For a plumbing trap, such as under a sink or other similar installations, a split slip nut and seal assembly for joining two tubular members such as pipes or tubes one within the other; wherein a split seal is inserted between the tubes laterally and then a slip nut formed in two split sections is applied on a threaded male sleeve surrounding the tubular members and the seal to compress the seal and to secure the tubular members together. The split sections of the nut are fastened together by releasable fasteners engaged on opposed lugs projecting from the split nut. When access to the trap is desired, the split slip nut and seal assembly avoids the necessity of dismantling the entire installation as is required with conventional slip nuts.

In a plumbing trap such as is typically located below a sink, a trap in the form of a tube having a reverse bend at its bottom, has an upper portion which receives a tube sometimes termed a "tailpiece", and a seal is provided between the trap tube and the tailpiece tube. A slip nut is employed to compress the seal and fasten the tubes together. The split nut is received about a male sleeve located on the end of the trap tube with the seal held within the male sleeve, and the slip nut has a shoulder, which upon advancing the split nut on the male sleeve, engages and compresses the seal to form a seal between the tubes while also securing the tubes against movement. Similar installations are also commonly utilized beneath toilets in the supply tube assembly.
When the trap must be removed for replacement or for access thereto or when the seal becomes worn or the slip nut damaged, it is necessary to dismantle the entire installation in order to effect replacement or repair. This is mainly due to the fact that the slip nut can only be removed from the tubes axially thereof.

Split slip nut and seal assembly for plumbing trap


An insulation protection system has a number of pairs of upright members between which insulation may be laid. After the installation has been installed, a crossbar is mounted between and to each pair of upright members. Support surfaces may then be mounted or placed on the crossbars, providing storage space above the insulation without damage to the insulation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, low cost plastic may be used to provide adequate support for the support surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the art of storage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage system which accommodates and protects insulation.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, many people have installed new or supplemental insulation in storage areas such as attics and crawl spaces to enhance the energy use of their homes and other buildings. Typically, when such insulation has been placed on the floor of a storage space, use as a storage area has been lost. Walking on or setting objects on the insulation can severely impair the R factor (or insulation capability) of the insulation. When storage space is necessary, many people have simply left specific areas uninsulated to be able to store material thereon.
To date, no one has developed a system which ensures protection of the insulation while still utilizing the storage space in the given area. A system which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of earlier practices would represent a significant advancement in the art.


A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a calculator that calculates the quantity of heat generated (or to be generated) in a gradient magnetic field coil as a function of current supplied (or to be supplied) to the gradient magnetic field coil and at least one other factor such as eddy currents induced in a shield body used for shielding gradient field leakage flux from the imaged volume and/or delayed measurement of actual coil temperature. Such improved more timely temperature prediction and/or measurement is used to effect protective actions to better prevent permanent coil damage due to overheating.

Magnetic resonance imaging involves magnetically nutating nuclear spins of an object placed in a static magnetic field with an RF signal at a Larmor frequency. MR signals emanate therefrom as the nutated spins relax and an image is generated based on the received MR signals. Since large pulses of electrical current are supplied in an MRI pulse sequence to a gradient magnetic field coil in the static magnetic field, mechanical distortion of the gradient magnetic field coil occurs. Such mechanical distortion can generate loud noises during imaging and this can be painful to a patient. However, in recent years, silencing technology has been developed where the gradient magnetic field coil is surrounded by a vacuum vessel and the noise problem is reduced.
In order to perform spatial encoding of the MR signals, an MRI pulse sequence of currents whose rise and fall time is typically several 100 micro seconds and whose magnitude can be about 100 A–200 A, is supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil. High rise/fall pulse speeds and large amplitude current pulses also generate high heat in the coil structures. In order to dissipate (i.e., remove) the accumulated heat, air cooling and water cooling methods can be used together. However, water cooling alone may have to be used for cooling a gradient magnetic field coil that includes a noise-reducing vacuum vessel, because it is difficult to use air cooling in the vacuum vessel.
Recently, high speed imaging methods, such as echo planar imaging (EPI), etc., have been put into practical use by improving the gradient magnetic field power supply. In such high speed imaging methods, due to high power gradient magnetic fields and high speed switching, fast rise/fall large magnitude pulse currents are required. Leakage magnetic fields also increase according to the pulse current magnitude. Generally, in order to shield spurious or leakage magnetic field flux from the imaged volume, active or passive magnetic shielding is used. With active shielding, a reverse current is supplied to an actively shielded gradient coil (ASGC) disposed near the gradient magnetic field coil. With passive shielding, an iron base shield material is typically used.
However, driving currents generated in these gradient magnetic field coils and shielding coils also generate heat. The shielding material itself makes the empty space narrower, which makes it more difficult to dissipate (i.e., remove) the heat. In order to decrease heat generation, it is generally effective to use larger size coil wire to reduce its resistance, or to enlarge a cooling water pipe cross section to increase the speed of flowing coolant. However, since there is only a relatively narrow empty space near the gradient magnetic field coil, it is also difficult to enlarge the coil wire size and/or the cold water pipe size. Thus, cooling by such hardware methods is limited.
If the available hardware cooling is not sufficient for all conditions, it is desirable to observe the gradient magnetic field coil temperature, and to stop imaging if the coil temperature rises beyond an allowable maximum value. Conventionally, a coil temperature sensor is attached on the surface of resin surrounding the gradient magnetic field coil. However, since the heat conductivity of the resin is relatively low, it takes some dozens of seconds to measure actual coil temperature changes by such a temperature sensor. That is, the MRI apparatus may be damaged because of the time-delayed response of the coil temperature sensor.
There are also prior art MRI systems which calculate coil temperature based on the current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil. For example, see Japanese patent documents 10-71131; 10-43156; 10-43157; 10-71132 and/or 8-592.

MRI apparatus and method for calculating predicted and/or actual net accumulated gradient coil heat and/or temperature


An apparatus for producing SiC single crystals where the quality of the SiC single crystals is improved, and a production method using such an apparatus are provided. The apparatus for producing SiC single crystals according to an embodiment of the present invention is employed to produce an SiC single crystal by the solution growth method. The production apparatus includes a crucible and a support shaft. The crucible accommodates an Si—C solution. The support shaft supports the crucible. The support shaft includes a heat removing portion for removing heat from a bottom portion of the crucible. The heat removing portion includes one of (a) a contact portion having a thermal conductivity not less than that of the bottom portion and contacting at least a portion of the bottom portion and (b) a space adjacent to at least a portion of the contact portion or the bottom portion.

The solution growth method is a method of producing SiC single crystals. The solution growth method involves causing an SiC seed crystal that is an SiC single crystal to contact an Si—C solution. Si—C solution means a solution containing a melt of Si or an Si alloy in which carbon (C) is dissolved. Regions of the Si—C solution that are near the SiC seed crystal are supercooled to grow an SiC single crystal on a surface of the SiC seed crystal (i.e. crystal growth surface).
JP 2011-168447 A discloses a method of producing an SiC single crystal. This production method promotes growth of SiC polycrystalline material in locations other than those with the SiC seed crystal. More specifically, the temperature is decreased as it goes from the interior of the raw material melt toward the liquid surface of the melt, and the temperature is decreased as it goes from the interior of the raw material melt toward the bottom of the crucible. These temperature gradients prevent SiC polycrystalline material from adhering to the SiC seed crystal and its surroundings. This improves the quality of the SiC single crystal.

Apparatus for producing SiC single crystals and method of producing SiC single crystals using said production apparatus


There is provided a greenhouse system. An exemplary greenhouse system comprises at least one plant culture. At least part of a glazing of the greenhouse system comprises at least one functional layer that is adapted to the plant culture.

It is a known procedure to cultivate plants in greenhouses. Glass, especially silicate glass or horticultural cast glass, for example, is used for the glazing of these greenhouses.
Preference is usually given to the use of horticultural cast glass since, thanks to its structure, it protects the plants from being burned by direct sunlight and provides diffused light for the plant culture.
The insulation of greenhouses glazed in this manner, however, is usually inadequate. As a result, a great deal of energy is needed to cool these greenhouses in the summer and in turn, a great deal of energy is also needed to heat these greenhouses in the winter.
The use of insulating glass for the glazing of greenhouses is not very widespread since the light transmittance of insulating glass is about 10% less than that of single glass. As a result, a lower yield is expected.
In this context, the transmittance of the greenhouse or of the glazing employed plays an important role over the entire wavelength range, since 1% more transmittance usually translates into a 1% greater yield of the plant culture.
However, glass-like polymer materials are now also being used more and more often for the glazing of greenhouses.
These materials have the advantage that, in comparison to glass, they are lightweight, unbreakable and are usually produced in the form of sandwich panels, hollow chamber panes or else as so-called double skin sheets or even triple skin sheets.
However, these materials also have considerable drawbacks since they can, at times, be transparent to UV light, thus contributing to burning of the plant cultures when the light radiation is strong. Moreover, these materials are not very UV-stable and they age when exposed to constant light radiation. Moreover, the insulation of sandwich panels, hollow chamber panes or so-called double skin sheets or even triple skin sheets is inefficient in comparison to insulating glass.
In view of these advantages and disadvantages of the various materials used for glazing, it can be difficult to attain optimal conditions that are adapted to the specific cultivated plants for a given plant culture.


