A method is provided of storing at least one functionally identical code segment in each of a plurality of devices which each have a memory. For each device, the method determines a first memory location and stores a first of the code segments in the memory at the first memory location. The first memory location is different in at least a plurality of the respective devices.

In embedded applications, it is often necessary to store program code in non-volatile memory (such as flash memory on an integrated circuit) in products that are widely distributed.
In certain applications, the same functional code (although sometimes with different keys, variables or constants) needs to be stored in multiple integrated circuits, many of which are available to a potential attacker. For example, the integrated circuit can form part of a consumable such as an ink cartridge, which are widely distributed as replacements for empty cartridges.
One way in which an attacker can probe an integrated circuit (or chip) for a key or other secret information is to use a focussed ion beam FIB write attack. In this attack, encapsulant is carefully removed from the circuitry and a FIB used to change one or more bits in flash memory from an unknown state into a known state. Based on the effect the change has on the behaviour of the chip, an attacker may be able to deduce certain information about the state of the attacked bit or bits. For example, if the chip no longer works, it may be determined that the state of the bit or bits was changed by the FIB.

Storage of program code in arbitrary locations in memory


A substrate processing apparatus of the invention comprises a transfer schedule creating section, a transfer schedule storage section, a transfer control section which controls, by referring to the transfer schedule, plural transfer mechanisms so as to transfer a substrate written into data of a cycle containing plural transfer operations to a module corresponding to the substrate, and a standby position control section which operates such that, by referring to the transfer schedule stored in the transfer schedule storage section, after one transfer mechanism completes the transfer operations allotted to itself in one cycle, and during a period that another transfer mechanism executes the transfer operations allotted to itself in the one cycle, the standby position control section moves the one transfer mechanism and puts the one transfer mechanism on standby at a front module when viewed in the transfer operation in the modules allotted thereto in a next cycle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method for coating a glass substrate (LCD substrate) for a semiconductor wafer and liquid crystal display with resist, and for developing the exposed resultant.
2. Description of the Related Art
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-217264 discloses a system in which a coating/developing apparatus for executing a photolithography process of a semiconductor device is combined with an exposure device. FIG. 14 shows an outline of a conventional system. A coating/developing apparatus 1 is provided with a carrier placing section 1A, a treatment block 1B and an interface section 1C. An exposure device 1D is connected to the coating/developing apparatus 1 through the interface section 1C. A delivery arm 11 for transferring a wafer W to the treatment block 1B is provided in the carrier placing section 1A. Main carrier arms 12-1 and 12-2 are provided in the treatment block 1B. The main carrier arms 12-1 and 12-2 are each provided with, for example, three arm holders which are movable forward, backward and vertically, and horizontally rotatable. Heating units, shelf units 13 and chemical treatment units 14 are arranged around the main carrier arms 12-1 and 12-2. The chemical treatment unit 14 includes a coating unit for a reflection preventing film, a resist coating unit, and a developing unit. The shelf unit 13 includes a stack of cooling units as high-precision temperature control sections.
The shelf unit 13 includes delivery units (not shown) for delivering substrates; one delivery unit delivering a substrate between the delivery arm 11 and the main transfer arm 12-1, another delivery unit delivering a substrate between the delivery arm 11 and the main transfer arm 12-1, and an additional delivery unit delivering a substrate between the main transfer arm 12-2 and a transfer arm (not shown) in the interface section 1C.
A path where the wafer W is carried out from a carrier C and to the exposure device 1D is referred to as a "going path", and its reverse path is referred to as a "return path". When traveling through the going path, the wafer W is subjected to various processings for forming a resist film, and when traveling through the return path, the wafer is subjected to a processing for developing a resist film after it is exposed. A transfer path of the wafer W to execute the photolithography process is: carrier C→coating unit for a reflection preventing film (chemical treatment unit 14)→cooling unit (shelf unit 14)→resist coating unit (chemical treatment unit 14)→heating unit→cooling unit→interface block 1C→exposure device 1D→interface block 1C→heating unit→cooling unit→developing unit (chemical treatment unit 14)→cooling unit→carrier C.
To transfer the wafer W, a transfer recipe describing a transfer order of the wafer W is input to a computer. In turn, the computer creates a transfer schedule according to the transfer recipe.
The unit and the stage where the wafer W is to be placed will be referred to as a "module". The "transfer recipe" is a table describing the transfer order of the wafer W assigned to modules. A "transfer schedule" is a timetable in which transfer cycles (phases) are time sequentially arranged as shown in FIG. 8, for example. "Phase" defines the wafer W and the modules where the wafer W is to be located in order to transfer the wafer W between the modules along and over a range from the upstream to the downstream of a transfer path including the going path and the return path.
Accordingly, the computer refers to this phase to drive the delivery arm 11, the main carrier arms 12-1 and 12-2, and the transfer arm (not shown) in the interface block 1C so as to satisfy the positional relationship between the wafer W and the modules as described in the phase, and executes one phase, followed by execution of a next phase. In this way, the computer sequentially executes the phases, so that the wafer W sequentially moves along the known transfer path.
In such a system, the number of modules is large, and the processing times for the modules are different from one another. In this respect, how to gain high throughput of the system is of very important significance. To spread the loads of transfer, the modules are shared by the two main carrier arms 12-1 and 12-2 in the treatment block 1B.
Meanwhile, one phase contains the transfer operation by the first main carrier arm 12-1 and that by the second main carrier arm 12-2. When the first main carrier arms 12-1 or 12-2 complete the transferring job of transferring the wafer W to modules allotted to itself in a phase, they return to their original positions, and stand by until a next phase starts.
Recently, the throughput of the exposure device 1D tends to increase. With this, there is a demand of increasing the throughout also in the coating/developing apparatus 1. However, the throughput of the conventional coating/developing apparatus 1 is not so high. For this reason, the coating/developing apparatus 1 hinders the improvement of the throughput of the overall system.

Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method


A data transmission apparatus includes: a key exchange unit that exchanges an encryption key for encrypting and decrypting the data with an another apparatus; a first control unit that transmits information concerning the data transmission apparatus required in performing the key exchange by the another apparatus; a second control unit that transmits a first packet containing encrypted data and being set that the data size of the encrypted data is zero, to the another apparatus after the transmission of the information by the first control unit and until completion of the key exchange performed by the key exchange unit; and a third control unit that starts to transmit a second packet containing encrypted data provided by encrypting the data to be transmitted, to the another apparatus after completion of the key exchange performed by the key exchange unit.

1. Field
One embodiment relates to data transmission and reception techniques suitable to be applied for reliably moving recorded data of a copy-once program between two recorders.
2. Description of the Related Art
In using "UPnP AV" as a control protocol and HTTP as a data transmission protocol in an environment using IP (Internet Protocol) as a network infrastructure, DTCP-IP as a copyright protection mechanism (DRM system; Digital Rights Management system) is used. (For example, refer to JP-A-2004-104752.)
To transmit data to a UPnP device, the transmitting party reserves the resources on the UPnP device before transmitting the data and then starts to transmit encrypted data provided by encrypting the data. To decrypt the data at the receiving party, machine authentication and key exchange (AKE) between the transmitting party and the receiving party are conducted before the data is sent.
Further, to move the data protected by DTCP-IP, simultaneous existence of the data at both the move source and the move sink is inhibited and therefore the move source must send the data while erasing the portion sent to the move sink or making the portion unreadable. (For example, refer to JP-A-2003-101529.)
Therefore, to move the data protected by DTCP-IP for inhibiting simultaneous existence of the data at both the move source and the move sink, if the data cannot be recorded reliably at the receiving party, the data is erased.
The AKE start timing is not defined in DTLA. Therefore, a server accepting data transfer from a client starts AKE at what timing is implementation dependent. This means that implementation for executing AKE after determining whether or not the data is encrypted may be adopted.
In such implementation, whether or not the data is encrypted is determined based on E-EMI of a PCP (Protected Content Packet) header in an HTTP body. Thus, to execute AKE between the client and the server of the implementation, the client must transmit an HTTP body.
However, to move the data, if the encrypted data is stored in the HTTP body and is transmitted before AKE completion, the data cannot be decrypted during the AKE processing and a part of the data (already erased at the transmitting (move) source) is lost.
In order to cope with such a situation, the following method is possible: When a request to reserve resources is sent to a UPnP device at the receiving party, the receiving party receiving the request starts AKE and then the data is transmitted according to HTTP POST. In this method, however, if the data is transmitted just after the resources are reserved, AKE is not executed and thus data not decrypted occurs and a part of the data after move cannot be played back. In the method, if AKE results in failure, the transmitting party needs to delete the reserved resources of the UPnP device at the receiving party and on the other hand, fruitless resources are temporarily left at the receiving party.

Data transmission apparatus, data reception apparatus, data transmission method, and data reception method


A hip and ridge shingle includes a base sheet having colored granules adhered to the top surface. A chip is adhered to the base at the trailing edge of the base sheet. A sealant bead is provided parallel to and adjacent the leading edge of base sheet.

