The present invention provides a method for producing tagatose crystals from an aqueous system using no organic solvent. In this method, seed crystals of tagatose are added to a tagatose solution in which a tagatose purity of solid contents in the solution is at least 70% and a solid contents concentration in the solution is 60 to 98 mass %, and crystallization of tagatose is carried out by stirring and cooling the solution while keeping a degree of super saturation of tagatose at 1.25 or lower. It is preferred that the solution containing tagatose is a solution containing no organic solvent. It is further preferred that a part of massecuite for which the crystallization is completed is added to a mother liquor so as to produce the tagatose crystals semi-continuously or continuously. It is furthermore preferred that the tagatose crystals formed from the massecuite are separated by centrifugation or filtration and dried to obtain tagatose crystals.

Tagatose is a carbohydrate obtainable by isomerization of galactose. However, its existing content in nature is very low, and its characteristics are seldom known other than a few properties such as degree of sweetness, quality of taste and energy amount. The degree of sweetness of tagatose is about 90% of sugar, and its quality of taste is similar to fructose, and tagatose provides very fresh and sharp sweetness. Further, its energy amount is assumed to be 1.5 kcal/g, and it can be used as a low calorie sweetener.
As a method for producing tagatose crystals, a method wherein an organic solvent such as ethanol is added to a high purity tagatose solution for crystallization has been known. For example, Japanese International Publication No. 5-504256 discloses a method for obtaining tagatose crystals by adding seeds of tagatose crystals to a tagatose-containing syrup which contains ethanol.
However, since detailed characteristics of tagatose e.g. solubility of tagatose in water have not been known, there has been no report about a method for crystallization of tagatose from an aqueous system using no organic solvent.

Process for producing crystalline tagatose


There is provided a thin biometric detection module, which is advantageous in being able to detect scattered light from body tissue after the light transmitting in the body tissue without additional optical mechanism placed on the semiconductor optical detection pixel of the detection module for biometric detection.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure generally relates to a thin biometric detection module and, more particularly, to a module that may perform the biometric detection through detecting scattered light from the body tissue after the light passes through the body tissue and without any additional optical mechanism placed upon the semiconductor optical detection pixels.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the optical module for detecting biometric characteristics is generally used to detect the finger so as to obtain the biometric characteristic information. According to the user's operating condition, "steady type" and "moving type" can be divided. In the "steady type", the finger is put steadily on the detection module during detection. In the "moving type", the finger is sliding over the detection module during detection. In order to obtain good optical imaging, generally optical mechanisms are necessary in order to form the imaging and thus the module has a notable size, e.g. the fingerprint detector provided by NEC with a serial number PU900-10.
With the improvement of life, portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, cell phones and tablet computers, have become popular. As these kinds of products have the advantage of compact and light weight, the biometric detection module having a large size is not suitable to be applied to these portable electronic devices. Accordingly, the biometric detection module presently applied to the portable electronic devices almost adopts electrical detection technique. Taking the capacitive fingerprint detection module as an example, the module has a detection surface and when a finger is put on the detection surface, peaks and valleys of the fingerprint have a distance difference that can derive different electric field signals. These electric field signals are processed to indicate the finger image that will be compared in the following procedures.


The present invention provides a low melting point tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid obtained by a process comprising, reacting an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms or its salt and an inorganic tin compound so as to prepare a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, and bringing the tin salt in contact with an oxygen supplying substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a low melting point tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid that has good solubility in various solvents, a method for producing the same, and a coating liquid containing the tin salt for forming a metal oxide film.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tin salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid are used as a catalyst, a material for producing a tin oxide film, a coating material, a stabilizer or the like. When utilizing a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid in various applications, the dispersibility of this compound in other materials is important, which is similar to the case of using an aliphatic monocarboxylate comprising a metal other than tin. For example, in order to prepare a resin sheet containing such a tin salt as a stabilizer, a resin, the tin salt and a solvent are mixed together, the mixture is formed into a sheet, and then the solvent is evaporated to form a resin sheet. However, tin salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids have a high melting point, and thus, the salt is hardly mixed with the solvent or the resin at ordinary temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to provide the function of the tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid as a stabilizer uniformly for a long time. Alternatively, when a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid is used as a reaction catalyst, the tin salt is hardly mixed with a solvent and other ingredients at ordinary temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to allow the function of the tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid as a catalyst to be exhibited effectively.
In particular, in recent years, tin salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid are utilized as materials for forming tin oxide films that can be used in various fields such as electrodes of electronic devices or optical films. For the production of a tin oxide film by the use of such a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, for example, a method is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 60-81704, which comprises the process of applying a coating liquid containing a tin carboxylate or a coating liquid containing a tin carboxylate and palladium chloride or chloroplatinic acid onto a substrate to form a film, and baking the same. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 60-157109 discloses a method of applying a coating liquid containing a tin carboxylate on a substrate and then performing both irradiation with light having an intensity of 30 mW/cm2 or more and baking so that an oxide tin film is obtained.
In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 57-129828, a tin carboxylate is applied onto a surface of a magnetic material and baked so that the magnetic material is coated with a tin oxide film. In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 55-62400, a tin carboxylate is applied onto a surface of a substrate and baked so that a tin oxide film is formed on the substrate and this film is used as a transparent filter for X-rays. Moreover, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 60-81704, a solution containing a tin carboxylate and an indium compound is prepared, and this solution is applied onto a surface of a substrate and baked so that an electrode made of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) film is formed on the substrate.
When producing a tin oxide film used as an electrode of an electronic device, an optical film or the like using a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, it is preferable that the tin salt has good solubility in various solvents or solvent mixtures so that a coating liquid containing the tin salt can be applied uniformly on various substrates.
However, in general, the solubility of tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, in particular, a tin salt of linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acid in various organic solvents is low. Furthermore, the tin salt can be dissolved in only a limited number of solvents, which makes it difficult to select a solvent having high wettability with respect to a substrate. When using a coating liquid in which such a tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid is dispersed in a solvent, a uniform coating film cannot be formed when it is applied onto a substrate, and a tin oxide film obtained as a final product by thermal decomposition or other processes becomes non-uniform and opaque. Thus, adequate film characteristics cannot be obtained. The temporal stability of the coating liquid is also poor.
In this way, the tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid is expected to be used in various applications. But, in general, the tin salt of aliphatic monocarboxylic acid has a high melting point, so that it is difficult to mix the tin salt with a solvent or a resin. Furthermore, the tin salt has poor solubility in various solvents, so that it is difficult to dissolve the tin salt in a desired solvent to use in a desired application, for example, to form a tin oxide film.

Low melting point tin salt of carboxylic acid and method for producing the same


An environmental frequency sensing device, includes logic that performs signal strength (SS) level separation on a received band of frequencies to produce SS level separated frequencies. The logic performs frequency grouping on the SS level separated frequencies for each signal strength level to produce magnitude information for each grouping. The logic generates peak data by detecting peaks of the produced magnitude information. The logic generates an edge event indicating a signal edge based on arrival or departure of a given peak and compares, on a frequency basis, generated edges to stored fingerprint data of a signal of interest. Based on the comparison, the logic provides detected signal data indicating current use of a range of frequencies in an environment.

In a world of preassigned spectrum frequency use, such as frequency use of certain government agencies or for other particular commercial use, allowing the resharing of bands that are not in use is possible only if the previous incumbents are not using them. In some cases, the use of the radio frequency bands may be infrequent in a given location. Detecting the use of these radio frequencies in real time to reassign to new users so as to not interfere with the incumbents is a very difficult problem particularly on large bands and with narrow and infrequent uses. For example, government agencies may have been granted use of certain spectrum. One method of managing spectrum access for use by another set of users is to move the incumbent government users out of the spectrum such as to a different frequency band, or to detect when frequency bands are not in use and then temporarily assign the spectrum for use by others.
Existing radio frequency sniffers typically look for frequency uses on a single frequency at a time which can be too slow and too costly for attempting to detect unused frequencies in a timely manner to allow use by others.

Performing environmental radio frequency monitoring


A method and apparatus measure lengths on an article such as a garment by arranging the article in a field of view of an imaging device, e.g. a video camera forming a pixel image in an x-y array, identifying measurement points on the pixel image in terms of x and y coordinates of the array and evaluating actual lengths between identified measurement points by carrying out for example in a computer appropriate Pythagorean calculations based on the the coordinates and modified to correct for scale and system distortions. Measurement points can be identified by marking the article. The method and apparatus are of use for example in the measurement of shrinkage.

