A single-pole x-ray emitter includes an emitter housing, in which an x-ray tube with a vacuum housing and a drive motor are arranged. A cathode that generates an electron beam, and a rotating anode that is struck by the electron beam along a focal path are arranged in the vacuum housing. The vacuum housing includes a drive-side housing wall and an anode-side housing wall, and the rotating anode is held in a torsionally rigid manner on an anode tube that is rotatably mounted on a stationary part of a rotor shaft that is coupled to the drive motor. The stationary part of the rotor shaft is joined to the anode-side housing wall of the vacuum housing via a ring-shaped fixing. The anode tube incorporates a temperature compensation element. The focal path is arranged on a side of the rotating anode that faces away from the anode-side housing wall.

The present embodiments relate to a single-pole x-ray emitter.
An x-ray emitter is known, for example, from US 2012/0114104 A1. The known x-ray emitter includes an emitter housing in which an x-ray tube with a vacuum housing and a drive motor are arranged. A cathode that generates an electron beam, and a rotating anode that the electron beam strikes along a focal path are arranged in the vacuum housing. The vacuum housing has a housing wall on the drive side and a housing wall on the anode side. The rotating anode is held in a torsionally rigid manner on an anode tube that is rotatably mounted on a stationary part of a rotor shaft that is coupled to the drive motor.
In the known situation, the bearing, the rotor shaft and the rotating anode are arranged radially one above the other, and are not geometrically separated from each other. The rotor shaft is embodied in the form of a hollow cylinder, and encloses a stationary part of an axle. The cathode controller (e.g., high voltage and current) is arranged parallel to the axle. In this case, the rotating anode is relatively far away from the anode-side housing wall of the vacuum housing, so that the x-ray tube, and hence the x-ray emitter, have a correspondingly large installation space.


Protection paths are dynamically allocated in a wavelength-division multiplexed network including a plurality of nodes (12) coupled by communication links (14). A database (26) stores information regarding the status of the network including information associating channels in each link of the node to one or more protection paths and information associating channels in each link to respective working paths. Upon receiving a request for a new protection path to protect a defined working path, links are identified that have at least one shareable channel which may be shared between the new protection path and one or more existing protection paths, as are links that do not have a shareable channel but do have an unused channel that may be used for the new protection path. Costs are assigned to identified links where links that have at least one shareable channel are weighted differently than links that do not have a shareable channel. A protection path is determined using the found links based on the costs.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to WDM networks and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing shared path protection in a WDM network.
2. Description of the Related Art
The ever-increasing needs for more communication bandwidth is driving the conversion to optical networking. The use of WDM (wavelength-division multiplexing) for the transmission of many independent communication channels on a single fiber provides a significant increase in bandwidth over single wavelength networks. Managing this huge bandwidth, however, can be challenging.
In the past, connections between nodes have been performed manually. Multi-protocol lambda switching (MPλS) now provides the structure for intelligent usage of optical resources, including capabilities for fast provisioning of wavelengths, λ-bands and even fibers.
Protection of connections remains a problem. With WDM, losing a single fiber can result in the simultaneous loss of many channels. According, a robust protection scheme is needed. On the other hand, optical resources are expensive and, therefore, must be conserved whenever possible. Ring structures, for example, provide additional protect fibers to be used in the event of a failure. The protect fibers must be located physically apart from the associated working fibers in order to prevent a single event from disrupting communications over both lines. The protect fibers, in a ring structure, are seldom used to pass traffic—a waste of a valuable resource.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a method and apparatus for efficient protection of working channels in an optical network.

Informed dynamic path protection for optical networks


It is provided a method for verifying digitized images of persons and apparatuses for performing the method. The method is particularly usable for verifying the suitability of an image of a person for identification of the person. The method comprises the steps: segmenting the image of a person in a background area and a head or face area, analyzing the head or face area, to detect at least one characteristic value, comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one predetermined threshold value.

The oldest and still most prevalent method for recognizing or verifying respectively, the identity of a person is face recognition.
In difference to the comparison of fingerprints or signatures or a genetic comparison ("genetic fingerprint") the visual comparison employed in face recognition can be readily and quickly be performed by the unskilled person without any technical means.
Identity verification by face recognition is always performed by a comparison of two images: (1) a reference image that is either available as a real portrait, e.g., as a photo on an identity card, a search photo or as a different portrait, or as a physical or imaginary image reconstructed from the memory or a description, e.g., a photofit picture, with (2) a comparative image to be compared with the reference image, whereupon the identity is asserted or not depending on the grade of correspondence.
Such kinds of identity verification are usually still performed by persons rather than being executed automatically, as, e.g. in a traffic check or passport control in which cases the reference image is a photo on an identity card and the comparative image is an imaginary image reconstructed by the controlling person from the visual impression of the face of the checked person. Methods of automatic image processing are very laborious due to the huge amount of image information to be processed and also error-prone, if the quality of the used images is insufficient. Features that are not considered as quality features may also play some role. For example, the posture of the head has a huge impact on the significance of the outcome of an automatic comparison of images: according to the art front views qualify much better than other postures as, e.g., the half-side profile of a person's face.
Either identity verification is performed visually be a person or automatically, the quality of the used portraits is a crucial criterion for the significance of an identity verification. For the quality not only the reproduction qualities as the resolution, sharpness, contrast, brightness, staining etc. of the image but also the mode of presentation of the displayed face is of importance. Particularly, for automatic methods portraits of reduced quality represent almost unsolvable problems in successfully comparing images.
Identity verification of persons by comparison of fingerprints, signatures, etc. is to an increasing degree performed with the assistance of semi-automatic or automatic methods. Again, the quality of the used fingerprints or signatures, respectively, is crucial. With respect to signatures the U.S. Pat No. 6,363,162 A, e.g., describes a system and method for verifying the quality of signatures wherein a binary image of the document carrying the signature is generated, the background is eliminated and subsequently the signature is examined and evaluated. However, this method is of no or only very limited use for the application to portraits due to the higher complexity of such images.
In fact, methods and systems for automatically verifying and, if need be, correcting the contrast, color and brightness of images are known in typography and photography. These are, however, always based on an analysis of either the entire image or predetermined image areas. They are not appropriate for the extraction of structures or even identification of individual objects within the image.
A further problem lies in the fact that quality standards for portraits are only vaguely defined and up to now are only verified by visual inspection. The general appearance of a German passport photograph, e.g., is defined by some criteria and examples. However, whether a photograph is acceptable for a passport or not is decided by one or more executives/appointees.
A more precise definition of quality standards is, however, meaningful only, if observation thereof can be verified objectively. An objective inspection method for portraits including verification whether an image actually observes predetermined criteria or not is, however, not available as yet.

Method for controlling photographs of people


A roofing underlayment comprises a reinforcing layer, which is extrusion coated on at least one side with an anti-slip coating layer. The reinforcing layer comprises a woven polyethylene or polypropylene scrim. The anti-slip coating layer comprises a compound based on a styrene and ethylene/butylene-styrene, S-E/B-S, block copolymer, such as the compound sold under the trademark KRATON® MD6649. The anti-slip coating layer may also be embossed. The anti-slip coating layer is low in cost and helps prevent water from penetrating the primary roofing material. In addition, the anti-slip coating layer provides an improved anti-skid surface upon which an individual may safely walk. Embossment improves the wet slip resistance of the roofing underlayment.

