Abstract: A ring balancer comprising a plurality of balancing transformers facilitates current sharing in a multi-lamp backlight system. The balancing transformers have respective primary windings separately coupled in series with designated lamps and have respective secondary windings coupled together in a closed loop. The secondary windings conduct a common current and the respective primary windings conduct proportional currents to balance currents among the lamps. The ring balancer facilitates automatic lamp striking and the lamps can be advantageously driven by a common voltage source.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for push-pull inverters aims to improve the existing push-pull inverters that provide input electricity to a discharge lamp at a phase difference of 180 degrees without feedback electricity to regulate frequency signals and cannot effectively control uniform luminance of the discharge lamp. The invention includes a feedback device to get a detection electricity of the driving electricity of the discharge lamp through non-contact coupling induction. The detection electricity is transformed by the feedback device and output to a frequency control unit. The control unit can regulate and output the frequency signal in response to the luminance of the discharge lamp to timely adjust input electricity of a push-pull inverter.

Abstract: A discharge tube lighting apparatus is used to drive a plurality of discharge tubes. The apparatus includes a balance coil having a winding input end and a plurality of winding output ends to which the discharge tubes are connected individually; a power section for supplying ac current to the winding input end of the balance coil; and a control section for detecting a peak value of detection voltages corresponding to voltages at the winding output ends of the balance coil and for stopping the supply of the ac current from the power section when the peak value of the detection voltages is higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of driving a lamp that uses a DC to AC inverter that is connected to a primary winding of a transformer is disclosed. The inverter frequency is variable, and in one embodiment, may be controlled by a voltage controlled oscillator. Circuitry is included that monitors the phase relationship between a voltage across a secondary of the transformer and a current through the primary of the transformer. The circuitry monitors the phase relationship and adjusts the inverter frequency, such as by adjusting voltage controlled oscillator, so that the phase relationship is maintained at a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter under altering voltage aims to change the electric conductive interval of the electric conductive cycle of the inverter corresponding to alteration of an input voltage so that the dimming duty cycle, electric conductive cycle and transformer oscillation duty cycle of the inverter can be maintained at a selected level. Thereby when the input voltage is altered, the existing dimming range can be maintained and actuation electricity output is stabilized. The transformer can be protected and the life span of the load can be extended.

Abstract: A power subsystem including a mechanism for satisfying a predetermined power limit in a computer system. The power subsystem may include a split power supply and a voltage regulator. The split power supply may include at least a first voltage supply line and a second voltage supply line. The voltage supply lines may be closely matched voltage sources, each configured to provide relatively the same voltage amount. The voltage regulator may step-down a voltage provided by each of the first and second voltage supply lines to generate a desired voltage for a load. The first voltage supply line may be isolated from the second voltage supply line to limit power provided through either the first or the second voltage supply line from exceeding a predetermined power limit. The predetermined power limit may be a power limit set by U.L. standard #60950, i.e., 250 Watts.

Abstract: A system and related methods for operating a lamp. The system and method provide for ON/OFF control such that the light source illuminates in predefined steps and is reduced in predefined steps. Turning ON the light source may include powering the light source in one step from zero light to a first light level that is less than a maximum light level and powering the light source gradually over a first predetermined time period from the first light level to a second light level greater than the first light level. Turning OFF the light source may include powering the light source in one step from a third light level at or below the maximum light level to a fourth light level that is less than the third light level and powering the light source over a second predetermined time period from the fourth light level to zero light.

Abstract: A method for efficient lighting includes supplying power to a light source to control the intensity of light emitted from the light source according to an intensity waveform. The amplitude of the waveform over one period is at a high level for a first time interval and at or below a low level for a second time interval. The method includes selecting durations of the first time interval according to a first characteristic of human visual perception and selecting the second time interval according to a second characteristic of human visual perception.

Abstract: A light source module includes a lamp assembly, at least one temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the lamp assembly, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensor and the lamp assembly, the processor being configured to operate the lamp assembly at a reduced power level when the temperature is above a first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A fan control system. The system includes a plurality of fans, each having a control device. One of the fans is designated as a master fan and others are served as slave fans according to a specific designation method, wherein the control device of the master fan actively monitors and controls the operating state of the slave fans according to the control device of the slave fans to amend the operating state of all fans.

