A biological reagent and diagnostic system for the detection and quantitation of endothelial plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) are disclosed, as are substantially pure, recombinant human endothelial PAI, its biologically pure gene and a vector for cloning the gene and expressing a gene product.

Endothelial cells line the luminal surface of the vascular bed and are thought to play an active role in the specific proteolytic breakdown of locally deposited fibrin, Todd, J. Pathol. Bacteriol., 78, 281 (1959); Astrup, in Progress in Chemical Fibrinolysis and Thrombolysis, Davidson et al. eds., vol. 3, pp. 1-57, Raven Press, New York (1978). The potential of endothelium to initiate and control this process is emphasized by its capacity to synthesize and release plasminogen activators (PAs), Loskutoff et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 74, 3903 (1977); Shepro et al., Thromb. Res., 18, 609 (1980); Moscatelli et al., Cell, 20, 343 (1980); Laug, Thromb. Haemostasis, 45, 219 (1981); Booyse et al., Thromb. Res., 24, 495 (1981), including both tissue-type and urokinase-type molecules, Levin et al., J. Cell Biol., 94, 631 (1982); Loskutoff et al., Blood, 62, 62 (1983). Endothelial cells can also produce inhibitors of fibrinolysis, Loskutoff et al., Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. (USA), 74, 3903 (1977); Levin et al., Thromb. Res., 15, 869 (1979); Loskutoff et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256, 4142 (1981); Dosne et al., Thromb. Res., 12, 377 (1978); Emeis et al., Biochem. Bioshys. Res. Commun., 110, 392 (1983); Loskutoff et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 80, 2956 (1983); Levin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 80, 6804 (1983).
Although these inhibitors probably serve important regulatory roles in controlling the fibrinolytic system of the vascular wall, little is known about their specificity, mode of action, or biochemical nature. The conclusion that these inhibitors are actually synthesized by endothelial cells is obscured somewhat by recent reports that cultured cells can bind and internalize protease inhibitors from serum-containing culture medium, Cohen, J. Clin. Invest., 52, 2793 (1973); Pastan et al., Cell, 12, 609 (1977); Rohrlich et al., J. Cell Physiol., 109, 1 (1981); McPherson et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256, 11330 (1981).
The possibility of producing relatively unlimited amounts of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) by recombinant DNA technology as described in British patent application GB 2,119,804 A, published Nov. 23, 1983, has generated much interest, both clinically and commercially. The conversion of the relatively inactive molecule into an extremely efficient thrombolytic agent by fibrin itself, suggests that t-PA can exist as an active enzyme only when localized to the fibrin-platelet thrombus itself. Thus, t-PA is considered to be a much more specific thrombolytic agent than urokinase-type plasminogen activator and streptokinase.
The interactions between t-PA and fibrin have raised the argument that natural inhibitors of t-PA are not necessary to regulate this system; i.e., regulation is achieved through the formation/dissolution of fibrin, and, thus, do not exist. It is clear that the existence of such inhibitors in human blood would complicate attempts to design a specific, efficient, and safe thrombolytic program based upon natural and genetically engineered t-PA. At the very least, calculations such as those of dose, treatment time and efficacy of treatment would be difficult to predict and/or monitor. This problem would be especially acute if inhibitor levels varied from individual to individual.
The existence of specific inhibitors of t-PA in plasma is a matter of some dispute, Collen, Thromb. Haemostas., 43, 77 (1980). In fact, it has been reported, Kerninger et al., Thromb. Haemostas., 46, 662 (1981), that the activity of t-PA added to plasma had an in vitro half-life of 90 minutes as compared to an in vivo half-life of 2 minutes, Kerninger et al., Thromb. Haemostas, 46, 658 (1981). Based upon these observations, those authors concluded that t-PA inhibition by plasma was physiologically unimportant.
That conclusion has recently been challenged in Kruithof et al., Prog. in Fibrinolysis, 6, 362 (1983). In Chmielewska et al., Thromb. Res., 31, 427 (1983), direct evidence was recently reported for the existence of a rapid inhibitor of t-PA in plasma. In all cases, this anti-t-PA activity was detected in the plasma of patients with or at risk to develop thrombotic problems; i.e., the very individuals most likely to receive t-PA therapy. This finding may account for the failure of Kerninger et al., Thromb. Haemostas., 46, 662 (1981), to detect such an activity since they only examined the plasma of "normal" individuals. These reports on t-PA inhibitors represent little more than qualitative descriptions of an "activity" detected in the blood of some individuals.
Recently, an antifibrinolytic agent in cultured bovine endothelial cells was detected, Loskutoff et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 80, 2956 (1983). This inhibitor is a major endothelial cell product and is an inhibitor of plasminogen activator since it can neutralize the activity of both fibrin-independent (urokinase-type) and fibrin-dependent (tissue-type) plasminogen activators (PAs). The observation that human platelets contain an immunologically similar inhibitor, Erickson et al., Haemostasis, 14 (1), 65 (1984) and J. Clin. Invest. 74, 1465 (1984), that is released by them in response to physiologically relevant stimuli, e.g., thrombin, and in parallel with other platelet proteins, e.g., Platelet Factor 4, emphasizes the potential importance of this inhibitor in human biology. Antiserum to the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) from bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEs) has been employed to show that the human endothelial PAI as well as that from plasma, serum and platelets are related, i.e., immunologically similar. Erickson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 8710 (1985).
The inhititor found by Loskutoff et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 80, 2956 (1983), was purified from bovine aortic endothelial cell conditioned media by a combination of concanavalin A affinity chromatography and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and was shown to be a single chain glycoprotein of a molecular weight of 50,000 daltons, having an isoelectric point of 4.5-5 [van Mourik et al., J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14914 (1984)].
Recent evidence indicates that there are three immunologically distinct plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs). The first is that discussed above that is derived primarily from endothelial cells. The second, reported by Astedt et al., Thromb. Haemostasis, 53, 122 (1985) was isolated from placenta. The third, reported by Scott et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260 7029 (1985) is protease nexin.
The endotbelial cell type PAI differs, in addition to immunologically, from placental PAI and protease nexin in that it inhibits both single chain and two chain tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) as well as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), while protease nexin and the placental PAI exhibit substantially no t-PA inhibition at physiological concentrations. Those latter two inhibitors do inhibit u-PA activity at physiological concentrations. Still further, endothelial PAI exhibits beta-mobility when analyzed by agarose zone electrophoresis while the other two PAIs do not. In addition the endothelial cell PAI is stable to low pH values (e.g. pH 3) and SDS (0.1%), while the other two inhibitors are rapidly inactivated by either of these treatments. [van Mourik et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259, 14914 (1984)].
The results discussed hereinafter illustrate that the endothelial cell type
exhibiting beta-mobility is also present in human placental extracts as is the placenta PAI reported by Astedt et al., Thromb. Haemostasis, 53, 122 (1985). Since two types of PAI are obtainable from placenta, the human
hereinbefore referred to as of endothelial cell origin will usually be referred to as beta-PAI or endothelial PAI, or endothelial cell type PAI while the PAI first isolated from placenta is referred to as placental-type PAI or placental PAI.

Inhibitor of tissue-type and urokinase-type plasminogen activators


A head gasket assembly for an engine with minimal space between adjacent cylinder bores. Armoring including a bridge between adjacent combustion openings is provided with the legs of the combustion openings enclosing wire rings and being welded to each other in the zone of adjacency. The wires are stabilized and maintained in permanent close adjacency.

To conserve weight and space in engine blocks, while maintaining or improving performance, it is desirable to minimize the spacing between adjacent cylinder bores. However, the closer together the cylinder bores are, the more difficult it is to provide a stable effective seal with available head gasket technology, particularly in the zones at which the cylinder bores are most closely adjacent.
One of the concerns with head gaskets where cylinder bores are closely adjacent is that the gasket body portion located between the bores is relied on to provide a seal and, where armoring is used, to mount the armor, thereby to provide an effective seal at the zone of adjacency. As the width of the gasket between the bores decreases, the gasket body becomes increasingly fragile. Thus it may break away altogether, or, if it is a typical laminated gasket body, it may delaminate and thereby become ineffective for the sealing functions for which it was designed. Further, in applications where temperatures are very high, existing close bore gasket constructions may be inadequate to provide a stable and consistent seal.

Head gasket assembly for very closely adjacent cylinder bores with stabilized armoring and method of making same


A control unit of the sensor control device controls sensor based on the planimetric feature information related to the planimetric features and the sensor information related to the sensors. Thereby, while the sensors are appropriately operated as necessary, and the detailed current information of the planimetric feature is acquired by the sensors, the total data size of the information acquired by the sensors can be reduced.

In general, a moving object such as a vehicle may be provided with a sensor for recognizing a planimetric feature or another moving object located on or around the moving path. As such a moving object, one having a plurality of laser radars as sensors has been proposed (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1). The moving object described in Patent Literature 1 measures on-road planimetric features by scanning a laser beam.


