Methods, nucleic acid sequences, and transformed duckweed plant or duckweed nodule cultures for the expression and the secretion of biologically active polypeptides from genetically engineered duckweed are provided. Expression of recombinant polypeptides in duckweed is improved by modifying the nucleotide sequence of the expression cassette encoding the polypeptide for improved expression in duckweed. Recovery of biologically active polypeptides from duckweed is improved by linking the biologically active polypeptide to a signal peptide that directs the secretion of the polypeptide into the culture medium.

The duckweeds are the sole members of the monocotyledonous family Lemnaceae. The four genera and 34 species are all small, free-floating, fresh-water plants whose geographical range spans the entire globe (Landolt (1986) Biosystematic Investigation on the Family of Duckweeds: The Family of Lemnaceae—A Monograph Study Geobatanischen Institut ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich). Although the most morphologically reduced plants known, most duckweed species have all the tissues and organs of much larger plants, including roots, stems, flowers, seeds and fronds. Duckweed species have been studied extensively and a substantial literature exists detailing their ecology, systematics, life-cycle, metabolism, disease and pest susceptibility, their reproductive biology, genetic structure, and cell biology. (Hillman (1961) Bot. Review 27: 221; Landolt (1986) Biosystematic Investigation on the Family of Duckweeds: The Family of Lemnaceae—A Monograph Study Geobatanischen Institut ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich).
The growth habit of the duckweeds is ideal for microbial culturing methods. The plant rapidly proliferates through vegetative budding of new fronds, in a macroscopic manner analogous to asexual propagation in yeast. This proliferation occurs by vegetative budding from meristematic cells. The meristematic region is small and is found on the ventral surface of the frond. Meristematic cells lie in two pockets, one on each side of the frond midvein. The small midvein region is also the site from which the root originates and the stem arises that connects each frond to its mother frond. The meristematic pocket is protected by a tissue flap. Fronds bud alternately from these pockets. Doubling times vary by species and are as short as 20-24 hours (Landolt (1957) Ber. Schweiz. Bot. Ges. 67: 271; Chang et al. (1977) Bull. Inst. Chem. Acad. Sin. 24:19; Datko and Mudd (1970) Plant Physiol. 65:16; Venkataraman et al. (1970) Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 62: 316).
Intensive culture of duckweed results in the highest rates of biomass accumulation per unit time (Landolt and Kandeler (1987) The Family of Lemnaceae—A Monographic Study Vol. 2: Phytochemistry, Physiology, Application, Bibliography, Veroffentlichungen des Geobotanischen Institutes ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich), with dry weight accumulation ranging from 6-15% of fresh weight (Tillberg et al. (1979) Physiol. Plant. 46:5; Landolt (1957) Ber. Schweiz. Bot. Ges. 67:271; Stomp, unpublished data). Protein content of a number of duckweed species grown under varying conditions has been reported to range from 15-45% dry weight (Chang et al (1977) Bull. Inst. Chem. Acad. Sin. 24:19; Chang and Chui (1978) Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 89:91; Porath et al. (1979) Aquatic Botany 7:272; Appenroth et al. (1982) Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz. 177:251). Using these values, the level of protein production per liter of medium in duckweed is on the same order of magnitude as yeast gene expression systems.
Sexual reproduction in duckweed is controlled by medium components and culturing conditions, including photoperiod and culture density. Flower induction is a routine laboratory procedure with some species. Plants normally self-pollinate, and selfing can be accomplished in the laboratory by gently shaking cultures. By this method, inbred lines of Lemna gibba have been developed. Spontaneous mutations have been identified (Slovin and Cohen (1988) Plant Physiol. 86, 522), and chemical and gamma ray mutagenesis (using EMS or NMU) have been used to produce mutants with defined characteristics. Outcrossing of L. gibba is tedious but can be done by controlled, hand pollination. The genome size of the duckweeds varies from 0.25-1.63 pg DNA/2C with chromosome counts ranging from 20 to 80 and averaging about 40 across the Lemnaceae (Landolt (1986) Biosystematic Investigation on the Family of Duckweeds: The family of Lemnaceae—A Monograph Study Geobatanischen Institut ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich). Ploidy levels are estimated to range from 2-12 C. Id. Genetic diversity within the Lemnaceae has been investigated using secondary products, isozymes, and DNA sequences (McClure and Alston (1966) Nature 4916:311; McClure and Alston (1966) Amer. J. Bot. 53:849; Vasseur et al. (1991) Pl. Syst. Evol. 177:139 (1991); Crawford and Landolt (1993) Syst. Bot. 10:389).
Duckweed plant or duckweed nodule cultures can be efficiently transformed with an expression cassette containing a nucleotide sequence of interest by any one of a number of methods including Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, ballistic bombardment, or electroporation. Stable duckweed transformants can be isolated by transforming the duckweed cells with both the nucleotide sequence of interest and a gene that confers resistance to a selection agent, followed by culturing the transformed cells in a medium containing the selection agent. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,498 to Stomp et al. A duckweed gene expression system provides the pivotal technology that would be useful for a number of research and commercial applications. For plant molecular biology research as a whole, a differentiated plant system that can be manipulated with the laboratory convenience of yeast provides a very fast system in which to analyze the developmental and physiological roles of isolated genes. For commercial production of valuable polypeptides, a duckweed-based system has a number of advantages over existing microbial or cell culture systems. Plants demonstrate post-translational processing that is similar to mammalian cells, overcoming one major problem associated with the microbial cell production of biologically active mammalian polypeptides, and it has been shown by others (Hiatt (1990) Nature 334:469) that plant systems have the ability to assemble multi-subunit proteins, an ability often lacking in microbial systems. Scale-up of duckweed biomass to levels necessary for commercial production of recombinant proteins is faster and more cost efficient than similar scale-up of mammalian cells, and unlike other suggested plant production systems, e.g., soybeans and tobacco, duckweed can be grown in fully contained and controlled biomass production vessels, making the system's integration into existing protein production industrial infrastructure far easier.
These characteristics make duckweed an ideal choice to develop as an efficient, plant-based system for the production of recombinant proteins. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods and compositions that increase the efficiency of the duckweed gene expression system as a tool for producing biologically active polypeptides.

Expression of biologically active polypeptides in duckweed


Alumina trihydrate is dehydrated and rehydrated with a solution of dye, then dried to make colored alumina trihydrate which is distributed in a resin matrix to make solid decorative materials, such as artificial granite having excellent fire retardance.

As is known in the art, alumina trihydrate ("ATH") contains about 34.6% by weight chemically bonded water of hydration which acts as a heat sink, thus retarding ignition and combustion of materials in which it is incorporated. During combustion of such materials, the water tends to evolve as steam, absorbing energy for the conversion of the water phase, inhibiting flame spread, limiting the accessibility of oxygen, and suppressing smoke development.
ATH is therefore commonly used as a filler and flame retardant in synthetic "solid surface" materials such as are used for kitchen countertops and other architectural and furniture applications. The alumina trihydrate may be incorporated in resin matrices of various composition, such as disclosed in Buser's U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,085,246 and 4,159,301, or it may be encased in resin particles which are employed as part of granite or other synthetic mineral appearing patterns. In the latter case, the encasement is accomplished by first preparing a mixture of ATH, pigment or dye and resin such as polyester, then curing or hardening the resin incorporating the ATH, and then crushing or grinding the hardened "ingot" to obtain colored particles which can then be used to impart decorative patterns and flame retardancy in a further mixture with hardenable resin such as polyester or polymethylmethacrylate. See Ross and Risley U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,995. The ATH is not colored, however, (cf Duggins U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,865) and typically is quite small so that the particles are not readily discernible in the desired mineral pattern. The speckled appearance of a granite pattern, for example, is usually imparted by relatively large (that is, visually discernible) particles of colored resin, which may or may not have ATH in them.
The amount of ATH which can be incorporated in a mineral-appearing material is limited in the above procedures by the necessity of coloring the particles. Also, ATH particles large enough to be visible in a mineral pattern have generally not been employed because when the surface (such as a kitchen countertop) is sanded or polished, the ATH particles near the surface will also be sanded or polished, and the appearance of their uncolored interiors thereby exposed is generally not compatible with the desired visual effect. A similar phenomenon known as "white-capping" is observable from scratching or abrasion of the finished synthetic material, wherein the colored resin encasement is removed and exposes the relatively white ATH. See Gavin et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,089, referring to this phenomenon as "scratch white" in column 2, lines 7-12.
So far as I am aware, colored ATH particles suitable for use in making mineral-appearing resin materials have not been previously made. The above-mentioned Gavin patent, for example, uses iron oxide to impart color to a polymethylmethacrylate article filled with ATH. Colorants, dyes, pigments, and lakes, organic and inorganic, soluble and insoluble, are discussed extensively in Duggins U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,246 without hinting that a water-soluble dye could be incorporated into ATH by a rehydration procedure. ATH which has been incorporated with dye has not been used to make simulated marble, granite or other mineral product, so far as I am aware.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,378,155 to Newsome and Derr describes a process of making an adsorbent alumina from a gelatinous aluminum hydroxide and goes on to say that the adsorbent alumina, which is calcined, can be impregnated with "various substances." See page 2, column 1, lines 3-16. The statement is made, however, without reference to coloration of hydrated alumina for the purpose of making synthetic minerals or any other purpose, or to the particle size, or to the possibility of a beginning material which is ATH of the type widely used commercially today.
A paper authored by P. V. Bonsignora and J. H. Manhart of Aluminum Company of America and presented at the 29th conference of the Society for the Plastics Industry in 1974 demonstrates that through thermogravimetric analysis it is possible to confirm that water evolution from decomposing alumina trihydrate becomes significant at about 230.degree. C. and is greater than 80% complete at 300.degree. C. At about 300.degree. C. (for about eighty minutes) approximately 80% of the water of hydration is driven off; the last 20% is more difficult to remove. If more than an additional 5% is removed (i.e. the hydration is reduced from 20% to 15%), the crystalline structure of the alumina may become permanently altered so as to prevent rehydration in the manner as to reconstitute alumina trihydrate.