Various embodiments relate to a roofing material and more particularly to a roofing underlayment including anti-slip properties.
In both residential and commercial roofing applications, a roof covering material is utilized to provide the main water protection barrier. Whether the primary roof covering material comprises composite shingles, metal panels or shingles, concrete or clay tiles, wood shakes, or slate, a primary roof covering material is used to protect the building interior from water ingress.
Roofing underlayment is sometimes described as Type I and Type II roofing underlayments as specified in Chapter 15 of the IBC (International Building Code), and defined in Chapter 9 of the IRC (International Residential Code); and is also specified as Type 15 and Type 30 underlayments in Chapter 15 of the UBC (Uniform Building Code).
In some circumstances, whether due to primary roofing material design, installation practices, or accidental breach of the primary roofing material, water can penetrate the primary roofing material. To protect the building interior in these circumstances, it is common to provide a secondary layer called a roofing underlayment, beneath the primary layer. The roofing underlayment acts as a water and moisture barrier.
A variety of roofing underlayment products is commonly used. The two major classes are mechanically attached and self-adhered underlayments. The latter are commonly referred to as "peel and stick".
It is desirable that a roofing underlayment provide a surface which has a sufficiently high coefficient of friction ("COF") to increase the safety for an applicator to walk upon. The coefficient of friction describes the ratio of the force of friction between two bodies and the force pressing them together. The coefficient of friction is an experimentally determined value. The phrase "high coefficient of friction" in this document means a sliding coefficient of friction of at least 0.5 when tested with dry leather and at least 0.7 when tested with dry rubber (per CAN/CGSB-75.1-M88).
Underlayments should be easily affixable to a roofing surface, for example by nailing or adhesion. They should ideally be impermeable to moisture. High tensile and tear strengths are also desirable to reduce tearing during application and exposure to high winds. Underlayments should be light in weight to facilitate ease of transport and application, and should be able to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight, air and water.
A common mechanically attached roofing underlayment product used in the United States and Europe is bituminous asphalt-based felt, commonly referred to as "felt." Typically, this felt comprises paper felt saturated with asphaltic resins to produce a continuous sheeting material which is processed into short rolls for application.
Such felts generally demonstrate good resistance to water ingress and good walkability in dry and wet roof conditions. Disadvantages include very low tensile and tear strengths, relatively high weight per unit surface area, a propensity to dry and crack over time, very low resistance to ultraviolet ("UV") exposure, high likelihood of wind blow off, and a propensity to absorb water causing buckling and wrinkling, thus preventing the application of direct primary roofing materials such as composite shingles.
To overcome these shortcomings, several products have been marketed with high tensile and tear strengths. These materials are generally reinforced non-woven polymeric synthetic materials, rather than asphaltic felts. They are generally lightweight, thin, have higher tensile, tear and burst strengths as compared to felts, and are superior to felts in UV resistance and resistance to drying and cracking over time.
A major drawback of these polymer underlayments is their low COF on the walking surface in dry or wet conditions. This problem limits the commercial attractiveness of such products in high pitch roofs or in climates characterized by frequent and sporadic wet or humid conditions. Thus, a roofing underlayment made from a polymer material which also provides anti-skid properties would be ideal for use in a roofing membrane.
A roofing underlayment according to an embodiment comprises a reinforcing layer, which is extrusion coated on at least one side with an anti-slip coating layer. In an embodiment, the reinforcing layer comprises a woven polyethylene or polypropylene scrim. The anti-slip coating layer comprises a compound based on a styrene and ethylene/butylene-styrene, S-E/B-S, block copolymer, such as the compound sold under the trademark KRATON® MD6649. The anti-slip coating layer is low in cost and helps prevent water from penetrating the primary roofing material. In addition, the anti-slip coating layer provides an improved anti-skid surface upon which an individual may safely walk.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An apparatus has a frame with a screen portion and a discharge portion adjacent thereto. The frame has a bottom surface and a substantially planar top surface. The top surface extends from the screen portion to the discharge portion. An opening located in the screen portion of the frame extends through the frame from the top surface to the bottom surface. A spout formed in the discharge portion has a shape of a hollow cylinder and extends through the frame from the top surface to the bottom surface. A system has a separator with an inlet into which material to be separated enters. A unitary screen frame has a screen portion and a discharge spout with a planar top surface extending from the screen portion to the discharge spout. A first portion of the material entering the inlet flows from the planar top surface to the discharge spout.

In certain industries and/or applications, separating one material from a second material is often desired and/or required. Further, the separation of solids based upon the relative size of the solids is generally known in a variety of industries and/or applications. Typically, separation by size is performed for various reasons. For example, separation of a like material by size may be desired to categorize the material into different sizes. Certain sizes may be more valuable or desirable. Thus, separating and/or categorizing the material by size may optimize the value of the material for a subsequent sale of the separated material. Further, certain food products are separated by size for grading purposes. Certain sizes of a particular food product may be more valuable or desirable.
To this end, separators may be used to separate different materials and/or to separate like materials by size. Typically, separators may use screens having different mesh sizes. The screens may be arranged relative to one another to allow the smaller material that may pass through a top screen to flow onto the screen below so that the materials may be separated. A series of stacked screens may be used in the separator. Also, the separator may use vibration and/or other motion to aid in the separation process.
Conventional vibratory separators generally utilize screens of either hook strip or pretensioned design. The screens may be tensioned after the screens have been mounted in the basket of the vibratory screen apparatus. Two opposed ends of the screen are fitted with a turn back element to form a hook strip. The hook strip may be hooked around a tension rail which may be attached to the side wall of the basket. Typically, a tension bolt may be used. However, other loading means to apply tensioning and securing forces may be employed. Tightening the tension bolt may move the tension rail outwardly towards the walls of the basket to apply tension to the screen.
Hook strip screens may be pretensioned prior to mounting in the basket by attachment of the screen mesh element to an apertured support plate, typically by means of an adhesive. A screen having a plurality of mesh layers may be pretensioned. In some designs, layers of fused mesh may be corrugated prior to mounting to an apertured support plate and the hooks applied thereafter to the mesh-plate combination.
Hook strip screens have a number of disadvantages including the complex and time consuming mounting of the screen members in the basket which results in significant downtime of the vibratory screen apparatus and requires the use of multiple parts. Attaining the correct screen tension for the sieved material also involves intricate fine tuning. The screens may be easily damaged if too much force is applied when tightening the bolts or loading means to tension the screens.
A further disadvantage is the relatively poor sealing between the screen and the basket. The metal-on-metal seal often results in leakage. Unscreened material may pass through gaps between the screen and the basket and may mix with already screened material below the mesh screen. Attempts to overcome the poor seal by placing rubber strips and/or gaskets at the metal/metal interfaces are time-consuming. The strips and/or gaskets frequently loosen during vibration and become lost or lodged in the vibratory machine which obstructs and/or damages the machinery. In addition, applying tension to the screen when tightening the tension bolt adds undesirable stresses to the machine frame.
Pretensioned screens generally have one or more layers of mesh permanently bonded under tension onto a generally rigid steel and/or plastics material apertured plate support frame. The screen and frame are inserted into the basket and are normally secured in the machine by clamps.
Conventional pretensioned screen units with integral support frames have significant disadvantages. For example, conventional pretensioned screens may be bulky, heavy and difficult to handle, transport and store. Typically, the design may be complex, and the frames may be expensive to construct.
Further, the material and/or the product may build up and may be trapped between the spacing frame and other parts of the separator as the material and/or the product may be separated. Therefore, the machine must be taken apart for cleaning which may create a non-productive, labor-intensive step.

Unitary screen frame and discharge spout apparatus and system


A method for amplitude modulating a carrier signal according to one embodiment includes splitting the carrier signal into first and second paths; phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path; phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path; combining the phase modulated carrier signal on the first path with the phase modulated carrier signal on the second path for generating an amplitude modulated output signal; and wherein a first feedback loop couples the amplitude modulated output signal to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path but not to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path, the first feedback loop being for reducing a residual phase variation of the amplitude modulated output signal. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Wireless communication systems have become increasingly popular. These applications, however, pose two special problems. First, the Radio Frequency (RF) carrier modulation by which information is transmitted must demand the smallest bandwidth possible due to the general shortage of available spectrum. As a result, both the amplitude and the phase (i.e., frequency) of the carrier must be precisely controlled during modulation. Amplifying the modulated carrier without excessive distortion in the transmitter output stage imposes significant linearity constraints on the output stage amplifier.
Second, the power efficiency of the transmitter is very important where the transmitting end of the wireless link is battery powered. Typically, the transmitter output stage is the largest power consumer; hence, improvements in this stage arc the most important. Class A RF amplifiers provide a distortion-free output, but require large amounts of power. Non-linear amplifiers, including class B and class C amplifiers, provide higher RF output power and better efficiency. One of the most efficient RF power amplifiers is the class C RF amplifier in which the output transistor conducts current only at the time when the collector-emitter voltage is at its lowest value. Unfortunately, these amplifiers are very nonlinear and introduce substantial amplitude distortion. Because of this distortion, class C amplifiers are used mainly in FM transmitters in which the amplitude or "envelope" of the RF carrier is constant, and hence, such distortion has no effect on the output spectrum occupancy.
Technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) use amplitude modulated signals.
As shown in FIG. 1, an RFID system 100 includes RFID tags 102, a reader 104, and an optional backend system, e.g., server 106. Each tag 102 includes an IC chip and an antenna. The IC chip includes a digital decoder needed to execute the computer commands that the tag 102 receives from the tag reader 104. In some tags 102, the IC chip also includes a power supply circuit to extract and regulate power from the RF reader; a detector to decode signals from the reader; a backscatter modulator, a transmitter to send data back to the reader: anti-collision protocol circuits; and at least enough memory to store its EPC code.
Communication begins with a reader 104 sending out signals to find the tag 102. When the radio wave hits the tag 102 and the tag 102 recognizes and responds to the reader's signal, the reader 104 decodes the data programmed into the tag 102 and sent back in the tag' reply. The information can then be passed to the optional server 106 for processing, storage, and/or propagation to another computing device. By tagging a variety of items, information about the nature and location of goods can be known instantly and automatically.
Many RFID systems use reflected or "backscattered" radio frequency (RF) waves to transmit information from the tag 102 to the reader 104. Since passive (Class-1 and Class-2) tags get all of their power from the reader signal, the tags are only powered when in the beam of the reader 104. Class-3 and higher tags often include an on-board power source, e.g., a battery.
Because the tag reader is usually hardwired to a power source (e.g., power outlet), power efficiency is not generally a concern. Thus, class A amplifiers are typically used. However, as RFID becomes prominent as the tracking and identification system of choice, new RFID applications will be required. One of the most important of these is portable tag reader. As with any portable device, second only to reliability in importance is power consumption. However, the distortion inherent in non-linear amplifiers has been a barrier to use of class B and class C amplifiers in portable RFID transmitters.
To reduce the power requirements of portable RF transmitters such as portable RFID readers, it would be desirable to obtain the low power benefits of class C amplifiers with a clean, undistorted output.


