The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a maple leaf extract or fraction thereof for preventing or treating a retinal disease, a method for preventing or treating a retinal disease using the pharmaceutical composition, and a food composition comprising a maple leaf extract or fraction thereof for ameliorating the symptoms of a retinal disease.

Maple trees grow to a height of around 100 m, have small, bare branches, and have a reddish brown color. Additionally, maple leaves are opposite and palmately lobed with 5 to 7 deeply divided lobes. The divided lobes are of a wide lanceolate shape with sharp ends and biserrate edges and are 5 cm to 6 cm long. Their petioles are red and 3 cm to 5 cm long. The staminate flowers and bisexual flowers bloom on the same tree. Maple flowers with a dark red color bloom in May and the flowers run in corymbs at the ends of the branches. Each flower has five sepals with soft hairs, five petals, and eight stamens.
The rhizodermis and branches of these maple trees are used as herbal medicine, being boiled down and taken for severe pain due to knee arthritis, and it is used for bone fracture by mixing with Acanthopanax (also called "thorny ginseng"), and is known to have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.
Meanwhile, the retina is transparent nerve tissue that covers the innermost part of the eyeball, and the light entering the eyeball passes through the inner layer of the retina and is detected by the visual cells of the retina. The visual cells convert light information back into electrical information, which passes through the optic nerve via the cells of the inner layer of the retina and is transmitted to the brain. The retina consists of ten layers from the outside to the inside of the eyeball. The ten constituent layers correspond to the retinal pigment epithelium layer, the photoreceptor layer, the outer boundary membrane, the outer nuclear layer, the outer plexiform layer, the inner nuclear layer, the inner plexiform layer, the ganglion cell layer, the nerve fiber layer, and the inner boundary layer. Additionally, the macula is an elliptical depression present in a slightly outer lower part of the optic disc, and is a region where the optic nerve cells of the retina are densely aggregated. Most functions of recognizing visual stimuli in the retina are performed at the macula, and therefore, in cases where a lesion occurs in the macula, or damage or defects occur in the optic nerve cells of the macula, the result may be blindness or severe visual impairment.
All diseases caused by loss of the retina or macula are included under retinal disease (or retinal disorder). Specific examples of retinal diseases are as follows.
Among the retinal diseases, examples of diseases belonging to retinal circulatory disorder include retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, retinal periphlebitis, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, etc.
Additionally, representative retinitis may include sensory neuroretinal inflammation due to bacteria or fungi, inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium identified in newborns born to rubella-infected mothers, etc., and these diseases also belong to the retinal diseases caused by retinal damage.
Additionally, diseases that cause retinal degeneration may include retinitis pigmentosa, angioid streaks, drusen, etc., and these diseases also belong to the retinal diseases caused by retinal damage.
Additionally, retinal detachment occurs as the distance increases between the inner sensory nerve layer of the retina and the outer layer of the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinal detachment is largely divided into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment depending on whether or not it is caused by retinal tear, and these diseases also belong to the retinal diseases caused by retinal damage.
Other retinal diseases may include macular degeneration, macular dystrophy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal arteriovenous occlusion, hypertensive retinopathy, retinal aortic aneurysm, retinal ischemic syndrome, radiation retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, acute retinal necrosis, retinitis, retinal choroiditis, retinal detachment, retinal tumor, retinal damage due to trauma, retinal damage due to light, etc.
Although studies on the treatment of these retinal diseases are actively underway, no complete treatment method has been reported thus far. In particular, there is a problem in that surgery is still the only treatment for retinal diseases, and to date, no technology has been reported with respect to pharmaceutical compositions or drug therapies effective in the prevention or treatment of these retinal diseases.
Meanwhile, as a prior art document related to the present invention, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2012-0068432 (Patent Document 1) is disclosed. However, Patent Document 1 only discloses a composition for preventing and treating diabetes and obesity, containing an ethanol extract of Aceriphyllum rossii leaves, but it does not disclose anything on an effect of preventing or treating retinal diseases using a maple leaf extract.

Pharmaceutical composition comprising maple leaf extract for preventing or treating retinal disease

Abstract: The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, which is effective for the treatment of a retinal disease, can be used pharmaceutically as a composition for preventing or treating a retinal disease, and can also be used advantageously as a health functional food.


A DC/DC power converter and a method to convert an input voltage into an output voltage are presented. The power converter may have a first flying capacitor, a second flying capacitor, an inductor, and switching elements. It may control the switching elements such that the switching elements establish a first magnetizing current path from the input node, via the first flying capacitor, via the second flying capacitor, via the inductor, to the output node. The converter may control the switching elements to interrupt said first magnetizing current path after a pre-determined time interval. The converter may control the switching elements such that the switching elements establish a demagnetizing current path from a reference potential via the inductor to the output node. The converter may control the switching elements such that said demagnetizing current path is interrupted when a current through the inductor reaches a pre-determined threshold current value.

Current practice is to use a conventional one level buck converter, which is based on an inductor/coil to convert an input voltage into an output voltage. The advantage of using an inductor-based power converter compared to capacitor-based power converters is the freedom to regulate the output voltage. Capacitor-based power converters would need to change the capacitor switching configuration in order to provide different output voltage levels.
Recent market trends in wearable devices (like e.g. earbuds, watches, and fitness trackers), make it necessary to choose very small inductor footprints, and in particular very tiny vertical dimensions of the inductors. However, the small footprint is usually achieved by sacrificing the quality of the inductor. It can be shown that inductors with small footprint may substantially deteriorate the power efficiency of state-of-the-art buck converters.
There are new architectures called multilevel converters (MLC), such as e.g. multilevel buck converters, which may improve the power efficiency compared to conventional one level buck converters. Multilevel buck converters typically consist of two stages. A first stage may comprise one or more flying capacitors for dividing the input voltage by a certain division ratio. The divided input voltage is then used as a supply voltage for the second stage comprising an inductor-based power converter. The MLC architecture may achieve a substantial advantage in power efficiency in case the output voltage is close to the input voltage divided by the division ratio of the first stage. In this situation, the main power conversion is performed by the flying capacitor(s) and the inductor is just used to adjust the final output voltage. In this case, the power efficiency is much less dependent on coil quality and is more dependent on capacitor quality, which is much easier to realize for small sizes.
A main challenge in MLCs is to regulate the voltages over the flying capacitor(s) of the first stage, which requires control circuitry with substantial complexity, current consumption and circuit area. Another disadvantage of MLC architectures is that power efficiency is only improved compared to conventional one level power converters when the conversion ratio of the MLC (i.e. the ratio between the given input voltage and the desired output voltage) is similar to the division ratio of the first stage of the MLC. If, however, said conversion ratio significantly deviates from said division ratio, the power efficiency of the MLC may decrease. In particular, for very large or very small conversion ratios, the inductor needs to carry a big part of the conversion ratio and the MLC becomes more sensitive to the inductor quality again. Therefore, the power efficiency of the MLC may be similar to or worse than the power efficiency of a conventional one level power converter, depending on the required conversion ratio and the inductor quality.

