A thermoelectric refrigerator with a heat transfer system having a thermoelectric device and a heat exchanger with an evaporating surface and a condensing surface. A working fluid is sealed within the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric device includes a thermally conductive hot plate and a thermally conductive cold plate with thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween. The thermoelectric elements are preferably electrically coupled in series and thermally coupled in parallel. The evaporating surface of the heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the hot plate. A fluid flow path is provided to allow working fluid in its vapor phase to flow from the evaporating surface to the condensing surface and working fluid in its liquid phase to flow from the condensing surface to the evaporating surface. The configuration of the heat exchanger will optimize heat transfer by the working fluid from the thermoelectric device.

The basic theory and operation of thermoelectric devices have been developed for many years. Thermoelectric devices are essentially small heat pumps which follow the laws of thermodynamics in the same manner as mechanical heat pumps, vapor compressors associated with conventional refrigerators, or other apparatus used to transfer energy. A thermoelectric device can function as a cooler, heater, power generator or thermal energy sensor.
Modern thermoelectric devices typically have solid state electrical components as compared to more traditional mechanical/fluid heating and cooling components. The circuit for a modern thermoelectric device generally includes two dissimilar materials such as N-type and P-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements typically arranged in an alternating N-element and P-element configuration. The thermoelectric elements are generally coupled electrically in series and thermally in parallel. The Peltier effect occurs when voltage is applied to the N-type and the P-type elements resulting in current flow through the serial electrical coupling. The serial current flow results in heat transfer across the N-type and P-type elements in the parallel thermal coupling. The direction of current flow through the thermoelectric elements determines the direction of heat transfer by the thermoelectric elements.
The efficiency of a thermoelectric device typically decreases with an increase in the difference in temperature across the associated thermoelectric elements. To achieve a minimal temperature difference across the thermoelectric elements, a first heat-sink (sometimes referred to as the "hot sink") is preferably coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device to aid in dissipating heat from the thermoelectric elements to the adjacent environment. In a similar manner, a second heat sink (sometimes referred to as a "cold sink") is often coupled to the cold side of the thermoelectric device to aid in removing heat from the adjacent environment. Increased cooling of the first heat sink or hot sink further increases the efficiency of the associated thermoelectric device. Natural convection, forced convection, liquid cooling or a combination thereof are currently practiced methods for cooling the hot sink.
For some applications natural convection cooling of a heat sink may not dissipate sufficient heat energy to allow the associated thermoelectric device to operate efficiently. Forced convection cooling enhances natural convection cooling by forcing air flow across the heat transfer surfaces of the heat sink thereby increasing the heat dissipating capability of the heat sink. Unfortunately, forced convection cooling systems require additional hardware and circuitry to control the fans, motors and power convertors along with fittings necessary for forced convection cooling. These additional components add to the complexity of the associated thermoelectric heat transfer system.
Liquid cooling of a heat sink to increase energy dissipation from the heat sink is also currently practiced and involves providing liquid coolant flow through or around the associated heat sink. Unfortunately, such liquid cooling also requires additional hardware and fittings to provide the desired liquid coolant flow.
Boiling a liquid on a surface of a heat sink is another technique to increase energy dissipation from the heat sink. From the perspective of enhanced thermodynamic efficiency associated with boiling a liquid such as a refrigerant, it is often desirable to have vaporization of the liquid take place with very little, if any, superheating of the bulk liquid. Open cell porous coatings have previously been used on some heat exchanger elements to provide an enhanced heat transfer surface which will thermodynamically affect boiling of the liquid. The porous coating on the enhanced heat transfer surface provides a multitude of interconnected open cells which are partially filled with liquid and act as nucleation sites for the growth of vapor bubbles within the boiling liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,862 entitled "Liquid Heat Exchanger Interface and Method" provides examples of such enhanced heat transfer surfaces.
Various enhanced heat transfer surfaces have previously been used to improve the thermodynamic efficiency with respect to condensing vapors on the associated surfaces. Enhanced heat transfer surfaces have also been used to improve the thermodynamic efficiency of both natural and forced convection cooling of the associated surfaces.
A wide variety of containers and enclosed structures are designed to be maintained within a selected temperature range. Examples of such containers and enclosed structures include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, picnic coolers, cabinets containing sensitive electronic equipment, and organ transplant containers. The use of thermoelectric devices which operate on a DC voltage system is well known to maintain desired operating temperatures in refrigerators, portable coolers, and other types of enclosed structures. An example of a container having a thermoelectric cooler is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,193 entitled Temperature Controlled Picnic Box. Examples of refrigerators which function with a thermoelectric device are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,899 entitled Thermoelectric Refrigerator; U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,670 entitled Thermoelectric Refrigerator; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,573 entitled Refrigerator--Package Arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,339, entitled Thermoelectric Semiconductor Having a Porous Structure Deaerated in a Vacuum and Thermoelectric Panel Using P-Type and N-Type Thermoelectric Semiconductors discloses an electronic refrigerator panel. A more recent example of a thermoelectric refrigerator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,216 entitled Thermoelectric Refrigerator.
Conventional refrigerators typically consist of an insulated enclosure with a cooling system based on the vapor compression cycle of fluorinated hydrocarbons, chlorofluorohydrocarbons, or other types of hydrocarbons. The cooling system associated with conventional refrigerators usually has greater cooling capacity than the actual heat load which results in the cooling system acting intermittently in a binary duty cycle--either on or off. This binary duty cycle results in temperature variations as the refrigerator warms up while the compressor is off and cools down when the compressor is running. Thus the temperature in a typical refrigerator is not steady, but cycles between an upper limit and a lower limit. This compressor cycling may reduce the operating efficiency of the associated cooling system.
The negative effects of refrigerants associated with conventional refrigerators on the environment are well known. Both national and international regulations exist to ban the use of some refrigerants such as CFCs. Other fluorocarbons such as HCFCs and HFCs have their own limitations and problems for use in refrigeration systems.

Thermoelectric refrigerator with evaporating/condensing heat exchanger


A device is disclosed for continuously cutting a fiber cable into sections, as well as a process for operating this device. The device includes a rotary knife carrier fitted with a plurality of knife blades, against which the fiber cable is pressed via a compression wheel. Wear and break of the knife blades are sensed by one or more structure-borne noise sensors. In addition, a characteristic parameter is formed from the signal from the structure-borne noise sensor(s) and compared with a comparison value. Deviations from the comparison value are recognized as disturbances.

A device of the generic type for cutting a fiber cable is known from patent application EP 0 305 057 A2. Here, a fiber cable is guided through between two rolling wheels. One of the wheels here, which functions as a cutter carrier, has a plurality of cutter blades whose cutting edges are oriented perpendicularly with respect to the running direction of the fiber cable. The function of the second wheel is to press the fiber cable against the cutting edges so that the fiber cable is cut into a plurality of small sections. In the device shown in patent application EP 0 305 057 A2, the rotational axes of the cutter carrier and of the pressing wheel are oriented in parallel so that the two wheels roll on their external circumference. The cutting edges of the cutter blades are arranged tangentially here.
In contrast, laid-open patent application DE 102 42 553 A1 discloses a different orientation of a pressing wheel compared to the cutter carrier, in which orientation the axes intersect at an acute angle. Here, the end faces of the pressing wheel and of the cutter carrier roll, while the cutting edges of the cutter blades are arranged radially here. The fiber cable is guided through between the end faces and cut into pieces.
Basically, when a device for cutting a fiber cable operates there is the problem of the cutting edges of the cutter blades being subject to wear. This wear is brought about particularly as a result of urea additives in the fiber cable. Even though it is current practice to change the cutting edges after a specific operating period, this leads, not insignificantly, to increased costs owing to the associated interruption in operation. It is therefore desirable to aim at a situation in which the cutting edges are changed according to need. In this regard, patent application EP 0 305 057 A2 proposes a force measuring device by means of which the force acting between the cutter blade and a pressing wheel is measured. Provided that there is a significant correlation between the measured force and the wear of the cutting edges it is thus possible to monitor the wear state of the cutting edges.
In the device presented in EP 0 305 057 A2, the axis of the pressing wheel is mounted in a rocker which moves in the pressing direction. In this context, the pressing force is conducted directly through a force measuring sensor which is arranged in the force flux and measures the pressing force.
During the development of devices for cutting fiber cables it has become apparent that the arrangement of the cutter carrier and pressing wheel which is shown in DE 102 42 553 A1 has advantages and it is therefore preferred. However, it is not possible to integrate a similarly simple and effective force measuring device such as that in EP 0 305 057 A2 into this arrangement. Furthermore, frictional forces which falsify the measurement result act between the cutter carrier and pressing wheel. This applies particularly to the preferred arrangement.
An object of the invention is therefore to make available a simple and effective measuring device for the arrangement of the cutter carrier and pressing wheel which is shown in DE 102 42 553 A1 which detects the wear on the cutting edges.


