A method and system is described for detecting a physical device configuration inside a network node and displaying the configuration of a network in connection with a plurality of devices, in a network environment including SNMP-implemented intelligent network devices. ICMP echo requests are sent from an administrator terminal implementing an SNMP manager to individual network devices in the network node so that active devices are detected on the basis of responses therefrom. Then, transfer requests for information stored in the management information bases of the respective devices are sent to the SNMP agents in the individual devices detected, so that the types of the devices in the network node are detected based on the information stored in the management information bases returned.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and system for automatically recognizing and displaying on a computer display the physical network configuration of devices on a network that is connected to routers, switches, bridges, repeaters, hubs, terminals, and the like, and includes intelligent packet relay equipment implementing SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
2. Description of the Related Art
Technologies of recognizing the physical network configuration of devices on a network that is connected to routers, switches, bridges, repeaters, hubs, terminals, and the like, and technologies of displaying the configuration are indispensable to network supervisory and management systems, network chart creation systems, and the like.
The conventional technologies for recognition of network configuration were able to recognize a network that is divided into IP (Internet Protocol) network segments (divided into router-partitioned segments). In this range of technologies, there was a problem that port-to-port connections between devices in each network segment cannot be detected.
To solve the foregoing problem, there have been made the following proposals: that is, "NETWORK CONNECTOR TYPE DETECTING METHOD" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 11-96094), "NETWORK MONITOR AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING TERMINAL CONNECTED TO REPEATER HUB" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 11-146003), "ROUTER AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-336228), "SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING NETWORK MAP USING BGP ROUTING INFORMATION" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9-181722), "NETWORK TOPOLOGY RECOGNITION METHOD AND NETWORK TOPOLOGY RECOGNITION DEVICE" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9-186716), and "METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING NETWORK CONSTITUTION" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-191326).
In addition, the conventional technologies of displaying a network configuration, and even the products including Open View from Hewlett-Packard Company and Visio from Microsoft Corporation, could only provide such a display function as connects a figure corresponding to a network device and a figure corresponding to another network device with a single line segment.
For detection of network configurations, "NETWORK CONNECTOR TYPE DETECTING METHOD" provides a technique of sending test packets to the inter-device links to recognize loop connections lying between bridges and devices connected to the bridges. However, there is a problem of specialization to loop connections.
"NETWORK MONITOR AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING TERMINAL CONNECTED TO REPEATER HUB" provides a technique of using a repeater MIB (Management Information Base) to recognize terminal connected to individual repeater ports, whereas it has a problem of undetectability when a plurality of terminals are connected to a repeater port.
"ROUTER AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT" provides a technique of detecting connections of packet relay equipment. However, this means is dependent on special hardware, and has a problem of availability in existing network configurations.
"SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING NETWORK MAP USING BGP ROUTING INFORMATION" provides a method for detecting interconnections between autonomous systems (ASs) tailored to BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)-capable routers. This method, however, has a problem that it cannot identify connections within network segments.
"NETWORK TOPOLOGY RECOGNITION METHOD AND NETWORK TOPOLOGY RECOGNITION DEVICE" provides a technique of grasping the connection statuses of bridge devices by using the spanning tree protocol, whereas there is a problem that interconnections cannot be detected of bridges for source routing protocols.
"METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING NETWORK CONSTITUTION" provides a technique of collecting information as to the MAC address of the connection destination of each port of a hub (intelligent hub) by using repeater MIBs under the condition that the connection destination of each hub port is a single terminal, and thereby obtaining the grasp of the physical addresses of the devices to which the ports are connected. This technique, however, cannot detect the configuration of the connection destination of each hub port when hubs are cascaded one another. The terminals each require some means for periodic signal origination, and therefore agent software needs to be introduced to all the terminals. Besides, repeater MIB implementing specifications vary from one vendor to another. Thus, the technique is far from being a solution for general-purpose repeaters.
As for the display of network configurations, there is no method or system of displaying a network configuration chart that allows easy understanding of port-by-port connections of network devices and the like.

Method of automatically recognizing network configuration including intelligent packet relay equipment, method of displaying network configuration chart, and system thereof


A touch panel includes a substrate; a sensing electrode provided on the substrate to sense a position. A wire is electrically connected to the sensing electrode and a ground wire is provided adjacent to the wire. The ground wire includes a first dummy part which extends in one direction.

1. Field
The embodiment relates to a touch panel and a display with the same.
2. Background
A touch window is installed on a display surface of an image display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), and an electro-luminescence device (ELD), so that a user inputs predetermined information into an electronic appliance by pressing the touch panel while viewing the image display device.
Recently, as various portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, and laptop computers, have been developed, the requirement for compact-size flat panel displays applicable to the portable electronic devices is gradually increased.
Metallic wiring patterns provided inside the devices or color filter patterns in the LCD have been realized through various schemes of forming patterns, such as a printing scheme and a photolithography scheme. However, according to the photolithography scheme, processes are complicated in that the photoresist must be laminated, exposed, and developed. Accordingly, the schemes have the limitation in forming fine-patterns.
According to a scheme of filling a material in the pattern, the pattern is not filled with the material in uniform amount so that the filling failure may be caused. In addition, according to the related art, due to ESD (Electric Static Discharge) generated from a touch panel, electrical signal interference is caused so that the accuracy of a touch is deteriorated.


An image forming apparatus comprises: a latent image carrier which carries an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit which visualizes with toner the electrostatic latent image carried by the latent image carrier and forms a toner image; an intermediate transfer medium to which the toner image is transferred from the latent image carrier and which rotates and transports the toner image to a predetermined transfer position and transfers the toner image to a recording medium; a cleaner which abuts on the surface of the intermediate transfer medium and removes toner which adheres to the surface of the intermediate transfer medium after the transfer to the recording medium; and a controller which, assuming that the direction which is orthogonal to the travel direction in which the intermediate transfer medium moves is a width direction, executes toner accumulating processing during which predetermined toner images are formed as end patch images in end areas of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium which are located on outer side along the width direction relative to an image forming region in which a toner image corresponding to size of the recording medium is formed and the cleaner then removes the end patch images.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier which carries a toner image and a cleaner which abuts on the surface of the image carrier and removes toner, and to an image forming method which such an apparatus performs.
2. Related Art
Among image forming apparatuses of the electrophotographic type is an apparatus which comprises a cleaning blade (hereinafter referred to simply as a "blade") which removes toner remaining on an image carrier. In this type of apparatus, friction between the image carrier and the cleaning blade may sometimes cause a problem that the image carrier gets worn away or that the edges of the blade curl up or get damaged. An approach for prevention of this is to always secure accumulation of toner in an abutting section where the image carrier and the blade abut on each other. In the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 3026035 for instance, an output patch image is formed all along the width of a cleaning blade which abuts on a photosensitive member which serves as an image carrier, and the cleaning blade scrapes off the output patch. This prevents the blade from curling up at its edges.
According to the conventional technique described above, an output patch is formed all along the width of the cleaning blade, including the inside of an image region. This invites a problem that formation of the output patch uses a great amount of toner and the running cost of the apparatus accordingly increases. In addition, since it is not possible to form an image as is usually done while the output patch is being formed, another problem arises that the throughput of the apparatus decreases.
Further, among image forming apparatuses of this type is an apparatus which is structured to execute a control operation (registration control) which aims at properly maintaining a toner image forming position on an image carrier. The image forming apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-235924 for instance performs registration control in the following manner, to thereby handle a slight change of the rotation speed of an intermediate transfer belt, namely, an image carrier, which occurs when a cleaning blade abuts on and moves away from the intermediate transfer belt. In this apparatus, while changing how the cleaning blade abuts on the intermediate transfer belt, the rotation cycle of the intermediate transfer belt is measured in each state. Describing this in more specific details, the rotation cycle of the intermediate transfer belt is measured in four situations that: (1) the intermediate transfer belt comes abutting on the intermediate transfer belt while the intermediate transfer belt makes one revolution; (2) the abutting state is maintained during a revolution; (3) the cleaning blade starts moving away from the intermediate transfer belt while the intermediate transfer belt makes one revolution; and (4) the cleaning blade stays away during a revolution.
A transfer position at which a toner image will be transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt is controlled based on the result of the measurement. In other words, for transfer of a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt, whether the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt corresponds to any one of (1) through (4) is determined, and the transfer position is shifted by a registration control amount calculated from the corresponding measured rotation cycle.
In the conventional image forming apparatus described above, immediately after power-on of the apparatus, the cycle of the intermediate transfer belt described above is measured as a part of initialization of the apparatus before forming an image. However, a special consideration is necessary when the intermediate transfer belt is new which may be when the apparatus is new or immediately after the intermediate transfer belt has been exchanged. The reason is as follows.
It is known that when the image forming apparatus of this type is in its actual operation, a part of toner removed off from the intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) by the cleaning blade (cleaner) accumulates in the section where the blade and the belt abut on each other, and this toner functions as a lubricant between the cleaner and the image carrier and mitigates friction between the blade and the belt. On the other hand, when the apparatus is new, no such toner accumulation has been made yet. Hence, when the apparatus is new, if the image carrier rotates with the cleaner abutting on the same and the cycle of the image carrier is measured, friction may damage the cleaner or the image carrier. This also is the same as measurement of the cycle of the image carrier in a different condition from that under which the apparatus actually operates, which may end up in deteriorating the accuracy of registration control.
In addition, among image forming apparatuses of this type structured so as to be able to mount multiple developers which store toner is such an apparatus which a user can choose whether to use it as a color image forming apparatus or a monochrome image forming apparatus by deciding whether to mount developers for mutually different toner colors or developers for the same toner color, in order to meet diversified user demands (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-351190).
In the case of such an apparatus, the content of processing to be executed as initialization must become different depending upon whether the apparatus is used as a color image forming apparatus or a monochrome image forming apparatus. For example, measurement of the cycle of the intermediate transfer belt described above is required for accurately superimposing toner images one atop the other on the intermediate transfer belt but is not necessary for a monochrome image forming apparatus which due to its nature does not superimpose toner images. Initialization according to the conventional technique nevertheless provides no consideration on this, leaving a room for improvement with respect to the efficiency of initialization.

