Organosilicon compounds bearing carboxylic acid groups are easily and economically replaced in high yield by oxidation of a carbinol-functional organosilicon compound with an oxidizer in the presence of a moderator at a pH\u22673. A first gradation converting unit performs a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on the image quality mode. Also provided are methods for generating a data structure of metadata that describes system data and storage operations. The second mixer has a first input for receiving the RF signal, a second input for receiving the second local oscillator signal, and an output for providing a quadrature signal at the other frequency. The controllable switching elements are fashioned such that at least two independent control signals are required to trigger a switching event. The use of EPO in conjunction with the administration of chemotherapeutic agents is described.