A method and system for controlling the execution of an application program to effect the performing of a specialized task is provided. In preferred embodiments, an interface computer program gathers status information from the application computer program, collects user input relating to the specialized task, generates commands to send to the application program, and sends the commands to the application program to effect the execution of the specialized task. The interface computer program communicates with the application computer program preferably through the dynamic data exchange of Windows.

This invention relates generally to methods for controlling the execution of an application program, and more specifically a method and system for providing a user interface for controlling the performing of specialized tasks by the application program.
There currently exists a plethora of general-purpose application computer programs. These general-purpose application programs include word processors, desk top publishers, spreadsheets, and data base products. The field is very competitive for producing these products. When these general-purpose application programs were first developed for personal computers, they were unsophisticated by today""s standards. Due in part to competitive pressures, these programs evolved into very sophisticated programs that provide many features and options. For example, the original spreadsheet products basically provide a grid of cells for numerical calculations. Spreadsheet products today provide many more capabilities such as graphing data, storing and retrieving data, and programming functions.
Unfortunately, as these general-purpose application programs get more sophisticated, the user also needs to be more sophisticated to take advantage of advanced features. These advanced features often make tasks that were previously simple more complicated to perform. Consequently, users must devote a considerable amount of time to learning the product to perform these previously simple tasks. This complexity also affects the efficiency of tasks that are performed for the first time on an infrequent basis. For example, a user may want to quickly produce a quarterly newsletter using a desktop publishing product, but the user may not have design skills or skills in using all the necessary parts of the application. Also, a user may produce a quarterly newsletter using a desktop publishing product. However, the user may forget how to use many of the features of the publisher in between issues of the newsletter. Thus, the user must spend a certain amount of re-learning time each quarter.
A feature that has recently been added to several general-purpose computer programs is interprocess communications. Interprocess communications allows computer programs to transmit data to each other through communications channels. Interprocess communications has typically been used to synchronize programs, to request data from a program, and send data to a program. Microsoft Corporation has developed a standard interprocess communications mechanism for application programs. The mechanism is called the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). The DDE provides a means for interprocess communications for programs that are developed for the Windows windowing environment. The DDE feature of Windows is described in the xe2x80x9cMicrosoft Systems Journal,xe2x80x9d November, 1987 and the xe2x80x9cMicrosoft Windows Programmer""s Reference.xe2x80x9d The DDE is implemented through message passing. The DDE is typically used to allow two application programs to share data. For example, a user may want to incorporate a quarterly chart that is developed in a graphics package into a newsletter. Using DDE, the publisher product could request a new chart to be generated by the graphics product. The publisher product could then automatically incorporate the new chart into the current newsletter. The DDE thus provides a mechanism for one program to share and update data with another program.
Typically, developers of application programs that use the DDE will publish their DDE interface. For example, the developer of a spreadsheet product will publish a list of messages that it will recognize and how it will respond to those messages. Some general-purpose application programs define these messages so that each function that can be accomplished through the user interface to the application program can be accomplished through the DDE.
It would be desirable to have an easy-to-use method and system for using theses sophisticated general-purpose programs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for performing a specialized task in a general-purpose application program.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new user interface to a preexisting application program to control the execution of a task.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system that allows third parties to extend and customize the features of an existing application program.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an interface program that has expert knowledge relating to the performance of a specialized task.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system architecture for the performing of specialized task in an application program.
These and other objects, which will become apparent as the invention is more fully described below, are obtained by a method and system for controlling the execution of an application program to effect the performing of a specialized task. In preferred embodiments, an interface computer program gathers status information from the application computer program, collects user input relating to the specialized task, generates commands to send to the application program, and sends the commands to the application program to effect the execution of the specialized task.

Method and system for controlling the execution of an application program


A temporary matrix is provided in treating a subterranean formation by providing a composition comprising a matrix forming material and a matrix degrading material. The matrix degrading material is capable of degrading the matrix after a period of time when subjected to existing or induced conditions of the subterranean formation. The composition is placed into a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The composition is allowed to form a matrix within the wellbore, whereby the matrix at least one of significantly reduces the passage of fluid across or near the matrix or provides structural strength. A treatment operation is performed on the subterranean formation or wellbore and the degrading material is allowed to degrade the matrix.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
The invention relates to methods and compositions for use in subterranean treatment operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to degradable cement compositions comprising degrading materials, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean formation treatment operations.
Hydraulic cement compositions are commonly utilized in subterranean operations, particularly subterranean well completion and remedial operations. For example, hydraulic cement compositions are used in primary cementing operations whereby pipe strings such as casings and liners are cemented in well bores. In performing primary cementing, hydraulic cement compositions are pumped into an annular space between the walls of a well bore and the exterior surface of a pipe string disposed therein. To ensure that the annular space is completely filled, a cement slurry is pumped into the annular space until the slurry circulates to the surface. The cement composition is then permitted to set in the annular space, thereby forming an annular sheath of hardened, substantially impermeable cement. The hardened cement substantially supports and positions the pipe string in the well bore and bonds the exterior surfaces of the pipe string to the walls of the well bore. Hydraulic cement compositions are also used in remedial cementing operations, such as plugging highly permeable zones or fractures in well bores, plugging cracks and holes in pipe strings, and the like.

Degradable cement compositions containing degrading materials and methods of cementing in wellbores


An image processing apparatus is disclosed which can produce refractive index distribution data with high accuracy without limiting directions in which transmitted wavefronts are measured. The image processing apparatus has a simulating section which simulates a transmitted wavefront in each of the directions to produce a second transmitted wavefront image based on first refractive index distribution data, a comparing section which produces first information indicating the result of comparison between the second transmitted wavefront image and the first transmitted wavefront image, and a changing section which changes the first refractive index distribution data based on the first information to produce second refractive index distribution data. In the apparatus, the processing in the sections is repeated using the second refractive index distribution data as the first refractive index distribution data to produce the resulting second refractive index distribution data which is used as the output refractive index distribution data.

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a refractive index distribution measuring apparatus for providing an internal refractive index distribution of an object such as an optical element, and more particularly, to an apparatus for providing an internal refractive index distribution by analyzing a transmitted wavefront or interference fringes.
In recent years, optical elements such as lenses for use in digital cameras and laser-beam printers are often manufactured by molding of optical glass or plastic, and also, optical element shaving aspheric surfaces or free-form surfaces are often manufactured by molding. The molding enables processing of aspheric surfaces at low cost, but produces a nonuniform refractive index distribution within an optical element resulting from a molding time or a molding pressure in manufacture. The presence of the nonuniform refractive index distribution significantly affects the image-forming ability and the like of the optical element which requires high optical performance, so that design values cannot be achieved. Based on that fact, the measurement of the refractive index distribution is an important issue and high-accuracy measurement is needed.
In general, the measurement of a transmitted wavefront with an interferometer is widely used as a method of measuring a refractive index distribution. In conventional methods, however, only a refractive index distribution obtained from integration in a transmission direction of light is observed, and a three-dimensional refractive index distribution such as an internal distribution cannot be provided. To determine the three-dimensional distribution, an optical element to be tested must be measured in several parts, for example by slicing it, and high-accuracy measurement is difficult to achieve.
To solve the problem, Japanese Patent No. 3423486 has disclosed a method in which an object under test is immersed in matching oil having substantially the same refractive index as that of the object under test, and while the object under test is rotated around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis of a wave for test, transmitted wavefronts are measured successively, and an internal distribution is estimated in the cross section of the wave for test from the images of the transmitted wavefronts by performing CT (Computerized Tomography) analysis.
However, the change from interference fringes to transmitted wavefronts involves problems such as an error in a dense part of the interference fringes and a phase jump, and thus accurate transmitted wavefronts cannot be provided in many cases. Particularly, since the CT analysis used in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3423486 described above utilizes the Fourier transform, it cannot be performed if the images of transmitted wavefronts have any loss due to the abovementioned problems, an opaque part of the object under test, and the like. In addition, the measurement direction of the transmitted wavefronts is limited to one orthogonal to the axis around the single axis, so that it is difficult to provide a stable and accurate refractive index distribution.
Furthermore, in the wavefronts changed from the interference fringes, each pixel has a different expected error amount, but the difference in the error amount for each pixel cannot be reflected in the estimation of the refractive index distribution, leading to a reduction in accuracy.

Image processing apparatus and refractive index distribution measuring apparatus


This invention pertains to a novel process for directly producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from chitin. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel process for producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine utilizing an ensemble of the chitinase family of enzymes to hydrolyze chitin of crustacea shells. The invention includes a process for producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine by enzymatically hydrolyzing chitin with an ensemble of chitinolytic enzymes, including chitinase and chitobiase. In particular, using a two-stage chitin-hydrolysis reactor.

