A method is disclosed for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injected homogeneous charge compression ignition engines by combusting therein a fuel having a cetane number equal to or less than 50, and aromatic content equal to or greater than 15 wt %.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to direct injected homogeneous charge compression ignition engines and to a way to exercise control over exhaust emissions, and especially NOx emissions therefrom by adjusting the characteristics of the fuel.
2. Related Art
In "Effects of Fuel Properties on Premixed Charge Compression Ignition Combustion in a Direct Injection Diesel Engine," Kitano et al SAE 2003-01-1815, it is taught that NOx emissions among three test fuels, two based on fuels having a boiling range of about 35° C. to 139° C. and of 25, 40 cetane, and one diesel of boiling range 170° C. to 355° C., and of 53 cetane number, respectively, showed a tendency to decrease as the cetane number is lowered and as the injection timing is advanced.
In "A Method of Defining Ignition Quality of Fuels in HCCI Engines," Kalghatgi et al. SAE 2003-01-1816, it is taught that more sensitive fuels are likely to be better than less sensitive fuels of the same RON for HCCI engines. Fuel sensitivity is reported to increase as the aromatic/olefinic/oxygenate content of the fuel increases.
Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a rapidly evolving technology that offers great potential for meeting future exhaust emissions regulations while maintaining good fuel conversion efficiency.
The primary reason HCCI systems are being developed is because of their ultra-low NOx and particulate matter emissions capability that will be needed to meet future worldwide emissions regulations, excellent fuel efficiency and the possible avoidance of costly aftertreatment systems.
HCCI systems will likely target the US on-highway 2010 and off-road Tier 4b regulations due to the extremely low NOx emissions levels, although forms of HCCI could be used to meet practically all upcoming regulations. NOx levels of 0.2–0.3 g/HP·h translate into <50 ppm NOx at all engine operating conditions (<10 ppm at most), and the only other known methods to achieve these levels involve the use of expensive NOx aftertreatment technology such as NOx adsorbers and SCR systems. If a true homogeneous mixture is achieved, rich regions in the cylinder are avoided and solid carbon levels are effectively zero, avoiding the need for particulate traps. Hydrocarbon and CO levels are also legislated and HCCI combustion has inherently high levels of these emissions, especially at light loads (low equivalence ratios). So even if HCCI combustion methods are successful at eliminating the need for NOx and PM traps, oxidation catalysts will still be needed.
The primary challenge of most HCCI development activities is achieving these ultra low NOx and PM emissions over the entire power spectrum and legislated emissions cycles the engines must operate within. For certain applications such as passenger cars and light trucks, in some countries the emissions cycles only subject the vehicle to part load operation so an HCCI strategy that achieves low emissions up to ½ load and then uses more conventional methods at higher loads may be a perfectly acceptable solution. However, for on-highway trucks and off-road machines, the emissions cycles are such that the engines must produce ultra-low NOx and PM levels from light load up to full load. Therefore, the ideal HCCI solution is one which works at all engine operating conditions and this has proven to be the most difficult obstacle to overcome by most researchers involved in HCCI development. The primary reason for this is the rapid increase in the rate of combustion as more fuel is injected to increase the power output of the engine. These high combustion rates can lead to cylinder pressures exceeding the structural limits of engine cylinder components (piston, rings, head, etc.) and often are accompanied by high NOx emissions and increased heat loss.
HCCI engines have higher HC and CO emissions than standard diesel engines so control of these emissions is also important.
It would be desirable, therefore, to identify techniques for the control and reduction of NOx, particulate matter and other exhaust emissions which could be implemented independently of mechanical or operational control of the HCCI engine while extending the size of the fuel pool.

Method for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injection homogeneous charge compression ignition engines


An electronic device may have circuitry mounted on a printed circuit board. The circuitry may include electronic components such as integrated circuits, sensors, and switches that are sensitive to bending-induced stress in the printed circuit board. An overmolded plastic stress concentrator may be overmolded over the printed circuit board and the circuitry on the printed circuit board. A flexible plastic body may be used to enclose the stress concentrator and printed circuit board. The plastic body, stress concentrator, and printed circuit board may be elongated along a longitudinal axis. The stress concentrator may have unbent regions in which the printed circuit board is prevented from flexing and enhanced flexibility regions. Sensitive circuitry may be located in the unbent regions to prevent the sensitive circuitry from being exposed to bending stress.

This relates generally to electronic devices, and, more particularly, to structures for preventing damage to electronic device circuitry.
Electronic devices include components such as buttons, integrated circuits, and other electrical components. These components are mounted to printed circuit boards. Devices may be exposed to external forces during use. For example, a user of a device may intentionally or unintentionally apply force to a device housing. The applied force can stress internal components. For example, the force applied to a device may bend printed circuit boards within the device.
If care is not taken, devices that are subjected to external forces can become damaged. If a printed circuit or other substrate is bent excessively, stress may develop in the printed circuit that causes sensitive circuitry on the printed circuit to become damaged. For example, sensitive integrated circuits and other electronic components may become damaged, solder joints that are used in mounting electrical components to the printed circuit may fail, and other sensitive structures may be adversely affected by excess stress arising from a bent substrate.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide structures for protecting electronic devices from damage due to printed circuit stress.

Electronic devices having stress concentrators for printed circuit boards


Implementations include providing, by a computer-executed migration advisor executing within a run-time of a source database system, a query data set including queries processed by the source database system during production use of the source database system, providing, by the migration advisor, an object data set including data representative of database objects stored within a database of the source database system, generating, by the migration advisor, a list of query-level features and a list of object-level features, each feature in the list of query-level features and each feature in the list of object-level features including a feature that is deprecated in a target database system, resolving one or more issues represented by features of one or more of the list of query-level features and the list of object-level features, and executing migration of the database of the source database system to the database of the target database system.

Enterprises use database systems in support of operations. For example, enterprises store data within and access data from a database maintained within a database system and execute analytics on data within database systems. Vendors provide disparate offerings of database systems, which enterprises can choose from. Example offerings include, without limitation, on-premise database systems and cloud-based database systems. An on-premise database system can be described as being located within the physical confines of an enterprise (e.g., in a data center owned by and/or operated on behalf of an enterprise), is managed by the enterprise, and is generally capable of being tailored to the specific needs of the enterprise. A cloud-based database system can generally be described as being located within a cloud platform that is operated by a service provider and, in some cases, can have limited options available for tailoring to the needs of a particular enterprise. In many instances, an enterprise may seek to migrate a database between database systems. For example, an enterprise can maintain a database within an on-premise database system, then choose to migrate the database to a cloud-based database system to, for example, take advantage of technical flexibility and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) cloud-based database systems offer.
Migrating a database from one database system to another database system present numerous technical challenges. For example, even if the database systems are provided by the same vendor, incompatibilities are inherent between disparate types of database systems. An example incompatibility can include, without limitation, disparate features sets as between database systems. That is, for example, a source database system (i.e., a database system, from which a database is to be migrated) can have a feature set that is different than a feature set of a target database system (i.e., a database system, to which a database is to be migrated). For example, the feature set of the target database system can be absent features that are available in the feature set of the source database system (e.g., the feature set of the target database system is deprecated). This deprecation of the feature set of the target database system can result in queries that were executed in the source database system not being executable in the target database system. Other incompatibilities can include database objects available in the source database system not being available in or compatible with the target database system.
In view of this, database migration can be assisted by a set of migration tools that assist users (e.g., IT personnel of an enterprise) in managing migration of a database from one database system to another database system. Traditional migration tools, however, rely on user input to the tools, the user input representing queries, database objects, and the like, of the database within the source database system. Such user input, however, can be incomplete and/or inaccurate, resulting in an inaccurate evaluation of any potential migration issues, which hinders the migration process. For example, an inaccurate view of potential migration issues results in some migration issues not being resolved before migration and having to be unwound post-migration. This comes at the expense of not only time, but technical resources in resolving the issues post-migration.

Pre-migration detection and resolution of issues in migrating databases systems


The hearing device comprises a housing with electronic components and a battery compartment with an opening in the housing. The battery compartment comprises means for removeably engaging a battery door. The hearing device further comprises a set of battery doors, each comprising mechanical means for detachably receiving a battery, the shells of each battery door of the set of battery doors having different shapes and sizes, each adapted to the size of the assigned specific battery type.

