The invention relates to a new nutrient composition resulting from maize steeping. This composition comprises an inorganic phosphorous concentration to total phosphorus concentration ratio (Pi/Pt) of between 35 and 95%. The composition also comprises proteins in an amount which gives a value of less than or equal to 5 according to a C test. A process for producing a nutrient composition is also disclosed; wherein the process requires maize steepwater to be subjected to an enzymatic treatment with the aid of protease and phytase enzymes. Furthermore, the enzymatic treatment is performed on a steepwater whose dry matter content is between 5 and 50%, and pH between 3 and 5, at a temperature varying between 40.degree. and 60.degree. C. and for 4 to 16 hours.

The subject of the present invention is a nutrient composition resulting from maize steeping.
It also relates to the process for producing such a composition, as well as its application as culture medium in fermentation industries and as food or food additive in compositions intended for humans or animals.
Maize steeping constitutes the first stage in the extraction of starch in wet milling. It consists in maintaining the maize placed in silos for a given time in hot water containing a small quantity of sulphur dioxide in order to facilitate subsequent protein-cellulose-starch separation and to prevent, moreover, the growth of undesirable microorganisms.
During this operation, two essential phenomena occur simultaneously. On the one hand, the highly fermentable soluble matter contained in the maize grains are transferred into the steepwater. Moreover, the steeping conditions (presence of sulphites and reducing sugars, and the temperature level) are favourable to the rapid development of mainly lactic acid bacteria.
The main advantage of the steepwater, commonly called corn steep by persons skilled in the art is linked to their composition in relation to essential compounds which are derived from the transfer of this soluble matter. These compounds constitute factors which are favourable to the growth of the microorganisms and to the production of secondary metabolites, and they make steepwater an ideal source of nutrients in the fermentation industry.
Indeed, corn steep contains as easily assimilable carbon sources: sugars and organic acids, as nitrogen and carbon sources: amino acids and polypeptides and as sources of trace elements necessary for the growth of microorganisms: "buffering" agents and minerals.
In addition, it constitutes a relatively inexpensive substrate, compared with yeast extracts which represent the reference material in this field, and which are also used as animal and human food.
Moreover, it is known that the use of corn steep as replacement for complex nitrogen sources such as cotton or soya bean proteins makes it possible to substantially increase antibiotic production yields.
For use in fermentation, corn steep should be subjected beforehand to sterilization, of which the temperature and pH conditions as well as the duration are chosen so as to obtain the destruction of microorganisms.
Thus, the temperature is generally between 105.degree. and 130.degree. C. and the pH varies between 3.0 and 8.0. Now, these temperature and pH conditions cause the precipitation of certain constituents of corn steep, which causes numerous disadvantages.
Indeed, the use of such a nonhomogeneous corn steep poses a problem as regards its preparation, and in particular during its concentration. In addition, its use causes the formation of a large deposit on the walls of fermenters, which deposit risks blocking the temperature exchangers. Finally, the recovery of the fermentation products may be substantially disrupted following the blocking of the membranes and of the filters.
Among the solutions proposed to solve this problem, the oldest is that which consists in extracting from the corn steep, by chemical precipitation, the substances responsible for coagulation. Thus, the addition to corn steep of alkaline agents (calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and the like) or of metallic compounds (especially aluminium salts), in order to cause the precipitation of certain proteins, sulphite or sulphate compounds or alternatively phytic acid, is known. However, in addition to the extra cost associated with this additional treatment, its major disadvantage is the removal of nutrients from the medium. Furthermore, such a treatment requires the introduction, into the corn steep, of chemical products in quantities which may be high, which considerably modifies its composition and thus limits its potential uses.
Ultrafiltration has also been used to separate from the maize steepwater the molecular species, especially proteins and peptides, which are heat-coagulable. This technique has in fact been the subject of a French patent No. 2,140,672 granted to the company SCHOLTEN-HONIG RESEARCH.
Finally, it has more recently been proposed to treat corn steep with enzymes.
Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,029 granted to the company DORR-OLIVER describes a treatment with a phytase-cellulase mixture.
However, while such a treatment makes it possible to avoid the precipitation of phytic acid, it is not sufficient to solve completely the problem of the formation of a precipitate during the sterilization of corn steep.
Moreover, a treatment with a protease is described in Japanese patent No. 04-198,080 filed by the company MITSUI TOATSU CHEMICALS: the action of such an enzyme on a corn steep contributes to the improvement of its filterability. Corn steep thus treated is intended for the preparation of a liquid fertilizer.
Likewise, M. ROUSHDI, Y. GHALI and A. HASSANEAN have studied the action of two proteolytic enzymes (Alcalase and Neutrase manufactured by the company NOVO) on maize steepwater in order to reduce the duration of the steeping operation and to obtain a starch having a reduced protein content.
However, it appeared that a treatment of corn steep with a proteolytic enzyme was not sufficient to satisfactorily eliminate the problems mentioned above.
Consequently, none of the treatments described and used up until now has made it possible to solve satisfactorily the problem posed by the formation of a precipitate during the sterilization of corn steep, that is to say without causing the loss of a substantial fraction of the constituents of corn steep.

Nutrient composition resulting from maize steeping


A method and a device for converting a virtual address of a program executed by a processor and provided by a program counter into a physical address in a program memory, the program having been stored in the memory in at least one segment of consecutive addresses. The method includes adding to each address provided by the program counter a number corresponding to the offset between the memory address and the virtual address provided by the program counter, and detecting a possible overflow from the current segment by comparing the obtained physical address with the start and end addresses of the considered segment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the management of a program memory, that is, of a memory in which are stored applications containing instructions or opcodes to be executed by a processor, as opposed to a so-called data memory in which the variable data processed by a program are stored. Such a program memory generally is a non-volatile memory, possibly reprogrammable, storing program lines.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An example of application of the present invention relates to JAVA applications intended to be processed within smart cards, that is, devices having a relatively reduced memory space, requiring segmentation of the memory to enable dynamic storage of the different applications.
More generally, the present invention applies to the management of program memory spaces in which the stored applications are to be stored at discontinuous addresses according to the space remaining available in the program memory.
Conventionally, upon initial storage of a program in a program memory, the processor associated with this memory loads the application into available areas or segments. The processor then also stores an address correspondence table enabling it to subsequently find back the instruction lines to be executed.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional example of a memory management unit (MMU) 1 generally used as an interface between a central processing unit 2 (UC) processing data from programs stored in a program memory 3 (MEM). The function of the interface is to convert a virtual address VIRTADD provided by central processor 2 into a physical address PHYSADD designating the memory line in which the desired instruction is stored in memory 3. Such a conversion is indispensable for instruction lines INST of the program to be able to transit from the memory to the central processor to be executed.
Upon installation of the program, that is, initial storage thereof in memory 3, central processor 2 generates an address-conversion table 12 keeping the correspondence between virtual addresses (successive program lines) and physical addresses of storage in memory 3 according to the available space therein and especially to the available segments. Afterwards, each time central processor 2 needs loading an instruction for execution thereof, it communicates the virtual address to interface 1 in charge of converting it into a physical address. In practice, to avoid slowing down the program execution, interface 1 requires a cache memory space 13 (CACHE) in which are temporarily stored the instructions between memory 3 and central processor 2. This cache memory is especially used to limit the extractions and conversions by avoiding extracting an instruction from memory 3 from the moment that it is available in the cache memory. A translation look-aside buffer 11 (TLB) then indicates to table 12 whether a segment is or not present in memory 13.
The memory management unit solution discussed in relation with FIG. 1 thus requires use of a cache memory. It is thereby incompatible with an application to integrated devices of limited size, especially of smart card type.
Further, the necessary address-to-address conversion devices and correspondence tables are particularly bulky.
The article "A Method L'article "A Method for Implementing Paged, Segmented Virtual Memories on Microprogrammable Computers" from Anderw S Tanenbaum, edited in 1979 in Operating Systems Review USA, vol. 13, no. 2, pages 26-32 (XP-002305693) discloses a method for converting an address of a program counter into an address in an external segmented memory. The change from a segment to another requires modifying the value of the program counter. Further, the detection of the segment boundaries depends on the information contained in the searched addresses.

Method and device for calculating addresses of a segmented program memory


In one aspect of the invention a downhole tool string component has a segmented sleeve slideably attached over the exterior of a mandrel which is adapted for connection to an adjacent tool string component. An end of the sleeve is abutted against a shoulder element of the mandrel and an opposite end of the sleeve is axially loaded by a threaded element attached to the mandrel. The sleeve comprises at least one sleeve segment with an engagement end comprising at least one axial anti-rotation assembly adapted to transfer torque to an adjacent sleeve segment, the shoulder element, or the threaded element.