A pharmaceutical composition, dietary supplement, or food containing a Perilla frutescens fermented extract is disclosed. The composition is useful for prevention or treatment of a sleep disorder. A composition or a fiber or fragrance composition containing a Perilla frutescens fermented extract is also disclosed. A method for treating sleep disorder employing the pharmaceutical composition, dietary supplement, food, or the fiber or fragrance composition is disclosed.

Sleep refers to a state in which conscious activity is resting with eyes closed. This is an important step in replenishing the energy used during daytime activities and relieving fatigue accumulated by physical activity, and is simultaneously the time when most of the growth hormones required for human growth are secreted. In addition, the brain, which supervises all the physiological functions for maintaining our body's life, needs to rest in order to maintain an appropriate activity balance, and such rest occurs during sleep hours in most cases. Recently, the American Thoracic Society has recommended that adults sleep 6 to 9 hours a day.
However, sleep problems occur due to the exhausting and busy daily lives of modern people, the aging of the population, and the like, so that the number of patients receiving treatment has been increasing in recent years, and it is expected that the number will continue to increase in the future. Sleep-related disorders are directly detrimental to health, but recent studies show that the lack of sleep increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. In a study from the journal 'Sleep' published in 2004, women who slept on average less than five hours a night had significantly higher mortality rates than women who slept seven hours a night.
Currently, administration of sleeping drugs, tranquilizers, stress relievers, and the like is used as a general therapy to treat most of the sleep disorders. However, when these medicines are taken for a long period of 4 weeks or more, problems of dependence and drug side effects occur, and in the case of elderly people and pregnant women, the administration of the drugs described above is restricted. Therefore, there is an increasing need for the development of a drug consisting of a natural material which has few side effects and can effectively treat sleep disorders or improve sleep quality besides the aforementioned drugs.
Perilla frutescens is an annual plant of the Lamiaceae family, is used to treat various diseases such as coughs, sputum, pharyngolaryngitis, dyspepsia, boils, paralytic diabetes, and back pain, and is known to have antibacterial or anticancer effects.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-219382 relates to a composition having an action of promoting good sleep and a beverage containing the same, and includes a Perilla frutescens leaf extract. The patent application discloses that ingestion of the aforementioned composition has an effect of inducing good sleep, such as prolonging of sleeping time.
However, no studies and reports have been made on the effects of a composition obtained by fermenting a Perilla frutescens extract with a microorganism on the improvement of sleep quality such as sleep disorder treatment or sleep improvement.

AJOU UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION


The invented methods are effective for the detection and quantification of bacterial spores in a sample medium. A lanthanide such as europium or terbium is combined with a medium to be tested for endospore content. The lanthanide will react with calcium dipicolinate present in any bacterial spores in the sample medium to produce a lanthanide chelate, specifically, terbium or europium dipicolinate. The lanthanide chelate has distinctive absorbance and emission spectrums that can be detected using photoluminescence testing, for example. The occurrence of emission from the sample medium upon excitation at wavelengths distinctive of the lanthanide chelate thus reveals the presence of spores in the sample medium. The concentration of spores can be determined by preparing a calibration curve that relates absorbance or emission intensities to spore concentrations for test samples with known spore concentrations. The calibration curve can be used to determine the spore concentration of a sample medium using the absorbance or emission intensity for the combined lanthanide-sample medium.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence and concentration of bacterial spores in a medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
The detection of bacterial spores, sometimes called `endospores`, is useful for a wide variety of purposes. For example, in military applications, biological warfare agents include spore-producing bacteria that cause diseases such as anthrax, botulism, gas gangrene and tetanus. Because spore-producing bacteria are relatively uncommon in certain environments such as in ambient air, the detection of spores can be used to sense the release of such agents. The detection of spores of such bacteria can also be important in determining and implementing appropriate countermeasures against such agents. In agricultural technologies, spore-producing bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis are often used as insecticides. Spores in soil or plant samples can be monitored to ensure that the bacteria population is sufficiently high to be effective against insect pests. In the sanitation and hygiene fields, the detection of bacteria spores can be useful to monitor indoor environments, water quality, and food quality. In addition, the detection of nonviable bacterial spores can be useful to paleontologists.
Bacterial endospore concentrations are not easily determined with conventional techniques. Among the primary conventional techniques are microscopy and plate culture counting, both of which are extremely slow and tedious to perform. It would be highly desirable to provide methods that allow rapid and simplified detection and determination of the concentration of bacterial endospores.

Bacterial spore detection and quantification methods

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


A device, computer program product and a method, the method may include: extracting a first size information about sizes of different frames of a first segment of an encrypted first streaming media flow that has a first constant bit rate (CBR); extracting second size information about sizes of different frames of a second segment of a second streaming media flow that has a second CBR; and determining a relationship between qualities of the first and second streaming media flows based on the first and second size information; wherein the extracting of the first and second size information and the determining of the relationship are executed without decrypting the first and second encrypted streaming media flows.

Compressed video streams are now ubiquitous. They appear in broadcast television in over-the-air, cable and satellite transmissions. They appear in DVD and Blue-Ray discs and are the method for storing and viewing clips over the Internet. Video streaming using compression methods such as MPEG 2, H.264, VP6, VP8, VC1 and other (encoders-decoders) codecs is commonplace.
Some methods exist to automatically assess video quality of compressed streams. These can be roughly divided into three methods:                a. Full Reference (FR);        b. Reduced Reference (RR); and        c. No Reference (NR).
In FR methods, compressed video images are compared to the non-compressed original and a score is given to the compressed video sequence.
RR usually refers to a comparison of two non-original versions of video and in a NR case a video stream's quality is given a score without comparison to any other video stream. This case usually requires knowledge in the underlying compression method which is used.
Today's encoders are much more advanced than those used in the early days of video compression. They use sophisticated look-ahead functions in order to identify the amount of complexity ahead of them.
In streaming situations Constant Bit rate (CBR) encoding is typically used and the look-ahead functions allow the encoders to plan the bit allocation so that more bits are allocated to the more complex or more important frames. For example, all the codecs mentioned above use so-called "reference frames" where an encoded representation of a frame may include information which is also needed for the decoding of other frames. In cases where there is little change throughout a scene, an encoder would prefer to allocate as many bits possible to the reference frames and then use the codec's referencing capabilities in order to copy the information to the other frames.
Some cases exist where a device needs to quantify the quality of a compressed video stream where this device is not the ultimate device that encodes and presents the stream. One example is when an operator needs to know the visual quality of a stream that the network delivers. This can come in useful in cases such as rate shaping when a device within the network tries to supply streams at similar quality to different viewers or sets different qualities to streams according to predefined priorities.
In some cases the compressed streams are encrypted. In these cases the device which needs to assess the video quality may not be the destination device and therefore may not have the decrypting keys and may not be able to decode the streams partially or completely. In this case, known solutions to assess video quality will not work as they all require some layers of decoding in order to work.

Device and method for quality assessment of encrypted streaming media flows


A scalable video transcoder with limited drifting error is disclosed. The transcoder accumulates re-quantization errors of I-frames or P-frames. The accumulated errors are only selectively introduced into the transcoding loop in every block to compensate for transcoding errors. A threshold algorithm adaptively utilizes the accumulated errors at block level to control drifting error at an acceptable limited level. Transcoder complexity is scalable because a DCT transform may be removed from the transcoder loop when the accumulated errors are not used for compensation. The re-quantization process can be simply implemented by look-up table(s), which significantly reduces the complexity of the re-quantization process.

Efficient and reliable delivery of video data is becoming increasingly important as the Internet continues to grow in popularity. Video is very appealing because it offers a much richer user experience than static images and text. It is more interesting, for example, to watch a video clip of a winning touchdown or a Presidential speech than it is to read about the event in stark print. Unfortunately, video data can require significantly more memory, processor usage, and bandwidth than other data types commonly delivered over the Internet. As an example, one second of uncompressed video data may consume one or more Megabytes of data. Delivering such large amounts of data over error-prone networks, such as the Internet and wireless networks, presents difficult challenges in terms of efficiency, reliability, and network capacity.
After video is encoded according to a video coding format, the encoded video may be transmitted to a client that employs a decoder to decode and present the video. A decoder can decode the sequence of frames by performing operations that are substantially the inverse of the encoding operations. Prior to video transmission, it may be desirable to reduce the bit rate of the encoded video depending on various conditions, such as available network bandwidth, channel capacity, CPU utilization, and client buffer state. By reducing the bit rate in response to changes in such conditions, the encoder can facilitate higher transmission performance and/or higher quality video presentation at the client.
One approach to reducing the bit rate at the encoder is to employ a cascaded decoder-encoder. FIG. 2 illustrates the cascaded approach. As shown, a decoder 202 is placed prior to an encoder 204, whereby the decoder fully decodes video input 206 prior to the encoder 204 re-encoding the video at the desired bit rate. While the cascaded approach may achieve the desired bit rate adjustment without reduction of video quality or drift error, the complexity of the system (e.g., a full decoder) is a serious drawback.