Abstract: The method of determining the position of the shaft of a direct current motor including an armature powered via brushes and a bar commutator and designed to drive a roller blind includes the following phases: detecting and counting the commutations that occur between the brushes and the commutator bars to determine the position of the motor shaft when the commutation count is valid, and measuring the back electromotive force of the motor to determine the position of the motor shaft when the commutation count is not valid.

Abstract: A three-phase DC motor output stage including a predriver that supplies drive voltages to power MOSFETs supplies output voltages to three-phase coils, monitors whether each of gate-to-source voltages of the power MOSFETs is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage and thereby detects a current zero cross, and employs the output of such current zero cross detection in PLL control for controlling energization switching timing and thereby forms drive voltages of 180-degree energization. Lower hooks with a voltage minimum phase as GND and upper hooks with a voltage maximum phase as a source are set as patterns alternately repeated for every electrical angle of 60 degrees. The patterns are expressed in linear approximation to generate sine wave-like drive voltages, thereby causing sine wave-like currents to flow into the three-phase coils.

Abstract: Two systems consisting of an on-off control section corresponding to the saturation drive system and a constant voltage control section corresponding to the constant voltage drive system are provided as a circuit for controlling the conduction state of a transistor QP11 provided at the output section. The constant voltage unit comprises an operational amplifier A1, which monitors the output voltage Vout and feedback-controls the gate voltage of QP11. On the other hand, the on-off control section delivers a control signal for turning on and off QP11 corresponding to an input signal input to IN-U through inverters 40 and 42. Switches 46 and 48 for selectively applying the output from the control unit of either one of these two systems are provided to select the switch to be turned on based on a mode signal input to SW. This configuration enables the realization of different drive systems and restricts increase in circuit size while commonly using the output unit configured with comparatively large transistors.

Abstract: A motor controller is provided which can be reduced in the number of the wirings and power semiconductor devices required while maintaining the function equivalent to or higher than that of the motor controller adopting the existing winding changeover scheme, thereby realizing cost and size reduction and life increase. The motor is made in a structure having motor windings opened at both ends. The one end terminals of phase windings are respectively connected to the output terminals of a first inverter circuit while the other end terminals are respectively connected to the output terminals of a second inverter circuit. During power generation, any one of the inverter circuits is driven on all the phases by means of a same control pulse.

Abstract: A steering controlling device comprising a power source, a motor connected to a steering system, a motor driving circuit converting a power source voltage to a predetermined voltage and applying the voltage to the motor, and a controlling means for controlling the motor driving circuit, wherein the controlling means controls the motor driving circuit so as to boost the power source voltage when a rotational speed of the motor is a predetermined value or more, whereby a sufficient motor output torque is obtainable under various steering conditions in use of a converter, an efficiency is improved by suppressing a frequency of operating the converter, and an appropriate fail safe treatment is conducted when the converter is disordered.

Abstract: A reversing wiper motor system has a first detector including a detectant which rotates in synchronism with the wiper. The detector physically identifies a plurality of distinct angular zones across the entire range of motion of the wiper, including a wiper park zone, a wiping zone, and a wiper out-of-bound zone. A second detector detects incremental movement of the wiper within any given zone. Control circuitry controls the direction of the motor based on the detected zone and the incremental motion of the wiper therein. The system enables the wiper to be located upon power-up.

Abstract: A rotary sensor that outputs two analog signals, such as one sine wave and one cosine wave and has multiple periods within one period of the electrical angle of a motor is employed. The motor is energized at each position for a specified length of time upon its startup by using multiple electrical angles corresponding to the multiple candidate absolute angles obtained from the rotary sensor signal as the initial position of the motor, and the electrical angle at which the motor acceleration becomes maximum is determined as the absolute angle. While the motor drive is in operation, on the other hand, the phase difference ?? between the phase of the motor at the counter electromotive voltage and the control phase is directly computed from the parameters of the motor, sensed current, voltage command and angle speed so as to correct the shifted position.