A magnet card type lock includes an outer case, a slider having a key hole slit formed therein, an engagement member firmly secured to the outer case, a plurality of tumbler holes formed in conformity with a predetermined pattern of arrangement, a plurality of magnet tumblers bridged between the case and the slider, a projection integrated with the slider to be engaged with a locking mechanism and a magnet card adapted to be inserted into the key hole slit of the slider to serve as a fellow key. To prepare a specific key difference among a number of magnet card type locks, a predetermined number of tumbler holes are selected from the tumbler holes which extend at a substantially right angle relative to the slider and the outer case. The magnet card is formed with a pluraltiy of apertures some of which are immovably filled with permanent magnets corresponding to the selected number of tumbler holes. When the magnet card is inserted into the key hole slit of the slider, the magnet tumblers are displaced away from the bridged state so as to allow the slider to be pushed in the downward direction, whereby the lock is released from the locked state. A projection plate including a projection may be slidably inserted between the slider and the case. In this case, a plurality of magnet tumblers and a plurality of pin tumblers are received in the selected number of tumbler holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a magnet card type lock. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improvement of the magnet card type lock which assures that the lock is constructed with smaller dimensions and that a locking/unlocking operation can be performed easily and conveniently.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional magnet card type lock is constructed in the form of a bank lock as disclosed in for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) NO. 59-173473. This bank lock includes a plurality of magnet tumblers arranged on a common plane so that an unlocking operation is performed by magnetic engagement of permanent magnets on a magnetic card with the magnet tumblers and a locking operation being performed by magnetic disengagement of the former from the latter.
Generally, the conventional magnet card type lock includes a movable member adapted to be engaged with the magnet tumblers in the same manner as the aforementioned bank lock. When a magnet card is inserted into a key hole slit, the movable member is disengaged from the magnet tumblers. Subsequently, the movable member is actuated by a user's fingers so as to unlock a hook or the like which is operatively associated with the movable member.
However, with respect to the conventional magnet card type lock constructed in the above-described manner, it has been found that it has a drawback that it can not practically be employed for a small lock to be equipped on, e.g., a trunk case or the like, since the movable member including a large hook portion is a necessary part of the lock, resulting in the magnet card type lock being designed and constructed in large dimensions.
In addition, since a considerably large magnitude of force given by the user's fingers is exerted directly on the magnet tumblers for bringing the movable member into an unlocked state, another drawback of the conventional magnet card type lock is that the lock is easily broken. In other words, the conventional magnet card type lock provides a low resistance to a violent and malicious unlocking or breaking of the lock with a persons's hands.
Additionally, since two operations, i.e. insertion of the magnet card and actuation of the movable member are required for performing the locking and unlocking operations, or at least for performing the unlocking operation, another drawback of the conventional magnet card type lock is that it is inconvenient to use.


A pressure switch has a support structure on which a flexible diaphram is mounted in communication with a source of variable pressure such as a fluid conduit. A first linkage has one end operatively connected to the diaphram and the other end pivotally connected to a cradle having a mercury switch mounted therein. A second linkage is pivotally connected at one end to the support structure and pivotally connected at the other end to the cradle so that the cradle is freely pivotable in response to movements of the first linkage. A quantity of liquid mercury in the mercury switch moves into and out of contact with the mercury switch electrodes in response to pivotal movement of the cradle by the first linkage when the diaphram is moved between first and second positions corresponding to low and high pressure conditions respectively.

The present invention is directed generally to a pressure switch and more particularly to an improved pressure switch wherein diaphram movement operates a first linkage to pivot a mercury switch supporting cradle to which the first linkage is pivotally connected, the cradle being additionally supported by a second linkage pivotally connected to the cradle and to the pressure switch support structure for free pivotal movement of the cradle.
Pressure switches including a linkage operatively connected to a diaphram are well known. Conventionally, the linkage causes terminal elements to open or close in a contact type switch. The contacts however may become corroded and are susceptible to shorting and other known problems.


A device for setting and removing a deformable implant from bone wherein the device includes a body on which is mounted a movable handle which is operatively connected to activating elements for displacing a rod relative to the body for deforming and/or removing an implant from the bone. The device further includes a rod locking and disengaging assembly which is movable from a first position to prevent movement of the rod to a second position to permit movement of the rod relative to the body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device, or instrument, for positioning or the withdrawal of an implant and, in particular, for a suture anchor for attaching soft tissues, such as ligaments or tendons, to bone to repair rotator cuffs and Bankart lesions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Patent EP 0 599 772 discloses a device allowing the positioning of a suture anchor in bone, which device is in the form of a gun. This gun, provided with a grip that can be manually operated, comprises a driving mechanism and a stop that activates the mechanism. The gun comprises a cylinder and a guide that contains a clip or a suture anchor designed to hold a suture thread. The gun ejects the clip, holding the suture thread, from the cylinder in order to anchor in the bone for various surgical interventions.
It must be noted that the removal of the suture anchors provided with deformable fixation means is effected by drilling a hole into the cortical bone; the diameter of such a hole is slightly greater than that of the fixation means. Under such conditions, the surgeon causes considerable damage to the cortical portion of the bone, preventing any possibility to remove or position a suture anchor.
The present invention has the particular aim to remedy these disadvantages.
The ancillary device of the present invention has as an object in particular the positioning or the removal of suture anchors of reversible expansion allowing the deformation of the expansion elements and the fastening of suture threads, or the deformation of the elements for fixation at the time of ligamentous or tendinous reinsertion operations under arthroscopies or on the surface.
The ancillary device for the positioning or the withdrawal of an elastically deformable implant into or from a bone of a patient according to the present invention includes a body onto which is affixed a mobile grip, tractive or activating elements that move a traction rod for the deformation of the implant, and a locking and disengaging device that allows the rod to move or not to move freely in a rotational and translational manner with respect to the body.
The positioning ancillary device according to the present invention also includes control means for the tractive force applied to the rod for the deformation of the implant.
The positioning ancillary device according to the present invention has a body that is provided with a first chamber that houses the tractive means or activating elements and a second chamber that houses the locking and disengaging device.
The tractive or activating means includes two plates between which is compressed a spring, and at least one of these plates interacts with a curved return mechanism actuated by the mobile grip to press the plate against the traction rod to have it return with respect to the body.
The locking and disengaging device is provided with a lever that is susceptible to be blocked by a catch elastically affixed to a fixed grip of the body. A plate is connected to a spring with adjustable tension so that the plate can press against the traction rod under a stress of the lever to pass from a disengaged vertical position to an engaged or locked tilted position.
The control means includes a nose affixed to the body in which is provided, around the rod that displaces freely, a plate affixed to a traction tube in which the rod slides.
The withdrawal ancillary device according to the present invention makes possible the opening of the fixation elements of the suture anchors inside of the spongy bone in order to remove them without having to bore a hole that would damage the surface of the cortical bone.
The withdrawal ancillary device according to the present invention includes a body to which is coupled a mobile grip, compression or activating means moving a compression rod for the deformation of the implant, and a locking or disengaging device that allows to have the compression rod move freely or not in a rotational and translational manner with respect to the body in order to adjust the travel of the rod.
The withdrawal ancillary device according to the present invention also includes anchoring means affixed to the body and rotating around the rod, that are designed to fasten inside of the implant to be removed.
The withdrawal ancillary device according to the invention includes a body provided with a first chamber in which are mounted the compression or activating means and a second chamber in which is housed the locking and disengaging device.

Device for setting and removing an implant such as a suture anchor


A modeling system for universal specification of user interfaces. The system provides a means for defining user interfaces, including highly complex and dynamic user interfaces, in a manner that is independent of any implementation context. The modeling system leads from a user-friendly visual representation of the user interface, through progressively detailed specifications of structural and behavioral aspects of the user interface parts, until a rigorous definition of the user interface in all its contexts of use is achieved. Using the information captured in the model, tools that automatically generate the fully working user interface code can be built.

The present invention relates to the field of human-computer interaction, and in particular to user interface modeling.
The construction and maintenance of user interfaces is becoming a central problem for large, complex systems. User interfaces are the bridge between applications and users, and, as a result, have to cope with the complexities of both. With the advent of new technologies and user-centered concerns, the user interface portion of interactive systems is becoming increasingly large and costly.
Faster and more capable machines and networks are providing users with more functionalities and more information, but at the same time are overwhelming them with more commands and options. User interfaces need to become more intelligent to assist users in performing their tasks, to be easier and more intuitive to learn, and to allow user customization so they can be tailored to the specific user needs and preferences.
Applications that scale across a wide range of devices need to provide users with the same or a scaled down version of the workstation functionality. New modalities such as speech, natural language, and hand-writing recognition are maturing, and may need to be incorporated into the user interface. Modern interaction techniques, such as direct manipulation or dynamic queries, require a high degree of parallelism in the user interface.
All these factors, and more, make user interfaces hard to design and implement. Accordingly, many surveys show that the user interface portion of a software system accounts for a significant portion of the overall system development effort. For example, one survey conducted over a wide range of projects, platforms, and development tools reports that the percentage of code size and design, implementation, and maintenance times that are devoted to the user interface is about 30-50% in a typical software project.
Dealing with the ever-increasing difficulties of user interface development requires a new approach—one that is not based on programming. Different methods have been proposed in the past for specifying user interfaces without programming, including: algebraic specification, grammar-based languages, transition diagrams, rule-based systems, and specification by demonstration.
However, none of these methods has been widely adopted. Development organizations resist formal specifications because they are difficult to understand, are not expressive enough, are usually not executable, and therefore, are viewed as unnecessary additional work. As a result, the common practice for user interface development is still predominantly based on programming.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Modeling system for graphic user interface


Disclosed is an amine oxide foam stabilizer for stabilizing a foam of an alkyl benzene sulfonate foaming agent, wherein said amine oxide foam stabilizer is represented by the following general structure: ##STR1## where, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.11 alkyl group. R.sub.2 is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene group PA1 R.sub.3, R.sub.4 each, independently, is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl group.

