A video signal processing apparatus includes a receiver receiving an incoming video signal and producing an output video signal in response thereto, a limit setup unit setting up at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value for the output video signal, and a limiter supplied with the output video signal from the receiver and further with at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value from the limit setup unit, wherein the limiter limits a level of the output video signal produced by the receiver, by comparing the level of the output video signal according to any of the upper limit value and the lower limit value.

The present invention relates to a video signal processing apparatus that limits the level of a received video signal when the level of the received video signal has exceeded a predetermined level by a noise or interference.
When a video signal is transmitted from an imaging apparatus or an image reproducing apparatus to a receiver for image reproduction, the video signal is generally transmitted in the form of an analog video signal or a digital video signal. During such a transmission of the video signal, there can be a case in which the level of the video signal exceeds a predetermined level for reception as a result of mixing of noise or interference with other signals including other video signals. When the level of the received video signal exceeds the predetermined level as such, there can be a case in which a pseudo-synchronization is caused. Alternatively, the excessive level of the video signal may cause a deterioration in the quality of reproduced image. Thus, there is a need to limit the level of a received video signal within a predetermined level.
FIG. 1A shows a conventional image signal transmission system implemented in the form of a coded image transmission system, wherein the video signal transmission system includes an analog video signal output unit 301, which may be an imaging device or a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus, an encoding and transmission unit 302 for encoding and transmitting the analog video signal from the unit 301 over a transmission path 305, a video signal processing unit 303 receiving the encoded video signal from the unit 302 through the transmission path 305, a video signal processing unit 303 decoding the encoded video signal thus received and converting the same into an analog video signal, and a reproducing unit 304 for reproducing the analog video signal thus recovered by the video signal processing unit 303. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the encoding and transmission unit 302 includes an A-D converter 306 for converting the input analog video signal to a digital video signal, an encoder 307 for encoding the digital video signal produced by the A-D converter 306 and an interface device 308 for transmitting the encoded video signal over the transmission path 305. Further, the video signal processing unit 303 includes an interface unit 309 for receiving the encoded video signal from the transmission path 305, a decoder 310 for decoding the encoded video signal thus received by the interface unit 309, and a D-A converter 311 for converting the decoded video signal to an analog video signal.
FIG. 1B shows another conventional image signal transmission system implemented in the form of a digital image transmission system, wherein the video signal transmission system includes an analog video signal output unit 321, which may be an imaging device or a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus, a digital transmission unit 322 for converting the analog video signal from the unit 321 into a digital video signal and transmitting the same over a transmission path 325, a video signal processing unit 323 receiving the digital video signal from the digital transmission unit 322 through the transmission path 305, a video signal processing unit 323 converting the received digital video signal into an analog video signal, and a reproducing unit 324 for reproducing the analog video signal thus recovered by the video signal processing unit 323. As can be seen in FIG 1B, the transmission unit 322 includes an A-D converter 326 for converting the input analog video signal to the digital video signal and an interface device 327 for transmitting the digital video signal over the transmission path 325. Further, the video signal processing unit 323 includes an interface unit 328 for receiving the digital video signal from the transmission path 325 and a D-A converter 329 for converting the digital video signal to an analog video signal.
FIG. 1C shows another conventional image signal transmission system implemented in the form of an analog image transmission system, wherein the video signal transmission system includes an analog video signal output unit 331, which may be an imaging device or a video signal recording/reproducing apparatus, an analog transmission unit 332 for transmitting the analog video signal from the unit 331 over a transmission path 335, a video signal processing unit 333 receiving the analog video signal from the analog transmission unit 332 through the transmission path 335, the video signal processing unit 333 receiving the an analog video signal from the transmission unit 332 via the transmission path 335, and a reproducing unit 334 for reproducing the analog video signal thus received by the video signal processing unit 333. As can be seen in FIG. 1C, the transmission unit 332 includes an A-D converter 336 for converting the input analog video signal to the digital video signal, while the video signal processing unit 333 includes an interface unit 337 for receiving the analog video signal from the transmission path 335.
FIG. 2A shows a 100% color bar signal that includes a synchronization pulse of xe2x88x9240 (IRE) level and a video signal, wherein the video signal has a level not lower than the level of the synchronization signal. The maximum level of the video signal is set to 133 (IRE) level.
When the video signal has a level lower than the xe2x88x9240 (IRE) level as indicated in FIG. 2B, it will be noted that the portion of the video signal having such a low level state is erroneously recognized as being a synchronization pulse, and there arises a problem of erroneous pseudo-synchronization. When the video signal includes a portion having a level exceeding 133 (IRE), on the other hand, the quality of the reproduced image is deteriorated as a result of saturation.
In the encoded video signal transmission system of FIG. 1A, it should be noted that the A-D converter 306 and the D-A converter 311 create error in the video signal associated with analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion of the video signal. Further, the encoder 307 and the decoder 310 create error as a result of the encoding or decoding of the video signal. Further, the transmission path 325 may pickup noise.
In the digital video signal transmission system of FIG. 1B, the A-D converter 326 and the D-A converter 329 create error in the video signal associated with the analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion of the video signal. Further, the transmission path 305 may pickup noise. In the analog video signal transmission system of FIG. 1C, on the other hand, the transmission path 335 may pickup noise.
As a result of the mixing of noise or conversion error, or as a result of the interference of the signals transmitted in a multiplexed mode, there can be a case in which the video signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 303, 323 or 333 to the reproducing unit 304, 324 or 334 contains an under-level portion or over-level portion as indicated in FIG. 2B. When this is the case, the under-level portion of the video signal may be erroneously recognized as being a synchronization pulse, and there occurs a problem of pseudo-synchronization. When the video signal contains an over-level portion, on the other hand, the quality of the reproduced image may be deteriorated.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful video signal processing apparatus wherein the foregoing problems are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a video signal processing apparatus producing an output video signal in response to a received video signal, which may be any of an encoded image signal, a digital image signal or an analog image signal, such that the level of the output video signal does not fall below a predetermined lower limit level or does not exceed a predetermined upper limit level.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a video signal processing apparatus, comprising:
a receiver receiving an incoming video signal, said receiver further producing an output video signal in response thereto;
a limiter setup unit setting up at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value for said output video signal; and
a limiter supplied with said output video signal from said receiver and further supplied with at least one of said upper limit value and said lower limit value from said limiter setup unit, said limiter limiting a level of said output video signal produced by said receiver, by comparing said level of said output video signal with any of said upper limit value and lower limit value.
According to the present invention, the level of the output video signal is held within a predetermined limit even in the case in which the received video signal has been subjected to various distortions as a result of transmission noise or interference, or as a result of error at the time of digitization or encoding/decoding process. Thereby, the problem of pseudo-synchronization caused by the under-level portion of the video signal or the problem of deterioration of picture quality caused by the over-level portion of the video signal, is successfully eliminated.
By conducting the limiting process such that the sum of a luminance signal Y and a color signal C does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value or lower limit value, the effect of the distortion on the reproduced picture quality is effectively suppressed.
The construction of the present invention is easy for implementation when realized by using a processor such as DSP (digital signal processor). In this case, the desired limiting function can be realized simultaneously with other signal processing functions. When the present invention is realized in the form of hardware, on the other hand, a high-speed processing is obtained.
Other objects and further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Video signal receiver with level limited output


A permanent magnet machine is provided. The permanent magnet machine may include a plurality of laminations stacked to form a rotor. Each of the laminations may define a d-axis, and first and second, recessed notches on an outer circumference. The first and second recessed notches may be disposed at ±180/N electrical degrees with respect to the d-axis. N may be a multiple of 6.

Hybrid-electric and electric vehicles utilize one or more electric machines to provide propulsion for the vehicle. A variety of electric machine technologies are available for such applications. Permanent magnet machines are a typical choice for vehicle applications. The permanent magnet machine includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is constructed with permanent magnets. Coils in the stator are energized to create an electromagnetic flux that interacts with electromagnetic flux created by the permanent magnets of the rotor. The interaction of the fluxes causes the rotor to rotate. Due to various motor design characteristics, the interacting electromagnetic fluxes create a torque that is comprised of harmonic components. The torque may be described as a summation of components having different frequencies. This is observed as a ripple or oscillation in the torque.

Electric machine rotor for harmonic flux reduction


A chandelier having selectively motorized ornaments. Inner ornaments are selectively motionable laterally along their individual slide tracks by motorized push structures above the inner ornaments. The push structures are longitudinally and laterally translatable. Outer ornaments slidably engage ends of the chandelier. Sliding the outer ornaments causes the slide tracks to collectively open or close. A side push surface may laterally translate to push the inner ornaments into a straight line. The inner ornaments may adopt a plurality of patterns because their positions are manipulable by the push structures, the push surface, and the sliding outer ornaments.

