There is provided an image forming apparatus having a magnification varying function for adjusting a lateral magnification and focus by varying the positions of a lens and a mirror of an exposure optical system for forming an image of an original on a photosensitive drum. The apparatus comprises number keys and a print key for inputting data for setting an image formation magnification, data on the lateral magnification, and data on focus adjustment, a pulse motor for moving the lens and the mirror on the basis of the data input by the number keys and print key, an interrupt key for inputting position data on the lens and the mirror when a minimum reduction magnification and a maximum enlargement magnification are input by the number keys and print key, the lens and the mirror are moved by the pulse motor, and the lateral magnification and the focus are adjusted, a memory unit for storing the position data input by the interrupt key, and a control unit for calculating a coefficient for correcting a difference in optical path length due to a variation in lens characteristics, on the basis of the position data stored in the memory unit, and calculating the positions of the lens and the mirror by substituting the coefficient when the image formation magnification is input by the ten keys.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom-type image forming apparatus capable of forming a magnification-varied image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, this type of image forming apparatus, e.g. a zoom copying machine, has an exposure optical system comprising a lens for forming an image of an original on an image carrying body, a mirror, etc.
The lateral magnification (i.e. a magnification in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a paper sheet is moved) is varied by moving the lens and varying the length of an optical path. The focus is adjusted by moving the mirror.
In the equal-size copy mode (magnification=100%), the following equation is generally given: EQU a:(c-a)=2f:2f
where a=the distance between face A of an original and lens L,
c=the distance between face A of an original and face B of a photosensitive drum functioning as an image carrying body, and PA1 f=the focal distance of a lens. PA1 means for inputting data for setting an image formation magnification, data for adjusting the lateral magnification, and data for adjusting focus; PA1 means for moving the optical devices on the basis of the data input by the input means; PA1 means for inputting position data on the optical devices when a first magnification and a second magnification are input by the input means, the optical devices are moved by the moving means, and the lateral magnification and the focus are adjusted; PA1 memory means for storing the position data input by the position data inputting means; and PA1 means for calculating a coefficient for correcting a difference in optical path length due to a variation in characteristics, of the optical devices on the basis of the position data stored in the memory means, and calculating the positions of the optical devices by substituting the coefficient when the image formation magnification is input by the input means. PA1 means for inputting data for setting an image formation magnification, data for adjusting the lateral magnification, and data for adjusting focus; PA1 means for moving the lens on the basis of the data input by the input means; PA1 means for moving the mirror on the basis of the data input by the input means; PA1 means for inputting position data on the lens and the mirror when a minimum reduction magnification and a maximum enlargement magnification are input by the input means, the lens and the mirror are moved by the moving means, and the lateral magnification and the focus are adjusted; PA1 memory means for storing the position data input by the position data inputting means; PA1 means for calculating a coefficient for correcting a difference in optical path length due to a variation in characteristics of the lens, on the basis of the position data stored in the memory means, and calculating the positions of the lens and the mirror by substituting the coefficient when the image formation magnification is input by the input means; and PA1 means for controlling the lens moving means to move the lens to the position calculated by the calculating means and, controlling the mirror moving means to move the mirror to the position calculated by the calculating means.
In the 50% magnification copy mode, the following is given: EQU a:(c-a)=3f:1.5f
In the 200% magnification copy mode, the following is given: EQU a:(c-a)=1.5f:3f
These equations are established in the ideal state in which a variation of lens need not be corrected.
The distances a and c (including correction values) are expressed by EQU a=2f+K1 (1/m-1)(1+.alpha.) EQU c=4f+K2 (m+1/m-2)(1+.alpha.) EQU K1, K2=the constants given by the lens, EQU m=magnification (0.5-2.0), and EQU .alpha.=the coefficient for correcting a variation of lenses.
In a conventional image forming apparatus of this type, the values of .alpha. are stored in the form of codes representing lens types selected from among predetermined 21 lens types.
When the lateral magnification of copy and focus are adjusted, the adjustment mode is set in the apparatus. The adjustment of 100% lateral magnification (lens position adjustment) and the focus adjustment (position adjustment of a third carriage having the mirror) are performed, while the copied image is viewed. In the zoom mode, the optimal lens position at which, e.g. 50% or 200% lateral magnification adjustment and focus adjustment are achieved, is found, and the pulse motor drive data for shifting the lens to the optical lens position is input and memorized. By accessing the drive data, the lens and mirror are driven in an interlocking manner.
In this conventional method, however, one must perform actual copying operations several times and check the copied images, thereby finding the optimal drive data. In addition, since the lens and mirror are driven in an interlocking manner, there may occur an undesirable situation in which the focus is not adjusted although the lateral magnification is adjusted, or the lateral magnification is not adjusted although the focus is adjusted, or both the lateral magnification and focus are not adjusted.
Moreover, in the conventional method, a mechanical error cannot be corrected.
As has been stated above, in the conventional zoom-type image forming apparatus, it is troublesome to obtain optimal drive data for adjusting the lateral magnification and focus, and the obtained data is not satisfactory.

Image forming apparatus with magnification varying function


A transistor (10) is formed with a low resistance trench structure that is utilized for a gate (17) of the transistor. The low resistance trench structure facilitates forming a shallow source region (49) that reduces the gate-to-source capacitance.

The present invention relates, in general, to electronics, and more particularly, to methods of forming semiconductor devices and structure.
In the past, the semiconductor industry utilized various methods to form the gate of MOS transistors. One particular technique formed a trench within a semiconductor substrate and formed the gate material within the trench. The gate material was recessed below the surface of the semiconductor substrate in order to provide a planar surface for building other portions of the transistor. Such a method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,785 issued to Richard Blanchard on Jul. 23, 1991. One problem with such techniques was the resistance of the gate. The resistance of the gate of such transistors was sufficiently high to limit the switching speed of the transistor thereby limiting the applications in which the transistors were used. Another limitation was the gate-to-source capacitance. The source typically extended to a large depth into the substrate thereby forming a large surface area along the gate oxide. This large surface area resulted in a large gate-to-source capacitance that further limited the switching speed.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a method of forming a semiconductor device that results in a low gate resistance and a low gate-to-source capacitance.

Method of forming a low resistance semiconductor device and structure therefor

Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.


In a tool for use by network planners in designing metropolitan IP aggregation networks, several optimization methods are integrated into a tool. A k-means algorithm is used to choose access packet switch locations. A dual-k-means algorithm is used to choose the backbone switch locations. Each access packet switch is dual homed to two backbone packet switches using two diverse paths. The diverse path configuration is found using a maxflow-mincost algorithm on a modified fiber map topology. The link topology connecting the backbone packet switches to each other is designed using a heuristic that creates a skeleton network topology and then adds express links one by one, testing each link to assure reduced overall network cost. The resulting network topology is then improved upon by local search.

New IP aggregation ("IPAG") networks use a layered architecture, including OSI Layer-2 (L2) aggregation or access packet switches, connected by physically diverse fiber paths to a "cluster" of IPAG core network backbone packet switches. Layer-2 is a protocol layer in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol stack and includes protocols such as Ethernet VLAN (Virtual Local Area (LAN) Network) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). The term "IP aggregation" represents the idea that Ethernet frames, including IP packets, are collected on the edge of the IPAG network and then, for network efficiency and compatibility with typical enterprise LANs, encapsulated into L2 protocol data units and then routed via the L2 packet switches, which do not rely on IP (OSI Layer-3) addressing to route the encapsulated packets within the IPAG network. For example, VPWS (Virtual Pseudo Wire Service) may be used for point-to-point connections and VPLE for multipoint services. IPAG switches are typically connected to a MPLS backbone network. While this embodiment concentrates on metropolitan networks, IPAG network covers a variety of other networks referred to in the telecommunications literature, such as Metropolitan Ethernet Network, Packet-Access Network, Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN). Example services provided by the IPAG networks include enterprise Ethernet services and cellular backhaul (virtual packet connectivity between cellular basestations and their Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (MTSOs)). These packet virtual services are often provided by a protocol stack called Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). In turn, the backbone network devices are connected via diverse paths to an IPAG Gateway switch for connecting the IPAG network to an IP (Internet Protocol) backbone network, usually provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), for further routing between cities or countries. In addition and consistent with the IP aggregation concept, the IPAG Gateway will typically convert the VPLS-based protocol data units to IP-based flows or MPLS tunnels that are typical of IP backbone networks. However, note that this embodiment of the IPAG network architecture is not restricted to metropolitan area networks and, thus, can be deployed to cover inter-city networks. In such latter cases the IPAG Gateway (or multiple Gateways) could interconnect to other metropolitan IPAG networks or establish peering relationships with other IP backbone networks. The networks present a large and complex design problem. Thus there exists a need for comprehensive tools for designing networks including both access nodes and backbone nodes.

