A system in one embodiment includes first and second modules, each module having a substrate, a closure, and a gap situated therebetween, the gap comprising transducers selected from readers and writers; wherein the closures face each other, wherein the closure and the substrate of each module form a flat tape bearing surface, wherein a module spacing is defined as a distance from a point proximate to the transducers in the gap of the first module to a point proximate to the transducers in the gap of the second module, wherein the module spacing is less than 1.3 mm and greater than 0 mm.

The present invention relates to magnetic heads, and more particularly, this invention relates to a magnetic head permitting high tape speeds with reliable read verify function.
In magnetic storage systems, data is read from and written onto magnetic recording media utilizing magnetic transducers commonly. Data is written on the magnetic recording media by moving a magnetic recording transducer to a position over the media where the data is to be stored. The magnetic recording transducer then generates a magnetic field, which encodes the data into the magnetic media. Data is read from the media by similarly positioning the magnetic read transducer and then sensing the magnetic field of the magnetic media. Read and write operations may be independently synchronized with the movement of the media to ensure that the data can be read from and written to the desired location on the media.
An important and continuing goal in the data storage industry is that of increasing the density of data stored on a medium. For tape storage systems, that goal has lead to increasing the track density on recording tape, and decreasing the thickness of the magnetic tape medium. However, the development of small footprint, higher performance tape drive systems has created various problems in the design of a tape head assembly for use in such systems.
In a tape drive system, magnetic tape is moved over the surface of the tape head at high speed. This movement generally entrains a film of air between the head and tape. Usually the tape head is designed to minimize the spacing between the head and the tape. The spacing between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape is crucial so that the recording gaps of the transducers, which are the source of the magnetic recording flux, are in near contact with the tape to effect efficient signal transfer, and so that the read element is in near contact with the tape to provide effective coupling of the magnetic field from the tape to the read element.
Also important for reliable data recording is proper alignment of a writer and trailing reader used in a read-while-write data verify operation. As will soon become apparent, such misregistration, which may be caused by transient tape skewing, adversely affects the integrity of the read verify process.
Moreover, many skilled in the art have attempted to achieve the performance and reliability of the disclosed embodiments through routine and even extreme experimentation, but have never been able to achieve such results.
Further, conventional wisdom dictates that a system as disclosed herein would not work due to tape stiffness causing the tape to fly over the trailing module. However, working contrary to conventional wisdom, the inventors have achieved what was previously though impossible.

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus for automatic selection of optimal tomography slices by executing a number of tentative segmentations using the same interactively provided in-slice seed point on some or all available tomography slices. The appropriate segmentation boundaries are then marked and the slice with the best segmentation goodness value (figure of merit) is presented to the user via a viewer. The steps are repeated when the user changes the seed point. The optimal segmentation boundary is displayed on top of a single simulated mammography image, fused from all tomography slice images.

In contrast to conventional x-ray projection images tomography provides a stack of multiple cross sectional slice images corresponding to a certain depth in an imaged volume. The image volume may be a patient or a part of a patient's body which has been examined by a computed tomography scanner. Examples are digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in which a number of slices are acquired of a female breast. A frequent task of a medical practitioner such as a radiologist is to review the acquired images for regions of interest, for example a section of a supposed lesion in the breast. There are tools available to request the segmentation of the region of interest identified by the radiologist when reviewing the images. However when there are a large number of slices, handling of such segmentation tools can be difficult.

Interactive live segmentation with automatic selection of optimal tomography slice


There is disclosed a grease gun including a chamber with a cap on one end and head on the other end. Inside the head is a cavity which may receive grease from the chamber. Part of the cavity forms a cylinder in which reciprocates a piston. The piston in turn operates a ratchet on its upward stroke, as grease fills the cylinder. The ratchet turns a rod on which is threaded a follower. The rotation of the rod moves the follower towards the head and forces grease into the cavity and thus into the cylinder. On the downward stroke, the piston is disengaged from the ratchet and forces grease out of the cavity into a discharge conduit. Valves control movement in and out of the cavity. The ratchet is rotatably mounted outside of the chamber. Also, the grease gun preferably includes a split nut threaded on the rod adjacent the follower and a shoulder adjacent the cap and oriented to split the split nut on engagement with the split nut. A setting ring is used to reset the split nut.

Grease guns are used to force grease from a cartridge through a cavity and associated conduit in the head of the grease gun to the object being serviced. Typically, grease guns use a combination of a lever and piston to propel the grease from the cavity. The cavity is filled for example by exerting pressure on the cartridge which forces grease into the cavity. In typical devices, the delivery of grease into the cavity is not efficient, and in particular air may be trapped in the chamber holding the grease which may make it impossible to pump grease.
In one proposed device to over come this defect, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,569 to Davis, a lever is used to propel grease from a chamber through a cylinder into a conduit. A threaded rod is passed through the chamber holding the grease and a movable follower is threaded on the rod. The downstroke of the lever forces grease in the cylinder through the conduit and simultaneously activates a ratchet that turns the threaded rod. As the rod turns, the follower moves in the chamber towards the conduit, compressing the grease and forcing it into the cylinder. In this manner, grease is delivered from the chamber to the conduit.
In another device by David (U.S. Pat. No. 2,477,726), there is shown a toothed rod disposed within a chamber. A cammed piston reciprocates the toothed rod, so that it moves lengthwise of the chamber on the up and down strokes of the piston. As the rod moves away from the head, it compresses a spring. A follower on the rod stays in place when the rod moves away from the head. On the downstroke, the compressed spring forces the rod towards the head and pawls on the follower catch the teeth on the rod, forcing the follower towards the head and pushing grease into a cavity in the head.
These devices have disadvantages. The ratchet, and the teeth and pawls, are in the chamber containing the grease which impedes the operation of the ratchet, particularly in cold conditions. Also, in the case of the Davis U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,569, when the piston has moved to its closest position to the head of the grease gun (chamber empty) it must be rotated all the way back to the top of the rod to reset it. In the case of the other Davis patent, the pawls must be moved by hand from inside the chamber. Further, in the case of the U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,569, the ratchet is operated simultaneously with the downstroke that forces grease out of the cavity which may cause the device to jam. Davis has addressed this problem by providing a clutched disc on the follower.
Other devices have used springs to urge the grease forward in the chamber. However, in the case of air trapped in the chamber, the spring may not have sufficient force to overcome the air pressure.
The inventor has provided an improved grease gun to address the problems in existing grease guns. In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a grease gun including a chamber with a cap on one end and head on the other end. Inside the head is a cavity which may receive grease from the chamber. Part of the cavity forms a cylinder in which reciprocates a piston. The piston in turn operates a ratchet on its upward stroke, as grease fills the cylinder. The ratchet turns a rod on which is threaded a follower. The rotation of the rod moves the follower towards the head and forces grease into the cavity and thus into the cylinder. On the downward stroke, the piston is disengaged from the ratchet and forces grease out of the cavity into a discharge conduit. Valves control movement in and out of the cavity.
The ratchet is rotatably mounted outside of the chamber. Also, the grease gun preferably includes means for disengaging the follower from the rod, operable from outside of the chamber, preferably a split nut threaded on the rod adjacent the follower; a shoulder adjacent the cap and oriented to split the split nut on engagement with the split nut; and means for resetting the split nut on the rod.


A foldable goal net support includes a first side section, a second side section, a front section, and a rear section. The front section includes a first front member, a second front member, and a front spacer member disposed between the first front member and the second front member. The rear section includes a first rear member, a second rear member, and a rear spacer member disposed between the first rear member and the second rear member. The front section and the rear section are hinged for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis to the first side section and the second side section. A brace member extends between the front section and the rear section to rigidly support the structure.

Goal net supports used with hockey and soccer goals generally consist of a rigid structure that is bulky to transport or store when not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,957 which issued to Schmidt in 1996 discloses a foldable goal net support. This goal net support relies for its utility upon a special lockable hinge mechanism. This lockable hinge mechanism increases the complexity of the goal net support and unavoidably increases the cost of manufacture. It is also comparatively time consuming to set up as a locking cuff must be manipulated to set each lockable hinge in a locked condition.


This present disclosure is related to the field of 5-fluoro pyrimidines and their derivatives and to the use of these compounds as fungicides.

