Provided is an individual identification device including: a biometric information storage unit; a biometric information acquisition unit; an identification unit which calculates a similarity of the biometric information on the subject and the registrant and performs identification of the subject according to whether or not the calculated similarity is equal to or higher than an identification threshold; an identification result storage unit which stores identification result information constituted by the calculated similarity and a correct identification result; and a threshold setting unit which sets the identification threshold such that at least either one of a false rejection rate and a false acceptance rate fulfils a predetermined condition in the identification result information stored in the identification result storage unit.

Field of the Invention
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-069525 filed on Mar. 30, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to an individual identification technique using biometric information, and more particularly to setting an identification threshold in individual identification using biometric information.
Description of the Related Art
Individual identification devices (individual authentication devices) have been heretofore used to determine whether or not an identification subject is a registrant by using biometric information such as a face, fingerprint, palm print, iris, or voice print. An individual identification device usually calculates a similarity between the biometric information on an identification subject and biometric information on a registrant, determines that the subject is the registrant when the similarity is equal to or higher than an identification threshold, and determines that the subject is not a registrant when the similarity is below the identification threshold.
In this case, where a large identification threshold is set, a false acceptance rate (FAR) of determining that a person who is not the registrant is the registrant can be suppressed, but a false rejection rate (FRR) of determining that the registrant is not the registrant increases. Conversely, where a small identification threshold is set, the false rejection rate can be suppressed, but the false acceptance rate increases. Therefore, determining adequately the identification threshold is important in terms of performing adequate biometric authentication.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-46697 discloses a method in which biometric information on a non-registrant is also prepared in addition to biometric information on a registrant, the similarity of a subject and the non-registrant is calculated in addition to the similarity of the subject and the registrant, matching is performed, and an identification threshold is determined using the identification result. Where biometric information on a non-registrant is thus used, the sample number is increased and the identification threshold is determined from a large number of samples. Therefore, the identification threshold obtained is more suitable than that determined on the basis of identification result relating only to the registrant.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-117271 discloses a face recognition device in which where the capture position or timing of a face image of a recognition subject is close to the capture position or timing of the face image subjected to recognition processing, a threshold is lowered. Otherwise, the threshold is raised. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-117271, when the capture positions or timings of face image are close, it is highly probable that an individual included in the face image is the same. Therefore, accurate recognition can be performed even when a low similarity is calculated due to the face orientation or illumination conditions.

Individual identification device, and identification threshold setting method


An endoscopic high-frequency treatment tool includes a flexible sheath, a manipulating wire, a fixed electrode and a moving electrode. The manipulating wire is inserted within the flexible sheath and is movable back and forth along a longitudinal axis thereof. The fixed electrode is connected to a tip of the flexible sheath. The moving electrode is connected to a tip of the manipulating wire, and opposes the fixed electrode to form a predetermined gap therebetween in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the manipulating wire. At least one of the fixing and moving electrodes receives a high-frequency current, and the moving electrode is movable toward and away from the fixed electrode by moving the manipulating wire back and forth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscopic high-frequency treatment tool for cauterizing and cutting the stem of a polyp and other tissue masses with a high-frequency current.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-frequency snares are extensively used with endoscopes to remove polyps. The snare includes a flexible sheath in the form of an insulated tube, a conductive manipulating wire passed through the sheath, and a looped wire connected to the tip of the manipulating wire. The operator moves the manipulating wire back and forth along its longitudinal axis, so that the looped wire is constricted or expanded at the tip portion of the flexible sheath.
To remove the polyp with the high-frequency snare, the looped wire is placed around the stem of the polyp. The looped wire is then gradually tightened while a high-frequency current is applied thereto. During this tightening process, there is a gradual cauterizing from the outer surface of the polyp to the inner part.
However, this related high-frequency snare has one serious problem. When the operator pulls the manipulating wire applied with a high-frequency current, the caustic effect of the current starts to cut the outer part of the polyp, but at the same time the constricted looped wire may mechanically tear off a portion of the inner part of the polyp which is not fully cauterized by the high-frequency current, thereby causing bleeding.

Endoscopic high-frequency treatment tool


A tuning system includes a resistive element coupled between two terminals and a movable contact which is moved along the resistive element to determine the tuning position. A switching arrangement selectively couples predetermined voltages to the terminals as a function of the position of the movable contact so that a tuning voltage for tuning all the channels in the low VHF, high VHF and UHF bands is generated at the movable contact as it is continuously and consecutively moved along the resistive element.

The present invention pertains to the field of tuners with voltage-variable frequency determining elements.
Electronic tuners for television receivers conventionally comprise a tuned circuit including a varactor diode reverse biased to exhibit a capacitive characteristic and an inductor for each of the television bands. For example, in the United States, television receivers include tuned circuits including a varactor diode and an inductor for a low VHF band including channels 2 through 6, a high VHF band including channels 7 through 13 and a UHF band including channels 14 through 83. The tuned circuits are selectively enabled by bandswitching signals representative of the band in which a selected channel resides. The capacitive reactance of the varactor diode and thereby the frequency to which the tuned circuits are tuned is determined by the magnitude of a tuning voltage.
Many systems for deriving the tuning voltage are known. One of the simplest and therefore most economical types of these systems includes a potentiometer coupled between two points of potential. The tuning voltage is derived at a movable contact or wiper arm of the potentiometer and therefore is continuously variable. This permits a single tuning control for both coarse and fine tuning. In addition, such systems are rapidly tunable compared to so-called mechanical detent tuners.
Unfortunately, in general, the bands of tuning voltage corresponding to the three bands of the television tuning range are not consecutive but rather overlap each other. That is, the magnitudes of tuning voltage corresponding to the lowest frequency channels in the high VHF and UHF bands are lower than the magnitudes of tuning voltage corresponding to the highest frequency channels in the respective one of the preceding bands. Therefore, television tuning systems of this type in which a tuning voltage is generated at the movable contact of a potentiometer have typically not been able to continuously and consecutively tune a television receiver throughout the television tuning range.

Continuous tuning arrangement for a multiband television receiver


It is judged whether a part of a peak section of a chromatogram corresponding to a component of a sample is pure by comparing a similarity value of the absorbance spectrum of the part to a threshold value. The similarity value r and the threshold value t are calculated as follows. a) A series of absorbance spectra of a sample effluent from a column of the chromatograph are obtained repeatedly at a plurality of time points of short intervals. An absorbance spectrum is composed of a set of absorbance data with respect to wavelengths of light passing through the sample. b) A chromatogram of the sample is constructed using the series of absorbance spectra. c) A peak section including an object component of the sample is detected in the chromatogram. d) A similarity value is then calculated as a cosine of the angle between an absorbance spectrum vector and a standard spectrum vector. e) The threshold value is calculated by a cosine of the angle between two outermost tangential lines of an n-dimensional sphere centering an end of the absorbance spectrum vector and another n-dimensional sphere centering an end of the standard spectrum vector.

