Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes upper and lower dice that have source, drain and gate contacts, a first metal sheet sandwiched by the upper and lower dice and having source and gate terminals connected to the source and gate contacts of the upper and lower dice, and upper and lower second metal sheets sandwiching assembly of the upper and lower dice and the first metal sheet and respectively having drain terminals that are connected to the drain contacts of the upper and lower dice and that are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A method of making semiconductor device packages includes the steps of attaching a wafer to a dielectric layer, testing semiconductor devices in the wafer, and then dicing the layered assembly. The dielectric layer may be, for example, a flexible tape. The semiconductor devices may be chips containing integrated circuits or memory devices. The dicing operation may be performed by a circular saw or by another suitable apparatus. The chips may be connected to input/output devices, such as ball grid arrays, on the dielectric layer, before the testing and dicing steps. Full wafer testing may be-conducted through the ball grid arrays. A relatively stiff metal sheet may be included in the layered assembly before the testing and dicing steps. The metal material may be used as heat spreaders and/or as electrical ground planes. The chips may be connected to the ball grid arrays by wire bonds or flip chip bumps and vias through the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Outer leads extend outward from within a package that seals a semiconductor chip, and they are connected to the semiconductor chip inside the package. Depressions are formed at the distal end portions of the outer leads. The depressions are coated with a material which is one of: Sn—Pb, Sn—Ag, Sn—Bi, Sn—Zn, Sn—Cu, Pd, Au and Ag. The depressions are V-shaped, U-shaped, or rectangular. Each depression has a depth which is 30% to 75% with respect to the thickness which the outer lead has at the cut end face of distal end thereof. The outer leads are either a gull-wing type or a straight type.

Abstract: A structure (and method) for a metallurgical structure includes a passivation layer, a via through the passivation layer extending to a metal line within the metallurgical structure, a barrier layer lining the via, a metal plug in the via above the barrier layer, the metal plug and the metal line comprising a same material, and a solder bump formed on the metal plug.

Abstract: A Packaged Integrated Circuit, for use in a radio frequency apparatus, the Packaged Integrated Circuit comprises one or more radio frequency components that are included in an Integrated Circuit die. The Integrated Circuit die is associated with a radio frequency antenna. The radio frequency antenna is also included in the Packaged Integrated Circuit but is excluded from the Integrated Circuit die.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) comprising an IC (1) which is attached to one side of an insulating substrate (11) which, on said side, is provided with a first conductor pattern (12) to which the connection conductors (4) of the IC (1) are connected and which is electrically connected to a second conductor pattern (13) present on the other side of the substrate (11) and provided with contact bumps (5).

Abstract: A low-cost integrated circuit package is provided for packaging integrated circuits. In preferred embodiments, the package comprises a flexible circuit that is laminated to a stiffener using a dielectric adhesive, with the conductive traces on the flexible circuit facing toward the stiffener but separated therefrom by the adhesive. The conductive traces include an array of flip-chip attachment pads. A window is formed in the stiffener over the attachment pad array, such as by etching. The adhesive is then removed over the attachment pads by laser ablation, but left in place between the pads, thus forming a flip-chip attachment site. In preferred embodiments, this invention eliminates the need for high-resolution patterned adhesive, and it also eliminates the need for application of a solder mask at the flip-chip attachment site, because the remaining adhesive performs the solder mask function of preventing bridging between attachment pads.

Abstract: A silicide layer in direct contact with a gate electrode layer of a MOS transistor is formed only in a contact hole reaching the gate electrode layer, and is located only in the bottom portion of the contact hole. Thereby, increase in gate interconnection resistance is prevented, and thereby decrease in drive power of the transistor can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device having a multilayer wiring structure in which a plurality of layers are provided on a substrate and in which a connection wiring is formed on each layer, wherein a dummy pattern almost as high as the connection wiring is provided in a predetermined region of each layer so that an outer peripheral portion of the dummy pattern is adjacent to the connection wiring, the dummy pattern is formed linearly at least on the outer peripheral portion, and a distance between a linearly formed portion and a portion inside of the linearly formed portion is set to be equal to or narrower than a distance between the connection wiring and the linearly formed portion.

