A method of controlling a gas turbine electric power plant comprises the steps of: prescribing the relationship between a time elapsed after a predetermined reference time (e.g., ignition time) in a predetermined process (e.g., the starting process) and a revolution speed of a turbine shaft in accordance with a first function (7); prescribing the relationship between a revolution speed of the turbine shaft and a flow rate of fuel to be supplied to a combustor (4) in accordance with a second function (10); measuring an actual revolution speed of the turbine shaft at the time elapsed; rotating the turbine shaft by a starting equipment (6) for driving the turbine shaft in such a way that the measured actual revolution speed becomes the revolution speed corresponding to the time elapsed prescribed in accordance with the first function; and obtaining a flow rate of fuel corresponding to the actual revolution speed in accordance with the second function, to supply the obtained fuel flow rate to the combustor (4).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas turbine power plant control method and equipment, and more specifically to a method and equipment for controlling start and stop of an electric power plant provided with a gas turbine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 12 is a schematic system diagram showing an electric power plant provided with a gas turbine, in which rotary bodies of a gas turbine 1, a compressor 2 and an electric power generator 3 are all fixed to a signal turbine shaft.
When the compressor 2 is rotated, air is introduced into a combustor 4, and then burnt together with fuel within the combustor 4, to generate a combustion gas. The generated combustion gas is supplied to the gas turbine 1, so that a power can be outputted from the turbine shaft. In this case, the flow rate of air supplied to the compressor 2 can be controlled by changing the opening rate of an inlet guide vane 5 disposed on the inlet side of the compressor 2.
In general, the construction such that the gas turbine 1, the compressor 2 and the electric power generator 3 are all coupled to a single gas turbine shaft is called a shaft structure. In the above-mentioned shaft structure, an auxiliary steam system and a starting equipment are provided in addition to the gas turbine 1, the compressor 2 and the electric power generator 3. Further, in general, a single power system is constructed by a plurality of shaft structures, and one electric power plant is constructed by arranging a plurality of the electric power systems. However, there exists such an example that an electric power plant is constructed by a single power system.
In the gas turbine electric power plant, in general the turbine shaft is rotated at a low speed as a preparatory operation, before the turbine shaft is started, which is referred to as turning operation. Here, the procedure from the low speed revolution to the rated speed revolution of the turbine shaft is as follows: in the case where a gas fuel is used as the fuel, in order to protect the power system from the unburnt fuel remaining on the downstream side of the gas turbine, purge operation for introducing air from the air compressor 2 to the gas turbine 1 is performed for 5 to 15 min by rotating the turbine shaft at a revolution speed of about 20 to 40% of the rated revolution speed. In the case where a liquid fuel is used, however, this purge operation can be omitted.
Further, until this purge operation ends, a necessary torque is kept generated to rotate the turbine shaft by use of a starting equipment.
In the state where this purge operation ends, since the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is higher than a predetermined revolution speed thereof required to ignite the gas turbine, the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is reduced from that for the purge operation to that for the gas turbine ignition, by controlling the revolution speed of the turbine shaft by use of the starting equipment. Further, after having been ignited, the gas turbine is warmed and then shifted to a speed-up control.
In this speed-up control, the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is increased in such a way that predetermined acceleration can be generated according to the revolution speed of the turbine shaft in accordance with a function. Further, a torque to be outputted according to the shaft revolution speed is set to the starting equipment. Therefore, an output torque of the starting equipment is subtracted from the acceleration torque required to generate the determined acceleration, and the amount of fuel to be supplied to the combustor 4 is controlled in such a way that this differential torque can be obtained by the gas turbine. In other words, the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is controlled indirectly.
As described above, in the prior art method, since the power required to drive the compressor exceeds the power generated by the gas turbine at the start of the turbine shaft, the starting equipment has been used as another driving source for starting the gas turbine.
Here, the acceleration of the gas turbine is so determined as to avoid an unstable operation of the compressor and further to prevent an excessive temperature rise of the combustion gas on the outlet side of the combustor. In particular, since the temperature of the combustion gas is determined below a level, the maximum capacity of the starting equipment is determined on the basis of the level of the combustion gas temperature.
As described above, after the gas turbine has been ignited, the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is increased up to near the rated revolution speed by the torque generated by the gas turbine and the torque supplied by the staring equipment. Here, when the revolution speed of the turbine shaft reaches roughly the rated revolution speed, the starting equipment is separated from the turbine shaft. Therefore, after that, the operation of the turbine shaft is controlled by the control equipment of the gas turbine. Further, after the revolution speed of the shaft has reached the rated revolution speed and thereby the electric power generator 3 has been connected to an external power system, the gas turbine electric power plant is shifted to the ordinary operation.
On the other hand, in stop process, the operation of the gas turbine electric power plant is controlled as follows: After the fuel has been reduced rapidly from the base load operation (the maximum load operation of the gas turbine) to the no-load operation, the electric power generator is disconnected from an external power system. After the electric power generator has been disconnected from the external power system, the revolution speed of the gas turbine is not dependent upon the frequency of the external power system. In contrast with this, when the electric power generator is connected to the external power system in the ordinary operation, the revolution speed of the gas turbine is the same as the frequency of the external power system. For instance, in the region of 50Hz, since the revolution speed of the gas turbine is 3000rpm, that is, 50rps. That is, once the electric power generator has been disconnected from the external power system, since the revolution speed of the gas turbine is not dependent upon the frequency of the external power system, it is necessary to control the gas turbine in such a way that the revolution speed thereof will not exceed the rated revolution speed. That is, it is necessary to reduce the revolution speed of the gas turbine by sufficiently reduce the flow rate of the fuel to be supplied to the gas turbine. Here, in the case of the gas turbine of 150MW to 250 MW power class, a time required from the disconnection to the stop is about 5 to 10 min.
In this stop process, temperature drops rapidly at the high temperature sections of the gas turbine (e.g., a combustion chamber, transition pieces, first-stage static vanes, moving vanes, etc.). For instance, in the case of the gas turbine of 1300.degree. C. class, although the inlet side temperature of the first-stage moving vanes is 1300.degree. C. in the base load operation, the same temperature of the first-stage moving vanes drops down to about 700.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. in the no-load operation. Further, in the stop process, since the inlet side temperature of the first-stage moving vanes drops down to about 20.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. (roughly equal to the room temperature). As described above, the high temperature parts of the gas turbine are subjected to an excessive thermal stress, so that the life time of these high temperature parts of the gas turbine is reduced markedly.
In particular, the high temperature parts of the gas turbine are usually casted precisely by use of an Ni or Co-based supper alloy in such a way as to form a complicated air cooling structure in the casted parts. Therefore, in the high temperature parts of complicated structure, stress is easily concentrated at various positions thereof. In addition, since these parts are of cast products, the material of the high temperature parts is very weak against the strain caused by thermal stress. Accordingly, in the actual gas turbine now being operated, there exist a problem in that a great number of cracks are easily generated in the high temperature parts with increasing operation time and with increasing number of start and stop times, with the result that it is necessary to repair the high temperature parts periodically by welding, for instance.
In particular, during the operation course from the start to the rated load operation, the strains caused by thermal stress increase in the high temperature parts. For instance, in the case of nozzle, since the nozzle temperature rises from the low temperature at the stop to the maximum temperature in the rated load operation, the material for constructing the nozzle expands. As a result, since the nozzle is fixed to the casing, a compressive strain (a strain caused in the compression direction) is generated. On the other hand, during the operation course from the rated operation to the stop operation, since the nozzle fixed to the casing is cooled rapidly, a tensile strain (a strain caused in the tension direction) is generated.
As described above, since a difference between the compressive strain and the tensile strain causes a one-cycle thermal stress change from the start operation to stop operation, so that a fatigue based upon the thermal stress (referred to as low-cycle fatigue) is repeated. In this case, the compressive strain is subjected to the rated operation at the maximum gas temperature and the tensile strain is subjected to the stop operation at the room temperature, both being subjected to the time change of the gas turbine operation.
At present, a greater number of the domestic gas turbine electric power plants are operated as an intermediate load power source of "daily start and stop"(the daily operation and the night operation are repeated every day). Therefore, since the life time of the high temperature parts of the gas turbine is reduced in the operation change from the start to the stop, the maintenance cost is huge. This is because the rare metal material of Ni- or Co-based supper alloy having a temperature resistance as high as 700.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. must be used as the material for the high temperature parts, and in addition the expensive high temperature parts of precise cast products formed with a number of cavities for air cooling must be repaired by welding or exchanged whenever the gas turbine maintenance is made for each year or ever second year.
In summary, in the prior art gas turbine electric power plant, during the operation course from the gas turbine start to the gas turbine stop, since the temperature change range and the temperature change rate are both large in the outlet gas temperature of the combustor, there exists a problem in that the life time of these high temperature parts for constituting the gas turbine is short.
In addition, in the prior art gas turbine electric power plant, an effort to reduce the temperature change rate within the gas turbine in the stop operation has been so far made by delaying the deignition timing as long as possible, after the disconnection of the electric power generator from the external power system. In this case, however, when the revolution speed of the turbine shaft is dropped after the disconnection, since the efficiency of the compressor drops abruptly and thereby the gas temperature drops at the same time, the fuel supplied to the gas turbine is also reduced, so that the turbine output also drops. As a result, the revolution speed of the gas turbine drops abruptly; the air flow rate also decreases; and thereby the fuel to be supplied decreases. Therefore, when the gas temperature is tried to be reduced gradually, there exists inevitably a limit due to the basic and inherent characteristics of the gas turbine.