Filler and artificial stone made therewith


A toroidal transmission includes a stator having a plurality of helical races that together define a toroidal cavity having an axis, and first and second shafts rotatable about the axis, the first shaft carrying a worm, the second shaft carrying a plurality of multiple-tooth rotors arranged in a circle about the axis so that the rotor teeth are facing toward the axis and drivingly engage the worm and the rotor teeth facing away from the axis extend into the cavity and drivingly engage the races. The transmission has a first mounting plate having an opening therein receiving the first shaft and a second mounting plate having an opening therein receiving the second shaft, the plates being positioned on opposite sides of the rotors perpendicular to the axis. The stator comprises a circular array of individual arcuate twisted ribs spaced apart about the axis, each rib having one end connected to the first plate and its other end connected to the second plate so that portions of the away-facing rotor teeth project into the spaces between the ribs, which spaces thus constitute the stator races. A method of assembling the transmission is also disclosed as are a method and apparatus for making the transmission's stator.

This invention relates to a power transmission and to a method of making and assembling the transmission. It relates more particularly to a unique type of mechanical power and motion transmission that operates within a very compact space envelope by causing a radially positioned group of load sharing rotor elements, when driven by a central drive worm, to rotate and precess along a multiplicity of stator races with said races forming collectively a geometric torus.
This transmission can be driven from either side to function either as a speed reducer or speed increaser with equal efficiency. With its coaxial configuration, this transmission is uniquely suited for handling high torque requirements in confined spaces where minimum weight, minimum volume, and low acoustic noise are of premium value. The applications that can be addressed with this transmission are, for example, helicopter rotors, automotive wheel drives, actuators in earth moving heavy equipment, industrial drives, tank sprocket drives, and precision positioning and motion devices.
Over the years, I have developed several power transmissions which incorporate the kinematic principles of the toroidal drive. Those early transmissions are described in detail in my patents 4,297,919 and RE 26,476, among others. Those early efforts were aimed at building highly compact mechanisms whose motion and power transmission capabilities depended, at least theoretically, on the employment of multiple, load-sharing, rotary bearing elements to transmit high torque at high reduction ratios. The fruits of those efforts were relatively compact, lightweight, high-efficiency gear reducers whose additional attributes were high-resistance against shock and geometric coaxiality between input and output.
However, when attempts were made to implement the theoretically possible load sharing abilities and to build those devices in quantity, certain serious limitations appeared such as the impossibility to assemble a full complement of rotors, and the high cost and difficulty in manufacturing some of the elements and severe restrictions with regard to the number of load-sharing bearing elements that could actually be employed in a given transmission to handle large loads on the output shaft. There was an equally serious limitation regarding the practical range of speed ratios that could be achieved between the transmission input and output. More particularly, only transmissions with gear ratios of 36:1 or more could be made as a practical matter.
A transmission of the type described in the first above patent is depicted in FIG. 1. The load-sharing elements in this type of transmission comprise rotor units 10 each of which includes a hub 12, a ring 14 rotatably mounted coaxially to the hub and a plurality of fingers 16 extending radially outward from the ring, the fingers being terminated by drive rollers 18. The rotors 10 are mounted via the hubs 12 to a large ring 20 centered on the common rotary axis of the transmission input and output shafts 22 and 24. The rollers 18 of radially inner fingers 16 of the bearing units engage in the grooves of a worm 26 connected to the input shaft 22 and the ring 20 to which the bearing units 10 are mounted is connected by arms 28 to the output shaft 24.
The outer fingers 16 of the rotor units 10 engage in grooves or races 32 inscribed in the interior of a two-section transmission housing 34. When the drive worm 26 is rotated by the input shaft 22, the various rotor units 10 are caused to rotate about their respective hubs 12. Since the rotors also engage in the stator races 32, rotation of those rotors causes the rotors to advance along the races which, in turn, causes the ring 20 to which the rotor units are attached to precess about the rotary axis of the transmission. Since the ring 20 is connected to the output shaft by arms 28, when the ring 20 rotates, so does the output shaft 24.
FIG. 1 depicts a transmission having six planetary rotor units each of which has six rolling fingers 16. However, it has become obvious that smaller gear ratio transmissions with the toroidal races 32 having generally rectangular cross sections as shown simply cannot be assembled on a production basis with more than three fingers on each rotor unit 10 because of the three-dimensional nature and spatially twisted geometry of the toroidal races 32 that have to be engaged by the rotor units 10.
More particularly, when assembling the transmission, the drive rollers 18 on the radially inner fingers 16 of all of the rotor units 10 must engage the threads of the drive worm 26 and the rollers of the radially outer fingers of the rotor units must simultaneously engage in the helical races 32 inscribed in the stator housing 34. Since the rotor units are more or less flat and the races 32 are spatially twisted or skewed at relatively steep angles, it has proven to be very difficult to locate all of the rotor unit fingers in their respective worm threads and races all at the same time to enable the upper and lower sections of housing 34 to be brought together so as to envelop the rotor units, especially when the transmission incorporates rotor units with more than two rolling fingers.
In other words, the crossover angle between the rotational plane of the rotor unit and associated helical race has to be quite large, leading to a twisted race geometry into which the drive rollers 18 of the multiple rotor unit fingers cannot be inserted during assembly of the device due to that twist. For example, the FIG. 1 transmission having a double-threaded worm 26 and six rotor units 10 each having six fingers 16 has a gear ratio of 12:1 and the rotor units rotate four times for each revolution of the output shaft 24. The helical races 32 of this 12:1 design possess such steep lead angles that the drive rollers 18 on all of the planar rotor units simply cannot be inserted into the races during assembly of the transmission due to mechanical obstructions.
Thus, the practical gear ratio restrictions imposed on those early toroidal transmissions limited their field of use as a torque-capable transmission.
To alleviate some of the above problems, a new transmission and mode of assembling same was developed and is the subject of the aforementioned pending application, the contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. That transmission, like the one in FIG. 1, has two stator halves in two housing sections, i.e., each stator groove or race is split across the middle. The internal finger rollers of the transmission are assembled through special access holes provided in the groove bottoms or by fabricating the stator halves out of multiple segments arranged in the two housing sections.
To assemble that transmission, the input and output shafts are rotatably coupled together and the rotor units are mounted to the arms of the output shaft such that the drive rollers on the radially inwardly facing rotor fingers engage the central worm. At this time, however, the radially outwardly facing rotor fingers are devoid of drive rollers.
Next, the two housing sections are engaged together so that they envelop the rotor units. Only then are the drive rollers for the radially outwardly facing rotor fingers attached to those fingers through specially placed access holes provided in the two housing sections which lead from the bottoms of the stator races to the outside.
By rotating the input shaft, the end of each rotor finger may be positioned opposite one or another of the access holes so that the drive roller for that finger may be inserted through the hole and fastened to the end of that finger.
However, as noted above, that transmission is still disadvantaged by having split stator races which cause wear, vibration and noise when the transmission is in operation as the rotor drive rollers roll across the splits. Also, it has proven difficult to form the helical stator races in the usual way by "plowing" or cutting material from blocks of metal in a three-dimensional machining operation.
Still further, due to the aforesaid closed stator construction, that prior transmission is relatively heavy and bulky and requires internal lubrication to prevent the rotors and other internal parts from overheating.
As a result, these are some applications for which that transmission may not be suitable.

