DNA constructs encoding papilloma virus gene products, capable of being expressed upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are novel prophylactic pharmaceuticals which can provide immune protection against infection by papilloma virus.

Papilloma virus (PV) infections occur in a variety of animals, including humans, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, snakes and cattle. Papilloma viruses infect epithelial cells, generally inducing benign epithelial or fibroepithelial tumors at the site of infection. Papilloma viruses are species specific infective agents; e.g., a human papillomavirus generally does not infect a nonhuman animal.
Papilloma viruses may be classified into distinct groups based on the host that they infect. Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are further classified into more than 60 types based on DNA sequence homology (for a review, see Papilloma Viruses and Human Cancer, H. Pfister (ed.), CRC Press, Inc., 1990). Papilloma virus infections appear to induce type-specific immunogenic responses in that a neutralizing immunity to infection to one type of papilloma virus may not confer immunity against another type of papilloma virus.
In humans, different HPV types cause distinct diseases. HPV types 1,2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 26-29 cause benign warts in both normal and immunocompromised individuals. HPV types 5, 9, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19-25, 36 and 46-50 cause flat lesions in immunocompromised individuals. HPV types 6, 11, 34, 39, 41-44 and 51-55 cause nonmalignant condylomata of the genital tract. HPV types 16 and 18 cause epithelial dysplasia of the genital tract and are associated with the majority of in situ and invasive carcinomas of the cervix, vagina, vulva and anal canal.
Immunological studies in animal systems have shown that the production of neutralizing antibodies to papilloma virus antigens prevents infection with the homologous virus. The development of effective human papilloma virus vaccines has been slowed by the inability to cultivate papilloma viruses in vitro. The development of an effective HPV vaccine has been particularly slowed by the absence of a suitable animal host for the direct study of HPV.
Neutralization of papilloma virus by antibodies appears to be type-specific and dependent upon conformational epitopes on the surface of the virus.
Papilloma viruses are small (50-60 nm), nonenveloped, icosahedral DNA viruses that encode for early and late genes. The open reading frames (ORFs) of the virus genomes are designated E1 to E7 and L1 and L2, where "E" denotes early and "L" denotes late. L1 and L2 encode virus capsid proteins. E1 to E3 and E5 to E7 are associated with functions such as viral replication and transformation.
The L1 protein is the major capsid protein and has a molecular weight of 55-60K. L2 protein is a minor capsid protein which has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 55K and an apparent molecular weight of 75-100K as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electron microscopic and immunologic data suggest that most of the L2 protein is internal to the L1 protein. The L2 proteins are highly conserved among different papilloma viruses, especially the 10 basic amino acids at the C-terminus. The L1 ORF is highly conserved among different papilloma viruses.
The L1 and L2 genes have been used to generate recombinant proteins for potential use in the prevention and treatment of papilloma virus infections. Zhou et al. cloned HPV type 16 L1 and L2 genes into a vaccinia virus vector and infected CV-1 mammalian cells with the recombinant vector to produce virus-like particles (VLP). These studies were interpreted as establishing that the expression of both HPV type 16 L1 and L2 proteins in epithelial cells is necessary and sufficient to allow assembly of VLP. The expression of L1 protein alone or L2 protein alone or double infection of cells with single recombinant vaccinia virus vectors containing L1 and L2 genes did not produce particles.
Bacterially-derived recombinant bovine papilloma virus L1 and L2 have been generated. Neutralizing sera to the recombinant bacterial proteins cross-reacted with native virus at low levels, presumably due to differences in the conformations of the native and bacterially-derived proteins.
Recombinant baculoviruses expressing HPV16 L1 or HPV16 L2 ORF have been used to infect insect SF9 cells and produce recombinant L1 and L2 proteins. Western blot analyses showed that the baculovirus-derived L1 and L2 proteins reacted with antibody to HPV16. The production of HPV 16 L1 and HPV16 L2 proteins by recombinant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has also been demonstrated.
Since cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in both mice and humans are capable of recognizing epitopes derived from conserved internal viral proteins and are thought to be important in the immune response against viruses, efforts have been directed towards the development of CTL vaccines capable of providing heterologous protection against different viral strains.
It is known that CD8.sup.+ CTLs kill virally-infected cells when their T cell receptors recognize viral peptides associated with MHC class I molecules. These peptides are derived from endogenously synthesized viral proteins, regardless of the protein's location or function within the virus. Thus, by recognition of epitopes from conserved viral proteins, CTLs may provide cross-strain protection. Peptides capable of associating with MHC class I for CTL recognition originate from proteins that are present in or pass through the cytoplasm or endoplasmic reticulum. Therefore, in general, exogenous proteins, which enter the endosomal processing pathway (as in the case of antigens presented by MHC class II molecules), are not effective at generating CD8.sup.+ CTL responses.
Efforts to generate CTL responses have included the use of replicating vectors to produce the protein antigen within the cell or have focused upon the introduction of peptides into the cytosol. Both of these approaches have limitations that may reduce their utility as vaccines. Retroviral vectors have restrictions on the size and structure of polypeptides that can be expressed as fusion proteins while maintaining the ability of the recombinant virus to replicate, and the effectiveness of vectors such as vaccinia for subsequent immunizations may be compromised by immune responses against the vectors themselves. Also, viral vectors and modified pathogens have inherent risks that may hinder their use in humans. Furthermore, the selection of peptide epitopes to be presented is dependent upon the structure of an individual's MHC antigens and, therefore, peptide vaccines may have limited effectiveness due to the diversity of MHC haplotypes in outbred populations.
Intramuscular inoculation of polynucleotide constructs. i.e., DNA plasmids encoding proteins, have been shown to result in the in situ generation of the protein in muscle cells. By using cDNA plasmids that encode viral proteins, antibody responses that provide homologous protection against subsequent challenge can be generated. The use of polynucleotide vaccines (PNVs) to generate antibodies may result in an increased duration of the antibody responses as well as the provision of an antigen that may have the proper post-translational modifications and conformation of the native protein (vs. a recombinant protein). The viral proteins produced in vivo after PNV immunization may assume their native conformation, thereby eliciting the production of virus neutralizing antibody. The generation of CTL responses by this means offers the benefits of cross-strain protection without the use of a live potentially pathogenic vector or attenuated virus.
Benvenisty et al. reported that CaCl.sub.2 precipitated DNA introduced into mice intraperitoneally, intravenously or intramuscularly could be expressed. More recently, intramuscular (i.m.) injection of DNA expression vectors in mice was reported to result in the uptake of DNA by the muscle cells and expression of the protein encoded by the DNA (J. A. Wolff et al., 1990; G. Ascadi et al., 1991). The injected plasmids were shown to be maintained extrachromosomally and did not replicate. Subsequently, persistent expression after i.m. injection in skeletal muscle of rats, fish and primates, and cardiac muscle of rats has been reported. The technique of using nucleic acids as immunogenic agents was reported in WO90/11092 (4 Oct. 1990), in which naked polynucleotides were used to vaccinate vertebrates.
The method is not limited to intramuscular injection. For example, the introduction of gold microprojectiles coated with DNA encoding bovine growth hormone (BGH) into the skin of mice resulted in production of anti-BGH antibodies in the mice. A jet injector has been used to transfect skin, muscle, fat, and mammary tissues of living animals. Various methods for introducing nucleic acids were reviewed by Donnelly, Ulmer and Liu (The Immunologist, 2:20, 1994).
This invention contemplates a variety of methods for introducing nucleic acids into living tissue to induce expression of proteins. This invention provides methods for introducing viral proteins into the antigen processing pathway to generate virus-specific CTLs and antibodies. Thus, the need for specific therapeutic agents capable of eliciting desired prophylactic immune responses against viral pathogens is met for papilloma virus by this invention. Therefore, this invention provides DNA constructs encoding viral proteins of the human papilloma virus which encode induce specific CTLs and antibodies.
The protective efficacy of DNA vaccination against subsequent viral challenge is demonstrated by immunization with non-replicating plasmid DNA encoding one or more of the above mentioned viral proteins. This is advantageous since no infectious agent is involved, no assembly of virus particles is required, and determinant selection is permitted. Furthermore, because the sequence of some of the gene products is conserved among various types of papilloma viruses, protection against subsequent challenge by a different type of papilloma virus that is homologous to or heterologous to the strain from which the cloned gene is obtained is enabled.

Polynucleotide vaccine for papillomavirus


An electronic throttle body control system (100) and method provides accurate control over a throttle plate (102) position via various functions. An ice breaking function detects whether there is ice blocking the path of the throttle plate (102) and vibrates the throttle plate (102) to break and remove the ice. A mechanical stop confirmation function that confirms a mechanical stop position each time the vehicle is turned on to ensure that adaptation values for the throttle plate (102) are calculated accurately. A miswiring detection function detects miswirings by detecting whether the actual movement of the throttle plate (102) is in a direction opposite to the setpoint target direction.

