Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method and apparatus for calibration of gyro sensors by using magnetic sensor measurements and background computation during normal product operation. In one embodiment, magnetic sensor measurements are used to adjust gyro gain by comparing measured magnetic vector orientation with its expected orientation computed from gyro integration. The background process constantly compares this discrepancy for various values of gyro gain and selects the one that minimizes such error on average. In one embodiment, device orientation obtained by gyro integration is improved by using magnetic sensor measurements.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to devices incorporating magnetic sensors and more particularly to systems including inertial gyroscopic sensors.
2. State of the Art
Low cost inertial and other sensors became very popular in numerous consumer electronic devices such as smart phone, game controllers, and many others. This imposes very challenging requirements on the developers. The less expensive are products, the less technically sophisticated its customer can be expected and the product should provide robust and care-free operating experience even while using low cost low precision sensors.
It is a common practice in the device manufacturing, to calibrate all the sensors employed by the device at the time of device manufacturing before it is shipped to the customer. Such, so called factory calibration, can be performed very accurately using special equipment, controlled environment, and trained personnel. However, by the time the product is used by the customer the sensor calibration is off due to the temperature change, different battery voltage, and other effects that are beyond control of the design engineers.
This issue of proper calibration is especially important for the sensors, which, in order to be used in the navigation or attitude determination solution, need to be integrated over time. With integration calibration errors grow with time and make the resulted solution very quickly unacceptable.
This means that to ensure proper device operation, for every sensor used in the device, there should be an appropriate sw and algorithms that allow for autonomous real time calibration of such effects as signal drift, and effective gain change which happen during normal device operation due to the environmental effects listed above. In other words, a practical design must incorporate internal algorithms that autonomously monitor and adjust sensor calibration parameters in real time.
This also means that there should be methods that allow reducing the effect of integrated sensor error.
It is, therefore, an object of the present disclosure to resolve one or more of the foregoing difficulties by providing a method that automatically adjusts calibration parameters of the gyro sensors in real time during normal device operation.
It is also an object of this disclosure to provide a method that allows reduction of error in gyro integration.
A typical system today has a full set of sensors such as 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis magnetic sensor, and 3-axis gyro sensor. All these sensors need to be calibrated to allow effective use. The most common way of accelerometer calibration is to use time moments when system is stationary and to use the gravity vector as the natural standard to determine accelerometer bias and gain. These stationary situations can be set up by the user during user calibration or detected during real time operation, e.g. via "zero motion detector" as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,692 since in a stationary position only gravity vector effects accelerometer readings. Using multiple measurements with device in different orientation, a full accelerometer calibration can be performed. As an example see U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,176.
Magnetic sensors are commonly calibrated using the natural Earth magnetic field. The calibration can be done by recording measurements in several predetermined device orientations, or as a background process using operational or user calibration device 3D motion, e.g., US Patent Application Publication No. 20090070056. Such procedure creates new calibration parameters every time the calibration is performed.
Since GPS sensor became widely used and very common in navigation systems where magnetic sensors are employed, it is often used for the calibration of magnetic sensors by comparing GPS velocity vector direction with the direction obtained from the magnetic sensor. Then direct computation of Kalman Filter procedure is used to derive the required calibration parameters for the magnetic sensors.
There is a significant body of work that allows a person who is of ordinary skills in the art, to derive an appropriate procedure to accurately calibrate magnetic and accelerometer sensors used in the device by using natural and ever present forces of Earth Gravity and Earth Magnetic field which are well known and tabulated with high accuracy at any location on the Earth, and by using such additional sensors as GPS and Temperature.
As anyone skillful in the arts is aware, when device orientation is derived from the measurements of the well calibrated magnetic and gravity sensors, each attitude determination is independent. Therefore, unavoidable errors in determination of the magnetic and gravity vector directions are not accumulated in time. Quite opposite, by smoothing the resulted trajectory the orientation error in each trajectory point can be reduced.
However, in the situations when device experiences an unknown acceleration, the internal accelerometers cannot be used to determine device orientation relevant to the Earth gravity vector. Magnetic vector alone is not sufficient to restore device orientation, nor a single antenna GPS can be used to restore body orientation. In such cases one has no alternative but to employ gyro sensors to determine device 3D orientation.
The Gyro sensors are measuring a rate of turn around its local coordinate axis. When properly integrated, this provides a total 3D body rotation from its initial orientation. However, since gyro signal must be integrated to obtain orientation any error in gyro bias or gain rapidly grows in time.
Gyro bias can be determined by observing gyro signals at the moment when there is no rotation is present, assuming that such moments can be detected. However, to calibrate gyro gain one needs to perform very accurate and well known rotation around each axis which is difficult to perform even in factory setting and all but impossible for the in-field real time calibration.
Tekawy, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,667,645, U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,422 is using power difference from different GPS satellites in multiple GPS antennas to calibrate gyro drift.
Drag, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,183, uses optical sensors as a primary method of orientation. This patent mentions that gyro can be calibrated using these optical signals but does not explain how it can be done.
Achkar, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,266, is also using Sun and North Pole detectors to estimate gyro drift (bias) via a Kalman Filter, which is also similar to the method used by Basuthakur, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,869
Therefore, at the present, the gain calibration methods need to rely on the external determination of the device trajectory orientation, usually GPS for vehicle, star finder for satellites, or sonar for underwater apparatus. However, such methods don't work when device experiences rotation which is independent on its trajectory which is a common case for the hand held devices.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a practical and efficient method that automatically adjusts calibration parameters of the gyro sensors in real time during normal device operation. It is also an object of this disclosure to provide a practical and efficient method of improving accuracy of the device orientation determination.

Device and method of gyro sensor calibration


Described herein are D4 receptor-selective compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from H and an acid labile protecting group; and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from H, radioisotopic halo, loweralkoxy and tri(loweralkyl)tin; and salts, solvates or hydrates thereof.. Also described is the use of these compounds as pharmaceuticals to treat indications for which a dopamine D4 receptor antagonist is indicated. Radiolabeled compounds are useful particularly to image localization of D4 receptor in the human brain, and can therefore aid in the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other medical conditions in which the D4 receptor is implicated.

Neuronal cell receptors that bind the neurotransmitter dopamine constitute a group of at least five structurally distinct proteins that can now be produced using recombinant DNA techniques. These techniques have been applied to construct cell lines that incorporate the dopamine receptor in their membranes, to provide regenerable and homogeneous substrates with which chemical libraries can be screened to identify potential CNS-active drugs.
Recent evidence strongly implicates the dopamine receptor classified as D4 in the etiology of schizophrenia. It has been suggested that compounds capable of interfering with the function of this receptor, which is present in schizophrenics at levels that are six times normal, would be useful in the treatment of this disease (Seeman et al, Nature, 1993, 365:441). Some dopamine receptor ligands currently sold as pharmaceuticals exhibit the desired affinity and antagonism for the D4 receptor, yet interact non-selectively with related dopamine receptors, particularly the D2 receptor type, which results in significant side effects that include altered motor function and tachycardia. It would be desirable to provide compounds that exhibit not only a high degree of affinity for the D4 receptor, but also a relatively low degree of affinity for the D2 receptor. In this specification, this desired combination of receptor binding properties is referred to as D4 selectivity.
Products currently marketed to treat indications in which the D4 receptor function is implicated include the dibenzodiazepine, clozapine, and the dibenzoxazepine, isoloxapine. Analysis of their dopamine receptor binding properties has shown that the preference for binding to the D4 receptor relative to the D2 receptor is about 10 fold, for both products. Similarly, both bind to the D4 receptor with about the same affinity (Ki value approximately 20 nM). More recently, selective D4 receptor antagonists have been identified among other classes of compounds (see, for example, Baker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,336 issued Nov. 19, 1996; Baker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,950 issued Apr. 22, 1997; and Baker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,177 issued Jul. 11,1995).
In the context of medical diagnostics, this non-selective binding at the D4 receptor prevents the generation of an accurate image of the localization and prevalence specifically of the D4 type of dopamine receptor. It would therefore be desirable to provide compounds that, in their radiolabeled state, bind at the D4 receptor with affinity and selectivity appropriate for diagnostic imaging purposes. When used in combination with such diagnostic imaging techniques as single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), such radiolabeled compounds would be useful particularly to diagnose schizophrenia and other medical conditions associated with D4 receptor anomalies.


A netting of cords which are connected to each other by knots or in any other suitable way carries seedlings in the form of sprouted or unsprouted seeds which are confined in and/or otherwise at least partly embedded in and/or simply adhere to the cords. The cords can further carry particles of fertilizer and/or the cords can consist at least in part of decomposable material which then serves as a fertilizer for the seedlings. The netting is spread out over a selected piece of at least partially denuded flat, horizontal or hilly land and is or can be anchored to the ground. The thus applied netting is then watered and/or fertilized or is simply exposed to the elements to promote sprouting and further growth of the seedlings.

