A system is provided that employs a programmable computer on which a graphical user interface provides parametric design and analysis of pressure sensor arrays used in aero- or hydroacoustic investigations. Use of the system allows for scientific and parametric investigations of turbulent boundary layer physics, as well as iterative array design optimization. Additionally, the system including the graphical user interface facilitates comparison of the results of current models for wall pressure with past theoretical or experimental wall pressure.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an apparatus for performing mathematical analyses and particularly to a computer-based apparatus that provides graphical user interfaces.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A primary limitation in acoustic array performance is flow noise induced by turbulent wall-pressure fluctuations which exist due to the moderate to high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers on the arrays.
Methods aimed at boundary layer control are of limited effectiveness due to inherent fluid physics. Mitigation of flow noise is therefore accomplished through the mechanical design of the array.
Mechanical design is taken to include the supporting structure and the sensor specifications and configuration. Optimal mechanical design requires detailed knowledge of the turbulent boundary layer including the relevant length and time scales in the flow field. Sensor arrays are often designed to resolve particular wavenumber and frequency bandwidths. In order to assess a given design, a number of computations are required which historically have been done in an ad hoc fashion. In addition, simplifying assumptions are often made for convenience in performing the design and analysis.
Over the past thirty years, the use of boundary layer variables typically did not appear in the analysis, in part due to the fact that knowledge of the boundary layer variables is often lacking or difficult to obtain. Furthermore, high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers in water have a wide range of energy-containing length and time scales. This range needs to be considered. However, many efforts have only focused attention on the low wavenumber portion of the pressure spectra. Though this region is clearly of interest, the dominant energy is contained in the convective ridge wavenumber region.
In addition to a detailed understanding of the turbulent boundary layer, semi-empirical models of the spectrum of the wall-pressure fluctuations are required. The solutions of these models require extensive iteration and numerical integration over frequency and wavenumber and as such can be cumbersome to utilize. Furthermore, the models (which include a limited number or no boundary layer parameters) are only approximate in nature.
The prior art includes analyses of such wall pressure fluctuations, for example as reported by W. L. Keith, et al., "A comparison of turbulent boundary layer wall-pressure spectra," Journal of Fluids Engineering, 1992, Vol. 114, pp. 338-347.
The prior art also includes the Broadside Acoustic Noise Estimation (BANE) model that was developed by Dr. Lowell Brooks. This computer code is aimed primarily at towed array self-noise analysis and contains many empirical parameters. It is not predicated on detailed knowledge of turbulent boundary layer physics. It also does not have a graphical user interface, and cannot be used for the applications of experimental wall-pressure measurements or hull arrays without significant modification.
The prior art also includes other codes aimed at flow noise analysis. With the shift in research emphasis away from flow noise, most of these codes became inactive and are now somewhat outdated and are not readily available.
Also known in the prior art is Kim et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,680) which is said to disclose a design system associated with pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) using a graphic user interface (GUI), which is capable of carrying out, a variety of operations such as the design of embedded-cylinder pipe, lined-cylinder pipes, and fittings, computer-aided drawing interfaces, operations for quantity calculation, operations for inquiry to a database, and operations for a demonstration presentation, in a GUI environment; thereby, allowing for the easy use of the design system by the user.
In accordance with this operating method, it is possible to not only reduce the time taken to design the above pipes, and fittings, but also to allow the user to achieve such a design even when there is no theoretical knowledge of that design while only having knowledge of data inputting and outputting.
Also known in the prior art is Keith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,242) which is said to disclose a system and method for detecting an acoustic signal in the presence of flow noise produced by the turbulent flow field that develops about a hosewall of a towed array. Pressure is measured with sensors at two diametrically-opposed locations at the surface of the hosewall over a period of time. The sensed pressure signals are used to generate an ensemble-averaged cross-spectra which effectively cancels out the flow noise while retaining the acoustic signal associated with a possible target of interest.
Flow-induced vibrations impact towed array reliability by causing mechanical failure of connectors and components. As such, there is a need for systems and methods that provide the ability to quickly assess the impact of design changes in acoustic arrays in order to avoid towed array failures.

Graphical user interface for flow noise modeling, analysis, and array design

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A method for multi-modality registration using virtual cursors including receiving a two-dimensional image dataset for an object at a first position and receiving a three-dimensional image dataset for the object at the first position. The three-dimensional image dataset includes a plurality of image slices. The two-dimensional image dataset is registered with the three-dimensional image dataset without taking into account a magnification factor. A user cursor position for a location in the two-dimensional image dataset is received. A slice of interest in the three-dimensional image dataset is received. The slice of interest is selected from the plurality of image slices in the three-dimensional image dataset. A shadow cursor position for a location in the three dimensional dataset is calculated. The shadow cursor position corresponds to the user cursor position and the calculating includes a correction for the magnification factor corresponding to the shadow cursor position for the slice of interest. The shadow cursor position is output.

The present disclosure relates generally to multi-modality registration and, more particularly, to a method of using virtual cursors to show pixel-to-pixel correspondence between multi-modality datasets.
Recently, multi-modality acquisitions in the medical imaging field have become more common. Different modalities have different strengths and may provide unique diagnostic information. For example, when performing mammograms, ultrasound is particularly effective at differentiating benign cysts and masses while x-ray is typically used for detailed characterization of microcalcifications. Combining the images generated using an x-ray detector with with the images generated using an ultrasound system leverages the strengths of both modalities. However, one of the challenging aspects is how to spatially register these modality datasets, such that there is a one to one pixel/voxel correspondence while preserving the quality of the original scanned data. One of the challenges in registering 2D x-ray data to 3D ultrasound data is the magnification factor in the projected 2D x-ray data. This factor is calculated based on the spatial relationship between the x-ray source, the scanned object and the image receptor. Registering 3D ultrasound data to 2D x-ray data requires corrections for the magnification factor of the x-ray data in every 3D ultrasound slice because ultrasound data does not contain a magnification factor. Scaling the ultrasound data to account for the magnification factor increases the size of the ultrasound data and may produce or change the normal look of the ultrasound data. The result of scaling the ultrasound image data is that the ultrasound data may have an appearance that looks different than the standard view that mammographers and radiologists are accustomed to viewing and analyzing. This may be especially pronounced when the x-ray source is not centered on the image receptor as is the case during the x-ray to ultrasound mammography data acquisition.

Method, system and computer program product for multi-modality registration using virtual cursors


There is disclosed and claimed a process whereby S(+)-ibuprofen L-lysinate salt is produced by selective precipitation from a mixture containing enantiomers of ibuprofen and L-lysine. The quantity of L-lysine is not more than about a molar equivalent of the quantity of S(+)-ibuprofen in the ibuprofen enantiomeric mixture. The mother liquors after separating the above salt are enriched in R-ibuprofen which is racemized by a novel thermal racemization process and may then be recycled.

.alpha.-Aryl carboxylic acids are well known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs. An example is ibuprofen (Formula 1) which is typically a racemic mixture of the S(+)- and R(-)-enantiomers. ##STR1##
Studies have indicated that the S(+)-isomer is more pharmacologically active than the R(-)-isomer, see, for Example, A. Avgerinos et al, Chirality, Vol. 2, 249 (1990). Attempts have been made recently to isolate the S(+)-isomer from the racemic mixture.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,764 (assignee: Ethyl Corp.) discloses a process whereby the triethylamine salt of racemic ibuprofen is treated with chiral .alpha.-methylbenzylamine (MBA). The MBA salt of one isomer of ibuprofen separates as crystals and is filtered off. The triethylamine salt of the other isomer is isolated from the filtrates, and is separately racemized, which is then treated again as described above.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,604 (assignee: Merck & Co.) teaches S-lysine for the resolution of racemic ibuprofen. Racemic ibuprofen and S-lysine are combined in equimolar quantities in a solvent system, such as ethanol:water, so that the solution is supersaturated in both R, S and S, S salts. The solution is first aged at around 30.degree. C., and then seeded at around 25.degree. C. with a fairly large amount of S-ibuprofen-S-lysinate. This allows the S-ibuprofen-S-lysinate from the racemate mixture to crystallize out. The mother liquor, after filtration, is seeded again to precipitate additional S-salt. Repetition of this process gives the S-ibuprofen-S-lysinate as crystals, and leaves the R-salt in the solution, thus allowing a recovery of 50% of the original amount of the racemic ibuprofen as S-ibuprofen lysinate salt.
Other methods such as enzymatic resolution and chromatography have also been suggested for resolution. The disadvantage with such processes is that they are time-consuming, and the yields are low.
While resolution of racemic mixtures is known, generally such processes lead to yields of a maximum 50% of one isomer, and 50% of the other isomer. In order to get higher yields of one isomer, the other isomer, after isolation, must be separately racemized to eventually isolate more of the desired isomer. Such processes generally employ conditions that are so different from the resolution step that the two are incompatible for efficient recycle. Because optically active .alpha.-aryl carboxylic acids and their salts have greater commercial value than racemic acids and their salts, there is a growing interest in finding improved methods to selectively crystallize such salts from solutions containing the racemic acid and a chiral amine.

