A transformer is provided that includes a plurality of metal lines and a magnetic material provided about the plurality of metal lines. The magnetic material may include a structure to reduce Eddy currents flowing in the magnetic material. This structure may be a plurality of slots extending perpendicular to the metal lines. This structure may also be a laminated structure.

Transformers may be used in many different types of power distribution systems, such as in voltage (or power) converters. Power converters may not be fully integrated on-chip for a variety of reasons. For example, power converters may be designed at 0.1 to 10 MHz operating frequencies. On-chip inductors may not be used because the amount of inductance needed for a circuit such as a Buck converter at these frequencies is large. Additionally, the physical size of inductors may be too large with certain magnetic materials. Still further, in high-frequency inductors, magnetic materials may not be used because their frequency range has been limited to less than 100 MHz.
There are advantages to integrating a power distribution system on the same die as the circuits that are powered by the power distribution system. For example, as processor technology scales to smaller dimensions, supply voltages to circuits within a processor may also scale to smaller values. But for many processors, power consumption has also been increasing as technology progresses. Using an off-die voltage converter to provide a small supply voltage to a processor with a large power consumption may lead to a large total electrical current being supplied to the processor. This may increase the electrical current per pin, or the total number of pins needed. Also, an increase in supply current may lead to an increase in resistivity as well as inductive voltage drop across various off-die and on-die interconnects, and to a higher cost for decoupling capacitors. Integrating the voltage (or power) converter onto the die may mitigate these problems.

Magnetic material for transformers and/or inductors


An exhaust-gas burner for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle includes a combustion chamber, which is surrounded by an outer wall, for a channel section in an exhaust-gas system. A dosing unit is provided for the controlled feed of a fuel into the combustion chamber. An ignition unit is provided for the ignition of a combustible mixture in the combustion chamber. A cooling circuit is provided for the exchange of heat with the dosing unit, and is arranged within the outer wall of the exhaust-gas burner.

Exhaust-gas burners for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle are known from the prior art, for example for raising the temperature in the exhaust-gas system, wherein, preferably, it is the intention for the exhaust gas to be catalytically treated by means of a catalytic converter unit positioned after (downstream of) the exhaust-gas burner and, for this purpose, for a minimal operating temperature to be effected. This is necessary for example upon (cold-)starting of the internal combustion engine that generates exhaust gas, such that desired exhaust-gas treatment for the avoidance of pollutants, for example nitrogen oxides and/or carbon monoxide, can begin as early as possible. It is known, for this purpose, to inject a fuel, for example the fuel of the connected internal combustion engine, into the combustion chamber of the exhaust-gas burner by means of a dosing unit, and to ignite said fuel in the combustion chamber by means of an ignition unit. These components are arranged in or close to the exhaust-gas flow in the combustion chamber and are permanently subjected to the high exhaust-gas temperatures. In many applications, the exhaust-gas burner is arranged as close as possible to the outlet of the internal combustion engine, for example so as to directly adjoin the at least one exhaust-gas manifold, and is thus subjected to particularly high temperatures. It is therefore necessary for these components to be configured to be robust with respect to the high exhaust-gas temperatures. It is nevertheless sought for the costs for cooling, and the assembly, of a corresponding device to be low.
Taking this as a starting point, it would be desirable to at least partially overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the claims may be combined in any technically meaningful manner, it also being possible to take into consideration for this purpose the explanations from the following description and features from the figures, which encompass additional configurations of the invention.

Exhaust-gas burner for an exhaust-gas system of a motor vehicle, and an assembly method for an exhaust-gas burner with integrated cooling circuit


The present disclosure provides AAV variants that exhibit a preference for retrograde movement in neurons and methods of using such variants.

Brain functions such as perception, cognition, and the control of movement depend on the coordinated action of large-scale neuronal networks, which are composed of local circuit modules that perform specific computations and are linked together by long-range connections that distribute the results of these computations. Such long range connections are formed by specialized projection neurons that often include several intermingled classes, each projecting to a different downstream target within the network. Projection neurons have also been implicated in the spread of several neurodegenerative diseases from spatially localized sites of onset. Thus, the ability to selectively target specific classes of projection neurons for transgene delivery (e.g. for activity monitoring/manipulation or genome editing for targeted gene knock-outs or repair of pathological mutations) will be important both for gaining insights into how large-scale networks contribute to brain function and, in the long-run, for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.
Viral vectors constitute an important class of tools for introducing transgenes into specific neuronal populations, and are by far the best option for genetic access to target projection neurons through entry at axonal terminals and retrograde transport of their payload to the cell nuclei. A number of naturally evolved neurotropic viruses exhibit retrograde spread as part of their lifecycle, including rabies, poliovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV), among others. Of these, rabies virus is particularly neuro-invasive and quickly propagates through the nervous system through transcellular transfer. However, its potential for both biological investigation and gene therapy is hampered by excessive virulence, though progress is being made towards reducing its toxicity. In addition to naturally neurotropic strains, many other viruses can infect neurons when administered directly to the nervous system, with "pseudorabies" (SuHV1, actually a herpesvirus), adenoviruses and lentiviruses used most commonly in animal research. Canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) displays the best infectivity and retrograde transport in this class of viruses and has increasingly become the reagent of choice for accessing projection neurons. CAV-2, however, mediates only modest levels of transgene expression, displays potential for toxicity and is currently not easily compatible with scalable, robust production for the generation of clinical-grade or even large animal studies. Thus, the development of a non-toxic, readily manufactured viral vector that affords flexible packaging of different transgenes, is robustly internalized and retrogradely transported by axons, and supports long-term, high-level payload expression remains a pressing need.

Variant adeno-associated viruses and methods of using

The Regents of the University of California


A method uses a first mask which is comprised of an X-shaped arm, a pattern portion which is a crossed part of the X-shape and is formed in a polygon shape or a circle shape, and a frame member which is connected to the pattern portion, and a second mask which is comprised of a cross-shaped arm, a pattern portion which is a crossed part of the cross shape and is formed in a polygon shape or a circle shape, and a frame member which is connected to the pattern portion; and includes a first transparent member wafer metal film-forming step of superimposing the first mask on one transparent member wafer between two transparent member wafers and forming a metal film between the pattern portions and the frame members, a second transparent member wafer metal film-forming step of superimposing the second mask on the other transparent member wafer.

Conventionally, for optical instrument such as an optical communication, a measuring apparatus and a semiconductor laser, use has been made of an optical device such as an etalon, a halfwave plate and a quarterwave plate.
Some of these optical devices are comprised by bonding a plurality of transparent members with each other.
For example, when explaining an optical device of an etalon, there is proposed an air gap type which is configured by bonding two transparent members (see for example Patent Literature 1).
In such an optical device, metal films for bonding are provided on the surfaces of the transparent members. The members are bonded in a state where the metal films are superimposed on each other to obtain an optical device.
Further, as the optical device, for example, there is also proposed a device formed in a state where a plurality of transparent members are bonded while forming an interior space in a path portion for transmitting the light (see for example Patent Literature 1).
Further, where an optical device configured by bonding a plurality of transparent members is produced, for example, use is made of a mask configured by a frame member, pattern portions for forming shapes of interior spaces, and arms for connecting the pattern portions and the frame member. The mask is superimposed on the transparent member. In that state, metal film is formed in the clearances of the mask.
In this case, metal film is not provided at the arm portions. Therefore, for example, recessed portions which are communicated with the outside as disclosed in Patent Literature 2 are formed.


An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work.

