Methods are provided for metering the usage, on a group of lines subject to a group user agreement, of the data processing capacity of a network. Implementations include steps of receiving usage reports from respective lines of the group at least when usage quotas granted to the lines are exhausted; maintaining a total, over the group, of usage that has been reported by the lines and of outstanding usage quotas that have been granted to the lines; and maintaining a comparison between the total outstanding group quota and a limit that depends on the total reported group usage, so as to detect violation events when said quota violates the limit. Upon occurrence of violation events, instructions for the processors serving respective lines to reallocate quota are sent selectively.

The Diameter Credit-Control Application (DCCA) is a well-known protocol that supports real-time charging for time units, volume units of uploaded or downloaded data, or the like, that are purchased by network subscribers through their use of network-provided services. Communications subject to the protocol are typically conducted between a gateway or control point as client, and an online charging system as server. The Diameter Credit-Control Application has been standardized in the IETF specification designated RFC 4006. The Diameter base protocol has been standardized in the IETF specification designated RFC 3588.
At the start of a subscriber session, and during the session, the client requests service units and the server grants service units by means of a message flow between the client and the server. In the CCR (Credit Control Request) message, the client requests a grant of some number of service units, and it may report on the number of units that have been used. The CCR message may also include a request to initiate or terminate the session.
In many communication networks, particularly LTE networks, the router that effectuates a wireless provider's connection to the Internet is referred to as the PDN Gateway (PGW). Accordingly, in FIG. 1 the client in this regard is PGW 10, and the server is Line Server 20. Below, we will use the term "RTR" interchangeably with "line server".
In the CCA (Credit Control Answer) message, the server responds with a grant of service units or with a rejection if, e.g., the account has been exhausted. The CCA may also include a statement of the remaining balance of credit units, and it may include a statement of the amount of time during which the current quota is valid. When the quota times out, the client renews the credit control request by sending a CCR-U (CCR Update) message, to which the server responds with a CCA-U (CCA Update) message.
Two further messages are Re-Authentication Request (RAR) and Re-Authentication Answer (RAA). The server, e.g. Line Server 20 of the figure, sends an RAR message to the client to request reauthentication or reauthorization of the client. The client, e.g. PGW 10 of the figure, responds by sending an RAA message to the server, followed by an authentication or authorization message.
It has recently become a widespread practice for networks to offer data download services and the like for pluralities of users or terminal devices that have been joined together in user groups. The accounting and charging for such services is often managed by a group server that is functionally part of the online charging system. Such a group server is illustrated as element 30 of FIG. 1, where it is shown as part of online charging system (OCS) 35.
Each individual user or terminal device that is being served is referred to here as one of the group of "lines" served by the group server. With further reference to FIG. 1, it will be understood that one line is constituted, in part, by Line Server 20 and PGW 10, and that other lines are likewise constituted by Line Servers 21, 22, and 23, with their respective PGWs 11, 12, and 13. Each such line is said to have a network end represented in the figure by the PGW and an OCS end represented in the figure by the line server.
Through messaging, the group server and line servers can regulate the usage of service units by the group, as well as by individual members of the group, in the downloading of data.
An illustrative exchange of such messages is illustrated in the signaling diagram of FIG. 2, in which elements having correspondences in FIG. 1 are denoted by like reference numerals. In the figure, it will be seen that after a new line served by PGW 10 has been added to the group, PGW 10 sends an initial CCR, i.e., CCR-I 41, to line server 20 to request a new session. The line server responds with the acknowledgement message CCA-I 42. In the CCA-I message, the line server assigns a quota of service units to the PGW. When the line has consumed its initial quota, or when the initial quota has timed out, PGW 10 sends an updated CCR message, i.e., CCR-U 61, reporting the consumed quota. The line server responds with acknowledgement message CCA-U 62, in which a new quota is assigned.
In response to a Session Parameter Update message (to be discussed below) from Group Server 30, the line server initiates the Session Reauthorization procedure by sending RAR message 81 to the PGW. The PGW acknowledges by sending RAA message 82 to the line server. RAR messages cause the PGWs that receive them to issue CCR-U messages reporting consumed quota and to request new quota allocations. Accordingly, in our illustration PGW 10 then sends a new CCR update message, i.e., CCR-U 91 to the line server. The line server responds with CCA-U message 92, in which a new quota is assigned.
One drawback of the protocol described above is that as the size of the user group grows, the amount of messaging required for managing the quotas can grow enough to significantly affect the profitability of the network. There is therefore a need for methods of quota management that use messaging more efficiently.

Method and apparatus of group credit control for wireless networks


The present invention is directed to use of cannabidiol and compositions thereof as an anti-bacterial agent against multi-drug resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Biofilm is a structured microbial community which is a naturally occurring form of growth of many microorganisms. Biofilm formation is often a very rapid process, which includes several phases and involves conditioning the carrier surface for enabling the initial binding of the cells to the carrier surface through physicochemical interaction, production of binding molecules (e.g. extracellular polymeric substances, adhesins) for irreversibly anchoring the cells on the carrier surface, organizing the cell community in the form of microcolonies and formation and maturation of the biofilm architecture (Masák et al., 2014, FEMS Microbiol. Ecol., 89: 1-14). Those steps imply significant changes in the physiology of the cells often is leading to changes in cell phenotype, the development of new metabolic pathways and the expression of virulence factors. The deployment of such changes in a unified and coordinated manner between the cells within the colony is achieved through signaling pathways between cells. In the pseudomonads, and in particular the common gram-negative bacterium opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is involved in nosocomial and life-threatening infections of immunodepressed patients, this cell-to-cell communication is realized through a chemically-based communication system called Quorum Sensing (QS). QS was shown to be essential to control the initial host defense and the launch of the virulent offensive to the host through the coordination of the timely expression of a battery of virulence factors with the growth of the colony and therefore with the biofilm formation process (Masák et al., 2014, supra; Juhas et al., 2005, Environmental Microbiology, 7(4): 459-471). Further, in Pseudomonas species, biofilm growth generally increases their resistance to various negative environmental influences since they are metabolically less active within the biofilm and hence less receptive to antimicrobial agents and environmental disruptions. In addition, biofilms form a physical barrier against the entry of antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this increased resistance enables them to inhabit a broad range of niches and colonize the soil matrix, plant tissue, etc. (Masák et al., 2014, supra; Rybtke et al., 2015, J. Mol. Biol. 427: 3628-3645). Infections caused by bacterial biofilms of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, also called nosocomial infections, have become a major concern for most hospitals and healthcare facilities, since they contribute to an increase in morbidity and mortality compared to the underlying diseases alone and impact length of patients' stay and related healthcare costs. Biofilms have been shown to be the underlying cause of many tissue-associated and implant-associated infections (Rybtke et al., 2015, supra), such as dental and buccal infections such as dental caries, periodontitis, otorhinolaryngologic infections such as otitis, in particular chronic otitis media (COM) and chronic sinusitis, respiratory infections such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and pneumonia, especially pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients, skin infection such as chronic wound infections, musculoskeletal infections, urological and/or prostatic track infections, biliary tract infection, native valve endocarditis, opportunistic infections in immunodepressed patients such as cancer patients (Markou et al., 2014, Frontiers in Cellular and infection microbiology, 3(115), 1-5) and a range of medical device-related infections. Treatment of infections produced by P. aeruginosa is complicated by the organism's is resistance profile and may lead to treatment failure and/or exposing patients to adverse effects from antibiotic drug regimens. Current medications for preventing and treating those nosocomial infections are extensive antibiotherapy, which however often develops into lethal infections due to the high resistance of the bacteria to many antibiotics and their shielding by biofilms that protect it from the action of both drugs and immune system. Specifically, acute fulminant infections, such as bacteremic pneumonia, sepsis, burn wound infections and meningitis are associated with extremely high mortality.
Further, bacteria biofilm formation constitutes a problem in food and cosmetic formulation contamination (Wong et al., 2000, Journal of Food protection, 8, 1015-1153), artwork degradation, water contamination (Barbeau et al., 1996, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 62(11), 3954-3959) and medical devices contamination (File et al., 1995, 16(7), 417-418).
Various approaches have been developed to regulate/suppress Pseudomonas biofilm and formation thereof, which may or may not include interfering with the regulatory mechanisms of biofilm formation. Quorum sensing, due to its involvement in the expression of several virulence factors and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa has been an attractive target for the design of novel drugs for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections (Juhas et al., 2005, supra). Some substances have been presented as being able to interfere with the mechanism of quorum sensing (QS) such as water extracts of rhubarb, Fructus gardeniae and Andrographis paniculata, cis-2-Dodecenoic acid, garlic, other aqueous extracts of common fruits, herbs, and spices, resveratrol, erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and spiramycin (Masák et al., 2014, supra). However, none of the currently developed quorum sensing inhibitors has a universal utilization and may require an appropriate approach depending on the site where the biofilm is formed (Masák et al., 2014, supra).
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid found as a major constituent of the cannabis plant, especially Canabis sativa (Asthton, 2001, British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, 101-106). CBD has been described as a non-psychoactive substance having potential medical applications in the treatment of disorders such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis spasms, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, nausea, convulsion and inflammation, as well as inhibiting cancer cell growth. CBD, pre-CBD as well as the synthetic abnormal CBD (abn-CBD) have been described as having activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains (Appendino et al., 2008, J. Nat. Prod., 71: 1427-1430).
Due to the severity of infections and contaminations due to Gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, the increasing resistance of those bacteria to current antibiotic medications and the high risk of some patients to catch such infections, it would be highly desirable to have new methods for preventing and/or treating Gram-negative bacteria related infections, such as nosocomial infections.

