Disclosed is a method for removing and purifying carboxylic acids from fermentation broths, comprising removing biomass and any solids present from the fermentation broth, finely cleaning up the biomass-free and solids-free fermentation broth by nanofiltration, and removing the carboxylic acid from the finely cleaned, biomass-free, and solids free fermentation broth by adsorption to one or more solid phases having tertiary amino groups.

Critical to the industrial use of carboxylic acids which are generated by fermentation of carbohydrate-containing substrates using various microorganisms is the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of removing and cleaning up the lactic acid from these aqueous fermentation solutions, which contain not only the carboxylic acid or the carboxylic acid salts but also further organic acids, other fermentation byproducts, microorganisms and the constituents thereof and also remnants of the substrates, such as sugars. These impurities interfere with the subsequent further processing of the carboxylic acids generated. For example, lactic acid is polymerized to form polylactic acid in order to produce biogradable plastics. For this purpose, it is necessary to use extremely pure monomer in order to achieve a high degree of polymerization of the lactic acid. This has been known for a long time and is disclosed by, for example, J. Dahlmann et al., British Polymer Journal, vol. 23 (1990), pp. 235-240.
A similar situation is known to exist for succinic acid for example. The grades of the succinic acid generated can be differentiated by subdivision into a technical grade having a succinic acid content of at least 97% by mass and a succinic acid which is especially suitable for use for polymerization (polymer grade or 1,4-butanediol grade) and has a content of at least 99.5% by mass.
A multiplicity of patents provide a description of obtaining succinic acid from fermentation solutions, including                extractive processes using extraction agents such as tributylamines, trialkylamines, olefins, various alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbons,        processes using calcium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, producing gypsum as byproduct,        processes using electrodialysis,        thermal methods such as fractional distillation or thermally graduated chromatography,        high-pressure extraction using CO2,        membrane methods such as, for example, reverse osmosis and other filtration processesand these patents also discuss interlinkings of these methods and modification by further steps corresponding to the prior art. Such methods are described, inter alia, in patent documents DE 69821951 T2; DE 69015233 T2; DE 69015019 T2; DE 69006555 T2; DE 69015019; DE 60028958T2; DE 10 2004 026152 A1.
In addition, a multiplicity of methods concerning the purification of lactic acid are known.
For example, some patents teach the use of distillation to purify lactic acid from aqueous solutions. EP 0986532 B2 takes advantage of such a method. DE 10 2007 045 701 B3 discloses combined extraction with linear n-trioctylamine (TOA) and distillation. Further possibilities known in the literature are electrodialysis or esterification with an alcohol, with distillation and then hydrolysis of the ester formed likewise being carried out thereafter. These methods are extremely cost-intensive. Moreover, distillation has the disadvantage that a portion of the carbohydrates is also always coextracted, leading to a deterioration of the yield of the entire process and impeding the isolation of the product.
Processes using calcium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, with gypsum being produced in large quantities as byproduct, are also known. In this connection, it was additionally found that lactic acid can be isolated using chromatographic methods from, for example, a sulfuric acid-acidified fermentation broth containing not only free lactic acid but also ammonium and sulfate ions. For example, DE 69815369 T2 describes, inter alia, the removal of lactic acid from aqueous mixtures by adsorption to a solid adsorbent; in this case, preference is given to using a solids adsorbent which adsorbs lactic acid as opposed to lactate. More particularly, according to the above document, weak anion exchangers are a possibility for the isolation of lactic acid. DE 10 2009 019 248 A1 further describes chromatographic methods for purifying organic acids, in particular lactic acid, by carrying out simulated moving bed chromatography.
WO 2006/124633 A1 describes a process for producing ammonium lactate by fermentation. During the fermentation, the ammonium salt of lactic acid is formed, which salt can be removed from the fermentation solution by, for example, extraction. In a subsequent step, the ammonium salt can be split very easily using weak acids or carbon dioxide. In said step, the free lactic acid is obtained, which can then be cleaned up by, for example, distillation.
WO99/19290 describes fermentation of lactic acid with subsequent filtration and extraction, it being possible for the extraction to be an adsorption. This document does not disclose the nature of the interaction with the adsorption solid phase. A similar method is disclosed in WO93/06226, the adsorption solid phase in this case being provided with tertiary amino groups and the rate of production of free acid being increased as a result. EP0135728 also teaches the isolation of enzymatically generated carboxylic acids via adsorbers provided with tertiary amino groups. In this case, the fermentation takes place via column-immobilized cells.
A disadvantage of many methods is that additional substances are supplied to the process, which substances must no longer be present in the target product or the traces of which substances in the target product may lead to limitations in the quality and the applicability of the product. The practical implementation of the methods is also associated in some cases with considerable technical complexity and considerable energy consumption.
For instance, DE19939630C2 discloses a method for finely cleaning up aqueous solutions containing organic acid produced by fermentation, such as, for example, citric acid, lactic acid, succinic acid or tartaric acid. In said method, the solution coming from the fermentation is first filtered and the resulting solution is subsequently delivered across an anion exchanger and a subsequent adsorber resin bed. The adsorber resin bed used for the fine cleanup is initially loaded with OH− ions and binds the product acid. Moreover, further purification of the filtered solution, downstream of the filtration, in order to remove impurities present such as, for example, cell debris, carbohydrates, nutrients, amino acids and sugars is not mentioned.
DE69815369T2 describes the isolation of lactic acid from a fermentation broth by adsorption of the lactic acid to a solid adsorbent with subsequent generation of the lactic acid from the solid adsorbent, with removal of the biomass taking place beforehand by filtration. In this case, the solid adsorbent can be a poly-4-vinylpyridine resin or a tertiary polystyrene divinylbenzene amine resin. An intermediate step for removing further impurities is not taught here either.

Method for purifying carboxylic acids from fermentation broths


The invention provides a provides a lighting unit (100) comprising a first light source (110), a second light source (210), a first wavelength converting (1100), a second wavelength converting element (2100), wherein the lighting unit further comprises a transport infrastructure (20) configured to arrange the first light source, the second light source, the first wavelength converting element, and the second wavelength converting element in a first configuration or a second configuration by transport of one or more of these, wherein in the first configuration and the second configuration the lighting unit provides lighting unit light having substantially the same color point while having different color rendering indices. With such lighting unit, it is possible to switch between high CRI-low efficiency and low CRI-high efficiency at a given color temperature (or color point).

Tunable light sources are known in the art. WO2012095763, for instance, describes a tunable white light source, comprising at least one first light emitting diode (LED) adapted to emit light of a first integrated color point, at least one second light emitting diode adapted to emit light of a second integrated color point different from said first integrated color point, wherein said first and second integrated color points are selected such that the combined light output of the first and second light emitting diodes appears white in color, and a control unit for tuning a color temperature of white light output by said tunable white light source by adjusting the relative light output between said at least one first light emitting diode and said at least one second light emitting diode, wherein the control unit is configured to restrict the color temperature of the white light output by the tunable white light source to a tunable color temperature range where both the at least one first light emitting diode and the at least one second light emitting diode emit light for all color temperatures in the tunable color temperature range.
US2011317398 describes various embodiments providing a luminous device, including at least one semiconductor light source and at least one light-transmissive converter element including a wavelength-converting phosphor sensitive to the light emitted by the semiconductor light source, wherein the semiconductor light source can be at least partly covered by the converter element, and the converter element is movable such that a proportion of a light wavelength-converted by means of the converter element is adjustable depending on a position of the converter element.
WO2012121304 describes a light-emitting device which is so adapted that the whole of light emitted from a first LED and light emitted from a second LED is allowed to enter a common fluorescent member, and that synthetic light is emitted from the common fluorescent member, wherein the synthetic light contains and is synthesized from light which is emitted from the first LED in a wavelength-converted form, light which is emitted from the second LED in a wavelength-converted from, light which is produced by the wavelength conversion by the common fluorescent member, and light and light both of which pass through the common fluorescent member without undergoing the wavelength conversion by the common fluorescent member.
WO2010135927 describes a solid-state lighting device which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements configured for generating light that are thermally coupled to a heat spreading chassis configured for coupling to one or more heat sinks. The lighting device further includes a mixing chamber which is optically coupled to the plurality of light-emitting elements and configured to mix the light emitted by the plurality of light-emitting elements. A control system is operatively coupled to the plurality of light-emitting elements, and configured to control operation of the plurality of light-emitting elements.
WO2010032183 describes a color mixing method for consistent color quality. WO2013102820 describes a color tunable lighting assembly, a light source and a luminaire. Further, US20130120688 describes a color regulating device for illumination and apparatus using the same, and a method of regulating color.

Color rendering index tunable lamp and luminaire


To provide a method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract which is less colored and is suitably incorporated into a composition such as a pharmaceutical product or a cosmetic composition. A method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract, which includes removing hulls from seeds of a Hippocastanaceae plant, followed by extraction with a solvent.