Rectangular or box shaped ducts are extensively used in heating and ventilating systems to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the structure. These ducts are commonly formed from different gauges of sheet metal in sections of predetermined length which are then connected to form a continuous duct for distributing air. Each section of duct is formed by bending two pieces of sheet metal of the desired length at a ninety degree angle and with the Pittsburgh type seam one edge of each piece is formed with a longitudinally extending groove to form the female portion of the joint while the other edge is bent over along its length to form the male portion of the joint. The two parts are then assembled by inserting the male portion of each part into the female portion leaving an edge extending beyond the joint from the female portion, which edge must then be bent over to lock the seam. Apparatus are known in which to automatically close the duct seam, including a Pittsburgh seam, including the commercial apparatus sold by the Iowa Precision Industries Division of Mestek Machinery, Inc. ("IPI") under the trademark WHISPER-LOC®. The WHISPER-LOC® machine has been commercially successful in the marketplace for automatically seaming duct work. Such apparatus are also disclosed in IPI's U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,784, issued Mar. 2, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,750, issued Sep. 14, 1993, and Engel Industries, Inc.'s U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,616, issued Oct. 11, 1994, the disclosures of these patents are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. When seaming duct work using the WHISPER-LOC® machine or the apparatus and methods disclosed in these patents, the duct must be inserted into the machine in a specific orientation to close the seam.
There is also disclosed in the art an apparatus and method for seaming a Pittsburgh seam in a vertical apparatus wherein the seam is said to be completed regardless of the orientation of the male and female portions of the Pittsburgh seam as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012/0186316, published Jul. 26, 2012, and 2013/0104614, published May 2, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Additionally, apparatus and methods for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges are known and disclosed in Systemation, Inc.'s U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,944; 5,321,880; and 5,342,100, the disclosures of these patents being incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. Commercial apparatus using the inventions of these patents have been sold under the trademark CORNERMATIC® by IPI. These machines have been commercially successful and have transformed the industry with respect to the insertion of angle plates into duct work. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,937 discloses a mobile apparatus for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges, the disclosure therein being incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. This latter patented technology has been manufactured commercially by IPI and sold under the trademark CORNER CADET®.
The CORNERMATIC® and CORNER CADET® apparatus and methods have been commercially successful. They have saved the industry substantial time and money and made the insertion of angle plates into ducts substantially easier for sheet metal fabricators, including saving wear and tear on the human body. However, the CORNERMATIC® and CORNER CADET® machines usually cannot accept irregular shaped duct fittings referred to in the industry and herein as "fittings." As such, workers must manually insert the angle plates into the fittings.
Accordingly, while the CORNERMATIC® and CORNER CADET® machines have been an extremely successful "work-horse" in duct fabricating shops, improvement to these machines and methods are possible, including with respect to fittings. An improved apparatus and method for automatically inserting angle plates into duct flanges has been invented and is disclosed in Systemation's U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/211,733 and 14/211,921, both filed on Mar. 14, 2014, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Placement of Angle Plates in Transverse Duct Flanges," the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference (collectively referred to as "the '733 Application"). This new apparatus includes novel features and improvements over the CORNERMATIC® and CORNER CADET® machines including, but not limited to, (1) a new apparatus for the automatic insertion of angle plates into duct flanges, including fittings; (2) a new clamp for clamping duct flanges; (3) a new supply hopper located out of the area of operation; (4) a new presser for pressing the angle plates into the duct flanges; (5) a new package for angle plates; and (6) combinations of the above and other features of the apparatus as disclosed in the '733 Application. This new apparatus is now being sold by IPI under the trademark CORNERMATIC® PLUS™. In its short time on the market, the CORNERMATIC® PLUS™ apparatus has received market acceptance.
Additionally, there is disclosed in the '733 Application a new packaging for the angle plates which packages include a plurality of angle plates, including eighty angle plates, which may be inserted directly into the hopper, thereby saving the time and expense associated with the manual insertion of the angle plates in limited numbers. The packaging may include a plurality of angle plates contained in a self-contained cardboard package.
Additionally, Systemation's U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,944 discloses a proposed combination of a seam closer for a Pittsburgh seam and automatically inserting angle plates into a duct section including as referenced at FIG. 19 of the patent. However, this conception has never been reduced to practice and there are no known apparatus for automatically inserting angle plates into the piece of duct and automatically closing the seam of a piece of duct. Accordingly, there is a need in the market for a single machine which will automatically insert angle plates into a piece of duct and will automatically close the seam of the piece of duct. Such apparatus will be substantially beneficial to the industry as, among other things, it will save the expense to contractors of having to have two machines in their shop to automatically insert angle plates and to close a seam; it will save space in a manufacturer's shop by eliminating the need for two machines when one machine will do the same job; it will save contractors time as the single machine will accomplish that of two machines in a shorter period of time and, therefore, also save labor costs; and it will make the manufacture of duct easier and more efficient.

Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates and closing duct seams


The invention provides a (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition capable of being sintered at a low temperature and providing good electric field-induced strain at the time of high electric field application at a temperature for practical use. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition has an ABO3 type composition formula wherein lithium, sodium, and potassium are contained as first elements; niobium and tantalum are contained as second elements; oxygen (O) is contained as a third element; A/B ratio is higher than 1; and the ratio of the number of Ta atoms to the total number of atoms of the second elements is 10 mol % or more and 50 mol % or less, and comprises a perovskite type oxide wherein the first elements are A site composing elements and the second elements are B site composing elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device using the piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition.
2. Description of the Background Art
A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator has an advantage of being able to precisely control a displacement in sub-micron order. Particularly, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator using a sintered body of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition as a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body can precisely control a displacement and additionally has advantages of high electric-mechanical conversion efficiency, high motive power, high response speed, high durability, and low electric power consumption and using these advantages, the actuator is used for heads of ink jet printers, injectors of diesel engines, and the like.
As a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition for piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuators, conventionally Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT)-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic compositions have been employed; however the effect of the elution of lead from sintered bodies on the global environments has become a serious concern and since then, a (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition has been investigated.
For example, Yasuyoshi Saito et al, "High Performance Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics in the (K, Na) NbO3—LiTaO3 Solid Solution System", Ferroelectrics (United States of America), 2006, Volume 338, pp. 17-32 discloses a (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition having a stoichiometric composition.
Further, International Publication No. 2006/095716 discloses that with respect to the (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive property can be improved by making the number of atoms in an A site element in excess of the number of atoms in a B site element.
However, with respect to the conventional (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition, there is a problem that unless the firing temperature is a rather high temperature, sintering cannot be sufficiently promoted and thus the sintered density becomes low and the electric field-induced strain, which is important for a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, cannot be necessarily sufficient at the time of high electric field application.
Further, with respect to the conventional (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition, it is required to carry out firing in an atmosphere enriched in terms of oxygen concentration more than an air atmosphere in order to suppress the evaporation of an alkali component such as Li, and in some cases, it is required to carry out firing in an oxygen atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of 100%. Such a restriction in production leads to an increase in production cost and therefore, it is not desirable.
In addition, the (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition has a orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition temperature (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "phase transition temperature") TOT and has a characteristic that the electric field-induced strain becomes maximum at a temperature near the phase transition temperature TOT. However, depending on the composition, since the phase transition temperature TOT is out of a practically usable temperature range, it is sometimes impossible to obtain sufficient electric field-induced strain or even if the phase transition temperature TOT is in a practically usable temperature range, since the maximum value of the electric field-induced strain at a temperature near the phase transition temperature TOT cannot become sufficiently high, it is sometimes impossible to obtain sufficient electric field-induced strain at a practically usable temperature.

(Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 type piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition containing 30-50 mol% Ta and piezoelectric/electrorestrictive device containing the same


The invention converts wave energy into electrical energy. A device moved by wave action is coupled to an electric machine for generating electrical power and to drive the device to improve conversion of wave action into electrical power. The conversion of the wave energy is improved through real-time estimation of forces exerted by waves on a pendulum axis to estimate the force to be applied to the device by the electric machine acting as an electrical motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to conversion of wave energy into electrical energy and particularly to "wave energy converters", which produce electricity from a renewable energy source (the potential and kinetic wave energy) for isolated island sites.
2. Description of the Prior Art
French Patent 2,876,751 and WO-2009/081,042 describe devices which capture the energy produced by sea water forces. These devices use a floating support containing a pendulum movably mounted in the floating support with the relative motion of the pendulum in relation to the floating support being used to produce electricity.

Method of controlling a device for converting wave energy to electrical energy


An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drawer unit drawably stored in the apparatus body, a plurality of interlocked lock portions configured to lock the drawer unit to the apparatus body in a state in which the drawer unit is stored in the apparatus body, an interlocking portion configured to interlock the interlocked lock portions, and an independent lock portion configured to move independently from the plurality of interlocked lock portions and disposed so as to lock the drawer unit to the apparatus body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and more specifically to a lock mechanism configured to lock a drawer unit drawably stored in a body of the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional image forming apparatus such as a copier and a printer is configured to form an image on a sheet conveyed to an image forming portion from a sheet storage portion and to discharge the sheet on which the image has been formed out of a body of the image forming apparatus (referred to an 'apparatus body' hereinafter). Here, there is such an image forming apparatus having a unit drawably stored in the apparatus body. In removing a jammed sheet and replacing a component the drawably stored unit of the image forming apparatus is configured drawn out.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-191400 discloses an image forming apparatus configured to unlock a unit locked to the apparatus body by two lock members. The unit is unlocked by manipulating two drawing levers provided at a center part of the unit. A user draws the unit out of the apparatus body by pulling the drawing levers after the unit is unlocked when the drawing levers are manipulated. When the user ends a work, such as an unjamming work, performed in a condition in which the unit has been drawn out, the user pushes the unit into the apparatus body using the drawing levers to store and then locks the unit by manipulating the two drawing levers.
Here, if the timing for manipulating the two drawing levers to lock the unit are not coordinated, there is a possibility of causing an unbalanced closure by which either one of the two lock members becomes inoperative. It is not preferable to execute an operation of forming an image on a sheet in the condition in which the unit is closed in the unbalanced manner because skewing and jamming of the sheet are liable to occur. As a result, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-191400 is provided with a link member, linking the two lock members and preventing unbalanced closure by interlocking the two drawing levers and the two lock members.
However, because the two drawing levers are provided at the center part of the unit in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-191400, there is such a case that it is hard for the user to manipulate the drawing levers and the lock members depending on disposition and size of the unit and on a place where the image forming apparatus is installed.
Still further, if the user pushes the unit into the image forming apparatus by holding end portions of the unit, not the two drawing levers provided at the center part, the unit may be substantially leaned with respect to a direction into which the unit is pushed because forces for pushing the unit are applied to the end portions of the unit. If the user tries to lock the unit by manipulating the drawing levers in the condition in which the unit is leaned as described above, there is a possibility of causing an unbalanced closure of the unit.


