Datasets:

haritzpuerto

/

the_pile_00_USPTO_Backgrounds

like 0

In recent years, thermal transfer systems have been developed to obtain prints from pictures that have been generated electronically from a color camera. According to one way of obtaining such prints, an electronic picture is first subjected to color separation by color filters. The respective color-separated images are then converted into electrical signals. These signals are then operated on to produce cyan, magenta and yellow signals. These signals are then transmitted to a thermal printer. To obtain the print, a cyan, magenta or yellow dye-donor element is placed face-to-face with a dye-receiving element. The two are then inserted between a thermal printing head and a platen roller. A line-type thermal printing head is used to apply heat from the back of the dye-donor sheet. The thermal printing head has many heating elements and is heated up sequentially in response to one of the cyan, magenta and yellow signals. The process is then repeated for the other two colors. A color hard copy is thus obtained which corresponds to the original picture viewed on a screen. Further details of this process and an apparatus for carrying it out are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,271, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Thermal prints are susceptible to retransfer of dyes to adjacent surfaces and to discoloration by fingerprints. This is due to dye being at the surface of the dye-receiving layer of the print. These dyes can be driven further into the dye-receiving layer by thermally fusing the print with either hot rollers or a thermal head. This will help to reduce dye retransfer and fingerprint susceptibility, but does not eliminate these problems. However, the application of a protection overcoat will practically eliminate these problems. This protection overcoat is applied to the receiver element by heating in a likewise manner after the dyes have been transferred. The protection overcoat will improve the stability of the image to light fade and oil from fingerprints. In a thermal dye transfer printing process, it is desirable for the finished prints to compare favorably with color photographic prints in terms of image quality. The look of the final print is very dependent on the surface texture and gloss. Typically, color photographic prints are available in surface finishes ranging from very smooth, high gloss to rough, low gloss matte. The transferable protection layer of the dye donor that has a glossy finish is manufactured by a gravure coating process between the temperatures of 55° F. and 120° F., preferably between 65° F. and 100° F. A coating melt or solution is prepared from a solvent soluble polymer, a colloidal silica and organic particles and is transferred in the liquid state from the etching of the gravure cylinder to the dye donor support. The coated layer is dried by evaporating the solvent. The transferable protection layer is usually one of at least two patches on the dye donor. It is transferred after printing an image from the dye donor to the surface of the dye receiving layer of the receiver by heating the backside of the donor causing the transferable protection layer to adhere to the dye receiving layer. The dye donor is peeled away from the receiver after cooling resulting in transfer of the protective layer. The surface of the transferred protective layer adhered to the dye-receiving layer has a measurable 60 degree gloss that is usually between 65 and 85 gloss units. It has been found that the gloss on a laminated print decreases as the printing line time decreases, which is a problem as printing times become faster.

A conventional flat cable comprises a plurality of conductors covered with insulation arranged to joint each other in a side-by-side fashion to form a cable having a flat structure. The flat cable is commonly used for transmission of signal in a variety of electrical appliances, electronic facility, computer facility, and communication facility. Recently, flexible circuit board technology has also been applied to construct flat cables. The flexible circuit-board flat cables that are commonly used currently are constructed in different configurations that are either a single-sided board, a double-sided board, or a multiple-layered board, in order to meet the needs of applications that require different numbers of conductors for signal transmission. Adopting a flat cable that has a flat structure to serve as a signal transmission line constitutes no severe problem in practical applications where the flat cable needs to extend through an elongate space. However, lots of existing electronic or communication devices use a hinge structure that has a bore. For example, in the structure designs of various consumer electronic devices, such as notebook computers, liquid crystal displays, digital cameras, mobile phones, touch panels, or other electronic devices, a cover or a screen is coupled to a body of the electronic device with a hinge structure. To allow a signal to be transmitted from the body of the electronic device to the cover or the screen, the state-of-the-art techniques use a miniaturized flat cable or bundled extra thin leads to serve as a signal transmission line. In the applications mentioned previously, adopting the conventional flat cable constitutes problems, for example, rotation of the hinge being negatively affected by the existence of the conventional flat cable, insufficient flexibility of the conductors or leads, poor durability against flexing of the conductors or leads. Due to these problems, the present inventor provided various flexible flat circuit cables that have a bundled structure and a cluster section. The cluster section is composed of a plurality of cluster strips formed by slitting a flexible substrate in an extension direction.

The present invention relates to novel antibiotic compounds designated as boxazomycin A and B, to pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, to a process for the production of said compounds, and to a method for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria. More particularly, the process for producing boxazomycin A and B relates to an aerobic fermentation process using a novel actinomycete strain No. G495-11 isolated from a soil sample collected in Taiwan. The morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics and the cellular chemical compositions described hereinafter indicate that strain No. G495-11 is classified as a species of the genus Pseudonocardia.

Conventional lobster harvesting has consisted of divers harvesting lobsters and the use of traps placed on the sea floor and whose location has been marked with floats. These methods of harvesting lobsters has been useful to date, however, the ever increasing population is placing increased demands on our natural resources that are nearing or have already outpaced the available, sustainable lobster supply. One solution has been to look to new locations for harvesting lobsters. Another solution has been to raise lobsters in captivity. Raising lobsters in captivity is in its infancy. Typically, juvenile lobsters, also referred to as seed lobsters, are captured from near shore reefs and ocean accessible shallows, such as in the channels proximate to the shallows. These seed lobsters are then contained in cages in a naturally occurring water body or on land in tanks. The seed lobsters are typically captured via a collector suspended in the water. Each collector is deployed individually and is checked individually. The collector is hauled from the water and manually shaken by hand over the deck of a boat. All lobsters that fall to the deck of the boat are collected. Wind and seas often make this a very time consuming process because the boat must maneuvered to catch the float for each collector. Currently, the process is very time consuming.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure controller for a pressure regulator and more specifically to a pressure controller that includes pressure source independent of the process fluid and controls the regulator based on pressure sensed remotely from the regulator. 2. Related Art In systems for supplying liquid or gas to a point for use from a source which is subject to variable conditions, a pressure regulator is often utilized. The regulator functions to maintain a constant pressure in the fluid despite variations in pressure from the supply. It has been known to install a pressure transducer downstream of a regulator to read downstream pressure and transfer the reading to an electronic controller which compares the signal with a predetermined setting. The electronic controller sends an electrical signal to a converter which transforms the electrical signal into a pneumatic signal and increases or decreases pressure in the regulator to adjust downstream pressure. Efforts of others include the following: Bloom, U.S. Pat. No. 2,339,753, discloses a liquid control apparatus comprising a single unit that regulates pressure of fluid flowing through it in one direction, and utilizes the pressure of the fluid in the other direction, in a separate chamber, to control the regulator. The invention is related primarily to regulators used in industrial furnace installations, such as, those fired with tar or heavy oil. Katchka, U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,355, discloses a flow control device that can be used in connection with, for example, a fuel control apparatus for a water heater control system. The device includes an inlet, an outlet and a main valve of the pressure-to-close type interposed therebetween. The valve includes a flexible diaphragm and a coil spring. On the back side of the diaphragm is an operating pressure chamber. An external bleed path communicates with the inlet passage. The external bleed path includes a conduit, a thermostatic valve and another conduit that reenters the casing at a passage which eventually leads to the outlet through a pressure chamber and a passage with a flow restrictor therein. The internal bleed path communicates with the inlet through a passage having a porting which communicates with the operating pressure chamber. The internal bleed path also leads to a bleed path valve having a valve seat, a spring and a valve member. The passage leads from the bleed path valve to a regulating valve which includes a valve seat, a valve member and a flexible diaphragm. Kakegawa, U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,823, discloses a pressure regulator having a main regulator and a pilot regulator. The device includes two chambers in a main regulator divided by a main diaphragm. Flow of fluid passing through the regulator is controlled by the pilot regulator which communicates at one end with the downstream side and at the other end with the upstream side. The pressure differential between the upstream side and the downstream side serves to vary the position of the main diaphragm thereby adjusting the valve to maintain fluid pressure on the low pressure side constant. Modes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,159, discloses a self adjusting fluid flow regulator for use in fluid handling systems capable of maintaining a constant flow rate. The flow regulator may be utilized within an air distribution system such as that which supplies air through ducts to various rooms or portions of an enclosure. The system includes a pressurized air source which supplies air flow through a duct network to various terminal ports. Risk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,754, discloses an automatic control valve for a fluid system such as for a hydraulic elevator system. The device includes a main valve body with first and second chambers interconnected by a port. An adjustable valve restricts the flow of fluid through the port. The adjustable valve is controlled by a fluid responsive valve actuator means. A first bypass conduit interconnects the first chamber and the valve actuator and controls the rate of fluid flow from the first chamber to the valve actuator. A second bypass conduit interconnects the second chamber with the valve actuator. A regulator connected across the first and second bypass conduits and responsive to the rate of fluid flow through the valve, is actuated by a fluid flow rate greater than a pre-determined rate to restrict the second bypass conduit thereby developing a pressure build up in the valve actuator and enabling the valve actuator to close the valves until the pressure unbalance is removed. Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,375, discloses a pilot regulator for pressure regulation servo-control of a valve in a compressible fluid system. The regulator includes a restrictor for supplying fluid from the main valve inlet to a control chamber. McNeely, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,852, discloses a safety relief system for a pressure vessel having a safety relief valve in a main flow line from the pressure vessel. The pilot valve includes a separate auxiliary source of high pressure fluid for operating the pilot valve. What would be desirable, but has not heretofore been developed, is a pressure controller which functions without electronics which senses pressure at a point of regulation and based on said pressure utilizes an independent pressure source to provide a control pressure to a pressure regulator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller for a pressure regulator. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller for controlling a pressure regulator which pressure controller does not have electronic components. It is even another object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller which uses a pressure source, independent of the process fluid, for control pressure. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller for a pressure regulator which uses compressed air to control pressure in the pressure regulator. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller which provides compressed air to a pressure regulator based on process fluid pressure being regulated by the pressure regulator. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a pressure controller that uses compressed air wherein compressed air is directed to a pressure regulator or to atmosphere or to both based on the pressure of the process fluid being regulated by the pressure regulator. The present invention relates to a pressure controller for controlling a pressure regulator to deliver process fluid at a regulated pressure from a variable pressure supply. The pressure controller includes a control pressure source independent of the process fluid, such as compressed air, which enters the controller through a restriction. The compressed air passes through the controller to the regulator where it exerts pressure on the pressure regulator. The controller is interconnected with the process fluid line and senses pressure in a diaphragm chamber of the controller. The pressure on the diaphragm is opposed by a bias such as a spring. The diaphragm is interconnected with a valve. The bias tends to move the valve to a closed position. Pressure on the diaphragm tends to move the valve to an open position. The bias means is adjustable. As pressure in the diaphragm chamber pressure rises, corresponding to a rise in pressure of the process fluid pressure, the diaphragm is moved to open the valve to allow the flow of the control pressure through the valve to a drain, such as atmosphere. If the regulated pressure falls below a set point, the valve closes and the control pressure is not drained or vented to atmosphere, but flows directly to the regulator to increase pressure on the regulator to increase the pressure of the process fluid. At the set pressure the valve is partially open limiting air flow to atmosphere, maintaining constant pressure to the regulator, so the force of the bias is equal to the force of the process fluid on the diaphragm. The design of the invention provides feedback to the regulator based on downstream pressure sensed by the controller without the need for electronics.

The invention relates to a process for blending liquid flows, particularly in the approach system to a paper machine, as well as a device for implementing the process. In paper-making, a pulp suspension is distributed evenly over a wire and the greater part of the water is removed from the pulp in the first part. Before the suspension is fed onto the wire, impurities, in particular, are removed. The pulp suspension also contains gas, particularly air, as free air in the form of bubbles and as dissolved air. This air, especially in the form of bubbles, causes problems in the paper production process, particularly if present in larger quantities. As a result there may be problems with foam, instabilities in the process, pulsations in the approach system to the paper machine, reduced dewatering performance and, as a further consequence, small holes may appear in the paper web. A process to achieve maximum possible degassing is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,340. The evacuation is, however, very complex and in many cases, there is no need for complete evacuation. In the approach system to the paper machine, different pulp components (long fibres, short fibres, broke, etc.) are currently fed into a tank and blended. The various chemicals are added (e.g. wet strength agent, dye, filler, etc.). As an alternative, the individual components and also additives can be fed into a mixing pipe. The problem with these set-ups is that the substances are not mixed adequately and also contain a large proportion of gas, both in the individual flows of the pulp components and in the white water. EP 0 543 866 B1 shows a plant, for example, in which several pumps are used to remove the gas from the pulp that has been blended beforehand and from the white water coming from the paper machine. The plant is not capable, however, of mixing pulp components and additives. Although the sensors for measuring quantities and consistency are located in the de-aerated pulp, there is no device here to mix the dilution water homogenously into the pulp.

Among patients having intact retrograde atrial-ventricular (AV) conduction, PVC or other ventricular events may cause retrograde atrial depolarizations that occur during the postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP). These atrial depolarization events do not initiate a new AV interval but may render subsequent atrial pacing stimulus ineffectual (i.e., if provided during the physiologic refractory period of the atria). In older cardiac pacing regimens, this phenomenon was dealt with under the general rubric of pacemaker syndrome. Currently, most cardiac pacing systems have automatic atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recognition. Shortly after AT detection such cardiac pacing systems change the operating mode (i.e., perform mode-switching) for example by performing so-called anti-tachycardia “overdrive” pacing (ATP) to halt the AT. Various methods to safely restore AV synchrony following non-physiologic atrial events (e.g., retrograde p-waves) have been known and used in the art. One approach is to deliver an atrial pace stimulus following a fixed delay (e.g., 300 ms) to allow the refractory myocardial tissue to recover and thereby reduce the risk of provoking an AT by competitive atrial pacing. One pacemaker manufacturer refers to their technique as non-competitive atrial pacing (NCAP), another refers to their technique as atrial synchronization pacing (ASP). The NCAP approach may be adapted to avoid repetitive AVDA sequences by simply extending the NCAP delay following a refractory event (e.g., event deemed non-physiologic). Such an extended delay allows additional time for the excitable atrial myocardial tissue to fully recover. However, the downside to this approach is a significant disruption of the paced rhythm, especially during sensor-driven pacing. Other intervals timed by a pacemaker or implantable pulse generator (IPG) include atrial and ventricular sense amplifier blanking periods following delivery of atrial and/or ventricular pacing pulses to disable atrial and ventricular amplifier sensing. In addition, sense amplifier refractory periods are timed- or switched-out following atrial and ventricular paced and sensed event signals. Such “refractory” A-sense and V-sense signals are selectively ignored or employed in a variety of ways; for example, to reset or extend time periods or to gather evidence that an arrhythmia is present, and the like. An atrial refractory period (ARP) extends for various time durations through the Sensed AV (SAV) delay or the Paced AV (PAV) delay. In addition, a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) begins at a V-PACE pulse or V-SENSE event. A-SENSE signals occurring during the PVARP are noted (e.g., counted as evidence that an arrhythmia is present) but do not start an AV interval. The rationale for this operation is that such events may be a retrograde atrial sensed (AR) event or an event that is part of an atrial tachycardia episode. In either case, it is not desirable to synchronize ventricular pacing to such events. The duration of the PVARP may be fixed by programming, extended after a PVC, or vary as a function of the pacing or heart rate, with the result that in many cases relatively long PVARPs are in effect at lower rates.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of digital data processing systems, and more particularly relates to communication of information between components in such systems. 2. Background of the Invention In the field of digital data processing systems, as the computer capabilities of data processing devices have increased, both in terms of speed, efficiency, and complexity, the number of users or applications which may be concurrently supported by a single central processing device has also increased. Often, the number of remote devices in a system exceeds the number of separate input/output (I/O) ports of the central processing device. In this case, a multiplexing communications system may be implemented which allows multiple remote devices to share a common one of the central device's I/O ports. Remote or "peripheral" devices, such as user terminals, printers, modems, data storage devices, data acquisition devices, and the like, must frequently exchange information with a central processing unit, and as the number of remote devices increases, such communication of data between peripheral devices and a central unit must be highly efficient. The communications system must also allow the central device to selectively exchange data with any one of the remote devices, and each remote device must have a unique identity as seen by the central device. Accordingly, any communications scheme for multiplexed systems must include not only the hardware components for implementing the actual data link, but also a communications protocol for use with the hardware, for allowing data transferred on the link to be associated with a particular sender or receiver. Maintaining the identity of devices and data in a multiplexed system can be accomplished in a number of ways. One method involves the assignment of a unique identification code to each device in the system, including identification of the sender and/or receiver of data within the data itself as it is transmitted along the shared data link. An example of this is the so-called address/packet protocol, wherein all information transmitted on the shared data link is of a standard format which includes device identification fields. Packets of data transmitted on a data link that is shared by multiple devices could be received by all devices at once; each device could then decode the identification field of the incoming packets to determine whether the data is intended for it. In another type of multiplexing, called Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), the identity of data is determined by the time of its transmission on the shared medium. Each device sharing a common data link is allocated, in a regular and cyclical fashion, a fixed period of time during which it has access to the data link. If a first device needs to send data, it must wait until its allocated time slot before sending it. The identity of the sending device is thus implicitly known to the receiving device according to the time of transmission. Alternately, access to a shared data link can be multiplexed on a demand, or First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) basis, in which a device is granted access to the data link not in a cyclical fashion, but according to its needs. Often, demand multiplexing is implemented through the use of a separate multiplexor unit, which receives requests for access to the shared data link from multiple devices, and allocates access according to a FCFS algorithm. With demand multiplexing, the multiplexor logic must be capable of informing each device of the source of data transmitted on the shared link, since time slices are not allocated in a repeating, cyclical manner. Additionally, variations of demand multiplexing can be implemented wherein the FCFS algorithm is replaced by a weighted algorithm which considers other factors, such as varying levels of device priority, in allocating access to the multiplexed data link. In any non-symmetrical implementation in which one device may have temporary or permanent priority over another, care must be taken that low priority devices are not prevented entirely from gaining access to the shared data link by higher priority devices. Typically it is the duty of the multiplexing logic (either software or hardware) to ensure equity or near-equity of access to a shared communication medium. The aforementioned methods of multiplexing each have their disadvantages. Multiplexing schemes typically require substantial hardware support for allocating access to the shared link in an efficient and equitable manner. In pure TDM schemes, inefficiency is unavoidably introduced if any devices are idle, because the shared link would go unused during an idle device's time slot. Though no bandwidth may be lost in demand and other priority-based access schemes, these methods may also suffer from inefficiency if the multiplexing algorithm allowed one very active device to dominate over all others. In address/packet protocol multiplexing, on the other hand, each participating device must provide hardware or software for "de-packetizing" all incoming data packets to determine the intended recipient. Hardware or software must also be provided in each device for "packetizing" all outgoing data. The processing overhead for packetization and depacketization is further increased if the packet size is allowed to be variable under a given protocol. The addition of devices or user terminals to multi-user systems often requires a great deal of system reconfiguration. As the limits of the system's communications hardware are reached, new hardware must be added, or the existing hardware must be replaced by new, more densely packed hardware. Such hardware changes typically involve reconfiguration of the system software or firmware to accommodate the new hardware.

In a client/server computing environment a need may arise to enable a client to communicate with two servers, each of which provide functions that represent a portion of a service desired by the client. In some cases, it is desirable to permit the client to communicate with only a first one of the two servers and to prevent direct contact between the client and the other of the two servers. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked computer system in which the foregoing general problem may arise. Client 102 is a computer device such as a workstation, server, router, or switch. Client 102 is coupled to network 104, which is an interconnected combination of computers, terminals, or peripherals used to provide communications between two or more points. A first server 106 and a second server 108 are coupled to network 104, logically separated from client 102. In one embodiment, client 102, network 104, and servers 106, 108 communicate using TCP/IP network protocols, and using HTTP protocol messages that comprise requests and responses. Such protocols are exemplary and not required. Client 102 may communicate an HTTP request for a service to network 104. The request includes a name or other identifier of server 106, which client 102 expects to provide the requested service. Network 104 locates server 106 and routes the request to server 106, thereby establishing a logical connection 110 from client 102 to the server. Server 106 determines that it cannot provide the function or service solicited in the request, but that server 108 can provide the function or service. Accordingly, software elements in server 106 automatically divert or “redirect” the request to server 108 over a logical connection 112, which may physically travel through the network 104. Server 108 processes the request, generates a response message, and sends the response message back to client 102 over logical connection 114, which may pass through network 104. In this scenario, when the client and the servers use HTTP, the response message may include a document formatted using a structured markup language, such as HTML. The HTML document may contain hyperlinks or other references to resources within server 108, or other servers or network elements. As a result, client 102 may select one of the hyperlinks or references, and thereby attempt to request a service of server 108 directly along connection 114. Server 106 would not be involved in processing such a request. This result is undesirable in several circumstances. The server 106 may have been designated as authoritative for certain kinds of transactions. The server 106 may have redirected the original request to server 108 solely because server 106 cannot directly process the request, whereas server 108 can, but server 106 may need to remain in control of the overall transaction. For example, server 106 may have redirected the original request to server 108 just to carry out a specialized or subordinate task, although server 106 remains responsible for the total transaction or for presenting a consistent interface to the client 102. Accordingly, there is a need in this field for a mechanism that allows a client request to be redirected from a first server to a second server, while keeping the first server in control of subsequent requests by the client for services of the second server. In particular, there is a need for a mechanism that prevents the client from directly communicating with the second server even after the first server has redirected a request of the client to the second server. There is a specific need in Internet protocol networks, such as Intranets or the Internet in which clients and servers use TCP/IP and HTTP, to force subsequent requests resulting from HTML generated by the second server to come back to the first server for further redirection.

The present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses—such as, but not limited to, beds, stretchers, cots, operating tables, and the like—and more particularly to patient support apparatuses that have at least one powered wheel to assist in the movement of the patient support apparatus over a floor. Patient support apparatuses are used in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities for both supporting patients within a room or other location, as well as transporting patients between rooms and/or other locations. While most patient support apparatuses include one or more wheels that allow the support apparatus to be wheeled from the first location to the second location, the weight and bulk of the patient support apparatus—including the weight of the patient supported thereon, can make it difficult for a caregiver to manually wheel the support apparatus from one location to another. This can be especially difficult when there are inclines in the floors of the healthcare facility, or when there are long distances involved, or when the patient and/or the support apparatus are heavy. This difficulty can be further exacerbated when it is desirable to maneuver the patient support apparatus into, or through, areas with little excess clearance, such as in elevators, rooms, or corridors, or when turning the patient support apparatus around a corner, or steering it past obstacles. In the past, powered patient support apparatuses have been provided that include a powered wheel that is driven by a motor positioned on the patient support apparatus. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,224 issued to Hopper et al. In prior powered support apparatuses, the powered wheel responds to controls issued by a caregiver. In some instances, the caregiver controls the powered wheel by one or more handles positioned at an end of the patient support apparatus. When the caregiver pushes forward on the handle, the powered wheel powers the support apparatus forward. Conversely, when the caregiver pulls back on the handle, the powered wheel brakes or moves backward. A load cell, a potentiometer, or some other type of sensor may be used to sense the forward/backward pushing of the caregiver. Despite the assistance of the powered wheel, prior art powered patient support apparatuses can still be difficult to use, and/or suffer from other disadvantages.

The potential benefits of enabling a user to modulate, suppress or control his appetite include decreasing a person's excess weight and, thereby potentially beneficially affecting all of the health problems associated therewith, as further discussed below. The same potential benefits apply to modulating or otherwise controlling a person's hunger, satiety level, satiation level, and degree of fullness. Being obese, or overweight, is a condition that often results from an imbalance between food intake and caloric expenditure. Excessive weight increases the likelihood of several additional risks including cardiovascular complications (such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia), gallbladder disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, polycystic ovary disease, pregnancy-related complications, arthritis-related complications and other orthopedic complications caused by stress on body joints. Obesity is also thought to be a primary cause of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in many ethnicities. In “Effect of Somatovisceral Reflexes and Selective Dermatomal Stimulation on Postcibal Antral Pressure Activity”, Camilleri et al., sustained somatic stimulation by a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device was applied to the skin of human volunteers while simultaneously monitoring their upper gastrointestinal phasic pressure activity, extra-intestinal vasomotor indices, and plasma levels of putative humoral mediators of autonomic reflexes. Camilleri posits that “somatovisceral reflex alteration of gastric motility may also be elicited in humans . . . and suggests that a sustained somatic stimulus would also result in impaired antral phasic pressure response to a solid-liquid meal.” However, Camilleri's approach requires sustained painful somatic stimulation and, accordingly, from a compliance standpoint, is simply not a feasible therapeutic approach. U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,443 discloses “electrode pads . . . situated proximate to the thoracic vertebrae and the preganglionic greater splanchnic nerve fibers of the spine to stimulate the postganglionic sympathetic nerve pathways innervating the stomach.” The electrode pads are “positioned at or near the top and bottom, respectively, of the thoracic spine”. Because the electrodes are placed on the spine, it is difficult for a person to place, activate, or maintain the TENS device on his own, reduces compliance, and is not practically sustainable as a therapy for people who are overweight. Additionally such therapies require a medical professional to place the device and/or administer the therapy, including programming the device. The patient must visit the medical professional at the onset of treatment to have the device placed and then weekly thereafter to have the therapy administered and/or device programming modified. The requirement for such frequent doctor visits is inconvenient for most patients and can have a detrimental effect on patient compliance. Additionally, such prior approaches using electrical, external stimulation to suppress appetite do not have a combination of the following characteristics effective to enable a patient to independently administer the device and accompanying therapies: wearability; administration by the patient; real-time or near real-time feedback from the patient (e.g. food intake, exercise, hunger) or from wearable devices, for example, a device, with physiological sensors, configured to be worn on the human body, such as around the wrist, in order to monitor, acquire, record, and/or transmit the physiological data; the ability to stimulate multiple times per day or week; daily, or on-demand, feedback from the device to the patient with respect to dietary compliance, exercise, calories burned; storage of stimulation parameters and other real-time inputs; and an electrical stimulation profile and a footprint conducive to long term wearability. In addition, prior art therapies which have some degree of flexibility include an electrode which must be tethered via cables to a control or power box. Prior art therapies which are wireless are typically bulky, inflexible, and not amenable to being worn for long periods of time. Because successful weight loss is, in the end, a matter of achieving a high degree of compliance with a dietary regimen, it is absolutely critical for a successful device to go beyond mere appetite suppression and combine wearability, physical comfort, ease of use, and integration of numerous data sources to provide a holistic and real-time view into a person's dietary compliance, in addition to effectively modulating the individual's appetite, hunger, satiety level, satiation level, or fullness. Therefore, there is a need for a low profile, long lasting electrical neuro-stimulation device which is programmable, and is effective to cause appetite or hunger control, modulation or suppression while minimizing any accompanying nausea, dyspepsia and habituation. There is also a need for a device that can effectively integrate appetite management data with conventional weight management information, such as caloric expenditure and consumption. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which is wearable and can be controlled, programmed, and self-administered by the patient, thereby enabling greater patient independence. There is also a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which includes real-time or near real-time feedback from patient parameters including, but not limited to, exercise, diet, hunger, appetite, well-being and which will be able to obtain real-time or near real-time feedback from other wearable devices, for example, a device, with physiological sensors, configured to be worn on the human body, such as around the wrist, in order to monitor, acquire, record, and/or transmit the physiological data, allowing for frequent adjustability and customization of therapy to suppress appetite and therefore treat conditions of obesity, over-weight, eating disorders, metabolic syndrome. There is a need for an electro-stimulation device configured to intelligently trigger and initiate stimulation automatically and without on-going management by a user. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device having the ability to stimulate multiple times per day or per week, accelerating treatment effect and efficacy. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which provides daily feedback from the device to the patient on such parameters as dietary compliance, and calories burned. In addition, there is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device capable of storing stimulation parameters and other real-time inputs, such as diary and exercise monitoring, to provide a physician and the patient with real-time records and treatment profiles. Inputs from the electrical neuro-stimulation device and from other sources of information, for example, a device, with physiological sensors, configured to be worn on the human body, such as around the wrist, in order to monitor, acquire, record, and/or transmit the physiological data would be stored. There is also a need to allow physicians to be able to flexibly program an electrical neuro-stimulation device and still direct the patient, allowing the patient to adjust device parameters (for greater patient independence) but within restricted bounds or predetermined parameters. There is also a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which targets appetite or hunger suppression, does not require implantation, and does not require wires or remote electrodes to provide stimulation. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which is remotely programmable, yet wireless, can flex at any point along its body, is waterproof, and is configured for extended or permanent wearability. There is also a need for a patient-administered, wearable electrical neuro-stimulation device directed toward suppressing post-prandial glucose levels and effectively modulating a plurality of hormones and microbiota related to gastrointestinal functionality. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device having a size, shape, and weight, and being composed of materials that effectively allow the device to be wearable. Such a device would eliminate the need for stimulation parameters requiring large power needs (which would make wearability impractical or impossible). There is also a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device which is controllable by a companion device (such as a smartphone) and includes no visible or tactile user interface on the stimulation device itself. There is a need for an electrical neuro-stimulation device having unique electrical stimulation and footprint, based on electrode design and stimulation parameters, which would allow users to comfortably wear the device. There is also a need for a holistic approach to managing a patient's caloric consumption and expenditure profile. Conventional approaches focus on caloric intake but do not analyze, monitor, or otherwise gather data on the important precursor to caloric intake, namely appetite or hunger levels. There are untapped benefits to integrating data relating to the appetite, hunger and/or craving levels, active suppression or control over appetite, caloric intake, weight gain, and caloric expenditure. These and other benefits shall be described in relation to the detailed description and figures.

The present invention relates to the art of internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for generating and delivering gaseous fuel vapor to the air induction passage of an internal combustion engine. Many efforts have been made heretofore to provide apparatus and systems for generating gaseous vapor from a liquid fuel such as gasoline and operating an internal combustion engine with such gaseous vapor. The greatest advantage of a gaseous vapor operating engine would of course be fuel economy which is becoming progressively more important in light of present day petroleum fuel shortages. Generally, gaseous fuel vapor generating systems include a source of liquid fuel such as gasoline which is heated to produce gaseous vapor which is then delivered to the air induction passage of an internal combustion engine for mixture with air and combustion of the mixture in the cylinders of the engine to achieve operation thereof. To the best of my knowledge, the systems and apparatus heretofore provided have not been commercially acceptable for a number of reasons including safety, reliability and/or efficiency of operation, and the size and/or complexity and production costs. More particularly in this respect, certain systems heretofore devised have been dual systems relying on liquid fuel for starting an engine and gaseous vapor for operating the engine after starting. Such a system is structurally complex and expensive to produce because of the dual nature thereof and, additionally, is less economical and efficient than desired because of the use of liquid fuel. Moreover, any burning of liquid fuel is undesirable from the standpoint of pollution. Systems have also been devised to operate internal combustion engines using gaseous vapor alone, but these systems require a waiting period during which sufficient fuel vapor is generated to start and operate the engine. Such initial vapor generation requires a source of heat separate from the internal combustion engine for heating the liquid gasoline, such a source being an electrical resistance heater for example from the vehicle battery. Accordingly, in addition to the time delay in connection with starting the engine, there is a danger associated with the use of such external heating means. Moreover, systems relying on exhaust line temperatures of the engine for heating the liquid fuel after the engine is started are likewise dangerous because of the spark content in exhaust gases. Still further, the systems heretofore provided have included electrically operated control valves, pumps and the like, again creating potential hazards with respect to spark ignition of the highly volatile fuel vapor. Furthermore, such component parts and the electrical circuitry therefore are expensive and the component parts do not lend to a compact unitary arrangement thereof but, rather, require excessive space for installation as well as physical separation from one another in mounting.

In order for printers to operate effectively, they must be able to perform different tasks during a print cycle, such as picking up a sheet of paper, feeding it into the printer and expelling it after printing. To perform such tasks, printers generally have different motor-driven gear trains. For example, to pick up a sheet of paper, a printer may have one gear train that, when engaged, triggers a mechanism that can pick up the next sheet of paper. The printer would have another gear train to eject the sheet of paper after printing. Accordingly, printers generally include numerous gears and different gear trains. Additionally, a printer may include a multiplexer to engage different gear trains. For example, the printer described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,963, naming Steve O. Rasmussen et al. as inventors, includes a multiplexer. In that printer, the multiplexer has three multiplexer gears. A different multiplexer gear is required for each different task that the printer can perform. Each multiplexer gear is engaged by moving a trigger. Different printer tasks are actuated by engaging different multiplexer gears. A problem with printers having multiplexer gears and multiple gear trains is that numerous, complex and costly gear mechansims are required. This invention offers a printer capable of performing different tasks without requiring complex gear trains and multiplexer gears. In other words, the invented printer includes a carriage-actuated clutch that may be used to trigger different tasks. Thus, the invented printer may be manufactured much less expensively and with fewer parts than existing printers. As stated, one task that a printer must perform is to pick a sheet of paper and feed it into the printer. To accomplish this a printer must have a paper-feed mechanism. One type of paper-feed mechanism, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,963, includes a spring-biased plate that articulates between raised and lowered positions. Paper is stacked on the plate and when a certain gear train is engaged, the plate is allowed to articulate to its raised position. In its raised position, drive rollers contact the top sheet on the stack and feed it into the printer. Thereafter, the gear train causes the plate to articulate to its lowered position. As stated, such a paper-feed mechanism may be triggered by a multiplexer and requires a separate multiplexer gear and a complex and costly gear train. The invented printer includes a paper-feed mechanism that can be triggered by the same carriage-actuated clutch that may be used to trigger other functions. Additionally, the paper-feed mechanism of the invented printer does not require a gear train that causes the plate to articulate between raised and lowered positions. Thus, the invented printer includes a simpler and more economical paper-feed mechanism than is present in existing printers.