A connector is provided that permits locking between a pin and a housing a canted coil spring yet permit separation by allowing turning of the canted coil spring so that the canted coil spring can compress along the minor axis. In one example, the connector incorporates two grooves on the pin to allow the rotation. In another example, the connector incorporates two grooves in the bore of the housing to allow the rotation. The connector may be used in a number of applications or industries, such as for aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries, to name a few.

Conventional connection mechanisms utilize a canted coil spring and specific groove geometries to achieve locking and/or latching. In the case of locking, the device becomes permanently locked, meaning that removal can only occur by permanently damaging the canted coil spring. In the case of latching, the device can be unlatched but includes a single removal force. Locking is achieved between two mating parts (e.g., cylindrical part or shaft and housing) where a tapered bottom groove exists in the housing and holds an axial spring and where the tapered bottom groove aligns with a corresponding groove on the cylindrical part which accepts the spring. The tapered bottom groove is configured in such a way that the spring compresses along the minor access upon insertion but not upon removal. If a user unwisely attempts to unlatch the latching device anyway, the spring will be forced to compress along its major axis upon removal, which permanently damages the spring due to the characteristics of a canted coil spring only allowing an insignificant compression along the major axis.
For a typical application, upon insertion of the cylindrical part, such as a shaft or a pin, into a bore of a housing, the entry edge of the cylindrical part comes into contact with the axial spring and causes the spring to rotate in the tapered bottom groove. This also pushes the spring coils into the deeper region of the tapered bottom groove, allowing room for the coils to compress along the minor axis. Once the corresponding groove in the cylindrical part comes in contact with the spring, the spring has more room available to uncompress or relax along the minor axis causing the spring to fall into the corresponding groove with the spring maintaining a small amount of compression in a holding state. Removal of the cylindrical part would force the canted coil spring to rotate in the opposite direction, forcing the major axis of the coils to rotate towards the shallow end of the tapered bottom groove. Due to the corresponding groove in the inserted part exhibiting a holding effect, it is not possible for the spring to rotate properly to allow for removal because this requires a significant amount of deflection along the major axis. However, the only foreseeable outcome with this approach is for the spring to damage, thus resulting in a mechanical lock.


A joint assembly for a truss bottom plate, the truss bottom plate includes a first bottom plate and a second bottom plate adjacent to each other, and a gap exists at an adjacent position between the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate; the joint assembly includes a first barrier plate and a second barrier plate; the first barrier plate is connected with the first bottom plate; the second barrier plate is connected with the second bottom plate; a part of the first barrier plate is arranged to overlap a part of the second barrier plate and cover the gap. A truss of an escalator or a passenger conveyor, the truss of the escalator or the passenger conveyor includes the joint assembly as described above.

In the prior art, a truss bottom plate is supported by a truss of an escalator or a passenger conveyor, and the truss bottom plate includes a first bottom plate and a second bottom plate which are adjacent to each other, and a gap exists at the adjacent position between the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate. At present, when connecting the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate on site, it is necessary to fill the gap with sealant, which is time-consuming and expensive. Sometimes even forgetting the sealing work, it may be dangerous to leak lubricating oil from the gap. In order to reduce the risk of oil leakage, the quality of sealant (sealant will age and deteriorate with time) is very important for sealing joints, so the material cost is very high.

Joint assembly for truss bottom plate, truss of escalator or passenger conveyor


A method of determining request transmission priority subject to request content and transmitting request subject to such request transmission priority in application of Fieldbus communication framework in which the communication device determines whether the received requests have the priority subject to the respective content, and also determines whether there is any logical operation condition established, and then the communication device transmits the received external requests to the connected slave device as an ordinary request or priority request, preventing the slave device from receiving an important external request sent by the main control end or manager at a late time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to request transmission methods and more particularly, to a method of determining request transmission priority subject to request content and transmitting request subject to such request transmission priority in application of Fieldbus communication framework, which determines, by means of a communication device, whether the content of each received external request has the priority right, and then transmits every request subject to the priority order, preventing the slave device from receiving an external request from the master device at a late time.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following fast development of communication technology, communication networks have also been well developed. LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) are the original categories of networks categorized subject to their scope and scale. A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. The Internet is the largest WAN, spanning the Earth.
Either in LAN or WAN, Ethernet has proven itself as a relatively inexpensive, reasonably fast, and very popular LAN technology. Ethernet cables (fiber optics or twisted pair) are limited in their reach, and these distances are insufficient to cover medium-sized and large network installations. Therefore, repeaters are used in Ethernets. A repeater in Ethernet networking is a device that allows multiple cables to be joined and greater distances to be spanned. A bridge device can join an Ethernet to another network of a different type, such as a wireless network. Popular types of repeater devices are Ethernet hubs, switches and routers. By means of the combination of Ethernet cables with hubs, switches and/or routers, an Ethernet networking allows transmission or control of data or instructions among different LANs, computers, and/or other devices such as surveillance systems, security systems, automation systems, etc.
Further, there is known a network communication architecture commonly seen in industrial control and device communication protocol or rules, i.e., Fieldbus".
Fieldbus is usually used on the industrial network system for real-time distributed control. Its basic configuration is to handle management through a central control unit so that an operator can monitor or program the whole system. The central control unit is typically linked to a middle layer of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) via a bus system. At the bottom of the control chain is the fieldbus which links the PLCs to the components which actually do the work such as sensors, electric motors, switches and contactors.
Following alternation of generations, there are now a wide variety of concurring fieldbus standards. Some of the most widely used ones include CAN, EtherCAT, DeviceNet, Modbus, PROFIBUS, SECS and CompuBus.
Further, Fieldbus is a new industrial digital communications network intended to replace the existing 4-20 mA analogue signal standard. The network is a digital, bi-directional, multidrop, serial-bus, communications network used to link isolated field devices, such as controllers, transducers, actuators and sensors. Each field device has low cost computing power installed in it, making each device a "smart" device. Each device will be able to execute simple functions on its own such as diagnostic, control, and maintenance functions as well as providing bi-directional communication capabilities. With these devices not only will the engineer be able to access the field devices, but they are also able to communicate with other field devices for master/slave communication. The major advantage of the Fieldbus that is most attractive to the end user is its reduction in capital costs. The savings attained by the user stem from three main areas, initial savings, maintenance savings, and savings due to improved systems performance. One of the main features of the Fieldbus is its significant reduction in wiring. Only one wire is sufficient to build a Fieldbus system with varying number of devices. The cost of installing field equipment in a Fieldbus system is thus significantly reduced. Installation costs are further reduced due to the fact that the Fieldbus it is a multi-drop rather than point-to-point system and the multidrop network can offer a great reduction in field wiring expense. The fact that the Fieldbus system is less complex than conventional bus systems implies that there will be less overall need for maintenance.
FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating multiple requests receiving status of a communication gate according to the prior art. Under the Fieldbus architecture, when the master device or communication gateway A received multiple requests, it transmits the requests to the slave device B subject to the order of FIFO (first in first out), i.e., the master device or communication gateway A handles the received requests subject to the order of their received times, but is unable to arrange or transmit the received requests subject to order of their importance level.
Because the master device or communication gate A handles received requests subject to the order of FIFO (first in first out), it may be unable to transmit a request to the slave device B in time. When communication traffic is low, a communication gateway can always handle all received requests in time. However, when traffic gets higher, gateway needs much more time to handle received requests in received time order. If there is an important request arrived at this time, the gateway may unable to transmit it to the slave in time since there are too many un-handled requests received before. This could result in many problems. For example, in a regular industrial manufacturing line (such as wafer plant, plastic materials plant), when a request to alter the set values of a slave device B (for example, the revolving speed of a motor) is given to the communication gateway A, an abnormal or interruption of the manufacturing line may occur if the slave device B cannot receive the accurate request in time to execute the request on accurate time, thereby resulting in paralysis or damage of the machinery of the industrial manufacturing line. Further, in a building control, the temperature control, emergency exit system and other control actions need to make an accurate response at the accurate time point. If responding tactics cannot be started at the accurate time point, it will get no help in reducing the probability of occurrence of disaster and the loss resulted from the disaster.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method of handling requests according to priority of importance.