When two peaks corresponding to distinct components are very close and are not fully separate in a chromatogram, a comparative chromatogram method is used. In the comparative chromatogram method, an index P is calculated by the following equation (1) using absorbance values A(.lambda..sub.1), A(.lambda..sub.2) and background values A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1), A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.2) at two preset wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 in every absorbance spectrum detected repeatedly on the mobile phase effluent from the column. EQU P={A(.lambda..sub.1)-A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1)}/ {.vertline.A(.lambda..sub.1)-A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1).vertline..sup.2 +.vertline.A(.lambda..sub.2) -A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.2).vertline..sup.2 }.sup.1/2. . . (1)
The index P has the following meaning. Let us introduce a vector aa having components (a.sub.1,a.sub.2) which are given as follows. EQU A(.lambda..sub.1)-A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1)=a.sub.1 EQU A(.lambda..sub.2)-A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.2)=a.sub.2
Using the vector aa, the equation (1) is rewritten as EQU P=a.sub.1 /.vertline.aa.vertline.
This means that the index P represents the cosine of the angle .theta. (i.e., cos.theta.) between the vector aa(a.sub.1, a.sub.2) and a vector (a.sub.1, 0) as shown in FIG. 7.
When the mobile phase (or solvent) alone is flowing out of the column, A(.lambda..sub.1)=A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1) and A(.lambda..sub.2)=A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.2) because what is detected is the background only. Thus, a.sub.1 =a.sub.2 =0 and the vector aa is a zero vector. When a peak in a chromatogram is a simple peak corresponding to a single component as shown at the left of the top .lambda..sub.1 -.lambda..sub.2 curves of FIG. 8, the direction of the vector aa is unchanged though the length thereof varies because the ratio of values of a.sub.1 and a.sub.2 is constant. That is, the vector aa moves within the linear region P.sub.1 shown in FIG. 7, and the value of index P (=cos.theta.) is constant as shown at the left of the bottom curve of FIG. 8.
When, on the other hand, a peak is complex and corresponds to plural different components as shown at the right of the top .lambda..sub.1 -.lambda..sub.2 curves of FIG. 8, the ratio of the absorbance values at the wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 changes with respect to time. Thus the vector aa moves two-dimensionally within a region P.sub.2 as shown in FIG. 7, and the value of index P changes as shown at the right of the bottom curve of FIG. 8.
That is, in the comparative chromatogram method, a peak is judged to be simple or complex by detecting whether the value of index P changes with respect to time.
However, the comparative chromatogram method has following drawbacks.
(i) The value of index P cannot be absolutely constant since, in equation (1), the absorbance at the preset two wavelengths A(.lambda..sub.1), A(.lambda..sub.2) are subtracted by respective background values A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.1), A.sub.B (.lambda..sub.2), and every measured absorbance generally includes incessant fluctuation or noise. Thus, conventionally, an operator empirically sets a tolerance for the index P depending on the apparatus, and it is assumed that variation in the value of index P within the tolerance is due to noise.
(ii) It is necessary to determine beforehand in chromatography a critical concentration (percentage) of impurities which can be definitely detected. In the comparative chromatogram method, it is difficult to determine a definite critical value beforehand because of the reason above.
(iii) When an object component is desired to be separated from a sample, a column chromatograph is used. If an impurity having a retention time close to the object component is included in the sample, the separation is difficult. But if such a period in the retention time that includes the impurity is known, the separation becomes possible. Conventional methods cannot teach such a period.

Apparatus for and method of determining purity of a peak of a peak of a chromatogram


A post-objective type scanning device which effects scanning after a beam has been formed into a condenser light flux by an optical deflector used for laser printers or the like includes a focusing cylindrical lens in the vicinity of the scanning surface. The cylindrical lens and scanning surface are arranged to provide a geometric optically conjugate perpendicular to the scanning line so as to correct irregularities in the scanning line and to reduce the curvature of the resulting image surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photo-scanning device, and particularly to a photo-scanning device of post-objective type with a curvature of field reduced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In optical photo-scanners used for laser printers, laser displays, etc., there are known a post-objective type in which an optical deflector is arranged after a beam has been formed into a condenser light flux by a focusing lens and a pre-objective type in which a focusing lens is arranged after the deflector. The former is subjected to focusing action prior to deflection and therefore the focusing lens is required to resolve on-axis image formation alone, thus enabling to make the lens structure simple, but the focusing point is generally formed along a curved surface. On the other hand, in the pre-objective type, the beam is incident on the focusing lens after deflection, and therefore, a focusing lens needs to be designed as a wide angle lens sufficient to cover the deflection angle, thus complicating the structure of the lens but enabling the focusing point to be formed along more of a planar image surface. At present, this type is principally used.


A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cells which are arranged in a matrix and respectively store data, a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines, connected to the plurality of memory cells, for performing read/write access of data to the memory cells, and a test circuit. In the test circuit, an external terminal sends test data and expected value data written in the memory cells. A simultaneous write circuit simultaneously writes the test data from the external terminal in the plurality of memory cells connected to a selected word line. A simultaneous comparison circuit simultaneously compares the test data written in the plurality of memory cells connected to the selected word line with the expected value data supplied from the external terminal in correspondence with the selected word line.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory.
A conventional semiconductor memory does not include a write means for simultaneously writing data in a plurality of memory cells during a test, and a means for comparing expected value data input during a test and data read out from the plurality of memory cells. Therefore, in the test of the semiconductor memory of this type, data read/write access is performed for each memory cell in a memory cell array, and comparison for detecting a coincidence between readout data and expected value data is performed by a memory tester. For the purpose of shortening a test time, identical test data is written in memory cells corresponding to four bits in a memory cell array. Then, an AND result of the data read out from these memory cells is sent to the memory tester so as to perform coincidence detection of all the readout data and comparison associated with coincidence detection with expected value data. This technique is described in 1985 IEEE, International Solid State Circuits Conference, pp. 240-241, A 90 ns 1M bit DRAM with multi bit test mode, KUMANOYA.
In a conventional semiconductor memory, the test is performed by a comparison operation for each memory cell. Therefore, along with an increase in memory capacity of the semiconductor memory, a test time is considerably prolonged. For example, when a test is conducted in 300-ns cycles using "MSCAN" as one of a simplest test data or "CHECKERBOARD" suitable for detecting interference between adjacent memory cells, a semiconductor memory having a memory capacity of 256 kb (kilobits) requires only a test time of 0.3 sec for each test data. In a similar test by an operation for simultaneously comparing several bits, the test time only takes 0.1 sec or less for each test data.
However, if the memory capacity is increased up to 16 Mb (megabits), the test times for the above test data are respectively prolonged to 20 sec and 5 sec. An increase in test time causes an increase in cost of the semiconductor memory, and disturbs mass production.

Semiconductor memory having test circuit and test method thereof

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation


Systems and methods for managing individuals are provided. A method includes recording interactions of a user with one or more computer-implemented applications and calculating parameter values for the user for a plurality of user attributes based on the interactions. The method can further include determining whether at least a portion of the parameter values are missing or conflicting and in response to determining wherein at least a portion of the parameter values are missing or conflicting, prompting the user to interact with at least one additional computer-implemented application that is associated with the portion of the parameter values. After the prompting, the method can include repeating the recording and the calculating to update the parameter values.

Increasingly, society is organizing individuals into systems. We become identified by our occupation, interests, activities, accomplishments, associations and even our health/wellness. Individuals are evaluated planned, directed, and modified, as one might with various components in some complex machine or economy. This is not some Orwellian conspiracy, rather the natural outcome of individuals in an organized interactive economy, where individual and organizational diversity both contribute and benefit from a complex society.
Some of the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments. The functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or a block or random access memory, hard disk or the like). Similarly, the programs may be standalone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed imagining software package, and the like.
It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

Personal attribute cartography with analysis feedback


This invention is directed to a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I):