Metropolitan IP aggregation network design tool


Tool insert for the gate of a hot-channel nozzle for an injection molding machine, which tool insert connects to the front (tool-side) part of the hot-channel nozzle and in turn is capable of insertion into a corresponding recess of the tool. The tool insert consists of a front cylindrical fitting piece with flow channel and an accommodating head for the nozzle. The accommodating head is provided at its (per se cylindrical) outer surface with one or more projections capable of cutting, which in the radial direction have an extension that is greater than the radius of the accommodating bore provided in the tool for accommodation of the accommodating head of the tool insert. The projections capable of cutting are designed in such a way that, upon insertion of the tool insert into the said accommodating bore of the tool, a guide grooves are cut into the inner surface of the accommodating bore in the tool.

In injection molding, hot melt is injected into the tool (injection mold) by an injection molding machine either directly or via a hot-channel distribution system by means of a hot-channel nozzle. The tool consists of an injection side, accommodating the hot-channel nozzle, in which the outer mold (cavity) of the part of synthetic material is as a rule located, and an ejection side with the inner mold (core). The region in which the hot-channel nozzle connects to the tool and to the part of synthetic material is called the "gate." In injection molding, the front, tool-side part of the hot-channel nozzle with the gate region is inserted into a recess of the tool. In the rear region, the nozzle is supported axially on the hot channel distribution block and is fixed in the tool with the front gate part by precision sealing. There, the nozzle is exposed to severe mechanical and thermal stresses. Since the gate region of the nozzle consequently is subject to rapid wear, it is not designed as an integral part of the hot-channel nozzle, but as a replaceable tool insert.
The connection of the tool insert to the nozzle and to the tool may be designed in a variety of ways. The extent of work for the toolmaker is variable, depending upon the accomplishment. In addition, the necessary thermal separation between nozzle and tool plays an important role in these accomplishments. After conclusion of the actual injection process, the melt injected into the tool should solidify rapidly, while the melt retained in the nozzle tip should remain liquid. This means that a temperature difference of about 200° C. must be obtained between the two regions mentioned.
A known embodiment of the tool insert consists in that it is capable of being screwed into the front (tool-side) end of the nozzle. This accomplishment requires the least work by the toolmaker. He need only insert the nozzle bore mass into the tool and provide a fitting bore for the gate region. The disadvantage of this accomplishment consists in that, for one thing, owing to screwing of the tool insert into the nozzle, undesirable good thermal conduction from the nozzle shaft to the front of the tool insert takes place. An additional disadvantage of this accomplishment is that, owing to heating of the hot-channel distribution block into which the nozzle shafts are screwed, and heating of the nozzles, thermal variations in position result, which negatively influence the precise position of the nozzles and the tool inserts screwed into them in regard to the tool. A third disadvantage is that the front contact surface between the tool insert and the cavity of the tool is not axially symmetrical but, for example, is designed beveled. In this case, the nozzle must be introduced into the fitting bore of the tool with the tool insert in a precise angular position about its longitudinal axis. With regard to the required tight screwed joint between tool insert and nozzle, on the one hand, and nozzle shaft and hot-channel distribution block on the other, this is in practice not achievable after renewed assembly and disassembly has taken place with such screwing actions.
A second known accomplishment consists, instead of a separate tool insert, of working the gate region directly into the tool. Here, positioning and thermal separation can be obtained in good fashion. However, the disadvantage of this accomplishment is the high cost of fabrication for the toolmaker. He must work hemispherical surfaces, conical surfaces, shoulders and a variety of fits into the tool. An additional disadvantage of this accomplishment consists in that, upon wear of the gate, the entire injection-side of the tool or individual cavities must be replaced or repaired.
In a third known accomplishment, the extent of work for the toolmaker is reduced as compared with the said second accomplishment, in that the gate is produced by an insert in the tool. In this accomplishment, thermal separation is good, and a specified angular position can be obtained by a device securing against rotation. In case of wear, the tool insert can simply be replaced by a fresh tool insert. But the work for the toolmaker in this accomplishment is also greater than in the accomplishment first mentioned.


A method, system and computer program product for providing malicious application detection and prevention for stream computing applications deployed in cloud environments. Static and run-time analyses are performed of the stream computing application and any files associated therewith to create an expected profile of the stream computing application's behavior. The stream computing application is invoked in an execution environment to compare the stream computing application's behavior to the expected profile as the stream computing application runs in the execution environment. The stream computing application is isolated within the cloud computing environment when the stream computing application's behavior deviates significantly from the expected profile. The isolated stream computing application is investigated, wherein the output data that is stored is used for forensic investigation or replayed later if the stream computing application is not harmful.

The present invention relates generally to a method and system for malicious application detection and prevention system for stream computing applications deployed in cloud computing environments.
A stream computing application ingests input data from one or more data sources, performs some form of processing of that data, e.g., aggregate, filter, detect patterns, etc., and then transmits the resulting output data to one or more data sinks. Preventing a stream computing application from performing Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks or other attacks is hard to do, because the entire purpose of the stream computing application is to ingest data, process the data, and then sink the data. A malicious user could deploy a stream computing application for the sole purpose of attacking other services or sites on the Internet. The result could be blacklisting of the cloud provider's Internet Protocol (IP) address from other Internet sites, service availability impacts, etc.
Intrusion detection systems and malware detection can be used to detect and prevent malicious stream computing applications. Ample research exists in intrusion detection systems and malware detection. However, current solutions in screening applications are mostly manual or rule-based, and do not meet the needs of dynamic, on-demand applications deployed by customers.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a mechanism to allow legitimate cloud customers to write custom stream computing applications that ingest and sink data from and to unrestricted systems in multi-tenant environments, while preventing illegitimate users from deploying malicious applications.

Malicious application detection and prevention system for stream computing applications deployed in cloud computing environments

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to a gel polymer electrolyte, which includes a matrix polymer and an electrolyte solution impregnated in the matrix polymer, wherein the matrix polymer is formed in a three-dimensional network structure by polymerizing a first oligomer which includes unit A represented by Formula 1 and unit B having a crosslinkable functional group derived from a compound including at least one copolymerizable acrylate group, and a lithium secondary battery including the same.

Demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been significantly increased as technology development and demand with respect to mobile devices have increased. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries having high energy density and high voltage have been commercialized and widely used.
A current collector is coated with a positive electrode active material or negative electrode active material of appropriate thickness, or the active material itself is prepared in the form of a film of appropriate length, and the film is then wound or stacked with an insulating separator to prepare an electrode assembly. Thereafter, the electrode assembly is put in a can or a container similar thereto, and a lithium secondary battery is then prepared by a process of injecting an electrolyte.
A lithium metal oxide is used as the positive electrode active material, and lithium metal, a lithium alloy, crystalline or amorphous carbon, or a carbon composite is used as the negative electrode active material. Also, an electrolyte in a liquid state, particularly, an ion conductive organic liquid electrolyte, in which a salt is dissolved in a non-aqueous organic solvent, has been mainly used as the electrolyte.
However, as interests in energy storage technologies have been increasingly grown, three is a need to develop a secondary battery which may not only be miniaturized, lightweight, and charged and discharged to high capacity, but may also have high-temperature, high-voltage safety. Accordingly, development of a battery using a gel polymer electrolyte composed of a gel polymer, instead of using a liquid electrolyte, has recently received attention.
In general, it is known that battery safety improves in the order of a liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, and a solid polymer electrolyte, but battery performance decreases in the same order.
That is, the gel polymer electrolyte is disadvantageous in that lithium ion conductivity is lower than that of a liquid electrolyte composed only of an electrolyte solution. A method of decreasing the thickness of the gel polymer electrolyte has been proposed to improve the conductivity. However, in this case, there may be limitations in improving the performance and safety of the battery, for example, mechanical strength is decreased and a short circuit between the gel polymer electrolyte and both positive electrode and negative electrode occurs during the preparation of the battery.
Thus, there is a need to develop a gel polymer electrolyte which may improve both performance and safety of the battery.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Gel polymer electrolyte and lithium secondary battery including the same


