A device having a composite interconnection medium that reduces or avoids long-term reliability problems exhibited by current media, containing a first component and a second component, e.g., circuit boards, and an intermediate area between the first component and the second component. The intermediate area contains electrically conductive particles in a non-conductive matrix and compression-limiting bodies that are either located within the matrix or separately attached to one of the components. The conductive particles are arranged in chains of two or more particles across the thickness of the matrix to provide electrical connection between the first component and second component. The compression-limiting bodies substantially reduce the likelihood that dimensional changes in the components, e.g., due to warping or servicing, will stress or deform the matrix to an extent that unacceptably affects the electrical conductivity through the intermediate area.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to electrical connections, in particular the use of composite materials to make such connections.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, there has been a desire to find alternatives for the traditional soldering methods of making electrical connections. This desire has arisen from the need to simplify large-scale commercial processes, as well as to provide temporary, but reliable, electrical contacts, such as used for testing purposes. Several alternatives have been found in the area of composite materials. Some composite materials have utilized wire segments in a non-conductive matrix. Other composite materials have utilized spherical particles, held in a non-conductive matrix, as a bridge between adjacent electrical contacts. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,112.
Additional composite interconnection media have been developed in sheet form, with the sheets exhibiting anisotropic, z-direction electrical conductivity (where the z-direction is across the thickness of the sheet and the x- and y-directions are in the plane of the sheet.) See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,522,962, 5,045,249, and 4,118,102, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, Jin et al., "New, z-direction anisotropically conductive composites," J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 64, No. 10, 1988, and Jin et al., "Optically Transparent, Electrically Conductive Composite Medium," Science, Vol. 255, 1992. The anisotropic conductivity is provided by individual chains of electrically conductive particles reaching across the thickness of the sheet, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The conductive particles 100 are typically magnetic and therefore capable of being aligned in z-direction chains by application of a magnetic field during the curing of a matrix material 102. The matrix 102 is generally an elastomeric material, which makes it possible to compress the sheet between two electrical components 104, 106 such that a desired electrical connection is made between contact pads 108, 110 of the components.
The long-term reliability of these composite interconnection media has been a concern, however, and improved media which address this concern are desired.

Device containing directionally conductive composite medium


A new method is provided for the creation of a horizontal spiral inductor over the surface of a silicon substrate. A first layer of dielectric is deposited over the surface of the substrate, this first layer of dielectric is patterned and etched creation islands of first dielectric material overlying the surface of the substrate, the islands of first dielectric material align with coils of a thereover to be created spiral inductor. The openings created in the layer of dielectric by the patterning and etching of the first layer of dielectric are filled by selective deposition of epitaxial silicon therein. Second and third layers of dielectric are successively deposited over the surface of the first layer of dielectric. A spiral horizontal inductor is then created over the surface of the third layer of dielectric.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to a method that reduces electromagnetic coupling between an inductor created over the surface of a silicon substrate and the underlying silicon substrate.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Semiconductor devices have of late seen increased use in such applications as cellular telephones, wireless modems and a general range of communication equipment, which has created the need for Integrated Circuits having capabilities of radio frequency (RF) amplification up to extended frequencies in the range of several gigahertz. This has led to the need to create Integrated Circuits whereby active semiconductor elements are combined with passive electrical components and are created over the surface of one monolithic semiconductor substrate.
There are a number of significant advantages in integrating on one semiconductor monolithic substrate the functions of conventional semiconductor devices with functions that are typically performed by a RF amplifier. For instance, manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced while power consumption for the combined functions is also limited. Inductors however typically are of significant size and therefore require a large surface area of the semiconductor device for their implementation. The inductors are typically formed on the surface of a substrate in a spiral form, resulting in parasitic capacitance and substrate loss that have a serious negative effect on the functionality of the created LC circuit by sharply reducing the frequency of resonance of this circuit.
The incorporation of RF inductors without sacrificing device performance due to substrate losses has been extensively researched in recent years. Some of the techniques that have been used for this approach include:
the selective removing (by etching) of the silicon underneath the inductor (using methods of micro-machining)
using multiple layers of metal (such as aluminum) interconnects or of copper damascene interconnects
using a high resistivity silicon substrate
employing biased wells underneath a spiral conductor
inserting various types of patterned ground shields between the spiral inductor and the silicon substrate
increasing the thickness of the inter-layer dielectric.
The above listing of researched alternatives is not meant to be complete or all inconclusive. All of the above approaches have as common objectives to:
1) enhance the quality (Q) value of the inductor, and
2) increase the frequency of the LC self-resonance thereby increasing the frequency range over which the inductor can be used.
The invention addresses the above highlighted concerns an provides a method whereby the electromagnetic coupling between a horizontal inductor, that is created over the surface of a silicon substrate, and the underlying silicon substrate is reduced, thus increasing the operational capability and frequency range of the inductor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,599 (Lee et al.) shows a process for an inductor over a polysilicon filled trench.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,182 B1 (Chu et al.) discloses a process for an inductor over an epitaxial layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,202 (Chen et al.) reveals a spiral inductor process over an air trench in the substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,489 (Park et al.) shows an inductor over a porous silicon layer.
A principle objective of the invention is to improve circuit performance of semiconductor devices comprising active and passive components over the surface of one monolithic substrate.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a method for increasing the separation between an inductor that is created over the surface of one monolithic substrate and the underlying monolithic substrate.
Yet another objective of the invention is to improve RF circuit performance for RF circuits that are created using an inductor that is created over the surface of one monolithic substrate.
In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided for the creation of a horizontal spiral inductor over the surface of a silicon substrate. A first layer of dielectric is deposited over the surface of the substrate, this first layer of dielectric is patterned and etched creation islands of first dielectric material overlying the surface of the substrate, the islands of first dielectric material align with coils of a thereover to be created spiral inductor. The openings created in the layer of dielectric by the patterning and etching of the first layer of dielectric are filled by selective deposition of epitaxial silicon therein. Second and third layers of dielectric are successively deposited over the surface of the first layer of dielectric. A spiral horizontal inductor is then created over the surface of the third layer of dielectric.

Method of reducing substrate coupling for chip inductors by creation of dielectric islands by selective EPI deposition

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.


A method is provided for hydrovisbreaking hydrocarbon polymers, particularly those derived from scrap articles, in which a mixture of at least one hydrocarbon polymer and a solvent is contacted with hydrogen under conditions sufficient to hydrovisbreak the polymer. The solvent comprises a combined weight percentage of C.sub.n H.sub.2n-8 and C.sub.n H.sub.2n-10 hydrocarbons of at least about 10 weight percent, where n is an integer of at least 8 in C.sub.n H.sub.2n-8 and n is an integer of at least 10 in C.sub.n H.sub.2n-10. The hydrovisbroken polymer can be fed to a catalytic cracker for cracking to cracked products.

This invention relates to a method for hydrovisbreaking of hydrocarbon polymers, such as those polymers derived from scrap plastic articles, which after hydrovisbreaking can be further processed in a catalytic cracker.
The need for recycling of plastics is becoming increasingly apparent as many landfills approach saturation with plastics which are not biodegradable. Although current technology can produce biodegradable plastics, these biodegradable variants frequently possess inferior properties for their intended applications.
One promising type of recycling, known as "tertiary recycling", involves chemical transformation or degradation of the plastic to a new product. Further development in this area would be highly desirable, particularly with regard to development of methods capable of converting plastics, such as hydrocarbon polymers, to new products which can be further processed in a refinery.

Hydrovisbreaking of hydrocarbon polymers


The apparatus has an antenna provided with a predetermined directivity for carrying out radio communication with a RFID tag provided at a search target, a transparent display device that can impart a field of view including a natural image of the search target to vision of an operator and is held by the face of the operator, and a control circuit configured to get communication region information corresponding to a communication region generated along the directivity from the antenna, to generate a display signal for visualization display of the communication region in the field of view of the display device on the basis of the gotten communication region information and to output the signal to the display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for searching a RFID tag configured to search a search target by carrying out radio communication with a RFID tag provided at the search target.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system configured to carry out reading/writing of information contactlessly between a small-sized RFID tag that stores predetermined information and a reader (reading device)/writer (writing device) has been proposed and is being put into practice in various fields.
As an example of a practical use of the above RFID system, an apparatus for searching a RFID tag configured to search a search target by carrying out radio communication with a RFID tag provided at the search target can be cited (See JP,A, 2004-99278, for example). In this prior art, an operator wears a reader configured to get information of a RFID tag (baggage tag) provided at the search target (baggage) via radio communication and transparent display device (head-mount display) on the body, and when the operator moves and the RFID tag enters a communication range of the reader, the information is read and it is checked if the tag is the search target or not. If it is the search target, the fact is displayed on the display device to be notified to the operator.
In the above prior art, when an operator moves and a RFID tag enters a communication range of a reader, information of the RFID tag is read and it is checked if the tag is a search target or not. At this time, since the operator can not clearly recognize the communication range of the reader, there is a possibility that the RFID tag information of a target different from the target whose information is intended to be read by the operator and there is also a fear that certainty of search is lowered. Also, since the communication range can not be clearly recognized, the operator tries to get the information of the RFID tag by getting closer to the search target to be detected by all means without considering directivity of the reader and the like, and efficient search can not be made.