Cannabidiol compositions and uses thereof


An information processing device includes a memory; and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes an operation including: receiving first stream data and second stream data that each include a piece of reception data representing a set of a key and a numerical value, when detecting, from the second stream data, a piece of reception data with the same key as a key of a piece of reception data of the first stream data, obtaining a processing result by adding together numerical values of the pieces of reception data that have the same key, and storing the processing result in the memory.

There is related art in which pieces of stream data, which each include a piece of reception data representing a set of a key and a numerical value within each of a plurality of windows (periods) delimited by certain intervals between a start time and an end time, are received from a plurality of shops and the pieces of stream data are combined.
The above-described related art will be described. Here, description will be given of the case of combining windows of stream data R and stream data S that are received from two different shops and obtaining data on a customer who made purchases in both shops over a certain period of time as well as the total cost of the purchases.
FIG. 30 illustrates related art. The stream data R includes windows R1, R2, R3, and R4. The stream data S includes windows S1, S2, S3, and S4. Each of the windows includes one or more pieces of reception data in which the name of a customer and the cost of a product that the customer purchased are associated with each other. For window conditions, both of the stream data R and the stream data S have a window width of 30 minutes and a start time of 10:00.
In the related art, the result obtained by combining windows that have been closed most recently of the stream data R and the stream data S is the current result set. For example, when the current time falls in the time range "10:30 to 11:00", the windows that have been closed most recently are window R1 and window S1. In a comparison of window R1 and window S1, a customer included in both of the stream data R and the stream data S is "Alice" and the total cost for "Alice" is 900. Hence, the result set for R1×S1 is "Alice, 900".
When the current time falls in the time range "11:00 to 11:30", windows that have been closed most recently are window R2 and window S2. In a comparison of window R2 and window S2, customers included in both the stream data R and the stream data S are "Henry" and "Caren". The total cost for "Henry" is "1600" and the total cost for "Caren" is "300". Hence, the result set for R2×S2 includes "Henry, 1600" and "Caren, 300".
When the current time falls in the time range "11:30 to 12:00", windows which have been closed most recently are the window R3 and the window S3. In a comparison of the window R3 and the window S3, a customer included in both the stream data R and the stream data S is "Dick" and the total cost for "Dick" is "700". Hence, the result set of R3×S3 is "Dick, 700".
Examples of related art include Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-238195 and A. Arasu et al. "The CQL continuous query language: semantic foundations and query execution", VLDB Journal, 15(2), pp. 121-142, 2006.

Information processing device and information processing method


An audio-visual educational device including a housing including a plurality of separate viewable indicia each representative of an object which produces a distinctive audible sound associated with the corresponding object. A sound emitting area is also provided in the housing in close proximity to each object. An electronic controller operably mounted in the housing selectively produces and emits or causes to be emitted through an audio output device each of the distinctive audible sounds from the corresponding sound emitting area responsive to manual selection of one viewable indicia. The user then receives an audible queue in the form of the audible sound to look in the direction of sound emanating from the corresponding sound emitting area thereby learning to associate the selected viewable object with its corresponding audible sound.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic educational devices, and more particularly to an audio-visual learning device for teaching small children by association of an object such as a musical instrument or an animal which produces a distinctive sound with the viewable indicia associated therewith and description thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
The availability and relative low cost of electronic education and training devices and systems have had a great influence upon educating people, particularly younger children. By the inclusion of inexpensive yet extremely powerful CPUs, audio synthesizers and the like which may both control system operation and selective synthesized audible words, music and sounds, the scope of these educational and entertainment devices for children, even for families with modest means, has greatly increased.
Examples of such electronic educational and entertainment toys and devices are disclosed in the following U.S. patents.                U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,809 to Greenberg, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,329 to Shindo        U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,374 to Simone        U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,355 to Gonzalez        U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,240 to Cogliano        U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,489 to Kwon        U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,533 to Wood        U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,925 to Druckman, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,523 to Simmons
However, none of these prior art disclosures appear to capture the powerful educational tool of teaching a child to be directed to a viewable indicia representative of an object by directing the child's visual attention toward distinctive synthesized sound produced by the object which emanates from that viewable indicia. This educational technique of the present invention draws the attention of listening and eyesight of the child to viewable indicia in the form of either a graphic display of an object and/or the word describing the object itself by a sound which synthesizes that which is typically associated with the object itself. For example, if one of the objects displayed graphically on the invention is a cow, a graphic display of a cow will be presented at one location on the device immediately adjacent to which the word "cow" appears in large letters. When the child or attendant selects that viewable indicia by manual activation, the sound emitted by a cow, e.g. "moooooooooo" will emanate from a sound emitting area immediately adjacent or in very close proximity to the viewable indicia itself such that the eye and listening attention of the child is directed to and focused on the viewable indicia by the sound which emanates therefrom.


The present invention relates to conjugated oligomers and polymers comprising aromatic thiophene cores. The conjugated materials are obtained by simple and efficient condensation of an aryl diamine and an aryl dialdehyde or a bifunctional aryl moiety comprising both an aldehyde and an amine. Condensation of the complementary moieties at temperatures ranging from ambient to refluxing temperatures in various solvents resulted in conjugated oligomers and polymers that can subsequently be cast into thin films. Oligomerization and polymerization can be done under mild conditions with removal of the resulting water bi-product responsible for shifting the equilibrium in favor of the conjugated products. The resulting conjugated compounds can be made conducting with dopants affording electrically conducting materials of either p-type or n-type conductors depending on the dopant selected.

Conjugated polymers have received much attention because of the many new possibilities these polymers can provide for modern devices. A few such applications of conjugated polymers involve organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and molecular wires to be used in flexible light displays and/or low power consumption products.2,3 Because of the many interesting properties they possess—including unique optical, electrical, and mechanical properties1—these materials have been heavily investigated.
Synthesis of these industrially relevant materials has evolved from elimination reactions to more elegant coupling strategies. As attractive as these polymers are for their physical properties, the main synthetic methods pursued are not straightforward4,6 and require Suzuki,7 Wittig,8 or Mitsunobu9 synthetic strategies, or electropolymerization.10 Such methods subsequently entail challenging and tedious purifications to isolate the desired polymers and remove unwanted metal bi-products. In addition, traditional synthetic methods result in only low to moderate yields.4,5
There is a need, therefore, for novel oligo- and polyazomethines. There is also a need for a simpler, more efficient synthetic process to prepare these novel oligo- and polyazomethines. The present invention seeks to meet these and related needs.