There is provided a method of promoting neurogenesis by administering a therapeutic amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient in need of neurogenesis promotion. Also provided is a compound for providing neurogenesis having an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor sufficient to promote neurogenesis. A nitric oxide compound for promoting neurogenesis is also provided. Further, a method of augmenting the production of brain cells and facilitating cellular structural and receptor changes by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a site in need of augmentation is provided. There is provided a method of increasing both neurological and cognitive function by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to a method and compound for promoting neurogenesis and promoting recovery after neural injury and neurodegeneration. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and composition for promoting neurogenesis and plasticity in the nervous system.
2. Description of Related Art
Stroke occurs when a section of the brain becomes infarcted, resulting in death of brain tissue from interruption of cerebral blood supply. Cerebral infarcts associated with acute stroke cause sudden and dramatic neurological impairment. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the adult population of the United States, and is a major cause of disability.
Pharmacological interventions have attempted to maximize the blood flow to stroke affected brain areas which might be able to survive, but clinical effectiveness has proven elusive. As stated in Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (9th Ed., 1980, p. 1926), "despite experimental evidence that . . . [cerebral vasodilators] increase the cerebral blood flow, as measured by the nitrous oxide method, they have not proved beneficial in careful studies in human stroke cases at the stage of transient ischemic attacks, thrombosis-in-evolution, or in the established stroke. This is true of nicotinic acid, Priscoline, alcohol, papaverine, and inhalation of 5% carbon dioxide. In opposition to the use of these methods is the suggestion that vasodilators are harmful rather than beneficial, since by lowering the systemic blood pressure they reduce the intracranial anastomotic flow, or by dilating blood vessels in the normal parts of the brain they steal blood from the infarct."
It would therefore be useful to develop a compound and method for lessening the effects of stroke by enabling neurogenesis to occur.

Nitric oxide donors for inducing neurogenesis


A lighting display master controller responds to an electronic vibration signal produced by a sensor when an instrument is played, to selectively energize light sources of different colors in a predefined pattern. The master controller energizes specific light sources of a desired color by selecting a row and column within an array. In one embodiment, the light sources are on a flexible substrate disposed within an optically transparent plastic sheath that is attached to the instrument. The pattern applied in selectively energizing light sources can be stored or transmitted in real-time from a concert controller host or personal computer. The light system can also be used to enable a student to practice and record a sequence defined by an instructor. The lights that are energized provide visual cues to the student, and the recording that is made enables the instructor to evaluate the student's performance.

While our enjoyment of music depends primarily on our sense of hearing, it is possible to expand the range of sensations experienced when listening to a band or other source of music to include the visual realm and thereby greatly enhance the listener's enjoyment. Various techniques are often employed to enhance the lighting of a stage on which musical entertainment is provided, ranging from colored stage lighting that is changed to suit the mood of the music currently being played, to laser or other complex light shows that are arranged to complement entertainment being experienced by the audience.
Light shows in which various colored lights are controlled in response to the amplitude and frequency of the music being played have been available for a number of years. Some prior art devices that control light sources used in lighting shows are designed to respond to a music signal before the signal is amplified to drive loudspeakers, while others are designed to be driven by the amplified signal that is applied to the speakers. Bandpass filters in these devices can provide a control signal that is used to energize a specific color of light associated with a range of frequencies in the input music signal, and these devices can control the intensity of the light source as a function of the amplitude of the music signal within the range of frequencies associated with the light source. For example, higher frequencies in a music signal might control the intensity of yellow lights, while mid-range frequencies control red lights, and bass frequencies control blue or green lights. In virtually all of these prior art controllers, the sound signal is sampled through bandpass filters, either before or after it is amplified by a power amplifier, to derive the control signals that control the lights of various colors. These types of lighting displays thus tend to be centrally disposed and controlled by a single controller. If used with a group of live musicians (and not to create lighting effects for previously recorded music), the light show provided by such prior art systems is normally not associated with just a single instrument or provided for each of a plurality of instruments being played.
A more interesting lighting enhancement could be provided by enabling a specific instrument to include lights that provide a light show in response to that instrument being played. If light shows can thus be provided for each of a plurality of instruments, then each instrument can have and control its own lighting effects. Alternatively, it might be desirable for one or more instruments in a group to directly control lighting effects that are separate from the instruments. The lighting effects might be based upon the actual vibrations of the instruments when played, instead of the processed sound signals that will be used to drive loudspeakers or monitors. This level of versatility has not been provided in connection with currently available light show systems that respond to electrical sound signals that are used to drive loudspeakers. It would thus be desirable to enable an instrument to directly control a lighting effect included with the instrument or alternatively, to control a more remote light source in response to the vibrations produced by the instrument as it is played.
Another function that has not been realized in lighting systems responsive to electrical sound signals used to drive loudspeakers is to provide an indication of the quality of play by a musician who is playing an instrument. For example, it would be desirable to determine the timing accuracy of a drummer striking a drum relative to the beat indicated on a musical score. Providing an immediate visual feedback indicative of the performance would be useful to enable the musician to improve during practice. In addition, the vibration of an instrument being played can provide a recordable signal that can later be compared to an optimal performance to enable an instructor to evaluate the performance of a student musician. Thus, it would be desirable to employ a signal that is usable to control a light show, for these additional purposes. Again, the currently available lighting systems do not provide any comparable functionality.
A signal produced in response to the vibration of an instrument might be conveyed either via a wire or wirelessly, to a controller that is used for the above-noted functions or other such functionality. By enabling vibration sensors associated with each of a plurality of instruments to convey a corresponding signal to a controller, and control signals produced by the controller to be securely conveyed to one or more sets of light sources, a variety of different lighting effects might be produced in response to the instruments. For wireless communications, it would be important to secure the signals and avoid interference between the signals for each of the instruments in a band. Again, these issues do not appear to be addressed by conventional lighting systems.

Lighting display responsive to vibration


A fluid treatment apparatus includes a ferrite assembly, a driver, and an oscillator circuit. The ferrite assembly is arranged in use to be capable of surrounding a conduit containing fluid to be acted on. The driver is arranged to generate a pulsed current to which the ferrite assembly is subjected whereby the driver is electromagnetically coupled to the ferrite assembly. The oscillator circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the ferrite assembly, and in response to the pulse generated by the driver, causes an oscillating signal to be generated which gives rise to an electromagnetic field which acts on the fluid in the conduit.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for treating a fluid-containing system in order to resist the formation and build-up of scale deposits, and/or the proliferation of bacteria, in fluid-containing systems.
Scale includes the build-up of mineral salt deposits on internal surfaces of fluid-containing equipment, including by way of crystalline growth, such as can occur in fluid carrying pipes. In particular, calcium and magnesium, which are commonly contained in water, are heavily involved in the formation of scale.
Scale is formed when mineral ions present in a fluid reach conditions at which they change phases from liquid to solid. Ions present in a fluid require energy to begin the process of forming a solid. Formation of a solid on an existing surface, such as the internal surface of a pipe, requires less energy. Accordingly, it is on the surfaces of pipes and other equipment with which the fluid comes into contact that mineral ions most frequently undergo their phase change to solids. The solids form on, and adhere to, these surfaces, creating scale.
When scale builds up in a pipe or other conduit, it alters the flow of the fluid through it. By decreasing the volume of fluid that flows through a pipe, scale requires pumps and other industrial equipment to use more energy in order to transport the same volumetric rate of transport of fluid. Scale may also increase pressure in a pipe, which can cause leaks and breakages. Because heat provides energy to fuel the ions' phase change to solid, scale build-up on heated equipment, such as steam boilers and heat exchangers, is especially problematic. Scale formation on these devices may lead to reduced heat transmission, higher fuel usage, and even local overheating and failure. The build-up of scale also may have a number of indirect effects, such as providing a location for bacteria to build up in the fluid-containing system and interacting with soap to prevent cleaning of the fluid-containing system.
A number of methods to resist scale formation and build-up are known in the art. For instance, chemical solutions have been introduced into fluid-containing systems. The use of chemical solutions, however, is undesirable both because it requires constant replenishment and because it contaminates the fluid. Accordingly, a number of physical water treatment methods have been identified. One physical water treatment method involves positioning electrodes in the fluid-containing system. However, as the electrodes erode, they lose their effectiveness and need to be replaced. Another method involves the positioning of magnets in direct contact with the fluid. However, the magnets collect magnetic debris which, itself, can obstruct the pipe.
Additionally or alternatively to scale build-up, bacterial growth may occur in a fluid containing system.
We have devised a novel apparatus for resisting/preventing the formation and build-up of scale deposits and for resisting/preventing, bacterial growth in fluid-containing systems.


One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.

Organizations can use private networks as well as public networks such as the internet and distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) to manage and track the production and shipping of large quantities of items or assets. The use of private networks, however, can be inefficient and costly, while public networks may not provide the desired level of privacy and/or security. For example, public DLNs can expose, by virtue of being public networks, details of private interactions occurring on the networks.