Abstract: A fourth and a fifth interlayer insulating film are formed and a connecting hole which passes through these films is formed. The connecting hole is filled with a metallic plug. The exposed surface of the fifth interlayer insulating film and metallic plug is etched back by dry etching in an atmosphere containing CF4 gas. Thus, the step difference between the surfaces of the metallic plug and fifth interlayer insulating film is reduced. The shape of the connecting hole is shaped so that its opening has a larger diameter at its upper position. The surfaces of the fifth interlayer insulating film and metallic plug are exposed to plasma atmosphere containing oxygen, irradiated with the light having a wavelength of several 10 nm to 400 nm or subjected to the sputter etching using an Ar gas.

Abstract: Embodiments include a driver circuit that is suitable to prevent a delay in responding to an input of a drive signal and a method for manufacturing the same. Three contact holes are provided for each of the transistors Tr1-Tr4 for connecting the gate electrodes of the transistors to the signal lines Ls, Ls1-Ls4 that are separated from the transistors Tr1-Tr4 by the dielectric layer 14. As a result, the time for an input signal to reach the entire area of the gate electrodes becomes shorter and a response to an input of a drive signal becomes faster.

Abstract: Described is an electronic device having a compliant fibrous interface. The interface comprises a free fiber tip structure having flocked thermally conductive fibers embedded in an adhesive in substantially vertical orientation with portions of the fibers extending out of the adhesive and an encapsulant between the portions of the fibers that extend out of the adhesive and the fiber's free tips.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of producing the semiconductor device are provided. This semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a printed wiring board, a heat spreader, a sealing resin, and solder balls. The printed wiring board is provided with the solder balls on an outer portion and a wiring layer on an inner portion. Wires are bonded to the wiring layer, and an opening is formed in the center of the printed wiring board. The heat spreader is bonded to the printed wiring board, with the semiconductor chip being thermally connected to the stage portion of the heat spreader. The sealing resin is made up of a first sealing resin portion and a second sealing resin portion. The first and second sealing resin portions sandwich the heat spreader.

Abstract: A concrete product molding machine supports a vibratable mold having an open top and an open bottom. A stripper head is movable from a position above the mold to an intermediate position ready to strip the molded product from the mold and then on to a lower position in which it has. A pallet receiver is movable from a lower position to a mold closing position in which a pallet it carries closes the bottom of the mold. Disengageable linking mechanism is provided for coupling the striper head and pallet receiver frame for conjoint travel in movement of the stripper head through the mold. A connector assembly connects with a pallet receiver lift arm and incorporates an actuator for varying the position of the upper end of the lift arm and thereby varying the vertical position of the pallet receiver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.

Abstract: A method for forming fibers/composite material having an anisotropic structure, comprising the steps of mixing an effective amount of fibers with a matrix material to form a deformable mixture containing less than about 96 weight percent of the fibers to about parts per billion of the fibers and wherein the fibers are randomly oriented in the deformable mixture. The deformable mixture can be extruded, stretched or otherwise deformed to form an extrudate. Pressure is applied about the extrudate to substantially compress the fibers in the extrudate to provide the fibers/composite material having an anisotropic structure.