Conjugated thiophenes having conducting properties and synthesis of same


A spark plug according to the invention includes a metal shell, a hollow insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. The insulator has a first end protruding into a combustion chamber of an engine and a second end opposite to the first end in the lengthwise direction of the insulator. The insulator increases in outer diameter from the edge of the inner surface thereof at the first end to a reference plane that is defined to extend perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the insulator and away 0.1 mm from the edge of the inner surface of the insulator toward the second end of the same in the lengthwise direction. Further, a first volume V1, which is the volume of a portion of the insulator between the edge of the inner surface of the insulator and the reference plane, is in the range of 0.15 to 0.38 mm3.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to spark plugs for use in internal combustion engines of automobiles and cogeneration systems.
More particularly, the invention relates to a spark plug with an improved structure that ensures a high capability of the spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture (referred to as ignition capability of the spark plug hereinafter).
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional spark plugs for use in internal combustion engines generally include a tubular metal shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode.
The tubular metal shell has a threaded portion for fitting the spark plug into a combustion chamber of the engine.
The insulator has a center bore formed therethrough; it is fixed in the metal shell such that an end thereof protrudes from an end of the metal shell.
The center electrode is secured in the center bore of the insulator and has an end that protrudes from the end of the insulator.
The ground electrode has a base end joined to the end of the metal shell and a tip portion that faces the end of the center electrode in the axial direction of the insulator through a spark gap.
In recent years, the demand for higher power output and improved fuel economy of internal combustion engines has required increasing the sizes of intake and exhaust valves for the engine and securing a water jacket for cooling of the engine. This results in a decreased space available for installing a spark plug in the engine, thus requiring the spark plug to have a compact (more specifically, slenderized) structure.
Specifically, the threaded portion of the metal shell in a spark plug had a size of M14 as specified in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) in the past; however, the threaded portion is now required to have a size less than or equal to M12 as specified in JIS.
In such a compact spark plug 9, as shown in FIG. 13, an insulation distance, which is the minimum distance between the insulator 92 and a base end portion 951 of the ground electrode 95, is accordingly reduced.
Consequently, when carbon has deposited on the surface of the insulator 92, instead of normal sparks to be discharged across the spark gap G, "side sparks" P can be discharged. The side sparks P, here, denote sparks which creep from the center electrode 93 along the outer surface of the insulator 92, and jump to the base end portion 951 of the ground electrode 95.
More specifically, in the case that the surface of the insulator 92 has been fouled with carbon that is electrically conductive, the electrical potential on the outer surface of the insulator 92 increases when an electrical voltage is applied between the center electrode 93 and the ground electrode 95. Then, when the electrical potential has increased above a certain level, the side sparks P can be discharged across the air gap between the outer surface of the insulator 92 and the base end portion 951 of the ground electrode 95.
Unlike normal sparks, the side sparks P cannot reliably ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of the engine, thus decreasing the ignition capability of the spark plug.
Accordingly, side sparks have become a great obstacle to development of compact spark plugs.
To prevent side sparks from occurring, Japanese Patent First Publication No. S60-235379 discloses a spark plug that has properly specified dimensional parameters such as the end diameter of the insulator.
However, in the disclosed spark plug, the insulator has a long portion that is to protrude into the combustion chamber of the engine. Consequently, though side sparks can be prevented from occurring, it is still difficult to secure a high ignition capability of the spark plug.
More specifically, since the portion of the insulator protruding into the combustion chamber is made long, the length from the end of the insulator to the area where the insulator is connected to the metal shell through a metal ring is accordingly long.
As a result, the temperature at the end of the insulator will be high, so that it becomes difficult for carbon to deposit on the surface of the insulator, thus preventing side sparks from occurring.
However, at the same time, the high temperature at the end of the insulator may cause a pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture, thus decreasing the ignition capability of the spark plug.
Moreover, since the portion of the insulator protruding into the combustion chamber is made long, the space S between the insulator and the ground electrode as shown in FIG. 13 is accordingly small.
As a result, it becomes difficult for the initial flame to propagate, thus decreasing the ignition capability of the spark plug.
Accordingly, it is desired to prevent side sparks from occurring without making the portion of the insulator protruding into the combustion chamber long.

Spark plug with high capability to ignite air-fuel mixture


A biological fluid sampling vessel may include a container portion having an opening and an interior for housing a urine sample therein. The vessel may further include a sampling portion that removably engages the container portion to close off the interior. The sampling portion may include a sampling wand configured for obtaining a sample.

Urinalysis has been used for over 6,000 years as a diagnostic tool for measuring health, testing for diseases, and monitoring their progression. Although Hippocrates is often credited with first recognizing the value of urine in analyzing the state of a person's physical well-being, evidence exists that ancient Sumerian, Babylonian and Hindu physicians assessed urine as part of their patient care. With advances in modern medicine have come improvements in urine collection and testing methods, and many devices exist today for the collection, testing, and transport of urine specimens. Even with this long history, challenges remain. Urine can be easily contaminated by bacteria during the collection process, rendering test results faulty or inaccurate. Contamination of a urine specimen can occur, for example, if a patient inadvertently touches the inside of the collection cup or cap. Given the traditional design of urine cups and their screw-on lids, urine samples are easily spilled by patients and healthcare workers, placing them at increased risk of exposure. And, as anyone who has ever given a urine sample can attest, they require self-administration but are awkward, at best, and messy, at worst, to execute.


A water separator especially suitable for use in a vehicular fuel cell system. The separator comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal through passage extending therebetween. A central shaft extends along the passage and a plurality of modular baffles are stacked on the shaft. Each baffle includes an annular hub portion received on the shaft and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending outwardly from the hub portion to block a portion of the cross-sectional area of the passage. An actuator drives one end of the shaft and alternate baffles are keyed to the shaft so that actuation of the actuator relatively rotates the modular baffles to selectively vary the cross-sectional blockage defined by the baffles. The actuator is actuated in response to sensed parameters of the cell such as the humidity of a compressed gas stream delivered to the cell, the mass flow rate of the gas stream, the temperature and pressure within the cell, and the electrical current produced by the cell. With this arrangement and with these parameters, the separator may be instantaneously and continuously adjusted to provide a degree of restriction customized to the amount of water entrained in the gas streams being handled by the separator. In an alternate embodiment, alternate baffle modules stacked on the shaft are relatively rotated to vary the restriction provided by the separator utilizing bimetallic coils between the shaft and the hub of selected modules.

