The invention relates to a method for monitoring a half bridge branch (38) in a half bridge (32), said half bridge branch (38) being connected in series with another half bridge branch (36) in the half bridge (32) via a center tap (30), including the steps of: —applying an electric supply potential (24) opposite the center tap (30) at the other half bridge branch (36) to the center tap (30) according to a predefined time curve (50); and —monitoring the half bridge branch (38) on the basis of a comparison (70) of the predefined time curve (50) and an electrical output potential (52) at the center tap (30).

The invention relates generally to vehicles, in particular vehicles with electric motors. The invention relates furthermore to methods for monitoring driver circuits for actuating electric motors.
The German patent publication DE 420 91 67 A1 discloses a method for monitoring a field effect transistor in a current converter in order to detect a short circuit. The short circuit is detected on the basis of a voltage drop across the field effect transistor to be monitored.

Method for monitoring a half bridge branch in a half bridge


A process is provided to generate fluorescent molecules in the presence of target nucleic acids, but not in the absence of that target. Two probes, one bearing moiety A and the other bearing moiety B, bind to the target in a way that brings A and B together. A photon then converts A into A*, which can react with B to form a new species Z that is fluorescent. If A* does not encounter B, then A* reverts to form A. This allows the probe to have another opportunity to be activated should it be later bound near B. In one embodiment, a photoenolization creates A* as a diene; this reacts with a dienophile B in a Diels-Alder reaction. The linker Z may cause the linked probes to bind less tightly to the target, allowing the target to generate many fluorescent products, or be read through by a polymerase.

A major objective of bioanalytical chemistry is to detect small amounts of DNA or RNA in samples. These samples are, of course, routinely found in research laboratories. However, they are also found in the clinic, where they can be obtained from human patients, or in veterinary medicine, where they come from animals, or in public places (such as a post office), where they might indicate the presence of an infectious disease, or on the battlefield, where they might indicate that an adversary is using a biological warfare agent. As one moves farther from the research laboratory, the desired specifications become more demanding:    1. Sensitivity. The ultimate goal is to detect single molecules of the analyte nucleic acid, preferably without needing to amplify it (as is presently done using the polymerase chain reaction).    2. Selectivity. The ultimate goal is to detect the analyte in complex biological material, including an environment that may contain billions of other oligonucleotide sequences.    3. Cost. A cheaper analytical tool is nearly always preferable to a more expensive tool.    4. Convenience. Ideally, detection should be done in a single step.    5. Readout. The readout must be simple, recognizing that simplicity is defined in many cases by the goal. On the battlefield, for example, a visual readout is desirable. In a trap seeking the Hanta virus in rodents, for example, an electrical readout might be desired.    6. Multiplexing. It is often desirable to be able to detect multiple oligonucleotide analytes at the same time.    7. Time. A read-out in seconds or minutes is preferable to read-outs that require more time to obtain.    8. Sample preparation. None is generally desirable.    9. Reproducibility is preferably be high; false positives are preferably low.    10. Dynamic range. The ability to quantitate from a single molecule to hundreds of thousands has value in specific circumstances.
The binding of DNA, RNA and DNA analogs (collectively called "probes") to targeted natural DNA and RNA (called the "analyte" molecules, herein referred to as "N") offers a step in a process that might be used to detect natural analyte molecules and, thereby, might support an assay that infers the presence of the living system that carries that analyte. Probes have been used for 40 years for this purpose, with their use accelerating as synthetic DNA became readily available in the early 1980's.
A variety of architectures are available to exploit the binding of analyte molecule to a probe molecule to generate a detectable readout as a consequence of that binding. These can be classified in various ways. One classification counts the number of probe molecules that are used in the assay. Thus, many architectures for detecting DNA sequences use a single probe molecule. Another class of architectures, however, uses the binding between an analyte and two probe molecules to generate the readout. Here, the most common feature allows the analyte molecule to bring the two probe molecules together in space. Once so arranged, the proximity between the two probes is then used as the basis for the generation of the read-out.
One well known example of this architecture is the "binary beacon". Here, one of the two probes brought into proximity carries a fluorescence energy donor, while the second carries a fluorescence energy acceptor. Only when the two are held in proximity by hybridization to the analyte is fluorescent resonant energy transferred efficiently between the two. This process was demonstrated some time ago by Cardullo et al. [Car88] in vitro (see also review by [Tsi93]). Tsuji et al. used the FRET strategy to observe human c-fos mRNA inside a living transfected Cos7 cell [Tsu01]. With the efficiency of fluorescent resonance energy dropping with the sixth power of the distance between the energy donor and the energy acceptor, close proximity effected by having both molecules bind to the probe is an important contributor to the efficiency.
This work also illustrated many reasons why this analytical task is difficult. First, the secondary structure of an mRNA (if this is the analyte) itself is problematic. These workers identified by experiment a 40 mer sequence that hybridized with high efficiency to probes 15-20 nucleotides in length. To prevent the tagged DNA probes from accumulating in the nucleus, they bound them to streptavidin, which allowed them to be stable in the cytoplasm for over 30 minutes. This is, of course, a problem general to any method that hopes to detect an analyte by exploiting a probe.
Other issues relate to the sensitivity of this approach. Even without resonant energy transfer, a small amount of fluorescence is generally created by the second fluor even if the excitation wavelength is not optimally suited for direct excitation. This creates background noise. Thus, Tsuji et al. microinjected approximately 105 molecules into the cells that they studied, and were able to detect a specific mRNA only if it was present at ca. 10,000 copies of per cell [Tsu01]. They noted that both the fluorescence of the unhybridized fluorescent molecules introduced into the cell, as well as background autofluorescence of components naturally in the cell, limited the signal-to-noise ratio that might be achieved by this approach. They noted that the latter might be reduced by examining fluorescence species that absorb and emit at longer wavelengths. To seek the FRET signal above the noise arising from unhybridized fluroescent probes, Tsuji et al. also explored time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy [Tsu01].
Fluorescence readout is not the only way to generate a read-out as a consequence of the binding of two probes in adjacent positions on an analyte molecule. For example, such binding might lead to the formation of a covalent bond between the two probe molecules. Examples of this process have been available for over 20 years [Kie86]. More recently, Xu and Kool [Xu97] replaced the 5′-hydroxyl group on a DNA fragment by an iodo group on the 5′-end of one probe, and placed a phosphorothioate on the 3′-end of the second probe. Binding the two to an analyte molecule N on adjacent segments of the oligonucleotides sequence brought the reactive electrophilic center (the carbon attached to the iodine) into proximity to the reactive nucleophilic center, and facilitated their reaction to make a covalent phosphothioate diester bond. Here, the reaction is faster because the two species having complementary reactivity are held together by hybridization to the analyte.
While in widespread use, such strategies suffer from the intrinsic background reaction between nucleophile and electrophile as they come into contact in the absence of the analyte molecule. This renders most of the architectures laboratory curiosities.
As recently as 2002, various groups have attempted to carve out intellectual property from this basic idea. For example, Liu, Gartner and Calderone (United States Patent Application 20040180412) have claimed a method of inducing reaction between first and second reactive units attached to oligonucleotides probes by using a nucleic acid-templated chemical reaction. Their method comprised the steps of: (a) providing (i) a template comprising a first reactive unit associated with a first oligonucleotide comprising a codon and (ii) a transfer unit comprising a second reactive unit associated with a second oligonucleotide comprising an anti-codon capable of annealing to said codon, wherein said codon or said anti-codon comprise first and second spaced apart regions; (b) annealing said oligonucleotides together thereby to bring said first reactive unit and said second reaction unit into reactive proximity, wherein said codon or said anti-codon having said first and second spaced apart regions produce a loop of oligonucleotides not annealed to the corresponding anti-codon or codon; and (c) inducing a covalent bond-forming reaction between said reactive units to produce a reaction product. This was proposed to be a tool for generating libraries of organic molecules for the purpose of chemical screening.
A consideration of thermodynamics provides a theoretical perspective on such approaches, insight into why they will not have high utility as they are presently implemented, and ideas for alternative implementations that are more likely to be useful. First, if the untemplated joining of two molecules is to be avoided, energy that drives (either from a kinetic or a thermodynamic perspective) the ligation reaction cannot be intrinsically present in the reactive species at the ends of the probes. Rather, this energy must be introduced from time to time to create an activated probe ready to form a covalent bond with the capture probe, and then be dissipated. The rate of energy dissipation must be slow enough to allow the formation of the desired covalent link between the two probe molecules if they are preorganized, held together by binding to the analyte. If they are not pre-organized, however, however, the energy must be dissipated before the activated probe molecule finds its reaction partner by diffusion in solution. This can be had by having the activated moiety react harmlessly with bulk assay components (for example, the water in the assay).
Further, the architecture is most effectively implemented if the dissipation restores the activated probe to a state identical to that before activation. This conserves the probe, allowing it to have another opportunity to be activated again in the future, when it is possibly bound near its capture probe to an analyte molecule.
This activation can, of course, come from adding a chemical reagent. Several of these are contemplated in the invention described below. The preferred implementation of this strategy, however, is use of a photon to activate an activatable moiety on one of the probes.

