A method to perform an adaptive test performs a pressure sensitivity test to examine a pressure sensitivity of a solver to time, and judges, based on a result of the pressure sensitivity test, whether or not the pressure sensitivity of the solver is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. If the pressure sensitivity is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, the solver is prompted to answer a pending question, acquires an input of the answer, and determines if a time period consumed by the solver in answering the pending question is shorter than a time limit set for answering the pending question and, if shorter, gives the solver an increased time limit for answering a next question.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for performing an adaptive test and, more particularly, to technology for properly evaluating a solver in the adaptive test.
2. Description of the Related Art
A test for evaluating an ability of a solver by giving test questions with degrees of difficulty, which are adjusted to the ability of the solver, is called an adaptive test. In this adaptive test, the number of questions is not fixed since outputs of the questions continue until the evaluation values based on results of the answers converge. Therefore, a time limit for each question is set and the solver has to answer each question within its time limit.
However, if the solver has to answer each question within its time limit, there are some undesirable cases where the solver feels much pressure and cannot calm down with time in mind to answer properly. If the solver feels time pressure, an efficient evaluation, which is a characteristic of the adaptive test, becomes impossible, because an accurate measurement of ability is impossible and results of the answers do not converge.
In addition, a preliminary test as to the test questions, which will be used, in the adaptive test is performed for some tens or hundreds of persons to grasp characteristics of the test questions in advance. The preliminary test is to compute the characteristics of questions using statistical methods.
Here, what we should note is that there is no time limit for each question in the preliminary test and the solvers can consume enough time in answering questions with high degrees of difficulty. However, in the actual adaptive test, even if the question is the same as in the preliminary test that is given, the time limit is set to each question. Since the solver cannot have enough time to answer questions with high degrees of difficulty, the solver becomes susceptible to the pressure of the time limit.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide technology to reduce the pressure of the time limit, which is an obstruction to a proper evaluation of the ability, in the adaptive test to evaluate the ability of the solver.
In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide technology to reduce the pressure for persons who are sensitive to the pressure of the time limit.
A method of the present invention for performing an adaptive test by a computer comprises the steps of: prompting a solver to answer a question; acquiring and storing into a storage device, an input of an answer for the question by the solver; and if a time period the solver consumed to answer the question is shorter than the time limit for the question, performing a setting to a storage device so as to enable the solver to use a difference period between the time limit and the time period the solver consumed to answer the question and a time limit set for a next question followed by the question.
By this configuration, the difference period between the time limit and the time period the solver consumed to answer the question is added to the time limit set for the next question.Therefore, it becomes possible for the solver to adjust time allotment, for example, by answering easy questions quickly, and by applying the rest in answering difficult questions. As a result, the pressure of the time limit can be reduced.
In addition, the method may further include the steps of: performing a pressure sensitivity test (for example, an initial test to distinguish the solvers who are sensitive to the pressure in the preferred embodiment) for checking a sensitivity (for example, I evaluation (ability) value without pressurexe2x80x94evaluation value with pressure I in the preferred embodiment) of the solver to time; and judging whether or not the pressure sensitivity of the solver is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference, by the result of the pressure sensitivity test, wherein if it is judged that the pressure sensitivity of the solver is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference, above-described prompting step and steps subsequent to the prompting step may be performed.
That is, as to a person who is weak under the pressure (a person who has high pressure sensitivity), it becomes possible to add the difference period between the time limit and the time period the solver consumed to answer to the time limit set for the next question. On the other side, as to a person who is strong under the pressure (a person who has low pressure sensitivity), the adaptive test, which uses the normal time limit, is performed. Thus, it becomes easy for the person who is weak under the pressure of the time to show his or her actual ability and it becomes possible to properly evaluate his or her ability.
Even if it is configured so as to add the difference period between the time limit and the time period the solver consumed to answer to the time limit set for the next question, the fairness of the test is confirmed since the whole of the time limits is not changed if the number of questions is same (in some cases if the kinds of questions are also same).
A user terminal may execute in response to the server, following steps: displaying on a display a first question and information regarding a time limit for the first question; acquiring an answer for the first question from a solver; and if a solver answered for the first question before the time limit for the first question, displaying on the display a second question and information regarding a time period calculated by adding a time limit set for the second question to a rest of the time limit for the first question.
The user terminal may execute in response to the server, following steps: displaying on a display a first question and time that can progress from a starting time to a time limit for the first question; acquiring an answer for the first question from a solver; and if a solver answered for the first question before the time limit for the first question, displaying on the display a second question and time that can progress from a starting time to a time period calculated by adding a time limit set for the second question to a rest of the time limit for the first question.
A method for performing an adaptive test can be implemented by a combination of a program and a computer hardware, which is a computer system for performing an adaptive test. In this case, the program is stored on a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or a magneto-optical disk, or in a storage device, such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, while the intermediate processing results are temporarily stored in the memory. The program may be distributed via a computer network.

Method and system for performing adaptive test


Controlling power consumption of a voltage regulator in a computer system that includes computer memory and the voltage regulator is configured to provide regulated source voltage to the computer memory includes: receiving, by a voltage regulator controller, memory margin statistics of the computer memory, the memory margin statistics including data describing operational tolerance of the computer memory to source voltage signal variations; and adjusting, by the voltage regulator controller, one or more operating characteristics of the voltage regulator in dependence upon the memory margin statistics.

Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is data processing, or, more specifically, methods, apparatus, and products for controlling power consumption of a voltage regulator in a computer system.
Description of Related Art
The development of the EDVAC computer system of 1948 is often cited as the beginning of the computer era. Since that time, computer systems have evolved into extremely complicated devices. Today's computers are much more sophisticated than early systems such as the EDVAC. Computer systems typically include a combination of hardware and software components, application programs, operating systems, processors, buses, memory, input/output devices, and so on. As advances in semiconductor processing and computer architecture push the performance of the computer higher and higher, more sophisticated computer software has evolved to take advantage of the higher performance of the hardware, resulting in computer systems today that are much more powerful than just a few years ago.
One result of such powerful computer systems is an increase in power consumption of various components. Power consumption is also a concern due to the prevalence of portable devices that utilize a finite amount of battery power. To that end, it has become important to manage power consumption of various components of computer systems. For example, a small increase in efficiency of a voltage regulator has a large impact on energy savings for the system.

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


The present invention provides a method for treating textile material to confer flame retardant properties, the method comprising the steps of impregnating the material with an aqueous solution of a treatment agent which is a poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound; drying the impregnated material; curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibers of the material; oxidizing the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus; and washing and drying the material; wherein one or both of steps (d) and (e) result in the co-production of an aqueous effluent; and wherein the conditions are controlled such that the atomic ratio of N:P present on the material increases during step (c) by 0.8 or more.

A known process for the flame-retardant treatment of textile materials, including cellulosic (e.g. cotton) materials, consists of impregnation of the material with an aqueous solution of a treatment agent which is a poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound. This compound may be a salt, for example a tetrakis(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium salt. Alternatively, the compound may be a condensate, for example a condensate of a tetrakis(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium salt with a nitrogen-containing compound such as urea. Following impregnation, the material is dried and then cured with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibres of the material. After curing, the polymer is oxidised to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus and the material is washed and dried.
Such a process is described in, for example, GB2205868, GB 2290562 and GB2294479.
In the curing process ammonia gas may be passed directly into a chamber through which the material passes, or, preferably, ammonia gas is forced through the material inside the chamber. GB1439608 and GB1439609 describe apparatus for use in such a process, which consists of a closed chamber, entry and exit seals thereto through which the material moves, a duct located in the chamber and having one or more orifices through which gaseous ammonia issues and subsequently passes through the material passing over each orifice, the chamber having means to prevent condensed water from dripping on to the material. This type of unit will hereinafter be described as a standard cure unit.
A high speed cure unit is described in GB2252570, where the ammonia feed rate is precisely controlled relative to the amount of material being processed and the curing chamber is pre-filled with ammonia to provide a reservoir of ammonia to allow for any slight variation in the ammonia usage relative to the ammonia input. This type of unit will hereinafter be described as a high speed cure unit.
However, it has been identified that known methods of treating materials with poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound result in effluent that has significant levels of water soluble phosphorus species present. Water soluble phosphorus species may be considered a hazard. Therefore environmental standards in many countries place limits on the amount of such phosphorus that can be included in waste before it is released to the environment.
This means that when carrying out such methods it is necessary to treat the effluent to remove water soluble phosphorous species, which increases cost and complexity.
Where reference is made to "water soluble phosphorus species" this means species that have a solubility of at least 10 g/l at 25° C.
In particular, the effluent commonly has THPO as the majority water soluble phosphorus species. The removal of this THP salt tends to involve prolonged and harsh oxidation treatments—for example oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under acid conditions or oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under UV.
Therefore there is a need for a technique which enables effluent to be produced that has water soluble phosphorus species present in the form of species that are more readily removed/can be removed without harsh treatment.


A policy determination function (PDF) makes policy and charging control decisions based on radio spectrum blocks. More particularly, the PDF: receives radio spectrum block data via an interface; and determines, using the radio spectrum block data, a first radio spectrum block for use during a session for a subscriber, wherein the first radio spectrum block is one of a plurality of radio spectrum blocks, and wherein the subscriber has a unique set of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to each of the radio spectrum blocks in the plurality. The PDF further selects and provides to a policy enforcement function the set of PCC rules for the subscriber corresponding to the first radio spectrum block, for applying to communications with the subscriber during the session.

The radio spectrum refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum (i.e. the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation or self-propagating waves) corresponding to radio frequencies; that is, frequencies lower than around 300 GHz. To facilitate use of the radio spectrum, it is government regulated. For example, in the United States (U.S.), the usage of frequencies is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Part of this regulation includes a division of the radio spectrum into several frequency bands or ranges of radio frequencies. One or more of the frequency bands are further divided into smaller frequency bands (also referred to herein as radio spectrum blocks), which are licensed, for example, to core network owners (also generally known as Carrier Organizations or simply Carriers) who own and manage the core network infrastructure equipment used to provide wireless services for subscribers, or licensed to other entities such as trusts. As used herein, the term "subscribers" refers at least to user equipment (UE), and may in some instances also refer to the users of the UE.
Current communication systems are designed such that there is one core network per radio spectrum block. However, with the tremendous increase in users of wireless services over the years and other factors including budget constraints, an increasingly likely scenario is the sharing of core networks by different types of users such as commercial (or public) users and public safety (or private) users. Since the licensing of some radio spectrum blocks is still ongoing in the U.S. (such as the licensing of radio spectrum blocks in the 700 MHz frequency band spanning the frequency range of 698-806 MHz), it is anticipated that a single core network may span or service multiple radio spectrum blocks with at least some of the subscribers being authorized to connect to the core network in more than one of the multiple radio spectrum blocks. In such a case, a consequently new phenomenon may arise in the future, wherein a subscriber connected to a core network is authorized to use multiple radio spectrum blocks in the network, each having different policy and charging control rules associated with the subscriber. Since this is a new wireless communication operating paradigm, there are no current solutions that address policy and charging control decisions for a subscriber authorized to use multiple radio spectrum blocks served by one or more core networks.
Thus, there exists a need for a method and apparatus for policy and charging control decisions based on radio spectrum blocks.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments. In addition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require the order illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.
Apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the various embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Thus, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, common and well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments.

