Isolated mammalian Mus81-Eme endonuclease complexes comprise an Mus81 protein portion and an Eme protein portion. A method of identifying a chemical compound that modulates mammalian cellular response to DNA damage comprises contacting a chemical compound to be tested with a biochemical mixture containing an isolated mammalian Mus81-Eme1 endonuclease complex, a source of magnesium ion, and a suitable DNA substrate; measuring the activity level of mammalian Mus81-Eme endonuclease complex in the mixture; comparing the measured activity level to the activity level of a substantially similar mixture of isolated Mus81-Eme1 endonuclease, magnesium ion, and DNA substrate in the absence of the chemical compound to be tested; and selecting a chemical compound that increases or decreases the endonuclease activity. Isolated mammalian Eme1 and Eme2 proteins derived from humans and murine species and isolated nucleic acids encoding the proteins are also described.

The integrity of the genome is of prime importance to a dividing cell. Together, DNA repair and checkpoint responses ensure the integrity of the genome. Coordination of cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair is especially important when unusually high loads of DNA damage are sustained following radiation or genotoxic chemotherapy. Mammalian Cds1 (also known as Chk2) is a checkpoint kinase that is activated in an ATM/ATR-dependent manner in response to DNA damage. In addition to delaying cell cycle progression, Cds1 homologs (Cds1 in fission yeast and Rad53 in budding yeast) have non-cell cycle functions that are important for survival following treatments that interrupt DNA replication or that damage DNA. Cds1 associates with a damage tolerance protein, Mus81, in fission yeast, implicating a direct role for Cds1 in DNA repair (Boddy et al., 2000, Molecular Cell Biol. 20:8758-66; hereinafter Boddy et al., 2000). In budding yeast, Mus81 mutants are reported to be sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate and to UV but not to agents that induce double-strand breaks (Interthal et al., 2000, Mol. Gen. Genet., 263:812-27; hereinafter Interthal, et al., 2000). Mus81 is important for survival following exposure to agents that block DNA replication, when DNA-polymerase function is compromised, and in the absence of the Bloom's syndrome helicase homologs (Rqh1 in fission yeast and Sgs1 in budding yeast, Boddy et al., 2000). These observations suggest a direct role for Mus81 in promoting recovery from problems encountered during replication.
In prokaryotes, reactivation of blocked replication forks is thought to proceed through a nonmutagenic pathway of homologous recombination. Several of the genes required for homologous recombination in vertebrate cells are essential for chromosomal stability. A number of genetic and physical observations suggest that Holliday junctions are intermediates in this recombination process (reviewed in Paques, et al., 1999, Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., 63:349-404). Holliday junctions (HJs) are 4-stranded DNA crossover structures postulated as transient intermediates during genetic recombination and repair. Cleavage of the X-shaped HJs across an axis, performed by an HJ resolvase, is required to disentangle homologous duplexes. Recent studies suggest that HJs also arise at stalled replication forks (Seigneur et al., 1998, Cell, 95:419-30; hereinafter Seigneur et al., 1998). Thus, uncovering how HJs are resolved is vital for understanding mechanisms of genetic recombination, chromosomal replication, and genome maintenance.
Physical and genetic evidence for HJ formation exists from a number of different experimental systems. X-structures formed during meiosis have been observed in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Collins, et al., 1994, Cell, 76:65-75). Evidence for replication-associated HJs was originally obtained with E. coli (Seigneur et al., 1998). These HJs are thought to form by the annealing of nascent strands at a stalled replication fork (known as fork regression). Evidence is mounting that HJs are an integral part of replication in eukaryotes. HJs accumulate at the rDNA locus during normal replication in S. cerevisiae, and this accumulation is enhanced by mutations in DNA replication polymerases α and δ (Zou et al., 1997, Cell, 90:87-96). X-structures were reported to form between sister chromatids during DNA replication in Physarum (Benard et al., 2001, Cell, 7:971-80; hereinafter Benard et al., 2001). Mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe that lack Rqh1 DNA helicase display enhanced mitotic recombination and are unable to segregate chromosomes when grown with the replication inhibitor hydroxyurea (Stewart et al., 1997, EMBO J, 16:2682-92). These phenotypes are partially rescued by expression of RusA, a bacterial HJ resolvase, indicating that Rqh1 may be involved in branch migration of HJs that arise at regressed replication forks (Doe et al., 2000, EMBO J, 19:2751-62; hereinafter Doe et al., 2000).
The best characterized HJ resolvase is RuvC of E. coli, which is part of the RuvABC complex that branch migrates and cleaves HJs (Bennett et al., 1993, Cell, 74: 1021-1031). Interestingly, there are no known eukaryotic sequence counterparts of bacterial resolvases, although eukaryotes have mitochondrial HJ resolvases that may be ancestrally related to RuvC (Lilley et al., 2001, Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol., 2:433-43 hereinafter Lilley et al., 2001). Recent studies suggest that HJ branch migration and resolvase activities may associate in calf testes and mammalian cell lines (Constantinou et al., 2001, EMBO Rep., 1:80-84), but eukaryotic nuclear HJ resolvases have thus far eluded identification.
The ERCC1-XPF family of heterodimeric enzymes constitute another interesting class of structure-specific endonucleases. ERCC1-XPF, which has no bacterial orthologs, cuts duplex DNA with a defined polarity on the 5′ side of a junction between double-strand and single-strand DNA (Sijbers et al., 1996, Cell, 86:811-22). ERCC1-XPF is essential for nucleotide excision repair (NER), where it incises the damaged strand on the 5′ side of the lesion. The ERCC1-XPF nuclease family also appears to participate in various recombination pathways (Paques, et al., 1999, Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., 63: 349-404). For example, in Drosophilia melanogaster, MEI-9, an XPF homolog, is required for normal levels of meiotic recombination (Sekelsky et al., 1995, Genetics, 141:619-27).
Mus81, a novel XPF-related protein, was recently discovered through its association with the replication checkpoint kinase Cds1 in fission yeast and the recombination repair protein Rad54 in budding yeast (Boddy et al., 2000; Interthal et al., 2000). Strikingly, fission yeast Mus81 cells exhibit phenotypes expected of an HJ resolvase mutant (Boddy et al., 2000). Mus81 is important for cell viability in a variety of circumstances that impede replication fork progression, such as unrepaired thymine dimers, nucleotide starvation, and compromised DNA polymerase alleles. Mus81 is essential in Rqh1 cells of fission yeast, which are thought to accumulate HJs during DNA replication (Doe et al., 2000). Moreover, Mus81 is required for production of viable spores, a process that is thought to depend on HJ resolution prior to meiosis I (Boddy et al., 2000; Interthal et al., 2000). Mus81 is also involved in resolution of HJs (Boddy et al., 2000).
Boddy et al., 2001, Cell 107: 537-548 (hereinafter Boddy et al., 2001), have reported that the endonuclease activity of Mus81 in fission yeast depends upon the presence of a particular binding partner, essential meiotic endonuclease 1 (Eme1). Thus both Mus81 and Eme1 are subunits of an endonuclease complex, which is analogous to the well characterized endonuclease ERCC1-XPF. Boddy et al. also reported that Eme1 has no sequence homology with ERCC1, whereas Mus81 shares homology with the C-terminus of XPF (Boddy et al., 2001). Mus81 and Eme1 are reported to interact through their C-termini.
Chen et al. have reported that the human homolog of Mus81 (Hmus81) has endonuclease activity and cleaves Holliday Junctions in vivo (Chen et al., 2001, Molecular Cell, 8:1117-1127; hereinafter Chen et al., 2001). A number of murine homologs of Mus81 (Mmus81) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,732 to Russell et al.
In humans, excision repair is an important defense mechanism against two major carcinogens: sunlight and cigarette smoke. It has been found that individuals defective in excision repair exhibit a high incidence of cancer (Sancar, 1996, "DNA Excision Repair" Ann. Rev. Biochem. 65:43-81). Other mechanisms are also available for DNA repair, such as mismatch repair, which stabilizes the cellular genome by correcting DNA replication errors and by blocking recombination events between divergent DNA sequences. Inactivation of genes encoding enzymes involved in these repair mechanisms reportedly result in a large increase in spontaneous mutability and a predisposition to tumor development. (Modrich et al., 1996, "Mismatch Repair in Replication Fidelity, Genetic Recombination and Cancer Biology" Ann. Rev. Biochem. 65:101-33). The importance of maintaining genomic fidelity is amply illustrated by the many available mechanisms for repair, and if unrepairable, by the arrest of cell division. (Wood, 1996, "DNA Repair in Eukaryotes" Ann. Rev. Biochem. 65:135-67).
Many chemotherapeutic agents are designed to disrupt or otherwise cause damage to the DNA of targeted malignant cells. Antineoplastic agents such as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and other chemical analogs and substances typically act by inhibiting nucleotide biosynthesis or protein synthesis, cross-linking DNA, or intercalating with DNA to inhibit replication or gene expression. Bleomycin and etoposide, for example, specifically damage DNA and prevent repair.
The inhibition of DNA damage repair activity amplifies the potency of antineoplastic agents, and enhances the efficacy of their use as chemotherapeutic agents. For example, the targeted cells are relatively more susceptible to damage caused by chemotherapeutic agents when repair mechanisms are inhibited, so that reduced dosages of the chemotherapeutic agents can be used, in proportion to the increased efficacy, thus reducing unwanted side effects.
Diseases can also result from defective DNA repair mechanisms, including, for example, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (defect in mismatch repair), Nijmegen breakage syndrome (defect in double strand break repair), Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, and Trocothiodystrophy (defects in nuclear excision repair), and the like (Lengauer et al., 1998, "Genetic instabilities in human cancers" Nature, 396(6712):643-649; Kanaar et al., 1998, "Molecular mechanisms of DNA double stranded repair" Trends Cell Biol. 8(12):483489).
It is further envisioned that the transient inhibition of DNA checkpoint and DNA damage arrest in dividing cells may allow the use of relatively lower doses of chemotherapeutic agents to effect relatively greater damage to targeted cells in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Mammalian endonucleases and methods of use


