A controller for controlling printing on both surfaces of a sheet of print media includes a first print controller for controlling printing by a page width printhead of a first print engine and a second print controller for controlling printing by a page with printhead of a second print engine substantially simultaneously with the printing by the printhead of the first print engine. A first communications link interconnects the first print controller and the second print controller for synchronizing the print controllers. An second communications link is connected to at least one of the print controllers for interfacing with a host system for receipt from the host system of descriptions of pages to be printed on said surfaces of the sheet of print media by the print engines.

Most prior art printers comprise a print controller for receiving print information from a computer. The print information is usually supplied in a page description language, such as Adobe PostScript. The print controller takes the print information and performs operations on it in order to convert t to a form suitable for supply to one or more printheads. These operations can include, for example, decompression of compressed data, rasterization, compositing and scaling. Most printers have a print controller that supplies processed data to a singe printhead.
In duplex printers, both sides of a page need to be printed. Often, this is achieved by printing one side of the page first, followed by the other side, sometimes using the same printhead. In other embodiment, a pair of printheads are used, one for printing either side of the page. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,077 (Silverbrook), a pair of printheads are disposed at different points along a paper pathway.
Prior art arrangement make registration between information printed on respective front and rear sides of a page relatively difficult to achieve.

Controller for controlling printing on both surfaces of a sheet of print media


According to an example, a system may include an instance controller to manage service instances deployed on an infrastructure that facilitates data segregation and performance level compliance. The instance controller deploys a service instance of the service instances in a container and terminates the service instances in response to determining the service suite instance is idle based on the notification. Additionally, the system may deploy a component from the service instance from outside the container.

The recent trend of providing Software as a Service (SaaS) instead of traditional retail channels has changed the way that software is offered, licensed or sold. Software applications may be purchased and installed on-premises, such as installed on servers and networks managed by the entity using the software. A more recent approach is to provide software applications as SaaS. For an application offered as SaaS, the application is installed on a cloud or other remote network, and the application is managed by the SaaS service provider. Users may subscribe to SaaS by paying a recurring fee or by agreeing to other terms, such as paying per use, and may be able to always utilize the most recent version of the application without worrying about installation, upgrades and much of the operational management of the application.
Also, in some instances, some applications may be deployed locally (on-premise) or use some local components for the applications provided as SaaS. When a customer deploys software packaged in a suite, such as an integrated set of applications or a bundle of applications that are to be integrated possibly by the customer or other systems, the customer may decide to not install all the pieces of the software (e.g., because they have already a same, older or customized version of the software or an equivalent software that provides these features). In such cases, one needs to be able to point to the different applications or services in order to specify where the other applications are located. This allows the other applications of the suites or integration involving them to find the components not installed as expected and conversely the components not installed with the suite can find the components of the suites. This often has to be something that is setup when the software is installed. Also, there are cases when the components that provide the missing functions change (e.g., use different ones for different use cases, etc.) so that needs to be also dynamically reconfigurable.

Service management and provisioning for tenant service instances


A method for securing a digital document comprising first and second types of data, where a set of data of the second type is previously identified in an initial version of the document. For each data of the second type, an identifier is allocated to the data and an entry comprising the data is stored in a secure storage unit. The identifier comprises a display value and a link value. The data is reachable in the secure storage unit through the link value. The secure storage unit is configured to use access rules for authorizing or denying a request initiated by a user for accessing data of the second type contained in an entry of the secure storage unit. An updated version of the digital document is generated by replacing each data of the second type by its allocated identifier in the initial version of the digital document.

Many laws and company policies exist around the world to restrict access to certain classes of information stored in structured documents. It is known to encrypt the full document or to redact the document. Redaction provides no simple or automated means to recover the sensitive information. Encryption renders the document entirely unusable by any system without access to the encryption key. This creates significant inconveniences including, for example, the ability for a computer system to index file contents for the purpose of creating a searchable index. In addition, encryption of a document using a key (either cryptographic or password) requires significant controls over the key—including the distribution and control of the key. There is need to provide a solution allowing for the document to be usable and freely distributed except that access to sensitive information remain restricted.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


One example of a computer-implemented method of adaptively setting Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Retransmission TimeOut (RTO) values comprises establishing a connection between a sender node and a receiver node using TCP; determining a network location of the receiver node relative to the sender node; and dynamically setting, by the sender node, an RTO minimum value for the receiver node based on the determined network location of the receiver node relative to the sender node.

In many protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), if an acknowledgment (ACK) message is not received within a specified time period, the corresponding packet is retransmitted. If too many ACK messages are missing, a Retransmission Time Out (RTO) occurs. During an RTO, the sender node ceases sending packets for a certain amount of time.

International Business Machines Corporation


A travel plan preparing device used for preparing a travel plan by accessing a data base from terminal and acquiring information about service facilities existing on the route from the starting place to the destination. An area or desired kind of service is inputted through an input device (110) and transmitted to the data base (100) through a transmitter-receiver (116). When an area is inputted, the data base (100) retrieves the information about the service facilities in the designated area and transmits the information to the terminal. When a desired kind of service is inputted, the data base (100) transmits the information about the positions of the pertinent service facilities and the electronic controller (ECU)(114) of the terminal calculates the distribution of the service facilities on a map, selects the area which meets most the inputted condition, and displays the area on a display device (12). A GPS navigation system (112) searches the route to the selected area and prepares a travel plan.

Recently, systems useful for traveling by vehicle have been proposed for accessing databases from in-vehicle terminals to acquire necessary information.
For example, in the information transfer system for vehicles in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 4-261576, a system is disclosed where a user connects to a center station by calling the center as needed, and receives and then stores or displays information at the vehicle after retrieving the necessary information. As a result, transmitting a vehicle position and final location enables maps, traffic information, and livelihood information for the region to be easily obtained.
However, when this sort of system is used to obtain information and plan a specific itinerary, there are often instances, after a final location has been decided, where one desires to know what sort of service facilities are available in the vicinity of a route from a start location to the final location. In a particular example, when a trip is not for business but for sight-seeing and therefore not only for reaching a final location, it becomes possible to plan a versatile and efficient itinerary if it is known beforehand what types of facilities are available along a route. In this sort of instance, planning an itinerary was heretofore troublesome and time consuming since tasks involved specifying a region from a service access menu, then confirming service facilities in that region.


An object of the present invention is to provide a means for conveniently producing ethanol with high efficiency from a carbon source derived from a plant biomass resource or the like. The present invention relates to a method for producing ethanol, comprising a step of generating ethanol by culturing basidiomycetes belonging to the genus Phlebia with a carbon source. As carbon sources, cellulose, hemicellulose, glucose, xylose, and the like or plant biomass resources containing the same can be used.

Technology for producing ethanol from a plant biomass material has been actively developed in recent years.
In general, ethanol production from a plant biomass material containing cellulose and/or hemicellulose in a water-insoluble form requires at least a saccharification step and an ethanol fermentation step, or may separately require a delignification step as a pretreatment for the saccharification step.
Examples of a general saccharification step include a sulfuric acid method and an enzyme method. The sulfuric acid method is problematic in high environmental load and corrosion of a reactor. The enzyme method is problematic due to the high cost of cellulase. A biomass resource should generally be pretreated through delignification before being subjected to the enzyme method. An alkaline treatment method and the like are known as delignification steps. The ethanol fermentation step is generally performed using yeast. As described above, a conventional method for producing ethanol from a biomass material requires multiple steps (with multiple stages).
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing a substrate for an enzymatic saccharification reaction from a lignocellulose-based biomass raw material through a step involving alkaline treatment; that is, a method for pretreatment of a lignocellulose-based biomass raw material for a saccharification step. In this document, the thus produced substrate is saccharified by an enzyme, and the saccharified product is then further subjected to ethanol fermentation by a microorganism (yeast).
Patent Document 2 describes a saccharification and fermentation system using woody biomass as a raw material. In this system, a step of performing saccharification and fermentation reactions upon the woody biomass using a cellulose-degrading enzyme, a hemicellulose-degrading enzyme, and an alcohol-fermenting microorganism (yeast), and a step of performing a fermentation reaction using a microorganism (yeast) capable of separating a pentose substance remaining in the reaction product, and alcohol-fermenting pentose are implemented.
Patent Document 3 describes a method by which enzymatic saccharification and alcoholic fermentation are performed in the same fermenter. However, even this method requires the combined use of a microorganism such as filamentous fungi capable of producing a saccharifying enzyme and yeast capable of performing alcoholic fermentation.
As described above, conventional technology for producing ethanol from a plant biomass material requires multiple steps (with multiple stages), and thus is not satisfactory in terms of energy consumption and cost. Technology for implementing a delignification step, a saccharification step, and an ethanol fermentation step with the use of a single means has been required.
Plant biomass materials such as rice straws, bamboos, and hardwood lumber contain hemicellulose, which contains a pentose (e.g., xylose) as a constituent unit. However, general ethanol-fermenting microorganisms are not capable of assimilating a pentose to generate ethanol. Therefore, the production of ethanol using a general ethanol-fermenting microorganism from a saccharified product of hemicellulose is problematic, in that the pentose cannot be used and the ethanol yield is lowered. As described in Patent Document 2, the combined use of a microorganism capable of assimilating a hexose such as glucose, so as to ferment and generate ethanol and a microorganism capable of assimilating a pentose such as xylose, so as to ferment and generate ethanol is problematic in terms of cost and the resulting complicated reaction system.
Patent Document 4 discloses, a method for producing alcohol from a carbon source by alcoholic fermentation using Trametes suaveolens as technology that enables implementation of a delignification step, a saccharification step, and an ethanol fermentation step with a single means. However, in Patent Document 4, Trametes suaveolens was confirmed to be able to assimilate hexose, however, whether or not Trametes suaveolens is capable of simultaneously assimilating pentose and hexose was not confirmed. Specifically, technology, by which a delignification step, a saccharification step, and an ethanol fermentation step can be implemented using a single means, which would allow both hexose and pentose to be ethanol fermented as carbon sources, has not yet been established.
Trametes suaveolens used in Patent Document 4 is a type of white-rot fungi. White-rot fungi are known to have the ability to produce lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, laccase, and the like and to degrade wood-derived lignin (Patent Document 5). White-rot fungi are also known to have the ability to saccharify cellulose. The Phlebia sp. MG-60 strain belonging to the genus Phlebia has been isolated as a type of white-rot fungi, which is capable of degrading lignin under hypertonic conditions (Patent Document 6). Whether or not white-rot fungi belonging to the genus Phlebia has the ability to ferment alcohol has conventionally remained unexamined.