In general, seeds of a plant belonging to the family Hippocastanaceae (hereinafter such a plant may be referred to as a "Hippocastanaceae plant"), such as Aesculus Hippocastanum (horse chestnut) or Aesculus turbinata are used as feed for sheep or pigs, or as a source of starch. As has been known, an extract of Hippocastanaceae plants or a triterpenoid saponin isolated from the extract (called escin) exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. Therefore, for example, an extract from seeds of horse chestnut has been used as an anti-inflammatory drug in an oral, intramuscular injection, or external-use form for the post-surgical treatment or the treatment of post-traumatic swelling. Also, an extract from horse chestnut has been used as a raw material of cosmetic compositions. Recent studies have revealed that an extract from horse chestnut exhibits an effect of preventing or ameliorating skin wrinkles or sagging of the skin (Patent Document 1).
However, since seeds of Hippocastanaceae plant have dark brown hulls, when an extract is prepared through extraction of crushed seeds of the plant with a solvent, the extract poses problems in that it assumes a brown color and is easily discolored in a water-containing drug product.
Hitherto, there has been no finding that the site of a seed of the plant that contains an ingredient exhibiting an effect of preventing or ameliorating skin wrinkles or sagging of the skin.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-8571


Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heads-up display (HUD) system. The HUD system may include a transparent support structure, an electrochromic element, and a HUD controller. The electrochromic element may be affixed to a surface of a transparent material. The HUD controller may be electrically coupled to the electrochromic element and configured to control translucence of the electrochromic element via control signals.

Electrochromism is a phenomenon where the color or opacity of an electrochromic material changes when voltage is applied to the electrochromic material. One application of electrochromic materials is to include electrochromic materials in or layered onto windows as a tinting material to provide windows that are capable of blocking certain wavelengths of light when the electrochromic material is activated. Windows including electrochromic materials have been dubbed "smart windows."
The need to review critical information while operating a vehicle, performing sporting activities, or performing other activities is a cause of accidents because a user must stop looking at their surroundings in order to view a display, such as an automotive dashboard, a wearable device or a smart phone. Heads-up (HUD) displays present information in a user's line of sight, but HUDs known to the inventor of this disclosure are typically not flexible in terms of production and must be carefully designed for each and every application. A typical HUD known to the inventor of this disclosure includes three components: a projector unit, a combiner, and a video generation computer and produces an image where the light is collimated, i.e., the focal point is perceived to be at infinity.
The inventor of this disclosure appreciates that it would be desirable to have a HUD method and device easily adaptable to multiple transparent mediums, and optionally without (or to a reduced degree) some or all of the disadvantages of conventional HUDs discussed above.

Heads-up display using electrochromic elements


A graphic user interface method for representing a search of a database, providing a plurality of stylized Venn diagrams each representing an intersection of at least two sets; receiving from the user, for each generic graphic icon, a selection of at least one region, defining an output data set; presenting the generic graphic icons on the graphic user interface as modified graphic icons, each having graphic indication of the selections; and receiving linkage information from the user for the modified graphic icons to represent a composite set inclusion property, based on the output data sets and the linkage information. Once a search is defined, it may be translated, as necessary, for execution by a typical database search engine. Retrieved results may be quantified and ranked by the interface system for optimal presentation to the user.

Traditionally, graphic user interfaces (hereinafter "GUIs") have been employed to facilitate interaction of a user with the file and execution system of a computer system, to present information graphically and/or in a manner approximating a printed page ("what you see is what you get" or "WYSIWYG"), or to present a desktop metaphor. Of course, there are other aspects of modern GUIs not encompassed by this generalization, but which are known to those skilled in the art. Typical graphic objects in a GUI are icons presented on a background or "desktop", with icons each representing a set of files, application programs, system resources, or the like. These icons may be relocated or selected, which instructs the underlying operating system to relocate the referenced file in the directory structure, execute or open the file, depending on its type, or to operate on one referenced file by another referenced application. A known paradigm is "drag and drop", which allows the one or more objects, represented by one or more icons, to be operated on by another object, also represented by a graphic object or icon. Such functions include, but are not limited to, move, copy, execute, filter, open, print, and delete. In general, however, the user does not operate to modify the icon itself with a corresponding function executed by the operating system or application.
In addition, within a group of objects, the objects may be ranked, e.g., by name, type, size, date, location, relevance to search criterion, or other attribute. Thus, by defining a graphic object representing a set of files, functions may be performed on the set of files. These known GUIs operate at a computer or disk operating system level, and thus typically operate on data sets which represent discrete files. Known GUIs include Apple Macintosh Operating System 7 and Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT.
Another paradigm for dealing with data in more typical databases includes GUIs for database system formulation. In these systems, data sets include a plurality of addressable records. The database operations are represented graphically and may be manipulated by the user to formulate a search or report. In this case, functions may be chained, so that complex database searches may be formulated by graphic representations of elemental operations. These systems do not, however, provide a generic icon which is modified to reflect a data subset employed. In general, these known systems are employed in the design of a database system or customized reports, rather than by a user to formulate a search during normal use of the system. This is because these graphic operations represent program steps or objects, and therefore the resulting complex program must still be verified and debugged. These systems also present different icons for each function, to allow distinguishability. As used in these systems, the graphical programming features are not generally intended to make relatively simple searches more efficient, but rather to allow a programmer to formulate complex reports at a relatively high level.
The use of search engines to search databases is known. So is the ability to use Boolean logical connectors to conduct a search. The use of a set of results of a Boolean search to perform a new search, by modification of a Boolean operator or the addition of new Boolean constraints, is known.
The use of Venn diagrams is known in mathematical set theory. Other graphical representations include histograms, line graphs, circle graphs, star graphs, matrices, and scatter plot diagrams. In general, the applicability of these different types of graphical representations relies on the ability of a user to define desired subsets, e.g., using crisp logic, fuzzy logic, graphic regions of the set space, or other criterion, such as a ranking according to a criteria, to define the desired subset.
However, it is not well known in the art of front ends for search engines or browsers to use well-articulated graphical representations of set theory, including graphical representations of the logical operations "AND", "OR" and "NOT", and any symbols that are used tend to be static and non-manipulable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,488, expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety, provides a system in which a graphical representation of a narrowing query set operation, e.g., a Venn diagram, representing two sets within a data space, is provided within a window. Each window represents a data space, and the window includes but a single representation. The search may be modified by selecting areas of the graphic object representation within the window. There is no provision for employing the graphical representation as an icon. Thus, this system allows the user to visualize the element of the search in a graphical representation, but does not graphically represent the chaining of search criteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,267, expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety, provides a system in which an imprecise sketch of a graphical set representation is inputted and interpreted by a computer system. This system does not provide for interactive modification of the search based on the graphic representation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,950, expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety, relates to a graphic structured query language ("SQL") query generator system. This system employs graphic models of SQL language commands to generate a report. There is no provision for manipulation of configuration or selection of subsidiary objects within graphic icons to represent set inclusion criteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,738,expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety, provides a system in which a logical and arithmetic relation of objects may be defined and manipulated using a GUI. The graphic objects themselves, however, are not modified in configuration nor are subsidiary objects within graphic representations selected to represent a selection of set inclusion criteria.
None of the above-cited references formalizes a system of notation, bounded and conventionally stylized, whether for display on a computer or otherwise, for description of traditional logical relationships of conventional logic diagrams, or for translation to and from conventional logic diagrams.
Traditional logical symbols are arcane, and do not intuitively represent the set inclusion criteria. Thus, while AND, OR and NOT are readily understood, a complex expression employing such words may become incomprehensible. Conventional symbols, in which AND is represented by a half circle, OR by a heavy vertical line, NOT by a circle, Exclusive OR by a sort of shield, are not intuitive. Likewise, the use of .andgate., .orgate. and / to represent AND, OR and NOT in set theory, and in propositional logic, are also not intuitive.

Graphic user interface for database system


A vehicle suspension cage is provided and more particularly a dirt track racing rear axle birdcage style cage having features facilitating rapid suspension tuning and adjustment typically experienced during competitive events to accommodate varying track and handling conditions. A particular advantage is that adjustment of the suspension cage is accomplished without unloading the suspension thereby eliminating lifting the vehicle off the ground or removing the vehicle weight from the suspension. A four-link dirt modified suspension cage configuration embodiment and method of adjustment is provided; however, the suspension cage is adaptable to a variety of configurations and embodiments.

