A computer system for facilitating in accessing and reporting detailed financial information from non-depository financial institutions and for enabling comparison of performance of similarly situated non-depository institutions. The system includes a web site and at least one processing component. The web site is used for collecting financial information for predefined periods from the non-depository financial institutions. The processing component processes the information for selected time periods entered into the web site and stores the information in at least one database. The processing information also uses the information entered by all non-depository institutions to determine the status of each non-depository and to generate financial analytical information for internal use within a federally chartered corporation. Thereafter, the processing component uses the information entered by all non-depository institutions to provide a peer report for comparing the performance of similarly situated financial institutions.

Many financial institutions that accept deposits and that are federally insured are required to regularly report detailed financial information to a variety of federal and state regulatory agencies. Examples of depository financial institutions include banks, thrifts and credit unions. However, many non-depository financial institutions, such as mortgage banks, are not federally insured and/or regulated and do not have to provide the same detailed financial information to either federal or state regulatory agencies.
The United States Congress passed federal laws that create some corporations with government agency status and chartered these corporations to perform certain tasks, such as providing liquidity to the secondary mortgage market and promoting homeownership among low and moderate income families. Non-depository institutions regularly work with these federally chartered corporations. To carry out their charters, federally chartered corporations also require access to detailed financial information from all institutions choosing to do business with them. Therefore, all non-depository institutions doing business with federally chartered corporations provide similar detailed information to these corporations as the information federally insured institutions provide to federal and state regulatory agencies.
Non-depository institutions previously reported detailed financial information to federally chartered corporations by filling out "hard" or paper forms. In order to fill out the paper forms, each non-depository institution generally collected the required information from multiple sources and transcribed the information onto the paper forms. Upon receiving the paper forms, each federally chartered corporation entered the information into databases and other sources for internal uses. The use of paper forms required substantial time and costs from both the provider and the receiver of the financial information.
To reduce the time and costs associated with reporting financial information through paper forms, each federally chartered corporation now sends out the appropriate forms to each non-depository institution on electronic storage means, such as floppy diskettes or compact disks. The non-depository institution still obtains the information from multiple sources, such as databases, enters the detailed financial information in the forms, and returns the storage means to the federal chartered institution. The federally chartered corporation retrieves the information from each storage means and stores the information in internal databases for further processing. While providing financial information through electronic storage means reduces the costs associated with paper forms to the provider and receiver of the financial information, this method is still inefficient. For example, there are costs associated with mailing the diskettes and retrieving and storing information from and to each storage means. Storage means also may be lost or stolen during transmission to and from the receiver and/or sender.
Moreover, non-depository institutions are highly competitive with each other. Therefore, these institutions are very interested in similarly situated non-depository institutions' (peers) performances. As such, non-depository institutions typically base employees' compensation on how they perceive similarly situated non-depository institutions' performances. Nevertheless, there is currently no objective comparison of similarly situated non-depository institutions. Therefore, there is no means for a non-depository institutions to actually determine how peer institutions are actually performing.
What is needed, therefore, is an efficient system and method for obtaining detailed financial information from non-depository institutions and for providing information about similarly situated non-depository institutions' performances without disclosing specific financial information provided by one or more non-depository institutions.

Web-based financial reporting system and method


A switch for operating a heating element of a cooking appliance includes a first contact electrically connected with the heating element, a second contact electrically connected with a power source. A bimetal strip is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second contacts. The switch further includes a rotatable cam member having a cam surface for operative engagement with a cam follower. The cam surface has a profile dimension that is at least partially variable about the rotational axis of the cam member and is configured to cause displacement of the cam follower as a function of its rotational orientation to thereby adjust an operating temperature of the heating element. The cam surface is configured such that the operating temperature can be adjusted up to but not beyond a predetermined maximum temperature via rotation of the cam member. Circuits incorporating such a switch also are disclosed.

Typically, heating elements of cooking appliances can reach operating temperatures of several hundred degrees in order to cook foodstuff in cookware. With this comes some inherent risk of burns and fire. For example, if foodstuff within cookware reaches a high enough temperature, the foodstuff can auto-ignite. As another example, if a cookware containing boiling water is heated for too long, the water will boil dry, at which point the cookware temperature will rapidly increase to temperatures that can cause serious burns. It is desirable to prevent cookware and foodstuff, and especially cooking or food oils, from reaching such dangerously high temperatures.


A storage unit for disk cases, photographs, or other display-oriented objects having a back plate, four side walls adjacent to the back plate, a first side member and a second side member adjacent to two side walls forming a lip-like structure for holding an object therein, a bias mechanism on the back plate for applying outward force to the object as the object is inserted into the storage unit and for applying that force to the object and against the two side members after the object has been seated into the storage unit and for facilitating removal of the object such that the object may easily be grasped. The back plate further has one or more fixed or removable pin-like members protruding therefrom for holding the storage unit onto an external surface after the pin-like members have been pushed into the external surface.

This present invention relates to an improvement in display and storage systems, and more particularly to storing and displaying CD cases, DVD cases, artwork, photographs, and other entertainment-related and display-oriented objects and medium and/or their respective housings or cases.
Conventionally compact disks(CDS), digital video disks (DVDs), assorted video games (such as for the Sony Playstation.RTM., Nintendo 64.RTM., and Sega Saturn.RTM. for example), and other entertainment-related medium come housed in a case containing that medium (the CD, DVD, cartridge, and the like). For simplicity of discussion, the medium within (whether CD, DVD, cartridge, and the like) shall be referred to generically herein as a disk. The cases, photographs, artwork, and the like shall be referred to generically herein as objects. In the case of CD's and DVD's, the case housing the disk generally has a vertical border on the left side and a transparent face adjacent to the border which opens to expose the disk and facilitate its removal for use. A label or cover, under the face, generally adorns the front of the case. These covers oftentimes are rather ornate and artful and suitable for display. Much time and effort is spent on crafting a cover which is eye-catching and appealing. In fact, in the music industry, such covers are the subject of acclaim, if warranted, and award. The artistry and/or photography and design on many such covers warrants display.
Current storage units for the cases, however, though suitable for storing vast quantities of such cases, are not suited for display. These storage units are designed to optimize storage capacity rather than to display. They generally are configured like book cases, with or without slots for case insertion and may be on a carousel or a fixed base. The cases are generally inserted horizontally with the front or back of the case placed in the storage unit with one thin side of the case exposed to view while the other cases are similarly stacked on top of the lower case; or the cases may be inserted vertically with one thin side being exposed to view. Generally the exposed side in both storing methods is the side containing the title or name of the disk enclosed therein. The artwork and design of the cover remains hidden from view.
The present invention, though functioning as a storage unit and storage system, focuses on and takes advantage of displaying the ornate covers while permitting flexibility of storage configuration and capacity.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
a. to provide a storage unit for displaying objects such as artwork, photographs, and the covers of the cases containing the disks;
b. to provide a flexible type of storage unit which is easy to install, reconfigure, and remove;
c. to permit easy access and use of the stored object or the disk within the case;
d. to provide a storage unit which can easily increase or decrease in size and capacity without affecting the overall structure and appearance of the storage system;
e. to provide a storage unit which can easily increase or decrease in size and capacity and, if so desired, alter the overall structure and appearance of the storage system; and
f. to provide a low-cost display storage unit.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


An exhaust-gas catalyst carrier made of a composite of θ-alumina and a zirconia-titania solid solution, an exhaust-gas catalyst employing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, and a method of manufacturing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, an exhaust-gas catalyst employing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, and a method of manufacturing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier. More specifically, the invention relates to an exhaust-gas catalyst carrier made of a composite of a specific alumina and a zirconia-titania solid solution that abates sulfur (S) poisoning and exhibit high NOx purification performance even after a long use, an exhaust-gas catalyst employing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, and a method of manufacturing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
Exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or the like contains HC, CO, and NOx. These substances are discharged into the atmosphere after being purified by an exhaust-gas catalyst. A three-way catalyst in which a noble metal such as platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd) is carried on a porous oxide carrier such as, for example, alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2), or titania (TiO2) is a representative example of a conventional exhaust-gas catalyst that is widely used.
The three-way catalyst oxidizes and purifies HC and CO contained in exhaust gas, and reduces and purifies NOx contained in exhaust gas. The three-way catalyst exerts its highest effect in an exhaust gas of a stoichiometric atmosphere burned in the vicinity of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. Especially in recent years, there have been demands for an improvement in fuel consumption, and exhaust-gas catalysts are increasingly exposed to abrupt atmospheric fluctuations based on A/F fluctuations at high temperatures, due to an increase in the number of times of FC at high temperatures or the like. Such abrupt atmospheric fluctuations substantially promote a deterioration of the catalysts.
Further, although the amount of sulfur components contained in gasoline or kerosene has been reduced, it is impossible to completely remove the sulfur components. Although in small amounts, the sulfur components are inevitably contained in fuel. The sulfur components in fuel deteriorate the performance of the exhaust-gas catalysts. Thus, the development of an exhaust-gas catalyst capable of maintaining its catalytic performance under such fluctuating conditions as well is under way.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-316049 (JP-A-2002-316049) describes an exhaust-gas catalyst that is composed of catalyst particles produced by depositing ultrafine particles of a catalyst metal on the surfaces of θ-alumina particles through calcination. Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-167354 (JP-A-2004-167354) describes a catalyst carrier obtained by adding phosphor to a composite oxide in which an acid oxide composed of at least one of ZrO2 and TiO2 and Al2O3 are mixed together on a primary particle level, and an NO oxidation catalyst having a noble metal carried on this catalyst carrier. It is described that it is appropriate to set the temperature for calcinating the carrier lower than 900° C. For example, a carrier powder may be produced by calcining a precipitate that contains Al, Zr, Ti and P components, with the ratio of Zr to (Zr+Ti) equal to about 60 molar %, at 800° C. In addition, paragraph 0023 of JP-A-2004-167354 indicates that it is not preferable to set the molar ratio of zirconia to titania above 70:30 (i.e., to set the molar ratio of zirconia to (zirconia+titania) higher than 70 molar %), because doing so would reduce the heat resistance of the carrier, which would decrease the durability of the carrier.
In addition, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-229715 (JP-A-2007-229715) describes a catalyst carrier that is composed of an Al2O3—ZrO2—TiO2-type composite oxide with at least a portion of the ZrO2 and TiO2 form a ZrO2—TiO2 solid solution, and a catalyst that includes a noble metal and an NOx occluding material carried on this catalyst carrier. It is described that it is appropriate to set the temperature for calcining the carrier lower than 900° C. An example is described in which a carrier powder is prepared by calcining a precipitate that contains Al, Zr, and Ti components with the ratio of Zr to (Zr+Ti) equal to 70 molar % at 800° C.
However, these exhaust-gas catalysts do not exhibit sufficient catalytic performance after a long use. Therefore, there have been demands for an exhaust-gas catalyst carrier that can exhibit improved catalytic performance, and an exhaust-gas catalyst employing such an exhaust-gas catalyst carrier.