Methods and systems for enhancing privacy and efficiency on distributed ledger-based networks


A patient repositioning device includes an upper body support and a lower body support which are generally planar and laterally spaced from one another by a spacing element. A handle can rotate in the plane of the supports, enabling a care giver to rotate a patient form a sitting to a lying position and then to roll the patient onto their back. Another embodiment provides a patient cradle for cradling a patient from a reclining to a sitting position and vice versa.

When lying down in bed, the movement of getting the patient's legs up in bed is heavy. The patient may have big difficulties doing this by themselves due to reduced strength. If this manoeuvre is performed by the nurse, she or he is lifting the weight in a difficult height and position.
In particular, persons having mobility, strength or other limitations hindering them from coming from a sitting position to a lying position, or vice versa, on a bed will need help to perform this task. At settings where a carer helps to carry out this task daily, be it in a hospital, special care centre or a home and the carer being a nurse or another professional person or a relative to the person to be helped, this person will be exposed to a number of operations putting their health at risk, such as for example overload of the muscles and/or back. The reasons for the potential risks are several individual factors or combination of factors. For example a difference in length of the person to be helped and the carer will result in non-optimal working posture. Another factor is the difference in weight giving unequal load between the persons. Factors such as the working height might have severe effects on the carer since it affects the carer's reach and thus possibly making the carer twist their back to compensate. A low working height will lead to a bent back of the carer, resulting in very high loads on the lower back. Another factor affecting the reach comes from the width of the bed and the fact that the legs of the person to be helped legs have to come from the lying position relatively far in from the edge of the bed and out onto the edge of the bed for the carer to be able to help them down onto the floor and vice versa when coming from a sitting position to a lying position on the bed.
There is also a number of factors affecting the person to be helped that can have a negative effect. Such factors include, for example, the need to have a straight back during the manoeuvre from sitting to lying or vice versa, which can be hard to maintain without proper technique and/or equipment, also the need to have the patient's legs and upper body substantially parallel in the sagittal plane, which is hard to maintain without proper technique and/or equipment.
Shear of the skin may also be an issue for the person to be helped if no proper technique and/or equipment are used. The person to be helped may also be affected by the speed of the transition from sitting to lying or vice versa if it is not timed to the patient's conditions or preferences.
Another factor that can affect the person to be helped is the amount of activity that person contributes with throughout the manoeuvre. If the carer chooses to use a technique and/or equipment that makes the person to be helped more passive than necessary that will have a negative influence on that person's mobility level progression.
When the person helped has come from the lying position in bed to the sitting position at the edge of the bed, in many cases the person is also in need of help in the sit-to-stand sequence that generally follows.
An important factor of beds intended for persons in settings like elderly care facilities, special care clinics and hospitals or similar, is their ability to reach a very low position when the person is left unattended, preferable in order to minimize the consequences from an unintentional fall from the bed onto the floor. Another factor is the fact that a bed is a medical device which must meet regulations, and accessories not sanctioned by the manufacturer may not only hinder the bed's specified functionality but may also compromise the safety of the bed.
Not only are there personal gains in limiting the negative factors, there are also economical as all the negative factors have consequences that can be measured in economic terms, be it for the employer employing the carer having to reimburse the employee for conditions acquired due to lack of proper working technique and/or equipment provided or the prolonged rehabilitation of a patient that has been passivized.
Various known devices have sought to address the problem of a patient coming from a sitting position to a lying position at a bedside. For example, US 2004/0019967—"Assistance apparatus for assisting a person into and out of bed" discloses a device that the patient sits on and, while leaning onto the movable upper frame, their legs are elevated by the lower frame following the movement of the upper by the powered movement. Some drawbacks with the described device can be noted. It's design around a chassis intends it to be permanently installed adjacent the bed frame, which complicates use together with modern hospital beds that are height adjustable and have safety gates that need to be operable in the same area as the device occupies. With a chassis between the person's calves and the bed it will become even harder to come to the ideal position in the centre of the bed when lying down, since the starting position is further out than without a chassis adjacent to the bed. The person to be helped is also fully dependent on the apparatus in that it is powered in the motion, potentially leading to a more passivized person than needed.
Another device is disclosed in US 2010/0125947—"Leg Lifting Apparatus", where the person's legs are lifted onto the bed while sitting on the horizontal part of the bed. The device again mainly focuses on an independent person, this time having enough muscular tonus to handle the upper body movement personally. As the device is intended to be permanently mounted to the bed, it can be in conflict with the normal performance of the medical bed and can also be a hindrance to the following sit-to-stand movement if this is carried out with the help of a mobile device such as a sit-to-stand device having a chassis extending partly under the bed.
Yet another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,433 "Assembly of a bed and an apparatus for movement support for a person when moving into or out of a bed" where the person is helped with upper body movement by a lever.
Known devices, such as height adjustable beds, are a great help in providing an ergonomic workplace even with people of different length. Such beds are also known to have profiling features, in that they are able to raise the backrest helping the person come up to a more sitting position, and can minimize the physical demands of the carer. This sitting position is in the centre of the bed, facing towards the foot end of the bed and does not address the sometimes important need of having the legs and upper body parallel in the sagittal plane when coming from a lying position to a sitting position on the edge of the bed facing out from the beds longer side. Nor gives it any help in getting the legs up into the bed when going from a sitting position at the edge of the bed into a lying position. Another potential drawback is the fact that the speed of the backrest is fixed and does not adapt to the person's specific needs and/or preferences.
Patient lifters such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,189 may be able to minimize the load the carer is exposed to in the process of helping a person in coming from a lying position on a bed and up from the support surface, in that they are lifted in a sling with motorized help. The device may also re-position the person to a sitting position and deliver the person down to the edge of the bed. The biggest drawback of using this kind of device for this sort of manoeuvre is that the person helped out of the bed is forced to be very passive in this manoeuvre. Secondly, it is a very time consuming process.
The prior art devices can also have the drawback of being awkward to use with other patient transfer devices, such as a Sit-to-Stand device.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved patient repositioning device and method.


A joint mechanism for use in a rod for bearing at least a portion of a user's weight and a corresponding flexible tip for contacting a substantially horizontal surface. The joint mechanism includes a spring mechanism, a first bushing, and a second bushing. The spring member has opposed first and second ends. The first bushing is adapted for positioning in a hole in an end of the rod and has a cavity adapted to receive the first end of the spring member. The second bushing is adapted for positioning in a hole in the flexible tip and has a cavity adapted to receive the second end of the spring member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to walking aids, and more particularly to walking aids having one or more rods for bearing some or all of a user's weight and corresponding flexible tips for contacting substantially horizontal surfaces.
2. Description of Related Art
Well known walking aids include crutches and canes. In general, a crutch is a staff or support used by a person with a physical injury or disability as a walking aid. Known types of crutches include underarm crutches, forearm crutches, and platform crutches. Underarm and forearm crutches are often used in pairs. A cane is generally a rod used by a physically injured or disabled person as a walking aid.
Other related devices include stilts and similar devices. Such devices are not typically used for medical purposes, but merely for amusement and/or entertainment.
It would be advantageous to have a crutch, stilt, or similar device with a reduced degree of mechanical stiffness and/or an improved ability to grip horizontal surfaces.


Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage. Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage to an electrical device according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a voltage regulator circuit to generate a first voltage, a clock driver circuit to generate a second voltage, and a charge pump system to generate the bias voltage and supply the bias voltage to the electrical device. The apparatus may be responsive to a control signal that indicates a startup operation of the electrical device.

Many electrical systems require a high bias voltage to generate an appropriate input/output signal. For example, in a MEMS (micro electro-mechanical system) microphone system, the bias voltage required to convert an acoustic signal into an electrical signal is approximately 10V-15V. In general, the bias voltage must reach a target value with a specified period of time, for example within milliseconds after start-up, to achieve a stable input/output signal. When an electrical system does not receive the required bias voltage within the specified period of time, the input/output signal of the system may be diminished and may exhibit a low signal-to-noise ratio. Conventional methods employed for reducing noise in the signal, such as a low-pass filter, may introduce other negative effects. For example, low-pass filters generally exhibit a large time constant, which interferes with the stabilization of the input/output signal. Other systems may include additional control terminals to control the bias voltage, which increases the size and cost of the system.