The present invention relates to foam stabilizers and more particularly to a new amine oxide foam stabilizer especially efficient for stabilizing foams containing alkyl benzene sulfonate foaming agents.
Until the early 1930's, cleaning products, such as those used for cleaning clothes, washing dishes, shampooing hair and bathing, were invariably based upon fatty acid soaps (e.g. alkali metal or amine salts of fatty acids). These soaps had the ability to provide excellent cleaning and high foaming or lathering properties when used in distilled or soft water; however, in hard water containing significant concentrations of calcium and/or magnesium ions (e.g. 50-300 ppm), insoluble soaps would form which prevented the cleaning action from taking place and prevented foaming until all of the calcium and/or magnesium ions had precipitated out of the water. Besides leaving unacceptable deposits on clothing or hair, for example, the insoluble soaps resulted in a great waste of the fatty acid soap detergents. In the early 1930's, fatty alcohol sulfates, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate, were developed for this market. These anionic surface active agents give high flask foams and unlike the the fatty acid soaps which they replaced such anionic surface active agents are not affected by hard water in that no insoluble precipitates develop and their initial foaming properties are unaffected in hard water.
Fatty alcohol sulfates, however, have two major problems. The first is that the excellent initial foam is not stable and tends to collapse quickly during use. The second is that the fatty alcohol sulfates are expensive. The first problem can be overcome by employing a foam stabilizer in the formulations for extending the foam life. The second problem necessitated development of alternative anionic surfactants. An example of a much lower cost anionic surface active agent having high initial foam in hard water is an alkyl benzene sulfonate (for example, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate). Another lower cost anionic surface active agent which gives high flash foams in hard water is an alpha olefin sulfonate (for example, sodium dodecyl sulfonate). Both of these latter, lower cost anionic surface active agents require a foam stabilizer for extending the life of the foam in use.
Heretofore, foam stabilizers generally were alkanolamides and amine oxides. Both the alkanolamides and the amine oxides typically are synthesized from long-chain fatty molecules which are derived from, for example, lauric-containing triglyceride oils such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil. Typical present day, commercially used alkanolamide foam stabilizers include, for example, lauric or coco monoethanolamide, lauric or coco diethanol amide, and lauric or coco isopropanolamide; and amine oxides include, for example, lauryl or coco dimethylamine oxide, lauryl or coco bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, lauryl or coco beta-hydroxydimethyl amine oxide, and lauryl or coco beta-hydroxy bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amine oxide. Further amine oxide foam stabilizers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,449,430, 3,449,431, and 3,456,012.
The amine oxides function well as foam stabilizers for fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty ether alcohol sulfates, reasonably well for alpha olefin sulfonates, but not for alkyl benzene sulfonates. The alkanolamides function well for all of the above-listed anionic surfactants; however, the alkanolamides tend to be irritating to the skin and eye, and many are difficult to handle and store practically.

Amine oxide foam stabilizers for alkyl benzene sulfonate foaming agents


A semiconductor position sensitive detector has an epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type formed on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. A first diffusion layer of the first conductivity type is formed in said epitaxial layer so as to isolate a rectangular portion of this epitaxial layer from the rest. A second diffusion layer of the first conductivity type is further formed in said rectangular portion of the epitaxial layer, in order to increase the resistance value of the epitaxial layer. In addition, due to the formation of the second diffusion layer, two p-n junctions having photoelectric transfer ability are formed in this device. So, a semiconductor position sensitive detector having excellent photoelectric characteristics can be obtained.

1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor position sensitive detector. In particular, this invention relates to a semiconductor position sensitive detector which is made to have the same characteristic of photoelectric sensitivity for infra-red light as that of a usual photo-diode, and can easily be incorporated into an integrated circuit device, especially, in a bipolar integrated circuit device.
2. Description of the prior art
Japanese unexamined publication No. Hei 2-224281 shows the first prior art of this invention. In actuality, FIG. 3a is a sectional view showing the structure of this prior art semiconductor device, and FIG. 3b is the plane view of this device. As shown in FIG. 3a, this device is comprised of an n-type semiconductor substrate 110 and a p-type resistance layer 111 formed on substrate 110. This layer 111, that is, a light receiving surface, is designed to form strips on the surface of substrate 110, as shown in FIG. 3b.
The output of this device is obtained in the form of a current. Therefore, in order to improve the S/N ratio of this device for heat noise, the resistance value of this layer ill should be as high as possible. In usual, a layer having a resistance value of several hundreds K.OMEGA. is utilized as layer 111. To accomplish this resistance value without forming stripes on the substrate surface, the impurity concentration of layer 111 should be controlled extremely low, for example, about 10.sup.14 cm.sup.-3. On the other hand, as is the case of said prior art, by forming stripes on the substrate surface, this resistance value can be accomplished with the impurity concentration of 10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3.
In the device shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the incident position of a light is expressed by the following equation as shown in FIG. 3c, which shows the equivalent circuit of this device: EQU x'=l'X I1'/(I1'+I2'),
where l' means the length of layer 111, I1' and I2' mean the photoelectric currents detected through anode electrodes 112 and 113, respectively.
Although the device described in said publication No. 2-224281 has a PIN structure, the device shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b has a PN structure. For the purpose of finding a right position, there is no difference between the two structures. In addition, a cathode electrode 114 is provided on the top surface of this device, instead of the bottom surface.
According to said structure, the device shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b has a photoelectric sensitivity as shown in FIG. 3d. As is evident from this figure, the photoelectric sensitivity of this device does not have a constant value of the photoelectric current within the light receiving region. This is because the light receiving surface is configured to be stripes. In other words, the photoelectric sensitivity of this device varies depending on positions, like waves. As a result, the total photoelectric sensitivity of this device decreases by 20 to 40% compared with that of a simple photo diode made of the same materials.
FIGS. 4a and 4b show the structure of a second prior art of this invention. In actuality, the device of this example is structured by incorporating the device of the first prior art into a bipolar integrated circuit device. Therefore, the basic structure of this device is almost the same as that of the first prior art device, except that an n-type layer 120 is epitaxially grown on p-type substrate 126. Resistance layer 121, anode electrodes 122 and 123, and cathode electrode 124 have the same structures as those in the device shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively.
Besides the disadvantages mentioned in the first prior art device, the second prior art device has the following disadvantage. That is, n-type layer 120 only has a thickness 3 to 10 .mu.m. Accordingly, in the case of infra-red light, for example, the light having 850 nm wavelength, this layer 120 having 10 .mu.m thickness can only absorb 40% (from an actual measurement) of the incident light. The rest of the incident light reaches p-type substrate 126, thus further lowering the photoelectric sensitivity.
As explained above, the prior art semiconductor devices have the following disadvantages.
(1) In order to improve the S/N ratio for heat noise, the light receiving surface of the prior art devices are configured to be a stripe shape. Therefore, the photoelectric sensitivity of the light receiving surface of these devices becomes a wave like form. The total photo-electric sensitivity decreases by 20 to 40% compared with that of a simple photo-diode made of the same materials.
(2) In the case where said devices are incorporated into a bipolar integrated circuit, only 40% of an incident light can be absorbed by the n-type layer. This is because the n-type layer is grown very thin on the substrate. The rest of the incident light passes the n-type layer and reaches the p-type substrate, thus further lowering the photoelectric sensitivity of these devices.

Semiconductor device capable of detecting a light position


This specialized networking cable includes a plurality of twisted copper wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath for effectuating transmissive interconnections, electrically activated telltales affixed to both ends of the cable at positions adjacent to and connected to at least one of the copper wire pairs for providing an identification signal when activated; and means for selectively applying a current to the cable that activates the telltales and does not interfere with the flow of data through the cable whereby the telltales may be activated on at least one of the twisted copper pairs. An LED and an electric power connector suitable for plug-in connection of a power pack are affixed to the cable adjacent each end such that both LEDs are lighted whenever power is applied to either of the electrical connectors. The attendant illumination of the LEDs readily indicates where both ends of the networking cable are located. The networking cable also may be used for convenient telephonic communication by service personnel. One embodiment includes the cable as described above except with one end having a connector mateable with a standard Category 5 networking cable thereby providing for a standard networking cable to be converted into a specialized networking cable usable for tracing cable ends.

