG. 19 has the pulse width holding circuit 105 provided between the comparator 104 and the power switch stage 106. The pulse width holding circuit 105 is a circuit for converting, into a 1-bit signal having a minimum pulse width of 2×Ts, the 1-bit signal Y2 which is sent from the comparator 104 and which has a minimum pulse width of Ts.
The arrangement of FIG. 19 makes it possible to reduce the average switching rate by approximately half, as compared with the case where no pulse width holding circuit 105 is provided. However, the reduction in the average switching rate brings about only a minor effect. Further, the use of the pulse width holding circuit 105 inevitably reduces the oscillation threshold value. Accordingly, the following demand arises: the average switching rate should be reduced, but the oscillation threshold value should not be reduced.
As such, the switching amplification circuit described in Patent Document 1 cannot sufficiently reduce the average switching rate. This makes it impossible to realize a switching amplification circuit attaining high power efficiency. Further, even though the average switching rate can be reduced slightly, the oscillation threshold value is accordingly reduced. This inevitably reduces the maximum output power of the switching amplification circuit.

Delta-sigma modulator and its application to switching amplification circuit


A transmission housing includes an inner surface and circumferentially spaced first sets of teeth spaced about an axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a first clutch plate. Each first set is attached to the inner surface. The transmission housing also includes circumferentially spaced second sets of teeth spaced about the axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a second clutch plate. Each second set is attached to the inner surface. The teeth of at least one of the first or second sets extend axially and are narrower at a first axial end of the respective teeth than at a second axial end of the respective teeth.

Transmissions, such as planetary transmissions, can include one or more clutch or brake assemblies that tie two rotating components together or to a ground member, such as a housing of the transmission. Different gear ratios can be obtained by engaging the various clutch assemblies. When a particular clutch assembly is engaged, a reactive torque may be transmitted to the transmission housing.
Conventional transmissions may include a series of clutch teeth that protrude inwardly from an inner surface of the transmission housing. The clutch teeth may couple the clutch assemblies to the transmission housing. As a result, torque may be transmitted directly to the transmission housing via the clutch teeth.
A conventional transmission housing that includes clutch teeth extending inwardly from an inner surface of the transmission housing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,131 (the '131 patent) issued to Siepold et al. The transmission housing of the '131 patent includes circumferentially and axially spaced teeth that extend inwardly from the inner surface of the transmission housing. Although the transmission housing of the '131 patent may include teeth that extend inwardly from the inner surface of the transmission housing in order to couple one or more clutch assemblies to the transmission housing, the teeth have a substantially constant cross-section along the axial direction. As a result, the transmission housing of the '131 patent may be more difficult to cast and may require a more complex and expensive mold when forming the transmission housing by casting. Thus, the transmission housing of the '131 patent may be more expensive to manufacture.
The disclosed transmission housing is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.


The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize polybutadiene rubber having a high trans content and a low melting point by solution polymerization. The trans-polybutadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear characteristics. More importantly, the trans-polybutadiene rubber of this invention can be easily processed because of its low level of crystallinity. In fact, the trans-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated in a xe2x80x9chot-housexe2x80x9d before being used in making rubber compounds. This invention more specifically reveals a process for synthesizing trans-polybutadiene rubber which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium compound selected from the group consisting of (i) barium salts of cyclic alcohols, such as barium mentholate, and (ii) barium thymolate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound. The trans-polybutadiene made with the catalyst system of this invention typically has a glass transition temperature that is within the range of about -97xc2x0 C. to about -90xc2x0 C., a melting point that is within the range of about -30xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C., and a number average molecular weight that is within the range of about 50,000 to about 400,000.

