A metal gasket for sealing multiple cylinder bores includes one or more metal substrates, main sealing beads around each of the cylinder bores, and one or more sub-beads. The main sealing beads include meandering portions located in a sealing portion between the cylinder bores, and the sub-bead is provided between the meandering portions. By placing the sub-bead between the main bead meandering portions, the base portion of the meandering portion and the base portion of the sub-bead squeeze each other. As a result, the lower portion of the meandering portion can be prevented from slipping, and the surface pressure can be partially reinforced. The metal gasket provides an excellent seal in a location where surface pressure is often partially reduced.

The present invention relates to a metal gasket to be installed between two engine members, such as a cylinder head and a cylinder block of an engine, to seal the area there between.
The cylinder head gasket is tightened by head bolts once the cylinder head gasket is installed between the cylinder head and the cylinder block (cylinder body) of an automobile engine (internal combustion engine). The cylinder head gasket serves to seal fluids such as combustion gas, oil, coolant water, and so on.
Recently, as a means of reducing the weight of engines, engine materials have been aluminum-alloyed or otherwise reduced in weight so that low rigidity of the engine is rapidly resulting. As a result, in terms of the sealing condition of a modern head gasket for a multi-cylindered engine, there is a tendency toward increasing failures due to local combustion gas leak. A main reason for the aforementioned failures is either the local low rigidity of the engine, or the increase in uneven temperature distribution.
Specifically, with the low rigidity of the engine or the increase of uneven temperature distribution, when the gasket is tightened, the unevenness of sealing surface pressure around the cylinder bore becomes large. Thus, the difference between portions where the surface pressure is high, and portions where the surface pressure is low, becomes large. Accordingly, gas leaks occur from portions where the surface pressure is low.
There are two main methods of solving a gas leak between cylinder bores. One method is improving the poor sealing condition of the corresponding part of the engine side. Another method is providing a gasket structure which can provide an adequate seal even under poor sealing conditions.
To solve the above-mentioned gas leak on the gasket side, conventionally, the total surface pressure of the sealing portion around the cylinder bore (combustion chamber) was increased, or, material with an elastic capability was used for a bead in order to reinforce the partially decreased surface pressure due to flexure and so on. Also, a reinforcing plate such as a shim or a comparable structure has been widely used.
At the same time, technology in which the sealing performance around the cylinder bore or the other sealing bores of the metal gasket is improved by a waveform bead (meandering bead) whose shape when viewed from a plan view is waved, is well-known. See, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3057445.
It is possible that the aforementioned meandering bead technology is applied between the cylinder bores, and that the meandering portion, where the main sealing bead meanders (i.e., meanders in a horizontal direction in a plan view), is disposed between the cylinder bores.
When a metal gasket with the above-described structure is used in a situation where the space between the cylinder bores is narrow, beads sealing adjacent cylinder bores are located close to each other. Accordingly, when the gasket is tightened, lower portions of the abutting beads contact each other and squeeze together. As a result, the lower portions of the beads become resistant to slippage resulting from repeated movement in the vertical direction of an engine member, such as the cylinder head and so on, which occurs during engine operation, even if there is bashing. Therefore, an appropriate sealing surface pressure can be maintained.
However, in the case of an engine which has a wider space between adjacent cylinder bores, the distance between meandering portions of the main bead widens, and a large gap is produced between both meandering portions. Due to the gap, maintaining the surface pressure becomes difficult. At the same time, when repeated motions in the vertical direction of the cylinder head occur during engine operation, the lower portions of the beads of the meandering portions gradually slip in a gap direction. Accordingly, the amount of creep (creep relaxation) of the beads becomes large. As a result, the sealing performance deteriorates.
The present invention was developed to solve the aforementioned problems associated with conventional metal gaskets. An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a metal gasket capable to provide partially surface-pressure reinforcing measures in the outer portion of the main bead between the adjacent cylinder bores, and thus achieve excellent sealing performance relative to the cylinder bore.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.


The present invention relates to a method of detecting abnormalities of cells having decreased level of Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) and to a method of correcting the abnormalities of cells.

The present invention relates to a method of detecting abnormalities of cells having decreased level of Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) and to a method of correcting the abnormalities of cells.
One of the most common types of human diseases throughout the world due to cell abnormalities is cancer, which is also the leading cause of death nowadays. Cancers are fully developed (malignant) tumors with a specific capacity to invade and destroy the underlying mesenchyme, i.e., local invasion. In some cases, invading tumor cells may further penetrate lymphatic vessels or blood vessels newly formed in the tumor and then may be carried to local lymph nodes or even to distant organs where they may produce secondary tumors (metastases). Tumors are usually recognized by the fact that the cells, which may arise from any tissue, are no longer responsive to at least some normal growth controlling mechanisms and hence show abnormal growth. Apart from the cancer, a tumor may merely develop locally and never become malignant, i.e., a benign tumor. Alternatively, cells of a tumor may merely have morphological appearances of cancer cells but remain in their place, i.e., an in situ tumor, although in this case the tumor may sometimes precede a cancer in situ.
There are no absolute methods for diagnosing or assessing the degree of malignancy of tumors. However, among the methods, microscopic examination of tissue is still the most reliable method for routine use. In a pathologic study, tumors can be graded by making an approximate assessment of the degree of structural dedifferentiation (anaplasia) based on histological and cytological criteria by microscopically examining sections thereof. However, on one hand, some cells may have lost their specific structural characters but still retain differentiated biochemical features, while others may still appear differentiated in structure but have lost many normal function attributes. On the other hand, a tumor is not homogeneous and may contain areas with more than one tumor grade, therefore, a developed tumor may consist of a mixed population of cells which may differ in structure, function, growth potential, resistance to drugs or X-rays and ability to invade and metastasize. The two limitations reduce the effectiveness of histological examination of tumors. In another aspect, such an examination by sampling specimens is not suitable for investigations on a large scale.
Many attempts to find absolute markers of malignancy have long been made. Other attempts to identify tumor-specific or tumor-associated proteins, either by direct measurement or by developing specific antibodies to these proteins, are still being made at the moment. They seem to be promising approaches not only in diagnosis but also in providing strategies of destroying cancer cells. A variety of substances wherein the presence or concentrations thereof in vivo may be indicative for certain cancers have been reported, such as oncofetal antigens, e.g., alpha-fetoprotein; serum proteins, e.g., ferritin; enzymes; polyamines; ectopic hormones; cell markers; receptors or tumor-associated viral antigens. However, the most commonly used method of diagnosis of cancers depends on histology rather than any of the above substances. The lack of any absolute markers is a major deficiency in studying cancer.
Recent observations provide some contemplations in searching for the substances intimately associated with carcinogenesis. Cancer is appreciated as a result of multiple gene aberrations which cause both the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Further, the differential expression of those critical genes associated with oncogenesis is able to be reflected at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level in cells. For effectively screening the altered ones of interest amongst a great amount of mRNA, a powerful tool, i.e., differential display, has been established to identify and isolate a small subset of genes which are differentially expressed between tumorous and normal cells (Liang et al., Cancer Research 52, 6966-6968, 1992).
It is surprisingly found in the present invention that the GNMT gene is differentially expressed between normal and tumorous cells with a significant distinction. An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting abnormalities of cells by determining the relative levels of gene expression of GNMT. Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of correcting the abnormalities of cells by delivering GNMT into the abnormal cells.

Detection and correction of abnormalities of cells having decreased level of Glycine N-methyltransferase

No. 21, Alley 14, Lane 16, Sec. 1, Chung Cheng Rd.


A first insulating layer is formed on a suspension body. Wiring traces are formed in parallel at an interval on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed in a region on the first insulating layer on both sides of the wiring traces. A wiring trace is formed in a region on the second insulating layer on the side of the wiring trace. A wiring trace is formed in a region on the second insulating layer on the side of the wiring trace. A third insulating layer is formed on the first and second insulating layers to cover the wiring traces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
An actuator is used in a drive such as a hard disk drive. Such an actuator includes an arm arranged rotatably with respect to a rotation shaft and a suspension board used for a magnetic head that is attached to the arm. The suspension board is a printed circuit board for positioning the magnetic head with a desired track of a magnetic disk.
The printed circuit board used as the suspension board includes a signal line pair composed of two wiring traces, for example. JP 2006-42098 A describes a high frequency printed circuit board with differential signal lines composed of two signal lines in parallel with an upper surface of a dielectric substrate formed thereon.
In recent years, lower transmission loss in the suspension board has been desired for lower power consumption of electronic equipment. The signal line pair formed in the same plane as described above increases the transmission loss.

Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same


An integral latex foam having a first layer foam and a second and/or subsequent layer of latex foam is disclosed. The first layer foam contains an additive that is applied in the form of a solution, emulsion or dispersion. The first layer has a thickness from 0.01 to 9 mm.