Method and apparatus for policy and charging control decisions based on radio spectrum blocks


In various embodiments, an electrode has a shaft extending from an electrode head and a cooling passage extending from an open end disposed at an attachment end of the shaft to a closed end disposed within the electrode head.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention is liquid cooled electrodes, such as those used in glass melting furnaces.
2. Background
Glass is typically processed by heating and refining in batch within a melting furnace. Glass batches are typically heated from both flames from burners, which serve as the primary heat source, and from glass melt electrodes embedded in the wall of the melting furnace. The number of electrodes depends upon the size of the melting furnace and the characteristics of the glass being processed. These glass melt electrodes introduce additional thermal energy into the furnace by passing a current through the glass melt.
Current state-of-the-art glass melt electrodes use a two piece assembly, having a head, which is typically constructed from a refractory metal (such as molybdenum), affixed to a shaft cooled by an internal passage through which cooling water is passed. This shaft is often constructed from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel, a nickel based alloy, or even molybdenum. Such electrodes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,983,309, 4,965,812, and U.S. patent application publication No. 20070064763. The disclosures of these documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Due to the high temperatures existing near the electrodes in the glass melt, a water-tight joint is difficult to achieve between the head and the shaft. Thus, the cooling passage is contained only within the shaft and cannot be extended into the head without compromising the durability of electrode under operating conditions.


Methods and systems for detecting pests, such as termites, in living organisms, such as trees. Certain embodiments of the current invention utilize time domain reflectometry to detect the pests. Other embodiments of the current invention utilize microwave-coupled transmission spectrometry antenna array transmitters, and receivers to detect the pests.

Termites are wood feeding insects that live in large social colonies, similar to honeybees and ants. In forests, termite colonies play an important role in nature by feeding on decaying wood found on the soil floor. Formosan termites are also different from native species in that they will infest living trees at a higher rate than their native counterparts. Many species of trees ranging from pine to live oak trees have been infested with this species of termites.
Formosan termites feed on the hardwood, the dead center of a tree, and can end up leaving the tree hollow. After hollowing out the tree, the termites will fill in the hollowed-out area with nesting material. The hollowed-out trees are more susceptible to falling from wind damage during heavy storms.
In New Orleans, La., 75% of trees that fall after hurricanes are found to have fallen due to Formosan termite-related damage. Considering that up to 100% of the trees in certain areas of New Orleans have been found to be infested with these termites, the structural integrity of many of these trees would be in question if a heavy storm were to pass through the city. Jacksonville, Fla. has recently discovered that many of the trees in the Riverside community area of Jacksonville have Formosan termite activity as well. Measures are being taken in Jacksonville to work with pest control companies to help manage these termite infestations on public property.
Additionally, there have been several reports of Formosan termites infesting living trees in Leon County. Many of the trees in the area are at risk, including the historic live oak trees found throughout the county. During Hurricane Hermine, many homeowners in Leon County experienced first-hand the damage that falling trees can cause. Since these termites can increase the likelihood that infested trees will fall over in a storm, the spread of these termites into the live tree fauna of Leon County could lead to increased property damage in any future heavy storm event. Attempts have been made to use capacitance sensors to detect and trap pests, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,937,156 to Gardner, Jr. et al., however, no system has been devised to detect pests or damage from infestation in a living system.
With this significant problem, however, no effective solution exists for detecting pests within trees and other living systems. Accordingly, what is needed is a system and methodology for detecting and/or controlling pests in living systems, such as termites in trees in order to be better prepared for heavy storm events in the future. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.
In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Dielectric detector for pest infestations


The invention relates to methods of RNA amplification, including methods for the reverse transcription of cDNA from RNA using a thermostable reverse transcriptase. In a particular aspect, the methods are capable of linear amplification of an RNA template through multiple cycles of cDNA synthesis.

Methods to amplify RNA are important for diagnostic purposes. Cellular mRNA represents gene expression activity at a defined time. Gene expression is affected by cell cycle progression, developmental regulation, disease state, or response to internal and external stimuli. The profile of expressed genes for any cell type in an organism reflects normal or disease states, response to various stimuli, developmental stages, or cell differentiation. Non-coding RNAs have been shown to be of great importance in regulation of various cellular functions and in certain disease pathologies. Diagnostically relevant RNAs are often present at very low levels. Thus, amplification methods capable of detecting low copy number RNAs are important.
Current methods of RNA amplification include the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and variations thereof. These methods first copy RNA by reverse transcription to form a single stranded DNA complementary to the RNA (cDNA, or so-called first-strand cDNA), which is followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the cDNA to provide multiple copies.
Commonly used reverse transcriptases, such as those from Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MMLV), are mesophilic and, as such, have optimal activity at moderate temperature regimes such as 37° C.-42° C. In some cases, these reverse transcriptases have been modified to confer greater thermostability at temperatures of 60°-70° C. but rarely higher. In other cases, DNA polymerases with native thermostability have been found to manifest reverse transcriptase activity, particular when standard reaction conditions are altered using unconventional components such as Mn2+ ions instead of Mg2+ ion. However, these enzymes may manifest inferior cDNA synthesis compared to dedicated reverse transcriptase enzymes, and the addition of Mn2+ can accelerate the hydrolysis of RNA at high reaction temperatures (see, AbouHaidar and Ivanov, Z. Naturforsch C. 54(7-8):542-548 (1999)).
Reagent stability and activity, including nonenzymatic RNA hydrolysis, creates a barrier to amplification of RNA via thermocycling reactions. While native thermostable DNA polymerases have been engineered to have reverse transcriptase activity, such enzymes were largely envisioned as useful in single-enzyme reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction methods that comprise a single, extended length reverse transcription step at moderate temperature, followed by repeated cDNA amplification steps, e.g., via PCR, that include high denaturation temperatures.