It is common for individuals to install various ceiling fixtures in their homes or businesses. For example, an individual may desire to install a ceiling fan for keeping a room cool and delivering air convection. As another example, an individual may desire to install a light fixture to illuminate a room. In general, individuals desire ceiling fixtures that are concurrently aesthetically pleasing and functional. For example, an individual may enjoy the look of a ceiling fan that has an aerodynamic appearance while having other functional features such as lights.
A common functional and decorative ceiling item is a chandelier. Chandeliers are generally configured to deliver an aesthetically pleasing ambient light, while also adding style and beauty to a room through the fixture itself. For example, a chandelier, sometimes referred to as a girandole or candelabra lamp, may be a light fixture having branched ornamental lights mounted on ceilings or less commonly on walls. Chandeliers may conventionally use incandescent light bulbs. Modern chandeliers may have LEDs or fluorescent lamps.
Chandeliers may a have a plurality of crystals or refractive elements, hanging in arrays, to illuminate a vicinity in which the chandelier is installed, which is most commonly a room. For example, a traditional chandelier may include one or more prisms that are configured to refract incident light from a light source into beautiful ambient light. Chandeliers may include mirrors, prisms, or other refractive elements to fill a room with refracted or reflected light, which many believe is a beautiful effect.
However, people may consider existing chandeliers to be boring and may desire a chandelier that caters to modern expectations and style.
Therefore, there exist a need for a chandelier that is exciting and beautiful to look at while maintaining modern feel and functionality.

Chandelier having selectively motorized ornaments


A personal customized video recording 10 is described along with the process and apparatus for producing such a recording. The recording has the desired length which includes a desired sequence of personal image segments 34 that are taken from a series of still photographs 12 of a featured person. A personal image video tape 14 is produced which is utilized in conjunction with a scenic image video storage medium or tape 16. Additionally a prerecorded audio musical storage medium or tape 18 is utilized. All three of the mediums 14, 16, and 18 are placed in recorders and operated in real time continuously and without interruption to produce a composite master video recording of the desired length. A vast majority of the scenic images are interleaved between the personal images. A majority of the personal images and a majority of the scenic images appear to have movement utilizing zoom/panning techniques.

Previous to the applicant's invention, it was common to make personalized custom video recordings utilizing a match frame editing technique from a series of still photographs of a featured person. Such technique generally involved recording each photograph on a first video tape at successive equal length increments, such as one minute increments. A second video tape generally included a series of scenes that were sequentially recorded at one minute intervals. The photographic tape and the scene tape then were placed in respective video players and controlled by an editor in which the photographic tape and the background tape, along with the master recording tape were repeatedly stopped at each edit point with the selected tape being shuttled either fast forward or fast reverse to its desired location. Then the three tapes would be prerolled backward a desired increment and then restarted forward for a certain time to accomplish the next visual effect in switching from one tape image to the other tape image. This continual sequence of (1) stopping, (2) shuttling, and (3) implementing the preroll at each edit point is rather time consuming. For example, each shuttle and preroll time consumes a minimum of approximately 16 seconds. It would not be unusual for several prerolls to abort requiring additional starts which would delay the production for an additional 35 seconds each time the preroll is aborted. Consequently the time to produce a six-minute personal custom video recording, utilizing the matched frame editing technique would easily consume well over 10 minutes and more likely require 20 and 30 minutes. Normally it is desirable to then record background music onto the video recording which further extends the production time. Although such a lengthy production time may be acceptable when relatively few personal customized video recordings are being made, such a process is rather time consuming and expensive. Such a process only lends itself to produce personal custom video recordings for those persons having substantial financial resources. It is generally not applicable to providing quality, professional customized video recording for persons of moderate financial resources.
The applicant has devised a real time system for producing a customized video recording of a prescribed length of time in which the time required for producing the recording is the same as the length of the custom recording. Consequently for a six-minute personal customized video recording, applicant is able to produce the recording in six minutes.
This is particularly important in being able to provide low cost yet personal, professionally customized video recordings for persons of moderate means on a large volume basis. Utilizing the prior art match frame editing technique it would be very unusual to produce one or two six-minute recordings within an hour. However, utilizing the applicant's invention, one is able to produce between five and eight six-minute personal customized recordings each hour. Such efficiency enables one to produce recordings, even though they are customized, at a very reasonable price to the public. For example, applicant is able to produce such personal customized video recordings within a price range that is affordable to almost all persons who have a video cassette player. Consequently the average person can have a personal customized video recording produced for a celebration or ceremony such as a birthday, an anniversary or a funeral.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

Personal custom video recording and the process and apparatus for making same


C.sub.1+ hydrocarbons can be effectively converted to primarily unsaturated hydrocarbon and hydrogen by subjecting the C.sub.1+ hydrocarbon to microwave radiation in the presence of water and at least one plasma initiator that is capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for converting C.sub.1+ hydrocarbons to primarily unsaturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen in the presence of water using microwave radiation.
2. Description of Related Art
Microwave energy has been used to convert methane to other hydrocarbons. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,038 discloses that methane can be converted to ethylene and hydrogen in a batch process at pressures of from 0.3 to 1 atmosphere by subjecting the methane to microwave radiation in the presence of a metal powder catalyst. Another example of methane conversion using microwave energy is U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,394. U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,164 discloses the conversion of C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons to primarily unsaturated hydrocarbons and hydrogen using microwave radiation.
However, these patents do not suggest the particular hydrocarbon conversion process described below.

Conversion of hydrocarbons using microwave radiation


The present application describes a crossbar memory array. The memory array includes a first array of parallel nanowires of a first material and a second array of parallel nanowires of a second material. The first and the second array are oriented at an angle with each other. The array further includes a plurality of nanostructures of non-crystalline silicon disposed between a nanowire of the first material and a nanowire of the second material at each intersection of the two arrays. The nanostructures form a resistive memory cell together with the nanowires of the first and second materials.

Resistive random-access memories (RRAMs) have generated significant interest recently as a potential candidate for ultra-high density non-volatile information storage. A typical RRAM device consists of an insulator layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes and exhibits electrical pulse induced hysteretic resistance switching effects.
The resistance switching has been explained by the formation of conductive filaments inside the insulator due to Joule heating and electrochemical processes in binary oxides (e.g. NiO and TiO2) or redox processes for ionic conductors including oxides, chalcogenides and polymers. Resistance switching has also been explained by field assisted diffusion of ions in TiO2 and amorphous silicon (a-Si) films.
In the case of a-Si structures, voltage-induced diffusion of metal ions into the silicon leads to the formation of conductive filaments that reduce the resistance of the a-Si structure. These filaments remain after the biasing voltage is removed, thereby giving the device its non-volatile characteristic, and they can be removed by reverse diffusion of the ions back to the metal electrode under the motive force of a reverse polarity applied voltage.
Resistive devices formed by an a-Si structure sandwiched between two metal electrodes have been shown to exhibit this controllable resistive characteristic. However, such devices typically have micron sized filaments which may prevent them from being scaled down to the sub-100 nanometer range. Such devices may also require high forming voltages that can lead to device damage and can limit production yields.

The Regents of the University of Michigan


An integrated circuit and an operation method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a voltage detecting unit, a central processing unit, a memory unit and a control unit. The voltage detecting unit detects a system voltage and correspondingly outputs a voltage state signal. The central processing unit has at least one register. When the system voltage is downed to a voltage level lower than or equal to a brown-out voltage and greater than a reset low voltage, the control unit stores values of the registers into the memory unit.

Field of the Invention
The embodiments of present invention relate to an integrated circuit and an operation method thereof.
Description of Related Art
As performance of a micro-controller gradually improved with advancement of semiconductor technologies, the micro-controller has been widely applied in many fields including electrical machine controls, barcode readers/scanners, consumer electronics, game machines, phones, air conditioners, security and access control for buildings, industrial controls and automations, and appliances (e.g., washing machines or microwave ovens).
In case the micro-controller is applied in a large scale system (e.g., the industrial controls), stability and safety of the micro-controller are especially emphasized. However, when a system voltage received by the micro-controller suddenly disappears, the micro-controller will enter a reset state and data stored in the micro-controller will lose. When the micro-controller receives the system voltage again, the micro-controller is resumed back to an operating state. Nevertheless, since the data stored in the micro-controller is lost, the micro-controller may not be able to resume to previous operations after entering the operating state. Accordingly, the micro-controller may not be able to provide related functions, that is, the stability and safety of the micro-controller are influenced by sudden power outage.

Integrated circuit and operation method thereof


Compounds having an artemisinin-related endoperoxide moiety covalently coupled to a hydrazone moiety through a linker. Compositions and methods for treating cancer using the compounds.