Fungicides are compounds, of natural or synthetic origin, which act to protect and cure plants against damage caused by agricultural relevant fungi. Generally, no single fungicide is useful in all situations. Consequently, research is ongoing to produce fungicides that may have better performance, are easier to use, and cost less.
The present disclosure relates to 5-fluoro pyrimidine compounds and their use as fungicides. The compounds of the present disclosure may offer protection against ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, deuteromycetes and oomycetes.
One embodiment of the present disclosure may include compounds of Formula I:
wherein R1 is —N(R3)R4;    R2 is —OR21;    R3 is:            H;        C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1- to 3 R5;        C2-C6 alkenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R5;        a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of furanyl, pyridinyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, each heteroaromatic ring being optionally substituted with 1-3 R30;        imidazole fused with an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of benzene, oxazole, isoxazole, furan, thiazole, pyrimidine, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrazine, thiophene, each aromatic or heteroaromatic ring being optionally substituted with 1 to 3 R30;        benzo[1,3]dioxolyl;        3H-isobenzofuran-1-onyl;        cyano;        C3-C6 alkynyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R5;        —C(═O)R6;        —C(═O)OCH2C(═O)R8;        —C(═S)R6;        —C(═S)NHR8;        —C(═O)N(R8)R10;        —OR7;        —P(O)(OR15)2;        —S(O)2R8;        —SR8;        —Si(R8)3;        —N(R9)R10;        —N═C(R15)R16;        —(CHR22)mR37;        —(CHR24)OR29; or        —C(═NR16)SR16;wherein m is an integer from 1-3;            R4 is:            H;        C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 R5;        —C(═O)R6; or        —C(═O)N(R)R10;alternatively R3 and R4 may be taken together to form:        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;        ═C(R12)N(R13)R14;        ═C(R13)(R14);        ═C(R15)OR15;        ═S(R34)2; or        ═NR35;            R5 is independently halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, C1-C4 haloalkylthio, amino, C1-C3 alkylamino, C2-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C2-C6 alkylaminocarbonyl, —OH, N-methyl piperazine or C3-C6 trialkylsilyl;    R6 is independently H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, C1-C5 alkoxy, C1-C5 haloalkoxy C2-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4 alkoxyalkoxy, C2-C6 alkylaminocarbonyl; 1-benzo[1,2,3]thiadiazol-7-yl, thiazolyl, benzyl, phenyl, phenoxy, or benzyloxy wherein the thiazolyl, benzyl, phenyl, phenoxy, or benzyloxy may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20, a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;    R7 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, benzyl which may be optionally substituted with 1-5 R20, CHR18C(O)OR19, or a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;    R8 is independently C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C6 dialkylamino, phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R30, or a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;    R9 is H, C1-C6 alkyl C1-C6 haloalkyl, —C(═O)R17, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20,    R10 is H or C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    R11 is independently halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 haloalkylthio, amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C6 dialkylamino, C2-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, or C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl;    R12 is H or C1-C4 alkyl;    R13 and R14 are independently H, cyano, —OH, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C2-C6, alkylcarbonyl, phenyl, or benzyl wherein the phenyl or benzyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    alternatively R13 and R14 may be taken together to form:            a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11, or 3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl;            alternatively R12 and R13 may be taken together to form:            a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R15 is H or C1-C6 alkyl;    R16 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    alternatively R15 and R16 may be taken together as —(CH2)4— or —(CH2)5—;    R17 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, or benzyloxy wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    R18 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C1-C6 haloalkyl;    R19 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, or benzyl;    R20 is independently halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, C1-C6 alkoxyalkoxy, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C3-C6 alkynyl, C3-C6 haloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 haloalkenyloxy, C3-C6 alkynyloxy, C3-C6 haloalkynyloxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 haloalkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfonyl, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylsulfonyl, C3-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 alkynylsulfonyl, C3-C6 haloalkynylsulfonyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C8 dialkylamino, C3-C8 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C2-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6 trialkylsilyl, 2-[(E)-methoxyimino]-N-methyl-acetamidyl, phenyl, benzyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy, or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring wherein each phenyl, benzyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy, or 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 substitutents independently selected from R31;    R21 is:            H;        C1-C14 alkyl;        C1-C6 haloalkyl;        C2-C4 alkenyl;        C2-C4 haloalkenyl;        C3-C4 alkynyl;        C3-C4 haloalkynyl;        phenyl, naphthyl, or tetrahydroquinolinyl each optionally substituted with 1-3 R20         —(CHR22)mR23;        —(CHR24)mC(O)OR25;        —(CHR24)mC(O)R26;        —(CHR24)mC(O)N(R27)R28;        —(CHR24)mOR29;        —(CHR24)mSR29         —(CHR24)mN(R27)R28;        —C(═O)R32;        —N═C(R32)(R36);        —NR25C(═O)OR25         —Si(R8)3;        —SO2R33;        C2-C6 alkoxy carbonyl;        C2-C6 alkylaminocarbonyl;        C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl;        sugars selected from the group consisting of beta-D-glucose-tetraacetate, rhamnose, fructose, and pentose; or        a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of furanyl, pyridinyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl or isoxazolyl wherein each 5- or 6-member heteroaromatic ring may be optionally substituted with 1-5 R20;            R22 is independently:            H;        halogen;        cyano;        nitro;        C1-C6 alkyl;        C1-C6 haloalkyl;        phenyl or benzyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;        C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl;        C2-C6 alkoxylalkyl;        C3-C6 haloalkynyl;        C2-C6 alkenyl;        C2-C6 haloalkenyl;        C3-C6 alkynyl;        C1-C6 alkoxy;        C1-C6 haloalkoxy;        C1-C6 alkylthio;        C1-C6 alkylamino;        C2-C8 dialkylamino;        C3-C6 cycloalkylamino;        C4-C6 (alkyl)cycloalkylamino;        C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl;        C2-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;        C2-C6 alkylaminocarbonyl;        C3-C8 dialkylaminocarbonyl;        C3-C6 trialkylsilyl;        ring-fused heteroaromatic rings selected from the group consisting of benzothiophenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, thieno[2,3-b]pyridyl, 1-methyl-1H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrazolyl, and benzoimidazolyl, wherein each of the rings may be further substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of furanyl, pyridinyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl and thienyl;            R23 is:            H;        halogen;        C1-C6 alkyl;        C1-C6 haloalkyl;        C2-C6 dialkylamino;        phenyl optionally substituted with 1-5 R20;        ring-fused heteroaromatic rings selected from the group consisting of benzothiophenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, thieno[2,3-b]pyridyl, 1-methyl-1H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrazolyl, benzofuranyl and benzoimidazolyl, 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-2-yl, 4-methyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]pyrrol-5-yl, 1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-6-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, benzo[b]thiophen-7-yl, and 1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl, wherein each of the rings may be further substituted with 1-3 R20;        naphthyl;        benzo[1,3]dioxolyl;        pyrrolidinonyl;        oxetanyl;        C1-C6 alkylthio optionally substituted with 1-5 R20;        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11; or        a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of furanyl, pyridinyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, imidazolyl, thiophene-2-yl and thiophen-3-yl wherein each heteroaromatic ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;            R24 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, benzyl, or phenyl wherein each of the benzyl or phenyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    R25 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl or benzyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    R26 is:            H;        C1-C6 alkyl;        C1-C6 alkoxy;        phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6 membered heteroaromatic ring selected from the group consisting of furanyl, pyridinyl, pyridinyl-N-oxide, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl and isoxazolyl;            R27 and R28 are independently:            H;        C1-C6 alkyl;        benzyl or phenyl wherein each of the benzyl or phenyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R29 is:            H;        C1-C6 alkyl;        C1-C6 haloalkyl;        C1-C6 alkoxyalkyl;        C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl;        benzyl or phenyl wherein each of the benzyl or phenyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R30 is independently halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C3-C6 alkynyl, C3-C6 haloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 haloalkenyloxy, C3-C6 alkynyloxy, C3-C6 haloalkynyloxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfonyl, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylsulfonyl, C3-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 alkynylsulfonyl, C3-C6 haloalkynylsulfonyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C8 dialkylamino, C3-C8 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6 trialkylsilyl, thiazolyl, phenyl, pyrimidinyl, or pyridyl, wherein the thiazolyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or pyrimidinyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    R31 is independently halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C3-C6 alkynyl, C3-C6 haloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 haloalkenyloxy, C3-C6 alkynyloxy, C3-C6 haloalkynyloxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfonyl, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylsulfonyl, C3-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 alkynylsulfonyl, C3-C6 haloalkynylsulfonyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C8 dialkylamino, C3-C8 dialkylaminocarbonyl, or C3-C6 trialkylsilyl;    R32 is independently:            C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkoxyalkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C3-C6 alkynyl, C3-C6 haloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 haloalkenyloxy, C3-C6 alkynyloxy, C3-C6 haloalkynyloxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6 haloalkylsulfonyl, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylthio, C2-C6 haloalkenylsulfonyl, C3-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 alkynylsulfonyl, C3-C6 haloalkynylsulfonyl, C1-C6 alkylamino, C2-C8 dialkylamino, C3-C8 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6 trialkylsilyl;        phenyl wherein the phenyl ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R33 is independently:            C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, phenyl or thienyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R20; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R14 is:            C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 alkoxyalkyl, C1-C6 alkylamino; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R35 is:            C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkylcarbonyl; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11;            R36 is H, cyano, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, benzyl, or phenyl wherein each of the benzyl or phenyl may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R20;    alternatively R32 and R36 may be taken together to form:            a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11; and            R37 is independently:            H, halogen, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-5 R20;        C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, or C1-C6 haloalkoxy; or        a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms wherein each ring may be optionally substituted with 1-3 R11.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fungicidal composition for the control or prevention of fungal attack comprising the compounds described below and a phytologically acceptable carrier material.
