In a shift control device and a shift control method for an automatic transmission, when the shift range is switched from a non-travel range to a travel range, a squat control of temporarily forming a high-speed step that is smaller in speed change ratio than the first speed change step by engaging a first engagement element and a second engagement element, and then forming the first speed change step by releasing the second engagement element. In the case of standing-start of the vehicle in the high-speed step, the squat control is ended before the first speed change step is formed by releasing the second engagement element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a shift control device and a shift control method for an automatic transmission. Particularly, the invention relates to a shift control device and a shift control method for an automatic transmission that execute a squat control.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a known related-art shift control device of an automatic transmission of the aforementioned type that performs a squat control of forming the first speed change step after temporarily forming a speed change step other than the first speed change step so as to reduce the speed change step shifting shock when the select range is switched from the N range to a travel range (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-366066 (JP-A-4-366066)).
Another known shift control device of an automatic transmission is a device that performs a shift control of an automatic transmission as shown in FIG. 10 (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-36934 (JP-A-2005-36934)). In the case where the automatic transmission is switched from the neutral state to a state in which the second speed change step that is less in speed change ratio than the first speed change step is established, this shift control device of the automatic transmission sequentially engages a fourth clutch C4 and a third brake B3 for forming the second speed change step subsequently to the engagement of the first clutch C1 for forming the first speed change step so as to reduce the speed change step shifting shock even when the vehicle is started from the standing state in the second speed change step.
However, in the case where the squat control described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-366066 (JP-A-4-366066) is performed by the shift control device of the automatic transmission described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-36934 (JP-A-2005-36934), the switching of the automatic transmission from the neutral state to the state in which the second speed change step is established is performed by sequentially engaging the first clutch C1 and the fourth clutch C4, and engaging a second brake B2 capable of fine control of capacity, and releasing the second brake B2, and then engaging the third brake B3 capable of withstanding the torque occurring at the time of the standing-start. Therefore, the speed change step shifts from the second speed change step to the first speed change step, and then the second speed change step is formed again. Hence, there is a problem of occurrence of a speed change step shift shock.

Shift control device and ratio control method for automatic transmission


A filling device includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a dosing cylinder having a high-viscosity material arranged therein. The second component includes a workpiece carrier and a receiving carrier. The receiving carrier is moveably connected to the workpiece carrier. The movement v of the receiving carrier during the filling process is determined by both the dynamic pressure exerted by the material and by a counterforce G generated by a unit having a pressurized fluid.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a device and a method for filling, in particular, a high-viscosity material into filling containers. The device comprises a first component comprising a material container having at least one dispensing nozzle, and a second component comprising at least one carrier for receiving the filling container.
2. Prior Art
Filling is a special form of batch dosing of a recipe comprising just a single component. Filling processes are always carried out in batches, i.e. in cycles or with multiple cycle speeds. In filling technology, the actual dosing process plays a secondary role.
What distinguishes filling from dosing in the area of product generation is that certain tolerances must be observed as regards quantitative delineation of the fill weight. In addition, statutory provisions apply, especially Weights and Measures legislation and the associated calibration regulations, which stipulate compliance with tolerances. It either is not possible or requires a great deal of effort to comply with these tolerances, especially as regards filling of high-viscosity materials, such as fillers used in dental medicine.

Device and method for the multiple filling of high-viscosity materials


A process for preparing superabsorbing crosslinked polyaspartate salt by reacting crosslinked polysuccinimide having a weight average molecular weight of at least 20,000 Daltons with neat base or aqueous base wherein the ratio of water to crosslinked polysuccinimide is zero or positive up to about 10, preferably about 3.3. The resulting salt is either a solid or paste.

This invention relates to a process for preparing crosslinked polyaspartate salt.
Crosslinked polyaspartate salt (PAS) has an important industrial superabsorbing property making it useful in applications such as thickeners, flocculants, absorbers and the like. As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,085 to Nagatomo et al, for effective superabsorption of many times its own weight, the polysuccinimide (PSI) precursor for the salt should have a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 20,000. PAS is prepared by hydrolyzing crosslinked PSI with aqueous base. In conducting such hydrolysis, the high molecular weight, crosslinked PAS particles absorb whatever water is capable of being held to create a gel. To insure that the gel is well distributed for thorough, efficient hydrolysis reaction of uncrosslinked succinimide rings with base, it was conventional in the prior art to use a large excess of water. Hydrolysis was considered complete when the gel could not consume further base at pH 9-11, 60.degree. C. Note the Examples of U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,682 to Nagatomo et al where (col. 5, line 23) the polymer concentration during hydrolysis is 0.5 to 10 wt. % This water must eventually be removed, typically by evaporation, to form dry, crosslinked PAS since it will likely be used in this form in commercial applications--e.g. between layers of a diaper. It would be desirable to simplify the process of preparing and recovering such high molecular weight, crosslinked polyaspartate salt.

Process for preparing superabsorbing crosslinked polyaspartate salt


The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I)

Fatty acid amides represent a family of bioactive lipids with diverse cellular and physiological effects. Fatty acid amides are hydrolyzed to their corresponding fatty acids by an enzyme known as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). FAAH is a mammalian integral membrane serine hydrolase responsible for the hydrolysis of a number of primary and secondary fatty acid amides, including the neuromodulatory compounds anandamide and oleamide. Anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) has been shown to possess cannabinoid-like analgesic properties and is released by stimulated neurons. The effects and endogenous levels of anandamide increase with pain stimulation, implying its role in suppressing pain neurotransmission and behavioral analgesia. Supporting this, FAAH inhibitors that elevate brain anandamide levels have demonstrated efficacy in animal models of pain, inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Lichtman, A. H. et al. (2004), J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 311, 441-448; Jayamanne, A. et al. (2006), Br. J. Pharmacol. 147, 281-288; Kathuria, S. et al. (2003), Nature Med., 9, 76-81; Piomelli D. et al. (2005), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 102, 18620-18625.
The compounds of the present invention are inhibitors of FAAH and therefore are useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, particularly pain. Other conditions that may be treated with the compounds of the present invention urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, emesis, cognitive disorders, anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, eating disorders, movement disorders, glaucoma, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disorders, brain injury, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; processes for the preparation of the compounds; intermediates used in the preparation of the compounds; compositions containing the compounds; and uses of the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity.


A sheet feeding unit according to the invention includes a sheet stacking tray on which the sheet is stacked, a sheet feeding device which feeds the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking tray, and a unit frame which supports the sheet stacking tray and the sheet feeding portion and is attached to a apparatus main body. In the sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding device is pivotable on the unit frame to change a sheet feeding direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet feeding unit which is used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer, and a facsimile.
2. Description of Related Art
In the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine and the laser beam printer, a plurality of sheet trays are arranged in a sheet feeding portion, and each of sheets having the different sizes and types is stored in each sheet tray. The corresponding sheet stored in the sheet tray is fed according to the size of an original, magnification and reduction rates, and the like. In addition to the sheet trays in which fixed type of sheet are stored, generally a manual sheet feed tray is further arranged in a side portion of the apparatus main body in the image forming apparatus. Namely, a mechanism which can feed a small number of special sheets, a special type of sheet which cannot be stored in the sheet tray like an OHP sheet, a thick sheet such as a post card, and the like is provided in the image forming apparatus.
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-010160, the manual sheet feed tray includes a sheet feeding device which generally separates and feeds the plurality of sheets stacked on the manual sheet feed tray one by one.
Recently, in the image forming apparatus, there is a demand that the common mechanism is unitized and commonly used for the different image forming apparatuses. When the similar mechanism is formed as a common unit, there are advantages in reduction of production cost, reuse property of the common unit, supply of maintenance parts, and the like.
Because the manual sheet feed tray is common in the mechanism in which the small number of special sheet is fed to the apparatus, that the manual sheet feed tray is unitized as a sheet feeding unit and commonly used among the different image forming apparatuses is beginning to become widespread.
However, in the image forming apparatus including a manual sheet feed tray 101, there are two types of sheet conveyance paths. Namely, in the sheet conveyance path immediately after a sheet conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed from the manual sheet feed tray 101 to an apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as manual sheet feed path 102) is merged into a sheet conveyance path on the side of the apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as main body path), the case in which the sheet conveyance path is parallel to the manual sheet feed path 102 as shown in FIG. 16A (hereinafter referred to as parallel path 104) and the case in which the sheet conveyance path is perpendicular to the manual sheet feed path 102 as shown in FIG. 16B (hereinafter referred to as vertical pass 105) exist.
For example, when the manual sheet feed tray 101 is produced according to the parallel path 104, a sheet separation roller pair 106 is arranged so that a direction of a nip line of the sheet separation roller pair 106 becomes parallel to the parallel path 104 (see FIG. 16A). When the manual sheet feed tray 101 is unitized and used as a sheet feeding unit 100 to the image forming apparatus with the vertical path 105, an angle between the vertical path 105 and the direction of the nip line of the sheet separation roller pair 106 becomes substantially 90 (see FIG. 16C). Therefore, when the sheet is conveyed so that the sheet is transferred from the manual sheet feed path 102 to the vertical path 105, the sheet is conveyed while largely curved by the conveyance path. Namely, the fed sheet is largely bent in a merging portion of the manual sheet feed path 102 and the vertical path 105. Because sometimes the manual sheet feed tray 101 feeds the special sheet, when the sheet is largely bent in feeding the thick sheet having high rigidity, the sheet is largely damaged, or conveyance failure is generated due to the high rigidity of the sheet.
When the manual sheet feed tray 101 is produced according to the vertical path 105, the sheet separation roller pair 106 is arranged so that the direction of the nip line of the sheet separation roller pair 106 becomes oblique with respect to the vertical path 105 (see FIG. 16B). When the manual sheet feed tray 101 produced according to the vertical path 105 is unitized and used as a sheet feeding unit 1000 to the image forming apparatus with the parallel path 104, it is necessary that the manual sheet feed path 102 is largely bent to merge the manual sheet feed path 102 into the parallel path 104 (see FIG. 16D). Therefore, as with the above-described case, when the thick sheet having high rigidity is fed from the manual sheet feed tray, the sheet is largely damaged.