Racemization of an enantomerically enriched .alpha.-aryl carboxylic acid


The invention reveals a chemiluminescent lighting element which consists of two concentric, long tubes each of which is made of a translucent and preferably flexible, synthetic material, one of which contains a first chemical liquid which emits chemiluminescent light, and the other of which contains a second chemical liquid whose function is to cause the light activation of the first liquid. The internal tube is provided with an element which moves essentially along the entire length of said tube, by a pressure imparted to it through the wall of the external tube. The sliding element is provided with a blade, which cuts the internal tube longitudinally as the element progresses along the tube and thus causes the liquid in each tube to mix whereby the first liquid is activated and chemiluminescent light is produced.

The principles and techniques for the production of chemiluminescent light are well known as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,608.
For several years, devices composed of translucent pipes or tubes have been in existence which are filled with a liquid which can generate chemiluminescent light. The devices are particularly useful and appreciated for signaling, as night beacons, advertising, decoration, or for entertainment. The devices which are currently known can be grouped in two principal categories, each one of which presents serious drawbacks which are alleviated by the devices of the present invention.
Devices of the first category, and the chemicals useful therein are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,597,362 and 3,576,987. They contain, in addition to the principal chemiluminescent liquid, a glass tube which is filled with an activating liquid. This glass tube breaks when the user, at the wanted time, bends the device, thus causing the mixture of the two liquids and the emission of light. A serious drawback of this type of device consists of the necessary restriction in the length of the glass tube, generally at most one-half meter, because a long glass tube could easily be broken prematurely, either by the user himself, or during handling, transport, packaging and, even during manufacturing. In addition, the glass material, in some instances, is not chemically inert with respect to the liquids used in the device and therefore, over long periods of time, changes in the chemicals occur during storage. There also may be a certain aversion to the breaking of the glass because some users may be afraid that shards of glass could possibly perforate the wall and thereby cause injury to the user.
The second category of devices is characterized by the use of a chemiluminescent liquid which is activated in advance with the corresponding activator then placed in the device in question. Thereafter, the device is quickly placed in a freezing environment whereupon the low temperature stops the chemiluminescent emission reaction. When the user decides to use the light, he removes it from the cold and light emission resumes upon warming. The drawback in this case, as can readily be seen, consists in the need to maintain the device in a freezing environment which generally involves the use of portable refrigerators filled with liquid nitrogen, during the entire sequence of storage, transportation, and sale to the final user. These constraints are expensive and the use of this device is, in addition, less satisfactory from the standpoint of light emission than the first device, described above.
Other devices have also been described which combine the two liquids, in separate compartments of the container, in which the separation is achieved by a various means such as rupturable seals which permits their mixture at the time of use. In this regard, reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,749,620; 3,539,794; 4,061,910; 3,149,943 and French Patent No. 87 11296.4. Devices having two compartments, each having a tubular shape are shown. They can be aligned along the same axis, the total length of such an assembly however, necessarily remaining very small in comparison to the diameter since mixing is made very difficult, if not impossible, because of the distance between the liquids. To prepare a very long tube one could clearly design a device with an alternation of tubular compartments, all along the same axis, as extensions of each other, which would contain alternately the chemiluminescent liquid and the activator with interposition of the separating devices which the user would then have to activate all at the desired moment. The placement of such a succession of antagonistic liquids would result in a high manufacturing cost and its use would be extremely difficult.

Tubular chemiluminescent lighting element


In a connector which comprises an insulator body and conductive contacts fixedly held by the insulator body and is covered with a front shell protecting the conductive contacts and a pair of back shells brought into mechanical contact primarily with the insulator body and into electric contact with each other and with the front shell, a resilient conductive member is backwardly extended from the front shell and is resiliently deformed into mechanical contact with one of the back shells to thereby reinforce the electric contact in order to reliably cope with electromagnetic interference between the connector and its surroundings. Such a member may be extended forwardly from one of the back shells. Alternatively, such members may be extended from the front shell and/or the back shells. Preferably, holding holes are formed through the insulator body with each conductive contact made to comprise a contact stem which has a planar surface and is for force fit in the holding hole for the conductive contact under consideration. In such an event, a guide way is extended from each holding hole. A contact leg is extended backwardly from the contact stem and is curved relative to the planar surface to fill the guide way. Alternatively, an insulator cover is used to bring each conductive wire of a cable into press fit in a bifurcated conductive end and of the conductive contact for the conductive wire in question.

This invention relates to a connector connected to an electric cable and covered with a conductive housing or casing in order to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI) with its surroundings.
In the manner which will later be described more in detail, a connector comprises an insulator body or block and a plurality of conductive contacts extended forwardly from the insulator body. Typically, the conductive contacts are firmly held by the insulator body and connected to conductive wires of a cable which extends backwardly from the insulator body.
When used to cover the insulator body and the conductive contacts, a conductive housing comprises a metal front shell having primarily a pair of parallel opposing portions to protect the conductive contacts and first and second back shells put in electric contact with each other and having primarily first and second inside surfaces in mechanical contact with the insulator body and in electric contact with the opposing portions. In a conventional connector of the type described, the electric contact between the opposing portions and the first and the second inside surfaces is often insufficient and unreliable.
The conductive contacts are usually brought into force fit into a plurality of holding holes formed through the insulator body to open at its front and back surfaces. More particularly, each conductive contact comprises a contact stem having a planar surface and for force fit in a corresponding one of the holding holes, a contact end extended from the contact stem for forward projection from the insulator body and curved relative to the planar surface, and a contact leg extended from the contact stem opposite to the contact stem for connection to a corresponding one of the conductive wires. In order to make it possible to force such a conductive contact into the insulator body from the back surface, a guide way is added to each holding hole to enable pass therethrough of the contact end. Such guide ways are left open at the back surface. The conductive housing is generally covered with a hood of an insulator material.
In a conventional connector of this type, the insulator material flows into the guide ways to deteriorate electric contact between the contact stems and the conductive wires- Potting has consequently been mandatory so as to prevent the insulator material from flowing into the guide ways. Potting is, however, troublesome, raises the cost of manufacture of such connectors, and gives rise to fluctuations in quality of the connectors.
A connector often comprises the conductive contacts of the type described in one-to-one correspondence to the conductive wires of a cable with each conductive contact made to comprise a bifurcated conductive end in place of the contact leg. More specifically, the bifurcated conductive end is extended perpendicularly of the planar surface of the contact stem. The conductive wires are brought into press fit in the bifurcated conductive ends of corresponding ones of the conductive contacts. In such an event, first and second cover components of an insulator cover are provided with a plurality of protrusions to hold the conductive wires in correspondence to the bifurcated conductive ends.
On assembling such a connector, the first and the second cover components are pressed against each other with the bifurcated conductive ends interposed. An appreciable length of each conductive wire is exposed to surroundings. When used, the conductive housing may be undesirably brought into electric contact with the conductive wires of such an appreciable length. It has therefore been practice to interpose an insulator sheet between the conductive wires and the conductive housing. This objectionably renders the connector thick.

Connector covered with conductive front and back shells and comprising a resilient conductive member between the shells

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd.


Embodiments of the present invention blend frames over a specified temporal window to produce a smooth appearance at a reduced frame rate. As the window moves further or closer to the viewer, motion blur may be accomplished by temporal averaging. In particular, the temporal average is used to blend image information for a predefined/brief interval before and after the time of the output frame, retaining all of the image information, but in a slightly blurred form. After the relevant image information is retained, frames may be displayed at a reduced output rate while retaining sufficient information to reproduce a smoothly moving animation sequence.

A personal computer (PC) display typically shows a stack of application windows corresponding to different types of work a user may be doing (for example, word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet, video, etc.), with the currently active application window at the top of the stack, thus appearing closest to the user. When a user changes from one activity to another, these windows are re-composed into a new desktop image, bringing a new application window to the fore.
Future PC product plans call for composing the application windows using three-dimensional (3D) animation techniques to provide the user with a richer visual experience where the animations move smoothly. To make the animations move smoothly, they must be free from jerkiness that can be caused if the desktop image is not composed rapidly enough. Unfortunately, composing a PC desktop image at sufficiently high rates requires excessive amounts of graphics memory bandwidth, which increases costs to levels that may be unsustainable in products targeting the mobile and low cost PC markets.
Conventionally, to deal with inadequate computational or memory resources, frames are simply dropped. Since image information representing original content is discarded, the result often is animation that is jerky in appearance, similar to animated video often seen on personal computers today. This frame skipping may cause the video frame-rate to drop below the frame rate desired to perceive smooth motion. As a result, low bit rate video may at times look jerky to the user.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for generating chatting data based on AI, a computer device and a computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: converting chatting data inputted by a user into an input word sequence; converting a tag of the user into a tag word sequence; based on a preset encoding-decoding model with an attention model, predicting according to the input word sequence and the tag word sequence to obtain a target word sequence; and converting the target word sequence into reply data of the chatting data.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new technical science studying and developing theories, methods, techniques and application systems for simulating, extending and expanding human intelligence. AI is a branch of computer science, which attempts to know the essence of intelligence and to produce an intelligent robot capable of acting as a human. The researches in this field include robots, speech recognition, image recognition, natural language processing and expert systems, etc.
The intelligent chatting represents a process of replying intelligently by a machine to a sentence inputted by a user. However, in the related art, the number of chatting rounds on the intelligent chatting is relatively low.