This invention relates to a fuel cell system and more particularly to a system having a plurality of cells which consume an H2-rich gas to produce power.
Fuel cells have been used as a power source in many applications. For example, fuel cells have been proposed for use in electrical vehicular power plants to replace internal combustion engines. In proton exchange membrane (PEM) type fuel cells, hydrogen is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell and oxygen is supplied as the oxidant to the cathode. PEM fuel cells include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a thin, proton transmissive, non-electrically conductive solid is polymer electrolyte membrane having the anode catalyst on one of its faces and the cathode catalyst on the opposite face. The MEA is sandwiched between a pair of electrically conductive elements which (1) serve as current collectors for the anode and cathode, and (2) contain appropriate channels and/or openings therein for distributing the fuel cell""s gaseous reactants over the surfaces of the respective anode and cathode catalysts. The term fuel cell is typically used to refer to either a single cell or a plurality of cells (stack) depending on the context. A plurality of individual cells are commonly bundled together to form a fuel cell stack and are commonly arranged in series. Each cell within the stack comprises the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) described earlier, and each such MEA provides its increment of voltage. A group of adjacent cells within the stack is referred to as a cluster. Typical arrangements of multiple cells in a stack are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,113, assigned to General Motors Corporation.
In PEM fuel cells, hydrogen (2) is the anode reactant (i.e., fuel) and oxygen is the cathode reactant (i.e., oxidant). The oxygen can be either a pure form (O2), or air (a mixture of O2 and N2), or O2 in combination with other gases. The solid polymer electrolytes are typically made from ion exchange resins such as perfluoronated sulfonic acid. The anode/cathode typically comprises finely divided catalytic particles, which are often supported on carbon particles, and mixed with a proton conductive resin. The catalytic particles are typically costly precious metal particles. These membrane electrode assemblies are relatively expensive to manufacture and require certain conditions, including proper water management and humidification, and control of catalyst fouling constituents such as carbon monoxide (CO), for effective operation.
For vehicular applications, it is desirable to use a liquid fuel such as an alcohol (e.g., methanol or ethanol), or hydrocarbons (e.g., gasoline) as the source of hydrogen for the fuel cell. Such liquid fuels for the vehicle are easy to store onboard and there is a nationwide infrastructure for supplying liquid fuels. However, such fuels must be dissociated to release the hydrogen content thereof for fueling the fuel cell. The dissociation reaction is accomplished within a chemical fuel processor or reformer. The fuel processor contains one or more reactors wherein the fuel reacts with steam and sometimes air, to yield a reformate gas comprising primarily hydrogen and carbon dioxide. For example, in the steam methanol reformation process, methanol and water (as steam) are ideally reacted to generate hydrogen and carbon dioxide. In reality, carbon monoxide and water are also produced. In a gasoline reformation process, steam, air and gasoline are reacted in a fuel processor which contains two sections. One is primarily a partial oxidation reactor (POX) and the other is primarily a steam reformer (SR). The fuel processor produces hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. Downstream reactors may include a water/gas shift (WGS) and preferential oxidizer (PROX) reactors. In the PROX, carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced from carbon monoxide (CO) using oxygen from air as an oxidant. Here, control of air feed is important to selectively oxidize CO to CO2.
Fuel cell systems which process a hydrocarbon fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate for consumption by PEM fuel cells are known and are described in co-pending U.S. Pat application Ser. Nos. 08/975,422 and 08/980,087, filed in November, 1997, and U.S. Ser. No. 09/187,125, filed in November, 1998, and each assigned to General Motors Corporation, assignee of the present invention; and in International Application Publication Number WO 98/08771, published Mar. 5, 1998. A typical PEM fuel cell and its membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,017 and 5,316,871, issued respectively Dec. 21, 1993 and May 31, 1994, and assigned to General Motors Corporation.
Efficient operation of a fuel cell system depends on the ability to provide effective water management in the system and specifically to control the recovery and recycling of water in the system.
A fuel cell system produces water as a product of the electrochemical reaction that occurs in a fuel cell stack. The physical state of the product water depends on the temperature and pressure at which the electrochemical reaction occurs. It can be generally stated that the product water will be vapor at higher temperatures and lower pressures, and liquid at lower temperatures and higher pressures. Therefore, it is possible that the product water exist as liquid when the fuel cell stack is cool, and gradually transition to water vapor when the stack reaches full operating temperature.
It is necessary to continually recover the product water so that it may be used for other purposes within the fuel cell systems such, for example, as to provide water to the fuel processor as a reactant. The water is recovered differently depending on the physical state. When in liquid form, the product water is typically recovered by a mechanical water separator, and when the product water is vapor it is typically recovered by a condenser. This invention relates to the mechanical water separator to recover the liquid water when present.
Design of a mechanical liquid water separator presents a tradeoff between separating efficiency, gas flow pressure drop, and physical volume. The objective is to maximize separating efficiency, minimize gas flow pressure drop, and minimize physical volume of the component. Maximum separating efficiency is desired so that sufficient product water is recovered for other uses in the system. Minimal pressure drop is desired to minimize the power requirements in the system, thus increasing overall system efficiency. Minimum physical volume is desired so that the component may be easily packaged in an automotive fuel cell application.
Currently available industrial water separators are designed for specific, dedicated gas flow rates and water loading. Because gas flow rates and liquid water loading in a fuel cell system are not constant, current separator designs must be sized for the highest gas flow rates and worst water loading possible. The consequence of this is an over-designed component that experiences the maximum gas flow and/or water loading only for a small percentage of time (i.e. start-up conditions). The over-designed component provides the fuel cell system with high pressure drop (inefficiency), or large physical volume, which makes it non-useful in an automotive fuel cell application.
The present invention overcomes the problem described. It provides the ability to separate liquid water when it exists and it allows gas (including water vapor) to freely flow through when no liquid water exists. The advantage is that the pressure drop in the device is only recognized by the system when the component is actively functioning. When there is no need for the component, due to the lack of liquid water, the system does not recognize its presence thus increasing overall system efficiency. Also, there is an opportunity for the device to be a smaller volume because it is functional for only a small fraction of the time. That is, the smaller volume will generate higher pressure drop but the impact to system efficiency will be minimized because the devices functional for a small percent of the time. Furthermore, when liquid water does exist it is possible to control the separation efficiency according to water recovery requirements.
According to the invention, the separator comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal flow through passage extending between the inlet and the outlet; a plurality of baffles arranged in longitudinally spaced serial relation in and along the passage and each blocking a portion of the cross section of the passage; and means mounting the baffles for relative movement to selectively vary the composite cross-sectional blockage defined by the baffles. With this arrangement, the individual baffles may be selectively adjusted to selectively vary the composite cross-sectional blockage defined by the baffles and thereby customize the separator to accommodate the specific gas flow rates and water loading being instantaneously encountered in the system.
According to a further feature of the invention, each baffle is mounted for rotation about a central axis extending through the passage. This specific arrangement facilitates the relative adjustment of the baffles to accommodate a particular water loading scenario.
According to a further feature of the invention, each baffle includes a central hub positioned on the axis and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially outwardly from the hub. This specific arrangement further facilitates the ability to readily adjust the separator to accommodate a specific water loading scenario.
According to a further feature of the invention, the vanes of each baffle block a given percentage of the cross-sectional area of the passage so that first and second successive baffles in the passage may be relatively rotated to define a composite cross-sectional blockage varying from the given percentage of the cross-sectional passage area to a larger percentage of the cross-sectional passage area. For example, the vanes of each baffle may block approximately one half of the cross-sectional area of the passage so that the first and second successive baffles in the passage may be relatively rotated to define a composite cross-sectional blocking varying from approximately one half of the cross-sectional passage area to essentially all of the cross-sectional passage area.
According to a further feature of the invention, the separator further includes means operative to relatively move the baffles in response to sensed system parameters.
According to a further feature of the invention, the moving means comprises an actuator drivingly associated with the baffles and means operative to generate a control signal for delivery to the actuator reflecting sensed parameters of the fuel cell. This arrangement allows the separator to adjust automatically to accommodate the instantaneous water loading situation being encountered in the fuel cell system.
According to a further feature of the invention, the sensed parameters of the fuel cell include one or more of the humidity of a compressed gas stream delivered to the fuel cell, the mass flow rate of the gas stream, the temperature and pressure within the fuel cell, and the electrical current produced by the fuel. These parameters in various combinations provide a measure of the instantaneous water loading status of the fuel cell and thereby provide a means of generating a signal that allows the separator to adjust to reflect the instantaneous water loading status of the system.
According to a further feature of the invention, the separator includes a central shaft positioned on the axis, and the central hubs are annular and are fitted over the shaft in serial stacked relation. This arrangement allows the baffles to be provided in modular form so to as to be readily added to or subtracted from the system to adjust the system to varying water loading scenarios.
According to a further feature of the invention, the housing is sectional and includes modular components which may be interchanged to vary the size of the housing in accordance with the number of baffle modules employed. This arrangement allows the overall separator assembly to be readily customized to the specific water loading conditions being encountered.
According to a further feature of the invention, the actuator rotatably drives the shaft and selected hubs of selected modular baffles are keyed to the shaft so that rotation of the shaft by the actuator relatively rotates the baffles. This arrangement provides a ready and efficient means of relatively moving the baffles to vary the flow characteristic of the separator in accordance with the signal being received by the actuator.
According to a further feature of the invention, the separator is arranged to receive the cathode effluent from the fuel cell and functions to separate the water from the cathode effluent for delivery as a water reactant to the fuel processor.
According to a further feature of the invention, a separator as described is also provided to receive the anode effluent from the fuel cell and/or to receive the reformate upstream of the fuel cell. These further separators provide a further means of effectively removing water from the system for delivery to the fuel processor as a water reactant.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the means for relatively moving the baffles comprise bimetal means drivingly associated with selected baffles and operative to relatively move the baffles in response to environmental temperature variations. This arrangement provides a passive system for controlling the relative positions of the baffles as opposed to the active system provided by the actuator driving a shaft mounting the baffles.

Gas-liquid separator for fuel cell system


Devices, systems and methods for calibrating a deformable sensor are disclosed herein. A calibration device for calibrating a deformable sensor includes a frame, at least one actuator supported by the frame, where the at least one actuator comprises a drive mechanism operatively coupled to a probe portion, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the drive mechanism of the at least one actuator. The electronic control unit is configured to cause the drive mechanism to move the probe portion a predetermined position to form a predetermined contact surface defined by an end of the probe portion of the actuator.

Contact sensors are used to determine whether or not one object is in physical contact with another object. For example, robots often use contact sensors to determine whether a portion of the robot is in contact with an object. Control of the robot may then be based at least in part on signals from one or more contact sensors. From time to time, the contact sensors require calibration. Currently calibration processes include contacting the known object to the contact sensor by hand. Accordingly, there is a need to automate the calibration process contact sensors such as deformable sensors.

Calibration device and calibration procedure for fluid filled sensor


A purifying agent or the like which can improve purifying performance is obtained. A container (12) of a purifying agent generating apparatus (10) contains a solution (14), into which a surface-active agent has been dissolved, and ozone gas is supplied thereto. In this way, a purifying agent (34) (i.e., aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles (32), each of which includes an ozone-containing membrane, into which ozone has been dissolved, and ozone-containing gas, which is contained in the inner portion of the membrane and includes ozone) is generated. Therefore, odor which fills a sealed space can be removed and a higher purifying performance is obtained.

