The present invention relates to ice cream formulations containing maltitol and ice cream made therefrom.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ice cream formulations containing maltitol and ice cream made therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Maltitol is a polyol that is produced from the catalytic hydrogenation of high maltose corn syrup. Maltitol has approximately 90 percent of the sweetness of sugar and is generally recognized to have a caloric value of about 2.1 kcal/g. Products sweetened with maltitol meet the FDA's definition of "no sugar added" or "sugarless." These properties allow maltitol to be used as a reduced-calorie sweetener in the United States. Maltitol is relatively slowly absorbed by the human digestive system, yet has a Taxation threshold that is about two times that of sorbitol. Maltitol also has a heat of solution comparable to sucrose, making it a popular sugar-free substitute sweetener. Maltitol is commonly used in candies, chewing gum, chocolates, jams and jellies, and frozen desserts.
Maltitol has a pleasant sweet taste and because maltitol has a relative sweetness value of 90, for most applications there is no need to adjust the sweetness. Unlike sorbitol, maltitol does not exhibit a strong cooling effect. Maltitol also has very good heat stability, which means that it can be handled at high temperature without decomposition or color formation. Due to the nature of maltitol and the virtual absence of reducing sugars, maltitol can be concentrated to very high dry substance levels without unwanted discoloration or browning reactions. Maltitol also has excellent humectancy capacity due to its hygroscopic character.
Hydrogenated mono-, di-, oligo- and poly-saccharides are characterized by the degree of polymerization (DP) after hydrogenation. Hydrogenated monosaccharides have a DP=1. Hydrogenated disaccharides have a DP=2. Hydrogenated tri-, quat-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and deca-saccharides have DPs of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, respectively. Hydrogenated undeca- and greater saccharides have DPs of 11 or greater. The DP may be determined by routine HPLC analysis.
Generally, the term hydrogenated starch hydrolysate can correctly be applied to any polyol produced by the hydrogenation of the saccharide products of starch hydrolysis. In practice, however, certain polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol are referred to by their common chemical names. "Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate" is more commonly used to describe the broad group of polyols that contain substantial quantities of hydrogenated oligo- and polysaccharides in addition to any monomeric or dimeric polyols (sorbitol/mannitol or maltitol, respectively).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,200 to Serpelloni et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes sugarless ice cream containing a polyol content of DP equal to or higher than three (3) of more than 2% and less than 15% by weight with respect to dry matter in the finished product. Some of these ice cream formulations contain, as the polyol component, an HSH which contains maltitol in amounts of from 8 to 80% by weight, 20 to 75% by weight or 35 to 80% by weight.

Ice cream and ice cream formulations containing maltitol


A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair that rotates in a certain direction to convey a sheet, a first normal-reverse rotation roller pair that is capable of rotating in a normal direction and a reverse direction and rotates to convey the sheet, a first driver that drives the first normal-reverse rotation roller pair to rotate, and a first driving force transmitter that transmits a driving force of the first driver for rotating the first normal-reverse rotation roller pair in a first specific direction to the conveyance roller pair so as to rotate the conveyance roller pair in the certain direction, and blocks a driving force of the first driver for rotating the first normal-reverse rotation roller pair in the direction opposite to the first specific direction from being transmitted to the conveyance roller pair.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system, and particularly, relates to folding processing on a sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, computerization of information has been promoted. In the computerization, image processing apparatuses, such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting computerized information and scanners used for computerizing documents, have become indispensable instrument. Such image processing apparatuses are mostly structured as multifunction peripherals that can be used as printers, facsimiles, scanners, and copying machines with an image capturing function, an image forming function, and a communication function, for example, provided therein.
In such multifunction peripherals, a multifunction peripheral is known in which a sheet is fed and an image is drawn on the sheet by image forming, and thereafter folding processing is performed on the sheet on which the image has been formed by a folding processing apparatus included in the multifunction peripheral.
In such a folding processing apparatus, the following procedure is performed prior to the folding processing. A sheet is conveyed in a dedicated path along which the folding processing is performed. The sheet conveyed along the path is subjected to registration correction and then conveyed by a certain distance so as to adjust the position of the sheet. Thereafter, bending is formed at a folding position of the sheet. In the folding processing, the folding processing apparatus further conveys the sheet in which the bending is formed in such a manner that the position of the bending is not shifted so as to transfer the bending portion, and then sandwiches the transferred bending from both sides.
For performing such processing, the folding processing apparatus generally includes a plurality of driving mechanisms such as a mechanism for conveying a sheet in the path, a mechanism for the registration correction, a mechanism for forming the bending at a folding position, and a mechanism for sandwiching the transferred bending from both sides. A conventional technique is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-070095, for example.
The conventional folding processing apparatus performs the folding process on a sheet as described above by independently driving the driving mechanisms. The conventional folding processing apparatus, thus, needs to include a driving source such as a motor for driving a driving mechanism, for each of the above-described driving mechanisms.
The conventional folding processing apparatus needs to arrange driving sources for the respective driving mechanisms, thereby increasing the size of the apparatus due to the space required for the driving sources. In addition, a control system is required to control the driving sources, resulting in a complicated structure of the apparatus. As a result, a problem arises in that initial and running costs are increased.
In view of the above-described conventional problems, there is a need to provide a low cost folding processing apparatus that has a compact and simple structure and performs the folding processing on a sheet.

Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system having plural roller pairs


A RFPA (radio frequency power amplifier) circuit (150) which includes a RFPA (101), a supply voltage source (104), means (155) for applying to the RFPA a gain control bias voltage and a feedback control loop (156) for adjusting a voltage applied to the RFPA, the feedback control loop including a sampler (107) for sampling an output of the RFPA, a RF detector (109) for detecting a level of RF power sampled by the sampler, a comparator (115) for comparing an output signal from the RF detector with a reference signal, an integrator (117) for integrating an output signal of the comparator and a voltage regulator (151) having a first input from the integrator and a second input from the supply voltage source and an output connected to the RFPA, the regulator being operable to apply to the RFPA a supply voltage adjusted in response to an input signal from the integrator.

Constant envelope RF transmitters are employed in some communications applications. Such transmitters may employ a RFPA to which power tuning is applied wherein the gain is adjusted according to the RF power level of the signal being transmitted. This is usually done as follows. The RFPA is in a circuit which includes means for applying to the RFPA a supply voltage and also means for applying to the RFPA a gain control bias voltage. The latter means includes a feedback control loop which includes a sampler for sampling an output of the RFPA, a controller comprising (a) a RF detector for detecting a level of RF power sampled by the sampler; (b) a comparator for comparing an output signal from the RF detector with a reference signal; and (c) an integrator for integrating an output of the comparator.
Using such a known RFPA circuit, a constant level of modulated carrier is applied at the RFPA input terminal. The sampler, which may for example comprise a directional coupler, samples the signal at the RFPA output. The RF detector of the controller detects the level of power sampled. The comparator then finds the difference between the level of sampled RFPA power and the reference signal and the result is integrated by the integrator. The signal produced as an output by the integrator is applied as a gain control input voltage to the RFPA at a suitable control input terminal.
A memory associated with the transmitter stores a table of values of the appropriate level of reference signal corresponding to specific values of RF output power level. The table is initially constructed by use of theory and/or experimentation.
There is a major disadvantage with the above known approach. For such a power control arrangement, the RFPA needs to work near its 1-2 dB compression point and not in saturation. If the RFPA is arranged to work in saturation its small signal gain and thus the control loop small signal gain will drop and the control loop will be effectively open. The control loop will not work under such conditions. However, working near the 1-2 dB compression point is not ideal either because the RFPA efficiency is not as good as in saturation. The efficiency decreases as the working point is further from the saturation point (Psat).
Another disadvantage of the above known approach is that the RFPA efficiency will depend on the individual RFPA saturation point and may vary as a result in a given batch of RFPAs. For example, assume that it is required to transmit a power level of 30 dBm and that Psat of a given batch of RFPAs has a statistical distribution of between say 31.5 and 32.5 dBm. It is clear that for a RFPA with Psat of 32.5 dBm the efficiency will be worse than for a RFPA from the same batch with Psat of 31.5 dBm.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved RFPA power control circuit for a RF transmitter, particularly for transmitting a constant power envelope, wherein the above disadvantages are reduced or eliminated.

