The invention relates to an alkoxysilane polysulfide, of formula (I):(R3O)3-n(R1)nSi—CH2—(R2)CH—Z—Sx—Z—HC(R2)—CH2—Si(R1)n(OR3)3-n  (I),in which: R1, which are identical or different, each represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; R2, which are identical or different, each represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R3, which are identical or different, each represent a monovalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Z, which are identical or different, each represent a divalent hydrocarbon bonding group comprising from 1 to 16 carbon atoms; x is an integral or fractional number greater than or equal to 2; and n is an integer equal to 0, 1 or 2.

The present invention relates to polyfunctional coupling agents which can be used in particular for the coupling of reinforcing inorganic fillers and diene elastomers in rubber compositions intended, for example, for the manufacture of tyres.
It is known that, generally, in order to obtain the optimum reinforcing properties conferred by a filler, it is advisable for the latter to be present in the elastomeric matrix in a final form which is both as finely divided as possible and as homogeneously distributed as possible. In point of fact, such conditions can only be achieved in so far as the filler exhibits a very good ability, on the one hand, to be incorporated in the matrix during the mixing with the elastomer and to deagglomerate and, on the other hand, to disperse homogeneously in this matrix.
In an entirely known way, carbon black exhibits such abilities, which is not generally the case with inorganic fillers. This is because, for reciprocal affinity reasons, the inorganic filler particles have an unfortunate tendency to clump together in the elastomeric matrix. These interactions have the harmful consequence of limiting the dispersion of the filler and thus the reinforcing properties to a level substantially lower than that which it would be theoretically possible to achieve if all the (inorganic filler/elastomer) bonds capable of being created during the compounding operation were actually obtained. These interactions moreover tend to increase the consistency in the raw state of the rubber compositions and thus to make them more difficult to process than in the presence of carbon black.
Since fuel savings and the need to protect the environment have become a priority, it has, however, proved necessary to produce tyres having a reduced rolling resistance, without adversely affecting their wear resistance. This has been made possible in particular by virtue of the discovery of novel rubber compositions reinforced with specific inorganic fillers described as "reinforcing" which are capable of rivalling, from the reinforcing viewpoint, a conventional tyre-grade carbon black, while offering these compositions a lower hysteresis, which is synonymous with a lower rolling resistance for the tyres comprising them.
Such rubber compositions, comprising reinforcing inorganic fillers of siliceous or aluminous type, have, for example, been described in Patents or Patent Applications EP-A-0 501 227 (or U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,425), EP-A-0 735 088 (or U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,099), EP-A-0 810 258 (or U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,449), EP-A-0 881 252, WO99/02590, WO99/02601, WO99/02602, WO99/28376, WO00/05300 or WO00/05301.
Mention will in particular be made of the documents EP-A-0 501 227, EP-A-0 735 088 or EP-A-0 881 252, which disclose diene rubber compositions reinforced with highly dispersible precipitated silicas, such compositions making it possible to manufacture treads having a markedly improved rolling resistance, without affecting the other properties, in particular those of grip, endurance and wear resistance. Such compositions, exhibiting such a compromise in conflicting properties, are also described in Applications EP-A-0 810 258 and WO99/28376 with, as reinforcing inorganic fillers, specific highly-dispersible aluminous fillers (aluminas or aluminium (oxide) hydroxides), or also in Applications WO00/73372 and WO00/73373, which describe specific titanium oxides of the reinforcing type.
The use of these specific highly dispersible inorganic fillers, as predominant or non-predominant reinforcing filler, has admittedly reduced the difficulties in processing the rubber compositions comprising them but this processing nevertheless remains more difficult than for the rubber compositions conventionally comprising carbon black as filler.
In particular, it is necessary to use a coupling agent, also known as bonding agent, which has the role of providing the bonding between the surface of the inorganic filler particles and the elastomer, while facilitating the dispersion of this inorganic filler within the elastomeric matrix.
It should be remembered here that the term "coupling agent" (inorganic filler/elastomer) has to be understood as meaning, in a known way, an agent capable of establishing a satisfactory bond, of chemical and/or physical nature, between the inorganic filler and the diene elastomer; such an at least bifunctional coupling agent has, for example, the simplified general formula "Y—W—X", in which:                Y represents a functional group ("Y" functional group) which is capable of being bonded physically and/or chemically to the inorganic filler, it being possible for such a bond to be established, for example, between a silicon atom of the coupling agent and the surface hydroxyl (OH) groups of the inorganic filler (for example the surface silanols, when silica is concerned);        X represents a functional group ("X" functional group) which is capable of being bonded physically and/or chemically to the diene elastomer, for example via a sulfur atom;        W represents a divalent group which makes it possible to connect Y and X.
The coupling agents should in particular not be confused with simple covering agents for inorganic filler which, in a known way, can comprise the Y functional group, active with regard to the inorganic filler, but are devoid of the X functional group, active with regard to the diene elastomer.
Coupling agents, in particular silica/diene elastomer coupling agents, have been described in a large number of documents, the most well-known being bifunctional organosilanes bearing at least one alkoxyl functional group as Y functional group and, as X functional group, at least one functional group capable of reacting with the diene elastomer, such as, for example, a sulfur-comprising functional group.
The Applicant Company has described, in its Patent EP 1 326 871, novel hydroxysilane coupling agents capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the mercaptosilane coupling agents as described in the publications FR-A-2 094 859 and GB-A-1 310 379, which bring about, for the compositions including them, problems of premature vulcanization, also known as "scorching", and of excessive viscosity in the raw state. These novel hydroxysilane coupling agents also make it possible to overcome the disadvantages of alkoxysilane polysulfide coupling agents, as described in particular in the publications EP-A-1 043 357 and WO00/53671, especially TESPT (bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide), which sort out the abovementioned disadvantages, but exhibit, however, the disadvantage of substantially slowing down the kinetics of vulcanization of the rubber compositions containing them, in comparison with that of the conventional compositions reinforced with carbon black.
The Applicant Company has continued these research studies and, after many years of research studies, has discovered that a specific functionalization of the coupling agent makes it possible to retain the rubber composition properties obtained with the first generation of abovementioned alkoxysilane coupling agents but also, surprisingly, that these novel coupling agents make it possible to improve the reinforcing and stiffness properties conferred on rubber compositions including them.

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN


Method and system for automatically generating executable system-level tests. The method includes obtaining a system design including interrelation between components of the system design, actions the components are operable to perform, and constraints relating to the performance of the actions; receiving at least an initial action input to be tested; automatically generating a complete test scenario including: solving a logic layer CSP, including automatically scheduling actions and data paths of the test scenario, and assigning values to logic attributes of the actions and data, satisfying constraints relating to the logic layer, and solving a data layer CSP, satisfying constraints relating to data attributes taking into account the constraints relating to the logic layer; and generating the executable system-level test by assembling the initial action and the set of scheduled actions and data paths and the data attributes.

Design verification is a common process for testing an integrated circuit, board, or system-level architecture, to confirm that it complies with the requirements defined by the specification of the architecture for that device. Design verification for a device under test (DUT) may be performed on the actual device, or on simulated on a simulation model of the device.
Testing a design using a simulation model of the device involves using hardware description languages (HDL) such as Verilog and VHDL. These languages are designed to describe hardware at high levels of abstraction. The generated simulated model of the tested device can receive input stimuli in the form of test vectors, which are a string of binary values applied to the input of a circuit. The simulated model then produces results, which are checked against the expected results for the particular design of the device.
System level test generation typically entails representation of large abstract data models with complex set of rules. Automating the process of creating such data models is often prohibitively expensive in terms of time and computing power. Furthermore, performing the simulated test on the simulation model with numerous test vectors may consume enormous amounts of time and computing power.


In an image reading apparatus having an image reading device which reads a document to output an image data thereof, and an image processor which performs a processing of interest on the image data received from the image reading device, a decision device decides whether the image data should be processed by the image processor or not. When the image data should be processed by the image processor, a transmission device transmits the image data subjected to the processing of interest by the image processor, otherwise it transmits the image data not subjected to the processing of interest by the image processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image reading by designating scan parameters for reading image data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a computer connected to an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, a scanner software in the computer sets scan parameters such as color type, resolution and size to the scanner to read an image of a document. For example, in an apparatus including a scanner and a display unit disclosed in Japanese Patent laid open Publication 3-167679/1991, an image of a document is read by the scanner and stored in a memory device. However, when an image of a document of maximum size or the like is read by the scanner but the scan direction does not coincide with the display direction for the document, the document size and portrait/landscape are specified, and a scanned image data is rotated in accordance with the specified conditions and stored in the memory device. Thus the document image in the desired direction is displayed without considering the direction of the document.
In a conventional scanner software and a conventional scanner device, however, the image data read by the scanner is processed at a side decided previously among the scanner software and the scanner. Therefore, when the processing is performed by the side having an inferior performance, there is a problem that a processing time such as image data transmission time increases or the data transfer (traffic) increases in the network including the scanner and the scanner software. Moreover, when an image is read by an image reading apparatus, a wait time may happen for processing other jobs and this may delay the processing. Moreover, when a plurality of scanner devices having different performance are available, it is a problem that a scanner software in correspondence to each scanner device has to be provided for the computer. Therefore, it is desirable to process an image efficiently in the system including the scanner and the computer.