By virtue of its high level of crystallinity, trans-1,4-polybutadiene (TPBD) is typically a thermoplastic resin. Because it contains many double bonds in its polymeric backbone, TPBD can be blended and cocured with rubber. TPBD is similar to syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene in this respect. Even though trans-1,4-polybutadiene having a high melting point is a thermoplastic resin, it becomes elastomeric when cured alone or when cocured with one or more rubbers.
Good molecular weight control can normally be achieved by utilizing an anionic polymerization system to produce TPBD. There is typically an inverse relationship between the catalyst level utilized and the molecular weight attained when anionic polymerization systems are used. Such an anionic polymerization system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,690. The catalyst system disclosed therein is based on a dialkylmagnesium compound which is activated with a potassium alkoxide. However, such catalyst systems have not proven to be commercially successful.
TPBD is normally prepared utilizing transition metal catalysts or rare earth catalysts. The synthesis of TPBD with transition metal catalysts is described by J. Boor Jr., xe2x80x9cZiegler-Natta Catalysts and Polymerizations,xe2x80x9d Academic Press, New York, 1979, Chapters 5-6. The synthesis of TPBD with rare earth catalysts is described by D. K. Jenkins, Polymer, 26, 147 (1985). However, molecular weight control is difficult to achieve with such transition metal or rare earth catalysts and monomer conversions are often very modest.
Japanese Patent Application No. 67187-1967 discloses a catalyst system and technique for synthesizing TPBD consisting of 75 to 80 percent trans-1,4-structure and 20 to 25 percent 1,2-structure. The catalyst system described by this reference consists of a cobalt compound having a cobalt organic acid salt or organic ligand, an organoaluminum compound and phenol or naphthol. Gel formation is a serious problem that is frequently encountered when this three-component catalyst system is utilized in the synthesis of TPBD. Gelation is a particularly serious problem in continuous polymerizations. By utilizing this catalyst system and technique, TPBD can be synthesized in a continuous process with only minimal amounts of gel formation.
U.S. Pat No. 5,089,574 is based upon the finding that carbon disulfide will act as a gel inhibitor in conjunction with three component catalyst systems which contain an organocobalt compound, an organoaluminum compound and a para-alkyl substituted phenol. U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,574 also indicates that conversions can be substantially improved by utilizing para-alkyl substituted phenols which contain from about 12 to about 26 carbon atoms and which preferably contain from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,574 more specifically reveals a process for synthesizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene in a continuous process which comprises continuously charging 1,3-butadiene monomer, an organocobalt compound, an organoaluminum compound, a para-substituted phenol, carbon disulfide and an organic solvent into a reaction zone; allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize in said reaction zone to form the trans-1,4-polybutadiene; and continuously withdrawing the trans-1,4-polybutadiene from said reaction zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,002 discloses that dialkyl sulfoxides, diaryl sulfoxides and dialkaryl sulfoxides act as molecular weight regulators when utilized in conjunction with cobalt-based catalyst systems in the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene monomer into TPBD. U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,002 reports that the molecular weight of the TPBD produced decreases with increasing levels of the dialkyl sulfoxide, diaryl sulfoxide or dialkaryl sulfoxide present as a molecular weight regulator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,002 specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of trans-1,4- polybutadiene which comprises polymerizing 1,3- butadiene monomer under solution polymerization conditions in the presence of at least one sulfoxide compound selected from the group consisting of dialkyl sulfoxides, diaryl sulfoxides and dialkaryl sulfoxides as a molecular weight regulator and in the presence of a catalyst system which includes an organocobalt compound, an organoaluminum compound and a para-alkyl substituted phenol.
The presence of residual cobalt in TPBD made with cobalt-based catalyst systems is not desirable. This is because the residual cobalt acts as a prooxidant leading to polymer instability during storage. This is a particular problem in cases where the TPBD is stored in a xe2x80x9chothousexe2x80x9d prior to usage, which is a standard procedure in many industries, such as the tire industry. In any case, high levels of residual cobalt in the TPBD lead to problems with polymer stability.
Unfortunately, carbon disulfide is typically required as a gel-reducing agent in the synthesis of TPBD with cobalt-based catalyst systems. This is particularly true in the case of continuous polymerization systems. However, the presence of carbon disulfide in such systems reduces the level of catalyst activity and generally makes it necessary to increase the level of cobalt in the catalyst system. Thus, in cases where carbon disulfide is required for gel control, the level of cobalt needed is further increased. This accordingly leads to greater polymer instability.