The present invention relates to a roofing shingle and more particularly to a shingle used in a peak or valley for a high wind application.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,929 to Bondoc (""929 patent) provides a roofing hip and ridge shingle. The Bondoc shingle is a laminated design to provide a shingle with a three-dimensional effect. As a hip or ridge shingle, the Bondoc shingle is used on a roof at the intersection of two sloping sides of the roof, the roof forming a ridge or valley thereat. While the Bondoc design provides a laminated dimensional effect, the panels 2 and riser strips 4 are adhered only within a restricted lamination area between dotted lines 6 and 6xe2x80x2 as shown in FIG. 1, of the ""929 patent, thereby enabling the shingle to bend over the ridge or in the valley. Thus, the exposed portion of the hip is not laminated, and the non-laminated layers are therefore exposed to the atmosphere, which could cause the shingle to lift off in certain high wind situations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,201 to Noone, et al. (""201 patent) provides another dimensional hip or ridge shingle. Noone laminates each layer on only one side 17 and uses a release tape 21 on the other side 18, so the layers may slide relative to one another during installation over a ridge or in a valley. The release tape 12 is removed after the shingle is bent, so the layers may adhere at installation. This reduces the non-laminated exposed portion discussed above with respect to Bondoc, but increases cost and effort to install the shingles. Furthermore, the leading edge 27 of the shingle is not laminated, and in a similar manner to Bondoc, the non-laminated exposed portion at the leading edge may experience lift off in high wind situations.
It would be desirable to provide an improved hip or ridge shingle adapted for easy installation and providing improved performance in high wind situations.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved hip or ridge shingle adapted to provide improved high wind performance.
A hip and ridge shingle according to the present invention includes a base sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge and colored granules adhered to the top surface. A chip is adhered to the base sheet at the trailing edge of the base sheet. A sealant bead is provided on the base sheet parallel to and adjacent the leading edge thereof. The sealant bead adheres adjacent shingles to prevent the shingles from lifting off during high wind situations.

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.


The present invention relates to a cleaning composition for a liquid crystal alignment layer, a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal alignment layer using the same, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal alignment layer manufactured by the manufacturing method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cleaning composition for a liquid crystal alignment layer that is capable of solving a non-uniformity problem of the liquid crystal alignment layer and effectively removing an ionic byproduct on a polymer surface to increase anisotropy of the liquid crystal alignment layer, by using a cleaning composition including a specific solvent in a cleaning process after a UV alignment process, and a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal alignment layer.

In a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal alignment layer plays a role of aligning liquid crystals in a predetermined direction. Specifically, the liquid crystal alignment layer acts as a director for arrangement of liquid crystal molecules, such that when the liquid crystals move due to an electric field to form an image, the liquid crystal alignment layer allows the liquid crystals to align in an appropriate direction. In general, it is necessary to uniformly align the liquid crystals in order to obtain uniform brightness and a high contrast ratio (CR) in the liquid crystal display device.
A rubbing method of applying a polymer layer such as polyimide to a substrate such as glass, and rubbing a surface of the polymer layer with a fiber such as nylon or polyester in a predetermined direction has been used as a conventional method of aligning the liquid crystals. However, the rubbing method may cause fine dust or electrostatic discharge (ESD) when the fiber and the polymer layer are rubbed, which may cause serious problems in manufacturing a liquid crystal panel.
In order to solve a problem of the rubbing method due to the friction, a UV alignment process has recently been used. The UV alignment process is a light alignment method in which anisotropy is induced on a polymer layer by light irradiation, and liquid crystals are aligned using the anisotropy. The UV alignment process may improve the CR and viewing angle due to improvement of alignment uniformity and a pretilt angle characteristic (about 0 degrees).
Meanwhile, the UV alignment process may be substituted for the rubbing process as a non-contact alignment process, but an additional cleaning process is required.
In a generally used cleaning process after conventional UV alignment processes, water or a lower alcohol such as ethanol or IPA is mainly used as a cleaning agent. However, when the treatment with water, ethanol, or IPA used as the cleaning agent is performed, there are problems that the liquid crystal alignment layer is non-uniform, etc., such that characteristics of the liquid crystal alignment layer are largely impaired.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new cleaning agent capable of preventing deterioration of the characteristics of the liquid crystal alignment layer after the UV alignment process, and in particular, capable of solving the non-uniformity problem of the liquid crystal alignment layer, and a cleaning method using the same.

Cleaning composition for liquid crystal alignment layer and manufacturing method of liquid crystal alignment layer using the same


A method for selecting between a multi-hop transmission route and a single-hop transmission route for transmitting data from a smart item in a network of smart items to a base station includes receiving signals at the smart item from neighboring smart items in a vicinity of the smart item, measuring a density of neighboring smart items around the smart item based on information in the received signals, and parameterizing a loss of energy in a signal transmitted between a neighboring smart item and the smart item as a function of distance between the neighboring smart item and the smart item. The parameterization is based on information in the received signals. Based on the measured density and on the parameterization of the loss of energy, a multi-hop transmission route or a single-hop transmission route is selected for transmitting data from the smart item to the base station.

Smart item technologies may include, for example, radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems, embedded systems, sensor motes, and/or smart item networks, and may be used, for example, to provide business software applications with fast access to real-world data. For example, smart item technologies may be used support the detection, reading, or writing of RFID tags, as well as to support communication with, and control of, wireless smart item networks and embedded systems. In many instances, smart items may include devices that have local processing power, memory, and/or communication capabilities, and that are capable of providing data about the device and its properties, or information about a current state or environment of the smart item devices. Accordingly, some such devices may be used in the execution of service components of back-end or underlying business applications, and, in particular, may do so in a collaborative way, e.g., by forming mobile ad-hoc networks to collect, process, or transmit data.
Examples of smart item devices include an RFID tag, which may be passive or active, and which may be attached to a real-world object and used to provide product or handling information related to the object. Other examples of smart item devices includes transceivers, for example, various sensors, such as, environmental sensors (e.g., a temperature, humidity, or vibration sensor), which, as just referenced, may be capable of communicating to form one or more smart item networks. These and other types of smart item devices also may include embedded systems, which may refer generally to any system in which a special-purpose processor and/or program is included, and/or in which the system is encapsulated in the device being controlled.
Through automatic real-time object tracking, smart item technology may provide businesses with accurate and timely data about business operations, and also may help streamline and automate the business operations. Accordingly, cost reductions and additional business benefits (e.g., increased asset visibility, improved responsiveness, and extended business opportunities) may be obtained.
Information may be transmitted from an origination smart item within a network of smart items to another destination smart item and/or to a destination base station within the network. Transmission of the information from the origination item to the destination item may require different amounts of energy depending on the transmission path from the origination item to the destination item.

Transmission range adjustment according to network conditions


An externally chargeable vehicle which is charged with electric power from an external power supply includes an HV-ECU for controlling a power storage device during any of operation of the vehicle and external charging, and a PLG-ECU for controlling a charging device during external charging. With such a configuration, running and charging can be controlled while a function of the HV-ECU for controlling operation of the vehicle and a function of the PLG-ECU for external charging is prevented from becoming redundant.

Recently, a vehicle incorporating a power storage device (such as a secondary battery or a capacitor) and running with drive force generated from electric power stored in the power storage device has attracted attention as an environmentally friendly vehicle. Such a vehicle includes, for example, an electric car, a hybrid car, a fuel cell car, and the like. A technique for charging the power storage device mounted on such a vehicle with a commercial power supply high in power generation efficiency has been proposed.
Among hybrid vehicles, as in the case of electric cars, a vehicle in which a power storage device mounted thereon can be charged by a power supply outside the vehicle (hereinafter also simply referred to as an "external power supply") has been known. For example, what is called a "plug-in hybrid vehicle" in which a power storage device can be charged by a power supply in a general household by connecting a power outlet provided in a house and a charge port provided in the vehicle to each other through a charge cable has been known. Improvement in fuel efficiency of a hybrid car can thus be expected.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-225587 (PTL 1) discloses a configuration in an electrically powered vehicle incorporating a power storage device that can be charged with an external power supply, in which a control device for external charging is separate from a control device for controlling a vehicle drive system (MG-ECU) and a control device for controlling a battery (a battery ECU).