Abstract: A method of protecting a frequency converter against overvoltage by controlling an AC motor during braking or during light load and a frequency converter, wherein the frequency converter is a voltage-controlled PWM frequency converter operating in single quadrant (1Q) and comprising at least one uncontrolled rectifier bridge (10) to be connected to a AC supply line (UL1, UL2, UL3), a direct-voltage intermediate circuit and at least one controlled inverter bridge (11) for feeding an AC motor (12) with an alternating voltage (Uu, Uv, Uw) of varying magnitude and frequency, in which method: the angle (??) between the output voltage vector (Us) and current vector (Is), i.e. the power factor, is measured, the angle (??) between the output voltage vector (Us) and current vector (Is), i.e. the power factor, is controlled on the basis of the measurement, and the angle (??) between the output voltage vector (Us) and current vector (Is), i.e.

Abstract: A battery charging device suitable for a portable electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a controlling chip, an adjusting transistor, a feedback circuit and a charger with adjustable output. The charger has an external alternating-current power source and provides a changeable voltage to the rechargeable battery of the portable electronic device. The feedback circuit captures a signal of electric quantities of the rechargeable battery and feeds back to the charger to adjust its output voltage and then the charger is controlled to charge the rechargeable battery. The adjustable transistor is used to control the charging of the rechargeable battery to reduce the number of parts of the battery charging device and waste of circuit traces.

Abstract: In an apparatus, a first detecting unit detects the number of revolutions of a power generator, a second detecting unit detects an output voltage of the power generator, and a third detecting unit detects an output current of the power generator. A torque calculating unit calculates power generation torque based on the detected number of revolutions of the power generator, the detected output voltage, and the detected output current using relationship information. The relationship information represents a relationship between the power generation torque and each of the number of revolutions of the power generator, the output voltage, and the output current.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a semiconductor device is provided wherein a stepdown-type DC-DC converter includes a first off detection circuit, a second off detection circuit, a capacitor, a capacitor, a diode, inverters, an inductor, a first level shift circuit, a second level shift circuit, a third level shift circuit, a 2-input NAND circuit, a 2-input NAND circuit, a high-side N-channel power MOS transistor and a low-side N-channel power MOS transistor. The first off detection circuit and the second off detection circuit reduce fall times of the gates of the N-channel power MOS transistors, thereby reducing dead time.

Abstract: A power supply for powering an electrical load, the electrical load generating load characteristic data that determines a power supply characteristic to be provided to the electrical load from the power supply, the power supply comprising a voltage regulator for generating an output voltage to be provided as the input voltage for powering the electrical load, the voltage regulator being responsive to a reference signal for setting a characteristic of the power supply, and a control circuit for generating the reference signal for the regulator, the control circuit being responsive to the load characteristic data from the electrical load and to a selection input for selecting the type of electrical load from a plurality of electrical load types, whereby the selection input determines the type of electrical load to enable the load characteristic data to be evaluated by the control circuit to generate the reference signal for the regulator.

Abstract: An output detection feedback section (5) for controlling the power supply output voltage of a converter unit (4) in response to an error signal Ve has an error amplifier (26) for outputting the error signal Ve, a phase compensation circuit (41), a state detection circuit (42), and a response compensation circuit (43) for setting the voltage of a capacitor (29) of the phase compensation circuit (41) to a predetermined value. When output voltage is switched, the output voltage is fixed at the predetermined value in a DC manner while a transitional response of the error signal (Ve) is accelerated, so that the output voltage is changed at a high speed to a desired value and the overshoot and undershoot are suppressed around the desired value.

Abstract: A current probing system has a current probe and a detachable adapter. The current probe has a probe body with electrically conductive contacts that mate with electrically conductive contacts on the adapter. Leads extend from the adapter for coupling to a current carrying conductor. The leads can connect to a plug that is coupled to a current diverting device for coupling a current signal to the current probe. The adapter may also include a switch that selectively couples the current signal to the current probe when the adapter is mated with the current probe. The contacts of the current probe are coupled to a current sensing circuit which generates a voltage output representative of the current signal. The voltage output is coupled to an oscilloscope via an electrical cable.