RF power amplifier circuit and RF transmitter and terminal including it


A multi-axis fiber-optic rotation rate sensor arrangement of I/O opto-electronics (MCS) is based upon single-axis rotational rate sensor arrangements and includes a low-frequency transformation of the output signal at the photodetector by pulsed operation of the light source. The light path is divided into n independent closed light paths downstream of a main beam splitter and a phase modulator whose lengths are in the ratio L.sub.1 :L.sub.2 :L.sub.3 : . . . :L.sub.n =1:2:3: . . . :n. The light source is switched ON/OFF with a pulse duty factor whose ON duration corresponds to the transit time of light through the shortest fiber coil L.sub.1 and whose OFF duration is at least equal to the transit time of light through the longest of the fiber coils L.sub.n. The signals are distinguished either downstream of the photodetector by time-division multiplex or at the phase modulator, where the signal is virtually blanked by the corresponding bias phase application with .+-..pi..multidot.n, delivering minimal rotation rate information, or has applied to it a bias phase of .+-..pi.(n+1/2) to deliver maximum rotation rate information (n a positive integer). The use of common I/O opto-electronics for all the light paths results in substantial cost savings, reduced space requirements, lower power absorption and enhanced reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotation rate sensors more particularly, this invention pertains to a multi-axis fiber optic rotation rate sensor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A minimal configuration of a single-axis fiber optic rotational speed sensor (refer to FIG. 1) comprises a light source LQ, a first beam splitter ST.sub.1, a polarizer P, a second beam splitter ST.sub.2, a phase modulator PM and a connected fiber coil F combined in a dashed border MCS (Minimal Configuration Single-axis) forming a circuit arrangement (circuit block). The returning light beams, affected by the fiber coil, are coupled out at a second output of the first beam splitter ST.sub.1 and pass to a photodetector PD whose electrical signals are applied to an A/D converter AD that feeds a known digital signal readout, and a closed loop CL for resetting a (possible) Sagnac phase. The reset signal is applied via a D/A converter DA to the phase modulator PM in a known arrangement.
It has been proposed in European patent application Serial No. EP-A1-0,400,197 to operate the light source LQ in a pulsed fashion to simplify evaluation of the readout signal and permit the use of low-cost converter modules and microprocessors. More particularly, that patent application proposes operating LQ so that the operating time corresponds precisely to the transit time of light through the fiber coil F. This enables one to transform the output signal at the photodetector PD in a low-frequency fashion so that further processing can take place at frequency bands that are readily controlled.
The measurement of a plurality (in particular, three) independent rotation rates by means of the above described minimal configuration of FIG. 1 has required a corresponding plurality of independent fiber gyro structures. This is unfortunate as the subassemblies or modules bounded by the circuit block MCS of FIG. 1 contain, at least in part, very expensive components. For example, when a superluminescent diode is used for the light source LQ, a Peltier element having an assigned control circuit is required for temperature stabilization.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 4,588,296 (refer particularly to FIG. 40B and accompanying description) discloses a three-axis fiber-optic rotational rate sensor in which, after passing through a space filter, the light is split into three identical beam pairs by a beam-splitter module fabricated in integrated optics. The beams are radiated into three identical fiber coils aligned along the three spatial axes. The three readout signals may be separated and distinguished by multiplex selection and evaluation. This triad arrangement is affected by a fundamental technological problem resulting from the fact that exceptionally high frequencies must be processed during readout and in the reset electronics. This problem becomes more acute when the lengths of the individual fiber coils are shortened.

Multi-axis fiber optic rotation rate sensor with parallel sensing coils


A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a metadata synchronizer. Data stored on a data storage device connected to a computer is synchronized. At specified intervals, a tool that operates on an object is monitored to identify changes to metadata of that object. When changes to the metadata are identified, an information catalog containing corresponding metadata for the object is updated.

1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates in general to computer-implemented objects, and in particular, to maintaining object relationships.
2. Description of Related Art.
Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. A Database Management System (DBMS) stores and retrieves data in databases. Databases are organized into tables which consist of rows and columns of data. The rows are formally called tuples. A database will typically have many tables and each table will typically have multiple tuples and multiple columns. The tables are typically stored on random access storage devices (RASD) such as magnetic or optical disk drives for semi-permanent storage. A DBMS can be an object-oriented database management system (OODBMS). An object-oriented database is organized into objects having members that can be pointers to other objects.
Metadata is information about other data. For example, metadata could be information that describes the name of a table or the location of a document, but it is not the actual data in the table or document. Some systems enable users to add or modify metadata for objects in a database. Additionally, some systems may store the metadata for the objects in multiple locations. If the metadata stored at one location changes, the metadata stored at other locations is no longer in synch.
Thus, there is a need in the art for metadata synchronization.
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a metadata synchronizer.
According to the present invention, data stored on a data storage device connected to a computer is synchronized. At specified intervals, a tool that operates on an object is monitored to identify changes to metadata of that object. When changes to the metadata are identified, an information catalog containing corresponding metadata for the object is updated.

Method and system for synchronization of metadata in an information catalog

International Business Machines Corporation


A photosensitive drum is axially rotatable and has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A developing device includes a development roller spaced from the photosensitive drum. The development roller includes a cylindrical sleeve and a coating layer, and the photosensitive drum includes a cylindrical tube and a functional layer. Each of the coating layer and functional layer is formed by dipping the sleeve or tube into a dipping bath with the sleeve or tube directed axially vertically. An axial end portion of the development roller that is lower during the dipping process is disposed opposite to an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum that is higher during the dipping process, and an axial end portion of the development roller that is higher during the dipping process is disposed opposite to an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum that is lower during the dipping process.

The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses for forming an image on a sheet.
An electrographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus may for example be a copier, printer, or facsimile machine. The developing device includes a housing and a development roller (toner bearing member) that is rotatably supported in the housing. The development roller is spaced by a predetermined gap from the photosensitive drum. The development roller carries a toner-containing developer on its peripheral surface. In one example, the development roller is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum. The development roller is manufactured by an immersion method (dip method or dipping process). More specifically, a tube being an element for forming a development roller is dipped into a resin liquid in which a resin material is dissolved in advance, such that the development roller has a surface coated with a resin layer.


Disclosed is a biomolecule chip and a fabrication method thereof. The biomolecule chip of the invention includes: a substrate; an insulating layer formed on the substrate; an adhesive layer formed on the insulating layer; a seed layer formed on the adhesive layer; an opening patterned at a predetermined location within the adhesive layer, the seed layer and the electroplating layer; and a biomolecule immobilized layer formed on the electroplating layer, the electroplating layer comprising a plasma-treated electroplating layer prior to the formation of the biomolecule immobilized layer. Accordingly, the immobilization of biomolecules onto the surface can be done more effectively by modifying the surface of the substrate in favor of biomolecules.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a biomolecule chip and a fabrication method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biomolecule chip and a fabrication method thereof based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, in which the surface of a substrate undergoes a special treatment to facilitate the immobilization of biomolecules thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
A biomolecule chip is a biological microchip comprising a substrate and biomolecules immobilized on the substrate. Biomolecule chips are often categorized based on the type of biomolecules immobilized on the substrate, for example DNA chips, protein chips, and the like. A biomolecule which is immobilized on a chip and binds with a target biomolecule in a sample for analysis is called a probe. Biomolecule chip-related technical fields for further development include biomolecule immobilization techniques for immobilizing biomolecules on a substrate, binding techniques for binding immobilized biomolecules on a biomolecule chip with a sample, biomolecule detection techniques for detecting the existence and the identity of biomolecules based on the analysis of a biomolecule chip on which unknown biomolecules are immobilized.
Depending on the immobilization pattern of a probe, biomolecule chips can be categorized into microarray chips which have probes immobilized on a solid substrate, and lab-on-a-chips which have probes immobilized on a micro channel.
A recent trend in fabrication technology of biomolecule chips is toward using MEMS technology. When a biomolecule chip is fabricated based on MEMS technology, a functional layer is first formed on the substrate, and then biomolecules are immobilized on the substrate. Considering that many biomolecule chip-related applications must have a platform function, an insulating layer is preferably layered on the substrate of the biomolecule chip. Even though most of the materials used for the insulating layer are hydrophobic, biomolecules immobilized on the biomolecule chip are mostly hydrophilic. This difference often makes it difficult to immobilize the biomolecules on the insulating layer. Therefore, to facilitate immobilization of biomolecules on an insulating layer, it is desirable to develop a surface treatment technology for changing a portion of the surface of the insulating layer in contact with biomolecules to be hydrophilic.

Biomolecule chip and fabrication method thereof


A flexible connector assembly is provided for an exhaust system. The exhaust system includes first and second rigid exhaust pipes. The flexible connector assembly includes a flexible metal hose section and a liner tube. The liner tube has a first, enlarged-diameter section and a second, reduced-diameter section. The liner tube first section is fixedly secured within the hose section. An annular clearance is formed between the liner tube second section and the hose section. The connector assembly effectively resists vibration and provides a relatively fluid-tight passage for exhaust gasses between the first and second exhaust pipes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exhaust systems, and in particular to a flexible connector assembly for exhaust pipes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Exhaust systems commonly include exhaust pipes leading from exhaust manifolds to environmental control devices, such as catalytic converters, mufflers, etc. In vehicles, such as over-the-road trucks, the exhaust system components are subjected to relatively severe operating conditions, including thermal expansion-contraction cycles, vibration, and corrosion and oxidation due to precipitation, road salt, and other sources.
Flexible metal hose sections have previously been used in vehicle exhaust systems. They offer the advantages of resistance to heat and vibration. Moreover, they can be fabricated from various metals for corrosion resistance. However, a disadvantage of many prior art flexible hose sections relates to exhaust gas leakage. Accordingly, it is preferable to provide a liner within a flexible metal hose section. A liner can significantly reduce exhaust gas leakage. However, previous designs for lined flexible metal hose tended to have reduced flexibility.
The present invention addresses these disadvantages with previous flexible hose designs. Heretofore there has not been available a flexible connector assembly with the advantages and features of the present invention.
In the practice of the present invention, a flexible connector assembly is provided for an exhaust system. The exhaust system includes first and second rigid exhaust pipes. The flexible connector assembly generally includes a length of flexible metal hose and a liner tube located therein. The liner tube has a first, enlarged-diameter section which is secured to the flexible metal hose within a bore thereof. The liner tube also includes a second, reduced-diameter section. An annular clearance is provided between the flexible metal hose section and the liner tube.
The principle objects of the present invention include: providing a flexible connector assembly for an exhaust system; providing such a connector assembly which is adapted for connecting rigid exhaust pipes; providing such a connector assembly which includes a liner; providing such a connector assembly which includes a liner with a first, enlarged-diameter section and a second, reduced-diameter section; providing such a connector assembly which can be installed with readily-available tools and supplies; and providing such a connector assembly which is efficient in operation, capable of a long operating life and particularly well adapted for the proposed usage thereof.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Flexible connector assembly for exhaust system


A method is described for the detection of 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, whereby 5-methylcytosine and cytosine react differently. Then the pretreated DNA is amplified with the use of a polymerase with primers of different sequence. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to an oligonucleotide array and PCR products are obtained, which must be provided with a label. Alternatively, the PCR products can be extended in a primer extension reaction, wherein the extension products are also provided with a label.