Gas turbine power plant control for starting and stopping


The retinoid X receptor (RXR) participates in a wide array of hormonal signaling pathways either as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with other members of the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily of receptors. In accordance with the present invention, the ligand-dependent transactivation function of RXR has been characterized and the ability of RXR to interact with components of the basal transcription machinery has been examined. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicate the RXR ligand binding domain makes a direct, specific and ligand-dependent contact with a highly conserved region of the TATA binding protein (TBP). The ability of mutations that reduce ligand-dependent transcription by RXR to disrupt the RXR-TBP interaction in vivo and in vitro suggests that RXR makes direct contact with the basal transcription machinery in order to achieve activation.

Members of the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily of receptors regulate expression of complex gene networks involved in vertebrate development, differentiation and homeostasis. A defining characteristic of these receptors lies in part in their ability to function as ligand-activated transcription factors. Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) occupy a central position in the function and activity of many members of this superfamily of receptors. For example, by forming heterodimers with retinoic acid receptors (RARs), thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), vitamin D receptors (VDRs), peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and several orphan receptors, RXRs participate in a diverse array of signaling pathways (Mangelsdorf et al., Recent Prog. in Hormone Res. 48:99-121 (1993)). The ability of RXR homodimers to respond to 9-cis retinoic acid identifies still another signaling pathway influenced by this nuclear receptor. The critical role of RXRs in the function of nuclear receptors is further highlighted by the structural and functional conservation between vertebrate RXRs and the Drosophila nuclear receptor ultraspiricle (Oro et al., Nature 347:298-301 (1990); and Yao et al., Cell 71:63-72 (1992)).
The mechanism by which RXR (and other nuclear receptors) activates transcription is poorly understood. Numerous studies have defined two independent transactivation functions (tau domains; .tau.) in most members of the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily of receptors. These activation functions include a constitutive activation function (.tau.1 or AF-1) present in the amino-terminal region and a ligand-dependent activation function (.tau.c or AF-2) present in the carboxy-terminal 200-250 amino acids. The carboxy-terminal domain of nuclear receptors is complex, mediating ligand-dependent activation, receptor homo- and heterodimerization and ligand binding (Parker, M. G., Curr. Opin. in Cell Biol. 5:499-504 (1993); and Stunnenberg, H. G., BioEassays 15:309-315 (1993)). Binding of ligand is thought to induce a conformational change in receptors that leads to activation of transcription (Allan et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:19513-19520 (1992); Beekman et al., Mol. Endrocrinol. 7:1266-1274 (1993); Toney et al., Biochemistry 32:2-6 (1993); Leid, M., J. Biol. Chem. 269:14175-14181 (1994)).
It is not currently known how activated receptors propagate their signals to the basal transcription machinery. Direct interactions between the basal transcription factor TFIIB and several nuclear receptors have been reported (Ing et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:17617-17623 (1992); Baniahmad et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:8832-8836 (1993); Fondell et al., Genes & Devel. 7:1400-1410 (1993); Blanco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:1535-1539 (1995); and MacDonald et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:4748-4752 (1995)). The nuclear receptor-TFIIB interaction does not appear to be influenced by ligand. Indeed, it has been suggested that interaction between TR and TFIIB may be associated with transcriptional repression (Baniahmad et al., (1993) supra; and Fondell et al., supra). The identification of several novel proteins suggested to be involved in ligand-activated transcription by nuclear receptors (Halachmi et al., Science 264:1455-1458 (1994); Jacq et al., Cell 79:107-118 (1994); Berkanstam et al., Cell 69:401-412 (1992); Cavailles et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:10009-10013 (1994); and Lee et al., Nature 374:91-94 (1995)) suggests that coactivators or bridging factors may also be involved in transmitting the signal from ligand activated receptors to the basal transcription apparatus.
In view of the limited understanding of how activated receptors propagate their signals to the basal transcription machinery, what is needed in the art is a better understanding of such signalling processes. The identification of components of the basal transcription machinery involved in such signalling would be of great value. The identification of such components would also facilitate the development of assays for novel ligands for nuclear receptors.

Methods for the detection of ligands for retinoid X receptors

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies


The invention relates to a pharmaceutical product comprising an allergen extract or an allergoid thereof for the treatment and/or prevention of allergy and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites, which extract comprises at least one extract of mite bodies selected from the following groups a)-b): a) An extract of Der p mite bodies, and b) An extract of Der f mite bodies, and at least one extract of mite cultures selected from the following groups c)-g): c) An extract of Der p faecal particles, d) An extract of Der f faecal particles, e) An extract of Der f whole mite culture, f) An extract of an Der p whole mite culture, and g) a combination of extracts c) to f).

Allergy is a major health problem in countries with a Western lifestyle. Furthermore, the prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in these countries. Although allergy in general may not be considered a life-threatening disease, asthma annually causes a significant number of deaths. An exceptional prevalence in about 30% of teenagers conveys a substantial loss in quality of life, working days and money, and warrants a classification among major health problems in the Western world.
Clinical allergy manifestation and symptoms manifest themselves in several ways and may vary depending on the sensitized individual and the allergy inflicted. Common symptoms are edema, itching, redness and running of the eyes and nose (rhinitis and conjunctivitis) and symptoms of the upper and lower airway such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, skin conditions like eczema, urticaria and itching. Other symptoms like fatigue or insomnia are also experienced. Symptomatic treatment aims at reducing or affecting severity of the symptoms or reducing the need for other drugs given in parallel. Symptomatic drugs include antihistamines like H1 and H2 receptor antagonists, intranasal and systemic corticosteroids, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, nasal decongestants like adrenoceptor agonists. Treatment and relief of one or more allergic symptoms and/or the reduction in the need for other medication is a further object of this invention.
Allergen specific immunotherapy (also referred to as allergen immunotherapy, allergy immunotherapy, specific allergy vaccination (SAV), hyposensitization or desensitization) is a causal treatment of allergic disease. It interferes with basic immunological mechanisms resulting in persistent or long term improvement of the patients' immune status. Thus, the protective effect of specific allergy vaccination extends beyond the treatment period in contrast to symptomatic drug treatment. Some patients receiving the treatment are cured, and in addition, most patients experience a relief in disease severity and symptoms experienced, or at least an arrest in disease aggravation. Allergen immunotherapy also has preventive effects reducing the risk of hay fever developing into asthma, and reducing the risk of developing new sensitivities.
Conventional allergen immunotherapy is carried out using multiple administration of allergen applied over an extended time period.
A long standing use of allergen immunotherapy is via the injection route (also called SCIT, SIT or subcutaneous immunotherapy). Commonly, allergen is administered via the subcutaneous route in incremental doses until a maintenance dose is reached, but also treatment regimens with cluster administration or without up-dosing are used. Allergen may be administered for a period up till 3 years or more before treatment is completed or ceased depending on the treatment schedule applied.
An alternative administration route is sublingual (SLIT) administration which is more convenient for the patients as administration may be carried out at home.
The immunotherapy products for use in immunotherapy typically comprise the allergen that causes the allergy in the patient or derivatives thereof as the active ingredient, which may be formulated in various ways according to the administration route of choice such as aqueous formulations, aluminum hydroxide suspensions or allergoids. The active ingredient may for example be an aqueous extract of pollen containing pollen allergens and/or aqueous extract of mites containing mite allergens.
The most important house dust mites belonging to the family of Pyroglyphidae include Euroglyphus maynei, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. These are found in most of the world including Europe, USA, China and many other counties and allergy and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites is a common disease afflicting 25% of the population.
Some patients are sensitized to Euroglyphus maynei, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, some others to Dermatophagoides farinae and others to both species.
Patients are normally sensitized (although to a variable degree) to the two major allergens in house dust mites, namely group 1 allergen and/or group 2 allergen.
House dust mites contain more than 20 different allergens. However, the two major allergens group 1 and group 2 are the most important allergens because of the frequency of patients sensitized to these two allergens, the amount of IgE produced in response to these allergens and the content thereof in natural extracts.
In allergen immunotherapy patients are treated with allergens that they are sensitized to. The ability of allergens to elicit IgE mediated immunologically responses makes it important to control the allergen content especially group 1 and group 2 allergens in the allergen extracts administered to allergic patients to avoid side effects.
The group 1 and 2 allergens from Der f and Der p are closely related but not identical, see Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy, Clinical Allergy and Immunology Series 21, Lockey and Ledfors, 4th ed., page 162-164).
All the products on the market today for immunotherapy of patients with house dust mite allergy comprises aqueous allergen extracts containing group 1 and group 2 mite allergen. Many products contain extracts of both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.
Mite allergen extracts are usually prepared by cultivation of mites in a suitable mite medium followed by extraction of the whole mite culture or extraction of a mite body fraction thereof, Allergens and Allergy Immunotherapy, Fourth Edition, Clinical Allergy and Immunotherapy, series 21, Ed: R. F. Lockey and D. K. Ledfors, page 286.
In the manufacture of allergen extract it is important to control the variability and to achieve consistency and reproducibility for optimal safety and efficacy in a subsequent clinical setting. Standardization of allergen extract are is a complex matter and in principle involves the entire production chain of processes including establishment of robust and reproducible manufacturing procedures, see Allergy Methods and Protocols, Jones and Lympany (2008), chapter 12 and 13. Because of the IgE binding capacity of an allergen extract is related to the content of one or a few major allergens the general standardization strategy normally involves standardizing the extract in respect to content of a selection of these major allergens further to overall IgE binding potency and composition. Relevant method for assays to access allergen extracts are well known in the art and include immunoelectrophoresis assay such as CIE, CRIE, FRIE, CLIE, quantification methods using mono- or polyspecific antibodies such as SRID, RIS, QIE as well as methods of making standardization references. International standards exist to a limited extent, one example being the FDA; CBER reference provided for extract manufactures to standardize against and label their product with resulting in a biopotency label of AI or BAU (Allergy Units or Bioequivalent Allergy Units).
There is considerable batch to batch variation in the amount by weight of group 1 and group 2 allergens in allergen extracts and the amount by weight of group 1 allergen in these allergen extracts is typically higher than the amount of group 2 allergen by weight.
It is well known that the house dust mite group 1 and group 2 allergens are found in both the bodies of the mite and in the faecal particles produced by the mites during cultivation. It is also known that group 1 allergen is associated with the faecal particles and the group 2 allergen is associated with the mite bodies; see Batard et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2006, 140, p. 295-305.
As mentioned above there is a considerable batch to batch variation in the content of mite group 1 and mite group 2 allergens in batches of whole mite culture extracts, including extracts of mite bodies, which makes it very difficult to prepare mite extracts with a constant and predetermined level of group 1 and group 2 allergen. This is of course a serious problem in the industrial or large scale production of a pharmaceutical product which should contain as closely as possible the same amount of active ingredient(s) in every batch.
Therefore improved processes and product(s) are important to maximize production efficiency as well as provide high quality products for end-user efficacy and safety.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Pharmaceutical product comprising mite allergen extract(s) and a method for the manufacture thereof