Suspension tuning and adjustment is a critical need for competitive auto racing and other vehicle sports. As part of maximizing a vehicle's handling and competitive edge, the suspension is tuned to change the way the vehicle behaves on different tracks and varying road conditions. Suspension adjustments are routinely made before and after a race to optimize vehicle performance for a variety of reasons including adapting to changing track surfaces, improving handling, increasing acceleration, braking, cornering forces and many other reasons. These adjustments are typically made 2 to 3 times or more during a competition. Suspension adjustments can also be time consuming and difficult to accomplish. Further, the adjustments need to be made quickly and with ease because of the competitive nature and time constraints of competitive racing events.
The rear axle suspension, particularly for dirt track racing, requires frequent tuning adjustments during competitive events. A wide variety of rear axle suspension configurations and designs are utilized and are typically subject to the personal preferences of the race driver; however, all require elements providing attachment of the rear axle to the chassis. A suspension cage is typically fitted to the axle, one on the right and one on the left. For dirt track racing the suspension cage is often called a birdcage suspension. Each birdcage comprises a cylindrically shaped housing with a bearing mounted within the inner circumference of the housing wherein a cylindrical axle is received by the inner circumference of the bearing thereby providing rotatable mounting of the birdcage to an axle. Various elements, such as shear plates, are fixed to the housing and disposed to extend upwardly and downwardly from the housing and perpendicularly from the axle. Suspension rods are typically fitted to the shear plates securing the suspension cage to the chassis. Additional suspension elements are often also installed between the suspension cage and chassis including shock absorbers, springs and struts.
Prior art suspension adjustments are typically performed by the steps of removing connector bolts and spacers from mounting holes, repositioning the suspension to another mounting hole, and reinserting the connector bolts and spacers. These adjustments can be difficult, particularly the steps of removing and reinserting connector bolts and spacers because there is normally the weight of the vehicle at the connection points of the suspension cage resulting in a binding of the bolts and spacers at the connections points of the suspension cage as the suspension elements shift when the connector bolts are loosened.
The step of reinserting connector bolts and spacers is also difficult as aligning mounting holes can be challenging with or without loading of the suspension due to the weight of the vehicle. Repositioning the connector bolts and spacers back into the proper place and alignment is difficult because of the other suspension forces misaligning the suspension while the suspension is apart. Consequently, a suspension adjustment with bolt removal often requires 20 to 30 minutes in the worst case.
Adjusting a race vehicle suspension under competitive racing conditions has historically been problematic and time consuming. What is needed is an improved vehicle suspension cage for competitive racing comprising features facilitating quick and easy adjustment.

Vehicle suspension cage and method of adjustment


A composite product is formed from a honeycomb panel having an array of hexagonal tubular cells which clamped between two press plates where a layer of a foaming agent is applied to only the bottom press plate such that the foaming agent expands into the cells. An array of grooves is provided in the top press plate and connected at one or both edges of the plate to a source of vacuum so as to draw air through the grooves and cells. A sheet of a polyethylene material having the characteristics that it is permeable to air, substantially impermeable to liquid and resistant to bonding to the foam is applied onto the press plate to prevent the foam entering the grooves and bonding to the press plate while allowing the air to be drawn from the cells.

A number of prior proposals have been made for filling a honeycomb panel with tubular cells with a reinforcing foam so as to provide an enhanced compression strength which is commonly significantly greater than the compression strength of the panel and the foam separately.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,594 (Wang) issued Aug. 6, 1994 assigned to Hexcel Corporation discloses a method for filling the cells where a foamable precursor film is applied to one face of the panel and held between two plates and placed in a hot press and heated under pressure. A release cloth is applied over the ends of the panel which is porous to allow the escape of the gases as the foaming action occurs. However this arrangement requires heat and pressure and hence is inconvenient. There is also a risk that the foam does not properly fill the cells with a constant density foam without voids.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,146 (Cundiff) issued Dec. 5, 2000 assigned to Boeing discloses using such a foam filled honeycomb product in a Resin Transfer Molding process.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,200 (Ashmead) issued May 14, 2002 assigned to Cellbond composites Limited discloses a method of filling the cells where a fibrous mat is placed over each face of the panel before the foam is injected through the mat into the cells so that the foam is absorbed into the mat to form a fiber reinforces skin at the end face of the honeycomb panel. Again this method has significant difficulty in properly filling the cells to the required constant density without voids.

Method of manufacturing honeycomb and foam composite material


An item of expandable luggage includes a multiple expansion capability, including an expandable main compartment and an expandable external pocket. The luggage item also includes a pair of internal tie-down panels for better holding of clothes within the item and for providing additional storage pockets. A low-profile clothes hanger bracket is provided which is useful with either wire or wooden clothes hangers and includes a harness to avoid unintentional dislodgement of the hangers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to luggage, especially travel luggage, and in particular to luggage having a low-profile clothes hanger bracket capable of holding wire or wooden (suit) hangers.
2. The Related Art
It is well known in luggage items to provide brackets of various designs for holding clothes carried on hangers, e.g., suits or dresses. Such prior art brackets, however, have not been entirely satisfactory, particularly for small, lightweight towable or carry-on bags. The prior brackets have tended to be overly large and obtrusive, or to be incompatible with certain types of commonly used hangers, e.g., wooden suit hangers, or even to require the use of specially designed hangers. It is frequently necessary with prior art brackets, for example, for clothing to be transferred from the conventional hangers used in closets to other or special hangers in order to hang in the luggage item. U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,354 issued Jul. 22, 2003 to Tumi, Inc., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, overcomes the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art. However, it does not suggest or disclose a harness to avoid unintentional dislodgement of the hangers.
Accordingly, a need exists for a lightweight, compact versatile clothes hanger bracket for luggage items that eliminates the unintentional dislodgement of the hangers.

Luggage with low-profile hanger bracket and harness


A method of predictably producing accurate photoprocessing and graphic arts control tools, to be used for adjusting the parameters of photographic devices, in which a computer-originated image is digitally recorded onto a first recording medium by a digital output recording device, is illuminated and is photographed onto a second recording medium to yield second-generation camera-original control tool photographs on the second recording medium. One or more of the tone, color or frequency response characteristics of the digitally-generated image on the first recording medium are selectively adjusted, using a digital data transform, so that the second-generation control tool photographs on the second recording medium have the tone, color and frequency response characteristics defined as "aim" for that second medium.

Photofinishers customarily employ one or more quality control tools, typically in the form of calibrated first-generation camera-original negatives that contain reference portrait images, to make comparison measurements or observations in order to "fine tune" the operation and performance of various pieces of photofinishing equipment. (These calibrated camera-original negatives have come to be referred to as "Shirleys", named after the model photographed during the initial production many years ago).
The graphic art industry has also recognized a need for calibrated camera-original photographs to be used in controlling the operation and performance of their equipment.
Because the contents of these camera-original reference negatives must be specified to extremely high standards, the process conventionally employed to produce them is expensive, labor intensive and time consuming. Some of the same considerations may apply even when the scene does not contain a live model but is comprised of inanimate objects such as color charts.
For the purpose of clarity throughout this document, definitions of the following terms as they will be used throughout this discussion are given below.
The term "negative" will refer to a camera exposure onto a film type from which photographic paper prints are normally produced.
generally speaking, the photographic terms "positive" and "transparency" are interchangeable. For the sake of clarity, in this discussion the term "positive" will be reserved to mean a camera-original exposure onto a reversal film type, from which photographic paper prints are not normally produced, but which are usually viewed via projection.
The term "transparency", will be used to mean that computer-originated image (defined below) which is digitally-generated using a digital output recording device onto a photographic or other non-photographic (e.g., thermal) medium and which is intended to be illuminated and photographed or otherwise captured to produce "second-generation camera-original" exposures, (defined below), whether onto a negative or positive film type or other recording medium. The computer-originated image need not be on a reversal film type, but may be digitally output as a reflection print.
The term "first-generation camera-original" will refer to a photographic exposure that is created in the usual manner, using a conventional camera to photograph a live scene. This camera exposure may be photographed onto either a negative or a positive film type.
The term "computer-originated image" will refer to an image which does not originate as a "live scene", in the conventional sense, but which is digitally created using any one of several computer artwork, computer aided design or digital image rendering software programs. Such images are usually composed of digital picture elements ("pixels") whose values can be stored in the form of a digital data file in a "primary metric" (defined below).
The term "second-generation camera-original" will refer to a photographic exposure that is created using the method embodied within the present invention wherein a transparency produced by a digital output recording device is backlit and photographed using a conventional camera. A second-generation camera-original exposure may be photographed onto either a negative or a positive film type. This term will also include other methods of recording the output of the digital output recording device, such as enlarging. Also, the output of the digital output recording device can be on a medium other than a transparency, such as print paper.
The term "product film type" will refer to that film type or other medium (e.g., thermal) onto which second-generation camera-original product control tool photographs of an illuminated digitally-generated transparency of a computer-originated image are exposed or otherwise captured.
Since second-generation camera-original exposures may be produced on either a negative or positive film type, the term "photograph" will be used to avoid the cumbersome phrase "negative (or positive)" throughout the document.
The term "primary metric" will be used as an abbreviation for the more cumbersome phrase "primary digital image data metric."
The term "target metric" will be used as an abbreviation for the more cumbersome phrase "secondary, target digital image data metric."
The term "develop" will refer to the photochemical processing of an exposure, whether the exposure was created via a camera, a photographic enlarging device, a digital output device or other exposing device.
The term "image characteristics" will be used to minimize the cumbersome phrase "tone, color and frequency response characteristics" throughout. In places where the full phrase lends clarity, the full phrase will appear.