An electronic throttle body throttle plate in a vehicle controls the air-fuel ratio within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Proper positioning of the throttle plate is critical for efficient engine operation. The throttle plate itself can move between a lower mechanical stop (LMS) position, in which the throttle plate is at an angular position of zero degrees (i.e., a completely closed throttle position) to a maximum travel position (i.e., a wide open throttle position). The amount of air entering the combustion chamber depends on the angular position of the control plate, and the proper throttle plate position for a given air-fuel ratio is dictated by a position of an acceleration pedal in the vehicle, which controls how much air and fuel enter the combustion chamber.
There are various conditions where the plate will not reach a desired position. For example, during low temperature conditions, it is possible for ice to form on the throttle plate or on a body in which the throttle plate operates. This ice formation will block movement of the throttle plate to its desired position.
Varying temperature conditions, friction, and/or changing battery voltages may also cause a calculated lower mechanical stop (LMS) position value (e.g., the position at which the position of the throttle plate is at, for example, zero degrees and where the throttle is completely closed) to change. Because mass air flow in the throttle body is calculated based on the LMS value, any inaccuracies in determining the LMS value will create inaccuracies in calculating mass air flow. However, currently known systems without EEPROMs cannot store the LMS values of previous driving cycles and instead recalculate the adaptation values each time the vehicle is turned on. Although the system does attempt to move the throttle plate to the LMS position before calculating the adaptation values, friction in the throttle body, fluctuating battery voltages, and other factors may cause the throttle plate position to be different than the actual LMS position. Moreover, the LMS position itself may change due to these conditions or as the system ages. This causes the adaptation values to be calculated incorrectly and cause inefficiencies in engine operation.
Moreover, the angular position of the throttle plate may be incorrect due to miswirings in the electronic throttle body control that may occur during vehicle assembly or component replacement. Miswirings may cause the throttle plate to move in a direction opposite to the desired direction. If the throttle plate is allowed to continue moving in an undesired direction, the resulting improper air-fuel ratio may cause adverse effects in the engine and potentially damaging vehicle operation.
There is a desire for an electronic throttle body control that ensures proper throttle plate positioning even under adverse or changing environmental conditions. There is also a desire for an electronic throttle body control that can adapt to any variations in the LMS value to ensure accurate throttle plate position.

Electronic throttle body control system and method


Determining for each base station in a wireless telecommunication switching system whether a wireless handset should receive audio or vibration alerting for incoming calls. The wireless telecommunication switching system utilizes information specifying alerting for the base stations that is entered by a system administrator. In addition, individual users may choose to specify areas designated by the system administrator for audio alerting as vibration alerting. The information specifying the audio or vibration alerting from either the administrator or individual users is specified for different periods of time for each of the base stations. The system administrator may directly determine the alerting information for each individual base station. Also, the system administrator may determine the alerting information for different areas of the building, and as base stations are added to the wireless telecommunication system, they inherit the attributes of the area in which they are placed.

Personal communication service (PCS) is provided in a variety of environments. One of these environments is the academic or business environment in which there are certain areas where it is not desirable to have audio alerting (ringing) given for incoming calls. Rather, the preferred method is to use a physical transducer that will cause the PCS wireless handset to vibrate which is detectable by the user. The areas in which audio or vibration alerting is desired vary depending on the time of the day. In certain areas, the users themselves may decide to use audio or vibration alerting; however, in other areas the PCS system administrator may wish to designate certain areas in which audio alerting will not be utilized. One such area would be an auditorium during certain hours. In addition, the users of PCS wireless handsets are constantly moving within the environment, and it is an inconvenience to constantly have to adjust between audio and vibration alerting.

Automatic determination of audio or vibration alerting for an incoming call in a wireless handset


A docking station for reading and writing an electronically writable return reminder tag located on a surface of a rental item, the rental item or the return reminder tag having locating features and the return reminder tag including an electronically writable bistable display, a machine readable code identifying the rental item, and a plurality of conductive pads located on the front side of the tag for writing to the display, includes a body defining complementary locating features for locating the rental item bearing the return reminder tag with respect to the docking station; a scanner for scanning the machine readable code on the return reminder tag; and a plurality of contact pins for contacting the conductive pads of the return reminder tag.

Currently when an item is rented from any rental store such as a pre-recorded video cassette, DVD, or video game, the customer is given verbal instructions indicating the date of return. The return information can also be written on the receipt, which is usually tossed out by the customer. Very often, however, the customer forgets the verbal instructions as well as loses track of the receipt which states the return date and time. When the rented item is returned late to the rental store, substantial monetary penalties are charged.
Pending U.S. Ser. No. 10/134,185 filed Apr. 29, 2002 by Stephenson et al. proposes a programmable return reminder tag having a bistable liquid crystal display for displaying return data and a Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code, wherein the information programmed in the display remains on the display in the absence of power. The return reminder tag has a set of electrical contacts on the front side of the display.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,587, issued Mar. 13, 2001 to Sakamaki shows a writable liquid crystal display for a video cassette that indicates the contents of the cassette. An indexing apparatus includes a body having an aperture for receiving the cassette, a thermal print head for writing information on the display and an operator interface including a display and operation knobs on the front of the indexing apparatus. The problem with such an indexing apparatus is that it is suitable only for writing on a display on only one particular type of cassette.
There is a need therefore for a writer that can be used to write on a display tag affixed to a video cassette, a DVD, or a video game case.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Docking station for writing to electronically writable display


A system and method for producing compressed air from ocean waves. The system includes an enclosing frame having a base anchored to an ocean floor with two or more columns extending upward from the base to above the ocean surface and a platform at an upper end of the columns. A float is located in the frame between the columns so that the float is confined to go up and down. The float is placed on the ocean surface within the frame and goes up and down with the ocean waves. One or more pumps are located on the platform with the hammer head that can be raised and lowered to produce compressed air with the pumps. The hammer head is connected to the float with two or more elongated shafts so that the hammer head is raised and lowered by the ocean waves and produces compressed air.

In the last century the consumption of energy has increased enormously. Energy can be provided by burning oil, coal, wood and other materials. Energy may also be provided from clean sources such as from the sun or from water dams.
Another source for harnessing clean energy is from the kinetic motion of ocean waves. Many systems have been designed to harness the motion of ocean waves to produce compressed air that can then easily be utilized to produce electrical energy.
Systems for harnessing the ocean waves can be stationary or non-stationary, e.g. anchored to the floor of the ocean or floating on the surface of the ocean. Typically non-stationary systems are more susceptible to damage during bad weather since they may be knocked around violently.
One problem in dealing with ocean waves in many locations especially near the shore is that the tide can have a large effect on the height of the surface of the ocean making it problematic to construct stationary systems for producing compressed air. In some locations the difference between the height of the ocean surface can vary, for example up to 10 meters over time due to the tide.

Producing compressed air from ocean waves


A jig device for inspecting quality of a secondary battery, which fixes the secondary battery and inspects quality of the secondary battery, is provided in which the jig device includes a jig base having a seating hole, a fixed module mounted on the jig base at one side of the seating hole, a first gliding module mounted on the jig base at a side opposite to the fixed module and glidable toward the fixed module, and a support part extending across the seating hole. A masking block is mounted on one or more portions of the fixed module and the first gliding module, which comes into contact with an edge of the secondary battery to fix the secondary battery. The first gliding module is detachable from the jig base, and the support part is separable from the fixed module and the first gliding module.

Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable secondary batteries are being developed not only for digital devices but also for vehicles such as electric vehicles.
Secondary batteries are variously classified according to materials and shapes of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Among them, since such a lithium secondary battery using a lithium compound material has large capacity and a low self-discharge rate, the lithium secondary battery is being widely used instead of a nickel-cadmium secondary battery according to the related art.
Also, the lithium secondary battery may be manufactured in various shapes. Representative examples of the shape of the lithium secondary battery include a cylinder type lithium secondary battery and a prismatic type lithium secondary battery. In recent years, a pouch type lithium secondary battery having flexibility is being manufactured.
Since the pouch type secondary battery has the flexibility, the shape of the pouch type secondary battery may be relatively freely manufactured. The pouch type secondary battery comprises a pouch and an electrode assembly built in the pouch to charge and discharge electric energy. An electrolyte is injected into the pouch in a state in which the pouch is opened. An electrode tab protruding from an end of the electrode assembly is connected to a lead that protrudes outward from the pouch.
Also, a sealing part that is sealed to seal the pouch is disposed along an edge of the pouch. That is, the sealing part may be an edge portion that is thinner than a portion, in which the electrode assembly is built, within the pouch.
Here, a pouch sealant is applied to an adhesion surface of the sealing part, and a tab sealant is applied to an adhesion surface of the electrode tab. Also, as described above, when the applied pouch and tab sealants are heated and melted by a sealing tool, the sealing of the sealing part of the pouch may be performed.
However, if the sealing of the sealing part is not properly performed, the internal electrolyte may leak to cause defective products. To solve the problem related to the leakage of the electrolyte in the related art, various means have been required.

