A door leaf handle for a motor vehicle and an assembly including the handle includes a bracket and a gripping element is movable relative thereto between a rest position, a primary door opening position and a secondary door opening position. At least one breakable stop limits displacement of the gripping element in the primary door opening position if pulling force applied is less than a predetermined force value and configured to break if a pulling force applied on the gripping element exceeds the predetermined value and to allow the displacement of the gripping element beyond the primary door opening position to the secondary door opening position. A primary door opening trigger is activated by displacement of the gripping element in the primary door opening position. A secondary mechanical door opening trigger is activated by displacement of the gripping element in the secondary door opening position.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Door leaf handles conventionally include a bracket configured to be fixed on the door and a gripping element connected to the bracket by a hinge.
The gripping element is movable in rotation or in translation relative to the bracket between a flush position in which it is substantially parallel to the bracket and recessed in the door, and a rest position in which it is inclined relative to the support. The gripping element can also be directly in the rest position.
Door leaf handles can also include a device for activating the opening of the door leaf.
Such a handle is connected to a latch present on the door of the motor vehicle by a mechanical link, for example by a cable called a Bowden cable or electrically. In case of a typical electrical handle, when a user wishes to open the door of the motor vehicle, the user activates an actuator which sends an electrical opening signal to open the door. This type of electrical link between the handle and the latch can have a drawback. For example, in a situation where strong contact with another vehicle occurs when the gripping element is in the rest position, the acceleration undergone during such an accident may cause the vehicle door to be blocked. Thereby, rescuers like fireman or policeman may not be able to open the door to have access to the interior of the vehicle and therefore assist a person inside because the electrical system of the vehicle is down.
The door leaf handle of the present disclosure overcomes these and other disadvantages associated with typical door leaf handles.


The present application relates to a large-size, high-dielectric breakdown strength titanium oxide based dielectric ceramic material, a preparation method and application thereof. The composition of the titanium oxide based dielectric ceramic material comprises: a CaTiO3+b SrTiO3+c TiO2+d Al2TiO5+e SiO2, wherein a, b, c, d, and e are the mole percentage of each component, 15≤a≤35 mol %, 0≤b≤2 mol %, 30≤c≤84 mol %, 0.5≤d≤25 mol %, 0.5≤e≤15 mol %, and a+b+c+d+e=100 mol %.

Solid state repetitive frequency pulse technology has shown very attractive application prospects in many fields such as military (strong pulse laser, high power microwave, electromagnetic pulse weapon, etc.), scientific research (particle beam inertial confinement fusion, electron beam accelerator, strong X-ray technology, etc.), industry (chemical industry, petroleum industry, etc.), as well as biomedicine and environmental protection. Therefore, solid state transmission media has received extensive attention from the international scientific community.
Currently, there are three types of solid state transmission media: organic material/ceramic particle composites, glass ceramics, and ceramics. Organic materials usually have a very high dielectric breakdown strength (≥100 kV/mm), and organic material/ceramic particle composites also have a high dielectric breakdown strength, accordingly. However, due to the mismatch of interfaces and a great difference in thermal expansion coefficients between organic and inorganic materials, the organic material/ceramic particle composites have high dielectric losses and the dielectric properties thereof vary significantly with temperature and frequency. Although glass ceramics have a relatively high dielectric breakdown strength and dielectric constant, they have problems such as poor stability of dielectric properties and mechanical properties, and low energy density due to interface polarization. Ceramic media are preferred because they have the advantages of a high and adjustable dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, fast discharge speed, wide usage temperature range, corrosion resistance, etc. However, traditional ceramic systems have a relatively low dielectric breakdown strength. For example, a typical TiO2 ceramic has a dielectric constant of 90 at normal temperature, but its dielectric breakdown strength is only 25 kV/mm, which cannot meet the needs of practical use.

Large-size, high-dielectric breakdown strength titanium oxide based dielectric ceramic materials, preparation method and application thereof

SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF CERAMICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES


An organic light emitting display device is disclosed, which including an active matrix substrate with an array of active elements disposed in an active region and a control circuit disposed in a peripheral region. A color filter substrate is oppositely disposed to the active matrix substrate, including color filter elements with different colors enclosed by a black matrix layer in a region corresponding to the active region and an extension of the black matrix layer in a region corresponding to the peripheral region. An array of OLED pixel is interposed between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate on the active region. Each of the OLED pixels includes an anode, an organic electroluminescent layer, and a cathode. A first conductive component electrically connects the control circuit and the extension of the black matrix layer. A second conductive component electrically connects the black matrix layer and the cathode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display (OLED) device, and in particular relates to an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED) display device having a top cathode contact and image display system thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flat display devices, such as organic light emitting display (OLED) and liquid crystal display (LCD), have many advantageous features, such as small dimensions, light weight, and low power consumption. Thus, flat display devices have been widely applied to electronic products, such as portable computers and mobile phones.
An organic light emitting display device having a self-emission feature adapts to applications for different environmental conditions, such as indoor applications and outdoor applications. Substantially, a conventional OLED device comprises an anode, an organic electroluminescent layer, and a cathode. A bias voltage may be applied between the anode and the cathode to activate the organic electroluminescent layer to emit light for image display. The technical trend of the OLED device is to improve light emitting efficiency and operating lifespan.
An active matrix organic light emitting display (AM-OLED) device comprises a matrix of active elements, such as an array of thin film transistors (TFT) and corresponding OLED pixels. An anode of each of the OLED pixels is controlled by the corresponding TFT. A cathode of the display device electrically connects to a control circuit in a peripheral region of the display device. A cathode of a conventional AM-OLED device forms an electrical connection from a lower substrate, such as an active matrix substrate, to other elements through a cathode contact. However, the contact area between the cathode and the cathode contact breaks easily due to bad step coverage of the cathode, which results in breakage or collapse of the cathode and further affects the quality and reliability of the device.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a structure of a conventional AM-OLED device. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional AM-OLED device 100 comprises a substrate 11 including an active region AR and a peripheral region PR. An array composed of a plurality of active elements 20 is disposed on the substrate 11 in the active region AR. The active element 20 may be, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT) comprising a gate 25, a gate dielectric layer 23, and a semiconductor layer 21 for forming a source/drain region and a channel region of the TFT. Passivation layers 12 and 13 are disposed on the substrate 11 to isolate each TFT and electrical connection. Signal lines 26A and 26B connect to the source region and the drain region of the TFT, respectively. The signal line 26B further connects to an anode 14 of each of the OLED pixels. An interlayer dielectric layer 13A is disposed on the passivation layer 13 to isolate each TFT and OLED pixel.
Pixel isolation structures 16 are disposed on the interlayer dielectric 13A to define and isolate each OLED pixel. Each OLED pixel comprises an anode 14 electrically connected to the signal line 26B through an electrical contact, organic electroluminescent layer 18 with different colors on the anode 14, and a continuative cathode 32 on the organic electroluminescent layer 18. A passivation layer 34 is disposed on the cathode 32.
Meanwhile, the continuative cathode 32 extends to the peripheral region PR of the substrate 11 and electrically connects to a signal line 28, such as a PVEE signal line, in a cathode contact opening. However, the step coverage of the cathode 32 near the step position 30 of the cathode contact opening is deficient, which results in breakage or collapse of the cathode and further affects the quality and reliability of the device.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,373 disclosed an AM-OLED device, wherein a plurality of cathode contacts are formed in the active element substrate to improve the electrical connection between the control circuit and the cathode. However, forming extra cathode contacts increases the complexity of the manufacturing process. For example, during patterning of the pixel electrodes and the contact holes, a more precise alignment system for photolithography is needed. Meanwhile, extra cathode contacts will also reduce the aperture ratio of the AM-OLED device.
Thus, it is desirable to have an AM-OLED display device and an image display system having a top cathode contact to prevent breakage or collapse near the contact position of the cathode.

