A method for calculating distances between stimulus response curves (e.g., dose response curves) allows classification of stimuli. The response curves show how the phenotype of one or more cells changes in response to varying levels of the stimulus. Each “point” on the curve represents quantitative phenotype or signature for cell(s) at a particular level of stimulus (e.g., dose of a therapeutic). The signatures are multivariate phenotypic representations of the cell(s). They include various features of the cell(s) obtained by image analysis. To facilitate the comparison of stimuli, distances between points on the response curves are calculated. First, the response curves may be aligned on a coordinate representing a separate distance, r, from a common point of negative control (e.g., the point where no stimulus is applied). Integration on r may be used to compute the distance between two response curves. The distance between response curves is used to classify stimuli.

The present invention relates to techniques for characterizing the response of biological cells to varying levels of a particular stimulus. More specifically, the invention relates to techniques for measuring similarities/dissimilarities between stimulus response curves through, for example, multivariate phenotypic signatures extracted from images of biological cells. The similarity of two such curves can be calculated by measuring a "distance" between them. As explained elsewhere herein, the concept of distance includes both conventional measures of "true" distance such as a Euclidean distance as well as other measures of dissimilarity such as a degree of orthogonality (as with an inner product). Generally, the "distances" characterize the similarity of the stimuli generating the response curves.
Purified substances having a desirable combination of bioactive properties are rare and often difficult to identify. Recent advances in organic chemistry and the development of rapid combinatorial chemistry techniques have increased the number of compounds that researchers can test for a specific biological activity (e.g., binding to a target). Unfortunately, the vast majority of "hits" generated by such techniques do not possess the right combination of properties to qualify as therapeutic compounds. When these substances are subjected to low throughput cellular and animal tests to establish their therapeutic usefulness, they are typically found to fail in some regard. Unfortunately, such tests are time consuming and costly, thus limiting the number of substances that can be tested. In a like regard, the few hits that do possess the right combination of properties avoid recognition until after the low throughput tests are conducted. With better early evaluation techniques, such promising candidates could be identified earlier in the development process and put on a fast track to the marketplace.
Various early evaluation techniques are under investigation and some have shown promise. In particular cellular phenotyping technologies employing sophisticated image analysis have proven very useful in characterizing therapeutic chemicals. Such technologies are generally described in WO/00/70528 published on Nov. 23, 2000. These techniques attempt to classify compounds based on the phenotypic changes that they induce. From these changes, detailed mechanisms of action can be deduced.
Typically, researchers attempting to classify a new compound based on mechanism of action, toxicity, etc. compare features of that compound to known therapeutics. Compounds that exhibit similar biological functioning in some regards may exhibit similarity in other regards. One difficulty in assessing similarity is that compounds often have greatly varying potencies. In other words, while two different compounds may operate by the same or similar mechanism of action, one compound may be effective at a much lower concentration than the other. It is difficult to make meaningful comparison of two such compounds until the dose scales of these compounds have been adjusted. To this end, researchers sometimes use dose response curves to compare compounds. These curves show the biological effectiveness of particular drugs over multiple concentrations. The effect of the drug at each different concentration provides the "points" for the dose response curves.
Typically, such dose response curves are limited to one particular biological feature (e.g., cell count or expression of a protein). The numeric value of such feature is provided as a function of concentration for each compound of interest. The resulting curves can be compared to identify similar trajectories. Two compounds having similar trajectories might be expected to operate by the same mechanism of action, depending upon which biological parameter is being considered. Unfortunately, the value of such comparisons is quite limited. First, many different features may be required to unambiguously characterize a stimulus' mechanism of action. So a simple dose response curve may be inconclusive. Second, even assuming that all the relevant features are captured in the analysis, determining whether the response of an unclassified stimulus more properly belongs to one mechanism or another can be difficult. It requires a trustworthy technique for classification or clustering responses in biological feature space. This, in turn, requires a trustworthy technique for calculating "distances" between the responses in biological feature space.
While many techniques for characterizing compounds and other biological stimuli exist, their full potential for classifying such stimuli by mechanism of action has not yet been realized. Advances will require rigorous and reliable techniques for calculating "distances" between stimulus response curves, such as dose response trajectories for compounds or other stimuli under investigation.

Characterizing biological stimuli by response curves


Systems and methods for designing and fabricating three-dimensional objects with precisely computed material compositions for use in enhancing electromagnetic fields for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. As examples, the fabricated object can be designed to reduce magnetic field inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field of an MRI system, or to reduce inhomogeneities in a transmit radio frequency (“RF”) field (i.e., a B1 field). As examples, the object can be a shim; a housing or other part of an RF coil; a medical device, such as a surgical implant; or component used in a medical device, such as a housing for an implantable medical device.

The field of the invention is systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI"). More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for designing and fabricating objects having desired electromagnetic properties to modify an electromagnetic field generated by an MRI system, such as to reduce inhomogeneities in a B0 or B1 field.
During an MRI scan, a strong magnetic field is formed around the area to be imaged. Ideally, the magnetic field is homogeneous, allowing for clear, undistorted images to be obtained. However, in many instances anatomical features or implants can cause localized magnetic field inhomogeneities that significantly affect the quality of the images that are obtained. For example, air-tissue boundaries in the nasal sinuses and ear canals can affect imaging of the brain, and air-tissue boundaries in the lungs can affect imaging of the spine and torso. In addition, artificial joints, such as those made of steel, can cause tremendous field inhomogeneities that can make magnetic resonance imaging around the joint nearly impossible. As a result, image quality, including signal-to-noise ratio and geometric distortion, is compromised by magnetic field non-uniformities that arise from the imaged subject.
Magnetic field inhomogeneities can be adjusted using "shimming" methods, which compensate for imbalances in the magnetic field. Localized adjustments in the field can be made by "active" shimming, using various configurations of shim coils that carry an adjustable electrical current. However, localized adjustments in the field can also be made by "passive" shimming, which involves positioning materials with differing magnetic properties and configurations within proximity of the anatomical region being imaged.
Diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials are, respectively, repelled by or attracted to an externally applied magnetic field, and can be used to construct passive shims for localized field adjustments. For example, an intra-oral "mouth shim" made of pyrolytic graphite (a diamagnetic material) has been shown to improve MRI of the frontal cortex. Cylindrical shims made of carved niobium (a paramagnetic material), arrayed in an adjustable shimming structure, have been used for MRI of the prefrontal and temporal regions of the brain. Similarly, combinations of blocks of bismuth (a diamagnetic material) attached to blocks of niobium (a paramagnetic material) mounted on an adjustable frame have been used for human brain imaging.
However, while shimming and other techniques are standard in MRI, these methods do not sufficiently improve image quality in many instances, and there is still a significant need for new methods to address the MRI problems that result from localized magnetic field inhomogeneities caused by patient anatomical features or implants.

System and method for fabricating electromagnetic field enhancing objects for magnetic resonance imaging


Systems and methods for reducing a surface roughness of a polycrystalline or single crystal thin film produced by the sequential lateral solidification process are disclosed. In one arrangement, the system includes an excimer laser (110) for generating a plurality of excimer laser pulses of a predetermined fluence, an energy density modulator (120) for controllably modulating the fluence of the excimer laser pulses such that the fluence is below that which is required to completely melt the thin film, a beam homoginizer (144) for homoginizing modulated laser pulses in a predetermined plane, a sample stage (170) for receiving homoginized laser pulses to effect melting of portions of the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film corresponding to the laser pulses, translating means for controllably translating a relative position of the sample stage (170) with respect to the laser pulses, and a computer (110) for coordinating the excimer pulse generation and fluence modulation with the relative positions of the sample stage (170) to thereby process the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film by sequential translation of the sample stage (170) relative to the laser pulses.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to techniques for semiconductor processing, and more particularly to semiconductor processing which may be performed at low temperatures.
II. Description of the Related Art
In the field of semiconductor processing, there have been several attempts to use lasers to convert thin amorphous silicon films into polycrystalline films. An overview of conventional excimer laser annealing technology is presented by James Im et al. in "Crystalline Si Films for Integrated Active-Matrix Liquid-Crystal Displays," 11 MRS Bulletin 39 (1996). In systems used for carrying out excimer laser annealing, an excimer laser beam is shaped into a long beam which is typically up to 30 cm long and 500 micrometers or greater in width. The shaped beam is scanned over a sample of amorphous silicon to facilitate melting thereof and the formation of polycrystalline silicon upon resolidification of the sample.
The use of conventional excimer laser annealing technology to generate polycrystalline or single crystal silicon is problematic for several reasons. First, the silicon generated in the process is typically small grained, of a random microstructure, and/or has non-uniform grain sizes, which result in poor and non-uniform devices that lead to low manufacturing yield. Second, the processing techniques needed to obtain acceptable performance levels require that the manufacturing throughput for producing polycrystalline silicon be kept low. Also, these processes generally require a controlled atmosphere and preheating of the amorphous silicon sample, which lead to a further reduction in throughput rates. Finally, the fabricated films generally exhibit an unacceptable degree of surface roughness that can be problematic for performance of microelectronic devices.
There exists a need in the field to generate higher quality polycrystalline silicon and single crystal silicon at greater throughput rates. As well, there exists a need for manufacturing techniques that reduce the surface roughness of such polycrystalline and single crystal silicon thin films to be used in the fabrication of higher quality devices, such as flat panel displays.

