A nonaqueous electrolyte battery that includes a unit cell and a battery case that encloses the unit cell. The battery case includes a laminate film that encloses the unit cells by heat welding at least a portion of the laminate film. Upon heat welding, the unit cell further includes a number of electrode terminal leads in which a portion of the electrical terminal leads extend from the battery case. A sealant layer is further applied to at least a portion of the electrode terminal leads so as to contact the battery case upon heat welding in order to further seal the case and to further prevent short circuiting of the nonaqueous-electrolyte battery.

The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte battery incorporating a case constituted by a laminate film and accommodating a battery device, and more particularly to an improvement in the portions in each of which an electrode terminal lead and the case are welded to each other with heat.
In recent years, a multiplicity of portable electronic apparatuses, such as camcoders, portable telephones and portable computers have made their appearance in recent years. The size and weight of the electronic apparatuses have been required to be reduced. As a portable power source for the above-mentioned electronic apparatuses, research and development of batteries, secondary batteries and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries (so-called lithium-ion batteries) have energetically been performed to realize a thin and foldable structure.
Research and development of solidified electrolytic solution have energetically been performed to serve as the electrolyte of the above-mentioned shape-variable battery. In particular, a gel electrolyte which is a solid electrolyte containing a plasticizer and a polymer-type solid electrolyte having a structure that lithium salt is dissolved in polymers have received attention.
To use the merit of the foregoing battery that the thin and light weight structure can be realized, a variety of batteries have been studied which are structured such that a plastic film or a so-called laminate film obtained by bonding a plastic film and a metal member is used to seal the battery device. One of important requirements of the foregoing battery is to realize reliability of hermetic sealing as well as or better than that of the metal can.
For example, a battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-71278 incorporates a case constituted by a plastic film made of only resin. In the foregoing case, there arises a problem in that the moisture content which has penetrated the resin is introduced into the structure. Moreover, the electrolytic solution penetrates the resin and volatilizes. Therefore, the plastic film constituted by only the resin is not suitable for a battery incorporating a solid electrolyte which contains organic solvent.
To overcome the foregoing problem, it is effective to employ an aluminum laminate pack incorporating metal foil as the film for forming the case. In the foregoing case, short circuit must be prevented. For example, an elongated electrode terminal is taken from the interface of the case which is welded with heat. At this time, contact occurs between the end surface of the metal film of the case which is exposed to the outside over the opening for taking the electrode terminal and the electrode terminal. Also contact occurs between the surface of the metal film exposed to the outside owing to flow of the resin occurring when heat welding has been performed at an excessively high temperature or the pressure and the electrode terminal. Thus, short circuit occurs.
Therefore, for example, an attempt has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-288998 in which the electrode terminal is taken from the sheet-shape battery pack such that a lead wire coated with polyolefin denatured with maleic acid is employed. Moreover, also the resin for sealing the pack is the polyolefin denatured with maleic acid. Thus, an attempt to improve the adhesive properties is made.
The structure in which the portion of the lead which is welded to the case film with heat is coated with the sealant resin similar to the material of the film so as to improve the adhesivity. However, the apprehension that the sealant resin can be broken owing to heat and pressure cannot be eliminated. A method for preventing short circuit occurring owing to the breakage of the film may be employed with which the process is performed (the heat welding process) at a lower temperature. In the foregoing case, insufficiently low pressure causes a defect to take place with which prevention of burrs formed owing to cutting of the leads cannot be prevented and sealing of the leads along the two side ends cannot be performed. In case of the foregoing defect takes place, the airtightness of the sheet-shape battery pack greatly deteriorates.
As described above, a heat welding method which is capable of realizing both of satisfactory sealing characteristic and resistance against short circuit has not been realized as yet. Therefore, the foregoing method must be developed.