A reflector device that is easily attached and/or removed from a boat's anchor lightpole, deck railing, or any other suitably sized exterior feature. The device "shines" only when illuminated by the spot/search light of an approaching boat, to provide a visual identification in dark or unfavorably lit conditions. The device supplements, but does not replace traditional electric or battery operated anchor lights, and serves as a stand-by should the traditional light fail. The device is passive, activated only when illuminated by the spot/search light of an approaching vessel.

Personal pleasure craft that are at anchor at night display a white light (usually powered by a battery) to identify their location. These anchor lights provide the primary measure of safety to the boat's occupants and to other boats that may approach in the dark. However, when/if light bulbs and batteries fail and/or dim, or if the boat's operator simply forgets to turn on their lights, the degree of safety provided to people on boats at anchor or approaching is substantially reduced, or may even be eliminated.
This invention relates to a reflectorized device that, when illuminated by the spot/search lights of approaching craft, visually identifies the location of pleasure boats (power or sail) that are at anchor in dark, dusk, or unfavorably lit conditions.
This device is not intended to replace a boat's traditional battery or electric powered anchor light, but in the event a boat's anchor light fails, the device affords an additional level of safety by providing a visual identification of the anchored boat's location when the reflectorized device is illuminated by the spot/search light of an approaching vessel.


A current sensing circuit may include a shunt resistance through which current to be sensed travels. A first and a second differential amplifier may each provide an amplified output of the voltage across the shunt resistance. A switching system may deliver a current sensing signal output based on the amplified output of the first differential amplifier when the common mode voltage across the shunt resistance is low and based on the amplified output of the second differential amplifier when the common mode voltage across the shunt resistance is high. The first differential amplifier may provide its lowest output DC offset voltage when the common mode voltage is low, while the second differential amplifier may provide its lowest output DC offset voltage when the common mode voltage is high. The first and second differential amplifiers may both have a low common mode voltage rejection ratio, such as a ratio of less than 40 db at the switching frequency of switches that control the current that is sensed.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to current sensing circuits, including current sensing circuits that control motors driven by an H-bridge of electronic switches.
2. Description of Related Art
The windings of a motor may each be driven by an H-bridge of electronic switches, which may be driven by a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal.
The system may need to continually measure the current flowing into (or out of) each motor winding. To effectuate this needed measurement, a shunt resistance may be placed in series with each winding, and the differential voltage across each shunt resistance may be measured and serve as an indication of the current that is traveling through it.
A differential amplifier may be used to measure the differential voltage across the shunt resistance. However, the differential voltage across the shunt resistance may be very low, while the common mode voltage of the shunt resistance—the instantaneous average of the voltages of the shunt resistance terminals with respect to ground—may vary widely as the H-bridge is switched by the PWM signal. This may cause errors in the measurements made by the differential amplifier.
To reduce these errors, the differential amplifier may have a high common mode voltage rejection ratio (CMRR). This may enable the differential amplifier to accurately track the differential voltage across the shunt resistance, even in the face of wide variations in the common mode voltage. However, difficult trade-offs between optimizing for DC accuracy (offset voltage) and AC performance (AC CMRR) may be needed.
Some H-bridge driven motor controllers may not directly measure the current in the motor winding. Instead, they may measure the current in either a ground or a supply connection to switches that form the H-bridge. However, the information provided by this approach may not be as accurate as directly measuring the current to the motor winding.

Accurate current sensing in H-bridge applications without amplifier having high common mode rejection ratio


An apparatus for enhancing the sartorial resplendency of one's garb including a belt having a plurality of slits through which an ornamental scarf is adapted to pass by threading the scarf into the slits and manipulting the scarf in various orientations to provide visual enhancements on an exposed surface of the belt which carries the scarf, thereby providing accents for one's wardrobe.

Many articles of clothing devolve from resources which can be regenerated, such as leather from animals or textiles which are produced from animals or plants. However, conservation of resources and energy should dictate that these wardrobe articles be enhanced and provided with greater utility because this would be both fiscally responsible as well as environmentally sound. Although articles of apparel such as belts are not inordinately expensive, they still can provide fashion accents while being functional. Maximum benefit can be obtained in optimizing one's wardrobe heretofore only by the skillful matching of multiple complementary articles.
The following patents reflect the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
______________________________________ INVENTOR U.S. Pat. No. ISSUE DATE ______________________________________ Frothingham, A.G. 594,201 November 23, 1897 Orayeh, E. Des. 32,863 June 19, 1990 Wasserstrom, W. Des. 33,621 November 27, 1900 Sachs, M. Des. 95,549 May 7, 1935 Alexandre, P. 2,084,720 June 22, 1937 Bensel, D. 2,427,119 September 9, 1947 Rand, R. 3,848,270 November 19, 1974 ______________________________________
The patent to Orayeh teaches the use of a belt formed from a plurality of rings defining the belt through which ribbon is adapted to pass.
The patent to Wasserstrom teaches the use of a belt which cooperates with a decorative lozenge-shaped panel provided with vertical slits through which the belt is threaded.
The patent to Rand teaches the use of a belt having interchangeable decorative strips in which the strips are detachably fastened to the outside of the belt. The strips are readily removable so that they may be replaced by other strips in order to be coordinated with the garment being worn.
The patent to Bensel teaches the use of a garment belt in which an insert is operatively associated with a major body of the belt for decorative enhancement. The display member threads through slots on the belt by virtue of a leader and portions of the display show through the belt.
The remaining patents show the state of the art further.

Belt with pouch and slits for retaining a scarf


A linearly actuating multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle includes a single electromagnetic device which linearly operates a pair of mechanical devices. In another aspect of the present invention, a plunger of a solenoid is selectively moved between various longitudinal positions in order to directly and linearly move a portion of a first mechanical device interfacing with a window assembly and move a portion of a second mechanical device, such as a door lock or latch.