Activated joining of nucleic acid probes


A conveying installation has a conveying belt and also has drums, load-bearing rollers, load-bearing frameworks, and a transfer section. The conveying installation forms a material-conveying upper strand, with a transfer location for the conveying material, and an at least material-free lower strand. The transfer location contains at least one wear-protection system which contains at least one foamed polymer mix.

The material to be conveyed in the context of a conveyor is applied, in the form of a free-flowing solid for example, at a transfer section by means of a transfer hopper onto the conveyor belt. Transfer sections of this generic type, also termed input sections or input units, have been known for a long time: these are described by way of example in DE 10 2010 005 852 A1, DE 2 321 025, DE 1 756 248, DE 697 992, DE 444 099, DD 292 887 A5, DD 254 182 A1, DD 253 234 A1, or DD 245 177 A1.
The transfer section often comprises at least one transfer hopper. However, it can also take the form of chute, downpipe, or slide.
The transfer section part that is in direct contact with the material to be conveyed is mostly provided with a wear-protection system. The wear-protection system serves inter alia to reduce damage to the surfaces, which are often composed of metal, in particular in the case of transfer hoppers and of downpipes. The metal is thus also protected from corrosion. The wear-protection system moreover absorbs the energy of impact of the conveyed materials on the application location (shock absorption). The wear-protection system is mostly composed of a rubber mixture comprising at least one rubber component or one rubber component blend, at least one crosslinking agent or one crosslinking system comprising a crosslinking agent and an accelerator, and also mostly other mixture ingredients, in particular at least one filler and/or at least one processing aid and/or at least one aging inhibitor and/or at least one plasticizer and/or other additional substances (for example, fibers, color pigments). By virtue of the vulcanization of the rubber mixture, the wear-protection system obtains the required resilient properties.
The resilient properties serve inter alia for the absorption of the energy of impact of the materials conveyed (shock absorption). This shock absorption, that is, the reduction of the energy of impact, impacts the life time of the input section, and also of the conveyor belt.

Conveying installation having an impact-absorption-resistant wear-protection means


A ski having a composite structure. The ski includes a first element, a second element, an injected core positioned between the first element and the second element, with a polymer film positioned between the injected core and at least one of the first element and the second element, which is in contact with the film through a reinforcement component. The ski is produced by a process of providing on the internal surface of the first and/or second elements a solid compatibilizer film. The film forms an interface between an injected foam and the first and/or second elements to promote adherence.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of skis utilized in winter sports, which are adapted to slide on snow and ice.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Skis in current use generally have a composite structure in which different materials are combined in a manner such that each of the materials functions in an optimal fashion, taking into account the distribution of mechanical stresses. Thus, the structure generally comprises peripheral protection elements forming the upper surface and lateral surfaces of the ski, and internal resistance elements or resistance blades, comprising a material having a high mechanical resistance and high rigidity. The structure likewise comprises filling elements such as cores having a honeycomb structure, a sliding sole forming the lower surface of the ski and ensuring good sliding on snow, and the metallic edges forming the lower corners of the ski.
To obtain the appropriate physical characteristics, the manufacturer of modern skis relies upon very diverse materials. To this end, the sliding soles are generally made of polyethylene; the honeycomb cores are made of synthetic foam; the edges are made out of steel; the upper surfaces of the ski are formed of thermoplastic sheets; and the resistance blades are plates of metal or fiber reinforced resins.
A ski is subjected to severe mechanical stresses, requiring good adherence between the various materials constituting the structure.
In the traditional manufacturing techniques of skis by injection, one positions in the interior cavity of a mold, against the peripheral walls of the cavity, the upper and lower elements of the ski, and, if necessary, the lateral elements, and one injects, in the space thus defined by the internal surfaces of the elements, the components of a hardenable foam such as polyurethane foam or phenolic foam. After expanding and hardening the foam assures the assembly of the elements.
The difficulty resides in the fact that the hardenable foams have mediocre adherence properties with a certain number of materials adapted to constitute the structure of the ski or have certain incompatibilities with these materials. Particularly, one can construct the interior mechanical reinforcement elements of the ski, or resistance blades, from layers of fibrous material pre-impregnated with thermosetting or thermoplastic resin, in an advantageous manner. When such a pre-impregnated element forms the interior surface of the space adapted to be filled with hardenable foam, the foam tends to infiltrate across the pre-impregnated fibrous material which produces both a substantial alteration of the mechanical resistance properties of the reinforcement element and adherence defects between the core made out of hardenable foam and the other materials of the ski.


A high resolution digital thermometer capable of measuring temperature differences on the order of several micro-degrees centigrade. The device includes a bridge circuit having two thermistors in series. An output of the bridge circuit feeds a signal to an analog-to-digital convertor via a high gain amplifier. A computer maintains the balance of the bridge circuit to avoid a situation wherein the range of the analog-to-digital convertor would be exceeded.