The purpose of the present invention is to compensate the distortion of an amplifier by a predistorter which compensates the distortion of a power amplifier even when a frequency amplitude deviation exists. The predistorter comprises a distortion compensation coefficient storage unit for storing a distortion compensation coefficient corresponding to the reference value using the characteristic quantity of the envelope of a transmission signal before being inputted to the power amplifier as a reference value; and a reference value conversion unit for converting the characteristic quantity into a predetermined value according to the size of the characteristic quantity, and when the characteristic quantity is, for example, the amplitude value of an envelope and the amplitude value is small, that value is rounded up, for example, to an upper-limit value within a linear range of the amplifier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power amplifier for radio transmission which is used for a cellular phone and digital broadcasting, and more specifically to a predistorter which reduces the distortion of the power amplifier.
2. Description of the Related Art
A predistorter is available as a linear compensator for an amplification circuit having nonlinear characteristics. In a predistorter, the suppression of a distortion of an amplifier is realized, for example, by multiplying a coefficient according to the envelop of an original signal to be transmitted by the original signal as a predistortion coefficient for canceling the distortion of the amplifier. This predistortion coefficient, namely the distortion compensation coefficient is determined by the comparison of the original signal to be transmitted and the output signal of the amplifier.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a first conventional configuration of a transmitter using such a predistorter. In FIG. 18, an input signal, namely an original signal to be transmitted is given to a multiplication circuit 101 provided in the preceding step of an amplifier 100. The predistortion coefficient stored in a predistortion coefficient table 102, namely the distortion compensation coefficient is multiplied and is inputted to the amplifier 100, and the output signal of the amplifier 100 is outputted via a directional coupler 103.
In regard to the reading of the data of the predistortion coefficient table 102, the envelope amplitude of an original signal is calculated, for example, by an envelope amplitude calculation unit 104, and the value of the amplitude is used as an address, and reference is made to the predistortion coefficient table 102.
Part of the output signal of the amplifier is given to a comparison computing unit 105 from the directional coupler 103; part of the signal and the input, namely the original signal are compared; a new distortion compensation coefficient is made by a coefficient making unit 106; and the predistortion coefficient table 102 is updated. In the coefficient making unit 106, for example, least mean square (LMS) is used as the algorithm for updating the coefficient.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a second conventional configuration of a transmitter using a predistorter. In FIG. 19, the predistortion coefficient table 102 has a two-dimensional structure such that not only the value of the envelope amplitude but also the output of an envelope time differential calculation unit 107 which obtains the time differential of the envelope value or the time derivative of the envelope store the distortion compensation coefficient as an address, and the coefficient making unit 106 updates the distortion compensation coefficient using the calculation result of the envelope time differential calculation unit 107.
In regard to such a predistorter or a linear compensator, the following documents are available.    Document 1: Kokai (Jpn. unexamined patent publication) No. 54-140856 "Linear Compensator"    Document 2: Kokai (Jpn. unexamined patent publication) No. 9-69733 "Amplifier Having Distortion Compensation"    Document 3: Kokai (Jpn. unexamined patent publication) No. 2000-78037"Predistorter of Amplifier and Amplifying Device".
Disclosed in Document 1 is a linear compensator described below. A nonlinear error between the input and output of an amplifier circuit is detected at all times; said error is written in a read/write memory as a digital signal; data in which a signal input level is written as an address is read as the amount of compensation; and a linear compensator traces the nonlinear characteristics of the amplifier at all times and can compensate them by controlling a programmable attenuator.
Disclosed in Document 2 is an amplifier having a distortion compensation function which can reduce the capacity of the distortion compensation table using least mean square (LSM) or exponentially weighted sequential least mean square (RLS; recursive least squares) as an applicable algorithm.
Disclosed in document 3 is a predistorter which transforms an input signal and makes a final predistortion signal based on the compensation coefficient corresponding to the value of the input signal of derivative or integral, or both of them in order to reduce the adjacent channel leakage power of the output power of an amplifier.
In a predistorter which compares an original signal and part of the output signal of an amplifier to determine a predistortion coefficient, there was a problem in that a correct predistortion coefficient cannot be determined if a frequency amplitude deviation exists (when frequency characteristics of amplitude are not flat), or if a delay error exists between the original signal and the output signal of the amplifier.
There was another problem in that it takes time to converge a predistortion coefficient, and an error becomes large in the region where the envelope amplitude of the original signal is small, the fluctuations of the envelope are large, and the absolute value of the differential at a certain time interval is large.
FIG. 20 to FIG. 22 show the problem when a frequency amplitude deviation exists and the envelope amplitude of the original signal is small. FIG. 20 shows two unmodulated signals (continuous wave signals: CW signals) used to explain this problem. The two CW signals shown in FIG. 20 can be indicated by following expression.cos(Δωt)cos(ωt)When such an original signal as shown in FIG. 20 is written on an IQ plane, it is illustrated as a thick line on an I plane as shown in FIG. 21.
However, when a frequency amplitude deviation exists, the input signal to the amplifier slips out of place and is expressed by an ellipse. Generally, the value of the envelope amplitude is expressed by the distance from the origin, so the original signal having the amplitude which should be shown in point A is shown in point B, and the value of the envelope amplitude becomes large.
FIG. 22 shows the distortion compensation coefficient which is made by the coefficient making unit 106 shown in FIG. 18 both when a frequency amplitude deviation exists and when no frequency amplitude deviation exists. When no frequency amplitude deviation exists, namely in the characteristics of the dotted line, an amplifier 100 has linear characteristics in the range in which the envelope amplitude as a reference value is small, and no distortion compensation should be required, thus making the value of distortion compensation coefficient 1. When the reference value becomes larger, the output of the amplifier 100 becomes saturated, so the value of distortion compensation coefficient to compensate the saturation becomes larger than 1.
On the other hand, when a frequency amplitude deviation exists, point A as an original signal is indicated as the signal of point B as described in FIG. 21, so the output of the amplifier 100 becomes larger than the value of linear characteristics if the value of distortion compensation coefficient remains to be 1. Consequently, a value smaller than 1 is obtained as a distortion compensation coefficient. The closer point A is to the original point, or the closer the reference value is to 0, the more rapidly the value of distortion compensation coefficient decreases at the positions in which the reference value is closer to 0. In such a case, as the result of multiplying the distortion compensation coefficient, a signal which becomes smaller like a spike in shape and is close to 0 is generated, thereby giving rise to a wide-band distortion.
As described above, when a frequency amplitude deviation exists, the predistorter outputs a distortion compensation coefficient which is close to 0 at the position in which the value of the envelope amplitude is small or the reference value is small. This is a natural action as a predistorter. When there exists no frequency amplitude deviation, a problem takes place in that this distortion compensation coefficient is multiplied to the original signal, so the input signal to the amplifier 100 becomes smaller, and the output error of the amplifier 100 becomes larger.
FIG. 23 to FIG. 25 show the problems in a range in which time delay exists in the output signal from an amplifier, and the absolute value of the time differential of the envelope value is large. In FIG. 23, the original signal is indicated by a thick line, and the waveform of time delay as the output signal of the amplifier is indicated by a thin line. When the size of the envelope becomes small in terms of time at a beginning position of FIG. 23, in other words, at the position in which the time differential value obtained by subtracting the envelope value at a prior time from the envelope value at a later time is minus, the signal which has passed through the amplifier, namely the value of the waveform of time delay looks larger than the value of the original signal, so the value of distortion compensation coefficient to correct this phenomenon becomes smaller than a correct value.
On the other hand, when the envelope value becomes large at the following position of FIG. 23, namely at the position in which the value of time differential is plus, the output signal of the amplifier looks smaller than the original signal, so the distortion compensation coefficient becomes larger than a correct value. Such an error becomes larger at the position in which the inclination of the signal is large or at the position in which the absolute value of time differential is large.
FIG. 24 shows the emergence frequency of the value of time differential and the value of envelope amplitude, using a CDMA (code division multiple access) signal as an example. From this figure, it is known that the emergence frequency is small at the position in which the absolute value of time differential is large.
FIG. 25 shows the spike-shaped error of the distortion compensation coefficient which emerges at the position in which the emergence frequency is small. Because the emergence frequency is small at the position in which the absolute value of time differential is large, as described in FIG. 24, it is considered that it takes time to converge the distortion compensation coefficient at such a position and that errors accumulate and spread. In such a case, a spike-shaped singular point of the distortion compensation coefficient emerges at only one position as shown in FIG. 25, and a problem takes place in that no correct distortion compensation effect can be obtained.
In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present invention is to achieve the distortion compensation of a power amplifier using the correct value of a distortion compensation coefficient when a frequency amplitude deviation exists or the emergence frequency is small.
In other words, the purpose of the present invention is to compensate the distortion of an amplifier using the value of a correct distortion compensation coefficient when the value of envelope amplitude of an original signal is small, or at the position in which the time differential of the envelope value or the absolute value of time derivative is large.


A vehicle leveling system including at least one level sensor, a controller and an output. The sensor measures how level the vehicle is relative to horizontal. Optionally, it does so dynamically, as the vehicle moves across a potential parking area. The controller analyzes the sensor measurements, and informs the operator via the output whether the vehicle is level in a given direction, whether the vehicle is leveling, whether the vehicle can be leveled at a given location, and/or the “best” leveling that the system is capable of at a location. The system also may automatically level the vehicle relative to the ground for the operator. In one embodiment, the leveling system communicates with an existing vehicle electronic height control system. The leveling system overrides or controls the normal operation of this system, and uses it to level the vehicle, for example, by adjusting the vehicle suspension.

The present invention relates to a leveling system for a vehicle.
Many vehicles are equipped with a system that enables an operator to level the vehicle relative to the ground after the vehicle has been parked at an overnight or long term parking location. For example, recreational, camping and coach vehicles are outfitted with a system of jacks. The system includes multiple hydraulic and/or motorized lift or leveling jacks positioned at three or four locations under a vehicle and a control panel in communication with the jacks. By manually and independently operating each of the motorized jacks via the control panel, and simultaneously monitoring the orientation of the vehicle relative to the ground, an operator may level the vehicle at a parking location with the system.
The above jacking system is useful for leveling a vehicle at a long term parking location, however it suffers shortcomings when the vehicle is parked at a short term location. Recreational vehicle operators often stop and temporarily park their vehicles in a parking lot to rest or dine. Such parking lots are usually uneven enough that the parked vehicle is tilted or uneven. This can create unsafe or uncomfortable conditions in and around the vehicle, as well as impair the function of appliances and a lavatory in the vehicle.
Although conventional jacking systems can level the vehicle to correct these conditions, operators are deterred from using the systems for several reasons. First, it takes the operator a significant amount of time to operate and monitor the jacking system when attempting to level the vehicle. Sometimes, the amount of time required to properly level the vehicle can be excessive when compared to the short duration of time the vehicle might be parked. Second, the operator cannot determine whether or not the system can level the vehicle at a given location on the parking lot until after attempting to level the vehicle. This can cause frustration, especially if the operator must move the vehicle several times to find a location that is within the leveling capability of the system. Third, where the parking lot is constructed from tar or asphalt, the jacks of the system dig into these materials and damage the parking lot.
Additional shortcomings of conventional jacking systems are created by its components. The lift or leveling jacks and the control panel of the systems are separate from other operating systems and components of the vehicle. Accordingly, these components must be installed with exacting tolerances and carefully located on the vehicle to prevent interference with or impairment of other vehicle systems, such as the vehicle ride height control system and suspension. The additional components of the system also consume considerable space on or in the vehicle, and needlessly increase the weight of the vehicle. In turn, this reduces the amount of usable space in or on the vehicle, reduces fuel economy, and causes extra wear and tear on the frame and suspension of the vehicle.
One attempt to reduce the number of extra components of conventional jacking systems uses the suspension elements of the vehicle. In particular, this system includes its own air supply, e.g., a compressor that must be installed on the vehicle. In this system, the air lines leading to the suspension elements, or the suspension elements themselves, are outfitted with an additional set of valves that can exhaust air from the suspension elements, or inflate the elements with air supplied by the additional compressor. Because this alternative leveling system modifies the physical features and function of the existing suspension, i.e., by plumbing into the air lines and/or suspension elements with new valves, it frequently voids original equipment manufacturer warranties.