The present invention relates to improvements in methods of and in devices for establishing (including restoring) vegetable covers on at least partially denuded land. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods of and in means for spreading seedlings on barren or partially barren land.
It is known to confine seeds in a non-woven fabric or in an analogous fleece-like flat sheet-like material. It is also known to bond seeds to sheets of filamentary material. Once deposited on a selected piece of land, the filamentary seed carrier is covered with a layer of humus so that the seeds are maintained close to the ground and their roots can penetrate into and become anchored in the ground after a relatively short period of growth. The layer of humus further serves to prevent rapid drying of the seeds and/or sprouts. Attempts to prevent shifting of filamentary seed carrying material relative to a selected piece of land include the utilization of nails or other suitable fasteners. A drawback of the just discussed prior proposal is that a heavy rainfall washes away the layer of humus as well as the seeds, or that such heavy rainfall causes the humus layer to slip away in its entirety, especially if the fibrous seed carrier is spread out on uneven terrain, e.g., on a sloping piece of land.
German Pat. No. 826,516 discloses the utilization of a piece of cord as a carrier of uniformly distributed seeds. The cord is placed onto and is secured to the ground, or is actually embedded in the ground. The patent proposes to employ such cord as a means for uniformly distributing seeds in a corn field or in another field and to utilize a machine for the application of the cord over a selected piece of land. The patented proposal is satisfactory for the planting of seeds which are to develop into relatively large plants, such as corn stalks, trees and other plants which are normally spaced apart at a fixed distance from each other. The cord is supposed to decompose after a relatively short period of contact with the ground. A drawback of the patented proposal is that the cord cannot be used, or is not practical for use on a sloping terrain. Moreover, the application of seeds to uniformly spaced apart portions of a cord is a complex operation irrespective of whether it is carried out by hand or in a specially designed machine.

Method of and device for establishing a vegetable cover on at least partially denuded land


A semiconductor memory device includes normal row selection lines (NWL1 to NWL128) for selecting one of normal rows, a spare row selection line (SWL) for selecting a spare row instead when one of the normal rows has a defect, fuses (F1 to F128) which are respectively arranged on the normal row selection lines, and blown when a defect exists, a normal row non-selection circuit (inverters IN3 and IN6 and gate G3) when one of the fuses (F1 to F128) is blown, setting a corresponding normal row in a non-selected state, and a spare row selection circuit (gates G4, G5, and G6, transistors P2 and N1, a NOR gate NR1, and an inverter IN6) selecting the spare row instead of the defective normal row. The spare row selection circuit performs dynamic operation in synchronism with a clock (ck). In this manner, control of, when a defect exists in a normal row or column, switching the defective row or column to a spare row or column is performed by dynamic operation in synchronism with an internal clock, thereby increasing the access speed.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a redundancy circuit.
In a recent semiconductor memory device, a redundancy circuit is arranged to compensate a decrease in yield caused by generation of many defects along with an increase in capacity. The redundancy circuit has a spare memory cell array mounted on a chip in advance. When a defect is found in a bit, row, or column in an inspection step upon manufacturing, the defective portion is replaced with a spare cell to enable all bits to operate correctly, and remove the defect. An example of this redundancy circuit is described in S. Konishi et al., "A 64 Kb CMOS SRAMs", IEEE International Solid-State Circuit Conference Digest of Technical Paper, 1982, pp. 258-259.
In a device having the redundancy arrangement, a selection control mechanism of accessing a spare cell instead of a defective cell upon reception of an address signal that selects the defective cell must be realized.
Some of conventional devices have a control mechanism in which fuse elements are formed with a wiring layer or interconnection, and a fuse element corresponding to a defective cell is blown by irradiating a laser beam thereon, thereby accessing a spare cell. For example, to replace one normal row having a defect with one spare row in a memory cell array having 128 normal rows, seven fuses must be respectively arranged for seven address bits (2.sup.7 =128). When the defective normal row is found, of the seven fuses, corresponding ones are blown, and a defect address is written. In activating the device, an externally input address is compared with the defect address written in the fuses. If these addresses coincide with each other, a spare cell is accessed instead of the defective cell.
When a device with the control mechanism using such a fuse has one spare row for 128 normal rows, seven fuse elements, seven pairs of address comparison circuits, and a spare row decoder circuit must be mounted, and a maximum of seven fusing steps must be performed.
As the capacity of the memory cell array increases, the element area for mounting the fuse element, the comparison circuit, and the spare row decoder circuit increases, and the fusing count in the fusing step also increase. A semiconductor memory device with a capacity of 1 Mbits or more has 1,024 normal rows. If one spare row is prepared for every 128 normal rows, this semiconductor memory device requires eight spare rows. To remedy one defective normal row requires 10 (2.sup.10 =1,024) fuse elements, 10 pairs of address comparison circuits, and a spare row address circuit. Accordingly, this semiconductor memory device requires 80 fuse elements, 80 pairs of address comparison circuits, and a spare row decoder circuit as a whole, and the maximum fusing count increases to 80.
In this conventional device, therefore, the element area and the fusing count undesirably increase with capacity of the semiconductor memory device.
Another example of the conventional semiconductor memory devices is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-340354 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-195996), in which a defective cell can be replaced with a spare cell without recording each address bit of the defective memory cell. In this device, one defective cell portion can be replaced with a spare cell by mounting one fuse and one fusing operation at most. FIG. 11 shows the circuit arrangement.
One spare row selection line (spare word line) SWL is arranged for 128 normal row selection lines (normal word lines) NWL1 to NWL128. Normal row decoder circuits (row main decoders) RMD1 to RMD128 for selecting the normal rows are arranged, and isolation fuses F1 to F128 are series-connected to the output sides of the normal row decoder circuits RMD1 to RMD128. When a defect is found, a fuse F of the defective row is blown to electrically isolate the output of the normal row decoder circuit RMD from the normal row selection line NWL. The gates of p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128 for monitoring the voltages of the respective normal row selection lines NWL are connected to the input terminals of word line buffers WB1 to WB128 of the respective normal row selection lines NWL.
Normally, one of the normal row decoder circuits RMD is selected to change its output to low level and turn on the p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128 having gates connected to this row. A node R1 connected to the drain of the p-channel MOS transistor P is charged to high level. By a NOR gate NOR101 and an inverter IN100 receiving this potential, the spare row selection line SWL is changed to high level and set in a non-selected state.
If a defect exists in one of the 128 normal row selection lines NWL, the corresponding fuse F is blown. The input terminals of the word line buffers WB are charged to high level by p-channel MOS transistors P101 to P228 having drains connected to these input terminals. When an address that selects the defective cell is input, the input terminals of all the word line buffers WB1 to WB128 are charged to high level, all the p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128 are turned off, and the node R1 changes to low level without being charged. The potential of the node R1 is input to the NOR gate NOR101 and the inverter IN100 to change the spare row selection line SWL to low level, thereby setting it in a selected state.
FIG. 12 shows a circuit in which the switching mechanism to a redundancy circuit for rows is also applied to columns. One input/output interface I/O is arranged for every N (N is an integer of 2 or more) columns, eight input/output interfaces I/O form one block, and each block has one spare column (SC) 203. A switching mechanism to the spare column 203 when one defect exists in a normal column is the same as the above-described switching mechanism for rows, and is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-340354 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-195996).
The conventional device shown in FIG. 11 or 12 has the following problems. Exemplifying the circuit shown in FIG. 11, selection switching between the normal row selection lines NWL1 to NWL128 and the spare row selection line SWL is performed by the p-channel MOS transistors P101 to P228 which charge the input terminals of the word line buffers WB, the p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128 which detect the potentials of these input terminals, and the NOR gate NOR101 and the inverter IN100 which logically operate the outputs from the p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128. However, the selection switching mechanism does not synchronize with a clock signal that defines the access cycle of a memory cell, and operates statically. This arrangement is therefore difficult to apply to a semiconductor memory device required to operate at a high speed. More specifically, upon selecting a word line, that particularly requires high speed in the semiconductor memory device, after the logical operations of the normal row decoder circuits RMD1 to RMD128 are established to confirm the potentials of the output terminals, the p-channel MOS transistors P1 to P128 and P101 to P228, the NOR gate NOR101, and the inverter IN100 statically operate to execute selection. That is, the circuit at this portion operates without synchronizing with the clock signal that defines the timing of internal operation. Further, each transistor performs static operation of holding the potential by maintaining an ON or OFF state over the whole period, unlike dynamic operation in which the transistor is kept on for only a predetermined period, and charges the potential in the capacitance to hold the potential for an OFF period.
The time necessary for operating the circuit at this portion greatly influences the whole word line selection operation, causing an operation delay. This occurs not only in word line selection but also in column line selection shown in FIG. 12, generating an operation delay.