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC


Cellular therapy infusion devices for the delivery of media including cellular therapies to a patient's tissue, cells, and/or blood include a barrel, a plunger that fits within the barrel, a syringe shaft, and a pressure relief system configured to achieve and/or maintain a desired level of pressure and/or force within the device so that cellular behavior and/or viability is not adversely impacted by the mechanical forces exerted thereon via depressing the plunger into the barrel so the cellular therapy media may be pushed from the barrel into a patient delivery device for administration to the patient. The cellular therapy infusion devices may cooperate with and/or fit into cellular therapy infusion systems designed to create and/or maintain preferred conditions for the cellular therapy media stored in the barrel and automatically administer the cellular therapy media from the cellular therapy infusion device to the patient in a steady, regulated, and/or preferred manner.

Recent innovations in the treatment of blood-based diseases including cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma that utilize engineered T-cells (CAR T-Cell Therapy) have led to tremendous excitement in the potential of cell-based therapies across a multitude of indications. Currently approved treatments typically involve intravenous delivery of cells directly to the blood stream. This method of delivery is sufficient for treating blood-based diseases given the disease target is cancerous blood cells. However, intravenous delivery of cells for treatment of solid tissue indications often results in poor engraftment and persistence of delivered cells in the target tissue, with cell yields lower than 5%. There are a few reasons for these low yields including, cells becoming trapped by the lungs or filtering organs such as the liver and spleen on their circulatory return path, cells having off-target behavior, cells experiencing a graft-vs-host immune reaction, or cells being damaged or killed by the mechanical forces they experience during delivery into the body. Damage from these forces has been described thoroughly in 3D bioprinting research, which has shown that pancreatic beta cells experience greater than 30% cell viability loss when subjected to pressures above 20 kPa. This level of pressure and subsequent shearing stress can routinely occur during injection through a syringe, which tears apart cell membranes, and/or causes cells to change protein expression. These factors may cause cells to express pro-inflammatory markers, which leads to an unintended immune cascade, an inflammatory response in patients that can lead to death. Additionally, because solid tissue cells are by nature adherent cells, they tend to clump together or adhere to the inner surfaces of devices used for delivery, which results in blockage in the delivery channel that further increases pressure and cell damage and can also result in inconsistent dosing across patients.
Cells used in cell and gene therapies are notoriously finicky and sensitive to external environmental factors, be it chemical, mechanical, or even electrical. Cell therapy administration to date has utilized off-the-shelf devices that were designed for conventional drug delivery, not for cell therapy delivery. Cells, unlike molecules used in standard drug delivery, are extremely sensitive to the mechanical stressors from their surrounding environment, and consequently can change their function, or even deteriorate, due to the method of delivery and route utilized.

Cellular therapy infusion devices, systems, and methods for use


A scanning image projector includes a laser light source, an MEMS scanner having a reflecting mirror which vibrates around first and second axes that are orthogonal to each other, and an MEMS control unit having a high speed drive circuit which causes resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at high speed around the first axis, a low speed drive circuit which causes non-resonant vibration of the reflecting mirror at low speed around the second axis, and an offset drive circuit which offsets a position on the second axis in a non-resonant vibration region where the low-speed vibration is caused by a predetermined amount, wherein the MEMS control unit displays an image in a predetermined display region by drive signals from the high and the low speed drive circuits, and moves a position of the display region in the non-resonant vibration region by an offset signal from the offset drive circuit.

Conventionally, with scanning image projectors, studies have been made to change the position of a display region to be displayed on a screen and/or the like, and to display projected images in varying positions. Objects of this include, for example, changing the projecting position of a keyboard such as a projection keyboard depending on need so as to allow a plurality of operators to use one keyboard on a shared basis, and moving and displaying menu images on a restaurant table so as to remove a menu of a plurality of sheets.
Various proposals have been made for these methods of displaying projected images in varying positions, and, for example, patent document 1 describes a configuration to provide a rotating optical member which mounts an optical scanning means that displays an image, and change the position of a projected image by rotating the whole of the rotating optical member. Furthermore, patent document 2 describes a configuration to provide a servo motor for rotation control in a reflecting mirror for projection, and change the position of a projected image on a screen by changing the angle of the reflecting mirror by the servo motor.
Furthermore, in recent years, instead of schemes to use a galvano mirror and a polygonal mirror as optical scanning means, optical scanning schemes to use an MEMS scanner that can be miniaturized, have been developed (see, for example, non-patent document 1, page 217, FIG. 1).
Patent Document 1: JP-2004-252012-A
Patent Document 2: JP-H07-199146-A
Non-Patent Document 1: Kaisetsu Laser Display (see page 217, FIG. 1) The Optronics, Co., Ltd., published: Feb. 8, 2010.

Scanning image projector and method of driving scanning image projector


The present invention provides compounds that are alpha4 integrin antagonists having a structure according to the following formula:

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to compounds which inhibit leukocyte adhesion and, in particular, leukocyte adhesion mediated by α4β7. Accordingly, compounds of this invention are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by α4β7 binding and cell adhesion and activation such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, restenosis, inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, dermatitis, psoriasis, and the like.
2. State of the Art
The following publications, patents and patent applications are cited in this application as superscript numbers:    1 Tidswell, et al., J. of Immunology, 1497-1505 (1997)    2 Springer, Nature, 346:425-434 (1990)    3 Osborn, Cell, 62:3-6 (1990)    4 Vedder, et al., Surgery, 106:509 (1989)    5 Pretolani, et al., J. Exp. Med., 0.180:795 (1994)    6 Abraham. et al., J. Clin. Invest., 93:776 (1994)    7 Mulligan, et al., J. Immunology, 150:2407 (1993)    8 Cybulsky, et al., Science, 251:788 (1991)    9 Li, et al., Arterioscler. Thromb., 13:197 (1993)    10 Sasseville, et al., Am. J. Path., 144:27 (1994)    11 Yang, et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Science (USA), 90:10494 (1993)    12 Burkly, et al., Diabetes, 43:529 (1994)    13 Baron, et al., J. Clin. Invest., 93:1700 (1994)    14 Hamann, et al., J. Immunology, 152:3238 (1994)    15 Yednock, et al., Nature, 356:63 (1992)    16 Baron, et al., J. Exp. Med., 177:57 (1993)    17 van Dinther-Janssen, et al., J. Immunology, 147:4207 (1991)    18 van Dinther-Janssen, et al., Annals. Rheumatic Dis., 52:672 (1993)    19 Elices, et al, J. Clin. Invest., 93:405 (1994)    20 Postigo, et al., J. Clin. Invest., 89:1445 (1991)    21 Paul, et al., Transpl. Proceed, 25:813 (1993)    22 Okarhara, et al., Can. Res., 54:3233 (1994)    23 Paavonen, et al., Int. J. Can., 58:298 (1994)    24 Schadendorf et al., J. Path., 170:429 (1993)    25 Bao, et al., Diff, 52:239 (1993)    26 Lauri, et al., British J. Cancer, 68:862 (1993)    27 Kawaguchi, et al., Japanese J. Cancer Res., 83:1304 (1992)    28 Kogan, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,332, issued Apr. 23, 1996    29 International Patent Appl. Publication No. WO 96/01644
All of the above publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. The β7 integrin subfamily has two known members: α4β7 and αEβ7. These β7 integrins are expressed primarily by leukocytes. β7 integrins are unique among known integrins in their ability to recognize certain ligands expressed on the surface of endothelial and epithelial cells in mucosal organs.1
α4β7 is a lymphocyte homing receptor and plays a crucial role in the migration of these cells to the intestine and associated lymphoid tissue, such as Peyer's patches in the intestine. α4β7 mediates adhesion to a ligand on Peyer's patch high endothelial venules ("HEV4"). The ligand on Peyer's patch HEV is MAdCAM-1, a glycoprotein in the Ig superfamily. MAdCAM-1 is expressed on Peyer's patch HEV, mesenteric lymph node HEV, and lamina propria venules within the gut. Antibodies against α4 or β7 subunits inhibit attachment of circulating lymphocytes to Peyer's patch HEV in vivo.1
Memory T cells that circulate preferentially to intestinal tissues express high levels of α4β7, whereas those that circulate to other organs are mostly α4β1. These α4β7 memory T cells express a related integrin, α4β1, which is not able to mediate cell adhesion to MAdCAM-1. However, both α4β7 and α4β1, can mediate adhesion to VCAM-1 and to fibronectin.1
Intercellular adhesion mediated by α4β7 and other cell surface receptors is associated with a number of inflammatory responses. At the site of an injury or other inflammatory stimulus, activated vascular endothelial cells express molecules that are adhesive for leukocytes. The mechanics of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells involves, in part, the recognition and binding of cell surface receptors on leukocytes to the corresponding cell surface molecules on endothelial cells. Once bound, the leukocytes migrate across the blood vessel wall to enter the injured site and release chemical mediators to combat infection. For reviews of adhesion receptors of the immune system, see, for example, Springer2 and Osborn.3
Inflammatory brain disorders, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), multiple sclerosis (MS) and meningitis, are examples of central nervous system disorders in which the endothelium/leukocyte adhesion mechanism results in destruction to otherwise healthy brain tissue. Large numbers of leukocytes migrate across the blood brain barrier (BBB) in subjects with these inflammatory diseases. The leukocytes release toxic mediators that cause extensive tissue damage resulting in impaired nerve conduction and paralysis.
In other organ systems, tissue damage also occurs via an adhesion mechanism resulting in migration or activation of leukocytes. For example, it has been shown that the initial insult following myocardial ischemia to heart tissue can be further complicated by leukocyte entry to the injured tissue causing still further insult.4 Other inflammatory conditions mediated by an adhesion mechanism include, by way of example, asthma,5-7 Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis,8-9 AIDS dementia,10 diabetes (including acute juvenile onset diabetes),11-13 inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease),4 multiple sclerosis,15-16 rheumatoid arthritis,17-20 tissue transplantation,21 tumor metastasis,22-27 meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, and other cerebral traumas, nephritis, retinitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, myocardial ischemia and acute leukocyte-mediated lung injury such as that which occurs in adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Despite advances in the understanding of leukocyte adhesion, the art has only recently addressed the use of inhibitors of adhesion in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.28,29 Novel alpha4 antagonists are needed for the development of additional treatment options for inflammatory diseases, such as MS, asthma, Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, assays useful for the diagnosis of α4β7 mediated conditions are needed. The current invention addresses these and other needs.