A system and method for detecting a rollover of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel reaction force sensing device for transmitting wheel reaction force signal indicative of an amount of force exerted on at least one wheel of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the at least one wheel reaction force sensing device and including at least one accelerometer sensor for transmitting the acceleration signal. The controller is configured to determine a first force index in response to the wheel reaction force signal, determine a first lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to the acceleration signal, compare the first force index to a threshold force index and the first lateral acceleration to a threshold lateral acceleration, and deploy a restraint system based on the comparison.

The number of fatal accidents each year in the U.S. has hovered at about 40,000 for a decade. Safety organizations, the government, and industry are working diligently to reduce that number to 30,000. Rollover based accidents account for about 30% of light-vehicle fatal accidents. A portion of vehicle rollovers may be attributed to 'hard trips' where a vehicle enters into a rollover state after traveling over a curb or obstacle. Other such vehicle rollovers may be attributed to 'soft trips' where a vehicle enters into a rollover state after traveling over sand or grass lands.
In view of the number of fatalities associated with rollover accidents, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are continuing to develop sensing algorithms to detect vehicle rollovers and implementing various advanced restraint systems to mitigate injuries of occupants from being ejected while the vehicle encounters a roll over event.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Provided are a mobile station and a mobile communication method in which, when a secondary cell (SCell) is established in an unlicensed band, received power in the unlicensed band can be efficiently measured and reported to a radio access network. A UE (100) includes an RSSI measurement unit (133) that repeatedly measures RSSI in the frequency band of the secondary cell, a report determination unit (140) that determines, based on an RSSI measurement result, whether to report the measurement result to the radio access network, and a measurement report unit (150) that reports the measurement result to the radio access network. The report determination unit (140) determines that the measurement result is to be reported to the radio access network when the measurement result exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is discussing Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), which implements Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile communications using an "unlicensed band" (specific frequency band), which is any of a license-free frequency band used by a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.
Specifically, what is being discussed is how to set a secondary cell (SCell) in execution of carrier aggregation (CA), or particularly, how to establish a component carrier (CC) of the SCell in an unlicensed band (see Non-patent document 1).
There is an agreement that an SCell in LAA is set and activated using the existing system of Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements (see Non-patent document 2).
In LAA, regarding the quality of an unlicensed band and a problem called "hidden node problem", which occurs when there is a node of which an LTE radio base station is hardly aware, LAA has been studied on measurement of Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of the received power of the entire system bandwidth in the unlicensed band.

Mobile station and mobile communication method


The electric conductivity of the developer is measured every constant period, a development replenisher is replenished every constant time as a time lapse replenisher in an amount based on a set value of a time lapse replenishment rate, a development replenisher is replenished every processing of a constant area of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor(s) as a processing replenisher in an amount based on a set value of a processing replenishment rate, a calculated value of electric conductivity is calculated from the amounts of the time lapse replenisher and the processing replenisher, the set values of the time lapse replenishment rate and the processing replenishment rate are increased or decreased according to the result of the comparison of the calculated value with the measured value, and the value of the difference between the calculated value and the measured value is displayed as a degree of a developer activity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling the development in an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor and automatic developing machine therefor and more particularly to a technique for minimizing fluctuation in developer sensitivity due to change in development processing conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to control the sensitivity of developer in the automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, there is ordinarily employed a system of replenishing a development replenisher according to time lapse and processing amount to a developer (hereinafter referred to as an "area and time lapse-based replenishment system"), where the development replenisher is replenished with the passage of time to a developing tank storing the developer and at the same time, the development replenisher is replenished in an amount according to a value determined by measuring a plate area of the lithographic printing plate precursor processed.
However, this area and time lapse-based replenishment system is disadvantageous in that the developing unit of the automatic developing machine requires a high precision device for measuring the area of lithographic printing plate, causing the complication of configuration and the cost rise. This system is also disadvantageous in that it is difficult to judge to see which the lithographic printing plate precursor is photosensitive only on one side thereof or on both sides thereof and judge the kind of the printing plate precursor (e.g., printing plate precursors having different spreads of photosensitive layer composition). This raises a problem that when the required replenishment rate of developer replenisher changes with the change of the area and kind of lithographic printing plate precursor used and which the lithographic printing plate precursor is photosensitive only on one side thereof or on both sides thereof, it is made difficult to make proper replenishment of developer replenisher.
Under these circumstances, as the method of replenishing a development replenisher in the automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, a system of replenishing a development replenisher to a developer (hereinafter referred to as an "electric conductivity-based replenishment system") is known as described, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 2516022 (corresponding to JP-A-64-21451), where electric conductivity of the developer is measured, the measured value is compared with an electric conductivity value for providing an optimum sensitivity (hereinafter referred to an "adequate electric conductivity value") that is experimentally determined previously, and the development replenisher is replenished when the measured value falls below the adequate electric conductivity value. The electric conductivity-based replenishment system ensures replenishment of an adequate amount of development replenisher to adequately maintain the sensitivity of developer, even with the change of the area and kind of lithographic printing plate precursor used and which the lithographic printing plate precursor is photosensitive only on one side thereof or on both sides thereof.
However, an experimental fact is generally known that a developer which has been fatigued only with carbon dioxide gas with time and a developer which has been fatigued only with plate processing differ from each other in adequate electric conductivity (silicate-based processing agent/fatigue with time (fatigue with carbon dioxide gas) at the time of replenishment restoration: 65 mS/cm; fatigue with processing at the time of replenishment restoration: 55 mS/cm; nonsilicate-based processing agent/fatigue with time at the time of replenishment restoration: 56 mS/cm; fatigue with processing at the time of replenishment restoration: 39 mS/cm). Therefore, in the aforementioned electric conductivity-based replenishment system, when the frequency of processing, e.g., amount processed per day differs from expected value, the ratio of actual time lapse replenishment rate to processing replenishment rate, too, differs from expected value. This causes the change of the adequate electric conductivity of the entire developer in the developing tank calculated from each adequate electric conductivity and hence the occurrence of some deviation from predetermined adequate electric conductivity, making it impossible to keep the sensitivity of developer adequate to disadvantage.
On the other hand, JP-A-9-96910 and JP-A-2004-219452, which is an improvement in JP-A-9-96910, each propose an automatic developing machine which measures the time interval of replenishment, determines the time lapse replenishment rate required within the time interval, regards the value obtained by subtracting the time lapse replenishment rate from the replenishment rate per one processing as processing replenishment rate to determine processing replenishment rate and time lapse replenishment rate and uses the electric conductivity calculated from the ratio of processing replenishment rate to time lapse replenishment rate thus determined to control the electric conductivity of developer. In accordance with this method, even with the change of the area and kind of the lithographic printing plate precursor to be processed and which the lithographic printing plate precursor is photosensitive only on one side thereof or on both sides thereof, the adequate electric conductivity of developer can be determined by estimating the ratio of processing replenishment rate to time lapse replenishment rate. In this method, however, the difference of required time lapse replenishment rate caused by the difference of developer fatigue with carbon dioxide gas (e.g., difference of developer temperature, presence or absence of liquid circulation) between during the operation of the automatic developing machine and during the suspension of the operation of the automatic developing machine cannot be detected, making it impossible to determine accurate ratio of processing replenishment rate to time lapse replenishment rate from time interval of replenishment across the suspension of the operation of the automatic developing machine. It is thus likely that some erroneous value of electric conductivity can be a reference value.
Under these circumstances, JP-A-2004-212681 proposes a method of calculating a reference value of electric conductivity using different calculation formulae from at the time of starting the automatic developing machine which is replenished with a required replenisher at the time of suspension thereof to during the operation of the automatic developing machine.

