The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly, a cold-side heat exchanger assembly, and electrically driven compressors and coolant pumps. The plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate, defining a condenser/chiller portion having a first coolant passageway, a sub-cooler portion having a second coolant passageway, and a refrigerant receiver portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the sub-cooler portion. The first coolant passageway and the second coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway.

For the comfort of the occupants in the passenger compartment, motor vehicles typically include dedicated air-conditioning systems and heating systems. The heating system includes a heater core located inside a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) module of the vehicle. The heater core is typically a liquid-to-air heat exchanger that supplies thermal energy to the passenger compartment for comfort heating. A heat transfer liquid, such as a glycol based coolant, conveys waste heat from an internal combustion engine to the heater core where the thermal energy from the heat transfer liquid is transferred to the ambient air flowing through the heater core to the passenger compartment. With the advent of greater efficiency internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles having smaller internal combustion engines, and especially electrically driven vehicles, the amount of thermal energy available to provide comfort to occupants in the passenger compartment may not be adequate.
To provide supplemental heat to the passenger compartment for vehicles having smaller internal combustion engines, it is known to operate the air-conditioning system in heat pump mode. A typical motor vehicle air-conditioning system includes an evaporator located in the HVAC module and a condenser located in the front engine compartment exposed to outside ambient air. A compressor circulates a two-phase refrigerant through the evaporator where it expands into a low pressure vapor refrigerant by absorbing heat from the passenger compartment. After the low pressure vapor is compressed to a high pressure vapor by the compressor, the vapor phase refrigerant is transferred to the condenser where the high pressure vapor is condensed into a high pressure liquid refrigerant by releasing the heat to the ambient air. The liquid phase is returned to the evaporator through an expansion device which converts the high pressure liquid refrigerant to a low pressure mixture of liquid and vapor refrigerant to continue the cycle. By operating the air-conditioning system in heat pump mode, the refrigerant flow is reversed, in which case the condenser absorbs heat from the outside ambient air by evaporating the liquid phase refrigerant and the evaporator releases the heat to the passenger compartment by condensing the vapor phase refrigerant. One disadvantage to operating the air-conditioning system in heat pump mode, since the low pressure side of the system when used in air conditioning mode would become the high pressure side when used in heat pump mode, is the increase in system complexity due to the requirement of having to reinforce the refrigerant plumbing throughout the system by using thicker gage tubing and fittings. There is also the need to reinforce the evaporator to withstand the high pressure refrigerant, and to install an additional expansion device and receiver together with additional associated plumbing. Another known disadvantage of operating the system in heat pump mode is that in cooler climates, as the surface temperature of the condenser drop below 32° F., any moisture condensed on the surface of the condenser is subject to freezing, therefore resulting in reduced efficiency of the system and even potentially damaging the condenser.
Electric heaters are known to be used to provide supplemental heat to the passenger compartment for vehicles using the air-conditioning system as a heat pump. In the coldest of climates, it is known that operating the air-conditioning system in heat pump mode is ineffective; therefore, additional electric heaters are required. However, for hybrid and electrical vehicles, electrical heaters represent an increased current draw that significantly reduces the electric drive range.
Based on the foregoing, there is need for a heating system that provides supplementary heat to the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle that does not require reversing the refrigerant cycle of the air-conditioning system or detrimentally impact the electric driving range.

Unitary heat pump air conditioner having a heat exchanger with an integral receiver and sub-cooler


A feedback loop is composed in which a part of a transmission signal obtained by amplifying a modulation carrier signal by a power amplifier is taken out by a monitor circuit, and is detected by an envelope detector, and a distortion-free envelope signal delivered from an envelope control signal generator is compared in an error amplifier, and by this error signal a gain control terminal of the power amplifier is controlled. The envelope control signal generator possesses a feedback loop which is controlled by a reference voltage and a sample hold signal to stabilize the mean voltage of a reference envelope signal, and also comprises a multiplier for multiplying Vdetb and a ramping up-down signal to generate a burst-form transmission output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmitter having a power amplifier for transmitting a modulated carrier signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This kind of transmitter is hitherto composed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,986. In this prior art, the transmission signal sent from the transmitter is received by the same transmitter and demodulated to produce a baseband feedback signal, and this signal is applied to a modulation baseband signal. By controlling in such a feedback loop, distortion of the power amplifier is compensated for. This approach, however, involves several disadvantages. First, the device size is increased because the receiver and demodulator are necessary for producing the baseband feedback signal. Further, gain fluctuations of the receiver and demodulator induce variations of the transmission output, and the complicatedness of this part still worsens the problem.

Transmitter with nonlinearity correction circuit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A copy machine achieves a reduction in power consumption when performing a saddle-stitching operation. An image forming unit forms visible images on recording sheets in accordance with image data stored in a memory device. A post-processing unit collects the recording media on an individual copy basis to prepare a bundle of the recording sheets, and performs a saddle-stitching process and a center-folding process on the bundle of the recording sheets. The post-processing unit ejects the processed recording sheets onto a predetermined eject tray. A system control part determines whether or not a total number of the recording sheets corresponding to the image data is within a limit number for the saddle-stitching process. When the total number of the recording sheets exceeds the limit number for the saddle-stitching process, the recording sheets are ejected onto the at least one eject tray other than a predetermined eject tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to image forming apparatuses and, more particularly, to an image forming apparatus such a printer having a saddle-stitching and center-folding function of printed sheets.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image outputting apparatuses such as a copy machine or a printer have become multi-functioned, and many image-outputting apparatuses are equipped with a memory device that can store a large amount of image data. Additionally, with such a multi-functionalization of the image outputting apparatuses, a post-processing apparatus has been diversified in its function such as a stapling function to staple output print papers.
As one of such techniques, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-151837 suggests a print apparatus having a stapling function, which performs a printing operation while canceling the stapling function if a number of print papers exceeds a number of sheets which can be stapled. Additionally, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-189365 suggests an image process post-processing apparatus, which determines whether or not a stapling can be applied, and prohibit a stapling operation if it is determined that a stapling is not applicable, and ejects print papers in a stapling part onto an eject tray. Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-183558 suggests a sheet post-processing apparatus having the same function as mentioned above.
Furthermore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2000-118860 suggests a technique to perform a saddle stitch process, which staples central portions of print papers in a paper feeding direction in addition to an end-stitching process, which staples an end portion of print papers. In such a saddle stitching process, print papers are temporarily conveyed to a stacking tray so as to align the print papers for stapling. Then, if a number of print papers is within a limit number for saddle stitching, the saddle stitching process is performed. On the other hand, if the number of print papers exceeds the limit number for saddle stitching, the print papers are ejected from the stacking tray to an outside tray without performing the saddle stitching process at that time.
In a conventional image forming apparatus, which performs such a saddle-stitching operation, if a number of sheets of printed paper temporarily stacked on the stack tray exceeds a maximum saddle-stitching number, the printed papers stacked on the stack tray is ejected therefrom and, thereafter, subsequent printed papers are stacked on the stack tray. For this reason, it takes a time to determine whether or not the number of printed papers stacked on the stack tray exceeds the maximum saddle-stitching number in addition to a time to stack the printed papers on the stack tray. Thereby, a processing time of the saddle-stitching operation is long, which lowers a productivity of the image forming apparatus. Moreover, in order to temporarily stack the printed papers on the stack tray, when the saddle stitching operation is not performed, a motor, which is not required to operate when performing the saddle-stitching operation, is unnecessarily driven, which results in an unnecessary consumption of electric power. Furthermore, since the printed papers are not bound if the printed papers are ejected from the stack tray to the outside tray, the printed papers are offset from each other and it is difficult to achieve a sufficient alignment.


In one embodiment, a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle is described. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first body of the wing with a first end proximate a body of the vehicle. A second end is opposite the first end. A first joint is on the first end of the first main body of the wing. The joint rotatably couples the wing to the vehicle. A second joint is on the second end of the vehicle. A second body of the wing is rotatably coupled to the first body via the second joint.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are aircraft capable of flight without a human pilot aboard. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also referred to as UAVs, drones, or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). UAVs may be driven remotely by a human operator or may be autonomously driven by computers onboard the system. UAVs may be used in military settings to provide surveillance and information back to a base station, an advance team, or others. The UAV may provide information that is deemed too dangerous or monotonous for human presence. UAVs may also be used by civilians for recreational use and other purposes.


