A process for cultivating a microorganism transformed with a recombinant plasmid at least containing (a) a DNA fragment containing a promoter and a regulator gene tnaC located downstream of the promoter in a tryptophanase operon (tna), and (b) a DNA fragment containing a desired structural gene which can be expressed by the promoter, which comprises cultivating the transformed microorganism in a culture medium while adding glucose as a carbon source continuously or intermittently so that the concentration of glucose is maintained within the range of 0.01 to 0.3%, and thereby allowing the desired structural gene to be expressed in the microorganism.

This invention relates to a process for cultivating a microorganism which comprises cultivating a microorganism transformed with a recombinant plasmid containing the desired structural gene derived from an animal, plant or microorganism which can be expressed by a promoter in a tryptophanase operon, and thereby producing large amounts of the desired gene product, to novel recombinant plasmids which can be used in the process, and to microorganism transformed with the plasmids.
There have recently been striking advances in the DNA recombinant technology of producing large amounts of useful substances by using host microorganisms containing recombinant plasmids which include homologous or heterologous DNA fragments bearing encoding the genetic information of useful substances derived from animals, plants or microorganisms. Production of insulin or interferon using Escherichia coli as a host microorganism has already been under way.
In spite of the advances in the DNA recombinant technology, however, no process for producing large amounts of the desired useful substance using recombinant plasmids containing the desired structural gene has yet been established, and the development of a process for cultivating transformants efficiently is urgently in need.
On the other hand, the regulation of expression of a tryptophanase operon (TNa) is controlled by a mechanism, called "catabolite repression" (J. L. Botsford and R. D. DeMoss; J. Bacteriol, 1971, 105, 303-312). It is known that in a culture medium containing glucose as a main carbon source, the expression of the tryptophanase structural gene is very strongly incubated.
Although the promoter in the tryptophanase operon has a high potential to express the desired structural gene, it is necessary to use an expensive carbon source for cultivation such as succinic acid instead of glucose. It is a great problem to develop an efficient gene expression system potentiated by the tna promoter that uses glucose, which is cheap and industrially valuable, but up to the present invention it could not be used as a carbon source for cultivation.
The present inventors extensively studied the effective utilization of the promoter in the tryptophanase operon (tna), and consequently found that by placing a DNA fragment (b) containing the structural gene downstream of a DNA fragment (a) containing both a tna promoter and a regulatory gene tnaC in this order, not only the tryptophanase structural gene but also a foreign structural gene can be expressed strongly by the above promoter.
The regulatory gene tnaC is a short coding region which is located between the tryptophanase promoter and tryptophanase structural gene tnaA and is responsible for the regulation of expression of the tryptophanase operon through a mode, called "transcriptional antitermination" [V. Stewart and C. Yanofsky; J. Bacteriol., 164 (1985) 731-740].
In spite of the fact that a microorganism transformed with a recombinant plasmid containing at least the DNA fragments (a) and (b) undergoes the above-mentioned catabolite repression (the inhibition of gene expression by glucose), if glucose is added continuously or intermittently so that its concentration is maintained at a specified low value in a culture medium containing L- or DL-tryptophan, the present inventors surprisingly found that the transformed microorganism does not undergo catabolite repression, and the desired gene was expressed highly, and the expression product can be obtained in large amounts.
As a method of cultivating a microorganism while glucose is added to the culture medium continuously or intermittently in some low concentrations, Japanese Patent Publication No. 42555/1986 already disclosed a method of cultivating a tryptophan synthase-producing Escherichia coli strain by adding glucose continuously or intermittently so that its concentration in the culture medium is maintained at 1% or less.
It is known that the expression of a tryptophan synthase gene is controlled by a promoter in a tryptophan operon, and this gene expression mechanism does not undergo catabolite repression.
In fact, Agr. Biol. Chem., 38 (7), 1335-1334, 1974 states that when tryptophan synthase-producing Escherichia coli, was cultivated in a medium containing glucose at 0.5 and 1.8% concentration, the tryptophan synthase activity of the cells was 2.4 and 7.3 U/ml respectively, showing that the enzyme activity increases as the concentration of glucose increases. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 268175/1986 discloses that when cultivating the tryptophan synthase-producing Escherichia coli with a concentration of glucose in the culture medium maintained at 0.5 to 5%, the tryptophan synthase activity shows the highest value.
The above-cited Japanese Patent Publication No. 42555/1986 discloses in the example, that, compared to the values attained at the glucose concentration in the medium initially set at 5.0%, cells yield increased to 2.69 times and the enzyme activity increased 1.80 times (glucose concentration of 1%), cell yield and enzyme activity increased 3.1 times and 2.15 times for a (glucose concentration maintained 0.05%). From the results, at lower concentrations of glucose, both the cells yield and the enzyme activity tended to show an increase. But the difference is only slight. There is no disclosure that tryptophan synthase gene is expressed by the promoter of the tryptophanase operon (tna). Furthermore, when the gene expression is inhibited by catabolite repression, only the expression of the gene is inhibited irrespective of the cell growth. As stated above, the Escherichia coli used in Japanese Patent Publication No. 42555/1986 is controlled by glucose both in the amount of the cells recovered and the enzyme activity.
It is considered that the phenomenon disclosed in Patent Publication No. 42555/1986 is entirely different from "catabolite repression" and is quite unique and specific only for Escherichia coli strains cited in the above patent document.
As far as the present inventors know, there has been no disclosure on the cultivation methods of recombinant Escherichia coli strains utilizing the tna mediated gene promoter expression system.

Cultivation of transformed microorganisms

Research Association for Utilization of Light Oil


An engine breaker includes a vertically extending cylindrical main body (1), a work member (2) supported by a lower portion of the main body for up and down movement, an engine (5) mounted to an upper portion of the main body and having an output shaft arranged to extend horizontally, and a striker (30) incorporated in the main body (1) for successively striking an upper end of the work member (2) through rotation of a horizontally extending rotary shaft (6) to which rotation output of the engine (1) is transmitted. The engine (5) includes a housing (5a) supported by the main body (1) via a resilient member (8), and a flexible coupling (9, 9A, 9B) for absorbing vibration in a direction crossing the rotary shaft (6) is interposed between the output shaft (52) and the rotary shaft (6).

A breaking apparatus generally called a concrete breaker is used for breaking a hard object such as asphalt or concrete at a road construction site or a building construction site, for example. In a typical breaker, an engine mounted at an upper portion of the main body drives a striker. The striker, when driven, causes a work member supported by a lower portion of the main body to move up and down to break the hard object. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of prior art engine breaker. The engine breaker 100 includes a vertically extending cylindrical main body 1, a work member 2 supported by a lower portion of the main body for up and down movement, an engine 105 mounted to an upper portion of the main body 1, and a striker 30 incorporated in the main body 1 for successively striking an upper end of the work member 2 by the driving of the engine 105.
The main body 1 includes a cylindrical member 11, and a crank case 12 mounted to an upper portion of the cylindrical member 11. The cylindrical member 11 and the crank case 12 incorporate a hammer 3 and a crank mechanism 4, respectively, which will be described later. The work member 2 may be a chisel having a drill-like tip end, and a base end inserted in the cylindrical member 11.
The engine 105 is so arranged that the output shaft thereof extends horizontally and transmits the rotation output to a rotary shaft 6 incorporated in the crank case 12 of the main body 1. The rotary shaft 6 is so arranged in the crank case 12 as to extend horizontally. The engine 105 is mounted to the main body 1 via an engine mount plate 7a having an L-shaped cross section. Specifically, a side surface and a lower surface of a housing of the engine 105 are screwed to the engine mount plate 7a, and the engine mount plate 7a in this state is screwed to a side surface of the crank case 12 of the main body 1. As the engine 105, a two-cycle engine with a displacement of about 50 cc is generally used.
The striker 30 includes a crank mechanism 4 operated by the rotation of the rotary shaft 6, and a hammer 3 which moves up and down by the operation of the crank mechanism 4. The hammer 3 has a front end for contacting the work member 2.
Unlike a breaker in which a hammer 3 moves up and down by utilizing an expansion force of compressed air, the engine breaker 100 is not connected to an external apparatus such as a compressor for generating compressed air, and hence is relatively easy to handle.
In the engine breaker 100, however, the main body 1 vibrates much due to the reaction in moving the hammer 3 by the crank mechanism 4 and the impact in striking the work member 2 with the hammer 3. As a result, the housing of the engine 105 mounted to the main body 1 may be deformed at a portion close to the main body 1 or the engine 105 itself may vibrate to result in a change in the positional relationship between the structural parts of the engine disposed inside or outside of the housing. Such a condition may lead to the malfunction or failure of the engine 105. Therefore, to enhance the durability of the engine breaker 100, the wall thickness of the housing of the engine 105 may be made to about 5 to 6 mm, which is considerably larger than the wall thickness (2 to 3 mm) of a general two-cycle engine with a displacement of about 50 cc. Therefore, such a general engine cannot be used as the engine 100, which leads to an increase of the manufacturing cost of the engine breaker 100. Further, the weight of the engine 105 having a housing made of diecast aluminum becomes about 8 kg, which is considerably larger than the weight (about 3 kg) of a general engine. In this way, the large wall thickness of the housing makes it difficult to reduce the weight of the engine breaker 100.