Implicit on-time regulated hybrid converter


A tenprint selector comprises a fingerprint pattern level feature difference calculating unit which receives and compares a set of candidates for pattern level feature types of fingerprint images shown on file cards and a set of candidates for pattern level feature types of fingerprint images shown on a search card and calculates a pattern level feature difference, a card difference calculating unit which calculates a card difference based on the pattern level feature difference of the fingerprint images of all fingers shown on the file cards and the search card, and a judging unit which compares the card difference determined by the card difference calculating means with a predetermined card difference threshold value and judges, whether the file card shall be selected to be further checked with the search card.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tenprint card selector which is used for a fingerprint matching device or the like for matching fingerprints with reference to tenprint cards showing fingerprints and selects a tenprint card corresponding to a sample from a plurality of tenprint card files based on a prescribed standard, and a tenprint card preselector which preselects tenprint cards to be checked by means of the tenprint card selector.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a fingerprint matching device which checks a fingerprint with reference to tenprint cards each having the record of applied fingerprints of ten fingers in a prescribed format is used to check a fingerprint, a tenprint card (hereinafter referred to as the search card) which shows newly collected fingerprint images is checked against the tenprint cards (hereinafter referred to as the file cards) which have the images of fingerprints collected previously in the above-described format and have been registered on a database in order to judge whether the file cards in a file include a file card which has the fingerprint images identical with those shown on the search card. The fingerprint matching device judges identity of the fingerprint images of corresponding fingers by matching the search card against all file cards in the files. Various types of methods have been proposed to judge identity of a given fingerprint image with one kept on record. The technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Showa 60-134386 "Fingerprint Checking Method" is one example of such fingerprint matching technologies.
But, the above matching method, which checks identity of the fingerprint image of each finger one by one, needs the same number of matching times same as the number of all file cards in the files at the maximum. The above-mentioned fingerprint matching device determines identity of given pair of fingers by attempting to match minutiae (bifurcations and end-points of ridges) positions. Therefore, the number of times that arithmetic for judging identity of fingerprint images is performed counts (file card numbers in files).times.(average number of fingers subject to the judgment for identity of fingerprint images in matching the search card against one file card), requiring much computation time compared with a preselecting technology.
Conventionally, in order to decrease the computational complexity required for the above matching process, it has been proposed to employ a preselecting technology which previously reduces the number of file cards to be used for matching a search card based on a prescribed standard before performing the matching process. This type of preselecting technology generally detects the features of the general pattern of ridges (hereinafter referred to as the pattern level feature) from the fingerprint image of each finger between the file cards and the search card, compares the obtained features of the pattern level features, and selects the file cards having the features similar to those on the search card to compare with the search card.
To evaluate the preselecting performance of such a preselecting technology, it is necessary to consider two yardsticks, reliability and selectivity. Reliability means a probability of correct judgment as identical when the given search card and the file card are a match, i.e. they both show the fingerprint images collected from the same person. A value indicating reliability is desired to be high, and 100% is the best. Selectivity means a probability of misjudgment as identical when a non-match is given, i.e. images on the search and file cards are collected from different persons. A value indicating selectivity is desired to be lower and 0% is the best. When a value which indicates selectivity is low, it is expressed as "selectivity is high".
As the features of the pattern level feature to be used for preselecting, conventionally proposed various standards can be used. Examples of such classification standards are described in documents such as "Fingerprint Classification by Directional Distribution Patterns" (Osamu NAKAMURA et al., Collection of Paper by Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, Vol. J65-D, No. 10, pp. 1286-1293, October 1982), "An Algorithm for Classification of Fingerprints Based on the Core" (Shin' ichiro ITO et al., Collection of Paper by The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, D-II, Vol. J73-D-II, No. 10, pp. 1733-1741, October 1990), and "The Science of Fingerprints" (U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation). According to the above documents, the fingerprint images can be classified into whorls, left loops, right loops and arches (hereinafter referred to as the pattern level feature type) depending on the pattern level feature forms and the positional relation of singular points. And, "The Science of Fingerprints" describes a method of classifying by using a permutation of sub-pattern level information such as the number of ridges between the singular points of fingerprint patterns in addition to the pattern level feature type of each finger to perform more accurate preselecting.
The conventional fingerprint matching device, which utilizes the above pattern level feature type to preselect the file cards to be compared, prepares a list of the pattern level feature types corresponding to the fingerprint images of respective fingers and classifies the file cards. And, to check the tenprint cards, the list of the pattern level feature types obtained from the fingerprint images of respective fingers on the search card are compared with the one of the pattern level feature types on the file cards, and matching is performed on a group of the file cards which have the same list of pattern level feature types as that of the search card. FIG. 8 shows an example of configuration of the conventional tenprint card preselector for performing the above-described preselecting method.
In FIG. 8, a tenprint card preselector 100 receives the fingerprint images of file cards from an external image storage device 101, a fingerprint pattern level feature judging apparatus 105 judges the pattern level feature types of respective fingers on the respective file cards, classifies the file cards according to the list of the pattern level feature types of ten fingers, and a file card storage 103 stores the classified file cards. Then, upon receiving the fingerprint images shown on a search card from the external image storage device 101, a fingerprint pattern level feature judging apparatus 106 similarly judges the pattern level feature types of respective fingers on the search card, and determines as a preselecting result a group of the file cards which have the list of the pattern level feature types of ten fingers matching to that of the pattern level feature types of the judged search card.
But, the above conventional tenprint card preselector had disadvantages that the same lists of the pattern level feature types of ten fingers were often obtained and preselecting was not satisfactory.
And, when the file cards were classified according to the list of the pattern level feature types of ten fingers, classification was uniquely determined, so that ambiguity of the pattern level feature type could not be allowed, and the pattern level feature types might be misjudged. In other words, if a corresponding pattern level feature type could not be specified in connection with the fingerprint of a certain finger, a plurality of corresponding candidates were considered, and if such a situation took place on a plurality of fingers, preselecting could not be determined efficiently.
Besides, since the classification according to the list of the pattern level feature types of ten fingers is fixed, preselecting having desired characteristics and performance according to the tradeoff of the two yardsticks, reliability and selectivity, could not be achieved with flexibility.
And, in the case of classifying the file cards by utilizing the list using sub-pattern level information on sub-features such as the number of ridges between the singular points of fingerprint patterns in addition to the pattern level feature types of respective fingers, ambiguity of the pattern level feature types and sub-pattern level information could not be permitted. Therefore, there was a disadvantage that satisfactory preselecting could not be made.

Tenprint card selector with fingerprint pattern level processing used to select candidates for sub-pattern level processing


A pulse generator system and method, including an inductive storage device configured to perform a charging process using a high current received from a first power supply; and a switch that is powered by a second power supply and configured to receive a step signal through a gate driver for controlling a repetition rate of the inductive storage device charging process and a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of an output pulse.

Conventional pulse generators typically operate as capacitive energy storage devices, such that energy is stored based on the voltage drop across the plates of the capacitor to generate current. Class E circuits are typically used to create a sinusoidal output. Other conventional pulse generators typically use Pulse Forming Networks, Blumlein, and MOSFET switches. These systems generally use coax cables for charging. Other pulse generator systems are known to operate in burst-mode such that the system outputs a burst of pulses in response to a triggering event. However, the burst-mode systems operate as discontinuous pulses that can run at high frequencies.
The drawbacks of these conventional pulse generators are their inability to perform with the combinations of high pulse repetition frequency (PRF), high voltage output, continuous operation, and efficient handling of heat dissipation. Thus, there exists a need for a system that generates high voltage pulses continuously with high repetition rates while handling heat dissipation efficiently.

System and method for a high speed, high voltage pulse power generator


A natural gas conditioning system for conditioning unconditioned natural gas for use in a gas lift system at a wellbore comprises a series of coolers to receive and cool unconditioned natural gas, and a high-pressure, three-phase separator. The separator receives cooled unconditioned natural gas from the coolers and results in separate flows of conditioned lift gas, waste water and hydro-carbon liquids. The conditioned lift gas can be directed to a first heat exchanger, and the hydro-carbon liquids can be directed to a second heat exchanger. A chiller can be coupled to a third heat exchanger. All the components can be carried by a skid.

Through the life cycle of a typical oil well, production will transition from a natural flow to some form of artificial lift as the reservoir pressure declines and the well is no longer able to flow under its own pressure. An artificial gas lift uses produced natural gas from the well or field as the lift medium. Produced natural gas, separated from produced oil by onsite production equipment, is compressed and re-injected strategically into the wellbore through specially designed mechanisms where it mixes with the oil in place, reducing the density of the oil sufficiently for the available reservoir pressure to lift the fluids to surface. Current practices typically use the produced natural gas in its raw form directly from the production facilities. The natural gas in this raw state may have high concentrations of water and heavy hydrocarbon liquid (HCL) entrained in the gas. Entrained water may cause damage to surface and downhole equipment, reducing reliability and service life. Entrained HCL may increase the density of the lift gas, which may work counter to the objective of reducing density of the oil in place to encourage flow from the wellbore.
An enclosure of a skid has been removed from FIGS. 2-8 for visibility of interior components.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

Apparatus for conditioning natural gas for use in gas lift artificial lift applications in oil and gas production

Moneyhun Equipment Sales & Service Co., Inc.


