A grease composition for a precision instrument comprising a lithium soap grease or a urea grease, and an anti-wear agent, wherein the lithium soap grease and the urea grease are each a grease having no hydroxyl group in a molecule, and the anti-wear agent is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight based on the total amount of the grease composition. By the use of the grease composition for a sliding mechanism of a precision instrument such as a watch, an appropriate slip torque can be obtained, and the precision instrument such as a watch can operate stably.

As watches, there are two types of mechanical watches which operate by the use of power of a mainspring and electronic watches which operate by electric power of battery loaded therein. Each of the electronic watches and the mechanical watches has a train wheel portion to move hour hand, minute hand and second hand, such as wheels and bridges, and a slide portion such as levers. For the train wheel portion and the slide portion, parts made of metals or plastics are used taking processability and strength into account.
For the operation of the hands of watches, a magnetized rotor rotates 180° for one second and this rotation is transmitted in the following manner. That is to say, the rotation of the rotor is transmitted to a fifth wheel and pinion, a fourth wheel and pinion, a third wheel and pinion, a second wheel and pinion, a minute wheel, and an hour wheel in this order, and the fourth wheel and pinion moves the second hand, the second wheel and pinion moves the minute hand, and the hour wheel moves the hour hand, whereby each hand is operated.
Watches usually have a time-adjusting function. When a crown is pulled in order to adjust time, a clutch wheel is geared into the minute wheel. When the crown is revolved in this state, the clutch wheel is rotated to thereby rotate the minute wheel. By the rotation of the minute wheel, the hour wheel is rotated, whereby the hour hand can be moved. By the rotation of the minute wheel, the second wheel and pinion is also rotated, whereby the minute hand can be moved.
The minute wheel, however, is interlocked with the rotor through the second wheel and pinion, the third wheel and pinion, the fourth wheel and pinion, and the fifth wheel and pinion, so that if the crown is revolved, even the rotor is rotated. Then, in order to prevent rotation of the rotor caused by adjusting time, watches are equipped with a braking mechanism and a sliding mechanism to rotate only wheels necessary to adjust time. The sliding mechanism is usually set on the second wheel and pinion.
The sliding mechanism has an appropriate torque (referred to as "slip torque"), and when a force higher than a certain torque is applied, the sliding mechanism is activated, and thereby, rotation is not transmitted between the second wheel and pinion, and the third wheel and pinion. More specifically, in the usual motion of hands, the rotation is transmitted from the third wheel and pinion to the second wheel and pinion, but when the crown is revolved, a force of a certain torque is applied to actuate the sliding mechanism, whereby rotation is not transmitted from the second wheel and pinion to the third wheel and pinion.
However, if the time-adjusting operation is repeatedly carried out, the sliding mechanism suffers frictional wear and is deteriorated to thereby lower the slip torque. Consequently, it becomes difficult to stop the hand at the desired position in the time-adjusting operation, or also in the usual motion, the sliding mechanism sometimes is activated to thereby stop the motion of the minute hand.
Therefore, a lithium soap grease containing as a base oil an ester type synthetic oil or a mineral oil is conventionally poured into the sliding mechanism to prevent deterioration of the sliding mechanism caused by frictional wear and thereby inhibit lowering of torque. However, if a synthetic oil having a large total acid number and exhibiting metal corrosiveness (e.g., Mabis 9415) is used for a metal part of a precision instrument such as a watch, the metal part is occasionally tarnished or dissolved. Further, if a grease (e.g., CH-1 available from Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.) having poorer storage stability than a high-purity synthetic base oil (e.g., International Publication No. WO01/59043) is used, there is brought about a problem that the sliding mechanism is immediately deteriorated. On this account, development of grease having a small total acid number and exhibiting excellent storage stability has been desired.
Furthermore, grease having been poured into the sliding mechanism sometimes mingles with a lubricating oil that has been applied in order to slide the second wheel and pinion. As a result, deterioration of the slide portion or change of properties of the lubricating oil sometimes occurs. For example, if the aforesaid Mabis 9415 is mixed with the lubricating oil, metal corrosiveness of the lubricating oil is increased to sometimes deteriorate the slide portion. If the CH-1 available from Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. is mixed with the lubricating oil, change of properties of the lubricating oil takes place and the properties inherent in the lubricating oil cannot be obtained in some cases.
Then, as a sliding mechanism having an appropriate torque, a second wheel and pinion manufactured in combination with a resin has been proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 16705/1996, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 123783/1994, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 196747/1993). This second wheel and pinion is employable without oil-feeding and is prevented from mixing of a lubricating oil, but it is difficult to easily manufacture the second wheel and pinion because of its complicated structure. Moreover, there is another problem that the sliding mechanism has poor wear resistance because it is made of a resin.
Other various grease compositions have been heretofore proposed (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 31706/1978, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 35963/1999, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 336760/1999, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 336761/1999, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 172656/2001, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 308125/2002), but these grease compositions are intended for large-sized machines, and their consistency is large. Therefore, even if these grease compositions are used for sliding mechanism of watches, it is difficult that the sliding mechanism has a suitable torque.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a grease composition for a precision instrument which has no metal corrosiveness, hardly suffers change of properties and can maintain an appropriate slip torque in a precision instrument such as a watch. It is another object of the invention to provide a watch which exhibits stable operating performance by the use of the grease composition for its sliding mechanism.

