Abstract: A tubular actuator includes, a restrictor disposed at a tubular that is engageably receptive to a runnable member run thereagainst as long as pressure remains above a latch pressure, the restrictor configured to allow passage of the runnable member after a delay at pressure equal to or below the latch pressure.

Abstract: A method of predicting severity of a potential collision of first and second vehicles. The method includes determining that a probability of a potential collision of the vehicles is greater than a threshold value. Vehicle condition-defining signals are exchanged between the vehicles when the probability of the potential collision is greater than the threshold value including a first vehicle condition-defining signal developed on board the first vehicle and a second vehicle condition-defining signal developed onboard the second vehicle. The method further includes predicting onboard the first vehicle a severity of the potential collision for the first vehicle based upon input that includes the first vehicle condition-defining signal and the second vehicle condition-defining signal. A severity of the potential collision for the second vehicle is predicted onboard the second vehicle based upon the second vehicle condition-defining signal and the first vehicle condition-defining signal.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate-polyester, comprising units of formula wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups are divalent aromatic organic radicals and the balance thereof are divalent aliphatic or alicyclic radicals; units of formula wherein T is a C7-20 divalent alkyl aromatic radical or a C6-20 divalent aromatic radical, and D is a divalent C6-20 aromatic radical; and units of the formula wherein R2 and R3 are each independently a halogen or a C1-6 alkyl group, R4 is a methyl or phenyl group, each c is independently 0 to 4, and T is as described above. A method of making a copolycarbonate-polyester is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating binge eating disorders, obesity resulting from binge eating behavior, and depression. The invention includes methods of treating certain co-morbidities in ADHD and ADD patients; for example the invention includes methods of treating generalized anxiety disorder, obsessional and ruminative thought disorders, and obsessive/compulsive behavior in ADHD and ADD patients. The invention also includes combination methods of treatment in which an amphetamine prodrug, methylphenidate prodrug, or methylphenidate analog is administered with one or more other active agents. Packaged pharmaceutical compositions containing an amphetamine or methylphenidate prodrug, instructions for using the prodrug to treat certain disorders, and optionally one or more other active agents are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The LCD includes a first insulating substrate, protrusion patterns spaced apart from each other on the first insulating substrate, pixel electrodes disposed on the protrusion patterns and having a cutout between the protrusion patterns, metal patterns disposed on the protrusion patterns and overlapping top surfaces of the protrusion patterns, a second insulating substrate facing the first insulating substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit board comprises an anisotropic film disposed outwardly from a first flexible dielectric layer, and a second flexible dielectric layer disposed outwardly from the anisotropic film. The first and second flexible dielectric layers each have at least one conductive trace conductively coupled to a pad. The anisotropic film forms a via region that conductively couples the pad of the first flexible dielectric layer to the pad of the second flexible dielectric layer, and electrically isolates the conductive trace of the first flexible dielectric layer from the conductive trace of the second flexible dielectric layer.

Abstract: An orientation controller which divides a pixel into a plurality of different priority alignment regions and an additional orientation controller are provided in a pixel. The additional orientation controller is provided at least at an end of a pixel of a long-side alignment region formed along the long side of the pixel among the divided alignment regions, for example, around a center position of the long side of the pixel. The additional orientation controller can be realized, for example, by forming a cutout pattern in a side of a first electrode (pixel electrode) forming a part of the pixel. Because the alignment direction is also controlled by the additional orientation controller, the alignment of liquid crystal in this region is stabilized.

Abstract: A computing system processes memory transactions for parallel processing of multiple threads of execution by support of which an application need not be aware. The computing system transactional memory support provides a Transaction Table in memory and a method of fast detection, of potential conflicts between multiple transactions. Special instructions may mark the boundaries of a transaction and identify memory locations applicable to a transaction. A ‘private to transaction’ (PTRAN) tag, directly addressable as part of the main data storage memory location, enables a quick detection of potential conflicts with other transactions that are concurrently executing on another thread of said computing system. The tag indicates whether (or not) a data entry in memory is part of a speculative memory state of an uncommitted transaction that is currently active in the system.

Abstract: A membrane contactor system for use in separating carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream in a continuous flow process comprising a housing defining a gas flow path and comprising a first outlet for the carbon dioxide and a second outlet for the purified gas; an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane positioned in the housing to allow the gaseous stream to flow across a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane, the membrane having a plurality of interconnecting pores configured to allow the carbon dioxide to diffuse therethrough; an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on the surfaces to form a coated membrane; and an amine based sorbent liquid disposed on a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane opposite the gas, wherein the amine based sorbent liquid is configured to absorb the carbon dioxide from the gaseous stream.

Abstract: In image processing in which each small area included in color image data, which is represented by C, M, Y, and K, is expressed by a predetermined number of representative colors, values of color parameters are obtained for a small area from the values of the color parameters for C, M, Y, and K for each pixel in the small area, so that the values of the color parameters have degrees of variation being compensated to become smaller in the group as the value for black becomes larger. One color parameter to be targeted is selected (#104) based on the degree of variation in the values of individual color parameters in the group. A reference value to be used for grouping the pixels is obtained based on the relationship between the values of the color parameter to be targeted in the group and the quantities of pixels in the group. Based on the reference value, the pixels are divided into groups (#106), and a representative color for each group is obtained (#109).