Image reading apparatus and information processing apparatus

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


Disclosed herein are hexadecaphlorethol (HdP), which is a novel compound isolated from Ishige okamurae, and the use thereof in anti-diabetic treatment and exercise performance improvement. The novel compound HdP has the activity of inhibiting α-glucosidase, inducing glucose uptake into differentiated myoblast C2C12 cells, reducing blood glucose levels in zebrafish which have reduced insulin secretion through treatment with alloxan, increasing an intracellular level of calcium ions necessary for muscle contraction and exercise performance in zebrafish, and inducing uptake of glucose, an energy source necessary for muscle contraction, into cells.

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is generally classified into insulin-dependent diabetes (type I diabetes) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II diabetes). Insulin-dependent diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency resulting from the loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreatic islets, caused by, for example, viral infection. Non-insulin-independent diabetes is traditionally termed "juvenile diabetes" because a majority of these diabetes cases occur in young people in their teens or twenties. As known by the name itself, insulin-dependent diabetes implies the requirement of external insulin supply for life maintenance. Non-insulin-independent diabetes begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly, which is mainly caused by obesity. As the disease progresses, insulin, although secreted from the beta cells of the pancreas, may become deficient. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes is mostly found in people in their thirties or later and is referred to as adult-onset diabetes. The name non-insulin-dependent diabetes implies that external insulin supply is not indispensable for life maintenance, but does not mean that insulin is unnecessary for regulating high blood sugar.
Diabetes is accompanied by complications including myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, damage to the eye, foot ulcers, etc. as chronic high blood sugar lasts with deficient insulin action. Insulin regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins by promoting the absorption of glucose from blood into liver, fat, and skeletal muscle cells. Diabetes is fundamentally an aberrant carbohydrate metabolism which results, however, in aberrance in protein and protein metabolism and electrolyte metabolism in vivo. In this context, diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders (J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 2002 31:1071-1077). Therefore, the regulation of blood sugar is believed to be a therapy for preventing or delaying the onset of acute complications attributed to diabetes.
Carbohydrates in the digestive organs are degraded by α-amylase and α-glucosidase and other digestive enzymes finally into glucose and fructose which are then absorbed into villi of the small intestine. In a patient with diabetes who cannot effectively regulate blood sugar, glucose is not properly processed, thus aggravating the hyperglycemic state. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the digestive organs makes the uptake of glucose slow, thereby regulating post-meal blood sugar (Int J Obes. 1984. 8 Suppl 1:181-90; Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004. 13 (4):401-8; J Int Med Res. 1998 Oct.-Nov. 26 (5):219-32; Diabetes Care. 1999 Jun. 22 (6):960-4).
Particularly, α-glucosidase is an enzyme that acts at the final step of carbohydrate digestion to catalyze conversion into glucose. An α-glucosidase inhibitor can aid to regulate blood sugar by interfering with the degradation of polysaccharides into monosaccharides to delay sugar uptake (Journal of Life Science. 2008. 18 (7):1005-1010; J. Ethnopharmacol. 2000. 72:129-133). According to the mechanism thereof, an α-glucosidase inhibitor interferes with sugar uptake in the small intestine without acting on the secretion of insulin, thereby minimizing side-effects of conventional drugs, such as hypoglycemia, hepatotoxicity, beta cell hypofunction, etc. (European Journal of Pharmacology. 2009. 615:252-256; Journal of Life Science. 2008. 18 (7):1005-1010; Food Chem. 2008. 108:965-972).
Widely used as α-glucosidase inhibitors in clinics are acarbose and voglibose. Particularly, acarbose is known to have a useful anti-diabetic effect by suppressing glucose uptake in the small intestine (Eur J Clin Invest. 1994 August, 24 Suppl 3:3-10), but may produce gastroenteric troubles such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. as well as side effects, such as gas, diarrhea, and constipation, caused by the degradation of undigested disaccharides by bacteria in the large intestine (World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Oct. 21. 14 (39):6087-92). In contrast, complete inhibition of α-glucosidase remarkably reduces glucose uptake, causing hypoglycemia and the use of α-glucosidase initiators is thus followed by problems (Mol Cell Biochem. 1998 May, 182 (1-2):101-8). Therefore, there is still continuation of a need for the development of a novel α-glucosidase that can reduce such side effects and exert the effect of suppressing post-meal blood sugar elevation.
Skeletal muscle has the principal role of relaxing and contracting muscles. In this regard, calcium ions in the cytoplasm of skeletal muscle cells act as a core secondary transmitter in the contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscle. Calcium ions play an important extra- and intracellular role in the human body and are minutely controlled to maintain proper functions thereof in various tissues. Extracellular calcium is involved in the excitation-contraction coupling of the heart and muscle and in the synaptic transmission of the nerve system as well as being a main component of the cartilage and bone. Intracellular calcium is maintained at a concentration 10,000-fold lower than that of extracellular calcium, playing a key role as a signal transmitter in cell division, muscular contraction, cell migration, membrane transmission, and secretion (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010. 5 Suppl 1:S23-30; Nephro Physiol. 2011. 118:22-7; Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol. 2003.4:517-29).
The concentration of intracellular free calcium ions is much lower than that of extracellular fluid upon stability, but the depolarization of a myocyte membrane in response to nerve stimulation causes the influx or release of calcium ions into the cytoplasm from extracellular fluid or an intracellular calcium reservoir. When the intracellular calcium concentration reaches a certain level, muscle contraction occurs. Particularly, skeletal muscle contraction persists even upon removal of calcium outside myocytes. Hence, muscles are known as an important intracellular calcium reservoir (Annul. Rev. Physiol. 1976. 38:293-313; Physio. Rev. 1977. 71-108).
Also, an elevated intracellular calcium level is known to induce mitochondrial respiration and ATP production (Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2004. 287:817-833; Biochemistry. 2013. 52:2793-2809). When muscles are given a stimulus, SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum) Ca2+ pumps (SERCA, a calcium pump present on the surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum moves calcium ions from the cytosol of the cell to the lumen of the SR to control the homeostasis of intracellular calcium ion concentrations) act to transfer calcium ions to the SR to form actin-myosin bonds, resulting in muscle contraction. After muscle contraction, calcium ions return back to the original position (extracellular space through SR) by active transport at an expense of ATP which binds to myosin to cleave the actin-myosin bond, allowing muscle relaxation.
The ATP necessary for the active transport is generated through three metabolic energy pathways including the phosphagen system, glycolysis, and the aerobic system. Particularly, an increase in glucagon release is most important for producing needed glucose during exercise (J Clin Invest. 1984. 74 (4):1404-13). It is reported that exercise increases the number of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expressed in cell membranes and the concentration of GLUT4 in cell tissues (JAMA. 1991. 266:1535-42; J Clin invest. 1979. 64:1011-15; Am J Physiol. 1987. 252:E170-175), which supports the opinion that an increase in the glucose uptake of muscles during exercise promotes the regeneration of ATP, increasing the rate of glucose transport.
In addition, glycogen depletion in the muscle and the liver during exercise is a main cause of fatigue and ATP in skeletal muscles is an immediately usable energy source generated in mitochondria upon muscular contraction. Therefore, a glycogen content in skeletal muscles or an ATP content in muscles, measured by using cell experiments or liver or muscle tissues of experimental animals, is used as a biomarker in the functionality evaluation for exercise performance capacity (Guideline of functionality evaluation for health functional food, 2016, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety).
The present disclosure discloses the novel material HdP isolated and identified from Ishige okamurae and its anti-diabetic activity and activity of enhancing exercise performance.

Compound hexadecaphlorethol isolated from

Jeju National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation


A method of providing 911 service to a private branch exchange, includes grouping a plurality of private telephone numbers into a set. An outgoing telephone line for a 911 call is assigned to the set. Location information for the outgoing telephone line is input into a location database.

A Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) uses an automatic location identification (ALI) information provided with the automatic number identification (ANI) to determine the location of a 911 telephone call. Unfortunately, when a 911 call is placed from a business having a PBX (Private Branch Exchange), the PSAP only receives the billing address of the business. For large businesses having multiple locations, this does not provide any useful information. Some PBX providers allow the owners to enter in correct location information for all their lines. Unfortunately, this is time consuming and therefor rarely is done.
Thus there exists a need for a method of providing 911 service to a private telephone numbering system that is easy to setup.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of providing 911 service to a private branch exchange


One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a read head for a data storage device including a differential sensor for reading data from a data storage medium. The differential sensor includes a first and a second free layer. The magnetization of the free layers is anti-parallel. The read head also includes a first stabilization material disposed adjacent to the differential sensor. The first stabilization material includes a first hard magnet and a second hard magnet. The magnetization of the hard magnets is anti-parallel to each other. The read head also includes a second stabilization material disposed adjacent to the differential sensor. The second stabilization material includes a first hard magnet and a second hard magnet, wherein the magnetization of the hard magnets is anti-parallel to each other. The anti-parallel coupling of the first stabilization material and the second stabilization material enhances the anti-parallel magnetization of the free layers.

Hard disk storage devices are used in many computer system operations. In fact, most computing systems are not operational without some type of hard disk drive or similar storage device to store the most basic computing information such as the boot operation, the operating system, applications, and the like.
The basic hard disk drive model includes a storage disk or hard disk that spins at a designed rotational speed. An actuator arm is utilized to reach out over the surface of the disk. The arm carries a head assembly that has a magnetic read/write transducer or head for reading/writing information to or from a location on the disk. The transducer is attached to a slider, such as an air-bearing slider, which is supported adjacent to the data surface of the disk by a cushion of air generated by the rotating disk. The transducer can also be attached to a contact-recording type slider. In either case, the slider is connected to the actuator arm by means of a suspension. The complete head assembly, e.g., the suspension and head, is called a head gimbal assembly (HGA).
In operation, the hard disk is rotated at a set speed via a spindle motor assembly having a central drive hub. Additionally, there are tracks evenly spaced at known intervals across the disk. When a request for a read of a specific portion or track is received, the hard disk aligns the head, via the arm, over the specific track location and the head reads the information from the disk. In the same manner, when a request for a write of a specific portion or track is received, the hard disk aligns the head, via the arm, over the specific track location and the head writes the information to the disk.
Over the years, the disk and the head have undergone great reductions in their size. For example, the original hard disk drive had a disk diameter of 24 inches. Modern hard disk drives are much smaller and include disk diameters of less than 2.5 inches (micro drives are significantly smaller than that).
This continual reduction in size has placed steadily increasing demands on the technology used in the HGA, particularly in terms of power consumption, shock performance, and disk real estate utilization. One recent advance in technology has been the development of the Femto slider, which is roughly one-third of the size and mass of the older Pico slider, which it replaces; over the past 23 years, slider size has been reduced by a factor of five, and mass by a factor of nearly 100.
Some of the recent improvements to the head specifically have involved improving the accuracy of the sensor within the read head. One recent development in the area of the read head and sensor has been the proliferation of current perpendicular to the plane of the layers type sensors (CPP sensors). Previous sensors commonly used current in the plane of the layers instead.
In addition to the movement towards CPP sensors, it is also becoming more common to see differential sensors. Differential sensors involve two sensors, each separated by a conductive spacer (commonly made of copper). Each sensor has magnetically fixed layers and a magnetically "free" layer. The nature of the surrounding layers is such that the two free layers tend to magnetize parallel to each other. When a differential sensor reads a field from a bit, the bit is centered such that one free layer is detecting the bit's positive field and the other is detecting the negative field. The fields read by the two sensors are then summed. The advantage to differential sensors is that when a uniform field comes from the outside, any signal which is generated in both sensors is cancelled out.
New CPP sensors are not without their problems, however. In perpendicular data detection/recording, the disk typically has two layers: a recording layer and a soft under-layer. The under-layer is made of a soft material and has high permeability. Consequently, it will amplify any stray field from the outside environment. Sensors used in conjunction with shields, while proven to be insensitive to stray fields in the transverse direction, can become very sensitive to these stray fields in the longitudinal direction.

Anti-parallel magnetization layers in the free layers and magnetization layers of a differential sensor read head

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


A Pelargonium cultivar particularly distinguished by its bright, rich red flower color and semi-double flowers is disclosed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium, botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum L.H. Bailey, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Amri Dered'. The new cultivar was propagated from a seedling resulting from the cross of 8691-2, a dark red-flowered, unnamed, unpatented proprietary Pelargonium line, as the female parent, and 'Rumba Fire', a scarlet-flowered Pelargonium (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,489), as the male parent.
The new cultivar was created in 2000 in Gilroy, Calif. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Gilroy, Calif. over a four year period. It has also been trialed at Gilroy, Calif., Litchfield, Mich., and Andijk, The Netherlands. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations. 'Amri Dered' reproduces true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.


A method for producing a nitride crystal, comprising growing a nitride crystal on the surface of a seed crystal put in a reactor while the temperature and the pressure inside the reactor that contains, as put thereinto, a seed crystal having a hexagonal-system crystal structure, a nitrogen-containing solvent, a starting material, and a mineralizing agent containing fluorine and at least one halogen element selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine are so controlled that the solvent therein could be in a supercritical state and/or a subcritical state to thereby grow a nitride crystal on the surface of the seed crystal in the reactor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a nitride crystal, especially to a method for producing a nitride crystal through growth of a nitride crystal according to an ammonothermal process using a mineralizing agent that contains multiple types of halogen elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ammonothermal method is a method for producing a desired material using a nitrogen-containing solvent such as ammonia or the like in a supercritical state and/or a subcritical state and utilizing the dissolution-precipitation reaction of the starting material therein. In the method, when applied to crystal growth, a supersaturation state is generated through the temperature difference based on the temperature dependence of the solubility of the starting material in the solvent such as ammonia or the like, thereby precipitating a crystal. In a hydrothermal method similar to the ammonothermal method, water in a supercritical and/or subcritical state is used as the solvent for crystal growth, and the method is applied mainly to a crystal of oxide such as quartz (SiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) or the like. On the other hand, the ammonothermal method is applicable to a nitride crystal, and is utilized for growth of a crystal of nitride such as gallium nitride or the like.
Gallium nitride crystal growth according to the ammonothermal method is a reaction in a supercritical solvent environment at high temperature and high pressure (500° C. or higher, 150 MPa or more), and in addition, the solubility of gallium nitride in a solvent such as pure ammonia or the like in a supercritical state is extremely low, and therefore, it is known to add an ammonium halide or the like as a mineralizing agent for the purpose of increasing the solubility and promoting the crystal growth. For example, Patent Reference 1 and Patent Reference 2 describe use of ammonium fluoride, ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide or ammonium iodide as a mineralizing agent.
On the other hand, it is known that, when gallium nitride is grown using an iodine-containing mineralizing agent or a bromine-containing mineralizing agent, then hexagonal-system gallium nitride crystals that differ in the crystal structure may tend to be formed, and it is suggested that these mineralizing agents are unsuitable to growth of useful hexagonal-system gallium nitride (Non-Patent Reference 1).


A connecting element for a mechanical joint includes a base part, and a connector part protruding from the base part. The connector part includes a protrusion portion, and a contacting portion extending from the protrusion portion to a direction of the first end of the base part such that a gap is formed between the contacting portion and the front surface of the base part and such that a bottom of the gap is formed by the protrusion portion. The contacting portion includes a front surface which is parallel to the portion of the front surface of the base part in the area of the gap and a back surface facing toward the front surface of the base part.

Many kinds of mechanical joints are known in the prior art. Most of the known mechanical joints require either using tools for making the mechanical joint or the mechanical joint is such that it locks the joints by wedging the members forming the mechanical joint so that uncoupling the mechanical joint is impossible or if possible then not without breaking the mechanical joint so that it cannot be formed again using the same members.

Connecting element, a mechanical joint and use of two connecting elements in a mechanical joint


A method for managing unlinkable database user identifiers includes distributing to a first database a first encrypted user identifier, a first database identifier, and a first database user identifier; distributing to a second database a second encrypted user identifier, a second database identifier, and a second database user identifier; receiving from the first database a third encryption and a fourth encryption, the third encryption being formed from the first encrypted user identifier, the second database identifier, and a message comprised in the fourth encryption; decrypting the third encryption thereby obtaining a decrypted value; deriving a blinded user identifier from the decrypted value; and sending the encrypted blinded user identifier and the fourth encrypted value to the second server thereby enabling the second server to compute the second database user identifier from the encrypted blinded database user identifier and the decrypted fourth encrypted value.