Grease composition for precision equipment and timepiece containing the same


Provided is a polyarylene sulfide resin composition having well-balanced fluidity and mechanical strength. The composition is such that its spiral flow length, x (mm), to give a molding having a thickness of 1 mm and the flexural strength, y (MPa), of the molding satisfy the following numerical formula (I), and comprises (A) from 50 to 70 parts by weight of a polyarylene sulfide resin, (B) from 30 to 50 parts by weight of glass fibers and (C) from 0 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A), of a coupling agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polyarylene sulfide resin composition. Precisely, it relates to a well-balanced polyarylene sulfide resin composition having good fluidity and capable of being molded into moldings with good flexural strength.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polyarylene sulfide resins are referred to as super-engineering plastics, and have many applications, for example, to car parts, electrical and electronic parts and others, as having the advantages of heat resistance, flame retardancy, rigidity, solvent resistance and electrical insulation.
However, for car engine parts and others that are exposed to severe surroundings, resin compositions comprising conventional polyphenylene sulfide resins as compounded and reinforced with glass fibers are unsatisfactory, as their mechanical strength is not on the practicable level.
For improving the resin compositions, various methods have heretofore been proposed. For example, one comprises adding a coupling agent thereto (see JP-A 63-251430, 3-12453, 9-31632); another comprises blending polymers such as polysulfones and others (see JP-A 63-130662). However, these are still unsatisfactory.
The object of the invention is to provide a well-balanced polyarylene sulfide resin composition having both good fluidity and good mechanical strength.
We, the present inventors have assiduously studied the problems noted above, and have completed the present invention which is as follows:
[1] A polyarylene sulfide resin composition of which the spiral flow length, x (mm), to give a molding having a thickness of 1 mm and the flexural strength, y (MPa), of the molding satisfy the following numerical formula (I):
yxe2x89xa7xe2x88x92(3x/10)+340xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein x falls between 100 and 300.
[2] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [1], which comprises (A) from 50 to 70 parts by weight of a polyarylene sulfide resin, (B) from 30 to 50 parts by weight of glass fibers, and (C) from 0 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A), of a coupling agent.
[3] A polyarylene sulfide resin composition, which comprises (A) from 50 to 70 parts by weight of a polyarylene sulfide resin as prepared by copolymerizing an essential monomer of the following formula (III) with a comonomer of the following formula (II) in a ratio of the comonomer to the total of the comonomer and the essential monomer of falling between 0.5 and 15 mol %, (B) from 30 to 50 parts by weight of glass fibers, and (C) from 0 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A), of a coupling agent.
wherein X1 represents a halogen atom, and plural X1""s may be the same or different; A represents an OH group; and j falls between 1 and 4,
wherein X2 represents a halogen atom, and plural X2""s may be the same or different; R1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl or arylalkyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and plural R1""s may be the same or different; and h falls between 0 and 4.
[4] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [3], which satisfies the condition of the numerical formula (I) as in [1].
[5] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [3] or [4], wherein the polyarylene sulfide resin is a copolymer of p-dichlorobenzene and 2,4-dichiorophenol.
[6] A polyarylene sulfide resin composition, which comprises (A) from 50 to 70 parts by weight of a polyarylene sulfide resin as prepared by copolymerizing an essential monomer of the following formula (III) with a comonomer of the following formula (IV) in a ratio of the comonomer to the total of the comonomer and the essential monomer of falling between 0.5 and 15 mol %, (B) from 30 to 50 parts by weight of glass fibers, and (C) from 0 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A), of a coupling agent.
wherein X3 represents a halogen atom, and plural X3""s may be the same or different; B represents an OH group or an NH2 group, and plural B""s may be the same or different; k falls between 1 and 4; Y represents a single bond, CH2, SO2, NH, O, CO, oranalkylidene, alkylene orpolymethylene group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms,
wherein X2 represents a halogen atom, and plural X2""s may be the same or different; R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl or arylalkyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and plural R1""s may be the same or different; and h falls between 0 and 4.
[7] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [6], which satisfies the condition of the numerical formula (I) as in [1].
[8] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [6] or [7], wherein the polyarylene sulfide resin is a copolymer of p-dichlorobenzene and 3,3xe2x80x2-dichloro-4,4xe2x80x2-diaminobiphenyl.
[9] A polyarylene sulfide resin composition, which comprises (A) from 50 to 70 parts by weight of a polyarylene sulfide resin as prepared by polymerizing an essential monomer of the following formula (III) in the presence of a terminating agent of the following formula (V) in a ratio of the terminating agent to the total of the terminating agent and the essential monomer of falling between 0.5 and 5 mol %, (B) from 30 to 50 parts by weight of glass fibers, and (C) from 0 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A), of a coupling agent.
wherein X4 represents a halogen atom; D represents an OH group; and k falls between 1 and 5,
wherein X represents a halogen atom, and plural X2""s may be the same or different; R1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl or arylalkyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and plural R1""s may be the same or different; and h falls between 0 and 4.
[10] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [9], which satisfies the condition of the numerical formula (I) as in [1].
[11] The polyarylene sulfide resin composition of [9] or [10], wherein the polyarylene sulfide resin is a polymer of p-dichlorobenzene with p-bromophenol and/or p-chlorophenol.

Abstract: wherein x falls between 100 and 300.


In image compression utilizing wavelet conversion for dividing an image of one screen into subbands through multiple steps, subband data of a higher frequency is predicted from subband data of a lower frequency, subtraction is carried out between data obtained by the prediction and an actual higher-frequency subband coefficient at the same position as that for the predicted data to provide a difference, and only the difference is coded. By coding only the difference in this manner, a high compression ratio can be realized.

The present invention relates to an image compressing method and an image compressing apparatus which are used for image compression or the like operation.
In techniques for high-efficiency coding of images presupposing communication media or recording media, a technique using DCT (discrete cosine conversion) has been gaining widespread applications. A technique for compression using the DCT, however, faces essential problems that with the compression ratio increased, block distortion, mosquito noise and the like are visually recognized and the compression ratio is limited.
Accordingly, new compressing methods have recently been proposed for the purpose of improving the compression ratio and especially, a compressing technique using wavelet conversion which is one of subband coding modes has been highlighted. By using the wavelet conversion, block distortion which would otherwise take place in the DCT can be eliminated because the concept of block is not involved in the wavelet conversion and image quality can be visually improved to a great extent.
Of the DCT and the wavelet technique, the DCT dealing with digital images can advantageously conserve high-frequency components by increasing the compression ratio but conversely, visually prominent distortion constructed of high-frequency components takes place. On the other hand, in the case of the wavelet technique dealing with analog images, high-frequency components are spontaneously dropped off as the compression ratio increases. In other words, the signal band is gradually cut starting with a high-frequency portion. As a result, the resolution decreases as a whole and visual image quality is less degraded for the same compression ratio in the wavelet technique than in the DCT.
A conventional wavelet image compressing apparatus will now be described with reference to FIG. 13. Firstly, in the compressing processing of moving image data, input image data is fed to a frame memory 101. Subsequently, output data from the frame memory 101 is fed to a wavelet converter 102. The wavelet conversion will be described below in greater detail.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the operation processing of the wavelet conversion. As shown in FIG. 14, an input image data is inputted to a horizontal low-pass filter (LPF) and a horizontal high-pass filter (HPF) in order that the band in the horizontal direction is divided into halves and the data amount in each half is thinned out by down sampling to a half by means of a 1/2 subsampler (downward arrow). The input image data whose data amount has been thinned out to the half through the horizontal low-pass filter (LPF) is inputted to a vertical low-pass filter (LPF) and a vertical high-pass filter (HPF) in order that the band in the vertical direction is divided into halves and the data amount in each half is thinned out by down sampling to a half by means of a 1/2 subsampler (downward arrow).
It is now assumed that an input image data component which is passed through the horizontal low-pass filter (LPF), thinned out to the halved data amount, passed through the subsequent vertical high-pass filter (HPF) and thinned out to the halved data amount results in image data designated by W1LH, that an input image data component which is passed through the horizontal high-pass filter (HPF), thinned out to the halved data amount, passed through the subsequent vertical low-pass filter (LPF) and thinned out to the halved data amount results in image data designated by W1HL, and that an input image data component which is passed through the horizontal high-pass filter (HPF), thinned out to the halved data amount, passed through the subsequent vertical high-pass filter (HPF) and thinned out to the halved data amount results in image data designated by W1HH.
A component which is passed through the aforementioned horizontal low-pass filter (LPF), thinned out to the halved data amount, passed through the subsequent vertical low-pass filter (LPF) and thinned out by down sampling to the halved data amount is again subjected to the above processing. Through the repetition of the processing, coefficient data pieces can eventually be obtained by dividing the frequency in the horizontal and vertical directions along the lower-frequency region and decreasing the data amount to a half and these coefficient data pieces are cumulated. Wavelet conversion coefficient signals in a plurality of frequency bands are shown in a diagram of FIG. 15.
For convenience of explanation, a state of the wavelet conversion effected up to the third operation is shown in FIG. 14. Thus, the coefficient data pieces subject to the wavelet conversion are distributed in the horizontal and vertical directions to form a hierarchical structure.
Returning to FIG. 13, coefficients associated with the respective frequency bands obtained through the conversion by the wavelet converter 102 having the above characteristics are quantized by a quantizing unit 103 and data pieces delivered out of the quantizing unit 103 are coded by a variable length coding unit 104 in such a manner that a greater amount of information is allotted to a data piece, of data pieces delivered out of the quantizing unit 103, which occurs at a higher probability. In this manner, the compression processing of the input image can be carried out while the information amount of the entire data being decreased.
In the expansion processing, a conversion mode can be carried out in which images in the four W3 regions are decoded to W1 images in FIG. 15 to superimpose the higher-frequency component on the lower-frequency component, thereby improving the resolution stepwise.
In the conventional construction, however, the coefficient of the higher-frequency subband is coded in an ordinary manner for not only a portion at which the coefficient of the lower-frequency subband is "0" but also a portion at which it is not "0".