Abstract: A Refrigerating system (2) comprises a refrigerating circuit (4) having, in flowing direction, a compressor (8), a gas cooler (10), a first expansion device (12), an intermediate pressure container (14), a second expansion device (16), an evaporator (18) and refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) circulating a refrigerant therethrough. The first expansion device (12) expands the refrigerant to an intermediate pressure level. A first refrigerant conduit (22) of the refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) connects the compressor (8) and the gas cooler (10), and a second refrigerant conduit (24) of the refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) connects the gas cooler (10) and the first expansion device (12), the first refrigerant conduit (22), the gas cooler (10), and the second refrigerant conduit (24) forming a transcritical portion of the refrigerating circuit (4).

Abstract: A steam turbine includes a turbine rotor, a generator end having a generator end first stage with a first reaction, and a turbine end having a turbine end first stage with a second reaction not equal to the first reaction. The steam turbine includes a tub section disposed between the generator end and the turbine end, the turbine rotor and the tub section defining an annulus therebetween. A difference between the first reaction and second reaction is capable of urging a steam flow through the annulus for reducing a temperature of the turbine rotor. A method of cooling the turbine rotor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor may include a stator provided with a yoke having a plurality of pole teeth and an exciting coil and a rotor disposed in a circular space surrounded by the pole teeth. A portion where a difference between an inner side area of the pole tooth facing the rotor and an outer side area of the pole tooth facing the exciting coil is larger than a difference between the inner side area and the outer side area of the pole tooth where both circumferential direction faces of the pole tooth are formed in faces coincided with normal lines may be provided on a root part of the pole tooth. Further, circumferential direction faces of at least a root part of the pole tooth are formed so as to face the rotor in an inclined manner.

Abstract: Methods and system/apparatus as can be used to determine a material mechanical modulus on length scales as can be of biological cell dimension.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated protein derived from an N-terminal of HveA/HVEM and having activity of increasing the cell infectivity of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and use thereof.

Abstract: A reinforcing member is formed at a top surface side of a probe card including a support plate for supporting a contactor and a circuit board. A plurality of long guide holes are formed in an outer peripheral portion of the reinforcing member. Fixing members fixed to a holding member and collars formed around outer circumferences of the fixing members are formed in the guide holes. A length in a longitudinal direction of each of the guide holes is greater than a diameter of each of the collars, and a central line in the longitudinal direction of each of the guide holes passes through a center of the reinforcing member. Due to the guide holes, horizontal expansion of the reinforcing member itself is allowed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating gate electrode/high-k dielectric gate structures having an improved resistance to the growth of silicon dioxide (oxide) at the dielectric/silicon-based substrate interface. In an embodiment, a method of forming a transistor gate structure comprises: incorporating nitrogen into a silicon-based substrate proximate a surface of the substrate; depositing a high-k gate dielectric across the silicon-based substrate; and depositing a gate electrode across the high-k dielectric to form the gate structure. In one embodiment, the gate electrode comprises titanium nitride rich in titanium for inhibiting diffusion of oxygen.

Abstract: Utilization of at least one resource is managed in a computer system by monitoring usage of capacity of the computer resource, including monitoring usage of base capacity of the computer resource and marginal capacity of the computer resource exceeding the base capacity and determining whether usage of the computer resource exceeds a predetermined threshold. The determination may be based on an average usage of multiple computer resources over the predetermined time period. If usage of the computer resource exceeds the predetermined threshold, a charge for the usage of the computer resources is adjusted by an amount based on the usage of the computer resources exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A rotor of a turbomachine is provided. The rotor includes at least first and second rotor portions and at least first and second blades. The first and second rotor portions are configured to rotate about an axis. The first and second rotor portions have first and second rim portions, respectively, which are spaced a predetermined distance apart from one another and have a perimetrical slot therebetween. The first and second rim portions have first and second dovetail slots, respectively, extending therethrough communicating with the perimetrical slot. The first and second blades have first and second dovetail portions, respectively. The first dovetail portion is disposed in one of the first and second dovetail slots, and the second dovetail portion is disposed in the other of the first and second dovetail slots. The perimetrical slot has a sufficient size to pass the first and second blades therethrough when the first and second blades are removed from the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power factor correction circuit that can reduce distortion of input current in a switching mode power supply. The power factor correction circuit provided in the present invention basically comprises a first inductor which is electrically connected at a first end thereof to an input terminal, a second coil that is coupled to the first inductor to form an induced voltage, a switch electrically connected to the a second terminal of the first inductor, and a switching control unit for controlling turn-on and turn-off of the switch. In such a power factor correction circuit of the present invention, the switching control unit is configured to differently set a turn-on period of the switch depending on the input voltage by generating a signal for controlling the turn-off of the switch using a second coil voltage induced at the secondary coil of the inductor by input voltage or a directly sensed input voltage. Accordingly, distortion of input current can be effectively corrected.