In some examples, a method can involve generating data object records representing data objects in storage and storing, on a device, a lookup index including a plurality of index buckets, each index bucket being associated with a set of storage units on the device and including a respective index filter for each respective one of the set of storage units, the set of storage units containing a respective portion of the data object records, wherein each respective index filter includes at least one lookup entry for each data object record in the respective one of the set of storage units. The method can also involve receiving a data object request, and performing a lookup operation including identifying an index bucket for the data object and determining whether any of the set of storage units associated with the index bucket contains a data object record corresponding to the data object.

Data storage technologies may have various limitations, including scaling, performance, and cost limitations. For example, memory devices can provide fast access but have scaling and cost limitations. Storage devices provide larger storage capacities, but have limited throughput and access capabilities. Some storage technologies have larger storage capacities and increasing performance capabilities, but may be otherwise limited in their data access and write patterns. In many cases, such as business and mission-critical applications, data storage technologies fail to provide an adequate balance of storage capacity, performance, and availability, in order to meet specific demands for data and data services.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A processing pattern is described for dispatching and executing tasks in a distributed computing grid, such as a cluster network. The grid includes a plurality of computer nodes that store a set of data and perform operations on that data. The grid provides an interface that allows clients to submit tasks to the cluster for processing. The interface can be used to establish a session between the client and the cluster, which will be used to submit a task for processing by the plurality of computer nodes of the cluster. A dispatcher receives a submission of the task over the interface and routes the task to at least one node in the cluster that is designated to process the task. A task processor then processes the task on the designated node(s), generates a submission outcome and indicates to the client that the submission outcome is available.

In recent years, distributed computing and distributed algorithms have become prevalent in a wide variety of contexts, for reasons of increased performance and load capacity, high availability and failover and faster access to data. Distributed computing typically involves a number of autonomous computers (also called nodes) in communication with one another to solve a task, such as execute an application, solve complex computational problems or provide users access to various services. Each of the computer nodes typically includes its own processor(s), memory and a communication link to other nodes. The computers can be located within a particular location (e.g. cluster network) or can be connected over a large area network (LAN) such as the Internet. In most cases, distributed computers use messages to communicate with one another and to coordinate task processing and data management.
The management of tasks and other work across the cluster can be a significant concern as the processing load often needs to be distributed or apportioned among the members of the cluster in an efficient manner that does not overload any particular node. Allowing each developer or client application to individually determine where requests should go and how they should be processed can be problematic and can create inconsistencies across the grid when various individuals invoke functions in a disorganized way. Furthermore, software programmers may be unnecessarily forced to learn the complexities and internal configurations of the computing grid before they can apply some cohesion to the distribution of work across the nodes.
In light of the foregoing, what is needed is a more simplified yet efficient framework for the processing of tasks and other work across the cluster or grid. It is desirable that this framework be generalized and transparent to clients in terms of the underlying architecture that will manage the processing load. It is further desirable that the processing of the actual work be managed behind the scenes in an efficient and distributed manner, avoiding single points of failure, latencies and any other problems that may arise in this context. Applicants have identified these as well as numerous other needs in coming to conceive the subject matter of the present application.

Processing pattern framework for dispatching and executing tasks in a distributed computing grid


The present device relates to a dryer for curling eyelashes. The dryer according to the present device may prevent a user from being burned and also has a novel structure that effectively curls the eyelashes. Since the dryer for curling the eyelashes indirectly heats the eyelashes by using air heated by a heater 20, the dryer may prevent eyes or skin of the user from being burned and may also heat the eyelashes at an adequate temperature to effectively curl the eyelashes.

Lately, a variety of eyelash curlers, mechanical or electronic, are widely being used among women in their efforts to make their eyelashes look long, dark and thick.
The existing mechanical eyelash curlers are made with forming frames so that the eyelashes are curled by giving strong pressure to them. The electronic curlers have an electric heating device exposed on one side of a brush which push the eyelashes upward, while a heater heats up and curls them.
However, in case of the mechanical eyelash curlers, it is difficult to form the eyelashes in the way we want and it doesn't last long as well. In addition, there is another problem that the curlers often pull out some of the eyelashes while in use.
Also, the electronic eyelash curlers have the heater installed to be exposed along the small-sized brush, which often makes it hard to control the heat, and sometimes the heater can heat up to 100° C. and burn the users, which is highly problematic.
Moreover, since the electronic curlers function with the high temperature heaters getting in touch with the eyelashes, they can burn or damage the eyelashes as well.
On the other hand, the eyelashes can be curled up alright at the temperature below 50° C.


A stabilizer bar assembly has a stabilizer bar and a pair of bushing assemblies. Each bushing assembly has an elastomeric bushing disposed around the stabilizer bar and an outer metal member disposed around the elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing has a molded in rate plate to increase the stiffness of the elastomeric bushing. The outer metal member compresses the elastomeric bushing between the stabilizer bar and the outer metal member to a prespecified percent of compression. When the stabilizer bar rotates with respect to the outer metal member, the compression of the elastomeric bushing stops movement between the elastomeric bushing and the stabilizer bar and between the elastomeric bushing and the outer metal member. A fastening strap is attached to the outer metal member to attach the stabilizer bar assembly to a vehicle.

Conventional motor vehicle suspension systems often include one or more stabilizer bars to control the degree of roll of the motor vehicle during cornering or other vehicle maneuvers. A typical stabilizer bar is generally U-shaped having a long intermediate portion disposed laterally with respect to the motor vehicle and a pair of relatively short end portions extending forwardly or rearwardly to connect to a corresponding pair of suspension arms or wheel hubs. The intermediate portion normally is connected to the underside of the vehicle by one or more bracket assemblies.
The mounting bracket assembly for the intermediate portion of the stabilizer bar typically includes an elastomeric bushing, sometimes termed an insulator, and a bracket which is secured to the underside of the vehicle. The elastomeric bushing is located between the stabilizer bar and the bracket to support and isolate the stabilizer bar. In some applications it is desirable to use an elastomeric bushing that permits the stabilizer bar to rotate freely about the axis of the intermediate portion of the stabilizer bar. In other applications, it is desirable to allow partial wind-up of the bushing and then allowing the bushing to slip for relative torsional travel between the bushing and the bar. In still other applications, attempts are made to eliminate the slippage of the bushing such that all rotation of the stabilizer bar is resisted by wind-up of the bushing.
The designs that allow rotation between the bar and the bushing have attempted to minimize friction at the bushing/stabilizer bar interface by employing low-friction materials as liners covering the bore of the bushing or by adding lubricants between the bushing and the stabilizer bar. Commonly used materials for bushing liners are polyester or polytetra fluoroethylene while silicone greases have been utilized as lubricants. The primary disadvantage of these designs is that the liner wears or the lubricant dissipates resulting in an unacceptable audible squawk in the vehicle. Also, with these designs, environmental contamination can result in premature wear of the liner or premature dissipation of the lubricant thus leading to the audible squawk.
The designs that allow partial wind-up and then allow slippage of the stabilizer bar with respect to the bushing suffer from the same disadvantages as the designs that allow total rotation in that early wear and/or contamination of the interface between the bar and the bushing can lead to an audible squawk.
The designs that attempt to eliminate all slippage of the bushing have been successful for limited rotation of the stabilizer bar with respect to the bushing, but larger rotation of the stabilizer bar has caused deterioration of the bushing and/or slippage of the bushing. In order to overcome these problems, some prior art designs have incorporated flats on the stabilizer bar or other components which resist rotation of the bushing. While the incorporation of flats has resisted the larger amounts of rotation, the costs and complexities of these designs have limited their applicability.
Still other designs that attempt to eliminate all slippage of the bushing utilize a mechanically bonded bushing assembled over the stabilizer bar and then compress this bushing into an outer sleeve/bracket assembly. While these designs have and continue to meet the needs of the vehicle designers, the bushing which is compressed and assembled into the outer sleeve/bracket assembly can be subject to walk-out of the bushing during vehicle operation.
The continued development of stabilizer bar bushings and attachment systems has been directed toward designs which provide additional durability, eliminate the audible squawking by eliminating the rotation between the stabilizer bar and the bushing but yet still perform the required isolation between the stabilizer bar and the vehicle, and reduce and/or eliminate the bushing walk-out tendency.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A scleral lens is provided with scalloped channels on its posterior surface to improve the flow of fluid between the scleral lens and the eye. Also provided is a scleral lens with a fenestrated channel circumscribing the intersection of the optic portion and the scleral portion of the lens. The circumferential fenestrated channel prevents adhesion and suction between the lens and the eye, and improves comfort, vision, and the fitting process.