The present invention relates to a purifying agent which is suitable for deodorization/sterilization, an apparatus for and a method of manufacturing the purifying agent, and a purifying method using the purifying agent.
Conventionally, a spray-type bubble generator which contains a purifying agent such as a deodorant or sterilizer is used against the odor or bacteria of a portable toilet, household garbage, or the like.
However, a deodorization/sterilization effect of bubbles applied by this type of bubble generator is achieved at only a portion which contacts the bubbles. Namely, the deodorization/sterilization function of the bubbles is achieved by deodorization/sterilization components contained within the bubble membranes contacting an object of deodorization/sterilization, and after the bubbles have disappeared, the deodorization/sterilization function of the bubbles is achieved by a solution including the bubble membranes attaching to or permeating through the object of deodorization/sterilization as a liquid. In other words, since gas (air) contained within the bubble membranes does not have any deodorization/sterilization action, the gas is merely discharged to a closed space within a facility or a space within a room.
For example, assuming that the bubbles are applied to an object of deodorization/sterilization within a portable toilet by using the above-described bubble generator, therein the initial stage of application, because layers of bubbles having a deodorization/sterilization function are formed on the surface of the object of deodorization/sterilization, the portion of the object which contacts the bubbles is deodorized/sterilized. Further, since the layers of bubbles are formed on the surface of the object of deodorization/sterilization, diffusion paths of odor from the object of deodorization/sterilization are blocked. As a result, after the layers of bubbles are formed, diffusion of odor from the object of deodorization/sterilization is prevented. Therefore, regarding these points, the deodorization/sterilization function of the purifying agent in the bubble generator is effectively achieved.
However, as mentioned above, since the gas (air) contained within the bubble membranes does not have any deodorization/sterilization action, odor which has been already generated and which has filled the portable toilet is not removed in the stages after the bubbles have disappeared. Therefore, regarding these points, the deodorization/sterilization function of the purifying agent in the bubble generator is not effective.
Sterilization performance is important. However, it is more desirable to develop a purifying agent also having deodorization performance which can remove such odor, i.e., a purifying agent whose purifying performance is further improved.
With the aforementioned in view, an object of the present invention is to obtain a purifying agent which has higher purifying performance, an apparatus for and a method of generating the purifying agent, and a purifying method using the purifying agent.
A first aspect of the present invention is a purifying agent which is formed by an aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles, each bubble having an ozone-containing membrane, into which ozone has been dissolved, and ozone-containing gas, which is contained in this ozone-containing membrane and includes ozone.
A second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for generating a purifying agent, comprising: a container which contains a solution into which a surface-active agent has been dissolved; ozone gas generating means which generates ozone gas; and ozone gas supply means which communicates the ozone gas generating means and the inner portion of the container and supplies the ozone gas generated by the ozone gas generating means into the solution.
A third aspect of the present invention is a method of generating a purifying agent, comprising the step of: supplying ozone gas generated by ozone gas generating means into a solution which is contained within a container and into which a surface-active agent has been dissolved.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a purifying method using a purifying agent, comprising the step of: effecting at least one of deodorization and sterilization on an object of deodorization/sterilization by using the purifying agent of the above-described first aspect.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a purifying method using a purifying agent, comprising the step of: supplying the purifying agent formed by the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles of the first aspect into a bowl of a toilet, and thereafter, further supplying ozone-containing gas to a space above the supplied purifying agent in the bowl.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, when an object of deodorization/sterilization is covered with the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles forming the purifying agent, diffusion paths of odor discharged from the object of deodorization/sterilization are blocked. Accordingly, the odor is not diffused.
Moreover, when each of the ozone-containing bubbles has disappeared, the ozone-containing membrane of the ozone-containing bubble is applied to and permeates through the object of deodorization/sterilization as ozone water having deodorization/sterilization action. Accordingly, the object of deodorization/sterilization is deodorized and sterilized.
Further, when each of the ozone-containing bubbles has disappeared, the ozone-containing gas which is contained within the ozone-containing membrane and has deodorization/sterilization action is released and diffused. As a result, the odor which has been already discharged from the object of deodorization/sterilization and has filled the surrounding space is deodorized by the ozone-containing gas.
Namely, in accordance with the present invention, deodorization/sterilization action comprising three processes, i.e., blocking of the diffusion paths of odor before the bubbles have disappeared, deodorization/sterilization action by the ozone water in the ozone-containing membrane after the bubbles have disappeared, and deodorization by the ozone-containing gas after the bubbles have disappeared, is obtained.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the purifying agent of the first aspect is generated as follows.
First, ozone gas is generated by the ozone gas generating means. Next, the ozone gas generated by the ozone gas supply means is supplied into the solution contained within the container. In this way, a portion of the ozone gas is dissolved into the solution, into which the surface-active agent has been dissolved, and the ozone gas which has not been dissolved into the solution goes up as it is toward the surface of the solution. As a result, the purifying agent of the first aspect (i.e., the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles, each of which has an ozone-containing membrane and ozone-containing gas) is generated on the surface of the solution.
In the above-described generating process, the amount of ozone-containing bubbles generated, the size of each ozone-containing bubble, or the like can be arbitrarily controlled to the optimal amount, size, or the like by properly selecting the type and concentration of the surface-active agent and the amount of ozone gas supplied.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, the ozone gas which has been generated by the ozone gas generating means is supplied into the solution which is contained within the container and into which the surface-active agent has been dissolved. In this way, the purifying agent of the first aspect (i.e., the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles, each of which has an ozone-containing membrane and ozone-containing gas) is generated on the surface of the solution through the same process as the process described in the operation of the second aspect of the present invention.
In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of deodorization and sterilization is effected on the object of deodorization/sterilization using the purifying agent of the first aspect (i.e., the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles, each of which has an ozone-containing membrane and ozone-containing gas). In this way, the deodorization/sterilization action comprising three processes described in the operation of the first aspect is effectively achieved and effective deodorization/sterilization is carried out.
It is determined by a user as to whether the purifying method using the purifying agent relating to the present invention is used for the purpose of deodorization, sterilization, or both.
In accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, first, a predetermined amount of purifying agent formed by the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles of the first aspect is supplied into the bowl of the toilet. In this way, the aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles is accumulated within the bowl.
A substantially sealed space is formed between the buttocks of a user who has sat in order to relieve himself/herself and the aggregate of accumulated ozone-containing bubbles. However, in accordance with the present invention, the ozone-containing gas is further supplied to the space above the supplied purifying agent in the bowl. As a result, the substantially sealed space is filled with the supplied ozone-containing gas.
By using the above-described purifying method, the following action is obtained. First, because the liquid or solid excrement which has been egested from the user is covered with the purifying agent, the diffusion paths of the odor discharged from the excrement are blocked as mentioned above. Accordingly, the odor is not diffused. Further, when each of the ozone-containing bubbles is disappeared, the ozone-containing membrane of the ozone-containing bubble is applied to and permeates through the excrement as ozone water having deodorization/sterilization action. Thus, the excrement is deodorized and sterilized. Moreover, when each of the ozone-containing bubbles has disappeared, the ozone-containing gas which is contained within the ozone-containing membrane and has deodorization/sterilization action is released and diffused. As a result, the odor which has been already discharged from the excrement is deodorized by the ozone-containing gas.
Additionally, in the present invention, since the ozone-containing gas is kept within the substantially sealed space formed between the seated user""s buttocks and the aggregate of accumulated ozone-containing bubbles, the gas which has been discharged from the user at the time of egesting is effectively deodorized by the ozone-containing gas. Further, since the user""s buttocks contact the ozone-containing gas, the skin of the user which is in the vicinity of the anus is sterilized. In particular, when the aged, the handicapped, medical patients, or the like use the toilet, it may take a relatively long time to relive himself/herself or there may be a large amount of gas discharged. In this case, the deodorization/sterilization action by supplying the ozone-containing gas is regarded as effective.

Purifying agent, apparatus and method for forming purifying agent, and purifying method using the agent


A hydraulic brake pressure control system for an automotive vehicle has a primary pressure control circuit including a connecting line for connecting a master cylinder and a wheel brake cylinder. A reservoir holds brake fluid and is connected to a reservoir circuit. A first solenoid valve is disposed in the primary pressure control circuit for selectively closing the connecting line. A second solenoid valve is disposed for selectively connecting a portion of the connecting line between the first solenoid valve and the wheel brake cylinder with the reservoir circuit. The second solenoid valve opens in response to a pressure difference between the primary pressure control circuit and the reservoir circuit when the primary pressure control circuit is evacuated during the initial filling of brake-fluid into the system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,529 discloses a hydraulic brake pressure control system which has a check valve to evacuate air in the fluid circuits. This hydraulic brake system includes a first solenoid valve which selectively closes the fluid line between the master cylinder and the wheel brake and a second solenoid valve which selectively connects the fluid line extending between the first solenoid valve and the wheel brake with the reservoir circuit. The brake fluid flows from the main brake circuit into the reservoir circuit through the second solenoid valve. The system further includes a pump to return the brake fluid in the reservoir circuit back to the fluid line extending between the master cylinder and the first solenoid valve.
After assembling the hydraulic brake system, a vacuum pump is connected to the reservoir of the master cylinder to evacuate the brake system. Then the main brake circuit and the reservoir circuit are filled with brake fluid. In this brake system, a one-way valve is provided between the reservoir circuit and the main brake circuit so that air in the reservoir circuit can be evacuated to the main brake circuit without opening the second solenoid valve. The one-way valve is a gravity type valve which opens when gravity is applied to the valve. This one-way valve makes it unnecessary to open the solenoid valves electrically when evacuating air in the brake system.
However, the above mentioned brake system suffers from the disadvantage that it requires a special valve such as a one-way valve. This increases the complexity and number of parts of the system, and makes the system more expensive.

Hydraulic braking pressure control system for an automotive vehicle


The invention provides compositions and methods for performing primer extension reactions, including employment of amplification primers having 5′ tags to incorporate into amplicons variant nucleotides of interest from target nucleic acids at known ratios, with or without sequences surrounding the variant nucleotides of interest. The invention provides identifying the variant nucleotides generated from the target nucleic acid and generated from the 5′ tags, comparing the results, evaluating the efficiency of the primer extension reactions, and monitoring the efficacy of such reactions. The invention accounts for DNA sequence and experimental variables that may affect efficiency of incorporation of nucleotides, and provides a reference point for the interpretation of polymorphisms. The invention also provides methods of breeding scrapie-resistant sheep populations.