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a method for the control or prevention of fungal attack on a plant, the method including the steps of applying a fungicidally effective amount of one or more of the compounds described below to at least one of the fungus, the plant, an area adjacent to the plant, and the seed adapted to produce the plant.
The term "alkyl" refers to a unbranched, branched, or cyclic carbon chain, including methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.
The term "alkenyl" refers to a branched, unbranched or cyclic carbon chain containing one or more double bonds including ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, isopropenyl, isobutenyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like.
The term "alkynyl" refers to refers to a branched or unbranched carbon chain containing one or more triple bonds including propynyl, butynyl and the like.
As used throughout this specification, the term 'R' refers to the group consisting of C2-8 alkyl, C3-8 alkenyl or C3-8 alkynyl, unless stated otherwise.
The term "alkoxy" refers to an —OR substituent.
The term "alkoxycarbonyl" refers to a —C(O)—OR substituent.
The term "alkylcarbonyl" refers to a —C(O)—R substituent.
The term "alkylsulfonyl" refers to an —SO2—R substituent.
The term "haloalkylsulfonyl" refers to a sulfonyl substitution on an alkyl which is partially substituted with halogen atoms.
The term "alkylthio" refers to an —S—R substituent.
The term "alkylaminocarbonyl" refers to a —C(O)—N(H)—R substituent.
The term "dialkylaminocarbonyl" refers to a —C(O)—NR2 substituent.
The term "alkylcycloalkylamino" refers to a cycloalkylamino substituent that is substituted with an alkyl group.
The term "trialkylsilyl" refers to —SiR3.
The term "cyano" refers to a —C≡N substituent.
The term "hydroxyl" refers to a —OH substituent
The term "amino" refers to a —NH2 substituent
The term "alkylamino" refers to a —N(H)—R substituent
The term "dialkylamino" refers to a —NR2 substituent
The term "alkoxyalkoxy" refers to —O(CH2)nO(CH2)n where n is an interger from 1-3
The term "alkoxyalkyl" refers to an alkoxy substitution on an alkyl.
The term "haloalkoxyalkyl" refers to an alkoxy substitution on an alkyl which may be partially substituted with halogen atoms
The term "hydroxyalkyl" refers to an alkyl which is substituted with a hydroxyl group.
The term "haloalkoxy" refers to a —OR—X substituent, wherein X is Cl, F, Br, or I, or any combination thereof.
The term "haloalkyl" refers to an alkyl, which is substituted with Cl, F, I, or Br or any combination thereof.
The term "haloalkenyl" refers to an alkenyl, which is substituted with Cl, F, I, or Br or any combination thereof.
The term "haloalkynyl" refers to an alkynyl which is substituted with Cl, F, I, or Br or any combination thereof.
The term "halogen" or "halo" refers to one or more halogen atoms, defined as F, Cl, Br, and I.
The term "hydroxycarbonyl" refers to a —C(O)—OH substituent.
The term "nitro" refers to a —NO2 substituent.
The term "thienyl" refers to a 5-member aromatic ring with one sulfur atom.
Throughout the disclosure, reference to the compounds of Formula I is read as also including optical isomers and salts of Formula I, and hydrates thereof. Specifically, when Formula I contains a branched chain alkyl group, it is understood that such compounds include optical isomers and racemates thereof. Exemplary salts include: hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, and the like.
It is also understood by those skilled in the art that additional substitution is allowable, unless otherwise noted, as long as the rules of chemical bonding and strain energy are satisfied and the product still exhibits fungicidal activity.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a use of a compound of Formula I, for protection of a plant against attack by a phytopathogenic organism or the treatment of a plant infested by a phytopathogenic organism, comprising the application of a compound of Formula I, or a composition comprising the compound to soil, a plant, a part of a plant, foliage, and/or seeds.
Additionally, another embodiment of the present disclosure is a composition useful for protecting a plant against attack by a phytopathogenic organism and/or treatment of a plant infested by a phytopathogenic organism comprising a compound of Formula I and a phytologically acceptable carrier material.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A NAND flash memory including a memory cell array having a plurality of blocks, each of the blocks is composed of a plurality of memory cell units, drain-side select gate transistors, and source-side select gate transistors. The NAND flash memory further includes a row decoder that is connected to word lines, the drain-side select gate lines, and the source-side gate line of the memory cell array, and that applies a signal voltage to word lines, the drain-side select gate lines and the source-side gate line of the memory cell array for selecting blocks. The NAND flash memory further includes a sense amplifier that is controlled by a column decoder and that makes a selection from the bit lines of the memory cell array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a NAND flash memory.
2. Background Art
Data writing to a non-volatile memory cell, such as a NAND flash memory, is achieved by changing the threshold of the cell by applying a high electrical field to the cell to cause trapping of an electron into an oxide film. On the other hand, data reading is achieved by using the variation in threshold. This principle holds true for multi-level memory cells (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-332093, for example).
As an example of prior art, a reading operation of a NAND flash memory (of shielded bit line architecture) will be shortly described.
The source line and the well of a cell are set at a potential "VSS" (0 V), and a potential "VSG" ("VDD"+"Vth") (about 4 V), which allows transfer of "VDD" (2.5 V), is applied to the gate "BLPRE" of the n-type MOS transistor of the sense amplifier. And, a potential of 0.7 V+Vth is applied to the gate "BLCLAMP" of the n-type MOS transistor that connects the sense amplifier and the bit line to each other, thereby pre-charging the bit line of the cell to a potential of 0.7 V.
However, not all the bit lines are charged to 0.7 V. The bit lines are alternately charged to 0.7 V and 0 V, and a half of the bit lines are to be read.
During reading, a bit line amplitude occurs due to the data. Adjacent bit lines are affected by the bit line amplitude due to the capacitive coupling. Thus, the bit lines are shielded to prevent data modification by data in the adjacent cells.
After the pre-charge, the gate "BLCLAMP" is set at 0 V, and the bit lines and the sense amplifier are separated from each other.
A desired potential "VCGRV" is applied to a word line to be read, a potential "VREAD" (about 5 V), which allows turn-on without fail, is applied to the other word lines and the drain-side select gate line, and finally the potential "VREAD" is applied to the source-side select gate line.
Thus, if the cell to be read is turned on, a cell current flows, and the potential of the bit line approaches 0 V. If the cell to be read is turned off, no cell current flows, so that the potential of the bit line remains at the pre-charge voltage (0.7 V).
The gate "BLPRE" is raised again, and the node "TDC" connected to the latch circuit of the sense amplifier is pre-charged to "VDD". After that, the gate "BLCLAMP" is set at "VSEN" (0.35 V+Vth).
Compared with the capacitance of the bit line, the capacitance of the node "TDC" is low. Therefore, when the cell is turned on, if the potential of the bit line is lower than 0.35 V, charge sharing occurs, and the potential at the node "TDC" becomes equal to the potential of the bit line.
When the cell is turned off, if the potential of the bit line is equal to 0.7 V, the transistor having the gate "BLCLAMP" remains in the off state because the threshold thereof cannot be exceeded, and thus, the potential at the node "TDC" remains at "VDD". By raising the potential at the gate of the n-type MOS transistor between the latch circuit and the node "TDC", the potential at the node "TDC" is transferred to the latch circuit, thereby designating H/L.
The threshold of the cell can be identified by changing the voltage "VCGRV" of the word line of the cell to be read. For example, if the cell has two thresholds, the cell can store two values. If the cell has four thresholds, the cell can store four values.
Thus, if the cell has 16 thresholds, the cell can store 16 values. To store 16 values, the retention margin of each threshold is reduced. Although the range of thresholds can be expanded to higher thresholds, higher thresholds lead to higher writing voltage and higher reading voltage.
If the writing or reading voltage increases, the writing or reading operation becomes more likely to be disturbed. As a result, there is a problem that the preset thresholds are also disturbed and shifted. The threshold shift causes erroneous reading.
Thus, it can be contemplated that, by setting a negative threshold, the retention margin can be enhanced without increasing the disturbance during reading or writing. Alternatively, this can be achieved by applying a negative potential to the word line.
However, the connection of the well is modified to enable transfer of the negative potential, and thus, the number of steps disadvantageously increases.
To overcome this disadvantage, the source line or p-type well of the cell can be biased. In this case, even if only a positive voltage is applied to the word line, the actual threshold "VGS" of the cell (the potential of the word line minus the potential of the source line of the cell) can be negative. That is, the threshold distribution can be formed also in the negative region.
However, biasing the source line or p-type well of the cell results in biasing of the source line or p-type well of other cells that don't need to be charged. Thus, there is a problem that the current consumption increases.
In addition, there is a problem that the reading or writing time increases because charging the source line or p-type well of the cell takes additional time (this is because the writing time includes the time required for verification, which is equivalent to reading, after writing).
If the source line or p-type well of the cell is not biased, only required is the charge for charging the bit line.
On the other hand, if the source line or p-type well of the cell is biased, an amount of charge is required to bias the source line or p-type well of the cell to a non-selected bit line (shielded bit line), in addition to the charge required for charging the bit line.
Biasing the source line or p-type well of the cell takes about 10 μs, for example, and therefore, the reading time increases accordingly.


