A three-dimensional archery target device (1) comprised of an animal-like target having a body section (2) and preferably two head sections (3). The body section (2) has at least two vital target areas (5) on each side of the body section (2) representing the chest area of an animal. To use the present invention, a person positions the target device (1) in a predetermined location as desired. Because the target has at least two vital areas (5) on each body section (2) side, a hunter/archer is able to have multiple angels of insertion (10A, 10B) into a vital area (5). In addition, because the target includes two head sections (3), a hunter/archer is better able to pinpoint a vital target area (5). The target device (1) may have the shape of a deer, bear, elk, moose, duck, goose, rabbit, antelope and the like.

This invention relates to archery target devices, more particularly, a three-dimensional archery target device that has at least two vital target areas.
Rather than using one-dimensional planar archery targets, hunters/archers prefer to use three-dimensional targets in order to have more realistic target practices. The current three-dimensional archery targets, which may be shaped and sized like live deer or other animals, contain only one vital target area wherein hunters/archers aim. The hunter/archer focuses on the front end of the animal, typically the head and chest area, and visually maps out the vital target area in relation to the head. In all cases, the vital target area is chest area of an animal target wherein the heart and lungs are located. Hunters/archers simply place the target at a desired location, move away from the target and aim for the chest area.
Although the use of conventional three-dimensional archery targets provide the most realistic hunting/archery target scenario, there are several drawbacks to using such targets. First, because the chest area is the most desired area to hit a deer, skilled archers find themselves hitting the same area again and again, thereby breaking up and destroying the chest. Second, if the chest area is broken up so much so as to no longer be useful, a hunter/archer must purchase an entirely new target or, at the very least, a new target area, which is costly. Third, as these highly skilled archers aim for and hit the same area, he or she must shoot and remove one arrow at a time in order to avoid damaging the arrow already in the chest as replacing damaged arrows is costly. Fourth, as the hunter/archer focuses primarily on the front section of an animal-shaped target, the hind-quarters are unneeded and therefore frivolous. Finally, as the targets only have one vital target area on each side of the target, archers must either reposition the target, reposition his or her placement in relation to the target or use a plurality of targets in order to have diversified angle of insertion target practice.
Thus, a need exists for a three-dimensional archery target device having at least two vital target areas on at least one side.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
Patent No.(U.S. unless stated otherwise)InventorIssue/Publication Date6,550,773McKenzie et al.Apr. 22, 20036,254,100RinehartJul. 3, 20014,477,082McKenzie et al.Oct. 16, 19842004/0108659PulkrabekJun. 10, 20046,575,469LoveJun. 10, 20035,308,084MorrellMay 3, 19945,503,403MorrellApr. 2, 19964,203,600BrownMay 20, 19805,498,001Franks et al.Mar. 12, 1996

Three-dimensional archery target with multiple vital target areas


Methods and apparatus for a packing ring segment assembly for sealing a turbine gas path are provided. The assembly includes a sealing portion including radially inwardly directed teeth, and a dovetail mounting portion including a hollowed out portion including a biasing member internal to the packing ring segment. The biasing member is coupled to the packing ring segment and configured to engage a pair of annular shoulders of a dovetail groove in the turbine such that the packing ring segment is biasing radially outward at relatively low turbine loads and low working pressure, and at relatively high turbine loads and high working pressure a working fluid overcomes the radial biasing member forces and urge the packing ring segment radially inward.

This invention relates generally to variable clearance packing for rotatable machines and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing variable clearance packing utilizing retractable packing components for rotary machines such as steam and gas turbines.
Rotary machines such as steam and gas turbines used for power generation and mechanical drive applications are generally large machines consisting of multiple turbine stages. In such machines, high pressure fluid flowing through the turbine stages must pass through a series of stationary and rotary components. Annular, segmented seals mounted on the stationary components are used to control leakage of fluid along the path between the stationary and rotary components. The efficiency of the turbine is directly dependent on the ability of the segmented seals or packing segments to prevent leakage, for example, between the rotor and stator. In certain designs, external springs maintain the packing segments radially outwardly of the rotor, for example, during start-up and shutdown. After the rotor has been brought up to speed, fluid pressure is supplied between the packing segments and a cavity in the rotor casing behind the segments to displace the segments radially inwardly to obtain smaller clearances with the rotor. However, dimensions of smaller industrial turbines prevent installation of retro-fit improved seals without costly and outage extending machining.

Method and apparatus for variable clearance packing


A drive control system includes a power split mechanism, a brake mechanism, a first motor, an output member, a second motor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to; obtain at least one of a first time that is a duration of a motor driven state or a second time that is a duration of a state where the motor driven state is ended, estimate a temperature of the power split mechanism based on at least one of the first time or the second time, and allow or inhibit the motor driven state in accordance with a temperature of the power split mechanism, the first time, or the second time.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control system for a hybrid vehicle that uses a motor, which is used to control the rotation speed of an engine, as a driving force source that outputs driving force for propelling the hybrid vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
A so-called two-motor hybrid vehicle is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-295140 (JP 8-295140A). The hybrid vehicle includes a power split mechanism formed of a planetary gear mechanism. Torque output from an engine is input to a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism, and a first motor having a power generating function is coupled to a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism. A ring gear is an output element of the planetary gear mechanism. The ring gear is coupled to a differential via a counter gear unit that constitutes a speed reduction mechanism. A second motor is coupled to the counter gear unit. Electric motor generated by the first motor is allowed to be supplied to the second motor. In addition, a brake that stops rotation of an input shaft coupled to the carrier is provided. In a state where the carrier is fixed by engaging the brake, the power split mechanism functions as a speed reduction mechanism, and is able to amplify torque output from the first motor and output the amplified torque from the ring gear.
International Application Publication No. 2011/114785 describes a system having a similar configuration to that of the hybrid drive system described in JP 8-295140 A. In the drive system of this type, for example, if a vehicle is towed in a state where an engine is stopped, because a carrier is stopped, there is a possibility that it becomes insufficient to supply lubricating oil to pinion gears, pinion pins, and the like. In the system described in International Application Publication No. 2011/114785, a receiver that receives lubricating oil falling from a liquid pool portion provided above a planetary gear mechanism and then guides the received lubricating oil to the pinion pins is provided.
In the hybrid vehicle described in JP 8-295140A, when the engine is stopped and rotation of the carrier is stopped by the brake, the power split mechanism serves as a speed reducer. When the first motor is caused to function as a motor in this state, torque of the first motor is amplified and output from the ring gear, so it is possible to propel the hybrid vehicle. In this case, because the carrier does not dip lubricating oil, there arises a situation that it is not possible to sufficiently supply lubricating oil to the pinion gears, the pinion pins, and the like, as described in International Application Publication No. 2011/114785.
The system described in International Application Publication No. 2011/114785 is configured to guide lubricating oil falling from the liquid pool portion provided above the planetary gear mechanism to the pinion pins or the pinion gears. Therefore, when lubricating oil is sufficiently pooled in the liquid pool portion, it is possible to supply lubricating oil to the pinion pins, the pinion gears, and the like. However, for example, when lubricating oil in the liquid pool portion runs dry or does not sufficiently fall because of high-viscosity lubricating oil, there is a possibility of insufficient lubrication of the pinion pins, the pinion gears, and the like. Because it is required to provide the above-described liquid pool portion, it is required to significantly modify an existing system, and there is a possibility that the size of the overall configuration of the hybrid system increases.


A connector contact includes a pair of contact arms, a contact support, and an external connecting terminal. The pair of contact arms are made of strips having a predetermined thickness and opposing end faces. The contact arms have flat contact surfaces, on inner sides of their distal end portions, which are formed by crushing the strips toward their end faces. The contact support supports the contact arms. The external connecting terminal projects from the contact support. A method of manufacturing a connector contact is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a connector contact suitably used in a multi-contact type connector, and a method of manufacturing the same.
Generally, as a connector contact used in a connector and the like, a fork contact, formed by punching a metal contact material by a press or the like and having two contact surfaces formed by plating respective plating target surfaces, is known.
FIG. 5 shows the schematic structure of a conventional fork contact disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-117574 (reference 1). Referring to FIG. 5, a U-shaped fork contact 51 has two contact arms 51a and 51b parallel to each other, a contact support 51c for supporting the two contact arms 51a and 51b, and an external connecting terminal 51d projecting from the contact support 51c.
The fork contact 51 having the above structure is manufactured in the following manner. First, a contact material made of a metal plate is punched to form a first contact forming piece 61 integrally having two contact arm forming portions 61a and 61b parallel to each other, a contact support 61c for supporting the two contact arm forming portions 61a and 61b, and an external connecting terminal 61d projecting from the contact support 61c, as shown in FIG. 6.
The distal end portions of the contact arm forming portions 61a and 61b of the first contact forming piece 61 are twisted by 90 degrees to form a second contact forming piece having opposing plating target surfaces (contact arm surfaces). The plating target surfaces of the second contact forming piece are plated to form contact surfaces. In this manner, the fork contact 51 shown in FIG. 5 is fabricated.
In the conventional fork contact 51 described above, since the plating target surfaces are opposed to each other by twisting the second contact forming piece, the external form width (dimensions from the left end of 61a to the right end of 61b) of the whole of the contact arm forming portions 61a and 61b must be set to be larger than that of the contact support 61c. As the plating target surfaces oppose each other during plating, when they are subjected to plating from the punched surface side (perpendicular to the sheet surface of 51c), the plating material undesirably attaches to portions other than the plating target surfaces such as the sheared surfaces.
As a result, the number of contact forming pieces obtained from one contact material decreases, and a large amount of plating material is necessary for plating, leading to an increase in manufacturing cost. As the second contact forming piece is subjected to twisting, it is difficult to keep the parallel degree between the contact surfaces, and the reliability of the machining precision decreases.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-152051 (reference 2) disclosed a fork contact having L-shaped contact arms with distal end portions bent through 90 degrees. This structure, however, does not solve the problems described above.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector contact manufactured at a low cost, and a method of manufacturing the same.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector contact which can increase the reliability of the machining precision, and a method of manufacturing the same.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a connector contact comprising a pair of contact arms made of strips having a predetermined thickness and opposing end faces, the contact arms having flat contact surfaces, on inner sides of distal end portions thereof, which are formed by crushing the strips toward the end faces thereof, a contact support for supporting the contact arms, and an external connecting terminal projecting from the contact support.