A number of digital thermometers exist which have accuracy limitations on the order of one to one hundred milli-degrees centigrade. The accuracy limitations of such digital thermometers is mainly due to quantizing error and noise of analog-to-digital convertors which follow thermistor bridges, or by inherent limitations associated with other arrangements and techniques.
The follow U.S. patents are considered by applicants to represent the closest state of the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,869 to Sudnick et al discloses a transducer amplifier with automatic balance for strain gages and other transducers in quarter, half or full bridge configurations which provides an analog output suited for measurement, control or display purposes. The amplifier includes temperature compensation provided by a silicon PN junction whose voltage-temperature characteristic is used to effect the offset of an integrated circuit amplifier stage. A signal for zero balance is derived from the amplifier output which is sampled and retained in an analog to digital converter and reconverted to analog form.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,214 to Keith discloses a digital clinical thermometer which includes a thermistor scaling amplifier 9 having a thermistor which is a temperature sensitive transducer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,728 to Joyce et al discloses a clinical thermometer. The instrument is calibrated by placing a known resistance in a bridge circuit in place of the resistance of the line cord and the resistance within tip 36 of probe 30.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,063 to West et al discloses an electromechanical digital thermometer. In operation, temperature probe 10 is placed in a patient's mouth causing the thermistor therein to change resistance. This causes unbalance in bridge 13 amplified by amplifiers 14 and 15 and thus driving motor 21. Shaft 25 then takes up a new position until resistance of potentiometer 26 fed back to the bridge balances the new value of the thermistor resistance. The angular portion of the shaft 25 and coding disc 22 is indicative of the temperature of the thermistor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,042 to Lynch discloses an error compensating network for a digital display thermometer in which a thermocouple is connected to one input of a differential amplifier disposed in a feedback configuration with a voltage-to-current converter for providing a signal current that is a measure of the temperature within a region being monitored by the thermocouple junction. A terminal of the thermocouple outside of the monitored region is directly connected through voltage dividing resistors to the differential amplifier and an active element of the converter to nullify the error introduced by ambient temperature variations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,117 to Muramoto et al discloses a measuring apparatus wherein an amplifier is connected between a bridge circuit and an analog to digital converter followed by a data processor and display device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,848 to Parfitt discloses an analog to digital converter circuit which uses a CMOS multiplexer, an analog to digital convertor and an operational amplifier buffer which is controlled by a single chip microprocessor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,785 to Packard et al discloses a cordless electronic thermometer with a bridge circuit consisting of a thermistor 38 and resistors 35, 36 and 37, which feeds a signal to an analog to digital converter. A memory unit is provided for storing temperature data. A processing unit is provided for calculating the temperature of a patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,162 to Ferber et al discloses a wide range linear to log converter with a microcomputer control. The microcomputer provides slope corrections and applies the output corrections for offsets due to the circuit components and ambient temperature compensation for increased precision.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,692 to Baumann discloses a circuit for measuring and digitizing the value of a resistance. The resistance to be measured is both a component of an A/D converter which operates in accord with the charge balancing network and is also a component of the resistance network bridge. The circuit permits both a pure resistance measurement and attainment of a composite measured value from a plurality of measured values.
In spite of the developments and advance in the prior art, there remains a need for a high resolution digital thermometer capable of measuring temperature difference on the order of several micro-degrees centigrade.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services


A baler having a baling chamber of rectangular cross section includes a bale ejection arrangement that is mounted adjacent a bottom wall of a rear section of the baling chamber. The bale ejection arrangement comprises a plurality of transversely spaced, upper and lower pairs of laths. The upper and lower pairs of laths are interconnected by triangular shaped conveyor elements that are retracted from the baling chamber when the upper and lower pairs of laths abut each other. An extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator is coupled for simultaneously effecting longitudinal shifting movement of each of the lower pairs of laths, and as the actuator extends, the conveyor elements first raise into the baling chamber and then the upper and lower pairs of laths are moved as a unit so that any crop located in the baling chamber is advanced to the rear and removed from the baling chamber.

WO-A96 29 196 shows a baler with a bale ejection arrangement for the ejection of bales from a baling chamber. The ejection arrangement is equipped with conveyor elements that can be brought out of a first position, in which the conveyor elements are arranged outside of the baling chamber, into a second position in which the conveyor elements project into the baling chamber by means of spring action, in order to engage a bale.
The problem underlying the invention is seen in the fact that the conveyor elements of such bale ejection arrangements on balers do not project into the bale or project only to an inadequate degree and do not convey the bale or do so non-uniformly, or that damage to the bale can result from jams, for example, in the form of wet harvested crop, branches, stones etc. due to particularly densely compressed bales or metal fatigue of the spring.

Bale ejection arrangement for large square baler


A speaker assembly aimable relative to a remote target. The speaker assembly comprising a sound generating device configured to project sound in a sound pattern about a sound axis. A speaker aiming device is coupled to the sound generating device for use in visually aiming the sound generating device relative to the remote target. The speaker aiming device having first and second aiming portions spaced apart from each other and positioned along an aiming axis in a fixed orientation relative to the sound axis. The first and second aiming portions being positioned to allow a user to visually see along the aiming axis past the first and second portions aiming device to the remote target.

Loudspeaker assemblies project sound in a pattern based in part upon the size and shape of the speaker components. Large loudspeakers are often used in public venues, such as cinemas, to provide high quality sound into the cinema's viewing area. Conventional cinema screens are perforated so they are substantially acoustically transparent. Loudspeaker assemblies are typically mounted behind the screen at about two thirds the screen's height and project sound forwardly toward the seating or viewing area. The loudspeaker assemblies can be positioned to enhance the illusion that the sound is emanating from the visual images on the screen. The loudspeaker assemblies, however, are typically large, heavy, and cumbersome to manipulate during installation behind the screen.
The loudspeaker assemblies are designed to create broad sound patterns that cover the seating area when the loudspeaker assemblies are properly aimed. The process of aiming the loudspeaker assemblies is often very tedious and inexact. The aiming process is often completed by iterations over a series of manual estimates between a person in the seating area listening to the sound emanating from behind the screen and another person physically moving the loudspeaker. Aiming systems having a laser mounted to the loudspeaker assembly have been used to aim the loudspeaker. These laser aiming systems, however, increase the cost of the loudspeaker. And, the cinema screen typically blocks the laser light, even though the screen is perforated. The present invention, embodiments of which are discussed below and shown in FIGS. 1-10, overcome the drawbacks experienced in the prior art.


The present invention provides a new aluminum alloy material which may be used for a core alloy of a corrosion-resistant brazing sheet. This core alloy displays with high strength, and good corrosion resistance for use in heat exchangers. This aluminum alloy material was made by direct chill (DC) casting. The present inventions also provides corrosion-resistant brazing sheet packages including the aluminum alloy material as a core and one or more cladding layers.

Metal tubing used in heat exchangers is prone to exhibit corrosion over time. To address this problem, some commercially available forms of tubing are made from a zincated microport extrusion. In this process, the microport tubes are usually sprayed with pure zinc as the tubes exit the extrusion press. However, the coverage of the tubes with zinc can be inconsistent and the tubes are expensive to produce. Furthermore, these extrusions can exhibit low strength in the post braze condition. Alternative alloys for use in preparing the tubing are desirable.
The long life (LL) core alloy is known in the prior art and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,939. This LL core alloy contains the following elements, all expressed in weight percent (wt %): not more than 0.15% Si; not more than 0.4% Fe; up to 0.1% Ti; 0.5-1.0% Cu; 0.7-1.5% Mn; up to 0.8% Mg; up to 0.3% V and/or up to 0.3% Cr. Studies have shown that the LL core alloy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,939 suffers from perforation and failure after 3 weeks in accelerated airside corrosion tests. Thus, there is a need for a brazing sheet core alloy with high strength, corrosion resistance and scrap metal absorbing tolerance for use in heat exchanger applications, for example automotive heat exchangers. The use of more alternative metals containing Fe and Si in the input metal for formation of the alloy can reduce cost and increase recycling capacity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Brazing sheet core alloy for heat exchanger


The present invention relates to an aqueous ink for ink jet recording and a water dispersion for ink jet recording, including water-insoluble vinyl polymer particles containing a colorant, the water-insoluble vinyl polymer being a water-insoluble vinyl polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture of:                (A) a monomer represented by the formula (I):

An ink jet recording system is a recording system in which ink liquid droplets are jetted directly on a recording member from very fine nozzles and made to adhere to the recording member to obtain characters and images. This system has not only the advantage that the device to be used has a low noise and good operability but also has the advantage that coloration is easy and plain paper can be used as recording members and is therefore widely used. As ink used for an ink jet printer, pigment or hydrophobic dye type ink has been developed or used in recent years to improve water fastness and light fastness.
However, the pigment or hydrophobic dye ink scarcely remains on the surface of plain paper, posing a problem as to reduced optical density. Also, there is the problem that if the content of a pigment or a hydrophobic dye is increased in an ink formulation, the viscosity of ink is increased, giving rise to the problem concerning a deterioration in ink jetting ability and preserving stability.
In pigment ink, it is proposed, for example, that a polymer containing a polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate monomer and α,β-ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acid is added in order to improve printing quality and optical density (JP-A 6-306317 and the equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,098) and that a polymer dispersant containing a polyethylene glycol(meth)acrylate monomer or a poly(trimethylene glycol)(meth)acrylate monomer (JP-A 2000-144031) and the like is added to improve dispersibility and preserving stability. It is also proposed that macromer is compounded to improve high light fastness and high optical density (WO-A 00/39226 and the equivalent EP-A 1059341). Moreover, for example, aqueous ink containing a water dispersion of polymer particles of a water-insoluble vinyl polymer of a monomer using a combination of an ethylene oxide and a propylene oxide which ink has excellent water fastness, rub fastness and dispersion stability is proposed (JP-A 2004-2662 and the equivalent EP-A 1323789).