The analog-to-digital converter array 13 includes one analog-to-digital converter 210 for each row of photodetectors 120 in the photodetector array 11. The image-processing unit 14 includes the plurality of processing circuits 400 for performing high-speed image processing. The signal converter 17 combines the output signals from the analog-to-digital converter array 13 with output signals from the image-processing unit 14. Under control of the control circuit 15 and the signal conversion controller 19, the signal converter 17 downconverts the composite signal at an important timing to a frame rate suitable for display on the monitor 18 and subsequently displays the signal on the monitor 18.

High-speed image processing is required to operate robots at a high speed in a factory automation (FA) system or the like. For example, when a robot is configured with a feedback loop between its vision sensor and its actuator, the actuator can be controlled in units of milliseconds. Accordingly, the image processing speed that matches this speed is required. However, because the image processing speed in modern vision systems is limited by the video frame rate, the robot can only operate at low speeds that match this image processing speed. It is impossible to take full advantage of the robot's performance. Inspection systems with using vision sensors is limited in their accuracy and speed because of the restrictions of the video frame rate.
There are some high-speed CCD cameras that can take images within about one (1) millisecond. In these devices, the images are temporarily stored in memory and later read and processed. Therefore, the devices can be applied to such applications as image analysis. However, the devices have almost no real-time capability, and are not suitable for controlling robots, on-line inspections, or other applications.
In order to overcome these problems, institutes such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have been researching a vision chip that combines the image reading portion and the processing portion into one unit ("An Object Position and Orientation IC with Embedded Imager," David L. Standley, Solid State Circuits, Vol. 26, No. 12, December 1991, pp. 1853–1859, IEEE); "Computing Motion Using Analog and Binary Resistive Networks," James Hutchinson, et al., Computer, Vol. 21, March 1988, pp. 52–64, IEEE); and "Artificial Retinas—fast versatile image processors," Kazuo Kyuma, et al., Nature, Vol. 372, Nov. 10, 1994). However, these chips employ a fixed analog circuit that is easy to integrate. Accordingly, these circuits have various shortcomings. That is, the circuits require subsequent-processing of output signals. The circuits suffer from the problems specific to analog signals. For example, the circuits are required to cope with noise and to attain a desired signal-to-noise ratio. The type of image processing they can perform is limited to special applications. The circuits have a lack of universality because the contents of the image processing are limited to particular applications.
To overcome these problems, a technology for a vision sensor capable of performing general purpose high-speed image processing is disclosed in Japanese examined patent application publication no. HEI-7-62866 (hereinafter referred to as conventional technology no. 1). For further improving integration, a technology for optimizing transfer lines in each row has been proposed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication HEI-10-145680 (hereinafter referred to as conventional technology no. 2). These types of vision sensor increase processing speed by providing a plurality of processing elements in one to one correspondence with a plurality of photodetector elements to achieve complete parallel processing. A technology for constructing a high-resolution sensor through partial parallel processing by providing one processing element for each array of photodetector elements is disclosed in International Publication WO95/24793 (hereinafter referred to as conventional technology no. 3). When used in inspection equipment on a production line, this type of vision sensor can greatly reduce the length of testing time.
In the actual use of these sensors, however, it is frequently necessary for a human being to visually confirm images while the images are being processed. When examining products on a belt conveyor, for example, a human worker is often entrusted with the final check. Hence, the image must be outputted to a display device that the worker can view. When setting and adjusting the equipment, in order to grasp how the inspection is achieved, visual confirmation is also necessary for checking lighting conditions on the image pick up position, lens focus, stains on the lenses, and other conditions. An efficient method of establishing processing algorithms for inspection methods is to set threshold levels and matching points while monitoring the processes by viewing actual images. It is possible to efficiently estimate the processing algorithms.
However, devices conforming to conventional technologies nos. 1 through 3 do not have an efficient function for outputting acquired images to external devices. These devices can only output results of calculations, in the form of characteristic quantities (such as the object's center of gravity and inspection results) or in the form of control signals (for controlling the motor and the like). Even if those devices are modified to output the acquired images, the frame rate of the images outputted from the high-speed camera is extremely fast and cannot be supported by a normal television monitor. Accordingly, a special display device is required to output the images, thereby increasing the cost of the system. Further, even if the images outputted from the high-speed camera can be displayed as they are, necessary details of the image may not be perceived by the human eye, which has a limited response rate (about 30 milliseconds).
A device for monitoring fast moving objects at a high-resolution has been disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publication HEI-10-21407 (hereinafter referred to as conventional technology no. 4). This monitor operates by overlaying image data from the high-speed image-processing device on image data from a conventional image-processing device. However, the frame rate of images outputted from the monitor of conventional technology no. 4 is limited to nearly the same video rate as the conventional rate. Therefore, it is difficult to extract the required information when observing fast moving objects.
Sometimes it is important to capture images at a particular timing, such as the instant of a press or the penetration of a drill performed by automated machine tools, the instant a part is inserted, the moment a golf club or a baseball bat meets a ball, and the like. It is difficult to display such images at the appropriate timing and in a manner that can be perceived by the human eye.

Camera system for high-speed image processing including selection of at least one frame based on processed results


Emulsions of an aqueous or an aqueous-organic continuous phase and an organic discontinuous phase, the latter containing at least