A multiplex writing implement comprises a plurality of writing elements, at least one which is a mechanical pencil writing element, which can be selectively projected and retracted from the front opening of the front barrel section by rotating a middle barrel section relative to the front barrel section. An eraser can be extended by rotation of a cap relative to the middle barrel section. The implement includes the following resin molded components, namely, a guide cylinder, front barrel section, cylindrical cam, middle barrel section, cap, and an eraser guide sleeve. The front half portion of the guide cylinder is fixed to the front barrel section and is attached rotatably in its rear half portion to the middle barrel section. The guide cylinder contains a plurality of writing elements fit in respective grooves and movable axially. The cylindrical cam is attached rotatably into the rear end of the guide cylinder, and is disposed in the middle barrel section, locked from relative turning. At the rear end of the cylindrical cam, projecting from the middle barrel section, the eraser guide sleeve is integrally joined. The cap, with a spiral slot formed thereinside, is rotatably attached. Inside the cap is an eraser holder, with an eraser that is locked against rotation and has a projection engaging the spiral slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplex writing implement, and more particularly to a multiplex writing implement comprising a plurality of writing elements, at least one of which is a mechanical pencil, and whose writing tips can be alternately projected and retracted from the top opening of the front barrel section thereof; and an eraser which can be projected and retracted from the rear end of the cap thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of writing implements have been proposed and provided which include plural writing elements, at least one of which is a mechanical pencil, and whose writing tips can be selectively projected and retracted from a top opening of a front barrel, namely a multiplex writing implement.
The present applicant has made several proposals relating to the aforesaid multiplex implement.
Of these proposals, there is disclosed a Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. sho-64-3419 (published in 1989), which will be referred to as a first prior art example hereinafter. A multiplex writing implement in accordance with the first prior art example includes two writing elements each having a sliding piece at the rear end thereof. A guide cylinder having guide grooves for guiding these writing elements is provided securely fixed to a front barrel section of the device to contain and cover these writing elements. The implement is also provided with a cylindrical cam having at its front end a slanted cam surface which comes in sliding contact with the aforesaid sliding pieces, and a knocker at the rear ends thereof. The cylindrical cam can move in an axial direction with respect to a cap and rotate integrally with the cap in a circular direction. With this arrangement, the two writing elements can be selectively projected and retracted from the top or front opening of the front barrel section by rotation of the cap with respect to the front barrel.
The implement according to the first prior art example, however has a drawback, that is, it is difficult to take out the knock cover when an eraser is to be used.
Another proposal is disclosed by Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. sho-60-120889 (published in 1985) which will be referred to as a second prior art example herein. A multiplex writing implement according to the second prior art example, is structured such that a crown-shaped member projected out from the rear end of a cap is rotated to allow an eraser to project and retract.
The second prior art example has an advantage in that the drawback of the first prior art example, stated above, can be eliminated, but the implement of the second prior art example requires numerous metal components in various parts, and each component has a complicated structure, resulting in high cost.
Moreover, in the multiplex writing implement of the second prior art example, the crown-shaped member projected out from the cap is hard to hold with fingers due to its shortness, thus giving rise to difficulty in projecting and retracting the eraser.


A method for determining signal quality in optical transmission systems, wherein the effective signal-to-noise ratio is determined by measuring amplitude histograms of a signal and by calculating characteristic histogram moments and additional interference is ascertained by comparing the characteristic histogram moments with the optical signal-to-noise ratio.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the signal quality in optical transmission systems and for determining interfering effects.
In the future, transmission networks will be embodied as optical networks via which data will be transmitted at extremely high bit rates using the wavelength division multiplex method. In this context, extensive transparency of the networks is sought. However, in the required monitoring of the signal quality, it is then no longer possible to ascertain a violation of code rules; for example, in the case of error correcting codes. Therefore, methods are being developed which enable the signal quality to be assessed independently thereof.
In a method described in published patent application DE 195 04 856, amplitude samples are taken asynchronously with respect to the signal clock and the central moments of the sample are calculated therefrom. These are then compared with empirically obtained reference values in order to derive therefrom a statement about the signal quality.
Patent application DE 198 12 078 specifies a further method for determining the signal quality, which makes it possible to make reliable statements about the signal quality. In this method, the outer edges of a histogram which specifies the probability of the occurrence of different voltage values representing the logic states 0 and 1 are evaluated.
This method is developed further in an earlier application DE 199 14 793. In this case, the measuring arrangements allow not only a shift of the thresholds but also a shift of the sampling instants, as a result of which the eye opening can be determined. The determination of the distribution densities of the samples as a function of the amplitude values is effected by deriving a probability distribution which specifies the frequency of the occurrence of one of the two binary states as a function of the sampling threshold.
Attempts likewise are being made to obtain from the histograms knowledge about interfering influences on the transmission link. However, if different interfering effects occur simultaneously, the evaluation of the probability density distribution suffices for identifying and quantifying the effects. In the event of the simultaneous transmission of a number of signals, multichannel effects that occur, such as cross phase modulation (XPM), four wave mixing (FWM), stimulated Raman cross-talk (SRS-XT) and coherent/incoherent cross-talk (XT), all bring about, on statistical average, a Gaussian widening of the probability density distribution of sampling amplitudes and are, thus, indistinguishable.
It is an object of the present invention to specify a method with which the signal quality can be determined as well as the essential transmission properties. Furthermore, the present intention is to identify interfering effects and ascertain the magnitude thereof.

Method for determining signal quality in optical transmission systems


The present invention relates to the isolation and identification of novel baboon nucleic acid molecules and proteins and polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, or degenerate variants thereof, which proteins and polypeptides comprise novel baboon thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitors or “TAFI” enzyme molecules. Because the novel baboon TAFI proteins and polypeptides of the invention inhibit the breakdown of blood clots, they may be therapeutically useful for the treatment of blood disorders wherein clotting needs to be regulated or promoted, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease or in other situations, such as trauma, wherein blood clotting or coagulation needs to be regulated or promoted. The sequences of the invention are also useful in screening methods for the identification of compounds that modulate the expression of the baboon TAFI nucleic acids and/or the activity of the baboon TAFI proteins and polypeptides of the invention. Such agonist or antagonist compounds may be useful in the treatment of various blood clotting disorders and conditions requiring hemostatic control such as hemophilia or various thrombotic diseases such as deep venous thrombosis, coronary artery disease, stroke associated with atrial fibrillation and recurrent thrombosis following stroke or myocardial infarction.

The control of blood flow in the body is regulated by two competing pathways or cascades: the coagulation cascade and the fibrinolytic cascade. In the coagulation cascade, which promotes blood clot formation, the thrombin enzyme cleaves fibrinogen leading to the formation of a clot comprised of insoluble fibrin mononers. In the fibrinolytic cascade, which promotes clot dissolution, plasminogen is converted to plasmin, which degrades fibrin and thus acts to eliminate fibrin clots. These two pathways are balanced in a healthy body via various promoters and inhibitors of the separate cascades. For example, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a protein enzyme that promotes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Maintaining a proper balance between the fibrinolytic and coagulation cascades is important in maintaining the blood in an appropriate fluid state in the vasculature while minimizing, via appropriate blood clotting, any blood loss which may occur upon trauma to the body.
TAFI enzymes are proteins that inhibit fibrinolysis by inhibiting the conversion by t-PA of plasminogen to plasmin, thus inhibiting the formation of the plasmin protein that promotes blood clot degradation. Thus, TAFI proteins promote blood coagulation. More specifically, the TAFI protein is a 60 kD glycoprotein present in human plasma, which protein is cleaved by thrombin or a thrombin-thrombomodulin complex to its activated form, a 92 residue activation peptide bearing a catalytic domain. The TAFI protein cleaves C-terminal lysine and arginine from partially-degraded fibrin, thus preventing binding and efficient activation of plasminogen to plasmin. For a review of TAFI proteins and their activities, see Bouma et al., 2001, Thrombosis Research 101: 329–354.
The TAFI protein is also known in the art as plasma carboxypeptidase B ("PCPB"). Carboxypeptidase enzymes are known to hydrolyze carboxyl-terminal amide bonds of polypeptides. More specifically, PCPB hydrolyzes carboxyl-terminal amide bonds wherein the adjoining carboxy-terminal amino acids are Lys or Arg (Eaton et al., 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266: 21833–21838). The DNA sequence encoding human PCPB and its deduced amino acid sequence are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,161 (see also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,364,934, 5,474,901, and 5,593,674). Two naturally-occurring polymorphs of human PCPB are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,562.
In view of their function in inhibiting the fibrinolytic cascade, the baboon TAFI proteins and polypeptides of the invention are useful for treating blood disorders wherein clotting needs to be regulated or promoted, such as hemophilia. The present nucleic acids, proteins and polypeptides are also useful in screening assays for other proteins and factors that can modulate TAFI activity and hence, the fibrinolytic and/or coagulation cascades.

Nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides encoding baboon TAFI


A direct-conversion receiver includes an analog stage for receiving an incident signal from a transmission channel, mixers and programmable-gain amplifiers. The receiver further includes at least one compensation module having input and output terminals respectively connected between the output of the mixers and the input of the programmable-gain amplifiers. The compensation module compensates for both a static DC voltage offset and a possible dynamic DC voltage offset of the analog stage.

In a wireless communication system, a base station communicates with a plurality of remote terminals, such as cellular mobile telephones. Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) are the traditional multiple access schemes for delivering simultaneous services to a number of terminals. The basic idea underlying FDMA and TDMA systems is based upon sharing the available resource, respectively as several frequencies or as several time intervals, so that several terminals can operate simultaneously without causing interference.
Telephones operating according to the GSM standard belong to the FDMA and TDMA systems in the sense that transmission and reception are performed at different frequencies and also at different time intervals. Moreover, a GSM signal is a phase-modulated signal which has a constant envelope. Stated otherwise, the amplitude of the modulation is constant.
In contrast to these systems using frequency division or time division, the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) systems allow multiple users to share a common frequency and a common time channel by using coded modulation. Among the CDMA systems, mention may be made of the CDMA 2000 system, the WCDMA system (Wide Band CDMA) or the IS-95 standard.
In CDMA systems, a scrambling code is associated with each base station making it possible to distinguish one base station from another. Furthermore, an orthogonal code, known as an OVSF code, is allotted to each remote terminal. The remote terminal may be a cellular mobile telephone, for example. All the OVSF codes are mutually orthogonal, thus making it possible to distinguish one remote terminal from another.
Before sending a signal over the transmission channel to a remote terminal, the signal has been scrambled and spread by the base station using the scrambling code of the base station and the OVSF code of the remote terminal. In CDMA systems, it is again possible to distinguish between those which use a distinct frequency for transmission and reception (CDMA-FDD system), and those which use a common frequency for transmission and reception but with distinct time domains (CDMA-TDD system).
In contrast to communication systems having a constant-envelope modulation, like the GSM system, CDMA systems use a modulated signal which has a non-constant envelope. Stated otherwise, such a signal is phase-modulated and amplitude-modulated, and the amplitude of the modulation is not constant.
In a terminal of a wireless communication system, the direct conversion or transposition to a zero intermediate frequency is an alternative to a superheterodyne architecture. This is especially well suited for very highly integrated architectural terminal configurations.
A direct-conversion receiver, i.e., a receiver with a zero intermediate frequency (zero-IF receiver), converts the band of the useful signal directly around the zero frequency (baseband) instead of converting it to an intermediate frequency on the order of a few hundred MHz.
A direct-conversion receiver is the most beneficial radio frequency architecture, not only because it makes it possible to obtain very high levels of integration by reducing the number of external components, but also for its capability of permitting multistandard receptions. Such an architecture unfortunately exhibits some drawbacks, such as a DC voltage offset and second-order distortion.
Two different types of DC voltage offsets have to be considered, namely a static or temporally unvarying offset, and a temporally varying or dynamic offset. The static offset is due to matching errors in the method of manufacturing the receiver, while the dynamic offset stems mainly from the non-linear characteristics and from leakages between the inputs of the mixers of the receiver.
Also, this voltage offset added to the transposed signal may be significant enough to saturate the high-gain amplification stages. This causes a loss of information, thereby appreciably increasing the bit error rate (BER). All the approaches to this problem which have been developed for constant-envelope modulations, such as in GSM systems for example, are not suitable for systems using modulation with a non-constant envelope, such as in CDMA-FDD systems for example.

Direct-conversion receiver for a communication system using a modulation with non-constant envelope


Disclosed is a magnetic circuit operable in multiple axes in an optical pick-up actuator. The optical pick-up actuator includes: a lens holder for receiving and moving an object lens in a predetermined direction; a magnetic circuit having; a plurality of coils series and parallel connected and attached to both sides of the lens holder; a yoke and a magnet faced with the coils, for generating and inducing different polarities in perpendicular directions. With such construction, the actuator moves the lens holder to tracking, focusing, tilting directions under control of a direction and intensity of a current by the magnetic circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical pick-up actuator and more particularly to an optical pick-up actuator operable in multiple axes.
2. Background of the Related Art
Generally, an optical pick-up actuator plays a role of maintaining constant relative position between an object lens and an optical recording medium (e.g. a disk) by moving elements (bobbin, lens holder, etc.) including an object lens. Also, the optical pick-up actuator plays a role of recording information and playing recorded information by tracing a track of an optical recording medium.
FIG. 1 is a view of a structure for an optical pick-up actuator of a related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the optical pick-up actuator of a related art is of a structure such that an object lens 101 is mounted on a lens holder 102, a focusing coil 105 for performing focusing being attached on a periphery of the lens holder 102, a tracking coil 106 wired in an appropriate direction, for performing tracking being attached on each corner section.
Also, a permanent magnet 103 is fixed on the inner surface of a U-shaped yoke 104 which is a member of ferromagnetic material positioned on right and left of the lens holder 102, and the yoke 104 is integrally formed together with a pick-up base (not shown) by integrating means.
A fixing unit 108 is joined to the central part on the lateral side of the upper and the lower part of such lens holder 102, one end of two parallel wire suspensions 107 being fixed in each of the fixing units 108, and the other end of the wire suspension 107 being fixed in a main PCB 111 through a frame 109 located on one side of the lens holder 102.
Here, a damper (not shown) is joined in the inside of the frame 109 so that the wire suspension 107 having rigid property may have attenuation characteristics and a main PCB (not shown) is joined in the outside of the frame so that the other end of the wire suspension 107 maybe fixed in a soldering manner.
Such wire suspension 107 raises the lens holder 102, playing a role of supplying a current as a relay line.
Operation of the actuator having the foregoing construction will be described in the following. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a focusing coil 105 is wired in vertical direction unlike a tracking coil, so that magnetic flux is generated in up and down direction upon flowing of a current i, interacting with magnetic flux of a fixed magnet 103, whereby force is generated, in vertical direction, at the focusing coil 105. Thanks to such vertical force, the lens holder 102 is moved in a focusing direction (vertically up and down) and a focusing servo operates for correcting a focusing error.
The tracking coils 106 attached on the lens holder 102 are appropriately wired each other, for generating magnetic flux in a predetermined direction upon flowing of a current, interacting with magnetic force of the fixed magnet 103, whereby repulsive force is generated. Thanks to such repulsive force, the lens holder 102 is moved in tracking direction (right and left), whereby a tracking servo operates for correcting a tracking error.
A type such that the coils 105 and 106 are wired on the outer periphety of the lens holder 102 and moved in the tracking and the focusing directions together with the lens holder 102, is referred to as a moving coil type. On the contrary, a type such that a magnet is attached on the outer periphery of the lens holder 102 and moved together with the lens holder 102, is referred to as a moving magnet type. At the moment, movement types by the magnet and the coil make use of Lorenz force by Fleming's left-hand rule.
Such optical pick-up actuator 100 moves using coils operable by magnetic field of permanent magnet, whereby an object lens is moved to a predetermined desired position on an optical recording medium. At the moment, the lens holder, which is a moving part of the optical pick-up actuator, is fixed by the wire suspension having rigid property and attenuation characteristics, so that a predetermined frequency characteristics is provided. Also, the lens holder performs a translational motion in the focusing and the tracking directions which are two mutually perpendicular directions, and motion should be performed without unnecessary vibration such as rotation and twisting.
But, in the structure as shown in FIG. 1, sufficient control for reading and writing recorded information could not be made in response to a disk of high density. Namely, as capacity of a disk increases, data recorded per unit length of a track formed on a disk increases, and a number of tracks themselves formed on a disk increases.
In a record density of a general disk, a width of a track itself and an interval between tracks are useful so that data could be sequentially and sufficiently accessed by only movements of the pick-up itself and the lens of the actuator, but in a disk format of high density, data could not be exactly accessed by the actuator of a related art.
To resolve such problems, as shown in FIG. 3, a tilt component needs to be corrected so that a laser beam reflected through the reflecting mirror 112 may be exactly projected to a reflection plane of an optical disk 110 by an object lens 101.
But, to correct a tilt component according to movement of the lens holder 102, the actuator should operate in a tilting motion mode in a radial direction as well as the translational motions in the tracking and the focusing directions. According to the related art structure, however, operation in the tilting motion mode is not possible.

Magnetic circuit for moving a lens holder of an optical pick-up actuator


Systems and methods for measuring RCS patterns of large targets in a compact target range having limited size. The present invention utilizes a compact range whose sweet spot (corresponding to the imaged area of the target) is much smaller than the target size. Inverse synthetic array radar (ISAR) images of successive sections of the target are registered to form a composite image of the whole target. The image is then Fourier transformed to generate an RCS value of the full target. This procedure is repeated for successive measurement angles, an RCS versus .theta. plot is generated corresponding to the RCS pattern of the target. The multiple images may be generated by translating the target and computing RCS plots of the target by combining the multiple images produced during translation, or generating the the multiple images by moving feeds or using multiple feeds of the ISAR system.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for measuring RCS patterns of large targets, and more particularly, to a system and methods for measuring RCS patterns of large targets in a compact target range of limited size.
It has not previously been possible to measure the radar cross section (RCS) of large targets in an indoor compact range. This is because conventional techniques used to make such RCS measurements are prohibitively expensive. Such ranges require reflectors whose sizes are at least twice the size of the target and a chamber whose height and width are each more than three times the size of the target. Furthermore, these items increase dramatically in cost as the sizes of the reflectors and chambers increase. Measurement of the RCS patterns of large targets in a compact range of limited size is of interest to those skilled in the art since the cost of building a chamber is estimated at roughly one million dollars per foot of target length.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide for apparatus and methods that permits RCS measurements of large targets in existing lower cost and smaller size chambers.