A method for assaying trinucleotide repeat mutations in eukaryotic cells is provided.

The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and molecular genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for identifying genetic alterations associated with cancer, Fragile X syndrome, Huntington""s disease, myotonic dystrophy and other disorders.
Several publications are referenced by numerals in parentheses in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Full citations for these references are found at the end of the specification. The disclosure of each of these publications is incorporated by reference herein.
Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) instability has recently been recognized as the mutational cause of at least 13 different inherited diseases (1-3). Increases in TNR lengths provide the molecular alterations associated with Huntington""s disease (HD), Fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, SBMA (spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy), SCA I (spinocerebellar ataxia type I) and other syndromes.
Huntington""s disease (HD) provides a paradigm of a genetic disease caused by TNR instability. HD is a progressive neurodegenerative malady that results in a number of symptoms, including choreic movement disorder and dementia (4). The disease typically first manifests itself in individuals in their 30""s and 40""s, and culminates in premature death 10-20 years later. The disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, with particularly severe effects when inherited from the father.
The genetic phenomenon known as anticipation has also been associated with TNR diseases, including HD. Anticipation is found when the disease presents more severely or occurs with earlier onset with each generation. This non-Mendelian inheritance pattern was puzzling for many years. It has now been elucidated by molecular analysis of the mutated loci.
It is now accepted that the vast majority of TNR disease cases result from the expansion of naturally occurring TNR""s. The HD gene, for example, contains a series of CAG""s within the coding region of the corresponding protein, huntingtin (4). This repeat tract of CAG codons encoding glutamine residues, normally occurs 10-29 times in unaffected populations. However, 36-121 copies have been observed in patients afflicted with HD (4,5). The correlation between TNR length and the disease state is extremely high ( greater than 95%), lending strong support to the hypothesis that this mutation is intimately linked to the disease (4,5). The correlation between TNR length and HD has been verified using a transgenic mouse model for HD (6) in which a transgene containing the expanded CAG tract was sufficient to induce symptoms in mice similar to those observed in HD.
Examination of human families with a history of HD indicates that increases in TNR""s occur both in the germline and in somatic tissue (4,5,7). Gains in TNR length can be quite large, even between successive generations, especially in cases where the parent harbors 30-35 repeats, a number that is intermediate between normal and diseased states (8).
As mentioned previously, TNR instability is now known to be a causative factor in at least 12 other genetic diseases (1-3). In each case, a distinct gene containing a TNR has increased in length in diseased individuals. The triplet sequences known to undergo TNR expansions are CNG (where N is any nucleotide) or GAA(9).
Instability appears to be restricted to these repeats, as there is no evidence to date to suggest instability of other triplet sequences, such as TAG or GAC. A number of molecular characteristics varies with each disease. For example, the TNR tract can reside within or outside of a structural gene. The number of repeats in the diseased versus normal populations varies widely between diseases. For example, this number can be in excess of 2,000 repeats for myotonic dystrophy (10). The mutant gene is expressed in some diseases but not in others. The encoded proteins have widely different biochemical properties. Additionally, the pattern of germline and somatic variation differs.
In addition to genetic disorders, emerging evidence supports an important connection between TNR instability and prostate and testicular cancer. In prostate cancer, TNR length affects cancer risk (11) due to the presence of an unstable CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene (12). Deletions of the CAG tract are sometimes associated with prostate tumor formation (13). A molecular explanation for these findings is provided by mutational studies (14) that have shown AR transactivation of important AR-responsive genes is directly related to the number of CAG repeats. Clearly AR function depends on TNR length and hence is directly affected by the genetic stability (or instability) of the tract. For testicular cancer, expansion of CAG tracts was observed in five different families predisposed to this malignancy (15). That study concluded that CAG expansion may play an important role in testicular tumorigenesis. However, the gene or genes responsible for CAG instability in prostate and testicular tumor cells have not yet been identified.
Given the medical importance of TNR mutations and the novel genetic behavior of these elements, intense efforts are underway to elucidate the mechanism (or mechanisms) underlying TNR instability in human cells. However, to date there are at least three major experimental limitations which have hampered progress of these efforts. First, nearly all investigations have been limited to tissue samples from affected human kindreds. Second, analysis has typically been confined to endogenous (naturally occurring) DNA sequences, as opposed to test sequences that are more easily manipulated. Third, it has been difficult, if not impossible to identify individual cells which have undergone expansions. Instead, physical methods such as PCR or Southern blotting have been performed on unselected cell populations.
To further confound analysis, transgenic mice strains have been established that harbor human TNR-containing genes but do not appear to have large, frequent TNR expansions. Surprisingly, the TNR sequences in transgenic mice are very stable (16-19). In these studies, parts or all of human genes (HD, SCA I, etc.) that include CAG/CTG tracts of 55-162 repeats were integrated into the mouse genome at the corresponding loci. The genetic stability of these sequences was monitored both in somatic tissue and through intergenerational transmission. The TNRs in these transgenes show no alterations (l1) or small changes of 1-8 repeats in tract size (17-19). Approximately equal numbers of expansions and contractions have been observed. Perhaps TNR expansions appear at higher rates in humans due to some aberrant DNA metabolic event that is absent in mice. These results serve to underscore the importance of using human cells for studies on the stability of TNRs.
In accordance with the present invention, methods are provided for the rapid and efficient analysis of trinucleotide repeat (TNR) tract alterations in mammalian cells. An exemplary method of the invention entails contacting mammalian cells with a shuttle vector under conditions whereby the shuttle vector enters the cells and replicates therein. Following replication, the shuttle vector is recovered and transfected into yeast cells under selection pressure. Alterations of the TNR tract in the mammalian cell results in a restoration of histidine or uracil expression for example, from the shuttle vector, thereby allowing the transfected yeast cells to survive in the absence of these agents. Only those yeast cells containing altered TNR tract lengths survive in the presence of the selection agent. The shuttle vector DNA may optionally be isolated. Alteration in TNR tract length DNA is then characterized using conventional molecular biology techniques. Such methods include, without limitation, polymerase chain reaction, nucleotide sequencing and gel electrophoresis. The shuttle vector DNA comprises TNR tracts having trinucleotides selected from the group consisting of CAG, CTG, CCG, CGG, GAA, TAG, and xe2x80x9cscrambledxe2x80x9d C,T,G. In a preferred embodiment, the TNR tract DNA is operably linked to a reporter molecule. An exemplary shuttle vector of the invention further comprises an SV40 origin of replication, a yeast HIS3 gene, yeast autonomous replication sequence elements, a centromere element, an E. coli origin of replication and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a selectable marker.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the shuttle vector DNA contains a TNR tract isolated from a trinucleotide repeat instability gene selected from the group consisting of FMR1, FMR2, X25, DMPK, SCA8, SCA12, AR, HD, DRPLA, SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6 and SCA7. Optionally, the shuttle vector further comprises between 5 and 200 flanking nucleotides from said trinucleotide repeat instability gene.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for identifying TNR tract expansions is provided. An exemplary method for assaying TNR tract expansions entails contacting mammalian cells with a shuttle vector containing a TNR tract length of approximately 25 repeats under conditions whereby the shuttle vector enters the cells and replicates therein. Following replication, the shuttle vector is recovered and transfected into yeast cells under selection pressure. Alterations of the TNR tract in the mammalian cell results in a restoration of histidine expression from the shuttle vector, thereby allowing the transfected yeast cells to survive in the absence of histidine. Yeast cells containing expanded TNRs are selected and the shuttle vector DNA is isolated.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention a method for identifying contractions in TNR tract lengths is provided. An exemplary method for assaying contractions in TNR tract lengths entails contacting mammalian cells with a shuttle vector containing a TNR tract length ranging from 33 to 50 repeats under conditions whereby the shuttle vector enters the cells and replicates therein. Following replication, the shuttle vector is recovered and transfected into yeast cells under selection pressure. Contractions of the TNR tract in the mammalian cell results in a restoration of uracil expression from the shuttle vector, thereby allowing the transfected yeast cells to survive in the absence of uracil. Yeast cells containing contracted TNR tract lengths are then selected and the shuttle vector DNA is isolated.
The methods described herein will facilitate the identification and characterization of the molecular mechanisms and components involved in trinucleotide tract instability disorders.

