Abstract: A control unit 51 obtains a user ID of a user who enters a room from card reading information read by card readers so as to judge existence or nonexistence of an available image forming apparatus which has been judged in advance in accordance with the obtained user ID. The control unit selects the image forming apparatus with the highest frequency in use and turns on the power source thereof when the power source of any image forming apparatus is not made into an on state even when there are some image forming apparatuses which is available for the user who enters the room. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce power consumption by the image forming apparatus while improving convenience for a user in accordance with entrance and exit of the user.

Abstract: A case structure of an integrated package module for a hybrid vehicle is provided. A front case of the integrated package module is formed of a first front case having a receiving groove on a upper portion thereof and a second front case. The case structure can stably mount and support the integrated package module on a vehicle body in a safer and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 1 is arranged so that a hollow section 9 is formed between a solid-state imaging element 2 and a covering section 4 and an air path 7 is formed in an adhesive section 5 so as to extend from the hollow section 9 to the outside, wherein the adhesive section 5 is formed so as not to be positioned on a signal processing section 8 for processing a signal of the solid-state imaging element 2. This makes it possible to reduce noises occurring in the signal processing section of the semiconductor element while preventing occurrence of condensation in the covering section for covering the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A plant for generating biogas from organic biodegradable material containing liquid and solid components, such as waste products, in particular liquid manure from agricultural enterprises, comprises a biogas generation container (9) having a feed for the degradable material and a biogas collection zone (6) having a biogas outlet, and a flotation separation unit having a microbubble generation unit (15) for separating off the solid components from the liquid components of the degradable material. The flotation separation unit comprises a chamber region (14) which is delimited in the interior of the biogas generation container and essentially active in the direction of gravity and having a closed bottom and an open upper end arranged below the liquid level of the biogas generation container. Clarified liquid form the chamber region and a gas, in particular the biogas from the biogas collection region, can be fed to the microbubble generation unit for charging the liquid with gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for processing an image including means for receiving image information, means for queuing the image information, and means for receiving profile information for a plurality of image analysts. The system can further include means for selecting an image analyst from the plurality of image analysts by comparing the image information from the profile information. The invention also provides a machine readable program including a first input routine for receiving image information, a second input routine for receiving profile information for a plurality of image analysts, and a first run routine for queuing the image information. The machine readable program can also include a second run routine for selecting an image analyst from the plurality of image analysts by comparing the image information to the profile information.

Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method is carried out by forming solder pads on a substrate by wet etching, flipping a semiconductor chip having a plurality of connection bumps formed on an active surface of the semiconductor chip for the connection bumps to be mounted by compression on the solder pads of the substrate correspondingly, at a temperature of the compression between the connection bumps and the solder pads lower than the melting points of the solder pads and the connection bumps, so as to allow the semiconductor chip to be engaged with and electrically connected to the substrate through the connection bumps and the solder pads, thereby enhancing the bonding strength of the solder pads and the connection bumps and increasing the fabrication reliability.

Abstract: A control device for fast transient recovery of the output voltage of DC-DC converters. The control device is characterized by using a dual-threshold method to compare the actually received loading voltage values on the loading terminals of DC-DC converters, i.e., a total of four threshold levels including a negative-ripple falling-edge threshold and a negative-ripple rising-edge threshold on the negative polarity, and a positive-ripple rising-edge threshold and a positive-ripple falling-edge threshold on the positive polarity. During the transient, the load current charging/discharging control device disclosed in the invention may be switched between charging and discharging mode based on the relation between two-pairs threshold values and output voltage amplitude of DC-DC converters. This mechanism may allow DC-DC converters with higher slew rate to make transient ripples on output voltage to return to steady state more quickly.