The present invention provides a self-filtering millimeter-wave wideband multilayer planar antenna. The antenna includes a first layer having a slot feed. A second layer includes at least a pair of probes fed by the slot feed from the first layer. A third layer includes at least two substantially planar radiating patches each patch respectively coupled to one of the probes on the second layer. The radiating patches are arranged to radiate a millimeter-wavelength electromagnetic wave when the slot feed receives excitation energy and transmits the energy to the radiating patch through the respective probe. The self-filtering antenna does not require a resonant cavity structure coupled to the radiating patches. Antenna arrays of arbitrary numbers of antenna elements may be constructed from the self-filtering antenna. Such arrays are particularly suitable for 5G mm-wave backhaul communications.

Due to the merits of low insertion loss, high power capacity, and ease of integration, SIW (substrate integrated waveguide) technology is being developed for high-performance microwave/millimeter-wave components such as filters and antennas. In the past, filters and antennas were separately designed and connected with transmission lines. However, this architecture suffers from a large size as well as significant insertion loss introduced by the filter and its connection circuits.
More recently, a new component, called a filtering antenna, has been introduced. For example, US 2020/0212530 shows a filtering antenna in which radiating antenna patches are coupled to a series of resonant cavities that perform the filtering function. While this overall structure performs both filtering and radiating functions, it is still an antenna coupled to a filter, albeit in an integrated package. Filtering antennas assist in meeting the requirement of highly-integrated radio front ends. However, prior art filtering antennas suffer from relatively narrow bandwidth.
However, filtering antennas merely integrate and miniaturize the separate functions of filtering and radiating; they do not operate in a manner different from conventional unintegrated filters and antenna. Thus, there is a need in the art for a fundamentally different approach to antenna design in which the antenna and its feed structure itself contribute to perform the filtering function. Such an antenna, referred to in the present specification as a "self-filtering antenna" could be used in 5G millimeter-wave (mm-wave) communications.

Self-filtering wideband millimeter wave antenna


A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a structure based on at least one two-dimensional image of the structure includes obtaining a general three-dimensional model of the structure; determining at least one image feature from the at least one two-dimensional image; determining an orientation of the general three-dimensional model of the structure relative to the at least one two-dimensional image of the structure so that at least one image feature of a two-dimensional projection of the three-dimensional model match or at least approximate the at least one two-dimensional image feature; and after determining the orientation of the general three-dimensional model, morphing a form or shape of the general three-dimensional model to fit the at least one two-dimensional image.

Computer-assisted stereotactic systems that work with the aid of body structure data obtained from tomographic detection systems and with the assistance of X-ray images produced in situ are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,934 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,055. Furthermore, x-ray imaging used to assist in operations is discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,982; 5,772,594; and 5,784,431.
Where accurate medical navigation is to be provided, the prior art still works with the aid of body structure data originating from tomographic detection systems such as, for example, computer tomography devices or nuclear spin tomography devices. The patient to be treated may be positionally registered in situ with respect to previously determined image data, and operating instruments then may be virtually displayed in the same relation to the image data as to the actual patient. This can make the body structure data and/or X-ray image data useful to the surgeon in the operating room.
A disadvantage of methods in which tomographs (CT, MR) or X-ray images are produced specifically for navigation within the framework of treatment is that it increases a radiation load on the patient. Further, such devices incur high costs, since they are very expensive to purchase and maintain.
Attempts have been made to develop systems that may be employed without using previously detected body structure data, for example, based on statistical models of image data sets for body structures. However, such systems can lack the required accuracy for the respective patient to be treated.
Constructing the bone surface from a few calibrated fluoroscopic images can be a challenging task. A priori information is often required to handle this problem. In Fleute M. and Lavallée S.: Nonrigid 3D/2D registration of images using a statistical model. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 1679, Springer (1999) 138-147, a PDM of the distal femur was iteratively fitted to the contours of segmented X-ray views by sequentially optimizing the rigid and non-rigid parameters.
In Benameur S., Mignotte M., Parent S. et al.: 3D/2D registration and segmentation of scoliotic vertebra using statistical models. Comput Med Imag Grap, Vol. 27, (2003) 321-337 and Benameur S., Mignotte M., Parent S., et al.: A hierarchical statistical modeling approach for the unsupervised 3D reconstruction of the scoliotic spine. ICIP '04 (2004), 561-564, a PDM of scoliotic vertebrae was fitted to two conventional radiographic views by simultaneously optimizing both shape and pose parameters. The optimal estimation was obtained by iteratively minimizing a combined energy function, which is the sum of a likelihood energy term measured from an edge potential field on the images and a prior energy term measured from the statistical shape models. No explicit image-to-model correspondence was used. To avoid trapping in a local minimal, the method requires a close initialization.
US 2003/0185346 A1 discloses a method for computer-assisted medical navigation and pre-operative treatment planning, wherein the current position of a patient or a part of a patient's body and the positions of medical treatment devices or treatment-assisting devices are detected by means of a position detection unit, and wherein said detected positional data are assigned to body structure data, in order to jointly use said body structure data in assignment with said positional data, within the context of assisting the treatment, wherein body structure data is used that is obtained based on a generic model that has been adapted by linking it with patient-characteristic detection data.
US 2005/0004451 A1 discloses a method for computer-assisted medical navigation or pre-operative treatment planning, wherein a position of a patient or a part of a patient's body is detected; positions of medical treatment devices or treatment-assisting devices are detected; and the detected positions are assigned to body structure data, said body structure data being obtained form a three-dimensional generic model.
WO 01/22368 A1 discloses a method and a system for three-dimensional reconstruction of an image representing the surface contours of an object from a two-dimensional view of said object obtained by X-ray, which consists of: determining the position of the photographing source in a reference repository; selecting a predefined model constituting a mean form of the object, and repeating the process until the contours of the model are such that the variations between the overhead projection rays of the contours of the two-dimensional image from the source and the model surface are minimal; selecting an orientation and a position for the model in the reference repository; and then selecting a deformation of the model to modify its contours in three dimensions.
US 2005/0008219 A1 discloses a radiographic imaging method for three-dimensional reconstruction in which the three-dimensional shape of a model representing an object is calculated from a geometrical model of the object that is known a priori, and obtained from a confinement volume of the object estimated from a geometrical pattern visible in two images and from knowledge of the positions of the sources. A geometrical model can be used that comprises information that enables use of an estimator to establish a geometrical characteristic for the model representing the object.


A method for activating a femto base station includes transmitting at least one binding message that binds at least one access point with a collocated femto base station. The method also includes determining the collocated femto base station is in a power saving mode. The method additionally includes transmitting via the access point a request requesting that the collocated femto base station is put into an operational mode.

Various wireless technologies (e.g., 3G, 4G, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), WiMAX, etc.) allow for the use of small, user installed, base stations, generally referred to as femto base stations (fBSs) (also known as femtocells in WiMAX or Home node-B in 3GPP). The fBS is provided to the user by a wireless service provider. The user installs the fBS in their home or office, generally referred to herein as a home or home location, to increase the quality and signal strength of the local wireless coverage. The fBS's backhaul connection to the wireless service provider's network (WSPN) is provided via the user's home network access (e.g., DSL). The fBS operates in a similar wireless fashion (e.g., uses the same licensed frequency band) to the wireless service provider's macro base stations (MBSs). Thus, the handover from the MBS to the fBS may be done without the user noticing (similar to the handover from one MBS to another).
Because, the fBSs operate in a similar wireless fashion to macro base stations, it may be possible for any endpoint using the same wireless service to establish a connection through the fBS. However, owners of the fBS may not want to make their fBSs available to the public, thus the owner may configure the fBS to only allow access from members of a closed subscription group (CSG) specified by the owner.