Production of second-generation camera-original control tool photographs via photography of digitally generated transparency of a computer-originated image


Apparatus and method for measuring a rate of leakage from a closed vessel enclosed in a container. Air is expelled from the container and a charge of helium-free gas is introduced. The preferred container is comprised of flexible sheets with mating edges sealed together. The flexible container is collapsed when air is expelled, and then limply charged with a known volume of helium-free gas. The vessel is pressurized with helium, the rate of accumulation of which is measured in the container gas to determine the leakage from the vessel.

The semiconductor manufacturing industry requires piping or systems of high integrity for the transport of high purity gases for processing of semiconductors. These systems must be free of gas leaks to prevent entry by backflow of atmospheric contaminants such as moisture, oxygen and particulates. The industry is currently requiring that installations be evaluated for leakage, and that the leakage be less than a specific rate, defined in terms of a volume rate of flow of a specified fluid under specified conditions. A common specification is that the system be demonstrated to have a leakage rate of less than 2.times.10.sup.-8 atm cc/sec (2.03.times.10.sup.-3 Pa cc/sec) when charged with helium gas to the normal operating pressure of the system.
While many methods of detecting leaks from a vessel are known, methods of quantitatively measuring leakage from a vessel are few. In the prior art, the leakage rate of a vessel which can be pressurized has been commonly measured by a technique known as accumulation testing. The method is described in the Nondestructive Testing Handbook, Second Edition, Volume One, Leak Testing, pages 481-482. The vessel to be evaluated is placed in a sealed enclosure termed an accumulation chamber. A standard helium leak apparatus is connected in a manner that will allow helium gas to pass at a known rate into the accumulation chamber for calibration purposes. A helium leak detector probe is inserted into the accumulation chamber. The leak detector reading is recorded as a function of time while the standard leak helium inflow rate is in effect, to obtain a calibration curve.
After the calibration data have been acquired, the standard leak is removed from the accumulation chamber, and the chamber is purged. The test vessel is then pressurized with helium, and the leak detector reading is recorded as a function of time. The vessel leakage curve is then compared with the standard leak curve to obtain a quantitative estimate of the leakage experienced from the vessel.
This method has several undesirable features. One is that the air in the accumulation chamber contains its naturally occurring 5 ppm helium as a background or interference. This background reduces the sensitivity and accuracy of the measurement of leakage of helium from the test vessel. Another is that the diffusion of tracer gas through the air being slow requires mechanical mixing of the air within the chamber for uniform dispersion of the tracer and accurate results. Another is that a vessel such as a valve in a pipeline is difficult to accommodate within a chamber. The pipeline can be allowed to protrude from the chamber, but a seal is necessary at the protrusions to avoid entry of atmospheric air into the chamber or escape of gas from the chamber. Still another undesirable feature is the lengthy time required for the performance of the leakage rate measurement because of the need for a calibration with a standard leak apparatus for comparison with the vessel leakage.

Leakage measurement into a gas-charged collapsible container


A method for preventing a predisposition to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) includes limiting the blood flow from the placenta through the umbilical cord to the infant during delivery, as well as preferably also monitoring the adequacy of flow in the umbilical vein. In one embodiment, a pressure limiting device is placed around the umbilical cord, preferably as soon as the umbilical cord is palpable. The pressure limiting device preferably includes an inflatable cuff that can be applied about the umbilical cord.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to methods, devices and systems for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions. More particularly, this invention relates to methods, devices and systems for prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and for the diagnosis and treatment of infants predisposed to SIDS.
2. State of the Art
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is any sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one month to one year. SIDS is responsible for roughly 0.05%, or 50 deaths per 100,000 births in the United States. It is responsible for far fewer deaths than congenital disorders and disorders related to short gestation, though it is the leading cause of death in infants that have appeared healthy after one month of age.
Very little has been known about the possible causes of SIDS, and there has been no reliable or proven method for prevention. Although studies have identified risk factors for SIDS, such as the prone sleeping position, presence of an upper respiratory infection, exposure to cigarette smoke, over-wrapping and over warming in the winter months, there has been little understanding of the syndrome's biological cause or causes.
One recent study attributes SIDS death to abnormalities in the part of the brain that helps control functions like breathing, blood pressure and arousal. Patterson et al., Multiple Serotonergic Brainstem Abnormalities in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, JAMA, 296: 2124-2132 (2006). In this study, researchers examined the brains of 31 babies who had died of SIDS and 10 who had died from other causes. The study found that babies that died from SIDS had abnormalities in the brain stem which appeared to affect the ability to use and recycle serotonin. Serotonin levels are responsible for regulating mood as well as vital body functions. According to the National Institutes of Health, the new finding is the strongest evidence to date suggesting that innate differences in a specific part of the brain may place some at increased risk of dying from SIDS. A key point is that these results do not indicate how the brain differences that precipitate SIDS were incurred (whether, e.g., genetic disorder, disease), how to prevent SIDS, or how to treat a high risk infant so as to reduce or prevent infant mortality from those infants predisposed to SIDS. Additionally, this explanation does not take into account abnormalities of function found in other regions (such as to hearing) or explain why SIDS infants do not die in the first three weeks of life.

Methods, devices and systems for the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the diagnosis and treatment of infants predisposed to SIDS


A retaining system for amusement rides, more particularly roller coasters, carrousels or the like has a chair member for a passenger to sit on and which comprises a seat and a back rest and furthermore a retaining device with at least one locking part able to be moved between at least one getting on position and at least one retaining position, the retaining device possessing an essentially U-like retaining part, which at least to a major extent surrounds the pelvic region of the passenger to be secured, the retaining part being inclined in an anthropometrically optimized plane, which is inclined in a range of 30° to 60°, more particularly 40° to 50°, preferably approximately 45° to the horizontal and/or the seat. Furthermore the present invention relates to a measuring system for determination of the optimum locking position, the measuring system comprising a band- or cable-like element 8 arranged at the ends of the U-like retaining part, which element on applying the retaining device to the passenger to be secured engages the passenger to be secured rendering it possible to ascertain the locking or retaining position of the retaining device or, respectively, of the retaining part.

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No(s) .102 39 891.7 filed in Germany on Aug. 29, 2002 and 03 018 943.5 filed in Europe on Aug. 20, 2003, which is(are) herein incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a retaining system, more particularly for persons subjected to dynamic movements such as acceleration, retarding and/or swinging and rotary movements of conveying means, more particularly vehicles and/or working platforms, comprising a chair member for use by such person, said chair member having a seat and a back rest, and furthermore a retaining device having a locking means able to be moved between at least one getting on position and at least one retaining position. The conveying means may be terrestrial, aquatic and/or aerial means of transportation, with which persons may be conveyed while seated. The persons are then subject to dynamic forces and must be secured to prevent falling off or falling down. The invention furthermore relates to conveyor cages, working baskets and securing means with which persons can be conveyed to and from a work site or with which they may assume different positions.
Rail-bound vehicles are for example employed on fairgrounds, playgrounds and other festivities in many different types of rides for the amusement of patrons. These amusement rides such as roller coasters, big dippers, merry-go-rounds and the like mean that the bodies of the passengers are dashed about hither and thither and so subjected to accelerating and retarding forces and also to changes in the direction of motion and unexpected loads, something which on the one hand exhilarates but on the other hand involves the danger of accidents, for example owing to passengers being thrown off the amusement ride.
For these reasons it is known to provide such amusement rides involving high speeds, substantial accelerations and retardations with suitable restraining systems. These restraining systems must comply with a plurality of partly incompatible requirements. Thus on the one hand they are to provide for enhanced safety while on the other hand they are to be simply and rapidly operated. Moreover, they should give the passengers sufficient freedom of movement while on the other hand prevent unconscious or suicidally minded passengers from being thrown from the amusement ride vehicles. Accordingly even with the known restraining systems improvements of such systems are called for.


Method for the culture of microorganisms of the genera Helicobacter, Campylobacter and Arcobacter, wherein culture media are employed, which comprise, in place of blood or its derivative, cyclodextrins.