A fitment attached around an aperture in a container has a flange from which extends an internally threaded spout closed by an initially integrally molded externally threaded plug. The plug is moved axially into the spout, the threads slipping over each other. The plug has an outward extending slotted ear and the fitment has an upward extending finger aligned with the slot in the ear and formed with tangs which lock the finger and ear together as the plug is moved to the spout, thereby making the device tamper-evident. As a further feature of the invention, an over-size foil seal extends across the bottom of the flange and is welded or otherwise adhered to the bottom of the flange. After assembly the portion of the foil extending outside the flange is welded or otherwise adhered to the carton. This further feature is particularly useful in aseptic packaging. Optionally the lower edge of the plug may be welded to the foil so that when the consumer unscrews the plug the foil under the spout is torn away.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new and improved spout fitment and a plug type cap for closing same. More particularly, the invention relates to a fitment which fits around a hole in a panel of a paperboard carton or around a hole in a flexible container, or the like, such as used for packaging liquid products and powders and to a closure for such fitment. The invention is further characterized in that it is tamper-evident. Further, in a modification of the invention, it has container sealing features making it useful in aseptic packaging.

One-piece fitment and plug with tamper-evident band


A white light emitting device (LED) and a manufacturing method thereof wherein an LED coated with polymeric resin in which organic phosphors are solved dissolved and inorganic phosphors are dispersed creates a white LED, thereby producing an effect of excellent luminance and color coordinate without creating a compatibility problem with the polymeric resin. The present invention creates a white LED with a high luminance and a long service life using polymeric composition containing organic and inorganic phosphors, organic and inorganic combined phosphors and organosilicates, and an epoch making improvement in terms of luminance and credibility without additional process added to an existing element fabricating process, thereby enabling to achieve price competitiveness through cost reduction.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a white light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a white light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof configured to embody a white light emitting device by having organic phosphors dissolved, inorganic phosphors-dispersed high molecular resin coated on a light emitting diode, thereby accomplishing an excellent luminous efficiency and color coordinate without creating a compatibility problem with coating resin.
Description of the Prior Art
In general, a light emitting device (hereinafter generally referred to as LED) has a small size, high efficiency, can emit bright color, and as a semiconductor element, is not vulnerable to breakage. Also, it has excellent initial driving characteristics and vibration resistance. Furthermore, it can withstand repeated ON/OFF cycling. Consequently, the LEDs have been widely used as various types of indicators and light sources.
Recently, LEDs of red, green and blue colors with high luminance and high efficiency have been developed, and these LEDs have been used in manufacturing large size LED displays. Such LED displays can operate at low power, have light weight, and long service life. In order to use LEDs to get white light, since LEDs have monochromatic peak wavelength, three LEDs of red, green and blue, each arranged adjacent to each other, have been used in combination to diffuse and blend their colors into white.
In addition, recently, efforts have been made to create individual LEDs which emit white light. However, hue and luminance of each LED are irregular to make it difficult to obtain a desired white light.
Another problem is that, because respective red, green and blue LEDs for creating the white light are manufactured with different materials, a driving circuit becomes complicated due to different driving voltages of respective LEDs.
There are other problems in that because, each suitable LED is typically constructed of a semiconductor epistructure light emitting element set in a cup on the tip of a lead frame, temperature characteristics thereof are different and hues are changed with respect to environment, it is difficult to uniformly mix the lights created by each LED and there are many cases of created high intensity spots. In other words, it should be admitted as a fact that it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory result of creating a white light through mixture of three colors.
In order to address the afore-mentioned problems, there is used a method of a light emitting element for emitting a particular wavelength being absorbed by a phosphor contained in a resin molding that covers the light emitting element. The said method is to create a white light by causing the phosphor to absorb lights emitted by the LED and to emit a light of different wavelength.
In other words, the light emitting element emits blue light and the phosphor absorbs the emitted blue light and emits yellow light. The combination of yellow phosphor light and blue light emitting element makes it possible to manufacture an LED that can emit white light.
Furthermore, a system is employed where an LED of ultraviolet band is used and three different color-emitting phosphors (e.g., red, green and blue) are blended to induce a light emission from an entire visible light region, thereby enabling to obtain white light.
However, if only an inorganic yellow phosphor system ("YAG: Ce") is used, a halo effect may be produced by wavelength separation phenomenon caused by a narrow peak of blue wavelength region and a wide peak of yellow wavelength, making it difficult to create white light. Most of the hitherto known methods employ the inorganic phosphor system.
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of inorganic phosphor particle-dispersed resin which is coated on an LED for creating a light emitting element according to the prior art, where the LED is conventionally bonded to a reflector plate of a lead frame and packaged.
At this time, if an LED (10) emitting blue light is set in a cup-shaped reflector plate (21) on the tip of a lead frame (20), white light can be created by the reflector plate (21) being coated with inorganic phosphor particle (31)-dispersed resin (30) for encompassing the LED (10). In other words, the blue light emitted from the LED (10) is discharged outside as white light via the yellow inorganic phosphor particles (31). The inorganic phosphor uses polymeric dispersion system such that it is inevitable to suffer from disadvantages of luminance loss caused by scatter with regard to dispersion of particles and absorption of molecules.
Another disadvantage is that surface treatment is essential for preventing cohesion of particles and efficiency decreases due to clod of particles as time goes by.
Referring again to FIG. 1, if there is no uniform dispersion, no uniform luminance can be expected, and a serious problem occurs as the degree of phosphor content is enlarged, thereby resulting in creation of color spot and constituting a factor of causing a decreased efficiency of elements in the long run.
FIG. 2 is a fabricating process flow chart of a white LED according to the prior art, which is disclosed in Korea laid open Patent No. 2003-31061.
First of all, a lead frame having a plurality of terminals is packaged with one or more LED chips for electrical contact. (S10). The metal terminals of the lead frame and the LED chips are electrically connected via a bond wire (S20). Successively, granular inorganic phosphor and liquid organic phosphor are blended (S30), and the blended phosphors are mixed with resin composition (S40). The mixed resin is coated on the LED chips and hermetically sealed (S50). Next, the resin is hardened (S60).
The light emitted from the said LED passes a light converting layer composed of the mixed resin composition and is converted to white light and discharged outside to become a LED emitting white light.
However, various problematics may arise in the prior art thus described because the organic phosphors are dissolved in separate liquid resin to form liquid organic phosphors.
First of all, there may be a problem in compatibility with the coating resin, and because of difference in solubility, and if dispersed in the coating resin, a crystallinity phenomenon occurs, making it difficult to obtain a uniform dispersion system. Furthermore, after the coating, residual solution or liquid resins each having a different property may result in creation of air bubbles or cracks during the hardening process.
If an organic phosphor of low solubility is employed, an amount of solvent is increased to result in a low viscosity of coating resin such that it is difficult to unify the coated amount to an LED per lot, and the coated amount varies in response to the degree of the solvent being volatilized, making it difficult to obtain a uniform luminance effect and color coordinate.
Furthermore, the addition of phosphors to an LED results in a relatively costly manufacturing process that yields separate solution process and a mixing process.
In addition, the said organic phosphors which are not composed of pure organic phosphors may contain foreign objects to reduce the luminance efficiency.
Consequently, the method of mixing the liquid organic phosphors with separate coating resin as disclosed in the prior art of Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0031061 is deemed to be inadequate and has created the aforementioned problems.

White light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof


A system is disclosed for identifying and reading gaming tokens. The system includes: a plurality of gaming tokens; a playing surface including a network of conductors disposed to make electrical contact with the conductive rims of the gaming tokens; one or more transceivers disposed under the playing surface and associated with areas where the gaming tokens are placed on the playing surface; and an identification processor in communication with the transceiver to determine the denomination of the token from the data. Each transceiver is configured to transmit an electromagnetic interrogation signal to the conductive layer of a gaming token resting on the playing surface. The grounded circuit, in response to the interrogation signal, responds with data to identify the chip denomination through capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and a transceiver.