Method and system for activating a femto base station


An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device disposed in a first principal surface of a silicon substrate, the image pickup device sensing infrared light; an electrode pad disposed on the first principal surface; a front-face wiring connecting the image pickup device and the electrode pad; an external connection terminal disposed on a second principal surface of the silicon substrate; a back-face wiring connecting the electrode pad and the external connection terminal via a substrate through-hole extending from the second principal surface side through the silicon substrate to a back face of the electrode pad; and a light blocking layer disposed on the second principal surface, the light blocking layer covering a trench portion surrounding the image pickup device and a region surrounded by the trench portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus including a semiconductor substrate with a solid-state image pickup device disposed therein and a method for manufacturing the image pickup apparatus, and specifically relates to a CSP (chip scale package)-type image pickup apparatus and a method for manufacturing the image pickup apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with reduction in size and thickness of electronic apparatuses, there is an increasing demand for high-density mounting for semiconductor apparatuses. In response to the demand, what is called a chip mounting technique in which a semiconductor bare chip or a CSP-type semiconductor apparatus is directly mounted on a wiring board has been proposed. For example, a CSP-type semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor device disposed in a first principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, electrode pads disposed on the first principal surface, external connection terminals disposed on a second principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, substrate through-holes extending from the second principal surface through the semiconductor substrate to back faces of the respective electrode pads, and back-face wirings electrically connecting the back faces of the respective electrode pads and the respective external connection terminals via the respective substrate through-holes. The CSP-type semiconductor apparatus enables elimination of the need to provide a space for mounting, e.g., bonding wires.
Chip scale packaging for various configurations of image pickup apparatuses including an image pickup device fabricated on a semiconductor substrate such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor has been proposed. However, light passing through the inside of the semiconductor substrate may adversely affect the image pickup device.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2001-128072 and 2009-099591 each propose that a light blocking layer is provided on a back face of a semiconductor substrate included in an image pickup apparatus.

Image pickup apparatus and image pickup apparatus manufacturing method


Provided is a digital signal processing device, specifically a modular application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), having a programmable crosspoint switch for facilitating data transfer and processing within the circuit. A programmable matrix element is operable to perform advanced matrix operations (arithmetic operations) according to user provided commands. The crosspoint switch interconnects the programmable matrix element with various other processing or conditioning modules (i.e. down conversion, filter, pulse processing and demodulation modules) to ensure parallel processing at System Clock rates. The ASIC, which is reconfigurable at a top-level according to user requirements, facilitates design changes and bench testing.

Large-scale (multi-million gate) application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") designs are hampered by many logistical problems. Many of these problems are related to the functional integration, timing, and testing of various sub-modules at the top level of the ASIC design. If sub-module design changes are required to remedy top-level timing issues, for example, costly delays and recursive design changes can result. Design changes of this nature drive up engineering, manufacturing and test costs for ASIC manufacturers.
Further, ASIC designs typically have limited reconfigurability, which is to say they may be programmable via control registers, but they use fixed architectures. These fixed architectures do not allow for functional modules to be re-arranged or reconfigured by a user. ASICs such as field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") permit the user to reconfigure or reprogram functional modules, however, they are an extreme example which require a great deal of specialized programming and a special, fine-grained ASIC architecture to implement.
Within the current state of the art for ASIC design, manufacture, and test, there does not exist an architecture that may provide easy top-level integration of modules, routing, and timing, all within a standardized I/O scheme. Hence there is a need for an advanced ASIC architecture to address one or more of the drawbacks identified above.


Backup rings for a sealing element system for a downhole bridge plug assembly may include a circumferentially-expandable backup ring body having an engaging ring surface. A beveled ring surface may extend from the engaging ring surface. An interior ring surface may extend from the beveled ring surface to the engaging ring surface. A ring opening may be formed by the beveled ring surface. A plurality of spiral ring slots may extend through the backup ring body from the engaging ring surface to the beveled ring surface. A plurality of expandable ring portions may extend between the plurality of spiral ring slots. An at least partially circumferentially-expanding ring sleeve may extend from the backup ring body. In some embodiments, an outer width or diameter of the ring sleeve may correspond to an outer width or diameter of the backup ring body. The ring sleeve may include a ring sleeve wall extending from the interior ring surface of the backup ring body. A sleeve interior may be formed by the ring sleeve wall. A plurality of sleeve slots may extend through the ring sleeve wall. The plurality of sleeve slots may communicate with the plurality of spiral ring slots, respectively, in the backup ring body. A plurality of expandable sleeve portions may extend between the plurality of sleeve slots. The plurality of expandable sleeve portions may extend from the plurality of expandable ring portions of the backup ring body.

The background description provided herein is solely for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Aspects of the background description are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the claimed subject matter.
In the production of fluids such as hydrocarbons from a subterranean well, it may be desirable to selectively seal or plug the well at various locations. For example, in hydrocarbon (oil and/or gas) production wells, it may be necessary or desirable to seal off a lower hydrocarbon-producing formation during the extraction of hydrocarbons from an upper hydrocarbon-producing formation. In other applications, it may be necessary or desirable to isolate the bottom of the well from the wellhead.
Downhole bridge plug sealing element systems having enhanced well fluid sealing characteristics may be desirable for some applications.

Backup rings for downhole bridge plug sealing element systems


A method performed by a computing system includes receiving a first request from a first pod being executed on the computing system, responding to the first request with an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a first port range, receiving a second request from a second pod being executed on the computing system, and responding to the second request with the Internet Protocol (IP) address and a second port range that is different than the first port range. The method further includes, with a networking service implemented within the kernel, processing network traffic between external entities and the first and second pods by updating source and destination IP addresses and ports of packets of the network traffic.

Cloud computing systems involve multiple physical computing machines, each supporting virtual environments such as containers or virtual machines. One implementation of a cloud computing system is cloud native architecture. In cloud native architecture, applications are designed as multiple, different services. Each service may run in its own container. One example of a container management system is the open source container orchestration system known as Kubernetes, from Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Kubernetes refers to virtual containers as pods. Such virtual environments can scale to meet demand and provide an efficient solution for many technologies.
One of such technologies is telecommunication technology. Telecommunication functions such as transcoding and signaling can be performed by applications run in a cloud native architecture. Specifically, virtual machines and containers may be used to perform such functions and thus scale up or down to meet demand. It is desirable to implement such solutions to make efficient use of computing resources.

RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING COMPANY, INC.


An orientation control layer (OCL) for self-assembly of block copolymers comprises a random copolymer comprising a first repeat unit having an ethylenic backbone functional group and a side chain aromatic ring, a second repeat unit comprising an ethylenic backbone functional group and a side chain polycarbonate, and a third repeat unit comprising an ethylenic backbone functional group and a side chain ester or amide bearing an active group capable of forming a covalent bond with a substrate surface (e.g., a silicon wafer). The OCLs are neutral wetting to block copolymers having a high Flory-Huggins interaction parameter chi (χ) (“high-chi” block copolymers) such as a block copolymer comprising a polystyrene block and a polycarbonate block. The neutral OCL wetting properties allow for formation of lamellar domain patterns of the self-assembled high-chi block copolymers to be oriented perpendicular to the OCL surface.

The present invention relates to orientation control materials for block copolymers used in directed self-assembly applications, and more specifically orientation-control materials for high-chi (χ) block copolymers prepared by ring opening of cyclic carbonate monomers.
Block copolymers (BCPs) find many applications in solution, bulk and thin films. Thin film applications of BCPs are particularly attractive for nanolithography and patterning due to the ability of some BCPs to form periodic self-assembled structures ranging in feature size from 5 nm to 50 nm. The thin-film self-assembly property of BCPs can be utilized with existing photolithographic techniques to provide a unique approach to long range order for semiconductor applications. This approach, called directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers, promises to extend the patterning capabilities of conventional lithography.
BCPs for directed self-assembly (DSA) applications comprise two or three polymer blocks that can phase separate into domains characterized by ordered nanoscopic arrays of spheres, cylinders, gyroids, and lamellae. The ability of a BCP to phase separate depends on the Flory Huggins interaction parameter chi (χ). Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) is the most widely used block copolymer for DSA. For PS-b-PMMA block copolymers, perpendicular orientation of BCP lamellar domains is obtained by forming a layer of the BCP on an orientation control layer followed by annealing the BCP thin film to induce phase separation. Typically for PS-b-PMMA the orientation control layer is a crosslinkable or a brush-type random copolymer formed with styrene and methyl methacrylate. The neutrality of the orientation control layer (underlayer) can be controlled by adjusting the composition of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the final crosslinkable or brush-type random copolymer to enable perpendicular orientation of the BCP.
The minimum half-pitch of PS-b-PMMA is limited to about 10 nm because of lower interaction and interaction parameter chi (χ) between PS and PMMA. To enable further feature miniaturization, block copolymers having a high interaction parameter chi between two blocks ("high-chi") are desirable. Several block copolymers having high interaction parameter between the two blocks have been studied to obtain smaller feature sizes. Of particular interest are block copolymers comprising a block derived from ring opening of a cyclic carbonyl monomer from a reactive end-group on the first polymer block. Block copolymers derived by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic monomers (e.g., lactides, lactones, ethylene oxide) have been used to generate sub-10 nm feature size for patterning application.
For block copolymers where both blocks are synthesized by a vinyl polymerization reaction, the corresponding orientation control materials can be easily synthesized by free radical or controlled-radical polymerization techniques. However, for block copolymers where one block is synthesized by vinyl addition and the second block by ring opening polymerization, simple techniques like radical polymerization cannot be used to make random copolymers of the corresponding monomers.
There exists a need to develop crosslinkable or brush-type random copolymers as orientation control materials for block copolymers wherein one block is made by a vinyl addition reaction and the second block is made by a ring opening polymerization.