Jig device for inspecting quality of secondary battery


A method for determining virtual machine migration relates to the field of communications and can reduce a deployment cost. The method includes a client in a host machine obtains a unique identifier of a virtual machine on the host machine and an address of the host machine; and if the unique identifier of the virtual machine does not exist in a local record of the client, the client sends a packet to a server in a network in which the host machine is located, where the packet carries the unique identifier of the virtual machine and the address of the host machine, so that the server determines, according to the unique identifier of the virtual machine and the address of the host machine, whether the virtual machine is migrated; and the client adds the unique identifier of the virtual machine to the local record to update the local record.

At present, a virtual machine technology is commonly applied to various cloud computing environments, and a core idea of cloud computing is to uniformly manage and schedule a great number of resources (the resources herein include a storage resource, a computing resource, and various types of application software) connected using a network, to form a resource pool to provide a user with a service on demand. In the virtual machine technology, one or more virtual machines can be virtualized on one physical host, so that several or even dozens of virtual machines can share a hardware resource of one physical host, thereby improving utilization of the resource. However, the application of the virtual machine technology also brings new challenges to network security management. An existing physical security device protects security of a domain formed by physical hosts, for example, security of an internal local area network of a company, but cannot monitor traffic between virtual machines in a virtualized network formed by several virtual machines, especially virtual machines on a same host machine (in this specification, a physical host that provides a hardware resource for a virtual machine is referred to as a host machine). In addition, virtual machine migration also makes a static security policy no longer applicable, where the virtual machine migration refers to a phenomenon that a virtual machine originally implemented based on a hardware resource and a processing resource of one physical host is implemented by a hardware resource and a processing resource of another physical host.
In the prior art, whether traffic of a virtual machine in a virtualized network is monitored by a physical security device or by a secure virtual machine on a host machine, it requires that a security policy be dynamically adjusted when virtual machine migration occurs. Therefore, how to determine that virtual machine migration occurs becomes a key problem.
A current manner of determining virtual machine migration is that traffic of a virtual machine is completely imported into a switch, and the switch determines existence of the virtual machine. However, this manner requires a tailor-made switch that supports a protocol, for example, a switch that supports the Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregator (VEPA) protocol, and a virtual machine vendor also needs to provide support. Therefore, a deployment cost is high.

Method and apparatus for determining virtual machine migration


A composite turbine disc includes a bore section providing a first set of mechanical and temperature resistance properties, and a rim section which provides a second set of mechanical and temperature resistance properties. The second set of mechanical properties and temperature resistance are superior to the first set of properties. An intermediate diaphragm section is disposed between the bore section and the rim section. The intermediate section has mechanical and temperature resistance properties in a range between the first and second set of properties.

Gas turbine engines include a compressor section for supplying a flow of compressed combustion air, a combustor section for burning a fuel in the compressed combustion air to produce thermal energy, and a turbine section for converting the thermal energy into mechanical energy in the form of a shaft rotation. Many parts of the combustor section and turbine section are exposed directly to hot combustion gasses. For example, the combustor, the transition duct between the combustor and the turbine section, and the turbine stationary vanes, discs and rotating blades are all exposed to hot combustion gases.
It is also known from basic thermodynamics that increasing the firing temperature of the combustion gas may increase the power and efficiency of a combustion turbine. Modern high efficiency combustion turbines have firing temperatures that may be well in excess of the safe operating temperature of the structural materials used to fabricate the hot gas flow path components. Special superalloy materials have been developed for use in such high temperature environments.
These materials have been used with specific cooling arrangements, including film cooling, backside cooling and insulation. Superalloys are well known in the art of power generation. Superalloys are based on Group VIIIB elements and usually consist of various combinations of Fe, Ni, Co, and Cr, as well as lesser amounts of W, Mo, Ta, Nb, Ti, and Al. The three major classes of superalloys are nickel-based, iron-based, and cobalt-based alloys. Nickel-based superalloys can be either solid solution or precipitation strengthened. Solid solution strengthened alloys are used in applications requiring only modest strength.
A precipitation-strengthened alloy is required in the most demanding applications such as the hot combustion gas flow path sections of gas turbine engines. The primary strengthening phase in nickel-based superalloys is Ni3(Al, Ti), which is referred to as gamma prime. A characteristic of the gamma prime strengthened nickel-based superalloys is that they retain their strength at elevated temperatures and may be used in load-bearing structures to the highest homologous temperature of any common alloy system, being up to Tm=0.9, or 90% of their melting point.
Although nickel-based alloys are commonly used as the material for aircraft engine discs, application of these materials in industrial gas turbines results in significant technical problems as well as increased costs. For example, the manufacture of large industrial gas turbine discs via the conventional cast/wrought processing route is difficult. The starting ingots are already at their size limit for the avoidance of unacceptable segregation related defects, thus limiting the choice of available alloys. The number of presses with sufficient capacity to forge such discs is also extremely small. An alternative to cast/wrought processing is the powder metallurgy approach. Although powder metallurgy eliminates the need for casting large ingots, a high capacity forging press is still required. Neither the cast/wrought or powder metallurgy processing routes avoid the expense associated with the additional alloy cost.

Powder/wrought alloy composite turbine disc


A method for processing image array data is provided, which may include the following steps: providing the image array data detected by a sensor at a first time point and including a plurality of first blocks, and each of the first blocks has a color table corresponding thereto; segmenting the image array data detected by a sensor at a second time point into a plurality of second blocks; comparing the image array data of each first block with the image array data of each second block to generate numerical difference information; and respectively allocating the color tables corresponding to the first blocks to the second blocks matching the first blocks according to the numerical difference information.

With the advance of technology, the performance of sensors is significantly improved. Currently, many kinds of sensors are composed of sensor arrays in order to keep monitoring different targets. These sensors can detect the targets to generate image array data.
However, when the volume of data keeps increasing, it is very difficult for human eyes to observe the data. Accordingly, it has become an important issue to develop the techniques capable of displaying image array data detected by sensors for human eyes to easily observe the data.
Image array data may be obtained from various sources, such as temperature image array data detected by a thermal imaging camera, distance image array data detected by a depth camera, spectral intensity image array data detected by a spectrum sensor, ultrasonic image array data detected by a medical ultrasonic instrument, etc. In order to convert image array data into images which can be easily observed by human eyes, one of the currently available image processing methods can show the intensity of each numerical value of the image array data by a number between 0 and 255 and then display a gray-level image in a computer screen, or display a color image by red, green and blue (RGB) in the computer screen.
There are several currently available image processing methods can further optimize the image of image array data. These methods can calculate the statistics data of the image array data detected by a sensor to obtain the histogram of the image array data and then re-distribute the numerical intervals thereof according to the histogram, such as normalize, histogram equalization (Heq), advanced histogram equalization, etc. Then, these numerical values are displayed by different colors according to a color table, such as rainbow color table or heat metal color table, etc.

Device and method for processing image array data, and color table generation method thereof