This invention relates to measuring articles. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with measuring articles which are flexible and can be laid flat, and especially textile articles.
It is, of course, a simple task to measure a textile article using a flexible tape measure, but there are occasions when many similar articles have to be measured and manual measurement using a tape measure is time-consuming and tedious with the possibility of error. One such occasion arises in the testing of shrinkage, where a batch of garments is measured repeatedly after laundering treatments. It is clearly essential for such testing that reasonably accurate measurements be made of small length differences on articles where the points between which measurement are to be made are not necessarily well defined.
Such a situation suggests automatic rather than manual measurement. However, no satisfactory method for automatic measuring of flexible articles such as garments which have inherently complicated shapes has hitherto proved practicable.
The present invention provides a measuring method which can be more or less automated with savings in time and expense and which will yield accurate measurements which can be automatically recorded.

Method and apparatus for measuring lengths on an article


Compounds of Formula I ##STR1## useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Leukotrienes are a family of endogenous metabolites of arachidonic acid and play an integral role in regulating inflammatory events. Since their discovery in the late seventies, many have worked to determine the biosynthesis of leukotrienes with an eye toward mediating the inflammatory responses. The focus of much of this work concerned the enzymes used in leukotriene biosynthesis, particularly the first enzyme in the cascade, 5-lipoxygenase. This work has produced a number of drug candidates including the anti-asthmatic, zileuton, which is currently in clinical trials.
In the nineties, work surrounding the search for 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors expanded with the discovery of the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, FLAP. FLAP is a membrane protein which enhances the catalytic activity of 5-lipoxygenase. Although the precise mechanism of this cooperation is unknown, it has been shown that compounds which bind to FLAP, inhibit the action of 5 lipoxygenase in whole cell assays but are inactive in broken cell enzyme assays. This work has lead to a number of interesting compounds, including MK-0591, an anti-asthmatic agent. ##STR2##
The compounds of the invention are potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors many of which are significantly more potent in whole cell assays, than in broken cell enzyme assays. Like other 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors these compounds are useful in the treatment of disease states associated with inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, hypersensitivity, myocardial ischemia, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel syndrome.


To reposition parts of the body, pool therapy fixtures are used in a pool to develop neuromuscular recognition of the normal human musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological patterns with feed forward activation. Individual muscles are isolated using the buoyancy of the pool, and in some cases applying streams of water within the pool against specific muscles. Selected forces may be applied using water jets in multiple directions in a programmed sequence with at least one pool therapy fixture to provide neuromuscular training.

This invention relates to physical therapy techniques and equipment.
Physical therapy systems are known that provide controlled resistance to the motion of selected muscles. The motion against the controlled resistance is intended to provide neuromuscular training of the body that results in better positioning of body parts, particularly during motion. In one prior art system of this type, a brace is used to control the resistance to motion of a particular muscle. This approach works well but has the disadvantage of lacking versatility in its application. In most applications, it operates in only one plane on one muscle rather than in all three dimensions and on more than one muscle if desired. Moreover, it is not readily adaptable to different persons and different muscles but is generally tailored for use on a single limb by a single person.
It is also known to provide controlled exercise against the flow of water in a pool of water that provides reduced weight conditions. In one such prior art system disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,662,558; 5,367,719 and 5,005,228, patients exercise in a pool and may exercise against the flow of water. Individual work stations that provide both open and closed chain exercise are included. This system has a disadvantage in that the individual muscles are not adequately isolated or inhibited.


An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.

There are no electronic devices that measure the motion of fly rod during flycasting. Measurements of fly rod motion have been performed using photographic methods including standard photography, time elapsed photography, and video. The Orvis Company uses high speed video photography as part of its fly fishing schools.
A major impediment to the sport of fly fishing is learning how to cast effectively with a fly rod. Proficient fly casters often learn through considerable practice and by instruction as provided in courses, books and videos on fly casting techniques. While fly casting instruction and techniques vary, they often stress the importance of understanding the mechanics of the fly line and the fly rod during casting.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electronic measurement of the motion of a moving body of sports equipment

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A vibration isolation system of mass flowmeter, includes upper horizontal section, vertical section, lower horizontal section, upper arc section between the upper horizontal section and vertical section, and lower arc section between the vertical section and lower horizontal section of U-shaped measuring tube. On the lower arc section there is vibration isolation block. It is characterized by full-length welding between the vibration isolation block's plane of the axis of U-shaped measuring tube and the lower arc section. The U-shaped measuring tube has an inertia center. The straight-line distance between the external welding point in the full weld of the lower arc section between the vibration isolation block mentioned and the measuring tube and the inertia center is equal to the straight-line distance between the internal welding point and the inertia center.

Exhaust emission of automotives using oil fuel is the main source of air pollution in cities. Promoting the replacement of gasoline and diesel with natural gas as the new fuel of automotives is the important way to effectively reduce the exhaust pollution of automotives. With the country's emphasis on clean energy and the enhancement of people's environmental protection consciousness, as the best alternative source the natural gas is gradually entering into every aspect of our daily life. It is most widely used in automotive industry. Mass flowmeter is one of the most important technological means of trade settlement in CNG industry. Study on high pressure gas flowmeter technology is the inevitable trend of our country to develop automotives with clean and environment-friendly natural gas.
An important standard deciding the quality of flowmeter performance is whether the design of vibration isolation system is reasonable. The main function of the vibration isolation system is to separate the vibration frequency of the measuring tube, and avoid the impact of external vibration on vibration of measuring tube. At present, the mass flowmeter on the market usually adopts the single vibration isolation system, which is a single vibration isolation block (as shown in FIG. 1). Some mass flowmeters use double vibration isolation system (as shown in FIG. 2). It means that two pieces of vibration isolation blocks with the same mass, size and shape are used to form the vibration isolation system.
Through the theoretical research and experiment, it is found that the two kinds of vibration isolation systems have different stress distribution. The stress area of the first vibration isolation form is mainly concentrated on the axis with the same direction of the vibration of measuring tube. The stress form is mainly normal stress (as shown in FIG. 3). The stress area of the second vibration isolation form is mainly concentrated on the axis perpendicular to the vibration of measuring tube. The stress form is mainly shear stress. It has asymmetric distribution (as shown in FIG. 4).
In fact, the stress area on these vibration isolation systems is the welding part of the measuring tube and vibration isolation block. Its strength is determined by the welding material and process. Therefore, whether it is normal stress or shear stress, as long as stress concentration is formed in the welding area, the defects in welding material and process will influence the vibration of the measuring tube.

Vibration isolation system of mass flowmeter

Sichuang Zhongce Flow Measurement Technology Co., Ltd.


A superconducting magnetic levitation apparatus for driving a floating body efficiently and controllably, for producing a strong driving force, and for generating a lifting magnetic field having a uniform intensity in a running direction and producing a guidance force in a lateral direction, to stably run the floating body. The superconducting magnetic levitation apparatus includes a lifting magnet for forming a track, a floating body made of a high-T.sub.c superconductor, and a cooling device for keeping the floating body at a superconducting state. A plurality of coils are disposed on the lifting magnet, to be used as propulsion electromagnets, for generating a magnetic field necessary for running the floating body, with each of the coils being a flat, air-core coil, and with the coils being excitable by a polyphase alternating current.