A polymer mixture, including at least one conductive polymer which has been dedoped to provide at least one dedoped conductive polymer; and at least one polar polymer. The polymer mixture has outstanding dielectric properties so that the polymer mixture is useful for producing electronic, optoelectrical, electrical and electromechanical devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mixtures of polymers comprising, on the one hand, polar polymers such as conventional fluorinated polymers, in particular homopolymers or copolymers of vinylidene fluoride, and, on the other hand, polarisable polymers belonging to the category of polymers which are termed "conductive" but are dedoped, to processes for obtaining such mixtures and to their use in electronic, optoelectrical and electrical and electromechanical devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently there are some polymers, such as the polyacetylenes, polypyrroles, polyindoles, polyphenylenes and polythiophenes, which when they are obtained by an electrochemical route or a chemical route in the presence of specific chemical agents, termed dopants, have conductivity properties, which is why these polymers have some applications in particular as energy storage devices (accumulators, rechargeable batteries, capacitors, . . . ) or as electrochromic devices or as devices which are effectly conductors depending on the redox state in which they exist.
When these polymers are subjected to a dedoping operation, these "conductor" polymers lose their conductive properties and become, just as the conventional polymers, non-conductive polymers. This property has apparently never led to any particular industrial use because it is of no immediate value owing to the fact that the conventional polymers are already insulating products and may be obtained under economical conditions.
On the other hand, polar polymers exist which are not conductive polymers, such as the fluorinated polymer homopolymers or copolymers termed "conventional", which are generally known for their heat-resistant properties and for their inertia towards chemical reagents. Some of these fluorinated polar polymers, such as the polymers derived from vinylidene fluoride, also have particular properties such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, ferroelectricity and some dielectricity. Such properties, and in particular the ferroelectricity observed with the copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and vinylidene trifluoride, the Curie temperature of which is less than their melting point, have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,754 and have been used to make erasable memory optical disks.
The piezoelectric, pyroelectric, ferroelectric and dielectric levels obtained with such polymers are, however, relatively moderate and in all cases inherent to and issuing from the precise chemical nature of the polymer or the copolymers envisaged.

Mixtures of polar polymers and dedoped conductive polymers, processes for obtaining these mixtures and use of these mixtures to produce electronic, optoelectrical, electrical and electromechanical devices


Technologies are generally presented for employing enhanced expectation maximization (EEM) in image retrieval and authentication. Using uniform distribution as initial condition, the EEM may converge iteratively to a global optimality. If a realization of the uniform distribution is used as the initial condition, the process may also be repeatable. In some examples, a positive perturbation scheme may be used to avoid boundary overflow, often occurring with the conventional EM algorithms. To reduce computation time and resource consumption, a histogram of one dimensional Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) with two components and wavelet decomposition of an image may be employed.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
With the proliferation of networking and data storage technologies, search and retrieval operations are becoming increasingly complex and sought after. Search and retrieval of images is a substantially different process than search for textual data. In searching for images, commonly similarity is used in obtaining results. A contrasting process involving images is authentication, where uniqueness of an image may be attempted to be proven.
One of the approaches employed in image authentication and/or similarity determination is the expectation maximization (EM) technique, which is an iterative process to compute the Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimate in the presence of missing or hidden data. In ML estimation, model parameters are attempted to be estimated for which the observed data are the most likely. Each iteration of the EM technique may include two processes: The E-step, and the M-step. In the expectation, or E-step, the missing data may be estimated given the observed data and current estimate of the model parameters. This may be achieved using conditional expectation. In the M-step, the likelihood function may be maximized under the assumption that the missing data are known. The estimate of the missing data from the E-step may be used in lieu of the actual missing data. Convergence may be assured since the technique is guaranteed to increase the likelihood at each iteration.
Employing the EM technique in image retrieval and authentication has several shortcomings. For example, the EM technique may converge to a local maximum, whereas image data may include multiple local maxima. The EM technique may also suffer from a singularity when the denominator is zero or substantially close to zero. Moreover, a computation time may be undesirably long before convergence and a number of Gaussian models to be used in the technique may be hard to determine.

Image retrieval and authentication using enhanced expectation maximization (EEM)


Techniques for cancelling DC offset are described. A DC offset cancellation circuit in a receiver cancels DC offsets caused by leaked LO (local oscillator) signals from a LO signal generator. The receiver first calibrates itself by using the DC offset cancellation circuit during a transmit mode. During the calibration, the DC offset cancellation circuit stores the DC offset voltage signal caused by the leaked LO signals. During a receiving mode when the receiver is receiving a signal, the receiver subtracts the stored DC offset voltage signal from the received signal to cancel the DC offsets caused by leaked LO signals.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically to a DC offset cancellation circuit in a receiver.
2. Background
In a digital communication system, a transmitter processes traffic data to generate data chips and further modulates a local oscillator (LO) signal with the data chips to generate a radio frequency (RF) modulated signal. The transmitter then transmits the RF modulated signal via a communication channel. The communication channel degrades the RF modulated signal with noise and possibly interference from other transmitters.
A receiver receives the transmitted RF modulated signal, downconverts the received RF signal from RF to baseband, digitizes the baseband signal to generate samples, and digitally processes the samples to recover the traffic data sent by the transmitter. The receiver uses one or more downconversion mixers to frequency downconvert the received RF signal from RF to baseband. An ideal mixer simply translates an input signal from one frequency to another frequency without distorting the input signal. An ideal mixer receives an input RF signal in one input port and an LO signal from an LO generator in another input port and downconverts the input RF signal to a baseband signal by using the LO signal.
However, in an actual real world downconversion mixer, the LO signal from an LO signal generator may leak into the input port for the input RF signal. The LO signal leaks into the input port for the input RF signal through capacitive and substrate coupling (e.g., parasitic capacitance) that may exist between the input port for the input RF signal and the input port for the LO signal. Furthermore, the LO signal also may leak into an input port of a low noise amplifier (LNA) that may precede the downconversion mixer. The leakage LO signal produces a DC component in the output signal of the downconversion mixer. Basically, the DC component creates a DC offset in the output signal of the downconversion mixer, and the DC offset may eventually saturate an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that digitizes the output signal of the downconversion mixer. Thus, the ADC will output incorrect values when the ADC is saturated by the DC offset.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a circuit that minimizes the DC offset produced by leakage LO signals.

DC offset cancellation circuit for a receiver


A film thickness standard (FTS) comprises an oxide film formed on a semiconductor substrate with a thickness over 1 .mu.m. A method of preparing an oxide film thickness standard reference of semiconductor device is carried out by repeatedly and continuously performing the formation process of the oxide film under the same processing conditions thereby to form the oxide film on a semiconductor substrate with a thickness over a certain level.

Generally, integrated circuit devices are manufactured in such a manner that various kinds of films are formed on the semiconductor substrates. The various kinds of films are formed to have certain ranges of thickness. Accordingly, a film thickness standard (FTS) reference material measuring film thickness is provided and used to control the thickness of the various kinds of films.
The conventional oxide film thickness standard reference has a thickness less than 1 .mu.m. The oxide film thickness standard reference having a thickness of less than 1 .mu.m is described in detail in the catalogue of VLSI Standards Incorporated 1996 Product Guide.
However, the above oxide film standard thickness reference having a thickness below 1 .mu.m may not be sufficient to calibrate state of the art thin film manufacturing including an oxide film over 1 .mu.m thick.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to fabricate oxide film thickness standards having a thickness over 1 .mu.m without defects such as uniformity variations. Thus, it generally is difficult to set up process conditions to prepare the oxide film thickness standard reference having a thickness over 1 .mu.m.


A media separator, that cooperates with a media pick to form a nip in a feed path of a media handling apparatus, supports a separation pad that includes first and second friction regions for movement relative to the media separator, against a bias force, in a feed direction of a sheet of media through the nip. The first and second friction regions selectively engage the sheet of media passing through the nip with a retard/separation force determined by the bias force, to retard and control a feeding operation of the sheet of media through the nip, and to feed plural sheets of media through the nip one at a time.