Genetic assays for trinucleotide repeat mutations in eukaryotic cells

The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska


An apparatus and method for splicing a moving threadline to a stationary threadline utilizing adhesive tapes is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for splicing threadlines and, more specifically, to such apparatus and method permitting splicing without stopping the moving threadline in order to perform the splicing operation.
2. Description of Background Art
It would be advantageous when using threadlines in knitting or weaving to have a continuous source of the fiber, yarn, or filament that make up the threadline so that the downstream process using the a threadline can be operated without stopping. However, all such threadlines are shipped in discrete packages, and connecting the end of one package to the beginning of the next package becomes necessary.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,852 discloses an apparatus for automatically wrapping a splicing filament around the yarns to be spliced. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,923,588 and 3,690,994 describe devices for thermally splicing thermoplastic yarns. All of the devices disclosed above require that the moving threadline be stopped in order to perform the splicing manipulation.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/02494 discloses pressing and heat fusing two yarns which are placed in a crossing position which avoids having to stop the advancing threadline, but a complex mechanical buffer system is required to do so.
German Published Patent Application No. 33 36 202 discloses a device for interlacing filament yarns with an air splicer without interrupting yarn transport. This process, however, is limited to uncoalesced multifilament threadlines.
There exists a need for a simple, versatile, and reliable apparatus and method for splicing a moving threadline to another threadline, especially for spandex.


Prunus persica (L.) Batsch ‘Galactica’ is a new and distinct variety of edible peach tree that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety.                1. Flower buds that demonstrate a high level of resistance to cold temperature injury.        2. Firm, white, low acid flesh fruit with excellent flavor and aroma.        3. Heavy and regular bearing of large size fruit, up to 3 inches in axial diameter.        4. Fruit with early maturity, typically early July in North Carolina.        5. Unique saucer-shaped fruit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Prunus persica (peach) grown as a fruit tree for home use and for commercial agriculture. Peach is typically grown for their edible fruit that are used for fresh consumption, or for home canning.
The new and distinct variety of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) originated as a first generation descendant from a hand pollinated cross of NCN-4 nectarine (non-patented)×a Chinese saucer peach seedling of unknown origin. The NCN-4 parent was used as the female in the hybridization. The original cross was made in 1995 in Raleigh, N.C. The Chinese saucer peach seedling used as a parent is not available in commerce. The NCN-4 parent used in this hybridization was derived from a hand-pollinated cross of 'Contender' (non-patented)בFantasia' nectarine (non-patented) made in 1987 at Jackson Springs, N.C. 'Contender' was named and released as a peach cultivar in 1987. 'Fantasia' nectarine was named and released in Fresno, Calif. in 1969.
The seeds resulting from the 1995 controlled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouse at Raleigh, N.C. in the fall of 1995 and planted in the field in spring of 1996 at Jackson Springs, N.C. These trees, growing on their own roots, first produced fruit in 1998, and one seedling, designated NC98-42, was selected for its large, flat (peento shape) white flesh fruit, attractive red and cream skin color, fruit with high flavor and aroma, early season of ripening, and heavy fruit production. This original plant was growing on its own roots, and demonstrated characteristics identical to those subsequently expressed when propagated on 'Lovell' seedling rootstock.
Plants and fruit of this new variety differ from its parents. The new variety produces white flesh fruit that are larger, more attractive, earlier in ripening, and firmer than the Chinese saucer peach parent. Fruit of this new peach variety demonstrate the flat, saucer shape character, distinguishing it from the 'Fantasia' nectarine parent. Few saucer shaped (peento) peaches are available in commerce. 'Galactica' ripens 7-10 days later than peento cultivar 'Stark's Saturn' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,123), released in 1985. 'Galactica' has different flesh color (white vs. yellow) and higher flower bud chilling (dormancy) requirement (800 hours vs. 250 hours) than peento cultivar 'UFO' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,352), released in 2002.
During the year 1999, the original plant selection was propagated asexually by grafting of vegetative buds onto the standard peach seedling rootstock cultivar 'Lovell'. Grafting was performed by Mr. Daniel Ferris, at his nursery in Huntland, Tenn. The five trees of the variety grafted by Mr. Ferris were established in test plots in 2000. The new variety has routinely been asexually multiplied by grafting, specifically 'T' budding. It readily forms a graft union with peach 'Lovell' rootstock and resumes normal growth. During all asexual propagation, the characteristics of the original plant have been maintained. Grafted trees on 'Lovell' rootstock exhibit characteristics identical to those of the tree on its own roots, and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.
Test plantings and performance evaluation over seven years demonstrate this variety to be relatively consistent in its characteristics even under the different growing conditions associated with yearly climatic variation.
Plants of the new variety are very vigorous and grow rapidly after establishment of trees in the field. Young trees have averaged 2-3 feet of growth per year. Plants are semi-upright in growth habit. Flowering sometimes occurs in the second year of growth, but more commonly trees begin flowering and fruiting in the third year after establishment. Flowers are single, medium red-purple, large, and showy. Flowering usually begins in early to mid March in Jackson Springs, N.C.; the chilling requirement is estimated to be 800 hours below 4° C., based on comparison of flowering time to known varieties such as 'Contender' and 'Biscoe'. Flowering generally lasts for 7-10 days, depending on temperature at time of bloom.
Fertility of flowers is excellent, and fruit set is generally very high in most years. Flowers have shown excellent resistance to cold temperatures during winter dormancy and during flower development in the spring. Fruit are very large, often 3 inches in diameter, white fleshed, and highly flavorful and aromatic. Fruit demonstrate the unique saucer shape, often referred to as the "peento" character. Fruit ripen in late June to early July in Jackson Springs, N.C., averaging July 2 over 7 years of observation.
The new variety has been named the GALACTICA cultivar.


In an RF tag, a mask ROM or a flash memory is used for storing data such as an ID number. Although the mask ROM can be realized at a low price, rewriting is not possible. In addition, in the flash memory, although electric rewriting is possible, production cost increases. Accordingly, it is difficult to provide an RF tag by which data rewriting is possible at a low price. An RF tag is provided with a power supply circuit having a function to generate a power supply voltage from a weak radio signal and a memory which can hold data stored in a data holding portion by the power supply voltage. With the above structure, a high-performance RF tag capable of rewriting data such as an ID number after production can be provided at a low price.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which transmits and receives data by a radio signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a compact semiconductor device (hereinafter, an RF tag) that is a combination of an ultra compact IC chip and an antenna for wireless communication has received a lot of attention. The RF tag is known as an information medium which incorporates a semiconductor memory and which can read information stored in the semiconductor memory or can write information in the semiconductor device by radio waves from a wireless communication device (hereinafter, a reader/writer).
For example, an RF tag in which a communication circuit, a signal control circuit, and a memory portion are formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit and they are combined with an antenna is disclosed (e.g., refer to Patent Document 1).
As an application field of the RF tag, merchandise management in the distribution industry is given as an example. Although merchandise management utilizing a barcode has been a mainstream recently, since a barcode including data is read optically, data cannot be read when there is a shield. On the other hand, since the RF tag reads data wirelessly, the data can be read even if there is a shield as long as radio waves are transmitted. Consequently, an improvement in efficiency and reduction in cost of merchandise management, and the like are expected. In addition, the RF tag is expected to be widely applied to, for example, train tickets, airplane tickets, and automatic resets.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2005-202947

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


It is presented a converter device arranged to convert power between a first high voltage direct current, HVDC, connection, a second HVDC connection and an AC connection. The converter device comprises: a first power converter comprising a phase leg provided between terminals of the first HVDC connection, the phase leg comprising a positive arm, an inductor, an AC connection and a negative arm. Each one of the positive arm and the negative arm comprises converter cells and one of the converter cells is a first host converter cell. Each converter cell comprises two main switching elements and a storage element, the two switching elements being arranged serially in parallel with the energy storage element. The converter device also comprises a power converter section comprising a first converter cell comprising at least two switching elements connected serially in parallel with the energy storage element of the first host converter cell. The converter device is arranged to control the switching elements of the first switching element string in dependence of the state of the main switching elements of the first host converter cell.

FIG. 1 shows an environment with two connected High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) point to point systems. A first HVDC point to point system comprises a first converter station 1a and a second converter station 1b, with a first HVDC link 5a between the first converter station 1a and the second converter station 1b. Similarly, a second HVDC point to point system comprises a third converter station 1c and a fourth converter station 1d, with a second HVDC link 5b between the third converter station 1c and the fourth converter station 1d.
The nominal voltage on the first HVDC link 5a is V1 and the nominal voltage on the second HVDC link 5b is V2. If V1 is equal to V2, or almost equal, the two HVDC links 5a-b can be interconnected with a crosslink 2. In this way, power can flow in either direction between the two HVDC point to point systems.
However, when there is a significant difference between nominal voltage ratings of the two HVDC links, there is a need to convert DC power between the two systems.
It would be beneficial if such conversion could occur with low cost and low complexity.

Converter device and corresponding method


The present invention relates to devices and methods for removing a stop from a bottle. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a stabilizer is provided to prevent the stop from being pushed into the bottle and insert members are provided for removing the stop without the outside of the stop adhering to the inner wall of the bottle. Such embodiments allow, among other things, removal of the stop from the bottle without destruction or partial destruction of the stop, as is sometimes the case with conventional corkscrews, yet without the risk of pushing the stop into the bottle as is sometimes the case with non-corkscrew bottle stop removers.