The present invention relates to the structure of a superconducting magnetic levitation apparatus for running a superconductor with a floating state.
In a non-contact transport system no friction is generated on a running track, and thus high speed and dust-free transportation can be achieved. A linear motor of the magnetic levitation type is known as an example of a non-contact transport system. Specifically, a magnetic levitation railroad of the magnetic repulsion type has been developed with a view to transporting passengers at high speed and is required to generate a strong magnetic field for supporting a train itself and passengers. Thus, a superconducting magnet is used in the magnetic levitation railroad. While, in a place where dust is to be avoided, for example, in a hospital or semiconductor work, a magnetic levitation linear motor of the magnetic repulsion type or magnetic attraction type is used for dust-free transportation. In the dust-free transportation, it is not required to transport heavy goods, therefore an electromagnet consisting of normal conductor(s) is used. As mentioned above, various types of magnetic levitation linear motors have been used for various purposes. In any case, however, it is difficult to control a magnetic field for maintaining a floating state. Accordingly, a transport system using the linear motor becomes expensive.
A high-T.sub.c superconductor whose critical temperature is higher than the liquid nitrogen temperature, has been discovered in recent years. Thus, magnetic levitation and running which utilize the diamagnetism of a superconductor, can be realized by a combination of a magnet and a high-T.sub.c superconductor. This combination is entirely different from the transport system using the above-mentioned magnetic levitation linear motor, and makes possible inexpensive, dust-free non-contact transportation.
Examples of the magnetic levitation apparatus of the diamagnetic type using a high-T.sub.c superconductor will be explained below. In, for example, Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun, Nov. 25, 1987, a high-T.sub.c superconductor is disposed along a slope, to be used as a rail, a magnet is used as a floating body, and the floating body is moved in a horizontal direction by gravity.
In, for example, Shinbun, Mar. 28, 1989. The positional relationship between the high-T.sub.c superconductor and the magnet is reversed, that is, the superconductor is used as the floating body. As in the first example, the superconductor is moved along the slope by gravity.
Page 18 of the digests of the 12th annual conference on 1988 magnetics in Japan held on Sep. 30, 1988, proposes a superconductor which floats over a magnet, and follows the magnet when the magnet is moved on the ground in a horizontal direction.
In abstracts of 38th Meeting on Cryogenics of Japan held in 1987, an arrangement is proposed wherein a magnet floats over a plurality of stripe-shaped superconductors on the ground side, and is moved in a horizontal direction by controlling the superconducting state of each superconductor. That is, the transition between a superconducting state and a normal conducting state is used for driving force.
In JP-A-2-250305 a track having a uniform magnetic field in a running direction is formed of a lifting magnet, and a superconductor floating over the lifting magnet is moved in a horizontal direction by a varying magnetic field generated by the magnets for propulsion.
In the first and second mentioned examples, the moving speed and direction are determined by the slope. That is, no consideration is given as how the movement of the floating body in the horizontal direction is controlled. Further, in the third mentioned example, it is necessary to move the magnet, and the relative position of the floating superconductor for the magnet is kept unchanged. The first to third examples fail to show a satisfactory method of running a body maintained at a floating state. In the fourth example, it is difficult to control the repetition period of the transition between the superconducting state and the normal conducting state, that is, the running speed of the floating body, and moreover a strong driving force cannot be obtained. In the fifth example, also, no thoughtful consideration is not give to a method of driving the floating body made of a superconductor, and detailed explanation of the arrangement of propulsion magnets, the shape of each propulsion magnets and a method of exciting the propulsion for efficiently running the floating body is not found. For example, in an embodiment of the fifth example, the propulsion magnets are disposed on the side surface of the lifting magnet, and thus the center axis of each propulsion magnet is not perpendicular to the floating plane of the superconductor. Accordingly, the magnetic coupling between the propulsion magnets and the superconductor is weak. Further, the propulsion magnets are excited by a pulsive direct current so as to form a magnetic field gradient in a magnetic field which is generated by the lifting magnet and is uniform in a running direction, thereby moving the floating body to a position having a low magnetic potential. The above excitation method, however, cannot produce a strong driving force. Further, according to the above pulsive method, it is necessary to excite a driving magnet in synchronism with the movement of the floating body. It is difficult to excite the propulsion magnet at an appropriate time and to control the running of the floating body.
Further, in the fifth example, not much consideration is given to the shape of the lifting magnet. That is, when the lifting magnet is made up of a plurality of magnet pieces, the uniformity of magnetic field is disturbed at the connecting position of two magnet pieces, and thus it is difficult to obtain a uniform magnetic field all over the lifting magnet.
Additionally, in the fifth example, the stability of the superconductor in a lateral direction in a case where the superconductor runs over the track formed of the lifting magnet, that is, the guidance force for the superconductor is given by a magnetic flux which is generated by the lifting magnet, and enters into and is trapped by the superconductor. Accordingly, a strong guidance force cannot be obtained. Thus, when the superconductor runs over the track, the superconductor is unstable, that is, there arises a problem that the superconductor vibrates in a lateral direction or deviates from the track.

Superconducting magnetic levitation apparatus


This disclosure discloses a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is configured to electrically connect to an external circuit and comprises: a first light-emitting structure; a second light-emitting structure; a first conductive structure comprising a first connecting pad having a side surface and a top surface connected to the first light-emitting structure, and a first connecting portion extending from the side surface and connected to the external circuit; and a second conductive structure electrically connecting the first light-emitting structure with the second light-emitting structure.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a light-emitting device and in particular to a light-emitting device with a stretchable connecting portion.
Description of the Related Art
The light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of the solid-state lighting elements have the characteristics of low power consumption, low heat generation, long operational life, shockproof, small volume, quick response and good opto-electrical property like light emission with a stable wavelength so the LEDs have been widely used in household appliances, indicator light of instruments, and opto-electrical products, etc.
Recently, LED filament is developed to replace the wire filament used in a conventional incandescent light bulb. However, the LED filament still has cost and efficiency issues.


This semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film formed thereon, and a gate electrode formed through the gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate. The first silicon nitride film is formed on the upper surface of the gate electrode, and a protection insulating film is formed on the side thereof. The second silicon nitride film is formed on the side of the protection insulating film. The third silicon nitride film is formed on the upper surface of the protection insulating film, and the bottom thereof is formed on a higher position than the bottom of the first silicon nitride film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the semiconductor device, more particularly, to a semiconductor device with a self-aligned contact, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order for miniaturization and integration of semiconductor devices, it is important that a distance between a gate electrode and a diffusion layer contact of a transistor is shortened.
In the conventional art, a gate electrode and a diffusion layer contact are formed with a certain distance therebetween to prevent them from contacting to each other. This prevents miniaturization and integration of semiconductor devices.
As a method to shorten the distance between a gate electrode and a diffusion layer contact, a method is proposed in which the diffusion layer contact is formed in a self-alignment manner with respect to the gate electrode. However, this method has the following problem. That is, when a contact hole for a diffusion layer contact is formed to overlap with a gate electrode, a protection oxidation film formed on the side of the gate electrode is subject to etching. As a method for avoiding this, the following method is known. This method forms a protection oxidation film on the side of the gate electrode. Then, a nitride film (a stopper film) having a selection ratio with respect to the oxidation film is formed on the upper and side surface of the protection oxidation film (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-340792).
This method uses the nitride film formed on the upper and side surface of the protection oxidation film as the stopper. Therefore, it can prevent the protection oxidation film from being etched. However, when a nitride film with a lot of electric-charge traps is formed close to a silicon substrate surface, transistor properties may fluctuate. This is regarded as a problem.
In addition, when a nitride film is formed on the side of the gate electrode in the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, there arises a problem that the electric-charge retention property thereof deteriorates, and the parasitic capacitance thereof increases. This is also regarded as a problem.
Therefore, with the conventional art, it is difficult to provide a small semiconductor device that can be formed without deteriorating transistor properties.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


An electron beam therapy system and a facility for using an electron beam therapy system. In the preferred embodiment, the electron beam therapy system comprises a linear accelerator, microwave source, and associated electronics disposed in a housing. The housing is mounted on a positioning means such as a C-arm to direct the electron beam to the desired site on the patient. The entire housing and positioning means is mobile and may be moved to different locations in the facility. Connectors are provided at the different locations in the facility to connect the electron beam source to a central power source within the facility.

Radiation has long been used intraoperatively to treat a variety of cancers by delivering a high local dose of radiation directly to the tumor bed through the operative site. Early intraoperative radiation treatment methods utilized x-rays as the radiation source. More recent intraoperative therapy installations have employed beams of high energy electrons as the radiation source to provide a homogeneous dose of radiation with a rapid falloff in radiation intensity beyond the treatment volume, thereby minimizing exposure of noncancerous tissue to the radiation.
In a typical intraoperative electron beam therapy (IOEBT) procedure, the surgeon removes the bulk of the patient's tumor so that minimal residual disease remains. The attending radiation oncologist selects the electron beam energy and field size required to treat the target volume. A single cancerocidal radiation dose is then delivered to the tumor site, while the dose to normal tissues is kept to a minimum. IOEBT has been shown to be especially useful in the treatment of bone sarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas, bronchogenic, gynecological, colorectal, pancreatic and gastric cancers.
The primary drawbacks of present IOEBT systems are size and weight. Equipment currently available to a clinical facility interested in an IOEBT system is a large, 5-10 ton gantry-mounted linear accelerator, operating at 5 to 20 MeV and requiring a specially-designed operating suite with large amounts of radiation shielding and a weight-bearing floor. The weight of the accelerator itself and the need to provide special shielding and structural support for the IOEBT room virtually guarantees that each IOEBT system will be used in only one specialized shielded theater equipped with a dedicated linear accelerator. This dedicated-facility approach requires a large capital outlay on the part of the hospital. More importantly, from a medical point of view, a separate theater makes treatment of the patient much more difficult.
The drawbacks of this situation arise from the need to transport the patient during surgery from the operating room to the radiation oncology room and include increased risk of infection, increased anesthesia requirements, and increased complexity of OR and radiation therapy schedules to accommodate the use of two rooms for a single surgical procedure.
Orthovoltage x-ray treatment equipment is lighter and requires less shielding than IOEBT systems and therefore avoids some of the logistical problems of the IOEBT approach. However, orthovoltage systems have lengthy treatment times, inhomogeneous dose distributions and high bone absorption. These drawbacks limit the clinical efficacy of orthovoltage as an intraoperative treatment procedure.
What has been needed is an IOEBT system that can be used in one or more existing surgical suites without the addition of extensive radiation shielding and structural support to the operating rooms. This invention meets this need by providing a surgical facility that has multiple operating rooms sharing a single transportable IOEBT system. The invention also provides a mobile IOEBT system having an electron beam source mounted on movable mechanical supports. The IOEBT system is designed to be light enough to avoid the need to add structural support to preexisting medical care facilities. The IOEBT system of this invention requires only minimal additional radiation shielding.
The preferred embodiment of the electron beam therapy system of this invention includes a linear accelerator and microwave power source disposed in an accelerator head housing. The housing is mounted on a movable support that permits orientation of the electron beam applicator tube to the correct position with respect to the patient being treated.

