1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication device incorporating the MAP (Manufacturing Automation Protocol), an international standard communication protocol that has been defined in ISO Standard ISO/DIS 9506-1, which is useable in a factory automation (FA) environment.
2. Description of the Background Art
In an automated factory, a variety of devices are employed in the manufacturing operation and the devices are joined through a local communication network into a factory system. Since certain devices may be more suitable than others to perform desired manufacturing operations, often the devices used in the factory system will be manufactured by different vendors. Accordingly, each such FA device, whether a factory computer, robot, numerical control (NC) machine, programmable logic controller (PLC), process control equipment, or the like, will have a different type of microprocessor, use different computer languages and execute customized programs. It is desirable that the internal processing and operation of each device should have little effect on the way the devices interact in the factory system and, in particular, how they communicate with each other. In order to provide a common basis for communication, all of the devices in the system must use a common message structure ("syntax") and use a common set of messages or "semantics" (i.e., the naming of and access to remote variables, program loading, job management, error reporting and the like).
The Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) has been adopted as an international standard that permits programs to be written for a variety of factory system devices on the basis of common semantics and syntax. The MMS is specified in two parts comprising the message services (semantics) and the protocol (syntax). The message services are grouped into functional units that relate to the kinds of functions that are performed when an application (a program that performs some desired job) at one user location interacts with the local communication network for purposes of communicating with a user at another (remote) location. A total of 86 message services may be grouped according to the functions of context management (e.g., Initiate, Conclude, Abort, Reject, Cancel), remote variable services (e.g., Read-data, Write, Define Named Variable, etc.), program services (Initiate Download Sequence for a program, Load Domain Content, etc.), diagnostics (Status, etc.), operator communication (Input and Output), coordination between applications (Define Semaphore, etc.), file services (File Open, File Read, etc.), event management (Define Event Condition, etc.), journal management (Read Journal, Write Journal, etc.) and job management/device control (e.g., Start-robot movement, Stop, Resume, etc.). A detailed description of the MMS standard appears in "MMS Tutorial by John R. Tomlinson, System Integration Specialists Company, Inc. (1987).
FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating the connection of two stations, each having corresponding applications and being interconnected by a local communication network, as they would appear in an automated factory environment. The application in station A "at one end" of the network communicates, via a MMS provider (shown as MMS), a logic link controller (LLC), a media access controller (MAC) and a modem at each station that is connected to a local network, with the application in station B "at the other end" of the network. In conventional MMS terminology, for such communication, station A is the "Client" and requests station B as the "Server" to perform some application specific operation; the Server responds with information resulting from the operation as it is performed. Typically, the Client is a controller station and the Server is a FA device.
FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of a conventional communication device employing a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 1 as an example of an FA (Factory Automation) device. Ordinarily, the PLC has limited storage capability and relies on outside storage media (e.g., disk storage) to store pertinent programming and variables. Reliance on outside storage media has the disadvantage that when a power failure or OFF condition is encountered by the PLC, the relationship between the PLC and its external storage media must be redefined at power ON.
In FIG. 4B, the numeral 2 indicates a MAP interface unit, serving as a communication device and being connected between a MAP network 3 and the PLC 1 via a PLC-dedicated bus 4. The MAP interface 2 comprises an MMS protocol 5 whose communication object is a named variable, rather than an address. A PLC driver 7 for accessing the PLC 1, and a local manager 8 for carrying out management functions also are found in the MAP interface unit 2.
Finally, interface 2 includes a VMD (Virtual Manufacturing Device) 6 for converting the MMS protocol 5 into a protocol reflecting the resources and functionality of the real FA device, e.g., PLC 1 in the preferred embodiment, and performing a process corresponding to each MMS service. The VMD, as an abstract representation of a Server showing its external behavior, comprises four conventional abstract elements including Executive function, Capabilities, Program Invocations and Domains. The latter are dynamic in nature and come into existence and are removed from the system either by MMS Services or by local action. The Domains comprise instructions and/or data which is dedicated to specific resources, such as the portion of the machine or robot that is controlled. Services are provided for a Client to manipulate Domains that are defined at the MMS Server, such as the Initiate Download Sequence and Upload Segment services.
In the standard MMS specification, the Domain management services comprise a Domain Object attribute, which specifies a VMD Object-specific name or Domain Name to uniquely identify the Domain within the VMD, and a List Of Capability attribute, which is a list of implementation specific parameters necessary to partition the resources of the VMD.
The PLC 1 is equipped with a computer interface 11. PLC 1 includes a symbolic address variable registration section 12, and is connected to the MAP network 3 via the dedicated bus 4 and MAP interface unit 2. A controller and multiple FA devices, each representing a different station, may be connected to the MAP network 3 for communication therebetween.
The VMD 6, as a "virtual device" that serves as an abstract model of the MMS server application, provides a consistent basis for defining the MMS services for all devices. In the present case, VMD 6 models the externally visible behavior of the PLC 1 and comprises applications that provide several MMS services and are represented as units, including Define Named Variable/Delete Named Variable means 61 for defining and deleting a named variable convertibly into a symbolic address variable specific to the PLC 1. Also included in VMD 6 is named variable accessing means 62 and a variable conversion table 63 wherein a named variable is registered (stored) in correspondence with a symbolic address variable specific to the FA device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MAP interface unit 2 acting as the communication device known in the art. The operation of the MAP interface unit 2 will now be described in reference to FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 5, when a request for a Define Named Variable service is received from a station B at the other end (not shown) that is connected to the MAP network 3 in Step 201, the MMS protocol 5 activates the Define Named Variable/Delete Named Variable means 61 in the VMD 6 in Step 202. As a result, for example, the Define Named Variable/Delete Named Variable means 61 may register a named variable, e.g., "DATA001," into the variable conversion table 63 in correspondence with a symbolic address "D1" according to the request of the other-end station B in Step 203. The named variable is related to a particular FA device, e.g., robot 1, as contrasted to robot 2 which may be represented by named variable "DATA002", and each FA device may be made by any of several vendors. Accordingly, the named variable is identified as having a relationship to a symbolic address, which ordinarily is vendor specific, e.g., Mitsubishi Electric Company of Japan has the standard address D1 and other unique standard addresses are assigned to other vendors. If the request is for a Delete Named Variable service, a corresponding named variable is deleted from the variable conversion table 63.
When a request for a variable access service to the named variable "DATA001" is then received from the other-end station B in Step 204, the MMS protocol 5 activates the named variable accessing means 62 in the VMD 6 in Step 205, the named variable accessing means 62 converts the named variable "DATA001" into the symbolic address "D1" using the variable conversion table 63, and the VMD 6 accesses the symbolic address "D1" of the PLC 1 via the PLC driver 7 in Step 206. By using the table 63 which defines a named variable (e.g., DATA001) to be a vendor specific address (e.g., D1) programming is simplified and is useable for any of several devices from different vendors, since only a data call that is generic to the FA device at a given location (i.e., using DATA001) is used in the program to identify a desired operation, rather than a particular vendor address.
Since the named variable is defined in a procedure as shown in Steps 201 to 203, i.e., when a request for the Define Named Variable service is received from the other-end station B (not shown), the MMS protocol 5 activates the Define Named Variable/Delete Named Variable means 61 in the VMD 6 to cause the Define Named Variable/Delete Named Variable means 61 to register the named variable into the variable conversion table 63 in response to the request of the other-end station B, registration cannot be made from other than the other-end station B. Accordingly, an application concerning a named variable to be registered for the other-end station B must be added for registration.
Several other problems also are encountered in the conventional system design. For example, while a total of 86 services are set forth in the MMS, services which historically experience a low request level may not be provided. In fact, the actually provided services often comprise only about half of the total available services, due to the limited memory capacity in the PLC. For example, the other-end station B often is not provided with the Define Named Variable service or with the Delete Named Variable service. In the absence of these services, the table 63 cannot be utilized effectively, particularly when a power outage or OFF condition is encountered.
Moreover, the known communication device arranged as described above does not allow a user-defined named variable for accessing an FA device to be registered from other than the other-end station. This requires an application for registering the named variable to be added to the other-end station for the purpose of registration.