Image compressing method and image compressing apparatus


The invention is a detachable “blade foil” system for comminuting machines which employ a rotating turbine. The turbine blades are each endowed with a detachable leading edge which is shaped in an air foil configuration. These “blade foils” are penetrated by a vent chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port. The vent chambers aid in drying input material that is processed by a comminuting machine and also aid in reducing sound from the turbine. The configuration of the inventive blade foils also vary to aid in material drying. The configuration of the blade foils also define the level of particle size attributed to the processed output material. Hence by selecting particular blade foil configurations the operator can achieve different levels of material drying and differing output particle sizings.

Comminuting devices which use a high speed rotating turbine to reduce the size of and to separate particulate materials have been in existence for quite some time. Devices of this type are found in the patents attributed to Rolle, et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,852,818; 4,718,609; and 4,892,261). The turbine component of the device is made of a plurality of air foil blades mounted on a backing plate and is dimensioned in close tolerances to a housing. Mounted in front of the turbine blade and its housing is an expansion chamber of frusto-conical shape.
In these devices, material to be comminuted is carried in an air stream through an acceleration tube and into the expansion chamber, where it is rapidly decompressed, causing it to explode. The spinning turbine produces a negative pressure in the expansion chamber and introducing raw materials at a specific rate into the chamber allows air trapped in the material to expand in the negative pressure environment, thereby causing the explosion of the material into smaller particles. The smaller particles can then be size-separated by methods well known in the art, such as by a specific gravity separator.
It is known in the art of comminuting devices that adjusting the negative pressure achieved by the device results in variations in particle size dimensions. Known methods for varying the negative pressure include varying the RPM of the turbine and varying the length of the expansion chamber. However, the art has not addressed varying the design of the turbine blades or the leading edges of the turbine blades to help achieve further fine tuning of the negative pressure variants achievable in comminuting devices.
The foregoing reflects the state of the art of which the inventor is aware, and is tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor's acknowledged duty of candor, which may be pertinent to the patentability of the present invention. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing discussion does not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor's claimed invention.


A host stores “context” metadata for logical block addresses (LBAs) in a manner tied to physical location. Notwithstanding log-structured or copy on write processes, the host is then provided with immediate context when the host is called upon to assist a memory controller with data identified by physical location, for example, for memory reconfiguration, garbage collection, wear leveling or other processes. The metadata for example can provide the host with insight as to which data may be moved to enhance performance optimization and where that data can be placed. In one embodiment, the host writes back one or more references that span multiple layers of indirection in concert with write of the underlying data; in another embodiment, the context can point to other metadata.

Storage systems, from embedded to datacenter, utilize storage media (or "memory") to store user data written to the system and to retrieve that data on a user's request. Storage systems can be homogeneous, built from the uniform storage media with the same access and/or endurance characteristics, or heterogeneous, comprising multiple media types as distinguished by their latency, throughput, endurance or other performance factors. Some storage schemes try to improve storage efficiency by organizing media of the same type into tiers, with each tier characterized by its underlying media type-specific features. For example, in personal computer systems, dynamic random access memory ("DRAM") provides very quick access but does not retain data once power is removed, whereas a hard disk drive ("HDD") provides relatively slow access compared to DRAM but retains data once power is removed; some systems thus try to store frequently used/overwritten data in DRAM, for quick access and performance while the computer is in active use, and to store data that is less frequently needed or where slower input/output performance can be tolerated in slower memory, such as an HDD.
Note that while data type (e.g., frequently updated operating parameters, read-only data and so forth) provides one relatively straightforward example of data that can be organized into different tiers, there exist many situations where data type is unclear, or where characteristics associated with the data and its associated logical address (e.g., "context") are not clearly and immediately understood by the host or the storage system. A block of data found at a random physical memory location might have no clearly delineated "file type" that can be understood, without more information, by a processor. This is especially the case for storage systems which rely on address translation to store and access data at a physical location that is unknown to the host (e.g., that use virtual and/or logical-to-physical translation, or that otherwise use a log-structured or copy on write file system). Thus, even if data could ultimately be traced back to its source application to understand context of data, without special processes for performing this tracing, the context of data cannot be readily understood by a host or memory controller.
What is needed are techniques for more efficiently managing operation of memory and, more specifically, of providing context to a host, memory controller or another device in a manner that does not require extensive host mechanisms for tracking context. The present invention addresses these needs and provides further, related advantages.
The subject matter defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This description of one or more particular embodiments, set out below to enable one to build and use various implementations of the technology set forth by the claims, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to exemplify their application to certain methods and devices. The description set out below exemplifies methods supporting the tracking of context information in a memory system, using back references or other "context information" written by a host together with data, for optional use in data migration. More specifically, storing sufficient context metadata together with underlying data permits a nonvolatile memory controller (e.g., as the need for maintenance arises) to provide stored "handles" for that underlying data to a host and thus update host file references and/or manage data migration (e.g., for wear leveling, garbage collection or other purposes) in a manner where destination address can be specifically selected in a manner planned for efficiency purposes. Such stored context metadata can potentially be used for other applications as well. Disclosed techniques can be practiced in one embodiment by a host, in another embodiment by a memory controller (e.g., within a single drive), and in a third embodiment by one or more hosts cooperating with one or more memory controllers. This disclosure also provides improved designs for a memory controller, a host, a memory system, a subsystem (such as a drive, e.g., a solid state drive or "SSD"), and numerous data management methods. The disclosed techniques can also be implemented in software or instructions for fabricating an integrated circuit (e.g., a circuit design file or field programmable gate array or "FPGA" configuration) or in the form of data arranged dependent on wear in non-transitory memory. While the specific examples are presented, particularly in the context of flash memory, the principles described herein may also be applied to other methods, devices and systems as well.


A method for adjusting a hearing device is disclosed in which one of several hearing programs can be selected, as well as a hearing device system to perform the method. The method comprises the steps of identifying a momentary acoustic surround situation and of arranging the selectable hearing programs according to the identified momentary acoustic surround situation. Therewith, the hearing device user is not obliged to know a predefined sequence of the selectable hearing programs; instead the hearing device user may easily select a hearing program which is regarded as the best one for the momentary acoustic situation. The selection is offered by the hearing device by analyzing the momentary acoustic situation. In addition, the hearing device user may easily select other hearing programs, namely by generating an activation signal, for example by pressing a button at the hearing device itself or at a remote control. For this, the automatic arrangement of the hearing programs in dependency of the momentary acoustic situation facilitates the selection dramatically.