Abstract: In one aspect a method for controlling a fuel cell vehicle is provided, comprising generating a torque (TACCEL) calculated based or an accelerator pedal depression value upon completion of start-up of a fuel cell and entering a fuel cell only mode; performing a torque limit control for the torque (TACCEL) calculated based on the accelerator pedal depression value; performing charging from the fuel cell to a power storage means while the vehicle moves slowly by the torque limit control under the fuel cell only mode; and directly connecting the fuel cell to the power storage means by a main relay to enter a hybrid mode, when a voltage difference between the fuel cell and the power storage means is within a predetermined range. Preferred methods can protect the fuel cell, reduce the time for vehicle start-up and improve driving performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and a fabrication method are disclosed. The fabrication method includes applying a sacrificial layer on one surface of a metal carrier, applying an insulation layer on the sacrificial layer, and forming through holes in the sacrificial layer and the insulation layer to expose the metal carrier; forming a conductive metallic layer in each through hole; forming a patterned circuit layer on the insulation layer to be electrically connected to the conductive metallic layer; mounting at least a chip on the insulation layer and electrically connecting the chip to the patterned circuit layer; forming an encapsulant to encapsulate the chip and the patterned circuit layer; and removing the metal carrier and the sacrificial layer to expose the insulation layer and conductive metallic layer to allow the conductive metallic layer to protrude from the insulation layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein-based biomarkers and biomarker combinations that are useful in qualifying Alzheimer's disease status in a patient. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify a subject sample as Alzheimer's disease or non-Alzheimer's disease. The biomarkers can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for determining when a latch for securing an engine cowl on an aircraft is secured by detecting the proximity of a latch hook and a latch pin. The sensor includes a resonant circuit configured and adapted to transmit a status signal when the latch is in a secured state. The sensor also includes a means for conveying status information of the latch to a location remote from the latch based on the status signal, the conveying means being operably connected to the resonant circuit. The invention also provides a method of determining when a latch is open or secured by detecting the proximity of a latch hook and a latch pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide with phospholipase activity and was isolated from Aspergillus and sequences derived therefrom, polypeptides with phospholipase activity encoded by these sequences as well as the use of these polypeptides for degumming of vegetable oil, for the preparation of dough and/or bakery products, for the preparation of dairy products, for processing steps in the textile industry and for related applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aryl- or heteroaryl compound represented by the formula (Ia) or (Ib) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compound has superior acid secretion inhibitory action, an antiulcer activity and the like.

Abstract: A base unit suitable to improve easy exchangeability of a function unit in a dual wiring system is provided. The base unit is mounted in a wall surface of a structure, and connected to both of an electric power line and an information line previously installed in the structure. The base unit has a module port, which is detachably connected to a module connector of the function unit to simultaneously establish both of supplying the electric power from the base unit to the function unit, and making a signal transmission between the base unit and the function unit, thereby enabling the function unit to provide at least one of functions for supplying electric power from the electric power line, outputting information from the information line and inputting information into the information line when connected with the base unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in a mobile machine for screeding floor surfaces. This comprises a housing with a planet disk (3), which is rotatably supported in the bottom of the said housing and driven by a drive motor (1). The planet disk carries a number of rotatably supported screeding disks, distributed over the planet disk (3) and operatively connected to the drive motor (1). According to the invention the number of screeding disks is an even number up to a maximum of six. Viewed in the direction of rotation of the planet disk (3), half the number of screeding disks have a direction of rotation coinciding with the planet disk (3) and the remaining screeding disks an opposing direction of rotation.

Abstract: A coating-film transfer tool is configured to positively absorb rotation of a head part caused when pressed and an effect of lean of the head part, and such a configuration contributes to favorable and uniform transfer. A member 4 is disposed at one end of a support column 2 supporting a head part 1 at the other end. A distance between the axial center of the support column 2 and its periphery varies depending on a position in the rotation direction. Sandwiching plates 3 resiliently sandwich the facing sides of the member 4 with the narrowest gap, when the head part 1 is not pressing a transfer target. When the head part 1 rotates around the axis of the support column 2 in a state pressing the transfer target, the member 4 rotates to forcibly and significantly widen the gap between the sandwiching plates and generate a restoring force.

Abstract: An electronic carrier board for a chip to be mounted thereon is provided, which includes a body and a plurality of solder pads. The solder pads have carrying surfaces for carrying the chip thereon through conductive bumps. The carrying surfaces of at least two solder pads are oppositely inclined with respect to each other, thereby preventing the conductive bumps mounted on the carrying surfaces from displacement and thereby further preventing two adjacent conductive bumps subject to displacement from coming into short-circuit contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a phosphorus-containing compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1-8 alkyl, haloalkyl, and alkoxy. The phosphorus-containing compound is prepared by bonding a bisphenol group to a phosphorus atom to prevent the phosphorus-containing heterocyclic molecule from exhibiting steric hindrance on hydroxyl functional groups, thereby increasing reactivity in the subsequent reactions.