This invention is directed to a method for use of a carbamate compound in preventing or treating bipolar disorder. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method for use of a halogenated 2-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol monocarbamate compound for preventing or treating bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a progressive psychiatric disorder (F. Goodwin and K. R. Jamison, Manic-Depressive Illness, Oxford University Press, New York, 1990). Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of changes in mood. The episodes may exhibit symptoms of mania, hypomania (less severe form of mania), depression, or a combination of mania and depression (Bipolar Disorder, Cognos Study #53, Decision Resources, March 2000). Bipolar disorder type I features more manic or mixed mood symptoms, while bipolar disorder type II is distinguished by primarily depressive episodes but also by spontaneous hypomanic episodes (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 4, American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, 1994; Bipolar Disorder, Cognos Study #53, Decision Resources, March 2000; Akiskal H. S., Bourgeois M. L., Angst J., Post R., Moller H., Hirschfeld R., Re-evaluating the prevalence of and diagnostic composition within the broad clinical spectrum of bipolar disorders, J. Affect. Disord., 2000, 59 (Suppl 1), S5-S30). Acute mania is associated with an elevated or irritable mood and at least three to four classical mania signs and symptoms (e.g., abnormally elevated or irritable mood, grandiosity or inflated self-esteem, decreased sleep, racing thoughts, distractibility) (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 4, American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C., 1994). Hypomania is associated with a period of mild mood elevation, sharpened positive thinking and increased energy and activity levels, but without the impairment associated with maniac episodes (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 4, American Psychiatric, Association, Washington D.C., 1994). Rapid cycling is defined as alternation of depression and mania/excitation (Akiskal H. S., Bourgeois M. L., Angst J., Post R., Moller H., Hirschfeld R., Re-evaluating the prevalence of and diagnostic composition within the broad clinical spectrum of bipolar disorders, J. Affect. Disord., 2000, 59 (Suppl 1), S5-S30). Cyclothymic disorder is an attenuated bipolar disorder characterized by frequent short cycles of subsyndromal depression and hypomanic episodes (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 4, American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C., 1994).
Recurrences of bipolar disorder illness have been hypothesized to be caused by electrophysiologic/neurpphysiologic kindling (F. Goodwin and K. R. Jamison, Manic-Depressive Illness, Oxford University Press, New York, pp 405-407, 1990; Ghaemi S. N., Boiman E. E., Goodwin F. K., Kindling and second messengers: an approach to the neurobiology of recurrence in bipolar disorder, Biol. Psychiatry, 1999, 45(2), 137-44; Stoll A. L., Severus W. E., Mood stabilizers: shared mechanisms of action at postsynaptic signal-transduction and kindling processes, Harv. Rev. Psychiatry, 1996, 4(2), 77-89; Goldberg J. F., Harrow M., Kindling in bipolar disorders: a longitudinal follow-up study, Biol. Psychiatry, 1994, 1; 35(1), 70-2).
Mood stabilizers are used to treat bipolar disorder (Sadock B. J., Sadock B. A., Post RM. Treatment of bipolar disorders, Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 2000, vol. 1, 1385-1430). Established mood stabilizers exhibit anti-kindling effects (Stoll A. L., Severus W. E., Mood stabilizers: shared mechanisms of action at postsynaptic signal-transduction and kindling processes, Harv. Rev. Psychiatry, 1996, 4(2), 77-89). Anticonvulsants and anti-epileptics which show anti-kindling effects are important alternatives and adjuncts in the treatment of bipolar illness (Post R. M., Denicoff K. D., Frye M. A., Dunn R. T., Leverich G. S., Osuch E., Speer A., A history of the use of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers in the last two decades of the 20th century, Neuropsychobiology, 1998, 38(3), 152-66; Janowsky D. S., New Treatments of Bipolar Disorder, Curr. Psychiatry Rep., 1999, 1(2), 111-113) including in rapid cycling bipolar disorder (Shelton M. D., Calabrese J. R., Current Concepts in Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, Curr. Psychiatry Rep., 2000, 2(4), 310-315) and in the treatment and prevention of acute mania (Lennkh C., Simhandl C., Current aspects of valproate in bipolar disorder, Int. Clin. Psychopharmacol., 2000, 15(1), 1-11; Tohen M., Grundy S., Management of acute mania, J. Clin. Psychiatry, 1999, 60 (Suppl 5) 3-14; Muller-Oerlinghausen B., Retzow A., Henn F. A., Giedke H., Walden J., Valproate as an adjunct to neuroleptic medication for the treatment of acute episodes of mania: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, European Valproate Mania Study Group, J. Clin. Psychopharmacol., 2000, 20(2), 195-203; Sachs G. S., Printz D. J., Kahn D. A., Carpenter D., Docherty J. P., The Expert Consensus Guideline Series: Medication Treatment of Bipolar Disorder 2000, Postgrad. Med., 2000, Spec No:1-104).
Substituted phenyl alkyl carbamate compounds have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,265,728 to Bossinger, et al (hereby incorporated by reference), as useful in treating the central nervous system, having tranquilization, sedation and muscle relaxation properties of the formula:
wherein R1 is either carbamate or alkyl carbamate containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; R2 is either hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl or hydroxy alkyl containing from 1 to 2 carbons; R3 is either hydrogen or alkyl containing from 1 to 2 carbons; and X can be halogen, methyl, methoxy, phenyl, nitro or amino.
A method for inducing calming and muscle relaxation with carbamates has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,692 to Bossinger, et al (hereby incorporated by reference) by administering a compound of the formula:
in which W represents an aliphatic radical containing less than 4 carbon atoms, wherein R1 represents an aromatic radical, R2 represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing less than 4 carbon atoms, and X represents hydrogen or hydroxy or alkoxy and alkyl radicals containing less than 4 carbon atoms or the radical:
in which B represents an organic amine radical of the group consisting of heterocyclic, ureido and hydrazino radicals and the radical xe2x80x94N(R3)2 wherein R3 represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing less than 4 carbon atoms.
Optically pure forms of halogen substituted 2-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol monocarbamates and dicarbamatesihave also been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,759 to Choi, et al (hereby incorporated by reference), as effective for treating and preventing central nervous system disorders including convulsions, epilepsy, stroke and muscle spasm; and as useful in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, particularly as anticonvulsants, antiepileptics, neuroprotective agents and centrally acting muscle relaxants, of the formulae:
wherein one enantiomer predominates and wherein the phenyl ring is substituted at X with one to five halogen atoms selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each selected from hydrogen and straight or branched alkyl groups with one to four carbons optionally substituted with a phenyl group with substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkyloxy, amino, nitro and cyano. Pure enantiomeric forms and enantiomeric mixtures were described wherein one of the enantiomers predominates in the mixture for the compounds represented by the formulae above; preferably one of the enantiomers predominates to the extent of about 90% or greater; and, most preferably, about 98% or greater.
A halogen substituted 2-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol monocarbamate compound of Formula (I) has not been previously described as useful for preventing or treating bipolar disorder. Recent preclinical studies have revealed previously unrecognized pharmacological properties which suggest that a compound of Formula (I) is useful in preventing or treating bipolar disorder. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to teach a method for use of a compound of Formula (I) in preventing or treating bipolar disorder.
The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I):
wherein
phenyl is substituted at X with one to five halogen atoms selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; and,
R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein C1-C4 alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl (wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, amino, nitro and cyano).
Embodiments of the invention include a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of Formula (I).
Embodiments of the method include the use of a compound of Formula (I) for the preparation of a medicament for preventing or treating bipolar disorder in a subject in need thereof.
Embodiments of the method include the use of an enantiomer of Formula (I) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates. For enantiomeric mixtures wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates, preferably, one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates to the extent of about 90% or greater. More preferably, one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates to the extent of about 98% or greater.
The present invention is directed to a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I):
wherein
phenyl is substituted at X with one to five halogen atoms selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; and,
R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein C1-C4 akyl is optionally substituted with phenyl (wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, amino, nitro and cyano).
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for slowing or delaying the progression of bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I).
The present method includes the use of a compound of Formula (I) wherein X is chlorine; preferably, X is substituted at the ortho position of the phenyl ring.
The present method also includes the use of a compound of Formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are preferably selected from hydrogen.
An embodiment of the present method includes the use of an enantiomer of Formula (I) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates wherein X is chlorine; preferably, X is substituted at the ortho position of the phenyl ring.
The present method also includes the use of an enantiomer of Formula (I) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates wherein R1 and R2 are preferably selected from hydrogen.
For enantiomeric mixtures wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates, preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates to the extent of about 90% or greater. More preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates to the extent of about 98% or greater.