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the plant Artemisia annua L, extracts, which has been used to treat malaria and a variety of other ailments for nearly 2000 years. Artemisinin and its derivatives, such as dihydroartemisinin, artemether, artesunate, arteether, propylcarbonate dihydroartemisinin, and artelinic acid, are most commonly known as potent anti-malarial agents. The artemisinin molecule contains an endoperoxide moiety, or oxygen bridge. The anti-malarial activity of artemisinin is due to the reaction between its endoperoxide bridge and intra-parasitic heme that generates free radicals, causing cell death.
The artemisinin molecule and related compounds have been studied extensively covering aspects such as characterization, total synthesis, and understanding of the mechanism of action through QSAR studies. These studies have unveiled a large amount of information about the artemisinin and related endoperoxide compounds and have resulted in a large number of published and patented literatures (See, Bez, G., et al., Current Organic Chemistry 7:1231-1255, 2003). For example, the endoperoxide function has been shown to be essential for the antimalarial activity of artemisinin (Gu, Acta Pharmacol. Sinica 1(1):48-50, 1980 Abstract). The total synthesis of (+)-artemisinin has been reported (Avery, M. A., et al., Tetrahedron Letters 28:4629-4632, 1987). The same group also synthesized several simplified analogues of artemisinin (Avery, 1987). Lin et al. reported a new series of hydrolytically stable and water-soluble dihydroartemisinin derivatives with optically active side chains as potential antimalarial agents (Lin, 1989). Imakura et al. reported the study of acid degradation products of artemisinin and their structure-activity relationships (Imakura, Y., et al., Heterocycles 31(6):1011-1016, Jun. 1, 1990. Abstract). Zaman et al. reported the aspects of the chemistry and biological activity of artemisinin and related antimalarials. (Zaman, S. S., and R. P. Sharma, Heterocycles 32:1593-1638, 1991). Peters et al. evaluated the activities of some synthetic artemisinin endoperoxide 1,2,4-trioxanes against several lines of Plasmodium berghei and P. yoelii ssp. in vivo (Peters, W., et al., Ann. Trop. Med. Parasit. 87(1):9-16, 1993). The results from these studies have enabled scientists during the 1990s to delineate the basic structural requirement for artemisinin-related endoperoxides—the 1,2,4-trioxane ring system—as the essential pharmacophore for artemisinin. Since then, interest in artemisinin has persisted. Benoit-Vical et al. reported the in vitro and in vivo potentiation of artemisinin and synthetic endoperoxide antimalarial drugs in 2000 (Benoit-Vical, F., et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 44(10):2836-2841, 2000). Recently, Anfosso et al. used microarray expression profiles of angiogenesis-related genes to predict tumor cell response to artemisinin (Anfosso, L. et al., Pharmacogenomics Journal, 2006, pp. 1-10).
As a result of an apparent association between the endoperoxide functional group and antimalarial activity of artemisinin, a substantial effort has been devoted to developing new peroxide antimalarials (Vennerstrom, J. L., and J. W. Eaton, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 31(7):1269-1277, 1988). Motivated by the structure and pharmacological mechanism of artemisinin, a large number of molecules containing the core pharmacophore, 1,2,4-trioxane, as well as its close analogue, 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane, and other endoperoxides have been synthesized and studied (U.S. Pat. No. 6,906,205, U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,199).
1,2,4-Trioxane itself has not been isolated or characterized. The tremendous amount of literature in the field suggests that it is the discovery of artemisinin with its novel 1,2,4-trioxane heterocyclic pharmacophore that initiated the development of 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes, and other artemisinin-related endoperoxides derivatives. Rational design of structurally simpler analogs of artemisinin has led to the synthesis of various racemic 1,2,4-trioxanes displaying potent antimalarial activities (U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,437). One group reported the development of dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes as endoperoxide antimalarial drugs (Vennerstrom, J. L., et al., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 35:3023-3027, 1992), as well as identification of a series of 1,2,4-trioxolane antimalarial drug candidates (US 2005/0256185).
Cancer cells have a significantly higher influx of iron than normal cells. Accordingly, it has been shown that artemisinin and artemisinin analogs are cytotoxic against established tumors and tumor cell lines (see, e.g., Woerdenbag, et al. (1993) J. Nat. Prod. 56(6):849-56; Lai and Singh (1995) Cancer Lett. 91:41-6; Efferth, et al. (2001) Int. J. Oncol. 18:767-73; Li, et al. (2001) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 11:5-8; Singh and Lai (2001) Life Sci. 70:49-56; Efferth, et al. (2002) Biochem. Pharmacol. 64:617-23; Efferth, et al. (2002) Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases 28(2): 160-8; Sadava, et al. (2002) Cancer Lett. 179: 151-6; Singh and Lai (2004) Anticancer Res. 24(4):2277-80; Lai, et al. (2005) Expert Opin Ther Targets. 9(5):995-1007; Lai and Singh (2006) Cancer Lett. 231(1):43-8).
Similarly, artemisinin and its derivatives are also selectively cytotoxic to other cells with uncontrolled elevated free iron levels. Representative cells with elevated free iron level include cancer cells, pathogenic organisms, and abnormally hyperproliferating cells found in conditions, such as restenosis, arthritis, hyperplasia, and psoriasis (see, e.g., Golenser, et al. (2006) Int. J. Parasitol. 36(14):1427-41; Efferth, et al. (2002) J. Mol. Med. 80(4):233-42; Jung and Schinazi (1994) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. No. 7; 931-934; Kaptein, et al. (2006) Antiviral Res. 69(2):60-9; Paeshuyse, et al. (2006) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 15; 348(1):139-44; Razavi, et al. (2007) Int. J. Toxicol. 26(4):373-80; Li, et al. (2006) Int. Immunopharmacol. 6(8):1243-50; Wang, et al. (2006) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 50(7):2420-7; Xu, et al. (2007) Rheumatology (Oxford)).
Iron chelators are small molecules that bind to iron metal ions. Iron is critical for proliferation of cells and vital cellular processes, such as oxygen transport, energy production and DNA synthesis, which are dependent on iron-containing proteins and enzymes. Therefore, iron chelators are expected to possess various biological activities. It has been demonstrated that iron chelators have anti-tumor activities. Iron chelators induce cytotoxic effects on tumors by starving them of iron or by inducing oxidative stress in the tumors through redox perturbations. A number of iron chelators have been tested for anti-tumor activity in microbiology studies, animal models and human clinical trials (see, e.g., Lee, et al. (2006) J. Oral Pathol. Med. 35(4):218-26; Hoke, et al. (2005) Free Radic. Biol. Med. 1; 39(3):403-11; Shen, et al. (2005) In Vivo. 2005 19(1):233-6; Buss, et al. (2004) Curr. Top. Med. Chem. 4(15):1623-35; Buss, et al. (2003) Curr. Med. Chem.10(12):1021-34; Lovejoy and Richardson (2003) Curr. Med. Chem. 10(12):1035-49; Richardson (2002) Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 42(3):267-81).
The hydrazones constitute a class of iron-binding organic compounds, and certain members of the hydrazone class have been shown to inhibit cellular proliferation by removing iron from the active site of key enzymes, such as ribonucleoside reductase. In general, rapidly proliferating cancer cells are more sensitive to the hydrazones than the corresponding normal cells (see, e.g., Lovejoy, et al. (2006) Hemoglobin. 30(1):93-104; Walcourt, et al. (2004) Int. J. Biochem. Cell. Biol. 36(3):401-7; Lovejoy and Richardson. (2003) Curr. Med. Chem. 10(12):1035-49; Becker, et al. (2003) Br. J. Pharmacol. 138(5):819-30; Chaston, et al. (2003) Clin. Cancer. Res. 9(1):402-14; Lovejoy and Richardson (2002) Blood 100(2):666-76).
Attempts to combine artemisinin derivatives and iron chelators have been previously described in the literature to treat malaria, but have largely been therapeutically unsuccessful. For example, the synthesis of covalent conjugates between o-phenanthroline, a strong iron chelator, and an artemisinin-related endoperoxide for malaria therapy was reported in 1995 (Posner, et al. (1995) J. Med. Chem. 38(4):607-12), but the studied conjugates and related compounds were not particularly active antimalarial agents in vitro. Another group reported the synthesis of a series of covalent conjugates between artemisinin and a variety of iron chelators, including hydroxamates and phenolates, for malaria therapy (Yuthavong et al. (1995) J Med. Chem. 38(13):2311-6). Again, these conjugates did not demonstrate enhanced antimalarial activities, compared to artemisinin alone. These studies suggest that the simple conjugation of an iron chelator to artemisinin does not necessarily produce more active cytotoxic compounds. More recently, another group reported the synthesis of artemisinin conjugates with naphthol, an iron-binding molecule, for malaria therapy (Wang, et al. (1999) J. Chem. Soc. Perkin. Trans. 1827-1832). Based on the antimalarial activities of two stereoisomers, it was suggested that the naphthol group might assist iron in binding to the endoperoxide group before the artemisinin moiety is activated. To date none of the artemisinin-iron chelator compounds described above has been tested for activity in cancer or non-malarial proliferative diseases in published literature.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,427 discloses 10-substituted ether derivatives of dihydroartemisinin alleged to exhibit antimalarial and antiprotozoal activity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,637 discloses methods of killing cancer cells wherein compounds having an endoperoxide moiety that is reactive with heme are administered under conditions which enhance intracellular iron concentrations. Endoperoxide bearing sesquiterpene including artemisinin and its analogs are preferred compounds.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0058981 discloses methods for preventing or delaying the development of cancer by administering free radical-generating agents to a subject. Preferred compounds include endoperoxide bearing sesquiterpene compounds such as artemisinin and its analogs. Intracellular iron concentrations may be enhanced by the administration of iron salts or complexes.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0067875 discloses covalent conjugates between artemisinin-related endoperoxides and iron-carrying proteins, such as holotransferrin, to treat cancer and infections by pathogens that bind iron-carrying proteins.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0193778 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,893 disclose peptides discovered by phage display techniques that are capable of binding to and internalizing with the human transferring receptor, including the peptides HAIYPRH (SEQ ID NO: 1) and THRPPMWSPVWP (SEQ ID NO: 2).
U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0142377 discloses orally active artemisinin-derived trioxane dimers suitable as orally active compounds, which demonstrate antimalarial and anti-tumor activities.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0231300 discloses covalent conjugates between artemisinin-related endoperoxides and small peptides and organic compounds that bind to molecular cavities on the transferrin or lactoferrin receptor, and the use of these conjugates to treat cancer, hyperproliferative disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infections.
There is a need for artemisinin compounds having increased selectivity and efficacy for the treatment of proliferative cellular disorders, such as cancer, infections, and other hyperproliferative conditions dependent on iron for growth and virulence. The present invention seeks to fulfill these needs and provides further related advantages.