Methods are presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media A temporary barcode or other design is affixed to the person or personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the barcode information is scanned and characteristics about the scanned code are compared to characteristics about other codes stored in a database for the specific time period in question in order to verify the identity of the buyer for a given time period. Once the information is verified, the seller may be authorized to debit the buyer's electronic bank account or charge their charge card account to consummate the transaction or transactions during a period of time. The seller may transmit the buyer's barcode and the buyer transmit the seller's barcode to a clearance center, where the buyer has a smartphone capable of scanning the seller's code.

The disclosure of my earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,155, issued Mar. 2, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,155 at column 2, lines 40-42, the possibility employing temporary tattoos for the verification method disclosed therein is disclosed. The present invention in one embodiment provides a further security improvement by employing a series of temporary tattoos, each valid only for a temporary period of time, or, alternatively, a temporary tattoo, label, decal or the like carrying a barcode or the like coupled to an identity confirmation step that employs a buyer's cell phone.
Further, the temporal sequence of the tattoos or barcode markings themselves need not follow any logically sequential pattern, and in fact they ideally would not follow recognizable visual sequence so that random guessing of the next tattoo in the sequence would be virtually impossible for an outsider to do.


A splicing tape (200) comprises a splicing portion (1,2) and an attachment portion (42,48), said attachment portion (42,48) being provided for releasably and self-supportively attaching said splicing tape (200) substantially across the width of a roll of sheet material. A first adhesive layer (2) is provided on a backing (1) extending from one longitudinal edge of the backing (1) across the tape to a first position towards the center of the backing (1), said first adhesive layer (2) being provided for attaching the leading edge of the roll to the splicing tape (200). A second adhesive layer (2) is provided on the backing (1) beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping the first position and extending towards the second longitudinal edge of the backing (1). The second adhesive layer is for attachment to a further sheet material. The attachment portion (42,48) includes a third adhesive layer adapted to release the leading edge and splicing portion (1,2) from the underlying sheet material leaving a non-tacky outer surface of the underlying sheet material. The splice can be completed by attaching a further sheet material to the splicing portion (1,2). The third adhesive layer may be provided by a weakly adhering or stretch release adhesive layer. The invention may be adapted to produce overlap, in particular staggered overlap splices.. According to the invention, methods of making permanent or flying splices are provided.

The present invention relates to permanent or flying splices between sheet materials of the butt, overlap and in particular staggered overlap kind, a splicing tape for use in producing such splices and methods of using the splicing tape in producing butt, and overlap, particularly staggered overlap splices.
In this application and merely for clarity purposes, the leading end and edge of sheet material on a roll is considered to be the last quadrant of sheet material exposed on the outside of the roll, i.e. the section 32 of sheet material shown in FIG. 3B from the imaginary line A--A' to the edge 35. The underlying winding of such a roll is then the piece of sheet material on which the leading edge 35 rests, from A--A' through 360.degree. to A--A' again.
Two common types of splice are known for webs of sheet materials. Firstly, there is a permanent splice for joining the leading edge of one roll or part roll to the trailing edge of a further roll or part roll. The permanent splice should provide a flexible strong connection between the two webs and should maintain substantially all of the properties of the sheet material, for example if the sheet material is paper which can be printed or coated, the permanent splice is preferably, thin, flexible, printable, coatable and should also have the same repulpable properties as paper. Conventional splicing tapes and splices do not generally meet all of these requirements. Further, when joining part rolls the second roll is normally wound back onto the first roll in order to produce a complete roll and the permanent splice is then located somewhere in the middle of the new larger roll. This splice is subject to high pressures caused by the winding tension and it is important that no adhesive materials are present either on or near the splice or bleed out of the splice during storage which could adhere layers of sheet material together or damage or obstruct printing machinery.
A typical permanent butt splice is shown in FIG. 1A. Such a splice can be manufactured using a splicing tape as shown in FIG. 13 and described in WO 90/08032.
A permanent overlap splice is also known as is shown in FIG. 1B and is known in a modified form from WO 93/12025. Here the leading and trailing edges 3 and 4 of the first and second rolls are joined together by a double sided tape of the kind shown in FIG. 14. With reference to FIG. 3B the last sheet layer 32 of the roll 30 is secured by small adhesive tabs 33 applied on both sides of the roll 30. One of the release foils 10 (or 11) is then removed from the double sided tape 24 to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive 2A (or 2B) and the tape is applied across the width of the last sheet layer 32 of the roll. The excess of the leading edge is folded back against the double sided tape and is creased and torn off so that the final leading edge 35 abuts the double sided adhesive tape 24 as shown in FIG. 3B. In this condition the roll may be stored until a splice must be made. In order to complete the splice the remaining release foil 11 (or 10) is removed thus exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive 2B (or 2A) and the trailing edge of the second roll is then applied to the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive. The excess of the trailing edge is folded back to the adhesive join and is creased and torn off in the same way as described above with respect to the leading edge of the first roll. The splice now appears as in FIG. 1B.
This type of splice has a disadvantage that there is a considerable step at the change from the sheet material 3 or 4 and the splice itself when compared with the butt splice shown in FIG. 1A. This step can disrupt the printing process. Further, there is the possibility of the adhesive bleeding out of the splice or bleeding through the paper if placed under pressure. Additionally, the webs of sheet material may move relative to each other when tension in the web puts the splice in shear. If movement occurs during multiple pass printing the alignment in successive printing stages is disturbed resulting in inferior quality. Any relative movement is likely to release adhesive with the serious consequences mentioned above. To prevent this movement an additional adhesive tape 6' is sometimes applied along the edge of the splice as shown in FIG. 1B. This improves the strength of the splice but increases its thickness still further.
Since a paper manufacturer is often held liable by the printer for damage caused by the splice it is desirable to provide a reliable splicing method and splice which does not affect the printing process. In particular a sheet surface with exposed aggressively tacky adhesive is considered not to be machine printable.
In order to reduce the step at the splice, a staggered overlap splice as shown in FIG. 1C has been proposed in EP-0555772 which can also be produced with a splicing tape shown in FIG. 15. The splice in accordance with FIG. 1C may still suffer from the bleeding out problems of the overlap splice shown in FIG. 1B and has the further disadvantage that the leading edge of the first roll must be cut to a straight line before application of the tape rather than being able to tear off the leading against the adhesive join.
Splicing can also become necessary when insufficient sheet material is left on one drum. Webs from two drums must be attached together.
Flying splices are usually temporary splices made at machine running speeds between rolls when it is undesirable to stop the machine, e.g. during coating or printing. The surface speed of the roll can be 1000 or even 2000 meters per second. Conventional way of making a flying splice can be understood from FIG. 3A with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,150 or CA-2025473. Double sided adhesive tape 24 similar to that shown in FIG. 14 is applied to the last layer 32 of a roll 30 of sheet material in the form of a W, a V or any other suitable arrangement. The last layer 32 of sheet material is torn off against the adhesive tape 24 leaving small wings 23 which are secured by small pieces of adhesive tape to the underlying winding 31 of sheet material. The adhesive tabs and the small wings 23 are important to hold down the noses of the last layer 32 of the sheet material when the roll is travelling at machine rotation speeds. It is important that air cannot enter beneath the leading edge 35 of the last sheet layer 32 which would result in the roll unwinding itself at very high speeds which could cause damage to the equipment and danger to the operators. In order to prevent air entering beneath the leading edge 35 of the last sheet layer 32, small adhesive tabs are sometimes applied not only at the noses of the leading edge but also along the diagonal edges of the leading edge 35. Completion of the splice is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,150.
The final splice appears as in FIG. 2B. The leading edge 3 of the new roll is attached to the trailing edge 4 of the old roll by means of the double sided tape 1, 2A, 2B and the excess of the trailing edge left after cutting is indicated by 8.
It is possible to make a flying butt splice with a butt splicing tape of the kind shown in FIG. 13. The final splice is shown in FIG. 2A in which the leading edge of the new roll has been attached to the splicing tape via the pressure sensitive adhesive 2B and the trailing edge of the old roll has been attached to a large area of pressure sensitive adhesive 2A leaving the excess of the trailing edge 8 to trail behind.
Although the low step profile of the butt splice would be preferred for both permanent and the flying splices, several disadvantages with the application of the tape have resulted in this tape not being widely used for either permanent or flying splices. Firstly, a tape of the kind shown in FIG. 13 must be stretched across the width of a roll which may be 4 to 10 meters wide with the non-adhesive side of the backing 1 adjacent to the roll. This is usually done by two or more operators who provisionally may tape the roll into its final position using small pieces of adhesive tape. Such a procedure is time consuming and there is the danger that the small pieces of tape are not removed after application of the tape. Secondly, adhesive may be transferred from the tabs to the sheet material which can result in subsequent bonding between layers of the sheet material or fouling of printing machinery. Thirdly, flying butt splices have not found favour because it is necessary to lift the leading edge of the new roll in order to apply such tapes. This lifting of the leading edge allows air to enter between the leading end 32 of the new roll and the underlying winding 31 of the roll and thus there is an increased danger of the leading edge lifting off from the roll when it has reached machine speeds. The same problem of lifting the leading edge may also occur if a staggered overlap flying splice were to be made with the splicing tape shown in FIG. 15.
In DE-A-4033900, a modified flying butt splicing tape is proposed. This splice tape, therefore, leaves an exposed surface of adhesive on the underlying winding of the first roll at a distance of approximately one circumference of this roll from the actual splice. This exposed adhesive layer is capable of picking up sheet remnants or attaching itself to other objects or parts of the machinery which can disrupt smooth operation, in particular machine printing. Further, some of the materials used to make the splice could be environmentally improved. A further disadvantage is that after positioning on the roll the splicing tape is not repositionable.
None of the above mentioned conventional splicing tapes provide a low profile tape with the facility to releasably attach the tape to the underlying winding while leaving the undelying winding non-tacky when the splice is complete.