Surface planarization of thin silicon films during and after processing by the sequential lateral solidification method

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


A valve system comprising a valve chamber at a junction of an inlet port, an outlet port and a bypass port, the inlet port configured for fluid communication with exhaust gas, the outlet port configured for fluid communication with an inlet of a turbine, and the bypass port configured for fluid communication with an exhaust aftertreatment device; a rotary valve comprising a valve rotor which rotates about a valve axis within the valve chamber between a first position to permit gas flow through the bypass port and a second position to block gas flow. At least one of the valve rotor and the valve chamber comprises a protrusion and the other comprises a recess, wherein, in the first position, the protrusion and recess are spaced from one another, and, in the second position the recess receives the protrusion such that gas flow between the protrusion and recess is substantially prevented.

Turbines are well known devices for converting the kinetic energy within a flowing gas into useful work. In particular, known turbines convert the kinetic energy of flowing gas into rotation of the turbine. The rotation of the turbine may be transmitted by a suitable linkage to any device suitable for doing useful work. Examples of such devices include a power generator (such that the turbine forms part of a power turbine) and a compressor (such that the device is a turbocharger).
As is well known in the art, turbochargers include a turbine and a compressor, and function by the turbine receiving exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine and consequently rotating a turbine wheel of the turbine so as to drive rotation of a compressor wheel of the compressor. The compressor wheel draws in gas and pressurises it so that the gas at an outlet of the compressor is at an elevated pressure (or boost pressure) as compared to that at the inlet of the compressor. The output of the compressor of the turbocharger (i.e. the gas at boost pressure) can be fed to an inlet of the internal combustion engine of which the turbocharger forms part. The increased pressure of the gas supplied to the inlet of the engine may lead to increased power output of the engine.
In some applications of turbine, a valve system may be required to enable exhaust gas produced by the engine to which the turbine is attached to bypass the turbine so it flows to the exhaust after treatment device or system without passing through the turbine.
Known valve systems (e.g. turbine bypass valves or rotary valves) can be difficult to manufacture to the required tolerances and therefore expensive. Furthermore, it can be complicated to integrate a valve system into the portion of the engine concerned.
There exists a need to provide an alternative valve system which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of known valve systems whether set out above or not. Additionally, there is a need for an alternative valve system.


In one embodiment, a process is provided for treating virgin arylene sulfide resins, wherein a heated polymer slurry, comprising a virgin arylene sulfide resin and water, is contacted by a buffer solution having a pH less than about 9.35 but greater than that necessary to result in at least a partial curing of the virgin arylene sulfide resin. In a further embodiment, a process is provided for treating a virgin arylene sulfide resin, wherein a virgin arylene sulfide resin is slurried in a buffer solution having a pH less than about 9.35 but greater than that necessary to result in at least a partial curing of the virgin arylene sulfide resin. The treating process of this invention is conducted at an elevated temperature, below the melting point of the virgin arylene sulfide resin, while in the substantial absence of a gaseous oxidizing atmosphere. The treated arylene sulfide resins are recovered from the polymer slurry in a manner which does not result in at least a partial curing of the treated resin.

Arylene sulfide polymers have become commercially important resins. The products prepared therefrom are finding increasing utility because of their outstanding durability, toughness, inertness, and versatility. Such resins, although having relatively high melting points, are thermoplastic.
The virgin (i.e., substantially linear and uncured) arylene sulfide resins generally have a relatively high melt flow (e.g., about 3000 to about 10,000 grams/10 minutes). For some purposes, such as encapsulation and coating, it is desirable to have arylene sulfide resins with a melt flow greater than about 15,000 grams/10 minutes. However, for other purposes, such as molding, film making and fiber making, the resins should have a melt flow in the range from about 10 to about 3,000 grams/10 minutes. Since virgin arylene sulfide resins generally have a melt flow ranging from about 3000 to about 10,000 grams/10 minutes, if such resins are to be employed in moldings or the making of polymeric films and/or fibers, the virgin resins must have their melt flow values decreased. Conversely, if such polymeric resins are to be employed for the purposes of encapsulation and/or coating, the virgin arylene sulfide resins must have their melt flow values increased.
One conventional method of decreasing the melt flow of virgin arylene sulfide resins, which is synonymous with increasing the virgin resins' molecular weight, is by a process referred to in the industry as "curing". Both, the extent to which the resin is cured and the final melt flow value obtained are controlled depending upon the intended end use of the polymer. One method of curing an arylene sulfide resin is to subject the resin to an elevated temperature below its melting point while in the presence of a gaseous oxidizing atmosphere. This method of curing virgin arylene sulfide resins is generally long and tedious.
It is known that the rate at which a virgin arylene sulfide resin cures is generally proportional to the temperature at which the resin is being cured. Therefore, one method of increasing the rate at which a virgin resin is cured is by employing a higher curing temperature. However, since it is often desirable to maintain the curing temperature below the melting point of the resin, the extent that the temperature may be increased is limited by the specific resin's melting point. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a process for increasing the rate at which arylene sulfide resins cure without increasing the curing temperature.
Furthermore, it is also desirable to have virgin arylene sulfide resins which are thermally stable in the melt. In other words, it is desirable to have arylene sulfide resins whose melt flow values do not substantially change while the resins are held at a temperature above their melting point for a period of time, such as, for example, during molding and extrusion procedures. Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide a process for preparing thermally stable arylene sulfide resins.
A further object of this invention is to provide a process to treat arylene sulfide resins to have varying melt flow values to meet specific fields of utility.
Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification and appended claims.


A domestic appliance having a metering device into which a storage insert containing additive substances can be inserted and by means of which additive substances can be dispensed in metered fashion during a number of cleaning operations. The metering device is distinguished in that it has an interface device for interacting with different storage inserts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dishwashers. More particularly, the present invention relates to domestic dishwasher with an additive dispenser.
The invention relates to a domestic appliance, especially a domestic dishwasher, having a metering device for control of dispensing additive substances, e.g. cleaning and/or rinsing substances, into which a storage insert with additive substances, e.g. cleaning and/or rinsing substances, can be inserted and with the metering device able to dispense additive substances from the storage insert into the treatment compartment, especially the washing compartment.
2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Conventional metering systems for washing machines or dishwashers generally have to be loaded manually for each wash process with cleaning substances in liquid, powder or solid form. The necessary quantity of cleaning substances has to be measured in accordance with a selected cleaning program. On the one hand metering the required quantity of detergents using a table to be found on the detergent packaging is inconvenient and brings with it the danger of soiling for the user. On the other hand the metering is susceptible to errors, so that an incorrectly metered amount of detergent can produce an inadequate wash result if the metered amount is too low or impose unnecessary stress on the environment if the amount is too high.
Devices are thus known from the prior art for storing detergent substances for several washing processes within the domestic appliance. Thus for example DE 39 03 636 C2 discloses a dishwasher with a washing compartment and with an automatic dispensing device for liquid detergents, in a separately refillable storage container with a fill level indicator and a dispensing device situated downstream from the receptacle via a detergent outlet being provided for accommodating the detergent. The dispensing device is accessible from the washing compartment side and can be activated for each machine program. The storage container is embodied as a large-volume built-in container and is arranged in a holder unit to allow removal. It can be swung out of the holder unit around a horizontal or vertical support axis to allow filling. Although this device is able to accept detergents for several washing processes it does not however save the operator having to refill the storage container. This can result in pollution, as a result of the spillage of liquid detergent for example. In addition the user of this machine is tied to the use a liquid detergent.
Another device for repeated automatic dispensing of a detergent is known from EP 0 586 633 B1. It comprises a detergent container for powdered detergent with an outlet opening above a dispensing and feed apparatus which is equipped with at least one recess for accommodating individual doses of a powdered detergent. This device too allows the storage of a large volume of washing powder for several washes, but does not do away with the refilling of the storage container with the disadvantages already mentioned above. Even when this metering device is used the user is tied to a specific type of detergent used, powdered detergent in this case.
Finally an exchangeable cassette for detergents is known from WO 02/058528. The cassette is intended for insertion into a corresponding dispensing system. In addition to a storage space for a detergent in pellet form, it comprises a transfer device, with which a pellet can be delivered in each case from the storage space individually to the dispensing device. The transfer device is driven by a drive device in the dispensing system. The cassette cannot be refilled but must be replaced in its entirety. It does save the user the messy operation of refilling a storage container with a detergent substance. However it demands a dispensing system adapted to the cassette with a drive device in the household appliance. This in its turn restricts the user in their choice of manufacturer to the manufacturer of the cassette. In addition the user of this system is once again tied to using a detergent in solid form and cannot operate the domestic appliance with a liquid detergent.

