A screw fastener testing method for verifying the status of a previously tightened screw fastener with respect to installed torque and actual torque growth per angle of rotation properties includes applying an increasing tightening torque on the fastener, measuring the torque magnitude at the start of rotation, of the fastener, measuring the rotational movement of the fastener after the start of rotation, calculating the torque growth per angle of rotation for a certain predetermined test interval of rotation from the start of rotation, comparing the torque magnitude indicated during rotation and the calculated torque growth per angle of rotation during the test interval of rotation with predetermined reference values (Tstart, KR) or (TE, KP), respectively, characteristic for the actual fastener when tightened to a desired target torque level, and approving or disapproving the fastener status in view of the reference values.

Screw fastener joining of machine elements in practice results in subjecting the machine elements to a clamping force effectuated by one or more individual screw fasteners. The magnitude of the clamping force is dependent on screw fastener dimensions and to what extent the individual screw fastener is tightened, whereby typically reaching of a predetermined tightening torque shuts off the screw tightening tool.
A particular problem is encountered in connection with using screw fasteners for fastening of rigid machine elements such as e.g. rigid steel plates, to each other. The reason for this is that in such cases it might be the case that at the moment of screw driver shut down, because of reached target toque, the fastener is not sufficiently tightened for the machine elements to be fastened tightly against each other. Instead, in the region of the tightened screw fastener, there exists a certain play between the rigid plates because of lack of contact between them in that position. Screw fasteners tightened in such a way are problematic, since they are likely to prematurely break from fatigue due to the fact that a fluctuating load will be taken up by the fastener rather than reducing the clamp load between the parts.
In order to remedy this problem, it has been suggested to position shim elements between the metal plates in order to bridge the play. This method is, however inexact, unreliable and also labour intensive.
Another problem with previously known screw tightening systems is that friction occurring between surfaces of the screw fastener varies considerably, whereby the same shut off torque can lead to great variation of clamping force between different screw fasteners. Since the clamping force typically is realised to vary by 35%, a screw fastener is typically tightened to only part of its capacity, as an example not more than 60% of the theoretical capacity in production screw tightening. This means that the screw fastener has to be over-dimensioned to reach a predetermined clamping force.
As a remedy to this problem it has been suggested to tighten screw fasteners to a point beyond the yielding point, (i.e. where plastic deformation occurs). Hereby the advantage is achieved that 100% of the screw fastener capacity can be used. The clamping force also then typically only varies with the hardening of the material in the screw fastener, which gives smaller variations.
The problem is now to verify that the point beyond the yielding point has been reached. For that purpose different methods have been developed, wherein, the tightening tool includes a measuring gauge in order to secure tightening quality. Another solution is to measure permanent elongation of the screw fastener after loosening it which, however, can give erroneous results since the results depend on the accuracy of a test screw. This method is also labour intensive. Another method is ultra sound measuring.

Test method and tool for testing fastened fasteners

Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Aktiebolag


Portions of the genetic sequence coding for bovine placental lactogen are isolated and a cDNA variant of a bovine placental lactogen gene is then formed and isolated. Upon cloning of the cDNA gene sequence and culturing of a resulting host, large quantities of bovine placental lactogen can be produced.

A. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to recombinant DNA technology. More specifically, it involves the creation of a cDNA genetic sequence coding for a bovine placental lactogen, a vector containing this gene, and a host containing the cDNA gene.
B. Description Of The Art
The placenta of a cow secretes numerous endocrine signals, including bovine placental lactogen (which is evolutionarily related to growth hormone and prolactin). Naturally produced bovine placental lactogen (also known as bovine chorionic somatomammotropin) has recently been purified and characterized. (See K. A. Eakle et al., Endocrinology 110:1758-1765 (1982); G. S. Murthy et al., Endocrinology 111:2117-2124 (1982); and Y. Arima et al., Endocrinology 113:2186-2194 (1983)) (the disclosure of these articles and of all other articles cited in this patent are incorporated by reference as a fully set forth below.) As described in these articles, at least one (and possibly three) forms of bovine placental lactogen exist.
Bovine placental lactogen promises to have great utility for research and other purposes. For example, it appears to relate to pregnancy development. (See generally C. Schellenberg et al., Endocrinology 111:2125-2128 (1982) (levels change during gestation), or it may stimulate milk production (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,925, bovine growth hormone increases milk production.) Still other functions for this protein are likely to be discovered.
Unfortunately, commercial qualities of the protein are not available, and it is prohibitively expensive to extract the protein from natural sources. Thus, it can be seen that a need has existed for a source of large quantities of bovine placental lactogen.


A novel harvesting machine is usable with a novel method for transformation from an operating position to a transport position. The machine has a set of work wheels and a set of transport wheels which extend on transverse axes. The transport wheels extend substantially parallel to, and on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the body of the machine. When the work wheels are lowered the resulting raising of the body of the machine permits the transport wheels to be lowered. Subsequently, the body can be lowered onto the transport wheels and the work wheels raised. In a subsequent operation the tongue of the machine is pivoted relative to the body into a transport position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. An additional connecting element may be provided for supporting the body when in the transport position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a harvesting machine using a process for the transformation of said harvesting machine to bring it from an operating or working position in which the longitudinal axis of its body extends crosswise to the working direction to a transport position in which the longitudinal axis of its body extends approximately parallel to the transport direction.
2. Discussion of the Background
Transformation processes are known which require a large number of operations and particularly operations during which it is necessary to arrange additional elements which must be removed from the machine during operation, such as, for example, a transport carriage, special tongue, etc.
Other processes require total or partial removal of a certain number of elements of the machine, such as the working wheels, for example. In this latter case, it is necessary to successively unload said wheels to be able to perform the various removals or changes of position of the working wheels. In addition, these removals require tools which the user does not always have at hand.
All these transformation processes require a relatively long transformation time.
A process is also known in which all the working wheels are used as transport wheels without removal. In this process, the wheel and axle set can pivot around a vertical axis from a position where the axis of rotation of the wheels extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine body to a position where the axis of rotation of the wheels extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine body. During operation, the wheels are behind the machine body, while during transport one wheel is under the machine body. To make this latter wheel go under the machine body, the machine body must be able to move considerably upward. This requires rather complex lifting means. Moreover, during transport, the center of gravity of the machine body is relatively far from the ground, so that stability problems can arise. In addition, since one of the wheels is under the machine body, the wheels have very different loads during transport. Finally, during transport, the upright post by which the tongue is connected to the body is subject to very high stresses due to the swaying of the body during transport.


The invention provides Daedalos polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding Daedalos polypeptides, and methods of using Daedalos polypeptides and nucleic acids. Also included in the invention are methods of diagnosis, methods of treatment, methods of detection, and methods of controlling neural cell differentiation by detecting and/or modulating expression of Daedalos in a cell.