Water dispersion and ink jet recording ink

Abstract: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms or an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms in which a phenyl group is substituted for a hydrogen atom thereof, n denotes a number from 2 to 30 and R3 represents a straight or branched alkyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms;                (B) a monomer containing a salt-forming monomer; and (C) a hydrophobic monomer.


Tools and methods are provided for determining whether or not a dog is genetically normal, is a carrier of, or is affected with or predisposed to progressive rod-cone degeneration. The method is based on the detection of a transversion from G to A at position corresponding to nucleotide position 1298 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a heterogeneous class of retinal disorders that share a broadly similar clinical disease phenotype, and affect the dog (Canis familiaris) (Aguirre, 1976). The clinical features include: initial night blindness followed by reduction in photopic vision leading to complete blindness; reduction in retinal vessels, and retinal thinning; abnormalities in an electroretinogram ("ERG"); and the development of cataracts. Diseases of this group are typically inherited by means of an autosomal recessive gene defect although dominant and X-linked forms of PRA also are recognized (Kijas et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2002). PRA may be classified into developmental and degenerative diseases. The developmental class comprises several genetically distinct diseases expressed cytologically in the immediate postnatal period when visual cells in the canine retina begin to differentiate (Acland et al. 1989). In contrast, the degenerative class represents defects in which photoreceptor cells degenerate after having differentiated normally—this class includes the specific disease termed progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd). This specific form of PRA is an autosomal recessively inherited, late-onset retinal degenerations affecting several different breeds of dog (Aguirre and Acland, 1988).
Mutations at the prcd 'gene locus account for all of the autosomal recessive late-onset hereditary retinal degenerations recognized to date in dogs. By cross-breeding experiments, it has been determined that the prcd gene locus is responsible for progressive retinal atrophy in poodles (toy, and miniature), cocker spaniels (American, and English), Labrador retrievers, and Portuguese water dogs (see, e.g., Aguirre and Acland, 1988, Aguirre and Acland, 1991; Pearce-Kelling et al., 2002). Cross-breeding experiments suggest the same mutation in the F04 gene (which is gene responsible for prcd) is also present in several other breeds either in dogs affected with prcd; or carriers of the disorder. However, based on clinical and genetic parameters consistent with disease caused by mutations at the prcd gene locus, other breeds of dogs suspected of having prcd as the form of observed progressive retinal atrophy include akita, basenji, border collie, English mastiff, English springer spaniel, Havanese, lowchen, samoyed, standard wirehaired dachshund, Tibetan terriers, Bernese mountain dog, and miniature schnauzer. Depending on the breed of the dog, different mutations responsible for allelic variants of the prcd gene locus can regulate the rate of progression, but not the phenotype, of photoreceptor degeneration.
Clinical diagnosis of prcd disease is complicated by the need for sophisticated testing methods such as ERG, and by the late onset of the disease. The age at which the disease can be diagnosed by current methods may be past the dog's reproductive life. For example, in English cocker spaniels, progressive retinal atrophy may be diagnosed by ERG at three years of age, and by opthalmoscopy at 5-8 years of age. This late age of diagnosis results in the dissemination of the undesirable trait within the population, and an increase in the disease frequency.
The estimated prevalence of progressive rod-cone degeneration differs among affected breeds. It is believed that approximately 2% of Labrador retrievers more than 2 to 3 years old are affected with progressive rod-cone degeneration; if so, then the proportion of Labrador retrievers expected to be heterozygous at the prcd locus could be as high as 24%. In poodles and cocker spaniels, the disease rate is higher than that observed in Labrador retrievers, and hence, the carrier rate would be expected to be higher. From the results of a survey of Portuguese water dogs, the calculated carrier frequency is approximately 40%.
Traditional measures for controlling inherited diseases in a population included performing "test" matings to identify carrier dogs, and to eliminate the identified carriers from breeding programs, thereby reducing the frequency of genetic disease in a breed. In a test mating, the dog being evaluated as a potential carrier of the genetic disease is mated with a dog known to be affected with the disease. Progeny are then observed for absence or presence of the disease, and a litter equal to or larger than 6, all of which are unaffected offspring, typically "clears" the dog from being a carrier. While test matings have been effectively used for breeds having large litter sizes, and for diseases which are early onset, such a procedure is not practical for reducing the frequency of prcd. In addition to the disadvantages of test matings such as great expenses in time and effort incurred to clear a dog and that affected dogs can be born if the dog to be evaluated is a carrier, test matings are not particularly suited for detection of carriers of prcd because of the late onset of clinical symptoms associated with the disease, and because some of the breeds affected have small litters (too small for establishing statistical probability).
Although the gene carrying the mutation or mutations that cause prcd has previously been unknown, genetic linkage studies in prcd families have shown that the gene that causes the disease in dogs resides on the centromeric end of canine chromosome 9, an area that is homologous to the telomeric end of the long arm of human chromosome 17 (Acland et al., 1999; Sidjanin et al., 2003).
In spite of the extensive efforts in the art to find the gene responsible for prcd, until now the gene has remained elusive. Identification, isolation, cloning, and sequencing of the prcd gene would enable the design and manufacture of products useful for the diagnosis and screening for prcd. Therefore, there has been an ongoing need in the canine breeding industry for a genetic test that permits direct identification of dogs that have the prcd form of progressive retinal atrophy (e.g., before detectable onset of clinical symptoms), as well as permitting the genotyping of dogs at risk for prcd to establish if they are affected, carriers or genetically normal.

Identification of the gene and mutation responsible for progressive rod-cone degeneration in dog and a method for testing same