Push-in metering system for domestic appliances


A motor drive system and linkage arrangement for a hand prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis has at least one finger member extending generally tangentially with respect to a worm gear wheel secured to the prosthesis and driven by a drive motor and a worm gear located longitudinally within the finger to engage the teeth of the tangential worm gear wheel. When the drive motor runs the worm gear, the finger moves around the worm gear wheel toward or away from another finger member and/or a natural finger to open and close the prosthesis hand's grip. In an alternate embodiment, the drive motor and worm gear arrangement contained in one finger is connected by a linkage to the root portion of at least one other motorless finger mounted for pivotal movement on the prosthetic hand.

The design of such hand prostheses presents formidable problems in achieving gripping light enough to handle fragile objects and strong enough to provide a secure grip to objects where it is desired to apply substantial forces. These problems are further compounded by the limited spaced available, especially within the fingers themselves, and where it is required to provide for independent movement of different fingers to a greater or lesser extent, and/or varying the rate of movement of individual fingers.
A particular problem arises with the fitting of hand prostheses in patients with relatively long hand stumps. Conventional electrical hand prostheses use an electric motor mounted in the body structure of the hand itself. Some versions have the motor mounted axially parallel to the long axis of the arm and others have the motor at 90 degrees to this axis. A variety of transmission systems are used to link motor and fingers e.g. lead screw and nut, or bevel and spur gears. Without exception these types of hand prosthesis require precise alignment between motor and transmission system. This is usually achieved by locating all the parts within a hand body consisting of an investment casting or other moulded structure. Such an arrangement is relatively cumbersome and the motor cannot be readily accommodated within the limited space available in the main body of the prosthesis attached to the patient's hand stump. Another disadvantage is that patients with some residual digits cannot have any functional restoration at all because of the space constraints. The operational characteristics of such devices also tend to be restricted e.g. allowing only a single gripping pattern to be employed.

Motor drive system and linkage for hand prosthesis


A spreader assembly for spreading sand or salt comprised of a molded, double-walled hopper having a bin portion and leg portions. The hopper has an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall has a front end section and opposing side sections. The end sections and the side sections define a media-holding chamber within the bin portion of the hopper. The chamber has a generally rectangular upper portion, a funnel-shaped lower portion and a bottom having an opening extending through the bin portion. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the chamber slopes toward the opening. The outer wall of the hopper defines the leg portions, and the leg portions are dimensioned to extend below the opening in the bin portion.

Snow and ice control for parking areas around hospitals, shopping malls and industries is generally handled by private contractors or employees of such facilities who use a salt and sand spreader mounted to a vehicle. One type of spreader assembly is a "tailgate spreader." A tailgate spreader is a device having a hopper for holding the sand or salt and a spinner plate for distributing the same. The spreader is attached or mounted behind the tailgate of the vehicle, and is supported by the tailgate or the bumper of the vehicle. Such spreaders find advantageous use for most small commercial applications.
However, when the area to be controlled is relatively large, it is known to use spreader assemblies that include hoppers that rest within the bed of a conventional pick-up truck. Heretofore, such structures were relatively heavy and included an elongated hopper having a conveyor device within the hopper for conveying the sand or salt to a distributor.
The present invention provides an improved bed-mounted sand and salt spreader assembly for use on vehicles with flat beds.


A vehicle window shield has a body and an illumination device. The body has a protruding surface, a lip, a mounting hole and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is attached to the vehicle window frame. The illumination device in mounted inside the mounting hole in the body and connected to a corresponding turn signal of the vehicle. When vehicle window shield is used, the illumination device will light with the turn signal, and the assembly of the vehicle window shield is simple.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle window shield, more particularly to a vehicle window shield that has an illumination device.
2. Description of the Related Art
With reference to FIG. 6, vehicle window shields (600) prevent rain, snow or wind from coming into vehicle windows when the windows are open a little. With further reference to FIG. 7, a conventional vehicle window shield was showed. The conventional vehicle window shield has a body (90) and an illumination device (94). The body (90) has an outer surface (not numbered), an inner surface (not numbered), a mounting recess (91), an access hole (93) and multiple through holes (92). The mounting recess (91) is defined in the outer surface of the body (90). The access hole (93) is defined in the bottom of the mounting recess (91). The through holes (92) are defined in the bottom of the mounting recess (91) around the access hole (93). The illumination device (94) is mounted inside the mounting recess (91) in the body (90) and has an inner surface (not numbered), multiple threaded studs (95), multiple nuts (not numbered) and an electric cord (96). The threaded studs (95) extend respectively through the through holes (92), and the nuts screw respectively onto the studs (95) and hold the illumination device (94) in the mounting recess (91). The electric cord (96) passes through the access hole (93) and is connected to the corresponding turn signal of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle window shield with the illumination device (94) lights when the corresponding turn signal is activated.
However, the conventional vehicle window shield has the following disadvantage.
The illumination device (94) is held in the body (90) by nuts screwed onto the studs (95) that must be inserted through the through holes (92). Such assembly is inconvenient.
Thus, a real need exists today for a vehicle window shield that is easy to assemble.


A wireless communication device mixes audio content by combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise received audio signals, stored audio signals, or a combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized, and one or more video signals may be synchronized with them. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes one or more circuits, such as a baseband or system processor, configured as a mixing circuit. An included (mixing) control circuit may be configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to support audio source selections, mixed audio signal output destinations, and audio signal control (volume, tone, etc.) for audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

The present invention relates to wireless communication devices, such as cellular radiotelephones, and particularly relates to mixing audio content in wireless communication devices.
Wireless communication devices historically provided only basic communication functions. Limited battery performance and the lack of inexpensive user interface elements (graphical displays, decent audio components, etc.) represent some of the reasons underlying the paucity of extra features in older wireless communication devices. Further, network capabilities played into the mix of feature inclusion considerations. Early wireless communication networks offered traditional circuit-switched voice and fax services, and little else.
As such, "live" voice communications represented the only source for the audio signals handled by these older, traditional communication handsets. In contrast, contemporary wireless communication devices generally must select and play desired audio (and video) content from a variety of possible sources. The added complexity arises because contemporary wireless communication devices and their supporting networks offer a range of functions and services.
For example, increased data rates and support for Internet protocols enable the delivery of multimedia content by current wireless communication networks to appropriately configured portable devices. Moreover, the increased memory and improved user interfaces of such devices enhance their users' multimedia playback experience and, against this backdrop, it is not uncommon for a communication handset to double as a music or multimedia player, capable of playing audio and/or video content received over the air in a streaming format or as a file download, or transferred to the handset through its local communication interface (e.g., USB port).

Method of combining audio signals in a wireless communication device


Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node and machine-readable storage medium including one or more of the following: receiving, at the PCRN, a request message from an Evolved Packet Core node; determining whether the request message includes a request for a modification to an IP-CAN session; and if the request message includes a request for a modification to the IP-CAN session: determining a current bearer control mode for the IP-CAN session, determining a previous bearer control mode for the IP-CAN session, comparing the current bearer control mode to the previous bearer control mode, and if the current bearer control mode is different from the previous bearer control mode, modifying the IP-CAN session according to the current bearer control mode.