The invention relates to the Daedalos nucleic acids, Daedalos polypeptides, and other related molecules and methods of making and using the same.
The maintenance of tissues that require regeneration during the life of an organism is often achieved by the asymmetric division of a less differentiated stem cell to regenerate itself as well as give rise to a daughter cell that can then differentiate to repopulate the organ. The best characterized stem cells in the adult animal are those that regenerate the hematopoietic system. The production or proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and the subsequent expansion of progenitors with progressively restricted developmental potential derived from them, is regulated in part by members of the Ikaros gene family (Georgopoulos et al. (1997) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15:155). Ikaros, Aiolos and Helios comprise the previously identified members of the Ikaros gene family. They encode conserved zinc finger DNA binding proteins which are expressed at varying levels in cells progressing through the hematopoietic lineages (Kelley et al. (1998) Curr. Biol, 8:508). Mutations in Ikaros cause defects in the hematopoietic stem cell as well as in later stages of lymphoid differentiation (Georgopoulos et al. (1994) Cell 79:143), while Aiolos mutations cause defects which are restricted to the lymphoid lineages, particularly in the sub-lineage that gives rise to B cells (Wang et al. (1998) Immunity 9:543).
Co-localization studies on the Ikaros family proteins suggest that these proteins bind to lineage specific genes in lymphoid cells and may serve to mediate rapid transitions between subsequently heritable repressed and active states in response to extrinsic signals. In support of this model, both Ikaros and Aiolos assemble into at least two distinct chromatin remodeling complexes (Kim et al. (1999) Immunity 10:345). One of these includes Mi-2 and histone deacetylase (HDAC) and can assemble chromatin in a closed conformation while the other includes members of a SWI/SNF complex associated with chromatin opening. Ikaros family proteins also regulate proliferative responses in maturing T cells, possibly by regulating access of the replication machinery to DNA (Avitahl et al. (1999) Immunity 10:333). These observations led to the general model that changes in the combinatorial expression of Ikaros family members during progression through the lymphoid lineage regulate the gene expression changes associated with successive steps in lymphoid development (Kelley et al. (1998) Curr. Biol. 8:508-515).
The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that Daedalos, a member of the Ikaros family of proteins, is differentially expressed at various stages of neural cell maturation. It was found that forced expression of Daedalos affected neural cell differentiation.
In general, the invention features a method of characterizing or detecting a cell, e.g., a neural cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell in a cell sample. The method includes: providing a cell; and detecting the absence or presence of expression of Daedalos in the cell, wherein expression of Daedalos is indicative of a neural progenitor cell, to thereby characterize or detect a cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell. The method can further include isolating or purifying the cell.
In one embodiment, the cell sample includes non-neural cells. The non-neural cells can be of any cell type. Non-neural cells can be included in the cell sample by extracting the cell sample from tissue of a subject, wherein the extraction results in a heterogeneous population of cells. Examples of non-neural cells that can be included in the cell sample are fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and hematopoietic cells. The method can be performed in vitro or in vivo.
In one embodiment, the absence or presence of a Daedalos mRNA is detected in the cell. Various techniques known to one of skill in the art can be used to detect a Daedalos mRNA. For example, a Daedalos mRNA can be detected by using a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to a Daedalos mRNA. A detectable label, e.g., a radioactive or fluorescent label, can optionally be attached to the nucleic acid probe in this detection method. In another example, a Daedalos mRNA can be detected by PCR. Detection by PCR can include a further step of hybridization of a nucleic acid probe, e.g., a labeled nucleic acid probe, to the PCR product.
In one embodiment, the absence or presence of a Daedalos protein is detected. A Daedalos protein can be detected by various techniques known to one of skill in the art. For example, an antibody can be used that binds to a Daedalos protein. A detectable label, e.g., a radioactive or fluorescent label, can be attached to the antibody that binds to a Daedalos protein. Other known methods of protein detection include Western blot immunoassay, immunohistology, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluorescent immunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or an immunoassay that uses a solid support, e.g., latex beads.
Expression of Daedalos can be used as a marker to characterize, detect, separate or purify cells.
In another embodiment, the method further includes separating the neural progenitor cell from at least one non-neural progenitor cell present in the cell sample. According to this method, the neural progenitor cell can be separated from other cells based upon expression of Daedalos detected in the neural progenitor cell.
In another embodiment, Daedalos expression is detected by providing a cell in which a Daedalos control region is functionally coupled to a nucleic acid which encodes a protein other than Daedalos, e.g., a reporter molecule, e.g., lacZ or a fluorescent product, e.g., green fluorescent protein. Expression can be used to follow development in a system, e.g., in a mouse, nematode, fish (e.g., a zebrafish), e.g., in a transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, nematode or zebrafish.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of separating a neural progenitor cell from a cell population. The method includes: providing a cell population, e.g., two or more cells, containing a neural progenitor cell and a non-neural progenitor cell; evaluating expression of Daedalos in the neural progenitor cell and in the non-neural progenitor cell; and separating the neural progenitor cell from the non-neural progenitor cell based upon their expression of Daedalos. The cell population can be derived from neural tissue, e.g., glial cells. The cell population can contain neural and non-neural cells.
In one embodiment, the neural progenitor cell has a higher level of expression of Daedalos as compared to the non-neural progenitor cell.
In one embodiment, levels of Daedalos mRNA produced in the neural progenitor cell and in the non-neural progenitor cell are evaluated. Levels of Daedalos mRNA can be evaluated by various techniques known by one of skill in the art. In one example, levels of Daedalos mRNA are evaluated by a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to the Daedalos mRNA. The nucleic acid probe can optionally include a detectable label attached to the nucleic acid probe. In another example, Daedalos mRNA is detected by PCR, as described herein. Additionally, Daedalos expression can be evaluated by detecting the level of Daedalos protein expression by the neural progenitor cell and the non-neural progenitor cell. In one example, the Daedalos protein is detected by an antibody that binds to the Daedalos protein. The antibody can optionally include a detectable label attached thereto. Other known methods of protein detection include Western blot immunoassay, immunohistology, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluorescent immunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or an immunoassay that uses a solid support, e.g., latex beads.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of identifying the stage of neurogenesis of a cell. The method includes: providing a cell; evaluating the absence or presence of Daedalos expression in the cell; and identifying the stage of neurogenesis of the cell based upon the absence or presence of Daedalos expression in the cell.
In one embodiment, the cell is identified as a neural progenitor cell based upon the expression of Daedalos detected in the cell. For example, a high level of Daedalos expression detected in the cell can be used to identify the cell as a neural progenitor cell. In another example, the cell can be identified as a differentiated cell based upon the absence of Daedalos expression detected in the cell.
In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of isolating a first cell, based upon its stage of neurogenesis, from a second cell characterized by a different stage of neurogenesis.
The absence of presence of Daedalos expression in a cell can be evaluated by techniques known to those of skill in the art, as described herein. For example, the level of Daedalos mRNA produced in the cell can evaluated, e.g., using a nucleic acid probe and/or by PCR analysis. In another example, the level of Daedalos expression can be evaluated by detecting a Daedalos protein produced by the cell. A Daedalos protein can be detected by using an antibody, e.g., an antibody having a detectable label attached thereto or other known methods described herein. Expression can be evaluated by detecting the expression of a reporter product, e.g., a lacZ or a fluorescent product such as GFP, under the control of a Daedalos regulatory region.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of maintaining a cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell or neural stem cell, in a non-differentiated state, or inhibiting differentiation of a cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell or neural stem cell. The method includes: modulating, e.g., increasing Daedalos activity or expression, to thereby maintain a cell in a non-differentiated state. Expression of Daedalos can be increased by various techniques. A compound can optionally be provided to the cell that causes increased expression of Daedalos. Examples of compounds that can cause increased expression of Daedalos include: (1) a Daedalos polypeptide, fragment, or analog thereof; (2) a nucleic acid encoding a Daedalos polypeptide, fragment, or analog thereof; and (3) an agent that increases expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene of the cell. Nucleic acids according to example (2) can contain mRNA, cDNA, and/or genomic DNA. Nucleic acids can include all or a portion of the Daedalos coding region, regulatory sequences, such as a promoter, e.g., derived from the Daedalos gene or from another gene, and an enhancer, e.g., derived from the Daedalos gene or from another gene. Agents according to example (3) can cause an increase in expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene of the cell. Agents may increase expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene either directly or indirectly, e.g., by binding to the promoter of the Daedalos gene or another gene, or by altering the regulatory sequence the Daedalos gene or another gene.
Examples of agents that can increase expression of Daedalos include: a Daedalos polypeptide or a functional fragment or analog thereof; a peptide or protein agonist of Daedalos that increases the activity of Daedalos (e.g., by increasing or stabilizing Daedalos association with a Daedalos binding partner, e.g., DNA or another Ikaros family member, or by increasing nuclear translocation of Daedalos); a small molecule that increases expression of Daedalos, e.g., by binding to the promoter region of the Daedalos gene; an antibody, e.g., an antibody that binds to and stabilizes or assists the binding of Daedalos to a Daedalos binding partner (e.g., DNA or another DNA binding protein, e.g., homo or heterodimerization between Daedalos and Ikaros, Aiolos or Helios factor); or a nucleotide sequence encoding a Daedalos polypeptide or functional fragment or analog thereof. The nucleotide sequence can be a genomic sequence or a cDNA sequence. The nucleotide sequence can include: a Daedalos coding region; a promoter sequence, e.g., a promoter sequence from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; an enhancer sequence; untranslated regulatory sequences, e.g., a 5xe2x80x2 untranslated region (UTR), e.g., a 5xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene, a 3xe2x80x2 UTR, e.g., a 3xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; a polyadenylation site; an insulator sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the level of Daedalos protein is increased by increasing the level of expression of an endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by increasing transcription of the Daedalos gene or increasing Daedalos mRNA stability. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the Daedalos gene is increased by: altering the regulatory sequence of the endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by the addition of a positive regulatory element (such as an enhancer or a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional activator); the deletion of a negative regulatory element (such as a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional repressor) and/or replacement of the endogenous regulatory sequence, or elements therein, with that of another gene, thereby allowing the coding region of the Daedalos gene to be transcribed more efficiently.
In a preferred embodiment, Daedalos expression or activity is increased in the presence of neural growth factor, e.g., exogenous or endogenous neural growth factor.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of determining if a subject is at risk for a neural cell related disorder. The method includes: evaluating expression of Daedalos in a cell of the subject; and determining the subject""s risk for a neural cell related disorder based upon the absence or presence of expression of Daedalos in the cell. In this method, expression of Daedalos can be evaluated in a cell sample derived from neural tissue.
In one example, the neural cell related disorder is a proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer.
According to the method, a subject can be determined to be at risk for a neural cell related disorder based upon an increased expression of Daedalos in the cell of the subject, as compared to the level of expression of Daedalos in a cell of a subject not at risk. When evaluating expression of Daedalos in the cell of the subject, a comparison of expression levels can be made to a cell of the same type, e.g., a neural cell, derived from a healthy individual, e.g., an individual not believed to be at risk for or to have a neural cell related disorder. Expression of Daedalos in the cell of the subject can be evaluated by using techniques known to those of skill in the art, as described herein, e.g., detection of Daedalos mRNA and/or protein.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of controlling cell differentiation. The method includes: providing a cell; and modulating expression of Daedalos in the cell, to thereby control differentiation of the cell. Expression of Daedalos in a cell can be modulated either in vitro or in vivo.
In one embodiment, the cell is a neural progenitor cell.
In one embodiment, modulating expression of Daedalos can control the neural differentiation of the cell, e.g., a neural progenitor cell.
In one embodiment, expression of Daedalos is increased. Increasing Daedalos expression can affect the differentiation and/or proliferation of the cell, e.g., increased expression of Daedalos can inhibit neural cell differentiation. Expression of Daedalos can be increased by various techniques known to one of skill in the art. A compound can optionally be provided to the cell that causes increased expression of Daedalos. Examples of compounds that can cause increased expression of Daedalos include: (1) a Daedalos polypeptide, fragment, or analog thereof; (2) a nucleic acid encoding a Daedalos polypeptide, fragment, or analog thereof; and (3) an agent that increases expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene of the cell. Nucleic acids according to example (2) can contain mRNA, cDNA, and/or genomic DNA. Nucleic acids can include all or a portion of the Daedalos coding region, regulatory sequences, such as a promoter, e.g., derived from the Daedalos gene or from another gene, and an enhancer, e.g., derived from the Daedalos gene or from another gene. Agents according to example (3) can cause an increase in expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene of the cell. Agents may increase expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene either directly or indirectly, e.g., by binding to the promoter of the Daedalos gene or another gene, or by altering the regulatory sequence the Daedalos gene or another gene.
