A simple, safe implantable bone screw, and a method for distracting two bone segments, is provided. In general, the bone screw includes a shank having a threaded proximal portion and a distal portion with a major diameter that is less than a minor diameter of the threaded proximal portion. A transitional region of decreasing diameter can be disposed between the threaded proximal portion and the distal portion, and a driver receiving element is preferably disposed on a proximal end of the bone screw. In use, the proximal and distal portions of the bone screw are adapted to engage two segments of bone, and to create a distraction force between the two segments of bone.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,254 to Anderson, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, describes spinal stenosis as a condition that inflicts millions of people with back and leg pain due to compression of spinal nerves. Severe cases often require surgery to relieve nerve compression and lessen the back and leg pain. A spinal laminectomy is the traditional operation performed to treat spinal stenosis. In this operation, the posterior aspects of the spinal column are removed to "unroof" the spinal canal and relieve the pressure on the nerves. Specifically, the spinous processes, lamina and portions of the facet joints are excised to relieve the nerve root compression.
Although a spinal laminectomy is often successful in relieving pressure on the nerves of the spinal canal, several disadvantages can be associated with the laminectomy. First, the laminectomy removes important sites of back muscle attachment which may lead to back muscle dysfunction and pain. Second, the laminectomy exposes the nerve sac which may cause scar tissue to form around the nerves, leading to recurrent pain. Third, the laminectomy can destabilize the spine resulting in a forward slippage of one vertebra on another, which can cause recurrent pain and deformity. Fourth, the laminectomy requires a large surgical exposure and significant blood loss, making the laminectomy less favorable for older patients. Finally, spinal stenosis can recur following the laminectomy, requiring revision surgery.
Laminectomy risks have led surgeons to seek an alternative for patients with severe spinal stenosis. Some surgeons have used multiple laminotomies to treat spinal stenosis. Laminotomies involve removing bone and soft tissue from the posterior aspect of the spine making "windows" into the spinal canal over areas of nerve compression. Multiple laminotomies remove less tissue than the laminectomy, resulting in less scarring, vertebral instability, and blood loss. However, laminotomies also have associated disadvantages. Laminotomies may not adequately relieve nerve compression and therefore the pain may not be fully abated. Moreover, laminotomies are more difficult to correctly perform than the laminectomy, and they still expose the nerves causing nerve scarring. Patients receiving multiple laminotomies also often have recurrent spinal stenosis requiring revision surgery.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for improved methods and devices for relieving the symptoms of spinal stenosis without the drawbacks of currently available techniques. More particularly, simple, safe, effective, and permanent methods and devices are needed to expand the spinal canal to relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves.


A kit and a method of DNA sequencing including digesting a sample DNA with a restriction enzyme to obtain a DNA fragment; introducing an oligonucleotide having a definite base sequence into the DNA fragment at the 3' terminus; and performing a complementary strand extension reaction, using a labeled primer. The complementary strand extension reaction uses as a template, a single strand of the DNA fragment having the oligonucleotide introduced thereinto, to obtain a labeled extended primer having a base sequence complementary to the single strand of the DNA fragment. Next a sequencing reaction with the labeled primer and using the single strand of the DNA fragment having the oligonucleotide introduced thereinto, is performed with the extended labeled primer, using as a template, a part of the single strand of the sample DNA having the base sequence of the single strand of the DNA fragment and a contiguous sequence adjacent thereto, or a single strand of the sample DNA. Finally the products of the sequencing reaction are electrophoresed to determine the base sequence of the DNA fragment and at least a part of the base sequence of the sample DNA adjacent to the base sequence of the DNA fragment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for DNA analysis based on a complementary extension reaction using a DNA polymerase, and a method for preparation of a DNA sample which can be efficiently used for the DNA sequencing method, as well as a reagent kit for use in therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the progress of the human genome projects, a high throughput and highly efficient DNA sequencing technology is required. Conventional DNA sequencing methods involve labeling DNA fragments with a radioisotope and manually determining the size of DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis. In place of such manual DNA sequencing methods, there have been widely employed automated devices (fluorescent DNA sequencers) for an optical detection of DNA fragments through exposure to light during gel electrophoresis using fluorescent labeling of DNA. These devices are used for a DNA sequencing method which comprises hybridizing oligonucleotides called primers, with a target DNA to be sequenced. Then, DNA fragments are prepared having various lengths for use in the DNA sequencing method by a complementary strand extension reaction using a DNA polymerase. Finally, the size of DNA fragments is determined by gel electrophoresis. This DNA sequencing is called the Sanger sequencing method or dideoxy sequencing method. In this method, the size of DNA sequenced in a single operation depends on the separation activity on a gel, however, the DNA sequence base length is in the range of 400 to 700. Sequencing of DNAs over several Kbp is labor intensive and time consuming work.
For sequencing of long DNAs over several Kbp, a shotgun strategy has been employed heretofore. According to the shotgun strategy, a sample DNA is randomly digested by means of ultrasonic vibration, the resulting DNA fragments are cloned into E. coli and cultivated to make colonies. Then, E. coli in each colony is cultivated to increase the copy number of the DNA. Thereafter, the sample DNA is extracted and provided for analysis. In the shotgun method, DNAs in each colony contain DNA fragments of the sample DNA. The portion of the sample DNA which corresponds to the DNA fragments is unidentified until sequencing is completed. Therefore, DNA fragments corresponding to DNA fragment lengths 10 to 20 times longer than the target length, should be analyzed. For this reason, much time and labor is required causing a serious obstacle.
DNA sequencing starts with the preparation of a DNA library which covers all DNAs, and making clones having a length of 10 Kbp to 100 Kbp from the DNAs present in the genome. In the actual sequencing, each clone is further digested to make subclones having a size sufficient to permit analysis with a DNA sequencer. The subclones are then sequenced again. Finally, the DNA fragments sequenced are reconstituted to obtain the intact overall DNA sequence. The method described above is now widespread because of its simplicity.
As is currently observed in the human genome projects, however, the shotgun strategy is not necessarily the best approach for large scale DNA sequencing in view of throughput and automation (SURI KAGAKU, No. 359, May, (1993) pp. 74-81). This is because it is complicated and troublesome to prepare subclones prior to measurements with DNA sequencers. Heretofore, subclones have been prepared by randomly digesting huge DNAs by sonication (Molecular Cloning, second edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989), pp. 13.21-13.23). The subclones are cloned into E. coli which is cultivated and the colonies obtained having the desired DNA fragments, were selected. Then, using plasmids carrying the selected DNA fragments, DNA sequencing is performed for every colony. The base length of DNA which can be determined by single DNA sequencing ranges generally from 300 to 500 bases. It is required that a number of subclones be analyzed.
Even though colonies are used, there are many colonies containing the same DNA fragment portion so that overlapping portions of the DNA sequence must be sequenced. For this reason, it is necessary to analyze a base length 10 to 20 times longer than the length of DNA to be actually sequenced. For example, more than 400 plasmids (subclones) should be analyzed to sequence a DNA having a length of 10 Kbp, however, it is impossible to select subclones in such a manner that sequencing information does not overlap with each other. In addition, subclones are prepared utilizing the E. coli host-vector system and hence, operations are complicated and not suitable for automation.
The primer walking method (Science, 258 (1992), pp. 1787-1791; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 86, 6917-6921 (1989)) does not include overlapping sequences of the same base sequence. According to the primer walking method, a huge DNA is employed as a sample DNA, in its intact form. First, a part of the sample DNA is used to determine its base sequence. Next, based on the thus determined DNA sequence, a primer capable of specifically hybridizing with the portion for which the sequence has been determined, is synthesized to determine the DNA sequence of a contiguous portion. That is, in the primer walking method, the base sequence of a DNA fragment to be sequenced is sequentially determined one by one from the terminus thereof. However, the primer walking method requires that primers be synthesized for every sequencing, even though overlapping portions for DNA sequencing are minimized. In addition, the sequencing operations of the primer walking method are sequential so that the method is not always suitable for large scale sequencing.
In order to solve the problems of complicated operations associated with cloning or primer walking, various attempts have been made. In particular, direct sequencing of DNA fragments in mixture form obtained from a sample DNA digested with a restriction enzyme (DNA Research, 1 (1994) pp 231-237) is a promising method, which is briefly explained below. A known sequence oligonucleotide is ligated to a DNA fragment at the terminus thereof, to produce the priming site of each DNA digested with a restriction enzyme. Then sequencing is conducted using a set of primers which can discriminate a restriction cutter recognition sequence from the sequence adjacent to the cutting site (1 to 4 bases). The primer set includes, for example, 16 combinations of all DNA sequences in the case of an unknown base sequence having variable two base sequence at the 3' terminus. In the case of approximately three types of double stranded DNA fragments (6 types in terms of DNA terminus), the base sequence of each DNA fragment can be determined directly from the mixture, using the set of primers described above. After the base sequence of each DNA fragment has been determined, the base sequences of the respective DNA fragments are reconstructed to obtain the overall base sequence. In order to obtain the overall base sequence, a primer having the same base sequence as that of each DNA fragment around the 3' terminus is synthesized, and intact DNA is used as a template for sequencing so that the base sequence between one DNA fragment and another DNA fragment is determined. This determines how the respective DNA fragments are ligated with each other. Alternatively, the base sequence of a DNA fragment digested with another restriction enzyme is determined. With overlapping base sequences as guides, the relationship of one fragment to another is determined.