Described herein are systems and methods for utilizing an embedded action card in an electronic document editable using an application. The action card comprises code that facilitates communication with an associated service, the associated service can be local to a computer executing the application or on a remote computer. The action card can provide a user with real-time information received from the associated service. The action card can receive information from the user which the action card provides to the associated service.

Word processing, spreadsheet, database, slide presentation, electronic mail, drawing, note taking, web browser, media player, and game applications allow users to view, create, and/or edit documents. However, as information relevant to a document changes, the document conventionally is required to be manually updated with corresponding information in order to remain current and relevant. Further, a user is generally not able to update information external to the document from within the document.

Embedded action card in editable electronic document


A method for converting a specified color value from a first color space to a second color space identifies the specified color value in the first color space. A converted color space value is received from a final lookup table. The converted color space value is previously determined as a function of the specified color value and a mid-point interpolation and represents the specified color in the second color space. The converted color space value is stored in a memory device.

The present invention relates to transforming a color from a first color space to a second color space. It finds particular application in conjunction with interpolating within a three-dimensional lookup table and will be described with particular reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other like applications.
Color correction or transformation of color images is performed to convert images from one color space to another. Images may be represented using a device independent color space or a device dependent color space. Device independent color spaces represent color images independent from particular input and output devices so as to enable independent color imaging between input and output devices. Generally, a color image is transformed to a device dependent color space of an output device before the color image is rendered to ensure that the colorimetry of the original image is consistent with its reproduction. Such a transformation is performed regardless of whether the original image is defined in a device dependent color space or in a device independent color space. Closed systems that consist, for example, of a scanner and a printer that are not interconnected with external devices do not require an original color image to be transformed to a device independent color space. Such closed systems have color transformation systems that generate a color image represented by a first color space and subsequently convert that color space to a second color space before reproduction. Color transformation systems capable of independent color imaging represent color images in a third or a device independent color space which is readily transferable between a plurality of image output devices.
Color images can be generated by an input image terminal such as a scanner or a color image creation program operating on a color workstation. Color images processed by a scanner or a workstation consists of a two-dimensional array of picture elements (pixels). The color of each pixel of an image may be represented using a plurality of color spaces. Scanner output is commonly transformed to a color space of tristimulus values, for example, additive primaries red, green and blue (RGB) color space. These values are typically a linear transformation of the standard XYZ coordinates of CIE color space, or a corrected transform of those values. In the case of computer generated images, the computer workstation is operated by a user to create, edit, or view "softcopy" color images on the color monitor of the workstation. Colors selected by the user at the user interface of a workstation can also be defined in a color space of tristimulus values such as additive primaries RGB.
An image generated by an image input terminal must be converted to subtractive primaries cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) or (simply the CMY) color space before being reproduced on an image output terminal such as a printer. CMY color space is typically used to represent the formulation of colored dyes, inks, or toners on paper. Printers typically operate by adding multiple layers of ink or colorant on each page. The response of the addition of colors by the printer tends to be relatively non-linear. Consequently, colors are defined for a particular printer and accordingly color spaces defined for a printer are device dependent. Thus, a printer receives information in a device independent color space from, for example, a workstation. The printer must then convert that information into its device dependent color space. There exist many different methods to convert between color spaces of images produced at a scanner or a workstation to a color space of images to be produced at a printer.
Color correction consists of mapping points from a three-dimensional color space to a three-or-more-dimensional color space. This mapping depends on the physical properties of a marking device or printer system which is typically nonlinear (as noted above). An effective approach to solving this problem is to use a coarse three-dimensional lookup table with interpolation. The lookup table provides an arbitrary mapping between different devices and the interpolation reduces the size of the table so that large amounts of memory are not required by the system to store a large number of sample points. In general, a lookup table contains values on a uniform grid for each of the three color coordinates of a color space. A common approach to interpolation is tri-linear interpolation which gives a linear weighting of all eight vertices. Alternatively, in tetrahedral interpolation the parallelepiped is divided into tetrahedra. The points within each tetrahedron are interpolated based on its four vertices. While tetrahedral interpolation is adequate for finding individual points at a lookup table of 163 nodes, it performs unnecessary computations when used with tables of 643 nodes or more.
More specifically, because color is defined with three (3) variables, a three-dimensional lookup table is commonly used. In RGB space, at a scanner or computer, space can be defined as three-dimensional with black at the origin of a three-dimensional coordinate system 0, 0, 0, and white at the maximum of a three dimensional coordinate system which in an 8-bit system, would be located at 255, 255, 255. Each of the three (3) axes radiating from the origin point, therefore, define red, green, and blue, respectively. A similar construct can be made for the printer, with axes representing cyan, magenta, and yellow. In the 8-bit system suggested, there will be, however, over 16 million possible colors (i.e., 2563), which are too many values for a 1:1 mapping of RGB to CMY within a reasonable amount of space. Accordingly, only a relatively small number of samples are conventionally used to do the mapping from RGB to CMY.
The lookup table is conventionally constructed using slow methods that combine measured data with mathematical modeling. The time required to construct such a table of size 163 ranges from several minutes to one or two hours, depending on the method used. Constructing a large table of size 2563 (where no interpolation is required) or even 643, requires 4096 or 64 times as long, respectively. For example, if it takes 1 second to compute an entry, it will take 68 minutes to compute the 4096 entries of a 163 table. At that rate, it will take 194 days to compute the 224=16,777,216 entries in a 2563 table, and 72 hours, 49 minutes to compute the 218=262,144 entries in a 643 table. Thus, computing a table at such high density using conventional techniques is impractical.
The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.

Fast interpolation of large color lookup tables


When the operation of an electronic component conveying apparatus is to be stopped, application of a negative pressure to through holes is stopped, and a compressed air blowing mechanism blows compressed air from an exhaust nozzle with a pressure greater than a pressure applied during the operation of the electronic component conveying apparatus. Accordingly, an air curtain is generated at opening portions of the through holes on the guide member side, and the air curtain prevents electronic components from entering the through holes. The electronic components remaining in the through holes located downstream of the position of the exhaust nozzle in a conveying direction are conveyed to a measurement section so as to enable measurement of the characteristics thereof, and then discharged by a discharging mechanism in a discharge section. Thereafter, rotation of a conveying member is stopped.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic component conveying apparatuses, and more particularly, to an electronic component conveying apparatus for conveying electronic components, such as capacitors, measuring the characteristics thereof, and sorting the electronic components into acceptable products and defective products and a method of controlling the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known configuration of an electronic component conveying apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Translation of International Patent Application Publication No. 2000-501174. The electronic component conveying apparatus includes a plate-shaped conveying member having a plurality of through holes, a guide member arranged to guide electronic components to the through holes, a driving mechanism arranged to rotate the conveying member, a suction mechanism arranged to apply a negative pressure to the through holes and suck the electronic components into the through holes, a measuring terminal provided near the conveying member, a discharging mechanism provided near the conveying member, and a compressed air blowing mechanism provided near an outlet of the guide member and having an exhaust nozzle arranged to blow compressed air to an upper surface of the conveying member. The electronic components may become adhered to the surface of the conveying member with electrostatic action. The compressed air blowing mechanism is used to release the electronic components from the conveying member.
It is desirable that the conveying member is stopped after all electronic components have been discharged from the through holes of the conveying member when the operation of the electronic component conveying apparatus is to be stopped. However, electronic components remain in the through holes of the conveying member because the electronic components have already been sucked into the through holes when the operation of the electronic component conveying apparatus is to be stopped. A remaining electronic component becomes an obstacle when the measuring terminal is cleaned for maintenance, an electronic component located below the measuring terminal becomes scratched, or the capacitance value of a capacitor varies due to a piezoelectric effect. Also, if the electronic components are left as they are for an extended period of time, the characteristics thereof may be modified, and consequently, the electronic components may become defective products.

Electronic component conveying apparatus and method of controlling the same


A method for processing CT colonography input image voxel data representative of 3-dimensional images of a colon having gas and stool tagged with stool tagging agent, to remove the stool from the images. The input image voxel data is generated by an imaging instrument having a characteristic point spread function representative of instrument blurring. The point spread function of the instrument can be empirically determined, and the image data processed as a function of the point spread function to accurately identify and remove the tagged stool. In one embodiment of the invention, portions of the image data representative of the tagged stool and colon tissue are dilated as a function of the point spread function. In another embodiment, portions of the image data representative of the tagged stool are convolved with the point spread function to determine the fractional amount of stool present in the image portions, and the tagged stool subtracted by reducing the intensities of the associated portions of the image by an amount proportional to the fractional amount of stool present.

