Provided is an adhesive composition for a protective film including an acrylic emulsion resin capable of providing contamination resistance on the film and low peel strength and minimizing generation of static electricity during peeling of the protective film. The acrylic emulsion resin includes a mixture including 80 to 99.9% by weight of a polymer of a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer including a C1-C14 alkyl group and a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer including an alkylene oxide unit, and 0.1 to 20% by weight of a monomer including a carboxyl group and/or a hydroxyl group or a combination thereof, and 5 to 30 parts by weight of a reactive emulsifier having a double bond structure radical-polymerizable with the polymer and including an alkylene oxide unit based on 100 parts by weight of the mixture.

Self-assembled silica condensates are described as well as their use in coating compositions. The self-assembled silica condensates can be formed from the hydrolysis of medium to long chain trialkoxy silane compounds. Coating compositions containing the self-assembled silica condensates can provide coatings having improved scratch and mar resistance and can have excellent recoat adhesion.

A method of treating a disease or condition in which up-regulating GAGs is therapeutically beneficial is disclosed, in particular osteoarthritis and skin diseases. The method comprises locally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of down-regulating activity or expression of a component of the renin-angiotensin system.

An optical disc device of the present invention comprises an insertion detection optical sensor which detects insertion of an optical disc based on light emitted from a first light emitting element to a first light receiving element being blocked, and an ejection detection optical sensor provided on the downstream side in the carry-in direction to the insertion detection optical sensor to detect ejection of the optical disc based on light emitted from a second light emitting element to a second light receiving element being blocked. The optical disc device is structured such that, in a state that the optical disc is attached onto the turntable, when the light of the first light emitting element is blocked and the light of the second light emitting element is not blocked, the optical disc device recognizes that a lens cleaner is attached onto the turntable as the optical disc, and the optical disc device performs a cleaning operation.

In one embodiment an enclosure for a high-density storage system, comprises a backplane to which a plurality of data storage devices may be coupled, a front panel opposite the backplane and defining a first airflow channel adjacent a front side of the data storage devices, a back panel opposite the front panel and comprising a second airflow channel adjacent the backplane, a floor panel and a top panel, a first side panel comprising an array of air flow inlets, a second side panel comprising at least one air flow outlet, and a fan assembly to expel air from the at least one air outlet.

Provided is an object lens driving device that includes a wire holder coupled to a support portion and on which an end of a plurality of suspension wires are fixed. The wire holder includes a first area supported on the support portion and a second area extending from the first area and on which the end of each of the plurality of suspension wires is fixed. In this example, a thickness of the second area is thinner than a thickness of the first area.

Provided is an objective lens driving unit that prevents an electrical short circuit between very closely spaced second terminals in the objective lens driving unit. The objective lens driving unit is capable of being used in a slim-type optical disc drive.

A radiator screen arrangement (10) for a combine harvester is provided. A screen (12) through which air, which is to pass through a radiator, is drawn by a fan. Rotating means (16) are provided for rotating the screen. Blanking means (18), past which the screen is rotated, provides a blanked off area of the screen which is not subject to the induction pressure of the fan and from which particles can therefore be more easily removed. The arrangement is characterised in that the blanking means has a leading edge (18a) which is of generally spiral shape so that the particles on the outer surface of the screen which enter the blanked-off area can reach the outer periphery (12d) of the rotating screen without being exposed to the induction pressure of the fan and hence have an improved chance of being detached from the screen.

A sensor for monitoring a plant population in front of a harvester and a transfer process of the crop from the harvester to a transport vehicle is arranged on an unmanned aircraft. The aircraft moves in the vicinity of the harvester in the harvesting mode and communicates in a wireless fashion with a control unit that controls an actuator for influencing an operating parameter of the harvester and/or the transport vehicle (in real time based on signals of the sensor in the harvesting mode.

A grain bin located atop a harvester includes upstanding walls having a substantially continuous upper edge defining an opening. A grain bin extension is deployable between extended and retracted positions to expand the capacity of the grain bin. The extension includes extension panels and a cap overlaying the opening. The cap is supported by a cap frame that is also deployable between extended and retracted positions. An extension deployment apparatus raises and lowers the extension panels. Extension deployment mechanisms located at opposing corners of the grain bin control the deployment of adjacent extension panels. Each extension deployment mechanism has a first rack and a trunnion to drive extension panels in a vertical direction and pivot the panels in an outward direction and a second rack mounted to the trunnion to drive the cap frame in a vertical direction, and a drive gear between the first and second racks.