An embodiment of the invention also includes a method for slowing or delaying the progression of bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an enantiomer of Formula (I) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (I) predominates.
An embodiment of the present method includes the use of an enantiomer of Formula (Ia) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates:
wherein
phenyl is substituted at X with one to five halogen atoms selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; and,
R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl; wherein C1-C4 alkyl is optionally substituted with phenyl (wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, amino, nitro and cyano).
The present method includes the use of an enantiomer of Formula (Ia) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates wherein X is chlorine; preferably, X is substituted at the ortho position of the phenyl ring.
The present method also includes the use of an enantiomer of Formula (Ia) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates wherein R1 and R2 are preferably selected from hydrogen.
For enantiomeric mixtures wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates, preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates to the extent of about 90% or greater. More preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (Ia) predominates to the extent of about 98% or greater.
An embodiment of the present method includes a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an enantiomer of Formula (Ib) or nantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ib) predominates:
For enantiomeric mixtures wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ib) predominates, preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (Ib) predominates to the extent of about 90% or greater., More preferably, an enantiomer of Formula (Ib) predominates to the extent of about 98% or greater.
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for slowing or delaying the progression of bipolar disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an enantiomer of Formula (Ib) or enantiomeric mixture wherein one enantiomer of Formula (Ib) predominates.
Other crystal forms of compounds used in the present invention may exist and as such are intended to be included in the present invention.
It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the compounds of the invention are present as racemates, enantiomers and enantiomeric mixtures thereof. A carbamate enantiomer selected from the group consisting of Formula (I), Formula (Ia) and Formula (Ib) contains an asymmetric chiral carbon atom at the benzylic position, which is the aliphatic carbon adjacent to the phenyl ring (represented by the asterisk in the structural formulae).
Compounds of the present invention may be prepared as described in the previously referenced Bossinger, ""728 patent (incorporated by reference), Bossinger ""692 patent (incorporated by reference) and Choi ""759 patent (incorporated by reference).
It is intended that the definition, of any substituent or variable at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of this invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art as well as those methods set forth herein.
The present invention contemplates a method for preventing or treating bipolar disorder in a subject in need thereof. Bipolar disorder includes, and is not limited to, bipolar disorder type I, bipolar disorder type II, cyclothymic disorder, rapid cycling, ultradian cycling, bipolar depression, acute mania, mania, mixed mania, hypomania or episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
An example of the method of the present invention comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) in a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of Formula (I). The method of the present invention also includes the use of a compound of Formula (I) for the preparation of a medicament for preventing or treating bipolar disorder.
Another example of the method of the present invention comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutical composition thereof in combination with one or more agents useful in preventing or treating bipolar disorder.
A compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutical composition thereof may be administered by any conventional route of administration including, but not limited to oral, pulmonary, intraperitoneal (ip), intravenous (iv), intramuscular (im), subcutaneous (sc), transdermal, buccal, nasal, sublingual, ocular, rectal and vaginal. In addition, administration directly to the nervous system may include, and are not limited to, intracerebral, intraventricular, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal, intracisternal, intraspinal or peri-spinal routes of administration by delivery via intracranial or intravertebral needles or catheters with or without pump devices. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any dose or frequency of administration that provides the therapeutic effect described herein is suitable for use in the present invention.
The therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutical composition thereof may be from about 0.01 mg/Kg/dose to about 100 mg/Kg/dose. Preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.01 mg/Kg/dose to about 25 mg/Kg/dose. More preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.01 mg/Kg/dose to about 10 mg/Kg/dose. Most preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.01 mg/Kg/dose to about 5 mg/Kg/dose. Therefore, the therapeutically effective amount of the active ingredient contained per dosage unit (e.g., tablet, capsule, powder;. injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like) as described herein may be from about 1 mg/day to about 7000 mg/day for a subject, for example, having an average weight of 70 Kg.
The dosages, however, may be varied depending upon the requirement of the subjects (including factors associated with the particular subject being treated, including subject age, weight and diet, strength of the preparation, the advancement of the disease condition and the mode and time of administration) and the use of a particular compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutical composition thereof.
Optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art and will result in the need to adjust the dose to an appropriate therapeutic level. The use of either daily administration or post-periodic dosing may be employed. Preferably, a compound of Formula (1) or pharmaceutical composition thereof for preventing or treating bipolar disorder is administered orally or parenterally.
In accordance with the methods of the present invention, a compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutical composition thereof described herein may be administered separately, at different times during the course of therapy or concurrently in divided combination or single combination forms. Advantageously, a compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutical composition thereof may be administered in a single daily dose or the total daily dosage may be administered via continuous de livery or in divided doses of two, three or four times daily. The instant invention is therefore to be understood as embracing all such methods and regimes of simultaneous or alternating treatment and the term xe2x80x9cadministeringxe2x80x9d is to be interpreted accordingly.
The term xe2x80x9csubjectxe2x80x9d as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a human, who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.
The term xe2x80x9ctherapeutically effective amountxe2x80x9d as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human, that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor, or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccompositionxe2x80x9d is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.
To prepare a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, a compound of Formula (I) as the active ingredient is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration (e.g. oral or parenteral). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art. Descriptions of some of these pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be found in The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, published by the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Methods of formulating pharmaceutical compositions have been described in numerous publications such as Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, Volumes 1-3, edited by Lieberman et al; Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Volumes 1-2, edited by Avis et al; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems, Volumes 1-2, edited by Lieberman et al; published by Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Preferably, a pharmaceutical composition is in a unit dosage form such as a tablet, pill, capsule, caplet, gelcap, lozenge, granule, powder, sterile parenteral solution or suspension, metered aerosol or liquid spray, drop, ampoule, autoinjector device or suppository for administration by oral, intranasal, sublingual, intraocular, transdermal, parenteral, rectal, vaginal, inhalation or insulation means. Alternatively, the composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly administration or may be adapted to provide a preparation for intramuscular injection.
In preparing a pharmaceutical composition having a solid dosage form for oral administration, such as a tablet, pill, capsule, caplet, gelcap, lozenge, granule or powder (each including immediate release, timed release and sustained release formulations), suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, glidants, disintegrating agents and the like. If desired, tablets may be sugar coated, gelatin coated, film coated or enteric coated by standard techniques.
For preparing a solid dosage form, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier (e.g. conventional tableting ingredients such as diluents, binders, adhesives, disintegrants, lubricants, antiadherents and glidants). Sweeteners and flavorants may be added to chewable solid dosage forms to improve the palatability of the oral dosage form. Additionally, colorants and coatings may be added or applied to the solid dosage form for ease of identification of the drug or for aesthetic purposes. These carriers are formulated with the pharmaceutical active to provide an accurate, appropriate dose of the pharmaceutical active with a therapeutic release profile.
In preparing a pharmaceutical composition having a liquid dosage form for oral, topical and parenteral administration, any of the usual pharmaceutical media or excipients may be employed. Thus, for liquid unit dosage forms, such as suspensions (i.e. colloids, emulsions and dispersions) and solutions, suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents, dispersants, flocculation agents, thickeners, pH control agents (i.e. buffers), osmotic agents, coloring agents, flavors, fragrances, preservatives (i.e. to control microbial growth, etc.) and a liquid vehicle may be employed. Not all of the components listed above will be required for each liquid dosage form. The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include, but are not limited to aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles.