The present invention concerns a method for the detection of cytosine methylabons in DNA.
The levels of observation that have been well studied due to method developments in recent years in molecular biology include the genes themselves, as well as [transcription and] translation of these genes into RNA and the proteins arising therefrom. During the course of development of an individual, when a gene is turned on and how the activation and inhibition of certain genes in certain cells and tissues are controlled can be correlated with the extent and nature of the methylation of the genes or of the genome. Pathogenic states are also expressed by a modified methylation pattern of individual genes or of the genome.
5-Methylcytosine is the most frequent covalently modified base in the DNA of eukaryotic cells. For example, it plays a role in the regulation of transcription, in genetic imprinting and in tumorigenesis. The identification of 5-methylcytosine as a component of genetic information is thus of considerable interest 5-Methylcytosine positions, however, cannot be identified by sequencing, since 5-methylcytosine has the same base-pairing behavior as cytosine. In addition, in the case of a PCR amplification, the epigenetic information, which is borne by 5-methylcytosines, is completely lost.
A relatively new method that has since been applied most frequently for investigating DNA for 5-methylcytosine is based on the specific reaction of bisulfate with cytosine, which is converted to uracil, which corresponds in its base-pairing behavior to thymidine, after a subsequent alkaline hydrolysis. In contrast, 5-methylcytosine is not modified under these conditions. Thus the original DNA is converted, such that methylcytosine, which originally cannot-be distinguished from cytosine by means of its hybridizabon behavior, now can be detected by "standard" molecular biological techniques as the single remaining cytosine, for example, by amplification and hybridizaton or sequencing. All of these techniques are based on base pairing, which now is fully utilized. The prior art, which concerns sensitivity, is defined by a method that incorporates the DNA to be investigated in an agarose matrix, through which diffusion and renaturation of the DNA is prevented (bisulfate reacts only on single-stranded DNA) and all precipitation and purification steps are replaced by rapid dialysis (Olek A., et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 1996, 24, 5064–5066). Individual cells can be investigated with this method, which illustrates the potential of the method. Of course, previously, only individual regions of up to approximately 3000 base pairs in length have been investigated; a global investigation of cells for thousands of possible methylation analyses is not possible. Of course, this method also cannot reliably analyze very small fragments comprised of small sample quantities. These are lost despite the protection from diffusion through the matrix.
A review of the other known possibilities for detecting 5-methylcytosines can be derived from the following review article: Rein T., DePamphilis, M. L., Zorbas H., Nucleic Acids Res. 1998, 26, 2255.
The bisulfate technique has previously been applied only in research, with a few exceptions (e.g., Ze[s]chnigk M. et al., Eur. J Hum. Gen. 1997, 5, 94–8). However, short, specific pieces of a known gene are always amplified after a bisulfate treatment and either completely sequenced (Olek A. and Walter, J., Nat Genet. 1997, 17, 275–276) or individual cytosine positions (Gonzalgo M. L. and Jones P. A., Nucl. Acids Res. 1997, 25, 2529–2531, WO Patent 95 00669) or an enzyme cleavage (Xiong Z. and Laird P. W., Nucl. Acids Res. 1997, 25, 2532–2534) are detected by a "primer extension reacton". Also, detection by means of hybridizing has been described (Olek et al., WO 99/28498).
Other publications, which are concerned with the application of the bisulfate technique for the detection of methylation in individual genes are: Xiong, Z. and Laird, P. W. (1997), Nucl. Acids Res. 25, 2532; Gonzalgo, M. L. and Jones, P. A. (1997) Nucl. Acids Res. 25, 2529; Grigg S. and Clark S. (1994) Bioassays16, 431; Zeschnigk, M. et al, (1997) Human Molecular Genetics 6, 387; Teil R. et al. (1994), Nucl. Acids Res. 22, 695; Martin V. et al. (1995), Gene. 157, 261; WO 97/46705, WO 95/15373 and WO 45560.
A review of the prior art in oligomer array production can be taken from a special publication of Nature Genetics that appeared in January 1999 (Nature Genetics Supplement, Volume 21, January 1999), the literature cited therein and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,065 on methods for the production of solid carriers for target molecules such as oligonucleotides with reduced nonspecific background signal.
Probes with many fluorescent labels have been used for the scanning of an immobilized DNA array. Particularly suitable for fluorescent labels is the simple introduction of Cy3 and Cy5 dyes at the 5′-OH of the respective probe. The fluorescence of the hybridized probes is detected, for example, by means of a confocal microscope. The dyes Cy3 and Cy5, in addition to many others, are commercially available.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is a very powerful development for the analysis of biomolecules (Karas M., and Hillenkamp F. (1988) Laser desorption ionization of proteins with molecular masses exceeding 10,000 daltons. (1998) Anal. Chem. 60, 2299–2301). An analyte is embedded in a light-absorbing matrix. The matrix is evaporated by means of a short laser pulse and the analyte molecule is transported unfragmented into the gas phase. The ionization of the analyte is achieved by collisions with matrix molecules. An applied voltage accelerates the ions in a field-free flight tube. The ions are accelerated to a varying extent based on their different masses. Smaller ions reach the detector sooner than larger ions.
MALDI-TOF spectroscopy is excellently suitable for the analysis of peptides and proteins. The analysis of nucleic acids is somewhat more difficult (Gut, I. G. and Beck, S. (1995)), DNA and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Molecular Biology: Current Innovations and Future Trends 1: 147–157.) For nucleic acids, the sensitivity is approximately 100 times poorer than for peptides and decreases overproportionally with increasing fragment size. For nucleic acids, which have a backbone with multiple negative charges, the ionization process through the matrix is essentially less efficient. In MALDI-TOF spectroscopy, the selection of the matrix plays a very important role. For the desorption of peptides, several very powerful matrices have been found, which produce a very fine crystallization. Several high-performing matrices have been found in the meantime for DNA, but the difference in sensitivity has not been reduced in this way. The difference in sensitivity can be reduced by modifying the DNA chemically in such a way that it is similar to a peptide.
Phosphorothioate nucleic acids, in which the usual phosphates of the backbone are substituted by thiophosphates, can be converted into a charge-neutral DNA by simple alkylation chemistry (Gut, I. G. and Beck, S. (1995), A procedure for selective DNA alkylation and detection by mass spectrometry. Nucleic Acids Res. 23: 1367–1373). The coupling of a "charge tag" to this modified DNA results in an increase in sensitivity by the same amount that is found for peptides. Another advantage of "charge tagging" is the increased stability of the analysis against impurities, which greatly interfere with the detection of unmodified substrates.
Genomic DNA is obtained by standard methods from DNA of cells,.tissue or other test samples. This standard methodology is found in references such as Fritsch and Maniatis, eds., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 1989.
Urea improves the efficiency of the bisulfate treatment prior to sequencing of 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA (Paulin, R. Grigg GW, Davey MW, Piper AA. (1998), Nucleic Acids Res. 26: 5009–5010).

Method for detecting cytosine methylations

Abstract: In the last step, the extended oligonucleotides are investigated for the presence of the label.


A method for providing a minimal splash waterfall that provides a unique arrangement where by the system reaches a steady state of draining and refilling in each bowl with a pleasant falling water sound and minimal splashing. The waterfall has a number of bowls of decreasing diameter mounted above one another. Each of the bowls above the bottomost bowl has at least one hold in the bottom of each in order to drain the water from the top bowl to the bottom-most bowl with minimal splashing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of waterfalls and in particular to a waterfall comprising a series of bowls mounted above one another and of decreasing radius as one moves in the upward direction. It is desirable to construct an indoor waterfall in order to provide a pleasant effect through the sound of falling water. Falling water also creates a form of "white noise" which obscures other noises, and provides a relaxing effect.
Most waterfalls are bulky, expensive and have an excessive amount of splashing caused by the water falling over the edges of each of the bowl in the fall. Excessive splashing is a problem in household waterfalls as this could cause water damage to indoor fixtures e.g. carpeting. Most current indoor fountains have a flow of water over the edge of the bowls in the system which results in quite a bit of splashing. It is believed that providing for flow of water near the center of each bowl and maintaining a steady state of volume in each bowl will result in an indoor waterfall with minimal splashing. By "steady state" it is meant that the volume of water in each bowl will remain virtually constant.
2. Prior Art While there are waterfalls that are known in the prior art, none that applicant is aware of that discharge near the center of each bowl.