Method for generating chatting data based on artificial intelligence, computer device and computer-readable storage medium

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The invention provides a method of treating FX syndrome and FX premutation by administering an effective amount of a κ-opioid receptor antagonist to an individual having FX syndrome or FX premutation.

Fragile X mental retardation syndrome (FX) is an inherited condition that causes a range of developmental disabilities, including delayed speech and language development, mild to moderate intellectual disability, anxiety, attention deficit, hyperactivity, communication and social deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder, and seizures (Hagerman et al. Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers 2017, 3, 17065). FX is a result of a mutation in the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The mutation expands a DNA segment, known as the CGG triplet repeat, beyond its normal range of 5 to 40 repeats. An expansion in the 55-200 range constitutes a premutation, whereas an expansion beyond 200 repeats causes a full mutation or FX. The >200 range silences the FMR1 gene and interferes with the synthesis of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is required for normal nervous system development and function (Hagerman et al. Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers 2017, 3, 17065). The premutation does not interfere with the production of FMRP but instead increases FMR1 messenger RNA expression. FX affects 1 in 4000 males and 1 in 6000 females of all races and ethnic groups. The prevalence of the premutation is significantly higher, affecting 1250 females and 1250-800 males. Women carrying the premutation have an increased risk for behavioral symptoms that overlap with the symptoms of FX, and include anxiety, depression, communication and social deficits, and obsessive-compulsiveness (Gossett et al. Am. J. Med. Genet. Part B 2016, 171B, 1139). FX is the number one inherited cause of intellectual disabilities, and the most common known cause of autism worldwide. Therefore, new methods for the treatment of premutation syndrome and FX are needed.

Methods of treating fragile X mental retardation syndrome

The Florida State University Research Foundation, Incorporated


A duvet cover comprised of a pouch which is dimensioned to receive therein a flat down insulating sheet. The pouch has an opening for the insertion and removal of the down insulating sheet whenever the pouch needs to be cleaned. Accordingly, the down insulating sheet is not subjected to washing or dry tumbling which is damaging to the down insulating sheet. Attachments are secured inside the pouch and along peripheral edges of the down insulating sheet whereby the down insulating sheet is secured in position inside the pouch and does not shift, although it is in close fit therein. Such duvet cover has a uniform flat appearance and has a prolonged life.

Duvet covers having down insulation trapped between the base sheet and top sheet of the duvet cover are well known in the art. It is also well known that down feathers provide excellent insulating properties. The higher the fill power (fluffiness) of the down and therefore the more air trapped in the down, the more insulating ability an ounce of the down will have. Down is also a very light product that is desirable for insulation and particularly with products wherein weight is a factor, such as articles of apparel, sleeping bags, duvet covers, etc. However, down is a difficult product to work with due to its fluffy nature and unstable condition. It can also be hazardous to one's health has its fluffy miniscule filaments easily propagate into the surrounding air. For this reason work personnel are advised to wear breathing masks.
Articles of apparel and bedding manufactured with down feather insulation are constructed by entrapping the down between opposed fabric sheets. To prevent the down from displacement, the fabric sheets are sewn with quilt stitched patterns. Some of these patterns are produced by cross-stitches to form small pockets in which the down feathers are trapped. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,245 as an example. With bedding products, such as a duvet cover, the quilt stitches may be spaced apart from about 1 inch to 10 inches forming pockets with loose down therein. During use of these products, the down shifts within the pockets and form areas where the down is concentrated and other areas where there is much less down or no down. This results in areas where there is too much insulation or not enough insulation. Furthermore, because the down is loose between the fabric sheets at the time of stitching, the down is not uniformly distributed between the fabric sheets resulting in stitching being done over heavy down underlay or no down at all creating irregularities in the stitched seams which are visible to the eye or resulting in a rejection of the manufactured product. Because duvet covers are made with large cross stitched quilt patterns and consequently large pockets for retaining the down, the down will propagate to corners of these pocket and unevenly therein. In the case of duvet covers having no quilt stitches, the down always propagate into regions and it is then necessary to shake the duvet in an attempt to distribute the down substantially evenly therein but such is near to impossible. Accordingly, the duvet cover has to be shaken constantly due to the unstable nature of the down.
A further problem with duvet covers is that when they are washed, the loose feathers or down absorbs water and the mechanical action of a drying machine is not desirable for the down as the duvet cover is subjected to a tumbling and stretching action. Therefore, it is best to let the duvet cover dry in the open air to maintain a duvet cover with a uniform appearance. Dry cleaning is an option which is more costly and also is not desirable down duvet covers. Accordingly, the useful life of the duvet cover is reduced when subjected to washing and drying
There is also a need to have a duvet cover wherein the thermal insulation factor can be modified throughout the duvet cover or in designated parts thereof to suit individual preferences and/or calibrate the insulation of the duvet cover to the cnhanging seasons.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,041 addresses the problem of using the loose fluffy down feathers in the manufacture of articles and relates to a method of forming a down feather sheet of substantially constant thickness and particularly for use in the fabrication of articles of apparel such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,245.
It is also desirable with duvet covers to provide different thermal properties for each sleeping side of a bed, as is described and demonstrated in US Patent Publication 2005/0268399. It is also well known that the body of a person, when sleeping, requires less covering and thermal insulation in certain sections of its body.
It would also be desirable to manufacture light weight duvet covers having esthetically pleasing stitch patterns and designs without concern to the size of the spaces formed between the design pattern stitch seams where loose down feathers could be unstable or the complexity of the stitch patterns.

Duvet cover with removable down feather sheet


Methods, systems, and computer readable media for remote authentication dial in user service (RADIUS) message loop detection and mitigation are disclosed. One method includes receiving, at a RADIUS proxy node, a RADIUS signaling message. The method further includes determining whether the RADIUS signaling message includes an attribute with a host identifier corresponding to the RADIUS proxy node. In response to determining that the RADIUS signaling message includes the attribute that includes the host identifier corresponding to the RADIUS proxy node, performing a RADIUS loop mitigation action for the RADIUS signaling message.

In computer networks, a message loop occurs when a message is continually forwarded among network nodes without being terminated. For example, a network may have three nodes, node A, node B, and node C. Node A may originate a message intended for a node outside of the network but reachable by node C. Node A forwards the message to node B, which forwards the message to node C. However, rather than forwarding the message to the destination, node C may erroneously forward the message back to node A, and the message may continually loop between nodes A, B, and C.
Message looping can be caused by route table misconfiguration and/or network conditions, such as link congestion or link outages. In the preceding example misconfiguration of the route table in node C may be the cause of the message looping. Alternatively, a link outage between node C and the destination may cause node C to forward the message back to node A.
Some network protocols include mechanisms for detecting and preventing message loops. For example, the Diameter protocol uses a route record attribute value pair (AVP) for each node to record its identity in a Diameter signaling message that it receives and forwards. The route record AVP is also used as a looping check for inbound messages. For example, when a node receives a Diameter signaling message, the node checks the route record AVP. If the node sees its own identifier in the route record AVP, this means that the node has previously received and processed the message and a loop may be indicated.
While protocols such as Diameter include mechanisms for detecting and preventing Diameter message looping, other protocols, such as RADIUS, do not include loop detection or prevention. As a result, RADIUS messages can loop in a network without being detected or prevented, resulting in wasting of network resources. Accordingly, there exists a need for methods, systems, and computer readable media for RADIUS message loop detection and mitigation.


The present invention provides a method and system for vascular landmark detection in CT volumes. A CT volume is received and an initial position of a plurality of vascular landmarks is detected. The initial position of each of the plurality of vascular landmarks is then adjusted in order to position each vascular landmark inside a vessel lumen. A new position of each of the plurality of vascular landmarks representing the adjusted initial positions is output.

The present invention relates to detecting vascular landmarks in computed tomography (CT) volumes.
Accurate placement of vascular landmarks inside the vessel lumen is an important prerequisite to automatic centerline tracing. Although various methods are implemented to determine the location of organ landmarks, several challenges remain for determining the location of vascular landmarks.
Ensuring that the vascular landmarks are placed inside the lumen is challenging when the vessel itself is narrow. Additionally, contrast-enhanced arteries may be tightly surrounded with bones having similar intensity profiles, making detection difficult in comparison with arteries surrounded by darker tissues. Vascular landmarks that are not located at vessel bifurcations may also be difficult to locate since they can be ill-defined due to the high uncertainty of their position. As stated, accurate detection of these vascular landmarks is an important prerequisite to automatic centerline tracing methods requiring humans or machines to indicate start and/or end points of a vessel that is to be traced.