Colonography, the use of electronic imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) to generate images of a patient's colon for purposes of colorectal cancer screening, is generally known. Descriptions of this diagnostic methodology can, for example, be found in the following U.S. patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
InventorU.S. Pat. No.Vining5,782,762Johnson et al.5,891,030Vining et al.5,920,319Kaufman et al.6,331,116Johnson et al.6,477,401Zalis6,947,784
Briefly, this methodology involves obtaining a series of CT images of adjacent portions or slices of the colon. A radiologist then studies each of the images to identify any pre-cancerous polyps. Also known as virtual colonoscopy, this technique effectively creates a computer simulated intraluminal flight through the colon. This dynamic diagnostic methodology has been demonstrated to be a highly efficacious approach for detecting colorectal polyps.
Although these known colonography approaches are generally much less invasive and more comfortable for the patient that other colorectal cancer screening techniques such as colonoscopy, they sometimes require that the patient's colon be prepared (i.e., cleansed of stool) through the use of laxatives or other cathartics. Removal of the stool is required because the stool exhibits the same density to the imaging processes as the polyps and soft colon tissue. In other words, the stool looks very similar to polyps and the tissues of the colon in the colonography images. The presence of residual stool and fluid can therefore mask polyps and other features in the images that may be relevant to the diagnostic process. Unfortunately, these colon preparation processes can be time consuming and uncomfortable for the patient. Patient compliance with the preparation processes is sometimes poor, resulting in reduced efficacy of the diagnostic procedure. Perhaps even worse, some patients may forego the diagnostic procedure altogether to avoid the inconvenience of the preparation process.
It is known to tag stool with an opacifying agent such as barium prior to CT colonography imaging. The marked or tagged residual stool and fluid is then brighter than soft tissue in the images and recognizable. The tagged stool can also be electronically identified and subtracted from the images. However, accurate stool subtraction is difficult for several reasons. Stool is rarely perfectly labeled, and it is heterogeneous and can contain air pockets with low intensity values. Stool boundaries are also irregular and unpredictable, and partial volume (blurring) effects between stool and air and between stool and tissue will create pixels with intermediate values that are hard to recognize. Furthermore, the effects of noise vary between patients, and can alter voxel intensities significantly.
Stool subtraction after what could be considered partial preparation of the colon is also known. By these techniques the materials ingested by the patient cause the residual stool to be fluid. This generally makes the stool subtraction process easier, since the stool labeling is more homogeneous and the stool-air boundary is generally linear. Unfortunately this preparation approach results in some amount of discomfort and inconvenience to the patient and, possibly, reduced compliance. Accurate stool subtraction on an unprepared colon is typically more difficult.
There is, therefore, a continuing need for improved colonography methodologies. In particular, there is always room for image processing methodologies capable of more accurately identifying and removing residual stool from the images. A methodology enabling improved and accurate stool subtraction on an unprepared colon would be especially desirable. To be viable, any such method should also be efficient to implement. A method that meets these objectives can enhance patient acceptance of the diagnostic procedure, enhance the likelihood of diagnostic accuracy, and thereby reduce the morbidity of colorectal cancer.

Electronic stool subtraction in CT colonography

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research


A method for preventing or treating an inflammatory disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn disease, is presented. The method includes administering to a patient a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, a conservative derivative or a fragment thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding said polypeptide, a vector comprising said nucleic acid sequence or a host cell that has been transfected, infected or transformed by said nucleic acid sequence and/or by said vector.

Inflammation is a natural biological process, which constitutes a normal part of the response to injuries or infections. This process contributes to the protection of the organism against intern or extern aggressions. However, a dysfunction of the inflammation mechanisms, particularly a persistent or too abundant inflammation may cause important painful and life threatening diseases. Such diseases comprise skin disorders, bowel disorders, some neurological disorders, arthritis, autoimmune diseases . . . . Several of these inflammatory diseases remain without treatment or without sufficient treatment. Thus, studying and finding new anti-inflammatory treatment strategies constitutes a major matter in medicine and biomedical research.
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders characterized by a chronic and relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common form of this group is Crohn disease. The pathogenesis involves an inappropriate and ongoing activation of the mucosal immune system driven by the presence of the intestinal microbiota in a genetically predisposed patient.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a strictly anaerobic commensal bacterium, has been shown to be decreased in patients with ileal Crohn disease both in faeces and in the mucosal compartment. Its decrease is associated with an early recurrence of the disease in the model of postoperative recurrence after ileo-caecal resection. The culture supernatant of F. prausnitzii exerts an anti-inflammatory activity in both in vitro and in vivo murine models of TNBS-induced colitis.

Anti-inflammatory peptides and methods for treating inflammatory diseases

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT


A skimmer assembly for use in a well has a shielded float/filter assembly with a hydrophobic/oleophilic filter element, which permits selective passage of lighter than water liquids, such as oil or other hydrocarbons, to the inlet of a pumping assembly. The pumping assembly is provided with two pumps: a lower pump for pumping the lighter than water liquid to the surface of the earth, and an upper pump for pumping water in the well to the surface of the earth. Each pump is operated by a common logic valve, to which compressed air is supplied and which regulates the application of compressed air to the upper side of a diaphragm in each pump. The lower side of the diaphragm is forced upwardly by means of a spring arranged within the pumping volume of the pump housing and a backing plate positioned just below the diaphragm. A bias spring between the backing plate and a centrally located inlet valve function to close the valve from the inlet to the pump. The logic valve provides an adjustable pumping cycle and incorporates a poppet valve and a pilot leading to an adjustable metering valve. The skimmer assembly can be left in situ for extended periods of time without deterioration in the pumping operation. Because the pump has its controlling logic built-in, there is no need for complicated above ground pump controls.

This invention relates to hydrocarbon recovery systems, and more specifically, to systems for recovering floating hydrocarbons such as gasoline or oil from wells.
In the recent past there has been an increased public awareness of the effects of pollution in our environment. This has lead to a great deal of legislation being passed to clean up pollution. One area of our environment that is being polluted is groundwater through the leakage of piping and tanks containing petroleum byproducts (e.g., oil). Water will dissolve only small amounts of oil. Therefore, if oil is present in significant amounts, it will form a separate phase, forming a pool of oil on top of the water table. When this is detected, the law generally mandates that a program to remove the oil be initiated immediately, followed by a program to remediate the contaminated groundwater.
A common method of removing the oil is to hand bail the well. This is neither practical nor cost effective on an ongoing basis.
Another method of removing the oil is to position a pump in such a manner that it draws liquid from near the top of the water table. This is known as a total fluids pumping system. The theory is that the oil recovery rate can be increased by drawing down the water table into a "cone of depression". The oil then flows down the surface of this cone of depression into the pump inlet. This method requires the installation of expensive above ground oil/water separation equipment and subsequent treatment of large quantities of water before it can be discharged. Another problem with this method, is that when the pump(s) are periodically turned off, the water table recovers to it's original level. This "smears" the oil through the soil and further contaminates the groundwater. This method does remove the contaminated groundwater, but the presence of the free phase continues to contaminate the groundwater as it is being pumped.
Yet another method of removing the oil is by using a method referred to as a specific gravity skimmer. This method calls for the placement of a pump with a floating inlet down the well. The specific gravity of the float is greater than oil and less than water. Therefore, the inlet is just above the water. This method is typically capable of removing the oil down to a thickness of from about one-half to about one-quarter inch. The float can then be weighted to be just below the oil/water interface and pump both oil and water with the same problems as the total fluids system mentioned above.
One potential problem with skimming systems is the donut effect theory. This theory states that if the oil layer is thick enough, the water table will be depressed due to the weight of the oil. If the oil in the well is pumped out, the water table near the well will rebound. Since the specific gravity of oil is typically about 0.75, the water table will rebound by an amount equal to about three-quarters the thickness of the oil layer. This local rebound is referred to as the donut and slows the recovery of oil. The way around this is to pump total fluids or to use a two pump system. In the two pump system, a second groundwater pump is placed below the skimmer to depress the water table and enhance the oil recovery. This allows down well oil/water separation. It also requires a water treatment system and often a larger well.


A method and apparatus for determining a port rate determines a channel transmission rate of an SAS port including N physical channels. The method includes: determining M different negotiated rates of the N physical channels; separately determining M total port bandwidths corresponding to the M different negotiated rates; and determining a negotiated rate corresponding to a largest total port bandwidth in the M total port bandwidths as a channel transmission rate of the port. A lowest negotiated rate is no longer used as the channel transmission rate of the port, but the negotiated rate corresponding to the largest total port bandwidth is determined as the channel transmission rate of the port.

The serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) is an intelligent general-purpose interface standard, and is used for a communication connection between modules in a computer and a connection between the computer and another peripheral device (for example, a hard disk drive or a CD-ROM drive). In the SAS standard, a point-to-point connection is established between a data initiator and a data target, and an appropriate physical channel is selected for data transmission. Before a physical channel using the SAS standard is used, a rate of data transmission on each physical channel usually needs to be negotiated by using a rate negotiation method. A negotiated rate is used to represent a largest transmission rate of data transmission on each physical channel. To be specific, on the physical channel, data can be transmitted at a rate less than or equal to the negotiated rate, but data cannot be transmitted at a rate greater than the negotiated rate.
Based on the physical channel, a concept of a port is further defined in the SAS standard. Specifically, a plurality of physical channels may be integrated into one port. A device that uses the port can transmit data on any physical channel in the port. An SAS port is controlled by a computer device. If the initiator is to transmit data, the computer device sets a channel transmission rate of the data, then selects an available physical channel from the port at random, and transmits the data on the selected physical channel at the specified channel transmission rate. The plurality of physical channels are integrated into the port, so that an effective bandwidth between the data initiator and the data target can be improved, improving data transmission efficiency.
However, negotiated rates of different physical channels in a same port may be the same or different, and this makes it troublesome for the computer device to set a data transmission rate. For example, if the computer device sets a relatively high channel transmission rate, data transmission fails if a physical channel whose negotiated rate is less than the specified channel transmission rate is selected for the port during data transmission. To reduce a data transmission failure probability, in an existing technology, the computer device usually sets the channel transmission rate to a lowest negotiated rate in negotiated rates of all the physical channels. However, in this case, an obtained total port transmission bandwidth is smallest, and consequently data transmission efficiency is not ideal enough.

Port rate determining method and computer device


System for detaching an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag includes a detaching element to selectively unlock a locking element of an EAS tag when the EAS tag is placed in a detachment position. A control system is arranged to cause the detaching element to transition from a deactivated state, in which the tag in the detachment position will remain locked, to an activated state in which the tag is unlocked. This transition will result in beginning or starting a dwell time. The control system is maintains the detaching element in the activated state while awaiting receipt from a user interface of a user manually initiated termination signal. The termination signal indicates a user intention to terminate the dwell time. In response to the termination signal, the control system causes the detaching element to transition from the activated state to a deactivated state.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
This invention relates generally to security tags and associated detachers and, more particularly, to a security tag and a security tag detacher for use in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic article surveillance systems are well known in the art and are used for inventory control and to prevent theft and similar unauthorized removal of articles from a controlled area. Typically, in such systems a system transmitter and a system receiver are used to establish a surveillance zone which must be traversed by any articles being removed from the controlled area.
An EAS security tag is affixed to each article and includes a marker or sensor adapted to interact with a signal being transmitted by the system transmitter into the surveillance zone. This interaction causes a further signal to be established in the surveillance zone which further signal is received by the system receiver. Accordingly, upon movement of a tagged article through the surveillance zone, a signal will be received by the system receiver, identifying the unauthorized presence of the tagged article in the zone.
Certain types of EAS security tags have been designed to be reusable and, thus, include releasable attachment devices for affixing the tags to the articles. Such attachment devices are further designed to be releasable by authorized personnel only so that unauthorized removal of a tag from its article is avoided. To this end, many attachment devices are made releasable only through the use of an associated special tool or detaching mechanism.
Attachment devices for EAS security tags include a wide variety of different latching mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized personnel from removing the pin from the tag. The stimulus needed to unlatch an EAS security tag will depend upon the particular latching mechanism in use. Accordingly, a variety of different detaching units utilize various means to separate reusable, removable EAS security tags from articles of merchandise. Known systems for unlatching EAS security tags include devices generally involve the application of a force to certain latching components. The force can be applied directly to latching components by means of a mechanical element (e.g. by means of a probe inserted into the tag). Other detaching systems have powerful magnets which apply a magnetic force to latching components, thereby unlatching the tag. The mechanical and magnetic detaching methods are the two main types of systems commonly used with hard EAS security tags. Regardless of how the force is applied, the result is a disengagement of a latching element with an attachment pin in the tag, thereby allowing the tag to be removed from the article.
In tags which require a magnetic stimulus for unlatching, the latching mechanism (such as a moving clamp or pin) is usually made with a magnetic material such as carbon steel. Upon exposure to a magnetic field from a detacher unit, part of the clamp is attracted to the detacher. This movement of the latching components allows the pin of an EAS tag to be unlocked from the tag housing, thereby allowing the item to which the tag was attached to be removed from the store without setting off an alarm. In order to prevent illegitimate tag detachment using a commonly available magnet, the tag's clamp is typically designed such that it can only be opened when exposed to an unusually high magnetic field.
In the case of tags which are designed for unlatching in response to a mechanically applied force, a detacher probe structure is often used to interact with the tag. Examples of these types of mechanical detaching units are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,426,419; 5,528,914; 5,535,606, and 5,955,951. (The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.). The detaching unit is operated to insert a probe or hook into the enclosure portion of the tag to release a latch or clamp. The pin may then be released from the enclosure portion of the tag, and the tag removed from the article of merchandise.

Security tag detacher with user-controllable dwell time and method therefor


In various embodiments, there is provided a method comprising receiving a waveform; rectifying the waveform to generate a rectified waveform; comparing the rectified waveform with a first voltage to generate a first compare signal, wherein a first edge of the first compare signal occurs at a first time when an instantaneous value of the rectified waveform becomes higher than the first voltage; comparing the rectified waveform with a second voltage to generate a second compare signal, wherein a first edge of the second compare signal occurs at a second time when the instantaneous value of the rectified waveform becomes higher than the second voltage; and based at least in part on the first time and the second time, estimating a voltage of the waveform.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in the present disclosure and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Various regions of the world have various standards for supplying alternating current (AC) power to households and end users. For example, in the United States of America (USA), 120 volts (V), 60 Hertz (Hz) AC power is usually supplied, while several European countries supply 230 V, 50 Hz AC power.
An electronic appliance may be intended to be used across several countries of the world. Such an electronic appliance needs to be compatible with different AC power standards existing in different countries. To be operable in different countries having different standards of AC power, the electronic appliance may need to identify AC power standard that is being used to supply the electronic appliance with power.

Alternating current (AC) line voltage determination


A method for estimating a phase response for an upstream area in a channel is based on an extrapolation and, following forcible distortion of an amplitude response, coefficients of a time domain equalizer and coefficients of a channel target circuit are determined using a minimum MSE algorithm. When the cost function of a minimum MES is determined, the square of the coefficients of the time domain equalizer are included for determining the cost function in order to reduce the probability that the coefficients of the time domain equalizer diverge. A channel-shortening effect of the time domain equalizer is improved to reduce inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI). As a result, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a communication system is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for determining coefficients of an equalizer and a device for determining the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Asymmetric high speed digital subscriber line (ADSL) and very high speed digital subscriber line (VDSL) are examples of modern communication systems that permit transmission of data over communication lines at very high rates (e.g., up to 52 Mbits/s). The transmission of high-speed data over band-limited channels may be accomplished by means of discrete multitone (DMT)-based digital communication systems. DMT modems are multi-carrier transmission systems for dividing transmission data into several interleaved bit streams and using these bit streams to modulate several carriers.
Significant limitations in high data rate communication systems are inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI). One way to compensate for ISI in a DMT system is to add a cyclic prefix to the beginning of each transmitted DMT symbol. Unfortunately, while increasing the length of prefixes reduces ISI, it also decreases the effective data rate. Another approach to combat ISI is to employ an equalizer at the receiver. However, many equalizers need considerable and ongoing computational "overhead".
In practical communications, the frequency response of a communications channel is not known. Accordingly, equalizers are designed using numerous parameters that need to be adjusted on the basis of measurements of characteristics having an influence on signals of the channel.
A typical equalizer comprises a transversal filter having a delay line spaced by T-seconds, where "T" is the sampling interval and "fs=1/T" is the sampling rate at the receiver. The outputs of filter taps are multiplied by a filter coefficient, summed, and input to a coefficient decision device for selecting coefficients. The coefficient values are typically selected to minimize either peak distortion or mean-squared distortion. The tap coefficients correspond to the channel parameters. Depending on which coefficients are selected, the equalizer can substantially remove the interference from DMT symbols.
There are at least two general approaches to obtain coefficients of an equalizer. One approach is a minimum mean-squared error (MSE) technology to minimize an MSE. Another approach is to obtain an eigenvalue and an eigenvector using the singular value decomposition (SVD). While the SVD approach obtains improved results as compared to the MSE approach, the SVD approach is not widely used in practical communication modems. The SVD approach can be classified into a direct matrix inversion approach or an adaptive algorithm approach. While the adaptive algorithm approach is substantially more efficient than the direct matrix inversion approach, it is not suitable for real-time communications because it is difficult to determine a degree of coefficient convergence. The direct matrix inversion approach is also computationally expensive for the matrix inversion. But since a matrix for inversion is a covariance matrix of a given communication channel, the computational expense is reduced to readily realize the direct matrix inversion approach.
Unfortunately, these approaches are limited in terms of reducing the inter-symbol interference (ISI) and the inter-channel interference (ICI). This is because a receiver installed at the DMT modem knows the frequency response characteristic of a downstream area in a channel for receiving data from a central office, but does not know the frequency response characteristic of an upstream area in a channel for sending data from the receiver to a central office or node along a communications line.
Therefore, a need exists for an equalizer, which amplifies and attenuates a received signal so that the whole band of a channel has a uniform gain, amplifies an upstream area without response and attenuates a downstream area with response. As a result, a channel of a practically used frequency area is attenuated to reduce a signal to noise ratio (SNR).