The present disclosure relates generally to a separation pad and media separator used for handling sheets of media. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a separation pad that includes first and second friction regions, and a media separator that supports the separation pad for movement relative to the media separator in a sheet feeding direction through a nip formed by the media separator. The first and second friction regions selectively engage a sheet of media fed through the nip, with a retard/separation force determined by the bias force, to retard and control a feeding operation of the sheet of media fed through the nip, and to feed plural sheets of media through the nip one sheet at a time. The present disclosure further relates to a media separator mechanism including a media pick and the separation pad and media separator.
A separation pad, media separator and media separator mechanism of the present disclosure have particular utility in a media handling system that handles a plurality of types of media. However, the separation pad, media separator and media separator mechanism of the present disclosure may have utility in any apparatus that handles sheets of media.
Media handling systems are known. Examples include readers, scanners, printers, copiers, facsimile machines and the like. Such media handling systems handle a variety of media having a variety of different physical characteristics. Examples of paper media include lightweight stock, standard stock, bond, cardstock, glossy, envelopes and the like. Examples of other media include transparencies, films, labels and the like. These media have various physical characteristics or properties, including strength, thickness, surface coefficients of friction and the like, that can vary over a wide range. System designers must design media handling systems to accommodate these variations in physical characteristics.
Media separators are known. Generally, a media separator cooperates with a media pick to form a nip in a feed path of a media handling apparatus to control a feed operation of a sheet of media through the nip. For example, a media separator and media pick may form a media pick and separation mechanism, for picking up and feeding a plurality of sheets of media from a media stack on a media tray, one sheet at a time. As used herein, a media pick generally is a device that frictionally engages a top surface of a sheet of media and provides a frictional force for driving the sheet of media into and through a nip in a feed path. As used herein, a media separator generally is a structure or device that frictionally engages a bottom surface of a sheet of media fed through the nip. During a feeding operation, the media separator applies a retard/separation force to a sheet of media in contact with the media pick sufficient to control the feeding operation of the sheet of media through the nip; the media separator applies a retard/separation force to a sheet of media other than a sheet of media in contact with the media pick sufficient to separate plural sheets of media simultaneously fed into the nip, to feed the plural sheets of media one at a time.
Conventional media separators generally come in one of two forms. In one form, the media separator includes a fixed contact surface including a friction surface or separation pad that opposes the media pick. The contact surface frictionally engages each sheet of media in the nip to retard and control a feeding operation of the sheet of media fed through the nip. In a second form, the media separator includes a retard roller having a rotation surface or tire that opposes the media pick. The retard roller rotates through the nip against a reverse-bias torque to retard and control a feeding operation of the sheet of media fed through the nip. The retard roller can be undriven (passive) or driven in a reverse direction relative to the media pick (active).
Design criteria of a simplified media pick and separation system are described here by way of example. To advance a top sheet of media through a nip, the media pick must generate a drive force Fdrive greater than the retard/separation force Fret/sep of the media separator. To prevent simultaneous feeding of multiple sheets through the nip, the media separator must generate a retard/separation force Fret/sep on a bottom sheet of media greater than the potential friction force between the individual sheets of media Fsheet-sheet. Thus, the following relationship must be satisfied:Fdrive>Fret/sep>Fsheet-sheet  (1)
The drive force Fdrive depends directly on the nip force Fnip and the coefficient of friction of the media pick on the sheet of media μpick-media, as follows:Fdrive=Fnip×μpick-media  (2)
Materials suitable for use as a media pick limit the available drive force. These materials typically include ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), urethane, latex and like elastomers. Common values for the coefficient of friction of media picks are around 2.0. However, contamination and wear can lower this value to 1.5 or less. In this regard, values for coefficients of friction (μ) used in this application refer to values determined according to the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard methods. Those skilled in the art will recognize that coefficients of friction may vary depending on the conditions and method of detection.
The sheet-to-sheet frictional force Fsheet-sheet depends on the nip force Fnip and the coefficient of friction between the sheets of media μsheet-sheet, as follows:Fsheet-sheet=Fnip×μsheet-sheet  (3)
A system designer has substantially no control over the sheet-to-sheet frictional force. The system user selects the media for each application. The coefficient of friction for standard office media is about 0.5. However, media coatings, static charge buildup, and other factors can effectively raise this value to 1.0 or higher.
A system designer must design the media separator to generate a retard/separation force that fits within the window between these two limits—the drive force and the sheet-to-sheet frictional force—to reliably separate plural sheets of media simultaneously fed into the nip. If the retard/separation force is too close to the frictional drive force, then media pick errors/failures will occur. If the retard/separation force is too close to the sheet-to-sheet friction force, then multiple sheet pick errors will occur. Also, the optimal relationship of drive force to retard/separation force is different for each media, and often the overlap between acceptable settings is small.
A separation pad is an inexpensive and compact media separator. Conventional separation pads-generally use a stationary friction surface to form a nip with a media pick. In such a mechanism, the retard/separation force Fret/sep is directly related to the nip force Fnip and the coefficient of friction of the separation pad with the media μpad-media, as follows:Fret/sep=Fnip×μpad-media  (4)In a separation pad mechanism, the nip force thus directly affects each of the drive force, the retard/separation force and the sheet-to-sheet force.
Accordingly, although a separation pad mechanism has utility in many applications, it has a drawback in that the only independent variable affecting the separation force that a system designer can manipulate is the coefficient of friction of the separation pad. That is, this mechanism provides a narrow window of acceptable coefficients of friction. A system designer may have difficulty finding a material for the separator pad that meets the system design criteria. In addition, system wear and contamination can change the coefficient of friction of a material over time, causing a decrease in system performance or system failure.
A retard roller is a more reliable media separator. A retard roller generally is a roller that cooperates with the media pick to form the nip, and resists turning relative to the media pick/sheet of media by some known amount of torque Tretard. This mechanism thus provides a designer with an additional variable to adjust the retard/separation force. Specifically, the retard/separation force Fret/sep in this mechanism is the lesser of:Fret/sep=Tretard/rroller  (5)andFret/sepFnip×μroller-media  (6)where rroller is the radius of the retard roller, and where μroller-media is the coefficient of friction between the retard roller and the sheet of media.
A system designer thus may choose to use a retard roller material having a coefficient of friction sufficiently high to make the first equation applicable. This makes the retard/separation force Fret/sep independent of the nip force, which permits the system designer to independently manipulate the media pick drive force and retard/separation force.
Although retard roller mechanisms have utility in many applications, they have a drawback in that they require additional elements, such as drive motors, controllers, clutch mechanisms and the like, which require additional space, technical maintenance and cost.
Various media separator mechanisms using separation pads and retard rollers are known. The following three examples illustrate media separator mechanisms using various media picks and separation pads or retard rollers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,803 discloses a sheet feeder including a media pick and separation pad for separating sheets of media to be fed one at a time through a nip formed between the media pick and the separation pad. The media pick includes an endless sheet separation belt driven around plural rollers. One roller, the pick roller, is provided adjacent an edge of a stack of sheets of media (media stack) so that the sheet separation belt is in press contact with a top surface of the top sheet of media in the media stack at a region of edge contact. The separation pad includes a jaw and tongue member that opposes the pick roller and sheet separation belt to form a mouth of the nip, and a frictional surface that opposes the sheet separation belt in a region between the pick roller and another roller to form a queuing throat of the nip.
The sheets of media are fed by frictional driving force. The separation belt by frictional force pulls the top sheet of media into the mouth of the nip; the top sheet engages the jaw and tongue member of the separator pad and is guided into the throat of the nip, where the top sheet of media engages the frictional surface of the separator pad with a frictional force that retards movement of the top sheet through the throat of the nip. The top sheet of media by frictional force in turn pulls the next adjacent sheet of media (second sheet) into the mouth of the nip; the second sheet engages the jaw and tongue member and is guided into the throat of the nip, where the second sheet engages the frictional surface of the separator pad with a frictional force that retards movement of the second sheet into the throat of the nip. Each sheet of media exerts a similar (although gradually smaller) frictional force and pull on a successive sheet of media in the media stack. In this manner, the separation belt pulls plural sheets of media into the mouth and queuing throat of the nip, and into frictional engagement with the frictional surface of the separator pad, and the plural sheets of media in the queuing throat engage the frictional surface of the separation pad in a stepped or staggered manner.
A desired one-at-a-time sheet feeding operation is obtained by selecting materials having suitable coefficients of friction and selecting suitable contact pressure forces. The frictional (driving) force between the separation belt and the top sheet of media is determined by the coefficient of friction of the separation belt, the coefficient of friction of the sheet of media, and the contact pressure between the media pick roller/separation belt and the media stack. The frictional (driving) force between adjacent sheets of media is determined by the coefficient of friction of each sheet of media and the contact pressure of the media pick roller/separation belt on the media stack. The retard force for each sheet is determined by (1) a frictional force between each sheet and its successive sheet of media in the stack, which is determined by the coefficient of friction of the sheets of media and the contact pressure of the media pick roller on the media stack, and (2) the frictional (retard) force between the frictional surface of the separation pad and each sheet of media in the queuing throat of the nip, which is determined by the coefficient of friction of the frictional surface of the separation pad, the coefficient of friction of each sheet of media, and a pressure force of the separation belt in a direction normal to the separation pad surface; in practice, the retard/separation force for each sheet of media in the queuing throat of the nip is substantially the same. Accordingly, for sheets of media having a given coefficient of friction, a system designer can design the media separation mechanism to feed plural sheets of media, one at a time through the nip, by selecting a separation belt having a suitable coefficient of friction (relatively large), a frictional surface of the separation pad having a suitable coefficient of friction (relatively large), a suitable contact pressure for the media pick roller/separation belt on the media stack, and a suitable pressure force of the separation belt normal to the separation pad surface.
Although this media separator mechanism (and method) has utility in many applications, it suffers a general drawback of separation pad mechanisms, in that the retard/separation force is directly dependent on the nip force and coefficient of friction of the separator pad. Since both the drive force and separation force are dependent on the nip force, the coefficient of friction of the separator pad is the only independent variable. There are many different types of media having different coefficients of friction, and finding a separator pad material that meets the coefficient of friction requirement along with all of the other physical requirements is difficult.
Media separator mechanisms using media separators having plural friction regions are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,047 discloses a sheet feeder including a media pick and a media separator having a separation pad. The media pick is a single pick roller having a D-shaped friction contact roller. The media separator includes a separation pad holder that holds a separation pad having a high coefficient of friction. The separation pad operates in a manner similar to that described above, to queue plural sheets of media in the nip and feed the plural sheets through the nip one at a time. The separation pad holder also has a projection having a low coefficient of friction located downstream of the separation pad in the feed direction. A support frame supports the separation pad holder and separation pad for movement, against a bias force, in a direction normal to the media pick roller. A sheet of media fed through the nip of the sheet feeder is subsequently nipped/pulled by a downstream pair of feed rollers at a feeding speed higher than a feeding speed through the nip of the sheet feeder; the sheet of media thereby exerts a tension force on the downstream projection of the separation pad in a direction normal to the media pick roller. The separation pad holder and separation pad use the above noted degree of freedom of movement (normal to the media pick roller), to release the sheet of media from a nip force of the sheet feeder.
Although this media separator mechanism (and method) has utility in many applications, it suffers a general drawback of separation pad mechanisms, in that the separation pad uses a single coefficient of friction region for separating sheets of media in the nip.
Media separator mechanisms using a retard roller provide improved reliability of sheet separation for a variety of types of media having different coefficients of friction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,538 discloses a retard sheet feeder including a feed roller and a retard roller having a torque limited slip clutch with an integral reversing bias. The retard roller is free to rotate in the feed direction by use of a spring that is axially aligned with the retard roller and allows the retard roller to slip in the feed direction once a predetermined torque level is reached. When the drive torque to the retard roller is reduced, such as when a double sheet is in the drive nip, the torque is not sufficient to overcome the stored spring energy, and the retard roller rotates in a reverse direction by the spring force to drive the double sheet out of the nip. In this manner, plural sheets of media reliably are fed through the retard sheet feeder one at a time.
Although this mechanism and other mechanisms using a retard roller have utility in many applications, such mechanisms suffer a general drawback of retard roller mechanisms, in that such mechanisms require additional elements, such as slip-clutch mechanisms and the like for passive systems and drive motors, controllers, clutch mechanisms and the like for active systems. These additional elements require a significant increase in space, technical maintenance and cost.
A need exists for an improved media separator and media separator mechanism that readily and reliably separate and feed plural sheets of media one at a time. In particular, a need exists for an improved media separator and media separator mechanism that readily and reliably separate and feed different types of media having different coefficients of friction. Further, a need exists for such an improved media separator and media separation mechanism that are compact, simple in design and low cost.