Method of determining request transmission priority subject to request content and transmitting request subject to such request transmission priority in application of Fieldbus communication framework


A thin-film magnetic head includes a magnetic pole, a magnetic circuit unit separate from the magnetic pole, and a coil layer. The magnetic pole has a predetermined shape in which the width of the bottom surface of an upper magnetic pole layer is larger than the width of the top surface of a lower magnetic pole layer. The core layer is disposed at the back in the height direction of the magnetic pole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thin-film magnetic heads for applying a magnetic filed to a magnetic recording medium for writing, and particularly to a thin-film magnetic head including a magnetic pole which is easily prepared in such an appropriate shape as to prevent the occurrence of side fringing, and having enhanced characteristics. The present invention also relates to a magnetic device including the thin-film magnetic head and a method for manufacturing the magnetic head.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary enlarged front view of an upper magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, and lower magnetic pole layer shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-197616.
The side surfaces of the upper magnetic pole layer and lower magnetic pole layer slant so that the widths in the track width direction of the magnetic pole layers increase in the directions away from the gap layer, as shown in FIG. 15.
In FIG. 15, the widths in the track width direction of the bottom surface of the upper magnetic pole layer and the top surface of the lower magnetic pole layer are both defined as Tw5.
The shape of the magnetic pole shown in FIG. 15, however, has problems below. FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration for pointing out a problem when the thin-film magnetic head of the above-mentioned patent document moves over a recording medium in practice.
The diagonally shaded area in FIG. 16 shows a region (track) of a recording medium where recording has been made or will be made from the magnetic pole. As shown in FIG. 16, the magnetic pole moves over the recording medium in a slanting position with a predetermined angle θ5. This predetermined angle θ5 is referred to as skew angle.
When the bottom surface of the upper magnetic pole layer and the top surface of the lower magnetic pole layer have the same width of Tw5, as shown in FIG. 15, the skew angle θ5, as shown in FIG. 16, allows an edge of the top surface of the lower magnetic pole to run off the recording region. Consequently, the edge erases the recording magnetic field in the adjacent region where recording has already been made, or rewrites, and thus side fringing occurs seriously.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-92818 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,138, the width Tw6 in the track width direction of the top surface of the lower core layer is smaller than the width Tw7 in the track width direction of the bottom surface of the upper core layer, as shown in FIG. 17. This structure of the thin-film magnetic head is expected to prevent the occurrence of side fringing.
It is not, however, clear whether this structure actually prevent side fringing effectively.
Specifically, the side fringing cannot be prevented by only controlling the structure of the thin-film magnetic head, and the relationship with the skew angle is an important factor. However, the two patent documents describe only the structure of the thin-film magnetic head, but not the relationship with the skew angle. For example, while the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-92818 states a problem of the known art at a skew angle of 0°, with reference to FIG. 12 of the document, it does not state whether the structure shown in FIG. 11 of the same document having a skew angle prevents the side fringing effectively.
In the above-mentioned two patent documents, the lower core layer and the upper core layer oppose each other with a gap layer therebetween, at the opposing face to the recording medium. Thus, the structure is not such that magnetic pole layers separate from the core layers oppose each other with a gap layer therebetween.
Accordingly, the lower core layer and the upper core layer extend long in the height direction from the recording medium-opposing face, and are magnetically coupled at the back in the height direction to define a magnetic circuit.
Since the lower core layer and the upper core layer do not require only to be provided in the vicinity of the medium-opposing face, it is very difficult to reduce the track width with high precision so as to realize high recording density. Thus, this structure is liable to degrade recording properties.
In addition, since the lower core layer extends long in the height direction from the medium-opposing face, a coil layer has no choice but to be provided above the lower core layer. Thus, it is limited where the coil layer is provided. It is important that the region where the coil layer is formed can be selected from a wide range of areas, from the viewpoint of achieving a miniaturized thin-film magnetic head.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned two patent documents do not specifically describe how the structure is formed in which the top surface of the lower core layer has a smaller width Tw6 than the width Tw7 of the bottom surface of the upper core layer. Although the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-92818 proposes a manufacturing method shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, these figures illustrate a method for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head in which the width Tw6 of the top surface of the lower core layer and the width Tw7 of the bottom surface of the upper core layer are the same.

Thin-film magnetic head, magnetic device including the same, and method for manufacturing the same