Organic light emitting display (OLED) devise, modules, and electronic devices


The present invention is a substrate dependent circuit modeling system for substrate-mounted components. The height and dielectric constant of a substrate have a significant impact on the frequency response of such components, and these effects cannot be treated independently from the circuit model. The equivalent circuit parameters in the model must be made to vary in accordance with changes in the substrate. The invention includes the steps of selecting a substrate mounted electrical circuit component for which an equivalent circuit model is desired, determining equivalent circuit model input parameters, wherein some of which are dependent upon characteristics of the substrate upon which the component is mounted, for the selected component, representing the selected electrical circuit component mounted upon the substrate as an equivalent electrical circuit, formulating mathematical expressions based upon the input parameters, and creating a unique equivalent circuit model for the component mounted upon the given substrate, the unique equivalent circuit model representing the mounting of the component upon the given substrate wherein the equivalent circuit model provides behavior and performance predictions of the component based upon the given substrate characteristics.

In the world of electronic circuit component design and fabrication, particularly in the field of RF and microwave circuit design, there is a great deal of reliance upon the availability of reliable, accurate component models. Where resistors, transistors, inductors, capacitors and other components are mounted directly upon a printed circuit board, or "substrate", it is often necessary to prepare an electrical circuit model that provides an accurate representation of a component's response and behavior. Often, models of this nature are used in conjunction with computer-aided-engineering (CAE) or electronic design automation (EDA) software. Methods currently in use to predict the response of these components include the use of scattering parameter measurements, mathematical functions and circuit parameter extraction-based models.
Measurement-based models can provide an accurate representation of a component's response, yet have been limited because de-embedding the component fixtures or its surroundings is not taken into consideration. In addition, measurement-based models require a large amount of computer storage allocation. The effects of variations in the height and the dielectric constant of the substrate upon which the component rests are largely ignored.
The majority of equation-based models fail to take into consideration printed circuit board, parasitic or frequency-related effects. Further, the inherent complexity in deriving these formulas usually compromises their accuracy and range of application.
The use of equivalent circuit models, on the other hand, generally provides physical insight of the component and its fixture, requires minimal storage and memory allocation, and offers fast simulation time. However, most if not all equivalent circuit models are lacking in two very critical areas. First, as mentioned above, these models largely ignore the PCB environment. While some models may attempt to represent substrate characteristics, for example, representing bond-pad interaction in a ceramic multilayered capacitor model by a microstrip gap capacitor, the effect is insignificant, as other parasitic effects are ignored. Models that do not account for substrate effects are likely inaccurate. Second, and equally as critical, is the inability of present models to provide a general or "global" model that scales directly with component size. As an example of this second area, if a design engineer does not know the exact component value to use in a particular part of an electrical schematic, it may be necessary for the design engineer to manually choose individual models until the correct component value is found. While is it known in the art to provide a "global" model that is capable of emulating the electrical response of a plurality of component values, as a function of frequency and the substrate to which to component is mounted, current methods known in the art utilize a process of interpolation applied to the variables in the model in order to generate polynomials representing the behavior of each variable as a function of component value. This variable interpolation process for the development of a global model has been shown to be largely inaccurate due to the great variability of the variables, resulting in uneven variability over the range of component values. Additionally, the variable interpolation process known in the art requires the use of high order polynomials, which further reduces the accuracy of the variable interpolation modeling approach currently known in the art.
Therefore, in addition to creating an accurate substrate-dependent model for electrical circuit components, there is also a need in the art, particularly to facilitate CAD optimization, to create a global model that may be used to accurately represent each family of components, i.e. one model that covers the entire range of values, for example, from 1 picofarad capacitors up to 1800 picofarad capacitors, to facilitate circuit optimization.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a substrate-dependent equivalent circuit model wherein the equivalent-circuit parameters utilized in the model are made to vary with changes in the substrate, as well as a global equivalent-circuit model that provides one "general" model that can be applied to a large family of components of varying size. Further, a more accurate and versatile method for analyzing surface mount performance of various types of circuit components is needed in order to significantly reduce bench time as well as the number of design cycles necessary to design new electronic products.
It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed.
However, in view of the prior art at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

Global equivalent circuit modeling system for substrate mounted circuit components incorporating substrate dependent characteristics


A printing apparatus to attach at least one tab sheet to a print document discharged by performing a print job may include a specifying unit and a control unit. N is integer of 2 or more and N tab sheets constitute one set of tab sheets. The specifying unit specifies a number M (M is an integer of 1 or more) of the tab sheet specified to be attached to the print document corresponding to one print document set in the print job. The control unit performs control so as to discharge a surplus tab sheet of a number corresponding to a difference between the N and the M after discharging an M-th tab sheet and before discharging a remaining print document to be discharged by performing the print job, during printing of the print document corresponding to the one print document set in the print job.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method of the printing apparatus, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there have been proposed a copying machine and a printer including a tab sheet insertion mode capable of inserting tab sheets (also referred to as "index sheets") at predetermined positions in an output stack constituted by sheets having a normal size to generate a document containing headlines and divided chapters. Tab sheets used in such printing are prepared as one set constituted by a combination of a predetermined number of tab sheets. For example, for a five tab sheet set, one set is constituted by five tab sheets.
However, when five tab sheets are placed though only two positions are specified as tab insertion positions, three of them become surplus sheets. Therefore, a problem arises that, if a next document set or a next job starts to be printed without removing the surplus tab sheets, the next print output has tab positions different from those in the previous print output.
However, it is bothersome for a user to remove these surplus tab sheets in advance and then reset tab sheets for the next printing. As an attempt to improve this situation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-40517 discusses a technique of automatically discharging surplus tab sheets, for example, at a break between printing of document sets or jobs to thereby enable printing of tab sheets from the head thereof in the next set of documents or the next job.
However, this technique may require additional operations for switching the sheet feed stages and switching between two-sided and one-side modes when the printing apparatus discharges surplus tab sheets.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, it is assumed that surplus tab sheets are discharged after completion of printing of one set of documents 1001. In this case, plain sheets are fed after the sheet feed stage is switched at timing A. Then, after three plain sheets are fed, the sheet feed stage is again switched to discharge the surplus tab sheet. Then, after the surplus tab sheets are fed, the sheet feed state is further switched at timing B to feed plain sheets for a next set of documents.
When the sheet feed stages are switched in this way, some time period is to be taken between conveyance of plain sheets and conveyance of a tab sheet, for changing the sheet conveyance path and preventing occurrence of a jam. Therefore, an increase in the number of times of switching the sheet feed stages results in prolonged time until completion of the printing operation by the secured time, thereby reducing the productivity of the printing apparatus.
Further, when plain sheets are printed in the two-sided printing mode, a discharge of surplus tab sheets requires switching the conveyance path used in two-side printing to the conveyance path used in one-sided printing. As a result, the interval time of conveyance between sheets is increased caused by the switching, thereby reducing the productivity of the printing apparatus.
In this way, switching of the sheet feed stages and switching between two-sided and one-side modes lead to a deterioration in the productivity of the printing apparatus. Especially, when a sheet before or after a discharge of a surplus tab sheet is not a tab sheet, it becomes necessary to switch the sheet feed stages and switch the printing mode between two-sided and one-side modes, resulting in the deterioration in productivity of the printing apparatus.

Printing apparatus, control method of printing apparatus, and storage medium


The invention is directed to a certain novel compound which is an inhibitor of kinase activity, in particular IKK2 activity.