The eye's most important focusing lens is the cornea, the transparent dome-shaped front part of the eye. The cornea must have a perfectly smooth surface in order to provide clear vision. If the corneal surface is irregular, such as from disease or injury, the eye can no longer focus clearly, even with the strongest glasses. If a person has an irregular cornea, hard corneal contact lenses can improve his or her vision by creating a smooth layer of tears that fills in the surface irregularities of the cornea. A hard corneal contact lens rests on and slides over the cornea, and creates friction between the lens and the cornea. Many people with damaged corneas cannot be fitted with a hard corneal contact lens because they cannot tolerate the discomfort and pain caused by this friction.
A scleral lens is a rigid contact lens that rests on the sclera of the eye; some scleral contact lenses rest on the peripheral surface of the cornea while others do not touch the cornea at all. The scleral lens defines a compartment of fluid between the inner surface of the scleral lens and the cornea, referred to herein as the "fluid compartment." The portion of the scleral lens that contacts the sclera is referred to as the "scleral portion" of the scleral lens, or as the "haptic." The portion of the scleral lens that covers the cornea is called the "optic portion" of the scleral lens. The optic portion may optionally be corrective. The greatest distance between the surface of the cornea and the posterior portion of the optic portion is at least 30μ. As used herein, the posterior side of the scleral lens is the side that is disposed on the eye.
Scleral lenses are advantageous for patients with corneal disease because they can avoid all contact with the diseased cornea, while the fluid compartment bathes the cornea in artificial tears. One issue with scleral contact lenses is that the lens can start to adhere to the cornea. This problem occurs because mucin, a glue-like material produced by the surface cells of the cornea, can accumulate and over time and fill the space between the cornea and the scleral lens. Under these circumstances, mucin adheres to the opposing surfaces of the scleral lens and cornea and gradually shrinks in volume, thus pulling the rigid lens against the cornea with sufficient compression to cause discomfort. As mucin production continues, the mucin becomes compacted by the pressure of the lens. This pressure squeezes aqueous fluid out of the mucin, increasing its hydrophobicity and thereby causing the mucin to contract.
Adhesion can be prevented by creating a deep fluid compartment between the lens and cornea so that mucin does not fill the space between the scleral lens and the cornea. However, a deep fluid compartment increases the prominence of the optic surface of the lens. This can make the lens uncomfortable to wear. A deep fluid compartment also increases the amount of fluid oxygen must pass through to reach the eye, and thus reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. Thus a deep fluid compartment has disadvantages.
Suction can develop between the scleral lens and the cornea. During blinking, the scleral lens compresses against the eye and squeezes fluid out of the fluid compartment. If this fluid is not rapidly replaced when the lens decompresses, it functions like a one-way valve and becomes suctioned to the eye over time. This can be dangerous to the eye.
Fenestrations have been previously used to prevent suction. Ezekiel, D., "Gas permeable haptic lenses," J. Br. Contact Lens Assoc. 6:158-161 (1983). However, fenestrations are often ineffective in preventing lens adhesion.
A scleral lens with channels is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/473,290 (published as US 2006/0290883), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A method of making such a scleral lens is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,031, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Scleral lens with scalloped channels or circumferential fenestrated channels


A method, apparatus and system for simulating the release of radio opaque dye within a vasculature system. The method, apparatus and system include simulating a vessel tree of the vasculature system for display on a display device, activating a particle-based contrast software effect, and injecting a plurality of physics-based particles into a confined vessel space of said vessel tree. The method and apparatus may also include fading down over a period of time an opacity of each of the physics-based particles and opacifying a portion of a vessel wall.

Healthcare education leaders have seen the need for simulation systems that efficiently train, evaluate, and enhance individual medical practitioner's skills to improve patient outcomes. In a recent survey, 73 of the 124 US medical schools are using some form of computer simulation for student evaluation. The development of simulation and training centers for the cognitive training of healthcare professionals in the practice of interventional medical procedures represents a significant advance in being able to promote the best demonstrated practices in the use of existing and new products and procedures. The introduction rate of new therapeutic devices and procedures is accelerating such that the lifecycle of a new product can be as short as eighteen months. At the same time the American College of Cardiology ("ACC") reports that 50% of the 10,000 interventional cardiologists do not meet the minimum standards for procedure competency. Current training methodology cannot address these problems. The answer is broad access to cognitive training and education on an industry wide universal platform that the present invention provides.


A motor vehicle door lock or the like for a door or hatch of a motor vehicle which can be closed from the outside, preferably via a closing cylinder, with a lock mechanism which, among other elements, has an actuating lever (1), a force application element (4) which moves actuating lever (1), and an intermediate element (5) which is moved away from the closing cylinder or the like, the force application element (4) and intermediate element (5) being made as gear wheels with gear rims (6, 7) which are transmission-coupled to one another. A trip-free mechanism is easily integrated by the gear rim of one of the gear wheels having a gap (8) and thus the intermediate element (5) is able to continue to be turned in idle when this gap (8) is reached without the force application element (4) itself continuing to turn along with it. It is especially advantageous if the transmission element (9) is a gear wheel located between the force application element (4) and the intermediate element (5) and engages the force application element (4) and the intermediate element (5) with the gap (8) being in the gear rim (10) of the transmission element (9).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock or the like for a door or hatch of a motor vehicle which can be closed from the outside, preferably via a closing cylinder, with a lock mechanism which, among others, has an actuating lever, a force application element which moves the actuating lever, and an intermediate element which is moved away from the closing cylinder or the like. In particular, to such a lock in which the force application element and intermediate element are made as gear wheels with gear rims which are transmission-coupled to one another.
2. Description of Related Art
Motor vehicle door locks of this type are intended primarily for side doors of motor vehicles; but, theoretically, they can also be used for rear doors. Such locks have a trip-free mechanism between the closing cylinder, on the one hand, and the actuating lever in the lock mechanism, on the other. Thus, it can be distinguished whether the motor vehicle door lock is or has been locked or unlocked from the inside or outside. This differentiation between inside locking and outside locking is used for various purposes. On the one hand, an anti-theft position can be attained in which the inside locking button can no longer be set if closed from the outside, without the need for a special key position for this purpose. On the other hand, a so-called comfort circuit can be formed, specifically, when the door is closed from the outside, closing functions can be automatically triggered, for example, for a sliding roof, windows, or the like, and antennas can be retracted or an alarm system activated.
The aforementioned comfort circuit could be accomplished via a microswitch directly on the closing cylinder on the outside door handle. However, space is so limited at that location in modern motor vehicles that extremely miniaturized circuits are necessary, which are too expensive. Often, space is also so limited that a switch can no longer be used at all.
In the known motor vehicle door lock on which the present invention is based (German Patent Application No. 37 17 778), there is an intermediate element between the outside locking lever and the power transmission element. Like the power transmission element, this is part of the lock mechanism. This intermediate element in the lock mechanism allows differentiation between outside locking and inside locking, since it is effectively of a higher level than the inside locking lever, so that outside locking has priority over inside locking. The intermediate element itself triggers switching functions for the central interlock system, for example, to actuate an anti-theft lever, to activate a comfort circuit or to turn on an alarm system. In this case, the intermediate element acts on the inside locking lever, and therefore, drives the levers in the locking mechanism, via a force application element which is coupled to it, to execute limited relative motion.
In the aforementioned prior art, the intermediate element with the force application element is assembled as a two-part double nut which can turn in a bearing. The power transmission element to be caused to rotate around its longitudinal axis by the closing cylinder on the outside door handle fits, on the front side, into a flat housing in a center bearing journal of the intermediate element. Therefore, functionally, the intermediate element is placed axially on the end of the power transmission element and is entrained thereby with the rotary motion.
The design with the double nut as described above cannot be accommodated just anywhere. Instead of a double nut, sometimes a trip-free mechanism is also ensured by a slider being inserted for power transmission between the nut and switching mechanism (German Patent Application No. 40 15 522). This slider can be triggered linearly or laterally (German Patent No. 44 02 616). U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,410 shows the use of a lever slot type slider for this purpose.
Otherwise, many other versions of designs of a trip-free mechanism are known in conjunction with motor vehicle locks and power transmission from the closing cylinder into the lock mechanism (European Application Nos. A 0 558 211 & A 0 634 548, and German Patent No. 35 13 287).
If the intention is to accomplish the end stop for rotary motion of the key in the closing cylinder, not from the lock mechanism, but on the closing cylinder, the actuating lever of the lock mechanism reaches its stop before the closing cylinder has reached its stop. Therefore, it must be possible to turn the closing cylinder somewhat farther, for example, 10.degree. to 50.degree., once the actuating lever is already stationary.
As has been explained above, in the prior art, in toothed gearing between the closing cylinder and actuating lever, the necessary trip-free mechanism has long been accomplished via a slider. This is not always possible for reasons of space.