A pinned plate assembly having a plate assembly and post assemblies. The plate assembly mounts onto headgear without affecting the integrity of the headgear by utilizing existing eyelets to receive the post assemblies therethrough. The plate assembly is made of a flexible and bendable semi rigid material that maintains its shape once configured. The plate assembly has an exterior face, an interior face, first and second edges, first and second lateral edges, and an advertisement band section mounted onto the exterior face. The advertisement band section displays desired first text, and/or first letters, and/or first symbols, and/or first words, and/or first logo designs, and/or first artwork, and/or first graphics. The interior face has two apertures with respective aperture frames disposed at predetermined distances from respective corners defined by the first edge and the first and second lateral edges to receive the post assemblies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headgear accessories, and more particularly, to plate assemblies for headgear.
2. Description of the Related Art
Applicant believes that one of the closest references corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20080141440 A1, published on Jun. 19, 2008 to Taylor for Headgear with a Projected Design Element. However, it differs from the present invention because Taylor teaches embodiments for a headgear, such as a hat or visor, that includes a top portion, a sidewall extending downwardly from the top portion, and a design element attached to and spaced apart from the sidewall. The design element has a front surface and a back surface. The back surface of the design element is adjacent, spaced apart from, and co-facing the sidewall, and the front surface of the design element faces outwardly from the sidewall. The design element is spaced apart from the sidewall using one or more rods that project from the sidewall. The design element may comprise a logo, one or more letters, one or more words, or one or more numbers.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20100064484 A1, published on Mar. 18, 2010 to Clark, and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 8,001,661 B2 issued on Aug. 23, 2011 for Apparatus for Securing Ornamentation to Personal Items. However, it differs from the present invention because Clark teaches an ornamental device that includes a first member adapted to be coupled to a personal item. The first member has a first end having a sidewall. A second member is releasably engagable with the first member, and is provided with a recess that receives the first end of the first member when the first and second members are engaged. The second member has a flange that contacts the sidewall of the first member substantially along a width of the sidewall when the first and second members are engaged. The first and second members are magnetically coupled, such that the magnetic interaction, and the interaction of the flange with the sidewall, secures a decorative second member to a personal item in a selected location.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,636 B2 issued to Clark on Jan. 5, 2010 for Apparatus for Securing Ornamentation to Personal Items. However, it differs from the present invention because Clark teaches an ornamental device that includes a first member adapted to be coupled to a personal item. The first member has a first end having a sidewall. A second member is releasably engagable with the first member, and is provided with a recess that receives the first end of the first member when the first and second members are engaged. The second member has a flange that contacts the sidewall of the first member substantially along a width of the sidewall when the first and second members are engaged. The first and second members are magnetically coupled, such that the magnetic interaction, and the interaction of the flange with the sidewall, secures a decorative second member to a personal item in a selected location.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,649 B1 issued to Brosi on Mar. 9, 2004 for Combat Identification Marker. However, it differs from the present invention because Brosi teaches a marker for attachment to a helmet head covering or the like of a friendly force member, and more particularly to an on-the-go hand securable marker having at least one extension with a retaining head for inserting into a hole in the uniform with the retaining head sufficiently rigid to prevent withdrawal therefrom under field conditions with the marker having a limited wavelength reflective surface thereon to enable a person observing under nighttime conditions to determine if a person is a friendly force member by the presence of reflections of electromagnetic radiation from the marker on the friendly force member. If field conditions change one can quickly remove the marker and replace the marker with conventional camouflage materials.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,512 B1 issued to Shwartz, et al. on Jan. 13, 2004 for Display Assembly for Placement on Clothing Apparel. However, it differs from the present invention because Shwartz, et al. teaches a display assembly for placement on apparel. The assembly includes a flexible layer for placement against the apparel. The assembly further includes a display having pliable extension for penetrating across the flexible layer to securely position the display on the flexible layer. The assembly can be attached to the apparel, including a cap and visor by stitching or sewing the flexible layer to the apparel.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,680 B1 issued to Sloot on Jan. 30, 2001 for Applique for Apparel and Method for Making the Applique. However, it differs from the present invention because Sloot teaches an applique and method for making it, wherein inner and outer vinyl sheets are welded together to form a decorative applique and wherein a pair of fastener are employed each having a flat segment that is embedded between the inner and outer vinyl sheets and has a stem that extends through the inner sheet, its outer located adhesive layer and overlying release liner. Caps are used to enable the applique to be affixed to a carrier card for shipment to an end user, who can then remove the caps and use the fasteners to affix the applique to apparel using the adhesive and re-use the fasteners. The combination of the adhesive and the fasteners enable a firm and sustaining attachment of the applique to surfaces having a low affinity to the adhesive employed on the inner layer.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,805 A issued to Haegley on Sep. 26, 2000 for Device for Securing Ribbons to Military Uniform. However, it differs from the present invention because Haegley teaches a securing device to be located on the inside of a uniform garment to align and anchor military-type ribbon holders, nametags and warfare insignias. The securing device contains claps encased within a thin, soft, pliable plastic foam material sized slightly larger than the secured military-type ribbon holders, nametags and warfare insignias, yielding a flush appearance against the wearer's body. Repeated insertion to and retraction from my device can occur without concern for lost clasps or skin penetration.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,447 A issued to Abraham on May 29, 1973 for Holder and Fastener. However, it differs from the present invention because Abraham teaches a device for holding an object and fastening same in a desired location. For example, the device may be used for securing a corsage or the like to an item of wearing apparel. The device includes a first element comprising a first body member adapted to have a corsage secured thereto and means defining a socket integrally connected to the first body member. The device further includes a second element comprising a second body member and fastener means in the form of pins projecting outwardly therefrom. When the device is used in conjunction with a corsage, the second element is adapted for disposition on the inside of the wearing apparel with the fastener pins adapted to pierce the wearing apparel and enter the socket of the first element to effect releasable engagement therebetween.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. D558,955 S issued to Taylor on Jan. 8, 2008 for Head Gear with Projecting Indicia. However, it differs from the present invention because Taylor teaches an ornamental design for a head gear with projecting indicia that is different from Applicant's invention.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. D603,584 S issued to Porter on Nov. 10, 2009 for Headwear Device. However, it differs from the present invention because Porter teaches an ornamental design for a headwear device that is different from Applicant's invention.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to PCT Publication No. WO 2005120266 A1 published by WIPO to Thompson on Dec. 22, 2005 to Taylor for Instant Wearable Cap Bill Shaper with Indicia. However, it differs from the present invention because Thompson teaches a curved cap bill shaper (20, 20A, 20B) that has binding tabs (15), snaps (30), spikes (46), or adjustable snaps (36) at each end binding the side edges of a cap bill (18) to the bill shaper and imparting a desired curvature to the cap bill. Mating curved arms (8B, 9B) hinged to the bill shaper may adjustably interlock below the cap bill sandwiching it therebetween. Protruding points (14, 46) from the bill shaper and the arms may pierce or indent the cap bill. Indicia (44) may be placed on a top surface (21) of the bill shaper which covers or partly covers the cap bill.
Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.


An apparatus for processing an analyte includes a first receptacle having a first aperture, the first aperture having a first configuration; and a second receptacle having a second aperture, the second aperture having a second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are complementary, such that the first and second apertures engage each other at a sealing surface, whereby analyte solution within the first receptacle passes into the second receptacle substantially without leaking at the engaged first and second apertures. A method for processing an analyte comprises engaging the first and second receptacles at the sealing surface; putting a first batch of analyte solution into the first receptacle, processing the analyte solution; transferring the processed analyte solution into the second receptacle, and disengaging the second receptacle from the first receptacle.

The invention relates to the field of chemical analysis, particularly identification of analyte substances within samples such as liquid samples.
Techniques have been developed for the analysis, or detection of the presence, of substances, such as organic compounds, within samples such as samples of biological fluids. For instance, samples of human blood, saliva, urine, etc., can be tested for the presence of drugs of abuse. In many cases, the substances to be detected may be present in small quantities, or at low concentrations, within the sample.
Although analytical instrumentation is becoming increasingly sensitive, and analyte detection continues to improve, chemical analytes in solution sometimes must be concentrated, prior to chemical analysis. Typically, such concentration is done using bench-top chemical processes specifically developed or tailored to the analytical problem at hand. Such processes include, for instance, solvent condensation or evaporation techniques that eliminate the solvent while retaining the analyte, by exploiting differences in physical properties such as volatility.
In gas chromatography (GC), large volume injection techniques have been developed with special hardware, such as pre-column inlets, to allow more sensitive detection by evaporation of solvent, while attempting to retain analyte inside the pre-column inlets prior to the analyte being delivered to the analytical column for chromatographic separation and analysis/detection.
For the testing process, the samples are handled in vials, test tubes, etc. Loss or contamination of the sample should be eliminated or kept to a minimum, and the equipment for handling the samples is designed with that in mind.
In one example of a testing scenario, a relatively large (for instance, greater than 2 ml) sample volume is to be processed by condensation to a smaller volume (for instance, less than 1 ml) prior to injection into instrumentation such as gas chromatography or liquid chromatography equipment. Condensation may be done by heating the sample, exposing the sample to a stream of gas to facilitate evaporation of volatile solvent, or some combination of these or other techniques.
Such condensation improves detection limits, by enabling a larger fraction of the total sample to be analyzed. However, the condensation requires the sample, which initially is in a larger volume container, to be transferred to a smaller volume container, such as a standard chromatography vial, or a vial with an integrated insert. These vials typically have volumes less than 2 ml, and fit inside standard automated liquid sampler systems.
In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/947844, Prest, "Method and Article for Analyte Concentration Free of Immediate Transfer," there is described a method and apparatus for concentrating an analyte directly into a test receptacle. A liquid containing an analyte is placed into a first receptacle, which is in direct fluid communication with a second receptacle. The analyte is concentrated, into the second receptacle, by known processes. The second receptacle is then used, to provide the concentrated analyte to an instrument for analysis, without liquid transfer and without loss of analyte.
However, the volume of analyte injected is usually small. As a consequence, repetitive (manual or automated) transfers and condensation steps are required to complete the transfer of the larger volume. Each of these transfer steps is subject to possible loss, and the total transfer process therefore is labor intensive. Also, rinses of the original sample container are required to minimize losses on the surfaces. This process is itself frequently subject to losses, and so is seldom fully quantitative.
There is provided an apparatus for concentrating an analyte, comprising a first receptacle having a first aperture, the first aperture having a first configuration; and a second receptacle having a second aperture, the second aperture having a second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are complementary, such that the first and second apertures engage each other at a sealing surface. Analyte solution within the first receptacle passes into the second receptacle substantially without leaking at the engaged first and second apertures.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of preferred embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings.

Sample tube and vial processing system, and method for processing the sample


A wellbore apparatus may include first and second tubular members joined together in end-to-end relation, the first tubular member having a reduced outer diameter end portion. The wellbore apparatus may further include a removable modular antenna assembly comprising a cylindrical dielectric housing removably positioned on the reduced outer diameter end portion of the first tubular member, at least one antenna coil carried by the cylindrical dielectric housing, and a first electrical connector coupled to the at least one antenna coil. The wellbore apparatus may also include resistivity processing circuitry coupled to the first electrical connector to determine an electrical resistivity of a wellbore based upon the at least one antenna coil.