Carbamate compounds for use in preventing or treating bipolar disorder


A ball-grid array connector structure for an electronic package in which the ball pitch can be reduced to increase the packaging density has a plastic substrate having at least one hollow through-hole and an electrode covering the wall of the through-hole and forming an electrode pad surrounding the through-hole on each surface of the substrate. A metallic ball is joined, either directly or through a solder or a combination of a metallic bump and a solder, to the electrode pad on at least one surface of the substrate at the position of the through-hole. The connector structure can be formed either by sealing an open end of the through-hole on the side to which the ball is not joined, or increasing the pressure within the through-hole by a pressure-control mechanism, before the through-hole is blocked by reflowing the ball itself or the metallic bump or solder used to connect the ball.

The present invention relates to a connector structure for mounting an electronic package such as a semiconductor or IC package on a printed-circuit board and a method and process for forming such a connector structure. More particularly, it pertains to a connector structure for an electronic package of the ball-grid array (BGA) type to be mounted on a printed-circuit board and a method and process for forming the connector structure.
Electronic packages which are primarily used at present include quad flat packages and pin-grid array packages.
As shown in FIG. 10, a quad flat package (QFP) has a package body 31 containing an electronic device such as an IC chip 32 and a lead frame having leads 33 which project away from all four sides of the package. The package is mounted on a printed-circuit board 34, and the electrical connection between the IC chip 32 and the board 34 (package-to-board interconnection) is attained through the leads 33 which each have one end electrically connected to the chip 32 and another end electrically connected to a conductor pattern formed on the board 34.
In a pin-grid array (PGA) package, as shown in FIG. 11 a package body 31 containing an IC chip 32 has pins 35 which are electrically connected to the IC chip 32 and protrude at right angle from the lower surface of the package body 31. IC chip 32 is electrically connected to a printed-circuit board 34 by inserting the pins 35 into through-holes formed in the board 34 followed by soldering.
However, the designs of these packages are not advantageous for coping with an increase in the number of I/O terminals resulting from an increase in the level of circuit integration of LSIs in recent years, as described below.
In a QFP, since the leads 33 serving as connecting terminals extend away from all four sides of the package body 31, the dimension available for terminals is limited to the total length of the four sides, i.e., 4L (L=length of each side of the package). Therefore, the number of I/O terminals which the package can have is limited.
Compared to a QFP, a PGA package is better able to cope with an increase in the number of I/O terminals, since the pins 35 serving as connecting terminals extend away from the flat lower surface of the package body 31 rather than from the four sides thereof. However, the diameter of the pins 35 cannot be reduced too much since sufficient mechanical strength is required for these pins to be inserted into a printed-circuit board 34. Furthermore, a certain area around each pin 35 should be kept in order to support the pin at the base of the package body. Therefore, there is a limitation on reduction of the pin pitch (center-to-center distance between adjacent pins), and the packaging density on a printed-circuit board attainable by a PGA package is still insufficient to cope with recent increases in the number of I/O terminals.
In view of these situations, BGA packages as shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b have been attracting attention in recent years. In the BGA package shown in these figures, a package body 31 has electrode pads 36A which are electrically connected to an IC chip 32. The package is positioned on a printed-circuit board 34 having electrode pads 36B such that the electrode pads of the package are in registration with those of the board, and each pair of electrode pads 36A and 36B facing each other is connected through a metallic ball 37, in place of a pin 35 used in the PGA package shown in FIG. 11. The metallic balls 37 are usually solder balls so as to make it possible to attain package-to-board interconnection by melting (reflowing) at a relatively low temperature.
Due to the use of metallic balls 37, a BGA package can have a pad pitch (center-to-center distance between adjacent electrode pads) smaller than the pin pitch of a PGA package, which requires that a relatively large area be kept around each pin for support. Therefore, for a BGA package, it is possible to increase the number of connecting terminals over that attainable by a PGA package, leading to an increase in packaging density on a printed-circuit board. At present, the smallest I/O pitch (pin pitch) for a PGA packages is 1.27 mm, while it is possible for a BGA package to reduce the I/O pitch (pad pitch) to 0.6 mm.
In a BGA package, a metallic ball is usually pre-set on each electrode pad of an electronic package with the aid of an adhesion force given by a flux, which is typically a mixture of a solvent, rosin, and an activator. The metallic ball is then heated for reflowing (remelting) to join it to the electrode pad, thereby making it possible to create an electrical connection between the electrode pads of the package and the printed-circuit board through the ball, as described in European Patent No. 236,221. U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,844 discloses a connector structure using a solder ball having a high melting point via a solder having a low melting point.
A plastic substrate for an electronic package normally has hollow through-holes which penetrate the substrate from one surface to the other surface. Since it is difficult to form a connecting terminal directly atop such a hollow through-hole, many attempts have been made to form a through-hole connection using a metallic ball.
FIG. 13a shows a convention typical connector structure in cross section using metallic balls on a plastic substrate having hollow through-holes. A plastic substrate 41 has a through-hole 42 and an electrode 43 formed so as to cover the wall of the hollow through-hole 42 in order to electrically connect the two surfaces of the substrate 41. The electrode 43 slightly extends onto the two surfaces of the substrate so as to form an electrode pad which surrounds the open end of the through-hole on each surface of the substrate. The electrode 43 is electrically connected to an IC chip 32 mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 41. As can be seen from the plan (bottom) view of FIG. 13b, the electrode 43 has an extension 43A on the lower surface of the substrate 41 facing away the IC chip 32. A metallic ball in the form of a solder ball 44 is joined to a second electrode pad 45 formed in contact with the extension 43A of the electrode 43 on the lower surface of the substrate. This connector structure is called a dog bone because of its shape in the plan view shown in FIG. 13b.
However, the dog bone-type connector structure has the following problems.
(1) In order to prevent the solder ball 44 from flowing toward the substrate around the electrode 43 including its extension 43A when melting, it is necessary to form a solder resist layer which repels molten solder over the electrode 43. The formation of the solder resist layer requires a complicated process comprising the steps of applying a solder resist solution and forming holes in the resulting solder resist layer by use of photoetching technology, and it is time-consuming.
(2) Since extra space is required to locate the second electrode pad 45 apart from the through-hole 42, such a BGA package provides only a limited increase in packaging density and limited size reduction.
A process has been proposed to form another structure for through-hole connection by filling a through-hole with a resin which may be electrically conductive, curing the filled resin by heating, plating the surface of the cured resin, and joining a metallic ball to the plated coating. This process is also complicated and not suitable for practical application.

Method of forming connector structure for a ball-grid array

Sumitomo Metal (SMI) Electronics Devices Inc.


The present invention is a method for changing a device identification name of an information processing apparatus to which the device identification name is added for identification by a user. First, a device identification name of other information processing apparatus connected to a same network is obtained. Next, the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are compared. Further, when the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are the same, it is judged, according to a predetermined rule set beforehand, whether or not to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus. Then, when it is judged to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus, the device identification name of the information processing apparatus is changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a name changing method, an information processing apparatus and a network system for changing a device identification name of an information processing apparatus to which the device identification name is added for identification by a user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, digitalization of information is being rapidly developed, and information devices for handling digital information have become rapidly widespread in homes. For example, music players for playing back music data recorded in compact disks, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) players for playing back movies recorded in DVDs, and the like, are widespread around the world. Further, photographs taken by digital cameras and TV programs digitally recorded are stored in a personal computer and the like and managed in homes. However, accumulated images, videos, music information or the like are not particularly effectively utilized other than being personally viewed and enjoyed. The reason being, for example, when a family wants to view video images captured by a digital video camera, they may have to go through complicated procedures of connecting devices to display the video images stored and managed in a hard disk of a personal computer on a large TV in the living room.
In view of the above, there has been a movement to lay down a standard for information technology for realizing sharing of digital information using wireless or wired communication in homes (so-called home network). For example, companies and the like manufacturing and selling home electronics, cellular phones, personal computers and the like have established a nonprofit organization called DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). A home network envisioned by the DLNA is configured by including a server device in which contents such as video and music are stored (DMS; Digital Media Server) and a player device for playing back these contents (DMP; Digital Media Player), and the contents are distributed from the DMS to the DMP based on predetermined transmission system and format, and are played back.
As such, connection environment between devices installed in a home network is being improved. However, with the increase in the number of devices installed in a home network, it is becoming burdensome for users to select a desired content or select a device suitable for playing back of the content. At present, it is needed to either operate directly on a DMP or, by using the DMS and the like described above, select a desired content among the contents accumulated in the DMS and specify a DMP for playing back the content.
Here, an identification name unique to a device, such as a serial number or a device ID, used by a device to identify other devices and a device identification name for users called a friendlyName used by users to identify devices connected in a home network are added to the DMS and the DMP. friendlyNames are displayed on a GUI (Graphical User Interface), for example, and users can select a desired device from the friendlyNames being displayed.
Although it is not allowed to set the same name as an identification name unique to respective devices, it is possible to set the same name as device identification names for users. The device identification name for users is normally set at the time of factory shipment, and generally, the same name is set for devices of a model.

Name changing method, information processing apparatus and network system


A display system including an information processing device, a projector (a first projector), and a projector (a second projector) includes a first sensing unit sensing a first event which occurs by an operation of an indicator with respect to an image projected from the first projector; a second sensing unit sensing a second event which occurs by the operation of the indicator with respect to an image projected from the second projector; a replacement unit replacing a set of first event information representing the first event and second event information representing the second event with third event information representing a predetermined third event, in a case where the first event and the second event satisfy predetermined conditions; and a processing unit performing processing corresponding to the third event information.

1. Technical Field
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-63107, filed Mar. 28, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a display system, an information processing device, a projector, and an information processing method.
2. Related Art
For example, there is a display device disclosed in JP-A-2013-171553 as a technology for performing handwriting input with two display devices including a touch panel. In a case where a stylus pen is separated from the vicinity of a bezel of one display device, and thus, a pen-up event occurs, and then, a stylus pen is close to the vicinity of a bezel of the other display device, and thus, a pen-down event occurs, the display device performs correction processing with respect to a line which is displayed on the other display device when an elapsed time from the pen-up to the pen-down is within a predetermined time.
In the technology of JP-A-2013-171553, in a case where the stylus pen is moved from one display device to the other display device, the pen-up event is detected when the stylus pen is separated from the vicinity of the bezel of one display device, and the pen-down event is detected when the stylus pen is in contact with the display device in the vicinity of the bezel of the other display device. Thus, in a case where the pen-up event is detected when the indicator is moved to the adjacent screen, there is a case where an operation intended by a user may not be performed.