An important large family of enzymes is the protein kinase enzyme family. Currently, there are about 500 different known protein kinases. However, because three to four percent of the human genome is a code for the formation of protein kinases, there may be many thousands of distinct and separate kinases in the human body. Protein kinases serve to catalyze the phosphorylation of an amino acid side chain in various proteins by the transfer of the γ-phosphate of the ATP-Mg2+ complex to said amino acid side chain. These enzymes control the majority of the signaling processes inside cells, thereby governing cell function, growth, differentiation and destruction (apoptosis) through reversible phosphorylation of the hydroxyl groups of serine, threonine and tyrosine residues in proteins. Studies have shown that protein kinases are key regulators of many cell functions, including signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, cell motility, and cell division. Several oncogenes have also been shown to encode protein kinases, suggesting that kinases play a role in oncogenesis. These processes are highly regulated, often by complex intermeshed pathways where each kinase will itself be regulated by one or more kinases. Consequently, aberrant or inappropriate protein kinase activity can contribute to the rise of disease states associated with such aberrant kinase activity. Due to their physiological relevance, variety and ubiquitousness, protein kinases have become one of the most important and widely studied family of enzymes in biochemical and medical research.
The protein kinase family of enzymes is typically classified into two main subfamilies: Protein Tyrosine Kinases and Protein Serine/Threonine Kinases, based on the amino acid residue they phosphorylate. The serine/threonine kinases (PSTK) include cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases, calcium and phospholipid dependent protein kinase, calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, casein kinases, cell division cycle protein kinases and others. These kinases are usually cytoplasmic or associated with the particulate fractions of cells, possibly by anchoring proteins. Aberrant protein serine/threonine kinase activity has been implicated or is suspected in a number of pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, septic shock, bone loss, many cancers and other proliferative diseases. Accordingly, serine/threonine kinases and the signal transduction pathways which they are part of are important targets for drug design. The tyrosine kinases phosphorylate tyrosine residues. Tyrosine kinases play an equally important role in cell regulation. These kinases include several receptors for molecules such as growth factors and hormones, including epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin receptor, platelet derived growth factor receptor and others. Studies have indicated that many tyrosine kinases are transmembrane proteins with their receptor domains located on the outside of the cell and their kinase domains on the inside. Much work is also in progress to identify modulators of tyrosine kinases as well.
Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) represents a family of closely related dimeric transcription factor complexes composed of various combinations of the Rel/NF-κB family of polypeptides. The family consists of five individual gene products in mammals, RelA (p65), NF-κB1 (p50/p105), NF-κB2 (p52/p100), c-Rel, and RelB, all of which can form hetero- or homo-dimers. These proteins share a highly homologous 300 amino acid "Rel homology domain" which contains the DNA binding and dimerization domains. The NFkBs also carry a nuclear localisation sequence near the C-terminus of the Rel homology domain which is important in the transport of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In addition, p65 and cRel possess potent transactivation domains at their C-terminal ends.
The activity of NF-κB is regulated by its interaction with a member of the inhibitor IκB family of proteins. This interaction effectively blocks the nuclear localization sequence on the NF-κB proteins, thus preventing migration of the dimer to the nucleus. A wide variety of stimuli activate NF-κB through what are likely to be multiple signal transduction pathways. Included are bacterial products (LPS), some viruses (HIV-1, HTLV-1), inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1), environmental and oxidative stress and DNA damaging agents. Apparently common to all stimuli however, is the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκB. IκBα and β for example, are phosphorylated on two N-terminal serines by the recently identified IκB kinases (IKK-α and IKK-β), whilst NF-κB2, which carries an IkB-like C terminal region is phosphorylated on N and C terminal serines by IKK-α. IKK-β is also known as IKK2 and its now widely accepted that it is essential for rapid NFkB activation in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli. IKK2 is an example of a serine/threonine kinase. Site-directed mutagenesis studies indicate that these phosphorylations are critical for the subsequent activation of NF-κB in that once phosphorylated the protein is flagged for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Free from IκB, the active NF-κB complexes are able to translocate to the nucleus where they bind in a selective manner to preferred gene-specific enhancer sequences. Included in the genes regulated by NF-κB are a number of cytokines and chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, acute phase proteins, immunoregualtory proteins, eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes and anti-apoptotic genes.
It is well-known that NF-κB plays a key role in the regulated expression of a large number of pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines such as TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, cell adhesion molecules, such as ICAM and VCAM, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Such mediators are known to play a role in the recruitment of leukocytes at sites of inflammation and in the case of iNOS, may lead to organ destruction in some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The importance of NF-κB in inflammatory disorders is further strengthened by studies of airway inflammation including asthma, in which NF-κB has been shown to be activated. This activation may underlie the increased cytokine production and leukocyte infiltration characteristic of these disorders. In addition, inhaled steroids are known to reduce airway hyperresponsiveness and suppress the inflammatory response in asthmatic airways. In light of the recent findings with regard to glucocorticoid inhibition of NF-κB, one may speculate that these effects are mediated through an inhibition of NF-κB.
Further evidence for a role of NF-κB in inflammatory disorders comes from studies of rheumatoid synovium. Although NF-κB is normally present as an inactive cytoplasmic complex, recent immunohistochemical studies have indicated that NF-κB is present in the nuclei, and hence active, in the cells comprising rheumatoid synovium. Furthermore, NF-κB has been shown to be activated in human synovial cells in response to stimulation with TNF-α or IL-1β. Such a distribution may be the underlying mechanism for the increased cytokine and eicosanoid production characteristic of this tissue. See Roshak, A. K., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271, 31496-31501 (1996). Expression of IKK-β has been shown in synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients and gene transfer studies have demonstrated the central role of IKK-β in stimulated inflammatory mediator production in these cells. See Aupperele, K. R., et al., J. Immunology, 1999, 163:427-433 and Aupperle, K. R, et al., J. Immunology, 2001, 166:2705-11. More recently, the intra-articular administration of a wild type IKK-β adenoviral construct was shown to cause paw swelling while intra-articular administration of dominant-negative IKKβ inhibited adjuvant-induced arthritis in rat. See Tak, P. P., et al., Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2001, 44:1897-1907.
The NF-κB/Rel and IκB proteins are also likely to play a key role in neoplastic transformation and metastasis. Family members are associated with cell transformation in vitro and in vivo as a result of over expression, gene amplification, gene rearrangements or translocations. In addition, rearrangement and/or amplification of the genes encoding these proteins are seen in 20-25% of certain human lymphoid tumors. Further, NF-κB is activated by oncogenic ras, the most common defect in human tumors and blockade of NF-κB activation inhibits ras mediated cell transformation. In addition, a role for NF-κB in the regulation of apoptosis has been reported strengthening the role of this transcription factor in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation. TNF, ionizing radiation and DNA damaging agents have all been shown to activate NF-κB which in turn leads to the upregulated expression of several anti-apoptotic proteins. Conversely, inhibition of NF-κB has been shown to enhance apoptotic-killing by these agents in several tumor cell types. As this likely represents a major mechanism of tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy, inhibitors of NF-κB activation may be useful chemotherapeutic agents as either single agents or adjunct therapy. Recent reports have implicated NF-κB as an inhibitor of skeletal cell differentiation as well as a regulator of cytokine-induced muscle wasting (Guttridge, D. C., et al., Science, 2000, 289: 2363-2365) further supporting the potential of NFκB inhibitors as novel cancer therapies.
Several NF-κB and IKK inhibitors are described in Wahl, C., et al., J. Clin. Invest. 101(5), 1163-1174 (1998); Sullivan, R. W., et al., J. Med. Chem., 41, 413-419 (1998); Pierce, J. W., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272, 21096-21103 (1997); and Coish, P. D. G., et al., Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 2006, vol 16(1) 1-12.
The marine natural product hymenialdisine is known to inhibit NF-κB. See Roshak, A., et al., JPET, 283, 955-961 (1997); and Breton, J. J., and Chabot-Fletcher, M. C., JPET, 282, 459-466 (1997).
Attempts have been made to prepare compounds that inhibit IKK2 activity and a number of such compounds have been disclosed in the art. However, in view of the number of pathological responses that are mediated by IKK2, there remains a continuing need for inhibitors of IKK2 which can be used in the treatment of a variety of conditions.
The present inventors have discovered a novel compound which is an inhibitor of kinase activity, in particular IKK2 activity. Compounds which are IKK2 inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of disorders associated with inappropriate kinase activity, in particular inappropriate IKK2 activity, for example in the treatment and prevention of disorders mediated by IKK2 mechanisms. Such disorders include inflammatory and tissue repair disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma and rhinitis), fibrotic diseases, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, dermatosis (including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced skin damage), autoimmune diseases (including Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus eythematosus, multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, alkylosing spondylitis, tissue and organ rejection), Alzheimer's disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, restonosis, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, cancer (including Hodgkins disease), cachexia, inflammation associated with infection and certain viral infections (including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), adult respiratory distress syndrome, and Ataxia Telangiestasia. In particular, the disorders include inflammatory and tissue repair disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma and rhinitis), fibrotic diseases and dermatosis (including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced skin damage).
Further, the compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof, may show an improved profile over known IKK2 inhibitors in that it may possess one or more of the following properties:
(i) potent IKK2 activity with a pIC50 of greater than about 7.0;
(ii) selective for the IKK2 receptor over the IKK1 receptor; and/or
(iii) low CNS penetration.
Compounds having such a profile may be effective when inhaled, and/or capable of once daily administration and/or further may have an improved side effect profile compared with other existing therapies.
The compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof, may have an improved safety profile over known IKK2 inhibitors. In particular, the compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof, may possess an improved toxicity profile when compared to known IKK2 inhibitors.
In one embodiment, the compound may show selectivity for IKK2 over other kinases.
In one embodiment, the compound may be suitable for development as a drug due to its pharmacokinetic profile.