Method for determining coefficients of an equalizer and apparatus for determining the same


A radio-thermometer system, and a method for measuring electromagnetic energy radiated from an interior of a human body, includes an antenna for receiving thermal energy radiated from a target object having a temperature to be measured, first and second noise sources, which are maintained at different temperatures in order to obtain a reflection coefficient of an interface between the antenna and the target object, a first switch for periodically switching between outputting the first or second noise source, a circulator for adding a signal received by the antenna to a reflective wave output from the first switch, and for transmitting an addition result, third and fourth noise sources, which are maintained at different temperatures, a second switch for periodically switching between outputting an output of the third noise source, the circulator, and the fourth noise source, and an amplifier for amplifying an output of the second switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio-thermometer system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a radio-thermometer system and method for measuring electromagnetic energy radiated from an interior of a human body using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ordinary objects emit electromagnetic energy in a predetermined frequency band at an absolute temperature of 0° K. or higher. Some objects, however, completely absorb energy around them and emit electromagnetic energy in nearly all frequency bands. These objects are called black bodies and radiate energy according to Plank's radiation law, which will be explained in connection with a graph shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 illustrates a variation of an intensity of radiant energy of a black body with respect to frequency. Referring to FIG. 1, the intensity of radiant energy of a black body varies from frequency to frequency and peaks in the infrared range, i.e., between 3–15 μm. Generally, radiant energy of a black body in the infrared range can be detected using an infrared camera, while radiant energy of the black body in a microwave range can be detected using a radio-thermometer having a directional antenna and a high sensitivity receiver. Radio-thermometers, which were first adopted in the field of astronomy, have been used primarily for measuring energy radiated from planets or stars in the universe and estimating the temperatures of those planets or stars.
Given that in the infrared range, human skin exhibits almost the same energy characteristics as a black body, a distribution of temperatures on the surface of the human body can be obtained by measuring energy radiating from the human skin in the infrared range. Recently, radio-thermometers have been increasingly used for receiving energy from tissue within the human body and for measuring a temperature of those tissues.
Human skin, however, does not act as a black body in a microwave frequency range. Thus, not all of the electromagnetic energy radiated from inner tissues within the human body is transmitted to the surface, i.e., the skin. The intensity of the electromagnetic energy transmitted from the inner tissues of the body to the skin may vary depending on through which medium, e.g., muscle, bone, or fat, the electromagnetic energy travels between the tissue and the skin. Radio-thermometers using microwaves estimate an internal temperature of a human body by measuring electromagnetic energy radiated from the human body having a frequency of 1 GHz–6 GHz at the surface, i.e., the skin, of the body.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional radio-thermometer system 20 using microwaves. Referring to FIG. 2, a signal output from a noise source 9, which is controllable, is input to a first attenuator 10, which is adjustable, and then to a directional coupler 13, which is connected, via an antenna 4, to a target object 1 having a temperature to be measured. The signal output from the controllable noise source 9 is also input to a second attenuator 11, which is adjustable, and then to a first terminal of a switch 2. A second terminal of the switch 2 receives energy emitted from the target object 1 and energy reflected from the target object 1. The switch 2 is periodically switched by a clock pulse generator in a radio-thermometer 8. A signal output from the radio-thermometer 8 is provided to an output terminal, via an integrator 14, as a voltage Ua corresponding to a temperature To of the target object 1. The conventional radio-thermometer system 20 measures an internal temperature of the target object 1 by adjusting the noise source 9 several times.
Difficulties in obtaining an accurate internal temperature measurement by the conventional radio-thermometer system 20 may be caused by interference of electromagnetic waves in and around the conventional radio-thermometer system 20 or by an impedance mismatch at an interface between the antenna 4 and the target object 1. The problem of the interference of electromagnetic waves can be solved by taking measurements in an electromagnetic wave shielded room. However, the problem of impedance mismatch at the interface between the antenna 4 and the target object 1 remains responsible for a lack of reproducibility and thus causes errors in the measurement.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new radio-thermometer system that is able to precisely measure the temperature of the target object 1 even though an impedance mismatch occurs at the interface between the antenna 4 and the target object 1.

Radio-thermometer system and method for measuring electromagnetic energy radiated from an interior of a human body using the same

Nizhny Novgorod Microwave Research Institute, Ltd.


The present invention relates to an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and a soft skin formed of polyolefinic material. The soft skin is bonded to and overlies the layer of elastomeric material. The soft skin is cured by electron beam curing. The present invention also relates to a method of making a soft skin for use with an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and the soft skin bonded to and overlying the layer of elastomeric material. The method comprises providing a polyolefinic material, and exposing the polyolefinic material to electron beam radiation to cure the polyolefinic material.

This invention relates to an interior automotive trim member, having improved scratch resistance and, more particularly, to an automotive instrument panel having improved scratch resistance.
Instrument panels for automobiles, and other interior automotive trim members, typically comprise a hard backing substrate, a soft layer of elastomeric material disposed over and bonded to the backing substrate and a soft polymeric skin which is disposed over and bonded to the layer of elastomeric material.
The backing substrate is typically made of a relatively rigid material such as a hard polymeric material or metal. The layer of elastomeric material is relatively soft and preferably has a hardness which is less than the hardness of the skin or the backing substrate.
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) based instrument panels have been widely used. These PVC-based instrument panels typically comprise a hard polymeric backing substrate, a soft polyurethane (PU) foam layer bonded to the backing substrate and a soft PVC skin bonded to the polyurethane foam layer. A coating is usually applied onto the PVC skin for gloss control as well as for lowering the potential of mar and/or scratch damage. This type of instrument panel having a PVC-PU and polymeric backing substrate composite is not environmentally friendly. Recycling of the composite is difficult and sometimes impossible due to the byproducts formed during thermal treatment. Moreover, incineration of the composite is virtually unacceptable because the byproducts are corrosive and toxic.
Another type of instrument panel which has been commonly used comprises a soft polyolefin skin, a polyolefin foam such as polypropylene foam, and a polyolefin backing substrate. As each of the components of the instrument panel are made of polyolefin, recycling and other environmental considerations of the instrument panel are advantageous. However, coatings must be applied to the skin for gloss and scratch resistance control. Typically, in applying the coating, adhesion promoter must be applied in between the coating and the polyolefin soft skin.
The necessity of these coatings adds considerable expense and time to the manufacture of these prior art instrument panels.
It would be desirable to provide an instrument panel which can be easily and more cost effectively manufactured relative to the prior art instrument panels.
It would be further desirable to provide an instrument panel which is scratch resistant and has suitable gloss control without the use of a coating over the soft skin.
It would also be further desirable to provide an instrument panel which can be easily recycled.
The present invention relates to an interior automotive trim member which comprises a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and a soft skin formed of polyolefinic material. The soft skin is bonded to and overlies the layer of elastomeric material. The soft skin is cured by electron beam curing.
The electron beam curing (treating) of the soft skin results in the soft skin having a scratch resistant surface, thus eliminating the need for a coating on the soft skin. The gloss of the soft skin can be controlled by adding filler to the polyolefinic material. Moreover, the electron beam curing of the polyolefinic material takes place without the addition of any cross-linking catalyst/accelerator to the polyolefinic material.
The present invention also relates to a method of making a soft skin for use with an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material overlying and bonded to the backing substrate, and the soft skin overlying and bonded to the layer of elastomeric material. The method comprises providing a polyolefinic material, and exposing the polyolefinic material to electron beam radiation to cure the polyolefinic material.
In one embodiment, the layer of elastomeric material comprises polyolefin foam comprising a curable mixture of a polyolefinic material and a foaming agent. The polyolefinic material of the soft skin and the polyolefin foam of the polyolefinic material of the layer of elastomeric material are exposed to the electron beam radiation simultaneously such that both the polyolefinic material of the soft skin and the polyolefin foam of the layer of elastomeric material cure simultaneously.
In another embodiment, the polyolefinic material of the soft skin is exposed to the electron beam radiation prior to being bonded to the layer of elastomeric material.
In another embodiment, the backing substrate and the layer of elastomeric material also comprise a polyolefinic material to allow for relatively easy recycling of the trim member.