Compositions and methods for repelling biting midges, sand flies, and mosquitoes comprising applying to human skin compositions comprising neem oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and monoi oil. This composition is non toxic to mammals, marine vertebrates or invertebrates and other forms of aquatic life.

Biting Midges, Sand Flies and disease vector mosquitoes are blood sucking insect pests that feed on humans and animals alike. Their bites can inflict minor irritation or itching welts lasting for several days. In worse case scenarios, infections or diseases such as Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Dengue Fever or Yellow Fever can result.
The biting midge is known as the primary pest in the Caribbean and is a deterrent for tourism due to the lack of effective solutions to repel the pests and their bothersome bites. The sand fly is another pest prevalent in almost every Caribbean area. Bites from either the biting midge or sand fly can also cause irritation, discomfort and annoyance, and also deter tourism. There are also several forms of mosquito's present in the Caribbean. The largest threats to humans are the mosquitoes of the genera Anopheles, Aedes and Culex, which can carry Malaria, Dengue and Yellow Fever. In recent years, instances of Dengue fever have risen dramatically. Many insecticides utilized to combat biting midges and sand flies are ineffective or insufficiently effective as repellents.
Furthermore, many of the pesticides utilized to repel insects contaminate water sources and are toxic to various forms of marine life in aquatic or ocean environments. Toxicity concerns are particularly important in the Caribbean since many insecticides and pesticides flow into water sources that lead to the ocean. Moreover, marine life such as coral, vertebrates and invertebrates are very sensitive to toxic pesticides. Exacerbating this problem is that many sun bathers, swimmers, divers and snorkelers often do not wash off toxic pesticides prior to nearing aquatic or ocean environments. Additionally, the water used to wash off the toxic pesticides often contains the residues of the pesticides, which may run off or drain into the aquatic environments.
For these and other reasons, there is a long felt need for pesticides that are non-toxic to marine life, are biodegradable, and that have no known negative environmental impacts. Compositions that are non-toxic to mammals, aquatic or marine life are especially important environmentally due to sensitivity of water sources

Insect repelling methods and compositions


When an action content command and an action target character is received, a control section and a graphics processor identify action executing standby time in accordance with a predetermined time identifying rule. The control section and the graphics processor then identify an action executable range in which a player character can execute the received action content in accordance with a predetermined range identifying rule, and determines whether or not an action target character that is a target of the received action content exists within the identified action executable range. The control section and the graphic processor execute the received action content against the action target character in the case where it is determined that the action target character exists within the action executable range when action executing standby time is clocked.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for controlling progress of a video game by displaying multiple characters including a player character on an image display screen of an image display apparatus, and by controlling an action of the characters displayed on the image display screen in response to operation(s) by a player.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, various kinds of so-called role playing games (RPG; that is, a game in which a player plays a role of a character in a world of the game, and accomplishes a predetermined object while enjoying a process that the character grows through various experiences) have been provided.
In a RPG, generally, a player character acting in response to operations by the player wins a battle against an enemy character thwarting accomplishment of a predetermined object in the RPG, by which various benefits such as an experiential value are supplied to the player character. In a RPG, heretofore, various kinds of ingenuity are worked out in order to improve realism of an action scene. For example, an "active time battle" (that is, generally called "ATB") system that is developed from a turn system in which one of a player character side and an enemy character side attack the other alternately is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-105959). In the ATB system, a player is allowed to input a battle command to instruct a battle action for a character on condition that standby time defined for each character elapses from the time when a battle action against the character is terminated. The elapse of the standby time is then informed of the player using a time gauge displayed on the screen. Further, heretofore, it has been proposed to change a time configuration (time setting) of standby time in the ATB system (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-296267).
Moreover, heretofore, a battle against an enemy character has been an additional event to thwart the accomplishment of the predetermined object in the RPG. For this reason, a battle mode in which the player character battles the enemy character on a battle field has been provided in addition to a movement mode in which the player character is moved on a movement field, and the movement field and the battle field have been distinguished (separated) completely.
More specifically, for example, when predetermined battle mode shifting conditions are met while the player character is moved on the movement field, the movement field is shifted to the battle field. Namely, the scene that is displayed on the image screen (that is, scene) is shifted from the movement field to the battle field, and the player character and the enemy character(s) are displayed on the battle field in a state that they stand face to face. After the scene is shifted to the battle field, the scene is not returned to the movement field until the battle is terminated, and therefore, the player character cannot be moved on the movement field.
In this case, multiple friend characters (that is, playable characters including the player character that is a main character) and multiple enemy characters may be displayed on the battle field. When many characters are displayed on the battle field, it is difficult for the player to accurately grasp a state of each of the many characters displayed on the battle field. For this reason, the player may mistakenly operate, and the player character will not execute an action intended by the player (for example, an attack, a recovery, a supplemental defense, a supplemental attack or the like), by which a problem that this lowers interest of the player may occur (that is, such mistaken operations may cause the player to lose interest in the game).
In the ATB system as described above, a player just selects a specific command from a group of battle commands prepared in advance, by which a battle action content of a player character is merely determined. In addition, in the ATB system, once the player selects and specifies the specific command, the specific command is merely executed in accordance with a predetermined rule. Thus, the player cannot specify or determine the timing of executing the selected specific command. Therefore, there is a problem that the battle action in a battle scene is lacking variety.
Further, in the conventional techniques described above, the battle field and the movement field are provided separately. For this reason, in the case where the battle mode shifting conditions are met while the player character is moved on the movement field, the scene is shifted from the movement field to the battle field in each case. Therefore, there is a problem that realism (realistic sensation) may be lost in the video game.
Moreover, in the case where the battle mode shifting conditions are met while the player character is moved on the movement field, the player has to wait until the period of time required to switch the fields (for example, the period of time obtained by adding the period of time for switching the scenes and the period of time until an initial event is executed in the battle mode) elapse, and therefore, there is a problem that the video game cannot proceed smoothly.

Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game


Nodes within a wireless mesh network are configured to monitor time series data associated with a utility network, including voltage fluctuations, current levels, temperature data, humidity measurements, and other observable physical quantities. The nodes execute stream functions to process the recorded time series data and generate data streams. The node is configured to transmit generated data streams to neighboring nodes. A neighboring node may execute other stream functions to process the received data stream(s), thereby generating additional data streams. A server coupled to the wireless mesh network collects and processes the data streams to identify events occurring within the network.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to network architecture and semantics for distributed processing on a data pipeline, and, more specifically, to distributed smart grid processing.
Description of the Related Art
A conventional electricity distribution infrastructure typically includes a plurality of energy consumers, such as houses, business, and so forth, coupled to a grid of intermediate distribution entities, such as transformers, feeders, substations, etc. The grid of distribution entities draws power from upstream power plants and distributes that power to the downstream consumers. In a modern electricity distribution infrastructure, the consumers, as well as the intermediate distribution entities, may include smart meters and other monitoring hardware coupled together to form a mesh network. The smart meters and other measurement and control devices collect data that reflects the operating state of the grid, as well as consumption and utilization of the grid, and then report the collected data, via the mesh network, to a centralized grid management facility, often referred to as the "back office." Such a configuration is commonly known as a "smart grid."
In a conventional smart grid, the back office receives a multitude of real-time data from the various smart meters, stores that data in a database as historical data, and then performs different computations with the historical data to identify specific operating conditions associated with the grid. Those conditions may include electrical events, such as sags or swells, as well as physical events, such as downed power lines or overloaded transformers, among other possibilities. The back office usually includes centralized processing hardware, such as a server room or datacenter, configured to execute "big data" processing across the smart meter data stored in the database. Such big data processing may include warehouse processing techniques or batch processing, among other techniques.
One problem with approach described above is that, with the expansion of smart grid infrastructure, the amount of data that must be transmitted to the back office, stored in the database, and then processed, is growing quickly. Consequently, the mesh network across which the smart meters transmit data may become over-burdened with traffic and, therefore, suffer from throughput issues. In addition, the processing hardware implemented by the back office may quickly become obsolete as the amount of data that must be processed grows. As a general matter, the infrastructure required to transport and process data generated by a smart grid cannot scale as quickly as the amount of data that is generated.
As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is a more effective approach for evaluating real-time and historical conditions that arise within a smart grid architecture.


Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more piezoelectric tape and methods for making and using the roll member. The piezoelectric tape can be flexible and include a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured in a manner that the piezoelectric elements can be addressed individually or as groups with various numbers of elements in each group. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed roll member can be used as a donor roll for a development system of an electrophotographic printing machine to create controlled and desired toner powder cloud for high quality image development, such as an image on image development in a hybrid scavengeless development (HSD) system.