DNA sequencing method and DNA sample preparation method


A composite material includes a base resin, a heat dissipation filler that is mixed into the base resin, hollow particles that are mixed into the base resin, hollow particles that are mixed into the base resin, and bubbles that are formed in the base resin.

Heretofore, for efficiently dissipating the heat generated from electronic parts, there has been proposed a technology in which the inside of an housing of an electronic apparatus and spaces between the electronic parts and heat dissipation parts are filled with a resin having a high heat dissipation performance (called potting) (PTL 1). By filling the spaces with a resin higher than air in thermal conductivity, the heat generated from the electronic parts can be efficiently dissipated.

Composite material, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing electronic apparatus


A print system with a ratio-based adaptive switching technique includes a printing unit to print an image on a recording medium in a color mode or a monochrome mode. A number (cM) of monochrome pages printed in the color mode and a total number (pN) of printed pages are monitored. A ratio cM/pN that is indicative of excess cartridge wear of the print system is determined. Print-job performance and cartridge wear of the print system are optimized based on the determined ratio using a first and second threshold.

Most color-capable laser printers have two modes of operation, a color mode and a monochrome mode. In the color mode, a color cartridge (typically having additive primaries cyan ("C"), magenta (""M") and yellow ("Y")) is engaged and available for use along with a monochrome cartridge (typically black or "K"). In monochrome-only (mono or black) mode, the monochrome cartridge is engaged and available for use while the color cartridge is dis-engaged (also termed as "alienated") to save engaged wear on the color cartridge for black-only pages. Several seconds are characteristically taken to complete a switch back and forth between the color and monochrome modes and this switching consequently delays a print-job. During this switch the color cartridge as well as other printer components may experience additional wear. Both the engaged wear and the additional wear occur with both two-cartridge (separate black and color) printers and all-in-one cartridge printers (combined black and color).

Ratio-based adaptive switching technique

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a coated steel sheet comprising the following successive steps: A. the coating of the steel sheet with a first coating consisting of nickel and having a thickness between 600 nm and 1400 nm, the steel sheet having the following composition in weight: 0.10<C<0.40%, 1.5<Mn<3.0%, 0.7<Si<3.0%, 0.05<Al<1.0%, 0.75<(Si+Al)<3.0%, and on a purely optional basis, one or more elements such as Nb≤0.5%, B≤0.010%, Cr≤1.0%, Mo≤0.50%, Ni≤1.0%, Ti≤0.5%, the remainder of the composition making up of iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the elaboration, B. the recrystallization annealing at a temperature between 820 to 1200° C., C. the coating with a second coating based on zinc not comprising nickel.

Zinc based coatings are generally used because they allow for protection against corrosion, thanks to barrier as well as cathodic protection. The barrier effect is obtained by the application of the metallic coating on steel surface. Thus, the metallic coating prevents the contact between steel and corrosive atmosphere. The barrier effect is independent from the nature of the coating and the substrate. On the contrary, sacrificial cathodic protection is based on the fact that zinc is a metal less noble than steel. Thus, if corrosion occurs, zinc is consumed preferentially as compared to steel. Cathodic protection is essential in areas where steel is directly exposed to corrosive atmosphere, like cut edges where surrounding zinc will be consumed before steel.
However, when heating steps are performed on such zinc coated steel sheets, for example hot press hardening, welding, cracks are observed in steel which propagate from the steel/coating interface. Indeed, occasionally, there is a reduction of metal mechanical properties such as ductility due to the presence of cracks in coated steel sheet after above operation. These cracks appear due to following conditions: high temperature; contact with a liquid metal having a low melting point (such as zinc) in addition to the presence of tensile stress; heterogeneous diffusion of molten metal in substrate grain and grain boundaries. The designation for such phenomenon is known as liquid metal embrittlement (LME), also called liquid metal assisted cracking (LMAC).
The patent application JPS589965 discloses a surface-treated steel sheet obtained by subjecting both surfaces of a steel sheet to electroplating with any one of Ni, Cr, Zn, Zn—Ni alloy or Sn—Ni alloy, and heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form a diffusion layer of the plating metal in the substrate steel, and subjecting one surface of the resulting plated steel sheet to hot-dip galvanizing process to form a galvanized layer. It is cited that the coating weight of galvanized layer may be reduced, which is extremely advantageous from the viewpoint of weldability and economic efficiency.
Indeed, above patent application shows the surface-treated steel sheet has an improved weldability only due to the decrease of the zinc coating weight. Moreover, there is no mention of LME resistance improvement, especially for high strength steels having alloying elements including Mn, Al and Si.

Method for the manufacturing of liquid metal embrittlement resistant zinc coated steel sheet