In another embodiment, a compound is provided to the cell that causes decreased expression of Daedalos. Decreasing Daedalos expression can affect the differentiation and/or proliferation of the cell, e.g., decreasing expression of Daedalos can promote neural cell differentiation. Expression of Daedalos can be decreased by various techniques known to one of skill in the art. A compound can optionally be provided to the cell that causes decreased expression of Daedalos. In one example, a compound causes a decrease in Daedalos expression by binding to a Daedalos nucleic acid sequence, e.g., a compound such as an antisense nucleic acid or a ribozyme that binds to a Daedalos mRNA. In another example, a compound causes a decrease in Daedalos expression by binding to a Daedalos polypeptide, e.g., a compound such as an antibody, small molecule, or a peptide. In another example, a compound causes a decrease in Daedalos expression by reducing expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene in the cell, e.g., a compound such as a small molecule, peptide, or nucleic acid that binds to the promoter or regulatory sequence of the Daedalos gene. In another embodiment, the compound can decrease Daedalos expression by, e.g., by binding to Daedalos and playing a dominant negative role. For example, the compound can be a Daedalos polypeptide or other polypeptide (e.g., an Ikaros, Helios or Aiolos polypeptide) which can form a dimer, e.g., a homo or heterodimer with Daedalos but that interferes with Daedalos DNA binding and/or transcriptional activity. Such polypeptide can include Ikaros, Helios, Aiolos or Daedalos polypeptides in which one or more of the N-terminal zinc fingers has been removed.
In another aspect the invention features a method of obtaining a population of neural progenitor cells. The method includes: providing a cell sample comprising at least one neural progenitor cell; and increasing the level of Daedalos in the cell sample. Increasing Daedalos expression can affect the differentiation and/or proliferation of the cell, e.g., increasing proliferation of the neural progenitor cell and/or inhibiting the differentiation of the neural progenitor cell. The level of Daedalos in the cell sample can be increased in vitro or in vivo. Additional compounds can be added to the neural progenitor cell that affect its proliferation, differentiation, and/or survival. For example, the level of growth factors, e.g., FGF-2 and/or EGF, provided to the neural progenitor cell can be increased.
In a preferred embodiment, the level of Daedalos can be increased by administering to the cell an agent that increases Daedalos expression (e.g., by increasing Daedalos transcription rate or mRNA half-life), protein levels, or activity. The agent can be, e.g., a Daedalos polypeptide or a functional fragment or analog thereof; a peptide or protein agonist of Daedalos that increases the activity of Daedalos (e.g., by increasing or stabilizing Daedalos association with a Daedalos binding partner, e.g., DNA or another Ikaros family member, or by increasing nuclear translocation of Daedalos); a small molecule that increases expression of Daedalos, e.g., by binding to the promoter region of the Daedalos gene; an antibody, e.g., an antibody that binds to and stabilizes or assists the binding of Daedalos to a Daedalos binding partner (e.g., DNA or another DNA binding protein, e.g., homo or heterodimerization between Daedalos and Ikaros, Aiolos or Helios factor); or a nucleotide sequence encoding a Daedalos polypeptide or functional fragment or analog thereof. The nucleotide sequence can be a genomic sequence or a cDNA sequence. The nucleotide sequence can include: a Daedalos coding region; a promoter sequence, e.g., a promoter sequence from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; an enhancer sequence; untranslated regulatory sequences, e.g., a 5xe2x80x2 untranslated region (UTR), e.g., a 5xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene, a 3xe2x80x2 UTR, e.g., a 3xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; a polyadenylation site; an insulator sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the level of Daedalos protein is increased by increasing the level of expression of an endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by increasing transcription of the Daedalos gene or increasing Daedalos mRNA stability. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the Daedalos gene is increased by: altering the regulatory sequence of the endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by the addition of a positive regulatory element (such as an enhancer or a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional activator); the deletion of a negative regulatory element (such as a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional repressor) and/or replacement of the endogenous regulatory sequence, or elements therein, with that of another gene, thereby allowing the coding region of the Daedalos gene to be transcribed more efficiently.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of obtaining a population of neural cells. The method includes: providing a cell sample comprising a neural progenitor cell; and inhibiting the expression or activity of Daedalos in the neural progenitor cell, to thereby obtain neural cells. Inhibiting the expression or activity of Daedalos can affect the differentiation and/or proliferation of the cell, e.g., it can result in the differentiation of the neural progenitor cell.
In one embodiment, a compound is provided to the neural progenitor cell that causes decreased expression or activity of Daedalos. For example, the compound can cause a decrease in Daedalos expression by binding to a Daedalos nucleic acid sequence, e.g., a compound that binds to a Daedalos mRNA such as an antisense nucleic acid or a ribozyme. In another example, the compound causes a decrease in Daedalos expression or activity by binding to a Daedalos polypeptide, e.g., any such polypeptide described herein. In another example, the compound can cause a decrease in Daedalos expression by reducing expression of the endogenous Daedalos gene in the cell.
In a preferred embodiment, Daedalos expression, levels, or activity is decreased by administering to the cell an agent that decreases Daedalos expression, levels or activity. In a preferred embodiment, the agent that inhibits Daedalos levels and/or activity can be one or more of: a Daedalos binding protein, e.g., a soluble Daedalos binding protein that binds and inhibits a Daedalos activity, e.g., DNA binding activity, nuclear translocation activity, homo or heterodimerization activity, or transcriptional activation activity; an antibody that specifically binds to the Daedalos protein, e.g., an antibody that disrupts Daedalos""s ability to bind DNA or another transcription factor, to translocate to the nucleus, or bind DNA; a mutated inactive Daedalos or fragment thereof which, e.g., binds to a Daedalos binding partner (e.g., DNA or another transcription factor, e.g., Ikaros, Aiolos or Helios factor) but disrupts a Daedalos activity, e.g., nuclear translocation activity or transcriptional activation activity; a Daedalos nucleic acid molecule that can bind to a cellular Daedalos nucleic acid sequence, e.g., mRNA, and inhibit expression of the protein, e.g., an antisense molecule or Daedalos ribozyme; an agent which decreases Daedalos gene expression, e.g., a small molecule which binds the promoter of Daedalos and decreases Daedalos gene expression. In another preferred embodiment, Daedalos is inhibited by decreasing the level of expression of an endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by decreasing transcription of the Daedalos gene. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the Daedalos gene can be decreased by: altering the regulatory sequences of the endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by the addition of a negative regulatory sequence (such as a DNA-biding site for a transcriptional repressor), or by the removal of a positive regulatory sequence (such as an enhancer or a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional activator).
In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a neural cell related disorder. The method includes: providing a subject having a neural cell related disorder; and modulating expression of Daedalos in a cell of the subject, to thereby treat the disorder. The neural cell related disorder can be a neurodegenerative disease, e.g., Parkinson""s disease, Alzheimer""s disease, ischemic damage such as stroke or spinal chord trauma, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis.
In a preferred embodiment, Daedalos expression, protein level, or activity is increased to thereby treat the disorder, e.g., a disorder characterized by insufficient proliferation or aberrant differentiation of a Daedalos responsive cell. Daedalos expression, protein level, or activity can be increased by administering to the cell an agent that increases Daedalos expression (e.g., by increasing Daedalos transcription rate or mRNA half-life), protein levels, or activity. The agent can be, e.g., a Daedalos polypeptide or a functional fragment or analog thereof; a peptide or protein agonist of Daedalos that increases the activity of Daedalos (e.g., by increasing or stabilizing Daedalos association with a Daedalos binding partner, e.g., DNA or chromatin, or by increasing nuclear translocation of Daedalos); a small molecule that increases expression of Daedalos, e.g., by binding to the promoter region of the Daedalos gene; an antibody, e.g., an antibody that binds to and stabilizes or assists the binding of Daedalos to a Daedalos binding partner (e.g., another DNA binding protein or DNA); or a nucleotide sequence encoding a Daedalos polypeptide or functional fragment or analog thereof. The nucleotide sequence can be a genomic sequence or a cDNA sequence. The nucleotide sequence can include: a Daedalos coding region; a promoter sequence, e.g., a promoter sequence from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; an enhancer sequence; untranslated regulatory sequences, e.g., a 5xe2x80x2 untranslated region (UTR), e.g., a 5xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene, a 3xe2x80x2 UTR, e.g., a 3xe2x80x2UTR from a Daedalos gene or from another gene; a polyadenylation site; an insulator sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the level of Daedalos protein is increased by increasing the level of expression of an endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by increasing transcription of the Daedalos gene or increasing Daedalos mRNA stability. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the Daedalos gene is increased by: altering the regulatory sequence of the endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by the addition of a positive regulatory element (such as an enhancer or a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional activator); the deletion of a negative regulatory element (such as a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional repressor) and/or replacement of the endogenous regulatory sequence, or elements therein, with that of another gene, thereby allowing the coding region of the Daedalos gene to be transcribed more efficiently.
In another embodiment, Daedalos expression, protein levels or activity is decreased to thereby treat the disorder, e.g., a proliferative disorder. In a preferred embodiment, Daedalos expression, levels, or activity is decreased by administering to the cell an agent that decreases Daedalos expression, levels or activity. In a preferred embodiment, the agent that inhibits Daedalos levels and/or activity can be one or more of: a Daedalos binding protein, e.g., a soluble Daedalos binding protein that binds and inhibits a Daedalos activity, e.g., chromatin binding activity, nuclear translocation activity, DNA binding activity, or transcriptional activation activity; an antibody that specifically binds to the Daedalos protein, e.g., an antibody that disrupts Daedalos""s ability to bind a binding partner described herein, to translocate to the nucleus, or bind DNA; a mutated inactive Daedalos or fragment thereof which, e.g., binds to a Daedalos binding partner but disrupts a Daedalos activity, e.g., nuclear translocation activity or transcriptional activation activity; a Daedalos nucleic acid molecule that can bind to a cellular Daedalos nucleic acid sequence, e.g., mRNA, and inhibit expression of the protein, e.g., an antisense molecule or Daedalos ribozyme; an agent which decreases Daedalos gene expression, e.g., a small molecule which binds the promoter of Daedalos and decreases Daedalos gene expression. In another preferred embodiment, Daedalos is inhibited by decreasing the level of expression of an endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by decreasing transcription of the Daedalos gene. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the Daedalos gene can be decreased by: altering the regulatory sequences of the endogenous Daedalos gene, e.g., by the addition of a negative regulatory sequence (such as a DNA-biding site for a transcriptional repressor), or by the removal of a positive regulatory sequence (such as an enhancer or a DNA-binding site for a transcriptional activator).
As used herein, xe2x80x9ctreatmentxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctreating a subjectxe2x80x9d is defined as the application or administration of a therapeutic agent to a patient, or application or administration of a therapeutic agent to an isolated tissue or cell line from a patient, who has a disease, a symptom of disease or a predisposition toward a disease, with the purpose to cure, heal, alleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, improve or affect the disease, a symptoms of the disease or the predisposition toward disease. A therapeutic agent includes, but is not limited to, small molecules, peptides, antibodies, ribozymes and antisense oligonucleotides.
In one embodiment, the neural cell related disorder is characterized by insufficient neural cell differentiation.
In another embodiment, the neural cell related disorder is characterized by unwanted or excessive neural cell differentiation.
In one embodiment, the neural cell related disorder is a neural cell proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer, e.g., neuroma.
In one embodiment, the level of Daedalos in the cell of the subject is increased. Increasing the level of Daedalos in the cell of the subject can result in increased neural cell differentiation.
In one embodiment, the level of Daedalos in the cell of the subject is decreased. Decreasing the level of Daedalos in the cell of the subject can result in decreased neural cell differentiation.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of neural cell culture. The method includes: providing a neural cell in vitro; and modulating expression of Daedalos in the neural cell, to thereby provide a neural cell culture.
In one embodiment, the method includes increasing the expression of Daedalos in the neural cell.
In another embodiment, the method includes decreasing the expression of Daedalos in the neural cell.
A xe2x80x9cprogenitor cellxe2x80x9d, as used herein, is a cell that can divide to give rise to two cells, wherein the progenitor cell differs in its stage of maturation from at least one of the two cells.
A xe2x80x9cneural cellxe2x80x9d is a cell having one or more features of a cell of the neural lineage. The term xe2x80x9cneural cellxe2x80x9d includes all cells of the neural lineage, regardless of their stage of maturation.
A xe2x80x9cneural progenitor cellxe2x80x9d is a progenitor cell of the neural cell lineage, e.g., a cell that does not proliferate and/or differentiate to give rise to a non-neural cell under normal in vivo conditions.
A xe2x80x9ccell samplexe2x80x9d is a collection of two or more cells. A cell sample can be provided in any form, e.g., in a vessel, e.g., in a tube. The cell sample can contain cells derived from neural tissue of a subject. In one example, the cell sample also contains non-neural progenitor cells, e.g., differentiated neural cells.
A xe2x80x9cdifferentiated neural cellxe2x80x9d is a neural cell that cannot divide to give rise to a daughter cell that differs in its stage of maturation from the differentiated neural cell. A xe2x80x9cdifferentiated neural cellxe2x80x9d is also referred to as an end-stage cell.
A xe2x80x9ccontrol regionxe2x80x9d of a gene is a transcriptional regulatory element or combination of regulatory elements. For example, a control region of a Daedalos gene can be a promoter or functional fragment thereof, an enhancer sequence, an insulator sequence, or combinations thereof.
All publications and patents referred to herein are incorporated by reference.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