An acoustical barrier (10) for a vehicle having a barrier wall which includes a floor area (23) and a fire wall area (25) extending between a wheel well area (41) and a drive train area (42). The acoustical barrier (10) includes a mass layer (12) that covers at least a portion of the barrier wall. The mass layer (12) has an inner surface (16) that faces the barrier wall with an integrally formed peripheral rib (52) projecting therefrom. A first set of elongate ribs (48) intersects and joins with a second set of elongate ribs (50). The first and second sets of elongate ribs (48, 50) are located within the enclosed area. Each elongate rib (48, 50) includes an upper portion integrally formed with the inner surface (16) of the mass layer and a lower portion with an outer edge (54, 60) adapted to at least face the barrier wall. Each elongate rib (48) of the first set of ribs also has opposite ends integrally formed with the peripheral rib (52) to thereby strengthen the peripheral rib against bending moments due to compression forces applied to the outer surface of the mass layer. Each elongate rib (50) of the second set of ribs has opposite ends integrally formed with either adjacent ribs (48) of the first set of ribs or the peripheral rib (52) and an adjacent rib (48) of the first set of ribs to thereby further strengthen the peripheral rib (52) against bending moments. The first set of ribs projects from the inner surface of the mass layer a greater distance than the second set of ribs to provide increasing levels of impact resistance to the outer surface of the mass layer.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a sound insulating layer for a vehicle, and more particularly to a dash mat having an integrally formed dead pedal and/or integrally molded compression ribs in the podalic areas of the vehicle.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In most contemporary automobiles, a steel fire wall separates the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. To reduce the transmission of sound from the engine compartment through the fire wall and into the passenger compartment, a sound barrier mat (otherwise known as a dash mat) is typically molded as a single piece of an elastomeric material of substantially uniform thickness with limited impact absorption qualities. The dash mat is mounted to and substantially overlies the fire wall such that an outer surface of the mat is in contact with a bottom surface of the vehicle carpet and extends beyond the carpet to an upper portion of the fire wall behind the instrument panel. A vehicle dead pedal, which serves as a foot rest for a driver, is typically formed of steel or plastic and is subsequently installed with fasteners on the wheel well of a vehicle. An opening or protrusion in the dash mat is then aligned over the dead pedal and the dash mat is attached with separate fasteners to the fire wall. Installation of the dead pedal and dash mat in this manner requires a plurality of different parts and fasteners. The plurality of parts and fasteners results in increased inventory, expense, and installation time.

Sound insulating layer with integral rib structure


A positive locking machine screw mechanism comprises a screw having a head and a body wherein the body includes male threads formed thereon wherein the threaded body has at least one longitudinal segment devoid of threads. A work piece defines a hole having female threads formed therein for receiving the screw and further defines in a portion of the hole, at least one longitudinally extending segment devoid of female threads. The longitudinal screw segment devoid of male threads and the longitudinal hole segment devoid of female threads are arranged such that the screw body is longitudinally received in the hole without engagement of the male screw threads with the female work piece threads.

Threaded fasteners are one of the most common mechanical fastening systems in use today. While bolts and nuts are typically the primary threaded fasteners, screws are just as common and important in the construction of mechanisms consumers use in multitudes of ways every day. A screw is used when, instead of a work piece being clamped between a nut and the head of the fastener, a portion of the work piece is internally threaded and the screw is torqued into the work piece itself. As with all threaded fasteners, screws torqued into engagement with an internally threaded work piece are subject to loosening over time and, as with threaded nuts and bolts, numerous devices have been incorporated to prevent such loosening. In the particular case of eyeglasses, the screws securing the temples and lenses often loosen followed by the undesired consequence of a temple falling off or a lens falling out.
The causes of such loosening in eyewear are varied. The repeated opening and closing of the temples by rotating the temple about the screw retaining it to the frame of the glasses will induce rotational loosening. Thermal gradients in the environment have a more pronounced effect on the female thread in which the screw is received than on the male threaded screw thus resulting in additional loosening forces. In other applications of screws being torqued into a work piece, vibration or dilation will also cause the screw to loosen over time. Often these screws are located in areas that are difficult to access, or may even be totally inaccessible to being retightened.
Prior attempts to overcome these loosening forces have included the addition of a smaller set screw, or locking screw, that is threaded through the side of the work piece into interfering perpendicular contact with the threads of the screw. However, a locking screw is subject to the same loosening forces as the primary screw and can be difficult and expensive to install. Additionally, in the case when the primary screw is relatively small, adding a set screw becomes impractical. Various types of liquid metal on metal glues have been utilized, but over time the effectiveness of these substances is questionable. Lock washers also have mixed success results.
Another problem encountered with machine screws not typically found with regular nuts and bolts is that a machine screw will often engage a greater number of threads in the work piece than in a standard nut of the same size, or in other cases, will require a screw of a significant threaded length necessitating numerous revolutions within the threads to reach a final torqued placement. Mechanical locking systems incorporating deformed threads to interferingly lock the fastener in place become disadvantageous in these circumstances. With long threaded fasteners or numerous internal threads engaged by the fastener, the significant number of turns required to finally torque the fastener will either totally defeat the deformation feature by the time final torqueing is accomplished or the extended sustained torqueing force applied to the fastener head will often damage the head making a final torqueing impossible and requiring an undesired replacement.
Thus, what is desired is a mechanism for quickly positioning and locking screws torqued into a threaded hole in a work piece and wherein the mechanism will reliably maintain the desired engagement of the screw in the receiving hole throughout the life of the apparatus on which it is installed.

Positive locking machine screw mechanism


A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word is based upon a stacking construction that is generalized for the communication channel. The communication channel is characterized as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) block fading channel. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes a plurality of transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which has a plurality of receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the plurality of receive antennas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coding in a communication system, and is more particularly related to space-time codes having spatial diversity and temporal diversity.
2. Discussion of the Background
Given the constant demand for higher system capacity of wireless systems, multiple antenna systems have emerged to increase system bandwidth vis-à-vis single antenna systems. In multiple antenna systems, data is parsed into multiple streams, which are simultaneously transmitted over a corresponding quantity of transmit antennas. At the receiving end, multiple receive antennas are used to reconstruct the original data stream. To combat the detrimental effects of the communication channel, communication engineers are tasked to develop channel codes that optimize system reliability and throughput in a multiple antenna system.
To minimize the effects of the communication channel, which typically is Rayleigh, space-time codes have been garnered significant attention. Rayleigh fading channels introduce noise and attenuation to such an extent that a receiver may not reliably reproduce the transmitted signal without some form of diversity; diversity provides a replica of the transmitted signal. Space-time codes are two dimensional channel codes that exploit spatial transmit diversity, whereby the receiver can reliably detect the transmitted signal. Conventional designs of space-time codes have focused on maximizing spatial diversity in quasi-static fading channels and fast fading channels. However, real communication systems exhibit channel characteristics that are somewhere between quasi-static and fast fading. Accordingly, such conventional space-time codes are not optimized.
Further, other approaches to space-time code design assume that channel state information (CSI) are available at both the transmitter and receiver. Thus, a drawback of such approaches is that the design requires the transmitter and receiver to have knowledge of the CSI, which increases implementation costs because of the need for additional hardware. Moreover, these approaches view the transmit diversity attending the use of space-time codes as a substitute for time diversity; consequently, such space-time codes are not designed to take advantage of other forms of diversity.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for improved approaches for providing space-time codes that can be utilized in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) block fading channel. There is also a need to design space-time codes that can exploit spatial diversity as well as time diversity. There is also a need to improve system reliability without reducing transmission rate. There is a further need to simplify the receiver design. Therefore, an approach for constructing space-time codes that can enhance system reliability and throughput in a multiple antenna system is highly desirable.

