The present invention is concerning an element antenna to construct an efficient antenna system, which is able to control mechanical movement of micro-strip patch antenna and to control electrical phase of signal. The movement of an element antenna is come from movement of a platform on which the element antenna is formed. The platform is made of dielectric material and able to move independently from base. The element antenna can be controlled to any direction. An antenna patch has magnetic material layer such as nickel on the backside. The antenna patch is driven by magnetic force.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an array antenna system.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Conventional array antenna systems are used to send beams in desired directions, that is, in the directions to which targets are located. The directions of the beams of the array antenna are steered by controlling electrical phase differences between respective antennas that form an array. This technique enables antenna beams to be sent in a direction where a target object is located without rotating the antenna, or enables antenna beams to be received from that direction so that the direction of the target that sends or reflects the signals can be effectively caught.
FIG. 1 shows an array antenna system where xe2x80x9cdxe2x80x9d represents a distance between the antennas, xe2x80x9cxcfx86xe2x80x9d represents an electric phase of the antennas, and xe2x80x9cxcex8xe2x80x9d represents the direction of the beams to be sent.
However, this array antenna system is problematic in that the performance of the corresponding antenna is reduced when the direction of the beams digresses from the central axis of the individual antennas. The array antenna""s radiation pattern is represented by a multiplication of the respective antennas"" radiation patterns by an array factor. The array factor can only be adjusted by using electrical phase differences between the antennas. When the direction of the beams digress from of the central axis, the amount of the energy radiating from each antenna is reduced compared to the that of the maximum energy, and the array factor is multiplied to the energy so that the antenna performance is reduced.
To solve this, antennas are pre-configured to decline in various directions, and antennas that decline in the desired direction of the beams are selected using a switch so that the array antenna system, including the antennas can be used. However, this method increases cost because of the increase of the number of the antennas, the magnitude of the array antenna is increased, and also, limited beam angles can be selected.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna for building an array antenna system for obtaining uniform maximum performance in all beam directions by overcoming the problem that lowers the performance of a conventional array system when the angle between the beam direction of the array system and the central axis of each unit antenna is increased.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a small-size antenna for enabling fast mechanical motion and minute control of the driving angle.
It is still another object of the present invention to mass manufacture antenna array systems capable of mechanical operation through a batch process and integrate antennas and drivers.
In one aspect of the present invention, an antenna device comprises: an antenna; a first rotation shaft for enabling angular displacements of the antenna in the first direction; a second rotation shaft for enabling angular displacements of the antenna in the second direction independent from the angular displacements of the antenna in the first direction; a platform for supporting the antenna; an internal frame connected to the platform through the first rotation shaft; an external frame connected to the platform through the second rotation shaft; a ground plane formed on a surface opposite to a surface on which the antenna of the platform is formed; a first conductive line connected to the antenna; a second conductive line connected to the ground plane; and a driver for mechanically displacing the platform and the internal frame using electromagnetic force.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an antenna device comprises: attaching a silicon substrate to a glass substrate; processing the glass substrate to form a displacement space; forming a ground plane on the silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the ground plane; forming an antenna on the dielectric layer; patterning the dielectric layer to form a platform, an internal frame, an external frame and a hinge; and patterning the silicon substrate to separate it into a platform unit, an internal frame unit and an external frame unit.

Mechanical beam steering antenna and fabricating method thereof


A decorative piece of personal jewelry, such as, a locket worn around the neck of the user on a chain or a bracelet worn on the wrist of the user. A compartment within the piece of jewelry contains an attached identification and medical history of the wearer. The attached document is constructed of a water proof paper or the like and when the paper extends beyond the edge of the jewelry, the medical history and identification of the wearer is revealed. The document is fan folded within the compartment and concealed from an observer of the jewelry when the jewelry is worn. A symbol recognizable by medical trained personnel is positioned in a prominent location on the outer surface of the jewelry.

The invention is directed to fine jewelry and more particularly to identification jewelry which not only contains the identification of the wearer but also the wearer's complete medical history.
ID bracelets and so called "Dog Tags" worn for the purpose of wearer identification and may include a minimal medical history of the wearer are well known.
Modified versions of ID bracelets and Dog Tags can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,665. This patent teaches an information locket for use by man or animal which has a rotatable center section that when rotated outwardly from the outer walls includes a compartment containing a magnifying glass and an information card with wearer related personal and medical information. The information card with minute writing thereon can be removed and by use of the magnifying glass the writing on the information card can be read.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,792,542 and 3,810,566 teach ID cards carried by a person which includes personal and medical information on micro film contained on the device. The teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,566 also teaches that the micro filmed information can be carried in a ring, bracelet and locket.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,539 teaches an identification card and perforated sections for selective removal from the card. The card is filed out by the user and perforated sections not applicable to the user are discarded and the ID portion and applicable perforated sections are attached to the user's clothing or the like.
In these teachings, the fine jewelry appearance of various carriers of the information is non-existing while the carrying of pertinent information is paramount with no regard given to the viewer quality of the object containing the information. Also the use of small items carrying the necessary user information are small and it is hard to apply information thereto and hard for a person to retrieve the information in the time of an emergency. When micro film is used a tremendous quantity of personal information can be contained in a small area; however, recovery is impossible without a micro film reader or the like. At the scene of an emergency micro film readers are not generally available and consequently, the information contained therein cannot be utilized.
There has not been a piece of jewelry recognizable as containing complete vital medical information that is suitable for wearing as fine jewelry on the person, easy to recognize by medical trained personal containing vital information and is readily readable until the emergence of the present invention.

Fine jewelry enclosing wearer identification and medical information therein


The proximate data selecting unit (photographing time distance base proximate data selecting unit) selects, as a proximate photograph, a photograph having a photographing time satisfying constraint on a time distance from a determination time determined in each adjacent photographs block as a time block sandwiched by photographing times of two photographs adjacent to each other in a group of photographs aligned in the order of photographing based on time series photographing time information and outputs proximate data designation information for designating photographing time data of the proximate photograph. The group boundary determining unit detects a change of a photographing disposition in each adjacent photographs block by using photographing time data of a proximate photograph at a determination time in each adjacent photographs block which is designated by the proximate data designation information, thereby determining whether there exists a boundary of a group in each adjacent photographs block.