Introduction to DRAs
Dielectric resonator antennas are resonant antenna devices that radiate or receive radio waves at a chosen frequency of transmission and reception, as used for example in mobile telecommunications. In general, a DRA consists of a volume of a dielectric material (the dielectric resonator) disposed on or close to a grounded substrate, with energy being transferred to and from the dielectric material by way of monopole probes inserted into the dielectric material or by way of monopole aperture feeds provided in the grounded substrate (an aperture feed is a discontinuity, generally rectangular in shape, although oval, oblong, trapezoidal ‘H’ shape, ‘<->’ shape, or butterfly/bow tie shapes and combinations of these shapes may also be appropriate, provided in the grounded substrate where this is covered by the dielectric material. The aperture feed may be excited by a strip feed in the form of a microstrip transmission line, grounded or ungrounded coplanar transmission line, triplate, slotline or the like which is located on a side of the grounded substrate remote from the dielectric material). Direct connection to and excitation by a microstrip transmission line is also possible. Alternatively, dipole probes may be inserted into the dielectric material, in which case a grounded substrate may not be required. By providing multiple feeds and exciting these sequentially or in various combinations, a continuously or incrementally steerable beam or beams may be formed, as discussed for example in the present applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/431,548 and the publication by KINGSLEY, S. P. and O'KEEFE, S. G., “Beam steering and monopulse processing of probe-fed dielectric resonator antennas”, IEE Proceedings—Radar Sonar and Navigation, 146, 3, 121–125, 1999, the full contents of which are hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.
The resonant characteristics of a DRA depend, inter alia, upon the shape and size of the volume of dielectric material and also on the shape, size and position of the feeds thereto. It is to be appreciated that in a DRA, it is the dielectric material that resonates when excited by the feed, this being due to displacement currents generated in the dielectric material. This is to be contrasted with a dielectrically loaded antenna, in which a traditional conductive radiating element is encased in a dielectric material that modifies the resonance characteristics of the radiating element, but without displacement currents being generated in the dielectric material and without resonance of the dielectric material.
DRAs may take various forms and can be made from several candidate materials including ceramic dielectrics.
Introduction to DRA Arrays
Since the first systematic study of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) in 1983 [LONG, S. A., McALLISTER, M. W., and SHEN, L. C.: “The Resonant Cylindrical Dielectric Cavity Antenna”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, AP-31, 1983, pp 406–412], interest has grown in their radiation patterns because of their high radiation efficiency, good match to most commonly used transmission lines and small physical size [MONGIA, R. K. and BHARTIA, P.: “Dielectric Resonator Antennas—A Review and General Design Relations for Resonant Frequency and Bandwidth”, International Journal of Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Computer-Aided Engineering, 1994, 4, (3), pp 230–247].
The majority of configurations reported to date have used a slab of dielectric material mounted on a grounded substrate or ground plane excited by either a single aperture feed in the ground plane [ITTIPIBOON, A., MONGIA, R. K., ANTAR, Y. M. M., BHARTIA, P. and CUHACI, M: “Aperture Fed Rectangular and Triangular Dielectric Resonators for use as Magnetic Dipole Antennas”, Electronics Letters, 1993, 29, (23), pp 2001–2002] or by a single probe inserted into the dielectric material [McALLISTER, M. W., LONG, S. A. and CONWAY G. L.: “Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna”, Electronics Letters, 1983, 19, (6), pp 218–219]. Direct excitation by a transmission line has also been reported by some authors [KRANENBURG, R. A. and LONG, S. A.: “Microstrip Transmission Line Excitation of Dielectric Resonator Antennas”, Electronics Letters, 1994, 24, (18), pp 1156–1157].
The concept of using a series of DRAs to build an antenna array has already been explored by several authors. For example, an array of two cylindrical single-feed DRAs has been demonstrated [CHOW, K. Y., LEUNG, K. W., LUK, K. M. AND YUNG, E. K. N.: “Cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna array”, Electronics Letters, 1995, 31, (18), pp 1536–1537] and then extended to a square matrix of four DRAs [LEUNG, K. W., LO, H. Y., LUK, K. M. AND YUNG, E. K. N.: “Two-dimensional cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna array”, Electronics Letters, 1998, 34, (13), pp 1283–1285]. A square matrix of four cross DRAs has also been investigated [PETOSA, A., ITTIPIBOON, A. AND CUHACI, M.: “Array of circular-polarized cross dielectric resonator antennas”, Electronics Letters, 1996, 32, (19), pp 1742–1743]. Long linear arrays of single-feed DRAs have also been investigated with feeding by either a dielectric waveguide [BIRAND, M. T. AND GELSTHORPE, R. V.: “Experimental millimetric array using dielectric radiators fed by means of dielectric waveguide”, Electronics Letters, 1983, 17, (18), pp 633–635] or a microstip [PETOSA, A., MONGIA, R. K., ITTIPIBOON, A. AND WIGHT, J. S.: “Design of microstrip-fed series array of dielectric resonator antennas”, Electronics Letters, 1995, 31, (16), pp 1306–1307]. This last research group has also found a method of improving the bandwidth of microstrip-fed DRA arrays [PETOSA, A., ITTIPIBOON, A., CUHACI, M. AND LAROSE, R.: “Bandwidth improvement for microstrip-fed series array of dielectric resonator antennas”, Electronics Letters, 1996, 32, (7), pp 608–609]. A study has also been made recently of different configurations that can be used to form cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna broadside arrays [WU, Z.; DAVIS, L. E. AND DROSSOS, G.: “Cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna arrays”, Proceedings of ICAP—11th International Conference on Antennas and Propagation, 2001, p. 668.]
It is important to note that the papers above have focused mainly on methods of feeding mechanisms for arrays of DRA elements and examining the benefits of such arrays for various applications. None of these publications has discussed the concept put forward in the present application, which is that of generating a specific DRA excitation mode in order to generate a specific far-field pattern that in turn enables a specific array geometry to be constructed.
Introduction to the Half-split DRA
A problem with designing miniature dielectric resonator antennas for portable communications systems (e.g. mobile telephone handsets and the like) is that high dielectric materials must be used to make the antennas small enough to be physically compatible with the portable communications system. This in turn often leads to the antenna being too small in bandwidth. It is important therefore to identify DRA geometries and modes having low radiation quality factors and which are therefore inherently wide bandwidth radiating devices. It has been known for some time that the half-split cylindrical DRA is one such device see [JUNKER, G. P., KISHK, A. A. AND GLISSON A. W.: “Numerical analysis of dielectric resonator antennas excited in the quasi-TE modes”, Electronics Letters, 1993, 29, (21), pp 1810–1811] or [KAJFEZ, D. AND GUILLON, P.(Eds): “Dielectric resonators”, Artech House, Inc, Norwood, Mass., 1986.]. FIG. 1 of the present application shows the half-split DRA geometry and is taken from [KINGSLEY, S. P., O'KEEFE S. G. AND SAARIO S.: “Characteristics of half volume TE mode cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas”, to be published in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, January 2002]. FIG. 1 shows a grounded conductive substrate 1 on which is disposed a half cylindrical dielectric resonator 2, with its rectangular surface 3 adjacent to the grounded substrate 1. The dielectric resonator 2 has a thickness d and a radius a, and is fed with a single probe 4 inserted into the rectangular surface 3 at a distance from a centre point of the surface 3. The resonator 2 also has a pair of semi-circular surfaces 5. The bandwidth of these half-split antennas has been the particular subject of a study [KISHK, A. A., JUNKER, G. P. AND GLISSON A. W.: “Study of broadband dielectric resonator antennas”, Published in Antenna applications Symposium, 1999, p. 45.] and bandwidths as high as 35% were reported for some configurations.
Using Half-split Cylindrical DRAs to Form an Array
The most common mode used for the half-split cylindrical DRA is the TE or quasi TE mode, which has the radiation patterns described in [KINGSLEY, S. P., O'KEEFE S. G. AND SAARIO S.: “Characteristics of half volume TE mode cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas”, to be published in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, January 2002] or [JUNKER, G. P., KISHK, A. A. AND GLISSON A. W.: “Numerical analysis of dielectric resonator antennas excited in the quasi-TE modes”, Electronics Letters, 1993, 29, (21), pp 1810–1811]. In this mode, the direction of maximum radiation is along the long axis of the antenna. To form an antenna array from these elements, it is necessary to stack the elements 2 side by side with their long semi-circular faces 5 parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 2a. This gives minimum coupling between the elements 2—a requirement for good array design. This is a good way to form a horizontal array with vertical polarisation, but when the antenna array is turned vertically to from the type of array needed for mobile communications applications, for example, the array becomes horizontally polarised, as shown in FIG. 2b. Generally speaking, vertical polarisation is preferred to horizontal polarisation in many mobile communications applications as it gives better propagation at low elevation angles.