Roofs at present are covered with many different materials, for example tiles and sheets. Tile roofs are attractive, and many private persons want the roofs of their own homes be covered with tiles. Tiles, however, are expensive, and moreover, the art field, i.e., the manufacture of roof tiles, is gradually ceasing to exist due to lack of profitability, factors which will result in a future shortage of roof tiles. The tin (metal) roofs available prior to applicant's invention consist of flat sheets or of conventionally roll-formed sheets of different appearance, or of trapezoid corrugated sheets, and the like. The present invention refers to a kind of sheet-tile roof, which means that the roofing consists of sheets, but has the appearance of tiles, and will be referred to hereinafter as tiles. The new sheet-tile roof is manufactured in large units which include a plurality of "tiles", so that several rows of tiles are obtained in both directions, vertically as well as in lateral direction. The large units then can be cut to desired sizes. The individual "tile" in the large unit, besides, can be manufactured in different sizes (modules) according to desire. This new roofing is cheaper to manufacture and cheaper to lay (mount) on the roof than a conventional clay or ceramic tile roof. It has the look, besides, of a usual tile roof and, therefore, the new roofing also is attractive to many people. The new roofing also is attractive compared with conventional roofing of sheet material, because of the appearance of a clay tile roof. The new roofing, besides, has economically advantageous aspects in production, shipping, storage and installation. My co-pending application Ser. No. 219,831 discloses a roofing, the appearance of which resembles that of a clay tile roofing. The method of manufacturing such roofing which also is described in said patent specification is characterized substantially in that a flat sheet in a first step is preformed by roll-forming, so that the sheet by a first cross forming operation is provided with a contour perpendicularly to its surface extension which in cross-section is a curved, or multi-wave shape, e.g., a sinus-shaped section. In a second step the preformed sheet is provided with stepped jags of a certain step height by some kind of stretch-pressing operation, at which a special pressing tool is used. The basic pressing tool comprises two pairs of tools, which are movable individually relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the surface extension of the sheet. At the forming of the step-like jag the preformed sheet is held down, retained, by each pair of tools in a clamping condition, i.e., in a blankholding condition, whereafter the tool pairs are moved relative to each other through a distance corresponding to the step height, so that the sheet by the second forming operation perpendicularly to its surface extension and to said first cut is given a step-formed section. The tools then are separated from each other, and the sheet is advanced through a predetermined distance. Thereafter the next step is formed, and so on. The result thereof is a sheet having a form corresponding to a portion of a clay tile roof. The method referred to above, however, involves problems, viz. that the distance between two subsequent jags, i.e. a distance corresponding to the length of a tile, is difficult to control. Furthermore, uncontrolled wrinkling and/or tearing occurring in connection with making the jag is difficult to avoid. These problems emanate from difficulties in controlling and guiding the movements of the sheet relative to the tool surfaces of the tool pairs. This in its turn depends on the clamping force with which the two respective tool pairs are held against the sheet.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to thermoelectric devices. Particularly, this invention relates to interfacing materials for thermoelectric materials in thermoelectric power generation devices, particularly those using Zintl, e.g. Yb14MnSb11 (YMS) and skutterudite. 2. Description of the Related Art Thermoelectric materials exhibit the property of producing an electric voltage from an applied temperature differential across the material, the so-called thermoelectric effect or Seebeck effect. Accordingly, such materials may be used in thermoelectric devices to generate electrical power from a temperature differential. Such thermoelectric generators have been used to convert heat directly to electrical power for applications including isolated facilities or space applications. Depending upon the application, the applied heat may be naturally available or generated, e.g. by burning fuel or from a decaying radioisotope. As mentioned, thermoelectric materials are known to provide a means for directly converting heat into electrical energy in a fully solid state device. Due to the nature of thermoelectric materials, power generating devices require a pairing of two different materials, typically comprised of highly doped narrow band gap semiconductors (one with an excess of n-type charge carriers, the other with an excess of p-type carriers) connected in a junction. Prior art thermoelectric devices have featured materials such as silicon germanium, lead telluride, bismuth telluride or other related materials. To achieve greater device efficiency and greater specific power, however, new thermoelectric materials, are required in more complex combinations. One suitable material is found in the class of Zintl materials, particularly the compound p-type semiconductor Yb14MnSb11 (YMS), which has been demonstrated to have one of the highest zT values at 1000° C., a typical operational temperature of space-based radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). For example, some thermoelectric power generation for deep space applications have employed SiGe thermoelectric materials generating electric power using a decaying radioisotope, e.g. plutonium 238, as a heat source, in an RTG. The fuel source and solid state nature of the devices afford exceptional service life and reliability, paramount considerations in space applications which offset the relatively low efficiency of such devices. Many working RTG devices for space applications have been developed and successfully employed. See e.g. Winter et al., “The Design of a Nuclear Power Supply with a 50 Year Life Expectancy: The JPL Voyager's SiGe MHW RTG,” IEEE AES Systems Magazine, April 2000, pp. 5-12; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,152, issued Jul. 2, 1974 to Kot, which are incorporated by reference herein. Recent focus on renewable energy and increased energy efficiency has resulted in increased interest in thermoelectric materials and devices for applications such as automotive and industrial waste heat recovery. Zintl materials in particular have been studied for thermoelectric applications. A particular Zintl compound, Yb14MnSb11, has shown exceptional promise for thermoelectric power generation applications. See e.g. Brown et al., “Yb14MnSb11: New High Efficiency Thermoelectric Materials for Power Generation,” Chem. Mater., 18, 2006, 1873-1877, which is incorporated by reference herein. However, defining the properties of a particular material are only a first step in the development of a practical thermoelectric power generation device using that material. SiGe has been well studied as a thermoelectric material as a result of previous RTG development. See e.g., Rowe, “Recent Advanced in Silicon-Germanium Alloy Technology and an Assessment of the Problems of Building the Modules for a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator,” Journal of Power Sources, 19 (1987), pp. 247-259; and “Silicon Germanium Thermoelectric Materials and Module Development Program,” ALO (2510)-T1, AEC Research and Development Rep, Cat. UC33, TID 4500, which are incorporated by reference herein. However, although the general configurations of previously developed SiGe thermoelectric power generation devices may be applicable, there are differences in the physical properties of Zintl materials and SiGe that demand new solutions in the development of a practical thermoelectric power generation devices using Zintl materials; the solutions for SiGe thermoelectric materials cannot be readily applied to Zintl thermoelectric materials. To achieve high thermal-to-electric energy conversion efficiency (“Carnot” efficiency) operating across large temperature differentials is required. When using solid state thermoelectric devices for power generation using high grade heat sources, best conversion efficiencies are achieved by combining the highest performance materials in their respective optimum operating temperature ranges into multi-stage cascaded or segmented device architectures. Such segmented architectures have been used primarily for long life thermoelectric generators on board space science and exploration missions, operating across temperature differentials in excess of 700 K with maximum hot side operating temperatures of up to 1273 K. Next generation high temperature thermoelectric power generating devices will employ segmented architectures and will have to reliably withstand thermally induced mechanical stresses produced during component fabrication, device assembly and operation. Thermoelectric materials have typically poor mechanical strength, can exhibit brittle behavior, and possess a wide range of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values. As a result, the direct bonding at elevated temperatures of these materials to each other to produce segmented leg components is difficult and often results in localized microcracking at interfaces and mechanical failure due to the stresses that arise from CTE mismatch between the various materials. Even in the absence of full mechanical failure, the degraded interfaces can lead to increased electrical and thermal resistances which adversely impact conversion efficiency and power output. For example, cracking can occur in a segmented p-type thermoelectric leg made of high CTE (e.g. approximately 18 ppm) Yb14MnSb11 Zintl material (high temperature segment) bonded to an intermediate CTE (e.g. approximately 13 ppm) CefFe4-xCoxSb12 skutterudite material (low temperature segment) using a direct brazing method on pre-metallized thermoelectric material segments. In one test a large crack has been observed post fabrication in the Zintl segment, presumed to have occurred as a consequence of the bonding process. In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for apparatuses and methods for mechanically compliant interface materials, particularly to accommodate induced stresses from very high temperature gradients, e.g. above 700 K. There is a need for such apparatuses and methods to have high thermal and electrical conductivity. In addition, there is a particular need for such apparatuses and method to operate with Zintl thermoelectric materials such as Yb14MnSb11. There is also a need for such apparatuses and methods in Zintl-based thermoelectric devices operating at high temperatures, e.g. around or above 1,000 K and up to 1273 K. There is a need for such apparatuses and methods to operate for such thermoelectric devices in space applications. These and other needs are met by embodiments of the present invention as detailed hereafter.

Wireless communication was traditionally based on the idea of enabling voice communication to and from a mobile terminal residing in the coverage of a mobile communication network. The communication channel was established over circuit-switched technology. However, a packet-switched technology was later introduced for improving the efficiency in utilization of the capacity of a mobile communication network. As the data is delivered in packets between the parties there is no need to reserve the whole communication channel for a specific connection. Additionally, some other benefits may be achieved with packet-switched technology, such as those relating to error correction. The packet-switched technology also enabled a whole range of new services. One reason is that wide range of enterprise and commercial applications are based on IP (Internet Protocol) and thus they can be almost directly imported into the mobile terminals residing in the packet-switched mobile communication network. Examples of such services are so called IP (Internet Protocol) messaging and other communication related to services such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and RCS (Rich Communication Suite). On the other hand, since the services as described above have been adopted by the users of mobile terminals it has brought out another challenge. Namely, the use of the services causes a lot of traffic in a mobile communication network. For example, a presence service by means of which a user can deliver e.g. his/her status information to other parties is very popular. The provision of the presence service is carried out with so called presence server or presence proxy which may be configured to maintain status information of the users or a group of users or relay the information between user terminals. The status information of a user maintained in the presence server is visible for at least limited group of other users. In the case of a presence proxy the information is not stored in the proxy but instead it controls the presence traffic flowing between the terminals and controls it. The visibility may be controlled by the user through an application installed in the mobile terminal of the user. As can be directly seen the updates with respect to users' status may cause challenges for the network as well as the presence server or presence proxy due to the amount of traffic, especially when taking into account the traffic caused by other services. There has been developed some methods to control the traffic caused by presence services. For example, document U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,191 B2 discloses a proposal for reducing network traffic in the context of presence services. One idea is to postpone the delivery of status updates by a network node until a client especially requests for updates. Alternatively, the network node may accumulate the changes and deliver the presence updates when the final state for each presence attribute is received. This relates to a solution in which there are multiple attributes with respect to the presence information. However, the known solutions are not widely in use. Typically the known solutions provide only a partial solution i.e. the solution is only for the mobile terminal or the network side. Additionally, the solutions are not implemented by mobile terminal vendors or deployed by telecom operators for one reason or another. Generally speaking none of the known solutions take into account the changes in the network environment. More specifically, the status of the client terminal or the congestion of the network is not anyhow taken into account in the known solutions.

In optical communication systems optical fiber cables are typically coupled to an opto-electronic transceiver which is in turn coupled to a substrate, such as a circuit board. Such a transceiver typically includes a housing with opto-electronic elements, an array of contacts to be coupled to associated contacts on the substrate, and an optical contact unit configured to connect to a complementary optical cable connector. Such transceivers can be coupled to a substrate by means of a socket holding the transceiver. In some cases the socket may comprise an interposer, which is a board with a lower side presenting an array of contacts, typically a ball grid array (BGA), to be connected to contacts on the substrate, and a top side similarly provided with an array of contacts, generally of a different type, to be connected to contacts at the lower side of the transceiver. To obtain high quality signal transfer, the contacts should be clean and the pressure on the contacts by the transceiver should be substantially equal for all contacts. In the transceiver heat is generated which should be dissipated as much as possible in order to prevent failure. For that reason it is desirable to maximize outer surface area of the transceiver module. The transceiver in such an LGA configuration should preferably be held in the socket in a releasable manner, e.g., to enable replacement of the transceiver in case of failure. To this end release mechanisms can be used, but such release mechanism typically require finger space for accessibility and actuation by a user. This limits the maximum number of sockets which could be placed per unit area. Moreover, the release mechanisms typically interrupt top and/or side faces of the board connector, thereby reducing heat dissipation surface. It is an object of the invention to provide a system for connecting a transceiver to a socket reducing the risk of signal transfer failures due to contamination of the contacts or due to uneven contacting pressure. It is a further object to provide a releasable connection without requiring extra space for manual actuation. It is a further object to provide a release mechanism leaving a larger area for heat dissipation.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a lamp unit adapted to be disposed above a front fender for overhanging a motorcycle front wheel and, more particularly, to the lamp unit of a design in which a lens member covering at least head lamps can provide varying, but appealing designs one at a time when viewed from front or slantwise from front, depending on the direction of travel of imagewise rays of light reflected from the fender. 2. Description of the Prior Art As is well known to those skilled in the art, most of the conventional motorcycles have a front fairing or cowling mounted on a front portion thereof. A lamp unit is mounted in the front fairing. The lamp unit encases therein at least one head lamp for illuminating forwardly of the motorcycle and at least one position lamp adapted to be lit during the dusk or parking to provide an indication of the motorcycle to the oncoming vehicles, and is available in two types; a single lamp design having a single lens member disposed at a position intermediate of the width of the motorcycle, and a dual lamp design having left and right lens members one for each of left and right head lamps. The single lamp design and the dual lamp design have their own unique appearances and can therefore provide different impressions.

FIFO storages are well known in the art of electronic circuits and computers and are widely used for embodying interfacing circuits in many different applications. They are particularly widely used, but not exclusively, in the field of image and video processing. FIG. 1 reminds the general architecture of an interfacing circuit based on a FIFO memory which allows the transfer of data (such as audio samples or picture elements) FROM a “data producer device” 100 (such as audio or image sensor) via a lead 99 or we can consider that data are already available in a memory 150, TO, a “data consumer device” 299 (like a signal processor device for audio, video or image). The circuit comprises an interface 120 receiving data from memory 150 via a data bus 151. The interface 120 is used for proper formatting operation of the data before it is forwarded to a FIFO 100 through a data bus 101. The reading of the FIFO is controlled by the “data consumer device” 299 represented by an external circuit (image or audio signal processor) by means of a ENABLE lead 113 and a CLK_RD clock signal lead 112. On the other side, the writing of the FIFO by the “data producer” 100 is controlled by a (inverted) WR signal 103 under the clocking of a WR signal conveyed by a lead 102. Two additional FIFO_FULL and FIFO_empty signals, respectively on leads 121 and 122, are used for respectively reporting a situation of full storage and empty storage to the “data producer” 100 and “data consumer devices” 299. The circuit which is represented in FIG. 1 is a typical example of a set of well known circuits and, therefore, does not need to elaborate any further introduction nor development to a skilled man. Briefly, it suffices to recall that such circuit is widely used for achieving many different interfaces, such as image and video interface such as camera interface circuits. However, one may recall the general trend to an increase of the resolution of image sensors which lead to a significant volume of data to be transferred between the sensors/memory to the video or image interface circuits. This drastic increase in the volume of data clearly generates a significant pressure on the FIFO circuits which have to operate at very high speed clocks. The continuous trend to higher speeds might result the designer to proceed with a new redesign of the analog interface and therefore the interfacing circuits comprising the FIFO. Such redesign would inevitably results in higher manufacturing costs which is not desirable. Alternatively, one may wish to improve the design of the conventional FIFO based interfacing card so as to increase the efficiency even without increasing the frequency of the clocking circuits. Such is the technical problem to be solved by the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention The invention relates in general to a diffusion plate of a backlight structure and a display device using the same, and more particularly to a diffusion plate of a backlight structure capable of uniformizing light and a display device using the same. 2. Description of the Related Art Owing to the progress in the technology of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and the advantages of LCDs, such as light weight, small volume, lower energy consumption and low radiation, the LCDs are widely applied to all kinds of electronic products, like personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebooks, digital cameras, mobile phones, computer screens and liquid crystal televisions. Furthermore, researches are carried out enthusiastically, and large-scale facilities are used to manufacture the LCDs in the industry, such that the quality of the LCDs is improved, and the cost is lowered. Consequently, the application field of the LCDs expands rapidly. However, the liquid crystal display panel in an LCD is non-self-luminous, and therefore the backlight module is needed for providing light in order to display images. Generally, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or a light emitting diode (LED) is the most common light source in the backlight module. Due to the advantages of the light emitting diode, e.g. low electricity consumption and high brightness, the backlight module with the light emitting diode as the light source has become an important research and development subject. However, the light emitting diode is a point light source, hence a phenomenon called line-mura would easily occur between the light emitting diodes in the backlight module, that is, the brightness of the light provided by the backlight module is not uniform. Generally, to reduce line-mura is to decrease the distance between the light emitting diodes. As a result, the number of the light emitting diodes increases significantly, and the cost of the LCD increases accordingly. There are several backlight modules for uniformizing light in the prior art. In US Patent Publication Number 20060002148 published on Jan. 5, 2006, an optical member, a backlight assembly having the optical member and a display apparatus having the backlight assembly are disclosed. The optical member includes several luminance uniformity enhancing members. A recessed surface and a light reflecting layer of each luminance uniformity enhancing member are used for uniformizing light. However, the light has been reflected a number of times before passing through a light guide plate, and then finally enters the display panel to display images. In this manner, the brightness of light provided by the backlight assembly is reduced.

In using electronic devices such as cable boxes and cable modems, it is sometimes desired to connect such devices to televisions, digital video disc playback devices, digital video recorders, personal computers, or other sources of electronic signals. Typically, a coaxial cable supplied by a cable service company penetrates a wall in the user's premises and is distributed to one or more locations within the home through the use of additional coaxial cable segments typically referred to as jumper cables. The jumper cable is terminated near the location of the television, cable box, cable modem or digital phone. Each end of a jumper has a coaxial cable connector installed thereon. A common interface for the coaxial cable connector is an internally threaded rotatable nut. The connector threads onto an externally threaded port on the cable box, cable modem, or other device. Other devices may be connected to the cable box or cable modem using similarly configured coaxial cable jumpers and connectors. Conventional coaxial cable typically contains a centrally located electrical conductor surrounded by and spaced inwardly from an outer cylindrical braided conductor or sheath. The center and braid conductors are separated by a foil and an insulator core, with the braid being encased within a protective outer jacket. A first end of a conventional coaxial cable typically includes an inner cylindrical post adapted to be inserted into a suitably prepared end of the cable between the foil and the outer braid conductor, an end portion of the latter having been exposed and folded back over the protective jacket. The center conductor, the insulator core, and the foil thus form a central core portion of the cable received axially in the inner post, whereas the outer braided conductor and protective jacket comprise an outer portion of the cable surrounding the inner post. The conventional coaxial cable end connector further includes a connector body and/or compression member designed to coact with the inner post to securely and sealingly clamp the outer portion of the cable therebetween. The clamping to the jumper cable may be carried out by crimping, swaging or radial compression of connector body or compression sleeve by use of special tools adapted to mate with these components. The second end of the connector typically includes an internally threaded nut rotatably secured to the connector body. The nut may be secured to a corresponding threaded port on the cable box, television, or other electronic device. The nut may be tightened using an appropriately sized wrench. To establish a reliable connection between the connector and the port, the nut must be threadedly advanced until a flange on the end of the post contacts then end face of the port. One drawback to this tightening approach is that often space is very limited in the back of the electronic device and there is inadequate room for a wrench. For example, the cable box or television may be located within an entertainment console and access to port on the equipment may be limited. Or, access to a television housed in an entertainment console may be limited because the television may be too large or heavy to be moved. Another drawback is that the person making the connection may be unaware of the proper method of establishing a reliable connection. In some instances, particularly when a wrench is unavailable, the user may cease hand-tightening after one or two turns. Although such a loose connection may provide adequate video signal, data transmission may be severely hampered or break down completely. Data transmission problems may affect voice over internet protocol (VOIP), for example.

1. Field of the Invention Applicant's invention relates to suspension systems and, more specifically, to a novel front wheel suspension fork for motorcycles or bicycles. 2. Background Information Presently, motorcycle suspensions are of two general types called the conventional type or the inverted type. Conventional type suspensions consist of a damping mechanism--for example, a combination spring, rod, and hydraulic assembly--encased in two hollow cylinders that telescope into each other. The two hollow cylinders are of different diameters so that one cylinder telescopes snugly into the other. The primary damping mechanism--the receiving tube and valving assembly--is placed in the cylinder with the larger diameter and is located at the bottom of the suspension so that shocks transferred from the wheel to the suspension can be immediately damped before traveling to the hands of the rider. Any remaining compression force not absorbed by the damping mechanism are transmitted through the rod to the hands of the rider. In actual practice, conventional suspensions are suited for absorbing small bumps and tend to bottom out on large bumps. Furthermore, these conventional suspensions tend to deform under large stresses, causing the entire suspension to flex, thus decreasing its efficiency to absorb shocks. Inverted suspensions also consist of a damping mechanism encased into two hollow cylinders. As with conventional suspensions, the primary damping mechanism is located in the lower cylinder. However, unlike the conventional suspension, this lower cylinder is the cylinder with the smaller diameter. In fact, an observer can easily distinguish a conventional suspension from an inverted suspension because, in a conventional suspension, the cylinder having the larger diameter is attached to the wheel axis while in an inverted suspension, the cylinder having the smaller diameter is attached to the wheel axis. This configuration-one with the cylinder having a smaller diameter at the bottom and the cylinder having a larger diameter at the top causes the suspension to be rigid and stiff due to the increased length and increased stiffness of the upper cylinder. This increased rigidity solves the deformation problem encountered in conventional forks. In practice, the inverted suspension design is not ideal because it can only damp out large bumps while allowing smaller vibrations to travel from the wheel to the rider's hands, making the ride uncomfortable. The damping mechanism in today's shock absorbers comprises a rod and a receiving tube--i.e., one telescoping part--along with two hydraulic valving assemblies. One hydraulic valving assembly--the upper hydraulic valving assembly--is located on the portion of the rod permanently located inside the receiving tube. The other hydraulic valving assembly--the lower hydraulic valving assembly--is located near the bottom and inside of the receiving tube. Small orifices are located near the bottom of the receiving tube, just below the lower hydraulic valving assembly. The entire damping mechanism, along with a coil spring encircled around the damping mechanism, is attached to and placed inside of the hollow cylinders and partially immersed with hydraulic fluid. The coil spring is also attached to the hollow cylinders. Through the small orifices, the hydraulic fluid seeps into the receiving tube, completely filling the inner cavity of the receiving tube. When a compression force is applied to the damping mechanism, the receiving tube is forced into the rod; the mass of the rod displaces the hydraulic fluid from the inner cavity of the receiving tube; and the hydraulic fluid flows past both the upper and the lower hydraulic valving assemblies, with the portion flowing past the lower hydraulic valving assembly being expelled out of the receiving tube through the orifices at the bottom of the receiving tube. Both the top and the bottom hydraulic valving assemblies control the speed by which the hydraulic fluid pass through them, thereby controlling the damping rate. As the external force pushes the receiving tube into the rod, the coil spring is also compressed. When the external force can push the receiving tube into the rod no further, the spring coil returns the rod and receiving tube back to their rest positions. As the rod exits the receiving tube, hydraulic fluid can either pass though the upper hydraulic valving assembly or can enter through the orifices and pass through the lower hydraulic valving assembly and refill the inner cavity of the receiving tube. The suspension is now ready to damp another road bump. While the above described damping mechanism--i.e. one with a single telescoping part--works well against an individual compression force, it gradually loses its effect when damping compression forces of different magnitudes occurring in quick succession of each other. Because the spring may not have time to return the receiving tube to its rest position before another compression force pushes the receiving tube further into the rod, the above described damping mechanism tends to lose its effect and may even bottom out when damping rapidly successive compressions. This problem becomes especially pronounced when the mechanism must damp out both small and large compression forces in quick succession of each other. Some motorcycle riders ride their motorcycles strictly on well paved roads where bumps are typically small and separated by lengthy stretches of road, and thus the suspension systems presently available readily satisfy their needs. However, other riders--especially dirt bike riders--tend to encounter both large and small bumps in rapid succession of each other. With today's shock absorbers, which are specifically designed to absorb either large bumps or small bumps but not both, dirt bike riders must choose to either endure small vibrations throughout the entire ride or risk bottoming out the motorcycle suspension when going over large bumps. Furthermore, today's shock absorbers work poorly when damping bumps that occur in quick succession of each other. Inventors have tried to solve the above problem without success. U.S. Pat. No. 2,475,774 to Benson discloses an inverted suspension that uses both a light spring and a heavy spring to absorb shocks. The light spring is attached to the heavy spring and together they form the primary damping mechanism of this invention. The light spring is to be used to damp small shocks, while the heavy spring is to be used to damp large shocks. However, only one telescoping rod and one receiving tube--i.e. one telescoping part--is used for this invention. Thus, although this invention may be able to absorb both large and small shocks, it is not effective when such shocks come in quick succession of each other. U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,156 to Offenstadt discloses of a motorcycle suspension system having an anti-skid breaking mechanism. Because this invention uses a shock absorbing mechanism having only one telescoping part, it cannot adequately absorb shocks that arrive in quick succession of each other or damp out both small and large shocks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,669 to Simons discloses another inverted suspension. This invention provides a lightweight, highly rigid fork with low friction, high quality damping characteristics and no axle overhang. One spring is found throughout the entire inner length of the suspension. However, since damping is still achieved with one telescoping part, this invention cannot adequately absorb both large and small shocks, whether or not they appear in quick succession of each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,138 to Shu discloses a handlebar assembly for bicycles. This invention prevents the rod from rotating relative to the shank, thereby allowing only up and down motion and preventing any twisting motion. Again, this invention has only one telescoping part and therefore is not able to absorb shocks that come in quick succession of each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,954 to Chonan discloses a wheel suspension type front fork and a method of manufacturing the same. The advantage of this invention over the prior art is that this invention can be manufactured without a metal mold and cutting work. This invention does not provide a method for absorbing both large and small shocks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,397 is again issued to Chonan. This patent discloses a wheel suspension type front fork that eliminates the need of a rebound absorption mechanism by securing the upper end of the spring coil to the lower end of the receiving tube and the lower end of the spring coil to the upper end of the sliding tube (the tube enclosing the spring), thereby preventing the receiving tube, the spring coil, and the sliding tube from springing apart from the rebounding force of the compressed spring coil. This invention uses conventional shock absorbers having only one telescoping part and therefore is not designed to absorb both large and small shocks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,099 issued to Kawahara discloses a bicycle wheel fork assembly that telescopes from one side only. The advantage of this invention over other front fork assemblies is that the stiffness of the shocks in both the contraction and the expansion parts of the shock absorption cycle can be adjusted by placing a contraction adjuster on one fork, an expansion adjuster on the other fork, and a cross member that connecting the two forks. Although this invention allows the stiffness of the shocks to be adjusted and thus allows better shock absorption, it does not allow both large and small shocks to be absorbed at the same time. Furthermore, since this invention uses a damping mechanism that telescopes from one side only, it also cannot satisfactorily absorb shocks that come in quick succession of each other. Thus, this invention does not provide an adequate solution to the present problem.

Regarding a hand-held power tool, a cordless impact tool that is driven by the electric energy accumulated in a battery is widely used. In the impact tool where a tip tool such as a drill or a driver is rotationally driven by a motor to thus perform a required operation, the battery is used to drive a brushless DC motor, as disclosed in PTL 1, for example. The brushless DC motor refers to a DC (direct current) motor that has no brush (brush for rectification). The brushless DC motor employs a coil (winding) at a rotor-side and a permanent magnet at a stator-side and has a configuration where power driven by an inverter is sequentially energized to a predetermined coil to thus rotate the rotor. The brushless DC motor has higher efficiency than a motor having a brush and can obtain a high output while using a rechargeable secondary battery. Also, since the brushless DC motor includes a circuit on which a switching element for rotationally driving the motor is mounted, it is easy to achieve an advanced rotation control of the motor by an electronic control. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor having a permanent magnet and a stator having multiple-phase armature windings (stator windings) such as three-phase windings. In the brushless DC motor, a position detection element configured by a plurality of Hall ICs configured to detect a position of the rotor by detecting a magnetic force of the permanent magnet of the rotor and an inverter circuit configured to drive the rotor by switching a direct current voltage supplied from a battery pack and the like with semiconductor switching elements such as FET (Field Effect Transistor) or IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) and changing energization to the stator winding of each phase are used. The inverter circuit is configured to be controlled by a microcomputer and to set energization timing of the armature winding of each phase on the basis of position detection results of the rotor by the position detection elements such as Hall ICs.

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for lifting machinery and more particularly relates to safety lift apparatus for portable grain elevators. Portable grain elevators have been used for many years as a convenient mechanism for transferring grain from near ground level to the tops of graineries for filling grain bins therein. Until recently, most grain bins were not very high, and elevators for elevating the grain into those bins were of a managable size. Consequently, a totally manual lift mechanism was satisfactory for raising the rear end of an elevator from a storage and transfer position near the ground to a position high above the ground over the top of a grain bin. A conventional manual lift mechanism for raising the rear end of the elevator included a pivotal attachment of the lower end of an elevator to a stationary carriage assembly and a strut pivotally attached to the stationary carriage assembly and extending into longitudinally movable contact with the elevator. A cable was connected to the strut on one end and onto a manually operated winch on the other end. By manually operating the winch to wind the cable around a reel, the strut was drawn longitudinally forwardly along the elevator resulting in raising the rear end of the elevator to the desired height. In recent years, the use of much larger and higher grain bins plus the desire for grain elevators having much larger grain carrying capacities has resulted in the demand for significantly larger grain elevators which are both much longer and much larger and heavier than the elevators common in years past. Once set up, these longer and larger elevators are capable of transferring grain into higher bins at considerably increased rates; however, they are much more cumbersome and difficult to manipulate, position and set up. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize a power lift mechanism for raising the rear end of an elevator to the desired height over a grain bin, and it is preferable that such mechanism be operable from the seat of a tractor or other vehicle to which the elevator is attached so that it can be simultaneously raised and moved backward into position over the grain bin. Indeed, some persons skilled in the art have substituted hydraulically powered winches on the ends of the lift cables in place of the conventional manual winches for raising elevators. These powered systems, while basically accomplishing the purpose of making it more convenient to raise the elevator to the desired height, have also resulted in some significant problems. For example, the power lift can be a safety hazard if operated by inexperienced or inattentive persons who allow the mechanism to lift the elevator to unsafe heights. The structure of the carriage and lift apparatus of most elevators is such that if the lift apparatus is allowed to travel too far, the center of gravity of the elevator may become positioned to the rear of the supporting apparatus causing the elevator to topple with the rear end falling to the ground from a considerable height while the front end suddenly vaults high into the air. Such a situation can occur without warning and can cause severe injury to persons near the elevator and severe structural damage to the elevator itself. Also, because the grain bins for which such elevators are commonly used are quite high and the elevators become somewhat more unstable when raised to such heights, it is common practice, once the elevator is in position over the grain bin, to tie the upper end of the elevator to the top of the grain bin to anchor it to prevent it from tipping in case of high winds or other adverse conditions. Such a tie-down anchor, while being a considerable safety advantage to keep the elevator from tipping, also resists further raising of the rear end of the elevator. Therefore, if the operator should attempt to raise the elevator, for example, to remove the down spout of the elevator from the filler hatch on top of the bin, but forgets to unfasten the anchoring tie-down, severe structural damage could occur to both the elevator and the bin and could result in the elevator collapsing and injuring persons in the vicinity. While such an eventuality is unlikely with a manually operated winch because the operator could feel the resistance of the anchoring cable, it could quite easily happen with a powered winch. Consequently, the safety concern of most manufacturers as well as governmental regulations have generally inhibited the wide spread use of the more convenient power lift mechanisms on large elevators. Another problem which has arisen from elevators equipped with power lift mechanisms is that while it is generally contemplated that a necessary power source such as a tractor with a hydraulic system for those mechanisms powered by hydraulic fluid will be available when the elevator is used, there are occcasions in which a tractor with a hydraulic system is unavailable. Yet the operator may desire to operate the elevator with another vehicle such as a jeep or tractor which does not have the appropriate power source necessary to raise the elevator. In these circumstances, it is very desirable to be able to alternatively raise the elevator with manual means even though such manual raising means may not be as convenient as the powered lift means.