Abstract: The characteristic evaluating system of the present invention includes: a cable-driving transmitter transmitting a signal to one end of a cable to be measured; a load connected to the other end of the cable; a probe detecting a common mode current of the cable; a receiver receiving a signal detected by the probe; and a controller controlling the cable-driving transmitter, the load, and the receiver. The cable-driving transmitter is constructed such that a plural transmission condition is selectable when transmitting the signal. The load is constructed such that plural termination conditions corresponding to the signals transmitted to the cable is selectable. The characteristic of the cable is measured by scanning relative positions of the probe and the cable in a longitudinal direction of the cable.

Abstract: A communication system between a plurality of electrical loads and at least one electrical measurement device is configured with a plurality of wires grouped in pairs. Each pair of wires is uniquely color coded to facilitate installation of each electrical load.

Abstract: A timing generation circuit can increase a maximum delay amount without changing the configuration of a timing memory. The timing generation circuit includes: a timing memory (TMM) 10 containing predetermined timing data; a plurality of down counters 20 for loading the timing data from the TMM and outputting a pulse signal at the timing indicated by the timing data; an address selection circuit 40 for specifying one or two TMM addresses by switching and outputting corresponding one or plural timing data; a load data switching circuit 50 for loading the plural timing data to the plural down counters cascaded and outputting one timing pulse signal; and a timing data selection circuit 60 for selecting one of the pulse signals. The plural timing data are generated by dividing the timing memory into a plurality of memory regions either in a column or row direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically displaying a grade of a liquid crystal display device and operating method thereof, includes a grade determining unit of a liquid crystal display panel; a grade inputting unit for inputting the grade of the liquid crystal display panel whose grade has been determined in the grade determining unit; a grade discriminating unit for transferring the grade of a corresponding liquid crystal display panel based upon receiving data input to the grade inputting unit; a storing unit having a grade displaying unit for classifying the graded liquid crystal display panels according to grades and storing the grades; and a robot driving unit for transferring the liquid crystal display panel to the storing unit according to instructions from the grade discriminating unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary encoder and to a method for detecting disturbances in such a rotary encoder. In this case, vibrations or other disturbances are detected by means of the phase difference between a rotational speed signal, which represents a rotational speed of a rotor, and a direction of rotation signal, which represents a direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer generating a torsional wave in a subject having a predetermined section and measuring a torsional wave propagating in the subject. In the magnetostrictive transducer having a ferromagnetic patch attached to a predetermined position of a subject, a cylindrical insulator installed around the periphery of the ferromagnetic patch, and a coil wound around the cylindrical surface of the insulator, a torsional wave is generated based on a magnetostrictive effect to then be induced to the subject when current is applied to the coil. The ferromagnetic patch includes a strip unit attached to the subject in an inclined manner with respect to an axial direction of the subject and transferring the torsional wave to the subject; and tail units formed at opposite ends of the strip unit and concentrating a magnetic flux on the strip unit when current is applied to the coil.

Abstract: A spinstand having a vacuum chuck clamping mechanism for securing magnetic discs includes a cap (9) and a base (10). A disk-to-be-clamped is held between the cap (9) and the base (10). Vacuum, applied through a port (4) in a mounting screw (12) of the base, provides the clamping force. The vacuum is held constant using a circumferential seal (27) on a piston (2) of the cap, which extends into a cylindrical countering bushing (3) extending from the base. In one form, the cap (9) is centered about a spin axis (SA) extending through the base (10), using a hardened pin (1) extending from the cap and a locating bushing (19) affixed to the base. When the cap (9) is inserted into the base (10), the pin (1) prevents a piston (2) in the cap from contacting the inside walls/sealing surface (11) of the centering bushing (3) of the base.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting defects in the proximity of a hole of a laminate structure include inserting a generally cylindrical body portion into a hole such that a first coil of wire will reside in a plane substantially parallel to a first electrically conductive layer of the laminate material. A magnetic field produced by the first coil of wire will produce eddy-currents in the conductive layer in the plane of the first conductive layer, but damaged laminate materials will fail to produce similar eddy-currents. As the differences in eddy-currents between damages and undamaged laminate layers can be measured, damage to such laminate materials can be determined.