Exhaust gas catalyst carrier, exhaust gas catalyst employing the exhaust gas catalyst carrier, and method of manufacturing the exhaust gas catalyst carrier


An image formation apparatus comprises: an image exposure portion that forms a latent image by optically exposing a recording medium based on entered image data; a thermal development portion that visualizes the latent image by heating the recording medium exposed by the image exposure portion; at least one counter each of which counts the number of a set of the image data whenever the image data is entered; and a data-processing portion that: rotates, through 180°, (i) images represented by those of the set of the image data with the counted number of even or (ii) images represented by those of the set of the image data with the counted number of odd; and then outputs the image data to the image exposure portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image formation apparatus and, more particularly, to an image formation apparatus which is connected with plural modalities and forms images based on image data output from the modalities.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, large-scale imaging diagnostic systems including radiological imaging systems (such as MRI equipment and CT scanners) and image formation apparatus (thermal development apparatus) interconnected via a network have spread widely. Data about images taken by a radiological imaging system are supplied to an image formation apparatus installed in a different room and visualized images are output.
One imaging method used in such imaging diagnostic systems is mammography. In examination of breast cancers, mammographic images of left and right breasts which have been taken mammographically and formed on a thermally developed photosensitive material are arrayed side by side and compared. The mammographic images have been visualized by imaging the breasts by a mammography imaging unit, sending data about the derived images to an image formation apparatus, optically exposing the images, and thermally developing them. In the mammography imaging unit, image data are generally treated as follows to facilitate doctor's diagnosis. One of the left and right breast images is rotated through 180° such that the left and right breast images are placed in a back to back relation about the chest walls. Then, the image data are output.
The related-art image output processing apparatus for forming mammographic images lies in a known technique consisting of forming breast images on a thermally developed photosensitive material, placing the images such that they do not touch the front or rear end of the photosensitive material in the direction of transportation or placing the images of the left and right breasts in a back to back relation about the chest wall portions, and outputting the images with optimum layout (see, for example, JP-A-2004-138786)
With this image output processing apparatus, when the thermally developed photosensitive material, which has been optically exposed and has a latent image formed thereon, is brought into contact with the heat application portion of the thermal development portion and developed, the images of the breasts are so placed that they are not formed at the front end or rear end of the thermally developed photosensitive material in the direction of transportation; otherwise, the transfer of heat from the heat application portion would become unstable, tending to cause a decrease of the concentration of the mammographic images or nonuniformity of the concentration. In this way, the effects of the concentration nonuniformity on the diagnosis are suppressed.
As described previously, the image output processing apparatus of JP-A-2004-138786 suppresses decrease and nonuniformity of the concentration of mammographic images in the direction of transportation of the thermally developed photosensitive material. However, decrease and nonuniformity of the concentration also take place in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the direction of transportation of the thermally developed photosensitive material.
In particular, each mammographic image formed on the thermally developed photosensitive material is visualized by bringing the photosensitive material into contact with the heating portion of the thermal development portion. The photosensitive material has been optically exposed by the image exposure portion and a latent image has been formed on the photosensitive material. Thus, a visible image is formed. Considerations are given to the temperature distribution of the heating portion such that the thermally developed photosensitive material is uniform in temperature in order to heat every portion of the photosensitive material with uniform temperature. However, as shown in FIG. 10A, a larger amount of heat is dissipated from each end of the heating portion than from the center. The temperature at each end tends to drop.
When a thermally developed photosensitive material is brought into contact with the heating portion having a temperature distribution in the widthwise direction as described above and development is done, there is the danger that the concentration becomes nonuniform across the width of the thermally developed photosensitive material. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, where the images to be developed are mammographic images which are arranged in a back to back relation about the chest wall portions like images output from a general mammography imaging unit, if an image A of the right breast and an image B of the left breast are output separately, then a mammographic image 11 to be developed which is obtained from the image A by making contact with the center of the heating portion (i.e., the heating portion of uniform temperature) is developed with desired temperature. As a result, normal concentration is obtained. On the other hand, a mammographic image 13 which is to be developed is obtained from the image B by making contact with ends of the heating portion which tend to drop in temperature is developed with lower temperature. Consequently, there is the possibility that normal concentration is not obtained.
More particularly, each point, for example, on a line a constituting the breast image A of the mammographic image 11 is brought into contact with the heating portion of given temperature Ta and developed. Meanwhile, each point on a line b on the breast image B that is in a position corresponding to the line a of the breast image A is brought into contact with the heating portion of lower temperature Tb and developed. Accordingly, there is the danger that comparison of corresponding portions of the breast images A and B (e.g., points PR and PL) in terms of concentration and hue reveals that these portions are different in concentration and hue. Since alphanumeric information is formed in ancillary relationship to the mammographic images 11 and 13, the up-down direction of the mammographic images 11 and 13 can be discerned during outputting. In this example, for the sake of convenience, arrows are attached to the mammographic images 11 and 13, and the direction indicated by the arrows is defined as the upward direction in the figure.
The mammographic images 11 and 13 obtained in this way are arranged such that the chest wall portions AK and BK of the breast images A and B are placed in a back to back relation as shown in FIG. 11. Then, the images are placed on a showcase. The doctor observes the images A and B of the left and right breasts (mammographic images 11 and 13), discerns subtle differences in geometry and concentration between both breasts, and makes a diagnosis. However, as described previously, the corresponding portions of the breast images A and B are brought into contact with heating portions of different temperatures and developed. Consequently, they may differ in concentration and hue. There is the possibility that it is less easy for the doctor to make a diagnosis.
Accordingly, there is a demand for further improvement to prevent nonuniformity of concentration and hue in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the direction of transportation of a thermally developed photosensitive material, in addition to the direction of transportation, in order to obtain mammographic images of good quality (i.e., uniform in concentration and hue over the whole surface of each mammographic image). Furthermore, in an imaging diagnostic system having plural modalities connected with a single image formation apparatus by a network, it is essential to process mammographic image data such that image data other than mammographic images are not affected.