Display system, information processing device, projector, and information processing method


An oil film bearing is seated on the tapered neck of a rolling mill roll by a hydraulically actuated piston/cylinder unit. The piston/cylinder unit is axially confined by externally threaded locking arms seated in a groove in the roll neck. A locknut is threaded onto the locking arms.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to rolling mill oil film bearings, and is concerned in particular with an improved mechanical lock for use in conjunction with the hydraulically actuated piston/cylinder assemblies employed to mount the bearings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Oil film bearings are well known and widely employed throughout the rolling mill industry. Also known is the use of hydraulic piston/cylinder assemblies that are incorporated as integral components of the bearing assemblies, and that are used to urge the bearings onto the roll necks.
The present invention is concerned with the provision of an improved mechanical locking arrangement for use in concert with such piston/cylinder assemblies to insure that the bearings are securely mounted and remain securely anchored in their seated positions on the roll necks.

Mechanical lock for rolling mill oil film bearing


Illustrative embodiments of the invention provide for managing a computer network. One illustrative embodiment forms a first representation of a network element as a physical entity in an information model, the first representation having a form independent of an implementation defined by a vendor; and maps a portion of the first representation from the information model to a second representation in a vendor-independent data model residing in a first repository, the second representation having a form suitable for use with the first repository.

Networking architectures and network devices, such as routers and switches, as well as their configurations, are becoming increasingly complex both in structure and functionality. Such complexities require network engineers or other personnel to know hundreds or thousands of vendor-specific command or syntaxes and to master both the hardware and software idiosyncrasies of each differently manufactured networked device in order to successfully configure and manage a network. But traditional network management techniques, which include network device configuration and maintenance processes, fail to amply provide network administrators (or any network user) with a means to control the creation, the deployment, or the modification of each device configuration in a scalable and consistent manner.
Rather, network operators often configure devices without regard to any of the business processes affected by implemented configurations, which can lead to a disruption of network services. Without any mechanism for tying business processes and network management processes together, a newly applied configuration to a device just becomes a mere setting on a device. Consequently, the entire functionality of the configured device is not performed with business considerations prior to or after this configuration, which in turn, isolates the network processes from an organization's business processes. This hinders network efficiency. As most existing networking tools (e.g., provisioning tools) do not offer a view of the entire network, they typically offer only a limited view into, for example, an individual interface of a device.
The combined increase in network users and in sophistication of networked applications further militates integrating network management and business processes by establishing business rules that govern the usage of shared network resources. For example, a set of business rules can determine which user or network traffic has priority in using those shared network resources. But to control networking processes, each network resource's structure and functionality should be normalized to share and to reuse application data.
To normalize the structure and functionality of each network resource requires at least abstracting the resource's functionality. But abstracting resource functionality is difficult because most networks are built using different devices, each of which have many different capabilities and command syntaxes. Further, different vendors use different programming models for their vendor-specific network devices. The use of different programming models often leads to an inoperable or suboptimal networking of resources. For example, the use of varied programming models tends to impair a network operator's ability to determine whether a certain traffic conditioning used to separate different classes of traffic is correct.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing network resources as sources of network information, each of which is associated with a different programming model. For example, a network portion 100 includes a first router manufactured by vendor one having a set of vendor-specific command line interface ("CLI") commands 102, a second router built by vendor two having another set of vendor-specific CLI commands 104, and one or more repositories of one or more Policy Information Bases ("PIBs") and/or Management Information Bases ("MIBs") 106. If FIG. 1 represents a portion of a conventional network, some routers support CLI 102 and 104 for provisioning while other routers employ Simple Network Management Protocol ("SNMP") for monitoring, which includes information from MIBs and PIBs 106.
Without an underlying uniform data representation 110 that relates the CLI commands to SNMP commands, it is in general impossible to correlate the commands of one programming model to the commands of another programming model. And since many network vendors build separate applications for managing different sets of features present in the same vendor-specific device, a minimum number of multiple applications are required to manage and to provision devices from not only different devices from different vendors, but also from the same vendor as well. An example of an instance where multiple applications are necessary is the case where two or more billing applications collect data differently and use different metrics to determine an amount that a network customer should be billed. This determination is complicated further if there are different devices supporting different proprietary MIBs to generate data, which are typically not in a suitable form for the billing applications to process.
Although present devices and techniques for managing networks are functional, they are not sufficiently accurate or otherwise satisfactory. Accordingly, a system and method are needed to address the shortfalls of present technology and to provide other new and innovative features.

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to a headset apparatus for detecting a multi bio-signal comprising: a headset body configured to be mounted on a user's head; a plurality of electrodes which are exposed on an outer surface of the headset body so as to be in contact with a forehead of a user when the headset body is mounted on a user's head; a brainwave detection unit which is embedded in the headset body and which detects a brainwave signal based on a signal detected by the plurality of electrodes; a heartbeat detection module which extends from the headset body through a signal cable and which is configured to be mounted on a user's ear to detect a heartbeat signal; and a headset controller to determine a complex stress index based on the brainwave signal detected by the brainwave detection unit and the heartbeat signal detected by the heartbeat detection module. Accordingly, the apparatus can measure a user's stress index accurately by measuring a multi bio-signal such as a brainwave and can be manufactured in the form of a wearable device.

Human's brain is the most flexible and highly adaptable regarding sensitivity, perception, thinking, behavior, etc. Human's brain consists of hundreds of billions of nerve cells and each nerve cell is connected with other nerve cells to form various interactions, which is called Synapse. The interaction is the key to the human's mental activity such as study, memory, recognition, activity, decision, etc. and is responsible for a human's physical control function to maintain health. Synapse is formed by a chemical reaction and the chemical reaction is converted into a scalp's electric flow to form a brainwave. That is, hundreds of billions of nerve cells send information with an interaction with other nerve cells and during this process, an electric signal is generated. Therefore, if an electrode is put into the scalp to measure electrical changes, the electrical changes are expressed as a wave. This wave is a brainwave (electroencephalogram; EEG).
The brainwave has various shapes depending on the degree of the brain activity. The frequency of the brainwave increases as the brain activity is high and the frequency of the brainwave decreases as the brain activity is low. The brainwave is divided into a gamma wave, a beta wave, an alpha wave, a theta wave and a delta wave.
A gamma wave is the fastest wave with a frequency between 38 to 45 Hz and with a mean frequency of 40 Hz and is generated when a human is nervous or in an active and highly complex mental process.
A beta wave is a wave with a frequency between 15 to 38 Hz and with a mean frequency of 17.3 Hz and is generated in a cerebrum during an active brain process. Further, a beta wave is generated when a human is nervous or suffers from stress. In particular, a high-beta wave is generated during an excessive activity, e.g., when a human suffers from an obsession, an excessive concentration and an anxiety.
An alpha wave is a wave with a frequency between 8 to 12 Hz and with a mean frequency of 10.3 Hz and is generated in an occipital lobe in a awakened state which is not a an unconscious state or a subconscious state with eyes closed. An alpha wave is mainly generated in a stress-relaxation state and is often generated before or after a severe stress.
A theta wave is a wave with a frequency between 4 to 8 Hz and with a mean frequency of 6.3 Hz and is generated dominantly in a pleocortex which mainly relates to emotion or sensitivity. Since a theta wave mainly relates to an area of emotion or sensitivity, it is generated considerably when a human makes an artistic effort, gets hurt, is happy, is working cheerfully or is playing.
A delta wave is a wave with a frequency between 0.5 to 4 Hz and with a mean frequency of 1.3 Hz and has the largest amplitude such that it has a strong penetration force to move furthest. A delta wave is generated mainly in a myelencephalon, a pons or a mesencephalon which relates to life and is generated mainly when a human is in deep sleep which stops activities in a paleocortex area relating to emotion and a neocortex area relating to information input/output and thought.
Meanwhile, a research on a new brainwave called SMR (Sensory Motor Rhythm) between a beta wave and an alpha wave is being carried out actively. A SMR wave is a wave between 12 to 15 Hz and with a mean frequency of 12.7 Hz. A SMR wave is generated dominantly in a cerebrum (neocortex) from an ear to a brain.
A SMR wave is generated when a problem requiring a simple concentration is being solved or when a relaxation is needed in a conscious state. That is, a SMR wave is generated when a human can concentrate on an easy and simple work accurately without nervousness or stress. A SMR wave turned out to be a brainwave generated in a concentrated state in that a SMR wave allows all matters to be solved with a very small amount of energy compared to beta wave.
Using measurement values of the brainwaves as above, a human's state such as a mentality or a mental condition can be expressed with an index. In one example, as shown in Formula 1 below, it is being suggested how a concentration index, a relaxation index, a stress index, etc. can be calculated by each of the above explained waves which consist the brainwave.concentration index=(SMR wave+M beta wave)/theta waverelaxation index=alpha wave/H beta wavestress index=high beta wave  [Formula 1]
Regarding a technology using the above brainwave, a method to measure a degree of a user's stress through brainwaves and use the measurements is being suggested. In one example, Korean laid-open publication No. 10-2007-0061311 titled "Recognition of stress state by brainwave and relaxation system and method using music" discloses a technique to remove stress by acquiring a stress state more reliably using characteristic information which is obtained from the brainwave during analyzing a brainwave to understand the degree of stress and by playing music which is set depending on the acquired stress state.
However, in prior arts including the technique disclosed in Korean laid-open publication No. 10-2007-0061311, only one brainwave feature, e.g., a magnitude of a high-beta wave, is being used to measure a user's brainwave. It is disadvantageously incorrect to evaluate a user's stress index only by a brainwave since a user's stress characteristic is generated in the form of various bio-signals.
On the other hand, to evaluate a stress index based on various bio-signals, an apparatus for detecting more than two bio-signals should be mounted on a human. While a wearable device is becoming known recently, it is not easy to design an apparatus for detecting more than two bio-signals as a wearable device. Therefore, it is not easy for a user to measure a stress index accurately in a daily life and to reflect it on the life.