Method and system for vascular landmark detection


Disclosed is a dry gypsum composition containing hemihydrate gypsum, at least one pigment and a crystal habit modifier. The crystal habit modifier is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sulfate salts, carboxylate salts, carbonate salts and inorganic chlorides, and a content of the at least one compound is in a range of 0.1 to 5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the hemihydrate gypsum, whereby upon hydration of the hemihydrate gypsum into dihydrate gypsum, the dihydrate gypsum is controlled to become plate crystals having an aspect ratio of 1 to 9. A gypsum-based coating formulation making use of the dry gypsum composition is also disclosed.

Water-added and kneaded, wet coating formulations have conventionally been used as finishing materials for interior walls. A variety of materials are used as principal materials in wet coating formulations, but from the viewpoint of the fireproofness and comfort of formed interior walls, gypsum-based coating formulations are widely used. A gypsum-based coating formulation is generally commercialized as a dry gypsum composition, which contains calcined gypsum (in particular, hemihydrate gypsum) as a principal component and also contains various additives added as needed for the formation of a wall surface provided with functionality such as external attractiveness or moisture absorption/desorption properties. At a working site, the dry gypsum composition is added with water and kneaded, the resulting gypsum-based coating formulation obtained in a coatable form (hereinafter also called a "gypsum-based wet coating formulation" or "wet coating formulation") is coated on an underlayment such as a gypsum board by using a tool such as a trowel, and after setting and drying, a wall surface is completed.
With a view to reducing so-called sick building syndrome or the like which has become a social problem in recent years, a variety of materials (additions) are under study to make improvements in building materials. Gypsum-based coating formulations also include those equipped, for example, with an adsorbing function for formaldehyde, which is considered to be a cause of sick building syndrome or the like, by contriving its additives. A proposal has also been made on a gypsum-based wet coating formulation that owing to the addition of rosin, aluminum sulfate and the like, enables the formation of a smooth and high-accuracy, coated wall surface by single coating work (see Patent Document 1).
Concerning gypsum-based coating formulations used as finishing materials for interior walls, on the other hand, dry gypsum compositions, which are used after adding various pigments, respectively, to impart external attractiveness, are provided as commercial products. Wall surfaces formed with these materials present finished surfaces having a wide variety of colors. The addition of a pigment, which is needed in such a case, is generally conducted by a method that adds the pigment as needed at a working site. However, this method requires cumbersome work, and moreover, is difficult to evenly mix the pigment. Especially with a gypsum-based coating formulation which is basically white, the mixed state of its pigment has a high tendency of affecting the finished quality of an interior wall or the like. Accordingly, it is also practiced to provide, as products for gypsum-based coating formulations, dry gypsum compositions with various pigments added, respectively, at factories. These products make it possible to avoid the cumbersomeness of mixing pigments at working sites, and moreover, the use of these products makes it possible to realize the formation of evenly-colored interior walls free of color irregularity because they are provided as products with the pigments mixed stably and evenly.
Color irregularity may, however, occur after coating or dry finishing even when a gypsum-based coating formulation is prepared by adding water to a dry gypsum composition as a product with a pigment added beforehand. The present inventors, therefore, have come to recognize a problem that the high external attractiveness required for interior walls cannot be realized for the above-mentioned color irregularity.
In the meantime, a proposal has been made on a conventional finishing material, which contains an inorganic powder having particle sizes of greater than 0.1 mm, such as clay, silica stone powder and diatomaceous earth, and gypsum and is useful for forming clay walls. According to the proposal, a pigment itself is provided with improved color developing properties to avoid color irregularity on a finished surface (see Patent Document 2). Another proposal has been made on a hydraulic, color-finishing material composition containing alumina cement, gypsum and blast furnace slag. According to the proposal, a setting adjuster is added. The addition of this setting adjuster is described to provide not only excellent fast-setting properties, working characteristics and setting characteristics but also superb staining properties, and also to conduct both surface preparation of a floor underlayment and color finishing at the same time (see Patent Document 3).
These materials both contain gypsum as a filler, but their principal component is the inorganic powder, alumina cement or the like. In these proposals, no study was, therefore, made about the color irregularity on a coated surface formed with a dry gypsum composition which contains gypsum as a base material and is useful as a finishing material for an interior wall, although the present invention is concerned with such color irregularity. Further, a wet coating formulation which contains gypsum as a base material is basically white close to pure white. Therefore, the problem of its color irregularity cannot be equated with the color irregularity of conventional color-finishing materials containing as a principal component such a material as described above, and requires a new technical study. In other words, compared with the above-described materials of the conventional technologies, a wet coating formulation which contains gypsum as a base material is totally different in the color of the base material, and is also different in its setting characteristics and the like (working time and the like). Therefore, the wet coating formulation is obviously required to lessen this problem of the occurrence of color irregularity while satisfying working characteristics, setting characteristics and the like inherent to gypsum, to say nothing of the difference in the meaning of color irregularity. Incidentally, the term "working time" as described above means a time during which one prepared as a reaction-type, gypsum-based coating formulation by adding water to a dry gypsum composition and kneading the resulting mixture to permit coating on a wall can be subjected in a good state to coating work with a trowel or the like.

Dried gypsum composition and gypsum-based coating


One dynamic task scheduling method includes: receiving a task, wherein the task comprises a kernel and a plurality of data items to be processed by the kernel; dynamically partitioning the task into a plurality of sub-tasks, each having the kernel and a variable-sized portion of the data items; and dispatching the sub-tasks to a plurality of computing devices of a heterogeneous computing system. Another dynamic task scheduling method includes: receiving a task, wherein the task comprises a kernel and a plurality of data items to be processed by the kernel; partitioning the task into a plurality of sub-tasks, each having the kernel and a same fixed-sized portion of the data items; and dynamically dispatching the sub-tasks to a plurality of computing devices of a heterogeneous computing system.

The disclosed embodiments of the present invention relate to a task scheduler design, and more particularly, to a dynamic task scheduling method for dispatching sub-tasks to computing devices of a heterogeneous computing system and a related computer readable medium.
A multi-processor system becomes popular nowadays due to advance of the semiconductor process. Regarding a heterogeneous computing system, it has processors that are not identical. For example, the heterogeneous computing system may include at least one first processor (e.g., one or more central processing units (CPUs)) and at least one second processor (e.g., one or more graphics processing units (GPUs)), where each first processor may have first processor architecture (e.g., first instruction set architecture), and each second processor may have second processor architecture (e.g., second instruction set architecture) that is different from the first processor architecture. Hence, if the same task is running on the first processor and the second processor, instructions executed by the first processor are different from that executed by the second processor.
Several frameworks have been developed to enable programs, each including one or more tasks, running on a heterogeneous computing environment, such as OpenCL (Open Computing Language) and Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA). Taking OpenCL for example, it is a framework for writing programs that can be executed across heterogeneous platforms consisting of CPUs, GPUs and other processors (e.g., digital signal processors (DSPs)). Specifically, OpenCL is an open standard for parallel programming of heterogeneous computing systems. Typically, computing device(s) of a heterogeneous computing system being selected to run the tasks of an OpenCL program is (are) statically determined by the programmer. Furthermore, in a case of executing a task of the OpenCL program on multiple devices in parallel, the programmer needs to statically partition the task into sub-tasks according to the number of the devices and assign one of the sub-tasks to each device.
However, such a static task scheduler design with static task partitioning could make the heterogeneous computing system have lower throughput, and cannot guarantee load balance of different processors in the heterogeneous computing system.

Dynamic task scheduling method for dispatching sub-tasks to computing devices of heterogeneous computing system and related computer readable medium


A positioning apparatus can perform high-accuracy positioning in a short time without a Curvic (trademark) or positioning coupling. With provision of a hydraulic motor having a rotary shaft fixed to a turret head and a hollow type rotary encoder for detecting the angle of rotation of the rotary shaft, rotation of the hydraulic motor is controlled by a controller via a control valve. Locking of the rotary shaft is performed by a rebound force of a spring provided in a hydraulic cylinder by pressing a pad provided at a tip portion of a rod against a disk. Unlocking of the rotary shaft is performed by supplying a hydraulic fluid into a cylinder chamber by switching a directional control valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positioning apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, there has been a positioning apparatus for a machine tool as shown in FIG. 11 (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 62-277245). The positioning apparatus is to position a turret head of a numerically controlled lathe where a shaft 102 of a turret head 101 is supported rotatably and axially movably at a support block 103, and a reduction gear 104 fixed to the rotary shaft 102 is connected via a gear 105 to a hydraulic motor 106 to rotate the turret head 101 by means of the hydraulic motor 106 and roughly position the turret head 101. There are further provided a positioning coupling (Curvic (trademark) coupling) 107 and 108 on mating faces of the turret head 101 and the support block 103, while the rotary shaft 102 is provided with a piston section 102a protruding radially from the rotary shaft 102. On the support block 103 are provided an oil chamber 103 a for receiving the piston section 102a and oil passages 103b and 103c for supplying oil from external to the oil chamber 103a to switch the oil supply direction to the oil chamber 103a by means of a directional control valve 109. Then, oil is supplied through the oil path 103b to move the turret head 101 rightward in FIG. 11 to thereby engage the teeth of the positioning coupling 107 and 108 with each other for the final positioning of the turret head 101, and the coupling is disengaged by supplying oil from the oil path 103c to the oil chamber 103a by switching the directional control valve 109.
However, since the above-mentioned conventional positioning apparatus employs a positioning coupling 107 and 108, it is necessary to axially move the turret head 101 each time positioning or rotating the turret head 101, which disadvantageously results in consuming much time in positioning as well as complication in construction. When the turret head moving speed is increased to reduce the time for movement, a severe impact takes place in coupling the positioning coupling 107, 108, which also incurs the problems of loud noise generation and reduction in lifetime of the apparatus. In the positioning coupling 107 and 108 which achieves coupling by mating the teeth thereof, production of backlash is not avoidable to be incapable of achieving high-accuracy positioning, which also results in limiting the position to be indexed.

