Author: claimsbot

1. A charged particle beam apparatus comprising: a charged particle gun for emitting a charged particle beam, a converging lens for converging the charged particle beam, a specimen stage for putting a specimen on, a deflector for deflecting the charged particle beam, wherein at least one element of charged particle generation has an inner structure irradiated by charged particles, an X-ray detector for detecting X-ray emitted from an inner structure of the charged particle beam apparatus, and a processor for analyzing the detected X-ray to determined if the detected X-ray comprises a characteristic X-ray of a contaminant.
2. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charged particle beam is an electron beam or an ion beam.
3. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner structure comprises a wall of a vacuum chamber of the charged particle beam apparatus.
4. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inner structure includes a wall formed along an optical axis of the charged particle beam.
5. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the deflector deflects the charged particle beam to the wall formed along the optical axis of the charged particle beam, and the X-ray detector detects an X-ray radiated from the wall formed along the optical axis of the charged particle beam.
6. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor detects whether the characteristic X-ray is regarding to atoms consist of the inner structure or not.
7. A charged particle beam apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner structure comprises an element.
8. A method for deciding a maintenance timing of a charged particle beam apparatus: comprising the step of:
irradiating a charged particle beam to an inner structure of the charged particle beam apparatus;
detecting an X-ray emitted from the inner structure;
detecting an X-ray of a contaminant included in the detected X-ray
judging whether the value of characteristic X-ray exceeds a predetermined value or not to determine whether or not maintenance is appropriate.
9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the inner structure comprising a wall or an element having an aperture for passage of the beam.

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 polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a polynucleotide encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 38, or a polynucleotide variant thereof encoding a modified amino acid sequence having at least one deletion addition. substitution or alteration. said variant polynucleotide being suitable for use in accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B: and
(b) a polynucleotide encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42, or a polynucleotide variant thereof encoding a modified amino acid having at least one deletion substitution or alteration. said variant polynucleotide being suitable for use in accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B.
2. A polynucleotide according to claim 1 comprising SEQ ID NO 37. or comprising a mutant or variant thereof, suitable for use in accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B.
3. A polynucleotide according to claim 1. comprising SEQ ID NO 37.
4. A polynucleotide according to claim 1 comprising DNA obtainable from transformed Escherichia coli pSAKexpE SANK 72499 (FERM BP-7005).
5. A polynucleotide according to claim 1 comprising SEQ ID NO 41, or comprising a variant thereof, suitable for use in accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B.
6. A polynucleotide according to claim 1, comprising SEQ ID NO 41.
7. A polynucleotide according to claim 1 comprising DNA obtainable from transformed Escherichia coli pSAKexpR SANK 72599 (FERM BP-7006).
8. A polynucleotide according to claim 1 in operative combination with one or more polynucleotides, said combination being suitable for use in enhancing the production of ML236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
9. A polynucleotide according to claim 3 in operative combination with one or more polynucleotides said combination being suitable for use in enhancing the production of ML236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
10. A polynucleotide according to claim 4 in operative combination with one or more polynucleotides, said combination being suitable for use in enhancing the production of ML236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
11. A polynucleotide according to claim 6 in operative combination with one or more polynucleotides, said combination being suitable for use in enhancing the production of ML236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
12. A polynucleotide according to claim 7 in operative combination with one or more polynucleotides, said combination being suitable for use in enhancing the production of ML236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
13. A polynucleotide according to claim 8 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37. 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
14. A polynucleotide according to claim 9 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37. 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
15. A polynucleotide according to claim 10 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37, 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
16. A polynucleotide according to claim 11 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37, or variant thereof having similar function. in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37. 41. 43. 45. 47 or 49. or variant thereof having similar function.
17. A polynucleotide according to claim 12 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37. 41. 43. 45, 47 or 49. or variant thereof having similar function.
18. A polynucleotide according to claim 8 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 41, or variant thereof having similar function. in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37 41. 43. 45, 47 or 49. or variant thereof having similar function.
19. A polynucleotide according to claim 9 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 41, or variant thereof having similar function. in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37. 41. 43. 45. 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
20. A polynucleotide according to claim 10 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 41, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37, 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
21. A polynucleotide according to claim 11 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 41, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37, 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
22. A polynucleotide according to claim 12 comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 41, or variant thereof having similar function, in combination with one or more sequences selected from SEQ ID NO 37, 41, 43, 45, 47 or 49, or variant thereof having similar function.
23. A polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions with a polynucleotide according to any preceding claim.