With a photograph grouping device of this kind, photographs are managed by grouping on a photographing time and date basis or when a time interval between successively taken photographs exceeds a fixed threshold value, by putting photographs into different groups (e.g. Patent Literature 1).
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a structure of a photograph grouping device which groups photographs by subjecting a time interval of photographing times to threshold processing as recited in Patent Literature 1. The photograph grouping device shown in FIG. 19 comprises an adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 and a time interval threshold processing unit 902. With time series photographing time information indicative of photographing time of each photograph taken in time series as an input, the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 transfers time series photographing time interval information indicative of a photographing time interval between respective photographs aligned in time series to the time interval threshold processing unit 902. With the time series photographing time interval information output from the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 as an input, the time interval threshold processing unit 902 outputs group boundary position information indicative of a position of a group boundary in a group of photographs to be grouped.
Next, operation of the photograph grouping device shown in FIG. 19 will be described. To the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901, time series photographing time information as photographing time data of photographs taken in time series which is extracted from photographs or related information attached thereto is input in the order of photographing time. Since it is a common practice that photographing time data is stored within a photograph in the Exif format, reading the information obtains time series photographing time information.
The adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 calculates a difference between photographing times of photographs adjacent to each other in time from the applied time series photographing time information. More specifically, with the total number of photographs input as N and photographing time of an i-th photograph as T(i), execute the following Expression (1) with respect to each i (i=1, . . . , N−1) to output an obtained time interval d(i) (i=1, . . . , N−1) as time series photographing time interval information to the time interval threshold processing unit 902.d(i)=T(i+1)−T(i)  Expression (1)
The time interval threshold processing unit 902 compares the applied time series photographing time interval information with a fixed threshold value and when the time interval exceeds the threshold value, identifies its position as a group boundary. More specifically, with the threshold value as TH, execute the following Expression (2) with respect to each time interval d(i) (i=1, . . . , N−1) to identify i satisfying the Expression (2) as a group boundary, that is, determine that a break-point of the group exists between the i-th photograph and the (i+1)th photograph. The time interval threshold processing unit 902 obtains all i satisfying the Expression (2) and outputs the same as group boundary information.d(i)>TH  Expression (2)
While in the above-described example, the threshold value TH for use in dividing an event is fixed, disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 1 is the method of dynamically changing a value of a threshold according to a fixed number of preceding and succeeding photographing time intervals to group photographs.
FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a structure of a photograph grouping device which groups photographs by dynamically changing a threshold value to subject a time interval of a photographing time to the threshold processing as recited in Non-Patent Literature 1. The photograph grouping device shown in FIG. 20 comprises the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901, the time interval threshold processing unit 902, a fixed number of photographing time interval data selecting unit 911 and a threshold value determining unit 912.
In the example shown in FIG. 20, with time series photographing time information as an input, the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 outputs time series photographing time interval information to the fixed number of photographing time interval data selecting unit 911 and the time interval threshold processing unit 902. With the time series photographing time interval information output from the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 as an input, the fixed number of photographing time interval data selecting unit 911 outputs a fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data to the threshold value determining unit 912. With the fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data output from the fixed number of photographing time interval data selecting unit 911 as an input, the threshold value determining unit 912 outputs a threshold value to the time interval threshold processing unit 902. With the time series photographing time interval information output from the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 and the threshold value output from the threshold value determining unit 912 as inputs, the time interval threshold processing unit 902 outputs group boundary position information.
Next, operation of the photograph grouping device shown in FIG. 20 will be described. When time series photographing time information is input, the adjacent photographs block photographing time interval calculating unit 901 calculates a difference between photographing times of photographs adjacent to each other in time to output time series photographing time interval information similarly to the example shown in FIG. 19.
The fixed number of photographing time interval data selecting unit 911 selects a fixed number of photographing time intervals preceding to and succeeding a time interval to be processed. More specifically, when a k-th time interval d(k) is to be processed, with a fixed number as w, select the number w of preceding and the number w of succeeding time intervals d(k−w), d(k−w+1), d(k), d(k+1), d(k+w). The selected time intervals are output as the fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data to the threshold value determining unit 912.
The threshold value determining unit 912 calculates a threshold value TH(k) for use in the threshold processing of d(k) to be processed from the fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data. More specifically, calculation will be made by using the following Expression (3). Here, K is a constant, and experimentally K is set to be log(17). The obtained threshold value TH(k) is output to the time interval threshold processing unit 902.
                    (                  FORMULA                                                              1                )                                                                      TH                                (            k            )                          =                  exp          (                      K            +                                          1                                                      2                                                                                w                                    +                  1                                                                                ∑                                      i                    =                                          -                      w                                                        w                                                                  log                                                        (                                          d                                                                    (                                                  k                          +                          i                                                )                                                              )                                                                                )                                    Expression                          (          3          )
Operation of the time interval threshold processing unit 902 is the same as that of the example shown in FIG. 19. Threshold value used is not fixed but changed according to each (i=1, . . . , N−1). In the threshold processing of d(k), for example, the threshold value TH(k) output from the threshold value determining unit 912 is used.    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-355493.    Non-Patent Literature 2: J. C. Platt, M. Czerwinski, B. A. Field, "Photo TOC: Automatic Clustering for Browsing Personal Photographs", Proceedings of the 2003 Joint Conference on International Conference on Information, Communication and Signal Processing and Pacific Rim Conference on Multimedia, 2003, Vol. 1, pp. 6-10.
Use of the photograph grouping devices shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 enables time series photographs to be grouped. There exists, however, a case where a precision in grouping (division precision) might be degraded. Among factors of degradation in division precision are as follows.
The first problem is that such division by a fixed threshold value as shown in FIG. 19 makes it extremely difficult to determine a threshold value which realizes highly precise grouping. The reason is that a fixed threshold value fails to sufficiently reflect a change of a character of an object or an event to be photographed and a user's photographing disposition. When a threshold value is determined based on an event in which photographs are sparsely taken, for example, there occurs a problem that finding a group boundary from a group of photographs of an event in which photographs are frequently taken will have a difficulty. Conversely, when a threshold value is determined based on an event in which photographs are frequently taken, for example, there occurs a problem that a group of photographs of an event in which photographs are sparsely taken will be excessively divided. In addition, since the frequency of photographing largely depends on a photographer's photographing disposition, it is highly possible that a threshold value determined reflecting a disposition of a specific person will not be appropriate for grouping photographs taken by others.
The second problem is that by such division by a threshold controlling method as shown in FIG. 20, when photographing times of photographs largely apart in time are included in a fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data for use in determining a threshold value, the threshold value cannot be determined satisfactorily. The reason is that in a case of a photograph taken sparsely in time, a photographing time interval from a photograph largely apart in time might be included in the fixed number of pieces of photographing time interval data, so that a threshold value will be increased due to the effect of the largely apart photographing time interval, thereby degrading a division precision. Although photographs largely apart in time are fundamentally not related with the contents of photographs to be grouped at present, when the photographs are within a range of a number (number of photographs) as a selection reference, it will nonetheless affect determination of a threshold value. If the number of photographs for use in determining a threshold value is reduced in order to avoid such a situation, because in the grouping of photographs of an event whose photographing frequency is high, only the proximate photographs will affect determination of a threshold value, a threshold value might be unstable.
Under these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a photograph grouping device, a photograph grouping method and a photograph grouping program which enable photographs to be grouped with high precision even when a character of an event to be photographed or a user's photographing disposition varies.

Photograph grouping device, photograph grouping method and photograph grouping program


A light meter for detecting two or more different wavelengths of light and methods for determining whether a light source configured to emit light at two or more dominant wavelengths is working properly. The inventive light meter includes a housing, two or more receiving means for receiving light energy emitted by an external light source wherein each receiving means is configured to receive light energy of a desired wavelength, detecting means for detecting and measuring light energy received by the receiving means, and display means for providing a visual indication of the existence and intensity of one or more wavelengths of light energy received by the receiving means.

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device and related method for detecting and measuring light output of an external light source (e.g., an LED dental curing light).
2. The Relevant Technology
In the field of dentistry, dental cavities are often filled and/or sealed with photosensitive compounds that are cured by exposure to radiant energy, such as visible light. These compounds, commonly referred to as light-curable compounds, are placed within dental cavity preparations or onto dental surfaces where they are subsequently irradiated by light. The radiated light causes photosensitive components within the compounds to polymerize, thereby hardening the light-curable compounds within the dental cavity preparation or another desired location.
Existing light-curing devices are typically configured with a light source, such as a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) lamp bulb or an LED light source. QTH bulbs are particularly useful because they are configured to generate a broad spectrum of light that can be used to cure a broad range of products. In particular, a QTH bulb is typically configured to emit a continuous spectrum of light in a preferred range of about 350 nm to about 500 nm. Some QTH bulbs may even emit a broader spectrum of light, although filters are typically used to limit the range of emitted light to the preferred range mentioned above.
A broad light spectrum (e.g., that emitted by a QTH bulb) can be beneficial in that it allows curing of multiple types of materials. For example, camphorquinone is a common photo-initiator that is most responsive to blue light having a wavelength of about 455 nm to about 470 nm. Other light-curable products, however, including many adhesives are cured when they are irradiated by light wavelengths in the 350 nm to 400 nm range. Accordingly, QTH bulbs can be used to cure both camphorquinone initiated products as well as other adhesives.
Another problem with existing light-generating devices is that they are not very efficient. In particular, large quantities of radiation energy is lost due to filtering, dissipation, and light that is not properly directed into the patient's mouth. This is a problem because it generally results in increased power requirements for generating a desired output of radiation.
In an attempt to overcome problems of low efficiency and excess heat generation of QTH and other bulb light sources, some light-generating devices have been manufactured using alternative light generating sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which are generally configured to only radiate light at specific wavelengths, thereby eliminating the need for special filters and generally reducing the amount of input power required to generate a desired output of radiation.
LEDs are particularly suitable light sources because they generate much less heat than QTH bulbs, thereby enabling the LEDs to be placed at the tip of the curing lights and to be inserted directly within the patient's mouth. This is particularly useful for reducing or eliminating the need for light guides such as optical fiber wands.
One limitation of LEDs, however, is that they are only configured to emit a narrow spectrum of light. For example, a 455 nm LED or LED array will generally only emit light having a spectrum of 455 nm±30 nm. Accordingly, a 455 nm LED light source will be well designed to cure camphorquinone initiated products, but will not be suitable for curing adhesives that are responsive to light in the 380 nm±30 nm range. Likewise, a 380 nm LED light source may be suitable to cure some adhesives, but will be unsuitable for curing camphorquinone initiated products. As a result, LED curing lights including a plurality of different LEDs have been developed to allow a single LED curing light to be used to cure both camphorquinone initiated products as well as other adhesives.
Because bulbs emit a wide spectrum, they are able to emit both visible and UV wavelengths simultaneously. This makes determining when a bulb has burned out simple, because it can be determined by a quick visual inspection. This is not the case with LED curing lights including a plurality of different LEDs (e.g., blue and UV). Because each LED emits a narrow spectrum of light, it takes two or more LEDs to emit both visible (e.g., blue) and UV wavelengths simultaneously. The condition of an LED emitting visible wavelengths of light (e.g., blue) is easily ascertained, but it can be very difficult to determine the condition of an LED that emits UV wavelengths of light. This makes it difficult to determine when a UV LED has burned out, as it cannot be determined by visual inspection.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a device and method for determining the existence and intensity of light output by an LED curing light, particularly one including UV LEDs.