Method for controlling development in automatic developing machine for photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor and automatic developing machine therefor


A wheelchair includes a chassis having a pair of side frame assemblies that are rigidly connected to each other by a seat pan. Mounted on each side frame assembly is an interchangeable axle receiving platform for orienting drive wheels at a desired camber angle. One end of a seat member is pivotally attached to a foot member for adjustment of the seating angle. By moving an opposite end of the seat member along a curved portion of a bottom member of each side frame assembly, the seat angle is changed. A one piece caster assembly is disposed forward of the drivewheels on the chassis. Through the one-piece caster assembly, each caster can be simultaneously adjusted to a particular location along the frame.

A longfelt need in the art of wheelchair design is the need to improve wheelchair maneuverability. It has long been known that a reduction in weight aids in obtaining such an improvement, however, such weight reductions are typically accompanied by unacceptable losses in structural rigidity.
It has aim been known to design wheelchair frames so as to orient a user's weight on the wheelchair in a manner favorable to improved maneuverability. Such frames, however, often require expensive manufacturing techniques and materials in order to provide a suitably configured frame without unacceptable weight increases.
Another longfelt need in the art of wheelchair design is the need to provide a wheelchair that is universally adjustable to accommodate the widest variety of users for the widest variety of uses. This need has lead to numerous wheelchair designs that, while offering the desired adjustability, have the disadvantage of numerous supplementary parts and pieces. These extra parts and pieces increase the wheelchair weight and often require the user to carry specific tools in order to carry out desired adjustments.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that addresses these longfelt needs in wheelchair design.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that is highly maneuverable without unacceptable loss in structural rigidity.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that is highly maneuverable and is lightweight.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that is universally adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of users and a wide variety of uses.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that is easily adjustable with a minimum of tools.

Method of making a pair of wheelchair side frame assemblies


An image capturing apparatus includes a temporary image accumulating unit in which still images are stored, the still images being captured automatically and continuously regardless of an instruction of a user; an image capturing timing data storage unit in which image capturing timing data is stored, the image capturing timing data including speech information based on sound data and delay time information which are associated with each other; an image capturing timing data specifying unit specifying image capturing timing data containing speech information corresponding to the sound data from the plurality of image capturing timing data; a sound event detecting unit detecting a sound event from the sound data; and a temporary image selecting unit selecting the still image captured at a time before the sound event from the temporary image accumulating unit based on the sound event and the delay time of the specified image capturing timing data.

Currently, in the field of camera, a camera including a function for recognizing a speech is available. Such a camera extracts, for example, a preset word such as "Say cheese" from a recognized speech. Then, after the elapse of a certain period of time from a timing when the extracted word has been uttered, the camera operates so that a shutter is automatically released.
The aforementioned camera is described, for example, in PTL 1. The invention described in PTL 1 allows an operator of the camera to take a natural photograph that matches with the motion of a subject. Further, PTL 1 describes that a time from the timing of an utterance to a shutter release (hereinafter, referred to as a delay time) is arbitrary set.

Image capturing apparatus and information processing apparatus


An adaptor is provided for use in a fuel line. The adaptor has an attachment means for securing a flexible hose or tubing with a standard fuel pressure gauge to the fuel line for measuring the pressure in the fuel line. The adaptor allows the fuel pressure to be measured while an automobile is being tested on a machine, such as a dynamometer, or on the open road. The adaptor can be substituted into the fuel line in place of the fuel filter, that is normally present in the fuel line to filter the fuel before it reaches a fuel injector.