Conjugates of artemisinin-related endoperoxides and hydrazone derivatives for the treatment of cancer


A distortion reduction system for an audio device having first and second power supply voltages, a driver circuit for amplifying an audio signal, and, a speaker for outputting the amplified audio signal, allows a speaker driver system to increase significantly its average acoustic output power without appreciably degrading the audio signal quality. The system performs this function independently of the power supply voltage value by detecting a voltage difference between instantaneous peak amplified audio signal value and each first and second power supply voltage values and, providing a first gain control signal to the driver circuit when the detected difference is greater than a predetermined trigger level value, and a second gain control signal to the driver circuit when the detected difference is less than the predetermined trigger level value. In this system, the first and second gain control signals operate to maximally maintain the amplified peak-to-peak audio signal values between power supply voltage limit values and prevent onset of audio signal distortion while maximizing the average RMS value.

There are many audio products on the market today that are voltage supply limited, i.e., operate with a fixed voltage supply source. For example, both far and near can there be found battery powered audio products such as portable radios, tape and CD-players, "Boom Boxes", SONY Walkman.RTM., etc. It is desirable for all such audio products, whether portable or not, to produce a low distortion acoustic output that is sufficient to be heard by the listener regardless of the volume and power levels. However, inherent technical problems exist in achieving low distortion output power of audio equipment because of the following reasons: 1) electrical power into a speaker is determined by the relation V.sub.rms.sup.2 /R.sub.speaker, i.e., the root mean square voltage supplied to the speaker divided by the speaker impedance. As V.sub.rms is limited, then the acoustic output power is limited. The maximum low distortion sin wave that can be applied to a speaker from an electrical source having voltage supply V+ and V- is a peak-to-peak value equal to the voltage supply. Although the maximum rms output value can be higher, it will have a significantly higher value of total harmonic distortion (THD); and, 2) most audio signals have a wide dynamic range and in the case of music, the ratio of maximum audio signal amplitude to average audio signal amplitude may be 2:1 to 10:1 or greater. In order to avoid distortion, the gain of the system must be maintained at a level where the maximum signal will not distort when it runs out of voltage. A consequence of reducing the gain is that the average audio signal amplitude is reduced by a significant amount.
Currently, Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuitry has been implemented in audio systems to reduce the effect of distortion by monitoring only the output audio signal amplitude and dynamically reducing the signal amplitude if the output audio signal amplitude exceeds a predetermined AGC (voltage or current) trigger level. A drawback of the AGC implementation is that it prevents the audio signal of interest from exceeding a fixed amplitude level and additionally, reduces average audio signal amplitude.
It would thus be highly desirable to provide an audio system having the capability of producing a maximum low distortion acoustic power for audio signals without reducing average audio signal amplitude.
Moreover, it would thus be highly desirable to provide the capability of producing a maximum low distortion acoustic power for audio signals in an audio system having limited voltage supply.


The present invention consists of a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) intended for achieving the electric field conditions necessary so that it has an component opposite to the drag flow. This electric field component opposite to the drag flow causes the main electric field to be not perpendicular to the velocity field of the drag flow but oblique. Under these conditions, it is possible to increase the resolution of the device, thus reducing the threshold of errors in the detection of the type particle injected in the analyzer. This invention is characterized by the arrangement and nature of the electrodes intended for obtaining the oblique electric field. The invention also comprises the use of this analyzer as part of a device which comprises it, giving rise to an assembly combining the efficiency of the analyzer of the state of the art with the high resolution of the analyzer of the invention.

Differential mobility analyzers are known based on establishing a drag flow with high Reynolds numbers and the smallest possible degree of turbulence through which a target particle is made to cross.
This particle is injected in a perpendicular direction with an electric charge obtained after an ionization stage.
The presence of an electric field perpendicular to the flow direction drives the particle through the cross flow to a greater or lesser degree given the value of electric mobility which depends on the charge and diameter of the particle among other parameters.
Given that the particle is dragged downstream by the main drag flow, the greater or smaller velocity of the particle according to its electric mobility will give rise to the point on which it strikes on the other side of where it has been injected being located at a greater or smaller distance.
The impact at a greater or smaller distance may be read by means of a multisensor which detects the exact location of this impact in the longitudinal coordinate, the one that follows the flow. The electric mobility of the particle is a function of the distance where the impact occurs.
Another alternative is that of incorporating an exit slot. If this slot is located at the distance at which the impact of the target particle occurs, that which is intended to be detected, the target particle entering the mobility analyzer will cross it according to the trajectory reaching said slot such that the particle may be extracted.
Thus, not only its presence is detected but it can be taken via devices of greater accuracy which reduce the threshold of uncertainty on the value of its electric mobility.
This is the way in which the increase of resolution has been carried out in the state of the art, the incorporation of devices at the exit of the analyzer; in particular, PCT patent application with number 2005/ES070121 is mentioned.
Publications such as ["Drift differential mobility analyzer", J. Aerosol Sci., Vol. 29, No. 9., pp. 1117-1139, Ignacio G. Loscertales], wherein the influence on the resolution of the DMA of the presence of an oblique electric field (E), such that, apart from the transverse component Ey of the field, there is a non-zero component Ex (with regards to the main drag flow) and in the direction opposite to said flow, are known.
This study is a theoretical analysis where the increase of the resolution of the DMA is linked according to the oblique electric field E, in particular of its non-zero component Ex.
The mathematical development of this analysis utilizes a dimensional variables X, η. These a dimensional variables are defined as =x/b, η=y/b, where x is the non-zero component that follows the drag flow, y is the coordinate transverse to the flow, and b is the separation distance between the two walls between which the trajectory of the particle is established. By denoting the electric field (E) according to the a dimensional variables, now its components are expressed as E=(f, fη).
The results of this analysis determine that the error reduction factor is of the order of
      (                  E        x                    E        y              )        (          1      /      2        )
In particular, when the electric field is expressed according to the coordinates X, η, then the reduction factor may be evaluated from the value
  K  =            ∫      0      1                          (                                            E              x                                                  (              η              )                                                          E              y                                                  (              η              )                                      )                          ⅆ        η            such that the increase factor on the resolution of a DMA utilizing the oblique electric field with regards to another that does not may be expressed as 1/√{square root over (2K)}.
This expression means that the increase of the value of K reduces the error reduction factor; and also, that the resolution may be, at least theoretically, increased without an upper elevation as much as desired. This decrease is proportional to the non-zero component Ex, and the greater the inclination angle of the electric field (E) the larger the latter will be.
The detailed study of this factor K and of the equations leading to its deduction also allows to ensure that the resolution increase is only obtained if Ex is counter-currently oriented.
This study is focused on the mathematical analysis that leads to said conclusions and does not explain how this oblique electric field may be obtained in practice. However, an attempt to obtain a device with a narrow oblique electric field (E) region which utilizes a pair of grids parallel to one another, arranged oblique in the midst of a drag flow, the work area being limited to the places between the grids in which the oblique electric field (E) is ensured, giving rise to very bulky devices in which the effective volume is very reduced, is known. Another serious drawback it has is the interference of the wake of the grids on the drag flow.
The present invention defines a device utilizing properly selected and configured electrodes such that the whole of the analysis region, except for edge effects, has an oblique field (E) without distortions of the latter or of the drag flow as it does not include elements immersed in the midst of the flow.