A device for an optically controlled micro-manipulation of biological specimens includes at least one micro-manipulator with at least one motor-displaceable cytotechnical instrument holder elements, and a microscope which has at least one functional motor-displaceable element coupled with the motor-displaceable holder in such fashion that, using a control element, a common displacement or adjustment of the holder and a displacement of the at least one functional element of the microscope can be executed in a coordinated fashion so that upon changing a size of a field of view by changing a microscope objective lens, a covered range of displacement of a cytotechnical instrument using the holder is adapted to a new field of view.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for optically controlled micro manipulation of biological specimens. Analogous devices have, as a rule, at least one micro-manipulator, which has at least one motor-displaceable holder for a cytotechnical instrument, with which a biological specimen, primarily a cell or a tissue, can be manipulated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cytotechnical instruments are, e.g., capillary tubes or pipettes, with which cells or tissues can be held or manipulated. Typical instruments are holding, etching, biopsy or injection capillary tubes or fine puncturing or cutting instruments or electrodes.
With the motor-displaceable holder, the instrument can be moved in all three spatial axes (xyz-axes) in order to bring its free end into the working position relative to a biological specimen that is to be manipulated.
This type of device mostly comprises two manipulators, each of which has at least one holder for cytotechnical instruments.
In addition, a microscope is provided in this type of devices for optical control of the micro-manipulation operations. Both an inverted or an upright microscope can be used, whereby, in both instances, a transillumination arrangement is conventionally used for examining biological specimens. A number of motor-displaceable functional elements are also provided on the microscope such as, e.g., a microscope table that can be moved or rotated in the xy-direction, a height-displaceable z-drive, a mechanism for changing over the objective lens, etc.
A number of different control elements is provided that make it necessary for the operator to reach around or change position when operating the different functions of the motor-displaceable holder of the micro-manipulator and the displaceable functional elements of the microscope.
DE 19740324.7 discloses providing in a micro-manipulator having two separate holders and a coupling between the two holders. When one of the holders is actuated in a specific fashion by a control element, the other holder automatically executes a preprogrammed, movement that is generally opposite to the movement of the one holder. Thereby, when working with a plurality of instruments, e.g., exchanging instruments is simpler and more reliable.
The object of the invention is to provide a device that can be operated more easily than the known devices.

Device for optically controlled micro-manipulation of biological specimens


Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The method comprises the steps of filtering a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with a high flux rate filter arrangement having a flux rate of about 10 L/m2/hr or greater to form a low-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The low-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is filtered with a fine filter arrangement having a pore diameter of about 50 μm or less to form an ultralow-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The ultralow-solids biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is contacted with an ion-exchange resin to remove metal ions and form the low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Fast pyrolysis is a process during which organic biomass materials, such as, wood waste, agricultural waste, etc. are rapidly heated to about 450° C. to about 600° C. in the absence of air using a process reactor. Under these conditions, organic vapors, pyrolysis gases and solid fragments of char and the like are produced. The vapors are condensed to form a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. A biomass-derived pyrolysis oil can be burned directly as fuel for certain boiler and furnace applications, and can also serve as a potential feedstock in catalytic processes for the production of fuels in petroleum refineries. Biomass-derived pyrolysis oils have the potential to replace up to 60% of transportation fuels, thereby reducing the dependency on conventional petroleum and reducing its environmental impact.
However, biomass-derived pyrolysis oils are a complex, highly oxygenated organic liquid having properties that currently limit its utilization as a biofuel. For example, biomass-derived pyrolysis oils are typically contaminated with char and other insolubles produced during biomass pyrolysis. Char contributes to thermal instability of the oil. The char content is correlated with increases in viscosity, phase separation, and/or solids formation during storage. Separation of the char fragments from the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil has proven very difficult. For example, conventional liquid filtration is difficult as the liquid biomass-derived pyrolysis oil can have a gel-like consistency.
Additionally, metals in the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil limit its commercial applications. Metals are present in the solid fragments and are also dissolved in the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil as metal cations. The metals contribute to the ash content of the oil upon combustion. It is desirable to reduce and/or minimize the ash content in the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil because such ash raises the total ash and particulate emissions when the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is burned for consumption as a fuel. Environmental restrictions may limit such total emissions. In addition, when the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is used as feedstock in catalytic processes to make transportation fuel, the metals in the oil foul downstream equipment and inhibit or inactivate catalysts.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and apparatuses for forming a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil having a relatively low metal concentration. In addition, it is desirable to provide methods and apparatuses for removing solid fragments, such as char and other insolubles to form a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with increased thermal stability. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Methods and apparatuses for forming low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil


This invention is directed to a water generating apparatus for extracting water from ambient air. The apparatus provides a condensing surface which is maintained during the operation of the apparatus at a temperature which is below the dew point of the ambient air. The presence of contaminants within the extracted water are reduced by filtering the ambient air prior to its processing by the apparatus and subsequently filtering the condensate. The apparatus is constructed from components which produce minimal particulate matter. The use of such components minimizes the likelihood of those components contributing to the contamination of the water generated from the apparatus. Bacteriological contamination in the condensed water is reduced by constructing the apparatus from components that retard bacteria growth. Further diminution of bacterial growth is achieved by maintaining a continuous flow of water condensate through the apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices adapted for extracting water from ambient air. More specifically, this invention is directed to a device for extracting potable water from the environment for human use.
2. State of the Art
Potable water is essential for human survival. In many environments, access to readily available sources of drinkable water is restricted if not precluded. Efforts have been made in the past to provide structures adapted to extract potable water from the environment, notable ambient air. Representative structures are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,504 (LeBleu); U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,203 (Engel et al. And U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,221 (LeBleu et al). While the aforesaid structures have contributed notably to the development of solutions to the provision of potable water in hostile environments, there continues to be a need for a device which is capable of providing a supply of potable water which is free of contaminants.
A water generating device for producing potable water from ambient air according to the instant invention includes a housing having a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment. A water condensing surface is positioned within the first compartment. The device further includes a cooling apparatus which is associated with the condensing surface for cooling the condensing surface to a temperature below the dew point of the ambient air. A water collector is associated with the condensing surface for collecting water from the condensing surface. A first water storage reservoir is connected to the water collector. The first water storage reservoir is positioned in the second compartment. An air filter structure is positioned about the water condensing surface to enclose the water condensing surface thereby forming a filter barrier surrounding the water condensing surface. The air filter structure isolates the water condensing surface from air within the first compartment.
In an alternative construction of the invention, the device may include an air circulating device which may be disposed between the water condensing surface and the air filter structure. This air circulating device may be positioned in the third compartment. This third compartment may be thermally isolated from the first compartment.
Alternative constructions may further provide for the isolation of the first compartment from the second compartment. This isolation may be of a thermal character or alternatively, the isolation may be such as to preclude unfiltered air from passing from the first compartment to the second compartment.
In yet another construction the device may include a second water storage reservoir which may be interconnected to the first water storage reservoir. The interconnection of this second water storage reservoir to the first water storage reservoir may include a check valve positioned intermediate the first water storage reservoir and the second water storage reservoir.
The invention is also directed to a method of producing potable water from ambient air. The method includes the steps of providing a water condensing surface and isolating the water condensing surface from the environment by enclosing the surface with an air filtering apparatus. The method further includes the step of providing a cooling apparatus in association with the water condensing surface for cooling the water condensing surface to a temperature below the dew point of ambient air and associating the water collector with the water condensing surface for collecting water from the water condensing surface. The method further includes the steps of drawing ambient air through the air filtering apparatus by means of an air circulating apparatus while cooling the water condensing surface by means of the cooling apparatus and then drawing the ambient air our of the air filtering apparatus by means of the air circulating apparatus. Accordingly, air exiting the air filtering apparatus is filtered upon exiting the air filtering apparatus.
The claimed method may, in alternative embodiments, include the step of providing a compartment about the water collector and thermally isolating the compartment from the cooling apparatus. The method may also include the step of providing a water collector fabricated from a silver ion anti-bacterial material.
Alternative embodiments of the method may also include the step of filtering the water in the water collector by passing the water sequentially through a charcoal filter and subsequently through a sediment filter and a sanitation light.


The invention is directed to a method for checking the integrity of messages between a mobile station and the cellular network. Two time-varying parameters are used in MAC calculation, one of which is generated by the mobile station, and the other by the network. The parameter specified by the network is used in one session only, and is transmitted to the mobile station in the beginning of the connection. The parameter specified by the mobile station is stored in the mobile station between connections in order to allow the mobile station to use a different parameter in the next connection. The parameter specified by the mobile station is transmitted to the network in the beginning of the connection.