In recent years, it has been discovered that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is a valuable pharmacological agent in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine does not have any established negative side effects. Rather, since it occupies an important place in protein synthesis, it has a positive effect on tissue regeneration. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine has therapeutic potential in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases including gastritis, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diverticulitis. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is a valuable and important component of protein synthesis in the animal body.
Currently, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is not widely available in the marketplace and is expensive. To date, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in commercial quantities is prepared by a United States company which utilizes a process that is based on acid hydrolysis of crude chitin. This results in deacetylation of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units to form glucosamine. The glucosamine is isolated and re-acetylated to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine using an organic acetylating reagent such as acetic anhydride.
Chitin, which is a major component of the exoskeleton of insects and shellfish, is a .beta. 1,4 linked unbranched polymer composed almost entirely of amino sugars, specifically N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and is a natural substrate for the manufacture of this compound. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is a natural substance, has a somewhat pleasant sweet taste, is non-toxic and dissolves easily in water and bodily fluids.
N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, specifically2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, belongs to a larger class of amino sugars which serve a number of important functions and are localized in many areas of the human biosystem. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is a key amino sugar which is made in the body of all animals from glucose, also called blood sugar. Complex (polymeric) carbohydrates containing N-acetyl glucosamine, referred to as glycosaminoglycans, become associated with or attached to proteins to form a class of compounds generally referred to as proteoglycans. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is part of the makeup of body tissues and blood vessels, and the protective coverings over the digestive, respiratory and genitourinary organs. In this capacity, it is involved in the regulation of what enters and leaves the body and the movement of substances into and between cells of the body. The biochemical processes involved in amino sugar synthesis and utilization occur in all cells and are fairly well understood.
Amino sugars make up over half the glycosamino-glycans of interstitial tissue that fills the spaces between cells and forms the cellular "glue" that binds cells together. This material is a gel-like matrix of collagen protein and glycosamino-glycans, holding cells in place and regulating those substances which pass between cells.
Amino sugars are also a major constituent of basement membranes; the tough, thin sheets which surround blood vessels and various tissues. These tissues control the nutrients and waste products that cross the cell membranes, supporting tissue structures and influence cell growth.
Certain disease processes appear to be related to abnormalities in the formation and utilization of amino sugars which are natural constituents of many tissues in the body. Since amino sugars are vital components for many tissues it is easy to rationalize that a reduction in the availability of amino sugars would lead to abnormal cellular functions. Cell membranes, intercellular fluids, cell regeneration and overall tissue metabolism could all be affected. A deficiency in this fundamental building block in the body could lead to a variety of medical disorders.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,310, granted Nov. 16, 1993, Isao Karube et al., discloses and claims a process wherein chitin-containing material is heat-treated in organic solvent, or in a solvent with water, and then .beta.-1,4 glycoside decomposing enzyme is added for decomposing the chitin-containing material by enzyme reaction. Alternatively, chitin-containing material is ultrasonicated in organic solvent or in the solvent with water, and then chitin-containing material is decomposed by enzyme reaction of .beta.-1,4 glycoside decomposing enzyme. Further, chitin-containing material is exposed in the solution containing urea and/or surfactant, and then chitin-containing material is let co-exist with .beta.-1,4 glycoside decomposing enzyme under the presence or non-presence of urea and/or surfactant for decomposing chitin-containing material. In a further variation, at the time of exposing chitin-containing material in the solution containing urea and/or surfactant, the solution is heated and the .beta.-1,4 glycoside decomposing enzyme is added for decomposing chitin-containing material. Specifically, the process comprises an enzymatic method of decomposing chitin, comprising: mixing the chitin with an organic solvent, thereby creating a chitin and solvent mixture, wherein the mixing step comprises ultrasonicating the chitin and solvent mixture; heating the chitin and solvent mixture; and adding .beta.-1,4 glycosidase to the mixture.
A number of Japanese patents disclose various methods of treating chitin, or chitin derivatives, with chitinase enzymes.
Japanese Patent No. 5,084,087, Apr. 6, 1993, discloses the release of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine by treating a polysaccharide with acid chitinase induced with ethylene in azuki bean plant.
Japanese Patent No. 5,007,496, Jan. 19, 1993, discloses the preparation of the oligosugar (high polymerized heterooligo sugar of glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine, and monooligosugar of glucosamine) by hydrolysis of the partially deacetylated chitin by chitinase. The preparation is carried out in a dialysis membrane, by dialysis. Cation ion exchange chromatography is placed outside the membrane. The chitin is obtained from crustacea or tricomonus.
Japanese Patent No. 3,094,697, Apr. 19, 1991, discloses a method comprising completely decomposing chitin or chitosan into their structural units, N-acetyl glucosamine and glucosamine using enzymes, and then determining the monosaccharide. The deacetylation degree of chitin and chitosan can be measured readily with high accuracy. The enzyme preferably includes exo type .beta.-D-glucosoaminidase, .beta.-N-acetylhexosaminidase, chitosanase, chitinase, lysozyme, etc. The measurement of N-acetyl glucosamine and glucosamine is conducted using high speed liquid chromatography, colorimetory, etc.
Japanese Patent No. 2,031,685, Feb. 1, 1990, discloses a method of producing monosaccharides characterized by (a) treating starch and/or its hydrolyzate with endo-form polysaccharide-decomposing enzyme and (b) accumulating monosaccharide with high concentration. As polysaccharide and/or its hydrolyzate starch and/or its hydrolyzate, xylan and/or its hydrolyzate, mannan and/or its hydrolyzate, chitin and/or its hydrolyzate and galactan and its hydrolyzate can be used and as polysaccharide-decomposing enzyme, alpha-amylase, xylanase, mannase, chitinase and galactanase can be used respectively. The monosaccharide formed by the above combination is glucose, xylose, mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine or galactose.
Japanese Patent No. 1,291,793, Nov. 24, 1989, discloses endo-type chitinase production by cultivation of trichoderma AF6-T8 in liquid medium containing colloidal or fine particles, used to produce acetyl glucosamine.
Japanese Patent No. 93,004,067, Jan. 19, 1993, discloses the production of chitosan, N-acetyl glucosamine, etc., by cultivating Flavobacterium MP-1C and/or Pseudomonas MP-1D strains in the presence of crustaceae shells. The chitin in the shell can purportedly be effectively decomposed and chitosan, N-acetyl-glucosamine, etc. can be prepared. Chitin-decomposing enzymes such as chitinase, chitobiase, chitin deacetylase and chitosanase can also be recovered by fractionating means such as ultrafiltration, etc.
Japanese Patent No. 93,033,037, May 18, 1993, discloses N-acetyl-D-glucosamine preparation by hydrolyzing chitin to N-acetyl-chito-oligosaccharide, and then further hydrolyzing with an enzyme. The method is characterized by (a) hydrolyzing chitin partially with acid and (b) treating the thus obtained mixture containing N-acetylchito-oligosaccharides with the enzyme which hydrolyzes N-acetylchito-oligosaccharide as substrate. The lysozyme is chitinase, chitobiase, etc. They decompose N-acetyl chito-oligosaccharide to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.
Japanese Patent No. 94,032,605, May 2, 1994, discloses chitinase-producing Streptomyces microorganism, used for the production of chitin degradation products. A microorganism of Streptomyces produces chitinase. Preferable strains are Streptomyces sp. KE-406 (FERM P-8642), Streptomyces sp. KE-902 (FERM P-8643) and Streptomyces sp. KE-3332 (FERM P-8644). They are all isolated from soil. Chitinase with high activity is produced by culture of a strain of Streptomyces. By using the chitinase, chitinase degradation products, e.g. N-acetyl glucosamine and chitooligosaccharide are produced efficiently.
Chemical Abstract 115:230433 discloses that chitinolytic enzymes containing chitinase and .beta.-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase from Nocardia orientalis IFO 12806 were immobilized on various carriers by different methods for the continuous production of N-acetyl glucosamine. The immobilized enzyme containing both enzymes prepared by physical adsorption to tannin-chitosan was very useful for N-acetyl glucosamine production.

Process for producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine


An intragastric anchor implant device with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends with atraumatic features disposed thereon is described herein. The atraumatic features inhibit damage to the tissues of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract and help anchor the device. The elongate member may be substantially rigid to resist bending and engage a tissue of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract to prevent passage therethrough and may include one or more bends to conform to the shape of the tract. The anchor implant device may be coupled with a therapeutic device, such as an intestinal bypass sleeve with a sliding seal, such as an expandable structure, that secures the sleeve to direct a flow of food particles from the stomach therethrough, for use in treating various disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Methods of deploying the anchor implant devices are also disclosed.