A system controlling recording on an optical disc is provided. A first counter performs a bit count according to provided channel bit clock signals. A second counter performs a sector count responsive to the bit count obtained by the first counter. The Land/Groove switch predicts machine uses the result of bit count and sector count to predict the land/groove switch point. The processor uses the physical ID (PID) to determine the track type of a sector at which a recording operation initiates. The power controller determines a recording power for the recording operation according to the Land/Groove switch predict machine.

The invention relates to data recording, and more particularly to control of recording power when recording information to alternating land/groove tracks on an optical disc.
In conventional phase-change optical discs, data is typically recorded on groove tracks. When data is recorded on groove tracks, land tracks guide laser beams and reduce crosstalk from adjacent groove tracks.
If data is recorded on both groove tracks and land tracks, density of data tracks may be doubled provided that the widths of the groove and land tracks are unchanged. Crosstalk between adjacent land and groove tracks may be reduced if the height differences between the land and groove tracks is ⅙λ (wavelength of light source). Therefore, using both groove and land tracks is feasible to attain higher recording density. Accordingly, optical discs utilizing land/groove configuration. such as DVD-RAM (digital versatile disc-random access memory) are developed, as well as opto-magnetic recording media such as ASMO (Advanced Storage Magneto-Optical) discs.
FIG. 1 illustrates configuration of a conventional optical disc comprising alternating land and groove tracks. As illustrated, the optical disk 10 is of a single-spiral configuration, in which groove track 11 and land track 13 are switched at header 151, and groove track 11 and land track 13 alternate along a single continuous spiral track. Each of the tracks is divided into a plurality of sectors 153 by the header 151 at the switch point and header 152 elsewhere in each revolution. In the illustrated example, there are 8 sectors per revolution, while in an actual design of an optical disc, there may be tens of sectors per revolution, and the number of sectors increases in the outer annular area.
FIG. 2 is a cross section of the described optical discs. Optical disc 20 comprises a plurality of alternating land tracks 22 and groove tracks 24. According to a conventional land/groove recording method, the same power level is used for recording data on the land and groove tracks, assuming that recording condition is the same for the land and groove tracks. Owing to the structural differences, however, the land and groove tracks have different recording conditions. Therefore, when recording on the land and groove tracks, a light beam of the same power may generate recording marks of different lengths on the land and groove tracks, respectively. As a result, bit error rate on groove and/or land track may increase. When recording information on both the land and groove tracks, recording power changes when recording track switches from a land track to a groove track, and vise versa.
According to a conventional method, when recording, intensity of light beams differs on land tracks and groove tracks. Type of data track is determined using information recorded on header field accompanied with each sector. For, example, physical ID (PID) within the header field may be used to determine whether the data track is a land or groove track. Additionally, the data track type may be determined using signals obtained from a preamplifier. These conventional methods, however, are error-prone, especially under situations of high noise or high rotation speed.
The present invention uses a predict mechanism to determine land/groove track switch, and determine a write power accordingly. According to the predict mechanism, a counter mode is initiated after one or more physical identification number(s) (PID) is (are) retrieved. In the counter mode, a land/groove switch point may be predicted, and write power is changed at the predicted land/groove switch point. According to a conventional method, when the PID is not obtained from the header information, the land/groove track switch point cannot be determined for lack of sector type information provided by the PID. The present invention, however, can correctly predict the land/groove track switch point even though the PID is not available for some time.
The invention relates to methods and systems for recording information on an optically readable storage media (referred to as "optical disc" hereinafter), predict the position of land/groove alternation of a disc formatted to accommodate advanced high-density information storage techniques, such as DVD-RAM.
Systems for recording and controlling recording on optical discs are provided. In an embodiment, a system for controlling recording on an optical disc is provided, wherein the optical disc comprises alternating land and groove tracks, each of which comprises a plurality of sectors identified by physical ID (PID). The system comprises a first counter, second counter, Land/Groove switch predict machine, processor, and a power controller. The first counter performs a bit count according to provided channel bit clock signals. The second counter performs a sector count responsive to the bit count obtained by the first counter. The Land/Groove switch predicts machine uses the result of bit count and sector count to predict the land/groove switch point. The processor uses the physical ID (PID) to determine the track type of a sector at which a recording operation initiates. The power controller determines a recording power for the recording operation according to the Land/Groove switch predict machine.
Also disclosed are systems for recording information on optical discs. The system records information on an optical disc having a track with alternate formation of a plurality of land and groove tracks therein, wherein each of the tracks comprises a plurality of sectors identified by physical ID (PID) thereof. The system comprises an optical head, a detector, and a controller. The optical head provides light to the optical disc, receives reflected light from the optical disc, and provides signals according to the reflected light. The detector decodes the physical ID (PID) from the signals provided by the optical head. The controller performs a bit count according to provided channel bit clock signals, performs a sector count in response to the bit count, determines the track type of a sector at which the recording operation initiates according to the physical ID (PID), uses the bit count to determine whether the recording operation proceeds to a following sector, and determines the position of the sector relative to a preset switch point where the land and groove track alternate according to the sector count, and predict the land/groove switch point using the result of sector count.
Also disclosed are methods of recording information. In an embodiment of such a method, an optical disc is provided, wherein the optical disc comprises alternating land and groove tracks arranged according to a preset configuration, and each track comprises a plurality of sectors Physical ID (PID) is provided, specifying a serial number of a sector to which data is recorded. The track type of the sector is determined according to the physical ID (PID) and the preset configuration. A counter mode is initiated after one or more physical identification number (s) (PID) is (are) retrieved. In the counter mode, a land/groove switch point may be predicted, and write power is changed at the predicted land/groove switch point.

Systems and methods for recording optical information


In one embodiment, a method includes recognizing an interrupt pending during an operation of guest software, determining that the interrupt is to cause a transition of control to a virtual machine monitor (VMM), determining whether the interrupt is to be acknowledged prior to the transition of control to the VMM, and if the interrupt is to be acknowledged, acknowledging the interrupt and transitioning control to the VMM.

In a typical computer system, devices request services from system software by generating interrupt requests, which are propagated to an interrupt controller via multiple interrupt request lines. Once the interrupt controller identifies an active interrupt request line, it may send an interrupt signal to the processor. In response, the processor determines whether the software is ready to receive the interrupt. If the software is not ready to receive the interrupt, the interrupt is held in a pending state until the software becomes ready. Once the software is determined to be ready, the processor performs an interrupt acknowledgment cycle on the processor bus to request that the interrupt controller report which of the pending interrupts is of the highest priority. The interrupt controller prioritizes among the various interrupt request lines and identifies the highest priority interrupt request to the processor. The processor uses this interrupt identifier, known as the interrupt vector, to search an interrupt descriptor table (IDT) for an interrupt descriptor pointing to code for handling this interrupt and then jumps to the handler code.
In a conventional operating system (OS), all the interrupts are controlled by a single entity known as an OS kernel. In a virtual machine system, a virtual-machine monitor (VMM) should have ultimate control over various operations and events occurring in the system to provide proper operation of virtual machines and for protection from and between virtual machines. To achieve this, the VMM typically receives control when guest software accesses a hardware resource or when certain events such as an interrupt or an exception occur. In particular, when a system device generates an interrupt, control may be transferred from the virtual machine to the VMM.

Mechanism to control hardware interrupt acknowledgement in a virtual machine system


A water saver system that includes a temperature-sensitive valve, connected between the shower water control valves and the shower head, diverts water to a bladder pressure tank until the water warms up. The temperature sensitive valve opens when the water reaches a preset temperature. The water stored in the pressure tank flows back through a metering orifice and mixes with the warm water over the course of the shower so little water is wasted. The pressure tank could be placed on the floor of the shower or outside the tub (under sink) in a retrofit or built into the wall stud cavity in new construction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a system that saves the cool water that is otherwise wasted when waiting for the water in a shower or sink to warm up, or in any other process where warm water is piped some distance and allowed to cool before re-use.
2. Background
There are a number of devices on the market that accomplish the same thing that this device does; they save the water that would otherwise go down the drain. However, known solutions generally contain clumsy phase change mediums, pumps, venturi devices that would plug up, buckets, complex plumbing, siphons, etc.
In contrast, the invention disclosed herein is very easy to install, even in retrofit situations. It could function mechanically without the need for electronics or active water return mechanisms if necessary. It is the most simple and best way to achieve the desired result of not wasting water simply because it is at the wrong initial temperature for use.
The water saver described herein relies on the dynamic pressure drop that occurs when the temperature-sensitive valve opens. This allows the cool water that has been stored in the pressure tank (accumulator) to be metered back into the system. No pump, venturi, phase change liquid or other active components are needed with the present invention to accomplish this outcome.


A vacuum attachment assembly for a scroll saw wherein the scroll saw includes a base, a table, a table bevel lock knob, a table bevel plate, an upper arm and a lower arm-blade. The vacuum attachment includes a bracket having first and second ends. The first end of the bracket has an opening for receiving the table bevel lock knob. The second end of the bracket has an opening of predetermined size and is oriented so that the opening is located under the scroll saw table near the lower arm-blade assembly. The vacuum attachment assembly also includes an elbow that is connected to the opening of the second end of the bracket. A hose is connected to the elbow and oriented to collect and divert saw dust away from the table of the scroll saw.