Method and apparatus for improving the characteristics of the surface effects recorded on an optical disc, for use with an optical recording apparatus which includes a writing light beam source and an optical modulator for modulating the intensity of the writing beam of light above and below a threshold level of a moving recording medium in response to a modulator drive signal for recording information on the medium, the light beam being capable of forming a track of surface effects or indicia in the moving recording medium when the writing beam is above threshold and incapable of forming surface effects in the moving recording medium when the writing beam is below threshold. The method includes receiving a substantially rectangular waveform having leading and trailing edges, provided as a modulator drive signal to modulate the writing beam to a peak power above threshold and to a minimum power level below thresholds, respectively, and producing a shaped modulator drive signal by increasing the peak power of the writing beam responsive to the occurrence of the leading edges, by decreasing the time the shaped modulator drive signal is above threshold in order to maintain a prescribed duty cycle in the track of surface effects in the moving recording medium, and by producing symmetrical leading and trailing edges of the surface effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of signal processing systems, and in particular to the field of waveform shaping in optical information recording systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a waveform shaping system for improving resolution of the recorded indicia in an optical disc while overcoming duty cycle and asymmetry problems associated with prior art techniques.
2. Brief Descriotion of the Prior Art
A great many systems are known for optically recording information on light responsive media. Digital information as well as analog information can be recorded on a variety of media, including photoresists, photochromic materials, and thermally responsive materials in the form of discs, drums, and tape.
Virtually all of these known systems employ some form of pulse code modulation (PCM) or frequency modulation (FM) due to the nonlinearities of known optical recording media. Additionally, virtually all of these known systems employ an optical system including an objective lens for focusing the writing beam of light to a small spot on the light sensitive surface of the medium. In order to maximize the information density of the recorded material, it is necessary to focus the writing beam to the smallest possible spot size. Due to diffraction effects, a focussed beam of coherent radiation forms a central bright spot surrounded by concentric spaced rings of light known as an Airy disc, having an approximately Gaussian power distribution. The diameter of the central spot of light is defined by the wavelength of the recording light and the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens.
Most optical recording media exhibit a threshold effect, meaning that a level of writing beam power density exists above which the medium will be altered, and below which the medium will not be altered. Since the power density of the focussed writing beam varies as a function of the distance from the center of the central spot, it is possible to form altered areas on a medium which are smaller than the diameter of the central spot of the focussed light. In order to obtain an altered area of a specific size, the prior art has taught that it is merely necessary to adjust the peak intensity of the modulated beam such that the power density of the focussed spot at the specified diameter is equal to threshold level of the recording medium. Experimental results indicate that this technique works extremely well when there is no relative movement between the writing spot and the medium and no thermal conductivity effects diffusing the energy absorbed by the medium. In all practical systems, however, relative movement between the medium and the recording spot is necessary. This relative movement greatly complicates the calculation of the amount of energy absorbed by a particular region of the medium.
All light responsive media exhibit a tendency to integrate the amount of energy received over a period of time, so that the threshold level of the material does not define a specific instantaneous power density at which the material is altered, but rather defines an energy density which is the result of an integration of the received power over the time during which the power is received. In other words, the threshold level for the materials is actually an exposure level. Exposure level is defined as the radiant flux per unit area integrated over the exposure time. The radiant flux irradiating a particular point on the medium at a particular time is a function of the position of the point within the focussed spot, as well as the instantaneous intensity of the writing beam. Specifically, the exposure level at a particular point on the medium is equal to the convolution integral of the instantaneous power of the modulated writing beam as a function of time and the power density distribution function defined by the path and speed of the particular point of the medium through the focussed spot, evaluated over the exposure time. Since the power distribution of the focussed spot varies in two dimensions, the exposure level over the medium defines a three dimensional graph. The intersection points of this graph with a planar "slice" through the graph at the altitude corresponding to the threshold level of the medium maps the boundaries of the altered areas on the medium.
An important concept in determining the effect of the finite size of the recording spot is the concept of the spatial frequency of the information on the moving recording medium. This is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,356 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Also incorporated herein by reference is U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,873 describing signal processing techniques to achieve proper duty cycle of the recorded information and to minimize second harmonic distortion of the recorded information which are related parameters and which are improved by the present invention. In this description, the duty cycle of the recorded information will be referenced in detail, it being understood that second harmonic distortion is proportional thereto. That is, when duty cycle is controlled to approximately 50%, this minimizes the second harmonic distortion of the recorded information.
As previously indicated, when recording on a medium using laser light, the effects of the recording process may either be an ablation of the recording surface, a discoloration of the surface, a photo-hardening or a photo-softening of a photoresist coated surface, a raised bump or bubble formation, and the like. In all cases, a recording medium is moving relative to an impinging light beam, and the energy of the light beam is increased and decreased about a threshold level so as to cause or not cause the desired effect, respectively. Also in all cases, when the light beam is first turned on or caused to exceed threshold, the full effect of the energy on the recording surface is not instantaneously realized. Rather, and especially with mediums that are thermally responsive, the recorded effect (i.e. indicia) increases with time due primarily to the temperature of the medium increasing with time under the influence of the applied energy. That is, when the light beam is first turned on, instantaneously no alteration in a moving recording surface can be detected. If left on continuously, the full effect of the impinging light beam will cause a wide stripe of the effect on the recording surface, thereby defining a broadening of the track of the light beam with the passage of time.
On the other hand, when the light beam is turned off or falls below threshold level, the effect of the lack of sufficient energy from the light beam is almost immediately recognized by the disc surface, since the downstream portion of the disc is cold and unaltered. Accordingly, when the light beam is turned off quickly, an almost instantaneous stoppage of the recording effect takes place, and since the light beam is substantially circular at the point of impingement on the recording surface, a rather blunt end on the trailing edge of the recorded indicia can be observed.
If the moving recording surface is therefore impinged by a light beam having a sharp rising leading edge and a sharp falling trailing edge, a rather "pear-shaped" or "teardrop-shaped" surface effect will be noted, the leading edge being tapered and widening to a constant width until the beam was shut off, at which point the recorded effect would define a rounded or blunted trailing end.
While the aforementioned characteristics of the recorded surface results regardless of the recording "effect" chosen, for ease of discussion in this description, it will be assumed that the recording light beam causes an ablation of the surface, thereby producing a "pit". It is to be understood, however, that a bump, discoloration, photoresist hardening, photoresist softening, or other indicia can be substituted for the term "pit" without departing from the nature of the technical description of the recording effect. It is further to be recognized that the term "pit" as used herein would be equivalent to the bump or pit formed after development of a photoresist if that were chosen for the recording surface. Finally, the term "recording surface" refers to that part of the disc which is sensitive to the impingement of light energy, whether it be on the outer surface of the disc or submerged beneath the surface being impinged by the light beam.
One of the most important parameters in the recording of a CD (Compact Disc) master is the precise control of the pit-to-land ratio. Each transition from land to pit and vice versa marks a zero crossing of the EFM (Eight-to-Fourteen) signal; therefore, the size of the land area holds as much digital information as the size of the corresponding pits. The ratio of pit to land size is the "duty cycle" of the recording. A duty cycle of 50% would represent a symmetrical signal with pits occupying 50% of the track area and land area the other 50%. Any recording that deviates from a 50% duty cycle would be represented in an eye-pattern (discussed in connection with FIG. 2) as an asymmetrical signal. Due to limitations in the replication process, differences in the various CD player's optics, and variances in the players electronic boost, all CD recordings, even ones that were recorded with perfect 50-50 symmetry, may be seen by the playback electronics as slightly asymmetrical. Circuitry within the CD player corrects for this asymmetry by shifting the "zero level" to a point where no timing differences between positive and negative half cycles exist on average.
The optical head of a player "reads" the information on a disc by focussing a laser beam to a spot about 1 micron in diameter and scanning this spot along a spiral track of pits and lands on the disc. The lands reflect most of the light back to a photodetector in the head, but the pits reflect very little light. The photodetector generates an electrical signal proportional to the amount of light reflected by the area of the disc illuminated by the spot. Because the spot is diffraction limited and is only slightly smaller in diameter than the length of the shortest length pit on the disc, the rise and fall times of the electrical signal are relatively rather slow, and the amplitude of the signal representing the smallest pits is smaller than the amplitude of the signals representing the longer pits. The difference in amplitude varies from player to player because of differences in optical quality, and from disc to disc because of pit geometry. All players partially make up the difference in amplitude with an analog aperture compensation circuit which boosts the amplitude of the high frequency signals relative to the low frequency signals. Unfortunately, in the interests of economy, these boost circuits are not phase linear, so the harmonics of the signals are delayed by varying amounts, and the shape of the waveform is altered in addition to its amplitude.
The EFM signal recorded on the disc is a run length limited digital code which is self clocking and contains its digital information in the timing between transitions. On the disc, such transitions are the boundaries between pits and the lands between pits. Therefore, the length of each pit is a quantum of data and the length of each land between pits is also a quantum of data.
The rules for the EFM code according to CD standards require that each and every transition occur at one of nine allowed times after the last transition. More specifically, the period between any two transitions must be nT, where T is a fixed period of time (about 231 nanoseconds) and n is an integer between 3 and 11. In order to decode the information, the player must decide how many T's pass between each transition. The rate of rotation of the disc under the playback head is not stable enough to simply time the transitions with a fixed clock. Instead, a channel clock running at an average of one cycle per T (4.3218 Mhz) is phase locked to the recovered signal. This PLL (phase locked loop) operates by comparing the timing of each transition in the signal with the closest cycle end of the clock. If the transition consistently occurs just before a cycle end of the clock, the clock slowly speeds up until the transitions occur exactly at a cycle end.
Unfortunately, the rise and fall times of the analog signal from the disc are several T long, so a specific voltage must be chosen to define the instant of the transition. This voltage is the player's "Decision Level". The player chooses this level with the help of another rule of the EFM code which states that, on the average (and ideally), the EFM signal will be "high" for exactly the same amount of time, on average, that it is low. Knowing this, if a player picks a decision point too high in voltage, the EFM signal will be low (lower than the decision point) more often than it is high (higher than the decision point). A servo loop in the player slowly adjusts the limit voltage to find and maintain the proper decision level voltage.
It is important to realize that the player cannot change its decision level on a cycle by cycle basis, but the period between the transitions can vary from 3T to 11T instantly. Any frequency dependent influences on the shape of the waveform may cause the ideal decision point for the high frequency segments of the signal to be at a different voltage than the ideal decision point for the low frequency segments of the signal. The player will choose a decision point which is an average of these voltages. As mentioned earlier, the boost circuitry of the player is not phase linear and therefore causes a "spread" in the ideal decision point voltages with frequency.
In order to read the signal from the disc, the player must keep the small spot of light centered over the moving spiral track of pits on the disc. Various techniques are used for detecting the position of the spot relative to the track, and tracking devices of some players (using single-beam or push-pull trackers) are greatly influenced by the average duty cycle of the pits along the track. That is, these players will only reliably follow along the center of the track if the track consists of a certain percentage of pit area greater than the non-pit area (a duty cycle greater than 50%). While recorded intelligence information is contained in both the pits and the lands, no tracking information is contained in the lands which are coplaner with the other unrecorded regions of the disc surface, i.e. the surface of the disc between tracks of pits. Accordingly, the greater the length of the pit relative to the land between pits, the better the tracking subsystem works. As indicated, with any duty cycle less than about 50%, there is insufficient tracking information to enable push-pull trackers to stay on track. One solution to this dilemma, then, would be to increase the pit-to-land duty cycle to above 50% and rely upon the player's ability to readjust its "decision level" to compensate for the increase in recorded duty cycle. However, in order for the player's PLL to maintain a channel clock based on the EFM signal, the increase in the duty cycle must be uniform over the entire signal, but this does not happen because there is not an equal proportional increase in pit length over the nine different pit sizes (3T to 11T). A 3T pit will obviously have a greater geometric increase, percentage wise, than will a 6T or an 11T pit. Unfortunately, therefore, departing from a 50% duty cycle just to accommodate single-beam trackers sacrifices symmetry, and if asymmetry is too great, the player's phase lock loop may not be able to lock to the recovered signal.
Another consideration which has heretofore not been adequately provided for in the recording process is the fact that single-beam players whose tracking function depends on the amount of light deflected back to the photo-sensor in the direction of the tracking error operates best with tapered (pointed) ends on the pits formed in the recording surface. The ideal pit would be an elongated groove with an apex on the bottom of the pit, similar to the impression that would be made by an upside down pyramid. The more the slope of the sides and the more tapered the ends, the better. Accordingly, any attempt to improve the pit definition tends to create a flat plateau region and eliminate the long narrow and tapered leading edges of the pits making tracking more difficult for such single-beam players. Moreover, pit length varies greatly pit-to-pit, i.e., from 3T to 11T, and a 3T width pit or land can be placed directly adjacent to an 11T pit or land. If the peak power level is increased to produce rounded (less tapered) higher definition 3T pits, the same peak power level applied when forming an 11T pit would produce a very wide or blunted trailing end portion. This difference in geometry between 3T and 11T pits creates differential symmetry where the 3T pits have one symmetry and the 11T pits have another symmetry configuration, and this causes problems with player decoders. Ideally, there should be the same symmetry on each pit size. Otherwise, there will be a "spread in pattern" in the eye-pattern (discussed in connection with FIG. 2).
It can therefore be appreciated that without the background knowledge discussed above, a simplistic master recorder design would simply maintain a 50% duty cycle in the recorded information. In the ideal world, this would seem to be an obvious thing to do, since maintaining a 50% duty cycle would appear to be an essential requirement for the recording process. Methods and apparatuses of the distant prior art have thus merely provided a rectangular waveform in which the portion representing an nT length pit is equal in length to that portion of the waveform representing an nT length land between pits.
With experience, it has become evident that many factors must be considered in order to produce the optimal track of pits on the disc. For example, since the width of a pit along the track varies with the amount of time the beam is allowed to impinge on the surface, pit size and geometry is a function of surface speed--an important factor for discs recorded in a constant angular velocity format. Other factors to be considered, already discussed, are duty cycle (>50%), the shape of the side walls of the pits in elevation (important for single-beam trackers), symmetry, and pit resolution.
Pulse length can be increased to raise the duty cycle, but this increases asymmetry. Increasing the power level of the modulated light beam improves resolution at the leading edge and increases duty cycle but produces "pear-shaped" trailing edges and excessive asymmetry. Increasing peak power at the leading edge by using a stepped modulator driving pulse improves resolution of the leading edge but requires a reduction of pulse length to keep the duty cycle under control. Doing so gives unequal symmetry for the different pulse lengths and requires an adjustment for each surface speed for best results. Threshold can be lowered to increase duty cycle, but this produces poorer resolution in the leading edges of the pits and ill-defined pit widths exhibiting substantial difference in geometrical shapes between a 3T and 11T pulse length. Finally, any attempts to increase pit resolution inherently diminishes the ability of single-beam trackers to track.
It can thus be appreciated that, while many adjustments of the parameters affecting the timing and geometry of the pits are available, the interaction by making any adjustment which affects other parameters is a tremendous problem which reduces yield and requires constant attention by a recording operator.
There is therefore a need in the art for a method and apparatus for driving the light modulator with a pulse which permits independent control over geometry and asymmetry over wider ranges than heretofore possible. The method and apparatus permits adjustment of pulse length and power to optimize asymmetry and permits adjustment of the slope of the trailing edge of the pulse to keep the geometry correct. This rather independent control of these parameters are extremely important when considering that for any given process for manufacturing discs, taking into account the differences in chemicals, surface thicknesses on the disc, molding machines, and mastering machines, any particular system would require a different adjustment to obtain optimal pit geometry and asymmetry, and the prior art has failed to provide this flexibility by being unable to control certain parameters independently. The present invention therefore satisfies a long need in the art for a method and apparatus which not only can permit optimal adjustment of the modulator driving pulse for a particular system but can also be adjustable to account for differences system-to-system. A synergistic effect is realized in the ability to produce elongated ellipse-shaped pits, i.e. pits with tapered ends, and yet maintain reasonably high resolution and required duty cycle, giving the benefit of improved tracking as well as improved signal recovery.