Method for producing ethanol using basidiomycete

Kyushu University, National University Corporation

National University Corporation Shizuoka University


A structural reinforcement system is provided for an automotive vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, a structural beam is employed which extends in a cross-vehicle direction spaced above a vehicle floor. A further aspect of the present invention provides a cross-vehicle reinforcement beam inside another structural member. Yet another aspect of the present invention uses a structural reinforcement system in a convertible roof vehicle.

The present invention generally relates to automotive vehicle structure and more particularly to a cross-vehicle structural reinforcement for an automotive vehicle.
Cross-vehicle body stiffness within automotive vehicles is important in reducing torsional twist and vibration of the body, but also improves the ride and handling of the vehicle. This issue is especially important for convertible vehicles where the removal of the traditional fixed roof structure further decreases vehicle stiffness to the point where four door convertible roof vehicles have been essentially impractical to achieve with conventional body structure. Furthermore, U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard ("FMVSS") 214 relates to side impact collision protection for vehicles. This governmental standard employs a moving barrier, equivalent to a truck bumper, which impacts the vehicle generally at and below a belt-line of the front door and B-pillar. FMVSS 214 puts an added premium on cross-vehicle stiffness.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,694,546 entitled "Motor Car," which issued to Lancia on Dec. 11, 1928, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,322 entitled "Body Structure for a Rear Carriage of a Convertible," which issued to Wolf et al. on Aug. 4, 1998, have both attempted to provide some cross-vehicle structure. It is noteworthy, however, that both constructions are attached to a fixed seat back and/or passenger compartment panel. Furthermore, the Lancia construction appears to lack any cross-vehicle structural support that would significantly resist side impacts or torsion, especially for a modern unibody construction vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention, a structural reinforcement system is provided for an automotive vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, a structural beam is employed which extends in a cross-vehicle direction spaced above a vehicle floor. A further aspect of the present invention provides a cross-vehicle reinforcement beam inside another structural member. A variety of structural beam-to-pillar mounting arrangements are also provided in additional aspects of the present invention. Yet another aspect of the present invention uses a structural reinforcement system in a convertible roof vehicle.
The present invention is advantageous over conventional constructions, in that the present invention significantly improves cross-vehicle resistance to side impact collisions and provides torsional stiffness sufficient for use with a large four door vehicle, such as one having a convertible roof. Spacing the structural beam away from the floor reduces "match boxing" of the vehicle body as compared to traditional, floor mounted reinforcements. Moreover, the beam-to-pillar mounting structures of the present invention significantly enhance side impact resistance as compared to prior constructions. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be shown and described with reference to the following description and appended figures.

Structural system for a convertible automotive vehicle


An apparatus for inserting compressible pigs into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a conical chamber that fits into the end of the pipeline. A plurality of spring tensioned hooks hold the conical chamber in place. The pig is inserted into the conical chamber, a cover having a threaded rod is then secured to the chamber and the pig is pushed through the chamber into pipeline by turning the threaded rod.

During the construction of a pipeline, and sometimes during the serviceable life of a pipeline, it is necessary to have the lines cleaned and pressure tested to ensure their safety, integrity and reliability. This is particularly true in the construction of pipelines used for the transportation of oil, gas and petroleum products.
Pipelines used in the petroleum industry vary greatly in size. Typical lines range from 4 inches in diameter to over 42 inches in diameter. They are constructed in both onshore and offshore locations. During the construction, before the pipelines can be used, they must be cleaned and tested. The lines are typically cleaned by washing out the lines with water and detergent and then inserting and forcing through the line an oversized pig or swab.
The compressible pigs are generally made of plastic, foam with smooth exterior surfaces, urethane, rubber or the like. Forcing the pig through the line by either air or hydraulic pressure cleans the line of accumulated unwanted debris left over during construction and locates buckled surfaces or dents in the line. If the pig is forced through the line under hydraulic pressure the air in the line is removed and the line is ready for pressure testing. Additional pigs are then inserted and forced through the line to remove the water after testing making the line ready for use.
The typical pig is generally cylindrical or bullet shaped and is generally 1" to 3" larger in diameter than the inside diameter or I.D. of the pipeline to be cleaned. A problem therefore exists in inserting the oversized pig into the lines in an efficient manner without damaging the pig. The more damage to the pig, the less efficient a cleaning device it becomes.
Conventional methods of inserting pigs or swabs on construction sites include compressing the pig to a narrow diameter by a series of clamps, freezing the pig while still clamped, removing the clamps, and inserting the frozen pig into the line. The freezing method requires that refrigeration equipment be available at the construction site which generally is in a remote area. Having sufficient refrigeration equipment available is a particular problem when larger size swabs are required for the swabbing of larger pipeline. Frozen pigs tend to break up as they are pushed through the line. Waiting until the pig thaws would help to eliminate this problem but, often because of hurried work demands a frozen pig is used. Further, freezing tends to deform the pig reducing its cleaning or squeezing properties.
Other methods used to insert pigs include pre-loading a testhead pipe with a pig in the pipe yard. This pre-loaded pipe is brought to the construction site for use. Problems still exist when more than one pig is required in a line. This requires additional pre-loaded test pipes and the additional time involved in removing and reattaching these pre-loaded pipes to the line.
Other means for inserting pigs include specially fabricated pig launchers for each size line. This requires use of an oversize pipe, a reducer, a flange at the pipeline riser end and a blind flange with a pig loading into close line and maintaining it under pressure. These custom-made launchers are expensive and need to be re-built for each particular job. This is due chiefly to the varying pipe sizes and gauges used in pipeline construction. Depending on the job a single pipe overall size can range from standard to double extra heavy. Flanges vary in size to accommodate the various grades of pipes being used.
Other devices for inserting cleaning pigs or balls have been proposed. These include the large sphere handling apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,113 to Grove, et al which is permanently installed in pipelines for use during the operation phase. Other devices for inserting balls into pipelines during the operation phase have been proposed. These include U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,079 to Bergman, et al, which is a combination valve and cleaning ball launcher. Similar devices include pig ball injector U.S. Pat. No. 2,977,617 to Willis which is a combination pig ball injector and valve mechanism for inserting a cleaning ball while the line is flowing. These devices are incorporated in lines already in use and are flanged into the lines as part of the system.
Various pipeline scraper inserting devices have been employed. These include U.S. Pat. No. 2,575,146 to Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 2,028,779 to Howe, et al and U.S. Pat. No. 1,006,261 to Mueller. The Thomas patent discloses an inserter for inserting a scraper of a size substantially less than the inside diameter of the pipeline. The Howe, et al patent relates to a device for inserting a mechanical scraper into the line without interrupting the flow of liquid through the line by means of a piston pulley and wench. The Mueller patent discloses forcing a mechanical cleaning device with compressible vane type members into a pipeline by means of a funnel shaped fitting. The Mueller device is sized to fit exactly within the inside diameter of the line to be cleaned. It cannot be used on lines of various wall thicknesses within a pipe diameter range. No means for firmly attaching the fitting to the pipeline are disclosed in the Mueller. Such means are necessary when forcing a compressible urethane pig into the line.
None of the listed inventions provide for the insertion of compressible polyurethane pigs into a pipeline during construction in a convenient, efficient and low cost manner. Consequently, a need exists for an improved method and apparatus for inserting pipeline pigs into a line during the construction phase which will result in greater efficiency, versatility and reliability, and reduce the time, expense and functional problems associated with the aforementioned conventional methods.