The present invention relates to a hearing device with a battery compartment.
Hearing devices such as in-the-ear hearing aids, behind-the-ear hearing aids, hearing instruments or miniaturized active earphones usually have a battery compartment for carrying one or more batteries for supplying the electronic or electric components of the device with electricity. As the battery will have to be removed or exchanged from time to time, this battery compartment is closed by a battery door to be opened on demand and to firmly close the battery compartment for regular use of the hearing device.
The electronic or electric components of the hearing device are usually designed to be supplied by a specific battery type and thus the battery compartment, especially the geometric dimensions of such a compartment, are defined by the geometric dimensions of the specific battery type.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,330 a removeably attached battery compartment is shown. The standard battery compartment, comprising the battery, may be exchanged by an alternative battery compartment comprising the battery and additional audio connecting means. This alternative battery compartment is geometrically bigger than the standard battery compartment, thus providing space for incorporating additional audio connecting means beside the unique battery type.
The capacity of a battery increases with its geometrical volume. Thus the bigger the geometrical volume of the battery is, the longer its lifetime and thus the time period between the changing of the batteries will increase as well. Such long-life batteries require a greater amount of space in the battery compartment which results in an increase of the overall size of the hearing device. It depends on the individual demands if the need for a small housing or the need for a long battery lifetime prevails.


The inkjet recording apparatus comprises: a full line print head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged for respective ink colors across a length corresponding to a full width of a recording medium; a selection device which selects at least one of the plurality of nozzles for printing a dot onto the recording medium as a dot for a discharge failure detection, from at least one of the plurality of nozzles to be used for a print for obtaining a final output image based on print data; a discharge failure detection device which performs the discharge failure detection by reading in the dot for the discharge failure detection printed on the recording medium; and a reverse conveyance device which returns the recording medium to a printing position of the print head after the discharge failure detection performed by the discharge failure detection device, wherein the print for obtaining the final output image is performed by the print head onto the recording medium, by returning the recording medium to the printing position of the print head by the reverse conveyance device after the discharge failure detection performed by the discharge failure detection device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly, to technology for repairing recording errors caused by ink discharge failures during image recording in an inkjet recording apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
An inkjet type image forming apparatus has an inkjet head (print head) in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged, and it forms images on a recording medium by discharging ink from the nozzles while moving the print head and the recording medium relatively with respect to each other.
In an inkjet recording apparatus of this kind, blocking of the nozzles of the print head or soiling of the ink meniscus may give rise to printing errors in which ink fails to be discharged or ink is not discharged in the correct direction of flight, thus leading to omissions in the print. Printing omissions of this kind are not readily noticeable in the case of a shuttle scan system, since there is a large degree of overlap in the print, but in the case of a line head, printing omissions are highly noticeable.
Therefore, various methods for detecting print omissions caused by discharge failure of this kind and methods for rectifying print omissions when they are detected, have been proposed.
In one known example, it is determined whether or not ink particles have been discharged correctly by comparing the printed dots with the print data, by means of an image sensor (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-260448).
In a further known example, a test pattern is recorded onto a recording medium, this test pattern is read out by a discharge failure detection device, and if it is determined that an ink discharge failure has occurred in a portion of the plurality of discharge ports, then the supply of drive data for discharging ink from the discharge ports is changed by means of discharge ports other than a discharge port which has produced a discharge failure. Thereby, even if a discharge failure has occurred in a portion of the discharge ports of the recording head, it is still possible to assign this drive data to other discharge ports which are functioning normally. Therefore, recording can even be performed by a recording head in which a portion of the nozzles have produced discharge failures (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-338199).
In a further known example, the image recording status recorded onto a special test recording member is read in by a reading device, and the driving the recording device is controlled on the basis of the image information thus read out. Furthermore, the image recorded onto the test recording member is erased so that the member can be reused (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-340063).
In yet a further known example, it is judged, on the basis of bit map data for a black ink recording head, whether or not there is a region where dots are to be formed by black ink in a line corresponding to those nozzle openings in a color (other than black) recording head that are required to perform at least dummy discharge. When the nozzle openings of the color ink recording head which are required to perform dummy discharge are positioned facing the positions at which dots of black ink are to be formed, the nozzle openings of the color ink recording head required to perform dummy discharge are caused to discharge ink droplets of one color onto one point, separately from the print data. Dots of black ink based on the print data are subsequently printed and superimposed onto the color dots formed by the dummy discharges, thereby concealing the color dots of the dummy discharges. Therefore, it is possible to avoid nozzle blockages by performing dummy discharges during printing, without having to interrupt the printing operation (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-216388).
However, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-260448, in the case of a single-pass system which does not involve overwriting, or a system using high-density nozzles or a high number of nozzles, the adjacently positioned dots overlap closely with each other, and therefore it is not possible to detect discharge failures accurately by detecting the dots.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-338199, discharge failures are detected by recording a test pattern onto a recording medium, and therefore wasted recording medium is generated. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-340063, a special, separate recording medium for determination is required, and although this medium can be reused, a special cleaning device for the recording medium is also required in order that it can be reused. Therefore, the composition of the device becomes complicated.
In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-216388, nozzle blockages are prevented by performing a dummy discharge during printing, but discharge failures are not detected and therefore countermeasures cannot be adopted during printing if a discharge failure has occurred. The printing operation must be interrupted in order to perform a restoring operation with respect to the nozzles.


The present invention relates to an improved isocyanate reactive mixture containing at least one DMC-catalyzed polyol and about 0.25 to about 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the isocyanate-reactive mixture, of at least one ethylene oxide (EO) containing water compatibilizer. The isocyanate reactive mixtures of the present invention may find use in the preparation of polyurethane foams, coatings, elastomers, sealants, adhesives and the like.

Isocyanate reactive mixtures often contain polyols that are the polymerization products of alkylene oxides with polyhydric alcohols. In the preparation of such polyoxyalkylene polyols, starter compounds having active hydrogen atoms are oxyalkylated with alkylene oxides in the presence of a suitable catalyst. For many years, basic as well as double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts have been used in oxyalkylation reactions to prepare polyoxyalkylene polyols.
Base-catalyzed oxyalkylation involves oxyalkylating a low molecular weight starter compound, such as propylene glycol or glycerine, with an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, in the presence of a basic catalyst, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) to form a polyoxyalkylene polyol.
One drawback to base-catalyzed oxyalkylation reactions is that propylene oxide and certain other alkylene oxides are subject to a competing internal rearrangement that generates unsaturated alcohols. For example, where KOH is used to catalyze an oxyalkylation reaction using propylene oxide, the resulting product will contain allyl alcohol-initiated, monofunctional impurities. As the molecular weight of the polyol increases, the isomerization reaction becomes more prevalent. As a result, 800 or higher equivalent weight poly(propylene oxide) products prepared with KOH tend to have significant quantities of monofunctional impurities that can reduce the average functionality and broaden the molecular weight distribution of the polyol.
Unlike basic catalysts, however, DMC catalysts do not significantly promote the isomerization of propylene oxide. Polyether, polyester and polyetherester polyols having low unsaturation values and relatively high molecular weights may be produced with DMC catalysts. Such polyols are useful in applications such as polyurethane coatings, elastomers, sealants, foams, adhesives and the like.
However, in some processes using isocyanate reactive mixtures that incorporate DMC-catalyzed polyols, brittle flakes have been observed forming in the manufacturing equipment. Those flakes have the potential of breaking off of the equipment and becoming integrated into the final product, resulting in a product having defects. Brittle flakes have heretofore not been observed in manufacturing equipment processing isocyanate reactive mixtures containing polyols prepared in the presence of a basic catalyst, such as KOH. One potential cause of this problem may be a difference in water compatibility between the polyols used in the mixture.
Therefore, a need exists in the art for an isocyanate reactive mixture having improved water compatibility to reduce or eliminate brittle flake formation in the manufacturing equipment and the resultant defects in finished products.

Isocyanate reactive mixture and process for preparing same


A motorised fluid metering valve includes an inlet pipe, a discharge pipe and a motor moving a piston that can move linearly between a closed position in which a distal end of the piston sealingly engages with a seat of matching shape, and an open position. The valve is configured to have a flow rate that varies continuously between the closed position and the open position depending on an axial position of the piston. The inlet pipe opens in a periphery of the discharge pipe, with a constant protuberance regardless of the position of the piston, the protuberance not extending radially beyond a barycentre of the discharge pipe. Also, the motor is a rotary electric motor moving the piston in translation.