Electrostatic reproduction involves an electrostatically-formed latent image on a photoconductive member, or photoreceptor. The latent image is developed by bringing charged developer materials into contact with the photoconductive member. The developer materials can include two-component developer materials including carrier particles and charged toner particles for such as "hybrid scavengeless development" having an image-on-image development. The developer materials can also include single-component developer materials including only toner particles. The toner particles adhere directly to a donor roll by electrostatic charges from a magnet or developer roll and are transferred to the photoconductive member from a toner cloud generated in the gap between the photoreceptor and the donor roll during the development process.
A conventional donor roll uses wire electrodes to generate toner clouds. Generally, AC biased wires have been used to provide electrostatic forces to release the toner particles from the donor roll. However, there are several problems with wires. First, toner particles tend to adhere to the wire after prolonged usage even with a non-stick coating on the wires. The adhered toner particles may cause image defects. Secondly, it is not easy to keep the wire clean once the wire is contaminated with toner components. Thirdly, it is difficult to build long wires on the roll for large format printing.
Piezoelectric materials, especially piezoelectric ceramics such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate), can effectively transfer electrical energy to mechanical energy or vice versa, and can be used in electrophotographic printing machines. However, it is difficult to make or mount a large area ceramic piece on a curved surface or embed it in a structure which needs to be flexible. Also it is difficult to put many piezoelectric elements with different shapes together to make a large area array with each element addressable.
Thus, there is a need to overcome these and other problems of the prior art and to provide a roll member using 2-dimensional addressable piezoelectric actuators in a large area and with different shapes.

Smart donor rolls using individually addressable piezoelectric actuators


The present invention provides a method for the measurement of an analyte in biological samples whereby an uncompetitive inhibitor is coupled to a ligand and utilized in a homogeneous assay. The analyte can be a drug or drug derivative, hormone, polypeptide, or oligonucleotide.

This invention relates generally to the field of measuring an analyte in a liquid medium. More specifically, it relates to an immunoassay for the measurement of an analyte in a biological sample.
Boguslaski, R. C. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,792 (1979) describe the use of a reversibly binding enzyme modulator as a labeling substance for the detection of an analyte in a liquid medium, and in particular, the use of competitive inhibitors coupled to an analog of the analyte in immunoassays.
Dorn, A. R., U.S. Ser. No. 09/328,741 filed Jun. 9, 1999 describes a method for the enzymatic measurement of mycophenolic acid in a biological sample.
Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 188.8.131.52) catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine-5′-monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine-5′-monophosphate (XMP), Magasanik, B. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 226:339–350 (1957) and Jackson et al., Nature 256:331–333 (1975). The enzyme follows an ordered Bi—Bi reaction sequence of substrate and cofactor binding and product release. First, IMP binds to IMPDH. This is followed by the binding of the cofactor NAD. The reduced cofactor, NADH, is then released from the product, followed by the product, XMP. This mechanism differs from that of most other known NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, which have either a random order of substrate addition or require NAD to bind before the substrate.
Two isoforms of human IMPDH, designated type I and type II, have been identified and sequenced, Collart et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:15769–15772 (1988) and Natsumeda et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:5292–5295 (1990). Each isoform is 514 amino acids, and both isoforms share 84% sequence identity. Both IMPDH type I and type II form active tetramers in solution, with subunit molecular weights of 56 kDa, Yamada et al., Biochemistry 27:2737–2745 (1988).

Abstract: The present invention also provides novel compounds, assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing such measurements.