Method of identifying a neural progenitor cell by evaluating expression of daedalos


A security tag assembly structured to indicate the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area such as a retail establishment. A housing includes separable portions having a connector member structured to removably connect the merchandise to the housing and positionable into removable and locking engagement with a locking assembly when the housing is in an operative position relative to the merchandise. A shield assembly is mounted on the housing in protective, preferably surrounding or at least partially enclosing relation to the locking assembly so as to restrict unauthorized access to the locking assembly and/or the positioning thereof relative to the connector member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an anti-theft security tag assembly which can be operatively attached to various types of merchandise and which includes an indicator assembly providing one or more indications of unauthorized removal of the merchandise from a retail establishment or other area. Shielding is provided to prevent unauthorized removal of the tag assembly from the merchandise.
2. Description of the Related Art
Security or anti-theft tags are extensively used in the retail merchandising industry as well as numerous other areas of commerce. In typical fashion, such devices are attached to various types of merchandise in such a manner that that they are clearly obvious by one examining the merchandise. Common knowledge of the use and operation of such devices is believed to prevent or at least restrict the theft or other unauthorized removal of merchandise from the retail outlet or other area being monitored. More specifically, it is believed that such security tag devices serve as a deterrent to unauthorized removal in that a potential thief will recognize that the merchandise will be "stained" or otherwise marked, thereby rendering the merchandise useless, upon forced removal of the security tag. Alternatively the tag may be structured to activate an alarm system as the merchandise, incorporating the tag thereon, passes through a monitoring station typically located at the exits to the retail establishment.
Due to the popularity of security or anti-theft devices of the type described above, numerous attempts have been made to design and structure a device which not only serves as a deterrent against theft, but which includes structural features intended to overcome any attempt to defeat the device which may be applied by an experienced thief. In addition, the structure of such security devices should be such as to be easily secured to and removed from different types of articles such that a device of substantially standard structure can be used to monitor and protect various types of merchandise.
As set forth above known security or anti-theft tags are intended to provide some indication which either renders the merchandise useless or alternatively signals an attempted unauthorized removal. As such, at least one type of indicator is structured to release an ink or colored staining agent upon a forced removal of the security device from the merchandise, such as by rupturing the outer casing or other portions thereof. The released staining agent is difficult, if not impossible, to remove from the protected merchandise thereby clearly indicating that the stained article has been stolen. In addition, such anti-theft devices may include some type of electronic signaling mechanism. This type of device activates an alarm by passing through or in predetermined proximity to a monitoring station, as set forth above. However, because of the large number of practical applications for such security devices, the various users thereof may request one or the other of the aforementioned types of indicators (ink stain or electronic signaling). Also, a retailer may in fact desire more than one type of indicator or different types of "customized" indicator or signaling devices which better protect against the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area.
While popular, it is recognized that a significant number of the anti-theft tags currently being utilized include problems or disadvantages which render them less than totally efficient. More specifically, wide spread knowledge of the structural features of such security tags allows unauthorized personnel to develop techniques which are specifically designed to remove the tag from the merchandise in a manner which defeats the aforementioned indicator structures. Therefore it is not uncommon for a skilled or experienced thief to develop tools or techniques to remove the merchandise from the area being monitored without damage to the stolen article or activation of an alarm or monitoring system.
Accordingly there is a recognized need in the security industry for an anti-theft device preferably in the form of a relatively small security tag assembly which efficiently locks onto various types of merchandise and which is specifically structured to overcome known techniques used to remove or otherwise defeat such devices. By way example, one method commonly employed by a potential thief is to apply heat or a small flame, of the type generated by a cigarette lighter, to predetermined portions of the tag housing. In doing so the housing may be accessed for purposes of removing operative components thereof which serve to maintain the device in locking engagement on the merchandise, without releasing the staining agent or otherwise activating monitoring alarms.
Therefore, an improved or preferred security tag assembly should include specific structural features which overcome attempts to defeat the device, such as, but not limited to, the method set forth above. Moreover, such protective structural features should be compatible with standardized tag construction and configurations. This would enable the tag manufacture or provider to effectively "customize" the indicator assembly to include staining agents, electronic signaling devices or both, while not requiring a restructuring or redesign of the entire tag or the remaining, basic operable components associated therewith.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A 911 emergency response system that includes a location identification module, preferably in solid state circuit form, associated with each residence or each extension of a PBX is disclosed. Preferably, the location identification modules are powered by telephone line voltage. A location identification module is enabled when its associated telephone goes off-hook and an emergency code, e.g., 911 is dialed. Thereafter, in response to an inquiry from the emergency response center that receives the emergency call, the location identification module sends the location of the associated telephone to the emergency response center operator where the location is displayed on a dispatcher's console.