24. A polynucleotide according to claim 23 that is suitable for accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B in an ML-236B producing micro-organism when introduced in the ML-2366B producing micro-organism.
25. A polynucleotide according to claim 23 or 24 which is RNA.
26. A vector comprising a polynucleotide according to any preceding claim.
27. A vector according to claim 26 obtainable from Escherichia coli pSAKexpE SANK 72499 (FERM BP-7005) or Escherichia coli pSAKexpR SANK 72599 (FERM BP-7006).
28. A vector according to claim 26 or 27 which is an expression vector.
29. A host cell transformed by a vector according to any of claims 26 to 28.
30. A host cell according to claim 29 characterized in that it is an ML-236B producing micro-organism.
31. A host cell according to claim 30 characterized in that it is Penicillium citrinum.
32. A host cell according to claim 29 characterized in that it is Escherichia coli.
33. A host cell according to claim 32 characterized in that it is Escherichia coli pSAKexpE SANK 72499 (FERM BP-7005).
34. A host cell according to claim 32 characterized in that it is Escherichia coli pSAKexpR SANK 72599 (FERM BP-7006).
35. A polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide according to any of claims 1 to 25.
36. A polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO 38. or a variant thereof which has at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO 38 and which is capable of accelerating ML236B production in an ML236B producing organism.
37. A polypeptide according to claim 36, having the sequence of SEQ ID NO 38.
38. A polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO 42. or a variant thereof which has at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO 42 and which is capable of accelerating ML236B production in an ML236B producing organism.
39. A polypeptide according to claim 38. having the sequence of SEQ ID NO 42.
40. A method for producing ML-236B. comprising culturing a host cell according to any of claims 29 to 31 and then recovering ML-236B from the culture.
41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the host cell is transformed with a vector comprising SEQ ID NO 37 or SEQ ID NO 41.
42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the vector comprises no additional genes.
43. A method according to any of claims 40 to 42, wherein production occurs in the absence of recombinant mlcA, B, C or D corresponding to SEQ ID NO 44, 46, 48 or 50.
44. ML-236B produced by the method of any of claims 40 to 43.
45. A method of manufacturing pravastatin, which comprises carrying out a method according to any of claims 40 to 43, and converting the ML-236B to pravastatin.
46. An antibody reactive with the protein of SEQ ID NO 38 or SEQ ID NO 42.
47. A polynucleotide encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO 44, 46, 48 or 50 or a variant polynucleotide encoding a modification of said amino acid sequence having a deletion. substitution, addition or alteration, said variant being suitable for use in accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B.
48. A polynucleotide according to claim 47 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, 45, 47 or 49.
49. A polynucleotide according to claim 47 or 48, said polynucleotide being capable of accelerating the biosynthesis of ML-236B alone or in conjunction with the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 37 or SEQ ID NO 41.
50. A vector comprising a polynucleotide according to any of claims 47 to 49.
51. A host cell comprising a vector according to claim 50.
52. A polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide according to any of claims 47 to 49.
53. A method for the production of ML236B comprising culturing a host cell according to claim 51 and then recovering ML-236B from the culture.

1. An optical node system for transferring optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths in an optical ring network, said node comprising:
an optical multiplexer configured to receive said optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths, said optical multiplexer further configured to output optical signals having certain wavelengths for transmission onto said optical ring network and to route at least one optical signal having a particular wavelength to an optical transceiver; and
said optical transceiver coupled to said optical multiplexer and configured to receive said at least one incoming optical signal of said particular wavelength and to output an outgoing optical signal of said particular wavelength with light from said incoming optical signal.
2. The optical node of claim 1 wherein said optical transceiver modulates outgoing information onto at least a portion of the light of said incoming optical signal.
3. The optical node of claim 1 wherein said optical multiplexer includes a first wavelength selection device coupled to a second wavelength selection device and is configured to receive said optical signals having certain wavelengths and said outgoing optical signal and to combine said optical signals having certain wavelengths and said outgoing optical signal from said optical transceiver onto an optical output path.
4. The optical node of claim 3 wherein said first and second wavelength selection devices are on the same physical device.
5. The optical node of claim 1 wherein said optical transceiver includes:
signal conditioning circuitry configured to receive an incoming optical signal which has been modulated with incoming information to be dropped and to suppress said incoming information of said incoming optical signal in said outgoing optical signal.
6. The optical node of claim 5 wherein said optical transceiver is configured to modulate said incoming optical signal having incoming information suppressed by said signal conditioning circuitry with outgoing information.