The invention relates to new emulsions containing the active compound combination tebuconazole and propiconazole, to a process for its preparation and to its use.
It is an aim in different fields, such as for example, crop protection, the protection of materials or the pharmaceutical sector, to prepare storage-stable active compound concentrates which can be introduced into the use medium in dilute form immediately prior to use. However, many active compounds are virtually insoluble in water or only sparingly soluble in preferred organic solvents. However, it becomes an increasing aim to employ aqueous active compound concentrates or active compound concentrates which can be diluted in aqueous media, such as, for example, active compound formulations in the form of suspension concentrates (SC) or emulsion concentrates (EC). In ECs, the active compounds are generally fully dissolved in one or more organic solvents which are emulsifiable in water in conjunction with emulsifiers. As regards the stability of the emulsion and also in particular as regards the undesired precipitation of the active compound as crystalline solid in aqueous dilutions, there is still room for improvement of the known EC formulations. This also applies with regard to increasing the active compound contents and to the use of biodegradable or well-tolerated solvents.
While higher active compound concentrations can be achieved with SCs, in particular aqueous SCs, however, the only disadvantage is frequently the lack of biological activity. Even when the active compounds with medium particle sizes are ground ultrafinely in an order of magnitude of less than a micron, the desired biological activity is still not achieved.
Tebuconazole and propiconazole are valuable biocidal active compounds which, however, cannot be converted in the desired fashion into emulsions with a high active compound content. In particular in a specific field of the protection of materials, namely the protection of timber, attempts to prepare emulsions which are sufficiently stable upon dilution and, when applied by customary impregnation methods, are capable of delivering the active compound(s) sufficiently deep into the wood have remained unsuccessful as yet.
It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a formulation system for the active compound combination of tebuconazole and propiconazole in the form of active-compound-containing emulsions, in particular microemulsions, which formulation system overcomes the above-described shortcomings.
A further object is to provide emulsion concentrates with high contents of the active compound combination tebuconazole/propiconazole with well tolerated components as base, which emulsion concentrates are sufficiently stable with regard to flocculation, sedimentation or creaming and with regard to crystallization or precipitation of solids (active compound crystals) down to the high dilutions which are desired for use and which are distinguished by a high depth of penetration into timber, in particular green timber, in immersion, coating or pressure-vessel impregnation methods.
The invention relates to an emulsion comprising (i) an aqueous or an aqueous-organic continuous phase and (ii) an organic discontinuous phase containing at least
a) a combination of of tebuconazole and propiconazole,
b) a phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I)
wherein m is 2.7 and n is 2 to 13; and
c) optionally, an organic solvent that is not miscible with water,
wherein the component selected from the group consisting of tebuconazole and propiconazole is dissolvable completely at 20xc2x0 C. in the a phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I) or, optionally, together in (i) the phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I) and (ii) the organic solvent that is not miscible with water, at a content of more than 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the organic phase.
In one embodiment, the invention also relates to a method for making such an emulsion. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for protecting timber or a timber material from attack by wood-destroying or wood-discoloring micro-organisms comprising treating the timber or the timber material with such an emulsion.
The present invention therefore relates to emulsions of an aqueous or an aqueous-organic continuous phase and an organic discontinuous phase, the latter containing at least
a) one combination of the active compounds tebuconazole and propiconazole
b) one phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I)
where m=2.7 and n=2 to 13, preferably 2 to 10,
c) and, if appropriate, an organic solvent which is not miscible with water,
characterized in that component a) is dissolved completely in b) or, if appropriate in b) and c) together with a content of more than 0.1% by weight, in particular  greater than 1% by weight, especially preferably  greater than 10% by weight, at 20xc2x0 C. based on the total weight of the organic phase.
The active compound tebuconazole is known under the tradename FOLICUR(copyright) (Bayer AG). Likewise, the active compound propiconazole is known under the tradename WOCOSEN(copyright) Technical (Janssen).
If appropriate, the emulsions according to the invention contain further biologically active compounds a), for example from the group of the pharmaceutical active compounds and the crop protection agents, in particular biocides, microbicides, pesticides, such as fungicides, bactericides, virucides, herbicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, plant growth regulators and bird repellents, and also disinfectants.
If appropriate, the emulsions according to the invention can contain, as component b), further organic compounds from the group of the reaction products of alkylene oxides with compounds capable of being alkylated, such as, for example, fatty alcohols, fatty amines, fatty acids, phenols, alkylphenols, carboximides and resinic acids, preferably balsamic resin and/or abietic acid.
If appropriate, the emulsions according to the invention can contain, as component c), further organic solvents which are not miscible with water, for example from the group of the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons or the acetate-type solvents.
Suitable as organic solvents (c) are, preferably, natural, fully- or semisynthetic compounds and, if appropriate, mixtures of these solvents which are fully miscible or soluble with the compounds (b) in the temperature range of from 20 to 130xc2x0 C. Preferably suitable solvents are those from the group of the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons which are liquid at room temperature, in particular
oils, such as, for example, mineral oils, paraffins, isoparaffins, fully-synthetic oils such as silicon oils, semisynthetic oils based on, for example, glycerides of unsaturated fatty acids of medium chain length, essential oils,
esters of natural or synthetic, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, preferably C8-C22-fatty acids, in particular C8-C18-fatty acids, especially preferably methyl esters of rapeseed oil or 2-ethylhexyl laurate,
alkylated aromatics and their mixtures,
alkylated alcohols, in particular fatty alcohols,
linear, primary alcohols obtained by hydroformylation,
terpene hydrocarbons and
naphtene-type oils, such as, for example, Enerthene.
Further preferred solvents of component c) are those from the group of the acetate-type solvents such as, for example, 1,2-propanediol diacetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, ethyl acetate and the like. The solvents can be employed individually or as mixtures with each other.
In addition to components a) to c), the organic discontinuous phase of the emulsions according to the invention may additionally contain further additives which have a solubility of  less than 0.1 g/l, in water, but a solubility of  greater than 10 g/l in comp. b) and/or c).
In a preferred composition, the organic discontinuous phase of the emulsions according to the invention contains
a) 0.5 to 40% by weight, in particular 1 to 20% by weight, of propiconazole and tebuconazole,
b) 20 to 99.5% by weight, in particular 40 to 99% by weight, of compound (I),
c) 1 to 80% by weight of an organic solvent which is not miscible with water, in particular 1,2-propanediol diacetate,
based on the total discontinuous phase.
The continuous aqueous or aqueous-organic phase (=carrier phase of the emulsion droplets) of the active-compound-containing emulsions or microemulsions according to the invention preferably contains
d) water,
e) if appropriate, organic solvent,
f) at least one natural or synthetic surface-active agent which has a solubility of  greater than 10 g/l, in particular  greater than 100 g/l in water (d) at 20xc2x0 C.,
and, if appropriate, further adjuvants.
Preferred organic solvents of component (e) are solvents which are soluble or miscible in water, in particular with a solubility in water of  greater than 5.0 g/l at 20xc2x0 C., in particular  greater than 15 g/l.
Examples of suitable organic solvents are: aliphatic C1-C4-alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, isobutanol or tert-butanol, aliphatic ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or diacetone alcohol, polyols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol with a mean gram-molecular weight of 100 to 4000 g/mol, preferably 200 to 1500 g/mol, or glycerol, monohydroxyethers, preferably monohydroxyalkyl ethers, especially preferably mono-C1-C4-alkyl glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether or diethylene glycolmonoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, thiodiglycol, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether or triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, furthermore 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-pyrrolidone, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidone, dimethylacetamide and dimethyl formamide.
Mixtures of solvents, for example those mentioned herein, are also suitable. The amount of the solvents (e) employed in the aqueous continuous phase is in general less than 60% by weight, preferably less than 40% by weight, based on the continuous phase.
Surface-active agents (f) are understood as meaning emulsifiers, wetters, dispersants, antifoams or solubilizers which are soluble, preferably fully soluble, in the aqueous phase. In particular, they can be nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric or of monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric nature. The choice of the surface-active agents (f) is not limited in accordance with the invention and must be matched with the discontinuous phase to be stabilized with regard to the desired type of emulsion (for example miniemulsion or microemulsion) and the stability of the emulsion, in particular the sedimentation and/or creaming of the disperse phase.
Preferred surface-active agents of component (f) which must be mentioned are those of f1) to f9):
f1) Alkoxylation product which can be obtained by ethylene-oxide-alkoxylation or propylene-oxide-alkoxylation of condensates of phenolic OH-containing aromatics with formaldehyde and NH functional groups.
f2) Inorganic salts which are soluble in water, in particular borates, carbonates, silicates, sulfates, sulfites, selenates, chlorides, fluorides, phosphates, nitrates and aluminates of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and other metals and also ammonium;
f3) Polymers composed of recurrent succinyl units, in particular polyaspartic acid.
f4) Nonionic or ionically modified compounds form the group of the alkoxylates, alkylolamides, esters, amine oxides and alkyl polyglycosides, in particular reaction products of alkylene oxides with compounds capable of being alkylated, such as, for example, fatty alcohols, fatty amines, fatty acids, phenols, alkyl phenols, carboximides and resinic acids.
These are, for example, ethylene oxide adducts from a class of the reaction products of ethylene oxide with:
m) saturated and/or unsaturated fatty alcohols with 6 to 25 C atoms or
n) alkyl phenols with 4 to 12 C atoms in the alkyl radical or
o) saturated and/or unsaturated fatty amines with 14 to 20 C atoms or
p) saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 to 22 C atoms or
q) hydrogenated and/or unhydrogenated resinic acids,
r) esterification and/or arylation products prepared from natural or modified, optionally hydrogenated castor oil lipid bodies which, if appropriate, are linked by esterification with dicarboxylic acids to give recurrent structural units.
f5) Ionic or nonionic compounds from the group of the reaction products of alkylene oxide with sorbitan ester [Tween(copyright), ICI], oxalkylated acetylene diols and acetylene glycols, oxalkylated phenols, in particular phenol/styrene polyglycol ethers of formula I) and II) with the difference that n is a number from 14 to 120, and ionically modified phenol/styrene polyglycol ethers of the formula I) or II) as disclosed for example in EP-A 839 879 [or EP-A-764 695]. The term xe2x80x9cionic modificationxe2x80x9d is understood as meaning, for example, sulfation, carboxylation or phosphatation. Ionically modified compounds can be present either in the form of their free acids or, preferably, as salts, in particular as alkali metal or amine salt, preferably diethylamine salt.
f6) Ionic or nonionic polymeric surface-active agents from the group of the homo- and copolymers, graft and graft copolymers and random and linear block copolymers. Examples of suitable polymeric surface-active agents (f6) are polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, polyoxymethylenes, polytrimethylene oxides, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polyethylene imines, polyacrylic acid, polyaryl amides, polymethacrylic acids, polymethacrylamides, poly-N,N-dimethyl-acrylamides, poly-N-isopropyl acrylamides, poly-N-acrylglycinamides, poly-N-methacryl-glycinamides, polyvinyloxazolidones, polyvinylmethyloxazolidones.
f7) Anionic surface-active agents such as, for example, alkyl sulfates, ether sulfates, ether carboxylates, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinate amides, paraffin sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, sarcosinates, isothionates and taurates.
f8) Anionic surface-active agents from the group of what is known as dispersants, in particular condensates which can be obtained by reacting naphthols with alkanols, subjecting alkylene oxide to an addition reaction and at least partially converting the terminal hydroxyl groups into sulfo groups or monoesters of maleic acid, phthalic acid or succinic acid, sulfosuccinic esters, alkylbenzene sulfonates, and salts of the polyacrylic acids, polyethylene sulfonic acids, polystyrene sulfonic acid, polymethacrylic acids, polyphosphoric acids.
f9) Lignin-type compounds, especially lignosulfonates, for example those which have been obtained by the sulfite or Kraft method. They are preferably products which are partially hydrolyzed, oxidized, propoxylated, sulfonated, sulfomethylated or bisulfonated and which are fractionated by known methods, for example according to the molecular weight or the degree of sulfonation. Mixtures of sulfite and Kraft lignosulfonates are also very effective. Especially suitable are lignosulfonates with a mean molecular weight of greater than 1,000 to 100,000, a content of active lignosulfonate of at least 80% and, preferably, a low content of polyvalent cations. The degree of sulfonation can be varied within wide limits.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the continuous aqueous phase can also contain, in addition to the abovementioned surface-active agent f), in particular f1) to f9), water-soluble block or block copolymers of component g); they are preferably water-soluble block and block copolymers based on ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide [Pluronic(copyright), BASF] and/or water-soluble block and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide on bifunctional amines [Tetronic(copyright), BASF].
Block copolymers based on polystyrene and polyalkylene oxide, poly(meth)acrylates and polyalkylene oxide and also poly(meth)acrylates and poly(meth)acrylic acids are also suitable.
In addition, the continuous aqueous phase can also contain further customary adjuvants such as, for example, water-soluble wetters, antifoams and/or preservatives.
The emulsions according to the invention preferably contain 1 to 40% by weight, in particular 2 to 20% by weight, of the discontinuous organic phase and 60 to 99% by weight of the continuous aqueous or aqueous-organic phase based on the total emulsion.
Preferred compositions of the emulsions contain 0 to 2000% by weight, in particular 10 to 1000% by weight, of one or more water-soluble surface-active agents of component (f), 0 to 100% by weight, in particular 1 to 50% by weight, of one or more water-soluble block copolymers of component (g) and 0 to 600% by weight, in particular 20 to 400% by weight, of one or more water-soluble organic solvents of component (e), based on the discontinuous organic phase, and also, if appropriate, further customary adjuvants.
If the emulsions are present as microemulsions, they preferably comprise 10 to 2000% by weight, in particular 100 to 1000% by weight, of one or more water-soluble surface-active agents of component (f), 0 to 100% by weight, in particular 1 to 50% by weight, of one or more water-soluble block copolymers of component (g) and 0 to 600% by weight, in particular 20 to 400% by weight, of one or more water-soluble organic solvents of component (e), based on the discontinuous organic phase, and also, if appropriate, further customary adjuvants.
Preferred emulsion types which may be mentioned are:
Macroemulsion: contains droplets  greater than 2 xcexcm (microscopic)
Miniemulsion: droplet diameter 0.1 to 2 xcexcm, turbid
Microemulsion: droplet diameter  less than 0.1 xcexcm; transparent
Microemulsions are particularly preferred in this context.
Surprisingly, the invention has succeeded in maintaining particularly high contents of active compounds in the discontinuous phasexe2x80x94that is to say, the emulsion dropletsxe2x80x94stably in solution at normal temperature (20xc2x0 C.). In particular in the case of microemulsions (i.e. clear emulsions), considerably higher contents of active compounds (a) were achieved than was expected on the basis of the limit of solubility of the sheer active compounds (a) in the organic compounds (b) and, if appropriate solvent (c), determined at normal temperature (20xc2x0 C.).
The invention therefore also comprises a method of preparing the active-compound-containing emulsions according to the invention, for example the macroemulsions or microemulsions, wherein the active compound (a) in question is dissolved fully in the organic compound (b), if appropriate with concomitant use of the solvent (c), at a temperature of from 20 to 200xc2x0 C., if applicable the solution is filtered while hot in the abovementioned temperature range, and the resulting solution is emulsified into the aqueous or aqueous-organic phase, naturally while maintaining the temperature required for complete solubility of the active compound, and the resulting emulsion, for example macro- or microemulsion, is cooled to at temperature of from 10 to 70xc2x0 C., preferably below 60xc2x0 C., and, if appropriate, subsequently filtered.
The method can also be carried out in the form of what is known as reversal emulsion, wherein some of the aqueous or aqueous-organic phase is first introduced into, and emulsified in, the active-compound-containing (oil) phase (type W/O emulsion) and the product is subsequently converted into the desired emulsion (Type O/W emulsion) by successively adding the remainder of the aqueous phase.
For the dispersing (emulsifying) process, methods such as stirring, dissolver emulsifying, emulsifying by means of rotor-stator apparatuses, Ultraturrax, high-pressure homogenizer, jet dispersion and sonication are suitable. The choice of method depends on the desired fine distribution of the discontinuous phase (macromeulsion, miniemulsion or microemulsion).
The methods can be applied batchwise or else in continuous form; in general, a continuous procedure is preferred since this allows the two phases to be mixed and emulsified intensely in a small space, if appropriate under pressure and with the application of shear forces, and subsequently to be cooled in the shortest possible time to the temperature necessary for stabilizing the emulsion (with regard to precipitation of the active compound from the discontinuous phase (or from the organic compound b)). Especially preferred is a continuous procedure for achieving microemulsions or miniemulsions with a maximum droplet size of the discontinuous phase of  less than 1 xcexcm, in particular  less than 0.5 xcexcm, very especially  less than 0.1 xcexcm. In general, the two phases are first prepared separately, for example by dissolving and stirring the components, if appropriate while raising the temperature, and subsequently feeding them continuously to an emulsifying device.
Preferred methods are those in which emulsification is effected with high energy input, for example sonification, high-pressure homogenization or jet dispersion at pressures of from 2 to 2500 bar, in particular 20 to 1000 bar, in one or more passes. The jet-dispersion method, which is especially preferred, and devices suitable therefor are illustrated for example in DE-A 19536 845. In particular, this method, combined with suitable temperature control, allows microemulsions to be obtained which have particularly good long-term stability and very high active compound content and which can be applied as stated below.
The final standardization for the desired properties such as viscosity, flow characteristics and preservation can be effected either before, during or after the emulsification process by adding water or further additives.
The emulsions according to the invention are outstandingly suitable for the protection of timber or timber materials from attack by wood-destroying or wood-discolouring micro-organisms.
For use in the protection of timber, the emulsions according to the invention are dispersed finely into water or water-based, optionally binder-containing carrier solutions or dispersions by means of the abovementioned methods. The active-compound-containing emulsions according to the invention are distinguished by high chemical stability (for example stability to hydrolysis) and physical stability in conjunction with a fine distribution which is very good for the performance of the active compound, and are therefore far superior to purely aqueous formulations of the active compounds. Moreover, the active compounds penetrate the timber deeply and permanently. Particularly preferred in this context is the use of the active-compound-containing emulsions for the fungicidal finishing of timber, in particular green timber, and for impregnation. In this context, emulsions according to the invention which are in the form of concentrates are diluted in water to a desired concentration, and these dilutions are applied to timber by means of dipping, coating or pressure-vessel impregnation methods, where in particular emulsions according to the invention in the form of microemulsions are distinguished by good active compound penetration and good long-term stability of the active compound.