Abstract: An eddy current probe includes a plurality of deformable substrates each having a pair of coils wound coaxially thereabout in spaced relation and a housing supporting said plurality of substrates adjacent to each other with each substrate compressed in a direction laterally to the axis of the pair of coils wound thereabout. Desirably, the axis of each pair of coils is positioned spaced from a longitudinal axis of the housing and parallel to a tangent to an exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: NMR measurements are made with a MWD tool having azimuthal sensitivity. The permanent magnet may be a U-shaped magnet or may have an opposed pair of magnets with axial orientation. The tool is designed for pulsing with short sequences for estimating BVI and CBW and minimizes the effect of tool motion.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for accurately measuring nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) longitudinal axis relaxation time by minimizing the influence of the amount of blood. The method includes applying a first magnetic field MO to a living body portion into which the blood flows magnetizing the blood in a first direction; applying a second magnetic field MZ to at least a portion of the living body portion, to which the first magnetic field MO is applied, magnetizing at least a portion of the blood in a second direction vertical to the first direction;; blocking MZ detecting a signal that is induced as magnetization is returned from the second direction to the first direction; detecting the amount of blood to which the second magnetic field MZ is applied; and calculating the longitudinal axis relaxation time T1 of the blood based on the induced signal and based on the amount of blood.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for reducing movement artifacts in spatially resolved magnetic resonance measurements are proposed. A marker system which can emit or reflect at least one electromagnetic ray bundle is permanently connected to a measurement object. The electromagnetic ray bundles emanating from the marker system are projected by means of an imaging system onto spatially separated detector fields and movements of the measurement object are detected by means of the signals of the detector fields and by means of a triangulation method. A correction device generates a correction signal which correspondingly influences the magnetic resonance measurement. Also proposed is a marker system which has a mouthpiece and one or more hollow bodies which can reflect electromagnetic rays and are filled with a material which is visible during a magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: In the operation of a magnetic resonance system, an RF excitation coil emits an excitation pulse such that nuclei in an examination subject are excited to emit of magnetic resonance signals. A number of local coils acquire the magnetic resonance signals emitted from the examination subject, with the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the local coils being coded in frequency space. An evaluation device accepts the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the local coils or accepts intermediate signals derived therefrom via one transmission channel per signal, and corrects the accepted signals using correction signals. The evaluation device uses the corrected signals reconstructing an image of the examination subject. The evaluation device determines the correction signals for all signals to be corrected using the same reference signal.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance RF coil comprises a conductive material deposited on a dielectric substrate. The conductive material includes magnetic field generating elements used to generate an RF magnetic field and interdigital capacitor elements. The capacitor elements are oriented parallel to the magnetic field generating elements and, therefore, to a main static magnetic field within which the coil is to be located. This orientation minimizes arcing resulted from emitted electrons and helps to prevent catastrophic breakdown of the coil.

Abstract: In an ultrahigh sensitive NMR apparatus, a stability of a temperature of a very low temperature probe coil is improved. A low temperature probe of the high sensitive NMR apparatus is structured at a very low temperature by a cooling apparatus. A cooling medium at a room temperature (300 K) discharged from a compressor is cooled down to 70K by a countercurrent heat exchanger, and is next cooled down to 4K or less by a series of second stages. Further, the cooling medium enters into a low temperature probe via a transfer tube, cools a probe coil to 5 to 10K by a heat exchanging portion, further cools a radiation shield to 40 to 60K, and makes a circuit via the countercurrent heat exchanger. A high temperature stability can be applied to a receiving probe coil in the low temperature probe by a cooling apparatus having a high temperature stability.

Abstract: A probe coil for an NMR apparatus including a superconductor coil formed from a superconductor made of magnesium 2-boride formed on the surface of a substrate, and a coil bobbin around which the superconductor coil is wound, wherein the substrate is made of a material that contains no hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: A MRI shim element includes a plurality of thin wires extending substantially parallel to each other wherein each wire has cross sectional dimensions less than ?sk, wherein ?sk is the wire's skin depth.