Light meter for detecting and measuring intensity of two or more wavelengths of light


An air conducting device is used for removing heat from at least one component by directing airflow flowing along a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the at least one component. The air conducting device includes an airduct receiving the at least one component therein, and an air guiding member. The air guiding member is attached to an inner side of the airduct. The air guiding member includes a plurality of resilient legs. The legs extend diagonally relative to the first direction in a first state. The legs are able to accommodate the at least one component in a second state. Each leg in the first state is able to serve as a barrier to the airflow.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to air conducting devices, and particularly to an air conducting device in a computer.
2. Description of Related Art
Air conducting devices are often used in computers coupled with fans for dissipating heat from electronic components. A conventional computer includes a plurality of heat dissipating components, an "n"-shaped airduct covering the heat dissipating components, and a fan generating airflow for dissipating heat from the heat dissipating components. This airduct can direct the airflow to all the locations designed to receive components. However, in practice, not all component locations are used, and do not need the airflow. On this point, the efficiency of the heat dissipation becomes lower.


A therapeutic device for embracing each of the lower legs of a child having neurological, muscular and skeletal impairment generally caused by congential disorders such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida and the like. The structure of the device promotes proper symmetrical alignment of the child's pelvis and lower extremities to program the child into more normal positioning and movement patterns of both the lower and upper body extremities. A single pair of the devices is adapted for children of varying ages and physical sizes.

The present invention provides a therapeutic aid for children suffering from muscular-motor afflictions generally congenital in nature. Typical of such congenital disorders are cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and spina bifida which may affect one or both sides of the body in varying degrees. Children afflicted with such diseases generally have impaired neurological capabilities and responses, weak muscle tone impairing normal physical bodily movements, mental retardation in some instances, and poor weight bearing patterns resulting in lack of stability and lack of normal symmetrical posture necessary for normal patterns of movement. Many of such children need ankle-foot-orthoses (AFO's) to correct muscular skeletal misalignments of the lower extremities including the foot, ankle and lower leg. Each afflicted child has a constant battle with the force of gravity because his muscular, motor and skeletal capabilities are deficient in controlling the center of gravity of his body in a normal manner.
When playing on the floor, the most common position assumed by children with the above disabilities is W-sitting (illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 12). As the term suggests, the legs and lower extremities of the body assume a W configuration. The disabled child sits back between the knees with lower legs outstretched in an attempt to stabilize the pelvis and to impart balance to the trunk and upper torso; but such a position prevents normal and proper use of the upper extremities for the activities presented by a play program.
Additionally, this position tends to immobilize the child and prevents enjoyment of play activities; it frequently leads to further hip, knee, ankle and foot deformities; and it positions the child's back in a stooped, misaligned posture with the neck hyperextended and the shoulders rounded forwardly. Heretofore, there has not been any equipment, aid or device to assist the pediatric physical therapist in correcting and helping with this persistent problem so that the child can independently partake in the planned program of play without constant attention of a physical therapist or other attendant.

Therapeutic apparatus for physically impaired children


A system and method for implementing a fast payment is described. A request to execute a payout to a payee account is received, where the request includes information about the payout. At least one payment rail available for the requested payout is determined from a plurality of payment rails based on the included information. Rules associated with each of the at least one payment rail are identified. A fastest payment rail is determined from the at least one payment rail for executing the payout based on the identified rules and the information about the payout. The payout is then executed over the determined fastest payment rail.

As the pace at which ecommerce is conducted continues to quicken, the demand for quicker payment settlements has likewise grown. Companies such as Amazon continue to push the envelope of faster deliveries, to the point where shipments can be received before payments are even settled. Such latency in the payment process can pose problems for smaller merchants as they may not have the resources on reserve to purchase or produce more inventory until they've received their payout. In another example, drivers for ride service hailing companies such as Uber may not get paid for the ride services they provide until a later time because of the amount of time it takes to process payment made by the rider.
Dependency on fast payouts notwithstanding, consumers nowadays simply demand that they receive their payouts as immediately, i.e., as close in time to the consummation of a transaction, as possible. As such, there's a need for a platform that can reduce the latency of payouts to as near real-time as possible.

System and method for implementing fast payouts


A flexible die is provided which incorporates a base die and a superimposed interchangeable cutting or embossing die. The base die is generally planar and is adapted to securely receiving the superimposed interchangeable die thereon. Protruding upwardly from the outer face of the base die is a raised cutting portion, a raised embossing portion, or both, which raised portion is adapted to cut, form, or emboss the outer periphery of a blank or substrate. The superimposed interchangeable die is generally planar, and includes a raised cutting or embossing portion protruding upwardly from the outer face thereof, which raised portion is adapted to cut, form or emboss a portion of the blank or substrate. At least a portion of the superimposed interchangeable die is adapted to be received onto at least a portion of the base die.

Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to a flexible magnetic die for cutting patterns in a sheet or web and for embossing patterns on paper or nonwoven substrates. More particularly, this invention relates to a flexible die for cutting shapes such as blanks or other patterns and for creating embossed patterns, where in the die is capable of receiving a superimposed interchangeable portion thereon to alter the shape cut and/or allow the formation of an opening within the blank for an envelope, cardboard box, cut-out sheet, liner or the like, and/or for embossing patterns on a substrate.
It is well known in the art to cut an envelope or carton blank from a web of paper, and to also provide for a window or other opening in the face or back side of an envelope blank. The window or other opening portion allows for the viewing of an address or other information contained within the envelope or carton. In a typical web-fed envelope folding machine, there is a shape cutting section, which forms the sides of the envelope as the web is passing through the machine. There is then a separate window cutting section, which cuts out the window or other opening, and next the web passes through a separation section which cuts out the seal flap and bottom flap of the envelope. These cutting sections each typically employ cylindrical die holders having a die placed thereon in a desired position to make cuts in the envelope blank as the sheet or web is moved past the die during the envelope forming process. These dies can include a set of apertures, such as rectangular slots, which are adapted to position the die onto registration tabs found on the surface of the die holder. Typically, the die and die holder are formed of metal, and thus the die is magnetically secured to the magnetic die holder. The die further includes a cutting edge of any suitable shape, which can be formed by chemical etching or the like, which edge forms the envelope or carton blanks. In addition to these flexible dies, hard dies are also commonly used in the envelope and carton making processes. These dies can also take the form of corresponding male and female dies. In either of these types of dies, a rectangular shaped cutting edge is also commonly used to form the window or other opening portion of the envelopes. Each different desired size, shape or position of window opening requires a corresponding die which is designed to create a window opening with that specific size, shape or position. Similar dies and processes can be utilized when creating products having embossed portions thereof, such as stationery, napkins, advertisements or the like.
The aforementioned die configurations suffer from a number of drawbacks and deficiencies. First, on envelope folding machines, the cutting process outlined above utilizes three different cutting sections, namely, the side flap cutting section, the separation (seal flap and bottom flap cutting) section, and the window cutting section. Employing these multiple sections increases the costs associated with the machinery used in this process, as well as the manufacturing time and associated costs. In addition, when manufacturing differing sizes or styles of envelopes or cartons, a different die is generally needed for forming each such size or style in order to properly position the desired opening. Using a different die to form a window opening for each different style of envelope or carton, or for each different shape or position of openings, increases manufacturing costs by requiring full removal and replacement of dies during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the cost, time and effort required to purchase and maintain an inventory of dies for multiple envelope styles is increased.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a die which is easily and quickly interchangeable to reduce the cost of manufacturing envelopes, cartons, cut-out sheets or the like having window or other openings formed therein. In addition, there also remains a need to reduce the number of dies which need to be stored and maintained in inventory. Further, there is a need for a die which can reduce the number of cutting stations employed in the envelope, carton or related forming process. There is also a need for a die system which allows enhanced flexibility and decreased costs in embossing processes. The present invention fills these needs as well as various other needs.
In order to overcome the above-stated problems and limitations, there is provided a die which includes a base die and a superimposed interchangeable cutting or embossing die to allow simultaneous formation of the blank shape cutting and the window cutting or embossing processes. This die system further allows for a variety of window or other openings to be formed in different styles of envelopes or cardboard boxes manufactured from sheets or webs, as well as for a variety of embossed patterns in embossed products, the variations being both with respect to the positioning of the openings or patterns, as well as the shapes and varieties of patterns being formed. In addition, utilizing the superimposed interchangeable dies allows a single die to work with different die holder running cycles.
In general, a shaped blank having a window, cut-out or other opening, or an embossed pattern therein is formed by using a flexible base die which is adapted to receive a superimposed interchangeable die thereon. The base die comprises an essentially planar sheet of material presenting an outer face, an inner face and an outer periphery. A raised portion protrudes essentially upwardly from the outer face and includes a cutting edge which is adapted to cut or form the outer periphery of the blank. This can also or alternatively function as an embossing edge. The inner face of the base die is adapted to be received on the outer surface of the die holder. The base die can be coupled with the die holder by any suitable means, which can include magnetic forces, pins, clamp bars, or the like. A set of apertures comprising at least one aperture is formed in the base die for coupling with corresponding registration tabs on the die holder to thereby position it with respect to the die holder. Typically, the apertures are positioned along one edge of the periphery of the base die. In addition, the base die includes a set of at least one registration tab extending upwardly from the outer face thereof. The superimposed interchangeable die is an essentially planar sheet of material, also presenting an outer face, an inner face and an outer periphery. The interchangeable die has a raised portion which protrudes essentially upwardly from the outer face and includes a cutting edge which is adapted to cut or form a window or other opening portion of the blank, or an embossing edge to create an embossed pattern on the blank. At least a portion of the inner face of the interchangeable die is adapted to be received on the outer face of the base die. A set of at least one aperture is formed in the cutting die, typically along one edge thereof, and is positioned to correspond with and receive the registration tabs of the base die. The apertures in the interchangeable cutting or embossing die and the corresponding registration tabs on the base die are adapted to allow the interchangeable die to be positioned in a number of different locations relative to the base die and to the die holder, thereby allowing selective alteration of the location in which the cutting or embossing edge forms the opening or embossed pattern in the blank. Further, any number of suitable cutting or embossing dies can be coupled with the base die, thereby allowing for the formation of any desired position, shape and/or style of the opening or other cut-out, or of the embossed pattern in the blank. Using this device allows the shape cutting process, and the opening or cut-out forming and/or embossing process to be performed in a single step.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides an essentially u-shaped base die which is adapted to receive a partially superimposed interchangeable die thereon. The u-shaped base die comprises an essentially planar sheet of material presenting an outer face, an inner face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of legs extending from the bottom edge at opposed sides thereof, forming an essentially u-shaped sheet. A raised portion protrudes essentially upwardly from the outer face and includes a cutting edge which is adapted to cut or form the outer periphery of the blank. This can also or alternatively function as an embossing edge. The inner face of the base die is adapted to be received on the outer surface of the die holder and is coupled therewith by any suitable means, including magnetic fasteners, pins, clamp bars or the like. A set of a least one aperture is formed in the base die for coupling with corresponding registration tabs on the die holder to thereby secure and position it with respect to the die holder. Typically, the apertures are formed along one edge of the base die. In addition, the base die includes a set of at least one registration tab extending from the outer face thereof, and preferably positioned adjacent the bottom edge of the base die, extending between the legs. The partially superimposed interchangeable die is an essentially planar sheet of material, also presenting an outer face, an inner face and an outer periphery. The interchangeable die has a raised portion which protrudes essentially upwardly from the outer face and includes a cutting or embossing edge which is adapted to cut or form the window or other opening portion of the blank, or to form an embossed pattern on the blank. The inner face of the interchangeable die is adapted to be received partially on the outer face of the base die adjacent the registration tabs and between the opposed legs, and partially directly on the outer surface of the die holder. To secure the interchangeable die onto the base die, a set of at least one aperture is formed in the interchangeable die, typically along one edge thereof, and is positioned to correspond with and receive the registration tabs of the base die. The apertures in the interchangeable die and the corresponding registration tabs on the base die are adapted to position the interchangeable die in such a manner that when the interchangeable die is mounted onto the base die, the largest portion of the interchangeable die is mounted directly onto the die holder below the bottom edge and between the legs of the base die. The registration tabs and corresponding apertures further allow the interchangeable die to be positioned in a number of different locations relative to the base die and to the die holder, thereby allowing the location of the opening or embossed pattern in the blank to be selectively altered. Further, any number of suitable cutting or embossing dies can be coupled with the base die, thereby allowing for the formation of any desired position, shape and/or style of the opening or other cut-out, or of the embossed pattern in the blank to be selected.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.


In one embodiment, the optical transport system has an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and one or more phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) disposed within an optical link that connects the optical transmitter and receiver. The optical transmitter employs a first nonlinear optical process to generate a two-carrier signal in a manner that makes this signal suitable for phase-sensitive amplification. The PSAs employ a second nonlinear optical process to optically amplify the two-carrier signal in a phase-sensitive manner to counteract the attenuation imposed onto the two-carrier signal by lossy components of the optical link. The optical receiver employs a third nonlinear optical process in a manner that enables the receiver to beneficially use redundancies in the two-carrier signal, e.g., for an SNR gain. The optical transport system can advantageously be implemented to have better noise properties than a comparable conventional system, which enables a commensurate increase in the data-transport capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to optical communication equipment and, more specifically but not exclusively, to the generation, transmission, and detection of an optical communication signal having two carrier frequencies, such as that suitable for optical phase-sensitive amplification.
2. Description of the Related Art
This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the invention(s). Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
A phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) provides optical-signal amplification while adding very little noise to the signal, with a noise figure of 0 dB (decibels) theoretically shown to be possible. A PSA is also a useful tool for regenerating optical signals and cleaning up signal distortions accumulated in the optical link. A PSA is compatible with various modulation formats and can produce optical gain over a relatively wide spectral range sufficient for WDM (wavelength-division multiplexing) applications. Optical transport systems that can realize in practice these and other benefits of phase-sensitive amplification are being currently developed.

Optical transport system for two-carrier signals


A controller (70) controls the boost pressure of an internal combustion engine (60) comprising two intake/exhaust units, each intake/exhaust unit comprising a turbocharger (10) which supercharges intake air in an intake passage (20) using exhaust energy in an exhaust passage (30), and an exhaust gas recirculating device (40, 41) which recirculates a part of the exhaust gas in the exhaust passage to the intake passage. The controller (70) calculates an opening difference between valves in the two units (S121), and controls a regulating device (13) in each of the two units on the basis of this opening difference (S123-S125). As a result, the boost pressures of the turbochargers (10) match, and hence an equal amount of NOx can be discharged from each exhaust passage (30), and the NOx can be purified favorably by a catalyst.

JPH11-132049A, published by the Japan Patent Office in 1999, discloses a control device for a vehicle engine comprising an exhaust gas recirculation (abbreviated to EGR hereafter) device and a turbocharger capable of modifying boost pressure. This control device feedback-controls an EGR amount on the basis of an intake air amount, and corrects a basic boost pressure of the turbocharger, set on the basis of the engine rotation speed and engine load, in accordance with the atmospheric pressure and the rate of change in the engine load to achieve stable EGR control and stable boost pressure control even during transitional operating periods.


Methods and systems are disclosed for tracking quality measures in abstracted documents. Embodiments include, determining, based on the abstracted content, a quality measure category, obtaining a quality measure definition corresponding to a quality measure included in the determined quality measure category, determining, based on keywords corresponding to the criterion, whether a portion of the abstracted content satisfies a criterion, recording, in association with the criterion, a reference to the portion of the abstracted content that satisfies the criterion; and selectively generating, a report including the query corresponding to the criterion, a query response, and the portion of the abstracted content satisfying the criterion.

Medical insurers tie reimbursements of healthcare providers to their reporting of quality measures. Quality measures are metrics that represent the healthcare providers' adherence to clinical guidelines and indicate whether appropriate care has been given to patients. For example, a hospital treating a patient for an acute myocardial infarction (i.e., heart attack) may follow a guideline requiring the patient be given an aspirin at the time the patient is discharged. If the hospital cannot provide evidence to the patient's insurer that this quality measure was satisfied, the insurer can penalize the hospital.
Identifying and reporting quality measures is a time-consuming and expensive requirement that falls outside the primary role of healthcare providers. As a consequence, providers can be inconsistent and inaccurate in reporting quality measures. However, by effectively tracking and reporting quality measures, the healthcare providers may improve their quality of care and increase fees covered by insurers.
Transcription services support healthcare providers by transcribing information and linking predefined medical terms to the transcribed content. For example, a transcription service may encode documents with identifiers of treatments, medications and procedures described in a patient's medical reports. Thus, transcription services are in a position to support the healthcare providers' tracking and reporting of quality measures. However, transcription services often do not have access to all the information required to fully satisfy reporting requirements. For instance, the service provider may lack access to lab reports generated by third-party providers of lab analyses.