Method and system for utilizing space-time codes for block fading channels


In particular, one embodiment of the present invention provides an organic electroluminescent display which comprises a light emitting device formed on a lower insulating substrate, and an upper substrate mounted to encapsulate the light emitting device, wherein the upper substrate is provided with a desiccant, the desiccant being formed with at least one hole passing through the desiccant.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates to organic electroluminescent displays (OLEDs) generally, and, more particularly, to an OLED containing a desiccant formed with holes therein which prevent bubbles from forming when the desiccant is adhered to a substrate or other substantially planar surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
OLEDs offer a thinner dimension, wider viewing angle, lighter weight, smaller size, quicker response time, and lower power consumption, as compared to a cathode ray tube (CRT) display or liquid crystal display (LCD). Moreover, OLEDs can be easily fabricated using simple manufacturing processes because its simple structure includes only three major elements, namely an anode electrode, an organic material layer, and a cathode electrode. Because of these and other advantages OLEDs are emerging as the next generation of flat panel displays.
In an OLED configured in the conventional manner, an organic light emitting device is formed on a lower insulating substrate, with an upper substrate disposed above the organic light emitting device.
A significant disadvantage associated with this configuration is that materials used to form the organic light emitting layer and cathode electrode have insufficient resistance against moisture and/or oxidation. This weakness deteriorates the reliability of the display over time. In particular, internal oxidation and/or accumulation of moisture causes areas of the display to become non-emissive. Such non-emissive areas are called "dark spots". As time goes by, the dark spots spread to neighboring areas and eventually destroy the entire display.
In an attempt to solve the foregoing problem, a conventional OLED encapsulates the organic light emitting layer and the cathode electrode to protect them against moisture and oxygen. The process involves forming a desiccant placing recess in an encapsulation substrate made of a glass material; adhering a desiccant in the recess; and bonding the encapsulation substrate to an insulating substrate with a sealant. The bonding process is performed in an inert gas such as nitrogen (N2), argon (Ar) or the like, to prevent the encapsulation of atmospheric moisture and oxygen.
Conventionally, the desiccant material is formed on a layer of adhesive material and to a thickness of about 200 μm. The desiccant material is made of barium oxide (BaO), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), calcium oxide (CaO), phosphor oxide (P2O5), Zeolite, Silicagel, Alumina, and like elements and compounds which eliminate moisture by physisorption or chemisorption.
A significant disadvantage of using the method described above is that a gas trapped between the desiccant and a substrate will form bubbles as the desiccant is adhered to the substrate. The bubbles place portions of the desiccant into contact with the organic light emitting device, which is problematic because the moisture accumulated by the desiccant eventually penetrates the organic light emitting device and makes it non-emissive.
Conventional attempts to solve the bubble problem included forming a deep desiccant placing recess to a depth of about 350 μm. This depth prevented protruding and non-protruding areas of the bubble-deformed desiccant from contacting the light-emitting device. However, because the thickness of the substrate is proportional to the depth of the desiccant placing recess, the deep desiccant placing recess necessitates a thick substrate. This, in turn, creates a heavier OLED.

Organic electroluminescent display having desiccant layer including at least one hole


Disclosed is a multi-function block for a snow sliding apparatus for enabling sliding on a surface of snow. The multi-function block is provided between a deck, constituting part of the snow sliding apparatus, and a bottom surface of a binding or boot, and spaces the binding or boot apart from the deck. A plurality of first fastening holes is formed in the multi-function block. At least any one of the deck, the binding and the boot is fastened to the plurality of first fastening holes. The first fastening holes are formed through at least any one of outside surfaces of the multi-function block. The multi-function block is formed in a three-dimensional shape having at least one pair of parallel outside surfaces.

The present invention relates generally to a snow sliding apparatus, and more particularly to a snow sliding apparatus that can slide along the surface of snow, can alter the height of a boot in various manners, and can protect its edges.
Sports using apparatuses that enable sliding along the surface of snow are represented by skiing and snowboarding. Skis refers to an apparatus that enables a user to wear them on his or her feet and to adjust a direction using skis and ski sticks, and a snowboard refers to an apparatus that enables a user to ride with his or her feet on a single deck.
Furthermore, recently, pieces of equipment that are used with apparatuses having a short length worn on both feet of users without requiring separate ski sticks, such as a skiboard, have been developed and used.
Of these pieces of equipment, equipment having relatively short lengths, such as a snowboard and a skiboard, enables various techniques, and thus have been recently attracting a lot of attention.
In the case of these sliding apparatuses, users have the sensation of speed and the sensation of manipulation differing depending on the height between boots and a deck during riding. In particular, in the state in which boots are somewhat spaced apart from the surface of snow, the sensation of speed is increased, and manipulation, such as rotating manipulation, etc., is facilitated.
However, inconvenience arises in that in order to space boots apart from the surface of snow, deformation is required to increase the height of a deck itself or increase the bottoms of boots, and also a problem arises in that once boots have been spaced apart from the surface of snow by a specific height, deformation required to decrease or increase the height is difficult to perform.
Furthermore, since these various types of snow sliding apparatuses require different types of boots, various problems arise when different types of boots are applied to snow sliding apparatuses. For example, when the width of boots is larger than that of a deck, the bottom surfaces of the boots of a snow sliding apparatus generate friction with the surface of snow, and thus a problem arises in that a user cannot easily ride using the snow sliding apparatus.
Meanwhile, various techniques can be implemented using the snow sliding apparatuses. Of these high-level techniques, there are techniques using obstacles. For example, there are various techniques, such as a technique of sliding along an obstacle at a height spaced apart from the surface of snow using the sliding apparatuses, etc.
However, a problem arises in that the snow sliding apparatuses are damaged when users slide along obstacles using the snow sliding apparatuses. More specifically, decks that generate friction with obstacles are worn by repeated riding. In particular, both side surfaces (edges) of the decks that actually generate fraction with obstacles are chiefly worn or damaged.

Multi-function block and snow sliding apparatus comprising same


A utility pole crossarm conversion apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second portions. The second portion is oriented opposite the first side. An indentation is positioned on the first side. A second portion is affixed to the second side. The first portion includes a chamfered edge. The indentation is bilaterally concaved and includes an apex angled at 45°-90°. The indentation is configured to receive a tip of a fastener of a utility pole cross arm clamp coupled to a composite utility pole extension arm. The indentation is medially positioned on the first side. The indentation initiates centrally on the first side and extends transversely across the first side to the chamfered edge. The first portion includes a metal. The second portion includes an elastic polymer. The apparatus includes an overall quadrilateral structure. The apparatus is configured to be frictionally coupled to a composite crossarm via the second portion.

In utility work, there is no greater demand than crossarm equipment that is reliable and resilient through all weather conditions and efficient for teams performing repairs, replacements or installations. A crossarm is an engineered piece of wood or composite equipment mounted on a utility pole to support power lines or other electrical equipment. A reliable crossarm is an important component for both tangent and dead-end applications and are used for anchoring and supporting conductors along transmission and distribution lines. From telephone companies, cable companies, railroads and refineries to municipal, rural and electrical utilities companies, crossarms are a vital part of each infrastructure. As the demand for wider electrical coverage continues to rise, so does the demand for more efficient installation and stronger, more reliable equipment.
Every day, these companies depend on the important function of crossarm products. But the importance of solid crossarm products isn't limited to just utilities. It's important to the customers of those companies who can't afford for their power to be down long. To address reliability concerns, composite crossarms are typically used. For example, live-line working is the maintenance of electrical equipment, often operating at high voltage, while the equipment is energized. Electricity utilities wish to avoid loss of supply, for which they receive customer complaints or are financially penalized. Utility pole maintenance typically requires the use of extension arms, which are brackets attached to utility poles to provide support for cables or wires at a distance from the pole and crossarm.
Extension arms are typically attached to crossarms via loops and/or fasteners. Although wooden crossarms are not usually damaged when the fasteners are used to affix extension arms thereto, such fasteners can damage extension arms that are made of composite materials. For example, fasteners can scratch, chip, puncture and/or cracks in the extension arm's composite material, which can degrade the structural integrity of the extension arm. Even more, environmental degradation affects all materials. Extended exposure to sun can cause composite crossarms to fray and splinter. Composite crossarm manufacturers have developed a UV protective coating that if scratched or chipped, may compromise its ability to protect the crossarm. The present disclosure seeks to provide apparatuses to reduce fasteners ability to damage composite crossarms when affixing extension arms to composite crossarms.
Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Utility pole crossarm conversion apparatuses