Abstract: A marine measurement system is disclosed for obtaining measurements in an underwater operating environment. The system includes a base structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and cavities provided therebetween. The cavities are also open to the top surface. The measurement system further includes measurement equipment (e.g., electronic equipment and/or instrumentation), which are retained in the cavities. A diaphragm membrane is applied adjacent the top surface and seals the cavities. The diaphragm member is positioned in pressure communication with the operating environment. Furthermore, the cavities are defined by the membrane and the base structure and filled with a pressure compensating fluid that is in pressure communication with the operating environment through the diaphragm membrane.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of charge (SOC) characteristic variable for a storage battery including determining a first SOC value and a second SOC value. The method further including determining changes in the first and second SOC values. These changes in the first and second SOC values are measured between a first operating time and a second operating time. The method also including determining a characteristic variable relating to the state of charge as a function of the change in the first and second SOC values.

Abstract: An ionization gauge for isolating an electron source from gas molecules includes the electron source for generating electrons, a collector electrode for collecting ions formed by the impact between the electrons and gas molecules, and an electron window which isolates the electron source from the gas molecules. The ionization gauge can have an anode which defines an anode volume and decelerates and retains the electrons in a region of the anode. The ionization gauge can have a plurality of electron sources and/or collector electrodes. The collector electrode(s) are be located within the anode volume. The ionization gauge can be a Bayard-Alpert type that measures pressure.

Abstract: An electric leakage detection system having: a detection point forming circuit which forms a detection point being connected through three resistors which are star-connected to a three-phase output line of an AC generator; a voltage detection circuit which detects a voltage across the detection point and ground; and an electric leakage detecting part which detects existence of an electric leakage from a period of the detected voltage and determines an occurrence position of the electric leakage from a period of the detected voltage.

Abstract: A method of estimating a resistance value for ballast, over a given length of track, used at a crossing on a railroad track that has a crossing warning system where a inductance of the track over the given length, an inductance of the track over the given length of the track, a capacitance of the track over a given length of track, and an operating frequency of the warning crossing system are all known, the method including calculating a track impedance having a magnitude and a phase angle, applying a current waveform and a voltage waveform through the track at a known frequency, measuring the phase angle, calculating a ballast resistance by using the measured phase angle in place of the calculated phase angle, the given track length, resistance over the given length of track, inductance over the given length of track, capacitance over the given length of track, and the operating frequency.

Abstract: A method of correcting distortions resulting from loss and dispersion in cable fault measurements. A cable is measured in the frequency domain to obtain a reflected response. Fractional sinusoidal components of the reflected response having attenuated amplitude and delayed phase values at points defining the junctures of adjacent equal predetermined lengths are collected and normalized. Then the fractional sinusoidal components of the reflected response are extracted from normalized sum by mathematically calculating the real value at each point, thereby removing all loss and dispersion distortion components.

Abstract: Security scanning devices based on electrical tomography, including tomography systems based on the measurement of capacitance (ECT) and electromagnetic tomography (EMT), in combination with knowledge-based image analysis and understanding. Each device includes a sensing head or transducer, sensing electronics, image reconstruction and image analysis microprocessor (either microcontroller, DSP, laptop or desktop PC), a display unit and accompanying software for identifying dangerous materials and items. The security scanning devices enable enhancement of image resolution with ECT and EMT. More sensors, more sensitive circuits and flexible/optimal measurement protocols may be employed for obtaining more independent measurements and enable implementation of data fusion to combine the complementary sensitivity of ECT and EMT to different material properties, while providing architecture to implement image knowledge bases, which may characterize objects, whose image attributes are acquired from multiple sensors.

Abstract: A lossy dielectric device dissipates, absorbs, and/or dampens electric fields. The lossy dielectric device may be used with any transmission path, such as a transmission line or resistor in a probe head. The lossy dielectric device preferably includes a lossy dielectric material contained within a container. The container is positionable and securable substantially adjacent the transmission path to improve the curve of a frequency response. Preferably, the container is insulative, puncture resistant, and thin. In some preferred embodiments, a temporary or permanent connection mechanism is also included.

Abstract: To limit the current in heavy current testing of semiconductor components with test needles, upstream of each needle a circuit is connected which has low resistance in the range of allowable currents and has high resistance above a given limit current in order to limit the current. The current source which undertakes limitation in the electrical supply lead to the probes is galvanically separated from the voltage supply of the current source itself.