Gaming tokens are well known. Tokens are used in gaming in lieu of cash and usually represent different token denominations. Typically, tokens appear as molded plastic cylindrical discs (or plastic cylindrical discs) with metallic cores or are rectangular tiles and have different color combinations to distinguish denomination value. The disc shaped tokens are often referred to as chips or checks. In many casinos, these chips are of solid colors but in others establishments, these chips are of different basic colors and have radial bands of a distinguishing color which can be seen when viewing the circular face of the chip as well as when viewing the perimeter of the chip. Thus, when the chips are stacked on a playing table surface or in a chip tray, the different denominations of the chips can be visually distinguished. Distinguishing between the denominations of the chips is important since each chip represents its stated value and can be exchanged for currency. In casinos in the United States, these chips typically have distinguishing colors representing at least the following denominations: $1, $5, $25, $100, and $500.
A drawback to using such molded tokens is that manual counting is required, which can introduce a human error element into the count. Routinely, floor personnel walk to each gaming table to count the chips in the chip trays. They must, through observation of the number of stacks of a known number of chips of the same denomination, make this determination without significantly interrupting play. It would be useful to obtain accurate chip counts without relying upon the expertise of floor personnel to assemble and count the chip stacks.
Regarding fraud considerations, it has been known for players to "past post," which means surreptitiously increasing their wager by adding chips after the result is known. It would be useful if there were a system or method adapted to detect this type of cheating. Other fraud considerations include the counterfeiting of chips. It would also be useful to prevent the use of counterfeit chips.
Additionally, casinos like to track the game play of their players for the purposes of rating the player's worth to the casino. Thus, player tracking systems have been developed. For table game players to gain a rating, floor personnel typically watch the play of the table game players over time. The floor personnel then estimate the time the player spends at the game and the average wager of the player for game hand based upon a known, estimated, measured, or calculated rate of hand play. Using this information, the floor personnel can estimate how much the player will likely lose to the casino. This amount (along with the total amounts wagered) can be used in determining the worth of the player to the casino. The player can be reward in "comps" (rewards in meals, gifts, cash back and the like), which may be provided to the player based upon these determinations to instill player loyalty.
It would be useful if the table game rating process could be more reliable and less dependent on the skill of the floor personnel to make the process more accurate and consistent. Over-compensating the player is a loss to the casino. Under-compensating the player frustrates the purpose for the program.
It would also be useful if casino and other gaming establishments could distinguish between their issued chips and chips from other casinos gaming establishments. Accepting another casino's chips typically results in the inconvenience of having to present these chips for exchange.
Additionally, it would be useful for inventory purposes if the chip amounts in circulation were able to be accurately determined. By determining how many chip are on hand and how many chip are in play, the number of the chips that have been lost or kept by players as souvenirs may be calculated.

Gaming chip having capacitive coupling and related methods


A coupling in accordance with the present invention may be used to join devices together without the need for conduits or other intermediaries. A nut may be used to couple the coupling to a first device via a first thread portion and to a second device via a second thread portion. In some embodiments, the coupling may be affixed to one of the first or second devices.

Refrigeration systems typically include many components, such as compressors, condensers, heat exchangers, and valves which must be connected together in a way that effectively seals the interior of the refrigerant circulation system from the environment around it, as well as provide for the proper flow of fluid through the system. Refrigerants such as Freon which are introduced into such systems as the working fluid are expensive, hazardous to the environment, and sometimes toxic, and it is therefore critical that a closed circulation system be effectively sealed to prevent escape of the fluid or gas.
Further, it is often desirable that a connection between two components of a refrigeration system be easily disconnected, so that installation and replacement of a component may be accomplished without the use of heat connecting methods or extensive tools. To that end, couplings or unions are used to join together components or to couple a component to a line or other conduit.
Typically, these couplings are specialized or custom built for a particular design or manufacturer and cannot be universally used in different systems having different configurations. Furthermore, to perform maintenance activities around such couplings, significant effort is required, as these couplings are often welded, brazed, or otherwise fixed onto the lines, requiring significant effort to remove and replace them.
Certain cooling systems, particularly heat pump units, often include a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). Such valves regulate the flow of refrigerant between the condenser and evaporator to ensure efficient operation and improved cooling efficiency. Accordingly, many more systems in the future will include a TXV, particularly as new energy requirements (e.g., 13 SEER) require use of a TXV in a cooling system.
Typically, a TXV is coupled between condenser and evaporator via plumbing lines or conduits that are affixed to ports of the TXV, e.g., via a sweat fitting, flare joints or the like. In other systems, a TXV includes a closely coupled nut, i.e., a fixed nut that is permanently attached to the TXV during manufacture, for later use in joining operations in the field. Problems occur in manufacture during attachment of this nut due to overheating caused by welding or other joining operation, causing substantial numbers of manufactured devices to be scrapped. Further as described above, such couplings between TXV and a conduit are typically specialized, raising manufacture costs and further increasing maintenance costs.
A need thus exists for improved couplings, particularly for use in connection with refrigeration and other cooling systems.


D-Ribose, a buffer and an anticoagulant are added to whole blood or packed red cells to extend function in storage beyond 42 days. Methods are disclosed to rejuvenate suboptimally functional red cells. The methods are comprised of incubation of the cells at 37° C. for 10 to 60 minutes in the presence of D-ribose.

About 12.6 million units (including approximately 643,000 autologous donations) of whole blood are donated in the United States each year by approximately eight million volunteer blood donors. These units are transfused to about four million patients per year. Typically, each donated unit of blood, referred to as whole blood, may be separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma, clotting factors, gamma globulin and platelets. The need for blood is great: on any given day, approximately 32,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Accident victims, people undergoing surgery and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, all utilize blood.
Because patients seldom require all of the components of whole blood, it is the usual practice in blood banks to separate the blood into components and transfuse only that portion needed by the patient for a specific condition or disease. This treatment, referred to as "blood component therapy" allows several patients to benefit from each unit of blood.
Whole blood is a living tissue that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries, carrying nourishment, electrolytes, antibodies, heat and oxygen to the body tissues. Whole blood is comprised of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets suspended in a proteinaceous fluid termed blood plasma. If blood is treated to prevent clotting and permitted to stand in a container, red blood cells will settle to the bottom of the container, the plasma will remain on top and the white blood cells will form a layer on top of the red blood cells. A centrifuge is commonly used to hasten this separation. The platelet-rich plasma is then removed and placed into a sterile bag for further processing to separate, for example, platelets, clotting factors, albumin, immunoglobulins and the like.
The most important component for the usual transfusion need are the erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBC), which contain hemoglobin, a complex iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives blood its red color. The percentage of blood volume that is composed of red blood cells is called the "hematocrit." The average hematocrit in the adult male is 47%. There are about one billion red blood cells in two or three drops of blood, and, for every 600 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and one white blood cell.
Manufactured in the bone marrow, RBCs are enucleated, biconcave discs that are continuously being produced, broken down and destroyed. The biconcave disc shape is crucial to the function of RBCs, presenting a maximal surface area for the capture of oxygen in the lungs and its release in the tissue. The cells are flexible and able to bend in order to traverse the tiny tubules of the capillary beds. Since the cells are enucleated and lack mitochondria, they are unable to carry out cellular repair of damage or enzyme inactivation and must rely on anaerobic phosphorylation for energy. After an average 120 days in the circulatory system, the cells are senescent and are phagocytized by circulating monocytes or the fixed macrophages of the reticulo-endothelial system.
Red blood cells are prepared from whole blood by removing the plasma. When transfused into a patient, the hematocrit is raised while increase in blood volume is minimized, which is especially important to such patients as those with congestive heart failure. The cells are typically suspended in about half the original volume; the preparation is referred to as packed red cells. Patients benefitting most from transfusions of packed red cells include those with chronic anemia from disorders such as kidney failure, malignancies, gastrointestinal bleeding or acute blood loss as from trauma or surgery.
Standard solutions for the storage of whole blood comprise citrate-phosphate-dextrose solution (CPD) and citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine solution(CPDA). Citrate or other anticoagulants such as heparin are necessary to prevent clotting. Because blood is a living tissue that maintains metabolic functions even at refrigerated temperatures, it has been considered necessary to provide an energy source such as glucose. Phosphate ion can be used to buffer the lactate produced from glucose utilization.
Improvements in cell preservation solutions over the last 15 years have increased the refrigerated shelf life of whole blood or red blood cells from 21 to 42 days. After 42 days, the blood is discarded, since many of the cells have become senescent and would be immediately phagocytized upon transfusion into a recipient. Although the red cells may appear to survive in storage for five or six weeks, they rapidly develop "storage lesion" characterized by biochemical and biomechanical changes that compromise their ability to accept, transport and unload oxygen to the tissue. For that reason, it is desirable to use the whole blood and blood products within three weeks or less of drawing.
The need remains for a solution in which blood cells in whole blood or packed red cell suspensions can be stored for an increased time and survive functionally when transfused into a recipient. The need also remains for a method to rejuvenate blood and RBCs which are suboptimally functional.