A broadband interconnection device (10) used for interconnection between a first transmission line (100) and a second transmission line (200), has a substrate (300) with the first transmission line (100) defined at a first side (310) on a first surface (320), the first transmission line (100) including a signal conductor (120) and at least one ground conductor (121 or 122), a signal conductor (220) of the second transmission line (200) defined on an opposite side (340) of the first surface (310), and a ground plane (260) of the second transmission line (200) on an opposed surface (360), the signal conductor (120) of the first transmission line (100) being electrically connected to the signal conductor (220) of the second transmission line (200) on the first surface (320). On the opposed surface (360), the ground plane (260) of the second transmission line (200), has at least one protrusion (261) aligned with the signal conductor (120) of the first transmission line (100).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to transmission lines, and particularly to transitions between different kinds of transmission lines.
2. Technical Background
Electronic, electro-optic and other devices for high-speed operation at ultra-high microwave frequencies ( greater than 10 GHz) are difficult to design because interconnections have unintentional capacitance and inductances, causing undesirable side effects. Simple low frequency interconnects cause attenuation and other parasitic distortions of the microwave signal and therefore the interconnects have to be designed and treated as transmission lines for frequencies higher than the radio frequency (RF) range, including the ultra-high microwave frequencies. Transmission lines, such as microstrip and coplanar waveguides (CPW) are generally not combined on the same substrate. However, to form larger subsystems, such as electro-optic modulators or other high-speed devices, there is a need to be able to connect dissimilar transmission lines, such as a wider CPW signal conductor to a narrower microstrip conductor, with a manufacturable broadband transition that has a minimum and smooth return loss of at least 15 dB across a range of at least DC to 50 GHz.
One example of a larger subsystem is the top surface planar packaging electrode connection to the electrodes of an electro-optic (EO) chip. It is known that high-speed operation of electro-optic (EO) waveguide modulators requires RF transmission lines for the modulator driving electrodes to achieve velocity matching of the electrical and optical signals and to overcome the capacitance limitations of a lumped element drive electrode. Preferably, these transmission lines should have characteristic impedances (Z0) equal to or near 50 Ohms for matching to the drive electronics. Broadband operation is also a requirement of these modulators. According to well-known transmission line theory, the characteristic impedance is dependent on the dielectric between the lines. In general, the optimum geometries for an EO polymer modulator where the dielectric is a polymer, the drive electrode and the lines by which the drive signal is routed into the device package are dissimilar. Therefore, well-designed transitions from one type of RF transmission line to another are usually necessary for efficient, broadband operation of the modulator. Many types of transitions are known. However, none of the known transitions have tied together all of the essential elements for a broadband (DC to 50 GHz), uniplanar CPW to MS transition having a smooth low-return loss, in the context of the unique requirements for driving a high-speed electro-optic (EO) polymer modulator.
Therefore, there is a need for a high frequency, broadband uniplanar transition wherein the transition lies on the same plane/surface as the interconnecting center conductors of two dissimilar transmission line segments for the examplary purpose of driving an EO polymer modulator.
One aspect of the present invention is a broadband interconnection device used for interconnection between a first transmission line and a second transmission line, having a substrate with the first transmission line defined at a first side on a first surface, the first transmission line including a signal conductor and at least one ground conductor, a signal conductor of the second transmission line defined on an opposite side of the first surface, and a ground plane of the second transmission line on an opposed surface, the signal conductor of the first transmission line being electrically connected to the signal conductor of the second transmission line on the first surface. On the opposed surface, the ground plane of the second transmission line, has at least one protrusion aligned with the signal conductor of the first transmission line.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a second ground shape of a second ground of a second transmission line on a second plane is geometrically configured to interact with a first ground of a first transmission line on a first plane for maintaining a uniform desired characteristic impedance for broadband microwave signal propagation between the first and second transmission lines.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.


