The present disclosure provides methods of inducing smooth muscle cell differentiation. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells comprising exogenous miR-143 and/or miR-145 nucleic acids; and artificial tissues comprising the genetically modified cells. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reducing pathological angiogenesis. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing therapeutic angiogenesis. The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and devices for inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are highly plastic and can oscillate between a proliferative or a quiescent, more differentiated state.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small (20-25 nucleotides), non-coding RNAs that are key regulators of many cellular events, including the balance between proliferation and differentiation during tumorigenesis and organ development. miRNAs are initially transcribed as a longer primary transcript (pri-miRNA) and processed first by the ribonuclease enzyme complex, Drosha/DGCR8, and then by Dicer, leading to incorporation of a single strand into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Each of the 650 human miRNAs is predicted to interact with over one hundred target mRNAs in a sequence-specific fashion involving Watson-Crick base-pairing with nucleotides 2-8 of the miRNA. miRNAs generally inhibit target mRNAs by repressing translation or reducing mRNA stability. miRNAs may also activate mRNA translation under certain cellular conditions.

Methods of modulating smooth muscle cell proliferation and differentiation


A shape memory alloy consists of a three element alloy of nickel-titanium-copper which is formed as being subjected to a cold working and to a heat treatment at a temperature below recrystallization point of the alloy for storing the shape, the alloy being thereby improved in operation stability and reliability even after repetitive operation and made wider in environmental temperature range for use therein of the alloy.

This invention relates to a shape memory alloy and an electric path protective device which detects an excessive current flowing through an associated electric path and generates an output responsive thereto.
An electric path protective device utilizing a shape memory alloy is useful in electric path breaking mechanism, in particular, circuit breakers or protectors.

Shape memory alloy and electric path protective device utilizing the alloy


The invention is an insulation material which comprises a silicon based matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads supported in the matrix. In one embodiment of the invention, the matrix comprises a platinum cured, addition cured silicon material and the beads comprise a mean diameter of less than about 60 microns and an isostatic strength of at least about 10,000 psi. The insulation material may be used in conjunction with subsea oil and gas production equipment, such as pipelines, wellheads and christmas trees.

The present invention is related to an insulation material for use on subsea oil and gas production equipment.
When subsea oil and gas wells are located at depths of 5,000 feet or more, the pipelines and wellhead equipment are exposed to seawater which is just a few degrees above freezing. This same temperature can exist in shallow water at extreme latitudes, such as in the North Sea. During a temporary well shutdown, hot produced fluids within the production equipment become stagnant and are cooled by the surrounding seawater. If the stagnant fluids approach the seawater temperature, hydrates can form in the equipment and block the flow of the fluid.
Thermal insulation is sometimes installed around subsea pipelines and wellhead equipment to slow the cooling process and delay hydrate formation until flow can be restored. To perform successfully in this environment, a thermal insulation material must have a low thermal conductivity, exhibit acceptable mechanical properties such as flexibility and impact resistance, and be economical to install.
In many subsea wells, especially those in deep water, the insulation requirements are further complicated by the extreme temperatures of the hydrocarbon fluids exiting the well. In some cases the temperature of the exiting fluids may reach 300xc2x0 F. or higher, and the fluids will consequently heat both the surrounding equipment and the insulation. Therefore, any insulation material which is used on such wells must be able to withstand these extreme temperatures without detriment to its thermal or mechanical properties.
Although insulation materials exist which can withstand these relatively high temperatures, they are inherently brittle. Therefore, these materials are unable to meet the flexibility and impact resistance requirements of many applications. Examples of these types of prior art insulation materials include syntactic phenolic foams and high temperature epoxy resins. Furthermore, because of their brittle nature and exothermic curing properties, these materials are difficult and expensive to install and repair.
Conversely, existing insulation materials which exhibit acceptable flexibility and impact resistance characteristics are unable to withstand the relatively high flow temperatures present in may deep water wells. Examples of these types of prior art materials include amine cured epoxies, urethanes, and polypropylenes.
In accordance with the present invention, these and other disadvantages in the prior art are overcome by providing a thermal insulation material which comprises a silicone matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads which are supported in the matrix. In one embodiment of the invention, the matrix comprises Silastic(copyright) E RTV silicone rubber, which is a platinum cured, addition cured silicone material. In addition, the non-metallic beads comprise hollow glass beads which have a mean diameter of less than about 60 microns and an isostatic strength of at least about 10,000 psi.
The thermal insulation material of the present invention exhibits many advantageous properties which make it particularly suitable for use on subsea oil and gas production equipment. The matrix material is highly flexible, which makes the insulation material resistant to cracking under thermal and mechanical stresses. In addition, since the matrix material produces no by-products or exothermic effects during curing, the insulation material can be cast-in-place in thick sections. Furthermore, due to its relatively low thermal conductivity, the insulation material is an excellent insulator. Moreover, the insulation material can withstand extreme temperatures in excess of 300xc2x0 F. without detriment to its thermal or mechanical properties.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

High temperature silicone based subsea insulation


A system includes a radio frequency (RF) connector terminal that is configured to connect to an antenna, and a RF transmitter that transmits RF power to the RF connector terminal. The system further includes a power measurement unit that measures, as a first power measurement, first RF power of the RF transmitter power that is reflected via the RF connector terminal, and a controller that causes a transmission path discontinuity between the RF transmitter and the RF connector terminal. The power measurement unit further measures, as a second power measurement, second RF power of the RF transmitter power that is reflected from the discontinuity. The controller further determines if a first antenna is connected to the RF connector terminal based on the first and second power measurements.

Numerous wireless devices include an external antenna terminal for connecting an external antenna to the devices' transceiver. Presently, such devices detect the presence of the external antenna connected to the devices' external radio frequency (RF) connector or port through a mechanical switch integrated into the connector. The integrated mechanical switch creates a direct current (DC) short to ground on the external RF connector's signal lead when no external connection is made to the connector. When an external connection is made (e.g., the external antenna is connected to the external RF connector), the integrated mechanical switch opens the DC path to ground on the RF connector's signal lead. The presence of a short to ground, or an open path to ground, on the RF connector's signal lead may be detected by circuitry such that the presence of absence of a physical connection to the external RF connector may be identified. The RF connector's integrated mechanical switch, therefore, acts as a proxy to indicate to the wireless device that an external antenna is, or is not, connected to the external RF connector.