An apparatus for collecting fluids and holding samples taken from the fluid for qualitative and quantitative testing. The apparatus comprises a tubular container open at both ends with a quantitative test storage unit removably secured to one of said tubular container ends. The quantitative test storage unit has an open end, a cytology membrane mounted in the storage unit and a retaining rib. A shuttle assembly is slidably mounted in the tubular container comprising a cylindrical hollow piston defining a chamber, a thumb cover covering one end of the piston and a fluid flow aperture formed in the piston and a qualitative sample container assembly removably secured to the piston. The qualitative sample container assembly comprises a clip on membrane assembly including a membrane containing immobilized antibodies and a filter housing mounted to the clip on membrane assembly. The filter housing is adapted to be seated in the quantitative test storage unit after being slidably transported along the tubular container by the piston.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for determining the presence of microorganisms, chemicals, and other analytes in physiological, biological and environmental specimens. Thus the present invention performs diagnostic tests for pathogenic organisms, detection and identification of toxin and drug contamination in food for human and animal consumption and monitoring for pesticide residues in water, soil and food.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As used in this specification the word "analyte" is a term from analytical chemistry meaning the compound for which an assay is developed (e.g., a mycotoxin, its metabolite, and toxin-DNA adducts are all different analytes that might be detected by different assays).
Almost all physiological, biological and environmental fluids are composed of a liquid phase (solvent) and a non-liquid phase. The non-liquid phase consists of two main constituents: i) insoluble substance (i.e., solids and sediments) such as microorganisms, cellular debris, crystals, and particles; and ii) soluble substances (i.e., solutes) such as organic and inorganic substances.
For detection of any abnormalities and/or contaminants of such fluids, the fluid constituents must be separated or extracted from the liquid phase to allow for specialized testing being performed. This has been accomplished by a series of processes involving a number of different containers and expensive laboratory equipment. Examples of these processes include: separation of insoluble matter using filtration and/or centrifugation; and solid-phase extraction of soluble substances. Once the fluid constituent is isolated from the liquid phase a series of qualitative and/or quantitative tests can be performed to determine the presence or absence of the analyte and measure its concentration in solution.
Examples of these tests include Immunoassays (IA), Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) using Gas and Liquid Chromatography (GC, LC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), cell culturing on special media, in situ Hybridization using DNA and/or RNA probes, DNA and/or RNA target and signal amplification using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Mass testing using such a series of processes is expensive, time consuming, and often unsatisfactory.
Specialized Testing using Insoluble Substances
Detection and identification of microorganisms:
The traditional methods of detecting and identifying microorganisms in physiological and biological fluids require cell culturing on laboratory media (sometimes followed by susceptibility testing to determine resistance to a particular antibiotic), identification of the organism by detection of serum antibodies against the organism. These methods may require 24 hours to ten days to perform and therefore do not necessarily contribute toward patient management and diagnosis. In some cases the microorganism cannot be isolated or cultured. The use of cytology cups and membranes to isolate cells or microorganisms from wide variety of fluids is known in the art. The Nuclepore Schisto-Kit TM is designed for rapid and accurate quantification of Schistosome eggs in urine by the membrane filtration technique. A simple syringe filtration permits collection of virtually all eggs onto the smooth flat surface of a transparent Nuclepore polycarbonate membrane filter. Quantitative egg counts without staining are easily made with a low power magnifier. Other cytology cups are marketed under the trademark SWIN-LOCK and Swinnex Disc Filter Holder. Nuclepore polycarbonate membranes are used for diagnostic cytology. The surface allows collection of atypical cells from all types of body fluids. More recently the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a DNA and/or RNA target and signal amplification system and the use of nucleotide probes coupled with in situ hybridization techniques have opened the door to more sensitive and specific tests for identification of the organism. However, these tests as much as other laboratory tests demand minimal manipulations of the sample being tested to minimize potential sample contaminations and consequently very high rate of false test results.
Specialized Testing using Soluble Substances
A. Solid Phase Extraction
Solid phase extraction has rapidly gained acceptance as an efficient, reproducible sample preparation technique. In solid phase extraction, chromatographic sorbents (usually bonded phases) are used to selectively separate analytes and/or interfering impurities from a sample matrix. Solid phase extraction offers a range of selectivity that cannot be achieved with traditional liquid/liquid extraction techniques. Chromatographic columns have been developed for selective isolation or concentration of interesting components from a complex mixture or a large sample volume. For this solid phase extraction (also known as SPE) one takes advantage of different types of interactions (non-polar, polar, or ion exchange) between the sample components, a solid sorbent and a suitable eluent. By selection of the appropriate sorbent interaction (Polar, Hydrophobic, and Ionic) the analyst can utilize the solid phase to separate a wide range of analytes and/or interfering impurities from the sample matrix. Contrary to conventional liquid-liquid extraction solid phase extraction saves solvent and time. Due to combination of different interactions the method features a high degree of versatility. Additionally, problems such as long times for phase separation or formation of stable emulsions do not occur. In liquid-liquid extraction this can only be achieved by multiple extractions. Besides selective fractionation another application of solid phase extraction is enrichment of substances from dilute solutions for trace determinations, since interesting components can be absorbed from a large sample volume and eluted with a small amount of solvent.
B. Affinity Chromatography
Affinity chromatography is a powerful technique for separating molecules based on specific binding to sites on proteins or other biopolymers. Affinity chromatography can be used for either analytical or preparative separations. The material of interest can be a macromolecule such as a protein, in which case a specific small ligand may be immobilized on the stationary phase matrix to cause retention or the ligand immobilized on the column can be a protein which interacts specifically with another substance, usually a macromolecule, to cause retention. Nucleic acids can also be immobilized, creating the possibility of retention by specific base sequence recognition. Affinity chromatography is ordinarily a simple two-step process. A solution containing the substance of interest is forced through the affinity column under conditions favoring specific interaction. This causes the material of interest to become attached to the column while other substances pass directly through. The column is washed with a solution that weakens the specific binding interaction, and the material of interest is immediately eluted from the column in greatly purified form.
C. Immunoassays
Immunochemical detection is based on the ability of an antibody to act as a receptor for the analyte of interest; binding occurs through ionic and van der Waals forces and is unrelated to properties of volatility, thermal stability, and chromogenicity. The high degree of selectivity in antibody binding allows quantification of trace chemicals. When surveying the wide range of analytical techniques available, the use of immunochemical techniques becomes inevitable for some chemicals, since immunoassays allow measurements not possible by other means. For example, thermal lability and low volatility prevent gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of some compounds, while lack of a distinctive chromophore may hamper liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. For example, the thermal lability of pyrethroid insecticides can interfere with their analysis by GC, but they can be readily quantified by immunoassay. Plant, parasite, and fungus-derived toxins are usually too large for GC, but are well suited for immunoassay. Many new, biotechnology-derived insecticides pose particularly difficult analytical problems for conventional approaches because of their large mass, but antibodies to avermecatins and Bacillus thuringiensis toxins illustrate the applicability of immunoassays for insecticides in this upcoming class of compounds.
In the area of pesticide detection, many recently developed pesticides derive their species-selectively by inhibiting specific enzymes in the target species. These substrates are often structural analogs of natural substrates, which means the chemist must determine trace levels of a pesticide in the presence of abundant amounts of the chemically-similar natural compound. With increasing public demands that pesticides not affect non-target species, the use of analogs of natural substrates will increase, and the selectivity of antibody binding offers an obvious solution to the problems of the residue analysis.
Unlike the sequential sample processing required by chromatographic methods, immunoassays allow for parallel sample processing and are inexpensive, rapid, and field-portable. In some cases immunoassays have been applied on site, resulting in additional savings in the costs and time involved in transporting samples back to a central laboratory. As screening assays, immunoassays can eliminate the need for complete work-up of negative samples, freeing the analytical laboratory to focus on the more interesting, positive samples. Ultimately, these cost savings make studies economically feasible that otherwise would be prohibitively expensive; for example, the mass screening of individual wells for drinking-water contamination, or the quantitative analysis of many epidemiological studies. They also allow the introduction of monitoring programs in rural areas where skilled personnel and sophisticated laboratories are lacking. For many applications, the analytes must be extracted from the matrix, and some level of sample preparation and cleanup is required. However, sample cleanup is usually significantly less than is required for GC/MC analysis.
Immunoassays can be combined with other techniques to exploit the advantages of both methods. For example, antibodies can be used to concentrate both the parent compound and its metabolitede from urine. Individual compounds then can be qualified by separating them by HPLC following immunoconcentration or as in the case of aflatoxin, immunopurification can then be followed by fluorescence detection, using intrinsic fluorescence of the analyte.
Applications of immunoassays include monitoring of residues in foods, in the environment, and in humans for residues of both synthetic and naturally occurring toxins. The primary motives for the development of these assays are their high sensitivity, high selectivity, portability, short analysis time, low cost, and potential for parallel processing samples. Parallel processing of samples means that immunoassays are highly applicable to mass screening studies either for monitoring regulatory compliance or for epidemiology studies. Particularly powerful analytical approaches use antibodies in conjunction with other methods, for example, the use of immunoaffinity columns to concentrate and purify the analyte before measurement by conventional means.
Examples of Particle-based Immunoassays
Microspheres or uniform particles of many sizes are used in a wide variety of modern diagnostic tests and assays. Particle-based diagnostic test qualitative/quantitative assays are usually based upon the specific interaction of antigen or analyte and antibody. Antigen or antibody can be adsorbed onto submicron sized polystyrene (PS) particles, often called "uniform latex particles". These sensitized particles then act to magnify or amplify the Antigen-Antibody reaction which takes place when a sample containing the sought molecule is mixed with the appropriately coated particles. In the classic example, a positive test results when uniformly dispersed milky appearing Ab-coated particles in a drop of water on a glass slide react with Ag in a drop of sample (whole blood, serum, urine, etc.) to cause particle agglutination (coagulation or clumping). An improvement in Latex Agglutination Tests (LATs) is the use of dyed particles which provide different contrast (dyed particles observed against a white background). They also permit some tests using samples of whole blood, if dark blue or black particles are used. As an example of the versatility of dyed particles, Wellcome Diagnostics (Dartford, Kent, England) has a Salmonella test which uses antibodies to three different antigen groups bound to three different colored particles (red, blue and green). By comparing the shade of the color of the combined agglutinated particles to a background color, one can decide which of seven combinations of Salmonella groups are present in the sample. Enzyme Immunofiltration Assays (EIFA) utilize microporous membranes as the receptor bearing solid phase and employ filtration as a means to hasten contact with the soluble sample ligand and the signal generating reagents. To prepare these bests, Ab (antibody) is adsorbed onto PS particles; the particles are caught on a filter and dried. In use: First, a sample is passed through a filter and any Ag (antigen) is caught by the Ab on the particles. Next, a second Ab-enzyme reacts with it to create an insoluble colored product which is proportional to the amount of Ag captured. The diffusion limitation of the reaction rate seen for conventional solid-phase immunoassays is minimized in EIFA. This is due to the flow of reactants through the receptor bearing membrane solid phase and the high ratio of microporous membrane surface area to liquid volume. Thus, EIFA permits rapid tests to be developed which reach completion in minutes. The antigen-antibody reactions in EIFA are visualized directly by immunostaining, in which the signal-generating conjugate yields colored spots at the reaction sites, on the membrane. The color intensity of these spots can be quantitated by reflectance photometry.
Various EIFA methods have been described for the detection of antigens by means of direct binding of sample to the membrane or by employing two antibodies in a sandwich. Detection of antibodies by permutations of this method has also been described. In the sandwich assay described by Valkirs and Barton, rapid flow followed by a short incubation period was used to give a total assay time of 5 minutes. Quantitative assays based on EIFA have reproducibility and sensitivity comparable to that of other enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The EIFA system can be incorporated in a unit, which, besides, the antibody-bearing solid phase, includes an absorbing material for drawing liquid through the membrane and a waste reservoir. Because of their convenience, simplicity, and speed EIFA devices can be used in technically unsophisticated patient environments, i.e., as near patient tests. Various tests (like HCG, "strep" A, and others) using this principle have been made by Hybritech (ICON). Abbott (TestPack), Nova Nordisk A/S (NovoClone Target), and many others. Murex SUDS use liquid reagents in their tests: mixing Ab-coated particles +Ag (from sample) + second Ab-enzyme conjugate; then pouring the mixture through their filter device to capture the particles which are rinsed with enzyme substrate to form color.
Improved Dyes and Latex
Small microspheres with bright, photostable fluorescent or colored dyes have opened up new opportunities for sensitive diagnostic tests. Fluorescent latex is inexpensive and widely applicable to qualitative and quantitative immunodiagnostics. The use of fluorescent latex particles should be applicable to most, if not all of the major latex-based diagnostic test systems presently in use, including latex agglutination tests (LAT), filter separation tests (in which agglutinated particles are trapped on a filter), particle capture ELISA methods and two-particle sandwich techniques. The increased signal available from fluorescence offers the option of quantitative, as well as qualitative results, with potential sensitivity increases of over 1000-fold, compared to colorimetric methods.
Several areas for latex particles in ultra-sensitive diagnostic tests are outlined as follows:
Latex Agglutination Tests (LAT)/Latex Immunossay (LIA) PA1 Agglutination/Capture Tests & Assays (Dyed Particles) PA1 Particle Capture ELISA Tests & Assays PA1 Dyed-Particle Sandwich Tests & Assays PA1 SPRIA/SPEIA, DNA Probes (solid/liquid separation via centrifuge or magnet).
Membranes and filters have been used in a number of devices and in procedures for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample. These devices, however, are dependent on a specific sample size, typically utilize bound reagents and are dependent upon rate of diffusion of liquid sample through an absorbent material to define the time limitation s of the assay.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,901 discloses an apparatus having a membrane or filter to which an antibody is bound and which is in liquid contact with an absorbent material. The sample size is limited by the absorbency of the material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,461 also discloses a membrane device having an absorbent material in fluid contact with the membrane. In this device, however, the absorbent material contacts only the periphery of the membrane thus causing liquid to diffuse transversely. The device is useful for only a limited number of sample types.
The invention is useful in detecting a broad range of analytes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,374,925 and 3,817,837 set out lists of analytes which are part of specific binding pairs. Analytes of particular interest include viruses, bacteria, fungi and other analytes of similar size. The examples of analytes that can be assayed with the present invention include Chlamydia, Salmonella, Bordetella, Candida and Aspergillus.
The development of a rapid on-site immunoassay system with a versatile and easy to use handheld meter provides an objective means of screening for levels of agricultural and environmental chemicals in either a remote site or laboratory setting and will enable better monitoring of the levels and movement of chemicals through the environment.
It is therefore desirable to provide an easy to handle apparatus which contains fluid samples holding analytes with a minimum chance for spillage and contamination between collection and laboratory. In addition, cells or sediment contained in the fluid have a valuable diagnostic use so that capturing the same for further testing is beneficial. In using the present invention testing can be performed quickly and accurately with minimum time. For some testing, particularly where antigens or analytes are being removed from the test fluid for a variety of tests, it is desirable to remove the antigens or analytes from the fluid so that various test procedures can be run. It is also desirable to do so with minimal exposure of laboratory personnel to the sample subject of testing. Previously this has been accomplished by a series of tests involving number of different containers and expensive laboratory equipment. Mass testing using such a series of tests is expensive, time consuming, and often unsatisfactory.