Sheet feeding unit and image forming apparatus


A sofa-bed includes a fixed frame and a foldable frame connected to the fixed frame and movable between an open configuration defining a bed configuration of the sofa-bed and a closed configuration defining a sofa configuration of the sofa-bed. The foldable frame includes levers hinged to the fixed frame.

As is known, sofa-beds comprise a fixed frame and a foldable frame which can be extracted with respect to the fixed frame to switch from a sofa configuration to a bed configuration of the sofa-bed. The rigid structures of the sofa-bed, such as armrests, backrests and cover panels, can be mounted on the fixed frame. Then the sofa-bed is complemented by the seat and backrest cushions, which can be completely removable or associated with the foldable frame, and therefore move therewith.
The foldable frame is defined by a system of levers that are hinged at least to the fixed frame, but generally also to each other and/or to other structural elements of the foldable frame.
As is known, the various levers provided in a sofa-bed are generally connected to the fixed frame by metal spiral springs, which work in pairs in opposite pulling directions so as to allow that the foldable frame in both the open and closed configuration assumes mechanically stable and balanced configurations, and also to allow that the forces necessary for the user to open or close the sofa-bed be not excessive during the opening and closing steps. In other words, in a pair of opposing springs, if in the closed configuration of the sofa-bed one spring is in tension and the other is at rest, the conditions of the two springs will be reversed in the open configuration. In the transitional opening/closing steps of the sofa-bed, a spring counteracts the traction action of the other one to facilitate the operations for the user.
During these transitional steps the opposing springs also partially allow to compensate for the weight force of the sofa-bed components that the user must be able to move.
However, the sofa-beds of the known type are not free from drawbacks due to the use of metal spiral springs, among which are, for example:                the fact that the metal springs require significant forces in the initial opening or closing step of the sofa-bed from the user and that in the final closing or opening step they tend to let the sofa-bed components being moved drop as a dead load;        the fact that the metal springs often show abrupt behaviours during the lengthening and shortening of the same, which makes the operation of opening and closing the sofa-bed uncomfortable for the user;        the fact that the springs tend to generate strong sudden metallic noises and squeaks during their use;        the fact that over time, the springs tend to deform plastically or otherwise change the mechanical performance;        the production costs and the difficulties of replacing the springs inside the sofa-bed.

Abstract: The sofa-bed includes at least a pair of tie rods made of elastomeric material, wherein each tie rod extends along a substantially longitudinal direction. A first end of each one of the tie rods is connected to fixed frame and a second end of each of the tie rods opposed with respect to the first end is associated to at least one of the levers.


Changed information is provided to multiple masters of a multi-master environment. In order to facilitate the providing of the changed information to the various masters, at least one replication data structure is used. This data structure is managed in such a way that conflicts are avoided in updating the data structure, and thus, in communicating the changed information to the masters.

Replication is a mechanism in which information held on one server, e.g., a directory server, is copied or replicated to one or more other servers, all of which provide access to the same set of information. Replication can be performed in various ways and based on different replication models. As examples, one replication model includes a master/slave model, while another model includes a multi-master model, each of which is described below.
In the master/slave replication model, a single server is the updateable master server, while the other servers are read-only slave servers. Although this model can assist in load-balancing heavily read-biased workloads, it is deficient in those environments that require highly available, workload-balanced read/write access to information in a directory. To address these needs, multi-master replication is employed.
With multi-master replication, multiple servers allow simultaneous write access to the same set of information by allowing each server to update its own copy of the set of information. Protocols are then used to transmit changes made at the different master servers to other master servers so that each server can update its copy of the information. Conflict resolution techniques are also used to workout differences resulting from simultaneous and/or conflicting updates made at multiple different master servers in the multi-master environment.
Although replication protocols have been established to manage the provision of changes made at multiple servers, enhancements are still needed. For example, a need still exists for a replication capability that provides the information in a simpler and more timely manner. As another example, a need still exists for a replication capability that avoids the need for conflict resolution at the time of providing the changed information.

Replication of changed information in a multi-master environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A multiplication method and a modular multiplier are provided. The multiplication method includes transforming a redundant-form multiplier by adding a recoding constant to the multiplier, performing recoding by using the transformed multiplier, and performing partial multiplication between the multiplier and a multiplicand using result values of the recoding.

Methods, devices, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present disclosure relate to a multiplication method and modular multiplier using redundant form recoding.
Representative examples of public key encryption algorithms are Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman (RSA) and ecliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC). RSA is based on a difficulty of an integer factorization problem, and ECC is based on a difficulty of an elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP). One of the most basic operations for implementing the RSA or ECC is a modular operation. The performance of the RSA or ECC may be influenced by a modular arithmetic unit that implements the modular operation. That is, as the performance of the modular arithmetic unit increases, the performance of the RSA or ECC based on the modular operation may be improved.

Multiplication method and modular multiplier using redundant form recoding


A footboard of a skateboard is with respect to a respective reference plane which at riding straight (=x plane) is parallel to the riding path (=the ground), and at turning (=x" plane) is with respect to the direction of riding slanted to one or the other side, is rhythmically swung around a longitudinal axis (O) of swinging lying in suspensions (4, 5) of the skateboard. The amplitude (A) and the frequency of swinging are mutually coordinated in a manner that swinging does not result in such meandering of the skateboard, which was felt inconvenient.. To a socket shaft housing (8) of a suspension (4, 5) of the skateboard, said housing encasing a roller shaft (11), there is to each end thereof attached a gearing (9, 10), the gearings designed mirror-symmetrically. The gearing (9, 10) is composed of an essentially three-part housing assembly, which comprises a mounting casing (13), an upright intermediate wall (16) and a mounting cover (17), as well as of a train-type gearing composed of a toothed rack (19) as a driving constituent and a gear (25) bound to the roller shaft (11), as a driven constituent. In addition to the roller shaft (11) which passes through, two further, inner shafts (14, 15) constitute said gearing, the lastmentioned shafts each supporting two gears (20, 21; 23, 24), the first one (20) thereof mating the toothed rack (19) and the last one (24) mating the gear (25) driven. The second one (21) of the gears is indirectly connected to the respective shaft (14 ) by means of an over-running clutch (22), and shaft (14) is by means of a suitably pre-stressed helical torsion-spring (28), which encompasses the shaft (14), rotationally-elastically bound to the stationary mounting casing (13) of the gearing.