Pyridinone antagonists of alpha-4 integrins

Abstract: or a tautomer, mixture of tautomers, salt or solvate thereof, wherein Cy, ring A, m, n, p, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined in the specification. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds of the invention as well as methods of making and using the compounds and compositions of the invention, e.g., in the treatment and prevention of various conditions and disorders, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.


The present invention describes compounds and uses thereof in applications relating to absorption of electromagnetic energy. Preferred compounds are double bond-containing compounds capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation energy and having improved properties.

Any reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.
Ultraviolet light (UV) and visible light absorbing or screening compounds have found use in a range of applications where protection from the sun's harmful UV rays is desirable. This includes their use in glass and lens coatings, paints, packaging, household cleaning formulations and materials including fabrics as well as, perhaps most notably, in sun screen formulations to protect the skin of the user from damage caused by UV radiation.
Compounds suitable for absorbing UV light, and therefore offering a protective function, were described in WO 2015/006803 in the name of the present applicant. The compounds disclosed therein displayed a cyclic enaminoketone core with a range of substitutions designed to provide a useful variance in absorption characteristics to provide for coverage throughout the UV range. While effective for their primary purpose the stability of the compounds to exposure to electromagnetic radiation was not considered or discussed in any form.
Inorganic sunscreens, such as zinc oxide, protect from UV primarily by light scattering. Conversely organic sunscreen agents, such as those described in WO 2015/006803, absorb the UV light and must then emit this energy in order to return to the ground state. Such energy loss can occur by any or all of a variety of pathways such as fluorescence, phosphorescence, transfer to another molecule, isomerisation, heat generation or fragmentation. If destructive pathways such as fragmentation, and some isomerisations, predominate then the ability of the molecule to continue to absorb UV or visible light is destroyed. While protective compounds are not required to be indefinitely photostable it is important that they provide for a useful lifetime and so resist fast degradation.
It would therefore be desirable to provide for compounds which can absorb energy from a variety of ranges within the electromagnetic spectrum or which provide for a variety of molar extinction coefficients or mass extinction coefficients or which can demonstrate improved stability to this exposure to provide for a greater operational lifespan.
Further, there is an ongoing need for compounds, whether preferentially photostabilised or not, which provide for improved physical stability. For example, the incorporation of absorbing compounds into lenses and other solid phase polymeric products requires a high level of stability of the compound to the initiating and curing conditions of the polymer.

Enamine compounds for absorbance of electromagnetic energy

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation


Novel polycyclic compounds represented by the following formula: A--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; and A is a group represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; and Y represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, or A is a group represented by the following formula: ##STR2## and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are a method for preparing the same, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, an antiallergic agent and an agent for bronchial asthma comprising the same, and a method for treatment of an allergic disease or bronchial asthma comprising the step of administering the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel polycyclic compounds useful as antihistaminic agents, antiallergic agents, hypo-sedatives, psychoneurotic agents, analgetics, antiemetics, gastrointestinal tract hyperkinetics, antiarrhythmics, and antihypertensive agents.
More specifically, the present invention relates to compounds represented by the following formula (I): EQU A--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOR.sup.1 (I)
wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; and A is a group represented by the following formula: ##STR3## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; and Y represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, or A is a group represented by the following formula: ##STR4## and pharmacologically acceptable salts, which are useful as drugs such as mentioned above.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Merck Index (11th edition) discloses drugs having a polycyclic nucleus similar to that of the compound of the present invention. Examples of such drugs include, for example, Amoxapine represented by the following formula (II): ##STR5## as a antidepressant (11th edition, 609); Clothiapine represented by the following formula (III): ##STR6## as an antischizophrenic agent (11th edition, 2410): Perlapine represented by the following formula (IV): ##STR7## as a hypo-sedative (11th edition, 7131), and Mianserin represented by the following formula (v): ##STR8## as a antidepressant (11th edition, 6097). However, any documents do not disclose the polycyclic compound of the present invention having a polycyclic nucleus substituted with a carboxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group.
The major defects of these drugs are adverse reactions caused by various kinds of pharmacological actions of the drugs. Examples of the adverse reactions those frequently observed clinically are, for example, psychoneurotic symptoms such as, tremor, hallucinosis, delirium, cerebaria, malaise, vertigo, or anticholinergic symptoms such as hydrodipsia, dysuria, or cycloplegia.

Piperazinealkanoic acid and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same


An image forming apparatus includes plurality image carriers sequentially arranged, a conveying belt, which conveys a print medium onto which color-separated images formed on the plurality of image carriers are overlapped, and a plurality of image transfer rollers installed to respectively correspond to the plurality image carriers. The conveying belt is interposed between the image transfer rollers and the image carriers. At least one of the plurality image transfer rollers is arranged to be compressed with a pressure higher than those applied to the other image transfer rollers against the image carriers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with an improved construction so that the conveying velocity of a print medium can remain relatively constant.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, image forming apparatuses are classified into monochromatic image forming apparatuses and color image forming apparatuses. A monochromatic image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming a black-and-white image using only one color developer, and a color image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming a color image using colors such as magenta, cyan, yellow and black.
Typically, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a laser beam is scanned by an exposure unit and a latent image is formed on an image carrier electrified to a predetermined potential by an charging unit. The latent image is developed with developers and then transferred to print paper as a visible image while the print paper is fed and conveyed. A conventional color image forming apparatus overlaps transfer respective color-separated images, which are respectively developed on color-separated image carriers, directly onto a print medium. In this case, the print medium passes through plurality color carriers in sequence while being conveyed by a conveying member such as a PTB (Paper Transfer Belt), thereby receiving the overlapped color images.
In addition, the print medium having the overlapped color images pass through a series of image-fixing steps. Then, the print medium is discharged out of the image forming apparatus.
In order to transfer overlapped images directly onto a print medium as described above, it is relatively important to stably convey the print medium. Accordingly, the print medium is charged by the charging unit before it is fed by a paper-feeding roller from a paper feeding device and enters into a firstly located image carrier. The charged print medium moves into close contact with a conveying belt due to static electricity. Therefore, the print medium passes through plurality image carriers in sequence while being conveyed with the conveying belt in close contact with the conveying belt. Therefore, color images are formed on the image carriers and are overlapped onto the print medium. Here, image transfer rollers are mounted on predetermined areas, each corresponding to the image carriers, to provide a predetermined level of transfer pressure for compressing the conveying belt against the image carriers. Thus, the images on the image carriers can be efficiently transferred to the print medium.
With the conventional color image forming apparatus as described above, a print medium fed toward image carriers is subjected to high forces in the conveying direction of the print medium by the transfer rollers. The print medium is charged from the leading edge thereof by the charging unit at the initial entering stage and then the print medium is conveyed in close contact with the conveying belt at the leading edge area thereof. At this time, the paper conveying velocity and the force provided by the conveying belt may be different from those provided by the transfer rollers. Therefore, at the initial stage, where the leading edge area of the print medium starts to come into close contact with the conveying belt, the print medium starts to receive transferred images. The color images may not be correctly transferred to corresponding positions. As a result, color registration may be affected. In particular, because the color image formed on the firstly located color carrier has a large phase as compared to those formed on the other image carriers, the quality of a full-color image may deteriorate.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved image forming apparatus which conveys a print medium at a relatively constant velocity.