Compounds, compositions and methods useful for treatment of Flt3-mediated diseases or conditions are provided herewith. Also provided herewith are methods for modulating the receptor protein tyrosine like kinase 3(Flt3).

FLT-3 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3) which is also known as FLK-2 (fetal liver kinase 2) and STK-I (stem cell kinase 1), is a class III RTK structurally related to PDGFR, and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). These RTK contain five immunoglobulin-like domains in the extracellular region and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain split in two by a specific hydrophilic insertion. The receptor tyrosine kinase Flt3 is expressed in hematopoietic precursor cells, and activation of Flt3 enhances colony-forming capacity of all hematopoietic lineages. Many different mutations of the Flt3 gene can result in the production of Flt3 protein with a kinase that is abnormally activated, and in such situations these mutant forms of Flt3 can cause malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. Internal tandem duplications (ITD) and/or insertions and, rarely, deletions in the FLT3-gene are implicated in 20-25% of all acute myeloid leukemias (AML). For example, insertion of several amino acids in the juxtamembrane region of Flt3, often referred to as internal tandem duplication mutations, cause malignant transformation of myeloid cells, and such mutations are present in about 25% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases. The presence of these mutations is associated with decreased survival in AML. Mutations at other residues, such as F691 ("gatekeeper") and D835, have been detected in patients with AML. Point mutations have also been observed in the kinase domain of Flt3 in about 7% of AML cases. Other types of leukemia, such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) can also harbor activating mutations of Flt3. Thus Flt3 with activating mutations are an important target for several cancer types (Cancer Cell, (2007), 12:367-380; Blood, (2003), 101, 3164-317; Current Pharmaceutical Design (2005), 11:3449-3457).

Kinase modulation and indications therefor


A multi-layer class identifying communication apparatus, includes an input interface connected to input communication lines; a switch circuit; and an output interface connected to output communication lines. The input interface comprises an allocating section which determines a class identifier indicative of one of classes to which an IP packet belongs, from header data of the IP packet received through one of the input communication lines, and allocates an IP-QOS (Internet-Protocol-Quality-of-Service) code to the IP packet. The switch circuit selects one of the output communication lines based on a destination address of the IP packet, such that the IP packet is outputted from the output interface to the selected output communication output interface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to s multilayer class identifying communication apparatus used in an IP network of a network layer of an OSI reference model.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the Internet, which is regarded as a de facto standard, has been standardized as a global network, based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Usually, in the seven layers of the OSI reference model, the IP serves as the network layer, and the TCP serves as the transport layer. Data is passed from the lowest layer Ethernet and token-ring network to the IP and passed from the TCP to the application layer.
A router as a relay device between local-area networks (LAN) is arranged between a repeater, a bridge, and a gateway. The router is used to accumulate frames sent from a communication line and transmit them to an appropriate communication line according to a network address included in the data of the frames.
A conventional router fairly handles all IP packets and basically does not perform priority control over IP packets. Each IP packet includes an IP address in its header and stays in a buffer of the router. Since the IP packet is read from the buffer by the first-in first-out (FIFO), no delay priority control is performed. When the IP packets converge to a certain output port, congestion occurs, thereby causing the discard of packets in the buffer of the router. Usually, no priority control is performed over the discard of packets.
In contrast, the known ATM technology introduces the concept of connection, in which a route connecting a source address and a destination address is clearly defined by a virtual path identifier/a virtual channel identifier (VPI/VCI). This concept permits the quality of service (QOS) such as delay characteristics and discard ratios, which is necessary for a connection unit to be defined. In addition, network apparatuses perform priority controls so that the QOS of connections are satisfied.
(IP-QOS)
Consideration is now given to technologies for easily performing priority control on the Internet. Typical examples are Intserve/Resource Reservation Setup Protocol (RSVP) as a protocol for performing the network band control, and Differentiated Service. The former simulates the concept of connection as introduced in the ATM, while the latter performs priority control based on packet data as much as possible.
The Intserve/RSVP system is not applicable to a large-scale backbone network at low cost. That is, the system lacks scalability, and it is thereby not widely used. In order to solve the problem, the Differentiated Service primarily considers scalability, availability at low cost, and adaptability to the high-speed performance of an optical carrier (OC)-48 class as an interface for a backbone network optical fiber according to transmission velocities.
The Differentiated Service guarantees quantitative service as in the ATM-QOS. Instead, from the viewpoint of the best effort, the Service sets a relative quality difference to facilitate the differentiation of service. This is accepted as a substantially practical solution judging from specification progress by the Internet engineering task force (IETF) as a Net-problem solving organization and vendor responses.
(Differentiated Service)
The Differentiated Service system has been discussed in the IETF, which regulates the Internet technologies. The Differentiated Service is a system for differentiating service levels, and does not guarantee the QOS. This is strictly for a relative priority control framework. That is, the Differentiated Service only defines the frameworks of QOS classes. The details of the QOS classes and scheduling formats between the QOS classes are referred to vendors and users.
(Service Classes in the Differentiated Service)
The Differentiated Service has three kinds of defined traffics (service classes) including an expedited forwarding service (EF class) as a premium service, an assured forwarding service (AF class), and a best effort service (BE class). The premium expedited forwarding (EF) class provides a virtual dedicated-line service such as an IP-CBR (constant bit rate) on an IP network. Thus, it is necessary to perform precise transmission control including usage parameter control (UPC) by additionally using a shaping section. Since the EF class is regarded as a class for a band guarantee service, it takes first priority over the assured forwarding service (AF class) and the best effort service (BE class), which will be described below.
Unlike the expedited forwarding (EF) class as the premium class, the assured forwarding service (AF) class is only for a relative priority control framework. The assured forwarding service has four kinds of delay classes and three kinds of discard classes. Delay priority control is performed by giving priority to an order in which IP packets in a network apparatus are transmitted. For example, this is effective in reducing the transmission delay of an application responsive to delay. Discard control is performed by giving priority to the discarding of packets in a place where congestion occurs in the network apparatus. The best effort service (BE class) is applied as a third traffic, besides the EF class and the AF class. Of the service classes, the lowest priority control is given to the BE class.
The above description outlines the Differentiated Service. However, the recommendation of the Differentiated Service is still in a state of flux. Thus, the definitions and usage described above can be changed.
In conjunction with the above description, a packet transmitting and receiving node is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 2-87747). In this reference, the packet transmitting and receiving node is composed of a reception buffer, a header analyzing section, a reception packet storing section, a passage packet storage and analysis section, a generation packet storage and analysis section, a control section and a transmission switch. The reception buffer stores reception packets. The header analyzing section analyzes a destination and a service class from a header of each of the reception packets stored in the reception buffer. The reception packet storage section stores the reception packets from the reception buffer when the reception packets are destined to the node. The passage packet storage section stores the reception packets from the reception buffer when the reception packets are destined to other nodes. The generation packet storage analysis section stores and analyzes packets to be sent from the node to other nodes for every service class. The control section is given the number of packets and a packet generation time as the analysis results of the passage packet storage and analysis section and the number of packets and a packet generation time as the analysis results of the generation packet storage and analysis section, when referring to a priority level predetermined for the passage packet storage and analysis section and the generation packet storage and analysis section to determine a transmission order of the packets from the storage and analysis sections, and determines whether the number of packets stored in each storage and analysis section exceeds a predetermined storage limitation packet count and whether the difference between the packet generation time and a present time exceeds a predetermined delay limitation time for every storage and analysis section. The control section determines that the packet should be primarily sent with no relation to the priority level of the packet when the packet generation time or the number of packets exceeds the limitation. The transmission switch takes out the packet from the storage and analysis section to transmit it.
Also, a packet switching apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 5-191455). In this reference, a routing operation to the whole packet switching network is carried out based on priority classes. A buffer is provided for every priority class, which is separately and independently allocated with a delay and a discard rate as a transmission quality. Packets stored in the buffer from a transmission line in relaying of packets are subjected to a classifying process of the packets. The number of packets after the classification is monitored and an estimation delay is calculated for every priority class. The packets with permissible long delays are set to have long routes for load distribution when load is rapidly increased. Packets with large discard rates are discarded. The packet switching apparatus is composed of line accommodating section and a control section. The line accommodating section has a routing table indicative of a route and discard instruction for every priority class for the above operations. The control section updates the routing table for every priority class based on delay data from the line accommodating section and switching apparatus status data of other stations.
Also, a switching apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 7-154421). In this reference, data packets for at least two different priority classes are stored in buffers, respectively. Each of the buffers is allocated with a threshold value. The threshold value for a higher priority class is equal to or higher than that for a lower priority class. When a packet newly arrives the buffer, the priority level of the packet and an occupation rate of the buffer are determined. The occupation rate is compared with the threshold value for the buffer and the packet is stored in the buffer or discarded based on the comparing result. At least threshold value is dynamically controlled.
Also, a cell transfer control method is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 9-205441). In this reference, when a connection belong to a specific traffic class with no band reservation is established, a discard priority data notified from a generation unit is stored in a node unit in correspondence to an identifier of the connection. A cell belonging to the specific traffic class is selectively discarded based on a predetermined discard condition which is determined a congestion state and the priority level when the route for the connection is in the congestion state.
Also, a transmission traffic control apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent application (JP-A-Heisei 10-23012). In this reference, a data is transmitted in a fixed length packet or cell. A transmission traffic control apparatus is connected to a virtual path (VP) switch network and is composed of a header converting section, a control section, a transmission scheduler, and a read control section. The header converting section allocates an output side VPI/VCI value, which has been determined upon the establishment of the connection, and a class identifier corresponding to an in-apparatus class to a reception cell. The control section classifies the reception cell based on the VPI value and the class identifier given to an in-apparatus header to write a class queue. There are a usual class buffer and a variable class buffer. The transmission scheduler controls the maximum rate for every VP and a rate of the variable queue. The read control section reads out data from the class queue in response to an instruction from the transmission scheduler. The variable buffer includes a forward resource managing cell (FRM cell) inserting section for inserting a FRM cell. A receiving side apparatus connected via the VP switch network is composed of an FRM cell extracting section for extracting the FRM cell which has been inserted, means for monitoring the content of EFCI based on the content of the reception cell for every VP, a EFCI register for holding a latest EFCI data, a function for stamping the content of the EFCI resister on a congestion indication bit (CI) of a backward RM cell (BRM cell), and a BRM cell inserting section for inserting the BRM cell in a downstream. The transmission scheduler is composed of means for controlling the maximum rate for every VP, a control parameter, various parameters for controlling the variable class queue rate, and means for controlling the insertion of the FRM cell and the monitoring the reception of the BRM cell. Also, the transmission scheduler has a function to control a variable transmission rate in accordance with the reception of the RM cells and the congestion indication bit, and allocates a priority having a relation of (normal class)>(FRM cell)>(variable class) in a range to the maximum rate for every VP.