Headset apparatus for detecting multi-biosignal


A furnace is provided suitable for metallurgical processes, comprising at least one section comprised of refractory bricks with an outer shell plate adjacent to the refractory bricks, including exterior bricks whose external faces adjacent the shell plate define gaseous media cooling channels extending along the exterior of the refractory bricks between them and the shell plate. The furnace further comprises cooling plates within the cooling channels and joints between the successive courses of bricks. Advantageously, the conductivity of the cooling plates is at least 5 times the conductivity of the refractory lining into which it is inserted. Suitable materials include copper and copper-based alloys, brasses, bronzes, cast irons, aluminum alloys, silver, high-temperature steels, refractory metals and their alloys, graphite, silicon carbide, and aluminum nitride.

The furnaces used in metallurgical processes typically have a crucible consisting of a refractory lining, composed of either bricks, blocks or monolithic refractories, with an adjacent outer shell or some other means of support for the refractory lining. Such furnaces hold a bath of molten metal or matte usually with an overlying slag layer.
Due to the aggressive nature of many slags produced in metallurgical processes, cooling is required to freeze a layer of slag on the inner surface of the vessel to maintain a stable side wall. As discussed in Voermann et al., Furnace Cooling Design for Modern High Intensity Pyrometallurgical Processes (Proceedings at the Copper 99—Cobra 99 International Conference, Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.A.), the cooling required is dictated by the process conditions in the vessel. To keep the crucible lining in equilibrium, the process heat flux imposed by the process must be matched by the cooling system's heat removal capacity.
In practice, a wide range of heat fluxes are encountered in various metallurgical furnaces. Heat fluxes are dependent on the intensity of the process and whether the containment is for slag or metal. Heat fluxes can typically range from a low value of about 5 kW/m2, which can be removed by natural air cooling, to over 2,500 kW/m2, which requires intense forced water cooling. Generally, for heat fluxes in the lower range, about 15 kW/m2 or less, forced air cooling of the furnace shell plate can be used. For heat fluxes above about 15 kW/m2, some type of water cooling is generally adopted to avoid overheating of the furnace shell plate and structural members.
Due to the potential risk of an explosion in the event that molten material from inside the furnace contacts water in the cooling system, it is desirable to avoid using water as the cooling medium wherever possible. For this reason it may be desirable to use a furnace cooling system which does not use water as a cooling fluid. Although typical air cooling systems cannot match the heat removal capacity of water cooling systems, they have a wider operating temperature range and hence offer significant advantages in cooling applications where adjustable heat removal rates are required.
A number of furnace cooling systems are known in which gaseous media is used as the cooling fluid. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,617 (Klein et al.) discloses a cooling arrangement in which a number of metal shrouds encircle a cylindrical furnace. Each shroud forms a hollow cooling chamber through which air is circulated, and into which water is atomized to enhance the cooling effect. However, the introduction of water vapour into the system will complicate the cooling air supply system, and create corrosion problems that will impact material selection. Both of these issues will increase complexity and cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,674,422 to Allen, Jr. et al. discloses an air-cooled furnace wall in which cast hangers support refractory walls separated by air circulation spaces. U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,950 to Potocnik et al. discloses a heating chamber wall for a furnace, in which the wall has an interior space through which air is allowed to circulate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,043 (O'Neill) discloses an annular air circulation channel formed within the refractory furnace wall. U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,652 (Longenecker) discloses J-shaped channels formed between the refractory side wall and the metal outer shell of a furnace U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,237 (Bos) discloses localized jets blowing directly onto the shell with variable flow for Hall-Heroult aluminum electrolytic pots.
In the above-mentioned patent to O'Neill, and in U.S. Pat. No. 1,751,008 (La. France), the structure of the refractory furnace side wall is modified to provide increased surface area for enhanced cooling. In La France, this is accomplished by forming vertical ribs and channels in the outer surfaces of the blocks making up the refractory walls. In O'Neill, the annular cooling channels can be made in the form of "tortuous paths" by using bricks of varying lengths. While these techniques can help to enable increased heat removal capacity, it is extremely difficult to distribute the air evenly over the wall, a problem which worsens as the furnace ages due to shifting and movement of the brickwork. Also, the addition of air into the brickwork behind the shell plate would not be feasible in many furnaces since air would react with the furnace products, e.g. CO gas, metals, etc. For some applications this method is of limited value as it does not provide sufficient cooling capacity.
Thus, known gaseous media-cooling arrangements for metallurgical furnaces generally provide insufficient cooling and/or are unduly complex, requiring specially constructed furnace side walls. Such systems are also relatively expensive and cannot be practically adapted to existing furnace installations.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Furnace with refractory bricks that define cooling channels for gaseous media


A method and an apparatus for detecting a change of the fluid status or determining the fluid status of an individual are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: determining a change of the body parameter (ΔRBV) of the individual during a first treatment session (201); determining a first fluid status of the individual (202); calibrating the determined change of the body parameter (ΔRBV) based on the first fluid status (205); determining the change of the body parameter (ΔRBV) of the individual during at least one further treatment session (207); and deriving a fluid status or a change of fluid status individual from the change of the body parameter (ΔRBV) (208).