The present invention relates to an improved vacuum attachment assembly for collecting dust from power tools during operation. The present invention is particularly suitable for collecting and diverting the dust away from underneath a scroll saw.
Scroll saws are wood-cutting power tools. The present invention relates particularly to table-top scroll saws which typically include a table, a base, an upper arm assembly, a lower arm assembly and a blade connected between the two assemblies. The blade of a scroll saw is small to facilitate the cutting of intricate and ornamental shapes in a wood piece. The cutting action of blade results from a reciprocating up and down motion of the blade caused by the upper and lower arm assemblies.
During the operation of the scroll saw, sawdust falls through the opening in the table and accumulates under the unit. Frequent cleaning under the tool is necessary to assure proper motor ventilation, and to prevent the drive linkage from binding. Because scroll saws are typically mounted to a workbench, the operator is required to remove fasteners in order to clean under the unit. Thus, a sawdust collection system mounted underneath the scroll saw is useful to prevent sawdust buildup.
Many prior art scroll saws have dust collection systems. However, many of these are designed integral with the base of the unit. There is a need in the art for a portable vacuum attachment system adaptable to a wide variety of scroll saw designs.


The present invention provides a TiO2-containing silica glass from which a transparent extremely low thermal expansion glass having excellent transparency and having a temperature region in which the coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially zero can be obtained. The present invention relates to a TiO2-containing silica glass for optical member for EUV lithography, having a TiO2 concentration of from 3 to 14% by mass; an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 700 nm, T400-700, of 97% or more; and an internal transmittance per 1-mm thickness in a wavelength region of from 400 to 3,000 nm, T400-3,000, of 70% or more.

In recent years, in photolithography technology, with the trend toward a higher degree of integration and a higher function of an integrated circuit, the refinement of the integrated circuit is advancing. The exposure tool is hence required to form a circuit pattern image with high resolution on a wafer surface at a long focal depth, and shortening of the wavelength of an exposure light source is being advanced. The exposure light source is further advancing from conventional g-line (wavelength: 436 nm), i-line (wavelength: 365 nm) and a KrF excimer laser (wavelength: 248 nm), and an ArF excimer laser (wavelength: 193 nm) is coming to be employed. Also, in order to cope with a next-generation integrated circuit whose circuit pattern line width will become 100 nm or less, use of an F2 laser (wavelength: 157 nm) as an exposure light source is regarded as being leading. However, it is considered that even this would be able to cover only the generation with a line width of up to 45 nm.
Under these circumstances, a lithographic technique employing typically a light having a wavelength of 13 nm among EUV lights (extreme ultraviolet light) as the exposure light source is considered to be applicable over the plurality of generations of 45 nm or finer and has attracted attention. The principle of image formation of EUVL is identical with that of the conventional lithography from the viewpoint that a mask pattern is transferred using a projection optical system. However, since there is no material capable of transmitting light therethrough in the EUV light energy region, a refractive optical system cannot be used. Accordingly, the optical systems are all a reflecting optical system.
The optical member of an exposure tool to be used for EUVL is basically configured with (1) a substrate, (2) a reflective multilayer formed on the substrate and (3) an absorber layer formed on the reflective multilayer. The optical member for an exposure tool to be used for EUVL is a reflection type, and thus, the substrate is not necessarily required to have translucency. However, an extremely low thermal expansion material having transparency has been desired so as to make evaluation or inspection possible for the purpose of evaluating the homogeneity or the surface smoothness by using an interferometer, etc. so that the substrate will not deform even when irradiated with EUV light, or for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of internal defects such as bubbles or striae by microscopic or visual inspection.
Also, a transparent low thermal expansion material is widely used for various materials which are strictly required to have low thermal expansion properties and transparency, for example, optical member materials, materials for a ring laser gyroscope, precision member materials such as standards for precision measurement, various electronic materials and the like.
The extremely low expansion material having transparency includes a TiO2-containing silica glass represented by ULE #7972 (trade name) manufactured by Corning Incorporated and a transparent crystallized glass represented by ZERODUR (trade name) manufactured by SCHOTT AG.
There is a U.S. patent application which discloses a method including forming a TiO2—SiO2 porous glass body, converting it to a glass body and then obtaining a mask substrate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The TiO2—SiO2 glass is known as an extremely low thermal expansion material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of silica glass. Also, since the coefficient of thermal expansion can be controlled by the TiO2 content in the glass, a zero-expansion glass whose coefficient of thermal expansion is close to 0 can be obtained. Accordingly, the TiO2—SiO2 glass involves a possibility as a material to be used in an optical member of an exposure tool for EUVL. However, since it contains a large amount of an OH group, there are absorptions at several wavelengths, e.g., near 2,700 nm. Furthermore, since it contains Ti3+, there is an absorption at a wavelength in the visible region.
On the other hand, a crystallized glass is composed of a crystalline phase exhibiting negative thermal expansion and a glass phase exhibiting positive thermal expansion, and can be a zero-expansion material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of close to zero by controlling a heat step for crystallization. Also, since the crystal grain is small and since the difference in refractive index between the crystalline phase and the glass phase as a matrix is small, it becomes transparent. Accordingly, there is a possibility to obtain a material having excellent thermal expansion characteristics by contriving the composition of a mother glass or a heat treatment step. However, since the change in dimension relative to a change in temperature exhibits hysteresis due to structural relaxation, the crystallized glass has a problem in absolute dimensional accuracy. Furthermore, since the crystallized glass has absorption in the visible region, it was not suitable for the evaluations of homogeneity, surface smoothness and internal defects, which necessitate high transparency in the visible region. Furthermore, an optical member of an exposure tool to be used for EUVL is required to have an extremely smooth surface, e.g., a surface roughness Ra of 0.15 nm or less. However, there was a problem that a smooth surface is hardly obtained due to influences of the crystal grains.
As the extremely low thermal expansion material, there is a silica glass containing Sn and Ti (hereinafter referred to as "SnO2—TiO2—SiO2 glass"). It has been disclosed a method including forming an SnO2—TiO2—SiO2 porous glass body, converting it to a glass body and then obtaining a mask substrate (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
The SnO2—TiO2—SiO2 glass is known as an extremely low thermal expansion material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of silica glass. Also, since the coefficient of thermal expansion can be controlled by the SnO2 content or the TiO2 content in the glass, a zero-expansion glass whose coefficient of thermal expansion is close to 0 can be obtained.
Accordingly, the SnO2—TiO2—SiO2 glass involves a possibility as a material to be used in an optical member of an exposure tool for EUVL. However, since the SnO2—TiO2—SiO2 glass disclosed in Patent Document 2 has SnO2 concentration distribution in the glass, it involves a local fluctuation of coefficient of thermal expansion and a local fluctuation of refractive index. Furthermore, since an SnO2 crystal is easily deposited due to influences of the SnO2 concentration distribution, there were problems that a thorough temperature control must be carried out in order to prevent the transmittance from lowering and obtain a smooth surface.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Patent Document 1: US-A-2002/157421
Patent Document 2: JP-A-2007-238425