In a primary configuration, a skateboard comprises an elongated, suitably designed footboard from which two pairs of rollers are suspended. Optionally, a skateboard can further comprise supplementary equipment, e.g. a brake, a flywheel, a lamp, a marker, a buffer, etc. Normally, in the course of skateboarding, turning is made possible when the footboard of skateboard is parallel to the skateboarding path while riding straight by slanting the footboard to either side with respect to its longitudinal axis. This action can be realized by means of a specific suspension of the rollers. For performing a curve, the inclination of the footboard results in a front and a rear roller, the "inner" rollers with respect to the curve, being mutually drawn together, whereas the other two rollers, the "outer" ones with respect to the curve, are mutually drawn apart.
It is obvious that proper propelling of the skateboard is performed by the rider pushing off from the ground (and/or by riding downhill) so that a skateboard/rider-system as a physical phenomenon, i.e. skateboard and rider functionally united into a combined, independent unit, can be discussed merely within the period of the consumption of mass forces previously accumulated (or--in the case of riding downhill, by using gravity force).
Attempts to assign to a skateboard/rider-system the character of a physical phenomenon without using gravity force or a special source of energy, respectively, i.e. solely on the basis of the physical engagement of the rider, are known.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,403 to Wild et al. a "skateboard with a mechanical drive" is known, having a footboard which is, in the area of the middle of the longitudinal extension of the footboard, transversely divided into a front, fixed section, and a rear, pedal section. The footboard sections are interconnected by a skateboard frame. The pedal section is, by means of linkages comprising push rod, a crankshaft and a toothed segment, as well as by means of a gear train bound to the toothed segment and comprising four pairs of toothed wheels and a termination toothed wheel, which is bound to a roller shaft of the rear skateboard rollers, motion-transferably interconnected with respective skateboard rollers, each of which is connected to the shaft by means of an overrunning clutch.
According to the above reference, the skateboard provided essentially has the same height as skateboards without propelling gearings, and diverse operational possibilities are retained, such as ease in negotiating curves and maneuverability.
However, the height of the skateboard of Wild can only be discussed in connection with the front, i.e. fixed, footboard section of the skateboard, not in connection with the rear, i.e. pedal section, except at a position when its pedal function is arrested which, however, is not in confirmity with the primary aim or object of the solution. Analogously, regarding the "diverse possibilities" the following points are noted. Curves can easily be negotiated and the skateboard easily handled under the condition only that the pedal function is arrested, i.e. both footboard sections straightened to be coplanar. In the state when the skateboard is physically pushed, only the rider's foot resting on the front footboard section of the skateboard is left to accomplish normal riding ("normal" meaning the possibilities offered by the skateboards without propelling gears). Thus, the maneuverability is obviously and considerably affected. So, for example, the possibility of making jumps, when the pedal section is lifted, is totally excluded.
Further, the length of the footboard of the skateboard is limited to a length of at least two feet and there is a danger of toppling on one side or the other with respect to the direction of riding as well as backwards over the rear rollers (as a consequence that propelling tends to jerk the skateboard from under the rider's feet).
From the functional point of view the known solution shows a further disadvantage which cannot be neglected, namely the driving torsional moment is enforced intermittently: a driving phase is followed by an idle one, the latter is followed by a driving phase, etc.


An assembling method for an assembly is provided: the assembly comprising a cell structure (1) housed and held in a metal vessel (5) via a compressible material having a cushioning property (7) by arranging it between outer periphery of the structure (1) and the vessel (5) in a compressed state with applying a mounting pressure to the structure (1) via the material (7) to hold the structure (1) in the vessel (5). Information regarding outside dimension of the structure (1) and/or inside dimension of the vessel (5) being marked on their surfaces prior to the start of assembly, and the information is read, and a cell structure (1) and a metal vessel (5) are selected based on read information in assembly to achieve a proper holding condition therebetween. Regardless of variations in external dimension of the structure, etc. constituting the assembly, the minimization thereof, and proper holding state may be achieved easily without causing a fracture of the structure, etc.

There is known, as an assembly used for a catalytic converter or a filter for purification of exhaust gas of internal combustion engine or chemical reaction equipment utilizing catalytic action, a heat exchanger, or the like, said assembly comprising a cell structure being housed and held (canned) in a metal vessel by placing a compressible material having a cushioning property between the cell structure and the tubular metal vessel (can), with applying a predetermined mounting pressure to the cell structure via the compressible material.
For example, in the case where such an assembly is used as a catalytic converter for purifying automobile exhaust gas, a precious metal such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium is dispersedly carried on a ceramic honeycomb structure, which is one kind of cell structure, as a catalyst component, and the honeycomb structure carrying the precious metal is housed and held in a metal vessel (can) via a ceramic mat etc. and is mounted on an exhaust system.
It is desirable that the cell structure has a high strength because it is held in the metal vessel with applying a mounting pressure onto the outer peripheral surface thereof as described above. For the honeycomb structure used as a catalyst carrier for purifying automobile exhaust gas, however, the thinning of cell wall is now in progress for the improvement in the purification performance, and accordingly the strength level is being lowered.
The strength of cell structure can be measured by an "isostatic fracture strength test". This test is conducted by putting a cell structure in a tubular rubber vessel, placing a cover of aluminum plate on the vessel; and performing isostatic compressing in water; which simulates the compressive load in the case where the outer peripheral surface of cell structure is held by the can of converter. The isostatic strength is shown by a pressure value applied thereto at the time when the cell structure is fractured, and is specified in Automobile Standards JASO Standards M505-87 issued by Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.
It has been found that it is generally very difficult for a ceramic honeycomb structure used as a catalyst carrier for an automobile exhaust gas purifying converter to keep an isostatic strength of 10 kg/cm2 or higher if the cell wall thickness is 0.11 mm or smaller and the open frontal area ratio in the terms of percentage exceeds 85%.
In the case where a specific pressure higher than a design specific pressure set at the time of canning design is produced in actual canning and the specific pressure exceeds the isostatic strength of cell structure in some portion, there is a danger that the structure fractures in that portion. As the thickness of cell wall of cell structure becomes thinner and thus the strength level of structure is lowered, the design specific pressure must be lowered, and thus it is necessary to restrain an abnormal rise in specific pressure in actual canning and to reduce the variations in specific pressure as much as possible. If the actual specific pressure is equal to the design specific pressure, intended canning design can be made ideally.
Further, the cell structure may be fractured in the case where because a gap between the cell structure and the metal vessel for containing the cell structure is irregular due to poor accuracy of external shape of cell structure, the compressive pressure acting on the outer peripheral portion of cell structure is nonuniform, so that a high holding specific pressure acts partially.
On the other hand, if the specific pressure is decreased too much, the cell structure cannot be kept being held in the metal vessel because the cell structure is subjected to a high-temperature exhaust gas flow or vibrations in actual service environments. Therefore, the necessary minimum specific pressure exists. As the wall thickness of cell structure decreases, the isostatic strength level of cell structure decreases, so that the mounting pressure for holding the cell structure must also be decreased to the utmost while the minimum specific pressure necessary for holding the cell structure is maintained. As the level of mounting pressure decreases, variations in specific pressure must be decreased, that is, more even specific pressure distribution must be provided.
In order to house and hold the cell structure in the metal vessel in a proper state, it is desirable to decrease the variations in size and shape of the cell structure to the utmost. However, since the ceramic honeycomb structure used as a catalyst carrier as described above is dried as it is after being extrusion molded, and after being cut to a predetermined length, it is housed in the metal vessel in a state of being fired, the outside-diameter dimension of honeycomb structure involves dimensional variations and deformations in all processes of molding, drying, and firing. Therefore, the honeycomb structure has very large variations in size and shape as compared with a metal work.
In some cases, in a large-size honeycomb structure, the outer peripheral portion thereof is machined and removed after firing, and then the outer periphery is covered with ceramic cement. In general, however, the ceramic honeycomb structure is put to practical use without machining the outer peripheral portion thereof after firing. Therefore, studies have been carried out to increase the accuracy of outside diameter of ceramic honeycomb structure, and on the other hand, the problem is how the influence of outside-diameter dimension of ceramic honeycomb structure is kept little when the honeycomb structure is housed in the metal vessel.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and accordingly an object thereof is to provide an assembling method in which when an assembly produced by housing and holding a cell structure in a metal vessel via a compressible material, even if the external-shape dimension of member such as the cell structure constituting the assembly has variations, the influence of variations is averted, and a proper holding state without a fracture etc. of cell structure can be obtained.

Assembling method using marked information and assembly assembled by said assembling method


A ferrite magnet with salt includes 40 to 99.9 weight % of ferrite and 0.1 to 60 weight % of salt, wherein the salt has a melting point lower than a synthetic temperature of the ferrite, and the salt is melted to form a matrix between the ferrite particles, and a manufacturing thereof. The ferrite magnet with salt has advantages in terms of process conditions due to fast synthesis reaction at low temperatures compared to typical magnets, easily obtaining nano-sized particles having high crystallinity, preventing cohesion between particles and particle growth by molten salt, allowing sintering at temperatures lower than typical during the molding and sintering processes for producing a ferrite magnet with salt due to synthesized ferrite magnetic powder with salt thus preventing the deterioration of magnetic characteristics due to particle growth, and allowing alignment in the direction of magnetization easy axis to obtain higher magnetic characteristics.