In one embodiment, a method comprises defining a set of concepts based on a first set of structured and unstructured data objects, defining a business rule based on the set of concepts, applying the business rule to a second set of structured and unstructured data objects to make a determination associated with that set, and outputting to a display information associated with the determination.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to information analysis, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for concept-based analysis of structured and unstructured data.
Organizations often utilize sophisticated computer systems and databases to inform and automate portions of the decision-making process. Many such systems organize relevant data into a structured format (such as a relational database), making it accessible by a broad array of query, analysis, and reporting applications. Some of these systems programmatically calculate business decisions and make assessments based on available data and program logic. However, often much of the information relevant to these calculations is stored in a variety of unstructured formats—such as handwritten notes, word processor documents, e-mails, saved web pages, printed forms, photographic prints, and the like.
Because typical systems are incapable of organizing and searching the content of such documents, their decision outputs are generally based on only the subset of pertinent information that exists in structured form—rendering these outputs incomplete and at times inaccurate. Those systems that do incorporate unstructured data into their decision-making algorithms often convert text information into a coded form that can be stored in a structured format (such as a relational database field). This approach is undesirable, however, because much context and meaning can be lost when a complex idea conveyed in language is shoe-horned into a simple, coded form.
Further, traditional techniques for logically combining such coded data are susceptible to producing false positives, as correlations between factors that contribute to a given decision output are not accounted for in such models. More specifically, in a given scenario in which multiple factors contribute to a particular outcome or determination, many systems generate a determination based on the number of those factors present in a given data set—defining rules that assume an increased likelihood of a given output for each additional factor present in the data set. This approach is flawed, however, because two or more of these factors may not occur independently in the data. For example, two or more such factors could be positively correlated, such that the presence of a first factor always implies the presence of the second. In such a scenario, if the first factor is present, the presence of the second factor does not increase the likelihood of the particular output under consideration. This flaw can result in the generation of a false positive, as the system inappropriately includes the presence of the second factor as an additional weight in its decision calculus.
Additionally, the inability of a system to properly incorporate unstructured data into its calculations forces individuals to consider the relevant unstructured documents separately—without the significant aid of computer processing power. This laborious task not only greatly increases the time and cost of the decision-making process, but also introduces additional imprecision, as individuals are unlikely to analyze data with the consistency and speed of a computerized solution. Finally, individuals are unlikely to optimally combine their own intuitions regarding a set of unstructured data with computer-generated analysis of structured data to reach an accurate final conclusion.
Thus, a need exists for methods and apparatus that programmatically organize and analyze structured and unstructured data together, and apply business logic to make accurate determinations based on that data. A need further exists for methods and apparatus that analyze and make a determination about a set of data, using techniques that avoid the false positives that often result when contributing factors and concepts are positively-correlated within the data.

Concept-based analysis of structured and unstructured data using concept inheritance


Techniques and systems are disclosed for storing instances of an opaque type in a database according to a direct path loading approach. According to one aspect, an opaque type implementor registers, with a loader application, routines that the opaque type implementor implements. In response, the loader application associates the opaque type with the routines. The loader application reads data that comprises instances of the opaque type. The loader application determines which routines are associated with the opaque type. The loader application invokes the routines, which create an array for storing instances of the opaque type and populate the array with values specified in the data. The loader application converts the array into a data stream that conforms to the format of the database's data blocks. The loader application then streams the data to a database server, which writes the data directly into data blocks in the database.

Structured data conforms to a type definition. For example, a type definition for a "person" type may define distinct attributes such as "name," "birthdate," "height," "weight," and "gender." Each "instance" of a particular type comprises a separate value for each of the attributes defined by the particular type. For example, an instance of the "person" type might comprise values such as "Fred Brown," "Jan. 1, 1980," "72 inches," "240 pounds," and "male." Each attribute is also of a type. For example, the "name" attribute might be of a "string" type, the "birthdate" attribute might be of "date" type, and the "gender" attribute might be of an "enumerated" type. Structured data might comprise multiple different instances of the same type.
Different approaches may be used to store structured data into a database. One such approach is called "conventional path loading." According to conventional path loading, a loader application parses structured data that comprises one or more instances of a type. Values within the structured data correspond to attributes of the type. The loader application generates Structured Query Language (SQL) commands, such as INSERT commands, that, when executed by a database server, cause the database server to insert the values into corresponding columns of a database table. Unfortunately, due to its heavy use of the SQL engine, conventional path loading often suffers in terms of performance and memory consumption.
Another approach for storing structured data into a database is called "direct path loading." Through direct path loading, values within structured data are stored directly into a database without causing the SQL engine to load each row of data. By consulting a control file that is associated with the structured data, a loader application with direct loading functionality can determine the types to which instances within the structured data conform. If the structures of the types are defined to the loader application, then, based on those structures, the loader application can create an array that comprises elements that correspond to the types' attributes. The loader application can populate each attribute's corresponding element with values that correspond to that attribute. Once the array is populated, the loader application can convert the array into a data stream that conforms to the format of a database's data blocks. The loader application then can stream the data to a database server, which can write the data directly into one or more data blocks in the database. Direct path loading exhibits performance superior to that of conventional path loading.
Some types indicated by a control file may be standard types that are defined to a loader application. A scalar type is an example of such a standard type. The loader application has information about the characteristics of a scalar type, such as the maximum storage size of a scalar type. With this information, the loader application can generate the data stream as described above.
However, some types indicated by a control file might not be among the types that are defined to the loader application. A type indicated by a control file might have a structure that is defined only to a program that implements that type. Although the type might comprise attributes that are of standard types, the control file and the loader application might lack any information about the number or types of such attributes.
Without such information, the loader application cannot generate or populate an array that comprises a separate element for each such attribute. The loader application does not possess sufficient information to map values that correspond to such attributes to corresponding columns of a table in a relational database. Consequently, there is no effective way for the loader application to store instances of such a type in a database using the direct path loading approach.
Types that are not defined to a loader application are called "opaque types" relative to the loader application, because the internal structure of such types is unknown to the loader application. The internal structure of an opaque type, including the number and types of attributes of the opaque type, often is known only to a program that implements the opaque type. Such a program may be external to both the loader application and the database server.
It may not be practical to modify a loader application every time that a new opaque type is introduced, so that the new type is known and supported by the loader application. Additionally, the structures of some existing types may change as time passes. It may be impractical to modify a loader application every time that the structure of an existing type changes.
At present, loader applications are unable to use the direct path loading approach to store instances of opaque types other than as large objects (LOBs). Because the direct path loading approach exhibits performance superior to that of the conventional path loading approach, a technique is needed for storing instances of opaque types according to the direct path loading approach.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.


Wastewater and sewage filtering and adsorbing unit includes sewage reservoir, clean water reservoir, active coke powder storage, filtering and adsorbing tank, control cabinet, saturated active coke sludge settling tank, filtering and adsorbing material. The sewage reservoir and the clean water reservoir are on one side, and the filtering and adsorbing tank and the active coke powder storage are on other side. Active coke powder storage is above and connected to filtering and adsorbing tank by conduits; inlet pipes in rows and an outlet branch pipe are mounted into the filtering and adsorbing tank. Filtering and adsorbing material is active coke powder. The sewage reservoir is connected with the filtering and adsorbing tank. An active coke sludge discharge port and an active coke sludge conveyor, which are connected to the saturated active coke sludge settling tank by transporting pipelines, are at the bottom of the filtering and adsorbing tank.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a treatment technique of wastewater, waste liquid, and sewage, and more particularly, relates to a treatment technique for industrial wastewater, waste liquid, and municipal sewage utilizing active coke powder, and an apparatus thereof.
2. The Prior Arts
At the present, the following methods are generally performed by facilities and apparatus for the treatment of industrial wastewater, waste liquid, and municipal sewage: the industrial wastewater, waste liquid, and municipal sewage are passed in turn through bar screens, centrifuge, equalization basins, primary sedimentation tanks, aeration tanks, secondary sedimentation tanks, and tube settlers; and also various chemicals are utilized for performing biochemical and physiochemical treatments, such as sedimentation, flocculation, floatation, activated sludge process, aeration, or anaerobic fermentation. However, the above mentioned facilities and apparatus have the following disadvantages such as having overcomplicated techniques, occupying too much space, and requiring higher investment and operational costs; in particular, it is difficult for the facilities to meet the government emission standards when treating industrial wastewater having complex components, and waste liquid with high COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand).