This invention relates generally to multi-functional apparatuses and specifically to a linearly actuating multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle.
Almost all automotive vehicles have a single or a pair of windshield wiper assemblies. These assemblies traditionally include rubber wiper blades mounted upon claw brackets. These claw brackets are pivotably attached to wiper arms mounted upon rotating shafts. The shafts are either directly driven by electric motors or driven by a single electric motor which actuates a series or parallel-coupled four bar linkage mechanism. It is further known to provide a wiper system, in combination with a wash device, to clean headlamps for automotive vehicles.
It is also common to employ a window wiper assembly for cleaning rear windows of automotive vehicles. Typically, these types of rear window wiper assemblies include a wiper blade mounted upon a bracket which is coupled to a wiper arm. The wiper arm is attached to a wiper shaft rotatably driven in a cyclically oscillating manner by a helical gear. A reversible, fractional horsepower, direct current electric motor serves to actuate the helical worm gear through an armature shaft-mounted worm gear segment enmeshed therewith. This type of rear window wiper arrangement is usually mounted upon a pivoting liftgate of a minivan, station wagon, sport-utility vehicle or the like. One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,258 entitled "System and Method for Controlling Vehicle Lift Gate Window Wiper" which issued to Stroven et al. on May 21, 1996.
Some conventional vehicles also provide a rear window release lock or latch, actuated by a solenoid, which can be unlocked to allow for upward pivotal movement of a rear window in relation to the otherwise stationary liftgate. In combination therewith, a separate liftgate lock is often mounted upon the liftgate door for fastening the liftgate to the body thereby preventing inadvertent pivotal opening. This liftgate lock is traditionally operated by manual key or handle rotation, or through a separate electric motor or solenoid.
Separate motors or solenoids are commonly required to actuate these various locks and the wiper. The traditional need for such a multiplicity of electromagnetic devices has increased the automotive vehicle weight and cost while further proving difficult to package within the often small spaces provided. This added weight is especially detrimental when the window wiper mechanism, rear window lock and liftgate lock, as well as their distinct respective electromagnetic devices, are all incorporated within the pivoting liftgate. Not only is the piece cost increased due to this multiplicity of electromagnetic devices, but the assembly cost, part number proliferation and handling costs, electric wiring costs, objectional motor noise, and failure modes are increased.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,332 entitled "Mechanism for Opening and Closing a Cover for a Concealed Windshield Wiper System" which issued to Bellware on Sep. 5, 1972, discloses a windshield wiper driven by an electric motor and an interruptable driving connection controlled by a separate electromagnet. This device further employed levers and pivot pins to open and close a cover. DE 38 07 087 also discloses an electric motor which rotates various mechanisms to drive a rear window wiper and to unlock a rear door; this system has a window fixedly adhered to the rear door. Additionally, an electric motor which rotates and moves axially is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,741 entitled "Dual-Motion Apparatus" which issued to Dvorsky on Sep. 3, 1991.
More recently, PCT Publications WO 96/33891 entitled "Multi-Functional Apparatus Employing an Intermittent Motion Mechanism", WO 96/33893 entitled "Multi-Functional Apparatus Employing an Electromagnetic Device", and WO 96/33892 entitled "Control System for an Automotive Vehicle Multi-Functional Apparatus", all of which were published on Oct. 31, 1996, disclose a significantly improved system wherein a single electromagnetic device can selectively operate intermittent motion mechanisms coupled to a window wiper, a door lock, a window release lock and the like. Notwithstanding, these devices require further refinement and improvement. For example, if the window wiper is frozen onto a window, a door could not be unlocked, with the geneva and starwheel mechanism constructions. Moreover, a car wash or bumpy road could cause the window wiper to undesirably and destructively move from its parked position when a wiper clutch is disengaged, for the split-shaft clutch construction. The split-shaft clutch embodiment also requires further improvements and refinements to increase the durability and robustness of design, while further minimizing the weight of the unit. Furthermore, many of these known devices must translate rotary motion generated by a spinning electric motor and the associated gearing to linear movement for use with door locks and window release latches through use of extraneous, expensive and failure prone gears and levers.

Linearly actuating multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle


The present invention relates to a slip-controlled brake system including digitally controlled electromagnetic inlet valves and outlet valves, and the inlet valve has a restrictor valve control responsive to differential pressures in order to minimize valve noises.

It has been found in the brake system described in patent application Ser. No. 43 19 227 (not published) that the proposed constructive solutions with respect to the arrangement of the annular piston including a controllable restrictor and the details in the solenoid inlet valve, which correspond to the annular piston, require further structural simplification to achieve a most simple miniaturized inlet valve design.
A solenoid valve is disclosed in European patent application No. 0 317 305 which is suitable for use in anti-lock hydraulic brake systems. The solenoid valve has a magnetic core accommodating a coil. The magnetic core is confined by a magnetic armature on one side and by a restrictor member on the other side. The restrictor member has a passage which is closable by a valve needle. The restrictor member is compressed in an axially movable fashion between the magnetic core and a housing cover, in which the pressure fluid inlet is provided, so that in the switching position, where the valve needle closes off the supply duct in the restrictor member, a differential pressure acts on either side of the restrictor member and causes a displacement of the valve needle in relation to the magnetic armature. A compression spring interposed between the valve needle and the magnetic armature is preloaded thereby. The preloading force of the compression spring caused by the difference in pressure on the restrictor member results in a quick release of the magnetic armature from the magnetic core when the electromagnetic excitation is interrupted. This results in short valve opening times. A spring resetting force acting on the valve needle in the opening sense favors the quick opening of the supply duct in the restrictor member. Thus, pressure fluid propagates to an annular slot after having passed through the free passage at the valve needle. The annular slot is provided between the hollow-cylindrical inside wall of the magnetic core and the outside wall of a cylindrical part guiding the valve needle. The fluid which emanates from the valve inlet is conducted through the supply duct in the restrictor member and the subsequent annular slot into a pressure fluid connection which leads to the pressure fluid consumer.
While the circuit configuration of the brake system disclosed in the main application remains unmodified, an object of the present invention is to suggest solutions for miniaturizing the inlet valve which can be achieved at low cost without limiting the operability of the valve.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved by the annular piston, which accommodates the controllable restrictor, which is axially movable within an annular chamber in the valve carrier concentrically relative to the valve closure member of the inlet valve.
Thus, the annular chamber, which originally accommodates an annular filter and the valve closure member, additionally serves for the favorable integration of the annular piston, thereby permitting the external dimensions of the valve carrier and the dimensions of the stepped bore of the valve accommodating member to be maintained. Further, the annular portion between the valve accommodating member and the valve carrier can be used to position the annular filter. A favorable increase of the filter surface for filtering the fluid which, among others, flows between the wheel brake and the non-return cup seal is thereby achieved.

Hydraulic brake system with slip control


A sheet of fabric comprises a layer of magnetic powder, layer through applying or printing a power of magnetic material, in which the magnetic layer is composed of a mixture of a Sm2Co17 alloy and a binder, which comprises an antioxidant and an adhesive, coated over the fabric 1 by printing.. In use, the magnetic therapeutic sheet is cut into pieces of a desired size.. The magnetic therapeutic sheet may be applied to underwear including a shirt, socks, a corset, and a cloth covering a part of a human body.

The present invention relates to a method of making a magnetic therapeutic sheet for relieving lumbar pain, nervous pain such as stiff shoulder, muscular pain, and other inflammation.
1. Field of the Invention
A prior art therapeutic sheet or compress comprises commonly a stretchable fabric coated at one side with a film of adhesive material which contains a given amount of analgesic, antiphlogistic agent. The compress is used to cover an affected area with its adhesive side by directly applying to or securing with pieces of adhesive tape.
2. Description of Related Art
It is also known that magnetic flux helps ease lumbar or shoulder pain. For this end, a disk shaped magnet, for example, 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness, is provided for placing over the affected area with a strip of adhesive tape. More commonly, a base material such as a sheet of fabric is impregnated with grains or powder of magnet as well as an adhesive agent. This application will however be disadvantageous because the magnetic powder is located at the same area as of the adhesive agent and fails to provide an intensive magnetic effect to a desired area. As the magnetic powder is distributed throughout the base material and mixed with the adhesive agent, its magnetic force is reduced at each local region thus assuring less therapeutic effects.
We have developed and proposed a number of modified magnetic therapeutic sheets capable of providing both a wet pad effect and a magnetic therapeutic effect while ensuring the magnetic effect over a wider area, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications 3-95152(1991) 3-95153(1991), 5-41011(1993), and 6-41011(1994).
Particularly, Application 5-41011 explains a method of making the magnetic layer through applying or printing a powder of magnetic material.
The magnetic powder is preferably a cobalt material (Sm2Co17, samarium cobalt) coated or printed on a sheet of fabric in the form of a magnetic layer which can provide a higher magnetic therapeutic effect.
There is however a problem that a component of cobalt in the magnetic powder is susceptible to oxidation when samarium cobalt is mixed with water and glue (referred to as a binder) for ease of application or printing on the fabric sheet.
If the samarium cobalt is stored in a sealed condition, water may be deoxidized releasing hydrogen which causes explosion or steam eruption.
The samarium cobalt, Sm2Co17, is a cobalt alloy containing 20 to 25% by weight of Sm, 10 to 20% by weight of Fe, 3 to 10% by weight of Cu, and 1 to 5% by weight of Zr. The cobalt alloy has a higher magnetic characteristic but is unfavorable for being plasticized. It is common that the cobalt alloy is milled to grains of about 500 micrometers for use as a magnetic material. This increases the entire surface of the material and will accelerate the oxidation when mixed with water.
Since the samarium cobalt tends to decline the magnetic characteristic when oxidized, its oxidation will be a serious drawback to be tackled.
If oil is substituted for the water in order to prevent the oxidation, its higher viscosity may cause clogging in an application or printing device and block the mesh of a fabric sheet lowering the air permeability.
Also, the surface of each grain of the magnetic material may be covered with a film of gold. However, this will dramatically increase the overall cost while preventing the oxidation.
It is an object of the present invention, in view of the foregoing predicaments, to provide a method of making a low-cost magnetic therapeutic sheet which is less susceptible to corrosion of cobalt components.