Beam summing apparatus for RCS measurements of large targets


Articles (other than fiber) made from polybenzazole dopes can quickly be washed to remove polyphosphoric acid by a combination of initially washing with an acidic liquid and second washing with a hot leaching fluid at at least about 60.degree. C. The process can reach acceptable residual phosphorous levels (1500-2000 ppm) in as little as about 2 or 3 minutes.

This application relates to the art of making polybenzazole films, three-dimensional shaped articles and other shaped articles except for fibers.
It is well-known to polymerize polybenzazole polymers in polyphosphoric acid solutions, so that an acid dope is formed. See, e.g., Wolfe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,693 (Aug. 5, 1985) which is incorporated herein by reference. Frequently, the resulting polymers are not thermoplastic. However, they can be made into shaped articles such as films, coatings and net-shaped parts by: (a) forming the desired shaped article out of the dope; (b) coagulating the polymer in the shaped article; and (c) leaching (or washing) residual phosphoric acid out of the coagulated article. See, e.g., Harvey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,442 (Nov. 27, 1990), which is incorporated herein by reference.
The coagulation and leaching steps can become a significant bottleneck in a continuous production process, because they are very time-consuming. Commercially desirable films should contain no more than about 2000-2500 ppm phosphorus, and film for very sensitive uses should contain 250 ppm phosphorus or less. On the other hand, the Harvey patent shows that film washed in water for 5 minutes contains 4 weight percent phosphorus, and film washed for 48 hours still contains 0.8 weight percent phosphorus. The long leaching times needed to reach acceptable levels of phosphorus are unmanageable in a commercial production.
What is needed is an accelerated process to coagulate and leach non-fiber polybenzazole articles.

Process for coagulation, washing and leaching of shaped polybenzazole articles


A hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system generally comprises and inflatable enclosure for encasing a patient having at least partially contained therein an inflatable mattress system. By integrating the therapeutic functions of the inflatable mattress system within the hyperbaric chamber the simultaneous provision of hyperbaric oxygen and skin treatment therapies is made possible. A control system is provided to maintain desired patient interface pressures throughout the provision of hyperbaric treatment. Features are disclosed for maximizing patient comfort while ensuring the ability to fully monitor and treat the patient during therapy. A thixotropic may also be used as part of the pressure relieving portion of the mattress system.

The present invention relates to patient treatment systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system having integrated therein a therapeutic patient support.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) dates back to as early as the 1600""s when compressed air was delivered to an airtight room for the treatment of various ailments. The first contemporary HBOT programs, however, were developed in the early 1900""s when the delivery to the body of increased oxygen concentrations was found to be an effective treatment for decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends. Subsequently, HBOT was approved for the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning where it has been shown to produce recovery with little or no neurological deficit.
While HBOT is well known as the treatment of choice for decompression sickness and has a significant history in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, HBOT is only recently emerging as part of other treatment regimen.
Despite the controversy surrounding the acceptance of HBOT as an element of newer protocols, HBOT has been shown to be invaluable in certain situations. One such area is in the treatment of selected non-healing wounds and compromised skin grafts and/or flaps, where the hyperoxygenation of the plasma concomitant HBOT treatment is particularly beneficial in bacteria reduction and infection control.
It has been found that HBOT has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on anaerobic bacteria. In particular, it is known that HBOT can inhibit the toxins produced by the synergistic bacteria found in necrotizing fasciitisxe2x80x94staphylococcus aureus and bacterioides. Although the host soft-tissue infection is considered rare, the lifesaving and limb-preserving role of HBOT in its prevention is not generally disputed. Likewise, HBOT is known to contribute to the control of aerobic infections. In particular, the increased oxygen levels resultant HBOT helps ensure the necessary oxygen required for the neutrophils to kill bacteria. It is also known that the antimicrobial effect of some antibiotics can be enhanced by HBOT. In summary, it is clear that HBOT can play a significant role in the management of wounds with acute or chronic infection.
Unfortunately, the ability to provide the patient with the beneficial HBOT does not come without difficulty. Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs postoperatively, after trauma or after inadequate care of abscesses or cutaneous ulcers. Because patients falling into any of these categories often require therapeutic support surfaces to prevent further skin deterioration and/or related complications, it has heretofore been generally impractical to incorporate HBOT into the treatment regimen. Even if the hospital hosting the patient were one of the few having the very expensive HBOT capability, most hyperbaric chambers are not compatible with the presently available therapeutic surfaces. In the very rare case of a hospital having an entire room dedicated to HBOT known therapeutic surfaces are nonetheless rendered ineffective by the tendency for the increased pressure to compress the patient support surface. As a result, those patients with the most severe skin deterioration, and therefore most likely to benefit from HBOT, are most often excluded from HBOT due to the critical need for support upon a therapeutic skin treatment surface.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to improve generally over the prior art by providing a platform for HBOT having integrated therein a fully compatible therapeutic patient support surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to make HBOT more readily available by providing a platform for HBOT that is inexpensive and within the capital budgets of the majority of hospitals.
It is yet another object of the present invention to still further increase the availability of HBOT by providing a platform for HBOT that is easily transportable and no or little more space consuming than presently available standard hospital beds.
It is still further an object of the present invention to facilitate the critical care of patients requiring HBOT by providing a platform for HBOT that is readily interfaced with standard treatment instrumentalities such as, for example, cardiac monitors and intravenous (IV) flows.
Still another object of the present invention is to facilitate the provision of HBOT to patients by providing an improved platform for HBOT that a mattress that reduces patient interface pressures despite the hyperbaric environment.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to promote the general patient care by providing a platform for HBOT that is sensitive to fears and concerns of the already distressed patient such as, for example, the claustrophobia often experienced by patients subjected to HBOT.
In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present inventionxe2x80x94a hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment systemxe2x80x94generally comprises an inflatable enclosure for encasing a patient to receive a hyperbaric treatment and an inflatable mattress system positioned at least partially within the inflatable enclosure for supporting the patient during the hyperbaric treatment. The inflatable enclosure is adapted to withstand an internal pressure sufficient to deliver increased oxygen concentrations to the patient""s body. In part, this pressure resistance is enhanced by utilizing the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,551, issued Mar. 1, 1988 to Jay, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,543, issued Nov. 8, 1994 to Nickerson, and related patents (collectively, the xe2x80x9cRIK Patentsxe2x80x9d), which disclosures are incorporated fully herein, as if fully set forth, by this reference thereto, as such teachings have evolved to become commercially available from the parent company of the assignee of both listed patents and the present invention, Kinetic Concepts, Inc., of San Antonio Tex. To prevent claustrophobic effects during periods of non-treatment without the highly undesirable requirement for transferring the patient the inflatable enclosure is adapted to be opened such that the patient is substantially uncovered.
The inflatable mattress system is adapted to compensate for the increased pressure within the inflatable enclosure during hyperbaric treatments. In at least one embodiment, where the inflatable mattress system includes an inflatable cushion, the inflatable mattress system is adapted to increase the pressure within the inflatable cushion in response to an increase in the pressure within the inflatable enclosure. Similarly, the inflatable mattress system is adapted to decrease the pressure within the inflatable cushion in response to a decrease in the pressure within the inflatable enclosure. In at least one embodiment, a control system is provided for effecting a desired interface pressure between the inflatable cushion and the patient and, thereafter, maintaining the desired interface pressure in the face of changing pressure within the inflatable enclosure. The use of RIK fluid aids in achieving this goal, as a RIK fluid containing cushion is highly resistant to, and therefore largely independent the compressive effects of the increased ambient pressures associated with HBOT.
In providing a therapeutic surface, the inflatable cushion may comprise a low air loss cell and/or there may be provided a plurality of inflatable cushions that cooperate to form a low air loss patient support surface. In the case where the patient surface is formed from a plurality of transversely oriented elongate cells, very desirable therapeutic treatments such as the well-known pulsation therapy may be provided to prevent breakdown of the skin tissues concomitant with high interface pressures. To provide the pulsation therapy, the inflatable mattress system is adapted to produce intermittent pressure differentials between adjacent transversely oriented elongate cells.
In order to simplify the design of the integral HBOT-therapeutic surface system, a source of pressurized gas in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion or cushions is located substantially within the inflatable enclosure. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this source of pressurized gas comprises an air or oxygen pump that may also be utilized to produce the desired hyperbaric pressure within the inflatable enclosure. Preferably, a substantially airtight electrical passage is provided from within to without the inflatable enclosure. This passage is adapted to provide operable communication for the control of the source of pressurized gas.
To facilitate other treatment of the patient while undergoing HBOT, at least one port adapted to interface a standard patient care modality is provided through the inflatable enclosure. This port is designed to maintain the internal pressure of the inflatable enclosure and may comprise an electrical connector, an intravenous tube connector, a respiratory aid device connector, a bodily waste management device connector and/or the like as may be desired.
Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims.