Orientation control materials for block copolymers used in directed self-assembly applications

International Business Machines Corporation


A ducted fan turbine engine with a nacelle and a duct for a secondary flow. The nacelle comprises a fixed structure. A mobile cowl is able to move between a forward position and a backward position to define an opening between the duct and the outside. A plurality of rollers are mounted to freely rotate on the mobile cowl. For each roller there is a flexible screen with a first edge fixed to the roller and a second edge, in which the screen is able to adopt a furled position, wound around the roller, or a deployed position deployed across the duct. A deployment mechanism is arranged to move each second edge to move the screen from the furled position to the deployed position. A furling mechanism is arranged to drive each roller in rotation to move the associated screen from the deployed position to the furled position.

An aircraft comprises a fuselage, to each side of which is fixed a wing. Suspended beneath each wing is at least one ducted fan turbine engine. Each ducted fan turbine engine is fixed beneath the wing via a pylon which is fixed between the structure of the wing and the structure of the ducted fan turbine engine.
The ducted fan turbine engine comprises an engine and a nacelle which is fixed around the engine. The ducted fan turbine engine has, between the nacelle and the engine, a secondary duct in which a secondary flow circulates.
The nacelle comprises a plurality of reverser doors, each able to rotate on the structure of the nacelle between a non-obstructing position in which it is outside of the secondary duct and a deployed position in which it is positioned across the secondary duct so as to deflect the secondary flow towards an opening in the wall of the nacelle and which is open between the secondary duct and the outside of the nacelle.
Thus, the secondary flow is deflected to the outside and more specifically towards the front of the turbine engine in order to produce a reverse thrust.
Although reverser doors are entirely satisfactory, it is desirable to find different mechanisms, particularly mechanisms that are not as heavy.

Ducted fan turbine engine comprising a system involving screens for blocking off the duct for the secondary flow


The present invention relates to coated dehydrated microorganisms comprising a dehydrated microorganism surrounded by at least one coating, said coating comprising by dry weight at least 25% of hygroscopic salt(s) and wherein the pH of the coating is compatible with viability of the coated dehydrated microorganism. The coating can be partially crystalline, the salt(s) in the coating having preferably a crystallinity degree of up to 60% once applied onto the dehydrated microorganism. The present invention also relates to liquid coating compositions, methods for coating and protecting a dehydrated microorganism. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of food products, feed products, consumer healthcare products or agri-products as well as to a food product, feed product, a consumer healthcare product or an agri-product containing such coated dehydrated microorganisms.

Freeze-drying processes are frequently used to preserve microorganisms. Indeed, the low operating temperatures of freeze-drying processes lead to minimal damage in microorganisms. Moreover, it is known in the art that low storage temperatures can be an essential element in maintaining the viability and stability of such freeze-dried cells. It is also known in the art, that cells which are freeze-dried in the presence of protective agents are better suited to maintain their viability and stability than cells which are freeze-dried without the addition of said protective agents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,172 (Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation) relates to the use of a protective mixture (i.e. sucrose and potassium phosphates) mixed with biological material in order to form a preservation medium, prior to the biological medium undergoing at least one preservation process (eg. freezing, freeze-drying, vacuum-drying or spray-drying). After being subjected to a preservation process, the biological material is capable of remaining stable when stored in dry conditions at room temperature. However, the probiotic microorganisms of U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,172 which have been preserved to provide increased stability during shipping and storage in sealed containers cannot usually withstand the simultaneous high temperature and/or high humidity conditions which are typically encountered in long-term storage and secondary processes used in feed products, food products (e.g. cereals, nutritional bars, recombined cheese, infant formulas), consumer healthcare products (including dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, over-the-counter products) as well as agri-products. Indeed, the viable microorganisms are often inactivated by heat and/or moisture and/or other processing conditions or storage conditions, thereby decreasing their viability in the final product over time, during storage and/or during consumption, in such a way that the desired effect of the final product containing the microorganisms is eventually lost.
In order to overcome this problem, numerous coating processes for microorganisms have been developed to protect them against undesirable elements such as high temperature and high humidity levels. These coating processes are often based on coating materials such as fats or low permeability polymers such as shellac and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,258 (Lallemand) deals with coating of dehydrated microorganisms by using hydrophobic barriers such as fat and waxes with melting points greater than 60° C., while EP 1753440 B1 (Merck), U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,148 (Il Yang Pharm Co. Ltd.) and EP 0778778 B1 (University New South Wales) use polymeric barriers such as HPMC or starch. These moisture barriers are intended to provide protection of the dehydrated microorganisms by preventing or delaying penetration of water into the coating, thereby avoiding diffusion of moisture to the underlaying dehydrated microorganism. If the coating allows moisture to pass, then the dehydrated microorganism may absorb moisture, thereby altering its viability.
However, the Applicant has prepared dehydrated microorganisms coated with commonly used compounds such as fats, shellac or HPMC and noticed that the viability of such microorganisms containing products was not sufficiently maintained. Indeed, as can be seen in the results section of the present patent application (especially Example 4, Table 5 and Example 7, Table 8), the materials used in the prior art to coat the microorganisms do not enhance the thermostability of the microorganisms nor provide enhanced viability over a longer period of time in medium or high humidity environments when compared to non-coated dehydrated microorganisms.
Consequently, despite the teachings above, there still exists a need in the art for coated dehydrated microorganisms, whereby the microorganisms are able to retain most of their activity during and after manufacturing and are able to resist the damaging conditions encountered for example in secondary processes used for the preparation of feed/food products, consumer healthcare products or agri-products or during long term storage of these products, wherein said processes/long term storage often involve a combination of high temperature and/or high moisture, thereby responding to a widely sought-after and currently unmet demand for dehydrated microorganisms with improved stability.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Coated dehydrated microorganisms with enhanced stability and viability


A method and system for converting, transforming or translating an imaging element associated with a first resolution into a second imaging element associated with a second resolution are provided. The method and system provide for the selection of output imaging element pattern based on context information extracted from areas neighboring an area undergoing conversion when information extracted from the area undergoing conversion provides an insufficient basis from which to select an output imaging element pattern. Exemplary embodiments are directed toward preservation of area coverage and centroid placement. The method provides for consideration of characteristics of a marking engine in the output imagine element pattern selections process. In xerographic environments clustering can be maximized, thereby reducing xerographic stress. In inkjet environments output pattern selections can be directed toward decreased clustering.

The invention is related to the art of image processing. The invention will be described in reference to electrophotographic applications, such as, for example, xerographic imaging. However, the invention can be applied in other areas, such as, for example, video image processing and lithographic systems.
In electronic imaging systems, images, such as, for example, pages of a document, are described in terms of high-level image or page description languages (PDL). Postscript™ is one such page description language well known in the art. In order to render an image, an image processor generates a binary image from the page description language description of the image. The binary image or bit map is in the form of a grid work or raster of mark/no mark decisions. The generation of a binary image from a page description language version of the image is referred to as raster image processing (RIP). In electrophotographic systems, a raster output scanner controls a marking engine to place spots of ink, toner, or other colorants on a print medium according to the binary mark/no mark decisions indicated in the bit map.
To achieve high print quality, it is necessary to RIP documents to a high resolution. Typically, these resolutions are symmetric. For example, resolutions such as 1200×1200, 1800×1800, or 2400×2400 dpi are common. For instance, these symmetric resolutions are supported by standard Postscript™ interpreters. However, due to mechanical constraints and economic factors, raster output scanner electronics are often designed to support asymmetric high addressable resolutions, such as 1200×600, 2400×600, and 4800×600 instead of the symmetric resolutions mentioned above. Occasionally, the reverse situation applies. In either case, a resolution conversion is required to make the output of the raster image processor (RIPer) compatible with the raster output scanner (ROS) electronics.
Previously, techniques such as perspective projection (PP) were used to provide resolution conversion. Unfortunately, PP can create quantization errors and discard positioning information. This may result in reduction in print quality. Additionally, PP cannot be easily implemented in-line; it requires use of error diffusion, dramatically increasing the gate count and complexity. For more information on perspective projection, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,061 to Tse, et la., entitled, System and Method for Providing a High-Addressable Printing System.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a desire for a resolution conversion system and method that can be easily implemented in-line and maintain position information while minimizing quantization error generation.