Motor vehicle door lock or the like with trip-free mechanism


A method for providing a dental composition comprising providing a paste/paste two-part self-adhering dental composition comprising    (a) at least one acidic compound containing at least one acidic moiety selected from the group consisting of

The traditional procedure for bonding an indirect restoration, such as an inlay, onlay, or crown to a tooth structure is rather cumbersome. First the carious dentition is removed. The tooth is etched with an acidic etchant to remove the smear layer on the tooth surface, and the tooth is then coated with a thin layer of an acidic primer. The base and catalyst of a cement is mixed and applied to the bonding surface of the indirect restoration, and the restoration is then seated onto the primed tooth surface.
Cement hardening may be effected by self-curing by incorporating a self-cure initiator system, or by the combination of self-curing and photo-curing by using a photo-initiator. When metal is involved in the restorative material, such as a porcelain fused to a metal (PFM) crown, an efficient self-curing cement is needed because it is difficult for light to penetrate the restorative material and reach the cement with sufficient intensity to achieve adequate photo-curing.
The bonding procedure may be simplified by using a self-etching primer, eliminating the etch step, and thus accomplishing etching and priming in one step. The bonding procedure is simplified into the steps of applying a self-etching primer to the tooth and then applying a cement to the restoration material.
To further simplify the bonding procedure, it would be highly desirable to combine the steps of etching, priming, and cementing into one step. This would significantly shorten the chair time for certain restorative procedures. This would also significantly reduce the possibility for errors involved in the restorative procedure because only one step cementation would be involved.
Great difficulties, however, are encountered when combining the ingredients necessary to fulfill the functions of etching, priming, and cementing. For example, acidic compounds are used as an etchant or an etching primer, but the self-cure initiator commonly used in a resin cement is not effective under strongly acidic environments. The self-cure initiator system currently used by most manufacturers to effect self-curing of a resin cement comprises benzoyl peroxide and an aromatic tertiary amine. Two problems arise with use of this system. First, the aromatic tertiary amine loses its effectiveness immediately upon contact with a moderate or strong acid. Second, benzoyl peroxide is not very stable in acidic environments, quickly loses its potency and, therefore, has a rather short shelf-life. As a result, when a self-etching primer is incorporated into a resin cement, the mixed cement fails to harden because the redox initiators lose their potency under acidic environments. A simplified system which reduces or eliminates these difficulties is needed.

Methods of using two-part self-adhering dental compositions

Abstract: where R is an alkyl or aryl group;    (b) at least one polymerizable monomer without any acidic group where the polymerizable group is selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate and a vinyl group;    (c) at least one finely divided filler;    (d) a reducing agent; and    (e) an oxidizing agent;and providing instructions for mixing the two pastes immediately prior to application where the ratio of a first paste containing (a) or a higher concentration of (a) to a second paste not containing (a) or containing a lower concentration of (a) is greater than 1:1 (by volume). The method also includes mixing the two pastes and applying the mixed composition to a dental substrate.


A system for controlling the number of data tracks crossed by the tracking head of a recording/playback device as the tracking head moves in a desired direction over a recording medium includes a counter having n output terminals. The counter is initially set to a count representative of the desired number of data tracks to be crossed as the tracking head moves in the desired direction. An further counter, also having n output terminals individually corresponding to the output terminals of the counter, is set to a predetermined count. Counting pulses are provided to the counter when the tracking head moves in the desired direction and to the further counter when the tracking head moves in a direction opposite from the desired direction. The output terminals are compared and a stop signal is generated when all terminals of both counters show that both counters are in the same state.