Abstract: A discontinuous lignocellulose fiber is described for use as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite compositions. The fiber filler includes a significant percentage by weight of long, “hair-like” fibers. Specifically, at least about 20 percent by weight of the fiber filler is discontinuous lignocellulose fiber with a fiber length greater than about 15 millimeters and a fiber diameter less than about 0.5 millimeters. A moldable thermoplastic composite composition including the discontinuous lignocellulose fiber comprises about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of the fiber filler and about 50 to about 80 percent by weight thermoplastic. The discontinuous lignocellulose fiber filler yields thermoplastic composite compositions having improved physical properties over basic thermoplastic. The improved physical properties can be achieved without the use of coupling agents, although coupling agents may be used to further enhance the composite properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing at least a portion of the urinary tract to prevent the unwanted discharge of urine includes a body member with a tubular member, encircled along its length by an overcoat layer, that encases a fluid, forming a cavity. The body member, with its tubular member and overcoat layer are elastically deformable from an initial “rest” or “relaxed” state, when outside of the body, where at least a portion of the overcoat layer is of a diameter equal to or greater than that of an undilated urethra. A stylet may be placed into the tubular member to serve as a guide, for elongation of the body member and to provide rigidly to the body member upon insertion into the urinary tract. There is also disclosed a method for making the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: When drilling a multi layered sheet-like material, drilling is first made with pulses having energy that generates an inter-layer pull-off force smaller than the adhesion force between the layers. Then pulses with higher energy are radiated for trimming the shape of the holes, and thus through-holes having a desired shape are drilled without causing delamination of the layers.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding dilatation balloons for angioplasty catheters having a significantly reduced cone thickness without sacrifice in burst strength is achieved by utilizing a mold whose cavity includes arcuate walls defining the balloon's end cones and a predetermined minimal distance from the side edges of the mold to the points where the arcuate walls intersect with a smaller diameter balloon stem portion. Utilizing this mold and providing for three longitudinal stretching sequences, one prior to, one during and one following radial expansion of the heated plastic parison, results in an improved balloon exhibiting reduced cone stiffness.

Abstract: Fume dust is prevented when molten metal is poured into a vessel, and water or water mist is sprayed into the vessel or onto the molten metal, creating a reduced level of oxygen concentration of about 12% by volume, preferably about 8% by volume, inside the vessel or at the molten metal surface.

Abstract: A holding furnace, particularly for a die-casting apparatus, comprising a bucket which can be heated, is adapted to contain molten material and is provided with a lid which can be opened and is shaped substantially like an inverted cup; the lid is provided with at least one opening for introducing protective gas having a higher relative density than air and adapted to generate an atmosphere for protection from contact with air for the molten material at regions that are free from the containment means walls of the bucket.

Abstract: A liquid filled vibration isolator incorporates an inner cylindrical metal member 10, an intermediate metal member 20 coaxially disposed on the outside of the inner cylindrical metal member and at a position apart from the inner cylindrical metal member, having paired ring portions 21 at two ends in the axial direction and a connection portion 25 structured to integrally connect the ring portions 21 to each other and having an opening 26 formed in a direction in which main vibrations are input; and a rubber member 30 structured to connect the intermediate metal member and the inner cylindrical metal member 10 to each other and incorporating a recess 33 corresponding to the opening 26.

Abstract: A first connecting member is connected to a second connecting member by an elastic body member. A fluid chamber which is formed inside the first connecting member, the second connecting member and the elastic body member is divided into a main fluid chamber 17 and a sub-fluid chamber 18 by a partition member 15. An idle orifice 20 and a damping orifice 21 communicate with both chambers. In a part of a side wall member 9 which forms the main fluid chamber 17 is formed a round hole 10 which is covered by a part of the elastic body member to form a horizontally movable membrane 11. A circular wall 44 is integrally formed with the partition member 15 to face the horizontal movable membrane 11 at predetermined intervals. Resonance of the horizontal membrane 11 generated as a result of fluctuations of internal pressure in the main fluid chamber is controlled by the circular wall 44.

Abstract: A workpiece mounting for a working machine, with a circular mounting plate rotatable in a horizontal plane for chucking a workpiece and with a conveying unit for moving the mounting plate in the horizontal plane, wherein the mounting plate is movable on air support on a horizontal table, and is clampable on the conveying unit in any desired rotational position.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, which is configured in a simple construction and at low cost, includes a first sheet stacking portion for temporarily stacking a sheet discharged thereon, an alignment member for aligning the sheet discharged on the first sheet stacking portion, a sheet processing member for performing a predetermined process on the sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking portion, and a second sheet stacking portion located substantially vertically below the first sheet stacking portion. The alignment member acts to cause the aligned sheet to drop to the second sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: In order to eliminate charge on an outplane deformed paper money, a paper money handling device includes a paper money storing box for storing a conveyed paper money in the paper handling device, which has a storing mechanism for storing the paper money inside, and a storing guide provided on the storing mechanism has at least a flat part and a concavo-convex part, and a concave portion thereof includes a static eliminating part.