1. Field
The following descriptions relates to a ferrite magnet and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Background
Soft ferrite refers to a material in which the speed of magnetization is fast even with a slight magnetic field to suddenly saturate the magnetization of the material and also erasing or inverting residual magnetization can be sufficiently accomplished even with a weak magnetic field, and due to such characteristics it is mostly used for devices for filtering or amplifying signals.
Hard ferrite typically refers to a permanent magnet made of ferrite, which has a lot of applications because a strong magnetic field in an inverse direction is required while not requiring voltage application even when removing or inverting residual magnetization, and a constant magnetic field can be generated while not generating heat in itself.
The application of ferrite are made through molding and sintering, and have been used in the broad fields in the aspect of allowing various shapes and requiring a low cost.
Soft ferrite has been used for deflection yokes (DYs) and fly back transformers (FBTs) which are components for Braun tube to enhance the function of electronic deflection and power supply devices. In recent years, soft ferrite has been mostly used in the fields of IMT related communication cores and electromagnetic interference (EMI) cores for absorbing electromagnetic waves and removing noises in addition to home appliance industries such as flat televisions (TVs), digital televisions (TVs), and the like.
Hard ferrite is mostly applicable to electromechanical energy conversions such as a speaker, a permanent magnet motor, a moving coil type device, a magnetic generator, microphone, and the like, and also used for a storage media, and the like.
In order to apply such a ferrite magnet to various fields, it is important to obtain fine single domain powder having an excellent dispersibility.
There has been an attempt for obtaining fine single crystalline ferrite magnetic powder by adding salt, a technology for adding a large amount of sodium chloride or potassium chloride on the basis of a solid state reaction method to synthesize barium ferrite (Ba-ferrite) has been disclosed in the Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0554500.
The foregoing method may include the processes of mixing a raw material with salt according to the objective material and characteristic to correspond to a stoichiometric ratio so as to synthesize ferrite precursor powder, and performing a heat treatment for crystallization and then removing salt.
According to the foregoing method, it may be possible to produce small particles less than 100 nm, but the cohesion of particles may easily occur due to the characteristics of ferrite magnetic particles during the process of removing salt.
Furthermore, even though fine particles are produced through the above complicated process, it may be impossible to prevent particle growth during the sintering process. The problems due to the manufacturing method may cause an increase of the process cost as well as the deterioration of magnetic characteristics.
Sodium chloride or potassium chloride may be added to attempt a ferrite magnetic powder synthesis to obtain fine particles, but the molding and sintering processes are carried out subsequent to removing molten salt to form magnets, and thus there still remain problems in that it is difficult to suppress the growth of ferrite magnetic particles, and also the alignment of magnetic nanoparticles required to maximize magnetization cannot be easily achieved.

Ferrite magnet with salt and manufacturing method of the same

INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY ERICA CAMPUS


A water-based wax emulsion formulation for imparting water repellent characteristics to gypsum wall boards comprising: (a) hydrocarbon wax; (b) an alkyl acid and/or alkyl ester; and (c) a polyvinyl alcohol composition comprising partially and/or fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. The formulation may also contains other ancillary components such as emulsifiers and stabilizers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composition and method of manufacture of an aqueous wax emulsion and its use in the production of water-resistant gypsum products such as water-resistant gypsum board or panels
2. Description of the Prior Art
The production of gypsum based materials involves a mixture of calcium sulphate hemihydrate with water. The mixture is allowed to hydrate or set to the much harder calcium sulphate dihydrate and the excess water is removed by drying through conventional methods. Gypsum products such as wallboard panels are produced from a hardened gypsum core sandwiched between a set of paper liners which represent the outside surfaces of the wallboard. To overcome problems of water absorption by the hygroscopic gypsum which then weakens the wallboard, other additives such as asphalt-wax emulsions, wax emulsions and polyvinyl alcohols were incorporated with the gypsum in order to produce a water-resistant wallboard.
Some of the problems associated with the known wax emulsions are as follows:
1. Wax-asphalt emulsions are generally unstable--that is, the emulsion tends to separate over time into a liquid phase and a solid crust floating on top. The crust is not easily re-emulsified with mixing and can form lumps in the mix. When the board is produced, the un-emulsified asphalt component bleeds out of the set gypsum core and shows up as black spots on the paper liners. PA1 2. The wax-asphalt is black because of the asphalt component which makes the gypsum core in the final board product off-colour. PA1 3. Asphalt from crude petroleum refining processes can vary in properties and therefore increase the variability in emulsion usage, end-product quality and wallboard manufacturing. PA1 4. Other wax substitutes, such as montan or lignite, while providing good water repellency, are known to cause a buildup of dark or black sludge in process tanks used for emulsification. PA1 5. Many wax emulsions based on montan or other natural or synthetic ester waxes, while they are more readily re-mixed than asphalt wax emulsions, still tend to separate during storage. This separation or "creaming" effect results in inconsistent performance characteristics. PA1 6. Emulsions based exclusively on fatty acids or other alkyl acids, while providing superior storage properties and water repellency, have an adverse effect on the gypsum slurry. PA1 1. Allows for the use of water-repellent materials in the emulsion product. PA1 2. Allows for the substitution of the wax-asphalt component with a compound which does not produce an off-colour gypsum wallboard. PA1 3. Allows use of substitutes for asphalt with improved consistency of properties and performance. PA1 4. Allows use of substitutes for montan wax with improved consistency of properties and performance PA1 5. Provides an emulsion of improved stability over asphalt-based emulsions. PA1 6. Provides an emulsion of improved stability over existing wax emulsions. PA1 7. Results in process equipment with lower maintenance and cleanup procedures. PA1 (i) blending a hydrocarbon wax and an alkyl acid and/or alkyl ester in a molten state to form a wax blend; PA1 (ii) solubilizing polyvinyl alcohol in water to form an aqueous solution; PA1 (iii) mixing the wax blend and the aqueous solution at a temperature above the melt point of the wax blend to form an emulsion; and PA1 (iv) cooling the emulsion to form a stable wax emulsion.
A wax emulsion formulation is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,722 wherein the formulation consists of a paraffinic hydrocarbon, montan wax and polyvinyl alcohol. Although providing some water repellency to the gypsum wallboard there are deficiencies in such formulation due to the crude nature of the montan wax which is a product containing a variety of components. For this reason, it results in discoloration of the resulting emulsion and fouling of the handling equipment. Further, the quality of the emulsion formulations using montan wax is variable since the composition of such component is not consistent.
Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a wax emulsion which:

Wax emulsion composition for imparting water repellency to gypsum


To address the need for a method to determine an optimal quantity of channel resources to reserve for data services in communication systems that support both data and voice services, the present invention provides two methods. The methods determine a minimum quantity of voice channel resources that are required to provide an acceptable voice quality of service. The methods also determine an additional quantity of data channel resources needed to provide data services. The methods then determine whether encroachment by the voice services onto the data channel resources requires that a number of the data channel resources be reserved for data services exclusively. Finally, if data channel resources need to be reserved, the methods determine a minimum number of data channel resources to reserve to provide an acceptable data quality of service.

The present invention relates generally to communication systems and, in particular, to a method for determining a quantity of channel resources to reserve for data services in a communication system that supports both data and voice services.
Mobile communication systems, that once only provided voice services, are today being developed to provide voice and data services to mobile communication units. In such systems, the voice and data services can share a pool of channel resources, each service using available channel resources as needed. When voice and data services are contending for the same specific channel resources, however, priority is given to the voice services.
During periods of high voice service traffic the data services are left with few channel resources and thus become unavailable or exhibit relatively long data delays. Such degraded data service typically becomes unacceptable to users below a certain level of service. To prevent an unacceptable level of data service, channel resources are removed from the pool of common channel resources and reserved for use by data services exclusively.
Making channel resources unavailable to the voice services, however, reduces the peak voice service capacity of the communication system. Optimally, the communication system should guarantee a certain minimal level of data service while maintaining a maximum capacity for peak voice service traffic. The need for such a solution is most acute for systems with fixed channel resources, since additional channel resources may not be available for adding data services due to spectrum constraints or the required expense.
Equations for determining channel resource requirements for given voice traffic loads are known. Equations for determining channel resource requirements for data traffic loads are also known from queuing theory. The prior art is limited to addressing channel resource needs for voice services and data services separately, but not combined as these services are in today""s communication systems. Therefore, a need exists for a method for determining an optimal quantity of channel resources to reserve for data services in communication systems that support both data and voice services.