Splicing tape, splicing method and splice using the splicing tape


A wrench is configured to engage a fastener for rotation. In one embodiment, the wrench comprises a base, a pair of jaws, a pair of threaded shafts, an adjusting ring, and/or a sleeve. The position of the pair of jaws along the base may be adjustable to accommodate fasteners of different sizes.

Wrench heads that are selectively engaged with a handle to drive a fastener are also known. For example, a typical ratchet wrench set will usually include one or more ratcheting handles and a plurality of socket wrench heads, with each head corresponding to a different size of fastener. This type of ratchet wrench may be inconvenient to use because of the requirement that each size of fastener be driven with a corresponding socket wrench head. This requirement generally necessitates that the plurality of socket wrench heads be available, and that work be stopped to replace the socket wrench heads on the handle to drive fasteners of different sizes.


The disclosed technology is directed towards automatically detecting failure states and the cause of the failure. For a network, the technology collects status messages from equipment and customers into batches as they occur. The technology groups and aggregates messages, then transforms the aggregations to the frequency domain. Anomalies induce detectable changes in the particle distribution of a trained particle filter, from which an anomalous spectrogram is generated. The status messages of each device are iteratively removed from the larger set of messages, resulting in reduced subsets that are each aggregated, transformed into a modified spectrogram and compared against the anomalous spectrogram to obtain a distance score. The distance score for each device is used to rank the devices with respect to being the cause of the failure.

When network devices fail, network service providers need to determine what occurred, including which device has failed, so that remedial actions can be taken. Failures can lead to service outages and the like; network service providers want to rapidly restore their services to consumers. However, network service providers face significant challenges in restoring services, including localizing trouble when a network device fails.
While network devices often notify other devices when problems arise by raising alarms, when a device fails the lack of alarm data does not necessarily mean that device has failed or is failing. Detecting when a device has failed based on its output alarms is a variation of the halting problem, a problem shown to be undecidable in polynomial time for deterministic Turing machines
One problem is that the status messages of network devices may be sent using connectionless communication methods, which are not guaranteed to arrive, nor are they verified in the same way that other error correcting methods guarantee. Customer indications of problems suffer from a similar unreliability. For one, customers may indicate network troubles when equipment is not in a failure state. For another, customers do not always contact the service provider when there are network faults. In general, with respect to possible or actual failures, network devices provide relative noisy, unreliable signals. A network service provider wants to rapidly determine when and where a network fault occurs, particularly when an equipment failure occurs, rather than when line faults occur.

Identifying and localizing equipment failures


The present invention may be embodied as expected event scheduler and processor in an application performance monitoring (APM) services. The expected event scheduler and processor allows the APM system to take scheduled events into account when performing the performance forecasting for the host system. The learned parameters may be based on measured input values including internal measurements, such as data from monitoring agents located within the host computer system, as well as external measurements relating to factors such as computer backup runs, monthly payroll runs, quarterly financial reporting runs, weekends, holidays, weather data, traffic data, advertisements run by the operator of the system or others, promotional events, product releases, news announcements, elections and other natural and demographic factors. The expected events may overlap in time, and the expected event scheduler and processor learns weighing factors for the simultaneously occurring expected events by updating the learned parameters over successive time trials.

A variety of sophisticated systems have been developed for monitoring and forecasting performance in various fields. These monitoring and forecasting systems may be referred to, collectively or individually, as "estimation systems." For example, conventional statistics systems, artificial neural network systems, or concurrent learning and information processing (CLIP) systems capable of monitoring and forecasting a large number of variables have been developed for use in a variety of fields including computer performance monitoring and forecasting, visual image processing, electricity demand forecasting, and commodity price forecasting. These estimation systems typically use a number of measured input values to impute (i.e., estimate for a current time trial) current values for monitoring, and they may also predict (i.e., estimate for future time trials) future input values. In particular, these systems may compare imputed input values with actual input values to identify abnormal input values when they occur, and they may also predict or forecast the likelihood that future input values will become abnormal.
The mathematical core technology of these monitoring and forecasting systems may involve the computation of a matrix of estimation parameters, also called learned parameters. This matrix typically contains observed relationships, such as the covariances, between input and output variables. Estimation systems may also utilize the inverse of the covariance matrix, which is sometimes referred to as a "connection weight matrix." In particular, the elements of the covariance matrix are typically estimated through the application of statistical analysis to a historical database of input and output values. Once the covariance matrix has been computed, it may be inverted to obtain the connection weight matrix, which can be used to directly compute estimates for the output values from a given set of input values through standard matrix computations.
Moreover, once the covariance and connection weight matrices have been initially determined, they may be used to perform monitoring and forecasting on a CLIP basis. That is, a new set of computed output values may be computed for each time trial of measured input values, and for each time trial either the covariance matrix, the connection weight matrix, or both may be updated to achieve learning while the system performs its monitoring and prediction functions. See in particular U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,902.
In connection with using these types of estimation systems for time-based parameters, such as computer performance, expected events are typically superimposed on top of the "normal" system performance without these factors. For example, seasonal holiday events cause an expected deviation from the normal system performance. In addition, scheduled events such as payroll processing quarterly report processing, and system backup operations can also cause an expected deviation from the normal system performance.
Unfortunately, these expected events can cause false alarms in by the computer performance monitoring system. Given the type of events under consideration, staff technicians may often be off work, for example during holidays or scheduled processing performed outside of regular business hours. Such false alarms can therefore be most inconvenient. One approach to addressing this problem is to suspend the computer performance monitoring during these expected events. However, this practice runs the risk of missing a real system problem, which might be exacerbated by the absence of staff technicians.
Moreover, expected events can overlap in time, which can increase the likelihood of false alarms during these periods. Therefore, a continuing need exists for effective and efficient methods and systems for handling expected events, such as seasonal and scheduled events, in estimation systems. A particular need exists for these methods and systems for computer performance estimation systems.

Computer performance estimation system configured to take expected events into consideration


A method for producing an optoelectronic component includes forming an optoelectronic layer structure including a functional layer structure above a carrier, forming a frame structure including a first metallic material on the optoelectronic layer structure such that a region above the functional layer structure is free of the frame structure and that the frame structure surrounds the region, forming an adhesion layer including a second metallic material above a covering body, applying a liquid first alloy to the optoelectronic layer structure and/or to the adhesion layer of the covering body in the region, coupling the covering body to the optoelectronic layer structure such that the adhesion layer is coupled to the frame structure and the liquid first alloy is in direct contact with the adhesion layer and the frame structure, and reacting part of the first alloy chemically with the metallic materials of the frame structure and the adhesion layer.