Due to its high melting point, it is normally necessary to heat TPBD in order for it to be processed using conventional mixing equipment, such as a Banbury mixer or a mill mixer. This heating step is typically carried out by storing the trans-1,4-polybutadiene in a xe2x80x9chot-housexe2x80x9d for a few days prior to its usage. During this storage period, the bails of the polymer are slowly heated to a temperature above about 104xc2x0 F. (40xc2x0 C.). At such temperatures, the polymer can be readily processed in standard mixing equipment. However, the TPBD typically undergoes undesirable oxidative crosslinking which leads to gelation during this long heating period. This oxidation can crosslink the TPBD to such a high degree that it cannot be processed utilizing standard mixing techniques. In other words, the oxidative gelation that occurs can destroy the polymer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,351 discloses that TPBD which contains a processing oil can be rapidly heated by radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. The radio frequency waves used in such a heating process typically have a frequency that is within the range of about 2 to 80 MHz (megahertz). By utilizing such a technique, an 80-pound (30 kg) bail of TPBD can be rapidly heated to a temperature above 104xc2x0 F. (40xc2x0 C.) in a matter of minutes. During this rapid heating process, oxidative gelation does not occur to a significant degree. This is, of course, in contrast to conventional heating techniques where bails of TPBD are slowly warmed by convection heating to the required temperature over a period of days. During this long heating period, the TPBD undergoes highly undesirable oxidative crosslinking.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,351 more specifically discloses a technique for mixing trans-1,4- polybutadiene with at least one rubbery polymer which comprises: (1) heating the trans-1,4-polybutadiene to a temperature which is within the range of 105xc2x0 F. (41xc2x0 C.) to 200xc2x0 F.(93xc2x0 C.) by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range of about 2 MHz to about 80 MHz, wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene is oil-extended with at least 10 phr of a processing oil; and (2) mixing the trans-1,4-polybutadiene with said rubbery polymer before any portion of the trans-1,4-polybutadiene cools to a temperature below 104 F.xc2x0 (41xc2x0 C.).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,965 discloses a process for synthesizing a high trans polymer which comprises adding (a) at least one organolithium initiator, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a barium alkoxide and (d) a lithium alkoxide to a polymerization medium which is comprised of an organic solvent and at least one conjugated diene monomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,965 further discloses that high trans polymers can be utilized to improve the characteristics of tire tread rubber compounds. By utilizing high trans polymers in tire tread rubber compounds, tires having improved wear characteristics, tear resistance and low temperature performance can be made.
In commercial applications where recycle is required, the use of barium alkoxides can lead to certain problems. For instance, barium t-amylate can react with water to form t-amyl alcohol during steam-stripping in the polymer finishing step. Since t-amyl alcohol forms an azeotrope with hexane, it co-distills with hexane and thus contaminates the feed stream.
This invention is based upon the discovery that the problem of recycle stream contamination can be solved by synthesizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene utilizing a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium compound selected from the group consisting of (i) barium salts of cyclic alcohols, such as barium mentholate, and (ii) barium thymolate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound. The problem of recycle stream contamination is solved by utilizing a barium salt of a cyclic alcohol as the barium compound in the catalyst system. Barium mentholate is highly preferred because it does not co-distill with hexane or form compounds during steam-stripping which co-distill with hexane. Since the boiling points of the cyclic alcohols generated upon the hydrolysis of their metal salts are very high, they do not co-distill with hexane and contaminate recycle streams. Additionally, such cyclic alcohols are considered to be environmentally safe. In fact, menthol (the hydrolyzed product of barium mentholate) is commonly used as a food additive.
The trans-1,4-polybutadiene made with such barium containing catalyst systems has a melting point that is within the range of about -30xc2x0 C. to +30xc2x0 C. Because the trans-1,4-polybutadiene synthesized with the catalyst system of this invention has a high melting point it does not need to be heated in a xe2x80x9chot-housexe2x80x9d before it is blended with other rubbery polymers or utilized in making rubber products, such as tires. Additionally, the trans-1,4-polybutadiene is strain crystallizable and can be employed in manufacturing tire tread compounds that exhibit wear characteristics. The trans-1,4-polybutadiene also typically has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of about -97xc2x0 C. to about xe2x88x9290xc2x0 C., a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 50,000 to about 400,000, and a Mooney ML 1+4 viscosity which is within the range of about 5 to about 110.
The present invention more specifically discloses a process for synthesizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium compound selected from the group consisting of (i) a barium salt of a cyclic alcohol, and (ii) barium thymolate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.
The present invention further discloses a process for synthesizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium compound selected from the group consisting of (i) a barium salt of a cyclic alcohol, and (ii) barium thymolate, (c) an organoaluminum compound, and (d) a lithium salt of a cyclic alcohol.