Waveform shaping method and apparatus for optical recording


A method of making an energy conversion device includes forming a plurality of pores within a substrate and forming a junction region within each of the plurality of pores. Each of the junction regions has a depletion region and each of the plurality of pores defines an opening size in the substrate and a spacing from adjacent pores so that the depletion regions of each of the pores is at least substantially in contact with the depletion region of the pores which are adjacent.

As the automation of human society progresses, there is a need for energy to power more and more modern electrical devices of various sizes. Although nuclear energy has shown its potential to solve this problem, currently available nuclear conversion technologies suffer from inherent inefficiencies and problems. For example, the two-step nature of the conversion process and the limitations of the thermodynamic cycle consume as much as 90% of the initial nuclear energy in its conversion to electricity.
One area of ongoing research is in the area of nuclear batteries. Based on the discovery in 1954 that p-n junctions can generate electric current from beta particles and alpha particles emitted from radioactive materials, as disclosed in Rappaport P., "The electron voltaic effect in p-n junctions induced by beta particle bombardment," Phys. Rev. 93, 246 (1954) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, research has continued for many years investigating a wide variety materials and techniques to construct nuclear batteries with higher efficiencies as disclosed in Kherani, N. P., et al., "Tritiated amorphous silicon for micropower applications," Fusion Tech. 28, 1609 (1995), Lai, R., et al., "A nuclear microbattery for MEMS devices," Proc. 9th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Nice, April, 2001, and Bower, K. E., et al. (eds), Polymers, Phosphors, and Voltaic for Radioisotope Microbatteries, CRC Press, Boca Raton (2002) which are all herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The physics of direct conversion from nuclear energy to electric current is illustrated in FIG. 1. Basically, a potential difference is maintained by a voltage source V between a positive and a negative electrode while a charged particle is emitted by an unstable nucleus of a radioactive material. The emitted charged particle creates electron/hole pairs that migrate towards the positive and negative electrodes. A resistive load R completes the circuit so that the positive and negative charges which have migrated recombine and power is generated by this induced current flow in the completed circuit.
An apparatus and method for generating electrical current from a nuclear decay process of radioactive material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,531 to Gadken, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. This apparatus includes a plurality of junction regions formed by the appropriate construction of a number of p-type and n-type dopant sites. At least a portion of one of the junction regions is disposed in a porous region having an aspect ratio of greater than about 20:1 and is disposed at an angle of greater than about fifty-five degrees measured relative to the surface area in which it is formed. Although this apparatus and method is effective, even further efficiencies and greater performance are desired.

Methods of making energy conversion devices with a substantially contiguous depletion regions


Provided are an electronic shelf label, an electronic shelf label system, and an electronic shelf label method. The electronic shelf label includes a power supply unit configured to provide driving power to one or more terminals, a communication interface configured to provide a display signal to the one or more terminals, a terminal selection unit configured to select a terminal to be controlled among the one or more terminals, and a controller configured to control the terminal selection unit so as to select the terminal to be controlled and generate the display signal.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic shelf label, an electronic shelf label system, and an electronic shelf label method.
In general, products are displayed on the shelves of distribution stores. Information such as sales price, discount, unit price, and country of origin for the products is displayed on a paper label. The paper label is discarded when the production information is changed or the product display position is changed. At this time, a new paper label must be generated so as to display the changed product information. Therefore, the paper label incurs continuous costs for maintenance. Additionally, the use of the paper label has a negative effect on environmental protection because a raw material "paper" is wasted in terms of environment.
Recently, research and development have been conducted on an electronic price indicator or an electronic shelf label as means for replacing the paper label. The electronic shelf label may be referred to as a product tag. The electronic shelf label receives price related information of a corresponding product from a central control center (server) through a wireless device (for example, a gateway) and displays the received price related information, thereby providing information on the corresponding product.
The electronic shelf label can display, in real time, frequent information changes or discount information of the product through the display of the electronic shelf label. For user convenience, the electronic shelf label can display not only price information but also a lot of information such as a store symbol, a promotion image, a barcode, a product name, a product image, information on country of origin, and the like.
Examples of the display used for the electronic shelf label include a bistable cholesteric display (BCD) and an electrophoretic display (EPD).
The electronic shelf label system is a system that interworks with a Point Of Sale (POS) device by using the electronic shelf label, guides the price information of the product, and additionally displays a variety of promotion information such as price per unit, sale price, normal price, product display position, point information, display quantity, and the like, thereby helping product purchase and store operations.
Meanwhile, the electronic shelf label provided in the electronic shelf label system continuously updates the price information or the like periodically or non-periodically. To this end, the electronic shelf label system is configured to allocate time slots to a plurality of electronic shelf label tags and perform wireless communication with the electronic shelf label server by driving only during the allocated time slots. The number of electronic shelf labels provided in the electronic shelf label system rapidly increases according to the size of a store in which the electronic shelf labels are installed. In this case, each electronic shelf label can not directly communicate with the electronic shelf label server and can perform communication via relay through a coordinator, a router, or the like.