Image forming apparatus with cleaner that removes toner from intermediate transfer medium


A new and distinct Agapanthus cultivar named ‘DUNAGA02’ is disclosed, characterized by reliable flowering, variegated leaves and small growth form. The new variety is tolerant of glyphosate and sterile. The new variety is a Agapanthus, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring mutation of the unpatented 'Gayles Lilac' variety of Agapanthus.
The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Ian Duncalf, a citizen of New Zealand, during 1997 in an outdoor planting of nursery pots, in a commercial nursery in Tauranga, New Zealand. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and observation of 'DUNAGA02' until around 2002, finally selecting the variety for further propagation during 2004.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'DUNAGA02' was first performed by division in Tauranga, New Zealand, during 2002, on a very limited basis. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a location not open to the public. Through subsequent propagation, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.


A reflective color display may include a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer facing each other. An electrochromatic layer may be formed on the first electrode layer. The electrochromatic layer may include an electrochromatic material that is structured to display a color, to appear black, or to become transparent according to a voltage applied thereto. An electrolyte layer may contact the electrochromatic layer. The electrolyte layer may be located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A reflective layer may be disposed on the second electrode layer.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to reflective color displays, and more particularly, to electrochromic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrochromism refers to a reversible color change due to an electric field direction in response to the application of a voltage. An electrochromic material refers to a material with optical characteristics that vary according to an electrochemical redox reaction. An electrochromic material may not display color when an electric field is not applied and may display color when an electric field is applied. Alternatively, an electrochromic material may display color when an electric field is not applied and may not display color when an electric field is applied. Due to these characteristics, an electrochromic material is used in an electrochromic device.
Electrochromatic devices are used in devices using light-transmissive characteristics, such as smart windows, and are further used in e-paper due to their light-weight nature and portability.
Electrochromic devices, like typical display devices, produce color based on a unit pixel including a red display unit, a green display unit, and a blue display unit. To display red, a red display unit of an electrochromic device may allow only red light from among white light to pass therethrough and then the red light is reflected, and the other color units may allow the white light to pass therethrough and then the white light is reflected. This color display method may also be applied to green and blue display methods. To display white, an electrochromatic device may allow white light to pass through all the color display units and then may reflect the white light. Also, to display black, an electrochromatic device may allow all the color display units to display their corresponding color, or a material for displaying black may be separately used. However, these methods may result in poor black visibility and are relatively complicated.


Disclosed is a wireless battery management system and a battery pack including the same. The wireless battery management system may be operably coupled to a top-level controller, and includes a master BMS and a plurality of slave BMSs. The master BMS is configured to allocate different identification information to the plurality of slave BMSs using a wireless signal according to an identification information allocation command from the top-level controller. Each slave BMS may be configured to set its wireless address and regular ID by receiving the wireless signal when waking up by the top-level controller according to a predefined rule.

Recently, there is dramatically growing demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, video cameras and mobile phones, and with the extensive development of electric vehicles, accumulators for energy storage, robots and satellites, many studies are being made on high performance secondary batteries that can be recharged repeatedly.
Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries and the like, and among them, lithium secondary batteries have little or no memory effect, and thus they are gaining more attention than nickel-based secondary batteries for their advantages of free charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.
A battery pack applied to electric vehicles generally includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series and/or in parallel and a plurality of slave battery management systems (BMSs). Each slave BMS monitors and controls the state of the battery module that each slave BMS is designated to manage. Recently, to meet the demand for high-capacity high-output battery packs, the number of battery modules included in a battery pack also increases. To efficiently manage each battery module included in the battery pack, a battery management apparatus having a multi slave structure is disclosed. The multi slave structure includes a plurality of slave BMSs installed in each battery module and a master BMS to control the overall operation of the plurality of slave BMSs.
In the battery pack having the multi slave structure, for the master BMS to individually collect state information of the plurality of battery modules from each of the plurality of slave BMSs, and transmit a control command for the plurality of battery modules to the plurality of slave BMSs, each slave BMS should be allocated with an ID indicating the physical or electrical location of the battery module that each slave BMS manages.
Patent Literature 1 discloses allocating IDs to a plurality of slave BMSs in a sequential order. Patent Literature 1 proposes a method for allocating IDs by a master BMS wiredly connected to each slave BMS. However, the ID allocation method according to Patent Literature 1 is performed on the premise of wired connection between the master BMS and each slave BMS, so there is a risk of wire disconnection and a great spatial limitation. Additionally, to set IDs in an order of the physical location (in terms of hardware) of each slave BMS, it is essential to measure a potential difference by batteries that are managed by each slave BMS in advance.
Additionally, there may be methods in which the master BMS allocates identification information to the plurality of slave BMSs in a wireless manner. To allocate identification information in a wireless manner, the master BMS needs to check each slave BMS is electrically connected to which of the plurality of battery modules included in the battery pack beforehand. However, even though each slave BMS wirelessly transmits module information (e.g., potential) of the battery module connected to it to the master BMS, the master BMS has a difficulty in determining which of the plurality of slave BMSs has transmitted the module information.
Meanwhile, when the battery pack including the battery system gone through identification information allocation is mounted in an electric powered apparatus such as an electric vehicle, the master BMS needs to collect module information from each of the plurality of slave BMSs, and report the collected module information to the electric powered apparatus within a predetermined required time (e.g., 2 sec) from the point in time in which the electric powered apparatus switches from the sleep state (e.g., key off) to the operating state (e.g., key on). However, it is not that it takes a short time (e.g., 1 sec) for each BMS (e.g., the master BMS) to recognize another (e.g., the salve BMS) present in a wireless network, determine if the recognized BMS is a reliable device, and establish a wireless connection through a security process for encrypted communication therebetween according to the determination result. Accordingly, the larger number of slave BMSs included in the battery management apparatus, the longer the time taken for the master BMS to establish a wireless connection with all slave BMSs.
(Patent Literature 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0013747 (published Feb. 10, 2011)

Wireless battery management apparatus and battery pack including same


The present invention relates to uses of 2-(1H-indolylsulfanyl)-benzyl amine derivatives of general formula (I):