The present invention provides novel ginsenoside derivative compounds and the use thereof in protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Ischemic heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death in humans in the industrialized countries. Although ischemic injury of heart tissues can be greatly recovered by rapid reperfusion, severe side effects such as cardiac over-contractile function, arrhythmia, endothelial dysfunction, and myocardial infarction often occur due to reperfusion. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction in ischemic heart tissues may lead to the loss of the endothelium-derived dilator of nitric oxide (NO), decrease of blood perfusion in the tissues, myocytes apoptosis, non-infectious inflammation and other complicated cardiac pathological status [1]. Therefore, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has been evidenced as one of the most pivotal pathological factors of human ischemic heart diseases.
Ginsenosides have been demonstrated as the major chemical components of ginseng herb responsible for the most observed bioactivities in clinical usage. In vivo and in vitro investigations have revealed a number of significant effects of ginsenosides and ginseng extracts in cardio-protection, such as reducing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced damage via NO pathway in rats and mice [2], slowing down deterioration of cardiac contractions, preventing development of arrhythmias [3] and relaxing the muscles of the aorta [4]. Previous studies by the inventors of the present invention showed that total ginsenosides (TGS) significantly increased coronary artery flow in both basal perfusion and I/R injury condition of the isolated rat hearts in Langendorff system through activating Akt-eNOS signaling, which suggests that TGS could benefit patients with ischemic heart conditions [5]. The inventors further discovered the molecular mechanisms underlying the myocardial protection of TGS through proteomic analysis with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS techniques, revealing that improvement of cardiac energy metabolism via activating proteins in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) could be the major action pathway and targets of TGS activity against rat heart tissue injury [6].
As mentioned, ginsenosides may be a potential source to isolate effective compounds for protection against I/R injury.

Ginsenoside derivative compounds and the use thereof in protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury

Macau University of Science and Technology


Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and related apparatuses are described herein. In the disclosed methods, drops of a hydrocolloid gel suspension are dropped into a reactant bath. The drops of hydrocolloid gel are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, during which the drops form firm or semi-firm beads. The beads are then removed from the reactant bath. The resulting hydrocolloid beads are advantageously resistant to syneresis and can provide high nutritional and water content.

Hydrocolloids are a heterogeneous group of long chain polymers that are known to form viscous dispersions and/or gels when dispersed in water. They contain a large number of hydroxyl (—OH) groups, which increases their ability to bind with water molecules, thus rendering them hydrophilic compounds. Additionally, they produce a dispersion that exhibits the properties of a colloid.

Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and apparatuses thereof


System and method of application configuration using DNS-based service discovery, the method including: determining a network domain of a user; retrieving PTR, SRV and TXT records from a DNS server associated with the network domain; enumerating service instances based upon the retrieved PTR, SRV and TXT records; receiving a selection of a service instance from the user; constructing a service instance URL from the selected service instance; attempting to retrieve a settings file by use of the service instance URL; and applying configuration settings from the retrieved settings file.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to automated application configuration, and, in particular, to a system and method for using DNS to retrieve application configuration settings.
Description of Related Art
Telecommunication network endpoints need to register with a call server in order to establish service. Certain basic information is needed by telecommunication network endpoints in order for the endpoints to attempt registration with their associated call server. The basic information may include server addresses, communication domains (e.g. SIP domain), QoS marking values, server and CA certificates, and other low-level settings. The basic information may also be referred to as application configuration data. Application configuration data commonly includes information related to data connectivity, communication settings, and the like. Application configuration data does not include user preference information such as cosmetic settings (e.g., language, colors, window placement, sound muting, etc.).
Currently, application configuration involves either manual configuration or configuration based on contacting a single defined access point. An access point usually is a URL (i.e., web address) at which the application is pre-configured to query for configuration information. For example, Microsoft Outlook defines an auto-configuration mechanism based on constructing a specific URL for retrieving configuration details based on the user's email address. This is deficient in that many companies have complex requirements necessitating more than a single configuration for deployed applications. For example, a large company may have multiple domains nationwide, each with its own configuration requirements.
Endpoint service discovery provides useful information to configure deployed applications with respect to services that are available to the endpoint. Conventional methods of endpoint service discovery rely upon usage of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP", RFC-2131), and Link Layer Discovery Protocol ("LLDP") to discover initial options. However, a problem arises for endpoints running in a restricted environment where they do not have access to low-level operating system capabilities. Such endpoints cannot create raw sockets (i.e., a socket that receives all DHCP packets), and thus the endpoints have no access to DHCP or LLDP. Furthermore, endpoints may be running outside an enterprise, and therefore the endpoints have no administrator to set DHCP values. As more soft clients and applications emerge, and as endpoints start to be deployed outside the enterprise, there is a growing need to provide an enhanced mechanism that works regardless of how the endpoint is connected to the network.

Application configuration using DNS-based service discovery


A powder container includes a first container to contain powder falling from an opening located in an upper portion of the powder container, a second container that contains the powder and is located in the first container, on a route through which the powder that falls from the opening, a powder transport mechanism to transport the powder from the first container to the second container, and a detection mechanism to detect whether or not the first container is completely or nearly filled with the powder based on a load to the powder transport mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning device including a powder container.
2. Discussion of the Background
In general, an electrographic image forming apparatus, for example, a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., includes an image forming mechanism for forming an electrostatic image carrier on an image carrier, such as a photoconductor, for developing the latent image; a transfer member for transferring the developed image onto a recording medium; and a fixing member for fixing the image thereon. Typically, the image forming apparatus also includes a cleaning device to collect any residual toner adhering to the image carrier. The toner collected by the cleaning device is transported, for example, to a waste-toner container in the image-forming apparatus as waste toner.
In recent years, a need has arisen to make the image forming apparatus compact. However, the above-described image forming apparatus, in which the waste toner is transported from the cleaning device to the waste-toner container, requires a transporting mechanism to transport the waste toner from the cleaning device to the waste-toner container, and thus, the image forming apparatus body is complicated and increases in size.
Several approaches have been proposed to solve the above-described problem.
In one known method, a cleaning member that is attached to a housing of the cleaning device collects a waste toner. The waste toner is contained in a waste-toner container formed in an interior space of the housing. Since the waste toner collected by the cleaning member is contained in the waste-toner container in the cleaning device itself, the image forming apparatus can be simplified and reduced in size because it does not require a transporting mechanism.
Further, the waste-toner container includes an optical sensor that detects whether or not the waste-toner container is filled with waste toner. When the optical sensor detects that the waste-toner container is filled with waste toner, then, for example, the image forming apparatus displays on a display panel a message that prompts a user to replace the waste-toner container.
In another known method, an image forming apparatus includes a waste-toner container that includes a toner detection space provided separately from a main waste-toner containing space as a protrusion from a part of a sidewall of the waste-toner container. The toner detection space is continuous with the waste-toner containing space, and the waste toner overflows into the toner detection space from the waste-toner containing space when the waste-toner containing space is filled with waste toner.
An optically transmissive material is used for the sidewall forming the waste-toner detection space, and a light emitting part and a light receiving part of an optical sensor arrangement are located so as to sandwich the outside walls defining the waste-toner detection space. As the waste-toner container fills with waste toner, the waste toner enters the toner detection space from the toner containing space and blocks the light from the light emitting part to the light receiving part of the optical sensor, the optical sensor detects that the waste-toner container is filled with waste toner.
However, in the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, waste toner floating in the waste-toner container can adhere to the sidewall of the waste-toner containing space, blocking the light from the light emitting part to the light receiving part of the optical sensor. In this instance, the optical sensor detects that the waste-toner container is filled with waste toner in error, even through the waste-toner container is not filled with waste toner and the waste toner does not enter the toner detection space.
Moreover, the waste-toner detection space is formed as a projection beyond the part of the sidewall of the waste-toner container, thus increasing the size of the waste-toner container increases accordingly.
As the waste-toner container thus increases in size, the space that the waste-toner container occupies in the image forming apparatus grows larger and proportionally increases the size of the image forming apparatus, neither of which is desirable.