The international patent application WO 2013019468 is known in the state of the art to describe a discharge gas turbocharger with a turbine casing having a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet and connecting a wastegate line between the turbine casing inlet and the turbine casing outlet, the wastegate being able to be opened and closed by means of a shut-off element, the shut-off element being in the form of a piston guided so as to be longitudinally moveable in the inner space of a guide, and the wastegate opening into the inner space transversely to the longitudinal centre line of the guide. This solution is not satisfactory for several reasons.                firstly, it provides for pneumatic actuation of the piston, which requires a fluid supply and a complex installation,        secondly, such a mode of actuation only allows an "all or nothing" control, which is incompatible with progressive metering,        thirdly, the pneumatic actuating system must be remote from the pipe in which the hot gases flow, which implies a connection by means of a long control rod, presenting risks of deformation and malfunction.
The U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,557 describing a wastegate for a turbocharger; is also known in the state of the art. This state-of-the-art valve is equipped with a cone to provide a progressive, optimally almost linear curve of the turbocharger boost valve opening, which, according to this prior art document, is not possible with a conventional flat wastegate. The addition of a three-dimensional cone in the flow path is a much more cost-effective solution for achieving a linear flow than an approach involving finite and precise control of the valve position. One of the variants illustrated in FIG. 12 of this document proposes a linear movement of the three-dimensional cone.
The solution described in the prior art document has several drawbacks. Firstly, the proposed valve, like all poppet valves of the prior art, has a very steep "flow/piston position" curve in the opening sequence. The valve proposed in the prior art claims to allow a more progressive curve, close to a straight line, but does not allow to define a very progressive curve, allowing a fine metering at the opening. This is a real disadvantage for some applications requiring a very progressive opening, with an "S-shaped" curve for example (on an imaginary pressure versus opening diagram), such as gas bypass applications for a turbocharger.
Another disadvantage of prior art solutions is that the valve forms a protuberance that disturbs the fluid flow and, in some applications such as turbocharger discharge applications, disturbs the mixing of the fluid controlled by the valve with a fluid flowing in a main line. Other secondary disadvantages include the difficulty of achieving a good sealing around the actuator shaft. In this sense, the solutions of the prior art allow to provide one or the other function (fine adjustment of the opening and good sealing) but do not allow to achieve both functions with a reliable, simple and industrializable architecture. In particular, in the prior art documents, it is difficult to guarantee a fine adjustment while maintaining a so-called "internal" sealing, corresponding to the absence of fluid leakage from the inlet to the discharge when the valve is closed, and a so-called "external" sealing, corresponding to the absence of fluid leakage from the inlet/discharge channels to the outside of the valve.


A one-piece garment (e.g. infant/toddler Onesie or body suit) includes independent elastic bands threaded alongside the body of the garment, from the underarms down to the hip, that when pulled allow for custom fitting of the garment. Once pulled to the desired length, the bands are securable with a snap fastener post, located at the end of the strap, to snap fastener studs, located at varying points on the inside of the garment. The contraction of the elastic bands preferably creates a drawstring effect and provides a gathering force upon the garment, which is held securely in place with the snap fastener so that the one-piece garment thereby shortens in length around a wearer's torso creating a custom fit. The one-piece garment can be expanded as needed by releasing the snap fastener post and positioning it on a lower positioned snap fastener stud.

The present invention generally relates to garments for infants and small children.
One piece garments are commonly worn by infants and small children, but because they commonly grow very fast, it is not unusual for children to quickly outgrow a particular garment.
Needs exist for improvement in garments for infants and small children. These, and other needs, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.


Example methods and apparatus to collect broadband market data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes selecting a panelist household, the panelist household subscribing to at least one broadband service delivered via a modem, and identifying an Internet protocol (IP) address assigned to the modem by an Internet service provider (ISP). The example method also includes retrieving a range of IP addresses associated with the ISP, selecting a random subset of IP addresses from the range of IP addresses, and testing each of the IP addresses from the random subset to determine an activity status of each IP address.

Internet service providers (ISPs) that choose to participate in a market typically need to acquire information about their competitors. Competitive information allows the ISP to employ strategic and/or tactical decisions related to opportunities that may increase a subscriber base and/or identify which market areas may be particularly receptive to the services provided by the ISP. Additionally, information about the ISP and its competitors permits a comparison to reveal market presence and/or market dominance.
Obtaining information related to the presence of competitive ISPs and/or the market share in any particular geographic market may entail conducting surveys. Surveys, whether oral or written, typically yield low sample rates when compared to the total number of existing subscribers. Additionally, answers to the surveys are usually provided by a human respondent, who is prone to inaccuracy regarding details of their existing ISP. For example, a human respondent may state the name of their browser application or computer manufacturer instead of the name of their ISP.
Additionally, because oral and written surveys are perceived as a burden to subscribers, ISPs are not likely to enjoy opportunities to determine whether the subscriber's status has changed. For example, a subscriber to an ISP is not typically bound by contracts that restrict and/or discourage competitive shopping with alternate ISPs. Thus, if the subscriber agrees to answer survey questions at a first time, such subscriber is not likely to also agree to another survey question at a second time (e.g., two-months after the first survey). Instead, the subscriber is likely to view the additional survey questions as a burden not worthy of their time.

Methods and apparatus to collect broadband market data


In vivo and in vitro methods of increasing amyloid deposition using amyloid-enhancing compounds are described. Methods of forming amyloid fibrils and screening for agents useful in treating amyloidosis are also described. Animals having non-naturally occurring amyloid deposits produced using the amyloid-enhancing compounds even further are described.

Amyloidosis refers to a pathological condition characterized by the presence of amyloid. Amyloid is a generic term referring to a group of diverse but specific extracellular protein deposits which are seen in a number of different diseases. Though diverse in their occurrence, all amyloid deposits have common morphologic properties, stain with specific dyes (e.g., Congo red), and have a characteristic red-green birefringent appearance in polarized light after staining. They also share common ultrastructural features and common x-ray diffraction and infrared spectra.
Amyloid can be classified according to the protein type, as described in a recent report (Kazatchkine et al., (1993) Bull. WHO 71:105). Different amyloidoses are also characterized by the type of protein present in the deposit. For example, neurodegenerative diseases such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalitis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and the like are characterized by the appearance and accumulation of a protease-resistant form of a prion protein (referred to as AScr or PrP-27) in the central nervous system. Similarly, Alzheimer's disease, another neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by congophilic angiopathy, neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, all of which have the characteristics of amyloids. In this case, the plaques and blood vessel amyloid is formed by the beta protein. In other systemic diseases such as adult-onset diabetes, the protein is amylin, in complications of long-term hemodialysis , the protein is beta-2-microglobulin, in sequelae of long-standing inflammation, the protein is serum amyloid A (SAA), and in plasma cell dyscrasias, amyloids are characterized by the accumulation of light chains systemically. In each of these cases, a different amyloidogenic protein is involved in amyloid deposition.
Once these amyloids have formed there is no generally accepted therapy or treatment to dissolve the deposits in situ. There is, therefore, an urgent need for therapeutic agents which can either inhibit the formation or growth of amyloid or dissolve amyloid deposits once formed. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/403,230 describes methods and compositions of sulfated and sulfonated compounds, or functional equivalents thereof, useful in the treatment of amyloidosis in vivo.
One difficulty encountered in identification of therapeutic agents for the treatment of amyloidosis is the lack of rapid, general screening assays for such agents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,295 describes a screening assay which measures the ability of a compound to inhibit the interaction between an amyloid protein and an extracellular matrix protein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,963 describes an assay which screens compounds based on their ability to alter the intracellular processing of amyloid precursor proteins in mammalian cells in cell culture. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/403,230 describes a mouse model of amyloidosis which is used for screening for compounds which have the ability to decrease amyloid formation in vivo.
Another difficulty encountered in searching for treatments for amyloidosis is that the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation, although extensively studied in vivo (see, e.g., R. Kisilevsky and I. Young (1994) in G. Husby, ed. "Clinical Rheumatology: Vol. 8, No. 3, Reactive Amyloidosis and the Acute Phase Response" London: Bailliere Tindall, pp. 613-626; E. Gruys and F. W. J. J. Snel (1994) in Husby, ed., op. cit., pp.599-611) and in vitro (see, e.g., G. G. Glenner et al., (1971) Science 174:712; E. M. Castano et al. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 141:782; D. A. Kirschner et al. (1987) Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:6953), has not been completely elucidated. In general, in vitro conditions used to cause amyloid fibril formation have not been similar to physiological conditions. The in vitro methods known in the art usually require high amyloid protein concentrations, unnatural pH ranges, or strong solvents to cause amyloid fibril formation ( see, e.g., I. B. Kingston et al., (1995) Nature Med., 1:138-142; Glenner et al, (1971) op. cit.). Thus, the amyloid fibrils formed by these methods may not reflect the structure of fibrils formed in vivo, and the conclusions drawn from structural studies of such in vitro-formed fibrils may not be applicable to fibrils formed by amyloidogenic conditions in vivo.

Methods of increasing amyloid deposition


In a method and apparatus for trimming values of load resistors to reduce variations there between, a common mode feedback loop (CMFBL) included in a differential amplifier is switched from operating in a closed loop mode to operate in an open loop mode. The CMFBL includes an operational amplifier (OA) generating an output signal. A selector switch, coupled to receive the output signal, is operable to switch a path of the output signal in response to a CAL signal. In the closed loop mode, the selector switch routes the output signal to a feedback loop to provide a regulated current to the load resistors. In the open loop mode, the OA operates as a comparator and the output signal is provided as a digital signal. The selector switch provides the digital signal to a controller to digitally trim the values of the load resistors.