The invention relates to a downhole tool string, more specifically to a component of a downhole tool string. Many connections of the various components making up a tool string require transferring torque between the various components. For example, when a section of tubing is attached to a well completion tool, matching threads are formed on the tool and the tubing, or to a sub attached to the tubing, so that the connection can be made by advancing and rotating one of the components relative to the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,206 by Cox et al., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a connector for connecting tubing to a component in a downhole well completion system in which a sub is provided for connection to the component and a sleeve extends over a portion of the sub to define a mandrel for receiving the tubing. A plurality of locking spaces extend in windows provided through the sub and are forced into locking engagements with the reeled tubing as the sleeve is advanced over the sub to transfer axial and torsional loads from the component to the tubing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,813 by Passerell et al., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a stab-type coupling apparatus adapted to receive an associated pipe end in a body thereof and prevent its withdrawal there from. A retaining ring retained between the body and stiffener has a radially inward extending toothed portion that grippingly engages the external surface of the associated pipe end.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,526 by Cicenas et al., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a stab-type coupling and method for connecting an end portion of a smooth wall pipe. The coupling is defined by a non-metallic coupling body, a generally elongated hollow insert, an annular retaining spacer ring, seal rings, a collet back-up ring, and retaining collet all disposed within the recess of the coupling body.

Segmented sleeve on a downhole tool string component


A vane machine comprises an inner rotor (28) and an outer rotor (51). A plurality of radially extending vane elements (32) separates first vane chambers (89) from one another. The van elements (32), with a radially inner end region (34), are accommodated in the inner rotor (28) in a radially displaceable manner and, with a radially outer end region (36), are accommodated in the outer rotor (51) in a pivotable manner. It is proposed that the radially inner end regions (34) of the vane elements (32) be accommodated in the inner rotor (28) at a fixed angle and that the outer rotor (51) comprise individual shoes (38) which are separate for each vane element (32) and in which the vane elements (32) are accommodated in a pivotable manner.

The invention relates to a vane machine, in particular a vane pump.
A vane pump with a ring-shaped inner rotor is known from DE 100 40 711 A1 and holds a number of vane elements extending radially to the outside, which are radially movable. The radially internal end areas of the vane elements rest upon a rotationally secure central part and the radially external end areas upon a rotationally secure outer ring. The rotor can be turned around a rotary axis which is displaced with respect to the center axis of the central part and the outer ring. Delivery cells, initially becoming larger and then smaller, are thereby formed between the vane elements when the rotor rotates. Due to the volume change of the delivery cells, fluid is initially suctioned into the delivery cells and then discharged. The end areas of the vane elements slide on the central part or on the outer ring. Such a vane pump can be manufactured easily and at low cost.
For increasing the efficiency, a vane machine in the form of a pendulum slide pump is known from DE 195 32 703 C1. The vane elements are thereby slidably held in an inner rotor and are held rotatably in a ring-shaped outer rotor. The rotary axis of the inner rotor is displaced with respect to the rotary axis of the outer rotor as a result of which delivery cells initially becoming larger and then smaller again, also form during operation. However, the pendulum slide pump known from DE 195 32 703 C1 is complex and its production is therefore expensive.
The task of this invention is to create a vane machine which has a high degree of efficiency and can at the same time be produced simply and at little cost.


An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes: a release agent; a pigment; and a binder resin. The content of the pigment is from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner is in the range of from about −60° C. to about 20° C., and the Young's modulus at 20° C. is in the range of from about 1×100 MPa to about 1×103 MPa.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image developing toner, a developer, a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Related Art
Currently, methods of visualizing image information through an electrostatic latent image, such as electrophotography, are used in various fields. In electrophotography, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor by charging and exposing processes and is developed by a developer including a toner, and the developed image is visualized through transferring and fixing processes.
As an electrostatic latent image developing toner having various functions, there is a toner by which a formed image has peelability. The image that is formed by such an electrostatic latent image developing toner may be peeled after use, and thus the image may be, for example, removed.
In addition, when the peelable electrostatic latent image developing toner also has concealing ability, the image that is formed by such an electrostatic latent image developing toner may be used as a concealing layer and a scratch concealing material may be prepared.

Electrostatic latent image developing toner, developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming method, and image forming apparatus


A system, and corresponding method, is described for using a model to predict the physical behavior of IP from an HDL representation of the IP. The system generated data for training and testing the model by treating the logical parameters and physical parameters subset as one for the IP block. The system digitizes the non-numerical parameters and compresses timing arcs. The system uses the trained model to predict performance, power, and area (PPA) behavior for an IP block directly from the combined vector of logical parameter values and physical parameter values.

Intellectual property (IP) blocks or elements or cores are used in chip design. The IP represents a discrete component used in design. The IP is a reusable component of design logic with a defined interface and behavior that has been verified and can be integrated into a larger design. The IP is typically in the form of soft IP or hard IP. Hard IP is defined as IP that cannot be modified. The hard IP's application function cannot be meaningfully modified by designers.
On the other hand, soft IP includes configurable logical descriptions. The soft IP includes synthesizable cores that are delivered or represented, for example, in hardware description language (HDL), such as Verilog or VHSIC HDL (VHSL). This allows designers to modify designs at the functional level. Soft IP is also sometimes offered as generic gate-level netlists. The netlist is a boolean-algebra representation of the IP's logical function implemented as generic gates or process specific standard cells. An IP core implemented as generic gates is portable to any process technology. Both netlist and synthesizable cores are called "soft IP" because both allow synthesis, placement and routing (SPR) in the design.
Soft IP that is used in systems-on-chip (SoC) and network-on-chip (NoC) are often represented or written in high level parametrized HDL. In computer system design, HDL is a specialized computer language used to describe the structure and behavior of IPs with electronic circuits or digital logic circuits. This representation enables a precise, formal description of an electronic circuit that allows for the automated analysis and simulation of the IP as an electronic circuit. HDL can also be synthesized into a netlist, which is a specification of physical electronic components and how they are connected together, that can be placed and routed to produce the set of masks used to create the IP as part of an integrated circuit. The HDL looks much like a programming language. HDL is a textual description including expressions, statements and control structures. One important difference between most programming languages and HDLs is that HDLs explicitly include the notion of time. HDLs form an integral part of electronic design automation (EDA) systems, especially for IPs or complex circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits, microprocessors, and programmable logic devices.
Representation of IPs must be both functionally correct and satisfy physical requirements, which includes power consumption and minimal operating frequency. Traditionally evaluation of performance, power and area (PPA) can only be done when IP is synthesized into a gate level netlist. For large IPs this process can take hours to days, which makes it impractical for the analysis required during early stages of architectural design. Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that allows for the ability to predict the physical behavior of IP directly from its HDL description in order to shorten IP development cycle and provide more optimal solutions.

System and method for predicting performance, power and area behavior of soft IP components in integrated circuit design


Methods and apparatus for creating in-video objects for a video file include identifying a number of segments of the video file, creating a metadata file containing attributes of the segment for each of the segments, and creating a table of contents for the video content, the table of contents including visual representations of each of the segments.

Video files that are published to a computer network, such as the internet, or world wide web, typically contains a description of the contents of the video and a title. Although video content is gaining growing popularity for entertainment, advertising, and education, what it allows to video users is still very limited. Unless a user manually watches or scans the video, there is no easy way to determine the actual content of a video. Watching a video by timeline or bookmarking the uniform resource locator (URL) for the whole video is typically the extent to which video may be collected or share.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A muffler exhaust tip has a first end provided with clamping members and a second end having a decorative exterior finish. The construction of the muffler tip allows the manufacturer to provide multiple decorative exterior finishes on the muffler tip body. Two adjustable clamping members facilitate attachment of the muffler tip to an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The clamping members attach to the tailpipe of a muffler with a high retention force and can accommodate tailpipes of different diameters for a "universal" fit. A sound amplifying member is set inside the muffler tip, comprising a dual plate member which increases the sound decibel output from the tailpipe and also provides an attractive end cover for the muffler tip.

The invention relates to a decorative and functional item for customizing an automotive vehicle and more particularly to a muffler tip to be attached to the existing tailpipe of a vehicle muffler.
Several types of decorative tailpipes are available to a vehicle owner which attach to the tailpipe of a vehicle muffler. Most common are simply tubular tailpipe covers constructed of chrome or shiny metal which concentrically fit over the end of a muffler tailpipe and are attached to the tailpipe by set screws through screw holes provided in the tubular cover. These tailpipes are useful for decorative purposes to customize a vehicle. Other types of tailpipes extension are available for diffusing exhaust, or for creating a partial vacuum at the outlet of the exhaust system to improve engine efficiency, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,043,097, 4,323,139, and Des. 247,360.
The invention is both a decorative custom muffler tip, and a functional muffler tip capable of providing higher sound decibel (db) from the existing muffler tailpipe of a vehicle.
An object of the present invention is to provide a unique decorative and functional muffler tip for attachment to the tailpipe of a vehicle muffler tailpipe for the purpose of accessorizing the vehicle according to the preference of the vehicle owner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can easily be attached to the tailpipe of an exhaust system without the necessity of great expertise, and which functions to increase the sound emitting from the tailpipe.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for attachment to the tailpipe of muffler which has mounting means as part of the device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a universal fit for a muffler tip which can be attached to most tailpipes due to an adjustable mounting means.
A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of the muffler tip which allows the manufacturer to provide multiple decorative exterior finishes on the same device.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.