The purpose of any networking cable is to carry data from one computer-related device to another. Computer-related devices include terminals, personal computers, printers, workstations, hubs, switches, storage devices, tape drives, and servers. Networking cables, frequently referred to as "jumper cables", "jumpers", or simply "cables", typically are multiple pair copper wires packaged in an outer flexible sheath. Networking cables are designed to interconnect a computer-related device with another computer-related device. Such networking cables often are used in systems where there are many networking cables connected to frames or panels, each of which may have many connecting cables and which may be located closely adjacent other similar panels, sometimes without carefully regimented management of the cables. The connections of each cable may be remote from one another, even being in separate rooms or spaces, whereby the networking cables may be of substantial length.
One example of such use of networking cables is in computer centers where it is often necessary to connect a networking cable from an individual workstation at one location with another networking cable from a computer server remote from the workstation. Further the interconnections sometimes are located in crowded and/or cramped quarters. Tracing and identifying a remote connector section or end of a specific cable for changing its connection in a network or to facilitate replacement often is difficult, tedious and time consuming, and can lead to errors which create further service problems and additional costs.
Various methods and systems have been developed for locating the ends of a networking cable. One such method is a trial and error process that requires personnel to use test equipment at both ends of each and every wire pair to identify the termination points. This process may be labor intensive and expensive. The second method is a variation of the first method and involves the use of equipment to send a tone on a wire pair and then detect a particular frequency at the termination point. This process is also labor intensive. Also, to determine termination points, the cable needs to be disconnected from the computers connected to the network. As a result, these methods interfere with performance and require the workstation to be taken out of service. In addition, both systems require the test person to walk from one end of a test point to the other end. If the workstation and server are located in separate rooms or in remote locations, the previous methods are labor intensive and inefficient for easy detection of termination ends.
In the telecommunications context, U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,453 discloses a specialized fiber optic jumper cable for tracing remote connective portions of a fiber optic cable which includes a composite fiber cable, fiber optic connectors, electrically powered light emitting devices at the connectors, and a pair of electrical conductors embedded in the cable, with one or more electrical power connectors for selectively applying an external electrical power source to the light emitting devices. An LED and an electric power connector suitable for plug-in connection of a power pack are affixed to the cable adjacent each end such that both LEDs are lighted whenever power is applied to either of the electrical connectors. The attendant illumination of the LEDs provides an indication that the tracer system is activated and functioning properly and readily indicates where both ends of the same jumper cable are located. The electrical conductors also may be used for convenient telephonic communication by service personnel.
There is a need for an improved mode of readily tracing networking cables to easily and accurately identify a remote portion, and particularly to identify a remote end.

Method and apparatus for tracking remote ends of networking cables


A formwork includes a plurality of interconnectable disposable formwork elements for the casting of, for instance, foundations, sustaining walls, etc. in concrete and which is cheaper and wherein the formwork operation is rapidly effected, and at the same time it may be done by a person not skilled in the trade. Each formwork element (1) consists of an elongated, thin-walled, cylinder-shaped element, which is provided with coupling members on the neighbor element(s) for the interconnection of adjacent cylinder-shaped formwork elements so that, upon filling of concrete into the interconnected cylinder-shaped formwork elements, a row of fused concrete columns is formed constituting a wall on which the formwork elements may form the external surface(s) or from which the external portions of the formwork elements may be removed.

The invention relates to a formwork comprising a plurality of interconnectable formwork elements for the casting of especially walls and similar constructions, and otherwise of the kind that are substantially cylindrically-formed, thin-walled, self-supporting and preferably flexible. The invention also involves a method for the use of said formwork elements, and in particular to method for the casting of walls and similar constructions using the formwork.
Casting of e.g. foundations, sustaining walls, walls, pavement or roof in concrete or similar hardenable filling materials by means of formwork elements in the form of wooden panels is laborious and time-consuming. Such formwork panels are heavy and awkward; they have to be transported on crane vehicle and require binders, the necessary working operations comprising carrying, erecting, removal, oiling (lubrication) and storage of the panels.
Likewise, finished brick blocks and elements require much treatment in factory, costly transport, laborious erecting and comprehensive after-treatment.
The prior art comprises also Norwegian patent specification No. 46,428, DE-OS 2,213,358, DE-AS 1,684,357, U.S. Pat. No. 2,184,714, DE, C2, 3 234 489, DE, A1, 3 727 956, WO, A1, 82/04088, DE, A, 1 812 590, DE, C2, 3 003 446, SE, 206 538 as well as FR-A-1 603 005.
NO-PS 46,428 relates to a pile blanking consisting of hollow interconnectable sections. Substantially as a result of the design of the connecting means of this known pile blanking, the pile blanking will--used as a formwork--only be usable for the casting of spaced columns; on the other hand it will not enable casting of a continuous wall, or permit reinforcing using horizontal and/or diagonally extending reinforcing rods. However, between adjacent sections or elements it is from this patent specification known per se to use mutually cooperating coupling means adapted to be brought into firmly maintaining engagement with each other.
DE-OS 2,213,358 relates to a flexible, reinforced formwork cloth which is not self-supporting, but has to be used in combination with suitable walls of timber placed endwise and, thus, exhibiting substantially the same disadvantages as panel formworks.
DE-AS 1,684,357 relates also to a flexible, reinforced, not self-supporting formwork cloth divided into interconnectable sections, which can be connected mutually by means of connecting means adapted to be brought into firmly maintaining engagement with each other. This prior art formwork system does not permit casting of continuous walls and, moreover, prohibits the arrangement of crossing reinforcing rods.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,184,714 does not relate to formwork, but concerns casted pre-reinforced concrete elements. When such concrete elements or blocks are being used for building purposes, locking rods are used for keeping adjacent concrete blocks in place in the finished construction.
DE, C2, 3 234 489. This prior art structure and that of the above-mentioned Norwegian patent specification No. 46 428 resemble each other in many respects. In the embodiments shown, this construction is not suitable to be used as a formwork.
DE, A1, 3 727 956 discloses formwork elements made of light (weight) concrete and adapted to be glued together. In many respects these prior art elements, though elongated, resemble the well known concrete blocks previously discussed.
WO, A1, 82/04088 discloses methods for the building of constructions and comprises a "stay-in-place" formwork for concrete casting. The formwork elements are not self-supporting, and the erected formwork structure constitutes, in fact, a conventional thick-walled formwork requiring the use of i.e. ordinary binders.
DE, A, 1 812 590 discloses building elements; the entire formwork structure requiring elements of several different shapes. These differently shaped elements are to be kept together by tensioning means, thereby involving the use of a rather large number of loose parts.
DE, C2, 3 003 446 discloses formwork elements of the block type previously discussed and suffering from the very same drawbacks and disadvantages.
SE, 206 538 discloses hollow building or construction plates having neither mutually communicating cavities defined by adjacent plates nor protruding cooperating locking connecting means of the kind in question.
FR, A, 1 603 005 discloses a formwork having two opposing pliable walls and which may be prefabricated. The pliable walls of this prior art formwork are formed by a plurality of substantially tubular interconnectable thin-walled formwork elements exhibiting a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile. When interconnected, a longitudinal portion of one formwork element of adjacent pairs forms a laterally extending, non-apertured, common partition wall for the pair of adjacent formwork elements. In the preferred embodiment, these prior art formwork elements are made from pliable cloth or canvas materials, leaving the elements non-self-supporting. However, in one extreme embodiment, this prior art publication suggests to make the formwork elements from flexible rolled metal plate, and in that case the formwork elements would, of course, be self-supporting. According to this French patent specification, the following methods are mentioned as being suitable for the interconnection of the tubular elements: Sewing, adhesion and welding.
The formwork elements according to FR, A, 1 603 005 lack intercommunicating apertures allowing free flow of concrete and, according to the French specification, the spaces surrounded by each one of the elements plus the partition wall of the neighbour element are to be filled successively. Before casting can take place, the interconnected elements have to be fixed or suspended between an upper and a lower fixture. This and the mentioned interconnection methods makes this prior art formwork difficult to erect, as well as the casting process being complicated. The lack of intercommunicating apertures throughout the erected formwork prohibits the use of internal, horizontally and/or diagonally extending reinforcing rods. In its self-supporting embodiment, the tubular formwork elements of rolled metal plate will be space-demanding during transport and storage.
According to the present invention one has aimed at providing a formwork system consisting of self-supporting interconnectable disposable formwork elements capable of being connected mutually in order to form especially a wall formwork, wherein the concrete or another hardenable filling material during the filling operation may flow freely between the interconnected formwork elements, so that the result becomes a continuous construction which--when the formwork is kept (not removed)--becomes coated with its material, e.g. plastic.
Likewise, one has aimed at eliminating or substantially restricting disadvantages and drawbacks in prior art formwork systems.