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic circuits, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for improving the performance of amplifiers.
FIG. 1A illustrates a circuit diagram of a differential amplifier 100, which is often used as an input stage for integrated circuit (IC) amplifiers that are typically included in mixed signal processing, radio frequency (RF) transceivers, and wireless communication applications. A differential input signal 110 that is applied to terminals INP 112 and INM 114 respectively is amplified by transistors M1P 120 and M1M 130 respectively. Both the transistors M1P 120 and M1M 130 are driven by a current source 140 (also referred to as a tail current source). The differential input signal 110 is amplified by a transconductance gain factor gm to generate an output signal 150 presented across output terminals OUTP 160 and OUTM 162. A load resistor RLP 170 is coupled between the output terminal OUTP 160 and a voltage reference 180. Similarly, a load resistor RLM 172 is coupled between the output terminal OUTM 162 and the voltage reference 180. The load resistors RLP 170 and RLM 172 are preferably identical to balance the differential amplifier 100. Well known performance metrics for the differential amplifier 100 often include a common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and a power supply rejection ratio (PSRR).
FIG. 1B illustrates a circuit diagram of a differential amplifier 102 having a feedback loop 104 to improve performance including improvement in the CMRR and PSRR ratios. A pair of resistors RB 182 is coupled between the output terminals OUTP 160 and OUTM 162, the pair of resistors RB 182 forming a node NBAL 184. Thus, voltage at NBAL 184 is the common mode voltage measured between the output terminals OUTP 160 and OUTM 162. An operational amplifier (OA) 190 includes a positive terminal coupled to the node NBAL 184 and a negative terminal coupled to a reference voltage VCMREF 192. The OA 190 generates an output VOUT 194 in response to the inputs received from the node NBAL 184 and VCMREF 192. The output VOUT 194 is provided as a feedback to control transistors M2P 174 (coupled in parallel with RLP 170) and M2M 176 (coupled in parallel with RLM 172). In a balanced state, the voltage at NBAL 184 is equal to the reference voltage VCMREF 192, the current flowing through M2P 174 and M2M 176 is at a fixed known (minimum) current value to overcome component variations and the voltage VOUT 194 is determined accordingly and may have a direct current (DC) bias. Thus, a feedback loop 104 controls an amount of current flowing through the resistors RLP 170 and RLM 172 in response to a change (positive or negative) in the differential input signal 110.
The differential amplifier circuit 102 is, however, sensitive to component variations often present in IC's manufactured using deep sub-micron technology. A large variation in a value of resistor RLP 170 compared to that of RLM 172 may cause the feedback loop 104 to go out-of-range since the current flowing through M2P 174 and M2M 176 approaches zero. To achieve a balanced circuit, it is a common practice to trim the value of resistors RLP 170 and RLM 172 in order to minimize the impact of component variations. The prior art resistive trimming techniques may typically include laser trimming, blowing fusable links, or shorting diodes. However, such resistive trimming procedures often require that a separate trimming circuit be physically present on the same IC as the differential amplifier circuit 102, thereby increasing the silicon area. In addition, such trim procedures rely on an accurate matching of a benchmark resistor included in the trimming circuit with resistors RLP 170 and RLM 172 used in the actual circuit. Therefore, a need exists to provide an improved differential amplifier having a resistive load that is capable of being trimmed efficiently without incurring a substantial penalty in noise performance, power consumption, and silicon area.

Resistor self-trim circuit for increased performance


An image processing method includes acquiring an original image, acquiring original information, generating overlay information, determining where to embed the overlay information, evaluating whether the overlay information is embeddable in the original image, and controlling image processing according to a result of the evaluation. The image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition mechanism for acquiring an original image, an information acquisition mechanism for acquiring original information and generating overlay information, an embed position determination mechanism for determining where to embed a bit of the overlay information, an embed evaluation mechanism for evaluating whether the overlay information is embeddable in the original image, and an image processing control mechanism for controlling image processing according to a result of the evaluation. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program product which causes the image processing apparatus to perform the image processing method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for image processing, and a recording medium storing a computer program product for image processing, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for controlling image processing to perform extraction assured embedding, and a recording medium storing a computer program product for controlling image processing.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Recently, background art has been developed to add value to a print material which serves as a recording medium. The background art embeds information in the print material in addition to its original contents so that a value-added print material can be provided. Examples of information to be embedded in a print material include information for a security purpose, information to protect contents of the print material, a link to source data of the print material such as digital data and a web page, and so forth. The background art embeds such information by arranging a predetermined pattern on a print material.
An example of the background art uses a dot code to embed information in a print material. In the example, a reference point referred to as a marker is arranged at each of four corners of the print material, and a plurality of blocks including dot images representing the information are arranged inside an area enclosed by the markers.
Another example of the background art adopts a spatial reference method of a self-clocking glyph code and an optically readable record to embed information in a print material. In the example, patterns including a slash mark and a backslash mark representing the information are two-dimensionally arranged in a background of the print material.
The contents of the print material indicate whether information is embedded in the print material. To extract information from the print material, a mechanism needs to initially check whether the information is able to be embedded.

Method and apparatus for controlling image processing for extraction assured embedding, and recording medium storing program product