This invention can be used with the invention described in application Ser. No. 871,444 filed concurrently herewith by Gunter Gleim, Friedrich Fuldner and Bernd Rekla and titled "Detector Circuit", which application is a continuation of PCT application PCT/EP 90/01595, filed Sep. 20, 1990.
This invention can be used with the invention described in application Ser. No. 871,445 filed concurrently herewith by Gunter Gleim, Friedrich Fuldner and Bernd Rekla and titled "Direction-Determination Logic", which application is a continuation of PCT application PCT/EP 90/01594, filed Sep. 20, 1990.
The invention is directed to a method of determining the direction of travel of a scanner across markings or data tracks on a recording medium in which a first error signal and a second error signal shifted in phase from the first error signal is generated. CD players, video disc players, DRAW disc players or magneto-optical recording and playback apparatus, for example, are equipped with a track regulation circuit and an optical scanning device.
The construction and function of an optical scanning device, a so-called optical pick-up, are described in Electronic Components & Applications, Vol. 6, No. 4, 1984, on pages 209 through 215. Lenses focus a light beam emitted from a laser diode onto a compact disk, which reflects it onto a photodetector. The information stored on the disk, and the actual values for the focusing and tracking circuits are obtained from the signal reflected from the detector. The referenced article calls the deviation of the focusing-circuit actual value from its reference value the focusing error, and the deviation of the tracking-circuit actual value from its reference value the radial tracking error.
the focusing circuit is adjusted with a coil having an object lens which moves along an optical axis through the magnetic field of the coil. The focusing circuit moves the lens back and forth to maintain the light beam from the laser diode focused on the compact disk. The tracking circuit, which is often called the radial drive mechanism, moves the optical pickup radially over the disc.. The radial-drive mechanism in some equipment includes a coarse-driven mechanism and a fine-drive mechanism. The coarse-drive mechanism can include a spindle that shifts the overall optical pickup, consisting of a laser diode, lenses, a prismatic beam splitter, and a photodetector, back and forth radially. The fine-drive mechanism can either shift the beam of light back and forth radially or tilt it at a prescribed angle, advancing it slightly, approximately 1 mm, along a radius of the disc.
High quality reproduction, irrespective of whether the data are both picture and sound in a videodisc player, sound alone in a compact-disc player, or the data stored on a magneto-optical disc, requires precise focusing of the light beam onto the disc and also precise guidance along the data tracks of the disc.
FIGS. 1 to 4 are useful in understanding how the track of a laser scanned disc is followed. In FIG. 1, three laser beams L1, L2, and L3 are focused onto a photodetector PD in the optical pickup of a compact-disk player, the direction of motion of detector PO relative to the disc is indicated by the arrow. Beams L2 and L3 are diffraction beams of orders +1 and -1. A pickup of this type is called a three-beam pickup. The photodetector PD includes four square photodiodes A, B, C and D arrayed in the form of a larger square. A rectangular photodiode E is arranged in front of the diodes A to D and another photodiode F is arranged behind the photodiodes A to D. The middle laser beam, beam 1, is focused onto photodiodes A, B, C, and D, to generate data signal HF=AS+BS+CS+DS and a focusing-error signal FE=(AS+CS)-(BS+DS). The forward outer beam L3 is reflected to photodiode E and rear outer beam L2, is reflected to photodiode F. The two outer beams L2 and L3 provide signals for the generation of a tracking-error signal TE=ES-FS. The parameters AS, BS, CS, DS, ES, and FS are the photoelectric voltages provided by the photodiodes A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively.
When the middle laser beam L1 is precisely at the middle of a track the tracking-error signal TE has the value zero: EQU TE=ES-FS.
When the middle beam moves away from the middle of the track S, one of the diffraction beams approaches the middle of the track and the other diffraction beam shines on the space between two tracks. Since, however, a track reflects differently from the space between the two tracks, one diffraction beam will be reflected more powerfully than the other.
Laser beams L1, L2, and L3 are displaced to the right of track S in FIG. 2, and the tracking-error signal assumes a negative value:ps EQU TE=ES-FS<0.
The mechanism that adjusts the tracking circuit shifts the optical pickup to the left until tracking-error signal TE becomes zero.
In the opposite situation, when the laser beams have been displaced to the left of the track, the tracking-error signal becomes positive: EQU TE=ES-FS<0.
The mechanism that adjusts the tracking circuit shifts the optical pickup to the right until the tracking-error signal becomes zero. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 3.
When middle beam L1 and its associated diffraction beams L2 and L3 cross several data tracks, tracking-error signal TE assumes the sinusoidal shape illustrated in FIG. 4.
A tracking circuit is described in Japanese Exposure 60 10429. In this tracking circuit, the lower and upper envelope of the HF signal indicates whether a beam of light is crossing any data tracks. When the beam travels over several tracks, the HF signal collapses uniformly between two tracks. The number of tracks crossed by the beam of light is determined by constructing, the envelope of the HF signal and converting the envelope into a square-wave signal that is supplied to the counting input terminal of an up-and-down counting circuit, which counts the HF breakdowns.
Direction determining logic is used to determine the direction of the radial motion of the light beam across the recording medium. This logic evaluates the phase shift between the tracking error signal TE and the envelope of the HF signal.
Patent GB-A 2 073 543 describes a tracking regulation circuit which checks whether the HF signal lies below a predetermined threshold value. When it does, dependent upon the sign of the preceding tracking error signal, either a positive or a negative voltage is applied to the control unit of the optical scanner to guide the scanner onto the right data track. However, because dust, dirt, fingerprints or scratches on a CD disk can also cause a collapse of the HF signal, measures must be taken to distinguish between HF collapses caused by such conditions of the recording medium from HF collapses caused by tracking changes of the light beam.
Patent EP-A 0 183 303 describes a CD player in which the lock-in of the light spot onto a data track of the compact disk, the so-called locking-in, occurs at the point of the largest eccentricity of the disk because at this point the relative speed between the light beam and the data track is the lowest. In order to determine the number of tracks crossed by the light beam the envelope of the HF signal is generated and compared with a threshold value. The comparison of the envelope of the HF signal with the first threshold value provides a pulse shaped signal. Each pulse of this pulse shaped signal indicates a change of track. In order to render the CD player more secure against so-called drop-outs--i.e. audible interference in sound reproduction due to a defective, scratched or dirty compact disk--the envelope of the HF signal can be compared with a second threshold value. A pulse is generated from the envelope of the HF signal only when the envelope exceeds both the first and the second threshold value and when the drop-out detector of the CD player is not in operation.
Patent WO-A-88/09988, describes a CD player with a drop-out detector which evaluates the HF signal. This tracking regulation circuit is disadvantageous in that upon a reversal in the direction of the light beam the phases of the HF signal which generates the counting pulses and the tracking error signal must be taken into consideration because errors can be caused by improper phasing.

Track crossing method using dual counters


Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some example embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.

The present disclosure relates to gantry-based medical imaging systems and medical therapeutic systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to patient entertainment and communication systems for use with gantry-based medical imaging and therapeutic systems.
Many medical imaging and therapeutic systems, such as magnetic resonance imaging systems and radiation treatment systems, employ a configuration in which a medical imaging or therapeutic device is supported by a gantry. Such systems typically employ a positionable table (also commonly referred to as a couch) to facilitate the positioning of the patient relative to the gantry.
For example, prior to initiating a magnetic resonance imaging scan, a patient is typically instructed to lie on the table and the table is then translated such that at least a portion of the patient is moved into the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging gantry. Given the narrow diameter of the gantry bore and the loud noise of the scanner, the experience of being drawn into the bore and held within the bore during scanning results in significant claustrophobia and anxiety for the patient, in addition to any anxiety that a patient may already be experiencing due to health concerns.

Systems and methods for displaying images to patient residing on movable table during medical imaging or therapeutic procedures


Agents and methods are provided for breaking down and/or assisting in the removal of clots, in embodiments chronic clots, from the vasculature. In embodiments, the agents and methods may be used in the vasculature, in particular the peripheral venous vasculature, in order to prevent clot formation and/or lyse clots in patients suffering from complications, such as thrombosis, or from conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Intravascular clots may form in a patient's vasculature for many reasons. For example, following various types of surgical procedures, as well as trauma, patients are prone to developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients suffering from hip, tibial and knee fractures undergoing orthopedic surgery, spinal cord injury, or stroke are especially at high risk.
Factors contributing to the development of intravascular clots, such as DVTs, include reduction of blood flow, vascular stasis, increase vessel wall contact time, coagulation changes, blood vessel damage, and pooling of blood in the lower extremities. It is believed that slowing of the blood flow or blood return system from the legs may be one of the main factors related to DVT with greatest effect during the intraoperative phase. Also of concern is the postoperative period. Even individuals immobilized during prolong travel on an airplane or automobile may be at risk.
Deep vein thrombosis may be systemically treated using anticoagulation drugs, catheter based thrombolysis, and/or thrombectomy procedures, with or without the use of a lytic agent. Catheter based thrombolysis is used predominantly to treat acute thrombosis (clot present <7-14 days), with thrombectomy indicated for removal of an acute to chronic thrombus (present >14 days), due to the increased formation of collagen within the clot. During treatment by thrombolysis, a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is a clot specific thrombolytic, i.e., more effective in the resolution of acute clots by fibrinolysis than chronic clots, may be utilized. However, utilizing an agent like tPA is not suitable for all clots, including chronic clots.
Improved methods and agents for treating clots, including chronic clots, remain desirable.

Lytic agents for use in treating intravascular clots


A method of programming a memory system includes: reading a target page included in a selected memory block in response to a program request when at least one of the pages included in the selected memory block contains data; and performing a program for the target page when, among the data bits included in the data read from the target page, the number of data bits having a first logic value is equal to or less than a preset value.

Field of Invention
Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a memory system including a semiconductor memory device and a program method thereof.
Description of Related Art
Semiconductor memory devices are memory devices implemented on a semiconductor material such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), Indium phosphide (InP), or the like. Semiconductor memory devices are classified into volatile memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices.
Volatile memory devices do not retain data stored therein when power is turned off. Representative examples of volatile memory devices include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) devices and the like. Nonvolatile memory devices maintain data stored therein even when power is turned off. Representative examples of nonvolatile memory devices include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, phase-change random access memory (PRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) devices, etc. Flash memory devices are widely used and are generally classified into NOR and NAND type memory devices.