As the demand increases for varying types of applications within mobile telecommunications networks, service providers must constantly upgrade their systems in order to reliably provide this expanded functionality. What was once a system designed simply for voice communication has grown into an all-purpose network access point, providing access to a myriad of applications including text messaging, multimedia streaming, and general Internet access. In order to support such applications, providers have built new networks on top of their existing voice networks, leading to a less-than-elegant solution. As seen in second and third generation networks, voice services must be carried over dedicated voice channels and directed toward a circuit-switched core, while other service communications are transmitted according to the Internet Protocol (IP) and directed toward a different, packet-switched core. This led to unique problems regarding application provision, metering and charging, and quality of experience (QoE) assurance.
In an effort to simplify the dual core approach of the second and third generations, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has recommended a new network scheme it terms "Long Term Evolution" (LTE). In an LTE network, all communications are carried over an IP channel from user equipment (UE) to an all-IP core called the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The EPC then provides gateway access to other networks while ensuring an acceptable QoE and charging a subscriber for their particular network activity.
The 3GPP generally describes the components of the EPC and their interactions with each other in a number of technical specifications. Specifically, 3GPP TS 29.212, 3GPP TS 29.213, and 3GPP TS 29.214 describe the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), and Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) of the EPC. These specifications further provide some guidance as to how these elements interact in order to provide reliable data services and charge subscribers for use thereof.
The 3GPP specifications further describe methods of data plane traffic propagation. Data plane traffic is to be carried from the user equipment to the packet data network via virtual connections called "service data flows (SDFs)." Each SDF is to be carried by a virtual container called a "bearer." Each bearer is associated with specific quality of service (QoS) characteristics and may carry multiple SDFs. Thus, particular QoS settings may be assured for an SDF by associating the SDF with a matching bearer.
As described by 3GPP TS 29.212, 3GPP TS 29.213, and 3GPP TS 29.214, SDFs may be established in various manners. For example, SDFs may be established at the request of an Application Function (AF) associated with the provider of a service associated with the requested SDF. Such requests may be referred to as "network-initiated" requests. SDFs may also be established at the request of user equipment (UE). These requests may arrive at the PCRF from the Serving Gateway (SGW) or Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) and are referred to as "UE-initiated" requests. In some situations a request for an SDF may involve multiple messages, originating from both an AF and a UE.
Depending on factors such as the equipment serving a particular SDF, the EPC may not be able to fulfill all types of SDF requests. For example, in some implementations, network-initiated requests may not be allowed. 3GPP TS 29.212 describe a setting called "bearer control mode" which indicates what requests should be processed for a particular IP-CAN session. Bearer control mode may be set to a value of "UE_ONLY," indicating that the UE must request any resource establishment, modification, or termination; or "UE_NW," indicating that both network-initiated and UE-initiated requests are to be fulfilled.
The 3GPP specifications do not, however, describe how the PCRF should determine which bearer control mode setting is appropriate for a given IP-CAN session. The 3GPP specifications also fail to describe how the PCRF should identify and handle a situation where the bearer control mode should be changed. Without these steps, it becomes difficult for the EPC to provide reliable resource allocations that adapt to the needs of a mobile device and serving hardware.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a method for handling resource allocation requests. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a PCRF that may flexibly respond to resource allocation requests requiring an assessment of the bearer control mode for an SDF associated with the request. It would further be desirable to provide a PCRF that can handle a change to a bearer control mode associated with an SDF without introducing undesirable effects or violating any relevant specifications.

Method of handling a change to bearer control mode


A sales data processing apparatus configured to: store commodity information of a commodity to which a transaction processing is executed in a storage section; store, if a face from which attribute of a customer who purchases the commodity can be determined is detected from images captured by a camera, attribute information indicating the attribute determined according to face image information of the detected face in the storage section in association with the commodity information; send the stored commodity information to a server if the face from which the attribute of the customer who purchases the commodity can be determined is not detected according to the captured images; and store the attribute information indicating the attribute which is determined according to the face image information of a customer sent from the server which extracts the customer according to the sent commodity information in the storage section in association with the commodity information.

In a retail store such as a convenience store, there is a case in which attribute information such as a gender, age bracket and the like of a customer who purchases commodities in the store is acquired to analyze customer layers and the sales of commodities. The attribute information of the customer is acquired by analyzing the image of the customer captured by a camera arranged on a POS terminal (Point of Sales) or a ceiling.
To acquire the attribute information from the image of the customer, it is needed to photograph the face of the customer from the front of the customer. However, it is difficult to detect the face of a customer in a case in which the customer is not directly facing the camera or in a case in which the customer is directly facing the camera but wears a mask or hat, thus, the attribute information of the customer may not be acquired.

Sales data processing apparatus, server and method for acquiring attribute information


Jackscrew for use in correcting misalignments of teeth, comprising two main bodies (1,2), whose mutual separation can be adjusted by means of a spindle (3) provided with an operating part (5) and, continuous with that part, one or two screw-thread sections (7,11) the operating part (5) being rotatably mounted in one body (1) and one screw-thread section (11) being rotatably mounted in the other body (2), further comprising straight-line guide elements (22,23) which engage with both bodies (1,2) and guide them in a straight line while also preventing any relative rotation when the separation between the bodies is altered, and a threaded sleeve (13,14) on each of the screw-thread sections (7,11) of the spindle (3) the threaded sleeve (13,14) being guided inside a recess (6,10) in the respective body (1,2) and along the spindle (3) so as not to rotate relative to the body and transmitting its sliding motion to the bodies (1,2) via a spring (18,19) which determines the expansion force. The spring (18,19) is made from a shape-memory alloy, which is pseudo-elastic at temperatures prevailing inside the mouth.