The present invention is related to an electrolyte solution for anodizing aluminum anode foil for use in electrolytic capacitors and the capacitors containing this anode foil. We have found that low water content variations of the glycerine and orthophosphate-containing electrolytes described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,905, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto, may be used for the anodization of aluminum foil to voltages sufficiently high to facilitate the use of the aforementioned foil in intermediate and high voltage electrolytic capacitors. Previously, the maximum anodizing voltage obtainable from the aqueous phosphate solutions traditionally used to anodize aluminum capacitor foil for applications requiring extreme foil stability and oxide hydration resistance was about 220 volts, as stated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,291. The corrosion of the foil being anodized in aqueous phosphate solutions increases with the anodizing voltage and is sufficiently severe to result in dielectric failure above about 220 volts. The corrosion by-products formed during aluminum foil anodizing in aqueous phosphate solutions must be removed from the solution via filtering, etc., or they will deposit upon the foil and anodizing tank components in amounts sufficient to interfere with the anodizing process. The difficulties encountered with aqueous phosphate anodizing of aluminum foil for use in relatively low voltage capacitors are such that, in spite of the superior electrical stability of foil anodized in phosphate solutions nearly all of the low voltage foil produced today is anodized in non-phosphate solutions with the exception of a relatively small amount of phosphate which may be present to help impart hydration resistance. Due to the voltage limitations of aqueous phosphate anodizing solutions mentioned above, intermediate and high voltage capacitor foils have not traditionally been anodized in aqueous phosphate solutions. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors for use at intermediate voltages typically contain anode foil hydrated by passing the foil through a hot water bath prior to anodizing, as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,574. These capacitors are typically for use at voltages from 150 to 250 volts and contain anode foil anodized to about 200 to 350 volts. This pre-anodizing hydration step is carried out in order to reduce the amount of electric current required to form the anodic oxide dielectric layer and is normally applied to foils to be anodized to 200 volts and above, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,073. By carefully adjusting the parameters of the pre-anodizing hydration process, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,575, the hydration process may be successfully employed with foils which are anodized to voltages significantly less than 200 volts. The energy savings associated with the pre-anodizing hydration process is sufficiently great that the vast majority of aluminum foil manufactured today is processed in this manner. The crystallinity of the anodic oxide present on aluminum anode foil is another factor directly determining the cost of the foil for a given rating of capacitor. Crystalline anodic aluminum oxide has a higher withstanding voltage per unit thickness than does amorphous anodic aluminum oxide. As a result of the higher withstanding voltage of crystalline oxide, only about 10 angstroms of crystalline oxide is required to support each volt of applied field during anodizing as compared with approximately 14 angstroms for each volt of applied field for amorphous oxide. As a result of the higher withstanding voltage of crystalline anodic aluminum oxide, the capacitance of anode foil coated with crystalline oxide may be as much as about 40% higher than anode foil anodized to the same voltage but coated with amorphous oxide. Crystalline anodic aluminum oxide may be readily produced by anodizing aluminum anode foil in solutions containing salts of dicarboxylic acids as the primary ionogen, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,084. Anodic oxide formation in solutions of dicarboxylic acid salts (generally at 70–95° C.) may be combined with a pre-anodizing foil hydration step to achieve a very significant savings in both energy and foil consumed per unit capacitance at a given anodizing voltage. Hydration resistance, which is an important consideration for foil used in electrolytic capacitors, may be enhanced by the inclusion of a small amount of an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid (such as tartaric acid or citric acid) in the anodizing electrolyte solution, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,084. The tendency of anodic aluminum oxide to absorb water, forming a variety of hydrated species having impaired dielectric properties appears to be, at least in part, a function of the hydration status of the outermost portion of the anodic oxide at the end of the anodizing process. Lilienfeld, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,724 states that “it is the hydration stratum of the oxide film, adjacent the film-electrolyte interface, which causes most of the power loss; and that the progressive development of hydration at the interface causes the aforesaid instability.” Alwitt, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,291, describes a method of removing the residual hydration layer from the outer surface of anodized aluminum capacitor foil which has been exposed to a pre-anodizing hydration step (Alwitt refers to this as a “preboil”) prior to anodizing in order to conserve electrical energy during anodizing. Alwitt employs a dilute phosphoric acid solution, generally with a small chromate content (to inhibit corrosion), to dissolve the outer, hydration layer. In addition to the problems associated with the residual hydration layer on anodized foil, which has been processed through a pre-anodizing hydration or preboil step prior to anodizing, there exists another potential problem with the stability of the anodic oxide grown on preboiled aluminum foil. The formation of the anodic oxide on preboiled foil takes place via a dehydration reaction in which the layer of pseudoboehmite (i.e. hydration product) is progressively dehydrated from the foil-oxide interface outward. Apparently, the dehydration does not take place through the ejection of water molecules but rather through the ejection of hydrogen ions and the liberation of oxygen gas within the body of the oxide. The liberated oxygen gas may become trapped within the anodic oxide, rendering the oxide susceptible to cracking and dielectric failure in service. This topic is treated well in the article, entitled: “Trapped Oxygen in Aluminum Oxide Films and Its Effect on Dielectric Stability”, by Walter J. Bernard and Philip G. Russell (Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Volume 127, number 6, June 1980, pages 1256–1261). Stevens and Shaffer describe a method of determining the concentration of oxide flaws as a function of distance from the metal-oxide interface for trapped-oxygen flaws which are exposed via thermal relaxation steps followed by re-anodizing under carefully controlled and monitored conditions (“Defects in Crystalline Anodic Aluminum”, by J. L. Stevens and J. S. Shaffer, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, volume 133, number 6, June 1986, pages 1160–1162). Stabilization processes have been developed which tend to expose and repair trapped oxygen flaws (in anodic oxide films on preboiled foils) as well as impart hydration resistance to the oxide film. Examples of these processes are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,113,579 and 4,437,946. For maximum anodic oxide film stability on aluminum foil, it is desirable to form the anodic film in a phosphate solution and, again, for maximum stability (i.e., freedom from trapped oxygen flaws) the foil should not be preboiled prior to the anodizing process. The skilled artisan has therefore been limited in the ability to form oxides on the anode at high voltage, particularly with phosphate incorporation into the oxide layer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of human death next to coronary disease. Worldwide, millions of people die from cancer every year. In the United States alone, as reported by the American Cancer Society, cancer causes the death of well over half-million people annually, with over 1.2 million new cases diagnosed per year. While deaths from heart disease have been declining significantly, those resulting from cancer generally are on the rise. In this century, cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of death. Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in men today. While it occurs to certain extent throughout the world (least commonly in Eastern/Southern Asia), it is viewed as the major public health threat in Western Europe and, especially, the United States. In the US alone, it has been projected that 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer (mostly—among men over fifty) will have been diagnosed in 2008, accounting for 25% of all cancers diagnosed in men that year and 10% of the total cancer-related mortality. Appropriate diet (including dietary supplements) and exercise are currently the common themes for prostate cancer prevention while classical treatments are limited to surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Chemotherapy of late-stage prostate cancer is still largely experimental; however, it may lead to increased survival in the future. Specifically, small molecules as well as antibodies targeted at disrupting vital signaling pathways in cancerous cells have a potential to provide new basis for innovative treatment of prostate cancer and other proliferative disorders in the years to come. As a result, there is a strong need for new compound classes that can be used for hormone-refractory prostate cancer chemotherapy. We have discovered that 4-(hetero)aryl-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl amino derivatives are effective in vitro against androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines.

1. Field of the Invention Deferent The present invention relates to seat reclining mechanisms for adjusting a tilt angle of a seat back of a seat (e.g., a vehicle seat). More particularly, the present invention relates to seat reclining mechanisms that have a high load resistance when the seat back is tilted. 2. Description of the Related Art Typically, a vehicle seat comprises a seat back and a seat cushion. The seat back and the seat cushion are rotatably interconnected via a seat reclining mechanism for adjusting a tilt angle of the seat back. Such a seat reclining mechanism is taught, for example, by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Number 2002-119349. The known seat reclining mechanism includes a pair of opposing disk-shaped housings, i.e., a first or stationary housing and a second or rotational housing. The first housing is affixed to the vehicle seat cushion. The second housing is affixed to the vehicle seat back. The first and second housings are circumferentially connected by an annular fastener or clip ring along peripheral edges thereof, so that the second housing can move or rotate around a rotational shaft relative to the first housing. The seat reclining mechanism further includes a locking means that can prevent the second housing from rotating relative to the first housing, so as to lock the seat reclining mechanism. The locking means essentially consists of a cam member and two pairs of slide pawls that are received within the housings. The cam member is secured to or integrally formed with the rotational shaft, so as to rotate with the rotational shaft. The slide pawls are slidably received between guide members that are formed within the first housing, so as to radially move on the first housing. As will be recognized, the slide pawls are appropriately shaped such that “desired clearances” are produced between the slide pawls and the guide members. In addition, each of the slide pawls is provided with a convex toothed portion. When the rotational shaft is rotated to a locking position, the pawls are radially moved outward by the cam member, so that the respective convex toothed portions of the pawls engage a concave toothed portion that is circumferentially formed over an inner circular surface of the second housing peripheral edge. In this state, the second housing (i.e., ratchet) is prevented from rotating relative to the first housing, so that the seat reclining mechanism is locked. As a result, the seat back is locked in position relative to the seat cushion. Often times, when the seat back is locked, a substantial force can be unexpectedly applied to the seat reclining mechanism in a direction to forwardly tilt the seat back relative to the seat cushion. The force may act as a rotational moment or torque that may force the second housing to rotate relative to the first housing. As a result, the slide pawls may be forced against the corresponding guide members. That is, such a force may be exerted on and received by the four slide pawls. However, if the clearances formed between the slide pawls and the guide members are not equal to each other (i.e., if the clearances have manufacturing variations), such a force is concentrated on only a specific slide pawl that corresponds to the smallest clearance. That is, the force is not evenly received by the four slide pawls. Consequently, the seat reclining mechanism may not achieve the best performance. Many approaches have been made in order to reduce the variations among the clearances. However, all of the approaches have resulted in an increased manufacturing cost.

1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to the field of auxiliary devices for the boring of dowel holes in boards and in particular in the edges of boards which are to be joined together by means of a dowel. 2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of furniture, such as shelves or cupboards, dowels are often used for connecting the horizontal bottoms with the vertical walls of the furniture for which purpose groups of precisely aligned dowel holes must be bored into the front sides of the horizontal shelf bottoms and into the flat sides of the vertical walls of the furniture. The congruent arrangement of the group of holes in the two workpieces that are to be connected represents a time consuming and extremely difficult job for do-it-yourself craftsman which requires very precise measurements. In West German Patent No. 24 37 724 there are disclosed auxiliary clamping devices of a type of C clamp which are modified to include boring bushings for guiding the boring tool in alignment with a plurality of boards clamped together in the desired position. With this known patented device doweling operations can be readily performed to provide an excellent fit with the bored panels being drilled on their flat sides and the bores lying close to the edge of the boards. However this known device is not helpful in cases where the board that is to be bored on the flat side must have the bore holes located at a larger distance from the edge of the bore than that location close to the edge. This is a serious drawback.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an optical disc obtained on laminating two optical discs, each having an information recording surface on a substrate, and a method for manufacturing the optical disc. 2. Related Art In the field of information recording, researches into the optical information recording system are proceeding briskly. This optical information recording system has a number of advantages, such as non-contact recording/reproduction, recording density higher by not less than one digit than with the magnetic recording medium recording system, or compatibility to memory configurations of the read-only, write-once and overwrite type memories. Thus, the optical information recording system is finding a wide field of application in both the industrial and domestic usages as a As an optical disc capable of recording/reproducing the information by optical means, there are a read-only optical disc, a phase-change type optical disc and a magneto-optical disc. In keeping up with the demand for high recording density, a laminated optical disc of the sole surface readout type, that is an optical disc in which a laser light beam is adapted to fall on one disc side and the focal point position of the laser light beam is changed to selectively read and write the information from or on the two optical discs. This increases the volume of the information per optical disc. There is also no necessity of providing two pickups or a mechanism for moving the sole pickup to both sides. Therefore, the laminated disc is convenient in promptly having access to disc data or in reducing the size of the recording/reproducing apparatus. For producing the sole surface readout type laminated disc, two manufacturing methods have been proposed. In the first one of the manufacturing methods, a substrate is molded by injection molding and a first information recording portion is formed on one substrate surface. On the first information recording portion is formed a reflective surface, for example, for forming an optical disc. On the surface of the information recording portion is applied a UV curable resin onto which a stamper carrying the embossed information is pressed in order to mold a second information recording portion. At this time, the thickness of the UV curable resin needs to be controlled precisely. Moreover, since the first and second information recording portions are formed by respective different methods, it is difficult to perform control so that the same signals can be recorded on the two recording surfaces. In the second manufacturing method, a disc substrate is prepared by injection molding and an information recording portion is formed on one substrate surface for preparing an optical disc. This operation is repeated once to complete two optical discs. These two discs are laminated by bonding the surface of information recording portion of one of the discs to the surface of the other disc opposite to its information recording portion by a UV curable resin to complete a sole optical disc. In this case, the thickness of the UV curable resin is easier to control than with the first manufacturing method. Moreover, since the substrates and the information recording portions are prepared by the same method, the signals on the respective surfaces are of uniform quality. However, the optical disc prepared by laminating two optical discs with the above-described second method has a drawback that focal point of the laser light of the reproducing apparatus is more susceptible to blurring than with the conventional single disc thus leading to unstable playback signals and deteriorated playback properties.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to antagonists of interleukin-4 signaling. In particular, this invention relates to certain triphenyl compounds that antagonize interleukin-4 signaling, to methods of making them, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their uses. 2. Description of the Related Art Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is produced primarily by T helper type 2 lymphocytes (TH2 cells). The most clinically significant activity of this cytokine is the stimulation of immunoglobin class switching of the immune system""s B-cells to IgE production. See P. Chomarat et al., xe2x80x9cAn update on interleukin-4 and its receptorxe2x80x9d, Eur. Cytokine Netw., 8(4), 333-344 (1997); R. A. Pauwels et al., xe2x80x9cCytokines and their receptors as therapeutic targets in asthmaxe2x80x9d, Clin. Exp. Allergy, 28(Suppl. 3), 1-5 (1998), and references discussed therein. Ample evidence exists that antagonism of IL-4 can alleviate allergic responses. These include the correlation of allergy and asthma symptoms with IL-4 levels in both allergen immunotherapy and asthma patients, the reduction of spontaneous IgE production in lymphocytes following treatment with IL-4 antibodies, and the inability to induce asthma-associated eosinophilia in IL-4 gene knockout mice. Additional evidence exists correlating elevated levels of IL4 with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune and other inflammation related disorders. Antagonism of IL-4 might further prove useful for therapeutically desirable immunosuppression. The attractiveness of developing a drug that antagonizes IL4 activity has not escaped the pharmaceutical industry. Immunex and Wyeth-Ayerst are developing a nebulized form of a soluble IL4 receptor for the treatment of moderate asthma. The drug, Nuvance, is now in Phase II clinical trials. Glaxo SmithKline is developing an IL-4 antibody that is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of asthma. Small molecule IL-1 antagonists have been sought. See R. Sarabu, xe2x80x9cDesign and synthesis of small molecule interleukin-1 receptor antagonists based on a benzene template, Drug Design Discovery, 15, 191-198 (1998). It would be desirable to develop a small-molecule IL-4 antagonist. In a first aspect, this invention provides compounds of formula I and formula II: where: Axe2x80x94B is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CRYxe2x95x90CRYxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, NR1xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1, xe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94,xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, and cycloalkylene; each RX is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, guanidinoalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloamino, alkylcarbonylamino, guanidino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, and tetrazole; each RY is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, carboxy, and alkoxycarbonyl; each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, and hydroxy; R3 is selected from the group consisting of optionally fluorinated methoxy and optionally fluorinated ethoxy; R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, and cycloamino; R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylsulfonylamino, benzenesulfonylamino, toluenesulfonylamino, carboxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, cycloaminocarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl; R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, and hydroxy; R8, R9, R11, R12, R14, R15, R17 and R18 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, methoxy, and ethoxy; R16 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, xe2x80x94SO2NR12, and xe2x80x94NR1SO2R1; R19 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, xe2x80x94SO2NR12, and xe2x80x94NR1SO2R1; and compounds of formula VI where X is selected from xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94and xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94; Axe2x80x94B is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CRYxe2x95x90CRYxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1, xe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O), and cycloalkylene; each RX is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, guanidinoalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloamino, alkylcarbonylamino, guanidino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, and tetrazole; each RY is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, carboxy, and alkoxycarbonyl; each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo and hydroxy; R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylsulfonylamino, benzenesulfonylamino, toluenesulfonylamino, carboxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, cycloaminocarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl; R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, and hydroxy; R8, R9, R11, R12, R14, R15, R17, and R18 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, methoxy, and ethoxy; R16 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, xe2x80x94SO2NR12, and xe2x80x94NR1SO2R1; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of all these compounds. In a third aspect, this invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of this invention. These compositions find particular use as anti-asthmatic and anti-allergenic agents; and in the treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune and other inflammation related disorders, and for therapeutically desirable immunosuppression. In a fourth aspect, this invention provides a method of treating an animal having a disease capable of treatment by administration of an IL-4 antagonist, comprising administration to that animal of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of this invention, optionally in conjunction with at least one other conventional therapeutic agent for the disease being treated. In a fifth aspect, this invention provides methods of preparing the compounds of this invention. Definitions xe2x80x9cAlkylxe2x80x9d means a linear monovalent hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropylmethyl, and pentyl. xe2x80x9cAlkoxyxe2x80x9d means the group xe2x80x94O-alkyl, where xe2x80x9calkylxe2x80x9d is as defined immediately before. xe2x80x9cCycloalkylenexe2x80x9d means a cyclic hydrocarbyl group having 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms, bonded to an aryl group or other linker atom at both of two adjacent ring carbon atoms; such as 1,2-cyclohexylene. xe2x80x9cCycloalkylene also includes those compounds where the bond between the ring carbon atoms that are bonded to the aryl groups or other linker atoms is a double bond. xe2x80x9cCycloalkylenexe2x80x9d specifically includes cyclic compounds as defined immediately before where 1 or 2 of the ring carbon atoms are replaced by O, S, NH, or N-alkyl; such as 2,3-piperidinylene and 3,4-tetrahydropyranylene. xe2x80x9cCycloaminoxe2x80x9d means a cyclic amino group having 5 to 7 ring atoms of which at least one is nitrogen and the remainder may all be carbon (e.g. pyrrolidino, piperidino) or one carbon may be replaced by O, S, NH, or N-alkyl (e.g. morpholino, piperazino, and the like). xe2x80x9cAnimalxe2x80x9d includes humans and non-human mammals, such as companion animals (cats, dogs, and the like) and farm animals (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, and the like). xe2x80x9cDiseasexe2x80x9d includes any unhealthy condition of an animal, including particularly asthma, allergies, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune and other inflammation related disorders. xe2x80x9cGuanidinoxe2x80x9d means the group xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90NH)NH2. xe2x80x9cHalogenxe2x80x9d means fluorine, chlorine, or bromine; and xe2x80x9chaloxe2x80x9d likewise means fluoro, chloro, or bromo. xe2x80x9cHaloalkylxe2x80x9d means alkyl (as that term is defined above) substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms, especially fluorine or chlorine atoms. xe2x80x9cOptionally fluorinated methoxyxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9coptionally fluorinated ethoxyxe2x80x9d mean a methoxy group substituted with 0-3 fluorine atoms and an ethoxy group substituted with 0-5 fluorine atoms respectively. xe2x80x9cPharmaceutically acceptable excipientxe2x80x9d means an excipient that is useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition that is generally safe, non-toxic, and desirable, and includes excipients that are acceptable for veterinary use as well as for human pharmaceutical use. Such excipients may be solid, liquid, semisolid, or, in the case of an aerosol composition, gaseous. xe2x80x9cPharmaceutically acceptable saltsxe2x80x9d means salts that are pharmaceutically acceptable and have the desired pharmacological properties. Such salts include salts that may be formed where acidic protons present in the compounds are capable of reacting with inorganic or organic bases. Suitable inorganic salts include those formed with the alkali metals, e.g. sodium and potassium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. Suitable organic salts include those formed with organic bases such as the amine bases, e.g. ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, N-methylglucamine, and the like. Such salts also include acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids (e.g. hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids) and organic acids (e.g. acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, and the alkane- and arene-sulfonic acids such as methanesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid). When there are two acidic groups present, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be a mono-acid-mono-salt or a di-salt; and similarly where there are more than two acidic groups present, some or all of such groups can be salified. A xe2x80x9cprotecting groupxe2x80x9d has the meaning conventionally associated with it in organic synthesis, i.e. a group that selectively blocks one or more reactive sites in a multifunctional compound such that a chemical reaction can be carried out selectively on another unprotected reactive site and such that the group can readily be removed after the selective reaction is complete. A xe2x80x9ctherapeutically effective amountxe2x80x9d means the amount that, when administered to an animal for treating a disease, is sufficient to effect treatment for that disease. xe2x80x9cTreatingxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctreatmentxe2x80x9d of a disease includes preventing the disease from occurring in an animal that may be predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or exhibit symptoms of the disease (prophylactic treatment), inhibiting the disease (slowing or arresting its development), providing relief from the symptoms or side-effects of the disease (including palliative treatment), and relieving the disease (causing regression of the disease). The compounds of this invention may possess one or more chiral centers or olefinic bonds, and, if they do, can therefore be produced as individual stereoisomers or as mixtures of stereoisomers, depending on whether individual stereoisomers or mixtures of stereoisomers of the starting materials are used. Unless indicated otherwise, the description or naming of a compound or group of compounds is intended to include both the individual stereoisomers or mixtures (racemic or otherwise) of stereoisomers. Methods for the determination of stereochemistry and the separation of stereoisomers are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art [see the discussion in Chapter 4 of J. March, xe2x80x9cAdvanced Organic Chemistryxe2x80x9d, 4th ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1992]. Implicit hydrogen atoms are omitted from the formulae for clarity, but should be understood to be present. Presently Preferred Compounds While the broadest definition of the invention is set out in the Summary of the Invention, certain compounds of this invention are presently preferred. Presently preferred compounds of this invention are compounds of formula III where: Axe2x80x94B is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, NR1xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94; and RX, RY, R4, R5, R12, R16, and R18 are as in the Summary of the Invention; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. More preferred compounds of this invention are compounds of formula IV where: Axe2x80x94B is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94; and RX, RY, R5, R12, R16, and R18 are as in the Summary of the Invention; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. More preferred compounds of this invention are compounds of formula V where: Axe2x80x94B is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94; and RX, R5, R12, and R18 are as in the Summary of the Invention; and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Preferred compounds of this invention also include those compounds, or groups of compounds discussed above, in which: (1) at least one of R2, R4, and R6 is not hydrogen; (2) at least one of R14, R15, R16, R17, and R18 in formulae I, III, IV, and VI, or at least one of R14, R15, R17, R18, and R19 in formula II, is not hydrogen; or both of these preferences are met. Pharmacology and Utility The compounds of this invention are antagonists of IL-4 signaling. Their activity as IL-4 signaling antagonists in vitro can be measured by methods such as the STAT6 phosphorylation assay discussed in J. Hon et al., Science, 265, 1701-1706 (1994), F. W. Quelle et al., Mol. Cell Biol., 15, 3336-3343 (1995), and K. Takeda et al., Nature, 380, 627-630 (1996); and as discussed in Example 3. Their activity can be measured in vivo by activity in the cynomolgus monkey primate model described in C. D. Wegner et al., xe2x80x9cModels of Pulmonary Disease: Acute and Chronic Allergic Asthma in the Monkey and Acute and Chronic Viral Pulmonitis in the Mousexe2x80x9d in xe2x80x9cCurrent Protocols in Pharmacologyxe2x80x9d, John Wiley and Sons, 1998, 5.2.1-5.2.19. The therapeutic ratio of a compound can be determined, for example, by comparing the dose that gives effective anti-asthmatic or anti-allergic activity in a suitable in vivo model such as the cynomolgus model described in Wegner et al., with the dose that gives significant weight loss (or other observable side-effects) in the test animal species. Pharmaceutical compositions and administration In general, compounds of this invention will be administered in therapeutically effective amounts by any of the usual modes known in the art, either singly or in combination with at least one other compound of this invention and/or at least one other conventional therapeutic agent for the disease being treated. A therapeutically effective amount may vary widely depending on the disease, its severity, the age and relative health of the animal being treated, the potency of the compound(s), and other factors. Therapeutically effective amounts of compounds of this invention may range from approximately 0.01-100 mg/Kg body weight. A person of ordinary skill in the art will be able without undue experimentation, having regard to that skill and this disclosure, to determine a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of this invention for a given disease. In general, compounds of this invention will be administered as pharmaceutical compositions by one of the following routes: oral, topical, systemic (e.g. transdermal, intranasal, by inhalation, or by suppository), or parenteral (e.g. intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection). Compositions may take the form of tablets, pills, capsules, semisolids, powders, sustained release formulations, solutions, suspensions, elixirs, aerosols, or any other appropriate compositions; and comprise at least one compound of this invention in combination with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Suitable excipients are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and they, and the methods of formulating the compositions, may be found in such standard references as A. R. Alfonso, xe2x80x9cRemington""s Pharmaceutical Sciencesxe2x80x9d, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton Pa., 1985. Suitable liquid carriers, especially for injectable solutions, include water, aqueous saline solution, aqueous dextrose solution, and glycols. Typically, compounds of this invention will be administered orally, by inhalation (especially for asthma and in pulmonary inflammatory conditions), or topically (especially for psoriasis). The amount of a compound of this invention in the composition may vary widely depending on the type of composition, size of a unit dosage, kind of excipients, and other factors well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In general, the final composition may comprise from 0.0001 percent by weight (%w) to 10%w of the compound of this invention, preferably 0.001%w to 1%w, with the remainder being the excipient or excipients. An composition may optionally contain, in addition to a compound of this invention, at least one other compound of this invention, and/or at least one other agent for the disease state being treated. Preparation of the Compounds of this Invention The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds are either available from commercial suppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.), Bachem (Torrance, Calif.), Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.), or are prepared by methods well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art following procedures described in such references as Fieser and Fieser""s xe2x80x9cReagents for Organic Synthesisxe2x80x9d, vols. 1-17, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1991; Rodd""s xe2x80x9cChemistry of Carbon Compoundsxe2x80x9d, vols. 1-5 and supplements, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989; xe2x80x9cOrganic Reactionsxe2x80x9d, vols. 1-40, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1991; March""s xe2x80x9cAdvanced Organic Chemistryxe2x80x9d, 4th ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1992; and Larock""s xe2x80x9cComprehensive Organic Transformationsxe2x80x9d, VCH Publishers, 1989. These schemes are merely illustrative of some methods by which the compounds of this invention can be synthesized, and various modifications to these schemes can be made and will be suggested to a person of ordinary skill in the art having regard to this disclosure. The starting materials, intermediates, and compounds of this invention may be isolated and purified using conventional techniques, including filtration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like. They may be characterized using conventional methods, including physical constants and spectral data. Unless specified to the contrary, the reactions described herein take place at atmospheric pressure over a temperature range between about 0xc2x0 C. and 125xc2x0 C. General synthetic methods are discussed below. Typically, an appropriately substituted biphenyl or biphenyl ether is reacted with an appropriately substituted benzene to form the linker xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 between the biphenyl/biphenyl ether and the benzene. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CRYxe2x95x90CRYxe2x80x94, the alkene linker is readily prepared by the either of two methods. In the first method, a suitably substituted aryl aldehyde or ketone is reacted with the sodium salt of a suitably substituted triphenylphosphonium halide (Wittig reaction), prepared from the corresponding halomethyl compound. Thus, for example, a suitably substituted benzyltriphosphonium halide (prepared from the corresponding benzyl bromide) dissolved in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran is treated with a solution of n-butyllithium at 0xc2x0 C., stirred at room temperature, then the suitably substituted biphenylaldehyde is added. The reaction is quenched with methanol, extracted, dried, and the extracts concentrated to yield the olefin-linked compound. In the second method, a suitably substituted aryl halide and a suitably substituted arylboronic acid (the Suzuki coupling reaction) or aryl halide and aryl trialkyltin (the Stille coupling reaction) are reacted in the presence of a Pd catalyst. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94, the 2 carbon alkyl linker is readily prepared by reduction of the corresponding alkene linker (see above) by any number of common reagents including H2(g) over Pd/C. Substituted analogs of the 2 carbon alkyl linker may be prepared by a variety of means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the ketone linkage (see below) may be alkylated at the site neighboring the ketone functional group by combination with an electrophile in the presence of base. The ketone functional group may be converted to an amino group by reductive amination. The ketone linkage may also be converted to a substituted alkene linkage by reaction with the sodium salt of an appropriately substituted triphenylphosphonium halide reagent or similar. The hydroxyl group of the linkage sited as the precursor to the ketone may alternatively be converted to an ether or ester moiety by methods very familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, the ether linker may be prepared by any of three methods. In the first method, a suitably substituted aryl alcohol may be combined in the presence of base with an appropriately substituted halomethyl arene. In the second method, an appropriately substituted aryl alcohol may be combined with an appropriately substituted hydroxymethyl arene in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate (the Mitsunobu reaction). In the third method, an appropriately substituted aryl halide may be combined with an appropriately substituted hydroxymethyl arene in the presence of sodium tert-butoxide and a Pd-based catalyst (Buchwald coupling conditions). Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, the amide linker may be prepared by either of two methods. In the first method, a suitably substituted arylamine is combined with a suitably substituted arylcarboxylic acid in the presence of one of a variety of condensation reagents known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In the second method, a suitably substituted arylamine is combined with a suitably substituted activated arylcarboxylic acid derivative, such as an arylcarboxylic acid halide. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94S(O)0-2xe2x80x94, the thioether linkage may prepared by the combination of a suitably substituted arenethiol with a suitably substituted halomethyl arene. The sulfoxide linkage is prepared by single oxidation of the thioether linkage by any of a variety of oxidation reagents known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The sulfone linkage is prepared from either the thioether or the sulfoxide by treatment with any of a variety of oxidation reagents also known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, the sulfonamide linkage may be prepared by reaction of a suitably substituted arylamine with a suitably substituted arenesulfonyl halide, which may in turn be first prepared from the appropriately substituted arenesulfonic acid by one of a variety of methods known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94C(Oxe2x95x90)xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, the ketone linkage is prepared by oxidation of the corresponding hydroxyl substituted linkage by the use of MnO2 or any other of a variety of oxidizing reagents known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The hydroxy substituted linkage can be prepared by reaction of a suitably substituted aryl aldehyde with a suitably substituted arylmagnesium halide, prepared in advance from the corresponding aryl halide (the Grignard reaction). Where xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is 1,2-cycloalkylene, the cycloalkylene linkage containing a double bond between the bonding ring carbons may be prepared by the reaction of a 1,2 dihalocycloalkene sequentially with the appropriately substituted arylboronic acids (Suzuki coupling reaction) or aryl trialkyltin reagents (Stille coupling reaction) in the presence of a Pd catalyst. The reduced cycloalkylene linkage may be prepared by reduction of the corresponding double-bonded linkage by reaction with H2 (g) over Pd/C. In large part the cycloalkylene linkages where there are hetero atom(s) in the ring may be prepared in the same manner. Additional methods commonly used by persons of ordinary skill in the art to prepare a variety of 1,2-diaryl substituted cyclic moieties, too numerous to describe in detail here, can be found in xe2x80x9cHeterocyclic Chemistry, 2nd, ed.xe2x80x9d T. L. Gilchrist, 1992, Longman Scientific and Technical, Essex; and xe2x80x9cHeterocyclic Chemistry, 3d ed.xe2x80x9d J. A. Joule, K. Mills, and G. F. Smith, 1995, Chapman and Hall, London. Under some circumstances, it may be appropriate to form the biphenyl linkage after forming the xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 linkage, as is shown in Example 1. When the compound contains a biphenyl ether, as in formula II, it may be prepared by any of four methods. In the first method, a suitably substituted hydroxy arene is combined with a suitably substituted aryl fluoride or nitroarene in the presence of base. In the second method, a suitably substituted hydroxy arene is reacted with an appropriately substituted arylboronic acid under Evans conditions, i.e. in the presence of an appropriate copper-based catalyst. In the third method, a suitably substituted hydroxy arene is reacted with a suitably substituted aryl halide under Buchwald coupling conditions, i.e. in the presence of an appropriate palladium-based catalyst. In the fourth method an aryl vinyl ether is reacted with an appropriately substituted pyrone to form a cycloadduct (the Diels-Alder reaction), which subsequently undergoes the elimination of carbon dioxide to afford the biphenyl ether. When the linker is of the form xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94, similar techniques may be used. A representative few are as follows: When xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94CH(OH)xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, the 2-hydroxypropyl linkage may be prepared by the reaction of a suitably substituted arylacetaldehyde with a suitably substituted arylmethylmagnesium halide, prepared from the corresponding arenylmethyl halide (the Grignard coupling reaction). When xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94NR1C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, the amidomethyl linkage may be prepared by the reaction of a suitably substituted arenecarboxylic acid or activated arenecarboxylic acid derivative with an appropriately substituted aminomethylarene, under conditions described above for the A-B linked amide case. When xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, the amidomethyl linkage may be prepared by the reaction of a suitably substituted areneacetic acid or activated areneacetic acid derivative with an appropriately substituted aminoarene, under the same conditions. When xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94, the amidoethyl linkage may be prepared by the reaction of a suitably substituted arenecarboxylic acid or activated arenecarboxylic acid derivative with an appropriately substituted aminoethylarene, and when xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHRXxe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94NR1xe2x80x94, the amidoethyl linkage may be prepared by the reaction of a suitably substituted arenepropionic acid or activated arenepropionic acid derivative with an appropriately substituted aminoarene, under the same conditions. When xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94, the Cxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94C ether linkage may prepared by combination of the appropriately substituted hydroxymethyl arene with the appropriately substituted halomethyl-, methanesulfonyloxy-, or p-toluenesulfonyloxymethyl arene in the presence of base; and similarly when xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CHRYxe2x80x94. It will be evident that the biphenyl linkage may be formed either before or after the formation of the xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 linkage: Example 2 describes a synthesis in which the biphenyl linkage is formed after the formation of the xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 linkage. It will also be evident that the phenyl rings may be substituted with substituents inert to the reaction conditions (or substituents protected against the reaction conditions associated with formation of the compound skeleton, where the protecting group can be removed without adverse effect on the remainder of the compound) without affecting the reactions described. When a substituent is, for example, a carboxylic acid, it will typically be protected throughout the synthesis as an alkyl, e.g. C1-4 alkyl ester, typically the methyl ester; with the ester being removed in the final deprotection step by reaction with an aqueous base, such as aqueous lithium hydroxide. When a substituent is or contains an amine or guanidino group, it will typically be protected with a typical amine-protecting group well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, such as tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC), and the like, if needed, with the protecting group being removed in the final deprotection step by such methods as are conventional for removal of these amine-protecting groups. Under some circumstances, a carboxylic acid may be protected as an ester that is differentially removable, i.e. removable under circumstances where other carboxyl groups remain protected. When a substituent is a hydroxy group, it will typically be protected with a typical hydroxy-protecting group such as a tertiary silyl group, e.g. tert-butyldimethylsilyl. The choice of suitable protecting groups for substituents during the syntheses will be within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in the art having regard to that skill and this disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, having regard to that skill, this disclosure, and the references cited herein, that generally any one of several different methods may be employed for the synthesis of a selected compound of this invention. For convenience, the synthesis may well be chosen based on the availability or cost of the starting materials and reagents for the methods available for that compound, or considering the number of steps necessary for the method. For example, if an appropriately substituted biphenyl or biphenyl ether is readily available or synthesizable, it may well be convenient to form the biphenyl/biphenyl ether linkage before formation of the xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Xxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94 linkage; but otherwise it may be preferable to form the biphenyl or biphenyl ether linkages later. A person of ordinary skill in the art, having regard to that skill, this disclosure, and the references cited herein, will be able to prepare desired compounds of formula I without undue experimentation.