Connector contact and method of manufacturing the same


Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel DNA binding proteins implicated in regulation of early stages of cell growth. Illustratively provided are human and mouse origin DNA sequences encoding early growth regulatory ("Egr") proteins which include "zinc finger" regions of the type involved in DNA binding. Also disclosed is a detailed analysis of the structure and function of the early growth regulatory protein, Egr-1, delineating independent and modular activation, repression, DNA-binding, and nuclear localization activities. Also disclosed are immunological methods and materials for detection of Egr proteins and hybridization methods and materials for detection and quantification of Egr protein related nucleic acids.

Among the most significant aspects of mammalian cell physiology yet to be elucidated is the precise manner in which growth factors (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters and various developmental and differentiation factors) operate to effect the regulation of cell growth. The interaction of certain growth factors with surface receptors of resting cells appears to rapidly induce a cascade of biochemical events thought to result in nuclear activation of specific growth-related genes, followed by ordered expression of other genes. Analysis of sequential activation and expression of genes during the transition from a resting state ("G.sub.0 ") to the initial growing state ("G.sub.1 ") has been the subject of substantial research. Lau et al. (1987); Sukhatme et al. (1987)!
Much of this research has involved analysis of the expression of known genes encoding suspected regulatory proteins (such as the protooncogenes, c-fos and c-myc) following mitogen stimulation. An alternative approach has involved attempts to identify genes activated by mitogenic stimuli through differential screening of cDNA libraries prepared from resting cells following exposure to serum and specific growth factors. Lau et al. (1985); Cochran et al. (1983).!
Of interest to the background of the invention is the continuously expanding body of knowledge regarding structural components involved in the binding of regulatory proteins to DNA. Illustratively, the so-called receptor proteins are believed to bind to DNA by means of zinc ion stabilized secondary structural fingers premised on the folding of continuous amino acid sequences showing high degrees of conservation of cysteines and histidines and hydrophobic residues. Gehring (1987).! For example, a "zinc finger" domain or motif, present in Xenopus transcription factor IIIA (TF IIIA), as well as the Drosophila Kruppel gene product and various yeast proteins, involves "repeats" of about 30 amino acid residues wherein pairs of cysteine and histidine residues are coordinated around a central zinc ion and are thought to form finger-like structures which make contact with DNA. The cysteine-histidine (or "CC--HH") zinc finger motif, as opposed to a cysteine-cysteine ("CC--CC") motif of steroid receptors, is reducible to a consensus sequence represented as Cys Xaa.sub.2-4 Cys Xaa.sub.3 Phe Xaa.sub.5 Lys Xaa.sub.2 His Xaa.sub.3 His (SEQ. ID. NO: 67) wherein C represents cysteine, H represents histidine, F represents phenylalanine, L represents leucine and X represents any amino acid. Klug et al (1987); Blumberg et al. (1987); and Schuh et al. (1986).!
Primary response or immediate early genes are those genes induced by mitogenic or other stimuli even in the absence of de novo protein synthesis and thus constitute the first step in the biochemical cascade resulting in gene activation or polypeptide expression. One such primary response gene, Egr-1, Sukhatme, et al. 1987; Sukhatme, et al. 1988! also known as NGFI-A Milbrandt 1988!, Krox24 Lemaire, et al. 1988!), zif268 Christy, et al. 1988!, and TIS8 Lim, et al. 1987!, is induced transiently and ubiquitously by mitogenic stimuli and also regulated in response to signals that initiate differentiation.
A transcription factor is a regulatory protein that binds to a specific DNA sequence (e.g., promoters and enhancers) and regulates transcription of an encoding DNA region. Typically, a transcription factor comprises a binding domain that binds to DNA (a DNA binding domain) and a regulatory domain that controls transcription. Where a regulatory domain activates transcription, that regulatory domain is designated an activation domain. Where that regulatory domain inhibits transcription, that regulatory domain is designated a repression domain.
Egr-1 encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein with three zinc finger motifs of the Cys.sub.2 His.sub.2 class, suggesting that Egr-1 may mediate growth response by regulating distal gene expression Cao, et al. 1990!. In this respect Egr-1 is like other immediate early transcription factors of the fos Greenberg, et al. 1984; Kruijer, et al. 1984! and jun Ryseck, et al. 1988! families. The Egr-1 protein is known to be localized to the nucleus Cao, et al. 1990; Day, et al., 1990; Waters, et al. 1990!, to bind to DNA at a site comprising the polynucleotide sequence CGCCCCCGC Christy, et al. 1989; Cao, et al. 1990; Lemaire, et al. 1990!, and to activate transcription through this specific sequence Lemaire, et al. 1990; Patwardhan, et al. 1991!. The evolutionary conservation of this gene Sukhatme, et al. 1988!, as well as the broad spectrum of induction--by TPA and growth factors Lim, et al. 1987; Milbrandt 1988; Lemaire, et al. 1988; Christy, et al. 1988; and Sukhatme, et al. 1988!, by neuronal stimuli (Sukhatme, et al. 1988; Milbrandt 1988; and Cole, et al. 1989!, by ischemic injury Oullette, et al. 1990; Gilman, et al. 1986!, and in some contexts in response to differentiation signals Sukhatme, et al. 1988!--implicates Egr-1 as an important nuclear intermediary in signal transduction.
DNA binding domains of transcription factors are well known in the art. Exemplary transcription factors known to contain a DNA binding domain are the GAL4, c-fos, c-Jun, lac1, trpR, CAP, TFIID, CTF, Sp1, HSTF and NF-KB proteins. Preferably, a DNA binding domain is derived from the GAL4 protein.
The GAL4 protein is a transcription factor of yeast comprising 881 amino acid residues. The yeast protein GAL4 activates transcription of genes required for catabolism of galactose and melibiose. GAL4 comprises numerous discrete domains including a DNA binding domain Marmorstein et al. 1992!. The DNA sequences recognized by GAL4 are 17 base pairs (bp) in length, and each site binds a dimer of the protein. Four such sites, similar but not identical in sequence, are found in the upstream activating sequence (UAS.sub.G) that mediates GAL4 activation of the GAL1 and GAL10 genes, for example Marmorstein et al., 1992!.
Of particular interest to the background of the invention is a recent report Chowdhury et al. 1987! relating to an asserted "family" of genes encoding proteins having histidine/cysteine finger structures. These genes, designated "mkr1" and "mkr2", appear to be the first such isolated from mammalian tissue and are not correlated to any early growth regulatory events.
There continues to exist in the art a need for information concerning the primary structural conformation of early growth regulatory proteins, especially DNA binding proteins, such as might be provided by knowledge of human and other mammalian polynucleotide sequences encoding the same. A body of work suggests the modular nature of transcription factors, in which functional domains are structurally independent and able to confer activity on heterologous proteins Ptashne 1988!. To date, the domains responsible for these functions have not been identified in Egr-1 and Egr-1 proteins. Activation domains, and more recently repression domains, have been demonstrated to function as independent, modular components of transcription factors. Activation domains are not typified by a single consensus sequence but instead fall into several discrete classes: for example, acidic domains in GAL4 Ma, et al. 1987!, GCN4 Hope, et al. 1986!, VP16 Sadowski, et al. 1988!, and GATA-1 Martin, et al. 1990!; glutamine-rich stretches in Sp1 Courey, et al. 1988! and Oct-2/OTF2 Muller-Immergluck, et al. 1990; Gerster, et al. 1990!; proline-rich sequences in CTF/NF-1 Mermod, et al. 1989!; and serine/threonine-rich regions in Pit-1/GHF-1 Theill, et al. 1989! all function to activate transcription. The activation domains of fos and jun are rich in both acidic and proline residues Abate, et al. 1991; Bohmann, et al. 1989!; for other activators, like the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein C/EBP Friedman, et al. 1990!, no evident sequence motif has emerged.
To date the only well characterized repression domain is the alanine-rich sequence in the Drosophila gap protein Kruppel Licht, et al. 1990; Zuo, et al. 1991). Other Drosophila proteins such as Even-skipped Han, et al., 1989; Biggin, et al. 1992) and Engrailed (Han, et al. 1989; Jaynes, et al. 1991!, and mammalian DNA-binding proteins such as Tst-1/SCIP Moniku, et al. 1990!, WT1 Madden, et al. 1991!, and YY1/NF-E1.delta. Shi, et al. 1991; Harihan, et al. 1991; Park, et al. 1991! have been shown to act as repressors. Of these, Kruppel, Engrailed, WT1, and YY1 /NF-E1/.delta. have been shown to confer their repression function on a heterologous DNA-binding domain. However, except in the case of Kruppel, the sequences responsible have not been precisely delineated.
Nuclear localization signals (NLS) are generally short stretches of 8-10 amino acids characterized by basic residues as well as proline. NLS sequences are retained in the mature protein, may be found at any position as long as it is exposed on the protein surface, and can be present in multiple copies. Proteins enter the nucleus through nuclear pores by a two-step process: the first step is a rapid, signal-dependent binding to the nuclear pore periphery, while the second step is a slower, ATP-and temperature-dependent translocation across the pore Garcia-Bustos, et al. 1991; Silver 1991!.
Precedents for the incorporation of nuclear targeting signals within a DNA-binding domain include fos Tratner, et al. 1991!; the progesterone receptor, in which the second finger but not the first functions as an NLS Guiochon-Mantel, et al. 1991!; GAL4 Silver, et al. 1984!; and the homeodomain proteins .alpha.2 and Pit-1/GHF-1 Hall, et al. 1990; Theill, et al. 1989!. If nuclear localization signals and Cys.sub.2 His.sub.2 finger domains--both typified by basic residues--have co-evolved, NLS sequences may generally be found adjacent to or integrated within zinc finger domains.
Other bipartite nuclear localization signals have been characterized in the polymerase basic protein 1 of influenza virus (PB1) Nath, et al. 1990!; Xenopus protein N1 Kleinschmidt, et al. 1988!; adenovirus DNA-binding protein (DBP) Morin, et al. 1989!; and the yeast repressor .alpha.2 which has two nonhomologous signals, a basic NLS found at the N-terminus, as well as a signal located in the homeodomain Hall, et al. 1984, 1990!. Because each .alpha.2 signal gives a different phenotype individually, Hall et al. suggest that these nonhomologous signals mediate separate steps in nuclear accumulation.
Availability of polynucleotide sequences associated with specific regulatory functions of proteins, such as those discussed above, would make possible the application of recombinant methods to the large scale production of the proteins in procaryotic and eukaryotic host cells, as well as DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA hybridization procedures for the detection, quantification and/or isolation of nucleic acids associated with these and related proteins. Possession of such DNA-binding proteins, and/or knowledge of the amino acid sequences of the same, would allow, in turn, the development of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies thereto (including antibodies to protein fragments or synthetic peptides modeled thereon) for use in immunological methods for the detection and quantification of early growth regulatory proteins in fluid and tissue samples as well as for tissue specific delivery of substances such as labels and therapeutic agents to cells expressing the proteins. DNA probes based on the polynucleotide sequences for these mammalian early growth regulatory proteins may be of use in detecting gene markers used for the diagnosis of those clinical disorders which are linked to the marker genes.