Process for synthesizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming an ohmic electrode including Al on a semiconductor substrate; forming a SiN film covering the ohmic electrode; forming a first photoresist on the SiN film, the first photoresist having an opening pattern overlapping the ohmic electrode; performing ultraviolet curing of the first photoresist; forming an opening in the SiN film exposed through the opening pattern and causing a surface of the ohmic electrode to be exposed inside the opening; forming a barrier metal layer on the first photoresist and on the ohmic electrode exposed through the opening; forming a second photoresist in the opening pattern; performing a heat treatment on the second photoresist and covering the barrier metal layer overlapping the opening with the second photoresist; and etching the barrier metal layer using the second photoresist.

From the viewpoint of conductivity and the like, there are cases in which aluminum (Al) is used for a wiring and an ohmic electrode of a semiconductor device. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H4-162531 discloses a configuration in which a first layer constituted of an alloy film having an Al film or Al as a main component is provided on a surface of a diffusion layer in a semiconductor substrate.
A wiring and an ohmic electrode including Al tend to generate a hillock when a semiconductor device is manufactured. For example, when there is a gap between a barrier metal film on an ohmic electrode including Al and an insulating film covering the film, the foregoing hillock may be generated in the gap. Generation of such a hillock may cause a short circuit of a wiring or an electrode, which is not desirable.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device

SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.


A user or a device may separate a check into two or more portions prior to generating a digital image of the check for remote deposit of the check. The user or a device may separate the check by cutting or tearing the check. After separating the check into the portions, the user may generate a digital image of the portions of the check using a scanner for example. The digital image may be transmitted to an institution for deposit of the check. The institution may retrieve the images of the portions of the check and generate an image of the check based on the portions, by combining the images of the portions for example. The image of the check that may be generated based on the images of the portions may be processed for deposit.

Currently, a user may deposit a check in a financial services institution either electronically using scanning and imaging techniques or physically by presenting the check at the financial services institution. Fraud occurs when a user presents the same check twice for deposit (e.g., once electronically and once physically, twice electronically, etc.). This may be referred to as check re-presentment.
Conventional techniques used to detect a re-presented or twice-deposited check rely on matching a deposit amount entered by the user when electronically depositing a check and a deposit amount obtained through character recognition technologies for a physically deposited check. Additional techniques compare magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) lines and/or account numbers. It is difficult to detect a check that is re-presented by a user. Such fraud may present a liability for the financial services institution.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods of check re-presentment deterrent

United Services Automobile Association (USAA)


A mounting plate and cover for a pair of spaced-apart electrical boxes. The mounting plate and cover has a pair of spaced-apart openings and a planar flange portion therebetween. At least one electrical box is fastened to one of the openings. The flange portion is secured to the front face of the wall stud with the at least one electrical box abutting the sidewall of the wall stud. The bottom edges of the openings in the mounting plate and cover are in the same horizontal plane. A method of installation is disclosed.

In the course of constructing or rehabilitating a building, there is a need to mount many electrical outlet boxes in the wall to provide a safe means for housing electrical fixtures such as electrical switches, convenience outlets, electrical terminals, telephone outlets, data terminals, etc. The electrical outlet boxes are commonly four (4) inch square boxes or four and eleven sixteenths (4 11/16) inch boxes. The electrical outlet box may be supported by a variety of methods. U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,974 to Lippa discloses a mounting plate and cover assembly for an electrical outlet box which permits the secure mounting of the electrical outlet box abutting a sidewall of a stud and preventing movement of the electrical outlet box. However, the assembly is for one outlet box and does not disclose the installation of two boxes in the same horizontal plane. There is a need for having two electrical boxes or one electrical box and a telephone/data outlet aligned in a horizontal plane and straddling a wall stud. This need has become more critical with the rapid expansion of computers and facsimile equipment where the telephone outlet or data outlet is most conveniently located in the immediate vicinity of a power source for the computer and/or facsimile device. It is difficult and time consuming to install the outlets on opposite sidewalls of a single wall stud at exactly the same height above the floor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,789 to Medlin, Sr. discloses mounting a pair of outlet boxes on a common stud but uses two separate boxes individually mounted. In all embodiments, the electrical outlet boxes do not abut the stud and require stiffening arms to support the electrical outlet boxes to a rear wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,361 to Medlin, Jr. discloses pairs of electrical switch boxes mounted on opposite sides of a single stud. The separate mounting brackets are abutting or "piggyback" and require separate installation. Furthermore, the brackets have stabilizing extension arms and the boxes do not abut the wall stud.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,944 to Rodick discloses two electrical receptacles spot welded to a connecting member. The connecting member is placed over the wall stud with the electrical receptacles adjacent to the side surfaces of the wall stud. A cover plate is required over the face of the receptacles.
It can be seen that there is a need for a simple, relatively inexpensive device to install electrical boxes abutting both sides of a wall stud so that the electrical boxes are in the same horizontal plane.