Many businesses have dedicated telecommunication systems that enable computers, telephones, facsimile machines and the like to communicate with each other through a private network and with remote locations via a telecommunications service provider. In most buildings, the dedicated telecommunications system is hard wired using telecommunication cables that contain conductive wire. In such hard wired systems, dedicated wires are coupled to individual service ports throughout the building. Conventionally, the wires from the dedicated service ports extend through the walls of the building to a telecommunications closet or closets. The telecommunications lines from the interface hub of a main frame computer and the telecommunication lines from external telecommunication service providers may also terminate within a telecommunications closet. A patching system is typically used to interconnect the various telecommunication lines within a telecommunications closet. In a telecommunications patching system, the telecommunication lines are terminated within a telecommunications closet in an organized manner. The organized terminations of the various lines are provided via the structure of the telecommunications closet. A mounting frame having one or more racks is typically located in a telecommunications closet. The telecommunications lines terminate on the racks, as is explained below. Referring to FIG. 1, a typical prior art rack 10 is shown. The rack 10 retains a plurality of patch panels 12 that are mounted to the rack 10. On each of the patch panels 12 are located port assemblies 14. The illustrated port assemblies 14 each contain six telecommunication connector ports 16 (e.g., RJ-45 ports). Other types of patch panels are known, including patch panels with optical fiber ports (e.g., SC, ST, and FC ports) and copper wire ports. Each telecommunication connector port 16 is hard wired to a respective one of the telecommunications lines. Accordingly, each telecommunications line terminates on a patch panel 12 in an organized manner. In small patch systems, all telecommunications lines may terminate on the patch panels of the same rack. In larger patch systems, multiple racks may be used. Interconnections between the various telecommunications lines are made using patch cords 20. Both ends of each patch cord 20 are terminated with connectors 22, such as, for example, an RJ-45 or RJ-11 telecommunications connector. One end of a patch cord 20 is connected to a connector port 16 of a first telecommunications line and the opposite end of the patch cord 20 is connected to a connector port 16 of a second telecommunications line. By selectively connecting the various lines with patch cords 20, any combination of telecommunications lines can be interconnected. In many businesses, employees are assigned their own computer network access number exchange so that the employee can interface with a main frame computer or computer network. When an employee changes office locations, it may not be desirable to provide that employee with new exchange numbers. Rather, to preserve consistency in communications, it may be preferred that the exchanges of the telecommunication connection ports in the employee's old office be transferred to the telecommunications ports in the employee's new office. To accomplish this task, patch cords in a telecommunication closet are rearranged so that the employee's old exchanges are now received in his/her new office. As employees move, change positions, and/or add and subtract lines, the patch cords in a typical telecommunications closet are rearranged quite often. The interconnections of the various patch cords in a telecommunications closet are often logged in either a paper or computer based log. However, technicians may neglect to update the log each and every time a change is made. Inevitably, the log may become less than 100% accurate and a technician may not have a way of reading where each of the patch cords begins and ends. Accordingly, when a technician needs to change a patch cord, it may be necessary for the technician to manually trace that patch cord between two connector ports. To perform a manual trace, the technician locates one end of a patch cord and then manually follows the patch cord until he/she finds the opposite end of that patch cord. Once the two ends of the patch cord are located, the patch cord can be positively identified. It may take a significant amount of time for a technician to manually trace a particular patch cord, particularly within a collection of other patch cords. Furthermore, manual tracing may not be completely accurate and technicians may accidentally go from one patch cord to another during a manual trace. Such errors may result in misconnected telecommunication lines which must be later identified and corrected. Also, it may be difficult to identify the correct port to which a particular patch cord end should be connected or disconnected. Thus, ensuring that the proper connections are made can be very time-consuming, and the process is prone to errors in both the making of connections and in keeping records of the connections. Accordingly, a need exists for accurately and quickly tracing, detecting and identifying the ends of patch cords in a telecommunications closet. A need also exists for accurately and quickly knowing which patch panel ports are connected by patch cords.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to method and apparatus for multiplexing signals and more particularly concerns flexible multiplexing that is readily reconfigurable to accommodate different numbers of inputs. 2. Description of Related Art In various systems that are required to handle a large number of inputs, such as, for example, in an aircraft audio entertainment system, analog signals are generally converted to digital form and then time division multiplexed for transmission to a plurality of listening stations. Commonly, analog to digital conversion and multiplexing take place in hardware mounted in a single box at a single location. If the system with which the multiplexing arrangement is used is to be reconfigured, as when, for example, further seats are added to an aircraft and additional audio sources are used, additional channels of audio information must be transmitted together with the original channels. According to present arrangements, in order to support additional audio channels an entirely new multiplexer box is required. Furthermore, in such systems where both audio and video entertainment is employed, it is generally convenient, if not necessary, to position the audio source or sources (a CD player or tape deck) at locations remote from the location of the video source with its audio signals, such as a video tape reproducer for example. For such a reconfiguration the video audio and the independent audio sources must be connected to the same digitizing box, which results in a significant additional amount of interconnecting wiring. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiplexing system which avoids or minimizes above-mentioned problems.

1. Technical Field of the Invention This invention relates to nonwoven composites and particularly to nonwoven composites used in absorbent articles. 2. Description of Related Art There are several known topsheets formed of either nonwoven materials or formed films that have been designed to handle viscous exudate such as new born infant stool or viscous menses fluid. These topsheet materials specifically have large apertures and the nonwoven products have a cloth like texture while the film products have a flat sticky surface. Formed films are typically known to have better absorbency rates and wetback properties, but nonwovens tend to be softer and gentler to the skin. Attempts to use topsheets with large apertures has met with limited success due to the nature of the large holes. In the case of nonwovens, the large holes were two-dimensional because the soft fibers used were not sufficiently resilient to support the three dimensional structure. In the case of formed films, the material which were three dimensional and resilient enough to maintain this shape were too rigid and not soft on the wearers' skin. Newborn infants, especially those being fed breast milk, are known to have a more fluid stool and to have explosive bowel movements due to excess gas in their sensitive systems. The combination of a fluid stool and explosive bowel movements presents a technical problem for known topsheet materials. The topsheet must have exceptionally high acquisition rates to capture the fast moving stool as it travels across the diaper. Furthermore, the topsheet must have good, wetback properties to maintain the fluid stool in the absorbent core after repeated insults. Nonwovens and films have been designed to meet one or the other of these design criteria, yet parents still know that these explosive newborn bowel movements will likely escape all known diapers and therefore soil the infant's clothing, the parent's clothing, and bedding materials. Similar performance criteria would be advantageous in feminine hygiene products as well. It would be advantageous to have a topsheet with an exceptional absorbency rate while still maintaining acceptable wetback properties.

The present application relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to communication systems in which data is exchanged between a card reader and a contactless smartcard. Contactless smartcards are widely used to purchase goods and services. For example, it is now possible to pay for gasoline, groceries, and transit fares simply by waving a contactless smartcard in the vicinity of a card reader. Smartcards provide the cardholder with a quick and convenient way to transfer value and often can be recharged or otherwise linked to a line of credit. A card reader communicates with a contactless smartcard using electromagnetic radiation. Card transactions often involve an over-the-air exchange of sensitive information such as account numbers, key values, and other identifiers. These exchanges are susceptible to eavesdropping which can lead to hacking the smartcard and the theft of its value. Data encryption can help to reduce the incidence of hacking attacks. However, encryption algorithms can be cracked and are susceptible to unforeseen weaknesses. Moreover, a large body of unencrypted or weakly encrypted smartcards is currently in circulation.

As this type of apparatus, there has been suggested an apparatus for issuing a warning if a vehicle departs from a lane (e.g. refer to a patent document 1). According to a lane departure warning apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in the patent document 1, a passenger and/or a driver is not troubled by that the warning is not issued if the departure direction of the vehicle is equal to the indicated direction of a winker or direction indicator in cases where it is judged that the vehicle departs from a driving lane while the winker is in operation. Moreover, there has been also suggested an apparatus for evaluating the possibility of steering by the driver and for varying easiness in stopping the steering control in order to solve such a problem that the stop timing of steering control can give an uncomfortable feeling to a driver if the steering control is stopped in accordance with the blinking operation of the winker (e.g. refer to a patent document 2). Moreover, there has been also suggested an apparatus for judging that the driver consciously changes the lane and for setting a departure judgment flag to be OFF if a direction indicated by a direction switch signal is equal to a direction indicated by the departure direction (e.g. refer to a patent document 3). Moreover, there has been also suggested an apparatus for changing a steering assist torque if a winker operating direction is equal to a steering direction (e.g. refer to a patent document 4).

As business moves toward distributed working environments, and as transmission of electronic data becomes a valuable business tool, it becomes increasingly important to efficiently transport various types of data through computer networks. Transmission of graphical data may pose unique challenges for a number of reasons, including the relatively large size of various types of graphical data and relatively slow and unreliable network transmission bandwidths. Moreover, the size of the graphical data handled by conventional software applications has increased exponentially, making it impracticable to work with local graphical data from remote locations since there is no economical, efficient, and secure way to remotely access the data. Graphical data may be stored in a computer as a three dimensional (3-D) graphical model, which is a 3-D representation of a real or computer-generated object. Normally, a particular view of the 3-D graphical model is computed using high-end computer hardware, software, and high-end graphics accelerators before it can be displayed to a user in the form of a two-dimensional (2-D) image. The terms display and image may be used interchangeably when reference is made to a user, client and server. The process of extracting a 2-D image from a 3-D graphical model often includes a technique known as rendering. Rendering is the process of creating views from selected viewing angles and adding 3-D visual cues and qualities, such as lighting, textures, shadows, color and image attributes, stereographic perception, animation, and motion-parallax, to the extracted 3-D graphical model in order to enhance the 2-D image understanding of the model. One technique for rendering graphics is called ray tracing. Another type of rendering is scanline rendering, which renders images one horizontal line at a time instead of object-by-object as in ray tracing. Various techniques exist for the transmission of, or remote display of, graphical data. These techniques may be implemented on a network of computers. The network of computers may include a server, which is a computer running a particular graphics application and managing various resources, and one or more clients, which are computers that rely on the server to perform one or more operations. Alternatively, the network of computers may include a plurality of nodes. The nodes may be computers that are configured to share information without functioning in a structured client-server relationship. Various image compression techniques may be used to reduce the bandwidth required for transmitting 3-D models or 2-D images locally or across a network. For example, a 3-D model or 2-D image may be compressed at a server or at a first node and transmitted using hardware image compression and hardware data compression techniques. The compressed data may then be decompressed at a client or at a second node in order to image the original data. Conventional image compression techniques, such as transform coding, vector quantisation, segmentation and approximation, spline approximation, wavelet compression, or fractal coding, often lead to lossy or distorted images. In addition, lossy techniques often lead to image degradation at each compression stage. As a result, lossless image compression techniques, including run-length encoding, Huffman encoding, Lempel/Ziv coding, or area coding, were developed. These conventional techniques, nevertheless, suffer from inherent disadvantages. For example, both the server or first node and the client or second node must perform a compression or decompression step, which is an inefficient use of computing or computer resources. Furthermore, some conventional techniques may be difficult to implement, particularly across multiple heterogeneous platforms normally found in all computing environments. Moreover, lossless image compression techniques may suffer from compression ratios that are not as high as conventional lossy techniques. U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,057 describes a collaborative work environment for allowing remote users to manipulate a 3-D model using conventional techniques. In this system, each node or client requires its own local copy of the original 3-D model. A local copy of the original 3-D model is rendered at each node or client. Each user may manipulate its local copy of the original 3-D model using a transformation matrix. The transformation matrix is a set of data that represents a manipulation of the original 3-D model. The transformation matrix is used to communicate the viewing position and orientation of the manipulated 3-D model to other users, who use the information to render a new local copy based on the application of the transformation matrix to the original local copy. The system disclosed in the '057 patent is disadvantaged to the extent that it requires significant system resources at each node in the network. For example, each node requires high-end graphics-specific hardware that is sufficient to render the 3-D model. In addition, the rendering operation may require additional memory, system bus bandwidth, and other resources on each node in the network. This usually affects the performance of other applications running on each node. Furthermore, the nature of the collaborative environment described by the '057 patent may not be practical when some of the 3-D model information is confidential or cannot reside on the client or node because the 3-D model is comprised of data that exceeds the system capacity of the client or node. Other conventional systems that are available for displaying 3-D graphical data include OpenGL Performer® and OpenGL Vizserver™—both applications offered by Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI®). OpenGL Performer® includes a “Dynamic Video Resolution” feature that reduces the size of the rendered image, and correspondingly, the number of rendered pixels. As a result, the speed (frame rate) at which all processing is completed before updating the display with a new image is enhanced. Afterwards, specialized SGI® video hardware enlarges the images to the original size. This is accomplished by using a technique known as bipolar filtering to enlarge the image. In this way, the image is the correct size, but it contains a reduced number of pixels. OpenGL Performer® is, nevertheless, disadvantaged to the extent that it requires specialized SGI video hardware on any machine that displays an object image. Furthermore, this system does not enable remote rendering, but is, rather, optimized to achieve high frame rates locally. While it can be used in conjunction with remote-enabling products in order to transmit 3-D graphics information, this requires enlarging the image at each node in the network. Therefore, each node must contain specialized video hardware. OpenGL Vizserver™ is similarly disadvantaged. For example, OpenGL Vizserver™ requires specialized hardware in the form of multiple (five) compression modules that compress/decompress the frames of a rendered 3-D graphics model. These compression modules reside at the client and server thus, reducing performance at each end when performing other necessary tasks and interacting with the 3-D graphics model. OpenGL Vizserver™ may also require additional customized modules which adversely impact the system resources of the client and server. In either application using OpenGL Performer®, OpenGL Vizserver™, or both, the cost of implementing such systems is significant. Another example of a conventional system for displaying 3-D graphical data includes EarthCube® RemoteViz offered by Landmark Graphics Corporation. Like other conventional remote collaboration systems, EarthCube® RemoteViz requires specialized hardware in the form of image based or video based compression packages that are expensive and restrict the client and server system resources from performing other necessary functions. As demonstrated by the state of the art, there is a need, among other things, for an efficient system that can remotely display 3-D graphical data through a distributed application, however, does not require specialized hardware or software on every node in the network. There is also a need for a single executable application that may be used in a collaborative way, yet may selectively grant control to remote users and runs on most existing client platforms and operating systems. In short, there is a need for a system that operates on most hardware platforms and enables high remote frame rates, transparent remote collaboration processes, and per-component adaptive resolutions while eliminating the need for any client processes, daemons, hardware image compression, software image compression, stream compression and/or data compression.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and a method for manufacturing cigarettes, suited for the manufacture of cigarettes of higher hardness. 2. Description of the Related Art In general, a cigarette manufacturing machine comprises a cut tobacco supply section, a wrapping section, and a cutting section. The wrapping section is supplied with a paper web, which travels in one direction in the wrapping section. The supply section feeds cut tobacco onto the paper web at the starting end of the wrapping section. As the cut tobacco, along with the paper web, passes through the wrapping section, it is wrapped in the web to form a continuous cigarette rod. Thereafter, the formed cigarette rod is delivered from the wrapping section to the cutting section. As it passes through the cutting section, the cigarette rod is cut into individual cigarettes with a predetermined length. An example of the supply section of a cigarette manufacturing machine is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKOKU Publication No. 40-14560. This conventional supply section is provided with an endless suction band, that is, a tobacco band as it is called. The tobacco band extends toward the wrapping section, and has one surface formed as a suction surface. Cut tobacco is attracted in a layer to the suction surface of the tobacco band. As the tobacco band travels, the cut tobacco layer is transported toward the wrapping section. The tobacco layer is released from the attraction at the starting end of the wrapping section, whereupon the cut tobacco is continuously fed from the tobacco band onto the paper web at the wrapping section. As shown in FIG. 1, a cut tobacco layer T.sub.L is formed of individual tobacco shreds K.sub.T which are stacked on a suction surface of a tobacco band 1. Thereafter, the tobacco shred K.sub.T of the layer is fed onto a paper web at the wrapping section. As the paper web 2, along with the tobacco shreds K.sub.T, passes through the wrapping section, it is first bent in the shape of a U, as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, both sides of the U-shaped web 2 are successively bent in a circular arc, whereupon a continuous cigarette rod is formed. FIG. 3 shows a filter cigarette which is formed of a cigarette obtained by cutting the cigarette rod and a filter connected to the cigarette. FIG. 4 shows an end face of the filter cigarette. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 3 denotes a lap portion which combines both side edges of the paper web 2. As is evident from the foregoing description of the process for forming the cigarette rod, the tobacco shreds K.sub.T on the paper web 2 are kept substantially in layers even though they are wrapped in the web 2. Also, most of the tobacco shreds K.sub.T in the cigarette are oriented in one direction. More specifically, most of the tobacco shreds K.sub.T are obtained by cutting tobacco leaves. As shown in the exaggerated view of FIG. 5, these tobacco shreds K.sub.T are rectangular fragments each having a pair of long sides K.sub.le with a length L and a pair of short sides K.sub.se with a length S. Most of these fragments K.sub.T tend to be attracted to the tobacco band 1 with an orientation such that their respective long sides K.sub.le extend along the traveling direction of the tobacco band 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, therefore, most of the stacked fragments K.sub.T are oriented so that their short sides K.sub.se extend parallel to the cross section of the tobacco band 1 or the paper web 2, and their long sides K.sub.le at right angles to the cross section. As viewed from the end face of the cigarette shown in FIG. 4, most of the individual tobacco shreds K.sub.T are wrapped in the paper web 2 in a manner such that their short sides K.sub.se extend parallel to the lap portion 3 of the cigarette. The tobacco shreds K.sub.T more easily undergo elastic deformation when their opposite surfaces K.sub.F (see FIG. 5) are subjected to external forces than when their long and short sides K.sub.le and K.sub.se receive external forces. Thus, if the cigarette is subjected to external forces in the direction A--A, as shown in FIG. 5, these forces act on the opposite surfaces of most of the tobacco shreds K.sub.T in the cigarette, so that the outer peripheral surface of the cigarette is easily deformed. If the cigarette is subjected to external forces in the direction B--B, on the other hand, these forces act on the long sides K.sub.le of most of the tobacco shreds K.sub.T in the cigarette, so that the outer peripheral surface of the cigarette cannot be easily deformed. This hardness characteristic of the cigarette is also indicated by the result of an experiment. More specifically, the hardness of the cigarette is 5% higher in the direction B--B than in the direction A--A. If the hardness of the cigarette is thus irregular with respect to the circumferential direction thereof, the outer peripheral surface of the cigarette is easily deformed.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the shaping of masonry materials, and in particular to a manually operated apparatus and process for cutting bricks, tile or the like. 2. Description of the Related Art The use of relatively brittle materials, such as brick and tile, as decorative building materials is well known in the art. These materials are known as masonry materials. Masonry materials are generally supplied to the work site in standard shapes and sizes. During construction using these materials, it is a requirement that these building materials be cut into the shapes required to fit in a particular position in a project. Quite often there is a need to accurately cut large numbers of bricks to the same particular shape. In other cases tiles or bricks of a number of different shapes may be needed. A great deal of time may be consumed shaping materials on a construction site. Often the exact shape needed is determined on the job site by masons or other construction workers of various skill levels. When materials are cut improperly, the need to repeat the shaping operation results in the waste of time and materials and increases the cost for completing a construction project. The design of the apparatus used to cut bricks, tiles, and other brittle construction materials can contribute to efficiency on the construction site in a number of ways. Hydraulic press cutters, saws and mechanical cutters have been used to cut bricks, tile and other brittle materials to the desired shapes. Some of these devices are relatively expensive. Cost considerations can limit the number of cutting devices used on a work site, thus introducing inefficiencies in completing work. Logistical considerations involved with the supply of electrical power on a construction site can limit the placement and number of electrically powered cutting devices that can be made available on a job site. When the cutting devices are limited in number or placed inconveniently far from where shaped materials are being used, the resulting inefficiency of workflow may increase the time and cost required for a construction project. Another consideration is the portability and compactness of the cutting device. If a cutting device is easily moved from one place to another and does not require large amounts of space when in use, the device can be located convenient to the place where masonry materials are used, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced time and cost to complete a project. It would therefore be desirable to provide a cutting apparatus for cutting bricks, tiles, and other brittle construction materials which is compact, portable and manually operated. It is desirable that the apparatus be capable of making repeated cuts of materials to a given shape or dimension and that the apparatus be quickly adjustable to deliver different shapes or to accommodate the size and shape of bricks, tiles or other materials. It is also desirable that the apparatus be simple to operate. French Patent 2,553,025, published on Apr. 12, 1985, describes a tile and brick cutting apparatus with a movable and a fixed cutting blade. The apparatus is distinguishable by the means provided for moving the upper blade. Thus, a brick cutter solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

The piecing up of a thread after a thread breakage or after a clearer cut is carried out predominantly in an automated manner in modern open-end spinning machines, whereas the piecing is carried out either by a robot that can be moved along the spinning stations of the open-end spinning machine or by handling elements of the individual spinning station. In any case, initially, multiple preliminary work steps are always required for the piecing of a thread, which are carried out successively in a chronological sequence or in some cases parallel to each other. The work steps may comprise, for example, searching for a thread end on the bobbin surface that accrues on the bobbin, rewinding the thread end from the bobbin, preparing the yarn end for re-start of spinning, cleaning the spinning element, returning the prepared yarn end to the spinning element, and the like. By contrast, the actual piecing operation begins with the return of the thread end into the spinning element. Likewise, upon the splicing of a thread on a winding machine or other thread connecting processes on textile machines, a multiple number of preparatory work steps, successively in a chronological sequence or in some cases parallel to each other, are required. With known textile machines, the individual work steps are always carried out with a cycle time that is constant over time; that is, the time period of the respective piecing step is fixed and also always lasts the same amount of time in different piecing processes. The cycle time is selected in such a manner that, on the one hand, an advantageous, short cycle time for this step is achieved in order to stop the work station of the textile machine for only a very short time; on the other hand, however, an acceptable success rate is achieved for this piecing step, such that time-consuming repetitions of piecing operations can be avoided. In order to improve the success rate of individual work steps, some measures have already been proposed. For example, DE 35 02 118 A1 describes a pneumatic cleaning process for cleaning friction surfaces of a friction spinning machine, in order to control the point in time and the time period of the pneumatic cleaning as a function of the degree of dirtiness to be expected. However, details are not provided as to the manner in which the degree of dirtiness to be expected is determined, and how the adjustment to the cleaning time takes place. DE 44 18 743 C2 describes an optimization of the thread searching process that is intended to improve the certainty of finding the thread on the bobbin surface. In doing so, the sucking in of the thread end by a suction nozzle is monitored by means of a sensor. If, after a predetermined time period, the thread ending is absent, the rewinding speed of the bobbin is reduced (for example, to less than one third of the usual rewinding speed), in order to expose the thread end to the suction air stream for a longer period of time and thereby facilitate the sucking in of the thread end. By means of such measures, an overall cost-effective operation of a textile machine can be achieved. However, such a control, directed at the success rate, of the individual work steps often has unfavorable effects on machine efficiency.

Flooding is a problem in underdeveloped, emerging and even developed countries and can be a problem in low lying rural, suburban and even urban areas where drainage is less than optimal or has been compromised. Every year people die from drowning as a direct consequence of flooding situations. Even after the event that triggered the flooding ends, unforeseeable dangers can still be present in the areas where stagnant or slow draining water remains. Such circumstances can present a greater hazard specifically because the flood cause has ended, since people will be more inclined to discount the danger. In some cases, this can be because of their lack of awareness of situations that did not exist prior to the flood, for example, channels cut by the original moving water, sinkholes or depressions, displaced manhole covers, etc., rendering the water in some places deeper than it might appear from the surface or would be presumed based upon a person's knowledge of the pre-flood topography. In such cases, even persons familiar with the highly local topography of that specific area may be misled into thinking that it is safe to cross the remaining water, because they are unaware of the changed situation under the water. For example, an adult attempting to cross a flooded street to safety by wading through what appears to them be about 0.5 meters (about 2 feet) to 1 meter (about 3 feet) of non-flowing water could easily find themselves in grave danger if the water conceals an open manhole directly in their path or a deep channel or sinkhole, caused by the previously flowing water, is now in their path. In an attempt to prevent some drowning situations in commonly flooded or flood-prone areas, permanent infrastructure may be installed to warn people regarding the depth of the water at a point in the topography known to be the lowest point. Those warning systems may be as simple as poles with markings to indicate height of the water or more sophisticated warnings that rely upon floats or other technology. Such warning systems operate under the premise that, if one knows the depth at the lowest point, everywhere else will have a lesser depth. However, as noted above, those warning systems operate in the specific place where they are located and typically will not be able to account for flood-caused topographical changes, even nearby. Moreover, such indicators cannot typically be used in, for example, the middle of a roadway, and, being fixed in place, cannot account for unusual flooding circumstances or a flood situation in locations where flooding is not common. More recently, in the attempts have been made to identify areas where hazards exist, for example flooding, and to put out alerts via the mobile phone networks to warn persons in the area. For example, in the United States, the mobile industry, along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), developed the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to send concise, text-like messages to users' WEA-capable mobile devices to alert users to, for example, imminent threats that include severe man-made or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc., or other circumstances where an imminent threat to life or property exists. WEA use a point-to-multipoint system, so that alert messages are only sent to those within a targeted area, unlike phone, e-mail, text messages which are not location dependent. Thus, if a New York resident is in Arizona and has a WEA-capable device, and a flash flood warning issues for that area of Arizona, their device would receive an “Imminent Threat Alert” because they are within the designated area for the alert. However, alerts are no more than 90 characters, and generally only include: (i) who is sending the alert, (ii) what is happening, (iii) who is affected, and (iv) what action to take. Canada has implemented a similar system to provide alerts via all television stations, radio stations, and broadcast distribution undertakings. In addition, the province of Alberta has its own system that broadcasts emergency and information alert messages through RSS feeds, social networks, and mobile apps. In Europe, European Flood Awareness System is involved monitoring and forecasting floods across Europe. It provides complementary, flood early warning information up to 10 days in advance to its partner entities including the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre which collects and analyses real-time information on disasters, monitors hazards, prepares plans for the deployment of experts, teams and equipment, and works with Member States to map available assets and coordinate the EU's disaster response efforts. In Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency issues warnings for meteorological phenomena such as heavy rain, storms, storm surges, high waves, heavy snow and snowstorms and disseminates them through television, radio, internet and loudspeaker vans. While these systems are a significant improvement in some cases, they are all clearly intended for broad general warnings, typically before the fact, and do not provide sufficient granularity to address highly local, let alone surface-invisible, unusual situations. Moreover, such alert systems don't exist at all in less developed locations in many parts of Asia where variable flooding is an ongoing problem. Thus, there is a significant technological problem regarding determining local flood depth conditions over a given local area, and providing alerts relating to local occult flood-caused conditions, in flooded areas where flooding is uncommon. Moreover, this technological problem potentially exists even within commonly flooded areas because, as noted above, local conditions can vary unexpectedly due to flood-caused hazards or changes in topography or due to particular unusual circumstances.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention related to a wiring board with built-in capacitors. Specifically, the invention relates to a wiring board with built-in capacitors, which has a multilayer wiring structure and capable of mounting an IC chip thereon. 2. Description of the Prior Art In a proposed wiring board on which an IC chip can be mounted, a thin film capacitor is connected between a power line and a ground line of the IC chip to realize decoupling and restrain instantaneous lowering of the potential of the power line due to switching noise resulting from high-speed ON/OFF of the mounted IC chip. For example, in a substrate disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2005-191266 A), a plurality of capacitors which are differing in dielectric film thickness are connected in parallel between a power line and a ground line of an IC chip to reduce the impedance across a wider range of frequencies in comparison to a substrate using a single capacitor.

This invention relates to a fuse for connection in and protection of an electrical circuit. Various fuse devices have been developed for connection into an electrical circuit to open the circuit in response to abnormal current conditions. The fuse elements may include a current conductor which will carry normal current. Preselected abnormal currents result in heating of the element to a fusing level which results in disruption of element and opening of the circuit. This of course is desirable to protect the electrical devices in the circuit. A visual indicator identifying a particular actuated fuse unit is, of course, also often desirable. Various indicating systems have also been suggested. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,165,636 which issued July 11, 1939 for an electric fuse, discloses an end-mounted spring element secured to the exterior end of an elongated fuse and interconnected to a fusible element. Abnormal current disrupts and opens the fuse element, releasing the spring structure which then falls from the fuse to provide an indication of the fuse response. An external coil spring includes one end connected to the fuse element by two or three turns of the spring thereon and the opposite end provided with an integral guide for guiding of the fuse element back through the opening into and through the housing. The fuse wire extends from the spring member and is affixed to the terminal external to the housing and spring structure. When the fuse burns open, the spring expands and also drops down such that the hanging unit provides a visual indication of the fuse disruption. Another elongated fuse structure having a special indicator is shown in a more recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,877 which issued June 28, 1977 and is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The fuse structure shown therein is a cartridge type adapted to be inserted in a fuse clip assembly. The fuse structure includes an elongated housing having cup-shaped end terminals. A fuse unit within the housing is connected between the end terminals, and in particular includes a relatively heavy rod-like non-fusible element. The one end of the non-fusible element is secured to the one end contact by a fusible material. The rod extends through the housing and terminates in spaced relation to the second contact. A coil spring encircles the rod and acts between a central abutment and the end of the rod. Abnormal current flow disrupts the fusible material and releases the connection to the rod. This releases the spring which expands and carries the indicator rod outwardly, with the total expansion being selected to move the head outwardly of the housing. Thus, both ends of the housing define an indicator of the fuse response. Thus, the one end provides a distinct opening while the opposite end had the solid rod projecting outwardly. Although various prior art devices have been suggested, there is a need for a relatively reliable but inexpensive fuse indicator structure for elongated tubular fuse elements.