The marketplace is replete with foamed products that attempt to provide comfort to support structures. For example, mattress and pillow toppers are often used to provide additional comfort and to extend the useful life of a mattress or pillow. Such toppers are disposed at the top surface of the mattress or pillow, and may consist of foam thinner than the mattress and coextensive with the length and width of the mattress or pillow. The thickness of the topper can be selected based on the amount of support and cushioning desired by a user. The topper provides additional cushioning on the mattress or pillow, and protects the mattress or pillow from soiling.
A variety of additives are known to be added to said foamed products. Such functional agents are generally applied in an attempt to provide essentially new functionalities to the final foamed product. While such agents can be beneficial, in certain applications it can also result in undesirable effects with respect to the original properties of the foam product.
An example of such additive are phase change materials (PCM). Depending on the material of construction, many mattresses and pillows have poor heat dissipation, which is uncomfortable for the user when sleeping. As a result, some support structures include ventilation holes, extra layers of material, adjustable air bladders and the like, to attempt to improve heat dissipation.
While it is desirable to provide foam products having good thermal properties, it has been difficult to achieve efficient thermal properties while maintaining the basic original properties of the foam.
US 2009/0288259 describes a latex foam which reflects to an appropriate degree the, sometimes conflicting, requirements set. In addition, the heat regulation of the known foam is still not entirely satisfactory since the heat regulation of the foam, as has been found, is achieved at the cost of the heat regulation or of the properties of the foam, such as the uniformity of the foam cell structure.
The object of the present invention is at least partially to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks, or else to provide a usable alternative.
According to the process of the present invention, it has now been surprisingly found that, in case the foamed product is latex foam, the efficiency and activity of the functionalized particles themselves are maintained and the foam properties such as air/moisture regulation and breathability are not adversely affected. Said foams also have been found to provide improved efficiency of the functional active agent.
The present invention relates to foams onto which additive are sprayed. The foams are characterized by having the active functional agents present by a particular particle size, particle spacing and coverage value within a specific top layer of the foam.
According to the present invention, there are a number of advantages associated with foam products containing functional particles only on the surface of the product which will be contacted by the user, and as opposed to particles throughout the entire structure of the foam.
Beyond the economic advantages associated with the use of less particles, there are also advantages associated with foams containing a functionalized particles in which the particle is not present in the foaming mixture during production of the foam, and is instead added during a post-foaming step. The presence of the particles in the foaming mixture may influence the foaming process, and requires adjustments to the various parameters used during foaming.
Accordingly, it is also a further object to provide functionalized latex foam with little or no adjustments to the conventional foaming production steps.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a thin functionalized mattress of the type to be used as a topper for a conventional mattress. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a functionalized topper on the order of 2 to 20 cm thick that has the area of a conventional mattress. This topper mattress is placed over a conventional mattress and is used to provide the comfort of latex foam without the expensive of replacing the conventional mattress providing the benefits as stated hereinabove.
The topper of the present invention is for use on top of an existing conventional mattress, to increase the comfort of the mattress while utilizing an existing conventional mattress. The topper can be used as an after market product and placed on top of a mattress.
Toppers for use in bedding or seating products are known. These toppers extend across the entire width and length of the particular bedding or seating product. If the particular bedding or seating product is a mattress, typically one such topper is placed on one side of the mattress, and a second topper is placed on the opposite side of the mattress thereby effectively "sandwiching" the mattress. This combination then typically is covered with an upholstered fabric covering.
Toppers have been designed so as to provide multiple degrees of stiffness or firmness. In particular, in a bedding structure, which includes an innerspring mattress and a topper, the topper includes foam which is glued or poured.
Alternatively, the topper in accordance with the present invention can be placed on an unfinished mattress (either a conventional mattress including steel springs or a foam mattress) and the topper and the mattress is then covered with fabric.
These and other preferred aspects of the invention are described in more detail below and will be better appreciated from the detailed description including the FIGURE.


A method and apparatus for calculating fast Fourier transforms FFTs. An FFT of a given size is formatted using tensor product principles for implementation in apparatus or by software such that the same reconfigurable hardware or software can calculate FFTs of any dimension for the selected FFT size. The FFT is factored into an input permutation and successive stages for computing tensor products of dimensionless Fourier transforms of a relatively small base size and twiddle factors, with load-stride permutations between computation stages. The basic building blocks of the circuitry can be reconfigurable for maximizing use-flexibility of the hardware or software. Examples of digital circuit apparatus configured to compute dimensionless formatted FFTs are presented.

The well-known Fourier transform has and remains of fundamental importance in mathematical analysis and is the subject of volumes of study. It has been used for many years as an efficient computational tool for accomplishing certain common manipulations of data. For example, the Fourier transform may be used to approximate events or phenomena occurring in a two-dimensional plane as might be the case when performing signal processing translations of digital information into graphic or other visually perceivable intelligence. Practical applications for use of the Fourier transform are enormous in the digital signal processing arena. Further, other transform equations such as the Radon transform used in tomography are commonly converted to Fourier transform equations to facilitate their calculation.
Due to its linear nature, practical applicability of the basic Fourier transform has been limited due to the length of time required to derive meaningful calculation results for multidimensional Fourier transform equations. Until the mid 1960s, for a medium-sized Fourier transform having, for example a thousand points (n), a two-dimensional calculation using simple linear matrix multiplication calculation methods would require (n.sup.2) or 10.sup.6 multiplications.
What is now known as the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm became generally known in 1965 primarily through the efforts of J. W. Cooley and J. W. Tukey who published their findings in "An Algorithm for the Machine Calculation of Complex Fourier Series" Maths. Comp., 1990:297-301, April 1965. This paper is herein incorporated by reference to the extent that the teachings thereof are valuable to an understanding of this invention. The emergence of what has come to be known as the Cooley/Tukey or simply C-T FFT algorithm was a milestone in the history of computing. The FFT algorithm generally changed computation of the discrete Fourier transform from a linear (n.sup.2) process to a logarithmic (n log n) calculation. The difference in calculation time was immense. For example, the 10.sup.6 calculations required by the Fourier transform example above reduces down to only approximately three thousand calculations using the FFT algorithm. Such reduction in the required number of calculations and the resultant increase in calculation speed has had a tremendous impact on the practicality of use and expanded uses for the FFT in digital signal processing applications. For example, signal processing using CD ROM's has become commonplace as a result of processing of the digital signals with FFT algorithms.
Since their inception, the C-T type FFT algorithms have predominated the art of Fourier transform calculations. Over the years, numerous variations of the C-T FFT algorithm have been posed, as for example, those discussed in the paper entitled "What Is The Fast Fourier Transform?" by W. T. Cochran; J. W. Cooley; D. L. Favin; H. D. Helms; R. A. Kaenal; W. W. Lang; G. G. C. Mailing, Jr.; D. E. Nelson; C. M. Rader; and P. D. Welch, (IEEE Trans. Audio Electroacoust., 15(2):45-55, June 1967), which is herein incorporated by reference.
The standard approaches or techniques for processing the C-T FFT-type algorithms have not changed much over the years. Typically, calculations involving one-dimensional FFTs are manageable, since the calculations can be rapidly continuously processed to a result. As the number of FFT dimensions increases, however, so does the time and difficulty in performing the calculations. For example, the typical method used to process the calculations of a two-dimensional FFT which can be presented in a matrix form, is to perform all of the calculations for each row of the matrix and to perform all of the calculations for each column of the matrix, and then perform the cross product (i.e., row and column) calculations by using parallel processing techniques. This approach is generally referred to as the "row-column" or "butterfly" approach. From an overall time perspective, the calculation time required for performing the individual row and column calculations is relatively small compared to the time required to perform the translation calculations between the parameters of rows versus columns. For multidimensional Fourier transforms, the processing is typically performed with parallel processors. As the size of the FFT matrix increases, the processing time involved dramatically increases and often is only attainable by the use of super computers.
As technology has advanced so have the applications for the Fourier transform and the need for rapidly calculating huge multidimensional Fourier transforms. If huge Fourier transforms, such as 10.sup.6 .times.10.sup.6 point Fourier transforms could be rapidly calculated, many problems and practical applications for use of the Fourier transform in applied signal processing could be implemented that are not practical today. For example, in tomography, such processing speed reduction might enable pictures of a pumping heart to be obtained. Similar needs for reducing the time to obtain useful results from the processing of radar signals exist. It would be desirable to have a technique that would permit at least a one and possible two orders of magnitude decrease in the speed of processing complex (multidimensional) FFTs. It is also desirable that such technique be adaptable for implementation with existing semiconductor and computer technology. It is believed that the present invention will provide the key to achieving such techniques. Historically, there has not been much done to change the way FFT algorithms are perceived or written. This was due in large part to the success achieved by the butterfly techniques as a teaching and programming device. Other approaches to processing the C-T FFT algorithms, however, have been introduced. One of such approaches, which is important to this invention is the "tensor" product formulation of the FFT, which was first introduced in 1968 by M. C. Pease in an article entitled "An Adaptation of the Fast Fourier Transform for Parallel Processing" (J. Assoc. Compt. Mach 15(2):252-264 April 1968). The tensor product approach did not receive much attention until it was successfully programmed on vector computers such as the Cray X-MP and Cyber 205 computers by Temperton in the early 1980s. This invention incorporates the tensor product formulation principles in characterizing the FFT algorithms in a unique manner which enables the C-T FFT algorithm to be written in a "dimensionless" format that can be readily implemented in reconfigurable hardware for evaluating one-, two- or three-dimensional C-T FFTs in a manner that significantly reduces the processing time.