Multi-layer class identifying communication apparatus with priority control


A layered gypsum wallboard can include: a gypsum board having opposing front and back faces, wherein the gypsum board comprises a first cover sheet material at the front face, a second cover sheet material at the back face, and a gypsum core layer comprising gypsum; an adhesive layer on the second cover sheet material of the gypsum board, the adhesive including a polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of −10° C. to 30° C.; an intermediate gypsum layer including gypsum on the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is between the second cover sheet material and the intermediate gypsum layer, wherein the adhesive layer and the intermediate gypsum layer have a combined thickness of 0.09 inches to 0.25 inches; and a third cover sheet material, wherein the intermediate gypsum layer is between and in contact with the adhesive layer and the third cover sheet material.

Often used in construction of interior walls is a gypsum board faced with paper. Typically, this board (also referred to as wallboard or drywall) is made by preparing a slurry comprising calcined gypsum, water, and other components. The gypsum slurry is then sandwiched between two sheets of paper, forming a gypsum core between two paper cover sheets. The gypsum core is then allowed to set. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,197,952; 4,853,085; and 1,769,519 assigned to United States Gypsum Company, provide gypsum wallboard and methods of making it.
One of the requirements for gypsum wallboard is to provide an acoustic barrier between two adjacent rooms, including in multi-unit dwellings such as apartment buildings and hotels, and dwellings located next to a commercial building or an airport.
As wallboards differ in their compositions, so does their ability to provide an acoustical barrier. Accordingly, wallboards are classified based to their ability to diminish (dampen) sound transmission through a wall. This wallboard characteristic is known as Sound Transmission Class (STC), which can be measured for each wallboard according to ASTM E90-09(2016) "Standard Test Method Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements." The single number rating scheme STC is derived from the measured Sound Transmission Loss from 125 to 4000 Hz one-third octave bands.
The STC single number rating is calculated according to ASTM E413-16 "Classification for Sound Insulation" for a particular wallboard structure by fitting the reference contour defined in ASTM E413-16 to the measured Transmission Loss (TL) or Normalized Attenuation (Dn, c) data until the sum of deficiencies of the data compared to the reference value does not exceed 32 dB and the maximum deficiency at any one frequency does not exceed 8 dB. The single number rating is given by the value of the shifted reference contour at 500 Hz. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a single rating STC 48 reference contour with overlaid measured data from a typical gypsum wallboard. Deviations of the measured data from the reference contour are deficiencies in the acoustic dampening of the gypsum wallboard.
The higher the STC value of a particular wallboard, the better this wallboard is at absorbing noise. Building construction codes may require wallboard with a certain minimum STC value for each particular application.
One strategy for obtaining a wallboard with a high STC value is to produce wallboard with a dense gypsum core (very heavy drywall). While this method may improve the acoustical properties of wallboard, it also produces wallboard that is heavy. Lighter wallboard would be a better solution for improved job site efficiency, among other reasons.
Another strategy is to laminate two gypsum boards together. U.S. Pat. No. 7,799,410 discloses a laminated panel in which two different layers are glued together. However, in addition to the doubled weight of the wallboard, laminated boards are extremely difficult to process for scoring, which may result in lower productivity and decreased job site efficiency.
It would be advantageous to have a method by which the same basic wallboard can be customized for different purposes with respect to sound absorption. There is a continuing need for new and improved set gypsum-containing products, and compositions and methods for producing them that solve, avoid, or minimize the problems noted above.

Methods for making high sound transmission class gypsum boards and gypsum boards made by the method


A botulinum toxin neutralizer comprising at least one fatty acid having the number of carbon atoms of at least 12. Such a fatty acid may be any of saturated fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, arachidic acid, and behenic acid or any of unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid. The toxin neutralizer acts as if it were an antagonistic receptor for botulinum toxin and, when encountering botulinum toxin in human body, directly combines with the toxin and disables the toxin from combining with the neuromuscular tissues of human body to prevent the outbreak of botulism. The toxin thus neutralized and affixed to the botulinum toxin neutralizer is excreted from the human body. The botulinum toxin neutralizer can be manufactured easily and economically from a naturally occurring glyceride and is thus far less costly then the known antitoxin of ganglioside GT1b produced from bovine brain.

Botulinum toxin is a proteinous exotoxin secreted by Clostridium botulinum broadly distributed in soil and acts at the tips of the motor nerve endings at the neuromuscular junctions. When orally ingested into human body, the botulinum toxin gives rise to intoxication called botulism which is accompanied by paralytic symptoms. The botulism breaks out when the neurotoxin is absorbed from the alimentary tract and combines selectively with the presynaptic membranes at the peripheries of the neuromuscular junctions. The toxin thus interferes with the release of acetylcholine from the chlorinergic motor nerve endings and eventually with conduction of nerve impulses in the terminal branches of the motor nerves to cause neuromuscular relaxing and paralysis characteristic of the botulism. Death may occur from paralysis of respiratory muscles in the worst case.
As to the pathogenic mechanism of the botulinum toxin, it is established that the ganglioside GTlb, an acidic glycolipid present in the presynaptic membrane acts as a receptor for the toxin. While other types of gangliosides such as the gangliosides GQlb, GDlb and GDla also have the abilities of combining with botulinum toxin, these gangliosides are less potent than the ganglioside GTlb in combining with botulinum toxin and are, for this reason, considered less responsible for botulism.
The treatment of botulism is extremely difficult and, at the present time, there is practically no other method of treatment than to cease the symptoms once botulism is broken out. In view of the pathogenic mechanism of the botulinum toxin as above discussed, the first conceivable approach to the treatment of botulism may be to use the ganglioside GTbl as an antagonistic receptor for the botulinum toxin since the substance is capable of directly combining with the toxin. For this purpose, the ganglioside GTbl may be orally dosed into human body for direct attachment to the botulinum toxin to prevent the onset of the toxicity thereof. A problem is however encountered in that the source presently available of the ganglioside GTbl is none but the bovine brain, which is so expensive that the method of treating botulism with use of such a ganglioside has seldom been put into practice.
Under these circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an economical botulinum toxin neutralizer which acts as if it were an antagonistic toxin receptor for the treatment of botulism and which will thus facilitate the prevention and treatment of botulism.