This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the fundamental prediction, analysis, and parametric studies of the interaction of multiply scattered waves of any nature (acoustic, electromagnetic, elastic) with particulate composites (solid or fluid particulate phases included in a solid or fluid phase). It comprises of: a) a Prediction Engine 21 to predict the composite physical attributes from those of the constituent phases, b) an Inversion Engine 22 to estimate a subset of the attributes of the constituent phases and composite from the rest of those attributes, and c) an ergonomic Graphical Interface 23 to enable the user to easily set up complex simulation experiments for the analysis, and synthesis of real systems in which generic waves interact with composites. The Prediction Engine 22 is suitable for integration into existing acoustic or optical particle size analyzers to thereby extending their concentration ranges by at least two orders of magnitude.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a method and its hardware implementation for the fundamental prediction, analysis, and parametric studies of the interaction of multiply scattered waves of any nature (acoustic, electromagnetic, elastic) with particulate composites (solid or fluid particulate phases included in a solid or fluid continuous phase). Any embodiment for the present invention constitutes a powerful research and development tool in a vast variety of engineering and scientific fields dealing with wave propagation in composites (e.g. foods, paints, cosmetics, mineral slurries, pharmaceuticals, etc). The METAMODEL™ Prediction Engine 21 , a crucial component of this invention (FIG. 1), is suitable for integration into existing acoustic or optical particle size analyzers to thereby extending their particle concentration ranges by at least two orders of magnitude.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Prior art for the present invention pertains to three fields: a) Tools to assist in scientific and engineering work; b) Theoretical physics; and c) Instrumentation for particle size measurement. Several tools to assist in the modeling, analysis, and parametric studies of physical systems are known in the prior art and available in the market. Some of them are general mathematical tools with thousands of functions in calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, Fourier analysis, dynamic systems, etc. An incomplete list includes MATLAB™ ([C1], The MathWorks, Inc), Maple V® ([C2], Waterloo Maple Software), SCIENTIFIC WORKPLACE™ ([C3], TCI Software Research), MathCad™ ([C4], MathSoft, Inc.), and Mathematica® ([C5], Wolfram Research, Inc.). These systems constitute, in a hierarchy of research and development tools, a next level up from e.g. the well-known IMSL FORTRAN/C library of scientific routines ([C6], Visual Numerics, Inc.). By becoming a little more specific in scope, they offer a higher-level language to the user, reducing the need for proficiency in computer programming and increasing the efficiency with which the scientist/engineer solves his/her problems. Some other systems are even more specific like FEMLAB® ([C7], COMSOL, Inc.) or MaX-1 ([C8], A visual Electromagnetics Platform, J. Wiley) or Real Time ([C9], A Two-Dimensional Electromagnetic Field Simulator, CRC Press). The last two systems are overly specific simulators, as they cover only certain aspects of electromagnetic waves with no flexibility offered to modeling their multiple scattering in particulates. The first one, FEMLAB®, using MATLAB™ as a software platform, offers to the user a less specific high-level language oriented towards the solution of partial differential equations using the finite element technique for problems in physics and engineering. It allows the user to create a suitable mathematical model for the physical problem at hand from available building blocks (partial differential equations, functional relationships, etc.) in an ample variety of disciplines including acoustics, fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, chemical processing, and electromagnetics. After a short training, the user only needs to be concerned with physics and engineering, and is required no major proficiency in computer programming and numerical intricacies. However, no pre-built modeling blocks for multiple scattering of waves in particulate composites are available either.
All these systems in the prior-art are either exceedingly general or overly specific to efficiently solve the multiply interleaved wave equations required to accurately predict the multiple scattering of waves in particulates. In order to take advantage of those existing tools, it would inevitably require an expert on both the physics and the mathematics of the problem who—in addition—would have to command the novel know-how to be disclosed in this specification, plus unacceptable computer time and human effort. A system tackling all those intricate physico-mathematical aspects of the problem, and making them transparent to the regular physicist/engineer has been clearly in need for many years. The current invention provides such a tool.
An essential part of the present invention is the ability to accurately predict the composite physical attributes (e.g. wave attenuation, wave velocity, scattered intensity, etc) when the physical attributes of the constituent phases (i.e. the particles and the host medium) are known. Two distinct approaches have historically developed in trying to mathematically model scattering of waves with particulates. One is microscopic (fundamental) and called the analytical wave-scattering theory; the other is macroscopic (phenomenological) and called the transport theory or radiative transfer theory ([22] A. Ishimaru, "Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media", Academic Press, 1978; [48] F. Alba et al, "Ultrasound Spectroscopy: A Sound Approach to Sizing of Concentrated Particulates", Handbook on Ultrasonic and Dielectric Characterization Techniques for Suspended Particulates, The American Ceramic Society, 1998). The former starts with the wave equation, rigorously predicts the scattering of a wave with a single particle in the medium, and statistically describes the interaction between all the scattered fields around all the particles, to arrive to expected values for the attributes of the composite in terms of the attributes of its constituents. It is a mathematically rigorous fundamental approach and, as a consequence, all the multiple scattering, diffraction, and interference effects are contemplated with the broad validity and accuracy range inherent to a first-principle technique. This is the physico-mathematical background of the current invention. In the latter (macroscopic) approach, instead, the basic wave equation is not the starting point. It deals directly with the transport of energy through the particulate composite, arriving to a basic differential equation (the equation of transfer). A basic assumption is that there is no correlation between the coexisting scattered fields and, therefore, their intensities can be added directly (as opposed to vectorially adding the fields). A crucial magnitude is the composite depth (particle concentration by number times total cross-section of a single particle times path length). The solution of the equation of transfer depends upon this depth and the so-called phase function. The theory is heuristic as opposed to fundamental and, ergo, it lacks the mathematical rigor and ample validity range of a first-principle approach. As it would be expected, this approach is simpler and more tractable from the numerical point of view. It has flourished during the last 100 years, in great part, due to the lack of sufficient cost-effective computational power to implement the fundamental approach. Nowadays, duplication of computer power every year or so at lower costs, has made it possible to consider full numerical implementation of the fundamental approach using non-expensive computer hardware.
Scientific literature on the analytical multiple-scattering theory is abundant but dispersed throughout a myriad of publications. Main authors who have significantly contributed in the last fifty years are L. L. Foldy, M. Lax, P. C. Waterman and R. Truell, V. Twersky, P. Lloyd and M. V. Berry, J. G. Fikioris and P. C. Waterman, A. K. Mal and S. K. Bose, N. C. Mathur and K. C. Yeh, V. N. Bringi, V. V. Varadan, V. K. Varadan, Y. Ma, L. M. Schwartz, A. J. Devaney, L. Tsang and J. A. Kong, D. D. Phanord and N. E. Berger, de Daran, F. et al, etc. Work of these researchers and others are listed in this patent. The great majority of these publications are dedicated to specific problems in specific fields of applications. A very few, however, recognizing the common underlying structural physico-mathematical core in all these fields, have attempted to formulate generic equations for the prediction of either acoustical, electromagnetic, or elastic waves in particulate composites. The publication [37] "Multiple Scattering Theory for Acoustic, Electromagnetic, and Elastic Waves in Discrete Random Media" by V.V. Varadan, V.K. Varadan and Y. Ma (Multiple Scattering of Waves in Random Media and Random Rough Surfaces, The Pennsylvania State University, 1985) belongs to this kind of general work and constitutes direct theoretical prior-art to this invention as far as the Prediction Engine 21 is concerned (FIG. 1). Even though the approach described in this prior-art and several others has a common theoretical background with the Prediction Engine 21, the latter constitutes a step forward in generality and accuracy, as the present specification will thoroughly demonstrate.
There is finally a third approach in dealing with the multiple-scattering phenomenon that is more limited in scope: it consists basically in attempting to suppress it by conceiving ad-hoc hardware designs and/or software schemes through which the multiple-scattered signal is either significantly attenuated in favor of the single-scattering component, or cross-correlation techniques are employed to filter one component from the other. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,976, 5,956,139, and 4,380,817 belong to this group. This approach is mentioned here for the sake of completeness even though, since no attempt to mathematically modeling multiple-scattering phenomena is made, these patents do not truly constitute prior art to the present invention.
Two important technical fields where the present invention meets a long-term need are those of particle sizing using light scattering and acoustic spectroscopy. This is simply because, in order to indirectly measure a certain constituent attribute (e.g. particle size distribution) with a wave-based instrument, it is strictly necessary to be able to predict —as a function of this constituent attribute-that composite attribute that is directly being measured (e.g. scattering, attenuation, intensity). During the last 30 years or so, measuring of particle size in suspensions, emulsions, and aerosols using the scattering of light have developed to its mature state with a plethora of commercial instruments available in the market. Nonetheless, in practically all of those instruments a sine qua non condition for accurate performance is that the particle concentration should be reduced before analysis to extremely low values (typically under 0.1% v/v)—when actual industrial concentrations are several orders of magnitude higher. One of the main reasons for such an operating constraint is that the mathematical model (e.g. Mie theory) internally employed by these light-scattering instruments is a single-scattering model, i.e. a model that can predict accurately the composite attributes only when the particles are well-separated between each other, so that no interaction between contiguous electromagnetic fields occurs. Multiple scattering is simply not modeled.
A light-scattering instrument for aerosols (host medium is gaseous) that can work at higher concentrations (light transmissions down to 2% as opposed to typical values of about 60% to 80% in other instruments) is the one described by Harvill, T. L. and Holve, D. J. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,324, issued Apr. 8, 1997, in which correction for multiple scattering phenomena is conducted through a suitable adaptation of the theory described by E. D. Hirleman in [40] "Modeling of Multiple Scattering Effects in Fraunhofer Diffraction Particle Size Analysis", Particle Characterization 5, 57-65 (1988), and [41] "A General Solution to the Inverse Near-Forward Scattering Particle Sizing Problem in Multiple Scattering Environments: Theory", Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress on Optical Particle Sizing, Mar. 5-8 1990, pp. 159-168. With such a correction, this instrument extended the concentration range by a factor of 5-10 (only up to about a few percent by volume). Hirleman's model was developed for the specific case of small-angle scattering with the assumption that scattered fields add incoherently (on an intensity rather than amplitude basis). A "black box" approach is employed through defining a multiple-scattering redistribution matrix that represents how optical energy incident in a certain direction is redistributed by the whole composite into another direction. This matrix not only depends on the nature of medium and particles with their size distribution and concentration, but also on the geometry of the instrument as well as the optical depth of the particulate system. In plain words, the matrix can only be determined (ad hoc) once the instrument (hardware) at hand is known. Hirleman uses also a "successive orders of scattering" approach to express the multiple-scattering matrix in terms of the single-scattering one. Both matrices are global characterizations of the particulate system. No fundamental modeling of the interaction of the wave with a single particle and interaction between scattered waves around particles is undertaken. By further assuming that a scattering event of order n can be represented by the n-power of the single-scattering matrix applied to the incident signal and summing all contributions, Hirleman arrives to an analytical relation between the single and multiple-scattering matrices. The black-box approach plus the dependence of the matrix upon geometry and extension of the medium gives the model a phenomenological character as opposed to a fundamental (first principles) approach. The narrow applicability of a phenomenological approach is therefore in effect.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,583, issued Oct. 6, 1998, E. Sevick-Muraca et al describe a method that applies the so-called diffusion model of light propagation to predict some aspects of multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves with suspensions (host medium is a fluid). When the particle concentration is larger than about 1%, a further approximation to the Radiative Transfer Theory can be made leading to the Diffusion Approximation Theory ([22] A. Ishimaru, 1978). In this diffusion model, it is assumed that the diffusion intensity is scattered in all directions with an almost uniform angular distribution. In what the inventors describe as photon migration techniques, the light intensity of the source is varied in time and the phase shift of the received signal for a number of different wavelengths is directly measured. The isotropic scattering coefficient is then calculated with the diffusion model and, using this coefficient, the particle size and concentration is determined inverting an integral equation that relates the particle size distribution with the scattering coefficient. Due to the diffusion regime assumption, the model cannot be used at low concentration, because the presence of substantial multiple scattering is a necessity for proper performance. Another limitation is that the referred integral equation relating the scattering coefficient with the size distribution assumes no interaction between particles occurs (the scattering coefficient is proportional to the particle concentration). This equation can only be valid when particles are far apart. As a result, the model will only be accurate when multiple scattering is strong enough for the diffusion approximation to hold but yet the particles being far apart enough so no interaction occurs between them so equation 3 in column 9, line 55 of this prior-art patent can be valid. These are opposite requirements in terms of particle concentration. Consequent with this fact, the experimental data shown in the patent correspond to concentrations around 1%—when actual industrial concentrations are much higher than that. This is specifically discussed by the authors of the patent in [46] "Photon-Migration Measurement of Latex Size Distribution in Concentrated Suspensions", AIChE Journal, March 1997, Vol. 43, No. 3. In addition, due to the assumption of "almost uniform angular distribution of scattering", validity of the model will break down as the ratio between the size of the particles and the wavelength increases. This is because the larger the particle size as compared to the wavelength, the stronger the directivity of the scattering in the forward direction is.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,629, issued Jun. 16, 1992, a method and apparatus are described for measuring particle size distribution that employs a fundamental mathematical model for scattering of ultrasound waves in suspensions or emulsions (host medium is a fluid). The modeling aspects of this prior patent actually constitute the most direct prior-art patent to the current invention as far as its application to predicting the attenuation of acoustic waves in suspensions is concerned. Modeling details in this prior patent start in column 8, line 29 up to column 12, line 46. As in the METAMODEL™ Prediction Engine 21 of the current invention, modeling in this prior patent employs the fundamental wave scattering theory. It starts with the first-principle description of the interaction of a wave with a single particle (the particle/medium signature), and proceeds to statistically formulate the field relations within an ensemble of particles of different sizes. It ends with an analytical equation that relates the propagation constant of the composite with the propagation constant of the host medium, the physical properties of both medium and particles, as well as their size distribution and concentration. There are, however, three essential differences with the current invention when applied to acoustics. Two of them are associated with the particle/medium signature for which this prior-art patent uses the Epstein-Carhart-Allegra-Hawley (ECAH) theory while the present invention adds to this ECAH theory the following: a) modeling for possible viscoelastic behavior of both host medium and particle and b) modeling for phenomena due to surface tension which is important in gaseous particles. The third paramount difference has to do with the overlapping of contiguous fields: the prior patent arrives to equation 8 (column 10, line 60), which is the statistical relation obtained by Waterman and Truell in [9] "Multiple Scattering of Waves", J. Math. Phys. Vol. 2, No. 4, July-August, 1961, as a closed-form dispersion equation for the particulate composite. Such a simple closed-form equation was obtained under the assumption of statistically independent point scatterers. In plain words, the expression "point scatterers" refers to the abstract concept of a particle with no physical dimensions but with the scattering properties of its actual size. It was applied in order to simplify the mathematics and its numerical coding into computer software. As a result, model accuracy deteriorates as the size of the particles and/or frequency increase. Regarding the assumption of statistical independence between scatterers positions, it eventually breaks untrue as concentration increases because of the inevitable spatial correlation between particles. Furthermore, P. Lloyd and M. V. Berry ([17] "Wave propagation through an assembly of spheres IV. Relations between different multiple scattering theories", Proc. Phys. Soc., 1967, Vol. 91), proved there was an error in the referred Waterman and Truell's formula "arising from an artificial stratification of the medium into thin slabs". All the referred drawbacks, though not damaging in many cases as demonstrated with the good results disclosed in this prior patent, would instead definitely contribute to destroy the accuracy of a generic model (valid for waves of any nature) if the broadest range of materials, particle size, concentration, and wave frequencies is aimed at. In fact, it will be demonstrated when the Prediction Engine 21 is described in detail that, if scatterers are treated as what they are: finite-size inclusions in the host medium, and the spatial correlation between them is not neglected, it is not possible any longer to arrive at a simple closed-form expression for the dispersion equation. Mathematics and computer programming complexities increase considerably—but prediction accuracy and range of applicability improve drastically.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,098, issued Aug. 29, 2000, A. Dukhin and P. Goetz describe a device that combines acoustic and electroacoustic spectrometry to measure particle size distribution and zeta potential for concentrated dispersed systems. Focusing only on the mathematical modeling part of this prior patent, they use a macroscopic phenomenological approach to modeling the interaction between the sound wave and the concentrated suspension (host medium is a fluid). Specifically, they use the so-called "coupled phase" and "cell" models applying the long-wave regime condition, i.e. the particle size has to be much smaller than the sound wavelength. As a result, this mathematical model is only accurate for particles with sizes smaller than 10 μm. In the same patent Dukhin and Goetz state that the fundamental multiple-scattering approach "is not adequate because even the multiple scattering approach requires a single particle acoustic field which is known only for a single particle in infinite media. . . " The present invention has overcome this difficulty recognized in the prior art conceiving a method based on the fundamental multiple-scattering approach which can work accurately in the particle size range from 1 nanometer to 1 millimeter.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,510, issued Sep. 19, 2000, M. Carasso et al describe an "improved process for determining the characteristics of dispersed particles". The authors contemplate the use of their process with acoustic as well as light waves. Focusing again only in the mathematical modeling, they describe a "computationally improved Allegra-Hawley Model" for acoustics and the original Mie Model for light waves. These two models are single-scattering models and therefore not accurate for high particle concentrations (typically over 10% for acoustics and over 1% for optics). The present invention has overcome this difficulty recognized in the prior art conceiving a method based on the fundamental multiple-scattering approach which can work accurately in the concentration range from 0.001% to 50% by volume.
In summary, there are no research and development tools available for the generic prediction, analysis, and parametric studies of the interaction between generic waves (acoustic, electromagnetic, elastic) and particulate composites. The current invention meets such a long-term need by providing a powerful research and development tool that makes all theoretical physics and numerical intricacies transparent to the human operator. A fundamental mathematical model is a key component of such a tool. The lack of a complete fundamental mathematical model for the prediction of multiple scattering of waves in particulates has, in addition, limited the concentration range of currently existing wave-based instruments. All such instruments which operation is based on the interaction of any type of wave traveling through suspensions, emulsions or solids containing inclusions, could benefit considerably from the prediction engine of this invention. Because the METAMODEL™ Prediction Engine 21 is a separate module connected to the other modules of this invention through industry-standard interfaces, it can be directly integrated to those -already existing- instruments extending their concentration ranges by several orders of magnitude. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description.