Abstract: A procedure for feeding products in sheet form to a conveyor (13) by means of at least one sheet feeder (11) with a pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) on a loading table (20) comprising the following phases: placing at least one sheet feeder (11) with a free edge (22) of its loading table (20) for the pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) inclined according to an angle (&agr;, 90-&agr;) in relation to a direction (A) parallel to a principal feed axis (23) coinciding with the axis of the conveyor (13), preparing a pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) to place on the loading table (20), placing the pile (12) of products in sheet form (14) with a flat surface of these, provided with ribbing (15), according to a direction inclined to an angle (&bgr;) in relation to a pick-up assembly (16, 18) of at least one sheet feeder (11) so that one corner or vertex (21) of the products (14) is placed projecting from the end edge (22) of the loading table 20.

Abstract: A sheet and stack feeding mechanism comprising an accumulating area, a mechanism for feeding sheets into the accumulating area, a pair of exit rollers and a mechanism for moving the stack of sheets out of the accumulating area through the exit mechanism, the exit roller being resilient to permit stacks of various thickness to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A puzzle comprises plurality of figural puzzle pieces surrounded by a border. Each one of the plurality of puzzle pieces is the silhouette of a shape found in a particular class of objects.

Abstract: Concepts for playing showdown card games of poker with multiple decks, with each participant having at least one individual deck in which a principal participant designates the type of poker, deals a FLOP, and establishes the COMMUNITY CARDS for each participant, based on the number of cards in a hand of the designated game. The remaining number of cards in the hand are dealt from each participant's hand, to be combined with the COMMUNITY CARDS; and participants with a winning combination are paid in accordance with a selected standard ranking of poker hands.

Abstract: This invention is a family table game, which has the function to become portable. It develops ones ability to identify detailed play pieces 24 by the sense of touch, exciting a players mental ability toward learning about these objects, challenging players sensory perceptions and mental imaging skills while improving finger dexterity. The game uses miniature or larger than life renditions of well known objects, man or nature created, as game pieces 24 played with three dimensional embossed knowledge cards 26. Game pieces sit in a circular, dome shaped container FIG. 1 out of view of player. Player spins card housing 30 (holding the interchangeable game cards 26) which stops randomly under view window 32. Player views or feels raised relief images on card 26 or reads corresponding descriptive text, starts timer 14 and begins searching through container (FIG. 4), using the sense of touch to find matching play pieces 24, earning points for each piece found in time.

Abstract: A shaft sealing apparatus 109 comprising a seal case 1 mounted on a tank shell 102 of rotary equipment, a rotary seal ring 3 fixed to the rotary shaft 106 of the rotary equipment, a stationary seal ring 4 held in the seal case 1 opposite to the rotary seal ring 3 and movable in the axial direction, a coil spring 5 to thrust the stationary seal ring 4 against the rotary seal ring 3, a gas feeding channel 6 formed out of a series of gas passages running through the seal case 1 and the stationary seal ring 4 and opening between the two seal end faces 31, 41 of the two seal rings 3, 4, and a gas jetting mechanism to jet, selectively, a seal gas 71 such as nitrogen and a sterilization gas 72 such as steam through the gas feeding channel 6 into between the seal end faces 31, 41.

Abstract: The invention refers to a gasket (1), the gasket having at least one metal layer (3) and at least one metal ring(5) welded thereto, the metal layer (3) having at least one through-hole (4) and the metal ring (5) being arranged around the through-hole, (4). The metal layer (3) and the metal ring (5) are welded to each other along a welding bead (7) which keeps the metal layer (3) and the metal ring (5) in a spaced apart relationship to one another. The gasket (1) has welding joints which are stable for a long time, and thus a high sealing capacity.