A method and apparatus are provided for navigating through a media object collection using a mobile device. Users navigate to the target media objects by repeatedly specifying filters. After a user specifies a filter, the filter is applied in combination with all previously specified filters to produce a filtered set of media objects. After a filter is applied, a display level is selected for each hierarchical dimension for which the media objects have metadata. The selection of the display level may be based on the number of distinct values that the media objects in the filtered set have for each level of the hierarchical dimension. Single-action controls are then displayed for each of the values that the media objects in the filtered set have for the selected display level.

Many mobile devices are capable of creating and displaying media objects. For example, digital cameras, smartphones, tablets and PDAs are frequently capable of taking photos, recording audio and/or capturing video, displaying photos and videos, and playing audio. It is common for the owners of such devices to create media objects at a faster rate than they delete the media objects they have created. Consequently, the size of personal media object collections seems to be ever increasing. For example, it is not uncommon for the owner of a smartphone to have a collection of thousands of photos and/or videos taken using the smartphone.
A personal collection of media objects may be stored entirely on the device used to create the media objects, or distributed among several locations. For example, one user may retain all photos and videos taken by a smartphone on the smartphone. On the hand, another user may periodically upload some photos to a photo application on a desktop computer, to various social networks, and/or to online services designed media object sharing.
Having created such large collections of media objects, users frequently want to share their media objects with others. While a mobile device owner may know exactly which media object she wants to share, the challenge is finding that particular media object with the user's collection. The task of finding the media object is even more difficult when the device through which the navigation is to be performed is a mobile device with a relatively small display.
Unfortunately, the larger the collection of media objects, the more difficult it is to use a mobile device to show specific media objects to others. For example, when thousands of photos are involved, scrolling through the photos to find the one you want to show a friend is time-consuming and cumbersome. Displaying a large number of photos at a time may speed up the scrolling process, but is not a feasible solution either, because the relatively small display of mobile devices limits how many photos can be concurrently displayed while still being recognizable. Displaying hundreds of photos at once would result in photos so small that the user would not be able to easily identify the particular photo the user desires to show the friend.
As an alternative to scrolling, some photo management systems allow users to find photos by (a) text searching based on metadata tags, (b) specifying metadata filters, and/or (c) performing image similarity searches. Unfortunately, when a mobile device is involved, these alternatives may also be cumbersome. For example, entering text for a text search is often cumbersome on a mobile device. In the case of metadata filters, simply showing all of the filters that are available may be too much to fit well on the limited display screen of a mobile device. An image similarity search, on the other hand, is only useful once a user has identified a photo of interest. It does not address the problem of finding that photo in the first place.
Thus, there is a need for a mechanism that allows users to efficiently navigate, using the relatively small display of a mobile device, to specific media objects they would like to show and/or play to others using the mobile device.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Content-aware filter options for media object collections


A system for monitoring incontinence in one or more subjects comprises display means; input means operable by a user; one or more transmitters, each transmitter being associated with one or more subjects being monitored; the one or more transmitters being configured to transmit signals containing continence-related data for the one or more subjects, wherein the continence-related data has been obtained over time from a continence sensor associated with an absorbent article worn by each respective subject; a receiver unit configured to receive signals from the one or more transmitters; and processing means in communication with at least the receiver unit, the processing means including a display processor configured to process the received signals and communicate display information to the display means for display of a visual representation of continence-related information derived from continence sensors in the absorbent articles worn by the one or more subjects being monitored. The system may include a volume estimator and means for communicating to a carer a ‘risk of wetness leakage’ based on e.g. an estimated volume of wetness and e.g. a pad type. Pad type may be communicated to the system automatically by way of a pad type indicator associated with the pad and/or pad/sensor combination.

Incontinence is a condition in which there is uncontrolled release of natural discharges or evacuations from the bladder and/or bowel. Urinary incontinence refers to loss of bladder control resulting in involuntary or uncontrolled urination. While some forms of incontinence, particularly urinary/bladder incontinence are relatively widespread, the condition typically affects the elderly and the infirm and is more prevalent among women.
For incontinence sufferers who are unable to anticipate the need for toileting or are unable to attend to toileting without assistance, the condition when left unchecked can cause discomfort and embarrassment. In some severe cases, unchecked wetness can lead to infection arising from bacteria in bodily exudate.
Although relatively widespread, incontinence is a condition requiring treatment with sensitivity. In the past, to comply with regulations and protocols and to ensure that incontinence sufferers in care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, aged care facilities and geriatric institutions are appropriately cared for, it has been necessary for staff to manually check these patients on a regular basis. Apart from the unpleasantness involved with manual checks, such a regimen also places a strain on staff resources. Manually checking for wetness can also cause interruption to a patient's rest and sleep.
Incontinence indicators and detection systems exist. However, they have done little to improve the current situation in which carers must manually and repeatedly check patients for wetness. Existing incontinence detection systems are generally unable to distinguish a urinary incontinence event from a faecal incontinence event. Existing systems are also deficient in that they typically alert a carer when any wetness is detected, with no indication of the degree of wetness present. This can cause more time wasted than saved as very small volumes e.g. of urine or perspiration may trigger an alert even though the patient does not actually require attention from a carer. This can also be disturbing for the patient.
Some incontinence monitoring systems involve complicated circuitry and are expensive and difficult to manufacture. Since most diapers and pads are disposable both for efficiency of use and hygiene reasons, complicated sensor systems do not lend themselves to widespread uptake and ongoing use. Other systems are clumsy to use and the sensors can interfere with the absorbent capacity of the diaper or pad with which they are used. Others again are generally incompatible with current care practices and actually create additional work, significant complications or changes in care practices undermining any benefits they may offer and making them less susceptible to widespread uptake and ongoing use.
The present invention aims to improve upon these systems, or at least provide viable alternative for monitoring and managing incontinence.
The discussion of the background to the invention included herein including reference to documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is intended to explain the context of the present invention. This is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in the patent area as at the priority date of any of the claims.


The present invention is directed to methods for a called party to report unwanted telephone calls to jurisdictional authorities. These calls may be unwanted, unlawful, or other calls. In the methods of the present invention, the called party dials a code comprised of a series of digits, which triggers the switching node associated with the called party to generate a series of messages, at least one of which encompasses the originating telephone number of the unwanted call. At least one of the messages is directed to the proper reporting authority such that the called party reports the unwanted event. Called parties can take further actions, such as including additional messaging or blocking subsequent calls from the calling party number. The reporting authority can take further action as well, such as matching the called party number with subscriber or geographic information.