Electronic shelf label, electronic shelf label system, and electronic shelf label method


The invention relates to a saRNAs useful in upregulating the expression of the SIRT1 gene and therapeutic compositions comprising the saRNA. Methods of using the saRNA and the therapeutic compositions are also provided.

Recently it has been discovered that small duplex RNAs increased gene expression by targeting ncRNAs that overlap gene promoters (Janowski et al., Nature Chemical Biology, vol. 3:166-173 (2007), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). Any short RNA which leads to up-regulation of the expression of a target gene by any mechanism is termed a short activating RNA or small activating RNA (saRNA). Known methods of up-regulating a target gene by use of saRNAs can involve the detection of an RNA transcript which is antisense to the target gene of interest and designing short RNA molecules which down-regulate the identified transcript. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 8,288,354 to Wahlestedt, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, discloses a method of modulating expression of a target gene comprising targeting a nucleic acid molecule to a naturally-occurring anti-sense transcript (NAT) of a sense strand of the targeted gene in a target cell, wherein the nucleic acid molecule targeting the NAT is complementary to the NAT. The NAT may be a coding RNA transcript or a non-coding RNA transcript lacking any extensive open reading frame. In another example, WO 2012/065143 to Krieg et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, teaches a method of activating expression of a target gene comprising blocking the binding of a long non-coding RNA (lnc-RNA) to Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) protein by a single-stranded oligonucleotide, thereby preventing the lnc-RNA from suppressing the target gene.
There remains, however, a need for compositions and methods for the targeted modulation of genes via activation with saRNA which do not require the a priori identification of a NAT or rely on interactions at the polycomb complex for prophylactic diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

SIRT1-saRNA compositions and methods of use


It is an object of the invention to provide a vibration reducing technique which is effective in obtaining stable vibration reducing effectiveness. A representative vibration isolating handle may include a body, a grip part and an elastic member. The handle body is provided to be attachable to the power tool. The grip part is connected to the handle body such that the grip part can move relatively with respect to the handle body substantially in the same direction at least as vibration of the power tool. The elastic member is provided between the handle body and the grip part. The elastic member applies a biasing force to the grip part when the grip part moves. According to the invention, vibration of the grip part can be reduced by the vibration absorbing function of the elastic member with stability regardless of whether the force of the user gripping the grip part is large or small.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vibration isolating handle attached to a reciprocating power tool such as an electric hammer and a hammer drill, which drives a tool bit at a predetermined cycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 63-6343 discloses an auxiliary operating device, in the form of a vibration isolating handle, which is attached in use to a body of an electric hammer in order to operate the electric hammer. In this prior art reference, a grip is formed by covering a stem with a hard elastic pipe and further covering the hard elastic pipe with a soft elastic pipe.
The above-mentioned grip is designed to reduce vibration by the soft pipe and to prevent deformation by the hard pipe. However, the vibration reducing effectiveness varies according to the force of the user gripping the grip. Thus, stable vibration reducing effectiveness cannot be obtained and further improvement is desired.


An optical pulse generator comprising a phase modulator, wherein the phase modulator is configured to phase modulate and intensity modulate a continuous wave (CW) light signal in accordance with a received electrical signal, and an all-pass filter, the all-pass filter being coupled to the phase modulator to generate a pulsed light signal by filtering the modulated light signal from the phase modulator.

Silicon photonics has the potential to change many aspects of data transport, but has not yet substantially impacted long haul transport. Part of the reason for this is that modulators in this platform are "chirped" in the sense that they generate signals that exhibit chirp. As is well known, chirp can degrade spectral efficiency and long haul transport characteristics.
In silicon and indium phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuits, electro-optic modulators can create optical phase shifting by using the Kramers-Kronig effect, where a change in optical loss induces a change in optical path length within an optical waveguide. This approach is effective in creating an electro-optic response, often referred to as the plasma-dispersion effect, in materials that do not have an intrinsic electro-optic response. When used for optical modulation within a push-pull Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), however, there is a resulting change in modulator optical path length during signal modulation that results in a chirped transmission signal. As mentioned, modulator chirp can be detrimental to system spectral efficiency, system scalability, and transmission performance.