Methods and materials relating to the functional domains of DNA binding proteins


Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for adjustment of throughput threshold of network devices based on requested quality of service received from a mobile device. According to some embodiments, a system can comprise receiving request data representative of a throughput adjustment request for a throughput adjustment. The system can further comprise, based on the throughput adjustment request, determining a connection device that is compelled to adjust throughput, and in response to the determining the connection device that is compelled to adjust throughput and based on the throughput adjustment request, requesting the connection device to adjust a throughput range from a first throughput range to a second throughput range.

5G wireless systems represent a next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards beyond the current telecommunications standards of 4th generation (4G). In addition to faster peak Internet connection speeds, 5G planning aims at higher capacity than current 4G, allowing a higher number of mobile broadband users per area unit, and allowing consumption of higher or unlimited data quantities. Although 5G offers higher and unlimited data, there is a significant churn rate for the carriers. Carriers have been studying churn rate for several years and mostly discovered that a high percentage of churn rate is due to dissatisfaction with price or the service plan or service delivery that customer's buy as a plan. However, many users have churned away from a carrier due to lack of throughput (defined as data volume over unit time). Studying amplitude of variation in throughput delivered by the network and to a device few days prior to the churn date has shown that the device may not have received quality service required based on activity of a device (e.g., handset requiring high quality and uninterrupted video display, drone delivering packages using wireless technology, etc.) or quality of service associated with the device. Many of the network devices operate using max-min thresholds that does not align with requested services from mobile device. This in turn can result in lower than expected throughput for a device.
The above-described background relating to churn rate and lack of throughput is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of some current issues, and is not intended to be exhaustive (e.g., although problems and solution are directed to next generation networks such as 5G, the solutions can be applied to 4G/LTE technologies). Other contextual information may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

Adjusting throughput threshold of network devices for 5G or other next generation wireless network


Data hologram recycling systems, methods and computer program products are configured to arrange data for storage in the intermediate data storage as data segments which are replicas of holographic storage segments for destaging to the holographic data storage, and to determine retrieval for recycling of the destaged holographic storage segments to which aggregated requests for deletion are directed. The retrieval determination may be based on a plurality of policies.

Holographic storage comprises a high density data storage capability. Typically, data is recorded into a holographic medium by employing a data beam that is two-dimensional in nature and comprises a rectangular image of a large number of bits arranged in a raster pattern. The data beam and a reference beam are separately directed to the holographic medium and intersect and interfere to form an interference wave front that is recorded as a holographic image known as a hologram into the holographic medium. Additional holograms may be recorded along linear tracks and at various depths of the holographic medium to provide a high capacity data storage.
Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. (TUC920070009US1) shows a system for aggregating data into data segments that are replicas of holographic storage segments, storing the data segments in intermediate storage and destaging the data segments to holographic data storage.

Delete recycling of holographic data storage

International Business Machines Corporation


A system for improving outcome following cerebral ischemia is provided. The system includes a source of nitric oxide and an elongate tubular member for insertion into a nose including at least one orifice thereon. The elongate tubular member is coupled to the source of nitric oxide and configured for delivering the nitric oxide into a nasal cavity through the at least one orifice for absorption into a cerebral vasculature through a nasal vasculature. A device for controlling flow of the gas, a concentration of the nitric oxide in the gas, or both, is also provided.

Stroke occurs when focal cerebral ischemia is severe, prolonged or both. Brain tissue where cerebral blood flow is under 17 mls/min/100 g dies within a minute or two (core), tissue with blood flow 18-50 mls/min/100 g is viable for up to 30 minutes, and tissue with higher blood flow is potentially viable indefinitely (penumbra). Any procedure which increases perfusion to within the penumbral range may salvage brain tissue indefinitely. Cerebral perfusion augmentation early in the ischemic event has been shown to reduce infarct size and improve outcome from stroke in animal models. There are numerous methods for attempting to increase cerebral perfusion but the hemodynamic effect on actual cerebral perfusion has been inconsistent, and several of them have increased the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
None of the existing techniques has yet been shown to improve outcome from stroke in human randomized trials. Moreover, mechanical methods designed to augment perfusion are invasive procedures requiring trained personnel, and they cannot be administered early in the course of the ischemia. Improvements over conventional therapies are thus desirable. In particular what is needed is a therapy that is non-invasive and easily administrable by first responders early in the course of ischemia.

System and method for improving outcome of cerebral ischemia


A single wireless slave node may be in a timing virtual network (TVN) with neighboring wireless slave nodes. The single wireless slave node may store information indicative of the identity, link propagation delay, and channel signature of each of its neighboring wireless slave nodes. The single wireless slave node may repeatedly update a timing estimate based on the stored information and by performing a physical layer fast reference signal broadcast transmission and reception.