Abstract: A tubular wall sealed at a first end by an integrally molded annular wall, forming a cap, is cast in the concrete wall of a low pressure vessel, forming a sealed cavity in the concrete. One end of a rubber tubular gland wrapped sealingly around the outside of the second end of the tubular wall is sealed in the concrete by a radially extending cast-in anchor. The diameter of the other end of the rubber tube is smaller than the diameter of the tubular wall of the cap.

Abstract: A multi-channel rotary joint with which a plurality of fluids of the same or different types can be made to flow as desired, including first connecting spaces sealed by mechanical seals and second connecting spaces sealed by mechanical seals and by elastic seals, such connecting spaces being between a joint housing and a rotator. A series of fluid passages that pass through the connecting spaces are also formed in the joint housing and the rotator. The mechanical seals are end-contact type seals and comprise balanced seals with a balance ratio k such that 0≦k≦1. Each elastic seal has a U-shaped cross section and is engaged and fixed to one of the opposing peripheral surfaces in a state in which an annular groove between inner and outer peripheral lips opens into the space with the higher pressure out of the second connecting space and its adjacent space.

Abstract: A first housing member and a second housing members are coupled to each other. A recess is formed in the second housing member to face the first housing member. An O-ring is accommodated in the recess. A block ring is located in the recess and extends along the O-ring. The block ring is closer to an unsealed space than the O-ring and is made of a high gas permeation resistance material. Therefore, even if the pressurized gas in a sealed space permeates the O-ring, the block ring prevents the gas from leaking to the unsealed space.

Abstract: An ice skating blade has an upper portion having a top surface and two parallel substantially vertical left and right sides; and a lower portion having two faces flared outwardly from the upper portion, providing angled cutting edges. An appropriate angle of flare is 8° from the vertical.

Abstract: A snowboard is disclosed whose base is relatively thick in the mounting zones beneath each of the rider's feet and relatively thin between the two mounting zones. Thus, with normal loading applied through the rider's feet to the snowboard, the board will bow into a reasonably good approximation of an arc having a constant radius. Consequently, the portions of the snowboard coming in contact with the surface of the snow will substantially lie on segments of a circular arc, and the back half of the snowboard will substantially follow in the track of the front half of the snowboard. This is achieved by controlling the flexural rigidity in the mounting zones and in the center section between the mounting zones. The curvature of the snowboard in response to the application of forces by its rider is a function of the Area Moment of Inertia (I) of the transverse cross-sectional areas along the snowboard's length. In turn, the Area Moment of Inertia is a function of the geometry of the transverse cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mobile cart. In a specific embodiment, the subject cart can be automatically loaded onto and from a raised platform. In a specific embodiment, the subject cart can be utilized as a catering cart for transporting and serving food and beverages. The subject cart can utilize thermoelectric devices for heating and cooling of food stored in, and served from, the cart. Lift mechanisms can allow the caterer to raise and lower the food cart, which can assist in loading and unloading the subject cart from a transport vehicle. The subject cart can also provide storage areas for foods, beverages, and utensils.

Abstract: A mobile safety compliance apparatus comprising a shell with a plurality of open compartments closed by doors, a self-contained water supply system and a waste water collection system. The water supply system provides drinking water, tepid hand washing water, and water for a stowable eyewash hingedly attached to the shell. The waste water collection system collects water from the eyewash and a sink mounted in a recessed area of the shell. Doors are removable and have features to facilitate alternative uses such as a stretcher or a freestanding table. A stowable seat and table are hingedly attached to the shell. The apparatus includes an electrical system with battery backup for powering lights, water heating and refrigeration devices, and electronic communication equipment that may be mounted on the shell. The apparatus includes wheels to facilitate its movement and anchor points to secure it to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention, relating to a safety driving equipment for a scooter, includes a twister member with a supporting arm at the end thereof opposite to the driving wheels. A universal safety wheel is mounted at the free end of the supporting arm and a transmission unit is extended to connect the twister member at a position between the safety wheel and the driving wheels. The safety wheel is capable of efficiently providing an increased safety area while the scooter in wobbling mainly to maintain the force center shifting within the safety area.