Environmental sample collection and membrane testing device


Regulation of sErbB3 isoforms in methods of regulating heregulin activity or ErbB receptor activities is disclosed. Cancer therapeutics and methods of therapeutically treating cancer comprising sErbB3 are also disclosed. Detection of sErbB3 in biological samples for risk assessment and prevention, screening, diagnosis, prognosis, theragnosis, evaluation of responsiveness to treatment, and/or monitoring of disease progression, recurrence, or metastasis of a cancer is disclosed as well. In examples, sErbB3 nucleic acid sequences, polypeptides, molecular probes, and antibodies are useful agents for regulation, expression, detection, and cancer therapeutics related to sErbB3.

The following background information is provided to assist the reader to understand the invention disclosed below and the environment in which it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise, either expressly or impliedly, in this document.
The heregulins (also called neuregulins, neu differentiation factor (NDF), acetylcholine receptor inducing activity (ARIA), and glial growth factors (GGFs)) are a family of growth factors that activate members of the ErbB/EGF receptor family (Holmes, Sliwkowski et al. 1992; Peles, Bacus et al. 1992; Wen, Peles et al. 1992; Falls, Rosen et al. 1993; Marchionni, Goodearl et al. 1993). Isoforms of heregulins, all of which arise from splice variants of a single gene, NRG-1 (neuregulin-1), have been cloned and classified into the α and β subgroups based on structural differences in their epidermal growth factor (EGF) like domains (Holmes, Sliwkowski et al. 1992).
ErbB-mediated signal transduction exerted by heregulins has been implicated in the regulation of diverse biological events including Schwann cell differentiation, neural regulation of skeletal muscle differentiation, heart development, and proliferation and differentiation of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells (Alroy and Yarden 1997; Sundaresan, Penuel et al. 1999). Research has shown that breast carcinoma cells respond to heregulin by activating signal transduction pathways that result in cellular proliferation, differentiation, as well as morphogenesis. Carcinoma cells expressing heregulin are typically hormone-independent and associated with the ability for metastasis in experimental studies.
ErbB3 is a transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the c-erbB3 gene (Kraus, Issing et al. 1989; Plowman, Whitney et al. 1990). The ErbB3 receptor belongs to the ErbB family which is composed of four growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, known as ErbB1/EGFR/HER1, ErbB2/Neu/HER2, ErbB4/HER4, as well as ErbB3/HER3. ErbB3 and ErbB4 are receptors for heregulins, whereas ErbB2 is a coreceptor (Carraway and Burden 1995). These receptors are structurally related and include three functional domains: an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain (Plowman, Culouscou et al. 1993). The extracellular domain can be further divided into four subdomains (I-IV), including two cysteine-rich regions (II and IV) and two flanking regions (I and III). ErbB3 is unusual among these receptor tyrosine kinases in that its catalytic domain is defective. Despite its lack of intrinsic catalytic activity, ErbB3 is an important mediator of both heregulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) responsiveness by way of its ability to heterodimerize with other ErbB family members, but especially with ErbB2. Heregulin binding induces ErbB3 to associate with other members of the ErbB family to form heterodimeric receptor complexes. ErbB3 then activates the kinase of its partner receptor which initiates a variety of c signaling cascades. ErbB3 also can relay information in response to diverse ligands, such as interferon and TNF-alpha, presumably through receptor cross-talk.
The ErbB3 receptor is important in regulating normal and aberrant cellular growth and differentiation, metastasis, and related pathologies. Transgenic mice that have been engineered to overexpress heregulin in mammary glands have been reported to exhibit persistent terminal end buds and, over time, to develop mammary adenocarcinomas (Krane and Leder 1996). ErbB3 expression studies on tumor tissues and on cancer cell lines show frequent co-expression of both ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors (Alimandi, Heidaran et al. 1995; Meyer and Birchmeier 1995; Robinson, He et al. 1996; Siegel, Ryan et al. 1999). In addition, mammary tumors formed in transgenic mice that harbor an activated form of ErbB2 and metastasize to the lungs are associated with elevated amounts of tyrosine-phosphorylated ErbB21Neu and ErbB3 (Siegel, Ryan et al. 1999). Many transformed cell lines used for experimental studies are either estrogen-dependent (MCF-7 and T47D, the low ErbB2 expressers) or estrogen-independent (SKBR3, high ErbB2 expressers). However, these cell lines do not exhibit metastatic phenotypes. When MCF-7 cells are transfected to overexpress ErbB2, MCF-7 cells gain an estrogen-independent phenotype, however, they never metastasize. On the other hand, MCF-7 cells that overexpress heregulin gain a metastatic phenotype, suggesting that the heregulins play an active role in metastasis (Hijazi, Thompson et al. 2000; Tsai, Hornby et al. 2000).
Five alternate ErbB3 transcripts arise from read-through of an intron and the use of alternative polyadenylation signals (Lee and Maihle 1998; Katoh, Yazaki et al. 1993). Using 3′-RACE four novel c-erbB-3 cDNA clones of 1.6, 1.7, 2.1, and 2.3 kb from a human ovarian carcinoma-derived cell line have been isolated (Lee and Maihle 1998). p85-sErbB3 is encoded by a 2.1 kb alternate c-erbB3 transcript (cDNA clone R31F) that is translated into a 543 aa protein composed of subdomains I through III and the first third of subdomain IV of the ErbB3 extracellular domain, and a unique 24 amino acid carboxy-terminal sequence. p45-sErbB3 is encoded by a 1.7 kb alternate c-erbB3 transcript (cDNA clone R2F) that is translated into a 312 aa protein composed of subdomains I, II, and a portion of subdomain III of the extracellular domain of ErbB-3 followed by two unique glycine residues. p50-sErbB3 is encoded by a 1.6 kb alternate c-erbB3 transcript (cDNA clone R1F) that is translated into a 381 aa protein composed of subdomains I, II, and a portion of subdomain III of the extracellular domain of ErbB-3 followed by 30 unique amino acids. p75-sErbB3 is encoded by a 2.3 kb alternate c-erbB3 transcript (cDNA clone R35F) that is translated into a 515 aa protein composed of subdomains I through III, and has a unique 41 amino acid carboxy-terminal sequence (FIG. 1) (Lee and Maihle 1998).
A recombinant dominant-negative ErbB3 mutant with a deleted cytoplasmic domain but which retains its transmembrane domain can inhibit full-length ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptor phosphorylation and signal transduction (Ram, Schelling et al. 2000). In avian tissues, expression of a naturally occurring sEGFR/ErbB1 inhibits TGFα dependent cellular transformation (Flickinger, Maihle et al. 1992). An aberrant soluble EGFR/sErbB1 secreted by the A431 human carcinoma cell line has been reported to inhibit the kinase activity of full-length EGFR in a ligand-independent manner (Basu, Raghunath et al. 1989). Similarly, herstatin, a naturally occurring soluble ErbB2 isoform which inhibits ErbB2 receptor phosphorylation and signaling, appears to function by blocking ErbB2 dimerization (Doherty, Bond et al. 1999). In no case do these soluble ErbB isoforms function as antagonists of ErbB receptor signaling through competitive, high affinity ligand binding.
Soluble ErbB3 proteins, for example p85-sErbB3 and p45-sErbB3, are unique among other naturally occurring soluble ErbB isoforms in that they bind specifically to heregulin with high affinity. Consequently, sErbB3 inhibits heregulin binding to cell surface ErbB receptors and heregulin-induced activation of the ErbB receptors and their downstream effectors. Thus sErbB3, such as p85-sErbB3 and p45-sErbB3, can be used as therapeutic reagents for heregulin-regulated malignancies such as mammary, prostate, ovary, and lung tumors. In addition, through receptor cross-talk, as well as through interactions with heterologous cell surface receptors, these soluble receptor isoforms may also be important for nonheregulin-associated conditions.