Extensive progress in the field of biotechnology over the last two decades has given rise to new and promising routes to the identification and investigation of genomic characteristics in all species. Specifically, advances in nucleic acid synthesis and sequencing have led to the development of the science of genomics. High-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled significant milestones such as the mapping of various genomes, including the human genome. With the ability to rapidly sequence large amounts of DNA, large-scale analysis of genomic characteristics has become possible. Technologies are now evolving to identify and characterize features of genomes pertinent to individual or population-based variations in genotypes that may be used for applications such as identifying an individual's susceptibility to a given disease, identifying characteristics of interest in a gene or a genome, and identifying genetic characteristics that cause or promote disease states. Among the most promising of avenues for characterizing genomic variance in individuals and populations is the analysis and characterization of genetic polymorphisms.
Polymorphisms relate to variances in genomes among different species, for example, or among members of a species, among populations or sub-populations within a species, or among individuals in a species. Such variances are expressed as differences in nucleotide sequences at particular loci in the genomes in question. These differences include, for example, deletions, additions or insertions, rearrangements, or substitutions of nucleotides or groups of nucleotides in a genome.
One important type of polymorphism is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Single nucleotide polymorphisms occur with a frequency of about 1 in 300 to about 1 in 1,000 base pairs, where a single nucleotide base in the DNA sequence varies among individuals. SNPs may occur both inside and outside the coding regions of genes. It is believed that many diseases, including many cancers, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, for example, are the result of mutations borne as SNPs or collections of SNPs in subsets of the human population. Currently, one focus of genomics is the identification and characterization of SNPs and groups of SNPs and how they relate to phenotypic characteristics of medical and/or pharmacogenetic relevance, for example.
A variety of approaches to determining, or scoring, the large variety of polymorphisms in genomes have developed. Although these methods are applicable to many types of genomic polymorphisms, they are particularly amenable to determining, or scoring, SNPs.
One preferred method of polymorphism detection employs enzyme-assisted primer extension. SNP-IT™ (disclosed by Goelet, P. et al. W092/15712, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,819 and 6,004,744, each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) is a preferred method for determining the identity of a nucleotide at a predetermined polymorphic site in a target nucleic acid sequence. Thus, this method is uniquely suited for SNP scoring, although it also has general applicability for determination of a wide variety of polymorphisms. SNP-IT™ is a method of polymorphic site interrogation in which the nucleotide sequence information surrounding a polymorphic site in a target nucleic acid sequence is used to design a primer that is complementary to a region immediately adjacent to the target polynucleotide, but not including the variable nucleotide(s) in the polymorphic site of the target polynucleotide. The primer is extended by a single labeled terminator nucleotide, such as a dideoxynucleotide, using a polymerase, often in the presence of one or more chain terminating nucleoside triphosphate precursors (or suitable analogs). A detectable signal or moiety, covalently attached to the SNP-IT™ primer, is thereby produced.
In some embodiments of SNP-IT™, the oligonucleotide primer is bound to a solid support prior to the extension reaction. In other embodiments, the extension reaction is performed in solution and the extended product is subsequently bound to a solid support. In an alternate embodiment of SNP-IT™, the primer is detectably labeled and the extended terminator nucleotide is modified so as to enable the extended primer product to be bound to a solid support.
Ligase/polymerase mediated genetic bit analysis (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,679,524, and 5,952,174, both herein incorporated by reference) is another example of a suitable polymerase-mediated primer extension method for determining the identity of a nucleotide at a polymorphic site. Ligase/polymerase SNP-IT™ utilizes two primers. Generally, one primer is detectably labeled, while the other is designed to be bound to a solid support. In alternate embodiments of ligase/polymerase SNP-IT™, the extended nucleotide is detectably labeled. The primers in ligase/polymerase SNP-IT™ are designed to hybridize to each side of a polymorphic site on the same strand, such that there is a gap comprising the polymorphic site. Only a successful extension reaction, followed by a successful ligation reaction, results in production of a detectable signal. This method offers the advantages of producing a signal with considerably lower background than is possible by methods employing only hybridization or primer extension alone.
An alternate method for determining the identity of a nucleotide at a predetermined polymorphic site in a target polynucleotide is described in Söderlund et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,431 (the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference). In this alternate method, nucleotide sequence information surrounding a polymorphic site in a target nucleic acid sequence is used to design a primer that is complementary to a region flanking, but not including, the variable nucleotide(s) at the polymorphic site of the target. In some embodiments of this method, following isolation, the target polynucleotide may be amplified by any suitable means prior to hybridization to the interrogating primer. The primer is extended, using a polymerase, often in the presence of a mixture of at least one labeled deoxynucleotide and one or more chain terminating nucleoside triphosphate precursors (or suitable analogs). A detectable signal is produced upon incorporation of the labeled deoxynucleotide into the primer.
Due to the large size of many studies that use SNP information, SNP detection must be rapid, amenable to high-throughput and reliable. Reliably interpreting the results of an assay for polymorphism detection or identification using SNP-based applications is an important consideration, particularly when employing multiplex and high-throughput protocols. Accurate quantitation of primer extension products is one method of interpreting results.
Thus, there is a need in the art of polymorphism detection and identification in a system that provides for the confirmation of amplification, and that provides for accurate detection and identification of polymorphisms, and that can provide for abundance analysis of reaction products, either separately or simultaneously. There is also a need for an assay wherein control reactions that mirror the diagnostic assay are conducted under similar conditions, reducing the effect of factors influencing the efficiency of incorporation of one nucleotide over another on the interpretation of assay results, particularly in multiplex applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of managing data transfer from a server to an electronic device via a wireless communication, includes initiating a synchronization of a database of the electronic device with the server and determining, by the electronic device, a length of time since the synchronization of the database of the electronic device with the server. The method also includes, in response to determining that the length of time meets the threshold period, determining a quantity of data records for sending from the server to the electronic device to perform a further synchronization and requesting one of complete data records or incomplete data records based on the quantity of data records for transfer to the electronic device.

Electronic devices have gained widespread use and may provide a variety of functions. For example, portable electronic devices may be utilized for telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices include several types of devices including mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless PDAs, and laptop computers with wireless communication capabilities.
Portable electronic devices such as PDAs or smart telephones are generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Wireless network connections such as cellular network connections, are utilized in maintaining connectivity. Thus, a wireless network is utilized for data transmission, for example, to transmit data such as email and other data records to portable electronic devices.
The number of data records, such as messages received during any given period of time varies depending on a number of factors and the quantity of data records transmitted to maintain synchronized records at the electronic device may be significant.
Improvements in management of PIM service synchronization via wireless connections are desirable.

Electronic device and method of managing data transfer


A redox flow battery includes a battery cell to which a positive electrolyte and a negative electrolyte are supplied, and an electrical quantity measurement system configured to measure a quantity of electricity when a predetermined amount of electrolyte is discharged, for at least one of the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The electrical quantity measurement system includes an electrolytic cell having a working electrode to which one of the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte, in which the quantity of electricity is to be measured, is supplied, and a counter electrode to which the other electrolyte, which is not to be measured, is supplied; a standard electrode disposed, outside the electrolytic cell, so as to be in contact with the one electrolyte to be measured; and a measurement device configured to apply, to the electrolytic cell, a voltage that is set on the basis of a potential of the standard electrode and capable of performing total electrolysis of the one electrolyte contained in the working electrode and measure the quantity of electricity of the one electrolyte.

As a storage battery, a redox flow battery (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "RF battery"), such as the one described in Patent Literature 1, is known, in which a battery reaction is conducted by supplying electrolytes to electrodes.
Patent Literature 1 discloses that in order to efficiently operate an RF battery with high reliability, the quantity of electricity is measured by a coulometric method, and the state of charge (SOC) is grasped on the basis of the measured quantity of electricity. Furthermore, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a three-electrode electrolytic cell including a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode is used for measuring the quantity of electricity, and a Ag/AgCl electrode is used as the reference electrode.

Redox flow battery, electrical quantity measurement system, and electrical quantity measurement method


A compound semiconductor device is manufactured by using a polycrystalline SiC substrate, the compound semiconductor device having a buffer layer being formed on the substrate and having a high thermal conductivity of SiC and aligned orientations of crystal axes. The method for manufacturing the compound semiconductor device includes: forming a mask pattern on a polycrystalline SiC substrate, the mask pattern having an opening of a stripe shape defined by opposing parallel sides or a hexagonal shape having an apex angle of 120 degrees and exposing the surface of the polycrystalline SiC substrate in the opening; growing a nitride semiconductor buffer layer, starting growing on the polycrystalline SiC substrate exposed in the opening of the mask pattern, burying the mask pattern, and having a flat surface; and growing a GaN series compound semiconductor layer on the nitride semiconductor buffer layer.