Abstract: a) a combination of active compounds tebuconazole and propiconazole

Abstract: where m=2.7 and n=2 to 13

Abstract: wherein the combination of tebuconazole and propiconazole is dissolvable completely at 20xc2x0 C. in the a phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I) or, optionally, together in (i) the phenol/styrene polyglycol ether of the formula (I) and (ii) the organic solvent that is not miscible with water, at a content of more than 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the organic phase. Methods for making and using such emulsions.


A bracelet or strap for a watch case includes a first arm, inside which is housed a first printed circuit board portion, and a second arm, the first printed circuit board portion carrying at least one electronic component arranged to perform a corresponding electronic function, and a rigid electrical energy source and a microcontroller for powering and controlling the electronic component arranged to perform a corresponding electronic function, an actuating element, such as a push-button for inputting a control signal into the microcontroller being arranged above the rigid electrical energy source.

There is a strong trend in the current market relating to connected watches having one or more electronic functions and capable of communicating, for example, with mobile telephones of the smart phone type. In the case of connected watches, the emphasis is, however, placed more on the range of electronic functions that such watches offer their users than on the aesthetic, timekeeping and sealing qualities of such watches.
The connected watches currently available on the market are thus unattractive and relatively fragile objects whose daily use requires a great deal of care on the part of the user.
Among available electronic functions, it may be envisaged to provide a pressure sensor allowing the user to store dive parameters (dive time, depth reached, temperatures), and then to save the history of his dive in a smart phone or in a personal computer. The pressure sensor may be housed inside the watch bracelet, to avoid having to modify the watch case that houses a timepiece movement, which might be mechanical, electronic or electromechanical. The watch case thus maintains all its aesthetic, impermeable and timekeeping properties, while offering the user additional electronic functions, thanks to the addition of the bracelet of the invention.
Of course, at least one energy source must be housed inside the bracelet, for the electrical power supply of the various electronic components required to perform the electronic function or functions.
Likewise, it is necessary to equip the bracelet with at least one touch or voice interface device to allow the user to interact with the electronic functions. This may be, for example, a push-button allowing the user to stop and start a particular electronic function. Yet this latter point poses a problem. Indeed, it is understood that, to start and stop an electronic function by means of a push-button, the user must exert a pressure on the latter. However, bracelets inside which are housed the various components required to perform electronic functions, are typically made using plastic material or elastomer. These bracelets are therefore flexible and do not provide a sufficiently rigid support surface to exert a reaction force in response to the pressure exerted by the user to actuate the push-button. When the user presses the push-button, the flexible bracelet will deform and the user cannot therefore be sure to have actuated the push-button properly, which is unacceptable.


Multilayered coatings comprising a sacrificial primer layer, a non-sacrificial second layer, and a polymer topcoat are disclosed.