In recent years, emergency response systems have come into widespread use in the United States. If not already in existence, emergency response systems are likely to become widely used in other countries of the world. As a matter of fact, several Western European countries already have emergency response systems.
In an emergency response system, emergency calls are made by dialing a specific emergency code--911 in the United States and 999 in Western Europe. The calls are routed to an emergency response center, denoted a public safety answering point ("PSAP") in the U.S. In the U.S., basic 911 service merely provides routing of 911 service calls to the PSAP serving the subscribing community. Enhanced 911 service drastically improves basic 911 service. Enhanced 911 service provides automatic number identification ("ANI") and automatic location identification ("ALI"), in addition to selectively routing emergency response, i.e., 911, calls to PSAPs. With ANI, a 911 dispatcher receives a visual display of the telephone number associated with the telephone that originated the 911 call. With ALI, the dispatcher also receives a visual display of the name and address associated with the calling telephone number. Obviously, the extra information aids in promptly responding to the emergency.
Unfortunately, present enhanced 911 emergency response systems have two major disadvantages. One disadvantage is the cost of operating such a system. The cost is prohibitive for many small communities with the United States. The second disadvantage is the difficulty in identifying the exact location of the telephone that placed a 911 call in all circumstances.
Enhanced 911 emergency response system costs can be broken down into two categories. The first category is the cost of the equipment necessary to establish the system. Overall, this cost is relatively minimal. The major cost of an enhanced 911 emergency response system is the ongoing cost associated with obtaining and maintaining a database that includes current address information. At the present time, regional organizations provide location identification information to local communities that operate 911 enhanced emergency response systems. Obviously, a massive effort is required to maintain address information current. Address information is maintained in regional reverse directories operated by regional organizations owned by a large telephone company or a subsidiary of a large telephone company. When a 911 call is made, the regional reverse directories are either automatically accessed or manually accessed by a local community 911 dispatcher, via a long distance telephone line. Regardless of how accessed, the telephone number of the telephone that placed the 911 call causes the reverse directory to generate address information, which is displayed on the 911 dispatcher's console. Because regional reverse directories are expensive to maintain, the access charges to local communities providing enhanced 911 emergency response service are relatively high.
In addition to being expensive to maintain, regional reverse directories are not always as accurate as desired. More specifically, as noted above, at present, when a 911 call is placed, an enhanced 911 emergency response system automatically routes the call to a regional center, as well as to a 911 dispatcher. By means of a reverse directory, the regional center determines the address of the call and sends this information to the 911 dispatcher. The address provided by the reverse directory is usually the billing address of the associated telephone number, which may not be the same as the physical location of the telephone that placed the 911 call. While, in most residence situations, residence addresses correspond to billing addresses, in many business situations, telephone locations may be a great distance from the associated billing address. While this may be due to the use of private branch exchanges ("PBXs"), it is often done for accounts payable reasons. Likewise, telephone locations may be a great distance from the associated billing address in the case of telephone number resellers for apartments, condominiums, office buildings, and institutions. The difference between telephone location and billing address can result in confusion and delay by police, fire, emergency medical personnel and the like attempting to respond to a 911 caller's needs.
Consequently, there exists a need for a low cost emergency response system that provides extremely accurate telephone location information to an emergency response dispatcher. The present invention is directed to fulfilling this need.