A new and distinct cultivar of Leucophyllum plant named ‘MSWNHelei’, characterized by its relatively compact, outwardly spreading and low-growing and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; relatively narrow, light green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; relatively large purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Leucophyllum plant, botanically known as Leucophyllum frutescens X Leucophyllum pringlei and hereinafter referred to by the name 'MSWNHelei'.
The new Leucophyllum plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Glendale, Ariz. The objective of the breeding program is to create new relatively compact, dense and freely flowering Leucophyllum plants with attractive leaf and flower coloration.
The new Leucophyllum plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted by the Inventor in July, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. of Leucophyllum fructescens 'Convent', not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unnamed selection of Leucophyllum pringlei as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Leucophyllum plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 28, 2018.
Asexual reproduction of the new Leucophyllum plant by terminal vegetative cuttings in a controlled environment in Glendale, Ariz. since August, 2018, has shown that the unique features of this new Leucophyllum plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A drive arrangement (1) for driving a vehicle safety device (18) incorporates an input (2) which is connected to an output (9) of an electronic control unit (5). The output (9) of the electronic control unit (5) is an output which is operable to provide a firing signal to activate a pyrotechnic squib in a safety device, such as an airbag module. The drive arrangement (1) incorporates first and second analyzers (14, 15) which perform first and second algorithms on a firing signal provided by the electronic control unit (5) to determine that the firing signal would have activated a pyrotechnic squib. The drive arrangement (1) provides an output signal to a safety device (18) if both the first and second analyzers (14, 15) determine that the firing signal would have activated the pyrotechnic squib.

A vehicle safety system typically incorporates crash sensors and safety devices which are connected to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit receives signals from the sensors and processes the signals to determine whether the signals indicate a crash situation. If the electronic control unit determines that a crash situation is occurring then the electronic control unit provides an output signal to at least one of the safety devices to activate the safety device.
Many safety devices, such as airbag modules, incorporate a pyrotechnic squib. One output of the electronic control unit is connected to deliver a firing signal to the pyrotechnic squib to activate the squib in the event of a crash situation. The firing signal has suitable characteristics to activate the pyrotechnic squib and is usually in the form of a current of 1.2 A which flows for 2 ms or a current of 1.75 A that flows for 0.5 ms. The current in the firing signal is above a predetermined level which is required to trigger the pyrotechnic squib to activate the safety device. An electronic control unit will usually incorporate a plurality of outputs to drive a plurality of pyrotechnic squibs positioned in different safety devices in a vehicle.
The firing signals which are provided by the electronic control unit are suitable for activating a pyrotechnic squib. However, the firing signals are usually not suitable for triggering other vehicle safety devices which do not incorporate a pyrotechnic squib. Such safety devices could, for instance, include a fuel cut off device or a device for unlocking the doors of a vehicle.
Some electronic control units incorporate a crash output which is provided to trigger vehicle safety devices which do not incorporate a pyrotechnic squib. The crash output provides a signal having an appropriate current and voltage level and an appropriate signal coding to trigger a vehicle safety device. A crash output from an electronic control unit is an effective trigger for a vehicle safety device which does not incorporate a pyrotechnic squib. However, not all electronic control units incorporate a crash output because the crash output is sometimes omitted to reduce costs.
Even if a crash output is provided on an electronic control unit, the crash output can be problematic because there is no established standard that the crash output must follow. Therefore, a system designer must match a particular safety device with a particular crash output in order for the system to function correctly. This minimises the choice available to a system designer and can increase the cost if the designer is required to customise a system to match a particular crash output.
It has been proposed previously to connect an electronic control unit to a vehicle's controller area network (CAN) bus and to connect a safety device to the CAN bus so that the electronic control unit can trigger the safety device via the CAN bus. This enables a safety device that does not incorporate a pyrotechnic squib to be triggered by the electronic control unit. However, there are problems with this arrangement since a CAN bus usually extends throughout a vehicle and can become damaged during a crash situation. The damage may prevent the signal from the electronic control unit being conveyed to the safety device. Furthermore, there is no established standard that activation signals on a CAN bus must follow and so a system designer is limited to using proprietary hardware and software to trigger a safety device via a vehicle's CAN bus.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved drive arrangement for driving a vehicle safety device.

Drive arrangement for driving a vehicle safety device


A method for forming a conductive via is discussed and includes forming a seed layer over a first side of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a first side opposite a second side, forming a via hole in a semiconductor substrate from the second side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the via hole exposes the seed layer; and electroplating a conductive via material in the via hole from the seed layer. In one embodiment, a continuous conductive layer is formed over and electrically coupled to the seed layer. The continuous conductive layer can serve as the current source while electroplating the conductive via material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to semiconductor processing and more specifically to conductive via formation utilizing electroplating.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor devices utilize through substrate electrical connections for transferring signals, power, and/or ground through a substrate. In one example, such connections may be utilized for transferring signals between integrated circuits in a multi integrated circuit package. In another example, a through substrate connection may be utilized as a ground connection for grounding a circuit to a package substrate. Such through substrate connections may be desirable because they are typically shorter and have less resistance and inductance than a wire bond connection.
Some through substrate connections are made by forming a conductive via through a substrate from the backside of a wafer to a contact pad of an interconnect layer. In one method of forming a conductive via through a substrate, a conformal seed layer is formed from the backside of the wafer. This seed layer is then used as a cathode for electroplating from the backside of the wafer. One problem with this method is that forming the seed layer in a through substrate via with a high aspect ratio can be difficult due to the limitations of sputtering and other deposition processes. Also, during the electroplating of copper, pinch off may occur, especially near the backside opening of high aspect ratio vias, that result in voids in the conductive filler material. Another problem is that because the seed layer is formed over the entire surface of the backside of the wafer, the via filler material is also formed on the entire surface of the wafer. Such material may have to be subsequently removed.
Another method for via formation through a substrate involves etching a via opening through an entire wafer. A seed layer is then sputtered on the backside of the wafer in such a manner as to be sufficiently thick to close the via off from the backside. A conductive filler material is then deposited from the front side of the wafer by electroplating. One problem with this method is that vias must be formed through the entire wafer. Also, the bottom seed layer would have to be removed or patterned after via filling. Removal or patterning of such a thick metal layer may be complex, difficult to control, and/or time consuming. Furthermore, the conductive filler material does not form a connection to a pre-existing electrical interconnect of the circuit. Thus additional processing must be performed to connect the filled via to circuit elements on the front side of the wafer. This additional processing would be performed on a thinned wafer where wafer thinning is done prior to through wafer via formation.
What is desired is an improved technique for forming a conductive via through a substrate.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates identical items unless otherwise noted. The Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Conductive via formation utilizing electroplating


The present invention provides a producing method with which large silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal can be produced at low cost. Silicon carbide single crystal is produced or grown by dissolving and reacting silicon (Si) and carbon (C) in an alkali metal flux. The alkali metal preferably is lithium (Li). With this method, silicon carbide single crystal can be produced even under low-temperature conditions of 1500° C. or lower, for example. The photograph of FIG. 3B is an example of a silicon carbide single crystal obtained by the method of the present invention.

Silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal is a promising semiconductor material that has a wide bandgap, high thermal conductivity, a high insulating electric field, and a high saturated electron velocity. Because of these characteristics, a semiconductor device produced of silicon carbide single crystal is able to operate at high speed and a high output level at a high operating temperature, so such semiconductor devices are promising for use in onboard power devices and energy devices, for example.
Methods conventionally known for growing silicon carbide single crystals include sublimation, the Atchison process, and liquid phase growth. Sublimation is a method in which SiC is used as the raw material, which is heated and sublimated to precipitate single crystal on a low-temperature component. The Atchison process involves reacting carbon and silica at a high temperature. Liquid phase growth is a method in which a silicon compound is dissolved in a carbon crucible, carbon and silicon are reacted at a high temperature, and single crystal is precipitated. However, each of these conventional methods had its problems, as discussed below. First of all, a problem that these methods have in common is that a high temperature is required for crystal growth. In addition, a problem in the quality of the resulting crystals with sublimation is that the resulting single crystals include numerous micropipes, stacking faults, and so forth. That is, in the course being sublimated, the raw material becomes silicon, SiC2, and Si2C and vaporizes, and it is difficult to control the partial pressures of these gases and keep them at the stoichiometric composition, and this is believed to be the cause of the above-mentioned defects. Also, with liquid phase growth, it is difficult to grow large crystals because of the small amount of carbon that dissolves into the silicon melt.
In an effort to solve the above problems, methods have been reported in recent years in which SiC single crystal is produced by a liquid phase growth method in which a melt is obtained by melting silicon, carbon, and a transition metal, and a seed crystal is brought into contact with this melt (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). With these methods, a raw material with a composition of Si0.8Ti0.2 is put into a graphite crucible, the crucible is heated to 1850° C. in an argon atmosphere under atmospheric pressure to dissolve the raw material, and the temperature then is held at 1850° C. for 5 hours so that the graphite will dissolve into this melt. After this, a 6H—SiC seed crystal is immersed in the melt, the melt is cooled to 1650° C. at a rate of 0.5° C./min, and crystal is grown. It has been reported that SiC crystal with a thickness of 732 μm was formed with this method. Nevertheless, even with this method there is the problem in that a high temperature is required for crystal growth. Specifically, since the melting point of silicon is 1414° C., the melting point of carbon is 3500° C., the melting point of titanium is 1675° C., and the melting point of SiC is 2545° C., the temperature must be at least 1700° C. In particular, when a transition metal such as titanium is used, growing crystals at low temperature is difficult because of how high these melting points are. Another method that has been reported is one in which 3C—SiC single crystal is produced by a liquid phase growth method in which SiC is used as the raw material and a crystal is grown (Patent Document 4), but this requires treatment at a high temperature to obtain single crystal of high quality. Meanwhile, it is generally believed that for a high-quality SiC single crystal substrate to be produced at a low cost, the single crystal must be produced under low temperature conditions of 1500° C. or lower.
Patent Document 1: JP 2000-264790A
Patent Document 2: JP 2002-356397A
Patent Document 3: JP 2004-2173A
Patent Document 4: U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,407