Compound semiconductor devices using GaN or GaN series compound semiconductor are under active development. GaN has a wide band gap of 3.4 eV allowing a high voltage operation. Various types of semiconductor devices can be manufactured by forming a hetero junction of GaN series compound semiconductor. Metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is mainly used as a crystal growth method.
A semiconductor light emitting device using GaN series compound semiconductor can emit blue or ultraviolet light, and can form a white light source by using phosphors. Various light emitting devices are manufactured by growing GaN series compound semiconductor crystal on a sapphire substrate or an SiC substrate.
GaN has a high breakdown voltage, and is expected for applications in a field requiring a high voltage operation and a high speed operation such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) used in a mobile phone base station. Various types of GaN-HEMT have been reported having a GaN layer as an electron transfer layer in GaN/AlGaN crystal layers grown on a substrate such as sapphire, SiC, GaN and Si. A breakdown voltage value over 300 V in current-off state is presently reported. The best output characteristics are now obtained in GaN-HEMT using an SiC substrate. High thermal conductivity of SiC contributes to this performance. In manufacturing a high speed operation GaN device, a semi-insulating SiC substrate is used to suppress a parasitic capacitance.
International Publication WO00/04615 proposes to manufacture a semiconductor laser by forming AlGaN patterns having a (1-100) direction stripe shape on (0001) Si plane of an SiC substrate and growing GaN on the AlGaN patterns by MOCVD. The grown GaN layers gradually fill the gap between the AlGaN patterns.
JP-A-2003-309331 proposes to manufacture a semiconductor optical device or a semiconductor electronic device by forming a mask layer of amorphous insulator on a (0001) sapphire substrate, opening a square window through the mask layer to expose a part of the substrate and growing nitride semiconductor on the substrate.
JP-A-2002-53398 reports that single crystal GaN having a (0001) plane of hexagonal crystal structure with flat mirror surfaces was obtained by cleaning a 3C polycrystalline silicon carbide substrate oriented in a [111] axis direction at 1100° C., thereafter lowering a substrate temperature to 650° C. and growing GaN on the silicon carbide substrate by MOCVD using ammonium and trimethyl gallium as sources. This publication reports also that a silicon oxide film is laminated on a silicon carbide substrate, a circular window is formed through the silicon oxide film, and a GaN layer is grown thereon and that liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) is used in place of vapor phase deposition.
FIG. 10A is a schematic cross sectional view showing the structure of a GaN-HEMT device made in public by the present inventor. After an AlN buffer layer 103 is grown on a (0001) single crystal SiC substrate 101 by MOCVD, a non-doped GaN active layer 104, a non-doped AlGaN spacer layer 105 and an Si doped n-type AlGaN electron supply layer 106 are grown on the AlN buffer layer to form a GaN-HEMT structure, and then an n-type GaN protective layer 7 is grown. Formed on the n-type GaN protective layer 107 are a Schottky contact gate electrode G, an ohmic contact source electrode S and an ohmic contact drain electrode D. An exposed surface of the n-type GaN protective layer 107 is covered with an SiN film 108. Although GaN is hard to grow on the SiC surface, GaN can be grown more easily by forming the AlN buffer layer. A current collapse phenomenon that an on-resistance changes during operation can be avoided by forming the GaN protective layer and SiN layer on and above the n-type AlGaN electron supply layer. SiC has a high thermal conductivity and can realize a high speed operation at a high operation voltage. A price of a semi-insulating single crystal SiC substrate is high, leading a possibility of hindering to prevail GaN devices.
FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view of a SiC composite substrate. The composite substrate is formed by bonding a polycrystalline SiC substrate and an Si substrate. By using the polycrystalline SiC substrate, the cost is reduced and a high thermal conductivity of SiC is provided. By bonding the single crystal Si substrate, the single crystal characteristics can be retained. This SiC composite substrate is available from Soitech SA, France. An epitaxial layer is formed on the single crystal Si substrate. Si has a lower thermal conductivity than that of SiC so that the merit of a high thermal conductivity of SiC is difficult to be utilized fully. Since Si and SiC have different thermal expansion coefficients, a stress is generated.

Quasi single crystal nitride semiconductor layer grown over polycrystalline SiC substrate


A system and method for creating lighting for an image generates a large number of images based upon randomly selected light positions, types and directions. The images are then culled to reduce the number of images to be reviewed by a user. The images are culled to provide a set of images which best spans the lighting space represented by the large number of images. The culling process is iterative; at each iteration, the image which is most dissimilar from a nearest neighbor in the selected set is added to the selected set. The images are organized in a hierarchical structure to ease review by the user. The hierarchical structure separates the images into multiple levels. At each level, the images are separated into sets of equal size. Each set includes images which are most similar. An average image from each set is picked as the visual representation for that set. In creating the hierarchical structure, a single image may or may not be included in different subsets. A user interface allows the user to review and select images in the hierarchical structure. The images selected by the user are combined to create a final image with lighting. The lighting specifications can be saved for future reference by the lighting system or other applications.

One of the major difficulties in computer generation of images is lighting design. Initially, objects in a scene are created; then, the lighting of the objects must be determined. Lighting design requires the selection of lights from a light space. The light space includes all possible locations and types of lights, as well as directions for directional lights. Determining light locations, types and directions to use for a specific lighting effect can be a tedious process.
Under one approach, as each light is added to the scene, an image is rendered again. The user must be able to specify all of the lighting parameters for each of the lights. The user must also evaluate the lighting and specify any changes to the lights in order to change the lighting effects. Thus, the user must be experienced in lighting design and must be able to determine desired placements for lights. This process can be extremely time consuming. If sophisticated rendering programs, such as ray tracing or radiosity, are used, production of an image based upon the lights takes considerable time. The image rendering process must be repeated each time that the lights are changed.
Another approach attempts to determine lighting parameters automatically to achieve a specified lighting effect. The user must be able to articulate desired illumination characteristics of an image. Again, this requires a sophisticated user experienced in lighting design. It also requires a user who can formulate lighting objectives in an understandable format. In addition to requiring a sophisticated user, existing computer systems and processes which determine lights from the desired illumination limit the lighting possibilities for an image.
For example, "Radioptimization--goal-based rendering", Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 93, pp. 147-54, by Messrs. Kawai, Painter, and Cohen, describes a system for determining lights from subjective impressions of illumination entered by a user. The system uses optimization techniques to determine optimum lighting parameters to meet the entered illumination impressions. However, the user must enter a limited set of possible light positions, which severely limits the region of the lighting space which is considered. Similarly, Messrs. Schoeneman, Dorsey, Smits, Arvo and Greenberg disclose a system in "Painting with Light", Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 93, pp.143-46, which uses optimization techniques to determine lights to achieve certain pixel intensity levels entered by the user. This system requires the user to be able to input the pixel intensity levels for the entire image. It also requires a limited set of light positions to be entered by the user in order to determine the optimum lights.
Another system, disclosed in Poulin and Fournier, "Lights from Highlights and Shadows", Proceedings of the 1992 Symposium on Interactive Graphics, pp. 31-38, allows the user to specify the desired locations of highlights and shadows. This system uses geometric techniques to determine optimum light positions and types in order to achieve the desired highlights and shadows. As with the previously discussed systems, this system requires a sophisticated user who has a set lighting pattern in mind. Adjustments to the specified lighting pattern have to be reprocessed in order to determine a new set of light positions.
Therefore, a need exists for a system for creating image lighting which is easily manipulable by the user to obtain a desired result. A need exists for a system which allows changes in lights to be easily computed for review by the user. A need exists for a system which allows a large set of light positions and types to be considered and combined. Finally, a need exists for a system which is usable by persons having limited experience in lighting design.

System and method for exploring light spaces

Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc.


In the case of an apparatus for the contact-free application of a liquid strip, more particularly a strip of glue, on a moving web of material, comprising at least one application head, which is provided with at least one nozzle arranged at a distance from the web of material and a valve adapted to put the nozzle into and out of operation and adapted to be operated in accordance with the desired pattern of application, the aim of the invention is to provide such an improvement using simple and low-price means that despite the contact-free application of liquid high accuracy becomes possible. This accomplished by a modification such that the timing of the valve is modified to depart from the basic values, which are dependent on the application pattern, in accordance with a correction value which is a function of the speed of the web of material and at least the distance of the web from the nozzle.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the contact-free application of a liquid strip, more particularly a strip of glue, on a moving web of material, comprising at least one application head, which is provided with at least one nozzle arranged at a distance from the web of material and a valve adapted to put the nozzle into and out of operation and adapted to be operated in accordance with the desired pattern of application.
An apparatus of this type, has been proposed, see the German patent publication 3,740,045 A1, in which case the continuous application of liquid is however only possible with many problems as regards wear and insufficient freedom from failure. Such apparatus has however been evolved on the basis of device in the case of which the nozzle makes contact with the web. This is the reason why so far the valve is operated in a manner ignoring the distance between the web and the nozzle. The consequence of this is that with an increasing speed of the web ever increasing errors as regards the start and the end of the applied strip of liquid have to be tolerated, this being something which is more particularly disadvantageous in the case of the application of glue.