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) provides a vehicle for any subscriber to telephonically connect with any other subscriber. As any calling party can place a call to any called party, a calling party can place unwanted communications to others. Such unwanted communications may constitute a violation of telemarketing laws, may constitute a crime, as in the case of a bomb threat, or may be placed to further other unlawful activity. A single caller may place thousands of unwanted and unlawful communications, as auto-dialing capability facilitates callers ability to call more frequently and at inappropriate times of day. These unwanted or unlawful calls may cause harm to persons and/or property.
As a result of the ease and anonymity involved in telephonic communication, it has increasingly become a preferred method for bad actors to engage in or support unlawful activity. Complaints regarding unwanted or unlawful telephonic communications such as harassing, threatening, and telemarketing phone calls, faxes and pre-recorded messages have led to significant federal and state laws and regulations to protect subscribers from these abusive practices. Similar laws and regulations exist or have been proposed in other countries, including Canada, Australia, Mexico, and countries in the European Union. In addition, because these types of calls are harbingers of later harm, consumers may subsequently need a record of such events and/or physical protection as a consequence of unwanted calls.
Preferably, called parties would report unwanted or unlawful calls to jurisdictional authorities and these authorities would respond as necessary and appropriate. However, beyond merely reporting that an unwanted or unlawful calling event occurred, called parties may have little additional useful or meaningful information which authorities can use to take action against the caller. Although caller ID capability generally may provide called parties with originating telephone numbers, not all called parties subscribe to caller ID service, and calling parties have means available to them for spoofing numbers that do not belong to them or blocking delivery of their numbers even when caller ID delivery service is used by the called party. Therefore, in the event of an unlawful communication, the called party may not have direct access to the calling party number (CPN) in order to report it. However, the number is stored in a designated location in the public network. Since the CPN is stored in the public network, it may be accessible by a called party without actually being visible to the called party.
Local switching standards and requirements obligate telephone service providers to deliver and store CPN in most circumstances. Often, CPN can be "seen" by a subscriber if the subscriber is provided with Caller ID delivery service. That is, when a subscriber to Caller ID service receives a display of the calling party's telephone number and/or name, that number is the number used to populate the CPN Register. Because CPN is delivered even if the called party does not subscribe to Caller ID service, the local switch always has the most recent CPN in memory.
For legal, regulatory, and/or technical reasons, certain information about each complete or incomplete call attempt (a call where the called party does not answer) remains stored in memory for at least some period of time. For example, for billing purposes, call information, including parameters such as originating and terminating telephone numbers and call duration, is captured within the public network, typically at the originating end, for delivery to a Revenue Accounting Office (RAO) within the internal network of the originator's service provider (or equivalent). In at least some cases, these data are aggregated at the originating end and transferred in bulk to the RAO at a convenient time. Some parameters, such as CPN, remain stored at the terminating end, but only temporarily.
Unwanted or unlawful calls can range from simple pranks to significant threats to individual property and public safety. The earlier in time law enforcement obtains detailed information about the caller placing the unlawful call, the more likely that the risk of harm can be reduced. Without the ability to provide meaningful data to law enforcement authorities of such events at or near the time they happen, law enforcement officials are limited in their abilities to rapidly enforce laws against unlawful communications or to identify the calling party and the calling party's location.
In addition, certain laws or regulations, such as the United States Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Telemarketing Sales Rules, require that a business maintain a list of telephone numbers for consumers who express a desire not to be solicited by telephone, known as a "Do-Not-Call" (DNC) list, and take appropriate measures to ensure that outgoing calls to telephone numbers on DNC lists are blocked. The DNC lists may include one or more lists specific to a particular business, as well as state-wide, national and industry-imposed lists such as the Direct Marketing Association Telephone Preference Service list. Other DNC laws may define how, when, to whom and under what conditions consumers and businesses may be contacted. A single violation of a federal or state DNC regulation can result in a substantial fine.
Generally speaking, laws exist in many jurisdictions to deter or punish unwanted and unlawful callers. Despite the existence of such laws, many violations occur and go unreported on a daily basis due to the often complicated effort required to obtain calling party data and to file a complaint with the appropriate jurisdictional authority. In most cases the complaining party must initiate the complaint with law enforcement, which may require CPN information or the name of a caller in order to accept a complaint. This problem is compounded when a caller does not identify themselves, misidentifies themselves, the called party does not subscribe to caller ID service or the stored CPN changes because of a later call. In practice, the requirement that a person being called must know where to file the complaint, capture the required information that may not be available to them, and take the time to actually file the complaint, eliminates all but a very small percentage of viable and enforceable complaints. Currently there is no system whereby the complainant can be assured that law enforcement receives available CPN data directly before the data are destroyed through the normal course of business and in a timely manner that allows law enforcement to quickly identify, locate and act on unlawful activity.

Automatic reporting of unwanted or unlawful telephonic communication


A composite tool and instrument is configured as a hammer having a metal striking head electrically coupled to capacitive sensing electronics disposed in a handle of the hammer. The head can thus serve as a sensing plate portion of a capacitive sensor responsive to a change in the effective dielectric constant of a building surface caused by the proximity of a structural member hidden behind that surface. The head can also serve as a sensing electrode portion of a sensor used to sense the proximity of AC power lines hidden behind the surface. In a preferred composite tool, the hammer has a handle made of an electrically insulating polymeric material and has an electrical conductor axially threaded through the handle so as to electrically couple the striking head to sensing electronics located in a cavity at the end of the handle distal from the head.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention provides means for finding a support member hidden behind a building surface and for inserting a nail or similar fastener into the support member. In the preferred embodiment a composite tool for construction and remodeling of houses and other buildings is provided by the combination of a capacitive stud sensor with a carpenter 's hammer.
2. Background Information
Many buildings have walls, ceilings or floors constructed so that supporting structural members (e.g., wall studs) are concealed behind a surface (eg., a plasterboard wall panel). It is often desirable to determine the location of the hidden structural members--e.g., when one wishes to drive a nail into wall stud in order to hang a picture or other object on the wall. Many approaches to this problem have been proposed and used. These include tapping on the wall and estimating the stud 's location from the quality of the sound, as well as moving a pivotally-mounted permanent magnet along the wall to find the ferromagnetic nails or screws that a previous worker had used to hold up the wallboard.
Of particular interest to the present invention is the prior art of locating a hidden structural member by using a capacitive sensor responsive to a change in the effective dielectric constant of the wall created by the presence of that member. Notable among the prior patent art in this area are:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,118, wherein Franklin et al. teach a portable capacitive sensor to be moved along the wall and to visually indicate the proximity of a stud to an operator. PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,622, wherein Franklin teaches a capacitive stud sensor comprising improved adjustment and calibration means. The disclosure of Franklin is herein incorporated by reference. PA1 U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,853,617, and 4,992,741 wherein Douglas et al. teach an instrument comprising a metal detector and a capacitive sensor, the instrument also having a bar-graph display usable by the operator to more accurately determine the location of a hidden structural member. Douglas et al. also provide circuitry responsive to the AC power line frequency (e.g., 50 or 60 Hz) in order to warn the operator of the proximity of energized and unshielded electrical lines behind the wall. The teachings of Douglas et al. are herein incorporated by reference. PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,974, wherein Heger teaches an improved capacitive sensor that informs its operator when a wall is too thick or too thin for stud detection and when the operator has (incorrectly) calibrated the instrument by placing it over a stud, rather than over a section of the wall between two adjacent studs. PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,240, wherein Campbell teaches a tool comprising a nail gun, or the like, having a proximity sensor attached thereto, the composite tool further comprising a visual indicator to inform the operator when a firing end of the nail gun is aligned with a wall stud or other nail-receiving structural element.
Also of interest to the present invention is improved apparatus and method for making capacitive proximity measurements, as taught by the inventor in his U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,165, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Hammer having integral stud and mains sensor


A combustor-to-transition seal (301) includes a spring clip assembly (322, 422, 522) and a first spring metal ring (340, 441) or a ring assembly (440,540) that includes the first spring metal ring (441) and a second spring metal ring (442). Such combustor-to-transition seal (301) provides a first seal (321) and a second seal (331, 531) when at a junction of a combustor (108, 308, 508) and a transition (114, 314, 514). In an embodiment, the first spring metal ring (340) has a plurality of apertures (342) through the ring (340) that provide effusion cooling of the ring (340). The plurality of apertures (342) regulates a flow of cooling fluid to maintain an acceptable temperature of the ring (340). In an alternative embodiment, the second spring metal ring (442) has grooves (446) that regulate a flow of cooling fluid to maintain an acceptable temperature of the ring assembly (440).