In one general embodiment, a magnetic recording tape includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars, wherein an average stripe width of the bars is between about 1.0 micron and about 2.2 microns, where an average servo frame length of groups of the bars comprising a servo frame is between about 120 microns and about 180 microns. In another general embodiment, a system includes a head having at least one servo reader and an array of data transducers of a type selected from a group consisting of readers and writers; and a controller operative to selectively enable every other transducer of a particular type in the array in a first mode of operation, and operative to selectively enable every transducer of the particular type in the array in a second mode of operation.

As tape capacity increases with each generation, smaller and smaller track spacing is being demanded along with tighter Track MisRegistration (TMR) requirements and increased linear density such that tape capacity can be effectively increased without an accompanying loss in data integrity.
As this occurs, the Tape Dimensional Stability (TDS) of the tape medium itself becomes more of a factor in the TMR budget. This TDS factor can be mitigated by improving the media properties, e.g., controlling the temperature, humidity, and tension environments, and by minimizing the overall track spacing as written by the head in a single pass.
Therefore, a magnetic tape with reduced overall track spacing that mitigates the TDS factor would be beneficial to the field of magnetic tapes and magnetic tape data writing and/or reading.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Magnetic tape servo format allowing for increased linear tape density and systems thereof

International Business Machines Corporation


An inkjet head includes: an ink tank plate that includes a nozzle to discharge a liquid; a drive circuit member connected to an electromechanical transducer to apply a voltage to the electromechanical transducer to generate a pressure in an ink tank to discharge a liquid from the nozzle; a liquid supply plate stacked approximately in parallel with the drive circuit member on the ink tank plate; and a sealing material that hermetically seals an electrical connection between the drive circuit member and the wiring member. The liquid supply plate is provided with a receptacle having a hole portion or a concave portion and a mount area surrounded by the receptacle. The drive circuit member is received in the mount area. The sealing material is filled inside the mount area after the liquid supply plate is bonded to the ink tank plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet head in which a drive circuit member is mounted on a laminated-type inkjet head member, and an image forming apparatus having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, as a type of printer, there is known an inkjet printer that prints on a medium such as a paper sheet by moving an inkjet head, which discharges a liquid such as ink, relative to the medium.
In order to selectively drive nozzles that discharge droplets in inkjet heads mounted in inkjet printers, a drive circuit member including a drive integrated circuit (IC) is used. The drive circuit member is connected to an electromechanical transducer such as a piezoelectric element or a heater which generates force to discharge the liquid. As for techniques for mounting the drive circuit member, there is some known techniques, a flip chip bonding technique, a wire bonding technique, and so on.
As such an inkjet head, the following structure is known. The structure includes a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle; a vibrating plate forming a part of the pressure generating chamber; a piezoelectric element which is arranged in the vibrating plate, particularly in the surface opposing the pressure generating chamber and which generates a change in the internal pressure of the pressure generating chamber; and a drive circuit member having a drive element to drive the piezoelectric element. In the structure, the drive circuit member is bonded to a terminal provided in the piezoelectric element using the flip chip bonding technique, and is mounted on an ink tank plate as a fluid path forming plate. Furthermore, a liquid supply plate as a protection plate is bonded to the ink tank plate (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-116767).
There is also known an inkjet head in which the drive circuit member is mounted through a wire connector after the liquid supply plate is bonded to the ink tank plate (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-267428).
However, since the sealing material to be coated on the ink tank plate to protect a connector portion of the drive circuit member is apt to wetly spread, it wetly spreads on the ink tank plate. Therefore, in a case where a liquid supply plate as a protection plate is bonded to the ink tank plate as in the inkjet head disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-267428, it is necessary to avoid an area where the sealing material wetly spreads in order to obtain an excellent bonding state without any void. This results in the inkjet head having a large size. Since the area where no wet-spreading of the sealing material appears is not supported by the liquid supply plate, the inkjet head has a weak structural strength there and hence is susceptible to deformation caused by an external force, resulting in the reliability being not guaranteed.
Similarly, in the inkjet head disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-267428, in a case where another member is additionally stacked on the liquid supply plate where the drive circuit member is mounted, the member must be stacked avoiding the area where the sealing material wetly spreads. This causes a large-sized head and reduces a structural strength.
In addition, since it is necessary to perform mounting, typically, at a high temperature of 150° C. to 300° C. in order to increase the strength of the electrical connection portion of the drive circuit member, an adhesive used to bond other members may be degraded to generate bonding errors, or a material which can be used as a constituent member is problematically limited to those having heat resistance.

Inkjet head and image forming apparatus having the same


In a cellular mobile communication system that operates in a first state in which UE has not established a connection with eNB and in a second state in which the connection has been established with eNB, the UE transmits cell selection history to the eNB of a second cell when handover from a first cell to the second cell in accordance with second criteria for handover in the second state, the cell selection history containing a history of cell selection performed in accordance with first criteria for cell reselection in the first state. When the UE performs handover from the first cell to the second cell within a period after transition from the first state to the second state, the eNB of the second cell specifies the cell in which the first criteria and the second criteria are not aligned from among the first cell and the second cell.

In LTE (Long Term Evolution) which is a next generation mobile communication system being a standard in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), a mobile station (UE: User Equipment) operates in an active state or in an idle state. In accordance with handover criteria (HO Criteria), the mobile station in the active state (also referred to as "connected state") selects a destination cell, and moves thereto. On the other hand, the mobile station in the idle state (also called "idle mode", "standby state/mode", "power saving state/mode") selects a destination cell in accordance with cell reselection criteria (CRS Criteria), and moves thereto. This process for movement is referred to as "cell reselection".
Basically, a mobile station measures received power of radio wave or receiving quality thereof from a serving cell (it is also referred to as a cell in which a mobile station is located), and a neighbor cell (or neighboring cell, it is also referred to as "an adjacent cell"), and moves to a target cell from a serving cell. A cell of the movement destination (target cell) of a mobile station is determined based on the handover criteria and the cell reselection criteria using the measurement result of received power or receiving quality of a mobile station. In the handover criteria and the cell reselection criteria, types of the received power/receiving quality to be measured for determination, and structure of formula, and types of parameters which constitute the formula are different, respectively. When nearly satisfying a following formula (1), a mobile station moves to a target cell.PTarget cell>Pserving cell+HO_Margin  (1)
Note that, in the formula (1), PTarget cell is an index value of received power or receiving quality based on a reference signal from a target cell, and PServing cell is an index value of received power or receiving quality based on a reference signal from a serving cell. HO_Margin is a predetermined margin. Note that the types of parameters which constitute HO_Margin are different in the handover criteria and the cell reselection criteria. Moreover, with respect to a degree that the parameters which constitute each criterion affect to the range of the cell formed by the handover criteria or the cell reselection criteria, the degree changes with radio environment to which a system is actually applied. Therefore, in a radio environment to which a system is actually applied when starting an operation of a cell in accordance with the handover criteria and the cell reselection criteria, coverage defined by the handover criteria and coverage defined by the cell reselection criteria may not be matched. In the following illustration, a state in which the coverage defined by the handover criteria and the coverage defined by the cell reselection criteria are not matched, is expressed by a state in which the coverage is "not aligned". Moreover, a cell which is not aligned is referred to as "non-aligned cell".
FIG. 1 is a diagram in which the base stations A, B and C, which are adjacent to each other, form cells A, B and C, respectively, and a diagram depicting a case where the base station A is a non-aligned cell among the base stations A, B and C. In FIG. 1, (a) depicts coverage according to the handover criteria (HO criteria), and (b) depicts coverage according to the cell reselection criteria (CRS criteria), respectively. Since the base station A is a non-aligned cell as depicted in FIG. 1, the sizes of coverage according to the handover criteria and the coverage according to the cell reselection criteria are different.
In FIG. 1, it is assumed that a mobile station (UE (P1)) in the idle state under a control of a cell A is moving toward a cell B from a cell A, as depicted in FIG. 1. In this situation, the mobile station changes into the active state from the idle state at a boundary of the cell A and the cell B, and connects with a cell (cell A) which has received a radio wave in accordance with the cell reselection criteria (UE (P2)). Then, a case can be considered where a handover is performed to another cell (cell B) in accordance with the handover criteria right after establishing a connection with the cell A (UE (P3)). In other words, supposing that the base station A is aligned, if a mobile station changes into the active state and connects with the cell A afterwards, a mobile station would have continued the connection with the cell A unless the position is changed. However, since the base station A is not aligned, above-mentioned useless handover may occur.
FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the base stations A, B and C, which are adjacent to each other, form cells A, B and C, respectively, and a diagram depicting a case where the base station B is a non-aligned cell among the base stations A, B and C. In FIG. 2, (a) depicts coverage according to the handover criteria (HO criteria), and (b) depicts coverage according to the cell reselection criteria (CRS criteria), respectively. Since the base station B is a non-aligned cell as depicted in FIG. 2, the sizes of coverage according to the handover criteria and the coverage according to the cell reselection criteria are different.
In FIG. 2, it is assumed that a mobile station (UE (P1)) in the idle state under a control of a cell B is moving toward a cell A from a cell B. In this situation, the mobile station changes into the active state from the idle state (UE (P3)) right after it moved to an area under a control of the cell A according to cell reselection criteria (UE (P2)), and establishes a connection with a cell (cell A). Then, a case can be considered where a handover is performed to another cell (cell B) in accordance with the handover criteria soon afterwards (UE (P4)). In other words, supposing that the base station B is aligned, if a mobile station changes into the active state and connects with the cell A afterwards, a mobile station would have continued the connection with the cell A unless the position is changed. However, since the base station B is not aligned, above-mentioned useless handover may occur.
FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the base stations A, B and C, which are adjacent to each other, form cells A, B and C, respectively, and a diagram depicting a case where non-aligned cell does not exist. In FIG. 3, (a) depicts coverage according to the handover criteria (HO criteria), and (b) depicts coverage according to the cell reselection criteria (CRS criteria), respectively. In FIG. 3, at each cell, the coverage defined by the handover criteria and the coverage defined by the cell reselection criteria are matched. In this case, a useless handover does not occur right after a mobile station changes from the idle state to the active state.
Currently, 3GPP is standardizing not only constituting parameters of above-mentioned handover criteria and cell reselection criteria but also SON (Self-Optimization Network) which addresses automated optimization of the various parameters. In MRO (Mobility Robustness Optimization) which is one of use cases of the SON, a problem is disclosed in which each criterion is to be adjusted to be matched by optimizing each parameter which constitutes the handover criteria and the cell reselection criteria, and occurrence of a useless handover is to be reduced.
Related art is disclosed in 3GPP TS 36.902, "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Self-configuring and self-optimizing network (SON) use cases and solutions".