Dimensionless fast fourier transform method and apparatus


Disclosed is a novel positive-working or negative-working chemical-sensitization photoresist composition useful in the photolithographic patterning works for the manufacture of electronic devices. The photoresist composition is characterized by a unique acid-generating agent capable of releasing an acid by the pattern-wise exposure of the resist layer to actinic rays so as to increase or decrease the solubility of the resist layer in an aqueous alkaline developer solution. The acid-generating agent proposed is a novel cyano group-containing oxime sulfonate di- or triester compound represented by the general formula EQU A[C(CN).dbd.N--O--SO.sub.2 --R].sub.n,. in which each R is, independently from the others, an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group such as alkyl groups, A is a divalent or tervalent organic group or, preferably, phenylene group and the subscript n is 2, when A is a divalent group, or 3, when A is a tervalent group or, preferably 2. Since more than one of sulfonic acid molecules are released from one molecule of the sulfonate compound by the exposure to actinic rays, the chemical-sensitization photoresist composition exhibits high photosensitivity.

The present invention relates to a novel chemical-sensitization photoresist composition or, more particularly, to a chemical-sensitization photoresist composition used in the photolithographic patterning process for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic devices capable of giving a patterned resist layer having excellent cross-sectional profile and high fidelity as well as high heat resistance of the patterned resist layer with high photosensitivity and exposure dose latitude. The invention also relates to a novel oxime sulfonate compound useful as an acid-generating agent in the chemical-sensitization photoresist composition.
It is a trend in recent years in the photolithographic patterning works for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic devices such as semiconductor devices and liquid crystal display panels that the patterning work is performed by using a chemical-sensitization photoresist composition which contains a relatively small amount of a compound capable of releasing an acid by irradiation with actinic rays and a resinous ingredient susceptible to the changes of solubility behavior in a developer solution induced by the acid. Chemical-sensitization photoresist compositions in general are characterized by high sensitivity to actinic rays and excellent pattern resolution.
Chemical-sensitization photoresist compositions are classified into positive-working compositions and negative-working compositions depending on the type of the solubility change of the resinous ingredient to an aqueous alkaline developer solution by the radiation-generated acid. Namely, the alkali-solubility of the resist layer of a positive-working photoresist composition is increased while the alkali-solubility is decreased in the negative-working photoresist composition by exposure to actinic rays.
The film-forming resinous ingredient in a positive-working photoresist composition is typically an alkali-soluble polyhydroxystyrene resin, of which at least a part of the hydroxy groups are substituted by acid-dissociable substituent groups such as tert-butoxycarbonyl groups, tetrahydropyranyl groups and the like, so as to decrease the solubility of the resin in an alkaline developer solution. In the negative-working photoresist composition, on the other hand, the film-forming resinous ingredient is a combination of an acid-induced crosslinking agent such as melamine resins and urea resins with a polyhydroxystyrene resin, optionally substituted by the above-mentioned acid-dissociable solubility-reducing substituent groups for a part of the hydroxy groups.
The other essential ingredient in the chemical-sensitization photoresist compositions is a compound capable of releasing an acid by irradiation with actinic rays, of which various classes of compounds have been heretofore proposed and actually tested. A class of the most promising acid-generating agents includes oxime sulfonate compounds, in particular, having a cyano group in the molecule. Several compositions containing an oxime sulfonate compound and methods using the same are proposed. For example, European Patent Application 44115 A1 discloses a heat-curable coating solution containing an acid-curable amino resin and an oxime sulfonate compound. Japanese Patent Kokai 60-65072 discloses a method in which a bake-finishing composition containing a heat-curable resin and an oxime sulfonate compound is cured by irradiation with short-wavelength light. Japanese Patent Kokai 61-251652 discloses oxime sulfonate compounds having a substituent group such as ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, epoxy group, hydroxy group and the like, and polymers thereof. Japanese Patent Kokai 1-124848 teaches an image-forming method by the use of a photosensitive composition containing a film-forming organic substance, an oxime sulfonate compound and a photosensitive compound having an aromatic group. Japanese Patent Kokai 2-154266 discloses a photoresist composition containing an alkali-soluble resin, oxime sulfonate compound and sensitivity enhancing crosslinking agent. Japanese Patent Kokai 2-161444 teaches a negative-patterning method by the use of an oxime sulfonate compound. Further, Japanese Patent Kokai 6-67433 discloses a photoresist composition for i-line exposure containing an oxime sulfonate compound.
The oxime sulfonate compounds having a cyano group in the molecule disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents include:
.alpha.-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyimino)phenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)phenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)phenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(4-nitro-2-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)phenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-chlorophenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2,4-dichlorophenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2,6-dichlorophenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyloxy imino)-4-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2-thienyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(4-dodecylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)phenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(4-dodecylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile; PA0 .alpha.-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyimino)-3-thienyl acetonitrile; and the like.
The molecules of these sulfonate compounds are susceptible to scission of the sulfonate ester linkage by irradiation with actinic rays to generate a corresponding sulfonic acid so that they are useful as an acid-generating agent in the chemical-sensitization photoresist compositions.
It should be mentioned that, while a sulfonic acid is generated from the oxime sulfonate compound by exposure to light, the number of the sulfonic acid molecules released from a molecule of the above-named oxime sulfonate compounds is necessarily limited to one, so that the amount of the acid is also limited. When such an oxime sulfonate compound is used as an acid-generating agent in a negative-working photoresist composition, accordingly, no satisfactory patterned resist layer can be obtained because the width of a line-patterned resist layer cannot be broad enough at the top and the dimensional fidelity and heat resistance of the patterned resist layer cannot be as high as desired along with a relatively low exposure dose latitude.

Positive-working chemical-sensitization photoresist composition


To provide a roller bearing assembly, which can be assembled with a minimized number of assembling steps and without any drop-off preventing sleeve being employed and which can provide a large load bearing capacity, the roller bearing assembly includes an inner race 1 having a raceway surface 1a defined therein, a plurality of rollers 2, and a ring-shaped roller retainer 3 having a plurality of pockets 4 defined therein in a direction circumferentially thereof for accommodating therein the respective rollers 2 in a circular row. The roller retainer 3 also has pillars 5 each defined between the neighboring pockets 4. The roller retainer 3 is positioned on the inner race 1 with each of the pillars 5 thereof intervening between the neighboring rollers 2 to thereby retain the rollers 2 in position within the respective pockets 4 from a direction radially outwardly of the row of the rollers 2. The diameter of the circle depicted by and in touch with the pillars 5 is chosen to be greater than the diameter of the pitch circle PCD depicted in the circular row of the rollers 2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a roller bearing and, more particularly, to a roller bearing such as, for example, a roller bearing having an inner race and needle roller bearing having a roller retainer, of a kind used in the field of application similar to that of the full complement roller bearing, for example, in a seat reclining mechanism, motorcycle rear suspension link, roller rocker arm and planetary reduction gear unit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The full complement roller bearing is generally used in the field of application in which the roller bearing is required to have a large load bearing capacity for a limited outer diameter of the roller bearing. Since the full complement roller bearing makes no use of any roller retainer having retainer pillar intervening between the neighboring rollers, both of the number of the rollers used and the load bearing capacity can be increased as compared with those of the retainer type roller bearing.
As is well recognized by those skilled in the art, the full complement roller bearing makes no use of any retainer and, therefore, some or all of the rollers tend to drop off before mounting of the roller bearing onto a machine component and, at the same time, the number of assembling steps tend to increase. Also, as shown in FIG. 11 showing a fragmentary longitudinal sectional representation of the full complement roller bearing, even where the rollers 30 used in such full complement roller bearing are assembled using outer and inner sleeves 31 and 32, the outer and inner sleeves 31 and 32 are required to be removed during the assemblage. Accordingly, with the full complement roller bearing of the type shown in FIG. 11, not only is the number of assembling steps increased, but also increase of the cost and the environment-related problem tend to occur because of the use of the sleeves 31 and 32.
In view of the foregoing, various suggestions have hitherto been made to avoid the drop-off of the rollers. One of those suggestions includes the use of the rollers each having its opposite ends formed with coaxially extending steeples so that the press-worked outer race, i.e., the outer race formed by means of a press work, having collars formed at its opposite ends can saddle each roller with the collars receiving the steeples of the respective roller. See, for example, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 6-307456.
Another one of those suggestions includes filling a thermally curable grease to render the rollers of the full complement roller bearing to be non-detachable such as disclosed in, for example, the Japanese Laid-open patent Publication No. 7-238940.
The full complement roller bearing of the structure, in which the steeples are employed at the opposite end faces of each roller to achieve the non-detachability of the rollers, i.e., to render the rollers to be non-detachable, has the following problems:                The effective length of each roller tends to be reduced a quantity corresponding to the sum of axial lengths of the opposite steeples formed therein.        Since the opposite ends of each roller are axially outwardly steepled, the frictional wear of the roller end faces tends to be prominent when the full complement roller bearing of the specific structure is employed in the environment where an induced thrust force is large.        Since the opposite ends of each roller must be processed in any way to have the steeples, the respective roller is costly as compared with the roller having opposite flat end faces.
On the other hand, the full complement roller bearing of the structure, in which the thermally curable grease is filled to constrain the rollers in a non-detachable fashion, has the following problems:                The use of the thermally curable grease limits the temperature under which the full type roller bearing of the specific structure can be used and operated.        Means for lubricating the bearing that can be employed, for example, the type of the grease used and the type of oil used, are limited.
In view of the foregoing, it has been suggested in, for example, the Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-285566 that in the retainer type roller bearing a generally ring-shaped roller retainer having a plurality of pockets spacedly defined therein in a direction circumferentially thereof is made of a synthetic resin capable of deforming in a direction radially thereof and, on the other hand, the retainer pillar present between the neighboring pockets retains the respective roller from an inner diametric direction and has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the pitch circle in which the rollers are arranged.
According to the suggested design, the rollers can be placed inside the respective pockets of the roller retainer when after the rollers have been mounted around an inner periphery of the outer race, the roller retainer is inserted radially inwardly of the circular row of the rollers while a portion of the roller retainer is radially deformed against its own elasticity by the application of an external force and subsequently releasing the external force to allow the roller retainer to restore to the original position with the rollers consequently positioned inside the respective pockets.
However, the structure of the retainer type roller bearing discussed above is applicable only to a specific roller bearing, i.e., the roller bearing having an outer race and cannot be applied to such a retainer type roller bearing having an inner race 33 and a roller retainer 34 as shown in FIG. 12. In addition, when the roller bearing of a type having a raceway (either an outer race or an inner race) is compared with the raceway-less full complement roller bearing, i.e., the full complement roller bearing having no raceway, of the same sectional height, a problem has been found in that the roller bearing of the type having the raceway tends to have a reduced load bearing capacity.