A hand grip has an arm and a leg. The arm and the leg extend through a door outer panel and are supported by a holder member and a frame member in a freely pivotable manner, respectively. By operating the hand grip in the same direction as when a sliding door is opened, the arm is pivoted relative to the holder member retained at an initial position, so that a full close latch mechanism is unlocked. By operating the hand grip in the same direction as when the sliding door is closed, the leg is pivoted relative to the frame member, while the holder member is pivoted relative to the frame member against urging force of a coil spring, so that a full open latch mechanism is unlocked.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-85032 discloses a vehicle door handle device that includes a frame member, a hand grip, and a link mechanism. The frame member is fixed to the inner side of a panel member forming a vehicle door. The hand grip is provided on the outer side of the panel member and is engaged with and supported by the frame member. The link mechanism is interposed between the frame member and the hand grip. When opening the fully closed door, the hand grip is pulled in the same direction as a first direction along which the vehicle door is moved. This unlocks a full close lock mechanism. When closing the fully opened vehicle door, the hand grip is operated in a second direction along which the vehicle door is moved, that is, in a direction opposite the first direction. This slides the hand grip via the link mechanism, unlocking a full open lock mechanism. In this manner, by operating the hand grip in the same direction in which the vehicle door is moved, the vehicle door can be smoothly opened or closed through a series of actions.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-235849 discloses a vehicle door handle device that includes a hand grip, a push button switch used for initiating transmission for locking, a capacitance sensor used for initiating transmission for unlocking, and a communications antenna. These switches are used for generating triggers when the vehicle door is opened or closed. When a user carrying a user authentication device such as a portable device approaches the vehicle and operates a switch, the lock mechanism is unlocked after the user matching is confirmed. The vehicle door is then electrically opened or closed.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-85032 has no description of a method for assembling the frame member and the hand grip, which are arranged on the inner side and the outer side of the panel member, respectively, via the link mechanism. In reality, it is assumed that a component formed by unitizing the frame member, the hand grip, and the link mechanism is fixed to the panel member. In this case, however, the entire component is virtually exposed to the outside of the vehicle, which lowers the antitheft reliability. Also, sufficient joint strength with the panel member may not be ensured.
According to the vehicle door handle device of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-85032, the user needs to operate a switch to a specific position to open or close the vehicle door. Therefore, depending on the position or size of the switch, the usability is lowered. Specifically, the user needs to operate the switch by grasping the hand grip, while fixing an operational fulcrum with a finger on the hand grip. This inevitably degrades the operability.


Compositions and kits containing a first chemotherapeutic agent that includes arglabin or a derivative thereof and a second chemotherapeutic agent are described. The compositions and kits are effective for treating cancer in a human patient. Methods for suppressing tumor growth in a human and for reducing the immunodepressive effects of chemotherapeutic agents are also described.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States and affects people worldwide. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the most widely used therapeutic modalities. Chemotherapy agents create conditions within the cell that limit cell growth and replication. DNA synthesis may be inhibited by preventing purine biosynthesis, pyrimidine biosynthesis, the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, antimetabolites, intercalation, or cross-links. RNA synthesis, for example, may be inhibited by antimetabolites. Protein synthesis may be inhibited, for example, by agents that deaminate asparagine. Additionally, agents that inhibit the function of microtubules can be used as chemotherapy agents.
Chemotherapy agents typically affect both neoplastic and rapidly proliferating cells of normal tissue such as bone marrow, hair follicles and intestinal epithelium. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, suppression of bone marrow function and hair loss are some of the negative effects commonly associated with chemotherapy. Development of a chemotherapy agent that is an effective antitumor agent with minimal toxicity would be advantageous.
It has been discovered that arglabin and various derivatives of arglabin can function as effective chemotherapeutic agents, with fewer side-effects than typically follow from use of other chemotherapeutic agents.
In one aspect, the invention features a composition including a first chemotherapeutic agent that includes arglabin or a derivative thereof and a second chemotherapeutic agent. The second chemotherapeutic agent is not arglabin or a derivative thereof. The composition is effective to suppress tumor growth in a human. A particularly useful arglabin derivative is dimethylaminoarglabin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The second chemotherapeutic agent may be, for example, an alkylating agent such as cyclophosphamide, sarcolysin, or methylnitrosourea, an antimetabolite such as methotrexate or fluorouracil, a vinca alkaloid such as vinblastine or vincristine, an antibiotic such as rubidomycin or a platinum coordination complex such as cisplatin. Two or more chemotherapeutic agents may be in the composition with arglabin or a derivative thereof.
The invention also features a kit including a first container containing a first chemotherapeutic agent including arglabin or a derivative thereof, and a second container containing a second chemotherapeutic agent. The second chemotherapeutic agent is not arglabin or a derivative thereof. A particularly useful derivative of arglabin is dimethylaminoarglabin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The second chemotherapeutic agent may be, for example, an alkylating agent such as cyclophosphamide, sarcolysin, or methylnitrosourea, an antimetabolite such as methotrexate or fluorouracil, a vinca alkaloid such as vinblastine or vincristine, an antibiotic such as rubidomycin or a platinum coordination complex such as cisplatin. Two or more chemotherapeutic agents may be included in the kit.
The invention also features a method of suppressing tumor growth in a human including administering to the human an amount of a first chemotherapeutic agent that includes arglabin or a derivative thereof and a second chemotherapeutic agent effective to suppress the tumor growth in the human. The second chemotherapeutic agent is not arglabin or a derivative thereof. A particularly useful derivative of arglabin is dimethylaminoarglabin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The second chemotherapeutic agent may be, for example, an alkylating agent such as cyclophosphamide, sarcolysin, or methylnitrosourea, an antimetabolite such as methotrexate or fluorouracil, a vinca alkaloid such as vinblastine or vincristine, an antibiotic such as rubidomycin or a platinum coordination complex such as cisplatin.
In another aspect, the invention features a method for reducing the immunodepressive effect of a chemotherapy agent in a human. The method includes administering to the human an amount of arglabin or a derivative thereof under conditions effective for augmenting the immune system of the human upon treatment of the human with the chemotherapy agent. A particularly useful derivative of arglabin is dimethylaminoarglabin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