Resolution conversion using a morphological partial pixel mapping (MPPM) approach


A curable resin composition includes a phthalonitrile oligomer, and a prepolymer thereof. According to the present invention, a curable resin composition, which has melt viscosity that can be controlled within a wide range, and thus, can be applied in a larger number of fields.

Phthalonitrile-based resin is known as thermosetting resin having excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy. A resin composition comprising phthalonitrile-based resin and additives such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, and the like can be used as durable goods in airplanes, ships, automobiles, and the like.
The phthalonitrile-based resin is generally formed by polymerization and high temperature curing of a phthalonitrile compound having two or more phthalonitrile groups and a curing agent therefor.
In general, the phthalonitrile compound has many aromatic groups, and thus, has high rigidity and large molecular weight. Thus, a mixture of the phthalonitrile compound and a curing agent or a prepolymer formed by the reaction of the mixture has a very narrow process window.
Meanwhile, since phthalonitrile-based resin has very low viscosity at a temperature equal to or greater than a melting point, a problem of leakage from a mold is generated during processing with a mold such as injection and extrusion. To the contrary, low melt viscosity of phthalonitrile-based resin is advantageous for securing compatibility with fillers when preparing composite material using a large quantity of fillers.
Thus, in order to apply phthalonitrile-based resin for more various fields, it is required to simultaneously secure wetting of a filler and an appropriate melt viscosity of the phthalonitrile-based resin.

Curable resin composition comprising a phthalonitrile oligomer and a prepolymer thereof


A system and method pre-roasting preparation of a fowl to enhance desirability of breast portions while reducing risks of undercooking leg thigh portions. A flexible, contouring, temperature control pad is sized and shaped to selectively cover portions of a fowl that are to cook at a different rate than other non-covered portions. For example, the temperature control pad includes a cooling pad shaped to cover the breast portion while avoiding contact with the leg thigh portions.

The present invention relates generally to cooking systems and more particularly, but not exclusively, to pre-roasting preparation of a fowl (e.g., turkey, chicken, and the like).
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.
It is a well-known challenge to evenly roast various portions of a fowl. For example, it is a well-known problem that a breast portion of a fowl cooks faster than leg thigh portions, which can result in overly dry breast portion when the leg thigh portions are sufficiently cooked or undercooked leg thigh portions when the breast portion is properly cooked. As undercooked fowl can pose a health risk, and overly dry breast portions are undesirable, the user is left with competing options. Conventional systems have employed cooking systems to address these problems and symptoms, including use of foil shields on the breast portion and/or frequent basting of the breast portion, among other solutions.
These solutions have not proven to be reliable, easy to use, and effective. What is needed is a system and method for pre-roasting preparation of a fowl to enhance desirability of breast portions while reducing risks of undercooking leg thigh portions.


A method for controlling the microstructure and texture of tantalum is described. The method includes a first forging step for performing upset forging and come-back forging on a tantalum billet multiple times in different directions, the upset forging performed to press two surfaces of the tantalum billet in order to make the two surfaces close to each other and the come-back forging performed to restore the tantalum billet to a rectangular prism shape; and a second forging step for performing wedge forging and come-back forging on the tantalum billet multiple times in different directions, the wedge forging performed to press two edges located in a diagonal direction of the tantalum billet and parallel to each other in order to make the two edges close to each other, and the come-back forging performed to restore the tantalum billet to the rectangular prism shape.

A microstructure and a texture of a metal material have a significant effect on the properties of the metal. As a method for controlling a microstructure and a texture of a metal material, a method for applying a plastic deformation to the metal material or adding a heat treatment to the metal material may be used. When the structure of the metal material is controlled by the plastic deformation and the heat treatment, the properties of the metal material may be improved.
Tantalum is a metal having a melting point of 2,996° C. and a density of 16.6 g/cm3. Tantalum has mechanical properties and physical properties, such as a high quantity of electric charge, a low resistance temperature coefficient, and excellent ductility and corrosion resistance. Due to the excellent mechanical properties and physical properties, tantalum is a metal which is widely used in the whole industry ranging from electrics and electronics to not only mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and medicine, but also the space and military sectors. In particular, among the military uses, studies on applying tantalum as a material for an explosively formed penetrator liner have been conducted. In order to improve the penetrating power of an explosively formed penetrator, it is known that it is essential to control a microstructure and a texture of tantalum.
In order to plastically deform a common, commercially available metal, methods such as rolling, extrusion, and drawing are used. However, when these methods are simply applied to tantalum unlike common, commercially available metals, a microstructure and a texture, which are very heterogeneous, are caused to be formed. In order to utilize the features and advantages of the tantalum metal, it is essential to control the microstructure and the texture, but there is a limitation in controlling the microstructure and the texture of tantalum by using the methods such as rolling, extrusion, and drawing.

Method for controlling microstructure and texture of tantalum


A computer system encrypts user generated data with an encryption process, wherein the encryption process is defined at least in part with information assigned to and associated with host computing logic. The information may comprise a multi-bit identification code. The encryption process may also be defined in part by user input.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing security for digital data stored on data storage media such as magnetic and optical disks and tapes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over the past several years, personal computing systems have become more powerful, smaller, and less expensive. As this has occurred, more and more computing applications are performed on personal computer platforms. Local and wide area networks of personal computers are now often used in corporate and business applications instead of the large mainframes used for the same applications in the past. A further result of the increases in performance and decreases in price of personal computers is a dramatic increase in personal computer use for household financial and other sensitive and preferably confidential information.
The use of personal computers in these applications raises data security and privacy issues which have thus far been insufficiently resolved. Laptop and other personal computers, as well as the removable data storage media used in them are transported, mislaid, lost, and sometimes stolen. Consequently, security and privacy issues which were not present when computers and their data storage media were generally fixed have now become prominent. Administrators of computer resources in the business environment must remain aware of the location of portable computing devices as well as the nature of the programs and data stored on them. For home users, concerns arise if credit card, social security, or bank account numbers are present on fixed or removable media which may be lost or stolen.
To resolve a few of these concerns, some programs allow the user to password protect documents or files, thereby preventing access to the data in the file unless the password is known. This provides limited security, however, since these schemes are easy to defeat with widely available password extraction programs. Furthermore, although the act of opening the file may be restricted in the relevant application program, the data itself resides on the media in raw form, and may still be extracted by a trained computer user.
Systems have also been proposed which perform encryption on data and application programs stored on tape and disk. These systems provide improved security over the password protection described above. As one example, a system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,430 to Smyth et al. (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) includes a security module attached to a personal computer which performs data and application program encryption. The security module communicates with a removable smart card assigned to a given user which contains encryption keys used by the security module. Although the security provided by this system is adequate for many applications, the circuitry used to implement the system is complex, and administration of the system for producing and assigning keys and smart cards is time consuming and expensive.
Another system for encrypting files is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,641 to Nozawa et al., the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this system, data stored to a magnetic tape is encrypted by a cryptographic adapter which is located in the data path between a host processor and a tape drive. In this system, the host processor generates cryptographic keys which are stored on the tape itself. This requires additional logic to encrypt the keys as well as the data, and consequently, this system requires relatively complex circuitry, and leaves the key potentially recoverable from the tape itself if the key encryption scheme is broken.
Thus, existing encryption systems for personal and portable computers have serious drawbacks, and have not been widely implemented. In particular, a system which is useful for an individual personal computer user has not been heretofore provided. Such a system should provide data security with flexibility and without expensive administration or implementation.


A front wheel supporting structure for a motorcycle (1) includes a pair of front forks (10, 20) provided on the right and left sides of a front wheel (2) for supporting the front wheel (2) to a frame (5) of the motorcycle (1). The front forks (10, 20) includes a first front fork (20) which generates a damping force for damping a vibration of the front wheel (2) depending on an amplitude of the vibration, and a second front fork (10) which generates a damping force for damping a vibration of the front wheel not depending on the amplitude of the vibration. By thus combining the front forks (10, 20) having different damping force characteristics, the front wheel supporting structure can absorb vibrations of various velocities and amplitudes.