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


Polymers containing polyesters and, optionally, agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The medical article generally comprises an implantable substrate having a coating, and the coating contains a polymer comprising a polymeric product of a reaction comprising a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to polymers for use with medical articles and, more specifically, polymers containing novel polyesters.
2. Description of the State of the Art
A current paradigm in biomaterials research is the use of bioabsorbable materials in medical implants. Bioabsorbable materials can be used, for example, as a reservoir for agents that can be therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, or otherwise biologically beneficial. Such agents can be blended, mixed, connected or otherwise combined with the bioabsorbable material. In one example, a bioabsorbable material can serve as a reservoir for agents that create a non-fouling surface, which is a surface that does not become fouled or becomes less fouled with a layer of partially denatured proteins. Uncontrolled protein adsorption on an implant surface is a problem with currently available biomaterial implants and leads to such fouling on the implant surface that can also lead to disease, such as thrombosis, inflammation, a proliferative tissue response, or any combination of these diseases. A mechanism for the creation of diseases due to fouling may include, for example, providing cell-binding sites from adsorbed plasma proteins such as fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G. Platelets and inflammatory cells such as, for example, monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils adhere to the cell-binding sites. A wide variety of proinflammatory and proliferative factors may be secreted and result in disease.
Bioabsorbable materials can also be used to medicate implants by facilitating local administration of a therapeutic or prophylactic substance at a diseased site. A stent is an example of an implant that can be improved with a coating that can serve as a reservoir for the local administration of agents. As a mechanical intervention, stents can physically hold open and, if desired, expand a passageway within a mammal. Typically, a stent may be compressed, inserted into a lumen through a catheter, and then expanded to a larger diameter once placed in a proper location. Examples of patents disclosing stents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,665, 4,800,882 and 4,886,062.
Stents play an important role in a variety of medical procedures such as, for example, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), which is a procedure used to treat heart disease. In PTCA, a balloon catheter is inserted through a brachial or femoral artery, positioned across a coronary artery occlusion, inflated to compress atherosclerotic plaque and open the lumen of the coronary artery, deflated and withdrawn. Problems with PTCA include formation of intimal flaps or torn arterial linings, both of which can create another occlusion in the lumen of the coronary artery. Moreover, thrombosis and restenosis may occur several months after the procedure and create a need for additional angioplasty or a surgical by-pass operation. Stents are generally implanted to reduce occlusions, inhibit thrombosis and restenosis, and maintain patency within the lumen of the coronary artery.
Local delivery of agents is often preferred over systemic delivery of agents, particularly where high systemic doses are necessary to achieve an effect at a particular site within a mammal, because high systemic doses of agent can often create adverse effects within the mammal. One proposed method of local delivery includes coating the surface of a medical article with a polymeric carrier that can be used as a reservoir for the delivery of agents. There are a large number of biodegradable polymers that have potential for such a use, and a polymer that is useful must be biocompatible, for example, in a vascular environment. The polymer must not elicit an adverse biological response greater than that elicited by stainless steel at all times until the polymer is absorbed. The biological response of a polymer is a complex function of polymer dose, degradation rate, acid generation, monomer compatibility, and response to morphological changes.
Bioabsorbable polymers can be categorized according to the type of labile linkage in the backbone of the polymer such as, for example, polyanhydrides, polyethers, polyesters, and the like. Currently used bioabsorbable polymers include poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(caprolactone), each of which are polyesters that are limited in their applications. For example, those of skill in the art know that poly(L-lactide) is quite strong but is inelastic, has a relatively high acid generation, and can present some biological response problems; and, poly(caprolactone) has a lower acid generation but is quite weak. Each of these polyesters undergo bulk erosion, which is less desirable for a coating material that is used to control release of agents.
Another problem involves regulatory concerns that may arise when agents attached to a polymeric coating remain attached to molecules from the polymeric coating upon degradation of the coating. Since these additional molecules were not considered in the original regulatory approval of the agent, there may be regulatory concerns over possible changes in the agent's biological activity.
Accordingly, there is a need for bioabsorbable polyesters that (i) have improved mechanical and biological response properties for applications that can benefit from such biodegradable polymers, and (ii) can release agents that are substantially free of additional molecules derived from a polymeric coating.

Biologically absorbable coatings for implantable devices based on polyesters and methods for fabricating the same


A system and method for selectively injecting parity errors into instructions after the instructions are fetched from a storage device and are resident within the instruction processor in a data processing system. The parity errors are selectively injected according to programmable indicators, each programmable indicator being associated with one or more instructions stored in the storage device. The error-injection system also includes programmable operating modes whereby error injection will occur after every fetch of an associated instruction, or alternatively, after alternate fetches of an associated instruction. The system allows for comprehensive testing of error detection and recovery logic in an instruction processor, and further allows for comprehensive testing of the logic associated with performing a data re-fetch from the storage device.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to error injection methods and apparatus used in the testing of electronic data processing systems; and, more particularly, relates to the selective injection of parity errors into data resident within a data processor for testing of error detection and recovery systems.
2. Background Art:
In the past, errors have been injected into electronic circuits by probing circuit nodes to force connected circuitry to certain states indicative of errors. This can be done manually, or automatically. U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,019 to Bentley et al. discloses a programmable apparatus that injects errors by automatically short-circuiting voltage nodes within the system under test to ground or to a supply voltage in response to the system obtaining a particular state. U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,459 to Hamlin et al. describes a computer-controllable external device which, like the Bentley system, injects errors by applying voltage levels to pins or external circuit nodes of the unit under test. Error injection is triggered when a predetermined logic state exists on one or more of the externally-available circuit nodes.
Although straight-forward, the process of injecting errors by shorting circuit nodes can cause damage to circuits if voltage levels are not accurately applied. Moreover, this process is often not possible when highly integrated circuits are being tested, since most circuit nodes are not accessible to external probing devices. One common means of injecting errors into nodes that are not readily accessible involves the use of internal "scan-set" logic. Scan-set logic usually includes a group of internal state devices which are interconnected to one another to form a shift register called a "scan string". Internal circuit nodes can be forced to logic levels by shifting (scanning) data into the scan strings from a device input to simulate an error condition. Generally, this scan will be performed after the system clock has been stopped. After the scan string is initialized to a particular state indicative of an error condition, the system clock is re-started. The injected error condition exercises the error detection and recovery logic.
Several complications exist with using scan strings to inject errors. Prior to injecting most errors using scan strings, the system clock must be halted as discussed above. This must be done at a precise time, so that the circuit is in the same logic state that would exist prior to a particular error occurrence during normal circuit operation. Stopping the clock so that the logic is in an exact state is difficult. Generally, it involves stopping the clock sometime before the logic is in the required state, then issuing single clock pulses until the logic is in the precise state. Calculating the required clock control, then administering that control during circuit test, is time-consuming and error-prone.
Moreover, this process must be repeated for every error injected.
The above-described problems are accentuated when testing very complex circuits such as those associated with pipelined instruction processors. More specifically, testing parity-error detection and recovery logic in pipelined instruction processors has been particularly problematic in prior art systems for several reasons. In pipelined instruction processors, several instructions are in various stages of execution within the instruction processor at one time. If a parity error is detected on an instruction within the instruction processor, the instruction processor completes execution of all foregoing uncompleted instructions in the instruction stream, that is, the pipelined instruction processor is "de-piped". After the instruction processor is de-piped, the instruction which was corrupted is re-fetched from memory. Both the de-pipe and re-fetch processes require very complex logic sequences to perform. These sequences are dependent not only on the type of instructions which are resident in the pipeline at the time of the error, but also on the relative memory address of the re-fetched instruction. Completely testing the error-detection and recovery logic requires the execution of hundreds of error injection test cases. Performing this testing using the scan-set and associated clock control operations described above is very time-consuming. As a result, prior art systems required lengthy test schedules that are no longer feasible considering the short design cycles associated with modern-day development efforts.

Parity-error injection system for an instruction processor


An air duct system for a combined refrigerator of the forced air circulation type and comprising a freezing compartment (1) and a refrigerating compartment (2), which are superposed and separated by an intermediate wall (3), and further having an air cooling compartment (4) lodging an evaporator (5) and a fan (6) and presenting at least one circulated air inlet (4a) and at least one refrigerated air outlet (4b). The system comprises a body (10) mounted to the inside of the intermediate wall (3) and defining a rear chamber (11), which is opened to the circulated air inlet (4a); a transversal through-duct (12) communicating the refrigerated air outlet (4b) with the refrigerating compartment (2); at least one first and one second return duct (13, 14) presenting a rear end (13b, 14b) opened to the rear chamber (11), and a front end (13a, 14a) opened to the inside of the freezing compartment (1) and of the refrigerating compartment (2), respectively.

The combined refrigerators with forced air circulation are provided with ducts for the conduction of cold air coming from the evaporator, to both the freezing and the refrigerating compartments.
In a prior art construction, the ducts, which promote the fluid communication of the freezing and refrigerating compartments with the evaporator, are constructed in EPS molded pieces, normally three pieces, comprising a base, a cover, and a complement, defining a hollow block, which is mounted to the inside of the intermediate wall of the freezing and refrigerating compartments, before the cabinet walls are filled with a thermal insulation material.
In another construction pertaining to the state of art, the air ducts, which promote the fluid communication of the freezing and refrigerating compartments, are formed in plastic pieces, which are normally blow molded, and whose ends are connected to specific points of the compartments. These pieces are externally covered with the thermal insulation material, which is subsequently injected to the inside of the cabinet walls.
In both prior art constructions considered above, the captation of cold air from the evaporator, to be supplied into the refrigerating compartment, is laterally made through an air distribution plenum provided in the rear region of the freezing compartment, since the fan that impels the airflow is centrally positioned in the cabinet. The need of providing the captation of cold air to the refrigerating compartment in an offset position in relation to the central plane of the cabinet is due to the presence of an air return duct that is centrally provided through the intermediate wall, from the front upper region of the refrigerating compartment to the lower region of the evaporator. Thus, for providing the downward directioning of the refrigerated airflow from the evaporator to the rear upper region of the refrigerating compartment, it is necessary to provide a "curved" path, laterally surrounding the air return duct of the refrigerating compartment, in order to have an outlet end inferiorly positioned in relation to said return duct and in communication with a descending central rear duct for supplying refrigerated air to the refrigerating compartment.
There is also the prior art solution designed to be applied to a basic combined refrigerator, of lower cost and in which the distribution of forced airflow is made through a central rear tower in the freezing compartment, and having the return of air by the lower part of the evaporator in the freezing compartment itself and in the rear upper region of the refrigerating compartment. In this type of construction, the captation of air from the refrigerating compartment to the evaporator is effected directly below the evaporator, no interference occurring between the refrigerated air duct coming down from the evaporator to the refrigerating compartment and the air return duct that is centrally mounted in the interior of the intermediate wall. However, this solution presents some disadvantages related to the construction and to the layout of the ducts inside both compartments, as well as to efficiency losses in terms of air circulation.


Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for managing batteries of a fleet of vehicles. A computing device includes one or more processors configured to receive first battery data related to a first battery of a first vehicle, where the first vehicle is part of the fleet of vehicles, and compare the first battery data to fleet battery data related to one or more other batteries of vehicles in the fleet of vehicles. Based on the comparison a second vehicle in the fleet is determined in which to switch the first battery to improve battery life of the batteries of the fleet.

The most common energy storage mechanism for vehicles is batteries, which offer energy storage capabilities and also supply necessary power to vehicles. However, battery technology faces major hurdles related to the costs and lifespans of the batteries. A duty cycle of such a battery generally relates to the loads the battery is expected to supply over a certain time period, and battery life is largely impacted by its corresponding duty cycle, among other factors. Often, difficulties in predicting a duty cycle of a battery lead to the oversizing of the battery in order to meet anticipated life requirements, which increases initial costs. Early battery failures are also a consequence of improper sizing, which increases warranty costs and decreases battery performance for a customer.

Systems and methods for management of fleet batteries


A method and apparatus for identifying a missing person, in particular, a missing child, includes utilizing a CD or other electronic storage medium to store unique identifying indicia of the person, portions of which are encrypted to protect sensitive information and to make it accessible only to authorities having been given a decryption key in advance. The CD or other storage medium is held by the legal guardian of the person, i.e. child, and given to authorities only if the child goes missing. Sensitive personal information is never centrally stored in a database. A kit, including the CD, may also include a conventional photo ID card of the child and, optionally, a booklet of instructions to the parent or other legal guardian.

Missing persons searches are certainly not new to our society. In the past, sketches or black and white photographs of missing persons were posted in public places to enlist the public's awareness and aid. Such postings often bore crude likenesses of the individual sought and thus increased the chances that a mistaken identification be made or, worse yet, the subject under search not being identified at all. Multiple copies of the likeness, made for the purpose of increasing viewership, decreased the quality of the image even further. Broadening the geographical boundaries of a search required the likeness to be transported physically—a time-consuming endeavor.
As technology has advanced, other means have become available. Mass mailings, radio, television, and the Internet have played significant roles in disseminating information to the public about missing persons.
The power of the internet to disseminate information to the public, can also be one of its greatest weaknesses when considering how to store data for missing people searches. The media is replete with instances where information that is intended to be private in databases is hacked into, misappropriated and exploited.
Also, the information itself (photographs, fingerprints, DNA samples) must be gathered, transported, and converted to electronic format before it can be broadcast using advanced means, such as the Internet. Precious time is lost in this complex process. Also information is many times incomplete when gathered after the disappearance of the person.
Prior art in the field of missing person identification aids includes three basic products: a paper identification card, various identification bracelets, and identification cards containing biometric data.
On paper identification cards, static, two dimensional, black and white or color still photographs appear, along with a field of personal information and possibly a fingerprint. Examples include a student body card, or driver's license. Such a product does almost nothing to counter the dilemmas already described: paper information must be transported and converted to electronic format before it can be broadcast. Again, time and image quality are compromised.
Identification bracelets are commonly used in hospitals to prevent mistaken identification and, in the case of infants, kidnapping. There are also some parents who require their children to wear bracelets containing the child's name, phone number, and perhaps address. Such a bracelet is useful only if the child is lost and then found by a responsible and benevolent party. One such bracelet is taught by Kravitz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,493. A kidnapper would likely dispose of the bracelet, rendering it useless in search efforts.
In recent years, an identification card that includes biometric information has been introduced. This product accomplishes two previously problematic objectives: authentication of the card itself, and verification that the holder of the card is truly the one it identifies. Both endeavors require the individual identified to be present. This is apparent in the following patents in this field: Bogosian, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,272, Fishbine U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,403, Drexler U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,747.
March U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,605 describes a system for storing an individual's personal information for use and dissemination at a time the person goes missing or some other emergency situation arises. The identifying information is entered on a form which is then sealed in a secure package and marked with a unique identifying code. The sealed forms from all persons enrolled in the system are then stored in a centralized location for access and deployment only if someone possessing the identifying code requests access. At that time, a report is generated from the form (or from an electronic storage media which may be used in lieu of the form) and disseminated to the appropriate authorities. The problem with this system is that it requires the person who's information has been gathered or the legal guardian of that person to relinquish custody and control of the identifying information to the operator of the central storage facility. This raises two potential problems, namely, a reluctance on the part of most people to relinquish personal control of such sensitive information, and the need to have a separate central storage facility for all of the individual packages of information.
Another factor involved in these inventions is the highly technical process in which a computer comparison is made between a database of previously obtained biometric information and biometric information gathered at the point of comparison. An algorithmic vector analysis ensues, reducing unique biometrics from a large number of people into a mathematical essence.
In addition to being prohibitive because of its highly technical nature, the objectives of the biometric identification card can only be met in the presence of the individual to whom the card belongs—a useless feature during a missing person search.
The inclusion of biometric data as used in verification, of itself, does not guarantee such information will be useful in helping humans locate a missing person. For example Sagem Morpho, Inc., a world leader in the field of biometric fingerprint identification, states that the templates generated for use in biometric fingerprint systems cannot be used to recreate an image of the fingerprint required in AFIS (called "criminal" by them) applications. See for example, http://www.morpho.com/products/products_biometric_morphotouchfaq.htm.
Thus biometric fingerprint templates used in verifying individuals from a database are useless to a forensic application in the case of identifing fingerprint image. Part of the reason for this approach, beside the fact that the data is unwieldy to maintain, is the concern that the raw fingerprint data is private to an individual unless that right is given up by the individual or usurped by the State.

Method and apparatus for locating a missing individual


A method of processing an amplitude-modulated traffic signal involves the determination of a gain offset between the traffic signal and a reference signal, e.g., a pilot signal, received in association with the traffic signal, based on relating values known or determined from the reference signal to that gain offset. For example, in at least one embodiment of a wireless communication receiver, one or more processing circuits are configured to compute the gain offset based on the average magnitude of estimated traffic symbols and a signal-to-noise ratio. The received traffic symbols can be estimated using soft combining weights calculated from the reference signal, as can the signal-to-noise ratio. With the gain offset thus determined, the estimated traffic symbols can be scaled properly for subsequent processing, such as in log-likelihood ratio processing to recover the traffic signal data.

The present invention generally relates to communication signal processing, and particularly relates to processing amplitude-modulated communication signals.
Communication signals as used in typical wireless communication systems commonly convey information via time-varying modulations in their frequency, or phase, or amplitude, or in some combination of those parameters. For example, the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) standards define a high-speed downlink channel referred to in the past as the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) channel, but more recently referred to as the High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH). Transmissions on the HS-DSCH use either Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or 16-ary Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16QAM), depending on the data rate needed.
At the receiver, turbo decoding generally is used, at least for decoding traffic symbols modulated according to the 16QAM format. Since turbo decoding depends on having accurate "soft" symbol information, the receipt of amplitude-modulated traffic symbols imposes significant signal processing challenges. More particularly, the receiver generally must have an amplitude reference for the received traffic signal, so that the as-received amplitude of the traffic signal can be properly referenced for symbol detection and soft information determination.
Obtaining an amplitude reference for the received traffic signal may be achieved by transmitting additional information to the receiver, but the additional signaling overhead required for that approach represents just one of the disadvantages of such schemes. Other approaches to determining an amplitude reference for the traffic signal involve relatively complex calculations, and/or involve assumed or modeled values relating the traffic and pilot signals. In the first case, maintaining a reasonably accurate amplitude reference imposes significant computational overhead on the receiver's signal processing elements. In the second case, the amplitude reference calculated by the receiver is no better than the accuracy or appropriateness of the assumed or modeled values.
Of course, the above challenges are not limited to WCDMA-based communication networks, or to 16QAM signal formats. For example, similar challenges may arise in the context of cdma2000-based systems, at least for certain signaling formats defined by the cdma2000 air interface standards. More generally, the ability to determine accurate amplitude references is needed by all receivers adapted for the demodulation of signals having higher-order amplitude modulation formats, or otherwise adapted for high data rate applications where soft value information is needed for accurate symbol decoding.