In a conventional optoelectronic component, adhesion media, for example adhesives, solders, encapsulation layers, metal seals and/or covering bodies, such as glass bodies, for example, are used for connecting and/or sealing component parts of the optoelectronic component. Applying these auxiliary media to the component parts of the optoelectronic component that are to be connected and/or sealed can often be relatively time-consuming, cost-intensive and/or imprecise. Upon drying and/or upon loading caused by thermal cycling of adhesion media and/or encapsulation layers, cracks or holes can occur in the corresponding layers. Furthermore, during the production of the corresponding optoelectronic components, particles can get into the layers or between the layers. These cracks, holes and/or particles can have the effect that the corresponding optoelectronic component functions only to a restricted extent or no longer functions at all.
Particularly in the case of optoelectronic surface light sources such as OLEDs, for example, the hermetic shielding of organic functional layer structures is important in order to ensure for example the storage stability, for example 10 years, and/or the lifetime in operation, for example over 10 000 hours. For example, permeability values for moisture and/or oxygen of less than 10−6 g/cm/d can be required here. Known media for sealing and/or encapsulating the optoelectronic components are very sensitive with regard to particle loading, inter alia, and known processes can even reduce the lifetime, in favor of longer storage times. Therefore, in known methods, TFE thin-film encapsulations are produced under a very clean atmosphere with the most minimal particle loading, for example in a TFE process without a shadow mask. The TFE encapsulation can be for example a CVD, ALD, PECUP layer or some other layer. As an alternative thereto, other encapsulation methods are also employed, for example cavity encapsulation and glass solder encapsulation.

Optoelectronic component and method for the production thereof


A turbine airfoil with a multiple impingement cooling circuit to provide backside impingement cooling of the leading edge region and the pressure and suction side walls. A leading edge cavity and a mid-chord cavity are separated by a rib. A first baffle is secured within the leading edge cavity and forms a series of impingement compartments and impingement cooling holes to channel cooling air along the first baffle and provide impingement cooling along the backside wall of the leading edge region. A second baffle is secured within the mid-chord cavity and forms a series of pressure side and suction side impingement compartments and impingement cooling holes alternating from the pressure side wall to the suction side wall to channel cooling air along the second baffle and provide impingement cooling along the backside walls of the pressure and suction sides. A spent air collection channel extends along the trailing edge region and is connected to a row of exit cooling holes along the trailing edge of the airfoil. Cooling air from the first baffle flows into the second baffle, and from the second baffle into the spend air collection channel and out through the exit cooling holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a gas turbine engine, and more specifically to a turbine airfoil with multiple impingement cooling.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
In a gas turbine engine, a fuel is combined with compressed air to create a hot gas flow that is passed through a turbine to drive a rotor shaft. In an industrial gas turbine engine, a typical four stage turbine provides the mechanical power to drive the rotor shaft, which drives the compressor and an electric generator to produce electrical power. The efficiency of a gas turbine engine can be increased by passing a higher temperature flow into the turbine. However, the turbine inlet temperature is dependent upon the material capabilities of the turbine, especially the first stage stator vanes and rotor blades.
One way to allow for higher turbine inlet temperatures is to provide cooling for the hotter airfoils. A combination of internal convection cooling, impingement cooling and film cooling on the exterior airfoil surfaces have been proposed to allow for higher flow temperatures.
Since the cooling air used for the turbine airfoils is bled off from the compressor, this work performed to compress the air is not available to perform work in the turbine. Thus, another way of increasing the efficiency of the engine is to use a minimum amount of cooling air while also providing the maximum amount of cooling with this cooling air.


An injection nozzle for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises a nozzle body having a bore for receiving fuel from a supply line for pressurized fuel, an outlet from the bore for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber, in use, and a valve needle defining a needle axis and being slidable within the bore. The needle comprises a needle guide portion arranged to guide the needle within the bore. The injection nozzle further comprises a restriction within the bore for restricting fuel flow through the bore, and a restrictive element moveable with the needle and located upstream of the needle guide portion. At least a part of a downstream side of the restrictive element comprises a bevelled surface that extends to a peripheral edge of the restrictive element, the bevelled surface being non-perpendicular to the needle axis.

EP 0 844 383 relates to a high pressure fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector has an injection nozzle defining a bore. The bore provides a flow path for high-pressure fuel between a fuel inlet and a plurality of outlets, the fuel being received from a high-pressure fuel supply passage. The fuel injector includes a needle which is slidable within the bore. At the lower end of the bore a needle seating is defined, the needle being engageable with the seating. The outlets are provided downstream of the seating so that, when the needle is engaged with the seating, fuel is prevented from being injected. When the needle is lifted from the seating, fuel is able to flow past the seating through the outlets and into an associated combustion chamber of the engine.
The needle includes at least one downstream-facing thrust surface against which high-pressure fuel in the bore acts to provide a lifting force to the needle. A control chamber is provided in the injection nozzle at an upper end of the needle, so that the upper end of the needle is exposed to fuel pressure in the control chamber. The control chamber receives fuel at high pressure from the supply passage, and is connectable to a low-pressure drain by way of a valve. The valve therefore controls the pressure of fuel in the control chamber, and hence determines the downward closing force acting on the upper end of the needle. In this way, the direction of the net hydraulic force acting on the needle, and hence the opening and closing movement of the valve needle, can be controlled.
A restriction, in the form of a small radial clearance between the valve needle and a portion of the bore, is provided for restricting the flow of fuel through the bore between the fuel inlet and the outlets. The restriction is upstream of the downstream-facing thrust surface. The restriction therefore ensures that, when the needle is open to allow injection and communication between the control chamber and drain is then closed to initiate closing of the needle, the upward force acting on the downstream-facing thrust surface due to fuel pressure in the bore is less than the downward force acting on the upper end of the needle due to fuel pressure in the control chamber. The pressure differential that results from the restriction gives rise to a substantial net closing hydraulic force on the needle, and allows for a fast needle closure to be achieved.
Providing a restriction within a fuel injector in order to generate a pressure drop between the high-pressure fuel supply and the injecting end of the injection nozzle, in an arrangement similar to that described above, is well known. There are various other ways in which a restriction can be provided in order to induce such a pressure drop. For example, the restriction can be provided near an injecting end of the nozzle, or alternatively within the high-pressure fuel passage that supplies the bore, downstream of where the high-pressure fuel passage supplies the control chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,467, for example, discloses an arrangement in which the restriction takes the form of an orifice through a piston-type needle guide portion of the valve needle. The needle guide portion is situated near the injecting end of the nozzle and is remote from the control chamber. EP 0 971 118 discloses an arrangement in which the restriction is defined between an annular collar carried on the valve needle and the wall of the bore.
In all of these arrangements, the control chamber and the bore of the injector are fed from the same high-pressure fuel supply passage. However, the restriction ensures that, when needle closure is required, the closing force arising from the fuel pressure in the control chamber is sufficient to overcome the counteracting opening force arising from the fuel pressure in the bore, downstream of the restriction, acting on the downstream-facing thrust surface or surfaces of the needle.
A possible disadvantage of known arrangements such as those described above is that a relatively large drop in pressure occurs across the restriction. In practice this means that the injection pressure is lower than the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector. Hence, energy is wasted pumping the fuel to a higher pressure than is available for injection. It would be desirable to provide an arrangement in which a large pressure drop across a restriction is not required for operation of the injector, so that, for a given fuel supply pressure, a higher injection pressure can be achieved.
A further possible disadvantage of known injectors using restrictions in the aforementioned manner is that, because the bore of the injection nozzle is very small, the machining required to provide accurate radial distances for providing the desired pressure drop has to be very accurate. Such accuracy, particularly on such small scales, means that such injectors are both time consuming and costly to manufacture. It would be desirable to provide an injector which is cheaper and simpler to manufacture.
In these prior art arrangements, the rate of fuel through the restrictions is sensitive to the viscosity, and hence the temperature, of the fuel. In use, the temperature of the fuel varies considerably over the operating phases of the engine, which can result in unpredictable needle behaviour. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an injector which is less sensitive to fuel viscosity.
It is therefore an object of embodiments of the invention to at least partially mitigate one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.


A computer system implements a datastore for a plurality of generic terminal objects. Terminal objects are related to zero or more association objects that represent a relation between a plurality of terminal objects. An association object is typed according to the relationship being represented between the terminal objects. An association object has a state value corresponding to a state of the relation between the plurality of terminal objects. An association object also has a role object for each of the plurality of terminal objects being related to the association object. An association object may also represent the dynamic state of a single terminal object. A role object represents a relation between the association object and a terminal object. The role object is typed according to the relationship being represented between the associated object and the terminal object, and the role type is unique amongst the role objects within the association object. The datastore may store the association object and the terminal objects in a relational database in a computer-readable medium.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for data processing. Specifically, the method and system provide for structuring data within a database.
2. Description of Related Art
Using prior art methods, when two or more problem-domain objects are linked or otherwise refer to each other, programmers must create sophisticated mechanisms to manage the linkages, which may be cumbersome and error-prone. Typically, in the prior art, both of the linked objects contain, within the objects, information about the relation between the objects, and the relations between the problem-domain objects are rather static.
Products using RDBMS or object-oriented database management systems usually require complicated upgrade scenarios precisely because the databases xe2x80x9cknow too muchxe2x80x9d about the data contained within the database. One normally defines primary and foreign keys to build linkages between tuples. Keys and tables cannot be easily changed when relationships changed. The storage mechanism, i.e., the database, is constantly an issue. Ensuring backward compatibility and upgrade conversions may be costly and time-consuming.
Other disadvantages of the prior art are that existing storage systems do not clearly express state as a function of association and that object locking cannot easily be based on the cumulative set of associations to which a given object is a member.
The present invention implements a datastore for a plurality of generic terminal objects. Terminal objects are related to zero or more association objects that represent a relation between terminal objects. Association objects are typed according to the relationship being represented between terminal objects. An association object has a state value corresponding to a state of the relation between terminal objects. An association object also has a role object for each of the terminal objects being related to the association object. A role object represents a relation between the association object and a terminal object. The role object is typed according to the relationship being represented between the associated object and the terminal object, and the role type is unique amongst the role objects within the association object. The datastore may store the association object and the terminal objects in a relational database on a computer-readable medium.