The invention relates generally to a method for managing unlinkable identifiers for controlled privacy-friendly data exchange. The invention relates further to a related system for managing unlinkable identifiers for controlled privacy-friendly data exchange, a computing system, a data processing program, and a computer program product.
When large-scale personal data is collected in a distributed environment there are basically two main paradigms on how the data is maintained across the different domains. Either (i) each server knows the user under the local identifier and there exists a central authority that knows the mapping between them or, (ii) the user has a globally unique identifier that is used by all servers. Both approaches have different pros and cons in terms of data control and privacy, with privacy being one of the most challenged attributes in global data collection activities.
One main advantage of the first approach is the unlinkability of the individual data records held by the different servers. The individual identifiers are created by a trusted authority such that they cannot be linked by the servers alone but only through the central authority. Thus, as long as this central authority is trusted, there is no unique process that allows to easily link different pieces of the data together when they get stolen, leaked or are maintained by corrupted servers.
Another positive aspect is a strong controllability as every request to exchange or link user data has to be processed by the central authority who then translates the local identifiers from one domain to another. Thus, the trusted authority has full control and overview of the data exchange that is performed in the entire system.
However, the latter is also the main disadvantage of this first approach, as it introduces a powerful entity that learns how data requests, and in particular for which users of those requests are made. This can create a new and extensive pool of sensitive user data, which again needs to be protected accordingly. Thus, while the first approach provides good control over the data exchange, it is clearly not satisfactory in terms of privacy.
The second approach of providing every user with a globally used unique identifier is obviously a solution to the privacy problem imposed by the powerful central authority. Namely, due to the global identifier, linking and exchanging data becomes trivial among the individuals servers, i.e., there is no need of a central authority anymore that will run data requests. However, this approach comes for the price of losing the controllability of the performed data exchanges. Moreover, potentially data breaches of the servers become much more critical as the monetary value of the data increases. That is, having a globally unique identifier makes stealing the data more lucrative and the impact of data losses becomes more severe, which is a security and privacy threat as well.
A couple of ideas have been published to secure data privacy. US 20130097086A1 discloses, for example, a system for securing patient medical information for communication over a potentially vulnerable system. It includes separating patients' medical files into a demographic layer and data layer, separately encrypting the demographic layer and data layer by using different encryption keys, and providing servers in a communication and processing system with a decryption key for the layer processed by such server. Medical file data may be separated into more than two layers. Users accessing the system are authenticated by using standard techniques. By separately encrypting different parts of a patient's medical record, the processing and communication of patient medical files by intermediary servers is enabled without risking disclosure of sensitive patient information if such servers are compromised.
However, there remains a need for a more secure cross-server data access to private data of individuals without the possibility to cross-identify personal data across the servers.

Managing unlinkable identifiers for controlled privacy-friendly data exchange

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A barbecue grill provided with an adapter sleeve to convert the grill to food smoker apparatus having a cylindrical sleeve equipped with handles and means to support the food grill and a water containing pan. The support means provide fixed or removable supports for incorporating a water pan in the sleeve beneath the food grill. The smoker apparatus in the sleeve being configured for easy cleaning either in place in the sleeve or removed from the sleeve.

This invention is directed to certain improvements in smoker adapters for use with barbecue grills in which such grills are readily adapted to a condition for smoking the objects initially barbecued on a grill in the presence of a pan presenting water vapor and enhancing the flavor of the smoked objects.
The prior art is best known by the examples cited in the files of the cross reference information and particularly a method and apparatus for use in converting an enclosed food cooker to a food smoker disclosed in Stewart U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,049 of Feb. 20, 1979, or disclosed in Helfing U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,462 of Jun. 15, 1982, as well as disclosed by Mentzel U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,249 of Apr. 23, 1985 and Nowicke Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,330 of Oct. 15, 1996.
The Stewart patent shows a structure that restricts the capacity of the fuel as well as the carrier for smoking food. In Helfing the apparatus requires a separate base to control the supply of air for the fire which is a gaseous fuel in relation to the provision for a rock grate and at least two food grates are provided for selective use. The problem with Helfing is that volcanic rock is required as the source of heat for cooking.
The known apparatus for barbecuing as well as food smoking requires complicated structures that call for assembly problems which, in turn, call for non-removable components that make it difficult to maintain the desired state of cleanliness.


The present invention provides a new and improved stereoscopic camera, system and network of such for acquiring stereoscopic image data and, in particular, stereoscopic images of a location or points and objects within a location. Some of the benefits of these include simultaneous left/right view acquisition, a system where the display is remote from the stereoscopic camera, stereoscopic digital zoom wherein a subset of pixels is displayed, pan-tilt-zoom choice of the displayed image, interactive adjustment of images, and a network of stereoscopic cameras with a common image processing unit. The invention is capable of producing high resolution, real-time stereoscopic image data while avoiding or mitigating the deleterious effects of spurious parallax.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to methods for stereoscopic imaging and, more specifically, to a device that acquires stereoscopic images.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of stereoscopy, in which the user sees left- and right-eye views and forms a three dimensional image through stereopsis, is common in many areas of science, medicine and entertainment. The use of a binocular to provide a magnified stereoscopic image of distant objects to a user's eyes is also common. Binoculars are used for observation, surveillance, and many other purposes.
The optical image generated by a binocular is typically viewed through eyepieces. However, the use of eyepieces in binocular systems is often problematic. Furthermore, only one observer at a time can view images generated by the binocular and the observer can no longer see what is happening in the surrounding environment. In addition, a binocular, as such, cannot store images or sequences of images for later playback, process them in special ways, or transmit them to remote viewing sites. There are also situations in which it is desirable to remotely view or record a stereoscopic image of a location without involving a person to take the image.
Therefore, it is often desirable to use electronic imaging to acquire images of a location, either for direct, real-time observing or for recording Electronic imaging is a preferred method of the television broadcasting, video and movie industries as well. The use of cameras and electronic displays to acquire images is well known in the art, including the use of two cameras and a 3D display to give a stereoscopic image.
However the two-camera systems have many disadvantages. Obtaining and maintaining stereoscopic alignment (necessary for comfortable, long-term viewing) can be very difficult when two independent cameras are mounted on or comprise a binocular. The cameras generally protrude from the general body of the device and are often mounted in a way that is fragile and prone to breakage. Protruding cameras can also interfere with other apparatuses in the workspace, limiting possible usage configurations. The two-camera systems have generally double the binocular and camera knobs and controls, resulting in an unwieldy device difficult to operate by a single user. Dual camera systems generally require numerous mounting parts, resulting in less reliability and more cost than a single, integrated camera.
There are also problems with mounting and connecting the cameras to displays or storage media. The use of two cameras requires multiple cables and connectors, resulting in less reliability and more difficult installation than a single cable/connector arrangement of the present invention. The two-camera system also typically requires two camera control units (CCUs) and two storage devices, and requires that they be synchronized for best image quality. This significantly increases the cost of the system.
In addition, such cameras do not allow precise positioning of the imaging sensors to each other for best stereopsis and comfortable viewing, particularly when two off-the-shelf cameras are used. Cameras which are wide cannot be easily positioned side-by-side with close spacing. The cameras must be individually focused after mounting, and, should adjustments such as brightness and contrast be needed, each camera must be controlled individually. Where the cameras contain irises, they must also be individually adjusted for each camera, resulting in the potential for unequal amounts of light entering each camera, which can lead to difficult 3D viewing and eyestrain. All these factors indicate that using such a system requires skill and can be very time-consuming.
Image processing is also problematic in such systems. The cameras must be electronically linked in some way so that the two image streams are synchronized, creating additional cost and complexity. Even if the data streams are synchronized, generally the shutters are not perfectly synchronized such that the nth pixel from one view was not captured at the same time as the nth pixel from the other view, causing moving objects to show spurious parallax when displayed. Furthermore, the images acquired by the two cameras are generally taken directly to the 3D display device. Therefore, should the user require image processing, storage, transmission, or display on alternative displays, additional processing units are required, creating additional cost and complexity.
The cameras used in such two-camera systems also usually conform to the NTSC or PAL video standard, both of which suffer from low resolution, poor color fidelity, and motion artifacts (due to the interlaced nature of the raster scan). Recording and editing recorded content is also problematic with the two-camera system. Recorders don't generally start and end synchronously, so the two tapes or files must somehow be synchronized, resulting in additional effort and expense. Editing may need to be performed twice—once to each file or tape.
Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,418,993; 4,583,117; 4,879,596; 4,881,122; 5,164,827; 5,438,386; 6,157,337, and 6,512,892.
However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: the device or system creates two independent output signals; is not compact; does not provide sufficient image processing, recording, or transmission capability; does not have adequate resolution in real-time for many applications; is cumbersome or is not easily operated by a single user; is large and expensive; more than one operator is generally needed to properly control all of the required functions in order to provide good images; it is difficult to synchronize two separate cameras to the pixel level; two recording devices or image-capturing paths are required, resulting in additional complexity and cost in acquiring and recording the images and editing them as is often desirable; accessory image/data recording systems have a required start-up time prior to recording; uses significant power, requiring large batteries for mobile applications and emitting significant heat that could disturb sensitive environments; is more fragile than a single camera; or does not perform well if either or both of the cameras uses automatic focusing, automatic exposure control or image stabilization control, because such systems or devices heretofore have not been synchronized for the two views from the two cameras;
Therefore, the use of binocular systems containing electronic cameras, recording devices and display therefore solves some of the eyepiece problems but creates new ones, essentially making them impractical for routine use.