Cell specifying method, base station, and mobile station


The present invention is directed to selection systems for the identification of cell proliferation genes based on functional analysis. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for the identification of a cell proliferation promoting activity, the isolation of genes involved in such cell proliferation promoting activity, and the use of the so identified genes for the diagnosis or treatment of a disease associated with excessive cell proliferation. The invention further is directed to the design and development of antibodies, peptides, nucleic acids, and other compounds which specifically interfere with the function of the identified gene and/or its gene product, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, for the treatment of diseases associated with inappropriate or unregulated cell proliferation.

General Background. In the past decade it has become apparent that many diseases result from genetic alterations in signaling pathways. These include diseases related to unregulated cell proliferation such as cancers, atherosclerosis and psoriasis as well as inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and tissue rejection. The finding that these proliferative diseases are based on genetic defects refocused the medical community to seek new modalities for disease management which essentially consist of designing drugs which modulate cell signaling. In order to develop highly specific drugs, i.e., drugs which potently interfere with uncontrolled cell proliferation but have low toxicity or side effects, it is crucial to identify the genes encoding polypeptides involved in the cellular signal transduction pathways whose aberrant function may result in the loss of growth control.
Although tremendous progress in understanding relevant signal transduction pathways has been made in recent years, it is quite clear that many of the genes involved in the development of proliferative disorders, referred to herein generally as "cell proliferation genes", remain to be discovered.
Cell Proliferation Genes. Genes whose aberrant expression or function may contribute to cell proliferation disorders fall into two general categories: (1) dominant transforming genes, including oncogenes, and (2) recessive cell proliferation genes, including tumor suppressor genes and genes encoding products involved in programmed cell death ("apoptosis").
Oncogenes generally encode proteins that are associated with the promotion of cell growth. Because cell division is a crucial part of normal tissue development and continues to play an important role in tissue regeneration, oncogene activity, properly regulated, is essential for the survival of the organism. However, inappropriate expression or improperly controlled activation of oncogenes may drive uncontrolled cell proliferation and result in the development of severe diseases, such as cancer. Weinberg, 1994, CA Cancer J. Clin. 44:160-170.
Tumor suppressor genes, on the other hand, normally act as "brakes" on cell proliferation, thus opposing the activity of oncogenes. Accordingly, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, e.g., through mutations or the removal of their growth inhibitory effects may result in the loss of growth control, and cell proliferative diseases such as cancer may develop. Weinberg, 1994, CA Cancer J. Clin. 44:160-170.
Related to tumor suppressor genes are genes whose product is involved in the control of apoptosis; rather than regulating proliferation of cells, they influence the survival of cells in the body. In normal cells, surveillance systems are believed to ensure that the growth regulatory mechanisms are intact; if abnormalities are detected, the surveillance system switches on a suicide program that culminates in apoptosis.
Several genes that are involved in the process of apoptosis have been described. See, for example, Collins and Lopez Rivas, 1993, TIBS 18:307-308; Martin et al., 1994, TIBS 19:26-30. Gene products which have been implicated in the control of or participation in apoptosis include bcl-2 (Korsymeyer, 1992, Immunol. Today 13:285-288), c-myc (Shi et al., 1992, Science 257:212-214; Evan et al., 1992, Cell 69:119-128), p53 (Rotter et al., 1993, Trends Cell. Biol. 3:46-49), TRPM-2/SGP (Kryprianou et al., 1991, Cancer Res. 51:162-166), and Fas/APO-1 (Itoh et al., 1991, Cell 66:233-243). Cells that are resistant to apoptosis have an advantage over normal cells, and tend to outgrow their normal counterparts and dominate the tissue. As a consequence, inactivation of genes involved in apoptosis may result in the progression of tumors, and, in fact, is an important step in tumorigenesis.
Mutations in tumor suppressor genes and genes encoding products involved in the control of apoptosis are typically recessive; i.e., both copies of the gene, the maternally inherited copy and the paternally inherited one, must be inactivated by mutation to remove the effect of the gene product. Usually, a single functional copy of such genes is sufficient to maintain tumor suppression. Predisposition to certain hereditary cancers involves mutant tumor suppressor genes. For example, if an individual inherits a single defective tumor suppressor gene from her father, initially her health will be uncompromised, since each cell still contains a functional copy of the gene inherited from her mother. However, as cells divide, mutations accumulate. Thus, at one point, the remaining normal copy in a cell may be inactivated by mutation to remove the function of the tumor suppressor, thereby completing one of the steps toward tumor formation. Such a cell may give rise to descendant cells which represent the early stages of cancer.
Of course, individuals who inherit a full normal complement of tumor suppressor genes can develop cancer as well. However, because two inactivating mutations are required, the development of the disease is much less frequent in such "normal" individuals, i.e., not predisposed to cancer.
Tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes participate in growth control pathways in normal cells in such a way that the appropriate level of cell division is maintained. Disruption of these pathways by mutation of the component genes, oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, is the underlying cause of cancer. Growth control in complex organisms like humans is a very important and complicated process. Thus, multiple genetic pathways for growth control are involved. Some pathways operate in all cell types in the body. Other pathways are much more specific and function only in certain cells.
Discovery Of Cell Proliferation Genes. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have traditionally been identified by different methods. However, each of the approaches currently employed for the identification and isolation of cell proliferation genes has limitations on the types of genes that can be retrieved.
A first approach involves the detection and identification of transforming retroviruses and chromosomal translocations in tumors, which has provided the means to identify dozens of oncogenes. Bishop, 1983, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 52:350-354; Stehelin et al., 1976, Nature 260:170-173; Bishop, 1987, Science 235:305-311. However, this strategy is largely limited to the identification of dominant oncogenes and it rarely leads to the identification of tumor suppressor genes since inappropriate tumor suppressor functions are recessive. Moreover, viral spread is not facilitated by decreased cell growth, thus it serves little purpose for viruses to transduce tumor suppressor genes. Similarly, viral insertion or chromosomal translocations are single events. Thus, dominant changes are far more likely to be manifested than recessive changes.
A second traditional method for identifying cell proliferation genes has been the genetic analysis of kindreds, followed by positional cloning. Kindred analysis is, in principle, suited both for the identification of oncogenes as well as recessive cell proliferation genes, including tumor suppressor genes and/or genes encoding products involved in the control of apoptosis. Through kindred analysis many recessive cell proliferation genes have been uncovered, including APC (Nishisho et al., 1991, Science 253:665-669), NFI (Xu et al., 1990, Cell 62:599-608), NF2 (Rouleau et al., 1993, Nature 363:515-521), RB (Friend et al., 1986, Nature 343:643-646), MLM (Cannon-Albright et al., 1992, Science 258:1148-1152; Kamb et al., 1994, Science 264:436-440), BRCA1 (Hall et al., 1990, Science 250:1684-1989; Miki et al., 1994, Science 266:66-71), BRCA2 (Wooster et al., 1994, Science 265:2088-2090; Wooster et al., 1995, Nature 378:789-792; Tavtigian et al., 1996, Nature Genetics 12:1-6), WT1 (Francke et al., 1979, Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 24:185-192; Gessler et al., 1990, Nature 343:774-778), and VHL (Latif et al., 1993, Science 260:1317-1320). However, a major disadvantage of the analysis of kindreds is that it is rather slow and limited, because the identification of cell proliferation genes depends on the existence of chance mutations that become established in the cell population, and cause an increased risk that is dramatic enough to be visible above the level of nonhereditary (sporadic) cancer in the population. Kruglyak et al., 1995, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 57:439-454; Kruglyak et al., 1995, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 56:1212-1223.
A third approach traditionally pursued to identify and isolate cell proliferation genes is the analysis of homozyous or hemizygous genetic lesions in tumor cells. These lesions include regions of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or homozygous deletions. Horuk et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:541-546.
Finally, a method which has been employed for isolating growth control genes of the tumor suppressor class involves the selection of variants that have lost certain malignancy traits, namely "revertants". Such revertant lines, however, are typically difficult to identify and separate from the majority of rapidly growing parental cells. Still, a number of such revertants have been isolated from populations of cells transformed by a variety of oncogenes and subsequent treatment with various cytotoxic agents which are toxic to growing cells or cancer cells. Fischinger et al., 1972, Science 176:1033-1035; Greenberger et al., 1974, Virology 57:336-346; Ozanne et al., 1974, J. Virol. 14:239-248; Vogel et al., 1974, J. Virol. 14:1404-1410; Cho et al., 1976, Science 194:951-953; Steinberg et al., 1978, Cell 13:19-32; Maruyama et al., 1981, J. Virol. 37:1028-1043; Varmus et al., 1981, Cell 25:23-26; Varmus et al., 1981, Virology 108:28-46; Mathey-Prevot et al., 1984, J. Virol. 50:325-334; Wilson et al., 1986, Cell 44:477-487; Stephenson et al., 1973, J. Virol. 11:218-222; Sacks et al., 1979, Virology 97:231-240; Inoue et al., 1983, Virology 125:242-245; Norton et al., 1984, J. Virol. 50:439-444; Ryan et al., 1985, Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3477-3582. Usually, cells are exposed to these agents under such conditions where cells that have reacquired a non-transformed phenotype are contact inhibited, and hence, are less susceptible to these cytotoxic agents, leading to preferential elimination of the transformed parental cells and, after several cycles, the isolation of morphologic revertants.
In addition to being both inefficient and time consuming, the above described selection for tumor suppressor genes is based on differential growth parameters of normal versus transformed cells and hence may preclude the isolation of certain classes of revertants. Moreover, the selection procedure itself may induce epigenetic changes or changes in the number of chromosomes. Furthermore, if the cytotoxic agents used are themselves mutagenic, then their continuous presence during the selection period may generate a revertant phenotype resulting from multiple mutational events. While any of these mechanisms may result in the production of a revertant phenotype, the nature of these genetic or epigenetic changes may preclude their analysis by gene transfer experiments.
Obviously, the most constraining factor for the utility of tumor cells in gene discovery is the lack of powerful selection procedures allowing the identification of new genes. It is well recognized that there is a need for a rapid and efficient selection procedure that would permit the isolation of tumor cell revertants resulting from a single mutational event. With this objective, Zarbl et al. developed an alternative assay for the selection of revertant tumor cells. Zarbl et al., 1991, Environmental Health Perspectives 93:83-89. This selection protocol is based on the prolonged retention of a fluorescent molecule within the mitochondria of a number of transformed cells relative to non-transformed cells. Indeed, in a significant number of cases, retention of fluorescent molecules within mitochondria seems coupled to transformation. However, because the prolonged dye retention phenotype is neither essential nor sufficient for cell transformation, this approach is limited to some specific types of mechanisms of transformation.
Other methods which have been used to search for cell proliferation genes involve biochemical approaches underlying analysis of cell cycle regulators (Serrano et al., 1993, Nature 366:704-707; Xiong et al., 1993, Nature 366:701-704), random sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and homology comparisons (Lennon et al., 1996, Genomics 33:151-152), and methods for identifying differentially expressed genes, such as differential display (Liang et al., 1995, Methods Enzymol. 254:304-321). None of these approaches, however, offers a way to directly assess the function of the genes. Instead, candidates are identified based on a presumed (or identifiable) biochemical function or on an abnormal pattern of expression. These candidates are then tested further for involvement in cancer. Such tests include either mutational alteration in primary cancers or cell lines, experiments using somatic cells (for example, to determine the effect of ectopic expression), or experiments in transgenic mice or knockout mice containing inactivated genes.
It is apparent that these selection methods have a number of drawbacks and limitations. Therefore it is desirable, and the objective of the present invention, to develop rapid and efficient selection procedures that would permit the identification and isolation of large numbers of novel genes, particularly cell proliferation genes, based on functional analysis. In accordance with its objective, the present invention provides efficient selection systems which permit the isolation of growth-proficient revertants resulting from a single mutational event in growth arrested cells.