1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole is prepared in a mineral oil and blended with a liquid alkylated diphenylamine. The liquid product shows increased storage stability with respect to crystallization of the 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole when the amine is added. This blend product can be stored for a prolonged period of time, and then utilized in a lubricant composition as an antioxidant and corrosion inhibitor.

This invention concerns a component to a lubricating composition that imparts improved resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Specifically the component, 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole, dissolved in 40-60% mineral oil has difficulty maintaining its liquid character over time, and has a short storage stability. This makes it difficult to handle when preparing lubricant additive blends and lubricant compositions.
The 1-[alkyl diphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole or benzotriazole compounds are prepared in a known manner from tolutriazole or benzotriazole (or mixtures thereof), formaldehyde and alkylated diphenylamine by means of the Mannich reaction. These variations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,262, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The benzotriazole derivatives of formula I
wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl, R1-R4 are independently selected from alkyl having up to 11 carbon atoms or phenylalkyl, or mixtures thereof. Tolutriazole designates a benzotriazole compound which is methylated in the benzene ring in the 4-position and/or 5-position. Therefore, the derivative is designated "benzotriazole derivative".
The component, 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole, (formula II) is a well-known antioxidant and corrosion inhibitor. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,880,551 and 6,743,759 it was reported that 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole acts as an antioxidant synergist with methylenebis(di-n-butyldithiocarbamate) and also with phenols.

Lubricating oils, greases and similar oleaginous materials are used under conditions which contribute to their breakdown during normal service. The severe high temperature operating conditions of modern engines accelerate deterioration of lubricants due to oxidation. Oxidative deterioration is accompanied by formation of gum, sludge and acids which may cause corrosion of the engine as well as chemical breakdown of the lubricant.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the addition of a small amount of a liquid diphenylamine derivative to 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole in 40-60% mineral oil diluent has been instrumental in keeping the product in solution for an extended period, much longer than the 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole in 40-60% mineral oil diluent by itself.

Method for reducing crystallization of 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole


An XYZ flexural mechanism comprising an X-axis flexural mechanism comprising a first voice coil actuator, a motion stage platform, a plurality of flexural bearings, and a plurality of guide rods, a Y-axis flexural mechanism comprising a second voice coil actuator, a plurality of flexural bearings, a plurality of guide rods, and a frame, and a Z-axis flexural mechanism comprising a third voice coil actuator, a plurality of flexural bearings, a plurality of guide rods, and a frame, the frame supporting the XYZ flexural mechanism.

When it comes to scanning or determining a position of an object in the X, Y, and Z directions, many of the present instruments have a limitation for the precision that can be obtained by the process used for scanning purposes. In addition, other present instruments are relatively costly. Thus, it would be beneficial to have a positioning system capable of very precise scanning that is not overly expensive. The position determining system of the present disclosure includes a sensor-less XYZ flexural mechanism that is actuated by voice coil actuators and provides smooth and almost friction-less motion by which a high degree of accuracy can be obtained while transmitting the motion or scanning.

Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation


A method is provided for constructing a nanodevice. The method includes: fabricating an electrode on a substrate; forming a nanogap across the electrode; dispersing a plurality of nanoobjects onto the substrate using electrophoresis; and pushing one of the nanoobjects onto the electrode using a tip of an atomic force microscope, such that the nanoobject lies across the nanogap formed in the electrode. In addition, remaining nanoobjects may also be pushed away from the electrode using the atomic force microscope, thereby completing construction of a nanodevice.

Recently, numerous researchers have been mainly focused on the development of nanoelectronics especially for its applications on nanosystems or devices. Engineers attempted to minimize not only conventional circuit elements like transistors but also the entire integrated circuit including memory storage units. One of the key challenges for achieving nanodevices is to enable low resistance electrical contacts and reproducible connections between electrodes whose width of the gap is often in nanometer scales. Such nanodevices often use carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanowires (NWs), or quantum dots (QDs) as the interconnecting material because of their unique electrical and thermal properties. The ballistic transport in CNTs and NWs makes carriers suffering no scattering event even at room temperature, compared to other semi-conducting materials. Due to the direct band gap property, CNTs also play an important role in optoelectronics, and act as an essential element for both optical detection and optical emission. Thus, many papers are published on examining different properties of individual CNT under different conditions so as to explore more applications.
Current methods in making CNT or NW connections includes direct CNT and NW growth across electrodes, deposition of as-grown CNTs or NWs on electrodes by dielectrophoresis, fabrication of electrodes on top of as-deposited CNTs or NWs either by electron-beam (E-beam) lithography or shadow masks, and self-assembly by functionalizing CNTs or NWs and electrodes with different chemicals or even DNA molecules. To a certain extent, these methods have their shortcomings in terms of repeatability and ability in eliminating uncertainties. Thus, it is highly desired to have a reliable and repeatable way to form CNT or NW electrical connection across electrodes.

Deterministic process for constructing nanodevices

Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University


A ferrule fixing member for fixing a ferrule to a holding member with a holding hole into which the ferrule is inserted. The ferrule fixing member includes a first plate part and a second plate part configured to face each other while sandwiching an resilient member arranged on an outer periphery of the ferrule in a radial direction thereof, a pressing part configured to press the resilient member such that the ferrule is pressed against a bottom side of the holding hole by a resilient force of the resilient member, a locked part configured to be engaged with a locking part formed in the holding member, and an extending part configured to extend from the second plate part to the locked part. The locking of the locked part and the locking part is released by moving the first plate part and the second plate part close to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ferrule fixing member configured to fix a ferrule for holding an optical fiber to a holding member, and a ferrule holding structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical transceiver is known that is configured to include Transmitter Optical Sub-Assembly (TOSA) or Receiver Optical Sub-Assembly (ROSA) and to communicate by using an optical fiber held by a ferrule fixed to the optical sub-assembly as a signal transmission medium (e.g., refer to JP-A-2009-514038).
The optical transceiver disclosed in JP-A-2009-514038 is provided with a locking mechanism for fixing the ferrule to prevent the removal of the ferrule from the optical sub-assembly. The locking mechanism is configured to include a pair of clips extending along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule, a bridge part configured to connect the pair of clips in the center part thereof, a front stop ring fixed to the ferrule, and a spring having a coil-like shape arranged between the bridge part and the front stop ring. In addition, the movement of the spring and bridge part along the longitudinal direction of the ferrule is regulated by the locking mechanism that functions as a rear stop ring.
The pair of the clips is composed of an L-type finger which is disposed in an end part of the optical sub-assembly side, and a finger lever which is disposed in an end part on the side opposite to the L-type finger. The pair of the clips swings with a focus on the bridge part by that the finger lever is grasped so that the L-type finger is expanded. On the other hand, in the optical sub-assembly, an annular collar configured to lock with the L-type finger is disposed.
When the ferrule is mounted in the optical subassembly by a user, the finger lever of the pair of clips is grasped so as to allow the clips to swing, and the L-type finger of the respective clips is expanded so as to be arranged in the outer periphery part of the collar. In addition, the finger lever is released, thereby the L-type finger is engaged with the collar of the optical subassembly. Thereby, the ferrule is fixed to the optical subassembly.