Turbomachinery devices extract energy from moving fluids (air, combustion gases, water, steam, etc.) or impart energy to those fluids. Under certain conditions, solid material can deposit from the fluids moving through the turbomachinery. At the very least, these deposits, generally referred to as fouling, compromise efficiency by roughening aerodynamic surfaces. In the extreme, fouling deposits can grow to fill internal passages, throttling flow.
The precise nature of the deposits fouling a device will vary with the composition of the gas flow. For example, organic polymers can deposit within units handling hydrocarbon gases, while inorganic crusts form within turbomachinery operating on wet steam. In any case, efficiency is lost through three basic mechanisms:
Increased friction against gas flow, reduction of flow path cross-sectional area, and random changes of pressure distribution on airfoil.
Polymerization is one type of fouling that plagues centrifugal compressors pumping hydrocarbons in the process chemical and petrochemical industries. These chemical compressors deliver gases at volumes, pressures and temperatures critical to large scale chemical processes.
A centrifugal compressor acts on gas by means of a bladed impeller. The rotating impeller imparts a centrifugal force on the process gas resulting in an increase of both its tangential and radial velocity. The velocity's tangential component is then converted into an increase in pressure in the diffuser passage of the diaphragm. The important individual aerodynamic components of a multi-state centrifugal compressor include the inlet nozzle, inlet guide vanes, impeller, radial diffuser, return channel, collector volute and discharge nozzle.
The inlet nozzle accelerates the gas stream into the guide vanes which distribute the flow evenly to the first stage impeller. The rotating impeller forces the gas into the diffuser formed by stationary components called diaphragms. The diffuser reduces gas velocity and converts kinetic energy in the stream into higher pressures. Because gas flows through the diffuser in a spiral manner, it needs to be straightened before it enters the next impeller stage. This is done by the use of return channel vanes which are also part of the diaphragm assembly. It should also be noted that due to the pressure rise that is generated, the diaphragm is a structural, as well as an aerodynamic component. The collector volute and discharge nozzle reduce gas velocity prior to discharge.
Polymerization fouling of aerodynamic hardware in centrifugal compressors pumping hydrocarbons reduces operating efficiencies and component reliability. Though this problem has been known for years, relatively little work has been done to understand it and devise ways to minimize its impact. The most probable reason for its lack of attention is that fouling alone usually does not lead to a catastrophic machine malfunction or unscheduled downtime and can generally be handled by shortened maintenance intervals, where components are cleaned by removing accumulated polymer, returned to near original operating condition, and put back into service. These operations cause loss of efficiency.
Polymerization is not well understood, as it applies to compressor fouling. What is known is that the hydrocarbons which are inherent to the process gas or formed during the compression process can bond tenaciously to the component base metals and lead to significant performance loss of the machine. Deposits of this type have been found in compressors used for hydrocarbon processing, coke gas blowers, and other units where the gas contains sufficient amounts of hydrocarbons under conditions of high pressure and temperature.
Factors found to be critical to polymerization/fouling are: temperature--polymerization usually occurs above about 194.degree. F. (90.degree. C.), pressure--the extent of fouling is proportional to pressure level, surface finish--the smoother the surface the less apt the component is to foul, and gas composition--fouling is proportional to concentration of reactable hydrocarbon in the process (inlet gas).
In general, fouling has many detrimental effects on centrifugal compressors. One is build-up of material on the rotor. This build-up can lead to an unbalance which gradually builds until the unit exceeds its allowable vibration limit and has to be shutdown. Operating with significant rotor unbalance can also lead to fatigue and a reduction in component life. Fouling has also been known to reduce axial and radial clearances between the rotor and stationary components which leads to abrasive wear that severely damages impellers and labyrinth seals.
These types of fouling degradation are typical of a progressive formation of a deposit. Costs associated with correcting these problems usually show up after relatively long periods of operation.
However, polymerization fouling can occur so rapidly that efficiency losses occur very quickly, sometimes only months after start-up. In these cases, the most intense growth of deposit occurs during the first 50-200 hours of operation. The deposits affect stationary flow path components, as well as rotating elements. Prior attempts to correct the problem were limited to diffuser and return channels, stationary flow path components, which were considered to be the most susceptible to fouling. It was assumed the rotating element would be less likely to foul due to the dynamic force applied to the deposits by rotation. In addition, by design, the stationary flow paths exhibit slightly rougher surface finishes than the rotating element which make them more susceptible to deposit build-up.
A different sort of fouling afflicts steam turbines. These devices extract work from steam supplied from an external source (boiler or process vessel). Steam, superheated under very high pressures, enters the turbine and undergoes a controlled expansion as it passes over moveable and stationary airfoils (blades and vanes). The force of the expanding stream causes the blades to rotate, doing work. As the steam expands, its temperature and pressure decrease until, in later stages of the turbine, conditions are such that it spontaneously condenses on gas path surfaces.
The boundary between conditions of pressure and temperature in the steam turbine that allow condensation and those that do not is called the Wilson Line. Hardware operating well below the Wilson Line temperature and pressure will be wet. Components well above this temperature and pressure will remain dry. Since the Wilson Line will move within the turbine as operating conditions and condition of the inlet steam vary, some hardware will be alternately wetted and dried in service.
When condensation occurs, impurities carried by or dissolved within the steam precipitate and deposit on the metal surfaces. The rough hard crust which forms compromises operating efficiency in the same manner that polymerization deposits compromise centrifugal compressors. Frictional resistance to gas flow is increased, cross-sectional area available for flow is reduced, and variable pressure distributions are introduced in the unit.
In addition to loss of efficiency, fouling in steam turbines also increases the risk of corrosion damage of components. Condensing steam is an electrolyte that can initiate galvanic corrosion on a surface. This condition is exacerbated by sulfur and heavy metals, dissolved in incoming steam, which precipitate as hygroscopic salts on airfoils. When operating conditions change and steam again condenses on these dried salts, extreme pH conditions (highly acidic for deposits of acid salts, highly basic for basic salts) results immediately adjacent to the deposits. Severe corrosion, including pitting type corrosion, can result. Such corrosion not only roughens airfoil surfaces, but also compromises the mechanical integrity of the component.
Corrosion fouling is not limited to steam turbines. A similar type of fouling can occur in centrifugal compressors when there is significant moisture in the process gas stream. Water that condenses from that gas collects on compressor components, leading to aqueous corrosion.
Some attempts have been made to address and solve these industrial problems. To limit loss of efficiency due to fouling turbomachinery, various coatings have been formulated to coat gas path surfaces. It is desired that such a coating should have at least seven characteristics as follows: be smooth, non-stick, unreactive, non-wetting, thin (less than 250 .mu.m or 0.010 inches thick), adherent, and be stable up to 260.degree. C. (500.degree. F.).
Several organic coating resins, including fluorocarbons such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy resins (PFA), or polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), are known to form smooth, unreactive, non-stick, non-wetting, thin films. However, coatings of these polymers cannot be used on turbomachinery because the non-stick materials do not remain bonded to iron, steel and nickel alloy turbomachinery components in service. Additionally, several of these fluorocarbons require a very high curing temperature, about 700.degree. F. (371.degree. C.) for PPS and PTFE, which may adversely affect the mechanical properties of the blades of the turbomachinery. Adhesion can be improved by priming the metal with a mixture of resin particles in an epoxy or other resin with a greater affinity for steels. Better yet, a primer combining polymer particles in a chromic acid slurry can be applied before the resin film. However, such coatings have not proven to be satisfactory as no such coating system adheres completely, and moisture permeating the film corrodes the metal surface below.
Aluminum-filled inorganic phosphate overlay coatings have been used to combat corrosion and erosion of steel components in turbomachinery for over 25 years. The basic coating of this type has been described in U.S. Pat. No 3,248,251 (Allen). These coatings are complex water-based slurries containing aluminum powder or alloy pigment particles dispersed in an acidic solution containing phosphates and hexavalent chromium ions which, upon exposure to heat and curing, transform to an insoluble metal/ceramic composite. Chromates (or dichromates), molybdates, vanadates, tungstates and other ions may be present. Commercial examples of such a material include Alseal.RTM. 500 and 518 manufactured by Coatings for Industry (Souderton, Pa.), CT33 manufactured by Corrotherm Inc. (Croydon, Pa.), and SermeTel W.RTM. and 962 manufactured by Sermatech International Inc. (Limerick, Pa.). These materials continue to be used in a wide variety of aerospace, automotive and industrial applications. Coating compositions of this type containing hexavalent chromium and phosphate are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,248,249; 3,248,250; 3,395,027; 3,869,293; 4,537,632; 4,544,408; 4,548,646; 4,606,967; 4,617,056; 4,650,699; 4,659,613; 4,683,157; 4,724,172; 4,806,161; 4,863,516; 4,889,558; 4,975,330; 5,066,540; 4,319,924 and 4,381,323, each of which (including the patent to Allen) are incorporated herein by reference.
After such a slurry has been applied to a metal surface, usually by conventional air-atomized spraying, it is heated to a temperature between 500 to 1000.degree. F., preferably to about 343.degree. C. (650.degree. F.) until cured. At these temperatures, the phosphates and any other modifying ions, such as dichromates, undergo a series of chemical reactions to produce an inorganic amorphous glass matrix between the aluminum pigmentation and between the coating and the substrate. Once cured, the structure is frequently referred to as a "ceramic", is water insoluble, and is tightly bonded and very adherent. Tensile bond strengths of an aluminum-filled chromate/phosphate on carbon steel typically exceed 55 MPa (8,000 psi).
Each aluminum particle in the coating is discretely separate from its neighbors. This discrete separation, visible in the photograph, makes this coating a poor barrier and, though it contains about between 60-80%, or preferably about 70%, by weight aluminum, this coating is not electrically conductive.
Sacrificial or "galvanic" electrically conductive coatings prevent corrosion by corroding in the place of the substrate. When a metal that reacts more quickly in a particular environment (a more "active" metal) is placed into contact with one that reacts more slowly (a more "noble" metal), the active metal will be entirely consumed by the environment before the more noble material beings to corrode. A more galvanically active metal will corrode to protect a less galvanically active metal it when placed in a saline environment. The more active metal is said to "sacrifice" itself for the more noble one.
A number of engineering coating systems are built around the sacrificial principle. Galvanizing and zinc plating, for example, use layers of active zinc to sacrificially protect steels. Even if the sacrificial zinc layer is damaged, the active metal in the coating around the exposed substrate corrodes, halting corrosion of that substrate metal.
Inorganic phosphates that are filled with pure aluminum powder are galvanically sacrificial when they are electrically conductive. Such coatings can be made electrically conductive by thermal or mechanical post treatments. Heating the aluminum/phosphate glass composite to about 538.degree. C. (1000.degree. F.) causes the aluminum pigment and glass to react and form a semiconductor, AlP and the coating layer becomes conductive. Electrical resistivity of the coating heated in this manner will drop to less than 15 ohms when measured with probes 1" apart. The same conductivity can be achieved by lightly blasting the coated surface with abrasive grit or glass beads. And when the aluminum-filled inorganic phosphate is electrically conductive, it is also galvanically sacrificial.
For some years it has been known to apply polymer films directly on sacrificial aluminum inorganic phosphate primers. However, in service, the life of these systems on turbomachinery has always been compromised by spontaneous delamination of the polymer film from the primer.
These failures were caused by corrosion products which formed at the interface between the primer and polymer sealer. It had also been known to apply the polymer film directly onto the steel substrate material. Again, catastrophic failure occurred due to corrosion undercutting the film and delamination. During service, moisture would permeate even the best organic sealers. Corrodants dissolved in this condensate would react with sacrificial aluminum-filled basecoat. Sacrificial products (like aluminum hydroxide) would form on the primer underneath the topcoat. As these products accumulated, the topcoat tends to blister and peel from the surface. This is especially true in the high stress, high erosion environment of turbomachinery.
The parent application discloses a coating well suited to the coating of this invention which comprises a mixture of polyamide-imide, or epoxy/polyamide-imide, an ion reactive pigment and a leachable pigment, which coating corresponds to the third layer of the four layer coating of the invention.