Hyperbaric oxygen patient treatment system with therapeutic surface


A table featuring a horizontal surface, and two supporting trusses designed to be quickly attached and fastened to a horizontal surface, is claimed herein.

The problem addressed by the inventive embodiments disclosed herein is how to easily manufacture a sturdy table that can be transported using a "flat pack" configuration, yet which is easily assembled. Current designs feature tables with hinged legs that fold out for assembly, or legs which are detached and then have to be installed. The disadvantages of these design are that, in the former case, the legs are often either not sturdy, or the hinging mechanism may be too complex for a heavy-duty table; or, in the latter case, assembly is somewhat time consuming and the supporting legs are also not structurally as sound as they could be.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In an information processing device serving as a PCIe system including a host device and a plurality of memory devices, one of the plurality of memory devices is defined as a master memory. The other memory devices are defined as slave memories, and are logically coupled to the master memory. The plurality of memory devices thus constitute a single virtual storage. When accessing is performed from a root complex to the plurality of memory devices constituting the single virtual storage, the root complex hands over a bus master to the master memory. The master memory receives a command regarding the accessing from the root complex, changes address information used for the accessing in the command regarding the accessing, based on a logical relationship with the slave memories, and sends changed command regarding the accessing to the slave memories.

As a high-speed serial interface, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express (registered trademark: hereinafter will be referred to as PCIe) has been used in various electronic devices such as personal computers.
For example, PCIe is also used in a system configuration where a video server serves as a host device and a memory card serves as a memory device.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A new cultivar of Sarracenia plant named ‘Meerkat Mob’ that is characterized by long tubular shaped leaves with a vertical hood extending above the leaf opening, green leaves with red veins and a green peristome that is mottled dark pink on older leaves and a hood with sides that extend 15 to 20 mm. on each side of the leaf opening and lobes that extend downward 5 to 10 mm. below the leaf opening.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sarracenia plant botanically known as Sarracenia hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Meerkat Mob'.
The new Sarracenia plant is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in Vista, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new ornamental carnivorous pitcher plants with large leaves, high leaf counts and distinctive leaf colors
'Meerkat Mob' originated from the crossing of a large number of unidentified proprietary selections of Sarracenia hybrid (not patented) in 2009. The exact parent plants are unknown. The resulting seeds were subsequently harvested and grown. 'Meerkat Mob' was selected as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Vista, Calif. in 2009.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'Meerkat Mob' first occurred by tissue culture in 2011 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


A mobile station typically determines whether to drop a communication link and/or a base transceiver station (BTS) based on a performance of an associated forward link. In order to avoid dropping a communication link that has a weak forward link but a strong reverse link, a communication system is provided that determines whether the reverse link is still good before determining to drop the communication link. In one embodiment, the communication system determines whether reverse link is still good based on a quality metric associated with the reverse link and quality metric(s) associated with one or more other reverse links that are in a soft-handoff mode with reverse link. In another embodiment, the communication system determines whether reverse link is still good by comparing a quality metric associated with the reverse link to a threshold.

Wireless communication systems are well known and consist of many types including land mobile radio, cellular radiotelephone (inclusive of analog cellular, digital cellular, personal communication systems (PCS) and wideband digital cellular systems), and other communication system types. In cellular radiotelephone communication systems, for example, a number of communication cells are typically comprised of one or more Base Transceiver Stations (BTS's) coupled to one or more Base Station Controllers (BSCs) or Central Base Station Controllers (CBSCs) and forming a Base Station Subsystem (BSS). The BSCs or CBSCs are, in turn, coupled to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) which provides a connection between the BSS and an external network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), as well as interconnection to other BSSs. Each BTS provides communication services to a mobile station (MS) located in a coverage area serviced by the BTS via a communication resource that includes a forward link for transmitting signals to, and a reverse link for receiving signals from, the MS.
Fundamental to a wireless communication system is the ability to maintain established communication connections while an MS moves in and between coverage areas. In order to maintain established communication connections, 'soft-handoff' techniques have been developed for code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems whereby an MS is in concurrent, active communication with multiple BTSs. Each BTS in active communication with the MS is a member of an 'active set' of the MS and transmits bearer traffic to, and receives bearer traffic from, the MS. As the MS moves through the communication system, BTSs are added to, or deleted from, the MS's active set so as to assure that the MS will always be in communication with at least one BTS.
For example, FIG. 1 is block diagram of a CDMA wireless communication system 100 of the prior art. Communication system 100 includes a BSS 104 comprising multiple BTSs 106-108 that are each coupled to a CBSC 110. BSS 104 is coupled to an MSC 114 and MSC 114 is in turn coupled to an external network 116 and provides a communication link between the external network, or other BSSs, and BSS 104. Communication system 100 further includes an MS 102 that concurrently is in active communication with each of BTS 106 and 107. That is, MS 102 is in 'soft-handoff' with each of BTSs 106 and 107 and each of BTS 106 and BTS 107 is a member of an 'active set' of MS 102. As members of the active set of MS 102, each BTS of BTSs 106 and 107 concurrently maintains a respective wireless communication link 120, 130 with the MS. Each communication link 120, 130 includes a respective forward link 122, 132, for conveyance of signals to MS 102 and a respective reverse link 124, 134, for receipt of signals from the MS.
Each BTS 106, 107 in the active set of MS 102 conveys the same bearer traffic to, and receives the same bearer traffic from, the MS. By providing multiple BTSs that concurrently convey same signals to, and receive same signals, from MS 102, communication system 100 enhances the likelihood that the MS will receive an acceptable quality signal from BSS 104 and that the BSS will receive an acceptable quality signal from the MS. For example, when each BTS of BTSs 106 and 107 receives a same frame from MS 102, the BTS determines whether the received frame is acceptable or erroneous and forwards the frame, and an accompanying indicator of whether the frame is acceptable, that is, good, or erroneous, that is, erased, to CBSC 110. CBSC 110, specifically a selection and distribution unit (SDU) 112 included in the CBSC, then selects a version of the received frame from among the versions received from BTSs 106 and 107 and forwards the selected version to MSC 114.
As MS 102 heads towards a coverage area, or sector, associated with BTS 108, a signal strength of a pilot signal received by MS 102 from BTS 108 via a forward link 142 associated with BTS 108 increases until MS 102 identifies the pilot signal from BTS 108 as a viable communication link. In addition, as MS 102 heads away from a coverage area, or sector, associated with BTS 106 a signal strength of a pilot signal received by MS 102 from BTS 106 via forward link 122 may deteriorate to the point that MS 102 determines that communication link 120 is no longer a viable communication link. MS 102 then requests that communication system 100 add BTS 108 to the MS's active set, that is, establish a communication link 140 associated with BTS 108, comprising forward link 142 and a reverse link 144, as an active communication link for transmitting data to, and receiving data from, MS 102, and drop BTS 106 from the active set, that is, terminate communication link 120. Typically, the request to drop a BTS is conveyed by MS 102 via a Pilot Strength Measurement Message (PSMM). Upon receiving the PSMM message, BSS 104 drops BTS 106 from the active set of MS 102 and terminates, or drops, communication link 120 between MS 102 and BTS 106.
A decision to add or drop a communication link 120, 130, 140 and a corresponding BTS 106, 107, 108 from an active set is based on a forward link measurement, that is, a measurement of a signal strength of a pilot signal received by an MS, such as MS 102, via a corresponding forward link. That is, in making an add and/or drop decision, communication system 100 assumes that a performance of a forward link 122, 132, 142 is substantially identical to a performance of a corresponding reverse link 124, 134, and 144. However, a problem arises when there is an imbalance between a performance of a forward link, such as forward links 122, 132, 142, and a performance of a corresponding reverse link, that is, respective reverse links 124, 134, and 144. For example, a sector serviced by a BTS may be subject to interference particular to a reverse link, or propagation paths and fading associated with each of a forward link and a reverse link in a sector may be different due to frequency band separation between the forward and reverse links. As a result, in some cases a communication link with a strong reverse link may be dropped due to a weak forward link. When the reverse link of the dropped communication link, such as reverse link 124 of communication link 120, is the only good reverse link of multiple reverse links, such as reverse links 124 and 134, utilized by an MS then the dropping of the communication link may result in a dropped call.
Thus, a need exists to ensure that a communication link is not terminated, or dropped, as part of a soft-handoff until such time as the communication system may confirm that a good reverse link is not thereby being dropped.

Method and apparatus for performing soft-handoff in a wireless communication system


A support structure for placing shaped bodies such as landscaping bricks. The support structures may be coupled together to form a track of a predetermined shape. The track may be configured to receive and place the shaped bodies in framed sections to form a landscaping barrier.