Obesity and other metabolic related disorders affect millions of patients, and the number of patients suffering from such disorders has increased in recent years. Morbid obesity is often considered a serious and potentially life threatening disorder, as it may lead to diabetes, hypertension and other serious medical conditions. Since all of these disorders are typically related to the digestive processes, treatment methods often involve interrupting the normal digestive process to reduce the absorption of food particles passing from the stomach through the gastrointestinal system. Studies have also shown that reducing intestinal contact with gastric chyme, which may influence the secretion of certain hormones such as ghrelin which may stimulate hunger, may also be a viable treatment for obesity and its associated medical conditions. Although bariatric surgical procedures, such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric sleeve resection, have proven beneficial, these procedures are highly invasive and typically involve removal of portions of the stomach, stapling or suturing, which generally result in permanent irreversible changes to the patient's digestive tract and carry a substantial risk of surgical complications or death.
Although more recently, endoscopic procedures have been developed to deliver less invasive therapies, such as the gastric bypass sleeve, into the a patient's gastrointestinal system, anchoring of such devices has proven difficult as the stomach and gastrointestinal tract is fairly flexible and may contort significantly during digestion. Additionally, the harsh digestive environment within the stomach can tend to break down foreign objects, such as an anchoring device, when placed in the stomach for any length of time. The unique anatomy of the stomach also presents challenges in anchoring a treatment device as devices large enough to resist passage from the stomach through the gastrointestinal tract may block the passage of nutrients and food particles through the digestive system, while devices small enough to allow passage of food and nutrients are often passed through the digestive system. Due to these difficulties in anchoring treatment devices in the stomach, many procedures still rely on invasive techniques, such as suturing or penetrating tissues.
In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide improved devices, systems and methods for anchoring treatment, sensing and/or monitoring devices, and in particular anchoring of such devices in a stomach of a patient for use in treatment of obesity and other metabolic related disorders. It would be desirable to provide a device and method for anchoring a treatment and/or sensing device in a gastrointestinal tract or stomach of a patient that does not require suturing, stapling, or resection of tissue, while allowing the passage of nutrients and food particles through the digestive system. It would also be beneficial to provide systems and methods of treatment that allow for treatment of metabolic disorders by limiting intestinal contact with stomach chyme and stomach secretions thereby influencing secretion of certain hormones, both of which contribute to metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity. It would be further beneficial to provide systems and methods that allow for passage of such devices through the gastrointestinal tract after treatment monitoring is complete. It is further desirable that such devices and methods are robust enough to withstand the harsh environment of the stomach while providing adequate anchoring in the unique morphology of the stomach.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A system comprising a commerce module to offer a copy of a piece of media content for sale, a server module to immediately provide access to a digital copy of the piece of media content, a reservation module to reserve a hard copy of the piece of media content, and a delivery module to deliver the hard copy of the piece of media content. A method comprising offering a digital copy of a piece of media content for sale, reserving a hard copy of the piece of media content when a digital copy of the piece of media content is sold, allowing at least one user to order the hard copy after having purchased the digital copy, and denying access to the digital copy when the hard copy has been ordered.

Traditionally, consumers have purchased media content, such as movies, in hard copies. Various hard copies have existed throughout time, such as video tapes, film reels, CD discs, DVD discs, and now Blu-Ray discs. Unfortunately, such traditional means of delivering media content to consumers has also plagued consumers with clutter and mess in their media viewing areas, which has caused many consumers to simply cease purchasing media content once their collections have grown too big.
In an effort to solve this problem, media is offered for consumption in digital form, whereby consumers may stream or download media content instead of purchasing a hard copy. Many consumers remain unsatisfied however, as digital copies do not offer a tangible item associated with the media content for consumers to own, such as a DVD or Blu-Ray discs along with associated artwork and paperwork, which are highly valued by media collectors and connoisseurs.

System and method for storing and distributing media content


When a print server according to the present invention receives a printing cancellation request from a load balancer, the print server acquires information of a print job as a target of the printing cancellation request and information of a printing device. Then, the print server determines whether a status of the acquired print job is a first status where printing cancellation processing is to be executed by a print server in charge of the printing device, a second status where the printing cancellation processing is to be executed by the printing device, or a third status where the printing cancellation request is to be handled as an error. Thereafter, the print server executes the printing cancellation processing according to the determination result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a print server in a printing system which executes distributed processing of printing processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is provided a printing system in which a print server generates print data by receiving a printing request from a client, and then an image forming apparatus executes printing processing by receiving the print data. In the above-described printing system, for example, when the client sends a printing cancellation request, it is desirable that the print server promptly executes cancellation of the printing processing. However, if the print server exists in the internet over a firewall, the print server cannot notify the image forming apparatus of the cancellation of the printing processing. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-227624 discusses a technique for appropriately executing the cancellation of the printing processing by changing a determination of the printing cancellation processing according to a generation status or a transfer status of the print data.
With the widespread use of the above-described print server connected thereto via the internet, there has been provided a printing system which executes distributed processing of a print job by managing a number of printing devices with a plurality of print servers. In the printing system, printing requests are distributed to the print servers through a typical load distribution apparatus known as a "load balancer".
In the above-described distributed processing-type printing system, various requests received from a client are distributed to each of the print servers through the load balancer. Although the load balancer can allocate the requests to the print servers at high speed, it is not possible for the load balancer to execute complex processing such as controlling a printing order or identifying the print server that is processing a print job as a target of a printing cancellation request.
Accordingly, it can be considered that the load balancer is configured to distribute the printing cancellation request received from the client to each of the print servers as well. When the print server has received the printing cancellation request distributed by the load balancer, the print server has to transfer the printing cancellation request to the print server that is executing the processing of the print job as a target of that printing cancellation request. However, in the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-227624, the printing cancellation request cannot be transferred because the distributed processing-type printing system is not taken into consideration.

Print server, control method of print server, and storage medium


An infrared remote-control system and method for the simultaneous transmission of data from two or more separate hand transmitters to a single remote-control receiver is disclosed. Interference between transmitted signals is eliminated by interlacing control signals with quiescent periods during transmission. The control signals are received and validated by the receiver based on the quiescent periods.

The present invention relates in general to remote control systems employing infrared light transmitters and receivers as a means of wireless communication, and particularly to a means to eliminate cross talk and interference between multiple transmitters.
Infrared transmitters and receivers are used extensively in indoor remote-control applications, such as in the remote control of audio and video entertainment systems. A typical infrared remote control system includes a single transmitter for the encryption, modulation, and transmission of control information, and a receiver for the reception, demodulation, and decoding of the transmitted signal, all for the control of a remote device. The transmitter is a remote, hand-held, wireless device that communicates with the receiver using infrared light signals. The receiver is connected electronically to one or more devices.
A limitation of known infrared remote control systems is that the simultaneous use of more than one transmitter device in association with a single receiver can result in cross-talk or interference between the transmitted signals, adversely affecting the ability of the receiver to implement properly the desired control function.
One solution to the problem is to stagger the data within each signal sent by the transmitters. The staggering of data allows reception of the signals substantially simultaneously with each other without data interference. However, data is encoded in order to preserve it during transmission, then decoded via decoding means such as look-up tables before transmission to the device. The look-up table requires added memory, added processing steps, and added time before the proper signal is finally directed to the device.
Accordingly, what is needed is a multiple transmitter, single receiver combination that requires a minimum amount of memory, fewer processing steps, and less time for operation than is presently available.

Infrared transmitter and receiver and method


A bioabsorbable, cannulated tissue tack having an oblong head is used in sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. A plurality of ribs are formed along the shaft of the tack. Repair of the glenohumeral joint is performed by installing the tack through a hole formed through the soft tissue of the labrum and into the cancellous bone of the glenoid rim. Aligning the oblong head of the tack lengthwise along the glenoid rim provides a low profile that avoids articular impingement on the tack head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sutureless fixation of tissue to bone. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bioabsorbable cannulated tissue tack with an angled or straight oval-shaped head for sutureless tissue fixation in the shoulder.
2. Description of the Related Art
When soft tissue tears away from bone, reattachment becomes necessary. Various fixation devices, including sutures, screws, staples, wedges, and plugs have been used in the past to secure soft tissue to bone. More recently, various types of threaded suture anchors have been developed.
The known suture anchors generally require that the surgeon tie knots in the suture to secure tissue to the bone. Tying surgical knots is tedious and time-consuming. It would be preferable to be able to secure the soft tissue to the bone in one step without having to tie knots.
Accordingly, a need exists for a bioabsorbable anchor for soft tissue fixation that can be installed to secure tissue easily and effectively without sutures. A need also exists for a soft tissue fixation device having a low profile configuration particularly suited for reattachment of tissue to the glenoid rim.

Bioabsorbable tissue tack with oval-shaped head and method of tissue fixation using the same


Various methods and devices are provided for use in a walking beam compressor used with an oil well pump. In general, an injectable fibrous sealant is provided for use in a stuffing box to form a seal around a piston rod that couples to a walking beam for pumping oil out of the ground. The injectable fibrous sealant can be configured to form a gas tight seal around the piston rod, while allow reciprocal longitudinal movement of the piston rod therethrough. The injectable fibrous sealant is particularly advantageous as it has an extended life, eliminating the need to replace the seal, and repairs can be performed on-site by injecting additional sealant into the stuffing box.