The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of toluene-diisocyanate. In this process, toluenediamine is reacted with phosgene to give crude toluene-diisocyanate, the crude toluene-diisocyanate is purified by distillation, the distillation residue formed during the distillation is hydrolysed at temperatures of less than 230° C. under absolute pressures of less than 30 bar, and the toluenediamine formed by this process is subsequently recycled into the reaction of toluenediamine and phosgene.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of toluene-diisocyanate (TDI) in which toluenediamine (TDA) is reacted with phosgene to give TDI, the resultant TDI is purified by distillation, and the distillation residue formed during the distillation is hydrolysed at temperatures of less than 230° C. under absolute pressures of less than 30 bar, and the resultant TDA from this procedure is subsequently recycled into the reaction of TDA and phosgene.
The preparation of TDI by phosgenation of TDA and the subsequent purification of the crude TDI by distillation are generally known. All the known processes for the purification of crude TDI by distillation have the common feature that, in addition to the desired purified TDI, a distillation residue which must be further treated is formed by the distillation.
The known prior art describes various processes for treatment of the distillation residue which is formed in the preparation of TDI. In general, the treatment of the residue aims to maximize the yield of TDI, minimize the amount of residue which is formed, and as much as possible, provide an appropriate inexpensive and simple use for the amount of distillation residue which can no longer be used in the TDI preparation process.
The following processes are known in principle:
The mixture of isocyanate product and distillation residue can, in principle, be burned either continuously or discontinuously. The process is technically simple and can be employed for generation of service steam if a facility or installation for thermal utilization suitable for this purpose exists in the general vicinity of the isocyanate production facility of installation, in order to ensure disposal via a pipeline connection. The great disadvantage of this process, however, is the loss in yield of product which is caused by combustion of product isocyanate. Since the TDI-free or approximately TDI-free distillation residue is solid, a combustion process such as this requires that some of the TDI product be present to produce a flowable stream of material to the combustion facility.
To minimize the loss in isocyanate yield, a mixture of TDI and the distillation residue can be transferred into a stirred and heated container, and mixed with high-boiling hydrocarbons (preferably bitumen) which are inert under the distillation conditions, in order to completely distill off the free isocyanate (or as much as is reasonably possible) that is present in the residue. The remaining residue can be discharged as a flowable solid and fed to a combustion facility. Disadvantages of this process include an additional step and the use of a substance foreign to the process (e.g. bitumen), and the more involved handling of the residue product as a solid (as disclosed in EP 0548685 A2).
A further process for separating off the TDI residue is characterized by the use of kneader dryers as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,196. In this process, the heated and stirred containers described above are replaced by kneader dryers. By using, for example, bitumen, the residue which remains is obtained as a flowable solid, as described in the abovementioned example, which can be employed as a fuel in, for example, cement works. The advantage of this process over the above described process is an increase in the yield of TDI, but the higher investment costs required due to the more involved technique can be regarded as a disadvantage.
Processes in which TDI distillation residues are reacted with reactants other than water in order to obtain, in addition to the amine employed in the phosgenation, valuable substances which can also be used industrially, such as, for example, the reaction of TDI residue with alkanolamine (sec U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,459) or with MDI (see DE-A-4211774, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,323), are also known and described in the patent literature.
The hydrolysis of isocyanate distillation residues, and particularly in the preparation of TDI, is a field which has been addressed for a relatively long time. The hydrolysis of isocyanate distillation residues is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,310, U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,876, GB 795,639 and DE 2703313 A1.
In these processes, liquid or solid TDI distillation residue is hydrolysed with water under increased pressure at elevated temperature. During this procedure, some of the residue is converted into the original amine, in this case TDA, which can be recycled back into the phosgenation process after appropriate working up, and therefore, in principle, leads to an increase in the yield of TDI and a minimization of the residue. In some cases, bases such as ammonia, the original amine employed and also alkali metal hydroxide, are employed to accelerate the reaction. The process can also be conducted in two stages, in this case with the use of the original amine and water (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,443). The use of steam in the hydrolysis of solid residue is also described, with temperatures of up to 400° C. being claimed (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,094). Acid hydrolysis of distillation residues with subsequent drying and partial phosgenation to give the desired isocyanate is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,030. WO 2004/108656 A1 describes the processing of solid TDI distillation residue, which is pulverized, suspended in water and reacted with alkali metal hydroxides, or carbonates, under pressure of 40 to 250 bar at temperatures of 200 to 370° C. The intermediate step of handling of a solid causes difficulty in a continuous TDI process and therefore seems to be a disadvantage here.
Multi-stage and therefore technically involved processes, or the handling of solid residues are also necessary as described in the processes of U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,035, U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,009 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,266. DE 19827086 A1 discloses a hydrolysis process for recovery of TDA from TDI distillation residue in a continuous flow, back-mixed reactor in the presence of hydrolysis product. Back-mixed reactors which are mentioned are stirred tanks, cascades of stirred tanks, a reaction mixing pump, a pumping circulation with a static mixer and/or two-component mixing nozzle, a jet loop reactor or a jet nozzle reactor. The reaction is carried out under 1 to 50 bar at temperatures of 120 to 250° C. The amine obtained from the hydrolysis is in turn fed to the phosgenation. A device and a process, inter alia, for hydrolysing TDI distillation residue and recycling the toluenediamine recovered into the phosgenation process are claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,517. The hydrolysis with pure water is described under a reactor pressure of 30 to 300 bar at a reaction temperature of 190 to 370° C. Working up of the reaction mixture is carried out successively by devolatilization (i.e. separating off of the carbon dioxide formed), dehydration and separation of the product obtained by the hydrolysis (in this case TDA) by distillation under reduced pressure. The reaction component comprises one or more tubular reactors. The hydrolysis of, inter alia, TDI distillation residue with water in a continuous process is likewise described in a tubular reactor in U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,529. The reaction conditions are stated as 100° C. or higher under 5.0 bar or higher, and the hydrolysing agent is water.
However, disadvantages of the processes mentioned above are the sometimes high expenditure in working up of the residue, the high loss in yield and the high consumption of energy required, which inter alia is caused by high pressures and temperatures during the hydrolysis.
In view of the prior art, there is a need to provide a process for the preparation of TDI in the integrated system of nitration of toluene, preparation of TDA, phosgenation of TDA, working up of TDI and recycling of chlorine, in which the highest possible yield of TDI can be achieved and the production of residual substances which have to be disposed of is minimized.
It has now been found that this aim can be achieved by employing a hydrolysis of the TDI distillation residue, and that the distillation residue of the TDI working up, in a mixture with TDI, already hydrolyses with water below a reaction pressure of 30 bar at a temperature of less than 230° C., optionally with the addition of a base, to give TDA in good yields. This TDA can be fed back to the phosgenation process.

Process for the preparation of toluene-diisocyanate


A fastening system allows the panel mounting of handles and similar hardware in both front and rear mount configurations. A caged bolt is provided in a transverse aperture extending through the hardware item. A mounting bolt includes a head-distal shank portion for engagement with the bolt when inserted through the hardware rear face, and head-proximate unthreaded shank portion for capture by the caged nut when the bolt is inserted through the hardware item from the front face. The caged nut can be positioned along the length of the aperture to align with a panel mounting hole.

There exist two generally recognized methodologies for the mounting of handles and similar hardware to panels, doors and the like. A first system, which is designated as a front mount system, utilizes a handle or other item to be mounted having a transverse bore extending through the item between its front and rear faces. The bore is sized to accept and retain the head of a bolt, which is inserted through the front face, and extends through the back surface of the handle and through the mounting panel. A mating nut, applied to the bolt behind the mounting surface, affixes the handle to the mounting surface. Alternatively, the panel may be threaded or provided with an applied threaded plate on its rear surface to engage the bolt. A cover may be utilized to mask the bolt head from view from the front of the handle.
In the second known system, a blind bore is provided in the rear face of the handle. A nut is mounted within the bore, and restrained from rotation. A mounting bolt is inserted through the mounting panel from the rear thereof, and passes into the handle through its rear face to engage the nut. The length of the bolt is chosen such that the handle may be snugged up against the panel without the bolt contacting the bottom of the handle bore.
The front mount system is typically utilized when space behind the mounting panel is limited. It has the disadvantage, however, of often requiring both a tool to drive the bolt and a tool to retain the nut in position during tightening. The rear mount system, on the other hand, does not require a pair of tools, but requires sufficient space behind the mounting panel to manipulate the bolt for insertion into the bore. Both systems require precise alignment of the handle bores and panel mounting holes.
Because of the general uninterchangeability of the elements required for front and rear mounting, it has heretofore necessitated that two separate classes of hardware be employed for mounting purposes, depending on the type of mount required. Thus, extra inventory is required, with the possibility for mixup.
It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide a mounting system for handles and the like which may be utilized in both front and rear mount environments.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a mounting system having a single set of components which are used in both front and rear mount systems.
Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide a combination front and rear mount system which facilitates installation of handles and the like in either manner.
Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide a mounting system which allows a single handle to accommodate the panel holes having a wide range of center-to-center spacings.

Panel mount hardware assembly for front and rear mounting


A wiring housing for use in building services control systems includes a cover for sealing the wire housing. A strain relief device is disposed at a cable entry hole. A molded component having gripping arms is disposed between side walls of the wire housing and forms at least one clamping lip for locking a wire to opposing clamping areas. The wiring housing also includes opposing gripping joint bars of the side walls that are braced by the gripping arms in a clamping plane of the molded components and which grip the gripping joint bars from behind. Guide means are disposed on the molded component and the side walls to secure the molded component to prevent the molded component from tipping.

The present invention relates generally to wiring housings, and more particularly to a wiring housing that is sealed by a cover and which is provided with a strain relief device at a cable entry hole.
Wiring housings, as used for example in connection with circuit-breakers and ground-fault circuit interrupters, or in connection with other units capable of being arranged on mounting rails, are usually attached by rivets or bolts. In the case of wiring housings used for units in building services control systems, one would also like to provide strain relief means for the electric wires to be inserted to relieve the strain exerted on the wires from clamps customarily used in general installation engineering. At the same time, to economize on space and for economic reasons, one would like to use thin housing walls. In this case, however, conventional strain relief devices could not be installed.
The present invention is directed to providing a wiring housing to be sealed by a cover, which has a strain relief device, and which is particularly economical to manufacture and assemble.