Memory system including semiconductor memory device and program method thereof


Compounds represented by the following general formula (I) or salts thereof:

Abscisic acid is a plant hormone that involves in plant responses to various environmental stresses. For example, when a plant is suffered from dry stress, abscisic acid is rapidly accumulated, and then, pore closing and expression of stress-related genes such as rab18, kin1, and rd29B are promoted. As for abscisic acid biosynthesis in plants, a major pathway involves, via a carotenoid of a compound comprising 40 carbon atoms, use of xanthoxin having 15 carbon atoms as a precursor, which is generated by the degradation of the carotenoid, and oxidation of the hydroxyl group at the 3′-position, the isomerization of the double bond derived from the epoxy cleavage; and the oxidation of the aldehyde into carboxylic acid. In particular, the cleavage reaction of epoxycarotenoid by dioxygenase [nine-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED)] into xanthoxin is considered as a reaction that controls the abscisic acid biosynthesis.
In order to elucidate physiological functions of abscisic acid, which is a plant hormone essential for plant growth, methods has been used so far wherein abscisic acid is directly applied to a plant, or wherein a mutant whose gene for the abscisic acid biosynthesis is destroyed is used to analyze expressed physiological phenomena. However, by the application of abscisic acid, which already exists in the plant body, it is difficult to elucidate actual physiological actions of inherent abscisic acid. The methods using the mutants, which are in deficient stage of abscisic acid, are useful for investigation of the functions of abscisic acid by comparison with wild strains in physiological phenomena and morphologic states. However, the methods have disadvantages in that they are inapplicable to various plants and the abscisic acid deficient state cannot be controlled in a desired growth period.
As a method for compensating the disadvantages of the methods available to date, inhibitors against the abscisic acid biosynthesis can be utilized. In order to artificially obtain an abscisic acid deficient plant, agents inhibiting the biosynthesis of carotenoid, which is an intermediate of the abscisic acid biosynthesis, have already been used; however, such agents have potent whitening action, and accordingly, they are inappropriate for investigation of an abscisic acid deficient state without involvement of side effects. Under these circumstances, if a specific inhibitor against abscisic acid can be provided, various plants can easily be introduced in an abscisic acid deficient state, and analytical studies of abscisic acid functions can be expectedly progressed. In addition, an abscisic acid biosynthesis inhibitor can be utilized as a plant growth regulator which is effective for various growth processes of plants. It has been reported that NDGA [4,4′-(2,3-dimethyl-1,4-butanediyl)bis-1,2-benzenediol] which is known as a peroxidase inhibitor has inhibitory action on the abscisic acid biosynthesis on the basis of the results of inhibitory test of pore closing activity and the analysis of the amount of inherent abscisic acid production (Plant Physiology (1992) 99, 1258–1260).

Abstract: wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, or an alkoxy group; R2 represents hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group which may be substituted; R3 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may be substituted; Y represents —CH═CH— or —CH2—; n represents 0 or 1; Ar represents an aryl group which may be substituted or a heteroaryl group which may be substituted, which are useful as inhibitors against the abscisic acid biosynthesis and plant growth regulators.


Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vapor-compression evaporative cooling systems that use water as a refrigerant in an open system, and in particular, to vapor-compression evaporative cooling systems capable of processing large volumetric flow rates of water vapor and removing noncondensibles from the system and to methods using such systems. This invention also relates to low-friction, positive-displacement compressors useful in such cooling systems and to means for removing noncondensibles from such cooling systems.
2. Description of the Background
Conventional vapor-compression air conditioning systems employ a working fluid such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Liquid CFC is introduced into a low-pressure heat exchanger where it absorbs heat at a low temperature and vaporizes. A compressor repressurizes the vapors that are introduced to a high-pressure heat exchanger where heat is rejected to the environment and the vapors condense. The condensate is reintroduced into the low-pressure heat exchanger, thus completing the cycle.
The use of CFCs raises two important environmental concerns. First, CFCs are stable enough to enter the stratosphere where they decompose to chlorine free radicals that catalyze the destruction of ozone. This is unfortunate because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation which damages DNA in plants and animals. Second, CFCs absorb infrared radiation which contributes to global warming.
Because CFCs cannot be released into the environment, they must be contained within the air conditioning system. The evaporator and condenser heat exchangers have a sizable temperature difference between the ambient environment and the working fluid (about 10 to 15° C.) which greatly reduces the Carnot efficiency. Further limiting the efficiency is the fact that the condenser rejects heat at the dry-bulb temperature. The wet-bulb temperature is generally about 5–30° C. less than the dry-bulb temperature. Thus, if heat were rejected at the wet-bulb temperature, the Carnot efficiency could be improved even more.
In addition, compressors used in conventional systems typically have compressing components that are in direct contact with each other. The close fit between components has heretofore been necessary to prevent blow-by of high-pressure compressed vapors. However, the friction resulting from the close contact between components reduces efficiency, creates heat and causes wear on the components.
Although the use of water in place of CFCs as the air-conditioning working fluid has been considered, proposed systems have been generally unworkable because the vapor density is very low requiring large volumes of water vapor to be compressed.
One study by the Thermal Storage Applications Research Center of the University of Wisconsin, The Use of Water as a Refrigerant, Report No. TSARC 92-1, Mar. 1992, studied the use of water as a refrigerant. This study concluded that for water-based air conditioning, positive displacement compressors are not suitable for use in such systems. Rather, only dynamic compressors are suitable.
Although "swamp cooler" air conditioners are employed in arid regions of the United States that have low wet-bulb temperatures, they have limited usefulness. In swamp coolers, ambient air is contacted with water which evaporates and cools the air. No external power is required other than for air-handling blowers. Unfortunately, these simple devices are restricted to regions of low humidity (e.g., Arizona, New Mexico) and are not suitable for many regions of the world. Further, although the air is cooler, it has increased humidity which can make the air feel "clammy."

Vapor-compression evaporative air conditioning systems and components


A fiber optic furcation assembly includes a main fiber optic cable structure, a plurality of furcation tubes, and a housing with a cavity including a transition portion. A plurality of optical fibers each continuously and uninterruptedly extends through an end portion of a jacket of the main fiber optic cable structure, the transition portion of the cavity of the housing, and a respective one of the plurality of furcation tubes. In one embodiment, the cavity includes a securing portion including a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions defines a plurality of locating channels and at least one securing channel that intersects the locating channels. Bonding material is positioned within the securing channel and bonds the plurality of furcation tubes to the plurality of protrusions. In another embodiment, a cable mount includes a housing attachment, a cable jacket attachment, and a passage. The housing attachment is mounted within a port of the housing. Each optical fiber also extends through the passage of the cable mount, respectively.