Method for determining a quantity of channel resources to reserve for data services in a communication system


A parallel hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and control method wherein an internal combustion engine and an electric motor system define a split power operating mode, a generator drive mode and a parallel power mode. Provision is made, when the motor is inoperable, for preventing discharge of a battery in the electric motor system when the battery state-of-charge is low and for delivering power from the battery when the battery state-of-charge is greater than a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with an engine and electric motor, and to a control method for managing power distribution when the motor is inactive.
2. Background Art
Parallel hybrid electric vehicles of known design include an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, typically a high voltage induction motor, which establish parallel power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels. The powertrain has two power sources. A first power source is a combination of an engine and a generator subsystem with a planetary gear set for distributing power through separate power flow paths. The second is an electric drive system comprising a motor, a generator and a battery. The battery acts as an energy storage medium for the generator and the motor. The generator, in a parallel hybrid powertrain, is driven by the engine.
A mechanical power flow path is established between the engine and the transmission torque output shaft. The other power flow path is an electrical power flow path, which distributes power from the engine to the generator, the latter providing electrical power to the motor driving the torque output shaft of the transmission through gearing.
When the powertrain is operating with the first power source, the engine power is divided between the two paths by controlling the generator speed, which implies that the engine speed can be decoupled from the vehicle speed. That is, the powertrain can act in a manner similar to a continuously variable transmission, where vehicle speed changes do not depend upon engine speed changes.
The foregoing mode of operation is referred to as a positive split.
The powertrain can act also in a mode of operation that may be referred to as a negative split. In this instance, both the engine and generator input power to the planetary gear, which in turn propels the vehicle. In addition, as in the positive split mode, the engine speed can be decoupled from the vehicle speed. The combination of the motor, the generator and the planetary gear set thus function as an electromechanical, continuously variable transmission.
When a generator brake is activated, the powertrain will act in a so-called parallel mode in which engine power output is transmitted with a fixed gear ratio solely through a mechanical power flow path in the drivetrain.
When the first power source is active, it can provide only forward propulsion since there is no reverse gear. The engine requires either a generator speed control or a generator brake to transmit engine output power to the drivetrain for forward motion. When the second power source is active, the electric motor draws power from the battery and provides propulsion independently of the engine for driving the vehicle forward and in reverse. The generator, at that time, can draw power from the battery and drive against a one way clutch on the engine output shaft to propel the vehicle forward. This mode of operation is called "generator drive."

Controller and control method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain


There is provided a surface light-emitting device capable of preventing an increase in power consumption even if the length of the light-emitting surface of the surface light-emitting device is greater than the width, and capable of emitting light uniformly without decreasing the brightness of the light-emitting surface nor increasing the height of the light guiding space. In the present surface light-emitting device, the incident plane (201) is one of two sides of the light guiding space (20) in opposition in the longitudinal direction. The light-transmitting plate (4) includes a diffusion filter (6) which covers a specific area of the surface of the light-transmitting plate (4) near the light source (3). The remaining area of the surface of the light-transmitting plate at a distance from the light source (3) is not covered with the diffusion filter (6). The diffusion filter (6) is formed of a laminate in which a plurality of diffuse transmission films are layered. The number of diffuse transmission film (6) layers is highest in the area closest to the light source (3) so that the light transmittance is increased as the distance from the light source (3) increases due to a decrease in the diffusion of light, and the number is gradually decreased as the distance from the light source (3) increases.

Devices called surface light-emitting devices or sheet-type luminous bodies can emit light uniformly from the entire area of the light-emitting surface. Such devices are disclosed in the Published Japanese translation of PCT International Patent Application No. 10-506725, Japanese Patent Applications Laid-open No. 5-224020, No. 7-5326, No. 7-182908, No. 6-265892, No. 1-45003, No. 1-45002, No. 11-154406, No. 4-101639, and the like.
The sheet-type luminous bodies disclosed in these publications generally have the following structure. Specifically, these sheet-type luminous bodies include (1) a body which outlines a light guiding space and has at least one light-emitting surface, (2) a light source which is disposed outside the light guiding space of the body and supplies light to the light guiding space, and (3) a light unifying means which enables uniform brightness to be obtained over almost the entire area of the light-emitting surface when the light supplied to the light guiding space is emitted toward the outside of the body through the light-emitting surface. The body is in the shape of a box of which the sides other than the light-emitting surface are opaque, for example.
The light guiding space outlined by the body is almost in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a specific length, width, and height. Generally, at least one of the sides having the largest area (for example, two sides having two sides parallel in the longitudinal direction and two sides parallel in the widthwise direction of the light guiding space) is an emission plane. The body includes a light-transmitting plate disposed to cover the emission plane. The surface of the light-transmitting plate is the light-emitting surface.
The light source is generally a line light source such as a fluorescent tube or a cold cathode tube. The light source emits light uniformly over the entire area of the circumferential surface and in the longitudinal direction. In the case of using the line light source, the line light source is generally disposed so that the line light source is parallel to both an incident plane and the light-emitting surface in order to cause the brightness of the light-emitting surface to become uniform. The line light source is generally disposed near at least one of four sides which intersect the emission plane (light-emitting surface) at right angles. In this case, the sides other than the incident plane and the emission plane are generally covered with side members formed of an opaque plate or sheet.
The brightness of the light-emitting surface is highest in the area close to the light source and decreases as the distance from the light source increases, whereby the light is emitted nonuniformly. Therefore, it is necessary to use the light unifying means so that uniform brightness is obtained over the entire area of the light-emitting surface. The light unifying means is a prism sheet or a white translucent diffuse transmission film as disclosed in the above publications. Combined use of this sheet and film is particularly effective. The light unifying means is disposed to substantially cover the entire area of the emission plane uniformly. For example, a diffuse transmission film is disposed on the surface of the light-transmitting plate and a prism sheet is disposed on the back face of the light-transmitting plate so that light supplied from the light source is transmitted through the prism sheet and the diffuse transmission film and emitted toward the outside. The prism sheet is generally formed of a transparent resin and has a prism surface on which a plurality of minute parallel prisms is formed.
As the line light source, a line light source including a side emitting type light fiber or a hollow light tube as an optical transmitter is also useful. The optical transmitter generally has a cylindrical circumferential surface (side). Light introduced into the optical transmitter from one tip of the optical transmitter in the longitudinal direction gradually leaks out from the circumferential surface as the light is transmitted toward the other tip in the longitudinal direction, whereby light is emitted brightly from the entire area of the circumferential surface. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-142652 discloses an example in which the side emitting type light fiber is used as the line light source of the surface light-emitting device, for example. Japanese Patent No. 2628858 and Japanese Patent Applications Laid-open No. 10-82902 and No. 2000-137105 disclose line light sources using an optical transmitter consisting of a light tube formed by cylindrically rolling up a prism sheet. As disclosed in these publications, the light tube is generally formed so that the prism surface of the prism sheet faces the outside and the inner surface of the cylinder is formed by the flat surface of the prism sheet.
Applications of the surface light-emitting devices capable of emitting light uniformly by using the light source disposed outside of the body (edge lighting light source) and the light unifying means are limited to small light-emitting devices (backlight of a liquid crystal display for personal computers, for example). Specifically, since the area of the light-emitting surface is comparatively small (generally 80×80 cm or less), these surface light-emitting devices are unsuitable for use as comparatively large displays or planar illumination devices disposed on the indoor plane of the building and the like by forming a light-transmitting plate having a large area by horizontally arranging a plurality of light-transmitting plates, and emitting light from the surface of the large light-transmitting plate. The reasons therefor are as follows.
There is a tendency for the brightness of the light-emitting surface to be highest in the area close to the light source and to decrease as the distance from the light source increases. In the case where the area of the light-emitting surface is increased, in particular, in the case where the length of the light-emitting surface of the surface light-emitting device is greater than the width (the length of the light guiding space is greater than the width), the light unifying means disposed uniformly along the light-emitting surface is not effective for increasing the uniformity of brightness. For example, in the case where the light source is disposed near one of the edges of the light guiding space in the longitudinal direction, the distance between the incident plane and the side opposite to the incident plane in the longitudinal direction is increased. As a result, the difference in brightness tends to be increased between the area near the incident plane and the area near the side opposite to the incident plane. In order to eliminate unevenness of the brightness, diffusiveness of the diffuse transmission film must be increased as far as possible. However, this results in a decrease in light transmittance of the diffuse transmission film, whereby the brightness of the light-emitting surface is decreased. Increasing the height of the light guiding space (increasing the depth) is effective for uniformity of brightness. However, this results in an increase in the space occupied by the entire surface light-emitting device. In particular, in the case of emitting light from the indoor plane by incorporating the surface light-emitting device in a partition (floor, wall, or ceiling) of the building, since the depth (thickness) of the partition is limited, the height of the surface light-emitting device must be decreased as much as possible from the viewpoint of the design of the building.
Moreover, since the power consumption is increased by increasing the luminous brightness of the light source or the number of light sources in order to prevent a decrease in brightness, these measures are unfavorable from the viewpoint of energy saving and the like. In the case where the light source is disposed near one of the edges of the light guiding space in the widthwise direction, the distance between the incident plane and the side opposite to the incident plane becomes comparatively small, whereby the difference in brightness is decreased between the area near the incident plane and the area near the side opposite to the incident plane. In this case, a comparatively long line light source having the same length as the light guiding space is necessary. Since a large amount of electric power is needed to emit light brightly from such a light source, the power consumption tends to increase.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a surface light-emitting device capable of preventing an increase in power consumption even if the length of the light-emitting surface of the surface light-emitting device is greater than the width, and capable of emitting light uniformly without decreasing the brightness of the light-emitting surface nor increasing the height of the light guiding space.