A triglyceride-to-fuel conversion process including the steps of (a) preconditioning unsaturated triglycerides by catalytic conjugation, cyclization, and cross-link steps; (b) contacting the modified triglycerides with hot-compressed water containing a catalyst, wherein cracking, hydrolysis, decarboxylation, dehydration, aromatization, or isomerization, or any combination thereof, of the modified triglycerides produce a crude hydrocarbon oil and an aqueous phase containing glycerol and lower molecular weight molecules, and (c) refining the crude hydrocarbon oil to produce various grades of biofuels. A triglyceride-to-fuel conversion process further including the steps of (a) carrying out anaerobic fermentation and decarboxylation/dehydration, wherein the anaerobic fermentation produces hydrogen, volatile acids, and alcohols from fermentable feedstocks, and the decarboxylation/dehydration produces alkenes from the volatile acids and alcohols, respectively; (b) feeding the alkenes to the cyclization process; (c) feeding the hydrogen to the post refining process; and (d) recycling the aqueous phase containing glycerol to the decarboxylation/dehydration process. A biofuel composition including straight-chain, branched and cyclo paraffins, and aromatics. The paraffins are derived from conversion of triglycerides. The aromatics are derived from conversion of either triglycerides, petroleum, or coal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of converting triglycerides to biofuels. The triglycerides are derived from renewable sources, including vegetable oils. The biofuels include the grades of gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and heavy oil.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Vegetable oils are triglycerides with the generic formula shown below for soybean oil (with triglycerides and unsaturated fatty acids shown):
where R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different hydrocarbon residues of fatty acids. Variations in crop oils contribute to different types and proportions of fatty acids in the triglycerides.
Crop oils that contain more than 30% polyunsaturated fatty acids (a preferred feedstock for the process of the present invention) include corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and tung oil. The table below sets forth the various types of poly-unsaturated fatty acids present in these crop oils.
Composition of Selected Crop OilsFatty Acid, wt %Crop Oil16:018:018:118:218:3Polyunsat. Fat Type14:0Palmitic16:1StearicOleicLinoleicLinolenic20:022:0Corn oil18.104.22.168.557.00.90.1Linseed oil7.04.039.015.035.0Peanut oil0.111.60.23.146.5220.127.116.11Soybean oil0.111.04.023.4188.8.131.52.1Sunflower oil0.26.80.14.718.6184.108.40.206Tung oil18.104.22.168.669.0**cis-9, trans-11, trans-13-octadecatrienoic acid
Soybean oil is 61% polyunsaturated. Over 80% of vegetable oil production in the United States is soybean oil. For these reasons, soybean oil may be the most preferred material for biofuel production using the process of the present invention. The soybean compositions include hulls (8wt %), oil (20wt %), protein (43wt %), ash (5 wt %), and water (balance).
The concept of converting vegetable oils into engine fuels was first attempted more than 100 years ago. During the late 1930s through 1940s, due to the shortage of petroleum, industrial-scale plants became operational to produce gasoline, kerosene, and other grades of fuel from vegetable oils. By the nature of the molecular structures of vegetable oils, heat is required for any fuel conversion processes. According to a recent review, various processes for converting crop oils into biofuels can be summarized into three categories as shown in FIG. 1. Among these conventional processes that are typically carried out at near atmospheric pressures, direct pyrolysis or catalytic cracking is the most common approach. Converting soybean oil into fatty acid salt (soap) followed by catalytic cracking is also reported. Recently, biodiesel production from transesterification of soybean oil has become popular. Biodiesel can also be further processed using conventional upgrading and post refining processes that typically include one or more of the following unit operations: catalytic cracking, isomerization, aromatization, and hydrogenation. However, each of these processes require high temperatures, which in addition to being costly, also causes oil degradation, resulting in loss of valuable oil to gaseous byproducts and less valuable coke.
High-pressure processes for both hydrolysis and transesterification of soybean oil have been recently demonstrated as shown in FIG. 2. These processes proceed more rapidly than the low-pressure processes and do not require catalysts. Pressure also appears to enhance direct pyrolysis and/or catalytic cracking of vegetable oils. It has been reported that a yield of 75% "crude oil" can be obtained by cracking tung oil at pressures ranging from 3-10 bar (50-150 psig) and at temperatures from 400-500° C. Based on boiling point, the resulting "crude oil" consisted of 50% gasoline, 30% kerosene, and 20% fuel oils. Therefore, high-pressure processes hold the potential for successfully converting crop oils into biofuel surrogate with relatively short reaction time, yet high mass and energy conversion efficiencies.

Method of converting triglycerides to biofuels


Disclosed is a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) that prevents an electrolyte membrane from being damaged upon the fabrication of a single cell or a stack of fuel cells. The MEA further includes a guard gasket interposed between conventional gaskets, wherein the guard gasket has a thickness corresponding to 70%-95% of the thickness of the electrolyte membrane. The MEA ensures mechanical protection of the electrolyte membrane, and thus prevents the electrolyte membrane from being damaged by an excessive binding pressure upon the fabrication of a single cell or a stack of fuel cells. Furthermore, the contact resistance between the electrolyte membrane and the catalyst layer and the contact resistance between the gas diffusion layer and the catalyst layer can be minimized, thereby improving the quality of a fuel cell.

1. Technical Field
Example embodiments of the present invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) including a guard gasket.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fuel cell is a kind of power generation system that converts chemical energy of fuel directly into electric energy. Since the electric energy is generated directly from a fuel cell without requiring an additional step such as combustion, the fuel cell has advantages in that it produces little environmental contaminants and it provides high heat efficiency. Fuel cells are classified into polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) depending on the kinds of the electrolytes used therein.
A fuel cell comprises a stack formed by stacking a plurality of single cells, wherein each single cell comprises an MEA including an electrolyte membrane, a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, and sandwiched between seperators. Additionally, surface grooving on the seperators allows supply and discharge of hydrogen on one side, and supply and discharge of oxygen gas in air on the other side.
The fuel cell causes fuel such as hydrogen or methanol to react electrochemically with oxygen to convert the chemical energy of the fuel directly into electric energy. Unlike conventional thermal power generation systems, fuel cells undergo no Carnot cycles so that they show high power generation efficiency, emit little contaminants such as NOx and SOx, and generate no noises during their operation. Therefore, fuel cells have been regarded as the most prominent clean energy source for the next generation. Fuel cells are classified into PEMFC, PAFC, MCFC, SOFC, etc., depending on the kinds of the electrolytes used therein. Among those, PEMFC have a lower driving temperature as compared to other kinds of fuel cells while showing excellent power generation efficiency and realizing compact structures. Thus, it is believed that PEMFC are useful as power sources for electric vehicles, compact power generation systems, for example, for household applications, mobile or emergency power sources, military power sources, etc.
In general, a PEMFC has a penta-layer structure of collector/anode/polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)/cathode/collector. Fuel such as hydrogen or methanol is supplied to the anode, while air or oxygen is supplied to the cathode. At the anode, the fuel is oxidized to generate protons and electrons. The protons move toward the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, while the electrons move toward the cathode through wires and loads forming an external circuit. The protons and electrons react with oxygen at the cathode to produce water, which, in turn, is discharged to the exterior of the fuel cell.
Both electrodes of the PEMFC are obtained by applying an ink comprising a catalyst for activating the redox reaction, a polymer electrolyte and a solvent onto carbon paper or carbon cloth to form a catalyst layer. An example of the catalyst that is currently used includes a platinum-based catalyst which is comprised of platinum or platinum/ruthenium alloy having high catalytic activity and supported on a carrier formed of carbon particles.
Particular examples of the PEM include fluorosulfonate ionomer membranes such as Nafion (available from DuPont Co.), Flemion (available from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Asiplex (available from Asahi Chemical Co. Ltd.) and Dow XUS (available from Dow Chemical Co.); and inorganic acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based PEMs.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Membrane-electrode assembly including guard gasket


A wireless network access method includes: sending, by a first terminal, a wireless network access request to a server, the wireless network access request carrying identification information of the first terminal and property information of a to-be-accessed wireless network; generating, by the server according to the wireless network access request, an image verification code and returning the image verification code to the first terminal for display; scanning, by a second terminal, the image verification code displayed by the first terminal, generating access authentication information, and sending the information to the server; and performing, by the server, wireless network access authentication according to the access authentication information, and connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to the wireless network after the authentication succeeds.

Development of mobile Internet technologies has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for accessing wireless networks such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Zigbee (a wireless network protocol supporting low-speed and short-distance transmission), and near field communication (NFC). A conventional wireless network access procedure is applicable to access of a single terminal, that is, only one terminal can access the wireless network in one wireless network access procedure. By using WiFi access as an example, a user may enable a wireless access function of a mobile phone, and connect the mobile phone to the WiFi network by searching for a to-be-connected WiFi signal; the user may enable a wireless access function of a PAD (tablet computer), and connect the PAD to the WiFi network by searching for a to-be-connected WiFi signal. However, as terminals are widely used, more and more users have both a mobile phone and a PAD. If the user intends to connect both the mobile phone and the PAD to the wireless network, it is required to separately connect the mobile phone and the PAD to the wireless network according to the conventional wireless network access procedure, which causes complex operations. As can be seen from the above, in the conventional wireless network access solution, a complex access process needs to be performed during access of one or more terminals, which fails to meet the rapid and convenient requirements of the mobile Internet.