Intraoperative electron beam therapy system and facility


Disclosed herein is a fastening structure which enables objects to be easily coupled to or removed from each other, and which enables the relative positions between the objects to be changed in the longitudinal position of zipper rails. The fastening structure includes a first zipper rail unit which is provided on a planar portion of a first object and has zipper rails arranged parallel to each other, and a second zipper rail unit which is provided on a planar portion of a second object and has zipper rails arranged parallel to each other. While the zipper rails of the first zipper rail unit are individually coupled to the corresponding zipper rails of the second zipper rail unit in a female-male engagement manner, relative positions between the first object and the second object can be changed in the longitudinal direction of the zipper rails.

Generally, a variety of means, such as double-sided tape, Velcro, for fastening a plurality of objects to each other are used. Particularly, Velcro is widely used as representative fastening means, along with buttons, zippers, etc., because it is trouble-free and the installation of it is easy and it is easy to use.
The Velcro includes a first member which is provided with a plurality of locking hooks, and a second member which is provided with a plurality of catch loops. The first member and the second member are respectively installed on corresponding surfaces of objects and are fastened to or separated from each other depending on the coupling between the locking hooks and the catch loops.
However, in Velcro, if it is required to change relative positions between the first member and the second member after they have been fastened to each other, the first member must be separated from the second member and then re-fastened thereto after their relative positions are re-determined.
Therefore, a fastening structure which can facilitate coupling or removal between first and second members and a change in relative positions therebetween is required.


A remote control holder having a mounting face to which several remote control units are attached using releasable fastening strips. The mounting face terminates in a curved frontal section enabling the holder to be hung on a television or other piece of furniture when not in use. A label containing information, such as a channel guide, is attached to the mounting section undersurface. A clear acrylic window fits over the label and attaches flush onto the undersurface providing protection for the label.

This invention relates to holders of accessories for electronic equipment, and in particular to a device for holding a plurality of remote control units for controlling electronic equipment, such as television receivers, VCR's, CD and DVD players, audio receivers, and the like.
Manufacturers of television sets, stereo receivers, VCR's, CD and DVD players, tape decks and other electronic entertainment equipment generally provide remote control units designed to operate the specific product the consumer purchased. Generally, most remote control units do not operate other manufacturer's products and often do not operate complementary products provided by the same manufacturer.
Typically, in order to solve this problem consumers purchase "universal remote controls" designed to learn the codes from existing remote control units. Given the additional functions continually added to the electronic devices, and given the need to keep the remote control units easy to use, many of the complex functions that the original equipment manufacturer's remote controls offer are not on these "universal remote control units".
A problem many consumers encounter with having several remote control units is the inability to organize the remote control units, and they become easily misplaced.
Often, several remote control units need to be operated at one time in order for a product to work. With the advent of "surround sound", consumers can use the Hi Fi stereo or surround sound VCR as the channel selector, and then send the sound through the stereo receiver or surround sound receiver to achieve "motion picture" sound quality. Also, many cable companies and satellite systems require the use of a special remote that operates their equipment. As a result, a consumer is required to use the TV remote, VCR remote, stereo remote and possibly a cable box remote in order to watch the television.
With the advent of cable television and satellite systems, the number of TV stations available to the consumer is approaching and in some cases exceeding 100 channels. Many of these channels have names such as Bravo, HBO, CNN, TBS, etc. As a result, consumers need to memorize the names of these channels and the corresponding channel locations on their system. Further, many local channels are located on channels different from what their airwaves channel numbers indicate.


A semiconductor device includes: an isolation region formed in a semiconductor substrate; an active region surrounded by the isolation region in the semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film formed on the active region; and a gate electrode formed across the boundary between the active region and the isolation region adjacent to the active region. The gate electrode includes a first portion which is located above the active region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween and is entirely made of a silicide in a thickness direction and a second portion which is located above the isolation region and is made of a silicon region and the silicide region covering the silicon region.

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the devices, and particularly relates to semiconductor devices including fully-silicided (FUSI) gate electrodes and methods for fabricating the devices.
In the field of semiconductor devices, increase of speed and reduction of power consumption are accelerated because of rapid miniaturization of elements in recent years. Accordingly, enhancement of transistor performance is urgently needed. However, conventional miniaturization of elements alone is now insufficient for enhancement of transistor performance.
In view of this, in a metal insulator semiconductor (MIS) transistor, a film having a high dielectric constant (i.e., a high-κ film) is used as a gate insulating film and a gate electrode is fully made of a metal so that reduction of gate leakage current and enhancement of transistor driving ability are both achieved.
FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a full silicidation process in a method for fabricating a conventional MIS transistor. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view in the gate width direction and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view in the gate length direction (see, for example, International Electron Device Meeting p. 95, 2004). As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, first, an isolation region 102 is selectively formed in a semiconductor substrate 101, thereby forming an active region 101a. Then, a gate insulating film 103 and a gate electrode film 104 made of polysilicon are deposited. Thereafter, the gate electrode film 104 is patterned such that the ends of the gate electrode film 104 in the gate width direction are located inside the isolation region 102 when viewed from above. Subsequently, an offset sidewall 105 is formed on the side of the gate electrode film 104. Using the offset sidewall 105 and the gate electrode film 104 as a mask, an extension region 106 and a pocket region 107 having a conductivity different from that of the extension region 106 are sequentially formed below the side of the offset sidewall 105 in the active region 101a. Thereafter, a sidewall 108 is formed at the side of the gate electrode film 104 with the offset sidewall 105 interposed therebetween. Using the sidewall 108, the offset sidewall 105 and the gate electrode film 104 as a mask, a source/drain region 109 is formed below the side of the sidewall 108 in the active region 101a. Then, only an upper portion of the source/drain region 109 is selectively silicided, thereby forming a silicide layer 110. Subsequently, an interlayer insulating film 111 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 101 and then is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) until the gate electrode film 104 is exposed. Thereafter, an upper portion of the gate electrode film 104 is selectively removed by etching. Then, a nickel film 112 is deposited by sputtering over the interlayer insulating film 111 and the gate electrode film 104 having a reduced thickness. Subsequently, the nickel film 112 is subjected to heat treatment so that reaction occurs between polysilicon forming the gate electrode film 104 and nickel, thereby forming a gate electrode (FUSI gate electrode) in which the entire gate electrode film 104 is silicided.
However, in the method for fabricating a conventional semiconductor device, full silicidation, i.e., silicidation of the entire gate electrode, causes a problem in which the capacitance of the gate electrode increases.

Semiconductor device including fully-silicided (FUSI) gate electrodes


In response to receiving a request from a client device, a first image can be determined based at least in part on an image identification in the request. The first image may be associated with a plurality of layers. A subset of the plurality of layers can be determined. Information configured to enable a selection of at least one layer in the subset may be sent to the client device. In response to receiving a request from a client device, a composite image can be obtained based at least in part on a selection of at least one layer of a plurality of layers of an image received in the request. The composite image may be dynamically generated or retrieved from a storage device. The composite image and/or information associated with the composite image can be sent to the client device.

Traditionally, creating a composite image from a layered image required a user to have a desktop application capable of importing a layered image, editing layers of the image, and exporting a flattened image. However, computing devices, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer, may lack the processing power needed to efficiently create a composite image from a layered image. Furthermore, such computing devices may have a screen size which makes creating a composite image difficult for a user. Accordingly, there is a need for efficient and scalable technologies that allow composite images to be created from layered images in these and other circumstances.