Ferrule fixing member and ferrule holding structure


A method includes obtaining, at one or more computing devices, an input image; determining a first value of a quality metric for the input image; generating a first chroma subsampled representation of the input image; and generating a reconstructed image based on the chroma subsampled representation. The method also includes determining a second value of the quality metric for the reconstructed image; determining an error value based on the first value of the quality metric and the second value of the quality metric; and generating a second chroma subsampled representation of the input image based in part on the error value.

Digital images and videos are represented by pixels that have color values. Typically, the color value of each pixel is represented by component values. One way to represent color values is by using an RGB color space where each pixel is represented by individual values for red, green, blue color components that are added together to produce a particular color. Another way to represent color values is by separating luma and chroma information, such as in a YUV color space (e.g. Y′CbCr). This type of color space is commonly used in image compression schemes for both still images and video, in part because it allows for chroma subsampling, which is a common technique for reducing the amount of data that is used to represent images and video.
Some color space conversions cause a loss of spatial resolution (downsampling) and range reduction (clipping) when some values in one color space are not representable in the other.
Chroma subsampling reduces the spatial resolution of color information while retaining the spatial resolution of brightness information. This reduction in color information is often not readily perceived by humans, because the human visual system is more sensitive to brightness than it is to color. There are certain types of images, however, in which chroma subsampling will introduce visually disturbing artifacts, such as in images containing text, striped patterns, checkerboard patterns, computer-rendered graphics, and artificially generated smooth gradients.

System and method for optimized chroma subsampling


An orbiting polishing tool for at least one of polishing and material removal. The orbiting polishing tool may include a housing of a housing assembly rotatable about a first axis. The orbiting polishing tool may also include at least one abrasive wheel rotatable about a second axis, the at least one abrasive wheel configured to remove material from an inner surface of an object, wherein the second axis extends through the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to polishing tools and more particularly, an orbiting polishing tool for at least one of polishing and material removal from a target hole.
2. Description of Related Art
In a process of performing modifications or making repairs to internal components of a nuclear reactor, a machining of existing structures to remove remnants of removed components is often performed. One process for performing this machining is Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). The EDM method utilizes an electrical current passed from an electrode to a target work piece base metal from which remnants are to be removed. This process leaves behind a thin recast layer on the machined work piece surface consisting of re-solidified base metal and electrode residue. This recast layer is extremely hard, rough, and may present undesirable micro-cracks, which extend into a base metal of the work piece. It is often necessary, in particular when the base metal of the work piece includes an Inconel alloy, to remove the recast layer and the attendant micro-cracks.
In the past, the recast layer has been removed by honing or by aggressive polishing with a suitable abrasive. Recast layer removal by conventional honing has been applied to both vertical and horizontal holes. Recast layer removal in a nuclear reactor environment typically requires tooling of significant power, robust construction, complex motions and actuations, and precise locating when installed. Cutting media of recast layer removal systems typically includes discrete stones with a complex mounting head capable of supporting the stones and accommodating the significant mechanical loads.
As the hole diameter of a work piece increases above approximately 3.00 inches, it may become more difficult, especially with horizontal centerline holes, to implement a hone given the space and accessibility constraints within the reactor. Additionally, the honing process requires a subsequent metallurgical examination of the surface to demonstrate that honing operation did in fact produce an acceptable surface condition. Recast layer removal by aggressive polishing has been implemented to remove as much as 0.050 diametrical inches for larger sized vertical centerline holes. The recast layer removal tooling typically features mechanisms that spatially position the polishing media, hold the tooling against the work piece surface, and provide the power necessary to rotate the media. In general, part of the motion required to polish a surface of the work piece is provided via a manual interface.


In one aspect, a method for determining a leading subscriber in a network consisting of a plurality of network elements, with initially the same privileges and tasks is provided. A request message is sent to all network elements, the request message being marked by a sequence number taken randomly from a first set of numbers. Request messages sent by the remaining network elements over a pre-defined period of time are receive. The sequence number transmitted during the interval is compared with the intrinsic sequence number transmitted during the first stage. If the intrinsic sequence number has the numerically highest value in comparison with all of the received sequence numbers, the network element in question is identified as the leading subscriber.

Networks which include equal-ranking network elements, referred to as peer-to-peer networks, are known from the prior art. Peer-to-peer networks offer equality of interworking for all connected network elements, these often being referred to as "peers" or "clients". This means that each network element can offer functions and services to other network elements and at the same time utilize functions and services offered by other systems, without making use of a central "server".
Peer-to-peer networks have become extremely widespread as a result of file exchange platforms or "file sharing systems" such as Gnutella, Napster and Kazaa, for example. These file exchange platforms have a common purpose, i.e. to allow the connected network elements to exchange data, but differ in terms of their organizational format. In the case of Napster, a reserved network element is assigned a centralized directory of the network elements currently participating in the network or the files they are offering for exchange, whereas in the case of Gnutella no provision is made for such a role of a network element holding a centralized directory. Instead, search queries or "queries" are distributed over the whole network in the form of a "multicast" query. The advantages of a decentralized embodiment of this kind are that each network element assumes an identical role and no network element is required to maintain a directory. On the other hand it has the disadvantage of a pronounced traffic volume in terms of search query messages, which volume increases disproportionately as the number of subscribers rises. The term "scaling problem" is therefore often used when referring to this disadvantage.
As a result of the cited disadvantages, in many cases it is technically advantageous to select one network element from a group of network elements which are interconnected via a network, wherein said network element assumes a leading role and is therefore designated as "leader" or leading subscriber.

Method for determining a leading subscriber in a network


An antenna structure for the transmission or receipt of electromagnetic signals, the structure formed as a self complementary array having a series of high and low impedance patches, with predetermined low impedance patches interconnected to one another by an impedance matching amplifier network so as to provide self complementary properties.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
In the area of wireless transmission and reception, it is of increasingly important is that the wireless transmissions are carried out to in an efficient manner.
Various self complementary array antenna structures are known. For example, see Self-complementary antennas. Y Mushiake IEEE Antennas & Propagation Magazine, 1992, 34:66, 23-29. Self complementary antenna structures are characterised by terminal impedances that are independent of the radio frequency, enabling the antenna to efficiently couple the electromagnetic energy of waves in space to electrical circuits over a large frequency range. A number of multi-terminal or array antennas that are self complementary are known, as discussed in the aforementioned article.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation


A method of linking a content object with a network resource presents a content object to a reader, discerns an identifier associated with the content object, transfers the identifier to an indexing system, and in response receives an internet address corresponding to the content object. To enhance the response of the indexing system, it includes multiple routers, which it selects based on location relative to the reader. For example, the method sends user location data to a master system, and in response, receives an address of an indexing system close to the user location.

Digital watermarking is the science of encoding physical and electronic objects with plural-bit digital data, in such a manner that the data is essentially hidden from human perception, yet can be recovered by computer analysis. In physical objects, the data may be encoded in the form of surface texturing, or printing. Such marking can be detected from optical scan data, e.g., from a scanner or web cam. In electronic objects (e.g., digital audio or imagery—including video), the data may be encoded as slight variations in sample values. Or, if the object is represented in a so-called orthogonal domain (also termed "non-perceptual," e.g., MPEG, DCT, wavelet, etc.), the data may be encoded as slight variations in quantization values or levels. The present assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,122,403, and 6,614,914, are illustrative of certain watermarking technologies.
Watermarking can be used to tag objects with a persistent digital identifier, and as such finds myriad uses. Some are in the realm of device control—e.g., tagging video data with a do-not-copy flag that is respected by compliant video recorders. (The music industry's Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI), and the motion picture industry's Copy Protection Technical Working Group (CPTWG), are working to establish standards relating to watermark usage for device control.) Other watermark applications are in the field of copyright communication, e.g., indicating that an audio track is the property of a particular copyright holder.
This document describes systems that use content identification technologies used to associate an object with a store of related data. For example, an image watermark may contain an index value that serves to identify a database record specifying (a) the owner's name; (b) contact information; (c) license terms and conditions, (d) copyright date, (e) whether adult content is depicted, etc., etc. (The present assignee's MarcCentre service provides such functionality.)
Another watermark application that encodes data to associate an object with a store of related data, is so-called "connected content" technology. In such applications, a watermark in one content object (e.g., a printed magazine article) serves to link to a related content object (e.g., a web page devoted to the same topic). The watermark can literally encode an electronic address of the related content object, but more typically encodes an index value that identifies a database record containing that address information. U.S. Pat. No. 6,947,571 details a number of connected-content applications and techniques. The present assignee markets such technology under the brands "Digimarc MediaBridge," "Digimarc Mobile" and "ImageBridge." In the Digimarc MediaBridge offering, the system that associates object identifiers with corresponding computer resources is termed the "Grand Central" router.
One disclosed embodiment is a method of linking a content object with a network resource. The method comprises presenting a content object to a reader; discerning from data obtained by the reader an identifier associated with the content object; transferring the identifier to an indexing system; and receiving from the indexing system an internet address corresponding to said content object. The method further includes sending user data to a master system, the user data providing information related to user location; receiving from said master system an address of an indexing system close to the user location, the master system selecting the indexing system from among plural different indexing systems; and transferring said identifier to said selected indexing system using the address.
In one embodiment, the indexing system makes several routers available, and utilizes them in manners designed to speed system response time.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Routing networks for use with content linking systems