Some bottles, such as wine bottles, have a stop or cork like structure to retain the bottle's contents inside the bottle. In bottles with a stop, the stop is generally positioned with a friction or interference fit between the inner walls of the bottle opening to block the opening and prevent the contents from spilling, evaporating, spoiling or becoming contaminated. Often a stop, particularly a cork, cannot be easily removed from the bottle without a tool.
One tool used to remove stops from bottles is a corkscrew with a handle or lever. To remove the stop, the corkscrew is rotated into the stop and the handle is pulled or the lever is used to draw the corkscrew out of the bottle along with the stop. Using a corkscrew on older stops and corks, however, may result in the stop or cork being severed, damaged, or the middle of the stop or cork being pulled out of the bottle and the outer part of the stop or cork adhering to the inner wall of the bottle opening. Cork bits in the contents and other effects of such stop damage can be undesirable.
Another device used to remove stops or corks from bottles is a device commonly referred to as an "ah-so." The ah-so has two elements, one typically longer than the other, connected to a handle. Using the handle, the longer element is inserted between the stop and bottle opening inner wall. As the shorter element is then similarly inserted, the handle is rocked and a downward force is applied, first on one element and then on the other, until both of the elements are substantially along the length of the stop. The elements are then twisted and pulled upward using the handle and the stop is removed by and with the elements. Conventional "ah-so" devices, however, may sometimes push the stop or cork, particularly older or fragile corks, into the bottle when the elements are being inserted.
Another device used to remove stops from bottles is a hollow needle that is punched through the stop and air is inserted through the hollow needle. The increasing air pressure in the bottle pushes the stop out of the bottle opening. The stop, however, may be pushed into the bottle in the effort to punch the needle through the stop. Additionally, some find that the liquid contents may be adversely affected by the increased pressure used to remove the cork.
Therefore, a need exists for a device for removing bottle stops that is less likely to, among other things, sever or damage the stop, leave the outer part of the stop adhering to the side of the bottle opening, or push the stop into the bottle.


Systems may provide feedback that may include antenna selection or mobile device configuration. Antennas may be automatically configured throughout the device or the orientation or location of the mobile device may be altered to increase performance. Historical performance information of the mobile device may be maintained in order to determine proactive manipulations of the mobile device. In addition, multiple mobile devices may cooperatively determine the orientation or location that may increase performance.

Today's wireless devices, such as laptops and computers that connect wirelessly to the cellphone network or internet must use antennas to transmit and receive wireless energy to and from the device. Today's cellphones and laptops typically require multiple antennas, each antenna designed for resonance or desired performance at a particular frequency band, wherein the performance of the wireless device may depend on many factors such as terrain, location, and antenna configuration.

Antenna selection and device orientation


An engine fan has fan blades capable of switching between a sucking and blowing operation when the fan is not in operation. An internal mechanism allows for blade pitch adjustment of all fan blades by twisting one blade about its own axis. End positions of the blade rotation may be held by forces generated by the rotating blades or held by a locking mechanism.

A reversible fan is known in which individual fan blades are rotatable manually to place the fan blades into either reverse or normal thrust positions. Such a fan is available from Huber Reversible Fan Inc. of Pennsylvania, United States, and also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,702. Such fans are used on a wide variety of industrial equipment and vehicles that have engines.
The inventors have identified a need for a reversible fan in which rotation of one fan blade rotates all the fan blades.


The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for hypoxic injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury or inflammation, an agent for protecting cells for transplantation, and an agent for preserving organism. A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for hypoxic injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury or inflammation, an agent for protecting cells for transplantation, or an agent for preserving organism, containing, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from a heterocyclic compound represented by the formula (I)

It is considered that humans and animals have acquired the ability to increase the survival probability when they face risks during the process of evolution. There are many known cases where a human who was lost in a snowy mountain or the like was found in a hypothermic state and recovered even though several hours or longer had elapsed after cardiac arrest. In such cases, it may be that a potential endogenous individual protection action was triggered by some stimulus. Some mammals, such as bear and squirrel, have the ability to hibernate. These animals can sustain life during hibernation in the state with reduced body temperature and reduced oxygen consumption. When oxygen supply stops due to cardiac arrest, cells in tissues with high oxygen demand such as the brain are irreversibly damaged. On the other hand, resumption of blood flow after cardiac arrest causes the generation of active oxygen and the like, which causes great damage to tissues. Such hypoxic injury and ischemia-reperfusion injury are alleviated by therapeutic hypothermia which artificially induces hypothermia in the individual. It is also known that animals in a hibernating state have increased resistance to inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury and the like (non-patent documents 1-3).
Fear is an emotion that is triggered when the brain determines that danger is imminent. It causes escape behavior, freezing behavior that reduces the probability of being detected by natural enemies, and the like, and also induces various kinds of physiological responses. When a phobia patient is presented with fear stimuli and faints, the heart rate decreases by nearly 50% (non-patent document 4). Thus, fear emotion is associated with the induction of strong physiological responses also in human. If humans and animals that fell into crisis can enhance the protection action on tissues and individuals by inducing anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory responses in addition to hypothermia and hypometabolism, survival probability can be increased. However, a technique to induce fear emotionality or potential endogenous individual protection action has not been developed.

Prophylactic or therapeutic agent for hypoxic injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammation, cell protection agent for transplantation, and bio-preservation agent

Abstract: wherein each symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION, or a salt thereof; an isothiocyanate compound represented by the formula S═C═N—R5 (II) wherein the symbol is as described in the DESCRIPTION; and a TRPA1 agonist.