Positioning apparatus used for machine tools etc.


A boring machine for producing a trench in the ground including a chassis that extends in a longitudinal direction, the chassis having a lower end, the machine including a boring device mounted at the lower end of the chassis, the boring device including a first boring member which is rotary about a first axis of rotation, and a second boring member which is rotary about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation and the first axis of rotation extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the second axis of rotation.

The present disclosure relates to the field of the fabrication of trenches in the ground, and more particularly non-rectilinear trenches, notably curved, oval or circular. It has an application to diaphragm walls formed in the ground, notably curved, oval, ring-shaped or circular walls.
The tools intended to fabricate rectilinear trenches in the ground are known since the 1970s. In particular the document FR 2 211 027 is known to describe a boring machine for producing this type of trench.
The disclosure more particularly relates to this type of machine which comprises a chassis that extends in a longitudinal direction, said chassis having a lower end, the machine including a boring device mounted at the lower end of the chassis, the boring device including:                a first boring member which is rotary about a first axis of rotation;        a second boring member which is rotary about a second axis of rotation;
To produce trenches of generally circular shape, several techniques are used. A first technique consists in using the machine of document FR 2 211 027 and in producing a series of trenches of cross-sections—said sections being considered in a horizontal plane—which are rectangular and inclined with respect to one another, the inclination being considered in a horizontal plane. One drawback is that this method does not make it possible to obtain a precise circular shape.
This method generally consists in producing two primary walls distant from one another and in then producing a secondary wall linking the two previously executed primary walls. The production of the secondary wall requires the reboring of a part of the primary walls over a certain thickness.
In the case of a curved wall, a first difficulty lies in the fact that the thickness of concrete to be rebored is much greater on the inside of the curve that on the outside, which poses problems of maintaining of the borepath.
A second difficulty lies in the fact that the reboring to a considerable thickness incurs an overconsumption of power and consumable cutting tools.
To remedy this difficulty, document EP 2 553 175 proposes to use a reinforcement cage equipped with sacrificial parts arranged on either side of the body of the reinforcement cage. One drawback of this method notably lies in the cost of fabrication of specific reinforcement cages.
Another drawback is that the structure thus obtained has a polygonal shape, the production of which requires a quantity of concrete greatly in excess of that which would be necessary to obtain a truly circular wall.
A technique for producing a circular wall composed of a juxtaposition of secant or contiguous piles is also known, but this is a technique which has the drawback of being limited in wall thickness.

Boring machine for producing a non-rectilinear trench


The present invention provides the three-dimensional structure of human α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) protein. This crystallographic information is useful in the identification and development of novel binding compounds of NAGLU, NAGLU mutants, for example, those associated with Sanfilippo syndrome type B (mucopolysaccharidosis III B (MPS III-B)), and other NAGLU family members (family 89 α-N-acetylglucosaminidase) which may modulate the activity and/or stability of mutated NAGLU. Such compounds may be useful for the treatment of Sanfilippo syndrome type B (mucopolysaccharidosis III B (MPS III-B)).

Sanfilippo syndrome type B (mucopolysaccharidosis III B (MPS III-B)) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. Sanfilippo syndrome type B caused by deficiency of α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU), one of the enzymes required for the lysosomal degradation of the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate. Heparan sulfate is normally found in the extracellular matrix and on cell surface glycoproteins. NAGLU degrades heparan sulfate by hydrolysis of terminal N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminides. The enzyme deficiency leads to the accumulation of heparan sulfate in various organs. The incidence of Sanfilippo syndrome type B is about 0.4 per 100,000 births. Sanfilippo syndrome type B is biochemically characterized by the lysosomal accumulation and urinary excretion of heparan sulfate. The disease initially manifests as aggressiveness and hyperactivity in humans between the ages of 2 and 6 years, later progressing to mental retardation and CNS degeneration, and ultimately death in early adulthood.
Sanfilippo syndrome type B displays wide clinical variability that is likely caused by a high degree of molecular heterogeneity of the NAGLU gene, with more than 100 different mutations in the naglu gene, ranging from small deletions and insertions to nonsense and missense mutations, that have been identified to date. Biochemical studies have confirmed the deleterious effects of many of these mutations (Yogalingam et al. (2001) Hum Mutat 18:264-281; Beesley et al. (2005) J Inherit Metab Dis 28:759-767; Beesley et al. (1998) J Med Genet 35:910-914; Emre et al. (2002) Hum Mutat 19:184-185; Tanaka et al. (2002) J Hum Genet 47:484-487; Tessitore et al. (2000) Hum Genet 107:568-576; Schmidtchen et al. (1998) Am J Hum Genet 62:64-69; Bunge et al. (1999) J Med Genet 36:28-31; Weber B, et al. (1999) Eur J Hum Genet 7:34-44, and referenced in Table 4). Despite having been cloned over ten years ago and having been studied for more than twenty years, no structural or mechanistic data for mammalian NAGLU have been obtained, hindering the development of potential therapeutic strategies to treat patients suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis III B (MPS III-B). Treatment today is largely supportive. There is currently no cure for Sanfilippo syndrome type B.

Crystal structure of human alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase


An impedance matching between two integrated circuits is achieved using an impedance measuring circuit in the integrated circuit that contains an impedance-programmable output buffer (IPOB) that is to have its output impedance changed. The impedance measuring device is directly connected to the output of the IPOB so that it is detecting the same impedance that the IPOB will drive and thereby avoids the errors of measuring the resistance of a device that imperfectly models the actual impedance. The impedance measuring device is preferably an analog to digital (A/D) converter that provides a digital output relative to the voltage present on the same terminal as the output of the IPOB. By having the A/D converter on the same integrated circuit as the IPOB, communications difficulties between the A/D converter and the IPOB are minimal.

As speeds of operation have increased for various processing circuits, such as microprocessors that interface with DRAMs, the lines that carry the signals that switch at high speeds can begin to function as transmission lines. This has become of particular importance in a the operation of a motherboard having a processor in one integrated circuit and DRAMs in a memory stick. These are interconnected by a bus, a plurality of lines, on the motherboard. The bus speeds on the motherboard are now commonly 500 megahertz. At these speeds and line lengths, there are reflections at the terminations unless care is taken to prevent that. The typical answer is to terminate the line at a relatively low resistance such as 50, 75, or even 150 ohms that matches the transmission impedance of the line. A lower termination resistance causes higher the power consumption so the termination resistance is preferably the higher of the possible options. A variety of factors influence the transmission impedance so that it is not always feasible to have the higher resistance value.
The effectiveness of the termination is also based on the ability of the output impedance of the circuit generating the signal, an output buffer, and the termination resistance to match the transmission impedance. It is difficult to match the transmission impedance, output impedance, and termination resistance perfectly due to processing variations in the manufacturing processes, in temperature, and in power supply voltage. A solution to this has been to use impedance-programmable output buffers. Difficulties in implementing this have included complex communications between the output buffer and the controller thereof and requirement of external components that do not track the actual conditions.
Thus, there is a need for achieving impedance matching that overcomes or reduces one or more of these difficulties.

Integrated circuit with programmable-impedance output buffer and method therefor


The present invention discloses the isolation and use of a specific bacterial promoter region suitable for use in constructs for the high level production of heterologous proteins. This promoter is derived from the bacterial gene encoding for alcohol dehydrogenase, in particular the alcohol dehydrogenase genes isolated from the thermophilic bacterial strain T. brockii and the mesophilic bacterial strain Clostridium beijerinckii. It is now disclosed that using either the intact promoter region or certain specific fragments consisting of at least a 88 bp DNA sequence in the upstream untranslated region of the bacterial alcohol dehydrogenase gene, operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequences encoding a heterologous protein, and insertion into a DNA plasmid or any other suitable vector system, heterologous genes can be expressed in high levels in host cells. Heterologous proteins or peptides can be expressed constitutively at high levels. The proteins are obtained in their active folded form.

