Author: claimsbot

1. A stable vaccine for stimulating an immune response to a Bacillus anthracis protective antigen comprising:
a) a purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein;
b) an alanine formulation buffer; and
c) a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.
2. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said alanine formulation buffer comprises about 50 to 500 mM alanine.
3. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said alanine formulation buffer comprises about 220 mM alanine, about 25 mM sodium phosphate and about 0.01% polysorbate 80.
4. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said alanine formulation buffer further comprises glycine andor proline.
5. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said alanine formulation buffer is at about pH 6.2-8.0.
6. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of alhydrogel, CpG, an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) and calcium phosphate.
7. The vaccine of claim 6, wherein said adjuvant is Alhydrogel.
8. The vaccine of claim 7, wherein said vaccine comprises about 750 \u03bcg aluminum.
9. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein is produced from an asporogenic B. anthracis bacterium.
10. The vaccine of claim 9, wherein said asporogenic B. anthracis bacterium is a ASterne-1(pPA102)CR4 strain of bacteria.
11. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein comprises amino acids 30-735 of SEQ ID NO: 1.
12. The vaccine of claim 11, wherein said purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 1.
13. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said vaccine comprises at least about 25 \u03bcg purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein.
14. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein said vaccine comprises at least about 25 \u03bcg purified B. anthracis protective antigen protein and about 750 \u03bcg aluminum.
15. A method of preventing or treating an anthrax disease comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of the vaccine of claim 1 to a subject.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said anthrax disease is inhalation anthrax.
17. A method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject a vaccine of claim 1.
18. A method of vaccinating a subject against anthrax comprising administering to the subject a vaccine of claim 1.
19. The vaccine of claim 1, wherein the vaccine is a liquid solution or suspension.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A lens for a pair of eyeglasses, comprising:
a substrate with a surface; and
at least one CNT film disposed on the surface of the substrate, the at least one CNT film absorbing a part of light,
wherein the light is visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or any combination thereof, visible light absorptance of the lens is in a range from about 15% to about 80%, and infrared light absorptance of the lens is in a range from about 15% to about 80%.
2. The lens as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover layer disposed on the at least one CNT film such that the at least one CNT film is sandwiched between the substrate and the cover layer.
3. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one CNT film comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) extending substantially along a direction.
4. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein a degree of polarization of the lens is in a range from about 0.2 to about 0.95.
5. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one CNT film comprises at least one first CNT film comprising a plurality of first carbon nanotubes extending substantially along a first direction and at least one second CNT film comprising a plurality of second carbon nanotubes extending substantially along a second direction.
6. The lens as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially parallel.
7. The lens as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.
8. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one CNT film comprises a plurality of CNT films, and a number of the CNT films is in a range from 1 to 12.
9. A lens for a pair of eyeglasses, comprising:
a substrate with a surface; and
ten CNT films disposed on the surface of the substrate, the ten CNT films absorbing a part of light,
wherein the light is visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or any combination thereof, a degree of polarization of the lens is about 0.95, visible light absorptance of the lens is about 75%, infrared light absorptance of the lens is about 75%, and ultraviolet light absorptance of the lens is about 90%.
10. The lens as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a cover layer disposed on the ten CNT films such that the ten CNT films are sandwiched between the substrate and the cover layer.
11. The lens as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ten CNT films comprise a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) extending substantially along a direction.
12. The lens as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ten CNT films comprise at least one first CNT film comprising a plurality of first carbon nanotubes extending substantially along a first direction and at least one second CNT film comprising a plurality of second carbon nanotubes extending substantially along a second direction.
13. The lens as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially parallel.
14. The lens as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a processor and associated computer memory to process a connection network storage means for storing a connection network which includes a first self-organization map and a second self-organization map each including a plurality of nodes and which also includes connection weights indicating connection strengths of nodes between the first self-organization map and the second self-organization map;
first learning means for learning the first self-organization map, based on a first parameter extracted from an observed value output by observation means that observes an external world and outputs the observed value;
winner node determination means for detecting a node having highest likelihood that the first parameter is observed at the node in the first self-organization map and determining the detected node as a winner node;
searching means for searching the second self-organization map for a node having highest connection strength with the winner node and employing the detected node as a generation node;
parameter generation means for generating a second parameter from the generation node;
modification means for modifying the second parameter generated from the generation node;
determination means for determining whether an end condition is satisfied to end modification of the second parameter, the modification being performed in accordance with the winner node determined for a value which is observed by the observation means when driving means performs a driving operation in accordance with the second parameter;
first connection weight modification means for modifying the connection weight when the end condition is satisfied;