The majority of currently available antidepressants can be classified in 3 classes:                1) monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),        2) biogenic amine neurotransmitter [serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA)] transporter reuptake blockers, and        3) modulators, especially blockers of one or more of the 5-HT and/or NE receptors.
Since depression is associated with a relative deficiency of the biogenic amines, the use of 5-HT and/or NE-receptor blockers (i.e. 5-HT and or NE-antagonist's) have not proven very successful in the treatment of depression and anxiety and the preferred and currently most efficient treatments are based on the enhancement of 5-HT and/or NE neurotransmission by blocking their reuptake back from the synaptic cleft (Slattery, D. A. et al., "The evolution of antidepressant mechanisms", fundamental and Clinical pharmacology, 2004, 18, 1-21; Schloss, P. et al, "new insights into the mechanism of antidepressant therapy", Pharmacology and therapeutics, 2004, 102, 47-60).
For years monoamine reuptake inhibition has been studied for treatment of depression, i.e. in particular the monoamines serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA).
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (hereinafter referred to as SSRIs) have become first choice therapeutics in the treatment of depression, certain forms of anxiety and social phobias, because they generally are effective, well tolerated, and have a favourable safety profile compared to the classic tricyclic antidepressants. Drugs claimed to be SSRIs are for example fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine.
However, clinical studies on depression indicate that non-response to the known SSRIs is substantial, up to 30%. Another, often neglected, factor in antidepressant treatment is compliance, which has a rather profound effect on the patient's motivation to continue pharmacotherapy. First of all, there is generally a delay in therapeutic effect of the SSRIs. Sometimes symptoms even worsen during the first weeks of treatment. Secondly, sexual dysfunction is generally a side effect common to SSRIs. Without addressing these problems, real progress in the pharmacotherapy of depression and anxiety disorders is not likely to happen. Accordingly, there is a need for the development of compounds capable of improving the treatment of depression and other serotonin related diseases.
A newer strategy has been the development of dual re-uptake inhibitors, e.g., the combined effect of serotonin reuptake inhibition and norepinephrine (norepinephrine is also named noradrenaline, NA) reuptake inhibition on depression is explored in clinical studies of compounds such as Duloxetine (Wong, "Duloxetine (LY-248686): an inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline uptake and an antidepressant drug candidate", Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 1998, 7, 10, 1691-1699) and Venlafaxine (Khan-A et al, 30 "Venlafaxine in depressed outpatients", Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 1991, 27, 141-144). Compounds having such duel effect are also named SNRIs, "serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors", or NSRIs, "noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors".
Since treatment with the selective NE reuptake inhibitor reboxetine has been shown to stimulate 5-HT neurons and mediate the release of 5-HT in the brain (Svensson, T. et al, J. Neural. Transmission, 2004, 111, 127) there might be a synergistic advantage using SNRI's in the treatment of depression or anxiety.
The use of SNRI's have been shown in clinical studies to have a beneficial effect on pain (e.g. Fibromyalgia syndrome, overall pain, back pain, shoulder pain, headache, pain while awake and during daily activities) and especially pain associated with depression (Berk, M. Expert Rev. Neurotherapeutics 2003, 3, 47-451; Fishbain, D. A., et al. "Evidence-based data from animal and human experimental studies on pain relief with antidepressants: A structured review" Pain Medicine 2000 1:310-316).
SNRI's have also been shown in clinical studies to have a beneficial effect in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (N. M. Mukaddes; Venlafaxine in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, European Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 12, Supplement 3, October 2002, Page 421).
Furthermore, SNRI's have been shown to be effective for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (Dmochowski R. R. et al. "Duloxetine versus placebo for the treatment of North American women with stress urinary incontinence", Journal of Urology 2003, 170:4, 1259-1263.)
Furthermore, Axford L. et al. describe the development of triple 5-HT, NE and DA re-uptake inhibitors for treatment of depression. (2003, Bioorganic & Medical Chemistry Letters, 13, 3277-3280: "Bicyclo[2.2.1.]heptanes as novel triple re-uptake inhibitors for the treatment of depression"). Wellbutrin (bupropion) which has DA re-uptake activity in vitro and in vivo, show antidepressant efficacy. Other combination studies have indicated that addition of some affininity at the DA uptake site may have some clinical benefit (Nelson, J. C. J. Clin. Psychiatry 1998, 59, 65; Masand, P. S. et al. Depression Anxiety 1998, 7, 89; Bodkin, J. A et al. J. Clin. Psychiatry 1997, 58, 137).
The present invention provides 2-(1H-indolylsulfanyl)-benzyl amine derivatives, formula I, which are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In particular, the invention provides compounds possessing the combined effect of serotonin reuptake inhibition and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. Furthermore, some of the compounds are also triple 5-HT, NE and DA re-uptake inhibitors.
Diphenyl sulphides of formula (XVI) and variations thereof have been disclosed as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and have been suggested for use in treatment of depression, cf. e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,039, U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,632, EP 396827 A1 and WO 9312080. EP 402097 describes halogen substituted diphenylsulfides claimed to be selective serotonin inhibitors for treatment of depression. Likewise WO 9717325 discloses derivatives of N,N-dimethyl-2-(arylthio)benzylamine claimed to be selective serotonin transport inhibitors and suggest their use as antidepressants. J. Jilek et al., 1989, Collect. Czeck Chem. Commun., 54, 3294-3338 also discloses various derivatives of diphenyl sulphides, "phenyl-thio-benzylamines" as antidepressants. Furthermore, diphenyl sulphides are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,143 and claimed useful as antidepressant.

Several publications relates to the use of derivatives of diphenyl sulphides as "radiopharmaceuticals" for imaging SERT by SPECT or PET imaging, e.g. "S. Oya et al. J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45, 4716-4723" and "S. Oya et al. J. Med. Chem. 42, 3, 333-335". P. Emond et al (J. Med. Chem. (2002) 45, 1253-1258) and "S. Oya et al. (J. Med. Chem. 42, 3, 333-335) further test and discuss substituted "diphenyl sulfides" as selective serotonin tranporter ligands relative to dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (DAT, NET) with measurements of vitro affinities at the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters.
WO 0066537 also discloses certain derivatives of diphenyl sulphides claimed to be have higher selectivity for SERT over NET and DAT.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,830 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,665 discloses "phenylthioaralkylamines" and "2-phenylthiobenzylamines" represented structurally as "Ar1-S—Ar2 in which Ar1 is a phenylakyl amine substituent and Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted homocyclic or heterocyclic ring off from 5-6 atoms, such as an aromatic ring, a heteroaromatic ring". The compounds are claimed to be useful for preventing "cardiac arrhythmias".
K. Sindelar et al., "Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications, (1991), 56(2), 449-58, by K. Sindelar et al" disclose variations of compounds of formula (XVI) in which one of the rings is substituted with a thiophene ring with test for selectivity as 5-HT re-uptake inhibitor and NA re-uptake inhibitor, respectively, for use as antidepressants.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,741 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,938 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,736 B1 disclose biaryl ether derivates (XVII) reported to inhibit reuptake of monoamines, e.g. serotonin, dopamine and/or norepinephrine.

None of the above references disclose compounds comprising an indole group like the indolyl-sulfanyl benzyl amines of the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Uses of 2-(1H-indolylsulfanyl)-benzyl amine derivatives as SSRIS

Abstract: in the treatment of affective disorders.


It is intended to provide a polymer for coating a leukocyte removal filter material which is excellent in the capability of removing leukocytes. It is further intended to provide a filter whereby both of leukocytes and platelets can be highly efficiently removed from a blood product containing leukocytes and platelets. The above objects can be achieved by using a polymer for coating a leukocyte removal filter material which comprises a unit originating in a hydrophobic polymerizable monomer, a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer containing a basic nitrogen-containing part, and a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer containing a protonic neutral hydrophilic part.