Method for launching pigs into pipelines


The present invention is directed to a circuit and method for nullifying a drop in the voltage across an MR head caused a parasitic cable resistance. The invention uses local modeling of the cable resistance in order to generate a nulling voltage, equal in magnitude to the voltage across the cable resistance. The magnitude of the nulling voltage is adjusted as the resistance of the MR head varies within a population of heads. The nulling voltage is added to the bias voltage, in order to negate the effect of the cable resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to retrieval of magnetically stored data using a magnetoresistive (MR) head, and more particularly, to a circuit and method for providing a true voltage bias to an MR head.
2. Related Art
A Magnetoresistive (MR) head is commonly used to retrieve data stored on a magnetic medium, such as a disk drive. Data is read by detecting variations in the resistance of a sensor stripe of the MR head caused by variations in the magnetic field emanating from the storage medium. This resistance is represented by R.sub.MR. R.sub.MR consists of a constant component R.sub.dc and variable component R.sub.ac. R.sub.ac represents the change in resistance due to the fluctuating magnetic field. In order to detect variations in R.sub.MR, a bias current is passed through the sensor stripe of the MR head. This bias current serves to convert variations in stripe resistance produced by the magnetic field into a voltage signal.
Existing MR head systems commonly bias the MR head with either a constant bias current or (to a lesser extent) a constant voltage. A differential voltage amplifier is commonly used to amplify the ac component V.sub.ac of the voltage signal across the MR head. Other detection methods involve measurement of the ac component I.sub.ac of the current signal through the MR head.
For constant current biasing, a constant current I.sub.BIAS is passed through the sensor stripe. For the voltage case, the ac voltage component is then V.sub.ac =I.sub.BIAS R.sub.ac.
There are a number of problems associated with constant current biasing. These problems result from sub-micron dimensional variations of the head, which commonly occur among a given population of MR heads. Such dimensional variations result from imperfections in the fabrication process.
One such problem is related to the design of the sense amplifier and automatic gain control (AGC) section of the MR head system. Dimensional variations affect both R.sub.ac and R.sub.dc of the MR head. Since V.sub.ac =I.sub.BIAS R.sub.ac, the amplitude of V.sub.ac is affected by these dimensional variations as well. Consequently, the amplifier/AGC section of an MR head system using a constant bias current must be designed for a voltage signal having a wide dynamic range.
A second problem is related to the current density in the MR head. Both the performance and the reliability of the MR head depend on the current density. When a constant bias current flows through the MR head, the current density depends on the cross-sectional area of the head. In order to maintain a high level of performance, it is desirable to maintain a high current density. A high current density results in a high read-back signal, and thus a high signal-to-noise ratio and a low error rate. However, if the current density is too high, the life of the MR head becomes limited as the result of electromigration, and the reliability rate decreases. Thus, there is a tradeoff between performance and reliability. Consequently, in order to achieve an acceptable balance between performance and reliability, it is important to maintain an "optimum" current density in the MR head.
Constant current biasing does not always permit the MR head to be biased with this optimum current density level. Cross-sectional area variations among a population of MR heads results in a wide distribution of current density variations. To achieve acceptable part reliability, a wide current density design tolerance must therefore be maintained, resulting in a lower mean current density, and lower performance.
The problems associated with constant current biasing discussed above can potentially be solved by biasing the MR head with a constant voltage, V.sub.BIAS. The ac component of the voltage across the MR head is then V.sub.ac =(R.sub.ac /R.sub.dc)V.sub.BIAS. Since R.sub.ac and R.sub.dc are affected equally by dimensional variations, the effect of these resistance variations cancel. Thus, V.sub.ac is not affected by dimensional variations of the MR head, and the amplifier/AGC section of the MR system can have a narrower dymanic range tolerance.
Constant voltage biasing additionally provides the advantage of maintaining a constant current density through the MR head, independent of cross-sectional area variations. Thus, MR head systems utilizing a constant voltage biasing scheme can be designed with a narrower current density tolerance, and a higher mean current density. Such designs can achieve a higher level of performance without a corresponding decrease in part reliability.
Although constant voltage biasing provides considerable advantages over constant current biasing, the ability to adequately provide a constant voltage bias across the MR head is prevented by the existence of a parasitic resistance R.sub.c in the conductors of cables connecting the biasing circuit to the MR head. This cable resistance typically includes: 1) MR head-to-bonding pad trace resistance, 2) bonding pad-to-flex circuit mag wire resistance, 3) flex-circuit to IC resistance, and 4) parasitic resistances in the integrated circuit voltage biasing source. R.sub.c typically has a value of about 5Ohms, in comparison to a typical R.sub.MR value of about 15 Ohms.
The addition of R.sub.C to the MR bias circuit creates a voltage divider circuit in which a portion of V.sub.BIAS falls across R.sub.c. This prevents the full bias voltage V.sub.BIAS from being applied to the MR head. Further, as R.sub.MR varies within a population of heads, the portion of V.sub.BIAS which is applied to the MR head still vary due to the voltage divider effects of R.sub.C. As a result, true constant voltage biasing is not achieved, and the advantages of constant voltage biasing are not fully realized.
What is needed is a means for providing a constant voltage bias to an MR head, wherein the effects of parasitic cable resistances are negated.

Method and circuitry to provide true voltage bias to a magnetoresistive head


An apparatus is provided which can be physically connected underneath a guest telephone in a hotel. The apparatus is set up with interconnection logic and a networking card so as to allow for a notebook computer to interconnect with a local area network in the hotel. The apparatus is set up to switch between sending a voice data from the guest telephone or computer data packets from the notebook computer across the hotel room telephone wire.

There is a large market for guest telephones of the type used in hotels. Recently, many guests, especially business travelers, bring notebook computers to hotels. Most notebook computers support modem access to the external world. It is becoming more popular to have faster access across network ports. There has not yet been a standardized location for interconnecting the notebook to Internet using a network port. It is often unclear whether a hotel room has such a network port. If network ports are located in the hotel room, they are often hard to locate.
It is desired to have an improved apparatus for connecting notebooks computers with the Internet at hotel rooms.

Telephone-coupled device for internet access


Coelenterazine analogs having luminescence properties different from those of known coelenterazine analogs are desired for various luciferases. The invention provides compounds represented by general formula (1) below.

Bioluminescence is a phenomenon based on a chemical reaction in vivo, which is called a luciferin (luminescence substrate)-luciferase (enzyme that catalyzes the luminescence reaction) reaction. Numerous studies including the identification of luciferins or luciferases and the elucidation of the luminescence mechanism in a molecular level have been performed for a long time in the country and overseas.
It is known that many marine organisms utilize the compounds having an imidazopyrazinone structure as a luminescence substrate in the bioluminescence reaction.
Among the compounds, coelenterazine (CTZ) is known as the luminescence substrate for Renilla luciferase, Oplophorus luciferase, Gaussia luciferase, etc., or also as the light-emitting substrate of aequorin which is a photoprotein obtained from the jellyfish. Coelenterazine is a compound commonly used as the luminescence substrate for various luciferases and photoproteins, and many findings of CTZ have been accumulated so far (Non-Patent Documents 1 to 9).

As the luminescence reaction system using coelenterazine as a luminescence substrate proceeds only by the luminescence substrate and molecular oxygen, the reporter assays using a luciferase gene have been performed widely.
To date, approximately 50 coelenterazine analogs (CTZ analogs) have been synthesized and the luminescence properties of various luciferases have been studied using them as substrates (Non-Patent Documents 6 to 10).
It is also shown that coelenterazine readily undergoes oxidative degradation in an aqueous solution (Non-Patent Document 9).
Oplophorus luciferase is composed of proteins with molecular weights of 35 kDa and 19 kDa. The domain that catalyzes the luminescence reaction is found in the 19 kDa protein. In recent years, a luminescence catalytic domain of 19 kDa having the amino acid mutations has been reported and showed a higher luminescence activity than that of native 19 kDa protein (Non-Patent Document 10).
In particular, Oplophorus luciferase and the 19 kD protein which catalyzes the luminescence reaction showed broad substrate specificity than other coelenterazine-type luciferases, indicating that it is difficult to find coelenterazine analogs having 5 times or higher luminescence activity than that of coelenterazine (Non-Patent Documents 6 to 10). Furthermore, when coelenterazine is applied to use for bioluminescence imaging, etc., it has also been desired that coelenterazines are less susceptible to oxidative degradation in an aqueous solution, i.e., a solution for the luminescence reaction.