Dual friction region separation pad, and media separator and media separator mechanism using same


Methods for grading gemstones, apparatus for grading gemstones, and systems that utilize such methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Diamonds are often graded according to four "C's," which correspond to the diamond's color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. Color generally refers to the diamonds hue, and is related to impurities in the diamond's composition. Clarity generally refers to defects, such as bulk or surface defects, which can scatter light and reduce a diamond's visual appeal. The cut generally refers to both the diamond's shape (e.g., round, marquise, oval, etc.), and also to the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. These parameters influence how light interacts with the diamond, which facets appear bright to an observer, which facets appear dark, and which facets appear colored.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for evaluating gemstones


Methods and systems for recognizing a license plate character. Synthetic license plate character images are generated for a target jurisdiction. A limited set of license plate images can be captured for a target jurisdiction utilizing an image-capturing unit. The license plate images are then segmented into license plate character images for the target jurisdiction. The license plate character images collected for the target jurisdiction can be manually labeled. A domain adaptation technique can be utilized to reduce the divergence between synthetically generated and manually labeled target jurisdiction image sets. Additionally, OCR classifiers are trained utilizing the images after the domain adaptation method has been applied. One or more input license plate character images can then be received from the target jurisdiction. Finally, the trained OCR classifier can be employed to determine the most likely labeling for the character image and a confidence associated with the label.

ALPR is a mature technology extensively employed in intelligent transportation systems for applications such as automated tolling, law enforcement, and parking management, among others. These systems typically include four modules: a) image acquisition, b) license plate localization, c) character segmentation (i.e., extracting images of each individual character in the license plate), and d) character recognition. A number of alternative methods, however, have been proposed for license plate recognition.
ALPR methods typically require an offline phase to train an OCR engine before deployment. In this offline phase, a classifier is trained for each character in a one-vs-all fashion using a set of manually annotated character samples. In order to match the distribution of training and target data sets, data collection and manual annotation is repeated for each country/state that font is different, and for each site that camera settings/configuration/geometry varies. Considering enormous variety of plate samples (i.e., variations in plate design, font, or layout), camera configuration, and geometries, manual annotation results in excessive operational cost and overhead and hence, poses an important challenge for the scalability of ALPR systems.
Efforts have been made to develop automated license plate recognition systems and some implementations have been successfully rolled out in some U.S. states (e.g., CA, NY, etc.). One module type employed in some automated license plate recognition systems includes training classifiers for character recognition, commonly employed after detecting a license plate in a license plate image and segmenting out the characters from the localized plate region.
A classifier can be trained for each character in a one vs. all fashion using samples collected from the site, wherein an operator manually labels the collected samples. Considering the high accuracy (i.e., 99%) required by our customers for the overall recognition system, the classifiers are typically trained using on the order of approximately 1000 manually labeled samples per character. The substantial time and effort required for manual annotation of training images can result in excessive operational costs and increased overhead. This problem is exacerbated for jurisdictions requiring multiple OCR engines (e.g., one for each of the most common states), as the annotation burden grows quickly (e.g., 36 symbols×1000 samples×6 jurisdictions=216 k samples to manually label).
In order to address this problem, some solutions have proposed training classifiers based on synthetically generated samples. Instead of collecting samples from the site, training images are synthetically generated using the font and layout of the State of interest. FIG. 1, for example, illustrates a block diagram of a plate synthesis workflow 1. In the prior art configuration shown in FIG. 1, a blank license plate image is shown, which is provided to a text overlay module 5. Rendering effects 13 (e.g., font, spacing, layout, shadow/emboss, etc.) are also provided to the text overlay module 5, along with output from a character sequence generation module 7. Examples of character sequence generation data are shown in box 9 to the right of the character sequence generation module. State rules 15 for valid sequences can also be provide as input to module 7. License plate images 11 are output from the text overlay module 5. An image distortion model, which includes color-to-IR conversion, image noise, brightness, geometric distortions, etc., can be also fitted on synthesized images to mimic the impact of capturing vehicle plate images with a real video camera system.
While such methods can eliminate manual interference required for training, they usually result in deterioration in the classification accuracy. FIG. 2, for example, illustrates a graph 2 of accuracy-yield curves for classifiers trained using only synthetic (green curve) and real images (red curve). In the example graph 2 of FIG. 2, even though 2000 synthetic images are used per character in training, the accuracy at the same yield is lower when classifiers are trained with 1500 real samples per character.
While these methods eliminate manual interference required for training, they usually result in deterioration in the classification accuracy. What is needed is a solution that minimizes manual annotation required for training classifiers while having minimal/no impact on the classification accuracy.