A method and a hearing device system are known from WO-A-01/20965 and US-A-2002/0037087 describing the same teaching. According to this known teaching, a momentary acoustic surround situation is being identified in the hearing device of the hearing system, and a corresponding hearing program—or the corresponding set of parameters saved in the hearing device, respectively—, which is most suitable for the identified acoustic surround situation, is being selected automatically. In order to provide to the hearing device user the possibility to switch off the automatic identification of the acoustic surround situation and the therewith connected automatic selection of a hearing program, an input unit, for example a switch at the hearing device or at a remote control, is provided, which input unit can be activated by the hearing device user.
Furthermore, hearing devices are known which provide the possibility to the hearing device user to manually select a most suitable hearing program out of a number of different hearing programs. The selection is only based on the judgment of the hearing device user himself and can be carried out by activating a remote control or a switch at the hearing device. If, for example, the hearing device user selects one hearing program out of five, he must know the predefined sequence of the selectable hearing programs in order to be able to get to the desired program. In other words, if, for example, the second hearing program is currently used and the hearing device user desires to select the forth hearing program, he must activate the remote control or the switch at the hearing device, respectively, twice. Accordingly, the hearing device user must know which hearing program is best suitable for the momentary acoustic situation, and, in addition, he must know at what position the desired hearing program is. For many hearing device users, this procedure of selecting a desired hearing program is difficult and awkward.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a hearing system, respectively, which support the hearing device user in its best possible way to help select the best suitable hearing program for a momentary acoustic surround situation, while, at the same time, giving the hearing device user the possibility to enter his personal wish by changing from a selected hearing program to another.

Method for adjusting a hearing device to a momentary acoustic surround situation and a hearing device system


A laminated fluid flow field assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell comprises a separator layer and a stencil layer. The separator layer is formed of electrically conductive, substantially fluid impermeable sheet material. The stencil layer is formed of electrically conductive sheet material, and has a fluid inlet and at least one opening extending between its major surfaces and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The separator layer and the stencil layer are consolidated along one of their major surfaces. In operation, the separator layer and the stencil layer cooperate to form an open-faced channel for conducting pressurized fluid introduced at the fluid inlet.

Electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxidant to electricity and reaction product. In electrochemical fuel cells employing hydrogen as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidant, the reaction product is water. Such fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly ("MEA") consisting of a solid polymer electrolyte or ion exchange membrane disposed between two electrodes formed of porous, electrically conductive sheet material, typically carbon fiber paper. The MEA contains a layer of catalyst, typically in the form of finely comminuted platinum, at each membrane/electrode interface to induce the desired electrochemical reaction. The electrodes are electrically coupled to provide a path for conducting electrons between the electrodes through an external load.
At the anode, the fuel permeates the porous electrode material and reacts at the catalyst layer to form cations, which migrate through the membrane to the cathode. At the cathode, the oxygen-containing gas supply reacts at the catalyst layer to form anions. The anions formed at the cathode react with the cations to complete the electrochemical reaction and form a reaction product.
In electrochemical fuel cells employing hydrogen as the fuel and oxygen-containing air (or substantially pure oxygen) as the oxidant, the catalyzed reaction at the anode produces hydrogen cations (protons) from the fuel supply. The ion exchange membrane facilitates the migration of hydrogen ions from the anode to the cathode. In addition to conducting hydrogen ions, the membrane isolates the hydrogen-containing fuel stream from the oxygen-containing oxidant stream. At the cathode, oxygen reacts at the catalyst layer to form anions. The anions formed at the cathode react with the hydrogen ions that have crossed the membrane to complete the electrochemical reaction and form liquid water as the reaction product.
In conventional fuel cells, the MEA is interposed between two fluid-impermeable, electrically conductive plates, commonly referred to as the anode and the cathode plates, respectively. The plates serve as current collectors, provide structural support for the porous, electrically conductive electrodes, provide means for carrying the fuel and oxidant to the anode and cathode, respectively, and provide means for removing water formed during operation of the fuel cell. When the channels are formed in the anode and cathode plates, the plates are referred to as fluid flow field plates. When the anode and cathode plates overlay channels formed in the anode and cathode porous material, the plates are referred to as separator plates.
Reactant feed manifolds are generally formed in the anode and cathode plates, as well as in the MEA, to direct the fuel (typically substantially pure hydrogen or hydrogen-containing reformate from the conversion of hydrocarbons such as methanol or natural gas) to the anode and the oxidant (typically substantially pure oxygen or oxygen-containing gas) to the cathode via the channels formed in either the fluid flow field plates or the electrodes themselves. Exhaust manifolds are also generally formed in the anode and cathode plates, as well as the MEA, to direct unreacted fuel and oxidant, as well as water accumulated at the cathode, from the fuel cell.
Multiple fuel cell assemblies comprising two or more anode plate/MEA/cathode plate combinations, referred to as a fuel cell stack, can be connected together in series (or in parallel) to increase the overall power output as required. In such stack arrangements, the cells are most often connected in series, wherein one side of a given fluid flow field or separator plate is the anode plate for one cell, the other side of the plate is the cathode plate for the adjacent cell, and so on.
Perfluorosulfonic ion exchange membranes, such as those sold by DuPont under its Nafion trade designation, have been used effectively in electrochemical fuel cells. Fuel cells employing Nafion-type cation exchange membranes require accumulated water to be removed from the cathode (oxidant) side, both as a result of the water transported across the membrane with cations and product water formed at the cathode from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen cations with oxygen. A new type of experimental perfluorosulfonic ion exchange membrane, sold by Dow under the trade designation XUS 13204.10, appears to have significantly less water transported with hydrogen cations across the membrane. Fuel cells employing the Dow experimental membrane thus tend to accumulate less on the cathode (oxidant) side, as the accumulated water at the cathode is essentially limited to product water formed from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
A typical prior art fluid flow field plate, exemplified by General Electric Company and Hamilton Standard in a 1984 report for the U.S. Department of Energy (LANL No. 9-X53-D6272-1), included a plurality of parallel open-faced fluid flow channels formed in a major surface of a rigid, electrically conductive plate. The parallel channels extended between an inlet header and an outlet header formed in the plate. The parallel channels were typically rectangular in cross-section, and about 0.03 inches deep and about 0.03 inches wide. The inlet header was connected to an opening in the plate through which a pressurized reactant (fuel or oxidant) stream is supplied. The outlet header was connected to an opening in the plate through which the exhaust stream is discharged from the cell. In operation, the reactant stream ran from the inlet to the inlet header and then to the parallel channels from which reactant from the stream diffused through the porous electrode material to the electrocatalytically active region of the MEA. The stream then flowed to the outlet header and then to the outlet from which it was exhausted from the fuel cell.
Watkins U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,988,583 and 5,108,849 issued Jan. 29, 1991 and Apr. 28, 1992, respectively, describe fluid flow field plates which include a fluid supply opening and a fluid exhaust opening formed in the plate surface. Continuous open-faced fluid flow channels formed in the surface of the plate traverse the central area of the plate surface in a plurality of passes, that is, in a serpentine manner. Each channel has a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end. The fluid inlet and outlet of each channel are directly connected to the fluid supply opening and fluid exhaust opening, respectively. The continuous channel design promotes the forced movement of water through each channel before the water can coalesce, thereby promoting uniform reactant flow across the surface of the cathode.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/975,791 filed Nov. 13, 1992, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes and claims a fluid flow field plate for electrochemical fuel cells in which the inlet and outlet flow channels are discontinuous. The employment of discontinuous flow channels, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/975,791, has several advantages:
1. Improved performance, particularly at higher reactant inlet pressures, resulting from (a) the increased partial pressure of reactant gases at the active front (less reactant depletion in the stream compared to the continuous, serpentine channels in which the reactant is continuously depleted as the stream flows away from the inlet), (b) more effective water removal due to better access of the reactant stream to the electrocatalytically active region at the membrane/electrode interface, (c) more uniform current density due to more even distribution of the reactant stream across the electrocatalytically active area of the fuel cell and the avoidance of water pooling in the flow channels, and (d) lower flow field plate/electrode contact resistance due to the use of a decreased amount of the flow field plate surface to accommodate the flow channels.
2. Improved fuel cell lifetime resulting from (a) the ability to reduce the compressive load on the electrodes due to decreased contact resistance between the flow field plates and the electrodes, and (b) more uniform reactant gas relative humidity due to the reduced depletion of reactant in the stream compared to the continuous, serpentine flow channel design.
3. Reduced manufacturing costs resulting from (a) the ability to reduce the amount of graphite plate milling required for continuous channels and to relax the tolerances required for the channel dimensions, (b) a wider range of materials and fabrication techniques permitted with the discontinuous flow channel design, such as stamping of flow field stencils, to be employed, particularly the use of thinner electrically conductive sheet materials, as the discontinuous channels do not require the thickness and rigidity of the electrically conductive plates in which continuous, serpentine flow channels are formed, and (3) the ability to employ a stenciled graphite foil laminate, thereby reducing the weight (and cost) associated with rigid graphite flow field plates.
Conventional methods of fabricating fluid flow field plates require the engraving or milling of flow channels into the surface of the rigid graphite plates. The resin-impregnated graphite plates tend to have a high impurity content, relatively poor fracture resistance, and significant fluid (especially gas) permeability, particularly in the case of thinner rigid graphite plates, and most particularly in the case of plates less than 0.125 inches thick. Conventional fluid flow field plates are also expensive, both in raw material costs and in machining costs. The machining of channels and the like into the graphite plate surfaces causes significant tool wear and requires significant processing times.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved, laminated fluid flow field assembly for use in electrochemical fuel cells that is reduced in weight and volume, and that is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than conventional fluid flow field plates
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electrochemical fuel cell that includes a laminated fluid flow field plate having improved weight, volume and manufacturability characteristics.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of fabricating a laminated fluid flow field plate for use in electrochemical fuel cells.