A stereoscopic endoscope is provided having a primary optical system for forming an image of an object, a device for dividing the light transmitted by the primary optical system into two light beams, and a pair of optical systems for detecting the image formed by the primary optical system. Each of the secondary optical systems may receive one of the light beams and form an image of the object on a corresponding imaging device. The stereoscopic endoscope may also include a device for adjusting a position of the light dividing device relative to an optical axis and an exit pupil of the primary optical system, and a device for detecting a position of the light dividing device in accordance with each of the output image signals.

The present invention relates to a stereoscopic endoscope which allows an observer to view a three-diminsional image of an object under test.
A stereoscopic endoscope is used to observe an object or cavity internal to a machine or the human body. Examples of rigid type stereoscopic endoscopes are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,629 and Japanese Laid Open Publication Hei. 6-194581. In these examples, the stereoscopic endoscopes have an insertion portion which includes an objective lens for forming an image of the object and a relay lens for transmitting the light to an exit pupil of the insertion portion. The stereoscopic endoscopes also include an observing portion, which includes an optical device for splitting the light at the exit pupil and directing the split light beams to a left and right optical imaging system, through which an observer would view the a three-dimensional image of the object.
However, if the optical device for splitting the light beam is not positioned correctly, the three-dimensional effect of the image may be reduced, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the endoscope. Further, even if the optical device for splitting the light beam is positioned correctly for an object located near to the insertion portion of the endoscope, the three-dimensional effect of an image of an object located far away from the insertion point of the endoscope may be reduced. This also reduces the effectiveness of the endoscope.
In conventional stereoscopic endoscopes, the three-dimensional image is viewed directly, using eyepiece lenses, or indirectly using an imaging device such as a CCD, and a video processor. Use of an imaging device allows the images to be viewed by many people, through the use of a monitor and special viewing glasses. However, this requires extra hardware and elaborate image processing. In a direct viewing endoscope, the image may be viewed easily and quickly through the eyepiece lenses, but by only one person at a time. Thus, extra time will be required if many people are to view the image.
Further, in a conventional stereoscopic endoscope that employs the imaging devices, one imaging device is used with each optical system, thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing the cost of the endosocope.
In conventional stereoscopic endoscopes the optical device for splitting the light beam uses a series of reflective surfaces in order to properly split the light beam. Therefore, the positional relationship between the various reflective surfaces must be set precisely. Further, in order properly position all of the reflective surfaces, the size of the endoscope must be made large, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the endoscope. Furthermore, the number of parts required to manufacture the endoscope is increased.
In a conventional stereoscopic endoscope, light is provided to illuminate the object by using a separate light source and an optical guide. The optical guide is housed in the insertion portion of the stereoscopic endoscope, and is parallel to the optical axis of optical system used for viewing the image. This results in the diameter of the insertion portion being large, and therefore the insertion portion cannot be as easily inserted into the cavity.


A superconducting magnet (10) generates a uniform, static magnetic field through a central bore (12) along its longitudinal or z-axis. A biplanar gradient coil assembly (44) is inserted into the bore to create gradients across the static magnetic field along orthogonal x, y, and z-axes. A biplanar radio frequency coil assembly (50, 80) is inserted into the bore for transmitting radio frequency signals into a subject and receiving magnetic resonance signals from the subject. The radio frequency coil includes a first biplanar coil assembly (50) for generating RF signals in an x-direction and a second biplanar coil assembly (80) for generating RF signals in a y-direction. The two biplanar coil assemblies each include a plurality of conductors (52, 82) along a first plane and a second plurality of conductors (54, 84) along a parallel second plane. The conductors extend parallel to the z-direction. Capacitors (56, 58, 94) are connected in series with each of the conductors in order to control the current flow such that the current flow in each plane is uniform across the plane. The ends of the electrical conductors are connected together (66, 88) such that the current flows are equal and opposite in the two planes. A radio frequency transmitter (136) transmits RF signals to the quadrature biplanar coil assembly. A digital receiver (140) receives and demodulates radio frequency signals from the quadrature coil assembly. The demodulated signals are reconstructed (144) into an image representation for display on a video monitor (146).

The present invention relates to the magnetic resonance arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with medical magnetic resonance imaging systems and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention will also find application in conjunction with other types of magnetic resonance imaging systems, magnetic resonance spectroscopy systems, and the like.
In magnetic resonance imaging, a strong uniform static magnetic field B.sub.0 is generated, often by a superconducting magnet. This static magnetic field B.sub.0 polarizes the nuclear spin system of an object to be imaged. Superconducting magnets are commonly wound on a cylindrical body former mounted in an annular helium vessel surrounded by an annular vacuum vessel for thermal isolation. The superconducting magnet generates the static magnetic field, B.sub.0 along its own longitudinal axis and the common longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bore of the vacuum vessel, commonly denoted as the "z-axis".
To generate a magnetic resonance signal, the polarized spin system is first excited by a radio frequency magnetic field perpendicular to the z-axis. This RF field, denoted B.sub.1, is produced by an RF coil located inside the bore of the magnet and closely conforming thereto to maximize the space available to receive a patient. The RF magnetic field, which is changing in time in a sinusoidal waveform, is turned on and off to create short RF pulses to excite magnetization in the polarized object in the bore. More specifically, the RF pulses tip the magnetization out of alignment with the z-axis and cause its macroscopic magnetic moment vector to precess around the z-axis. The precessing magnetic moment, in turn, generates a radio frequency magnetic resonance signal that is received by the RF coil in a reception mode.
To encode a sample spatially, magnetic field gradient pulses are applied after the RF excitation. The gradient magnetic fields are also applied in pulses to generate magnetic fields pointing in the z-axis, but changing in magnitude linearly in x, y, or z-directions. These gradient pulses are commonly denoted as G.sub.x, G.sub.y, and G.sub.z pulses, respectively. The gradient magnetic fields are generated by gradient magnetic field coils which are also located inside the magnet bore. Commonly, the gradient field coils are mounted on a cylindrical former between the RF coil and the bore. The RF and gradient field coils have a sufficient inner diameter to receive the entire body of a patient within their circular bore.
These cylindrical whole body RF and gradient coils are routinely used to examine the patient's chest cavity and to examine individual organs therein, such as the heart. Examining individual organs or small regions of the chest cavity places the RF coils a significant distance from the region of interest.
The most common whole body RF coils are saddle coils and birdcage coils. Both saddle and birdcage coils include electrical conductors which are mounted on a cylindrical dielectric former. Prior patents have also suggested mounting the RF coils on an elliptical former to follow the contour of a patient's body more accurately. Typical saddle and birdcage coils are described in "Radio Frequency Coils" by Hayes, Edelstein, and Schenck, NMR in Medicine: The Instrumentation and Clinical Applications, pages 142-165, (1985). Typical saddle coils includes four conductors extending in the z-direction, adjacent pairs of which are connected at their ends by connectors extending along the cylindrical former. In a birdcage coil, a plurality of conductors, e.g. eight, are spaced equidistant along the circular former and interconnected at their ends by a generally annular conductor extending along the surface of the circular former. For quadrature detection, a second coil rotated 90.degree. from the first is provided.
In order to accommodate the entire body of a patient, conventional birdcage and saddle coils are relatively large in diameter and length, e.g. 60 cm in diameter and about the same length. One of the problems with whole body birdcage and saddle coils is that the large size causes a loss of signal to noise ratio. The signal to noise ratio is generally proportional to coil sensitivity and to the coil filling factor. The coil sensitivity is generally inversely proportional to a power of the coil radius. Thus, the larger the diameter of the coil, the poorer its sensitivity and the lower its signal to noise ratio. The filling factor is the ratio of the magnetic energy stored in the region of interest in the patient and the total energy generated by the RF coil. When viewing only a small region of the patient, such as the heart, the magnetic energy stored in the heart region is relatively small compared to the total energy generated by the RF coil. Hence, the filling factor is low and the signal to noise ratio is also low.
In order to improve the signal to noise ratio, when examining individual organs, the whole body RF coil is often used only as a transmitter coil. A separate receiver coil is positioned on the surface of the patient to detect the MR signals. The dedicated receiver coils are each designed for a specific organ and are sized and shaped accordingly. This increases its sensitivity to the organ and suppresses noise from other tissue in the patient. Thus, a large inventory of coils is required to image various internal organs of the body. Moreover, the sensitivity of surface coils falls off sharply away from the plane of the coil. This drop off in sensitivity toward the deeper regions of the subject causes non-uniformity in the images. Moreover, the sensitivity may drop off sufficiently fast that the examination of some deeper organs is impractical.
The present invention provides a new and improved RF coil which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.

