A package controller of a flash package, upon receiving an update data write request with respect to a first logical storage area corresponding to a first LU that is treated as a backup target, manages a first physical storage area as a backup storage area in a state where pre-update data is maintained, newly allocates a second physical storage area to the first logical storage area, and writes the update data to the second physical storage area. The package controller, upon receiving an update data write request with respect to a second logical storage area corresponding to a second LU that is treated as a non-backup target, manages a third physical storage area allocated to the second logical storage area as an invalid storage area, and writes the update data to a fourth physical storage area newly allocated to the second logical storage area. The package controller performs control so as to use the first physical storage area to provide backup data for the first LU, and delete pre-update data stored in the third physical storage area.

According to the present invention, a print setting server connectable with a document processing server is provided, where the print setting server provides a print setting screen that depends on functions of a printer model through the Web, and a detailed print setting screen that depends on a printer is provided to a client. The client can enter print settings through the print setting screen. In this manner, print setting depending on a printer model is realized in a cloud print service.

A computer system and data de-duplication method capable of performing efficient data de-duplication are suggested. With a computer system including a plurality of first file storage apparatuses and a second file storage for storing and retaining file data of a target file(s) to be stored, which is sent from each of the first file storage apparatuses, the first file storage apparatus obtains sameness judgment information about the target file to be stored; compares the obtained sameness judgment information with the sameness judgment information about each file, which was reported from the second file storage in advance and is stored and retained by the second file storage apparatus; and sends reference information, which refers to a file that is stored and retained in the second file storage apparatus and is the same as the target file to be stored, to the second file storage apparatus if it is determined that the same file as the target file to be stored, is stored and retained in the second file storage apparatus.

PVC compositions, concrete composition including the PVC compositions, and reinforced concrete structures that contain the concrete compositions are described. Methods for manufacturing the reinforced concrete structures of the present technology, methods for repairing reinforced concrete structures having corroded rebar, and methods for reducing rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete structures are also described.

Tau protein has a causative role in Alzheimer's disease and multiple other neurodegenerative disorders exhibiting tau histopathology collectively termed tauopathies. The primary function of tau protein is to facilitate assembly and maintenance of microtubules in neuronal axons. In the disease process tau protein becomes modified, loses its affinity to microtubules and accumulates in the cell body where it forms aggregates. The large neurofibrillary tangles formed from tau protein assembled into filaments were thought to be the pathological structure of tau. However, more recent work indicates that smaller, soluble oligomeric forms of tau are best associated with neuron loss and memory impairment. Here, novel compositions of tau oligomers and novel mechanisms for tau oligomer nucleation, extension and termination are taught. Methods for producing and purifying these structures for the development of small molecule and immunotherapeutics as well as antibodies for biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases are taught.

The present invention reliably initiates channel switchover and reduces periods wherein an image is not displayed. A digital broadcast reception device is provided with: RAM (120) for storing second channel selection control information for each channel, said second channel selection control information having an I-picture appearan d, and an I-picture appearance interval, which is the interval between times when packets containing an I-picture are obtained; and a control unit (130) which receives input from an operation unit (108) for a channel selection change, and then acquires, from the selection control information, the I-picture appearance time and the I-picture appearance interval corresponding to the channel after the change, and calculates an I-picture appearance prediction time in which the next packet containing an I-picture will be obtained by adding the I-picture appearance interval to the I-picture appearance time, and delays the changing of the channel until a time required for changing to the selected channel that is before the I-picture appearance prediction time.

An integrated circuit 15 is placed onto a lead frame 101 having lead fingers 109 of substantially constant thickness along their length. Wires are formed from the lead fingers 109 to corresponding electrical contacts the integrated circuit. Following the wire bonding process, the thickness of the tips of the lead fingers 109 is reduced by a laser process, to form tips of reduced thickness desirable for a subsequent moulding operation. Thus, at the time of the wire bonding the tips of the fingers 109 need not have a gap beneath them, so that more secure wire bonds to the lead fingers 109 can be formed.

A fluid cartridge for a printing device includes a housing including a floor, a chamber defined in the housing and configured to store an ink therein, a capillary medium disposed in the housing and in operative communication with the chamber, and a wick disposed at least partially in an opening of the floor, the wick including a portion extending a predetermined distance into the housing such that the wick portion contacts the capillary medium. The fluid cartridge further includes an enriched pigment-confining member established inside the housing such that the confining member physically contacts the floor and surrounds at least a portion of a periphery of the wick. The confining member is configured to i) block enriched ink from the wick, and/or ii) dilute the enriched ink prior to flowing through the wick.

Procedure for the manufacture of metal articles with laser, comprising the following phases: prepare at least a metal substrate (17); deposit on said substrate (17) at least a layer (18) of commercially pure zirconium or its alloys in the form of powder (7); cut said layer (18) with at least a laser beam (10) having a ratio between power and translation speed between 0.12 -0.20 W.s/mm.

A radiated sound reducing structure that reduces radiated sound generated in a pipe through which gas passes includes a first pipe (304) and a second pipe (314) that is arranged inside the first pipe (304) and has, on an outer peripheral surface, a linear contact portion (QN) that is in linear, contact with a portion of an inner peripheral surface (304a) of the first pipe (304). Also, a radiated sound reducing structure in a pipe through which gas passes includes a first pipe (304) and a second pipe (314) formed in- a pseudo-cylindrical concave polyhedral shell that is arranged inside the first pipe (304) and has, on an outer peripheral surface, a point contact portion (KZ), that is in point contact with a portion of the inner peripheral surface (304a) of the first pipe (304).