Antenna detection using antenna return loss


A salt spreader mounting assembly that attaches to the rear of a utility vehicle such as a conventional pick-up truck is described. The salt spreader mounting assembly includes a frame which attaches to the vehicle, and pivoting connections between the frame and the vehicle such that the frame can swing horizontally thereby permitting access to the rear of the vehicle, without interference with the tailgate. The frame supports a compatible salt spreader/hopper unit. The assembly allows a combination spreader/hopper to be swung away from the vehicle from at least one of its sides, thereby allowing direct access to the rear cargo area via the tailgate. The assembly is easily installed or removed and requires limited modification to the vehicle.

1. Field of the invention
The invention relates to an improved vehicle mounting assembly for a combination salt spreader and hopper. The assembly's intended use is for utility vehicles such as pick-up trucks. The mounting assembly is designed to allow the spreader/hopper to swing from either side of a truck bed side wall for the purpose of allowing full access to the rear of the vehicle's cargo bed via the tailgate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
salt spreading is a general requirement of winter road maintenance in many areas. Over the years, private business has become involved in road and driveway maintenance in the form of snow removal and salt spreading. Private business commonly uses pick-up trucks to perform this type of work. In the past, numerous types of salt spreaders have been developed to be attached to these conventional type vehicles. Thus, there is a need for affordable salt spreaders which are compatible with conventional light and heavy duty pick-up trucks.
In the past, salt spreader mounting assemblies used in conjunction with pick-up trucks have fastened onto the truck's rear bumper or tailgate. The usual procedure is that at the beginning of the winter season these devices are secured to the truck in a fixed position by means of a system of bolts. Because of the relative difficulty in installing the assemblies they are often left on all winter, not being removed until the spring season. Other more temporary devices for the same intended purpose do exist, one type having arms that slide over the tailgate and rest on the vehicle's bumper.
When installed, both the "bolt-on" and "slide-on" configurations restrict access to the rear of the vehicle's cargo box via the tailgate. If removal is required or desired, the bolt-on system must be unbolted and the slide-on system must have its hopper emptied so that it can be lifted off, as a typical load of salt would weigh several hundred pounds. Obviously, both methods require considerable labor and expense to simply gain access to the cargo bed for loading or unloading. The end result is that these systems are typically left on the vehicle all winter, and if access is desired to the cargo bed it has to be over the side wall of the vehicle.
As a result these conventional salt spreader mounting assemblies require operators to lift cargo, namely bags of road salt, up over the side walls of the truck bed manually. This results in additional labor costs, inconvenience and possible injury. The restricted access to the cargo bed also reduces the convenience and utility of owning a vehicle with a rear entry cargo bed. Thus, there is a need for a salt spreader mounting assembly that will allow relatively easy access to the rear of the vehicle's cargo area.


A mattress selection system comprises a test bed including a box spring and a compartmented air mattress which generates electrical outputs indicative of the weight distribution of a subject. The sensor outputs are processed automatically, in conjunction with answers to a questionnaire, to generate a recommendation of which of a selection of available mattress systems, is most suitable for the subject.

This invention relates to a system for aiding bedding purchasers in their selection of a mattress and box spring combination according to their physiology and habits.
A good night""s sleep is so important that most people are willing to pay a premium for a mattress system which is particularly comfortable. The increased recognition of the health benefits of sleeping well makes such expenditures rational.
Many people find the experience of purchasing bedding confusing and dissatisfying. Reasons for this include: (1) mattress purchases are made only a few times per lifetime, (2) one cannot examine the interior of the product being purchased and must therefore (3) rely on the expertise of commissioned salesmen who may tend to recommend products they have in stock, and (4) it is difficult to comparison price shop because of the very large number of mattress manufacturers and models, and the absence of standardized mattress ratings.
It would be helpful to bedding purchasers to have an automatic system which could analytically and fairly measure physiological parameters important to mattress selection, and then automatically recommend a bedding product most suitable for the purchaser. Such a system, if placed in a store, would give customers a preliminary idea of the factors involved, and the products suited for them, before talking to a salesman.
An object of the invention is to enable mattress distributors and the like to measure the sleeping attributes of potential customers at sites convenient to the customers, so that properly designed bedding can be selected.
It is important that a measuring system be fast, accurate and not embarrassing or uncomfortable for the subject. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a measuring system which requires only that the subject lie on a test bed for a few moments, and answer a few basic questions (height, age gender, etc.) in order to produce a recommended bedding selection.
Another feature of the invention is to enable a purchaser who does not have access to the test bed to obtain a mattress recommendation based entirely on answers to a questionnaire. For example, a person buying a mattress could obtain a recommendation for him- or herself by the method described above, and then in addition enter information about the absent spouse so that a bedding recommendation for the couple jointly could be obtained. This questionnaire-only method could also be used by people shopping remotely, e.g., over the internet.
These and other objects are attained by mattress selection system as described below.


A satellite communication system designed to communicate with wireless communication devices (WCDs) by use of a mosaic pattern of signal beams uses multiple beams to augment the communication with individual WCDs. In addition to communication with a WCD through a primary beam for that WCD, adjacent beams are used, but with signals utilizing circuit parameters assigned to the primary beam. The signals from a given WCD are relayed in a backhaul, either as an aggregate signal processed by the satellite, or as backhaul communication signals to be combined or separated on the ground.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to on-ground beam forming to enhance gain to a desired user.
2. Background
Various satellite communication systems have been developed over the years. One early system architecture is referred to as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and is characterized by assignment of time slots in a communication channel to each of a plurality of terminals, and with communication with the terminals taking place in the specifically assigned time slots. An improved system architecture is referred to as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). CDMA based communication systems generally provide greater bandwidth efficiency than do TDMA based communication systems.
In general, signal strength is a critical factor in establishing a communication link with good quality of service (QoS). In the case of satellite communications with multiple subscribers, the signal strength provided to subscribers' wireless communication devices (WCDs) by the satellite and by the WCDs to the satellite is limited. In addition, satellite coverage area is divided into plural beams, which are of limited geographical area.
If it can be determined which beam coincides with a WCD's physical location, the communication can be established within that beam. For the purposes of this description, the beam to which the WCD is assigned is the primary beam. Other WCDs are assigned beams as primary beams, so that this description of the primary beam is dependent on the location of a particular WCD with which an air link is established. In other words, the reference to a "primary beam" is dependent on which WCD is being described in connection with the communication and is dependent on the physical location of that WCD.
The backhaul is transmitted and received through one or more gateways. The backhaul corresponds to communication link between the satellite and the gateways, with the degree of processing performed by the satellite a matter of the particular design of the satellite.