A motor control system is provided for controlling at least one motor driven mechanical actuator. The control system drives the motor according to a function of the actuator position. The system is further arranged to modify the motor speed to ensure that a predetermined power limit is not exceeded.

The present invention relates to a motor control system for controlling at least one electric motor, an electric thrust reverser control system including such a motor control system and a method of controlling an electric motor.
Electric motors are used in a wide and varied range of applications, many of which require the electric motors to be controlled to a varying degree. The operating parameters of the motor that may be controlled include the speed of the electric motor, the torque produced by the electric motor, and the power drawn by the electric motor. Any one or more of these parameters may be controlled and it will be appreciated that this list of parameters is not exhaustive.
One application in which such motor control is required is in electric thrust reverser control systems for aircraft jet engines. Thrust reversers are employed on aircraft jet engines during landing to ensure that the aircraft is slowed quickly. In one design, they operate by deploying cowls which deflect air from the engine, thus providing reverse thrust. It is well known to operate these cowls by the use of a hydraulic control system. Such hydraulic systems require high hydraulic power to be tapped from the hydraulic circuit of the aircraft. The use of this hydraulic fluid creates maintenance problems and the location of the hydraulic lines in the vicinity of the fan in the jet engine requires additional protection of the associated hydraulic equipment. The compactness of the engine components makes locating the hydraulic plumbing particularly difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,601 discloses a vehicle power assisted steering system. The system seeks to control the speed of an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump by measuring the current drawn by the motor, measuring the speed of the motor, and then comparing in a look up table the target speed for the motor based on the current drawn by the motor, and then correcting the motor speed to attain the target speed.
It has been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,626 to use electric motors to operate the thrust reverser mechanism. A synchronising mechanism is employed, as described at column 4 lines 20 to 31. However, it is also suggested that actuator synchronisation may also be xe2x80x9cimplemented by electronically controlling the motor speed of the linear actuator, and/or the displacement of the movable part of the linear actuator. The linear actuator may also have an electric motor . . . xe2x80x9d.
By using one or more electric motors to operate the thrust reverser cowls the problems associated with hydraulic control systems are avoided. In a thrust reverser system it is strongly preferred that the cowls are deployed and retracted in a synchronised fashion. Such synchronisation avoids the possibility of a jam occurring in any mechanism linking the thrust reverser cowls. To achieve this in an electrical system each motor is driven to follow a predetermined speed profile. However, under extreme conditions, such as during an aborted landing or an aborted take-off, higher loads are placed on the electric motors actuating the reverser cowls. In such extreme conditions the power required by the motor can peak to a high value, for example 30 kW, whilst ordinarily a less powerful motor, for example 15 kW, would be adequate. For aerospace applications a smaller motor offers significant weight advantages to a system.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a motor control system that prevents the power required by an electric motor from exceeding a set value.
A possible solution is to apply a power limit at the drive stage of the motor, but this has been found to be particularly difficult to implement as motor characteristics, for example the winding resistances, vary with temperature, and therefore such a power limit would have to take these variations into account.
If during deployment or retraction, at least one of the motors reaches its power limit, it will become necessary to synchronise the motors by limiting to the slowest actuator speed.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a motor control system for controlling at least one electric motor driven mechanical actuator, said motor control system being arranged to drive at least one electric motor according to a predetermined motor speed profile which varies the motor speed as a function of position of the at least one mechanical actuator, wherein said motor control system is further arranged to modify said motor speed profile during operation of said at least one electric motor to ensure that a predetermined motor power demand is not exceeded.
Preferably the motor speed profile is modified as a function of the load acting on the at least one electric motor.
Preferably the motor speed profile comprises a motor speed versus actuator position profile. Preferably an actuator position demand signal is generated in accordance with the speed profile.
Preferably the target motor speed is a function of actuator position.
It is preferred that the motor speed profile is modified by modifying the actuator position demand signal.
Additionally, the motor control system may comprise an actuator position feedback loop arranged to generate a motor control signal in accordance with a function of a received actuator position signal and said actuator position demand signal.
Additionally or alternatively, the motor control system may further comprise actuator synchronisation means arranged to substantially synchronise the relative positions of two or more of said actuators. Preferably the actuator synchronisation means is arranged to further modify the motor speed profile.
Preferably the predetermined motor power demand is substantially equal to the maximum rated power of the at least one electric motor. Additionally or alternatively, the motor speed profile may be stored in a permanent memory store or maybe selected from a plurality of alternative motor speed profiles and stored in a temporary memory store.
Preferably an estimate of the load being supplied by the motor is derived from the torque being supplied by the motor and the rate of rotation of the motor.
The present invention utilises the knowledge that (at least in an ideal motor) torque is proportional to the current in the motor windings. Thus the need to include mechanical torque sensing devices is avoided as the data necessary to implement power regulation can be derived by simple measurement of motor current and motor speed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling an electric motor comprising supplying drive signals to said electric motor in accordance with a predetermined motor speed profile, monitoring the power demand of said electric motor, and modifying said motor speed profile to ensure that a predetermined motor power demand is not exceeded.
Preferably the motor speed profile comprises a motor speed versus actuator position profile, the actuator being driven by said electric motor. Additionally, the method may further comprise generating an actuator position demand signal in accordance with said motor speed profile. Additionally, the motor speed profile may be modified by modifying said actuator position demand signal.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric thrust reverser control system for controlling the actuation of at least one thrust reverser cowl comprising at least one electric motor for actuating said thrust reverser cowl and a motor control system according to the first aspect of the present invention.
Preferably at least two thrust reverser cowls are provided, each actuated by at least one electric motor. Additionally, the two thrust reverser cowls may be synchronised with regards to their relative positions. The synchronisation may be achieved by monitoring the relative motion of the thrust reverser cowls during deployment or stowage, and, if one moves ahead of another, the amount of power to that reverser may be reduced so that it slows down, thereby allowing the or each other thrust reverser to obtain the same position.


Requiring a user of a recipient's email account or application to enter a high security level authentication (e.g., password) in order to be able to view the contents or the existence of a high security level email. A sender of an email has the ability to identify, at the time of sending, a sent email as having a normal level of security or a high level of security. If the user of the recipient's email account does not have the correct high security level authentication (e.g., password), then the user will only be able to view emails identified as normal security level emails. In addition, a properly authenticated user of the recipient's email account will be able to designate any email as being a high security level email or a normal security level email.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to restricting a user's access to emails by requiring multiple levels of user authentication while using a recipient's email account. More specifically, the present invention relates to granting/denying access to emails of a recipient's email account based on an authentication level obtained by a user of the recipient's email account.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a situation where a user delegates access to their computer account to another person, the user typically leaves their email application open, allowing the other person to access the user's emails. In addition, in a situation where a user grants another user access to their email application for the purpose of allowing the other user to send/receive emails from the user's email application, the other user will typically have access to every email in the user's email application.
However, in both scenarios, as described above, the user may wish to restrict the other user's access to particular emails that may contain sensitive or highly classified information (e.g., payroll information).
In order to address the above-mentioned problem wherein the other user has the ability to access sensitive or highly classified emails belonging to the user, a method of utilizing multiple levels of user authentication for accessing emails from an email account/application is described below.