Mounting plate and cover for two electrical boxes in the same horizontal plane and method for installation


A device and a method are disclosed. The device contains a network interface configured to receive a media stream, a processing device coupled to the network interface and configured to implement the method to determine an unknown media encoding format of a media stream, and a decoder device configured to decode media frames of the media stream.

Determining a media encoding format (also referred to herein simply as a format or media format) for a media stream (for instance a multimedia stream) is required before content playback can begin. Knowing the format of the media stream allows a receiving device to configure one or more decoders to decode the media stream for content playback. As is known in the art, the format of the media stream can be detected using file extensions contained in the media stream. However, in some instances the file extensions are abstracted by downloading servers that aggregate media and offer it for downloading to users. Also, as is known in the art, the format of the media stream can be determined if the downloading server provides a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) type to the receiving device before download so that the receiving device can configure its one or more decoders. However, MIME types are not supported by all downloading servers. In some cases it is also possible that the media format for the media content may change midstream (due to media insertions) while being streamed or downloaded from the server. So, the receiving device also needs to handle such a midstream format change situation without user intervention.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel method and apparatus for determining a media encoding format of a media stream.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method and apparatus for determining a media encoding format of a media stream


A network access management tool includes a dialer that connects users to a network, such as the Internet. An integrated phonebook automatically looks-up optimal phone number(s) to dial. The network access management tool may additionally help the user to automate virtual private network (VPN) connections, may include automated software update capabilities, and may take into account corporate policy information when making network connectivity decisions.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to network access, and more particularly, to dial-up network access software.
B. Description of Related Art
People often find it necessary to connect to a network, such as the Internet or a corporate network, when they are away from work. Business travelers, in particular, may connect to their corporate network to perform functions such as sending/receiving email, viewing corporate documents, or uploading files to the corporate network. When traveling, dial-up connections over phone lines are often used to make the network connection.
Dial-up connections are frequently initiated using dial-up management software. This software may perform basic dial-up functions, such as controlling a modem to dial a number entered by the user and negotiating network logon with the host. When traveling, users often initiate dial-up connections to hosts that are in the local calling zone of the user. To do this, the user first looks-up the local number and then manually enters the local number into the dial-up management software.
There is a need in the art for improved dial-up management software.


A ferrofluid electric motor and methods are presented. A magnetic field is generated by an electromagnet, a flow of a ferrofluid is induced in response to the magnetic field, and a turbine is rotated by the flow of the ferrofluid.

A ferrofluid generally comprises a liquid which becomes magnetized in a presence of a magnetic field. Ferrofluids are generally a colloidal mixture of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid. The carrier fluid may comprise, without limitation, an organic solvent, water, or other suitable fluid. Particles of the ferrofluid may be coated with a surfactant coating the particles to inhibit clumping. Ferrofluids may be manipulated by magnetic fields, but generally do not retain magnetization absent a magnetic field.


A V2X communication device includes a communication unit, an occupancy time calculation unit, a power control unit. The communication unit supports communication between a vehicle and an object. The occupancy time calculation unit calculates at least one of a radio wave occupancy time, in which data is transmitted/received through the communication unit in each communication period, and a radio wave non-occupancy time, in which the data is not transmitted/received in each communication period. The power determination unit determines whether to adjust the data transmission power based on at least one of the radio wave occupancy time and the radio wave non-occupancy time, which are calculated by the occupancy time calculation unit. The power control unit adjusts and controls the data transmission power according to the determination from the power determination unit.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a V2X communication device and a transmission power control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a V2X communication device that controls the increase/decrease of a transmission power such that a proper quantity of data can be transmitted/received according to a radio wave occupancy time or radio wave non-occupancy time when transmitting/receiving data to/from a vehicle so that the collision of data can be minimized. The present invention also relates to a transmission power control method of the V2X communication device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication has been developed. The V2X communication includes V2V communication which is vehicle-to-vehicle communication, V2I communication which is vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and V2N communication which is vehicle-to-nomadic device communication.
The V2X communication forms a network using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and vehicle-to-nomadic device communication, and transmits/receives various pieces of information through the network so that traffic information, route guidance, various multimedia contents, etc. are shared in order to perform various functions, such as ensuring traffic safety and preventing traffic congestion.
When data is transmitted or received using such V2X communication, an inter-data collision may occur. Currently, in order to prevent the inter-data collision, various collision avoidance logics are applied. Among them, a CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) system causes a transmission side to sense the line status of a reception side, and when a channel is on the inactive status, causes the transmission side to wait for a predetermined time period and then to transmit the data. While the CMSA/CA system is designed to minimize the inter-data collision, the inter-data collision is still unavoidable. Meanwhile, in a case where data is transmitted/received through wireless communication, since different radio wave intensities may be generated depending on communication environments, it is impossible to determine whether there is a data collision using the radio wave intensity while receiving data. Thus, it is necessary to find a method to avoid the data collision as much as possible.