System and method for creating custom composite images from layered images in a client-server environment


A gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are provided with an additional progressive jackpot gaming system which allows players on the gaming machines to play for a jackpot provided by the progressive system. The controller of the progressive system generates in random fashion at the beginning of a game cycle a jackpot-win value for the progressive jackpot which is displayed to the players of the gaming machine from the beginning of the game cycle. The controller also randomly generates a parameter for use with unit bet information from the gaming machines in determining a current jackpot value. When the current jackpot value is brought to the jackpot-win value, the gaming machine responsible is the winner of the progressive jackpot. Also disclosed is the generation by the progressive controller of signalling which is supplied to a winning gaming machine and causes the machine to make the jackpot payout.

This invention relates to gaming systems and, in particular, to gaming systems in which a progressive jackpot is utilized.
In a traditional gaming machine or device, such as, for example, a slot machine, poker machine, keno machine, etc., the player inserts monetary amounts by coin, token, paper currency or other entry (e.g., automatic entry by pushing a button) to play one or more games on the gaming machine. These monetary amounts are usually translated into a number of units of the lowest unit of currency receivable by the machine, referred to herein as the unit bet. Translation into unit bets is typically carried out by representing each unit bet as a single pulse so that the generation of N pulses would correspond to a currency entry equal to N unit bets. Thus, in a gaming machine whose unit bet equals $0.25, entry of a dollar would amount to 4 unit bets, resulting in the generation of 4 pulses.
Upon entry of a monetary amount, the gaming machine examines the generated unit bet pulses and determines therefrom which games and/or awards the player qualifies for. The player is then normally required to take some action (e.g., pulling the lever arm in a slot machine) to institute playing of the game.
Once the player takes this action, the gaming machine carries out the necessary activities for its game cycle which might require certain further actions and choices by the player. Once these activities are completed, the gaming machine determines whether the player has won the game or not (e.g., in a slot machine whether one or more reels have a winning combination or not). If the game has been won, the player is given the award established by the gaming machine for the particular game being played. Typically, the award is a return of monetary amounts in excess of the amounts entered to play the game. Once the gaming machine completes payout for a won game or determines that the player has not won, the gaming cycle has been completed. The gaming machine then resets so as to be able to again receive monetary amounts to begin another game cycle.
In order to stimulate play on the gaming machines, a so-called "progressive gaming system" has been added in which, in addition to the normal games being played on each of the gaming machines, the machines are linked together so that in playing on the machines, players compete for an additional common award or jackpot. In this type of system, a programmed controller is provided for linking the machines together. The controller receives from the machines unit bet and machine identification information and supplies to the players, either through displays provided on the respective machines and/or a common overhead display, information as to the common jackpot.
The controller of the system controls the progressive game during each game cycle by first establishing a jackpot-win amount or value in a random manner from between maximum and minimum jackpot values. The controller then also establishes a base value which is used as an initial amount for a current jackpot amount, which is the jackpot amount reported by the controller to the machine displays and/or the overhead display and displayed to the players. The current jackpot amount is recalculated or incremented by the controller each time a game is played at each gaming machine. The controller does this by adding to the current jackpot amount an increment value based on the number of unit bets entered at the particular gaming machine multiplied by a fixed increment rate per unit bet.
To this end, each gaming machine, as above-indicated, reports its unit bet information to the controller upon a player playing the machine so that the current jackpot value can be appropriately incremented. The gaming machine is also identified to the controller with the bet information so that the controller knows which gaming machine resulted in the increment.
After each increment of the current jackpot, the controller compares the new current jackpot value with the jackpot-win value which it previously randomly established and stored. If the new value is less than the jackpot-win value, the controller merely updates the current jackpot value and communicates the updated value to the displays at the gaming machines and/or the overhead display. The controller then continues to monitor the unit bet information indicative of game play from the gaming machines and to increment the current jackpot value based thereon.
When an increment to the current jackpot value causes the value to reach or become equal to the jackpot-win value, the controller determines that the jackpot has been won by the gaming machine which resulted in the increment. The controller communicates this to the winning gaming machine and the appropriate payment of the jackpot-win amount is made to the player.
After a jackpot has been won, the controller then institutes a new game cycle in which it resets the progressive jackpot by randomly selecting from values between the maximum and minimum jackpot values a new jackpot-win value. The controller then also resets the current jackpot value to the base value and begins incrementing this value based on the fixed increment and the game play (as evidenced by the unit bet information) of the linked machines. As before, this incrementing continues until the current jackpot value reaches the new jackpot-win value and the progressive jackpot is again won. The controller then repeats the progressive game cycle based on continued game play, as above-described.
The above type of progressive system has been sold by the assignee of the present application under the name Mikohn Mystery Progressive Jackpot System in which the programmed controller used is a Mikohn Model No. CONT-2 controller. While this system and its added jackpot have proved satisfactory in stimulating game play on the linked gaming machines, it has been observed that game play tends to decrease immediately after the progressive jackpot has been won. Not until the displayed current jackpot value increases considerably above the initially reset base value does game play increase to its more usual levels. This fall-off in game play is a result of the players on the gaming machines being reluctant to institute game play when the displayed current jackpot value is close to the initial base value, since they know that the value will likely increase to a more substantial level.
Fall-off in game play at any time is of course undesirable and detracts from the benefits of the added progressive gaming system. Another detracting feature of the progressive system is that the pay-out at a winning machine has to be manually performed by gaming personnel, once a machine has been identified as winning the added jackpot. This limits the overall adaptability of the system. As a result, while the aforesaid mystery progressive jackpot system provides some degree of stimulation for game play, there is still a continued effort to develop additional ways to increase player interest.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved progressive jackpot gaming system of the above type.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a progressive jackpot gaming system of the above type which has been modified to further stimulate game play.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a progressive jackpot gaming system of the above type which has been modified to attempt to lessen fall-off in game play after the progressive jackpot has been won.
It is still further object of the present invention to provide a progressive gaming system of the above type in which payout of the progressive jackpot at a gaming machine is more readily accomplished.


The present invention provides silica particles including primary particles, the primary particles having an average particle diameter in a range of from about 100 nm to about 500 nm, a particle size distribution index in a range of from about 1.40 to about 1.80, and an average roundness in a range of from about 0.5 to about 0.85, and about 95% or more, by number of particles, of the primary particles satisfying following Formula (1) with respect to a roundness (R) and a particle diameter (D) (nm):R=α×D/1000+β  Formula (1)                (−2.5≦α≦−0.9, 0.8≦β≦1.2).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to silica particles and a method for producing the same.
2. Related Art
Silica particles are used as an added component or a main component of toners, cosmetics, rubbers, abrasives, and the like, and play a role in, for example, improvement of the strength of resins, improvement of flowability of powders, inhibition of packing, and the like. Since it is thought that the properties that silica particles have are likely to depend on the shapes of the silica particles, various shapes of silica particles have been proposed.

Silica particles and method for producing the same


A light emitting device mount includes a positive lead terminal, a negative lead terminal, and a resin portion. Each of the positive and negative lead terminal includes a first main surface, a second main surface, and an end surface. The end surface is provided between the first main surface and the second main surface. The end surface includes a first recessed surface area and a second recessed surface area. The first recessed surface area is extending from a first point of the first main surface in cross section. The second recessed surface area is extending from a second point of the second main surface in cross section. The first and second recessed surface areas define a protruding portion protruding outwardly. The resin portion is positioned at least between the end surface of the positive lead terminal and the end surface of the negative lead terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting device mount, a leadframe, and a light emitting apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
See Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-039,109.
It discloses a semiconductor apparatus including a leadframe that is produced by subjecting both the top and bottom surfaces of a metal base plate to etching, an LED (light emitting diode) device that is arranged on the leadframe, an external resin portion that has a recessed part for enclosing the LED device and is integrally formed with the leadframe, and a sealing resin member with which the recessed part is filled.

Light emitting device mount, leadframe, and light emitting apparatus


A reel and a display device are provided. The display device includes the reel, the reel includes a reel body, and the reel body is cylindrical. The reel body is provided with a first ring mounting groove along an extending direction of a length of a cylinder, and a depth of the first ring mounting groove corresponds to a thickness of a flexible display screen to be mounted.