Method of restricting access to emails by requiring multiple levels of user authentication

International Business Machines Corporation


A drilling fluid additive system is provided wherein the system is manufactured by a method comprised of admixing colloidal solids such as talc with a carrier such as oils or glycols to create a suspended mixture to thereby allow the colloidal solids to be pre-wet or coated with the carrier; and then admixing copolymer beads to the suspended mixture to allow the beads to be pre-wet or coated with the carrier; and then adding the suspended mixture with a mixture comprised of hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a drilling fluid additive system manufactured by a process comprising: admixing colloidal solids with a carrier to create a suspended mixture to thereby allow the solids to be pre-wet or coat with the carrier; admixing copolymer beads to the suspended mixture to thereby allow the beads to be pre-wet or coat with the carrier and to form a drilling fluid additive mixture; and admixing hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant to the drilling fluid additive mixture. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved method of enhancing the surface of a cake wall of a well bore by adding a drilling fluid system to the well bore manufactured by the following method: admixing talc with an oil or glycol and then admixing polymer beads to the mixture, and subsequently adding this mixture with a mixture of hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant.
2. Description of the Related Art
New technology in drilling for oil and gas now includes horizontal drilling. The horizontal drilling concept exposes more surface area of the producing zone than the conventional vertical drilling operations. For example, if a producing zone is fifty feet in thickness and a vertical well is drilled through such a zone, then only fifty feet of the producing zone will be exposed for production. In contrast, a horizontally drilled well may penetrate the producing sand or zone by one thousand feet or more. The amount or volume of oil or gas production is directly proportional to the horizontal penetration in feet into the producing sand or zone. In horizontal or directional drilling where the drill pipe must bend in order to achieve the desired penetration into the producing zone, friction becomes a major problem. The primary source of friction is directly related to the adhesion of the drilling assembly to the wall cake which lines the drilled well bore. The capillary attractive forces generated by the adhesion of the drilling assembly to the wall cake are directly proportional to the amount or footage of the drilling assembly exposed to the surface of the wall cake.
In horizontal or directional wells, many methods have been used in order to reduce friction between the drilling assembly and the wall cake. One such method would be to add a liquid lubricant to the drilling fluid in order to reduce the coefficient of friction of the drilling fluid. These liquid lubricants include oils, such as hydrocarbon based oils, vegetable oils, glycols, etc. These liquid lubricants will usually reduce the coefficient of friction of the drilling fluid resulting in a reduction of friction between the drilling assembly and the wall cake of the well bore.
When the liquid lubricant is added to the drilling fluid, it has several options as to how it will react. One option is that the lubricant remains isolated and does not mix well with the drilling fluid. A second option is that the lubricant emulsifies with the water in the drilling fluid to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Still another option is the oil attaching itself to the commercial solids in the drilling fluid or to the drilled cuttings or drilled solids. In certain circumstances, some of the liquid lubricant might be deposited or smeared onto the wall cake of the well bore. The ideal scenario would be to have all of the liquid lubricant deposited on the wall cake.
Those experienced in drilling fluid engineering know that a thin, tough, pliable, and lubricious wall cake is most desirable. The integrity of a wall cake is determined by several factors. The thickness of a wall cake is directly proportional to the amount of liquid leaving the drilling fluid, and being forced into the wall of the well bore by hydrostatic pressure. The thickness of the wall cake is also determined by the type and particle size of the solids in the drilling fluid. Particle Size Distribution, or PSD is important to the wall cake integrity. Experts in drilling fluids also know that materials such as bentonite clay, starches, lignites and polymers are all used to build acceptable wall cakes. It is known in the prior art that various food grade vegetable oils are acceptable lubricants when used alone in water-based drilling fluids. It is also known in the prior art that round co-polymer beads when used alone in water-based drilling fluids function as a good friction reducer. However, much more is required to improve the wall cake integrity and lubricity of most well bores. In addition, there is no technology or process in the prior art that improves the lubrication or friction reducing capacity of the copolymer beads.
Furthermore, the solids control equipment used on the drilling rigs today is far superior as to what was used 15 to 20 years ago. In the past, drilling rig shale shakers would probably be limited to screen sizes of about 20-40 mesh on the shakers. These coarser mesh screens would allow pieces of shale and the drilled formation to pass through the shaker screens back into the drilling fluid and then recirculated back down the well bore. As these larger than colloidal size particles make their way back up the well bore to the surface, the action of the drilling assembly rotating within the well bore forces these larger particles into the surface of the well bore. For example: a 20xc3x9720 mesh shaker screen would allow a drilled cutting sized at 863 microns or 0.0340 inches to pass through it and then the cutting would be returned to the well bore and some of these 863 micron cuttings would eventually be embedded into the wall cake. This would give the wall cake surface a texture resembling that of coarse sandpaper. These larger particles would allow the drilling fluid to channel and pass between the drilling assembly and the wall cake thereby reducing the negative effect of the capillary attractive forces generated by the close contact of the drilling assembly with the wall cake. The instances of the drilling assembly becoming stuck to the wall cake when less efficient solids control equipment, such as shale shakers, was used much less than it is today. The more efficient shale shakers today are a great improvement for the drilling fluids but the instances of sticking the drilling assembly are higher. The reason for a higher rate of stuck drilling assemblies today could be blamed on cleaning the drilling fluid to efficiently. Today many drilling rigs utilize cascading shale shakers, which eventually pass the drilling fluid through 200 mesh or 74 micron screens. This is very positive for controlling the percentage of drilled solids in the drilling fluid but it also affects the texture or surface of the wall cake. The finer the solids on the surface of the wall cake are, the greater the capillary attractive forces will be between the drilling assembly and the wall cake.
The present invention provides a method of enhancing the surface of the wall cake. In order to accomplish this, the invention provides a method, which adds something to improve the texture of the surface of the wall cake, and then adds something to prevent large amounts of water from leaving the drilling fluid then passing through the wall cake into the formation. The present invention also provides a carrier for the colloidal solids and beads, which also acts as a lubricant for the drilling fluid. The present invention further provides a process that reduces the effect of capillary attractive forces between the drilling assembly and the wall cake, thereby reducing the tendency of the drilling assembly to become stuck. In high angle directional wells where down hole motors are used to rotate the drill bit and the drill pipe remains stationary, it is important that the drilling assembly can slide as the drilling bit cuts more holes. The present invention improves the ability to slide while drilling as stated above.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a drilling fluid additive system manufactured by a method comprising of: admixing colloidal solids with a carrier to create a suspended mixture to thereby allow the solids to be pre-wet with the carrier; admixing copolymer beads to the suspended mixture to thereby allow the beads to be pre-wet with the carrier and to form a drilling fluid additive mixture, the solids and the beads having an affinity for oils, esters, glycols and olefins; and admixing hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant to the drilling fluid additive mixture.
For purposes of this invention, the carrier applies to both the liquid and solid (powder) forms of carrier and the term pre-wet or coat shall apply to dry and wet coatings and/or treatments of the solid with the carrier. In one embodiment, the talc is pre-wet with a liquid carrier. In another embodiment, the talc is coated with a solid (powder) carrier.
In another embodiment, the beads are comprised of styrene and divinylbenzene. In still another embodiment, the beads have a specific gravity at about 1.0 and a size from about 100 microns to about 900 microns. In yet another embodiment, the solids are comprised of talc. In still yet another embodiment, the solids have a size range from about 2 microns to about 10 microns.
In a further embodiment, the carrier may consist essentially of oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, paraffin oils, animal oils, esters, glycols and olefins. In yet a further embodiment, the carrier functions as a lubricant. In still a further embodiment, the carrier comprises soybean oil.
In yet still a further embodiment, the carrier of the present invention comprises polypropylene glycol. In another further embodiment, the carrier comprises from about 5% to about 98% of the additive mixture, the solids comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture, and the beads comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture.
In yet another further embodiment, the system further comprises a weighting agent, the weighting agent consisting essentially of barium sulfate (barite), calcium carbonate, hematite, and salts. In still yet another further embodiment, the system further comprises a surfactant, the surfactant being a nonionic surfactant. In another embodiment, the surfactant comprises a polyethoxylated glycol.
In still another embodiment, the pH controller may consist essentially of caustic acid, lime, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. In yet another embodiment, the fluid loss controller may consist essentially of lignites, polyacrylamide and graphite uintaite (Gilsonite) glycol dispersions. In still yet another embodiment, the hydrophilic clay may consist essentially of bentonite, kaolin clay and viscosifiers. In a further embodiment, the dispersant may consist essentially of lignite and lignosulfonate. In yet a further embodiment, the system further comprises a chemical inhibitor, the chemical inhibitor consisting essentially of gypsum, lime, potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate and calcium sulfate.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a drilling fluid additive system, the method comprising: shearing colloidal solids with a carrier to create a suspended mixture to thereby allow the solids to be pre-wet with the carrier and to form a drilling fluid additive mixture; and admixing hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant to the drilling fluid additive mixture. In one embodiment, the solid may be admixed with the carrier and in another embodiment, the solid may be sheared with the carrier. In one embodiment, the solid may be admixed with the carrier and in another embodiment, the solid may be sheared with the carrier.
In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises admixing polymeric beads to said drilling fluid additive mixture after pre-wetting said solids with said carrier, said solids and said beads having an affinity for cellulose, oils, esters, glycols and olefins. In still another embodiment, the beads have a specific gravity at about 1.0 and a size from about 100 microns to about 900 microns; the beads are comprised of styrene and divinylbenzene. In still yet another embodiment, the solids have a size range from about 2 microns to about 10 microns; the solids are comprised of talc. In a further embodiment, the carrier consists essentially of oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, paraffin oils, animal oils, esters, glycols and olefins.
In yet a further embodiment, the carrier comprises polypropylene glycol. In still a further embodiment, the carrier comprises soybean oil. In another further embodiment, the solids comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture; the carrier comprises from about 5% to about 98% of the additive mixture; and the beads comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture.
In yet another further embodiment, the pH controller may consist essentially of caustic acid, lime, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. In still another further embodiment, the fluid loss controller may consist essentially of lignites, polyacrylamide and graphite uintaite (Gilsonitexe2x80x9d) glycol dispersions. In still yet another further embodiment, the hydrophilic clay may consist essentially of bentonite, kaolin clay and viscosifiers. In another embodiment, the dispersant may consist essentially of lignite and lignosulfonate.
In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises adding a weighting agent; the weighting agent consisting essentially of barium sulfate (barite), calcium carbonate, hematite, and salts. In still another embodiment, the method further comprises adding a surfactant; the surfactant being a nonionic surfactant. In still yet another embodiment, the method further comprises adding a chemical inhibitor; the chemical inhibitor consisting essentially of gypsum, lime, potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate and calcium sulfate.
In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing the surface of a wall cake of a well bore; the method comprising: shearing colloidal solids with a carrier to create a suspended mixture to thereby allow the solids to be pre-wet or coated with the carrier; admixing copolymer beads to the suspended mixture thereby allowing the beads to be pre-wet or coated with the carrier; adding the suspended mixture to a water-based drilling fluid to form a system, the drilling fluid comprising hydrophilic clay, a pH controller, a fluid loss controller, and a dispersant; and adding the system to a well bore.
In yet a further embodiment, the beads having an affinity for oils, esters, glycols, cellulose and olefins; the beads have a specific gravity at about 1.0 and a size from about 100 microns to about 900 microns; the beads are comprised of styrene and divinylbenzene. In still a further embodiment, the solids having an affinity for oils, esters, glycols and olefins; the solids have a size range from about 2 microns to about 10 microns; the solids are comprised of talc. In still yet a further embodiment, the carrier may consists essentially of oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, paraffin oils, animal oils, esters, glycols and olefins; the carrier may function as a lubricant. In a further embodiment, the drilling fluid further comprises a surfactant; the surfactant comprises a polyethoxylated glycol. In another further embodiment, the drilling fluid further comprises a weighting agent; the weighting agent consisting essentially of barium sulfate (barite), calcium carbonate, hematite, and salts. In another embodiment, the solids comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture; the carrier comprises from about 5% to about 98% of the additive mixture; and the beads comprises from about 2% to about 50% of the additive mixture.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a water-based drilling fluid additive comprising talc and at least one carrier wherein the carrier may be oils, esters, glycols, cellulose and olefins or combinations thereof. In still another embodiment, the talc is coated or treated with the carrier converting the surface of the talc to a carrier treated or coated surface.