1. Field of the Invention
An adaptor is described for replacing the filter in a fuel line. The adaptor has a quick release and attachment means for a pressure gauge. This adapter simplifies and expedites troubleshooting, particularly in vehicles that are equipped with throttle body fuel injection systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the early 1980's about 6% of the cars manufactured in the United States were equipped with fuel injection systems. By 1989 about 96% of the cars manufactured in the United States were equipped with some type of fuel injection system. These systems are divided into two popular types; one is called port injection and the other is called central point or throttle body injection (TBI).
In port fuel injection systems the fuel is injected directly into the intake manifold near the cylinder intake valves where the fuel is mixed with air. The system usually has a provision whereby a pressure gauge can be attached to the fuel lines to measure the pressure.
In the TBI injection systems the fuel is injected into a central chamber where the fuel is mixed with air. The fuel air mixture is then drawn into the cylinder through the intake manifold, as was done previously using a carburetor. Most TBI fuel injection systems do not have a provision for attaching a gauge to the fuel lines for pressure measurement. The majority of the automobiles manufactured by General Motors (GM), for example, have the TBI type of injection which, at this point in time, numbers about 20 million automobiles.
One persistent problem with the GM TBI is the occasional sluggishness and delayed reaction felt when the engine is accelerating under load. This common symptom results from a loss of fuel pressure, which would be indicative of a need for replacing the fuel pump, replacing a bad or clogged fuel filter, or that a tune up is necessary. The current procedures for checking the fuel pressure in the TBI systems are cumbersome and time consuming. Checking the fuel pump on GM TBI fuel systems, for example, is imprecise in determining the cause for sluggishness and delayed acceleration. The steps currently in use to test these fuel systems are:
1. Remove the fuel pump fuse from the fuse block and crank engine. PA1 2. Run the engine until it stalls when the fuel in the system runs out. PA1 3. When the engine dies, crank the engine for approximately 3 seconds to insure that all the fuel is evacuated from the fuel lines. PA1 4. Turn the ignition off and reinstall the fuel pump fuse. PA1 5. Remove the air cleaner and plug the thermostatic air cleaner vacuum port on the throttle body unit. PA1 6. Remove the steel fuel line between the throttle body and the fuel inlet line. PA1 7. Install a fuel pressure gauge between the throttle body unit and the fuel inlet line. PA1 8. Start the engine and observe the fuel pressure reading. PA1 9. De-pressurize the fuel system as described in steps 1-4. PA1 10. Remove the fuel pressure gauge and re-install the steel line to the throttle body. PA1 11. Start the car and watch for fuel leaks. PA1 12. Remove the plug from the throttle body vacuum port and re-install the air cleaner.
This whole procedure requires at least 40 minutes to perform. Fuel pressure readings cannot be taken when the engine is accelerating under load such as under normal driving conditions or on a dynamometer.
There are many pressure testing devices described in the literature and on the market. U.S. Pat. No. 2,566,742 issued 1 Sep. 1951 to C. A. Odell, describes a device for measuring the amount of fuel used and the pressure of the fuel. The gauge is an intricate part of the testing apparatus and cannot be detached for other types of pressure testing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,224 issued 13 Aug. 1985 to S. G. Raftis, describes a fuel pressure testing device wherein the gauge is connected to the fuel system through a diaphragm which prevents the pressurized fluid from coming into contact with the tubing of the pressure gauge. The gauge is fixed to the unit. U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,905 issued 11 Mar. 1975 to M. T. Allen, provides a method for testing oil pressure in a gasoline or diesel engine. This unit is used to isolate the oil pump assembly from the engine's lubricating system to determine which of the two systems is responsible for an oil pressure problem. U.S. Pat. No. 2,351,027 issued 13 Jun. 1944 to W. M. Ewart et al, describes a device for measuring the fuel flow in a carburetted engine system. U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,428 issued 20 Dec. 1966 to D. M. Motl, describes a device to test the pressure of a fuel pump. U.S. Pat. No. 2,333,252 issued 2 Nov. 1943 to B. M. Ikert, is drawn to a fuel line testing device that measures both fuel flow and fuel pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,961 issued 27 Aug. 1957 to J. Z. Harmon, describes a device for testing and clearing oil lines. This device has a gauge that is attached to a cylinder through an opening. These and other testing units, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,859,612 issued 11 Nov. 1958 to H. H. Morse, do not have the flexible connection to the gauge nor do they have any indication that they can be substituted for the fuel filter in a TBI fuel system. None of the above references teach the replacement of the fuel filter, in a fuel line, with an adaptor device to which a standard fuel pressure gauge can be attached by a flexible tubing, to measure the pressure of the fuel within-the line.
It is the object of this invention to provide an adaptor that can be used to measure the fuel pressure in a fuel injected automobile engine. The adaptor can be placed in the fuel line or substituted for the fuel filter normally provided in the fuel inlet to filter the fuel line before it reaches the injector.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a means for measuring the fuel pressure in a fuel injected engine by providing an adapter that can be inserted in place of the fuel filter in the pressurized line.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide an adapter that is placed in the pressurized line of a fuel injected engine that will measure the fuel pressure while the engine is under load.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a means for quickly testing the pressure of a pressurized fuel line that has no provisions for checking the pressure.