Method for producing silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal and silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal obtained by such method

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Providing a camera housing which is suitably used to house a camera with a liquid crystal monitor having a touch panel and is capable of preventing the touch panel from being broken. The camera housing includes, an external operation unit provided outside the camera housing, a contact member provided inside the camera housing for operating the touch panel by contacting the touch panel, and an elastic member provided between the external operation unit and the contact member for transmitting pressing force which is applied on the external operation unit to the contact member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera housing for housing a digital camera or a video camera to perform an underwater photographing operation or the like.
2. Related Background
In these years, a digital camera or a video camera has a smaller space for installing therein an operation button and the like, because of recently increasing size of a liquid crystal monitor and the reduced size of the whole camera apparatus. In order to cope with this problem, there is proposed a camera which is provided with a liquid crystal monitor having a touch panel. There is further proposed a camera housing for housing such a camera, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-287851.
However, in such a camera housing as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-287851, a portion which comes to face the liquid crystal monitor of the camera when the camera is housed is constituted of a flexible material as an input panel. It is arranged such that this flexible input panel is directly shoved to be in contact with the touch panel, thereby operating the touch panel. For this reason, there arises a problem that when the input panel is shoved strongly, the touch panel might be broken. In addition, such a camera housing is not suitable to be used deep underwater where the input panel must receive great hydraulic pressure.


A turbocharge includes: a compressor wheel; a turbine wheel configured to rotate with the compressor wheel; a turbine housing disposed so as to cover the turbine wheel; a bearing supporting a rotational shaft of the turbine wheel rotatably; and a bearing housing accommodating the bearing. One of the turbine housing or the bearing housing includes a fin portion protruding toward the other one of the turbine housing or the bearing housing so as to extend along an axial direction of the rotational shaft, and, between the turbine housing and the bearing housing, a cavity is formed on each side of the fin portion with respect to a radial direction of the rotational shaft.

A turbocharger includes a turbocharger body, a compressor, and a turbine. The turbocharger body includes a rotational shaft and a bearing housing which supports the rotational shaft rotatably via a bearing. The rotational shaft includes a turbine wheel disposed on the side of the first end portion, and a compressor wheel disposed on the side of the second end portion. The turbine wheel is accommodated in a turbine wheel connected to the bearing housing. The compressor wheel is accommodated in a compressor housing connected to the bearing housing.
Such a turbocharger rotates the turbine wheel with an exhaust gas flow supplied from an engine into a turbine housing. In accordance with rotation of the turbine wheel, the compressor wheel disposed inside the compressor housing rotates, and compresses air. The air compressed by the compressor is supplied to an engine.
Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration where a heat insulator and a gap that functions as a heat-insulating layer are disposed between the turbine wheel and the bearing housing, to suppress heat transfer from the turbine to the bearing housing.

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER, LTD.


A driving circuit comprising a reference-voltage circuit, an amplifier, an adjusting circuit, and a current-setting circuit. The reference-voltage circuit is used for generating a reference voltage. The amplifier comprises a first input terminal used for receiving the reference voltage, a second input terminal used for receiving feedback voltage from a load, and an output terminal used for outputting an output current to the load. The adjusting circuit is used for adjusting a voltage of the load when a resistance of the load changes. The current-setting circuit is used for setting a value of the output current based on the feedback voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to driving circuits, and particularly to a driving circuit for providing a constant current.
2. Description of Related Art
Many electronic devices use driving circuits to provide constant currents. Portable electronic devices with display panels need a light source or sources to display pictures and other characters on the display. A matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used as the light sources for these displays. Each LED in the matrix emits light by passing a current through a positive end and a negative end of the diode. A power of the light, influencing a brightness of the display, is directly proportional to the forward current. The driver circuit keeps the voltage and current constant so that the power of the LED light is constant.
Referring to FIG. 4, a traditional constant voltage driving circuit 100 includes a constant voltage source 110, a resistor 120, and an LED 130. The constant voltage source 110, the resistor 120, and the LED 130 are electrically connected in series. An anode of the constant voltage source 110 is electrically connected to the resistor 120, and a cathode of the constant voltage source 110 is electrically connected to ground. A positive end of the LED 130 is electrically connected to the resistor 120, and a negative end of the LED 130 is electrically connected to ground. Herein, a voltage of the constant voltage source 110 is labeled VBB, and a voltage of the LED 130 is labeled VF1, and a resistance of the resistor 120 is labeled R1. A forward current of the LED 130 is indicated with IF1. Thus, IF1 can be expressed in the following formula 1.IF1=(VBB−VF1)/R1   1
The LED 130 actuated by the constant voltage source 110 emits light with a constant power. However, when the LED 130 is in use for a long time, a temperature of the LED 130 increases and so does VF1. Therefore, according to formula 1, IF1 decreases, and a change of the power of the light occurs.
Moreover, VF1 often changes due to other factors such as signal noise. Once VF1 changes, IF1 also changes. In general, when VF1 changes 11%, IF1 changes 30%. Amplitude of the change of IF1 cannot be acceptable in practice.
Commonly, voltages of other loads often change as well as the LEDs while in use, making currents of the loads unstable. Therefore, the voltage driving circuit 100 cannot provide a constant current.
Therefore, a driving circuit is needed in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Driving circuit for providing constant current

Longhua Town, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate having a display region with first and second electrodes, TFTs, scanning signal lines connected to the TFTs, a counter substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the TFT substrate and counter substrates, and sealed by a sealant, scanning line leads connected to the scanning signal lines and formed outside of the display region, video signal line leads connected to the video signal lines and formed outside of the display region and a shield electrode formed on the TFT substrate covering the scanning line leads but not the video signal line leads. The second electrode is connected to a TFT, and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are driven by an electric field, which is generated between the first and second electrodes. The shield electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode and overlapped with the sealant in plan view.

Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a display device and, particularly, it relates to a liquid crystal display device of an in-plane electric field system (IPS) excellent in view angle characteristics with no image unevenness also at the periphery of a display region.
Description of Related Art
In a liquid crystal display device, a TFT substrate having pixel electrodes and thin film transistors (TFT) formed in a matrix and a counter substrate opposed to the TFT substrate and having color filters, etc, formed at portions corresponding to the pixel electrode of the TFT substrate are disposed, and liquid crystals are put between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate. Then, images are formed by controlling the transmittance of a light by liquid crystal molecules on every pixel.
Since the liquid crystal display device is flat and light in weight, application use thereof has been extended in various fields. Small-sized liquid crystal display devices are generally used for cellular phones, DSC (Digital Still Cameras), etc. In the cellular phones and DSC, there exists a demand of enlarging the size of the display screen while keeping the outer shape of a liquid crystal display device small. Then, a so-called frame at the periphery of the display region is reduced. In such a constitution, the periphery of the display region tends to undergo the effect of potential fluctuation at, etc. at the frame portion.
On the other hand, view angle characteristics become a problem in the liquid crystal display devices. The view angle characteristics concern a phenomenon that the luminance or chromaticity changes between a case of observing a screen at the front and a case of observing the screen obliquely. For the view angle characteristics, an IPS (in plane switching system) of operating liquid crystal molecules by an electric field in a horizontal direction has excellent characteristics.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-275054 describes a liquid crystal display device of the IPS system in which a tapered portion of scanning line leads is covered with a conductive film by way of an insulative film so that blanking does not occur at the periphery of a display region by noises from the scanning line leads. That is, a pitch in the terminal portion for connecting the scanning lines with external circuits is smaller than the pitch of the scanning lines formed in the display region. Then, the scanning line leads that connect the terminal portion with the scanning lines of the display region are in the form of oblique (tapered) wirings for adjusting the pitch between the display region and the terminal portion. In the oblique wiring portion, since the wiring density is higher than that in the display region and noises due to scanning signals tend to be generated, it is intended to cover the portion with the conductive film thereby reducing the effect of the noises from the tapered portion in JP-A No. 2005-275054. For the conductive film, ITO (indium tin oxide) which is identical with that used for the pixel electrode is used.
In the constitution descried in JP-A No. 2005-275054, the scanning line lead is covered with ITO which is identical with that used for the pixel electrode. In a case of covering the scanning line lead with ITO, close adhesion between ITO and a sealant causes a problem. An epoxy resin is generally used for the sealant. The sealant has good adhesion with an insulative film such as made of SiN and can maintain a favorable sealing property. However, in a case where the sealant is in direct contact with the conductive film such as an ITO film, reliability of sealing is not always known.
As in the constitution described in JP-A No. 2005-275054, when the scanning line lead is covered with ITO that is formed at the same time with the pixel electrode, this causes a problem for the reliability depending on the relation between ITO and the sealant. Further, while the extent of covering the region of the peripheral ITO gives a significant effect on the shielding effect to the scanning line leads, JP-A No. 2005-275054 has no descriptions for such a problem.
Further, in the constitution of JP-A No. 2005-275054, since ITO used for shielding the scanning line lead is identical with that used for the pixel electrode, it can not be formed continuously from the display region, to result in a portion where the scanning line lead is not covered with ITO at the boundary between the scanning line and the scanning line lead portion. Then, the effect of scanning signals is generated from the portion not covered with ITO.
The present invention intends to eliminate blanking due to the effect of scanning in the display region in a liquid crystal display device of the IPS system, while maintaining the sealing reliability by a sealant.

Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.


Methods, devices and systems for delivering broadcast data to client devices that do not support receiving broadcast transmissions. In an embodiment, a gateway device may be configured to receive a manifest file and related data segments via a first type of network protocol, such as LTE broadcasts. The manifest file may include data defining network addresses for one or more network resources, and may be modified to include a network address of a proxy server for the network resources. The proxy server may be configured to accept requests for data segments from client devices conforming to a second type of network protocol different from the first protocol, such as unicast. In an embodiment, the gateway device may transmit broadcast data for storage in a cache or alternatively a separate storage location accessible to the proxy server. The proxy server may be included in the gateway device or client devices.

Digital video capabilities can be incorporated into a wide range of devices, including digital televisions, digital direct broadcast systems, wireless broadcast systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop or desktop computers, digital cameras, digital recording devices, digital media players, video gaming devices, video game consoles, cellular or satellite radio telephones, and video teleconferencing devices. Digital video devices may implement video compression techniques, such as those described in the standards defined by MPEG-2, MPEG-4, ITU-T H.263 or ITU-T H.264/MPEG-4, Part 10, Advanced Video Coding (AVC), and extensions of such standards, to transmit and receive digital video information more efficiently.
Video compression techniques may perform spatial prediction and/or temporal prediction to reduce or remove redundancy inherent in video sequences. For block-based video coding, a video frame or slice may be partitioned into macroblocks. Each macroblock can be further partitioned. Macroblocks in an intra-coded (I) frame or slice are encoded using spatial prediction with respect to neighboring macroblocks. Macroblocks in an inter-coded (P or B) frame or slice may use spatial prediction with respect to neighboring macroblocks in the same frame or slice or temporal prediction with respect to other reference frames. After video data has been encoded, the video data may be packetized for transmission or storage. The video data may be assembled into a video file conforming to any of a variety of standards, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) base media file format and extensions thereof, such as AVC.
Some devices may be configured to utilize Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (or DASH) technology that segments media files, such as digital movies. Such devices may receive DASH segments from typical HTTP servers over the Internet, enabling the devices to access streaming media content in various bitrates, qualities, and network conditions. However, such devices may be limited in their ability to retrieve streaming media due to their native networking configurations. In particular, many devices used for consuming media, such as home set-top boxes, laptops, and other computing devices, may not include transceivers, radios, or other technologies capable of receiving broadcast content. For example, a family laptop may utilize a non-broadcast communication link (e.g., a unicast connection via WiFi/local area network) to a wireless router to receive media content from various data sources over the Internet. Thus, such media consuming devices may not be capable of retrieving files delivered over broadcast/multi-cast networks, limiting the possible access points and content that may be enjoyed by their users.

Enabling devices without native broadcast capability to access and/or receive broadcast data in an efficient manner


A method for generating an output of users that are communicating online in which one or more processors gathers data of topics of interest for each group member. One or more processors receive content of an online communication session and sends the content to a cognitive engine to determine the topic and summary information of the session. The cognitive engine sends the topic to a graphic engine to obtain a pictorial representation of the topic. One or more processors receive the summary information and pictorial representation and generates personalizes summaries for the group members based on the interests determined for each group member from prior online sessions.

Instant messaging and messenger services are among the most commonly used communication services on mobile devices. Some reasons for the popularity of applications, or "apps," are that they are often free, always available, and offer the ability to converse with multiple people at the same time (e.g., through groups), with the convenience of a mobile platform. The many positive aspects that messaging services have to offer also seem to contribute to some of the more challenging aspects of their use. Online group communications, or "conversations," may generate large quantities of messages in just a matter of minutes, depending on the group size, group membership, and topics. Large numbers of messaging responses may be more likely, and may accrue in situations in which the groups include members from different countries and time zones, globally.
Online communication sessions may include multiple topics, and a particular group member may have interest in some topics, and limited or no interest in other topics. Online communication session group members often scan through the received content to determine the topics covered and additional input of interest from other group members.

Personalized summary of online communications

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments disclosed herein include transistor devices and methods of forming such transistor devices. In an embodiment a transistor comprises a substrate, and a fin that extends up from the substrate. In an embodiment, the fin comprises a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region. In an embodiment, the transistor further comprises and a cavity in the fin, where the cavity is below the channel region. In an embodiment, the transistor further comprises a gate stack over the fin.

The drive to smaller and more efficient transistor devices is not without issue. In non-planar transistors, it has been shown that sub-fin leakage is a significant problem. Sub-fin leakage occurs when the source/drain (S/D) regions extend below the active fin height when the gate dimension is relatively small, the extension is too deep, or both. In order to reduce the sub-fin leakage, a silicon on insulator (SIO) substrate may be used or an epitaxial undercut (EUC) may be kept below the active fin height. However, a shallow EUC results in increases in external resistance, and using an SOI substrate reduces the strain in the channel, which reduces channel mobility.

Sub-fin leakage reduction for template strained materials


The present disclosure relates to feeding networks for base station antenna. Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise first and second phase shifters, and a 3-way power divider, including an input terminal, a first output terminal for feeding a first unit, a second output terminal connecting to the first phase shifter, and a third output terminal connecting to the second phase shifter. The feeding network may also comprise a first 2-way power divider, including an input terminal connecting to the first phase shifter, a first output terminal for feeding a second unit, and a second output terminal for cascading a third phase shifter. In addition, the feeding network may comprise a second 2-way power divider, including an input terminal connecting to the second phase shifter, a first output terminal for feeding a third unit, and a second output terminal for cascading a fourth phase shifter.

With the advance of mobile communication technology, the requirements for electrical and mechanical performance of a base station antenna become higher and higher. High performance and miniaturization become a trend in the development of base station antenna, such as a constant pursuing of larger electrical declination, higher efficiency, wider bandwidth, and smaller volume. This trend in turn requires high-performance feeding network for base station antenna.
In order to obtain relatively large phase changes, existing phase shifting devices assume a large footprint, resulting in a complex feeding network structure and reduced electrical performance and consistency. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a new feeding network for base-station antenna with flexible design of power division ratio, compact structure, stable performance, wide working band, good consistence, low power loss, simple structure, small volume, reduced cost and convenience for mass production.

Feeding network for base station antenna


Secure transfer of information between a first command transmitter and a second command transmitter such as those employed for remote control of actuators employed in home automation systems for example for opening and closing windows, solar protection, ventilation, roller blinds, garage doors and the like, is achieved by first authenticating the first command transmitter with respect to a third object preferably constituting part of the existing network, such as a command receiver or command transmitter and only transferring information to the second command transmitter when authentication of the first command transmitter has succeeded. The method particularly applies when a new second command transmitter is to be installed on a home automation network, having identical rights and functionalities to those of the existing first command transmitter.