V2X communication device and transmission power control method thereof


The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence from a soybean plant (Glycine max) encoding an ethylene receptor polypeptide. The present invention also relates to methods for reducing an ethylene-induced abscission of reproductive structures by producing a transformed plant containing a modified ethylene receptor gene. The transformed plants herein produced demonstrate yield enhancement at their maturity.

Significant changes in ethylene synthesis and perception attend many of the developmental transitions experienced within a typical plant life cycle. Such ethylene-dependent processes as shoot elongation, organ abscission, fruit ripening and tissue senescence have long been presumed to be dependent upon the synthesis or activation of ethylene receptors (Trewavas, Physiol. Plant 55: 60–72, 1982). The ability to manipulate ethylene perception was advanced by the identification of ethylene receptors by genetics, positional cloning, and manipulation in transgenic plants (Bleeker et al., Science 241, 1086–1089, 1988; Wilkinson et al., Nature Biotechnology 15, 444–447, 1997; Hua and Meyerowitz, Cell 94, 261–71, 1998).
The characterization of ethylene receptors is leading to refinement of how the processes identified above may be manipulated with precision. The isolation of multiple ethylene receptor candidates and signal transduction components from different plant tissues at disparate stages of development provides a unique opportunity to assess how ethylene promotes and integrates the complex responses of plants to developmental and environmental stimuli. The identification of the roles of specific domains and their modification, the roles of specific receptors in specific tissues, and the ability to replace natural promoters with heterologous promoters all contribute to this refinement.
Several ethylene response genes have been identified in different plants. Among those identified, ETR1 (ethylene response 1) gene has been studied extensively and several ETR1 homologs have been identified and characterized (Sato-Nara et al., Plant Physiol. 119: 321–329, 1999; Lashbrook et al., Plant J. 15 (2): 243–252, 1998; Zhou et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 30: 1331–1338, 1996; Payton et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 31: 1227–1231, 1996). Available data indicate that expression of the ETR1 gene appears to be stage- and tissue-specific and to be regulated during fruit ripening, flower senescence and abscission. The ETR1 gene is expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues (Zhou et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 30: 1331–1338, 1996) and during fruit development (Sato-Nara et al., Plant Physiol. 119: 321–329, 1999) and it appears to play important roles in plant development and senescence in relation to ethylene perception. In Arabidopsis, as many as five ETR1-like genes have been identified (Lashbrook et al., Plant Journal 15, 243–252, 1998; Theologis, Current Biology 8, 875–878, 1998; Chang et al., Science 262: 539–544, 1993; Hua et al., Science 269: 1712–1714, 1995; Hua et al., Plant Cell 10: 1321–1332, 1998) and they vary significantly in their protein domains. One lacks the carboxy-terminal domain known as the receiver domain while another lacks a critical histidine in the histidine kinase domain though it retains functionality as an ethylene receptor. These variations, particularly the latter, imply that functional differences do exist.
Ethylene insensitivity of plants has been studied by analysis of mutant forms of ETR genes in the homologous species, e.g. ETR1-1 in Arabidopsis (Bleeker et al, Sci. 241: 1086, 1988) and the never ripe mutant in tomato (Lanahan et al., Plant Cell, 6: 521–530, 1994). The ethylene receptor interacts not only with itself in dimerization but must interact with downstream components of the ethylene signal transduction pathway. Specific members of the ethylene receptor pathway may have evolved to interact with specific members of the family of genes comprising the second step in the signal transduction pathway. Because of this protein—protein interaction, use of an ethylene receptor, in its mutated form, of the homologous species and of the same target cell in which ethylene insensitivity is desired is expected to be more efficacious.
Use of an ETR1 gene in its modified form to manipulate the ethylene response in plants may have a great impact on crop yield. Thus, by providing modifications to an ETR1 nucleic acid sequence by substituting, inserting, and/or deleting one or more nucleotides so as to substitute, insert, and/or delete one or more amino acid residues in the protein encoded by the ETR1 nucleic acid, ethylene perception in a plant may be regulated when such a nucleic acid sequence is introduced and expressed in a plant cell. The expression of such a modified ETR1 protein may result in, for example, but not limited to, the retention of more soybean pods and cotton bolls during their development for maturity. To this end, yield will be increased.
In one embodiment an ETR1 nucleic acid, chimeric, mutant thereof, or a portion thereof is placed under the control of an abscission zone (AZ) enhanced promoter, in either a sense or an anti-sense orientation. The promoter could show greater transcriptional enhancement in one AZ or another, for example the pedicel AZ. The expression of this transcript in the AZ could lead to greater retention of reproductive organs, and greater yield.