Interior automotive trim member having improved scratch resistance and a method of making the same


The present invention is directed to compounds which inhibit farnesyl-protein transferase (FTase) and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. The invention is further directed to chemotherapeutic compositions containing the compounds of this invention and methods for inhibiting farnesyl-protein transferase and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras.

The Ras proteins (Ha-Ras, Ki4a-Ras, Ki4b-Ras and N-Ras) are part of a signaling pathway that links cell surface growth factor receptors to nuclear signals initiating cellular proliferation. Biological and biochemical studies of Ras action indicate that Ras functions like a G-regulatory protein. In the inactive state, Ras is bound to GDP. Upon growth factor receptor activation Ras is induced to exchange GDP for GTP and undergoes a conformational change. The GTP-bound form of Ras propagates the growth stimulatory signal until the signal is terminated by the intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras, which returns the protein to its inactive GDP bound form (D. R. Lowy and D. M. Willumsen, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:851-891 (1993)). Mutated ras genes (Ha-ras, Ki4a-ras, Ki4b-ras and N-ras) are found in many human cancers, including colorectal carcinoma, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, and myeloid leukemias. The protein products of these genes are defective in their GTPase activity and constitutively transmit a growth stimulatory signal.
Ras must be localized to the plasma membrane for both normal and oncogenic functions. At least 3 post-translational modifications are involved with Ras membrane localization, and all 3 modifications occur at the C-terminus of Ras. The Ras C-terminus contains a sequence motif termed a "CAAX" or "Cys-Aaa.sup.1 -Aaa.sup.2 -Xaa" box (Cys is cysteine, Aaa is an aliphatic amino acid, the Xaa is any amino acid) (Willumsen et al., Nature 310:583-586 (1984)). Depending on the specific sequence, this motif serves as a signal sequence for the enzymes farnesyl-protein transferase or geranylgeranyl-protein transferase, which catalyze the alkylation of the cysteine residue of the CAAX motif with a C.sub.15 or C.sub.20 isoprenoid, respectively. (S. Clarke., Ann. Rev. Biochem. 61:355-386 (1992); W. R. Schafer and J. Rine, Ann. Rev. Genetics 30:209-237 (1992)). The Ras protein is one of several proteins that are known to undergo post-translational farnesylation. Other farnesylated proteins include the Ras-related GTP-binding proteins such as Rho, fungal mating factors, the nuclear lamins, and the gamma subunit of transducin. James, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 14182 (1994) have identified a peroxisome associated protein Pxf which is also farnesylated. James, et al., have also suggested that there are farnesylated proteins of unknown structure and function in addition to those listed above.
Inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase has been shown to block the growth of Ras-transformed cells in soft agar and to modify other aspects of their transformed phenotype. It has also been demonstrated that certain inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase selectively block the processing of the Ras oncoprotein intracellularly (N. E. Kohl et al., Science, 260:1934-1937 (1993) and G. L. James et al., Science, 260:1937-1942 (1993). Recently, it has been shown that an inhibitor of farnesyl-protein transferase blocks the growth of ras-dependent tumors in nude mice (N. E. Kohl et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A., 91:9141-9145 (1994) and induces regression of mammary and salivary carcinomas in ras transgenic mice (N. E. Kohl et al., Nature Medicine, 1:792-797 (1995).
Indirect inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase in vivo has been demonstrated with lovastatin (Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J.) and compactin (Hancock et al., ibid; Casey et al., ibid; Schafer et al., Science 245:379 (1989)). These drugs inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme for the production of polyisoprenoids including farnesyl pyrophosphate. Farnesyl-protein transferase utilizes farnesyl pyrophosphate to covalently modify the Cys thiol group of the Ras CAAX box with a farnesyl group (Reiss et al., Cell, 62:81-88 (1990); Schaber et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:14701-14704 (1990); Schafer et al., Science, 249:1133-1139 (1990); Manne et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 87:7541-7545 (1990)). Inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase blocks Ras membrane localization in cultured cells. However, direct inhibition of farnesyl-protein transferase would be more specific and attended by fewer side effects than would occur with the required dose of a general inhibitor of isoprene biosynthesis.
Inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) have been described in two general classes. The first are analogs of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), while the second class of inhibitors is related to the protein substrates (e.g., Ras) for the enzyme. The peptide derived inhibitors that have been described are generally cysteine containing molecules that are related to the CAAX motif that is the signal for protein prenylation. (Schaber et al., ibid; Reiss et. al., ibid; Reiss et al., PNAS, 88:732-736 (1991)). Such inhibitors may inhibit protein prenylation while serving as alternate substrates for the farnesyl-protein transferase enzyme, or may be purely competitive inhibitors (U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,851, University of Texas; N. E. Kohl et al., Science, 260:1934-1937 (1993); Graham, et al., J. Med. Chem., 37, 725 (1994)). In general, deletion of the thiol from a CAAX derivative has been shown to dramatically reduce the inhibitory potency of the compound. However, the thiol group potentially places limitations on the therapeutic application of FPTase inhibitors with respect to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity. Therefore, a functional replacement for the thiol is desirable.
It has recently been reported that farnesyl-protein transferase inhibitors are inhibitors of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and are therefore useful in the prevention and therapy of arteriosclerosis and diabetic disturbance of blood vessels (JP H7-112930).
It has recently been disclosed that certain tricyclic compounds which optionally incorporate a piperidine moiety are inhibitors of FPTase (WO 95/10514, WO 95/10515 and WO 95/10516). Imidazole-containing inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase have also been disclosed (WO 95/09001 and EP 0 675 112 A1).
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to develop peptidomimetic compounds that do not have a thiol moiety, and that will inhibit farnesyl-protein transferase and thus, the post-translational farnesylation of proteins. It is a further object of this invention to develop chemotherapeutic compositions containing the compounds of this invention and methods for producing the compounds of this invention.


A manual release mechanism for a thrust reverser actuation system electromechanical brake includes a first release plate, a second release plate, at least two balls, and a handle. The first and second release plates each have grooves formed therein that have a cam surface located at a predetermined angle. The release plates face one another such that the grooves in each plate are substantially aligned, and the balls are each positioned in the aligned grooves. The first release plate is configured to rotate, and the second release plate is configured to translate. The handle is coupled to the first release plate to allow manual rotation thereof. In response to rotation of the first release plate, the second release plate will translate and disengage the electromechanical brake.

When a jet-powered aircraft lands, the landing gear brakes and aerodynamic drag (e.g., flaps, spoilers, etc.) of the aircraft may not, in certain situations, be sufficient to slow the aircraft down in the required amount of runway distance. Thus, jet engines on most aircraft include thrust reversers to enhance the braking of the aircraft. When deployed, a thrust reverser redirects the rearward thrust of the jet engine to a generally or partially forward direction to decelerate the aircraft. Because at least some of the jet thrust is directed forward, the jet thrust also slows down the aircraft upon landing.
Various thrust reverser designs are commonly known, and the particular design utilized depends, at least in part, on the engine manufacturer, the engine configuration, and the propulsion technology being used. Thrust reverser designs used most prominently with jet engines fall into three general categories: (1) cascade-type thrust reversers; (2) target-type thrust reversers; and (3) pivot door thrust reversers. Each of these designs employs a different type of moveable thrust reverser component to change the direction of the jet thrust.
Cascade-type thrust reversers are normally used on high-bypass ratio jet engines. This type of thrust reverser is located on the circumference of the engine's midsection and, when deployed, exposes and redirects air flow through a plurality of cascade vanes. The moveable thrust reverser components in the cascade design includes several translating sleeves or cowls ("transcowls") that are deployed to expose the cascade vanes.
Target-type reversers, also referred to as clamshell reversers, are typically used with low-bypass ratio jet engines. Target-type thrust reversers use two doors as the moveable thrust reverser components to block the entire jet thrust coming from the rear of the engine. These doors are mounted on the aft portion of the engine and may form the rear part of the engine nacelle.
Pivot door thrust reversers may utilize four doors on the engine nacelle as the moveable thrust reverser components. In the deployed position, these doors extend outwardly from the nacelle to redirect the jet thrust.
The moveable thrust reverser components in each of the above-described designs are moved between the stowed and deployed positions by actuators. Power to drive the actuators may come from a dual output power drive unit (PDU), which may be electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically operated, depending on the system design. A drive train that includes one or more drive mechanisms, such as flexible rotating shafts, may interconnect the actuators and the PDU to transmit the PDU's drive force to the moveable thrust reverser components.
The primary use of thrust reversers is, as noted above, to enhance the braking of the aircraft, thereby shortening the stopping distance during landing. Hence, thrust reversers are usually deployed during the landing process to slow the aircraft. Thereafter, when the thrust reversers are no longer needed, they are returned to their original, or stowed, position. Once in the stowed position, one or more locks are engaged to prevent unintended movement of the thrust reversers and/or actuators that move the thrust reversers.
Although the number of locks may vary, many thrust reverser systems include primary, secondary, and tertiary locks. Depending on thrust reverser system configuration, one or more primary locks may be coupled to one or more of the actuators, one or more secondary locks (or "brakes") may be coupled to the PDU, and one or more tertiary locks may be coupled to one or more of the thrust reversers. Typically, the primary, secondary, and tertiary locks are electromechanical type of locks that are configured as "energized-to-unlock" and "de-energized-to-lock" devices. Thus, if no power is supplied to a lock, it will move to its locked position.
Thrust reverser actuation systems, such as the exemplary systems described above, are generally safe, reliable, and robustly designed. Nonetheless, thrust reverser systems may be subject to maintenance and repair processes. During such processes, power to the locks may not be available, thereby locking the actuators, PDU, and/or thrust reversers against movement. However, in some instances, it may be desired to move, for example, the PDU as part of a repair or maintenance process.
Hence, there is a need for a manual release mechanism for a thrust reverser actuation system electromechanical brake that will allow the brake to be disengaged, if desired, so that the PDU or other thrust reverser components can be moved. The present invention addresses at least this need.