At present, people are becoming more and more dependent on electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, and smart wearable devices. In order to enhance user experience and enhance product competitiveness, use of large screens has become a development trend. Regarding an inconvenience of carrying large-screen electronic equipment, rollable electronic display devices have emerged. A rollable electronic display device can roll an electronic display screen into a reel when not in use and store it in a small size for easy carrying, and when it is in use, pull the electronic display screen out from the reel. With a development of flexible electronic display technologies, research on structures of rollable devices is also underway.
Shown in FIG. 1 is a current display device 90, comprising a reel 91 and a flexible display 92. The reel 91 is a standard cylindrical shape. In order to meet curling requirements, the flexible display 92 is curled on the cylindrical reel 91. With multiple pulls, lifespan of the electronic display 92 is a focus of various display equipment manufacturers and is a key to mass production of display devices.
When the flexible display 92 is rolled into a second circle immediately after a first circle, because there is already a layer of screen attached to the reel 91, and the flexible display 92 has a certain thickness, an overlap of the first circle and the second circle of the flexible display 92 will cause the second circle of the flexible display 92 to bulge, so a sectional difference is formed at the overlap, and a depth of the sectional difference is a thickness of the flexible display 92. Currently, the flexible display screen 92 has serious stress concentration and a local tensile stress rises sharply, which cause the flexible display 92 to fail due to the stress concentration and internal circuit breaks and reduces curling lifespan of rollable display devices.

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The invention relates to a sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) for a packaging machine (100) designed as a capsule filling and sealing machine or for a capsule control device (100a), said device having a positioning element (35; 35a) for positioning a container (c) having a longitudinal axis (15) and filled with a filling material in the region of the sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) and at least one radiation source (31; 31 a; 3 b) and at least one detector (40; 40a; 40b) for detecting the radiation after said radiation radiates through the container (c). According to the invention, the at least one radiation source (31; 31a; 31b) radiates through the container (c) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (15) thereof and the positioning element is designed as a tubular or shaft-shaped conveying element (35; 35a) which can be penetrated by the radiation in a radiation cone (38) of the radiation source (31; 31a; 31b).

The invention relates to a sensor apparatus for a packaging machine, which is in the form of a capsule filling and closing machine, or for a capsule monitoring apparatus.
A sensor apparatus such as this is known from DE 10 2005 016 124 A1. The known sensor apparatus is arranged in the area of a capsule filling and closing device and has an X-ray radiation source which passes radiation through containers in the longitudinal direction, which containers are filled with a filling material, for example a pharmaceutical product in the form of powder. A detector is arranged on the side of the container opposite the X-ray radiation source, measures the X-ray radiation after it passes through the container, and supplies this in analog form to an evaluation device. In particular, the weight of the filling material in the containers is determined by means of the sensor apparatus that is so far known.
This has the disadvantage that, because the containers are arranged in step-like holding holes in holding segments, when the radiation is passed through the containers, their entire cross section is not detected, with a portion of the cross section instead being covered by the holding hole. The result is therefore dependent on the geometry of the holding hole, and the measurement result may be corrupted. Additional statements can be made only with difficulty, if at all, because radiation is passed through the containers in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the containers, since the radiation passes through only a relatively limited area of the container.
DE 198 19 395° C.1, from the same applicant, discloses a weighing device for weighing hard-gelatin capsules, which has a feed element in the form of a flywheel which in each case moves a capsule into the area of a weighing goods holder, which is arranged in a suspended manner, and feeds the capsule on further therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,600 discloses an image-processing monitoring device, in which the filling level in containers is checked by means of a beam source, with the beam passing through the containers at right angles to their container longitudinal axis. The containers are in this case arranged at a distance from one another on a horizontally arranged feed device.

Sensor device for a packaging machine designed as a capsule filling and sealing machine or for a capsule control device


A method for scheduling the replacement of wind turbine batteries is disclosed. The method may include monitoring an air temperature of a location at which a battery is stored within a wind turbine, determining with a controller a predicted lifetime for the battery based on the air temperature and determining when to replace the battery based at least in part on the predicted lifetime.

Generally, a wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, and a rotor coupled to the nacelle. The rotor typically includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to and extending outwardly from the hub. Each rotor blade may be spaced about the hub so as to facilitate rotating the rotor to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy.
Various batteries are often used within a wind turbine to supply electrical power to wind turbine components. For example, one or more pitch batteries are often stored within the hub so as to supply power to the pitch adjustment mechanisms used to pitch the rotor blades. As with all batteries, the pitch batteries have a limited lifetime across which they may supply power. Thus, the pitch batteries must be periodically replaced to avoid pitch system failures.
Current replacement strategies employ a fixed replacement schedule in which the pitch batteries are replaced at a predetermined interval, such as every three years. This predetermined interval typically corresponds to a time period beyond which it is believed that each battery's lifetime will extend regardless of the operating conditions of the wind turbine. Accordingly, such battery replacement strategies fail to take into account the variations in battery lifetimes that exist due to changing operating conditions, particularly changes in the ambient air temperature. As a result, batteries are often removed too early, thereby increasing both the operating costs and the downtime of a wind turbine over an extended period of time.
Accordingly, improved methods or strategies for scheduling the replacement of wind turbine batteries would be welcomed in the technology.

Methods for scheduling the replacement of wind turbine batteries and related systems


A stalk roll for a harvesting device for harvesting crop heads of stalk-like plants. The stalk roll is provided with a roll body having projecting drivers distributed around its periphery. The pull-in speed of the stalk rolls in a picking region where the crop heads are removed is less than in a region of the stalk rolls situated farther downstream after the crop head has been removed. The diameter of the roll body in the picking region is greater than in the region situated farther downstream. In addition, it is proposed that upstream of a picking region the stalk roll have an inlet region which cooperates with the parts of the plants beneath the crop heads, where the pull-in speed of the stalk roll is greater than in the picking region.

Pickers are used in agricultural harvesting, in order to separate the crop heads of plants from the other parts of the plants. Such pickers generally have two stalk rolls, between which the plant stalk is pulled in. Occasionally, only one stalk roll is used, which cooperates with a fixed wall. The stalk roll or rolls pulls or pull the plant through a picking gap whose dimensions are narrower than that of the crop head. Because of this, the crop head, for example, an ear of corn, is separated from the rest of the plant and can be processed separately. The stalk rolls are often provided with drivers, mounted on a tubular base element, that extend over their length.
The cylindrical stalk rolls may be provided with forward mounted conical tips provided with helical vanes to pull in the plant, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,062. In addition, conical stalk rolls have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,870,593, U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,836, DE 1 757 213 A, DE 2 313 519 A, DE 197 30 912 A and EP 0 943 229 A. With these conical stalk rolls their envelopes have a smaller diameter at their front end, in the direction of travel, than at their rear end. Because of this, a situation is achieved in which the plants are pulled in at a relatively slower speed in their lower region, which cooperates with the front sections of the stalk roll that have a smaller diameter. The upper, thinner parts of the plant are pulled in with a relatively higher speed by the rear head region of the stalk rolls that have a larger diameter. Because of this, the cob, which generally grows on the lower part of the plant, is supposed to be pulled in relatively slowly during stripping in the picking gap, and is therefore handled gently, whereas the upper, thin part of the stalk is pulled in rapidly.
In the last two documents mentioned, it is proposed that the axes of the cooperating stalk rolls converge, so that the gap remaining between the stalk rolls can remain a constant width over its length. A picker with conical stalk rolls is also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,641,436, whose axes converge so that the width of the gap between the stalk rolls is constant over its length. However, the stalk rolls are thicker at the front, lower end than at the upper, rear head end.
It is considered a shortcoming in pickers with conical stalk rolls that, with parallel stalk rolls, the spacing between the cooperating stalk rolls diminishes progressively to the rear head, leading to crushing of the plant stalks in the rear head region that increases the required drive power, and that the conicity is limited for mechanical-spatial reasons, while in stalk rolls with converging axes, expensive and elaborate angle gear head mechanisms are required. Pickers with cylindrical stalk rolls, unlike those with conical stalk rolls, do not have the advantage of pulling in of the plant that accelerates over the length of the stalk rolls.

Stalk roll with oppositely tapering body and drivers


A storage device for storing Christmas lights assembled from a vertical core section, a pair of horizontal end sections, and a sheath. The device is constructed from corrugated cardboard. Each opposing end of each of the four sides of the core section includes both a foldable flap and a slot, which is formed adjacent the fold line of the flap. The horizontal end sections, located at either opposing core section end, each include a centrally disposed opening defined by four inward sides. Each inward side has a width substantially equal to the core section sides and includes an inwardly extending tab. When the core section is inserted into the centrally disposed opening, the tabs are received by the slots to secure the core section and end section together. Each end section also includes four locking regions, each locking region having a first folding element and a second folding element. The first folding element folds toward the far surface of the end section such that it overlays the core section flap outwardly folded against the end section. The second folding element then folds into the hollow center of the core section. The core section and end section are thereby further secured together. The sheath encloses and protects articles wound around the assembled core section and end sections during storage.