This invention relates to chainrings, and more particularly, to a solitary chainring for use with a conventional chain in a bicycle drivetrain system including a bicycle crank.
Bicycles and other chain-driven vehicles typically employ one or more chainrings and a set of rear hub mounted sprockets connected by a chain. Various mechanisms are used to maintain the chain on the chainring and sprockets. These mechanisms include chain guards, chain tensioners, chain catchers, derailleur configurations and so on.
While riding a vehicle with a chain driven drivetrain, management of the chain and chainring engagement is particularly important to safe and effective propulsion of the bicycle. Keeping the chain engaged with the chainring can be difficult, which is especially true of geared bicycles which can experience severe changes in chain tension, and energetic motion of the chain, especially from riding over rough terrain.
Moreover, the chainring in any bicycle can potentially touch the chain stay of the bicycle frame when the crank is in a position where high loads are applied by the rider, causing an elastic deformation of the bicycle frame and the crankset. This can lead to damage to the frame and chainring and cause other problems.
The invention provides an enhanced drive chain management, especially for a bicycle that can successfully and reliably be ridden over rough and challenging terrain.


The invention relates to the area of cancer diagnostics. More particularly, the invention relates to detection of the loss and or alteration of wild-type huBUB3 genes in tumor tissues.
Genes and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis have been found to be important in the development of cancers. There is a continuing need in the art for identification of components of cells which control the cell cycle and apoptosis. These components can be used both diagnostically and therapeutically to identify and detect neoplasms as well as to treat them.
It is an object of the present invention to provide methods and tools for diagnosing and treating neoplasia. These and other objects of the invention are provided by one or more of the embodiments which are described below.
One embodiment of the invention is an isolated and purified huBUB3 protein having an amino acid sequence which is at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:2. Percent identity is determined using a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12 and a gap extension penalty of 1.
Another embodiment of the invention is an isolated and purified polypeptide comprising at least 8 contiguous amino acids as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a huBUB3 fusion protein comprising a first protein segment and a second protein segment fused together by means of a peptide bond. The first protein segment consists of at least 8 contiguous amino acids of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a preparation of antibodies which specifically bind to a huBUB3 protein having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
A further embodiment of the invention is a cDNA molecule which encodes a huBUB3 protein having an amino acid sequence which is at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:2. Percent identity is determined using a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12 and a gap extension penalty of 1.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a cDNA molecule which encodes at least 8 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2.
Another embodiment of the invention is a cDNA molecule comprising at least 12 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a cDNA molecule which is at least 85% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Percent identity is determined using a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12 and a gap extension penalty of 1.
Even another embodiment of the invention is an isolated and purified subgenomic polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO:1 after washing with 0.2xc3x97SSC at 65xc2x0 C. The nucleotide sequence encodes a huBUB3 protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a construct comprising a promoter and a polynucleotide segment encoding at least 8 contiguous amino acids of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The polynucleotide segment is located downstream from the promoter. Transcription of the polynucleotide segment initiates at the promoter.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a host cell comprising a construct which comprises a promoter and a polynucleotide segment encoding at least 8 contiguous amino acids of a huBUB3 protein having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
A further embodiment of the invention is a recombinant host cell comprising a new transcription initiation unit. The new transcription initiation unit comprises in 5xe2x80x2 to 3xe2x80x2 order an exogenous regulatory sequence, an exogenous exon, and a splice donor site. The new transcription initiation unit is located upstream of a coding sequence of a huBUB3 gene as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The exogenous regulatory sequence controls transcription of the coding sequence of the huBUB3 gene.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a pair of single stranded DNA primers. The set allows synthesis of all or part of a huBUB3 gene coding sequence.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a nucleic acid probe complementary to a wild-type huBUB3 gene as shown in SEQ ID NO:1.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a method of diagnosing a neoplastic tissue of a human. Loss of a wild-type huBUB3 gene or an expression product of the wild-type huBUB3 gene from a tissue suspected of being neoplastic is detected. The wild-type huBUB3 gene has the coding sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The loss indicates neoplasia of the tissue.
Another embodiment of the invention is a method of identifying a neoplastic tissue of a human. Expression of a first huBUB3 gene in a first tissue of a human suspected of being neoplastic is compared with expression of a second huBUB3 gene in a second tissue of the human which is normal. The second huBUB3 gene has the coding sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Decreased expression of the first huBUB3 gene relative to the second huBUB3 gene identifies the first tissue as being neoplastic.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a method to aid in the diagnosis or prognosis of neoplasia in a human. A first huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein in a first tissue of a human suspected of being neoplastic is compared with a second huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein in a second tissue of a human which is normal. The second huBUB3 gene has the coding sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. A difference between the first and second huBUB3 genes, mRNAs, or proteins indicates the presence of neoplastic cells in the first tissue.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a method to aid in detecting a genetic predisposition to neoplasia in a human. A huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein in the fetal tissue of a human is compared with a wild-type huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein. The wild-type huBUB3 gene has the coding sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. A difference between the huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein in the fetal tissue of the human and the wild-type huBUB3 gene, mRNA, or protein indicates a genetic predisposition to neoplasia in the human.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening test compounds for the ability to interfere with the binding of a huBUB3 protein to a huBUB1 protein. A test compound is contacted with at least a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4 and at least a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The huBUB3-binding domain binds to the huBUB1-binding domain in the absence of the test compound. The amount of the huBUB1-binding domain which is bound or unbound to the huBUB3-binding domain or the amount of the huBUB3-binding domain which is bound or unbound to the huBUB1-binding domain in the presence of the test compound is determined. A test compound which decreases the amount of bound huBUB1- or huBUB3-binding domains or which increases the amount of unbound huBUB1- and huBUB3-binding domains is a potential inducer of mitosis or cell cycle progression.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening test compounds for the ability to interfere with the binding of a huBUB1 protein to a huBUB3 protein. A cell is with a test compound. The cell comprises a first fusion protein, a second fusion protein, and a reporter gene. The first fusion protein comprises (1) at least a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and (2) either a DNA binding domain or a transcriptional activating domain. The second fusion protein comprises at least a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4. The huBUB1-binding domain binds to the huBUB3-binding domain. If the first fusion protein comprises a DNA binding domain, then the second fusion protein comprises a transcriptional activating domain. If the first fusion protein comprises a transcriptional activating domain, then the second fusion protein comprises a DNA binding domain. The interaction of the first and second fusion proteins reconstitutes a sequence-specific transcription activating factor. The reporter gene comprises a DNA sequence to which the DNA binding domain specifically binds. Expression of the reporter gene is measured. A test compound which decreases the expression of the reporter gene is a potential inducer of mitosis or cell cycle progression.