Beam focusing in multi-beam satellite systems by combining signals from multiple satellite beams on the ground


A heat roller having a resin layer for adhesion provided on the outer surface of a roller body, containing a silicone resin material of good thermal conductivity which is in the form of an oil in a temperature range of -50 to 150 degrees Celsius and is thermosettable above 150 degrees Celsius, which is interposed between the roller body and the resin layer by coating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing device provided in an electrostatic recording system, e.g., a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., to fix a toner image transferred to a sheet of recording paper, and also relates to a heat roller for use in the fixing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improvement in the heat roller.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an electrostatic recording system, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., a toner image transferred to a sheet of recording paper from a photosensitive drum of a developing device must be heat-fixed to the recording paper by allowing the toner particles to catch on the fibers of the recording paper. A fixing device used for this purpose comprises a heat roller 100 having a heat source and a press roller 200 coated with a heat-resistant resin material, as shown in FIG. 53. The heat roller 100 and the press roller 200 are disposed in opposed contact with each other. A sheet of recording paper 300 having a toner image transferred thereto is passed through the area between the heat roller 100 and the press roller 200, thereby fixing the toner image.
The most common type of heat roller is the indirect heating type in which a heat source, for example, an infrared lamp, a halogen lamp, etc., is incorporated in a metallic sleeve having good thermal conductivity. However, the indirect heating type heat roller has the problem that it needs a costly thin tube-shaped lamp and a thick-walled metallic sleeve having a surface smoothed with high accuracy, resulting in an extremely high overall cost. In addition, because of the indirect heating this type of heat roller cannot rise in temperature rapidly. To solve these problems, direct heating type heat rollers have spread recently in place of the indirect heating type.
FIG. 54 shows a typical direct heating type heat roller that comprises a heating member 101 which is a cylindrical insulator coated at its surface with a heating layer of an electrically conductive material, and a pair of strip-shaped sliding pieces 102 which are in contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of both end portions of the heating member 101, thereby supplying electric power to the rotating heating member 101 through the sliding pieces 102. FIG. 55 shows another typical direct heating type heat roller that comprises a cylindrical heating member 101 which is formed from an electrically conductive ceramic material in its entirety, and a pair of bearings 400 which are fitted on the outer peripheries of both end portions of the heating member 101, so that the heating member 101 is rotatably supported by the bearings 400 and, at the same time, electric power is supplied to the two end portions of the heating member 101 through the bearings 400.
However, this type of heat roller has various problems to be solved.
First, the heat roller that employs the sliding pieces 102 to supply electric power, shown in FIG. 54, has tile problem that the surface of the heating member 101 is worn away by the sliding pieces 102 and sparks are given off at the area of contact between the heating member 101 and the sliding pieces 102. The heat roller in which electric power is supplied through the bearings 400, shown in FIG. 55, suffers from the problem that an electric conduction failure may occur because electricity flows through balls interposed in the area between outer and inner rings and the contact between the balls and the outer and inner rings is not always perfect.
In addition, since the surface of the heating member 101 is heated to an exceedingly high temperature, the bearings 400 that are in contact with the heating member 101 are exposed to the high temperature, as a matter of course. Under such conditions, the bearings 400 wear at a remarkably high rate, and thermal expansion of the bearings 400 occurs. Accordingly, the rate of incidence of conduction failure is extremely high in the present state of art.
There are other forms of power supply in the direct heating type heat roller, in which electric power is supplied through metal terminals that are secured to both end portions of a cylindrical heating member by silver soldering or through metal terminals that are closely fitted in respective hollow portions at both ends of a cylindrical heating portion. However, the power supply method that uses metal terminals secured by silver soldering has the problems that the soldered portions cannot endure mechanical vibration that accompanies the rotational motion of the heat roller and that the soldered portions may separate during the process of use because of the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the silver soldering material and the ceramic heating member. The method in which power is supplied through metal terminals that are closely fitted into respective hollow portions at both axial ends of a cylindrical heating portion has likelihood that since the metal terminals have a high coefficient of thermal expansion, when thermally expanded, the metal terminals may destroy the ceramic heating member. In addition, a feed brush for supplying electric power to each conducting terminal must be provided in sliding electric contact with the free end of the conducting terminal, that is, with the end of the conducting terminal on the side thereof which is opposite to the end thereof that is fitted into the hollow end portion of the heating member. It is therefore necessary to control the positional relationship between the heat roller and the feed brushes extremely strictly. In addition, the operation of assembling the heat roller and the feed brushes is difficult, so that the assembling efficiency is low.
Thus, the conventional heat rollers involve problems in terms of the structure for rotatably supporting the end portions of the heat roller heated to a high temperature and of the method of supplying electric power to the heat roller. In view of these circumstances, there has been a demand for a technique that enables good electric contact to be surely made between the feed brushes and the conducting terminals, which serve as feed means, so that electric power can be supplied to the heating portion effectively and reliably, and that also permits minimization of the heat load applied to the bearing portions.
There has heretofore been another problem in terms of the control of the surface temperature of the heat roller. That is, it is necessary in order to ensure effective fixing of the developer to maintain the heat roller at a predetermined temperature. In addition, an excessive rise in temperature should be avoided from the viewpoint of preventing a fire or other similar problem. As a means of preventing an excessive rise in temperature of the heat roller, there has heretofore been only one method wherein temperature sensors of good response are disposed in close proximity to both axial ends of the heat roller, and signals output from the temperature sensors are processed in an electric circuit provided separately, thereby limiting the electric power supplied to the heat roller or cutting off the power supply. However, such an excessive temperature rise preventing means uses costly temperature sensors and needs additionally an electric circuit for monitoring signals output from the temperature sensors and hence it is costly, so that the use of the excessive temperature rise preventing means causes a rise in the overall cost of the apparatus and also hinders realization of a reduction in the overall size of the apparatus. Under these circumstances, there has been a demand for an excessive temperature rise preventing means that is simple in structure and inexpensive and that needs an extremely small space for installation or requires no installation space.