A large segment of the world's population experiences Christmas--a time of year replete with a variety of traditions and rituals. One very traditional task performed in preparation for Christmas and the holiday season involves stringing lights around the house and on the Christmas tree. A display of festive lights not only advances the spirit of the season, but also prompts fond memories for most observers. Unfortunately, all too often the person responsible for stringing the lights will be less than completely pleased with the memories prompted by the lights. These tainted memories result from an assortment of difficulties frequently encountered in performing this task. In addition to battling the elements, the person stringing the lights must also overcome the complications created by the light removal and storage techniques utilized the previous year. Invariably, light bulbs have been crushed during storage and the electric cord is seemingly hopelessly tangled. The correction of these problems is an exasperating chore, and requires a fair amount of time so precious during the fleeting holiday season.
Attempts to minimize the difficulty of stringing lights in any given year are likely to fail due to the timing wherein they must be effectuated. Preventative measures must be taken almost a full year before the fruits of the painstaking light removal and storage efforts are realized. Moreover, after an exhausting holiday season, little energy is left to insure that the lights are properly stored for the next year. And naturally, there is always a possibility that the person removing the lights is aware, whether it be consciously or otherwise, that someone else will be charged with stringing the lights the following year.
Existing solutions to storing Christmas tree lights are inadequate for a variety of reasons. Many people simply coil the lights like a rope and bind them together with the light cord. In the short run, this light storage technique is quick and effective. However, the exposure of the bulbs to external forces and the resulting bulb breakage during the initial storing and year long storage makes such a storage technique less than ideal. In addition, the stringing of the lights around a tree the following year is made awkward. Prior to beginning, the string of lights must be straightened to ensure that no knots in the cord are present. Otherwise, if after beginning the stringing process a tangled cord is discovered, a person stringing the lights may be forced to cease the decorating process and remove the light string so the knot can be unraveled. Then, because the lights are already straightened and rest on the ground, each light must be individually secured to the branches of the tree. If a person attempts to simply place the lights on top of the branches without securing the lights thereto, the weight of the remaining lights not yet hung may pull down these placed lights. Other people attempt to replace the lights in the original packaging from which they came. However, those who have opted to use this method of light storage can describe the daunting task of reinserting a mass of disorganized lights and cords into the tight and orderly arrangement from which they were removed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,917,323 and 2,984,347 disclose devices for use in storing Christmas tree lights. Similar to the problem encountered in storing Christmas tree lights in the package from which they came, orienting the lights in these storage devices is time consuming and therefore undesirable. Moreover, no protection of the lights and cord from outside forces acting against the lights during initial storing and year long storage is provided.


A method of determining and monitoring head polarity of data heads comprises performing a head polarity detection routine. The head polarity detection routine comprises the step of setting a read gate period duration to a first value. The routine also comprises searching for a good address mark signal during a first read gate period with a channel polarity set to a first polarity. The routine further comprises identifying a polarity of a data head based upon the channel polarity when the good address mark is detected.

In data storage systems, data is recorded on a storage media, typically in data tracks. For example, in disc drive data storage systems, data is written in circular concentric data tracks on the surface(s) of one or more data storage discs. In magnetic disc drive data storage systems, advancement in material science has allowed magnetic data to be written on the media at greater track pitch per inch (TPI) densities than had previously been possible. One factor which makes recording at higher TPI densities possible is a reduction of the transducer's geometry. Synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) transducers have been used in magnetic storage systems to achieve higher TPI (for example, 130 TPI). The properties of SAF transducers have proven to provide good thermal performance, amplitude response, amplitude asymmetry sigma, and component stability as compared to other transducer types.
However, one problem which can occur with SAF transducers is that they frequently exhibit polarity flip behavior. A polarity flip, or polarity flip behavior, is where a read back signal from a data head inverts from its original or previous polarity. Inversion of the read back signal will result in data errors. Transducers such as SAF transducers are sensitive to polarity flips, and particularly to flips to negative polarity. Transducers will also give a reverse polarity reading of the read back signal if the transducer wire is soldered in a reverse orientation. In order to implement proper decoding, the read/write channel requires that the signal polarity state be known and correct. Therefore, there is a need for methods and apparatus which can accurately detect head polarity and head polarity flips automatically.
Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to these and/or other problems, and offer other advantages over the prior art.

Head polarity detection algorithm and apparatus


The present invention relates to a polypropylene-based resin composition which exhibits mechanical properties such as excellent strength, etc. and has an improved impact strength, and to a molded article including the same. The olefin-based copolymer includes: a polypropylene-based resin; and an olefin-based copolymer, wherein the olefin-based copolymer includes polymeric fractions defined by three different peaks at a given temperature when analyzed by cross-fractionation chromatography (CFC).

A polypropylene-based resin composition containing a polypropylene-based resin as a main component and containing various additives is generally applied to various fields and applications such as a composition for interior and exterior parts of automobiles.
However, in such a conventional polypropylene resin composition, an impact reinforcement material is often contained in order to reinforce an impact strength of the polypropylene-based resin. Until the mid-1990's, prior to development of ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers polymerized by applying a metallocene catalyst, a rubber-based material such as EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) was mainly used as an impact reinforcement material.
However, since the appearance of the ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer produced by the metallocene catalyst, olefin-based copolymers or olefin-based elastomers such as ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers have been mainly applied as an impact reinforcement material.
However, the conventional olefin-based copolymers, or the conventional olefin-based elastomers mainly composed of ethylene-alpha-olefin random copolymers, have basically a single crystal structure. Therefore, it is known that it is not easy to simultaneously achieve required properties such as compatibility with other resins, strength and impact strength. For example, when existing olefin-based copolymers or olefin-based elastomers are compounded with polypropylene-based resin to obtain a molded article exhibiting excellent impact strength and mechanical properties, it is necessary to use an olefin elastomer having a relatively low density in order to improve the impact strength of the molded article. However, since these low density olefin-based elastomers exhibit a relatively low strength, they have drawbacks such as difficulty in achieving excellent strength of the polypropylene-based resin composition or the molded article thereof.
Accordingly, there is a continuing demand for the development of a polypropylene-based resin exhibiting excellent mechanical strength together with more improved impact strength.


A light transmissive bendable wood panel provides a wood panel that may be finished in a similar manner to traditional wood panels, but is light transmissive to allow the light transmissive bendable wood panel to be illuminated. The light transmissive bendable wood panel may be formed with a bendable substrate to allow various curves or other shapes to be formed. The light transmissive bendable wood panel may comprise a face layer having a permeable backing to ensure full adhesion with the substrate. A back layer may be provided to stabilize the light transmissive bendable wood panel and prevent curling, cupping, and delaminating. The light transmissive bendable wood panel may be backlit or edge lit. One or more illuminated designs may be formed in a face layer of the light transmissive bendable wood panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to wood paneling and in particular to a light transmissive bendable wood panel.
2. Related Art
Wood is a commonly used construction material that is highly versatile. Wood panels or other structures are capable of providing structural support while being aesthetically pleasing. For these reasons, wood panels are often used in both buildings and furnishings. Various processes for finishing wood are used to enhance its appearance.
For instance, wood panels are often painted or stained to various colors. In addition, various clear coatings may be used to alter the texture, feel, or sheen of wood. Though wide ranging in color and sheen, these traditional finishing methods are limited in that they may only change color and sheen of a wood product.
Lighting has also been used to enhance the appearance of wood. For instance, a remote spotlight or accent light may be used to highlight wood structures. In other scenarios, it has been shown possible to illuminate wood by shining a light through the wood.
For example, US Patent Publication No. 2008/0099140 and Hungarian Usage Sample Application No. U 09 00110 disclose a particular paneling product having a thick rigid load-bearing layer to which a wood layer may be attached. A light may shine through the wood layer to illuminate the wood layer. These paneling products may be formed similar to traditional plywood, such as by adhering multiple layers of material together to form a panel.
JP 2006240274 discloses a paneling product where a panel board is located between two panes of glass. Likewise, DE 41 12 097 discloses a panel board between two thick glass panes. Though these products may be illuminated, their panel boards are encapsulated between two panes of glass, thus preventing the panel board from being seen or touched directly. For those desiring a wood panel or structure, this is highly undesirable since the encapsulating glass has entirely different characteristics.
From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.