Fluid status is an important issue in long-term dialysis patients and is related to clinical outcome. In fact, knowledge of a patient's fluid status is essential in efficiently managing hemo- as well as peritoneal-dialysis patients. Chronic fluid overload is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular dilatation, arterial hypertension, and eventually the development of congestive heart failure. High interdialytic weight gain on top of chronic fluid overload further increases the burden for the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have shown that fluid overload can even be linked to an increased mortality (Wizemann V. et al., "The mortality risk of overhydration in haemodialysis patients", Nephrol. Dial. Transplant 2009, 24:1574-1579). Management of the fluid status involves restriction of sodium intake and, to the extent possible and over time, attainment of a post-dialysis weight equal to the patient's dry weight or normohydration weight.
Normohydration weight is defined as the weight the patient would have with zero fluid overload. Fluid overload can be expressed as excess extracellular fluid volume (ECV). In order to have a comparative standard for a reference to body mass, body composition or total body water (TBW) is required.
In comparison, dry weight may be defined as the weight at which an individual is as close as possible to a normal fluid status without experiencing symptoms indicative of fluid overload or deficit. Clinically, dry weight is determined as the lowest weight a patient can tolerate without developing intra- or interdialytic symptoms of hypovolemia. This clinical assessment is hampered by the fact that some liters of fluid may accumulate in the body before an oedema becomes clinically evident and that it does not account for changes in lean body mass, fat mass or nutritional status over time. In addition, some patients may have symptoms on dialysis for heart problems that may not be related to fluid overload.
Therefore, normohydration and dry weight are closely linked with dry weight being slightly less than normohydration weight.
Several methods of determining the fluid status of an individual exist:
Isotope dilution methods are frequently recommended for fluid volume measurement (ECV or TBW), but they are clinically not feasible because of complexity and expense. Furthermore, these methods can determine the absolute quantities of ECV and TBW but cannot determine the amount of excess extracellular water (fluid overload) and thus no value for the normohydration weight.
Efforts have been made in the past to use the bioimpedance technology to facilitate the fluid reduction process. Cf., for example, Kuhlmann et al., "Bioimpedance, dry weight and blood pressure control: new methods and consequences", Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 2005, 14:543-549, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference.
Several different bioimpedance approaches to determine the optimal fluid status have been published:
The normovolemic-hypervolemic slope method, cf., e.g. Chamney et al., "A new technique for establishing dry weight in hemodialysis patients via whole body bioimpedance", Kidney Int., 2002, 61:2250-2258, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference, applies whole body multi-frequency bioimpedance to assess pre-dialytic total body extracellular fluid volume and compares the extracellular fluid volume/body weight relation at hypervolemia with the standard value in normovolemic individuals.
The resistance-reactance graph method, cf., e.g. Piccoli et al., "A new method for monitoring body fluid variation by bioimpedance analysis: the RXc graph", Kidney Int., 1994, 46:534-539, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference, uses whole body single frequency bioimpedance for assessment of fluid status and nutritional status from height-adjusted resistance and reactance. The resulting resistance-reactance vector is set in relation to a distribution range in a normovolemic population. The difficulty of this method is that it does not provide absolute values of the fluid status—patients can only be compared to percentiles of a normal population.
Whole body bioimpedance spectroscopy (wBIS) is a noninvasive technique calculating the "whole body" extracellular fluid volume (wECV) and the whole body intracellular fluid volume (wICV) by measuring resistance and reactance over a range of alternating current frequencies (e.g. 50 to 250 frequencies from ca. 1 kHz to 1000 kHz). Ratios of wECV or wICV to total body water volume (TBW) or the ratio wECV/wICV are used to assess the fluid status of a patient, cf., e.g. Wei Chen et al., "Extracellular Water/Intracellular Water Is a Strong Predictor of Patient Survival in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients", Blood Purif., 2007, 25:260-266, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference.
The newest and more sophisticated technique is a whole body bioimpedance spectroscopy with a physiological tissue model: wECV and wTBW are measured by whole body bioimpedance spectroscopy and additionally the fluid status and body composition are calculated. This is achieved by setting the measured patient in relation to a subject with a normal fluid status and the same body composition. Thus it relates back to the normohydrated properties of tissue. This physiologic tissue model is described in "A whole-body model to distinguish excess fluid from the hydration of major body tissues", Chamney P. W., Wabel P., Moissl U. M. et al., Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2007, January, 85(1):80-9, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference. This method allows the patient specific prediction of the normal fluid status and the normal fluid status weight—the weight, the patient would have with a working kidney. This method also allows to determine the composition of the individual including adipose tissue mass (ATM or MAT), lean tissue mass (LTM or MLT) and extracellular water volume ECW.
An alternative method (see, for example, Zhu et al., "Adjustment of dry weight in hemodialysis patients using intradialytic continuous multifrequency bioimpedance of the calf", Int. J. Artif. Organs, 2004, 12:104-109 and Zhu et al., "A method for the estimation of hydration state during hemodialysis using a calf bioimpedance technique", Physiol. Meas., 2008: S503-S516, the disclosures of which are entirely incorporated by reference) uses segmental bioimpedance in the form of continuous intradialytic calf bioimpedance to record changes in calf extracellular volume during dialysis. Normohydration weight determined by this method is defined as the body weight at which calf extracellular volume is not further reduced despite ongoing ultrafiltration. Although this method is good for estimating normohydration of a patient, the technique requires the performance of bioimpedance measurements throughout a dialysis session. In fact, a prediction of the normohydration weight is not feasible at all. In addition, patient movement at the lower limb is limited during the dialysis session and measuring electrodes have to be kept in place until the session is finished.
Fluid management of individuals undergoing dialysis and/or ultrafiltration comprises three main steps: 1) the assessment of fluid status, 2) the optimisation of fluid status towards normohydration and 3) the maintenance of an "optimized" normohydration fluid status corresponding to the normohydration weight.
The above described methods cover the first step, and using a fluid reduction protocol as described in Petr Machek et. al.: "Guided optimization of fluid status in haemodialysis patients", Nephrol Dial Transplant (2010) 25: 538-544, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety provides a solution for the second step. Nevertheless, an urgent need exists to find a solution for maintaining the optimal fluid status.
This is particularly tricky, since one has to detect if an individual's weight alternates due to a change of fluid overload or due to a change in normohydration weight because of a change in bodycomposition (lean or fat mass).
Changes in normohydration weight can occur very quickly and may be overlooked in a lot of cases, leading to subsequent over- or underhydration over a longer period of time if the dialysis postweight, i.e. the weight after a dialysis, is not adjusted.
Therefore, either the fluid status and/or the normohydration weight should be updated regularly, at best in every treatment.
Unfortunately, the above described bioimpedance methods cannot be used in every treatment, but rather on a monthly basis or even just once every three months, in particular due to costs and/or to discomfort that these methods cause to the monitored individual.
Various other approaches to detect a change in the fluid status have been developed, such as blood volume monitoring, ultrasound assessment of inferior vena cava diameter and several biochemical parameters, such as brain or atrial natriuretic peptide.
In particular blood volume monitoring or plasma volume monitoring is believed to be a good indicator for detecting a change of fluid status or even to determine dry weight of an individual, cf., e.g. A. D. Sinha et al.: "Relative Plasma Volume Monitoring During Hemodialysis Aids the Assessment of Dry Weight", Hypertension. 2010; 55: 305-311, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference. Plasma volume monitoring assesses the balance between refilling and ultrafiltration rate in respect to the absolute plasma volume. Fluid overload is one of many factors influencing this relationship. Plasma is thereby directly linked to blood volume. Relative blood volume is a ratio of the blood volume at a certain moment compared to an earlier determined blood volume, e.g. at the beginning of a treatment session.
It has often been reported that flat relative blood volume curves are a sign of excessive fluid overload. According to Guyton, about ⅔ of fluid overload contribute to the interstitial space, and the remaining ⅓ contributes to the plasma volume, c.f. Guyton A. C. et al., "JE. Textbook of Medical Physiology", Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 2000, the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference. Both effects result in a flatter relative blood volume curve: firstly, interstitial fluid overload provides a fluid reservoir that facilitates refilling from the interstitial to the vascular space. Secondly, a 1 L decrease in plasma volume will lead to a smaller relative change if the absolute plasma volume is higher.
None of these approaches, however, give an accurate estimate of the change of fluid status (overload/normohydration) due to the fact that they have not been proven to be practical or reliable in the determination in individual patients. Consequently, a majority of dialysis patients may be fluid overloaded or depleted without specific symptoms.
Therefore, there exists an urgent need to find an applicable parameter which can be determined cost-efficiently, easily and regularly without causing discomfort or even distress to the patient.
Furthermore, an urgent need for a determination of a change in fluid status and/or a fluid status and a treatment of an individual based on such a parameter exists, in particular to avoid unnoticed fluid overload or depletion in treated individuals. Put simply, it would be beneficial for the adequate fluid management of individuals to quantify fluid overload or even to be able to estimate dry weight and/or normohydration weight more reliably without causing discomfort to the individual than currently done in clinical practice.

Calibration of a body parameter for monitoring dialysis