In recent years, leukocyte-free blood transfusion in which leukocytes contained in a blood product are removed in advance is increasingly applied in the field of blood transfusion. This is due to the finding that the side effects such as headache, nausea, chills, and an anhemolytic exothermic reaction, as well as heavy side effects such as alloantigen sensitization, post-blood transfusion graft versus host disease (GVHD), and virus infection are mainly induced by leukocytes contained in blood products used for the blood transfusion.
Methods for removing leukocytes from blood products are broadly classified into a centrifuge separation method, making use of differences in the specific gravity of blood components, and a filter method using a fiber material or a porous material having continuous pores as a filter material. The filter method is more popular due to higher leukocyte removing capability, simple procedure, lower cost, and the like.
Increasing recognition on the importance of blood transfusion using a leukocyte-free blood product in recent years has encouraged a desire for a leukocyte removal filter possessing more excellent leukocyte removing capability that can prevent the above-mentioned heavy side effects.
Since platelets are known to produce antiplatelet antibodies when blood transfusion is frequently conducted, development of the technology for removing platelets has also been desired to suppress production of antiplatelet antibodies. Conventionally, an effort of simultaneously removing leukocytes and platelets has been undertaken by decreasing the pore diameter of the filter, for example, by narrowing the space between fibers in the filter material so that platelets can be captured. However, decreasing the filter pore size results in a slow filtering speed, requiring a long time for removing leukocytes and platelets. Therefore, a technology for removing platelets at high efficiency at the time of removing leukocytes by a means other than decreasing the filter pore size has been desired.
To improve the leukocyte removal capability of a leukocyte removal filter, both physical factors and chemical factors of the filter must be taken into consideration.
The physical factors relate to the physical structure of the filter material such as a specific surface area, fiber diameter, void ratio, bulk density, and thickness in the case of fibrous media such as a nonwoven fabric, and a pore size, porosity, and thickness in the case of porous materials containing continuous pores. The physical factors of filter materials are commonly known to greatly contribute to the leukocyte removal capability of a filter. It is also known that the leukocyte removal capability can be improved by using a material with a high specific surface area, specifically by using super-fine fibers having a small fiber diameter, increasing a filling density, or decreasing a pore size.
The chemical factors, on the other hand, relate to denaturing or processing a filter material surface by, for example, causing a polymer to attach to the surface to increase the affinity with leukocytes or to improve wettability. In general, when blood is caused to come into contact with various polymers, blood acts differently according to the properties of the surface of the materials in terms of occurrence or nonoccurrence of blood clotting or cell activation. Although the reason for the above-described difference is still to be clarified, complicated mutual actions of the cells in blood with the material surface are thought to be one of the reasons ("Polymeric Materials For Medical Use" edited by Biomedical Polymer Material Editing Committee, 1981, Center for Academic Publications Japan).
If the denatured or processed surface of the material is viewed in terms of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, a polymeric material with a hydrophilic surface exhibits only small surface energy with blood and small mutual interactions with proteins or blood cells, in general. For this reason, the polymeric material with a hydrophilic surface is reported to have a tendency of suppressing blood clotting and morphological change in blood cell ("Biomaterial Science" 2nd series, 135, 1982, Nankodo Co., Ltd.). Therefore, hydrophilic modification of the filter material used for blood processing is effective. Introducing hydrophilic monomers or polymers by graft polymerization or coating to the surface of the filter material is known as a technique known in the art.
WO 87/05812 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-51060) discloses a filter containing a nonionic hydrophilic group and a basic nitrogen-containing functional group on the surface and having a basic nitrogen atom content of 0.2-4.0 wt % in the circumferential surface area, and describes that the filter can efficiently remove leukocytes with only a slight amount of platelet loss. The patent specification also describes that the filter has leukocyte removal performance more excellent in comparison with conventional filters without coating (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-13587). EP 0606646 (KR 129767 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 6-246862) discloses a filter having leukocyte removal performance. The filter contains basic functional groups and nonionic hydrophilic groups on the surface at a molar ratio of the basic functional groups to the nonionic hydrophilic groups of 0.6-6 and has a density of the basic functional groups of 5×10−5 to 0.1 meq/m2.
However, if positively charged functional groups such as a dimethylamino group, diethylamino group, and quarternary ammonium salt are introduced at a high density together with nonionic hydrophilic groups onto the surface of a material, cells in blood products, in particular erythrocytes, are firstly adsorbed in the material on the surface and occupy the seats for leukocytes to be adsorbed, resulting in a tendency of preventing improvement in the leukocyte removal capability. In this manner, the conventional technique of surface modification with positively charged functional groups provides only a small effect on the selectivity in the adsorption of leukocytes and erythrocytes and has difficulty in providing the filter with high leukocyte removal capability. If the density of the positively charged functional groups is increased with an objective of increasing platelet removal capability, platelets may be undesirably activated inducing morphological change and the like. Such a material cannot be used as the coating material of the filter for simultaneous removal of leukocytes and platelets.
WO 89/03717 (Published Japanese Translation of PCT Application No. 3-502094) discloses a filter using a porous web with a critical wetting surface tension (CWST) of 53-90 dyn/cm produced by grafting 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with methyl acrylate (MA) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) and changing their proportion. This filter, however, is not suitable for efficiently removing platelets.
As an invention relating to a technology for efficiently removing not only leukocytes but also platelets, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-197814 discloses a hydrophilic coating material containing quaternary ammonium salt. However, leukocyte removal capability and platelet removal capability of these filters are not necessarily sufficient. Although the use of a quaternary ammonium salt remarkably promoted hydrophilic properties and the CWST of the filter technically exceeded the level achieved by WO 89/03717 (Published Japanese Translation of PCT Application No. 3-502094), the method requires a washing step after the coating step to reduce elution.
As an invention to remove not only leukocytes but also platelets efficiently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,336 (EP 500472, Japanese Patent No. 3124565, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 6-142196, and Japanese Patent No. 3273061) discloses a porous filter material with a positive surface zeta potential comprising a substance having a cationic functional group such as an amino group incorporated in or bonded to the material and a means for avoiding clogging of the filter with leukocytes and platelets by providing the main filter on the blood outlet side with a plus zeta potential of the porous filter material and the main filter on the blood inlet side with a minus zeta potential. If the zeta potential is increased to increase the leukocyte adsorption capability, not only leukocytes and platelets are adsorbed, but also erythrocytes are adsorbed, resulting in a general tendency of an increase in the process pressure. The leukocyte removal capability of the filter declines with time. As a countermeasure against the pressure increase of the filter, a main filter having a negative zeta potential is provided as an upper layer with an objective of suppressing adsorption of leukocytes and platelets in the upper layer. Although this method can suppress the pressure and reduce leakage of leukocytes throughout the entire process time, the leukocyte removal capability and platelet removal capability are not yet sufficient.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 7-25776 discloses a filter material with less elution that can selectively remove leukocytes while maintaining high platelet permeability and high leukocyte removal capability, wherein the surface of the filter material is coated with a polymer having both a hydrophobic part and a polyethylene oxide chain. The patent specification presents polymerizable monomers having hydrophobic parts and a polymer for coating for leukocyte removal containing polyethylene oxide chains and basic nitrogen-containing functional groups. The hydrophobic parts are introduced to decrease elution, whereas the polyethylene oxide chains are introduced to increase permeability of platelets. The objectives differ from that of the objective of ensuring high leukocyte removal capability and high platelet removal capability at the same time in the present invention.

Coating material for leukocyte removal filter and the filter


A microcomputer included in a physical condition monitoring system calculates the amount of autonomic nerve activity during sleep based on physical information during sleep collected by a physical information collecting device 1. The physical information contains heart rates, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and the amount of body movement. The microcomputer also receives various kinds of information including training conditions via an input device. Then, it displays the amount of autonomic nerve activity and the training conditions on a display device in a manner that connections between them are indicated.

In a process of building physical abilities, athletes temporarily experience underperformance after heavy training. However, their physical abilities improve during a process of recovery from fatigues caused by the training. This phenomenon is known as super recovery. If the athletes continue heavy training without rest, fatigue builds up and may result in injury when a level of the fatigue exceeds their fatigue limit. Athletes are more likely to develop a physical disorder called an overtraining syndrome under such conditions. Physical abilities improve or degrade according to fatigue or recovery as shown in FIG. 10.
The overtraining syndrome is a phenomenon that athletic abilities of athletes decrease due to lack of balance between training load and rest. Symptoms of minor injury are difficult to distinguish from fatigue. If the minor injury is not noticed and the training is continued, the symptoms of minor injury may become worse. As a result, the athlete may fall in a serious physical condition, from which it is difficult to recover. It may take over a year for an athlete to recover from serious injury while it normally takes a few days to recover from minor injury. Therefore, it is very important to properly monitor physical conditions of athletes to prevent overtraining.
The amount of training, the amount of rest, and the performance of athletes during training are usually used as indexes for determination of overtraining. However, it is difficult to detect overtraining based on these indexes because an ability to cope with fatigue, a fatigue limit, or a level of recovery differs from athlete to athlete. Namely, it is difficult to determine overtraining based on standardized indexes and the overtraining determination greatly depends on experiences of trainers.
To objectively determine a level of recovery or a level of fatigue, heart rate, or pulse rate, and temperature after waking up in the morning are used as indexes in addition to the above-described indexes. However, such heart rate and the temperature greatly vary according to a wake-up condition, for instance, waking up in hurry or frightened by an alarm clock. Thus, accurate determination of levels of rest and recovery after sleep cannot be made based on the heart rate and the temperature after waking up.
An apparatus for detecting overuse of muscles of lower limbs is proposed in JP-A-11-137539. In this apparatus, shock absorbing capabilities of the lower limbs during running are measured and overuse of the muscles is determined based on a decrease in the capabilities. Namely, it only determines whether temporary fatigue in the lower limbs during training exceeds the limit but not properly detect signs or symptoms of overtraining resulting from an accumulation of fatigue.
The sufficient amount of rest is required before starting training again when an athlete has recovered from overtraining. Thus, it is important to understand a level of recovery of the athlete from the overtraining. However, the level of recovery is not accurately detected by known methods.


Provided is an apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a blow mould which forms a cavity within which the plastic preforms can be expanded to form the plastic containers, and having an application device which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, wherein the application device is placed against a mouth area of the plastic preforms in order to act upon these with the flowable medium. The application device forms at least one first flow channel for the flowable medium, which guides and/or directs at least a portion of the flowable medium to an inner wall of the mouth area in order to temper and, in particular, cool this inner wall.

The following relates in particular to such devices which use blown air to expand the plastic preforms. However, it is pointed out that an application is also possible for such devices which directly fill the plastic preforms with a liquid, in particular a beverage to be filled. In the conventional art, the preforms are therefore inflated by pressure with the aid of a blowing nozzle. The blowing nozzle also serves as a sealing element in the area of the mouth section. The inflated container is cooled by a cooling medium (i.e., cooling water) via a blow mould and formed and pressed against it with compressed air.
In the process, heat is extracted from the container or its material, for example PET, at the outer contact surface. During inflation, the compressed air for blowing is supplied through the blowing nozzle between a stretching mandrel and/or a stretching rod and the inner part of the blowing sleeve and is also returned in this way during venting or is released or vented via a valve.
At high machine output, the cooling may not be sufficient, which leads to a decrease in mould stability and deformation of the container when it is removed from the mould. Especially in mould areas where the wall thickness is thicker or cannot be stretched sufficiently, the cooling is too short and/or insufficient. This occurs in the bottom and in the mouthpiece shoulder area (directly under a support ring).
The plastic preforms are usually expanded via several pressure stages, for example a pre-blowing stage and a final blowing stage. The pre-blowing and final blowing air is supplied via a blowing piston block in which a blowing piston is arranged. In the blowing piston, the air flows through a guide bush and then through a nozzle into the mouthpiece. In the conventional art, turbulent air flow can occur here, for example, and this can result in losses in the inflow speed and thus also losses in the process time. In addition, a reduced cooling effect at the mouthpiece is also partly caused in this way. This is of increasing importance due to the on and on increasing station capacities.

Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with preform cooling


A bathroom lock device includes an inner locking mechanism and a lock set. The inner locking mechanism includes a manual control rod, an unlocking rotary plate and an inner actuating rotary plate. The manual control rod has a rotatable wheel while the unlocking rotary plate has a pair of actuating protrusions. In a locking operation, the manual control rod is pressed to a locking position so as to limit a rotational movement of the inner actuating rotary plate. In an unlocking operation, the manual control rod is returned to an unlocking position by turning a lever so as to permit turning the inner actuating rotary plate. When the lever turns the unlocking rotary plate, the actuating protrusions of the unlocking rotary plate smoothly push the rotatable wheel of the manual control rod so as to return the manual control rod to the unlocking position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bathroom lock device having an automatically unlocking structure. Particularly, the present invention relates to the bathroom lock device having a pair of actuating protrusions of an unlocking rotary plate to engage with a rotatable wheel of a manual control rod for carrying out a smoothly unlocking operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to the bathroom lock device using the actuating protrusions of the unlocking rotary plate for creating a rotational movement of the rotatable wheel of the manual control rod in the unlocking operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional bathroom lock device having an automatically unlocking structure includes an actuating shaft 81, an inner rose escutcheon 82, an inner locking mechanism 83, an outer rose escutcheon 84 and an outer actuating rotary plate 85, as described in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. M245255, entitled "LOCK AND UNLOCK STRUCTURE OF A BATHROOM LOCK DEVICE", and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0046203, entitled "BATHROOM LOCK DEVICE". The actuating shaft 81 extends through a lock set 86 and drives it so that a latch bolt 861 of the lock set 86 can be slid to retract into the lock set 86 by turning the actuating shaft 81. An inner lever 821 mechanically connects with a first side of the inner rose escutcheon 82 while the inner locking mechanism 83 mechanically connects with a second side of the inner rose escutcheon 82 which is opposite to the first side of the inner rose escutcheon 82. Furthermore, the inner locking mechanism 83 consists of a manual control rod 831, an unlocking rotary plate 832 and an inner actuating rotary plate 833 which are assembled to constitute a manually controllable mechanism. The unlocking rotary plate 832 is securely mounted to the inner lever 821, but the inner actuating rotary plate 833 does not securely connect with the inner lever 821 and permits freely turning the inner lever 821 within a predetermined angular movement to create a delayed action in unlocking operation. Meanwhile, the inner actuating rotary plate 833 securely connects with the actuating shaft 81 to form an assembled relationship.
An outer lever 841 mechanically connects with a first side of the outer rose escutcheon 84 while the outer actuating rotary plate 85 mechanically connects with a second side of the outer rose escutcheon 84 which is opposite to the first side of the outer rose escutcheon 84. Meanwhile, the outer actuating rotary plate 85 securely connects with the outer lever 841 to form an assembled relationship.
In locking operation, a limiting portion of the manual control rod 831 engages in a recession portion of the inner actuating rotary plate 833 when the manual control rod 831 is pressed to travel to a lock position. Accordingly, the actuating shaft 81, the outer actuating rotary plate 85 and the outer lever 841 cannot be turned such that the bathroom lock device is locked. Conversely, in unlocking operation, once the inner lever 821 is turned, the inner lever 821 actuates the unlocking rotary plate 832 and the inner actuating rotary plate 833 to rotate synchronously. Subsequently, first engaging portions "a" of the unlocking rotary plate 832 push second engaging portions "b" of the manual control rod 831 so that the manual control rod 831 is forced to return to an unlock position. Once the limiting portion of the manual control rod 831 disengages from the recession portion of the inner actuating rotary plate 833, the inner actuating rotary plate 833 can turn the actuating shaft 81 to operate the lock set 86 in the event for opening a bathroom door (not shown). Accordingly, the bathroom lock device is unlocked.
The inner lever 821 of the above-mentioned bathroom lock device can be turned to actuate the unlocking rotary plate 832 for returning the manual control rod 831 to an unlock position. The first engaging portions "a" of the unlocking rotary plate 832 and the second engaging portions "b" of the manual control rod 831 are engaged with and repeatedly wore each other. After long-term use, constant friction can distort both of the first engaging portions "a" of the unlocking rotary plate 832 and the second engaging portions "b" of the manual control rod 831. Disadvantageously, the unlocking rotary plate 832 cannot push the manual control rod 831 to return to a correct unlock position; namely, the limiting portion of the manual control rod 831 cannot completely disengage from the recession portion of the inner actuating rotary plate 833. In this circumstance, the bathroom lock device is jammed and cannot be automatically unlocked. This results m deterioration of the product quality and reduction of the useful life of the bathroom lock device.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, another conventional bathroom lock device having an automatically unlocking structure includes a lever 91, an rose escutcheon 92, an actuating rotary plate 93, a manual control shaft 94 and an unlocking rotary plate 95, as described in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 261178, entitled "AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKABLE LOCK (III)", and U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,317, entitled "INNER HANDLE ASSEMBLY OF CYLINDER LOCK". By referring to FIG. 2, the lever 91 includes a spindle member 911 connected thereto. The rose escutcheon 92 is mounted around the spindle member 911 of the lever 91 and includes an axial hole 921 and an operating aperture 922 each of which has a direction running along a longitudinal line. In assembling operation, the axial hole 921 of the rose escutcheon 92 permits extending the spindle member 911 of the lever 91, and the operating aperture 922 is arranged to juxtapose the axial hole 921 on a plane of the rose escutcheon 92. Correspondingly, the actuating rotary plate 93 includes an axle hole 931 which fittingly engages with the spindle member 911 of the lever 91. The manual control shaft 94 has a pushing portion 941 and a limiting portion 942. A distal end of the manual control shaft 94 extends outwardly through the operating aperture 922 of the rose escutcheon 92 and also beyond an outer surface of the rose escutcheon 92. In operation, the manual control shaft 94 can be shifted between a locking position and an unlocking position by axial movement. The limiting portion 942 securely connects with the pushing portion 941 to form the manual control shaft 94.
In locking operation, the limiting portion 942 of the manual control shaft 94 is engaged with a recessed portion of the actuating rotary plate 93 so that the actuating rotary plate 93 cannot be turned for opening a (bathroom) door (not shown). In the locking position, an axial movement of the limiting portion 942 of the manual control shaft 94 with respect to the actuating rotary plate 93 is unlimited such that the manual control shaft 94 can be shifted to an unlocking position. Meanwhile, the unlocking rotary plate 95 is engaged with the spindle member 911 of the lever 91 and mounted in an inner side of the rose escutcheon 92.
In unlocking operation, the spindle member 911 of the lever 91 can synchronously actuate the unlocking rotary plate 95 for a rotary movement. Once the lever 91 is turned to rotate the unlocking rotary plate 95, the unlocking rotary plate 95 can push the limiting portion 942 of the manual control shaft 94 to cause an axial movement toward the rose escutcheon 92 for the unlocking operation. Accordingly, the limiting portion 942 of the manual control shaft 94 can be disengaged from a recessed portion of the actuating rotary plate 93 so that the actuating rotary plate 93 can be turned for opening a (bathroom) door (not shown). The spindle member 911 of the lever 91 connects with the actuating rotary plate 93 for turning operation, but the actuating rotary plate 93 permits freely turning the spindle member 911 of the lever 91 within a certain extent of the angular movement to create a delayed action of the lock. Namely, the actuating rotary plate 93 does not fit and securely connect with the spindle member 911 of the lever 91. Such practice may, however, cause the axial movement of the manual control shaft 94 to an unlocking position in advance in the unlocking operation. Concretely, the spindle member 911 of the lever 91 can turn unlocking rotary plate 95 synchronously to move the manual control shaft 94 in advance for unlocking operation, and then the actuating rotary plate 93 after the delayed action of the lock.
The lever 91 of the above-mentioned cylinder lock can be turned to actuate the unlocking rotary plate 95 in advance for returning the limiting portion 942 of the manual control shaft 94 to an unlock position. After long-term use, constant friction can distort both of engaging portions of the unlocking rotary plate 95 and the manual control shaft 94. Disadvantageously, the unlocking rotary plate 95 cannot push the manual control shaft 94 to return to a correct unlock position; namely, the limiting portion of the manual control shaft 94 cannot completely disengage from the recession portion of the actuating rotary plate 93. In this circumstance, the bathroom lock device is jammed and cannot be automatically unlocked. This results in deterioration of the product quality and reduction of the useful life of the lock.
Hence, there is a need for improving the unlocking structure of the lock and alleviating undesired results so as to increase the product quality and the useful life of the lock.
The present invention intends to provide a bathroom lock device having a pair of actuating protrusions of an unlocking rotary plate to engage with a rotatable wheel of a manual control rod for carrying out smoothly an unlocking operation. Accordingly, an inner lever can smoothly actuate to return the manual control rod to an unlocking position by turning the unlocking rotary plate. In unlocking operation, the engagement of the actuating protrusions of the unlocking rotary plate with the rotatable wheel of the manual control rod can in such a way mitigates and overcomes the above problem. Accordingly, the engagement of the actuating protrusions of the unlocking rotary plate with the rotatable wheel of the manual control rod can alleviate a degree of operational abrasion between the unlocking rotary plate and the manual control rod such that the product quality and the useful life of the bathroom lock device is increased.