A new compact floribunda rose plant which has abundant, yellow flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Rosa hybrida xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99.
The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety of a compact floribunda rose plant which originated from a controlled crossing between xe2x80x98POULrimxe2x80x99, described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,465 issued on Mar. 19, 2002 and xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99, an unpatented variety. The two parents were crossed and the resulting seeds were planted in a controlled environment. The new variety is named xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99.
The new rose may be distinguished from its seed parent, xe2x80x98POULrimxe2x80x99, by the following combination of characteristics:
1. xe2x80x98POULrimxe2x80x99 is a hybrid tea rose and is both taller and wider in habit.
2. xe2x80x98POULrimxe2x80x99 has orange flowers.
3. xe2x80x98POULrimxe2x80x99 has greater anthocyanin intonation in stems, leaves and reproductive parts.
The new variety may be distinguished from its pollen parent, xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99, created by the same inventors, by the following combination of characteristics:
1. xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99s flowers are a lighter shade of yellow.
2. xe2x80x98POULjolxe2x80x99 has semi-double flowers whereas the applicants"" variety has double flowers.
The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety for commercial culture was to create a new and distinct variety with unique qualities, such as:
1. Uniform and abundant large yellow flowers;
2. Vigorous and compact growth;
3. Year-round flowering under glasshouse conditions;
4. Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;
5. Durable flowers and foliage which make a variety suitable for distribution in the floral industry.
This combination of qualities is not present in previously available commercial cultivars of this type and distinguish xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99 from all other varieties of which we are aware.
As part of their rose development program, L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens N. Olesen germinated the seeds from the aforementioned hybridization and conducted evaluations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Fredensborg, Denmark.
xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99 was selected by the inventors as a single plant from the progeny of the hybridization in spring 1996.
Asexual reproduction of xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99 by cuttings and traditional budding was first done by L. Pernille and Mogens N. Olesen in their nursery in Fredensborg, Denmark in June 1996. This initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments have demonstrated that the characteristics of xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99 are true to type and are transmitted from one generation to the next.

Compact floribunda rose plant named xe2x80x98POULac002xe2x80x99


A system for bidirectional transmission in a plastic waveguide of a plurality of signals, between a first transceiver device and a second transceiver device, the plurality of signals comprising a payload carrier signal and one or more reference signals generated by one or more local oscillators on different frequencies, the first transceiver device being a power radio transceiver device, the second transceiver device being a multisignal transceiver device with no energy consumption which comprises a passive transmitter and a passive receiver.

The waves that have frequencies of between 1 GHz and 10 THz are non-ionizing radiation which can penetrate a wide range of non-conductive materials such as wood, plastic, ceramics and paper. The transmission of such waves allows for new applications in various technical fields such as spectroscopy, physics, communications, imaging, the medical field, and biology.
The existing waveguides for guiding the electromagnetic waves in other frequency ranges cannot be adapted for the propagation of such waves. Several alternative solutions have been proposed to allow the propagation of such waves. In particular, waveguides made of plastic material have been proposed in:    M. De Wit, Y. Zhang and P. Reynaert, "Analysis and Design of a Foam-Cladded PMF Link With Phase Tuning in 28-nm CMOS", in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, 2019;    C. Jany, A. Siligaris, P. Ferrari, and P. Vincent, "A novel harmonic selection technique based on the injection of a periodically repeated oscillations train into an oscillator", IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS2014), Tampa, Fla., 2014, pp. 1-3;    C. Jany, A. Siligaris, J. L. Jiménez, C. Bernier, P. Vincent, and P. Ferrari, "A novel ultra-low phase noise, programmable frequency multiplier-by-30 architecture. Application to 60-GHz frequency generation", ESSCIRC, 2014, pp. 427-430;    F. Voineau, A. Ghiotto, and E. Kerhervé, "Ensemble pour la propagation d'ondes dans la gamme de fréquences comprises entre 1 GHz et 10 THz" [Assembly for the propagation of waves in the range of frequencies lying between 1 GHz and 10 THz], Patent Registration, FR 16 54003, May 2016;    F. Parment, A. Ghiotto, T. Vuong, J. Duchamp, and K. Wu, "Air-filled substrate integrated waveguide for low loss and high power handling millimetre-wave substrate integrated circuits", IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 1228-1238, April 2015;    M. Sawaby, N. Dolatsha and A. Arbabian, "A Fully Packaged 130-GHz QPSK Transmitter With an Integrated PRBS Generator", in IEEE Solid-State Circuits Letters, 2018;    N. Van Thienen, Y. Zhang, M. De Wit, P. Reynaert, "An 18 Gbps Polymer Microwave Fiber (PMF) Communication Link in 40 nm CMOS", ESSCIRC (ESSCIRC), Lausanne, 2016, and    F. Voineau, C. Dehos, B. Martineau, M. Sié, M. Perchicot, N. H. Nguyen, A. Ghiotto and E. Kerhervé, "A 12 Gb/s 64QAM and OFDM Compatible Millimetre-Wave Communication Link Using a Novel Plastic Waveguide Design", IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium (RWS), Anaheim, Calif., 2018, pp. 250-252.
The plastic waveguides form thermal insulating links which allow wideband radio transmissions. The existing technologies, comprising the P-link technology, offer very high bit rate wideband links suitable for the networks of the future 5G and 6G generations and applications to smart transport systems and autonomous vehicles. The solutions thus developed based on plastic waveguides are based on links balanced at their ends, using the same transceivers on each side of the link. These solutions allow a single transmitted signal to be propagated without latency with an energy consumption balance between the transmitter and the receiver.
Contrary to some existing waveguides, the known solutions which use plastic waveguides allow the propagation of waves that have carrier frequencies of between 30 GHz and 10 THz, the payload signals carried by these carrier frequencies lying between 1 MHz and several tens of GHz, even more depending on the carrier frequency. However, these plastic waveguide-based solutions do not allow the simultaneous transmission of a plurality of signals and are not suited to certain applications such as Qubit addressing in a Quantum machine and the Internet of things embedded in material. The Quantum machines are currently based on the use of coaxial cables which represent drawbacks in terms of costs and energy efficiency. Indeed, the number of coaxial cables used between the interface at ambient temperature and the cryogenic interface is very high, which hampers strong integration of the overall system. Furthermore, since each coaxial signal is composed of a thermal conductor, it contributes to the heating up of the cryogenic zone, which greatly hampers the energy efficiency of the Quantum machine. For a large number of Qubits, it can also hamper the operation of the Quantum machine.
There is therefore a need for an enhanced system capable of propagating waves that have frequencies lying between 1 GHz and 10 THz and that are suitable for bidirectional transmission of a plurality of signals in an environment incompatible with radio transmissions.

System for bidirectional transmission of signals in a plastic waveguide

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES


Systems and processes for operating a digital assistant are provided. In accordance with one or more examples, a method includes, receiving training data for a data-driven learning network. The training data include a plurality of word sequences. The method further includes obtaining representations of an initial set of semantic categories associated with the words included in the training data; and training the data-driven learning network based on the plurality of word sequences included in the training data and based on the representations of the initial set of semantic categories. The training is performed using the word sequences in their entirety. The method further includes obtaining, based on the trained data-driven learning network, representations of a set of semantic embeddings of the words included in the training data; and providing the representations of the set of semantic embeddings to at least one of a plurality of different natural language processing tasks.

Digital assistants (or virtual assistants or intelligent automated assistants) can provide a beneficial human-machine interface. Such assistants can allow users to interact with devices or systems using natural language in spoken and/or text forms. For example, a user can provide a speech input containing a user request to a digital assistant operating on an electronic device. The virtual assistant can interpret the user's intent from the speech input and operationalize the user's intent into tasks. The tasks can then be performed by executing one or more services of the electronic device, and a relevant output responsive to the user request can be returned to the user.
Word embeddings are frequently used for a variety of natural language processing (NLP) tasks including, for example, information retrieval, document classification, question answering, or the like. Word embeddings include mapping words or phrases from a vocabulary to vectors of real numbers. During the mapping, representations are often derived from the local context of the particular word being mapped. The local context may include, for example, a small number of words preceding the particular word and a small number of words following the particular word. Thus, typical word embeddings represent local and limited context surrounding the words that are mapped to vectors. This type of word embeddings results in a narrow understanding of the semantic context. As a result, natural language processing tasks (e.g., predictive typing) based on such word embeddings may have degraded or unsatisfactory accuracy. Therefore, word embeddings that represent broader or global context information are needed to improve the performance of the NLP tasks.

Global semantic word embeddings using bi-directional recurrent neural networks