The present invention relates to a jackscrew for use in correcting misalignments of teeth, comprising two main bodies. A jackscrew of this kind is known from German Patent 824 832. The known jackscrew serves, in conjunction with a split palate plate, to effect a correction into the correct tooth position in the event of an incorrect tooth position, for example if teeth in the upper or lower jaw project into the oral cavity or are displaced laterally inward. The two parts of the palate plate are spanned by the jackscrew and forced apart by adjusting the jackscrew. For this purpose, the known jackscrew has two bodies whose spacing relative to one other can be varied by means of a double spindle. Each of these bodies is usually embedded in one of the palate plates. The pressure which is built up by actuation of the spindles is cushioned by compression springs which act between the spindles and the two bodies that are to be forced apart. In the case of the known jackscrew, the springs are helical springs which surround the two threaded sections of the spindle and are braced at their one end against a cover which closes off a recess of the respective body so as to brace at their other end against a buttress in the form of a threaded sleeve which is threaded onto the relevant threaded section of the spindle and, secured against rotation, is displaced in the relevant recess of the body upon actuation of the spindle. A disadvantage in this context is the fact that in accordance with Hooke""s law, the spring force weakens as the treatment progresses. As a result, the effectiveness of the jackscrew also weakens during the course of the treatment, and the tooth position correction slows down and comes entirely to a standstill whenever the jackscrew is not readjusted. To avoid the need for frequent readjustment of the jackscrew, it is easy to give in to the temptation to load the springs in the jackscrew more strongly than is good for the teeth and the tooth position.
With the known jackscrew, it was moreover possible for deposits of food residues and tartar to penetrate into the jackscrew and cause jamming and immobilization of the screw.
It is the object of the present invention to indicate a way to make such jackscrews easier to work with, it being desirable on the one hand not to need to readjust the jackscrew so often, but on the other hand not to create the risk of shear stress peaks on the teeth.
This object is achieved by means of a jackscrew comprising two main bodies whose mutual separation is adjustable by means of a spindle provided with an operating part, and continuous with that part, one or two screw-thread sections, the operating part being rotatably mounted in one body, and one screw-thread section being rotatably mounted in the other body, further comprising straight-line guide elements which engage with both bodies and guide them in a straight line while also preventing any relative rotation when the separation between the bodies is altered, and a thread sleeve on each of the screw-thread sections of the spindle, the threaded sleeve being guided inside a recess in the respective body and along the spindle so as not to rotate relative to the body and transmitting its sliding motion to the bodies via a spring which determines the expansion force, characterized in that the spring is made from a shape-memory alloy which is pseudo-elastic at temperatures prevailing inside the mouth. The new jackscrew uses as the spring not a conventional steel spring but a spring made of a shape memory alloy that is pseudoelastic at the temperatures prevailing in the mouth. Preferred shape memory alloys are alloys based on nickel and titanium, in which nickel and titanium are contained in approximately equal atomic percentages. Alloys of this kind can exist, depending on the temperature selected, in either the austenitic or martensitic state. Martensite is present at lower temperatures, austenite at higher temperatures. The temperature at which the alloy begins to convert, upon cooling, from austenite into martensite is also referred to as the Ms point. In the martensitic state below the Ms point, alloys of this kind can exhibit shape memory: a plastic deformation occurring in the martensitic state can be reversed above the Ms point. A shape memory alloy of this kind can exhibit pseudoelastic behavior in a temperature range just above the Ms point. Pseudoelastic behavior is characterized in that the force required for an increasing elongation initially rises sharply as expected for an austenite, but then, after reaching an elongation of approximately 1 to 2%, increases only slightly as elongation progresses, and rises steeply again only after greater elongations (of 6 to 8%) are attained. The middle elongation region is referred to as the xe2x80x9cmartensite plateau.xe2x80x9d The name derives from the fact that martensite forms in the alloy in response to the tensile stress. When tension on the material is relaxed, it returns to the austenitic state. These pseudoelastic elongations are reversible to a large extent up to elongations greater than 6 to 8%. Because of the pronounced martensite plateau, pseudoelasticity does not obey Hooke""s law. As a result, springs which behave in this pseudoelastic fashion are particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention, since for spring travels in the martensite plateau range, the return force of the spring is almost independent of the spring travel. A jackscrew according to the invention thus has the great advantage that tensile stress remains almost unchanged over the course of the treatment. Because of the consistent spring load, the teeth are aligned more quickly than hitherto, and readjustment of the jackscrew is not required as often as in the existing art. Since there is almost no change in the spring force as long as it remains within the martensite plateau, it is moreover possible, by applying the invention, to reliably prevent an orthodontist from inadvertently applying excessive loads during a treatment, since simply by matching the spring travel to the elongation load of the jackscrew, it is possible to prevent any displacement beyond the martensite plateau from occurring; as a result, in the case of the jackscrew according to the invention, the tensile force is approximately determined only by the selection of the pseudoelastic spring, but not by the displacement travel of the spindle. The displacement travel of the spindle determines only the end of the tooth correction, not the force applied for it.
The invention makes the jackscrew substantially more convenient and reliable to use.
Pseudoelastic springs are known per se, but have hitherto not been used in jackscrews for orthodontic purposes, for which, according to the invention, they open up a substantially expanded field of application, putting an end once and for all to the hazards (damaging load peaks) associated with frequent readjustment of the jackscrew as required in the existing art.
Depending on the selected arrangement of the springs in the bodies of the jackscrew, the springs can be utilized as tension springs or compression springs. In terms of the construction of the jackscrew, an embodiment as compression springs is more favorable and therefore preferred.
The jackscrew could have a spindle with a head and a threaded portion, the head being mounted in a body and the threaded portion extending into the other body. Preferably, however, the spindle has two threaded portions which extend in opposite directions from an actuating member, located in the center, of the spindle, and have threads running in opposite directions. A configuration of this kind allows greater displacement travels.
In order to be effective, the spring must engage on the one hand on the body and on the other hand on the threaded sleeve located on the spindle. For this purpose, the recess in the body in which the threaded portion of the spindle, the threaded sleeve, and the spring are located is closed off by a cover whose installation completes assembly of the jackscrew. Said cover can be welded or soldered to the respective body, but it can also be pressed or set in and fastened by crimping over a rim provided on the body. Said cover then serves not only as a buttress for the spring, but also closes off the recess provided in the body at one end, so that food residues cannot penetrate from there, solidify, and thereby impair the function of the jackscrew. In order to prevent any penetration of food residues from the other side as well, a seal is preferably provided there, in particular an O-ring, which is arranged on the actuation member of the spindle in the vicinity thereof, and seals the access leading into the respective recess of the body from that end. If deposits of this kind, due to food residues, tartar, and accumulated plaque, are kept out of the recess in which the threaded sleeve and the pseudoelastic sleeve are located, proper functioning of the jackscrew throughout the course of the treatment can be ensured with no need for occasional cleaning operations to be performed.
The linear guide means are advantageously pins that are fixed in one of the two bodies and extend into bores of the other body. There is a certain risk of incrustation in the case of the linear guide means as well, although it is less than in the region of the spindle because the pins must slide out of the bores in which they are guided as the jackscrew is extended, but need not move inward; the pins also move back into the bores only over the length of the spring travel. It may nevertheless be advantageous to provide sealing rings there as well, which surround the pins and prevent the penetration of initially liquid food residues into the bores of the one body.
An exemplifying embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawings.


A combination of double and triple cell ganging which resolves any incompatibility between the number of detector channels and the lower number of DAS channels without requiring any significant hardware and software changes is described. In one specific embodiment, at least some detector cells on one side of the detector outside the FOV are wired in pairs, i.e., ganged, to form a set of 2 mm channels, and on the other side of the detector outside the FOV, at least some detector cells are wired together, i.e., ganged, to form a set of 3 mm channels. Such ganging of detector cells avoids having to make any significant hardware and software changes to known multislice CT systems.

In at least one known CT system configuration, an x-ray source projects a fan-shaped beam which is collimated to lie within an X-Y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system and generally referred to as the "imaging plane". The x-ray beam passes through the object being imaged, such as a patient. The beam, after being attenuated by the object, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the object. Each detector element of the array produces a separate electrical signal that is a measurement of the beam attenuation at the detector location. The attenuation measurements from all the detectors are acquired separately to produce a transmission profile.
In known third generation CT systems, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated with a gantry within the imaging plane and around the object to be imaged so that the angle at which the x-ray beam intersects the object constantly changes. A group of x-ray attenuation measurements, i.e., projection data, from the detector array at one gantry angle is referred to as a "view". A "scan" of the object comprises a set of views made at different gantry angles during one revolution of the x-ray source and detector. In an axial scan, the projection data is processed to construct an image that corresponds to a two dimensional slice taken through the object. One method for reconstructing an image from a set of projection data is referred to in the art as the filtered back projection technique. This process converts that attenuation measurements from a scan into integers called "CT numbers" or "Hounsfield units", which are used to control the brightness of a corresponding pixel on a cathode ray tube display.
To reduce the total scan time, a "helical" scan may be performed. To perform a "helical" scan, the patient is moved while the data for the prescribed number of slices is acquired. Such a system generates a single helix from a one fan beam helical scan. The helix mapped out by the fan beam yields projection data from which images in each prescribed slice may be reconstructed.
Multislice CT systems are used to obtain data for an increased number of slices during a scan. Known multislice systems typically include detectors generally known as 2-D detectors. With such 2-D detectors, a plurality of detector cells form separate columns, or channels, and the columns are arranged in rows. Each row of detectors forms a separate slice. For example, a two slice detector has two rows of detector cells, and a four slice detector has four rows of detector cells. During a multislice scan, multiple rows of detector cells are simultaneously impinged by the x-ray beam, and therefore data for several slices is obtained.
Until now, it was believed that to add rows of detector cells to a CT system, significant hardware and software modifications are necessary. Particularly, a data acquisition system typically samples analog data from each detector cell and converts the data to digital signals for subsequent processing. Therefore, when adding detector cell rows to a detector array, the data acquisition system must be modified to sample data from the additional detector cells. For example, for a two slice system, the data acquisition system must be modified to sample twice as many detector cells compared to a single slice system. Similarly, for a four slice system, the data acquisition system must be modified to sample four times as many detector cells compared to a single slice system.
By increasing the number of detector cells, the amount of data which must be transmitted across the gantry slip ring is increased. Such increased data preferably is transmitted across the slip ring within the same time frame at which data from a system with fewer detector cells is transmitted, and therefore, where increasing the number of detector cells, the data transmission rate across the slip ring typically must be increased.
It would be desirable to add detector cell rows to a CT system without requiring significant software and hardware modifications to known systems. It also would be desirable to provide such a multi-row system without degrading overall image quality.

Methods and apparatus for cell ganging in a multislice computed tomography system


The present invention provides a speaker box, which includes a housing with an accommodating space and a sound unit accommodated in the housing. The sound unit divides the accommodating space into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The housing is provided with a sound hole, the front cavity is communicated with the sound hole, the housing is provided with a baffle wall corresponding to the rear cavity, an air-permeable isolating member corresponding to the baffle wall is provided in the rear cavity, the baffle wall is matched with the air-permeable isolating member to separate a part from the rear cavity to form an independent cavity, and a sound absorbing material is filled in the independent cavity. The air-permeable isolating member is provided with a protrusion portion extending outwardly towards a direction away from the independent cavity.