Method and apparatus for estimating gain offsets for amplitude-modulated communication signals


An information processing apparatus includes an instruction supplying section that supplies a plurality of instructions as a single instruction group, an executing section that repetitively executes a plurality of execution processes corresponding to the plurality of instructions in parallel, an issue timing control section that controls an issue timing of each of the instructions to the executing section so that the plurality of execution processes are executed with a timing delayed in accordance with a predetermined latency, and an operand transforming section that transforms an operand register address of each of the instructions in accordance with a predetermined increment value upon every repetition of execution in the executing section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, in particular, an information processing apparatus that supplies and executes a plurality of instructions as a single instruction group.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the proliferation of multimedia in ordinary households in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for improved performance of processors that perform image processing and sound processing. Accordingly, parallel processing techniques have been employed in an attempt to speed up processors. For instance, processors that execute SIMD (Single Instruction stream Multiple Data stream) instructions exist as an example of data-level parallel processing technique. Also, VLIW processors (Very Long Instruction Word Processors) exist as an example of instruction-level parallel processing technique. Further, in order to perform parallel processing in the temporal direction, a technique has been employed in which the number of pipeline stages is increased to improve the processor's operating clock frequency.
Of these techniques, a VLIW processor achieves enhanced parallelism by simultaneously executing a plurality of instructions contained in a single instruction group (VLIW instruction), thereby improving processor performance. For example, four processes are specified in a single instruction group and executed in parallel, thereby enabling high speed computation processing. Also, this VLIW processor uses an instruction that designates repetition of a process when the same process is to be performed on a plurality of pieces of data, thereby removing instruction code repetitions for improved code efficiency. For example, in the related art, there is a repeat instruction that repetitively executes a process within a repeat block (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-229779 (FIG. 15)).

Single instruction group information processing apparatus for dynamically performing transient processing associated with a repeat instruction


A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a voltage generation circuit for generating a voltage applied to the memory cell array, in which a plurality of drive MOS transistors having different width dimensions are selectively connected in parallel between an output line and the ground. The voltage is adjusted in response to the surrounding temperature in such a way that a prescribed number of drive MOS transistors selected from among the plurality of MOS transistors are normally and simultaneously driven. Thus, it is possible to precisely adjust the voltage in units of adjustment corresponding to differences of width dimensions without degrading the performance of the semiconductor memory device in a low current consumption mode.

1.. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices such as dynamic random-access memories, which have functions that adjust the levels of internal voltage sources.
The present application claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-177300, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2.. Description of the Related Art
Recently developed semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic random-access memories (DRAM) may operate based on levels of internal voltage sources thereof, which should be individually adjusted with respect to individual products.
Various types of semiconductor memory devices having functions that adjust the levels of internal voltage sources have been disclosed in various documents, such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.                Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H05-56559        Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-85971
Patent Document 1 teaches a semiconductor device having a plurality of voltage generation circuits for generating different levels of voltages based on an externally supplied voltage, wherein one of multiple voltage generation circuits is selected based on the operational characteristics of logic gates.
Patent Document 2 teaches a semiconductor memory device, which selectively turns on multiple transistors connected in series so as to produce a desired voltage based on on-resistance thereof.
Various methods have been developed to adjust dimensions of drive transistors by way of current controls of voltage generation circuits incorporated in conventionally-known semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM. One method is to change the dimensions of drive transistors. Another method is to additionally provide other drive transistors. In addition, various methods have been developed to finely adjust the dimensions of transistors. That is, one method is to change the dimensions of transistors. Another method is to additionally provide other transistors having very small dimensions. To achieve significant adjustment regarding the dimensions of transistors, it is necessary to additionally provide transistors whose dimensions are greater than those of transistors used in fine adjustment; alternatively, it is necessary to additionally provide numerous transistors (whose dimensions are identical to those of transistors used in fine adjustment), the number of which is far more than the number of transistors used in fine adjustment.
It is necessary for recently developed semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM to have low power consumption and high precision of dimensions because they must operate normally without interruption. In the aforementioned methods for additionally providing transistors having very small dimensions, in particular, in significant adjustment, it is necessary to perform a first step of additionally providing transistors whose dimensions are greater than those of transistors used in fine adjustment or a second step of additionally providing numerous transistors (whose dimensions are identical to those of transistors used in fine adjustment), the number of which is far more than the number of transistors used in fine adjustment. The difference between the first and second steps may degrade the partial precision of adjustment in prescribed processes, thus degrading the entire precision of adjustment.
The main factor in degrading the precision of adjustment is due to very small currents, which may not be affected by dimensions of drive transistors, within currents applied to drive transistors. Conventionally, they are very small and negligible; however, they have been recently highlighted as a negative influence because of a reduction of currents of adjustment circuits. They may be easily varied in manufacturing processes; hence, the conventional technology suffers from a problem in that it is difficult to secure an adequate precision of operation in semiconductor memory devices using adjustment circuits designed based on pre-estimated currents flowing therethrough.


The present invention is related to a means for detecting external threats by the use of methods and apparatuses for the wide area detection of chemical, radiological or biological threats using modified personal wireless devices combined with new advanced micro and nanosensor technologies. A cost effective method is provided for wide area surveillance of a potential terrorist or personal threat. Personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs or watches, in combination with new microsensor technologies described herein, can be used as a new type of platform detection technology for wide area surveillance of major threats. A “Homeland Security” chip is further provided which combines the elements of geo-location, remote wireless communication and sensing into a single chip. The personal electronic devices can be further equipped for detecting various medically related threats. Similarly modified personal devices can be used to detect external threats that are person-specific.

Wide area surveillance is defined here as the ability to detect a threat anywhere over a wide geographical area such as a large city, a county, a State or even an entire country. Since the attacks of Sep. 11, 2001 in the United States, this issue has become critical for countries that are concerned with broad and indiscriminate large-scale terrorist threats. Of particular concern is the threat of "dirty bombs" that could contaminate broad geographical areas and have very serious negative economic consequences for an entire country. Equally the threat of a biological attack with agents such as anthrax has become a serious national and international concern. Personal threat is defined here as any chemical, biological or radiological hazard that can threaten the health or the life of an individual.
A number of different detector technologies are currently commercially available or in the process of being developed to detect chemical, biological or radiological hazards. However these technologies are generally limited in their detection capabilities to small or immediate vicinity areas. Because of the diffusion effects, particularly for chemical or biological releases, point detection technologies can only be effective if the hazard or threat comes in close proximity to the sensor or detector itself. Such instances occur for example for baggage screening technologies used at airports where individual pieces of luggage are mechanically brought in very close proximity to the detectors. A few emerging technologies such as Berkeley Nucleonics' Smart Area Monitor (SAM) for radiation or some types of laser-based detectors for chemicals allow more remote detection (usually within a few tens of feet away from a source) but these technologies rely on very sensitive sensors that also require complex and expensive electronics.
Current detectors for chemical, radiological or biological hazards are not well suited either individually or in combination for wide area surveillance simply because the cost of deploying and networking such detectors over large geographical areas would make the cost of an effective nationwide detection blanket completely unfeasible. Additionally the chance of missing a terrorist threat such as a "dirty bomb" would be very high because the probability of having a detector or a partial sensor network in the right place and at the right time would be very low. Furthermore when single point detectors are used a single detection event might be considered as a false positive and therefore be ignored.
The US White House Office of Homeland Security has recognized this problem and has correctly pointed out in its National Strategy for Homeland Security (July 2002) that effective wide area surveillance in a large country like the United States can only be accomplished with the broad participation of the public. However no clear implementation plan or technology solution has yet been proposed or developed. Public participation is key to the success of a Homeland Security initiative and several recent examples in the United States and in other countries like Israel show how leads provided by the public can help solve or prevent terrorist events.
A number of technical solutions have been proposed for remote monitoring. U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,806 to Gaukel discloses a GPS based geo-location device comprising a remote tracking database, a means for communication and a body worn device for the purpose of tracking individuals, and particularly parolees. The Gaukel system must use the GPS system, a wristband sensor unit and a separate "cellular bag". Furthermore the system disclosed by Gaukel must rely on periodic monitoring at predetermined intervals using a database manager and continuous two-way use of a mobile phone implying high overall monitoring costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,318 to Schulez describes a personal radiation dosimeter with built-in communication capabilities for the automatic monitoring of people entering or leaving certain areas or zones. The Schulez system allows remote surveillance by a computer link but requires a specific reader system to be installed in each of the areas that are monitored.
U.S. Pat. No. US2002/0003470 A1 to Auerbach describes a system for the geolocation of gunshots. The Auerbach patent describes a network of sensors to detect and geo-locate gunshots and signatures thereof using GPS and triangulation methods.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,410 B1 to Monsen, III et al. describes a system for the remote monitoring of workers in hazardous environments. The Monsen system is a complete system including radiation and video monitoring and is specifically tailored to certain types of remote worker monitoring situations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,458 to Monroe describes an acoustic sensor system for the detection of threats including terrorist threats to aircrafts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,339 to Petitclerc et al. describes a process to carry out an inspection or monitoring around a nuclear site.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,337 B1 to Kambhatla et al. describes a method to detect an emerging illness using embedded sensors in different devices to detect the onset of a disease in an individual or the general population.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,968 to Cephus describes a network of sensors and method to connect with said sensors to gather environmental information remotely.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,416 B1 to Kuusela et al. describes a mobile phone with a plug in module for medical monitoring purposes. The technology described by Kuusela focuses on ECG, EEG and EMG functions that are measurable at close range remotely using specialized sensor modules.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,223 to Baxter, Jr. describes an early warning system with remote sensors for measuring environmental conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,454 issued Feb. 29, 2002, entitled "Worker-Specific Exposure Monitor and Method for Surveillance of Workers" to Michael L. Lovejoy, John P. Peeters and A. Wayne Johnson, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,454 to Lovejoy et al. describes a method for a worker-specific exposure monitor with remote geo-location and communication capabilities and a swappable sensor module. The patent by Lovejoy et al. describes a means to geolocate workers using land-based triangulation methods, provides for two-way communication and provides a means to determine any type of exposure using a swappable micro or nanosensor module. The patent also describes person-specific genomic applications for the technology.
In addition to these cited patent references the following scientific literature is cited for reference for this invention:
H. Sirringhaus et al. High-Resolution Inkjet Printing of All-Polymer Transistor Circuits. Science. VOL 290. Pages 2123–2126. 15 Dec. 2000.
D. Hausmann et al. Rapid Vapor Deposition of Highly Conformal Silica Nanolaminates. Science. VOL 298. Pages 402–406. 11 Oct. 2002.
M. Angelopoulos. Conducting polymers in microelectronics. IBM Journal of Research and Development. VOL. 45. Number 1. 2001.
J. Li et al. Ion-beam sculpting at nanometer length scales. Nature. VOL 412. Pages 166–169. Jul. 12, 2001.
Donhauser et al. Conductance Switching in Single Molecules Through Conformational Changes. Science. VOL 292. Pages 2303–2307. 22 Jun. 2001.
Li-Qun Gu et al. Capture of a Single Molecule in a Nanocavity. Science. VOL 291. Pages 636–640. 26 Jan. 2001.
U. Zülicke. Ultrasmall Wires Get Excited. Science. VOL 295. Pages 810–811. 1 Feb. 2002.
Y. Cui et al. Nanowire Nanosensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Biology and Chemical Species. Science VOL 293. Pages 1289–1292. 11 Aug. 2001.
The present technology presents a new, completely integrated, flexible and cost effective solution to build upon and complement existing detection technologies, networks and systems and specifically will help fill in the current detection gaps to make wide area threat surveillance possible by enhancing existing electronic and security infrastructures. Specifically the technology described here provides a means to place a new type of highly flexible, modular, low cost detector technology everywhere within a given country and principally where the threats will be the greatest that is within the most highly populated areas. The technology also allows individuals to self-monitor and self protect themselves from external hazards and threats.
The technology is possible by using new advanced sensor technologies that are described herein and that form an integral part of this invention.