Bathroom lock device having an automatically unlocking structure


A multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus and method for loudspeaker reproduction using virtual sound images whose positions can be adjusted is provided. The multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus includes a virtual sound image forming unit for compensating for the occurrence of cross-talk in at least one input audio signal according to the arrangement of loudspeakers, obtaining transfer functions occurring when sound from a position in a three dimensional space is transmitted to both ears of a listener, and forming a plurality of first virtual sound images in a three dimensional space using the transfer functions. A controller generates adjusting factors for adjusting the position of at least one second virtual sound image. An output position adjustor controls the at least one audio signal, with respect to which the plurality of first virtual sound images are formed by the virtual sound image forming unit, with the adjusting factors generated by the controller and adjusts positions of the at least one second virtual sound image. An adder sums up left output related signals of the at least one audio signal with respect to which the position of the at least one second virtual sound image is adjusted, and sums up right output related signals of the at least one audio signal with respect to which the position of the at least one second virtual sound image is adjusted, to generate left and right audio signals for forming the at least one second virtual sound image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three dimensional audio reproduction apparatus, and more particularly, to an audio reproduction apparatus and method for a loudspeaker using virtual sound images whose positions can be adjusted, the apparatus and method used in portable/personal multi-channel audio players, portable/personal digital audio broadcasting receivers, multimedia personal computers, HD television, audio/video home theatre systems and video conferencing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, when an auditor intends to adjust the positions of loudspeakers or the space between the loudspeakers according to the auditor's taste, the auditor must directly move loudspeaker units to change their positions and angles. However, as technology develops, a process can be performed such that sound images are produced at the positions of virtual loudspeakers existing in a virtual space.
When changing the position of a virtual sound image using a conventional, three dimensional audio reproduction method, all the coefficients of a transfer function corresponding to the position must be provided so that a complexity problem in the size of a memory and a problem of reaction speed delay occurring when a coefficient changes, may occur.
To decrease the complexity problem in the size of a memory, coefficients at predetermined angles may be used. However, since the coefficients are obtained using a transfer function approximate expression, operation performance for solving the transfer function approximate expression is required, and a time delay occurs in obtaining the coefficients. In addition, since it is difficult to solve the expression with a simple controller, the assistance of a central processing unit is required.
With the advent of DVD, digital TV and HDTV broadcasting, multi-channel audio services are now being provided. To effectively enjoy the multi-channel audio, as many loudspeakers and amplifiers as the number of channels are necessary. Accordingly, a problem that a multi-channel audio effect cannot be achieved with existing two channel output systems occurs. To solve this problem, a method for providing a similar effect to a case of using many loudspeakers, is desired when reproducing multi-channel audio over two channels.
The method can be accomplished by providing many virtual sound images in a three dimensional space using two output ports. According to a conventional method for forming virtual sound images, when forming a single virtual sound image, a set of transfer functions corresponding to the left and right ears is used. When forming N virtual sound images, N transfer functions corresponding to the right ear and N transfer functions corresponding to the left ear are used. In other words, operation complexity increases in proportion to the number of virtual sound images to be formed, and the transfer functions for virtual sound images provided at predetermined positions must be stored in a memory so that a problem that the size of the memory must be increased can occur.

Multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus and method for loudspeaker sound reproduction using position adjustable virtual sound images


The method permits the animation of a synthesised model of a human face in relation to an audio signal. The method is not language dependent and provides a very natural animated synthetic model, being based on the simultaneous analysis of voice and facial movements, tracked on real speakers, and on the extraction of suitable visemes.

Interest surrounding the integration of natural or synthetic objects in the development of multimedia applications to facilitate and increase user-application interaction is growing, and in this context the use of anthropomorphic models, destined to facilitate man-machine relationship, is being envisaged. This interest has been recently acknowledged also by international standardization organizations. ISO/IEC standard 14496 "Generic Coding of Audio-Visual Objects" (commonly known as the "MPEG-4 standard" and hereinafter referred to as such), among other things, aims at establishing a general framework for such applications.
In such applications in general, regardless of the specific solutions indicated in the MPEG-4 standard, anthropomorphic models are conceived to assist other information flows and are seen as objects which can be animated, where animation is driven by audio signals, as, for example, speech. These signals can also be considered as phonetic sequences, i.e. as sequences of "phonemes", where a "phoneme" is the smallest linguistic unit (corresponding to the idea of a distinctive sound in a language).
In this case, animation systems able to deform the geometry and the appearance of the models synchronized to the voice itself need to be developed for the synthetic faces to assume the typical expressions of speech. The final result to which development tends is a talking head, or face, which appears natural to the greatest possible extent.
The application contexts of animated models of this kind can range from Internet applications, such as welcome or help-on-line messages, to co-operative work applications (e.g. e-mail browsers), to professional applications, such as the creation of cinema or television post-production effects, to video games, etc.
The models of human faces commonly used are, in general, made on the basis of a geometrical representation consisting of a three-dimensional mesh structure (known as a "wire-frame"). Animation is based on the application, in succession, of suitable transforms to the polygons forming the wire-frame (or a respective sub-set) to reproduce the required effect, i.e. in this specific case, the reproduction of movements related to speech.
The solution envisaged by the MPEG-4 standard for this purpose describes the use of a set of facial animation parameters, defined independently with respect to the model, to ensure interoperability of systems.
This set of parameters is organized on different levels: the highest level consists of the so-called "visemes" and "expressions", while the lowest level consists of the elementary transforms permitting generic posture of the face. According to MPEG-4 standard, a viseme is the visual equivalent of one or more similar phonemes.
In this invention, the term viseme is used to indicate a shape of the face, associated with the utterance of a phoneme and obtained by means of the application of low-level MPEG-4 parameters, and does not therefore refer to high-level MPEG-4 parameters.
Various systems for animating facial models driven by voice are known in literature. For example, the following documents can be quoted: "Converting Speech into Lip Movements: A Multimedia Telephone for Hard of Hearing People", by F. Lavagetto, IEEE Transactions of Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 3, N. 1, March 1995; DIST, Genoa University "Description of Algorithms for Speech-to-Facial Movements Transformation", ACTS "SPLIT" Project, November 1995; TUB, Technical University of Berlin, "Analysis and Synthesis of Visual Speech Movements, ACTS "SPLIT" Project, November 1995. These systems, however, do not implement MPEG-4 standard compliant parameters and, for this reason, are not very flexible.
An MPEG-4 compliant standard animation method is described in Italian Patent Application no. TO98A000842 by the Applicant. This method associates visemes selected from a set, comprising the visemes defined by the MPEG-4 standard and visemes specific to a particular language, to phonemes or groups of phonemes. According to this method, visemes are split into a group of macro parameters, characterizing shape and/or position of the labial area and of the jaw of the model, and are associated to respective intensity values, representing the deviation from a neutral position and ensuring adequate naturalness of the animated model.
Furthermore, the macro parameters are split into the low-level facial animation parameters defined in the MPEG-4 standard, to which intensity values linked to the macro parameter values are associated also, ensuring adequate naturalness of the animated model.
Said method can be used for different languages and ensures adequate naturalness of the resulting synthetic model. However, the method is not based on motion data analysis tracked on the face of a real speaker. For this reason, the animation result is not very realistic or natural.

Method of animating a synthesized model of a human face driven by an acoustic signal

Abstract: The subsequent animation consists in transforming the sequence of visemes corresponding to the phonemes of the driving text into the sequence of movements applied to the model of the human face.


Earth analysis methods, subsurface feature detection methods, earth analysis devices, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one embodiment, an earth analysis method includes engaging a device with the earth, analyzing the earth in a single substantially lineal direction using the device during the engaging, and providing information regarding a subsurface feature of the earth using the analysis.

Methods exist for gross characterization of subsurface features of the earth. For example, seismic imaging may be used to map underground features. Seismic imaging systems typically include a transmitter and a plurality of receivers each placed at a different location wherein the receivers are separated in distance from the transmitter. Seismic imaging provides gross characterization that may be unsuitable for applications wherein information regarding features of increased specificity is desired.
RADAR systems are sometimes used for gross characterization of subsurface features of the earth. However, these systems tend to perform poorly in moist conditions and generally provide only gross characterization of subsurface features.
Orbital vibrators are also used for subsurface characterization. These systems may be effective at identifying the compositions of portions of the earth, but are generally not designed to identify anomalous subsurface features of the earth.


A protection system for a three-phase distribution transformer immersed in a liquid dielectric contained in a tank, at least two of the three phases being equipped on the high voltage side of the transformer with respective current-limiting fuses. On each of the two phases equipped with current-limiting fuses, a protective micro-fuse is also connected in series with the current-limiting fuses and which operates faster than the current-limiting fuse. In addition, each micro-fuse is associated with a striker which, in turn, is connected to a mechanical trigger system which causes a three-phase short-circuiting device connected across the three phases to close in the event of a micro-fuse operating. Furthermore, the system includes at least one fault detector detecting one of pressure in the tank or the level of the dielectric. In particular, the three-phase short-circuiting device is situated on the high voltage side of the transformer between the current-limiting fuses and the high voltage windings.

Should a fault occur in a liquid dielectric distribution transformer, there is a risk of the dielectric heating up and causing pressure rise to a level such that an explosion could occur, leading to serious consequences to the environment caused by the dielectric being sprayed about.
French patent No. 2 629 955 describes a device for protecting a three-phase transformer immersed in a liquid dielectric from a fault consisting in the dielectric liquid dropping to a predetermined level.
The device consists in that each phase is equipped, on its high voltage side, with a current-limiting fuse, and in that if the level of the dielectric drops, a float triggers an outright short circuit between a fourth contact connected to the mass of the transformer and a point in each phase situated between the fuses and the windings of the transformer.
However, in a neutral-compensating network, as was mentioned above, such a device is not satisfactory. Indeed, in the event of a fault (a drop in level such that the float establishes contact between the four points) there will be a three-phase short circuit connected to ground via the contact to mass, and only two of the fuses will blow with electricity continuing to pass through ground and the third phase which has not blown, at a current that is too low to operate the third fuse, but that is high enough either to trip the source station or else to heat the liquid dielectric, thus causing the pressure to rise and the tank to explode.