Technical Field
This disclosure relates to wireless networks and to timing synchronization in such networks.
Description of Related Art
Timing, defined here as a process of aligning time origins/references (offsets) and rates (skews) of two physically separate time keeping devices, is a fundamental task in wireless networks. One of its components, namely frequency (clock rate) synchronization, can be achieved by devices using phase-locked loops to adjust their local oscillator frequency to a master clock (base station, GPS satellite, or another device within an ad-hoc network). However, alignment of time offsets (including propagation delays) can be more involved. It can be achieved by many different techniques, motivated by the fact that different degrees of precision are required for different applications.
Timing a network of wired/wireless nodes is not a new problem. For example, computers connected to the Internet, and cellular phones connected to a base station are examples of networked devices that attempt to keep a common time reference (also W. Lindsey, F. Ghazvinian, W. Hagmann, and K. Dessouky, "Network synchronization," Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 73, no. 10, pp. 1445-1467, October 1985; P. Ranganathan and K. Nygrad, "Time synchronization in wireless sensor networks: A survey," Int. Journal of UbiComp, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 92-102, July 2010, and references therein). However, such approaches may have limitations in terms of precision or network size. Small networks can broadcast a high-precision reference clock to all nodes in the network (as is done, e.g., in GPS, or the transmission of a clock to cellular users). Many communication systems establish synchronization only within the accuracy of a symbol duration and/or the cyclic prefix duration, which often obviates the need for compensating for the runtime of signals, A. F. Molisch, "Wireless communications," second ed., Chichester, West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2011. Narrowband coherent superposition can be achieved by phase synchronization, A. F. Molisch, "Wireless communications," second ed., Chichester, West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2011, which, however, may contain an ambiguity in timing. However, when the expected precision of timing is much smaller than the propagation delays in the system (potentially even smaller than the inverse carrier frequency) and the network is large, the problem may require new solutions.
Precise timing of large, randomly deployed wireless networks can be challenging. Each node's timer may be derived from an independent oscillator, which may be affected by long/short term frequency drifts and jitter, J. Esterline, "Oscillator phase noise: theory vs practicality," Greenray industries, inc. report, April 2008. For example, if a timer is left uncorrected, its timing error growth can be modeled by a one dimensional random walk (sometimes modeled as a Wiener process). Even if two oscillators are perfectly matched in frequency and phase at the time instance t1*, the random frequency errors may lead to an error at time t2* with a variance ∝t2*−t1* (t* denotes absolute time) (The actual oscillator characteristics may be more complex than this description.) Mitigating the effect of this clock error, which may be critical for essential timing, may require very fast re-timing of the clocks.
A second issue may be the limitation on the precision of timing information exchange in finite-bandwidth channels with noise. The process of timing information exchange can be defined as the task of conveying information about a 'point' in time. Also, a band limited energy limited signal can, in principle, contain multiple 'points' which are similar. In addition, wireless channels can create ambiguity by generating multiple copies of the 'point', which can make the (time of arrival) TOA estimation error prone. With finite bandwidth, TOA estimation error—a measure of timing information may be directly effected by the transmission bandwidth (BW), Y. Shen and M. Z. Win, "Fundamental Limits of Wideband Localization Part I: A General Framework," Information Theory, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 56, no. 10, October 2010, pp. 4956-4980. If a node's TOA estimation error variance is σTOA2, it may not achieve timing accuracy any better than σTOA2, (unless some diversity is used). Due to the ease of achieving high TOA estimation accuracy, wide band signaling may be desirable for time transfer, C.-C. Chui and R. Scholtz, "Time transfer in impulse radio networks," Communications, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 57, no. 9, pp. 2771-2781, September 2009; A.-S. Hu and S. Servetto, "On the scalability of cooperative time synchronization in pulse-connected networks," Information Theory, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 52, no. 6, pp. 2725-2748, June 2006; however a very large BW may not be mandatory for some applications, this is discussed further below.
Higher BW may help TOA estimation in two ways. It may increase the slew rate of the signal, thus increasing the timing information content of the 'point'. It may increase the resolvability among multipath components and among points on the same signal.
The above issues may affect the timing between any pair of nodes. A significant further complication may occur in large networks with random deployment of nodes. Due to the size of the network, direct transmission of timing pulses from a "master" to all other nodes in the network may not be possible. Thus, the timing information may have to propagate through the network, possibly aggregating errors. Due to random deployment, network topology may be unknown, creating a need for a solution that is scalable and be robust to changes. A number of distributed algorithms were proposed for network timing. A. Giridhar and P. Kumar, "Distributed clock synchronization over wireless networks: Algorithms and analysis," Decision and Control, 2006 45th IEEE Conference on, December 2006, pp. 4915-4920, describes the mathematical foundation for an averaging based distributed consensus algorithm for timing, though neither a fully functional algorithm, nor fast re-timing was within the scope of this reference. A packet based distributed timing algorithm proposed in B. J. Choi, H. Liang, X. Shen, and W. Zhuang, "Dcs: Distributed asynchronous clock synchronization in delay tolerant networks," Parallel and Distributed Systems, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 491-504, March 2012, uses an elegant clock table structure to acquire the timing information from nodes that are multiple hops away. However, due to the assumption of negligible TOA errors, and the sharing of clock tables and packet based time transfer, it may not be suitable for the aforementioned target applications. Other examples of packet based time transfer algorithms are L. Schenato and G. Gamba, "A distributed consensus protocol for clock synchronization in wireless sensor network," in Decision and Control, 2007 46th IEEE Conference on, December 2007, pp. 2289-2294 and M. Leng and Y.-C. Wu, "Distributed clock synchronization for wireless sensor networks using belief propagation," Signal Processing, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 59, no. 11, pp. 5404-5414, November 2011, however fast re-timing was not within their scope; furthermore L. Schenato and G. Gamba, "A distributed consensus protocol for clock synchronization in wireless sensor network," in Decision and Control, 2007 46th IEEE Conference on, December 2007, pp. 2289-2294 neglects propagation delay differences, and rate adjustment is not dealt with in M. Leng and Y.-C. Wu, "Distributed clock synchronization for wireless sensor networks using belief propagation," Signal Processing, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 59, no. 11, pp. 5404-5414, November 2011.

Timing synchronization of wireless networks


A circuit comprises a power controller, a real-time clock (RTC) sub-system, and a processing sub-system. The RTC sub-system includes an alarm register storing a predetermined time for a task, and provides an early warning countdown and a scheduled event signal. The processing sub-system includes a processor, a preemptive wakeup circuit, and a component coupled to the processor and configured to execute the task with the processor. The preemptive wakeup circuit comprises a selector logic circuit, a comparator, and a wakeup initiation circuit. The selector logic circuit receives latency values indicative of wakeup times for a clock generator and the component, and outputs a longest wakeup time to the comparator, which indicates when the early warning countdown and the longest wakeup time are equal. The wakeup initiation circuit generates a clock request and disables the sleep mode indicator. The power controller provides a clock signal and wakes the component.

Many electronic devices implement low power modes for components and sub-systems within the devices to conserve power. However, the sub-systems may be scheduled to perform tasks at predetermined times in the future. Resources needed to perform the scheduled real-time task such as oscillators, clocks, static random access memory (SRAM), and the like may not be active or available from the low power mode for the processing sub-system to use to execute the time-critical task. This leads to latency overhead and imprecisely timed performance of the time-critical task. Accordingly, for real-time tasks, it may be beneficial to wake up the sub-systems and necessary resources from low power modes in advance of the scheduled real-time task.
Preemptive wakeup can be handled in software, but requires complex software sequences to manage the state of the hardware resources needed for scheduled events. This can increase the power consumption in wakeup sequences from low power modes. Some systems achieve precise wakeup by implementing two system real-time dock channels for each event, one for the early wakeup event and one for the scheduled event itself. However, the number of channels needed to accommodate scheduled events for multiple processing unit sub-systems increases the operating and component cost for the system.

Preemptive wakeup circuit for wakeup from low power modes


A system and method of automatically advising an individual, in real-time, of all available facts related to a current situation. The method is facilitated by a system, which automatically retrieves data related to a situation from a plurality of aviation enterprise systems, processes the data retrieved in real time and generates a situational awareness data that is presented in an optimal format to a user on an interface device. Processing of the data retrieved from the plurality of aviation enterprise systems comprises correlating the data in accordance with business rules and interpreting the data in view of previously stored historical information that relates to the situation. The situational awareness data generated is further processed in view of a user profile in order to create a viewable situational awareness data that has been optimized for presentation to an identified user of the system in accordance with the user profile.

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for enhancing situational awareness where participating automated systems may be on board aircraft, on the ground, or both.
Such situation awareness communication is not limited to gathering and presenting data from a plurality of aircraft systems when the aircraft is in the air, but also includes gathering data when the aircraft is on the ground. Situation Awareness communication is generally bidirectional. As used herein, the term aircraft refers to airplanes, helicopters, missiles and any object capable of flight.
Situational awareness refers to the degree of accuracy by which one's perception of their current environment mirrors reality. It is the ability to identify, process, and comprehend the critical elements of information about what is happening in a person's respective environment with regards to a mission. More simply, it is knowing what is going on around you. Different groups of people and different people within a group need different information to be aware of different aspects of a situation. When an enterprise loses situational awareness, there is increased potential for human error and other mishaps.
Situation awareness has traditionally been confined to ground based systems with ground based presentation to ground based users. Increasingly sophisticated on board automated aircraft systems and aircraft communication systems provide the opportunity for the aircraft to be in communication in real time with business systems on the ground. For example, airline, airport station, maintenance operations, and business functions have traditionally been complex, and characterized by failures in situational awareness. In the future, these airline operations will be even more complex because more information will be available from the aircraft to make decisions. The challenge is interpreting and relating this data in order to enhance situational awareness. A desired state of situational awareness includes the gathering of data from many sources, filtering it according to the characteristics of the current situation and presenting the critical information to the right people, on and off the airplane, as it is occurring. Such a system will eliminate information overload and poor communications.

Methods and systems for real-time enhanced situational awareness


A method and system for finding a conjunctive cluster is disclosed. The method includes identifying a first group of points, identifying a second group of points, drawing a first sample from the first group of points of a first predetermined size and identifying subsets of the first sample. For each subset of the first sample of a second predetermined size the method includes identifying a subgroup of the second group of points that share an intersection with all of the points in the first sample of points, identifying a sub group of said first group of points that share an intersection with a specified number of the points in the subgroup of the second group of points and outputting a third group of points. It should be appreciated that the product of the magnitude of the subgroup of the second group and the magnitude of the subgroup of the first group is maximized.