All telecommunication is subject to the problem of how to make sure that the received information is sent by an authorized sender and not by somebody who is trying to masquerade as the sender. The problem is evident in cellular telecommunication systems, where the air interface presents an excellent platform for eavesdropping and replacing the contents of a transmission by using higher transmission levels, even from a distance. A basic solution to this problem is authentication of the communicating parties. An authentication process aims to discover and check the identity of both of the communicating parties, so that each party receives information about the identity of the other party, and can trust the identity to a sufficient degree. Authentication is typically performed in a specific procedure at the beginning of the connection. However, this leaves room for unauthorized manipulation, insertion, and deletion of subsequent messages. Thus, there is a need for separate authentication of each transmitted message. The latter task can be done by appending a message authentication code (MAC) to the message at the transmitting end, and checking the MAC value at the receiving end.
A MAC is typically a relatively short string of bits, which depends in some specified way on the message it protects and on a secret key known both by the sender and by the recipient of the message. The secret key is generated and agreed typically in connection with the authentication procedure in the beginning of the connection. In some cases the algorithm that is used to calculate the MAC based on the secret key and the message is also secret but this is not usually the case.
The process of authentication of single messages is often called integrity protection. To protect the integrity of signaling, the transmitting party computes a MAC value based on the message to be sent and the secret key using the specified algorithm, and sends the message with the MAC value. The receiving party recomputes a MAC value based on the message and the secret key according to the specified algorithm, and compares the received MAC and the calculated MAC. If the two MAC values match, the recipient can trust that the message is intact and sent by the supposed party. One may note in passing, that integrity protection does not usually include protection of confidentiality of the transmitted messages.
Integrity protection schemes are not completely perfect. A third party can try to manipulate and succeed in manipulating a message transmitted between a first and a second party. There are two main alternative methods for forging a MAC value for a modified or a new messages, namely by obtaining the secret key first, and by trying directly without the secret key.
The secret key can be obtained by a third party basically in two ways:                by computing all possible keys until a key is found, which matches with data of observed message-MAC pairs, or by otherwise breaking the algorithm for producing MAC values; or        by directly capturing a stored or transmitted secret key.
The original communicating parties can prevent a third party from obtaining the secret key by using an algorithm that is cryptographically strong and which uses a long enough secret key to prevent exhaustive search of all keys, and using other security means for transmission and storage of secret keys.
A third party can try to disrupt messaging between the two parties without a secret key basically by guessing the correct MAC value, or by replaying of some earlier message transmitted between the two parties, for which message the correct MAC is known from the original transmission.
Correct guessing of the MAC value can be prevented by using long MAC values. The MAC value should be long enough to reduce the probability of guessing right to a sufficiently low level compared to the benefit gained by one successful forgery. For example, using a 32 bit MAC value reduces the probability of a correct guess to 1/4 294 967 296, which is small enough for most applications.
Obtaining a correct MAC value using the replay attack i.e. by replaying an earlier message can be prevented by introducing a varying parameter to the calculation of the MAC values. For example, a time stamp value, a sequence number, or a random number can be used as a further input to the MAC algorithm in addition to the secret integrity key and the message. The present invention is associated with this basic method. In the following, the prior art methods are described in more detail.
When using a time stamp value, each communicating party needs to have an access to a reliable clock in order to be able to calculate the MAC in the same way. The problem with this approach is the need of the reliable clock. The clocks of both parties must be very accurate and be very accurately in time. However, this condition is unacceptable in cellular telecommunication systems: both parties, i.e. the mobile station (MS) and the network do not have access to a clock, that is reliable enough.
When using sequence numbers, each party has to keep track of those sequence numbers that have already been used and are not acceptable any more. The easiest way to implement this is to store the highest sequence number used in MAC calculations so far. This approach has the drawback, that between connections each party must maintain state information which is at least to some level synchronized. That is, they need to store the highest sequence number used so far. This requires the use of a large database at the network side.
A further approach is to include a random number in each message, which the other side must use in MAC calculation when for the next time sending a message, for which MAC authentication is required. This approach has the same drawback as the previous one, i.e. between connections each party must maintain state information, which requires the use of a large database at the network side.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,763 by Kaufman et al. (1995) describes a signature system, such as an El Gamal or DSS system, involving the use of long term secret number and a per-message secret number generates the per message secret number without the use of a random number generator or non-volatile storage. The per-message secret number is generated by applying a one-way hash function to a combination of the long term secret number and the message itself.

Integrity protection method for radio network signaling


An event obtaining unit 121 obtains an event generated in an event generation unit 110 and outputs the event to the event providing unit 122. When an operation mode is mode A, the event providing unit 122 refers to an event table T1 and provides the event to an application corresponding to the event. If the event is provided to a communication AP 131, the communication AP 131 is launched prior to providing the event. On the other hand, when the operation mode is mode B, the event providing unit 122 provides the event to a Java runtime environment 140. In addition, the event providing unit 122 changes the operation mode when a switching button CB is pressed.

In general, when an event caused by a user's operation or a timer interrupt is generated in an electronic device, an operating system (OS) handles the event to provide it to a running application. If an application is not running, a generated event handled by the OS will not be supplied to the application. Thus, an application is required to be activated before generation of an event that can be provided to the application, since it is not possible to provide an event to an unexecuted application.
In portable electronic devices such as a mobile phone, however, it is generally not possible to execute two or more application. Due to hardware limitations, including memory, it is not possible to transfer two or more application programs to a memory at a time. In other words, an OS of a mobile phone is not capable of executing and running more than one application at a time.
Thus, in a case where a user wishes to provide an event to an application that is not running, the user must first terminate a currently running application before executing and running the application to which the user wishes to provide the event. More specifically, a case can be considered wherein a user wishes to initiate voice communication when an application (so called "a standby application") is running, which can only be run while an any other application is not running. To do so, the user must first terminate the currently running standby application, and then press a designated key or keys to execute an application for performing voice communication. Next, the user presses a dial key, and this event (dial key input) is provided to the voice communication application.
As will be apparent from this description, it becomes necessary for a user to perform a number of manual operations, which is both time-consuming and troublesome, to terminate a currently running application so as to execute and run an application to which it is desired to provide an event (dial key input in this example).
In view of the above background, techniques have been developed for causing an OS to automatically execute predetermined users' operations. For example, when a user presses a dial key during execution of a currently running standby application, the OS automatically performs processing so as to terminate the application and execute a voice communication application, and provide the event (dial key input) to the voice communication application.
With increased functionality and complexity of mobile phones, however, such as applications for downloading content via a mobile communication network, and numerous other applications, it has become increasingly difficult to determine to which application an event is required to be provided. For example, while a dial key may be used for inputting a telephone number when a voice communication application is running, the same key may also be used for inputting a numeral when an e-mail application is running. Moreover, the same key may be used for inputting a URL when a web browser application is running. Due to the existence of a number of applications in which the key may be used, a malfunction may occur when an OS determines to which application an event (key input in this case) should be provided.
As will be apparent from the foregoing description, in an electronic device in which a limitation exists that only a single application can be run at any one time, the prior art technique for automating user inputs suffers from a problem that it may not be possible to determine to which application an event should be provided in a case that the event can potentially be applied to more than one application. Namely, it is not possible for a user to provide a generated event to an appropriate application without performing a number of manual operations, which is both time-consuming and troublesome.

Method for providing event to application, and electronic device using this method


Methods, systems, and computer program products for multicast compression and pacing are disclosed. In one method, messages relating to events that affect or require use of a database maintained by multiple processing modules in a distributed processing system are received. The messages are buffered and placed in a third message in a manner that preserves time ordering of the messages. The packed message is then multicast to the processing modules. Each processing module processes messages that are addressed to it. A method for pacing multicast messages destined for the processing modules is also provided.