Fundamental method and its hardware implementation for the generic prediction and analysis of multiple scattering of waves in particulate composites


A method for designing ophthalmic lenses, including progressive addition lenses, and lenses produced by the method are provided. The method permits the direct correlation of an individual's subjective assessment of the lens' performance and the objective measure of lens performance relative to the individual. The method permits generation of lens designs based on the head and eye movement of the individual and the designing of customized lenses.

The use of ophthalmic lenses for the correction of ametropia is well known. For example, multifocal lenses, such as progressive addition lenses ("PALs"), are used for the treatment of presbyopia. The progressive surface of a PAL provides far, intermediate, and near vision in a gradual, continuous progression of increasing dioptric power from far to near focus.
Any number of methods for designing spectacle lenses are known. Typically, these methods involve one or more of benchmarking of known designs, developing theoretical target values for control optical parameters, obtaining subjective patient feedback, and using objective testing methods to produce a lens design. One disadvantage of these design methods is that they do not correlate the patient feedback and objective testing to precise locations on the lens. Thus, the point at which an individual's line-of-sight actually intersects with the lens' surface while the individual is performing a given task frequently differs from that calculated by the lens designer. This results in the lens wearer, especially the PAL wearer having to move the eye and head to maintain adequate visual resolution through the lens.
Additionally, it is known that certain parameters control optimal visual comfort for the lens wearer. These parameters include, without limitation, clarity of vision, comfort over sustained periods of use, ease of changing focus, and the amount of head and eye movement required by the lens wearer. Conventional design methods do not account for these parameters with any precision and provide little to no guidance for design optimization processes requiring definition of merit functions incorporating one or more of these parameters. Therefore, a method for designing lenses that overcomes these disadvantages is needed.

Method for designing spectacle lenses taking into account an individual's head and eye movement

Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)


A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has an attachment base operable for being connected to a rib of the vehicle part. A securing portion including an aperture for receiving a fastener is provided in the retainer. The retainer includes at least one sidewall connected between the attachment base and the securing portion. The sidewall spaces the securing portion from the attachment base to allow for insertion of the fastener and provide predetermined torque tension characteristics.