A harvester grain bin monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that monitors the perimeter of the bin proximate to the top rim to provide a warning to an operator when the grain level reaches approaches the bin rim. The sensor may be optical or mechanical.

For a memo pad, many sheets 1 are bound at a back face as bound sheets using gum. The memo pad is provided with a cover paper on the top and a mounting paper on the bottom. The sheets 1 are printed from a central area of the sheet surface to over an outer peripheral area, with a decorative pattern. Outer peripheral non glued edges of the memo pad have a rugged shape modeled after the decorative pattern in a direction of the sheet surface and in a direction of the bound sheet thickness, such that even if the sheets 1 are turned up one by one or removed, a three dimensional decorative pattern reappears from the surface of the remaining sheets 1 to over the outer peripheral edge.

A clutch mechanism for a tape dispenser, for example, includes a first reel, a second reel, a biasing element, and a friction element. The first and second reels are rotatably disposed on first and second shafts. The biasing element is disposed between the second reel and second shaft such that the second reel is movable in a radial direction between first and second positions relative to the second shaft and the biasing element biases the second reel into the first position. The friction element extends around the first and second reels and arranged to generate a first normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a first position, relative to the second shaft, and a second normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a second position, relative to the second shaft.

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween. One of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data including data for encryption. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars. An average height of the bars is less than about 50 microns. About eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape. A tape supply cartridge according to various embodiments has a magnetic recording tape as described herein.

Various embodiments concern a DSA suspension of a disk drive. The DSA suspension comprises a support configured to attach to the disk drive, the support comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a linkage portion therebetween. The DSA head suspension system further comprises at least one motor mounted on the support, each motor positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The DSA suspension further comprises a damper attached to some or all of the proximal portion, the motor(s), the distal portion, and the linkage portion. The damper can be a single layer or multilayered. The damper can comprise viscoelastic material. The damper can be adhesive. The damper may only be attached to the support and the motors and not to other components of the DSA suspension.

A suspension includes a positive write trace and a negative write trace. The positive write trace is separated into at least two positive write trace sections located at two different layers respectively, and the negative write trace is separated into at least two negative write trace sections located at two different layers respectively. Each positive write trace section and each negative write trace section are alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction on two different layers, and the positive write trace sections at different layers are connected together via conductive crossovers, and the negative write trace sections are connected together via conductive crossovers. The present invention can obtain balanced propagation time in the stacked trace structure to reduce signal distortion, and obtain widened frequency bandwidth.

A dual-stack read sensor is utilized in a storage device having an actuator arm that positions the read sensor over a rotating storage medium. The dual-stacked read sensor includes a primary read sensor having a first set of read sensor characteristics and a secondary read sensor having a second set of read sensor characteristics that differ from the first set of read sensor characteristics, wherein the secondary read sensor is positioned relative to the primary read sensor to be radially offset from the primary read sensor relative to a data track being read.

A flexible cable assembly (FCA) has a stiffener layer positioned in electrical contact with an electrical ground feature of the FCA, and a head stack assembly (HSA) may include a suspension tail electrically connected to the stiffener layer of the FCA, thus providing a robust ground path between the read/write head and the arm or E-block of the HSA. Additional efficient grounding techniques may include directly electrically connecting the suspension tail to the arm via a conductive adhesive, directly electrically connecting the FCA stiffener layer to the arm via a conductive screw, and/or directly electrically connecting the ground feature and the stiffener layer of the FCA to the arm using a ground post or screw.

Various embodiments may be generally directed to a magnetic sensor constructed with a decoupling layer that has a predetermined first morphology. A magnetic free layer can be deposited contactingly adjacent to the decoupling layer with the magnetic free layer configured to have at least a first sub-layer having a predetermined second morphology.

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation suspension that comprises a loadbeam having a load point projection. The suspension further comprises a gimbal assembly having a point of contact that is in contact with the load point projection such that the gimbal assembly can gimbal about the load point projection. The gimbal assembly is cantilevered from the loadbeam and has an axis of rotation aligned with the load point projection and the point of contact. The suspension further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal assembly and positioned proximal of the point of contact. The pair of motors is mounted between a tongue and a pair of spring arms to rotate the tongue about the point of contact and the load point projection. The loadbeam further comprises a void into which the pair of motors extends.