Powder container, cleaning device, and image forming apparatus


A process for the production of vinyl acetate which comprises contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) impregnating a catalyst support with a palladium compound, (b) converting the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium and (c) sintering the supported palladium at a temperature of greater than 500xc2x0 C.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of vinyl acetate by contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst.
The preparation of supported palladium catalysts for the production of vinyl acetate generally involves impregnating a suitable support with a palladium compound followed by conversion of the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium.
Methods for the preparation of shell-impregnated catalysts are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,308, U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,096, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,308, U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,710, CA 2128162, U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,622, CA 2128154, CA 2128161 and U.S. Pat. No.5,422,329.
Methods for the preparation of non-shell type catalysts are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,607, GB 1333449, U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,199, U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,819, EP 330853, EP 403950, EP431478 and CA 2071698.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,802 describes a method for the pre-treatment of palladium-gold catalysts in which the catalyst is heated in the presence of an oxidising agent such as air at a temperature at least sufficient to partially oxidise the palladium; the oxidising agent is withdrawn and an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced; the catalyst is then heated again at a temperature up to 500xc2x0 C. in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydrogen or ethylene. The process described therein is illustrated with a xe2x80x9cconventional catalyst containing nominally 1% palladium and 0.5% goldxe2x80x9d.
It is known that the activity for vinyl acetate production of supported palladium catalysts declines with use. If the catalyst""s activity and hence the process productivity declines to a commercially unacceptable level, it is necessary to regenerate and/or replace the catalyst. Deactivation of vinyl acetate catalysts is described by Abel et al. in Chem. Eng. Technol. 17 (1994) 112-118.
Merely increasing the amount of palladium in the catalyst to increase the lifetime of the catalyst presents a problem in that the initial activity of the catalyst may be too high for safe and/or controllable operation on an industrial scale, for example, due to the limited heat removal capacity of the plant.
There remains a need for a process for the preparation of a supported palladium catalyst for use in the production of vinyl acetate which overcomes this problem.
Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a process for the production of vinyl acetate which process comprises contacting ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen-containing gas with a supported palladium catalyst prepared by a process comprising the steps: (a) impregnating a catalyst support with a palladium compound, (b) converting the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium, and (c) sintering the supported palladium at a temperature of greater than 500xc2x0 C.
The present invention solves the technical problem defined above by sintering the palladium on the support at a temperature of greater than 500xc2x0 C.
Without wishing to be bound by any theory it is believed that this sintering step causes palladium metal particle growth which decreases the initial activity of the catalyst. Thus, catalysts having a high palladium concentration but a commercially acceptable initial activity may be prepared by the process according to the present invention and such catalysts have a longer commercially useful life than conventional catalysts. The sintering step also increases the average pore size of silica supports. The catalysts of the present invention have also been found to be less susceptible to the adverse effects of excess concentration of promoter such as potassium acetate.
The sintering step (c) is preferably performed using a reducing gas, but can be performed in the presence of an oxidising gas or in an inert gas. Suitable reducing gases are hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A suitable oxidising gas is oxygen. These may be diluted with an inert gas. Suitable inert gases for use alone or in conjunction with oxidising or reducing gases are nitrogen, carbon dioxide and helium. Suitable temperatures for the sintering step are from greater than 500 to 1000xc2x0 C. with preferred temperatures being in the range 650-1000xc2x0 C. Preferred times for the sintering step are between 1 and 24 hours. If an oxidising gas is used then the catalyst needs to be subsequently reduced. The catalyst can be purged with an inert gas prior to sintering and during the heat-up period (for safety) and during cool-down (to less than 100xc2x0 C., more preferably to less than 60xc2x0 C.) to prevent any redispersion of the palladium. Any suitable or practicable heat-up and cool-down rates can be used. The sintering step (c) on a commercial scale can be performed in a tower or vessel capable of fulfilling the process conditions outlined above. The catalyst can be agitated by the gas flow during the process. A rotary screw furnace can be used. On the laboratory scale, a horizontal or vertically mounted tube in an electric furnace can be used provided that gas-solid contact is efficient (length/diameter will need to be considered). Pre-heating of the gas stream may be required. The time and temperature of the sintering step are related; the higher the temperature, the shorter the time required. Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt these parameters to fit the scale of operations. Typically the sintering step (c) causes palladium metal particle growth from 3-4 nm in a diameter to 8-15 nm in diameter.
The conversion of the palladium compound to substantially metallic palladium in step (b) may be achieved by a reduction step which can immediately precede the sintering step (c) and by performing the two process steps in the same equipment.
The catalyst preparation process of the present invention may be used for the preparation of uniformly impregnated or shell impregnated catalysts, for use in fluid bed or fixed bed processes for the production of vinyl acetate.
The catalyst preparation process of the present invention may be used to prepare catalysts having high palladium concentrations, for example greater than 0.5% by weight, preferably greater than 1% by weight based upon the total weight of the catalyst. The palladium concentration may be as high as 5% by weight for fluid bed or as high as 10% by weight for fixed bed applications. The initial activity of a supported palladium catalyst having high palladium concentration, if prepared by a conventional process, would be expected to be very high and might even be so high as to be unsafe and/or uncontrollable is used on a commercial scale. However, when prepared by the process of the present invention, the initial activity of the catalyst is reduced compared to that of a conventionally prepared catalyst, whereas the high palladium concentration results in commercially acceptable activity for the extended lifetime of the catalyst.
For the preparation of both shell impregnated and uniformly impregnated catalysts, suitable catalyst supports may comprise porous silica, alumina, silica/alumina, titania, zirconia or carbon, preferably silica. Suitably, the support may have a pore volume from 0.2 to 3.5 ml per gram of support, a surface area of 5 to 800 m2 per gram of support and an apparent bulk density of 0.3 to 1.5 g/ml. For catalysts used in fixed bed processes the support typically has dimensions of 3 to 9 mm. For catalysts used in fixed bed processes the support typically may be spheric, tablet, extrudate, pill shaped or any suitable shape. For catalysts used in fluid bed processes the support typically may have a particle size distribution such that at least 60% of the catalyst particles have a particle diameter of below 200 microns, preferably at least 50% less than 105 microns and no more than 40% of the catalyst particles have a diameter less than 40 microns.
In step (a) the support is preferably impregnated with a palladium compound in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents may be water, carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, benzene, toluene, alcohols such as methanol or ethanol, nitriles such as acetonitrile or benzonitrile, tetrahydrofuran or chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane. Preferably, the solvent is water and/or acetic acid. Suitably, the support is impregnated with palladium acetate, sulphate, nitrate, chloride or halogen-containing palladium salts such as H2PdCl4, Na2PdCl4 or K2PdCl4. A preferred water soluble compound is Na2PdCl4. A preferred acetic acid-soluble palladium compound is palladium acetate.
The impregnation of the support may be performed by dipping, immersion or spraying the support in contact with a solution of the palladium compound. The impregnation may be performed in one or more steps or in a continuous process. The support may be contacted with the impregnating palladium solution by tumbling, rotating, swirling or a similar process, to give uniform impregnation. The impregnation is typically performed at ambient temperature. Elevated temperatures may be used for example, with palladium acetate in acetic acid, up to 120xc2x0 C., preferably up to 100xc2x0 C., more preferably up to 60xc2x0 C. Impregnation is performed carefully so as to avoid the break up or attrition of the support. The support can be filled up by the impregnating solution to 5-100% of the pore volume.
In addition to palladium compounds the support may also be impregnated in step (a) with gold, copper and/or nickel compounds, preferably gold, which are converted to the metal along with the palladium in step (b) and are present as mixtures and/or alloys with the palladium in the metallic palladium particles. Suitable gold compounds include gold chloride, tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4), NaAuCl4, KAuCl4, dimethyl gold acetate, barium acetoaurate or gold acetate, preferably HAuCl4. These promoters may be used in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight of each promoter metal present in the finished catalyst.
In addition to palladium and optional gold, copper and/or nickel the support may also be impregnated at any suitable stage during the preparation process with one or more salts of Group I, Group II, lanthanide or transition metals, preferably of cadmium, barium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, nickel, antimony and/or lanthanum, which are present in the finished catalyst as salts, typically acetates. Generally potassium will be present. Suitable salts of these compounds are acetates or chlorides but any soluble salt may be used. These promoters may be used in an amount of 0.1 to 15%, preferably 3 to 9%, by weight of each promoter salt present in the finished catalyst.
The impregnated support may optionally be dried and the impregnation step repeated two or more times if higher palladium or promoter loadings, than the solubility of the salt in the solvent will allow, are required. The drying step may be performed at up to 120xc2x0 C., preferably up to 100xc2x0 C., and most preferably at 60xc2x0 C. The drying step may be performed at ambient temperature and reduced pressure. Air, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide or any suitable inert gas may be used in the drying step. The catalyst may be tumbled, rotated or agitated by the gas stream to aid drying.
To prepare shell impregnated catalysts the wet or dry impregnated support is contacted with a base solution with swirling, tumbling, rotation, mixing or the like. The base solution can also be applied by spraying onto the impregnated support during tumbling, rotation, mixing or the like. Bases can be Group I or II hydroxides, carbonates or silicates. Typical examples are sodium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate, potassium hydroxide, potassium metasilicate and barium hydroxide. The base solution can be applied in one or more steps with suitable time delays between applications. The temperature of the precipitation step is usually ambient but can be raised up to 100xc2x0 C. Any solvent can be used in which the base material is soluble, water is preferred. The base should be contacted with the impregnated support for a suitable period so that the metal salts are precipitated in a shell. This usually takes greater than one hour, preferably between 8 to 24 hours. An optimal amount of base will be required for the precipitation and is usually required in excess, commonly this is 1.8 times the notional amount required to generate the hydroxides of the metal salts.
The impregnated support can be washed to remove anion contaminants, for example, nitrates, sulphates and usually halides. For chloride removal, washing with de-ionised water should proceed until a silver nitrate test shows that there is no chloride present. The anion contamination levels should be minimised. Cation contaminants should be minimised; for example to below 0.5 wt %, preferably below 0.2 wt % of sodium in the dried catalyst. Low levels of these contaminants are likely to remain; it is not essential that the levels are absolutely zero. On a commercial scale, batch washing may be used. To speed up the process, warm water may be used. Also, ion exchange solutions (such as potassium acetate) can be used to displace chloride and sodium. Also, the reagents used for the preparation can be selected to avoid the use of chloride and sodium, for example, potassium metasilicate instead of a sodium salt.
In step (b) the palladium compound can be converted to metal before or after the optional washing step above, depending on the reagents used. Liquid reducing agents such as aqueous hydrazine, formaldehyde, sodium formate, methanol or alcohols, preferably aqueous hydrazine can be used. Reduction may also be performed with gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and ethylene. These can be diluted with an inert gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or helium. Typically, the gaseous reduction takes place at elevated temperatures of 100-500xc2x0 C. until the material is reduced. Typically, reduction in the liquid reducing agents takes place and ambient temperatures but temperatures up to 100xc2x0 C. may be used.
After the palladium has been converted to metal it is sintered as herein described. The sintering step (c) may follow on from the step (b) by further heating the catalyst in the reducing gas to greater than 500xc2x0 C. The material may then be impregnated with promoter salts as herebefore described.
The ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen-containing gas may be contacted with the supported palladium catalyst prepared according to the catalyst preparation process of the present invention by methods known in the art. Thus, the reactants may be contacted with the catalyst in a fixed bed or a fluid bed at temperatures in the range 145 to 195xc2x0 C. and pressures in the range of 1 atm to 20 atm. The vinyl acetate product may be recovered by conventional methods known in the art.