The components of an automobile are connected together in many different ways. One type of connection uses a fastener, such as a bolt or screw.
The packaging space in vehicles is often very limited due to the number of components used to assemble the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, and the like. Some of the area between components, such as a B-pillar and an appliqué, is very limited. This requires some of the fastener designs to be very small. Typically, one type of connector used for retaining two components is a molded "doghouse." A doghouse is a molded-in feature which is used to attach a secondary clip, or the doghouse is used for driving a threaded screw.
Molded-in features, such as a doghouse, often cause a "read" condition on the show surface of a part due to differences in cooling temperatures between the feature and the substrate caused by differences in mass/volume of the resin. A read condition is a deformation or imperfection in a surface. The limited space also causes a tooling condition that is very fragile due to the reduced size. A feature of the type described above has a minimum workable size which does not facilitate the doghouse having suitable strength. The size of the part and the proximity of adjacent features limit the packaging space and travel of movable feature (lifters) in the mold. Certain design requirements also include a threaded primary fastener which dictates a secondary fastener of the type that accepts a screw. Current designs include a molded "boss" which is threadable, but tends to cause a read condition as discussed above, and also tends to break, increasing scrap during manufacturing.
Other designs have been created in an attempt to solve the aforementioned problems. One such design is insert molding of the threaded fasteners. Another design has incorporated the use of a "U-nut" or "J-nut," which are spring steel nuts that require a molded feature. A third attempted design is a molded in boss which is threadable by means of a self-tapping primary fastener. However, none of these designs overcome the aforementioned problems.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a retainer which provides a suitable connection between an appliqué and a pillar, such as an A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar of an automobile.

Retainer—spring steel single thread engagement


The present invention relates to a composition comprising sustained-release fine particles, characterized in that it contains sustained-release fine particles that can be used in quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity, one or more fillers selected from the group consisting of sugars or sugar alcohols, and one or more binders for quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity selected from the group consisting of sugars of high moldability and water-soluble polymer substances, and in that the sustained-release fine particles are granulated with filler and binder for quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity, and a manufacturing method thereof.

The "sustained-release fine particles" of the present invention means fine particles that contain a drug, have been submitted to various types of sustained-release treatments, and have a mean particle diameter of approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 350 μm. The various types of sustained-release treatments means treatment to give the quality of "sustained release" that is well known pharmaceutically. Treatment that has given gradual drug releasability, treatment that has given gastrosolubility, treatment that has given enterosolubility, treatment that has given timed releasability, treatment that has given releasability that is a combination of these, and the like, can be given as examples. Moreover, those that have been given enterosolubility are called "enteric sustained-release fine particles."
Various types of disintegrating tablets in buccal cavity were previously developed so that they could be easily taken, even without water, by persons with weak swallowing ability, including the elderly, children, and the like. Moreover, the demand for the use of an assortment of drugs in recent years has led to the need for providing the function of sustained releasability to quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity.
First-generation quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity, for instance, "Zydis™" marketed by R. P. Scherer, and the like, are known to be pharmaceutical preparations manufactured by lyophilization. These first-generation quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity are basically manufactured by lyophilization, or special drying, using a solution or suspension of the drug. Thus, the process of manufacture in a liquid state was essential, and there was no discussion of providing the function of sustained releasability.
Various second-generation quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity are known, including those that use the function of disintegrants (Japanese Kokai Patent No. Hei 10-182436, International Early Disclosure Pamphlet WO98/02185, and the like), those characterized in that a saccharide of high moldability is spray coated and/or granulated as binder on a saccharide of low moldability and which can be humidified and dried when tablet strength is further necessary (International Early Disclosure Pamphlet WO 95/20380 (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,014, Japanese Patent No. 312141), and the like, and these are manufactured by tableting. Consideration has been given to quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity containing fine particles that have been sustained-release treated, for instance, coated by a polymer, in order to solve the apparent contradictory problem of providing the function of sustained releasability to these second-generation quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity. However, even though attempts have been made to simply mix fine particles that have been sustained-release treated with a filler for quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity and tablet this mixture, segregation occurs due to a difference in apparent specific gravity and a difference in fluidity between the filler and the sustained-release fine particles during the tableting process. The term "segregation" used here is the state where the sustained-release fine particles are not uniformly dispersed in the filler and segregation occurs when they are not uniformly dispersed. It is possible to confirm segregation by determining uniformity of content of drugs that comprise tablets once tablets have been made. For instance, it can be said that if the coefficient of variation (CV %) of the amount of drug, which is shown below, is 0 to 3.5%, segregation will not occur and if the coefficient of variation exceeds 3.5%, segregation will occur. Various problems are produced with this segregation as the cause. For instance, there are the problems of (1) tableting pressure being propagated directly to the sustained-release fine particles due to contact between the punch face and the sustained-release fine particles during tableting, or direct contact between sustained-release fine particles themselves, resulting in destruction of the sustained-release fine particles and acceleration of dissolution after they have been made into tablets, (2) the degree of destruction of the sustained-release fine particles varying with the degree of segregation and therefore, controlled dissolution, which is the design goal of sustained-release fine particle preparation, not being realized with good reproducibility after tablets are made, (3) there being fluctuations in the number of sustained-release fine particles contained in one tablet and it being impossible to guarantee uniformity of drug content, and the like.
An invention relating to a method of manufacturing spherical fine particles that are useful for manufacturing controlled-release pharmaceutical preparations that are easy to take by a special tumbling granulation method is disclosed in International Early Disclosure Pamphlet WO00/24379. This pamphlet gives a manufacturing method involving special tumbling granulation of these spherical fine particles and shows that dissolution is controlled by coating spherical fine particles and that these spherical fine particles can be used in quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity. However, our research has confirmed that the above-mentioned various problems occur and the purpose cannot be accomplished if quick-disintegrating tables in the buccal cavity simply contain spherical fine particles that have been sustained-release treated. Moreover, there is no disclosure or indication of specific means for dealing successfully with these problems in said specification.
Thus, although as yet unknown, there is a demand for introduction of quick-disintegrating tablets in the buccal cavity comprising sustained-release fine particles with which acceleration of the drug dissolution after being made into a tablet that is the result of destruction of sustained-release fine particles under tableting pressure when tablets are made is inhibited, and controlled dissolution, which is the design goal of sustained-release fine particle preparation, is realized with good reproducibility even after tablets are made, and with which uniformity of drug content is guaranteed.

Composition comprises sustained-release fine particles and manufacturing method thereof


A positioner (102) for controlling a fluid operated actuator (101) including a first fluid chamber (109) and a second fluid chamber (110) is provided. The positioner (102) comprises a first fluid conduit (105) coupled to the first fluid chamber (109). The positioner (102) also comprises a second fluid conduit (106) coupled to the second fluid chamber (110). A differential pressure controller (240) provided in the positioner (102) is adapted to control a fluid supply to the first and second fluid conduits (105, 106) based on a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chamber (109, 110).