An object is to provide a transistor including an oxide layer which includes Zn and does not include a rare metal such as In or Ga. Another object is to reduce an off current and stabilize electric characteristics in the transistor including an oxide layer which includes Zn. A transistor including an oxide layer including Zn is formed by stacking an oxide semiconductor layer including insulating oxide over an oxide layer so that the oxide layer is in contact with a source electrode layer or a drain electrode layer with the oxide semiconductor layer including insulating oxide interposed therebetween, whereby variation in the threshold voltage of the transistor can be reduced and electric characteristics can be stabilized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, a display device including the semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a wide variety of metal oxides and such metal oxides are used for various applications. Indium oxide is a well-known material and is used as a light-transmitting electrode material which is necessary for liquid crystal displays and the like.
Some metal oxides have semiconductor characteristics. As metal oxides having semiconductor characteristics, for example, there are tungsten oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, and the like, and a transistor having such a metal oxide having semiconductor characteristics in its channel formation region has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 to 4, Non-Patent Document 1).
As metal oxides, multi-component oxides as well as single-component oxides are known. For example, a homologous compound, InGaO3(ZnO)m (m is natural number) is known as a multi-component oxide having In, Ga and Zn (Non-Patent Documents 2 to 4).
Further, it is confirmed that such an oxide semiconductor made of In—Ga—Zn-based oxide is applicable to a channel layer of a transistor (Patent Document 5 and Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6).
Having features such as high mobility, a light-transmitting property, and capability of being formed at low temperature, an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide has been attracting attention as a material for a pixel transistor of a next-generation display typified by a flexible display.
However, In and Ga in the In—Ga—Zn-based oxide are rare metals and very expensive, which may lead to an increase in transistor cost. Furthermore, In and Ga resources are in danger of depletion, and from an environment standpoint, discovery of an alternative material is desired.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A optoelectronic semiconductor device, mountable on and electrically connectable to an electro-optical wiring board, a substrate thereof having a light input/output through-hole and electric connection through-holes, the light input/output through-hole being not formed in a stressed area of the circuit wiring board, but formed in a non-stressed area of the circuit wiring board, the stressed area being an area where a stress is larger in value than the mean value of stresses caused in the circuit wiring board by a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the circuit wiring board and the electro-optical wiring board when the electrode on the semiconductor optoelectronic device is mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to the electro-optical wiring board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optoelectronic semiconductor device and a light signal input/output device.
2. Background Art
In recent years, optical interconnection technology has been seen as a leading technology for long-distance, large-capacity signal transmission. Optical interconnection technology uses light to transmit signals within an electronic device of a system and between electronic devices. For example, an optical subscriber line in an FTTH (Fiber To The Home) system is one kind of optical interconnection technology in a broad sense, as an optical fiber is used to transmit information from a center station to each subscriber.
Electrical signal transmission is known as one way of transmitting signals at a high speed. In order to improve the performance of electronic signal transmission modules, much research and development has been conducted on improving the performance of silicon LSIs. As a result, the operation speed and the integration scale of LSIs have been improved remarkably. However, with respect to the improvement of the performance of electronic signal transmission modules, there are still problems to be solved, i.e., the improvement of the transmission rate and the wiring density of electrical signal lines. Specifically, even if the performance of transistors and other functional elements in an LSI is improved, a lack of improvement of the transmission rate and the wiring density of electrical signal lines would serve as a rate limiting factor, and prevent the improvement in performance of electronic signal transmission modules. Furthermore, signal transmission delays in electrical signal transmission lines also serve as a limiting factor for the improvement in performance of electronic signal transmission modules. Even if a higher signal transmission rate and a higher wiring density of electrical boards can be achieved, the influence of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) is still notable. For the aforementioned reasons, optical interconnection technology has been attracting attention as a technology for solving the above problems of the electronic signal transmission modules.
In optical interconnection technology, a light signal input/output device receives a light signal, performs a redetermined processing operation on the light signal, and then retransmits the processed light signal. In the light signal input/output device, an optoelectronic semiconductor device is provided on an electro-optical wiring board having electric wires and optical waveguides formed therein. The optoelectronic semiconductor device includes a photoreceptor or photodetector element, which receives a light signal from the optical waveguides and converts the light signal into an electronic signal; a semiconductor integrated circuit element, which processes the electronic signal from the photoreceptor; and a light emitting element, which converts the electronic signal from the semiconductor integrated circuit element into a light signal and retransmits the light signal to the optical waveguide. The light signal input/output device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-332301.
Optoelectronic semiconductor devices are becoming smaller and denser, and optoelectronic semiconductor devices of about 10 mm×10 mm in size are common. In order to effectively perform the miniaturization and the increase in density, the BGA (Ball Grid Array) mounting technique is seen as an effective technique for mounting an optoelectronic semiconductor device on an electro-optical wiring board. A BGA has a structure in which solder ball electrodes are arranged to form a grid. The BGA structure is smaller than that of a QFP (Quad Flat Package) using outer-lead electrode terminals since the solder ball electrodes occupy less space. Furthermore, the BGA structure incurs no such deformation of lead as will occur frequently with the QFP. Moreover, the surface tension of the solder balls being molten causes a self-alignment effect which automatically corrects a misalignment having occurred during the mounting of the optoelectronic semiconductor device. An optoelectronic semiconductor device employing the BGA structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-185752, for example.
As optical interconnection technology is likely to become a higher density and higher speed communication technology for the next generation, it is essential to ensure a highly reliable connection between the optoelectronic semiconductor device and the electro-optical wiring board, and to accurately position them in relation to each other. For achieving such connection and positioning, the above-mentioned BGA mounting technique is particularly promising.
In a conventional optoelectronic semiconductor device using the BGA mounting technique, a cavity is formed in the lower of upper and lower sides of a circuit wiring board where solder ball electrodes are formed, and an optoelectronic semiconductor element and a semiconductor integrated circuit element are placed in the cavity so that the optoelectronic semiconductor element and the electro-optical wring board may face each other, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-185752. This method (cavity-down BGA) is effective for the improvement of the heat radiation characteristic as well as for miniaturizing the device. However, since the manufacturing cost of the circuit wiring board having the cavity is high, the packaging cost of the semiconductor device is also high.
There are optoelectronic semiconductor devices in which major consideration is given to a decrease in the manufacturing cost. In such a case, circuit elements can be provided on the upper side of a circuit wiring board while solder ball electrodes can be provided on the lower side of the circuit wiring board. In such an optoelectronic semiconductor device, it is necessary to form light input/output through-holes in the circuit wiring board in order to transfer a light signal between an optoelectronic semiconductor element and an electro-optical wiring board. However, it is considered extremely difficult to actually use this technique. That is, in optical interconnection technology, high density transmission is performed with an increased number of light signals. Accordingly, an increased number of light signals are used in the optoelectronic semiconductor device. Thus, the optoelectronic semiconductor device has many optoelectronic semiconductor elements provided therein. When circuit elements are provided on the upper side of the circuit wiring board, however, since they are disposed in the form of a one-dimensional array on the periphery of a semiconductor integrated circuit element, the size of the circuit wiring board increases. When the circuit wiring board becomes larger, a stress-induced strain caused by the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the circuit wiring board and the electro-optical wiring board also becomes larger. In addition, since the light input/output through-holes are formed in the circuit wiring board as described above, the strength of the circuit wiring board is decreased. Therefore, it has been believed that if the circuit elements are provided on the upper side of the circuit wiring board, a stress-induced strain would cause damage to the circuit wiring board, and/or would peel off the solder ball electrodes, thereby decreasing the reliability of the device.

Optoelectronic semiconductor device and light signal input/output device


A power steering apparatus includes a hydraulic power cylinder, a reversible pump including a first outlet connected with a first pressure chamber of the power cylinder through a first fluid passage, and a second outlet connected with a second pressure chamber of the power cylinder through a second fluid passage, and a motor for driving the pump. A controller controls the motor in accordance with a sensed steering force. There is further provided a connection passage connecting the first and second fluid passages together, and a closing valve disposed in the connection passage. The controller sends a first current to a coil of the valve to close the connection passage by moving an armature, to send a second current lower than the first current to the coil after the connection passage is closed, and to deenergize the coil to open the connection passage.

The present invention relates to a power steering system or apparatus, and/or a power steering control method, and more specifically to a motor-driven hydraulic power steering system.
A power steering system is arranged to produce a power assisting force (steering assist force) with a hydraulic power cylinder by a flow control valve in accordance with an operation of a steering wheel. A Published Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-145087 shows a power steering system including an opening/closing solenoid valve disposed in a connection passage or bypass passage connecting left and right circuit sections. This solenoid valve is a normally open valve which allows a normal power steering operation by closing the connection passage when energized, and which opens the connection passage to enable a manual steering operation when the solenoid valve is not energized.


A shovel of the type comprising a blade and a shank having at least one longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: at least one sleeve coaxially and slidably received upon the shank; a first member integrally connected to the shank between the blade and the sleeve(s); a second member integrally connected to the sleeve(s) and being longitudinally and manually movable with the sleeve(s) in a direction away from or toward the first member so that the second member can be moved to a position longitudinally separated from the first member and then moved toward the first member so as to impact the first member and impart a force to the blade.

The invention relates to a shovel and more particularly to an improved "impact" shovel which is more effective in digging and scraping chores.
The conventional shovel, comprising at least a blade and a shank, is very ineffective at penetrating hard ground, ice, clay, rocks, etc. To maximize performance of the shovel, the user will typically stomp or kick the edge of the blade. The blade edge was really not designed for this. Moreover, the user's foot engages the blade edge on one side of the shank. The resulting force on the blade is not in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the blade, but is somewhat sideways, thereby resulting in ineffective penetration by the blade.


A string instrument bow guide that selectively fits a bow played string instrument without being fastened to the string instrument. The guide has two arc shaped inserts that may be made of a flexible material and that removably fit within a pair of opposed bouts. A pair of holes is provided in each insert for selective fit of a pair of memory strands that arch above a highway of the strings. A range of desired spacing above the strings is provided by both an insert thickness of the inserts relative to a depth of the bouts and also by a selective fit of the strands within the inserts. The bow guide is selectively disassembled or collapsed to fit within a case of the string instrument.

Various types of bow guides for a variety of bow played string instruments are known in the prior art. Some are quite complex. Some must be fastened to the string instrument, a trait that is undesirable for several reasons. As example, fastening a bow guide to the string instrument may physically damage the string instrument. Fastening the guide to the string instrument also typically significantly alters tone values. And, fastening the guide to an string instrument is time consuming in both fastening and unfastening as needed. What is needed is a string instrument bow guide that selectively fits a string instrument quickly, without being fastened to the string instrument. What is further needed is a bow guide that does not harm the string instrument in any way or significantly alters the tone of the string instrument. And, a bow guide is needed that provides a somewhat universal fit to a class of string instruments. Further, a bow guide is needed that is selectively wholly or partly disassembled with ease. Also, a bow guide is needed that is selectively fitted within a string instrument case and therein be carried along with the string instrument rather than separately. The present string instrument bow guide provides all of the advantages.


The invention provides a novel optical system for use in a microarray scanner, comprising an aperture-containing reflecting mirror comprising an aperture and a reflecting surface. The aperture of the aperture-containing reflecting mirror allows an excitation light to pass through, and the reflecting surface of the aperture-containing reflecting mirror allows emission light from a microarray to be reflected. The optical system may also comprises various other components such as laser generators, beam splitter, reflecting mirrors, excitation and emission light filters, excitation and emission objective lens, pinhole, and detector. The optical system described herein has high efficiency, high sensitivity, low background noise, structurally simple, and high versatility.