Process for the production of vinyl acetate


An object is to provide a drill bit with improved strength of joint between a bit tip and a bit shaft without diminishing dust suction performance of the drill bit. A drill bit 1 includes: a bit tip 3 including at least three cutting edge portions arranged at the distal end of the bit tip 3 such that they are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, each cutting edge portion 3c having a rake face 3s and a relief face 3e forming a joint ridge L1 serving as a cutting edge; and a bit shaft 2 having a distal end face 2F welded to a proximal end face of the bit tip 3 such that the bit shaft 2 rotates integrally with the bit tip 3. The bit shaft 2 includes a dust suction passage 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bit shaft 2, such that the distal end of the dust suction passage 4 extends to a distal end portion of the bit shaft. A dust suction auxiliary passage 6 is formed at the distal end portion of the bit shaft 2, such that the dust suction auxiliary passage 6 extends from the dust suction passage 4 orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the dust suction passage 4, and a radially outer end 6t of the dust suction auxiliary passage 6 is open at an outer peripheral face 1F of the bit shaft 2. A proximal end portion 3b of the bit tip 3 is integrally attached to the distal end face of the bit shaft 2.

Conventionally, a drill bit has been used as a hole drilling tool in the case of drilling a hole into concrete, stone, or the like.
There are cases where such a drill bit is used for drilling a so-called "anchor bolt hole" into a concrete surface.
Swarf and the like in the "anchor bolt hole" need to be removed as much as possible so that a certain level of strong resistance to drawing force can be obtained for a metal anchor bolt to be implanted into the hole.
Accordingly, after drilling the "anchor bolt hole", so-called "dirt (chips) removal work" to remove swarf and the like from the inside of the hole needs to be performed. That is, in order to allow the anchor bolt to exert its predetermined function, the swarf and the like remaining in the anchor bolt hole are required to be removed before the anchor bolt is implanted into the hole.
Therefore, in conventional cases, after an anchor bolt hole is drilled by a drill bit, a dust collector's cleaning nozzle having its proximal end connected to a suction port of the collector is inserted into the anchor bolt hole, and swarf and other dirt are sucked and removed from the inside of the hole. One of such type of dust collectors is, for example, a dust collector provided by the applicant of the present application (Patent Literature 1).
There is a case where, at the time of hole drilling work, a drill bit is used which has a dust suction hole (dust suction passage) formed at the center of the drill bit tip for the purpose of collecting chips and the like produced at the drill bit tip at the same time as performing the hole drilling work. The structure of the drill bit provided with the dust suction hole is such that two cutting edge portions are formed at the drill bit tip, that is, the cutting edge portions are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with an angle of 180 degrees between them. Specifically, a dust suction hole having a greater diameter than the width of the cutting edge portions is formed in the shaft center of the bit shaft of the drill bit, and an opening at the distal end of the dust suction hole is partially and distally exposed at a position between the cutting edge portions (Patent Literature 2)


An information processing method is disclosed for use with an information processing apparatus for acquiring data and executing signal processing on the data. The method includes the steps of: acquiring information necessary for executing the signal processing on the data; determining whether a certain parameter included in the information acquired in the information acquiring step is changed; if the parameter is found changed in the determining step, then controlling recording of setting information for the signal processing; discarding execution status settings of a signal processing program called up to execute the signal processing; calling up again the signal processing program; initializing, using the changed parameter, the signal processing program called up in the program calling step; reading out the setting information of which the recording was controlled in the setting information recording controlling step; and resetting the signal processing program based on the setting information read out in the setting information reading step.

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. More particularly, the invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for applying effects to the information to be output.
The widespread use of personal computers in recent years has prompted large numbers of people to reproduce music using their PCs. Typically, users utilize an application program capable of audio reproduction to reproduce and enjoy audio data recorded on a recording medium loaded in the personal computer as well as audio data stored inside the personal computer.
Where Windows (registered trademark) is used as the operating system (OS) of the personal computer, the standard audio output functions of the OS are offered by DLL (Dynamic Link Library) called Winmm.dll in the windows¥system32 folder. Illustratively, when sound effects are reproduced during execution of an application program such as a video game, the application program supplies audio data reproduction commands to Winmm.dll. In turn, Winmm.dll transfers the audio data reproduction commands along with audio data to a user mode driver corresponding to the audio device to be set for each application program. A typical standard user mode driver of Windows (R) is Wdmaud.drv.
Referring to FIG. 1, steps to reproduce audio data using Windows (registered trademark) as the OS are explained below. In step S1, a typical application program for audio reproduction calls up the waveoutOpen function of Winmm.dll at the time when an audio data reproduction process takes place. The waveoutOpen function is a function that opens an output device.
In step S2, Winmm.dll calls up the wodMessageOpen function of Wdmaud.drv designated as the user mode driver, in order to open the driver and set parameters necessary for the transfer and reproduction of audio data.
After the open sequence, the application program in step S3 generally calls up the waveoutWrite function of Winmm.dll. In step S4, Winmm.dll calls up the wodMessageWrite function of Wdmaud.drv so as to transfer the audio data. Steps S3 and S4 are repeated until writing of the audio data is finished.
After the audio data has been written, the application program in step S5 generally calls up the waveoutClose function of Winmm.dll. In step S6, Winmm.dll calls up the wodMessageClose function of Wdmaud.drv to terminate the audio data reproduction process.
Techniques exist for reproducing source audio data not only as it is but also with various sound effects added during reproduction. With such techniques, it is possible illustratively to emphasize specific frequency bands of the source audio data for particular effects. For example, lacking sound portions may be compensated to clarify what may be called sound contours; the bass register may be compensated to make reproduced music sound more powerful; the alto and treble registers may be compensated to make the music sound more brilliant; or reverberating effects may be added so as to make the music sound as if it were being played in a theater or in a small-scale live-performance establishment. The techniques are disclosed illustratively in a document "Virtual 3D Surround Software QMAX II" disclosed online by Easy Systems Japan at http://www.easy.co.jp/qmax2/index.html (retrieved on the Internet on Mar. 22, 2004).
The above-described typical application program has UI (user interface) for operating effect parameters. Based on the user's operation input, the application program can apply sound effects to the audio data being reproduced by another application program. The typical application program discussed above will be referred to as an effect parameter operating application program in the ensuing description.
It might happen that audio data being reproduced by a typical application program is subject to sound effects provided by the effect parameter operating application program which is stopped halfway while the data reproducing program is still in operation. In such a case, with the effect parameter operating application program deactivated, the audio data reproduced by the typical application program is still being output together with the sound effects. That is, the effect parameter operating application program controls audio processing parameters for an audio data processing module, and does not operate on the audio data directly.
Illustratively, as shown in FIG. 2, the audio data reproduced by a typical application program 1 is supplied to an audio data hook/signal processing module 2 capable of hooking audio data and processing signals. Given parameter settings from an effect parameter operating application program 3, the audio data hook/signal processing module 2 gives sound effects to the supplied audio data. The audio data thus processed is fed to a driver 4 that controls the operation of hardware such as speakers for audio output.
As outlined above, there already exist application programs capable of applying sound effects to audio data being reproduced. However, the types of effects are specific to each application program; it has been difficult for such application programs to utilize standard effect plug-ins such as DirectX Plug-in and VST.
One way to use such standard plug-ins is to constitute a user mode driver that is visible to an audio driver. The user mode driver may hook audio data and give sound effects to the hooked data using the plug-ins. In such cases, diverse application programs reproduce audio data at diverse sampling frequencies, so that the standard plug-ins receive signal processing requests at these diverse sampling frequencies. Meanwhile, many plug-ins have been developed for use with audio data editing applications. It follows that if a sampling frequency is changed halfway through reproduction, the GUI in use may become inconsistent with the changed sampling frequency or the change may lead to other errors.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program