This invention provides membrane-mediated electropolishing (MMEP) processes for polishing and/or planarizing metal work pieces using topographically patterned membranes. The processes can be used for both pure metals and alloys, and provide advantages over conventional electropolishing processes and known MMEP processes using smooth membranes. This invention also provides a cathode half-cell and an apparatus useful in membrane-mediated electropolishing processes. The invention also provides processes for electroengraving and electromachining topographic patterns, holes and/or grooves into the surface of a metal work piece.

Conventional electropolishing (EP) is a common metal finishing process in which the metal object to be polished (the "work-piece") is connected to the positive terminal of a DC electrical power supply as the anode. The surface of the work-piece or some portion of that surface is brought into contact with an electrolyte solution, which, in turn, also contacts a second electrode (the cathode), which is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. When a suitable voltage difference is applied between the two electrodes, or a suitable current density is established at the anode, then the work-piece undergoes anodic oxidation forming solvated metal ions that dissolve into the electrolyte. Within a certain range of operating conditions this occurs in such a way that rough areas of the surface become smoother. In this context, current density is defined as the electrical current per unit surface area of cathode in contact with the electrolyte and has units such as mA/cm2.
EP is capable of producing a mirror-like reflective finish on many different kinds of metals and is especially useful for polishing metal parts with curved surfaces and complicated shapes. Recent interest has focused on the use of EP to selectively remove excess copper in the fabrication of integrated circuits via the copper damascene process.
Planarization and removal of excess copper from Cu damascene wafers is currently achieved by chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), involving mechanical abrasion and chemical reactions with oxidizers and other chemicals. However, CMP is a costly process, generates hazardous waste products, and is incompatible with the mechanically fragile materials currently under development for improved dielectric layers.
Alternate approaches to planarization have been disclosed by S. Mazur et al., (co-pending applications U.S. Ser. No. 60/546,192; U.S. Ser. No. 60/546,198; U.S. Ser. No. 60/611,699; and U.S. Ser. No. 60/570,967) and by S. Dabrai et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,950). These references are incorporated herein in their entirety.
While these methods provide improvements over conventional CMP and standard EP, there remains a need for a planarization process that is effective over a wide range of operating conditions. In particular, it is of interest to maximize the current density while minimizing the voltage, and to reduce the sensitivity of the current density to interfacial velocity and to interfacial pressure between the membrane and the work-piece.

Membrane-mediated electropolishing with topographically patterned membranes


This invention presents a service of barring the forwarded calls. According to the invention, a subscriber may define in his subscriber information that all calls forwarded to him are to be rejected. In response to receiving a request for establishing a call to a subscriber, his subscriber information is checked to find out if he has defined that calls forwarded to him are to be rejected. If the subscriber information shows that the subscriber wishes to reject the forwarded incoming calls, the call establishment signaling is studied to find out if the call has been forwarded. If the call is determined to have been forwarded, the call is rejected. In a preferred embodiment the subscriber may define a set of allowed numbers from which even the forwarded calls are to be accepted.

Call forwarding is one of the most commonly used services in modern telecommunication networks. A subscriber can specify that calls destined to him are to be forwarded to another subscriber's number. For example, Beth can transfer her calls to Cindy when leaving her home to visit Cindy. A subscriber can specify that his calls be forwarded in various situations. For example, when the CFU (Call Forwarding Unconditional) service is activated, all the calls destined to the subscriber are forwarded to a given number. In the CFB (Call Forwarding on Busy) service, calls are forwarded if the called subscriber is busy. By activating the CFNRy (Call Forwarding on No Reply) service, the subscriber instructs that his calls are to be forwarded after 4 alert tones, for example, if the call is not answered before that. For mobile subscribers the CFNRc (Call Forwarding on Not Reachable) service can be defined. In CFNRc the calls are forwarded if the subscriber is not in the coverage area of the mobile telecommunication network, or if he has turned off his mobile station.
The routing of forwarded calls, as well as the charging principle for forwarded calls, are shown in FIG. 1. In the figure, the calling party A makes a call to B. B has forwarded his calls to C. This is done by giving the exchange of B instructions to forward the calls addressed to B to a third party C. Both B and C are fixed network subscribers. A may be a fixed network subscriber or a mobile network subscriber. The call is first routed from A via his Local Exchange LE(A) to the local exchange LE(B) of B. Information concerning the specified call forwarding is stored in LE(B). In response to having received the request for call establishment from LE(A), LE(B) notices that the call is to be forwarded to C. In response to that, LE(B) routes the call to the forwarded to party C via the local exchange LE(C) of C. LE(B) becomes the transit point of the call. The first call leg from A to LE(B) is paid by subscriber A. The forwarded leg from LE(B) to C is paid by subscriber B.
In FIG. 2 is shown a situation where the call is forwarded to mobile subscriber. In this example, both A and B subscribers are fixed network subscribers. However, they can also be mobile subscribers without causing any remarkable changes in the process. When compared to the case shown in FIG. 1, the only difference is the leg between LE(B) and subscriber C. This is due to the basic feature of mobile telecommunication systems: the location of the subscriber is not fixed. Therefore, the location of the subscriber has to be ascertained before establishing the connection.
In modern mobile telecommunications networks, the network maintains information about the location of the mobile subscribers. In the GSM network used as an example in this application, this information is distributed between the home location register HLR and visitor location registers VLR directly connected to mobile services switching centers MSC. The HLR is in the home network of the mobile subscriber and contains the permanent subscriber information and the location information of the mobile subscriber with an accuracy of one VLR area. The VLR area typically equals the area served by one mobile services switching center. The VLR of the visited mobile services switching center VMSC responsible for the area the subscriber is currently visiting contains more exact information about the subscriber's location.
On the leg from LE(B) to subscriber C, the call is first routed to the gateway mobile services switching center GMSC(C) of subscriber C. GMSC(C) is basically any MSC capable of making interrogations to the home location register HLR(C) of subscriber C. In response to having received the HLR inquiry, i.e. the query for routing information, the HLR ascertains the VLR the subscriber is currently visiting, and sends a request PRN (Provide Roaming Number) for a roaming number to that VLR, i.e. VLR(C).
In response VLR(C) returns HLR(C) a roaming number MSRN (Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number) identifying the called subscriber in this VLR. HLR(C) forwards the roaming number to GMSC(C). GMSC(C) adds to the call record comprising information of the call information that subscriber C is receiving the call in the area of VLR(C). Using the received identification MSRN and the message IAM(MSRN) (IAM=Initial Address Message), GMSC(C) establishes a connection to the MSC VMSC(C) currently visited by subscriber C. To identify the called subscriber corresponding to the received roaming number with his identity number IMSI or TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity) VMSC(C) makes a query to VLR(C), which then returns this information. According to the specifications, this is done using messages SIFIC (Send Info For Incoming Call) and CC (Complete Call). Having ascertained the identity of the called subscriber, VMSC(C) now establishes the final leg of the call to the called subscriber.
In GSM, the basic principle in charging is that the calling subscriber pays the leg between himself and the home network HPLMN(B) (HPLMN=Home Public Land Mobile Network) of the called subscriber. The rest of the route is paid by the called subscriber. The idea here is that the calling subscriber should not have to pay a surprisingly high price for his call, for example, when the called subscriber is roaming in a distant country. According to this principle, when subscriber A in Finland calls a mobile subscriber B whose home network is in New Zealand but who is currently roaming in Finland, the call is routed via New Zealand. Subscriber A pays the leg from Finland to New Zealand and subscriber B the leg from New Zealand back to Finland.
Due to this charging principle, the forwarding subscriber B pays for the leg between LE(B) and the home network of C and subscriber C from his home network onwards. It should be noted that for most operators, reception of calls is free in the home network HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network) of the subscriber. However, when the subscriber is roaming outside his home network, he is charged for the roaming leg from his own home network to the VPLMN (Visited Public Land Mobile Network) he is currently visiting.
The call transfers may be annoying to the subscriber to whom the calls have been transferred especially if he is roaming abroad. An example of such an annoying situation is a malicious call forwarding. In addition to malicious call forwarding, calls may be transferred to a wrong number because of a type mismatch when entering the call transfer command to transfer all the incoming calls of the exchange of a company, for example. The subscriber to whom the calls are forwarded to may, of course, define all his incoming calls to be barred. However, the use of barring of incoming calls prevents him from receiving the calls directed to him directly, i.e. without the malicious or accidental forwarding defined by the forwarding party.
WO98/05153 teaches a method for barring calls forwarded from a certain number. The barring allows a user to selectively to prevent calls from incoming, if they are forwarded from a certain pre-defined number. This provides a solution to a problem of selectively barring calls forwarded by a certain forwarding number.
The objective of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of the prior art. This objective is achieved using the method and apparatus specified in the independent claims.