Tunable zero-chirp pulse generator using plasma dispersion phase modulator


A method for producing a semiconductor device which comprises a step for forming a gate electrode on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate via a gate oxide film, and a step for directing plasma ions with a gas mixture comprising a first gas containing a hydride of an impurity element and a second gas containing a fluoride of the impurity element into a surface of the semiconductor substrate.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device, more particularly to a method for producing a semiconductor device by using a plasma doping method and a semiconductor device.
Reflecting the trend to fine structure and high integration of semiconductor devices in recent years, it is required to form shallowly a source/drain junction of a MOS transistor and an extension portion as a medium concentration portion of a source/drain formed by e.g. LDD (Lightly Doped Drain). With the change of design rules in the trend to fine structure of MOS transistors, if the source/drain junction including the extension portion is not shallowly formed, drawbacks such as a short-channel effect are likely to occur.
Heretofore, an ion implantation method has been used for the formation of a source/drain junction. However, the formation of a shallow source/drain junction by the ion implantation method has the following drawbacks. For the formation of a shallow source/drain diffusion layer junction by an ion implantation apparatus, it is required to implant ions with low energy. However, a high beam current is hardly obtained with low energy. This is mainly attributable to the fact that with the low energy, ion beams introduced from an ion source tend to diffuse and disperse until they reach a wafer. It takes a long time to obtain a predetermined implantation dose due to the less beam current, resulting in poor throughput.
Under such circumstances, a plasma doping method by which doping is feasible with high throughput even with low energy, attracts attentions. Especially with respect to a low energy doping of boron (B) which exhibits poor throughput by an ion implantation apparatus, studies have been intensively made.
With respect to the plasma doping, the following prior art documents are mentioned.
First, JP-A-8-45867 describes that to improve the ionization probability of phosphine gas, an ion shower with phosphine gas diluted with hydrogen gas and helium gas is used for the formation of source/drain regions.
Further, JP-A-7-142421 describes that plasma ion implantation of Ge and Si into a semiconductor substrate is conducted to induce preamorphized state, and then plasma ion implantation of P-type or N-type ions as impurities is conducted.
Moreover, JP-A-6-89904 describes that plasma ion implantation of trivalent or pentavalent impurities in plasma state diluted with hydrogen or helium, is conducted for formation of an impurity region.
As described above, documents concerning the gas composition for plasma doping and technics concerning source/drain regions are found in the prior art.
Problems of conventional plasma doping methods wherein B.sub.2 H.sub.6 is used as a main gas of dopant will be explained.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a device when doping is carried out on source/drain and a gate electrode of a surface channel type PMOS transistor by using B.sub.2 H.sub.6 as the main gas of dopant.
In FIG. 14, 51 is a semiconductor substrate, 52 is an oxide film for separation of elements formed on the semiconductor substrate 51 by a LOCOS method (Local Oxidation of Silicon), 53 is a gate oxide film formed on the semiconductor substrate 51, 54 is a gate electrode formed on the gate oxide film 53, 55 is source/drain regions, and 56 is an electron trap generated in the gate oxide film 53.
Then, with reference to the cross-sectional schematic view of a device as shown in FIG. 14, a production method will be explained.
First, an oxide film 52 for separation of elements is formed on a semiconductor substrate 51 by a LOCOS method. Then, a gate oxide film 53 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 51 by thermal oxidation, and an undoped-type polysilicon or an amorphous silicon is formed on the gate oxide film 53 by a CVD method. Then, through a resist process, patterning is conducted in the shape as shown in FIG. 14 by an anisotropic etching.
FIG. 14 shows the condition where a semiconductor substrate 51 is mounted on an electrode in a plasma doping apparatus which is not shown, and doping of impurities in plasma state is carried out on source/drain 55 and a gate electrode 54 of the semiconductor substrate 51. B.sub.2 H.sub.6 as a dopant is usually diluted to 20% or less with hydrogen or the like for use, since it is extremely unstable as a single substance. When plasma is generated by using B.sub.2 H.sub.6 diluted with hydrogen, ions such as B.sup.+, BH.sub.x.sup.+ (x=1 to 6), B.sub.2 H.sub.x.sup.+ (x=1 to 6), H.sub.3.sup.+, H.sub.2.sup.+ or H.sup.+ ions, or radicals such as H* (hereinafter * indicates to be a radical) are generated. However, the existence ratio of B+ in the plasma is low and the major part is hydrogen ions (H.sub.3.sup.+, H.sub.2.sup.+) or ions containing hydrogen (B.sub.2 H.sub.x.sup.+).
When 31 4 kV is applied to the electrode in the plasma doping apparatus which is not shown, to carry out the doping of B.sub.2 H.sub.x.sup.+ at a ratio of 1.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2 at 4 keV, a large amount of H.sub.3.sup.+ exists in the plasma and accelerated by 4 keV to undergo doping into the semiconductor substrate 51. In this case, B.sub.2 H.sub.x.sup.+ does not pass through the gate electrode 54, but hydrogen passes beyond the gate electrode 54 and is doped into the gate oxide film 53 at a level of 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3. The hydrogen causes an electron trap 56 in the gate oxide film 53. Then, the electron trap causes the drawback of deterioration of hot-carrier resistance.
Further, in another conventional plasma doping method, the main gas is BF.sub.3 gas as a dopant.
FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of the plasma doping when BF.sub.3 is used as the main gas. In FIG. 15, 57 is an electrode in the plasma doping apparatus, and 58 is a semiconductor substrate mounted on the electrode 57.
By applying a negative voltage to the electrode 57, positive ions in plasma state are attracted to the semiconductor substrate 58 and doped by an acceleration voltage. The electrons in the plasma move away from the semiconductor substrate 58. Usually, to prevent charging up, a negative pulse pattern voltage is applied to the electrode 57. Only during the negative voltage is applied, positive ions are implanted into the semiconductor substrate 58, and when the applied voltage becomes 0 or positive, the electrons are attracted to neutralize the charging up.
When the BF.sub.3 gas is used as the main gas, positive ions of all the types existing in the plasma, i.e. B.sup.+, BF.sup.+, BF.sub.2.sup.+ and F.sup.+, are doped at the same time into a wafer. However, the BF.sub.2.sup.+ ions having the highest existence ratio are widely used in an ion implantation method and cause no problem even if incorporated. Further, BF.sup.+ and F.sup.+ are considered to be less influential to the device, as well. Further, BF.sub.3 gas is not flammable unlike B.sub.2 H.sub.6, and accordingly, has a merit of easiness in handling from the viewpoint of safety.
However, as shown in FIG. 15, when the BF.sub.3 gas is used, fluorine radical F* formed by decomposition of the gas performs etching of the surface of the semiconductor substrate 58, i.e. together with the doping of the positive ions, the etching of the semiconductor substrate surface by the fluorine radical F* proceeds concomitantly, resulting in a drawback of poor controllability of doping profile.
Further, the boron once doped in the surface of the semiconductor substrate is etched, whereby a drawback of a poor doping efficiency is caused.
The above problems are described in, for example, "Anomalous behavior of shallow BF.sub.3 plasma immersion ion implantation", J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B12(2), Mar/Apr 1994, pp 956-961.
Here, prior art documents concerning plasma technologies using fluorine gas will be described.
As the prior art document concerning the plasma etching using fluorine gas, "LSI Process Engineering (2nd edition)" Ohm Co., pages 88-89, describes that if hydrogen is added to Freon during plasma etching, the formation of F* is prevented by the reaction of F* +H.fwdarw.HF, resulting in the reduction of etching rate of silicon.
Further, "Radical Kinetics in a Fluorocarbon Etching Plasma", Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 32 (1993) pp. 3040-3044 describes that if plasma is generated by the addition of hydrogen gas to CF.sub.4 gas, a reaction of H+F.fwdarw.HF is induced, resulting in the reduction of F in the plasma.
Furthermore, "Formation of carbon fluoride film having a high heat resistance and a low dielectric constant by using a plasma CVD method", applied physics Vol. 65, No. 11, 1996, pp 1153-1157, describes that if hydrogen or C.sub.2 H.sub.2 is added to C.sub.4 F.sub.8 gas to generate plasma, gettering of F* by H* is likely to occur to reduce the etching with F*, resulting in increase of a film-formation rate.
As described above, prior art documents concerning the plasma etching by using fluorine gas are found in the prior art.
Then, in the conventional plasma doping method, an inner wall or the like of a chamber wherein the plasma doping is conducted, undergoes sputtering by the plasma, resulting in a drawback that atoms of the material of the chamber inner wall tend to deposit on the semiconductor substrate. When the inner wall of the plasma chamber is made of a stainless steel type material, Fe, Cr or the like tends to deposit on the semiconductor substrate. With an Al type material, not only Al but also Fe or the like contained in a small amount tend to deposit on the semiconductor substrate, and such elements are known to increase a leakage current of a source/drain junction.