Formwork comprising a plurality of interconnectable formwork elements


A valve assembly includes a valve closing device that is located within the flow passageway closed by the valve. The valve closure device includes a force member for imparting a closing force on a valve disk adjacent to the portion of the disk that contacts a valve seat. The force member is preferably a lever or fulcrum arm having an abutment extension at one end for directly contacting an edge of the valve disk. The opposite end of the lever preferably includes a weight for urging the disk into a closed position and for imparting a closing force upon the disk. The force member is mounted for movement relative to the valve disk and for movement with the valve disk as the valve disk rotates between an open and closed position.

This invention generally relates to a valve closure device for maintaining a valve member in proper engagement with a valve seat. More particularly, this invention relates to a valve closure device that places a closing force directly onto a valve member adjacent a point of contact between the valve member and a mating valve seat.
A variety of wafer or butterfly-type valve arrangements are known that include a valve member or disk that pivots, relative to a valve seat, between an open and closed position. One application for such valve assemblies is in regenerative incinerators. Strict governmental regulations require that gas leakage through such valves be minimized to reduce pollutants expelled into the atmosphere. Accordingly, several attempts have been made at improving the efficiency of such valves.
These valves typically include a valve disk that rotates about a shaft between a closed position, where the valve disk mates with a valve seat, and an open position. Prior attempts at improving the seal at the disk/valve seat interface include increasing the torque applied in a closing direction to the shaft. The increased torque has not proved satisfactory because the torque, which is applied to the rotating shaft, does not reach the edges of the valve disk, which contact the valve seat. As one example, in regenerative incinerators, the valve disks are subjected to relatively high differential pressures that cause the disk to deflect away from the valve seat. In the past, this may have resulted in undesirable leakage through the valve.
Another attempt at overcoming the difficulties associated with conventional valve assemblies has been to add soft, resilient seals to mate the valve disk with the seat. A significant disadvantage associated with this attempt is that the high temperatures, extreme cycling and contaminated air streams in regenerative incinerators harden the resilient seals. The seals then abraid, resulting in greater leakage than experienced in a system having no such seals.
It is also known to use weights to close a disk valve assembly. The known weight systems, however, suffer from the drawback that the weights are typically mounted away from the disk on a cantilever arm that extends from one or both sides of the disk shaft. Accordingly, any torque imparted by the weights is applied to the disk shaft, which is insufficient for maintaining a closing force at the disk edges. Further, known weight systems are relatively cumbersome and mounted outside of the flow passageway, which further reduces the amount of torque imparted to the disk edges. Moreover, having additional weights on the exterior cambers or bends the disk shaft, which potentially compromises the ability to mate the disk with the valve seat and causes more undesirable leakage.
This invention provides a valve closure device that overcomes the drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art described above. A valve closure device designed according to this invention operates within the flow passageway to impart a closing force directly adjacent the edges of the valve disk, where it is most needed.


A method of measuring the biological age of a multicellular organism is disclosed. In one embodiment this method comprises the steps of obtaining a sample of nucleic acid isolated from the organism""s organ, tissue or cell and determining the expression pattern of a panel of sequences within the nucleic acid that have been predetermined by either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the organ, tissue or cell. A method of obtaining biomarkers of aging is also disclosed. This method comprises the step of comparing a gene expression profile of a young multicellular organism subject""s organ, tissue or cells; a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged subject""s organ, tissue or cell; and a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged but biologically younger subject""s organ, tissue or cell and identifying gene expression alterations that are observed when comparing the young subjects and the chronologically aged subjects and are not observed or reduced in magnitude when comparing the young subjects and the chronologically aged but biologically younger subjects.