second connection weight modification means for modifying the connection weight when evaluation by a user on the result of driving performed by the driving means is given as a reward by the user; and
second learning means for learning the second self-organization map based on the second parameter obtained when the end condition is satisfied.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the reward is a positive reward or a negative reward; and
the second connection weight modification means performs the modification such that the connection weight is increased when the positive reward is given by the user, while the connection weight is decreased when the negative reward is given by the user.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second connection weight modification means modifies the connection weight such that the ratio of increasing or decreasing the connection weight by the second connection weight modification means is greater than the ratio of increasing or decreasing the connection weight by the first connection weight modification means.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second connection weight modification means modifies by the connection weight by changing the ratio of increasing or decreasing the connection weight, depending on the number of times the connection weight has been modified.
5. An information processing method comprising the steps of:
based on a first parameter extracted from an observed value output by observation means that observes an external world and outputs the observed value, learning a first self-organization map stored in connection network storage means that stores a connection network which includes a first self-organization map and second self-organization map each including a plurality of nodes and which also includes connection weights indicating connection strengths of nodes between the first self-organization map and the second self-organization map;
determining a winner node by detecting a node having highest likelihood that the first parameter is observed at the node in the first self-organization map and determining the detected node as the winner node;
searching the second self-organization map for a node having highest connection strength with the winner node and employing the detected node as a generation node;
generating a second parameter from the generation node;
modifying the second parameter generated from the generation node;
determining whether an end condition is satisfied to end modification of the second parameter, the modification being performed in accordance with the winner node determined for a value which is observed by the observation means when driving means performs a driving operation in accordance with the second parameter;
modifying the connection weight when the end condition is satisfied;
modifying the connection weight when evaluation by a user on the result of driving performed by the driving means is given as a reward by the user; and
learning the second self-organization map based on the second parameter obtained when the end condition is satisfied.
6. A program to be executed by a computer embodied on a computer readable medium, the program comprising the steps of:
based on a first parameter extracted from an observed value output by observation means that observes an external world and outputs the observed value, learning a first self-organization map stored in connection network storage means that stores a connection network which includes a first self-organization map and second self-organization map each including a plurality of nodes and which also includes connection weights indicating connection strengths of nodes between the first self-organization map and the second self-organization map;
determining a winner node by detecting a node having highest likelihood that the first parameter is observed at the node in the first self-organization map and determining the detected node as the winner node;
searching the second self-organization map for a node having highest connection strength with the winner node and employing the detected node as a generation node;
generating a second parameter from the generation node;
modifying the second parameter generated from the generation node;
determining whether an end condition is satisfied to end modification of the second parameter, the modification being performed in accordance with the winner node determined for a value which is observed by the observation means when driving means performs a driving operation in accordance with the second parameter;
modifying the connection weight when the end condition is satisfied;
modifying the connection weight when evaluation by a user on the result of driving performed by the driving means is given as a reward by the user; and
learning the second self-organization map based on the second parameter obtained when the end condition is satisfied.
7. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a connection network storage unit that stores a connection network which includes a first self-organization map and a second self-organization map each including a plurality of nodes and which also includes connection weights indicating connection strengths of nodes between the first self-organization map and the second self-organization map;
a first learning unit that learns the first self-organization map, based on a first parameter extracted from an observed value output by an observation unit that observes an external world and outputs the observed value;
a winner node determination unit that detects a node having highest likelihood that the first parameter is observed at the node in the first self-organization map and determines the detected node as a winner node;
a searching unit that searches the second self-organization map for a node having highest connection strength with the winner node and employs the detected node as a generation node;
a parameter generation unit that generates a second parameter from the generation node;
a modification unit that modifies the second parameter generated from the generation node;
a determination unit that determines whether an end condition is satisfied to end modification of the second parameter, the modification being performed in accordance with the winner node determined for a value which is observed by the observation unit when a driving unit performs a driving operation in accordance with the second parameter;
a first connection weight modification unit that modifies the connection weight when the end condition is satisfied;
a second connection weight modification unit that modifies the connection weight when evaluation by a user on the result of driving performed by the driving unit is given as a reward by the user; and
a second learning unit that learns the second self-organization map based on the second parameter obtained when the end condition is satisfied.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A device interface apparatus for providing a device under test with a test signal to test said device under test and receiving an output signal outputted from said device under test, comprising:
a pin electronics board comprising:
a driver for outputting said test signal; and
a comparator for sampling said output signal;