The culture on industrial scale of microorganisms of the genera Helicobacter, Campylobacter and Arcobacter is getting more and more important both for the production of relevant amounts of the same microorganisms and because of the importance of the products which can be produced during the fermentation culture or still for the manufacture of cheap media suitable for the primary isolation of microorganisms belonging to the aforementioned genera. With regard to the importance attained by the above cited microorganisms, it should be considered, for instance, that the Helicobacter pylori is recognized as the aetiological agent of type B gastritis, likely the second most disseminated chronic infection in the world after dental caries, and as co-agent of peptic ulcer. Infection with Helicobacter pylori has also been associated with increased risk for gastric carcinoma, a disease which may be responsible for one million deaths annually. Forman, et al., Br. Med. J., 302: 1302-1305, 1991. The microbial etiology of these diseases indicates that they might be prevented through vaccination. It is therefore evident that a more developed knowledge of the physiological and pathological properties of said microorganism, knowledge that at present is still very poor due to the difficulty involved in the cultivation, and the large scale cultivation of such microorganism, should be of extreme importance.
The cultures of H. pylori are usually carried out by adding to the culture media blood or derivatives thereof (serum, red cells etc.), yolk in concentration ranging between 5% and 20%. Said additives, obviously, cannot be employed on industrial scale because of the drawbacks deriving therefrom for the purification of the culture products, drawbacks which moreover involve high costs for the industry. It is therefore extremely interesting to avail a culture media wherein blood and derivatives thereof are replaced, entirely or partially, by products which do not bring about the above cited disadvantages, without compromising the culture yield though.

Method for the culture of microorganisms of the genera helicobacter, campylobacter and arcobacter employing culture media comprising cyclodextrins


A bulb socket for receiving a bulb therein. The bulb socket includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a bulb receiving opening. The second portion extends from the first portion. The second portion has first outside surfaces which are tapered inward, such that the perimeter of the second portion proximate the first portion is less than the perimeter of the second portion spaced from the first portion. The second portion does not obstruct the performance of the bulb, allowing approximately all of the light capacity of the bulb to be utilized.

Many variations of sockets for receiving bulbs, such as W5W type bulbs, are known and used in various applications, including automotive applications. In use, the lamp or bulb is generally inserted into the socket by pushing it such that the base and the electrical contacts are engaged onto the contacts of the socket. Examples of such sockets are shown in EP patent application 1633024, U.S. Patent Application 2013/0102204, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,318.
As the sockets all have an opening for receiving the bulb and contacts for making the electrical connection thereto, the sockets are generally dimensioned to have a housing which has a circumference which is equal to or exceed the circumference of the bulb. As a result, the sockets create a shadow to be projected behind the bulb, thereby blocking some of the light generated by the bulb, causing unwanted and undesirable dark spots.
It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a socket with a reduced profile in which the projected shadow is minimized, thereby allowing all or essentially all of the light generated by the bulb to be reflected or dispersed.


A method for baseline calibration of methane sensor includes receiving data characterizing methane detection by a sensor and sensor measurement parameters. The received data characterizing methane detection includes a plurality of methane measurements and detection times associated with the plurality of methane measurements. The method also includes determining a first plurality of calibrated methane measurements by at least calibrating the plurality of methane measurement based on the sensor measurement parameters and one or more of a humidity and a temperature associated with the sensor. The method further includes calculating an offset parameter based on a difference between a global baseline reference and one of a previous baseline value and a measurement baseline value associated with the first plurality of calibrated methane measurements. The method also includes providing a second plurality of calibrated methane measurements by at least subtracting the offset parameter from the first plurality of calibrated methane measurements.

Sensors can be deployed in a variety of environments for sensing contaminants and concentration of particles that need to be tracked in the environment. Some sensors (e.g., methane sensor) can be placed around gas well pads to detect gas (e.g., methane) leaks. Data corresponding to detection by the sensor can be transmitted to a controller that can process the data, determine the concentration of contamination and generate notification if the concentration of the contamination exceeds desired levels.

Methane sensor automatic baseline calibration


An arrangement and associated method for thermally protecting an electronic component assembly from heat at least to a limited extent is disclosed herein. The electronic component assembly includes a plurality of thermally sensitive electronic devices, each of which is constructed such that when the device is in a powered state there is a maximum operating temperature to which it may be subjected without causing thermal damage and such that when the device is in a non-powered state there is a higher maximum non-operating temperature to which the device may be subjected without causing thermal damage. During powered operation of the assembly, the temperature is sensed at a predetermined position in close proximity to the devices. When the sensed temperature reaches the maximum operating temperature, operational power is disconnected from the electronic component assembly such that the temperature of the electronic component assembly may rise in an unpowered state to a maximum overall non-operating temperature without thermally damaging the devices. While the invention has specific application to a boring tool, it is adaptable for use in other high temperature environments.

The present invention relates generally to a boring tool or other device including thermal protection for an electronic component assembly and more particularly to an arrangement for thermally protecting the electronic component assembly by sensing temperature at a predetermined position relative to the assembly and disconnecting operational power therefrom when the sensed temperature reaches a maximum operating temperature such that the assembly may then survive in an unpowered state up to a higher maximum non-operating or storage temperature.
The use of horizontal boring tools has become increasingly popular. One contributing factor is the ever increasing underground installation of utility lines for reasons of aesthetics and for practical reasons such as, for example, protecting these lines from the effects of severe above ground weather conditions. In many cases it is undesirable to excavate an entire pathway for the purpose of installing such underground lines. For example, in areas where buried lines have previously been installed, such excavation many times results in the unintentional damage of an existing utility line. Therefore, boring tools may be utilized to avoid extensive excavation whereby to avoid unintentional damage to existing lines. Moreover, as guidance systems for horizontal boring tools become more and more sophisticated, the operator of a boring tool may avoid contact with such existing utility lines during a drilling operation by steering the tool around the line as it is approached.
It should be appreciated, however, that the increased sophistication of state of the art boring tools is attributable at least in part to the use of increasingly sophisticated electronic components which are positioned in the drill head of the boring tool. Typically, an electronic package in the drill head senses positional/orientation information relating to the underground guidance of the boring tool and transmits locating information to the surface using a telemetry transmitter. The package, like most other electronic assemblies, is sensitive to various environmental conditions including heat. Such heat may be produced by components which form part of the assembly and/or, as a result of the underground operation of the boring tool, as will be described immediately hereinafter.
During a particular boring operation, various underground soil conditions may be encountered by the boring tool including, for example, highly compacted soils or rock. When such a condition is encountered, significant frictional heat may rapidly be produced by interaction of the boring tool with the ground. This heat may cause the temperature of the boring tool to rise by hundreds of degrees in a time period less than one minute depending, of course, on how problematic the soil is. The electronic package housed in the drill head is then subjected to this heat in conjunction with its internally generated heat. In the past, there have been temperature sensing arrangements which, upon sensing a predetermined temperature, attempted to cope with this heat by shutting down only power to the output stage of the transmitter which drives the antenna housed in the drill head. However, protection offered to the electronic package by this arrangement was limited in that the rest of the system remained operational. Thus, there continues to be a need for improved thermal protection for electronic packages in boring tools and other devices.
As will be seen hereinafter, the present invention provides a highly advantageous arrangement and associated method for effectively providing an added margin of thermal protection for an electronic package within a boring tool or other devices including electronic packages which are subjected to similar thermal concerns.

Boring tool or other device including thermal protection for an electronic component assembly and method


A shift control device for a bicycle transmission having a plurality of transmission paths includes a hub shaft, a driver rotatably mounted around the hub shaft for rotating in first and second directions, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction, a transmission path selecting member for selecting among the plurality of transmission paths, and a reverse motion mechanism coupled to the driver for converting rotation of the driver in the first direction into motion in the second direction. An operation mechanism operates the transmission path selecting member, wherein the operation mechanism includes a first drive force takeoff component which moves between a first state and a second state. The first drive force takeoff component engages the reverse motion mechanism when the first drive force takeoff component is in the first state for communicating motion of the reverse motion mechanism in the second direction to the transmission path selecting member, and the first drive force takeoff component is disengaged from the reverse motion mechanism when the first drive force takeoff component is in the second state.

The present invention is directed to bicycle transmissions and, more particularly, to bicycle transmissions mounted inside a wheel hub.
Conventional bicycle transmissions can be divided into two types: transmissions that utilize a derailed that is engaged with a chain and that aligns the chain with one of a plurality of gears mounted to a crank or rear wheel of the bicycle, and internal transmissions that are installed in the wheel hub. The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application 57-42792 is an example of an internal transmission. An internal transmission basically makes use of a planet gear mechanism to provide a plurality of shift steps.
The structure of an internal transmission will be described briefly at this point. The important parts in an internal transmission are the fixed shaft that is fixed to the fork of the bicycle, the driver that is rotatably supported on this fixed shaft by bearings or the like and that transmits the drive force from the chain via a gear, and a hub shell that transmits the drive force from the driver via a plurality of drive force transmission routes. The rear wheel is supported on this hub shell via spokes or the like. A planet gear mechanism that forms the plurality of drive force transmission routes is located between the driver and the hub shell. The planet gear mechanism has a sun gear that is provided to the fixed shaft and a planet gear that engages with this sun gear. The planet gear is usually an annular member provided with gear teeth on its outer surface, and it is designed such that it rotates while it revolves with respect to the fixed shaft by means of a gear frame rotatably supported by the fixed shaft. A ring gear that engages with the teeth of the planet gear is often provided radially outwardly from the planet gear. The transmission path through the planet gear mechanism is selected by a clutch that is operated by the rider.
When the bicycle is pedaled, the drive force is transmitted to the driver via the chain and the gear engaged with the chain. The drive force from the driver is transmitted to the planet gear via the gear frame, and when the auto-rotation of this planet gear is transmitted to the hub shell that supports the wheel, the rotation of the driver is accelerated as it is transmitted to the hub shell. When the drive force from the driver is transmitted to the planet gear via the ring gear and is transmitted from the planet gear to the hub shell through the gear frame and the like, the rotation from the driver is decelerated as it is transmitted to the hub shell. Because the clutch must change the path of meshing gears within the planet gear mechanism, a relatively large operating force is sometimes required to operate the clutch. This problem is particularly noticeable when the drive load is heavy, such as when the bicycle is being pedaled hard.