Prokaryotic culture systems such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) or other bacterial strains, which are considered fast expression systems, are most often the first choice for overproduction of proteins (Current Opinion in Biotechnology 10, 411, 1999). These systems have several known limitations, including problems in expression of large proteins, low solubility of over-expressed proteins and non-full-length gene products due to different codon usage between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, as well as lack of glycosylation. Despite these limitations, the progress made in resolving transcription, translation and protein folding processes as well as availability of improved genetic tools, make bacteria highly suitable for the expression of complex eukaryotic proteins.
Certain methods for increasing the yield of expressed proteins by variations in the culture conditions have been disclosed in yeast (EP 213 029) and in bacteria (WO 91/13156). EP 213 029 discloses the increased yield of a galactose-regulated gene product by replenishing the culture medium with fresh medium before adding the galactose to induce expression of the foreign protein. WO 91/13156 discloses the enhanced recovery of specific proteins by culturing bacterial cultures at least to the late stationary phase, without specific genetic manipulation of the regulatory genes encoded along with the recombinant protein. This disclosure neither teaches nor suggests any general mechanism for the overproduction and seems to be specific to a very restricted group of genes.
Regulation of gene expression has been found to be exerted mainly through regions of untranslated upstream DNA sequences. Deletions of material upstream or downstream from a suspected control region can be used to identify the boundaries of the promoter. Promoter regions including enhancers are characterized by their ability to bind to RNA polymerase and other activating proteins, and generally contain recognition sites for the various proteins.
One of the most essential elements is the promoter used to express the heterologous genes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,991 discloses a novel expression vector containing the tac promoter, based on the endogenous E. coli GroESL operon, used for over expression of heterologous genes in E. coli. Some of the other more frequently used strong promoters for the expression of heterologous genes are the promoters from PL, tac, trp, trc and the T7 promoter. The promoters used are generally regulatable. This feature is essential if the target protein to be expressed is toxic to the host. In general, the stronger the promoter, the more RNA will be transcribed from the DNA leading to the accumulation of messenger RNA. Besides strong regulatable promoters, other elements are also involved in the expression of heterologous genes. The efficiency of the translation is involved in maximizing the expression of heterologous genes. The efficiency of translation can be affected by the mRNA 5′-terminus sequences as well as by the 5′ end hairpin structure of the mRNA. Generally, a functional ribosome binding site containing a Shine-Delgarno (SD) sequence properly positioned to an AUG initiation codon is essential for efficient translation. Variation in the distance between the SD sequence and the AUG codon are known to affect mRNA translation. Studies have also shown when the SD sequence or the AUG initiation codon is sequestered in a double-stranded region of the mRNA, translation is less efficient due to the blocking of the accessibility of these sequences to the ribosome. Some other factors that have been reported to affect the efficient expression of heterologous genes are the stability of the messenger RNAs, the susceptibilities of the protein products to proteolysis and the effect of the host genetic background. Although there is a wealth of information about the elements that affect the overall efficiency of a plasmid based expression system, there are other elements that have not been studied which may be involved in the expression of heterologous genes.
Another problem presented by protein expression in prokaryotes is the three dimensional folding of proteins in an active form. Under some conditions, certain heterologous proteins expressed in large quantities from bacterial hosts precipitate within the cells in dense aggregates or inclusion bodies, and constitute a significant portion of the total cell protein. Recovery of the protein from these bodies has presented numerous problems, such as how to separate the protein encased within the cell from the cellular material and proteins harboring it, and how to recover the inclusion body protein in biologically active form. The recovered proteins are often predominantly biologically inactive because they are folded into a three-dimensional conformation different from that of the active protein. Methods for refolding the proteins into the correct, biologically active conformation are tedious, costly and time consuming, as is well known in the art.
The present invention is an unexpected result stemming from research related to structural elements that confer thermostability to bacteria. The two genes encoding for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermoanaerobacter brockii and from the mesophile Clostridium beijerinckii (TBADH and CBADH, respectively) were isolated and compared. The genes coding for the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase from thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria (TBADH and CBADH) have been successfully cloned, sequenced and expressed in E. coli strain TG1 using the plasmids pBS-M105/2 and pBS-P89. The level of the expressed enzymes inserted in pBluescript II KS(+) was 30-50 fold higher than in the native bacterium T. brockii or C. beijerinckii (Anaerobe 3, 259, 1997).
It was neither taught nor suggested in the background references that the overexpression attained for the thermophilic alcohol dehydrogenase could be obtained for other proteins cloned into an expression system, utilizing the bacterial ADH promoter. Furthermore, it is neither suggested nor taught that an expression system using said prokaryotic ADH promoter could yield eukaryotic heterologous proteins in their active folded form.
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGF's) encompass a family of at least 23 factors, which have an amino acid sequence identity ranging between 17-72%. FGF's are potent mitogens for a wide variety of cell types in tissue culture as well as in-vivo, and are regulators of differentiation of endothelial cells and neuronal cells. FGF's are expressed in a strict temporal and spatial pattern during development and have important roles in patterning and limb formation. The biological effects of FGF are initiated by binding to FGF receptors (FGFRs), phosphorylation of a trans-membrane tyrosine kinase and triggering the intracellular cascade of signal transduction.
Because of their role in growth regulation, the isolation, cloning and expression of FGF receptor ligands are extremely important for developing medicaments for the treatment of various disorders and in particular those of bone and cartilage.
Current art teaches that attempts to express synthetic DNA fragments encoding the entire reading frame of human fibroblast growth factor-1 (HBGF-1beta), and its amino terminal truncated form (HBGF-1 alpha) in Escherichia coli under the control of the trp-lac resulted in high yield and biologically active HBGF-1 alpha. (Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1090, 293, 1991) The HBGF-1 beta was highly expressed using T7 polymerase expression vector.
A synthetic gene encoding human basic FGF has been cloned and expressed in E. coli as a biologically active protein using the expression vector pLCII downstream from the strong PL promoter (J. Biotechnol. 22, 299, 1992).
There is an unmet need for and it would be advantageous to have a high yield expression system that can be used to express various FGF agonists, FGF antagonists, FGF mutants or FGF chimeras having therapeutic value for treating various diseases.