We have already discussed problems which are experienced when electric power is supplied through bearings that hold a heating member. Meantime, even in a case where bearings do not serve as feed means, there are some problems attributable to the use of bearings. More specifically, bearings are arranged such that a plurality of steel balls are retained in the area between inner and outer rings, and if a direct heating type heat roller is supported with such bearings, since the bearings rotate in direct contact with the heat roller surface that reaches a high temperature of 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. they deteriorate at a remarkably high rate and the toughness of the bearing material lowers rapidly, resulting in an interference with the rotational function of the bearings during the process of use over a long time and hence a failure to obtain the desired rotational operation. heat-resistant grease that is employed for smoothing the rotation of bearings serves to deter deterioration of the bearings, but it volatilizes at a remarkably high rate under high-temperature conditions. Accordingly, the use of such heat-resistant grease cannot solve the basic problem of the deterioration of bearings. Incidentally, there are bearings called "oil retaining bearings", although such bearings have not yet had the experience of being used as means for supporting a heat roller. Oil retaining bearings, which comprise an annular sintered metal member that is impregnated with a lubricating oil, can be used for a long time without lubrication under ordinary temperature conditions. However, if oil retaining bearings are used as means for supporting a heat roller, since the heat roller is exposed to high temperature, the oil volatilizes at a remarkably high rate, so that the oil retaining bearings are expected to lose their bearing function in an early stage of use. Thus, oil retaining bearings cannot practically be used as heat roller supporting means. Under these circumstances, there has been a demand for a bearing structure which has substantially no deterioration during the process of use and ensures a smooth rotation of a heat roller even after a long-term service and which is simple in structure and inexpensive.
In addition, it is preferable that the temperature of the heat roller surface should be uniform over the entirety thereof, but it has been difficult for the conventional heat rollers to realize a uniform temperature distribution over the heat roller surface. If the surface temperature is uneven in the axial direction, the toner fixing condition also becomes uneven, causing a fixing failure. However, since the axial end faces of the heat roller are in contact with the ambient air and the axial end portions of the heat roller conduct heat to the bearing members, the temperature lowers at the end portions of the heat rollers. Referring to FIG. 56, which shows a temperature distribution in the axial direction of the heat roller surface, the temperature curve is flat and maintains a substantially constant value in the range L at the center of the heating member 101, whereas in the range L.sub.0 near each axial end portion the temperature curve lowers gradually. Thus, the temperature curve has descending regions in correspondence with the two axial end portions of the heat roller. The end portions of the heat roller corresponding to the descending regions have a marked lowering in temperature and therefore cannot be used as fixing regions, so that only the portion of the heat roller which has a flat temperature curve, exclusive of the end portions corresponding to the descending regions, can be used for the fixing process (the portion being hereinafter referred to as "usable region L") . However, in the conventional heat rollers, the ratio of the length of the descending regions to the overall length of the heating portion is relatively high, and it is therefore necessary in order to ensure a predetermined usable region to employ a heat roller having a heating portion considerably longer than the usable region, which is an obstacle to the realization of a reduction in the overall size and a lowering in the cost of the apparatus. In view of these circumstances, there has been a demand for a technique which enables minimization of the descending regions in the temperature curve and permits enlargement of the usable region.
In addition, a typical conventional fixing device comprises a heat roller 100 and a press roller 200, as shown in FIG. 57. The press roller 200 comprises a metallic core 201 and a thick-walled resin layer 202 formed on the outer surface of the core 201 by using a heat-resistant resin material. The resin layer 202 may be formed from a silicone resin material or a silicone foam in its entirety, or it may be formed by coating a silicone resin material on the outer surface of a silicone foam. However, such a press roller needs to form a resin layer over the surface of a metallic core with a uniform thickness in both the axial and circumferential directions and hence requires a high processing cost. In addition, since the press roller also needs a mechanism for rotatably supporting the core, the apparatus is complicated, and the assembling cost is high. Since the press roller and the mechanism for rotatably supporting it have certain sizes, the reduction in the size of the fixing device is limited. In addition, a fixing device comprising a heat roller and a press roller needs additionally a paper guide 500 for directing paper to the area between the two rollers, and the presence of this paper guide 500 is an obstacle to achievement of a reduction in the overall size of the fixing device and other peripheral devices. Under these circumstances, there has been a demand for a fixing device structure which enables a lowering in the cost and a reduction in the size of the fixing device, and which also eliminates the need for the paper guide 500.
FIG. 58 shows another conventional heat roller 100 in which the outer surface of a roller body 103 is coated with a resin layer 104 for adhesion, e.g., silicone rubber, for the purpose of improving the adhesion to recording paper and thereby enhancing the heat fixing effectiveness. This prior art also has problems to be solved.
It is extremely essential for heat rollers to ensure a uniform surface temperature and improve the heating response. More specifically, if the surface temperature is not uniform, fixing of toner to recording paper becomes uneven, and if the heating response is low, a relatively long time is needed to raise the temperature, so that it takes a long time to warm up the heat roller, and the heat roller requires a long time to return to a predetermined temperature after the recording paper has passed therethrough. Accordingly, it is impossible to speed up the fixing process. For this reason, it is desirable to coat the resin layer for adhesion such that it contacts the roller body uniformly over the entire surface. In actual practice, however, there are irregularities in the surface of the roller body 103 due to the limitation of the surface machining technique, and minute air gaps 105 are formed between the roller body 103 and the resin layer 104, as shown in FIG. 59. The minute air gaps 105 obstruct the transmission of heat from the roller body 103 to the surface of the resin layer 104 and hence hinder uniform heating of the heat roller surface and improvement of the heating response. This tendency is particularly remarkable in the case where the roller body is a heating member made of an electrically conductive ceramic material.
In view of these problems, it has been a conventional practice to set the target heating temperature for the whole heat roller at a level a little higher than the lowest temperature necessary for fusing the toner, thereby enabling the toner to be effectively fused even at low-temperature portions which are locally present on the heat roller surface. However, if the heat roller heating temperature is set at a relatively high level, the electric power is wasted, and the deterioration of the heat roller is accelerated. In addition, it is necessary to employ costly peripheral parts which can cope with high-temperature conditions. The most significant problem is that since the heat roller is heated to an excessively high temperature, the toner becomes likely to weld to the heat roller surface, so that a fixing failure is likely to occur. If a toner removing device that is placed in sliding contact with the heat roller surface is provided in order to prevent such a problem, the lifetime of the heat roller is shortened owing to friction occurring between the heat roller and the toner removing device. Under these circumstances, there has been a demand for a heat roller which is designed so that the heat roller surface can be heated uniformly and the heating response is improved, thereby enabling an excellent fixing condition to be realized without inviting a waste of electric power and a rise in the cost of the peripheral parts.