There are provided a plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method which are suitable for processing a processed substance using a gas plasma containing fluorine atoms.. Structural materials used for a high vacuum processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus are aluminum, aluminum having an anodic oxide coating processed surface and a material having a film of aluminum oxide or a film having aluminum oxide as a main component. A part or the whole of the inner surfaces of the processing chamber is constructed with a pre-fluorinated material.. When plasma processing of a processed substance is performed using a gas plasma containing fluorine atoms in the processing chamber having the pre-fluorinated inner surfaces, time-varying processing characteristic can be suppressed.

The present invention relates to a plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method for processing a processed substance utilizing plasma produced by a plasma etching apparatus, a plasma chemical vapor deposition apparatus or the like.
In this specification, the term "aluminum material" means pure aluminum and aluminum alloys.
Since high corrosive gases such as chlorine gas and the like are used in a vacuum processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus such as a plasma etching apparatus, a plasma chemical vapor deposition apparatus or the like, the vacuum processing chamber has been made of a highly corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel, quartz glass, aluminum oxide ceramic and so on. An apparatus of this kind is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.62-103379.
In a case of employing a stainless steel for a vacuum processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, the stainless steel itself releases its composite elements of Fe, Ni, Co and so on by impact of charged particles in a plasma. Therefore, in a semiconductor device manufacturing process, there has been a problem of heavy metal contamination.
On the other hand, the problem of heavy metal contamination can be solved by using a quartz glass cover, but the processing characteristic is sometimes changed because temperature of the quartz glass cover is increased over time by impact and thermal radiation of the plasma. In such a case, it is effective to heat or to cool the quartz glass cover using some means, but in most cases there are structural and technological difficulties because the quartz glass is exposed to vacuum and plasma in the plasma processing apparatus.
There is an aluminum material as a material which does not have the problem of heavy metal contamination and has better workability including heating or cooling. However, in this case, there is a problem in that the aluminum material does not have corrosion resistance against a gas plasma containing chlorine atoms or bromine atoms used in a plasma processing apparatus. For a countermeasure of the problem, a method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.62-103379 where a highly corrosion resistant film made of Al203, AlC, TiN, TiC, AlN or the like is formed on the surface of an aluminum material structure through some means.
However, in a plasma processing apparatus using a gas containing fluorine atoms, no countermeasure has been taken against time-varying processing characteristic due to fluorination of the material itself composing the processing chamber.

Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method in which a part of the processing chamber is formed using a pre-fluorinated material of aluminum


An integrated circuit including a wafer having a GaAs substrate, an un-doped GaAs layer, and a GaAs active layer. This active layer may have an HEMT structure to improve its operation speed. Also, the substrate may a multi-layer structure to form a three dimensional capacitor. At least one mesa portion is formed on the substrate by removing a portion of the un-doped GaAs layer and GaAs active layer. A source electrode, for example, is formed on the mesa portion, and a ground electrode is formed on an exposed surface of the substrate. These electrodes are connected to each other by means of a wiring metal layer. As a result, the source electrode is easily grounded without using a long bonding wire.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the integration of compound semiconductor devices. In particular, the invention relates to a compound semiconductor integrated circuit, in which HEMT-ICs or super high frequency analog ICs are incorporated, and the fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, a compound semiconductor FET made of GaAs is drawing attention due to its higher electron mobility than that of Si. In addition, an FET device, called HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor), which has a hetero-junction between an AlGaAs layer and a GaAs layer, has been developed. In this device, electrons around the interface between said layers are used as carriers. On comparing this device with a GaAs FET, it has better high-frequency response, lower noise generation rate, and higher output capacity than those of the GaAs FET.
In FIG. 5, the sectional structure of an HEMT is shown according to a prior art of this invention. As shown in this figure, this device is comprised of the following: a semi-insulative GaAs substrate 51; a buffer layer 52 which is formed about a few .mu.m thick on said substrate 51 and has a high resistivity; a un-doped GaAs layer 53, having about 0.2 to 0.3 .mu.m, in which very little impurity is contained; an n type Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As (x=0.3) layer 54 formed on said layer 53; an n+ type GaAs layer 55 formed on said layer 54; a source electrode 56 formed on said layer 55; a drain electrode 57 formed on said layer 55; and a gate electrode 58 formed on said layer 54. In this device, said layer 55 is formed in order to make good contact between layer 54 and electrode 56 or 57. Gate electrode 58 is formed as follows. At first, electrodes 56 and 57 are formed on n+ type GaAs layer 55. Then, a part of layer 55 is recess-etched to expose a surface part of layer 54. An electrode material is then adhered to this exposed area so as to form gate electrode 58.
In said prior art HEMT, said electrodes are bonded by wire to form a super high-frequency device. In this case, especially, the bonding wire for connecting a source electrode with a source pad must be made as short as possible. Otherwise, the source inductance will increase, and the high-frequency characteristics will be deteriorated.
Integration techniques of said devices have also been investigated. In one technique, a hole is formed on substrate 51 in such a way that source electrode 56 is grounded by connecting it with the back surface electrode through said hole. This technique is called "beer hall technique" and can reduce the source inductance. However, substrate 51 is easy to break because it has already been scraped into less than 100 .mu.m thickness. In order to realize said technique, substrate 51 must undergo anisotropic dry etching to remove said 100 .mu.m thickness. Plate 51 is so thin that the execution of this etching is difficult. Thus, the beer hall technique is very difficult to realize.
On the contrary, if source electrode 51 is connected with a source pad by a wire in a usual way, the source inductance increases, thus resulting in the deterioration of the high-frequency characteristics.
As described above, in the prior art compound semiconductor integrated circuit (IC), the reduction of source inductance is essential in order to incorporate an HEMT into an IC. However, the beer hall technique, in which a deep hole is formed through the substrate from the back surface, is very difficult to realize in an actual fabrication process.
On the other hand, in the case of a prior art GaAs analog IC (MMIC), a self by-pass method is often adopted, the method in which a large capacity, ex., 100 pF, of bypass condenser is used. To realize this method, a large capacity chip condenser is connected to the IC from outside. On the other hand, in order to integrate said bypass condenser, an MIM capacitor has been developed.
The MIM capacitor is constructed as follows. On a first metal layer made of Ti, Pt, or Au, a CVD film of about 2000 .ANG. thickness is formed. This film is made of p-type SiN and has dielectric constant 7. Then, a second metal layer is deposited on the CVD film.
FIG. 6 shows the circuit structure of a GaAs analog IC, in which said MIM capacitor is incorporated. In this figure, the gate electrode of a GaAs FET 61 is connected to an input 62, and its drain electrode is connected to an output 63. In addition, the source electrode of GaAs FET 61 is connected to the ground through a resistor 64. A bypass pass condenser 65 is inserted between the source electrode of GaAs FET 61 and the ground. The same resistor 64 is also inserted between the gate electrode of GaAs FET 61 and the ground.
In actuality, said condenser 65 is not required to have a capacity value precisely. However, it must have a large capacity. In order to realize such a large value, a device having a relatively large chip size is required.
To reduce the chip size, the p-SiN film may be formed as a thin film to increase the dielectric constant, and therefore, the capacitance. In this case, however, the first and second metal layers easily causes shorts, thus lowering the yield of devices.

Compound semiconductor integrated circuit having improved electrode bonding arrangements


In a time division multiple access spacecraft communication system, each ground station determines when to send its information packets to arrive at the spacecraft at the beginning of a time slot. The calculation is based upon knowledge of the location of the spacecraft. A master ground station determines the location of the spacecraft by the use of the propagation delays between the various ground stations (including itself) and the spacecraft, together with knowledge of the locations of the ground stations. The spacecraft location is then transmitted back to the various ground stations. The determination of propagation delay by each ground station is performed in two major steps. The first step determines coarse time delay to within one bit interval by repeatedly transmitting a multibit unique word to the spacecraft, and counting bits until the next unique word is received from the spacecraft. To determine fine propagation delay, a high-frequency clock signal is counted from the time of transmission of each bit edge until the reception of the next bit edge. The sum of the coarse and fine delays, together with a plurality of frame intervals, establishes the range to the spacecraft.