Motorized shift assist control apparatus for bicycle transmission


Ultrasonic pulser-receiver circuitry, for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the circuitry comprising a circuit board; ultrasonic pulser circuitry supported by the circuit board and configured to be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and to cause the ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic output pulse; receiver circuitry supported by the circuit board, coupled to the pulser circuitry, including protection circuitry configured to protect against the ultrasonic pulse and including amplifier circuitry configured to amplify an echo, received back by the transducer, of the output pulse; and a connector configured to couple the ultrasonic transducer directly to the circuit board, to the pulser circuitry and receiver circuitry, wherein impedance mismatches that would result if the transducer was coupled to the circuit board via a cable can be avoided.

Ultrasonic testing equipment is used in a variety of applications such as for measuring flow, determining flaws, measuring thickness, and gauging corrosion. This equipment is used with a variety of materials such as metals, plastics, glass, and chemicals. One particular type of ultrasonic testing apparatus is a pulser-receiver. Pulser-receivers are used for a variety of non-destructive testing applications, including flaw detection and thickness gauging. Some pulser-receivers operate at lower frequencies, such as ½ MHz to 25 MHz. Certain applications require high frequency pulsers-receivers operating at about 100 MHz.
Pulser-receivers are available, for example, from GE-Panametrics, 221 Crescent Street, Waltham, Mass. 02453-3497 USA, such as model number 5058PR, a high voltage pulser-receiver for ultrasonic test and measurement applications requiring a high material penetration capability; model 5072PR, an ultrasonic pulser-receiver configured to provide high energy, high gain performance for low frequency investigation of attenuating materials; model 5073PR, a broadband 75 MHz ultrasonic pulser-receiver which provides flaw detection capabilities for very high frequency, high resolution ultrasonic testing when used with an oscilloscope and appropriate transducers, model 5077PR, an ultrasonic pulser-receiver for providing high voltage square wave performance over a wide range of applications, model 5800PR, a computer-controlled pulser-receiver for general purpose ultrasonic testing using computer-based systems for automatic testing, or stored setups to speed repetitive manual tasks, and model 5900PR, a computer-controlled pulser-receiver for high frequency ultrasonic testing using computer-based systems for automatic testing, or stored setups to speed repetitive manual tasks.
Pulser-receivers are also available from JSR Ultrasonics, A Division of Imagilent, 3800 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, N.Y. 14534 USA, such as model DPR500, which is a dual channel instrument having two pulser-receivers integrated into one unit, and model DPR300, which is a computer controlled ultrasonic pulser-receiver with a low noise receiver.
For some pulser-receivers, replacement transducers are no longer available. Transducers sometimes fail and require replacement. In some applications, there will be multiple failures per year. The cost of replacement can be, for example, about $10,000 to $16,000. Transducer costs vary based on fabrication yields and availability of parts.
Another problem with existing transducers is that they are physically large, heavy and focused. These attributes require, in some applications, that transducers be servoed to track the front surface of a sample under inspection. To add a servo sub-system to each of the transducers of a system could be very costly.
It would be desirable to have, in some embodiments, lower cost pulser-receivers including lower cost transducers. It would also be desirable to avoid the added cost of the transducer servomechanisms, in some embodiments.
Additionally, the time required for general maintenance (i.e. to replace a failed transducer, align the system, and calibrate the existing transducers) is, for example, 20 to 28 man-days. It would be desirable to provide pulser-receivers, in some embodiments, for which the transducers can be removed and replaced, and the system aligned and calibrated, more quickly.
In computer-controlled pulser-receivers, a computer will typically send a trigger to a pulser-receiver. The pulser-receiver sends out a high voltage pulse in response to the trigger. A piezoelectric transducer converts electrical energy to mechanical energy and sends out a pulse. When the pulse hits a certain material, such as at an interface of different types of materials, a reflection or echo comes back. There will usually be some ringing.
It would desirable to have pulser-receivers with quick recovery times, in some embodiments.


Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self servo writing include correcting for random and systematic errors due to geometric effects. In a disk drive having a recording head with separate read and write elements, a method for determining separation between the elements and for correcting for such errors as a function of skew angle between the head and the disk. Errors resulting from misalignment and non-parallelism of the elements as well as misalignment of the head on it its actuator are also detected and corrected. Errors due to changes in rotational velocity of the disk and misplacement of timing patterns with respect to adjacent timing patterns are detected and corrected. In general, a single revolution process may be used to both write and detect random errors on each track and corrected on subsequent tracks.

Cross Reference to Related Application
This application is related to U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 08/028,044 of T. Chainer et al. filed on Mar. 8, 1993 entitled "A Method and System for Writing a Servo-Pattern on a Storage Medium" commonly assigned herewith, and incorporated herein by reference. It is also related to U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 08/349,028, of E. Yarmchuk et. al., filed on Dec. 2, 1994 entitled "Radial Self-Propagation Pattern Generation for Disk File Servo writing" herewith, and also incorporated by reference.

Method and apparatus for determining separation between read and write elements of a transducer

International Business Machines Corporation


A removable blocking device for preventing disengagement of an upright leg from a base member of the load carrier. The base member can have a receiving passage in which the upright leg reciprocates. The removable blocking device can include an interference portion releasably couplable to a lower distal end of the upright leg, the interference portion can have a dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the lower opening to the receiving passage. The interference portion can have an abutment surface configured to blockingly engage the base member proximate the lower opening to the receiving passage. A lock contained at least partially within the removable blocking device, the lock being transitional between a locked configuration in which the removable blocking device is locked to the upright leg and an unlocked configuration in which the removable blocking device is released from the upright leg.

Vehicle racks can be load bearing frame-like structures installable on the bed of pick-up trucks for carrying various articles thereon. Generally, racks have a base portion for directly attaching to the bed rails of a pick-up truck. Racks typically, also have an upper portion, for example cross bars, which extend above and across the bed of the truck.

Removable blocking device for an upright leg of a load carrier rack


Example animal restraining and cape and/or vest devices are described. One example device includes a cape and/or vest, an upper chest strap that includes a portion to which a leash can be attached, and one or more of a lower chest strap and an abdominal strap.

Different types of animal restraining devices exist. The animal restraining devices may be used for different types of animals, including four-legged animals like dogs, for example. Examples of these restraining devices may include collars and harnesses. An example collar may be positioned around the neck of an animal. An example harness may be positioned on or around one or more other body parts of an animal. For example, one type of harness may include straps that fit around the upper chest, the lower chest, underbelly, and/or back of an animal. The straps may be attached to one another. Other types of harnesses exist. Combination collars and harnesses may also exist.
Example restraining devices placed on an animal may also be attached, for example, to a leash, rope, chain, and so on. The leash, rope, chain, and so on may be held by a person or attached to a stationary object, for example, for the purpose of restraining the animal or preventing the animal from wandering off. In one example, a dog may have a fitted collar or harness and the collar or harness may also be attached to one end of a leash. A person may hold the other end of the leash and walk the dog down the street without the dog running off, for example.
In addition to restraining devices, other devices may be placed on or fitted to an animal like a dog. One example of these devices may be capes or vests. Draping the capes or vests over the dog's back and securing the devices around the dog's underbelly and/or around the dog's chest may position the capes and vests on a dog, for example. An example cape may provide an area on one or both sides of a dog or other animal for lettering or designs that are visible to passersby when viewing the animal. One example use for a cape is to notify passersby that a dog is in training or is working so that passersby will not attempt to disturb the dog by petting it or disturbing it in some other way. In one example, the dog may be a service dog that is in training to lead a blind person or tend to a disabled person. In another example, the lettering or designs on a cape may be decorative. An example vest may resemble a cape and/or provide pockets or pouches. The pockets or pouches may allow a person to insert articles therein, providing for the dog or other animal to carry the articles. One example vest may resemble a saddlebag.

Animal restraining and cape or vest device


There is provided a mash-up method, system and machine-readable medium. Data associated with a wagering game network is obtained, at a first location. A determination is made whether to mash up the data. A presentation associated with the obtained data is selectively obtained based on the determination. The obtained data is mashed-up with the obtained presentation. The mashed-up presentation is transmitted for display to a display device associated with one or more patrons.