Resistivity logging tools are used to measure the resistivities of earth formations surrounding a borehole, such as in a hydrocarbon (e.g., oil, natural gas, etc.) well. One approach for performing resistivity measurements is by lowering a wireline-conveyed logging device into a wellbore after the wellbore is drilled. Another approach is to make such measurements while the well is being drilled, which is referred to as logging-while-drilling (LWD) or measurement-while-drilling (MWD). LWD or MWD techniques may allow corrective actions to be taken during the drilling processes if desired. For example, wellbore information if available in real time may be used to make adjustments to mud weights to prevent formation damage and to improve well stability. In addition, real time formation log data may be used to direct a drill bit to the desired direction (i.e., geosteering).
Generally speaking, there are two types of LWD tools for measuring formation resistivity, namely lateral tools and induction or propagation tools. Each of these tools relies on an electromagnetic (EM) measurement principle. A lateral tool may use one or more antennas or electrodes to inject low-frequency transverse magnetic fields into the formations to determine borehole and formation responses by measuring the current flow through the formations to the receivers. Lateral resistivity tools are generally responsive to azimuthal variations in formation resistivities around the borehole.
Propagation-type tools emit high-frequency electric fields into the formation to determine borehole and formation responses by measuring voltages induced in the receivers or by measuring difference responses between a pair of receivers or between the transmitter and the receiver. For example, for a propagation tool, incoming signal phases and amplitudes may be measured at each of several receivers with respect to the phases and amplitudes of the signals used to drive the transmitter. Induction-type transmitters generate magnetic fields that induce currents to flow in the formations. These currents generate secondary magnetic fields that are measured as induced voltages in receiver antennas disposed at a distance from the transmitter antenna.

Removable modular antenna assembly for downhole applications


An aquarium filter is provided having a first annular chamber and an inlet or near the top of the chamber. The inlet is constructed and positioned to direct water into the chamber in a swirling direction, concentric with the annular wall. The first chamber also includes a first water outlet at the top of the chamber for filtered water to exit the chamber. The first chamber also includes a waste outlet at the bottom of the chamber. As water enters the first chamber from the inlet, it swirls in the chamber, creating a vortex. Particles within the water are forced against the annular wall, slide down the wall and migrate towards the waste outlet at the bottom of the chamber. A collector, such as a simple collection pot can be coupled to the waste outlet and particles separated from the water will collect in the pot. A selectively closeable cleaning outlet at or near the bottom of the collection pot can be used to empty the material collected there.

The invention is directed generally to filters for aquariums and more particularly to a filter for removing particles from aquarium water.
Conventional aquariums employ a combination of mechanical, chemical and/or sometimes biological filtration in order to remove various undesirable materials from aquarium water. Many conventional filters for hobbyist size aquariums include a fabric pad, wad of floss or some other fabric-type material for trapping solid particles. Other conventional filters draw particles into the gravel bottom of the aquarium.
Aquarium water contains many undissolved particles. Some are very small, with a diameter of a few microns or less. These may consist of bacteria and bits of organic and inorganic molecules clumped together. Conventional mechanical filters catch and holds particles by physically trapping the particles within the filtering material. Consequently, most mechanical filters can only capture particles larger than 50 to 100 microns. Diatomacous earth filters can remove small particles in the range of a few microns in size. However, a filter which can capture the smallest particles will clog quickly and water flow therethrough and its effectiveness will quickly diminish. Therefore diatome type filters are only used sporadically. Also, filters that capture the smallest particles can clog quickly and need to be cleaned more frequently in order to maintain functional water flows.
A conventional method for eliminating these particles is to use a diatome-type filter. In operation, diatome powder is coated on the surface of a filter bag cartridge-type filter. The diatome powder includes minute pores and particles within the aquarium water become trapped in the pores. Often, the bottom of an aquarium is stirred up to permit the particles that settled onto the gravel to be drawn into the diatome filter and trapped in the combination of filter bag and diatome powder. The powder can be messy to use and cleaning the filter bag can be a messy unpleasant task. Accordingly, such filters are not fully satisfactory.
Large particles will tend to settle at the bottom of aquariums, especially where there is minimal turbulence and water circulation. Most tropical fish require this minimal turbulence and accordingly, a flow rate high enough to remove such particles cannot be maintained for more than a short amount of time. Frequently, detritus from various sources will accumulate on the bottom of an aquarium, giving the gravel a dirty appearance. Particles can also affect the turbidity of the aquarium water. Accordingly, an improved filter which can remove these heavy particles after the bottom is stirred up as well as minute particles is desirable.
Commercial settings, such as pet shops, connect multiple tanks to a central filtration system. This filtration system typically includes a cartridge-type filter with a large filtering core. As the filter core becomes clogged with debris, the flow rate through the filter decreases and the performance of the overall filtration system can be adversely affected. Such filters are inconvenient and unpleasant to clean and can require some type of back washing with reverse flow through the filtration material--an inconvenient task. Also, such filters may not be able to trap the smallest particles.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved filter for both hobbyist and commercial aquariums, which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.


This invention provide to a pharmaceutical composition for treating spinocerebellar ataxia (or atrophy, degeneration) or multiple system atrophy, or for improving ataxia or equilibrium disturbance comprising a compound of the formula (I):

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) includes neurodegeneration diseases in which the main locus of pathological change exists in nucleus or neural pathway of cerebellum, brainstem or spinal cord. As a main physical change of SCA, cerebellar ataxia or posterior column ataxia is shown. SCA is classified into hereditary diseases such as hereditary olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy, hereditary cortical cerebellar atrophy, Machado-Joseph disease, Friedreich's ataxia, hereditary Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy and the like, and nonheritable diseases such as olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, striato-nigral degeneration, cortical cerebellar atrophy and the like, and critical causes of these diseases have been unknown. Although conditions of diseases and progresses of the condition depend on type of diseases, all of diseases are progressive. The patients are finally confined to their beds and often lead to pulmonitis, asphyxia or sudden death. SCA is neural intractable diseases of unknown causes and investigations of the causes and establishment of an effective method for the treatment have been required.
Because striato-nigral degeneration, olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy and Shy-Drager syndrome have many common features in pathological, findings, they can be classified as multiple system atrophy. A definition for classification between spinocerebellar ataxia and multiple system atrophy are indefinite.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is considered to be effective for treating or amelioration of spinocerebellar ataxia, and the compounds described in Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 1 are used for a pharmaceutical composition for treating spinocerebellar ataxia. In Patent Literatures 2 to 7 and Non-Patent Literature 2, it is described that compounds having TRH-like activity are effective for treating spinocerebellar ataxia and TRH derivatives have been developed as a drug for spinocerebellar ataxia. A more excellent pharmaceutical composition for treating and ameliorating spinocerebellar ataxia has been desired.
Patent Literature 8 discloses compounds which show activating effect of central nervous system and which are useful for treating various symptoms caused by hypoactivity of dopamine system, norepinephrine system and acetylcholine system. The chemical structures of the compounds of the present invention are disclosed.
Patent Literature 9 discloses that the compounds of the present invention are useful for treating Parkinson's diseases, and Patent Literature 10 discloses that bioavailability (hereinafter referred to as BA) of the compounds are 4 to 34 times higher than that of TRH or TRH derivatives.
None of the prior art discloses that the compounds of the present invention have particular effect for treating spinocerebellar ataxia or multiple system atrophy.
Patent Literature 1JP 61-33197 APatent Literature 2JP 63-290876 APatent Literature 3JP3-236397 APatent Literature 4JP 6-56886 APatent Literature 5JP 9-157286 APatent Literature 6JP 59-155346 APatent Literature 7JP 60-190795 APatent Literature 8WO98/08867Patent Literature 9WO02/17954Patent Literature 10WO99/53941Non-PatentEuropean Journal of Pharmacology, 1994,Literature 1vol. 271, p. 357Non-Patent"Asu no Shinyaku, Division of drugLiterature 2efficacy, drugs for neurosystem and sensoryorgan-2, drugs for central nervous system,(vol. 2), drugs for peripheral nervoussystem", Technomics, Inc, published onJul. 22, 2004, page 409

Abstract: wherein R is methyl, cyano or carbamoyl, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof as an active ingredient.


A system includes a top drive system equipped with a mounted winch configured to draw tubular or well equipment into alignment with a quill of the top drive system. The winch comprises a spool and a flexible line that extends from the spool and through channels in the top drive system, exiting through the quill. An attachment feature at the distal end of the flexible line couples the flexible line with the tubular or drilling equipment. Once this coupling has been established, the winch may rotate such that the flexible line retracts through the quill of the top drive system, drawing the tubular or well equipment into alignment with the quill.