Annotation free license plate recognition method and system


A glass handling system and method are described herein where an enhanced robot is used to engage and hold a glass sheet in a manner that minimizes the motion of the glass sheet as it is moved from one point to another point in a glass manufacturing facility. The enhanced robot engages and holds the glass sheet by using one or more suction cups and one or more aero-mechanical devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a glass handling system and method for using the same to engage and move a glass sheet.
2. Description of Related Art
Today when a glass sheet (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) glass sheet) is manufactured a robot is often used to move the glass sheet from one point to another point in a glass manufacturing facility. The robot typically has an end effector which uses suction cups to engage and hold the outside edges or non-quality area of the glass sheet. The suction cups need to engage the glass sheet on the outer edges because if they contact the glass sheet in the center portion of quality area then unacceptable defects or contamination would be created in the glass sheet.
However, as customers require larger and larger glass sheets it becomes increasingly more difficult for the robot to engage and move the glass sheet without causing motion in the center portion of the glass sheet. The motion in the center portion of the glass sheet is caused because there is a long, unsupported span in the middle of the glass sheet that is supported by the suction cups on the moving robot. Of course, the glass sheet can possibly break or even fall off the suction cups if the robot causes too much motion in the glass sheet. One way to minimize the motion in the glass sheet is to limit the speed of the robot. A drawback of this approach is that a large cycle time is required by the robot to move the glass sheet from one point to another point in the glass manufacturing facility. Accordingly, there is a need for a glass handling system that has an enhanced robot which can engage and hold the glass sheet in a manner that minimizes the motion of the glass sheet as it is moved from one point to another point in the glass manufacturing facility. This need and other needs are satisfied by the glass handling system and method of the present invention.

Glass handling system and method for using same


Methods, systems, and devices for adjusting a scanning status are provided. In one example method, a mobile terminal can determine whether a target object is a preset target type. If so, a reference scan parameter is determined corresponding to the preset target type, and a real-time scan parameter is obtained that is used when the mobile terminal performs scanning around the target object. A determination is made as to whether the real-time scan parameter conforms to the reference scan parameter. If it does not, a prompt message used to prompt a user to adjust a scanning status corresponding to a current scan parameter is generated.

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction means building a mathematical model that is for a three-dimensional object and that is suitable for computer representation and processing, provides a basis on which the three-dimensional object is processed and operated and properties of the three-dimensional object are analyzed in a computer environment, and is also a key technology that builds a virtual reality for representing an objective world in a computer.
In computer vision, three-dimensional reconstruction is a process of reconstructing three-dimensional information based on a single-view or multi-view image. Because information of a single view is incomplete, three-dimensional reconstruction needs to take advantage of experience and knowledge. Multi-view three-dimensional reconstruction (similar to human binocular positioning) is relatively easy. The method is first calibrating a video camera, that is, calculating a relationship between an image coordinate system of the video camera and a world coordinate system, and then reconstructing three-dimensional information by using information in a plurality of two-dimensional images. General steps of three-dimensional reconstruction are as follows:
(1) Obtain an image sequence.
(2) Detect and match a feature point.
(3) Calculate a basic matrix.
(4) Calibrate a camera.
(5) Restore a projection matrix of the camera and compute external parameters of the camera.
(6) Obtain a three-dimensional point cloud.
(7) Reconstruct a network.
(8) Perform texture mapping.
Applying the 3D scanning technology to mobile terminals has become a research focus in the industry. Currently, a mobile terminal has no detection module when scanning an object to obtain a key frame, so that effect of the obtained key frame is poor, affecting 3D reconstruction. The key frame is an image frame that participates in 3D reconstruction. Because data of a plurality of frames is obtained during 3D scanning, if all scan data participates in 3D reconstruction, a reconstruction speed is severely affected. Generally, some frames are selected from the scan data for 3D reconstruction. The selected frames are referred to as key frames. Generally, there are two methods for selecting a key frame: One is to select a key frame based on time, that is, select a key frame at an interval of a fixed quantity of frames, and the other is to select a key frame based on space, that is, select a key frame at an interval of a rotation angle.
A method in the prior art is performing scanning around an object to obtain a key frame. However, during an implementation process in the prior art, a scanned object is collected completely based on subjective sensation of a user. Consequently, a blurry image is often collected, and a presented size of the scanned object changes greatly (a proportion of a target object to an overall image in a collection sequence changes greatly). A change in the presented size of the scanned object results in inaccurate matching of a feature point, affecting 3D reconstruction. Especially, when a camera moves too quickly during a scanning process, or a distance between the camera and the target object changes greatly, effect of the obtained key frame is relatively poor, affecting 3D reconstruction.

Method and apparatus for adjusting scanning status


Provided are methods of screening compounds for any aspirin-related activity other than TAFI inhibition, and also for non-inhibition of TAFI. Compounds identified by the screening methods can be used to treat, prevent or manage in a patient pain, fever, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer or an inflammatory, platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic or hemorrhagic disease or disorder. Also provided is a method of evaluating test compounds for TAFI inhibitory activity wherein the TAFI inhibitory activity of these test compounds is compared to the TAFI inhibitory activity of aspirin or its derivatives or metabolites. Further provided is a method of treating, preventing or managing in a patient, a hemorrhagic or thrombotic disease or disorder with high dose aspirin or aspirin derivatives or metabolites. Also contemplated is a method of treating, preventing or managing in a patient, pain, fever, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer or an inflammatory, platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic or hemorrhagic disease or disorder comprising administering aspirin or a derivative thereof or any other therapeutic having at least one desired therapeutic or prophylactic activity of aspirin to a patient in need thereof and administering to the patient a factor that promotes TAFIa activity, e.g. stablized TAFIa, to ameliorate one or more adverse side effects of the therapeutic. Compounds identified by the methods of the invention are also provided.