Laminated fluid flow field assembly for electrochemical fuel cells


A pulse width measurement circuit generates a time difference signal that corresponds to the pulse width of the input pulse signal PULSE. A delay circuit delays the input pulse signal PULSE by a predetermined amount, and outputs a start signal. An inverter inverts the input pulse signal PULSE, and outputs a stop signal. A time measurement circuit measures the time difference between a positive edge in the start signal and a positive edge in the stop signal, and outputs a time difference signal that corresponds to the time difference.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for measuring the pulse width of a pulse signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electronic circuits, a pulse signal which alternately switches between a high-level state and a low-level state is employed for the purpose of transmitting various information. In order to measure the pulse width of the pulse signal, various kinds of pulse width measurement circuits are employed.
In general, there is a tradeoff between the measurement resolution of the pulse width and the measurement range thereof. That is to say, raised resolution leads to a reduced measurement range. On the other hand, increased measurement range leads to lowered resolution. An arrangement which provides both high resolution and wide measurement range requires an increased circuit area for measuring the pulse width.


For cleaning parasitic layers of silicon oxides or nitrides in a reaction chamber, an etching gas mixture is employed in which at least one fluoridated carbon, particularly CF.sub.4 and/or C.sub.2 F.sub.6, is the main constituent. Then, an ozone/oxygen mixture (O.sub.3 /O.sub.2) having optimally high ozone concentration is added to the reaction chamber. The etching gas mixture is excited in the reaction chamber by triggering the etching gas mixture to form a plasma, having extremely low power with an excitation frequency in the RF range. The etching gas mixture etches all surfaces in the reaction chambers free of residues with a high etching rate.

The present invention relates to a method of cleaning by plasma etching. In particular, the present invention provides a method for cleaning reaction chambers employed in the deposition and etching of layers on silicon substrates utilizing plasma etching.
The cleaning of reaction chambers, given deposition and etching in the field of material coating, is acquiring increasing significance. For instance, the cleaning of reaction chambers is vital within the process sequence for manufacturing integrated circuits from silicon substrates. An increased need for highly efficient and production-compatible cleaning steps arises in conjunction with the increase of the chip integration density.
In addition to the wafer cleaning, the cleaning of the reaction chambers has proven especially critical. Every manufacturing cycle for producing layers or, respectively, for etching layers repeatedly utilize reaction chambers. With respect to silicon wafers, the cleaning of the reaction chambers is necessary no layer than following a specific throughput.
During the processes, the inner surfaces of these reaction chambers can become coated or contaminated at unwanted locations. In time, these parasitic layers lead to disturbances in the process management or to contamination of the workpiece to be coated or etched. In the present case, these layers are composed of organic polymers and/or oxides and nitrides of silicon. D. Widmann et al., "Technologie Hochintegrierter Schaltungen", Springer-Verlag 1988, illustrates the current state of deposition or etching technology, particularly sections 3.1.1, 5.2.3 and 5.3.5.
The disturbance of the processes or the contamination of the workpieces compels frequent chamber cleaning. This in turn leads to increased wear of parts, further including costs associated with replacement parts and preparation. In addition, increased frequency of chamber cleaning leads to high maintenance outlay in view of personnel and work time and, last but not least, to manufacture outages due to the low throughput and high down time. These disadvantages reach an especially great degree when the reaction chambers are opened and the layers and coats are conventionally cleaned by mechanical removal.
The known introduction of hydrogen fluoride vapor into the reaction chambers proves similarly disadvantageous in view of a great outlay in the work, operating and waste disposal reliability. Oxidic and nitridic layers are thereby converted into the vapor phase. However, the aggressivity of hydrogen fluoride jeopardizes the long-term stability of the partially surface-finished system parts.
Since reaction chambers are generally already designed for plasma-enhanced deposition of etching, current chamber cleaning ensues on the basis of in situ dry etching with etching gases activated in the plasma. Under current processes, layer-dissolving gases are introduced into the reaction chamber. A plasma generated with the existing electrodes then activates these gases. Then, the various fractions of the introduced gases react with the residues deposited in different thicknesses at the inner surfaces of the reaction chamber to form gaseous products that are conveyed out with vacuum pumps.
Fluoridated carbons, such as CF.sub.4 and C.sub.2 F.sub.6, or similar fluorine-containing gases, such as SF.sub.6 and NF.sub.3, are currently utilized in situ cleaning. The latter, however, again cause a deterioration of the surface quality of the inside chamber parts and therefore involve the disadvantages already cited above. On the other hand, a simultaneous polymer deposition accompanies etching with CF.sub.4 and C.sub.2 F.sub.6. This undesired polymer formation occurring during the course of cleaning is also indirectly negatively felt in that, among other things, the layers deposited in the next process step adhere poorly to the polymer layer. As a result, the easily detachable particles can often cause damage to the wafer.
Adding oxygen (O.sub.2) to the etching gas can in fact reduce the polymer formation. However, without opening the chamber and using mechanical cleaning, the cleaning effect usually remains unsatisfactory. Moreover, O.sub.2 plasma etching of organic residues is a relatively slow process that takes many times the actual coating or etching time to carry out and thus leads to disproportionately long cleaning times.