The invention relates generally to the field of drilling and processing of wells, and, more particularly, to a top drive with mounted winch for hoisting drilling equipment.
In conventional oil and gas operations, a well is typically drilled to a desired depth with a drill string, which includes drillpipe, drill collars and a bottom hole drilling assembly. The drill string may be turned by a rotary table and kelly assembly or by a top drive. A top drive typically includes a quill, which is a short length of pipe that couples with the upper end of the drill string, and one or more motors configured to turn the quill. The top drive is typically suspended from a traveling block above the rig floor so that it may be raised and lowered throughout drilling operations.
In conventional operations, to add a length of tubular (i.e., drillpipe or drill collar) to the drill string, a drillpipe elevator is coupled with the tubular to facilitate hoisting the tubular from the rig floor and into engagement with a top drive, which is used to couple the tubular to the drill string. To facilitate coupling of the tubular with the top drive, the tubular is aligned with the quill of the top drive and, consequently, with the center of the well. Drillpipe elevators are configured to couple with drillpipe by engaging a shoulder of a tool joint of the drillpipe. However, drillpipe elevators are generally not configured to couple with drill collars because drill collars do not include tool joints. Therefore, pickup subs are typically connected to one end of a drill collar to facilitate coupling between a drillpipe elevator and the drill collar. After a new length of drill collar is hoisted to the center of the well by the drillpipe elevator and added to the drill string, the pickup sub is removed from the drill collar and connected to the next length of drill collar to be hoisted by the drillpipe elevator.
In addition to tubular, it may be desirable to hoist other drilling equipment (e.g., top drive servicing equipment) toward the top drive quill throughout drilling operations. This equipment may not be configured to couple with a drillpipe elevator directly and, therefore, may require specific connectors to facilitate coupling with the drillpipe elevator. In conventional operations, drilling equipment and tubular may be hoisted with wire cables on pulleys positioned about the drilling rig, and in certain instances multiple pulleys may be used in order to bring a single piece of equipment or tubular into alignment with the quill of the top drive.
The process of coupling and removing connectors in order to add each new length of tubular to the drill string or to position equipment in alignment with the top drive is often time consuming and tedious. In addition, the use of wire cables on pulleys positioned about the oil rig to hoist drilling equipment can lead to cable entanglements. Accordingly, it is now recognized that these hoisting techniques are inefficient and there exists a need for a system and method for hoisting drilling equipment into alignment with the quill of the top drive without the use of connectors or multiple pulley arrangements.


A system is presented for a novel apparatus and method that shortens the time that an asset is lost and increases the probability of return should the asset go astray. The system is intended to allow the asset to proactively alert passers-by that it is lost and also alert the owner of the asset that the asset is lost. The invention contains identification and contact information to aid in the safe, prompt return of the asset. The system comprises an asset tag that is attached to the asset and a base station that is ‘synchronized’ with a the asset tag at specified intervals. Should the asset tag not synchronize with the base station within a predetermined interval, it will emit a personalized voice recording to let passers-by know that the asset is lost and in need of safe return to it's owner. In addition, the system can alert the owner that the asset has gone missing. In this case, the base station may emit a warning indicating that the asset tag has not synchronized with the base station within the predetermined interval.

Statistics show that the majority of lost pets or children are not recovered by police, veterinarians, animal shelters, or humane societies, but rather by the owner's friends or neighbors. This also applies to lost inanimate objects. It stands to reason then that, the faster the asset is found, the sooner it can be returned to its owner.
There is a need, not satisfied by the prior art, for a system that uses "speech" emitted from the asset itself to alert the public that it is lost. For example, a person is more likely to go to the assistance of a crying child than to one that is quietly walking down the sidewalk. It is desirable to shorten the time that an asset is lost and enhance its probability of being found and returned. It is also desirable to give the asset the power of self-notification and to draw upon the innate human desire to assist those demonstrating distress. The present invention addresses the shortcomings in the prior art to aid in the recovery of lost assets.


A chain link for a conveying chain of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a storage device for a rod-shaped tobacco product, includes holding means for a hinge pin and a hinge pin bearing for connecting the chain link to adjacent chain links, and a carrying surface for carrying a tobacco product, which carrying surface is arranged substantially parallel to the hinge plane defined by the hinge axes. The chain link is designed laterally for cooperation with a deflection plate of the machine which rotates about a substantially vertical axis. During cooperation with the deflection plate the chain link is designed to pivot about a longitudinal pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The chain link has a guide element which cooperates with the deflection plate and which is designed in such a way that a pivot movement of the chain link about the longitudinal pivot axis is counteracted by a frictional force exerted by the deflection plate on the guide element. On the side of the carrying surface the chain link is designed to cooperate with a round deflection roller of the machine, which rotates about a substantially horizontal axis, wherein contact of the chain link with the deflection roller lies in the region of one of the hinge axes.

The invention concerns a chain link for a conveying chain of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a storage device for a rod-shaped tobacco product, with holding means for a hinge pin and with a hinge pin bearing for connecting the chain link to adjacent chain links, and with a carrying surface for carrying a tobacco product, which carrying surface is arranged substantially parallel to the hinge plane defined by the hinge axes, wherein the chain link is designed laterally for cooperation with a deflection plate of the machine which rotates about a substantially vertical axis, wherein during co-operation with the deflection plate the chain link is designed to pivot about a longitudinal pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain link.
Chain links for a conveying chain are known from EP 0 680 898 B1 or DE 43 12 864 C2. When using such chain links for conveying chains, for example, in cigarette storage devices with deflection plates whose axis of rotation is inclined to the vertical, there is provision for pivoting the chain link about a longitudinal pivot axis in the region of contact between chain link and deflection wheel, in order to keep the carrying surface of the chain links horizontal during deflection. With this arrangement, the tensile stress of the conveying chain in the region of the deflection plate causes a pivot moment on the chain links which is in practice received by a position-fixing guide on the outside of the deflected chain links. The longer the portion of the conveying chain which cooperates with deflection plates, the more the friction losses associated with the above have an adverse effect.
In the state of the art, the hinge plane is arranged above the middle between the carrying surface and a lower side of the chain link opposite the carrying surface (see EP 0 680 898 B1), in order to produce compensation for the pivot moment caused by the product conveyed. On the other hand, however, as a result of the chain tension, this arrangement leads to a pivot moment on the chain link about a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and hence aggravation of the above-mentioned problems.
When using chain links for conveying chains in machines with deflection rollers whose axis of rotation is arranged substantially horizontally, a disadvantageous bending moment on the chain links cooperating with the deflection roller arises due to the tensile stress of the conveying chain when these chain links cooperate with the deflection roller on the side of their carrying surface roughly in the middle between the hinge pin and the hinge pin bearing. This could be avoided by using deflection rollers of polygonal cross-section, each polygonal section being provided for cooperation with one chain link. For example, owing to wear of the conveying chain, this can lead to problems in synchronization between conveying chain and deflection plate. Further, keeping the conveying chain in a horizontal plane poses problems with a polygonal deflection roller.

Chain link for conveying chain of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry


Compositions and methods for the assessment of T cell receptor variable subunits. The present invention provides nucleotide sequences for the evaluation of the expression of TCRV families. These nucleotides sequences were obtained through a bioinformatic investigation of the nucleotide sequences for TCRVα and TCRVβ families. The nucleotide sequences of the present invention uniquely recognize each and every subfamily and allelic member of a particular TCRV family, while at the same time not recognizing the members of any other TCRV family. This unique expression recognition profile of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention provides great utility for the assessment of TCR families in a clinical setting, such as through polymerase chain reactions, gene chip technology, and direct electrophoretic measurement of DNA or RNA.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel compositions and sequences useful for the evaluation of T cell receptor genes and their expression, and therapeutic applications thereof.
2. Description of the Background
T cells constitute a cellular component of the immune system that is able to identify and target foreign antigens for destruction by the immune system. At the same time, T cells must be able to identify cells from the host organism, so that the immune system does not attack the body itself. T cells interact with antigens and the body through receptors (T cell receptors; TCR) located on the T cell surface.
TCRs are heterodimers having an alpha (α) and a beta (β) subunit, each of which include variable (V) and constant (C) regions. It is the variable region of these chains that directly contacts the major histocompatibility (a:MHC) complex located on the surface of all cells, thereby eliciting the T cell response. Each individual has multiple TCRV(α) and TCRV(β) gene segments, providing for the ability to respond to a large number of a:MHCs.
Prior to 1995, there was no uniform or systematic organization of the genetic sequences that code for the TCRVα and TCRVβ families. An international group was created to address this problem, and, as a result, Arden, Clark, Kabelitz, and Mak (Immunogenetics 42, 455; 1995, which is hereby incorporated by reference) applied a consistent classification scheme to all known human TCRVα and TCRVβ gene families. Based on this classification system, there are 32 different functional variable α families with 69 subfamily members and 25 different functional variable β families with 91 subfamily members. According to the proposed nomenclature, TCRs are named according to the following convention, receptor subunit; family; subfamily; allele. Thus, AV1S2A3 refers to the T cell receptor α variable receptor, family 1, subfamily 2, and allele 3. This naming convention will be used herein.
It is of great clinical and scientific interest to evaluate the expression of TCR families accurately in individual patients, as this repertoire is a reflection of the immune response in those patients. One possible way to analyze the expression of T cell receptors could be through the use of antibody-based analysis of the surface receptor protein. However, a comprehensive evaluation is not currently possible due to the lack of antibodies to all of the different members of human TCR variable α and β families.
An alternative approach is to analyze gene expression of the TCRVα and TCRVβ regions. Previous attempts at establishing methods to evaluate the expression of all members of the TCR families have not taken into account the new systematic classification of Arden et al. or the wide variety of subfamilies and alleles that exist for many of the variable families. Accordingly, nucleotide probes that have been previously published in the literature do not consistently recognize all subfamily members of a particular TCR family. For example, a nucleotide probe may only recognize the AV2S1A1 and not the other alleles and subfamily members of the AV2 family. Therefore, no broad statements regarding the expression of the AV2 family may be made using this probe. Given the large degree of diversity among TCRs, the inadequacy of presently-available nucleotide probes dramatically reduces their clinical and experimental utility.
Thus, there has been a long-standing need in the molecular biological and clinical communities for a genetic tool that can be used to evaluate specifically the expression of the T cell surface receptors in a patient. The genetic tool should be able to identify each family of α and β TCRs independently, while, at the same time, recognizing all subfamily members and alleles within that family. Such a collection of nucleotide probes would significantly advance the state of the art and the ability of clinicians to evaluate the repertoire of T cells in the body.