Aspirin and its Activities
A proper balance between the activities of coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades is needed both to protect an organism from excessive blood loss upon injury and to maintain blood flow within the vascular system. The two opposing coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades are recognized to comprise a series of zymogen to enzyme conversions which terminate in the two respective proteolytic enzymes, thrombin and plasmin. These enzymes catalyze the formation and removal of fibrin within the circulatory system. Imbalances are characterized by either bleeding or thrombotic tendencies which may result in heart attacks or strokes in the organism.
The anti-thrombotic effect of aspirin has long been recognized, and low doses of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; ASA) are recommended for the prevention of ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease. In large clinical studies, aspirin has been shown to significantly reduce both the occurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rate in patients with unstable angina pectoris that often occurs before a heart attack and/or previous myocardial infarction. Simoons, M., Lancet, 2001, 357(9272):1915–24.
The action of aspirin as well as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) is thought to derive mostly from the selective inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2(COX-1 and -2). At the platelet-vessel wall, aspirin at low doses selectively and irreversibly inhibits COX-1, which synthesizes thromboxane A2 (Tx-A2) and causes platelet activation. Hence, aspirin prevents blood platelets from aggregating, one of the initial steps in the formation of blood clots.
Aspirin is also a currently available therapy for several other diseases and disorders including fever, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Aspirin is often a first-line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory process which causes erosion or destruction of bone and cartilage joints. In addition to aspirin, current arthritis treatment regimens often employ ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors such as CELEBREX® (celecoxib) and VIOXX® (rofecoxib) which also act by reducing inflammation of the joints. Although these treatments are well established for arthritis sufferers, they often have unwanted or adverse side effects.
Thus, while aspirin and other drugs are often used for their known analgesic activity, antipyretic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-platelet aggregation activity and prophylactic properties, aspirin's mechanism of action, and concomitantly, the mechanisms that lead to the production of unwanted side effects, are not yet fully understood. For example, the anti-platelet activity of aspirin cannot account for all the biological effects associated with aspirin therapy. Aspirin has been shown to reduce thrombin generation at the site of injury and can effect tissue factor-initiated coagulation. Undas et al., 2001, Blood, 98:2423–2431. Other studies suggest that aspirin therapy increases the fibrinolytic activity of plasma. Green, D., 2001, Clin. Cornerstone, 3:50–60. Further studies have been unable to attribute the mechanism by which aspirin enhances fibrinolysis to changes in tissue plasminogen activator levels. Bjornsson et al., 1989, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 250:154–161. Thus, there is confusion in the art regarding the mechanism of aspirin action, particularly in causing adverse side effects.
Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor ("TAFI") is a 60 kDa glycoprotein present in human plasma that modulates fibrinolysis in vivo. TAFI present in plasma is a proenzyme form which is most efficiently activated by proteolytic cleavage at Arg-92 with a thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. TAFI may also be activated by proteolytic cleavage by other proteolytic enzymes including, but not limited to, thrombin or plasmin ("activation of TAFI"). Upon activation of TAFI by proteolytic cleavage with thrombin-thrombomodulin, an active enzyme of 35 kDa is formed with carboxypeptidase-like activity ("TAFIa"). This molecule has also been referred to in the literature as plasma carboxypeptidase B ("PCPB"), or plasma carboxypeptidase U ("PCPU"). Tan et al., Biochemistry, 1995, 34:5811–5816; Wang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269:15937 (1994); Nesheim et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:14477.
Modulation of fibrinolysis occurs when TAFIa cleaves C-terminal arginine and lysine residues of partially degraded fibrin, thereby inhibiting the stimulation of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) modulated plasminogen activation. The fibrinolytic system is activated primarily by t-PA which is provided by damaged cells in the blood vessel wall. t-PA converts circulating plasminogen to the active protease plasmin and can produce either slow enhancement of fibrinolysis or, when combined with fibrin, rapid enhancement of fibrinolysis. The effect of t-PA on fibrinolysis can be blocked by a class of inhibitors termed plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs), of which several have been identified.
Thrombomodulin is a component of the blood vessel wall which binds thrombin and changes its specificity from fibrinogen to protein C, resulting in a molecule possessing anticoagulant, rather than procoagulant, activity. The thrombin-thrombomodulin complex catalyzes cleavage of protein C to activated protein C, which results in down-regulation of the coagulation cascade by proteolytically inactivating the essential cofactors, Factor Va and VIIIa. In this manner, the body regulates coagulation cascade.
Studies such as that by Taylor et al., 1985, Thromb. Res. 37:639 have suggested that activated protein C is not only an anticoagulant, but also profibrinolytic, both in vivo and in vitro. Subsequently, it was determined that protein C only appears profibrinolytic because it prevents the thrombin-catalyzed activation of a previously unknown fibrinolysis inhibitor, whose precursor was isolated from plasma and designated as being TAFI.
TAFI was discovered independently in three different laboratories. It initially appeared as an unstable carboxypeptidase B-like molecule in human serum and was described by Hendriks et al., 1990, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1034:86. A year later the cDNA for the molecule was cloned, its amino acid sequence was described, its activation by trypsin and its enzymatic properties toward synthetic carboxypeptidase B substrates was reported (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,161). In 1994, Wang et al., (1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:15937) isolated the activated molecule and named it carboxypeptidase U ("U" being designated for unstable). Subsequently, Nesheim et al. (1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:14477) showed that the protein was both activated by thrombin and inhibits fibrinolysis, and designated the molecule TAFI. The co-identity of PCPB, PCPU, and TAFI has been established by their independent chromatographic behavior on plasminogen Sepharose® and the amino acid sequences present at the activation cleavage site.
The mechanism of TAFI inhibition of fibrinolysis can be schematically described as depicted in FIG. 5.
As TAFIa is believed to play a central regulatory role in the fibrinolytic cascade, the manipulation of TAFIa levels or activity in biological fluids has important therapeutic applications with respect to hemorrhagic disorders including, but not limited to, vascular and heart pathologies, and stroke. Inhibitors of TAFIa enhance fibrinolysis and have an anti-coagulant effect (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,815). Inhibitors of TAFIa could also be effective at treating or preventing the inflammation associated with arthritis as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potential substrate of TAFIa. VEGF has been linked with arthritis (Farva, R. A., 1994, J. Exp. Med. 180:341–6).
There remains a need in the art for methods of modulating TAFIa activity for therapeutic use in the treatment, prevention or management of hemorrhagic or thrombotic diseases or disorders. Moreover, there is a need to identify compounds that have the analgesic, antipyretic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-platelet aggregation activity and prophylactic activity of aspirin without the hemorrhagic side effects. In addition there remains a need in the art for effective methods of screening compounds for TAFIa modulating activity which may be used in the treatment of fibrinolytic or thrombotic diseases or disorders.

Methods of screening for compounds that modulate TAFIa activity, compounds, and methods of using the compounds


A valve for regulating a gas or liquid has a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet. A valve seat is arranged in the valve housing and connects the inlet to the outlet via a valve opening. A valve body facing the valve seat is formed by a band attached at a first fixation point and a second fixation point. The first fixation point is at one end of a lever. An actuator is arranged on the other end of the lever to act on the lever so the distance between the first fixation point and the second fixation point increases. The band is then stretched, and the valve opening is exposed, enabling gas/liquid to flow toward the outlet. When the actuator's action on the lever is regulated, an exact flow of gas/liquid can be regulated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a valve for regulating a fluid flow of the type having a valve housing with an inlet for the fluid to be regulated, an outlet for a regulated flow of fluid, a valve seat with a valve opening arranged in the valve housing and a valve body, movably arranged against the valve seat, for regulating the flow of fluid through the valve opening.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The term "fluid" as used herein refers to both liquids and gases. When the regulation of gas is described, the same description also applies to regulation of liquid, and vice-versa.
A valve is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,594 having a gas inlet which opens onto a valve seat in a valve housing. A membrane and a piston are arranged at the valve seat to interact in regulating the flow of gas through the valve seat. The piston is spring-loaded, causing the membrane to press against the valve seat. A solenoid coil is arranged around the piston. When the solenoid coil is activated, the piston is electromagnetically forced against its spring-loading, and the membrane is pushed away from the valve seat by the gas in the inlet and a flow of gas then streams through the valve opening to an outlet for regulated gas. This known valve displays very good dynamics and is capable of regulating flows ranging from a few ml/s to a number of liters/s, with great accuracy. It also has a very fast response time and can change from regulation of small flows (ml/s) to regulation of large flows (lls) in only a few tenths of a second. The known valve can also regulate a flow of liquid in the corresponding manner.
These properties make this known valve particularly suitable for use in e.g. medical equipment such as ventilators and respirators. As a result of its extensive dynamics, a ventilator equipped with this known valve can be used for the treatment of both premature babies and adults. The rapid response time means that the ventilator is also able to respond very rapidly to spontaneous breathing. A patient under treatment on the ventilator never needs to feel any great resistance to breathing, something which otherwise occurs with valves lacking the same response time. A patient who e.g. takes a deep breath may require a change in flow from zero to a number of liters/s, in an initial phase of inspiration. The known valve is used e.g. in the Servo Ventilator 300, Siemens-Elema AB, Solna, Sweden
Since the known valve has a relatively complex structure, it occupies a relatively large amount of space in a ventilator, is relatively expensive to manufacture and consumes a relatively large amount of energy in operation. For these reasons, this known valve is not particularly suitable for use in e.g. small, portable, battery-powered ventilators. Thus there is a need for a smaller, less energy-consuming valve whose performance is at least on a par with that of the known valve. Such a valve, preferably, should also be simpler and, accordingly, less expensive to manufacture without sacrificing valve reliability.


A nail for use with repairing a bone fracture. The nail includes a cutting tip formed of at least one facet defining a cutting edge. The facet is skewed with respect to a primary longitudinal axis extending through the nail from the proximal end to the distal end. The nail further includes at least one groove extending longitudinally on the nail from the distal end to the proximal end, the groove having a cutting edge used to increase or enlarge the entry opening as the diameter of the nail increases from the distal end to the proximal end.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fixation instrument for repairing bone fractures. More specifically, to a bone nail having a self entry feature.
2. Description of Related Art
Orthopedic fixation systems used for stabilizing a fracture often include an internal fixation device, typically an elongated implant such as a nail, screw or pin, inserted into the intramedullary canal of the bone to stabilize the fracture and promote healing. Humeral shaft fractures, like many bone fractures can be treated with a nail.
Typically a humeral nail is inserted into the humerus by first making an entry hole in the end thereof. The entry hole is made using either a drill or an awl to cut a hole, typically about 2 mm in diameter, in the cortical bone. Once an entry hole is made, a guide wire is inserted into the bone and extends through the entry hole into the bone past the fracture site. The guide wire helps to align the fracture.
A reamer is used to open the entry hole, along with the interior or intramedullary canal of the humerus, to form a passageway for the humeral nail. Typically the reamer opens a passageway in the cortical bone and the marrow space or intramedullary canal, approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters larger than the overall diameter of the nail to be used. Once the reaming procedure is complete, the nail is attached to an insertion tool and is threaded over the guide wire. The nail is inserted into the bone, along the guide wire until it extends past and spans both sides of the fracture. Once the nail is properly aligned within the humerus, bone screws are inserted transversely through the bone and are received in openings or passageways located at or near the proximal and distal ends of the nail.
While reaming helps to open the bone and allow easier insertion of the humeral nail, it also requires an extra step. Further, in many cases if too much of the soft, spongy bone is removed, it may disrupt the blood supply within the humerus. Finally, if the entry hole and passageway has too great a diameter, the nail may move about within the interior of the bone.