A manufacturing method for a gas discharge panel according to the invention can reduce the amount of water and gaseous molecules, which are absorbed into the first and the second substrates, to a minimum by keeping the both substrates under a reduced pressure, and therefore can prevent a degradation of a discharge gas filling the finished panel. As a result, problems in the finished panel such as increase in a discharge starting voltage and generation of an abnormal discharge can be suppressed.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a gas discharge panel that is composed by attaching a first substrate to a second substrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for the gas discharge panel, which are characterized by an atmosphere for keeping the both substrates in an alignment step and in the preceding step.
Conventionally, an AC plasma display panel (hereafter called xe2x80x9cPDPxe2x80x9d) shown in FIG. 8 is known as one example of gas discharge panels. This figure shows a construction of a part of the PDP in perspective view, with certain parts omitted.
The PDP includes an envelope 12 that is composed of a first substrate 5 and a second substrate 10 which are opposed to each other and whose periphery is sealed with a seal member 11 consisting of a low melting glass. The first substrate 5 is formed with a plurality of display electrodes 2, a dielectric layer 3, and a protective layer 4 which are formed on the internal surface of a glass substrate 1. The second substrate is formed with a plurality of data electrodes 7 extending orthogonally to the display electrodes 2, a dielectric layer. 8 which are formed on the internal surface of a glass substrate 6. In addition, a plurality of partition walls 9 consisting of a low melting glass are formed at equal spaces and in parallel on the dielectric layer 8 in order to divide an internal space between the two substrates into a light-emitting cell.
Also, a phosphor 13 is applied onto the dielectric layer 8 for each light-emitting cell divided by the partition walls 9 in order to display a color image, and a discharge gas consisting of a mixture of Ne and Xe is enclosed in the envelope 12 with approximately 66,500 Pa of pressure.
In general, the PDP is manufactured by attaching the first substrate 5 to the second substrate 10 which are fabricated by separate steps. The first substrate 5 is prepared in the following manner: that is, the display electrodes are formed on the glass substrate, and a dielectric is applied thereon as a layer and baked. Finally, a film consisting of MgO or the like as the protective layer is formed on the dielectric layer according to an electron-beam evaporation (EB evaporation) method or the like to complete the first substrate 5.
Meanwhile, the second substrate 10 is prepared in the following manner: that is, the data electrodes are formed on a glass substrate, a dielectric is applied thereon as a layer, and the partition walls consisting of a low melting glass are formed in a predetermined pattern. Next, phosphors are applied as a layer between partition walls. Finally, the seal member (normally consisting of a mixture of a flit glass and a binder) is applied onto the periphery of the glass substrate, and pre-baking is performed for driving off the binder included in the seal member to complete the second substrate.
Then, the first substrate and the second substrate fabricated as above are arranged and fixed at predetermined locations with contacting each other, while being heated and sealed to complete the envelope.
Finally, after an internal space within the envelope is evacuated, the space is heated at a predetermined temperature. Then, the discharge gas is enclosed in the space to complete the gas discharge panel.
Here, some finished PDPs which are manufactured by the above-mentioned steps have problems of increase in a discharge starting voltage, generation of an abnormal discharge phenomenon during light-emitting, and so on. These problems result from the following reasons.
Firstly, the MgO layer formed on the first substrate as the protective layer is made up of a plurality of needle shaped molecules which are arranged systematically and substantially vertical to the glass substrate. As such, if water or gaseous molecules are absorbed into these molecules, then it is difficult to remove the water or the gaseous molecules from there.
In the finished panel, the protective layer is exposed to discharge, so that the temperature of the layer becomes high. As a result, the water or the gaseous molecules gradually leak out to the discharge space, which deteriorates the degree of purity of the discharge gas.
Secondly, phosphors formed on the second substrate have an extremely porous structure. Thus, water or gaseous molecules are absorbed into the phosphors as well as the protective layer.
It can be considered that such a deterioration of the degree of purity of the discharge gas causes the above-mentioned problems of increase in the discharge starting voltage and generation of the abnormal discharge phenomenon. Naturally, it is preferable to remove both water and gaseous molecules. However, it is known that effects can be obtained when water only is removed. Therefore, it is preferable that the first substrate after forming a protective layer thereon and the second substrate after a pre-baking of the seal member are not exposed to the air as much as possible. However, it is the current state of the art that such a consideration is not given in the actual PDP manufacturing step.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for a gas discharge panel to avoid degradation of the panel properties due to deterioration of the degree of purity of the discharge gas and therefore realize excellent panel properties.
The object can be achieved by a manufacturing method for a gas discharge panel that has a first substrate on which a protective layer is formed and a second substrate on which phosphor layers are formed, and the manufacturing method includes an alignment step for arranging the first substrate and the second substrate at predetermined locations, while opposing the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the alignment step is conducted under a reduced pressure.
Such an alignment step conducted under a reduced pressure leads to reduction in the amount of water and gaseous molecules which are confined in the internal space in the alignment step, which suppresses problems of increase in the discharge starting voltage and generation of the abnormal discharge phenomenon and therefore realizes excellent panel properties. By the way, the internal space in the finished panel is filled with a discharge gas. Prior to the gas filling step and after the sealing step, it is difficult to effectively exhaust impurities such as water vapor from the space. Especially, when the alignment step is conducted in the air where the content of water vapor is not controlled, the difficulty becomes remarkable. However, the alignment step conducted under a reduced pressure according to the invention can reduce the amount of water vapor which is confined in the internal space in the alignment step. Therefore, a gas discharge panel having excellent panel properties can be obtained.
In addition, in the above manufacturing method, the first substrate is placed under a reduced pressure and heated in a first reduced pressure chamber and/or the second substrate is placed under a reduced pressure and heated in a second reduced pressure chamber, prior to the alignment step in which the first and the second substrates are aligned under a reduced pressure in a third reduced pressure chamber.
As stated above, the above method enables procedures under a reduced pressure for the first substrate and the second substrate to be conducted in different reduced pressure chambers, without the both substrates facing each other. Therefore, this method brings the following effects:
That is, the method can securely prevent water and gaseous molecules which leave one substrate from being absorbed into the other substrate. Therefore, a gas discharge panel having excellent panel properties can be obtained.
Besides, the above method enables water or the like to be removed in a condition suitable for each substrate.
Also, the above method can effectively prevent the possibility that gases due to binder burning generated from the second substrate is absorbed into the first substrate.
Further, the above method enables total surface of each substrate to be uniformly exposed to the reduced pressure.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, after the protective layer is formed on the first substrate, the first substrate is subjected to a first substrate baking step in which the first substrate is placed under the reduced pressure and heated in the first reduced pressure chamber.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the second substrate is formed by a phosphor layers forming step, a phosphor layers baking step, a seal member applying step, and a seal member pre-baking step, and the second substrate is placed under the reduced pressure and heated in the second reduced pressure chamber part way through the seal member pre-baking step.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, it is preferable that the first and the second reduced pressure chambers are each reduced to a pressure of 1,333 Pa or less.
In addition, according to the invention, a manufacturing method for a gas discharge panel that has a first substrate on which a protective layer is formed and a second substrate on which phosphor layers are formed, and the manufacturing method includes an alignment step for arranging the first substrate and the second substrate at predetermined locations, while opposing the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the alignment step is conducted in dry gas.
Such an alignment step conducted in dry gas leads to reduction in the amount of water and gaseous molecules which are confined in the internal space in the alignment step, which suppresses problems of increase in the discharge starting voltage and generation of the abnormal discharge phenomenon and therefore realizes excellent panel properties. By the way, the internal space in the finished panel is filled with a discharge gas. Prior to the gas filling step and after the sealing step, it is difficult to effectively exhaust impurities such as water vapor from the space. Especially, when the alignment step is conducted in the air where the content of water vapor is not controlled, the difficulty becomes remarkable. However, the alignment step conducted in dry air according to the invention can reduce the amount of water vapor which is confined in the internal space in the alignment step. Therefore, a gas discharge panel having excellent panel properties can be obtained.
In addition, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the first substrate is placed in dry gas and heated in a first dry gas chamber and/or the second substrate is placed in dry gas and heated in a second dry gas chamber, prior to the alignment step in which the first and the second substrates are aligned in dry gas in a third dry gas chamber.
As stated above, the above method enables procedures in dry gas for the first substrate and the second substrate to be conducted in different reduced pressure chambers, without the both substrates facing each other. Therefore, this method brings the following effects:
That is, the method can securely prevent water and gaseous molecules which leave one substrate from being absorbed into the other substrate. Therefore, a gas discharge panel having excellent panel properties can be obtained.
Besides, the above method enables water or the like to be removed in a condition suitable for each substrate.
Also, the above method can effectively prevent the possibility that gases due to binder burning generated from the second substrate is absorbed into the first substrate.
Further, the above method enables total surface of each substrate to be uniformly exposed to the dry gas.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, after the protective layer is formed on the first substrate, the first substrate is subjected to a first substrate baking step in which the first substrate is placed in dry gas and heated in the first dry gas chamber.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the second substrate is formed by a phosphor layers forming step, a phosphor layers baking step, a seal member applying step, and a seal member pre-baking step, and the second substrate is placed in dry gas and heated in the second dry gas chamber in the beginning of the seal member pre-baking step.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the first dry gas chamber and the second dry gas chamber are each filled with dry gas whose dew-point is specified to xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. or less.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the first substrate is placed under the reduced pressure and heated, and the second substrate is placed in dry gas, before the alignment step is conducted.
According to the above-mentioned manufacturing methods, a gas discharge panel where a water vapor partial pressure in the internal space of the panel is 100 Pa or less can be obtained.
Since such a panel with an extremely low water vapor partial pressure inside of it can be obtained, the degree of degradation in the discharge property resulting from water is small even when an ambient temperature for the panel is decreased.
In addition, the invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for a gas discharge panel having a first substrate carrying mechanism, a second substrate carrying mechanism, and an alignment mechanism, wherein each mechanism is provided in different hermetically sealed chambers, which each include at least one of a gas supplying mechanism and a gas exhausting mechanism.
As stated above, the above apparatus enables procedures under a reduced pressure or in dry gas for the first substrate and the second substrate to be conducted in different and sufficiently separated reduced pressure chambers, without the both substrates facing each other. Therefore, this apparatus brings the following effects:
That is, the apparatus can securely prevent water and gaseous molecules which leave one substrate from being absorbed into the other substrate. Therefore, a gas discharge panel having excellent panel properties can be obtained.
Besides, the above apparatus enables water or the like to be removed in a condition suitable for each substrate.
Also, the above apparatus can effectively prevent the possibility that gases due to binder burning generated from the second substrate is absorbed into the first substrate.
Further, the above apparatus enables total surface of each substrate to be uniformly exposed to reduced pressure or dry gas.
Here, in the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus, connecting units are provided between the chamber including the first substrate carrying mechanism and the chamber including the alignment mechanism and between the chamber including the second substrate carrying mechanism and the chamber including the alignment mechanism, and each connecting unit has at least one of a gas supplying mechanism and a gas exhausting mechanism in it.

Method and device for producing gas electric discharge panels

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment and prophylaxis of ischemia reperfusion injury. In particular the invention provides compounds which function to suppress Toll-like Receptor 2 biological function or expression.