Wireless network access method and apparatus, terminal, and server

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


A mixed powder of an Ni—Al alloy and alumina is produced by heating a first mixed powder, which is prepared by mixing an Ni—Al mixed powder as prepared by mixing an Al powder with Ni in such a manner that Al therein could fall within a range of from 25 atomic % to 60 atomic %, and an alumina powder in a range of from 40% by mass to 60% by mass, in vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature falling within a range of from 600° C. to 1300° C. for at least 1 hour, and then grinding the resulting product.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coating powder for use for production of a high-temperature Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material having excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance, and to an alloy material formed with the powder which has excellent oxidation resistance characteristics.
2. Description of Related Art
Ir (iridium) or Ru (ruthenium) is a metal excellent in high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance and is expected to be used as a structural material for use in ultimate environments, and is used, for example, as crucibles for growth of single crystals for optical devices and as automobile engine plugs.
However, these metals form oxides IrO3 and RuO3 in a high-temperature oxidation atmosphere, and the sublimation points of these oxides are lower than the sublimation points of the metals, that is, it the sublimation point of IrO3 is 1092° C. and that of RuO3 is 1200° C. Accordingly, there is a problem in that Ir or Ru could not be used at the temperature of 1100° C. or higher in an oxidative atmosphere. As a method for solving the problem, a method of coating the metal surface with an Al2O3 (alumina) coating film of an oxidation-resistant material was employed. However, since the metal surface and alumina differ in point of the crystal structure and the lattice constant, the Al2O3 layer readily peel off from each other, and direct coating with alumina is ineffective as an oxidation-resistant coating film.
There has been tried a method of directly reacting Al (aluminum) with the surface of an Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy through aluminization. However, in reaction of Al with an Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy, molten Al explosively reacts with Ir or Ru at a temperature of the melting point of Al or higher, and therefore the formed film could not have a suitably controlled structure as an oxidation-resistant protective coating film. Given the situation, the present inventors have proposed a production method for a high-temperature material through aluminization of an Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy in WO2012/033160, in which an Fe—Al alloy powder or an Ni—Al composite powder is used for controlling the activity of Al.
In the production method proposed in WO2012/033160, IrAl or RuAl is formed on the surface of an Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy. However, later investigations have revealed that in case where an Fe—Al alloy powder is used, an Fe segregation phase is easy to form in the interface between the Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy and the IrAl film or RuAl film. Fe (ferrum or iron) rapidly diffuses in the Ir-based alloy or Ru-based alloy often to lower the alloy strength in use at high temperatures or often worsen the heat resistance of the IrAl film or RuAl film. Consequently, it is desirable to aluminize with no use of an Fe—Al alloy powder. However, an Ni—Al composite powder is poorly active since Ni is coated on the surface of the Al powder therein, and therefore the Ni—Al composite powder alone could hardly form an IrAl film or RuAl film. In addition, for suitably controlling the activity of Al, it is necessary to form an Ni—Al alloy powder in which the Al amount is controlled.

Alloy powder for oxidation-resistant coating, and alloy material formed of the powder and excellent in oxidation resistance characteristics

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE


An adhered substance detection apparatus includes an obtaining portion configured to obtain captured image data outputted from an imaging portion, a detection portion configured to detect presence or absence of an adhered substance of each of plural regions of an imaging surface of the imaging portion on the basis of the captured image data, and a judgement portion configured to distinguish a reliable region and an unreliable region from each other, a reliability property of predetermined arithmetic processing performed by a processing apparatus with the use of the captured image data is kept to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the reliable region, and the reliability property is less than the predetermined value in the unreliable region.

Conventionally, a system exists which causes a display apparatus to display an image based on captured image data captured by an imaging portion (camera) arranged at a vehicle and allows, for example, a driver to recognize circumstances around the vehicle, and/or which performs detection of presence or absence of an obstacle and/or detection of approach of an obstacle, on the basis of the image. In a case where a substance including dirt, for example, is adhered on an imaging surface (for example, a lens) of the imaging portion of such a system, the image may not be displayed appropriately, and/or the image processing and/or the detection processing which use the image may not be performed appropriately. Thus, a technique is suggested which controls and/or notifies changes of an adhesion state of adhered substance, and/or which notifies the state of adhesion to an external mobile terminal, for example (for example, JP2018-26671A which will be referred to as Patent reference 1 and JP5521990 which will be referred to as Patent reference 2).
In the case of the conventional system, when the adhered substance is detected, other processing apparatus using the image captured by the imaging portion, including a park assistance processing, an obstacle detection processing and an approaching object recognition processing, is configured such that the processing thereof is prohibited. That is, at the apparatus detecting the adhered substance, such processing is performed that gives restriction on the processing of other processing apparatus. However, in some cases, the adhered substance does not cover the entire imaging surface. Even in such a case, if other processing apparatus which functions in a normal manner (for example, the detection of an obstacle) is usable even slightly or partly, it will contribute to enhancement of convenience.
A need thus exists for an adhered substance detection apparatus which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.


A substrate connecting structure includes a circuit substrate where an electrical component is installed on the back face, a signal cable into which a plurality of signal transmission lines electrically connected to first signal line connecting portions and to second signal line connecting portions, respectively, are inserted, and a coupling member that is formed by a conductive member including a fixing section disposed at the end portion of the signal cable, a flat section on the front face of the circuit substrate, and a through hole, the coupling member fixing the signal cable and the circuit substrate, wherein the central axis of the signal cable is displaced toward the back face side with respect to the central axis of the circuit substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a substrate connecting structure between a plurality of signal lines inserted into a signal cable and a substrate to which the signal lines are electrically connected.
2. Description of the Related Art
Endoscopes are used in medical fields, industrial fields, and the like. The endoscopes include a so-called electronic endoscope, which incorporates an image pickup apparatus in a distal end portion of an insertion portion. There is a demand for electronic endoscopes for improving the quality of images, and thus high-resolution image pickup devices have been developed.
In an endoscope, a signal transmission channel, connecting an image pickup apparatus incorporated in the distal end portion of an insertion portion and an external device such as a video processor, has a long length. Additionally, in the insertion portion of the endoscope and the operation portion of the endoscope, a signal cable is inserted, as well as many endoscope built-in items such as a light guide fiber bundle that supplies illumination light, an air feeding tube forming an air feeding conduit, a water feeding tube forming a water feeding conduit, a multi-purpose tube serving both a suction conduit and a treatment instrument conduit, and a bending wire that brings a bending portion into bending action.
As to an electronic endoscope apparatus, it is possible to achieve the improvement of image quality and the reduction of the size of a signal cable to be inserted into an insertion portion by providing a relay circuit substrate that amplifies drive signals for an image pickup device in the operation portion of the endoscope. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-279148 discloses an electronic endoscope apparatus that prevents itself from being increased in size, in particular prevents an insertion portion from being increased in diameter even when an image pickup apparatus capable of acquiring high-quality images is disposed in the distal end portion of the insertion portion.
The relay circuit substrate provided in the operation portion of the endoscope is configured to have a small size. In addition, a substrate-to-substrate connector to be detachably connected to the relay circuit substrate is also configured to have a small size. The substrate-to-substrate connector is provided in the end portion of a signal cable extended from the image pickup apparatus.
The substrate-to-substrate connector and the signal cable is inserted from one end side of the insertion portion, drawn out from the other end side, led into the operation portion, and connected to the relay circuit substrate. For this reason, it is desired to make a width dimension and a thickness dimension, which is the outside shape of the substrate-to-substrate connector as small as possible to allow the substrate-to-substrate connector to pass through the insertion portion smoothly. In addition, it is desired to design a configuration that prevents a break or the like from occurring owing to loads imposed on a joining portion between a signal line and the substrate in inserting work or in connector connecting/disconnecting work.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-221586 discloses a cable fixture that enables fixing a plurality of cables on the edge portion of a printed circuit substrate and positioning the plurality of cables with good precision and allows soldering the cables to a connecting pad of the printed circuit substrate to be performed easily with good workability.


A voltage variable capacitor (VVC) is made by placing an intercalation compound between two electrodes of a capacitor. The VVC has a reservoir of an intercalant in proximity with the intercalation compound. The two materials are chosen from those known to exhibit the intercalation reaction. The extent of the intercalation reaction is controlled by applying a voltage to the intercalant reservoir and the intercalation compound. A variable capacitor is created by applying a signal to the device and appropriately controlling the .epsilon. of the device by using the input control voltages.

A typical capacitor has a pair of electrode layers with a dielectric material therebetween. Voltage is applied across the electrode layers in order to store a charge in the capacitor, with the amount of charge being storable in the capacitor, e.g. the capacitance, being proportional to the opposing areas of the electrodes and to the dielectric constant of the dielectric material. Capacitance has also been found to be inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric material, thus thin film capacitors are generally seen as a preferable means to achieve high capacitance. Problems still exist in optimizing the performance of these types of capacitors so there is a continuing need to improve electrical properties such as attaining higher dielectric constants, lowering the charge dissipation factors, and lowering the leakage currents.
A voltage variable capacitor, also known as a varactor, a variable capacitance diode or varacap, is a semiconductor device characterized by voltage sensitive capacitance which resides in the space charge region at the surface of a semiconductor bounded by an insulating layer. In order to form a high performance voltage variable capacitor a dielectric film having a very thin cross section and an extremely high integrity is required to be deposited on a semi conductive substrate. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,192,871 and 5,390,072, incorporated herein by reference, describe the construction and use of semiconductor voltage variable capacitors. Although both of these patents suggest significant improvements in the art, a need still exists for making a voltage variable capacitor that does not rely upon the use of a semiconductive substrate. Clearly it would be an addition to the art if a capacitor could be realized that could have a variable capacitance and did not rely on a semiconductor.