Biplanar RF coil for magnetic resonance imaging systems


Autocorrelation algorithms are employed in systems and methods to detect preamble symbols for frame synchronization in WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) systems. An ML (“Maximum Likelihood”) estimator estimates segment index and frame timing information for an ideal signal scenario. When using the ML estimator, a received time domain signal is sampled. Groups of samples are formed, and the group is further divided into a plurality of portions. Then, an autocorrelation between time domain samples of each portion results in a maximum value which indicates the start of a preamble of the time domain signal. Frame synchronization can then be performed. In other transmission scenarios, the algorithm is modified to use modified estimators of the preamble symbol location. When using the modified estimators, less than all of the portions of samples are compared to one another to find a maximum value.

Wireless communication devices such as laptops, cell phones, and other devices may use technology such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) to enable internet or other types of wireless communication. The devices typically use a technique such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing ("OFDM") or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access ("OFDMA") to modulate a communication signal for wireless communication. Standards-setting bodies assist the development and interoperability of the devices and modulated signal types by creating guidelines such as IEEE 802.16. This creates some uniformity among wireless communication devices from various manufacturers and the signal transmissions between them.
For instance, FIG. 1 shows an example of a geographic area divided into three communication clusters I, II, and III and made up of individual cells A, B, C, . . . A′, B′, C′, . . . A″, B″, C″ . . . . Each cluster has a base station tower T that emits a communication signal to users within the cluster. The signal has a total frequency range f that is divided into portions such that each cell of the cluster communicates using an allocated frequency portion. A user in the cell communicates through their chosen device with the tower T using their allocated frequency portion. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the frequency portions can be staggered alternately along the vertical frequency axis f to avoid interference. Another frequency allocation, which is not shown, allots multiple frequency slices to each user, with the slices staggered along the frequency axis. Other frequency allocation schemas allocate frequency portions to cells and users based upon the signal strength p of the horizontal axis in order to ensure that the cell and its users are using the strongest possible signal for the cell. Various other tower, frequency allocation schemes, cell configuration, and cluster configuration schemes exist in the art.
Since a communication signal typically has a range of frequency values across a bandwidth, a nomenclature exists in the art to assist with the allocation of frequency values. When discussing a communication signal in terms of frequency, an individual allotment of the frequency range can be called a subcarrier. The subcarrier is typically the smallest practical allotment of a frequency range in a bandwidth for transmission purposes. The subcarriers may be assigned to one or more subcarrier sets, so that the small frequency allotments of the subcarriers can be aggregated for a purpose. Both subcarriers and subcarrier sets may be assigned, through mapping, to subchannels for transmission, which will be discussed below. Subcarriers and subcarrier sets may also be assigned to segments. The segments can be an allotment of frequency assigned to a particular cell A, B, C, . . . within a cluster I, II, or III.
One possible outcome of the above nomenclature results in a particular bandwidth with a particular frequency range or ranges assigned to cluster I. A respective segment of the frequency range may be allocated to each cell A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, with the allocation pattern repeating through clusters II and III and cells A′, B′, C′, . . . A″, B″, C″ . . . , as shown by the small graphs to the left of FIG. 1, in which the vertical axis represents frequency, and the horizontal axis represents power. At a transmission time, one or more subchannels may also be allocated to a user, in order to transmit all, or a portion, of that user's communication. The subchannel may comprise one or more subcarrier sets that may be allocated to transmit the user's communication. This is one example of the many possibilities for subcarrier allocation and nomenclature recognized in the art.
Turning to FIG. 2A, the signal can also be partitioned along a time domain and include various symbols expressed as symbol structures. The symbol structures, e.g. preamble, FCH, DL-Map, DL burst, etc., carry various pieces of information, such as information about the transmitting device, the signal itself, the communication to be transmitted, and the user. The symbols are typically organized in a frame structure, as exemplified in FIG. 2A, and many symbol configurations exist in the art. The symbols are often grouped into alternating links such that a signal transmitted from base station tower T to a user device is often referred to as a "downlink," and a signal transmitted from the user device to base station tower T is often referred to an "uplink." Various methodologies exist in the art to transmit the uplinks and downlinks.
The frame structure of FIG. 2A shows a small portion of a communication signal along a time axis (horizontal axis, t) which exhibits various gaps and symbol structures in slots (k). Segments containing subcarrier sets are conceptually arranged along a frequency axis (vertical axis, s) so that each partition along the vertical axis s represents a single subcarrier. Only a small portion of a single segment is shown in FIG. 2A.
The conceptual subcarrier arrangement of the frame structure allows the subcarriers to follow a logical ordering. The frame structure is, then, a logical representation of the actual signal transmission, with the frame structure symbols arranged logically into blocks using time slots k.
Typical frame structure symbols, such as a preamble symbol structure ("Preamble"), Frame Control Head (FCH), uplinks (UL), downlinks (DL), gaps (TTG or RTG), various maps, and bursts are included. As is typical, a series of symbols make up each portion of the frame structure, and, for the example shown in FIG. 2A, the segment shown includes all subcarrier sets and their corresponding subcarriers, though multi-segment frames are possible.
For transmission purposes, the symbols of the frame structure are mapped to their actual transmission locations in the frequency domain. That is, the subcarriers are assigned to frequency portions, which can be out of sequence with respect to the logical ordering of the frame structure. This mapping is typically achieved through one or more processes, including an interleaving process, data randomization, channel coding, rate matching, and the use of modulation constellations.
Turning to FIG. 2B, in which the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents signal amplitude, the assignment of subcarriers to frequency portions would result in the logical subcarrier arrangement of the frame structure being dispersed along the frequency domain according to the rules of the chosen mapping processes. The subcarriers would appear to be either grouped adjacent one another, or would appear scattered along the frequency domain, but in both instances, would follow some ordering scheme. The resulting structure is referred to as a transmission subchannel, which is another logical collection of subcarriers, in that the subchannels comprise groups of subcarriers that are logical to transmit at a point in time on a given subchannel. The subchannel can also include customary guard, pilot and DC subcarriers, in addition to data subcarriers. The example of FIG. 2B shows that subcarriers for one symbol of FIG. 2A have been dispersed along the frequency domain.
After sorting the frame structure symbols into appropriate subchannels, the signal is transmitted in bursts. Typically, the burst size and duration are also factors for determining which subcarriers of which preamble symbol structure are arranged on a particular subchannel. The bursts are then routed between towers, and ultimately a user's information is routed to that user. The towers and user devices are capable of extracting the information in the signal, typically by using a technique that compliments the mapping, interleaving, data randomization, channel coding, rate matching, and/or modulation constellations used to create the signal.
Many difficulties may arise in wireless communication because of signal distortions or interruptions during transmission. Because of this, techniques have been developed to ensure that a usable signal is properly transmitted and received. One such technique uses a preamble symbol structure as the first symbol structure of a downlink transmission. The preamble symbol structure is used to provide a reference for frame synchronization. The preamble symbol structure establishes fixed relationships among subcarriers of the signal and indicates the start of the downlink. The fixed relationships established through the use of the preamble symbol structure allow the devices, mobile stations, and the network to use or continue to transmit the information contained in the signal by minimizing the effects of distortions and interruptions. This can be achieved, for example, by using the preamble symbol structure to adjust a timing offset, a frequency offset, or transmitted signal power.
The preamble symbol can be arranged in many ways to achieve a usable reference for frame synchronization. The most common techniques create detectable differences in the subchannel portions carrying the preamble. Some examples include power boosting the preamble symbols to a higher dB value than the other symbols, using different modulation techniques, or allocating the subcarriers in a particular pattern. Different techniques are then used to detect the preamble symbol and access the references, and include variations of minimum mean square error (MMSE), ordered successive interference cancellation (O-SIC), and maximum-likelihood detection (MLD). Of these techniques, MLD offers an optimal tradeoff between technique complexity and performance.
As a further example of preamble symbol detection, one traditional technique may identify the preamble symbol structure by using energy detection to find a time gap between uplinks and downlinks. Then, the technique differentiates between uplinks and downlinks to find the preamble symbol structure. However, in this technique, the signal can have a poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), that is, the signal strength is weak when compared to noise. It is then difficult to identify the time gap, and the energy detection fails.
Other conventional techniques may use power differentiation between regular signals and preamble signals, typically boosting the preamble symbol structure power above that of the regular signals. These systems require numerous calculations that may be impractical in certain applications.
The shortcomings of the prior art systems may make frame synchronization difficult. It is therefore desirable to provide improved identification of a preamble symbol for frame synchronization.

Maximum-likelihood frame synchronization algorithms for OFDM systems


An improved means for magnetically operating push buttons and other controls on cameras in underwater housings is disclosed. The magnetic force of repulsion is employed to transmit motion through the case wall without electrical connection to the camera or sliding or twisting or flexible seals.