The present invention relates to pallet-making machines in general, and in particular to nail-driving chucks for use in pallet-making machines. The forerunners of today's wooden pallets were developed during World War II to assist the armed forces in moving large amounts of goods in short time periods with forklift trucks. Wooden pallet usage has increased explosively since that time. Automated pallet-making machines were developed in response to the high demand for wood pallets and now occupy an important position in the pallet manufacturing industry. The primary function of these pallet-making machines is the automatic nailing of pallet boards which have been positioned either manually or with some assistance from the pallet-making machine. Automated pallet-making machines often use drive pins or rams to drive nails being held by a chuck into boards located below the chuck. Nails driven into the component boards of a pallet must be countersunk so that the nail heads do not protrude above the top surface of the boards. Countersinking is important because bags or packages containing goods which are placed on pallets can be torn by nail heads protruding above the boards. Depending upon the pallet buyer's specifications, pallet manufacturers countersink the top of the nails to different depths below the top surface of the pallet boards. This change in countersink depth has traditionally been made by changing the relative distance between the board end of the nailing chuck and the drive end of the nailing chuck so that the pin's final extended position of the nail-driving pin is changed relative to the board end of the nailing chuck. An example of such a countersink adjustment apparatus is shown in the Wallin U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,989. In the Wallin patent the board end of the nailing chuck and the drive end of the nailing chuck are connected together by threads. The drive end of the nailing chuck contains female threads and the board end of the nailing chuck contains male threads. Where the drive end and the board end connect, a female threaded lock ring selectively locks the board end of the nailing chuck in position. The drive end of the nailing chuck is independently fastened in place so that the drive end cannot rotate about the longitudinal axis of the nailing chuck. The board end of the chuck can be selectively rotated about the longitudinal axis of the nailing chuck while connected to the drive end of the chuck to change the relative distance from the board end of the chuck to the drive end of the chuck. The nail-driving pin is connected to the drive end of the chuck and extends into the board end of the chuck. When the distance from the board end of the chuck to the drive end of the chuck is changed, the position of the nail-driving pin, relative to the board end of the chuck, is also changed since the position of the nail-driving pin is fixed relative to the drive end of the chuck. Consequently, by changing the position of the board end of the chuck relative to the drive end of the chuck, the final extended position of the nail-driving pin can be adjusted relative to the board end of the chuck, and the nail countersink depth can be selectively changed. One complication of this nail countersink depth adjustment method is that automatic nail feeding devices are often connected to the board end of the chuck. Since the board end of the chuck must be rotated to adjust the countersink depth, the automatic nail feeding device must be removed from the board end of the chuck prior to its adjustment and must be reattached following adjustment of the countersink depth. Since the automatic pallet-making machinery does not operate when the chuck is not operating, pallet making is suspended during the time required for removing and reattaching the automatic nail feeding equipment to the board end of the chuck and during the relatively short period of time required for actual adjustment of the board end of the chuck relative to the drive end of the chuck.

With a semiconductor testing system (including so-called an IC tester, LSI tester, and so forth; hereinafter referred to merely as a tester), it is necessary to supply a device as a test subject {hereinafter referred to as a DUT (Device Under Test)} with a voltage with high precision in order to inspect and test the DUT with good precision. Accordingly, a tester is provided with a power supply assembly capable of outputting a voltage with high precision. Determination on whether or not a DUT is acceptable has been made by taking measurements on current flowing from the power supply assembly to the DUT. The DUT includes, for example, an IC, LSI, and so forth (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tester using a conventional power supply assembly. In FIG. 6, a power supply assembly 100 is installed in a tester main body, and comprises a voltage buffer 1, a DAC 2, an error amplifier 3, an output amplifier 4, a current detection circuit 5, and a current measurement circuit 6, wherein the power supply assembly 100 outputs voltage and current to a DUT 7 while monitoring a level of a voltage applied to the DUT 7. The DUT 7 is a load, and has a plurality of terminals for input/output, and a predetermined voltage Vout is applied from the power supply assembly 100 to a desired terminal (a DUT terminal). Further, the DUT 7 is placed on the top of a performance board (not shown) of a test head (not shown) of the tester. The voltage buffer 1 has a noninverting input terminal, to which an applied voltage Vout to the DUT 7 is inputted. The DAC 2 is a kind of a voltage generation circuit, and outputs a predetermined set voltage Vout. An output voltage from the voltage buffer 1, and an output voltage from the DAC 2 are inputted to the error amplifier 3. An error signal from the error amplifier 3 is inputted to the output amplifier 4, which either increase or decrease amperage to the DUT terminal of the DUT 7, thereby applying a voltage Vout as corrected by an error portion to the DUT 7. Further, with the output amplifier 4, an output terminal is connected to an inverting input terminal. Still further, the output amplifier 4 is driven by a power supply voltage (voltage level: VDD on the plus side, and VEE on the minus side) from a power supply unit U 1. In this case, the power supply unit U 1 constantly outputs a voltage at a given level regardless of an output voltage, and an output current of the output amplifier 4. The current detection circuit 5 is provided between the output amplifier 4, and the DUT 7. The current measurement circuit 6 takes measurements on current by the agency of a signal from the current detection circuit 5. Further, the power supply voltage from the power supply unit U 1 is also fed to the voltage buffer 1, the DAC 2, the error amplifier 3, the current detection circuit 5, and so forth, although not shown in the figure. Operation of the tester is described hereinafter. The DAC 2 outputs the predetermined set voltage Vout. A voltage signal from the DAC 2 is inputted to a noninverting input terminal of the error amplifier 3, and a voltage being applied to the DUT 7 is inputted to an inverting input terminal of the error amplifier 3 via the voltage buffer 1, as being fed back. Further, the error amplifier 3 amplifies an error within a amplifier 4. Then, the output amplifier 4 increases or decreases the amperage fed to the DUT 7 on the basis of the error signal from the error amplifier 3 so as to reduce a voltage error at the error amplifier 3. That is, the set voltage of the DAC 2 is used as a reference. The applied voltage to the DUT 7, after varied by an increase or a decrease in amperage, is fed back again to the error amplifier 3 via the voltage buffer 1, and the error amplifier 3 detects an error. Further, the output amplifier 4 causes an increase or a decrease in amperage so as to reduce the error. Thus, a level of the voltage applied to the DUT 7 is finally rendered equivalent to that of the set voltage Vout of the DAC 2 to be subsequently maintained. Meanwhile, the current detection circuit 5 converts current applied to the DUT 7 into voltage, and an ADC (not shown) of the current measurement circuit 6 executes A/D conversion of the voltage to be then outputted to a determination circuit (not shown) in a later stage, whereupon the determination circuit determines whether or not the DUT 7 is acceptable. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tester with a plurality of channels of the power supply assemblies 100 mounted therein. The power supply assemblies 100 each apply a voltage to different terminals of a DUT 7, however, the power supply voltage (VDD, VEE) from the same power supply unit U 1 is supplied to respective output amplifiers 4. Further, a primary cause for occurrence of the error between the set voltage of the DAC 2, and the applied voltage to the DUT 7 is occurrence of a potential difference between a preference potential of the DAC 2, and a reference potential of the DUT 7. The DUT 7 is normally connected to the ground at a reference potential of a whole tester (the reference potential of the DAC 2 as well is equivalent to the ground potential as the reference potential of the whole tester). Upon flow of current at a large amperage to the DUT 7, however, a voltage drop occurs to a signal line form the DUT 7 to the ground. Accordingly, the reference potential of a system ground differs from the reference potential of the DUT 7 (voltages at respective terminals of the DUT 7, at the reference potential thereof), thereby causing a difference between the reference potential of the DAC 2, and the reference potential of the DUT 7. Other causes for the error include, for example, a voltage drop accompanying resistance in flow paths up to the current detection circuit 5, and up to the DUT 7, respectively. [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-98896 A With the structure of the power supply assembly and semiconductor testing system using same, the output voltage of the power supply assembly 100 has a variable voltage level, that is, the set voltage that can be outputted by the DAC 2 is rendered variable so as to be able to cope with the kind of a device, and various test items. To give an example of a specification, the output voltage is set in a range of 0 to 10 V. The power supply voltage level of the output amplifier 4 need to have a potential difference equivalent to the output voltage outputted by the output amplifier 4 with a bias voltage added thereto. For example, there is the need for the potential difference ΔV=approx. 5 V. Accordingly, because the level of the power supply voltage (VDD, VEE) supplied to the output amplifier 4 is fixed, the level of the power supply voltage VDD on the plus side need be at least 15 V in order to meet the specification in respect of the output voltage of the power supply assembly 100. Further, in the case where a plus current Iout is consumed at the DUT 7, the current lout is fed to the DUT 7 via a plus side power supply voltage terminal (the voltage level VDD side) of the output amplifier 4. In the case where a minus current Iout is consumed at the DUT 7, the current Iout is absorbed from the DUT 7 via a minus side power supply voltage terminal (the voltage level VEE side) of the output amplifier 4. And, the power supply voltage levels VDD, VEE (that is, the respective levels of the voltages outputted by the power supply unit U 1) of the output amplifier 4 are under control by a constant voltage operation without depending on the set voltage of the DAC 2, and the current Iout consumed at the DUT 7. Now, FIG. 8 is a conceptual view showing consumed power of the output amplifier 4, as a loss of a plus side output. Assuming by way of example that VDD=15 V, Vout=1 V, and Iout=5 A, power loss at the output amplifier 4 will be 70 W={(the power supply voltage level−the output voltage level)×the output current}. Further, if Vout=0 V, a loss of consumed power will be 75 W at the maximum. Then, the consumed power is released in the form of heat from the output amplifier 4. FIG. 9 is a conceptual view showing the total current and output power which the power supply assemblies 100 in whole can output when the plurality of the channels of the power supply assemblies 100 are mounted as shown in FIG. 7. Assuming by way of example that Vout=10 V (the maximum output level), ΔV=5 V, and rated output power of the power supply unit U 1=150 W, the total current will be 10 A at the maximum regardless of the set voltage of the DAC 2, so that the lower the voltage level of the set voltage, the lower will be utilization efficiency of electric power. In particular, there have lately been seen trends for lower voltage and lager amperage in the case of a device used as the DUT 7 to be measured by a semiconductor testing system. In the case of outputting a large amperage at such a low voltage to the device, a heat release problem with the conventional power supply assembly 100 has posed a very significant problem. Accordingly, a heat release design for the power supply assembly 100 becomes larger in scale, thereby creating causes for an increase in size as well as cost of the power supply assembly 100. In addition, because the semiconductor testing system has a multitude of the power supply assemblies 100, magnitude of heat release becomes significant, and reduction in size of the power supply assembly is difficult to implement, so that there has arisen a problem of difficulty in checking the cost thereof.

Many commercially available meat products are prepared and packaged by the manufacturer to be cooked and eaten by the consumer, without the need for further preparation or processing. While this may be convenient for the consumer who is rushed or unmindful of the aesthetic aspects of a meal, it is also a fact that many consumers also desire to serve, or have their meals served, in a variety of different presentations. Insofar as meat products are concerned, the presentation will depend not only on how the meat product has been cooked, but on how it has been cut, as well. For the preparation of cylindrical shaped meat products, such as hot dogs, wieners and sausages, cutting can basically be accomplished in either of two ways. First, the meat product can be cut into pieces or slices. Meat products in this first category include cold cuts, such as bologna and pepperoni. Second, and heretofore not so common, the meat product can be superficially incised with unique multiple superficial cuts to at least partially expose the interior of the sausage or hot dog. This can also produce interesting, entertaining and functional patterns on the meat product. If meat products in this second category are superficially incised prior to cooking, several practical benefits in addition to an added aesthetic value can be realized. Specifically, these benefits will include the more even and thorough cooking of the meat product that is made possible by the superficial incisions. Further, with the more even cooking there is more extensive killing of bacteria and, with the superficial incisions, more excess fat is released while the meat product cooks. Additionally, after the meat product has been properly cooked, the superficial incisions provide a more textured surface for holding various toppings on the meat product. In the case of hot dogs, when they are eaten with hot dog buns, the superficial incisions will help hold the meat product on the bun. Perhaps most importantly, the discontinuities provided by the superficial incisions make it easier for young children and elderly persons to bite into and chew the cooked meat product. Finally, due to the increased flexibility afforded a cooked meat product with superficial incisions as indicated for the present invention, the cooked meat product can be easily straightened, or otherwise configured, to make the meat product more easily held in a bun. If done by hand, the cutting of superficial incisions into the surface of a hot dog or another similar type meat product can be quite time consuming. This is particularly so if many hot dogs are involved, and if care is taken to insure the incisions are cut to a uniform depth into the meat product. Further, even simple superficial incisions into the surface of a hot dog may be difficult to execute. This difficulty is only increased if fanciful and precise patterns are desired. In light of the above it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool for incising the surface of a cylindrical shaped meat product which cuts the meat product to a substantially uniform depth along the length of the incision. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool for incising the surface of a cylindrical shaped meat product which cuts the meat product with a fanciful and precise pattern. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool for incising the surface of a cylindrical shaped meat product to expose the interior of the meat product for more even and thorough cooking. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tool for incising the surface of a cylindrical shaped meat product which is easy to use, relatively simple to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.

1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to a method of driving a display device such that a gray-scale image is displayed by using pulse width modulation with reduced electrical power consumption. The present invention also relates to a driver circuit based on such a method, a display device, and an electronic device. 2. Description of Related Art In general, a portable electronic device includes a display device for presenting various kinds of information to a user. In such display devices, information is displayed using an electrooptical change in an electrooptical material. For example, liquid crystal display devices are widely used for this purpose. In recent years, it has become desirable that display devices be not only capable of simply providing an achromatic display (ON/OFF or two-value black and white), but also be capable of representing a large number of gray levels so that images of intermediate gray levels can be displayed. However, in portable electronic devices which are powered by a battery, it is very important that the portable electronic devices operate with small power consumption. As is well known, extremely greater power consumption is needed to display a gray-scale image relative to that which is needed to display a simple black-and-white image. That is, in display devices for use in portable electronic devices, it is necessary to meet the requirements of having the capability of displaying a gray-scale image and having small power consumption, which often conflict with each other. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of driving a display device so as to display a gray-scale image without causing a significant increase in power consumption, a driver circuit for implementing the method and a display device using such a method, and an electronic device using such a display device. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of driving a display device so as to display a gray-scale image by driving pixels disposed at locations corresponding to respective intersections of a plurality of scanning lines extending along rows and a plurality of data lines extending along columns. The method comprising the steps of: selecting a single scanning line from the plurality of scanning lines during one horizontal scanning period and applying a selection voltage to the scanning line during one of half periods of the horizontal scanning period; and selecting a single scanning line adjacent to the previously selected scanning line during following one horizontal scanning period and applying a selection voltage to the adjacent scanning line during the other one of the half periods of the horizontal scanning period; while at the same time applying a turn-on or turn-off voltage to a pixel at a location corresponding to a selected scanning line via a corresponding data line such that the turn-on voltage is applied during a period with a length corresponding to a gray level in the period during which the selection voltage is applied and the turn-off voltage is applied during the remaining period. In this first aspect of the present invention, a reduction is achieved in the number of times the voltage applied to a data line is switched between the turn-on voltage and the turn-off voltage during an operation of displaying pixels having intermediate gray levels, and thus it is possible to reduce electric power consumed in switching the voltage. In this first aspect of the present invention, in the case where only white or black pixels are displayed and no intermediate gray levels are displayed, the number of times the voltage applied to a data line is switched between the turn-on voltage and the turn-off voltage does not decrease, and thus an increase in power consumption can occur. To avoid such a problem, in this first aspect of the present invention, it is specified whether or not the mode should be changed. In the case where it is specified that the mode should be changed, when the adjacent scanning line is selected in the following one horizontal scanning period, the selection voltage is preferably applied to the adjacent scanning line during one of half periods of the horizontal scanning period. That is, when an intermediate level is not displayed, the mode is changed to prevent an increase in power consumption. A command to change the mode may be issued by an application, or a user. Alternatively, the gray level data associated with the pixels are examined, and a command to change the mode may be issued depending upon a result of the examination. In this case, it is preferable that the mode shift be specified when the number of pixels successively aligned along a column in which pixels will be displayed in a single color of either black or white exceeds a predetermined number of pixels located along a single scanning line that will be selected. This prevents an increase in power consumption. Furthermore, in the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the mode shift be prevented when pixels the number of pixels successively aligned along a column in which black and white pixels will be displayed alternately exceeds a predetermined number of pixels located along a single scanning line that will be selected. This is because if the mode is changed in such a case, an increase occurs in the number of times the voltage applied to the data line of the pixels is switched between the turn-on voltage and the turn-off voltage, and thus power consumption increases. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-described object, there is provided a driver circuit for driving a display device so as to display a gray-scale image by driving pixels disposed at locations corresponding to respective intersections of a plurality of scanning lines extending along rows and a plurality of data lines extending along columns. The driver circuit comprising: a scanning line driver circuit for selecting out of said plurality of scanning lines a single scanning line during a horizontal scanning period and applying a selection voltage to the scanning line during one of two half periods that said horizontal scanning period has been divided into, and for selecting a single scanning line adjacent to the previously selected scanning line during the subsequent horizontal scanning period and applying a selection voltage to the adjacent scanning line during the other of the two half periods of said horizontal scanning period; and a data line driver circuit for applying a turn-on or turn-off voltage to a pixel at a location corresponding to the scanning line selected the scanning line driver circuit via a corresponding data line such that the turn-on voltage is applied during a period with a length corresponding to a gray level in the period during which said selection voltage is applied and the turn-off voltage is applied during the remaining period. According to this second aspect of the present invention, as with the first aspect of the present invention, a reduction can be achieved in the number of times the voltage applied to a data line is switched between the turn-on voltage and the turn-off voltage, and thus it is possible to reduce electric power consumed in switching the voltage. According to a third aspect of the present invention, to achieve the above-described object, there is provided a display device for displaying a gray-scale image by driving pixels disposed at locations corresponding to respective intersections of a plurality of scanning lines extending along rows and a plurality of data lines extending along columns. The display device comprising: a scanning line driver circuit for selecting out of the plurality of scanning lines a single scanning line during a horizontal scanning period and a selection voltage to the scanning line during one of two half periods that the horizontal scanning period has been divided into, and selecting a single scanning line adjacent to the previously selected scanning line during the subsequent horizontal scanning period and applying a selection voltage to the adjacent scanning line during the other of the two half periods of the horizontal scanning period; and a data line driver circuit for applying a turn-on or turn-off voltage to a pixel at a location corresponding to the scanning line selected the scanning line driver circuit via a corresponding data line such that the turn-on voltage is applied during a period with a length corresponding to a gray level in the period during which said selection voltage is applied and the turn-off voltage is applied during the remaining period. According to this third aspect of the present invention, as with the first or the second aspect of the present invention, a reduction is achieved in the number of times the voltage applied to a data line is switched between the turn-on voltage and the turn-off voltage, and thus it is possible to reduce electric power consumed in switching the voltage. In this third aspect of the present invention, the pixel preferably includes a switching element and a capacitor driven by the switching element. In this construction, a selected pixel and a non-selected pixel is electrically isolated from each other by the switching element, and thus good contrast and response can be obtained and a high-quality image can be displayed. In this construction, the switching element is a thin film diode having a conductor/insulation/conductor structure. In this case, one end of the thin film diode is connected to either a scanning line or a data line, and the other end thereof is connected to the capacitor. When the thin film diode is used as the switching element, the production process becomes simpler. Besides, principally, no short-circuited path is created between a scanning line and a data line. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a display device according to the previous aspect of the invention. The electronic device according to the present invention is capable of displaying a gray-scale image with reduced power consumption.

1. Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of medical items used during surgery. In particular, the invention pertains to an improved fenestrated surgical drape. 2. Description of the Related Art Surgical drapes are used during surgery to create a sterile barrier around the surgical site. Surgical drapes having fenestrations, or openings, that are specifically designed for certain surgical procedures are well known. Typically, such drapes are structured with pre-shaped and pre-sized openings in contemplation of providing surgical access to a specific anatomical site of the patient. In this category of drape, the fenestration or opening is used for surgical access. Another type of fenestrated drape is that which is configured to accommodate the anatomy through the fenestration but also to create the sterile field between the body portion containing the surgical site and the remainder of the patient's body via a conformable aperture. Thus, in this type of surgical drape, the fenestration provides surgical access and the aperture provides surgical isolation by sealing against the patient's body. One example of this type of fenestrated drape is one in which the aperture is elastomeric and generally dimensioned to accommodate a limb or other anatomical extension. Thus, when the limb is inserted through the opening, minor variations in natural geometry are accommodated by the flexibility of the elastomeric material. The elastomeric material further forms a tight seal circumscribing the anatomy, thereby forming a sterile barrier separating the surgical site from the remainder of the patient's body. Elastomeric aperture type fenestrated drapes afford the advantage of creating a secure air and fluid barrier between the sterile and non-sterile sites without requiring the use of supplemental tourniquets, taping and the like. Current such fenestrated drapes are constructed by superimposing panels and portions of materials to seal the apertured panel to the base drape. The seal between the layers is conventionally formed using adhesives, such as double-sided adhesive areas to create a “square” seal around the perimeter of the aperture and the opening in the base drape. One problem associated with current fenestrated surgical drapes is the risk of compromising the sterile field at the surgical site. In particular, although the elastomeric fit circumscribing the limb or other anatomical extension reduces the likelihood of contamination through the immediate area around the aperture, the perimeter of the apertured panel is still nevertheless dependent upon the adhesive between layers for the microbial barrier. Fluid, for example, can potentially transport across the adhesive seal between the layers surrounding the apertured panel. Another problem with current fenestrated drapes, particularly with apertured panels incorporated into the drape, involves structural integrity. That is to say, current designs experience stress points during their use at certain locations around the perimeter of the attachment sites. On occasion, the stress results in separation of the seams at these sites, thereby compromising the sterile field surrounding the surgical site. Accordingly, the risk of exposure and infection at the surgical site is increased. There is thus a need in the field of surgical drapes for a drape having an aperture with improved structural integrity and microbial barrier properties at the seal.

Microorganisms capable of generating methane are commonly found in the gut flora of animals including ruminants. The microorganisms which produce methane in ruminants result in the loss of energy available to the animal and are also believed to contribute significantly to greenhouse gases. Specifically, it has been known for many years that suppression of methane production in ruminants can theoretically lead to increased production and much work has been undertaken to reduce methane biosynthesis and achieve production gains in domestic animals. This has been most successfully achieved by modifications to the diet of animals. Diet manipulation is only possible in a limited number of animal production systems and is generally only able to reduce and not completely suppress methane production. A number of approaches to methane suppression in animals are being explored, not only to increase animal production but also to reduce the level of methane in the environment because of its contribution to the "greenhouse" effect. Bromochloromethane (BMC) and some other related substances are known to show antimethanogenic activity when administered into the rumen of cattle and sheep but they have physical properties which makes impractical their use as antimethanogens in livestock production systems, BCM for example is a volatile liquid, boiling point 69 C., which readily evaporates. Bromoethane sulphonate, another antimethanogen, is difficult to administer because it is water soluble. While the antimethanogenic properties of BCM and other antimethanogens have been known for more than 25 years no one has identified a practical means of using them to suppress methane production in livestock and obtain production increases. Thus there has been a long felt need in the animal production field to find a practical means of inhibiting methanogenesis in animals, in particular ruminants. It may also be desirable to reduce methane production in other animals. Inhibition of methane production would reduce the environmental impact of animals. In the case of domestic animals that inhabit households, it may be desirable to reduce methane production to achieve more pleasant conditions. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides which have been used in the pharmaceutical and food industries in the preparation of various formulations incorporating active ingredients.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel picture recording method and apparatus using an ink containing an evaporable coloring matter. 2. Description of the Prior Art Conventionally, as a picture recording method using a pigment, such a method wherein, for example, the picture recording is effected by pressing a thermal head on the back of the ink ribbon applied with a pigment ink being put on the recording medium, resolving the ink binder by effecting a quick heating and adhering said ink on the recording medium is known. However, this method had such defects as to increase the running cost of the picture recording apparatus because the coloring matter utilizing ratio is so extremely low as to be 1% for the use of ink ribbon and as to be unable to use as a high speed apparatus because a heat diffusion is caused to deteriorate the picture resolution and the recording requires a comparatively long time for the use of the thermal head.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of electronic design. More specifically, the present invention relates to design creation tools for use by electronic designers to create designs for electronic components, including in particular, integrated electronic components. 2. Background Information Assisting electronic designers in dealing with the ever increasing complexity of electronic designs (hereinafter, most of the time, simply designs) has long been a recognized need. In the last two decades, the electronic design automation (EDA) tool industry has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, with a wide range of tools available from an array of manufacturers covering design activities from the beginning to the end of the design cycle. In the area of design creation, various synthesis tools were introduced in the mid-'80s to assist the designers. These early synthesis tools (which are still in use today) operate at a relatively low level, allowing the designers to specify and optimize the designs at the logic level, also referred to as the gate level. As the complexity of integrated electronic components continued to increase, merely being able to optimize designs at the logic or gate level was no longer sufficient for the designers. A more productive approach was desired. In the late '80s, a new generation of improved synthesis tools became available. These new improved synthesis tools (which have now become the primary design creation tools) are capable of operating at a higher level, allowing the designers to specify and optimize designs at the register transfer level (RTL) as well as at the logic or gate level. Since then, the complexity of integrated electronic components has continued to increase unabated. Merely being able to optimize designs at the RTL has also become insufficient for the designers for many large designs. Once again, another more productive approach was desired. In recent years, a new type of synthesis tool that complements the earlier RTL and logic level synthesis tools has become available. Together, these synthesis tools enable a designer to operate at an even higher level, specifying and optimizing designs at the behavioral level. However, the current generation of complementary behavioral synthesis tools suffer from a number of drawbacks. First of all, they continue to operate with the RTL and/or logic level synthesis tools' “black box” or batch approach. That is, an “optimized” RTL specification (optimized in the judgment of the synthesis tools) is generated for a designer in response to each set of behavioral specification and constraints provided. (The behavioral specification and constraints are jointly specified.) The designer is unable to interact with the intermediate stages of the generation process to inject or apply his/her knowledge in guiding the generation of the “optimal” design. Once generated, if the designer wants to consider different alternatives, the designer must alter the constraints, which are jointly specified with the behavioral specification, and start the whole synthesis process again. For large designs, it is not uncommon to take hours to re-synthesize, even if the re-synthesis is performed on the more powerful high end workstations. Secondly, the current generation of behavioral synthesis tools have relatively limited capacity. Some of these behavioral synthesis tools recommend having designs partitioned into smaller designs that have less than 150 operations and a speed limit of not more 30 clock cycles (also referred to as c-steps). The smaller designs are behaviorally synthesized individually, and then “merged back” together into the “larger” design. The increase of complexity of integrated electronic components is not expected to plateau any time in the near future. In fact, the very contrary of an even faster rate of increase is expected. Notwithstanding the relatively recent introduction of the behavioral synthesis tools, it is expected that the prior art approaches to creating electronic designs will be unsatisfactory for handling the larger designs in the near future, which will become the “average” designs in the not too distant future. Thus, an even more productive approach to electronic design creation is desired.

A wireless network can provide a flexible data communication system that can either replace or extend a wired network. Using radio frequency (RF) technology, wireless networks transmit and receive data over die air through walls, ceilings and even cement structures without wired cabling. For example, a wireless local area network (WLAN) provides all the features and benefits of traditional LAN technology, such as Ethernet and Token Ring, but without the limitations of being tethered together by a cable. This provides greater freedom and increased flexibility. Currently, a wireless network operating in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 Standard (e.g., IEEE Std. 802.11a/b/g/n) may be configured in one of two operating modes: infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode. As of today, most installed wireless networks are configured and operate in infrastructure mode where one or more access points (APs) are configured as interfaces for a wired distribution network (e.g., Ethernet). In infrastructure mode, mobile devices with wireless connectivity (e.g., laptop computer with a radio network interface card “NIC”) are able to establish communications and associate with the AP, and thus, the users of these devices are able to access content within servers connected to the wired network. As an optional feature, however, the IEEE 802.11 Standard specifies ad hoc mode, which allows the radio NIC within each wireless device to operate in an independent basic service set (IBSS) network configuration. Hence, the wireless devices perform peer-to-peer communications with each other instead of utilizing the AP for supporting such wireless communications. The ad hoc mode also allows users to spontaneously form a wireless LAN. For example, a group of employees with laptops implemented with IEEE 802.11 wireless chipsets may gather at a coffee house and form a small WLAN by switching their NICs to ad hoc mode. As a result, the employees could share presentation charts and spreadsheets without the need for cabling or an AP. One type of ad hoc network is referred to as a mesh network, which allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by “hopping” from device to another device until the destination is reached. Mesh networks differ from other networks in that the devices can all connect to each other via multiple hops without an infrastructure (e.g., an AP), and these devices can be mobile or stationary. Related to mesh networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) are self-configuring networks of mobile routers, where the routers are free to relocate. One of the primary advantages of mesh networks (and MANETs) is their ability to extend the range of the wireless network. For example, a user on one side of the building can send a packet destined to another user on the far side of the facility, well beyond the point-to-point range of IEEE 802.11-compliant AP, by having the radio signal hop from one mobile device to mobile device until the radio signal gets to its targeted destination. This can extend the range of the WLAN from hundreds of feet to miles, depending on the concentration of wireless users. With recent technology advances in integrated circuits, and breakthroughs in multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) systems, wireless digital communications have entered a new era mat allows faster speed for wireless networking applications. Mobile devices such as smart phones, music/movie players, personal digital assistants, gaming devices and the like, are creating a demand for new wireless communication and networking technologies to allow seamless connection of wireless mobile devices within a home network that not only support high-bandwidth demanding applications such as high-definition (HD) videos, but also relies on manufacturer compatibility between the wireless devices to mitigate interloper and rogue network activity. As a result, there is a need for a network bridging adaptor that enables wireless and wired devices that are not provided or endorsed by a particular manufacturer to join a wireless home mesh network that is formed using proprietary information for that particular manufacturer.

A level shifter is used in order to propagate signals through different supply voltage domains. For example, a low voltage ground-referred control signal may be converted into a high voltage signal. In automotive applications, the high supply voltage domain can have voltage levels up to 60V, while the control signal can be issued from a 3V supply voltage domain. In order to minimize power dissipation, quiescent currents and discharging capacitors are generally avoided. This is particularly relevant for applications using charge pumps or bootstrapping. Propagation delays through the level shifters should also be optimized, and the level shifters should provide failsafe start-up conditions. One of the most common level shifters is the cross-coupled level shifter. Cross-coupled level shifters have large cross conduction losses during switching events, and there is no default output state. Turning to FIG. 1, a resistor based level shifter 100 can be seen. The level shifter 100 generally comprises resistor R1, PMOS transistor Q1, NMOS transistors Q2 and Q3, and diode D1. The resistor R1 is a pull-up resistor that is coupled to the high voltage domain, receiving high voltage level VBOOT. Transistor Q3 is coupled with its channel in series to the resistor R1, and the gate of transistor Q3 receives the low level input signal IN from the low supply voltage domain. Transistors Q1 and Q2 form an inverter in the high supply voltage domain between node N1 and the high supply voltage level VBOOT. Diode D1 is coupled between the source of transistor Q2 and node N1. The output node OUT provides the level shifted version of the input signal in the high supply voltage domain. This level shifter 100 has large quiescent current in its on-state through the resistor R1. Furthermore, the speed is limited by the large voltage swing at resistor R1. However, a small value of R provides quick turn-off. This means that the size of the resistor R provides a trade-off between quiescent current and speed.

The present invention relates to a mobility aid accessory package which is applied to an already existent walker ambulation device framework. It has been determined by study of prior art that many attempts have successfully accomplished the task of assistance to a person trying to move from a seated to a standing position. It has been further determined through investigation and observation that once standing upright, the individual is often unable to make transfer from one device to another, due to tripping hazards or patient instability. The present invention overcomes this obstacle through an accessorizing method of applying specifically designed aid devices to the patient's already existent walker appliance. This invention also aids the caregiver in that the caregiver can use the caregiver's body weight and minimal physical exertion to assist the patient. Once standing, the patient is then able to begin ambulation immediately. This invention also works in reverse when the patient needs to be seated. The accessorizing method adds little weight to a walker and the walker may still be folded closed and immediately transported with the person or patient to the next needed location.

It is well known that a vehicle engine may stall under driving conditions that impose a heavy load on the engine. For example, engine stall may occur while driving the air conditioner compressor, the radiator fan, the power steering pump and the alternator for generating electric power to operate accessories such as car audio systems and air conditioner blowers. In a conventional control system for preventing engine stall, engine parameters, including engine speed, and other operating conditions of automotive components affecting engine operation are monitored and checked against patterns known to lead to engine stall. When the engine operating parameters match or closely correlate predetermined patterns for engine stall, the control system performs a stall-preventive operation. In a known stall-preventive operation, additional torque is provided to the engine by means of an auxiliary device which is driven by a power source other than the engine itself. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a conventional starter motor can be used as an electric motor to provide additional engine torque via an electromagnetic clutch. A disadvantage of using such a conventional starter motor to prevent engine stall is the complexity associated with the hysteresis operation necessary to prevent hunting in the starter motor operation. Additionally, a stall-preventive control system using a conventional starter motor to prevent engine stall includes a separate alternator to charge a vehicle's battery and source its electrical loads. This imposes additional costs and under-the-hood fit and function obstacles. Similarly, an alternator can be used as an electric motor to drive the engine via a power transmission belt stretched between the alternator pulley and a pulley attached to the engine output shaft. A disadvantage of using a conventional alternator is that it requires a belt tensioning system. Moreover, a separate starter motor is necessary to crank the engine during ignition. In the area of vehicle electrical systems, there continues to be a need for an electronic control system with fewer major assemblies to prevent engine stall. What is needed is a cost-effective system for preventing engine stall that fits comfortably under the hood of a vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system for transmitting and receiving data to and from a camera by obtaining information on the camera or a photograph and communicating with the camera by using a commercially available pocket computer or electronic organizer and a camera IC card compatible therewith. 2. Related Background Art In the past, data is exchanged with a camera to control various operations based on the data. A personal computer or a controller is used as a unit to receive and transmit such data. However, since such a unit is of large size or needs an AC power supply, it is inconvenient to carry it with the camera. Further, it is expensive.