A method of simulating transmission of data from a transmitter to a receiver in a radio communications network, the method including calculating an average amount of data to be transmitted to the receiver in a considered transmission time interval based on a relationship between an interferential condition assumed to be experienced at the receiver and a data transmission throughput, the relationship being determined by a link-level simulation of the link between the transmitter and the receiver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of telecommunications, and more specifically to methods and systems for the simulation of radio telecommunication networks like cellular and wireless networks. In particular, the simulation of the physical level of a radio network is considered.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In the field of telecommunications and, in particular, of radio telecommunication networks like cellular networks (e.g., mobile telephony networks) and wireless networks (e.g., WiMax networks), simulation tools are for example used to define the network architecture before the deployment, and, after the network deployment, to assess the network compliance with desired traffic/service handling capabilities, in order for example to upgrade the already deployed network.
Radio telecommunication networks are complex systems that cannot in general be analytically modeled by means of mathematical equations.
Two approaches are known in the art for simulating the behavior of a complex system like a radio network: a dynamic approach and a static, or "MonteCarlo" approach.
In the dynamic approach, the evolution in time of the system is taken into consideration, and the changes of state of the system occur as a consequence of events. The generic event represents the occurrence of a condition that causes the system state to change. By performing a simulation that takes into consideration the evolution of the system state over a certain time period, it is possible to gain an overall evaluation of the system behavior.
In the static approach, the evolution in time is not considered, and the analysis is conducted in respect of a certain condition of the system; in other words, a snapshot of the system at a certain time instant is taken. An overall evaluation of the system behavior can in this case be gained by taking different snapshots of the system, at different time instants.
Dynamic simulators are generally significantly more complex than MonteCarlo simulators, thus MonteCarlo simulations take less time and need less computing resources.
Both dynamic and static approaches can be used to simulate radio telecommunication networks, the choice depending on the type of analysis which is desired to be performed. If the interest is on the network parameters that are related to time, like for example the time required to set up a call, dynamic simulations are conducted; if instead the interest is on network parameters that are not related to time, e.g. the interferential state experienced at a receiver, albeit dynamic simulations might in principle be used, static simulations are preferred because they are faster.
As discussed in the Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Technology presented by H. Holma entitled "A STUDY OF UMTS TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS PERFORMANCE", presented at Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 24th of Oct., 2003, pages 23-30 the simulators for cellular and wireless networks can be classified as belonging to two broad families: link-level simulators and system-level simulators. Link-level simulators consider a single radio link between the transmitter and the receiver, and analyze in detail the physical-level performance of the considered transmission system. System-level simulators analyze the behavior of a set of base radio stations of the network and of user terminals in a considered geographic area, and take into consideration phenomena like the traffic, the interferential situation and the radio resources management.
Typically, system-level simulators exploit models of the physical level of the system to be simulated which are based on the results obtained by running link-level simulators. As discussed in the cited Dissertation by Holma, and in S. Hämäläinen, H. Holma, K. Sipilä "ADVANCED WCDMA RADIO NETWORK SIMULATOR", PIMRC'99—Osaka, Japan, 12-15 Sep. 1999, pages 951-955, link-level simulators may for example provide, as a result of the simulation, curves that give a relation between the physical-level performance and the estimated interferential conditions experienced; the considered performance may relate to the data loss rate (e.g., the BLER—BLock Erasure Rate—or the FER—Frame Error Rate—or the PER—Packet Error Rate) as a function of the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio, which may be expressed as Eb/N0, the ratio of the energy per bit to noise power spectral density). Other examples are provided in N. Souto et al., "UMTS AWGN Simulation Results for Uplink, Downlink and HSDPA transmissions" Mobile Communications Summit, Aveiro, Portugal, June, 2003, Vol. 1, pages 543-547.
System-level simulators model the transmission of multiple data packets; as discussed in D. Molkdar, W. Featherstone, "System level performance evaluation of EGPRS in GSM macro-cellular environments" VTC 2000, pages 2653-2660, for each transmission the following check is performed: the SNR, or Eb/N0, is calculated; using a curve obtained by running a link-level simulator, the average loss rate is determined which corresponds to a measured SNR or Eb/No value; a random number with uniform distribution between 0 and 1 is extracted, and if such a random number is less than the average loss rate determined above, the data packet is considered lost, otherwise it is considered correctly received.
US 2007/036088 discloses simulation models of media access control and physical layer characteristics that facilitate the simulation/emulation of a variety of phenomena that affect transmissions via a wireless media. Such phenomena include media access contention delays, packet drops, and retransmissions that are generally dependent upon changes in transmitter/receiver locations. Each wireless environment is characterized by a model of the communication channel that characterizes transmission effects based on the number of competing transmitters in the environment, which is dynamically determined based on the location of each node in the environment. Additionally, the location of nodes is used to simulate the effects of 'hidden nodes', nodes that are unknown to a transmitting node but can interfere with the reception of transmissions at a receiving node. Each device/node model in the wireless environment preferably accesses the same model of the communication channel, thereby minimizing the amount of detail required at each device model.

Method and system for simulating the physical level of a radio network


The invention concerns a sewing thread at least the surface of which comprises a product which imparts stability to the thread and renders thread extension more difficult when the thread is sewn in. The thread is nevertheless still so elastic that it lends itself well to stitching and returns to its original state after washing.

DE-A-1,265,109 teaches a sewing thread of twisted, endless, synthetic threads onto which a dried dispersion is applied in an expensive work process. However, the purpose of the preparation thereby is not the concentration of the thread circumference but that a sufficient thread-on-thread adhesion should be achieved in order to prevent a shifting of the thread and an undesired falling off of the outer thread layers on the sewing-yarn or thread body.
The dispersion mentioned in DE-A-1,265,106 can not be washed out in the actual sense but rather must be dissolved with organic solvents. However, the use of such organic solvents contravenes the legal regulations for the treatment of textiles for human use. The organic solvents cited in this prior publication can therefore not be used for articles of clothing.
Many requirements are placed on a sewing yarn or thread, especially, it should be able to be processed on machines, even on automatic sewing machines, and meet special conditions regarding quality and softness of a seam sewn therewith.
Traditional sewing yarns have the problem that they require a construction, on account of the demands placed on them, which has a certain hardness after the sewing and in the seam.
A quite essential quality feature of a seam is that the two areal structures to be connected are joined via the seam in such a manner that the desired softness is achieved and a gapping of the seam as well as fraying are avoided. Only in this manner can the functional and esthetic requirements of a seam be met.
The cause for the seam wrinkling is to be found in the fact that the sewing thread is too strongly elongated or stretched when passing through the guides and the thread levers of the sewing machine. After the sewing process the sewing thread shortens back into its initial length (memory effect). As a result thereof, the undesired seam wrinkling occurs in the seam since the thread can only go back by the contraction of the flexible areal structures in the seam. The back formation takes place successively as a function of the stability of the flexible areal structure, that is, of the materials to be sewn. The back formation of the thread can take place, depending on structure and composition, wherein one hour but possibly also not until after a few days. In certain instances the back formation takes place only after one or several washing processes or cleaning processes. This depends in the particular individual instance on within which times and by means of which processes the stabilizing agents contained in the fabric can be dissolved or converted by the washing or the cleaning.
It can basically be stated that the seam wrinkling always occurs if the back formation force of the sewing thread is greater than the stability of the material connected by the sewing thread via the seam.
The invention has the problem of creating a sewing thread which is designed so that the desired seam strength is achieved by the elongation during sewing but the restoration forces (memory effect) which otherwise take effect within a time period can not occur.
A further essential quality feature of a seam is that it does not affect the wearing properties and is not perceived as being very troubling. The fact is disadvantageous in particular in the case of bathing garments, underwear, bodices and the like that the softness of these garments worn directly on the body is lost when traditional sewing yarns are used.
The invention has the problem of preparing a bulk yarn or thread which ordinarily can not be sewn as a needle thread or can not be economically sewn and to process it in such a manner that it can be sewn on modern sewing machines and automatic machines and that the seam strength given by the raw material and the construction of the sewing yarn achieves the original softness again even after the sewing and after a subsequent washing.
The problem of the invention is solved by the features of claim 1.
Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims.


A detection unit (231) detects, based on synthesis result data obtained by logic synthesis on design data of a target circuit, a predicted place where a glitch is predicted to occur in the target circuit. An insertion unit (232) inserts a glitch removal circuit in an output side of the predicted place by making a change to at least one of the synthesis result data and the design data.