In recent years, with a rapid development of mobile communication technology, mobile communication equipment with voice functions are increasingly used by consumers, such as portable telephones, handheld game machines and portable computers. Quality for designing a speaker box as a voice playing device directly affects a voice performance of mobile communication equipment products. In order to meet a market demand for thinness and higher sound quality, higher requirements are put forward for designing the speaker box.
In related technologies, the speaker box includes a housing with an accommodating space and a sound unit. The sound unit divides the accommodating space into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The rear cavity is provided with an independent cavity filled with a sound absorbing material, an isolating member is generally arranged at an opening end of the independent cavity to prevent the sound absorbing material from entering the rear cavity. The isolating member is generally a flat plate structure, and due to an irregular shape of the speaker box, a space of the rear cavity is not fully utilized.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new speaker box to solve the limitations above.


A vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A rear pocket is defined by a recess in the rear panel. A rigid polymeric rear door is disposed over the rear pocket and is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between a body and the side pocket door. The flexible sidewalls are constructed from a flexible fabric.

Seating assemblies for vehicles are increasingly becoming more adapted for occupant comfort in a variety of vehicle environments and for a number of driver and passenger preferences. These same seating assemblies frequently include increased versatility to create additional options in the way of cargo space. Vehicles generally have storage features so that transported items can be positioned in a safe place. Storage features that take advantage of otherwise unused space are very useful.


Disclosed is a composition, a method of making and a method of using critical clusters for asymmetric synthesis using substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid. The solvent molecules are capable of forming a multipoint hydrogen bonded solvate as they encage at least one solute molecule. The encaged solute molecule is capable of reacting to form an optically active chiral center. In another aspect, there is disclosed a method of directing the position of bonding between a solute molecule and a ligand involving encaging the solute molecule and the ligand with polar solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to change electric charge distribution in the solute molecule. In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method of making pharmaceutical compounds involving encaging a solute molecule, which is capable of forming a chiral center, and a ligand with polar solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to change electric charge distribution of the solute molecule. The solute molecule and ligand are then reacted whereby the ligand bonds to the solute molecule forming a chiral center. Also disclosed is a method for racemic resolution using critical clusters involving encaging racemic mixtures of solute molecules with substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to form critical clusters. The solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding with the solute molecules. The encaged solute molecules are then nonenzymatically reacted to enhance the optical purity of the solute molecules.

The present invention relates to molecular clusters. In particular, the invention relates to compositions, methods of making and methods of using molecular clusters of solvent mixtures in supercritical fluid.
Supercritical fluids are unique states of matter existing above certain temperatures and pressures. As such, these fluids exhibit a high level of functionality and controllability that can influence not only the macrophysical properties of the fluid, but also influence nano-structures of molecules dissolved in them.
Solvent mixtures in supercritical fluids and pressurized liquids are known to form molecular clusters about dilute solute molecules. These molecular clusters can be described as transient molecular cages and can behave as microscopic reactors. Molecular clusters can confine the space through which trapped molecules can diffuse which can increase the odds that trapped molecules might encounter a reactive collision. Organic solvents have the ability to cluster about dilute solute molecules in mixtures of supercritical fluids and pressurized fluids, and confine the space through which these xe2x80x9ccagedxe2x80x9d molecules can diffuse. Under these circumstances, it can be possible to maintain high reaction efficiency with minute, and possibly stoichiometric amounts of reactants.
The degree to which certain organic solvents cluster in supercritical and pressurized fluids has been studied. For example, acetonitrile has been investigated for its potential to cluster in CO2 above and below the critical point for the mixture. The use of solvents in supercritical fluids to affect the reaction kinetics and the yield of products produced from dilute solute reactant molecules has also been studied. For example, the use of acetonitrile in supercritical carbon dioxide has been investigated for its use as a solvent, as it applies to producing useful quantities of radioactive biomolecules for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in connection with the alkylation reaction between methyiodide and L-xcex1-methyl-N-2-propynyl phenylethylamine (nordeprenyl) to yield L-deprenyl.
In WO 92/20812, certain enzymes were used to selectively catalyze the reaction of only one enantiomer of a chiral compound in supercritical carbon dioxide. Specifically, a racemic mixture of a chiral compound was brought into contact with the enzyme that was only capable of reacting with one enantiomer of the mixture. The chiral product that was obtained was enantiomerically pure and easily separated from the reaction mixture by conventional methods such as extraction, crystallization or evaporation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,703 discloses an enzymatic esterification reaction involving a primary terpene secondary alcohol with a higher fatty acid in a reaction medium of supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of a lipase. Racemic resolution of the primary terpene secondary alcohol having chirality was achieved by first producing a fatty acid ester of the alcohol having an optical purity of almost 100% and then hydrolyzing the fatty acid ester to convert it back to an alcohol having high optical purity. Furthermore, the reaction velocity of the esterification reaction was found to have increased more than six times when the reaction medium was in supercritical carbon dioxide.
None of the technologies mentioned above disclose the use of fluids as a reaction medium under conditions that cause the reactants to form optically active chiral centers which would not form under ordinary reaction conditions. The technologies mentioned above also do not mention controlling chemical reactions by directing the position of bonding between ligands and molecules. Furthermore, the use of critical clusters for drug synthesis formed by directing the position of bonding between ligands and molecules wherein new chiral centers are formed have not been addressed. Finally, the use of critical clusters for racemic resolution reactions without the use of enzymes has not been addressed.
Thus, there is a need for new compositions which can be used to create optically active chiral centers with the advantages of using supercritical fluids. In addition, there is a need to be able to direct the position where ligands bond to molecules in a chemical reaction. Finally, there is a need to be able to make pharmaceutical compounds and perform racemic resolution reactions using critical clusters.
According to the present invention, it has now been found that molecular clusters formed by the aggregation of substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules dissolved in a supercritical fluid and maintained at or close to its critical density can exert certain spatial constraints on encaged solute molecules that allow for the creation of optically active chiral centers as a result of their undergoing a chemical reaction. In addition, certain kinetic control can be exerted over these molecular clusters and encaged reactant solute molecules that allow for control over the position where ligands bond on molecules. It has been found that these qualities can be tuned by adjusting the pressure and/or temperature of the supercritical fluid medium. Finally, pharmaceutical drug synthesis and racemic resolution reactions without the use of enzymes can be accomplished using critical clusters.
One aspect of the invention is directed to a critical cluster for asymmetric synthesis in which the critical cluster contains substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid. The solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding and encaging at least one solute molecule capable of reacting within the cluster to form an optically active chiral center.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of making critical clusters for asymmetric synthesis which includes encaging at least one solute molecule, which is capable of reacting within the critical cluster to form an optically active chiral center, with substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to form critical clusters. The substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding with the encaged solute molecules.
In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for asymmetric synthesis using critical clusters. This method involves encaging at least one solute molecule with substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to form critical clusters. The solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding with the solute molecules. The encaged solute molecules are then reacted within the cluster whereby an optically active chiral center is formed in a product of the reaction.
In a preferred embodiment, the substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules of the present invention are secondary alcohol molecules, preferably having from four to about nine carbon atoms. More preferably, the secondary alcohol molecules are selected from the group consisting of S(+)-2-butanol and R(xe2x88x92)-2-butanol. In another embodiment, the solute molecule is benzaldehyde.
In a preferred embodiment, the supercritical fluid that is employed in the present invention is carbon dioxide. The supercritical carbon dioxide is preferably maintained at a pressure from about 71 bar to about 275 bar, more preferably from about 100 bar to about 150 bar, and at a temperature from about 31xc2x0 C. to about 125xc2x0 C., more preferably from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 70xc2x0 C.
In another embodiment, the conditions of temperature and pressure of the supercritical fluid are sufficient to change the electric charge distribution of the solute molecule(s). The weight percentage of cosolvent and solute in the supercritical fluid is preferably from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 5% to about 15%.
In a further embodiment, the solute molecule employed is benzaldehyde and the product formed which has an optically active chiral center is S(+)benzoin.
The invention is also directed to a method of directing the position of bonding between a solute molecule and a ligand. This method involves encaging the solute molecule and the ligand with polar solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to change electric charge distribution in the solute molecule.
In one embodiment, the polar solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding to the solute molecules. These polar solvent molecules can be chiral and can also be substantially optically-pure. In addition, the polar solvent molecules can be secondary alcohol molecules, preferably having from four to about nine carbon atoms. The secondary alcohol molecules can be selected from the group consisting of S(+)-2-butanol and R(xe2x88x92)-2-butanol.
In a preferred embodiment, the supercritical fluid that is employed with the method of directing the position of bonding between a solute molecule and a ligand is carbon dioxide. The supercritical fluid is preferably maintained at a pressure from about 71 bar to about 275 bar, more preferably from about 100 bar to about 150 bar, and at a temperature from about 31xc2x0 C. to about 125xc2x0 C., more preferably from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 70xc2x0 C.
The weight percentage of cosolvent and solute in the supercritical fluid is preferably from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 5% to about 15%.
The ligand employed in the method stated above can be a methyl group and the solute molecule to which the methyl group bonds can be ritalinic acid. In such an embodiment, the conditions of temperature and pressure are sufficient for directing the bonding of the methyl group to the oxygen site of the carboxylic acid functional group on ritalinic acid forming the drug ritalin. The methyl group can come from an methylhalide selected from the group consisting of methyliodide and methylbromide. The polar solvent molecule can also be chiral and capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding to ritalinic acid resulting in an substantially optically-pure ritalin product. The polar solvent molecule can be acetonitrile.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of making pharmaceutical compounds using critical clusters. This method involves encaging a solute molecule, which is capable of forming a chiral center, and a ligand with polar solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to change electric charge distribution of the solute molecule. The encaged solute molecule and ligand are then reacted whereby the ligand bonds to the solute molecule forming a chiral center.
The polar solvent molecules can be chiral and they can also be substantially optically-pure. In addition, the polar solvent molecules can be capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding to the solute molecule. When the polar molecules are chiral, the chiral center which is formed can be substantially optically-pure. The polar solvent molecules can be secondary alcohol molecules, preferably having from four to about nine carbon atoms. In addition, the secondary alcohol molecules can be selected from the group consisting of S(+)-2-butanol and R(xe2x88x92)-2-butanol.
In a preferred embodiment, the supercritical fluid employed for making pharmaceutical compounds is carbon dioxide. The supercritical carbon dioxide is preferably maintained at a pressure from about 71 bar to about 275 bar, more preferably from about 100 bar to about 150 bar, and at a temperature from about 31xc2x0 C. to about 125xc2x0 C., more preferably from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 70xc2x0 C.
The weight percentage of cosolvent and solute in the supercritical fluid employed for making pharmaceutical compounds is preferably from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 5% to about 15%.
In one embodiment, the solute molecule is phenylethylamine and the ligand is a methyl group. The methyl group can come from a methylhalide selected from the group consisting of methyliodide and methylbromide. In this embodiment, the conditions of temperature and pressure can be made sufficient to direct the bonding of the methyl group to the alpha position of phenylethylamine to form amphetamine as the product.
In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for racemic resolution using critical clusters. This method involves encaging racemic mixtures of solute molecules with substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules in a supercritical fluid under conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to form critical clusters. The solvent molecules are capable of multipoint hydrogen bonding with the solute molecules. The encaged solute molecules are nonenzymatically reacted to enhance the optical purity of the solute molecules.
In a preferred embodiment, the substantially optically-pure chiral solvent molecules employed in the method for racemic resolution are secondary alcohol molecules, preferably having from four to about nine carbon atoms. More preferably, the secondary alcohol molecules are selected from the group consisting of S(+)-2-butanol and R(xe2x88x92)-2-butanol.
In a preferred embodiment, the supercritical fluid that is employed with the method for racemic resolution using critical clusters is carbon dioxide. The supercritical carbon dioxide is preferably maintained at a pressure from about 71 bar to about 275 bar, more preferably from about 100 bar to about 150 bar, and at a temperature from about 31xc2x0 C. to about 125xc2x0 C., more preferably from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 70xc2x0 C.
In another embodiment, the conditions of temperature and pressure of the supercritical fluid can be made sufficient to change the electric charge distribution of the solute molecule. The weight percentage of cosolvent and solute in the supercritical fluid is preferably from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 5% to about 15%.
As a result of the present invention, critical clusters can be made in supercritical fluids and used in microscale reactions to influence chemical reactions and form optically active chiral centers.
The present invention is therefore advantageous in that it allows the formation of optically active chiral centers that would not form under ordinary reaction conditions. Other advantages of the present invention include the capacity to direct the position of bonding between ligands and molecules in supercritical fluids by adjusting the pressure and temperature of the supercritical fluid. Still other advantages of the present invention include the potential for new synthetic pathways for producing pharmaceutical compounds such as amphetamine by directing the bonding of a methyl group to the alpha position of phenylethylamine by controlling the temperature and pressure of the reaction. Finally, the present invention provides the advantage of performing racemic resolution reactions in critical clusters without the need to use enzymes.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description and examples which follow, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Application of chiral critical clusters to assymetric synthesis