Method for cleaning reaction chambers by plasma etching


A dilation catheter of the invention is formed of a flexible tube having distal and proximal ends, and a balloon attached to the distal end of the tube. The catheter includes a first opening formed in the tube to communicate with the balloon, and a second opening formed in the tube near the proximal end of the balloon. A partition is located inside the tube to communicate the proximal end of the tube with the first opening. Thus, inflation and deflation of the balloon attached to the tube can be controlled by fluid applied through the tube. A guide wire extends through the tube between the distal end and the second opening.

The present invention relates to angioplasty apparatus for providing a dilation catheter to facilitate a quick exchange of the dilation catheter.
The dilation catheter is introduced into a body of a patient to enlarge constrictions in blood vessels and other body cavities. In one of conventional dilation catheters, an inner lumen is situated inside an outer lumen, and a balloon is attached to the distal end of the outer lumen. A guide wire is located inside the inner lumen.
In this method, firstly, a guide wire is introduced into a desired location, and secondly, the inner lumen with the outer lumen over the guide wire is pushed over the introduced guide wire to the desired location. The inner and outer lumens may be introduced into a blood vessel together with the guide wire.
However, should the need to exchange the introduced catheter, for example to change the size of the balloon, the guide wire must be protruded from the patient's body by a length greater than the length of the dilation catheter. Therefore, an extension wire is attached to the first introduced guide wire. When the catheter is changed, the guide wire is held firm in location, the dilation catheter in the blood vessel is withdrawn, and the new dilation catheter is introduced over the guide wire to complete the exchange. The handling of the extended guide wire is very cumbersome because of the length of the guide wire.
In order to solve the above problem, a short inner lumen is attached to a long outer lumen to extend from the distal end of the outer lumen. The proximal end of the inner lumen is sealingly attached to a side wall of the outer lumen near the distal end thereof. An inflatable balloon is attached between the distal ends of the inner and outer lumens. The guide wire passes through the inner lumen to advance or retract the catheter on the guide wire. The outer lumen has a port on the proximal end, and the balloon is capable of being inflated or deflated through the outer lumen from the proximal end by means of a syringe or other devices.
In the above improved catheter, since the guide wire passes only through the short inner lumen, the catheter can be exchanged easily without using the extension guide wire.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,129, a short tube for guiding the guide wire is attached to the distal end of a long tube. A balloon is also attached to the distal end of the long tube, and a fluid is introduced into the balloon through the long tube.
Although these improved systems mentioned above may avoid the requirements for using the long extended guide wires, the coaxial and dual lumens are attached to the proximal end of the balloon, so that the outer diameter becomes larger as well as the distal end of the catheter is too stiff to follow the bending vessels. Further, in the dual lumen design where the short tube is attached to the long tube, the rotation and pushability of the dilation catheter are reduced since the inner lumen tracking on the guide wire is pushed with the outer lumen in the offset position.
The same can be said on the coaxial design, since the outer lumen does not extend to the distal end of the balloon. Namely, the only common junction between the outer and inner lumens is the one where the proximal end of the inner lumen is exiting from the outer lumen.
In the angioplastisy, the above lumens are generally guided by a guide catheter, and as the blood vessel becomes a small diameter, the lumens are extended from the guide catheter. Thus, the design of the two lumen catheters with the guide wire exiting from the guide catheter increases the outer diameter of the guide catheter or the total size of the dilation catheter to thereby limit the ability of the introduction of two or more of the dilation catheters in the same guide catheter of a small size.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a dilation catheter to obviate the foregoing difficulties.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dilation catheter as stated above, which has a small diameter and can be controlled easily without trouble.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dilation catheter as stated above, which can be easily manufactured.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.


The present application relates generally to identifying regions of interest in images, including but not limited to whole slide image region of interest identification, prioritization, de-duplication, and normalization via interpretable rules, nuclear region counting, point set registration, and histogram specification color normalization. This disclosure describes systems and methods for analyzing and extracting regions of interest from images, for example biomedical images depicting a tissue sample from biopsy or ectomy. Techniques directed to quality control estimation, granular classification, and coarse classification of regions of biomedical images are described herein. Using the described techniques, patches of images corresponding to regions of interest can be extracted and analyzed individually or in parallel to determine pixels correspond to features of interest and pixels that do not. Patches that do not include features of interest, or include disqualifying features, can be disqualified from further analysis. Relevant patches can analyzed and stored with various feature parameters.

Some genetic mutations lead to cancer, e.g. SPOP mutation in prostate cancer. If a cell acquires a driver mutation, then the cell proliferates as cancer. Identifying these foci of proliferating cells in a whole slide image is a "needle in a haystack" problem, where much of the slide is empty background or uninteresting stromal tissue. The slide may also have blurred regions, pen marks, tissue folds, dark smudges, or regions covered in red blood cells. Rather, the interesting part of the slide is rich in the nuclear stain hematoxylin and poor in the stromal stain eosin, because cancer cells tend to have large nuclei and occur together as cancer foci.

Identifying regions of interest from whole slide images


Implementations of the present specification include receiving, by a blockchain node in the blockchain network, a request to read a particular block of the blockchain, wherein the request is received from a light-weight node of the blockchain network and includes an identity of the light-weight node, and wherein the particular block includes an original Merkle tree associated with the particular block; identifying, by the blockchain node, permissions associated with the identity of the light-weight node; generating, by the blockchain node, an isolated Merkle tree based on the original Merkle tree included in the block, the isolated Merkle tree including only transactions from the original Merkle tree that are determined to be accessible by the light-weight node based on the identified permissions, wherein the isolated Merkle tree is consistent with the original Merkle tree; and sending, by the blockchain node, a response to the light-weight node including the isolated Merkle tree.

Distributed ledger systems (DLSs), which can also be referred to as consensus networks, and/or blockchain networks, enable participating entities to securely, and immutably store data. DLSs are commonly referred to as blockchain networks without referencing any particular use case (e.g., crypto-currencies). Example types of blockchain networks can include public blockchain networks, private blockchain networks, and consortium blockchain networks. A public blockchain network is open for all entities to use the DLS, and participate in the consensus process. A private blockchain network is provided for particular entity, which centrally controls read and write permissions. A consortium blockchain network is provided for a selected group of entities, which control the consensus process, and includes an access control layer.
Blockchain networks may include different types of nodes. Fully-participating nodes (hereinafter referred to as "blockchain nodes") participate in the consensus process for the blockchain network by attempting to construct and validate new blocks of transactions to add to the blockchain. Light-weight nodes do not participate in the consensus process for the blockchain network, and may not fully synchronize their own internal representation of the blockchain. For example, a light-weight node may synchronize only the block header information rather than all of the transaction data in a particular block in the blockchain.
In private or consortium blockchain networks, nodes (such as the light-weight nodes) may only have permission to read certain transactions from the blockchain, such as, for example, transactions in which an identity associated with the light-weight node participated. In such a case, the light-weight node may query a blockchain node for a particular block, and may be returned a representation of the block (e.g., a Merkle tree) with the transactions to which it does not have access removed. A Merkle tree constructed in this manner may be inconsistent with the full Merkle tree representing the transactions in the block, which can lead to errors at the light-weight node due to the node not possessing an accurate representation of the block.