In the communications industry, distributed processing computing platforms are commonly employed in network routing nodes, such as signaling system 7 (SS7) signal transfer points (STPs), Internet protocol (IP) routers, SS7-IP gateways. These distributed processing platforms typically include multiple processing modules or cards. Each processing module may include one or more microprocessors for performing a predetermined processing function. Each processing module may also include one or more databases. In some implementations, groups of processing modules may include copies of a common database, such as a routing database, a local number portability database, a call screening database, a global title translation database, a signaling mediation database, or a mobile services database. In such implementations, processing modules within the group may function as a distributed processing system by sharing the processing load required to process signaling messages. For example, in distributed routing processing, each processing module may be associated with different signaling links and may be responsible for routing signaling messages received on any of its signaling links. By dividing routing processing based on signaling links, message throughput may be increased over implementations where a centralized processor performs routing database lookups for all signaling links.
In distributed database systems, database updates must be communicated to each processing module that maintains a copy of the distributed database. For example, when one processing module detects an event that affects the common database, that processing module preferably updates its copy of the database and communicates the event to other processing modules so that the other processing modules can update their copies of the database.
Two mechanisms by which processing modules can communicate events to other processing modules are unicast messages and multicast messages. Communicating events to other processing modules using unicast messages requires that the sending processor create separate unicast messages to be delivered to each recipient processor. Delivering event messages to multiple processing modules using unicast messages can increase the processing load on the sending processor, because the sending processor is required to formulate individual messages for each destination processor. The processing load on the sending processor can be great, especially when the system includes large numbers of processing modules affected by a database update.
In order to reduce the processing load on the sending processor, a multicast event message distribution mechanism can be used. In one conventional multicast event distribution mechanism, a sending processor formulates a multicast message and includes a multicast distribution list in the message. The sending processor sends the message to the first processor in the multicast distribution list. The first processor in the multicast distribution list processes the message and sends a copy to the second processor in the multicast distribution list. The process is repeated until all of the processors in the multicast distribution list have received the message. Because multicasting distributes the processing required to deliver event information to multiple processors, such a solution is more scalable than a pure unicast method. However, this conventional multicast method has only been used to distribute one event message per multicast message.
In order to further reduce bandwidth utilization on a bus or network that interconnects processing modules in a distributed processing system, it may be desirable to combine multiple multicast messages within a single multicast message. However, combining multiple multicast messages within a single multicast message requires buffering of multicast messages relating to different events, because events occur at different times. While the multicast messages are being buffered, an event affecting a single processing module and therefore requiring unicast delivery may occur. If multicast messages relating to prior events are being buffered, the unicast message may be distributed to its destination before the multicast messages. Delivering messages out of order can result in improper database updates and other errors.
Another problem with distributing event messages is that the processor cycles required to process the event messages may exceed the available processing capacity of a recipient processing module. This is especially true when the sending processing module is a high speed module and the receiving processing module is a legacy or low speed module. Sending database update messages requiring work by a processing module that exceeds the processing capacity of the module can result in a loss of synchronization between databases in a distributed processing system.
Accordingly, in light of these difficulties, there exists a need for methods, systems, and computer program products for multicast compression and pacing of database update messages transmitted between processing modules in a distributed processing system.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for multicast compression and pacing of database update messages transmitted between processing modules in a distributed processing system


A device for manometric measurement of the oesophagus has a catheter with a pressure sensor and a recording unit with a light source for monochromatic and coherent light, and a counting unit for light pulses. The pressure sensor is constructed as a Fabry Perot measuring section and has a pliable optical fiber embedded in elastic base material. The optical fiber is connected via a fiber-optic light guide to the recording unit (3). One end (6) of the optical fiber (5) is metal-coated and the other end (7) is partially metal-coated and connected to the fiber-optic light guide (8). The fiber-optic light guide (8) conveys not only the light from the light source to the optical fiber but also the light pulses from the optical fiber to the counting unit.

A device of the above-described type is known from the article "The fibre Fabry Perot sensor" (J. Scheider et al., Clin. Phys. Physiol. Meas., 1990, vol. 11, No. 4, 319 through 325). The optical fiber of the pressure sensor is in this case connected via two fiber-optic light guides to the recording unit. Using the first fiber-optic light guide, light from the light source is sent into the optical fiber, and the second fiber-optic light guide serves to feed back the measuring signal from the Fabry Perot measuring section to the recording unit. Therefore, the two fiber-optic light guides are connected to the opposite ends of the optical fiber. Accordingly, the optical fiber or one of the fiber-optic light guides must be bent to a small radius and located in the catheter. Coupled with this is an extraordinary mechanical strain on the optical fiber or the fiber-optic light guide. A relatively high frequency of breakages is the result. This is diametrically opposed to the functional reliability of the device, particularly necessary when the device is to be used for lengthy examinations.
With a different device for the manometric measurement of the oesophagus, the catheter has mechanical pressure sensing elements. Piezo crystals are essential components of these pressure sensing elements. The piezo crystals of the pressure sensing elements are connected via electrical lines to a recording unit. A disadvantage with the mechanical pressure sensing elements is that they are only suitable for local measurement of pressures. This means that the pressure sensing elements must be precisely arranged at the point where the pressure which is to be measured occurs. However, this is virtually impossible during lengthy examinations, especially with manometric measurement of the lower oesophagus sphincter. The position of the musculature which seals off the stomach alters with respect to the catheter during strong breathing movements such that examining them using a mechanical pressure sensing element can no longer be undertaken.

Device for manometric measurement of the esophagus


A case trimmer and chamfer tool preferably includes a trim die, an end cutter, a crank, an outer chamfer blade, an inner chamfer blade and a height adjustment ring. The end cutter is slidably retained in the trim die. The inner and outer chamfer blades are spring loaded. The end cutter trims a length of the cartridge case. The inner and outer wall of the cartridge case are chamfered by the inner and outer chamfer blades. An adjustment boss extends downward from one end of the crank and a rotating knob is retained on the other end thereof. The end cutter is retained in the adjustment boss. The height adjustment ring is retained on the adjustment boss. A second embodiment is adapted for handling straight cartridge cases instead of rifle cartridge cases. The case trimmer and chamfer tool and a cartridge case are retained in a loading press.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to reusing cartridge cases and more specifically to a case trimmer and chamfer tool, which allows an inner surface, an outer surface and a length of a case to be chamfered and trimmed at the same time.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,563 to Beaulieu discloses a work-holding chuck and cartridge-case trimmer employing same. The Beaulieu patent includes a work holding chuck designed for use as a cartridge-case holder for reloading ammunition, especially in connection with a trimmer for cartridge cases, in which the holder is provided with a centering ball against which the empty primer pocket in the base is held by retaining fingers when is the case is placed in the holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,827 to Dugger discloses a power case trimmer. The Dugger patent includes a battery operated portable hand controlled cartridge case trimmer, which indexes on the entire length of the case and permits resizing based on the total explosive expansion of the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,789 to Gracey discloses a cutter adjustment system. The Gracey patent includes an improvement for a cartridge case trimmer, which indexes on the shoulder of the case as established by the resizing die and permits a rotating cutter assembly to trim the neck of cases from the inside at a controllable angle.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a case trimmer and chamfer tool, which allows inner and outer surfaces of a cartridge case to be chamfered, and allows a length of the cartridge case to be trimmed with a height adjustment ring.


A memory system, a memory device, a memory controller and an operating method thereof. By issuing a first status check signal when a first delay time elapses since a first point in time at which a program operation for first memory cells corresponding to a first word line is started and by issuing a second status check signal when a second delay time different from the first delay time elapses since a second point in time at which a program operation for second memory cells corresponding to a second word line is started, it is possible to efficiently perform a status check operation related with a program operation of data.

A memory system including data storage device is used for storing and extracting data files. It can store data temporarily or persistently based on a request of a computer, server, mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet), or any similar computing device. The examples of the memory system span from a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) to a semiconductor-based data storage such as a solid state drive (SSD), a universal flash storage (UFS) device, and an embedded MMC (eMMC) device.
The SSD, UCF, and eMMC include nonvolatile memory devices such as a ROM (read only memory), a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (electrically programmable ROM), an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), a flash memory, a PRAM (phase-change RAM), an MRAM (magnetic RAM), an RRAIVI (resistive RAM), and an FRAM (ferroelectric RAM).
The memory system may further include a memory controller for controlling a memory device. The memory controller may receive a command from the host to perform read and write operations on the memory devices included in the memory system.

Memory system, memory device and memory controller


An ultra high speed signal cable connector includes an insulating housing, a PCB fixedly mounted inside the insulating housing, and at least one row of cables without grounding wires welded to the PCB. The end portion of a connecting finger of the PCB extends out of the insulating housing, and the PCB is provided with a signal bonding pad and a grounding wire bonding pad. Each cable without grounding wires includes a plurality of electric wires, a conductive jacket for wrapping the plurality of electric wires together, and an insulating jacket wrapped on the outer layer of the conductive jacket. Each electric wire includes a core wire and an insulating layer wrapped on the outer layer of the core wire. One ends of the core wires are welded on the signal bonding pad; a section of insulating jacket is stripped from the foremost end of each cable without grounding wires to expose the conductive jacket. The conductive jackets are electrically and fixedly connected to the grounding wire bonding pad. According to the ultra high speed signal cable connector provided by the present disclosure, there is no need to weld the grounding wire during welding, the welding efficiency can be significantly improved, the connector is compact in structure, small in occupied space and high in strength, and the inner mold is adopted to wrap the welding spots between the cables and the PCB, so that the welding spots are protected, and the electrical performance is significantly improved compared with that of the existing products.