Thrust reverser system electro-mechanical brake manual release mechanism


A permanent dental bridge comprised entirely of composite material may be constructed directly, i.e., without laboratory assistance, either in situ or ex situ. In the in situ process, composite material is applied between abutment teeth in the patient's mouth, affixing wings are formed from the composite material, those wings respectively attaching to corresponding surfaces on the abutment teeth, and the composite material is cured. The steps of application and curing of composite material are successively repeated until a completed dental bridge, including a pontic portion, is formed entirely within the patient's mouth. The ex situ process is accomplished by fabricating a composite pontic, applying composite material between the patient's abutment teeth, curing the composite material, applying a lamination of additional composite material between the abutment teeth, inserting the composite pontic into the lamination, and curing the lamination. In either process, a gingival stent is utilized to act as a platform upon which the successive composite laminations may be formed and also, if employed immediately following tooth extraction, to act as a bandage. The stent is inserted into the patient's mouth before application of composite material between the abutment teeth, and is removed after formation of the completed bridge but prior to the contouring and finishing thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with, generally, the domain of restorative and prosthetic dentistry, specifically, "fixed partial dentures," more commonly known as "fixed dental bridgework."
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Fixed dental bridgework has traditionally involved the following process: (1) during the first office visit by the patient, the dentist surgically reduces the anchor or "abutment" teeth on either side of the space (edentulous area) to be spanned by the bridgework; (2) the dentist makes an impression of the reduced abutment teeth and edentulous area; (3) the impression is sent to a laboratory for construction of a model to which the bridgework is conformed during fabrication; (4) metal "pontic" castings, a metal framework that holds the pontics, and attachment wings are fabricated; (5) in a special high temperature oven, porcelain may then be fused to the pontic forms, and to the metal attachment wings on each end of the metal bridge framework if desired, depending on the original bridgework design; (6) the bridgework is sent from the laboratory to the dentist, (7) during a second office visit by the patient, the dentist inserts and adjusts the bridgework in the patient's mouth; and (8) the dentist "permanently" cements the attachment wings or crowns on the ends of the bridgework to abutment teeth to fix the bridgework in place. Examples of the type of bridgework described above are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,001 to Salvo and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,687 to Yarovesky, et al.
A poor fit between the traditional bridgework and the abutment teeth cannot be discovered until the finished bridgework is inserted into the patient's mouth; a poor fit sometimes develops after a period of wear. To cure a poor fit, the bridgework must be removed from the patient's mouth, modified, then reattached. Sometimes, several iterations of attachment, removal, modification, reattachment are necessary, each requiring an office visit by the patient. Attachment wings or crowns run the range of mechanical and/or adhesive devices, such as screws, foils, films, screens, mastics, hooks, etc. Frequently, the reduction and/or process of attachment (especially the use of screws) injures the abutment teeth and can lead to caries, abscesses, and/or tooth death. Removal of the bridgework after cementation of the attachment wings to the abutment teeth sometimes injures the abutment teeth, or even requires their removal.
For decades there has been a quest for a more efficient, effective, and non-invasive means of replacing missing teeth in a fixed manner. Extraordinary efforts have been devoted to trying to devise methods that do not require cutting or otherwise mutilating the abutment teeth. Two of the most common methods devised to avoid reducing the abutment teeth are well known as the "Maryland bridge" and the "Rochette bridge." The Maryland bridge and the Rochette bridge are constructed with a metal framework of nickel-chromium and beryllium in the laboratory, etched with an acid medium or sandblasted on the tissue side surface of the attachment hooks, and then cemented to the natural abutment teeth with a polymer luting agent. Due to the inflexibility of the metal frame and the weak bond of the polymer to metal and to teeth, the attachment hooks separate from the abutment teeth. There are additional serious disadvantages with the Maryland and Rochette bridges. In the area of aesthetics, the underlying metal may "shine-through" the pontic surface, disrupting the color, hue, value and shade of the replacement tooth. The high-fusing-porcelain can rapidly abrade natural teeth opposite the bridge. The metallic content of the metal bridges sometimes precipitates allergic or even less understood impairment of the patient's health. There is a growing and real concern for the quality and quantity of metal used in dentistry and the deleterious effects on the bio-environment of the oral cavity. All three kinds of metals utilized in the previously mentioned bridges are bio-toxic to some degree. Nickel is known for its allergenic capacity and is an experimental carcinogen and equivocal tumor former. Chromium is a suspected carcinogen and an equivocal tumor producer. Beryllium is an equivocal neoplastic producer concerned with pulmonary problems that produce tumors and is an experimental carcinogen.
In additional to undesirable health side effects, laboratory fabricated porcelain/metal bridges have structural and aesthetic deficiencies Structurally, the metal can fracture, the porcelain can fracture, and/or the porcelain/metal fused interface can separate. All of these structural failures require removal of the bridge for repair. Aesthetically, after cementation of the bridge, changes over time in pontic color or shade versus natural teeth, or bridgework fit, require removal of the bridge. All these deficiencies of laboratory fabricated porcelain/metal bridges are difficult, if not impossible, to resolve. The chronic failure of the metal-polymer-tooth bond, and the other deficiencies noted above, have prompted research into other bridgework materials, namely those in the porcelain or composite groups.
These other attempts to eliminate or reduce the deficiencies noted above all rely, however, on the "indirect method," that is, fabrication of bridgework in a dental laboratory. To improve the strength of the bridgework to abutment tooth bond, doped methyl-acrylates, common known today as "composites," were introduced. Attempts have been made to affix a natural tooth or a fabricated pontic to abutment teeth utilizing webs of materials such as metal-bars, carbon-fiber-bars, screens, films, and foils made of various materials.
The indirect method has proven to be lengthy and complicated. Approximately ten laboratory steps are needed in the simplest traditional bridge construction, and with these steps come costs. Some methods are even more complex; for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,687 to Yarovesky et al. discloses an indirect method involving about 14 or 15 separate process steps. Furthermore, many indirect methods require the abutment teeth to be surgically reduced in some form; for example, the process disclosed in the aforementioned patent requires cutting and contouring of the lingual surfaces of the abutment teeth prior to bridge installation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,224 to Golub, seeking to eliminate or minimize the need for abutment tooth reduction, discloses a bridge structure wherein a thin fabric laminate may be internally sandwiched within the pontic/bridge. The fabric extends outwardly from the pontic/bridge for placement on abutment teeth and for bonding thereto by an adhesive. As stated in the Golub patent, however, the disclosed structure is intended to function only as a temporary bridge. Moreover, it has been found that the placement of a fabric or screen within composite material actually weakens, rather than strengthens, the bridge framework. All laboratory-based indirect methods are therefore relatively costly, time consuming, and ineffective.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,323 to Orlowski discloses a method for securing a previously-made pontic or a fixed bridge, wherein a thin film or screen is applied to respective abutment teeth surfaces. Adhesive is applied between the screens and the pontic/bridge to be installed, whereafter the pontic/bridge is installed and held in place while the adhesive cures. Orlowski, however, discloses that small undercuts are made in the enamel of the abutment teeth contact areas, so as to increase the area available for bonding and resistance to shear forces. Despite that attempt to increase contact areas, it has been found that these areas are still limited such that weakness of joints results. Consequently, the securement structure disclosed by Orlowski has been found to be temporary, i.e., lasting less than five years before failure.
Where tooth extraction is required before insertion of fixed dental bridgework, regardless of whether the bridgework has been constructed directly or indirectly, the traditional approach requires two to four months healing of the extraction site (alveolar socket) prior to bridge installation. The fabrication and installation of a fixed dental bridge during the same office visit as extraction of teeth from the area to be bridged has heretofore been regarded as impossible.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method of directly producing a permanent dental bridge which eliminates invasive tooth preparation steps and which can be done during the same office visit as tooth extraction.