A method and an apparatus for producing a solid actuator employing measurement of the electric characteristic of the actuator and effecting polarization during the wire bonding process. After a wire has been bonded to pads formed on a substrate, the conduction of the wire is tested. Then, whether or not a capacitance between the pads has a preselected value is determined. Subsequently, whether or not a characteristic impedance between the pads has a preselected value is determined. Thereafter, whether or not any crack is present in the surfaces of electrodes electrically connected to the pads is determined. This is followed by the polarization of the substrate. Electrical characteristics are tested after each wire is bonded. There is also provided a storage medium storing a program for controlling the above apparatus.

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a solid actuator, and a medium storing a control program for controlling the apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a method and an apparatus for producing a head included in an ink jet printer, and a medium storing a control program for controlling the apparatus.
It is a common practice with the production of a semiconductor device to test the conduction of bonding wires after a wire bonding step. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 61-12040, for example, teaches a technique for detecting the defective connection of bonding wires to a semiconductor chip.
Typical of a solid actuator is a head included in an ink jet printer. Generally, the head has a number of grooves and bonding pads formed on its substrate. The walls of the grooves are coated with electrode layers which are electrically connected to the bonding pads by bonding wires.
Assume that the conventional wire bonding technology is applied to the electrical connection of the head of an ink jet printer. Then, only electrical conduction of a probe contacting the wire of a wire bonding device and a bonding pad is tested, so that the electrical characteristic of the head or solid state actuator must be measured again. Further, when the head or similar solid actuator is formed of a piezoelectric material, an extra step is needed for aligning the molecules of the material by applying a voltage.
Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 57-138150, 61-148829, and 7-130797.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for producing a solid actuator without resorting to repeated measurement of the electrical characteristic of the actuator and eliminating the need for an extra step for polarization.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for producing a solid actuator includes a bonding device for bonding a wire to a first pad and a second pad formed on a substrate of the solid actuator. A conduction testing device tests the conduction of the wire connecting the first and second pads. A capacity testing device determines, after a conduction test effected by the conduction testing device, whether or not a capacity between the first and second pads and a ground pad has a preselected value.

Method and apparatus for producing a solid actuator and medium storing a program for controlling the same


An electrochemical cell stack is made from a continuous laminate web including an electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a plurality of discrete opposite polarity electrode segments. The laminate is fan-folded into a stack such that substantially the entire surface area of the opposite polarity electrode segments are in contact with the electrolyte layer and in ion exchange with the electrode layer. Current can collected from the discrete opposite polarity electrode segments by opposite polarity electrode current collector strips that electrically connect the opposite polarity electrode segments. A method for making an electrochemical cell stack is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to electrochemical cells and, more particularly, to electrochemical cells utilizing a polymer electrolyte.
2. State of the Art
In recent years, workers in the battery art have begun to appreciate the advantages of solid-state cells, particularly cells having a lithium anode, a cathode, and a polymer electrolyte have become known. The advantages of those cells include lower weight than conventional batteries using a liquid electrolyte, long service life, relatively high energy densities, and relatively high specific energies.

Electrochemical cell stack and method of making an electrochemical cell stack


The invention provides human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD-1 with high affinity. The anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies were screened from a synthetic antibody library, and affinity maturation was performed. The synthetic antibody libraries used to select for the high affinity anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies were made by replacing the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 and heavy chain CDR1, CDR 2 and CDR 3 of phage libraries from the preliminary screening, and the high affinity anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies were selected. The human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies have high affinity and inhibit the binding of PD-1 to its ligand PD-L1. The antibodies can be used for treating tumor, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1, also termed as CD274 or B7H1) are members of the CD28/B7 super-family that can mediate negative co-stimulatory signal. PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway can inhibit T and B cell function, and T cell proliferation, while reduce the secretion of cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ. It plays an important role in immune regulation, and has a major significance in the study of tumor immunity, autoimmunity, transplantation immunology, asthma, viral infections and other diseases.
Many large international pharmaceutical companies have been studying on monoclonal antibody drugs PD-1 or PD-L1, wherein the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company owned PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo (Nivolumab) was approved in Japan in July, 2014; Merck PD-1 inhibitor was approved by the FDA in September, 2014. The first indication of these two drugs is melanoma. With the advance of each company's clinical programs, indications will expand to lung cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the blood and other fields.
Accordingly, it is encouraging to make more efforts on developing new human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, and applying the antibodies in clinical practice and so on.

Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody and obtaining method therefor

BEIJING JINGYITAIXIANG TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.


Systems, vehicles and methods for determining wrong direction driving are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for determining a vehicle traveling in a wrong direction includes one or more sensors that produce sensor data, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer readable-instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the computer-readable instructions cause the one or more processors to determine one or more lanes within a roadway using the sensor data, determine a direction of travel of the one or more lanes using the sensor data, and identify a non-compliant vehicle traveling in a direction in the one or more lanes that is different from the determined direction of travel in the one or more lanes.

In some instances, a driver of a vehicle may drive in a wrong direction that is opposite or otherwise different from an intended direction of travel. The reasons for such wrong direction driving are numerous. As examples, a driver may enter an exit ramp of a highway, a driver driving in a foreign jurisdiction may be used to driving on an opposite side of the road, a driver may be intoxicated, and the like. Vehicles driving in the wrong direction may present significant issues for other vehicles traveling on the same roadway.

Systems, methods and vehicles for determining wrong direction driving


A carton blank having an outer layer of a relatively rigid material, a first inner layer of a relatively rigid material superposed over a portion of the outer layer and a second inner layer of a relatively flexible layer of a fluid impervious material is provided with first and second weakened portions so that, after a carton has been formed from the carton blank, filled with a desired material and sealed, the first weakened portion may be broken to form a flip top lid which when moved in an arcuate path will gradually sever the second weakened portion to form an opening in the carton so that an amount of the desired material may be removed from the carton. The carton also may include a feature which allows the flip top lid to be securely re-closed after initial opening of the lid.

In order to protect moisture sensitive materials in a carton, there have been many kinds of fluid impervious cartons developed to protect such moisture sensitive materials from deleterious elements such as the humidity in the air. The vast majority of these leakproof cartons have an outer layer formed from a relatively rigid material and an inner layer formed from a relatively flexible fluid impervious material to provide the moisture protection. When it is desired to remove an amount of the material in the carton, it is necessary to open both the outer and inner layers. It is desirable that an opening be formed in both the outer and inner layers at the same time. Also, it is desirable that such an opening be located so that it is not necessary to make an oversized carton so that none of the material in the carton is spilled during the opening thereof. Another desired advantage is that the structures associated with making the opening be of a nature that such structures may be returned to substantially the original position to further protect the material remaining in the carton.