The high speed signal cable connector can be divided into a connector for cables with grounding wires and an ultra high speed signal cable connector. The connector for cables with grounding wires usually has the following disadvantages in application and assembly process: grounding wires needed to be welded during welding; the welding efficiency is low; and in the case of the same wire size, the cable with grounding wires has a larger size than the cable without grounding wires and takes up more space in the chassis. Therefore, it is necessary to design a cable connector which is compact in structure, small in occupied space, convenient to weld and high in transmission efficiency.

Ultra high speed signal cable connector and assembly method thereof

AMPHENOL ASSEMBLETECH (XIAMEN) CO., LTD.


The present invention provides for a design and method of manufacture for a mesh-type screen to be used in subsurface well completions to prevent the production of sand.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to screens used in subsurface well completions, and particularly to screens using mesh media.
2. Related Art
Screens are commonly used in well completions in which the producing formation is poorly or loosely consolidated. Abrasive particulates, generally referred to as "sand" or "fines", can cause problems if produced. For example, the formation surrounding the wellbore can erode and wash out, potentially leading to collapse of the well. Sand can damage equipment such as pumps or seals as the sand travels at high speed through the pump or past the seals. Produced sand must be disposed of, and this imposes an additional cost to the well operator. Fines can clog flow passages, disrupting production.
Often, to enhance filtration, a layer of particles of presorted size, commonly referred to as "gravel", is injected between the formation (or casing) and the screen. In those cases, the screen is sized to prevent passage of the gravel. The gravel in turn prevents the passage of fines.
Various screen types are used to prevent the production of sand. For example, a perforated base pipe can have wire wrapped around it such that the spacing between the wire wraps limits the size of sand that can pass. Mesh material can also be used. However, manufacturing screens can be an expensive, time-consuming undertaking. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved designs and manufacturing methods for screens.

Mesh screen apparatus and method of manufacture


Network and device configuration systems and methods are described. In an embodiment, a first user interface configured to receive from a user configuration information regarding a first network provided. Program code stored in computer accessible memory is configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the first network configuration information, wherein the barcode can be scanned by a device having a barcode scanner and a network interface to configure the network interface to access the first network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to electronic devices, and in particular, to methods and systems for configuring electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid increase in networkable consumer electronic systems, such as Internet radios, televisions with computer interfaces, and the like, there has been a rapid increase in consumer frustration regarding the configuration of such electronic systems so as to be able to access a network, such as the Internet.
For example, a conventional network configuration process (wherein the target network is the Internet), may involve accessing a network configuration user interface, entering the name of an Internet Service provider, specifying a network connection-type, specifying whether the connection is to be made via a broadband connection that needs a user name and password, via an "always-on" broadband connection that does not require a sign-in, or via a connection is to be made using a dial-up modem, specifying security related information, etc. Such a conventional process is difficult to perform on electronic devices having small screens not capable of displaying extensive user interfaces and/or having limited keyboards (e.g., that do not have an alphanumeric keyboard).

Methods and systems for network configuration


The present disclosure describes a viscometer for measurements of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. In one embodiment, the viscometer comprises (i) a storage reservoir to store a test fluid, (ii) at least one drain tube assembly comprising a capillary drain tube, (iii) a collector for collecting said test fluid, and (iv) a detector. In addition, its novel viscosity equations suitable for the described viscometers are provided and illustrated for the application to Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian fluids.

A fluid can be defined as a substance that undergoes continuous deformation, when subjected to a shear stress. The resistance offered by a real fluid to such deformation is called its viscosity. All fluids have a viscosity and this property causes friction (1). The viscosity of a Newtonian fluid is constant, if static pressure and temperature are fixed. Rheological data are indispensable in the design of pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, packed columns, fluidized beds, distillation columns, pipelines, decanters, and many other pieces of equipment. In addition, rheological properties are utilized in the quality control of many consumer products. Certain materials are more acceptable to consumers if they have specific rheological properties (2).
In order to fully determine the viscosity values of a fluid, careful experimentation is required. Temperature and pressure affect viscosity of a fluid. Effects of pressure on viscosity of a fluid are negligible at pressures less than 40 atmospheres, and the viscosity of fluids is not significantly affected by relatively low pressure (3). Viscosity of Newtonian fluids is determined by measuring the shear stress at one known shear rate, whereas that of all non-Newtonian fluids is determined at more than one shear rate.
There are two main groups of viscometers that may be used to determine the viscosity of a fluid. One type of a viscometer is designed so that a fluid flows through a tube, channel or orifice, while the other type of a viscometer is constructed so that a fluid is sheared between moving surfaces (4). Several forms of viscometers have been constructed for the determination of viscosity from knowledge of the pressure drop-flow rate relationship for a tube. Such a flow may be achieved simply as a result of gravitational head. This type of viscometer is not very suitable for measurements with non-Newtonian fluids, not only because of the non-uniform shear stress across the tube section, but also because the rate of flow through the tube varies with time as the level falls. To overcome these shortcomings, a constant velocity of a fluid through a tube is maintained by pressure from a gas reservoir. For this type of a viscometer, ratios of the length to the diameter of a tube normally exceed 50 to eliminate the end effects of the tube (4). Although a few capillary tube viscometers (sometimes called extrusion rheometers) are commercially available, it is common practice to construct them in the laboratory. In constructing such viscometers, several capillary tubes with a range of lengths and diameters are needed. Tubes with internal diameters from 1/32 inch to ¼ inch are typically used (5).
James et al. (6) reported a consistent set of high precision viscosity data for water at various temperatures and for 20, 30 and 40% (by weight) sucrose solutions. These were obtained using a glass capillary viscometer with an extensively flared capillary to neglect the kinetic energy correction term for this viscometer. These data are recommended as reliable standards for capillary viscometer calibration. Sirivat (7) described the results of an experimental investigation on the flow of a non-Newtonian fluid between rotating parallel disks. These results are qualitatively different from those exhibited by linearly viscous flows of the non-Newtonian fluid, where exceedingly high velocity gradients appear. Jimeneza and Kostic (8) developed, designed, and fabricated an innovative, Couette-type viscometer/rheometer with the main objective being to measure viscosity and elastic properties of low-viscous, non-Newtonian, and visco-elastic fluids, like dilute polymer solutions. Shackelton and Green (2) fabricated an on-line viscometer that has no moving mechanical parts. Measurements of the differential pressure developed along the measurement section and the temperature of the fluid are combined with the axial velocity of the test fluids to determine their mass/volume flow rates and viscosity values of both glucose syrup and melted chocolate. Chocolate exhibits non-Newtonian and glucose syrup exhibits Newtonian behavior.
However, the art is lacking an improved viscometer capable of measuring viscosity of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids as described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides for a multiple capillary viscometer, a dual capillary viscometer, and a single capillary viscometer. In addition, the viscosity equations suitable for the described viscometers are provided and illustrated for the application to Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian fluids. The test materials for the viscosity equation include 50% (by weight) sucrose aqueous solution as an exemplary Newtonian fluid and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) aqueous solutions as exemplary non-Newtonian fluids.

Capillary viscometers for use with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids


A method of determining alignment of a spring component relative to an upper spring mounting plate of a strut assembly using an alignment system is provided. The method includes placing an alignment gauge component on the upper spring mounting plate at a preselected location. The alignment gauge component has a right angled body with a positioning portion resting on the upper spring mounting plate and a transverse measuring portion having an opening extending therethrough located alongside the spring component. A measuring rod is inserted through the opening of the measuring portion with the positioning portion of the alignment gauge component engaged with the upper spring mounting plate. The measuring rod has a measurement region that includes one or more color-coded areas for determining an alignment condition of the spring component relative to the upper spring mounting plate with the measuring rod extending through the opening and contacting the spring component.