Landscapes and/or gardens surrounding an individual's home and property can add value to the property. Landscaping can add aesthetic appeal as well as accentuate specific features. In many modern families and homes land care, gardening, and landscaping can be both a hobby and a source of pride. Professional or do-it-yourself efforts may be employed for landscaping. Often landscaping involves trees, shrubs, grass, and paths in well-defined spaces. For example, many modern homes have a garden including bushes and/or flowers along their house with a lawn adjacent to or in front of and behind their home as well as a hard path (e.g., a sidewalk) to their doorways. These spaces may be delineated by materials such as landscaping bricks (e.g., masonry) or stones that can withstand the outdoor environment. Other garden areas or delineation such as around a tree or bush may be used. Creating these divisions is not only aesthetically appealing but can assist with care and maintenance.


The invention relates to a coupling device (4) for four phases of a multi-phase converter (2). Said coupling device (4) includes four coupling modules (6, 8, 12, 14), each of which encompasses four parallel through-holes. At least one section of a conductor loop (18, 20, 22, 24) for a phase. At least one section of a conductor loop (18, 20, 22, 24) for a phase penetrates a through-hole of a coupling module (6, 8, 12, 14), sections of conductor loops (18, 20, 22, 24) for at least two phases penetrating all four through-holes of a coupling module (6, 8, 12, 14).

The invention relates to a coupling device for a multi-phase converter and a multi-phase converter.
A power converter, which can also be referred to as a direct current converter or DC-DC converter, is designed to convert a DC voltage at an input into a DC voltage having another voltage level. Such a power converter can also be designed as a multi-phase converter comprising coupled inductors. Coupled multi-phase converters comprise a plurality of phases, wherein each phase is passed through a current carrying conductor, said phases being coupled to one another by means of magnetic coupling means. A current ripple through the magnetic coupling, which is generated by each phase, can however impair the operation of the multi-phase converter. That is why sections of the individual conductors are to be suitably arranged relative to one another in order, for example, to prevent disadvantages from occurring in an electromagnetic compatibility.
The WIPO patent publication WO 2012/028558 A1 describes a multi-phase converter in which a mutual interference of the phases is minimized and a large portion of the magnetic flux is compensated by means of the magnetically oppositely-directed coupling of one phase of at least six phases comprising at least three further phases. The phases to be coupled are thereby selected such that an optimal compensation can be achieved. This results from an oppositely-directed current profile of the phases. The goal here is for the phases to be magnetically coupled in such a way that the resulting magnetic field is minimized due to the coupled phases. In so doing, a ferrite core is used for coupling the magnetic fluxes in order to profit from the high permeability of the material. In the case of the coupling proposed here, the phases can be actuated successively and independently of one another.

Coupling device for a multi-phase converter


A computer-implemented method which may be used with imaging systems is provided. The method may include receiving a first image from a first device configured to generate the first image based upon, at least in part, a first portion of an item. The method may further include receiving a second image from a second device configured to generate the second image based upon, at least in part, a second portion of the item. The method may also include extracting one or more features from the first image and the second image in a multi-view calibration space wherein the one or more features share a global coordinate system. The method may further include applying a global constraints embedded Hough transform to the one or more features present in the first image and the second image.

Some machine vision systems may include alignment software, which may simplify work piece alignment for various manufacturing processes. In a multi-view alignment application, each view may contribute to the alignment by using a sub-model, or a portion of the global model. The correctness of the alignment is highly dependent on the correct finding of each and every sub-model. However, the sub-model itself (e.g. its shape) may not be sufficiently distinctive to ensure a reliable finding from the individual view. For example, distractive objects having a similar look to the sub-model may be present in an individual view, giving a traditional vision tool a hard time to find the correct sub-model from the view.
Some existing methods are configured to address applications having multiple views. Some of these may find a sub-model (e.g. a straight line) from each image, without applying global constraints. Instead, these methods may select the sub-models solely based on local heuristics, such as edge contrast, edge locations relative to the image, etc. These methods can be prone to false sub-model findings when distracting features are present in the images.
Another way of applying global constraints is to "stitch" all images together. Stitching generally refers to a process that can be used to generate a larger image, which includes multiple views as sub-images. The stitched image may have large areas of invalid pixels in the regions that are not covered by any view. A single-view alignment tool can then be applied to the stitched image to work out the alignment. This is doable when the multiple views are close enough, but is troublesome when the views are placed extremely distantly from one another. Stitching of images from sparsely placed views can cause very big image sizes or unrealistic parameterization of the single-view alignment tool.

Imaging system for determining multi-view alignment


Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for measuring the attenuation of a line integral through an object via a photon counting cell (302) and via an energy integrating cell (304). That is, an imaging apparatus is provided that comprises a radiation source (208) and a detector array (210). The detector array is comprised of both photon counting cells (302) and energy integrating cells (304) arranged such that, during an examination of the object, attenuation of a line integral through the object is measured by at least one photon counting cell and at least one energy integrating cell. In this way, at least two substantially complete views of an object may be acquired, one from measurements yielded from the photon counting cell (and other photon counting cells) and one from measurements yielded from the energy integrating cell (and other energy integrating cells).

The present application relates to the field of imaging apparatuses. It finds particular application to imaging apparatuses that employ radiation (e.g., x-rays, gamma-rays, etc.) to image an object. For example, medical, security, and/or industrial applications may utilize a computed tomography (CT) apparatus to examine an object. Based upon the attenuation experienced by radiation traversing the object, one or more images of the object may be generated from the examination.
Today, CT and other imaging apparatuses that employ radiation technology (e.g., single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), mammography, digital radiography, etc.) are useful to provide information, or images, of interior aspects of an object under examination. Generally, the object is exposed to radiation comprising photons (e.g., such as x-rays, gamma rays, etc.), and an image(s) is formed based upon the radiation absorbed and/or attenuated by the interior aspects of the object, or rather an amount of photons that is able to pass through the object. Generally, highly dense aspects of the object absorb and/or attenuate more radiation than less dense aspects, and thus an aspect having a higher density, such as a bone or metal, for example, will be apparent when surrounded by less dense aspects, such as muscle or clothing.
Imaging apparatuses that employ radiation technology generally comprise, among other things, a detector array having of a plurality of cells respectively configured to convert radiation that has traversed the object into signals that may be processed to produce the image(s). The cells are typically "energy integrating" or "photon counting" type cells (e.g., the imaging apparatus operates in energy integrating mode or photon counting mode).
Energy integrating cells are configured to convert energy into signals (e.g., current or voltage signals) that are proportional to an incoming photon flux rate and a photon energy. That is, charge collected in respective cells is integrated over a time period (e.g., at times referred to as a measurement interval), sampled, and digitized. While this type of cell is widely used, there are several drawbacks to energy integrating cells. For example, energy integrating cells are generally not able to provide feedback as to the number and/or energy of photons detected. As another drawback, there is a lower limit of detection defined by noise such that a cell with little to no incident radiation may produce some signal due to thermal and/or analog read noise (e.g., produced by the detector array and/or readout components). It may be appreciated that as a result of this lower limit, the dose of radiation that is applied to an object under examination is generally greater than the dose of radiation that may be applied to the object if the cells are of a photon counting type.
Photon counting cells are configured to output signals for respective detection events and may be configured to convert energy into signals that are proportional to the energy of a detected photon (e.g., at times referred to as a detection event). Thus, ideally, signals produced by respective cells generally comprise one or more current and/or voltage pulses, for example, respectively associated with a single detection event. By way of example, in one embodiment an output signal is proportional to the energy of a detected photon and in anther embodiment an output signal merely corresponds to a photon count. A controller may then be used to determine the location and energy of respective detection events, accumulate the detection events occurring during a measurement interval (e.g., an "acquisition view"), digitize the information, and/or process the digital information to form an image, for example. It may be appreciated that there are numerous advantages to photon counting cells over energy integrating cells. For example, the counting of photons is essentially noise free (e.g., apart from inherent photon shot noise). Therefore, a lower dose of radiation may be applied to the object under examination. Moreover, photon counting cells generally allow for energy or wavelength discrimination. Therefore, images resulting from radiation emitted at different energy levels may be obtained at the same or substantially the same time, for example.
While photon counting detector arrays (e.g., detector arrays comprising photon counting cells) have numerous advantages over energy integrating detector arrays, photon counting detector arrays have not been widely applied in some imaging modalities (e.g., such as in CT apparatuses) due to cost considerations and other challenges associated with photon counting detector arrays. For example, CT systems generally have a high flux rate, which may cause saturation issues (e.g., pulse pileup) in photon counting detector arrays because photon counting cells may be unable to return to a normal state after the detection of a photon and before another photon is detected.

Detector array comprising energy integrating and photon counting cells


Disclosed is DNA encoding diphtheria toxin polypeptides having multiple mutations, which render the polypeptides useful as vaccines.