A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A tongue of the gimbal portion has a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. The hinge portion is formed between the first tongue portion and the second tongue portion. The gimbal portion is provided with a damper member includes a viscoelastic material layer and a constrained plate. The damper member comprises a first damper and a second damper. The hinge portion is exposed between the first damper and the second damper. A dimple on a load beam contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.

A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The method provides a first read sensor stack and defines a first read sensor in a stripe height direction from the first read sensor stack. The stripe height direction is perpendicular to the ABS. A shield is provided on the first read sensor stack and in a down track direction from the first read sensor stack. A second read sensor stack is provided. The shield is between the first read sensor and the second read sensor stack in the down track direction. Both the first read sensor and the second read sensor are defined from the first read sensor stack and from the second read sensor stack, respectively, in a cross-track direction. The cross-track direction is substantially perpendicular to the down track direction and substantially perpendicular to the stripe height direction.

A two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) read head has upper and lower read sensors wherein the lower read sensor has its magnetization biased by side shields of soft magnetic material. The center shield between the lower and upper sensors may be an antiparallel structure (APS) with two ferromagnetic layers separated by an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer. The center shield has a central region and two side regions, but there is no antiferromagnetic (AF) layer in the central region. Instead the two side regions of the upper ferromagnetic layer in the APS are pinned by AF tab layers that are electrically isolated from the upper sensor. The upper ferromagnetic layer and the APC layer in the APS may also be located only in the side regions. The thickness of the center shield can thus be made thinner, which reduces the free layer to free layer spacing.

A magnetic read sensor having an antiferromagnetic located embedded within a magnetic shield of the sensor so that the antiferromagnetic layer can pin the magnetization of the pinned layer without contributing to read gap thickness. The sensor is configured with a pinned layer having a free layer structure located within an active area of the sensor and a pinned layer that extends beyond the free layer and active area of the sensor. The antiferromagnetic layer can be located outside of the active and exchange coupled with the extended portion of the pinned layer.

The pulley device for a belt or chain tensioning idler or runner roller comprises a pulley (12), a roller bearing (14), a spacer (18) for the mounting of the rolling bearing (14) and being capable of pressing against an element external to the device, a fastening screw (20) immobilized axially relative to the spacer (18), and at least one retaining ring (22) which is elastic radially and which is mounted inside a groove (60) made on the fastening screw (20), a portion of the ring (22) protruding radially into a recess (52) of the spacer (18).

A service may be provided that reads sensors, and that communicates information based on the sensor readings to applications. In one example, an operating system provides a sensor interface that allows programs that run on a machine to read the values of sensors (such as an accelerometer, light meter, etc.). A service may use the interface to read the value of sensors, and may receive subscriptions to sensor values from other programs. The service may then generate messages that contain the sensor value, and may provide these messages to programs that have subscribed to the messages. The messages may contain raw sensor data. Or, the messages may contain information that is derived from the sensor data and/or from other data.

A pattern-forming method includes providing a resist film on a substrate using a radiation-sensitive composition. The resist film is exposed. The exposed resist film is developed using a developer solution. The developer solution includes no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent. The radiation-sensitive composition includes at least two components including a first polymer and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The first polymer includes a structural unit having an acid-labile group. One or more components of the radiation-sensitive composition have a group represented by a formula (1). A− represents —N−—SO2—RD, —COO−, —O− or —SO3−. —SO3− does not directly bond to a carbon atom having a fluorine atom. RD represents a linear or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group, or the like. X+ represents an onium cation. —A−X+ (1)

Process for the preparation of etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensates, in which first a methylolation of melamine with a formaldehyde component in the molar ratio of from 1:6 to 1:15, preferably at a pH of >7, is carried out. This is followed by an etherification of the resulting hydroxymethylation intermediate in the presence of a C1-C20-alkyl, preferably of a C1-C6-alcohol, particularly preferably of a C1-C4-alcohol, at a pH of 9.5 being established before, during and/or after the distillation. According to the invention, a plurality of hydroxymethylation, etherification and distillation steps follow in order to achieve an etherified melamine/formaldehyde condensate which is distinguished by a high degree of hydroxymethylation, a high solids content and a low viscosity.