Selection systems and methods for identifying genes and gene products involved in cell proliferation


A terminal fitting (10) includes a tubular connecting portion (11) into which a male tab (90) is to be inserted. A plate-shaped resiliently deflectable contact (14) is formed separately from the connecting portion (11) and extends in a front-back direction in the connecting portion (11) for contacting the male tab (90) inserted into the connecting portion (11). The connecting portion (11) includes locks (24) for locking the resilient contact (14) to the connecting portion (11). A support (42) as a deflection supporting point of the resilient contact (14) is provided on a rear end of the resilient contact portion (14). The support (42) is located behind the front ends of receiving portions (41) of the resilient contact (14) to be locked by the locks (24).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a terminal fitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,155 discloses a terminal fitting that has a tubular connecting portion with a front end. A plate-shaped resiliently deflectable contact is formed separately from the connecting portion and extends in a front-back direction in the connecting portion. A tab of a mating male terminal fitting is inserted into the connecting portion from the front and contacts the resilient contact to connect the terminal fittings electrically.
The connecting portion has a rear locking piece that is cut and bent from the bottom wall and shaped to lock the rear end part of the resilient contact portion from behind. Thus, a deflection support of the resilient contact is set before the rear locking piece.
The longitudinal length of a spring area of the resilient contact before the deflection support needs to be sufficiently long to exhibit a satisfactory springiness and to ensure smooth connection to the male tab. However, a demand for miniaturization limits the length of the terminal fitting. The rear locking piece is behind the deflection support. Thus, the length of the connecting portion is at least the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the spring area and the rear locking piece of the resilient contact. As a result, the above-described terminal fitting cannot easily meet the demand for miniaturization.
The invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to provide a terminal fitting capable of meeting a request for miniaturization and satisfactorily exhibiting the springiness of a resilient contact.


The present invention provides a method of configuring a package that enables the reduction of load on a network without a temporary need for a large recording area on the client side when reconfiguring a software package from given components. A second computer receives, from a first computer, combination information on a combination of one or more components and position information indicating storage locations of components recorded in the first computer, receives a selection of given components from a user, determines the combination of the components selected based on the combination information, receives the selected components based on the determination of the combination and the position information corresponding to the selected components, and configures the secondary software package using the received components.

With the diversification of software products in recent years, there is a tendency of a software package to be composed of a large number of components. A software user, however, rarely uses all of the components and a vendor providing a software product is required to distribute a software package (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "package") including only components highly needed by customers.
Normally, when configuring an optimal package for a customer, a vendor as a primary provider selects software programs (hereinafter, referred to as "components") meeting the needs of the customer for the package configuration.
For example, when a vendor provides an operating system as a package, required components depend upon languages provided by the operating system. Therefore, in most cases, components for one language appropriate for the customer are selected out of English, Japanese, or French components and the entire combination of the selected components is provided as an individual package.
The creation of the individual package by the package provider on a case-by-case basis, however, leads to an increase in human and time costs for management, check, and distribution of a large number of packages and for media creation. Therefore, there has been used a method in which a vendor provides a primary software package (hereinafter, referred to as "single package") including all components that can be selected and a user selects components to be introduced at installation. This structure is often used at the time of distributing office applications.
Under the present situation, however, with the enhancement of the functions of software programs, there is a tendency of an increase in file size of the components constituting a single package and it leads to a large increase in size of the single package. In recent years, a software package is frequently distributed over a network such as the Internet. In distributing this type of single package over a network, there has been a tendency of an increase in load on a server performance or load on the network and in volume of the software package in the storage device of a server or a user.
Therefore, there has been suggested a method of distributing a single package over a network with a reduction of a load on a server or a network even if the single package size increases (for example, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 8(1996)-83245 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-285048

Method and data structure for reconfiguring a software package


A horizontal sundial (1) that can be used to find standard time accurately and be manufactured on a commercial basis for any specific location, incorporating a gnomonic projection map (1M), a wire gnomon (1a) to indicate the time on a scale (1b), and the point of noon on the map (1c), and a bead (1d) located directly above the center of the dial for indicating the Sun's overhead position on the map (1e), and marking special occasions and special dates.