A common feature of most multicellular organisms is the progressive and irreversible physiological decline that characterizes senescence. Although genetic and environmental factors can influence the aging process, the molecular basis of senescence remains unknown. Postulated mechanisms include cumulative damage to DNA leading to genomic instability, epigenetic alterations that lead to altered gene expression patterns, telomere shortening in replicative cells, oxidative damage to critical macromolecules and nonenzymatic glycation of long-lived proteins (S. M. Jazwinski, Science 273:54, 1996; G. M. Martin, et al., Nature Gen. 13:25, 1996; F. B. Johnson, et al., Cell 96:291, 1996; K. B. Beckman and B. N. Ames, Physiol. Revs. 78:547, 1998). Factors which contribute to the difficulty of elucidating mechanisms and testing interventions include the complexity of organismal senescence and the lack of molecular markers of biological age (biomarkers). Aging is complex in that underlying mechanisms in tissues with limited regenerative capacities (e.g., skeletal and cardiac muscle, brain), which are composed mainly of postmitotic (non-dividing) cells, may differ markedly from those operative in proliferative tissues. Accordingly, approaches which provide a global assessment of senescence in specific tissues would greatly increase understanding of the aging process and the possibility of pharmaceutical, genetic or nutritional intervention.
Genetic manipulation of the aging process in multicellular organisms has been achieved in Drosophila, through the over-expression of catalase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (W. C. Orr and R. S. Sohal, Science 263:1128, 1994; T. L. Parkes, et al., Nat. Genet. 19:171, 1998), in the nematode C. elegans, through alterations in the insulin receptor signaling pathway (S. Ogg, et al., Nature 389:994, 1997; S. Paradis and G. Ruvkun, Genes Dev. 12:2488-2498, 1998; H. A. Tissenbaum and G. Ruvkun, Genetics 148:703,1998), and through the selection of stress-resistant mutants in either organism (T. E. Johnson, Science 249:908, 1990; S. Murakami and T. E. Johnson, Genetics 143:1207, 1996; Y. J. Lin, et al., Science 282:943, 1998). In mammals, there has been limited success in the identification of genes that control aging rates. Mutations in the Werner Syndrome locus (WRN) accelerate the onset of a subset of aging-related pathology in humans, but the role of the WRN gene product in the modulation of normal aging is unknown (C. E. Yu, et al., Science 272:258, 1996; D. B. Lombard and L. Guanrente, Trends Genet. 12:283, 1996).
In contrast to the current lack of genetic interventions to retard the aging process in mammals, caloric restriction (CR) appears to slow the intrinsic rate of aging (R. Weindruch and R. L. Walford, The Retardation of Aging and Disease by Dietary Restriction (C C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1988; L. Fishbein, Ed., Biological Effects of Dietary Restriction (Springer-Verlag, N.Y., 1991; B. P. Yu, Ed., Modulation of Aging Processes by Dietary Restriction (CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. 1994). Most studies have involved laboratory rodents which, when subjected to a long-term, 25-50% reduction in calorie intake without essential nutrient deficiency, display delayed onset of age-associated pathological and physiological changes and extension of maximum lifespan.
The present invention will allow the evaluation of aging interventions on a molecular and tissue-specific basis through the identification of aging biomarkers. In particular, the use of gene expression profiles allows the measurement of aging rates of target organs, tissues and cells, and to what extent aging is delayed by specific interventions, as determined by quantitative analysis of mRNA abundance. Because aging-related gene expression profiles can be classified in subgroups according to function, the invention also allows for the determination of how function-specific aspects of aging are affected. This particular feature will allow for determination of combination therapies that prevent or reverse most aging related changes in particular organs, tissues, and cells.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of measuring the biological age of a multicellular organism comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a sample of nucleic acid isolated from the organism""s organ, tissue or cell, wherein the nucleic acid is RNA or a cDNA copy of RNA and (b) determining the expression pattern of a panel of sequences within the nucleic acid that have been predetermined to either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the organ, tissue or cell. Preferably, the expression patterns of at least ten sequences are determined in step (b) and the organism is a mammal, most preferably a rodent.
In one preferred embodiment of the method described above, the nucleic acid is isolated from a mammalian tissue selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin, liver tissue, blood, skeletal muscle, lymphocytes and mucosa.
In another embodiment the present invention is a method of obtaining biomarkers of aging comprising the steps of: (a) comparing a gene expression profile of a young multicellular organism subject""s organ, tissue or cells; a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged (and therefore biologically aged) subject""s organ, tissue or cell; and a gene expression profile from a chronologically aged but biologically younger subject""s organ, tissue or cell, and (b) identifying gene expression alterations that are observed when comparing the young subjects and the chronologically aged subjects and are not observed or reduced in magnitude when comparing the young subjects and chronologically aged and biologically younger subjects. Preferably, one uses high density oligonucleotide arrays comprising at least 5-10% of the subject""s gene expression product to compare the subject""s gene expression profile, and caloric restriction to obtain a chronologically aged but biologically younger subject.
In a preferred embodiment of the method described above, the gene expression profile indicates a two-fold or greater increase or decrease in the expression of certain genes in biologically aged subjects. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gene expression profile indicates a three-fold or greater or, most preferably three-fold or greater, increase or decrease in the expression of certain genes in aged subjects.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of measuring biological age of muscle tissue comprising the step of quantifying the mRNA abundance of a panel of biomarkers selected from the group consisting of markers described in the Tables 1, 2, 15 and 16. A method of measuring biological age of brain tissue comprising the step of quantifying the mRNA abundance of a panel of biomarkers selected from the group consisting of markers described in Tables 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for screening a compound for the ability to inhibit or retard the aging process in a multicellular organism tissue, organ or cell, preferably mammalian tissue, organ or cell, comprising the steps of: (a) dividing test organisms into first and second samples; (b) administering a test compound to the organisms of the first sample; (c) analyzing tissues, organisms and cells of the first and second samples for the level of expression of a panel of sequences that have been predetermined to either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the tissue, (d) comparing the analysis of the first and second samples and identifying test compounds that modify the expression of the sequences of step (c) in the first sample such that the expression pattern is indicative of tissue that has an inhibited or retarded biological age.
It is an object of the present invention to evaluate or screen compounds for the ability to inhibit or retard the aging process.
It is also an object of the present invention to measure the biological age of a multicellular organism, such as a mammal in a tissue or cell-specific basis.
It is also an object of the present invention to obtain biomarkers of aging.
Other objects, features and advantage of the present invention will become apparent to one of skill in the art after review of the specification and claims.
One of the major impediments to the development of pharmaceutical, genetic or nutritional interventions aimed at retarding the aging process is the lack of a molecular method for measuring the aging process in humans or experimental animals. A suitable biomarker of the aging process should reflect biological age (physiological condition) as opposed to chronological age. Additionally, the biomarker should be amenable to quantitation, and reflect aging-related alterations at the molecular level in the tissue under study. Importantly, any such biomarker must be validated with the use of a model of retarded aging.
Caloric restriction, when started either early in life or in middle-age, represents the only established paradigm of aging retardation in mammals. (R. Weindruch and R. L. Walford, xe2x80x9cThe Retardation of Aging and Disease by Dietary Restrictionxe2x80x9d (C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1988)) The effects of caloric restriction on age-related parameters are broad: caloric restriction increases mean and maximum lifespan, reduces and delays both spontaneous and induced carcinogenesis, almost completely suppresses autoimmunity associated with aging, and reduces the incidence of several age-induced diseases. (R. Weindruch and R. L. Walford, supra, 1988) Therefore, we expect that the rate of change of most proposed aging biomarkers should be retarded by caloric restriction.
By xe2x80x9cbiological agexe2x80x9d we mean the physiological state of an animal or tissue relative to the physiological changes that occur throughout the animal""s lifespan. By xe2x80x9cchronological agexe2x80x9d we mean the age of an animal as measured by a time scale such as month or years.
Because gene expression patterns are responsive to both intracellular and extracellular events, we reasoned that simultaneous monitoring of thousands of genes on a tissue-specific or organ-specific basis would reveal a set of genes that are altered in expression levels as a consequence of biological aging. Although alterations in gene expression with aging had been previously investigated for some genes, a global analysis of gene expression patterns during aging, and the validation of such patterns as a tool to measure biological age through the use of a model of retarded aging had not been previously performed. Such global analysis is required to identify genes that are expressed differentially as a consequence of aging on different cell types that compose the tissue under study and will allow a quantitative assessment of aging rates.
There exists a large and growing segment of the population in developed countries that is suffering from age-associated disorders, such as sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass), neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiac disease. Therefore, the market for compounds that prevent aging-associated disorders and improve quality of life for the elderly is likely to drive research and development of novel drugs by the pharmaceutical industry. As an example, many drugs, nutraceuticals and vitamins are thought to influence aging favorably, but their use remains limited due to the lack of FDA approval. The inability to assess biological aging in tissues at the molecular level precludes proper animal and human testing of such compounds.
In one embodiment, the invention is a method for measuring the biological aging process of a multicellular organism, such as a mammal, at the organ, tissue or cellular level through the characterization of the organism""s gene expression patterns. This method preferably comprises obtaining a cDNA copy of the organism""s RNA and determining the expression pattern of a panel of particular sequences (preferably at least 5 sequences, most preferably at least 10 sequences and more preferably at least 20, 30, 40, or 50 sequences) within the cDNA that have been predetermined to either increase or decrease in response to biological aging of the organ, tissue or cell. (We refer to nucleotide sequences with alterartions in expression patterns characteristic of biological age as xe2x80x9cbiomarkers.xe2x80x9d) One may characterize the biological age of the organism by determining how many and at what level the biomarkers are altered.
Tables 1-4 and 15-16 describe a specific gene expression profiles determined in skeletal muscle of mice. Tables 1, 2,15 and 16 describe aging-related increases and decreases in gene expression in gastrocnemius of mice. (Tables 1 and 2 were prepared using a high density oligonucleotide array of over 6,300 genes, while Tables 15 and 16 were prepared using a high density oligonucleotide array of 19,000 genes.) Tables 3 and 4 describe caloric restriction related decreases and increases in gene expression. Tables 1 and 2 contain a column (xe2x80x9cCR reversalxe2x80x9d) describing the influence of caloric restriction on the increased or decreased expression. Tables 5-8 describe a similar analysis of the gene expression profile determined neocortex tissue of mice and Tables 9 and 10 describe a gene expression profile determined on the cerebellum tissue in mice. Tables 11-14 describe gene expression profiles determined in mouse heart. (Tables 11 and 12 were prepared with the 19,000 high density oligonucleotide chip, while Tables 13 and 14 were prepared using the less dense gene chip.) From these gene expression profiles, one may select many biomarkers.
For example, in order to either measure or determine biological age in skeletal muscle, one would select markers in Tables 1 and 2 that reflect changes in gene expression that have been shown to be either partially or completely inhibited by caloric restriction in skeletal muscle such as AA0071777, L06444, AA114576, etc. Genes that were not affected by caloric restriction (such as W84988, Table 1) may represent chronological markers or aging, and therefore are less useful for the measurement of aging rates. One may determine which genes are or are not affected by caloric restriction by examination of the xe2x80x9cCR reversalxe2x80x9d lane of Tables 1 or 2.
If one wished to examine a tissue, organ or cell that is not represented in Tables 1-16, one would prepare samples and tabulate results from those samples as described below in the Examples. In this manner, one may examine any tissue, organ or cell for biological aging. Preferably, one would wish to examine a tissue selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, skin, liver tissue, blood, lymphocytes, skeletal tissue and mucosa.
For example, choosing markers from Tables 1 and 2 to examine the efficacy of a test compound in aging prevention, one could design a PCR-based amplification strategy or a DNA microarray hybridization strategy to quantify the mRNA abundance for markers W08057, AA114576, 11071777, 11106112, D29016 and M16465 as a function of aging, using animals of several age groups, such as 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and 30 months. (The marker designations refer to Gene Bank accession number entries.) A second set of animals would be given a test compound intended to slow the aging process at 10 months of age (middle age). Animals from the experimental group would be sacrificed or biopsied at the ages of 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and 30 months. If the test compound is successful, the normal aging-related alterations in expression of these particular markers will be prevented or attenuated.
One would follow the same protocol in using the other tables for marker selection. One would match the tissue to be analyzed with the appropriate table. For example, if one were analyzing muscle tissue, one might choose markers from Tables 1 and 2.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of obtaining and validating novel mammalian biomarkers of aging. Preferably, this method comprises the steps of comparing the gene expression profile from a young subject""s organ, tissue or cells with samples from individuals that are both chronologically and biologically aged. This is followed by comparison of the gene expression profile of the chronologically and biologically aged individuals with that of individuals that display similar chronological ages, but a younger biological age, such as animals under caloric restriction. Gene expression alterations that are prevented or retarded by caloric restriction represent markers of biological age, as opposed to chronological age.
In one version of this embodiment, one would preferably use high density oligonucleotide arrays representing at least 5-10% of the subject""s genes, as described in Lee, et al. at Science 285(5432):1390-1393, 1999 and Lee, et al., Nat. Genet. 25(3):294-297, 2000. (Both Lee, et al., supra, 1999 and Lee, et al., supra, 2000 are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.)
For example, Lee, et al., supra, 1999 details the comparison between gastrocnemius muscle from 5 month (young) and 30 month (aged) mice, and 30 month mice under caloric restriction. Lee, et al., supra, 1999 disclose that of the 6500 genes surveyed in the oligonucleotide array, 58 (0.9%) displayed a greater than 2-fold increase in expression levels as a function of age and 55 (0.8%) displayed a greater than 2-fold decrease in expression. The most substantial expression change was for the mitochondrial sarcomeric creatine kinase (Mi-CK) gene (3.8-fold). Sequences that display a greater than three-fold alteration (increase or decrease) with aging, which are prevented or restricted by caloric restriction, such as W08057, AA114576, AA071777, AA106112, D29016, M16465, are likely to be particularly good aging biomarkers.
Lee, et al., supra, 2000 describes the comparison between cDNAs isolated from neocortex tissue for the same three groups of mice described above. Lee, et al., supra, 2000 disclose that of the 6347 genes surveyed, 63 (1%) displayed a greater than 1.7-fold increase in expression levels with aging in the neocortex, whereas 63 genes (1%) displayed a greater than 2.1-fold increase in expression in the cerebellum. Functional classes were assigned and regulatory mechanisms inferred for specific sets of alterations (see Tables 5-10). Of these, 20% (13/63), and 33% (17-51) could be assigned to an inflammatory response in the neocortex and cerebullum, respectively. Transcriptional alterations of several genes in this category were shared by the two brain regions, although fold-changes tended to be higher in the cerebellum, perhaps due to reduced tissue size and/or reduced heterogeneity at the cellular level. These transcriptional alterations include the microglial and macrophage migration factor Mps1 and the Cd40L receptor, which is a mediator of the microglial activation pathway. Also induced was Lysozyme C and beta(2) microglobulin which are markers of inflammation in the human CNS. Interestingly, a concerted induction of the complement cascade components C4, C1qA, C1qB and C1qC was observed, a part of the humoral immune system involved in inflammation and cytolysis.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of screening a test compound for the ability to inhibit or retard the aging process in mammalian tissue. In a typical example of this embodiment, one would first treat a test mammal with a test compound and then analyze a representative tissue of the mammal for the level of expression of a panel of biomarkers. Preferably, the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, heart tissue, muscle tissue, blood, skeletal muscle, mucosa, skin and liver tissue. One then compares the analysis of the tissue with a control, untreated mammal and identifies test compounds that are capable of modifying the expression of the biomarker sequences in the mammalian samples such that the expression is indicative of tissue that has an inhibited or retarded biological age. This expression pattern would be more similar to an expression pattern found in biologically younger subjects.
As an example, a group of young rodents (mice) would be divided into a control and a test group. The test group would receive a test compound as a dietary supplement added to food from age 5 months to 30 months, whereas the control group would receive a standard diet during this time period. At age 30 months, several tissues would be collected from animals from each group, and a gene expression profile would be obtained. Each animal""s gene expression profile would be compared to that of a 5 month (young) animals receiving the standard diet. One would then examine if, for any of the organs investigated, the gene expression pattern of the animals receiving the test compound was more similar to that of young animals, compared to the experimental group that received a standard diet.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of detecting whether a test compound mimics the gene profile induced by caloric restriction. This method typically comprises the steps of exposing the mammal to a test compound and measuring the level of a panel of biomarkers. One then determines whether the expression pattern of the tissue mimics the expression pattern induced by caloric restriction.
For example, if one wished to examine skeletal muscle, the test compound would be analyzed for induction of genes observed to be induced by caloric restriction in Tables 3 and 4.