A method and computer program product for bypassing the initial sign-on of an underlying operating system with single sign-on capability. In one embodiment, a method comprises the step of providing an application framework which logs on a user with a first level of access in the underlying operating system thereby bypassing the initial sign-on screen of the underlying operating system. The method further comprises entering a logon input, e.g., userID and password, on a generated application framework sign-on screen by the user. The method further comprises comparing the logon input with an application framework security database to determine the level of access. If the user is only entitled to the first level of access, then the user is restricted to a first level of access. If the user is entitled to another level of access, then a switch user program may be executed to switch the level of access to a second level of access, i.e., change in the assortment and/or number of applications. In another embodiment, the user selects an icon to maintain a first level of access upon entering the logon input. In another embodiment, the user selects an icon to change the level of access upon entering the logon input.

Computer users are demanding flexible and sophisticated techniques in hardware and software implementations. This flexibility and sophistication are readily evident in evolving systems which alleviate requiring users to log on multiple times to a system. Typically a user identifies him/herself to the system by providing his/her userID and password. User management services will check the profile of the specified user and verify that the password provided is that of the named user. If the password is correct for the user, the user is marked as logged on and may subsequently access authorized system objects. The user may subsequently have to log on again perhaps with a different userID and password to access an application, e.g., word processing program, electronic mail, etc., after the user has logged onto the system. A recent study revealed that the average user of four applications spends approximately 44.4 hours per year just logging onto those applications. If the same user had a single sign-on capability, the time required to log onto the four applications would be reduced to approximately 17 hours per year. Single sign-on denotes the process by which the user presents a userID and password only once to access multiple applications or systems.
A system with single sign-on capability has been implemented by Hewlett Packard Company with the Windows operating system (Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation). The single sign-on is accomplished by taking advantage of what are known as "hooks" which enable calls to be made to call back functions when specified events occur such as the activation of a window. Such a hook enables a dynamic-link library (DLL) to automatically be inserted into an executing application program. A DLL file is one that contains one or more functions that are compiled, linked and stored separately from application processes that use them. Upon a call being made to a DLL, the Windows Operating System maps the DLL data into the process's address space when the process is either starting or running. By storing the correct input sequence in the DLL for logging onto an application and associating that input sequence with the applications logon dialog box, the user is able to automatically be logged onto an application once the user has successfully logged onto the Windows Operating System.
Unfortunately the user must log onto the underlying operating system, such as Windows 2000 or Windows NT, prior to accessing an application. It would therefore be desirable to bypass the initial sign-on screen of the underlying operating system so that the user signs on directly to the application environment while maintaining a single sign-on capability. It would further be desirable to change the level of access, i.e., change the assortment and/or number of applications the user has access to utilize, while maintaining a single sign-on capability.

Single sign-on to an underlying operating system application

International Business Machines Corporation


A high temperature/high pressure (HP/HT) apparatus for converting feedstock housed in a capsule into product crystals, comprising at least two electrical heating paths for independent control of both the mean temperature in the reaction cell and the temperature gradient across the reaction cell.