A common oil well pumping system includes a walking beam mounted upon a horizontally-axised, transverse pivot at the top of a Samson post. One end of the walking beam is connected to a pump rod and the other end is connected to the crank of a drive motor through a connecting rod. Rotation of the crank causes the walking beam to rock or oscillate in a vertical plane to raise and lower the pump rod. The rod-connected end of the walking beam is provided with the familiar "horse head" to keep the pump rod in alignment with the well axis. The opposite end of the walking beam carries a counterbalance weight to offset the weight of the pump rod and minimize the stress on the motor.
When pumping an oil well, both oil and gas may be produced and the capture of the gas is both profitable and better for the environment. Thus, an oil well pumping system can include a compressor unit mounted between the walking beam and a stationary part of the pumping unit for compressing the natural gas produced during the pumping of the oil. Such a compressor unit is called a walking beam compressor because it is activated by engaging a piston rod coupled to the walking beam. The rocking of the walking beam reciprocates the piston to effect intake and compression strokes. As a compressing mechanism compresses the gas, high pressures are created inside the compressor housing, requiring appropriate sealing elements between the compressor housing, the piston rod, and the atmosphere. Traditionally, a piston rod seal may have rubber sealing elements that tend to wear quickly and require replacement. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved piston rod seal assembly that can provide effective sealing between the walking beam compressor and the atmosphere while having an extended lifetime.

Stuffing box for walking beam compressor


A system and method for high-speed, low-power cryogenic computing are presented, comprising ultrafast energy-efficient RSFQ superconducting computing circuits, and hybrid magnetic/superconducting memory arrays and interface circuits, operating together in the same cryogenic environment. An arithmetic logic unit and register file with an ultrafast asynchronous wave-pipelined datapath is also provided. The superconducting circuits may comprise inductive elements fabricated using both a high-inductance layer and a low-inductance layer. The memory cells may comprise superconducting tunnel junctions that incorporate magnetic layers. Alternatively, the memory cells may comprise superconducting spin transfer magnetic devices (such as orthogonal spin transfer and spin-Hall effect devices). Together, these technologies may enable the production of an advanced superconducting computer that operates at clock speeds up to 100 GHz.