Method and system for providing an associative datastore within a data processing system

International Business Machines Corporation


A Viterbi decoder for decoding a convolution coded reception signal. The Viterbi decoding uses an algorithm for efficiently executing the maximum likelihood decoding using a convolution code by selecting a path locating at the minimum distance from a reception series between two paths which are joined. Since it is necessary to store a state metric of each state, after the state metric of the surviving path was calculated by ACS calculation, it is considered to normalize metrics. However, this results in a large circuit scale and a low processing speed. Therefore, in this invention, a maximum likelihood value of a present state metric is detected from a maximum likelihood branch metric pair before the ACS calculation and the preceding maximum likelihood state metric pair and metrics are normalized by using the maximum likelihood value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Viterbi decoder for decoding a convolution code.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A Viterbi decoding is an algorithm in which a path located at the minimum distance from a received series is selected from between two paths which are joined and a maximum likelihood decoding using a convolution code is efficiently executed. According to the Viterbi decoding, a correcting capability for random errors which are generated in a channel is high and if the Viterbi decoding is combined with a soft decision demodulation system, a particularly large coding gain can be obtained. Therefore, in a satellite communication system which is easily influenced by an interference wave and in which an electric power limitation is severe, a convolution code is used as an error correction code and a Viterbi decoder is used for decoding the convolution code. Details of the Viterbi algorithm are described in G. D. Forney. JR.; "The Viterbi Algorithm", PROCEEDING OF THE IEEE, Vol. 61, No. 3, March 1978, pp. 268-278, for instance.
The Viterbi decoding algorithm will be simply described.
For instance, consideration will be made with respect to a convolution code in which generating polynomials are given by EQU G.sub.1 (D)=1+D.sup.2 EQU G.sub.2 (D)=1+D+D.sup.2
and a coding ratio R is set to R=1/2 and a restriction length K is set to K=3. As shown in FIG. 1, an encoder for generating such a code can be constructed by: a shift register comprising registers 151A and 151B; and adders 152A, 152B, and 152C for addition of modulo 2.
As states (b.sub.1 b.sub.2) of the shift register in such an encoder, four states of (00), (01), (10), and (11) can be used. The number of states which can cause a transition when an input is given is always set to two.
That is, in the case of the state (00), when the input is set to 0, a transition to the state (00) occurs and when the input is set to 1, a transition to the state (01) occurs. In the case of the state (01), when the input is set to 0, a transition to the state (10) occurs and when the input is set to 1, a transition to the state (11) occurs. In the case of the state (10) when the input is set to 0, a transition to the state (00) occurs and when the input is set to 1, a transition to the state (01) occurs. In the case of the state (11) when the input is set to 0, a transition to the state (10) occurs and when the input is set to 1, a transition to the state (11) occurs.
Such state transitions are as shown in a trellis diagram of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a branch of a solid line denotes the transition by the input 0 and a branch of a broken line denotes the transition by the input 1. A numeral written along the branch denotes a code (G.sub.1 G.sub.2) which is output when the transition of the branch occurred.
As will be understood from FIG. 2, two paths are certainly joined in each state. According to the Viterbi decoding algorithm, the maximum likelihood path between two paths in each state is selected and, when a surviving path is selected up to a predetermined length, the maximum likelihood path among the paths selected in the respective state is detected, thereby decoding the received code.
The Viterbi decoder for decoding a convolution code on the basis of such a Viterbi algorithm fundamentally comprises: branch metric calculating means for calculating metrics between a reception series and each branch; ACS (Add-Compare-Select) calculating means for selecting a surviving path and calculating a state metric of a surviving path; state metric memory means for storing values of the state metrics in each state; a path memory for storing an estimated output of the selected path; and maximum likelihood deciding means for detecting an address of the maximum likelihood state metric and controlling the path memory.
In such a Viterbi decoder, the sum of the metrics of the selected path is stored into the state metric memory means. Therefore, there is a possibility such that the state metric memory means overflows. The normalization of metrics is executed to prevent the overflow of the state metric memory means as mentioned above.
That is, FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional Viterbi decoder. In FIG. 3, a reception code which was soft decided to for instance, eight values is supplied to an input terminal 101. The reception code is supplied from the input terminal 101 to branch metric calculating means 102.
Four branch metrics between the reception series and each branch are obtained by the branch metric calculating means 102. The four branch metrics correspond to the likelihoods between the reception code and the codes (00), (01), (10), and (11), respectively.
An output of the branch metric calculating means 102 is supplied to ACS calculating means 103. State metrics which have been obtained until the preceding time are given from state metric memory means 104 to the ACS calculating means 103.
A surviving path in each state is selected by the ACS calculating means 103 in accordance with the state metric transition diagram. The state metric of the surviving path is calculated. The state metric transition diagram is formed on the basis of the trellis diagram.
In the case of using codes shown in a trellis diagram as shown in FIG. 2, state metric transition diagrams as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are obtained.
That is, for instance, in the case of the trellis diagram shown in FIG. 2, two kinds of a path which is caused by outputting the code (00) from the state (00) and a path which causes the code (11) from the state (10) are joined in the state (00). Therefore, the present state metric SM00(new) becomes ##EQU1## On the other hand, two kinds of a path which causes the code (11) from the state (00) and a path which causes the code (00) from the state (10) are joined in the state (01). Therefore, the present state metric SM01(new) becomes ##EQU2##
Two kinds of a path which is caused by outputting the code (01) from the state (01) and a path which causes the code (10) from the state (11) are joined in the state (10). Therefore, the present state metric SM10(new) becomes ##EQU3##
On the other hand, two kinds of a path which causes the code (10) from the state (01) and a path which causes the code (01) from the state (11) are joined in the state (11). Therefore, the present state metric SM11(new) becomes ##EQU4## On the basis of the above points, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, state metric transition diagrams can be formed.
In FIG. 3, an output of the ACS calculating means 103 is supplied to normalizing means 105 and is also supplied to maximum likelihood value detecting means 106. An output of the normalizing means 105 is supplied to the state metric memory means 104. On the other information signal regarding the selected path is output from the ACS calculating means 103. The information signal is sent to a path memory 107.
The maximum likelihood value detecting means 106 detects the maximum likelihood state metric among the present state metrics which are output from the ACS calculating means 103.
The maximum likelihood state metric is supplied to the normalizing means 105. In the normalizing means 105, the maximum likelihood state metric is subtracted from each of the state metrics. Due to this, the state metrics are normalized, thereby preventing that the state metric memory means 104 overflows.
An output of the maximum likelihood value detecting means 106 is supplied to maximum likelihood deciding means 108. After the surviving path of a predetermined length was selected, the maximum likelihood path in each state is detected by the maximum likelihood deciding means 108. The path memory 107 is controlled by an output of the maximum likelihood deciding means 108 and the reception code is decoded.
In the case of such a construction, since the normalization is executed by using the present maximum likelihood state metric detected by the maximum likelihood value detecting means 106, the value of the maximum likelihood state metric after completion of the normalization can be certainly set to a predetermined value (for instance, 0.)
However, in the conventional Viterbi decoder constructed as mentioned above, the present maximum likelihood state metric is detected by the maximum likelihood value detecting means 106, the state metrics are normalized by using the present maximum likelihood state metric, and after completion of such a normalizing process, a process to store the state metrics into the state metric memory means 104 must be executed. Thus, a long calculating time is needed.
Therefore, a Viterbi decoder in which metrics are normalized by using the preceding maximum likelihood state metric has been proposed. If the preceding maximum likelihood state metric is used, the state metrics can be normalized without waiting for the detecting process of the present maximum likelihood state metric and the processing speed can be improved.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, there has been proposed a system in which the preceding maximum likelihood state metric is obtained and given to normalizing means 125 provided before an ACS calculating means 123, thereby executing the normalizing process (for instance, Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. Sho 59-19454).
That is, in FIG. 5, a reception code is supplied from an input terminal 121 and a branch metric is obtained by branch metric calculating means 122. The branch metric is supplied to the normalizing means 125. The maximum likelihood value of the preceding state metric is supplied from maximum likelihood value memory means 129 to the normalizing means 125.
In the normalizing means 125, the maximum likelihood value of the preceding state metric is subtracted from a branch metric. An output of the normalizing means 125 is supplied to the ACS calculating means 123. An output of state metric memory means 124 is supplied to the ACS calculating means 123. In the ACS calculating means 123, a surviving path in each state is selected in accordance with the state metric transition diagram and the state metric of the surviving path is calculated.
An output of the ACS calculating means 123 is supplied to the state metric memory means 124 and is also supplied to maximum likelihood value detecting means 126. On the other hand, an output of the ACS calculating means 123 is given to a path memory 127.
In the maximum likelihood value detecting means 126, the maximum likelihood value of the state metric is obtained. The state metric is supplied to the maximum likelihood value memory means 129 and is also supplied to maximum likelihood deciding means 128. An output of the maximum likelihood value memory means 129 is supplied to the normalizing means 125. In the normalizing means 125, the metrics are normalized by using the maximum likelihood value of the preceding state metrics stored in the maximum likelihood value memory means 129.
However, if the normalizing process of the state metrics is executed by using the preceding maximum likelihood state metrics, the value of the maximum likelihood state metric after completion of the nomalization is not set to a predetermined value (for example, 0). If the value of the maximum likelihood state metric is always set to a predetermined value (for instance, 0), by searching the state metric of such a value, the address of the state metric can be detected, so that the address of the maximum likelihood state metric can be very easily detected. However, if the value of the maximum likelihood state metric is not set to a predetermined value, it is necessary to execute processes such as to compare the respective state metrics and detect the maximum likelihood state metric.
As mentioned above, if the present maximum likelihood state metric is obtained from an output after completion of the ACS calculation and the state metrics are nomalized by using it, a problem such that a long processing time is needed occurs.
On the other hand, if the normalization is executed by using the maximum likelihood value of the preceding state metric, since the maximum likelihood value is not set to a precetermined value, there occur problems such that the precesses to detect the maximum likelihood state metric and its address become complicated and the circuit scale increases.