There is disclosed a resin composition for electrodeposition paint comprising

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel resin composition for electrodeposition paint and, in more detail, relates to a resin composition for electrodeposition paint capable of forming a coating film excellent in anticorrosivity and further excellent in low temperature curability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As an electrodeposition paint is excellent in throwing power and capable of forming a coating film excellent in performances such as durability, anticorrosivity etc., it has been widely adopted conventionally in application fields where these performances are required, for example, coating of motorcar body, coating of electric appliances etc.
An electrodeposition paint generally consists of a resin containing hydroxyl group as a base resin and a polyisocyanate compound blocked with a blocking agent as a curing agent.
Conventional blocked polyisocyanates dissociate the blocking agent usually at a higher temperature than 160xc2x0 C., due to the structure of their blocking agent, and the freed isocyanate groups react with the hydroxyl groups of the base resin.
However, in recent years, plastics parts have been used together in case of coating of metal plates for car body in automobile industry and therefore a development of such a blocked polyisocyanate compound that dissociates the blocking agent at a low baking temperature, at which said plastics parts do not melt, and can react with the base resin.
As a method to dissociate the blocking agent from a blocked polyisocyanate compound at a relatively low baking temperature, for example, a process to block a polyisocyanate compound with an oxime has been known. However, there is a problem that an electrodeposition paint composition containing a polyisocyanate compound blocked with an oxime dissociates oxime blocking agent during storage, increases the paint viscosity and the smoothness of the electrodeposition coating surface deteriorates to a great extent.
The present inventors have been intensively conducting research aiming at developing a composition for electrodeposition paint, capable of solving problems such as mentioned above, excellent in storage stability and capable of forming a coating film excellent in low temperature curability. As a result, this time, they found that the above-mentioned purpose could be achieved by a resin composition for electrodeposition paint consisting of a resin containing hydroxyl group and a polyisocyanate compound blocked with an amidoalcohol having amide bond and alcoholic hydroxyl group in the molecule and completed the present invention.
Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a resin composition for electrodeposition paint characterized by comprising
(A) a resin containing hydroxyl group, and
(B) a polyisocyanate compound blocked with an amidoalcohol having at least one amide bond and at least one alcoholic hydroxyl group in the molecule.
Then the resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention is described in more detail.
The electrodeposition paint composition of the present invention may be either anionic type or cationic type. Generally, however, a catoinic type one is preferable from a viewpoint of anticorrosivity etc.
Resin Containing Hydroxyl Group (A):
The resin containing hydroxyl group (A) used in the present invnetion can be any resin which is used generally as base resin in a composition for electrodeposition paint, contains hydroxyl group and anionizable group (for example, carboxyl group, sulfonic acid group etc.) or cationizable group (for example, amino group, quaternary ammonium group etc.) and is dispersible in water and there can be used resins of, for example, epoxy type, acrylic type, polybutadiene type, alkyd type, polyester type etc. Above all, a polyamine resin containing hydroxyl group represented by an amine-added epoxy resin containing hydroxyl group is preferable.
As the above-mentioned amine-added epoxy resin containing hydroxyl group there can be mentioned, for example, (i) an adduct of polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group and primary mono- or polyamine, secondary mono- or polyamine or primary/secondary mixed polyamines (cf. for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,299); (ii) an adduct of polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group and secondary mono- or polyamine having a ketiminized primary amino group (cf. for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,438); (iii) a reaction product obtained by etherification of a polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group and hydroxy compound having a ketiminized primary amino group (cf. for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 43013/1984).
The polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group used in the preparation of the above-mentioned amine-added epoxy resin containing hydroxyl group is a compound having two or more of each hydroxyl group and epoxy group in the molecule. It is preferable genrally to have a number-average molecular weight in the range of at least 200, preferably 400-4,000, more preferably 800-2,000 and an epoxy equivalent in the range of at least 150, preferably 180-2200, more preferably 400-1100. Particularly preferable is a product obtained by a reaction of a polyphenol compound and epichlorohydrin. As a polyphenol compound usable to form said polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group there can be mentioned, for example, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2-propane, 4,4-dihydroxybenzo-phenone, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-ethane, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-isobutane, bis-(4-hydroxy-tert-butyl-phenyl)-2,2-propane, bis-(2-hydroxynaphthyl)methane, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methane, tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,2,2-ethane, 4,4-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, phenol novolac, cresol novolac etc.
Said polyepoxide compound containing hydroxyl group may be modified by partially reacting with polyol, polyetherpolyol, polyesterpolyol, polyamidoamine, polycarboxylic acid, polyisocyanate compound etc. and may be furhter graft-polymerized with xcex5-caprolactone, acrylic monomer etc.
Blocked Polyisocyanate Compound (B):
The blocked polyisocyanate compound (B) used in the present invention can be a product of an addition reaction of a polyisocyanate compound and an isocyanate-blocking agent and is used as a curing agent for the above-mentioned resin containing hydroxyl group (A). Usually said blocked polyisocyanate compound is preferably of completely blocked type wherein substantially all the existing isocyanate groups are blocked.
As a polyisocyanate compound used for the preparation of said blocked polyisocyanate compound (B) there can be mentioned, for example, aromatic polyisocyanate compound such as tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-2,4-diisocyanate, crude diphenylmethane diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate etc.; alicyclic polyisocyanate compound such as isophorone diisocyanate, bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane etc.; aliphatic polyisocyanate compound such as tetra-methylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, methylene diisocyanate etc., and compounds containing terminal isocyanate obtained by reacting excess amount of these isocyanate compounds with a low molecular active hydrogen compound such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, hexanetriol, castor oil etc. Among them, particularly an aromatic polyisocyanate compound is preferable from the viewpoint of anticorrosivity etc.
On the other hand, the isocyanate-blocking agent is to temporarily add and block the isocyanate groups of a polyisocyanate compound and the blocked polyisocyanate compound formed by addition is a substance which is stable at normal temperature and can reproduce free isocyanate groups through dissociation of the blocking agent at the baking temperature of a coating film.
The characteristic of the present invention lies in the point of using an amidoalcohol having at least one, preferably only one, amide bond (xe2x80x94NHCOxe2x80x94) and at least one, preferably only one, alcoholic hydroxyl group in the molecule as the isocyanate-blocking agent for a blocked polyisocyanate compound which can be stored stably for a long time without dissociation of blocking agent, even being stored in the form of a resin composition for electrodeposition paint, and can dissociate blocking agent at relatively low temperature of generally lower than 160xc2x0 C., preferably about 130 - about 155xc2x0 C., more preferably about 135-about 150, when the coating film is baked.
Such an amidoalcohol is preferably a substance which dissociates from the blocked polyisocyanate compound and evaporates from the coating film at the baking temperature of the coating film. Said amidoalcohol, therefore, is preferably of relatively low molecular weight and a low molecular compound of a molecular weight of usually less then 700, particularly less than 400, more particularly less than 300.
Thus, as the amidoalcohol used preferably as a blocking agent for a polyisocyanate compound according to the present invention there is included specifically, for example, a compound represented by the following formulae
R1xe2x80x94CONHxe2x80x94R2xe2x80x94OHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
HOxe2x80x94R3xe2x80x94CONHxe2x80x94R4xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
wherein
R1 and R4 each repesents straight chain or branched chain alkyl group of carbon number 1-6, preferably 1-4,
R2 and R3 each repesents straight chain or branched chain alkylene group of carbon number 1-6, preferably 1-4.
The amidoalcohol of the above-mentioned formula (I) can be prepared, for example, by amidization reaction of an alkanolamine repesented by the following formula
HOxe2x80x94R2xe2x80x94NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
wherein R2 has the above-mentioned meaning with a carboxylic acid represented by the following formula
R1xe2x80x94COOHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV)
wherein R1 has the above-mentioned meaning, or its reactive derivative (for example, its ester compound).
As an alkanolamine of the above-mentioned formula (III) there can be mentioned, for example, monoethanolamine, n-propanolamine, isopropanolamine etc., and as a carboxylic acid of the above-mentioned formula (IV) or its reactive derivative there can be mentioned, for example, carboxylic acids or their alkyl esters such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, methyl formate, ethyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate etc.
The amidoalcohol of the above-mentioned formula (II) can be prepared, for example, by amidization reaction of a hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by the following formula
HOxe2x80x94R3xe2x80x94COOHxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(V)
wherein R3 has the above-mentioned meaning, or its reactive derivative (for example, its ester compound) with a primary amine represented by the following formula
R4xe2x80x94NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(VI)
wherein R4 has the above-mentioned meaning.
As the hydroxycarboxylic acid of the above-mentioned formula (V) or its reactive derivative there can be mentioned, for example, carboxylic acids containing hydroxyl group or their alkyl esters such as hydroxyacetic acid, hyroxypropionic acid, methyl hydroxyacetate, ethyl hydroxyacetate, methyl hydroxypropionate, ethyl hydroxypropionate etc. and as a primary amine of the above-mentioned formula (VI) there can be mentioned, for example, monomethylamine, monoethylamine, monoisopropylamine, monobutylamine etc.
The blocking of polyisocyanate compound using the above-mentioned amidoalcohols can be easily conducted according to per se known processes, for example, by reacting polyisocyanate compound and amidoalcohol at the ratio of approximately 1:1 (equivalent ratio) of isocyanate group of the polyisocyanate compound and hydroxyl group of the amidoalcohol at about 50-about 150xc2x0 C.
In the above-mentioned blocking reaction there may be used amidoalcohol of only one kind or as mixture of more than two kinds. Optionally the above-mentioned amidoalcohol may be used as blocking agent together with a known alcohol, for example, aliphatic alcohols such as n-butanol, 2-ethylhexanol etc.; aromatic alcohols such as phenylcarbinol, methyl phenylcarbinol etc.; ether alcohols such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether etc.. Its application amount, however, is desirably less than 50 mol %, particularly less than 30 mol % based upon the total amount with the amidoalcohol.
Resin Composition for Electrodeposition Paint:
The resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention comprises the aforementioned resin containing hydroxyl group (A) as base resin component and the polyisocyanate compound blocked with the aforementioned amidoalcohol (B) as curing agent component.
The ratio of the above-mentioned component (A) and component (B) in the resin composition of the present invention may be varied in a wide range according to the performances desired for the coating film to be formed etc. and can be, as solid content ratio of the component (A) to the component (B), in the range of generally 99.9-50% by weight, preferably 90-55% by weight, more preferably 85-60% by weight of the component (A) and 0.1-50% by weight, preferably 10-45% by weight, more preferably 15-40% by weight of the component (B).
The resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention can be compounded with, besides the component (A) and component (B), color pigment, anticorrosive pigment, extender pigment, dyestuff, additives etc. as necessary in a similar way as in case of usual electrodeposition paint. It is also possible to use it as a clear paint without compounding pigments. Moreover, it is also possible to use known curing agent such as alcohol-blocked isocyanate compound, oxime-blocked isocyanate compound etc. together with the blocked polyisocyanate compound (B) of the present invention. Such a known curing agent is used preferably not more than 50% by weight based upon the total solid content of the amidoalcohol-blocked polyisocyanate compound (B) and said curing agent.
As a color pigment there can be used, without particular restriction, for example, inorganic pigments such as titanium oxide, carbon black, iron oxide, lead chromate etc.; organic pigments such as aniline black, vermilion red, lake red, phthalocyanine blue, fast sky blue etc. Further, as an anticorrosive pigment it is preferable to use bismuth compounds. As a bismuth compound there can be mentioned, for example, bismuth oxide, bismuth hydroxide, basic bismuth carbonate, bismuth nitrate, bismuth benzoate, bismuth citrate, bismuth silicate etc. Among them bismuth hydroxide is particularly preferable. Moreover, as a bismuth compound it is possible to use an organic acid bismuth salt obtained by using an organic acid including an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid. As an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid usable in that case there can be mentioned, for example, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, lactic acid, dimethylolpropionic acid, dimethylolbutyric acid, dimethylolvaleric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxysuccinic acid, trihydroxysuccinic acid, metylmalonic acid etc. Among them lactic acid is particularly preferable.
Furthermore, as an extender pigment there can be used, for example, kaolin, barium sulfate etc.
As a preparation process of the resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention it can be conducted, without particular restriction, in a similar way as a preparation process of an electrodeposition paint usually conducted. For example, in case the base resin is a resin containing hydroxyl group, which has a cationizable group, it can be conducted usually by mixing a resin containing hydroxyl group (A) and a blocked polyisocyanate compound (B) and water-solubilizing or water-dispersibilizing through neutralization with a water-soluble organic acid such as acetic acid, lactic acid, formic acid etc., and in case the base resin is a resin containing hydroxyl group, which has an anionizable group, it can be conducted by water-solubilizing or water-dispersibilizing in a similar way as mentioned above, through neutralization with, instead of the above-mentioned water-soluble organic acid, alkali such as amine, alkali metal hydroxide etc.
As an electrodeposition coating process using the resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention a usual electrodeposition coating process can be applied. It can be conducted, for example, under the condition of load voltage of 50-400 V by adjusting usually to 15-35xc2x0 C. the temperature of the electrodeposition bath comprising the resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention which has been diluted with deionized water etc. to a solid content concentration of about 5-40% by weight and adjusted pH of the system in the range of 4-9.
The film thickness of the electrodeposition coating film formable by using the resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention is not particularly restricted but is preferable generally in the range of 10-40 xcexcm based upon a cured film thickness. The baking temperature of the coating film is suitable at temperatures in the range of generally about 100-about 155xc2x0 C., particularly about 140 - about 155xc2x0 C.
The resin composition for electrodeposition paint of the present invention is excellent in storage stability, capable of forming a coating film excellent in low temperature curability and can be used preferably, for example, for undercoating of car body etc.

Abstract: (B) a polyisocyanate compound blocked with an amidoalcohol having at least one amide bond and at least one alcoholic hydroxyl group in the molecule, excellent in storage stability and capable of forming a coating film excellent in low temperature curability.


A conductance measurement circuit to measure conductance of a solution under test with an output voltage proportional to conductance over a 5-decade range, i.e., 0.01 uS to 1000 uS or from 0.1 uS to 10,000 uS. An increase in conductance indicates growth, or multiplication, of the bacteria in the test solution. Two circuits are used each for an alternate half-cycle time periods of an alternate squarewave in order to cause alternate and opposite currents to be applied to the test solution. The output of one of the two circuits may be scaled for a different range optimum switching frequency dependent upon the solution conductance and to enable uninterrupted measurement over the complete 5-decade range. This circuitry provides two overlapping ranges of conductance which can be read simultaneously without discontinuity thereby eliminating range switching within the basic circuitry. A VCO is used to automatically change the operating frequency according to the particular value of the conductance being measured, and comparators indicate which range is valid and also facilitate computer-controlled data acquisition. A multiplexer may be used to monitor any number of solutions under test continuously.