Strut assemblies for vehicles include a number of components such as a shock absorber that includes a piston rod and an outer cylinder. An upper end of the piston rod is connected to a vehicle body via an upper support. A lower end of the outer cylinder is fixed to a hub carrier. Typically, a coil spring is provided around the shock absorber and is connected to the upper support. An insulator may be provided about the shock absorber to suppress noise.
It can be desirable to align the various components of the strut assemblies to improve operation and reduce noise. Typically, this alignment is done by visual inspection. Other alignment processes for the strut assemblies are desired.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


An exhaust pipe with illuminating devices is formed by an inner pipe enclosed in an outer pipe. A gap is formed in between the two pipes. The gap comprises a light socket connected to at least one illuminating device. The light socket and the illuminating device are connected by means of an electric cord. The outer pipe comprises holes on its wall. When the illuminating devices are lighted, the light will shine from the tail end and the holes of the exhausting pipe either directly or reflectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vehicular exhaust pipe, more particularly to a pipe with illuminating devices.
2. Description of Prior Art
A conventional exhaust pipe adapted for use on a standard vehicle is made from a metal material, and is made to guide waste gas produced by the engine and the cylinder into the air. Typical prior art exhaust pipes are purely functional and not aesthetically pleasing.
The present invention provides an attractive and aesthetically pleasing exhaust pipe for vehicles.
It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide an exhaust pipe for a vehicle which generates light in order to make the exhaust pipe visually attractive
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an exhaust pipe for a vehicle which emits light as a warning signal to other drivers.

Vehicular exhaust pipe with illuminating devices


An ultra wideband radar system for detecting moving objects comprising an antenna, which may be scanned in at least one dimension, and a signal processor wherein the signal processor includes a scan combiner that combines scan information in accordance with a candidate trajectory for the moving object. Scans may be combined by integration or filtering. A fast calculation method is described wherein the scans are combined into subsets and subsets are shifted in accordance with the candidate trajectory before further combination. A method is described wherein a region is scanned with an ultra wideband radar, the scan information is combined in accordance with an expected trajectory to enhance the object signal to noise. Further features are described wherein the scan information is combined according to a family of trajectories. A trajectory yielding a potential object detection initiates a further scan combination step wherein the family of trajectories is further resolved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to the field of radar signal processing and more particularly to the processing of radar signals for detection of moving objects.
2. Background of the Invention
Radar systems, including ultra wideband (UWB) radar systems are often employed to detect moving objects. The moving objects of interest vary from system to system and may include objects as diverse as an aircraft, a weather system, a person, a golf ball, a bird, a car, or other objects, as may be of interest. Ultra wideband is particularly advantageous for short range detection because of the fine range resolution available due to the ultra-wide bandwidth. Various approaches to UWB radar have been described in the literature that utilize signal architectures including pulse trains, coded pulse trains, and wide band code modulated RF. All of these systems can achieve a very narrow range resolution bin by virtue of their extremely wide bandwidth.
When UWB radar is used for detecting stationary objects, the sensitivity of the radar can theoretically be increased without limit simply by integrating the return signal indefinitely. In practice, however, there are limitations in the stability of the electronics and in the time allowed to achieve a result that prevent unlimited integration.
For moving objects, the motion of the object presents a further limit on the possible integration time for object detection. Motion affects both the instantaneous phase of the response as well as the amplitude. If the object moves more than ¼ wavelength of the center frequency of the UWB signal during the integration time, the structure of the object signature may be significantly affected. If the object moves more than the range equivalent of the resolution bandwidth or more than the length of the object during the integration time, the object may move entirely out of the response bin, resulting in integration of noise alone, without an object response signal, reducing rather than increasing system sensitivity.
Conventional techniques for detecting moving objects include subtracting previous scan information from the current scan to look for differences resulting from the position shift of the object due to object motion over time. This technique can improve object detection in stationary clutter, but does not improve the object signal to noise ratio without clutter and is of limited utility against moving clutter. Thus, there is a need for improved techniques for detection of moving objects using ultra wideband radar that can increase the signal to noise ratio of the object response and that are effective against moving clutter.

Apparatus and method for detecting moving objects


A negatively charged glycosaminoglycan is provided for use as a medicament for the treatment of cancer. A combined administration of a negatively charged glycosaminoglycan is provided in which the glycosaminoglycan is characterised by the absence of the terminal pentasaccharide of Heparin, and an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK pathway. A combined administration of a glycosaminoglycan and a MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor is provided as a medicament for the treatment of cancer types that exhibit a resistance towards a single MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor treatment.

A goal of modern cancer therapy is to identify molecules in signal transduction pathways that affect cell growth, and particularly those that cause a normal cell to become cancerous. One such pathway is the MAPK/ERK pathway, also referred to as the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway or Raf-MEK-ERK, and the up-regulation of one or more of its members is thought to be responsible for a number of cancers.
Constitutive action of MAPKs has been reported in over 30% of primary tumour cell lines including cell lines derived from colon, lung, breast, pancreas, ovary, and kidney (Hoshino et al. 1999). Higher concentrations of active MAPK/ERK (pMAPK/pERK) have also been detected in tumour tissue as compared to normal adjacent tissue (Sivaraman et al. 1997.)
The MAPK/ERK pathway has been identified to mediate proliferative and anti-apoptotic signalling from growth factors and oncogenic factors such as Ras (e.g. KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) and Raf (e.g. BRAF) mutant phenotypes that have been identified in numerous cancers and promote tumour growth, progression, and metastasis.
Due to its role in the mediation of growth-promoting signals from multiple growth factor receptors, compounds of the MAPK/ERK pathway are molecular targets with potentially broad therapeutic applications, particular with respect to the treatment of cancer, but also in the treatment of other disorders associated with unwanted cell proliferation.
The MAPK/ERK pathway is a membrane-to-nucleus signalling module that is highly conserved among metazoans. At the starting point of the pathway a ligand (e.g., a growth factor, cytokine, or hormone) binds to the extracellular portion of a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), which causes phosphorylation of their cytoplasmic domains. The activation of the RTK enables cytoplasmic adaptor proteins to recruit guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which activate the small GTPase RAS by catalyzing the exchange of GDP for GTP. Ras in turn activates Raf, which functions as a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK or MAP3K). Subsequently Raf phosphorylates and activates MAP kinase kinases (MAPKK), which are referred as MEKs (MAPK or ERK kinases) in the pathway. MEK phosphorylates and activates the third and final enzyme in the pathway that is a MAP kinase (MAPK) referred to as ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase). Once activated, ERKs can translocate into the nucleus where they phosphorylate transcription factors, thereby regulating the activity in critical cell processes such growth factor-induced gene regulation, cell cycle entry or cell differentiation (Peyssonnaux et al. 2001).
In the MAPK/ERK pathway MEKs (in particular MEK1s and MEK2s) occupy a strategic downstream position in catalyzing the phosphorylation of its MAPK substrates, ERK1 and ERK2 (Anderson et al. 1990). Due to its high selectivity for the substrates ERK1 and ERK2 and its unique ability to act as a dual-specificity kinase, MEKs take a central role in the integration of signals into the MAPK pathway. Frequently MEKs are deregulated in human cancer as a result of activating mutations in the BRAF and RAS genes (KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS). Given the high prevalence of ERK signalling aberrations and the dependence of RAS and BRAF mutant tumours on these oncogenic drivers, intense efforts are under way to identify inhibitors of this pathway for use as anticancer therapies.
RAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib, have shown remarkable clinical activity in patients with BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K melanomas (Flaherty et al. 2010. Chapman et al. 2011, Hauschild et al. 2012). Likewise, a number of highly specific and potent MEK1/2 inhibitors have been developed and evaluated in clinical studies. For instance, trametinib administration has been proven as a successful therapeutic strategy in treating patients with a BRAF-V600 mutation and non-resectable or metastasized melanoma (Lugowska et al. 2015). However, many MEK inhibitory agents also exhibited only limited efficacy in single-agent therapies in clinical trials (Y. Zhao et al 2015).
Moreover, as has been the pattern with inhibitors of other oncogenic kinases, the clinical benefit of therapies based upon inhibition of the target kinases Raf or MEK have been limited by the emergence of drug resistance (Poulikakos et al. 2011, Rosen et al. 2013).
Strategies by combined treatment using multiple agents have shown promising results. For instance, the combination of MEK inhibitors with Raf inhibitors improves therapeutic efficacy (WO 2009/018238A, Eroglu et al. 2016). Also a combined administration of MEK inhibitors with BTK inhibitors has been proposed (WO 2017/033113A1). US 2014/134158 A1, WO 2015/161230 A1 and Dooley A. et al. 2014 also propose the use of MAPK/MEK inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. However, even with combined therapeutic approaches, disease progression and development of resistance has been observed (Grimaldi et al. 2017).
A need for further pharmacological therapies for the treatment of cancers associated with aberrant MAPK/ERK pathway activity continues to exist.
Claire Louise Cole at al. propose the use of Oligosaccharides as inhibitors for angiogenesis (Cole et al 2010). Furthermore, recently an anti-proliferative treatment has been proposed that relies on impeding the physical interaction between platelets and the surface of proliferating cancerous cells (WO 2015/059177A1).
As shown in WO 2015/059177A1, sulfated glycosaminoglycans interfere with the physical interaction of platelets with the surface of cancerous cells, which may reduce or even halt proliferation and thus tumour growth.
The approach described therein is different but complementary to the observation that platelets bind to the surface of tumour cells, and that this binding is involved in tumour metastasis. For example, Modery-Pawlowski et al. 2013 and Takagi et al. 2013 disclosed that a physical interaction between platelets and tumour cells plays an important role in the metastasis of tumour cells.
The mechanism for the inhibition of proliferation of cancerous cells via disrupting the platelet-cell surface interaction likely relies on impeding growth factors, which are transported by platelets to the cancerous cells.
Growth factors are essential for the growth of normal and malignant cells, and must be made available to proliferating cells. Cells that have left the G0 phase and are poised in the G1 phase, require appropriate signals regarding entry into S phase and associated cell proliferation. To a large extent growth factors are however not available as free substances in the blood in vivo, but rather in vesicles within platelets, which thus provide the growth factors. Furthermore, due to the physical interaction of platelets with the surface of the tumour cells and the topology implied therein, the growth factors are released at the specific, necessary locations for cell proliferation.
Despite advances made with respect to developing inhibitors of the MAPK/ERK pathway, a significant need exists in the art for treating cancers cells resistant to such inhibitors, or for preventing or reducing the risk or frequency of the appearance of such resistance.
As described herein, the combined administration of inhibitors of the MAPK/ERK pathway together with negatively charged glycosaminoglycans represents a surprisingly effective therapeutic approach for treating various tumours, in particular with respect to treating tumours resistant to or at risk of becoming resistant to MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Combination of a MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor and a glycosaminoglycan for the treatment of cancer