In recent LSI design, the number of stages of combinational circuits between flip-flops is increasing with increased speed of miniaturized processes, and power consumption associated with occurrence of glitches cannot be ignored.
LSI is an abbreviation for Large Scale Integration.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for reducing generation of spike pulses in an LSI for which layout design has been completed.
In this method, a gate-level simulation is performed using a netlist and a test pattern, and a place where a glitch has occurred in the simulation is detected. Many libraries with different input delays are prepared in advance, and a library that aligns delays (timings) of a plurality of signals that are input to the detected place is used.

Circuit design assistance system and computer readable medium


A method and device such as a database for storing and providing controlled access to objects and associated documents by multiple users according to predetermined privileges set by the owner, or host, of the stored information. Individual users, or guests, can be given access to the objects, its attributes and associated documents as determined by the host of the information. The host of the information can set up access privileges based on any type of relationship. This is particularly useful in complex business relationships between a host and a plurality of users, both of which may be sensitive about their trade secrets and other confidential information.

The invention generally relates to methods and systems for retaining software objects and associated documents and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing controlled access to shared objects and documents in a database among approved users by individually defining the scope of their access to the data contained therein.
Most business entities have a perpetual need to exchange data among other business entities. Manufacturers, for example, have a constant need to interchange their product data among their business partners in order to keep production flowing efficiently. As business arrangements become more complex, it becomes important to carefully organize data that is shared among business partners. This becomes important as manufacturers are now outsourcing more and more products, further depending on outside business partners.
To complicate matters further, these business partners often exchange information electronically on different and incompatible formats. As a result, many businesses resolve this problem by actually exchanging paper documents among themselves. This of course seems absurd in light of modem day advancements in computer technology. However, most businesses that focus on producing products will not easily change their business practices at the administration level in fear of inhibiting their product flow. In order to gain acceptance by businessmen, any new method of exchanging data needs to be simple, easy to implement and virtually error free.
One approach is to employ an electronic data interchange ("EDI"). An EDI is typically established between two businesses or entities to securely exchange data. The problem with this method is that it is limited to two parties. This is not helpful for diverse business relationships having multiple partners. This makes it difficult to share information, especially when multiple partners contribute information among a complex supply chain of component parts. In the end, the host of the information being used in the supply chain must dictate how the information is distributed by establishing certain business relationships. For example, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can contract to a multitude of contract equipment manufacturing (CEM) companies which collaborate to develop a product, subcontracting component parts to different companies. These relationships can form a complex chain of business agreements that require information to be passed among the companies according to the individual agreements. Typically, the OEM governs how the business chain is set up among the multiple partners and dictates how information is passed among the business partners. It can also be the case, however, that information emanates from another part of the supply chain, such as a CEM, which may develop a component part, the design of which other partners depend upon for their development. In such situations, information pertaining to the product and its individual parts must flow among the partners in a tightly regulated manner, limiting access to certain confidential information to particular partners. Accomplishing this electronically is very difficult, since the individual partners must exchange information among themselves while maintaining each other's trade secrets and confidential information.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus that can centralize information, maintain trade secrets and confidentiality among business partners and allow access to certain information according to established business relationships in an organized and useful manner. Such a product would obviate the need for complex individual agreements between business partners that prescribe the sharing of trade secrets and confidential information. As discussed below, the invention accomplishes this is a unique and elegant manner.

Method and apparatus for providing controlled access to software objects and associated documents


A header for a harvesting machine with a movable cutterbar includes a belt drive mechanism connecting a stationary pulley mounted on the frame of the header and a relatively movable pulley mounted on the movable part of the header. The belt drive mechanism includes two guide pulleys, a belt mounted along said pulleys, and a pivot assembly mounted on the auger shaft. The guide pulleys are mounted on opposite lever arms of the pivot and said belt drive mechanism further includes a tensioning mechanism.

One type of header that is fitted to combine harvesters for harvesting grain comprises a reel that extends transversely to the direction of travel. An elongate cutterbar located beneath the reel cuts the stalks of the crop, spring tines projecting from the rotating reel engage the cut stalks and push them on to an auger that conveys the crop towards the centre of the harvester. From there, the crop is carried into the processing machinery of the harvester.
The optimal distance between the cutterbar and the auger depends on the type of crop being harvested. Therefore the cutter is mounted in such a manner that it can be moved forwards and backwards relative to the auger.
The cutterbar comprises a set of blades, movable in a reciprocated movement relative to stationary blade guides by means of a so-called wobble box. The cutter and its drive mechanism are mounted on a header sub-frame that can be moved relative to the main frame of the header by more than 50 cms, typically. The wobble box has a drive pulley that is driven by a belt which passes over a stationary powered pulley mounted to the main frame of the header. A belt configuration is therefore required which does not obstruct the movement of the cutter sub-frame, yet which maintains the drive belt under the correct tension to drive the wobble box in all positions of the cutter sub-frame.
The geometry of the belt drive for a movable cutter of a harvester is further complicated by the magnitude of the permissible movement. It is necessary to ensure that the different runs of the belt never touch one another in any position of the cutterbar sub-frame. Furthermore, the belt and its various drive, guide and tensioning pulleys must all remain protected within a housing that covers the entire drive mechanism to prevent entanglement of the crop.
Prior art attempts to meet the above criteria have resulted in belt geometries having as many as eight different pulleys and, despite their complexity, additional pivot points were needed in the frame to allow pulleys to be repositioned to achieve the desired belt tension in different positions of the cutter.
Nowadays extendable headers use one or two idlers/tensioners mounted on a pivoting arm. Said arm is mounted onto a shaft welded to the header frame. A disadvantage is that the belt can not be kept tight over the full range of knife displacement. For full forward movement of the header, the belt needs to be demounted and remounted along a different path. Furthermore, in order to keep the belt tight over the full extension range, a very long spring is needed.
EP 1,653,122 describes a belt drive for connecting a stationary pulley to a relatively movable pulley, comprising a first guide pulley mounted in a fixed position in relation to the stationary pulley and a second guide pulley mounted for movement with the movable pulley, wherein the second guide pulley is capable of a limited degree of movement relative to the movable pulley and is spring biased in a direction to maintain the belt in tension. The second guide pulley is mounted on a long arm welded to the wobblebox support and movable with the header. Such a system can keep the belt under tension, but it suffers highly from vibration problems. The long arm amplifies the vibrations of the header frame it is welded to. Such a system also creates problems for accessing the auger drive area.

Belt drive for a harvesting header with a movable cutterbar


A variable capacity rotary compressor to reduce an electric power loss thereof and includes a drive unit to generate a rotating force, a rotating shaft connected to the drive unit to rotate thereby, and a compressing cylinder through which the rotating shaft passes. A compressing chamber is defined in the compressing cylinder to compress refrigerant therein, with a first refrigerant inlet port provided at the compressing chamber to introduce the refrigerant into the compressing chamber. A capacity control unit controls an operation of the rotary compressor, so that the rotary compressor performs one of a normal-mode operation wherein the first refrigerant inlet port is maintained at an open state thereof, and the variable capacity-mode operation wherein the first refrigerant inlet port is periodically opened and closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to variable capacity rotary compressors and, more particularly, to a variable capacity rotary compressor designed to reduce an electric power loss thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known to those skilled in the art, variable capacity rotary compressors are devices which may be used in refrigeration systems, such as air conditioners or refrigerators operated with refrigerant continuously and repeatedly flowing through a refrigeration cycle which includes compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation, to compress the refrigerant to a high pressure, prior to discharging the compressed refrigerant to a condenser.
A conventional variable capacity rotary compressor includes a drive unit and a compressing unit, both of which being installed in a hermetic casing. The drive unit generates a rotating force, and the compressing unit compresses the refrigerant by using the rotating force of the drive unit. A rotating shaft is axially arranged in the hermetic casing such that the rotating shaft rotates by the rotating force of the drive unit, and transmits the rotating force to the compressing unit.
The compressing unit includes a compressing chamber, and a roller rotatably set in the compressing chamber. The roller of the compressing unit eccentrically rotates in the compressing chamber by the rotating force of the rotating shaft, thus compressing the refrigerant in the compressing chamber.
The conventional variable capacity rotary compressor includes a refrigerant inlet pipe which feeds the refrigerant into the compressing chamber while allowing the rotary compressor to compress the refrigerant while being controlled in a capacity thereof. An inlet pipe control valve is provided at the refrigerant inlet pipe to open or to close the refrigerant inlet pipe, as desired. When the inlet pipe control valve closes the refrigerant inlet pipe, an introduction of the refrigerant into the compressing chamber is stopped, so that the capacity of the rotary compressor is variably controlled.
However, when the drive unit is operated without the refrigerant being fed into the compressing chamber, the roller of the compressing unit rotates in the compressing chamber while compressing no refrigerant, such that electric power is undesirably wasted by the conventional variable capacity rotary compressor. Further, a negative pressure is generated in the compressing chamber to disturb a rotation of the rotating shaft, so that the negative pressure increases a loss of electric power of the conventional variable capacity rotary compressor.