A series of phenelzine analogs comprising a phenelzine scaffold linked to an aromatic moiety and their use as inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and/or one or more histone deacetylases (HDACs) is provided. The presently disclosed phenelzine analogs exhibit potency and selectivity for LSD1 versus MAO and LSD2 enzymes and exhibit bulk, as well as, gene specific histone methylation changes, anti-proliferative activity in several cancer cell lines, and neuroprotection in response to oxidative stress. Accordingly, the presently disclosed phenelzine analogs can be used to treat diseases, conditions, or disorders related to LSD1 and/or HDACs, including, but not limited to, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Reversible histone lysine methylation is a major mechanism for regulating chromatin dynamics and gene expression. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), the first histone demethylase identified, is responsible for oxidatively cleaving one or two methyl groups from Lys4 of histone H3 (H3K4). Culhane, J. C., and Cole, P. A. (2007). In this way, LSD1 is thought to play a role in gene silencing, since methylation of H3K4 in promoter regions is a well-established chromatin mark linked to transcriptional activation. Liang, G., et al. (2004), Heintzman, N. D., et al. (2007).
Since its discovery, LSD1 histone demethylase activity has been investigated as a pharmacologic target for cancer and other diseases. It has been found that LSD1 levels are often elevated in various cancers. Lv, T., et al. (2012), Lim, S., et al. (2010), Metzger, E., et al. (2005). Moreover, a variety of tumor suppressors that have been shown to be silenced in cancer by epigenetic mechanisms could theoretically be reactivated by LSD1 blockers, Murray-Stewart, T., et al. (2013), Huang, Y., et al. (2007), Huang, Y., et al. (2009), Jin, L., et al. (2013), as has been achieved with histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Takai, N., and Narahara, H. (2008).
LSD1 is a 90 kDa flavin-bound enzyme that belongs to the amine oxidase protein superfamily, which uses molecular oxygen as a cosubstrate and generates hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde as byproducts (FIG. 1A). Culhane, J. C., and Cole, P. A. (2007), Shi, Y., et al. (2004), Gaweska, H. (2009), Forneris, F. (2005). Based on its enzyme mechanism, LSD1 cannot demethylate trimethylated H3 Lys4 (H3K4Me3), but members of the iron-dependent Jmj histone demethylases are known to serve this function. Culhane, J. C., and Cole, P. A. (2007); Tsukada, Y., et al. (2005). In addition to the C-terminal amine oxidase catalytic domain, LSD1 also contains an N-terminal SWIRM domain and a 105 aa Tower domain insert, which is located in the amine oxidase domain that can bind CoREST.
In cells, LSD1 is often found in CoREST complexes that include HDAC½. Hakimi, M.-A., et al. (2003), Klose, R. J., et al. (2007), Hwang, S., et al. (2011), Baron, R., et al. (2011), Forneris, F. (2009). The LSD1 homolog, LSD2, also catalyzes demethylation of H3K4Me1 and H3K4Me2, but lacks the CoREST binding Tower domain insert, and exhibits significant sequence and local structure differences compared to LSD1. Zhang, Q. et al. (2013) Zhang, Q., et al. (2013), Karytinos, A., et al. (2009). Mechanistically and structurally, LSD1 also is related to the flavin-dependent monoamine oxidases (MAO A/B), as well as polyamine oxidase enzymes. Huang, Y., et al. (2009), Forneris, F., et al. (2009), Wang, Y., et al. (2003).
Several LSD1 demethylase inhibitors have been reported, including peptides (1,2), MAOIs and derivatives thereof (3-6), polyamines (7), and guanidine containing compounds (8) (FIG. 1B). Yang, M., et al. (2007), Culhane, J. C., et al. (2010), Dancy, B. C. R., et al. (2012), Tortorici, M., et al. (2013), Binda, C., et al. (2010), Mimasu, S, et al. (2010), Zhu, Q., et al. (2012), Wang, J., et al. (2011), Culhane, J. C., (2006), Pollock, J. A., et al. (2012), Gooden, D. M., et al. (2008) Dulla, B., et al. (2013), Hazeldine, S., et al. (2012).
One strategy that has shown promise has been the development of tranylcypromine analogs. Pollock, J. A., et al. (2012), Gooden, D. M., et al. (2008). Tranylcypromine is a classical MAO inhibitor used for the treatment of clinical depression, and is weakly potent as an LSD1 mechanism-based inactivator (Ki(inact) 0.5 mM, k(inact) 0.67 min−1). Yang, M., et al. (2007), Schmidt, D. M. Z., and McCafferty, D. G. (2007), Lee, M. G., et al. (2006). It has been shown, however, that tranylcypromine can be modified with the addition of an aryl attachment to produce more selective LSD1 inhibitors with enhanced potency. Binda, C., et al. (2010), Mimasu, S, et al. (2010). Further, phenelzine, a MAO inhibitor used to treat depression, has been shown to be more potent than tranylcypromine as an LSD1 inhibitor. Culhane, J. C., (2010)