The present invention relates to sundials. The present invention is a form of horizontal sundial showing standard time and incorporating a gnomonic projection map.
Most horizontal sundials indicate local solar time (a system of time measurement abandoned long ago). It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a sundial that can be used, like a modern clock or watch, to find standard time to the nearest minute.
The present invention meets such object by automating on computer the construction of the circle or other trace showing the time and incorporating this with a gnomonic projection map. A gnomon, preferably made of metal wire (e.g. nitinol or stainless steel), not only indicates by its shadow the time on the hour scale but also marks the point of midday on the map and is further configured by means of a bead on the wire to indicate the place where the Sun is directly overhead. Since the height of the Sun varies with the seasons, the invention can be configured so that the bead's shadow can be used to highlight special dates (anniversaries, birthdays, & etc.) marked on the map between the Tropics of Cancer/Capricorn. Other scientific, commercial (practical) and versatile aspects of the invention are described below.
Although a computerized map-projection program became available in the 1970s for cartographic purposes, due to cost its availability was restricted to universities, corporations, and government institutions. Map-projection software programs (e.g. Geocart introduced in 1993) contributed to cartography but the relevance of the computer modeling of the gnomonic projection to the construction of a sundial has not been recognized or implemented.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a sundial with standard time display of high accuracy that can be manufactured on a commercially viable basis while allowing customization to any given location on Earth. Further objects are to show where noon occurs and the sun is overhead.
Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:


A vehicle washing system. The vehicle washing system includes a vehicle washing system component. Also, provided is an apparatus for moving the vehicle relative to vehicle washing system component. The speed of the relative motor of the vehicle is selected either by an operator automatically or may be varied to vary the vehicle throughput through the vehicle wash. A control unit is provided. The control unit senses the speed of movement of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle washing system. The control unit adjusts the vehicle washing system component for coordinating the vehicle washing system component in accordance with the speed of the vehicle.

In the past, components used in vehicle washing lines have been hydraulically driven. These various components include the conveyor system that moves a vehicle through the wash line. The hydraulic systems of the past have also been configured to operate at a set rate or rates of speed without any type of control mechanism for maximizing the overall efficiency of the system. Thus, there is a need to maximize the efficiency of the system by controlling the rate of speed at which the system operates.
Additionally, the efficiency of the system may be improved from the standpoint of controlling the number of resources used. Typically, the components in the vehicle washing line include nozzles for applying liquids, and chemical mixing devices for applying various chemicals in predetermined ratios to the vehicle. Additionally, other components of the car wash include wheel systems for agitating and washing the sides and tops of vehicles, and also include some type of drying system used for drying vehicles at the end of the conveyor line. In order for the components of the car wash system to operate properly, all the wash components are calibrated to run based on the conveyor line moving the vehicle at a single speed. The speed of the conveyor was controlled separately from the other vehicle wash components. The speed of vehicle throughput could only be changed by changing conveyor speed without changing the speed of the other wash components or without changing the speed of the other components automatically. Certain wash components only operate at a single speed, or are adjustable but do not have the ability to compensate for the change in speed of the conveyor. In the past, the only options that were available to the car wash operator were options for turning on and off certain features individually, such as various cleaning features which may be used in various levels of the wash such as may be selected by the vehicle wash consumer.
Therefore, there has been a need in the art of vehicle wash systems to allow more flexibility in controlling vehicle throughput and other features of a vehicle wash line. In addition to controlling the rate of vehicle throughput of the system, it is also desirable to control the operating characteristics of the individual components which are part of the vehicle washing system. By controlling the operating characteristics such as equipment speed, water flow, number of drying units used, and the mixing of wash chemicals, the overall system can be improved to reduce operating costs and maximize the use of resources.

Control system for vehicle washing system


A near-field light detection element is provided with a light source, a conductive scatterer for generating near-field light by being irradiated with light from the light source, and a photoelectric conversion element arranged in a near-field light generation region near the scatterer. The scatterer irradiates near-field light to a recording medium, and the near-field light detection element detects an intensity change of the near-field light generated by a change of the dielectric constant of the recording medium based on an electrical conductivity change of the photoelectric conversion element.

With the progress of the information technology field, there has been a demand to increase the capacities of optical memories such as CDs (compact discs), DVDs and BD (Blu-ray discs). By present optical recording methods, it is difficult to reduce the size of recording marks any further due to optical diffraction limit. In recent years, a great deal of attention is paid to an optical recording method using near-field light as technology for breaking through this diffraction limit. This near-field light is light locally generated near an aperture or fine particles of the size equal to or shorter than the wavelength of the light when the light is incident on these aperture or fine particles, and the spread of the near-field light does not depend on the wavelength of the incident light, but is determined by the size of an object on which the light is incident.
Conventionally, many methods for causing light to be incident on a sharp-pointed fiber probe or the like and generating near-field light at a micro-aperture formed at the leading end of the fiber probe or the like have been employed, but there has been a problem that light utilization efficiency in relation to incident light is poor. In recent years, a near-field light generating element utilizing a surface plasmon resonance of metal has been proposed as technology for drastically improving this light utilization efficiency (see, for example, patent literatures 1 and 2). These technologies are for inducing a surface plasmon resonance by irradiating a very small metal film with light having a suitable wavelength and generating near-field light near the metal film for recording and reproduction.
A conventional reproducing method as described above is described with reference to FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 17, light 102 polarized in x direction is incident on a fan-shaped and electrically conductive scatterer 101 from a positive side toward a negative side in z direction. Here, a suitable wavelength is selected as the wavelength of the incident light, a surface plasmon resonance is induced in the scatterer 101 and near-field light is generated near an apex 103. An information recording medium 105 recorded with recording marks 104 is brought closer to a region of the scatterer 101 where the near-field light is generated, and is relatively moved while maintaining a constant distance. At this time, an intensity change of scattered light 106 is detected based on a difference in the relative positional relationship of the scatterer 101 and the recording marks 104, whereby information can be reproduced. Such a reproducing method is the one using the principle of so-called near field optical microscope.
What is problematic here is a S/N ratio at the time of reproduction. In other words, the scattered light 106 to become a reproduction signal is obtained by converting a part of the near-field light generated near the apex 103 of the scatterer 101 into propagation light by the information recording medium 105 and is difficult to efficiently introduce to a light receiving element. Thus, detectable light intensity is generally weak.
There is a method for increasing the intensity of the incident light 102 in order to increase the intensity of the scattered light 106. However, particularly in the case of using a rewritable material as a recording material of the information recording medium 105, there is a limit in increasing the intensity of the incident light 102 to prevent changes of the recording marks 104 by the near-field light at the time of reproduction.
In order to improve the S/N ratio, it has been also proposed to eliminate the influence of a part of the incident light 102 deviated from the scatterer 101 and directly reflected by the information recording medium 105, for example, by providing a light shielding film around the scatterer 101 or by providing a luminous body for emitting light having a wavelength different from that of the incident light 102 in a region of the scatterer 101 where near-field light is generated. Any of these methods is similar to the above in detecting a change of the propagation light resulting from the near-field light and cannot drastically increase signal intensity.    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-114184    Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-149694

Near-field light detection element and information reproducing medium reproducing method