Conventional high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) apparatuses are known in the art, for use in the preparation of crystals such as diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), hexagonal boron nitride (HBN), semiconductor crystals such as gallium nitride (GaN) crystals and the like, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication No. 2003/0140845.
HP/HT apparatuses comprising a vessel or cell assembly may be of the belt-type, die-type, belt/dye type, or a zero-stroke type, are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.; 2,941,241; 4,523,478; 6,375,446; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is not uncommon for these types of HP apparatuses to contain up to 800,000–1,000,000 psi and to go up in temperatures of 2,000° C. and more.
The growth of large single crystals in such HP/HT apparatuses normally is carried out with a temperature gradient. The solubility of the substance to be crystallized is greater at one end of the cell than the other, allowing for dissolution of "source" or "nutrient" material at one end, transport (e.g., by diffusion) to the other end, and epitaxial deposition onto one or more growing crystals. The supersaturation and growth rate are controlled by the magnitude of the temperature gradient. The temperature gradient normally is achieved by means that do not allow for adjustment during the run, e.g., the growth region is asymmetrically placed within the cell so that one end is hotter than the other.
In the cell of a typical HP/HT apparatus in the prior art, a heating element makes electrical contact with two points of the apparatus, for example, with the top and the bottom anvils, and the cell is heated by passing electrical current through the heating element. External components of the pressure vessel are cooled, typically by forced convection with a coolant such as water or a water/anti-freeze solution. The mean cell temperature increases as an increasing electrical current is passed through the heating element. However, the hot end of the cell is hotter than the cold end at all times during the run, typically by an amount that is approximately proportional to the mean temperature increase of the cell relative to its initial value. Because the cell contains only one independent heating circuit and cooling is provided at a fixed temperature, it is not possible to independently control the temperatures of two different regions of the sample or locations within the cell.
For growing crystals or processing materials at modest pressures, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,948 by Porowski et al. discloses a three-zone/independently-heated furnace for crystal growth in a gas-pressure vessel at pressures up to 20 kbar. However, gas-pressure vessels have significant limitations for crystal growth and material processing under extreme conditions. First, the volumes and pressures achievable with gas-pressure vessels are limited. Large-volume gas-pressure vessels are normally limited to a maximum working pressure of about 2 kbar. Small-volume internally-heated pressure vessels are commercially available at pressures up to about 10 kbar. Second, gas-pressure vessels are hazardous, particularly when working at pressures above 5 kbar.
By contrast, HP/HT apparatuses that utilize a solid or a liquid as a pressure medium, which are significantly less hazardous than gas-pressure vessels, can access considerably higher pressures, to 100 kbar and above. However, there is still a need for in the art for independently controlling the temperature of at least two different regions in these HP/HT apparatuses for growing crystals or processing materials with a solid or liquid pressure medium at pressures between about 2 kbar and about 100 kbar, or more particularly at pressures between about 5 kbar and about 80 kbar.
The applicants have built a surprisingly simple and novel HP/HT apparatus that allows the operator to independently control both the mean temperature in the cell and the temperature gradient across the cell. In one embodiment of the invention, improved crystal growth is also obtained in the novel apparatus of the invention.

High pressure/high temperature apparatus with improved temperature control for crystal growth


A tubular skylight having an improved dome improving the efficiency of the skylight and reducing the shadows cast by the skylight. The dome includes a substantially vertical rear face having an integral prism in a portion of its outer surface, and the rear face is offset inwardly from the perimeter of the reflective tube, thus allowing light to escape from the bottom edge of the rear face downwardly into the reflective tube. The integral prism does not extend to the top or front face of the dome, thus reducing the prevalence of shadows created by light rays entering the dome through the prism.

The present invention relates to skylights, and more particularly to tubular skylights, which include a reflective tube extending downwardly from the dome.
Tubular skylights have acquired increasing popularity as a means of introducing natural light into a building interior. These skylights include a dome with flashing mounted on the building roof, a light diffuser mounted in the building ceiling, and a reflective tube interconnecting the dome and the diffuser. Natural light entering the skylight through the dome reflects downwardly through the tube to the diffuser. The tube in a sense acts as a gigantic optical fiber. Typically, the domes are fabricated of clear plastic; and the tube is fabricated of aluminum with a reflective coating.
The efficiency of such skylights (i.e. the amount of natural light reaching the building interior) is primarily a function of the amount of light passing through the dome into the tube and of the reflective efficiency of the tube. It is desirable to channel or steer as much light as possible downwardly through the tube to illuminate the building interior. One such approach is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,339, issued Aug. 12, 1998, to DeBlock et al, and entitled "Tubular Skylight with Improved Dome." This approach utilizes a series of prisms along one portion of the outer surface of a hemispherical dome to reflect light downwardly into the tube. The prisms converge near the top of the hemisphere. However, in direct light the converging prisms cast shadows which can be seen on the underside of the diffuser. Additionally, although the prisms are a significant improvement in directing the light downwardly, improved efficiencies are still desired. Further, the dome is aesthetically deficient when mounted on the roof.


A fuel injection system for an engine is configured of a downstream-side fuel injection valve which is provided to an intake passage connected to a combustion chamber, and from which fuel in the intake passage is injected, and an upstream-side fuel injection valve which is provided in the intake passage upstream of the downstream-side fuel injection valve, and from which fuel in the intake passage is injected. In the fuel injection system, a fuel injection pressure applied to the upstream-side fuel injection valve is set at a higher value than a fuel injection pressure applied to the downstream-side fuel injection valve. Fuel is injected from both injection valves on fuel injection shares depending on a detected load on the engine.

A fuel injection system used for an engine of a motorcycle or the like is typically includes a fuel pump for supplying fuel under pressure, a regulator for keeping the pressure of fuel (fuel pressure) constant, a fuel injection valve from which fuel in an intake passage (or pipe) is injected, the intake passage joined to a combustion chamber of an engine, an electronic control unit (ECU) that is operation control means for the fuel injection valve, and the like. In such a system, the electronic control unit determines an air-fuel ratio at which the most effective combustion condition is achieved, based on information such as an accelerator opening degree, an engine RPM (revolutions per minute), and an intake air amount, and causes fuel to be injected in the amount necessary to achieve such an air-fuel ratio from the fuel injection valve.
Furthermore, another fuel injection system is known as an improved version of the above-described fuel injection system. In such a system, fuel injection valves are provided in the intake passage on the upstream side and downstream side thereof, respectively. Both of these fuel injection valves are connected in series with a fuel pipe joined to a fuel tank. With this configuration, while fuel is constantly injected from the fuel injection valve provided on the downstream side of the intake passage, fuel is also injected from the fuel injection valve provided on the upstream side of the intake passage when an engine load is increased (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-100633 (JP '633).) It has been known that the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve provided on the upstream side of the intake passage is improved in volumetric efficiency, since heat is taken from intake air when the fuel is vaporized. Accordingly, the fuel injection system with this configuration makes it possible to improve the output of an engine (See, for example, JP '633).
However, in a case where the fuel injection valves are provided on both of the upstream and downstream sides of the intake passage as described above, the distance between the fuel injection valve provided on the upstream side of the intake passage and a combustion chamber is greater than that between the fuel injection valve provided on the downstream side of the intake passage and the combustion chamber. As a result, the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve on the upstream side reaches the inside of the combustion chamber after the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve on the downstream side reaches. For this reason, in order to supply fuel in the whole amount required to the combustion chamber within a period of time in an intake stroke, it is necessary to make the amount of fuel injected from the downstream side larger than that of fuel injected from the upstream side. This brings about a problem that an effect obtained by additionally providing the fuel injection valve on the upstream side of the intake passage is not sufficiently produced.


A bit adding part acquires RSSI as measured by an RSSI measuring part, and adds “1” to each bit of protected audio data of an audio vocoder, if the acquired RSSI is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. If the acquired RSSI is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the bit adding part adds the bits of additional data to the respective bits of the protected data of the audio vocoder. A frame recovery part separates upper and lower order bits of deinterleaved data, and determines, based on CRC, whether eight data parts as obtained by combining the lower order bits as separated are valid. If so, the frame recovery part combines the eight data parts as the additional data to recovery additional information. In this way, additional data can be efficiently transmitted, while error correction being performed in accordance with communication environment.

In radio communication including mobile communication, data other than audio data such as information for specifying a communication position may be transmitted during communication.
There is also a cellular phone system described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-215328 (pages 3 to 6 and FIG. 2) that is adapted to transmit additional information for expansion of services such as guidance data concerning telephone numbers, location information of an originator, and a profile of the originator. This additional information is unitized and transmitted as additional data. Assuming that the audio data is main data, the additional data are associated data associated with the main data and transmitted separately at timing different from timing for transmitting the audio data.
However, the additional data are data for expansion of services as described above and are not always necessary. When the timing different from the timing for transmitting the audio data is separately provided to transmit such additional data, transmission efficiency is deteriorated. Thus, this is not preferable.
As a communication apparatus, there is a communication apparatus that controls presence or absence of FEC (Forward Error Correction) according to communication procedure data by handshake, converts a rate including FEC of main data, and transmits data using a surplus of the rate. However, in such a communication apparatus, a communication procedure (protocol) is required and the procedure is complicated.
The invention has been devised in view of such problems in the past and it is an object of the invention to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a data transmitting method, and a data receiving method that are capable of efficiently performing transmission and reception of associated data associated with main data.
It is another object of the invention to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a data transmitting method, and a data receiving method that are capable of easily controlling presence or absence of error correction.

Apparatus and method for transmitting or receiving data