Cases or housings that allow conventional mechanical still or movie cameras to be used under water have been popular for many years and the details of their construction are the subject of numerous patents. Interest in similar cases for videotape and digital cameras has increased in recent years as this equipment has become less expensive and has incorporated more desirable features. Although cameras designed specifically for use under water (incorporating a waterproof case) have been manufactured, it is sometimes judged less expensive to adapt a mass-produced conventional camera for underwater use. Often, the methods used to operate a camera incorporating a case designed specifically for underwater use are similar to those used in after-market underwater cases or housings. In practice, the methods used for operating various controls on cameras incorporating waterproof cases as well as cases intended for adapting conventional cameras for underwater use have been observed to have shortcomings.
Some schemes for operating the controls of underwater cameras have used one or more O-ring seals that allow a metal or plastic rod to physically turn or slide and operate the camera control(s). These O-rings require regular maintenance and have frequently been observed to allow water to enter the case as a result of wear, contamination or flattening of the rubber. The likelihood of a leak increases with the number of O-rings in the case. As may be imagined, even a small amount of water is undesirable for photographic or electronic equipment.
Magnetic coupling through a waterproof case to a reed switch (or other magnetic sensing device) inside allows operation of the camera (or other equipment) controls without the need for a sliding or rotating seal and the associated risk of a leak. Generally, the operator displaces a permanent magnet movably mounted outside the waterproof case. When moved into close proximity, the field from the magnet closes the contacts of the reed switch (or activates some other magnetic sensing device) located inside the waterproof case. The reed switch (or other device) completes a circuit in the camera or operates an electric motor to accomplish the desired function. Additional complexity and expense are associated with these controls since a motor, gearing and power supply must be supplied or else the appropriate circuit in the camera must be interrupted and electrical connections installed and wiring provided to the reed switch (or other sensor) to complete the circuit.
Rotational magnetic couplings have allowed a knob turned outside the waterproof housing to rotate a control on a camera inside. Two circular arrangements of permanent magnets, one inside and one outside, transmit the rotational motion. Focus, exposure adjustment and film advancement may be accomplished on older-style cameras. Sometimes gears are incorporated to change the number of turns or amount of torque required to operate the control. This method eliminates the risk of leak associated with an O-ring but is limited in the functions it can provide.
The use of cases that are thin enough to be flexible (resembling a bag) or rigid cases which incorporate flexible parts or areas allow the mechanical operation of the camera controls within. In their simplest embodiments, the maximum depth to which these cases are useful is limited by the hydrostatic pressure exerted on the camera or the controls themselves (a shutter button continuously depressed by water pressure is an example). Mechanical solutions to this problem have been patented and incorporate internal pressurization of the case, more complicated mold designs, additional molding steps, cantilever beams and/or additional mechanical components. These solutions generally add expense and complexity and limit the minimum size of any controls, which can be operated.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler, less expensive and more reliable method for operating the controls of an underwater camera. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an actuator that is small enough to use with the more numerous and smaller push button controls that are now common on various electronic cameras. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means of mechanically operating the controls on cameras in underwater cases thus making electrical connection unnecessary. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for operating popular controls other than push buttons including "rockers" as well as two-axis or three-axis "control buttons". It is a further object of this invention to provide a means for operating the controls of a camera designed specifically for underwater use (Incorporating a waterproof case) in addition to a camera contained in a case or housing intended to adapt it for underwater use. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

Magnetic repulsion actuator for underwater camera


Provided are formulations comprising therapeutically effective amounts of ambrisentan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and tadalafil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and methods of treating and/or preventing pulmonary hypertension by administration of the formulations.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been previously classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified pulmonary hypertension into five groups:
Group 1: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH);
Group 2: PH with left heart disease;
Group 3: PH with lung disease and/or hypoxemia;
Group 4: PH due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease; and
Group 5: miscellaneous conditions (e.g., sarcoidosis, histiocytosis X, lymphangiomatosis and compression of pulmonary vessels).
See, for example, Rubin (2004) Chest 126:7-10.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a particular type of PH and is a serious, progressive and life-threatening disease of the pulmonary vasculature, characterized by profound vasoconstriction and an abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the walls of the pulmonary arteries. Severe constriction of the blood vessels in the lungs leads to very high pulmonary arterial pressures. These high pressures make it difficult for the heart to pump blood through the lungs to be oxygenated. Patients with PAH suffer from extreme shortness of breath as the heart struggles to pump against these high pressures. Patients with PAH typically develop significant increases in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and sustained elevations in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), which ultimately lead to right ventricular failure and death. Patients diagnosed with PAH have a poor prognosis and equally compromised quality of life, with a mean life expectancy of 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis if untreated.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the primary member of a family of potent vasoconstrictor peptides, which are known to play an essential role in mammalian cardiovascular physiology. ET-1 is synthesized de novo and released from endothelial cells in response to a variety of factors, including angiotensin II, catecholamines, cytokines, hypoxia and shear stress. Two receptor subtypes, endothelin receptor type A (ETA) and endothelin receptor type B (ETB), mediate the effects of ET-1. In humans, the ETA receptor is preferentially expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and is primarily responsible for the vasoconstrictive effects of ET-1. In contrast, ETB receptors are found mainly in the vascular endothelium, and their activation results in vasodilatation via production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin. The ETB receptor is also involved in regulation of circulating concentrations of ET-1, through effects on endothelin converting enzyme (ECE-1) expression, and the synthesis and reuptake of ET-1 by endothelial cells.
Ambrisentan is a non-sulfonamide, propanoic acid-class endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) with high affinity (˜12 pM) for the ETA receptor. Ambrisentan is approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for once-daily treatment of PAH and is marketed under the trade name Letairis®. Other selective type-A receptor antagonists include sitaxentan, atrasentan, and BQ-123.
Additional drugs such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitor) are also approved for use in treating PAH. PDE5 inhibitors are drugs used to block the degradative action of phosphodiesterase type 5 on cyclic GMP in the arterial wall smooth muscle within the lungs and in the smooth muscle cells lining the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum of the penis.
Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, currently marketed under the name Adcirca® for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The approved dose for pulmonary arterial hypertension is 40 mg (two 20-mg tablets) once daily. Adverse effects of tadalafil include hypotension, vision loss, hearing loss and priapism. Thus, methods of increasing the anti-PH efficacy of selective type-A ERA and PDE5 inhibitors, as well as reducing the potential adverse effects, are highly desirable. Other PDE5 inhibitors on the market or during development include avanafil, lodenafil, mirodenafil, sildenafil citrate, vardenafil and udenafil.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0139593 describes a method for treating pulmonary hypertension, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ambrisentan to a patient, wherein, at baseline, time from the first diagnosis of the condition in the subject is not greater than about two years. Also described is ambrisentan in combination with one or more suitable drugs selected from prostanoids, PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, ERAs, calcium channel blockers, arylalkylamines, dihydropyridine derivatives, piperazine derivatives and other suitable compounds for use in combination therapy.
It has now been discovered that the combination of a selective type-A ERA and a PDE5 inhibitor has beneficial co-action resulting in potent relaxation of pulmonary contractions. For example, the co-action of ambrisentan and tadalafil provides enhanced efficacy in reducing endothelin-induced contraction of rat pulmonary arteries and aortas.

Compositions and methods of treating pulmonary hypertension


Embodiments determine mismatches in evaluations. Embodiments receive a first evaluation of an employee from a supervisor of the employee, the first evaluation including supervisor comment ratings and supervisor numerical ratings, each of the supervisor comment ratings and supervisor numerical ratings corresponding to an evaluation category. Embodiments receive a second evaluation of the employee from the employee, the second evaluation including employee comment ratings and employee numerical ratings, each of the employee comment ratings and employee numerical ratings corresponding to the evaluation category. Embodiments determine first sentiment polarity scores of the supervisor comment ratings and second sentiment polarity scores of the employee comment ratings. Embodiments determine polarity mismatch scores based on the first sentiment polarity scores and the second sentiment polarity scores and determine average differential ratings based on the supervisor numerical ratings and the employee numerical ratings. Embodiments combine the polarity mismatch scores and the average differential ratings.

A performance appraisal, also referred to as a performance review, performance evaluation, or employee appraisal, is a method by which the job performance of an employee is documented and evaluated. Performance appraisals are a part of career development and consist of regular reviews of employee performance within organizations.
Performance appraisals are most often conducted by an immediate manager/supervisor, such as line managers or front-line managers. While assessment can be performed along reporting relationships (usually top-down), net assessment can include peer and self-assessment. Peer assessment is when assessment is performed by colleagues along both horizontal (similar function) and vertical (different function) relationships. Self-assessments are when individuals evaluate themselves.
Peer assessments and self-assessments are increasingly popular and are typically combined as a "360-degree feedback" (also known as multi-rater feedback, multi source feedback, or multi source assessment). 360-degree feedback is a process through which feedback from an employee's subordinates, colleagues, and supervisor(s), as well as a self-evaluation by the employee themselves is gathered. Such feedback can also include, when relevant, feedback from external sources who interact with the employee, such as customers and suppliers or other interested stakeholders. 360-degree feedback is so named because it solicits feedback regarding an employee's behavior from a variety of points of view (subordinate, lateral, and supervisory). It therefore may be contrasted with "downward feedback" (traditional feedback on work behavior and performance delivered to subordinates by supervisory or management employees only), or "upward feedback" delivered to supervisory or management employees by subordinates only.
Organizations have most commonly utilized 360-degree feedback for developmental purposes, providing it to employees to assist them in developing work skills and behaviors. However, organizations are increasingly using 360-degree feedback in performance evaluations and employment decisions (e.g., pay decisions, promotions, etc.). When 360-degree feedback is used for performance evaluation purposes, it is sometimes called a "360-degree review".
However, due to complexities in modeling and data analysis, most organizations rely primarily on or heavily emphasize the supervisor's evaluation over all of the evaluations. Enterprise-wide Human Capital Management systems in general fail to model or perform data analytics on the other sources of evaluations.