1. Purpose and Requirements of the Invention
A circuit was needed to measure conductance, with an output voltage proportional to conductance, over a five decade range, such as from 0.01 microSiemens (uS) to 1000 microSiemens (uS) or 0.1 microSiemens (uS) to 10,000 microSiemens (uS).
(Definitions of resistivity, conductance, and conductivity are given in Appendix II.)
The primary use of the circuit would be to measure the conductance of solutions, such as in those solutions containing biological growth media in a bacteriological sample, where an increase in the conductance of the solution indicates growth, or multiplication, of the bacteriological colonies. FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a typical chamber 10 containing a test solution with electrodes 1 and 2 within the solution. The electrodes are used to apply current to the test solution. More information about one type of such chambers and electrodes is available in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,578 to Cady et al.
1. One requirement of this type of measurement circuit is that the current used to measure the conductance of the solution must alternate in polarity and contain an insignificant component of net direct current in order to minimize polarization of, or electrically induced changes to, the measuring electrodes in the solution.
2. Another requirement is that the measurement of solution conductance must ignore the effects of electrode capacitance of the solution conductance (generally in solutions the inductive component is negligible) and only measure the dissipative component of the solution conductance (due to solution resistance).
3. A further requirement is to maximize the dynamic range of the output measurement (minimize the switching of ranges) to facilitate computer-controlled operation.
4. A further requirement is that the conductance output signal be essentially immune to the effects of ambient temperature changes to the circuit components over an operating range of 0 to 55 degrees Centigrade.
3. Prior Art
Background Information
Conventional conductance circuits utilize circuitry which applies alternating current to the electrodes to minimize the effects of electrode polarization and thus meet requirement No. 1 above. Also, conventional conductance measurement circuits ignore the effects of capacitive load components by exciting the load with square current signals and sampling the voltage after the capacitive components are charged and thus meet requirement #2 above.
The dynamic range of measurement of conventional circuits, however, is limited because of the use of linear gain circuitry which requires switching of several ranges. In addition, conventional circuitry will generally provide for operation at typically two different frequencies, but generally the frequency change must be effected in discrete steps along with switching of ranges.
A basic circuit which produces an output proportional to conductance is shown in FIG. 2, in which AR1 is an operational amplifier, R.sub.T is a resistance whose conductance is to be measured, R is a fixed resistance, e.sub.i is a fixed input DC voltage, and e.sub.o is the output voltage. The expression for the output voltage is ##EQU1## The conductance, G.sub.T, of the test resistance R.sub.T is ##EQU2## Combining eqs. (1) and (2) we obtain ##EQU3## If e.sub.i and R are constants, and k=e.sub.i R, equ. (3) becomes EQU e.sub.o =kG.sub.T ( 4)
which shows that the output voltage e.sub.o is proportional to the conductance G.sub.T of the resistance R.sub.T under test. Measurement of the conductance of R.sub.T in FIG. 2 is accomplished by applying a known, fixed value of DC current through R.sub.T and developing a voltage, e.sub.o, proportional to its conductance. If R.sub.T is the resistance of a solution in which electrodes are used to apply current as in FIG. 2, then, in order to minimize electrode polarization effects, the current through R.sub.T must be made to move in alternate directions at typical rates of a few hundred to a few thousand Hertz. When electrodes are used to measure the conductance of a solution, a capacitive component commonly appears along with the resistive component, the capacitive component being due to the interaction of the electrode with the ionized fluid in the solution under test.
One commonly used circuit configuration for applying alternating current to a solution under test and producing an output proportional to conductance which depends upon only the resistive component, R.sub.T, and not the capacitive component, C.sub.T, is shown in FIG. 3a. The input voltage, e.sub.i, is now a squarewave of typically a few hundred to a few thousand Hertz (FIG. 3b), which causes a corresponding squarewave of alternating current to flow through R.sub.T and C.sub.T. The output of AR1 (FIG. 3c), is a positive and negative exponential voltage due to the charging of C.sub.T alternately toward the potentials -Vo and +Vo. Without the capacitor C.sub.T, the output waveform would be as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3c. If the amplitude of the output waveform is sampled after the capacitance is fully charged, only the effect of R.sub.T will be measured, and C.sub.T will be ignored. Switches S1 and S2 are activated at times t1 and t2, respectively, (FIGS. 3d and 3e), and AR2 causes inversion of the negative sampled voltage. A voltage, e.sub.o (FIG. 3f), proportional to only the resistive portion of the conductance of the solution, appears at hold capacitor C1. Buffer amplifier AR3 provides a low impedance output.
Limitation of Previous Method
The circuit of FIG. 3a produces an output proportional to conductance, but only over a limited range of conductances; a practical range of operation for this circuit might be over an output range of e.sub.o from +30 mV to +10 V, or a conductance measurement range of 333-to-1. To operate over a 5-decade range, or a 100,000-to-1 dynamic range, some means of range switching would be required, such as changing the value of R in FIG. 3 (Ra and Rb) so that e.sub.o would always stay within +30 mV to +10 V. For example, if e.sub.i were assumed to be +/-1 V, a required total measurement range of 0.01 uS to 1000 uS, and e.sub.o =30 mV to 10 V, two different values of R would be required to be switched into the circuit of FIG. 3, as shown in Table I:
TABLE I ______________________________________ Conductance Range Resistance Range Value of R ______________________________________ 3 uS to 1000 uS 1 k to 333 k 10 k .01 uS to 3 uS 333 k to 100M 3.3M ______________________________________
It is therefore an object of this invention to improve the prior art and provide the following:
1. Ability to measure conductance in one continuous five decade range which may be read out in two overlapping ranges to reduce the dynamic range requirements of a practical data acquisition system,
2. Automatic range indication to facilitate computer-controlled data acquisition,
3. Temperature compensation inherent in the design,
4. Optimum operating frequency automatically selected according to conductance value being measured.

Conductance measurement circuit with wide dynamic range


A system capable of suppressing the variation of a conveyance speed of a medium occurring when the rear end of the medium gets away from between a pair of rollers to surely and stably conduct the processing (transfer of a visible image) for the medium in a processing section (a transfer position). Accordingly, this system includes a position detecting section for detecting a position of the medium conveyed, and a control section for, when the position detecting section detects the fact that the rear end of the medium exists at a position immediately before getting away from between resist rollers, executing control so that a medium conveyance speed by the resist rollers becomes equal or substantially equal to a medium conveyance speed by conveyance rollers. This system is applicable to printers including an electrophotographic system.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medium conveyance apparatus for conveying a medium or media to make the medium pass through a processing section which processes (for example, transfers a visible image made with a developer) the medium under conveyance, and an image formation system for transferring a developer-made visible image onto a medium under conveyance to form the corresponding visible image on the same medium.
2) Description of the Related Art
Among image formation systems such as printers and copiers, there is an electrophotographic system in which a latent image is formed on a photosensitive unit and formed through a developer into a visible image which in turn, is transferred onto paper or a form (a sheet-like medium), one example of which has been disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Paten Publication No. 1-98529 (Japanese Paten Application No. 62-252524).
As described in the same publication, in this system. paper fed from a paper cassette is carried through a roller(s) to a transfer position, at which position a toner image formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum according to a well-known image formation procedure is transferred onto the paper fed. Following this, the paper with the transferred toner image is further conveyed to be discharged into a stacker after the toner image is fixed thereonto through the use of a fixing unit.
In such a system, the paper is conveyed in a state of being held between a preceding pair of rollers, and at this time, the front end portion of the same paper is made to be held between a succeeding pair of rollers prior to the rear end portion thereof being released from the preceding pair of rollers, so that the paper is held and conveyed by the succeeding pair of rollers after the separation from the preceding pair of rollers.
There is a problem which arises with this system, however, in that the paper traveling speed varies the moment the rear end portion of the paper is released from the preceding pair of rollers, and if this speed variation occurs in relation to paper under the transfer of a toner image at the transfer position, the toner image transferred onto the paper goes out of order. The state of this speed variation depends upon the environments including the roller temperatures.
In more detail, there is the time that the paper is conveyed in a state of being held by both the preceding and succeeding pairs of rollers as mentioned above, and the ideal is that the paper conveyance speeds due to the two sets of rollers are the same, and in practice, owing to the differences between various components such as rollers, motors and gears (put between the rotating drive shafts of the motors and the rotary shafts of the rollers for connection) on manufacturing, difficulty is experienced to always equalize the paper conveyance speeds by the two sets of rollers. In addition, if enhancing the manufacturing accuracy of the respective components in order to equalize the paper conveyance speeds, the manufacturing costs of the components increase to raise the system price. For this reason, in fact difficulty is also encountered to enhance the manufacturing accuracy of the respective components.
Therefore, taking the disorder or the like of an image transferred onto the paper into consideration, the conveyance speed due to the succeeding pair of rollers is set to be slightly higher than that by the preceding pair of rollers so that the paper is conveyed while being stretched between the preceding pair of rollers and the succeeding pair of rollers. This can prevent the occurrence of a paper waving phenomenon, and hence, in cases where the transfer position stands between the preceding pair of rollers and the succeeding pair of rollers, stable transfer is feasible at that transfer position. On the other hand, when the paper becomes free from the tension the moment that the rear end portion of the paper is released from being held between the preceding pair of rollers, the paper begins to flap and disrupts the conveyance of the rear end portion of the paper, thereby making it difficult to obtain a stable transfer of the toner image.