The explosive growth of the Internet has transformed data centers into large industrial-scale computer facilities with extraordinarily high energy demands. From Google and Facebook to banking, cloud computing and supercomputing, an average data center already uses as much electricity as a medium-size town. In Silicon Valley, data centers are also listed as the top air polluters from backup diesel exhausts. Already by 2012, the energy costs for a data center were estimated to exceed the cost of the original capital investment over its useful life. The carbon footprint of data centers is expected to exceed that of the airline industry by 2020. For 2011, the Facebook carbon footprint was ˜285,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. For 2010, that of Google was five times higher ˜1,500,000 tons. Energy considerations are forcing the construction of new data centers in areas where the climate helps cooling and electricity is cheaper. A recent Facebook 120 MW data center was built just south of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, close to a hydropower station producing twice as much electricity as the Hoover Dam in Nevada. Besides just high energy costs and adverse environmental impact, there is a compelling technical reason to improve the energy efficiency of computing technologies. The development of the next generations of high-end computers (e.g., exascale supercomputers and beyond, where exa=1018) will not be possible unless a significant improvement in energy efficiency is achieved over the technology available today. See, for example, R. Service, "What'll It Take to Go Exascale", Science Magazine, vol. 335, p. 394, Jan. 27, 2012, expressly incorporated herein by reference. For a computer rated at1 ExaFLOPS (109 Giga FLoating-point OPerations per Second), this requires >50 GigaFLOPS/W. As of November 2012, the fastest supercomputer Titan (Cray XK7) had ˜2 GigaFLOPS/W (˜20 PetaFLOPS at ˜10 MW). The power dissipation target for a future exascale supercomputer is very stringent—no more than 20 MW, which is just two times larger than that of Titan with ˜ 1/50 ExaFLOPS.
The heart of the problem is in the relatively low energy efficiency of current computer circuit technologies that consume too much power for computing, storing and moving data between processors and memories. Despite the fact that Moore's law continues to enable even more transistors per chip, Dennard scaling (the simultaneous reduction of CMOS threshold and bias voltages commensurate with device size reduction) ended a few years ago. Now every new CMOS process generation has higher power density, and peak power requirements are increasing at a rate far exceeding the ability to remove heat. This is the reason that energy efficiency rather than switching speed or circuit area has now become the dominant metric in computing performance, from hand-held portable devices to high-end, large-scale supercomputers.
Conventional approaches are unlikely to yield sufficient reduction in power density. In contrast, superconducting single-flux quantum (SFQ) circuits, by virtue of their inherent low power dissipation, high speed, and lossless interconnect, present an excellent opportunity to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of high-end computing applications. See, for example, D. S. Holmes, et al., "Energy-Efficient Superconducting Computing—Power Budgets and Requirements", IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 23, no. 3, 1701610 (June 2013), expressly incorporated herein by reference. This should dramatically enhance the energy-efficiency of data centers and enable new generations of supercomputers.
Ever since the late 1960s, superconducting Josephson junction integrated circuits have been considered as possible candidates for high-speed, low-power computing. See, for example, W. Anacker, "Josephson Computer Technology: An IBM Research Project", IBM Journal of Research and Development, vol. 24, no. 2, p. 107 (March 1980), expressly incorporated herein by reference. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,365,476; 4,509,146; 4,360,898; 4,633,439; 5,126,598; 5,388,068; all expressly incorporated herein by reference. This technology produced circuits with very low power densities and clock rates of several GHz, fabricated using a robust integrated circuit process based on niobium Josephson junctions, typically operating at a temperature near 4 K. For more on the niobium IC process, see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,430,662; 7,615,385; 8,383,426; 4,499,199; 4,589,161; 7,060,508; 7,105,853; 8,301,214; 8,437,818; 2011/0089405; 5,055,158; all expressly incorporated herein by reference. However, these earlier circuits were superseded by another much faster logic family also based on Josephson junctions, superconducting rapid single-flux quantum (RSFQ) logic, invented in the mid-1980s, which promised digital circuits with clock rates up to 100 GHz. See K. K. Likharev and V. K. Semenov, "RSFQ Logic/Memory Family: A New Josephson Junction Technology for Sub-Terahertz-Clock Frequency Digital Systems", IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 3 (March 1991), expressly incorporated herein by reference. This enabled the development of ultrafast digital signal processing circuits by the mid-2000s, and today, cryogenic RSFQ Digital-RF receivers operating with 30 GHz clock frequency are available for wide-bandwidth satellite communications and signal intelligence applications. See, for example, 0. Mukhanov, et al., "Superconductor Digital-RF Receiver Systems", IEICE Transactions on Electronics, vol. E91-C, p. 306 (2008), expressly incorporated herein by reference. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,462,889; 8,260,143; 8,260,144; 8,260,145; 8,521,117; 8,055,235; 8,521,117; 8,301,104; 8,514,986; 7,876,869; 8,045,660; 8,130,880; 8,514,986; 7,280,623; 8,249,540; 8,401,509; 7,701,286; 7,362,125; 7,991,013; 8,498,491; all expressly incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, various prototypes of high-speed processors, data and signal processing modules have also been demonstrated. See, for example, A. Fujimaki et al., "Bit-serial single flux quantum microprocessor CORE, IEICE Transactions on Electronics, vol. E91-C, p. 342 (2008); M. Dorojevets, et al., Data-flow microarchitecture for wide datapath RSFQ processors", IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 21, no. 3, p. 787 (June 2011); M. Dorojevets, et al., "8-Bit Asynchronous Sparse-Tree Superconductor RSFQ Arithmetic-Logic Unit With a Rich Set of Operations", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 23, no. 3, 1700104 (June 2013); all expressly incorporated herein by reference. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,376,691; 7,440,490; 6,917,537; 6,865,639; 7,443,719; 7,903,456; 6,960,929; 7,459,927; also WO2002/069498; all expressly incorporated herein by reference.
RSFQ logic is based on exploiting single quanta of magnetic flux to encode clock and data, corresponding to a fast voltage pulse is generated with quantized area∫V(t)dt=Φ0=h/2e=2.06×10−15 Wb=2.06 mV-ps,
known as a single flux quantum or SFQ. For a typical Josephson junction, such a pulse is created with pulse height ˜1 mV and pulsewidth ˜2 ps. The energy consumed during this switching event is of the order of IC×Φ0˜10−19 J assuming IC˜0.1 mA (chosen to exceed thermal noise at 4 K). Therefore, the gate switching energy is directly related to thermal energy rather than device dimensions as in CMOS. The picosecond quantized SFQ voltage pulses were proven to propagate ballistically on-chip and between chips via superconducting microstrip lines (with low loss and dispersion) without the need for amplification, and with speeds close to the speed of light. This is the key advantage of superconducting technology over CMOS, in which the data movement energy is proportional to the length of interconnect and currently represents the dominant share of the consumed energy.
Until recently, the inherently low switching power of conventional RSFQ logic was overwhelmed by the static power dissipation in the network of bias resistors used to distribute the required amounts of DC bias current for RSFQ gates. This overhead power was dissipated all the time regardless of circuit operation status. Recent efforts have resulted in significant reduction and even complete elimination of the static power dissipation in SFQ circuits. See, e.g., O. Mukhanov, "Energy-efficient single flux quantum technology", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 21, p. 760 (2011); Q. Herr, et al., "Ultra-low-power superconductor logic", Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 109, 103903 (2011); M. Tanaka, et al., "Low-energy-consumption RSFQ circuits driven by low voltages", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 23, 1701104 (June 2013), all expressly incorporated herein by reference. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,571,614; 7,724,020; 7,977,064; 8,610,453; 8,489,163; all expressly incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the new energy-efficient RSFQ logic families (eSFQ and ERSFQ) have zero static power dissipation while retaining all the advantages of conventional RSFQ logic. In these circuits, resistors are replaced with superconducting Josephson junctions performing the role of current limiters. To date, a number of successful eSFQ and ERSFQ integrated circuits have been demonstrated. See, for example, the following articles, all expressly incorporated herein by reference: D. Kirichenko, et al., "Zero static power dissipation biasing of RSFQ circuits", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 21, p. 776 (June 2011); M. Volkmann, et al., "Implementation of energy efficient single flux quantum digital circuits with sub-aJ/bit operation", Supercond. Science & Technology, vol. 26, 015002 (2013); M. Volkmann, et al., "Experimental investigation of energy-efficient digital circuits based on eSFQ logic", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 23, 1301505 (June 2013); M. Volkmann, et al., "Operation of practical eSFQ circuits," Proc. IEEE 14th Int. Supercond. Electronics Conf. (2013).
For many years the prospects of superconducting technology for high-end computing have been stymied by the relatively low capacity of superconducting memories. Very recently, new memory approaches based on magnetic Josephson junctions (MJJs) and on cryogenic magnetic elements have been proposed and are now being extensively studied. See US Patents 2012/0184445; 2012/0302446; 8,270,209; 8,547,732; 2012/0314490; see also WO2013/025994; WO2013/180946; all expressly incorporated herein by reference. In MJJs, critical current can switch between two distinct states corresponding to logical '0' and '1' depending on the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer(s). Memory circuits using MJJs can be made that are electrically and physically compatible with SFQ circuits. This allows a co-fabrication of memory and digital circuits on the same chip, leading to significant processor-memory architecture advantages relevant to high-end computing. See, e.g., the following papers, expressly incorporated herein by reference: I. Vernik, et al., "Magnetic Josephson junctions with superconducting interlayer for cryogenic memory", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 23, 1701208 (2013); T. Larkin, et al., "Ferromagnetic Josephson switching device with high characteristic voltage", Appl. Physics Letters, vol. 100, 222601 (May 2012); S. Bakurskiy, et al., "Theoretical model of superconducting SIsFS devices", Appl. Physics Letters, vol. 102, 192603 (May 2013); V. Ryazanov, et al., "Magnetic Josephson junction technology for digital and memory applications", Physics Procedia, vol. 36, p. 35 (2012); G. Prokopenko, et al., "DC and RF measurements of superconducting-ferromagnetic multiterminal devices", Proc. IEEE 14th Int. Superconductive Electronics Conf. (2013).
Cooling infrastructure for modern data centers accounts on average for 25-50% of total power. For superconductor systems, the energy efficiency of the entire cryosystem is paramount. The efficiency of available 4 K cryocoolers can reach <400 W/W for higher-capacity units (600-900 W) relevant for high-end computing systems, such as a Linde LR280 cryocooler with 360 W/W efficiency. A future cryogenic supercomputer will have a much smaller footprint than present systems, as the main computing part will occupy a single cryocooler (or perhaps two for redundancy). Besides the cryocooler, the cryosystem energy efficiency depends on minimizing energy losses and heat leaks in the input/output data links and power delivery network. Practical experience with smaller superconductor electronics systems helped the development of a hybrid-temperature hybrid-technology system integration approach to maximize the cryosystem energy efficiency. The first generation of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) cables for DC bias current delivery were successfully demonstrated to reduce heat leaks in RSFQ electronic cryosystems. See, for example, the following articles, expressly incorporated herein by reference: A. Kadin, et al., "Current leads and optimized thermal packaging for superconducting systems on multistage cryocoolers", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 17, p. 975 (2007); R. Webber, et al., "Ultra-low-heat-leak YBCO superconducting leads for cryoelectronic applications", IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 19, p. 999 (2009); A. Pan, et al., "Development of energy-efficient cryogenic leads with high-temperature superconducting films on ceramic substrates", Physics Procedia, vol. 36 (2012).
Serious development effort is required in order to take advantage of all of the recent advances capable of addressing the runaway power of high-end computing, and getting superconducting technologies into data centers and supercomputers. A central problem is the relatively low complexity and device density of present superconductor integrated circuits, especially compared to current CMOS technology. The available Nb fabrication processes are generally limited to ˜1 μm linewidth with just a few Nb layers. It is a priority to develop a high-yield, high integration density, planarized fabrication process with linewidth ˜90-250 nm, critical current density Jc>10 kA/cm2, and >8-10 Nb wiring layers. Advancing the critical current density to 100 kA/cm2, or using a different junction barrier material than the standard aluminum oxide, is necessary to achieve self-shunted Josephson junctions to eliminate the area-consuming shunting resistors. Another new direction for process development is superconducting-ferromagnetic Josephson junctions (Magnetic Josephson Junctions or MJJs) for magnetic memory and programmable logic. This will enable new programmable functionalities unavailable to superconducting electronics in the past. For example, three-dimensional (3D) integration of processing and memory circuits, fabricated in a single process, should lead to a dramatic gain in the microprocessor performance efficiency, enabling new microarchitectures highly relevant for high-end data-centric computing. All these can be achieved while developing a better understanding of superconductor material issues and actively employing already-developed semiconductor techniques and equipment.
The recent innovations in energy-efficient SFQ digital circuits, eliminating static power dissipation of conventional RSFQ logic, are highly promising. Further reduction of dynamic power dissipation can enlarge the advantage of SFQ circuits over the competition. The next logical step is to implement more functionally significant circuits, such as a microprocessor. One of the common traps with any new technology is the attempt to make better versions of existing solutions which were optimized for older existing technology. The RSFQ-type circuits (eSFQ and ERSFQ) are based on sequential logic, which is different from CMOS combinational logic, implying that the implementation of CMOS-inspired processor microarchitectures and algorithms may not be optimal and will lead to an underutilization of technology potential.
The extremely high clock rate (˜100 GHz) achievable in RSFQ-type circuits fits better to microarchitectures with a high degree of vectorization. In order to keep the processing pipeline full, one should have a fast memory capable of supplying input data and store the results at the same high data rate. This can be alleviated by clever ways of using the internal gate memory. MJJ-based memory circuits integrated in the immediate proximity of processing modules (e.g., as 3D structures) can be an excellent solution. Recent results in MJJ device development provides a path to development of functional fast and energy-efficient memories, including nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) compatible with energy-efficient (e.g., eSFQ) digital circuits. The impact of integrated MJJ RAM and JJ eSFQ processing blocks is difficult to overestimate. This can also lead to the development of programmable digital logic arrays functionally similar to semiconductor field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In addition, the integrated SFQ circuits and non-superconducting magnetic RAM devices are attractive for higher-capacity memories, e.g., main memories.
An energy-efficient, high-bandwidth data interface to room temperature modules and the optical domain is unavoidable in any high-end computing system. There is a need to develop a technology to convert a low-voltage (˜0.3-1.0 mV) electrical digital signal to the optical domain at a high data rate (tens of GHz). This has been a longstanding and extremely difficult problem, which has retarded the integration of ultra-low-power electronics with conventional electronics and fiber-optics. To meet tightly-constrained power budgets, the energy efficiency of data links in exascale systems should be on the order of 2 pJ/bit or less. The degree of amplification at a specific temperature stage can be the guiding principle in the energy-efficiency optimization of data links across different temperature stages available in a cryosystem. HTS multi-bit data cables capable of transmitting low-power signals from 4 K to higher-temperature amplifiers and electro-optical devices (e.g., vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, VCSELs) with negligible losses and dispersion will be required. See, for example, O. Mukhanov, et al., "Development of energy-efficient cryogenic-optical data link", Proc. IEEE 14th Int. Superconductive Electronic Conference (2013), expressly incorporated herein by reference.
It is important to distinguish computers based on RSFQ logic from a set of completely different approaches that are also based on cryogenic Josephson junctions, under the heading "quantum computers". RSFQ-based computers are digital computers based on classical bits that assume alternate, and not superposed values. In contrast, quantum computers are based on quantum superposition of bits in two or more quantum states, known as qubits. Both analog and digital processors based on superconducting qubits have been proposed, and in some cases developed. These superconducting quantum computers typically require cooling to extremely low temperatures, less than 0.1 K, much colder than the 4 K typical for classical superconducting niobium RSFQ computers. See, for example, the following US patents, expressly incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,135,701; 7,418,283; 8,284,585; 8,437,168; 8,247,799; 7,605,600; 8,234,103; 7,335,909; 7,889,992; 6,803,599; 6,936,841; 6,838,694; 7,307,275; 6,495,854; 6,649,929; 6,563,310; 6,563,311; 6,459,097; 7,847,615; 7,533,068; 8,283,943; 6,979,835; 6,627,915; 7,253,654. The design and performance of these superconducting quantum computer systems is completely different from the high-performance superconducting classical computers described herein.
The prior art has not yet effectively solved the problems associated with integrating ultrafast superconducting processors with hybrid superconducting/magnetic memories, cryogenic cooling systems, high-speed input/output devices, and room-temperature processors and networks.
With rising energy costs and technical roadblocks, computing system energy efficiency has become the dominating metric dictating the course of future technology development. Superconducting single-flux quantum processors augmented with superconducting-ferromagnetic memory technology can finally break into prominence by addressing the energy efficiency of high-end computing systems. The key innovations just within the last few years have dramatically increased the potential of superconducting electronics, addressing all known critical problems which restricted the use of superconductivity in high-end computing in the past. The present disclosure details several technical advances beyond the prior art, which permit development a cryogenic superconducting computing demonstrator system and ultimately energy-efficient data centers and a new generation of supercomputers.