The control device for the luminaire of a vehicle has an operating power input (401) for receiving operating power, an illumination output (402) for supplying illumination power to one or more light sources (403), and a power converter (404) coupled between said operating power input (401) and said illumination output (402) for converting received operating power into illumination power, which is directed outside. The power converter (404) has a control connection (405). The control device has a control data connection (406) for transmitting control data, and a controller circuit (407) coupled between said control data connection (406) and said control connection (405). The control device has a control power input (408) separate from said operating power input (401) for receiving control power to said controller circuit (407) independently of said operating power, as well as a galvanic isolation (409) between said control circuit (407) and said power converter (407). The coupling from the controller circuit (407) to said control connection (405) passes through said galvanic isolation (409).

Lighting systems of vehicles differ in many ways from lighting systems used in buildings. Internal electrification of vehicles does not necessarily rely on alternating current network of 230 volts (or 120 volts, or any other standardized mains voltage) as in buildings; instead the most commonly available voltage may be, for example, DC voltage of 12, 24 or 48 volts originating from the battery pack of the vehicle. The electrical system of a vehicle may have several voltage levels available and their availability may vary depending on the situation, for example, whether the vehicle is temporarily connected to an external network. Exposure to motion, vibration and temperature fluctuations places great demands on all electronic components of vehicles. In addition, the components of the vehicle lighting system should be easy to maintain, replace and modify for different purposes.
It is nowadays commonplace in both vehicles and buildings that lighting can be controlled in a centralized way. Several basic solutions are known for providing controllable lighting. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a simple controllable luminaire. The controllable power converter 101 may include, for example, a rectifier (if the operating voltage is AC), filters, and one or more switched-mode power supplies. The light source 102 may be, for example, a LED module in which a plurality of LED chips is mounted on a circuit board and connected as an electric circuit. The controller 103 may be a microprocessor or a microcontroller with possible auxiliary circuits, and it may obtain control data through a separate control bus. The operating voltage of the controller 103 usually originates from the power converter section 101.
FIG. 2 shows a slightly more complex controllable luminaire, in which the controllable power converter comprises a primary section, i.e. first stage 201, and a galvanically isolated secondary section, i.e. second stage 202. Galvanic isolation 203 may be required, for example, in order to improve electrical safety. The controller 204 operates at low voltage, so that it is often most natural to connect it directly to the second stage 202, and to connect it to the first stage 201 over the galvanic isolation 203. The operating voltage to the controller 204 originates also in this case from the power converter section, for example from the first stage 201, over the galvanic isolation 203.
FIG. 3 shows another known controllable luminaire in which all the required power arrives along the same path as the control data. This may for example be a PoE-type solution (Power over Ethernet), where a control bus originally developed for data transmission purposes is also used for transmitting operating power. The controller 301 and the controllable power converter 302 must, of course, be designed so that they are suitable for supplying power through a control bus. Somewhat similar solutions, as regards their principle, are phase angle controlled AC voltage luminaires, which receive control data in form of partially cut half-waves of the AC voltage.
In lighting systems of modern vehicles several requirements are imposed simultaneously on luminaires, some of which may conflict mutually. One requirement which is often emphasized is proactive maintenance, which means that both the luminaires and other devices should be connected to some kind of internal diagnostic system. It collects, stores, and reports data on performance of equipment, which data can then be used to predict the maintenance need of the equipment before it actually fails. However, an electronic device is able to participate in the diagnosis only when it has sufficient operating power available. On the other hand, it is typical for vehicles to wait for long periods, for example, at a railway yard or depot, so that the power system providing power to the devices is disconnected. In addition, all electrically functioning parts of the vehicle should be as energy efficient, safe and secure as possible.

Method and arrangement for controlling lighting in a vehicle


An integrated circuit package is proposed in which a laminar substrate 41 is provided with an aperture 43. A heat-spreader member 1 is mounted to cover this aperture 43, and contains a cavity 3 opening towards the aperture 43 in the substrate 41. A stack of integrated circuit circuits 11, 21, are located with one integrated circuit 21 of the stack inserted into the cavity 3, and one integrated circuit 11 of the stack electrically connected to the substrate 41.

It is well known to provide integrated circuit packages in which integrated circuits (dies), principally composed of semiconductor material, are located within resin bodies. Electrical contacts of each integrated circuit are electrically in contact with corresponding electrical conductors, which protrude out of the resin body.
In one type of package, the integrated circuits are located on a die pad portion of a lead frame with the electric contacts facing away from the lead frame, and wires are formed between the electric contacts and respective lead fingers of the lead frame. The resin is applied to encase the integrated circuits and the wires in the resin body, leaving a portion of the lead frames protruding from the resin body. The lead fingers are then cut to separate them from the remainder of the lead frame, and thus singulate the packages.
An alternative type of integrated circuit is called a "flip chip," which is positioned on (and normally adhered to) a substrate with the electrical contacts facing the substrate, and in electrical contact with corresponding electric contacts provided in the substrate. The electric contacts on the substrate are typically electrically connected to electrically conductive paths formed through the material of the substrate. The flip-chip is typically encased in a resin body, which secures it to the substrate to form a package.
There is pressure to improve integrated circuit packages to increase the number of input/output connections (I/Os), reduce the package footprint, reduce the package thickness and improve the thermal management (that is, reduce the risk of the integrated circuit overheating).
Various proposals have been made to do this, typically proposing that a plurality of dies are packaged into a single package. For example, it is known to provide a plurality of dies inside a single package stacked one above the other with an adhesive paste between them. It is further known to provide two dies placed side-by-side (e.g., on a lead frame) within a single resin body.
One disadvantage with providing a stacked die package assembly is that the thickness of the package is increased. Additionally, there are reliability concerns due to the reduced possibilities for heat dissipation, which in turn lead to an increased risk of overheating.
Conversely, providing the dies side-by-side means that the footprint of the package is increased.

Integrated circuit package employing a heat-spreader member


A method for determining deformations of a body by which the effect of forces on the body is analyzed, including determining the way an equilibrium of forces between internal and external forces for a whole body or a part of it dependent on the material properties and the external boundary conditions comes about, by determining the deformations such that all acting forces are represented by the formulafext+msyst+mA+fs(ext)+ms(syst)=0.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with a method and device to assess deformation of a body by a precise examination of how an influx of energy due to loading causes a deformation.
2. Related Technology
Several procedures are known by which the deformation of a body due to action of forces is assessed.
The known procedures are based on the method to represent the body through a grid of nodes; for every grid node the change of the relative position due to the action of forces is assessed.
These procedures are rather cumbersome for complex body shapes and especially for very precise solutions at small relative scale. For example, the modelling of deformation of a vehicle due to a crash requires an extremely high calculation power.
Although the known procedures employ mathematical models that are in principle fairly simple—the employed mathematical models are essentially based on the work of Euler in the 18th century—there are no procedures known so far that differ fundamentally from the procedures based on Euler.
The inventor has developed a theoretical approach to the theory of deformation which are presented in a number of freely available articles.
The first of these articles, "An approach to deformation theory based on Boyle's law. I. The concept, and kinematics of pure shear" offers a concept to assess the kinematics of deformation of a solid based on an adaptation of the ideal equation of state PV=nRT. This theory makes it possible to consider deformation involving both isotropic and anisotropic materials and/or boundary conditions.
Further developments to the kinematics of deformation have been presented in the article "An approach to deformation theory based on Boyle's law. II. Kinematics of simple shear, and some energetic considerations."
The necessity to consider a full deformation in three dimensions even for very simple geometric setups is explained in the article "An approach to deformation theory based on Boyle's law. III. Three-dimensional properties of plane-strain deformation: origin of conjugate joint sets, sheath folds in plastic shear zones, and turbulence in viscous flow."