Assembling unit for filtration and adsorption of waste and sewage water

Shenyang David Environmental Protection & Energy Saving Equipment Co., Ltd.


In the hermetically sealed scroll compressor, an injection pipe for injecting a fluid to a compression chamber is connected to an injecting port of a fixed scroll. The injecting port includes a first injecting port which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll inner curve and injects the fluid to an orbiting outer compression chamber, and a second injecting port 22b which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll outer curve and injects the fluid to a orbiting inner compression chamber 8b. The second injecting port is placed in parallel in a radius direction with respect to the first injecting port and is placed so that an orbiting scroll wrap does not practically communicate with the orbiting outer compression chamber in the state in which the orbiting scroll wrap is in contact with the outer side of a fixed scroll wrap.

The present invention relates to a hermetically sealed scroll compressor, and is particularly preferable for a hermetically sealed scroll compressor for refrigeration/air conditioning and for helium.
As a conventional scroll compressor, there is the scroll compressor for compressing a gas such as air and a refrigerant, which is disclosed in JP-Y2-1-17669.
The scroll compressor of JP-Y2-1-17669 is constituted of a cylindrical casing, a fixed scroll which is provided by being fixed to the casing to close the end surface of the casing and has a spiral wrap vertically provided on a mirror plate, and a orbiting scroll which is located in the casing and provided turnably at a drive shaft, and has a spiral wrap, which forms a plurality of compression chambers while orbiting by overlapping the wrap of the fixed scroll, vertically provided on the mirror plate. Two oil injection ports are provided in the mirror plate of the fixed scroll to be separated in the radius direction, and the space in the radius direction of the respective oil injection ports is set to be equal to or a little larger than the tooth thickness of a wrap portion of the orbiting scroll. Each of the oil injection ports communicates with one oil supply port. Further, the oil injection port at the center portion side is placed to communicate with the orbiting outer compression chamber in the state in which the wrap of the orbiting scroll is in contact with the outer side of the wrap of the fixed scroll.
Further, as the conventional hermetically sealed scroll compressor, there is cited the hermetically sealed scroll compressor for helium which is disclosed in JP-A-2004-232481.
In the hermetically sealed scroll compressor, a compressor section and a motor section for driving the compressor section are housed and disposed in a hermetically sealed container. The compressor section is constituted by meshing a fixed scroll with a spiral wrap vertically provided on a disk-shaped mirror plate and a orbiting scroll with a spiral wrap vertically provided on a disk-shaped mirror plate with each other with these wraps located on inner sides, engaging the orbiting scroll with an eccentric portion of a crankshaft, causing the orbiting scroll to perform orbiting movement with respect to the fixed scroll without rotating on its axis, and providing the fixed scroll with a discharge port opening to the center portion and an intake port opening to an outer peripheral portion, so as to take in a helium gas from the inlet port, compress the helium gas by moving the compression chambers formed by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll to the center to decrease the volume to discharge the helium gas from the discharge port. Further, the compressor section includes an oil injecting mechanism section formed by causing the injection pipe for injecting a fluid to the compression chambers during compression to penetrate through the hermetically sealed container and connect to one oil injecting port which is provided on a wrap tooth groove bottom surface of the fixed scroll. The diameter of the oil injection port is set to be larger than the wrap width of the orbiting scroll.


A technique for selecting a display related image processing operation by acquiring user preferences over a network is described. A set of related images is transmitted from a local processing system to each of a plurality of remote processing systems over the network. Each of the images corresponds to a different version of the display related operation. User inputs selecting one or more of the images and indicative of user preferences regarding the images are received at each of the remote processing systems and transmitted over the network to the local processing systems. The user inputs are then used in the local processing system to select one of the plurality of versions of the display related operation.

The present invention pertains to the field of image processing. More particularly, the present invention relates to the display of facsimile documents on computer display devices.
As a result of technological advances such as the fax-modem, it has become common to send and receive facsimile (xe2x80x9cfaxxe2x80x9d) documents with personal computers rather than with dedicated fax machines. The use of computers to communicate and display faxed documents has many advantages over the use of dedicated fax machines, such as facilitating the editing of faxed documents. However, the quality of text tends to degrade when a faxed document is displayed on a computer monitor. This degradation occurs primarily because the spatial resolution of most computer monitors is much lower than that of most printed faxes. Current printed fax technology can provide a resolution of 1728 pixels by 2376 pixels for A4 size paper. In contrast, currently available high-quality computer monitors generally cannot provide a resolution greater than about 1280 by 1000 pixels, and some less expensive computer monitors cannot provide a resolution greater than 640 by 480 pixels. A similar loss in quality also tends to occur when a scanned document is displayed on a computer monitor, for essentially the same reason. One common result of some resolution reduction methods is that text appears to be out of focus, or xe2x80x9cwashed outxe2x80x9d.
A good method of displaying text images at low resolution is essential to any software package designed to display scanned or faxed images on a monitor. One way to produce more readable documents on screen is to utilize optical character recognition (OCR) products to reproduce text on screen. For many reasons, however, it may be desirable to avoid performing OCR. It is therefore desirable to perform resolution reduction on scanned or faxed documents for display on a computer monitor in a manner that reduces or eliminates degradation in image quality, particularly with respect to text images.
For purposes of editing a scanned or faxed document, it may be desirable to view the entire document on the monitor at one time. A person who is editing the layout of a page for publication, for example, may need to view the entire page at once in order to work efficiently. One problem associated with existing display software, however, is that due to the change in resolution, the entire document generally cannot be displayed on the monitor at once while still maintaining adequate readability. While portions of a displayed page can be magnified to provide greater readability, the remaining portions of the page are generally hidden from view. Although the page can be reduced in size in order to fit the page to the screen, the text often becomes too small to read. Consequently, a person editing the document may be required to scroll up and down the displayed document repeatedly, which can be annoying and time consuming.
Hence, it would be desirable to have a technique for improving the quality of display on a computer monitor of scanned or faxed documents. In particular, it would be desirable to have a technique for increasing the readability of text in scanned or faxed documents when displayed on a monitor, and for facilitating the editing of such documents.
One aspect of the present invention is a method of generating an output image from a source image, such that the output image has a lower resolution than that of the source image. In the method, a first process is performed on the source image to generate a first image, which has a resolution lower than that of the source image. A second process is performed on the source image in parallel with the first process to generate a second image, which also has a resolution lower than that of the source image. The output image is then generated as a function of the first image and the second image.
In another aspect of the present invention, a first image is provided at a first resolution and a second image is provided at a second resolution, which is different from the first resolution. A pattern is identified in the source image, and a value is assigned to a subset of the output image based on a relationship between the first image and the second image with respect to the pattern.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, blank space is removed from an input page that includes a plurality of images, by representing the images as a plurality of objects, and then locating each of the objects on an output page, such that the spacing between the objects in the output page is smaller than the spacing of the objects in the input page.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows.

Selection of image processing operation using network based acquisition of user inputs