Another embodiment of the invention is a method of identifying compounds which interfere with the binding of a huBUB3 protein to a huBUB1 protein. A cell which comprises three recombinant DNA constructs is provided. A first construct encodes a first polypeptide fused to a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain, a second construct encodes a second polypeptide fused to a transcriptional activation domain, and a third construct comprises a reporter gene downstream from a DNA element which is recognized by the sequence-specific DNA-binding domain. The first polypeptide comprises a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and the second polypeptide comprises a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4 or the first polypeptide comprises a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4 and the second polypeptide comprises a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The cell is contacted with a test compound. Expression of the reporter gene in the presence of the test compound is determined. A test compound which decreases expression of the reporter gene is identified as a candidate therapeutic agent.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a cell which comprises three recombinant DNA constructs. A first construct encodes a first polypeptide fused to a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain, a second construct encodes a second polypeptide fused to a transcriptional activation domain, and a third construct comprises a reporter gene downstream from a DNA element which is recognized by the sequence-specific DNA-binding domain. The first polypeptide comprises a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and the second polypeptide comprises a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4, or the first polypeptide comprises a huBUB3-binding domain of a huBUB1 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:4 and the second polypeptide comprises a huBUB1-binding domain of a huBUB3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Even another embodiment of the invention is a method of determining the quantity of huBUB1 which binds to huBUB3, or of huBUB3 which binds to huBUB1. A first protein and a second protein are contacted. If the first protein is huBUB3 then the second protein is huBUB1 and if the first protein is huBUB1 the second protein is huBUB3. The quantity of the first protein which is bound to the second protein is determined.
Still another embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying compounds which decrease the kinase activity of a huBUB1-huBUB3 complex. A huBUB1-huBUB3 complex is contacted with a test compound. The kinase activity of the huBUB1-huBUB3 complex is determined. A compound which decreases kinase activity of the huBUB1-huBUB3 complex is identified as a candidate therapeutic agent.
The present invention thus provides the art with the sequence of the human BUB3 gene and protein. This information allows highly specific assays to be done to assess the neoplastic status of a particular tumor tissue.


This invention relates to a press-contacting terminal.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show known related press-contacting terminals (see, for example, JP-A-2003-217700 (Pages 2 and 4 to 5, FIGS. 4 and 15)).
The press-contacting terminal 1, shown in FIG. 4, is formed by stamping and bending a single electrically-conductive metal sheet. This press-contacting terminal 1 includes a terminal connection portion 2 of a generally rectangular tubular shape into which a mating terminal can be inserted to be electrically connected thereto, and a wire connection portion 3 extending from the terminal connection portion 2 in a direction of connecting of the mating terminal to the terminal 1.
The wire connection portion 3 includes a base plate portion 4, a pair of side plate portions 5 formed on and projecting perpendicularly respectively from widthwise-opposite side edges of the base plate portion 4, and press-contacting portions 6 for cutting an insulating sheath of a sheathed wire to be brought into contact with an internal conductor of the sheathed wire. Each press-contacting portion 6 includes a pair of press-contacting blades 8 which are formed by stamping predetermined opposed portions of the pair of side plate portions 5 and then by bending these stamped-out portions inwardly. A slot 9 is formed between the pair of press-contacting blades 8. The two press-contacting blade portions 6 are arranged in the mating terminal-connecting direction.
The sheathed wire is press-fitted into a space between the pair of side plate portions 5 from the upper side, and the insulating sheath of the sheathed wire is cut by upper end portions of the press-contacting blades 8, and then the internal conductor of the sheathed wire is inserted into the slots 9, so that the sheathed wire is press-contacted with the press-contacting portions 6, and therefore is electrically connected to the press-contacting terminal 1.
Like the above-mentioned press-contacting terminal 1, the press-contacting terminal 11 of FIG. 11 is formed by stamping and bending a single electrically-conductive metal sheet. This press-contacting terminal 11 includes a terminal connection portion 12 of a generally rectangular tubular shape into which a mating terminal can be inserted to be electrically connected thereto, and a wire connection portion 13 extending from the terminal connection portion 12 in a direction of connecting of the mating terminal to the terminal 11.
Two press-contacting piece portions 17a and 17b, each having a pair of press-contacting blades 18 cooperating with each other to define a slot 19 therebetween, are formed on the wire connection portion 13, and are arranged in the mating terminal-connecting direction. The terminal connection portion 12 is formed on a front side portion of the press-contacting terminal 11, and the rear press-contacting piece portion 17a is formed by bending a distal end portion of a base plate portion 14, extending from a base plate portion of the terminal connection portion 12, at a right angle. A strip-like portion 15 extends from a top plate portion of the terminal connection portion 12, and is bent to be superposed on the base plate portion 14 in a direction of the height, and the front press-contacting piece 17b is formed by bending a distal end portion of the strip-like portion 15 at a right angle.
A sheathed wire is pressed down from the upper side of the press-contacting blades 17a and 17b, and an insulating sheath of the sheathed wire is cut by upper end portions of the press-contacting blades 18, and then an internal conductor of the sheathed wire is inserted into the slots 19, so that the sheathed wire is press-contacted with the press-contacting piece portions 17a and 17b, and therefore is electrically connected to the press-contacting terminal 11.
The above-mentioned press-contacting terminals 1 and 11 are mounted within a connector housing of a connector, and with an increasing demand for a compact design of recent connectors, it has now been required to achieve a low-height design of the press-contacting terminals (that is, the reduction of the size of the press-contacting terminals in the direction of their height) and a narrow-pitch arrangement of the terminals (that is, the reduction of the size of the presscontacting terminals in the direction of their width). However, the related press-contacting terminals, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, have the following problems which are to be solved in order to meet the above requirements.
In the press-contacting terminal 1 of FIG. 4, the pair of press-contacting blades 8 of each press-contacting portion 6 are formed by bending the stamped-out portions of the pair of side plate portions 5, and are disposed between the pair of side plate portions 5. The sheathed wire to be press-contacted with the terminal is press-fitted into the space between the pair of side plate portions 5. Therefore, the width of the press-contacting terminal 1 is at least the sum of the width of the sheathed wire and the thicknesses of the pair of side plate portions 5 (that is, a thickness twice larger than the thickness of the metal sheet forming the press-contacting terminal 1). Therefore, the reduction of the press-contacting terminal 1 in the direction of the width thereof is limited, and this is disadvantageous with respect to the achievement of the narrow-pitch arrangement.
On the other hand, in the press-contacting terminal 11 of FIG. 5, the front press-contacting piece portion 17b is formed by bending the distal end portion of the strip-like portion 15 (superposed on the base plate portion 14 in the direction of the height) at a right angle. Therefore, the thickness of the strip-like portion 15 (that is, the thickness of the metal sheet forming the press-contacting terminal 11) is interposed between the press-contacting piece portion 17b and the base plate portion 14 in the direction of the height. This is disadvantageous with respect to the reduction of the press-contacting terminal 11 in the direction of the height. And besides, the wire connection portion 13 of the press-contacting terminal 11 has a flat plate-like shape, and therefore there is a fear that its strength is reduced.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio coding device and a method thereof by which an input audio signal is coded according to so-called transform coding and an obtained code string is transferred or recorded onto a recording medium, and also relates to an audio decoding device and a method thereof by which a code string transferred or red from a recording medium is decoded to obtain an output audio signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been a known method in which spectrums obtained by performing time-frequency transform on an input audio signal are subjected to normalization/quantization and differential frequency spectrums as quantization errors are subjected again to normalization/quantization (see Patent Documents 1 and 2: Japanese Patent Publications No. 3227945 and No. 3227948). Quantization accuracy of the audio coding device can be improved by this method, and scalability can be realized to fit performance and use environment of the audio decoding device.


1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting the relative humidity (hereinafter referred to simply as "humidity") of gas to a fixed value.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Within a tightly closed space, retention of a gas at a fixed humidity can be effected rather easily by use of a saturated aqueous solution. In retaining a gas within a container at a fixed humidity by continuously introducing into the container gas having a substantially constant humidity, however, a large volume of the gas must be continuously supplied to the container. This supply of the gas proves to be quite difficult.
It has been customary to control the humidity of a given gas by means of a constant temperature vessel which incorporates a humidifier and a dehumidifier. In this constant temperature vessel, the gas is automatically maintained at a constant humidity by having the humidifier and the dehumidifier properly started or stopped alternately by means of a sensor and a controller. This method of humidity control, however, requires adoption of a prohibitively expensive apparatus.
An expeditious measure resorted to for the regulation of the humidity of a gas involves the use of two containers, one filled with sulfuric acid and the other with water. A given gas whose humidity is desired to be regulated is divided into two streams, one stream to be passed through the container filled with sulfuric acid and the other stream through the container filled with water, whereafter the streams from the two containers are combined and mixed. It may appear that it would be possible to freely vary the humidity of the mixed gas by suitably selecting the ratio at which the gas is divided into the two streams prior to passage through the two respective containers so that the humidity of the gas could be readily regulated automatically. In actuality, however, it is extremely difficult to have the gas introduced accurately at prescribed ratios into the two containers solely by manual handling of cocks adapted to adjust the apertures in the respective feed pipes. The manual handling of these cocks is quite susceptible of error. Further, the humidity cannot easily be kept at a constant value because the pressure of the saturated vapor is variable with the ambient temperature. This fact constitutes itself another drawback for the method under discussion.
One object of this invention is to provide a method for stably and easily adjusting the humidity of gas to a constant value.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for easily adjusting the humidity of gas to a constant value.


1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a form assembly, more particularly to a modular form assembly which has a plurality of vertical channel pieces that can be coupled detachably side by side to one another to constitute a desired dimension of common form plane for forming a concrete structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
The improvement of this invention is directed to a conventional form assembly, as shown in FIG. 1, for forming a concrete structure. The conventional form assembly, which has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,272, includes vertical form plates (A1), vertical backing frames (A2), and horizontal reinforcement channel members (A3) which are coupled detachably to one another and which are then attached detachably to upper and lower edges of the form plates (A1). The backing frames (A2) are mounted detachably between the horizontal reinforcement channel members (A3) behind the form plates (A1). In order to further reinforce the form plates (A1), the conventional form assembly, when in practical application, further includes several horizontal reinforcement rods (A4), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are mounted threadably to the backing frames (A2) to press against the rear faces of the form plates (A1) in order to increase the contact areas between the form plates (A1) and the backing frames (A2), thereby preventing deformation of the form plates (A1) during use.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the form plates (A1) have positioning holes (A5) formed therethrough at predetermined positions where, when any two form plates (A1) are located face to face, the positioning holes (A5) can be aligned with each other. In order to maintain two opposite form plates (A1) at a predetermined space into which concrete is poured, the conventional form assembly further includes several positioning bars (not shown), each of which having its two end portions mounted respectively within the aligned positioning holes (A5) of the opposite form plates (A1). In this way, the predetermined space between the opposite form plates (A1) can be maintained.
The drawbacks of the conventional form assembly are as follows:
1. A relatively large number of parts is required, such as the form plates (A1), the backing frames (A2), the reinforcement channel members (A3) and the reinforcement rods (A4), to constitute the conventional form assembly. Thus, it is quite complicated and difficult to assemble or disassemble these parts when in use.
2. Because the dimensions of the form plates (A1) are relatively large, the form plates (A1) can only be applied for forming wider walls, such as partition walls (B1), as shown in FIG. 4. When applying the form plate (A1) to form narrower walls, such as the narrow walls (B3) at the aisles (B2) or at the vent passageway (B4), the form plate (A1) has to be cut to fit the dimensions of the narrow walls (B3). This may result in waste of material. Therefore, bricks are still employed to constitute the narrow walls (B3).
3. To form variable dimensions of partition walls (B1) for use in different floors of a building, some of the form plates (A1) have to be cut so as to allow the assembly of the modified and original form plates (A1) to obtain the desired partition walls (B1). This results in waste of time and material. In addition, due to the change in the dimensions of the form plates (A1), alignment of the positioning holes (A5) at the opposite form plates (A1) cannot be maintained. Accordingly, several additional positioning holes (A5) have to be provided again in some of the form plates (A1) so as to mount the positioning bars. At the same time, the original positioning holes (A5) have to be filled. Thus, it is quite inconvenient to assemble the modified and original form plates (A1).


It is often desirable to remove acid gases, such as, for example, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, CS.sub.2, HCN, COS, and sulfur derivatives of C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 hydrocarbons, from gas streams. Gas streams from which these acid gases must be removed can be from many sources. One common source of such gas streams is from natural gas wells. The gas removed from natural gas wells is often rich in methane and other combustible gases, but contains concentrations of acid gases such as H.sub.2 S, CO.sub.2 and the other acid gases described above. High concentrations of H.sub.2 S inhibit pipe line shipment of the natural gas because of environmental considerations and government regulation. High concentrations of CO.sub.2 in natural gas reduce the heating value of the gas because CO.sub.2 is not combustible. Mercpatans, i.e., sulfur derivatives of C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 hydrocarbons, have an offensive odor and are corrosive.
The removal of mercaptans can be particularly difficult. One process proposed for the removal of mercaptans from a gas stream is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3, 716,620, issued Feb. 13, 1973. The process includes the step of contacting a gas containing hydrogen sulfide or a mercaptan with a solution of iodine in an organic solvent, e.g., an ether of a polyalkylene glycol, and an amine. The presence of iodine in processes such as described in the above-referenced patent is generally undesirable because the iodine must be regenerated in an oxidation process which increases the complexity and adds cost to the overall acid gas removal process.
Accordingly, processes and absorption solvents are desired for the removal of mercaptans from gas streams by absorption which do not require the presence of iodine or suffer the disadvantages described above.


In conventional pulse width modulation systems a ramp is intersected by two variable references to accomplish dual edge modulation (DEM), by a fixed and a variable reference for trailing edge modulation (TEM), and by a variable and a fixed reference for leading edge modulation (LEM). Generally such systems operate satisfactorily but inaccuracies and unreliability can occur at the extremes: when zero width pulses and maximum width pulses are generated. For example, when maximum width pulses are requested the full width available from the ramp cannot be utilized because there must be some overshoot of the ramp to intersect the reference. When zero width pulses are requested it is likewise difficult to rely on the ramp instantaneously responding to the references to emit absolutely no pulse: some small spikes may get through. Attempts to address these problems have resulted in the use of additional external circuits to fill and blank the pulses.


The present invention relates generally to presence systems.
Within a presence system, when there is a state change associated with a source of a presence state, watchers of the source are notified of the state change. By way of example, if a source accepts a telephone call, the presence state of the source may switch from indicating that the source is available to indicating that the source is on a call, and watchers of source may be notified that the source is on a call. Alternatively, if a source begins to participate in a scheduled meeting, watchers of the source may be notified that a meeting state indicates that the source is involved in a meeting. That is, a presence state change notification may be sent to watchers to indicate that a presence state of a watched user has changed.
Calendaring changes, e.g., changes in meeting states, for sources or users tend to occur at substantially the same time. Often, calendaring changes occur at the top of an hour. As such, a relatively high number of presence state change notifications may generally need to be sent at approximately the top of an hour. Sending a relatively high number of presence state change notifications at approximately the same time often creates a performance spike in the presence server that lasts until a queue of notifications is emptied. The performance spike may slow the sending of notifications, thereby causing watchers to receive the notifications a significant amount of time after state changes take place.


Mechanical couplings for joining pipe elements together end-to-end comprise interconnectable segments that are positionable circumferentially surrounding the end portions of pipe elements. The term “pipe element” is used herein to describe any pipe-like item or component having a pipe like form. Pipe elements include pipe stock, pipe fittings such as elbows, caps and tees as well as fluid control components such as valves, reducers, strainers, restrictors, pressure regulators and the like.
Each mechanical coupling segment comprises a housing having arcuate surfaces which project radially inwardly from the housing and engage plain end pipe elements, shoulder end pipe elements, or circumferential grooves that extend around each of the pipe elements to be joined. Engagement between the arcuate surfaces and the pipe elements provides mechanical restraint to the joint and ensures that the pipe elements remain coupled even under high internal pressure and external forces. The housings define an annular channel that receives a gasket or seal, typically an elastomeric ring which engages the ends of each pipe element and cooperates with the segments to provide a fluid tight joint. The segments have connection members, typically in the form of lugs which project outwardly from the housings. The lugs are adapted to receive fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, which are adjustably tightenable to draw the segments toward one another.
For installation ready couplings of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,131 to Gibb et al., the coupling segments are preassembled at the factory, i.e., bolted together, but supported on the seal in spaced apart relation, one of the features which allow the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without first disassembling it. To facilitate positioning of the pipe elements within the coupling so that their arcuate surfaces align with circumferential grooves in the pipe elements the seal will have a stop comprising a circumferential ring. The stop ring is positioned concentric with the seal between the sealing surfaces which engage the pipe elements. The stop ring projects radially inwardly toward the center of the seal. Pipe elements are inserted into the seal between the segments until they contact the stop ring. The bolts holding the segments together are then tightened, drawing the segments toward one another to compress the seal against the pipe elements and engage the arcuate surfaces with the grooves to effect a fluid tight mechanical joint.
Typically, the stop ring is made of the same flexible, resilient material as the seal. One disadvantage to such a construction is that a stop ring made of a soft, flexible material such as an elastomer can be damaged when pinched between the ends of the pipe elements, for example, during a bending test of the pipe joint or a major seismic event, where the pipe elements held by the coupling are substantially angularly displaced relative to the coupling. The pinched portion of the stop may become deformed, which is considered unacceptable for some applications. There is clearly a need for a stop ring which does not suffer the disadvantages described above to promote safety in critical fire protection systems while allowing for the economic advantages permitted by the use of installation ready couplings.


Vending machines have long been popular for dispensing food snacks because of the convenience. At first, vending machines were limited to dispensing packaged goods but have now been developed for dispensing goods that are prepared at the vending machine such as hot coffee, and chocolate. The trend continues to provide vending machines that mix and make the food product on demand rather than merely dispensing prepared and stored products. By mixing and making the product at the vending machine, a wider selection of flavors and choices are possible than from a vending machine that stores limited inventory of prepared products.
When such products are made on demand, valves need to control the addition of various flavors to the base ingredient. For example, flavored syrup added to a base ice-cream is usually provided in liquid form. Displacement pumps and control valves need to control the addition of such different flavored syrups. Back flow prevention valves are also needed to prevent air from back flowing into the supply line to contaminate the supply. Previous valves were overly complex and often resulted in intermixing of different flavors. Known selector valves that rotate from one inlet to another and have a null or off position tend to get gummed up and stuck when viscous sugary fluids are used as the sugar crystallizes in the valve.
What is needed is a dispensing valve that can control the flow of multiple supplies such as different flavors and be closeable and provide for a quick cleaning of the common downstream passages that receive the flow of a different supply with each dispensing. What is also needed is a valve capable of supplying a plurality of liquids with no rotary selector valve that provides for backflow prevention for preventing crystallization of any liquid syrups.


The present invention relates to systems and methods for linking orders in electronic trading systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods which enable traders to link trading of goods, services, financial instruments, and commodities in electronic trading systems.
In recent years, electronic trading systems have gained wide spread acceptance for trading of a wide variety of goods, services, financial instruments, and commodities. For example, electronic trading systems have been created which facilitate the trading of financial instruments and commodities such as stocks, bonds, currency, futures, oil, gold, pork bellies, etc. As another example, online auctions on the Internet have become popular markets for the exchange of services and both new and used goods. In one embodiment of systems for electronic trading of financial instruments, for example, a first trader may submit a “bid” to buy a particular number of 30 Year U.S. Treasury bonds at a given price. In response to such a bid, a second trader may submit a “hit” in response to the bid in order to indicate a willingness to sell bonds to the first trader at the given price. Alternatively, the second trader may submit an “offer” to sell the particular number of the bonds at the given price, and then the first trader may submit a “take” or “lift” in response to the offer to indicate a willingness to buy bonds from the second trader at the given price. In such trading systems, the bid, the offer, the hit, and the take (or lift) are collectively know as “orders”. Thus, when a trader submits a bid, the trader is said to be submitting an order.
Modern day trading includes not only the buying and selling of a single type of item, but also more complex transactions involving exchanges of a combination of the same or different types of items. For example, in a typical spread transaction, one bond may be sold and another bond may be purchased as part of a single transaction. The trading of combinations of items in this way facilitates arbitrage, hedging, and speculation.
However, because such combinations of items may have very complex relationships, there is a need to automate the trading of combinations of items. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for linking orders in electronic trading systems.


Frequency division multiplexing enables the concurrent communication of multiple signals over the same physical medium. In a frequency division multiplexed system, signals are frequency-converted to an assigned frequency band prior to being transmitted over the physical medium. To enable recovering the signals at the receiver, each of the different signals is assigned to a different frequency band or bands. The receiver then separates the received composite signal into the various frequency bands, and then processes the signal received in one or more of the assigned frequency bands to recover the information contained in that signal. Conventional circuitry utilized for separating the frequency bands, however, is costly.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.


Mammalian cathepsins are cysteine-type proteases involved in key steps of biological and pathological events. Cathepsins are considered tractable drug targets as it is feasible to inhibit their enzymatic activity with small molecules and are therefore of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Cathepsins are mainly located in the acidic compartments of the cells, like lysosomes and endosomes. In addition, cathepsins are secreted and work in the extracellular space, as well as in the cell cytoplasm and in the nucleus. In particular cathepsin L has a broad cellular distribution in all these compartments. By the use of alternative translation start sides downstream from the first AUG, alternative Cat L forms are generated devoid of the leader sequence. The truncated Cat L proteins are directed to the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Based on its cellular location, Cat L performs different cell biological activities.
Data from LDLrec (low density lipoprotein receptor) and Cat L deficient mice highlight the role of cathepsin L in atherosclerosis, as these mice show a reduced atherosclerotic phenotype (Kitamoto et al., Circulation 2007, 115:2065-75). Likewise, Cat L deficient mice have less severe lesions in the elastase induced model of abdominal aortic aneurism (Sun et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011, 31:2500-8). Cat L contributes to vascular lesion formation by promoting inflammatory cell accumulation, angiogenesis, and protease expression. It is involved in matrix degradation, e.g. elastin and collagen, as a secreted protease, in autophagic cell death as cytoplasmic proteases (Mahmood et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2011, 286:28858-66) or by processing transcription factors like Cux-1 as a nuclear protease (Goulet et al., Mol. Cell. 2004, 14:207-19; Goulet et al., Biol. Chem. 2006, 387:1285-93). Human vascular disease samples from atherosclerotic vasculature or AAA (abdominal aortic aneurism) patients show strong upregulation of Cat L in diseases tissue (Liu et al., Atherosclerosis 2006, 184:302-11).
Cytoplasmic variants of Cat L seem to play a key role in proteinuric diseases. The podocyte is a key cell type maintaining the barrier function of the glomeruli in the kidney. Proinflammatory signals like LPS (lipopolysaccharide) induce Cat L expression. Cytoplasmic Cat L cleaves proteins that regulate the placticity of the cytoskeleton: dynamin and synaptopodin. Cat L deficient mice show reduced proteinurea in models of acute proteinurea (Reiser et al., J. Clin. Invest. 2010, 120:3421-31; Yaddanapudi et al., J. Clin. Invest. 2011, 121:3965-80).
Cat L deficient mice show a reduced metabolic phenotype when challenged towards different diabetic condition. Part of the mechanism is the cleavage of the insulin-receptor on skeletal muscle cells (Yang et al., Nat. Cell. Biol. 2007, 9:970-7), but matrix degradation as well as cleavage of the Cux-1 and its role in leptin signaling also contribute to the metabolic functions of Cat L (Stratigopoulos et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2011, 286:2155-70).
Cat L has also been shown to be upregulated in a variety of cancers ranging from breast, lung, gastric, colon to melanomas and gliomas. The cellular functions of Cat L in mediating apoptosis, lysosomal recyling, and cell invasion, make inhibition of Cat L in cancer an attractive target. The decrease of cell-cell adhesion by Cat L can partly be explained by cleavage of E-cadherin (Gocheva et al., Genes Dev. 2006, 20:543-56). The cleavage of extracellular matrix can also release growth factors from the matrix to interact with cell surface receptors.


Fluorescent linear lamps are widely used in office, retail and manufacturing, repair shop environments, and other settings, and typically fit into lighting fixtures with rectangular sheet metal boxes that have socket lamp holders at opposite ends thereof to retain and energize the fluorescent linear lamps. Fluorescent linear lamps have numerous shortcomings including generally poor light color quality, sometimes noisy operation, relatively high energy consumption, inclusion of toxic mercury (which makes disposal of fluorescent linear lamps problematic), and relatively short lifespans. In contrast, LED linear lamps can be designed to have any desired light color (measured in Kelvins), are quiet, are more energy efficient, do not include toxic mercury, and last a long time with operations of up to 50,000 hours (versus 10,000 for conventional fluorescent linear lamps.)
When they were first introduced, LED linear lamps were much more costly than fluorescent linear lamps. With prices down significantly, it now makes sense to install LED linear lamps for new construction instead of fluorescent linear lamps. However, in cases of retrofit applications where fluorescent linear lamp light fixtures are already installed, updating fluorescent linear lamp fixtures to accommodate LED linear lamps is not always easy, convenient, or cost effective when considering union electrician labor rates. For example, in some situations the fluorescent linear lamp light fixture may have a light box that is slightly larger or smaller than is typical, the light fixture may be outfitted with old ballasts, or the fluorescent linear lamp light fixture may be designed to hold 2 or 4 parallel fluorescent linear lamps whereas the user wishes to use a different number of LED linear lamps therein. Also, many of the existing fixtures have old or damaged lamp sockets which need replacing when using traditional lamps with bi-pin ends to reduce risk of arcing or intermittent problems in the future. So, when converting to LED lamps changing the lamp sockets is costly in time and materials. As will be described further below, the invention allows installation of the LED lamp into the existing light fixture without the use of traditional lamp sockets. The existing sockets can be removed and the LED lamp installed easily and quickly.
There are currently available kits for converting fluorescent linear lamp light fixtures to work with LED linear lamp. For example, with the Everline Dimmable 21.6 W 4000K 2′×2′ LED Retrofit Kit, each LED linear bulb is incorporated into its own LED lensed modules/light bar. The LED lensed modules/light bars need to be screwed (with self-tapping screws) to the back wall of the light fixture and then wires therefrom will be connected to a light control module that will replace the fluorescent light ballast.
In the Litetronics® LED troffer retrofit kit, three LED linear lamps come preinstalled and spaced apart on a rack. The rack will be screwed to the back wall of the light fixture. However, this design is bulky to ship and can be relatively costly. Moreover, it does not allow customization by the user to change the number of the LED linear lamps.
There accordingly remains a need for adapters to allow custom or standard LED linear lamps to standard LED linear lamps in lighting fixtures originally outfitted with fluorescent linear lamps.


The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, and more particularly, to a personalized route planning system therefore.
Vehicles often include computer-implemented mapping systems. The mapping systems typically include route planning applications to provide users with directions between different locations. The route planning application includes representations of roads and intersections and one or more algorithms to output a suggested route of travel. These algorithms can output routes depending upon user-selected parameters. For instance, a route planning application can enable a user to select a time efficient route, or a distance efficient route.
Over the last several years, users have grown to rely increasingly on route planning applications. Personalized tailoring of such routes, however, has been deficient.


Conventionally, there is known an alarm illumination device which gradually increases the brightness of a light source from a predetermined time before a preset wake-up time such that a sleeping person can be comfortably awakened at the wake-up time (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H4-264289). Also, there is known an illumination device which gently changes illuminance from low illuminance to medium illuminance, and rapidly changes illuminance from medium illuminance to high illuminance by using light of at least three types of illuminance, i.e., low illuminance, medium illuminance and high illuminance (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H7-318670). According to the illumination device, it is possible to cause the biological rhythm of the sleeping person to enter into an active phase while guiding the sleep state of the sleeping person from a deep state to a shallow state.
However, in general, since many people get up after the consciousness is gradually awakened, it takes some time until they actually get up from waking up although there are individual differences. Accordingly, for example, as in the above-mentioned illumination device, when rapidly changing illuminance from medium illuminance to high illuminance, a person who has not been sufficiently awakened during the illuminance change from low illuminance to medium illuminance may feel uncomfortable because of the rapid illuminance change thereafter.


Heretofore, an eye cup is mounted on a window of the eye piece portion of a view finder optical system of a camera. This eye cup is used to cut light coming from around the window of the eye piece portion, thus a user can see an image at the screen clearly through the view finder optical system. And also, the light coming into the camera's main optical system is cut by the eye cup being in contact with the eye. Thus, the camera's main optical system is not disturbed by the light.
However, some of the users wear glasses when viewing an object. The eye cup has a contact surface with a shape that is only made in accordance with the eye.
That is, the shape of the contact surface is not made in accordance with the shape of the lens of the glasses. Thus, a clearance exists between the lens and the contact surface. When a man puts on the glasses to take a photograph, light coming through the clearance is reflected by the face of the lens, then the light enters the camera's main optical system through the window of the eye piece portion.


In the utility industry, locks of the plunger operated type are often used to protect meters, meter boxes and valves that control the supply of electricity or gas. A suitable "key" or operating tool is provided to service personnel to enable them to open the locks as required. However these keys are often lost or stolen, and over a period of time many of these keys find their way into the hands of unauthorized personnel, who use them to remove and reverse meters, or to short across meter terminals, or to open valves that have been locked closed for nonpayment of utility bills.
Also, utilities that have adjoining territories prefer to have locks and keys that are not interchangeable, so that keys lost by service personnel of one utility cannot be used to open the locks of the adjoining utility.
Various efforts have been made to provide locks that can be opened only with a special key, and keys that cannot be modified to open other locks. For example, in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,006 there is illustrated a plunger lock and key in which the engaging means between the fingers of the key and the lock plunger have a configuration such that "generations" of locks and keys may be provided, so that a later "generation" key will open earlier "generation" locks, but will not open later generation locks. However in some cases the keys can be modified by unauthorized persons to open later generation locks.
In my copending application Ser. No. 281,701 filed 07/09/81 there is illustrated a lock and key combination which provides an improved system of locks and keys of various levels, which utilizes a key as disclosed and claimed in this application.


Mobile device networks such as wireless telephone networks are presently limited in the amount of data that is accessible by a mobile device user in a timely fashion. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) are increasingly being deployed in such public places as coffee shops, airports, hotels, and conference centers as a way to provide larger amounts of data to a mobile device user. WLAN access offers an opportunity for service providers to gain revenues from data services and for users to enjoy wireless high-speed data access in public spaces. Mobile network operators are interested in this opportunity because they already possess an established subscriber base with whom they presently have a billing relationship.
Because a public WLAN is not always operated by a mobile device user's own network, a protocol is required to authenticate a user across data networks. Authentication of a mobile device user is typically performed using Signaling System 7 (SS7) formatted communications between the mobile device network and the mobile device. However, communications between various networks takes place using the Internet Protocol (IP). SS7-format communications are not interchangeable with IP-format communications, making it difficult to implement a SS7-based authentication process using IP-format communications.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bio-analysis, and more particularly a bio-analysis system integrating sample preparation process, and more particularly to a multi-channel bio-analysis system integrating sample preparation process.
2. Description of Related Art
Bioanalysis, such as DNA analysis, is rapidly making the transition from a purely scientific quest for accuracy to a routine procedure with increased and proven dependability. Medical researchers, pharmacologists, and forensic investigators all use DNA analysis in the pursuit of their tasks. Yet due to the complexity of the equipment that detects and measures DNA samples and the difficulty in preparing the samples, the existing DNA analysis procedures are often time-consuming and expensive. It is therefore desirable to reduce the size, number of parts, and cost of equipment, to ease sample handling during the process, and in general, to have a simplified, low cost, high sensitivity detector.
One type of DNA analysis instrument separates DNA molecules by relying on electrophoresis. Electrophoresis techniques could be used to separate fragments of DNA for genotyping applications, including human identity testing, expression analysis, pathogen detection, mutation detection, and pharmacogenetics studies. The term electrophoresis refers to the movement of a charged molecule under the influence of an electric field. Electrophoresis can be used to separate molecules that have equivalent charge-to-mass ratios but different masses. DNA fragments are one example of such molecules.
There are a variety of commercially available instruments applying electrophoresis to analyze DNA samples. One such type is a capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument. By applying electrophoresis in a fused silica capillary column carrying a buffer solution, the sample size requirement is significantly smaller and the speed of separation and resolution can be increased multiple times compared to the slab gel-electrophoresis method. These DNA fragments in CE are often detected by directing light through the capillary wall, at the components separating from the sample that has been tagged with a fluorescence material, and detecting the fluorescence emissions induced by the incident light. The intensities of the emission are representative of the concentration, amount and/or size of the components of the sample. In the past, Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection methods had been developed for CE instruments. Fluorescence detection is often the detection method of choice in the fields of genomics and proteomics because of its outstanding sensitivity compared to other detection methods.
Heretofore, CE instruments are designed to work with samples first prepared at other devices, and then loaded onto a sample tray in the CE instruments. Some of the sample preparation procedures could be quite involved, requiring manual and/or automatic procedures. Dedicated devices and systems have been designed to handle only sample preparation, involving steps such as sample extraction, purification, amplification, stabilization, etc., to produce samples that are suitable for separation by the CE instruments. For example, DNA samples may have to be prepared by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process, to amplify sufficient quantities of samples from a trace amount of DNA samples. The product of the PCR process may be subject to a CE process to verify the integrity or state of the result of the PCR process. The transfer from separately prepared samples to CE separation/analysis instruments require significant manual interventions, which affect overall throughput.
It would be desirable to develop a fully integrated bio-analysis system including built-in sample preparation process capabilities, to avoid user intervention during sample preparation and separation/analysis.