Computer-assisted abstraction for reporting of quality measures


A class of wheat SEBII genes, called SBEII-1, can be used to influence properties of starch produced by a plant, including the gelatinisation and/or pasting temperature of the starch. Such a produced starch is useful, for example, in certain industrial applications and the preparation and/or processing of foodstuffs such as bakery products. One aspect of the present invention provides a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 10 (SEQ ID No: 2).

This invention relates generally to plant starch compositions, and concerns novel nucleotide sequences; polypeptides encoded thereby; vectors and host cells and host organisms comprising one or more of the novel sequences; a method of altering one or more characteristics of a plant; a plant having altered characteristics; starch obtained from such plants; and uses of the starch.
The majority of developments in cereal science in the recent past have concentrated primarily on the functionality of the gluten protein sub-units and their role in bakery systems. This has been greatly facilitated by the abundance of natural variation between cultivators for the gluten protein sub-unit components.
In contrast, although flour from commercially grown wheat varieties contains approximately 75-85% starch, the role of starch from a breeding perspective has been overlooked; this is largely due to the difficulty of measuring differences in starch structure. Of the limited amount of work that has been carried out however, there appears to be a lack of natural variation between different wheat cultivars. With the advent of recombinant DNA and gene transfer technologies it is now possible to create new variation in planta, therefore directly modifying starch composition in wheat becomes a realistic target.
Starch is the major form of carbon reserve in plants, constituting 50% or more of the dry weight of many storage organs, e.g. tubers, seeds of cereals. Starch is used in numerous food and industrial applications. In many cases, however, it is necessary to modify the native starches, via chemical or physical means, in order to produce distinct properties to suit particular applications. It would be highly desirable to be able to produce starches with the required properties directly in the plant, thereby removing the need for additional modification. To achieve this via genetic engineering requires knowledge of the metabolic pathway of starch biosynthesis. This includes characterisation of genes and encoded gene products which catalyse the synthesis of starch. Knowledge about the regulation of starch biosynthesis raises the possibility of xe2x80x9cre-programmingxe2x80x9d biosynthetic pathways to create starches with novel properties that could have new commercial applications.
The most significant property of starch derives from the ability of the native granular form to lose its order and to swell and absorb water upon suitable treatment, thereby conferring viscosity and texture, in a process known as gelatinisation. Gelatinisation has been defined (W A Atwell et al, 1988) as xe2x80x9c. . . the collapse (disruption) of molecular orders within the starch granule manifested in irreversible changes in properties such as granular swelling, native crystallite melting, loss of birefringence, and starch solubilisation. The point of initial gelatinisation and the range over which it occurs is governed by starch concentration, method of observation, granule type, and heterogeneities within the granule population under observationxe2x80x9d.
14 molecules of water per molecule of anhydrous glucose, i.e. a minimum of 75 % water, are necessary for full starch gelatinisation (Donovan, 1979). Starch gelatinisation is usually caused by heat, but can be caused by physical damage and some chaotropic agents, mainly dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), urea, calcium chloride, strong base and acid.
The various events taking place during gelatinisation can be followed by various methods, including birefringence, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 13C NMR. Swelling can be monitored by various methods, particularly rheology.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a destructive method which records an endothermic event on heating of granules, generally thought to measure the temperature and the endothermic energy (delta H) required for the melting of the native crystallites. Starch gelatinisation temperature is independent of water content above 75% water (described as excess water), but increases when water is limited (Donovan, 1979).
The rate and extent of starch granule swelling upon heating dictate the type of viscosity development of aqueous starch suspensions on heating. Swelling behaviour is therefore of utmost technological importance. Viscosity increase on heating can be conveniently measured by a Brabender amylograph (Brabender is a Trade Mark) (Kennedy and Cabalda, 1991) or using a Rapid Visco analyser (Rapid Visco is a Trade Mark from Newport Scientific, Australia). FIG. 1 is a typical viscoamylgraph profile for wheat starch, produced in this way, showing changes in starch during and after cooking. As starch granules swell on uptake of water, in a process known as pasting, their phase volume increases, causing an increase in viscosity. The onset of pasting is indicated at A in FIG. 1. Peak viscosity, indicated at B in FIG. 1, is achieved when maximum phase volume is reached. Shear will then disrupt/cause fragmentation of the swollen granules, causing the viscosity to decrease. Complete dispersion is indicated at C in FIG. 1. This has been confirmed by an oscillatory rheology study of starch pastes at various stages of the viscosity profile (Svegmark and Hermansson, 1990). The viscosity onset temperature and peak viscosity are indicative of the initiation and extent of swelling, respectively. On cooling, leached amylose forms a network in a process involving reassociation of molecules, or retrogradation, causing an increase in viscosity as indicated at D in FIG. 1. Retrogradation (or set-back) viscosity is therefore indicative of the amount of amylose leached out of the granules.
The properties of wheat starch are useful in a large number of applications and also non-food (paper, textiles, adhesives etc.) applications. However, for many applications, properties are not optimum and various chemical and physical modifications well known in the art are undertaken in order to improve useful properties. Two types of property manipulation which would be of use are: the controlled alteration of gelatinisation and pasting temperatures; and starches which suffer less granular fragmentation during pasting than conventional starches.
Currently the only ways of manipulating the gelatinisation and pasting temperatures of starch are by the inclusion of additives such as sugars, polyhydroxy compounds of salts or by extensive physical or chemical pre-treatments. The reduction of granule fragmentation during pasting can be achieved either by extensive physical pre-treatments or by chemical cross-linking. Such processes are inconvenient and inefficient. It is therefore desirable to obtain plants which produce starch which intrinsically possesses such advantageous properties.
Starch consists of two main glucose polysaccharides: amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a generally linear polymer comprising xcex1-1,4 linked glucose units, while amylopectin is a highly branched polymer consisting of an xcex1-1,4 linked glucan backbone with xcex1-1,6 linked glucan branches. In wheat endosperm amylopectin constitutes approximately 70% of the total starch content, with the balance being amylose. Amylopectin is synthesised through the concerted action of several enzymes, including soluble starch synthase(s) (SSS), starch branching enzyme(s) (SBE), starch de-branching enzyme(s) (DBE). The physical properties of starch are strongly affected by the relative abundance of amylose and amylopectin, therefore SSSs, SBEs and DBEs play a key role in determining both starch quantity and quality. As such, one approach to manipulating starch structure would be to modify the expression of the enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis in the endosperm using a transgenic approach.
SBE catalyses the formation of the xcex1-1,6 linkages, creating branch points in the growing starch molecule, via hydrolysis of an xcex1-1,4 linkage followed by reattachment of the released xcex1-1,4-glucan chain to the same or another glucosyl chain. This reaction also provides a new non-reducing end for further elongation of the original xcex1-1,4-glucan chain.
Multiple isoforms of starch branching enzyme have been described, biochemically, from a number of species including maize (Boyer and Preiss, 1978), rice (Nakamura et al., 1992), pea (Smith, 1988), potato (Khoshnoodi et al., 1993) and wheat (Morell et al., 1997). More recently, genomic and cDNA sequences for SBE have been characterised from several species including maize (Baba et al., 1991; Fisher et al., 1993; Gao et al. 1997) pea (Burton et al., 1995), potato (Kossmann et al., 1991), rice (Nakamura and Yamanouchi, 1992; Mizuno et al., 1993), Arabidopsis (Fisher et al., 1996), cassava (Salehuzzaman et al., 1992), and wheat (Rapellin et al., 1997, Nair et al., 1997, Rahman et al., 1997). Sequence alignment of these SBEs revealed a high degree of sequence conservation at the amino acid level and that the SBEs may be grouped into two distinct families, generally known as SBEI and SBEII. Further, analysis indicates that within a species there is generally of the order of 50% homology between the two families, SBEI and SBEII, while there is often greater homology within the two families between species.
Maize is unusual in that the maize SBEII family is thought to comprise two different members, known as SBEIIa and SBEIIb. There has been controversy over whether the SBEIIa and IIb enzymes are in fact a) encoded by genes at two different loci, and b) whether the genes represent different alleles at a single locus. Fisher et al (1996) and Gao et al (1997) have provided evidence that SBEIIa and SBEIIb are encoded by independent genes. However, there is no conclusive evidence that both isoforms exist together in any one maize genotype. The DNA clones for the two published gene sequences were purified from different genotypes of maize and it is thus possible that they represent different alleles of a single locus. In summary, in maize, three distinct SBE genes have been characterised to date (Baba et al., 1991; Fisher et al., 1993; Gao et al., 1997). SBEI is distinct from SBEIIa and SBEIIb in amino acid composition, substrate specificity, kinetic properties, and immunological reactivities, whereas SBEIIa and SBEIIb are similar in these respects (Guan and Preiss, 1993; Preiss 1991; Takeda et al., 1993). At the amino acid level the sequence exhibits approximately 50% homology with the SBEIIa and SBEIIb sequences, whereas SBEIIa and SBEIIb exhibit approximately 80% homology to each other.
Prior to the present invention, maize was unique in having SBEIIa- and SBEIIb-type enzymes. Although Arabidopsis has two SBEII family members, the sub-division in Arabidopsis does not appear to conform to that seen in maize: the Arabidopsis sub-family members do not obviously fall into the IIa and IIb categories as do the maize sequences. Both of the Arabidopsis SBEII genes have similar levels of homology to both the maize SBEII genes, SBEIIa and SBEIIb, but the similarities are not sufficient to be able to place the Arabidopsis genes into the same SBEIIa and SBEIIb categories as for maize. Indeed, the data, if anything, suggests that the Arabidopsis SBEII genes do not fall into the maize IIa and IIb categories. For barley, two forms of SBEII had been partly characterised. Although these have been called SBEIIa and SBEIIb, only a very limited amount of sequence information had been published (Sun et al, 1995) and it was not possible to infer or conclude that these forms correspond to the IIa and IIb categories of maize. In fact, based on the available barley sequence information both of the barley SBEII sequences (SBEIIa and SBEIIb) would appear to show greater homology to maize SBEIIa than to maize SBEIIb.
For all other plant species for which SBEII sequences have been identified and published, including potato, pea, rice, cassava, wheat and barley, no subdivision of the SBEII family comparable to the SBEIIa and SBEIIb division of maize has been made.
Studies of purified SBEI and SBEII demonstrate that these isoforms differ in their specificity for a substrate with respect to both chain length and degree of branching. In maize, SBEI and SBEII show distinct branching activities in vitro, with SBEI showing a higher rate of branching of an amylose substrate when compared to SBEII whereas both SBEIIa and IIb show higher rates of branching than SBEI when acting upon an amylopectin substrate (Guan and Preiss, 1993). Furthermore, maize SBEI preferentially transfers longer glucan chains (average chain length=24) than SBEII (average chain length=21(IIa) and 22(IIb)) (Takeda et al., 1993). A similar observation has been reported for SBEI and SBEII isoforms from wheat and pea (Morell et al., 1997; Smith, 1988). Mutational studies in maize, rice and pea demonstrate that high amylose mutants in each case are deficient in the branching enzyme activity analogous to maize SBEII (Martin and Smith, 1995; Morell et al., 1995). However, the linkage between the biochemical observations and the genetic evidence suggesting the differences in the roles remains unclear.
The present invention is based on the unexpected discovery of a novel class of SBEII genes in wheat, referred to herein as SBEII-1. The novel SBEII-1 gene sequence has strong homology with the maize SBEIIb gene. The wheat SBEII-1 genes are thought to be functionally equivalent to the maize SBEIIb gene, and on this basis it is believed that manipulation of the wheat SBEII-1 gene is likely to influence starch properties including starch gelatinisation temperature, in a manner analogous to manipulation of the maize SBEIIb gene as described in WO 97/22703.
In summary, although two different SBEII gene sequences are known from maize, Arabidopsis and barley, as discussed above, prior to the present invention there was no reason to expect that wheat would show a similar sub-division of SBEII genes as is seen for maize. The two Arabidopsis SBEII genes show a different sub-division, and prior to the present invention there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the two barley SBEII sequences belonged to the maize-type sub-division. That is, prior to the present invention there was no reason to expect that wheat would have two similar SBEII members comparable to those of maize. Subsequent to the present invention Sun et al (1998) have presented data which indicates that the barley sequences do indeed sub-divide in a similar manner to the maize SBEIIa and IIb sequences and the wheat SBEII-2 and SBEII-1 sequences discussed in this document.
The present inventors have used the high degree of sequence conservation between several SBE gene sequences to design oligonucleotide primers to motifs which are specific to either SBEI or SBEII families and have used these primers to amplify cDNA sequences from developing endosperm of wheat.