The present invention relates to an ultrasonic echographic diagnostic apparatus which is capable of displaying the characteristics and properties of tissue, such as the maximum displacement of tissue, the hardness of tissue, the velocity of propagation of vibrations through tissue, and the magnitude and direction of movement of tissue, in various display modes. The apparatus is capable of detecting and displaying the displacement of tissue caused by heartbeat or external pressure in a real-time mode by calculating the minute displacement of tissue or the differential of the same, calculating a temporal local maximum of the minute displacement varying with time, time corresponding to the temporal local maximum, the gradient of the time and the absolute magnitude of the gradient, and displaying the results of the calculations. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus specifies a desired point or points and a desired direction or directions in a tomogram, determines calculating data passing a desired point and extending along a desired direction, for a plurality of tomograms obtained at different times, respectively, by interpolating the data signals, determines the displacement of the desired point in the desired direction or the rate of change of the displacement on the basis of the calculating data, and displays the information calculated on the basis of the displacement or the rate of change of the displacement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which receives ultrasonic waves applied to, and reflected by a specimen to obtain signals representing the condition of the specimen, and produces a tomogram of a cross section of the specimen on the basis of the signals. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus featured by a display that displays a tomogram of a cross section of a specimen, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of calculating the displacement of vital tissues caused by pulsation or an external pressure, and of displaying the result of calculation.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus facilitates the diagnosis of diseased parts in a specimen, particularly in human body organs, by receiving ultrasonic waves applied to and reflected by the human body organs to obtain signals representing the condition of the human body organs. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus produces a picture of the human body organs on the basis of the signals, and the picture. Methods of determining small displacement of various parts of the human body in addition to producing tomograms have been proposed in, for example, Y. Araki, S. Yagi and K. Nakayama, "Local Displacement Velocity Analysis of Soft Tissue using Doppler Method", Proceedings of the 55th meeting on the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine, 55-314, PP. 689-690 (December 1989) (reference [1])
The method disclosed in the reference [1] applies a pulse ultrasonic beam to human body organs several times in the same direction and determines the minute displacement of parts at specific depths in the direction of travel of the pulse ultrasonic beam by the pulse Doppler method.
The cross-correlation method is another method of determining a small displacement of the human body (S. Yagi and K. Nakayama, "Local Displacement Analysis of Inhomogenous Soft Tissue by 2-Dimensional Analytic Signal Correlation", Proceedings of the 54th meeting on the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine, 54-116, pp. 359-360 (May, 1989) (reference [2]).
The cross-correlation method disclosed in reference [2] applies many pulse ultrasonic beams in various directions in the human body, obtains signals corresponding to two tomograms and determines the two-dimensional minute displacement in the human body by calculating a two-dimensional cross-correlation of the signals. The method in reference [2] is also usable in calculating the minute displacement with respect to the depth direction parallel to the scanning line.
Since the determination of the minute displacement is not the subject matter of the present invention, and the cross-correlation method and the pulse Doppler methods are well-known techniques, the description of a method of determining the minute displacement will be omitted.
The subject matter of the present invention is to display the minute displacement determined by the foregoing known methods in a manner useful for diagnosis.
FIGS. 7(A), 7(B) and 7(C) are views of assistance in explaining prior art displaying methods.
FIG. 7(A) is an illustration of a picture displayed by the displaying methods stated in reference [1], in which depth along a scanning line in a tomogram 10 of the human abdomen, having the shades of the diaphragm 11 and a blood vessel 12 is measured on the horizontal axis, minute displacement on the scanning line determined by the prior art method is measured on the vertical axis, and time is measured to an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. It is impossible to recognize all of the minute displacements of the points on the cross section at a glance in the tomogram.
Another displaying method determines the minute displacement of each of the points in a tomogram 10 (each point is represented by a point a) at a moment in which a frame showing the tomogram 10 is formed, represents the minute displacement by a luminance, a value or a chrome of a color, or color variation (hereinafter referred to as "luminance or the like") as shown in FIG. 7(B), superposes the minute displacement of each point represented by a luminance or the like on the tomogram in each frame, and displays frames sequentially as shown in FIG. 7(C).
However, since each point on human body organs moves within a very small time frame, for example, in accordance with a heartbeat, the minute displacement of each point in the tomogram changes very quickly. Therefore, it is difficult to find, or possible to fail in finding an abnormal minute displacement of a point appearing in the tomogram for the diagnosis of a tumor or the like. Therefore, diagnosis using the tomogram requires great skill.
The Doppler method (reference [1]) and the two-dimensional cross correlation (reference [2]) method are representative prior art methods of determining the displacement of each part.
While the Doppler method has the advantages that a displacement can be calculated by the operation of a relatively small operation quantity and the tomogram can be displayed in a real-time mode, the Doppler method is able to calculate only a displacement along the direction of scanning lines. While the two-dimensional cross correlation method is able to calculate a two-dimensional displacement, the two-dimensional cross correlation method needs a large operation quantity in calculating the two-dimensional displacement and is unable to display a tomogram in a real-time mode.


Apparatuses for feeding sheets and printing apparatuses are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses for feeding sheets includes a first guide; a second guide opposite the first guide; a first side wall; a second side wall opposite the first side wall; a support surface configured to support a stack of sheets with a first edge of the sheets facing the first guide, a second edge of the sheets facing the second guide and a center line of the stack extending from the first edge to the second edge; and at least two tampers including: a first tamper secured to the first guide between the center line and the first side wall, the first tamper including a first lower pad and a first upper pad which applies a lower force to the first edge of the sheets than the first lower pad; and a second tamper secured to the first guide between the center line and the second side wall, the second tamper including a second lower pad and a second upper pad which applies a lower force to the first edge of the sheets than the second lower pad.

Printing apparatuses can include a tray to contain sheets of media used to produce prints. In such apparatuses, when stacks of the sheets are loaded into the tray, variable loading can cause the stacks' positions to vary in both position and straightness. Such variable loading can detrimentally affect the feeding of the sheets from the tray.
It would be desirable to provide apparatuses for feeding sheets and printing apparatuses constructed to assist positioning of as-loaded sheets in trays to improve feeding of the sheets.


An appliqué and associated method of applying an appliqué an improved sublimated and screen printed image on a substrate of a An improved appliqué suitable for applying a graphic to a material a first printing layer and a second polyurethane layer. The appliqué is cut the graphic imparted thereon and adhered to a garment.

An appliqué is a decoration or ornament, such as needlework, involving a swath of material known as an appliqué, which is attached to the surface of another material. An appliqué is typically assembled by cutting a piece of a material and attaching it to the surface of another material. Appliqués are usually attached to the surface of a second material by sewing or by the application of pressure and heat through a heat press process. Appliqués may be assembled on most fabrics, and are largely associated with images and designs attached to garments and clothing.
There are other methods besides assembling of appliqués for providing clothing with graphics including, but not limited to, lettering, images, and designs. Sublimation, for example, is a method of applying an image to specially coated ceramics, metals, and polyester cloth. The sublimation process uses sublimation ink, heat, and pressure to bestow a substrate with an image. A heat-sensitive sublimation dye is dissolved in a liquid to print graphics and text and then transferred to special inkjet paper in a process called dye sub transfer. The dye sub transfer and an object with a sublimatable substrate are then placed into a heat press, where pressure and heat are applied to transfer the image to the substrate.
When the heating cycle is completed, the image on the paper has been transferred to the item and has actually become a part of the substrate or surface. Sublimation is typically performed on a polymer or polymer-coated item, such as polyester, as the pores of a polymer are more suitable for integrating the sublimation dye into its substrate. At high temperatures, the solid dyes in the print convert into a gas without ever becoming a liquid. The high temperature also opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter them. When the item is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close, and the gas reverts to a solid state. The image has now become integral with the substrate of the polymer. If the process is performed correctly, the transferred image cannot be removed, unless the actual fibers or coating is damaged.
The sublimation process may be limited because sublimation is more effective on polymeric substrates than on natural materials, such as those made from 100% cotton. Natural fibers and non-coated materials are not as porous as polymer surfaces, so that the dye is disposed on the top of the fabric. Furthermore, the sublimation process has garnered limited results on non-white substrates. This is because the ink used in the sublimation process is actually transparent when sublimated and is more effectively highlighted by a white background.
Screen printing is another method used to provide a fabric or garment with a graphic, such as, but not limited to lettering, an image, or a design. Screen printing consists of three elements: a screen, which is the image carrier; a squeegee; and ink. The screen printing process uses a porous mesh stretched tightly over a frame made of wood or metal. Proper tension is essential in order to ensure accurate color registration on the porous mesh. The mesh is made of porous fabric or stainless steel mesh. A stencil is produced on the screen either manually or photochemically. The stencil defines the image to be printed, which in other printing technologies would be referred to as the image plate.
Screen printing ink is applied to the substrate by placing the screen over the material. Ink with a paint-like consistency is placed on the top of the screen. Ink is then forced through the fine mesh openings using a squeegee that is drawn across the screen, applying pressure and thereby forcing the ink through the open areas of the screen. Ink will pass through only in areas where no stencil is applied, thus forming an image on the printing substrate. The diameter of the threads and the thread count of the mesh will determine how much ink is deposited onto the substrates. Direct screen printing is also limited in that graphics produced by direct process do not transfer well to garments.
There is a need for an improved method of bestowing a sublimation or screen-printed image onto a substrate. There is also a need to develop a process for imparting graphics to a non-white fabric. There is a further need to develop a process for imparting graphics to a fabric where the graphics are high-quality, but are not permanently installed on the fabric.


This invention relates to external, non-invasive compression devices to treat anterior nosebleeds and a method for using those external compression devices to treat anterior nosebleeds without the insertion of any material or device into the nasal cavity. This patent concerns a method for automatically applying external pressure to the nose to stop nosebleeds, describes how a new use can be made of an existing device to implement the method, and also describes a preferable anatomically conforming device which better fits the shape of the nose and thus can be more comfortable and effective.

A. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices that apply external, non-invasive, compression to treat nosebleeds and a method for using those external compression devices to treat anterior nosebleeds.
B. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
1.) Treatment of Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds may occur in the anterior (front) or posterior (back) area of the nasal passage. The treatment of posterior nosebleeds is exclusively internal and invasive, and is usually done in the emergency room or operating room by a physician specializing in the treatment of ear, nose and throat problems.
Anterior nosebleeds are usually treated at home and only 8 to 10% are serious or recurrent enough to require professional medical attention. The treatment of anterior nosebleeds can be divided into two methods: (a) internal or invasive methods, and (b) external or non-invasive methods.
a.) Internal Treatment
Internal treatment of anterior nosebleeds includes the use of three primary methods: vasoconstricting drugs, cautery, and insertion of various materials or devices to expedite clotting.
i.) The first internal treatment method is the use of vasoconstriction drugs instilled by spray bottle, atomizer, cotton pledget, or internal nosebleed clip. Vasoconstriction compounds include phenylephrine, oxymetozaline, epinephrine or cocaine, which act by causing the blood vessels in the nose to decrease in diameter and thus reduce blood flow. Kern (U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,756) disclosed an internal nosebleed clip with cotton pads that can be saturated with a vasoconstricting agent and inserted into the nostril(s). The clip exerts gentle pressure from inside the nose which can be augmented by finger pressure on the external portions of the clip or on the external surfaces of the tip of the nose.
ii.) The second internal treatment method is the use of cautery, which is the process of burning, and can be effected by chemical, electrical, or thermal means. Chemical cautery involves the touching of the bleeding site with silver nitrate sticks for 10 to 15 seconds. This treatment cannot stop bleeding, but is applied only after the bleeding has stopped to prevent re-bleeding. Overzealous use has caused septal perforations. Electrical cautery uses electrical energy to coagulate the bleeding area and is used almost exclusively by ear, nose and throat specialists. Thermal cautery uses a battery powered disposable device but it is difficult to control or estimate the depth of cautery achieved with these devices. Serious damage to the delicate nasal tissues can occur.
iii.) The third internal treatment method is insertion of various materials and devices into the nasal cavity to expedite clotting. All existing techniques involve the insertion of materials or other devices into the nasal cavity and the application of pressure either internal or external to stop bleeding. The materials used include petroleum-impregnated gauze, absorbent-cotton gauze, synthetic sponge, balloon devices, and thrombogenic agents. Pressure may be applied internally-specifically, by inserting a sufficient amount of packing material to apply pressure itself, by expansion of the sponge material when it contacts nasal fluids, by inflation of a balloon or, pressure may be applied externally, to cause an internal material to contact the bleeding nasal surfaces. These internal methods may use pressure alone or may be combined with an agent such as absorbent-cotton or thrombogenic chemical to expedite clotting. Absorbent-cotton has fine fibers that hold liquid blood adjacent to the bleeding vessel until a clot is formed thereby stopping bleeding. Thrombogenic chemicals also act to promoting clotting by enhancing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.
Baer (U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,771) used absorbent-cotton placed inside the nose and a nasal clamp placed on the outside of the nose to force the bleeding areas of the nose into tight contact with the absorbent-cotton. Kern used an internal nosebleed clip to deliver vasoconstricting agents directly to the nasal mucosa. Neither of these internal treatment methods were widely adopted, as they still required insertion of material into the nasal cavity, with the attendant problems and risks of such internal treatment discussed herein.
Insertion of petroleum-impregnated gauze or absorbent-cotton is also painful and requires subsequent removal that may restart bleeding. Furthermore, it is difficult for internal packing to be inserted with sufficient uniformity to apply constant and evenly distributed pressure to the entire anterior nasal septum. There are many commercial products that have been designed to make the pressure more uniform, the insertion faster, more convenient and less uncomfortable for the patients. For example, the Merocel.RTM. (a product and trademark of the Merocel Corp., Mystic, Conn.) nasal sponge is a dehydrated, synthetic sponge-like material that expands upon contact with moisture. In addition, balloon devices can be inserted into the nasal cavity and inflated with air.
All of the above internal treatment methods, because of their inherent invasive nature, suffer from the disadvantages of causing the patient to suffer discomfort, possibly injuring the delicate nasal tissues, and in many cases requiring the services of a trained medical professional. Even with these disadvantages, the internal techniques are still not as effective as applying external pressure alone directly to the external nose.
b.) External Treatment
As opposed to internal treatment methods, exclusively external treatment is non-invasive and involves the application of pressure to the outside of the nose. External treatment of nosebleeds is the most effective way to apply pressure to the blood vessels in the nasal septum. Traditionally, the recommended technique is to have the patient use his own hand to apply pressure to the entire elastic area of the nose, using what is referred to as the "closed hand technique." To do so, the radial aspect of the index finger between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints rests against the side of the nose and the thumb is used to exert pressure to the opposite side of the nose. The patient's arm and elbow are rested on the chest to help maintain the proper position. This technique is recommended because it reduces the risk that the patient will loosen his or her grip. A watch or clock should confirm the duration of compression for 5 to 10 minutes because patients invariably underestimate the amount of time that has elapsed.
In simple terms the nose is pinched between the thumb and index finger for 5 to 10 minutes. If properly and consistently applied for the recommended duration, this method can be effective for treating simple anterior nosebleeds. However, in practice its effectiveness is diminished because of the difficulty in maintaining constant pressure for even the minimum time period required (5 minutes). It is especially problematic in children because it must be done by the parent or other adult.
There are no known devices presently available that are designed to treat nosebleeds solely by the application of external pressure to the nose, which is an object of this invention.
2.) The Existing Use of a Noseclip Devices
An existing noseclip devices apply external compression to effect closure of the nostrils for the purposes of preventing water from entering the nostrils during swimming, performing respiratory function testing and delivering breathing treatments. Swimming noseclips pinch the inferior aspect of the nose to cause closure of the nostrils thus preventing the entry of water. In its existing respiratory use the noseclip is placed on the nose for the purpose of stopping the flow of air through the nasal passages. This closure causes air to move only through the mouth. Thereby, all the breathing air moves from the lungs through the mouth to an external respiratory measuring machine (respirometer) or breathing machine. This allows accurate measurement of lung volumes and flow or delivery of air, oxygen and/or medication.
Swimming noseclips are plastic U-shaped devices that are placed on the nose usually from the inferior aspect. Commercial noseclips are available (Swimline Nose Pinch, Edgewood, N.Y. and Future Way Corp., Floral Park, N.Y.). Existing respiratory noseclips are made of flexible plastic in the shape of a clothespin, and typically include some type of "pad" on the end of the inside surface that contacts the nose in order to reduce patient discomfort and enlarge the area of compression. Soft plastic, rubber, foam, sponge, or other soft materials are used to form the pads. There are numerous commercially available respiratory noseclips (Warren E. Collins, Inc., Braintree, Mass.; Vacumed, Ventura, Calif.; A-M System, Inc., Everett, Wash.) which vary in their shape and pad design (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C). The device is operated by squeezing the upper connecting arms 10 (FIG. 1C) between the thumb and first finger with force 11 sufficient to causes the lower connecting arms 12 to open 13 sufficiently wide to be placed on the nose.
C. The Problem
Nosebleeds occur in both adults and children, but are especially common in children. There is a need for a non-invasive treatment for this problem that is effective and yet safer than internal, invasive methods, and that can and will be administered by the patient or, if the patient is a child, by the child's parent, without the need for trained medical personnel. The invention must deliver uniform pressure to the entire soft portions of the external nose rather than just pinch the inferior aspect as with the swimmers noseclip. The invention described herein is designed to fulfill these needs. The inventor is an emergency medicine physician who has developed a new use of the existing respiratory noseclip device, a method for use of an external compression device to treat nosebleeds, and who has designed an anatomically conforming device to more effectively and comfortably provide such compression, all as described in this patent.
Ten percent of the American population has had at least one or more episodes of nosebleeds. Most of these are in children. Common causes of nosebleeds in children include picking the nose, nasal dryness, and minor trauma. The bleeding soils clothing, bedding, and furniture and is inconvenient. For the parents and children, bleeding represents a distressing occurrence.
In adults there is a small (and in children a very rare) but important percentage of nosebleeds which are located in the back (posterior) portions of the nasal passage and are serious, requiring urgent medical attention. The external compression device and method described in this patent are not for use in such patients.
Internal treatment of nosebleeds is invasive, painful, and usually requires medical professionals. Parents are generally unwilling to insert anything into their child's nose because of their concern over the discomfort it causes and the not unreasonable fear of injury to the child. Even adults are reluctant to insert these devices into their own noses for the same reasons and because it is difficult to self-administer objects such as a dry sponge, gauze, or internal clip into the sensitive nasal mucosa.
The existing closed hand (finger-thumb) method of external treatment of nosebleeds requires uniform pressure delivered continuously by hand for 5 to 10 minutes to an adult or child. This method is difficult to apply and tiring in practice, although if properly applied it can be effective.
D. The Object
The object of this invention is to provide an effective, safe, painless, non-invasive, exclusively external device, and a method for using such a device, which automatically delivers continuous, uniform pressure to the entire pliable lateral aspect of the lateral walls of the nose to treat simple anterior nosebleeds, without the need for treatment by trained medical personnel. This treatment can place pressure directly on the bleeding vessel, thereby typically causing cessation of the flow of blood and allowing the body's normal coagulation process to control the bleeding. This treatment can be accomplished with the use of the existing respiratory noseclip or, preferably, the new anatomically conforming noseclip described herein.

Anatomically conforming external compression device, new use of existing noseclip device, and method of exclusively external nasal compression, for treating anterior nosebleeds