The invention relates to a method and system for ionizing analyte-containing sample lying on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises directing to the sample a heated flow of desorption gas in order to desorb analyte from the surface, and simultaneously directing to the sample light capable of ionizing the desorbed analyte in the presence of the desorption gas. The invention provides a method and system suitable for efficiently producing ions of neutral and nonpolar molecules on surfaces, for example for mass spectrometric purposes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ionization of particles residing at various surfaces. In particular, the invention concerns a novel ionization method for the purposes of mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, the invention concerns ionization systems.
2. Related Art
An important recent development in mass spectrometry is the capability for direct desorption/ionization of analytes from surfaces at ambient conditions. In ambient ionization methods, ions are generated from a sample outside the MS and sampled into the MS without prior sample preparation or separation. Analysis of compounds from both artificial and native surfaces is fast. Several atmospheric pressure direct ionization methods have recently been described, namely                desorption/ionization on silicon (DIOS) [Wei et al, Nature 1999, 399, 243-246 and Laiko et al, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2002, 16, 1737-1742],        desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) [WO 2005/094389 and Takats et al, Science 2004, 306, 471-473],        desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) [US 2007/0187589 and Takats et al, Chem. Commun. 2005, (15), 1950-1952],        direct analysis in real time (DART) [Cody et al, Anal. Chem. 2005, 77, 2297-2302],        electrospray-assisted laser desorption/ionization (ELDI) [Shiea et al, J. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2005, 19, 3701-3704],        atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) [McEwen et al, Anal. Chem. 2005, 77, 7826-7831], and        desorption sonic spray (DeSSI) [Haddad et al, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2006, 20, 2901-2905].
Among the wide range of applications of these techniques are the analysis of explosives, pharmaceuticals, metabolites, proteins, polymers, and drugs of abuse from different surfaces and matrices such as glass, paper, plastics, blood, urine, tablets and ointments. Moreover, the techniques have been applied to discovery of natural products from plant material, imaging of biological tissues, and detection of analytes after separation by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or ultra-thin layer chromatography (UTLC).
Of the ambient ionization techniques listed above, DESI and DAPCI are most relevant in this context. In DESI, an electrospray source creates charged plume of droplets that are directed at a solid sample a few millimeters to a few centimeters away. The charged droplets pick up the sample through interaction with the surface and then form highly charged ions that can be sampled into a mass spectrometer. DAPCI, on the other hand uses combination of a flow of solvent vapor and a corona discharge to ionize the sample.
The above ambient ionization techniques introduced thus far work efficiently when the analytes are polar and easily protonated or deprotonated. However, neutral and nonpolar analytes are usually ionized less efficiently or not at all.
Atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), which was introduced several years ago as a gas-phase ionization technique for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) [Robb et al, Anal. Chem. 2000, 72, 3653-3659 and Syage et al Am. Lab. 2000, 32, 24-29], has expanded the range of analytes that can be analyzed by LC-MS to neutral and nonpolar molecules. Ionization in APPI is initiated by photons emitted by a krypton discharge lamp that photoionizes analytes directly or indirectly through gas-phase reactions with photoionized dopant molecules. Since photoionization is dependent on the ionization energies of both the analytes and the dopant, compounds with low proton affinities that are usually not ionized in electrospray or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) can be ionized in APPI. However, the conventional APPI method is used only for liquid-form samples, implying that the samples, if not inherently in liquid phase, must be dissolved. This requires a lot of preparation work by laboratory personnel and sets limitations for the selection of samples that can be used in connection with APPI.

Method and system for desorbing and ionizing chemical compounds from surfaces


The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide, PTP20, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptide. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding portions of the phosphatase, nucleic acid vectors containing PTP20 related nucleic acid molecules, recombinant cells containing such nucleic acid vectors, polypeptides purified from such recombinant cells, antibodies to such polypeptides, and methods of identifying compounds that bind PTP20 or abrogate its interactions with natural binding partners. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing abnormal conditions in an organism with PTP20 related molecules or compounds.

The following description of the background of the invention is provided to aid in understanding the invention, but is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the invention.
Cellular signal transduction is a fundamental mechanism whereby extracellular stimuli are relayed to the interior of cells and subsequently regulate diverse cellular processes. One of the key biochemical mechanisms of signal transduction involves the reversible phosphorylation of proteins. Phosphorylation of polypeptides regulates the activity of mature proteins by altering their structure and function. Phosphate most often resides on the hydroxyl moiety (--OH) of serine, threonine, or tyrosine amino acids in proteins.
Enzymes that mediate phosphorylation of cellular effectors generally fall into two classes. The first class consists of protein kinases which transfer a phosphate moiety from adenosine triphosphate to protein substrates. The second class consists of protein phosphatases which hydrolyze phosphate moieties from phosphoryl protein substrates. The converse functions of protein kinases and protein phosphatases balance and regulate the flow of signals in signal transduction processes.
Protein kinases and protein phosphatases are generally divided into two groups--receptor and non-receptor type proteins. Most receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases contain two conserved catalytic domains, each of which encompasses a segment of 240 amino acid residues. Saito et al., 1991, Cell Growth and Diff. 2:59-65. Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases can be subclassified further based upon the amino acid sequence diversity of their extracellular domains. Saito et al., supra; Krueger et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7417-7421.
Protein kinases and protein phosphatases are also typically divided into three classes based upon the amino acids they act upon. Some catalyze the addition or hydrolysis of phosphate on serine or threonine only, some catalyze the addition or hydrolysis of phosphate on tyrosine only, and some catalyze the addition or hydrolysis of phosphate on serine, threonine, and tyrosine.
Tyrosine phosphatases can down-regulate the catalytic activity of protein kinases involved in cell proliferation and are therefore thought to be possible anti-cancer proteins. Protein phosphatases with inappropriate activity are also involved in some types of cancer. Because abnormally elevated levels of cell proliferation are associated with receptor and non-receptor protein kinases with unregulated activity, protein phosphatase-catalyzed dephosphorylation of a protein kinase can down-regulate kinase activity and thereby decrease the rate of cell proliferation.
In addition to their role in cellular proliferation, protein phosphatases are thought to be involved in cellular differentiation processes. Cell differentiation occurs in some cells upon nerve growth factor (NGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. Cellular differentiation is characterized by rapid membrane ruffling, cell flattening, and increases in cell adhesion. Chao, 1992, Cell 68:995-997.
Alignment of primary amino acid sequences of known PTPs shows that their catalytic domains share common amino acid sequences. This observation has facilitated efforts of cloning protein phosphatases from multiple organisms and tissues. Probing cDNA libraries with polynucleotides complementary to cDNA encoding protein phosphatase consensus sequences has identified cDNAs resembling protein phosphatase sequences via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some polypeptide molecules encoded by these cDNAs have tyrosine phosphatase activity.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP20 and related products and methods

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften E.V.


An exhaust aftertreatment system for an engine includes an exhaust valve assembly having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the exhaust valve assembly being configured to effect selective fluid communication between the first port, the second port, and the third port; an exhaust conduit fluidly coupled to an exhaust port of the engine and fluidly coupled to the first port of the exhaust valve assembly; an exhaust aftertreatment device fluidly coupled to the second port of the exhaust valve assembly; a bypass conduit fluidly coupled to the third port of the exhaust valve assembly, the bypass conduit configured to bypass a flow of exhaust around the exhaust aftertreatment device; a reductant supply in selective fluid communication with the exhaust conduit; and a controller operatively coupled to the exhaust valve assembly and the reductant supply.