When this work was started, a single partial length wheat SBE cDNA clone had been reported (Mousley, 1994). Multiple sequence alignment of this wheat SBE sequence with other published SBE sequences from a number of plant species revealed a number of motifs which were highly conserved. Oligonucleotide primers designed to be complementary to these motifs were used to clone 3xe2x80x2 partial length cDNA clones of wheat SBEII. Alignment of the cDNA clone sequences indicated that the clones could be divided into two classes, which the inventors have designated SBEII-1 and SBEII-2, which showed greater than 90% similarity to members within a class but only 60% similarity between classes. Significantly, comparison between representative sequences from each class with previously identified wheat SBEII clones, pWBE6 (Mousley, 1994) and SBEII (Nair et al., 1997), showed that each appear to be homologues of the SBEII-2 class. The cloning of a wheat SBEII-1 cDNA is novel.
In one aspect the invention provides a nucleotide sequence encoding substantially the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 10 (SEQ ID No: 2) or a functional equivalent of said nucleotide sequence.
The term functional equivalent is used in this context to encompass those sequences which differ in their nucleotide composition to that shown in FIG. 10 (SEQ ID No: 1) but which, by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode polypeptides having identical or substantially identical amino acid sequences. It is intended that the term should generally apply to sequences which are sufficiently homologous to the sequence of the invention that they can hybridise to the complement thereof under stringent hybridisation conditions (eg as described by Sambrook et al 1989, ie washing with 0.1xc3x97SSC, 0.5% SDS at 68xc2x0 C.); such equivalents will preferably possess at least 86%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%, sequence homology (ie sequence similarity) with the sequence of the invention. Sequence homology is suitably determined using the xe2x80x98MEGALIGNxe2x80x99 program of the software package DNAStar (MEGALIGN and DNAStar are Trade Marks). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the nucleotide sequence of the invention may also find useful application when present as an xe2x80x9cantisensexe2x80x9d sequence. Accordingly, functionally equivalent sequences will also include those sequences which can hybridise, under stringent hybridisation conditions, to the sequence of the invention (rather than the complement thereof). Such xe2x80x9cantisensexe2x80x9d equivalents will preferably possess at least 86%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably 95% sequence homology with the complement of the sequence of the invention.
In another aspect, the invention provides a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the sequence of B2 shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID No: 3), or a functional equivalent thereof.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the sequence of B4 shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID No: 4), or a functional equivalent thereof.
Another aspect of the invention provides a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the sequence of B10 shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID No: 5), or a functional equivalent thereof.
Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the sequence of B1 shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID No: 6), or a functional equivalent thereof.
In another aspect the invention provides a nucleotide sequence encoding substantially the amino acid sequence of B6 shown in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID No: 7), or a functional equivalent thereof.
The term functional equivalent in this context has the same general meaning as discussed above, although equivalents for B2, B4, B10 and B6 will preferably possess at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, sequence homology with the relevant sequence of the invention, while equivalents for B1 will preferably possess at least 97% sequence homology with the sequence of the invention.
The sequences of the invention are part of novel wheat SBEII genes, with B1 being a novel subclass of the known class of SBEII genes, referred to herein as SBEII-2, with the novel subclass being called SBEII-2B. The remaining sequences are all of a completely new class of wheat SBEII genes, referred to herein as SBEII-1. The sequences have been found to fall into 3 sub-classes, to be discussed below.
The novel wheat SBEII-1 genes that are the subject of this invention have strong sequence homology with the maize SBEIIb gene. The wheat SBEII-1 genes are thought to have similar functional properties to the maize SBEIIb gene. On this basis it is expected that by genetic manipulation of the wheat SBEII-1 gene it will be possible to influence properties of starch produced by a plant, including the gelatinisation temperature and rheological properties of starch, in a manner analogous to manipulation of the maize SBEIIb gene described in WO 97/22703. The content of WO 97/22703 is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention also includes within its scope a portion of any of the above sequences, comprising at least 500 base pairs and having at least 90% sequence homology to the corresponding portion of the sequence from which it is derived.
Although the coding sequences of the novel wheat SBEII-1 genes have strong sequence homology with the maize SBEIIb gene, there is much greater divergence in the 3xe2x80x2 untranslated parts of the sequences, with a maximum of 31.8% homology between the 3xe2x80x2 untranslated sequences of wheat SBEII-1 and maize SBEIIb as is apparent from FIG. 8.
In another aspect the invention thus provides a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the sequence shown in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID No: 8), FIG. 6 (SEQ ID No: 9) or FIG. 7 (SEQ ID No: 10), or a functional equivalent thereof.
The term functional equivalent in this context has the same general meaning as discussed above, but with equivalents preferably at least 32%, more preferably at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% sequence homology with the sequence of the relevant Figure.
It is thought such 3xe2x80x2 untranslated sequences may be useful, both in sense and antisense function, in manipulation of starch properties by affecting SBE expression in plants, as will be discussed below.
The sequence may include further nucleotides at the 5xe2x80x2 or 3xe2x80x2 end. For example, for ease of expression, the sequence desirably also comprises an in-frarne ATG start code, and may also encode a leader sequence.
The invention also covers a nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleotide sequence or portion thereof in accordance with the invention conveniently operably linked, in sense or antisense orientation, to a promoter sequence.
Also included within the scope of the invention is amino acid sequence encoded by any of the nucleotide sequences of the invention.
The invention also provides vectors, particularly expression vectors, comprising the nucleotide sequence of the invention. The vector will typically comprise a promoter and one or more regulatory signals of the type well known to those skilled in the art. The invention also includes provision of cells transformed (which term encompasses transduction and transfection) with a vector comprising the nucleotide sequence of the invention.
Nucleotide sequences in accordance with the invention may be introduced into plants, particularly but not exclusively wheat plants, and it is expected that this can be used to affect expression of SBE in the plant and hence affect the properties of starch produced by the plant. In particular, use of sequences in antisense orientation is expected to reduce or suppress enzyme expression. Additionally, it has recently been demonstrated in other experimental systems that xe2x80x9csense suppressionxe2x80x9d can also occur (i.e. expression of an introduced sequence operably linked in the sense orientation can interfere, by some unknown mechanism, with the expression of the native gene), as described by Matzke and Matzke 1995. Any one of the methods mentioned by Matzke and Matzke could, in theory, be used to affect the expression in a host of a homologous SBE gene.
It is believed that antisense methods are mainly operable by the production of antisense mRNA which hybridises to the sense mRNA, preventing its translation into functional polypeptide, possibly by causing the hybrid RNA to be degraded (e.g. Sheehy et al., 1988; Van der Krol et al.,). Sense suppression also requires homology between the introduced sequence and the target gene, but the exact mechanism is unclear. It is apparent however that, in relation to both antisense and sense suppression, neither a full length nucleotide sequence, nor a xe2x80x9cnativexe2x80x9d sequence is essential. Preferably the xe2x80x9ceffective portionxe2x80x9d used in the method will comprise at least one third of the full length sequence, but by simply trial and error other fragments (smaller or larger) may be found which are functional in altering the characteristics of the plant.
Thus, in a further aspect the invention provides a method of altering the characteristics of a plant, comprising introducing into the plant an effective portion of the sequence of the invention operably linked to a suitable promoter active in the plant so as to affect expression of a gene present in the plant. Conveniently the sequence will be linked in the antisense orientation to the promoter. Preferably the plant is a wheat plant. Conveniently, the characteristic altered relates to the starch content and/or starch composition of the plant (i.e. amount and/or type of starch present in the plant). Preferably the method of altering the characteristics of the plant will also comprise the introduction of one or more further sequences, in addition to an effective portion of the sequence of the invention. The introduced sequence of the invention and the one or more further sequences (which may be sense or antisense sequences) may be operably linked to a single promoter (which would ensure both sequences were transcribed at essentially the same time), or may be operably linked to separate promoters (which may be necessary for optimal expression). Where separate promoters are employed they may be identical to each other or different. Suitable promoters are well known to those skilled in the an and include both constitutive and inducible types. Examples include the CaMV 35S promoter (e.g. single or tandem repeat) and the ubiquitin promoter. Advantageously the promoter will be tissue-specific. Desirably the promoter will cause expression of the operably linked sequence at substantial levels only in the tissue of the plant where starch synthesis and/or starch storage mainly occurs.
The sequence of the invention, and the one or more further sequences if desired, can be introduced into the plant by any one of a number of well-known techniques (e.g. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, or by xe2x80x9cbiolisticxe2x80x9d methods). The sequences are likely to be most effective in affecting SBE activity in wheat plants, but theoretically could be introduced into any plant. Desirable examples include pea, tomato, maize, rice, barley, sweet potato and cassava plants. Preferably the plant will comprise a natural gene encoding an SBE molecule which exhibits reasonable homology with the introduced nucleic acid sequence of the invention.
In another aspect, the invention provides a plant cell, or a plant or the progeny thereof, which has been altered by the method defined above. The progeny of the altered plant may be obtained, for example, by vegetative propagation, or by crossing the altered plant and reserving the seed so obtained. The invention also covers parts of the altered plant, such as storage organs. Conveniently, for example, the invention covers grain comprising altered starch, said grain being obtained from an altered plant or the progeny thereof. Grain obtained from altered plants (or the progeny thereof) will be particularly useful materials in certain industrial applications and for the preparation and/or processing of foodstuffs and may be used, for example, in bakery products.
In particular relation to wheat plants, the invention provides a wheat plant or part thereof which, in its wild type possesses an effective SBEII-1 gene, but which plant has been altered such that there is either reduced, increased or no effective expression of an SBEII-1 polypeptide within the cells of at least part of the plant. The plant may have been altered by the method defined above, or may have been selected by conventional breeding to be deleted for the SBEII-1 gene, the presence or absence of which can be readily determined by screening samples of the plants with a nucleic acid probe or antibody specific for the wheat gene or gene product respectively.
The invention also provides starch extracted from a plant altered by the method defined above, or from the progeny of such a plant, the starch having altered properties compared to starch extracted from equivalent, but unaltered, plants. The invention further provides a method of making altered starch, comprising altering a plant by the method defined above and extracting therefrom starch having altered properties compared to starch extracted from equivalent, but unaltered, plants. It is believed that use of nucleotide sequences in accordance with the invention will enable the production of starches, particularly wheat starches, having a wide variety of novel properties. For example, it may be anticipated that plants altered to give a reduction in SBEII activity will give rise to a starch with a relatively higher proportion of amylose and a lower proportion of amylopectin compared with that from unaltered plants.
In particular the invention provides the following: a plant (especially a wheat plant) altered by the method defined above, containing starch which, when extracted from the plant, has an elevated gelatinisation onset and/or peak temperature as measured by DSC, compared to starch extracted from a similar, but unaltered, plant; a plant (especially a wheat plant) altered by the method defined above, containing starch which, when extracted from the plant, has a elevated gelatinisation onset temperature (conveniently elevated by at least 3xc2x0 C., possibly by at least 7xc2x0 C., by at least 12xc2x0 C. or possibly even by 15 to 25xc2x0 C.) as measured by DSC compared to starch extracted from a similar, but unaltered plant; a plant (especially a wheat plant) altered by the method defined above, particularly to reduce expression of SBEII-1 polypeptide, containing starch which, when extracted from a plant, has a higher amylose:amylopectin ratio compared to starch extracted from a similar, but unaltered plant.
The present invention particularly covers starch extracted from a plant altered by the method of the invention, particularly starch having an increased gelatinisation temperature. Such starch is useful, eg in bakery products, having particular benefits in certain situations, and the invention also covers products, particularly bakery products, made from such starch. The invention also covers starch extracted from a plant altered by the method of the invention and having an increased amylose:amylopectin ratio.
The invention will be further described, by way of illustration, in the following Examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Isoforms of starch branching enzyme II (SBE-IIa and SBE-IIb) from wheat