Toroidal transmission and method and apparatus for making and assembling same


A software-defined network overlay capability is configured to control one or more overlay networks using software-defined networking (SDN) in which control functions and forwarding functions are separated. The software-defined network overlay capability may be configured to vertically move packets across network layers, e.g., into an overlay network (e.g., into a tunnel via encapsulation), out of an overlay network (e.g., out of a tunnel via decapsulation), or the like. The software-defined network overlay capability may be configured to move packets from native forwarding infrastructure into an overlay network, between overlay networks (e.g., into a first overlay network from a second overlay network without leaving the second overlay network, out of a first overlay network and into a second overlay network, out of a first overlay network while remaining within a second overlay network, or the like), from an overlay network onto native forwarding infrastructure, or the like.

In general, the Internet protocol (IP)—which has inherent advantages such as high bandwidth efficiency, low cost, robustness, and scalability—has become the generic protocol that is typically used for data transport across communication networks. In many cases, however, IP also has associated disadvantages, such as location-based routing of IP lacking compliance with user mobility, best-effort forwarding of IP failing to support differentiated services with service-specific charging and quality-of-service (QoS) enforcement, and lack of support for overlay networks such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
While at least some standards bodies (e.g., Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP2, Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), or the like) have introduced protocols (e.g., Mobile IP, Generic Transfer Protocol (GTP), IP Security (IPsec), and the like) to create overlay networks on top of the IP forwarding infrastructure, such overlays networks tend to introduce many types of specialized nodes (e.g., Home Agents (HAs), Foreign Agents (FAs), Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), NodeBs, Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Nodes (SGSNs), Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GGSNs), eNodeBs, Serving Gateways (SGWs), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateways (PGWs), Mobility Management Entities (MMEs), security gateways, other types of gateways, and the like) which define the tunnel endpoints that form the overlay networks on top of the IP forwarding infrastructure.


A data storage system having a non IC based memory and an IC based non-volatile memory for storing user data. In one example, the IC based non-volatile memory is implemented with MRAM. Examples of non IC based memory include e.g. hard disks, tape, and compact disks. In some examples, the IC based memory is utilized to store user data from an information device in order to increase the speed and/or the effective storage capacity of the data storage system. In some examples, a portion of a standard size block of user data can be stored on spaces of the non IC based memory that are deficient for storing a standard size block with the remaining portion being stored in IC based memory. Portions of a file of user data may be non-volatilely stored in the IC based memory in order to more quickly provide the file to an information device. For example, data of a file, that if stored in a location on the non IC based media would significantly increase the retrieval time of the file, can be stored in the IC based media.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the storage of data in a data storage system and in particular to the storage of user data in data storage system having an IC based, non volatile memory.
2. Related Applications
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/230,690 entitled "Hard Disk System With Non-Volatile IC Based Memory For Storing Data" having inventors Ronald W. Stence and John P. Hansen, having an assignee of Freescale Semiconductor Inc., and having a filing date of Aug 29, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/231,868 entitled "Removable Media Storage System With Memory For Storing Operational Data" having inventors Ronald W. Stence and John P. Hansen, having an assignee of Freescale Semiconductor Inc., and having a filing date of Aug. 29, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/230,785 entitled "Data Storage System Utilizing A Non-Volatile IC Based Memory For Reduction Of Data Retrieval Time" having inventors Ronald W. Stence and John P. Hansen, having an assignee of Freescale Semiconductor Inc., and having a filing date of Aug. 29, 2002 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Data storage system having a non-volatile IC based memory for storing user data


A Raman spectrometry assembly includes a Raman spectrometer having a laser light source and a Raman signal analyzer, an interface module comprising a housing which is connectable to and disconnectable from the spectrometer, and a fiber optic assembly which is connectable to and disconnectable from the interface module, the fiber optic assembly including optical fibers and a probe head at a distal end thereof for disposition adjacent a specimen to be tested, the optical fibers extending from the probe head and adapted to extend to the interface module.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for identifying and characterizing substances using Raman spectroscopy, which provides a non-contact and non-invasive technique for investigation and analysis of chemical substances.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Raman spectroscopy is widely used in the scientific, commercial and public safety areas.
Technological advances are making it possible to increase the range of applications using Raman spectroscopy, through reductions in costs and size of the equipment. Portable units have become available for field uses, such as on-site identification of potentially hazardous materials.
In applications of Raman spectroscopy, it is generally desirable to bring an optical probe to a position adjacent a specimen. This can be a problem in view of the potentially hazardous materials which are to be analyzed, including explosives, chemical agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and the like. In some applications, it is required, for safety reasons, that delivery of laser light to a specimen under test, and a collection of Raman signal from the specimen, be done at a location remote from the Raman spectrometer hardware. Optical fiber, which can serve as a conduit for laser light and Raman signal light, is a good medium for achieving this. However, there are some problems in the use of optical fibers and probes for Raman spectroscopy.
Firstly, the distal end of the probe can become contaminated during data collection and it is often desirable, and at times necessary, to replace the probe head, which is very costly, if it can be done at all. Accordingly, there is a need for a relatively inexpensive optical fiber assembly, including optical fiber and a probe head, which can be disconnected from the spectrometer and replaced with another optical fiber assembly.
Secondly, propagation of a high power laser light within an optical fiber generates unwanted Raman signal from the optical fiber material itself which adds to the Raman signal collected from a specimen and, in many cases, is difficult to distinguish from the specimen signal and difficult to subtract from the Raman signal generated from the specimen under test.
Accordingly, there is a further need for means for preventing Raman signals generated by the material of an excitation fiber of an optical fiber assembly from reaching the specimen under test, such that only the excitation laser signal reaches the specimen and the Raman signals received from the specimen and conducted to a spectrometer by way of a collection fiber of the optical fiber assembly are from the specimen only and not from the excitation fiber.
Thirdly, the laser light exiting the distal end of the excitation fiber diverges immediately and does so until the excitation light reaches the specimen under test. Thus, the portion of the excitation light which reaches the specimen reduces, increasingly, as the distance between the excitation fiber and the specimen increases.
There is accordingly a still further need for means to focus the light from the excitation fiber onto a small area of the specimen. Similarly, Raman signals reflected off the specimen diverge outwardly from the specimen with only a small portion of the reflected light reaching an end of a collection fiber. Accordingly, there is also a need for means to focus Raman light from a specimen onto the small area of an end of a collection fiber.