Communication channels on spacecraft or satellites may be dedicated for use between particular ground stations, in which case transmissions may take place continuously from one of the stations to the other. Bidirectional transmissions may take place if some means is provided for separating the signals, such as frequency-division multiple access. When multiple ground stations use the same spacecraft channel for communications among themselves, some arrangement must be provided for preventing simultaneous transmission of two or more signals through the same spacecraft channel, because such signals may interact or interfere in the channel, so that information is lost. In one prior-art approach, each transmission must be terminated before the next one is transmitted through the channel. This mode of use is known as time-division multiple access, or TDMA. In contrast, a random access scheme known as "ALOHA" allows each ground station to transmit packets at random times in a mode which probablistically may be in contention with other stations, with the result that, when there are many users of the channel, many of the transmitted packets interfere. Aloha provides a rescheduling protocol which enhances the likelihood that later transmissions will traverse the channel without interference. One such Aloha system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,599, issued May 17, 1988 in the name of Raychaudhuri. The Aloha type systems suffer from the disadvantage that utilization of the spacecraft channel is essentially wasted during the time in which it processes signals which interfere. It should be noted that a spacecraft channel may partially overlap the frequency or frequencies of adjacent channels in "frequency re-use" operation.
The utilization time of a spacecraft channel may be improved by synchronizing the transmissions from the various ground stations in such a manner that each packet arrives at the spacecraft at the beginning of one of a plurality of sequential "slot" intervals. Each slot interval is equal in time duration to the packet interval, so that a stream of packets arriving at the spacecraft from different ground stations, with each packet arriving at the time of the beginning of a different slot interval, will traverse the spacecraft channel in a continuous sequence, without times in which the spacecraft channel is unutilized, and without interference by one packet with the signal of two adjacent time-sequential packets. This improves the utilization of the channel, but is difficult to implement because each ground station is at a different distance from the spacecraft, and therefore signals from each ground station have different propagation times to the spacecraft. In addition, because the spacecraft moves relative to the ground stations, the propagation delays change with time. Some TDMA schemes provide a slot which is longer than the duration of a data packet, so that slight timing errors do not cause a mistimed data packet to interfere with the communication in an adjacent time slot. Such "guard times," however, reduce the throughput of the channel in proportion to their length, and it is therefore desirable to minimize the guard time. Known methods for reducing required guard time intervals generally consume spacecraft power and bandwidth in proportion to the number of active ground stations in a network so that cost in terms of data-carrying capacity becomes significant in large networks. An improved method for synchronization control of a communications spacecraft channel is desired.

Method and apparatus for TDMA slot synchronization with precision ranging


A lubricating system for a power unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. A static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission is disposed on a left lateral side of a crankshaft, and a lubricating oil tank is formed integrally with a main body of the internal combustion engine and is disposed on a right lateral side opposite to the side of the transmission, with the crankshaft therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lubricating system in a power unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine by which the power of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft directed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is transmitted to wheels through a static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known a lubricating system for a power unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine in which a static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission comprised of a swash plate type oil hydraulic pump and a swash plate type oil hydraulic motor is incorporated integrally with an internal combustion engine, wherein a lubricating oil tank is integrally mounted to the front surface of a case of the power unit. The lubricating oil flowing down to a bottom portion of the space inside the power unit is sucked up by a recovery pump, and is charged into the lubricating oil tank. The lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank is supplied to the portions to be lubricated of the internal combustion engine and to the static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission by a supply pump. An example of such a lubricating system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-343060.
In the above-mentioned lubricating system for the power unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the lubricating oil tank is separate from the power unit and is integrally mounted to the outside surface of the power unit. Therefore, the number of component parts is increased, which also increases costs.
In addition, since the static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission is relatively large in weight and is disposed on either one of the left and right sides of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, in order to establish the proper balance between the left side and the right side of the vehicle body it has been necessary to take into account the conditions of arrangement of various shafts in the power unit and the conditions of arrangement of various component parts.
The present invention pertains to a lubricating system for a power unit for vehicle with internal combustion engine, and has been made for solving the problems in the above-mentioned prior art.

Lubricating system for power unit for vehicle with internal combustion engine


A vehicle roof bow assembly includes a roof bow member and a pair of telescoping mounting brackets. The roof bow member is configured to extend in a lateral side-to-side direction along an underside of a vehicle roof panel. The telescoping mounting brackets each have a first end and a second end with the first end having a side rail attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to a first vehicle roof side rail and a roof panel attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to the vehicle roof panel and the second end being attached to the roof bow member. The telescoping mounting brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the roof bow member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure that includes a roof bow assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle body structure that includes a plurality of roof bow assemblies that adjust to differing lengths for use in different locations with the body structure.
2. Background Information
In both unibody and frame construction, vehicle manufacturers design and manufacture unique parts for each of the elements used in the assembly of a vehicle body structure. For example, in a utility van design where the roof panel has a curved or contoured shape, several uniquely dimensioned roof bows are required to support and secure the roof panel. More specifically, where several roof bows are required in the roof panel design, each roof bow can have a different dimension and angular orientation. The design and manufacture of these differing roof bows is costly, requires increased inventory cataloguing and increased storage space to store such additional body elements near the assembly line.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved roof bow design that solves these problems. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.


In one embodiment, a cell balancing system includes a first controller for controlling cell balancing of a first set of cells coupled in series, and a second controller for controlling cell balancing of a second set of cells coupled in series. There is at least one common cell in the first set of cells and the second set of cells.

A conventional cell balancing system for balancing multiple sets of cells has multiple modules for balancing the cells, and an extra single-chip microcomputer for controlling all the modules. The single-chip microcomputer reads information for all the cell voltages from the modules and controls the modules for balancing the cells. Such a cell balancing system is costly. In addition, such a cell balancing system needs an abundance of code and complicated process operation.

Cell balancing systems with multiple controllers


Radiopharmaceuticals for imaging myocardial tissues are prepared by forming lipophilic, cationic complexes of radioactive metal ions with metal chelating ligands comprising the Schiff base adducts of triamines and tetraamines with optionally substituted salicylaldehydes. The lipophilic, cationic, radioactive complexes of the invention exhibit high uptake and retention in myocardial tissues. Preferred gallium-68(III) complexes in accordance with this invention can be used to image the heart using positron emission tomography.

The use of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging has evolved significantly over the last decade. There has been a substantial research and development effort directed not only to identification and development of radiopharmaceutical agents themselves, but as well to the development of the electronics hardware used for detecting and displaying radiotracer images of targeted organs/tissue. While tissue imaging techniques have been developed utilizing a wide variety of radioactive elements, those that have received most attention are radiopharmaceuticals formed with gamma or positron emitting radionuclides. The use of positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals has been of particular research interest. Indeed, positron emission tomography ("PET") has been shown to be a most powerful medical imaging technique that can quantitatively map the spatial distribution of positron-emitting nuclides inside the living body. Currently, PET imaging studies of regional perfusion in the brain and heart have found applications both in biomedical research and in clinical practice. In studies of the heart with PET, assessment of myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve after exercise or pharmacologic coronary vasodilation has been useful both diagnostically and for research evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease.
The clinical applications of PET and other radiotracer imaging techniques have been limited both by the availability of the required radionuclides and by the inherent biodistribution properties of radiopharmaceutical agents. Thus, for example, high definition imaging of heart tissue requires not only efficient myocardial uptake of the radiopharmaceutical agent but, as well, retention of the radioactivity in the targeted issue. The ideal radiopharmaceutical agent exhibits a biodistribution pattern which will provide higher concentrations of the radiopharmaceutical in the targeted tissue relative to the blood levels and relative to radiopharmaceutical concentration in adjacent non-targeted tissues. Thus, the significant properties of radiopharmaceuticals designed for imaging the heart are high myocardial tissue uptake, good heart/blood ratios, and prolonged retention of the radiopharmaceutical concentrations in the myocardial tissues relative to that in the blood and of other tissues/organs in the thoracic cavity.
It is one object of this invention to provide metal chelating ligand intermediates for the production of radiopharmaceuticals uniquely adapted for myocardial imaging.
It is another object of this invention to provide lipophilic, cationic, radioactive metal complexes for radiotracer imaging of the heart.
Still another, more specific embodiment of this invention is the preparation and use of positron emitting, lipophilic, cationic complexes for myocardial imaging.
Those and other embodiments of this invention are achieved by use of bis(salicylaldimine) type ligands derived from linear triamines or tetraamines. The novel ligands are used to prepare physiologically stable, lipophilic, cationic complexes with radioactive metal ions (M.sup.+i, i.gtoreq.3) which complexes exhibits biodistribution characteristics favorable for myocardial tissue imaging. The ligand complexing radioactive metal ions can be gamma emitters or more preferably, positron emitters, including most preferably gallium or indium positron-emitting radionuclides. The cationic complexes in accordance with this invention exhibit kinetic inertness toward exchange with the plasma protein transferrin and are stable in aqueous solutions at physcological pH.
Following intravenous injection the radioactive cationic complexes in accordance with this invention exhibit significant uptake into myocardial tissues. The rapid myocardial uptake is followed by prolonged mycocardial retention relative to blood and other proximal tissues, allowing delayed imaging as well as prolonged image acquisition. Preferred radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with this invention are positron emitting gallium-68 cationic complexes which, when used in conjunction with a .sup.68 Ge/.sup.68 Ga parent/daughter radionuclide generator system, will allow PET imaging studies of the heart, avoiding the expense associated with operation of an in-house cyclotron for radionuclide production.

Radiopharmaceuticals for imaging the heart


A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

This invention relates to liquid administration and more specifically, it is concerned with a liquid flow set useful for administering liquids to a patient through a flexible tube.
Systems for administration of liquids to a patient are widely known. However, a variety of different pumps are available for propelling a liquid to a patient, which may differ, among others, by construction and safety of use.
Flow sets for use with a liquid pump must be attentively designed for safe use. A dedicated tube-segment of the tube must be installed in the pump and the tube should be installed in the right place, and tightened, straightened and stretched. The flow set should be full with liquid before using it and should remain full as long as it is in use, to prevent air injections into the patient. Moreover, the pumping tube-segment should be replaced with other tube-segments when it loses flexibility.
Further, for patient safety, the pump should be able to identify and verify that an appropriate flow set has been installed therein for use.
The present invention is concerned with a liquid flow set that includes a number of safety features, and a method for identifying the flow set by the liquid pump in which it is used.

Method of identifying a flow set for use with a pump


An imaging method using shear waves for observing a viscoelastic medium, comprising:                several successive excitation steps j during which elastic shear waves are generated respectively at different excitation loci (Lj) in the viscoelastic medium by an imaging device, the different excitation loci being separated from one another by a maximum distance Dm,        an imaging step corresponding to each excitation step j, in which a set j of successive raw images Imj(tk) of the viscoelastic medium at times tk are determined during propagation of the shear wave, the raw images having a resolution R which is larger than the maximum distance Dm,        an averaging step in which raw images Imj(tk) corresponding to the same relative time tk are averaged to determine an average image Im′(tk).

More particularly, the invention relates to an imaging method using shear waves for observing a viscoelastic medium, comprising:                an excitation steps j during which elastic shear waves are generated at an excitation locus in the viscoelastic medium by an imaging device,        an imaging step in which a set of successive images of the viscoelastic medium are determined by said imaging device during propagation of the shear wave in said viscoelastic medium.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,004 describes an example of such a method, in which the successive images, constituting a motion picture of the propagation of the shear wave, are used to map the viscoelastic medium, by calculating at least one propagation parameter of the shear wave at one or several points in the viscoelastic medium.
Although this known method gives particularly good results, e.g. for spotting cancerous zones or the like, such method may produce images having a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio in certain circumstances, for instance in biological mediums having very complex structures producing high attenuation and diffraction (e.g. animal muscle when the shear waves are propagated transversely to muscle fibers).

Imaging method and apparatus using shear waves

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)


A connector coupling structure includes first and second connectors including housings. A raised portion is formed at a front end side of an inner surface of the second connector housing. When the first and second connectors are coupled, the raised portion contacts an outer surface of the first connector housing, forming a clearance between the outer surface of the first connector housing and an inner surface portion of the second connector housing. An inner case is slidably received in one of the connector housings. A projecting portion is formed on a side of the inner case and a notching piece having a pawl is formed on the one connector housing to be releasably engageable with the projecting portion. When the terminals and terminal-inserting holes of the two connectors are connected with one another, the inner case slides so that the engagement of the pawl and the projecting portion is released.

1. Field of the Invention
Devices, systems, and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a connector coupling structure for coupling connectors which are used to connect a wire harness with accessories, such as audio equipment and vehicular meters, of an automotive vehicle and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional example of a connector coupling structure, in which audio equipment is mounted on an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle, a wire harness extends from a power supply to the panel, and the distal end of the wire harness is connected to a female connector, which in turn is coupled to a male connector provided on the back side of the audio equipment. A coupling operation of the male connector and the female connector is carried out at a back side of the instrument panel. After a completion of the coupling operation, the next operation, i.e., securing the audio equipment to the instrument panel is carried out. As described, such a conventional structure inevitably involves a two-step operation, and therefore, working efficiency is decreased. Moreover, a problem arises in which the wire harness has a slack due to a margin of the length thereof after installation of the audio equipment whereby abnormal noise is produced.
Therefore, structures have been developed in which positional deviation between a male connector and a female connector is absorbed by the connectors themselves in order to increase assemble-ability thereof and to realize an easy and reliable connection between the connectors. One of the structures is formed of a female connector and a male connector. The female connector consists of a housing, a guide for enabling the housing to slide, a first columnar projection provided on the guide, and a second columnar projection provided on the housing. The male connector consists of a housing for the male connector, a lever, terminals for the female connector and terminals for the male connector, both provided on the housing for the male connector, and a guidance groove for guiding the first columnar projection and the second columnar projection. Both housings are coupled by treating the first columnar projection inside the guidance groove as a point of action, by treating the second columnar projection as a power point, and by moving the housing for the female connector in a connection direction with respect to the male connector (see Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. 2000-215944 (page 4, FIG. 3)).
The above official publication discloses a male connector which is provided with two U-shaped levers disposed symmetrically with respect to one another, each lever consists of plate portions extending parallel with one another, the plate portions of the each lever are coupled to an upper surface and a lower surface of the male connector at one end side of each of the plate portions and are connected to one another at the opposite end side of the plate portions. With lever grooves formed on each lever along which the first columnar projection and the second columnar projection are guided, both connectors are coupled to one another. The levers which function as a cam are structurally important. In the conventional structure, such a cam or levers are essential parts, and therefore, there become a number of parts to be assembled, thus resulting in increased cost of production. Further, another problem arises in which the degree of freedom in design of modules is low, since such a cam or levers are substantially large.


A memory controller includes a bus driver that allows the controller to support both a semiconductor memory device supporting a low power double data rate 3 (LPDDR3) transmission method and a semiconductor memory device supporting a low power double data rate 4 (LPDDR4) transmission method.

Exemplary embodiments in accordance with principles of inventive concepts relate to memory controllers, and more particularly, to memory controllers including a driver, also referred to herein as a line driver, capable of selectively supporting a low power double data rate (LPDDR) transmission method.
Bandwidths of mobile memory devices applied to smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), ultra books, etc. have rapidly increased due to use of high-performance memory devices and multi-core application processors.
To maintain pace with these developments, mobile memory devices have been developed to support an LPDDR3 transmission method using VDDQ-TERM signaling, and an LPDDR4 transmission method using VSSQ-TERM signaling. Employing
However, with a plurality of standards in use and with different signaling methods employed, memory devices that support one standard may not be used in an application that requires support for another standard.

Driver and memory controller having the same


Methods and devices for streamlining phase and amplitude calibration and linearization in RF transceiver circuits including a plurality of switchable transmit and receive processing paths is presented. According to one aspect, switchable feedback paths are provided that can selectively feedback a portion of a transmitted RF signal or a test RF signal for use in the calibration. According to another aspect, the switchable feedback paths include combination of switches and couplers to selectively combine feedback from one or more of the switchable feedback paths. According to another aspect, the switchable feedback paths reuse portions of the receive paths of the plurality of switchable transmit and receive processing paths. The switchable feedback paths can be used to provide a combined feedback RF signal based on one or more transmitted RF signals that can be used as a digital pre-distortion feedback for linearization of the one or more transmitted RF signals.

The advent of next-generation 5G standard for millimeter-wave cellular communication has pushed the design of hybrid multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver systems for interfacing with antenna array to provide directional signal transmission or reception. Signal processing techniques, such as beam forming or beam steering that can provide for the necessary spatial filtering, are implemented by a combination of digital and analog circuit blocks in the transceiver systems. Such transceiver systems may be based on time division duplex (TDD) mode of operation where transmission and reception are performed via a plurality of transmit paths and receive paths that operate at a same frequency but are activated at different time slots.
Performance in beam forming/steering may be dependent on accuracy by which the transceiver can generate phase and amplitude information to the many elements of the antenna array, and/or on accuracy by which the transceiver can extract phase and amplitude information from the many elements of the antenna array. Accordingly, calibration of a phase and amplitude adjustment block in the plurality of transmit and receive paths of the transceiver becomes a requirement, especially in mass production environments where wider tolerances in lower cost standard components may invariably introduce performance variation.
Some challenges associated with calibration of the transceiver include the high number of ports from/to which test signals must be read/injected, as well as the millimeter-wave nature of signals of interest. Description of some such challenges and implementation examples can be found, for example, in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,008. Furthermore, it may be desirable to reduce built-in test circuits related to the calibration, as such test circuits may not only increase a physical size of the transceiver but may also introduce undesired couplings between the different transmit and receive paths of the transceiver. Such couplings in turn may affect performance of the beam forming/steering, including in applications where (patch) elements of the antenna are fed with (horizontal and vertical) polarized RF signals.
Furthermore, requirements for higher power output from power amplifiers (PAs) used in transmit paths of transceivers that are used in, for example, base stations, may require the PAs to operate away from the power back-off condition (e.g., linear region). Accordingly, any such PAs may operate in a non-linear region (i.e., saturation) with resulting output phase and amplitude distortion that may negatively affect performance of the PA in exchange for higher output power and efficiency of the PA. Such trade-off between efficiency and linearity has been neutralized by current digital pre-distortion (DPD) schemes which may realize a linear response of a combined DPD and PA block by cascading the PA and its inverse block. As can be taken from the related references [1] and [2], which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, such DPD schemes may require a separate feedback path from the output of each PA, and therefore from each transmit path, to an input of a digital signal processor implementing the DPD functionality. It would be clear to a person skilled in the art that such feedback paths may cause the same challenges and problems associated with added circuits as described above with reference to the calibration of the phase and amplitude adjustment blocks of the transceiver.
Teachings according to the present disclosure aim to simplify complexity of transceivers used in beam forming/steering applications or other applications wherein the transceivers couple to a large number of antenna elements, thereby overcoming some of the challenges and problems associated with, for example, calibrating individual transmit and/or receive paths and/or instrumenting the transceivers for implementation of DPD schemes as described above.