Adjuvants are generally known as substances that are added in crop protection sprays, e.g., herbicidal formulations or agricultural spray compositions, or to spray tanks used in the dispersion of same to improve activity of an active ingredient, e.g. a herbicide, that is also present in the crop protection spray or to improve application characteristics. Spray adjuvants are generally grouped into two broad categories: special purpose adjuvants and activator adjuvants. Special purpose adjuvants are typically know to widen the range of conditions under which a given crop protection spray is useful. The special purpose adjuvant may alter the physical characteristics of the spray solution. Exemplary special purpose adjuvants include compatibility adjuvants, buffering adjuvants, antifoam adjuvants, and drift control adjuvants. Exemplary special purpose adjuvant compounds include phosphatidylcholine, alkyl polyoxyethylene ether, methylacetic(acid), soluble polymers such as xanthum gum, rheology modifiers such as polyacrylamide (EDT Concentrate) and styrene butadiene latex emulsions. Exemplary commercial products include In-Place®, InterLock®, Bond®, LI700®, and Strikeforce™. Drift control adjuvants are employed to reduce or eliminate fine spray droplet particles (“fines” or “driftable fines”) that are formed when the agricultural spray composition is sprayed, e.g., from an aircraft or a ground sprayer. Driftable fines are commonly defined as droplets that are less than 150μ, e.g., less than 105μ in size (droplet diameter). By reducing or eliminating driftable fines, drift control adjuvants allow more of the deployed agricultural spray composition to reach the intended target substrate. Because driftable fines are reduced, less of the deployed agricultural spray composition drifts away and damages adjacent vegetation. Some typical drift control adjuvants include crop oil concentrates (containing 80 to 85 percent of synthetic oil, 15-20 percent of surfactants), vegetable oil concentrates (containing 50-80 percent of vegetable oils and 20 to 50 percent nonionic surfactant), oil-in-water micro emulsions, and water-in-oil invert emulsions (made) with petroleum or vegetable oils, surfactants and water. The oil-in-water micro-emulsions and water-in-oil invert emulsions are known to be essentially solvents or emulsifyable oils and typically have lower molecular weights, e.g., from 275 g/mole to 350 g/mole. Oil-in-water micro-emulsions and water-in-oil invert emulsions often contain a petroleum or vegetable derived oil that is immiscible with water and a surfactant to emulsify the mixture to make the oil and water miscible. These emulsions, however, do suffer from several disadvantages. For example, micro-emulsion droplets may be too large to spray. Also, the micro-emulsion may become unstable and phase separate over a time. The surfactants are known to produce foam during mixing especially with certain herbicides such as glyphosates. These drawbacks make it difficult to use such emulsions with conventional spray equipment without agitation. And in the case of large size droplets, large volumes of adjuvant are required to cover the pest infested target area. With the application of large volumes of pesticides applied to foliage, damage can be caused due to the toxic effect on the foliage by overconcentration of the emulsifers and/or oil in the large droplets applied. Activator adjuvants are commonly used to enhance post-emergence active ingredient performance, e.g., herbicide performance. Activator adjuvants are known to increase activity, absorption into plant tissue, and rainfastness. Activator adjuvants can also decrease photodegradation of the active ingredient and also alter the physical characteristics of the spray solution. Activator adjuvants include surfactants, crop oil concentrates, nitrogen fertilizers, spreader-stickers, wetting agents, and penetrants. Although these conventional adjuvants may provide for some improvements in active ingredient and/or agricultural spray composition efficacy, the ability to reduce driftable fines is limited (often due to the high amount of surfactants that are necessarily used therewith). These high amounts of surfactants increase drift potential and increase phytotoxicity to the foliage. Some of the conventional adjuvants in particular have a limited effect on the median spray droplet size. In some cases, conventional adjuvants not only form greater amounts of driftable fines, but some of these conventional adjuvants also form greater amounts of very large droplets, e.g., greater than 730μ in size. In particular, soluble polymer based products such as polyacrylamide and xanthum gum are known to shift the entire distribution substantially to large droplet diameters and also increase relative span. The very large droplets may result in an agricultural spray composition that provides poor coverage due to rebound from the leaf surface, which in turn reduces the overall efficacy of the active ingredients. The soluble polymers also hydrate slowly and mix poorly, which leads to processing issues such as longer mixing times. And soluble polymers are also more susceptible to degrade under shear stress during application or pump transfer. Further, the required usage level for these adjuvants is often quite high, which results in unwanted phytotoxicity of the foliage due to the high surfactant concentration (as noted above). In addition, some conventional drift reduction adjuvants have been known to have deleterious effects on the sticking and spreading of the agricultural spray composition on the intended substrate, e.g., leaf surfaces, which may result in reductions in the efficacy of the active ingredient and/or the agricultural spray composition as a whole. For example, some conventional drift reduction adjuvants can make the agricultural spray composition droplets evaporate or dry too quickly, which prevents absorption of the systemic herbicide into the leaf substrate. Also, some conventional adjuvants affect the surface tension of the agricultural spray composition such that spreading of the agricultural spray composition on the substrate, detrimentally, is limited. Some vinyl ester-based polymer dispersions, e.g., stabilized polymer vinyl ester-based polymer dispersions, have been employed in a variety of applications including, for example, as binders for adhesives, paints and paper coating compositions. In these applications, the polymer dispersion may be used in combination with other components, e.g., plasticizers. In these cases, the polymer dispersions are present in higher concentrations, while the other components are present in lower concentrations. These concentrations are suitable for the respective application, but may not be suitable for different applications. While these polymer dispersions are known to be utilized with adhesives and paints, the use of the (vinyl ester-based) polymer dispersions in the crop protection milieu has not been contemplated. The weight average molecular weight of these emulsions can range upwards from 250,000 g/mol to 400,000 g/mol. Importantly, these polymer dispersions differ significantly from the aforementioned oil-in-water micro-emulsions and water-in-oil invert emulsions, in both chemical composition and physical properties. For example, the oil-in-water micro-emulsions and water-in-oil invert emulsions have lower molecular weight oils and do not comprise polymers and/or the monomer precursors thereof, and, as a result, lack the defined structure of aqueous polymer dispersions. The weight average molecular weight of these emulsions can range upwards from 275 g/mol to 350 g/mol. Oil-in-water micro-emulsions and water-in-oil invert emulsions are not known to be used interchangeably with vinyl ester-based polymer dispersions. In view of the shortcomings of conventional adjuvants, the need exists for new adjuvants that provide for improvements in overall agricultural spray composition efficacy, e.g., reductions in driftable fines and maintenance of the relative span of the droplet size.

PLL circuits are well known in the art. The operation of providing a synchronized output clock signal with respect to an input reference clock is also well known. Prior art PLL circuits or circuit systems may have extended periods of time where no output clock is produced while the PLL circuit or circuits are re-locking. This can occur, for example, in a harsh operating environment such as a space environment wherein a single charged particle can temporarily or even permanently affect the performance of a single PLL. What is desired is a PLL circuit system that can reliably provide the desired synced output clock signal even though a single PLL in the circuit system may be temporarily or permanently made unavailable.

The following discussion is intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention, but is not intended nor admitted to be prior art to the invention. Obesity is a public health problem that is serious, widespread, and increasing. In the United States, 20 percent of the population is obese; in Europe, a slightly lower percentage is obese (Friedman (2000) Nature 404:632-634). Obesity is associated with increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer as well as respiratory complications and osteoarthritis (Kopelman (2000) Nature 404:635-643). Even modest weight loss ameliorates these associated conditions. Recently it was shown that particular carboxyl-terminal fragments of the full-length ACRP30 (mouse) and APM1 (human) polypeptides have unexpected effects in vitro and in vivo, including utility for weight reduction, prevention of weight gain, and control of blood glucose levels (Fruebis et al (2001) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:2005-10). The effects of ACRP30 fragment administration in mammals also include reduction of elevated free fatty acid levels including elevated free fatty acid levels caused by administration of epinephrine, i.v. injection of “intralipid”, or administration of a high fat test meal, as well as increased fatty acid oxidation in muscle cells, and weight reduction in mammals consuming a normal or high fat/high sucrose diet. Throughout this application, various publications, patents and published patent applications are cited. The disclosures of these publications, patents and published patent specification referenced in this application are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

This invention relates to apparatus for diagnosing pathological disorders such as cancer of the breast. About 7% of women contract cancer of the breast. Of the cases nowadays detected, 50% lead to the patient's death within ten years of establishment of cancer. The prognosis is decisively dependent on how early the diagnosis can be made. For diagnosing cancer of the breast are employed: X-ray examination, thermography, and manual palpation. Most efficient among these is X-ray examination, but owing to the high depth of penetration of X-rays in soft tissue, diagnosis of cancer in its initial stage is difficult by X-rays. A further detriment of X-rays is the radiation dose received by the patient, whereby X-ray examination is hardly applicable in mass screening. Thermography is based on recording the infrared radiation emitted by the human body. This procedure is completely free of risk to the patient, but its reliability is poor (only 50% of cases diagnosed with X-ray apparatus are detected). Thermography is therefore only appropriate as a procedure supplementing X-ray examinations. The unreliability of thermography is due to the fact that it records only changes in the surface temperature of the skin, and such changes ensue as a consequence of cancer only when the neoplasm is large or located quite close to the skin surface. Making a successful diagnosis by manual palpation implies that the neoplasm has already sufficient size, and it requires a certain experience on the side of the person making the diagnosis. Also appearing on the scene nowadays are ultrasonic examinations, which are completely risk-free to the patient but are capable of diagnosis only if the neoplastic tissue is clearly encapsulated (that is, acoustically clearly differing from other tissues). Summarizing the above, the observation may be made that nowadays no reliable procedure or apparatus is available which would be proper for earliest possible diagnosis of cancer of the breast, for instance with the aid of mass screening studies. In the developing of the apparatus, that information served as starting point: that the breast tissue is comparatively homogeneous tissue resembling fat tissue, while cancerous tissue resembles muscle tissue in its electrical properties. On the basis hereof, microwaves are used for diagnosis in the apparatus of the invention. In the following table (I) are presented the characteristics of tissues at the frequency of 10 GHz. TABLE I ______________________________________ Wave- Depth of length, Conductivity Dielectric penetration, cm s constant Er cm ______________________________________ Fat tissue 1.4 0.3-0.5 4.5 3.4 Muscle tissue 0.5 10 40 0.5 ______________________________________ In the following table (Table II) are given the coefficients of reflection of the tissue interfaces at frequency 10 GHz. TABLE II ______________________________________ .phi. r (Coefficient of reflection) (Phase Shift) ______________________________________ Fat/muscle interface 0.5 +175 Muscle/fat interface 0.5 -6 ______________________________________ As can be estimated from the values in the table, about 65% of the microwave radiation at 10 GHz frequency striking the cancerous tissue is reflected. As Table II reveals, reflection of microwaves takes place in the front and rear parts of the cancer growth, and each such reflection is also accompanied by a phase shift, of which the magnitude at different interfaces can be read in the table. It is obvious on this basis that since the cancerous tissue is clearly different from normal breast tissue in its electric properties, microwaves can be used in diagnostics of cancer of the breast. On the other hand, microwaves have been used in materials testing in various fields of industry. For instance, microwaves are used as aid in examinations of various coating layers for their thickness, materials for variations of porosity, for internal cracks, boards for knottiness, etc. But these types of apparatus of prior art are of such design that the idea of possibly constructing an apparatus, based on microwaves, for diagnosis of cancer of the breast is not at all suggested or obvious on their basis.

The web services paradigm and implementing protocols facilitate machine to machine communication. Some web services make stored content available, and it may be desirable to include such web services as a source of information responsive to a search query. However, each web service has its own interface with the result that an adapter capable of using a specific web service generally would be required to include a web service as a source of content that is searched in response to a query. It would be useful to be able to use web services as an information source for applications and to be able to easily integrate web services into applications.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method for a UE to determine whether to report a measurement result based on a plurality of measurement report-triggering conditions, and a device supporting the same. Related Art 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) LTE (Long Term Evolution) that is an advancement of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) is being introduced with 3GPP release 8. In 3GPP LTE, OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) is used for downlink, and SC-FDMA (single carrier-frequency division multiple access) is used for uplink. The 3GPP LTE adopts MIMO (multiple input multiple output) having maximum four antennas. Recently, a discussion of 3GPP LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) which is the evolution of the 3GPP LTE is in progress. A wireless communication system may need to estimate an uplink channel or downlink channel to transmit/receive data, to achieve system synchronization, and to feed back channel information. In a wireless communication system environment, fading occurs by multipath time delay. A process of recovering a transmitted signal by compensating for a signal distortion caused by drastic environmental changes by fading is referred to as channel estimation. Further, it is needed to measure a channel state with respect to a cell to which a user equipment (UE) belongs or another cell. For channel estimation or channel state measurement, channel estimation is generally performed using a reference signal (RS) known between a transmitter and a receiver. A UE may perform measurement using the following three methods. 1) Reference signal received power (RSRP): RSRP indicates the average received power of all resource elements (REs) carrying CRSs transmitted over the entire band. Here, the UE may measure the average received power of all REs carrying channel state information (CSI) RSs instead of CRSs. 2) Received signal strength indicator (RSSI): RSSI indicates received power measured over the entire band. RSSI includes all of a signal, interference, and thermal noise. 3) Reference symbol received quality (RSRQ): RSRQ indicates a channel quality indicator (CQI) and may be determined as RSRP/RSSI depending on a bandwidth or a sub-band. That is, RSRQ refers to signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR). Since RSRP does not provide sufficient mobility information, RSRQ may be used instead of RSRP in a handover or cell reselection process. RSRQ may be calculated by RSSI/RSSP. Alternatively, RSRQ may be calculated by N*RSSI/RSSP. Here, N may be a parameter (for example, the number of PRBs) or a function associated with a bandwidth in which RSSI is measured.

(a) Technical Field The present invention relates to a resin composition for a cable material and a cable, for example, a cable material for vehicles, using the same. The resin composition may include controlled contents of components such as polypropylene, a flame retardant content and the like in a base resin, thereby providing excellent physical properties such as abrasion resistance and flexibility resistance and reducing weight thereof. Further, the resin composition may be used in a cable for a vehicle. (b) Background Art A fine light cable used for vehicles requires high mechanical properties, high thermal resistance, high flame retardancy, abrasion resistance and the like reflecting vehicle vibration, durable environment and the like. In addition, productivity has been enhanced employing a cable extrusion speed to be as high as possible in a cable manufacturing process. Accordingly, a covering material for the cable for the vehicles needs to be suitable for extrusion process as well as to have the above-mentioned physical properties. Generally, with an increase in the function of vehicle interior safety and convenience specification, the number of wiring circuits tends to increase gradually, and accompanying problems of lack of space and a weight increase have occurred. Accordingly, a tendency to use the fine light cable for vehicles has increased in order to secure space inside the vehicle, reducing vehicle weight, and respond to fuel efficiency regulations. For the fine light cable, an insulation covering composition having high abrasion resistance and high hardness, and a high strength conductor material need to be used, such that copper alloy or CCS (copper clad steel) having strength of 700 MPa or greater has been used as a conductor for improving insertability and mechanical strength of the fine light cable connector. In addition, switching to environmentally-friendly insulation materials (TPE, PP and the like) that do not generate harmful substances when burned, unlike existing cables made of a PVC material, has been in progress, and materials such as halogen and heavy metals that may influence environment may be excluded as a global trend. However, a specific bromine-based flame retardant (DBDE), which exhibits relatively excellent flame retardancy in a PVC or polyolefin resin, has been suspected as a dioxin generating material, and several European countries have banned the use thereof. A metal hydroxide such as aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), a phosphorous-based flame retardant, and the like, may be used, and DBDE has been known to be replaceable by a halogen-free material. As described above, although a manufacturing cost increases for improving stability in case of fire and providing environmentally-friendly designs, the researches on environmentally-friendly cables have been actively carried out, because regulations such as a flame retarding property of a cable, and toxicity, corrosive gases and the amount of smoke generation during burning have been strengthened. In a certain example, a conventional fine light cable such as 0.08 SQ, may not be inserted because the cable is too thin and bends, when the cable is inserted to a connector terminal unit. Accordingly, an insulation covering material composition having high abrasion resistance and flexural rigidity needs to be developed for smooth assembly workability such as cable insertion to a connector terminal unit, and the like. The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The present invention relates to 1,3,4-oxadiazole heterocyclic carbon compounds and to their preparation and use. More particularly. the invention relates to 1,3,4-oxadiazoles substituted in the 2-position with 3-chlorophenylpiperazinylalkyl moieties and their therapeutic use in treating depression. 3-chlorophenylpiperazinylalkyl derivatives of certain heterocycles have been previously disclosed as having psychotropic activity and specifically being of use in the treatment of depression. These art compounds, as well as those of the present invention, can be represented structurally as depicted below. ##STR1## In this structure Het denotes certain heterocyclic moieties and it is the nature of these that distinguishes the art compounds from those of the instant invention as well as from each other. Temple and Lobeck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,773 disclose and claim a series of compounds (1) depicted structurally below. ##STR2## wherein R is halogen or alkoxy; n is 2-4: and R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen or alkoxy. These compounds have antidepressant activity. U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,845 to G. Palazzo describes the antidepressant compound (2) commonly called etoperidone. The structure for etoperidone is depicted below. ##STR3## U.S. 3,381,009 to G. Palazzo, et al., discloses a related series of 1,2.4-triazolo [4.3-a] pyridines of which one compound, commonly known as trazodone, is an effective antidepressent in man. The structure for trazodone (3) is shown below. ##STR4## Temple and Yeager in U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,335 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,756 disclose and claim a series of compounds (4) with psychotropic properties whose structure is depicted below. ##STR5## wherein R.sup.1 is, inter alia, halogen. None of the aforementioned references disclose or suggest piperazine derivatives containing the 1,3,4-oxadiazole heterocyclic component of the subject compounds of this invention.

Infections of the nail and hoof, known as ungual and/or periungual infections, pose serious problems in dermatology. These ungual and/or periungual can be caused by sources such as fungi, viruses, yeast, bacteria and parasites. Onychomycosis is an example of these serious ungual and/or periungual infections and is caused by at least one fungus. Current treatment for ungual and/or periungual infections generally falls into three categories: systemic administration of medicine; surgical removal of all or part of the nail or hoof followed by topical treatment of the exposed tissue; or topical application of conventional creams, lotions, gels or solutions, frequently including the use of bandages to keep these dosage forms in place on the nail or hoof. All of these approaches have major drawbacks. The following discussion is particularly directed to drawbacks associated with current treatment of ungual and/or periungual antifungal infections. Long term systemic (oral) administration of an antifungal agent for the treatment of onychomycosis is often required to produce a therapeutic effect in the nail bed. For example, oral treatment with the antifungal compound ketoconozole typically requires administration of 200 to 400 mg/day for 6 months before any significant therapeutic benefit is realized. Such long term, high dose systemic therapy can have significant adverse effects. For example, ketoconozole has been reported to have liver toxicity effects and reduces testosterone levels in blood due to adverse effects on the testes. Patient compliance is a problem with such long term therapies especially those which involve serious adverse effects. Moreover, this type of long term oral therapy is inconvenient in the treatment of a horse or other ruminants afflicted with fungal infections of the hoof. Accordingly, the risks associated with parenteral treatments generate significant disincentive against their use and considerable patient non-compliance. Surgical removal of all or part of the nail followed by topical treatment also has severe drawbacks. The pain and discomfort associated with the surgery and the undesirable cosmetic appearance of the nail or nail bed represent significant problems, particularly for female patients or those more sensitive to physical appearance. Generally, this type of treatment is not realistic for ruminants such as horses. Topical therapy has significant problems too. Topical dosage forms such as creams, lotions, gels etc., can not keep the drug in intimate contact with the infected area for therapeutically effective periods of time. Bandages have been used to hold drug reservoirs in place in an attempt to enhance absorption of the pharmaceutical agent. However the bandages are thick, awkward, troublesome and generally lead to poor patient compliance. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic film forming topical antifungal solutions have also been developed. These dosage forms provide improved contact between the drug and the nail, but the films are not occlusive. Topical formulations for fungal infection treatment have largely tried to deliver the drug to the target site (an infected nail bed) by diffusion across or through the nail. Nail is more like hair than stratum corneum with respect to chemical composition and permeability. Nitrogen is the major component of the nail attesting to the nail's proteinaceous nature. The total lipid content of mature nail is 0.1-1.0%, while the stratum corneum lipid is about 10% w/w. The nail is 100-200 times thicker than the stratum corneum and has a very high affinity and capacity for binding and retaining antifungal drugs. Consequently little if any drug penetrates through the nail to reach the target site. Because of these reasons topical therapy for fungal infections have generally been ineffective. Compounds known as penetration or permeation enhancers are well known in the art to produce an increase in the permeability of skin or other body membranes to a pharmacologically active agent. The increased permeability allows an increase in the rate at which the drug permeates through the skin and enters the blood stream. Penetration enhancers have been successful in overcoming the impermeability of pharmaceutical agents through the skin. However, the thin stratum corneum layer of the skin, which is about 10 to 15 cells thick and is formed naturally by cells migrating toward the skin surface from the basal layer, has been easier to penetrate than nails. Moreover, known penetration enhancers have not proven to be useful in facilitating drug migration through the nail tissue. Antimicrobial compositions for controlling bacterial and fungal infections comprising a metal chelate of 8-hydroxyquinoline and an alkyl benzene sulfonic acid have been shown to be efficacious due to the increased ability of the oleophilic group to penetrate the lipoid layers of micro-cells. The compounds however, do not effectively increase the ability to carry the pharmaceutically active antifungal through the cornified layer or stratum corneum of the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,011, West et al., Jul. 22, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,113, West et al., Aug. 23, 1988. Therefore, there is a need in the art for compounds which can effectively penetrate the nail. There is also need in the art for compounds which can effectively treat ungual and/or periungual infections. These and other needs are addressed by the current invention.

Since the early 1980's, three dimensional seismic image technology has revolutionized subsurface geologic mapping and hydrocarbon exploration in the petroleum industry. However, interpretation of three dimensional seismic images has been mainly a subjective process involving a human interpreter extracting and discriminating information by visual inspection of reflection patterns. This approach is time consuming, the results depend on individual human interpreters, and the results usually are not repetitive. Also, human interpreters tend to inspect reflection patterns along either the inline or crossline direction but ignore the third dimension. In previous studies, numerous seismic attributes have been used in an attempt to quantify seismic interpretation. However, these attributes are generally based on one trace and depend on an interpreted horizon, or they have been specifically used to enhance certain aspects of seismic data, such as dip, azimuth, and faults, etc. These attributes have certain limitations in the identification and classification of seismic facies, for example, that are characterized by lateral relationships of amplitude in different orientations and from different perspectives. Little has been published on quantitative seismic pattern recognition and hydrocarbon indicator detection in three dimension s using volume-based and horizon-independent seismic technology. Although image textures have been used in conventional two dimensional image processing, such as photographs, Landsat, and side-scan sonar images, etc., little attempt has been made to quantitatively analyze three dimensional seismic interpretation and hydrocarbon exploration data. Since seismic images differ fundamentally from other images in that seismic images consist of vertical traces with alternating peak and trough amplitudes, and the traces are aligned laterally in an orderly manner to form characteristic stratal nature of reflection events, a different approach is required to capture and process both stratigraphic and structural information in the subsurface out of the seismic volume. Although several authors have applied the texture concept to reflection seismic interpretation in recent years, textures have usually been extracted in two dimensions, which significantly limits their reliability and resolution. Manipulating multiple attributes effectively is an important next process after numerous attributes have been extracted. Conventionally, false-color (RGB) mapping, principal component analysis (PCA), clustering, and supervised classification have been commonly used to reduce the dimensionality of attributes and to display multiple attributes. Such processes use human interpreters, and since interpreters generally have little idea about the clustering structure of attributes in multiple dimensions, they must subjectively determine the number of classes to be grouped before classification. That may lead to a classification volume in which two different classes may be grouped into one class, or one actual class is split into two or more different classes. Generally, human interpreters have little control and may not realize that misclassification occurred until they learn the actual facies classes in the data volume by running different sessions of classification using different numbers of classes. Combining multiple textural attributes helps minimize the non-uniqueness in seismic pattern recognition and classification. However, generalizing and interpreting numerous attributes are generally difficult, which is particulary true with a large number of attributes. Previously, various attempts have been made to condense and visualize multiple attribute data sets. For example, false-color imaging technology has been used to accommodate three attributes at a time by forming one RGB false-color image. Principle Components Analysis (PCA) has been performed to reduce the data dimensionality. In addition, various classification algorithms (e.g., clustering/unsupervised, NNT, and supervised classifiers) have been commonly used to reduce multiple attribute volumes into one final thematic volume that consists of discrete categories (classes) based on their closeness in multiple attribute space. However, with increasing number of seismic attributes and the size of attribute volumes, computational efficiency becomes an important issue in multi-attribute classification process. Besides, resolution and reliability of these conventional classification technology depend on user-specified class number. In this context, the attribute-trace concept proposed here provides a new solution to improve the efficiency, resolution, and reliability for multi-attribute classification and interpretation. It is thus apparent that there is a need in the art for an improved method of analyzing three dimensional seismic data. The present invention meets these and other needs.

1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains to a method for deriving a magnetic resonance image of an object placed in a stationary and substantially homogeneous magnetic main field, comprising repeatedly exciting said object and sampling magnetic resonance signals in the presence of a read gradient superimposed on said main field thereby determining a first frequency image of said object on radius and angle coordinates by radially scanning through frequency-space. The invention also pertains to an apparatus to perform such method. 2. Description of the Related Art A method as described in the preamble is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,611. In said patent is disclosed that magnetic resonance signals are induced in an object, notably a patient, present in a homogeneous magnetic field and are detected while exposing the region of the object to be imaged to a linear gradient superimposed on the homogeneous magnetic field. A resonance spectrum is obtained for each of a relatively large number of angularly displaced orientations of the linear gradient. The image is constructed by a mathematical process of back projection. This technique uses the fact that the Fourier transform of a one-dimensional projection of the spin density represents a one-dimensional cross-section of the three-dimensional Fourier transform of the spin density function. In the article "NMR Imaging Methods Seen as Trajectories in the Reciprocal Space" in Bull. Magnetic Resonance, 6, No. 3, Nov. 1984, p. 140-141, is disclosed that the values of the magnetic resonance signal S(t) fundamentally correspond to the values of the Fourier transform of the spin density function in frequency-space at positions given by dk/dt=.gamma.G, k=(k.sub.x,k.sub.y,k.sub.z) determining the position in frequency-space (also called k-space), G=(G.sub.x,G.sub.y,G.sub.z) determining the magnetic gradient, and .gamma. being the gyromagnetic ratio. So, in a method as described in the preamble, the values of a frequency image of an image to be produced are found as values of the detected signal assigned to points along a radial line in frequency-space. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,611 mentioned above is explained that radially scanning through frequency-space has the distinct disadvantage that information is collected in an in homogeneous way, i.e. because of the radial scanning the information is more dense near the origin of frequency-space, representing the lower frequencies, and there may be insufficient information of the higher image frequencies. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,611 a method is disclosed in which frequency-space is scanned along parallel lines. An improved version of this method is called spin warp and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,222. However, especially under circumstances wherein the magnetic resonance signal has short decay times, which in case of nuclear (proton) magnetic resonance depends on the materials or tissues examined and which is almost always the case with electron spin resonance, it may be advantageous to start sampling of the magnetic resonance signal immediately after the end of the excitation. That is not possible with methods like spin warp and spin echo because in those methods an echo of the signal is used and time is needed to switch phase encoding gradients. So, especially in cases of short decay times, radial scanning may be very useful.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art. A typical multiple speed transmission uses a combination of friction clutches, planetary gear arrangements and fixed interconnections to achieve a plurality of gear ratios. The number and physical arrangement of the planetary gear sets, generally, are dictated by packaging, cost and desired speed ratios. While current transmissions achieve their intended purpose, the need for new and improved transmission configurations which exhibit improved performance, especially from the standpoints of efficiency, responsiveness and smoothness, and improved packaging, primarily reduced size and weight, is essentially constant. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved, cost-effective, compact multiple speed transmission.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to card games, and more specifically, to a method and system for playing a Texas Hold'em-type poker game. 2. Background of the Invention Poker has recently become a very popular pastime. One version, known as “Texas Hold'em” or just “Hold'em” is played by each player competing with each other to obtain the highest value five-card hand. Typically, play begins with one player designated as the dealer, and the two players to the immediate left of the dealer placing forced bets (the “blinds”). Each player is then dealt two cards. A first round of betting occurs, where each player decides whether to fold, call, or raise the bet of the prior player. Following the conclusion of the first betting round, three community cards are dealt known as the “flop.” Following the flop, remaining players engage in a second round of betting. Next, a single community card known as the “turn” is dealt. Another round of betting follows the turn, and finally the fifth and final community card is dealt, known as the “river.” A final round of betting follows the river. The player having the highest five-card poker hand formed from his or her two cards and the five community cards wins the “pot,” which generally includes all bets placed during the game, minus a percentage for the establishment providing the game. Hold'em is an exciting game in part because of the uncertainty of each player's final five-card hand until the river, when all seven available cards—the player's two and the five community cards—are known. Thus, even a player's relatively poor two cards—such as a 2-6— may result in a winning hand if, for example, the community cards reveal a 3, 4, and 5, providing the player with a straight. The player holding a losing hand but hoping that the final community cards will complete a winning hand undergoes excitement and suspense as the community cards are dealt. Furthermore, in order to complete a winning hand on the river, the player's resolve is repeatedly tested as other players having stronger hands place bets that must be called to remain in the game. However, Hold'em has several drawbacks. One drawback is that the game often requires extended periods of inactivity. Because only two players are forced to bet in any hand (the blinds), the other players are able to examine and discard their poor cards without incurring a loss. As a result, often a player will not participate in the game for long periods until two favorable cards are received. Casino patrons that prefer the action and immediate decision of other casino games frequently choose not to exercise the patience and devote the time required for proper Hold'em play. Another drawback of Hold'em is that, unlike other casino games, each player plays against the others, and not against the house. In blackjack or pai gow poker, for example, it is possible for every player to win on one hand, and the expert or novice play of any of these players statistically does not affect the outcome of the game for the other players. However, in Hold'em only one player wins each hand, and that player's winnings comprises the other players' losses. Novice players are more likely to lose to skillful players, and therefore casual players are less likely to participate in the game at all. A third drawback to Hold'em is that while a player may know the value of his own hand, he must deduce the value of other player's hands. Thus, each player must pay attention to the play of each other player, and attempt to decipher the body language and betting behavior of each opponent. Bluffing, slow playing, mind games, and all other forms of misdirection are used and must be guarded against. For a causal player desiring a game based primarily on a draw of the cards, the mental effort required for skillful play may make the game undesirable. Let-it-ride poker is a casino-style card game where each player in the game places three equal bets. Each player receives three cards, and based on those cards decides whether to retain the first of the three bets or remove the bet. The dealer exposes a first of two community cards, and each player must decide whether to retain the second of the three bets or remove the bet. Finally, the dealer exposes the second community card, resulting in each player having a five-card hand of his three cards plus the two community cards. If the player does not have a pair of tens or better, all bets not removed by the player are lost. If the player achieves a pair of tens or better, each bet is paid according to a payout table, from a pair of tens paying even money up to a royal flush paying 1,000-1. Let It Ride Poker allows quick play and reward of all participating players. The play of each player has no effect at all on any other player or the game itself, and indeed the player's available options are limited solely to whether or not to remove his first and second bet. Because each player wins or loses based entirely on the value of his own hand, there is no need to predict an opponent's hand or compute a likelihood of outdrawing an opponent. Finally, the player is provided with the ability to remove his bets based on a partial knowledge of his hand, so that a losing hand can lose a minimum amount but a winning hand can win a maximum amount. However, Let It Ride has several drawbacks. The first and second bet are independent, so that a player may remove both bets, neither bet, the first but not the second, or the second but not the first. This reduces the suspense and excitement because each bet is essentially a separate game independent of the other bet. Another drawback is that a player does not face exciting decisions as in Hold'em—that of calling an opponent's bet with additional money or folding and surrendering all previous bets. Instead, the Let It Ride player is never faced with a decision to fold, and is allowed reduce the amount likely to be lost if his cards are unfavorable. Finally, Let It Ride is very simple, and optimal play strategy is straightforward and easy to learn, so that proper play can be mechanical and not intellectually challenging. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a poker game method and device that provides benefits of both Hold'em and Let It Ride with fewer drawbacks.