System and method for cryogenic hybrid technology computing and memory


A continuous wave radar altimeter comprises a pulsed power control (4), operable when the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal is likely to be too low, to pulse the transmitted power so that the power varies between a non-zero base level and a higher level. The receiver channel (13, 14) is switched off during each transmitted pulse.

This invention relates to a continuous wave radar altimeter.
In order to minimise the detectability of a radar altimeter, the transmitted power is kept to the minimum necessary to achieve an adequate signal-to-noise ratio, i.e. sufficient to obtain a reliable indication of height. However, it becomes necessary to increase the transmitted power temporarily when the signal-to-noise ratio drops, for example due to increases in flying height or to changes in the terrain. Previous methods of varying the power transmission have suffered from severe increases in detectability of the altimeter.


Methods of producing photo-voltaic devices include spray coating deposition of metal chalcogenides, contact lithographic methods and/or metal ion injection. Photo-voltaic devices include devices made by the methods, tandem photo-voltaic devices and bulk junction photovoltaic devices.

1. Field of Invention
The current invention relates to inorganic photo-voltaic cells and more particularly to inorganic photo-voltaic cells comprising metal chalcogenides.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Thin-film solar cells are capable of delivering power conversion efficiencies of around 20% and have excellent lifetimes. However, a major hurdle for commercialization has been the cost associated with device fabrication, particularly with vacuum-based deposition of the thin film itself. A solution-deposition technique has been reported which circumvents the need for this vacuum-based deposition. Instead, the method utilizes a liquid solution of simple precursors, which can be spread thinly on a wide variety of substrates and heated to produce a thin, high-quality inorganic film of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). This technique stands to dramatically reduce the cost of solar energy conversion and has already been used to fabricate a solar cell with power conversion efficiency in excess of 10%. The solution-based method is industrially scalable, high-throughput, and much less costly than many alternatives. However, due to the nascent level of this technology, several challenges remain before commercialization of solution-based CIGS can take place. Therefore, there remains a need for improved solution processed inorganic photo-voltaic devices.

Solution-processed inorganic photo-voltaic devices and methods of production

The Regents of the University of California


A shrinking shock strut system for an aircraft landing gear having a retract actuator that is moveable in length to deploy or retract the landing gear, that includes a shrink strut and a transfer device. The shrink strut may be compressed in length for stowage in the fuselage. The transfer device may be in closed fluid communication with the strut shrink for transferring and receiving hydraulic fluid to and from the strut shrink. When actuated by an aircraft hydraulic system independent of any motion of the retract actuator, the transfer device may drive hydraulic fluid to the strut shrink thereby compressing or shrinking the shrink strut to a partially compressed length.

In the design and manufacture of aircraft, it is generally desirable to minimize the space required by aircraft components. One approach to saving space is to shorten the length of the landing gear before or during retraction into a stowed position in the aircraft. The shortened length of the landing gear may be required by the initial design of an aircraft or may be desired to minimize design changes in future generations of an existing aircraft.
A prior art design for shortening the overall length of a strut during retraction is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,174 to Churchill et al. The patent discloses a shrinking shock strut system that automatically shrinks the length of an aircraft landing gear strut during the landing gear's retraction into the aircraft. The shrinking shock strut system includes a hydraulic transfer cylinder that transfers hydraulic fluid into a strut shrink chamber while simultaneously driving pressurized gas from a gas spring chamber of the strut into the hydraulic transfer cylinder. The hydraulic transfer cylinder is physically integrated with a landing gear retract actuator such that a linear motion of a retract actuator effects an equal linear motion of the hydraulic transfer cylinder. In other words, the hydraulic transfer cylinder is mechanically linked to the landing gear retract actuator such that the hydraulic transfer cylinder cannot operate independently from the retract actuator, and thus the extension and shrinking of the landing gear strut is automatically effected during landing gear retraction and deployment. On deployment, a hydraulic lock on the transfer fluid in the strut shrink chamber is removed and the pressurized gas that was transferred to the transfer cylinder drives the transfer fluid from the strut shrink chamber back into the transfer cylinder. As the transfer fluid exits the strut shrink chamber, the pressurized gas returns to the strut from the transfer cylinder and causes the strut to return to its extended length.
Other prior art designs provide a shrink actuator that is independent of the retract actuator but require a heavy and cumbersome mechanical linkage to exert an axial shrinking force on the strut sufficient to overcome the strut's internal pressurized gas bias and cause the strut to shrink. Such designs generally require high hydraulic fluid flow rates that may not be available from the aircraft's high pressure/low flow rate hydraulic system. Such designs may further require a larger landing gear envelope in the fuselage of the aircraft to accommodate the mechanical linkage and the shrink actuator.

Shrinking shock strut system for retractable landing gear


A C.T. scanner (A) or other medical diagnostic imager generates volume image data which is stored in an image memory (B). An image memory access controller (30) withdraws selected pixel values from the volume image memory which it provides a video processor (20) to formulate the appropriate video signals for display on a video monitor (C). An operator defines a volume on an operator controller (32). A plurality of interconnected polygons define the three-dimensional volume specified by the operator. The video processor converts these defined polygons into an appropriate display on the monitor. The polygons are selected to define a subregion to be viewed. The polygons are rotated about one or more of (x), (y), and (z) axis, scaled, and translated along these axis to select an orientation from which the polygon and enclosed data is to be viewed. The rotation, scaling and translation is stored (38, 40, 42). From each pixel interior to the projection of a visible polygon onto the screen, the coordinates of a sample in the polygon are calculated via the inverse of the stored rotation, scaling, and translation. The CT value of sample and that of its neighbors are retrieved, interpolated, weighted with the surface gradient and illuminated on the screen. The polygons are compared and hidden surfaces removed (54). Retrieved pixel values that correspond to air or other tissue that is not to be viewed rather, the access control means continues to step along the translated and rotated viewing direction ray until a pixel value is found which meets the air and non-viewed tissue viewing criteria (62). For a more lifelike image, shading is added (64) to data corresponding to one or more of the polygons.

The present invention relates to image data manipulation. It finds particular application in conjunction with the three dimensional presentations of computerized tomographic image data and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated, that the invention will also find application in conjunction with the display of medical diagnostic image data from other imaging modalities, as well as to images from numerous non-medical applications.
Heretofore, CT scanners have irradiated a planar region of a subject from various angles and detected the intensity of radiation passing therethrough. From the angle and radiation intensity information, two dimensional image representations of the plane are reconstructed. A typical image representation includes a 51233 512 pixel array, although smaller and larger arrays are known. In a black and white image, each pixel has a corresponding value or number which is indicative of the gray scale to be displayed at that pixel. For three dimensional imaging, a plurality of slices are generated, e.g. 60 closely adjacent parallel slices, each of which is represented by a 512.times.512 array of pixel values. The pixel values of the multiple slices are treated as a 512 .times.512.times.60 pixel array or three dimensions of image data. Various planes or other surfaces can be defined through the three dimensional data and displayed.
However, viewing a three dimensional object as a series of slices is not natural. Considerable training on the part of the radiologist is required in order to integrate the stack of CT images mentally. Other medical professionals, such as surgeons, who are not trained as radiologists have difficulty performing the mental integration necessary to conceptualize the three dimensional appearance of the object represented by a stack of slice images. Accordingly, techniques have been developed for presenting a three dimensional presentation which allows the inspection of the object along any cutting plane in a natural fashion.
Generally, such three dimensional presentations include a display of only the extended surfaces which a viewer would see and an internal part of the object through the cut of the object by an appropriate plane or surface. To create the illusion of depth, the angle of the tangent to the surface at each point is estimated and shading is added in accordance with the angle of the surface tangent relative to a preselected illumination point. In a black and white CT image, the shading is added by increasing the brightness or whiteness of each pixel value in proportion to how nearly perpendicular it is to the light source and by increasing the black scale in proportion to the degree that the tangential surface faces away from the light source. For example, a gray scale value that is proportional to the sine/cosine of the angle between the tangent surface and the light source may be combined with each pixel value.
To generate the pixel values for display, every pixel value of the three dimensional data was examined. Each data value was examined to determine whether or not it shows in the resultant image. Each data value which does show is assessed relative to the other data values to determine what contribution, if any, it makes to the image. None could be readily dismissed as not showing. Specifically, air produces a pixel value characteristic of black. Because air is transparent to the viewer, values from pixels hidden behind pixels whose values were indicative of air show through, hence must be displayed. Analogously, other types of tissue that have characteristic pixel values or CT numbers could also be defined as transparent and removed from the view semitransparent, or the like. Hence, the location of the pixel within the data alone was not determinative of whether or not the pixel value would show in the image. Rather, each pixel value had to be considered in the context of its surrounding pixels. This was computationally very time consuming. Note that a 512.times.512.times.60 pixel data set contains almost sixteen million pixels. Various tricks have been developed, many of which are application specific for trying to reduce or identify a subset of all available pixels to project up to the cutting surface or viewing screen to determine their contributions.
Once the three dimensional presentation is displayed on the screen, it often proved advantageous to view it from a different direction. For example, a critical surface portion may be partially obscured or it may be necessary to see the backside before starting surgery. For the new viewing direction, the entire process was repeated anew. Effectively, all of the data within the three dimensional volume was rotated to the appropriate orientation relative to the viewing screen, and the contribution of each pixel was projected up to the plane of the screen for reassessment. In the prior art, all of the data was rotated or shifted to achieve the proper location of the screen relative to the data before the data was projected up to the screen. The shifting of almost sixteen million pixels of data and the interpolation of data, where necessary, further increased processing time.