Immediate, laminated light cured direct composite bridge and method


A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to provide the ability to detect, measure, aggregate, and normalize sentiments expressed by a group of users on a certain event or topic on a social network so that the normalized sentiments truly reflect the sentiments of the general public on that specific event or topic. Additionally, the collected and measured sentiments of an individual user expressed on a social network can also be normalized against a baseline sentiment that reflects in order to truly reflect the individual user's sentiment at the time of his/her expression.

Social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus have experienced exponential growth in recently years as web-based communication platforms. Hundreds of millions of people are using various forms of social media networks every day to communicate and stay connected with each other. Consequently, the resulting activities from the users on the social media networks, such as tweets posted on Twitter, becomes phenomenal and can be collected for various kinds of measurements and analysis. Specifically, these user activity data can be retrieved from the social data sources of the social networks through their respective publicly available Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), indexed, processed, and stored locally for further analysis.
These stream data from the social networks collected in real time along with those collected and stored overtime provide the basis for a variety of measurements and analysis. Some of the metrics for measurements and analysis include but are not limited to:                Number of mentions—Total number of mentions for a keyword, term or link;        Number of mentions by influencers—Total number of mentions for a keyword, term or link by an influential user;        Number of mentions by significant posts—Total number of mentions for a keyword, term or link by tweets that have been retweeted or contain a link;        Velocity—The extent to which a keyword, term or link is "taking off" in the preceding time windows (e.g., seven days).
In addition to the above measurements and analysis performed on the content of the data, it is also important to analyze the aggregated sentiments of the users expressed through their activities (e.g., Tweets and posts) on the social networks as well. For a non-limiting example, such aggregated sentiments can be measured by the percentage of tweets expressed by a group of users on the certain topic over a certain period of time that are positive, neutral and negative. Although such measurement of the sentiments of the users expressed over the social networks provide real-time gauges of their views/opinions, such measurement may be biased due to various factors, including but not limited to, the type of users most active and thus most likely to express their feelings on the social networks, timing and preferred way of expression by each individual user, etc. Consequently, as measured, the sentiments of users expressed on the social networks on certain matters or events may not be a true and accurate reflection of the sentiments of the public at large.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Systems and methods for sentiment detection, measurement, and normalization over social networks


A camera having a built in microprocessor for accepting configuration data from an external device. The camera has a serial port, and a slot for receiving standard type II and III PCMCIA cards for data input and output. These features provide the camera with the capability of being programmed by an external device, including downloading configuration data including a particular operating system, custom modules, graphics and textual data, and data base information and operational parameters. The configuration data can also be downloaded from one camera to another.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for configuring a camera through external means, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for setting up a camera's behavioral parameters and operating system, as well as data base text and graphics information by way of an external device.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Prior art cameras have developed to include a wide range of automatic features including smart light sensing circuitry that measures the light from a subject and automatically sets the aperture and speed, and engages a flash unit when the light is below an acceptable level. Cameras also include intelligent light sensing with operator adjustable settings for directing the camera to measure light from a subject and ignore the surrounding light conditions, as well as settings that direct the camera to adjust the aperture and speed for maximum depth of field.
Digital cameras are available that store image data along with the associated camera parameters, such as aperture and exposure number. All of this information can be loaded onto a PCMCIA card and then transferred to a PC. The PC can then print out the image along with any other accompanying information the user may enter on the PC. Alternatively, some cameras can bypass the PCMCIA card and transfer the image data directly to a PC. These sophisticated cameras have operating systems built into their structure that transform the raw image data for compatibility with a particular PC software that is specially designed for the purpose of handling images.
The prior art cameras discussed above have many advanced features, but they are limited in a number of important areas. For example, no provision is made to record and output arbitrary user input data along with image data, or to do so through a general purpose PC. Such a feature would add significant flexibility to the entering of data. Also, the prior art cameras are preprogrammed to operate with a particular operating system supplied for the purpose of converting the raw image data to a form compatible with a corresponding special PC application program. This special one-on-one matching of the camera with the PC is a situation which can be very inconvenient if the PC on hand is not appropriately programmed.
There is clearly a need for a camera with the facility allowing a user to modify its operating system and behavioral parameters in the field, and that can receive and store arbitrary information related to the images, as well as specialized application software as determined by the user.

Method and apparatus for configuring a camera through external means


Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube is adapted to pass current between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst material, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the electrical connection is used to detect an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube is used for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Carbon nanotubes are unique carbon-based, molecular structures that exhibit interesting and useful electrical properties. There are two general types of carbon nanotubes, referred to as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTs have a cylindrical sheet-like, one-atom-thick shell of hexagonally-arranged carbon atoms, and MWNTs are typically composed of multiple coaxial cylinders of ever-increasing diameter about a common axis. Thus, SWNTs can be considered to be the structure underlying MWNTs and also carbon nanotube ropes, which are uniquely-arranged arrays of SWNTs.
Due to their unique electrical properties, carbon nanotubes are being studied for development in a variety of applications. These applications include, among others, chemical and bio-type sensing, field-emission sources, selective-molecule grabbing, nano-electronic devices, and a variety of composite materials with enhanced mechanical and electromechanical properties. More specifically, for example, in connection with chemical and biological detection, carbon nanotubes are being studied for applications including medical devices, environmental monitoring, medical/clinical diagnosis and biotechnology for gene mapping and drug discovery. For general information regarding carbon nanotubes, and for specific information regarding SWNTs and its applications, reference may be made generally to the above-mentioned patent documents, and also to: "Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications," M. S. Dresselhaus, G. Dresselhaus and Ph. Avouris (Eds.), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, New York, 2001;and "T. Single-shell Carbon Nanotubes of 1-nm Diameter," Iijima, S. & Ichihashi, Nature 363, 603-605 (1993).
Sensing chemical and biological species plays an important role in many industrial, agricultural, medical, and environmental processes. Detection of NO2 gas, for example, provides a crucial measure of environmental pollution due to combustion or automotive emissions. In industrial, medical and living environments, the amount of NH3 also needs to be closely monitored. Moreover, there is a growing need to detect biological species in a variety of biomedical applications. However, previously-used sensors typically must operate at elevated temperatures to enhance chemical reactivity, and often require long recovery times (if recoverable at all), poor reproducibility, and are applicable to the detection of a very limited range of chemical species.
Many electronic devices benefit from small-scale electronic circuits and arrangements, and also play in important role in a variety of applications. The size and electrical properties of nanotubes including carbon nanotubes make them potentially useful for such small-scale devices. However, previously-available nanotubes have been difficult to manufacture and implement in a variety of such applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


An input apparatus includes a pointing device which has a main unit and an operation unit, and a fixing unit which fixes the pointing device to a hand. The pointing device is attached to the hand via the fixing unit when the input apparatus is used. The fixing unit fixes the main unit to the thumb side or the back side of the hand when the input apparatus is attached to the hand.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an input apparatus.
2. Related Art
An input apparatus known in the art includes a pointing device which has a main unit and an operation unit, and a fixing unit which fixes the pointing device to a hand of an operator, as an input apparatus operated with the pointing device attached to the hand of the operator via the fixing unit. When this input apparatus is attached to the hand, the main unit is fixed to the palm side of the hand (for example, see JP-A-2003-337654).
According to this type of input apparatus known in the art, the pointing device is fixed to the hand when the input apparatus is used. Thus, the input apparatus requires no space where the apparatus is to be placed, and can be used in any places without limitation to the installation position.
The "pointing device" in this context refers to a device used to operate an information device such as a personal computer, chiefly meaning a device used to shift a pointer (operation point). The "operation unit" in this context refers to a unit of the pointing device to be practically operated by the operator (such as an optical sensor, a trackball, a joystick, and a track pad). The "main unit" in this context refers to a unit of the pointing device which contains a transmission device for transmitting signals from the operation unit to the information device, a battery as a power source, and others.
However, this type of input apparatus known in the art is difficult to be operated by the hand of the operator who is holding an article or a tool by the same hand.