Method for producing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device


Sorghum is considered an allelopathic crop species and sorgoleone likely accounts for much of its allelopathic properties. Prior investigations into the biosynthesis of sorgoleone suggested the participation of one or more alkylresorcinol synthases (ARS), which are type III polyketide synthases (PKS) that produce 5-alkylresorcinols using medium to long-chain fatty acyl-CoA starter units via iterative condensations with malonyl-CoA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of PKS-like sequences mined from isolated root hairs revealed that two sequences, designated ARS1 and ARS2, were preferentially expressed. Recombinant enzyme studies demonstrated that both sequences encode ARS enzymes capable of accepting a variety of fatty acyl-CoA starter units. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments directed against ARS1 and ARS2 resulted in the generation of multiple independent transformant events exhibiting dramatically reduced sorgoleone levels. Thus, both ARS1 and ARS2 participate in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone in planta. ARS1 and ARS2 sequences were used to identify rice genes encoding alkylresorcinol synthases.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to two alkylresorcinol synthase genes cloned from sorghum, the sorghum alkylresorcinol synthase 1 gene, ARS1, and the alkylresorcinol synthase 2 gene, ARS2; constructs containing the ARS1 gene or the ARS2 gene and its promoter; a vector containing a ARS1 or ARS2 gene; ARS1 and ARS2 protein; a method of making ARS1 and ARS2 protein; a method of transforming plants; and transgenic plants which express ARS1 or ARS2 resulting in the biosynthesis of alkylresorcinol precursors to sorgoleone in planta, RNAi constructs, and a method of blocking the production of sorgoleone through RNA interference.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Allelopathy, a form of chemical warfare between plants, can be defined as the production and release of chemical substances by one species that inhibit the growth of another species (Inderjit and Duke. 2003. Planta 217:529-539; Weston and Duke. 2003. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 22:367-389). Allelopathic interactions have been proposed to have profound effects on the evolution of plant communities through the loss of susceptible species via chemical interference, and by imposing selective pressure favoring individuals resistant to inhibition from a given allelochemical (e.g., Schulz and Wieland. 1999. Chemoecology 9:133-141). Furthermore, allelopathic compounds released by grain crop species are thought to play a significant role in cover crops or within intercropping systems where they act as weed suppressants. Allelopathic compounds have been characterized in number of plants such as black walnut, wheat, rice, and sorghum (Bertin et al. 2003. Plant Soil 256: 67-83; Inderjit and Duke, supra; Duke at al. 2005. Outlooks Pest Management 16: 64-68).
Despite the ecological and agronomic importance of allelochemicals, relatively few pathways have been characterized in detail at the molecular level. One notable exception is the identification and characterization of all the genes encoding the enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of the benzoxazinoid, 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one in Zea mays (Frey et al. 1997. Science 277:696-699). Benzoxazinoids are thought to act as alleopathic chemicals in the rhizosphere, in addition to being defense compounds against microbial pathogens and insect herbivores (Sicker at al. 2000. Int. Rev. Cytol. 198:319-346; Friebe, A. 2001. J. Crop Prod. 4:379-400).
Sorgoleone, an allelochemical of particular interest to plant chemical ecology as well as agriculture, has only been found to be produced by members of the genus Sorghum (Czarnota at al. 2003b. J. Chem. Ecol. 29:2073-2083; Baerson et al. 2008b. Plant Signal Behav. 3:667-670). The term sorgoleone is most frequently used to describe the compound corresponding to the predominant congener identified in sorghum root exudates (Netzly et al. 1988. Weed Sci. 36:441-446; Kagan et al. 2003. J. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 7589-7595), 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone (FIG. 1), which has been estimated to account for between approximately 40-90% of the exudate material (w/w) in various accessions (e.g. Nimbal et al. 1996. J. Agric. Food Chem. 44: 1343-1347; Czarnota et al. 2001. Weed Technol. 15: 813-825; Baerson et al. 2008a. J. Biol. Chem. 283:3231-3247; Dayan et al. 2009. J. Exp. Bot. 60:2107-2117). The remaining exudate consists primarily of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-[(Z,Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatriene]resorcinol(methoxy-dihydrosorgoleone), and sorgoleone congeners differing in the length or degree of saturation of the aliphatic side chain, and in the substitution pattern of the quinone ring (Erickson et al. 2001. J. Agric. Food Chem. 49: 5537-5542; Kagan et al., supra; Rimando et al. 2003. J. Nat. Prod. 66: 42-45; Dayan et al. 2009, supra). The fact that sorgoleone acts as a potent broad-spectrum inhibitor active against many agronomically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed species, exhibits a long half-life in soil, and appears to affect multiple targets in vivo (e.g., Netzly & Butler. 1986. Crop Sci. 26: 775-780; Einhellig and Souza. 1992. J. Chem. Ecol. 18: 1-11; Nimbal et al., supra; Rimando et al., 1998. J. Nat. Prod. 61: 927-930; Czarnota et al. 2001. Weed Technol. 15: 813-825; Bertin et al. 2003. Plant Soil 256:67-83; Duke, S. O. 2003. Trends Biotechnol. 21: 192-195) may make it promising for development as a natural product alternative to synthetic herbicides (Duke, supra).
The biosynthesis of sorgoleone is thought to occur exclusively in root hairs, which appear as cytoplasmically dense cells in sorghum, containing large osmiophilic globules presumably associated with sorgoleone rhizosecretion (Czarnota et al. 2001, supra; Czarnota et al. 2003a. Int. J. Plant Sci. 164:861-866). Prior labeling studies have indicated a polyketide origin for the quinone ring of sorgoleone (Fate and Lynn. 1996. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 118:11369-11376; Dayan et al. 2003. J. Biol. Chem. 278: 28607-28611), thus lending support for the initial steps in the proposed biosynthetic pathway shown in FIG. 1, where 5-pentadecatrienyl resorcinol (5-[(8′Z,11′Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatrienyl]resorcinol) is produced by a polyketide synthase enzyme accepting a 16:3Δ9,12,15 fatty acyl-CoA starter unit. A specific sub-class of type III polyketide synthases, referred to as alkylresorcinol synthases [first described in microorganisms—(Funa et al. 2006. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 103:6356-6361; Funa et al. 2007. J. Biol. Chem. 282:14476-14481)], have been proposed to participate in the biosynthesis of plant alkylresorcinols such as 5-pentadecatrienyl resorcinol (Austin and Noel. 2003. Nat. Prod. Rep. 20: 79-110; Dayan et al. 2003, supra). Two S. bicolor fatty acid desaturases (designated DES2 and DES3) likely involved in the formation of the proposed 16:3Δ9,12,15 fatty acyl-CoA starter unit have recently been characterized (Pan et al. 2007. J. Biol. Chem. 282:4326-4335). Subsequent modification of the 5-pentadecatrienyl resorcinol intermediate is likely mediated by the AdoMet-dependent O-methyltransferase OMT3 (Baerson et al. 2008a. J. Biol. Chem. 283:3231-3247) and by unidentified hydroxylases (possibly P450 monooxygenases), yielding dihydrosorgoleone, which rapidly undergoes oxidation to the benzoquinone (FIG. 1).
Type III polyketide synthases, which have been identified in both plants and microorganisms, are involved in the biosynthesis of a wide array of natural products, including flavonoids derived from the key intermediate 2′,4,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone synthesized by the enzyme chalcone synthase (CHS; Austin and Noel, supra). These enzymes occur as homodimers possessing subunits between 40-45 kDa in size, and catalyze iterative decarboxylative condensation reactions, typically using malonyl-CoA extender units. Type III PKSs from various sources can differ in the types of starter units accepted, the number of condensation steps performed, and the type of intramolecular cyclization reaction performed, all of which contribute to the diversity of compounds produced by these enzymes (Austin and Noel, supra; Khosla et al., 1999. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 68:219-253). For example, the closely-related CHS and stilbene synthase (STS) type III enzymes both catalyze the formation of identical tetraketide intermediates from p-coumaryl-CoA, yet form different products due to cyclization occurring via a C6→C1 Claisen condensation for CHS, and a C2→C7 aldol condensation for STS-type enzymes (Tropf et al. 1994. J. Mol. Evol. 38:610-618). Alkylresorcinol synthases, which produce 5-alkylresorcinols from fatty acyl-CoA starter units, also use a STS-type cyclization mechanism, and with specific acyl-CoA starters may also generate pyrone by-products via intramolecular C5 oxygen→C1 lactonization (Funa et al. 2006, supra; Funa et al. 2007, supra; Funabashi at al. 2008. J. Biol. Chem. 283: 13983-13991; Goyal et al. 2008. J. Struct. Biol. 162:411-421).
Alkylresorcinols are members of an extensive family of compounds possessing varied bioactivities and biological roles referred to as phenolic lipids, which are thought to be derived predominantly from polyketide-associated pathways (Austin and Noel, supra). Sorgoleone represents one of the more extensively-studied phenolic lipids identified in plants; other important examples include urushiol, an allergen from poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), anacardic acid, an anti-feedant found in several dicotyledonous species such as cashew (Anacardium occidentale), as well as the alkylresorcinol phytoanticipins found throughout the Poaceae (grass) family (Kozubek and Tyman. 1999. Chem. Rev. 99:1-26; Kozubek et al., 2001. Cell. Mol. Biol. Lett. 6:351-355). Plant-derived phenolic lipids have also been used by industry, for example in manufacturing of formaldehyde-based polymers and in lacquering processes (Kozubek and Tyman, supra).
Prior studies on type III PKS-like sequences from S. bicolor have involved the characterization of 8 sequences (designated CHS1-8) obtained from genomic library screens and analysis of expressed sequence tags (Lo et al. 2002. Physiol. Mol. Plant. Path. 61:179-188; Yu at al. 2005. Plant Physiol. 138:393-401). Recombinant enzyme studies have identified CHS8 as an STS and CHS2 as a typical CHS-type enzyme, and it is has been proposed that CHS1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 also represent CHS-type enzymes given their high degree of sequence identity (≧97.5%) with CHS2 (Christine et al., supra).
Relatively little functional data exists concerning the genes and corresponding enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of alkylresorcinols in higher plants, thus new tools for exploring related pathways are needed, particularly in the Poaceae family where the occurrence of presumed phytoanticipin alkyresorcinols is widespread. Here, we have cloned and characterized two paralogous alkylresorcinol synthases (ARS) from S. bicolor (genotype BTx623), designated ARS1 and ARS2, important for the biosynthesis of the 5-pentadecatrienyl resorcinol precursor to sorgoleone.

Two alkylresorcinol synthase genes from sorghum; cloning, expression, transformation and characterization

The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture


Method and apparatus for handling incoming telephone calls and, in particular: (a) for delivering predetermined messages to predetermined calling parties; (b) predetermined, prioritorized screening of incoming telephone calls; and (c) for re-routing incoming telephone calls on the basis of predetermined selection criteria. The predetermined selection criteria include information such as the calling parties, call origination information, call origination information with wildcards, time, date, or a combination of these factors. Call origination information includes, but is not limited to, Automatic Number Identification ("ANI"), private network tie line identification, trunk ID, Wide Area Telephone Service ("WATS"), and extension numbers.

There is a need in the art for handling incoming telephone calls automatically. This need arises in several contexts: (a) delivering predetermined messages to predetermined calling parties; (b) predetermined, prioritized screening of incoming telephone calls; and (c) re-routing incoming telephone calls on the basis of predetermined selection. These needs can be understood as follows.


A composition for treatment and after treatment of surfaces, especially metals, with derivatives of polyphenol compounds is provided. The derivatives include substituted aminomethyl groups on at least some of the phenyl rings in the polyphenol polymers, with molecular weights within the range of about 700 to about 70,000 being preferred. The compositions are particularly useful for treating chromated aluminum surfaces prior to painting, to improve corrosion resistance, and when combined with surfactants, for treating plastic and painted surfaces to improve rinsability without water breaks.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of protective and/or decorative surface treatment of articles, particularly metals and the like, to novel derivatives of polyphenol compounds useful in the treatment of the surface of various types, to surface treatment solutions or dispersions containing these novel polyphenol derivatives, and to methods of using these solutions or dispersions, particularly to treatments for improving the heat resistance of chromate conversion coatings on aluminum and to treatments for improving the rinsability of plastic and painted surfaces.
2. Statement of Related Art
The need for applying protective coatings to metal surfaces for improved corrosion resistance and paint adhesion characteristics is well known in the metal finishing art as well as in other metal arts. Traditionally, metal surfaces are treated with chemicals which form a metal phosphate and/or metal oxide conversion coating on the metal surface to improve the corrosion resistance and paint adhesion thereof. The conversion coated metal surfaces are also generally rinsed or post-treated with a solution containing a hexavalent chromium compound for even greater corrosion resistance and paint adhesion.
Because of the toxic nature of hexavalent chromium, expensive wastewater treatment equipment must be employed to remove the residual chromates from plant effluent to comply with environmental regulations and to improve the quality of rivers, streams, and drinking water sources. Hence, although the corrosion resistance and paint adhesion characteristics of conversion coated metal surfaces can be enhanced by an after-treatment solution containing hexavalent chromium, these environmental disadvantages have led in recent years to much research and development in an effort to uncover effective alternatives to the use of post-treatment solutions containing hexavalent chromium. One alternative to the use of hexavalent chromium involves the use of derivatives of polyphenol compounds such as poly-vinyl phenol. Suitable derivatives and suitable treatment solutions are disclosed in earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,517,028 of May 14, 1985, 4,433,015 of Feb. 21, 1984, and 4,376,000 of Mar. 8, 1983 to Lindert and 4,457,790 of, Jul. 3, 1984 to Lindert, et al.; all of which, to the extent not inconsistent with any explicit statement herein, are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
In the treatment of articles for subsequent painting or decorative coatings, including metals and plastics, the parts or articles are normally cleaned with conventional cleaner systems. Plastic and painted surfaces when cleaned with conventional, non-etching, acidic or alkaline cleaner systems, produce a hydrophobic, non-water wettable surface. This non-wettable surface is due to the hydrophobic nature of the surface being treated. As expressed by W. A. Zisman, "Relation of the Equilibrium Contact Angle to Liquid and Solid Constitution", in R. F. Gould (editor), Contact Angle, Wettability, and Adhesion (American Chemical Society, Washington, 1964):
[H]ard solids have surface free energies ranging from about 5000 to 500 ergs per sq. cm., the value being higher the greater the hardness and the higher the melting point. Examples are the ordinary metals, metal oxides, nitrides, and sulfides, silica, glass, ruby, and diamond. Soft organic solids have much lower melting points and the surface free energies are generally under 100 ergs per sq. cm. Examples are waxes, solid organic polymers, and in fact, most solid organic compounds. Solids having high specific surface free energies may be said to have "high-energy surfaces" and solids having low specific surface free energies have "low-energy surfaces." . . . PA1 Because of the comparatively low specific surface free energies of organic and most inorganic liquids, one would expect them to spread freely on solids of high surface energy, since there would result in a large decrease in the free energy of the system, and this is most often found to be true. But since the surface free energies of such liquids are comparable to those of low energy solids, among these liquids should be found those exhibiting nonspreading on low-energy solids.
As a result of this fundamental difference between metal and plastic or painted surfaces, even perfect cleanliness of the latter type of surfaces is not sufficient to assure ready wetting of the plastic and painted surfaces by water. Accordingly, one problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for conferring on plastic and painted surfaces sufficient hydrophilicity to enable them to be rinsed with water without forming water breaks, while not damaging adhesion of subsequently applied coatings to the plastic and painted surfaces thus treated.