Drilling fluid additive system containing talc and carrier


The present invention relates to a disc guiding mechanism, having: a main body which provided with a teeth array at one side; a first sliding bar and a second sliding bar both of which are provided on the main body; a transmission element provided on the main body and engaged with both of the sliding bars; a first hook and a second hook rotatably provided on each sliding bar respectively; and a first elastic member and a second elastic member provided on each sliding bar to provide an elasticity on the hooks. According to the disc guiding mechanism of the present invention, a disc is guided by the hooks and carried into an optical disc device, the transmission element restricts the first and the second sliding bars to slide symmetrically, so that the disc is guided and carried in a correct direction. Accordingly, a disc jamming in the optical disc device resulted from loading in an incorrect direction is avoided.

With the technology development, magnetic storage medium is not satisfactory to current people to transfer, store, and read a large amount of information due to its small storage capacity. Thus an optical disc having a large storage capability has been developed. Corresponding to the development of the optical disc, a variety of optical disc devices have been developed for reading such an optical disc.
According to the disc loading type, the optical disc device can be classified as slot-in loading, cover-lifting, single-tray, and multi-tray types. Among them, for the slot-in loading type optical disc device, it uses a roll provided in the device to roll the disc into the device and then uses a disc positioning mechanism to guide the disc in a position for reading.
However, with developing of optical discs, discs not only having various sizes such as 8 cm or 12 cm, but also having various shapes, for example, non-circular disc such as oval, heart shapes, and so on have been developed.
In the traditional slot-in loading type optical disc device, there is a disc positioning mechanism for positioning the disc in a correct reading position. The disc positioning mechanism just can position discs in a form of circular. Thus, when such non-circular discs are loaded in the slot-in loading type optical disc device, it is easily jammed in the device due to its non-normalized shape and size. It may cause the damage to the mechanism in the optical disc devise. Moreover, even though the disc to be loaded is in a normalized shape, it also has a possibility of disc jamming due to in-correct loading direction. If the user loads the disc in an in-correct loading direction, for example, that the loading direction is deviated from the center of the inlet for sucking the disc in, the disc positioning mechanism in the optical disc device may fail to position the disc in the correct reading position. It may cause the disc being jammed in the device, and the mechanism in the device will be damaged.
Under this circumstance, the present inventor has conducted an investigation on the disc-loading mechanism and thus completed this invention.


Upon attempting to display information consisting of large amounts of data on a display portion of a portable terminal, there existed a problem that long durations of time were required for completion of the display, and display capacities were insufficient. A search signal is sent from a portable information equipment to a server, and the server conducts a search on a database based on the search signal and sends information of the search to a display device such as a television or projector mounted at a place where an unspecified number of the general public are present such as a large-sized monitor in a hotel lobby, in a train station meeting room, or out on the street.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for delivering a broad range of information including letters or characters, symbols, images, voice and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Systems have been developed for members of an information-providing network to use portable information equipment to receive information. As an example of this kind of services, a member of the service accesses a server using the portable information equipment via a communication line, and performs a procedure for obtaining selected information. Then, the server searches a database for information in accordance with the request of the service member, and sends the information to the portable information instrument via the line, with the result that the information displayed on a display portion of the portable information equipment can be obtained.
For example, a service member wanting to know what time a movie X starts connects to the server from the portable information equipment through a communication line, and inputs the signal (URL, search key words, etc.) used to obtain the selected information, and transmits the signal to the server. The server searches the database based on the signal, and sends the results to the portable information equipment. Thus, the service member was able to obtain letter or character information and information in the form of a still image as large as could be displayed on the display portion of the portable information equipment, for example, "movie title: XX, movie theater: YY, show time: ZZ".
However, according to the conventional method for displaying information on a display portion of a portable information equipment, the information could not be more than what could be displayed on a small display screen of the portable information equipment. Therefore, there was a limit to the amount of data (information) that the service member could obtain. For example, the service member was not able to obtain information by displaying a moving image on a display portion of a large such as a television.
Further, in the case when the display portion of the portable information equipment was used to try to obtain information with a large amount of data, there were problems in that a long duration of time was required to complete the display, the display power was insufficient, and information storage unit included in the portable information equipment had insufficient capacity so that all of the information could not be received.

Information providing system and method therefor

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.