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A reflective transparent screen exhibiting high brightness over a wide region in the screen although with a narrow viewing angle, and an image display system is provided. The reflective transparent screen has a first transparent layer 32 having an irregular surface, a reflective layer 40 formed on the irregular surface, and a second transparent layer 52 formed on the irregular surface on which the reflective layer 40 is formed so as to fill irregularities. The irregular surface of the first transparent layer 32 has a slant angle in a first direction being within a range of from −44′ to +44′, and a slant angle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction being within a range of from −44′ to +44′.

As a reflective screen which visibly displays image light projected from a projecting apparatus and which makes an image in the back of the screen visible, one useful for a head-up display (HUD) installed on a windshield of a vehicle may be mentioned (for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 2 discloses a diffusing plate to be used as a screen, on which microlens arrays are arranged. The diffusing plate disclosed in Patent Document 2 is prepared as a transmission diffusing plate or a reflective diffusing plate.
Patent Document 2 discloses to use a microlens array comprising two or more types of microlenses differing in shape, so as to prevent nonuniformity in intensity (nonuniformity in brightness) within a predetermined angle range.

Reflection-type transparent screen, and image display system


Embodiments herein include a method executed in a terminal of a multimedia system. The multimedia system is accessible to terminals using any of a plurality of access technologies and comprises a presence server for recording presence data of users of those terminals. The method comprises changing an update state of the terminal from a low update state to a high update state when a high priority event is detected, and changing the update state of the terminal from a high update state to a low update state when a low priority event is detected. When the terminal is in the high update state, the method includes presenting to a user of the terminal more presence data of other users than that presented when the terminal is in the low update state.

In IP Multimedia Subsystems, users can be made aware of other users' presence data, such as being available, in a meeting, in a phone call etc.
However such presence data updates require resources and drain batteries of terminals subscribing to updates. It is therefore desirable to reduce resource requirements, such as network traffic, for presence data updates.

Method, apparatus and computer program product for presence data updates


A damage detection apparatus and method which detect a damage occurring in a specimen include energizing an inspection area on a specimen into a predetermined energized condition, measuring a potential difference at predetermined intervals in the inspection area, and analyzing an existence or otherwise of a damage, and a shape thereof, based on a plurality of items of potential difference data. Parameters specifying a hypothetical damage are hypothesized in advance and, based on the potential difference data, calculation is executed using a maximum likelihood estimation method on a double body in which hypothetical specimens are doubled by bringing together their front surfaces, and furthermore on a quadruple body quadrupled by bringing rear surfaces of hypothetical specimens together, a maximum likelihood estimation value of the parameters is calculated.

To date, an inspection technique using a direct current potential difference method which measures a potential difference distribution on a specimen surface while sending a direct current through the specimen, which is an inspection subject structure, and indirectly detects a damage, such as an existence or otherwise of a crack in the specimen and a condition of the crack, from the potential difference distribution, has been known as one nondestructive inspection technique.
Recently, a nondestructive inspection method has also been proposed which, using the direct current potential difference method, enables a quantification of a damage such as a crack buried inside a specimen, or a crack exposed on a surface, as a three-dimensionally shaped damage having an optional aspect ratio and inclination.
That is, by first sending a predetermined current through the specimen and acquiring potential difference values at predetermined positions, and next, using analysis means such as a finite element method, setting a shape of a damage such as a hypothetical crack, which is to be a subject of detection, and carrying out a calculation based on the acquired potential difference values, the method identifies a shape of the damage (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).    Patent Document 1: JP-A-64-035357    Patent Document 2: JP-A-06-109684