Carton blank, carton and method of forming the carton


A telescoping platform assembly able to convert each unit of distance moved by a driver into two, four, or greater number of units of platform extension includes five or more interconnected slide members. The interconnected slide members are extended by operation of a powered driver coupled to the second slide member cooperating with first, second, and third cable and pulley mechanisms. The first cable and pulley mechanism couples the first, second, and third slide members together so that the third slide extends twice as far as the second slide member. The second cable and pulley mechanism couples the second, third, and fourth slide members together so that the fourth slide members extends three times as far as the second slide member. The third cable and pulley mechanism couples the third, fourth, and fifth slide members together so that the fifth slide member extends four times as far as the second slide member. Thus, the first, second, and third coupling mechanisms cooperate to extend the platform four times the total extension of the second slide member. Fourth, fifth, and sixth cable and pulley mechanisms are similarly coupled to the slide members to retract the telescoping platform assembly from the extended position.

The present invention relates to telescoping platform assemblies configured to support a movable platform, and particularly to modular telescoping platform assemblies comprising two or more telescoping slide assembly modules attached to each other. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular telescoping platform assemblies having automatic extension and retraction capability to multiply the effective reach of a driving mechanism.
Telescoping slide assemblies generally comprise two or more interconnected slide members that are free to travel in a back and forth motion relative to each other. Typical uses for such slide assemblies include support for file drawers and equipment racks for inward and outward movement of the drawer or rack relative to a frame. Some slide assemblies incorporate pulley and cable systems to promote synchronized extension of the telescoping slide assemblies. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,505 to Fall et al.
Typically, the slide assemblies are manually operated. However, in those situations where heavy equipment is to be extended or retracted, a powered driver would be necessary. Mechanical or hydraulic powered operation may be difficult, however, since the powered driver may be required to extend substantially the same length as the telescoping assembly itself. In mobile vehicles or other applications having limited space, insufficient room is available to accommodate lengthy powered drivers.
According to the present invention, a telescoping platform assembly comprises a plurality of slide members including interconnected first, second, third, fourth, and fifth slide members. It further includes means for extending the slide members so that movement of the second slide member over a predetermined distance relative to the first slide member results in movement of the fifth slide member over four times the predetermined distance relative to the first slide member to extend the telescoping platform from a home position to a fully extended position. The telescoping platform assembly further comprises means for retracting the slide members so that movement of the second slide member over a predetermined distance relative to the first slide member results in movement of the fifth slide member over four times the predetermined distance relative to the first slide member to retract the telescoping platform from an extended position to a fully retracted position.
One application for long-reaching telescoping platform assembly in accordance with the present invention is a situation in which it is necessary to move a piece of equipment a fairly long distance on an extension mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder and the available space is so small that only a hydraulic cylinder or other driver having a short stroke can be used. For example, a machine that weighs 1000 pounds has to be supported in a storage position and occasionally moved from its storage position across an aisle in order to engage a second machine. Later, it will be necessary to retract the extension mechanism and the heavy machine to its storage position to clear the aisle. The extension mechanism is space-limited to a maximum of 40 inches when retracted, but must extend a total of 80 inches for the machine to be moved across the aisle to perform its function. A telescoping platform assembly in accordance with the present invention is able to convert each unit of distance moved by the driver into two, four, or greater number of units of rail extension and represents an improvement over conventional telescoping platform assemblies. Such a telescoping platform assembly, would allow the use of a 20 inch driver yet be operable to extend the heavy machine a distance of 80 inches. A 20 inch driver falls well within the space limitations and yet still allows the machine to perform its function.
In preferred embodiments, the means for extending includes a first extension pulley fixed to the second slide member and a first cable attached to the first slide member and the third member and passing over the first pulley. It also includes a second extension pulley which is attached to the third slide member and a second extension cable which is attached to the second slide member and the fourth slide member and passing over the second extension pulley. The means for extending further includes a third extension pulley fixed to the fourth slide member and a third extension cable attached to the third slide member and fifth slide member and passing over the third extension pulley. These pulleys and cables cooperate to extend the effective reach of the telescoping platform assembly without increasing the length of the stroke of the driver used to extend the platform.
The means for retracting the slide members includes a first retraction pulley attached to the second slide member and a first retraction cable fixed to the first slide member and the third slide member and passing over the first retraction pulley. It further includes a second retraction pulley and a second retraction cable which is fixed to the second slide member and the fourth slide member and passes over the second retraction pulley. The means for retracting further includes a third retraction pulley fixed to the fourth slide member and a third retraction cable fixed to the third slide member and the fifth slide member and passing over the third retraction pulley. These retraction pulleys and cables cooperate with the above-noted extension pulleys and cables to make it possible for the same short stroke driver to retract the telescoping platform assembly simply by reversing the driver.
A telescoping platform assembly in accordance with the present invention is capable of multiplying or extending the reach of a driving mechanism. The telescoping platform assembly can thereby extend a platform supporting a heavy machine from a home position to a fully extended position that is far beyond the longest reach available to the driving mechanism. Advantageously, short stroke driving mechanisms can be used to extend telescoping slide assemblies relatively long-distances. This is particularly useful, in applications where a telescoping slide assembly must be capable of having a long reach and space restrictions will only permit use of a short stroke driving mechanism.
Furthermore, the means for retracting the slide members in accordance with the present invention allows a driving mechanism to fully retract the telescoping platform assembly from an extended position which would otherwise be beyond the reach of the driving mechanism to a fully retracted, or home position. By allowing extension of the platform assembly out to four, six, eight, or more times the extension of the driving mechanism, the present invention provides a greater effective reach given the small input and a substantial improvement over conventional extension devices.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Extensible platform with cable drive system


A speed variator comprises a bell-shaped body (5) forming a frustoconical rolling surface (6) able to rotate about its own axis of symmetry (Y), a wheel (7) able to rotate about a second axis (W) and engaged by rolling with the rolling surface (6) to allow the transmission of a driving torque between the wheel (7) and the bell-shaped body (5), and an actuator (9) acting between the wheel (7) and the bell-shaped body (5) for moving the wheel (5) and the bell-shaped body (7) towards and/or away from each other in such a way as to make the wheel (7) engage with different portions of the rolling surface (6). The rolling surface (6) and the second axis (W) converge in a point (P).

There are prior art speed variators which have a driving wheel that engages, by rolling, on the outer surface of a conical bell-shaped body (driven unit) in such a way that it can slide along the axis of the bell-shaped body to vary the radius of the circumference traveled by the wheel on the bell-shaped body, thus varying the gear ratio. In these variators, the axes of rotation of the bell-shaped body and the wheel are parallel.
Disadvantageously, in conventional variators of the type just described, in the contact area between the wheel and the bell-shaped body, micro-slippages are created which result in a dissipation of power, penalising the overall performance of the reduction stage. Such slippages are mostly caused by a kinematic coupling which is not optimum between the wheel and the bell-shaped body.
Moreover, the local deformability of the wheel and/or the bell-shaped body generates hysteresis cycles which have the effect of dissipating a further fraction of the power transmittable.