Image forming apparatus with constant conveying velocity


An input data processor of the present invention has a dither signal adder for adding a dither signal to digital data which corresponds to an alternating signal of the type which crosses the zero level each time the alternating signal varies from a maximum to a minimum (i.e., positive max to negative max). The resultant signal of the digital signal added to the dither signal is sent to a level shift circuit which shifts the digital data output from the adder to a positive or negative level, which has sufficient magnitude to prevent the signal from crossing the zero level during variation from max to min. By eliminating zero crossing with this shifting operation, the present invention prevents inversion of the MSB of the digital signal, which also prevents glitches in the analog output. These glitches were previously caused by inversion of the MSB.

The present invention relates to an input data processor for a D/A (Digital to Analog) converter, and more particularly to an input data processor for a D/A converter which is suitable for an information reproducer for a record medium such as an optical disk or the like having digital signals as recorded information.
D/A converters are generally used in digital audio equipment such as CD (Compact Disk) players or the like for the purpose of converting the digital data recorded in CD players into analogue signals. D/A converters generate quantizing noise by switching operation. As such quantizing noise includes higher harmonics of higher order to cause waveform distortion thereby to hinder faithful reproduction. In order to prevent the generation of such quantizing noise, a dither signal is conventionally added to the digital data read from a CD player.
In CD players, data is expressed by using 2's complement data. In a case of 2's complement data, inversion of MSB (Most Significant Bit) is performed at each time digital data crosses the zero level during conversion by a D/A converter. During the MSB inversion, switching noise called glitch is generated.
Such glitch is noise naturally generated in the D/A converter, and the use of a dither circuit causes such glitch to be increased by vibration of the dither signal. This phenomenon is caused by an increase in the number of times of zero crossing in correspondence with the vibration of the dither signal. When the D/A conversion output containing such glitch is introduced into a low pass filter, the output signal is integrated in the low pass filter to produce a distorted waveform. Particularly, when the original signal is a low level of signal, this has a significant effect and causes a reduction in the fidelity of reproduction.

Input data processor for D/A converter utilizing dithering


A thermal protector for protecting an electrical accessory in a current carrying circuit is actuated when abnormal changes occur for any reason in the ambient temperature about the accessory has, a conductive first terminal defining a stationary contact and is connected to one side of the current carrying circuit, an insulator coacts with the first terminal for isolating the first terminal except for the stationary contact thereon from the other conductive elements of the thermal protector, a conductive actuating assembly having a leaf spring formed thereon and a contact fixedly connected and movable with the leaf spring is aligned for engagement and disengagement with said stationary contact, a second conductive terminal member is connected to the opposite side of said current carrying circuit and has a connector assembly for joining the first conductive terminal, the conductive actuating assembly and the second conductive terminal member to each other, a bimetallic element freely positioned in the thermal protector for operative engagement with the leaf spring actuates the leaf spring responsive to the abnormal changes in the said ambient temperature about the accessory to cause the contact thereon to engage and disengage the stationary contact for opening and closing the current carrying circuit for the electrical accessory to be protected.

This invention relates generally to thermal protectors for current carrying circuits such as miniature thermostats, miniature circuit breakers and the like using bimetallic actuating assemblies and more particularly to a miniature thermal protector with a precalibrated automatic resetting bimetallic actuating assembly adapted for various applications, equipment and uses which require protection against abnormal changes in ambient temperature.
Valuable equipment and assemblies such as motors of various types, equipment with motors therein such as vacuum cleaners, automotive accessories, florescent lighting and HID ballasts, lighting fixtures, and other equipment and assemblies including, solenoids and PC boards and the like, require protection against overheating and against abnormal changes in the ambient temperature for any reason at the location where the equipment or assemblies are in operation.
Miniature thermostats using bimetallic actuating assemblies in which the current passing through the thermostat also passes through the bimetallic element are presently known and available in the commercial marketplace, for this purpose, such as the TI 7AM Thermal Protector manufactured and sold by Texas Instruments Incorporated.
These known thermal protectors are characterized by the fact that the bimetallic elements are affixed or attached in the bimetallic assemblies by welding to one of the terminals of the current carrying circuit and cantilevered so that a contact, also generally welded to the bimetallic element at the end remote from the welded or affixed end, is adapted under the conventional snap acting operation of the bimetallic element to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact on the opposite terminal of the current carrying circuit.
In these miniature thermostats, an insulating material is sandwiched between the bimetallic element and the terminal carrying the stationary contact to enable these thermostats to be manufactured or fabricated in the smallest possible size and with the least number of parts so they can be manufactured and assembled on modern production equipment, accurately and cheaply and in quantities to meet the increasing commercial demand for such protective devices.
However, these known thermal protectors develop production problems because of the various stresses which are likely to occur, first, during the welding or affixing of the contact to the bimetallic element, and second, during the welding or affixing of the bimetallic element into assembled position in the thermal protector.
To overcome this problem, the manufacturers of the known thermal protectors recalibrate the bimetallic element and/or the bimetallic assembly in an effort to reset the thermal protector so they operate within the specified temperature rating for each particular size, current operating parameters and other limitations for the given thermal protector. However, even this recalibration technique does not achieve the desired accuracy required in the commercial marketplace.
The thermal protectors in accordance with the present invention overcome these production and other problems by providing an improved structure and operation such that the current in the current carrying circuit in which the thermal protector is connected does not flow through the bimetallic element. Further, the bimetallic element which is freely positioned in the thermal protector is operatively associated with and actuates an assembly having a contact movable therewith for coaction with a fixed contact to open and close the circuit to control the current passing through the thermal protector. This structure and operation eliminates the contact on the bimetallic element and the requirement for welding the bimetallic element into assembled position, and this eliminates the sources for the above mentioned prior art production problems.
In addition to overcoming the prior art production problems, the improved structure and operation for a thermal protector in accordance with the present invention also permits a wide range of actuating temperatures. First, because of the large number of variations for the bimetallic element which can now be achieved through the selection of the materials, the thickness, the shape and the curvature for the bimetallic element. Second, because the elements of the actuating assembly also can be modified through the selection of materials, thickness, width and length. Third, because of the operative coaction which can be obtained between the bimetallic element and the actuating assembly. Fourth, where the thermal protector cannot be further miniaturized, it permits the addition of a heater to achieve the predetermined actuating temperature for the bimetallic element. And last, when the parts and elements of the thermal protector in accordance with the present invention are assembled for operative relation with each other, they are automatically and accurately positioned for the required interrelationship between the bimetallic element and the leaf spring on the intermediate actuating element to achieve operation within the predetermined parameters for the given thermal protector, all of which will be more fully described below.

Miniaturized thermal protector with precalibrated automatic resetting bimetallic assembly