Semiconductor devices having metallic source and drain regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a gate electrode stack disposed above a semiconducting channel region of a substrate. Metallic source and drain regions are disposed above the substrate, on either side of the semiconducting channel region. Each of the metallic source and drain regions has a profile. A first semiconducting out-diffusion region is disposed in the substrate, between the semiconducting channel region and the metallic source region, and conformal with the profile of the metallic source region. A second semiconducting out-diffusion region is disposed in the substrate, between the semiconducting channel region and the metallic drain region, and conformal with the profile of the metallic drain region.

For the past several decades, the scaling of features in integrated circuits has been a driving force behind an ever-growing semiconductor industry. Scaling to smaller and smaller features enables increased densities of functional units on the limited real estate of semiconductor chips. For example, shrinking transistor size allows for the incorporation of an increased number of memory devices on a chip, leading to the fabrication of products with increased capacity. The drive for ever-more capacity, however, is not without issue. The necessity to optimize the performance of each device becomes increasingly significant.
In the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, multi-gate transistors, such as tri-gate transistors, have become more prevalent as device dimensions continue to scale down. In conventional processes, tri-gate transistors are generally fabricated on either bulk silicon substrates or silicon-on-insulator substrates. In some instances, bulk silicon substrates are preferred due to their lower cost and because they enable a less complicated tri-gate fabrication process. In other instances, silicon-on-insulator substrates are preferred because of the reduced leakage they can offer.
On bulk silicon substrates, the fabrication process for tri-gate transistors often encounters problems when aligning the bottom of the metal gate electrode with the source and drain extension tips at the bottom of the transistor body (i.e., the "fin"). When the tri-gate transistor is formed on a bulk substrate, proper alignment is needed for optimal gate control and to reduce short-channel effects. For instance, if the source and drain extension tips are deeper than the metal gate electrode, punch-through may occur. Alternately, if the metal gate electrode is deeper than the source and drain extension tips, the result may be an unwanted gate capacitance parasitics.
Many different techniques have been attempted to improve external resistance (Rext) of transistors including improved contact metals, increased activation of dopant and lowered barriers between the semiconductor and contact metal. However, significant improvements are still needed in the area of Rext reduction.

Semiconductor device having metallic source and drain regions


The present invention is directed to a new bone marrow stromal stem cell (BMSSC) marker, CD18, for use in selecting a population of cells enriched in BMSSCs, from bone marrow cells, adipose cells, or peripheral blood. The invention is further directed to methods for selecting a population of cells enriched in BMSSCs based on the selective expression of CD18 on their surface, using techniques known in the art such as fluorescent assisted cell sorting, an immunomagnetic method, flow microfluorimetry, immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase staining, radioimmunoassay and immunoaffinity chromatography. The invention is further directed to the BMSSCs isolated based on CD18 expression, and their use to treat various diseases. In one aspect, the HMSSCs are transformed with a vector having a normal gene for CD18, and the transformed BMSSCs are administered to treat bone degenerative diseases and diseases of bone involving abnormal expression of CD18 expression of CD18.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cell surface proteins on bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs), in particular CD18, which can be used as a marker for making stem cell enriched extracts from unfractionated bone marrow aspirates and from other sources such as adipose tissue. The invention also relates to methods of using the BMSSCs for the treatment of diseases, especially bone marrow diseases.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bone marrow contains stem-like precursors for non-hematopoietic cells, such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes and myoblasts (Owen et al., 1988, in Cell and Molecular Biology of Vertebrate Hard Tissues, Ciba Foundation Symposium 136, Chichester, UK, pp. 42-60; Caplan, 1991, J. Orthop. Res 9:641-650; Prockop, 1997, Science 276:71-74). Non-hematopoietic precursors of the bone marrow have been variously referred to as colony-forming-unit-fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs). BMSSCs are believed to participate in the creation of the microenvironment within the bone marrow in vivo. When isolated, BMSSCs are initially quiescent but eventually begin dividing so that they can be cultured in vitro. Expanded numbers of stromal cells can be established and maintained. Stromal cells have been used to generate colonies of fibroblastic adipocytic and osteogenic cells when cultured under appropriate conditions. They can also be made to differentiate into cartilage cells and myoblasts.
There are several examples of the use of BMSSCs for treatment of disease. Stromal cells have been used to produce fibrous tissue, bone or cartilage when implanted into selective tissues in vivo (Ohgushi et al., 1989, Acte. Orthop. Scand. 60:334-339; Nakahara et al., 1992, J. Orthop. Res 9:465-476; Niedzwiedski et al., 1993, Biomaterials 14:115-121; and Wakitani et al., 1994, J. Bone & Surg. 76A:579-592). In some reports, stromal cells have been used to generate bone or cartilage in vivo when implanted subcutaneously with a porous ceramic (Ohgushi, et al., 1989, Acta Orthop. Scand. 60:334-339), intraperitoneally in a diffusion chamber (Nakahara et al., 1991, J. Orthop. Res 9:465-476), percutaneously into a surgically induced bone defect (Niedzwiedski, et al., 1993, Biomaterials 14: 115-121), or transplanted within a collagen gel to repair a surgical defect in a joint cartilage (Wakitani et al., 1994, J. Bone Org. 76A: 579-592). Piersma et al. (1983, Brit. J. Hematol. 94:285-290) disclose that after intravenous bone marrow transplantation, the fibroblast colony-forming cells which make up the hemopoietic stroma lodge and remain in the host bone marrow. Stewart et al. (1993, Blood 81:2566-2571) recently observed that unusually large and repeated administrations of whole marrow cells produced long-term engraftment of hematopoietic precursors into mice that had not undergone marrow ablation. Also, Biennzle et al. (1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:350-354) successfully used long-term bone marrow cultures as donor cells to permanently populate hematopoietic cells in dogs without marrow ablation. In some reports, stromal cells were used either as cells that established a microenvironment for the culture of hematopoietic precursors (Anklesaria, 1987, PNAS USA 84:7681-7685) or as a source of an enriched population of hematopoietic stem cells (Kiefer, 1991, Blood 78(10):2577-2582).
This new research has shown that adult stem cells in fact possess much wider potential for differentiation than previously thought. The identification and isolation of the stem cells enables the reinfusion of these long-term repopulating stem cells in various clinical therapies. For example, purging bone marrow stem cells of contaminating tumor cells would require reintroduction of new uncontaminated stem cells. In gene therapy, stem cells either from a patient or a donor can be transfected to contain new genes of therapeutic use and then reintroduced into the patient. Identification of surface markers on stem cells is extremely useful in hematopoietic research and related therapies because such markers allow the isolation of relatively pure populations of immature stem cells. However, the lack of appropriate surface markers has been a major obstacle for incorporating bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs) in clinical applications.(4) At present the only useful marker for this purpose is STRO-1. Thus, there is a continued need for the identification other antigens on BMSCCs to simplify the identification and separation of these cells from bone marrow aspirates (or from peripheral blood or adipose tissue which also have BMSSCs).

Integrin CD18 is a novel stromal stem cell marker and functions to promote osteogenesis