Disclosed herein are glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent (GCSI) yeast strains having no detectable amount of pyruvate decarboxylase activity, wherein wild type yeast strains for the glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent yeast strains are Crabtree positive. Also disclosed are methods of selecting glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-dependent yeast strains, and methods of producing pyruvic acid or salts thereof using glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent yeast strain. Further disclosed herein are GCSI yeast strains having a genome that comprises an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to yeasts derived from Crabtree positive yeasts, wherein the yeasts produce relatively high concentrations of pyruvic acid or salts thereof when grown in an aerobic environment with glucose, without producing a significant amount of ethanol. The present invention relates to Crabtree positive yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that lack pyruvate decarboxylase activity, and that are capable of growing in an aerobic environment in mineral medium having glucose or other sugars to produce pyruvic acid or salts thereof. The present invention also relates to yeasts, which, when cultured, can produce relatively high concentrations of lactic acid.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known in the art that certain Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains can be used to rapidly ferment sugars to ethanol and carbon dioxide both in an anaerobic environment, and in an aerobic environment in the presence of excess carbohydrates (e.g., glucose). In addition to ethanol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and certain other fungi can be used in the production of certain other chemical compounds of commercial value. It is desirable to maximize the product yield and/or concentration in commercial processes. Toward this end, one method that has been used involves the redirection of carbon flux away from alcoholic fermentation, and toward production of the desired product.
Recovery of pyruvic acid (and salts thereof), a common intermediate in sugar metabolism of all living cells, is of commercial interest. Pyruvic acid or salts thereof can be used as a starting material in the chemical synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals. Pyruvic acid and salts thereof can also be useful in the production of certain crop protection agents, polymers, cosmetics, and food additives. There is some evidence that suggests pyruvate may also have health benefits for humans. In addition, certain commercially valuable chemicals can be biochemically-derived from pyruvic acid or salts thereof. For example, lactate or alanine can each be produced from pyruvic acid by a single enzymatic reaction. Similarly malate can be produced by a two step enzymatic reaction.
Yeasts, like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have drawn attention as good organisms for the production of pyruvic acid, salts thereof, and its chemical derivatives from sugars or carbohydrate feed stocks. This is because the yeasts combine the desirable properties of high glycolytic fluxes (e.g., relatively high rates of pyruvic acid formation), and acid tolerance.
In certain yeasts, notably Crabtree positive yeasts, the main pathway for decarboxylation when the yeasts are grown with an excess of a carbon source involves pyruvate decarboxylase. Crabtree positive yeasts produce alcohol from pyruvate in the presence of excess sugar (e.g., glucose) under aerobic conditions or when the specific growth rate of the culture is higher than the critical specific growth rate. Examples of Crabtree positive yeasts are found among Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata(also known as Torulopsis glabrata, among other names known in the art), Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In facultative fermentative yeast (e.g., yeast that can thrive on alcoholic fermentation or respiration or both) pyruvate decarboxylation can occur via two enzymes: the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and/or pyruvate decarboxylase. In order to redirect carbon flux away from ethanol production to improve the yield and concentration of pyruvate and its derivatives in a culture, it is desirable to limit the decarboxylation of pyruvic acid.
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 220.127.116.11) catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde, and this is the first step in fermentative sugar metabolism. It has been proposed that in addition to its catabolic activity, pyruvate decarboxylase also serves a biosynthetic function. It is known in the art that certain pyruvate decarboxylase negative (Pdc negative) (e.g., having no detectable amount of pyruvate decarboxylase activity) Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains cannot grow on synthetic medium in an aerobic glucose-limited chemostat, when glucose is the sole carbon source, without the addition of small amounts of ethanol or acetate (e.g., 5% of carbon required for growth). Such Pdc negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are also known not to grow, even in the presence of small amounts of ethanol or acetate, in batch cultures on synthetic culture medium with glucose as the only other carbon source. In contrast to this, Crabtree negative yeasts that have no pyruvate decarboxylase activity, exhibit no such growth requirements when grown aerobically on sugars.
It is further known in the art that overproduction of threonine aldolase (EC 188.8.131.52) in yeast, can under certain conditions, circumvent the loss of the biosynthetic activity of pyruvate decarboxylase in Pdc negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in that the Pdc negative threonine aldolase overexpressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae can grow in an aerobic sugar-limited chemostat. However, threonine aldolase overproducing strains lacking pyruvate decarboxylase activity have impaired growth at high sugar concentrations.
Lactic acid (2-hydroxypropionic acid, CH3CHOHCOOH) is a naturally occurring hydroxyl acid that can be produced by fermentation or chemical synthesis. Lactic acid can be used in food as a preservative and flavor enhancer. Lactic acid derivatives can be used in industrial applications, such as paint and electrodeposition coating, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. An important compound that can be produced by the dehydration of lactic acid is poly(lactic acid) plastic.
Wild type S. cerevisiae transformed with a lactate dehydrogenase-bearing (e.g., LDH-bearing) plasmid can produce some lactic acid when cultured. Preferably lactic acid is recovered and purified to the highest possible level of purity when used as a polymer grade feedstock. The organic impurities (derived from complex nitrogen sources, for example), the inorganic impurities (related to media ingredients and neutralizing agents), and the metabolic intermediates secreted by the production organism during fermentation are preferably all removed.


This invention provides for a fiber optic moisture sensor. The sensor is comprised of a housing and a support positioned within the housing. The support is coated with a film. A first and second light guides are positioned within the housing and communicate illumination to and from the film. A reflective surface is positioned within the housing facing the film. The film comprises an optically transparent polymer and a salt complex of a metal ion and an organic compound. The salt complex is capable of absorbing moisture and emits a fluorescence signal when excited by light at the appropriate wavelength. The fluorescence signal can be quenched when the salt complex absorbs moisture. An apparatus incorporating the sensor and a method of making the sensor are also provided.

Humidity measurements are important in many industrial operations including food processing, the manufacture of plastic, paper and fine chemicals and in the production of semiconductors. In several biochemical processes where water activity or moisture levels are vital to the metabolic productivity of microorganisms, moisture levels must be determined in a fast, accurate, reliable manner, and on a real-time basis. Over the past few years, different types of humidity sensors have been developed and the recent trend has been to place such sensors in an in-line system for the detection and control of moisture levels.
Generally, moisture sensors incorporate a sensing material with an appropriate transducer. Sensing of moisture is achieved by interaction of the water molecules with the sensing material and the resulting electrical or optical signal is relayed to a detection system via a transducer. For example, Hijikigawa et. al in "A Thin-Film Resistance Humidity Sensor", Sensors and Actuators, 1983, 4, pages 307-315 have developed a humidity sensor consisting of a thin film coating on alumina substrate. The film is a composite made from crosslinked polystyrene-sulfonate covered with a protective film of cellulose ester. The film electrical resistance is sensitive to humidity.
In another example, Y. Sakai et al. "Humidity-Sensitive and Water-Resistive Polymeric Materials", Sensors and Actuators, 1988, 16, pages 359-367 discuss a two-polymer system comprising polytetrafluoroethylene vinylpyridine graft copolymer (PTFE-VP) and crosslinked polyvinylpyridine with 1,4-dibromobutane. The impedance of the two-polymers changes with the relative humidity.
As an example of ceramic or metal oxide based sensors, Y. Sadoka et. al "Electrical Properties of Anodized Aluminium in a Humid Atmosphere", Journal of Materials Science, 1986, 21, pages 1269-1274 have investigated anodized aluminium for the measurement of humidity. On the other hand, S. Mukode et al. in "A Semiconductive Humidity Sensor", Sensors and Actuators, 1989, 16, pages 1-11, discuss the use of semiconducting materials such as stannic and titanic oxides.
Cobalt chloride (CoCl.sub.2) has been extensively used as a specific optical indicator for humidity. Anhydrous cobalt chloride is blue and changes to pink when hydrated. Generally, cobalt chloride based sensors have limitations and different concentrations of cobalt chloride are needed to measure a wide range of humidity levels. Other limitations include poor stability and reproducibility, variable accuracy, a limited temperature range, and a slow response time. Cobalt chloride based sensors may not be appropriate in many industrial situations.
Russell et. al in "Optical Sensor for the Determination of Moisture", Analytica Chimica Acta, 1985, 170, pages 209-216, report embedding cobalt chloride into a gelatin matrix and coating the matrix onto a 600 .mu.m optical fiber to produce a humidity sensing system. The change in relative humidity is related to the absorption of light by CoCl.sub.2 at 680 nm. The light is transmitted to the fiber and is then reflected internally.
Ballantine et. al in "Optical Waveguide Humidity Detector", Analytical Chemistry, 1986, 58(13), pages 2883-2885, also use cobalt chloride, in conjunction with a glass capillary tube. The cobalt chloride is incorporated into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The sensor is coupled to light emitting diodes and calibrated by monitoring the change in light absorption by cobalt chloride at a given wavelength.
Zhou et. al in "Porous Fiber-Optic Sensor for High-Sensitivity Humidity Measurements", Analytical Chemistry, 1988, 60(20) pages 2317-2320 discuss a humidity sensor using cobalt chloride incorporated into a porous glass fiber with a high surface area. The sensitivity of the sensor is dependent on the concentration of cobalt chloride. At low concentrations of cobalt chloride, the sensor is able to measure at low relative humidity. By increasing the concentration of cobalt chloride, the sensor is able to measure high relative humidity.
In other applications, Harris et. al in "Colorimetric Detection of Humidity and Other substances with Solvatochromic Dyes Dispersed in Porous Polymer Films", NASA Tech Briefs, MFS-26128, discuss thin polymer films containing solvatochromic dyes sensitive in their UV-Visible absorption spectrum to atmospheric water content. Detection of a color change can be achieved visually by comparison with a standard chart or spectrophotmetically by measurment of the wavelength of absorbance.
In other applications, sensors based on fluorescence have been used. Generally fluorescence-based moisture fiber optic sensors have demonstrated poor sensitivity especially at low relative humidity and respond slowly to changes in relative humidity. These limitations are due to the dynamic range of the reagents or dyes used. For example, Posch et. al in "Fiber-Optic Humidity Sensor Based on Fluorescence Quenching", Sensors and Actuators, 1988, 15, pages 77-83, report a fiber optic humidity sensor based on fluorescence quenching. Two different fluorescent dyes are used as humidity indicators: perylenedibutyrate and perylenetricarboxylic acid bis-imidates (PTCABs). A silica gel sheet is used to absorb the dyes and is subsequently cast onto a glass slide which is attached to a bifurcated fiber optic light guide to form a sensing system. Sensor sensitivity is poor at the high range of relative humidity and the response time is slow. Furthermore, gases such as oxygen and ammonia interfere with the desired, water mediated quenching mechanism.
Zhu et al. in "A New Fluorescence Sensor for Quantification of Atmospheric Humidity", Journal of Electro Chemical Society, 1989, 136, pages 657-570, report a fiber optic humidity sensor. The fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G (R6G) is impregnated in a Nafion polymer and is sensitive to changes in relative humidity. The sensor has limited sensitivity at relative humidities below 40%.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


A universal joint includes a first rotating member, an annular connecting member, a pair of first connecting assemblies, a second rotating member, and a pair of second connecting assemblies. The annular connecting member is rotatably sleeved on the first rotating member, the connecting member defines a pair of first connecting holes at opposite sides and a pair of second connecting holes at opposite sides. The pair of first connecting assemblies respectively extends into the pair of first connecting holes to rotatably connect the first rotating member to the connecting member. The second rotating member is rotatably sleeved on the connecting member. The pair of second connecting assemblies respectively extends into the pair of second connecting holes to rotatably connect the second rotating member to the connecting member.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a connecting structure, and particularly to an universal joint.
2. Description of Related Art
An universal joint may include a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a connection assembly interconnecting the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly. The first rotating assembly includes a rotating member in "Y" shape and a pivoting member. The rotating member includes a main body and a pair of rotating portions perpendicularly extending from opposite ends of the main body toward a same direction. Opposite ends of the pivoting member are respectively connected to the pair of rotating portions. The second rotating assembly has a structure the same as that as the first rotating assembly. The connecting assembly includes a rod-like connecting member and an engaging member. The pivotal member of the first rotating assembly is arranged perpendicular to the pivotal member of the second rotating assembly. The connecting member extends through the two pivoting members and engages with the engaging member, thereby combining the two pivoting members for composing the universal joint. However, the two rotating members extend from opposites sides of the two pivoting members, occupying a large space.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.

HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.


A method for managing walsh code channels in a mobile communication system includes the steps of initiating a plurality of walsh codes for the unit of sector and frequency at a base station, dividing the walsh codes allotted from the base station to a terminal in response to peak factor characteristic to put excellent walsh codes in a main queue and poor walsh codes in a sub queue, allotting with priority walsh codes which are on standby in the main queue at the base station if the terminal requests allocation of the walsh codes, and allotting walsh codes which are on standby in the sub queue if the allotted walsh codes are null or if there are no walsh codes having excellent peak factor characteristic. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize interference exerted on adjacent channels during communication, thereby improving quality of service in the overall communication system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for managing walsh code channels allotted from a base station in a mobile communication system based on a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, and more particularly, to a method for managing walsh code channels in which excellent walsh codes are allotted with priority from a base station so as to improve quality of service.
2. Background of the Related Art
Generally, a mobile communication system based on a CDMA system spreads frequency width of a channel and gives different codes to users through this spread channel. Accordingly, the mobile communication system has an advantage that a plurality of subscribers can simultaneously use the communication system through one channel. Such a mobile communication system based on a CDMA system increases frequency capacity by 10 to 20 times as compared with a related art analog communication system and has a relatively high frequency efficiency. Furthermore, the mobile communication system can facilitate data communication and has a relatively better security as compared with other communication systems.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a related art mobile communication system based on a CDMA system.
Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of PCS/cellular terminals MT1-MTn for mobile communication are respectively connected to their base stations BTS1-BTS32 through a radio communication link. The respective base stations BTS1-BTS32 are respectively connected to a mobile switching center MSC1 through their base station controllers BSC1-BSC4. At this time, home location register/visitor location register (HLR/VLR) which manages moving location of the mobile terminals MT1-MTn is connected to the mobile switching center MSC1.
Origination operation of the respective mobile terminals in the aforementioned mobile communication system will be described below.
If the mobile terminal MT1 transmits an origination message to the base station BTS1, the base station BTS1 detects the origination message and reports contents of the origination message to the base station controller BSC1.
If it is determined that a frame-offset from the base station controller BSC1 is appropriate to be allotted to the base station BTS1, the base station controller BSC1 allots the frame-offset to the base station BSC1. If not, the base station controller BSC1 proceeds with frame-offset negotiation over maximum three times.
Subsequently, if the frame-offset negotiation has been successfully proceeded, the base station BTS1 allots a traffic channel for communication. Then, the base station allots a walsh code channel.
Subsequently, null data are transmitted from the base station BTS1 to the mobile terminal MT1.
The frequency allocation (FA), walsh codes, and the frame-offset, which are allotted from the base station BTS1, are transmitted to the mobile terminal MT1 through a paging channel. Accordingly, the base station BTS1 can temporarily synchronize with the base station controller BSC1 when the null data are transferred from the mobile terminal MT1. If the base station BSC1 synchronizes with the mobile terminal MT1, ring back tone from the switching center MSC1 is transferred to the mobile terminal MT1. Thus, origination sound occurs in the mobile terminal MT1 so that the origination call access procedures are finished.
Walsh code allocation technology for dividing channels in the mobile terminal MT1 which requests call access or handoff, at the base station BTS1 and spreading transmission data will be described in more detail.
In a CDMA system by Qualcomm in the United States, there are provided 64 different walsh codes which are respectively 64 bits. There are provided 64 channels W0,W1,W2,W3, . . . , W63 in the walsh codes. The channel W0 is used as a pilot channel which catches the location of channels and controls power when initiating the mobile terminal MT1. The channels W1-W7 are used as paging channels which inform the mobile terminal MT1 of a paging signal. The channel W32 is used as a synchronization channel which synchronizes the mobile terminal MT1 with the base station BTS1. The other 55 channels are used as traffic channels, respectively.
According to the communication system based on the CDMA system, if each mobile terminal MT1 requests call access or handoff, a channel manager provided in the base station BTS1 allots walsh codes. The channel manager allows walsh codes of 55 traffic channels W8-W31, W33-W63 to be on standby using a FIFO type queue and allots walsh codes to corresponding mobile terminals, sequentially, as occasion demands. At this time, 55 traffic channels W8-W31, W33-W63 turns on the base station BTS1 so that various processor boards load corresponding software(S/W) and are initiated when a task of each software is driven. In other words, a queue is initiated when software to the channel manager is normally operated. Thus, if a particular mobile terminal requests call access or handoff from the base station, the channel manager determines whether or not there are available walsh codes in the walsh codes which are be on standby in the queue. Subsequently, if there exist available walsh codes, the channel manager allots the walsh codes sequentially and performs call access procedures. If there do not exist available walsh codes, the channel manager informs the mobile terminal of the status of the current communication service, which is not available.
The walsh code allocation method is performed in such a manner that the walsh codes for 55 traffic channels which are sequentially initiated are sequentially allotted in the order of the first walsh code which is not allotted. In this regard, the walsh code for the traffic channel W8 is first allotted. However, if a certain time passes, it is not easy to recognize what walsh codes are allotted ahead.
As aforementioned, if the base station allots the walsh codes sequentially, the walsh code having poor peak factor characteristic may be allotted, which occurs due to unique periodicity of the walsh code. The peak factor is a parameter that expresses peak power in association with average power. If the peak factor characteristic is good, load exerted on a base station amplifier 20 shown in FIG. 2 is reduced. For example, if any system requires average power of 10 W that satisfies signal to noise ratio (SNR) and if the peak factor is expressed as 10:1, the base station amplifier should be designed to cover 100 W.
In that case, quality of service which is not relatively good is provided to the mobile terminal to which the walsh code having poor peak factor characteristic is allotted. In other words, if the peak factor characteristic is not good, large load is instaneously applied to an input terminal of the amplifier 20. For this reason, a parameter such as adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) increases, and the range for securing linearity of an output signal is exceeded at an output terminal of the amplifier, thereby causing distortion of CDMA signal. As a result, interference between adjacent channels increases and thus it is difficult to achieve optimal quality of service.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method for managing walsh code channels in a mobile communication system, that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for managing walsh code channels in a mobile communication system, in which a base station manages peak factor characteristic of each walsh code through one queue or two queues so that the walsh code having excellent peak factor characteristic can be allotted ahead.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a method for managing walsh code channels in a mobile communication system includes the steps of initiating a plurality of walsh codes for the unit of sector and frequency at a base station, dividing the walsh codes allotted from the base station to a terminal in response to peak factor characteristic to put excellent walsh codes in a main queue and poor walsh codes in a sub queue, allotting with priority walsh codes which are on standby in the main queue at the base station if the terminal requests allocation of the walsh codes, and allotting walsh codes which are on standby in the sub queue if the allotted walsh codes are null or if there are no walsh codes having excellent peak factor characteristic.
In another aspect, a method for managing walsh code channels in a mobile communication system includes the steps of identifying walsh codes having excellent peak factor characteristic and walsh codes having poor peak factor characteristic among a plurality of walsh codes allotted from a base station to a terminal to be on standby in one queue in set order, allotting walsh codes having excellent peak factor characteristic at the base station if allocation of walsh codes is required, and determining whether or not to allot walsh codes in response to peak factor characteristic of the next ordered walsh codes.
In the present invention, the base station can allot with priority walsh codes having excellent peak factor characteristic. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize interference exerted on adjacent channels during communication, thereby improving quality of service in the overall communication system.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Method for managing walsh code channels in mobile communication system