Heart failure is the pathophysiological state in which the heart is unable to pump blood at a sufficient rate through the circulation system of the body. This condition can result in congestive heart failure, a condition which arises when excess fluid accumulates due to the reduced pumping function of the heart. Myocardial infarction occurs when an interruption of the blood supply to the tissues of the heart causes necrosis of the region of tissue where blood supply has been deprived.
Ischemia is caused when an organ or part of the body fails to receive a sufficient blood supply. An organ that is deprived of an adequate blood supply is said to be hypoxic. Reperfusion occurs when blood flow recommences to an organ following temporary deprivation.
Reperfusion injury relates to damage which occurs to a tissue or an organ upon the return of the blood supply to a tissue following a period of ischemia. The absence of oxygen and nutrients during the period of ischemia results in a period of inflammation and oxidative damage when circulation returns. Examples of ischemia reperfusion injury include hypoxia, stroke, heart attack, chronic kidney failure or organ transplantation.
The etiology of reperfusion injury is multifactorial, although it is strongly associated with the pro-inflammatory immune response. Specifically, the return of blood flow to an area previously deprived of blood flow can result in the onset of a number of pro-inflammatory processes such as leukocyte adhesion and infiltration, free radical release and cytokine production. Furthermore, damage to the membranes of cells in areas which have undergone ischemia may result in the release of further free radicals. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) may also occur, while the migration of leukocytes to the area of ischemia may cause a blockage in capillaries, this resulting in a restriction of blood flow and an associated risk of further ischemia. Accordingly, restoration of blood flow following a period of ischemia can actually be more damaging than the ischemic event itself.
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of myocardial infarction, whether pharmacological or mechanical, aim to open, or keep open, the occluded coronary artery in order to restore blood flow and perfusion of the myocardial tissue. Early restoration of blood flow in the infarct related artery and reperfusion of endangered viable myocardium improves clinical outcome. Paradoxically however, reperfusion itself results in necrosis and acceleration of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, referred to as ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Since complications due to loss of viable myocardial tissue are still common after myocardial infarction, reperfusion alone seems insufficient to save endangered myocardium.
Reperfusion activates an inflammatory response mediated by the innate immune system. This activation of the innate immune system also leads to death of cardiomyocytes due to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hazardous cell-to-cell interactions between neutrophils and cardiomyocytes. The intracellular Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway mediates the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Further, the reintroduction of oxygen results in a greater production of damaging free radicals, an increase in pro-inflammatory mediators, and the associated onset of necrosis. The severity of reperfusion may vary due to a number of factors such as duration of ischemia, severity of ischemia and speed of reperfusion.
Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) form a family of pattern recognition receptors which have a key role in activating the innate immune response. Eleven Toll-like Receptors have been identified in humans to date. The members of the Toll-like Receptor family are highly conserved, with most mammalian species having between 10 to 15 Toll-like Receptors. Each Toll-like Receptor recognises specific pathogen-associated molecular signatures. Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2, CD282, TLR-2) can be activated by peptidoglycan, lipoproteins and lipoteichoic acid.
Studies to date have not fully elucidated the complex interplay of regulatory and inflammatory mechanisms which are triggered during ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, the nature and variability of ischemic reperfusion injury as expressed in different animal models, different patients and different tissues, has created further obstacles in relation to identifying methods for therapeutic intervention and prevention of ischemia reperfusion.
Following extensive experimentation, the present inventors have surprisingly identified that Toll-like Receptor 2 has an important role in the onset and progression of the innate inflammatory immune which is associated with ischemia reperfusion injury in a tissue or organ which has undergone a period of ischemia. The inventors have identified that compounds which have a binding specificity for Toll-like Receptor 2, and which function as Toll-like Receptor 2 agonists have utility in preventing aberrant pro-inflammatory immune responses which are associated with the development of reperfusion injury. The inventors have therefore identified that a therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury, mediated by suppressing Toll-like Receptor 2 activation and signalling, would be potentially significant, particularly as the conserved nature of Toll-like Receptor 2 would suggest that such a therapeutic approach would provide a global approach to the treatment of this condition in a wide variety of species, tissues and cell types.

Composition and method for treatment of reperfusion injury and tissue damage


A compact and portable, multi-function camera support device. The modular and variable plurality of components provide alteration of the device's configuration, build size and structural attachment to respond to locations physicality and user requirements. A self-supporting device that can be orientated and attached in various positions upon any structure, vehicle or terrain. Inter-changeable linear frame members and complementary hub profile engagement plate inserts provide the structure and engagement of mounting collar combinations that can linearly re-position and circumferentially rotate. Collars and detachable articulating limbs are employed singularly or paired to connect; equipment mounting plates, limb sets, attachments or wheel sets. Enabling transformation from a single axis vertical bracket to a vehicle mount, scaffold mount, wheeled dolly mount, or rail track support for camera movement. The device provides vertical and linear re-positioning of mounted equipment as well as an adjustable gauge width for attached wheel sets and supported parallel rails.

This invention relates to a device and methodology for positional mounting and support of photographic and cinematographic cameras in variety of locations.
Filmmakers, photographers and surveyors require a variety of support tools to position and mount their cameras or instrumentation in difficult and challenging locations, positions and environments. Existing prior art of support and mounting apparatus are produced for either; a single location usage, purpose specific usage or camera weight and size dependent. None of which performs successfully as a multi-functional and easily transportable support device, operating in a variety of environments and locations. Traditionally equipment manufacturers target a specific end of the consumer or professional markets, where as today's film and television environment, the technical and operational differences are blurring. Presently cinematographers and broadcasters are integrating the physically smaller and lighter weight consumer or hybrid camera technology together with larger industry standard film production equipment, often on the same project. Much of the art of photography and filmmaking is performed by placing the camera in unconventional positions and locations that do not have flat planar bases, such as vehicles, irregular ground such as stairs, or upon scaffold. To achieve this a device permitting intuitive quick rigging and the versatility to adapt its build size and structural attachment in any orientation in response to a location's physicality and a users requirements would be of great benefit.
Existing systems of tripod's and central column bazooka mounts do not support equipment in any orientation other than with their base resting on the floor. Cantilevered support arms may be employed upon these systems but this introduces furthermore equipment and rigging. The invention aims to enable a user to erect the mounting device anyway up or in any orientation without compromising its integrity to support equipment placed upon it in a horizontal position or on any other angle. Furthermore it aims to provide vertical and lateral adjustability, without requiring additional, various sized spare riser sections to be added or stored. Prior art Bazooka systems have an equipment mounting height that is dependent on the chosen combination of individual riser sections. They also require a substantially large, flat and heavy base to provide stability to the mounted equipment; as such, they perform poorly upon irregular ground, stairs, steps and slopes. They usually employ a system that has a flat table base with three or four tubular vertical riser legs that can each be locked off at the required support height.
However, depending upon the legs height, the unused section of tube not positioned below the base plate for support, extends substantially above it, causing obstruction and a restriction of operation to the mounted equipment. This is especially true of legs positioned on a higher step or upper slope. Additionally any lateral repositioning requires the whole unit to be moved and re-stabilised. The alternative use of tripods rarely overcomes the problem because they suffer from the obstruction of a clear and sure foot position upon each steps tread by the upstanding leading edge of the steps next riser section. This is due to the tripods leg extending in an oblique direction across the risers uplift. Raising the tripods working height reduces the oblique angle towards the vertical but it increases instability as the legs extend vertically reducing the tripods balance footprint and raising its centre of gravity.
Bazooka column systems, tripods and offset arms perform with a single nodal point supporting a single mounted camera. However three dimensional image capture and multiple camera time slicing techniques are becoming more prevalent and as such the mounting of a dual or plurality of camera systems in a single plane, upon a tripods single nodal point creates a stability imbalance.
Presently operators often utilise a linear bearing system often called a slider or over-shooter, this is attached upon a tripod, however it still does not overcome any weight transfer imbalance due to operational usage which in turn exerts an undesirable twisting force upon the linear slider bearing and as such, limits its length, and much care must be taken when removing or repositioning cameras. Such a set up usually necessitates additional support legs or stays to be added, these extend vertically downwards to the base level or the stays extend back to the supporting tripod. This arrangement does not substantially broaden the balance footprint beyond the sliders width, which is invariably narrower that the supported equipments footprint, so critical balance of the camera is necessary often limiting the scope of support to small lightweight cameras. Additionally a problem with many flat bed sliders is the noise generated by the wheels or rollers travelling upon the guide track. Their generally flat planar bases create a sounding box, amplifying the travelling noise level and often restricting its use to non-critical sound sequences.
To date much prior art utilises a prescribed and multiple number of single item components, all of which is integral to the devices construction. Often assembly is time consuming and over complicated and the omission of a single leg or foot component renders the unit unworkable or unbalanced, however there are times when due to rigging difficulties or the physical nature of the attaching structure, the orientation, plurality and alignment of components needs to be altered for effective and safe construction. Existing mounts do not readily allow for such alteration of their assembly configuration, consequently users employ an additional apparatus or construct a one-off single usage support tool, or simply compromise by choosing an alternate location.
The use of a cantilevered single arm equipment support in wild life filming or environmental monitoring is often quite rudimentary and prior arts do not provide alterations to height, inclination and position away from the support structure after it has been secured in position. Any small alteration requires the unit's complete removal and repositioning. The inventions embodiment as a single axis, vertical arm support, strapped securely around a tree overcomes many of the fore mentioned problems and additionally is less environmentally damaging than other methods of support, for example Tatera U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,182, which screws into the tree structure.
Prior art from Russell GB 2433 054 comprises of a buoyant mount with the limbs mounting collar, pivot and articulation points, integrated into each legs shoulder, a problem occurs when the circumferential rotation of legs into an upward position about the central shaft causes legs to pass vertically through a cameras angle of view, when its view point is along the central frame member.
The absence of a twin limbed bridging collar prevents contra-lateral limb sets from sitting in the same plane, as they are always axially offset from each other. Due to its particular design, construction techniques dictating its mode and method of operation the prior art is not easily adapted to function in alternate embodiments other than as a water support mount.