The present invention relates to a bearing, such as a bearing for rotary shaft, and in particular for a large size rotary shaft mounted in a deformable structure such as for example a ship's propeller shaft. The primary function of such bearings is to support the shaft by taking the radial stresses, while minimizing the resisting friction pairing. The conventional bearings which have been designed for installations of essentially non-deformable structure are all ill-suited for the applications cited hereinabove, because they do not support any relative deformations of the hull (hence of the structure) and of the shaft. According to a conventional system, the part on which is defined the friction surface of the bearing, or at least the part of surface most exposed to stresses, is fractionated or split into bearing elements which are more able to follow deformations than one massive piece. Such split-bearings, when used on large-sized rotating machines, improve the hydrodynamic stability of the lubricating film between the friction surface and the shaft. According to a known variant, this kinematic effect is achieved by means of cylindrical laminates of radius smaller than that of the shaft, and in particular by producing the bearing in two parts, a first part being in contact with the shaft and a second part opposite thereto, both parts contacting together over a cylindrical surface parallel to the shaft and of smaller radius. Thus, the first part of the bearing which is in contact with the shaft has a degree of mobility with respect to the second part by sliding/rotating, thus permitting an accurate orientation of the contacting surfaces and improving lubrication. These dispositions, however, only permit deformations of very limited amplitude, and although they are relatively well suited for those cases where the axis of the shaft is off-center, they are completely unsuited for cases of angular variations of the axis (non-alignment).

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission document edition device that edits transmission documents described in markup languages, a received document processing device that receives and processes the transmission documents, and a communication document processing system that includes the transmission document edition device and the received document processing device. 2. Description of the Conventional Art As a markup language, the SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) that is standardized by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has been used. The SGML is designed for document interchanges and is expressed as a group of elements called tags to describe the contents and the structure of a document. In the SGML, the contents of a document is precisely described. As a result, it is possible and easy to analyze such a document using a computer. With the development of the Internet, the documents in the HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) that is based on the SGML have been interchanged. Such a document described in the HTML, i.e., an HTML document, is displayed using a Web browser that is a software for processing documents in the HTML. The HTML is standardized by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). The HTML Ver.3.2 has been standardized, and now standardization of the HTML Ver.4.0, which is the HTML for the next generation, is now being discussed. (The HTML is disclosed in detail on the home page with the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) xe2x80x9chttp://www.w3c.org/xe2x80x9d.) The HTML Ver.4.0 enables the processing corresponding to an input operation using the Web browser to be described in the program called xe2x80x9cscriptxe2x80x9d. As a result, a wider variety of expression may be realized using the HTML Ver.4.0. For instance, it is possible to change the color of certain part of a document with the click of a mouse. Conventionally, such an HTML document, which is transmitted via the Internet, was only received and displayed by personal computers, workstations, or the like. Recently, mobile communication terminals such as a portable remote terminal installed with a Web browser have begun to process such an HTML document. Mobile communication terminals, however, have smaller display screens than personal computers, and the display areas are limited compared with those of personal computers. As a result, when displaying an HTML document that is originally created for personal computers or workstations, mobile communication terminals cannot display the HTML document as it is intended to be displayed. In order to solve the problem, it is necessary to create different HTML documents for different types of communication terminals. As described above, it is possible to describe the processing corresponding to an input operation using the Web browser in an HTML document. Such an HTML document can include information on input units that mobile communication terminals are not equipped with. In this case, the operations using the input units may not be realized by mobile communication terminals. For instance, an operation input with a mouse may not be realized by pagers, which are equipped with no mouse. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a transmission document edition device that edits a transmission document from a general purpose document that is described in a markup language and a plurality of pieces of device information each piece of which includes information on the processing of the general purpose document for one specification of mobile communication terminal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmission document edition device that simulates the display of a transmission document by a plurality of specifications of mobile communication terminal and the processing corresponding to a user input operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a received document processing device that enables a mobile communication terminal that receives a transmission document edited by the transmission document edition device to display the received transmission document in the most suitable manner and to perform processing corresponding to a user input operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a communication document processing system that changes a transmission document edited by the transmission document edition device into another transmission document for a specification of mobile communication terminal in order to reduce the load of the specification of mobile communication terminal and transmits the changed transmission document to the specification of mobile communication terminal. The above-mentioned first object is achieved by a transmission document edition device that edits a transmission document to be transmitted to receiver devices of a plurality of specifications from a general purpose document described in a markup language, that may include: a document storage unit for storing the general purpose document described in the markup language; a device specification information storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of device specification information, each piece of which a receiver device of a different specification refers to when processing the general purpose document according to marks in the markup language; and a transmission document creation unit for reading the general purpose document stored in the document storage unit and the plurality of pieces of device specification information stored in the device specification information storage unit and for creating the transmission document in which the general purpose document and the plurality of pieces of device specification information are related to each other. It is possible for the transmission document edition device to create one transmission document that mobile communication terminals of the plurality of specifications may process. As a result, it is unnecessary to create a different transmission document for each specification of mobile communication terminal. The first object may be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein a piece of device specification information includes information defining input and/or information defining output for a specification of receiver device, wherein information defining input includes each operation of a receiver device of a specification and a processing of the general purpose document accompanying an operation for each operation, and information defining output includes processing conditions for displaying the general purpose document in a manner suitable for the specification of receiver device, and the transmission document creation unit reads information defining input and/or information defining output for each of the plurality of specifications of receiver device from the device specification information storage unit, and has the read information defining input and/or the read information defining output be included in the transmission document in a manner in which information defining input and/or information defining output for a specification of receiver device is distinguishable. It is possible for the transmission document edition device to create one transmission document that includes a plurality of pieces of device specification information for the plurality of specifications of mobile communication terminal. As a result, a mobile communication terminal may perform the same processing as processing the general purpose document in a transmission document created only for the specification of the mobile communication terminal. In addition, a mobile communication terminal may process the general purpose document using the operation key on the mobile communication terminal. The first object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the transmission document creation unit describes an identifier showing a specification of receiver device using a first tag, information defining output using a second tag, and information defining input using a third tag, wherein each of the first tag, the second tag, and the third tag corresponds to a mark in the markup language. The first object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device that may include transmission unit for transmitting the transmission document that the transmission document creation unit has created to the receiver devices of the plurality of specifications. As a result, a mobile communication terminal that receives a transmission document may distinguish the necessary piece of device specification information using tags and extract the distinguished device specification information. The above-mentioned second object is achieved by the transmission document edition device that may include: a transmission document storage unit for storing the transmission document that the transmission document creation unit has created; an acceptance unit for accepting a designation of a specification of receiver device for which a simulation is run from an operator; and a simulation execution unit for reading a piece of device specification information for the accepted specification of receiver device and the general purpose document from the transmission document stored in the transmission document storage unit, for creating a simulation document from the read general purpose document according to the read piece of device specification information, and for displaying the created simulation document. It is possible for the transmission document edition device to check a display document displayed by a mobile communication terminal as a simulation document. As a result, a transmission document may be created efficiently. The second object may be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the general purpose document includes a plurality of document elements, the read piece of device specification information includes processing conditions for displaying the general purpose document in a manner suitable for the accepted specification of receiver device, and the simulation execution unit includes a simulation document creation unit for selecting each document element designated by the processing conditions from the general purpose document and for creating the simulation document from the selected document element. As a result, each document element in a simulation document may be checked. The second object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the processing conditions include display screen size information, document element selection information, and scroll information for the accepted specification of receiver device, and the simulation document creation unit includes: a general purpose document reading unit for reading the general purpose document from the transmission document stored in the transmission document storage unit; a document element selection unit for selecting each document element designated by the document element selection information; and a document element arrangement unit for arranging the selected document element on a virtual screen. The second object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the simulation document creation unit further includes a simulation document display unit for having a display screen, for creating a frame on the display screen according to the display screen size information, for cutting part of the virtual screen on which the document element arrangement unit has arranged the selected document element according to the display screen size information and the scroll information, and for displaying the part of the virtual screen within the frame. As a result, a simulation document may be displayed on the same display screen as in a receiver mobile communication terminal. The second object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device that may include: a simulation information storage unit for storing simulation information in which first operation keys on the receiver devices of the plurality of specifications correspond to second operation keys on the transmission document edition device, wherein the general purpose document includes a user operation and a content of a processing accompanying the user operation, the piece of device specification information includes information that describes an operation of a first operation key corresponding to the user operation, the acceptance unit includes an operation key acceptance unit for accepting an operation of a second operation key from the operator, the simulation execution unit includes: an operation key conversion unit for converting the accepted second operation key operation into a corresponding operation of a first operation key; and a simulation document changing unit for changing the displayed simulation document according to a content of a processing that corresponds to a user operation corresponding to the first operation key operation and for displaying the changed simulation document. As a result, the operation that is performed when an operation key on a mobile communication terminal (a first operation key) is operated may be performed using an operation key on the transmission document edition device (a second operation key), and a displayed simulation document may be changed according to the operation of second operation keys. The second object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the processing is written in a program that is described in a virtual machine language, and the simulation document changing unit changes the displayed simulation document according to the program. As a result, a program may be executed using the HTML browser. The second object may also be achieved by the transmission document edition device, wherein the document element selection unit selects each document element to which a tag identified in the document element selection information is attached. As a result, each document element to be displayed may be easily selected. The above-mentioned third object is achieved by a received document processing device that receives a received document in which a general purpose document that is described in a markup language and a plurality of pieces of device specification information, each piece of which a received document processing device of a different specification refers to when processing the general purpose document according to marks in the markup language, are related to each other, the received document processing device that may include: a received document storage unit for storing the received document that the received document processing device has received; a received document reading unit for reading the received document that the received document storage unit stores; a first identification unit for identifying the plurality of pieces of device specification information and the general purpose document in the read received document; a second identification unit for identifying a piece of device specification information for the received document processing device in the plurality of pieces of device specification information; a display screen; and a display control unit for processing, when receiving the received document, the general purpose document that the first identification unit has identified on referring to the piece of device specification information that the second identification unit has identified, for creating a display document, and for displaying the created display document on the display screen. Such a received document processing device that receives a received document transmitted to received document processing devices of the plurality of specifications may display a document suitable for the received document processing device and change the displayed document. The third object may be achieved by the received document processing device according to claim 12, wherein the identified piece of device specification information includes information defining input and/or information defining output for the received document processing device, wherein the information defining input includes each operation of the received document processing device and a processing of the general purpose document accompanying an operation for each operation, and the information defining output includes processing conditions for displaying the general purpose document in a manner suitable for the received document processing device, and the general purpose document includes a plurality of document elements, and the display control unit includes: a first display control unit for selecting each document element designated by the processing conditions from the general purpose document and for creating the display document from the selected document element; and/or a second display control unit for changing the created display document according to a processing that corresponds to an operation key on the received document processing device and is described in the general purpose document. As a result, such a received document processing device may receive a received document, display a display document, and change the display document according to the user operations. The third object may also be achieved by the received document processing device, wherein the processing conditions include display screen size information, document element selection information, and scroll information for the received document processing device, the first display control unit includes: a document element selection unit for selecting each document element designated by the document element selection information; and a document element arrangement unit for arranging the selected document element on the display screen according to the display screen size information and the scroll information. As a result, a display document suitable for such a received document processing device may be easily displayed and changed. The third object may also be achieved by the received document processing device, wherein the document element selection unit selects each document element to which a tag identified in the document element selection information is attached, wherein each tag is a mark in the markup language. As a result, the document element may be selected more easily. The third object may also be achieved by the received document processing device that is one of a pager and a mobile phone. As a result, pagers or mobile phones may receive the same received document as personal computers receive and may display a document suitable for pagers or mobile phones. The third object may also be achieved by the received document processing device, wherein a processing is written in a program that is described in a virtual machine language, and the second display control unit changes the display document according to the program. As a result, a program may be easily executed using the HTML browser. The above-mentioned fourth object is achieved by the information providing server device that may include a document element selection unit for selecting each document element that is necessary for the specification of received document processing device from the transmission document, wherein the general purpose document includes a plurality of document elements, and the piece of device specification information corresponding to the specification of received document processing device includes document element selection information on each document element necessary for the specification of received document processing device. Such an information providing server device may convert a transmission document that the transmission document edition device has edited into another transmission document suitable for a mobile communication terminal of one specification. As a result, the load of the specification of mobile communication terminal may be reduced. The present invention may be realized by a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program that realizes a function of editing a transmission document that is to be transmitted to received document processing devices of a plurality of specifications from a general purpose document described in a markup language, wherein the program realizes: a device specification information obtaining unit for obtaining a plurality of pieces of device specification information each piece of which a received document processing device of a different specification refers to when processing the general purpose document according to marks in the markup language; and a transmission document creation unit for creating the transmission document in which the general purpose document that is described in the markup language and the plurality of pieces of device specification information that the device information obtaining unit has obtained are related to each other. As a result, a transmission document edition device that edits a transmission document to be transmitted to the received document processing devices of the plurality of specifications from a general purpose document described in a markup language and a plurality of pieces of device specification information for the plurality of specifications of mobile communication terminal may be realized.

This invention relates to a fuel pump for supplying fuel under pressure for delivery to a combustion space of a compression ignition internal combustion engine. It is known to provide each injector of a fuel system with a corresponding fuel pump arranged to supply fuel under pressure only to that fuel injector. The pump and associated fuel injector may be mounted upon one another or spaced apart from one another, a fuel pipe being used to connect to pump outlet to the injector. The pumps used in such applications typically comprise a pumping plunger reciprocable within a bore under the action of a cam and tappet arrangement. The pump and associated components are designed such that, at any instant, the speed of movement of the plunger is governed by the speed of rotation of the cam and by the shape of the cam profile. In order to reduce the levels of noise and particulate emissions produced by an engine, it is desirable, under some conditions, to arrange for each injection of fuel to the engine to include a period during which fuel is injected at a reduced rate. For example, each injection may include an initial part during which fuel is delivered at a relatively low rate followed by a period during which fuel injection occurs at a higher rate. In known arrangements, this has been achieved by appropriate shaping of the cam profile. According to the present invention, there is provided a fuel pump comprising a pumping plunger reciprocable within a bore, and a drive arrangement for driving the pumping plunger, the drive arrangement including a compressible load transmission arrangement for transmitting movement of the drive arrangement to the pumping plunger, the load transmission arrangement comprising first and second surfaces which define, therebetween, a chamber for fluid, and supply means for permitting the chamber to be supplied with fluid, in use, and control means for controlling the flow of fluid from the chamber. The provision of the load transmission arrangement results in some of the movement of the drive arrangement being absorbed, by compression of the fluid and by fluid escaping from the chamber, and hence in the plunger moving at a reduced rate than would otherwise be the case for a period. As a result, an associated injector can be operated in such a manner as to include, in its injection cycle, a period during which fuel is injected at a reduced rate. The stiffness of the load transmission arrangement may vary with, for example, the applied load, and a plunger movement may be achieved which is not possible simply by modifying the profile of the cam. The first and second surfaces are conveniently resiliently biased apart, for example by one or more disc springs. The supply means conveniently includes a non-return valve whereby fluid can be supplied to the chamber upon separation of the surfaces under the action of the resilient biasing. The non-return valve may comprise a perforated diaphragm. The disc springs are conveniently arranged such that, in use, when the load applied to the device exceeds a predetermined level the disc springs deflect to define a fluid flow path whereby fluid can escape from the chamber in a controlled manner. Preferably, the fluid supplied to the engine is engine lubricating oil.

The invention relates generally to Internet Protocol (IP) packet communication methods and apparatus and more particularly to point to point protocol (PPP) packet communication methods and apparatus. Internet Protocol (IP) based wireless communication architectures are known. As shown in FIG. 1, in the future the link between a base transceiver station (BTS) 100 and a selection/distribution unit (SDU) 102 will be based on IP that communicates point to point protocol (PPP) packets 101. The SDU may be part of a base site controller (BSC) or other suitable network element. The TIA/EIA/IS-634 standard (e.g., Part 4. Revision A xe2x80x9cCore Protocol Detailsxe2x80x9d) defines the application protocols and the messages shared between the SDU and the BTS 100. These messages between applications 103 will be transported over an IP network 104. In the IS-634 standard, the interface between the SDU and the BTS is called the A3 interface. For the user traffic exchanged between the SDU and the BTS, IS-634 assumes that the transport layer provides the call-context information. This information is not included in the IS-634 message itself. Since the current system is circuit switched, the slot position in the connection between the BTS and the SDU provides this information and in the proposed packetized system, an AAL2 header provides the call-context information. In the IP based system, the unique call-context reference will be specified by using user datagram protocol (UDP) between the SDU and the BTS. A mobile station 105 communicates with the BTS 100 as known. The UDP port number along with the IP address will provide the unique call-context information. The protocol stack 106 between the SDU and the BTS is shown in FIG. 1. An SDU consists of multiple SDU elements. Each SDU element terminates one call. The following four tuple: (IP address of the SDU 108, Port number of the SDU 110, IP address of the BTS 112, Port number on the BTS 114), provides a unique call context for each leg of a call. The IP address and UDP port numbers provide the unique call-context for each IS-634 frames 116. A point to point protocol (PPP) header 118 and PPP CRC information 120 is also used. In most of the current systems and systems which will be deployed for the next few years, a T1 1.544 Mbps link 122 forms the backhaul link from the BTS 100 to the core network. This link 122 is very expensive and should be able to carry data for as many calls as possible. Hence, the key problem is to compress the data and decrease the header overhead as much as possible. As known in the art, link 122 is terminated using Channel Service Units/Data Service Units (CSU/DSU) 124 and 126. A standard way to carry IP packets over T1 links is to use point to point protocol (PPP) as a link layer protocol over the T1 link. In the default mode, PPP prepends 5 bytes of header and 2 bytes of trailer to each IP packet; thus the default PPP overhead is 7 bytes. When the two ends of the link negotiate to reduce the header of PPP, the PPP overhead can be reduced to 5 bytes: Flag byte+2-Protocol type bytes+2-CRC bytes. (it cannot be assumed that the protocol type field could be reduced to 1 byte, as the protocol byte field for compressed TCP and UDP payloads occupy 2 bytes). In addition UDP header compression is described by RFC 2508. In this case, the compressed UDP header is 2 bytes. Thus the overhead per IS-634 frame is 7 bytesxe2x80x942 bytes compressed UDP header and 5 bytes PPP overhead. There is also a checksum feature of the UDP header. However, this PPP overhead can be unnecessarily large and can unnecessarily reduce the available bandwidth over the T1. Another type of multiplexing scheme is described in ITU-T I.363.2, B-ISDN ATM Adaptation Layer: Type AAL2. This is a multiplexing scheme for point to point asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) virtual connections, whereby voice packets from multiple users may be contained in a single ATM cell payload 200. Each AAL2 user packet 202, 204, 206 that is multiplexed onto a given AAL2 virtual connection has a unique call-context reference, a Connection Identifier (CID). An example protocol stack 208 for this scheme is shown in FIG. 2. Also, there have been several proposals for multiplexing real time transfer protocol (RTP) streams in the Internet. In the proposed designs, interest has also been expressed for reusing the RTP multiplexing scheme for improving the efficiency of transporting data on the BTS backhaul link. In the Internet, RTP multiplexing schemes have been proposed as methods to multiplex a number of low bit rate audio streams into a single RTP/UDP/IP connection between IP telephony gateways 300 and 302. The telephony gateways 300 and 302 may couple to Public telephone Networks (PTNs) 304. The deployment scenario for these multiplexing schemes is shown in FIG. 3. The RTP multiplexing schemes are used to multiplex traffic between the two gateways 300 and 302 to transport data efficiently over the Internet. A requirement for the multiplexing schemes is that all the RTP streams 306, 308 being multiplexed originate and terminate at the same end-points, i.e. the IP address in the IP/UDP headers 310, 312 are the same. In all the proposals, each multiplexed stream is identified by a channel identifier 314 which is used to identify the payload belonging to that stream. The format and placement of the channel identifier differs between the different scenarios. A lookup table 316 can be used as a mechanism to multiplex or demultiplex IP packets. One possible case of reusing the RTP multiplexing scheme for the BTS backhaul link is shown in FIG. 4. Much like in the AAL2 multiplexing case, there is an initial level of signaling which involves the SDU, packet control unit 400 PCU and the BTS (BTS includes the network interface board (NIB). This signaling sets up the two maps 402, 404 as shown in FIG. 4. In the upstream direction, the map 404 at the NIB enables the NIB to map from the multi-channel carrier card (MCC) (signal processor and channel coding card) device address that it receives in the packet from the BTS to the C_ID. At the packet control unit (PCU), a mapping is used to the SDU device address from the C_ID received on the link from the BTS. A router 406 suitably routes IS-634 packets to the appropriate SDU. The opposite occurs for downstream traffic. If the SDU sits on an IP network, this would mean recreating the UDP/IP header for the SDU device. This is very different from the process occurring in the Internet RTP multiplexing scheme. Recreating IP/UDP headers is a more complicated task than using the C_ID to identify one stream in a multiplexed RTP stream. Another possibility of using RTP Multiplexing is shown in FIG. 5. In this scheme the SDU multiplexes the user information destined to one BTS into one multiplexed RTP stream 500 using routers 502 and 504. The disadvantages of this scheme are that the scheme cannot multiplex traffic destined to one BTS from different SDUs. In addition, the multiplexing gain may not be very high at the SDU. Typically there are two or three SDU serving 100 BTSs. Also, unless an RTP header is used for achieving synchronization between the SDU and the BTS, the RTP header is useless and one might have to implement real-time transfer control protocol (RTCP) at the SDU and the BTS to be able to use RTP. Accordingly a need exists for a method and apparatus for reducing PPP packet sizes communicated over a communication link.

It is common practice to load a quantity of individual packages of consumer products into corrugated paperboard shipping containers for bulk shipment of the packages to a point of sale. At the point of sale, the individual packages may be removed from the shipping container and placed on a shelf for display and sale to the consumer. In some instances, the product packages may be left in the shipping container which then also serves to support and display the packages for sale. If the shipping container is a conventional box, then the retailer must cut away a portion of the box in order to expose the product packages and provide access to them by the consumers. In order to provide a more attractive display and facilitate ease of use by the retailer, combination of shipping and display containers have been developed which have one or more sections that may be removed along weakened lines to expose the product packages and provide access to them.

In the fabrication of a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC), it is desirable to fabricate the IC with materials having a low resistivity (i.e., property of resistance to current flow) in order to optimize its electrical performance by decreasing the resistance of the IC. Lower resistance ICs allow faster processing of information due to a smaller delay time associated with resistance to current flow therethrough. Individual devices are typically connected within an IC using metal lines (i.e., conductive layers), such as aluminum or copper layers. Resistivity of metal lines plays an increasingly important role in the overall resistance of an IC. As ICs become more dense, wiring length increases. Furthermore, wiring pitch decreases, which effectively decreases the wiring width. As the wiring width decreases, resistivity of the wiring material becomes a dominant factor as compared to parasitic capacitance between wires (i.e., that associated with device resistance). Thus, it is desirable to decrease the resistivity of wiring material within an IC. It is preferable to use copper within an IC, particularly for interconnect lines and structures (i.e., conductive digit lines and plugs connecting the conductive layers), because copper has a lower resistivity and a higher resistance to electromigration (i.e., the transport of metal atoms in conductors carrying large current densities, resulting in morphological degradation of the conductors) than aluminum. Voids (i.e., regions of macroscopic depletion of atoms) and hillocks (i.e., regions of macroscopic accumulation of atoms) are produced by electromigration. One reason why copper is less susceptible to voiding than aluminum is because the grain boundary diffusion of vacancies in copper has a significantly higher activation energy than the same in aluminum. Techniques for deposition of copper during fabrication of a semiconductor IC have not been selectively controlled in the past. Such conventional copper deposition techniques include evaporation, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). When using nonselective deposition techniques, excess copper often needs to be removed from surfaces to which it adheres, but on which copper is not desired. This requires an extra processing step. An etchant, such as a dry, chlorine-based plasma etchant is typically used for removing excess copper on a surface. Deposition of copper on certain materials, such as titanium-containing materials (e.g., titanium and titanium nitride), has also been problematic in the past. Titanium-containing materials are utilized in the fabrication of interconnect structures in which copper is typically formed. For example, titanium-containing diffusion barrier layers are beneficial when formed between copper and silicon because copper has a tendency to diffuse into silicon. The use of diffusion barrier layers prevents the degree of copper migration seen in the absence of a diffusion barrier layer. By using a titanium-containing diffusion barrier layer, the degree of lattice mismatch between copper and silicon is also minimized, as the lattice spacing of titanium is intermediate between that of copper and that of silicon. Previous deposition of copper on titanium-containing materials, however, has repeatedly been plagued with nonuniform thicknesses, poor adhesion, and poor step coverage on complex surfaces, such as contact holes and vias. One deposition technique involves the chemical reduction of a metal ion from a metal compound contained in solution onto a catalytically active surface. This is known as electroless deposition. Consequently, this technique has the potential to selectively deposit on catalytically active surfaces. Conventional electroless copper deposition on titanium-containing materials, however, has not been perfected. For example, electrodeposition baths (i.e., ionic solutions without any external electrodes) containing copper sulfate (CuSO.sub.4) and sulfuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) often experience difficulties with rapid oxidation (i.e., the formation of native oxides) of the titanium-containing material surface during deposition, which prevents adequate copper layer adhesion. Similarly, baths containing copper pyrophosphate (Cu.sub.2 P.sub.2 O.sub.7), potassium pyrophosphate (K.sub.2 H.sub.2 P.sub.2 O.sub.7), ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4 OH), and ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3), or baths containing copper fluoroborate (Cu[BF.sub.4 ].sub.2), fluoroboric acid (HBF.sub.4), and boric acid (HBO.sub.3) do not provide adequate copper layer adhesion due to the fact that deposited copper dissolves away in water. Another electrodeposition bath containing tetra-ammonium cuprate (Cu[NH.sub.3 ].sub.4) and ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4 OH) does not deposit copper well on titanium-containing diffusion barrier layer materials either. Conventional electroless copper deposition baths often contain alkali elements, such as lithium, sodium, and potassium, to increase the pH and thereby increase the reaction rate of the electroless deposition process. Alkali components provide a relatively large increase in the pH of an electroless copper deposition bath for a given amount of the alkali components. However, it is undesirable to utilize large amounts of alkali elements in the fabrication of ICs because residual alkali metal ions easily drift under applied electric fields to interfaces, such as silicon/silicon dioxide interfaces within an IC, introducing positive ionic charge in undesired areas that alters device characteristics. This phenomenon potentially causes IC failure, due to such altering of device characteristics. Another technique for depositing copper on a substrate from an electroless deposition solution includes using a nucleating layer between the substrate and the deposited copper layer in order to initiate copper deposition. In the past, aluminum has been utilized for such a nucleating layer. While the use of such a layer catalyzes the reaction, it does not increase the reaction rate of copper deposition enough to allow for an alkali-free electroless deposition solution to be used in conjunction therewith. Furthermore, when using such a technique, an aluminum layer remains between the copper layer and the substrate. This can potentially cause adhesion problems and increase the resistivity of interconnects when used therein due to the higher resistivity of aluminum as compared to copper. Resistivity of interconnects formed in such a manner is also typically further increased when using such a technique because an oxide layer usually remains on the aluminum layer prior to depositing the copper layer thereon. Another problem with conventional electroless copper deposition is that implanted nucleation sites need to be formed on the surface on which copper is to be deposited when a nucleation layer is not formed on the underlying surface. Conventionally, electroless deposition of copper onto certain materials, such as titanium-containing materials, will not occur in the absence of implants (e.g., gold, silver, palladium, or platinum) in the underlying surface or activation baths containing similar components. The presence of implants in the underlying surface or the activation bath is needed to provide nucleation sites for the copper deposition reaction. Once copper nucleation is initialized, however, deposited copper acts as its own catalyst via an autocatalytic mechanism (i.e., copper provides more of the catalyzing mechanism--itself--as it is created). Electroless deposition of copper has been used in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing and other applications where critical dimensions are ten microns or greater. Typically, deposition of copper within an IC requires that copper be accurately deposited to much smaller critical dimensions. However, many conventional electroless copper deposition techniques have not perfected accurate deposition at such small critical dimensions. Thus, there is a need for a method for electroless deposition of copper and other materials that is generally fast and efficient. There is a further need for a method for electroless deposition, such as copper electroless deposition, that does not require nucleation layers, implants, or activation baths for providing nucleation sites on surfaces on which the material is to be deposited. It is further desirable to provide a method for electroless deposition that provides a high conductivity layer of deposited material that adheres well to a substrate.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to shaving units and is directed more particularly to shaving units of the type in which portions thereof are movable during a shaving operation to effect dynamic changes in the shaving geometry of the unit. 2. Description of the Prior Art In some known shaving units, the shaving geometry, i.e., the spatial relationships between the blade and rigid portions of the razor head are fixed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,563, issued Jan. 22, 1974 to Francis W. Dorion, et al is illustrative of this type of razor unit, and is further illustrative of the spatial relationships deemed pertinent. In a second known category of shaving units, the shaving geometry is adjustable in that one or more of the portions of the unit may be re-positioned relative to the others, by the user, and remain in their new positions until selectively re-adjusted. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 432,842, filed Jan. 4, 1974 by Chester F. Jacobson is illustrative of such a unit. It has also been proposed to construct a shaving system with a cap member fixed relative to a handle and with blade and guard members made fast with each other and spring biased to a position of maximum blade exposure, the blade and guard members being adapted to retract against the spring bias upon encountering undue resistance during shaving. An arrangement of this sort is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,354, issued Dec. 20, 1977 to Harry Pentney et al. Several arrangements of shaving units permitting dynamic movement of various portions thereof during a shaving operation have been devised; examples of such contrivances are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,935,452 issued Nov. 14, 1933 to M. R. Kondolf; 2,313,818 issued Mar. 16, 1943 to H. J. Gaisman; 2,327,967, issued Aug. 24, 1943 to P. N. Peters; 2,915,817 issued Dec. 8, 1959 to E. Peck; 3,500,539, issued Mar. 17, 1970 to J. P. Muros; 3,657,810 issued Apr. 25, 1972 to W. I. Nissen; 3,685,150 issued Aug. 22, 1972 to F. L. Risher; and 3,740,841 issued June 26, 1973 to F. L. Risher.

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to attachments and, more specifically, to attachments for forming branch connections to either flexible or rigid tubing. 2. Description of the Prior Art The concept of attachments such as Ts or elbows for flexible or rigid polymer tubing are well known in the art. Typical branching attachments include a T that is spliced into the main branch. Installation of the T requires cutting the main line and sealing the T to the cut edges of the main line. Another type of branch connector is a yoke-type connector, usually made out of metal, which fits around a portion of the pipe and holds the branch connector to the main line. The present invention provides an attachment for flexible or rigid tubing which does not require severing the main line and needs a minimum of parts to self-lock and form a tight seal around the main line.

1. Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to port connection devices including serial, parallel and video port connectors, and, more particularly, to a computer port connector that can be selectively coupled to a mating connector. 2. Description of Related Art In the market of portable electronic devices such as laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDA's), a need has been established to expedite the connection and disconnection of the main computer to the peripheral devices (printers, monitors digital projectors, modem, for example). Traditional means has been to couple the two mating sections and then thread opposing screws located on the mating section of the connector into jack screw receptacles of the fixed mating section. Some connectors have captive screws, requiring the user to physically use a screwdriver to secure the connectors, while others have an integral knob or handle to aid in the task. This means of securing the connection is time consuming and cumbersome. What is needed is a connector adapted for quick connection and disconnection while retaining and using the traditional jack screw receptacles common to all devices while still providing a secure means of attachment.

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polyether polyol that has a reduced unsaturation content. Polyether polyols suitable for use in preparing polyurethanes are usually prepared by the reacting in the presence of a basic alkoxylation catalyst an initiator compound having active hydrogen atoms with an alkylene oxide such as, for example, ethylene oxide or especially propylene oxide. Typical catalysts include tertiary amines, or hydroxide or alkoxide of sodium and potassium. However, under the overall conditions of the reaction including catalyst concentration, elevated temperature and pressure, the propylene oxide may isomerize and rearrange to give an allyl alkoxide before it can react with the initiator. The ability to prepare high equivalent weight polyether polyols in the presence of the allyl alkoxide is reduced as the allyl alkoxide competes in reaction for the remaining alkylene oxide, thereby limiting molecular weight build up on the initiator. The allyl adduct is commonly described as the unsaturation content of a polyether polyol. When a high equivalent weight polyether polyol having a high unsaturation content is used in the preparation of, for example, a flexible polyurethane foam, a product with undesirable properties can result. Problems such as foam discoloration, inferior compressive and tensile strengths, low reactivity, low flexural modulus and poor humid aging may be observed. It would therefore be desirable to provide a means for preparing a polyether polyol having a reduced unsaturation content, permitting the manufacture of improved polyurethane polymers. It is known from the art that the unsaturation content of a polyether polyol may be reduced by a subsequent acid treatment such as discussed by Dege et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, p. 3374, Vol. 81 (1959), or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,996,550 and 3,271,462. However, such acid treatment of polyether polyols is not always practical, adding to production costs and generating waste products which must be subsequently removed from the polyols and discarded. Accordingly, it would be more desirable to provide a means of preparing a polyether polyol in which the accompanying buildup of unsaturation during its manufacture is avoided or minimized. The art contains various disclosures which teach the selection of certain substances functioning as alkoxylation catalyst, when preparing polyether polyols, and which additionally minimize formation of unsaturated substances. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,393,243 discloses the use of cesium hydroxide for the preparation of polyoxypropylene polyether polyols having an equivalent weight of from 1500 to 2500 and reduced levels of unsaturation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,187 discloses the use of barium- or strontium-containing substances for a similar purpose. In an improvement of this latter disclosure, U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,619 discloses the controlled concomitant addition of limited amounts of water during addition of the alkylene oxide to provide for a further reduction in the unsaturation content of polyether polyols prepared in the presence of such barium- or strontium-containing catalyst substances. It is also reported that substitution of water by low molecular weight diols or triols does not provide for a reduction in the unsaturation content of the resulting polyether polyol. While studying further this latter improved process the present inventors have confirmed the value of water when preparing a polyether triol having a low unsaturation content, but are unable to observe a similar reduction of unsaturation content when preparing a polyether diol. Further investigation of this observation has led to the present discovery.