Fiber optic cable is available for use in many physical environments and in many physical variations. For example, when routing a fiber optic cable between data centers, it may be desirable to include many optical fibers within the same fiber optic cable. Certain fiber optic cables may include 288 individual optical fibers. Other fiber optic cables may include 192 or 144 optical fibers within the fiber optic cable. By including a large number of optical fibers within the fiber optic cable, many channels of fiber optic communication may be economically transmitted by the same fiber optic cable.
Upon the fiber optic cable reaching a data center, it may be desirable to distribute the optical fibers within the fiber optic cable to various points within the data center. For example, it may be desirable to distribute the 288 optical fibers in groups of 24 optical fibers. The fiber optic cable with 288 optical fibers may therefore be split up into 12 groups of 24 optical fibers each. To accommodate distributing the optical fibers, the fiber optic cable may include 12 tubes that each carry 24 optical fibers.
As fiber optic cables may carry tensile loads and/or encounter environmental hazards, an outer jacket is typically extruded over the optical fibers within the fiber optic cable to protect the optical fibers from such conditions. The fiber optic cable may also include strength members to carry tensile loads along the fiber optic cable and thereby shield the optical fibers from tensile loads. The strength members may be positioned within the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable. When breaking out or fanning out groups of optical fibers from a fiber optic cable, the cable jacket and/or the strength members may be secured to a break out housing assembly or a furcation housing assembly. The optical fibers may exit the jacket of the fiber optic cable and enter the break out housing assembly or the furcation housing assembly for distribution in a plurality of smaller fiber optic cables. The smaller fiber optic cables may also include jackets and/or strength members secured to the break out housing assembly or furcation housing assembly and thereby form a continuous protective enclosure for the optical fibers to be routed through as they transition from a single large fiber optic cable to a plurality of smaller fiber optic cables. The break out housing assembly or the furcation housing assembly may further transmit tensile loads between the single large fiber optic cable and the plurality of small fiber optic cables.
It may be desired to route the optical fibers from the single large cable to the plurality of small cables without splicing or other interruptions or connections along the optical fibers. The present disclosure addresses obstacles faced when distributing optical fibers from a single larger fiber optic cable to a plurality of smaller fiber optic cables and/or a plurality of individually buffered optical fibers, especially when the optical fibers are continuous and uninterrupted from the single larger fiber optic cable to the plurality of smaller fiber optic cables or the plurality of individually buffered optical fibers.

Fiber optic furcation assemblies, methods, and systems


A new and distinct variety of pistachio tree denominated ‘Lost Hills’ is described. This selections most significant advantage is the superior size and appearance of the in-shell nut. The variety is less chilling sensitive than ‘Kerman’ which improves uniformity of foliation, bloom, nut set, nut fill and uniformity of nut maturity at harvest.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Pistachio tree Pistacia vera which has been denominated varietally as 'Lost Hills,' and more particularly to such a pistachio tree which has a harvest date of four to sixteen days earlier than the industry standard pistachio tree variety 'Kerman'.
Its novel features include an earlier harvest than 'Kerman', an individual nut size larger than 'Kerman' and the percentage of split nuts greater than 'Kerman'. The earlier harvest date will permit growers to extend their harvest period and reduce competition for scarce harvesting resources and will permit harvest in northern areas of the state before fall rains which can promote disease. The cultivar requires less chilling for dormancy than 'Kerman', which improves uniformity of foliation, bloom, pollination, nut filling and nut maturity at harvest in years with insufficient chilling for 'Kerman'.

Female pistachio tree named ‘Lost Hills’

The Regents of the University of California


An information recommendation apparatus selects and recommends contents coincident with or similar to conditions input. The conditions are represented by predetermined items and attribute values corresponding thereto, from among contents formed of plural pieces of data having plural items and attribute values corresponding thereto and stored in a content database in which the contents are registered, wherein the recommended contents are output to the terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information recommendation apparatus, an information recommendation system and a program for providing information requested by a user from among abundant information through the Internet or the like.
2. Related Art of the Invention
Recently, information communication apparatuses, such as personal computers and portable information terminals, became widespread rapidly. Hence, when it is desired to obtain some new information, an action of gaining access to an information server and extracting desired information by using a WWW browser installed in such an information communication apparatus has been carried out daily. For example, when it is difficult to plan a dinner meal, a person gains access to a home page carrying abundant recipes for dishes and inputs desired conditions, such as ingredients, cooking time and calories, whereby he or she can obtain recipes conforming to the conditions.
On home pages carrying such recipes for dishes, recipes for very presentable dishes, recipes for nutritionally balanced dishes, etc. have been registered beforehand by cooking specialists, dieticians, etc. and these are searched for by users.
However, to realize information service using such an information server, abundant contents (recipes for dishes in this example), and the quality of the service greatly depends on the completeness of the contents. Hence, how to prepare abundant contents is a big problem.
In other words, in order to accomplish information service using an information server, how to prepare abundant contents is a problem.
In addition, since maintenance cost for constructing and maintaining such a large database is considerably high, it is necessary to have an arrangement for recovering the maintenance cost.
In other words, preparing an arrangement for recovering the maintenance cost for constructing and maintaining such a large database is a problem.
Furthermore, in a conventional information recommendation method, a user himself or herself is required to input desired information conditions. In this case, the user himself or herself is required to clarify information he or she desires. Hence, it is difficult to find out information that is exactly suited for the user but unnoticed.
In other words, the difficulty in finding out information that is exactly suited for the user but unnoticed is a problem in the conventional information recommendation method.
Furthermore, the recipes provided by the conventional method are ideal recipes prepared beforehand by cooking specialists, and the recipes are for gorgeous menus for guests rather than daily menus for family. Hence, the recipes are not suited for actual daily menus for family.
In other words, the recipes provided by the conventional method are not suited for actual daily menus for family, resulting in a problem.
Furthermore, the recipes prepared by the cooking specialists describe dishes that are excellent in nutritional balance and ideal in theory. However, the recipes are void of viewpoints obtained by the result of actually using the recipes, such as at what time a person wishes to eat a dish cooked according to one of the recipes and how the person felt after eating the dish. Hence, there is a danger that the recipes may become data not suited for actual situations.
In other words, the recipes provided by the conventional method are void of viewpoints obtained by the result of actually using the recipes, and there is a danger that the recipes may become data not suited for actual situations, resulting in a problem.

Information recommendation apparatus and information recommendation system

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The optical glass is described that may be an oxide glass including, denoted as cation %, a total of 5 to 60% of B3+ and Si4+ (with 5 to 50% of B3+), a total of equal to or higher than 5% of Zn2+ and Mg2+, a total of 10 to 50% of La3+, Gd3+, Y3+, and Yb3+, and a total of 6 to 45% of Ti4+, Nb5+, Ta5+, W6+, and Bi3+ (a total content of Ti4+ and Ta5+ being higher than 0% and a content of W6+ being higher than 5%).

The glass disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known among optical glasses for preparing glass optical elements such as aspherical lenses by precision press molding to be glass having a B2O3—La2O3 composition. The glass disclosed in Patent Document 1 is high refractive index, low dispersion glass with low dispersion even for high refractive index glass. Depending on the application of the optical element, high refractive index glass exhibiting higher dispersion characteristics than the glass described in Document 1 (WO2009/144947A1) or English language family members US2010/255979A1, U.S. Pat. No. 8,338,320, and US2013/079213A1 is required. The glasses disclosed in Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2005-247613) or English language family members US2008/167172A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,409, US2010/035744A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,932,197, and US2005/197243A1; Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2011-93781) or English language family member US2011/105294A1; Document 4 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2011-225384) or English language family member US2011/257001A1; Document 5 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2011-225383) or English language family member US2011/257002A1; Document 6 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2010-30879, US2009/325779A1) or English language family members U.S. Pat. No. 8,110,514, US2012/100981A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,008, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, are known examples of such glasses.
The glasses described in Documents 2 and 4 to 6 are glasses that can be precision press molded. However, when a single pressing mold is used to repeatedly precision press mold several hundred articles using one of these glasses, clouding will be sometimes generated on the surface of the glass article obtained or the glass will sometimes fuse to the mold. Accordingly, an improvement in the glass molding property is desirable for large quantity production. This is thought to be occurring because the ratio of high refractive index, high dispersion components is increasing as the glass dispersion is rising.
Further, in the course of preparing a glass material for press molding, crystals sometimes precipitate out onto the surface of the glass when using the glass described in Document 3. Accordingly, an improvement in the thermal stability of the glass is desirable for large quantity production of glass materials.
As described above, increasing the suitability to precision press molding requires increasing the thermal stability during manufacturing of the glass.
An aspect of the present invention provides for optical glass having high refractive index and high dispersion characteristics that is excellent in thermal stability during glass manufacturing in addition to imparting the good press-molding property; to a precision press molding preform and an optical element, each of which is prepared from the above glass.