A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller cover and a bypass clutch. A drive ring is located between adjacent surfaces of the cover and a clutch piston, which deflects flexurally axially. The piston is welded to the cover at a radially inner position, which is supported at another radial location on the cover. The piston deflects into engagement with the drive ring, and the drive ring engages with the cover. When clutch apply pressure is reduced, energy, in the form of elastic bending potential energy stored in the piston, is used to move the piston out of engagement with the drive ring and cover.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of automatic transmission hydrokinetic torque converters. The invention pertains particularly to a bypass clutch for a torque converter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A device for deducing noise and vibration in a torque converter bypass clutch is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,950, which is assigned to the assignee of this invention. The hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller wheel and turbine wheel. The housing for the impeller includes a lockup clutch assembly having a clutch plate that engages a friction surface on the impeller housing. The clutch plate carries friction material that establishes a frictional driving connection between the impeller and the turbine when differential pressure across the clutch plate is sufficient to establish a clutch-engaging force.
The clutch plate is connected through a damper assembly to the hub of the turbine, thus establishing a mechanical torque transfer between an engine crankshaft and the turbine shaft, which bypasses the hydrokinetic torque flow path through the torque converter.
The clutch plate is both welded to the impeller cover and pinned to the clutch piston. Furthermore, the pin that connects the piston and plate carries a spring-loaded detent ball that is forced radially outward from the piston into contact with the plate. This arrangement driveably connects the plate and piston, and transmits torque between the components of the assembly without producing noise, despite engine speed torque and speed variations.
It is preferable that a minimum number of parts be used to produce a resilient connection between the impeller cover and bypass clutch piston including elimination of the thrust washer between the turbine hub and clutch piston.

Torque converter bypass clutch having elastically flexible piston


Collection status and delivery status of recoverable products are stored in a database in association with a plurality of suppliers, and unitarily managed at a collection center. Collection/delivery information associated with identification information transmitted from a terminal is returned as required.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collection information management servers and collection information management methods, and more specifically to a collection information management server, a collection information management method, a storage medium, and a program for unitarily managing collection of used office machines or products related to the office machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Office machines such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers are widely used. Consumable products used in the office machines, for example, toner, are often supplied in a form encapsulated in cartridges. The cartridges are sometimes used, in addition to serving as containers of toner, etc., as components in which consumable products such as photosensitive drums, developing devices, and cleaning members are incorporated, and sometimes used only to contain toner, etc. The consumable products are either discarded or recovered in some way after use.
Consumable products to be recovered include, in addition to cartridges, toner bottles and photosensitive drums for copying machines, ink containers, cartridges, and print heads for ink-jet printers, other types of service parts, and paper and OHP sheets. Furthermore, office machines such as printers, copying machines, scanners, facsimile machines themselves may also be recovered. In the following description, products to be recovered will be simply referred to as "consumable products."
The consumable products described above are usually manufactured or recycled (hereinafter referred to as "supply") by manufactures or dealers of office machines in which the consumable products are used.
Suppliers of the consumable products, including manufacturers and dealers, individually recover used consumable products and recycle the consumable products that have been recovered. That is, the consumable products are recovered by manufacturers, dealers, etc. of the consumable products (hereinafter referred to as recovery agents). Some manufacturers recycle and sell cartridges manufactured by another manufacturer.
In a known system, users of the consumable products request recovery of used consumable products via phone or facsimile.
However, in that system, when a user requests recovery of different types of consumable products, the user must request recovery to a plurality of recovery agents by methods respectively specified by the plurality of recovery agents, which is laborious for the user.
Furthermore, from the perspective of a recovery agent, which recovers used consumable products based on requests from users, users that request recovery are not always concentrated in a specific area as is convenient for the recovery agent. If the users that request recovery are geographically distributed, the recovery agent must recover products from a large area by trucks only for a small number of users. This raises recovery cost, and leads to emission of environmental pollutants associated with transportation by trucks, such as CO2, NOx, and SOx.

Collection information management server and collection information management method


The present invention relates to a multilayer, surface structured solid plate for light guidance, the base material of which consists of a transparent plastic material, and optionally one or more cover layers.

1. Priority
Priority is claimed to German Patent Application No. 10 2007 033 300.7, filed Jul. 18, 2007. The aforementioned priority document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
2. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates to multilayer, surface structured solid plates for light guidance. Such light guides are generally formed from a transparent plastics material and optionally one or more cover layers.
3. Background
In the use of diffuser plates in the so-called backlight units (BLUs) of flat panel displays, an important factor is a very high and homogeneous brightness of the overall system, so that the brightness of the image on the flat screen is as high as possible. In principle a backlight unit (direct light system) has the structure described hereinafter. It consists generally of a housing in which, depending on the size of the backlight unit, a variable number of high-voltage tubular lamps, so-called CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) are generally arranged parallel to one another. The inside of the housing is equipped with a white diffusely light-reflecting surface. In individual cases other light sources can also be used (LEDs), which however does not further influence the basic structure. The diffuser plate, which has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, preferably a thickness of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, lies on this lighting system. A set of films which can have the following functions is located on the diffuser plate: redistribution and focussing of the light in the forward direction, and homogenisation (diffuser films), redistribution and focussing of the light in the forward direction by prismatically structured films, for example by the so-called BEF (brightness enhancing films), in addition to a prism film, often a further diffuser film, for avoiding Moire effects or a reflecting polarizer, for example DBEF (dual brightness enhancement films) and linear polarisers. The linearly polarising film lies directly underneath the LCD display arranged on top.
Light-scattering translucent products of polycarbonate with various light-scattering additives, and moulded parts produced therefrom, are already known from the prior art.
Thus, for example, EP-A 634 445 discloses light-scattering compositions which contain polymeric particles based on vinyl-acrylate with a core/shell morphology in combination with TiO2.
The use of light-scattering polycarbonate films in flat screens is described in US 2004/0066645. Here, polyacrylates, PMMA, polytetrafluoroethylenes, polyalkyl trialkoxysiloxanes and mixtures of these components are mentioned as light-scattering pigments.
In DE 10 2005 039 413 PC diffuser plates containing 0.01% to 20% of scattering pigment are described.
However, all these diffuser plates have a transmission of 50%-70%, whereas polycarbonate not containing additives has a light transmission of 90%. The transmission has a decisive influence on the achievable brightness.
In order to evaluate the suitability of the light-scattering plates for so-called backlight units for LCD flat screens, in particular the brightness of the overall system must be taken into account, in other words the whole BLU including the set of films, and not only the diffuser plates per se. The diffuser plates should have as high a homogeneity as possible of the light distribution at maximum brightness. Both properties are desired, but in the case of conventional diffuser plates they are as a rule conflicting properties.
A homogenisation by means of surface structures as described in JP 2006/284697 or US 2006/10262666 has the advantage of a high transmission and thus a high brightness. In this connection simple barrel-shaped or prism-shaped ridges or a combination thereof form the basic type of structure, which in certain cases contain slight variations such as indentations; mathematically these structures can often be described in terms of elliptical sections and in this case are as a rule termed lenticular structures. However, the achievable homogeneity is limited and is less than the achievable homogeneity of conventional diffuser plates. The structure enlarges the direct image of the lamps. Without going into the theory, the light density maxima are enlarged via the lamps, though their position remains unaltered. A minimum exists between the lamps. For large lamp interspacings and where there are only a few lamps, this leads to an inhomogeneous image. In order to achieve a sufficient homogeneity for demanding BLU structures (larger lamp interspacings, small overall height), complicated and costly multilayer structures are often proposed.
Light-guiding structures in plastics material containing scattering additive consisting of truncated prisms are described in CN 1924620. These structures are said to form three clear images of the lamps and are enlarged by means of the scattering additive that is additionally also used within the structure, in order thereby to permit a homogeneous backlighting. In this arrangement the employed scattering additive interferes however in the light-guiding action of the structure, so that ultimately no homogeneous backlighting can be achieved.
In US2007047260 and US2006250819 compound parabolic concentrators on scattering plates for backlight units are described. These however are not linearly arranged, but are circular, tetragonal or polygonal. Also, the CPCs in this case serve only to increase the brightness and not to homogenise the light of a plurality of CCFLS.


The invention provides novel compounds useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The compounds have a substituents chosen from -L-C(═O)OH, -L-CH═CHC(═O)OH, -L-C(═O)NH2, -L-C(═O)NH(C1-3 alkyl), -L-C(═O)N(C1-3 alkyl)2, -L-S(═O)2(C1-3alkyl), -L-S(═O)2NH2, -L-S(═O)2N(C1-3 alkyl)2, -L-S(═O)2NH(C1-3 alkyl), -L-C(═O)NHOH, -L-C(═O)CH2NH2, -L-C(═O)CH2OH, -L-C(═O)CH2SH, -L-C(═O)NHCN, -L-NHC(═O)ORo, -L-C(═O)NHRo, -L-NH(C═O)NHRo, -L-C(═O)N(Ro)2, -L-NH(C═O)N(Ro)2, -L-sulfo, -L-(2,6 difluorophenol), -L-phosphono, and -L-tetrazolyl, where L is a linker.

Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out normal daily activities. Among older people, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Despite intensive research throughout the world, the causes of AD are still unknown and there is no cure. AD most commonly begins after the age of 60 with the risk increasing with age. Younger people can also get AD, but it is much less common. It is estimated that 3 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have AD. Almost half of those ages 85 and older may have the disease. AD is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer's disease is a complex disease that can be caused by genetic and environmental factors. In the United States alone, four million adults suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Not only does Alzheimer's disease significantly impact the lives of countless families today, it threatens to become even more of a problem as the baby boom generation matures. The economic burden of AD in the United States is estimated to cost over $100 billion a year and the average lifetime cost per patient is estimated to be $174,000. Unfortunately, there is no cure available for AD.
In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. In her brain tissue, he found abnormal clumps (now known as amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now known as neurofibrillary tangles) which, today, are considered the pathological hallmarks of AD. Other brain changes in people with AD have been discovered. For example, with AD, there is a loss of nerve cells in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities. Scientists have also found that there are lower levels of chemicals in the brain that carry complex messages back and forth between nerve cells. AD may disrupt normal thinking and memory by blocking these messages between nerve cells.
Plaques and tangles are found in the same brain regions that are affected by neuronal and synaptic loss. Neuronal and synaptic loss is universally recognized as the primary cause in decline of cognitive function. The number of tangles is more highly correlated with the cognitive decline than amyloid load in patients with AD (Albert Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93:13547-13551 (1996)). The cellular, biochemical, and molecular events responsible for neuronal and synaptic loss in AD are not known. A number of studies have demonstrated that amyloid can be directly toxic to neurons (Iversen et al. Biochem. J. 311:1-16 (1995); Weiss et al. J. Neurochem. 62:372-375 (1994); Lorenzo et al. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 777:89-95 (1996); Storey et al. Neuropathol. Appl. Neurobiol. 2:81-97 (1999), resulting in behavioral impairment. The toxicity of amyloid or tangles is potentially aggravated by activation of the complement cascade (Rogers et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 21:10016-10020 (1992); Rozemuller et al. Res. Immunol. 6:646-9 (1992); Rogers et al. Res. Immunol. 6:624-30 (1992); Webster et al. J. Neurochem. 69(1):388-98 (1997)). This suggests involvement of an inflammatory process in AD and neuronal death seen in AD (Fagarasan et al. Brain Res. 723 (1-2):231-4. (1996); Kalaria et al. Neurodegeneration 5(4):497-503 (1996); Kalaria et al. Neurobiol Aging. 17(5):687-93 (1996); Farlow Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm. 55 Suppl. 2:S5-10 (1998).
Evidence that amyloid β protein (Aβ) deposition causes some forms of AD was provided by genetic and molecular studies of some familial forms of AD (FAD). (See, e.g., Ii Drugs Aging 7(2):97-109 (1995); Hardy Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94(6):2095-7 (1997); Selkoe J. Biol. Chem. 271(31):18295-8 (1996)). The amyloid plaque buildup in AD patients suggests that abnormal processing of Aβ may be a cause of AD. Aβ is a peptide of 39 to 42 amino acids and forms the core of senile plaques observed in all Alzheimer cases. If abnormal processing is the primary cause of AD, then familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) mutations that are linked (genetically) to FAD may induce changes that, in one way or another, foster Aβ deposition. There are 3 FAD genes known so far (Hardy et al. Science 282:1075-9 (1998); Ray et al. (1998)). Mutations in these FAD genes can result in increased Aβ deposition.
The first of the 3 FAD genes codes for the Aβ precursor, amyloid precursor protein (APP) (Selkoe J. Biol. Chem. 271(31):18295-8 (1996)). Mutations in the APP gene are very rare, but all of them cause AD with 100% penetrance and result in elevated production of either total Aβ or Aβ42, both in model transfected cells and transgenic animals. The other two FAD genes code for presenilin 1 and 2 (PS1, PS2) (Hardy Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94(6):2095-7 (1997)). The presenilins contain 8 transmembrane domains and several lines of evidence suggest that they are involved in intracellular protein trafficking. Other studies suggest that the presenilins function as proteases. Mutations in the presenilin genes are more common than in the APP gene, and all of them also cause FAD with 100% penetrance. Similar to APP mutants, studies have demonstrated that PS1 and PS2 mutations shift APP metabolism, resulting in elevated Aβ42 production (in vitro and in vivo).
Cyclooxygenases (COX) are major Alzheimer's disease drug targets due to the epidemiological association of NSAID use, whose primary target are cycloxygenases, with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (see, e.g., Hoozemans et al. Curr. Drug Targets 4(6):461-8 (2003) and Pasinetti et al. J. Neurosci. Res. 54(1):1-6 (1998)). The epidemiological studies have indicated that chronic NSAID use appears to reduce the risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease and/or delay the onset of the disease (see e.g., McGeer et al. Neurology 47(2):425-432 (1996); and Etminan et al. BMJ. 327(7407):128 (2003)). COX-2 selective inhibitors are attractive candidates for long-term drug use since they do not inhibit COX-1 and appear to be less toxic. In support of COX-2 as a target for the treatment for AD, a recent study was published reporting that in mouse models of AD, COX-2 overexpression was related to the neuropathology of AD (Xiang et al. Neurobiol. Aging 23:327-34 (2002)). However, recent clinical trials of specific NSAIDs have called into question the hypothesis the hypothesis that anti-inflammatory drugs are useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. It was reported that rofecoxib, a COX-2 selective NSAID, at 25 mg daily, failed to show efficacy for treating AD. Naproxen, another NSAID, in the same trial failed to show efficacy in Alzheimer's treatment. See Aisen et al. JAMA 289:2819-26 (2003) and Reines et al. Neurology 62(1):66-71 (2004). These authors concluded that the results with naproxen and rofecoxib do not support the use of NSAIDs for the treatment of AD. Celecoxib, a COX-2-selective NSAID, failed to show efficacy in several recent clinical trials for the treatment of AD. See Jhee et al., "A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pharmacokinetic (PK), Pharmacodynamic (PD) and Safety Study of Celecoxib Treatment for Four Weeks in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD)," Abstract from 7th International Geneva/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer's Therapy (2002); also published in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs 21 (1): 49-66 (2004)) and Sainati et al. (Abstract from 6th International Stockholm/Springfield Symposium on Advances on Alzheimer's Therapy, Abstract Book 2000; 180). Conversely, it was reported recently that rofecoxib provides neuroprotection in an in vivo Alzheimer's disease excitotoxic model system (Scali et al. Neuroscience 117:909-919 (2003). However, rofecoxib, in a large prevention clinical trial, failed to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease in patients having mild cognitive impairment. In fact, the results of this trial showed that 6.4% of patients taking rofecoxib developed AD as compared to 4.5% for those taking placebo (see e.g., Visser et al., abstract from Annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2003; and Landers, Wall Street Journal 10 Dec. 2003). Thus, clinical trials have indicated that NSAIDs, as a general class of drugs, are not likely to be useful for treating and/or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Of the five drugs currently being used in the US for the treatment of AD, four of them—tacrine (Cognex®), donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), and galantamine (Reminyl®)—are inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Another drug, memantine, was recently approved for treating moderate-to-severe AD. More recently it was reported that memantine showed efficacy in treating mild-to-moderate AD. Memantine is a NMDA receptor antagonist.
The drugs currently used for treating AD, including memantine and the acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, are marginally efficacious and have undesirable side-effects. Thus, there is a large unmet need for better and safer drugs.


This disclosure describes a circuit implementation providing the functions necessary to implement an isolated I2C bidirectional port. The technique implements a current source as a pull up device on at least one side of the isolation system. The circuit manages and communicates bidirectional data across an isolation barrier. A method of communicating bidirectional signals and an I2C acknowledge (ACK) or clock stretching through an isolation channel is disclosed.

1. Field
This application disclosure relates generally to I2C isolated, bidirectional communication systems, including isolated domain current source pull-ups, and features to detect data direction, maintain signal direction and detect an I2C acknowledge (ACK) signal.
2. Overview
Physical implementations of I2C bidirectional systems typically employ a bidirectional wired NOR bus using two wires to respectively communicate clock (SCL) and data (SDA) signals. The bus signal is commonly pulled up with a resistor or a current source and its value is defined by the system capacitance and maximum low voltage level (VOL) of a pull down device. Current I2C architectures can support one master or multiple master devices and from one to 127 slave devices. An ACK condition is a low input signal from a slave device on an SDA pin indicating the slave device has received a byte of data. The ACK signal may occur when the master device is in process of pulling down the signal and must be detected and communicated in an isolated system. Slave devices may incorporate clock stretching on the SCL pins. Clock stretching has a similar signature as an ACK signal, by pulling down and holding the clock signal initiated during the low portion of the clock phase.