Wide range, very high resolution differential mobility analyzer (DMA)


Silicon-containing layers that have been prepared by a sol-gel method and include sol-gel polymerization products of siloxane-containing compounds, disilanol compounds and alcohols are provided. Methods for preparing silicon-containing layers including sol-gel polymerization products of siloxane-containing compounds, disilanol compounds and alcohols are also provided. In addition, photoreceptors and image-forming apparatus including such silicon-containing layers are provided.

This disclosure relates generally to processes for the formation of silicon-containing overcoat layers, and to the use of such silicon-containing overcoat layers in electrophotographic imaging members. In particular, this disclosure provides a method for producing silicon-containing overcoat layers by sol-gel processes including disilanol compounds.
In electrophotography, an electrophotographic substrate containing a photoconductive insulating layer on a conductive layer is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging a surface of the substrate. The substrate is then exposed to a pattern of activating electromagnetic radiation, such as, for example, light. The light or other electromagnetic radiation selectively dissipates the charge in illuminated areas of the photoconductive insulating layer while leaving behind an electrostatic latent image in non-illuminated areas of the photoconductive insulating layer. This electrostatic latent image is then developed to form a visible image by depositing finely divided electroscopic marking particles on the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer. The resulting visible image is then transferred from the electrophotographic substrate to a necessary member, such as, for example, an intermediate-transfer member or a print substrate, such as paper. This image-developing process can be repeated as many times as necessary with reusable photoconductive insulating layers.
Image-forming apparatus such as copiers, printers and facsimiles, including electrophotographic systems for charging, exposure, development, transfer, etc., using electrophotographic photoreceptors have been widely employed. In such image-forming apparatus, there are ever-increasing demands for improving the speed of the image-forming processes, improving image quality, miniaturizing and prolonging the life of the apparatus, reducing production and running costs, etc. Further, with recent advances in computers and communication technology, digital systems and color-image output systems have been applied also to image-forming apparatus.
Electrophotographic imaging members (i.e. photoreceptors) are well known. Photoreceptors having either a flexible belt or a rigid drum configuration are commonly used in electrophotographic processes. Photoreceptors may comprise a photoconductive layer including a single layer or composite layers. These photoreceptors take many different forms. For example, layered photoresponsive imaging members are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,990 to Stolka et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a layered photoreceptor having separate photogenerating and charge-transport layers. The photogenerating layer disclosed in the 990 patent is capable of photogenerating holes and injecting the photogenerated holes into the charge-transport layer. Thus, in the photoreceptors of the 990 patent, the photogenerating material generates electrons and holes when subjected to light.
More advanced photoconductive photoreceptors containing highly specialized component layers are also known. For example, multi-layered photoreceptors may include one or more of a substrate, an undercoat layer, an intermediate layer, an optional hole- or charge-blocking layer, a charge-generating layer (including a photogenerating material in a binder) over an undercoating layer and/or a blocking layer, and a charge-transport layer (including a charge-transport material in a binder). Additional layers, such as one or more overcoat layer or layers, may be included as well.
In view of such a background, improvement in electrophotographic properties and durability, miniaturization, reduction in cost, etc., in photoreceptors have been studied, and photoreceptors using various materials have been proposed.
For example, JP-A-63-065449 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), discloses photoreceptors in which fine silicone particles are added to a photosensitive layer, and also discloses that such addition of the fine silicone particles imparts lubricity to a surface of the photoreceptor.
Further, in forming a photosensitive layer, a method has been proposed in which a charge-transfer substance is dispersed in a binder polymer or a polymer precursor thereof, and then the binder polymer or the polymer precursor thereof is cured. JP-B-05-047104 (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication") and JP-B-60-022347, disclose photoreceptors using silicone materials as the binder polymers or the polymer precursors thereof.
Furthermore, in order to improve mechanical strength of the photoreceptor, a protective layer is formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer in some cases. Often, a cross-linkable resin is used as a material for the protective layer. However, protective layers formed by cross-linkable resin act as insulating layers, which impair the photoelectric characteristics of the photoreceptor. For this reason, a method of dispersing a fine conductive metal oxide powder, as disclosed in JP-A-57-128344, or a charge-transfer substance, as disclosed in JP-A-04-015659, in the protective layer and a method of reacting a charge-transfer substance having a reactive functional group with a thermoplastic resin to form the protective layer have been proposed.
However, even the above-mentioned conventional photoreceptors are not necessarily sufficient in electrophotographic characteristics and durability, particularly when used in combination with a charger of the contact-charging system (contact charger) or a cleaning apparatus, such as a cleaning blade.
Further, when the photoreceptor is used in combination with the contact charger and a toner obtained by chemical polymerization (polymerization toner), image quality may be deteriorated due to a surface of the photoreceptor being stained with a discharge product produced in contact charging or the polymerization toner remaining after a transfer step. Still further, the use of a cleaning blade to remove discharge product or remaining toner from the surface of the photoreceptor involves friction and abrasion between the surface of the photoreceptor and the cleaning blade, which tends to damage the surface of the photoreceptor, break the cleaning blade or turn up the cleaning blade.
The use of silicon-containing compounds in photoreceptor layers, including in photosensitive and protective layers, has been shown to increase the mechanical lifetime of photoreceptors, under charging conditions and scorotron-charging conditions. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0086794 to Yamada et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a photoreceptor having improved mechanical strength and stain resistance.
Photoreceptors having low wear rates, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0086794, also have low refresh rates. Low wear and refresh rates are a primary cause of image-deletion errors, particularly under conditions of high humidity and high temperature. U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,448 to Yoshino et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, addresses this issue in its disclosure of photoreceptors having some improvement in image quality, fixing ability, even in an environment of high heat and humidity.
It has been determined that, in photoreceptors, deletion of a developed image can degrade the top-most surface of the photoreceptor. This deletion can occur when the photoreceptor is exposed to environmental contaminants, such as those typically found around the charging device of a xerographic engine. The image deletion can increase under conditions of high heat and/or high humidity.
In typical photoreceptors, where the outermost surface comprises a solid-state solution of a hole-transporting arylamine compound in a polymeric binder material, image-deletion can occur when the environmental contaminants around the charging device react with hole-transporting arylamine compounds to form highly conductive species.
However, in photoreceptors in which the outermost layer is a siloxane-organic hybrid material containing a hole-transporting arylamine moiety, image deletion can occur when the environmental contaminants around the charging device in the xerographic engine interact with the siloxane component of the siloxane-organic hybrid material. A chemical reaction by which residual alkoxides of the siloxane components hydrolyze to form highly polar silanol moieties can result from this interaction. These highly polar silanols, which reside on the outermost photoreceptor surface and both attract and retain environmental contaminants formed by the charging device, can cause highly conductive zones to form on the photoreceptor surface. In the presence of high heat and/or high humidity, these highly conductive zones can manifest as a deletion of the developed image.
Thus, the above-mentioned conventional photoreceptors are not necessarily sufficient in electrophotographic characteristics and durability, particularly when used in high-heat and/or high-humidity environments.
Thus, there still remains a need for photoreceptors having high mechanical strength and improved electrophotographic characteristics and improved image-deletion characteristics even under conditions of high temperature and high humidity.


An automatic vaccinator of eggs, consisting of a system for applying vaccine with a vaccine chamber in which vaccine bags are hung and with an air bag that, when expanded, forces the vaccine from the bags and through tubing to a distribution manifold and the injectors, so that the vaccine is delivered to the eggs, is disclosed. A pressure sensor is installed in the distribution manifold and connected to a regulator, measuring the pressure in the distribution manifold at the point farthest from the vaccine chamber and controlling the pressure in the air bag to maintain a uniform quantity of vaccine being injected into the eggs and turning off the vaccinator if the pressure falls below a critical level, signaling that the vaccine bags are empty. The mechanical unit includes a system to support, align and secure the injectors over the egg tray, composed of two plates that work independently, a support plate and an alignment plate.