Method and apparatus for wide area surveillance of a terrorist or personal threat


An overflow system for a bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A flexible diaphragm is secured to and seals the port by a plate having a center opening. The diaphragm seals the overflow port when the system is being tested for leaks with pressurized fluid. Following the test, when the fluid is removed, the diaphragm is cut or slashed to open the overflow port to provide fluid flow. A cap covering the plate and the diaphragm is secured to the drain pipe and covers the plate and the diaphragm.

In new building construction, the plumbers prefer not to put the finished closure valves in the bottom of tubs, or the finished decorative plate over the overflow outlet at the end of the tub until the project is finished because these elements will be often damaged as the construction project is brought to a close. Further, the piping for both of the outlets need to be checked for leaks before the inspection process is completed. The test involves running water down the vent for the drain until it reaches a level above the tub and the tester then determines whether any of the piping leaks. Thus, when the testing operation arrives, a plug is put in the bottom drain of the tub and some sort of a seal plate is placed at the end of the tub on the overflow outlet.
Existing overflow plates have a center opening therein. There are either two or four small screw holes in the plate adjacent the center opening wherein two of the holes are used to hold the plate to the plumbing fixture. In some cases there is a fitting so that the screw hole is located directly in the middle of the access hole. In that case, that hole is in the way when the testing procedure is implemented. In any event, the testing procedure usually involves stuffing a balloon through the large center opening into the pipe in the wall and the pipe is sealed when the balloon is inflated. Further, existing seal plates normally have to be removed when the decorative plate is put on. The decorative plate is typically held by two screws which either use the screw openings of the plate or two additional openings in the case that four holes are provided.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a method and means for installing an overflow outlet for bathtubs which will safeguard the overflow system during construction; prepare the system for testing; and facilitate the final installation of the bathtub hardware.
A further object of the invention is to facilitate the testing procedure of the overflow system before the final installation has taken place.
A still further object of this invention is to remove anything from the overflow port to make it operational.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Method and means for installing overflow outlets to bathtubs and the like


A computerized method for online trading of options is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an interface screen that shows market data and market data analysis useful to conduct a transaction and allows a user to input various transaction parameters, wherein the market data and market data analysis shown on the interface screen are continuously updated; dynamically receiving selected transaction parameters for an option from the user; calculating an option premium for the option based on the selected transaction parameters and the continuously updated market data; providing the dynamically calculated option premium to the user; receiving an on-line offer for purchasing the option from the user; and presenting the received offer to a seller of the option for acceptance or rejection.

In recent years, commodity exchanges have become more and more dependent upon electronic trading systems. The older manual methods by which trades were conducted have given way to advanced computer systems that have generally mimicked the manual methods of old. These relatively new electronic trading systems have many advantages over the manual systems, including the ability to provide such features as greater accuracy, reduced labor cost, real time market information, more efficient communications over greater distances, and automated record keeping.


The invention relates to fluorescent N2,N3-etheno-purine (2′-deoxy) riboside derivatives and fluorescent oligonucleotide probes comprising one or more moieties thereof, their preparation and uses thereof for staining DNA/RNA and for detection and quantitation of genetic material.

Staining nucleic acids is an essential tool in the manipulation of genetic material for any detection or quantitation purpose. The natural bases of DNA are not useful as fluorescent probes because of their extremely low quantum yields, and thus the use of extrinsic probes is necessary.
A common methodology for a sensitive detection of DNA and RNA is the application of fluorescent dyes. The use of these dyes is an attractive alternative to radioactive oligonucleotide labels that require special laboratory facilities and constant precautions to avoid high radiation levels. Currently marketed dyes for nucleic acids staining include the following types of fluorescent markers: (i) intercalating dyes that are incorporated non-covalently to nucleic acids (e.g. cyanine dyes); (ii) minor groove-binding dyes; (iii) large hydrophobic fluorescent dyes (e.g. fluorescein, rhodamine) that are incorporated covalently to nucleotide (oligonucleotide) positions that do not interfere with base pairing (e.g. at the uracil C5, or at the 3′/5′ ends of an oligonucleotide); and (iv) secondary detection method to amplify the signal using a dye or enzyme-labeled streptavidin to detect a biotinylated probe.
These dyes are used in various techniques for detecting genetic material in DNA arrays, gels, in virus particles, and in cells, by fluorescence microscopy or in electrophoresis gels visualized by epi-illumination. Although the above-mentioned fluorescent dyes are highly useful in the field of nucleic acids detection and quantitation, they suffer from many limitations regarding the preparation and application of nucleic acid probes.
Limitations regarding the preparation of nucleic acid probes include: (i) covalent/non-covalent labeling of (oligo)nucleotides by fluorescent dyes require additional experimental procedures involving the use of unique reagents and kits, prior to nucleic acid detection; (ii) various dyes (e.g. ethidium bromide) are chemical hazards; they are potent mutagens and must be handled with extreme care; (iii) various dyes are poorly soluble in water or in phosphate-buffered saline; (iv) in several labeling procedures, nucleotides are labeled by various fluorophores, and then enzymatically incorporated into RNA or DNA probes. In such chemical reactions, several differently labeled conjugates can be produced and hamper the fluorimetric analysis; (v) if measurements are done in solution, the unreacted dye, that has its own fluorescence, may complicate the spectroscopic analysis; (vi) a large hydrophobic dye attached to a nucleotide alters the efficiency of enzymatic incorporation. Thus, samples prepared from labeled nucleotides may have different levels of labeling, making it difficult to compare levels of hybridization between samples; (vii) labeling an oligonucleotide without enzymatic incorporation, e.g., by forming a coordination complex between the nucleic acid and Pt-containing label, results in the labeling of only one dye molecule per 12-20 bases and this labeling ratio may not be sufficient; (viii) a two-step protocol involving first the incorporation of a slightly modified nucleotide into nucleic acid, followed by covalent binding of fluorescent dyes, also suffers the limitation of a relatively small number of dye molecules that can be incorporated (1 dye molecule per 12-20 bases); and (ix) variation of fluorescence yield with degree of dye conjugation to the nucleic acid probe can significantly reduce the reliability of quantitative measures of hybridization-based assays.
Other limitations regarding the application of nucleic acid probes include: (i) the dye may stain other biopolymers; (ii) the use of those stains on gels may result in background fluorescence; and (iii) the intercalating dyes cannot distinguish between RNA and DNA.
An alternative approach to nucleobases staining has been proposed for improving the fluorescence of nucleobases by extension of the natural fluorophore. Adenine has poor fluorescence properties (Callis, 1983). However, bridging the adenine N1,N6-positions by an etheno moiety, such as to obtain N1,N6-etheno-adenosine of formula 1 (see appendix A herein, Y is OH), improves the fluorescence of the parent adenine system (e.g., for 1, λmax 415 nm, φ0.6) (Secrist et al., 1972; Thomas and Leonard, 1976). Over the past three decades, N1,N6-etheno-(2′-deoxy)adenosine (compounds of formula 1, wherein Y is H or OH; ε-d-A/ε-A), as well as other ε-nucleobases such as N3,N4-etheno-(2′-deoxy)cytidine (compounds of formula 2 in Appendix A, wherein Y is H or OH; ε-d-C/ε-C), and N2,N3-etheno-(2′-deoxy)guanosine (compounds of formula 3 in Appendix A, wherein Y is H or oH; ε-d-G/ε-G), have been extensively studied as fluorescent nucleos(t)ide probes. All these probes bear an etheno bridge that represents minimal perturbation to the natural system (Leonard, 1984; Leonard, 1992).
N1,N6-Etheno adenine nucleotides are commonly applied as fluorescent probes for various biochemical studies, such as: structure and function of nucleic acids, protein visualization, enzymatic studies, investigation of nucleotide binding-site, conformational analysis of nucleotides, and pharmacology of nucleosides/nucleotides.
Despite the improved fluorescence properties of 1, as compared to adenosine, its application as a fluorescent probe is limited due to the structural difference between 1 and the natural nucleoside. Thus, N1,N6-ε-A nucleo(s)tides can not be applied to biochemical systems requiring H-bonding based molecular recognition. Specifically, N1 and N6-nitrogens are engaged in an imidazole ring, resulting in the loss of the adenine natural H-bonding capability. Consequently, there is reduction or loss of molecular recognition of these probes by target proteins or nucleic acids.
So far no fluorescent analogue of adenosine (or the corresponding nucleotides) having free N1,N6-positions has been investigated nor disclosed.