Clustering is the process of grouping objects so that points grouped in the same cluster are similar (and points grouped in different clusters are dissimilar). Community discovery is the process of identifying groups that are similar. These related processes have been studied in numerous areas of application including the finding of product communities, data mining, pattern recognition, and machine learning. By and large, research in these areas has focused on partitioning objects so that some clustering measure such as the k-median measure (where the object is to minimize the average distance from a point to its nearest center) is optimized. It should be appreciated that the objective of the conjunctive clustering process is to find a predetermined number of clusters of at least a minimum size that do not overlap by more than a predetermined amount.
In many applications, clustering may be needed to obtain meaningful conjunctive descriptions of groups of objects. For example in a customer segmentation application, the objective is to identify clusters of customers that have similar buying behavior. The cluster descriptions that emerge may then be used to facilitate operations such as target marketing. By contrast, in a text clustering application, the objective is to find descriptions of groups of documents that contain similar content. The words that are typical of the cluster may then be used to describe the cluster. For instance, a cluster of documents that discuss how to print in the landscape mode may be described by the conjunction of keywords "laserjet and 'landscape mode' and printing". It should be appreciated that such clusters may be used as a basis for constructing a topic hierarchy.
Conventionally, clusters may be found in a two step process that involves: (1) clustering (e.g., the grouping of objects) and (2) obtaining descriptions of the clusters. It should be appreciated that step (1) may be effectuated by optimizing the k median or the k-center quality measure of the objects that are grouped. And, step (2) may be effectuated by assigning the same class label to points in the same cluster and by performing operations that generate descriptions which separate the clusters.
Conventionally, clustering methodologies try to optimize a cost function while learning methodologies seek to find (possibly complex) descriptions that best fit each cluster. Therefore, a common byproduct of such processes is that the resulting descriptions may be difficult to understand. In addition, if the learning method is required to output conjunctions, the conjunctions may serve as poor descriptions of the clusters (since the clusters found are inherently more complex). Consequently, by performing the aforementioned steps (1) and (2) separately, (as some conventional methodologies do) one may be sacrificing the descriptive quality of the final clusters (either because they are too complicated to understand, or because they are too simple to describe the clusters).
It should be appreciated that in the process of finding clusters conventional methodologies may employ the generation of both a collection of points and a corresponding vector representation of these points in Euclidean space. Such methodologies characterize attributes in order to generate the vectors. From the generated vectors a collection of points emerge which may be subjected to a clustering algorithm to find the k median clusters.
A drawback of this approach is that it may not be meaningful to represent given data in Euclidean space (e.g., such as an attempted vector representation of a machine). In addition, it may be problematic to define the distance between two points since there must actually be a way of computing the distance between the two points. Moreover, in utilizing such conventional methodologies a notion of distance is needed in order for an appropriate minimization function to be formulated. Another drawback of conventional methodologies is that points are assigned to exactly one cluster and all of the points found may be required to be clustered (such methodologies may not allow the exclusion of some points in the clustering process).

Method and system for finding conjunctive clusters

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A universal garage door operating system and method. In one embodiment, a vehicle transmitter is provided transmitting a wireless garage door transmitter control signal. A control module is provided for mounting in a structure such as a garage, and is adapted to receive a wireless garage door transmitter. The control module includes a receiver for receiving the garage door transmitter control signal, a controller for generating a garage door transmitter actuator control signal in response to the garage door transmitter control signal, and an actuator for actuating the garage door transmitter in response to the garage door actuator control signal so that the garage door transmitter transmits a wireless garage door control signal for use in operating a garage door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a universal system and method for use with a garage door operating system.
2. Background
Garage door operating systems are well known in the art. Such systems typically include at least one wireless transmitter and a garage door actuator. The actuator generally comprises an electric motor for driving a screw gear or chain to open or close a garage door. A receiver and controller are also typically provided for receiving signals from the wireless transmitter, and controlling the actuator.
In operation, in order to open or close the garage door, a user activates the transmitter. Upon such activation, the transmitter transmits a wireless, usually radio frequency (RF), signal to the receiver. In response, the controller activates the garage door actuator to open or close the garage door. For security purposes, the receiver may be manually set to recognize the transmitter, such as through switch settings, or the receiver may be pre-set to recognize an identification signal from a particular transmitter. To further improve security, the wireless signal from the transmitter is also typically encrypted.
Wireless garage door transmitters from such systems are generally kept in a vehicle for use by a vehicle occupant to open or close the garage door in order to gain access to or depart from a garage. It is known in the automotive industry, however, to provide vehicles with wireless vehicle transmitters which can be used in place of, or in addition to, such garage door transmitters. However, such transmitters, which may be built-in or mounted to the vehicle, must be taught to emulate the wireless garage door transmitter. Such a process requires placing the vehicle transmitter into a programming or learn mode, and using the garage door transmitter to tune the vehicle transmitter to the garage door transmitter. Such a process can prove complicated and difficult for many users.
Thus, there exists a need for a system and method for use with a garage door operating system that would overcome the problem of tuning a vehicle transmitter. Such a system and method would preferably include a control module for mounting in a garage having a garage door, the control module adapted to receive a wireless garage door transmitter. Such a module would preferably include a controller, a garage door transmitter actuator, and a receiver. Upon receipt by the receiver of a wireless signal from a vehicle transmitter, the controller would control the actuator to activate the garage door transmitter so that the garage door transmitter would transmits a wireless garage door control signal for use in operating a garage door. In such a fashion, such a system and method would overcome the vehicle transmitter tuning problem described above, and would be universally compatible with any garage door operating system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Universal garage door operating system and method


A manufacturing method of the semiconductor device including a step of forming solder balls on the circuit face of a mother chip, a step of making flip chip bonding of the daughter chip after the step of forming solder balls on the circuit face of the mother chip, and a step of making flip chip bonding of the mother chip on a circuit board using the solder balls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which makes flip chip bonding of a daughter chip at a mother chip, and makes flip chip bonding of a mother chip on a circuit board further, and particularly relates to a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which can efficiently form solder balls to be used in order to make flip chip bonding of the mother chip on the circuit board.
2. Background Art
In recent years, the semiconductor device which has the COC (chip on chip) structure having made flip chip bonding of a daughter chip at a mother chip, and which made flip chip bonding of the mother chip further at the circuit board is proposed (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-146728). Conventionally, when manufacturing this semiconductor device, after making flip chip bonding of the daughter chip on the circuit face of a mother chip, solder balls were formed on the circuit face of a mother chip, and flip chip bonding of the mother chip was made on the circuit board using these solder balls.
There are many solder balls to connect a circuit board with a mother chip, and for example, it is 1000 or more pieces. Therefore, in order to form solder balls efficiently, it is necessary to use the solder ball formation method of single wafer processing collectively enforced to a plurality of mother chips formed on the wafer.
As a solder ball formation method of such single wafer processing, there are a method of applying the resist to the circuit face of a mother chip, and making opening of the resist filling up with solder paste, and a method of laying a metal mask on top of the circuit face of a mother chip, and filling up opening of the metal mask with solder paste.
However, when forming solder balls in the manufacturing process of a conventional COC type semiconductor device, a daughter chip is connected and the surface of a mother chip is not flat. Therefore, since the resist could not be applied uniformly, and it was also difficult to process a thin metal mask according to the surface irregularity, the solder ball formation method of the above-mentioned single wafer processing was not able to be used.

Manufacturing method of semiconductor device


The invention relates to polynucleotide agents, e.g., antisense polunucleotide agents, targeting the ALAS1 gene, and methods of using such agents to alter (e.g., inhibit) expression of ALAS1 and to treat ALAS1 associated diseases, e.g., porphyria.

The inherited porphyrias are a family of disorders resulting from the deficient activity of specific enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway, also referred to herein as the porphyrin pathway. Deficiency in the enzymes of the porphyrin pathway leads to insufficient heme production and to an accumulation of porphyrin precursors and porphyrins, which are toxic to tissue in high concentrations.
Of the inherited porphyrias, acute intermittent porphyria (AIP, e.g., autosomal dominant AIP), variegate porphyria (VP, e.g., autosomal dominant VP), hereditary coproporphyria (copropophyria or HCP, e.g., autosomal dominant HCP), and 5′ aminolevulinic acid (also known as δ-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ADP, e.g., autosomal recessive ADP) are classified as acute hepatic porphyrias and are manifested by acute neurological attacks that can be life threatening. The acute attacks are characterized by autonomic, peripheral, and central nervous system symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, hypertension, tachycardias, constipation, motor weakness, paralysis, and seizures. If not treated properly, quadriplegia, respiratory impairment, and death may ensue. Various factors, including cytrochrome P450-inducing drugs, dieting, and hormonal changes can precipitate acute attacks by increasing the activity of hepatic 5′-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. In the acute porphyrias, e.g., AIP, VP, HCP and ADP, the respective enzyme deficiencies result in hepatic production and accumulation of one or more substances (e.g., porphyrins and/or porphyrin precursors, e.g., ALA and/or PBG (porphobilinogen)) that can be neurotoxic and can result in the occurrence of acute neurologic attacks. See, e.g., Balwani, M and Desnick, R. J., Blood, 120:4496-4504, 2012.
The current therapy for acute neurologic attacks is the intravenous administration of hemin (Panhematin®, Lundbeck or Normosang®, Orphan Europe), which provides exogenous heme for the negative feedback inhibition of ALAS1 and, thereby, decreases production of ALA and PBG. Hemin is used for treatment during an acute attack and for prevention of attacks, particularly in women with acute porphyrias who experience frequent attacks with hormonal changes during their menstrual cycles. While patients generally respond well, its effect is slow, typically taking two to four days or longer to normalize urinary ALA and PBG concentrations towards normal levels. As the intravenous hemin is rapidly metabolized, three to four infusions are usually necessary to effectively treat or prevent an acute attack. In addition, repeated infusions may cause iron overload and phlebitis, which may compromise peripheral venous access. Although orthotrophic liver transplantation is curative, this procedure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and the availability of liver donors is limited. Therefore, an alternative therapeutic approach that is more effective, fast-acting, and safe is needed. It would be particularly advantageous if such treatment could be delivered by subcutaneous administration, as this would preclude the need for infusions and prolonged hospitalization.