An exhaust gas sampling system for use in connection with the sampling of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas streams has a plurality of diluters arranged in a serial array along an axial extent. A source of engine exhaust gas is fluidically connected to the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply an engine exhaust gas stream into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters in a serial manner. A source of dilution air fluidically is connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply dilution air into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters. The dilution air is supplied into the engine exhaust gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to progressively dilute the engine exhaust gas stream as the engine exhaust gas stream flows through the plurality of serially arranged diluters and thereby replicate engine exhaust gas stream pollutant atmospheric conditions, and sampling apparatus fluidically connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters for obtaining and analyzing a sample of diluted engine exhaust gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to measurement systems for accurately measuring the amount of particulate pollutants within the exhaust gas stream of an engine, and more particularly to a measurement system which not only accurately measures the amount of particulate pollutants within the exhaust gas stream of an engine but which can also replicate engine exhaust stream characteristics under highway or roadway atmospheric conditions so as to additionally determine the size of the particulates which are prevalent within real atmospheric conditions.
2. Background Art
Exhaust emissions from motorized highway vehicles are currently regulated by the Federal Government and therefore must not exceed predetermined contaminant levels as set forth, for example, within Title 40, Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 86, Subpart C. As a result of these regulations, increasingly more sophisticated testing equipment has been developed to test and analyze engines for conformance with such standards. For example, one regulation established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a particulate limit standard of 0.60 g/hph for diesel truck engines wherein the particulates are defined as matter. Such matter being agglomerated carbon particles absorbed hydrocarbons, and sulphates. Condensed water which is not considered matter can be collected on a special filter after dilution of the exhaust gas stream by ambient air to a maximum temperature level of 52 degrees C. or 125 degrees F.
In order to obtain consistent or reliable results, it is mandatory that the fluidic addition of the dilution air be accomplished at accurately controlled flow rates which may nevertheless be varied within predetermined ranges depending upon the operating temperature and pressure levels or parameters. A system for achieving such a goal has in fact been previously developed by the present inventor and is disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,440 which issued on Oct. 22, 1991.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
In one aspect of the invention a sampling system has a plurality of diluters arranged in a serial array along an axial extent; a source of gas fluidically connected to the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply a gas stream into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters in a serial manner; a source of dilution air fluidically connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply dilution air into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters such that the dilution air is supplied into the gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to progressively dilute the gas stream as the gas stream flows through the plurality of serially arranged diluters; and sampling apparatus fluidically connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters for obtaining the analyzing a sample of the diluted gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters.