7. The optical node of claim 5 wherein said signal conditioning circuitry substantially removes a modulated portion of said incoming optical signal modulated with incoming information to be dropped.
8. The optical node of claim 5 wherein said signal conditioning circuitry comprises at least one optical amplifier.
9. The optical node of claim 8 wherein said at least one optical signal amplifier operates in saturation.
10. A method of transferring optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths in an optical ring network, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths;
outputting optical signals having certain wavelengths for transfer onto said optical ring network for transfer onto said optical ring network;
routing at least one incoming optical signal having a particular wavelength to an optical transceiver; and
outputting by said optical transceiver an outgoing optical signal of said particular wavelength using light from ad incoming optical signal.
11. The method of claim 10 further including the step of:
modulating outgoing information onto at least a portion of the light of said incoming optical signal.
12. The method of claim 11 further including the steps of:
receiving said incoming optical signal which has been modulated with incoming information; and
suppressing said incoming information of said incoming optical signal.
13. The method of claim 12 further wherein said step of modulating includes:
modulating said incoming optical signal having incoming information suppressed by said signal conditioning circuitry with outgoing information.
14. The method of claim 10 further including the step of:
combining said optical signals having certain wavelengths and said outgoing optical signal from said optical transceiver onto an optical output path.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of suppressing further includes:
substantially removing said incoming information from said incoming optical signal which has been modulated with said incoming information.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of suppressing includes the step of:
using at least one optical amplifier.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of using includes:
operating said at least one amplifier in saturation.

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 printing apparatus, comprising:
a sheet-feeding system;
a sheet-transporting system, comprising a sheet-circulating path and transporting mechanism, for receiving a recording medium from the sheet-feeding system and transporting the recording medium through an image forming system, wherein the transporting mechanism moves the recording medium along the sheet-circulating path;
said image forming system, in the sheet-circulating path, forming an image on the recording medium;
a sheet-controlling device, disposed between the sheet-feeding system and the sheet-transporting system, the sheet-controlling device controlling an entry of a sheet into the sheet-transporting system;
a sheet-detection device, disposed between the sheet-feeding system and the sheet-transporting system;
a first driving system for driving the sheet-controlling device;
a second driving system for driving the transporting mechanism; and
a controller, which upon receiving an error signal from the sheet-detection device signals the sheet-controlling device to inhibit the entry of the sheet into the sheet-transporting system and signals the transporting mechanism to continue its operation.
2. A printing apparatus of claims 1, wherein the sheet-detection device is disposed at a position upstream of the sheet-controlling device in a sheet conveyance direction.
3. A printing apparatus of claims 1, wherein the sheet-detection device is disposed at a position downstream of the sheet-controlling device in a sheet conveyance direction.
4. A printing apparatus of claims 1, wherein upon receiving the error signal from the sheet-detection device the controller discontinues operation of the sheet-controlling device.
5. A printing apparatus of claims 4, wherein the sheet-controlling device comprises an entrance roller pair.
6. A printing apparatus of claims 1, wherein the transporting mechanism moves the first sheet through the image forming system twice along the sheet-circulating path.
7. A printing apparatus of claims 1, wherein the sheet-detection device comprises a thickness sensing unit.
8. A duplex printing method performed by a printing apparatus, the method comprising:
feeding in a first sheet;
transporting the first sheet along a sheet-circulating path;
forming an image on a front side of the first sheet;
feeding in a second sheet;
detecting a sheet-feeding error;
inhibiting an entry of the second sheet into the sheet-circulating path;
forming an image on a back side of the first sheet; and
ejecting the first sheet.
9. A duplex printing method of claim 8, wherein the step of inhibiting the entry of the second sheet into the sheet-circulating path comprises:
discontinuing rotation of an entrance roller pair when the second sheet reaches the entrance roller pair.
10. A duplex printing method performed by a printing apparatus, the method comprising:
feeding in a first sheet;
transporting the first sheet along a sheet-circulating path;
forming an image on a front side of the first sheet;
feeding in a second sheet;
transporting the second sheet along the sheet-circulating path;
forming an image on a front side of the second sheet;
feeding in a third sheet;
detecting a sheet-feeding error;
inhibiting an entry of the third sheet into the sheet-circulating path;
forming an image on a back side of the first sheet;
forming an image on a back side of the second sheet; and
ejecting the first sheet and the second sheet.
11. A duplex printing method of claim 10, wherein the step of inhibiting the entry of the third sheet into the sheet-circulating path comprises:
discontinuing rotation of an entrance roller pair when the third sheet reaches the entrance roller pair.