In the current design of such systems, such actuators and/or associated sensors forming command receivers or slave units, are remotely controlled by control units or command points forming command transmitting stations or master units; nevertheless, actuators or sensors and control units are capable of communicating just as well in send as well as in receive mode via a two-way link, typically a radio link. We can then qualify generically such actuators or sensors or control units as "bidirectional objects". Direct radio frequency communication is also possible between two command transmitting points, as well as between two command receivers. Each element is viewed as a point or a node on the communication network thus constituted. Actuators or sensors are frequently located in areas difficult to access by the installer and even more so by the user.
Control points are one-way or two-way, mobile or fixed. Frequently, a fixed control point is itself battery-powered, which avoids wiring. When a control point is fitted with a transceiver, the receive function may only be activated upon command or intermittently, to limit power consumption.
Matching makes it possible to associate a common identifier to a pair formed by an actuator and a control point. The fact of sharing a common identifier then makes it possible for the actuator to recognize commands originating from the control point in order to respond thereto. Matching can be duplicated in order to control several actuators from a single control point or yet again to get a single actuator to respond to several control points.
In view of the existence of actuators for elements having a closing or locking function it is important for communication between command issuing and receiving points to be authenticated. Each element in the network carries an identifier which is specific to it, plus an identifier specific to the installation, called the "house key" or common key. A description of such a system can be found in International application WO-A-02 47038 or in applicant's International application WO-A-03 081352.
A command issuing point also contains the list of identifiers of several command receivers with which it is matched, in other words to which it is authorized to issue commands, and which are ready to execute such commands. For the sake of simplicity, we shall consider here that the list of identifiers carries all information concerning the control of a particular command receiver by a particular command transmitter. This can consequently also involve an encryption key specific to this pair of elements or any confidential data useful for transmission or execution of a command.
To make it easy for several users to make use of units remote-controlled by command receivers without having to again go through a whole series of individual matching operations, it is necessary to be able to transfer all or part of confidential information (house key, list of identifiers, etc) from a command transmitter already forming part of the network to a new command transmitter.
The prior art discloses various means for direct duplication between command transmitters.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,860 discloses a mode of transferring information for remote controls for automobile door opening. Communication between control points is for example by infra-red and over very short distances (control points side-by-side). Transfer is consequently made secure without a hacker some distance away being able to get at the information transmitted and then duplicate it in an identical command transmitter specific to him, without the authorized user being aware. Nevertheless, this solution is costly as it involves communication means that are specific to this single phase of duplicating from one command transmitter to another.
Where it is desired to be able to economically employ one single radio frequency communication means for transferring confidential information or for sending commands to command receivers, it is appropriate to take measures against the danger of the information being received by an ill-intentioned third party. The reception of confidential information at the precise moment where it is being transferred is however infinitely improbable except where a highly sophisticated piece of recording equipment has been hidden within range over a long period of time to collect all the information transmitted over a communication network. Duplication of the information from an old remote-control to a new one is indeed a rare event. Loss or theft of a remote control is, on the contrary, an event which is much more frequent.
International application WO-A-030 81352 proposes reducing the consequences of such violation of security by a procedure for modifying the house key, but this is a remedy and not a preventive measure.
This remedy is nevertheless effective and simple to perform provided loss or theft are quickly detected by the owner of the premises. Knowing this latter fact, a burglar who had managed to hide a command transmitter giving access to the house has every interest in allaying a fear of theft, to avoid the owner changing the house key. Consequently, he will arrange to "return" the command transmitter as rapidly as possible so it will be quickly found, leading it to be believed that it fell from the owner's pocket or got put somewhere else through absent-mindedness.
In the meantime, the burglar has obviously duplicated the confidential codes in a new command transmitter or at least one without any security key, which he obtained from some other source, putting himself in a position to come back, possibly several weeks after the facts when the owner is away. This risk should all the more be taken into consideration seeing that command transmitters operating on the same standard and using the same communication protocol are freely available.
There is consequently always a problem of security when all or part of confidential information is being transferred between bidirectional objects and costs are always involved in such transfer.

Method for transmitting information between bidirectional objects


A ferromagnetic amorphous metallic alloy strip is annealed to minimize exciting power rather than core loss. The strip has an exciting power less than 0.5 VA/kg when measured at 60 Hz and an operating induction of 1.40 to 1.45 Tesla, the measurement being carried out at ambient temperature. Cores composed of the strip can be run at higher operating induction than those annealed to minimize core loss. The physical size of the transformer's magnetic components, including the core, is significantly reduced.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to amorphous metallic transformer cores having increased operating induction; and more particularly, to a magnetic field annealing process that markedly increases such operating induction.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
Soft magnetic properties of amorphous metallic transformer core alloys are developed as a result of annealing at suitable temperature and time in the presence of a magnetic field. One of the purposes for such annealing is to reduce the adverse effects of residual stresses which result from the rapid cooling rate associated with amorphous alloy manufacturing processes. Another purpose is to define the "magnetic easy axis" in the body being annealed; i.e. to define a preferred orientation of magnetization which would ensure low core loss and exciting power of the body being annealed. Historically, such magnetic field annealing has been performed to minimize the core loss of the annealed body, as disclosed U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,728 and 4,528,481 for example. In addition to magnetic field annealing, annealing of amorphous alloys while under tensile stress has also been shown to result in improved soft magnetic properties viz. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,053,331 and 4,053,332. Sample configuration for tensile stress annealing has invariably been flat strip. The use of stress annealing in the production on amorphous alloy transformers is impracticable.
The two most important magnetic properties of a transformer core are the core loss and exciting power of the core material. When magnetic cores of annealed metallic glass are energized (i.e., magnetized by the application of a magnetic field) a certain amount of the input energy is consumed by the core and is lost irrevocably as heat. This energy consumption is caused primarily by the energy required to align all the magnetic domains in the amorphous metallic alloy in the direction of the field. This lost energy is referred to as core loss, and is represented quantitatively as the area circumscribed by the B-H loop generated during one complete magnetization cycle of the material. The core loss is ordinarily reported in units of W/kg, which actually represents the energy lost in one second by a kilogram of material under the reported conditions of frequency, core induction level and temperature.
Core loss is affected by the annealing history of the amorphous metallic alloy. Put simply, core loss depends upon whether the alloy is under-annealed, optimally annealed or over-annealed. Under-annealed alloys have residual, quenched-in stresses and related magnetic anisotropy's which require additional energy during magnetization of the product and result in increased core losses during magnetic cycling. Over-annealed alloys are believed to exhibit maximum atomic "packing" and/or can contain crystalline phases, the result of which is a loss of ductility and/or inferior magnetic properties such as increased core loss caused by increased resistance to movement of the magnetic domains. Optimally annealed alloys exhibit a fine balance between ductility and magnetic properties. Presently, transformer manufacturers utilize annealing conditions which minimize the core loss of the amorphous metallic alloy transformer core. Typically, core loss values of less than 0.37 W/kg (60 Hz and 1.4 T) are achieved.
Exciting power is the electrical energy required to produce a magnetic field of sufficient strength to achieve in the metallic glass a given level of induction (B) . Exciting power is proportional to the required magnetic field (H), and hence, to the electric current in the primary coil. An as-cast iron-rich amorphous metallic alloy exhibits a B-H loop which is somewhat sheared over. During annealing, as-cast anisotropies and cast-in stresses are relieved, the B-H loop becomes more square and narrower relative to the as-cast loop shape until it is optimally annealed. Upon over-annealing, the B-H loop tends to broaden as a result of reduced tolerance to strain and, depending upon the degree of over-annealing, existence of crystalline phases. Thus, as the annealing process for a given alloy progresses from under-annealed to over-annealed, the value of the exciting power for a given level of magnetization initially decreases, then reaches an optimum (lowest) value, and thereafter increases. However, the annealing conditions which produce an optimum (lowest) value of exciting power in an amorphous metallic alloy do not coincide with the conditions which result in lowest core loss. As a result, amorphous metallic alloys, annealed to minimize core loss do not exhibit optimal exciting power.
It should be apparent that optimum annealing conditions are different for amorphous alloys of different compositions, and for each property required. Consequently, an "optimum" anneal is generally recognized as that annealing process which produces the best balance between the combination of characteristics necessary for a given application. In the case of transformer core manufacture, the manufacturer determines a specific temperature and time for annealing which are "optimum" for the alloy employed and does not deviate from that temperature or time.
In practice, however, annealing ovens and oven control equipment are not precise enough to maintain exactly the optimum annealing conditions selected. In addition, because of the size of the cores (typically up to 200 kg each) and the configuration of ovens, cores may not heat uniformly, thus producing over-annealed and under-annealed core portions. Therefore, it is of utmost importance not only to provide an alloy which exhibits the best combination of properties under optimum conditions, but also to provide an alloy which exhibits that "best combination" over a range of annealing conditions. The range of annealing conditions under which a useful product can be produced is referred to as an "annealing (or anneal) window".

Amorphous alloy with increased operating induction