a board-side connector provided on an end section of said pin electronics board, wherein said board-side connector comprises:
a board-side core wire for transmitting a transmission signal, which is at least either said test signal or said output signal; and
a board-side shield surrounding said board-side core wire;

a socket contacting a terminal of said device under test for holding said device under test;
a socket-side connector provided on said socket, wherein said socket-side connector comprises:
a socket-side core wire for sending or receiving said transmission signal to or from said device under test via said socket; and
a socket-side shield surrounding said socket-side core wire; and

a cable unit for transmitting said transmission signal between said socket and said pin electronics board,
wherein said cable unit comprises:
a board fitting connector fitted with said board-side connector;
a socket fitting connector fitted with said socket-side connector; and
a transmission cable for transmitting said transmission signal between said board fitting connector and said socket fitting connector, and

said transmission cable comprises:
a transmission line for transmitting said transmission signal between said board-side core wire and said socket-side core wire by electrically coupling said board-side core wire and said socket-side core wire; and
a cable shield electrically coupled to said board-side shield and said socket-side shield and surrounding said transmission line.
2. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said board-side connector comprises:
a plurality of said board-side core wires; and
said board-side shield surrounding each of said plurality of board-side core wires,

said socket contacts each of said terminals of said device under test and holds said device under test;
said socket-side connector comprises:
a plurality of said socket-side core wires; and
said socket-side shield surrounding each of said plurality of socket-side core wires, and

said cable unit comprises a plurality of said transmission cables.
3. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a connector holding unit for holding said socket fitting connector on a predetermined position, so that said socket fitting connector faces said socket,
wherein said socket-side connector is fitted with said socket fitting connector on said predetermined position.
4. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising:
a motherboard unit comprising said cable unit and said connector holding unit; and
a detachable unit comprising said socket and said socket-side connector, wherein said detachable unit can be mechanically attached or detached to or from said motherboard unit according to whether said socket-side connector and said socket fitting connector are fitted with each other or not.
5. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said detachable unit is formed corresponding to a product type of said device under test and attached to said motherboard unit when said device under test of a corresponding product type is tested.
6. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a test head comprising said pin electronics board and said board-side connector,
wherein said motherboard unit can be mechanically attached or detached to or from said test head according to whether said board-side connector and said board fitting connector are fitted with each other or not.
7. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said board-side connector comprises a plurality of said board-side shields respectively surrounding each of said plurality of board-side core wires and electrically independent from one another in said board-side connector, and
said cable shields of said plurality of transmission cables are independent from one another between said board fitting connector and said socket fitting connector and respectively electrically coupled to each of said plurality of board-side shields.
8. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said board fitting connector comprises:
a plurality of transmission core wires respectively coupled to each of said transmission lines of said plurality of transmission cables; and
a plurality of transmission shields respectively surrounding each of said plurality of transmission core wires, electrically independent from one another in said board fitting connector, and respectively coupling each of said plurality of cable shields and each of said plurality of board-side shields.
9. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein
said pin electronics board comprises:
a signal wire for transmitting said transmission signal; and
a plurality of ground wires which are grounded,

said board-side core wire formed of a conductor extends linearly,
said board-side shield is formed of a conductor electrically insulated from said board-side core wire, extending in an axis direction of said board-side core wire and surrounding said board-side core wire, and said board-side connector further comprises:
a signal electrode extending from said board-side core wire and electrically coupling said board-side core wire and said signal wire; and
a plurality of ground electrodes extending from said board-side shield, facing each other with said signal electrode interposed, and coupling said board-side shield and each of said plurality of ground wires.
10. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said socket-side connector comprises a plurality of said socket-side shields respectively surrounding each of said plurality of socket-side core wires and electrically independent from one another in said socket-side connector, and
said cable shields of said plurality of transmission cables are electrically independent from one another between said board fitting connector and said socket fitting connector and respectively electrically coupled to each of said plurality of socket-side shields.
11. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said socket fitting connector comprises:
a plurality of transmission core wires respectively coupled to said transmission line of each of said plurality of transmission cables; and
a plurality of transmission shields respectively surrounding each of said plurality of transmission core wires, electrically independent from one another in said socket fitting connector, and respectively coupling each of said plurality of cable shields and each of said plurality of socket-side shields.
12. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said socket comprises:
a signal wire for transmitting said transmission signal; and
a plurality of ground wires which are grounded,

said socket-side core wire formed of a conductor extends linearly,
said socket-side shield is formed of a conductor electrically insulated from said socket-side core wire, extending in an axis direction of said socket-side core wire and surrounding said socket-side core wire, and
said socket-side connector further comprises:
a signal electrode extending from said socket-side core wire and electrically coupling said socket-side core wire and said signal wire; and
a plurality of ground electrodes extending from said socket-side shield, facing each other with said signal electrode interposed, and coupling said socket-side shield and each of said plurality of ground wires.
13. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said board fitting connector comprises:
a transmission core wire coupled to said transmission line of said transmission cable; and
a transmission shield surrounding said transmission core wire in said socket fitting connector and coupling said cable shield and said board-side shield, and

said board-side shield contacts said transmission shield before said board-side core wire is coupled to said transmission core wire, when said board-side connector and said board fitting connector are coupled to each other.
14. A device interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said socket fitting connector comprises:
a transmission core wire coupled to said transmission line of said transmission cable; and
a transmission shield surrounding said transmission core wire in said socket fitting connector and coupling said cable shield and said board-side shield, and

said socket-side shield contacts said transmission shield before said board-side core wire is coupled to said transmission core wire, when said socket-side connector and said socket fitting connector are coupled to each other.