Rapid display of rotated and translated three dimensional image representations


An alkoxyalcohol adduct of rare earth monocarboxylate has the formula (I):M(R2—COO)3.(R1O(CH2)nOH)p    (I)in which M is a rare earth element such as Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which has or does not have a substituent; n is 2 or 3; and p is a number in the range of 0.5 to 3.

Rare earth oxides and compound oxides comprising rare earth elements are widely used as functional inorganic materials such as phosphor, solid electrolyte, superconducting membrane, catalyst, ceramics and optical glass. For producing the rare earth oxides, rare earth alkoxides have been conventionally used as precursory material.
JP-A-7-285969 discloses a process for preparation of a rare earth alkoxyalkoxide. There are, however, some problems in this process. In the disclosed process, a rare earth carboxylate is caused to react with an alkali metal alkoxyalcoholate. As the alkali metal alkoxyalcoholate (namely, as a starting material of the process), an unstable alkali metal alkoxyalkoxide such as sodium alkoxyalkoxide is used. In addition, it is difficult to isolate and remove alkali metal carboxylate, that is a by-product of the reaction. Further, the rare earth carboxylate, that is another starting material of the process, must be beforehand made anhydrous. It is known that a pure anhydrous rare earth carboxylate can not be easily obtained by a simple procedure. If heated to dry by normal procedure, the hydrated rare earth carboxylate often decomposes.
Leblanc et al. [Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 32(1991), No. 21, pp. 2355-2358] disclose a process for preparation of a rare earth isopropoxide. In the process, a hydrated rare earth carboxylate is successively reacted with orthoformate, with 2-propanol and with n-butyl lithium. In this process lithium chloride is formed as a by-product. The lithium chloride precipitates in the form of very fine crystallite which is not easily separated from the product by filtration, and hence is liable to remain in the filtrate together with the product. Accordingly, in order to obtain a pure rare earth isopropoxide, it is necessary to repeat the purification procedures. As a result, troublesome procedures are indispensable, and the production yield is often low.
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, vol. 47(2000), No. 6, pp. 1781-1786 discloses a process for preparation of lutetium isopropoxide. In the process, lutetium metal and isopropanol are reacted under nitrogen gas atmosphere in the presence of mercury chloride (catalyst). This process, however, has some problems. The mercury compound is harmful to the environment, and the rare earth metal is so expensive and so easily oxidized that it has to be treated very carefully.

Alkoxyalcohol adduct of rare earth monocarboxylate


An apparatus provides electrical power to a ship in port. A first interface interconnects the apparatus with a power grid of the port receiving an input power signal. A second interface interconnects the apparatus with an electrical power grid of the ship to provide an output power signal. Power conversion circuitry receives the input power signal at a first voltage level and generates the output power signal at a selected voltage level and at a selected frequency level responsive to the input power signal. Power control circuitry configures the operation of the power conversion circuitry to generate the output power signal at the selected voltage level and the selected frequency level.

When a merchant ship docks within a port, the ship has various options for meeting the electrical power requirements of the ship while it is in port. A first option is for the ship to continue to run the ship's engines and generators such that the ship provides its own electrical power while it is within port. However, within some situations, it is not reasonable or cost effective for the ship to continue to run its engines and generators while it is located within port. Also, local regulations may prevent the ship for running its engines and generators for extended periods of time while the ship is within port in order to overcome various environmental concerns. In these situations, the ship is required to interconnect with the local power grid that is provided by the port.
The ship will normally have its power system hardwired into the power grid such that the ship may receive power from the local power grid, and power its internal electrical systems. Problems arise when the electrical power requirements of the ship are different than those provided by the local power grid within the port. This prevents the ship from easily receiving electrical power. Thus, there is a need for some manner of providing various configurations of electrical power to a ship that is located within a port based upon the varying electrical power requirements of the ships within port.

Apparatus for interconnecting a ship with a port power grid


Disclosed herein are a video apparatus including a screen-division searching function and a method of controlling the same, which are capable of solving problems caused in a process of reproducing and checking a recorded broadcasting program at a high speed. The method of controlling the video apparatus includes selecting specific video data stored in a memory, and dividing a full screen into a plurality of partial screens, dividing the selected specific video data into a plurality of portions, and respectively displaying the portions of the selected specific video data on the plurality of partial screens. Accordingly, it is possible to—accurately check the whole contents of a specific broadcasting program or a material recorded by a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera at a high speed.

Video apparatuses such as television (TV) receivers have included a variety of functions with the development thereof.
In particular, recently, a TV receiver including a digital video recording (DVR) function or a personal video recording (PVR) function has appeared.
Since a video apparatus including the DVR function or the PVR function includes a small or large hard disk driver (HDD); it is possible to store a significantly greater amount of data compared with the prior art.
Conventionally, as a method of searching or checking contents of a variety of video data stored in the video apparatus, there is a method of allowing a user to select specific video data and displaying the specific video data on a full screen.
Since any video apparatus includes an accelerated searching function, specific video data can be reproduced at an accelerated speed, for example, a two-time speed or a four-time speed.
However, a conventional video apparatus including a function for searching specific video data and a method of the controlling the same have the following problems.
First, conventionally, since any video data is displayed and searched on a full screen, it takes much time for a user to search for a specific scene.
Second, conventionally, although there is an accelerated searching function for searching any video data, an image cutting phenomenon may occur if the reproduction speed is too high. Thus, a specific scene desired by a user may not be displayed.
For example, in video data photographed by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, since similar backgrounds and still cuts are continuously repeated, a function for rapidly and accurately searching for a scene desired by a user is further required.
Recently, since the video apparatus including the DVR function or the PVR function can store a greater amount of video data, specific video data is included in the greater amount of video data and thus a function for rapidly and accurately searching for a scene desired by a user is further required.

Display device for having a function of searching a divided screen, and the method for controlling the same


Pliers include a pair of arm members, a pair of handles, at least one interchangeable working jaw and a control mechanism. Each arm member includes two parallel arm plates. The handles are connected to each other for movement of the arm members towards and away from each other. The working jaw is detachably supported in between the arm plates of the associated arm member. The control mechanism includes a retaining spacer, a driving member and a spring biased between the retaining spacer and the driving member. The retaining spacer is positioned in between the arm plates of the arm member. The driving member is movably disposed in between the arm plates of the arm member and has an end knob exposed outside the arm member so that pressing of the end knob of the driving member drives the driving member to be engaged with or disengaged from the working jaw.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pliers and more particularly to pliers for crimping electrical terminals with interchangeable working jaws.
2. Description of the Related Art
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,661, conventional crimping pliers often provide a pair of working jaws attached to two arm members of the crimping pliers by screws. Thus, the working jaws with different sizes or shapes may be removed by loosening the screws and replaced by new ones and finally re-tightening the screws back again. As can be imagined, it is a really tiresome piece of work simply to interchange the pair of working jaws with another pair.

Pliers for crimping electrical terminals


An apparatus, device and method for the distribution of media with tracking and analysis of media usage for royalty, loyalty and collection of media metadata using wireless communication such as near field communication comprised in a portable platform. Each device comprises a wireless communication arrangement capable of conducting wireless communication between wirelessly capable devices enclosed in a solid case which projects the content of the data in an illustrative depiction. Upon user prompt, the wireless communication arrangement of the physical platform establishes communication with a mobile device thus initiating the mobile device communication with a digital interface which performs digital interaction protocols for file fetching, metadata storage and metadata analysis.