Damage detection apparatus, damage detection method and recording medium

National University Corporation Okayama University


A mobile device capable of supporting applications for semi-literate farmers and agricultural industry workers. Such applications are designed to be user-friendly, primarily employ audio form to provide data and information, and promote audio based interactions. In particular, the mobile device comprises a client application that avoids/minimizes the use of keyboard, supports audio-message based interactions and data communications, supports language selection, provides intuitive icons to aid comprehension and user selection, and keeps user interaction simple. The client application comprises a labor contract module that facilitates interaction by a user (who is typically a farmer or agricultural worker) using audio messages to find and hire contract labor. The client application also comprises a social group interaction module that facilitates interaction with mobile social networks, such as groups of farmers in a region of the world, or a group of farmers growing a specific type of crop.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to mobile devices; and, more particularly, to the ability to access or support agriculture services for farmers.
2. Related Art
Often, a farmer working on a farm may need to communicate with others, and employs a cell phone to talk with others. Although cell phones can be used for accessing web sites and for remotely retrieving data, farmers are often incapable of doing so for several reasons, including lack of technical skills, unfamiliarity with new applications, inability to read, etc. Current data services are not designed for use by semi-literate individuals, such as farmers in underdeveloped countries where educational levels are very low.
Similarly, when an uneducated or non-literate individual tries to access a data service on a mobile phone, not only are screens of data provided to the individual of little use to him (due to his inability to read them for example) but also navigation of typical screens on a mobile device are cumbersome and not helpful to such an individual. Thus, such individuals are unlikely to subscribe to data services and the operators are not likely to suffer lower revenues/ARPU (average revenues per user) too. When operators roll out expensive 3G and 4G data services, they need to get around this problem of making the mobile device useful to uneducated and illiterate users, but they don't seem to be able to easily surmount this problem.
Mobile devices have been used to take pictures, send pictures and receive video programs. But quite often, people who are unfamiliar with a device and are intimidated by technology are not able to take the pictures properly or to subsequently use them or transfer them.
A substantial numbers of farmers in countries such as India and China are semi-literate, and would not be able to read data provided on a mobile phone, or even interact with screens of information provided. Also, farmers in these countries are not likely to be proficient in English, and there is a need to address their needs better. However, no operator is addressing their needs adequately and new services for farmers are not being designed taking into account their illiteracy or semi-literacy. Thus in such countries, framers currently use mobile phones primarily for voice services, and they can do not consume data services.
These and other limitations and deficiencies associated with the related art may be more fully appreciated by those skilled in the art after comparing such related art with various aspects of the present invention as set forth herein with reference to the figures.

Mobile device for access to agricultural services by non-literate and semi-literate users


A hand-supportable Digital Imaging-Based Bar Code Symbol Reading Device comprises: an IR-based Object Presence and Range Detection Subsystem; a Multi-Mode Area-type Image Formation and Detection Subsystem having narrow-area and wide area image capture modes of operation; a Multi-Mode LED-based Illumination Subsystem having narrow-area and wide area illumination modes of operation; an Automatic Light Exposure Measurement and Illumination Control Subsystem; an Image Capturing and Buffering Subsystem; a Multi-Mode Image-Processing Bar Code Symbol Reading Subsystem; an Input/Output Subsystem; a manually-activatable trigger switch; a System Mode Configuration Parameter Table; and a System Control Subsystem integrated with each of the above-described subsystems. The digital imaging-based bar code reading device employs a multi-mode bar code symbol image processor that is dynamically reconfigurable in response to real-time image processing operations carried out on captured digital images.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to hand-supportable and portable area-type digital bar code readers having diverse modes of digital image processing for reading one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) bar code symbols, as well as other forms of graphically-encoded intelligence.
2. Brief Description of the State of the Art
The state of the automatic-identification industry can be understood in terms of (i) the different classes of bar code symbologies that have been developed and adopted by the industry, and (ii) the kinds of apparatus developed and used to read such bar code symbololgies in various user environments.
In general, there are currently three major classes of bar code symbologies, namely: one dimensional (1D) bar code symbologies, such as UPC/EAN, Code 39, etc.; 1D stacked bar code symbologies, Code 49, PDF417, etc.; and two-dimensional (2D) data matrix symbologies.
One Dimensional optical bar code readers are well known in the art. Examples of such readers include readers of the Metrologic Voyager® Series Laser Scanner manufactured by Metrologic Instruments, Inc. Such readers include processing circuits that are able to read one dimensional (1D) linear bar code symbologies, such as the UPC/EAN code, Code 39, etc., that are widely used in supermarkets. Such 1D linear symbologies are characterized by data that is encoded along a single axis, in the widths of bars and spaces, so that such symbols can be read from a single scan along that axis, provided that the symbol is imaged with a sufficiently high resolution along that axis.
In order to allow the encoding of larger amounts of data in a single bar code symbol, a number of 1D stacked bar code symbologies have been developed, including Code 49, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,239 (Allais), and PDF417, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,786 (Pavlidis, et al.). Stacked symbols partition the encoded data into multiple rows, each including a respective 1D bar code pattern, all or most of all of which must be scanned and decoded, then linked together to form a complete message. Scanning still requires relatively high resolution in one dimension only, but multiple linear scans are needed to read the whole symbol.
The third class of bar code symbologies, known as 2D matrix symbologies offer orientation-free scanning and greater data densities and capacities than their 1D counterparts. In 2D matrix codes, data is encoded as dark or light data elements within a regular polygonal matrix, accompanied by graphical finder, orientation and reference structures. When scanning 2D matrix codes, the horizontal and vertical relationships of the data elements are recorded with about equal resolution.
In order to avoid having to use different types of optical readers to read these different types of bar code symbols, it is desirable to have an optical reader that is able to read symbols of any of these types, including their various subtypes, interchangeably and automatically. More particularly, it is desirable to have an optical reader that is able to read all three of the above-mentioned types of bar code symbols, without human intervention, i.e., automatically. This is turn, requires that the reader have the ability to automatically discriminate between and decode bar code symbols, based only on information read from the symbol itself. Readers that have this ability are referred to as "auto-discriminating" or having an "auto-discrimination" capability.