Polynucleotide agents targeting aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1) and uses thereof


A laser desorption ion source provides enhanced ion sampling efficiency and measurement sensitivity by using one or more ion guides to effectively capture ions in a plume emitted from the ion target and guide the ions through an aperture into a downstream vacuum chamber. In one configuration using two RF multipole ion guides, a first RF multipole ion guide disposed next to the ion target is selected to be sufficiently large to capture a substantial portion of the plume, while the second RF multipole ion guide disposed between the first multipole ion guide and the aperture has a smaller dimension to assist focusing of ions into the aperture. The first RF multipole ion guides the ions in the plume into the second RF multipole ion guide, which then focuses the ions so that they pass through the aperture into the downstream vacuum chamber.

Quantitative analyses of pharmaceutically and biologically important compounds, such as drugs and metabolites, are important applications of mass spectroscopy. Traditionally, ion sources based on electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are used in combination with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometers (triple quads) to provide quantitative analysis. The combination provides both high sensitivity and high specificity. ESI and APCI both generate ions from flowing liquid streams, and are therefore used by pumping organic and aqueous solvent streams containing the compounds to be analyzed through the source. Liquid chromatography is commonly used as an on-line separation technique prior to the mass spectrometer. Thus, samples can be introduced by injecting a known volume containing the sample into the liquid flow, and using the mass spectrometer to monitor specific combinations of ion mass/charge values that correspond to known precursor and product fragment ions using the scan mode known as multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. During the scan, samples are injected sequentially, at a rate in the order of 1 per 10 second, due to limitations in autosamplers, as well as limitations imposed by the natural width of the eluting peak. Once the sample has passed through the ion source, it is ionized and dissipated in the source, with only a small fraction of the ions generated from the sample actually being sampled into the mass spectrometer system.
Matrix assisted laser desorption/time-of-flight (MALDI/TOF) is a different type of mass spectrometer technique, in which samples are mixed with a UV-absorbing compound (the matrix), deposited on a surface, and then ionized with fast laser pulses. A short burst or plume of ions is created in the ion source of the mass spectrometer by the laser, and this plume of ions is analyzed by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, by measuring the flight time over a fixed distance (starting with the ion creating pulse). This technique is inherently a pulsed ionization technique (required for the time-of-flight mass spectrometer) as well as a batch-processing technique, since samples are introduced into the ion source in a batch (of samples located in small spots on a plate) rather than in a continuous flowing liquid stream. MALDI/TOF has been almost exclusively used for the analysis of biopolymers such as peptides and proteins. The technique is sensitive and works well for fragile molecules such as those mentioned, and the TOF method is particularly suitable for the analysis of high-mass compounds. However, until recently, there has been no viable method of doing true MS/MS with this type of instrument. Instead, the method of post-source decay (PSD) is used to provide some fragmentation information. In this technique, precursor ions are selected in the flight tube with an ion gate, and then those ions that fragment before the ion mirror (due to excess energy carried away from the source) can be mass resolved. This technique provides relatively poor sensitivity and mass accuracy, and is not considered to be a high performance MS/MS technique. The MALDI technique also suffers from the fact that while the mass accuracy and resolution can be very high (up to 30,000 resolution at low mass, and accuracy of a few parts-per-million), these important features are difficult to achieve because they depend on the microstructure of the sample surface (roughness), the laser fluence, and other instrumental characteristics which can be hard to control. Good mass accuracy typically requires that calibration compounds be placed on the sample surface close to the actual sample itself. The MALDI/TOF technique has mainly been used for spectral analyses. Some previous attempts have been made to use MALDI for quantitative analysis, but they have met with limited success because of the poor precision obtained with MALDI/TOF.
Recently, the method of combining MALDI with orthogonal TOF has been introduced by a group at the University of Manitoba. This technique, called Orthogonal MALDI, or "oMALDI™" (trademark of Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments, Concord, Ontario, Canada) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,702 (assigned to the University of Manitoba), is an apparatus and method enabling a pulsed source, such as a MALDI source, to be coupled to a variety of spectrometer instruments, in a manner which more completely decouples the spectrometer from the source and provides a more continuous ion beam with smaller angular and velocity spreads. In this technique, ions generated from a MALDI source as plumes (typically at the rate of less than 20 Hz, with pulse widths of a few nanoseconds from the laser pulse) are collisionally cooled in a relatively high pressure region containing a damping gas within an RF ion guide. Collisions with the damping gas convert the plumes into a quasi-continuous beam. This quasi-continuous beam is then analyzed with orthogonal time-of-flight, in which the ions enter orthogonally to the axis of the TOF and are pulsed radially.
There are several advantages to this combination that are not available from conventional MALDI/TOF. The TOF resolution and mass accuracy are decoupled from the source conditions such as laser fluence and sample morphology. The ions are slowed to near thermal energies from which they can conveniently be re-accelerated to tens of electron volts for collisionally activated decomposition (CAD) in a collision cell. The flux of ions in the beam is low enough (through having the beam stretched out in time) that a time-to-digital converter (TDC) can be used for ion detection. The result is that high mass accuracy and resolution can be achieved under a wide range of operating conditions. In addition, a mass resolving quadrupole and collision cell can be placed before the TOF analyzer to provide an MS/MS configuration. Precursor ions from the MALDI source are collisionally cooled, then selected by the quadrupole mass filter, fragmented in the collision cell, and the fragments mass analyzed by the TOF. This provides high mass resolution and sensitivity for MS/MS of MALDI ions, which has not been previously available. This MS/MS configuration is referred to as QqTOF, where Q refers to the mass filter quadrupole and q refers to the RF-only collision cell.
The Manitoba group recognized that the oMALDI™ technique allows a MALDI source to be efficiently coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer system, because of the near-continuous nature of the ion beam. However, there is no recognition that this might offer improved ability to measure sample concentrations quantitatively.
One important factor for certain applications regarding the performance of any ion mass analyzing technique is the ability to effectively capture ions from the ion source and transport them to the analyzing device so that they can be analyzed. This factor is of particular importance for analytical techniques, such as the MRM scan, that are directed to quantitative measurements of ions of interest. With a MALDI source, each laser pulse impinging on the MALDI target generates a plume of ions and neutral particles. The ions have to be delivered to a mass analyzer, either directly or through an ion transport device, so that they can be analyzed. The mass analyzer or ion transport device, such as a quadrupole ion guide, typically has a very limited ion acceptance zone, and an inlet aperture is often used to collimate the incoming ions. An aperture is also often used for the purposes of preventing unwanted materials released by the sample target from contaminating the mass analyzer or ion guide, and separating the MALDI source from the downstream vacuum chamber in which the mass analyzer or ion transport device is located. Such an aperture is typically significantly smaller than the width of the plume of ions coming off the MALDI target. As a result, a significant portion of the ions in the plume cannot enter the aperture and be detected by the mass analyzer. Also, the central axis of the plume may be at an angle from the aperture, which further reduces the portion of ions that will go through the aperture. As a result, the measurement sensitivity of the mass spectrometer is significantly reduced, as the sampling efficiency of the ions, i.e., the portion of ions from the ion source that is analyzed by the downstream mass analyzer, can be rather low.

Laser desorption ion source with ion guide coupling for ion mass spectroscopy


A platform-independent temperature controller system and method are provided. Included is a sensor is in communication with an integrated circuit. Further, a platform-independent temperature controller is in communication, with the sensor for controlling a temperature of the integrated circuit.

Traditionally, various heaters have been utilized to increase the temperature of integrated circuits for various testing purposes. One example of such heaters includes a conventional oven. In use, an integrated circuit is typically placed within such an oven and heated, after which the integrated circuit is tested.
Unfortunately, such ovens are often limited in terms of the range of temperatures in which they are capable of heating. Further, the temperature of the oven does not necessarily translate to the temperature of the integrated circuit. For example, the temperature of the integrated circuit may be cooler than that of the oven, etc. Still yet, the oven may only be used to heat the integrated circuit prior to the aforementioned testing. Thus, during such testing, the integrated circuit may cool when exposed to an environmental temperature, etc.
Various temperature controllers have been produced to overcome the problems of conventional heaters. However, such temperature controllers have been unfortunately limited, to platform-specific designs, thus limiting the usability thereof.
There is thus a need for overcoming these and/or other problems associated with the prior art.