A high-performance dioptric reduction projection lens and projection exposure apparatus and projection exposure method using same. The projection lens includes six lens groups and has a positive negative positive negative positive refractive power arrangement. The third and fifth lens groups have overall positive refractive power and include at least three lens elements having positive refractive power. The fourth lens group has negative refractive power and includes at least three lens elements having negative refractive power. At least one lens element in either the fourth lens group or the fifth lens group includes an aspheric surface. The projection lens preferably satisfies at least one of a number of design conditions.

Due to the increasing integration scale (i.e., microminiaturization) of integrated circuits and other electronic devices (e.g., liquid crystal displays), the performance requirements for projection exposure apparatuses have become more demanding. The preferred avenues for meeting these demands is to increase the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection lens system (hereinafter, "projection lens") and/or decrease the wavelength of light used in the projection exposure apparatus.
Increasing the NA of the projection lens is a challenging problem in lens design because of the difficulty in correcting aberrations, particularly when the size of the exposure field needs to be relatively large. One way to achieve the proper degree of aberration correction is through the use of aspheric lens elements. Also, aspheric lens elements reduce the number of lens elements in the projection lens, which increases transmission and makes the lens lighter. The projection lenses disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications Kokai No. Hei 1-315709, 5-34593, and 7-128592 use aspheric surfaces, but the NA and the size of the exposure field are not sufficiently large.


An improved enema insufflation system includes a source of barium sulfate suspension connected, by tubing, to a multi-lumen enema tip and a source of carbon dioxide, connected to the enema tip. The carbon dioxide source contains compressed carbon dioxide. The source is connected to a carbon dioxide reservoir capable of holding a pre-determined volume of carbon dioxide at a relatively low pressure. A hand actuated insufflation bulb is connected to the carbon dioxide reservoir. The insufflation bulb can draw carbon dioxide from the reservoir for delivery, through the enema tip, to a patient. The compressed, high-pressure carbon dioxide is functionally isolated from the patient to ensure patient safety.

The present invention relates to an improved insufflation system for use in double contrast barium enema studies.
Barium enemas are used by radiologists to diagnose abnormalities of the colon. There are both single and double contrast studies. Presently the double contrast study is the more practiced form of barium enema study. In a double contrast barium enema, a barium sulfate suspension is delivered, transrectally, into the patient's colon. The suspension is delivered through the central lumen of a multi-lumen enema tip. The barium sulfate suspension is held in a plastic bag which is suspended above the patient on a pole. The barium flow is controlled with a hand activated tubing clamp located on a tube that couples the plastic bag to the enema tip.
In a double contrast study, barium sulfate suspension is delivered into the colon to coat the colon lining. The colon is a collapsible, sack-like structure. To better visualize the colon after delivery of the barium, air is delivered to the colon through a separate lumen in the enema tip. The barium coating on the walls of the colon provide radiopacity to the colon and the air serves to expand the colon. Together the barium and the air provide a clinically useful radiographic image.
As double contrast studies are presently performed, ambient air is delivered into the colon using a hand-held delivery bulb. One problem with double contrast barium enema studies is that the insufflated air distends the colon and this distention, along with gas cramps from the air, causes considerable patient discomfort which may continue for some hours after the procedure. This patient discomfort makes it more difficult to get patients to have barium enema studies when these studies are medically indicated. Since these studies are used to diagnose, among other things, colon cancer, it is imperative to get patients to have the study performed when needed.
It is known in the art that carbon dioxide can be used instead of air to perform a double contrast barium enema study. The use of carbon dioxide minimizes patient discomfort because carbon dioxide is absorbed by the body, through the colon, at a rate of about 150 times faster than air and thus both the distention and gas cramps are minimized.
Carbon dioxide, although better for patient comfort, presents certain problems. In order for carbon dioxide to be used in a radiology suite or hospital the carbon dioxide must be contained under considerable pressure. This allows a large volume of the gas to be held in a small space. The colon is a fragile structure which can be damaged if inflated to pressures in excess of 90 mmHg (less than 2 psi). If the pressurized carbon dioxide were directly coupled to a patient there would be considerable safety issues associated with possible over-insufflation of the colon and attendant damage thereto.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for safely, inexpensively, and efficiently delivering carbon dioxide into a patient during a double contrast barium enema procedure.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a system where the high pressure carbon dioxide is functionally isolated from the patient.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a system where the system is relatively compact and portable.


A computer implemented method is disclosed, for energy-saving operation of a storage device with a read/write head. The method includes monitoring workload of the storage device, calculating current mean workload and adjusting seek speed of the read/write head of the storage device to one of a plurality seek speeds depending on the calculated current mean workload. The step of adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head includes adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be a first seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is below a first threshold, adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be a second seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is between the first threshold and a second threshold, and adjusting the seek speed of the read/write head to be the first seek speed if the calculated current mean workload is greater than the second threshold. A computer program product and a data processing system are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to energy saving. More specifically, the present invention relates to an energy-saving operation of a storage device which has a movable read/write head.
There is little doubt today as to the need for energy saving. Electrical energy conservation is an important element of energy policy, reducing energy consumption and demand, in the attempt to balance the increasing energy demand of the world's growing population with the decline of energy resources and soaring energy costs. Reducing power consumption in computer systems has undoubtedly become an important issue.
A hard disk drive device typically includes one or more flat disks called platters (42, see FIG. 4), which are coated with a layer of magnetic material, onto which data is recorded or read by a head (hereinafter—read/write head, 46, see FIG. 4) held by an actuator arm (48, FIG. 4) and actuated by an actuator (43, FIG. 4) to move across the platter (indicated by arrows in FIG. 4). The platter is coupled to and rotated by a spindle (44, FIG. 4). By incorporating rotation of the platter with motion of the head over the platter it is possible to bring the head over a desired data block and write onto it or read it.
Hard disks are typically provided with an acoustic management capability, which facilitates control over the level of noise generated by the hard disk drive. In hard disk drives with acoustic management the seek speed of the read/write head (i.e. the speed at which it is moved to reach its target position) is controlled. In many such hard disk drives several seek speeds are available (also refereed to as "acoustic modes").
Attempts were made to reduce the acoustic noise of disk storage. For example, it was proposed in the past to actively control the seek speed so that the head arrives at its destination only just in time to read the desired data block, rather than arriving as quickly as possible and then having to wait for the data block to come around (phenomenon known as the "rotational latency").
Another way of reducing energy consumption was to reduce the spin speed of storage disks to reduce energy consumption and generate less waste heat.

Energy-saving operation of a storage device

International Business Machines Corporation


An organic electroluminescent device includes a substrate, an encapsulation substrate, an organic electroluminescent portion interposed between the substrate and the encapsulation substrate and a transparent moisture absorption layer. The transparent moisture absorption layer comprises at least one of a metal oxide and a metal salt with an average particle diameter of about 100 nm or less, a binder, and a dispersant. The transparent moisture absorption layer may be disposed in an internal space provided by the substrate and the encapsulation substrate and may be used in a front emission type organic electroluminescent device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device comprising a transparent moisture absorption layer that can be used in a front emission type device and a method for manufacturing the organic electroluminescent device.
2. Description of the Background
Organic electroluminescent devices may easily deteriorate as a result of the permeation of moisture. Therefore, an encapsulation structure is required to ensure stable driving and an extended lifetime of an organic electroluminescent device.
Conventionally, a metal can or a glass substrate formed into a cap with a groove is used in an organic electroluminescent device. For moisture adsorption, a desiccant powder is mounted in the groove or a desiccant film is adhered to the groove with double-sided tape.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 9-148066 discloses an organic electroluminescent device that includes a laminate having a pair of electrodes facing each other with an organic light-emitting material layer made of an organic compound interposed between the electrodes. The device also includes an airtight container for preventing exposure of the laminate to air and drying means made of, for example, alkali metal oxide, disposed in the airtight container. However, the bulky structure of the airtight container increases the total thickness of the organic electroluminescent device. Also, the opaqueness of the drying means renders the fabrication of a front emission type organic electroluminescent device difficult, even though the drying means is maintained in a solid state after absorbing moisture.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,890 describes an organic electroluminescent device that includes a moisture absorption layer produced using a desiccant and a binder. The moisture absorption layer contains solid particles with a particle size of 0.1-200 μm.
However, the organic electroluminescent device is translucent or opaque, and thus cannot be used as a front emission type device, and also has low moisture absorption ability.

Organic electroluminescent device and method for manufacturing the same