Wagering game machine developers continually provide new and entertaining games. One way of increasing entertainment value and maintaining player interest associated with casino-style wagering games (e.g., video slots, video poker, video black jack, and the like) includes offering a variety of base games and bonus events.
Another way of increasing the entertainment value and maintaining player interest is to update wagering game of wagering game machines with new game themes, game settings, bonus events, game software, and other electronic data. Yet another way of increasing the entertainment value and maintaining player interest is the display the size of the jackpot that may be possibly won and to displaying a variety of recent wins in the foregoing wagering games.
Multiple disparately located casinos have joined some of their wagering games together to offer players opportunities at bigger jackpots across the gamut of wagering games at the disparate casinos. Different displays have been provided to entice players to participate. However, despite the breadth of wagering games and ever greater jackpots, players may still lose interest in repetitive wagering gaming content and jackpot displays. In the competitive wagering game machine industry, there is a continuing need for manufacturers to enhance entertainment and excitement associated with wagering game machines.


A display apparatus having pixel areas defined on a substrate. First color pixels having a white color and second color pixels having a color different from that of the first color pixels are aligned in each pixel area in the form of a matrix. The second color pixels are adjacent to the first color pixels in the row and column directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display apparatus capable of providing improved display quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, display apparatuses display images corresponding to data processed in an information processor. The display apparatuses are classified into various types according to the method of displaying images and components used to display the images. For instance, an electrophoretic display apparatus includes an electrophoretic layer between two transparent substrates to display images.
The electrophoretic display apparatus includes top and bottom electrodes formed on two opposite substrates, respectively. The electrophoretic layer including first and second particles is provided between the top and bottom electrodes. The first particles are charged with a polarity opposite to that of the second particles and have a color different from that of the second particles.
If an electric field is applied between the top and bottom electrodes due to the electric potential between the top and bottom electrodes, the alignment state of the first and second particles is changed between the top and bottom electrodes. As a result, when an external light is reflected from the first particles, a viewer may recognize the color of the first particles. When the external light is reflected from the second particles, the viewer may recognize the color of the second particles.
However, because the electrophoretic display apparatus is a reflective display apparatus, the brightness of the image is lower as compared to that of other display apparatuses having additional light sources.

Display apparatus including pixels having improved brightness and contrast ratio


A method for stimulating insulin secretion by anthocyanidins and anthocyanins is described. The secretion can be in vivo in mammals, including humans, or in vitro.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method which uses anthocyanins, anthocyanidins or mixtures thereof to increase insulin production by cells. The present invention also relates to compositions to be used in the method for producing the increase in production of the insulin. The method and compositions can be in vivo or in vitro.
(2) Description of Related Art
The function of insulin is to maintain normal blood glucose levels either by suppression of glucose output from liver or by the stimulation of glucose uptake and its metabolism (Ross, S. A., et al., Chemistry and Biochemistry of diabetes. Chem. Rev. 104 1255-1282 (2004)). Insufficient release of insulin or loss of insulin action at target tissues causes aberrant glucose and lipid metabolism. This results in elevated glucose levels in the blood, a hallmark of diabetes (Jovanovic, L., et al. Type-2 diabetes: The epidemic of new millennium. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. 29 33-42 (1999)). There are two types of diabetes, type-1 (insulin-dependent diabetes) and type-2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Type-1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, the cells that secrete insulin, which leads into insulin insufficiency. Type-2 diabetes is more prevalent and is caused by the inability of β-cells to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin to overcome insulin resistance established by genetic and environmental factors (Henquin, J. C., Diabetes 49 1751-1760 (2000)). The insulin resistance is a disorder in which insulin inadequately stimulates glucose transport in skeletal muscle and fat and inadequately suppresses hepatic glucose production. The mechanisms involved that prevent the β-cell from secreting sufficient amounts of insulin to overcome peripheral insulin resistance remain to be established. Oral hypoglycemic agents that directly stimulate insulin release from β-cells (e.g. sulfonylurea based drugs), however, have shown that insulin secretion from islets of type-2 diabetic patients can be elevated sufficiently to overcome peripheral insulin resistance and normalize blood glucose levels. One of the disadvantages of using sulfonylurea-based drugs is that it fails to control normal blood glucose levels (Pfeiffer, A. F. H., Oral hypoglycemic agents: Sulfonylureas and meglitinides. In B. J. Goldstein, et al., (Eds.), Test book of Type-2 Diabetes. Martin Dunitz Ltd., London pp. 77-85 (2003)). These drugs also adversely affect the ability of S-cells to secrete insulin and cause weight gain ((Pfeiffer, A. F. H., Oral hypoglycemic agents: Sulfonylureas and meglitinides. In B. J. Goldstein, et al., (Eds.), Test book of Type-2 Diabetes. Martin Dunitz Ltd., London pp. 77-85 (2003)). Hence, there is a role for dietary constituents that can regulate blood glucose level or induce insulin production by pancreatic β-cell.
The consumption of a diet low in fat and rich in antioxidants reduces the risk of obesity and insulin resistance (Blakely, S., et al., J. Nutr. 133 2838-2844 (2003)). Anthocyanins belong to antioxidant polyphenols and are present in various foods and beverages. Consumption of anthocyanins is associated with reduced risk of several degenerative diseases such as atheroscelerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes (Jayaprakasam, B., et al., Potent lipid peroxidation inhibitors from Withania somnifera. Tetrahedron 60 3109-3121 (2004)). These compounds are well-known free radical scavengers and reported as potential chemopreventive agents (Duthie, G. G., et al., Nutr. Res. Rev. 13 79-106 (2000)). For example, serum antioxidant capacity was increased by the consumption of strawberries, cherries, and red wine (Kang, S. Y., et al., Canc. Lett. 194 13-19 (2003); Van Velden, D. P., et al., Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 957 337-340 (2002); and Wang, H., et al., J. Nat. Prod. 62 294-296 (1999)). Recent studies demonstrated that the anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-glucoside, reduced the high fat diet induced obesity in mice (Tsuda, T., et al., J. Nut. 133 2125-2130 (2003)). Therefore, the natural colorants present in the food have attracted consumers due to their safety, nutritional and therapeutic values (Espin, J. C., et al., J. Agri. Food Chem. 48 1588-1592 (2000)). Since anthocyanins are widely consumed, additional biological activities of these compounds will be of great interest.
The fruits of the Cornus species are a rich source of anthocyanins. The fruits of Cornus mas L., also known as the European and Asiatic Cornelian cherry, are used in the preparation of beverages in Europe (Millspaugh, C. F., In American Medicinal Plants; Dover Publications: New York, 282 (1974)). In traditional medicine, Cornus officinalis fruits are known for their analgesic and diuretic activities (Kim, D. K., et al., Arch. Pharm. Res. 21 787-789 (1998)). The Cornus fruits are also one of the major constituents of several antidiabetic herbal preparations in Asian countries (Yamahara, J., et al., Yakugaku Zasshi 101 86-90 (1981)). Our earlier investigation of the fruits of C. mas and C. officinalis revealed that both contained high levels of anthocyanins (Seeram, N. P., et al., J. Agri. Food chem. 50 2519-2523 (2002)).

Insulin secretion by anthocyanins and anthocyanidins

Board of Trustees of Michigan State University


There is provided a control method of a microfilm image reader, in which a scanner reads an image in a frame recorded on a microfilm and supplies image data of the read image to a printer, for printing out image data of an original image faithfully in a relatively easy processing even if the original image largely contains middle tone portions, without either calculating a threshold value for binarization by a complicated method or performing a special image processing to be uniquely performed to a binary density image. The scanner reads the image in a multi-tone gradation and the printer prints out image data of at least one portion of the read image in the multi-tone gradation. When the image in a frame contains both a multi-tone gradation portion in a photograph area and a binary density portion in a document area, image data of the photograph area and image data of the document area are printed out in the multi-tone gradation and the binary density or gradation, respectively. If the frames are photographed on the microfilm in a predetermined form or forms, coordinates of the photograph area are previously memorized in each form so that the photograph area can be printed out in the multi-tone gradation automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control method for a microfilm image reader, in which a scanner reads an image of a frame recorded on a microfilm and supplies image data of the read image to a printer.
2 . Prior Art
A typical microfilm image reader includes a host computer, a scanner and a printer, in which the scanner retrieves a target frame from a microfilm based on a command sent from the host computer to the scanner, reads an image in the target frame and transfers image data of the read image to the host computer. The host computer then processes the image data in a predetermined image processing and the processed image data is either supplied to the printer or transferred to another computer.
The microfilm used herein generally contains black and white images which are read as binary density images by the scanner and supplied to the printer.
However, other images, which largely contain middle or half tone image (gray scale image) portions such as photographs, signs and stamps, are often recorded on the microfilm in addition to the black and white document images. When printing out such images containing middle tone image portions by a conventional printer, density data of the images must be binarized by a proper threshold value, followed by image processings for representing the middle tones, but it has been difficult to set such a threshold value.
Although a method may be used to set the threshold value for binarization processing, in which a density or gray level histogram of an image is plotted to determine the threshold value, the determination process has been complicated. Even if a proper threshold value is determined, false contouring lines like as a moire pattern often appear especially in middle-tone portions of the image when printed out. To prevent the occurrence of the false contouring, a processing such as a dither processing needs performing.
However, since a dither matrix needed for the dither processing must be changed depending on characteristics of the image to be processed, the processing has been too complicated. Further, when such a particular image processing is performed, delicate shades of the original image may not be represented, and it has been difficult to print out image data of the original image accurately.