Methods are described for treating inflammatory bowel disease in animals, including humans. Specific avian polyclonal antibodies directed to proinflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and TNF) are shown to have a beneficial effect in animal models predictive of human therapy for the treatment of colitis, including Crohn's disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are defined by chronic, relapsing intestinal inflammation of obscure origin. IBD refers to two distinct disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both diseases appear to result from the unrestrained activation of an inflammatory response in the intestine. This inflammatory cascade is thought to be perpetuated through the actions of proinflammatory cytokines and selective activation of lymphocyte subsets. In patients with IBD, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the intestines lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis occurs in the large intestine, while in Crohn's, the disease can involve the entire GI tract as well as the small and large intestines. For most patients, IBD is a chronic condition with symptoms lasting for months to years. It is most common in young adults, but can occur at any age. It is found worldwide, but is most common in industrialized countries such as the United States, England, and northern Europe. It is especially common in people of Jewish descent and has racial differences in incidence as well. The clinical symptoms of IBD are intermittent rectal bleeding, crampy abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea. Diagnosis of IBD is based on the clinical symptoms, the use of a barium enema, but direct visualization (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) is the most accurate test. Protracted IBD is a risk factor for colon cancer, and treatment of IBD can involve medications and surgery.
Some patients with UC only have disease in the rectum (proctitis). Others with UC have disease limited the rectum and the adjacent left colon (proctosigmoiditis). Yet others have UC of the entire colon (universal IBD). Symptoms of UC are generally more severe with more extensive disease (larger portion of the colon involved with disease).
The prognosis for patients with disease limited to the rectum (proctitis) or UC limited to the end of the left colon (proctosigmoiditis) is better then that of full colon UC. Brief periodic treatments using oral medications or enemas may be sufficient. In those with more extensive disease, blood loss from the inflamed intestines can lead to anemia, and may require treatment with iron supplements or even blood transfusions. Rarely, the colon can acutely dilate to a large size when the inflammation becomes very severe. This condition is called toxic megacolon. Patients with toxic megacolon are extremely ill with fever, abdominal pain and distention, dehydration, and malnutrition. Unless the patient improves rapidly with medication, surgery is usually necessary to prevent colon rupture.
Crohn's disease can occur in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract. With this disease intestinal obstruction due to inflammation and fibrosis occurs in a large number of patients. Granulomas and fistula formation are frequent complications of Crohn's disease. Disease progression consequences include intravenous feeding, surgery and colostomy.
Colon cancer is a known complication of chronic IBD. It is increasingly common in those patients who have had extensive IBD over many years. The risk for cancer begins to rise significantly after eight to ten years of IBD.
IBD may be treated medicinally. The most commonly used medications to treat IBD are anti-inflammatory drugs such as the salicylates. The salicylate preparations have been effective in treating mild to moderate disease. They can also decrease the frequency of disease flares when the medications are taken on a prolonged basis. Examples of salicylates include sulfasalazine, olsalazine, and mesalamine. All of these medications are given orally in high doses for maximal therapeutic benefit. These medicines are not without side effects. Azulfidine can cause upset stomach when taken in high doses, and rare cases of mild kidney inflammation have been reported with some salicylate preparations.
Corticosteroids are more potent and faster-acting than salicylates in the treatment of IBD, but potentially serious side effects limit the use of corticosteroids to patients with more severe disease. Side effects of corticosteroids usually occur with long term use. They include thinning of the bone and skin, infections, diabetes, muscle wasting, rounding of faces, psychiatric disturbances, and, on rare occasions, destruction of hip joints.
In IBD patients that do not respond to salicylates or corticosteroids, medications that suppress the immune system are used. Examples of immunosuppressants include azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. Immunosuppressants used in this situation help to control IBD and allow gradual reduction or elimination of corticosteroids. However, immunosuppressants render the patient immuno-compromised and susceptible to many other diseases.
Clearly there is a great need for agents capable of preventing and treating IBD. It would be desirable if such agents could be administered in a cost-effective and timely fashion, with a minimum of adverse side effects.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Antibodies to cytokines in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease


A convertible roof actuation mechanism includes a pliable roof cover, a top stack mechanism supporting the roof cover, and at least one roof bow of the top stack mechanism independently movable relative to the remainder of the top stack mechanism for selectively reducing and increasing tension of the roof cover during latching. Another aspect of the present invention provides a single driving mechanism, for each side of the vehicle, to operate both the tension relieving roof bow and the top stack mechanism.

This invention relates generally to automotive vehicle convertible roofs and more particularly to a convertible roof actuation mechanism.
Traditional soft-top convertible roofs for automotive vehicles typically employ four or five roof bows, having an inverted U-shape, spanning transversely across the vehicle for supporting a vinyl, canvas or polyester fiber pliable roof cover. The number one roof bow is mounted to a pair of front roof rails and is typically latched to a stationary front header panel of the automotive vehicle body disposed above a windshield. A number two roof bow is typically mounted to a pair of center roof rails which are pivotably coupled to the front roof rails. Furthermore, the number three, four and optional five roof bows are commonly mounted to a pair of rear roof rails which are pivotably coupled to the center roof rails. For example, reference should be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,338,085 entitled "Folding Top for Motor Vehicles" which issued to Guckel et al. on Aug. 16, 1994; 5,225,747 entitled "Single-Button Actuated Self-Correcting Automatic Convertible Top" which issued to Helms et al. on Jul. 6, 1993; 5,161,852 entitled "Convertible Top with Improved Geometry" which issued to Alexander et al. on Nov. 10, 1992; 4,948,194 entitled "Flexible Roof for a Convertible Motor Vehicle, Provided with a Safety Hook for the Rear Arch of the Roof Frame" which issued to Dogliani on Aug. 14, 1990; 4,720,133 entitled "Convertible Top Structure" which issued to Alexander et al. on Jan. 19, 1988; 4,537,440 entitled "Vehicle with a Convertible Top" which issued to Brockway et al. on Aug. 27, 1985; and 2,580,486 entitled "Collapsible Top for Vehicles" which issued to Vigmostad on Jan. 1, 1952.
Traditional soft-top convertible roofs possess an inherent drift problem. In other words, when the convertible roof is moved to its fully raised position, the forwardmost or number one roof bow is positioned against the front header panel for subsequent latching. However, the stretched fabric cover acts to pull the number one roof bow in an unintended and undesired rearward direction such that it drifts away from the front header. This drifting situation is especially apparent in new convertible roofs. Accordingly, the vehicle occupant must then physically pull down upon a handle attached to the number one roof bow and hold it against the front header panel for subsequent latching. This manual action presents a crude and unrefined operational perception. This drifting problem is also present between a rearmost or number five roof bow and an adjacent tonneau cover. The number five roof bow and attached rear edge of the cover are often raised to an upward position by separate actuators while the tonneau cover is returned from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position; the number five roof bow is then pivoted to its lowered position against an upper surface of the tonneau cover for latching thereto. However, the stretched fabric covering tends to pull the number five roof bow in a forward manner thereby causing it to drift away from the tonneau cover. This situation is inconvenient to remedy due to the difficulty of an occupant accessing this rear area when seated in the front seat.
Notwithstanding, U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,381 entitled "Vehicle Roofs," which issued to Moore et al. on Jan. 31, 1995, employs a moving number four roof bow to tension a fabric cover. However, this patent discloses directly attaching each leg of the number four roof bow to a corresponding main balance link. Furthermore, a first gas strut acts between the number four roof bow and the balance link while a second hydraulic ram, per side of vehicle, moves the number four roof bow through a clevis and pin arrangement.
In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a convertible roof actuation mechanism includes a pliable roof cover, a top stack mechanism supporting the roof cover, and at least one roof bow of the top stack mechanism independently movable relative to the remainder of the top stack mechanism for selectively reducing and increasing tension of the roof cover during latching. Another aspect of the present invention provides a single driving mechanism, such as a piston, for each side of the vehicle, to operate both the tension relieving roof bow movement and the top stack mechanism movement. In a further aspect of the present invention, a rigid backlite is attached to a pliable roof cover. Still another aspect of the present invention provides a more compact and reliable roof bow locking mechanism and linkage arrangement. Yet another aspect of the present invention employs multiple links and a connector to couple an optional number five roof bow to a number four roof bow for simultaneously moving the numbers four and five roof bows to tighten or loosen the fabric roof.
The convertible roof actuation mechanism of the present invention is advantageous over conventional devices in that the present invention reduces drifting of the raised convertible roof away from the front header panel and, alternately a tonneau cover, by selectively reducing and then increasing tension or tautness of the roof cover. Furthermore, packaging space of the stowed convertible roof is optimized in the storage compartment by the linkage movement of a number four roof bow; this allows for placement of a very large and rigid backlite in a relatively small storage compartment, thereby avoiding the creasing and discoloration disadvantages commonly associated with folded flexible backfires made of plastic. The present invention is also advantageously employed in combination with stationary affixation of the rear edge of the roof cover to the body where front header panel latching drift and tension problems are often exacerbated. Moreover, the single driving mechanism, per side of vehicle, used for operating the tension reducing roof bow and the top stack mechanism is much more cost effective and less failure prone as compared to a more complicated, traditional two pistons/rams per vehicle side. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