If an auto-discriminating reader is able to read only 1D bar code symbols (including their various subtypes), it may be said to have a 1D auto-discrimination capability. Similarly, if it is able to read only 2D bar code symbols, it may be said to have a 2D auto-discrimination capability. If it is able to read both 1D and 2D bar code symbols interchangeably, it may be said to have a 1D/2D auto-discrimination capability. Often, however, a reader is said to have a 1D/2D auto-discrimination capability even if it is unable to discriminate between and decode 1D stacked bar code symbols.
Optical readers that are capable of 1D auto-discrimination are well known in the art. An early example of such a reader is Metrologic's VoyagerCG® Laser Scanner, manufactured by Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
Optical readers, particularly hand held optical readers, that are capable of 1D/2D auto-discrimination and based on the use of an asynchronously moving 1D image sensor, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,288,985 and 5,354,977, which applications are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of hand held readers of this type, based on the use of a stationary 2D image sensor, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,250,551; 5,932,862; 5,932,741; 5,942,741; 5,929,418; 5,914,476; 5,831,254; 5,825,006; 5,784,102, which are also hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Optical readers, whether of the stationary or movable type, usually operate at a fixed scanning rate, which means that the readers are designed to complete some fixed number of scans during a given amount of time. This scanning rate generally has a value that is between 30 and 200 scans/sec for 1D readers. In such readers, the results the successive scans are decoded in the order of their occurrence.
Imaging-based bar code symbol readers have a number advantages over laser scanning based bar code symbol readers, namely: they are more capable of reading stacked 2D symbologies, such as the PDF 417 symbology; more capable of reading matrix 2D symbologies, such as the Data Matrix symbology; more capable of reading bar codes regardless of their orientation; have lower manufacturing costs; and have the potential for use in other applications, which may or may not be related to bar code scanning, such as OCR, security systems, etc
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers suffer from a number of additional shortcomings and drawbacks.
Most prior art hand held optical reading devices can be reprogrammed by reading bar codes from a bar code programming menu or with use of a local host processor as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,418. However, these devices are generally constrained to operate within the modes in which they have been programmed to operate, either in the field or on the bench, before deployment to end-user application environments. Consequently, the statically-configured nature of such prior art imaging-based bar code reading systems has limited their performance.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers with integrated illumination subsystems also support a relatively short range of the optical depth of field. This limits the capabilities of such systems from reading big or highly dense bar code labels.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require separate apparatus for producing a visible aiming beam to help the user to aim the camera's field of view at the bar code label on a particular target object.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require capturing multiple frames of image data of a bar code symbol, and special apparatus for synchronizing the decoding process with the image capture process within such readers, as required in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,862 and 5,942,741 assigned to Welch Allyn, Inc.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require large arrays of LEDs in order to flood the field of view within which a bar code symbol might reside during image capture operations, oftentimes wasting larges amounts of electrical power which can be significant in portable or mobile imaging-based readers.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require processing the entire pixel data set of capture images to find and decode bar code symbols represented therein.
Many prior art Imaging-Based Bar Code Symbol Readers require the use of decoding algorithms that seek to find the orientation of bar code elements in a captured image by finding and analyzing the code words of 2-D bar code symbologies represented therein.
Some prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require the use of a manually-actuated trigger to actuate the image capture and processing cycle thereof.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require separate sources of illumination for producing visible aiming beams and for producing visible illumination beams used to flood the field of view of the bar code reader.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally utilize during a single image capture and processing cycle, and a single decoding methodology for decoding bar code symbols represented in captured images.
Some prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers require exposure control circuitry integrated with the image detection array for measuring the light exposure levels on selected portions thereof.
Also, many imaging-based readers also require processing portions of captured images to detect the image intensities thereof and determine the reflected light levels at the image detection component of the system, and thereafter to control the LED-based illumination sources to achieve the desired image exposure levels at the image detector.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers employing integrated illumination mechanisms control image brightness and contrast by controlling the time the image sensing device is exposed to the light reflected from the imaged objects. While this method has been proven for the CCD-based bar code scanners, it is not suitable, however, for the CMOS-based image sensing devices, which require a more sophisticated shuttering mechanism, leading to increased complexity, less reliability and, ultimately, more expensive bar code scanning systems.
Prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers generally require the use of tables and bar code menus to manage which decoding algorithms are to be used within any particular mode of system operation to be programmed by reading bar code symbols from a bar code menu.
Finally, as a result of limitations in the mechanical, electrical, optical, and software design of prior art imaging-based bar code symbol readers, such prior art readers generally (i) fail to enable users to read high-density 1D bar codes with the ease and simplicity of laser scanning based bar code symbol readers, and also 2D symbologies, such as PDF 417 and Data Matrix, and (ii) are incapable of use in OCR and OCV, security applications, etc.
Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved method of and apparatus for reading bar code symbols using image capture and processing techniques which avoid the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methods and apparatus.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hand-supportable imaging-based bar code symbol reader having a multi-mode bar code symbol image processor dynamically reconfigurable in response to real-time image processing operations carried out on captured images