Developments in microarray-based detection devices have dramatically changed the biotechnology industry. The devices make it possible to analyze multiple biological samples simultaneously and detect rare transcripts in human. They also make it possible to obtain information from microarrays automatically within minutes instead of within months or even years without the help of the devices.
Microarrays typically comprise a plurality of polymers, such as oligonucleotides, peptides, and antibodies. The polymers are synthesized or deposited on a substrate in an array pattern, which can be labeled with optically detectable labels such as fluorescent tags or fluorophores. A typical microarray scanner uses laser as excitation light source, and use matching filters and photomultiplier tubes for detection. During scanning of a microarray, excitation light from the laser source hits different spots on the microarray. Fluorescent probes on the array emit Stokes-shifted light in response to the excitation light, and the emission light is collected by the photomultiplier tube. The resulting information on the microarray can be used for various purposes such as gene expression studies, mutational studies, genotyping, SNP studies, protein interaction analysis, as well as diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The optical systems used in traditional microarray scanners use beam splitters to separate light beams. As shown in FIG. 1, laser light passes through laser light filter and projects on the beam splitter. Light reflected by the beam splitter then passes through the excitation objective lens, which focuses the light on the surface of the microarray chip. Fluorescent molecules on the microarray that are excited by the laser light emit fluorescent light, which is then collimated by the excitation objective lens and transmits through the beam splitter. Light transmitted through the beam splitter then passes the excitation light filter and become collected by the detector.
There are several drawbacks associated with traditional optical systems. First, incoming laser light loses energy by passing through the beam splitter. Accordingly, the intensity of the excitation light decreases, which in turn decreases the sensitivity of the system. Second, the glass surface of a traditional microarray chip usually reflects 1% or more of the incoming excitation light, which also enters the detection light path. Because in most microarray detection experiments the intensity of the emission light is millions of times weaker than the light intensity of the excitation laser light, light reflected from the glass slide poses significant background problems. Finally, because beam splitters are typically designed for a specific wavelength, they need to be adjusted whenever a new excitation light source is used or when multiple excitation light sources are used. This makes the design of the optical system difficult.


A casing 21 of an automotive air conditioner is formed with a hole TH for accommodating a steering member S extending in a right-left direction of a vehicle. The hole TH extends through the casing 1 in the right-left direction of the vehicle.

FIG. 29 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional automotive air conditioner.
This automotive air conditioner is arranged in a space defined by an instrument panel (not shown), a floor panel Fl, and a fire panel Fi.
The fire panel Fi divides between an engine room ER and a compartment R, while the floor panel forms the floor of the compartment R. The automotive air conditioner and the instrument panel are located within the compartment R.
A steering member S is located between the instrument panel and the automotive air conditioner.
This automotive air conditioner has a casing 501 in which there are accommodated a blower 503, an evaporator 505, an air-mixing door 506, and a heater core 507.
The casing 501 is formed with a defroster outlet d, a vent outlet v, and a foot outlet f.
The defroster outlet d and the vent outlet v are located in an upper part of the casing 501, while the foot outlet f is located in a lower part of the same. Air is blown into the cabin space of the compartment R from the respective outlets d, v, f via ducts (not shown).
On an automotive assembly line, when the automotive air conditioner, the steering member S, and the like are mounted on an automotive vehicle, the automotive air conditioner is mounted first. In doing this, ends of pipes of an evaporator 505 and a heater core 507 are projected via holes of the fire panel into the engine room.
Next, the steering member S is mounted.
Finally, the instrument panel is laid over the steering member S and the automotive air conditioner, and an upper part of the instrument panel is screwed to a cowl, while a lower part of the instrument panel is screwed to the floor panel Fl.
By the way, from the viewpoint of safety in a collision, a vehicle comes into existence which has its steering member S arranged in a location lower than and ahead of the steering member S shown in FIG. 29.
In this kind of vehicle, the space in which the automotive vehicle alone has been installed heretofore is crossed by the steering member S.
As a result, when an attempt is made to first mount the automotive air conditioner on the vehicle, and then mount the steering member S, the steering member S is interfered with the automotive air conditioner, and hence cannot be mounted. Inversely, when an attempt is made to first mount the steering member S on the vehicle, and then mount the automotive air conditioner, the automotive air conditioner is interfered with the steering S and hence cannot be mounted.
As described above, a change in the mounting location of the steering member S has brought about a problem that both the air conditioner and the steering member S cannot be installed on the vehicle.
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an automotive air conditioner which can cope with a change in the mounting location of the steering member.


A magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer with a single-layered structure applicable to a linear system is provided. The magnetic recording medium includes an elongated nonmagnetic support and a single-layered magnetic layer having an orthorhombic structure formed on a main surface of the nonmagnetic support by a vacuum thin film deposition technique, and an Hcmax/Hx0 ratio is not greater than 1.2, where Hcmax is a maximum value of a coercive force of the magnetic layer which acts in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic layer and containing a longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording medium, and Hc0 is a coercive force of the magnetic layer which acts in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high-density magnetic recording medium and, more particularly, to a magnetic recording medium from which signals are reproduced by a magnetic recording tape system of a so-called linear method for recording signals on a magnetic tape by using a magnetoresistive magnetic head (MR head) or a giant magnetoresistive magnetic head (GMR head) while causing the magnetic head to move in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape.
2. Description of Related Art
A magnetic recording medium of so-called thin metal film type has recently been applied to magnetic recording media in a field of video tape recorders and the like in order to achieve far higher image quality and far higher recording density. The magnetic recording medium of a metal thin film type has a construction in which a magnetic layer is formed on a nonmagnetic support in such a manner that a magnetic metal material or a magnetic material such as a Co—Ni-based alloy, Co—Cr-based alloy or Co—CoO-based metal oxide is directly deposited on the nonmagnetic support by vacuum thin film deposition techniques.
Furthermore, in order to improve the electromagnetic conversion characteristics of recording medium of the above-mentioned type to obtain a far higher output therefrom, so-called oblique evaporation has been proposed which obliquely evaporates a magnetic layer material to form a magnetic layer of a magnetic recording medium. Magnetic recording media of the type which have magnetic layers formed by this method have been put to practical use as metal evaporated tapes for high-band 8 mm video tape recorders and digital video tape recorders.
Such a magnetic recording medium of the thin metal film type as described above is superior in coercive force and squareness ratio and its magnetic layer can be formed as an extremely thin layer, so that it has superior electromagnetic conversion characteristics in the short wavelength range and extremely small demagnetization of recording and thickness loss during reproduction. In addition, unlike a magnetic recording medium of a so-called coating type in which a magnetic layer is formed on a nonmagnetic support in such a manner that the nonmagnetic support is coated with a magnetic coating material including-magnetic powder dispersed in a binder, in the magnetic recording medium of the thin metal film, a binder which is a nonmagnetic material is not contained in the magnetic layer, whereby the charging density of a ferromagnetic metal material can be increased and high recording density can be advantageously realized.
The magnetic tape of an oblique evaporation type is fabricated by a method which causes, for example, an elongated nonmagnetic support to run in the longitudinal direction and deposits a magnetic material onto, and forms a magnetic layer on, a main surface of the nonmagnetic support which is in a running state, whereby high productivity and superior magnetic characteristics can be ensured.
On the other hand, as a demand for magnetic recording media, such as magnetic tapes, capable of being used as data streamers has become greater, a demand for magnetic recording media of far higher recording density has increased. Furthermore, instead of related art inductive magnetic heads, magnetoresistive magnetic heads (MR heads) or giant magnetoresistive magnetic heads (GMR heads) have been applied to magnetic heads to be used during reproduction of recorded information. These MR heads and GMR heads are advantageous in terms of improvement of recording density because they can detect even a slight amount of magnetic flux leakage from magnetic layers with high sensitivity.
Each of the MR heads and GMR heads has a detection limit at which its sensitivity to magnetic flux leakage is saturated, so that the MR and GMR heads cannot detect magnetic flux leakage greater than their design limitations. Accordingly, it is necessary to optimize their sensitivity to magnetic flux leakage by decreasing the film thickness of magnetic layers of magnetic recording media.
Two kinds of systems for recording and reproducing magnetic tapes used for data streamers, that is to say, a helical scan system and a linear system, are put to practical use. The helical scan system is a system for performing recording and reproduction by causing a magnetic head disposed on a rotary drum to scan a magnetic tape while rotating at high speed.
The helical scan system not only enables precise recording of tracks but also can theoretically be controlled to accurately scan recorded tracks during reproduction. Accordingly, the helical scan system can achieve high recording density in magnetic tape systems. The helical scan system has found wide practical use such as home video recorders, high-band 8 mm video tape recorders, and digital video tape recorders.
By the way, the linear system is a system for providing tracks arranged on a magnetic tape in a width direction thereof and performing recording in its longitudinal direction. The linear system can readily cause a magnetic tape to run at high speed and, at the same time, can increase the transfer rate of recording and reproduction by arranging a large number of magnetic heads in parallel.
The helical scan system that can achieve high recording density is advantageous in magnetic recording tape systems for camcorders, but the linear system has found wide practical use in data storages capable of using magnetic recording tape systems without the need to greatly limit their cubic volumes. In the market as well, tapes such as DLT (digital linear tape) and LTO (linear tape-open) are mainstream products.
As magnetic tape media for data storages using the linear system, only the magnetic tape of the so-called coating type is used, and the magnetic tape medium of the oblique evaporation type has not been used. This is because, in the helical scan system, relative movement between a magnetic head and a magnetic tape takes place in one predetermined direction, but in the linear system, a magnetic tape and a magnetic head relatively move in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the tape.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a magnetic tape medium obtained by the oblique evaporation. As shown in FIG. 4, a magnetic layer 102 is formed on a nonmagnetic support 101. The magnetic tape medium formed by the oblique evaporation has a structure in which an axis of easy magnetization along which recorded magnetic bits are arranged is formed not to extend in an in-plane direction of the tape but to rise from a plane of the tape.
Accordingly, during recording and reproduction, if a magnetic head moves in a forward direction (in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 4) in sliding contact with an orthorhombic structure of the obliquely evaporated thin film, good recording and reproduction characteristics can be achieved. However, if the magnetic head slides in a reverse direction (in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 4) with respect to the orthorhombic structure of the obliquely evaporated thin film, characteristics such as optimum recording current, phase characteristic, CN ratio and output characteristic are inferior compared to a case where the magnetic head slides in the forward direction, so that there is a disadvantage that satisfactory recording and reproduction characteristics cannot be obtained.
Accordingly, magnetic tape media using oblique evaporation have rarely been used in the linear system which performs recording and reproduction in the opposite directions. However, a method of constructing a magnetic layer of an obliquely evaporated tape by forming two layers of obliquely evaporated film having mutually different growth directions has been proposed as a method for solving a problem that recording and reproduction characteristics differ between a case where a magnetic head slides in the forward direction with respect to the orthorhombic structure of an obliquely evaporated film and a case where the magnetic head slides in the reverse direction with respect to the orthorhombic structure of the obliquely evaporated film (refer to Patent Document 1). FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a magnetic tape medium described in Patent Document 1.
As shown in FIG. 5, a magnetic layer 102 is formed on a nonmagnetic support 101, and the magnetic layer 102 has a structure in which a lower ferromagnetic metal thin film 102a and an upper ferromagnetic metal thin film 102b are stacked. The orthorhombic structures of the respective lower and upper ferromagnetic metal thin films 102a and 102b are grown in directions mutually opposite along the longitudinal direction of the nonmagnetic support 101. The orthorhombic structures of the respective lower and upper ferromagnetic metal thin films 102a and 102b are optimized to decrease difference in recording and reproduction characteristics between the forward and reverse directions.
Patent Document 2 also discloses a magnetic recording medium in which two layers of obliquely evaporated film are stacked which respectively have orthorhombic structures whose growth directions are different from each other. According to the magnetic recording medium described in Patent Document 2, the ratio of the minimum value to the maximum value of a coercive force obtained when an applied field angle is varied from 0° to 180° is set to 0.65 or more, thereby improving the recording and reproduction characteristics relative to both directions.
Patent Document 3 discloses a magnetic recording method which enables recording and reproduction based on a linear system by setting a length of a magnetic layer made of a single-layered cobalt-based obliquely evaporated film to not greater than ½ of a recording-head gap length. According to this method, a cobalt-based obliquely evaporated film having a thickness of 40 nm or less and a coercive force of 1,800 Oe is suitably employed.
Patent Document 1 is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-353622.
Patent Document 2 is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-73621.
Patent Document 3 is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-339605.
Non-Patent Document 1 is Magneto-Resistive Heads and Spin Valve Heads: Fundamentals & Applications, Second Edition, translated by Kazuhiko Hayashi, published by Maruzen CO., LTD. in 2002.