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates software installation using embedded user credentials. The system receives a software installation package at a computer to be installed on the computer. The system then extracts an installation program from the software installation package. Next, the system determines if the current user has sufficient privileges to run the installation program. If not, the system recovers a set of user credentials from the software installation package that is associated with sufficient privileges to run the installation program. The system then authenticates to the computer using this set of user credentials. Finally, the system runs the installation program on the computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer software. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to facilitate software installation on a computer using embedded user credentials.
2. Related Art
As enterprise systems grow to include large numbers of computer systems, the task of managing software for these enterprise systems becomes increasingly more challenging. Software management can encompass many aspects of configuring and maintaining the enterprise system, such as software distribution, configuration management, software management, and policy management, such as enforcing rules for virus scanners.
In smaller enterprise systems, it is feasible for an administrator to visit each computer within the enterprise to create the necessary configurations. However, as the enterprise grows or spreads to multiple locations, it quickly becomes impractical for the administrator to visit each computer.
Administrators, therefore, have developed methods to remotely configure the computers within an enterprise system. These methods include pushing software across a network such as the Internet to a remote site, and distributing portable storage media for installation at the remote site. While advantageous, these methods present their own set of problems.
Installing software on a computer typically requires that the installing entity be authenticated to the computer. For example, this authentication can include verifying a user name and a password, although other types of authentication are also possible. However, the installing entity, for example a user of the computer that is trying to install the software from a portable storage medium such as a floppy disk, may not have sufficient privilege level to accomplish the installation. The installation, therefore, will be aborted.
Typically, these software installations require access to the operating system to provide the necessary interface between the software and the operating system. It is not practical, therefore, to provide every user of a computer system with the necessary credentials for authenticating to the computer for these software installations.
What is needed is a method and an apparatus, which will allow installation of the software at a remote installation without the problems detailed above.

Method and apparatus to facilitate software installation using embedded user credentials


This invention provides a design technique of the array antenna, and a telecommunication system and method utilizing the array antenna for enhancing the communication quality and increasing the communication capacity by reducing the interfering signals and noises with the nice beam pattern. And, the design technique of the array antenna, and the telecommunication system and method utilizing the array antenna introduce a simplified computational technique for generating a nice beam pattern having its maximum gain along the direction of the wanted signal and maintaining the gain toward the direction of the interfering signals in as low a level as possible.

In general, an original signal transmitted by a certain transmitter (hereinafter, simply called a "wanted signal") is always received at a receiving set together with other plural interfering signals. Since the level of distortion in a telecommunication system is determined by the ratio between the power of the wanted signal and total power of all the interfering signals and noises, even if the level of the wanted signal is much higher than each of the interfering signals, the distortion of the communication system can pose a serious problem when the total power of all the interfering signals proportionally increase due to the large number of interfering signals.
In conventional telecommunication systems, interfering signals make it very difficult to extract the information from the wanted signal.
Although an array antenna has been considered as a countermeasure to improve the problems caused by the interfering signals, no practical method of synthesizing the array antenna in an actual telecommunication system has yet been suggested. The problems of applying conventional array antennas, which is based on the method of Eigen-Decomposition, is mainly due to its complexity and operating speed which is too large for real-time processing in telecommunication systems.
The conventional technique about the array antenna was introduced in the following references:
[1] M. Kaveh and A. J. Barabell, "The Statistical Performance of the MUSIC and Minimun-Norm Algorithms for Resolving Plane Waves in Noise," IEEE Trans., Acoust., speech and signal process., vol. ASSP-34, pp. 331-341, April 1986. PA1 [2] T. Denidni and G. Y. Delisle, "A Nonlinear Algorithm for Output Power Maximization of an Indoor Adaptive Phased Array," IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 201-209, May, 1995.
The problems in the conventional method of designing array antennas are, first, it requires some knowledge about the location of the wanted signal apriori, and second, it requires so many computations that real-time processing cannot be performed. Especially, when the arrival angle of the wanted signal or the total number of signal sources is unknown, the required amount of computation becomes even larger, which makes it impossible to apply the conventional method of synthesizing the array antenna to the practical signal environment, such as mobile communications.

Design technique of an array antenna, and telecommunication system and method utilizing the array antenna


A hair color composition comprising, in a polar solvent, association structures having contained therein at least one water soluble or water dispersible dye that is operable to impart color to the hair when contacted therewith and a method for coloring hair.

More than half of the female population colors their hair. Hair color is used most frequently when individuals age and wish to hide the gray hair that develops as a result of aging. There are generally three types of hair color: permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary. The term "permanent" generally refers to oxidative hair color that bleaches the melanin found in the hair shaft as well as imparting color. The activated peroxide in the oxidative dye composition provides a bleaching effect while the oxidative dye molecules penetrate the hair shaft and polymerize therein. While hair that is oxidatively colored provides a certain permanence, re-coloring every four to six weeks may be necessary due to new hair growth. Oxidative hair color is sold in the form of a two component kit. The reactivity of the oxidative dye and the oxidizing agent means that the two ingredients cannot be formulated into a single composition. Rather, the preferred kits have one container filled with an aqueous composition in the liquid, gel, or creme form that contains the oxidative dyes and a second container filled with a developer composition that contains an oxidizing agent, usually hydrogen peroxide The two containers are combined immediately prior to use and applied to hair. The oxidizing agent and dyes react when mixed. The mixture is applied to hair for an appropriate period of time, generally 20 to 60 minutes, then rinsed off with water. Permanent hair color is very versatile and long lasting in the colors and effects it provides, and it is only with permanent hair color that one can color hair to a shade that is lighter than the natural color
Semi-permanent hair color generally provides more lasting color than temporary dyes but without the permanence and commitment of oxidative color. Semi-permanent color is a single component product. Many of such products contain two types of dyes: one of smaller molecular size (such as nitrophenylene diamines and nitroaminophenols) that are capable of penetrating the hair shaft and being retained within. While smaller molecular size permits these dyes to more easily penetrate the hair shaft, this also makes such dyes more vulnerable to washout. The second type of dye used in semi-permanent hair color has a larger molecular size and is too large to penetrate the hair shaft of normal virgin hair. However, such larger dye molecules easily penetrate porous and damaged hair where they are preferentially retained due to their larger size. Accordingly, the balancing of the small and large dye molecules found in many semi-permanent products provides color with a uniform and durable effect Semi-permanent color provides excellent gray blending and good color retention. One big drawback of semi-permanent color is that one cannot color the hair a lighter shade than the starting color. Accordingly, semi-permanent hair color is not an option for dark haired individuals desiring to go blonde.
Temporary hair color is often found in the rinse form, and typically lasts for one shampoo. Such hair color is often used when special effects (such as green hair on St. Patrick's day) is desired. Temporary color simply coats the hair shaft with colorants that are too large to penetrate its outer surface. Minor penetration of the hair shaft may occur in individuals with damaged or porous hair, but such color application rarely lasts through more than one or two shampoos.
While oxidative, or permanent, hair color generally lasts from four to six weeks, within two to three weeks after the oxidative procedure it is common to have color fading in certain areas. In addition, since hair grows about ½ inch a month, new hair growth at the roots becomes evident after only a few weeks. In such cases, it is too early and inconvenient to undertake the oxidative dyeing process again, or to treat only the faded hairs or new hair growth in a new oxidative procedure.
Accordingly, there is a need for a hair color product that enables consumers to touch up hair between permanent hair color procedures with a color that restores color to faded hair and new hair growth. Ideally this composition is in a single use container (no mixing of compositions prior to use required) and will not stain the scalp or surrounding skin. While the desired colorant will not provide permanent coloration, it will be an effective hair colorant for blending in gray and coloring new hair growth. In particular, such composition should provide better wear (increased fade resistance, reduced wash out), and will deposit more dye on the hair (color deposit) when compared to standard compositions. Most desirably, the composition should color the hair in a reduced period of time, say less than about twelve to fifteen, preferably about 10 minutes or less. Such a composition will wash out after a certain number of shampoos enabling use as often as needed without concern for damage to the hair. Because this composition is in a single container it may be used when desired and stored until the container is used up. It eliminates waste.
It is an object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that touch up product that can be used by the consumer as an adjunct to standard hair color to treat hairs that have faded or discolored, or to treat new hair growth, between normal oxidative coloring of the hair.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that optimizes the effects and longevity of hair colored with oxidative hair dye.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that has increased fade resistance and reduced wash out when compared to standard hair colorant compositions.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that deposits more color on the hair.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that will color hair in less than about twenty, preferably less than about twelve to fifteen, most preferably about ten, minutes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that exhibits reduced staining of scalp and surrounding skin.
It is another object of the invention to provide a non-oxidative hair color composition that provides improved wear and fade resistance.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hair color composition that can be applied to dry hair to touch up faded or discolored hair strands that have been previously treated with oxidative dyes, or color new hair growth, between oxidative dyeing procedures.