Serial multistage aerosol diluter and control system


An image forming apparatus includes a main body including a metal frame, and a holder configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in an arrangement direction. The metal frame includes a main body portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The main body portion extends in the arrangement direction and is disposed in a position not overlapping the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drums, and further has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the arrangement direction. The first extension portion and the second extension portion extend from the first end portion and the second end portion of the main body portion, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and parallel to a side of the holder in a first dimension, the side of the holder being parallel to the arrangement direction in a second dimension.

Generally, a known image forming apparatus includes a holder holding a plurality of photosensitive drums, and a pair of left and right metal frames each having a positioning portion for positioning the holder relative to a main body. In the known image forming apparatus, the holder has side plates, a front beam, and a rear beam. A positioning shaft is provided at a front end portion of the holder. A rear end portion of the holder contains notch portions. The positioning shaft is engaged in recessed portions formed at front ends of the left and right metal frames of the main body and the notch portions are engaged with a reference axial member fixed between the left and right metal frames of the main body such that the holder is positioned relative to the apparatus body. The positioning portion is provided on each metal frame having small dimensional change due to a change in temperature, improving the positional accuracy of the holder relative to the main body.

Image forming apparatus including holder for holding photosensitive drums


An exercise system comprising a rocking chair and a footstool. The rocking chair comprises a seat, a back support, a base, and rocking means. Rocking resistance means are provided for requiring that an additional force be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The footstool comprises a foot rest positionable with respect to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. Means for adjusting the height and angle of the foot rest are also provided. A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a user""s legs with the exercise system is also described.

The present invention relates to a rocking chair and, more specifically, to a rocking chair and foot rest which provide enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Although rocking chairs are typically used in social settings, the rocking motion can be beneficial as a form of exercise. In particular, rocking chairs can provide a valuable mode of exercise for residents of retirement or minimum to medium care facilities. Residents of retirement or minimum to medium care facilities often do not exercise, even moderately, due to lack of motivation, suitable exercise equipment, and/or a supportive community to encourage exercise. Although specialized exercise equipment has been used in the care of the elderly for many years, most equipment is associated with physical therapy or other scheduled exercise sessions.
Exercising while relaxing in pleasant surroundings and engaging in social activities in a supportive group has advantages. Participants can exercise while not feeling exercised and can conduct their social activities at the same time. In addition, the physical exertion and the awareness of the passage of time becomes secondary, as attention is diverted away from the exercise by their social activities at the time. Further, these social activities occur daily and would therefore encourage daily exercise.
An exercise system incorporating the use of a rocking chair affords a unique opportunity for exercise to be performed in a relaxed, casual environment. However, by itself, rocking in a conventional rocking chair results in only very light exercise. Leg action in a rocking chair is limited by the person""s leg length compared to the height and depth of the rocking chair seat. Most people need the majority of their leg and foot length just to reach the floor, leaving very little leg extension reserve for the rocking motion. The soles of the feet often just reach the floor so that rocking is accomplished by raising the heels and pushing with the balls of their feet. Accordingly, a person may only push off the floor with their feet and not benefit from any exercise potential of the rocking chair. In addition, the thighs are flat against the seat which restricts exercise motion and effort in the thigh muscles.
Further, conventional rocking chairs are designed to facilitate the rocking motion. Accordingly, conventional rocking chairs comprise a rocking means, such as rockers or other devices that work with a rocking motion, that minimizes the effort required to maintain a rocking motion. As a result, the use of conventional rocking chairs produces only minimal fitness benefits.
The exercise potential of conventional rocking chairs is also limited since many people find that the known rocking chairs are not comfortable for a variety of reasons. First, the user""s legs are often not long enough to comfortably reach the floor and produce a satisfying rocking motion. The rocking motion is therefore not under the user""s control as much as if the feet remained in contact with the floor throughout the entire rocking cycle. Many people prefer to have their feet in contact with the floor, both for comfort and control of the rocking motion. Second, after a time, the user""s body tends to slide away from the back of the rocking chair resulting in discomfort. As the body slides away from the back of the rocking chair, the user""s body takes on a slouched position which tends to be uncomfortable. In light of the foregoing, the user is unable to maintain the rocking motion for extended periods of time in conventional rocking chairs.
Although footstools have been used in connection with rocking chairs for comfort and to elevate the feet, the known footstools cannot be adjusted to yield maximal exercise benefit by providing optimal comfort and a more vigorous rocking motion. Further, as the user continues to rock, the known footstools tend to slide along the ground and do not help to keep the user""s body against the back of the chair. As a result, the user may feel less secure and relaxed. Although footstools of different heights have been used, the problems persist.
In light of the foregoing, it would be highly beneficial to utilize a rocking chair as part of an exercise program. To optimize the exercise benefits, the rocking chair should be provided with means for controlling the effort needed to maintain the rocking motion. In addition, the user""s feet should be maintained in contact with a stationary surface throughout the rocking cycle, the rocking cycle should start with the thighs and calves at about right angles, and body contact should be maintained with the back of the rocking chair.
In accordance with the present invention, an exercise system comprising a rocking chair is provided for enhancing the therapeutic benefits derived from use of the rocking chair. The rocking chair comprises a seat with a back support positioned relative to the seat such that when a user sits on the seat, the user""s back is positioned against the back support. The seat and back support are maintained above the ground by a base or frame. Rocking means are positioned below the base or frame for enabling the chair to maintain a rocking motion. The rocking means may comprise one or more rockers having a curved surface, whereby the rocking chair is capable of being rolled along the curved surface of the rocker in a smooth rocking motion. Alternatively, the rocking means can comprise other known devices for producing a rocking or lilting motion, such as platform rockers, spring-based rocking systems, and linear motion gliders.
The therapeutic nature of the exercise system is enhanced by providing the rocking chair with rocking resistance means. The rocking resistance means comprises one or more weights which are attached to the rocking chair. The weights insure that the force required to maintain a rocking motion contains an additional force beyond the typical force necessary to maintain a rocking motion in a conventional rocking chair. The weights can be attached to the rocking chair either by positioning the weights over a bar or by clamping the weights to the rocking chair.
To further enhance the therapeutic nature of the exercise system, a footstool is provided. The footstool comprises a foot rest which is positionable with respect to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. The footstool further comprises means for adjusting the height and angle of the foot rest. By adjusting the position of the footstool with respect to the rocking chair, the height of the footstool, and the angle of the footstool, it is possible to selectively emphasize the exercise of specific muscle groups in the leg.
A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a subject""s legs is also described. The method comprises the step of adjusting a rocking resistance means of an exercise system comprising a rocking chair to require an additional force to be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The subject is then seated in the rocking chair and allowed to move the chair in a rocking motion by extending and flexing his or her legs. The comfort of the subject and the therapeutic benefits of the exercise system are enhanced by positioning and maintaining the subject""s feet on a foot rest of a footstool throughout the rocking motion. The position of the footstool with respect to the rocking chair, as well as the height and angle of the foot rest, are adjusted to selectively exercise specific muscle groups in the subject""s legs. For example, the footstool and foot rest can be adjusted to selectively emphasize the exercise of either the subject""s calf or thigh muscles.

Exercise system comprising rocking chair and footstool