Reciprocating internal combustion (IC) engines are known for converting chemical energy stored in a fuel supply into mechanical shaft power. A fuel-oxidizer mixture is received in a variable volume of an IC engine defined by a piston translating within a cylinder bore. The fuel-oxidizer mixture burns inside the variable volume to convert chemical energy in the mixture into heat. In turn, expansion of the combustion products within the variable volume performs work on the piston, which may be transferred to an output shaft of the IC engine.
Some constituents in the exhaust stream from an IC engine, such as, for example, nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs), and particulate matter (PM), may be subject to government regulations. Accordingly, operators may wish to control concentrations of regulated exhaust constituents discharged to the environment. The composition of exhaust discharged from an IC engine may be affected by control of the combustion process within the variable volume combustion chamber, exhaust aftertreatment downstream of the combustion chamber, or combinations thereof. Exhaust aftertreatment devices such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts, oxidation catalysts, particulate filters, three-way catalysts, and NOx adsorbers are known for trapping and/or converting exhaust constituents to control the composition of exhaust discharged to the environment from an IC engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,263 (the '263 patent), entitled "Method of Operating an Internal Combustion Engine," describes a method for operating an internal combustion engine in more than one combustion mode. An exhaust system of the '263 patent may include a NOx adsorber and a bypass path that enables the exhaust stream to be routed around the NOx adsorber. According to the '263 patent, the exhaust stream may avoid the NOx adsorber via the bypass path when the engine operates in a first combustion mode, and the exhaust stream may be directed into contact with the NOx adsorber when the engine operates in a mode other than the first combustion mode. Further according to the '263 patent, the NOx adsorber may be regenerated by running the engine in a rich condition.
However, apparatus and methods are desired for regenerating a NOx adsorber independent of engine operating conditions. Accordingly, the present disclosure addresses the aforementioned concern and/or other problems in the art.

Exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine and method for operating same


A process of making a molded laminar structure from a reinforced fibrous mat impregnated with an uncured thermal setting resinous binder wherein the mat is compressed and molded, the binder cured to form a shell, a covering secured to one surface of the shell to form a laminar structure, and trimming the laminar structure to predetermined dimensions.

It is well known to use fibrous material and more especially fiber glass material for sound and heat energy insulation. Also, it is well known to use fibers of glass for strengthening a laminar structure due to the high tensile strength of glass fibers which cause the resultant structure to become more rigid.
Resin impregnated fibrous glass mats are often used to stiffen a composite layer of a molded automotive vehicle headliner structure so that the headline will resist any tendency to sag or otherwise deform due to the effect of gravity over the life of the associated vehicle.
It would be desirable to produce such a fiber glass structure having a decorative fabric covering applied to the exposed surface of the headliner structure which could be molded to a desired configuration and trimmed to predetermined dimensions prior to being installed in a vehicle.

Process for preparing a laminar structure

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.


A indexable, lockable mechanism for a hand tool, and hand tools with such mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first member having a first splined orifice, a second member having an upper prong with a second splined orifice and a lower prong with a third splined orifice, and a splined pin assembly for insertion through said first, second and third orifices. The first member is positioned in a gap between the upper prong and the lower prong of the second member with the first splined orifice coaxially aligned with the second and third splined orifices of the second member. The splined pin assembly of either the first embodiment or the second embodiment is disposed in the three splined orifices and is axially movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The splined pin assembly is allows a user to move the splined pin axially in the first and second orifices between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Mechanisms used to couple hand tool members such as a head and a handle together are well known. Many of these mechanisms allow members to be coupled and adjusted to a desired position. However, existing devices suffer from many disadvantages. Many of these coupling devices are complex and comprised of many parts. What is desired is a mechanism that is adapted to couple two members together, allows the coupler to be easily engaged and disengaged, and is efficiently made from a minimum number of moving parts.

Indexable, lockable pivoting mechanism for hand tool


An electronic discharge circuit. The discharge circuit includes a first current source having first current source input and output and a current control circuit having first, second, third, and fourth control contacts. An electronic circuit element of an electronic circuit has first and second element contacts. If first control contact and first current source input are electrically connected, second control contact and first current source output are electrically connected, third control contact and first element contact are electrically connected, and fourth control contact and second element contact are electrically connected, and if the electronic circuit element is electronically charged, current discharging the electronic circuit element is limited to the current from the first current source, otherwise when so connected, current discharging the electronic circuit element is zero and current from the first current source flows into the second control contact and out the first control contact.

The unintended discharge of electronic circuitry is one of the most common causes of damage to board test systems. Often, a loaded printed circuit board being tested will have been powered up previously at some other point in the manufacturing process. An example of this situation is a printed circuit board that fails functional test or hot mockup and then is returned to board test for trouble-shooting.
Charge often remains on a capacitive component long after the source of power has been removed. If the board test system makes connection to the device under test (DUT) in such a way as to short out a charged capacitive element, much of the energy stored on that element is dissipated in the test system's relay contacts. The typical result of this situation is a welded relay causing a defect in the test system with associated increased warranty costs.
Current test systems discharge printed circuit board electronic circuitry through one of several different resistors located in the test system. The chosen resistor must be large enough to limit the current through the connecting relays to a safe level. The current approach is relatively slow. The discharge rate is determined by the time constant formed by the discharge resistor and the capacitance of the device under test. The resistor must be large enough to limit the discharge current to a safe level under worst case voltage conditions. The magnitude of the discharge current decreases as the capacitor is discharged. As such, the discharge rate is not as fast as could be obtained if a constant current were used. So to speed things up, lower valued resistors are switched in as the voltage at the terminals of the electronic circuitry decreases. However, the time necessary to switch in the smaller resistors is not insignificant.
In addition, the very act of discharging a capacitive element of the electronic circuitry of the printed circuit board may recharge a capacitive element of the electronic circuitry that had been previously discharged. As an example, consider a printed circuit board having three capacitors that are connected in a delta network with each capacitor containing some charge and with each connection point between two of the capacitors being a test point. One of the capacitors in the delta network can be discharged such that the voltage across the capacitor and the charge held by it are reduced to zero. The voltage across the series combination of the other two capacitors is also zero. But, the voltage and the charge on each to the series combination capacitors taken individually is not. If a second capacitor in the delta network is subsequently discharged, the voltage and charge on this capacitor will be forced to zero. But, some of the charge on the third capacitor will be transferred back to the first capacitor, i.e., to the capacitor that had previously been discharged. Because of the "charge transfer" problem just described, it may be necessary to repeat the discharge cycle until all capacitors are found to be at a safe voltage level.
In order to discharge a particular device under test in a reasonable length of time, it may be necessary to limit the discharge to only those nodes capable of damaging the test system. In some test systems, as for example the Agilent 3070, a software program analyzes capacitor sizes and power supply voltages to determine which capacitors need to be discharged and which do not. The accuracy of this analysis is dependant upon the accuracy of data entered by the customer and whether or not the customer consistently updates the data as changes are made in the board's design. This process is quite prone to error, and if the customer makes a mistake, the test system manufacturer often pays for damage to the test system, either through higher warranty costs or in the higher cost of providing a service contract. In addition, this method is complex. The test system manufacturer must write and support a great deal of software in providing this feature. In addition, the customer must be trained in how to use this feature and must spend time supporting it whenever a change is made to the printed circuit board design.

System for discharging electronic circuitry


A silica particle for medical imaging includes a bridged silane fluorescent dye incorporated throughout the particle matrix. Copolymerization of a bridged silane fluorescent dye (e.g., (R′O)3Si—R—Si(OR′)3, where R is a fluorescent organic bridging group, and where R′ is a methyl or ethyl group) and a tetralkoxysilane (e.g., Si(OR′)4, where R′ is a methyl or ethyl group) generates particles of a predetermined size and shape. This leaves the surface of each particle available for further modification to facilitate dispersion of the particle into different media. Hence, a surface modifier may be subsequently bonded onto the particle surface. In some embodiments, poly(ethylene glycol) is selected as the surface modifier to increase dispersion of the silica particle in an aqueous media. In some embodiments, the particle is porous allowing for an additional functionality (e.g., a secondary imaging material, such as magnetic nanoparticles, and/or a pharmaceutical drug) to be loaded within the pores.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of medical imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to matrix-incorporated fluorescent porous and non-porous silica particles for medical imaging, and preparation methods thereof.
2. Background Art
Fluorescent nanoparticles are becoming increasingly attractive in the medical field as medical imaging aids for use in vivo and in vitro. Typically, fluorescent nanoparticles are prepared using one of two approaches: core-shell encapsulation or particle surface modification. Unfortunately, these approaches each suffer one or more of the following limitations: unintended fluorescent dye leach out; inadequate dispersion of the fluorescent nanoparticle in aqueous media; and inability of the fluorescent nanoparticle to accommodate additional functionalities (i.e., one or more functionalities beyond the fluorescent dye).