The process of vaccinating eggs is important in the medical field and in poultry production. In medicine, eggs are used to incubate biological material utilized in the production of vaccines. In poultry production, the objective of in-egg vaccination is to protect the animals from endemic diseases.
Embryos receiving vaccine three days before hatching instead of the first day after hatching have more time to develop antibodies and consequently have a greater resistance to diseases. In this process, the vaccine ideally is applied directly into the amniotic fluid cavity of the egg, without penetration of the embryo. The incubation time for a chicken embryo is 21 days, and in-egg vaccination is normally performed three days prior to hatching, during the routine process of transferring the eggs from the incubator machine to the hatcher machine. The eggs that have previously been secured in incubator trays in which the eggs are fixed in a vertical position with the wider end of the egg up are now transferred in sets of one to four "flats" (trays) into hatcher baskets, where they are allowed to lay down in unencumbered positions so that they can hatch without injury.
The egg is composed of a shell, a membrane adhering to the inside of the shell, an interior membrane holding the embryo within the amniotic fluid, and an area between the two membranes holding the allantoidal fluid. As the egg is incubated, the outer membrane gradually separates from the shell, creating an air cell. This air cell is located in the top of the egg as per its position in the incubator tray. The process of vaccinating in-egg must be done with care to avoid cracking the egg shell or penetrating the embryo, either of which can be fatal to the embryo.
To distribute the vaccine to the injectors, the technology-taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,877 utilizes a sealed pressurized air chamber constructed of rigid acrylic within which air pressure is applied to a collapsible plastic vaccine bag suspended within the chamber, forcing the liquid vaccine from the bag into the distribution system. The chamber is composed of a rigid acrylic chamber that is secured into a base plate, forming a tight seal. One or more vaccine bags are placed on a holder within the chamber that supports the bag in an upright position and flexible tubing is connected to an adapter on the bottom of the bag. The flexible tubing passes through a sealed "O" ring in the base of the chamber. This tubing is the vaccine distribution line and is connected to a distribution manifold that distributes the vaccine to the injectors. Compressed air is fed into the chamber and the vaccine bag is put under pressure in order to force the vaccine to the injectors. The injectors are opened and closed in a timed operation to deliver vaccine to the eggs.
A major problem with the device taught by the '877 patent is safety. The rigid acrylic chamber is kept constantly under pressure from compressed air. This pressure places strain on the internal surface area of the chamber, and as the stress of usage progresses the plastic begins to weaken. Furthermore, any mishandling of the chamber during cleaning or storage can cause fractures which might not be apparent to the operator. If this chamber should rupture while under pressure, shredded pieces of plastic could cause injury to the operators. Another serious problem with the device taught by the '877 patent could occur in the course of the routine working day when replacing the used vaccine bag for a new bag full of vaccine. To change the vaccine bag it is necessary to first remove all pressure from the chamber. If an inattentive employee does not drain the pressure before removing the chamber, the chamber would be forced off the base with an explosive pressure that could cause serious injury.
There is also a problem with the accuracy of vaccine dosage in the device taught by the '877 patent. To distribute vaccine into the vaccination system, the compressed air exerts pressure on the vaccine bag, forcing the vaccine into the flexible tubing leading to the vaccine distribution manifold. From the distribution manifold, the vaccine continues on to the individual injectors that receive a timed amount of vaccine. A problem occurs because of fluctuations in the pressure being exerted on the vaccine bag in the pressure chamber. This pressure is read and corrected within the chamber. However, the causes of the change in pressure occur at the individual needles where the vaccine is injected. When the needles puncture the eggs and the vaccine begins to be injected, there is an immediate drop in pressure in the vaccine line which influences how much vaccine flows through the line. The response to that pressure drop will only begin to occur when the pressure change reaches the chamber where the pressure sensor reads the drop and then more air pressure is applied. By that time, the injection process will have been completed and while more air pressure is being applied within the chamber, the vaccine lines are closed and pressure within the lines is increasing. In other words, by measuring the pressure in the pressure chamber at the farthest point from where the line opens and closes to deliver vaccine, the pressure control system is always working to compensate for changes that have already occurred, and this affects vaccine dosage. It can also affect the quality of the vaccine, which is pressure sensitive. If the pressure on the vaccine goes above 5 psi it can damage and perhaps crush the vaccine cells. Since the pressure in the device taught by the '877 patent is measured and controlled in the chamber, there are no direct controls on the pressure in the vaccine line. In fact, the pressure in the line is not known. Even though the pressure is maintained at a safe level in the chamber, it is possible that at the ends of the vaccine lines, the pressure can rise above that safe pressure level.
Finally, the device taught by the '877 patent has no automatic turn-off system when the vaccine bags are empty. If the operator does not notice that the vaccine bags are empty, the vaccinator continues to operate without injecting vaccine.
The current technology for a platform securing injectors over eggs to be injected is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,979. The device taught by the '979 patent utilizes a platform composed of two plates, a stabilizer plate and a tooling plate, which are attached together so that they raise and lower as one unit, with aligned holes in each through which injectors are guided. The plates are fixed to air cylinders that raise and lower the plates by the addition or subtraction of air. These air cylinders are secured to the vaccinator body. The entire tooling/stabilizer platform unit with injectors rests on the air cylinders that raise and lower the unit over flats of eggs so that when in movement, the plates and injectors are being propelled and supported by columns of air. In the resting position, the injectors are supported on the lower tooling plate. When the injectors are in position for injection, a narrow bladder located in the upper stabilizer plate is inflated with fluid to secure the superior portion of the injectors in place. Shell punches to open the egg and needles to deliver the vaccine within those punches are located within the injectors, and are driven from the injectors by compressed air.
In the device taught by the '979 patent, the tooling/stabilizer plates lower the injectors over the eggs to be vaccinated until the injectors make contact with the eggs. In the process of settling on the eggs, the injectors are raised slightly above the stabilizer plate and then the injectors are secured in position by the inflation of the narrow fluid bladder located in the upper stabilizer plate, which is the plate farther away from the eggs and therefore in a less firm position for securing the injectors. The tooling/stabilizer plates are suspended from the body of the vaccinator by columns of air within the air cylinders. There are no brake locks on the plates to secure them in position. During the vaccination process, subtle vibrations are created in the plates that can cause cracks in the eggs. These vibrations are caused when there is a change in the equilibrium between the force of the injector propelling the punch and needle into the eggs and the force of the air pressure in the air cylinders securing the plates over the eggs. At the moment when the punch makes contact with the eggshell, the injectors are forced upward slightly, causing the air in the cylinders securing the plates to compress. The sudden impact of the eggshell being penetrated causes disequilibrium between the downward force of the injectors and the upper force of the air cylinders, causing a slight rise in the tooling/stabilizer plates causing a vibration that is transferred to the eggs. After penetration, there is an inverse downward pressure on the eggs until equilibrium is reached. This vibration can be harmful to the eggs, causing an uneven force of penetration and possibly cracks to the eggs when the plates come down after the air pressure in the injection device has been released.
In addition, the device taught by the '979 patent has a narrow fluid bladder located in the superior stabilizer portion of the stabilizer plate and a tooling plate that secures the injector once it is in contact with the egg. Because the bladder secures only the very top portion of the injector at the point most distant from the egg, there remains the possibility for lateral movement of the lower part of the injector when the punch and needle make contact with the egg, which can cause hairline cracks on the eggshell. These cracks can induce a loss of fluids from the egg and cause embryonic death. The further the fluid bladder securing the injector is from the point of contact with the egg, the greater the possibility of lateral movement, and the greater that lateral movement can be.
Furthermore, the device taught by the '979 patent utilizes a stabilizer plate and a tooling plate platform to support injectors in their proper orientation over the eggs. Each vaccinator is manufactured for one particular size and type of egg flat. Because eggs vary greatly in size, many hatcheries have two or more types of incubator egg flats with different configurations for larger and smaller sized eggs. In these hatcheries, the use of the device of the '979 patent requires a separate vaccinator machine for each type and size of egg flat.
Finally, contamination is a very major concern and must be controlled since any contaminant entering the hole made by the injector has the potential to kill the embryo. The device of the '979 patent has two plates fixed to one another and it is extremely difficult to sanitize the joints between the two plates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for preparing a crosslinked polymer coated controlled porosity glass (CPG) particle is provided. The method involves mixing CPG particles in a solution comprising polyvinylbenzylchloride and a first solvent at a temperature below 10° C. A second solvent is added and a crosslinking agent is added to the mixture. The first solvent is removed rapidly within 1½ hours of addition of the crosslinking agent. The crosslinking reaction is permitted to proceed and the mixture is then cooled and treated to remove any remaining solvent. The resulting coated CPG particles are washed and dried. Also provided a polymer coated CPG particles using for loading ligand thereon.