Adaptor for testing fuel pressure in an operating engine


An apparatus including a through-extending tubular member, including truncated conical end portions internally threaded to accommodate a plurality of tubes at either end thereof to permit a refill of a first tube by a second tube through the conduit. A modification of the instant invention includes a through-extending tube, including a rigid plug mounted thereto. The rigid plug in the preferred embodiment includes a rigid rod mounted thereto to permit directing of the plug through the tube to enable plunging of remaining toothpaste and the like from the tube to a tube to be refilled.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to tube filling apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved tube refill apparatus wherein the same permits filling of a first flexible tube by a second flexible tube.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various filling apparatus is known in the prior art to permit filling of a first container by a second container. Typically such secondary containers are utilized in a smaller configuration for ease of use in camping, traveling, and the like. Examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,737,329 to Bolsey setting forth a filling apparatus for pens, wherein a valving arrangement is secured to a reservoir to permit filling of the pen from the reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,131 to Gewecke, et al., sets forth a bottle filling arrangement wherein a nipple member is associated with a bottle to permit filling of the bottle by a supply source.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,495 to Vignot sets forth a dispenser pump to project products in liquid or paste form from a reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,696,337 to Dinhofer sets forth a means of filling a lady's compact, wherein the compact includes a valve member cooperative with a flexible fill member to permit filling of the compact from a reservoir.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved tube refill apparatus wherein the same permits mechanical association of separate flexible paste tubes to permit filling of one tube from the other and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


Disclosed herein are immunoconjugates comprising a CD46 binding domain and effector agent. Further provided herein are methods of treating cancer comprising administering to a subject having cancer a pharmaceutical composition comprising immunoconjugates comprising a CD46 binding domain and effector agent.

CD46, also known as CD46 complement regulatory protein, cluster of differentiation 46 and membrane cofactor protein, is an inhibitory complement receptor. Overexpression of CD46 has been observed in several cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, or prostate cancer. In some cases, overexpression of CD46 has been characterized as a negative prognostic factor. For example, overexpression of CD46 has been correlated with shorter progression-free time and shorter overall survival time in breast cancer patients and ovarian cancer patients. New therapies and treatment regimens targeting CD46 for the treatment of cancer are needed.

Immunoconjugates targeting CD46 and methods of use thereof


A node device includes a processor, a wireless RF circuit, a memory, and a timer. The processor measures a clock time. The wireless RF circuit receives a clock time information frame containing clock time information used for correcting the clock time. The memory stores a transmission processing time period, as a fixed value, from when a transmission source node device of the clock time information frame obtains the clock time information until when the transmission source node device transmits the clock time information frame. The timer measures a reception processing time period, which is a period of time from when the clock time information frame is received until when the clock time information is obtained. The node device sets to the processor a value obtained by adding the fixed value and the reception processing time period to the clock time information.

A system has been devised in recent years in which a plurality of sensors are installed in structures such as buildings and bridges, and a center server collects obtained measurement values to observe displacements generated in the structures (structural health monitoring). In this case, each sensor transmits the obtained measurement value to the center server. Thus, a wired or wireless ad-hoc network may be applied to such a sensor network.
Clock time data may be used for measuring some physical quantities that are measured in the sensor network. For example, in the case where an acceleration sensor is used for measuring a magnitude of deflection of a structure or a shock of an earthquake, clock time information is used for calculating an acceleration. An allowable difference among clock times of sensors included in the same sensor network varies depending on a sampling interval and a magnitude of an allowable error. For example, if the sampling interval is 5 ms and the allowable error is 5%, differences in clock times among the sensors are maintained within 250 μs or less. The differences in clock times however occur among the sensors even after the sensors are synchronized in clock time, due to deviation of a frequency on which the sensor operates, or the like. For this reason, clock time synchronization is periodically performed among the sensors included in the same sensor network. Methods for synchronizing clock times among a plurality of sensors include a method in which individual sensors adjust respective clock times by using a radio clock, a GPS (Global Positioning System), an NTP (Network Time Protocol), or the like. In addition, an RBS (Reference Broadcast Synchronization), a TPSN (Timing-sync Protocol for Sensor Networks), an FTSP (Flooding Time Synchronization Protocol), and the like are known as methods accompanied by a control in a Media Access Control (MAC) layer.
As a related art, a method is known in which a first device transmits a token containing clock time information to a second device, and the second device corrects a clock time thereof using the token and transmits a token containing clock time information to which a processing time period is added, to a third device. Furthermore, a transmitting device is also known that transmits, upon receiving a clock time data transmission request from a receiving device, a fixed-length frame containing clock time data converted into a code that will not be subjected to zero insertion in binary coding and a transmission delay time, to the receiving device.
As an art relating to an ad-hoc network, a node device has been proposed that stores identification information of a frame to be transmitted while associating it with a neighboring node device being a transmission destination, and with a transfer source that first transfers the frame to be transmitted. This node device compares, upon receiving a frame, an identification number of the received frame with an identification number of a frame to be transmitted to check a transmission route of the frame for a loop.
For example, some literatures are known such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-83608, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-93967, and International Publication No. WO 2011/013165.
In the case where individual node devices correct respective clock times using the radio clock or the NTP to adjust the clock times among the node devices, magnitudes of errors that occur among the node devices are greater than an error that is allowed in a sensor system used for measuring a physical quantity. Therefore, even when the individual node devices adjust the clock times using the radio clock or the NTP, the clock time synchronization is not performed to a precision required in the sensor system. In the case where individual node devices synchronize the clock times using the GPS, although the synchronization among the node devices is performed with high precision, the individual node devices each consume more power, which is not suitable for node devices used in the sensor network. Furthermore, hardware used in the method for synchronizing clock times such as the RBS, the TPSN, and the FTSP, may be customized because the methods each need an unique process to be performed. A problem of the customized hardware is in that there is no compatibility among chips included in node devices. Furthermore, the methods for synchronizing clock times such as the RBS, the TPSN, and the FTSP are difficult to apply to node devices used in the sensor network because there are problems with them such as increased power consumption in the clock time synchronization process, and a small number of node devices that can synchronize the clock times.
The method for transmitting and receiving a fixed-length frame containing the clock time information requires a frame to be transmitted and received to have a fixed length, which may be difficult to be applied to the sensor network. Furthermore, the method in which one of the devices in the network adjusts the clock time using a token is not applied to the case where a large number of node devices are included in the ad-hoc network.