Magnetic therapeutic sheet and a method of making the same

201 Parerowaiyaru Funatsu II, 1-6-4, Minatogoten


A LED device for clear emission color by a plural color chips, essentially including a yellow color chip is provided. The LED device is utilized a color image display, and by this display, a light for traffic alarm and a light for traffic alarm with arrow mark which indicates the direction are accomplished.

This invention relates to a LED device accomplishing a clear light color with the plural color chips, and a color image display utilizing the LED device, and further this invention is to provide a traffic signal by a single light emitting the blue color, yellow color, red color, and an arrow mark direction signal, utilizing a plurality the LED devices.
One sort of conventional LED device has a red color chip, a green color chip, and a blue color chip, which are three primary color chips, and multiple colors are emitted by the mixture of three primary colors as a singular device.
By the way, a traffic signal has three lights, i.e., blue light, yellow light, and red light, and further may include a blue arrow mark light. Hence the signal is provided with plural lights. When LED device is used in the traffic signal light, a respective light emits single color. Accordingly three kinds of lights are required for emitting the blue light, the yellow light, and the red light.
By the prior conventional device, the yellow color must be emitted by the mixture of primary colors. But the mixed yellow color is somber and the color is rather orange-like. Namely, it is very difficult to obtain a clear yellow color.
Further, the traffic signal has plural lights, i.e., a blue light, a yellow light, a red light, and a blue arrow mark light. By this arrangement, the weight of the traffic signal is increased. Still more, it may be difficult to determine the color of the signal at a glance. When the signal receives the sun beam, the beam may be reflected and make the signal more indistinct.
To simplify the traffic signal, it may be considered to utilize the LED device which can emit multiple colors by the mixture of the primary colors. But the yellow color or attention color is not clear, and for this reason the traffic signal by above LED device is not realized.

LED device with plural color chips including at least a yellow chip, a color image display utilizing the LED device, light for traffic alarm utilizing the color image display, and traffic alarm utilizing the light and having arrow mark display


Systems and methodologies that facilitate purchase and/or transfer of a domain name and access of users to the internet by using a well defined protocol to interact with a plurality of domain name registrars via employing a purchasing component and a mapping component. Once a user has identified a domain name, the purchasing component can automatically query the provider(s) for terms of the service plan to obtain such domain name. The mapping component can then point to a DNS provider designated to host such domain name, to manage in-bound traffic. The subject invention can also be implemented in web services based hosted solutions directory, for example by designation of a trusted on-line registry that registers a plurality of service providers to supply services to clients, with a secure communication between the clients and the trusted on-line registry for selection of a service provider.

The rapid growth of the Internet and Internet based applications has created a multitude of benefits for businesses, such as ease of marketing and sales to clients. In such environments, to register and start using a domain name, a service of a domain name registrar is required. In general, the domain name industry is regulated and overseen by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN): a nonprofit organization that has assumed the responsibility for IP address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system management and root server system management functions previously performed under U.S. Government contract.
A domain name can be hosted by a Domain Name Service (DNS) provider, which allows potential clients to key a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or domain name into the address line of their browser and access a corresponding server of the business. In general, a Domain Name Service (DNS) includes distributed set of servers primarily used by internet applications to lookup the network address of a given internet server. For example, an internet application that requires to look up a server name initially can send a DNS query to a local Domain Name server (LDNS), which may be located at the same site. The LDNS can also maintain a cache of resource records, for example, mappings between server names and IP addresses. To facilitate mnemonic identification of destination computer systems, a Domain Name Service (DNS) can typically translate a unique textual name for a destination computer system into the IP address for that computer. The textual name is called a "domain name."
As such, the basic function of DNS is to provide a distributed database that maps between human-readable host names and IP addresses. The DNS name space can be hierarchically organized so that subdomains can be locally administered. The root of the hierarchy can be centrally administered and served from a collection of root servers. In addition, sub domains can be delegated to other servers that are authoritative for their portion of the name space, and such process can be repeated recursively.
An example of a domain name is "www.Microsoft.com", wherein, "www" indicates World-Wide Web, "Microsoft" indicates an example of a company name, .com indicates commercial (as opposed to .gov for government entities, .edu for education entities, .org for non-profit organizations, and the like). Likewise, progressing from right to left, the host name can be structured from general to very specific. For example, "com" can typically be referred to as a top-level domain name, "Microsoft" is sometimes referred to as a second-level domain name, and "www" can designate the server that handles Internet requests, and is sometimes referred to as a third-level domain name.
An example of a URL is "http://www.Microsoft.com/1.gif", where the "http://" indicates the type of resource and the last field, "1.gif", indicates a file name, but may also be a Web page, executable application, or other computer readable or executable file located at the URL that the user wishes to access.
When the user enters the URL into a browser, the browser can make a determination as to whether it knows a corresponding IP (Internet Protocol) address. For example, a corresponding IP address for "Microsoft.com" may be 220.127.116.11. The browser knows the corresponding IP address if that host name has been visited recently and the address is still in a short-term host name address table in the browser.
At the same time, generally, required steps for an internet presence includes purchasing a domain name, configuration of the DNS services, certification purchase procedures, and the like. Such numerous steps can typically include cumbersome procedures, such as manual configuration, which can be susceptible to errors. In addition, some users (e.g., small business owners) may be unfamiliar with such procedures and may require expert help that can be time consuming and increase users' set up costs.
For example, before a small business can initiate a presence electronically on the Internet and the World Wide Web, such a business is often required to purchase a domain name and register with a DNS provider to host such domain. To do so, a representative of the small business can be required to initiate communication (e.g., via telephone, fax, mail and the like) with a representative of the domain name registrar in order to establish an account therewith. During such communication, the domain name registrar representative is provided with general information (e.g., name, address, business type and the like) and a form of payment (e.g., a credit card number). In return, the registrar can supply the user with a username and password that can be employed to authenticate the user and authorize transfer/purchase of the domain name for a presence on the internet. Hence, the different presentation of the plan options offered by the various domain name registrars, as well as mapping such domain names to a DNS provider can be confusing to a user and require cumber some registration steps.
Moreover, each domain name registrar can require loading and implementing specialized proprietary software/procedures that can further complicate matters, and impede a user's ability to accurately compare plans offered by the domain name registrars, an the DNS providers. Such disparate configuration tools can thwart users from employing opportunities provided by the internet to their full potentials. For example, in order to map the domain name to a DNS provider, the provider or registrar can send, via a postal or other delivery service, proprietary software that may need to be installed on a computer system prior to purchase/transfer of the domain name and its hosting by the DNS provider. Any such associated software and/or hardware must be correctly installed on the computer system, in order for the user of small business to enjoy benefits of a domain name and thereby presence on the Internet. Thus, such a user is generally required to wait until such software and hardware is received. Thereafter, the user must correctly install the associated software and/or hardware at the computer system to enable Internet presence.
If correctly installed, a user can then configure inbound traffic, and interact with the DNS provider. In order to support secure web traffic, the user must also obtain proper certificate provisions via third parties for the domain name of the user. Obtaining such certificate can further add to the complexities of establishing presence on the internet.
Thus and as explained above, users wishing to enjoy presence of their domain names on the Internet can typically be subjected to: non-uniform presentations in a multi-vendor environment, cumbersome contacting requirements, waiting periods for appropriate access software and/or hardware to be delivered or installed.
Therefore, there is a need to overcome the aforementioned exemplary deficiencies associated with conventional systems and devices.