A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.

A pen dispenser for dispensing flowable and non-flowable material, comprising a pen body and an optional push button applicator for the pen, a universal cartridge, optionally having a disposable cartridge, and capable of accepting a multitude of interchangeable tip applicators.

Disclosed is a pencil-type case for allowing pressing a pressure button to discharge liquid content out to a content brush. The container for dispensing a preset quantity of liquid content accommodated in a main body by pressing a pressure button. The container includes: main body including content case to accommodate content in outer body and having pushing member; pumping member including: folding link driven by pressure button; check valve preventing content from flowing backward when content is introduced into cylinder tube via content-introducing hole formed in cylinder tube, and piston pumping content out to content brush of content brush body; and content brush body including: content-introducing tube in which check valve is installed; cam surface adjusting stroke of folding link; and content brush provided at leading end to discharge content of content-introducing tube.

A cream dispensing applicator assembly allows an individual to easily, evenly, and cleanly apply cream to hard-to-reach areas of the body. The assembly includes an elongated member having a head coupled to a handle. The elongated member has an interior space configured for holding a liquid. A pad is coupled to the head. A channel extends through the head. A plurality of outlet ports is coupled to the pad and to the channel. A plunger, a shaft, a knob, and a switch are coupled to the handle. The shaft is coupled to and extends through the plunger. The knob is operationally coupled to the plunger wherein manipulation of the knob urges the plunger into the shaft. A valve is coupled to the handle and to the channel. The switch is operationally coupled to the valve wherein manipulation of the switch selectively opens and closes the valve.

A symmetric rigid writing device comprises two arms and a writing utensil. The writing utensil is permanently attached to the arms. The arms and the writing utensil are made of rigid materials. The arms are symmetric and the writing utensil is positioned at the center between the arms. Each of the arms is shaped like a curved pole. At least one end of each arm is attached to the writing utensil. The user may grasp the writing device by the arms with both hands and execute a writing action.

A container adapted to contain and dispense a product and method for its use. The container comprises a hollow body, a filling opening, a dispensing opening, a valve and a resiliently deformable means for said valve. The valve may form a leak-tight engagement with the dispensing opening, and is openable by an external force acting on said valve whereby the leak-tight engagement is disengaged, allowing the product to be spread onto a fabric by the valve. The container may be used in a method for pretreating and subsequently laundering pretreated fabrics in an automatic washing machine.

A dispenser includes a removable head or applicator and a body having a reservoir for containing a product, such as a cosmetics product or a medicinal product. By virtue of having a removable head or applicator, the dispenser is capable of dispensing various products.

A touch sensitive screen mobile information apparatus having a wireless communication unit for wireless device discovery is herein disclosed. Close proximity wireless device discovery is enabled by wireless searching near distance via radio frequency field for a wireless device, receiving information from the wireless device over the near distance wireless communication, and storing the received information at the information apparatus for future wireless connections. Authentication or pairing of devices may be eliminated due to close proximity of the direct wireless device discovery. After wireless device discovery, the information apparatus and the wireless device may become locked or paired for subsequent wireless communication over any number of wireless communication protocols or standards (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, 2.4GHz) without the need to repeat wireless discovery or pairing. Examples of information apparatus include smart phones, digital camera, laptops, or information pads. Examples of wireless devices include televisions, audio output devices, or printers.

A backlight module includes a carrier plate, a plurality of light sources, a plurality of circular Fresnel lenses, and a plurality of cylinder Fresnel lenses. The circular Fresnel lenses are arranged in an array form on the carrier plate. The light sources correspond to the circular Fresnel lenses, and are located in a side away from the carrier plate. One cylinder Fresnel lens is set between every two adjacent circular Fresnel lenses. A length direction of each cylinder Fresnel lens is parallel to an extending direction of adjacent column of the circular Fresnel lens. The circular and cylinder Fresnel lenses are used to reflect a light incident into their surfaces, and to increase an emission angle of the reflected light.