Inhibitors of histone lysine specific demethylase (LSD1) and histone deacetylases (HDACS)


0.5 to 30 parts by weight of a hexagonal celsian powder is added to 100 parts by weight of a ceramic raw material powder to give a mixture. The mixture is sintered to give a ceramic porcelain so as to precipitate monoclinic celsian in the ceramic porcelain.

In high-frequency circuit radio communication devices such as cellular phones, laminated dielectric filters have been used as high-frequency circuit filters such as top filters, interstage filters for transmission, local filters, and interstage filters for reception. In the production of each laminated dielectric filter, plural molded bodies, of which a dielectric body is made, are formed with a ceramic powder, and a predetermined conductive paste is applied to each molded body to form a predetermined electrode pattern on the molded body. Then the molded bodies are laminated each other to give a laminate, and by firing the laminate, the conductive paste layer and the molded bodies are fired together, whereby the laminate is densified.
In the above step, the electrode is generally formed of a low-melting metallic conductor such as a silver-based, copper-based, or nickel-based conductor. Since the melting point of such conductor is below 1100° C., for example, and sometimes as low as about 930° C., it is necessary to sinter the dielectric body at a firing temperature lower than the melting point of the low-melting metal of which the electrode is formed.
To reduce stray capacitance, delay time and high-frequency losses of a built-in resonator and a capacitor, it is desired that the dielectric constant ∈r of low-temperature fired porcelain be lowered and the quality factor Q be increased. The present applicant has disclosed, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-211969A, a low-temperature fired porcelain having an optimum firing temperature of below 1000° C., a dielectric constant ∈r of below 10, and a quality factor Q of above 2500. This porcelain is mainly made of silica, alumina, and barium oxide, in which high-strength celsian phases are precipitated.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-12370A, by precipitating sanbornite, celsian, and cristobalite phases, the firing shrinkage of a porcelain during firing is controlled and crack occurrence within the porcelain is prevented.
Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-40668A discloses a low-temperature fired porcelain in which garnite, spinel, needle-shaped celsian crystalline phases and the like are precipitated and which has high strength, high thermal conductivity, and high Young's modulus.
However, as electronic parts are increased in frequency and decreased in size, there is an increasing demand to further enhance the fracture toughness of ceramic porcelains. In such ceramic porcelains as well, there is still an upper limit to the enhancement of the fracture toughness thereof, and thus there is a growing demand to implement the further enhancement of the fracture toughness thereof while maintaining other characteristics.

Process for production of ceramic porcelains, ceramic procelains and electronic components