Diphtheria toxin (DT) is a protein exotoxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacteria diphtheria. The DT molecule is produced as a single polypeptide that is readily spliced to form two subunits linked by a disulfide bond, Fragment A (N-terminal˜f21K) and Fragment B (C-terminal ˜37K), as a result of cleavage at residue 190, 192, or 193 (Moskaug, et al., Biol Chem 264:15709–15713, 1989; Collier et al., Biol Chem, 246:1496–1503, 1971). Fragment A is the catalytically active portion of DT. It is an NAD-dependent ADP-ribosyltransferase which specifically targets a protein synthesis factor termed elongation factor 2 (EF-2), thereby inactivating EF-2 and shutting down protein synthesis in the cell. Fragment A consists of the diphtheria toxin C domain. Fragment A is linked to the diphtheria toxin Fragment B by a polypeptide loop. Fragment B of DT possesses a receptor-binding domain (the R domain) which recognizes and binds the toxin molecule to a particular receptor structure found on the surfaces of many types of mammalian cells. Once DT is bound to the cell via this receptor structure, the receptor/DT complex is taken up by the cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. A second functional region on Fragment B (the T domain) acts to translocate DT across the membrane of the endocytic vesicle, releasing catalytically active Fragment A into the cytosol of the cell. A single molecule of Fragment A is sufficient to inactivate the protein synthesis machinery in a given cell.
Immunity to a bacterial toxin such as DT may be acquired naturally during the course of an infection, or artificially by injection of a detoxified form of the toxin (i.e., a toxoid) (Germanier, ed., Bacterial Vaccines, Academic Press, Orlando, Fla., 1984). Toxoids have traditionally been prepared by chemical modification of native toxins (e.g., with formalin or formaldehyde (Lingood et al., Brit. J. Exp. Path. 44:177, 1963)), rendering them nontoxic while retaining an antigenicity that protects the vaccinated animal against subsequent challenges by the natural toxin: an example of a chemically-inactivated DT is that described by Michel and Dirkx (Biochem. Biophys. Acta 491:286–295, 1977), in which Trp-153 of Fragment A is the modified residue.
Another method for producing toxoids is by the use of genetic techniques. Collier et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,017 (herein incorporated by reference) disclosed a genetically engineered diphtheria toxin mutant that bears a deletion mutation at Glu-148 of diphtheria toxin. Glu-148 was originally identified as an active-site residue by photoaffinity labelling (Carroll et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3307, 1984; Carroll et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7237, 1985; Carroll et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262:8707, 1987). Substitution of Asp, Gln or Ser at this site diminishes enzymatic and cytotoxic activities by 2–3 orders of magnitude, showing that the spatial location and chemical nature of the Glu-148 side-chain greatly affects these activities (Carroll et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262:8707, 1987; Tweten et al., J. Biol. Chem. 260:10392, 1985; Douglas et al., J. Bacteriol. 169:4967, 1987). Similarly, Greenfield et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,740 (herein incorporated by reference) disclosed genetically engineered mutant forms of DT in which the Glu-148 residue is deleted or replaced with Asn, and the Ala-158 residue is replaced with Gly. The DNA sequence and corresponding amino acid sequence of wild-type diphtheria toxin DNA are set forth in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2, respectively).

President and Fellows of Harvard College


The present invention discloses an edible tongue depressor and method of use which may be used for conducting examinations of a patient's oral cavity. The depressor is a generally elongated member having generally convex shaped top and bottom surfaces with sufficient rigidity to permit the depressing of a patient's tongue. The top and bottom surfaces may also comprise a series of ridges lending additional structural support. The depressors may be manufactured in a variety of flavors so that the patient can select his or her favorite. The invention also contemplates and edible tooth-pick and support stick for frozen deserts and the like.

1. Technical Field
The method and apparatus of the present invention relate generally to the use of an edible member to substitute for the purposes of conventional tongue depressors, toothpicks, or to support frozen desserts such as popscicles, ice cream bars or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a member made of candy or other edible material. In this case, we refer to "edible" as something which is designed for the purpose of being eaten. One common example of such a material would be confection.
It is currently the case that during a medical examination given to a patient it is frequently necessary for the physician to accomplish a visual examination of the oral cavity. This is always the case when the patient visits the doctor's office complaining of a sore throat or other similar condition. In order for the doctor to accomplish a complete and thorough examination, he or she is required to depress the tongue from its normal, reflex position in order to expose the rear of the cavity. Normally, the tongue has a tendency to pivot upwardly when the mouth is opened, thereby obstructing the doctor's view of the throat cavity. Consequently, the doctor must depress the tongue while the patient opens his or her mouth so that adequate visibility of the entire throat cavity is permitted. An apparatus which performs this function is commonly referred to as a tongue depressor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently, most tongue depressors are fashioned from wood. Typically, these pieces of wood are generally flat and smooth and of generally rectangular shape with rounded ends.
It is well understood by doctors using these conventional tongue depressors, and those to whom oral examinations are given, that such conventional tongue depressors have an extremely unpalatable taste. Furthermore, and even more disturbing, this unpalatable taste, in conjunction with the texture of the wooden tongue depressor, has a propensity to cause the gag reflex. This propensity is most pronounced in children. Clearly such a gag reflex interferes with the conduct of the examination. A more serious consequence of the unpleasantness of the examination would be a reluctance by a patient to seek treatment.
Additionally, the environmental impacts of the use of wood tongue depressors must be considered. While each individual depressor does not require much wood, when the total number of examinations given each day is considered, the amount of wood necessary is large.
Other implements have been suggested as substitutes for the conventional wooden tongue depressor. However, these heretofore suggested substitutes all suffer from similar or additional drawbacks. For example, the use of a stainless steel depressor has been suggested. However, while minimizing to some extent the gag reflex associated with wood, a stainless steel tongue depressor is relatively costly. Because of its relatively high cost, it is not economical to dispose of it after each use. Therefore, it would be necessary to re-sterilize the instrument before any reuse. Clearly, this necessitates considerable additional expenditure of time by the physician and/or assistants.
Consequently, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor does not suffer the drawbacks of prior art tongue depressors such as unpalatable taste and propensity to cause the gag reflex.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor which is made of any one of a number of types of confection.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor apparatus having sufficient rigidity to allow the tongue to be forcibly depressed during an oral examination.
It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor of generally elongated construction.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor apparatus enclosed in a package having a perforation therein for easily releasing the tongue depressor therefrom.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an edible tongue depressor manufactured in a variety of confectionery flavors.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor which after the examination has been completed, may be either provided to the patient for consumption or alternatively readily disposed of.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tongue depressor which does not contribute to the over-harvesting of trees.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tongue depressor which eliminates or greatly minimizes the gag reflex currently associated with conventional tongue depressors, thereby minimizing the reluctance of patients to come in for oral examinations.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an edible tongue depressor having a plurality of diagonal lines of increased thickness material to provide additional rigidity and strength thereto.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide an edible tongue depressor of increased environmental friendliness due to its ease of biodegradability.
It is further objective of the present invention to provide an edible tongue depressor having a slightly convex shape to better facilitate examination of the oral cavity while at the same time providing additional structural rigidity.


Methods and devices for fabricating AlGaN/GaN normally-off high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). A fluorine-based (electronegative ions-based) plasma treatment or low-energy ion implantation is used to modify the drain-side surface field distribution without the use of a field plate electrode. The off-state breakdown voltage can be improved and current collapse can be completely suppressed in LDD-HEMTs with no significant degradation in gains and cutoff frequencies.

The present application relates to a method for breakdown voltage enhancement and current collapse suppression in normally-off high electron mobility transistors ("HEMTs"), and in particular, to fabrication of aluminum-gallium nitride/gallium nitride ("AlGaN/GaN") HEMTs using electrode-less drain-side surface field engineering, resulting in a "Low Density Drain" HEMT.
Excessive electric field can create problems in semiconductor devices. (One type of problem is hot carriers, where sufficiently energetic electrons or holes become able to travel through dielectrics; another type of problem is avalanching, where conduction becomes uncontrolled.) Even in devices designed to operate at minimal logic voltages, it is important to ensure that the voltage does not change too sharply at the drain boundary; and in devices which are intended to switch higher voltages, it becomes increasingly necessary to minimize the peak electric field.
Drain engineering has been one of the longest-running sub-areas of integrated device development, going back to the original LDD proposal of 1974. See Blanchard, "High Voltage Simultaneous Diffusion Silicon-Gate CMOS," 9 IEEE J.S.S.C. 103 (1974). Many techniques have been used to control peak electric field in high-voltage devices, often including various configurations of field plates and non-current-carrying diffusions.
This long-standing development challenge has particular relevance to the relatively new area of enhancement-mode ("E-mode") III-N HEMTs. Normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMTs are desirable for microwave power amplifier and power electronics applications because they offer simplified circuit configurations and favorable operating conditions for device safety. However, the normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMTs usually exhibit lower maximum drain current compared to their normally-on counterparts, especially when the threshold voltage is increased to about +1 V to assure the completer turn-off of the 2DEG channel at zero gate bias and provide additional operating safety. To compensate the reduction in maximum current and achieve the same power handling capability, the breakdown voltage (VBK) needs to be further improved, but preferably not at the cost of increased gate-to-drain distance (which inevitably increases the device size). The use of a field-plate, connected to the gate or source electrodes, can effectively enhance VBK by modifying the surface field distribution. The gate-terminated field plate, however, can introduce additional gate capacitances (CGS and CGD), which reduce the devices' gain and cutoff frequencies. A source-terminated field plate has been used for achieving enhanced VBK and mitigating the gain reduction, but this required a thick dielectric layer between the gate and field plate.
A problem in GaN devices has been the current collapse phenomenon: when the source-drain voltage reaches a level at which impact ionization can occur, the maximum current carried by the device can actually decrease. It has been suggested that this undesirable effect is due to a trapping phenomenon in which mid-gap states are populated by hot electrons.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology


4-Acetoxystyrene is reacted with a base in a solvent to form a salt of 4-hydroxystyrene via saponification. Alternatively, 4-hydroxystyrene is reacted with a base to form a salt of 4-hydroxystyrene. In the latter case, the 4-hydroxystyrene is prepared by the transesterification of 4-acetoxystyrene. Subsequently or simultaneously, the salt of 4-hydroxystyrene is reacted, preferably in situ, with di-tertiary-butyl-dicarbonate to form 4-tertiarybutoxycarbonyloxystyrene.