Identification of genetic markers of biological age and metabolism


A fuel supply system for a reciprocating-piston engine includes a storage tank; a wall of the storage tank defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough; a first fuel injector fluidly coupled with the first aperture of the storage tank via a pressure control module and a first fuel injector supply conduit; a pump fluidly coupled with the second aperture of the storage tank; and a second fuel injector fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the pump via a second fuel injector supply conduit. The pressure control module is configured to maintain a pressure in the first fuel injector supply conduit within a pressure range that includes a pressure value that is less than a pressure inside the storage tank. The pump is configured to maintain a pressure inside the second fuel injector supply conduit that is greater than the pressure inside the first fuel injector supply conduit.

Reciprocating-piston internal combustion (IC) engines are known for converting chemical energy from a fuel supply into mechanical shaft power. A fuel-oxidizer mixture is received in a variable volume of an IC engine defined by a piston translating within a cylinder bore. The fuel-oxidizer mixture burns inside the variable volume to convert chemical energy from the mixture into heat. In turn, expansion of the combustion products within the variable volume performs work on the piston, which may be transferred to an output shaft of the IC engine.
Some constituents in the exhaust stream from an IC engine, such as, for example, nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs), and particulate matter (PM), may be subject to government regulations. Accordingly, operators may wish to control concentrations of regulated exhaust constituents released to the environment. The composition of exhaust discharged from an IC engine may be affected by control of the combustion process within the variable volume combustion chamber, exhaust aftertreatment downstream of the combustion chamber, or combinations thereof.
Some IC engines employ an externally-powered ignition source to initiate combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture within the variable volume. For example, an IC engine may include a spark plug defining a spark gap between an anode and a cathode, where the spark gap is in fluid communication with the variable volume and in electrical communication with an electric potential. Accordingly, applying the electric potential across the spark gap may cause an electric spark to arc across the spark gap, thereby initiating combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture within the variable volume.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,284 (hereinafter "the '284 patent"), entitled "Micro-Pilot Injection Ignition Type Gas Engine," purports to address the problem of starting a dual gaseous and liquid fueled engine. The '284 patent describes a micro-pilot injection ignition type gas engine and an air-fuel ratio control method thereof. According to the '284 patent gaseous fuel and air are mixed upstream of an intake valve, and the mixture of air and gaseous fuel are admitted into a combustion chamber during an intake stroke, while the intake valve is open. During a subsequent compression stroke, a portion of the mixture of air and gaseous fuel flow into a pre-chamber via at least one pre-chamber nozzle hole.
Next according to the '284 patent, a fuel oil injector injects a small amount of fuel oil into the pre-chamber, and a mixture of the fuel oil injection and air autoignites within the pre-chamber. Autoignition of the fuel oil-air mixture within the pre-chamber further ignites the mixture of air and gaseous fuel within the pre-chamber, thereby causing hot combustion products within the pre-chamber to jet out through the at least one pre-chamber nozzle hole into the combustion chamber. In turn, the jets of combustion products from the pre-chamber ignite the mixture of air and gaseous fuel within the combustion chamber.
However, the ignition strategy described in the '284 patent requires that two different types of fuel, namely a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel oil, be available to the engine, which may cause logistical challenges in providing two different fuel types to the engine, as well as operational challenges in balancing consumption of the two different fuel types as not to prematurely deplete one of the two fuel types. Accordingly, there is a need for improved gaseous fuel combustion systems for internal combustion engines to address the aforementioned challenges and/or other problems in the art.
It will be appreciated that this background description has been created to aid the reader, and is not a concession that any of the indicated problems were themselves known previously in the art.

Fuel supply system for an engine with an electric ignition power source


Apparatus for measurement of the reception time of a pulse in a receiving system, which contains at least one receiving channel with a non-linear transmission response, which receiving channel produces at its output a received signal, having a memory, in which the received signals of reference pulses with a predetermined different amplitude are available as reference signals with respect to a time scale, and having an evaluation device, which is connected to the receiving system and to the memory and compares a received signal with each reference signal with a variant time offset in order to determine that reference signal and that time offset for which the comparison discrepancy is a minimum, and outputs this time offset as the reception time with respect to the time scale.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measurement of the reception time of a pulse in a receiving system comprising at least one receiving channel with a nonlinear transmission response, which receiving channel supplies a received signal at its output.
The invention further relates to an apparatus for measurement of the reception time of a pulse with high dynamic range in a receiving system comprising at least two parallel receiving channels of differing sensitivity, which receiving channels produce at their outputs a set of time-parallel received signals.
Furthermore, the invention also relates to methods for measurement of the reception time of a pulse in systems of this kind.
The precise measurement of the reception time of a pulse is of enormous practical significance in surveying applications, for example for range finding through measurement of the transit time of an optical pulse. Even a time measurement error of 1 ns equates here to a distance measurement error of 30 cm, which is unacceptable for high-precision requirements. Further precision applications are found in, for example, satellite navigation, in which the reception time of satellite radio pulses has to be determined on a global time scale with a high degree of precision.
Owing to the bandwidth limitation of conventional transmitting and receiving systems, and to varying characteristics of the intermediate transmission paths, pulses received in an actual receiving system are—even if they were originally produced as ideal square-wave pulses—always subject to a certain distortion of their pulse form, hampering the establishment of a precise reception time. For range resolution in the millimetre range, for example, a time resolution in the picosecond range is required, which is not achievable with pulses distorted in this manner with a conventional threshold detection of the leading or trailing pulse edges. Refined methods have therefore already been proposed, such as using the focal point of a received pulse as the reception time, comparison of the pulse with a Gaussian pulse form ("Gauss fit") or similar, which methods do indeed provide a higher time resolution, but one which can be very much improved upon.
The use of known methods for the measurement of distances by measurement of pulse transit time is rendered yet more difficult in that, depending on the distance and reflectivity ("black", "white" or even "highly reflective") of the target, the pulses reflected on a target ("echo pulses") can—irrespective of whether optical, radio or acoustic pulses are involved—adopt an extremely large amplitude dynamic range, for example above 60 dB in the optical power and above 120 dB in the electrical output signal of a photodiode. Receiving systems that can process a dynamic range of such large proportions generally comprise compressed, i.e. strongly nonlinear, components in the receiving channel, and/or a plurality of parallel receiving channels with varying input sensitivities have to be provided in order to apportion the received signal to individual dynamic ranges that are easier to process further. Both methods lead to further distortion of the pulse form in the receiving system, making the precise establishment of the reception time yet more difficult.

Apparatus and method for measurement of the reception time of a pulse


An electrically driven eccentric weight industrial vibrator comprises a housing, a stator, a rotor, and at least one eccentric weight. The housing defines an internal chamber. The stator is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing and is fixed in rotation relative to the housing. The rotor encircles the stator and is rotationally connected to the stator and the housing in a manner such that the rotor is able to revolve around the stator within the internal chamber of the housing. The eccentric weight is mounted to the rotor in a manner such that the eccentric weight is able to revolve about the stator together with the rotor.

Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to vibratory devices of the type used in the bulk material handling industry. More particularly, this invention pertains to a rotary vibratory device having an eccentric weight that is supported by two radial bearings and comprises an electric motor extending axially between such bearings.
General Background
Vibratory devices are used throughout the bulk material handling industry for various purposes. Vibratory devices are often attached to bulk material transfer chutes and bulk material storage hoppers to prevent bulk material from clinging to the walls of such chutes and hoppers. Vibratory devices are also utilized on sifting or sorting screens to prevent larger material from clogging the sifting screens and to speed the flow of material passing through the screens.
A common type of vibratory device is the rotary vibratory motor, wherein one or more eccentric weights are rotationally driven by and rotate about an axis to thereby create a revolving oscillating force. Other types of vibratory devices include, but are not limited to, acoustical vibration devices, air driven rotary vibrators, and linear vibrators. The present invention pertains specifically to an electrically driven rotary vibratory device wherein one or more eccentric weights are rotationally driven about an axis (hereafter referred to simple as a rotary vibratory device).
Some rotary vibratory devices comprise two or more eccentric weights positioned on axially opposite sides of an electric motor. Typically, such devices comprise a pair of bearings, each positioned axially between one of the eccentric weights and the electric motor. Typically eccentric weights are mounted to a shaft that extends through the bearings and the motor. As such, the rotation of the eccentric weights of such motors exerts large bending moments on the shaft. That causes the shaft to deflect, which reduces the life of the bearings since the loads thereon are not purely radial. Additionally the diameter of the shaft and bearings of such motors are typically minimized so as to reduce fabrication costs and the radial diameter of the rotor, but must be large enough to handle the eccentric loads. As a result, the bearings of electrically driven rotary vibratory devices are often periodically replaced and drive the maintenance needs of such devices.

Electrically driven industrial vibrator with circumjacent eccentric weight and motor


Disclosed is a camera module with a hinge spring which can stably support a lens barrel which is driven in a vertical direction for automatic focusing and which is made of lightweight resin, the camera module including a cylindrical lens barrel with lenses disposed therein for collecting images of external objects, a housing encasing the lens barrel in a manner such that the lens barrel vertically moves in an optical axis direction of the lenses, an automatic focusing actuator installed in the housing to cause linear motion of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction, and a ring-shaped hinge spring extrusion-molded using resin having elasticity to support an upper portion of the lens barrel and guide the linear motion of the lens barrel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera module for a mobile apparatus, and more particularly to a camera module with a hinge spring which can more stably support a lens barrel moving in a vertical direction for image focusing and is molded using a lightweight and elastic resin.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, mobile apparatuses, such as cellular phones and notebook computers, are generally equipped with camera modules in which imaging devices, such as charge coupled device (CCD) image sensors and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, are mounted. As such camera modules provided in the mobile apparatuses have come to have higher pixels and performance, mobile apparatuses have gained a high-quality camera function, enabling them to compete with high-end digital cameras. The camera module of the mobile apparatus generally uses a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator or a Piezo actuator for image focusing.
In the VCM actuator, automatic focusing is performed by moving a lens barrel equipped with lenses in a vertical direction by electromagnetic force generated by reciprocal actions between a magnetic field of a permanent magnet and an electric field generated by current flowing through a coil. On the other hand, in the Piezo actuator, the automatic focusing is performed by moving a lens barrel in a vertical direction by Piezo elements vibrating with predetermined amplitude when current is applied. An example of the camera module with such an automatic focusing actuator is disclosed in KR 10-2008-0039239 published on May 7, 2008 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and such known lens actuators are shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of this specification.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the known lens actuator disclosed in KR 10-2008-0039239, a carrier 11 having lenses therein is supported by two leaf springs 14 and 15 so that the carrier 11 can move in an optical axis direction.
That is, in the known lens actuator, the carrier 11 is elastically supported by upper and lower leaf springs 14 and 15 which are thin metal plate members made of steel or copper alloy so that the carrier 11 can move up and down in an optical axis direction thanks to magnet and coil. Accordingly, the carrier 11 is disposed at a predetermined position in a casing 13.
However, the known lens actuator having the above-mentioned structure is disadvantageous in that it needs to be manufactured using a thin leaf spring of a metal so that the carrier can move in a vertical direction. However, it is difficult to manufacture the leaf spring having a shape shown in FIG. 7. That is, when manufacturing the leaf spring by press-processing metal, it is difficult to precisely process a portion of the leaf spring, which is likely to deform owing to the movement of the carrier, and therefore the leaf springs may have variance in their elasticity.
Further, since the leaf springs are made of a metal, the known lens actuator is expensive, the number of manufacturing processes is large, and the manufacturing time is long.


The disclosed technology provides multi-dimensional audio output by providing a relative physical location of an audio transmitting device relative to an audio outputting device in a shared map of physical space shared between the audio transmitting device and the audio outputting device. An orientation of the audio outputting device relative to the audio transmitting device is determined and an audio signal received from the audio transmitting device via a communication network is processed using the determined orientation of the audio outputting device relative to the audio transmitting device and the relative physical location of the audio transmitting device to create an augmented audio signal. The augmented audio signal is output through at least one audio output on the audio outputting device in a manner indicating a relative physical direction of the audio transmitting device to the audio outputting device in the shared map of the physical space.

In crowded or busy environments, it may be difficult for people to communicate with each other due to ambient noise or structural elements, such as walls. Two-way radios and other communication devices may enable communication in crowded or busy environments. However, two-way radios and other solutions do not give the listener any indication of where the speaker is located (e.g., in which direction the speaker is relative to the listener). Further, the use of two-way radios makes it difficult for more than one person to speak at a time, often meaning that additional channels are used to allow multiple conversations to happen at once.


A fishing rig storage device that is removably insertable into a receiving slot incorporated in at least one of a dividing wall or an interior surface of a tackle container is illustrated and described. The fishing rig storage device includes a mounting tab having quartered sections and a plurality of notches formed along a perimeter. Each quartered section includes at least one of the plurality of notches. A fishing rig having a hook assembly, a line, and a tail is secured to the mounting tab by securing the hook assembly to a first notch, selectively wrapping the line around the plurality of notches, and securing the tail to a slit extending from the perimeter. The line is preferably arranged around the mounting tab to minimize catching or snagging of the line on the hook assembly when the line is unwrapped from the mounting tab.

Fishing lines/leaders are often a desirable item for outdoorsmen to have on-hand during fishing activities. Conventional lines/leaders are known to be available in a variety of weights, types, and gauges and perform an important function when fishing for various species of fish. Leaders, in particular, provide the benefit of minimizing the likelihood that a fish with teeth will severe a fisherman's line. Leaders associated with a rig also make it easier for fishermen to switch baits and lures by avoiding the need to cut and retie their fishing line when a different tackle is desired.
While fishing leaders have generally resolved an inherent problem in the art of fishing, namely the ability for fish to bite through lines, storage of tackles such as lines/leaders tend to create their own difficulties for fishermen. Many outdoorsmen are familiar with the inconveniences that arise when lines/leaders become snagged, entangled, or knotted from unsecured storage in a tackle box or other location. Exerting the effort to disentangle the line/leader is a difficulty that not only reduces the fisherman's enjoyment of the outing but also hinders his or her ability to engage in the sport of fishing. Likewise, when fishing activities have concluded, it is particularly difficult for a fisherman to store all of his or her fishing rigs in one place without having the lines/leaders become snagged or entangled prior to the next outing, not only with each other but also with their connected hook assembly.
The burden created by entangled lines/leaders is a plight that extends beyond the individual fisherman. Even in commercially packaged settings, including those with lines/leaders sold as part of a rig, the line/leader often becomes entangled in its packaging or snagged on the hook assembly before the consumer even has an opportunity to remove it. Depending on the severity and frequency of the entangled lines/leaders, this packaging deficiency may cause the brand or company associated with the goods to suffer a reputational impact with the consumer, if not properly addressed and remedied.
Attempts to improve line/leader storage deficiencies include a cylindrical plastic and foam holder marketed by LINDY that is capable of storing up to 12 rigs. Despite the objectives of the device, the holder is particularly bulky and does not store easily in a conventional tackle box. As such, it often requires commercial sales of the product to occur in sets of three with its own separate box. Furthermore, when fishing line/leader is wrapped around the cylinder and attached thereto, the line/leader does not always have enough tension to keep itself stretched tight around the cylinder. Consequently, slack in the line/leader allows the rig(s) to become unsecured from the cylinder and often results in self-entanglement or entanglement with other proximately positioned tackles.
Another attempt to address line/leader entanglement issues includes a rectangular board marketed by CABELA'S. The board, which is sold commercially in sets of 9 and 15, holds two leaders and requires its own separate tackle box. Thus, the board and associated extra tackle box becomes one more piece of equipment the fisherman is required to carry along on a fishing expedition. Inside the extra tackle box, the boards are also arranged in such a way that the hook of a first rig tends to snag the line/leader of a second rig. This often results in the very problem the board is intended to prevent.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop a fishing rig storage device which facilitates commercial and recreational storage of fishing rigs in a manner that minimizes snagging or entangling of the line/leader with itself and/or a connected hook assembly, so that the fishing rig can be removed from the storage device in an operational arrangement with minimal effort. It would also be desirable to develop a fishing rig storage device that cooperates with the fisherman's primary tackle box, while reducing size and transportation burdens resulting from additional equipment needs during fishing outings.