Matrix incorporated fluorescent porous and non-porous silica particles for medical imaging

International Business Machines Corporation


A servo writer includes a tape running drive unit for running a magnetic tape in a longitudinal direction; a pulse signal generating circuit for generating pulse signals; a write head having a plurality of linear magnetic gaps thereon in a running direction of the magnetic tape at a predetermined interval, inputting pulse signals generated by the pulse signal generating circuit, and writing servo patterns corresponding to the magnetic gaps onto the magnetic tape with pitches between the servo patterns; a read head for sensing the servo patterns written on the magnetic tape and outputting pulse signals corresponding to the sensed servo patterns; a control unit for controlling the tape running drive unit to maintain constant the running speed of the magnetic tape based on a time interval between the pulse signals resulted from two of the appropriate linear patterns in parallel included in each of the servo patterns.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a servo writer for writing servo patterns onto a magnetic tape, more particularly to a servo writer for writing the servo patterns thereonto at a predetermined pitch.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of methods of improving storage density per unit area of a magnetic tape for recording and saving data is to increase the number of data bands for writing data thereon (i.e. to increase the linear density in the width direction of the magnetic tape) In this case, simply relying on a mechanical accuracy of a running mechanism of the magnetic tape has difficulties in securing a complete tracing of a reproducing head over the data bands.
To solve the difficulties, a complete tracing is accomplished by providing the magnetic tape with servo bands thereon in parallel to the data bands so that a recording head and the reproducing head can be servo-controlled in accordance with the servo bands. Note that each servo band is made of a plurality of servo patterns which are written in the running direction at a predetermined pitch therebetween, and which are previously formed on the magnetic tape in a manufacturing process thereof.
In order to perform the above servo control properly, a plurality of servo patterns forming a servo band are needed to be written in such a manner that every pitch therebetween should fall within a predetermined value without variations.
For the sake of a high accurate writing of servo patterns onto a magnetic surface of the magnetic tape at a desired pitch, a special device called as a servo writer has been employed, writing the servo patterns onto the magnetic surface by use of a fixed write head at a constant driving frequency with the magnetic tape kept running at a precisely constant speed. This servo writer is equipped with a tape speed detector for measuring a magnetic tape running speed, and detected values on the running speed measured thereby is fed back to a capstan (tape running drive unit) so that a more precise running speed can be achieved.
In a conventional servo writer, a rotational roller in rotatable contact with a running magnetic tape has been used as a tape speed detector, and the magnetic tape running speed is derived from the rotational speed of the rotational roller, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-048431, for example.
However, there have been the following disadvantages in the conventional servo writer whose rotational roller is for use as a tape speed detector. If slippage occurs between the magnetic surface of the running magnetic tape and the outer circumferential surface of the rotational roller in rotatable contact with this magnetic surface, linear movement of the magnetic tape cannot be converted into a proper rotational movement generated by the rotational roller. This phenomenon can become more apparent if more viscous air is taken up as the magnetic tape runs at a higher speed, resulting in deterioration in accuracy of detected values of the running speed. Variations in diameter of the rotational roller due to abrasion by use or expansion/shrinkage resulting from changes in temperature can also become an error factor of the detected values of the running speed.
If a feed back control for the magnetic tape running speed is based on detected values including such an error, a problem may occur that the pitches between the servo patterns to be written onto the magnetic tape will have values with lower accuracy, departing from the desired value.

Servo writer and method for writing servo patterns using the same


The multi-state support provides the use of pressurized fluid to cause expansion of an expandable volume positioned above a roller assembly which, in turn, places the support in either a rolling or non-rolling state. In a first embodiment, the roller assembly is fixed relative to a support surface. Expansion of the volume results in contact between a wall of the expandable volume and the rollers of the roller assembly. This contact prevents rotation of the rollers and defines the non-rolling state. In a second embodiment, the roller assembly is moveable relative to the support surface. Expansion of the volume results in the contact between a wall of the expandable volume and the roller support without interfering with the ability of the rollers to rotate relative to the roller support. Expansion of the volume causes the extension of the rollers of the roller assembly from within the sole. The extension of the rollers from the sole defines the rolling state.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multi-state support and more particularly, to a support which provides rolling and non-rolling states.
2. Description of the Related Art
Roller skating has always been an exciting recreational sport. In order to provide rollers on which one may skate, it is necessary to either remove one's shoes and replace them with roller skates or attach to one's shoes, removable skating assemblies. In either case, however, one must remove the skate in order to walk without significant difficulty. Examples of skates and skating assemblies which are known in the art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,271,891, No. 1,616,442, No. 2,548,391, No. 3,306,623, No. 4,988,122, and 5,362,076. Each of the references listed above teaches a roller skate that must be removed to permit walking without significant difficulty.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,474 teaches a flexible sheet to be placed over the wheels of a traditional roller skate so as to provide a walking surface and thus, eliminate the need to remove the skates to permit walking. The sheet, however, must be removed from the skate and must be carried by the user. Since this sheet is removable, it is susceptible to loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,842, No. 3,983,643, No. 4,333,249, and No. 5,398,970 each illustrate mechanically positioned retractable rollers which may be stored in the shoe sole to provide a shoe or which may be extended from the sole to provide a skate. In each of the references teaching mechanically extending rollers, the user must take his weight off the shoe to extend the roller. As a result, the user must stop and sit to transform from one mode of transportation to the other. Furthermore, the skating rollers are rigidly connected to the shoe and do not provide for shock absorption. Also, in each of the references providing for roller storage, the height of the skate is increased, thus increasing the risk of serious ankle injury to the user while skating.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,774 and No. 5,299,369 each illustrate retractable cleats which employ fluid pressure to effect retracted and extended states.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,525 and No. 5,362,076 illustrate inflatable bladders for providing support to the user's foot and/or ankle within a shoe or skate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a support which converts easily between rolling and non-rolling states.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support which employs pressurized fluid to effect a change in the state occupied by the support.
It is a further objective of the present invention to minimize the risk of injury to a skater using the support as a skating/walking shoe.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide shock absorption when the support is used as a skating/walking shoe.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a support which converts between rolling and non-rolling states, the individual components thereof being attached to the support while the support occupies either the rolling or the non-rolling states.


An operation section (28) of an image forming apparatus main body (2) comprises an operation display panel (30) for displaying letters and/or symbols representing various functions with respect to an image forming operation to allow an operator to select a desired function, and a status display panel (40) for displaying an image representing a growth stage and/or an appearance of a living thing such as a fish to show a current status of the main body (2). Accordingly, the current status of main body (2) is visually displayed on a display panel by association with a growth stage and/or an appearance of an actual living thing or an imaginary living thing, thereby enabling the operator to quickly see the present status of the apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus and an image forming apparatus, more particularly to an electrical apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile, a printer, adapted to display operation contents on a display panel screen, and an operation program product.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional image forming apparatuses such as copiers, a display panel of an operation section mainly serves as a display for copying condition settings necessary for the copying operation. The function of the display panel is the same both for the outside discharge-type image forming apparatuses and the inside discharge-type image forming apparatuses.
As shown in FIG. 10, an operation display panel 130 defined in an operation section 128 comprises a function selection key 131, a sheet feed cassette setting display key 132, an image reduction/enlargement ratio display key 133, an image density setting display key 134, a sorting mode setting display key 135, a numeric keypad (not shown) and a JAM display, etc.
When setting copying conditions in an image forming apparatus as described above, an operator must first set an image density, a number of copies to be made, a sheet supply cassette by using the display panel provided in the operation section, and after confirming the settings, he/she may initiate the copy operation by pushing the print button. If a sheet jams in a conveyor path, a jam message is displayed on the display panel to urge the operator to remove the jammed sheet.
Also, when a toner cartridge is almost empty, a toner-need-to-replenish message is displayed, and when the toner cartridge becomes empty, a toner empty message is displayed on the display panel to urge the operator to refill. Likewise, when the number of copied sheets by the image forming apparatus becomes equal to or higher than a set value, a message that the apparatus needs maintenance is displayed on the display panel (hereinafter referred to as the former prior art).
Another image forming apparatus is also known that upon occurrence of any inconveniences (failures), a jam remove sequence is displayed on an LCD display by way of machine images which combine a plurality of image parts. For instance, when a jam occurs at a location covered by a front cover member, on the display panel appear an image display division to display a three-dimensional image of an operating member at the location where the sheet is jammed (display of a three-dimensional image of the apparatus), an operation message display division to display a sequence of jam removal operations (e.g., open the front cover), a jam message display division to display an occurrence of a jamming (e.g., sheet is jammed), and an arrow image indicating the direction of opening the front cover in a downward direction (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 5-6065).
The copying condition setting display of the former prior art is necessary for the copying operation. However, once the display contents is set, the set contents cannot be changed until the copy operation is completed or until the setting is reset in the maintenance/check operation. For instance, in the case that the toner-need-to-replenish message is displayed to urge a toner refill operation, the operator cannot concretely estimate what the quantity of the remaining toner is. With the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned patent publication, people who have not used the copying machines before or who are reluctant to use machines (i.e., image forming apparatus) are confused by the complex operation and operation function display of the image forming apparatus.
On the one hand, in the case that the machine operates normally, the operator has nothing else to do other than waiting in front of the machine during the copy operation and this waiting time becomes extremely boring. Especially, in the case of making a large number of copies of documents, a very large amount of time is wasted.

Electrical apparatus, image forming apparatus and operation program product