Platform-independent system and method for controlling a temperature of an integrated circuit


An optical transceiver module for transmission or receipt of optical signals to and from an external optical path has a frame body having a structure for determining the position thereof relative to the external optical path, a substrate for mounting the optical elements thereon, and a light transmission window having a light guiding structure in light transmission direction in correspondence with the optical elements and the external optical path. The optical elements are formed so as to be sealed by the substrate, frame body, and light transmission window, and the frame body is formed so that the position thereof can be adjusted by fine moving the substrate and the light transmission window.

Conventionally, electrical signals have been widely used in data transmission over short distances by computers and the like. In recent years, as the clock frequency of computer central processing units (CPUs) has increased, electrical signals have also come to be used in high frequency bands.
However, delays and noise from electrical wiring and the like have started to become a problem in such data transmission by electrical signals in high frequency bands. As a result, data transmission using light has begun to replace electrical signals. Optical fiber is used as the transmission path in data transmission using light, which is generally divided into multi-mode data transmission over short distances of a few hundred meters or less and single mode data transmission over longer distances of a few hundred kilometers or more. Different optical fibers are also used in multi-mode and single mode transmission: while in multi-mode transmission the diameter of the high refractive index part (hereunder, "the core") ranges from about 50 to 60 μm, in single mode transmission the diameter of the high refractive index part is about 7 μm, or narrower than that of the multi-mode core. A smaller core is used in single mode transmission in order to inhibit the occurrence of modes with differing optical propagation path lengths within the core, so that the waveform of the optical signal will not break down even with long-distance transmission. By contrast, because the transmission distance is shorter in multi-mode transmission the existence of modes with differing propagation path lengths is not so much of a problem.
In such optical transmission, optical transmission modules are used to convert electrical signals to optical signals and optical signals to electrical signals. Optical transmission modules are equipped with light-emitting elements, light-receiving elements or both. Semiconductor laser elements and vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) elements in particular are widely used as the aforementioned multi-mode light-emitting elements.
An ordinary commercial optical transmission module is VCSEL module, in which the laser light is focussed by a lens which is an integral part of the sealed window of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), and optically coupled to optical fiber on the outside.
There has also been an example in which the laser element, drive circuit, photodetector, current-voltage conversion circuit, integrally-formed lens for sealing and the like were integrated into one package as an optical transmission module. Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-126002
Moreover, there has also been an example of a semiconductor laser module for optical disk recording and reproduction in which the laser element, light-emitting window, case, collimator lens and light-receiving element near the light-emitting window were integrated into a single module. Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-303513
Moreover, there has also been an example of an optical element module in which a structure (face plate structure) designed to control convergence by means of bundled fibers finer than the optical fibers used in transmission was placed between the optical element and the optical fiber for transmission. In this example, there is no need for the optical element to be aligned with the faceplate or the faceplate with the optical fiber for transmission. Patent Reference 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-231040
However, because in ordinary commercial optical transmission modules, the light emitted by the VCSEL laser is focussed by a lens, there is a need for alignment in order to achieve optical coupling with an external optical waveguide means, and costs are increased because a structure adapted to the optical module purchased must be separately designed and manufactured. Moreover, commercial modules only emit light and do not have a means for receiving light.
Moreover, in optical transmission modules having a structure in which a semiconductor laser element, a light-receiving element and the like are assembled in a package and sealed with a light-transmitting window which is integrated with a lens, the light-transmitting window cannot be aligned and there is no means of correction if the lens is out of alignment with the laser element.
In addition, a structure has been disclosed for a semiconductor laser for optical disk recording and reproduction in which a light detector or wave front conversion element is formed in combination with the light-transmitting window, which has a seal structure. Moreover, a structure has also been disclosed in which laser light is converted to parallel rays with a collimator lens, the collimator lens is also provided with a reflective surface and the reflected light is received, but both of these only monitor the strength of light emitted by the light source itself.
Moreover, in an optical element module in which a structure (face plate) which controls divergence by means of bundles of fibers finer than optical fibers is placed between the optical element and the optical fiber, the face plate could also be used as the sealing window of the optical element, but there is a problem of increased optical loss because of the existence of dead space between the fine fibers of an optical path composed of bundled fibers. Because in optical wiring the S/N ratio is reduced to the extent that the power of the light source is attenuated, the optical coupling efficiency between the optical element and optical fiber should be as high as possible. Moreover, even when a face plate structure is used it is necessary to align the optical element with the optical fiber for transmission.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical transmission module capable of providing highly efficient optical coupling between an optical element and an external optical transmission means, wherein the alignment therefor is easy and the external optical transmission means can be easily attached and detached, together with a manufacturing method therefor.

Optical transmission module and manufacturing method therefor


For measuring unknown capacitances, which exist in capacitive sensors, such as pressure, moisture, inclination sensors and the like, the invention proposes a capacitance measurement method, in which a capacitance to be measured is charged and discharged across a resistor and the charging or discharging time up to a preset voltage value is measured and in which the charging/discharging times of a known reference capacitance and stray capacitances are measured across a resistor. The invention also proposes a circuit for measuring an unknown capacitance to be measured and having a voltage source, a resistor for charging or discharging at least the measuring capacitor, at least one switch for connecting and disconnecting the measuring capacitor with respect to the voltage supply and a time measuring device, in which switches are provided for connecting and disconnecting the measuring capacitor and at least one reference capacitor with respect to the circuit.

As a function of the state of the parameter to be measured, capacitive sensors have different unknown capacitances, which must be determined for obtaining the indicated parameters. Such capacitive sensors are e.g. pressure sensors, moisture sensors, inclination sensors or the like, which are widely used in measurement technology.
In sensor systems with capacitive sensors the capacitances of the sensors are generally very small and of the order of magnitude of parasitic or stray capacitances of the measurement network, such as line capacitances, connection capacitances of connected ICs, as well as miscellaneous capacitances of electronic parts in the measuring network. With respect to the low capacitances of the capacitive sensors, such stray capacitances are not negligible, because they are also in the picoFarad range of the measuring capacitance and also have a not inconsiderable temperature variation, leading to temperature-dependent measuring errors and in particular to a span error.
In the case of measuring arrangements with capacitive sensors in the high temperature range of several hundred degrees Celsius, in which the measuring and reference capacitance can still be made temperature-stable, they are operated offset via a cable to avoid overheating of the electronics. Said cable, generally a coaxial cable, has a significant inherent capacitance (e.g. 60 pF/m), which is frequently higher than the measuring and reference capacitance. There are significant gains and offset errors, which can rapidly lead to a no longer acceptable range.
It is known that such stray capacitances can be suppressed in that the sensor signal of the inner conductor of the particular coaxial cable is decoupled with an amplifier having a +1 amplification and said signal is applied to the coaxial cable screen. Thus, the coaxial cable screen is at the same potential as the inner conductor. As no potential difference arises, in the ideal case no current flows in the stray capacitor and there is no measured value falsification. However, a disadvantage of this procedure is that several analog amplifiers are required which must have a very good quality, because otherwise as a result of phase shifts in the analog amplifier and the noise thereof additional errors can arise, which can sensitively influence the compensation effect of this method.
Whilst avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages, the problem of the invention is to provide a method and a device for measuring the capacitances of capacitive sensors where, whilst excluding stray capacitances, it is possible at limited cost to obtain high measuring rates during measurements with small operating currents.

Method and device for measuring capacitances


Mixing milk with a reaction product, which is prepared by dissolving at a high concentration highly pure milk whey protein having been separated from cow's milk, etc. and concentrated and then treating with transglutaminase, then inoculating with a lactic acid bacterium and fermenting economically affords a yogurt of agitated type, which is enriched in whey protein, shows little water release and has a rich feeling and a highly smooth texture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for producing stirred type fermented milk enriched with a whey protein. The present invention also relates to stirred type fermented milk enriched with a whey protein prepared by such a process.
2. Discussion of the Background
With respect to the quality of fermented milk such as yogurt, little water separation and high viscosity are regarded to be important as factors to determine the appearance and the texture of fermented milk. In order to improve these factors, a method of condensing raw material milk, a method of adding powdered skim milk, a method of adding a whey protein obtained by separation and condensation of whey produced from cow milk in a production of cheese, casein or the like, a method of adding a thickening polysaccharide or a method of adding a transglutaminase or the like is often used.
In particular, the addition of a milk whey protein and the use of a transglutaminase can prevent water separation and increase the viscosity without significantly changing the original flavor and texture of fermented milk.
Incidentally, fermented milk (yogurt) is roughly classified into a stirred type fermented milk (so-called early-fermentation yogurt) and a set type fermented milk (so-called late-fermentation yogurt) in accordance with its production method. In the case where a whey protein is used for a stirred type fermented milk, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-7-104, the resulting yogurt has a coarse-grained structure, therefore, there has been a disadvantage that the resulting yogurt is likely to have a non-smooth texture.
Such a tendency becomes prominent as the addition amount of a whey protein is increased or the storage period of the resulting yogurt is longer. Therefore, even if it is intended to obtain a high effect by using a whey protein, it is difficult to increase the addition amount of a whey protein. Accordingly, there has been a limit on the improvement of the quality of stirred type fermented milk by using a milk whey protein.
In the case where a transglutaminase is used for fermented milk, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-6-197688, a case in which a raw material milk is treated with a transglutaminase in advance prior to a fermentation step is common. In this case, it is necessary to retain the raw material milk and to subject the raw material milk to an enzymatic reaction, therefore, a large tank with a capacity equal to or greater than the production amount of the fermented milk is occupied during the enzymatic reaction time, and also an additional cost is required for an energy for maintaining a temperature necessary for the enzymatic reaction, and thus, there has been a disadvantage that the equipment use efficiency and energy efficiency are decreased. Further, a transglutaminase is still an expensive material, therefore, in comparison with other materials, a price advantage is not necessarily high.
In the production of a stirred type fermented milk, an attempt was also made in which a whey protein and a transglutaminase were added to a raw material milk and the resulting mixture was subjected to an enzymatic reaction thereby trying to obtain an synergistic improvement effect of both substances, however, the effect remained at an additive level, and an economical advantage was not observed.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2000-4786 discloses a method comprising allowing a transglutaminase to act on a solution of a milk whey protein, and thereafter mixing the resulting reaction mixture in a raw material milk. According to this method, a yogurt, which has a smooth texture and goes down smoothly when swallowing, can be obtained. However, what is disclosed in the document is only a so-called late-fermentation yogurt obtained without crushing gel by stirring or the like, and the method does not apply to a stirred type yogurt, which is an object of the present invention.