Conveyance speed control for medium conveyance apparatus


A bushing for assembling an exhaust duct liner with an exhaust duct in a gas turbine engine comprises a body, a bushing opening and a first tab. The body is insertable into a duct opening in an exhaust duct. The bushing opening receives a shaft of a liner fastener, wherein the fastener is connectable with a duct liner. The first tab extends into the duct opening and prevents rotation of the liner fastener.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and more particularly to exhaust duct liner attachment systems and methods. In gas turbine engines, it is necessary to protect exhaust ducts with an insulating shield in order to prevent heated core gases from damaging the exhaust ducts. Typically, exhaust ducts are made from titanium or titanium alloys and have temperature limits in the vicinity of 400° F. (˜204.4° C.). Exhausted core gases can reach temperatures upwards of 3500° F. (˜1648.89° C.). It is, therefore, necessary to line exhaust ducts with a material capable of withstanding the peak temperatures of the core gases and that prevents the exhaust duct from reaching its temperature limitations.
For particular operations, particularly in military operations, it is desirable to have aircraft with conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) capabilities, and short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. CTOL requires conventional thrusting of the aircraft in the horizontal direction, while STOVL requires thrusting of the aircraft in vertical and intermediate directions. Some dual capability aircraft designs thus employ variable direction exhaust ducts, such as three bearing swivel ducts (3BSDs), for directing thrust produced by the exhaust nozzle in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Variable direction exhaust ducts typically comprise multiple co-axial exhaust duct segments having angled junctions, whereby the segments can be rotated with respect to each other to redirect the direction of thrust. The exhaust duct segments interface through swivel bearing joints, which extends partially into the assembled exhaust duct. This has the effect of restricting the diameter of the exhaust duct near the swivel bearing joints. In order to properly pre-load the swivel bearings, it is typically necessary to assemble the exhaust duct segments before attaching exhaust duct liners to the exhaust duct segments. It is, therefore, necessary to have an exhaust duct liner suspension system that can be inserted past the swivel bearing joint in, and secured to, an already assembled exhaust duct. This typically requires insertion of fasteners into the interior of the duct from the exterior, which can lead to difficulties in aligning fasteners with the suspension system, and dropping of fasteners into the exhaust duct, from which they are not easily recovered. It would be desirable to simplify the installation process of such suspension systems to, for example, reduce installation time and insure proper installation alignment.

Torque load transfer attachment hardware


A seal for a fluid-fillable vessel of a gearing or motor is provided. The seal includes a first sealing body with a first inside sealing lip, with a first leg protruding from the sealing body, at the distal end of which there is arranged a second outer sealing lip which protrudes from the first leg. Reliable sealing can thus be achieved and apparent leakiness of a fluid vessel can be prevented at the same time.

When mounting a vessel that can be filled with a fluid or a cover such as a cylinder head cover or an oilpan made of metal or plastic, elastomeric seals are preferably used for sealing the individual components. The function of such a seal is not only separating the fluid from certain areas. In addition, such a seal should also bridge a gap which occurs between the components to be connected. Such a gap can be formed by inevitable production tolerances during the mounting process or by deformation as a result of thermal, mechanical or other influences during the use of a vessel, a cover or a trough.
When using fluid vessels it is inevitable that a sealing gap will occur between the components of such a fluid vessel to be connected, which gap reaches from the edge of the vessel to the seal and has a height of more than 0.1mm. This leads to the consequence that as a result of the capillary effect in the sealing gap a medium can penetrate the vessel from the outside. When such a sealing gap is inspected visually, the impression is given that the seal is perfect although the seal per se offers reliable sealing between the inside and outside space. Such an apparent tightness can hardly be distinguished from actual leakiness.
An additional problem can arise when a vessel filled with fluid is to be filled subsequently from the outside via a filling device or opening with the respective fluid. Depending on the position or the constructional configuration of this filling device or the opening it is inevitable that a residual quantity of the supplied fluid will reach the sealing gap during or after a filling process. Although the used seal will reliably seal the area from the inside of the vessel to the outside of the vessel, the impression might be given again due to the fluid present in the sealing gap that there is a leakage. Such an apparent leakiness leads to the consequence that efforts are made to remove the residual quantities of fluid from the sealing gap. This mostly occurs by complex and costly cleaning processes where it is acted upon the sealing gap from the outside. One example for such a cleaning process is cleaning by means of a high-pressure jet.
The problem of apparent leakiness can further occur when a vessel which is already filled with fluid and comprises components which are rigidly connected and sealed with each other is dismounted as a result of a maintenance measure. During such a dismounting process, residual quantities of the fluid reach a sealing groove and the adjacent outer flange area of the vessel. It is common practice that after the completed maintenance all components to be mounted again will be manually cleaned from residual quantities of the fluid. During the subsequent mounting of the components, these components are pressed tightly together with the seal, so that residual quantities of fluid are pressed out of the sealing groove. Despite a reliable sealing, the problem of apparent leakiness occurs again, so that laborious and mostly superfluous cleaning processes are performed.

IBS FILTRAN KUNSTSOFF-/METALLERZUEGNISSE GMBH


A method is provided for determining a sequence of implementation of elements of a software design. The sequence of implementation may be determined by examining coupling between the elements. Further, a method for determining a sequence of testing of elements of the software design is provided which may also be determined by examining coupling between the elements. Further, a method is provided for reverse engineering a design of previously-implemented software, and to identify coupling in the software. Because a developer can determine the degree of coupling of the software, the software may be more easily modified, maintained, evaluated, and combined into larger software systems. Also, because coupling may be identified, elements of the design may be more easily grouped into object-oriented classes. Further, existing object-oriented designs may be evaluated based on the degree of coupling.

There are many different methods for producing software. Programmers design and program software manually in some type of programming language such as C, C++, Java, C# (C-Sharp), and by using a software design tool such as those available from the Rational Software Corporation. There are problems with traditional methods of software design, in that the quality of code produced by traditional methods generates flawed software components because of human error. Further, when these components are modified, the software design needs to be retested, as there are typically relationships between components that have been modified and other components that access them. Also, individuals may develop certain code components that cannot be reused in later projects.
Object-oriented software is typically produced by programmers who have predetermined ideas regarding how a software system should be designed. These programmers determine, in an ad-hoc manner, the structure of classes (or class hierarchy), and this structure may not be optimal. Current software tools and design methods, such as those available from the Rational Software Corporation and modeling standards such as the Unified Modeling Language (UML), allow programmers to diagram object hierarchies and show interactions between objects. These tools and methods are more fully described in the book entitled "The Unified Software Development Process" by I. Jacobson, et al., Addison-Wesley, Upper Saddle River, N.J. (1999), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However, these tools are merely diagramming tools, requiring analysts to manually determine object structure features. That is, these tools only produce software architecture designs as good as the information input to the tools by programmers.
Additionally, as demand for software applications suited for a very particular task increases, the need to develop software rapidly and inexpensively becomes very important. Conventional programming methods are ad hoc methods that require the developer to modify previously written code based on changes or errors in subsequent code. Modifying previously written code adds to the time of a project and consequently increases costs.
Also, the design and production of quality software is a typically a long-term process involving design, coding and testing periods. Because software production cycles must decrease to meet shorter design schedules, it would be beneficial to have a software system and method that produces code in an error-free, efficient, and expedient manner. Also, it would be beneficial to be able to reuse software code between projects. In summary, existing methods for producing software are non-optimal, resulting in increased cost of development, high maintenance costs, limited reusability, extensive debugging and testing, and poor documentation.

Method and apparatus for producing software


A low cost, repairable pool cleaning tool for cleaning debris from a pool bottom wall, comprising a mesh fabric debris receiver having a perimetrical portion, a frame supporting the mesh fabric receiver by its perimetrical portion for debris reception, a protective sleeve surrounding the frame against contact with the pool bottom wall, and a pole attached to said frame for manipulating the receiver in the pool to gather debris from the pool, the mesh fabric being adhesively bonded to the frame or to the sleeve for ease of manufacture and for ready replacement and repair. The tool further includes positive clamping of the fabric mesh at the pole connection to the frame, and a rotatable and removable scrubber lip journaled on the sleeve.

Pool cleaning tools, particularly from the perspective of the pool cleaning professional, should be longer lasting, lighter weight and less costly. Presently known designs of pool cleaning tools typically use a stainless steel tubing bead to clamp the basket fabric to the frame and to act as a glide on the pool bottom surface. While apparently durable, such tool constructions are unduly heavy, particularly when associated with a steel pole, and upon eventual wear can not be refurbished short of reconstruction, which is not practicable in the field. The present tools are therefore frequently replaced aggravating the expense problem inherent in using high cost materials. In addition, the cleaning effectiveness of existing pool cleaning tools is less than desired as the metal to plaster contact involves two rigid materials and small surface variations are not accommodated.

Pool cleaning tool with replaceable scuff edge basket


Communications with an implantable device are conducted using a physical telemetry link dynamically selected from multiple physical telemetry links based on selected criteria including, for example, bandwidth, security, data throughput, channel availability and reliability.

Implantable devices typically communicate using an inductive telemetry link. Inductive telemetry refers to communications involving a loop antenna of an external device inductively coupled with a loop antenna of the implantable device.
Communication inefficiencies associated with inductive telemetry impair the delivery of medical care. Inefficiencies include low bandwidth and limitations associated with the requirement for close physical proximity. Improved telemetry systems are needed.

Dynamic telemetry link selection for an implantable device