Abstract: A roller board including a board and two or more downwardly-disposed roller assemblies mounted on the board. Each roller assembly has an annular retaining collar with a spherical recess, a plurality of bearings seated within the recess, and a spherical roller ball rotatably seated in the recess in contact with the bearings. A stabilizer assembly is mounted between the roller assemblies to give lateral stability, and a false axle is provided in each of the roller assemblies for imparting increased friction upon contact with the roller ball. The false axle imparts a higher coefficient of friction on hard cornering, thereby simulating “carving” or digging in the edges of a snow board. The foregoing features combine to exactly simulate the sensation of using a snow board on snow.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine, especially a pick-up chopper, for picking up and chopping harvested material, such as corn, green crops, etc., with a rear axle (6), which is constructed as a steerable, rigid axle, which is supported at the machine frame (10), so that it can be swiveled about a horizontal full floating axle (9), which is parallel to the direction of travel, wherein the axle body (7) of the rear axle (6) is supported with shock absorption at the machine frame (10) so that it can move up and down relative to the machine frame (10).

Abstract: A rear axle suspension for a highway truck that includes a pair of trailing arms suspended below a frame by a pair of hanger brackets. The hanger brackets define a pivot axis for the trailing arms. A supplemental axle locating member is attached to the axle and includes an extension member that in engageable with a bracket held by the frame. The hanger brackets are laterally compliant and each comprise an inner and outer plate, one of which is bent outwardly to define a gap within which an associated trailing arm is mounted. A moment canceling member extends between the hanger brackets and resists outward bending of the brackets. A height control valve is operated by an operating rod having an axis that passes through, or in close proximity, to the roll center of the vehicle in order to reduce ride height errors.

Abstract: A trailer assembly includes a front segment and a rear segment. The front segment includes a pair of opposed front segment tubes having straight portions which are fixed to a mounting bar. The straight portions merge into arcuate portions symmetrically oriented about an axis co-extensive with the mounting bar and that define a front opening. A hitch block is fixed to the other end of the mounting bar. The rear segment includes a pair of rear segment tubes with linear portions that merge into curved portions that are symmetrically oriented about the longitudinal axis and define a rear opening. The linear portions are spaced apart to define a wheel gap and a wheel is provided in the wheel gap. For operation, the front portion of a surfboard or similar rigid structure is urged forward into the front opening to engage the arcuate portions. The rear portion of the rigid structure is inserted into the rear opening for frictional engagement with the curved portions.

Abstract: Alpine ski having a mark (9) termed “boot middle point” indicating the position of the middle of the boot, and equipped with a mounting platform (2) comprising front (8), central (7) and rear (6) zones, characterized in that:

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.

Abstract: An airbag module and method of mounting an airbag to the module. The module has an airbag, a gas generator, and a housing containing the airbag and the gas generator. The housing has a single-piece construction, including a container-shaped cover and a generator support foldably mounted to the cover. The airbag has a slot for inserting the gas generator, and a plurality of passages for passage of fasteners, which can be premounted to the gas generator. The slot forms two mount zones that can overlap. The airbag is folded into the cover or folded airbag can be placed into the cover. Thereafter, the gas generator is inserted into the airbag through the slot. The fasteners are inserted through the passages one at a time so that the mount zones overlap. The generator support is then folded over the cover, with the fasteners extending through the support via appropriate openings formed therethrough. The airbag module now can be seated and secured to a steering wheel using the fasteners and nuts.

Abstract: In a cover with an emblem used for an airbag device, the emblem is structured such that an entire circumference of a rim portion thereof is raised rearwardly in a wall shape to thereby form a side surface, and legs are projected rearwardly from an end of the side surface. Coating in the same type of the color as that of the cover is applied entirely to the base end sides of the legs and the side surface of the emblem. By inserting the legs of the emblem into holes formed in the cover, the emblem is fixed and fitted into a concave section of the cover. An appearance of a peripheral portion of the emblem is extremely improved.