Message based network configuration of domain name purchase


A process for the combustion of a hydrocarbon, such as methane, in particular for energy production, in which the hydrocarbon, which will be assumed to be methane, is fed to a first stage in which it is reacted with recycled carbon dioxide produced during a separate, second stage of the combustion. In the first stage, the following reactions takes place: EQU CH.sub.4 +CO.sub.2 .fwdarw.2CO+2H.sub.2 (1) EQU CH.sub.4 +CO.sub.2 .fwdarw.2C+2H.sub.2 O (2) EQU CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 .fwdarw.CO+H.sub.2 O (3). The carbon produced in the reaction (2) is separated, and the gaseous mixture produced in said first stage is then fed to a second stage for reaction with oxygen, in which the reaction products are steam and carbon dioxide, this carbon dioxide, minus any excess, being totally recycled to said first stage.

It is well known that in processes involving the combustion of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons (such as methane) for the large-scale production of thermal and electrical energy, such as in thermoelectric power stations, one of the currently most serious problems is the release to atmosphere of the correspondingly large quantities of carbon dioxide produced by the combustion. Much comment has recently been made on the serious environmental problem of imbalance between the emission of CO.sub.2 into the atmosphere and the reuse of the same CO.sub.2 in the biosphere. In other words, the rate of combustion of carbon-based fossil fuels exceeds the rate of carbon fixation by photosynthesis in plants.
While fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and petroleum) constitute the main source of energy, it will not be possible to stop their production, although their consumption may have to be rationalized, even though it is probable that other forms of energy will be available in the future. Faced with the ecological risk associated with excess CO.sub.2 in the atmosphere, it has, for example, been proposed to increase the efficiency of direct utilization of solar energy or photosynthesis by selected micro-organisms which fix the CO.sub.2 and produce fuels (solar bioreactor).
However such a project has still to be developed and tried, and at the moment it is only a hypothetical solution.

Hydrocarbon combustion process in which the carbon dioxide produced is prevented from dispersing onto the atmosphere, and a plant for its implementation


The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a repeat region of an isolated spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) coding sequence, the coding sequence located within the long arm of chromosome 13, and the complement of the nucleic acid molecule. Diagnostic methods based on identification of this repeat region are also provided.

The ataxias are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases that variably affect the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinocerebellar tracts. Trinucleotide repeat expansions have been shown to be the mutational mechanism responsible for a number of the ataxias as well as other neurological diseases. The underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the pathology associated with these diseases falls into three broad categories. First, the largest group of triplet repeat diseases are those associated with CAG expansions that are translated into polyglutamine tracts. Diseases caused by polyglutamine expansions include spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, Huntington's disease, and five different forms of dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). A second group involves the 5′ CCG expansion that causes fragile X mental retardation and the intronic GAA expansion responsible for Friedreich's ataxia. Both of these result in decreased expression of their corresponding protein products. Finally, a third group involves the expanded CTG repeat in the 3′ untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase coding sequence. This repeat has been shown to cause myotonic dystrophy, but it is not yet understood how this mutation causes an effect at the molecular level.
The ataxias can be dominantly or recessively inherited, or appear with no family history of disease. Among the adult-onset dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), seven different loci have been mapped (S. Gispert et al., Nature Genet., 4, 295-299 (1993); Y, Takiyama et al., Nature Genet., 4, 300-304 (1993); K. Gardner et al., Neurology, 44, A361 (1994); S. Nagafuchi et al., Nature Genet., 6, 14-18 (1994); L. P. W. Ranum et al., Nature Genet., 8, 280-284 (1994); A. Benomar et al., Nature Genet., 10, 84-88 (1995); L. G. Gouw et al., Nature Genet., 10, 89-93 (1995); O—. Zhuchenko et al., Nature Genet., 15, 62-69 (1997)). Approximately sixty percent of the dominant ataxias result from expansions in trinucleotide CAG repeats at the SCAT, 2, 3, 6 or 7 loci (S. Nagafuchi et al., Nature Genet., 6, 14-18 (1994); O. Zhuchenko et al., Nature Genet., 15, 62-69 (1997); H. T. On et al., Nature Genet., 4, 211-226 (1993); Y. Kawaguchi et al., Nature Genet., 8, 221-228 (1994); R. Koide et al., Nature Genet., 6, 9-13 (1994); G. Imbert et al., Nature Genet., 14, 285-291 (1996); S.-M. Pulst et al., Nature Genet., 14, 269-276 (1996); K. Sanpei et al., Nature Genet., 14, 277-284 (1996); G. David et al., Nature Genet., 17, 65-70 (1997); M. D. Koob et al., Nature Genet., 18, 72-75 (1998). The substantial clinical variability among the remaining 40% of the genetically undefined dominant families suggests that a number of additional ataxia coding sequences remain to be identified.
Identifying an ataxia coding sequence can provide an improved method for diagnosis of individuals with the disease and increases the possibility of prenatal/presymptomatic diagnosis or better classification of ataxias.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 and methods of detection


A method for iteratively reconstructing image data acquired by a computed tomography system is provided. The method comprises generating a calculated sinogram from an image estimate and generating an error sinogram based on the calculated sinogram and a measured sinogram. Then, one or more backprojections are performed, each based upon a reconstruction parameter. The reconstruction parameter impacts at least one of convergence speed and computational cost of each iterative step and corresponding reconstruction. A filtering step is performed prior to performing the one or more backprojections. Finally, the initial image is updated by adding corresponding results of the one or more backprojections to the image estimate to obtain the reconstructed image.

The present invention relates generally to the field of imaging systems. In particular, the invention relates to a method for iteratively reconstructing image data acquired from a computed tomography imaging system.
Computed Tomography (CT) scanners operate by projecting fan shaped or cone shaped X-ray beams through an object. The X-ray beams are generated by an X-ray source, and are generally collimated prior to passing through the object being scanned. The attenuated beams are then detected by a set of detector elements. Each detector element produces a signal based on the intensity of the attenuated X-ray beams, and these signals are processed to produce projection data, also called sinogram data. By using reconstruction techniques, such as filtered backprojection, useful images are formed from the projection data.
A computer is able to process and reconstruct images of the portions of the object responsible for the radiation attenuation. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these images are computed by processing a series of angularly displaced projection data. These data are then reconstructed to produce reconstructed images, which are typically displayed on a cathode ray tube, and may be printed or reproduced on film.
Direct reconstruction techniques, such as filtered backprojection are generally fast and computationally efficient, since they allow reconstruction of a three-dimensional image data set in a single reconstruction step. Unfortunately, most direct reconstruction techniques exhibit relatively poor image quality with a low contrast and a significant artifact level.
Iterative reconstruction techniques improve image quality through an iterative step. Iterative reconstruction techniques perform an initial reconstruction followed by iterative updates of the two or three-dimensional image data set until some threshold criteria are met. In particular, iterative reconstruction techniques reduce image noise for a given dose, or equivalently, reduce the dose required to achieve a given noise, have increased geometrical flexibility and are capable of modeling the physics of the acquisition, thereby increasing the robustness against artifacts.
However, iterative reconstruction techniques require enormous amounts of computation and are not useful in practice unless the volume to be reconstructed is small. In addition, iterative reconstruction techniques are much slower than direct reconstruction techniques, generally requiring 10-100 times the computational cost as compared to direct reconstruction techniques. Some known techniques for reducing the computational cost of iterative reconstruction techniques include ordered subsets, relaxation factors, and acceleration of the projector and back projector. However, these techniques, which can be applied in general to any iterative reconstruction technique known in the art, do not sufficiently reduce the computation time to enable routine use of iterative reconstruction.
An iterative reconstruction technique that effectively reduces the required computational cost per iteration and reduces the number of iterations by improving the convergence properties is therefore desired.

Method and system for iterative image reconstruction


The pre-filled single-use hypodermic devices must be provided with a needle cap device (1) during storage for protection of the injector needle (4) and the contents of the hypodermic device which is removed prior to use. The two-part needle cap device (1) includes a plastic outer casing (5) of hard elastic transparent material which is provided inside with a lining member (6) sealing the tip of the injector needle and made from a soft elastic material. The injector head (2) and the plastic outer casing (5) have a coupling device for making a mechanical stable form-fitting connection and/or a positive-locking connection with a reliable microbiological seal when the injector head (2) is inserted in the outer casing (5). This coupling device is formed by elements on or features of the injector head (2) and outer casing (5). The needle cap according to the invention permits a drop-free removal since the injector head and the form of the needle cap cooperate with and conform to each other so that the tip of the needle injector is released from the lining member (6) only when a pressure inside the outer casing corresponds to the external air pressure.