N-sample level-crossing estimator methods and devices are provided that extract more information from given time samples than the current two-sample approach and that are more resistant to interference from noises. The two-mean level-crossing time-interval estimation method extracts more information from given time samples than existing methods, advantageously estimates a level-crossing time interval with a limited number of time samples and is quieter than current noisy estimation techniques. The two-mean level crossing time-interval estimation method for N-sample estimation uses all N time samples by calculating the mean value of the first N/2 time samples and subtracting it by the second N/2 time sample to average out the noises in time samples. The two-mean level crossing time-interval estimation method can be implemented by using a Finite Impulse Response filter to take level-crossing time samples as inputs, take the differential level-crossing time samples as inputs, or take the N/2-step differential level-crossing time-interval as an input. An addition only one-step differential level-crossing time-interval estimator device and a one-step differential level-crossing time-interval estimator device are also provided.

Level-crossing time interval estimation techniques can be useful for signal frequency estimation, rotation angular velocity estimation and signal modulation classification. The time interval between two level-crossing points of a periodic function can be estimated by using a moving average of the level-crossing time samples. Current level-crossing time interval estimation techniques are based on a certain number of important mathematical expressions.
Assuming that the signal g(x) is periodic in a given time domain xL≦x≦xR and also assume that signal g(x) has N number of level-crossing time samples, or measurements, x(k), x(k−1), . . . , x(k−N+1) between xL and xR such that g[x(k)]=g[x(k−1)]= . . . =g[x(k−N+1)]=E, where E is a given level for measuring crossings. If E=0, the time samples x(k), x(k−1), . . . , X(k−N+1) are considered to be zero-crossing points. The time interval between two level-crossing time samples, x(k) and x(k−v), is then defined as v-step differential level-crossing time-interval, denoted by the expression:y(k,v)=x(k)−x(k−v),  (1)where 1≦vV≦N−1 . . . is a positive integer. Since the function g(x) is noisy in practice, the level-crossing time interval will be estimated by taking the time average of:y(k,1)=x(k)−x(k−1)  (2)as shown below,
                              m                                (                          k              ,                              N                -                1                                      )                          =                              1                          N              -              1                                                                    ∑                              j                =                0                                            N                -                2                                                                                y                                            (                                                      k                    -                    j                                    ,                  1                                )                                                                        (        3        )            Substituting Equation 2 into equation 3, the level-crossing time interval estimation is:
                              m                                (                          k              ,                              N                -                1                                      )                          =                                                            x                                                  (                  k                  )                                            -                              x                                                  (                                      k                    -                    N                    +                    1                                    )                                                                    N              -              1                                =                                    1                              N                -                1                                                                y                                            (                                  k                  ,                                      N                    -                    1                                                  )                                                                        (        4        )            For N given time samples, x(k), x(k−1), . . . , x(k−N+1), the estimation in Equation 4 uses only the first and the last samples, x(k−N+1) and x(k), and all other time samples x(k−1), x(k−2), . . . , x(k−N+2) are not counted. Therefore, the current estimation technique is based on only two samples so that the information in all other N−2 time samples is not utilized. This is known as two-sample estimation.
There are a number of disadvantages, shortcomings and limitations with the current two-sample estimation technique. One problem with the current two-sample estimation technique is that it only uses two samples at a time, so that the information from numerous other given time samples is not accessed and used. Another problem with the current two-sample estimation technique is that noises in samples x(k−N+1) and x(k) from various sources, such as electronic components, interference in transmission or even thermal noise, will directly affect the two-sample estimation result of m(k,N−1). Thus, there has been a long-felt need for other estimating techniques and devices that are quieter and extract more information from given time samples than the current two-sample approach.
The long-felt need for new time estimation techniques has now been answered with N-sample level-crossing estimator methods and devices that extract more information from given time samples than the current two-sample approach and that are more resistant to interference from noises. The two-mean level-crossing time-interval and signal frequency estimation method of the present invention extracts more information from given time samples than existing methods, can advantageously estimate a level-crossing time interval with a limited number of time samples and is more accurate than the inefficient and noisy prior art estimation techniques. The present invention also encompasses addition only one-step differential level-crossing time-interval estimator and one-step differential level-crossing time-interval estimator devices that are less noisy than inefficient prior art estimation techniques.

Two-mean level-crossing time interval estimation method

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


The technology disclosed relates to authoring of vertical applications of natural language understanding (NLU), which analyze text or utterances and construct their meaning. In particular, it relates to new programming constructs and tools and data structures implementing those new applications.

The technology disclosed relates to natural language understanding (NLU) and to analysis of meaning of text and spoken phrases. In particular, it relates to new programming constructs and tools and processing patterns that implement those new programming constructs.
Conventional programming for natural language understanding is arcane and requires great expertise, as shown by FIG. 8. This figure is part of a simple calculator example written in the grammar definition language known as Grammatical Framework ("GF"). An abstract syntax 811 provides a foundation for a concrete syntax 812, 813, as explained in Aarne Ranta, Grammatical Framework: Programming with Multilingual Grammars, Chapter 8 (2011). Obscure functions including lincat 814, lin 815, and oper 816 are part of GF's expression of parsing input. Many layers of special purpose programming and linguistic expertise are required of those who program vertical applications using NLU programming approaches such as GF.
Other grammar-based NLU frameworks, such as those by Nuance, are built around defining a fixed set of slots that represent the expected information supplied in utterances within a vertical application and determining how each phrase in the grammar results in filling those slots. See, e.g., Grammar Developer's Guide, Nuance Speech Recognition System Version 8.5, Chapter 4 (2003). Use of grammar slots is consistent with the W3C standard known as Voice XML. See, e.g., Scott McGlashan et al., Voice Extensible Markup Language (VoiceXML) 3.0, section 6.10 Field Module, Table 41 (8th Working Draft December 2010). Version 2.0 of the VoiceXML recommendation has been implemented in BeVocal's Nuance Café, with grammar slots. See, BeVocal, VoiceXML Tutorial, p. 49 Grammar Slots (2005); BeVocal, VoiceXML Programmer's Guide (2005); BeVocal, Grammar Reference (2005). Like GF, VoiceXML involves multiple layers of abstraction and special expertise. In this context, a vertical application or vertical market application, is software defined by requirements for a single or narrowly defined market. It contrasts with horizontal application. An example provided by Wikipedia of a vertical application is software that helps doctors manage patient records, insurance billing, etc. Software like this can be purchased off-the-shelf and used as-is, or the doctor can hire a consultant to modify the software to accommodate the needs of the doctor. The software is specifically designed to be used by any doctor's office, but would not be useful to other businesses.
Custom applications of NLU have gained momentum with the introduction of Apple's Siri voice recognition on the iPhone 4S. However, at this time, the API to Siri is not publically released.
An opportunity arises to introduce authoring technology for custom applications of natural language understanding. More efficient, reliable, updatable and maintainable custom applications may result. More custom applications may be produced, as barriers to entry for authors are lowered. Sharing of NLU blocks that understand common semantic units that are frequently used, such as dates, times, location, phone numbers, email address, URLs, search queries, etc. can be expected as the pool of NLU authors expands greatly. Improved user interfaces may ultimately be produced.

Integrated programming framework for speech and text understanding with meaning parsing


The invention relates to a process for recovering metals from aqueous solutions or solid feedstocks such as ores and waste. In particular, the invention relates to a method of recovering a target metals using a microorganism.