Process for producing whey protein-enriched fermented milk of agitated type


A reciprocating piston machine (1) has an inlet valve (9) on the suction side and an outlet valve (10) on the delivery side, which valves exhibit a valve body having a valve disc (11, 12) comprising of an elastomer, whereby the compression chamber (6) sealed off by the reciprocating piston or similar displacer (2) and by the valves (9, 10) has a pressure relief connection between compression chamber and atmosphere. To be able to bring the compression chamber (6) quickly to atmospheric pressure after the reciprocating piston machine (1) has been put out of operation and to be able to bring about the restart of the reciprocating piston machine (1) so as to be load-free in this respect, the valve disc (11,12) of the valve (9, 10) on the delivery side and/or on the suction side has at least one capillary passage (18, 19) as pressure relief connection.

The invention relates to a reciprocating piston machine with an inlet valve on the suction side and an outlet valve on the delivery side, which valves exhibit a valve body having an elastic valve disc or valve tongue, whereby the compression chamber sealed off by the reciprocating piston or similar displacer and by the valves has a pressure relief connection between compression chamber and atmosphere.
If a reciprocating piston machine under pressure or vacuum is stopped, the entire load of the gas bears on the piston and the diaphragm. When restarting, the piston force resulting from the gas load and the piston area has to be overcome by the motor starting torque. This requires far more powerful motors than would be necessary for pure full load operation.
To keep the size of the reciprocating piston machines as small and the costs incurred by the motor as low as possible, possibilities are sought to allow escape of the pressure or vacuum left in the compression chamber when the reciprocating piston machine is stopped, for instance through a solenoid valve.
To be able to save the costs of a solenoid valve and the necessary electrical circuitry, it is already known that at that valve of the reciprocating piston machine which seals against the atmosphere, a ridge be formed in the valve seat. Such a defined leakage reduces the volumetric efficiency of the known reciprocating piston machine a little. While such a defined leakage is of no consequence in the case of compressors, in the case of vacuum pumps, however, even the slightest reflux at the valve sealing against the atmosphere can significantly reduce the final pressure of this reciprocating piston machine.

Reciprocating piston machine with capillary passages on valves for pressure relief


Apparatus is provided for assembling a curtain wall, which is anchored at one end to a floor and at an opposite end to a primary structure in a sliding relation thereto in order to allow relative vertical flexibility in case of severe vertical deflection due to loading. This sliding relation permits the building sections to move under wind, live load, dead load or seismic forces with a minimum of damage transferred to the curtain wall. The apparatus is a bracket with a first plate for mounting to the primary structure and a second plate for mounting in sliding relation to the wall studs. The second plate is formed with slots which are vertically oriented, and a fastener with a spacer are fastened through each slot.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to steel stud building systems, and, more particularly to apparatus for connecting vertical steel wall studs to a building structure in a manner to permit relative vertical movement but prevent relative horizontal movement therebetween.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many industrial and commercial buildings and an increasing number of residential buildings are being constructed with steel stud wall systems for the various benefits obtained, such as reduced environmental concerns, fire safety and freedom from warpage, insects, rust and rot.
In the construction of buildings which may be subject to deflection due to wind or seismic forces, it is preferable to allow a degree of freedom of movement to reduce stress and fracture of connected parts. Ceilings must rest directly on a structural frame or on load-bearing walls. Curtain walls, meaning walls such as partition walls which are not intended to support vertical loads, are best designed to not support vertical loads due to deflection of the primary structure of the building. Deflection is due to changes in the live loads. The term "primary structure" as used herein is meant to denote main supporting components to which secondary members are attached.
In addition to the occurrence of wind induced or seismic stress loading of a building structure, building component deflection is caused by changes in live or dead loading of the floor below or the ceiling above the curtain wall. However, typical prior construction systems have been designed according to the principal that all parts of a building must necessarily be connected in a rigid and permanent fashion. When such a building structure is stressed, curtain walls tend to be damaged and the degree of damage sustained by other building parts is also increased.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for connecting a curtain wall to the primary structure so as to allow relative vertical movement therebetween while restricting relative horizontal movement.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide an apparatus for connecting a curtain wall which is relatively economical to produce and install.
Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

Bracket for interconnecting a building stud to primary structural components


In an optical connector plug, a front end of the shutter member can move between a shield position to shield a front end face of a ferrule in an extension state and a non-shield position to expose the front end face of the ferrule to the front side of a housing in a reduction state, when a plug frame and a shutter holding member move between the extension state and the reduction state. In the optical connector plug, in a course in which the shutter holding member is engaged with holding portions protruding in an axial direction of the optical connector adaptor and a grip member moves from the extension state to the reduction state, the front end of the shutter member is spaced to face front ends of the holding portions in the axial direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical connector plug that holds front ends of optical fibers and couples the optical fibers to each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, optical coupling between optical fibers used for optical communication is performed using an optical connector. The optical connector includes optical connector plugs that hold front ends of optical fibers and an optical connector adapter that fix the optical connector plugs to each other and performs optical coupling of the optical fibers.
As the optical connector, an SC-type optical connector (complying with IEC 61754-4) that couples the optical fibers to each other using a ferrule barrel-shaped body (with the outer diameter of 2.5 mm) for holding the optical fibers or a miniaturized MU-type optical connector (complying with IEC 61754-6) using a ferrule barrel-shaped body (with the outer diameter of 1.25 mm) for holding the optical fibers is used.
In recent years, Fiber To The Home (FTTH) that establishes a high speed communication environment using access networks formed by using optical fibers and connecting subscriber lines from a telephone office to homes is spreading. In this optical fiber communication, an infrared ray with a wavelength of 1.3 μm to 1.55 μm is used as light for communication. Therefore, light output tends to increase.
However, if the high-output communication light is emitted from the front ends of the optical fibers and a human body, particularly, a part such as eyes, is exposed to the communication light, there is a high possibility of having a bad affect on the human body. In particular, a high safety is required for the optical connector plugs for holding the front ends of the optical fibers led into households according to the spread of the FTTH to the households.
From this requirement, a structure of an optical connector plug that incorporates a shutter to shield a front end face of the optical fiber is disclosed (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2005-292777 (page 22, FIG. 26)). The optical connector plug that incorporates the shutter is inserted into an optical connector adapter 110, the shutter is opened, and the front end of the optical fiber is exposed, and the optical connector plug is coupled to the optical connector adaptor 110.
In the optical connector plug that is disclosed in JP-A No. 2005-292777, an inner barrel (shutter holding member) contacts a coupling claw of the optical connector adaptor, is pressed, and changes from an extension state to a reduction state. At this time, a shielding plate (shutter member) is pushed down by a moving plug frame, a front end face of a ferrule is exposed, and the optical connector plug is coupled to the optical connector adapter.
However, although the coupling claw of the optical connector adapter originally pushes the inner barrel (shutter holding member), deformation may be caused due to the pushing force, and the inner barrel (shutter holding member) may push the coupling claw and move to a center portion of the optical connector adaptor.
This is caused when the elastic force of the coupling claw of the optical connector adaptor is weak, when an interval of the facing coupling claws is more than a defined value, or when the optical connector plug is erroneously inserted with the inner barrel (shutter holding member).
As such, if the inner barrel (shutter holding member) moves to the center portion of the optical connector adaptor, the shielding plate (shutter member) is interposed between the ferrule and a sleeve holding member of the optical connector adaptor. In this state, if the optical connector plug is strongly inserted, the shielding plate (shutter member) is deformed or the shielding plate is damaged.
Even when a shape corresponding to the coupling claw of the optical connector adaptor does not exist like when the optical connector plug is connected to a measurer such as an optical power measurer and a ferule end face shape measurer or a ferrule end face cleaning tool is used, the shielding plate (shutter member) may be damaged.