Phased array transceiver with built-in transmitter linearization feedback


Vehicle is configured to supply power to outside of a vehicle. Vehicle includes an engine, a battery, a first MG configured to generate power with use of motive power of the engine, a switching unit configured to switch power supplied to outside of the vehicle between power generated by the first MG and power stored in the battery, an ECU configured to control the switching unit, and a detection unit configured to allow the ECU to determine whether or not the vehicle is located indoors. When the ECU determines that the vehicle is located indoors based on an output from the detection unit, it controls the switching unit so that the power supplied to outside of the vehicle to be switched from power generated by the first MG to power stored in the battery.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle configured to supply power to outside of the vehicle.
Description of the Background Art
There has been proposed a vehicle including a sensor for determining whether or not a vehicle is located indoors. In such a vehicle, different controls can be performed depending on either the vehicle is located indoors or outdoors. For example, an electrically-powered vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 8-228405 includes an environment detection sensor for detecting the vehicle's indoor/outdoor locations. A control unit of this vehicle drives an engine when it receives an outdoor signal from the environment detection sensor. On the other hand, the control unit stops the engine when it receives an indoor signal from the environment detection sensor. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 8-228405 discloses that the environment detection sensor includes an illuminance detector and a wind velocity detector.


A device for removing moisture from a rug or other item, such as a tent or a tarp, etc. in a short time while preventing compression of the rug or the item and the resultant crushing of fringe comprising a shaft disposed on a horizontal axis having a large diameter with a rotatable smaller diameter inner tube therein, the smaller diameter inner tube having apertures therethrough, the smaller diameter inner tube being open at both ends, the inner tube being driven to rotate, and fluid removal means connected to the larger diameter tube for removal of fluid from the device, whereby when a wet rug is loaded into the smaller diameter inner tube, and rotated the moisture in the rug is spun from the rug through the apertures into the larger diameter outer tube and the moisture is drained from the device. A wet item can be loaded from either end and the item can be unloaded from either end after the moisture has been removed.

The field of the invention pertains to rugs, such as oriental rugs and area rugs, and, in particular, to a device for removing water from large items, i.e., rugs that are wet from washing.
Compression wringers, mechanical vacuums, and drip drying on poles are techniques that can be used for rugs that are wet from washing.
For example, a wet rug is compressed or squeezed in an attempt to remove moisture from the wet rug. A vacuum can be used to vacuum moisture from the rug as the rug lays flat. The wet rug is suspended on poles to allow the moisture to drip from the rug.
A rug that is still wet is quite heavy and difficult to position on poles. Another problem is that when a wet rug is hung on poles the moisture will drip on the floor and puddle, creating additional humidity as well as potential injury problems from slipping. When a wet rug is vacuumed to remove moisture the underside remains wet and would need to be elevated for drying in order to prevent fungal growth.
Elevating a very wet rug causes unwanted, unremoved soil to gravitate (migrate) to the ends of the vertical drying rug on pole, thus creating an additional step to process the soiled/discolored fringes.
A problem with compressing or squeezing a wet rug is that when a rug is compressed the fringe is also compressed requiring time and effort to straighten the fringe. Moreover, another step of combing/detailing may be required to straighten the fringe. Additionally, the fringe can be damaged if mechanical combing is required.
A need existed for a device that allows the removal of most of the water from a large rug without crushing or compressing the rug or creating discomfort to the operator/person performing the rug cleaning services. A need existed to remove moisture form a wet rug without crushing the rug and hence crushing the fringe of the rug. There existed no dual port device for loading rolled wet rugs. There existed no 14″-20″ cylinder driven by a drive system that allows for loading a wet rolled rug.
A need existed for a device to evacuate water quickly (along with soluble soil) out at the closest exit (the pile yarn). This is in contrast to other systems that require water and soil to be squeezed through the entire rug, or water to migrate throughout the length of the rug.

Horizontal centrifugal device for moisture removal from a rug


A balloon catheter capable of delivering torque and pushing through obstructions includes a relatively weak balloon segment of a catheter and rotatable asymmetric tip. A reinforcement sleeve increases column strength and torque transmission to push the balloon and rotate the tip to facilitate passage through said obstructions. The tip is preferably asymmetric around its axis, usually being beveled, and the reinforcement slide includes a slide lock mechanism which increases shaft flexibility after balloon deployment.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to the field of medical devices, specifically to the use and structure of balloon angioplasty or dilatation catheters.
Despite being in widespread use for over 20 years and substantial development efforts, the delivery of angioplasty balloons to a target lesion in a patient's vasculature is often a challenge. During delivery, the operator often has to overcome tortuous anatomy, long and calcified lesions (especially in peripheral arteries) and tight turns. Further difficulties can arise from the need to cross previously treated lesions where restenosis has occurred.
Balloon catheters are usually delivered over a guide wire that is inserted into the vasculature and through the target lesion prior to advancement of the balloon catheter. With most balloon catheters, the operator controls advancement by pushing/pulling the catheter shaft from over the guide wire. During delivery, the operator will push the catheter shaft over the guide wire until the balloon reaches the target lesion. When encountering an obstacle, the operator can pull back and push again forcefully in the hope that the balloon catheter will overcome this obstacle. Some catheters have improved torque transmitting capabilities but these are limited and work best in short balloons.
In conventional balloon catheter constructions, at least at a distal segment of the shaft near the balloon is made from a relatively soft polymer material which is very ineffective for transmitting pushing force and torque to the catheter tip, typically relying on the stiffness of the guide wire which is often insufficient. The balloon region of a balloon catheter is made of a very thin folded balloon; it is the weakest in terms of push force and torque. The distal section of the balloon is attached to the catheter's guide wire lumen at the very distal end of the catheter, and to the catheter distal shaft (but only to the inflation lumen and not to its internal concentric guide wire lumen) on its proximal balloon taper. Therefore this segment of the catheter has inefficient structural integrity in delivering the push force to the catheter tip in attempt to overcome an obstacle.
The difficulties described above are exacerbated in catheters having long balloons, such as those used in peripheral arteries. Such balloons can reach or exceed 30 cm in length. Further difficulty arises in peripheral arteries when attempting to cross the iliac arch where wire bending may occur as the push force is not effectively transferred to the distal part of the catheter. Attempts to reinforce the catheters using metallic inner members or stiff members have failed since the catheter must be flexible in order to travel through the arteries without damaging the vessels. Other limitations to reinforcing the balloon include the need to keep a low profile (minimize the addition of new materials or layers of tubing) and the need to have short inflation/deflation times (maximizing the area of the inflation lumen to allow rapid liquid flow into the balloon during inflation and out of the balloon during deflation).
Thus, the ability of balloon catheters and especially balloon catheters with long balloons used to treat peripheral arteries (with balloon lengths up to 30 cm) to reach and cross target lesions is often limited and can prolong procedures requiring the use of excessive contrast media and radiation, both of which can be harmful to the patient.
For all of the above reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved angioplasty balloon catheters and methods for their use. In particular, it would be desirable if the balloon catheters could have improved pushability or column strength, particularly over their distal regions comprising the balloon, as well as improved torqueability, and thus be capable of being advanced through tortuous regions of the vasculature and through restricted, difficult-to-pass vascular lesions. In addition to possessing such improved column strength and torsional stiffness, it is desirable that the flexibility of the distal region of the catheter, particularly that comprising a balloon, remain sufficiently high to that the balloon remains sufficiently conformable to be delivered around tight bends and through tortuous regions of the vasculature. At least some of these objectives will be met by the inventions described below.
2. Description of the Background Art
Patents describing balloon angioplasty catheter constructions include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,491,213; 7,635,347; 7,273,470; 7,022,106; 6,030,405; and 5,827,231.

Balloon catheter with improved column strength and torque transmission