Optical glass, precision press molding preform, and optical element and method of manufacturing the same


In an erasing and recovering system for a data block on a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus, the system includes: a detecting unit for detecting data error caused by a damaged portion on the magnetic tape by reading a data block just after the data block is written to the magnetic tape; a calculating unit for calculating the circumference of the magnetic tape including the damaged portion; an erasing unit for erasing half of the circumference including the damaged portion; and a data write unit for re-writing the same data block as the data block including the error into another half of the same circumference as the circumference including the damaged portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an erasing and recovering system for data block on a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus is widely utilized in various fields, particularly, as an external storage device in a data processing system. In a data processing system handling digital data, the data are recorded in the form of data blocks and reproduced for every data block.
In general, a magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus has a magnetic tape control system for controlling various parameters, for example, tape speed, head positions for record and reproduction, sensitivity for record and reproduction, etc. Further, the magnetic tape control system performs a recovery process for data error occurring in a write operation of a data block.
Most data error are caused by damage on the magnetic tape. That is, there are various kinds of damage, for example, pin-hole damages and long damage on the magnetic tape. In general, the former does not have an adverse influence when recording a data block, but the latter had a bad effect in the recording and reproducing process of the data blocks. In general, such damages on the magnetic tape occur in the manufacturing process of the magnetic tape.
In the recovery operation for such data error, a magnetic head is returned to the start position and an erase block is written from the same start position. Further, the same data block is written again from the end of the above erase block.

Erasing and recovering system for data block on a magnetic tape


A fishing rod belt has a waist bar, belt strap, latch, center bar, a pair of wings, and a plurality of gimbals for engaging a fishing rod. The waist bar and belt strap extend about the waist of a person and are secured with the latch. The center bar has an end attached to the waist bar and is attached to the wings. The gimbals are attached to the center bar in spaced relation and enable the securing of the fishing rod in different positions. The wings are contoured and adapted to flex to provide a comfortable barrier between the fishing rod belt and legs of the person. The center bar may define a channel with first and second edge walls with the gimbals extending between the walls in spaced-apart relation. The latch may be a seat belt type of buckle or a slot and pin mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fishing and, more particularly, to a fishing rod belt which is used to secure a fishing rod during the procedure of reeling in a fish.
2. Prior Developments
Due to the size and weight of the fish catch during deep sea fishing, a special fishing belt is used for engagement with a fishing rod. The fishing belt anchors the fishing rod and provides support and leverage during fishing. As an example, a wide-offset type of reel tends to twist during cranking of the reel, such as with a 300 lb. fish, causing the fishing rod to twist. Engagement of the fishing rod with a gimbal attached to the fishing belt substantially prevents the fishing rod from twisting. Substantial discomfort, pain, and interference with a person's effective performance often are involved with conventional fishing belts.
There are several kinds of fishing belts having a belt, a padded portion, and a gimbal for engagement with an end of the fishing rod. However, these fishing belts include only a single gimbal and it is often desirable to position the fishing rod in a location different from the position of the gimbal.
Therefore, there has existed a need for a fishing rod belt which has a plurality of gimbals positioned in various spaced locations for engagement with the fishing rod at a selected location.
There has existed a need for a fishing rod belt which has components which conform to the configuration of the person, particularly the thighs and upper legs of the person, and which can flex to conform to such configuration of the person.


The urn of the invention comprises a series of pod-like containers designed to function as cinerary urns (i.e. receptacles for human ashes) comprising a bottom shell and a top cover made of biodegradable materials. The bottom shell having a hollow protrusion for a direct contact with the earth, while the top cover has several holes promoting the germination of the living monument. The urn is meant to be used with new or pre-existing plants producing a living monument in memory of the deceased person whose ashes it contains.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to urns used for burying or preserving the remains of humans and animals and, more specifically, to a crematory urn for disposing of the cremated remains of a deceased person or animal in a dignified manner leaving a new grown plant or a preexisting plant as a living monument to said person or animal wherein said urn allows scattered seeds or preexisting plants to be put through a perforation.
2. Discussion of the Background
Commonly when a human or an animal die there is a desire for dignified handling of the deceased, a desire for permanence in the disposition of the resulting remains; and, oftentimes, a preference for a specific location for the final resting place of the remains. Several ways to perform these desires had been adopted depending on the culture, economical and/or environmental needs. Cremation, as an alternative to burial or entombment of a deceased person or animal of both human and animal remains, has a long history of usage in many cultures, and is recently becoming the process of choice for an increasingly large number of societies. For example, cremation involves fewer ecological and land use problems, is less expensive than the more established burial practices and can be more easily stored at a repository located in a home or church and if necessary can be easily transferred to another repository
After a human or animal is cremated the remains or ashes are placed in the urn and then is either permanently stored in said urn and buried or stored within mausoleums or elsewhere. Sometimes the urn is taken out to sea and thrown overboard or opened and the ashes sprinkled upon the sea.
When the cremation urns are stored comprises a decorative, usually with aesthetically pleasing appearance, body containing a chamber for housing the cremated remains of the deceased. Several attributes and characteristics are typically desired from burial urns. The first desirable attribute is the presence of an outer surface which provides an, thereby making the burial urn suitable for the religious ceremonies that frequently accompany the passing of the deceased. Second, the burial urn preferably is constructed in such a manner so as to effectively protect the urn's contents from external forces that are often imparted thereon. For example, the burial urn generally must be capable of withstanding deterioration and erosion that can be caused by moisture. In addition, generally it is desirable that the burial urn be impervious to rupture in case the urn is accidentally struck.
Several types of cremation urns are available, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,958 Casimir discloses an urn that dissolves when submersed in water, U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,418 Vail discloses an environmentally degradable urn for burial of human cremation ashes in cemeteries and U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,848 to Kohnert discloses a burial urn for displaying a memorial in shape of a book. Other cremation urns, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,642 to Order discloses ecological burial method and apparatus where a tree is planted above a biodegradable coffin structure so that when the coffin structure biodegrades the nutrient or fertilizer, or combinations thereof, are capable of being supplied to the tree to create an ecologically sound environment. Also the more recent patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,501 to the present inventor Vazquez-Perez discloses an urn which interacts with its surrounding by dissolving into it, and eventually producing a living monument, in the form of the three. However, none of these devices or methods in the prior art provides a crematory urn, with an associated burial method, which provides a dignified manner of disposing of the remains while the cremation option leaves a living monument from a germinated seed or a existing plant. Thus, there is a need for a cremation urn and burial method which overcomes these and other deficiencies in the prior art.

Method and apparatus for ecological burial


A packaged product has a product surrounded by a vacuum skin package. The vacuum skin package has a support member and an implosion-resistant thermoplastic top web. The top web conforms with both the upper surface of the product, and an uncovered portion of the upper surface of the support member. The thermoplastic top web comprises an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer in an amount of from 55 wt % to 85 wt %, based on total weight of top web, and/or a blend of ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and cyclic olefin copolymer. Also disclosed is a vacuum skin package containing the implosion-resistant top web.

Vacuum skin packaging (VSP) is carried out by placing a product on a support member, placing the support member with product thereon into a vacuum chamber in which the atmosphere is evacuated and a top web is drawn upward against a heated dome and thereafter draped down over the article and support member. The top web is made from a thermoplastic material.
After the top web is draped over the released, with the resulting atmospheric pressure forcing the top web to conform to the shape of the product and to that portion of the upper surface of the support member which extends around the product and is not covered by the product. As a result, the top web conforms precisely to the product and the surrounding portion of the upper surface of the support member, and together with the support member, forms a vacuum skin package which surrounds the product. When the vacuum is released from the chamber and atmospheric pressure comes to bear on the top web, the top web is thermoformed to take (i) the shape of the exposed extending portion of the support member, as well as (ii) the shape of the exposed surface of the product.