Intercalation-based voltage variable capacitor


Disclosed is a coil component having a magnetic core that is made of a magnetic material, and a terminal electrode portion and a coil portion that are made of a conductive material, wherein the coil components is configured such that the magnetic material and the conductive material contact with each other, and there is a relation of RM≧20ZO when an insulation resistance of the magnetic core is RM (Ω) and a peak impedance of the coil component is ZO (Ω).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coil component on the whole, and mainly relates to a coil component that is used for a power supply circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there is a strong requirement for higher performance especially to a coil component that is mounted on a power supply system circuit in order to improve DC BIAS characteristics, and it is known to use a material whose maximum saturated magnetic flux density Bm is high as a material of a magnetic core in order to cope with this requirement.
A manganese type ferrite magnetic material and a metal type magnetic material can be listed as the material having the high maximum saturation magnetic flux density Bm. However, since an insulation resistance value specific to the material is low in case of those materials, it is known to use a conductor having an insulation coating film on a surface as shown in Patent Reference 1, for example, when a coil component is manufactured by using those materials.
In addition, it is also known that a magnetic core used for a coil component is coated with an insulating paint and the like as shown in Patent Reference 2.
[Patent Reference 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-324714
[Patent Reference 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H06-120050


A portable semiconductor data storage device includes a data word storage circuit for storing data words, a redundant word storage circuit for storing redundant words relative to the data words, an error detection circuit for detecting an error bit in a data word stored in the data word storage circuit from the redundant word stored in the redundant word storage circuit, and an error correction circuit for correcting the erroneous bit detected by the error detection circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable semiconductor data storage device having a single bit error correction function, and more particularly, to an improvement in the reliability of the data storage device.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7 shows a conventional portable semiconductor storage device. An input/output buffer 7 is connected to a voltage control circuit 30, and a group of memory ICs 1 for storing data is connected to the input/output buffer 7. The group of memory ICs 1 consists of eight least significant byte storing memories 2a to 2h for storing the least significant bytes, and eight most significant byte storing memories 3a to 3h for storing the most significant bytes. An address bus 9, a control bus 10 and a data bus 14 are connected to the input/output buffer 7. The control bus 10 includes an output enable signal line OE, a write enable signal line WE, and card enable signal lines CE1 and CE2. The input/output buffer 7 works as an address buffer, data bus buffer and a control bus buffer. Practically, the input/output buffer 7 can operate in accordance with the following function table.
__________________________________________________________________________ Operation Mode CE2 CE1 A0 D15-D8 D7-D0 __________________________________________________________________________ Standby Mode H H X High Impedance High Impedance The least H L L High Impedance Even Byte significant byte control The most H L H High Impedance Odd Byte significant byte control Word Control L L X Odd Byte Even Byte __________________________________________________________________________
In the above table, A0 indicates the least significant bit of the address bus 9, and D15-D0 denotes the individual bits of the data bus 14. That is, the input/output buffer 7 controls the least and the most significant byte and the word (the least significant byte+the most significant byte) by means of the card enable signal lines CE1 and CE2 and the least significant bit A0 of the address bus 9.
The operation of the above portable semiconductor data storing device will be described below. When the storage device shown in FIG. 7 is connected to a terminal machine (not shown), power is supplied from the terminal machine to a power input line 34. When the voltage on the power input line 34 has reached a predetermined threshold value, the voltage control circuit 30 connects the power input line 34 to an internal power line 35 and sends out a "H" level protect signal to the input/output buffer 7 to enable the input/output buffer 7. In this state, the terminal can access to the memory ICs in each of the modes listed on the function table.
On the other hand, when the power supply from the terminal machine stops and the voltage on the power input line 34 thereby drops to the predetermined threshold value or less, such as while the data storage device is being carried from place to another, the voltage control circuit 30 is disconnected, and sends out a "L" level protect signal to the input/output buffer 7. Consequently, all the chip select signals CSL0 to CSL7 and CSH0 to CSH7 output from the input/output buffer 7 to the least and the most significant byte storing memories 2a to 2h and 3a to 3h rise to the "H" level, and these memories 2a to 2h and 3a to 3h are thereby disabled. In that case, power is supplied from a cell 33 incorporated in the data storage device to the internal power line 35 through a reverse-charge preventing diode 31 and a limiting resistor 32 to back up the data stored in the memories 2a to 2h and 3a to 3h.
Soft errors, i.e., non-fatal recoverable random failures, in the memory ICs of the portable semiconductor data storage device, will be described. Generally, soft errors are caused in the semiconductor memories because of alpha rays, hot carriers, and other, random, failures. Soft errors normally occur in a single bit in the total storage areas of the memory ICs. Assuming that the soft error rate is 50 to 300 FIT/piece, the error rate of a portable semiconductor data storage device including 16 memory ICs is 800 to 4800 FIT. In the case of a system including, for example, 1000 portable semiconductor data storage devices, soft errors occur in 8 to 48 storage devices in 10.sup.4 hours (about in 1.14 years). FIT is the unit which indicates the failure rate. 1 FIT is 1.times.10.sup.-9 failures/operating hour.
Thus, generation of soft errors reduces the reliability of the conventional portable semiconductor data storage device and may lead to a failure in system operation.