Provided is a method and apparatus for inspecting a defect of a shape formed on a substrate. Primary inspection is sequentially performed on specific patterns in a plurality of divided regions of the substrate by using an optical method, and one or more regions on which secondary inspection is to be performed are selected from the regions. One or more defects are detected by performing the secondary inspection using an electron beam on the selected regions.

Various methods of inspecting pattern shapes for defects have been used as methods of inspecting semiconductor devices (semiconductor chips) on which patterns of various shapes are formed. For example, hitherto, a method of inspecting pattern shapes for defects using an optical inspection device (an optical inspection method) such as an optical microscope has been used. Meanwhile, as pattern shapes become finer, it is difficult to detect defects using only an optical method. Accordingly, there has been proposed a method of detecting the defects of fine pattern shapes using an electron beam in the inspection of pattern shapes for defects (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2005-61837).
The detection of defects using an electron beam has a problem in that inspection requires a long time. Accordingly, in consideration of the efficiency of inspection, the actual area that can be inspected is limited.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2005-61837 discloses a method in which the optical inspection and the electron beam inspection are combined together. However, this method is used merely to detect defects through the optical inspection of all patterns formed on a substrate and confirm the defects using the electron beam method. Accordingly, this method cannot overcome the problems that the efficiency of the detection of defects is low and the inspection of defects requires a long time.

Defect inspecting method and defect inspecting apparatus


The present invention provides methods of producing manufactured aggregates and other compositions from an encapsulated PCM slurry, suspension or emulsion by combining a cementitious binder and a adsorbent and/or absorbent with the PCM slurry. The encapsulated PCM-containing composition can be produced in an agglomeration process. The ingredients can also be mixed to form a viscous mass which can be extruded or otherwise formed to produce useful products.

Phase change materials (PCM) are thermal storage materials that are capable of storing large amounts of thermal energy that can be useful in moderating daytime-to-nighttime temperature fluctuations. At present a great deal of interest and markets exist for PCM. Well engineered lightweight structures utilizing PCMs typically reduce cycling of heating and cooling machinery and cause the buildings temperatures to more closely remain in the comfort zone for occupants. PCMs can be hydrated salts, plastic crystals, hydrated salts with glycols or hydrocarbon waxes. Ciba Specialty Chemicals' U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,526 and BASF U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,681 describe manufacturing processes for making microencapsulated hydrocarbon wax phase change particles. The manufacturing process of microencapsulated phase change material (mPCM) produces an aqueous emulsion that contains both solids and liquids. The solids portion, for example 42 to 48 weight percent, are PCM wax particles encased by shell of acrylic or other polymer material. The liquid portion contains from 58 to 52 weight percent water with wax and acrylics residues not bound up to the solids in the production process. In the past, for some applications it has been necessary to remove the encapsulated PCM solids from the acrylics dispersion in the slurry by a costly drying process to effectively incorporate encapsulated PCM into most other products.
An obstacle to the acceptance of organic PCM (e.g., hydrocarbon waxes) in building materials has been that such PCM may be inherently flammable. The PCM itself may be a hydrocarbon, typically a paraffin, that burns very easily. The PCM capsule material, whether of an acrylic polymer or another polymer material (e.g., melamine/formaldehyde resin), or some other material, may also be inherently flammable. There are a number of processes in the prior art for making encapsulated PCM and for the use of PCM in concrete, wallboard, insulation, and other building products.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,240, issued May 31, 1988 for Encapsulated PCM Aggregate to Voisinet et al., describes a process in which PCM as an admixture is incorporated directly into a variety of cementitious interior building materials. In that patent, both microencapsulated PCM or "form stabilized", non-encapsulated PCM, is incorporated directly as an aggregate into a cementitious composition. That patent does not contemplate an aggregate of various sizes, but describes the encapsulated PCM particles themselves as aggregate.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,355, issued Jan. 23, 2007 for Use of Microcapsules in Gypsum Plaster Board to Jahns et al., discusses a process wherein microencapsulated PCM is incorporated directly into cementitious building material, i.e., wallboard core and plasterboard. This patent states that special steps must be taken to ensure the bonding of all components because of the poor bonding nature of the microencapsulated PCM particles.
WO 2009/059908 discusses compositions containing particles of organic phase change material, particles of fire retarding magnesium hydroxide and/or aluminum hydroxide, and/or magnesia cement. GB 2462740 A discusses compositions with magnesia cement made using magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride and water, and reports moderate first resistance with a low loading of PCM.

Phase change material-containing composition and related products and methods


There is disclosed a modular mooring buoy system comprising: a buoyant body having an associated controller unit, the buoyant body being formed with at least one outwardly opening recess (131); and at least one modular unit (200) removably received by the at least one recess (131) in a watertight manner to enable operative communication between the controller unit and the at least one modular unit (200).

Conventional mooring buoys provide anchoring points to which marine vessels, such as ships, can be moored. PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2015/000447 discloses such a mooring buoy system comprising a buoyant body, an attachment point, a controller, an RF communication device, and a movement sensor. The RF communication device is operable for receiving a vessel ID of a marine vessel. The movement sensor is operable to detect movement of the buoyant body. The controller is arranged to determine when the marine vessel is moored to the mooring buoy based on the vessel ID received by the RF communication device and the movement of the buoyant body detected by the movement sensor. The above electronic components are implemented on a single printed circuit board (PCB) module.

Modular mooring buoy system, and buoyant body and modular unit thereof


Conventional adhesive and contact welding methods for holding the paperboard and plastic components of a composite closure together present a number disadvantages and do not lend themselves easily to mass production. The present invention describes two novel approaches, firstly the pre-assembly heating of the closure components with directed hot air to partially melt the thermoplastic surfaces and allow the parts to be immediately assembled sealingly and, secondly, a novel construction of plastic and paperboard composite closure in which the plastic rim is of a two-piece snap-fit constructions which firmly grips the top panel of the paperboard lid.

In the ice cream packaging industry, a variety of closure arrangements are used to hold a paperboard, plastic or composite lid in place on the paperboard container or tub holding the ice cream. An example of the combining of paper and plastic in the design of a container closure of this general kind is afforded by U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,353 (Helms), in which the composite lid includes a blank of sheet material and a peripheral molding, with a marginal portion of the blank being displaced out of the general plane of the central panel. The peripheral molding includes the marginal portion of the blank bonded to a portion of the rim on an exterior surface, in order to control longitudinal shrinkage and provide a printed surface on the marginal section.
In the composite lid of aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,901, the top portion of the lid consists of a polymeric layer for moisture resistance attached to a paper disk suitable for the application of product identification printing on the top side. A poly-layer on the underside of the paper disk keeps moisture from the product from entering the paper and enables the disk to be bonded to the plastic ring. The top and bottom portions of the ring are bonded together by fusing the poly-layer of the paper to a landing on the plastic ring by conduction, ultrasonic or spin welding. Alternatively, a coating of adhesive applied to either surface before insertion of the disk may be used. Once joined together, the upper and lower portions form a composite-closure.


An electrical connector including a connector subassembly having a front mating portion and a waveguide disposed around the front mating portion of the connector subassembly. The waveguide may alternatively be disposed near the front mating portion of the connector subassembly and an illumination device is provided at the side portion of the connector subassembly adjacent to the waveguide for coupling light emanating therefrom onto a portion of the waveguide which in turn conducts the light to illuminate at least a front end of the waveguide. The connector subassembly may further cooperate with a bezel having a frame and an opening. The frame retains the connector subassembly in position with the front mating portion of connector subassembly extending to the opening. The waveguide is then configured to have a front portion disposed between a rim portion of the opening and the front mating portion of the connector subassembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector with illumination source, and more particularly to an electrical connector having an integrated waveguide for use in poorly lit environment, such as in a car.
2. Description of Prior Art
An electrical connector, such as a cable assembly with an Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, has been used in electronics for years. Since devices such as cell phones, MP3, IPOD, and DVD player, are widely used in daily life, the auto industry is upgrading the electronics to meet this rising demand. More and more USB connectors are appeared in auto industry to meet the harsh environments of the auto industry. The current cable system is connected from the back of the radio system to the dash board through a bezel to which the electrical connector or more particularly the cable connector is latched. This will allow the consumer to plug in their electronic devices for downloading information, music, etc. However, while driving a car in darkness, it is difficult to find the right position of the inserting opening of the USB connector.
Hence, it is desirable to have an improved electrical connector, such as a cable end connector, that is equipped with an illumination source or a waveguide around the electrical connector for ease of access by a mating connector.

Electrical connector with illumination waveguide