A modern gas turbine engine, such as is used for generation of electricity at power plants, is a multi-part assembly of various adjacent components, many of which are subjected to mechanical and thermal stresses over long periods of operation. Mechanical stresses to various components result from one or more of vibrational, low cycle (and other thermally related), and other types of stress contributors. As to direct thermal stresses, operating temperatures in some gas turbine engine combustion chambers may reach or exceed 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, and components of such combustion chambers are cooled and/or provided with thermal barrier coatings to address exposure to such elevated temperatures.
When cooling is used to maintain a component below a specified temperature, often compressed air from the compressor is diverted to pass through a cooling passage. In "closed cooling" approaches, such air, after cooling, continues to the combustor entrance and joins the major flow of air supplied for combustion and dilution purposes. In "open cooling" approaches, such air enters a hot gas flow path downstream of the combustor and may be less available, or not available, for such primary purposes.
Also, as operating temperatures are elevated, there is a greater concern for effective dilution of the fuel/air combustion mixture to lower the NOx to reach desired emissions standards. As compressed air is used for cooling components, such as through open cooling of more downstream components, this loss of compressed air that would otherwise enter the combustor may result in higher than desired NOx emissions.
The junction between the combustor (which generally may be considered to comprise a combustion chamber) and the transition of a gas turbine engine typically has a spring clip assembly that provides for a relatively tight but flexible connection between these components. This connection provides for the combustor/transition assembly to expand and contract as needed, relative to the outer casing, during thermal changes, while also providing a seal between the combustor and the transition. The prior art spring clip assemblies are designed to allow air to flow through such spring clip assemblies and this provides an open type cooling to the spring clips and adjacent components. However, the level and variability of cooling air flow through various existing spring clip assemblies does not provide a level of precision and accuracy for cooling, and consequent cooling efficiency, that is desired for more advanced gas turbine engine systems.
There have been various efforts to improve aspects of the seal between a combustor and a transition of a gas turbine engine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,082, issued Mar. 22, 2005 to David M. Parker, teaches an improved spring clip seal in which at least one leaf may include a flared end for limiting gas from passing through slots in the seal of the spring clip. A center sealing member is positioned in at least one embodiment between inner and outer spring clip housings. U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,482, issued Mar. 7, 2006 to A. Green et al., teaches an alternate interface region between a combustion liner and a transition duct. This region comprises feed holes supplying cooling fluid into an annulus and a means for augmenting heat transfer which may comprise geometric ridge configurations. These are stated to help achieve a heat transfer augmentation by turbulating the cooling air to maximize the cooling effectiveness.
Notwithstanding such efforts, a need remains for a seal between a combustor and a transition that provides for more precise and accurate cooling.

Low leakage spring clip/ring combinations for gas turbine engine


The quality of an image can be improved and radiation can effectively be utilized. In an imaging area of a subject where a main scan is performed, a specific scan area setting unit sets a specific scan area where a scan is performed under a specific scan condition allowing radiation exposure dose on the subject to be low. Then, the scan condition setting unit sets a main scan condition so that the specific scan area is scanned under the specific scan condition allowing the radiation exposure dose on the subject to be low.

The present invention relates to a radiation tomography apparatus and a scan condition setting device. In particular, it relates to a radiation tomography apparatus which produces a main scan image about an imaging area of a subject by performing a main scan in which radiation beams are applied to the imaging area of the subject and the radiation beams having passed through the imaging area of the subject are detected. Also, it relates to a scan condition setting device for setting a main scan condition for the main scan.
The radiation tomography apparatus such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus scans a subject with radiant rays such as an X-ray and, being based on projection data obtained by the scan, produces a tomographic image of a slice surface of the subject. Such a radiation tomography apparatus is used for wide variety of purposes including medical purposes and industrial purposes.
Before performing a main scan to produce a tomographic image, in order to set a main scan condition, the X-ray CT apparatus performs a scout scan and produces a scout image, which, is a through view of the subject.
An operator refers to the scout image produced by the scout scan and inputs scan parameters for performing the main scan. Then, the operator sets scan conditions such as a slice position corresponding to a slice surface where a tomographic image is produced, a scanning method, etc. Then, according to the main scan conditions so set, the main scan is performed and a tomographic image about the slice surface of the subject is produced (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-58651 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8(1996)-289887).
Incidentally, when the main scan by a helical scanning method is given to an imaging area including a breast of a female subject, a shield for shielding X-rays is placed on the breast of the subject so that radiation exposure on a highly radiosensitive mammary gland can be reduced and the X-rays can effectively be utilized.
In such a case, however, since the shield absorbs X-rays, it sometimes degraded the quality of the tomographic image produced by the main scan. Therefore, in some cases, it was difficult to effectively use radiant rays such as an X-ray and to improve image quality at the same time. In addition, similar inconveniences took place when there were highly radiosensitive portions near the body surface of the subject such as the crystalline lens in a head of the subject and a thyroid gland in a neck of the subject.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a radiation tomography apparatus and a scan condition setting device capable of utilizing radiation effectively and improving image quality.

Radiation tomography apparatus and scan condition setting device

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying keystrokes on a display screen in the mobile communications device. In response to detecting a user input selecting a character on a keypad, the character is displayed on the display screen using a full screen display of the character. The full screen display is adjusted to the selected size after a selected period of time.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for processing data. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying user input of key entries.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile phone systems use various transmission protocols, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM) and code-division multiple access (CDMA). Mobile phones have proven to be a very beneficial tool for people to exchange information when they are away from the home or office. Millions of people use mobile phones for talking to others. In addition, these mobile phones also are able to exchange data, such as e-mail messages and text messages. A user of a mobile phone may send or receive e-mail in a fashion similar to that of a computer. The e-mail message may be displayed on a screen to the user and the user also may respond to the e-mail message. Additionally, a user also may store contact information, make task or to do lists, track appointments, and set reminders using a mobile phone. Further, users also may obtain information, such as news, entertainment, and stock quotes from the Internet through mobile phones. Mobile phones often also include simple games and may integrate other devices, such as personal digital assistant or a MP3 player. Additionally, many mobile phones also incorporate global positioning (GPS) receivers. As can be seen, with all of these features and functions, mobile phones are a widely used device.
With all of these functions, mobile phones are becoming smaller and smaller. Additionally, the displays also become smaller such that a character rendered on a mobile phone display is small and often difficult to read. This difficulty is especially a problem for people with poor vision or people who are performing other activities, such as driving. In some cases, a user may adjust the font size such that each number entered is displayed in a different font size. Increasing the font size, however, reduces the amount of information that may be displayed on the mobile phone. Therefore, increasing the font size has a limited use. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying characters on a display.

International Business Machines Corporation


A display aquarium for Betta and other small fish which is a transparent housing having an open top and a bottom wall provided with a through hole and a plug or cap for opening and closing the through hole to allow for controlled draining of water and accumulated waste from the aquarium.

This invention relates generally to aquariums and, more particularly, to a display aquarium for individual small fish such as Siamese fighting fish, or Betta.
Display aquariums for small fish, such as Bettas, goldfish, and guppies typically consist of a transparent container closed on the bottom and having a removable lid. With aquariums of this type, frequent water changes are required since there is no filtration. The water changes are usually accomplished by removing the lid and pouring water out of the top of the enclosure. The problem with this technique is that it is difficult to pour the water out without losing the fish. Also, the majority of the fish waste is at the bottom of the enclosure, and by pouring the water out of the container, the relatively top clean water is replaced, but not the dirty water.
An object of the present invention is to provide a display aquarium for small fish in which water can be easily replaced without fear of losing the fish and which, simultaneously, enables removal of the waste accumulated at the bottom of the tank.
Another object is to provide a display aquarium for small fish which is stackable.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are obtained-by a display aquarium for Betta and other small fish which is a transparent housing having an open top and a bottom wall in which is formed a through hole and means for opening and closing the through hole to allow for controlled draining of water and accumulated waste from the aquarium.
In a preferred embodiment of the display aquarium of the present invention, a filter grid is provided on the bottom of the aquarium for supporting waste-adsorbing beads or the like and which provides a space under the filter grid for waste to accumulate.
In another embodiment of the display aquarium of the present invention, a ridge, depression or channel is formed on the lid of the display aquarium and a rim having a shape corresponding to the shape of the ridge, depression or channel and which is engageable therewith is provided on the bottom wall of the aquarium so that two or more of the display aquariums can be stacked on one another.


An antiviral compound comprises a linear non-carbohydrate polymer having a plurality of side chain groups, wherein at least one of the side chain groups has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto.