The invention relates to an optical device for imparting an asymmetrical light beam. The optical device comprises a lens (10) having an exit diopter (12) having an exit surface consisting of a convex surface (16) defining a curved rear portion (18) having a first curvature and a curved front portion (19) having a second curvature different from the first curvature. Furthermore the lens (10) comprises an entry diopter (11) including at least one concave lodging (13) for lodging at least one light source, the surface of the concave lodging (13) facing at least partly the curved rear portion (18).

A light projector has a light emitting device having a light emitting surface, an optical fiber having an incident end-face to which light emitted from the light emitting surface enters, and a lens arranged between the light emitting surface of the light emitting device and the incident end-face of the optical fiber. The light emitting device, the optical fiber and the lens are arranged on one optical axis. The optical fiber includes a core region as a region including a single core of uniform refractive index or a region collectively encompassing a plurality of cores having uniform refractive index. The lens converts diffused light emitted from the light emitting surface to diffused light that widens more moderately.

There is provided an inclination sensor device. The inclination sensor device includes: a substrate which mounts an inclination sensor configured to calculate an inclination angle of a vehicle; a case which accommodates the substrate; a first positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a first main surface of the substrate; and a second positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first main surface of the substrate.

A system for treating heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure, including an implantable component and external components for monitoring the implantable component is provided. The implantable component may include a compliant member, e.g., balloon, coupled to a reservoir via a conduit. Preferably, the compliant member is adapted to be implanted in a pulmonary artery and the reservoir is adapted to be implanted subcutaneously. The external components may include a clinical controller component, monitoring software configured to run a clinician's computer, a patient monitoring device, and a mobile application configured to run on a patient's mobile device.

A machined ceramic article having an initial surface defect density and an initial surface roughness is provided. The machined ceramic article is heated to a temperature range between about 1000° C. and about 1800° C. at a ramping rate of about 0.1° C. per minute to about 20° C. per minute. The machined ceramic article is heat-treated in air atmosphere. The machined ceramic article is heat treated at one or more temperatures within the temperature range for a duration of up to about 24 hours. The machined ceramic article is then cooled at the ramping rate, wherein after the heat treatment the machined ceramic article has a reduced surface defect density and a reduced surface roughness.

A holding device (1) holds a lens (6) at its lens edge (5) with the aid of an adhesive connection (16, 17). The adhesive connection (16, 17) is applied only at one adhesive point or only at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17). Each holding device (1) provided with a lens (6) is positioned on the dip frame in such a manner that the lens (6) is positioned above its holding device (1). A method is provided for finishing lenses (6) wherein the lenses (6) are subjected to various sequential finishing steps of a finishing process and the lenses (6) are cemented to the same holding device during finishing. The application of adhesive is only at one adhesive point or at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17).

A method serves to produce a three-dimensional object by additive construction in direct construction sequence from solidifiable material, which is either present in the starting state in a fluid phase or can be liquefied, where multiple material components are discharged alternately in a programmable manner by means of multiple discharge units and configure different parts of the object joined to one another as a result of the discharge, where the geometric proportions obtained during discharge already correspond to the object, and because the material components form between them either edge regions merging into one another without boundaries or boundary regions of the different material components abutting one another without joining, a method and an object produced therewith can be provided, in which boundary and edge regions are formed “as if from one piece” between different material components even in the case of complex geometries.

Disclosed is a negative C-type retardation compensator for a liquid crystal display. The negative C-type retardation compensator for the liquid crystal display includes polyarlate having a thio group or a sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof. Accordingly, the retardation compensator has an absolute value of negative retardation that is larger in a thickness direction that a retardation compensator which includes polyarylate having no thio group or sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof even though the retardation compensator having the thio group or sulfur oxide group and the retardation compensator having no thio group or sulfur oxide group are the same as each other in thickness. Thereby, the negative C-type retardation compensator for liquid crystal displays is capable of being desirably applied to the liquid crystal displays.

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

The method includes the steps of: obtaining lateral magnification of an optical scanning system; obtaining the maximum value of thickness in the optical axis direction of an scanner lens; obtaining allowance b on one side and beam diameter a in the vertical scanning direction in the lens; and obtaining width h in the vertical scanning direction of the lens by the following expression h=a+2b. The allowance b is a product of the maximum value of thickness in the optical axis direction of the lens and a coefficient, and the coefficient is determined according to the lateral magnification of the system in such a way that the maximum value of movement of the focal point of the lens due to moisture absorption is made smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.