The invention relates generally to solid supports for solid phase chemical synthesis.
The use of a variety of solid supports has been described for use in the synthesis of oligonucleotides.
Currently, controlled porosity glass (CPG) particles are used in large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis. However, these particles have limited capacities for loading and length of the nucleoside. More particularly, chemical loading levels for glass are limited to "native" silanol concentrations on the surface of the glass. For glass, there is a fixed quantity of silanol groups per unit surface area. The surface area is inversely proportional to the pore size. Thus, even though high pore sizes are favorable from a synthesis point of view, such CPG's have a low loading capacity compared to a polymeric support.
Thus, polymeric supports have been used for oligonucleoside synthesis, including, e.g., polystyrene-based particles. The use of low crosslinked polystyrene particles has been described for polypeptide synthesis. These do not accommodate high-yield oligonucleotide synthesis, due to their high degree of swelling in the synthesis solvents. Highly crosslinked particles have been used for large scale synthesis. Although this type of solid support swells much less, it has a limited nucleoside loading capability and is compressible.
In order to address these problems, polystyrene of intermediate crosslinking has been used to achieve higher loading capacities. These supports do swell considerably, and therefore, overall volumetric yield is compromised. Furthermore, compressibility is greater than that of the higher crosslinked polystyrene.
What are needed are additional solid supports for solid phase synthesis.

Hybrid solid supports useful for oligonucleotide production


Disclosed is a method for producing a propylene-based resin composition comprising: a first step of producing a first resin composition (MB) by melt-kneading a first-propylene polymer (A-I) and a fibrous inorganic filler (B) in a weight ratio of (A-I) to (B) of from 3/7 to 7/3; and a second step of producing a second resin composition by adding a second propylene polymer (A-II), a non-fibrous inorganic filler (C) and an elastomer (D) selected from the group consisting of olefin-based elastomer and vinyl aromatic compound-containing elastomer to the first resin composition (MB), followed by melt-kneading them.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for producing a propylene-based resin composition, to a propylene-based resin composition produced by the method, and to an injection molded article comprising the composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for producing a propylene-based resin composition which is superior in balance between rigidity and impact resistance and from which a molded article with good appearance is produced, to a propylene-based resin composition produced by the method, and to an injection molded article comprising the composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Propylene-based resins have conventionally been used as materials for automobiles because they are superior in rigidity and impact resistance.
For example, JP-A61-69848 discloses a polypropylene resin composition containing a polypropylene resin, a fibrous filler and talc as a polypropylene resin composition which is a material suitable for the automotive and electrical fields and which can afford molded articles which have high impact strength, high heat-resistant rigidity and good surface appearance and cause little warp and deformation. It also discloses that the polypropylene resin composition can be obtained by kneading the ingredients fully uniformly by, for example, a method comprising a combination of dry blending and melt blending, a multi-stage melt-blending method or a simple melt-blending method.
JP-A 5-279526 discloses a polyolefin resin composition comprising a polypropylene resin, a fibrous filler and talc, which is light weight while maintaining characteristics inherent to filled polyolefin, namely, rigidity, heat resistance and coefficient of linear expansion and which can be used suitably as a molding material of automotive interior components. It also discloses, as a method for producing the resin composition, a method comprising feeding a polypropylene resin and talc quantitatively into a twin screw extruder through a hopper, followed by melt-kneading the resin and talc, feeding a fibrous filler quantitatively to a downstream portion of the twin screw extruder, and subsequently kneading the resulting mixture. It also discloses a polyolefin resin composition resulting from addition of an elastomer to the aforesaid resin composition.
JP-A 10-36586 discloses a polypropylene resin composition comprising a polypropylene resin, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, talc and a fibrous inorganic filler, which is superior in both rigidity and impact resistance as well as in surface appearance, dimension accuracy and moldability and which can be used suitably for automotive interior or exterior components. It also discloses, as a method for producing the polypropylene resin composition, a method comprising feeding a polypropylene resin, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer and talc quantitatively into a twin screw extruder through a hopper, followed by melt-kneading them, feeding a fibrous inorganic filler quantitatively to a downstream portion of the twin screw extruder, and subsequently kneading the resulting mixture.

Method for producing a propylene-based resin composition, a propylene-based resin composition, and an injection molded article


Apparatus and method for determining the water content of an oil and water mixture such as is transported by pipelines and which oil and water may vary in density from time to time. A densitometer measures the density of the oil and water mixture in the pipeline and a value for the dielectric constant of the oil is obtained from the density measurement by correlating the density reading with a capacitance or dielectric constant reading from an empirically generated chart. A basal sediment and water instrument measures the dielectric constant of the same mixture. The difference between the two dielectric constants is then obtained. This result is converted directly into a water based percentage by volume of the oil-water mixture being carried by the pipeline.

It is necessary in many applications to obtain an indication of the water content of a hydrocarbon liquid and water mixture such as a petroleum and water mixture. For example, pipeline operators will ordinarily wish to ensure that the oil carried by such pipelines has a water content which does not exceed a certain value. This is so because the pipeline companies wish to ensure they are not purchasing water and paying for oil. This is also so because water can corrode the pipeline which can result in premature pipeline failure. Water can also freeze in the pipeline and block flow. This has the potential to close the pipeline and shut in the oil being carried by the pipeline.
The maximum amount of water generally allowed in oil carried by a pipeline is 0.5% of the gross volume of the oil. In the event such a percentage is exceeded, the producer may be refused access to the pipeline or penalised accordingly.
Similarly, oil producers have reasons for ensuring they too have information concerning the water content of the oil which they have produced. First, they may wish to corroborate the water content figures obtained by the pipeline operator. Second, they may wish to monitor performance of their water removal equipment and, third, they may wish to optimize their water removal processes and equipment so that they meet the standards required by the pipeline operator but do not substantially exceed them which can be more profitable for their operations.
Several previous instruments have been used to measure the water content of a liquid hydrocarbon and water mixture but each suffers from various disadvantages. Such instruments include the net oil coriolis meter type instrument which does not have sufficient accuracy for measuring small amounts of water because it depends on the accuracy of mass, density and temperature measurements. It likewise depends on the hydrocarbon and water densities remaining constant during operation and that such densities be established prior to the initiation of operation of the device. The errors in the readings obtained by net oil coriolis meter devices can be in the order of 0.5% water, which errors are in the range or even greater than the amount of water in the oil-water mixture which is permitted by the pipeline operator.
Further instruments used in the measurement of water content in an oil-water mixture include the cut monitor or basal sediment and water ("BS & W") type instrument which utilises capacitance to determine the volume of water in the oil. Such instruments are far more accurate than the coriolis type instruments for measuring small percentages of water but they too depend on the density of the hydrocarbon mixture and temperature remaining constant although some such instruments do utilise temperature compensation.
Manual sampling is also used but it suffers from clear disadvantages, perhaps the greatest of which is that it is not a continuous sampling on-line technique. Automatic sampling gives an average rather than an instantaneous water cut. Both manual and automatic sampling require that the sample obtained of the oil and water mixture be a representative sample.
Instruments known as temperature compensated basal sediment and water ("BS & W") monitors are also utilised. A resistance temperature device ("RTD") is used with the BS & W instrument. The RTD is inserted in and measures the temperature of the fluid stream. It calculates the corrected water content using a linear relationship between the temperature and the dielectric constant of the oil. In addition to the measurement of the water content for a mixture of specific density, the instrument allows four(4) different mixture densities to be measured by utilising a linear relationship between the capacitance and the water content. However, it also suffers limitations in that the density of the mixture must be known prior to the startup of the apparatus and it is assumed that the density is constant over time which may not be correct. The four(4) densities must be close to each other for good accuracy and an external switch is required to select the calibrated density closest to that of the mixture being tested. However, errors still arise when the density of the mixture differs from the densities for which the apparatus is calibrated.
To improve the correlation between the capacitance measurement of the liquid hydrocarbon and water mixture obtained by the BS & W monitor and the corresponding value for water content percentage of the mixture being measured, it is noted that errors can arise. For example, if the liquid hydrocarbon and water mixture is inserted into a capacitance measuring device and the capacitance measurement obtained is "Y1", the percentage water content of the mixture "X1" is directly obtained from the linear relationship shown therein.
However, if the density of a second sample of liquid hydrocarbon changes from the density of the first sample of liquid hydrocarbon being measured with reference to FIG. 3 as would be the case, for example, where oil from a different field is being sampled and even though the water content may be precisely the same in the second sample, the capacitance can and will change to, say, "Y2". Correlating the capacitance value of "Y2" to the water content value will give an erroneous reading of "X2".
Techniques have been adapted in an attempt to minimize the erroneous readings. For example, different sets for capacitance tables can be generated depending on the density of the liquid hydrocarbon intended to be carried. Again with reference to FIG. 3, a second sample of known density will result in a capacitance reading of "Y2" and in correlating this value to water content, it will be found that the correct value of "x1" will be obtained assuming that the two samples are as described above; that is, that the two samples have the same water content. This technique, however, is clearly disadvantageous when the density of the liquid hydrocarbon-water mixture changes unbeknownst to the operators.
In capacitance type instruments such as cut monitor instruments, three variables effect the capacitance reading, namely the area of the plates between which the capacitance is taken, the distance between the plates and the dielectric constant of the material between, the plates. Since the area of the plates and the distance between them can be held constant by the layout of the instrumentation, the only remaining factor affecting capacitance is the dielectric constant of the material being measured between the plates.
The dielectric constant for petroleum changes depending upon the density of the oil and the temperature of the oil. As the density of the oil increases, the dielectric constant increases and as the density decreases, the dielectric constant decreases. Likewise, as the temperature of the oil increases, the density decreases and the dielectric constant therefore decreases.
Since the dielectric constant for oil is approximately 2.0, depending upon its density and the dielectric constant for water is approximately 80, as the water content of the oil increases, the dielectric constant will also increase.
However, while some previous instruments have provided compensation for dielectric changes due to temperature changes and while some instruments have provided for manual calibration of the instrument depending on the density of the oil and water mixture carried by the pipeline, none have provided on-line compensation for dielectric changes due to density changes in the oil-water mixture which results by differing oil compositions. This is clearly disadvantageous since the product being carried by the pipeline may change significantly over time thereby resulting in incorrect readings for the water content of the oil.
A further problem which produced incorrect readings for the instrument resulted from the previously incorrect understanding that the capacitance of the oil was directly proportional to the density. In fact, it has been found that the relationship is non-linear with the result that the oil dielectric constant can be more accurately determined than previously.
Yet a further problem is set forth herein to assist a full understanding of the invention. This problem relates to the dual effect of dielectric constant changes due to changes in density and temperature. It was previously thought that two compensations were needed to obtain capacitance, namely that compensation due to temperature change and that compensation due to density change. However, it has been found that temperature compensation need not be performed for the instrument of the present invention. Rather, as the density changes in the oil-water mixture and as the dielectric constant likewise changes as a result of such density changes, it appears that temperature compensation itself need not be performed. It is emphasized that, at the present time, not enough is known about this phenomena to ensure that the statements made herein are correct without qualification but, based upon results to date, it does appear as if such temperature compensation need not be made.