This invention relates to antiviral agents, and in particular it relates to polyionic, especially polyanionic linear polymers which have been found to have significant antiviral activity, particularly against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human influenza virus A and B, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other enveloped viruses.
It has been established that certain sulfonated polysaccharide compounds have antiviral activity when screened against HIV, however these compounds are relatively unstable and accordingly large amounts of these compounds are required to obtain effective antiviral effects. In addition, many of these compounds, including heparin and dextran sulfate for example, are potent anticoagulants and because of this activity they are not particularly suited for clinical use as antiviral agents.
International Patent Application No. PCT/AU95/00350 (WO 95/34595) discloses a class of antiviral compounds comprising a dendrimer such as a polyarnidoamine or polylysine dendrimer having a plurality of terminal groups, wherein at least one of the terminal groups has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto, particularly a sulfonic acid-containing, a carboxylic acid-containing or a trimethylammonium-containing moiety.
The present invention provides a new class of antiviral agents based on a particular type of polyionic polymer having a linear xe2x80x9cbackbonexe2x80x9d, which have substantial antiviral activity against HIV1 and HIV2, RSV, HBV and human influenza virus A and B. These compounds are well suited for prophylactic and therapeutic use as antiviral agents in humans.
According to the present invention, there is provided an antiviral compound comprising a linear noncarbohydrate polymer having a plurality of side chain groups wherein at least one of said side chain groups has an anionic-or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto.
Particularly preferred antiviral compounds of the present invention are linear polymers having sulfonic acid-containing moieties, carboxylic acid-containing moieties, phosphoric or phosphonic acid-containing moieties, boronic acid-containing moieties, neuraminic or sialic acid-containing moieties or moieties containing neuraminic or sialic acid modified in the 4- or other position thereof, linked to side chain groups thereof.
The compounds of the invention are referred to herein as polyionic polymers, and this term is used throughout this specification to include not only the polymers per se, but also their pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salts, for example the alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal salts such as the sodium, potassium or calcium salts.
Preferred polyionic polymers in accordance with the present invention are linear polymers having the general formula I:
wherein:
R is a non-carbohydrate monomer unit forming a linear polymer backbone;
X is an optional linking group on the side chain groups of monomer units R; and
A is an anionic-containing moiety.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the preferred linear polymers are polyanionic materials formed by the conjugation of anionic moieties (A) to a linear non-carbohydrate polymer backbone (made up of a plurality of monomer units R), optionally through linking groups (X). The resultant polyanionic linear polymers have a molecular weight range distribution of repeating units to give a desired median range of molecular weight distribution. Desirably, the median range of molecular weight distribution is from 1,000 to 1,000,000, preferably from 10,000 to 600,000.
The monomer unit R is preferably amine or amide moiety, more preferably an amino acid moiety. A particularly preferred monomer unit is a lysine moiety. Poly-L-lysines having various molecular weight ranges are available commercially from Sigma Chemical Company.
The anionic moiety A can be linked to reactive side chain groups on the linear polymer backbone either directly or via a variety of functional linking groups X such as, but not limited to, esters, amides, ethers, thioethers, amines, ureas, thioureas, carbamates and carbonates.
The optional linking group X may also act as a spacer between the polymer and the anionic moiety A, and may consist of an alkyl chain (optionally substituted or branched), an alkoxy, polyalkoxy, alkylthio or polyalcylthio chain (optionally substituted), or an alkenyl, multiple alkenyl, alkynyl or multiple alkynyl chain (optionally substituted). Suitable spacer chains include groups of the formula xe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94Zxe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94, wherein Z is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1Cxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, and n is an integer of from 1 to 15.
In accordance with the present invention, at least one, and preferably a substantial number, of the reactive side chain groups on the backbone of the linear polymer has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety covalently bonded thereto. The side chains of the polymer backbone may terminate in amino groups or other functional reactive groups such as OH, SH, or the like, which subsequently can be reacted with the anionic or cationic moieties. Where the side chain groups of the polymer backbone are amine groups, the anionic- or cationic-containing moiety may be linked to the polymer backbone by a variety of functional groups including amide and thiourea linkages. Preferred anionic- or cationic-containing moieties which may be bonded or linked to the side chain groups of the polymer backbone include sulfonic acid-containing moieties, carboxylic acid-containing moieties (including neuraminic and sialic acid-containing moieties and modified neuraminic and sialic acid-containing moieties), boronic acid-containing moieties, phosphoric and phosphonic acid-containing moieties (including esterified phosphoric and phosphonic acid-containing moieties) and trimethylamnonium-containing moieties.
Suitable anionic-and cationic-containing moieties which may be bonded or linked to the amino or other side chain groups of the linear polymers include, by way of example, the following groups (in which n is zero or a positive integer, more particularly n is zero or an integer of from 1 to 20):
In addition to the above, various neuramiric or sialic acid-containing moieties or modified neuraminic or sialic acid-containing moieties may be bonded or linked to the side chain groups in accordance with this invention. These moieties include the various N- and O-substituted derivatives of neuraminic acid, particularly N- and O-acyl derivatives such as N-acetyl, O-acetyl and N-glycolyl derivatives, as well as moieties in which the neuraminic acid group is modified, particularly by substitution in the 4-position, with an amino, amido, cyano, azido or guanidino group.
The polyionic polymers of this invention may be prepared by standard chemical methods which are well known to persons skilled in this art. Suitable methods are described by way of example in the Examples below.
As previously described, the polyionic polymers of the present invention have been found to exhibit significant antiviral activity, particularly against enveloped viruses. Accordingly, these polyionic polymers are useful in prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infections, for example infections by HIV1 and HIV2 and other enveloped viruses including DNA viruses such as Hepatitis B and RNA viruses including flaviviruses such as Hepatitis C, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus and Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV). The polyionic polymers of the present invention may also be used in prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against Human Influenza Virus A and B, Rhinoviruses, Corona Viruses, Human Parainfluenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Adenoviruses, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and 2, Measles Virus and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV).
Thus, in another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical or veterinary composition for prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral treatment of a human or non-human animal, which comprises a polyionic polymer as broadly described above, in association with at least one pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable carrier or diluent.
The formulation of such compositions is well known to persons skilled in this field. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents include any and all conventional solvents, dispersion media, fillers, solid carriers, aqueous solutions, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art, and it is described, by way of example, in Remington""s Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, Mack Publishing Company, Pennsylvania, USA. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions.
It is especially advantageous to formulate compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the human subjects to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier and/or diluent. The specifications for the novel dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active ingredient and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active ingredient for the particular treatment.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a viral infection in a human or non-human animal, which comprises administering to said human or animal a prophylactic- or therapeutic-antiviral-effective amount of a polyionic polymer as broadly described above.
In yet another aspect, this invention provides the use of a prophylactic- or therapeutic-antiviral-effective amount of a polyionic polymer as broadly described above in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of, or in the manufacture of a medicament for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a viral infection in a human or non-human animal.
A variety of administration routes are available. The particular mode selected will depend, of course, upon the particular condition being treated and the dosage required for therapeutic efficacy. The methods of this invention, generally speaking, may be practised using any mode of administration that is medically acceptable, meaning any mode that produces therapeutic levels of the active component of the invention without causing clinically unacceptable adverse effects. Such modes of administration include oral, rectal, topical, nasal, inhalation, transdermal or parenteral (e.g. subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous) routes. Formulations for oral administration include discrete units such as capsules, tablets, lozenges and the like. Other routes include intrathecal administration directly into spinal fluid, direct introduction such as by various catheter and balloon angioplasty devices well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and intraparenchymal injection into targeted areas.
The compositions may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing the active component into association with a carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active component into association with a liquid carrier, a finely divided solid carrier, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.
Compositions of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets, tablets or lozenges, each containing a predetermined amount of the active component, in liposomes or as a suspension in an aqueous liquor or non-aqueous liquid such as a syrup, an elixir, or an emulsion.
Compositions suitable for parenteral administration conveniently comprise a sterile aqueous preparation of the active component which is preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient. This aqueous preparation may be formulated according to known methods using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in polyethylene glycol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer""s solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.
The active compound may also be formulated for delivery in a system designed to administer the active component intranasally or by inhalation, for example as a finely dispersed aerosol spray containing the active component.
Other delivery systems can include sustained release delivery systems. Preferred sustained release delivery systems are those which can provide for release of the active component of the invention in sustained release pellets or capsules. Many types of sustained release delivery systems are available. These include, but are not limited to: (a) erosional systems in which the active component is contained within a matrix, and (b) diffusional systems in which the active component permeates at a controlled rate through a polymer. In addition, a pump-based hardware delivery system can be used, some of which are adapted for implantation.
The active component is administered in prophylactically or therapeutically effective amounts. A prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount means that amount necessary at least partly to attain the desired effect, or to delay the onset of, inhibit the progression of, or halt altogether, the onset or progression of the particular condition being treated. Such amounts will depend, of course, on the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition and individual patient parameters including age, physical condition, size, weight and concurrent treatment. These factors are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and can be addressed with no more than routine experimentation. It is preferred generally that a maximum dose be used, that is, the highest safe dose according to sound medical judgement. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, that a lower dose or tolerable dose may be administered for medical reasons, psychological reasons or for virtually any other reasons.
Generally, daily oral doses of active component will be from about 0.01 mg/kg per day to 1000 mg/kg per day. Small doses (0.01-1 mg) may be administered initially, followed by increasing doses up to about 1000 mg/kg per day. In the event that the response in a subject is insufficient at such doses, even higher doses (or effective higher doses by a different, more localised delivery route) may be employed to the extent patient tolerance permits. Multiple doses per day are contemplated to achieve appropriate systemic levels of compounds.
The active component according to the invention may also be presented for use in the form of veterinary compositions, which may be prepared, for example, by methods that are conventional in the art. Examples of such veterinary compositions include those adapted for:
(a) oral administration, external application, for example drenches (e.g. aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions); tablets or boluses; powders, granules or pellets for admixture with feed stuffs; pastes for application to the tongue;
(b) parenteral administration for example by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection, e.g. as a sterile solution or suspension; or (when appropriate) by intramammary injection where a suspension or solution is introduced into the udder via the teat;
(c) topical application, e.g. as a cream, ointment or spray applied to the skin; or
(d) intravaginally, e.g. as a pessary, cream or foam.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word xe2x80x9ccomprisexe2x80x9d, or variations such as xe2x80x9ccomprisesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ccomprisingxe2x80x9d, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following Examples which are included by way of illustration, not limitation of the invention.