The present invention relates generally to a method for the generation of a substantially homogenous population of undifferentiated cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for isolating a substantially homogenous population of stem cells, and in particular, mammary stem cells (MaSCs). The MaSCs of the present invention are isolated on the basis of differential levels of proteins present on their cell surface. The MaSCs of the present invention are particularly useful as targets for identifying agents which modulate MaSC survival, self-renewal, proliferation and/or differentiation in both normal and diseased tissue such as, but not limited to, tumor tissue, and, also as source of tissue for the regeneration, replacement and/or augmentation of tissue damaged and/or lost after disease or injury.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method for the generation of a substantially homogenous population of undifferentiated cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for isolating a substantially homogenous population of stem cells, and in particular, mammary stem cells (MaSCs). The MaSCs of the present invention are isolated on the basis of differential levels of proteins present on their cell surface. The MaSCs of the present invention are particularly useful as targets for identifying agents which modulate MaSC survival, self-renewal, proliferation and/or differentiation in both normal and diseased tissue such as, but not limited to, tumor tissue, and, also as source of tissue for the regeneration, replacement and/or augmentation of tissue damaged and/or lost after disease or injury.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.
Bibliographic details of references provided in this document are listed at the end of the specification.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy to affect women, accounting for approximately one quarter of all female cancers. Despite a significant improvement in the management of breast cancer over the last few years, about 25% of women diagnosed will die from the disease, revealing that those tumor cells have intrinsic properties that are refractory to current treatment strategies. The heterogeneous nature of breast cancer suggests the involvement of multiple genetic factors and cell types but these are poorly understood.
A prerequisite to understanding breast oncogenesis is the study of the regulation of normal breast epithelial development. The mammary gland is composed of a branching network of ducts and lobuloaveolar structures, the latter arising through pregnancy. There are two primary epithelial cell lineages, myoepithelial and luminal (comprising ductal and alveolar subtypes), which are presumed to arise from a common progenitor cell referred to herein as a mammary stem cell or MaSC (for review see Smalley and Ashworth, Nat Rev Cancer 3:832-844, 2003). The concept of an organ-specific stem cell is well established for haematopoiesis, as well as other organ systems (e.g. Rietze et al., Nature 214:736-739, 2001; Li et al., Nat Med 9:1293-1299, 2003; Morris et al., Nat Biotech 22:411-417, 2004; Tumbar et al., Science 303:359-363, 2004). It has been hypothesized that stem and progenitor cells (also known as transit amplifying cells) are critical cellular targets during tumorigenesis, and that deregulated expression of genes normally expressed in mammary stem and progenitor cells contribute to the pathogenesis of breast cancer (Reya et al., Nature 414:105-111, 2001). The existence of a breast cancer "stem cell" may, in fact, be one explanation for resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs and eventual emergence of disease that is refractory to therapy (Al-Hajj et al., PNAS 100:3983-3988, 2004).
The mammary gland normally develops postnatally (at puberty), through a process of ductal elongation and branching that extends from the nipple region to penetrate the stromal tissue of the mammary gland ("the mammary fat pad" or MFP). This process is primarily driven by oestrogen and progesterone, and also requires prolactin. In the adult gland, the mammary gland is therefore comprised of the stomal elements and branching ducts. The ducts are comprised of luminal epithelial cells and surrounding myoepithelial cells, which are believed to arise from a common precursor cell. These are surrounded by a basement membrane. During pregnancy further development and functional maturation of the mammary gland occurs through additional ductal outgrowth and branching and the outgrowth of lobuloalveolar structures, which are the milk-secreting units in the fully differentiated gland. Lobuloalveolar units are comprised of alveolar epithelial and myoepithelial cells, and are also surrounded by a basement membrane. Following the cessation of lactation, the mammary gland undergoes a process of coordinated involution, whereby the lobuloalveolar units and some ducts regress through a process of programmed cell death and remodelling. This entire process undergoes repeated cycles with each pregnancy. Stem cells and progenitor cells are necessary for adult mammary gland development and the sequential rounds of epithelial cell development with each pregnancy cycle. It has been proposed that a resting stem cell undergoes coordinated lineage specification and commitment to pre-luminal or pre-myoepithelial progenitor cells, which in turn differentiate into functional ductal and alveolar luminal cells and myoepithelial cells, respectively (FIG. 1).
The existence of MaSCs has been confirmed through serial transplantation studies using epithelial mammary explants in mice (Daniel et al., PNAS 61:53-60, 1968). This technique involves transfer of small donor mammary explants into the de-epithelialized MFPs of pre-pubertal female recipient mice. A small fragment of epithelial tissue from a donor mouse transplanted into the cleared fat pad of a pre-pubertal mouse will reconstitute an entire mammary gland under the stimulus of pubertal and pregnancy hormones. Transplantation of epithelial cell suspensions in sufficient numbers will also reconstitute a mammary gland. The identification of MaSCs (or committed progenitors) requires the transfer of purified populations of cells to identify which population has the greatest capacity to form mammary epithelium.
In previous studies, haematopoietic stem cells have been shown to lack lineage markers such as Ter119 (erythroid), CD3 and B220 (T and B lymphoid cells), Mac-1 (myeloid) and to express high levels of c-kit and Sca-1. Haematopoietic stem cells have also been shown to exclude the vital dye Hoechst33342 (Ho) with great efficiency, resulting in a side population (SP) in flow cytometric studies (Goodall et al., J Exp Med 183:1797-1806, 1996). Data using mammary epithelial cells that were propagated in vitro for several days and then purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) have found that Sca-1+ cells exhibit enhanced Ho dye exclusion and an enriched mammary repopulating capacity, suggesting that mammary stem cells reside within this population (Welm et al., Dev Biol 245:42-56, 2002). In addition, a SP has been identified in and purified from more freshly isolated mammary epithelial cell preparations, and found to be able to produce mammary epithelial structures on transplantation into MFPs (Alvi et al., Breast Cancer Res 5:R1-R8, 2003). However, in these studies MFP repopulation required large numbers (several thousand) of cells, and the comparative repopulating capacity of purified cell populations was not evaluated at limiting dilution. Furthermore, the purified cell populations in these studies were obtained from a source of cells that had been maintained in culture. These conditions are likely to modify cell surface marker phenotype and as such, the characteristics of the purified cells in these studies are unlikely to reflect those which exist in vivo.
There is a need, therefore, for a method of isolating a substantially homogenous population of MaSCs from a source of freshly isolated tissue.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research


Self-powered supplies are presented for powering a power converter switch driver with power obtained from an associated snubber circuit, in which a supply circuit and a snubber circuit are connected in a series path across the switch terminals with the supply circuit receiving electrical power from the snubber and providing power to the switch driver.

Power conversion systems are employed to convert electrical power from one form and/or level, whether AC or DC, to another (AC or DC) in a multitude of applications. One example is a pulse width modulated (PWM) current source rectifier used in high-power motor drives with AC input power being selectively switched to create a DC output bus voltage from which a load is driven. Power converters may include multiple stages for different types of conversion applications, such as AC/DC/AC drives for electric motors, in which input AC power of a given frequency and voltage is first converted to a DC bus, with a second stage selectively switching the DC bus power to create single or multi-phase AC output power of variable voltage and/or frequency. This type of converter is particularly useful in driving electric motors in industrial applications requiring variable speed control with varying motor load situations. In the controlled switching of the input and output power in one or more converter stages, high voltages and currents are experienced by the power switches, wherein semiconductor-based switches such as silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs), gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs), gate commutated thyristors (GCTs), etc. are typically used to switch the power at relatively high frequencies. The control terminals or gates of these switching devices require gate driver circuits to generate the switch signals for actuating the power switch for controlled operation in power conversion applications, wherein GCTs typically have an external gate driver and integrated gate commutated thyristors (IGCTs) have a driver circuit integrated with the GCT power switch. In high voltage power conversion applications, the gate driver circuit needs to be operated with power that is isolated from the system ground since the input and output voltages may be several thousand volts or more. Conventional power converts often employ separate isolated DC power sources for powering the gate driver circuits. However, these driver power sources and isolation transformers occupy valuable space and add significant cost in power conversion systems, particularly for medium or high voltage systems operated with GCT or IGCT type switches. Thus, there remains a need for improved power conversion systems and gate driver power sources by which isolated gate driver power can be provided in a cost efficient manner without adding large external power sources.

Self powered supply for power converter switch driver


An online media station can be automatically generated based on a user's media preference data. Media preference data can include a user's media item purchase history. The media preference data is analyzed and media preference clusters are generated from the analyzed media preference data. Generated media preference clusters are ranked based on a predetermined set of ranking rules. The top ranked media preference clusters are selected dependent upon the user's number of slots available for customized media stations. One or more media station seeds are selected from each media preference cluster selected based on a set of predetermined selection rules. An algorithmic media station is automatically generated from the one or more media station seeds and provided to an electronic device of the user.

Traditional media stations, such as online radio stations, are a music streaming and automated music recommendation service, typically provided via an online web browser or computer application. Online media stations are an increasingly popular medium for distributing music content over the internet. Online media stations play musical selections of a certain genre based on a user's artist selection. The user may provide positive or negative feedback for songs chosen by the online media station, which are taken into account when the online media station selects future songs. Other online media stations similar to the online media station selected by the user are recommended to the user based on the musical artist the user originally selected.
As online media stations become more popular a wider variety of customers begin to engage with online media stations. Users can create online media stations and have the best results when they are involved in creating the online media station. However, not all customers are technically savvy enough to create their own online media station with satisfactory results. Additionally, technically savvy customers may not be willing to put in the initial time and effort into tuning their stations during the early stage of usage. Accordingly, an improved method of generating online media stations is needed.
The present disclosure recognizes that the use of personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure.
The present disclosure further contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. For example, personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection should occur only after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities would take any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices.
Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to "opt in" or "opt out" of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services.
Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publically available information.

Automatic generation of online media stations customized to individual users