The present specification discloses an inspection system for detecting objects being carried by a person. The inspection system is highly modular and capable of being assembled by a two person team using conventional tooling equipment. In one embodiment, the inspection system has three primary modules—two detection modules and one radiation source module—that can be readily attached and detached from each other or to a frame and connected to a signal processing system to provide for a quick set up and tear down process.

Radiation based systems for screening people and in use today at transit points, such as airports, courthouses, etc., are generally portal systems that are bulky and not conducive for portable applications. Unfortunately, such prior art screening systems are not compact enough (example, have heavy back-end cables and wires for connecting the photomultiplier tubes to a centralized analog-to-digital conversion and power station) and are often difficult and time-consuming to use and/or transport.
Also, security systems are presently limited in their ability to detect contraband, weapons, explosives, and other dangerous objects concealed under clothing. Metal detectors and chemical sniffers are commonly used for the detection of large metal objects and certain types of explosives, however, a wide range of dangerous objects exist that cannot be detected using these devices. Plastic and ceramic weapons increase the types of non-metallic objects that security personnel are required to detect. Manual searching of subjects is slow, is inconvenient, and would not be well tolerated by the general public, especially as a standard procedure in high traffic centers, such as at airports.
It is known in the art that images of various types of material can be generated using X-ray scattering. The intensity of scattered X-rays is related to the atomic number (Z) of the material scattering the X-rays. In general, for atomic numbers less than 25, the intensity of X-ray backscatter, or X-ray reflectance, decreases with increasing atomic number. Images are primarily modulated by variations in the atomic number of the subject's body. Low-Z materials present a special problem in personnel inspection because of the difficulty in distinguishing the low-Z object from the background of the subject's body which also has low-Z.
Known prior art X-ray systems for detecting objects concealed on persons have limitations in their design and method that prohibit them from achieving low radiation doses, which is a health requirement, or prevent the generation of high image quality, which are prerequisites for commercial acceptance. An inspection system that operates at a low level of radiation exposure is limited in its precision by the small amount of radiation that can be directed towards a person being searched. X-ray absorption and scattering further reduces the amount of X-rays available to form an image of the person and any concealed objects. In prior art systems this low number of detected X-rays has resulted in unacceptably poor image quality.
This problem is even more significant if an X-ray inspection system is being used in open venues such as stadiums, shopping malls, open-air exhibitions and fairs, etc. At such venues, people can be located both proximate to and/or at a distance from the machine. If a person being scanned is not very close to the X-ray machine, the resultant image may not be clear enough since the amount of radiation reaching the person is very low. This limits the range of scanning of the system to a few feet from the front of the machine. If, however, a person being scanned is too close to the X-ray machine, the amount of radiation impinging on the person may not be safe.
Further, X-ray screening systems deployed at airports in the United States of America (U.S.A.), for performing automatic threat detection, have to comply with guidelines set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Current TSA guidelines require being capable of scanning a person at least 6 feet 6 inches tall from elbow to elbow which translates into a scanning width of at least 103 centimeters. Also, given the increasing rush at the airports, a screening system deployed at an airport or other such heavy throughput areas must provide a fast scanning time, preferably ranging around 10 seconds per scan. Yet further, a screening system should preferably be compliant with laws governing disabled persons. In the U.S.A the screening systems must be compliant with the regulations set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Still further, X-ray screening systems that are employed by the defense forces of a nation have to comply with stringent criteria, in order to meet the security guidelines set by the defense department. The screening systems deployed for military use include indoor as well as outdoor deployment, usually in difficult terrains. Most of the presently available screening systems being used by defense forces are very large, one piece systems that require a forklift, and are not really sized to get in and out of regular doors.
Hence, screening systems that can be easily transported either by using multi utility vans or helicopters to screening locations are required for defense use. In the U.S.A. screening systems deployed at military and naval locations are required to abide by the guidelines set out by the Department of Defense (DOD) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), relating to two man portability standards. OSHA standards for two man portability stipulate a weight no greater than 44 pounds for one person and no greater than 88 pounds for two persons.
Therefore, there is a need for an X-ray screening system that provides good resolution as well as large range of view and fast scanning speed, while keeping the radiation exposure within safe limits. Also is required a screening system that may be deployed easily by virtue of modularity, smaller size, reduced weight and rapid assembly; while at the same time providing a higher scan speed (higher personnel throughput), and the latest processing electronics.
There is also a need for a modular system that can be deployed in a small set (such as less than 6) of easily attachable components, each of which is below the aforementioned portability standards.


A method, system, and medium are provided that relate to dynamically instrumenting a website. In general, an exemplary aspect of the invention includes storing configuration information in a datastore. A unique identifier, which corresponds to configuration information, is inserted within code of one or more web pages that relate to the website. When content is requested from the website, such as by a browser, the unique identifier can be used to retrieve corresponding configuration information. Using corresponding configuration information, instrumenting code may be generated and communicated, thereby instrumenting the website.

Websites often utilize instrumentation services, which perform various functions in connection with website performance. Such services may be implemented by code instructions located within web pages of the website. Different services may be implemented using different code instructions. Whenever it is desired to change from one service to an alternative service, code instructions within the website may need to be replaced with different code instructions of the alternative service. Improperly modifying code instructions may result in poor website and instrumentation service performance.

Instrumenting a website with dynamically generated code


Disclosed are a non-polar nitride-based light emitting device and a method for fabricating the same. The non-polar nitride-based light emitting device includes a substrate, a first-type semiconductor layer on the substrate, an active layer on the active layer, a second-type semiconductor layer on the active layer, a light extraction layer on the second-type semiconductor layer and including at least one layer including indium having a plurality of unit structures having an inverted pyramidal intaglio shape, a first electrode electrically connected to the first-type semiconductor layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second-type semiconductor layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting device, and more particularly, to a non-polar nitride-based light emitting device and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Gallium nitride (GaN) used as a material of a semiconductor device, such as a blue light emitting diode, has a Wurzite crystal structure, and is grown as a thin film mainly in a c-plane crystal direction. The reason for this is that growth of GaN in the c-plane crystal direction facilitates horizontal growth and thus forms a high-quality thin film having minimum defects, such as dislocation.
Here, GaN has a crystal structure in which a nitrogen layer and a gallium layer are alternately repeated in the growth direction. Therefore, a strong internal field is present between nitrogen and gallium and thus polarization occurs.
The internal field is divided into two components, such as spontaneous polarization and piezo-electric polarization, and if a layer having a different lattice constant, such as an InAlGaN layer, is inserted, polarization increases and thus quantum confined stark effects may occur.
For example, in a structure in which an InAlGaN active layer is inserted between p-type and n-type GaN layers, as in a blue light emitting diode, deformation occurs between the layers due to a lattice constant difference, and such deformation may generate an internal field and cause warpage of an energy band structure of the active layer.
Consequently, wave functions of electrons and holes within the active layer are spatially separated and the size of an energy gap is greatly reduced, and this may cause lowering of recombination efficiency.