Techniques, mixtures, mixing and delivery kits, and improved delivery instruments for implantation of micronized allograft tissue over a microfractured defect. Allograft cartilage tissue is delivered over a cartilage defect that has been debrided and microfractured, without the need for a periosteal covering or separate type of patch sewn over the top. The allograft tissue may be any micronized cartilage particulates obtained by various methods, for example, cartilage delivered in its native form, dehydrated via lyophilization, “freeze-dried,” dehydrated via desiccation, or dehydrated by any other method.

Articular cartilage injuries affect approximately 900,000 individuals in the United States every year. Numerous surgical interventions exist which focus on inciting cartilage repair including debridement and chondroplasty, microfracture, osteochondral allograft transplantation, and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). These techniques have varying levels of success, with the ultimate goal being to generate hyaline cartilage in the defect, to recreate normal articular congruity, and to improve overall functioning, disability and health. Of these various techniques, microfracture is the most commonly utilized.
The microfracture procedure is a form of bone-marrow stimulation which enhances cartilage repair by taking advantage of the body's own healing potential. A sharp awl (i.e., a pick) is used arthroscopically through one of the arthroscopic skin portals and a mallet is used to impact the awl into the subchondral bone and thus generate bleeding from the bone. Holes are created at regular intervals until the entire defect has been addressed. The penetration of the subchondral bone allows for the communication of the osteochondral defect with mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors from the bone marrow and eventually leads to the formation of fibrocartilagenous tissue that covers the cartilage lesion.
Microfracture is typically performed by arthroscopy, after the joint is cleaned of calcified cartilage. Through use of an awl, the surgeon creates tiny fractures in the subchondral bone plate. Blood and bone marrow (which contains stem cells) seep out of the fractures, creating a blood clot over the defect. The stem cells from the bone marrow and from the underlying subchondral bone interact with the clot and use this as the initial scaffold to begin the process of cellular differentiation into fibrocartilage or cartilage-building cells. The microfractures are treated as an injury by the body, which is why the surgery results in new, replacement tissue. The procedure is effective in gaining a combination of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage (which are not formed from an osteochondritis dissecan (OC) defect alone).
Although good results have been achieved with microfracture treatments, some studies have concluded that, while microfracture provides effective short-term functional improvement of knee function, there is insufficient data on its long-term results. Additional shortcomings of the technique include limited hyaline repair tissue, variable repair cartilage volume, and possible functional deterioration over time.
A recent technology used to augment the microfracture technique is through the use of an allograft extracellular matrix. BioCartilage® is an example of desiccated micronized cartilage extracellular matrix tissue allograft that has been developed for ICRS grade III or greater articular cartilage lesions in conjunction with microfracture.
BioCartilage® is developed from allograft cartilage that has been dehydrated and micronized. BioCartilage® contains the extracellular matrix that is native to articular cartilage including key components such as type II collagen, proteoglycans, and additional cartilaginous growth factors. The principle of BioCartilage® is to serve as a scaffold over a microfractured defect providing a tissue network that can potentially signal autologous cellular interactions and improve the degree and quality of tissue healing within a properly prepared articular cartilage defect.
This allograft tissue is combined with platelet-rich plasma and the resultant solution is added to a microfractured chondral lesion and "fixed" with a fibrin coverage. The addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the dessicated BioCartilage® scaffold is considered a beneficial addition due to the anabolic and anti-inflammatory factors associated with PRP. The added fibrin content in PRP provides additional structure to the final matrix pre and post implantation.
A need exists for techniques that allow delivery of allograft cartilage tissue over a cartilage defect that has been debrided and microfractured, without the need for a periosteal covering or separate type of patch sewn over the top. Also needed are methods and special delivery instruments for rebuilding a defective cartilage in difficult-to-reach areas such as the ankle. An augmented microfracture procedure that addresses sub-chondral lesions is also needed.

Implantation of micronized allograft tissue over a microfractured defect


A printing system with adaptive printhead temperature control, comprises a least one printhead for inkjet printing; heating means to heat said printhead or ink in said printhead to a predetermined temperature range; and control means to analyze content information of a print job to be printed, wherein said control means sets said predetermined temperature range and sets a heating power of said heating means at a given position of said printhead in accordance with content information relating to an entire print page of said print job, or a plurality of print pages of said print job.

In conventional scanning inkjet printers, inkjet printheads typically move across print media depositing ink droplets one swath at a time to form a desired image on a printing medium. A printhead is sometimes in the art also referred to as a pen. In a color printer, several such printheads or pens may be positioned adjacent to one another, each one corresponding to one basic color, and may together travel across the printing medium. In a conventional inkjet printer, each printhead comprises a series of ink-ejecting nozzles and a corresponding plurality of ejection chambers associated with the nozzles. Ink is supplied to the ejection chamber from an ink reservoir, such as an ink cartridge. In thermal inkjet printheads, a firing resistor is located adjacent to the ejection chamber, and may be selectively energized to heat ink in the ejection chamber to a boiling point, which forces an ink droplet to be ejected through the associated nozzle. Piezoelectric printheads use a piezoelectric material in an ink-filled chamber behind each nozzle instead of a heating element. When a voltage is applied, the piezoelectric material changes shape, which generates a pressure pulse in the fluid forcing a droplet of ink from the nozzle.
During the printing, the printhead usually heats up, both due to the operation of the firing resistors (in thermal printers) as well as due to the heat generated by the mechanical movement of the printer and power dissipation from the electronics circuits. When the temperature of the printhead varies, so does the ink viscosity.

System and method for adaptive printhead temperature control

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Systems and methods are provided for analyzing and visualizing relationship of multi-layered datasets. A system stores original datasets in a datastore. The system generates first derivative datasets from the original datasets, and generates second derivative datasets from at least the first derivative datasets. The system determines relationships among the original datasets, the first derivative datasets, and the second derivative datasets, based on an analytical relationship between two datasets, a similarity relationship between two datasets, a modification relationship between two datasets, and a user-interaction relationship between two datasets. Then, the system generates a node map including at least part of the original datasets, the first derivative datasets, and the second derivative datasets as a node, and at least part of the determined analytical, similarity, modification, and user-interaction relationships between two nodes as a link.

Under conventional approaches, a database system stores original datasets and derivative datasets derived from the original datasets, such as analysis datasets that are generated based on analysis of the original datasets, user-interaction datasets that are generated upon interaction of users with the original datasets and/or the analysis datasets, and modifications of the original datasets. Further, the database system may operate to visualize relationships among the original datasets and the derivative datasets, such that users can visually recognize the relationships. As the relationships become more complicated (e.g., when a derivative dataset is generated based on another derivative dataset, and/or when a derivative dataset is generated based on a group of other datasets), existing technologies fail to effectively analyze and/or visualize the relationships among the variety of datasets. As a result, users may not properly recognize the relationships among the datasets and/or may not make proper decisions with respect to the datasets.

Relationship analysis and mapping for interrelated multi-layered datasets


The invention provides N,N′-disubstituted monothiourea or bis-thiourea-Pd(0) complexes that are useful as catalysts for palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with olefins, and as catalysts for palladium catalyzed Suzuki reactions of organoboric compounds and aryl halides.

The palladium catalyzed arylation of olefins (the Heck reaction) is one of the most versatile tools for C—C bond formation in organic synthesis.[1] Phosphine ligands are generally used to stabilize the reactive palladium intermediates, and excellent results have been reported for Pd-catalyzed Heck reactions when sterically bulky mono-phosphines, diphosphines, cyclometalated phosphines, or phosphites are used as the ligands.[2-5] The air-sensitivity of phosphine ligands, however, places significant limits on their synthetic applications. Therefore, the development of phosphine-free palladium catalysts is a topic of enormous interest.[6-8] Thioureas are air and moisture stable solids and have recently been, employed as ligands in Ru—, Rh—, or Pd-catalyzed reactions.[9-10] Very recently, Z. Yang[11] and coworkers reported the Heck and Suzuki reactions of highly active arenediazonium salts catalyzed by a chiral thiourea -Pd complex.