The present invention concerns a needle cap device for a pre-fillable one-time injection apparatus with an injector needle firmly connected to an injector head and the resulting improved injection apparatus. This needle cap comprises a stiff plastic outer casing made of a hard elastic material, which is provided with an interior sealing lining member made of a soft elastic material. This needle cap is easily put on the injector head and without any preparatory steps is completely removable from it. The injector head and the stiff plastic outer casing have elements of a mechanically stable form and/or elements providing a force-locking connecting device around the insertion path for the cap, with a microbiologically secure seal when the stiff plastic outer casing is on the injector head.
A pre-filled, one-time injection apparatus, also called a syringe, should be made from glass or plastic, and must be provided during storage with a needle cap, which is removed immediately prior to use, for protection of the injector needle and contents to be injected. The injector needle is also designated a hollow injection needle and the needle cap is designated a protective cap.
This type of needle cap is known and on the market in many different embodiments. Needle caps, which are made from elastomer, preferably synthetic rubber or natural rubber, so-to-say the classical needle cap, are most widely distributed or used. The length of the cap is typically selected so that the tip of the injector needle is inserted in the cap tip when the cap is put on the injector head and remains enclosed and sealed by the material of the cap.
A needle cap of this kind combined with the injector needle firmly connected to the injector head, for example, is known and described by DE-27 17 830 A1 (there by FIG. 6) and DE-44 38 360 A1. Also DE 4 234 319 A1 discloses a needle cap with an elastic cap shroud, which conforms to the injector head. The needle cap of this kind has, on the one hand, the advantageous property that it is easily put on and removed from the injector head without preliminary preparation steps, and also a reliable microbiological seal is guaranteed since the elastic cap shroud conforms to the injector head. However this arrangement has the following disadvantageous properties:
The needle cap can oppose mechanical influences only to a limited extent because of the softness of the material. It can also be penetrated by the needle so that it poses a not insignificant danger of injury to the user.
The needle cap is pressed together when it is removed and contacts on the hollow needle surface. This leads, at least partially, to stripping off of silicone on the needle which serves as a sliding agent for the injection process. If this sliding agent is removed, the injection is associated with pain caused by the injection process. Silicone particles/droplets are thus formed which can enter the body in which the injector needle is inserted.
The assembly of the needle cap is difficult since a reliable controllable displacement limit is absent for the process of placing the needle cap over the injector needle so that the needle cap can easily be pushed too far or too little on the injector head over the needle. Both cases are very disadvantageous since in the first case the needle can poke through the needle cap and in the second case a reliable microbiological seal is no longer guaranteed.
The injector needle is not controllable and/or observable visually by the user with the needle cap placed over the needle on the injector head, to determine, for example, whether the needle is suited for the predetermined purpose or the needle is bent, contaminated or damaged. The needle cap must be removed and if necessary again placed on the injector body with the accompanying great danger of microbiological contamination of the needle, or even of the contents of the needle, and/or of penetration of the needle cap or of needle bending.
During removal of the needle cap a low pressure is produced in the needle tip so that liquid filled in the injector device easily issues from it. It is necessary for the user to remove this liquid drop, which reduces for one thing the actual applied dosage and, for another, the outer needle surface is wetted with medicine. During the injection an indefinite amount of medication is brought into the duct in the needle which is generally undesirable and can lead to bleeding at the insertion location with a few medicines, e.g. anticoagulants (Heparin etc.).
For improvement of the mechanical properties of this type of needle cap it is known to provide the needle cap with an outer hard elastic shell as described in EP 0 429 052. Although needle caps of this type are better protected against mechanical influences and also against penetration by the needle, thus avoiding the above-mentioned injury danger, the other disadvantages--no visual control and no observability of the needle when the needle cap is on the injector head, no drop-free removal of the needle cap, stripping of the needle siliconization and no reliable displacement limit for the cap during assembly.
An additional disadvantage in this embodiment is the limited ability to sterilize the needle with the needle cap covering it: a sterilization with a high energy light flash is not possible, similarly the hard outer jacket prevents a sterilization with steam due to insufficient penetrability of steam through this two-part needle cap.
The alternative needle cap described in the above-mentioned DE 44 38 360 A1 has similar disadvantages. This needle cap includes a plastic outer casing of comparatively hard elastic material which is lined inside with a soft elastic sealing material, at least in the vicinity of the hollow needle point. Because of that this soft elastic material can be selected for optimum sealing properties (sealing function), while the hard elastic material is suitable to counter exterior mechanical damage (protective function).
This known needle cap does not fulfill the following criteria: a) reliable sealing of the tip of the needle, b) visual inspection of the needle with the needle cap placed over it, c) reliable drop-free removal of the needle cap, d) no damage to the siliconization on the needle, e) complete removability of the injector head without preparatory steps, f) sterilizability by light flash, steam sterilization, g) reliable connection of the cap to the injector by definite and controllable positioning and g) reliable resealing of the injector after use.
A needle cap was disclosed with the above-mentioned features in German Utility Model Nr. 89 06 101 which does guarantee a reliable sealing and application of the needle tip. The above-described criteria are however also not fulfilled with this known needle cap.

Needle cap device for a pre-fillable one-time injection apparatus


A lighting element of a sub-surface marine light unit can be manufactured with an integrated camera. The lighting element can include a light emitting component able to illuminate an area within a sub-surface environment and a camera configured to provide a view within an illuminated sub-surface area illuminated by the light emitting component. The camera can be housed within the enclosure of the lighting element. The light unit can be a thru hull marine light affixed to the sub-surface portion of a hull of a marine vessel and a movable light affixed to an apparatus of a marine vessel.

The present invention relates to the field of underwater marine vessel lighting and, more particularly, to a sub-surface marine light unit with variable wavelength light emission and an integrated camera.
Marine vessels such as boats and ships frequently utilize underwater lighting for navigation and aesthetics. These underwater lights are typically attached to the hull of the vessel and provide lighting in surrounding water. Lights can assist operators in docking the boat, divers locating boat, and even during entertainment during events. In many instances, lights can be ineffective when underwater conditions become cloudy due to debris and/or silt. What is needed is a mechanism for improving light performance in sub-optimal underwater conditions.

Sub-surface marine light unit with variable wavelength light emission and an integrated camera


A Composition to provide nutritional support for mammals having glycemic control and deficit concerns, and assist in managing glycemic controls deficits, with a synergistic combination of natural ingredients.

Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance and related problems in glycemic control and management are tremendous public health concerns which affect millions of people in the United States and worldwide.
Diabetes is believed to have multiple etiologies including, inter alia, genetics, diet, exercise, sleep, caloric intake, trauma, infection, stress, drug use, and/or autoimmune reactions. Diabetes is generally classified into two general categories, where diabetes mellitus is typically known as type I diabetes due to insulin deficiency. Insulin is responsible for the regulation of a variety of metabolic functions, including the conversion of glucose to glycogen to lower the blood glucose level. Other forms of diabetes that can occur due to reduced insulin effectiveness in conjunction with other primary diseases are generally known as type II diabetes. Furthermore, diabetes is a chronic disease having a variety of pathological manifestations, and may be accompanied by disorders of lipid metabolism, circulation and glucose metabolism, among other effects.
In addition, aging may also cause a progressive loss of glucose tolerance possibly based on decreased insulin sensitivity in hypothalamic receptors and/or decreased response to glucose and insulin in the peripheral tissue. Should a glucose tolerance loss become pronounced, the condition would be diagnosed and treated as diabetes would be.
It would be highly advantageous to provide a composition that assists in managing glycemic control and levels with nutritional support beneficial for those affected by such deficits.

Composition to provide maintenance and nutritional support in glycemic control deficits


An inkless fingerprint compound includes a solvent, a color former, such as a transistion metal salt, compatible with the solvent and a developer such as hydroxiquinoline and derivatives, the developer capable of reacting with the color former to form a colorant product, preferably black in color. A sufficient amount of a chelating agent, such as a carboxylic acid, is added to the solution to prevent the color former and developer from reacting while in solution to form the colorant product while permitting such reaction when the solution is applied to the fingerprint area of the person to be fingerprinted and deposited onto a paper substrate.