Artists, writers, video editors, record labels, songwriters, composers, publishers, media generators and distributors (DISTRIBUTORS) are seeking new, innovative ways to distribute their media (such as music, books, etc. hereafter using music as the primary example) in a way to gain the attention of the populous (LOYALISTS) and increase music purchases, plays and downloads to bolster revenue. Furthermore, music licensing corporations and record labels (ROYALTISTS) are seeking new ways to collect geographical and usage information for royalty disbursement and market research purposes.
As distributors seek to increase their revenues, their major inhibitor is the effective distribution of their music. With the advent of smartphones, tablet/mobile devices, cloud computing and online media library applications (iTunes Store, Google Play, etc.), the distribution of media on physical platforms such as USB flash drives and CD-ROM has become antiquated. The loyalists instead listen to music not through CDs or flash drives but through downloaded content. Even further, loyalists have no incentive to contribute to distributor revenues by purchasing or distributing recorded material because they receive no loyalties (rewards) for the authorized (legal purchase) use of recorded material. Some have attempted to thwart this problem by creating internet-based, social media platforms for distributors to distribute music. This strategy has proven ineffective because such services have been duplicated thus diluting service capacity. Additionally, all services have become cluttered with users, further impeding their effectiveness. Most importantly, it has been thought that these services, as well as digital music distribution in general, are ineffective because of the lack of both a physical platform and the personal interaction that occurs during marketing.
As royalists seek new ways to collect geographical and usage information for royalty disbursement and market research, current platforms of both physical and digital music distribution do not readily collect the metadata surrounding music usage including time and date of use as well as demographic and geographic information. Without this data, royalists lack the ability to distribute royalties more effectively to their customers (distributors) thus financially inhibiting distributors leading to decreased music output, less distributors doing business, and revenue loss for royalists.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a form of contactless communication between mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets [1]. Contactless communication allows a user to wave the smartphone over a NFC compatible device to send information without needing to touch the devices together or go through multiple steps setting up a connection. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC allow wireless communication and data exchange between digital devices; however, NFC utilizes electromagnetic fields while technologies such as the aforementioned utilize radio waves [2].
NFC devices may be "active" or "passive". A passive device, such as an "NFC tag", contains information that other devices can read but does not read any information itself; thus only supporting information transmission to authorized devices. Active devices, such as a smartphone mobile device, can both read and send information. In order to transmit, devices must be with 4 cm of each other before information can be transmitted. The active NFC device (mobile device) is known as the interrogator while the tag is simply referred to as a tag. To function, the interrogator sends out a signal to the tag. If the devices are close enough together, the tag becomes powered by interrogator's signal. This signal powers the tag, allowing the tag to occupy a small footprint without additional power supply.
The two devices create a high frequency magnetic field between the loosely coupled coils in both the interrogating device and the NFC tag. Once the field has been established, a connection is formed and information can be passed between the interrogator and the tag. Once this field is established, a connection is formed and information can be passed from the tag to the interrogator. Commands are transmitted from the interrogator using phase jitter modulation to modify the surrounding field and send out a signal. The tag responds using inductive coupling by sending a charge through the coils comprised in the tag.
Such NFC technology is readily used in credit card payments, payment via smartphone or mobile device, building and facility security access [3], sharing files between mobile devices [4]. One company has utilized very complex NFC technology to open music files and video files from internet servers [5].

Distribution of media with tracking and analysis of media usage for royalty, loyalty and collection of metadata


A radiological image detection apparatus includes a radiological image conversion panel and a sensor panel. A sealant that is disposed between a substrate of the radiological image conversion panel and a substrate of the sensor panel and surrounds a scintillator in the radiological image conversion panel and a pixel array in the sensor panel to form an isolated space on the inside of the sealant. The scintillator includes a columnar portion including a group of columnar crystals formed by growing crystals of the phosphor in columnar shapes and a surface configured by a set of tips of the columnar crystals is disposed in close contact with the pixel array without being bonded to the pixel array. Both of the substrate of the radiological image conversion panel and the substrate of the sensor panel are flexible, and the isolated space is depressurized.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a radiological image detection apparatus.
2. Background Art
Recently, a radiological image detection apparatus that utilizes a flat panel detector (FPD) for detecting a radiological image to generate digital image data has been put into practical use. The radiological image detection apparatus has been rapidly distributed because an image can be instantly confirmed as compared with an imaging plate configured by a photostimulable phosphor (accumulative phosphor). Various types of radiological image detection apparatus are available, one of which is known as an indirect conversion type.
The indirect conversion type radiological image detection apparatus includes a scintillator for generating fluorescence when exposed to radiation and a pixel array for detecting the fluorescence of the scintillator. The scintillator and the pixel array are disposed on, for example, individual substrates, respectively, and are bonded to each other through an adhesive layer. The radiation is converted into light by the scintillator and the fluorescence of the scintillator is converted into an electrical signal by the pixel array, and, as a result, digital image data is generated (see, for example, JP-A-2011-017683 corresponding to US 2011/006213 A1, and JP-A-2011-033562).
The scintillator is typically formed by a vapor deposition method using an alkali halide phosphor such as cesium iodide (CsI), and sodium iodide (NaI), and is configured by a group of columnar crystals formed by growing crystals of the phosphor into columnar shapes. The columnar crystals of the phosphor formed by the vapor deposition method do not contain impurities such as a binder, and also suppresses a diffusion of fluorescence by a light guide effect that guides the fluorescence generated in a columnar crystal in a growth direction of the crystal. Therefore, sensitivity of the radiological image detection apparatus and sharpness of an image can be improved.
A radiological image detection apparatus in which the scintillator and the pixel array are in close contact with each other without using the adhesive layer has also been known (see, for example, JP-A-2010-261720). In the radiological image detection apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2010-261720, a substrate for supporting the scintillator is flexible, and the scintillator and the pixel array is placed and an isolated space is also disposed between a substrate for supporting the scintillator and a substrate for supporting the pixel array. As the isolated space is depressurized, the substrate for supporting the scintillator is warped, and the scintillator is pressed by the pixel array. Therefore, the non-uniformity of image quality caused by the non-uniformity of the thickness of the adhesive layer is reduced.


An adapter assembly for connecting a sewage drain pipe to a sewage disposal site inlet in fluid communication includes a hollow tubular member, a hollow adaptive member and flexible seal. The hollow tubular member having an open inlet adapted to engage threadable or otherwise to the end of a sewage drain pipe. A hollow adapter member having an open discharge end with adaptive features to be inserted into disposal site inlet. The tubular and adapter member interfacing via a rotational positive mechanical lock compressing an annular flexible seal radially or axially to ensure a dependable, long lasting low pressure fluid tight seal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to sewage pipe adapters and specifically to an adapter for interconnecting a sewage drain pipe and the inlet opening of a sewage disposal site.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recreational Vehicle (RV) camping has evolved such that storage and disposal of sewage is often required. It is desirable to dispose of sewage quickly, effectively and cleanly with a compact drainage system that can be carried in the RV. A drainpipe system consisting of a flexible compressible corrugate drainpipe with fittings adaptable to the RV at one end and the sewage disposal site at the other is most often employed for this purpose.
Sewage disposal sites have a variety of intake sizes and types most commonly with a vertical orientation. Adapting between the RV and a vertically oriented disposal site intake with a flexible drain pipe system makes it desirable to have an angled adapter with multiple sizes at the discharge end complimentary to the most common disposal site inlet types.
The RV bumper is most often utilized to store the drainpipe system although it is desirable to make the system as compact as possible in all cases. It is therefore desirable to have the discharge adapter a two-part device that can be interconnected in leak free fluid communication during use, but separated for storage. Moreover, simple, easy, rapid assembly and disassembly of such a two part adapter is desirable.
Such a two-part adapter need be leak free due to the noxious nature of the contents. It is therefore desirable not only to have a dependable leak free connection between both parts, but a connection that can only be separated when intended preventing unwanted waste spillage due to unintended contact or fluid forces exerted on the adapter during dumping. Consequently, it is highly desirable to have a positive mechanical lock.
There are numerous patents addressing the need for coupling and adapting corrugated drainpipe between an RV and a sewage disposal site. Refer, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,988,755; 3,760,430; 4,133,347; 4,173,989; 4,223,702; and 4,231,595. However these adapters do not address the need for rapid disassembly problems associated with a two-part adapter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,027; identifies a system that utilizing a quick cam release system and hard interference seal and friction connection. The sealing system described in the patent only inhibits the escape of noxious discharge and does not ensure a fluid seal and gets worse as the two parts wear with multiple uses. In addition, the friction connection will wear with time reducing its effectiveness. The friction connection, even from its first use will occasionally become dislodged if unintentionally contacted. None of these devices address the need for a secure connection with a dependable flexible seal and positive mechanical lock.

RV waste discharge sewer line two-part adapter assembly with flexible seal and locking mechanism