Device for the contact-free application of a strip of liquid to a moving web of material


The present invention discloses a method of treating an ophthalmic infection by administering to a vertebrate inflicted with the ophthalmic infection an ophthalmologically effective amount of an antimicrobial peptide which is derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and biologically functional equivalents thereof. Specifically, the antimicrobial peptides derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) include α-MSH (1–13) which is SYSMEHFRWGKPV, α-MSH (4–10) which is MEHFRWG, α-MSH (6–13) which is HFRWGKPV, α-MSH (11–13) which is KPV, and a KPV dimer. The ophthalmic infection can be caused by a microorganism which include a bacteria, a fungi or a virus. The vertebrate includes a bird and a mammal. The antimicrobial peptide has anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral property and therefore can be administered at the onset of the ophthalmic infection before the microorganism causing the infection is determined as well as thereafter.

Eyes are the windows of a body, open to the external world and rich in nutrients, helping a living being to perceive the surrounding environment. Consequently, eyes are vulnerable to virulent microorganisms, the invasion and uncontrolled growth of which causes various types of ophthalmic infections, for instance, blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis.
The common types of microorganisms causing ophthalmic infections are viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These microorganisms may directly invade the surface of the eye, or permeate into the globe of the eye through trauma or surgery, or transmit into the eye through the blood stream or lymphatic system as a consequence of a systemic disease. The microorganisms may attack any part of the eye structure, including the conjunctiva, the cornea, the uvea, the vitreous body, the retina, and the optic nerve.
Ophthalmic infections can cause severe pain, swollen and red tissues in or around eyes, and blurred or decreased vision and warrant immediate medical treatment. However, before the nature of the microorganism causing the infections is first determined, initial treatment options at the onset of the infections are usually very limited, since the differentiation of a bacteria-caused ophthalmic infection from virus-caused or fungi-caused infection on the basis of clinical observation is frequently not reliable. Leibowitz et al., Human Conjunctivitis: Diagnostic Evaluation, Arch. Ophthalmol. 94: 1747–1749 (1976). Once the microorganism data are available after days of the infections, the ophthalmic infections can then be treated with pertinent antimicrobial agents, including antiviral agents, antibacterial agents or antifungal agents, individually or in combination.
The antiviral agents commonly used in treating ophthalmic infections are Idoxurine and Acyclovir. Idoxurine inhibits the replication of viral DNA and is effective against Herpes simplex virus (HSV). However, studies have shown that Idoxurine is toxic to corneal epithelial cells and if the treatment continues for longer than a week it may cause punctate lesions to develop. Lazarus et al., An in vitro Method Which Assesses Corneal Epithelial Toxicity due to Antineoplastic, Apreservative and Antimicrobial Agents, Lens Eye Toxic. Res. 6: 59–85 (1989). Acyclovir inhibits DNA replication of Herpes zoster virus (HZV) and therefore is commonly used to HZV-caused blepharitis or keratitis. However, it has been reported that Acyclovir has little or no preventative effect on the ocular complications of HZV. Aylad et al., Influence of Oral Acyclovir on Ocular Complications of Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, Eye 8: 70–74 (1994).
The majority of bacteria-caused ophthalmic infections are treated with topically applied ophthalmic antibacterial agents, including sulphonamide, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, vancomycin, and fluoroquinolone. Leeming, Treatment of Ocular Infections with Topical Antibacterials, Clin. Pharmacokinet. 37: 351–360 (1999). However, considerable resistance to the antibacterial agents has been reportedly developed in bacteria. Studies have shown that 75% of ocular Staphylococcus species are resistant to tetracycline. Doughtery et al., The Role of Tetracycline in Chronic Blepharitis: Inhibition of Lipase Production in Staphylococcus, Inv. Ophthalmol. Vic. Sci. 32: 2970–2975 (1991). Flavobacterium indologenes is now resistant to most antibacterial agents. Lu & Chan, Flavobacterium indoloqenes Keratitis, Ophthalmologica 211: 98–100 (1997). Streptococcus pneumoniae and some strains of pneunococcus are resistant to penicillin. Wilkins et al., Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Keratitis, Cornea 15: 99–100 (1996). Approximately one third of Staphylococcus strains are resistant to gentamycin. Huberspitz et al., Corneal Ulceration: An Update from a Specialized Ambulatory Care Centre, Klinische. Monals. Augen. 200: 251–256 (1992). Additionally, 50% of bacteria isolated from corneal ulcers are resistant to all the common antibacterial agents. Satpathy & Vishalakshi, Ulcerative Keratitis: Microbial Profile and Sensitivity Pattern: A Five Year Study, Ann. Ophthalmol. Glaucoma 27: 301–306 (1995).
Antifungal agents are classified into two groups: polyenes such as amphotericin-B and azoles such as fluconazole. However, amphotericin-B is reported to have poor penetration into ocular tissues and show toxicity against eyes. Ishibashi & Kaufman, The Effects of Subconjunctival Miconozole in the Treatment of Experimental Candida Keratitis in Rabbits, Arch. Ophthalmol. 103: 1570–1573 (1985). Resistance to azoles and amphotericin-B has also been reported. Armstrong, The microbiology of the Eye, Ophthal. Physiol. Opt. 20: 429–503 (2000).
Given that the toxicity and resistance are commonly associated with the treatment of ophthalmic infections using the existing antimicrobial agents, it is desirable to provide a method for the treatment of ophthalmic infections using an inventive antimicrobial agent to reduce or minimize the toxicity and resistance. It is also desirable to provide a method for the treatment of an ophthalmic infection using an inventive antimicrobial agent that has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties and can be used to treat the ophthalmic infection immediately after the onset of the infection without first taking days to determine the nature of microorganism causing the infection.

Treatment of ophthalmic infections using antimicrobial peptides


Header connector portion (10) of a future bus connector includes an insulative housing (12) having a bottom wall (14) defining a plurality of passageways (20) therethrough for receiving a corresponding plurality of compliant pins (22) therein and two side walls (16, 18) projecting upward from two opposite sides of the bottom wall (14), respectively. Each pin (22) includes a contact portion (24) for engaging with a complementary contact of a receptacle connector portion of the future bus, a retaining portion (26) having an embossed retention mechanism (29) formed thereon for interferentially engaging with inner walls (17) of the passageways (20) of the housing (12), and a tail portion (30) having an eye (32) of the needle engagement feature for reception in a corresponding hole defined in a PCB. The retention mechanism (29) includes two projections (27, 28), wherein one projection (27) is ramp-shaped and the other projection is either a partial sphere or a partial cylinder (28). The pins (22) are inserted into the passageways (20) so that the projections (27, 28) exert a force perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the housing (12) on an inner wall (17) of each corresponding passageway (20).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a future bus electrical connector, and more particularly to a header connector portion of a future bus having compliant pins securely retained therein which do not cause a deformation along a longitudinal direction of the header.
2. The Prior Art
Communication systems commonly consist of a variety of electrical components which transmit and receive information at high speeds. Electrical connectors which facilitate high frequency signal transmission are, thus, required to interconnect the components of the system. A future bus electrical connector, which is effective in applications requiring high frequency signal transmission, is commonly used in communication systems for connecting an electrical card to a printed circuit board.
The future bus consists of a header connector portion electrically connected with and securely mounted on the PCB, and a receptacle connector portion received in the header and electrically engaged therewith. The card is electrically engaged with the receptacle and retained thereto, thus, the card is electrically connected to the PCB by means of the future bus. Such a future bus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,084.
An insulative housing of the header receives a plurality of compliant pins in passageways defined through a base thereof, respectively. The pins are received in corresponding holes defined in the PCB at one end and engage with conductive contacts of the receptacle at the other end. The pins are retained within the housing by means of a retention mechanism formed on a central portion of each pin for interferential engagement with inner walls of the corresponding passageway. The retention mechanism commonly consists of barbs protruding from opposite sides of each pin, whereby an interference area between the barbs and the inner walls of the corresponding passageways is established along a longitudinal direction of the housing.
However, the interference area is insufficient to securely retain the pins therein. In addition, the force of the barbs acting on the inner walls of each passageway results in a deformation of the housing along the longitudinal direction thereof which alters the pitch of the pins thereby adversely affecting insertion of the pins into holes defined in the PCB due to the discrepancy of pitch therebetween.
Consequently, the pins positioned near lengthwise ends of a housing of extended length are affected by this lengthwise deviation more than others, and may become damaged while being inserted into the corresponding holes of the PCB. Thus, to use a plurality of conventional future bus connectors of reduced length commonly used in succession, may be deemed a possible approach to avoid excessive accumulated deviation of the housing along the lengthwise direction and the associated damage to the pins.
Therefore, an improved header connector and compliant pins for a future bus are required having an improved retention mechanism for retaining the pins within an insulative housing of the header which will not cause an accumulated deformation along a longitudinal direction of the housing.

Header connector of a future bus and related compliant pins