The present invention is directed to an inkless fingerprinting compound and method of making the same.
Although there are other methods of identifying individuals, it has become readily apparent that fingerprints provide a unique and absolute means of identification that does not require cooperation from the subject. Since fingerprints are archived they must be permanent and because they are often captured by an electronic camera, the preferred color of fingerprint images is black. Printer""s ink, which contains carbon pigmentation, meets the requirements of image permanency and color, but it tends to smear on paper, requires time to dry, soils the skin and equipment, is skill intensive and time consuming to use. While carbon based inks have been formulated with small amounts of carbon pigmentation to reduce the staining problem (U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,444 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,292), such inks are not completely stain free.
To remove some or all of the negative aspects the prior art carbon based inks, a considerable amount of effort has been directed to the development of inkless fingerprinting systems which do not rely on carbon particles to form an image of the fingerprint ridge pattern. Inkless technology has traditionally been defined as a color forming chemical reaction, between at least two reagents, that occurs at the time of fingerprint development. The chemical reaction between the two (or more) reagents provides a permanent perceivable colorant product representative of a fingerprint ridge pattern on the recording medium. Current technology dictates that the two reagents remain isolated from each other until the fingerprint is to be taken.
Typically a nonstaining first reagent is applied to a person""s fingertips and a second reagent, capable of reacting with the first reagent to produce the colorant product such as 8-hydroxyquinoline, is pre-applied to or inherent in the recording medium such as the paper or card receiving the print. The second reagent can also be inherent in the paper receiving the print. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,415. Also see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,262,623 and 4,182,261, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
While the state of the art inkless systems have achieved considerable commercial success, they have their own set of shortcomings in addition to the need for two separated reagents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,056 Tapper et al relates to a method of reacting iodide with starch added to a paper recording medium, which fails to produce a black image. U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,134 to Vassiliades et al, discloses a fingerprinting composition which utilizes a chromographic compound and a color developing compound in one solution. While the Vassiliades et al patent refers to the system as an inkless system it is more properly classified as a nonstaining system since as the patent points out the liquid vehicle for the composition xe2x80x9cis a solvent for said chromogenic compound and reaction productxe2x80x9d, i.e., the reagents react while in the solution, prior to being applied to the finger and paper substrate (Col. 2, lines 36-37). Furthermore, it is not apparent that the images produced by the method would be sufficiently permanent. Also, it is not believed that AFIS (Automatic Fingerprint Information System) scanners would be able to satisfactorily capture images produced using this method.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,077 to Meadows and Diamond relates to a method involving chemically treated paper, a method that necessitates the cost of custom coating paper and this coating has a limited shelf life and is degraded when exposed to light. U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,415 to Arndt et al relates to an inkless system in which the fingerprint is captured on a thermosensitive recording surface, but this surface is not available on paper suitable for fingerprint cards, it yellows in the presence of light, it can not be used on checks and other documents, and it is not as inexpensive as commonly available, ordinary paper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,623 to Smith III et al relates to a method of recording inkless impressions on plain paper. However, this invention is costly, the apparatus requires a source of high voltage electricity and is therefore limited in its scope of operations and the system requires a lengthy image development process which can emit an offensive odor.
There is a need for an inkless fingerprinting system which overcomes the disadvantage of the prior art inkless technology systems. To fulfill this need, I have developed a single inkless fingerprint compound, i.e., liquid, paste or soap (i.e., vicious liquid), which can be transferred from a self-dispensing pad, such as ceramic, plastic, etc., to a person""s fingerprint area and then to an ordinary paper recording medium. The system does not require the use of reagents maintained in separate locations thereby eliminating the conventional two step inkless system, i.e., one reagent to be transferred by the fingertip to the recording medium and a second reagent impregnated or inherent in the recording medium. Further, unlike the Vassiliades et al system the reagents while maintained in a single container or dispensing pad are not allowed to react until the fingerprint is taken. I have found that the compound of my invention, through its interaction with moisture from the skin and/or the recording medium, rapidly forms a permanent, substantially dry, smear resistant and nonstaining perceivable colorant product of the ridge pattern representing the person""s fingerprint.
In accordance with the present invention an inkless fingerprint compound for providing a permanent colorant product representing a person""s fingerprint when applied to the person""s fingerprint area and deposited onto a paper substrate includes a solvent, a color former, such as a transition metal salt compatible with the solvent, and a developer, such as 8-hydroxyquinoline and its derivatives, capable of reacting with the color former to form the colorant product. The compound further includes a sufficient amount of a chelating agent, such as a carboxylic acid, to substantially prevent the color former and developer from reacting while in solution to form the colorant product while permitting such reaction when the solution is applied to the finger of the person to be fingerprinted and deposited onto the paper substrate.
The inkless fingerprinting compound may be in the form of a liquid, paste or soap (i.e., viscous liquid) and may be dispersed via a conventional ink type pad made for example of ceramic or plastic or other material which does not react with the compounds ingredients. Examples of suitable dispensing pads are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,262,613, 4,182,261 and 6,027,556.
The following description is provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been set forth herein specifically to provide a single inkless fingerprint compound which deposited onto an ordinary paper substrate by a person""s finger, palm or foot will form a permanent colorant product delineating the ridge pattern of the fingerprint area.
In accordance with the present invention an inkless fingerprint compound for forming an permanent, substantially dry, smear resistant and nonstaining perceivable colorant product representing the ridge pattern of a person""s fingerprint when applied to the person""s finger and deposited onto an ordinary paper substrate is prepared by mixing a color former, a developer and a chelating agent in a compatible solution such as an aqueous solution. Additional reagents may be added to the mixture as will be described. The principal reagents, i.e., the color former and developer, are maintained in equilibrium, i.e., substantially kept from reacting to form the colorant product while in solution, as a result of the tight bond between the chelating agent and the color former. The chelating agent serves as a blocking agent while the color former and the developer are in solution in a container or self-dispensing pad while permitting the reagents to react when applied to a person""s finger (or other portions of the body) and subsequently deposited onto an ordinary paper substrate.
The color former may be one or more of the transition metal salts selected from the groups 5A-8A, 1B-5B and 7B of the periodic Table of Elements. More specifically while salts of iron, e.g., ferric chloride, have been found very satisfactory, salts of titanium, vanadium, chromium, magnesium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zirconium, zinc, niobium, molybdenum, silver, tantalum and tungsten have been found satisfactory.
The developer may be chosen from a group of reagents which form a colored reaction product with the chosen color former. While 8-quinolinol sulfate (developer) has been found to complex with ferric chloride (color former) to provide a permanent reaction product (black in color), other developers such as 2,4,6-Trihydroxy Benzoic Acid; 3,4,5-Trihydroxy Benzoic Acid; Dimenthyl Glyoxime; Rubeanic Acid; Pyrogallol; Hydroquinoline and its derivatives; Pyrocatechol; Propyl Gallate; Resorcinol; xcex2-Resorcylic Acid; Tiron (4,5-Dihydroxy-m-Benzene Disulfonic Acid Di-sodium Salt); Gentisic Acid; Procatechuic Acid; Phloroglucinol; and Tannic Acid and its derivatives have also been found to satisfactorily complex with one or more of the above color formers to provide perceivable colorant product representing a person""s fingerprint when deposited by the finger onto an ordinary paper substrate.
Developers, sometimes referred to as ionic binding developers, such as potassium ferrocyanide and sodium ferrocyanide and sulfide precursors such as sodium tetrathionate, sodium thiosulfate, diethyldithio carbamic acid, or 2-pyrrolidinecarbodithoic acid, may also be used. The resulting color, i.e., black, red, green etc. will depend upon the color former and developer used.
The chelating agent is an organic chemical capable of combining with (i.e., tightly binding with) heavy and alkali metal cations in the solution. I have found that a carboxylic acid, such as citric acid, when added to the transition metal salt in a sufficient quantity functions to block any substantial reaction between the color former and the developer until the fingerprinting procedure is initiated. The chelating agent may be bidentate, tridentate or tetradentate with 2, 3 or 4 sites, respectively, corresponding to number of donor atoms, (capable of sharing electrons) with election-deficient sites on metal ions, i.e., coordination sites. While there is an abundance of chelating agents or chelants capable of sequestering transition metal ions I have found that, among carboxylic acids, tartaric, suberic, succinic, malic, and axelaic acids with an electron donor site capability of xe2x88x922 are also suitable. Other chelants such as gluconates, polyacrylates, oxalates, and polyaspartates, sodium tripolyphosphate, aminopolycarboxylic acids, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and amines such as diethanolamine and triethanolamine will also serve the purpose. The preferred carboxylic acid is 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid.
It is necessary to add a sufficient (e.g., stoichiometric) quantity of the chelating agent to the solution to sequester all or substantially all of the transition metal ions. Where the color former is a trivalent metal salt such as ferric chloride, with an ionic charge of +3 and the chelant is citric acid, with an electron-donor site capability of xe2x88x923, the molar ratio of the color former and chelant should be about equal, i.e., 1:1. Adding citric acid in a molar ratio greater than the moiety, i.e., 1:1, will drive the equilibrium of the chemistry more strongly toward the formation of ferric citrate in the solution. When this is done, to prevent any staining of the skin by the color forming reaction, the development of the colorant product on the paper substrate is retarded. It is possible to find a balance between the development speed of the image on the paper substrate and the cleanliness of the inkless solution on the skin. It is to be noted that whatever chelant and color former are used the molar ratio of chelant to color former must be such as to substantially sequester all of the metal irons. For example, when a chelant with an electron donor site capability of xe2x88x922, such as tartaric acid, is used with a trivalent metallic salt, such as ferric chloride, a molar ratio of at least 3:2 of acid to salt is needed to fully sequester all of the metal ions.
The following formulations of an inkless fingerprinting compound are examples only and not to be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.