Polyphenol compounds and treatment and after-treatment of metal, plastic and painted surfaces therewith


The present invention is directed to processes of separating, analyzing and/or collecting selected species within a target sample by use of magnetic microspheres including magnetic particles, the magnetic microspheres adapted for attachment to a receptor agent that can subsequently bind to selected species within the target sample. The magnetic microspheres can be sorted into a number of distinct populations, each population with a specific range of magnetic moments and different receptor agents can be attached to each distinct population of magnetic microsphere.

Biomedical research has evolved significantly over the past several years, with the large-scale screening of whole genomes complementing focused studies on a few genes or proteins. This evolution has encompassed applications ranging from functional analysis of unknown genes to identification of disease-related genes, screening in drug discovery and clinical diagnostics. There has been a concurrent surge in technology development to facilitate large-scale biological analysis. In general, these technologies have two components, the assay chemistry and the detection platform. Perhaps the best publicized detection platform of recent years is the flat microarray. Configured as "DNA chips," these flat microarrays offer the promise of whole genome analysis of single samples. Each element or "spot" on a flat surface array contains a target-specific receptor, for example a DNA molecule to detect a specific DNA sequence, and the signal originating from that element reports the presence of a target molecule. A related detection platform that is proving to be compatible with a range of assay chemistries in a high-throughput format is the use of encoded microparticle in combination with flow-based analysis cytometry, also known as Suspension Array Technology (SAT).
Suspension array technology employs fluorescence-encoded microspheres as array elements that bear specific receptor molecules. In SAT, microspheres having distinct optical properties, for example light scatter or fluorescence from an internal dye, are employed as solid supports for a variety of molecular analyses. By careful adjustment of these intrinsic optical properties, it is possible to prepare arrays of microspheres in which individual microsphere subsets can be identified and used to perform multiplexed analysis. Conceptually, microsphere arrays are similar to flat-surface microarrays, with distinct quanta of an intrinsic optical parameters substituting for physical location on a surface. While fluorescent- or optically-encoded microspheres have improved the flexibility of array-based analysis, that approach faces limitations in both the preparation and use of the microspheres. For example, the ability to reproducibly dye microspheres is problematic such that lot-to-lot variations in microparticles can be a problem. Moreover, the use of fluorescent dyes to encode the microparticles limits the number of analytical measurements, which also employ fluorescence detection, that can be made. An encoding method that did not require, but that was compatible with, fluorescence detection would be desirable.
The analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), provides a useful example of the types of analysis that can be performed. The human genome project has shown that the DNA sequence from any two individuals is about 99.9% identical, and that the phenotypic differences between individuals are conferred largely by the 0.1% of the sequence that is different. The vast majority of this sequence variation is in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (or SNPs), sites in the genome where a single base varies between chromosomes in the same individual or between different individuals.
As genetic markers, SNPs have great potential for use in disease diagnostics and the discovery of new drugs. Major pharmaceutical companies and academic genome centers are involved in a major effort to discover and map SNPs. Unfortunately, conventional methods of genotyping are too slow and expensive to allow this new data to be applied on a large scale.
High throughput methods have been developed for large scale SNP scoring based on single base extension (SBE) of oligonucleotide primers using arrays of fluorescently labeled microspheres. Such systems provide accurate genotyping in a flexible format with ten-fold higher throughput and ten-fold lower costs than conventional genotyping methods. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,180 by Chandler et al. describes a method for the multiplexed diagnostic and genetic analysis of enzymes, DNA fragments, antibodies and other biomolecules. In their method, an appropriately labeled beadset is constructed, the beadset is exposed to a clinical sample, and the combined beadset/sample is analyzed by flow cytometry. Their method employs a pool of beadsets wherein beads within a subset differ in at least one distinguishing characteristic from beads in any other beadset. In that manner, the subset to which a bead belongs can be readily determined after beads from different subsets are combined. The distinguishing characteristics between beadsets are provided by incorporation of two or more fluorophores into the beads. Given suitable fluorophores and detection equipment, use of multiple fluorophores could expand the multiplexing power of the system.
However, the multiplexed analysis capacity of typical fluorescent microsphere arrays is currently limited to one hundred simultaneous assays, and expansion beyond this number involves a number of technical challenges. In addition, the routine preparation of these fluorescent microspheres still presents problems.
Solid phase arrays have also been used for the rapid and specific detection of multiple polymorphic nucleotides. Typically, an allele-specific hybridization probe is linked to a solid support and a target nucleic acid (e.g., a genomic nucleic acid, an amplicon, or, most commonly, an amplified mixture) is hybridized to the probe. Either the probe, or the target, or both, can be labeled, typically with a fluorophore. Where the target is labeled, hybridization is detected by detecting bound fluorescence. Where the probe is labeled, hybridization is typically detected by quenching of the label. Where both the probe and the target are labeled, detection of hybridization is typically performed through monitoring of a color shift resulting from proximity of the two bound labels. A variety of labeling strategies, labels, and the like, particularly for fluorescent based applications are described.
In one embodiment, an array of probes is synthesized on a solid support. Exemplary solid supports include glass, plastics, polymers, metals, metalloids, ceramics, organics, and the like. Using chip masking technologies and photoprotective chemistry it is possible to generate ordered arrays of nucleic acid probes. These arrays, which are known, e.g., as "DNA chips," or as very large scale immobilized polymer arrays (VLSIPS™ arrays) can include millions of defined probe regions on a substrate having an area of about 1 cm2 to several cm2, thereby incorporating sets of from a few to millions of probes. The construction and use of solid phase nucleic acid arrays to detect target nucleic acids is well described in the literature. See, e.g., Fodor et al. (1991) Science, 251: 767-777; Hubbell U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,639; and, Pinkel et al. PCT/US95/16155 (WO 96/17958).
Magnetic particles made from magnetite and inert matrix materials have long been used in the field of biochemistry. Such particles generally range in size from a few nanometers up to a few microns in diameter and may contain from 15% to 100% magnetite. They are often described as superparamagnetic particles or, in the larger size range, as beads. The usual methodology is to coat the surface of the particles with some biologically active material that will cause them to bond strongly with specific chemical species, microscopic objects or particles of interest (e.g., proteins, viruses, and DNA fragments). The particles then become "handles" by which the objects can be moved or immobilized using a magnetic gradient, usually provided by a strong permanent magnet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,861 by Elings et al. describes an example of tagging using magnetic particles. Specially constructed fixtures using rare-earth magnets and iron pole pieces are commercially available for this purpose. However, in this process, magnetic particles are never used in labeled subsets of particles allowing for a multiplexed assay of a sample.
In another approach using magnetic particles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,493 by Fujiwkara et al. describes a ultra-sensitive laser magnetic immunoassay method including: labeling an antigen or antibody with micro-particles of a magnetic substance to form a magnetic-labeled body; subjecting a specimen and the magnetic-labeled body to an antigen-antibody reaction to form a reacted body-specimen complex; separating and removing unreacted body from the reacted complex; guiding and concentrating the reacted complex magnetically; irradiating the concentrated complex with a laser beam; detecting outgoing light from a measurement system to provide a quantitative result in the picogram range. Again in this process, magnetic particles are never used in labeled subsets of particles allowing for a multiplexed assay of a sample.
It would be beneficial if another method were available for detecting the presence of a sought-after, predetermined target, e.g., such as a nucleotide sequence or allelic variants. It would further be beneficial if such a detection method were capable of providing multiple analyses in a single assay (multiplex assays).

Bioassay and biomolecular identification, sorting, and collection methods using magnetic microspheres