A cartridge drive gear assembly for holding a drum coupling includes a drive gear having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface including inner projections which extend into the interior of the drive gear and includes at least two voids disposed on opposing sides of the inner projections, and at least one slot disposed in the inner surface.

New laser printer models are introduced incorporating new and enhanced technology and designs improved over the previous existing laser printer models. This evolution in laser printers necessitates corresponding improvements in laser printer ink and toner cartridge.
A used ink or toner cartridge can be remanufactured to recycle and reuse the cartridge components and to extend the cartridge's life. Remanufacturing involves replacing a number of the components that have been worn out. The cartridge is also refilled with new toner and both the organic photoconductor (OPC) drum and the waste toner wiper blade are replaced. The remanufacturer must obtain replacement parts that perform the same function as the original cartridge components and also interface with the printer's components. Replacement components are purchased in the aftermarket. In one aspect, the present system is directed to the design of the cartridge drive gear shaft that attaches to an aftermarket replacement print cartridge. The shaft gear drives the gear train in a laser printer cartridge, which in turn operates all of the cartridge's moving components.


An electromagnetic wave device having an amplification function comprises a medium containing free carriers, means for applying a magnetic field to the medium, means for applying an input electromagnetic wave to the medium in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field, and means for generating an electric field to accelerating the carriers in the direction of the input electromagnetic wave. A frequency of the input electromagnetic wave is within the range of the plasma frequency plus or minus the cyclotron frequency, and a polarization direction of the input electromagnetic wave is perpendicular both to the magnetic field and its own traveling direction. Furthermore, the device has such functions as oscillation, modulation, frequency conversion, etc. depending on the type of added units.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic wave device that functions as an amplifier, oscillator, etc. of electromagnetic waves, light waves, etc.
Masers and lasers are two examples of the conventional oscillators operating in the range of electromagnetic or light waves. The operating frequencies or wavelengths of these oscillators are generally fixed at the specific values that are determined by the physical phenomena they are to utilize, and hence are difficult to vary over a broad range. Ordinary transistor oscillators are capable of frequency alterations but are not suitable for use in the ultrahigh frequency range or in the region of light waves.
Devices, such as a traveling-wave tube, that utilize the plasma dispersion of electron beams feature wideband operation, but their frequency range is not so wide as to include the region of light waves. The limited frequency range occurs because the operating principles of the devices require components for signal delaying structure, but such cannot be realized in the wavelength range of light waves.


A random document is stripped of the relevant search terms to generate a non-relevant document. The relevant search terms are formed into grammatically correct but not necessarily technically correct sentences. The grammatically correct sentences are placed at the beginning of the random document in one pass through the system in the middle of a document in a second pass through the system and at the end of the document in a third pass through the system. A relevancy vector chart is computed using the references documents and a known relevancy algorithm relating to position of search terms. The results obtained from search engines are compared to the relevancy vector chart to determine the relative relevancy of the returned search results from the search engines.

Internet text retrieval systems accept a statement for requested information in terms of a search query S made up of a plurality of keywords T1, T2, . . . Ti, . . . Tn and return a list of documents that contain matches for the search query terms. To facilitate the performance of such searches on internet databases, search engines have been developed that provide a query interface to the information containing sources and return search results ranked sequentially on how well the listed documents match the search query. The effectiveness in obtaining desired results varies from search engine to search engine. This is particularly true in measurement of effectiveness in searching certain product support databases which can be heavily weighted with technical content. This information can be in a number of natural languages, both analog and digital form, and in a number of different formats, and in multiple machine languages. Further, while a search engine may be effective in identifying and ranking subject matter in one technical area, it can be ineffective in selecting the most pertinent references in another technical area. Therefore it would be desirable to be able to automatically evaluate the effectiveness of search engines in turning up and ranking documents in selected technical areas.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool for automatic measurement of the ability of a search engine to provide comprehensible search results.
Another object of the present invention is to automatically compare the ability of search engines to provide desired research results.
It is further an object of the present invention to measure a search engines ability to provide requested information to searchers in a selected technical area.

Dynamic comparison of search systems in a controlled environment


Provided are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a control channel in a multiple-carrier system. The user equipment monitors downlink control channels for a plurality of scheduled component carriers in an extended search space. The user equipment receives downlink control information for the scheduled component carrier via a successfully decoded downlink control channel.

Although bandwidth is set differently between uplink and downlink, only one carrier is generally considered in the conventional wireless communication system. The carrier is defined by a center frequency and a bandwidth. A multiple carrier system uses a plurality of component carriers (CCs) having narrow bandwidth than full bandwidth.
A multiple carrier system can support backward compatibility for legacy systems and also increase data rate significantly through multiple carriers.
Long term evolution (LTE) based on 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) Release 8 is a promising, next-generation mobile communication standard. A 3GPP LTE system is a single carrier system supporting only one bandwidth (i.e., one CC) among 1.4, 3, 5, 10, and 20 MHz. However, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), which is an evolved version of the 3GPP LTE, employs multiple carriers.
In a single carrier system, control channels and data channels are designed based on a single carrier. However, it can be inefficient if a multiple carrier system employs the channel structure of a single carrier system as it is.

Apparatus and method for monitoring control channel in multi-carrier system


In an example, a driver for a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) device can include a first input configured to receive a first command signal including an oscillatory command signal, a second input configured to receive a second command signal including a bias command signal, and an amplifier configured to receive a high voltage supply, to provide, to the MEMS device, a closed-loop output signal responsive to both the first command signal and the second command signal in a first state, and to provide an open loop output signal configured to substantially span a voltage range of the high voltage supply in a second state.

Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) include small mechanical devices performing electrical and mechanical functions that are fabricated using photo-lithography techniques similar to techniques used to fabricate integrated circuits. Some MEMS devices are sensors that can detect motion such as an accelerometer or detect angular rate such as a gyroscope. Some MEMS gyroscopes include a driver to oscillate a proof mass of the MEMS gyroscope to allow the gyroscope to sense rotation motion.