Method and device for determining deformations


A multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus comprises a carrier having a print head, a cassette mounting member rockably supported on the carrier, and a fine adjustment mechanism attached to the cassette mounting member, for finely rocking the mounting member. The fine adjustment mechanism includes a guide member fixed to the cassette mounting member, a follower piece guided by the guide member to engage a helical cam for shifting the position of the cassette mounting member, and a position adjusting member for relatively moving the guide member and the follower piece.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus which is used in a color printer for multi-color printing, and in which a multi-color ribbon cassette having a multi-color ribbon therein is shifted with respect to a print head.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a color printer is designed so that a multi-color ribbon cassette, having a multi-color ribbon therein, is shifted with respect to a print head to select ink colors on the ribbon for color printing. A multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus is used for the selection of the ink colors on the multi-color ribbon. Conventionally, the position adjusting apparatus comprises a shifting mechanism for actually shifting the position of the ribbon cassette, with respect to the print head, and a fine adjustment mechanism for fine adjustment such that the ribbon is regularly positioned with respect to the print head.
Disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 62-253480 is a multi-color ribbon cassette shifting mechanism, which is arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The construction of this conventional shifting mechanism will now be described in brief.
A carrier 51, which holds a print head 50 thereon, is supported for movement along carrier shafts 56. A ribbon plate 53 for holding a multi-color ribbon cassette 52 is urged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carrier 51, and is shiftable in this direction. A cam shaft 57, which extends parallel to the carrier shafts 56, is provided with a cam 54 which moves together with the carrier 51. The ribbon plate 53 is fitted with a cam follower 55 which engages the cam 54. As the cam 54 is rotated by means of the shaft 57, the ribbon cassette 52, along with the plate 53, shifts its position in the direction of the arrow. The cassette 52 contains a multi-color ribbon coated with different ink colors which are divided in the direction of the arrow.
In this arrangement, a paper sheet traveling on a cylindrical platen 58, part of which is exposed from a table 60, is subjected to color printing by moving the carrier 51 along the carrier shafts 56 and shifting the multi-color ribbon cassette 52 for ink color selection in the direction of the arrow.
Constructed in this manner, however, the multi-color ribbon cassette shifting mechanism is subject to the following drawbacks.
The ink colors of the multi-color ribbon are alternatively selected by moving the multi-color ribbon cassette 52 in the direction of the arrow. In order to select required colors without fail, therefore, the cam shaft 57 for holding the cam 54 must be kept accurately parallel to the carrier shafts 56. In the shifting mechanism shown in FIG. 1, however, the shaft 57 receives the urging force of the ribbon plate 53 through the cam follower 55, so that it is liable to deflection.
If the parallelism of the shaft 57 to the shafts 56 is inaccurate due to this deflection, the position of the ribbon plate 53 relative to the carrier 51 varies, and the ink colors cannot be accurately shifted with respect to the print head 50, so that the paper sheet may possibly undergo color mixture printing. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to adjust the parallelism of the cam shaft 57 to the carrier shafts 56, thus entailing higher cost.
In some cases, each color of the multi-color ribbon may not be able to be located in position with respect to the print head 50, due to machining or assembling errors of the plate 53, cam 54, etc. Accordingly, two color coat portions of the ribbon may simultaneously get hit by the print head 50, for example, possibly resulting in color mixture printing on the paper sheet.
Conventionally, therefore, the multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus comprises a fine adjustment mechanism for finely adjusting the position of the multi-color ribbon cassette 52 with respect to the print head 50 in order to compensate the machining or assembling errors. However, no such adjustment mechanism is described in the aforementioned patent application.
FIG. 2 illustrates another conventional example of a multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus which comprises a shifting mechanism for actually shifting the position of the multi-color ribbon cassette, with respect to the print head, and a multi-color ribbon cassette fine adjustment mechanism for fine adjustment such that the ribbon is regularly positioned with respect to the print head.
The shifting mechanism of this position adjusting apparatus is provided with a ribbon plate 53a for holding a multi-color ribbon cassette 52 which contains a multi-color ribbon 52a. A follower piece 75, which is formed at one end portion of the plate 53a, is in engagement with a helical guide portion 73 formed on a shift cam 71 which rotates around an axis 72. The other end portion of the ribbon plate 53a is pivotally supported on a carrier 51a so as to be rockable around pivots 62.
A drive motor 66, which is mounted on the carrier 51a, drives a train of gears 67 and 68 to rotate the shift cam 71. As the cam 71 rotates, the ribbon plate 53a, holding the multi-color ribbon cassette 52 thereon, is rocked around the pivots 62 through the medium of the helical guide portion 73 and the follower piece 75 in engagement with each other. By doing this, the position of the ribbon cassette 52 relative to the print head 50 is shifted.
Further, the shift cam 71 is provided with the multi-color ribbon fine adjustment mechanism 80, which serves to finely move the cam 71 in the direction of the axis 72. As the shift cam 71 finely moves in this manner, the ribbon plate 53a is slightly rocked around the pivots 62 through the medium of the helical guide portion 73 and the follower piece 75. By doing this, the multi-color ribbon 52a can be finely adjusted so that it is regularly positioned with respect to the print head 50.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the arrangement of the multi-color ribbon fine adjustment mechanism in detail. This mechanism comprises a shift cam stud 81 for supporting the shift cam 71 for rotation and movement in the direction of the axis 72, and an adjusting nut 82 which threadedly engages a thread portion 81a of the stud 81 so that the position of the cam 71 with respect to the direction of the axis 72 is shiftable. The fine adjustment mechanism further comprises members (wave washer 84, shift cam washer 85, E-ring 86, and adjusting spring 87) for preventing vibration of the shift cam 71 in rotation, and a stabilizer nut 88 for preventing the nut 82 from being unexpectedly rotated by vibration or the like.
This multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus, however, is subject to the following drawbacks. As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-color ribbon cassette fine adjustment mechanism has a complicated construction, including many components, so that it is difficult to reduce its size and cost.

Multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus


The present invention relates to a dishwasher. In more detail, the present invention provides a dishwasher including a sump housing for holding washing water, a washing water pumping unit for pumping the washing water, a drain chamber for receiving the washing water pumped thus, a soil chamber for receiving the washing water through the drain chamber, a guide assembly for guiding the washing water pumped thus to be provided to the soil chamber via the drain chamber, and a sump cover covered on an upper surface of the sump housing for filtering the washing water overflowed from the soil chamber, thereby filtering the washing water effectively, and improving recovery ratio of the washing water to reduce consumption of the washing water and power.

The dishwasher sprays detergent and washing water to dishes, to wash dishes automatically.
The dishwasher is provided with at least one rack in a tub for placing dishes thereon, a sump for holding washing water, and at least one spray unit for spraying washing water to the dishes.
In the related art dishwasher, the washing water is pumped from the sump to the spray unit, lead to a spray arm along a washing water pipe, and sprayed to the dishes.
The washing water washed the dishes is recovered to the sump, and supplied to the spray unit again for spraying to the dishes.
Such a repetitive use of the washing water leads to increase foreign matters in the washing water, gradually.
According to this, washing performance is impaired, and the foreign matter is liable to block a filter at the sump. If the filter is blocked, an excessive pressure become to exert to the filter, to result in deformation of the filter.


A spindle motor includes a base portion and a bearing mechanism. A fixing region, which includes a first region at which the base portion and the bearing mechanism are fixed to each other and a second region at which a seal gap is defined between the base portion and the bearing mechanism, is located between an inner circumferential portion of the base portion which defines a through hole and an outer circumferential portion of the bearing mechanism. The inner circumferential portion of the base portion has, at least in the second region, a degree of surface roughness greater than a degree of surface roughness of the outer circumferential portion of the bearing mechanism. The seal gap gradually decreases in radial width with increasing height, and includes an adhesive along an entire circumference of the seal gap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spindle motor and more specifically to a spindle motor for use in a disk drive apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in accordance with increased storage density of disks, there has been a demand for disk drive apparatuses, such as hard disk drives, to control rotation of the disks, movement of heads, and so on with high precision. In a known hard disk drive (HDD) disclosed in JP-A 2006-40423, a gas arranged in an interior of the HDD is a low-density gas, such as a helium gas or a hydrogen gas, and the HDD is thereby arranged to achieve a reduction in resistance of the gas against a disk, a head, and so on during rotation of a spindle motor. The reduction in the resistance of the gas against the disk, the head, and so on contributes to reducing vibration of the disk, the head, and so on, enabling highly precise data recording.
Bases of some spindle motors (hereinafter referred to simply as "motors") installed in HDDs are defined by portions of housings of the HDDs. In the case where the interior of the HDD is filled with a gas such as a helium gas or the like as described in JP-A 2006-40423, the helium gas, for example, which has extremely small molecules, tends to easily leak out of the interior of the HDD to an outside of the HDD. Therefore, in the case where a shaft is fixed in a through hole defined in the base, it is not easy to ensure sufficient sealing of a region in which the base and the shaft are fixed to each other.

Spindle motor, and disk drive apparatus including the spindle motor