Vacuum skin package having implosion-resistant top web


Techniques for suggesting filters for query terms based on previously selected query results are disclosed. Common characteristics of previously selected query results are presented as a filter. A system trains a machine learning model by obtaining historical data including query characteristics and selected query results. Based on the historical data, the system trains the machine learning model to associate the first filter field with the first search term. The system receives a first query for execution. The system applies the machine learning model to the first query to identify the first filter field as a suggestion. The system: recommends the first field for filtering a first set of search results corresponding to the first query. Responsive to receiving user input selecting a first value for the first filter field, the system filters using the first value to generate a set of filtered search results, and presents the filtered search results.

Searching and filtering are typically the main ways to interact with a data corpus using a computer system. Searching and filtering are considered to be separate components within an experience. Generally, keyword search and faceted filtering achieve similar goals of reducing a number of information elements from within a corpus are visible to a user at a given time.
Faceted search is a technique which involves augmenting traditional search techniques with a faceted navigation system, allowing users to narrow down search results by applying multiple filters based on faceted classification. A faceted classification system classifies each information element along multiple explicit dimensions, called facets, enabling the classifications to be accessed and ordered in multiple ways rather than in a single, pre-determined, taxonomic order. Facets correspond to properties of the information elements within a corpus. Facets are often derived by analysis of the text of an item using entity extraction techniques or from pre-existing fields in a database such as author, descriptor, language, and format.
Keyword search allows a user to search a corpus for information elements that include a particular keyword or synonym thereof. A keyword is a particular word or phrase that describes the contents of an information item. A keyword can be a portion of text contained within a data item and/or metadata associated with the information item.

Filter recommendation based on historical search result selection


An add/drop multiplexer (ADM) 100 includes an optical demultiplexer 200 and an optical multiplexer 300 that are connected in series. The optical multiplexer and the optical demultiplexer each include a number of corresponding passbands, which means that the central wavelengths of the multiplexer's passbands are approximately equal to the central wavelengths of the demultiplexer's passbands. The performance of the ADM is improved by making the edges of corresponding passbands complementary to each other. In one illustrative design, the transmission of the demultiplexer decreases at its passband edges as the wavelength moves away from its central wavelength, whereas the transmission of the multiplexer increases as the wavelength moves away from its central wavelength. The resultant cascaded passband of the pair is wider than the passband of the demultiplexer alone, thereby increasing the number of ADMs in a chain for the same performance. Not surprisingly, the advantages of the present invention are most evident in a wavelength-division-multiplexed system having many geographically separated locations 71-74 interconnected by an optical transmission path, and where selected channels of information need to be inserted or removed from the optical transmission path.

The information superhighway will primarily comprise optical fibers for the foreseeable future because of the enormous bandwidth that each optical fiber provides. For example, an optical fiber exhibits relatively low loss over the wavelength region 820-1600 nanometers. This particular region provides a bandwidth of about 180,000 GHz which means that a single optical fiber can potentially carry 45 billion voice channels (4 kHz each) or 30 million television channels (6 MHz each). And while these numbers represent upper limits that are not practical to attain, they provide a compelling reason for communication carriers to use optical transmission.
However, in order to fully utilize this information superhighway, there needs to be convenient equipment for inserting and removing individual optical channels, or groups of channels, at multiple intermediate locations along an optical fiber path. Equipment that performs this function is not surprisingly known as an optical add/drop multiplexer (ADM), and it generally comprises a demultiplexer connected in series with a multiplexer. Between the demultiplexer and the multiplexer, another optical device is used to add and/or remove selected channels.
However, because the ADMs are cascaded in large optical networks, the transmission characteristic of each channel that undergoes demultiplexing and multiplexing is narrowed--a phenomenon that can be readily understood by recognizing that cascading these passive devices is equivalent to multiplying their individual transmission functions together. For example, assuming that the transmission characteristic of one particular channel of an ADM has a normalized magnitude of 1.0 at the center of its passband and 0.8 at its edges, then the transmission characteristic of that particular channel through two ADMs is still 1.0 at the center, but is now 0.8.times.0.8=0.64 at the edges. The resulting passband thus has a more pronounced central peak, which effectively reduces the usable bandwidth of each passband. Accordingly, the number of ADMs that can be cascaded is also reduced.
Optical multiplexing and demultiplexing is frequently accomplished via a pair of star couplers that are interconnected by an optical grating (i.e., a number of parallel waveguides--each differing in length with respect to its nearest neighbor by a predetermined fixed amount). Examples of such interconnected star couplers, known as Dense Wave Division Multiplexers (DWDMs), are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,350 and 5,136,671 and 5,412,744. In one direction of optical transmission, the DWDM can be used as a multiplexer wherein a plurality of separate and distinct wavelengths (.lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2. . . .lambda..sub.n, ) are launched into different input ports of one star coupler and emerge on a single output port of the other star coupler. In the other direction of optical transmission, the DWDM can be used as a demultiplexer wherein a plurality of different wavelengths are launched into a single port of one star coupler and emerge on multiple ports of the other star coupler according to their particular wavelengths. An ADM can therefore be built using two DWDMs connected back-to-back.
Techniques are known for making the passband of a DWDM relatively wide and flat. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,744 achieves wide and flat passbands by coupling adjacent waveguides at the input or at the output of the DWDM. Further, application Ser. No. 08/682,453 was filed on Jul. 17, 1996 by the present inventor, and it achieves wide and flat passbands by installing multiple power splitters in the same DWDM. Nevertheless, when such DWDMs are cascaded in an ADM configuration, it is desirable to further improve the transmission characteristics of the individual passbands.

Optical add/drop multiplexer having complementary stages


Disclosed is anhydrous cosmetic compositions comprising:                (a) a hydrophobic polyol; and        (b) a hydrophilic polyol;which can provide improved conditioning benefits such as moisturizing benefit, and also can provide improved deposition of oily conditioning agents when included in the compositions.

A variety of cosmetic products such as hair care products and skin care products have been used to the hair and/or skin. With respect to hair care products, for example, hair shampoo products are used for cleansing the hair by removing excess soil and sebum; hair conditioning products are used for providing various conditioning benefits such as moisturized feel, softness, and static control to the hair; hair styling products are used for setting hair style and/or maintaining hair style; hair color products are used for changing hair color and/or maintaining hair color; and hair growth products are used for encouraging hair growth.
The efficacy of cosmetic products such as hair care products and skin care products are changed by various factors, for example, amount of products applied, how long products are applied on the hair, temperatures of products, the way of applying products to the hair, and so on. Thus, it may not be easy to obtain expected efficacy from cosmetic products such as hair care products and skin care products.
Japanese Patent Laid-open 2001-181156 discloses an anhydrous hair rinse composition comprising polyols, cationic surfactants, C14-C32 fatty alcohols, and silicones, for improving penetration of treatment components to hair by its warming efficacy. Japanese Patent Laid-open 2001-181156 also discloses that; the polyols are, for example, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, etc.
It has been found that; it is still not easy to obtain expected conditioning efficacy from cosmetic compositions comprising oily conditioning components and hydrophilic polyol carrier. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that; oily conditioning components such as C14-C32 fatty alcohols and silicones are easily rinsed off from the hair when used together with hydrophilic polyols such as glycerin, propylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol, thus, provide poor deposition on hair.
Based on the foregoing, there remains a desire for obtaining enhanced efficacy from cosmetic products such as hair care products and skin care products, i.e., there remains a desire for obtaining improved benefits from cosmetic products. There also remains a desire for obtaining improved conditioning benefits from cosmetic products.
None of the existing art provides all of the advantages and benefits of the present invention.

Anhydrous cosmetic compositions containing polyols