Fluid operated actuators convert a fluid pressure to a work piece using an actuator that typically consists of a piston in a cylinder. Although there are various suitable fluids that may be used, the fluid applied to the actuator generally comprises pneumatic or hydraulic fluid, for example. Pneumatic operated actuators are generally used where the compressibility of air is desired or to obtain much higher flow rates and thus faster response times while hydraulic operated actuators are generally employed when high actuating forces are required. Both fluids have advantages and in some situations, either pneumatic or hydraulic fluid may be used.
The position of the fluid operated actuator is usually controlled with a group of devices referred to in the art as 'positioners.' The positioners are designed to control the position of the fluid operated actuator in response to a user/operator input or a change in the environmental conditions, such as a change in the load acting on the actuator. Existing products commonly found on the market include positioners of a wide spectrum of levels of sophistication and complexity, ranging from positioners that use simple mechanical feedback mechanisms to control the position of the actuator, to more complex positioners that incorporate a combination of mechanical, electronic, and software technologies to provide a higher capability of control.
The particular positioner employed generally depends on two performance criteria, namely, speed and stability. A significant problem with existing designs is that a compromise must be made between these two performance criteria. As the speed of the actuation is increased, the stability of the control system is decreased until the control system becomes totally unstable. The speed of actuation is largely dictated by the quantity of fluid flow that can be provided by the positioner. One established solution to this problem is to add external boosters to a positioner and actuator positioning system. These boosters provide much higher fluid flow levels to the actuator, thus speeding up the response of the system. However, the increase in speed often increases cost and complexity of the additional boosters along with requiring additional pipe work.
Another problem with existing products relates to the sensitivity of the control system to changes and non-linearities within components contained within the control valve that is internal to the positioner. These changes may be caused by environmental changes such as temperature and orientation, or changes over time such as drift and wear. The non-linearity of components may be caused by friction amongst other factors. To combat these changes and non-linearity problems, additional complexity and cost is usually necessary within the algorithms of the positioner.
The present invention enables positioners to be made that have speeds of actuation that approach or exceed systems fitted with external boosters, while maintaining stability without the additional cost and complexity of the boosters.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with changes and non-linearity within components contained within the control valve that is internal to the positioner.
Aspects
According to an aspect of the invention, a positioner for controlling a fluid operated actuator including a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber (110) comprises:                a first fluid conduit coupled to the first fluid chamber;        a second fluid conduit coupled to the second fluid chamber; and        a differential pressure controller adapted to control a fluid supply to the first and second fluid conduits based on a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chamber.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a differential pressure sensor adapted to measure a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a fluid control valve including:                a fluid inlet coupled to a pressurized fluid source;        a first fluid outlet coupled to the first fluid conduit; and        a second fluid outlet coupled to the second fluid conduit.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a position sensor coupled to the actuator.
Preferably, the differential pressure controller is further adapted to generate a desired differential pressure based on a desired actuator position and a measured actuator position.
Preferably, the differential pressure controller is further adapted to compare the desired differential pressure to a measured differential pressure.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a diaphragm assembly coupled to the actuator including:                a pilot chamber;        a first biasing chamber; and        a second biasing chamber.
Preferably, the pilot chamber comprises a pilot inlet and a pilot diaphragm.
Preferably, the first biasing chamber comprises a first biasing diaphragm and a first fluid port coupled to the first fluid conduit and wherein pressure within the first fluid conduit acts on the first biasing diaphragm to bias the diaphragm assembly in a first direction.
Preferably, a fluid control valve is actuated to a first position when the fluid pressure within the first biasing chamber reaches a threshold value.
Preferably, the second biasing chamber comprises a second biasing diaphragm and a second fluid port coupled to the second fluid conduit and wherein pressure within the second fluid conduit acts on the second biasing diaphragm to bias the diaphragm assembly in a second direction.
Preferably, a fluid control valve is actuated to a second position when the fluid pressure within the second biasing chamber reaches a threshold value.
Preferably, the diaphragm assembly is coupled to a fluid control valve.
According to another aspect of the invention, a positioner for controlling a fluid operated actuator, including a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, the positioner comprises:                a fluid control valve;        a first fluid conduit coupled to a first outlet of the fluid control valve and the first fluid chamber;        a second fluid conduit coupled to a second outlet of the fluid control valve and the second fluid chamber; and        a diaphragm assembly coupled to the fluid operated actuator, the first fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit, and the fluid control valve, wherein the diaphragm assembly is adapted to control the fluid control valve based on a differential pressure between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit.
Preferably, the diaphragm assembly comprises:                a pilot chamber;        a pilot diaphragm; and        a pilot inlet adapted to receive a pilot pressure to pressurize the pilot chamber and bias the pilot diaphragm.
Preferably, the diaphragm assembly comprises:                a first biasing diaphragm; and        a first biasing chamber including a first fluid port coupled to the first fluid conduit and wherein pressure within the first fluid conduit acts on the first biasing diaphragm to bias the diaphragm assembly in a first direction.
Preferably, the control valve is actuated to a first position when the pressure in the first biasing chamber reaches a threshold value.
Preferably, the diaphragm assembly comprises:                a second biasing diaphragm; and        a second biasing chamber including a second fluid port coupled to the second fluid conduit and wherein pressure within the second fluid conduit acts on the second biasing diaphragm to bias the diaphragm assembly in a second direction.
Preferably, the control valve is actuated to a second position when the pressure in the second biasing chamber reaches a threshold value.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a position sensor coupled to the actuator.
Preferably, the positioner further comprises a differential pressure sensor adapted to measure a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a fluid operated actuator including a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber comprises the steps of:                generating a desired differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers; and        controlling a fluid supply to at least one of the first or second fluid chambers to control a position of the fluid operated actuator based on the desired differential pressure.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:                measuring a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers; and        actuating a fluid control valve if the difference between the measured differential pressure and the desired differential pressure exceeds a threshold value.
Preferably, the step of supplying fluid pressure to at least one of the first or second fluid chambers comprises adjusting a pilot pressure supplied to a diaphragm assembly coupled to the actuator to control the differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers.
Preferably, the differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers controls a position of a fluid control valve.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:                measuring a position of the actuator;        comparing measured actuator position to a desired actuator position, and        generating a new desired differential pressure if the difference between the measured actuator position and the desired actuator position exceeds a threshold value.

Method and apparatus for controlling a fluid operated actuator


A slide deck device for a vehicle is provided wherein a luggage placement plate can be operated to slide smoothly even if heavy luggage is placed on the front or rear end of the luggage placement plate and also wherein no adverse effect occurs in subsequent sliding operations. The slide deck device includes upper rollers 69 which are mounted to the upper rails 52, 53, 70, 71 and 87 to be positioned in front of rearmost lower rollers of the lower rollers 64, are positioned in the lower rails 25, are spaced away from ceiling surfaces 31 of the lower rails and the bottom surfaces 30 of the lower rails when in contact with the bottom surfaces, and come in contact with the ceiling surfaces to be rotatable thereon when some of the lower rollers move away from the bottom surfaces and the ceiling surfaces.

A conventional slide deck device of a vehicle is disclosed in, e.g., Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-87166).
The slide deck device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 6 extending in the forward/rearward direction that are fixed to the bottom of a luggage compartment formed in the back of a vehicle body, and a luggage floor 4 in the shape of a flat plate which covers the upper surfaces of the left and right guide rails 6.
The guide rails 6 are each shaped into a channel which is open at the end thereof at the vehicle exterior side. In addition, the left and right guide rails 6 are each provided, on an outer-side surface of a rear end portion thereof, with a roller 8 which is rotatable about a rotational shaft extending in the vehicle width direction and immovable in the forward/rearward direction relative to the guide rail 6.
A pair of left and right brackets 4a project downwardly from a front end of the lower surface of the luggage floor 4, and a roller 7 which is rotatable about a rotational shaft extending in the vehicle width direction is mounted to each of the pair of left and right brackets 4a.
The left and right rollers 7 are positioned inside of the pair of guide rails 6 and come in contact with the bottoms of the left and right guide rails 6, respectively. In addition, since the left and right rollers 8 each support the bottom of the luggage floor 4, the luggage floor 4 is slidable in the forward/rearward direction along the left and right guide rails 6.
Accordingly, if the luggage floor 4 on which luggage is placed is drawn out rearwardly with the back door, which is provided on the back of the vehicle, being open, the luggage can be pulled out to the rear of the vehicle.


A solid electrolytic capacitor with an integrated fuse assembly is provided. The fuse can be secured in a recess formed in a face of the porous anode body of the capacitor. When the fuse is secured in the recess, the fuse can be substantially flush with the face of the porous anode body in which the recess is formed. Further, the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the fuse is reduced because the length of the connection between the fuse and the porous anode body is reduced. Further, because the fuse is integrated into the porous anode body, the capacitor can be assembled onto a circuit board via standard pick and place equipment.

Solid electrolytic capacitors and, in particular, tantalum capacitors, are used to store energy. Tantalum capacitors are used in various applications because of their superior volumetric efficiency, one such application being pulsed radar systems. In such a system, high capacitance and low equivalent series resistance (ESR) allow for maximization of energy transfer during the "pulse" of the radar system.
Radar system designs incorporate many tantalum capacitors, which are electrically placed in parallel to achieve the required system capacitance value. Fuses are often placed in series with each capacitor in a radar system to prevent the capacitor from igniting upon exposure to excess current by disconnecting the capacitor from the circuit. If a tantalum capacitor fails due to an electrical short, the capacitor may ignite and destroy the printed circuit board that the capacitors are mounted on. This risk is particular to a radar system that has a large number of capacitors mounted in parallel.
In order to meet miniaturization requirements, some circuit designers have requested that tantalum capacitor manufacturers put a fuse into the capacitor in order to design out the discrete fuse. Tantalum capacitor manufacturers have done this to some extent, by incorporating fuse assemblies with the capacitor package. Generally, two packages are available.
The first package is a fused molded solid electrolyte tantalum capacitor, which has a capacitor body and a fuse assembly encapsulated in a plastic outer shell. The implementation of a fuse assembly requires an increase in the overall package size of approximately 35%. In a typical molded chip, the tantalum capacitor body is about 35% of the total volume of the molded package. Addition of the fuse assembly further reduces the percentage of capacitor body relative to package size, thus negatively affecting the advantage of volumetric efficiency. Furthermore, the fuse assembly is not integrated into the capacitor body and, therefore, a considerable ESR increase is realized because of the added connections and the length of those connections. In fact, the resistance of the fuse and its connections can add 100 mOhms of resistance to the finished capacitor.
The second package is a conformal-coated fused capacitor. In this package, the capacitor body is coated with a conformal material rather than with the plastic packaging of the molded device. The volumetric efficiency of the conformal-coated tantalum capacitor is much higher than that of the molded package because the capacitor body is 75% of the total package. If, however, a fuse assembly is added to the capacitor body, then it is added on the outside surface of the capacitor body and increases the overall package size. This method adds considerable ESR to the capacitor due to the necessary connections and may cause circuit assembly pick and place problems because of the protruding fuse.
What is needed therefore is a fused tantalum capacitor that integrates the fuse within the capacitor body so as to not affect the package size and to minimize the increase in ESR.

Solid electrolytic capacitor with integrated fuse assembly