Hair color compositions and methods for coloring hair


A graphical user interface workstation for use with a manager controller to control and implement changes to telephone sets of customer key telephone systems served by a telephone switching system. The workstation records high resolution graphical representations of each telephone set of a customer key telephone system and enables a customer user to select and display a recorded high resolution graphical representation of each telephone set of the customer user key telephone system. The workstation is interactive with the customer user and enables the customer user to selectively enter telephone lines, features and directory numbers changes into key button locations of a displayed telephone set graphical representation. User entered key button changes are converted into program instructions and transmitted to the manager controller to control the telephone switching system to assign the selected key button telephone lines, features and directory numbers entered onto the displayed key telephone set representations to corresponding telephone sets of the customer key telephone system.

Telephone customers oftentimes have telephone station equipment consisting of telephone sets with ones of the telephone sets connected with multiple telephone lines so that a customer using a telephone set may originate or answer a telephone call on any of the telephone lines. In other telephone set configurations, the customer may want various ones of the telephone lines coupled with all or selected ones of the telephone sets. In addition, the customer may also want telephone lines to be assigned various features available at a telephone switching office serving the customer telephone lines such as call forwarding, call waiting, call transfer, ring selection and others. A customer may also request that various ones of the telephone sets be equipped with key buttons that provide button features such as privacy, speed calling, call hold and others. Such telephone station equipment is sometimes called key telephone systems and a customer key telephone system may comprise a combination of single, six, ten, thirty or more key button telephone sets.
A customer may, from time to time, want to add or remove telephone lines coupled with various telephone sets. In addition, a customer may want to add or delete telephone lines, features and directory numbers to various ones of the telephone sets and to add, delete or rearrange various features associated with each button of the customer's telephone sets. Key telephone management systems are currently available that enable customers to control and implement changes to customer key telephone systems served by a telephone switching system.
The key telephone management system apparatus in interaction with customers enable the customers to select key telephone button and line features and control the telephone switching system to assign the customer selected button and line features to the customer telephone sets.
A problem arises in that a key telephone management system requires that a customer using the system must prepare a set of program instructions that control the operation of the system to implement the customer changes. This requirement makes it necessary that the customer be trained in the operation of program fundamentals in order that the customer can write a set of program instructions required to implement the selected button and line features for each telephone set that is in the customer key telephone system. A need exists for apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus for enabling a customer to implement the changes for each customer telephone set without the need to be trained in a specific program language and without the need for a customer to write a unique set of program instructions to implement a change for each customer telephone set.


A methodology for assays and diagnostics utilizes a nanoporous or corrugated metal-containing surface, fiber or particle which enhances or suppresses the optical detectability of a label. The resulting optical, electromagnetic, or imaging signal signals the presence of a pathogen or analyte of interest. Preferred embodiments pertain to label-free, in situ monitoring of individual DNA hybridization in microfluidics using molecular sentinel probes immobilized on nanoporous gold disks. By immobilizing molecular sentinel probes on nanoporous gold disks, single-molecule sensitivity is demonstrated via surface-enhanced Raman scattering which provides robust signals. The described methodology is generally applicable to most amplification independent assays and molecular diagnostics.

This disclosure pertains to molecular and biomolecular sensing, and particularly to a methodology for assays and diagnostics in which a nanoporous or corrugated metal-containing surface, fiber or particle, enhances or suppresses the optical detectability of a label or the target molecule of interest itself.
The detection of hydrocarbons, environmental contaminants, food components, biological molecules and cells, especially pathogens, DNA, mRNA and miRNA, viral RNA, proteins, and modified (e.g., phosphorylated) proteins, as well as biological processes, plays a central role in health, safety and research. There is an ongoing need for increased sensitivity of detection at reasonable cost. The needs of society for such assays are not fully met by any currently available method, and there is continuing development in this area.
As one example, DNA hybridization, where two single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules form duplex through non-covalent, sequence-specific interactions, is a fundamental process in biology. Developing a better understanding of the kinetics and dynamic aspects of hybridization will help reveal molecular mechanisms involved in numerous biomolecular processes. To this end, sequence-specific detection of hybridization at the single-molecule level has been instrumental and gradually become a ubiquitous tool in a wide variety of biological and biomedical applications such as clinical diagnostics, biosensors, and drug development. Label-free and amplification-free schemes are of particular interest because they could potentially provide in situ monitoring of individual hybridization events, which may lead to techniques for discriminating subtle variations due to single-base modification without stringency control or repetitive thermal cycling. To further increase experimental robustness and productivity and reduce complexity, single-step assays are highly desirable.
For example, "sandwich" assay that involves multiple hybridization steps could generate highly convoluted results. Currently, intermolecular diffusion of DNA molecules is commonly studied by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) with an observation time limited to the diffusion time of molecules through the observation volume. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and other fluorescence techniques have also been employed to study conformational changes. Unlike most fluorescence techniques, molecular beacons (MB) provide label-free detection of hybridization. However like most other fluorescence techniques, MB also suffers from rapid photobleaching which prevents prolonged observation for slow processes.
Of particular interest is the use of plasmonic materials for the sensing and detection of biomolecular components and processes. Metal nanostructures exhibit interesting optical properties due to their nanoscale features and the collective oscillation of conduction band electrons excited by incident light. The associated enhanced electric field near the surface of metal nanostructures, known as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for propagating fields or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for non-propagating ones, has been well studied and is widely used in optical sensors, photovoltaic devices, waveguides, imaging devices, SHINERS and biomedicine. Both SPR and LSPR strongly depend on the composition, shape and size of metal nanostructures, as well as the ambient environment. Therefore, controlling their composition, shape and size is essential for potential applications.
In addition to fluorescence techniques, label-free techniques for hybridization detection and biosensing include the use of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), extraordinary optical transmission, electrochemistry, circular dichroism spectroscopy and mass measurements, but these techniques can hardly provide the sensitivity for single-molecule detection.
Recently, molecular beacon (MB) probes have been immobilized on plasmonic nanoparticles to harness metal-enhanced fluorescence and achieved a limit of detection (LOD) ˜500 pM. Carbon nanotube field-effect transistor has been demonstrated to provide label-free, single-molecule detection at relatively high target concentrations (100 nM to 1 μM). Greater sensitivity is still needed.

Nanoporous gold and silver nanoparticles and substrates for molecular and biomolecular sensing