Node device and method for synchronizing clock times


A multi-layer magnetic material (10) has magnetic vectors (21,22) that point along a length (27) of the material (10). Opposing magnetic fields cause the vectors to snap past the perpendicular position with a rapid change in the resistance of the material. The material is used as a memory cell (37,38,39,41) of a memory (36).

The present invention relates, in general to magnetic materials, and more particularly, to a novel magnetoresistive material.
In the past, a variety of magnetic materials and structures have been utilized to form magnetoresistive materials for non-volatile memory elements, read/write heads for disk drives, and other magnetic type applications. One prior magnetoresistive element utilized a magnetoresistive material that has two magnetic layers separated by a conductor layer. The magnetization vectors of the two magnetic layers typically are anti-parallel to each other in the absence of any magnetic fields. The magnetization vectors of one of the layers points in one direction and the magnetization vector of the other layer always points in the opposite direction. The magnetic characteristics of such magnetic materials typically require a width greater than one micron in order to maintain the orientation of the magnetization vectors along the width of the cell. The large width requirement limits the density of memories utilizing such materials. Additionally, reading the state of such memories typically requires a two-phase read operation that results in very long read cycles. The two phase read operation also requires extra circuitry to determine the state of the memory, thus increasing the cost of such memories. An example of such a magnetic material and memory is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,848 issued to Daughton et al. on Oct. 25, 1988.
Another prior material uses multi-layer giant magnetoresistive materials (GMR) and utilizes submicron widths, in order to increase density. In this structure the magnetization vectors are parallel to the length of the magnetic material instead of the width. The magnetization vector of one magnetic material layer is always maintained in one direction while the magnetization vector of the second magnetic layer switches between parallel and antiparallel to the first vector in order to represent both logical "0" and "1" states. In order to determine the logical state of a memory cell utilizing this material, the memory cell has a reference cell and an active cell. The reference cell always provides a voltage corresponding to one state (either always a "1" or always a "0"). The output of the reference cell is compared to the output of the active cell in order to determine the state of the memory cell. The requirement for an active and a reference cell reduces the density of a memory that utilizes such elements. Additionally, each memory cell requires transistors to switch the active and reference cells at appropriate times in order to read the cells. This further increases the cost of the memory.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a GMR material that has a submicron width, that does not require multiple read operations to determine the logical state of the memory cell, that results in a high density memory array, and that reduces the cost of a memory utilizing the material.

Ferromagnetic GMR material and method of forming and using


A method for changing a route in wireless communication involves: when there is subscriber equipment requesting a change of route in a cell, a base station negotiates downlink measurement contents with a relay station facilitating the route change in the cell; a network side informs the subscriber equipment requesting a change of route of the negotiated downlink measurement contents, and the subscriber equipment executes a downlink measurement according to the received measurement contents and reports the downlink measurement results to a radio access point; and the radio access point executes the route change for said subscriber equipment according to the received measurement results. The method can effectively improve the accuracy of the route change and alleviate the delay due to the route change.

The present invention relates to a route technology in wireless communication, and particularly to a method for changing a route in wireless communication.
With the continuous developments in wireless communication technology and the increasing requirements by wireless communication users, cellular communication systems may change from the conventional single-hop form to a multi-hop form. For example, the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) recently proposed the introduction of relay stations (RS) into the cellular systems on account of IEEE 802.16, so as to construct a multi-hop cell structure with a cell coverage jointly provided by a base station (BS) and the surrounding multi-hop RSs thereof. FIG. 1 shows a structure diagram based on a multi-hop cell controlled by a BS. In FIG. 1, each RS as well as the BS acts as a radio access point (RAP) to serve the subscriber stations (SS)/mobile stations (MS). An SS/MS close to the BS, such as MS1, accesses the BS directly in a single-hop manner; while an SS/MS far away from the BS, such as MS2, accesses the BS in a multi-hop manner via one or more RS. It can be seen that the introduction of the RS not only broadens the area of cell coverage and extends the capacity of cell coverage but also reduces the transmit power of the SS/MS side, so as to provide high-quality wireless communication at lower costs.
In a multi-hop communication system, when the change in the position of an SS/MS or wireless signal and so on happens, the network side may need to adjust the SS/MS route, namely to perform a route change, so as to ensure a stable network service for the SS/MS. Usually, the route change comprises two types: an intracell route change and an intercell handover and so on. Of these, the intracell route change means that an SS/MS changes the RAP providing it with service within the same cell; and the intercell handover means that the SS/MS changes the RAP between different cells.
Currently some researchers propose that, during the change of a route, the BS and the RS relevant to the SS/MS requiring the route change execute an uplink measurement and gather the measurement results at the BS, and then the BS determines an intracell route change or an intercell handover for the relevant SS/MS according to the uplink measurement results.
The current methods for the route change on the basis of uplink measurements presuppose that the uplink conditions are the same as the downlink conditions, therefore the measurement results of the uplink are used to reflect the uplink and downlink. However, in practical applications, when the uplink conditions differ from those of the downlink and the uplink and the downlink are separate, the uplink measurement results cannot reflect the downlink conditions, and then the BS will use the inaccurate measurement results as a basis for changing the route, which will cause the SS/MS to be switched to an unsuitable route and lead to poor accuracy in route changing. In addition, since the timing of the action in which an SS/MS transmits information to a BS or RS through an uplink may be interrupted, when there is no information sent from SS/MS over the uplink, a BS or RS cannot execute the uplink measurement, thereby making it impossible to carry out a timely route change for an SS/MS.

Method for changing route in wireless communication