The present invention relates to data processing by digital computer, and more particularly to a user interface (UI) for defining a text file transformation. Organizations today are realizing substantial business efficiencies in the development of data intense, connected, software applications, which provide seamless access to database systems within large corporations, as well as externally linking business partners and customers alike. Such distributed and integrated data systems are a necessary requirement for realizing and benefiting from automated business processes, yet this goal has proven to be elusive in real world deployments for a number of reasons, including the myriad of different database systems and programming languages involved in integrating today's enterprise back-end systems Internet technologies in particular have given organizations an ability to share information in real-time with customers, partners, and internal business units. These entities, however, often store and exchange data in dissimilar formats, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), databases, and legacy Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems. Long before EDI and XML applications became commonplace, text files have been used as a way to exchange data between applications and computer systems. Today, businesses employ legacy software that can no longer be modified, but produces useful output in the form of text files or requires input in such form. Integrating these legacy applications into a modern computing environment can be challenging. The structure of flat files and text documents varies from application to application, making processing and integrating legacy data with other structured data formats difficult. Often these files may be produced by reporting tools and contain formatting that makes data reuse difficult, without extracting relevant portions of data. At other times, it may no longer be possible to update the software that processes such legacy files, and hence even newer software must produce files in the old legacy format.

An important use of computers is the transfer of information over a network. Currently, the largest computer network in existence is the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide interconnection of computer networks that communicate using a common protocol. Millions of computers, from low end personal computers to high-end super computers are coupled to the Internet. The Internet grew out of work funded in the 1960s by the U.S. Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency. For a long time, Internet was used by researchers in universities and national laboratories to share information. As the existence of the Internet became more widely known, many users outside of the academic/research community (e.g., employees of large corporations) started to use Internet to carry electronic mail. In 1989, a new type of information system known as the World-Wide-Web ("the Web") was introduced to the Internet. Early development of the Web took place at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory. The Web is a wide-area hypermedia information retrieval system aimed to give wide access to a large universe of documents. At that time, the Web was known to and used by the academic/research community only. There was no easily available tool which allows a technically untrained person to access the Web. In 1993, researchers at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) released a Web browser called "Mosaic" that implemented a graphical user interface (GUI). Mosaic's graphical user interface was simple to learn yet powerful. The Mosaic browser allows a user to retrieve documents from the World-Wide-Web using simple point-and-click commands. Because the user does not have to be technically trained and the browser is pleasant to use, it has the potential of opening up the Internet to the masses. The architecture of the Web follows a conventional client-server model. The terms "client" and "server" are used to refer to a computer's general role as a requester of data (the client) or provider of data (the server). Under the Web environment, Web browsers reside in clients and Web documents reside in servers. Web clients and Web servers communicate using a protocol called "HyperText Transfer Protocol" (HTTP). A browser opens a connection to a server and initiates a request for a document. The server delivers the requested document, typically in the form of a text document coded in a standard Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) format, and when the connection is closed in the above interaction, the server serves a passive role, i.e., it accepts commands from the client and cannot request the client to perform any action. The communication model under the conventional Web environment provides a very limited level of interaction between clients and servers. In many systems, increasing the level of interaction between components in the systems often makes the systems more robust, but increasing the interaction increases the complexity of the interaction and typically slows the rate of the interaction. Thus, the conventional Web environment provides less complex, faster interactions because of the Web's level of interaction between clients and servers.

A known cap for forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a structure is described in WO-A-2012/107741. The cap has a two part construction with an inner cap and an outer cap. Sealing material is provided between the caps, and the outer cap is pushed down to force the sealing material into an annular pocket and form a seal with the structure.

The increasing use of hydrogen in chemical industries and oil refining and clean technologies puts pressure on hydrogen sources, hydrogen production capacities and hydrogen supplies. H2 is used for example for fuel desulfurization, production of ammonia NH3, methanol and other alcohol, urea, hydrochloric acid HCl, in Fischer-Tropsch reactions, i.e. conversion of CO and H2 into liquid hydrocarbon, as a reducing agent in metallurgy and for adding value to petroleum products and oils by hydrogenation. More than 41 million tons of H2 are produced annually, of which 80% by steam reforming, partial oxidation and auto thermal reforming of natural gas. Renewable hydrocarbons and biogas are also used as starting sources. Methane steam reforming (see relation 1 below) is performed at high temperature, typically between about 800° C. and about 900° C. The resulting H2 and CO gas mixture is cooled down to a temperature in a range comprised between about 350° C. and 450° C. upon exiting a first reactor, and introduced in a second reactor where a water gas shift reaction (WGS) takes place (relation 2 below):CH4+H2O→3H2+CO  (relation 1)CO+H2O⇄H2+CO2  (relation 2) Then H2 (40 mol %) is mixed with CO2 (55 mol %), CO (3 mol %) and H2S (1-3 mol %) from the original hydrocarbons source. A number of methods are known to separate and purify H2, such as: i) cryogenic distillation, allowing a purity up to 95%, ii) separation using a polymer membrane, allowing a purity up to 98%, iii) adsorption on a molecular sieve or pressure swing adsorption (PSA), allowing a purity up to about 99.9%, and iv) separation using a metal membrane, allowing a purity of more than to about 99.95%. In a number of applications such as in H2 supply of fuel cells and specific files of specialized chemical industry, H2 with a purity above 99.999% is needed. For example, fuel cells must be supplied with H2 containing less than 100 ppm carbon monoxide or sulfur. In order to achieve such of purity levels, additional purification stages are needed after the stages of H2 production. H2 purification using metal membranes allow achieving high purity levels and thus look promising for such applications. Purification by adsorption on a molecular sieve or pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is the most widely used method on production sites. In this method, each adsorbent bed goes through adsorption, depressurization, purging at low pressure and pressurization steps in a continuous operation of the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit. The gas flow and distribution among the beds is monitored by a complex network of valves and tubing, which makes the system delicate and the method expensive. Moreover, a dead load in the tubing and valves of the system significantly reduces the yield and efficiency of the method. Finally, the method requires cooling down the gas exiting the water gas shift (WGS) reactor from about 400° C. to 40° C. before going through the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit, which results in high energy losses. In contrast, if the H2 separation is done at high temperature, the purification could be integrated within the water gas shift (WGS) reactor or even within a steam reforming reactor, which would allow avoiding cooling of the gas, and therefore allow significant energy savings and method simplification. H2 separation at high temperature is possible using membranes that are permeable to hydrogen. In such a method, molecular H2 at a temperature between about 450° C. and 500° C. is adsorbed at the surface of a membrane and dissociated into atomic H before diffusing within the membrane. Under the effect of the concentration gradient, the atomic H crosses the membrane and recombines on its opposite surface to form H2. As the membrane is impermeable to the other species, i.e. CO, CO2, etc. . . . , the membrane thus allows separating and purifying gas H2 (see FIG. 1). In theory, in absence of openings in the membrane, an infinite selectivity can be achieved. H2 separation occurs in a passive way, i.e. in absence of any mobile element, which makes the method very easy to operate and reliable. Such a method is very flexible and can easily be integrated with different types of reactors. As hydrogen is soluble in palladium, palladium can be used for separation of hydrogen from other gases that are not soluble in palladium. However, at a high concentration of hydrogen in palladium, a phase transformation occurs which renders the membrane fragile. Moreover, Pd reacts with H2S present in the mixture of gases being separated and forms palladium sulfildes, causing a significant drop of H2 solubility and therefore an efficiency drop of the separation method. In order to overcome these problems, palladium-based alloys are used with different temperatures at which H2 causes the above-mentioned phase transformation to increase the resistance to poisoning. There are different methods available to prepare palladium-based alloys, namely metallurgical methods (vacuum arc melting, casting), physical vapor deposition (PVD) methods (magnetron sputtering, pulse laser deposition), electrochemical and electroless deposition. Generally, metallurgical methods are used for the preparation of stand-alone membranes, while the other methods mentioned above are preferred when preparing supported membranes on porous substrates. Metallurgical methods rely on long heat treatments at high temperatures to achieve homogenous alloys. Alloys can be formed in one single step with PVD techniques, however scaling up is not straightforward. Electroless deposition consists in chemically reducing target metal salts ions that deposit on the surface of a substrate. The reduction is done in sequence, and followed by a thermal treatment to favor diffusion of the metallic ions and alloy formation. Alternatively, metallic powders of pure elements may be mixed and pressed on the substrate before applying a thermal treatment forming an alloy. In both cases, the duration and temperature of the thermal treatment are adapted according to a desired alloy composition. There is still a need in the art for a method and system for fabrication of hydrogen-permeable membranes.

This invention relates to an apparatus for the aerial dispensing of articles, such as planting containers. For reforestation, particularly in remote or difficult terrain, it is desirable to be able to perform the planting operation from aircraft. However, to date, no entirely satisfactory system has been devised. Aerial methods presently in use consist of dispensing seeds or seeds coated with material such as clay. Because of the low incidence of germination this method requires very large numbers of seeds, and the spacing of trees is difficult to control. U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,962 by J. Walters describes a method and apparatus for the aerial planting of containerized seeds or seedlings including an apparatus for dispensing the containers from an aircraft. In the dispensing apparatus shown the containers are fed along guideways by container engaging arms attached to endless chains, differing substantially from the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention 2. Description of the Need for the Invention Many persons, particularly elderly and disabled persons, often desire to have an accessory, such as a foot rest, which can be used in a variety of ways. In one usage, a person might wish to elevate the foot or both feet in order to alleviate a physical condition, such as pain that is occasioned by having the foot occupy a restrained position for a prolonged period of time. In other usages, the foot rest can provide a suitable support when the person is seated or is in a position where such support is desired. The prior art provides a number of footrest. One type is provided by a frame that is inserted into separated slots of a plate, but this arrangement is not adjustable in height or width. Other solutions have been proposed which typically are complex and costly. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a support that is inexpensive and simple to construct and can meet the requirements of persons who wish to adjustably support body appendages such as legs in order to satisfy a physical or exercise requirement.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea and given the cultivar name ‘Meteor Pink’. Echinacea is in the family Asteraceae. The new cultivar is part of a planned breeding program for a series with compact habits and double “anemone”-type inflorescences. The exact parents of this selection are unknown, unnamed, proprietary interspecific hybrids of Echinacea paradoxa×Echinacea purpurea. Compared to Echinacea ‘Secret Romance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,036), the new cultivar is shorter and has inflorescences with contrasting bright pink disc florets and light pink ray florets rather than all medium pink. Compared to Echinacea ‘Pink Double Delight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,803), the new cultivar is shorter, has more crowns, and a more upright habit, with larger inflorescences that are a different shade of pink. This new Echinacea cultivar is distinguished by: 1. enlarged disc florets forming an anemone-type inflorescence, 2. light pink ray florets and medium pink disc florets, 3. ray florets which are held horizontally, 4. a short, mounding habit with excellent stem count, and 5. excellent vigor. This new cultivar has been reproduced only by asexual propagation (division and tissue culture). Each of the progeny exhibits identical characteristics to the original plant. Asexual propagation by division and tissue culture using standard micropropagation techniques with terminal and lateral shoots, as done in Canby, Oreg., shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

Solid-state memory, such as flash, is currently in use in solid-state drives (SSD) to augment or replace conventional hard disk drives (HDD), writable CD (compact disk) or writable DVD (digital versatile disk) drives, collectively known as spinning media, and tape drives, for storage of large amounts of data. Flash and other solid-state memories have characteristics that differ from spinning media. Yet, many solid-state drives are designed to conform to hard disk drive standards for compatibility reasons, which makes it difficult to provide enhanced features or take advantage of unique aspects of flash and other solid-state memory. Address spaces optimized for spinning media may be suboptimal for solid-state memory. It is within this context that the embodiments arise.

The present invention relates to the general field of cooling a turbomachine rotor disk that is located downstream from the cone for driving the disk in rotation. The invention relates more precisely to a device for cooling the slots in such a disk that have the blades mounted therein. One of the fields of application of the invention is that of low-pressure turbines for aviation turbomachines of the bypass and two-spool type. Each stage of the low-pressure turbine of a turbomachine is made up of a nozzle formed by a plurality of stationary vanes placed in a flow passage, and a rotary wheel placed behind of the nozzle and formed by a plurality of movable blades likewise placed in the flow passage and mounted via their roots in slots in a rotor disk. The rotor disks of the turbine are generally assembled to one another by means of rings that are fastened together by bolted connections passing through fastener flanges. The resulting disk assembly is itself connected to a turbine shaft via a cone in order to be driven in rotation. In operation, the flow passage through the low-pressure turbine passes gas at a temperature that is very high. In order to avoid damaging the rotor disks and the blades mounted thereon, it is known to cool these parts by causing cool air to flow into the slots of the rotor disks. For this purpose, one of the known solutions consists in taking cooler air (for example from the high-pressure compressor of the turbomachine) and taking it via a cooling circuit to the slots of the rotor disks. For example, the air that is taken may be conveyed to the slots of the disks by passing via notches formed in the fastener flanges of the ring of the disk between the bolted connections. Reference may be made to document EP 2 009 235, which describes an example of such a cooling device. Unfortunately, that type of cooling device is not applicable to all existing low-pressure turbines. In particular, it is not always possible to have recourse to a cooling device of the kind described above for cooling the disk that is situated directly downstream from the cone for driving the disks in rotation, because of leaks appearing at the fastener flanges.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable transportable structure that when deployed provides a truly collapsible, transportable, insulated and lightweight structure that is safe, reliable and internationally compliant. Its designed flexibility provides maximum convenience for the following: quick deployment to nearly any geographic location; use of varying component materials and sizes; and interconnectability of single units for multiple unit combinations. The ability of the structure to be air-dropped also allows service to the most remote locations where shelter or facility use is needed. 2. Description of the Prior Art Typically, supplied conventional structures offer only one or a few of a complete set of required properties that include: an easily erectable configuration for fast field installation; a requirement of NO tools or separate parts and pieces for assembly; a capability for remote deployment; a specific insulation value if needed; structural integrity; long-term durability; a design that allows for flexible use of materials choice and the potential to combine together multiple units. U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,818 describes a “collapsible” structure having improved storage and shipping properties which are achieved by specific designing of the size, shape and hingeable connection positions whereas said structure is erectable and collapsible within minutes utilizing a minimal amount of tools and effort. Geometric and dimensional limitations will not allow this structure to physically collapse into a stackable configuration as claimed. The roof panels will not be able to completely stretch out to lay flat when the roof panels are of a long enough dimension to form a gabled configuration, as their combined length when laying flat is much longer than the available length that the wall panels provide when they are in their folded flat configuration. An attempt to collapse the roof panels into a fully folded flat position will cause the wall panels below to hinge-bind dramatically resulting in neither of the roof or wall panels being able to lay completely flat. Alternately, when the wall panels are in a completely folded flat position the gable roof panels will not be allowed to fully stretch out and lay flat. In summary, the designed geometry will not allow full complete collapse of the stacked panels. All Sections and Claims within U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,818 refer to the invention as being a fully collapsible structure, which it will not be able to accomplish. This may be why it has not been adopted for large scale use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,514 describes a “modular portable building unit” susceptible to air transport, and includes a roof, foldable side walls and foldable end walls having the same width as the height of the side walls. Three of the modular building units can be interfitted (sic) to form a building having four times as much floor space as the single modular building unit. The inclusion of a floor in the modular building is optional, and the inclusion of a separate pitched roof assembly for positive roof drainage is optional. Additional object of the invention is to provide a modular building unit that when folded down will allow transport by air or truck, and to allow combinations of multiple units together. This method is limited by the gable end panels being separate components, and the separate fastening components and systems required to erect and/or collapse the unit. Redeployment and transport of this structure can be accomplished only after a very time consuming and tedious removal of many parts and pieces has been done. The lack of provisions for a passage opening, door, or other means shown for ingress or egress between the connected units is detrimental to the function and internal occupant flow of the connected units. Therefore no added value to the user from connecting the units together is recognized, and this may be why this system has not been adopted for large scale use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,343 describes a hollow, generally rectilinear structure having a top, a bottom, sides and ends that can be constructed so as to be capable of being manipulated between a “normal” or unfolded type configuration and a collapsed or folded configuration in which the ends extend generally parallel to and beneath the top and in which the sides are folded so as to be located next to the ends generally between the bottom and the top. Such a structure includes hinges connecting the ends to the top so that they can be pivoted so as to lie generally parallel to the top. Such a structure is disclosed as having utility as a playhouse or storage shed but can be utilized for other purposes such as a container. This structure is limited in that the gable end panels are separate panels that are hinged to the roof panel. The erection of the unit will not be manageable by the roof having to carry the added weight of the gable panels during erection of the side walls and roof panels at the same time. This will be completely unmanageable in the field. The structure also does not have means for combination of multiple units, or optional door placement locations, or a window to provide ventilation. This may be why this structure has not been adopted for field use, and is not a presently being manufactured. U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,671 describes an adjustable door frame having frame portions formed by first and second frame sections cooperatively arrangeable (sic) on a wall of an opening. This method provides adjustability only to the door frame for installation to variable wall thicknesses, and can only provide one of four possible door swing functions or configurations when installed. The mitered head jamb and casing pieces directly attach to the mitered hinge and strike jambs. This static configuration does not allow for the potential inversion of the hinge and strike jambs that would be required so that the entire door and frame assembly could be installed in either a right or left hand, or inside or outside, door swing configuration. In order for a door frame assembly to be completely and fully adjustable both of the hinge and strike jamb components must have the ability to be inverted and attachable to either the head or sill components so that the entire frame and door assembly can be installed in any of the 4 each possible swing configurations. This may be why this invention has not been adapted for field structures use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,855 describes a pre-fabricated door frame assembly, the components which are adjustable and such that the assembly can be used for either right or left handed doors and can fit a wide variety of widths and heights of door openings through walls of varying thicknesses. This method is designed to attach to standard constructed building walls that are normally much wider than the thinner wall panels typically used for flat-pack shelter units, and requires separate fasteners and tools for attachment to the wall system. This invention also does not include an integrated threshold or weather strip component for exterior wall use, which would be necessary for shelter units that would be deployed in hot or cold climates. This invention has limited use in that is does not offer diversity and the flexibility to be used in both interior and/or exterior applications, and it is not easily reversible or re-installable in the field without the use of tools or separate fasteners that may or may not be available. U.S. Pat. No. 3,420,003 describes an adjustable door frame that adjusts to varying wall thicknesses, and can be installed quickly and easily with screws that go directly into the wall system. It consists of several longitudinal trim and jamb components that overlap and stay in place by ratchet teeth and backing plates that when the installation screw component is installed the separate pieces become locked into place. This method is designed to attach to standard constructed building walls, and requires separate fasteners and tools for attachment to the wall system. This invention also does not include an integrated threshold or weather strip component for exterior wall use, which would be necessary for shelter units that would be deployed in hot or cold climates. This invention has limited use in that is does not offer diversity and the flexibility to be used in both interior and/or exterior applications, and it is not easily reversible or re-installable in the field without the use of tools or separate fasteners that may or may not be available. U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,799 describes a hinge assembly for pivotally adjoining two panels together such as a shower door and its enclosure. A pair of continuous channel members are provided which are provided with an axial aligned rod and tubular channel for rotatably (sic) receiving the rod. This method includes a weather strip component that protrudes beyond the profile of the wall panel extrusions. This component could not be utilized in a foldable structure as the protrusion will not allow adjacent and connected together wall panels to lay flat against each other when the structure is in a collapsed position.

The posterior eye segment tissue such as vitreous body, retina, choroid, and sclera is an important domain for visual performance. If the domain is damaged, it may often cause severely-reduced visual acuity or visual loss. Typical diseases in posterior eye segment include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, macular edema, myopic choroidal neovascularization, retinal vein occlusion, choroidal neovascularization, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and central serous chorioretinopathy. In particular, age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy is main diseases causing visual loss in late-middle-aged to senile people in developed countries such as Europe, America, and Japan, which is a very problematic disease in ophthalimic clinic and also in whole society (Patent Literature 1). In general, the drug delivery to the posterior eye segment such as retina via blood is severely limited with blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in the posterior eye segment. When a drug is administered in eyedrops, most of the drug can be quickly discharged from the eye surface by tear-turnover and then transferred to blood in general-circulation via nasolacrimal canal (Non-Patent Literature 1). Thus, if the amount of a drug in an ophthalmic formulation is 100, the amount of the delivered drug administered in eyedrops is 0.1-0.5 in cornea to which the drug is most transferred; 0.01-0.1 in anterior aqueous humor/iris and ciliary; and about 0.0001 in lens and vitreous body, i.e., it has been known that the delivered amount is too low (Non-Patent Literature 2). In addition, it is generally thought that a drug can be hardly delivered to the posterior eye segment by the administration in eyedrops because the posterior eye segment locates in further back of lens or vitreous body. And, it is generally thought that an ophthalmic suspension which is used in case of a low-water-soluble drug is more difficult to be delivered to the posterior eye segment by the administration in eyedrops than a normal ophthalmic solution, because such drug is not dissolved in water and thus it is generally hardly absorbed into intraocular site (Non-Patent Literature 3). There are some ophthalmic suspensions in clinical practice, but the use is limited in a disease in anterior eye segment such as conjunctivitis. It is thought that the means to make a drug delivered to the posterior eye segment are only an injection into vitreous body or a surgery, or a systemic administration via general circulation blood, i.e., the other means are very difficult (Patent Literature 4, Non-Patent Literature 4). A disease in posterior eye segment is an eye disease causing a severe symptom, but there are few useful drugs for it, and furthermore the administration is limited because the targeting site is the posterior eye segment where a drug is hard to be delivered. Thus, the treatment for the disease is now done by the injection of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) into vitreous body, the injection of a steroid into vitreous body or Tenon capsule, the photodynamic therapy (PDT), the surgery of vitreous body, etc. However, all of these current treatments, i.e., injection into eyes, etc., are very invasive for patients, and inflict pain to patients, thus it has been desired to develop a new administration such as eyedrops. (R)-(−)-2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-4-spiro-3′-pyrrolidine-1,2′,3,5′-tetrone (ranirestat) (hereinafter, defined as “Compound A”) has a potent action inhibiting aldose reductase, and the compound is also a low-toxic compound, thus the compound are useful as a drug for treating diabetic complication (Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3).

The present invention relates to pens, and more particularly to a combination pen and stylus. Pens can be used to write on a surface, typically using ink. Pens typically include a writing tip and a cap that covers the writing tip when not in use. Different types of writing tips include ballpoint, fountain, marking, and rollerball writing tips. Styluses are another type of writing instrument and are typically used with touch screens, such as resistive touch screens and capacitive touch screens.

Schema mappings are declarative expressions that specify how data that conforms to one or more source schemas is transformed into data that conforms to a target schema. Such mappings can be viewed, in general, as high-level specifications of the data exchange process, and they can be compiled into multiple programming/query languages for the actual implementation of data exchange. A popular logical language for expressing schema mappings is the language of source-to-target tuple-generating dependencies, or source-to-target tgds. A schema mapping from source to target is invertible if there is a schema mapping from target to source that can completely recover the data source (see Ronald Fagin, Inverting Schema Mappings. PODS 2006, pages 50-59). Existing methods of inverting (i.e., reversing) schema mappings are problematic. For example, most schema mappings in practice cannot be reversed for such reasons as a mapping may not export all source data (some filtering usually takes place), or several data sources may be integrated into one target instance which is a typical union scenario in which the information of where the data “came from” is lost. Thus, there is a need for a method and system of reversing schema mappings that overcome at least one of the aforementioned difficulties with existing techniques for reversing schema mappings.

There exists a long-felt need for safe, inexpensive, easy-to-use, and reliable technologies for energy storage. Large scale energy storage enables diversification of energy supply and optimization of the energy grid. Existing renewable-energy systems (e.g., solar- and wind-based systems) enjoy increasing prominence as energy producers explore non-fossil fuel energy sources, however storage is required to ensure a high quality energy supply when sunlight is not available and when wind does not blow. Flow battery energy storage systems have been proposed for large-scale energy storage. But existing storage systems suffer from a variety of performance and cost limitations, including, for example, system scalability, round trip energy efficiencies (RTEff), cycle life, and other areas. Despite significant development effort, no flow battery technology has yet achieved widespread commercial adoption, owing to the materials and engineering hurdles that make system economics unfavorable. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved flow batteries.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,169, filed Dec. 30, 2004 describes a system of interacting with a virtual representation of a real world product. According to this system, a user can buy a toy or item which is associated with a special code. The toy exists in the real world, and the code forms a key to the virtual world. The user enters the code on a website and enters the virtual world. The virtual world 110 provides activities and views with which the user can interact. The virtual world, as part of the interaction, provides a virtual replica 115 of the actual toy 100. Users can carry out various activities on the website using their virtual version of the toy. For example, the user can form a house with rooms, furniture, clothing, and other items. The user can also carry out activities to earn cash, and purchase virtual items using that cash.

The invention relates to methods for depositing samples having the features of the preamble of claim 1, in particular to methods for forming sample arrays in compartments of reaction substrates or reaction plates, such as microtitre plates for example, and to devices for implementing such methods. It is generally known in biochemistry and genetic engineering to carry out chemical reactions with very small sample volumes using an array technique, in which the reactants are deposited as sample arrangements (arrays) on substrates, brought to reaction and observed. The substrates used are typically glass surfaces onto which very small amounts of sample (e.g. pl volumes) are applied for example by means of so-called picking-spotting tools. Picking-spotting tools have the advantage that the samples can be positioned with high accuracy. However, it is disadvantageous that operation thereof is time-intensive and places particular requirements on the substrate and its physical accessibility. As an alternative, the samples can be applied to the substrate in a contactless manner by means of piezoelectric dispensers, and these have advantages in terms of the speed and the ability to be used in the case of different forms of substrate. However, contactless deposition of samples, in which no contact takes place between the sample dispenser and the substrate surface, may give rise to reduced accuracy in terms of sample positioning. The droplets or particles of sample move along a trajectory from the sample dispenser to the substrate, wherein the course of the trajectory is known only if the dispenser has been carefully calibrated and can easily be disrupted by external influences. This poses a problem in particular when producing arrays with high sample densities. Particular problems may arise during the contactless positioning of samples onto substrates which are made at least partially of plastics materials. Experience has shown in practice that it has to date not been possible to use piezoelectric dispensers to produce dense arrays on plastic substrates with high accuracy and reproducibility. There is particular interest in forming arrays on the bottoms of the compartments of reaction plates, such as microtitre plates or nanotitre plates for example. These reaction plates usually comprise wells made of plastic. When samples are deposited into the wells by means of piezoelectric dispensers, the samples often do not land at the intended positions on the bottom of the well but rather on the walls of the well for example.

In a known manually controlled valve of this type, the translation motion of the valve member is controlled by a control screw which passes through a tapped hole formed in the end face opposite to said first orifice and connected to the valve member by a circular "head" which is held in a T-shaped groove in the valve member, with the other end of the screw having a drive head. The valve body is made gastight by a metal bellows connecting the piston valve member to the end face of the valve through which said control screw passes. Such a valve is driven relatively slowly since several complete turns of the screw are necessary to close the valve. In addition, such a valve is relatively expensive because of the metal bellows. An object of the present invention is to mitigate these drawbacks and to provide a valve which is cheap and which can be driven quickly.

This invention relates to a winding machine for coil bobbins and more particularly, to a winding machine for minute coil bobbins which are adapted to be mounted on the base plates of microcomputer chips or the like and suitably employed as electronic parts of such devices. A variety of winding machines for such purpose have been conventionally proposed and practically employed, and the winding machine of such type usually requires part or bobbin transport mechanisms and soldering machanisms, respectively, corresponding in number to a plurality of bobbin mount jigs arranged in a row on the index carriage which moves reciprocally in the axial direction thereof and rotates in forward and reverse directions about the axis thereof. And since the bobbin mount jigs are adapted to be rotated by a chain so as to present the bobbins loaded thereon to different steps, the direction in which the jigs move the bobbins for processing is limited and in an extreme case, a so-called dead space is formed which results in a large size machine and requires a large space for installation. The provision of the bobbin transport mechanisms in a number corresponding to that of the bobbin mount jigs may inflict damages to the bobbins while they are transferred from one transport mechanism to another.

1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to acoustic devices and, particularly, to a thermoacoustic device. 2. Description of Related Art Acoustic devices generally include a signal device and a sound wave generator electrically connected to the signal device. The signal device inputs signals to the sound wave generator, such as loudspeakers. A loudspeaker is an electro-acoustic transducer that converts electrical signals into sound. There are different types of loudspeakers that can be categorized according to their working principle, such as electro-dynamic loudspeakers, electromagnetic loudspeakers, electrostatic loudspeakers, and piezoelectric loudspeakers. These various types of loudspeakers use mechanical vibration to produce sound waves. In other words they all achieve “electro-mechanical-acoustic” conversion. Among the various types, the electro-dynamic loudspeakers are the most widely used. A thermophone based on the thermoacoustic effect was made by H. D. Arnold and I. B. Crandall (H. D. Arnold and I. B. Crandall, “The thermophone as a precision source of sound,” Phys. Rev. 10, pp22-38 (1917)). However, the thermophone adopting the platinum strip produces weak sounds because the heat capacity per unit area of the platinum strip is too high. What is needed, therefore, is to provide a thermoacoustic device having good sound effect and high efficiency.

The present disclosure relates to artificial intelligence (AI) and computer machine learning and particularly to a computer implemented system for management of actions in response to errors associated to error screens. Data structures have been employed for improving operation of computer system. A data structure refers to an organization of data in a computer environment for improved computer system operation. Data structure types include containers, lists, stacks, queues, tables and graphs. Data structures have been employed for improved computer system operation e.g. in terms of algorithm efficiency, memory usage efficiency, maintainability, and reliability. Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to intelligence exhibited by machines. Artificial intelligence (AI) research includes search and mathematical optimization, neural networks and probability. Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions involve features derived from research in a variety of different science and technology disciplines ranging from computer science, mathematics, psychology, linguistics, statistics, and neuroscience. Machine learning has been described as the field of study that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed (Samuel).

There is known a system for providing a service that stores data such as a still image, a moving image, or a sound uploaded from a user device. For example, there is known a service that allows the data uploaded from the user device to be shared between limited users, a service that makes the data uploaded (posted) from the user device public, or other such service.

The present invention relates generally to electromagnetic actuators, and more particularly, to a stator lamination and outer housing of an actuator. The desirability of and need for a rotary electromagnetic actuators has been recognized for years. A factor in the effectiveness of rotary electromagnetic actuators is the ability of the actuator to convert electromagnetic forces into useful output torque. That is, the efficiency of the actuator in converting electromagnetic forces into useful output torque is of primary importance. In some rotary actuator designs, a significant factor in this conversion is the presence of undesired air gaps in the actuator, and more specifically, the presence of air gaps between an outer enclosure and a stator in the actuator. For rotary actuators in which a magnetic flux path is formed by a rotor, a stator lamination stack, and an outer enclosure, such undesired air gaps greatly reduce the torque output of the actuator and lead to significant inefficiency in converting electromagnetic forces into useful output torque by creating undesirable reluctance. Useful output torque is maximized when the stator-armature gap provides a flux path having a minimal reluctance. In an effort to minimize or eliminate this undesirable air gap, the interface between the stator lamination stack and an inner surface of the outer housing needs to be a precision line-to-line fit to eliminate a performance-reducing air gap. In an effort to form this line-to-line fit, current technology relies on a method to heat outer enclosure to expand its inner diameter in order to press the stator lamination into the enclosure. That is, the outer circular enclosure is heated to a desired temperature, and then the stator lamination stack is pressed into the outer enclosure. As the outer enclosure cools, it creates a press fit between the two parts. Such a process, however, is complex and costly, and additionally, may not always form an adequate line-to-line fit at desired locations in the actuator so as to form an efficient flux path. In another commonly used method, the outer enclosure is made from sheet metal that is wrapped around the stator lamination stack. An additional adhesive may be employed to form a solid connection between the outer enclosure and the stator laminations to prevent unwanted rotation or axial translation therebetween. However, such an adhesive can function as an undesirable air gap and increase reluctance. Furthermore, application of the outer enclosure in such a manner results in a seam within the enclosure, which leaves the actuator unsealed. Therefore, a need exists for a stator lamination design and method of positioning the stator lamination within an outer enclosure is efficient and cost effective. Additionally, it is desired that such a stator lamination design and construction method assures a line-to-line fit between the stator lamination stack and outer enclosure so as to eliminate a performance reducing air gap therebetween and form an efficient magnetic flux path.