Portable semiconductor data storage device


In a method and CT device for scanning an examination subject, a radiation beam emanates from a focus of a radiation source which can be displaced around a system axis and strikes a detector system. If, during scanning, a body part of an examiner moves into an examination space covered by the radiation beam, this is automatically detected and the effective radiation is automatically reduced for a volumetric region which includes the body part of the examiner, with respect to a comparable second volumetric region, in which no body part of the examiner is located. The effect of this is to diminish the radiation dose to the examiner. Control for this purpose is performed, for example, by varying the tube current, by adjusting a beam diaphragm, or by an absorber inserted into the beam path. A parameter associated with the body part of the examiner also is detected and the size of the first volumetric region is automatically adjusted dependent on this parameter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for scanning an examination subject using a CT device with a radiation source with a focus which can be displaced around about a system axis with a radiation beam emanating from the focus and striking a detector system which produces scanning data, and wherein the effective radiation is a first volumetric region, in which a body part of an examiner is located during the scanning, is reduced with respect to the effective radiation in a comparable second volumetric region of the same size and at the same distance from the system axis in which no body part of the examiner is located.
2. Description of the Prior Art
CT devices and known which have a radiation source, for example an X-ray tube, which directs a collimated, pyramidal radiation beam through the examination subject, for example a patient, onto a detector system assembled from a number of detector elements. The radiation source and, depending on the design of the CT device, the detector system as well, are fitted on a gantry which rotates around the examination subject. A support device for the examination subject can be displaced or moved along the system axis relative to the gantry. The starting position from which the radiation beam penetrates the examination subject, and the angle at which the radiation beam penetrates the examination subject, are continuously varied as a consequence of the rotation of the gantry. Each detector element of the detector system, when struck by the radiation, produces a signal which constitutes a measure of the total transparency of the examination subject for the radiation emanating from the radiation source on its path to the detector system. The set of output signals of the detector elements of the detector system, which set is obtained for a specific position of the radiation source, is known as a projection. A scan comprises a set of projections which have been obtained at different positions of the gantry and/or different positions of the support device. The CT device picks up a multiplicity of projections during a scan, in order to be able to build up a two-dimensional tomographic image of a section of the examination subject. A number of sections can be picked up simultaneously with using a detector system formed as an array of a number of rows and columns of detector elements.
Relatively large volumes of the examination subject are usually picked up by means of sequential scanning or spiral scanning. In the case of sequential scanning, the data are picked up during the rotary movement of the gantry, while the examination subject is located in a fixed position, and thus planar sections are scanned. The examination subject is moved between the scanning of successive sections into a new position in which the next section can be scanned. This process continues until all sections designated before the examination are scanned. In the case of spiral scanning, the gantry rotates continuously with the radiation source around the examination subject, while the support table and the gantry are continuously displaced relative to one another along a system axis. Relative to the examination subject, the radiation source therefore describes a spiral path until the volume designated before the examination has been scanned. Images of individual sections are then calculated from the spiral data.
Furthermore, CT devices are known in the case of which the X-ray power can be modulated during the rotation of the radiation source around the examination subject with a non-circular cross section in order to scan the examination subject. If, for example, a patient lying on his or her back is being scanned, as a rule the path of the X-ray radiation through the body of the patient is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. If a modulation of the X-ray power is not possible, the power must be set such that the signal quality supplied by the detector system is still sufficient to calculate correct images even for the projections with the longest path of the radiation through the body. The X-ray power therefore is unnecessarily high for all other projections. In order not to stress the object under examination with an excessive radiation dose, an attempt is made to set the X-ray power in accordance with the attenuation profile as a function of the angular position of the radiation source. Such a method is described, for example, in German OS 19 806 063.
CT devices are used principally in the field of medicine. In addition to examinations for purely diagnostic purposes, interventions (for example biopsies, centeses) are increasingly being carried out with the aid of CT monitoring. During the intervention, the position of medical instruments required to carry out the intervention, for example a needle, can thus be monitored continuously. When a radiation source is switched on and manual guidance of such a medical instrument is employed by an examiner, body parts of the examiner, for example a hand, which are located in the region penetrated by the radiation beam between the focus and detector system can be struck by unattenuated radiation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,826 discloses an X-ray CT device wherein the radiant power of the X-ray source can be temporarily reduced during scanning in order to reduce the radiation dose to an examiner. The volumetric region for which this reduction is effective is designated before scanning, and is identified during scanning by marking with a light source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,830 discloses a CT device wherein diagnostic image information is obtained with x-rays at a first intensity, and image information relating to the movement of an invasive surgical instrument is obtained with x-rays at a second intensity, reduced by comparison with the first intensity. The diagnostic image information and the image information relating to the movement of the surgical instrument are superimposed to form a resulting image.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a CT device such that the radiation dose to an examiner is reduced and, at the same time, a good quality of the calculated images is achieved. It is also an object of the invention to provide a CT device for carrying out the method.
The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention an x-ray CT apparatus of the type described above, and a method for operating such a CT apparatus, wherein movement of a body part of an examiner into an examination region covered by the x-ray beam is automatically detected, and the effective radiation is automatically reduced for a first volumetric region which includes the body part of the examiner, with respect to a comparable second volumetric region in which no body part of the examiner is located. The radiation dose to the examiner is thereby reduced. The size of the first volumetric region is automatically adjusted dependent on a detected size and/or position and/or movement direction of the body part. The adjustment of the effective radiation in the volumetric region in which the body part is located can be achieved by varying the tube current of the x-ray tube, by adjusting a beam diaphragm through which the radiation beam passes, or by inserting a radiation absorber into the beam path.
An important advantage of the inventive method and apparatus is that the radiation dose to the examiner is reduced without the examiner needing to define, before starting the scanning, a volumetric region inside the examination space into which the examiner will bring one or more body parts during the examination. The invention thus advantageously simplifies the operation of the CT device, and incorrect inputs are prevented. The invention provides a further advantage by allowing the size of the volumetric region for which the effective radiation is reduced to be limited to a minimum. This is because, for the personal safety of the examiner, the examiner need not establish, before the examination, a relatively large region which he or she must (as far as possible) not exit. The method according to the invention also eliminates the continuous and troublesome monitoring during the examination as to whether this region has actually been exited.
Without limiting the scope of the invention, it is assumed in the further description that the body part of the examiner which is located in the examination space of the CT device is his or her hand.
Various possibilities exist in order automatically to limit the region in which the examiner""s hand is located and for which the radiation intensity is to be reduced. In one version of the invention the position of the hand along the system axis is detected and taken into account when generating the aforementioned parameters. In another version of the invention the angular range of the segment in which the examiner""s hand is located is automatically detected and taken into account when generating the parameters. In this case, the spacing of the hand from the radiation source, and the positions of the focus, the examination subject and the hand relative to one another also can be taken into account. Thus, for example, it is possible with undiminished radiation intensity to obtain X-ray images in the angular range in which the examination subject is situated between the focus and the hand. The radiation intensity is reduced only for the angular region in which the hand is located between the focus and the examination subject. This has the advantage that most of the projections can be obtained without loss of quality during revolution of the radiation source through 360xc2x0 around the examination subject. This therefore involves only a relatively light radiation stress burden for the examiner because in the case of projections where the examination subject is situated between the focus and the examiner, the radiation intensity is already attenuated by the examination subject and the spacing between the focus and the examiner is also relatively large for these projections. Since the radiation dose decreases with the square of the distance from the focus, the final outcome for these projections is only a slight radiation stress for the examiner, while still achieving good quality of the projections. In this version, as well, the region for which the radiation intensity is to be reduced can be established simply and quickly by determining a few parameters. Of course, a combination of the above versions also can be used for the automatic generation of parameters. Thus, the z-position, the angular range and the spacing of the hand from the system axis can be detected jointly in order to generate corresponding parameters.
For the purpose of automatically detecting the position of the examiner""s hand in the examination space of the CT device, the CT device has a suitable detection and evaluation system. Such navigation systems for determining the position and movement of objects are sufficiently known. Their mode of operation can be based on different methods such as optical, magnetic or electromagnetic methods. Of course, it is also possible for this purpose to evaluate the data generated by the CT device itself during scanning.
The automatic dimensioning of the region penetrated by the radiation beam, and in which the examiner""s hand is located, using a detection and evaluation system, has the advantage that such a system can significantly more accurately determine this region and adapt it dynamically during scanning than would be possible if this were done manually by the examiner. The system reacts immediately to movements of the hand in the examination space, and a corresponding adaptation of the region with reduced radiation is performed. Consequently, the extent of this region always can be kept relatively small. A control unit is connected between the computer of the CT device and the radiator assembly (radiation source, radiation diaphragm, etc.) for processing the data generated by the detection and evaluation system and for controlling the radiation intensity, for example, on this basis.
The radiation dose to which the examiner is subjected can be reduced in various ways. In a first embodiment, for this purpose the radiant power of the radiation source is temporarily reduced during rotation around the examination subject. The radiation source is usually an X-ray tube, for which the radiant power can be varied by influencing the tube current. The overall dynamic range of the X-ray tube from zero to a maximum radiation intensity is available in this case for control. Also possible are signal characteristics which change discontinuously or continuously, for example sinusoidal signal characteristics, as well as periodic signal characteristics. Thus, any desired radiation intensity between zero and a maximum value can be set for each z-position and each angular position in the examination space.
The invention provides a further possibility for reducing the radiation intensity by temporarily constricting size of the radiation beam in a plane perpendicular to the radiation propagation direction. This constriction size of the radiation beam reduces the angular range, and thus the period of time, in which the examiner is exposed to the radiation. This also has the effect of diminishing the applied radiation dose. The constriction of the radiation beam can be produced by adjusting a radiation diaphragm at the tube. The constriction can remain the same for a specific z-region, but also can be dynamically adjustable during a revolution of the radiation source around the examination subject. In this case, the radiation beam can be blocked out entirely or partially in a specific angular range and/or z-region. It also is possible to adopt asymmetric diaphragm settings.
In another version of the invention, the radiation intensity in the relevant region is reduced by inserting an absorber between the focus and the hand. It is advantageous in this version for the absorber to remain essentially fixed after being positioned. Once the absorber is correctly positioned, there is a need, as a rule, for only small corrections during scanning. This has a positive effect on the quality of the images produced, since it is possible to avoid the acceleration of relatively large masses during scanning as is necessary, for example, for the dynamic adjustment of diaphragm plates for temporarily constricting the radiation beam. The magnitude of the reduction in the radiation intensity by the absorber can be established by the absorber material and the thickness of the absorber. This magnitude also can have a range from a slight reduction to a complete blocking of the radiation. In addition to an absorber which is fixed after being positioned, it is possible to have an absorber which rotates with the radiation source.
A combination of the above versions for reducing the radiation dose applied to the examiner also can be used. Thus, it is possible during scanning both to constrict the radiation beam, and to lower the radiant power of the X-ray tube, for a specific region.
Reducing the radiation intensity required for carrying out scanning correctly leads as a rule to a loss in quality of the images produced. It is expedient for this loss in quality to be kept as low as possible. The invention offers the possibility of achieving this by obtaining data that are missing from projections with reduced radiation by interpolating data from projections with normal radiation. This can be done effectively, in particular, when the relevant region of the object under examination is small. In another embodiment missing data of projections with reduced radiation at least partially replaced by data from projections which were acquired without the reduction. For this technique, however, it is assumed that the examination subject does not move with respect to the support device. This technique is based on the fact that instruments used for the intervention are very easily visible, with a high contrast in the calculated images, and that movement of such instruments therefore can be followed easily, even in the case of diminished radiation intensity, whereas the examination subject does not change position and the data relating to the examination subject can be used from projection-to-projection.
In a further version of the method according to the invention, missing data of projections with reduced radiation can be calculated from data of complementary projections. In this case, a projection complementary to a given projection means a projection in which the radiation source is offset by 180xc2x0 in the circumferential direction. In the case of radiation intensity being reduced only for a specific angular range, the data calculated therefrom are of high quality as a rule and are therefore well suited for producing images.

X-ray CT apparatus and method for operating same for reducing the radiation dose to an examiner having a body part exposed to the X-ray beam