The compound 4-hydroxystyrene is a well-known compound which is useful as a food flavoring substance and as an intermediate in the preparation of polymers and copolymers utilized in the manufacture of coatings, electronic components, ion exchange resins, photoresists, etc. Although there are several known methods of preparing 4-hydroxystyrene, those methods are not commercially feasible in the further utilization of 4-hydroxystyrene, such as, for example, for use in the preparation of a photoresist intermediate such as 4-tertiarybutoxycarbonyloxystyrene. The reason for this is that the 4-hydroxystyrene is difficult to 4-solate because it readily polymerizes and decomposes and is toxic via &kin absorption. A preparation for 4-hydroxystyrene utilizing 4-acetoxystyrene is reported in a paper entitled "Preparation of Vinylphenols and Isopropenylphenols", Corson et al., Volume 23, April 1958 J. Org. Chem. In that preparation, 4-acetoxystyrene is saponified in an aqueous system with a large concentration of a soluble base, KOH, to produce an aqueous solution of the potassium salt of 4-hydroxystyrene which is neutralized with acid to precipitate 4-hydroxystyrene. The procedure is not practical or commercially feasible for production of large quantities of 4-hydroxystyrene because the 4-hydroxystyrene is not stable and readily polymerizes under the aqueous saponification conditions employed therein which involve high concentrations of soluble base. A more efficient process for producing 4-hydroxystyrene from 4-acetoxystyrene is desired and needed. The present invention provides a method wherein excessive polymerization of the 4-acetoxystyrene and/or the 4-hydroxystyrene in the formation of 4-hydroxystyrene is avoided.
The compound 4-tertiary-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene is useful as an intermediate in the production of the photoresist material poly(4-tertiary-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene). A route to 4-tertiarybutoxycarbonyloxystyrene is reported by Frechet et al., Polymer, 1983, 995 and Ito et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,628, which involves a Wittig reaction starting with p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,965 also discloses a process for the preparation of alkoxycarbonyloxystyrene. Acyloxystyrene is reacted with a strong base in an aqueous medium to yield a phenolate. An alkoxycarbonylating agent is then added in an organic solvent and a phase transfer catalyst to yield the desired product.
The formation of 4-tertiarybutoxycarbonyloxystyren directly from p-hydroxystyrene has never been publicly reported, most likely due to the fact of the great instability of the 4-hydroxystyrene, as discussed above, and the difficulties most likely encountered thereby. These difficulties would lead one skilled in the art away from trying such synthesis using 4-hydroxystyrene even in the face of the synthesis of 4-tertiary-butoxycarbonyloxy-.alpha.-methylstyrene from 4-hydroxy-.alpha.-methylstyrene, as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,628. The reason for this is that .alpha.-methylstyrenes are much more stable to polymerization than unsubstituted styrenes such as 4-hydroxystyrene.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

Process for the preparation of salts of 4-hydroxystyrene


The method manufactures a liquid ejection head comprising a pressure chamber which accommodates liquid, a diaphragm which forms a portion of the pressure chamber, a piezoelectric element which is disposed on the diaphragm and deforms the pressure chamber through the diaphragm to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber so as to eject the liquid from an ejection port in connection with the pressure chamber. The method comprises: a resist layer forming step of applying a resist in a liquid state onto the diaphragm on which the piezoelectric element has been disposed so as to cover the piezoelectric element, and curing the resist to form a resist layer on the diaphragm; a space forming step of separately removing the resist covering a movable portion of the piezoelectric element and the resist covering an electrical connection portion of the piezoelectric element, by exposing and developing the resist formed on the diaphragm, to separately form a movement space and a connection space for the piezoelectric element, in the resist layer; and a conductive material filling step of filling a conductive material into the connection space formed in the resist layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head and a method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head, and more particularly, to a liquid ejection head and a method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head in which pressure chambers are deformed by means of piezoelectric elements disposed on a diaphragm, and liquid is ejected from ejection ports connected to the pressure chambers.
2. Description of the Related Art
An inkjet recording apparatus is known as one apparatus for recording text characters and images onto a recording medium, such as paper. An inkjet recording apparatus forms images by means of ink dots, by causing ink to be ejected from a recording head comprising nozzles for ejecting ink, in accordance with an image signal, thereby depositing ink droplets onto a print medium, while moving the recording medium relatively with respect to the print head. Typical ink ejection methods are known in which ink is ejected from a nozzle by a bubble generated inside a pressure chamber, or ink is ejected from a nozzle by means of a volume change in a pressure chamber.
In a method which ejects ink from a nozzle by means of a volume change in a pressure chamber, the volume of the pressure chamber is generally changed by using a piezoelectric element. In this case, the piezoelectric element is disposed on a diaphragm which constitutes one portion of the pressure chamber, and a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element through a flexible printed circuit (FPC). However, if the flexible printed circuit and the piezoelectric element are disposed in contact with each other, then there is a problem in that the deformation of the piezoelectric element is restricted. Furthermore, if ink reaches the piezoelectric element, then there is a risk of the piezoelectric element being shorted by this ink.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-286126 discloses that an adhesive layer is formed so as to surround the peripheries of piezoelectric elements, and the piezoelectric elements are sealed hermetically inside spaces by bonding a flexible printed circuit by means of this adhesive layer, and furthermore, projections are formed so as to surround the peripheries of piezoelectric elements and the piezoelectric elements are sealed hermetically inside spaces by fixing a flexible printed circuit to the projections, by means of an adhesive.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-46281 discloses that a bonding substrate formed integrally with an integrated circuit is bonded through a sealing member onto a flow channel substrate on which piezoelectric elements are provided, and by connecting the piezoelectric elements with the integrated circuit through lead electrodes, the piezoelectric elements are hermetically sealed inside the spaces demarcated by the bonding substrate and the sealing member.
However, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-286126, since the flexible printed circuit is actually supported by the adhesive layer, the thickness of the adhesive layer is reduced by the bonding pressure, and the flexible printed circuit makes contact with the piezoelectric elements, thereby restricting the piezoelectric elements and thus preventing stable ejection. Furthermore, since the movable portion and the electrical connection portion of the piezoelectric element are not demarcated, then it is necessary to provide a conductive material locally on the electrode of the piezoelectric element, thus giving rise to problems of increased manufacturing work and the occurrence of variations.
Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-46281, the flow channel substrate and the bonding substrate must be made of monocrystalline silicon, and hence there is no freedom in the choice of material. Furthermore, if the sealing member is made of adhesive only, then in order to seal off the piezoelectric elements individually, the adhesive must be applied in a very fine pattern, and therefore, the process becomes highly complex. On the other hand, if the sealing member is made of a hard material, such as glass or silicon, then it is not possible to demarcate completely the movable portion and the electrical connection portion of the piezoelectric element, and therefore a conductive material must be provided locally on the electrical connection portion of the piezoelectric element, thus giving rise to problems of increased manufacturing work and the occurrence of variations.

Method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head


A method of identifying relationships between data collections is disclosed. Each data collection comprises a plurality of data records made up of data fields. The method comprises performing a relationship search process based on a first seed value and a second seed value. A first set of records from the data collections is identified based on the first seed value. A second set of records from the data collections is identified based on the second seed value. The process then searches for a common value across the first and second record sets, wherein the common value is a value which appears in a first field in a first record of the first record set and in a second field in a second record of the second record set, wherein the first record is from a first data collection and the second record is from a second data collection. In response to identifying the common value, an indication is output identifying a candidate relationship between the first field of the first data collection and the second field of the second data collection.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for analysing data sets to identify possible data relationships in the data sets that can be used, for example, to support creation and execution of queries on the data sets.
Relationships between different data collections, such as between different data tables in a relational database, are often defined by a database designer during creation of a database (e.g. as primary key to foreign key relationships) and are typically reflected in the design of queries and views that provide efficient access to specific data in the database. However, when data is exported from the original database to some other data repository (e.g. in order to bring together data from multiple disparate sources), structural information such as data relationships is often lost. This makes efficient querying of the data difficult. Furthermore, data originating from different sources may be interrelated without explicit relationships having been defined. Identifying relationships without access to original design data represents significant challenges, with past approaches to the problem often being computationally highly intensive.

System for detecting data relationships based on sample data