Protection system for a three-phase distribution transformer insulated in a liquid dielectric


A mobile firefighting station includes a trailer having opposed ends and a platform therebetween. The trailer may include an axle and wheels so as to be mobile. The mobile firefighting station includes firefighting equipment such as a water tank, a foam fire retardant tank, a water hose with nozzle, and a water cannon operatively interconnected and operated by a fluid delivery assembly. The fluid delivery assembly includes a pump to pressurize a fluid stream. An electricity generator is positioned on the platform and electrically connected to components requiring electricity. The apparatus includes a communications module electrically connected to the generator and having a wireless internet connection and a user interface such that tank fluid levels, fuel levels, maintenance records, weather data, and active fire details are selectively communicated to a remote location using the wireless internet connection.

This invention relates generally to fire safety equipment and, more particularly, to a mobile firefighting station that may be moved and stationed near a building or facility at which a fast response with all firefighting assets available would be critical.
Traditionally, a building, manufacturing plant, chemical storage facility, or the like relies on municipal or county fire services to be the first to respond in the unfortunate circumstance of a fire event. Even after having arrived on scene, the fire crew still has to connect their hoses to a water source and deploy other firefighting equipment such as a fire retardant foam spraying apparatus. Unfortunately, by the time fire personnel arrive on scene and get set up, the fire may already be raging out of control. Another recurring problem with emergency response situations is that there is sometimes a lack of real time communication about the fire event and the available firefighting resources currently on-scene with which to battle the fire event.
Various devices have been proposed in the art for bringing fire equipment to a fire scene more quickly and in a better state of readiness. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing proposals do not adequately couple (1) having crucial firefighting resources already on the site where their presence would be critical for an effective response with (2) having real-time communication of fire event status and status of available firefighting resources currently on scene.
Therefore, it would be desirable to a mobile firefighting station that may be moved and deployed to a location where a fully set up firefighting station would be critical to a successful first response if a fire event were to occur. Further, it would be desirable to have a mobile firefighting station that communicates real-time data regarding the status of on-scene firefighting resources along with fire event status information.


A method of applying a refractory castable onto a surface of a refractory structure, comprising the steps of: [a)] preparing a thoroughly mixed wet castable for application onto a surface of a refractory structure; [b)] conveying the wet-mixed refractory castable at a set rate under pressure through a delivery hose having a predetermined cross-sectional area to a dispensing device having an air inlet and a dispensing nozzle; [c)] introducing air under pressure into the dispensing device, wherein the air pressure ranges from about 20 psi to about 80 psi and wherein the air has a velocity of about 177 ft/sec at 20 psi and an air velocity of about 484 ft/sec at 80 psi and wherein the velocity increases by about 5 ft/sec for every unit increase in the pressure.

In recent years, refractory shotcreting has become an important process for lining, repairing and maintaining refractory linings in steel, non-ferrous metal, chemical, mineral and ceramic processing plants. Shotcreting is usually classified according to the process used, i.e., wet-mix or dry-mix spraying. A dry-mix refractory shotcrete process generally consists of conveying a dry or slightly dampened refractory material through a delivery hose by compressed air to a nozzle where water is introduced to wet the mix prior to application of the refractory material onto a surface. A dry-mix refractory shotcrete process involves transport of the refractory material by large volumes of compressed air. As the result, the velocity of the mix striking the target surface is very high giving good compaction.
A wet-mix refractory shotcrete process generally consists of thoroughly mixing a refractory material and water to produce a pumpable mixture, then introducing the mixture into a delivery hose and pumping the mixture to a dispensing (i.e., spraying) device. A wet-mix process has several advantages over the dry-mix process. For example, a wet-mix process uses materials that do not include clay that may adversely affect the refractoriness of the material. Another is that the refractory materials are more thoroughly mixed with specific amounts of water before the material is conveyed through a dispensing hose to the dispensing nozzle. The thorough mixing of measured amounts of water gives more consistent properties to the refractory mix. A further advantage of a wet-mix process is that less dust is generated during the spraying process. Further, less skill and judgment are required by the nozzle operator compared to a dry-mix process. In this respect, the nozzle operator need only direct the stream as compared to constantly adjusting the water input and directing the stream in a dry-mix process.
Heretofore, because of the inherent weight involved in pumping a wet refractory mix through a delivery hose and the difficulty of maneuvering the same, most delivery hoses are generally 11/2 inch to 2 inches in diameter. In a wet-mix process, air is provided at the nozzle to project the wet-mix refractory onto the surface to be lined. Conventionally, the air lines to the dispensing nozzle are typically 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch. In this respect, compared to a dry-mix process, far less air is used in a wet-mix process. Typically, air is introduced into a standard wet-process nozzle by means of a 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch standard pipe. Air is injected into the refractory in a wet-mix nozzle as a propellant and to break the refractory into a spray (a set modifying admixture is typically introduced into the refractory material at this time). A rubber nozzle tip is used to focus the spray stream of refractory material to establish both a suitable velocity and spray pattern.
The velocity of the refractory material as well as the separation of refractory material within the air stream is based, in part, upon the operating pressure of the air source. Typically, in most factory settings, the air pressure may vary from 60 psi to 100 psi.
Aside from the refractory material used, several factors affect the quality of the applied refractory material. Foremost among the influential factors are the rate of flow of the refractory material into the nozzle, and the airflow to the nozzle to break the refractory into globules of particulate to be sprayed.
The present invention provides an improved method of wet-mix shotcrete spraying, wherein airflow to the dispensing nozzle is increased and an enlarged mixing chamber is provided to break up the refractory material into finer particulate for spraying in a higher velocity stream.

High pressure/volume process for wet shotcreting a refractory castable


Disclosed herein is a liquid scintillation solution useful for alpha particle emission and beta particle emission discrimination. Most preferably, the liquid scintillation solution comprises at least one naphthalene derivative enhancing agent; at least one solvent; and at least one fluor. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the liquid scintillation solution comprises di-isopropyl naphthalene as the enhancing agent; phenylxylethane as the solvent; and 2-(4'-biphenyl)-6-phenylbenzoxazote as the fluor.