Control method for microfilm image reader


Methods and apparatus are provided to locate a terminal within a workspace. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided in known locations, preferably in, on or adjacent the light fixtures or other workspace infrastructure. The terminal comprises an RFID tag interrogation transceiver, processor and memory. The transceiver interrogates the tags which respond with information correlatable with their unique locations. The terminal determines its locations relative to the known locations of responding tags by, for example, varying its transmit power and/or receiver sensitivity and/or by trilateration using, for example, phase or time difference of arrival measurements on the tag response signals. Once it has determined its own location it may transmit or otherwise announce its location as desired by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the natural electromagnetic radiation and/or RADAR cross section backscatter from fluorescent type fixtures, modulated with their position information, acts as the RFID infrastructure beacon.

There are many applications today where it is desired to determine the location of a moveable object. For example, there is often a need to locate a moveable person, forklift, pallet or other cargo carrier in a warehouse, storage depot, factory or other area. In the past this has often been accomplished by placing a radio frequency (RF) beacon on the moveable object and then providing multiple infrastructure receivers at known locations in the area that receive signals from the moveable object and through trilateration or other proximity detectors determine the location of the moveable object within the area. While this arrangement works, it suffers from a number of disadvantages well known in the art, as for example, complexity, high installation cost, limited resolution, undesirably high power drain for the mobile beacon transmitter, and so forth. A further difficulty with this approach is that it is often very difficult to retrofit an existing structure or area to reliably use this approach since it is sensitive to multi-path, reflections and other structure dependant signal artifacts.
The positions of the trilateration receivers are known and the location of the moveable object (and its beacon transmitter) is unknown until its signal is read and analyzed by the trilateration receivers. The moveable object itself is ordinarily not self-aware, that is, it does not know its own location unless such information is sent to it from the base station managing the trilateration receivers or provided by some other means. Ordinarily, such a system cannot easily handle multiple moveable objects unless different frequencies and duplicate or multi-frequency trilateration receivers are provided, thereby adding further complexity. The infrastructure cost is significant because of the complexity and interconnection of the fixed trilateration receivers.
In a different application, it is also known to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to identify and at least crudely track large numbers of individual moveable items within an area. For example, each pallet or package of goods entering a storage yard, warehouse, factory or other area can be equipped with an RFID tag bearing a unique identifier (unique ID). When interrogated by an RFID tag reader, each tag responds with its unique ID indicating that it is present within signaling range of the reader. Thus, its position is known to be within the signaling range of the RFID tag reader. The RFID tags may be passive, semi-passive or active, depending upon the needs of the user. Such RFID tags are well known and widely available. In the conventional RFID tag installation, the location of the tag reader may or may not be known and the presence and rough location of the RFID tags themselves are unknown until interrogated by the reader. A single tag reader can detect the presence of a large number of tags. The ability of such a system to locate the RFID tags depends upon the proximity of the tag reader and it is ordinarily used to determine whether the tagged objects are present or absent, rather than to determine their exact location.
Thus, a need continues to exist for an improved position locating apparatus and method, especially one that takes advantage of present day RFID tag technology. Further it is desirable that such improved system be easy to retrofit into existing structures and areas. It is further desirable that such a system be able to take advantage of conventional infrastructure that may already exist in the area desired to be equipped with a position locating system and not require significant new infrastructure installation.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved position measuring apparatus and method, especially for measuring the position of moveable objects within an area or building. In addition, it is desirable that the sensing apparatus and method be simple, rugged and reliable and not require any substantial modifications to building infrastructure or the installation of significant complex new infrastructure. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Reverse infrastructure location system and method


Systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating communication. An apparatus a first interface configured for coupling with a first pin pattern of an optical transceiver and a second interface configured for coupling with a second pin pattern of a printed circuit board. The apparatus is configured for communicatively coupling an optical transceiver having the first pin pattern with the second pin pattern of the printed circuit board.

Various communication interfaces have been developed to meet increasing demands for increased density and higher speeds. With fiber optic technology, three fiber optic connectors of LC (Lucent connector), ST (straight tip), and SC (subscriber connector) have entered widespread use. While the transceivers for these connectors may have similar functions, the transceivers may have different sizes and different interfaces. For example, transceivers for SC and SC connectors may use a different pin pattern than a transceiver for an LC connector.

Allied Telesis Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha


An automatic frequency control system for use in satellite communications is provided that is pre-programmed with an initial acquisition Doppler offset frequency. The system includes a search mode for accurately determining the satellite's initial frequency translation error before the initiation of data transmission and also for determining the Doppler rate of change. The system further includes a tracking mode, in which the frequency variation is continuously monitored. Depending on the frequency characteristics of the transmission, the system is capable of re-entering the search mode to determine a new frequency translation error, if necessary.

As the global village becomes smaller, and the use of satellite communications grows daily, efforts to push the capacity of satellites and their transmissions presents ever-increasing hurdles. In the area of satellite data communication, in which the high priorities are speed and accuracy, the unique paradigm of space-linked communications has variables that must be compensated for in order to achieve the maximum throughput of error-free data.
With satellites that are not geostationary, a significant variable that affects any satellite transmission system is the Doppler effect. This well known effect occurs when the distance between a transmitter and receiver of signals is changing. In the case of satellite transmissions, the effect manifests itself by shifting signals away from their intended frequency. Normally, all satellites in a particular orbit will have the same Doppler shift when in the same point in the orbit with respect to a point on the Earth. This shift changes with respect to a particular ground station as the satellite moves in its orbit. Both the shift for a given position and the rate of change may be generally calculated and compensated for in any communications system. However, many current satellite communication systems rely on multiple satellites simultaneously to provide necessary relative location information and to determine the Doppler shift.
There are also further variables that may contribute to signal frequency translation. For example, the satellite's internal oscillators may experience drift within (or perhaps even beyond) their tolerance. This drift may constantly or randomly change. In addition, satellite signals often experience further frequency translations caused by temperature. This effect depends upon the time day, as each satellite in a given orbital plane will enter and exit the earth's shadow at different times throughout the day.
These translation errors have made accurate location measurements difficult, if not impossible, when using only one satellite. With large-scale, high-cost systems, the luxury of providing multiple satellite access for location calculations is possible. With expanded satellite use, locating remote users accurately has become more critical due to various technical and economic reasons.
Such translation errors have had minimal impact in the past upon the proper functioning of satellite communications systems. With analog communications, including voice and video relays, slight frequency translations had little effect on the ultimate transmission. The frequency control loops of data modems could deal with a small and constant frequency translation error caused by the satellite's internal local oscillators. However, relatively large constantly varying frequency offsets due to Doppler caused by low orbiting satellites affect digital communications much more severely than in the past. With the advent of digital communications, especially in connection with the global Internet, frequency errors can increase the transmission errors, usually expressed as a bit error rate (BER). Above a certain BER, digital communications become useless. At lower BERs, the systems relying on the satellite link are less efficient, less reliable and more costly. To date, however, no cost-efficient system fully compensates for these frequency translations to a sufficient degree to permit digital satellite communications to achieve their full potential and to reach the largest audience.

Satellite communications system including automatic frequency control


In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for dynamically converting data manipulation language (DML) code embedded in a mainframe application rehosted in a mainframe rehosting platform. The DML code can include SQL scripts with SQL statements, and standalone SQL statements for accessing a source database in a mainframe computer. The DML code can be converted programmatically and immediately before the DML code is to be executed during the execution of the rehosted mainframe application. A database access script converter in an application runtime of the mainframe rehosting platform can load a database schema of a target database and a set of conversion rules, parse the rehosted mainframe application to identify the DML code, and convert each SQL statement based on one or more conversion rules and the database schema, for execution against the target database.

To reduce costs and become as agile as possible, organizations today are increasingly seeking to move business-critical mainframe applications to open systems and cloud environments. However, to do so can often imply complex, costly and resource-heavy application migration projects, which deter companies from undertaking such migrations. Over the years, mainframe application rehosting has become a preferred option for many organizations for modernizing their mainframe legacy systems.
A migrated mainframe application can include database access scripts in a format consistent with a database on a mainframe computer. The database access scripts need to be converted, so that they can be executed against a different type of database on a rehosting platform.

System and method for dynamic conversion of database accessing scripts during runtime in a mainframe rehosting platform