Non-polar nitride-based light emitting device and method for fabricating the same


The present invention provides a semiautomatic syringe with improved safety including: a main body; a receptacle which is installed at one side of the main body, receives therein a set amount of infusion solution, and has a set pressure; an infusion solution tube which extends by a set length while penetrating the main body, connects with the receptacle, and provides a passageway for moving the infusion solution; a protective cover which is installed at the other side of the main body, connects with the infusion solution tube, extends by a set length, and has a hollow portion; an injection needle which is provided in the protective cover and has an injection hole formed to discharge the infusion solution, which moves through the infusion solution tube, to the outside; and a flow rate adjusting member which is installed in the main body and adjusts a movement amount of the infusion solution by opening and closing the passageway of the infusion solution tube, in which the injection needle is provided in a state of being inserted into the hollow portion of the protective cover, and a part of the injection needle protrudes to the outside of the protective cover by a change in pressure in the receptacle when the passageway of the infusion solution tube is opened, thereby achieving a more convenient, economic, and safe usage.

In general, a patient who gets an injection of growth hormone, a patient with diabetes, or a patient with erectile dysfunction sometimes gives himself/herself an injection of a therapeutic infusion solution at home in accordance with prescription of a medical practitioner, as necessary.
Here, various disposable syringes are used to inject the infusion solution into the body, and a disposable syringe typically used in the related art is configured to inject an infusion solution in a cylinder into the body through a needle while sticking the needle into a skin of the body and pressing a piston rod.
However, the disposable syringe in the related art, which is configured as described above, requires a user to directly and manually press the piston rod, and as a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult and inconvenient to use the syringe, and there are an inefficiency and an inconvenience in using the syringe because there is no means for easily adjusting a flow rate.
In addition, in a case in which the syringe is configured in a state in which the needle is exposed, there is concern that considerable dangerous and unhygienic situations will be caused and the needle will be contaminated, and even though a cover for protecting the needle is provided, there is a problem in that it is inconvenient to cover the needle with the cover or separate the cover.
Meanwhile, these syringes are sometimes used for domestic animals or pets, and particularly, when the syringes are used for animals such as cows having comparatively large bodies, the animals may be terrified while the user inserts the needles into the skins of the animals, which may cause a difficult situation to the user such as a situation in which the animals rave.

Semiautomatic syringe with improved safety


A method and system are provided for balancing a server's traffic load in an internet protocol (IP) based half-duplex network that uses an address resolution protocol (ARP) for address resolution. The server includes multiple network interface cards (NICS) that are used for communicating with multiple clients. The server may be accessible either directly to a client or indirectly to a client via a router or gateway. The clients, router, or gateway may store a single IP address identifying the server. The method comprises sending outbound traffic via some of the NICs and receiving inbound traffic via another of the NICs. To achieve this, the server is configured so that certain NICs are used only for outbound traffic and another NIC is used only for inbound traffic. This prevents a single NIC from both sending and receiving traffic, and minimizes the impact of inbound traffic on the server's overall throughput.

This disclosure relates generally to load balancing in digital systems and, more specifically, to a method and system for balancing a traffic load in a half-duplex environment when clients are across a router.
A computer network generally has at least one computer (e.g., a server or gateway) that provides services to other computers (clients) via the network. In an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the server and clients are associated with IP addresses that enable the other computers to send them packets. Address resolution between the server and clients may use an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), which maps an IP address to a physical machine address. A device such as a router or gateway may be positioned in the network between the server and at least some of the clients to forward packets and perform similar functions.
The server generally has multiple network interface cards (NICS) or similar interfaces through which the incoming (inbound) and outgoing (outbound) traffic is routed. Each NIC may be associated with a unique hardware number called a Media Access Control (MAC) address (e.g., a physical machine address) that may be used in conjunction with the IP address to identify a specific communication route to be used when a client communicates with the server. If the server has multiple NICs and is communicating with clients on the same subnet (e.g., a portion of the network that shares a common address), the server may use a load balancing module to distribute the traffic between the NICs.
However, when the server is connected to the clients via the router in a half-duplex environment (e.g., an environment in which data is transmitted in just one direction at a time), the server's load balancing module may not be effective. For example, this ineffectiveness may be because the router may store a single MAC address for the server's IP address. As the router only has a single MAC address for the server, all inbound traffic is directed from the router to the server using the one NIC associated with the MAC address, even though the NIC is also used for outbound traffic. This creates congestion and lowers the throughput and efficiency of the server.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved method and system for balancing a server load in a half-duplex environment when the clients are across a router.

Method and system for balancing a traffic load in a half-duplex environment


A refill for devices for evaporating volatile substances includes a body (1) provided with a neck (2). The body has a first coupling means (4; 5; 6) for coupling the body to a device (10; 20; 30) for evaporating volatile substances and also at least a second coupling means (4; 5; 6) for coupling the body to a device for evaporating volatile substances (10; 20; 30).

The use of devices for evaporating volatile substances such as air fresheners or insecticides is common. These evaporating devices can be connected to the electrical grid in order to cause the volatile substance to evaporate.
The volatile product that evaporates is housed in a refill coupled to the evaporating device, such that when said volatile product runs out, the refill is removed and is replaced by another refill.
The coupling of the refill with the evaporating device can be carried out in different ways, for example, by means of a thread, so that the user can easily couple and remove the refill.
A drawback of these refills is that they are specially designed for use in a single evaporating device, comprising a single coupling means to the evaporating device for which it is designed. In this way, the user is forced to remember what type of evaporating device they have in order to purchase the suitable refill for that evaporating device, since, if they buy another type of refill, they will not be able to use it with that evaporating device.
This drawback for users also has consequences for refill manufacturers, since they have to manufacture different types of refills, one for each type of evaporating device, with the subsequent manufacturing and storage costs for all these types of refills.
Therefore, an objective of the present invention is providing a refill for devices for evaporating volatile substances that enables the use thereof in more than one type of evaporating device, by providing at least two different coupling means to be able to couple to at least two different types of evaporating devices.

Refill for devices for evaporating volatile substances

Abstract: The refill can be used with different devices for evaporating volatile substances by using one of said coupling means, depending on the means provided in the device.


A method of reducing the formation of electrically resistive scale on a an article comprising a silicon-containing ferritic stainless subjected to oxidizing conditions in service includes, prior to placing the article in service, subjecting the article to conditions under which silica, which includes silicon derived from the steel, forms on a surface of the steel. Optionally, at least a portion of the silica is removed from the surface to placing the article in service. A ferritic stainless steel alloy having a reduced tendency to form silica on at least a surface thereof also is provided. The steel includes a near-surface region that has been depleted of silicon relative to a remainder of the steel.