Utility Model Publication S51-41720 (Jikko Syo 51-41720) published in 1976 by the Japan patent office discloses a front wheel supporting structure of a motorcycle using a pair of front forks. The one of the front forks is operated as an oil pressure shock absorber provided with a damping force generating mechanism for absorbing the vibration by the irregularities on the road surface, and a suspension spring for supporting a vehicle body elastically. The other of the front forks is operated as a guide cylinder at the time of elongation and contraction of the front forks.
Utility Model Publication S49-1162 (Jikko Syo 49-1162) published in 1974 by the Japan Patent Office discloses a pair of front forks one of which is served as an oil pressure shock absorber provided with a damping force generating mechanism and the other of which is served as a guide cylinder provided with a suspension spring.
JPH06-109054A published in 1992 by the Japan Patent Office discloses a front fork provided with a damping force generating mechanism for generating a damping force depending on the velocity of vibration and a damping force generating mechanism for generating a damping force depending on the amplitude of vibration.


A tandem OLED includes an anode, a cathode, and a plurality of organic electroluminescent units disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein each organic electroluminescent unit includes at least one light-emitting layer, and an intermediate connector disposed between each adjacent organic electroluminescent unit, wherein the intermediate connector includes at least a high work function metal layer having a work function of no less than 4.0 eV and a metal compound layer, wherein the intermediate connector has a sheet resistance of higher than 100 kΩ per square, and wherein the high work function metal layer improves the operational stability of the OLED.

Organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), are electronic devices that emit light in response to an applied potential. The structure of an OLED comprises, in sequence, an anode, an organic EL medium, and a cathode. The organic EL medium disposed between the anode and the cathode is commonly comprised of an organic hole-transporting layer (HTL) and an organic electron-transporting layer (ETL). Holes and electrons recombine and emit light in the ETL near the interface of HTL/ETL. Tang et al., "Organic electroluminescent diodes", Applied Physics Letters, 51, 913 (1987), and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,292, demonstrated highly efficient OLEDs using such a layer structure. Since then, numerous OLEDs with alternative layer structures have been disclosed. For example, there are three-layer OLEDs that contain an organic light-emitting layer (LEL) between the HTL and the ETL, such as that disclosed by Adachi et al., "Electroluminescence in Organic Films with Three-Layer Structure", Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 27, L269 (1988), and by Tang et al., "Electroluminescence of doped organic thin films", Journal of Applied Physics, 65, 3610 (1989). The LEL commonly includes of a host material doped with a guest material wherein the layer structures are denoted as HTL/LEL/ETL. Further, there are other multilayer OLEDs that contain a hole-injecting layer (HIL), and/or an electron-injecting layer (EIL), and/or a hole-blocking layer, and/or an electron-blocking layer in the devices. These structures have further resulted in improved device performance.
Moreover, in order to further improve the performance of the OLEDs, a new kind of OLED structure called tandem OLED (or stacked OLED, or cascaded OLED), which is fabricated by stacking several individual OLEDs vertically and driven by a single power source, has also been proposed or fabricated by Tanaka et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,734; Jones et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,492; Kido et al. JP Patent Publication 2003045676A and U.S. Patent Publication 2003/0189401 A1; Liao et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,358, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0170491 A1, and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/437,195 filed May 13, 2003 entitled "Cascaded Organic Electroluminescent Device Having Connecting Units with n-Type and p-Type Organic Layers", the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, Tanaka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,734, demonstrated a 3-EL-unit tandem OLED using In—Zn—O (IZO) films or Mg:Ag/IZO films as intermediate connectors and achieved a luminous efficiency of 10.1 cd/A from pure tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum emitting layers. Kido et al., "High Efficiency Organic EL Devices having Charge Generation Layers", SID 03 Digest, 964 (2003), fabricated 3-EL-unit tandem OLEDs using In—Sn—O (ITO) films or V2O5 films as intermediate connectors and achieved a luminous efficiency of up to 48 cd/A from fluorescent dye doped emitting layers. Liao et al., "High-efficiency tandem organic light-emitting diodes", Applied Physics Letters, 84, 167 (2004), demonstrated a 3-EL-unit tandem OLED using doped organic "p-n" junction layers as intermediate connectors and achieved a luminous efficiency of 136 cd/A from phosphorescent dye doped emitting layers.
Using organic "p-n" junction as an intermediate connector is effective for optical out-coupling and for easy fabrication of devices. However, it is also necessary to use inorganic intermediate connectors in tandem OLEDs as an alternative method. Therefore, searching for a stable inorganic intermediate connector is still needed.
Using IZO or ITO film as intermediate connector will have high lateral conductivity resulting in pixel crosstalk problems. Moreover, the fabrication of IZO and ITO films requires sputtering that can cause damage on the underlying organic layers. Although using V2O5 film as intermediate connector can limit pixel crosstalk, V2O5 has been classified as a highly toxic substance (see Aldrich Catalogue, for example) and is difficult to be thermally evaporated as well.

Tandem OLED having stable intermediate connectors


A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support structure coupled to the base and being configured to support a patient. The apparatus also comprises a panel having a surface and being physically adapted to vibrate at one or more frequencies, a controller configured to generate an electrical signal, and a vibrational exciter. The vibrational exciter comprises a surface coupled to the surface of the panel and being configured to receive the electrical signal from the controller and to convert the electrical signal into vibrational energy. The surface of the vibrational exciter is configured to transfer the vibrational energy to the surface of the panel to vibrate the panel at the one or more frequencies.

Patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, stretchers, cots, tables, wheelchairs, and chairs facilitate care of patients in a health care setting. Conventional patient support apparatuses comprise a base and a patient support surface upon which the patient is supported. Often, these patient support apparatuses have one or more powered devices to perform one or more functions on the patient support apparatus. These functions can include lifting or lowering the patient support surface, extending or shortening a length of the patient support apparatus, extending or narrowing a width of the patient support apparatus, raising or lowering one or more deck sections, and the like. When a caregiver wishes to perform such a function, the caregiver actuates a user input device on a user interface, often in the form of a button on a control panel. Conventional user interfaces include separate modules (e.g., touchscreen displays) attached to one or more side rails, a headboard, and/or a footboard of the patient support apparatus and are generally difficult to clean due to the nature of the materials employed and seams/joints that are formed around the user interface. This can be particularly problematic as caregivers, patients, and other users are constantly touching the user interface to control the functions of the patient support apparatus. As a result, the user interface is especially susceptible to contamination by bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, which can lead to the spread of infections.
Similar problems may occur with delivering sound to patients or caregivers. Patient support apparatuses often include speakers for delivering audible notifications to patients or caregivers when operating a user interface or when interfacing with a caregiver callback station, for example. Speakers may also be used to play music or videos at the patient support apparatus. Conventional speakers include a diaphragm that is disposed behind a grill or mesh to protect the diaphragm from damage. The grill or mesh can collect and trap dust, dirt, biomaterials, or other mediums that support bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
A patient support apparatus designed to address one or more of the aforementioned challenges is desired.

Techniques for generating auditory and haptic output with a vibrational panel of a patient support apparatus


In a rolling bearing structured such that a plurality of rolling elements are respectively held between inner and outer rings by a retainer, grease is sealed in by a seal, a rotary body with the outer ring fitted therewith and a shaft with the inner ring fitted therewith can be connected together by a clutch mechanism and, when the rotary body and shaft are connected together by the clutch mechanism, the rolling bearing can be used on receiving a rotation load while the relative rotation between the inner and outer rings is zero, an initial radial clearance between the inner and outer rings is set such that a bearing effective clearance when the present rolling bearing is incorporated into between the rotary body and shaft can provide a positive value.