An improved laser adjustment mechanism providing precision alignment of the laser in two dimensions. The mechanism includes a pair of biased threaded mechanisms orthogonally captured by a laser module, which are adjustable to pivot the laser in a plane substantially even with the plane of the laser light emission. The threaded mechanisms are adjustable from the exterior of the level and can precisely align the laser device by placing the device on a surface. A first laser spot is measured at a distant plane, then the device is turned over on the same surface and a second target spot is measured on the same plane. The laser is adjusted half way between the two target spots to precisely align the pitch of the device. The device then can be turned on the side to align the yaw of the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to laser leveling devices, including a laser and in particular to a mechanism for adjusting the laser in two dimensions.
2. Description of Related Art
The utilization of a laser in combination with a level, either the traditional bubble type or electronic, is well known. Generally, these devices include either a laser which has been factory adjusted during manufacture of the devices and can be readjusted by the manufacturer or is permanently potted or otherwise sealed to prevent adjustment. To maintain a precise laser alignment in the field, such as after dropping the device or temperature changes or other factors, it would be desirable to be able to adjust the laser in the field.
One type of level, including a laser, is manufactured by Empire Level Mfg. Corp. of Waukesha, Wisconsin. One so-called "torpedo" type laser level, sold under the name "Top Gun II" includes "factory set adjustment screws". These set screws are not intended for field alignment.
A second "torpedo" type laser level is manufactured by Checkpoint of Torrance, Calif., sold under the name "Checkpoint 8-80". This device includes instructions to send it to the factory when misaligned. Alternately, the level can be set upside down and realigned on a "known level mark approximately 10 feet away, using the three set screws (located on the side and bottom of the level) manipulate left, right, up and down to aligned mark. Tighten or snug the three set screws evenly when aligned. "
It would be desirable to precisely align the laser in the field in two dimensions in a noncomplex manner, without returning the device to the manufacturer.


An apparatus for measuring the quality of a video transmission or storage system when the input and output of the system may be spatially separated, when the apparatus might not have a priori knowledge of the input video, and when there exists an ancillary data channel that can be used by the apparatus. The apparatus makes continuous quality measurements by extracting features from sequences of processed input and output video frames, communicating the extracted features between the input and the output ends using an ancillary data channel of arbitrary and possible variable bandwidth, computing individual video quality parameters from the communicated features that are indicative of the various perceptual dimensions of video quality (e.g., spatial, temporal, color), and finally calculating a composite video quality score by combining the individual video quality parameters. The accuracy of the composite video quality score generated by the apparatus depends on the bandwidth of the ancillary data channel used to communicate the extracted features, with higher capacity ancillary data channels producing greater accuracies than lower capacity ancillary data channels.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for performing in-service measurements of the quality of a video transmission or storage system. The video may include moving images as well as still images. The video transmission or storage systems may include, but are not limited to, digital video encoders and decoders, video storage/retrieval systems, analog transmission circuits, and digital transmission circuits. The apparatus measures in-service video quality even when the input and output ends of the video transmission system are spatially separated and the input video is not known a priori by the apparatus. Rather than injecting known video signals into the video transmission system and making measurements on these, the apparatus attaches nonintrusively to the input and output ends and makes measurements on the actual program material being sent over the video transmission system. The apparatus makes measurements using actual program material by extracting features indicative of video quality from the input and output ends, communicating these extracted features over an ancillary data channel, and then calculating quality parameters based on the extracted features. The apparatus has the ability to make video quality measurements using ancillary data channels of arbitrary and possibly dynamic bandwidths. In general, the apparatus makes coarser quality measurements, i.e., coarser in the sense that extracted features come from larger spatial-temporal (S-T) regions, when smaller capacity ancillary data channels are available, and finer quality measurements when larger capacity ancillary data channels are available. This makes the apparatus very versatile in that many different types of ancillary data channels may be used by the apparatus. Some examples of ancillary data channels that may be used by the apparatus include modem connections over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Internet connections, Local Area Network (LAN) connections, Wide Area Network (WAN) connections, satellite connections, mobile telephone connections, ancillary data channels in modem digital video transmission systems, and data sent over the vertical interval in the analog NTSC video standard.
2. Description of Prior Art
Devices for measuring the video quality of analog video transmission systems have been available for many years. All of these devices utilize standard test patterns or signals (such as a color bar) that are injected into the video system by the measurement apparatus. In these cases, since the measurement apparatus has perfect knowledge of the input test signal, video quality measurements are made by examining distortions in the resultant output from the video transmission system. Further, in-service measurements are made by injecting test signals into only the non-visible portion of the video signal (e.g., the vertical interval in the NTSC video standard) while the visible portion carries the normal program material observed by the viewer.
With the advent of new digital video systems that utilize compression to achieve a savings in transmission or storage bandwidth, the quality of the received output video may be highly dependent upon the inherent spatial and temporal information content of the input video. Thus, it no longer makes sense to make quality measurements using video signals injected by an apparatus, since the resultant quality of these injected signals may not relate at all to the resultant quality of actual program material. Thus, a new method is required to make in-service video quality measurements on actual program material.
Many systems have been developed in recent years to make video quality measurements by comparing input and output video images of actual program material. One such common system computes the mean square error between the input video and output video stream. However, most of these systems require complete knowledge of each and every pixel in the input and output video to work properly, and hence these systems are only practical for the following special cases:
(1) Out-of-service testing when the input video is known perfectly a priori by the apparatus.
(2) In-service testing when the input and output ends are either in the same geographic location or when a high bandwidth ancillary data channel is available to transmit a perfect copy of the input video to the output video end.
It should be noted that in the second case, the ancillary data channel bandwidth required to transmit a perfect copy of the input video is on the order of 270 Mbits/sec for broadcast applications. This sort of extra bandwidth is rarely available between the input and output ends of most common video transmission channels.
An in-service video quality measurement system that uses actual program material and that does not require perfect copies of the input and output video has been developed. This system was first presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,492 issued Aug. 29, 1995, and then updated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,364 issued Jan. 21, 1997. However, no mechanism is identified in the apparatus of these patents that enables the apparatus to automatically adapt to increasing ancillary data channel bandwidth with the intent of producing finer, and hence more accurate, measurements of video quality.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for performing in-service measurements of the quality of a video transmission or storage system. Here, the video transmission or storage systems may include, but are not limited to, digital video encoders and decoders, video storage/retrieval systems, analog transmission circuits, and digital transmission circuits. The term in-service means that the input and output ends of the video transmission or storage system may be spatially separated, and that the input video to the video transmission or storage system is not known a priori by the video quality measurement system.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of adjusting the coarseness of the in-service video quality measurements based on the amount of bandwidth that is available in an ancillary data channel, with finer measurements being made for increased ancillary data channel bandwidths.

In-service video quality measurement system utilizing an arbitrary bandwidth ancillary data channel

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce