The invention relates to a method for transmitting payload information in a radio communication system having at least one radio network controller, at least one base station and at least one subscriber station.
The invention also relates to a radio communication system.
Communication systems are becoming increasingly important. Significant efforts are being made to link cable-based communication systems to radio communication systems. The resulting hybrid communication systems generate an increase in the number of available services, but also allow greater flexibility in terms of communication. At the same time, devices are being developed which can use various systems (multi-homing).
Considerable importance is attached to the radio communication systems due to the subscriber mobility which is made possible.
In radio communication systems, information (e.g. voice, image information, video information, SMS [Short Message Service] or other data) is transmitted with the aid of electromagnetic waves via a radio interface between sending and receiving station (base station or subscriber station). In this case, the emission of the electromagnetic waves takes place using carrier frequencies which lie in the frequency band which is provided for the relevant system.
Frequencies of 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz are used for the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) mobile radio system that has been implemented. These systems essentially transfer voice, fax and SMS (Short Message Service) short messages, as well as digital data.
Frequencies in the frequency band of approx. 2000 MHz are provided for future mobile radio systems using CDMA or TD/CDMA transmission methods, e.g. UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) or other third-generation systems. These third-generation systems are developed with the aims of worldwide radio coverage, a large offering of services for data transmission and, most importantly, flexible management of the capacity of the radio interface, which is the interface with the fewest resources in radio communication systems. In the context of these radio communication systems, the flexible management of the radio interface should primarily allow a subscriber station to send and/or receive a large amount of data at high data speed as required.
The access of stations to the shared radio resources of the transmission medium, e.g. time, frequency, throughput or space, is governed by multiple access (MA) methods in these radio communication systems.
In the case of time division multiple access (TDMA) methods, each send and receive frequency band is divided into time slots, wherein one or more cyclically repeated time slots are assigned to the stations. Using TDMA, the radio resource of time is separated in a station-specific manner.
In the case of frequency division multiple access (FDMA) methods, the whole frequency band is divided into narrow-band portions, wherein one or more narrow-band frequency bands are assigned to the stations. Using FDMA, the radio resource of frequency is separated in a station-specific manner.
In the case of code division multiple access (CDMA) methods, the throughput/information which has to be transmitted is encoded in a station-specific manner by a scrambling code which includes of a multiplicity of individual so-called chips, whereby the throughput which must be transmitted is scrambled randomly over a wide frequency range in accordance with a code. The scrambling codes which are used by different stations within a cell/base station are mutually orthogonal or essentially orthogonal in each case, whereby a receiver recognizes the signal throughput which is intended for the receiver and suppresses other signals. Using CDMA, the radio resource of throughput is separated in a station-specific manner by scrambling codes.
In the case of orthogonal frequency multiple access methods (OFDM), the data is transferred in a broadband manner, wherein the frequency band is divided into equidistant orthogonal subcarriers, such that the simultaneous phase shifting of the subcarriers covers a two-dimensional data flow in the time-frequency range. Using OFDM, the radio resource of frequency is separated in a station-specific manner by orthogonal subcarriers. The combined data symbols which are transferred on the orthogonal subcarriers during a time unit are called OFDM symbols.
The multiple access methods can be combined. In this way, a multiplicity of radio communication systems use a combination of the TDMA and FDMA methods, wherein each narrow-band frequency band is divided into time slots.
For the purpose of the aforementioned UMTS mobile radio system, a distinction is made between a so-called FDD (frequency division duplex) mode and a TDD (time division duplex) mode. In particular, the TDD mode is characterized in that a shared frequency band is used for the signal transmission in both uplink (UL) direction and in downlink (DL) direction, while the FDD mode uses a different frequency band for the two transmission directions in each case.
In radio communication connections of the second and/or third generation, information can be transmitted in a circuit-switched (CS) or packet-switched (PS) manner.
The connection between the base station, of which there is at least one, and the subscriber station, of which there is at least one, takes place via a radio communication interface. The base station can support a plurality of radio cells in this case.
The base station, of which there is at least one, and a radio network controller (RNC) are usually components of a base station subsystem (RNS radio network subsystem). A radio communication system normally includes a plurality of base station subsystems which are connected to a core network (CN). The radio network controller of the base station subsystem is connected to an access facility (SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node) of the core network in this case.
In addition to individual items of payload information, radio communication systems transmit data which is made available to a plurality of users. Such items of payload information include, for example, video streams or other items of broadcast and/or multicast information. The services for transmitting items of payload information which are not merely intended individually for a single subscriber, but are made available to a plurality of subscribers, are grouped under the term MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service). Different MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) services are usually provided as separate data streams by the core network.
WO 02/19741 A2 discloses a communication system in which an IP multicast is sent to a plurality of devices in an IP network. In order to ensure that, on the network side, there is information about which end devices wish to receive which IP multicast, an “end device membership query” is periodically sent to the end devices from the network side. Upon receipt of a membership query, an end device sends a membership report as a reply to a local router and, in the membership report, identifies those multicast groups which this end device wishes to receive.
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) TS 22.146 V5.2.0 Release 5 describes the requirements which must be supported by a 3GPP system (UTRAN [Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network] and GERAN [GSM EDGE Radio Access Network]), in order to provide broadcast and multicast services (EDGE: Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution).
Before the items of payload information are made available as a service to a plurality of subscribers, a notification takes place in relation to the subscriber stations of those subscribers who want to use the service, before the actual transmission of the items of payload information of the service. This notification of the subscriber stations is necessary so that the receivers can be configured. Depending on the mode of the subscriber stations (e.g. “connected mode” or “idle mode”), they are notified by a “notification” or “paging”, for example. Group-specific mechanisms are normally used for notification, wherein a plurality of subscriber stations are addressed simultaneously.
The transmission of items of broadcast/multicast information as services should take place advantageously. In particular, any avoidable utilization of radio resources should be avoided whenever possible.


1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.
2. Related Art
Recently, attention has been focused on increasing the speed and extending the operational lifetime of image forming apparatuses including a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means and a fixing means, in other words, xerographic image forming apparatuses, as a result of technological developments in these members and systems. Similarly, demands for increased response speeds and increased reliability of subsystems have also intensified. In this regard, electrophotographic photoreceptors used for image forming are exposed to large outside electrical and mechanical forces due to chargers, developing devices, transfer devices, cleaners and the like, and thus are susceptible to image defects such as scratches, abrasion, cracking and the like. Therefore, there is specifically a strong demand for improved response speeds and reliability.
In order to suppress scratches, abrasions and the like, and to improve operational lifetime, resins having high mechanical strength may be used for electrophotographic photoreceptors.


Currently, there is an unprecedented need for scalable high performance storage and data management, partly due to the wide use of cloud computing. Large distributed storage systems have been developed to satisfy this need for scalable high performance storage and data management. Some of these large distributed storage systems may support a number of tenants, each of which may include one or more clients. Such large distributed storage systems provide isolated storage services to the different tenants. In order to provide these isolated storage services, the distributed storage systems utilize authentication schemes so that each tenant can access the storage services dedicated to that tenant. Some of the distributed storage systems require each tenant to use a provider specific authentication scheme.
Although isolated storage services are desired for most situations involving tenants, there are situations where it may be desirable to share at least some of the storage services for a particular tenant with clients external to that particular tenant. In addition, having the tenants convert to a provider specific authentication scheme is often inconvenient and sometimes impossible.
Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements.


1. Field of the Invention
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional container, in consideration of a cost and a purpose, is generally a paper-made or plastics-made container, such as a paper-made or plastics-made cup, bowl, and dish, or a filling container made of this material, such as a packaging container, a heat preservation container, and a lunch box. An existing paper-made container is provided with a single layer that cannot preserve and insulate heat. The container may be provided with two layers with a partition, the cost is, however, extremely high and the cost efficiency is not satisfying since the container is designed for one-time usage.
For heat insulation purpose, the existing paper-made cup is held with an additional plastic cup supporter. However, the addition of the plastic cup supporter is in conflict to the original design intention of the one-time-usage paper-made cup since the cup supporter has to be recycled and stored after the paper-made cup is thrown.
On the other hand, a heat insulation container composed of foamed material is provided to solve the previous problems. A conventional foamed container is manufactured by the process that the paper sheet is foamed before modeled to a container. However, the foamed paper sheet has a large volume and is difficult to be stacked. Also, a cutting machine is unable to cut the foamed paper sheet into desired shape due to the soft foamed layer. Moreover, stacked foamed paper sheets are unable to be fed into machines due to the large friction of the foamed layer, so that the yield rate is low.
Besides, some conventional foamed containers have a plurality of deficiencies. Patent publication US 2002/0182347 showed that the foaming layer composed of 60-90% by weight the microcapsules of foaming agent and 10-40% by weight the binder, and that the paper sheet is foamed before shaped into a container so that the problems mentioned above occur. That is, the microcapsules are much more than the binder. It results that the foaming layer may flake off in powder. Also, microcapsules are quite closed to each other and don't have enough space to expand. Moreover, a plurality of adjacent microcapsules may integrate into a larger capsule to form a rough surface. Thus, the process disclosed in US 2002/0182347 is impossible to be introduced in practice.
Another application of foamed paper sheet is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,860. '860 disclosed a card with a braille portion which is selectively protruded. “The binder of the braille portion is softened, and the microcapsules are foamed at the same time”. However, the process is not suitable for manufacturing a container. When the softening point of the binder is the same with the foaming point of the microcapsules, the microcapsules are unable to be rearranged before foaming so that the foamed surface is rough. In addition, a preferred ratio of the binder and the microcapsules for heat insulation is not provided here. More specifically, a foamed braille portion of a card must have different composition from that of a heat insulation container due to the different purposes.
WO 03/104338 discloses that the foam coating comprising 1-99.9% or preferably 8-80% by weight of binder and preferably 5-25% by weight of the unexpanded. However, the binder is softened and the heat expandable particles are foamed at the same time. WO 03/104338 does not disclose step(s) for redistributing the heat expandable particles which are dried and cannot flow itself under only the effect of gravity without external force.


The present invention comprises methods and compositions for detecting nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the present invention comprises methods and compositions for detection of specific genetic sequences using nucleic acid target protection strategies. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used in the detection of microorganisms, for diagnosis of infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants; assays of blood products, and for genetic analysis for use in such areas as early detection of tumors, forensics, paternity determinations, transplantation of tissues or organs and genetic disease determinations.
Many target and signal amplification methods have been described in the literature, but none are believed to offer the combination of high specificity, simplicity, and speed. General reviews of these methods have been prepared by Landegren, U., et al., Science 242:229-237 (1988) and Lewis, R., Genetic Engineering News 10:1, 54-55 (1990). These methods include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR in situ, ligase amplification reaction (LAR), ligase hybridization, Qxcex2 bacteriophage replicase, transcription-based amplification system (TAS), genomic amplification with transcript sequencing (GAWTS), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and in situ hybridization. Some of these various techniques are described below.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR is the nucleic acid amplification method described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 to Mullis. PCR consists of repeated cycles of DNA polymerase generated primer extension reactions. The target DNA is heat denatured and two oligonucleotides, which bracket the target sequence on opposite strands of the DNA to be amplified, are hybridized. These oligonucleotides become primers for use with DNA polymerase. The DNA is copied by primer extension to make a second copy of both strands. By repeating the cycle of heat denaturation, primer hybridization and extension, the target DNA can be amplified a million fold or more in about two to four hours. PCR is a molecular biology tool which must be used in conjunction with a detection technique to determine the results of amplification. The advantage of PCR is that it may increase sensitivity by amplifying the amount of target DNA by 1 million to 1 billion fold in approximately 4 hours. The disadvantage is that contamination may cause false positive results, or reduced specificity.
Transcription-based Amplification System (TAS)
TAS utilizes RNA transcription to amplify a DNA or RNA target and is described by Kwoh et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 86:1173. TAS uses two phases of amplification. In phase 1, a duplex cDNA is formed containing an overhanging, single-stranded T7 transcription promoter by hybridizing a polynucleotide to the target. The DNA is copied by reverse transcriptase into a duplex form. The duplex is heat denatured and a primer is hybridized to the strand opposite that containing the T7 region. Using this primer, reverse transcriptase is again added to create a double stranded cDNA, which now has a double stranded (active) T7 polymerase binding site. T7 RNA polymerase transcribes the duplex to create a large quantity of single-stranded RNA.
In phase 2, the primer is hybridized to the new RNA and again converted to duplex cDNA. The duplex is heat denatured and the cycle is continued as before. The advantage of TAS over PCR, in which two copies of the target are generated during each cycle, is that between 10 and 100 copies of each target molecule are produced with each cycle. This means that 106 fold amplification can be achieved in only 4 to 6 cycles. However, this number of amplification cycles requires approximately three to four hours for completion. The major disadvantage of TAS is that it requires numerous steps involving the addition of enzymes and heat denaturation.
Transcriptions Amplification (3SR)
In a modification of TAS, known as 3SR, enzymatic degradation of the RNA of the RNA/DNA heteroduplex is used instead of heat denaturation, as described by Guatelli et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874. RNAse H and all other enzymes are added to the reaction and all steps occur at the same temperature and without further reagent additions. Following this process, amplifications of 106 to 109 have been achieved in one hour at 42xc2x0 C.
Ligation Amplification (LAR/LAS)
Ligation amplification reaction or ligation amplification system uses DNA ligase and four oligonucleotides, two per target strand. This technique is described by Wu, D. Y. and Wallace, R. B. (1989) Genomics 4:560. The oligonucleotides hybridize to adjacent sequences on the target DNA and are joined by the ligase. The reaction is heat denatured and the cycle repeated. LAR suffers from the fact that the ligases can join the oligonucleotides even when they are not hybridized to the target DNA. This results in a high background. In addition, LAR is not an efficient reaction and therefore requires approximately five hours for each cycle. Thus, the amplification requires several days for completion.
Qxcex2 Replicase
In this technique, RNA replicase for the bacteriophage Qxcex2, which replicates single-stranded RNA, is used to amplify the target DNA, as described by Lizardi et al. (1988) Bio/Technology 6:1197. First, the target DNA is hybridized to a primer including a T7 promoter and a Qxcex2 5xe2x80x2 sequence region. Using this primer, reverse transcriptase generates a cDNA connecting the primer to its 5xe2x80x2 end in the process. These two steps are similar to the TAS protocol. The resulting heteroduplex is heat denatured. Next, a second primer containing a Qxcex23xe2x80x2 sequence region is used to initiate a second round of cDNA synthesis. This results in a double stranded DNA containing both 5xe2x80x2 and 3xe2x80x2 ends of the Qxcex2 bacteriophage as well as an active T7 RNA polymerase binding site. T7 RNA polymerase then transcribes the double-stranded DNA into new RNA, which mimics the Qxcex2. After extensive washing to remove any unhybridized probe, the new RNA is eluted from the target and replicated by Qxcex2 replicase. The latter reaction creates 107 fold amplification in approximately 20 minutes. Significant background may be formed due to minute amounts of probe RNA that is non-specifically retained during the reaction.
Chiron Signal Amplification
The Chiron system, as described by Urdea et al. (1987) Gene 61:253, is extremely complex. It utilizes 12 capture oligonucleotide probes, 36 labeled oligonucleotides, 20 biotinylated immobilization probes that are crosslinked to 20 more enzyme-labeled probes. This massive conglomerate is built-up in a stepwise fashion requiring numerous washing and reagent addition steps. Amplification is limited because there is no cycle. The probes simply form a large network.
ImClone Signal Amplification
The ImClone technique utilizes a network concept similar to Chiron, but the approach is completely different. The ImClone technique is described in Kohlbert et al. (1989) Mol. and Cell Probes 3:59. ImClone first binds a single-stranded M13 phage DNA containing targeted probe. To this bound circular DNA is then hybridized about five additional DNA fragments that only bind to one end and the other end hangs freely out in the solution. Another probe set is then hybridized to the hanging portion of the previous set of probes. The latter set is either labeled directly with an enzyme or it is biotinylated. If it is biotinylated, then detection is via a streptavidin enzyme complex. In either case, detection is through an enzyme color reaction. Like the Chiron method, the ImClone method relies on build-up of a large network. Because there is no repeated cycle, the reaction is not geometrically expanded, resulting in limited amplification.
While the nucleic acid amplification methods described above allow for the detection of relatively small quantities of target nucleic acid molecules, there is a need for the ability to detect target nucleic acid molecules in a shorter amount of time with less background interference. Problems inherent in PCR and other amplification techniques involve sample contamination during the collection techniques and the presence of amplicons (amplified target DNA). There are problems with non-specific target amplification mediated by closely related sequences and the production of primer dimers. There is also poor control of specificity, resulting in false positive reactions, and poor control of sensitivity, resulting in false negative reactions. PCR results must often be confirmed and validated by other techniques such as probe hybridization, Southern blotting or in situ hybridization.
Additionally, PCR and amplification techniques can only be used with very small amounts of starting sample DNA, in the range of a maximum of 1 microgram. This negates use of PCR techniques for the detection of low copy number nucleic acid targets. For example, early detection of HIV infection, soon after the initial viral infection, would be almost impossible to detect using PCR.
Thus, compositions, methods and kits are needed that are capable of detecting specific nucleic acid sequences and isolating them. Especially needed are methods and kits that would allow for the detection of low copy number nucleic acid target sequences. Additionally, there is need for methods and kits that provide the flexibility that would allow for isolation of nucleic acid sequences using a desired level of specificity.
What is also needed are methods that do not use amplification techniques, but do allow for the isolation of a specific target sequence from any amount of starting nucleic acid, especially large amounts, and have the flexibility to accomplish the isolation at several levels of specificity, depending on the level of specificity desired.
In accordance with the present invention, methods and compositions are provided for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences from cellular or tissue sources. More particularly, the present invention includes methods and compositions for the detection of nucleic acid sequences using a protection molecule that forms a protected nucleic acid sequence (PNAS) such as a triplex or duplex nucleic acid structure that includes the target nucleic acid sequence. The targent nucleic acid sequence is the specific sequence being detected. An assay using the methods of the present invention may include one, two or three levels of specificity to minimize false positive signals. An assay using the methods or compositions of the present invention can be performed on large amounts of purified DNA in a single test, with high levels of sensitivity, thus eliminating the need for in vitro DNA amplification procedures.
When the target nucleic acid sequence is double-stranded, the structure formed with the protection molecule is a triplex. When the target nucleic acid sequence is single-stranded, the structure formed with the protection molecule is a duplex. In this disclosure, where triplex structures are discussed, one can also substitute duplex structures or structures using PNA (peptide-nucleic acid) and the appropriate nucleases. Assays using the methods of the present invention may be referred to as TPA, Target Protection Assays.
The initial level of specificity utilizes protection molecules such as oligonucleotides or peptide-nucleic acids (PNA) to bind to specific target sequences of interest. Such binding may be accomplished by formation of Hoogstein-type hydrogen bonds. The protection molecule, bound to the target nucleic acid sequence, forms the protected nucleic acid sequence (PNAS). Once these PNAS structures are formed and stabilized in solution, the non-specific DNA is digested. For example, this digestion can be accomplished with a combination of endonucleases and a double-strand-dependent exonuclease, such as DNA Exonuclease III (Exo III). The endonucleases used in this example are designed to cut on both sides of the PNAS, leaving approximately 20 base pairs of DNA on each side of the sequence. Exo III, an exonuclease which progressively cleaves one strand of the DNA from the 3xe2x80x2 end, is inhibited by the triple helix structure. Using a combination of nucleases, the unprotected DNA sequences are digested completely. A method of the present invention involving a lower level of specificity would employ an affinity molecule for capture and a reporter molecule for labeling in conjunction with the protection probe.
However, if a higher level of specificity is required, 5xe2x80x2 flanking regions can be generated on either or both sides of the PNAS to allow for assays employing two further levels of specificity. The structure formed, a PNAS with flanking regions is termed PNAS/tail. Following the selected digestion around the PNAS, a capture probe, such as an oligonucleotide complementary to one of the single stranded flanking regions, is added. The capture probe is allowed to hybridize to a single-stranded region. For example, the capture probe could be an oligonucleotide that would bind to a single-stranded region and have an affinity molecule attached. For example, the affinity molecule could be didoxigenein or biotin. The capture probe comprises an affinity molecule and is capable of associating with the PNAS.
A capturing system is used to isolate the PNAS with the capture probe attached. Any capturing system that is capable of binding to the capture probe and separating the PNAS/tails with affinity molecule from the mixture is contemplated. In the example used above, such a capture system may comprise using magnetic beads coated with anti-didoxigenein antibodies for binding to the didoxigenein-capture probe portion or, streptavidin for binding to the biotin-capture probe portion. The PNAS/tails with affinity molecule, now attached to the magnetic beads, are separated from non-specific complexes and washed to remove any non-specific nucleic acid sequences. Such washing may use any washing technique known in the art. For example, a magnetic particle holder could be used. Again, should this be the level of specificity required, the present invention comprises assays that also have a reporter molecule associated with the protection molecule or the capture probe.
A third level of specific detection involves the addition of a labeled reporter probe. The reporter probe comprises a detectable label and is capable of associating with the PNAS. For example, the reporter probed may comprise an oligonucleotide complementary to the 5xe2x80x2 single-stranded tail that is part of the PNAS/tail. This 5xe2x80x2 region may or may not be on the opposite flanking tail to which the capture probe binds. The reporter probe may be labelled with any labels known in the art such as radioactivity or non-radioactive labels such as labeled with biotin or didoxigenein for indirect detection, or directly with a fluorescent reporter molecule, e.g., fluorescein, or chemiluminescent or bioluminescent labels. An excess of reporter probe is added to the washed magnetic bead-triplex complex and allowed to hybridize. Detection of the bound labelled reporter probe can be accomplished after washing by using detection devices specific for the type of label used. For example, if a fluorescent labeled reporter probe is used, the labeled sequences can be detected using a fluorometer or viewing the beads through a fluorescent microscope. Alternatively, the amount of bound probe can be directly assessed by fluorescent anisotropy with an analyzer such as the Abbott TDM analyzer.
Compositions of the present invention include compositions comprising the components to practice the methods taught herein. For example, a composition comprising a labeled protection molecule with an affinity molecule could be used in an assay with a first level of specificity. A composition comprising a labeled protection molecule and a capture probe could be used in a level two specificity assay. A composition comprising a protection molecule, a capture probe and a reporter probe could be used in a level three assay. It is to be understood that the individual molecules, probes and components can also be provided individually.
The present invention is especially useful for detecting specific genetic sequences. The present invention comprises methods such as the Target Protection Assay (TPA) in all its formats, which have the advantage of allowing the processing of very large amounts of purified nucleic acids, thus eliminating the need for artificial amplification procedures such as PCR, while enabling the detection of a specific target sequence. In addition, the three levels of specificityxe2x80x94PNAS formation, capture probe binding, and reporter probe bindingxe2x80x94reduce technical problems such as those associated with false positive signals from non-specific amplification and/or hybridization.
The present invention comprises a method for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence, comprising obtaining isolated nucleic acid sequences from a sample suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence; contacting a protection molecule with the nucleic acid sequences under hydridizing conditions sufficient to form a PNAS; and detecting the PNAS. The methods may further comprise the steps of digesting the isolated nucleic acids containing one or more PNAS with nucleolytic enzymes to form a PNAS/tail; and hybridizing a capture molecule to the PNAS/tail; prior to the step of detecting the PNAS. Additionally, the methods may further comprise the step of hybridizing of a reporter molecule to the PNAS/tail; prior to the step of detecting the PNAS. A method for detecting specific nucleic acid sequences, comprising obtaining isolated nucleic acid sequences from a sample suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence; contacting a protection molecule with the nucleic acid sequences under hydridizing conditions sufficient to form a PNAS; digesting the isolated nucleic acids containing one or more PNAS with nucleolytic enzymes to form a PNAS/tail; hybridizing a capture molecule to the PNAS/tail; hybridizing of a reporter molecule to the PNAS/tail; and detecting the PNAS.
The present invention comprises compositions for detecting specific nucleic acid sequences, comprising a protection molecule capable of binding with a specific nucleic acid sequence. A composition of the present invention may further comprise a capture molecule. Additionally, a composition of the present invention may further comprise a reporter molecule.
The methods and compositions of the present invention should be ideal for the detection of viruses and other microorganisms such as pathogens of humans, animals and plants, as well as genetic analysis of polymorphic gene sequences such as HLA typing. The methods of the present invention can be used in forensics, paternity determinations, or transplantation or organs or tissues, or genetic disease analysis.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods to detect specific genetic sequences.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific DNA sequences involving triplex nucleotide structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific RNA sequences involving triplex nucleotide structures.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific DNA sequences involving duplex nucleotide structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific RNA sequences involving duplex nucleotide structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific RNA sequences involving PNA structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific DNA sequences involving PNA structures.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific DNA sequences involving antibodies.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods for detecting specific RNA sequences involving antibodies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences involving radioactive labeled nucleic acids.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences involving non-radioactive labeled nucleic acids.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of detection of specific genetic sequences with variable levels of specificity.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of the identity of microorganisms.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of the identity of human pathogens.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of the identity of animal pathogens.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of the identity of plant pathogens.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of the genetic relationship, such as paternity or species identification, of a sample.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the determination of potential donors of organs or tissues for transplantation purposes or for protecting the blood supply.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for use in forensic determinations.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of detecting nucleic acid sequences for the analysis of genetic diseases.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for testing body or tissue fluids to detect microorganisms or other pathogens.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a digital image and a method of controlling the apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for processing a digital image that can capture an image input through an image pickup device by pressing a shutter-release button, and a method of controlling the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, examples of apparatuses for processing a digital image include all devices that process images or use an image recognition sensor, such as a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a phone camera, and a personal computer (PC) camera.
An apparatus for processing a digital image, such as a camera, can display images input through an image pickup device. When a user presses a shutter-release button, the apparatus for processing the digital image can capture a desired image and store the captured image as an image file.
When the user presses the shutter-release button, however, the apparatus for processing the digital image may be shaken due to the user's hand shake, resulting in blurry and unclear images and a failure in photographic quality.
As the apparatus for processing the digital image has recently become smaller and slimmer, the apparatus for processing the digital image has become more affected by hand shake caused when the shutter-release button is pressed. In addition, as the apparatus for processing the digital image has been developed to offer higher magnification and higher resolution, the risk of shaking the apparatus for processing the digital image due to hand shake caused when the shutter-release button is pressed has increased.
To solve the problem that a desired image cannot be captured due to hand shake caused when a user presses a shutter-release button, a hand shake sensor may be used. The hand shake sensor can measure the amount of hand shake and correct for it. However, the hand shake sensor is then additionally required.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method of and an apparatus for detecting atrial fibrillation by monitoring and analyzing pulse beats using an algorithm that can exclude many rhythm abnormalities that are not atrial fibrillation.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The heart is the major muscle that functions as the primary pump for blood flow throughout the body. The heart contains two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The right atrium receives oxygen-depleted blood while the left atrium receives blood enriched with oxygen from the lungs. When the atria are full, the outlet valves within the heart open and the atria squeeze blood into the ventricles. The right ventricle then pumps oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs while the left ventricle pumps oxygen-enriched blood to all parts of the body. In this fashion, the heart functions primarily as a double sided pump.
The heart's internal pacemaker, known as the sinus node, signals the start of each heart beat. This signal originates in the right atrium in the sinoatrial node and travels simultaneously to the left atrium and down to the interatrial septum to the atrioventricular node. The cycle of electrical stimulation that normally occurs is referred to as normal sinus rhythm. The contraction of the ventricles will be referred to as the heart beats.
Many rhythm abnormalities may be present. Atrial fibrillation is one rhythm abnormality in which the atria do not contract normally. Instead, there is a continuously varying pattern of electrical activation of the atria resulting in a rapid highly irregular pattern of impulses reaching the atrioventricular node. The atrioventricular node acts as a filter and allows a reduced number of these impulses to reach the ventricles which results in a highly irregular heartbeat pattern. This irregular pattern has been shown in previous studies to be a random pattern (Bootsma et al: Analysis of R-R Intervals in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at Rest and During Exercise. Circulation 41: 783, 1970). Whenever the term “irregular’ is used in this application it refers to this random pattern of beats found almost exclusively in atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias requiring medical attention. Atrial fibrillation may be caused by a number of heart conditions, such as angina, myocardial infarction, heart valve abnormalities, and high blood pressure. These conditions may stretch or scar the atria, thereby causing irregularities in the heart system. Atrial fibrillation may also accompany lung problems or thyroid gland disorders and is also associated with significant morbidity and possible mortality. All persons, young and old, female or male, including the visually and/or sight impaired, may experience atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation may occur intermittently or chronically. The most serious complication of atrial fibrillation is formation of a blood clot in the left atrium which may result in a stroke. Many people who develop atrial fibrillation, however, are unaware of their abnormal rhythm. Some in the medical profession have, therefore, advocated self screening of the pulse to detect for the possible occurrence of atrial fibrillation. The literature, however, is generally limited to disclosing instructions for manually taking one's pulse accompanied with additional descriptive information.
The reason for using the pulse to detect atrial fibrillation is that the pulse usually corresponds to the heartbeat. The contraction of the left ventricle ejects blood from the heart into the aorta and the resulting pressure wave is detected as a pulse in the arterial system. However, when atrial fibrillation is present, the amount of time between beats varies irregularly.
With a longer time interval between beats, there is more time to fill the ventricles with blood and more blood is ejected by the ventricle in the beat following this long interval. This larger volume of blood in the aorta results in a higher systolic pressure for that beat.
Conversely, when the time interval between beats is short, there is less time for ventricular filling and the volume of blood ejected in the beat following the short time interval is less. This results in a lower systolic pressure for that beat. In some cases, the time interval between beats is so short that the systolic pressure of the following beat is so low that it cannot be palpated as a pulse. A ventricular contraction that cannot be palpated as a pulse in the arterial system results in what is called a “pulse deficit.” This is very common in atrial fibrillation. This pulse deficit means that an irregular pattern of heartbeats in the ventricle may result in a less irregular pulse beat pattern since the shortest intervals between heartbeats may not be detected in the pulse. Therefore, any method used to determine the presence of atrial fibrillation by analyzing the time intervals between beats in the ventricles may not be valid when applied to the pulse beats.
An article by Bert K. Bootsma, Adriann J. Hoelen, Jan Strackee and Frits L. Meijler, entitled Analysis of R-R Intervals in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at Rest and During Exercise, Circulation, Volume XLI, May 1970 describes an analysis of the time intervals between ventricular contractions using the electrocardiogram. The article evaluates the standard deviation divided by the mean of the time intervals between ventricular beats in normal subjects and in those with atrial fibrillation. The article finds that atrial fibrillation can be accurately differentiated from normal sinus rhythm using this formula. However, this was based on ventricular contractions determined by the electrocardiogram and was not applied to the pulse beat intervals.
Due to the presence of a pulse deficit in atrial fibrillation, results based on ventricular contractions determined by the electrocardiogram may not apply to time intervals determined from analyzing the pulse. Furthermore, the extent of the pulse deficit depends on the method used to determine the pulse beats. A method which detects only pulse beats with high systolic pressures will detect fewer pulse beats compared to a more sensitive method. The more sensitive techniques may be better for detecting more pulse beats but they may also give more false positive readings.
For example, with a photoplethysmograph using a finger probe with a light source and a photoelectric detector, when the sensitivity of the device is increased, the slightest finger movement is detected as a pulse beat. This device at the highest sensitivity setting detects an irregular pulse in those with normal sinus rhythm due to random noise from finger movement. At the highest sensitivity setting, this device would not be useful to detect atrial fibrillation in the home setting. At the lowest sensitivity setting, very few pulse beats would even be detected. Therefore, any device and algorithm which uses the pulse to detect atrial fibrillation must be designed specifically for the purpose of detecting atrial fibrillation.
Other rhythm abnormalities that are not associated with an increased risk of stroke are found very commonly. For example, premature atrial contractions or premature ventricular contractions are found in many people, even those with no heart conditions. These rhythm abnormalities are intermittent but they are found much more commonly than atrial fibrillation and generally do not require treatment. Therefore, a device that is designed to detect atrial fibrillation should include an algorithm that would not detect premature beats as an irregular rhythm. If a device designed to detect atrial fibrillation does not include an algorithm to reduce the detection of premature beats, the number of false positive readings would be very high and the device would be of very limited value. Those who might use such a device on a regular basis to detect asymptomatic atrial fibrillation would quickly stop using this device if the vast majority of abnormal readings turn out to be due to premature beats and not atrial fibrillation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,429 describes a method and apparatus that can detect arrhythmia using an oscillometric blood pressure monitor. This patent discloses a method for detecting multiple rhythm abnormalities including supraventricular premature contractions, ventricular premature contractions, atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, sinus tachycardia, and ventricular bradycardia. A study performed by the inventor of the patent using a commercially manufactured embodiment of the patent found that the device only detected 66.6% of patients with atrial fibrillation while detecting 85.7% of premature ventricular contractions (Forstner K W, American Society of Hypertension 16th Annual Meeting 2003, page 25). Premature ventricular contractions are found much more commonly than atrial fibrillation. Therefore a device that has a very high rate of detecting premature ventricular contractions and a significantly lower rate of detecting atrial fibrillation would not be a very useful device if the goal is to detect atrial fibrillation exclusively.
Other patents that can detect rhythm abnormalities would also be subject to very high false positive rates if they are used to detect atrial fibrillation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,984 describes an embodiment (section 1-2-1) where a pulse variation over 0.5% would be detected as abnormal. The most common rhythm abnormality, sinus arrhythmia, by definition (Braunwald, E. Heart Disease A textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine 1992, p 674) has a heart rate that varies by more than 10%. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,984 did not describe methods and apparatus to look for atrial fibrillation and would not be useful for home monitoring of atrial fibrillation, because the algorithm can result in multiple sources of false readings and the apparatus was not specifically set for optimal detection of pulse beats in atrial fibrillation.
An algorithm designed to detect atrial fibrillation by the irregularity of the pulse beat intervals should be designed to reduce the effects of premature beats. One method of reducing the effect of premature beats is to limit the number of beats used in determining the irregularity of the pulse intervals. For example, if premature beats occur on average every twenty beats, then limiting the analysis to only ten beats would reduce the likelihood of a premature beat occurring during the period being analyzed. This method was used in a trial and published in Wiesel et al, PACE, 27:639-643 (2004). In this study, the rhythm of 450 outpatients of which 54 were documented to have atrial fibrillation was analyzed. The study used an algorithm that calculated the irregularity index, defined as the standard deviation of the time intervals between beats divided by the mean of the time intervals between beats, and analyzed only the last ten beats recorded by an automatic oscillometric blood pressure monitor. All recordings with an irregularity index greater than 0.06 were considered to be irregular. This study found that 100% of patients with atrial fibrillation were detected while 16% of patients without atrial fibrillation were also found to be irregular (sensitivity for detecting atrial fibrillation 100%, specificity 84%). This is a marked improvement in the rate of detecting atrial fibrillation over the method used by Forstner.
Though the sensitivity for detecting atrial fibrillation using the irregularity index applied to the last ten beats recorded by an automatic blood pressure monitor is excellent, there is room for improvement in specificity. Premature beats are common rhythm abnormalities that can reduce the specificity of the irregularity index. For example, a ventricular premature beat occurs earlier than the normal beats but results in a pause following the beat. A premature beat usually results in a lower pulse pressure than the normal beats. This premature beat with its lower pulse pressure would often not be recorded by the blood pressure monitor at all. As a result of this premature beat, there would be a pause equal to the time interval between two normal beats. For a patient with a heart rate of 60 beats per minute, the pulse interval would be one second between normal beats. A premature ventricular beat would result in a pulse interval of two seconds as measured by a blood pressure cuff. The irregularity index for nine time intervals between beats of one second and one interval of two seconds due to one premature ventricular beat would be equal to 0.29, well above the threshold value of 0.06. If the premature beat occurs 0.5 seconds following a normal beat and it is detected by the blood pressure monitor, then there will be a short interval followed by a long interval. With eight intervals of one second, one interval of 0.5 seconds and one interval of 1.5 seconds, the irregularity index would be 0.24, still very abnormal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,490 issued to Joseph Wiesel discloses a method to reduce the impact of premature beats by deleting only those beats that occur at shorter intervals than the mean beat to beat interval. This method was found to improve the specificity of an automatic blood monitor. An algorithm that can recognize when a premature beat occurs and eliminates both the short intervals and the long intervals associated with these beats could further reduce the false positive rate and improve the specificity for the blood pressure monitors used to detect atrial fibrillation. Some patients have very frequent premature beats occurring every other beat. In that case, all the time intervals are either shorter or longer than the mean of the time intervals. If all the beats are eliminated because they fall outside the upper and lower threshold values around the mean time interval then that pattern is not typical of atrial fibrillation and will be considered a regular rhythm. Atrial fibrillation has continuously varying time intervals around the mean time interval such that there are usually at least a few time intervals near the mean time interval that will not be eliminated by this algorithm.
Occasionally, premature beats will occur frequently with varying intervals. For example, if the normal beats occur at time intervals of one second, there may be premature beats occurring at 0.5 second, 0.75 second and 0.85 second all in the same patient during the period of time recorded by the blood pressure monitor. If we eliminate some of these intervals because they exceed a threshold value, other intervals may still be present that can cause a high irregularity index. Another algorithm can be used to reduce the false positive rate for those patients with frequent premature beats. In atrial fibrillation there are no normal beats and having more than half of the time intervals almost exactly equal in length during the 10 to 40 seconds of a typical blood pressure monitor reading is unlikely. On the other hand, even with frequent premature beats, more than half the beats are usually normal beats. Thus, if we find that most of the time intervals are almost equal during one blood pressure reading, it is much more likely that this is not atrial fibrillation.
What is needed is a home monitoring method and apparatus to detect the possible presence of atrial fibrillation and communicate this condition to the user so that the user is alerted to consult a medical practitioner for further testing and/or treatment.
What is also needed is a method that can differentiate atrial fibrillation from a normal pulse pattern and from common heart rhythm abnormalities that are not of significant risk such as sinus arrhythmia, atrial premature beats and ventricular premature beats.
What is further needed is a method of and an apparatus for detecting irregular pulse rhythms during a time period and storing this information so that comparisons may be made with the pulse rate rhythms at later times.
What is further needed is a noninvasive and relatively simple method and apparatus that monitors pulse rate irregularities to detect atrial fibrillation, and that is suitable for use of all ages, and by the hearing and/or visually impaired and that is relatively easy to use.
What is still further needed is a monitoring method and apparatus that detects the presence of irregular pulse beats and then displays and stores: i) the number of irregular pulse beats during a pre-selected time interval; and ii) the duration of time between beats during selected intervals.
Yet another need is for a monitoring method and apparatus that determine whether or not a pulse beat pattern is irregular based on algorithmic or heuristic operations performed on selected pulse beat data.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of atrial fibrillation by detecting an irregular pattern of pulses using a sphygmomanometer.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of atrial fibrillation by detecting an irregular pattern of pulses using a plethysmograph such as finger probe with a light source and photodetector.


1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to novel N-(haloacetyl)N-(N'-methylenepyrrolidonyl)-2-alkoxyanilines which are useful as herbicides, and to intermediates useful in the synthesis thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,769,301 and 3,907,544 disclose related N-(acyl-tert-amidoalkyl) acetanilides, including N-methylenepyrrolidonyl derivatives; however, these compounds are substituted with 2,6-dialkyl groups only.


The present invention refers to a dishwasher, particularly of the household type, with a washing basin accommodating at least one removable basket that is vertically adjustable to support dishes of various sizes.
A dishwasher with an adjustable basket is known, for example from DE 3,103,059, in which the basket slides on horizontal guides. The basket is connected to the guides by means of lateral sliding elements, which must be provided in a minimum quantity of four. The basket is connected eccentrically to the sliding elements. By manual rotation of eccentric elements, the vertical position can be varied selectively between a corresponding upper position and a lower position. Because of the eccentric connection between the basket and the lateral sliding elements, the latter are subject to high bending forces every time the basket is moved horizontally along the guides. Therefore, suitable mechanical locking devices are necessary to maintain the basket securely in the two adjustable positions mentioned above. These locking devices, however, are subject to high loads and make the structure of the machine undesirably complicated. In any case, vertical adjustment of the basket requires an undesirably laborious and uncomfortable manual operation.
From DE 4,228,954, a dishwasher is also known in which the lateral sliding elements are connected to the basket in a vertically sliding manner. The position of the basket can be adjusted to discreet levels defined by several coupling sites made on spring elements of the basket. The coupling sites are engaged selectively by corresponding support indentations in the sliding elements. This solution also turns out to be particularly inconvenient to use, since vertical adjustment of the basket requires separate manual operations of disengaging the spring elements and sliding the basket vertically for each side of the basket.


Wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) is a key enabling technology in today's high speed digital communication infrastructure that supports vast amount of data transportation which in turn is essential for many data centric informational applications such as, for example, many internet based applications. The transportation of vast amount of data are made via optical digital signals over an extensive optical fiber network across the country or global and such optical signals, riding on different wavelengths (or “colors”), are distributed and/or re-distributed among various parts or branches of the optical network via signal exchanges located at various data centers and other facilities. Sometimes, such signal distribution and/or re-distribution may also involve conversion of signals from optical to electric, and then from electric to optical, in terms of its carrying media.
When optical signals are distributed and/or re-distributed within an optical network, it often involves interconnecting optical signals from one signal handling unit, which may be, for example, an optical signal transponder installed in a shelf hosted by a rack (“bay”), to another signal handling unit which may be located in a same room, in a different room of a same floor, or sometimes in a different floor. FIG. 15 is a demonstrative illustration of an interconnected optical system 900 as is known in the art. System 900 is simplistically illustrated to include a first bay 910 and a second bay 920 located, for example, in a same room of a building. Bay 910 may include, from top to bottom, multiple shelfs such as shelf 911, with each of the shelfs having multiple optical signal transponders.
An optical signal coming from an optical signal transponder located in bay 910 may be connected to another optical signal transponder located in bay 920 via a piece of fiber 902, which may have connectors 901 and 903 at its two ends connecting to the signal transponders. Multiple optical signals from bay 910 may need to be connected to multiple destinations in bay 920, and vise versus, using multiple pieces of fibers. Generally the number of fibers needed equals to the number of optical signals being interconnected between the bays, which is demonstratively illustrated in FIG. 15 by a second piece of fiber 904 and the “dots” in between which represents the existence of many more fibers between bay 910 and bay 920.
With the ever increasing data rate, in particular rapid deployment of WDM technology, the number of optical signals of different wavelengths that need to be interconnected between different bays, and sometimes between different shelfs in a same bay, has increased dramatically resulting in the explosive use of fibers in signal interconnection. FIG. 16 is an exemplary picture of a traditional optical system 990 where optical signal interconnect among the bays are provided by an enormous stack of individual pieces of fibers 991 which, like cooked spaghetti, are usually “dumped” at the backside of the various bays.


It is generally customary to employ metal catalysts for the crosslinking of CEC coating layers in order to reduce the stoving temperature. In this connection, organotin catalysts have generally been used. The use of dialkyltin oxide is desirable, and the use of dibutyltin oxide (DBTO) is particularly desirable due to its ready availability and favourable price. However, in order that it can successfully be used in CEC coatings, DBTO requires conditioning. This conditioning may consist of a separate synthesis step, i.e. in the chemical conversion of the DBTO into a dibutyltin dicarboxylate for example.
Thus CEC coating media which crosslink by means of blocked isocyanates are known from EP-A-0 509 437. These contain dialkyltin dicarboxylates derived from aromatic carboxylic acids as crosslinking catalysts, in addition to bismuth or zirconium compounds as additional catalysts. Bismuth hydroxide, trioxide, nitrate, benzoate, citrate, oxycarbonate and silicate can be used as the bismuth compounds.
DE-A-39 40 781 describes a process for producing catalyst pastes containing dibutyltin oxide by the preliminary dispersion of DBTO with organic solvent and 0.05 to 5 moles, per mole of DBTO, of an organic acid which is customary for the neutralisation of cathodically depositable electro-dip coatings, at a water content of up to 5% by weight with respect to the sum of DBTO, solvent, acid and water, and the subsequent dispersion and comminution of the mixture obtained with grinding binder vehicles and water. Preliminary dispersion is preferably effected within a temperature range from 50 to 80.degree. C. During the production of CEC coating media, the catalyst pastes drag in organic acid. However, low acid contents are wanted in CEC coating media, since they promote good wrap-around behaviour and low current consumption during cathodic lacquer deposition.


Currently, most polarization beam splitters are large in volume, and can hardly be used in optical integrated circuits. However, micro devices including the polarization beam splitter can be manufactured on the basis of photonic crystals. Up to now, there are two kinds of polarization beam splitter based on photonic crystals, one of which utilizes a photonic crystal with an S-polarization-wave bandgap and a P-polarization-wave transmission band, or with a P-polarization-wave bandgap and an S-polarization-wave transmission band to realize the polarization splitting of the wave. This kind of polarization beam splitter can only be used as a separate photonic crystal device in conventional optical waveguides, and is difficult to be integrated into other photonic crystal devices, since the transmittance and degree of polarization thereof are poor. The other kind is based on coupled waveguides with different relative coupling lengths for coupling light waves in different polarization states into different waveguides by means of long-distance coupling between waveguides, utilizing the method of periodic coupling and odd-even state alternation between the waveguides. The polarization beam splitters obtained by the two methods mentioned above, still have a relative large volume and a narrow range of operation wavelength, so they are not conducive to practical applications.


Medicinal herbs have been traditionally used for a variety of purposes, particularly to prevent and treat a variety of diseases including cancer. Some of the most important chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of breast cancer are derivatives of herbal remedies. These include the taxanes obtained from the Pacific yew tree, Taxus brevifolia reserpine, and vincristine and vinblastine which are obtained from the Rosy periwinkle shrub. The use of botanical medicine is widespread in all regions of the developing world and is rapidly growing in industrialized countries especially among patients diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as cancer.
Despite their broad use, there exists insufficient scientific data on the safety and efficacy of many of the herbal therapies. Recently, a large in vitro study on the effect of more than 70 Chinese herbs extracts on growth of five breast cancer cell lines found that 21% of the herbal extracts demonstrated more than 50% growth inhibition on at least 4 from the 5 cell lines [1].
The emphasis of the Chinese medicine is on the treatment of the body as a whole. Chinese medicine views include a three-fold approach of using herbs that treat (I) the vitality (tonifying herbs), (II) the cancer (anti-cancer herbs) and (III) the side effects of chemotherapy.
In the Materia Medica of Chinese medicine [2], these herbs are selected from 8 classic categories (which are used traditionally to categorize Chinese herbs): (1) herbs that tonify the Qi; (2) herbs that tonify Blood; (3) herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity; (4) herbs that clear heat and fire; (5) herbs that regulate the flow of Qi; (6) herbs that drain “dampness”; (7) herbs that invigorate the blood; and (8) herbs that tonify the Yin.


Hazard detectors use sensors to detect substances in the air that may be harmful or that may indicate the development of a hazardous situation. For example, carbon monoxide (CO) and radon gas are substances that can be harmful to humans and animals if exposed to high amounts. However, these substances are difficult to detect with the human senses because they are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. A hazard detector can detect the presence of these substances and prevent the harmful effects of exposure by alarming to notify a user. In other instances, a substance such as smoke, while not necessarily harmful in and of itself, can indicate the development of a hazardous situation, such as fire. An early alarm of the presence of such a substance can prevent the hazardous situation from developing or minimize the harmful effects of the situation. Interconnected hazard detectors include detectors that are connected to a network, enabling communication between the detectors or with a central control unit. This provides several advantages over standalone detectors, including the ability to activate multiple alarms when a single detector is triggered. Hazard detectors may be certified under standards defined by governing bodies and/or by companies that perform safety testing, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). For example, certain UL standards define thresholds for when smoke detectors and CO detectors should sound an alarm. Certain UL standards also define the required characteristics of the alarm, such as powering requirements and the volume, pitch, and pattern of the alarming sound.


Generating a multimedia document, such as a yearbook or slideshow, that includes a set of images that is representative of different demographic groups (e.g., a group of individuals in their 20s, a group of individuals in their 30s, etc.) within a large group of members (e.g., employees at a company) can be a difficult task. For example, it takes a lot of effort and time in creating an end of the year slideshow for an organization (e.g., company, non-profit organization) that includes pictures of members of the organization (e.g., employees of company). The creator(s) of the slideshow may want to ensure that each demographic group (e.g., groups based on age, race, gender) are not overly or inadequately represented in comparison to the other demographic groups in order to provide fairness and increase member enjoyment. For example, the creator(s) of the yearbook may want to ensure that the slideshow does not include many images of a particular demographic group (e.g., twenty pictures of males) while only including a single image of another class demographic group (e.g., a single picture of a female). However, the creator(s) of the slideshow may have hundreds or thousands of images of hundreds of members of the organization to choose to include in the slideshow. As a result, it may be overwhelming for the creator(s) of the slideshow to ensure that each member of the organization is adequately represented in the slideshow and that there are not some members that are overly represented in the yearbook.
Currently, a multimedia document, such as a slideshow, may be generated by selecting an image for inclusion in the slideshow, where the image has associated facial detection information. A face location is determined in the selected image based on the facial detection information and the selected image is cropped based on the determined face location to generate a cropped image depicting the included face. The cropped image is inserted into a slide associated with the slideshow. However, there is not currently an approach in ensuring a specific distribution of images in the slideshow for various demographic groups, such as ensuring a particular demographic group is not overly or insufficiently represented in the slideshow.
Furthermore, a multimedia document, such as a yearbook, may be designed and created utilizing a facial recognition module for identifying a subject in a photo and tagging the photo with an identity of the subject. Identifying the subject may include comparing the photo to a plurality of previously tagged photos to identify the subject. However, there is not currently an approach in ensuring a specific distribution of images for demographic groups in the yearbook. For example, there is not currently an approach in ensuring that each demographic group has a minimum number of images in the yearbook. Neither is there currently an approach in ensuring that there is a certain percentage of images out of the total number of images in the yearbook for a particular demographic group.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for ensuring a desired distribution of images for various demographic groups in a multimedia document (e.g., yearbook, slideshow, video, website).


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to furniture and, more specifically to interactive furniture for dieters designed to enable an obese person to engage in a technologically induced environ which promotes behavior modification, socialization and knowledge. Obese people often have a multiplicity of problems ranging from physical and social isolation, a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of basic nutritional knowledge. Each problem exacerbates the condition of obesity thereby creating a cycle of despair, defeat, and an increasing sense of isolation thus leading to increased eating and inertia. The present invention seeks to provide technological support through the use of a multi-media computer built into furniture designed exclusively for the modification of negative behaviors contributing to obesity. Additionally it seeks to create an environment conducive to healthy eating habits, exercise, increased self-esteem and a more rewarding lifestyle. The present invention coordinates sensory, dietary and exercise components into one integrated unit thereby associating eating, exercising, socializing and health monitoring within one life promoting environ.
The present invention includes a horseshoe-shaped table with computer and dual-purpose seat that adjusts to sizes sufficient to comfortably accommodate a user of various sizes and weights and which serves as both a chair and a seated weight scale that inputs the data on weight into the computer. Integrated within the table is a daily food scale where all of the dieter""s food for the day is placed into and weighed with all data being fed into the computer. A smaller scale is also structured within the table that measures the weight of each individual meal and inputs the data into the computer to calculate the caloric content of that meal. A partitioned plate with removable segments is situated on the meal scale to allow for accurate measurement of different food groups by the computer. It can be removed and washed after use. The table has two personal external sensors. One is an elasticized band with an imbedded sensor which fits around the head and chin and over the mandible or jaw of the user and collects information on the amount of chewing or mastication and will be used to teach the user to slow the eating process. A pulse sensor is worn around the user""s wrist and the data inputted therefrom will be used to mobilize the user into exercising before and after eating a meal. The data gathered by the various sensors and scales will permit the application of the cyber personal trainer to fulfill the functions of a real dietary councilor. The present invention will include several modes of support including on-line support that will alleviate social isolation by encouraging networking with similar people and allow inputted individual data to be collectively shared. People used to eating alone in shame and isolation could eat a cyber-regulated meal together. Instead of on-line chat rooms there could be on-line meal rooms. Another support mode will ensure training with privacy as the user utilizes the cyber personal trainer application off-line. This application will take inputted data on the user and structure a customized diet and exercise program for them while providing actual nutrition lessons.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous diet control systems have been provided in prior art. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,777 issued to Stephen R. Ash on Jun. 14, 1983.
Another patent was issued to Yianni Attikiouzel on Mar. 27, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,256. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,389 was issued to Claude Gerbaulet et al. on May 8, 1990 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 13, 1993 to Mary J. Kretsch et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,520. Another patent was issued on May 2, 1995 to Gunes M. Ecer as U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,564.
Caloric counting method and apparatus comprises a base support structure, a plate support structure pivotally mounted on the base support structure, and scale means connected to said plate support structure at a point remote from the pivot line thereof. A plate carrying a combination of food components constituting an entire meal is positioned on the plate support structure to determine the total caloric content of the entire meal. The plate is provided with indicia defining different zones on the plate for foods having different calories per gram, these zones being arranged so that the zone corresponding to foods having the least calories per gram is positioned nearest the pivotal mounting of the plate support structure when the plate is positioned thereon. The patient places the food components constituting an entire meal in the correct zones on the plate and the total caloric content of the entire meal is determined in a single operation by reading the scale which is calibrated in calories.
A dietetic measurement apparatus having computer means having a controlling instruction means to provide a determination of basic integers for a mass of a food item weighed on a weighing means. The weighing means provides a weighing signal, in the form of a logical periodic signal, to a central processor unit of the computer means, which measures the frequency of the weighing signal and correlates the mass of the food item and the quantities of the nutrients. The nutrients comprise carbohydrate, calcium, cholesterol, fat, fiber, iron, protein, sodium and calorific content. Also a number of command keys are provided and include a ZERO key and a BOWL key to aid in weighing procedures.
A first memory stores a calorie goal and quantities of food in several categories which a person anticipates will be consumed during a predetermined day. The quantity of food eaten during the preceding days are stored in a second memory. A computer determines the recommended number of calories and quantities of food in each category for the predetermined day as a function of the quantities consumed during the preceding days. The recommended quantities are stored in a third memory and comparisons are made between the estimated quantities and the recommended quantities, the results of which are displayed. The device, used with or without scales, provides for a healthy and balanced nutrition.
An interactive computerized dietary measurement system and process which can be used by lay people for accurate measurement of the intake of foods, nutrients, and other food components in the diet. The system includes a computer device coupled with an electronic balance, output/display device(s), user input element(s), a food codes database and a storage element. The system has the ability to provide a plurality of weigh-in measurement options with respect to different food service settings or habits and to respectively tag the measurement of each of the options selected by the user in the storage element so as to track the measurements. The system can instruct user on the next measurement action and required input so that users are not required to remember all of the measurement actions and sequences of the actions for the measurements. The system also provides a plurality of weigh-out measurement options in which the computer will track the measurement record and remind the user of what has been done and what should be done so that a complete and accurate collection of dietary intake data can be achieved. The system is further capable of signaling to the user any weighing errors for allowing user to correct the errors, and of permitting user to make comments or notes as to measurements.
A system and a method for recording and monitoring of dietary consumption by a consumer is disclosed. The system consists of a computer for storing and processing nutritional information of the type used for diet control, a real time clock for maintaining current date record, a product code entry terminal or a bar code reader for inputting product identification information, a read-write unit adapted to receive one or more integrated circuit (IC) cards of the smart card type having memory and a microprocessor for reading and writing nutritional information into and from a smart card, a printer for printing nutritional information, and optionally an electric display for displaying such information. Consumer inserts his/her personalized smart card into card reader writer before a purchase transaction starts at a food store or a restaurant checkout counter. As foods and drinks are purchased, dietary nutritional consumption data is electronically collected, sorted, and combined with historical daily averages of nutritional consumption data stored in consumer""s personalized smart card and daily averages of nutrition consumption along with other nutritional and personal data is printed out as a report to the consumer at the end of the purchase transaction. Nutritional data may include personal consumption data on calories, calories from fat, calories from sugars, and cholesterol, dietary fibers, sodium, carbohydrates, proteins, and the like. Consumer""s smart card serves as a personal nutritional consumption history file, and is updated each time it is used.
While these diet control systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
The present invention discloses a horseshoe-shaped table having a computer and a dual-purpose chair associated therewith. The chair adjusts to variously sized users by using a piston and piston support mechanism disposed internally of the chair. The chair also serves as a weight scale or sensor which is disposed in the seat thereof and has data input means, including a headset with microphone and chewing sensor disposed thereon. The arm of the chair has a blood pressure and pulse sensor disposed thereon. Data gathered from the sensor input devices is transmitted to a computer disposed internally of the table having a monitor and keypad disposed on the tabletop. Also shown are a pair of scales which measure both the individual meal food and the daily food allowance which data is also input into the computer. The scales are equipped with segmented platters and non-segmented platters, having various food compartments for receiving different types of food. The monitor is disposed on a suspension arm which is adjustable and is provided with a control crank for adjusting the arm. The data inputs are disposed near the computer in order to receive input data from the input devices. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed wherein data is transmitted from the chair via electromagnetic wave means to the table wherein the chair is electrically operated and the monitor, and food scales are mounted internal of the table being covered by panels in the closed position and having a control panel for electrically raising these elements from internal of the tables.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieter""s that will promote behavior modification, socialization, and knowledge for obese people.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieter""s including a table with a computer and two scales and an expandable seat with a plurality of sensors to monitor the user""s weight, vital signs, and mastication rate and input the gathered data into the computer.
A further object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieter""s wherein the table scales are used to measure the weight of one days food and the weight and caloric content of each individual meal with the data from each scale then inputted into the computer.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieter""s wherein the computer uses all the inputted in data from the chair sensors, the scales and exercise equipment to determine a diet and exercise regimen appropriate for that individual thereby acting as a personal trainer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieters wherein the computer allows the user to go on-line to form support groups and exchange data with other users of the present invention.
Another object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture for dieters that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture having a pulse sensor thereon which will be used to encourage the user to increase the pulse rate by activity or exercise before sitting down to eat.
Another object of the present invention is to provide interactive furniture wherein exercise equipment is integrated with the computer as well in order to accept inputed data including distance, coloric content, etc.
Further objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
To the accomplishments of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described in the appended claims.