Compositions and methods for the detection of human T cell receptor variable family gene expression


A device and method used by a driver to verify that he/she is positioning a vehicle safely within the designated lane of travel area of a roadway. The device includes an LED sighting unit having an aiming LED and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit to the windshield of a vehicle. In the method, the driver positions the vehicle safely within the lane of travel area of a roadway and then adjusts the position of the LED sighting unit until the aiming LED thereof is within the line of sight of the driver""s eyes, while the driver is seated in the normal driving position, and the boundary line between the lanes or along the side of a roadway.

The present invention relates to vehicle safety equipment and more particularly to a vehicle lane position verification device that includes an LED sighting unit having an aiming LED extending from a battery housing with a battery connector provided therein and an on/off switch in connection therewith that is wired in series electrical connection with the aiming LED and the battery connector in a manner such that the on/off switch controls operation of the aiming LED when batteries are positioned in the battery connector; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit to the windshield of a vehicle. The vehicle lane position verification device may also include an LED sighting unit and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit in connection with the windshield of a vehicle; the attachment mechanism including a slide bar assembly including a slide bar support mechanism for securing the slide bar in fixed relation to a windshield of a vehicle; the LED sighting unit including aiming LED having a power supply cable connectable to an electrical power source and user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the aiming LED being supported by the user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the user moveable LED clamp mechanism including a pair of resilient locking legs each including a slide bar receiving aperture provided therethrough of greater size than the slide bar and biased away from the other resilient locking leg such that the pair of resilient locking legs exert a gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the slide bar is inserted through the two slide bar receiving apertures; the pair of resilient locking legs releasing the gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the pair of resilient locking legs are squeezed toward each other allowing a user to position the user moveable LED clamp mechanism at various user selected locations along the slide bar. In a preferred embodiment, the slide bar support mechanism is two suction cups one provided at each end of the slide bar.
It is often difficult for some drivers, particularly when driving a large vehicle such as a motor home, to feel confident about the location of the vehicle within the lane of travel area of a roadway. This can cause anxiety to the driver at best and can lead to dangerous conditions and accidents at worst. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a device that would allow a driver to verify that he/she is positioning the vehicle safely within the designated lane of travel area of the roadway. Because roads typically have a marker line between the lanes and/or running along the outer edge of a lane, it would be desirable to have a vehicle lane position verification device and/or method that allowed a driver to use either of these landmarks as a reference point for maintaining the vehicle safely within the lane of travel.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a vehicle lane position verification device that includes an LED sighting unit having an aiming LED extending from a battery housing with a battery connector provided therein and an on/off switch in connection therewith that is wired in series electrical connection with the aiming LED and the battery connector in a manner such that the on/off switch controls operation of the aiming LED when batteries are positioned in the battery connector; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit to the windshield of a vehicle.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a vehicle lane position verification device that includes an LED sighting unit and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit in connection with the windshield of a vehicle; the attachment mechanism including a slide bar assembly including a slide bar support mechanism for securing the slide bar in fixed relation to a windshield of a vehicle; the LED sighting unit including aiming LED having a power supply cable connectable to an electrical power source and user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the aiming LED being supported by the user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the user moveable LED clamp mechanism including a pair of resilient locking legs each including a slide bar receiving aperture provided therethrough of greater size than the slide bar and biased away from the other resilient locking leg such that the pair of resilient locking legs exert a gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the slide bar is inserted through the two slide bar receiving apertures; the pair of resilient locking legs releasing the gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the pair of resilient locking legs are squeezed toward each other allowing a user to position the user moveable LED clamp mechanism at various user selected locations along the slide bar. In a preferred embodiment, the slide bar support mechanism is two suction cups one provided at each end of the slide bar.
It is another object of the invention to provide a vehicle lane position verification method for allowing a driver to maintain a vehicle having a driver""s seat and a windshield within a lane of travel of a roadway; the vehicle lane position verification method including the steps of: a) providing a vehicle lane position verification device as described herein above; b) positioning the vehicle in a lane of a roadway divided by a lane marker line at a desired distance from the lane marker line; c) positioning the driver in a driver""s seat of the vehicle after performing step b); and d) attaching the vehicle lane position verification device to a windshield of a vehicle with the attachment mechanism such that the aiming diode is along the line of sight between the driver""s eyes and the lane marker line such that the driver can verify the position of the vehicle with respect to the lane marker line by maintaining the aiming LED along the line of sight between the driver""s eyes and the lane marker line.
Accordingly, a vehicle lane verification device and method is provided. In the vehicle lane verification device aspect of the invention, the device includes an LED sighting unit having an aiming LED extending from a battery housing with a battery connector provided therein and an on/off switch in connection therewith that is wired in series electrical connection with the aiming LED and the battery connector in a manner such that the on/off switch controls operation of the aiming LED when batteries are positioned in the battery connector; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit to the windshield of a vehicle. The attachment mechanism preferably includes an elongated, adhesive backed section of hook and pile fastener material that is adhesively securable to the windshield of a vehicle and a companionate section of hook and pile material that is secured to the LED sighting unit such that the each driver of the vehicle may easily position the LED sighting unit in the proper location for his/her use.
In another preferred embodiment, the vehicle lane verification device includes an LED sighting unit and an attachment mechanism for attaching the LED sighting unit in connection with the windshield of a vehicle; the attachment mechanism including a slide bar assembly including a slide bar support mechanism for securing the slide bar in fixed. relation to a windshield of a vehicle; the LED sighting unit including aiming LED having a power supply cable connectable to an electrical power source and user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the aiming LED being supported by the user moveable LED clamp mechanism; the user moveable LED clamp mechanism including a pair of resilient locking legs each including a slide bar receiving aperture provided therethrough of greater size than the slide bar and biased away from the other resilient locking leg such that the pair of resilient locking legs exert a gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the slide bar is inserted through the two slide bar receiving apertures; the pair of resilient locking legs releasing the gripping and holding force against the slide bar when the pair of resilient locking legs are squeezed toward each other allowing a user to position the user moveable LED clamp mechanism at various user selected locations along the slide bar. In a preferred embodiment, the slide bar support mechanism is two suction cups one provided at each end of the slide bar.
In the method aspect of the invention, a vehicle lane position verification method for allowing a driver to maintain a vehicle having a driver""s seat and a windshield within a lane of travel of a roadway; the vehicle lane position verification method including the steps of: a) providing a vehicle lane position verification device as described herein above; b) positioning the vehicle in a lane of a roadway divided by a lane marker line at a desired distance from the lane marker line; c) positioning the driver in a driver""s seat of the vehicle after performing step b); and d) attaching the vehicle lane position verification device to a windshield of a vehicle with the attachment mechanism such that the aiming diode is along the line of sight between the driver""s eyes and the lane marker line such that the driver can verify the position of the vehicle with respect to the lane marker line by maintaining the aiming LED along the line of sight between the driver""s eyes and the lane marker line.

Vehicle lane verification device and method