A dietary supplement includes a base mixture of ingredients with at least one plant or animal protein and a plant-based protein activator. The plant-based protein activator includes a first group of plant extracts having a proteolytic activity and possibly a second group of plant extracts with an emollient and peristaltic activity, a third group of plant extracts with a carminative activity and a fourth group of plant extracts with a depurative and liver and kidney protective activity.

It is known that many weight loss diet plans are based on reduced caloric intake, as obtained by a more or less balanced reduction of the amount of ingested food. This method may lead to a general deficiency of proteins, glucides, vitamins and mineral salts, with detrimental effects on the organism and with the risk that, once the diet ends, the lost weight will be easily regained, also due to psychosomatic factors.
Furthermore, for a low calorie diet to be balanced especially when adopted under medical control, it has to be followed very slow, with the diet cycle becoming unacceptably long for many subjects.
Another drawback of this kind of diet is that when a human body is subjected to a low caloric intake, it reacts by decreasing fat consumption and slowing down the basal metabolism which represents about 70% of the total consumption in mammals and human beings, thereby causing a reduction of the lean body mass and the muscle tone, as well as tiredness and over-fatigue sensations.
Furthermore, once the diet cycle has ended, recovery of the lean body mass requires accumulation of larger amounts of fat mass, which induces the so-called "yo-yo effect". After an off period, the cycle is thus repeated with the same effects, and this leads to progressive damaging of the muscle mass and health of the subject.
Meal replacements, such as the typical nutritionally balanced bars have been introduced to simplify and improve low calorie diets. Consumption of these meals can correspond to a classical balanced reduction of caloric intake or a "normal calorie" diet, and has the advantage of being practical and ensuring correct dosing, while avoiding the need of weighing food. This "normal calorie" balanced diet is an optimal solution to maintain one's own ideal weight and health but not to lose weight in a controlled and healthy manner.
For effective and healthy weight loss, the caloric intake has to be reduced in response to each individual's needs, while following a varied and balanced diet, and preserving the lean body mass and the vital parts of the body. This goal may be achieved by creating some food deficiency, which has to be sharply targeted and not generalized, without suppressing proteins, vitamins, mineral salts, that are indispensable for normal operation of vital organs, for support to the musculature and for body tone. Particularly, the fats and sugars will have to be reduced, but not suppressed.
Therefore, an ideal weight loss diet shall provide a reduced caloric intake while ensuring that the body receives proper amounts of proteins, mineral salts, fats and sugars. No natural food has been known heretofore that combines all the above features while allowing weight loss.
Protein supplements have been known and widely used for many years, especially by sportsmen and body-builders.
These supplements, which typically contain essentially large amounts of proteins to increase the muscle mass and creatine provide more energy during sports performances, as well as antioxidants, vitamins and other microadditives. These protein supplements are perfectly functional to enhance the athletes' performances but not to lose weight. Furthermore, these supplements may be hardly digestible, reduce peristalsis, by causing the stomach and intestine to swell, and over-fatigue or damage the liver and kidneys that cannot fully remove excess proteins.
The international application WO2004/014153 and the European patent application EP-A-1604677 disclose examples of known, dietary supplements.

Dietary supplement with protein activator


A truss bearing supports a web-type construction truss and has an elongated metal member that is secured along its length to the primary supporting chord of a truss. The truss bearing can include a pair of substantially parallel spaced-apart elongated wooden members sandwiching the metal member extending along and secured to the bottom of the primary chord, with the metal member adhesively secured to the primary chord through being adhesively secured to the pair of wooden members. An optional metal bearing plate can be substantially rigidly secured to the bottom surface of the elongated metal member near one or both ends of the truss, forming therewith a T-shaped cross-section, and can be welded to a supporting member of a larger structure using metal-to-metal connection. The bearing plate can have an angled extension affixed to the first diagonal truss member.

The field of the present invention relates to trusses used to support elements of buildings or other structures. A truss bearing is disclosed for securing a wooden truss chord to a metal support.
A truss typically includes horizontal, parallel upper and lower truss chords (i.e., beams) connected by a truss web, which has a plurality of diagonal or vertical (or both) web members. Such trusses are intended to support vertical loads and are in turn typically supported at the ends of the upper truss chord by beams, girders, ledgers, other trusses, or other supporting or structural members when incorporated into a larger structure that supports the truss. The chord and web configuration results in a highly rigid truss capable of supporting large vertical loads. Longitudinal or lateral loads (i.e., shearing loads), however, are borne by the connection or linkage between the ends of the upper chord and whatever supporting members support its ends. Such connections or linkages may be a weak point of a structure, and may fail when the structure is subject to shearing forces (during an earthquake, for example).
Wood is a common material used for making trusses. Securing the ends of the truss to another supporting member typically involves nails, screws, bolts, or other fasteners inserted through the end of the upper chord. To meet increasingly stringent construction standards for resisting shear loads, larger numbers of such fasteners must be used, to the point where the structural integrity of the wood forming the upper truss chord may be compromised.