Many miniature electro-explosive devices (EEDs) are fired (activated) by the rapid discharge of the energy stored in a storage capacitor into the bridgewire of the EED by the closure of a switch, typically a Field Effect Transistor (FET). In many designs, the capacitor is not able to be fully discharged because as the capacitor voltage drops (as the discharge progresses), the gate-to-source voltage across the FET drops below the turn-on threshold, essentially turning off the switch. Fully discharging the capacitor is desirable to increase the reliability of firing the EED, but a method is needed to achieve this in a low-cost fashion utilizing a minimum number of components, particularly in applications where the volume available for the firing circuit is limited.
What is needed, therefore, are techniques for fully discharging a storage capacitor.


Teaching devices for use in teaching and learning basic mathematics are known, and include devices using marbles to represent numbers. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,875,529 and 3,400,472, incorporated herein by reference, disclose marble-based teaching devices with relatively limited capabilities. The teaching device disclosed in the '472 patent is designed only for use in teaching addition. The device in the '529 patent is described for use in teaching addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. However, the '529 device is relatively constrained in its application, and limits the tactile and aural involvement of the student in the learning process. More specifically, the flow of marbles in the '529 device is caused by the gentle tilting of the device, and the marbles are retained in partially enclosed channels. The gentle slope limits the impact-generated noise as the marbles move from one position to the next. The enclosed channels limit the ability of the student or teacher to touch or otherwise interact with the marbles.
Accordingly, there is a need for a computational teaching device that can be used to teach and learn counting and all four of the basic mathematical operations, and that will provide the opportunity for significant student involvement in the problem-solving process. There also is a need for a device that easily will demonstrate the connections between basic mathematical problems and patterns, fractions, different number bases, graphing, statistics, and negative numbers.


This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plywood using an improved veneer bonding technique.
In prior art techniques of bonding veneers for plywood manufacture, it is well known that poor adhesion such as puncture and deficient bond strength largely depends upon the extent of drying of veneers, that is, the moisture content of veneers.
However, it is impossible at the present state of the art to dry a number of veneers to an equal moisture content, and veneers are dried to a more or less varying extent. Particularly, the recent deterioration of log stock results in a mixed supply of difficult- and easy-to-dry woods. With the increased extent of drying, over-drying results in excessive shrinkage and corrugation of veneers. With the reduced extent of drying, on the other hand, under-drying results in poor adhesion. In connection with veneer drying, a number of problems arise at the site of manufacture.
The only one solution for the present status depends on the development of a practical gluing technique which is completely or substantially independent from variable moisture contents. To essentially eliminate these problems, it is necessary to establish a technique capable of gluing veneers having a high moisture content at low cost.
One technique of gluing veneers having a high moisture content is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 54-3929 titled "Plywood Manufacturing Method". According to the method of this patent publication, a plywood adhesive fluid of well-known formulation is applied to a veneer and dried thereon, and another veneer is placed on the adhesive-applied veneer followed by hot pressing. Although the results described in the patent publication are satifactory, I found that this technique has the following problems. With a dryer equipped for the purpose of drying the adhesive applied and set to proper drying conditions including temperature and time, the adhesive applied on those veneers having a lower moisture content is overdried and the adhesive applied on those veneers having a higher moisture content is under-dried, failing to dry the adhesive applied to a desired extent for all veneers. As a result of the varying dryness of the adhesive, the bond strength achieved by hot pressing also varies over a wide range.
In the examples described in the patent publication, drying conditions are changed in accordance with the moisture content of veneers to be handled, and more specifically, the higher the moisture content of veneers, the higher the drying conditions are set. The dryness of the adhesive applied not only depends on the selected adhesive drying conditions, but largely depends on the moisture content of veneers. The varying bond strength is attributable to this fact. Consequently, the dryer for drying the adhesive applied to veneers must be of size and capacity as large as the conventional veneer dryers. Besides, it is well known that there is a significant difference between sapwood and heartwood portions of the same log and between spaced portions of the same veneer. From a standpoint of view of manufacturing plywoods of consistent quality from a variety of starting logs, the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art techniques are difficult to overcome in the actual forms of plywood manufacture requiring large-scale production and prevent commercial application of such techniques.
An object of this invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings involved in the prior art techniques and to provide a novel and improved technique for firmly bonding veneers, even highly wet veneers if necessary, at low cost independent of the moisture content of veneers so that the technique may be readily applied to commercial manufacture.


Anethole (1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)benzene) is of great commercial interest as a fragrance and flavouring because of its characteristic aniseed odor. More particularly, anethole is used as fragrance in washing and cleaning compositions or cosmetics, and as flavoring in the foods industry.
The preparation of anethole has long been known in the prior art. For instance, one way of obtaining anethole is from natural sources, for example from fennel oil or anise oil—see RU2064920 and CN102491884.
However, the production of fragrances from natural sources is usually costly, and the amounts thus obtainable are limited. Moreover, the purity or production volume of these fragrances often varies because of variable environmental conditions in the production of the raw materials from which they are isolated. There is therefore a great interest in at least partly replacing fragrances from natural sources with substances obtainable by synthetic means.
The prior art discloses various synthetic processes for preparation of anethole. For example, Bauer et al., Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials, 2001, 4th Edition, Wiley-VHC, describes the preparation of anethole by a base-catalyzed rearrangement of 1-methoxy-4-allylbenzene (estragiol).
A further method of preparing anethole, as described, for example, in SU261380 and SU355144, includes a Friedel-Crafts acylation of anisole with propionyl halides or propionic anhydride, followed by the reduction of the carbonyl group and subsequent elimination of water. The acylation of anisole with propionic anhydride can be effected, inter alia, with ZnCl2 and FeCl3 (see Maslozhirovaya Promyshlennost (1974), volume 9, pages 29-30).
CN103058835 describes a process for synthesizing anethole, in which a Friedel-Crafts reaction proceeding from anisole and propionyl chloride is conducted, followed by a reduction of the carbonyl group to the corresponding alcohol with the aid of NaBH4 and subsequent elimination of water with p-TsOH and KHSO4.
DE 2418974 B1 describes a process for preparing anethole, in which, in a first step, anisole is condensed with propionaldehyde in the presence of acidic catalysts to give a mixture of bis(methoxyphenyl)propanes. In a second step, the condensation products are cleaved into p-anethole, or o-anethole and anisole, by using catalytic amounts of acid and by heating to temperatures of 100 to 300° C. in the liquid phase. Specifically, the cleavage of the bis(methoxyphenyl)propanes is conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of concentrated phosphoric acid at 200° C., with distillative removal of the cleavage products formed at about 5 to 30 Torr. Pure p-anethole is obtained from the distillate by fractional distillation. A disadvantage is that the bis(methoxyphenyl)-propanes are not completely cleaved, i.e. are only partially converted. Moreover, only moderate yields of anetholes are achieved. The long residence time of the bis-(methoxyphenyl)propanes and the cleavage products at elevated temperature additionally leads to increased formation of by-products, unwanted isomers, and oligomers and polymers.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for automatically loading a feed line with bulk material, in particular a plastic granular material, in a suction delivery system having at least one material separator, which is provided at a distance to a reservoir. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for implementation of said method.
2. Background Description
Pneumatic delivery systems are operated generally in such a way that the setting of the material to air mixture is fixed at the material feeding point. Among experts, this is the load of the feed line. Basically, different designs of material feeding points are known, whereby the problem arises for all of them that an optimal mixture cannot be achieved for varying delivery lengths as a result of the fixed setting.
Pneumatic delivery systems for bulk material are planned and designed in such a way that flexibility is achieved for material distribution. Different delivery targets are served in sequence from a single material source, such as, for example, the reservoir. Based on the set values fixed at the material feeding point, a load results for the delivery in accordance with the fan characteristic and the length up to the material separator. For practical reasons, this is set in such a way that delivery is ensured for common material types and the longest delivery distance. However, the load is smaller if shorter delivery distances are served. Reduced load increases the wear of the feed lines and the receiving devices, for example the material separators, at the delivery target due to higher bulk speeds.
By reducing the load, the flow of the bulk material is reduced at the same time, although the bulk material is transported faster through the pipeline. Wearing of the material itself is also given, which creates deposits in the feed line or becomes effective as dust.
An apparatus for conveying bulk material, in which a variable amount of a conveying gas may be introduced to the bulk material to be conveyed by a vacuum conveying system, is thus known from DE 100 39 564 A1. However, practical tests have shown that the control of the conveying gas alone does not result in a prevention of the disadvantages mentioned above.


Quantum computers can perform computational tasks by executing quantum algorithms. In some quantum computing architectures, quantum algorithms are executed on superconducting qubits that are subject to noise. The superconducting qubits can be implemented, for example, using circuits that include Josephson-junctions.