There is an abundance of materials containing trace metals throughout the world, including aqueous solutions and solid materials. However, due to the relative scarcity of the metal component relative to the non-metal matrix, recovering these metals in efficient, environmentally safe ways is extremely challenging. For example, the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous liquid waste streams is a significant challenge for a wide range of industries.
Similarly, as ore grades for the mining and refining of virgin metals decrease, increased interest is being shown in obtaining metals from sources such as low-grade mining ores, smelter tailings and electronic waste. Recovering metals from these feedstocks, however, is often economically prohibitive. Factors that influence the viability of any recovery process include the metal concentration of a feedstock (and hence the amount of feedstock required for processing); the presence of refractory materials; and the volume of effluent generated. There is therefore a place for alternative solutions that aim to mitigate at least some of these problems, thereby improving the economics for the recovery of metals from low-grade or recalcitrant feedstocks.
Traditional techniques for refining metals include pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. In pyrometallurgy, a feedstock is smelted at high temperature (typically in the presence of a suitable reductant and/or catalyst). This requires a non-trivial energy input (and associated emissions), and therefore there is a practical minimum metal concentration required in a feedstock. In hydrometallurgy, the feedstock is treated with a lixiviant solution that leaches the desired metal (specifically or otherwise) into an ionic or complexed soluble form. Subsequent steps are required to recover the target metal from solution (e.g. electrowinning). Depending on the temperature and pressure requirements for leaching, this approach may allow for lower grade feedstocks to be processed in comparison to pyrometallurgy. Consideration needs to be made for the possible use of corrosive (e.g. acidic) or toxic (e.g. cyanide) solutions; any consumption of solution components during feedstock treatment; and dealing suitably with waste effluent. Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy techniques are not mutually exclusive, and may be used sequentially over multiple steps to refine specific metals.
Recovery of gold from gold containing ores is a typical example of a hydrometallurgical approach that has a number of issues. The amount of gold in gold bearing ores has been declining for over a hundred years as easier to recover resources with higher gold content have been depleted through extensive mining. As such, hydrometallurgical techniques have been used to recover traces of gold from large volumes of rock. Cyanide-based lixiviants have been successfully employed for many years, but suffer from toxicity issues and challenges with processing certain ore types.
Waste electronic equipment, such as printed circuit boards from computers, cell phones, notebooks and LCD displays also contain an appreciable amount of precious metals (including gold). While much endeavour has been applied to recovering gold from e-waste using pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy approaches, sustainable success has yet to be achieved.
Biometallurgy is a more recent approach that uses microorganisms to expose, leach, bind and/or recover metals from a feedstock under ambient conditions (Zhuang et al, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 33, pp 327-335 (2015)). Using microorganisms may lower the minimum required grade of a feedstock further, or better enable the economic processing of feedstocks that are refractory to pyrometallurgy and/or hydrometallurgy processes. A common tradeoff, however, is reaction time: biometallurgy often requires weeks to years to recover a metal from a feedstock (e.g. bio-oxidation of refractory copper ores using sulfur reducing bacteria).
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of recovering metals using biometallurgical techniques that complement or replace traditional pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy approaches. It is hoped that this will lead to the capture of value from low-grade or waste streams of metal that are currently neglected, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice in this regard.


The object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal spacer-forming ink that can sufficiently reduce the dot diameter of liquid crystal spacers formed by ink jet printing, and specifically it provides a liquid crystal spacer-forming ink with a surface tension of at least 28 mN/m at 25° C. and a viscosity of no greater than 50 mPa·s at 25° C.

Liquid crystal display devices have come into use in recent years as display devices, such as color television sets and monitors for personal computers. In such liquid crystal display devices, a gap of about 1-10 μm is formed between two transparent panels of glass, for example, that are provided with transparent electrodes, and a liquid crystal substance is enclosed in the gap to form a liquid crystal layer. An electric field is then applied to the liquid crystal layer through the electrodes, thereby orienting the liquid crystal substance in order to control transmission and non-transmission of backlight rays to display an image.
If the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is not consistent in such a liquid crystal display device, display irregularities and contrast anomalies may result. For this reason, in the past, beads of silica particles, metal oxide particles, thermoplastic resin particles or the like, having a uniform particle size distribution, have been placed between the panels as spacers in order to maintain a consistent gap between the panels and maintain a fixed thickness for the liquid crystal layer.
However, since liquid crystal spacers obtained using such particles (particulate spacers) are situated on the panel by dispersion, they are not anchored onto the panel surfaces, and therefore vibrations propagated in the liquid crystal display device can displace the particulate spacers and cause display variations. In addition, because the particulate spacers are situated by dispersion it is not possible to achieve precise placement to obtain a consistently even distribution, and the particulate spacers may become situated at undesired sections, leading to display defects including display variance and dropouts.
One strategy aimed at avoiding the problem of displacement of the particulate spacers has been to cover the surfaces of the particulate spacers with a deposited layer comprising a low-melting-point synthetic resin or wax. However, because the particulate spacers forming the deposited layer are also placed on the panel by dispersion, it is impossible to avoid the problem of uneven distribution.
Other methods devised to solve the aforementioned problem include methods of forming the liquid crystal spacers by coating an ultraviolet curing resin onto one panel, and then drying, exposing and developing (photolithographic methods). Since such methods allow formation of patterns for liquid crystal spacers at the desired locations and generally can provide adhesive force suitable for panels, they are able to improve the problems of abnormal orientation and reduced contrast, compared to particulate spacers.
Such photolithographic methods, however, require removal of the undesired sections after the entire panel surface has been coated with the spacer material, and this not only increases material loss but also adds steps for development and release, thus lengthening the manufacturing line. In addition, photolithography plates must be prepared for different products in order to form the spacers at the desired locations, thus complicating the process. Also, with increasing product sizes of liquid crystal display devices in recent years, it has become ever more difficult to evenly coat the spacer materials and prepare appropriate plates for the larger sizes.
Ink jet printing devices of the kind described in Patent document 1 have been proposed recently for formation of wirings on printed circuit boards and the like. Ink jet printing devices allow direct patterning from electronic data such as CAD data, and are therefore advantageous by eliminating the need to prepare photolithography plates. Moreover, the volume of droplets discharged from the head can be consistently controlled, thus helping to avoid thickness irregularities in the formed film pattern.
The use of ink jet printing devices in the production of color filters with spacers has also been proposed (see Patent document 2). In such methods, spacers are formed on color filters by ink jet printing, and the color filters with the spacers are used as plates between which the liquid crystals are sandwiched.                [Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-80694        [Patent document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-83524

Ink for forming liquid crystal spacer and liquid crystal display device using such ink


A fixing structure of a radiator includes a base plate, and a heat-sink seat to form a radiator. The base plate is provided with a combination tube defining a through hole. The heat-sink seat is provided with an ear plate that defines a hole aligning with the through hole of the combination tube for passage of a snap connecting rod which has a first end provided with a cap head, and a second end provided with a snap connecting portion. The snap connecting portion may pass through the through hole of the base plate and the hole of the ear plate, and may be locked and snapped on the other side edge of the positioning hole of a fixing plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing structure of a radiator, and more particularly to a fixing structure of a radiator, wherein the radiator may be conveniently combined with a fixing plate that has a positioning hole, and may be conveniently detached from the fixing plate without breaking the body of the radiator.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional radiator in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 1 is fixed in a fixing structure having a central processor, and comprises a fixing plate 90 provided with a plurality of positioning holes 91, and a base plate 92 having one surface provided with a plurality of upright combination posts 93. Each combination post 93 has a cone-shaped combination portion 94 whose diameter is greater than that of each combination post 93, and the combination portion 94 is provided with a through hole 95. The combination portion 94 may be compressed to pass through each positioning hole 97 of a radiator seat 96 and each positioning hole 91 of the fixing plate 90, so that the radiator may be fixed and combined with the fixing plate 90 having a central processor.
After each combination post 93 of the base plate 92 is snapped in the positioning hole 91 of the fixing plate 90, it is necessary to cut and break each combination post 93 so as to detach the base plate 92. Thus, the radiator cannot be used again. Therefore, according to the fixing manner of the base plate 92 of the radiator and the fixing plate 90, after they are combined and fixed, they cannot be detached and used. In addition, each combination post 93 protrudes outward from the base plate 92. Thus, each combination post 93 is easily broken due to hit or collision, so that the entire radiator cannot be used.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing structure of a radiator, wherein the radiator may be conveniently combined on a fixing article, and may be conveniently detached from the fixing article for the next use without breaking the body of the radiator, thereby decreasing the consumption so as to reduce the cost.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fixing structure of a radiator including a base plate, and a heat-sink seat to form a radiator. The base plate of the radiator is provided with an impeller that may be rotated to drive the air to flow. The base plate is provided with at least one combination tube which has a through hole. The heat-sink seat is provided with at least one ear plate that defines a hole. The through hole of the combination tube may align with the hole of the ear plate for passage of at least one snap connecting rod. The snap connecting rod has a first end provided with a cap head, and a second end provided with a cone-shaped snap connecting portion. The greatest outer diameter of the snap connecting portion being greater than a diameter of the snap connecting rod and the positioning hole of the fixing plate. The snap connecting portion may pass through the through hole of the base plate and the hole of the ear plate, and may be locked and snapped on the other side edge of the positioning hole of a fixing plate.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.