The present invention relates to a rolling bearing structured such that a rotary body with an outer ring fitted therewith and a shaft with an inner ring fitted therewith can be connected together by a clutch mechanism and, when the rotary body and shaft are connected together by the clutch mechanism, with no relative rotation between the inner and outer rings, the rolling bearing can be used on receiving a rotation load; and, in more particular, to an improvement in such rolling bearing which can prevent occurrence of fretting in the bearing raceway surfaces thereof to thereby enhance the life thereof.
Now, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the states of use of a rolling bearing.
A rolling bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a combined bearing, in which, between the raceway surface 2a of an outer ring 2 and the raceway surface 3a of an inner ring 3, there is interposed spherical-shaped rolling elements 4. The rolling elements 4 are respectively held by a retainer (not shown) in such a manner that they are spaced at given intervals in the peripheral direction of the raceway surfaces 2a, 3a. Also, grease is sealed in by a seal (not shown).
In the rolling bearing 1, the outer ring 2 is fitted with the inner periphery of a rotary body 6, whereas the inner ring 3 is fitted with the outer periphery of a shaft 8. The rotary body 6 is a pulley which can be driven through a belt wound on a belt groove 6a formed in the outer periphery thereof, while the other end portion (not shown) of the rotary body 6 provides an output end thereof.
The rotary body 6 and shaft 8 can be connected together by a clutch mechanism 12.
The clutch mechanism 12 is an electromagnetic clutch which is composed of a clutch plate 13 fixed to the end portion of the shaft 8 and an electromagnetic drive portion 14 for attracting the outer peripheral portion of the clutch plate 13 to the rotary body 6 using an electromagnetic force. And, FIG. 1 shows a clutch-off state in which the rotary body 6 and shaft 8 can be rotated with respect to each other, whereas FIG. 2 shows a clutch-on state in which the rotary body 6a nd shaft 8 is prevented against their relative rotation.
In the clutch-off state shown in FIG. 1, a rotation force input to the rotary body 6 is not transmitted to the shaft 8, but the outer and inner rings 2 and 3 of the rolling bearing 1 can be rotated with respect to each other. On the other hand, in the clutch-on state shown in FIG. 2, since the rotary body 6 and shaft 8 is rotated integrally due to the rotary force input to the rotary body 6, the relative rotation between the outer and inner rings 2 and 3 of the rolling bearing 1 is zero.
By the way, generally, when designing a rolling bearing, in order to reduce noise in a high speed operation and to prevent play between the rotary body 6 and shaft 8, an initial radial clearance between inner and outer rings is set in such a manner that a bearing effective clearance when the rolling bearing is incorporated into between the rotary body 6 and shaft 8 can be reduced as much as possible.
However, as shown in FIG. 2, in the clutch-on state, when the outer and inner rings 2 and 3 are driven or rotated with their relative rotation zero, as shown by arrow marks A-E in FIGS. 7(a)-(e), with the rotation of the outer and inner rings 2 and 3, the direction of a rotation load is moved. And, when the rolling body 4 is situated directly below the rotation load direction, a load acting on the rolling body 4 increases; and, therefore, as shown by solid lines in FIGS. 8(a) and (b), a contact area S1 between the rolling body 4 and raceway surface 3a increases. On the other hand, when the rolling body 4 is situated on the opposite side to the rotation load direction, the load acting on the rolling body 4 decreases; and, therefore, as shown by broken lines in FIGS. 8(a) and (b), a contact area S2 between the rolling body 4 and raceway surface 3a decreases.
And, as described above, especially, in case where the bearing effective clearance is set small, that is, for example, the bearing effective clearance is zero, contact positions between the respective rolling elements 4 and raceway surface 3a remain unchanged. Therefore, variations in the above-mentioned load acting on the rolling body 4 cause slight slippage between the mutual contact surfaces of the raceway surface 3a and rolling body 4 and thus, in case where the rolling body 4 collides repetitively with the raceway surface 3a at the same position, there occurs fretting which gives rise to local wear on the raceway surface 3a. This local wear causes strange sounds and reduces the life of the bearing. Or, due to worn powder produced in the local wear, the life of the grease can be shortened.
In order to prevent the local wear which is caused by such fretting, conventionally, there is also proposed a technique in which a coating film is formed on the surface of the rolling body 4 or on the raceway surface 3a to thereby prevent the raceway surface 3a and rolling elements 4 against direct contact with each other (see Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei.11-218134). However, in this technique, formation of the coating film complicates a process for manufacturing the component parts of a rolling bearing, which results in the increased cost of the rolling bearing.


An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders with fuel-metering injection valves, and an exhaust gas probe that generates a measurement signal characteristic of the air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder. A correction signal for fuel mass to be metered is determined using a lambda controller as a function of the exhaust gas probe measurement signal. When at least one predefined condition is met within a predefined operating range of the engine, a cylinder-specific diagnosis relating to the emissions of pollutants is performed on the basis of unsmooth running, wherein the cylinder-specific diagnosis is actively performed only in a respective detection phase that is applied to a neutral value by a modified proportional discrete level of the correction signal and is performed with a modified integral parameter of the lambda controller that is reduced as compared with an integral parameter in a normal operating mode of the lambda controller.

Within the scope of strict legal requirements relating to the emissions of pollutants by motor vehicles, an important measure is to keep a low level of emissions of pollutants which occur during the combustion of the air/fuel mixture in the respective cylinder of the internal combustion engine. A further measure is also to use exhaust gas post-treatment systems in internal combustion engines, said systems converting into harmless substances the emissions of pollutants which are generated in the respective cylinder during the combustion process of the air/fuel mixture. For this purpose, exhaust gas catalytic converters are used which convert carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into harmless substances.
Both the aimed-for influencing of the generating of the emissions of pollutants during the combustion and the conversion of the components of the pollutants with a high degree of efficiency by the exhaust gas catalytic converter require a very precisely set air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder. In particular in view of the fact that the exhaust gas catalytic converters are increasingly arranged very close to the engine and also in order to comply with corresponding specific legal requirements in individual countries, precise cylinder-specific setting of the air/fuel ratio is increasingly important, since the individual exhaust gas packets only mix relatively poorly because of the short mixing distance.
Increasingly stringent legal requirements with regard to the emission of limited pollutants make it necessary to allow a small tolerance in the air/fuel ratio between the individual cylinders. A large uneven distribution and an absence of compensation cause the emissions to become significantly worse or even give rise to perceptible problems with respect to driving capabilities.
Furthermore, there are legal requirements for the cylinder-selective unequal distribution in the air/fuel ratio to be detected incrementally in an increasing portion of the respective vehicles in relation to the vehicle fleets of the respective manufacturers, said uneven distribution causing predefined emission limiting values to be exceeded.
DE 10 2004 004 291 B3 discloses using cylinder-specific lambda control, by means of which the individual deviations of the respective cylinder-specific air/fuel ratios from an average air/fuel ratio are to be minimized. A measurement signal of an exhaust gas probe which is arranged in an exhaust gas section, and which is characteristic of the air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder, is detected at a predefined crankshaft angle with respect to a reference position of the piston of the respective cylinder and is assigned to the respective cylinder. By means of the cylinder-specific lambda controller, a manipulated variable for influencing the air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder as a function of the measurement signal generated for the respective cylinder is generated. The predefined crankshaft angle is adapted as a function of an instability criterion of the controller.
DE 10 2006 0263 90 A1 discloses an electronic control device for the control of the internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle having an unsmooth running determining unit and having an injection quantity correction unit, wherein a defined group of cylinders is assigned one lambda probe. The injection quantity correction unit is configured such that the injection quantity of one cylinder, which is to be tested, of the defined group can be adjusted in the lean direction by a difference adjustment value which is assigned to an unsmooth running difference value, and the injection quantity of at least one of the other cylinders which is assigned to the same lambda probe is correspondingly adjusted in the rich direction, with the result that overall a predefined lambda value of this group, preferably a lambda value of at least approximately 1, is attained. The injection quantity correction value is also configured in such a way that in this way a cylinder-specific difference adjustment value can be set for each cylinder of the defined group, and that cylinder-specific correction values can be determined by setting the cylinder-specific difference adjustment values in a ratio with respect to one another.

Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine


A microscope that produces magnified images of a sample. An observing component generates image data from the sample, and a moving component generates relative movement between the sample and the observing component. A sensor independently generates position data directly from the sample. A controller receives the image data from the observing component and the position data from the sensor, and applies the position data to correct special relations between the image data.

Because integrated circuits are so small, microscopes, such as metrology systems, are typically used to view them. The metrology systems that the various embodiments of the present invention apply to include scanning microscopes such as, for example, high resolution profilers, atomic force microscopes, scanning tunneling microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, near-field scanning optical microscopes, and other means of surface observation that build up magnified images of the sample in a line by line raster fashion. All such applicable microscopes are generally referred to herein as microscopes.
Unfortunately, there is a drift that occurs when there is undesired motion between the observing component of the microscope and the sample that is being observed by the microscope. The observing component is a probe tip in microscopes such as high resolution profilers, atomic force microscopes, scanning tunneling microscopes, and near-field scanning optical microscopes, or an electron beam in microscopes such as scanning electron microscopes.
The drift error that is often observed in these measurements may be due to a number of factors, including but not limited to differential thermal expansion between the sample and various components of the microscope, and mechanical creep of the microscope components in the mechanical loop between the observing component of the microscope and the sample.
The current industry practice to reduce this drift error is to design the moving components of the mechanical loop in such a way as to minimize the drift, such as by having more precision components in the mechanical loop. Unfortunately, as magnification increases, even such high precision components tend to have at least some amount of positional drift. Further, over time, even the best mechanical components will tend to wear to some extent, thus increasing the drift that is inherent in such mechanical components.
Other so-called solutions to this problem require that the microscope collects an image of the sample, and then uses software to recognize features within the image to adjust the scan for a subsequent scan. However, these approaches require multiple scans of the image, which takes more time.
What is needed, therefore, is a system for reducing problems such as those described above, at least in part.