When image data having a halftone is binary-coded, each of pixel data is first read out as gradation data having multiple values, a judgement is made whether or this pixel data corresponds to a value within a predetermined range, and if this pixel data is present within this range, a halftone processing operation is carried out by way of the error diffusion method. On the other hand, if another judgement is made that the pixel data is out of this predetermined range, this pixel is simply binary-coded. Thus, a portion where characters have been written is not processed by the halftone processing operation by way of the error diffusion method, whereby a clear image may be reproduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image processing apparatus used in a facsimile machine and the like. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an image processing apparatus capable of improving a halftone image process.
2. Related Art of the Invention
When an original such as a photograph having a halftone is transmitted via the conventional facsimile machines, since the image thereof reproduced at the receiver side is represented only by white pixels and black pixels, white portions and black portions of this image are excessively strengthened and thus, the image qualities thereof are considerably lowered. To avoid such a conventional drawback, very recently, there have been developed such image processing apparatuses in which each pixel data read out from an original is constructed of plural bits and has plural gradations, whereby a halftone of the image is reproduced by these pixel data in order to extensively improve an image quality.
In general, on the other hand, the halftone is printed by the printer, which requires complex circuits and controls. Accordingly, to reproduce the pixel data having such gradations by these halftones, certain pixel data having these gradations is converted into data having a binary level in accordance with a predetermined process, so that these halftones are suspectedly represented.
It should be understood that the error diffusion method has been widely known as the above-described predetermined process for converting the pixel data having the gradations into the data having the binary data. Briefly speaking, as represented in FIG. 3, this error diffusion method is understood as follows. Assuming now that pixel data for two lines which had been acquired by reading an image have been stored in a memory, pixel data "x" (data on a position indicated by a black point) with respect to a coordinate (i, j) of data is to be considered. With respect to pixel data on the respective coordinates (i, j+1); (i+1, j-1); (i+1, j) and (i+1, J+1) around this pixel data "x", diffusion coefficients a.sub.0, a.sub.1, a.sub.2 and a.sub.3 are given. It should be noted in this case that in the pixel data, the gradations of 0 to 255 are represented by 8 bits, and also the gradation of "0" indicates black, whereas the gradation of "255" represents white.
Then, a judgement is first made whether the data "x" is greater than "128" corresponding to the intermediate value between white and black. If it is judged that the data "x" is greater than "128", then this data "x" is regarded as "255" (white). Conversely, if it is judged that the data "x" is smaller than "128", then this data "x" is regarded as "0"(black). Then, the data "x" is binary-coded. Furthermore, in case that a judgement is made that the data "x" is greater than "128", the error diffusion process is carried out with respect to the data of the respective coordinates based upon the following equation: EQU (x-255).times.(an/x)+y=Y (1)
Conversely, if another judgement is made that the data "x" is smaller than "128", the data of the respective coordinates based upon the following equation is obtained: EQU (x-0).times.(an/s)+y=Y (2)
where symbol "an" indicates a diffusion coefficient given to each of the data on these coordinates; symbol "s" denotes a summation of the respective diffusion coefficients; symbol "y" represents a pixel data value of each of the coordinates; and symbol "Y" is a data value which is again stored in the respective coordinates after the calculations.
Accordingly, for instance, in case that the following diffusion coefficients are given; a.sub.0 =7; a.sub.1 =3, a.sub.2 =5; and a.sub.3 =1, assuming that the pixel "x" is equal to "200", this pixel "x" becomes a white pixel by way of the error diffusion process, and another pixel positioned on the coordinate neighbor (i, j+1) of the data "x" is added by: EQU [200(x)-255].times.[7(a.sub.0)/16(s)].apprxeq.-24.
Similar process operations will be executed for other peripheral pixels.
As previously explained, in accordance with such an error diffusion method, a comparison is made between the pixel data and the reference value "128", whereby the pixel data is substituted by either "0" or "255" and then binary-coded, and furthermore the difference in the value of "x" is diffused around the coordinates (i, j+1); (i+1, j-1); (i+1, j) and (i+1, j+1), with the respective weights and then new data values of peripheral data may be obtained. That is to say, the error occurring in the data "x" and reference value "128" is distributed to the peripheral pixels. Such a process operation is performed with respect to all of these data for each line, and thus each of the data is binary-coded with the value containing the diffusion error, so that the halftone image having the density gradation analogous to the original image is obtained.
In accordance with the error diffusion method, since the binary coding operation involving these accumulated errors is carried out, and the errors caused by comparing the binary-coded values and the original pixel values are diffused toward the pixels which have not yet been processed and are positioned around the relevant pixel, there are some possibilities that the portions which should be originally represented in either black or white gradation, are not indicated by either black or white gradation by reason of the error diffusion, depending upon the accumulated errors and also the peripheral conditions of the pixel. As a consequence, there are drawbacks that the reproduced character data may have bad image qualities because some pixels are dropped out from the reproduced shape of characters.

Image processing apparatus capable of processing halftone image data


A method and device for dynamically updating a phase interpolator circuit module using a phase update circuit module. The method can include interpolating a set of input clock phases based on a phase interpolator code input and sequentially updating the rising edge generator and falling edge generator starting from a synchronizer update signal. The dynamic sequential update involves disabling a rising edge ramp signal while updating a rising edge interpolator and generating old clock out falling edge according to an old phase interpolator code input, disabling a falling edge ramp signal while updating a falling edge interpolator, enabling the rising edge ramp signal and generating a new clock out rising edge according to a new phase interpolator code input, and enabling the falling edge ramp signal and generating a new clock out falling edge according to the new phase interpolator code input.

The present invention relates to communication systems, memory systems, and integrated circuit (IC) devices.
Over the last few decades, the use of communication networks has exploded. In the early days of the Internet, popular applications were limited to emails, bulletin board, and mostly informational and text-based web page surfing, and the amount of data transferred was usually relatively small. Today, Internet and mobile applications demand a huge amount of bandwidth for transferring photo, video, music, and other multimedia files. For example, a social network like Facebook processes more than 500 TB of data daily. With such high demands on data and data transfer, existing data communication systems need to be improved to address these needs.
CMOS technology is commonly used to design communication and memory systems. As CMOS technology is scaled down to make circuits and systems run at higher speed and occupy smaller chip (die) area, the operating supply voltage is reduced for lower power. An important factor in device operations is the phase interpolation of clock signals to maintain synchronization of various electronic devices in communication systems. Failure to adjust clock signals without glitches can render systems non-functional. Conventional techniques for updating the phase interpolation of a communications system take too long or are prone to glitching. Limitations such as these provide significant challenges to the continued improvement of communication systems scaling and performance.
Accordingly, improvements to update techniques for phase interpolation in integrated circuit devices are highly desirable.

Dynamic update technique for phase interpolator device and method therefor