Liquid scintillation counting is an analytical technique by which the energy of radioactive emissions from isotopes used for labeling a select material, or intrinsically present in a sample, is converted into light so that the isotopes can be detected and measured. By detecting and measuring light caused by the radioactive emissions, the emissions can be analyzed to determine quantitative information about the isotopes in the sample.
Liquid scintillation depends on the critical interactions between the radioactive sample and the surrounding liquid solution medium. This solution is often referred to as a "cocktail." The emission of radioactive energy from the radioactive sample is accompanied by an excitation, or "ionization" of the molecules in the cocktail. Certain molecules in the cocktail emit (typically) visible light, i.e., they "fluoresce", when they interact with ionizing radiation. The liquid scintillation process by which radioactive emissions are investigated is, then, an analysis or investigation of an energy transfer process in which at least two organic compounds in a scintillation solution participate. It is the function of the liquid scintillation solution to convert the energy of the emitted radioactive particles into light which can be detected and measured.
A "liquid scintillation counter" is an instrument used to detect the emitted light flashes, or "light scintillation", of the fluorescence. The rate of production of light scintillations is proportional to the rate of radioactive decay. Additionally, the intensity of the light scintillations (measured as "photons") is proportional to the energy of the decaying radioactive particles. Exemplary of such instruments is the LS 6000.TM. Series Scintillation Systems, available from Beckman Instruments, Inc. (Fullerton, Calif. 92634, U.S.A.).
The chemical nature of the liquid scintillation solution facilitates energy transfer from the radioactive emissions to constituents in the liquid scintillation solution causing scintillation. The liquid scintillation solution comprises a chemical known as a "fluor," also referred to as a "primary scintillator," which is dissolved in another organic chemical known as a "solvent." The fluor is the chemical constituent of the liquid scintillation solution which emits light by fluorescence when sufficient energy is received via the solvent from a radioactive particle emitted by the isotope. Common beta-emitting isotopes include tritium (.sup.3 H), carbon-14 (.sup.14 C) and chlorine-36 (.sup.36 Cl). A common alpha emitting isotope includes Americium-241 (.sup.241 Am). The solvent (alone) does not scintillate; rather, it functions as a "link" in the energy transfer "chain" by passing on its acquired energy to the fluor which in turn permits light scintillation to occur.
A beta particle traveling through the liquid scintillation solution following emission from a radionuclide causes excitation of the solvent molecules surrounding the labeled sample molecule in the scintillation medium. As an emitted beta particle travels through the scintillation medium, molecules of the solvent become converted to excited molecules as the radioactive particle loses its energy to these molecules. The amount of energy which the emitted beta particle possesses determines how far the particle will travel before it comes to rest. Because the beta particle loses energy by interaction or contact with the solvent molecules in its path (when the solvent molecules become excited to higher energy states), the number of solvent molecules that the emitted beta particle will excite is directly proportional to the distance the particle travels through the liquid scintillation solution. This in turn is proportional to the energy the particle possesses.
A typical molecule of a solvent which can be excited by coming in contact with a radioactive particle is aromatic in chemical character. An "aromatic" chemical compound has at least one benzene ring. The aromatic character of the molecule permits electrons to become excited to a higher energy state so that the solvent molecule can retain the excitation energy for a period of time. Detailed information regarding the characteristics of solvents applicable in liquid scintillation cocktails are set forth in, inter alia. U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,905, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Once the solvent molecule is excited by absorbing energy from the emitted radioactive particle, it can lose this energy in one of two modes, emission of heat or light. Before the solvent molecule can decay, thus relieving its absorbed energy, it is desirable that a fluor molecule in the scintillation solution interact with the solvent molecule. The presence of a fluor allows for the eventual transfer of excitation energy of the solvent molecule to the fluor molecule. The fluor molecule then releases its excitation energy as light. Detection and measurement of energy received by the fluor is accomplished by detecting and measuring the light generated.
A widely known fluor utilized in liquid scintillation systems is 2,5-diphenyloxazole ("PPO"). Other applicable fluors include 2-(4'-biphenylyl)-6-phenylbenzoxazole ("PBBO"); 2 (4 tert.-butylphenyl) 5-(4"-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole ("Butyl-PBD");2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole (".alpha.NPO"); 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole ("PBD"); 9,10-diphenylanthracene ("DPA"); 2,5-bis (5'-tert.-butyl-2-benzoxazole) thiophene ("BBOT"); P-bis (o-methylstyryl) benzene ("BisMSB"); and 2,2'-p-phenylenebis [5-phenyloxazole] ("POPOP").
A fluor is generally present in the liquid scintillation solution in very low concentrations, on the order of five to ten grams per liter. Thus, solvent molecules which have been excited by absorption of energy from a beta particle often transfer their energy to another solvent molecule which in turn becomes excited as the transferring solvent molecule is de-energized. This energy transfer chain, or "cascade", can continue until an excited solvent molecule transfers this energy to a fluor molecule, which then will decay by scintillating.
Light released by a fluor is generally in a narrow frequency or wavelength band. The number of photons of light energy released is directly proportional to the number of solvent molecules from which the fluor molecules receive energy over a certain period of time. The energy transferred to an excited solvent molecule ultimately energizes a fluor molecule, which then releases light by scintillation. This permits the energy of the radioactive particle to be measured as intensity of light because high energy particles will have long path lengths and excite many solvent molecules, which then excite fluor molecules. Because the scintillation process takes place in a matter of nanoseconds, the number of fluor molecules fluorescing within such a small segment of time will be detected as greater or less intensity of light by, e.g., a photomultiplier tube(s) in a liquid scintillation instrument. Thus, high energy radioactive particles emitted from the isotope will have long pathlengths and excite many solvent molecules which in turn cause fluor molecules to fluoresce many times releasing bright light; low energy particles, on the other hand, will have shorter pathlengths and excite fewer solvent molecules which in turn cause fewer fluor molecules to fluoresce and release dimmer light.
In some instances a secondary fluor, also referred to as a "secondary scintillator", will be used to shift the wavelength region of light scintillation caused in the liquid scintillation solution to one which is more desirable. Secondary fluors are also organic compounds which are added to the liquid scintillation solution in small quantities relative to the quantity of the primary fluor. The light scintillation of a secondary fluor is caused by energy received from the primary fluor. The result of having a secondary light scintillation is to shift emitted light to longer wavelengths. An exemplary secondary scintillator is 1,4-di-(2-methylstyryl)-benzene ("Bis-MSB").
Recent increased attention and focus on, inter alia, the environmental impact of radioactive materials from naturally occurring radioactive sources (e.g., radon gas) and from human-made radioactive materials and by-products (e.g. from nuclear-reactor based energy systems) has lead to a greater need to obtain accurate, quantitative information regarding both alpha- and beta-emitting particles. Briefly, an "alpha" radioactive decay refers to the emission of a helium ion ("He.sup.+2 ") from an unstable nucleus to produce a different nuclide with four less atomic mass units and two less protons in the nucleus. (A "nuclide" refers to a particular nuclear species of an element characterized by the number of protons and neutrons). For example, schematically an alpha radioactive decay can be set forth as follows vis-a-vis Americium ("Am") and Neptunium ("Np"): ##STR1## Characteristically, alpha particles have discrete, well-defined energy spectrum. Beta particles, on the other hand, have very broad energy spectrum, due to energy sharing between the released beta particle and an anti-neutrino .upsilon.. Normally, the energy spectrum begins at zero kilo-electron Volts ("keV") where all of the energy is given to the anti-neutrino, and ends at some energy maximum keV based upon the particular radionuclide. With beta-decay, the mass number of the nuclide remains the same, while the number of protons increase. Schematically, a beta radioactive decay can be set forth as follows vis-a-vis Chlorine ("Cl"), and Argon ("Ar"): ##STR2## For convenience, a liquid scintillation counter spectrum for .sup.241 Am and .sup.36 Cl are set forth in FIG. 1 in terms of counts per minutes versus keV.
Alpha particles do not (generally) penetrate the epidermal layer of tissue (e.g., the outer layer of animal skin tissue). Alpha particles ionize other molecules more efficiently than beta-particles, and thus are more insidious than beta emitting particles. Once alpha particles enter an animal by, e.g., airborne intake via the lungs, they can directly damage the lung tissue. Unlike alpha particles, beta emitting particles can penetrate tissue; as such, they can damage tissue directly.
Accordingly, it is essential to be able to accurately define and quantify the alpha- and beta-emitting particles of a particular radioactive material. Radon gas, for example, which has received widespread attention over the past decade, will spontaneously decompose in about four hours to produce three alpha-particles and two beta-particles. In certain geographical regions of the United States of America, for example, it is essential that dwelling facilities be regularly checked for radon gas, given the potential for this naturally occurring material to potentially cause radiation-related damage.
Previous methodologies for discriminating between alpha- and beta-emitters have been proposed. For example, the energy range for most beta emitters is 0-2 million eV ("MeV"), while for alpha-emitters, the range is from 3-8 MeV. These differences can (somewhat) be used for discrimination purposes, although a range of overlap between the high end of the beta-emitters and the low end of the alpha-emitters is possible. Alpha- and beta-emitters mixed in the same sample can be discriminated from each other by the time distribution of the light emission each generates from the liquid scintillation cocktail, typically referred to as "pulse shaped discrimination" or "PSD".
PSD is predicated upon both a fast and a slow decay component of a light pulse generated over a period of time; the fast component has an exponential decay time on the order of about 1-10 nanoseconds ("ns"), while for the slow component, 200-350ns, each being dependent upon the specifics of the particular liquid scintillation solution. The fast component is the result of normal fluorescence while the slow component results from delayed fluorescence. The wavelength of both components is the same. There is a difference in the relative distribution of the fast and slow components for alpha and beta particles; with alpha emitters, the slow component predominates, while with beta emitters, the fast component predominates. This difference can be exploited for alpha-beta discrimination via PSD and the so-called "R-value technique." The R-value is derived by integrating the area under portions of a light-intensity versus time plot of light pulses measured at two different times. I.e., t.sub.0 .fwdarw.t.sub.1 =I.sub.1 and t.sub.0 .fwdarw.t.sub.2 =I.sub.2. A ratio value, R, is then derived according to the formula R=I.sub.2 /I.sub.1, where R is the ratio of the two integrated areas. By determining several R values for both the alpha- and beta-emitters in the sample, an "R-value spectrum" can be developed for the emitters. FIG. 2 provides an R value spectrum for .sup.241 Am and .sup.36 Cl using a previous liquid scintillation cocktail comprising PBBO, naphthalene and toluene used for alpha-beta discrimination.
Using such cocktails, the R value spectrum, when used for alpha-beta discrimination, evidences a "contamination" region where an overlap occurs. Such a region is set forth in FIG. 2 at approximately an R value minimum of 1.4; this is a region where discrimination between alpha- and beta-emitting particles is not possible. For this particular analysis, this region represents a 5% beta-emission contamination. Typically, a 4 to 8% contamination range is considered acceptable using such previous cocktails. Clearly, however, this is a mere accommodation to the shortcomings of such cocktails in that ideally, the percent of contamination should approach zero.
Additionally, the utility of such cocktails is also evaluated based upon the "peak-to-valley ratio", or PV ratio, obtained from the R value spectrum. The PV ratio is defined by the unit value of the highest peak from the R value spectrum (i.e., typically the beta R value peak) divided by the lowest portion between the two peaks (i.e., in FIG. 2, the contamination region). For FIG. 2, the PV ratio is 4.4.
Preferably, an alpha-beta discrimination cocktail should completely discriminate between the two emitters; this, of course, would mean that there would be substantially little, if any, contamination region such that the peak-valley ratio would be quite high, i.e., much greater than the 4.4 value obtained from FIG. 2. Such a cocktail would allow for an accurate indication of the precise differentiation between the alpha-emitting components and the beta-emitting components derived from a single sample.

Liquid scintillation solution useful for alpha particle emission and beta particle emission discrimination