Field of Technology
The present disclosure relates to methods for limiting the formation of an electrically resistive surface layer or "scale" on stainless steels when the steels are subjected to high-temperature, oxidizing conditions. The present disclosure also relates to stainless steels and articles of manufacture including stainless steels, wherein the steels have a reduced tendency to form electrically resistive scale thereon when the steels are subjected to high-temperature, oxidizing conditions.
Description of the Background of the Technology
Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that generate electricity and heat by electrochemically combining a gaseous fuel and an oxidizing gas via an ion-conducting electrolyte. Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy in the absence of combustion, providing significantly higher conversion efficiencies than reciprocating engines, gas turbines, and certain other conventional thermomechanical energy production devices. In addition, for the same power output, fuel cells produce substantially less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuel-based power generation technologies. Fuel cells also produce negligible amounts of SOx and NOx, the main constituents of acid rain and photochemical smog.
Several types of fuel cells have been developed, differing primarily in the materials utilized as the fuel cell electrolyte. NASA originally developed alkaline fuel cells including a liquid electrolyte in the 1960's to power Apollo and other spacecraft. Liquid electrolytes, however, typically are corrosive and can be difficult to handle. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), in contrast, are constructed entirely of solid-state materials and employ a fast oxygen ion-conducting ceramic material as the electrolyte. SOFCs operate in a temperature range of about 500° C.-1000° C. to facilitate solid-state transport. The advantages of SOFCs include high energy efficiency and relatively few problems with electrolyte management. SOFCs also produce high-grade waste heat, which can be used in combined heat and power devices, and harnessed for internal reforming of hydrocarbon fuels.
A single SOFC subunit or "cell" includes an anode and a cathode, separated by the electrolyte. During operation of the SOFC cell, an oxidant (such as oxygen or air) is fed into the fuel cell on the cathode side, where it supplies oxygen ions to the electrolyte by accepting electrons from an external circuit through the following half-cell reaction:½O2(g)+2e−→O−2
The oxygen atoms pass through the ceramic electrolyte via solid state diffusion to the electrolyte/anode interface. The SOFC can employ hydrogen (H2) and/or carbon monoxide (CO) as a basic fuel. Operationally, pure hydrogen can be used as supplied. If a hydrocarbon fuel such as methane, kerosene, or gasoline is used, it must first be partially combusted, or "reformed", to provide hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This may be accomplished internally within the fuel cell, aided by the high cell operating temperature and by steam injection. The fuel gas mixture penetrates the anode to the anode/electrolyte interface, where it reacts with the oxygen ions from the ion-conducting electrolyte in the following two half-cell reactions:H2(g)O−2→2e−+H2O(g)CO(g)+O−2→2e−+CO2(g).These reactions release electrons, which re-enter the fuel cell's external circuit. The flow of electrical charge due to oxygen ion transport through the electrolyte from cathode to anode is balanced exactly by the flow of electrical charge through electron conduction in the external circuit. The cell's driving force is the need to maintain overall electrical charge balance. The flow of electrons in the external circuit provides useful power.
To generate a reasonable voltage, fuel cells are not operated as single units, but instead as "stacks" composed of a series arrangement of many individual cells, with an "interconnect" joining and conducting current between the anode and cathode of each of the immediately adjacent cells. A common stack design is the flat-plate or "planar" SOFC (PSOFC), which is shown in a schematic form in FIG. 1. In the PSOFC 10 of FIG. 1, a single energy conversion cell 12 includes a cathode 20 and an anode 30 separated by the electrolyte 40. An interconnect 50 separates the anode 30 from the cathode 60 of an immediately adjacent energy conversion cell 14 (not fully shown) within the stack. Thus, PSOFC 10 includes a repeating arrangement of cells, substantially identical to cell 12, with an interconnect disposed between each adjacent cell.
The interconnects are critical SOFC components and serve several functions, including separating and containing the reactant gases, providing a low resistance current pathway to electrically connect the cells in series, and providing structural support for the stack. The interconnects must be made of a material that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature environment within the cells, must remain suitably electrically conductive throughout the fuel cell's service life, and must have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is sufficiently similar that of the cells'ceramic components to ensure that the stack's requisite structural integrity and gas-tightness is maintained. Initial PSOFC designs utilized LaCrO3 ceramic interconnects. LaCrO3 ceramic does not degrade at the high SOFC operating temperatures and has a CTE that substantially matches the other ceramic components of the fuel cell. LaCrO3 ceramic, however, is brittle, difficult to fabricate, and expensive.
To address deficiencies of ceramic electrolytes, interconnects have been made from certain metal alloys. Metallic interconnects are desirable for reasons including their relatively low manufacturing cost, high electrical and thermal conductivities, and ease of fabrication, which aids in the formation of gas channels and allows for a high degree of dimensional control. Alloys proposed for interconnect applications include nickel-base alloys (such as AL 600™ alloy), certain austenitic stainless steels (such as Types 304, 309, 310 and other alloys in the 300 Series family), and certain ferritic stainless steels (such as, for example, E-BRITE® alloy and AL 453™ alloy). Table 1 provides nominal compositions for several of the foregoing commercially available nickel-base and stainless steel alloys, all of which are available from ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa.
TABLE 1Composition (weight percent)AlloyNiCrFeAlSiMnOtherAL 453 ™0.3 max.22bal.0.60.30.30.06 Ce +alloyLa max.E-BRITE ®0.15 max. 26bal.0.10.20.051 MoalloyAL 600 ™bal.15.58—0.20.25—alloyType 304818bal.————alloy
Certain characteristics of ferritic stainless steels including at least about 16 weight percent chromium make them particularly attractive for PSOFC interconnect applications including, for example, low cost, excellent machinability, and CTEs compatible with conventional ceramic electrodes. Ferritic stainless steels including 16-30 weight percent chromium and less than 0.1 weight percent aluminum are believed to be particularly suited for interconnect applications. Specific examples of ferritic stainless steels considered suitable for PSOFC interconnect applications include AISI Types 430, 439, 441, and 444 stainless steels, as well as E-BRITE® alloy. The CTEs of the ceramic electrode material lanthanum strontium manganate and AISI Type 430 ferritic stainless steel, for example, are reported to be about 11-13×10−6 and about 9-12×10−6, respectively.
Ferritic stainless steels, however, commonly include moderate levels of silicon, either as an intentional alloying addition or as a residual from the steelmaking process. Silicon is commonly present in ferritic stainless steels at levels of about 0.3 to 0.6 weight percent. Silicon is not commonly added to ferritic stainless steels as an intentional compositional element, but it may be added during the melting of stainless steels as a process element. A portion of the silicon added to the melt, however, unavoidably makes its way into the steel. Therefore, even though silicon is intentionally added in such cases, it may be considered a residual impurity in the steel.
Silicon is detrimental to the operational efficiency of ferritic stainless steel interconnects since it tends to migrate to the steel surface/scale interface and form a thin, generally continuous, highly electrically resistive SiO2 (silica) layer at the interface. Formation of silica at the interface between the steel and the scale formed on the steel increases the contact electrical resistivity of the interconnects over time. This makes it increasingly difficult for electrons to pass through the interface region between the interconnect and the electrodes, and thereby progressively impairs the ability of the interconnects to conduct current between the cells. This process, over time, can significantly reduce the overall efficiency of SOFCs including ferritic stainless steel interconnects. As such, it is one factor considered when selecting a suitable interconnect material from among the various available ceramic and alloy materials.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a method for eliminating or reducing the tendency for electrically resistive silica to form on the surface of ferritic stainless steels when the steels are subjected to oxidizing conditions, such as conditions to which SOFC interconnects are subjected.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for reducing formation of electrically resistive layer on ferritic stainless steels


Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber gratings capable of removing or reducing birefringence and polarization-dependence caused by fiber gratings, and an optical fiber having the fiber gratings formed thereby. The method includes: selectively exposing an optical fiber to a light source, and generating first fiber gratings on the optical fiber; and selectively exposing the optical fiber to a light source on a region spaced apart from the first fiber gratings in a longitudinal direction at a different angle from the first fiber gratings about an axis of the optical fiber, and generating second fiber gratings that are the same as the first fiber gratings. Use of the method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber gratings may effectively remove or reduce birefringence or polarization effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber gratings, and an optical fiber having the fiber gratings formed thereby, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for manufacturing polarization-independent type fiber gratings, and an optical fiber having the fiber gratings formed thereby.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Generally, it is observed that an optical fiber has the same shape in a longitudinal direction. Therefore, except for defects caused in the manufacturing process, the optical fiber persists its configuration regardless of its portion. However, a refractive index of a core of an optical fiber may be changed in the longitudinal direction, and portions of the optical fiber having different refractive indices from other portions of the fiber are referred to as fiber gratings. In other words, the fiber gratings are periodic structures of an increased refractive index compared to other portions of a core.
The fiber gratings, one of the most important optical devices, have numerous applications such as a band-pass/reject optical filter, extraction of a clock signal, DPSK demodulation, an optical CDMA encoder and decoder, etc.
Generally, the fiber gratings are manufactured by irradiating UV rays onto an optical fiber 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A core of the optical fiber is formed of germanium-doped silica glass. When the UV rays from a light source 16 are irradiated onto the core, atomic binding is broken and the region where the atomic binding is broken has a different refractive index from other regions. Therefore, a mask grating 14 is disposed between the UV-ray light source 16 and the optical fiber 12, and UV rays are irradiated onto the mask grating so that fiber gratings, in which a refractive index is periodically changed, can be obtained.
However, when the fiber grating is manufactured using the above method, birefringence may be caused when light passes through the optical fiber. As disclosed by Ashish M. Vengsarkar, et al. in, "Birefringence Reduction in Side-Written Photoinduced Fiber Devices by a Dual-Exposure Method," Optics Letters, vol. 19, No. 16, p. 1260, Aug. 15, 1994, birefringence is mainly caused by geometrical asymmetry generated when fiber gratings are formed.
The cause of birefringence generation will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when it is assumed that a depth direction, toward which the UV ray is irradiated, is plotted on an x axis, and a cross-sectional direction of an optical fiber is plotted on a y axis, which is perpendicular to the x axis, FIG. 2 represents a change in refractive index (Δnx) of the optical fiber versus the direction of the x axis, and FIG. 3 represents a change in refractive index (Δny) of the optical fiber versus the direction of the y axis. As can be seen from FIG. 2, as the core is closer to the light source 16 (i.e., when a value of the x axis is high), a drastic change in refractive index is observed. On the other hand, when the core is further from the light source 16 (i.e., when a value of the x axis is low), a small change in refractive index is observed. Similarly, in FIG. 3, an asymmetrical change in refractive index is shown based on a region where the UV rays are extensively irradiated.
In FIG. 2, an average value of the change in refractive index with respect to the total length of the x axis direction is represented by a dotted line. Also, in FIG. 3, an average value of the change in refractive index with respect to the total length of the y axis direction is represented by a dotted line. The inconsistency between the two average values in an optical fiber, in which the fiber gratings are formed, causes birefringence and polarization dependence, in which light energy loss is changed depending on a polarization status of light.

Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing fiber gratings, and optical fibers having fiber gratings formed thereby

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology


A portable stabilizer apparatus is provided for a standing passenger who is standing below a ceiling in a mass transit vehicle; and the portable stabilizer apparatus includes a handle assembly which includes a hand grip region, a finger-operated latch member, and an finger-operated actuator switch. Telescopic units are connected to the handle assembly actuation and are controlled by the finger-operated latch member. The telescopic units include an end extension unit, and the end extension unit includes a suction cup for attaching to the ceiling of the vehicle. A ceiling-attachment release mechanism is housed within the telescopic units and is connected between the finger-operated actuator switch and the suction cup for releasing the suction cup from the ceiling. Extension power, either manual or mechanical, is used for extending the telescopic units toward the ceiling of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to stabilizers for standing passengers in a mass transit vehicle, and, more particularly, to a portable stabilizer especially adapted for carrying by a standing passenger.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When the seats of mass transit vehicles, such as subway cars and busses, are occupied, additional passengers have to stand. It is often difficult for a standing passenger to maintain one's balance, especially when the mass transit vehicle makes abrupt stops and starts. Generally, the mass transit vehicles have a limited number of horizontally oriented and vertically oriented bars that the standing passenger can hold onto. Yet, the standing passenger may not wish to grab onto the existing hold-on bars for sanitary reasons. No one can know who has recently held onto a nearby hold-on bar and no one can know the state of health of that other person. In this respect, it would be desirable if a standing passenger can bring along one's own hold-on bar to avoid problems of sanitation of previous holders of existing hold-on bars in the mass transit vehicle.
During overcrowding of a mass transit vehicle, the existing hold-on bars may all be used by other standing passengers. Therefore, it would be desirable if a standing passenger could bring along one's own portable hold-on bar to provide oneself with stability when the existing hold-on bars in the mass transit vehicle are all being used by other passengers.
Sometimes, in the absence of an existing hold-on bar to hold onto, a person, especially a child, will hold onto the clothing of a parent. Often such clothing gets torn when abrupt starts and stops are made. In this respect, it would be desirable to provide a device which would preclude the need for a child to hold onto the clothing of an adult to maintain stability in a mass transit vehicle.
Still other features would be desirable in a portable stabilizer device for a 1 standing passenger. For example, it would be desirable if such a portable stabilizer device could occupy only a small space when not in use, when being stored, and could extend to an appropriate length when being used. More specifically, it would be desirable if such a portable stabilizer device were provided which is retractable when not in use for storage and extendable when in use for stabilizing a standing passenger. When in the retracted condition, the portable stabilizer device can be carried in a purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.
Also, when a portable stabilizer device for a standing passenger in a mass transit vehicle is employed, when the standing passenger wants to move from one standing position to another standing position in the mass transit vehicle, or wants to sit down in a seat, or wants to exit from the vehicle, the connection between the portable stabilizer device and the mass transit vehicle should be easily broken.
The following U.S. patents may be of interest for their disclosure of telescopic extendable and retractable poles: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,866,619, 3,956,784, 4,928,916, 5,317,855, and 5,913,783. Each of the above-mentioned patents has a common characteristic. Each patented device is a telescopic pole support that extends between a fixed top horizontal surface (such as a ceiling) and a fixed bottom horizontal surface (such as a floor). None of the above-mentioned patents discloses a hand-held, portable device that is used by a person, such as a standing passenger in a mass transit vehicle, to stabilize the person from losing one's balance during abrupt stops and starts of the mass transit vehicle.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use telescopic pole support devices between fixed floors and ceilings, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a portable stabilizer apparatus for a standing passenger which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) permits a standing passenger to bring along one's own hold-on bar into a mass transit vehicle to avoid problems of sanitation of previous holders of existing hold-on bars in the vehicle; (2) permits a standing passenger in a mass transit vehicle to bring along one's own portable hold-on bar to provide oneself with stability when the existing hold-on bars in the vehicle are all being used by other passengers; (3) provides a device which precludes the need for a child to hold onto the clothing of an adult to maintain stability in a mass transit vehicle; (4) is retractable when not in use for storage and extendable when in use for stabilizing a standing passenger; and (5) provides that the connection between the portable stabilizer apparatus and the mass transit vehicle can be easily broken when the passenger wants to move from a particular standing location in the vehicle.
The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique portable stabilizer apparatus for a standing passenger of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

Portable stabilizer apparatus for a standing passenger


A nudger including apparatus for applying a feed force to a lead mailpiece of the stack of mixed mail to feed the lead mailpiece of the stack along a mailpiece feed path, the applying apparatus being moveable between first and second positions; structure for biasing the applying apparatus against a face of the lead mailpiece thereby generating a stack force against a stack of mixed mail; and a stack advance mechanism for moving the stack of mixed mail so that the face of the lead mailpiece contacts the applying apparatus; wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the first position the stack advance mechanism moves the stack of mixed mail in the direction of the applying apparatus causing the applying apparatus to move from the first position to the second position against the biasing structure such that the stack force increases causing a corresponding increase in the feed force; and further wherein at times when the applying apparatus is in the second position the stack advance mechanism stops moving the stack of mixed mail and the applying apparatus continuously feeds mailpieces away from the stack of mixed mail along the mailpiece feed path thereby continuously reducing the size of the stack of mixed mail so that the biasing structure gradually moves the applying apparatus from the second position to the first position and the stack force gradually decreases during movement of the applying apparatus from the second position to the first position.

The processing and handling of mailpieces consumes an enormous amount of human and financial resources, particularly if the processing of the mailpieces is done manually. The processing and handling of mailpieces not only takes place at the Postal Service, but also occurs at each and every business or other site where communication via the mail delivery system is utilized. That is, various pieces of mail generated by a plurality of departments and individuals within a company need to be collected, sorted, addressed, and franked as part of the outgoing mail process. Additionally, incoming mail needs to be collected and sorted efficiently to ensure that it gets to the addressee in a minimal amount of time. Since much of the documentation and information being conveyed through the mail system is critical in nature relative to the success of a business, it is imperative that the processing and handling of both the incoming and outgoing mailpieces be done efficiently and reliably so as not to negatively impact the functioning of the business.
In view of the above, various automated mail handling machines have been developed for processing mail (removing individual pieces of mail from a stack and performing subsequent actions on each individual piece of mail). However, in order for these automatic mail handling machines to be effective, they must process and handle "mixed mail." The term "mixed mail" is used herein to mean sets of intermixed mailpieces of varying size, thickness, and weight. In addition, the term "mixed mail" also includes stepped mail (i.e. an envelope containing therein an insert which is smaller than the envelope to create a step in the envelope), tabbed and untabbed mail products, and mailpieces made from different substrates. Thus, the range of types and sizes of mailpieces which must be processed is extremely broad and often requires trade-offs to be made in the design of mixed mail feeding devices in order to permit effective and reliable processing of a wide variety of mixed mailpieces.
In known mixed mail handling machines which separate and transport individual pieces of mail away from a stack of mixed mail, the stack of "mixed mail" is first loaded onto some type of conveying system for subsequent sorting into individual pieces. The stack of mixed mail is moved as a stack by an external force to, for example, a shingling device. The shingling device applies a force to the lead mailpiece in the stack to initiate the separation of the lead mailpiece from the rest of the stack by shingling it slightly relative to the stack. The shingled mailpieces are then transported downstream to, for example, a separating device which completes the separation of the lead mailpiece from the stack so that individual pieces of mail are transported further downstream for subsequent processing. In the mailing machine described immediately above, the various forces acting on the mailpieces in moving the stack, shingling the mailpieces, separating the mailpieces and moving the individual mailpieces downstream often act in a counterproductive manner relative to each other. For example, inter-document stack forces exist between each of the mailpieces that are in contact with each other in the stack. The inter-document stack forces are created by the stack advance mechanism, the frictional forces between the documents, and potentially electrostatic forces that may exist between the documents. The inter-document forces tend to oppose the force required to shear the lead mailpiece from the stack. Additionally, the interaction of the force used to drive the shingled stack toward the separator and the forces at the separator can potentially cause a thin mailpiece to be damaged by being buckled as it enters the separator. Furthermore, in a conventional separator, there are retard belts and feeder belts that are used to separate the mailpiece from the shingled stack. Both the forces applied by the retard belts and the feeder belts must be sufficient to overcome the inter-document forces previously discussed. However, the force of the retard belts cannot be greater than the force of the feeder belts or the mailpieces will not be effectively separated and fed downstream to another mail processing device. Moreover, if the feeding force being applied to the mailpieces for presenting them to the separator is too great, another potential problem which may occur is that a plurality of mailpieces will be forced through the separator without the successful separation of the mailpieces.
In view of the above, it is recognized that large forces are desirable to act on the mailpieces to accelerate and separate the mailpieces in a reliable and efficient manner. However, these same high forces can damage the mailpieces being processed (i.e. buckled lightweight mailpieces). Conversely, if the forces used to accelerate and separate the mailpieces are too small, poor separation, a lower throughput, and stalling of the mailpieces being processed will result. Put in another way, thin mailpieces are weak and require low forces to prevent them from being damaged, while thick/heavy mail is strong and requires high forces for proper separation and feeding. Thus, the structure used to separate a stack of mixed mail must take into account the counterproductive nature of the forces acting on the mailpieces and be such that an effective force profile acts on the mailpieces throughout their processing cycle so that effective and reliable mailpiece separation and transport at very high processing speeds (such as four mailpieces per second) can be accomplished without physical damage occurring to the mailpieces. However, since the desired force profile acting on a particular mailpiece is dependent upon the size, thickness, configuration, weight, and substrate of the individual mailpiece being processed, the design of a mixed mail feeder which can efficiently and reliably process a wide range of different types of mixed mailpieces has been extremely difficult to achieve.