Therapeutic uses of arglabin in combination with other chemotherapy agents


An Internet infrastructure that supports searching of web links wherein a user profile is used to reorder search results in a search result list for improved searching. The Internet infrastructure consists of a plurality client devices with web browsers that are incorporated with user-profiling modules and a search engine server. The process of searching and reordering includes the search engine server receiving a search string along with a user profile from the user-profiling module (or retrieving the user profile from a database). Then, the search engine server stores the user profile in a database that is associated with the search engine server and delivers search results based upon the search string, and reorders the search results based upon stored data in the database.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to Internet infrastructures; and, more particularly, to search engines operating on the Internet.
2. Related Art
Search engines are widely used to navigate the Internet and to obtain search results or web links that provide wanted information. Such search information is often derived with only a few search words in a search string as input. The users may look for web pages through a variety of searches that reflect a variety of interests such as business, medical, social, engineering, and scientific research, as well as home-based or personal general interests. Search engines usually select search result web links based upon a search keyword (or, search string) and rank-order search results for presentation to a user based on the popularity of the web links.
The users may be interested, for example, in certain topic area such as business, medical, social, engineering, and scientific research, as well as home-based or personal general interests. Not all of the web links presented as search results are useful to the user, as many of the search results fall way out of user's target area of search or area of interest.
Often, web links that are genuinely helpful to the user are hidden somewhere in the end of search result list or embedded within a mass of thousands of search results, most not of interest to the user. Therefore, the few relevant search result or web pages in the long list of search results are practically unavailable to the user. These relevant search results may not percolate to the top of the search result list because they are not generally popular web links on the Internet (even though they may be exactly what the user is looking for) and the search engines typically pushes only popular web sites to the top of the search result lists for early presentation to the user. This logic assumes that when various users are using the same search words or search string that they are interested in the same few web links. Today's search engines typically ignore these errors and disconnects between the specific user and search results, and as a result, many (and sometimes all) of the search results or web links presented to the user for a search will waste significant amounts of the user's time, often resulting in frustration and/or abandonment of the search.
For example, a user may enter a search string typed in as 'car driving instructions'. The user may be seeking to find out what kind of precautions need to be taken to drive a specific kind of a car in certain conditions. The search results typically provide at the top search results and web links various pages and content from popular car manufacturers as well as other car sales/dealership companies. Thus, the user's interest in searching for safety and car operation instructions has failed or taken up too much user time because these relevant web links on safety and driving (if any are present at all) are often buried somewhere in the middle or at the end of a very long search result list (a list containing hundreds or thousands or more of search results). Therefore, a need exists for more efficient searching and provision of search results that correlated or relate better to user search interests.
These and other limitations and deficiencies associated with the related art may be more fully appreciated by those skilled in the art after comparing such related art with various aspects of the present invention as set forth herein with reference to the figures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Network server employing client favorites information and profiling


A suspension board with circuit includes a circuit board and an optical waveguide provided in the circuit board. The optical waveguide is provided with a first optical waveguide having a curved portion and a secondary optical waveguide having a linear portion. The first optical waveguide includes a first under clad layer, a first core layer formed on the first under clad layer and included in the first under clad layer when projected in the thickness direction, and a first over clad layer formed on the first under clad layer so as to cover the first core layer. The secondary optical waveguide includes a secondary under clad layer, a secondary core layer formed on the secondary under clad layer, and a secondary over clad layer formed on the secondary core layer and included in the secondary core layer when projected in the thickness direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suspension board with circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a suspension board with circuit mounted on a hard disk drive which adopts an optical assist system.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, an optical assist system (an optical assist magnetic recording system) has been known as a magnetic recording system for a hard disk drive or the like. For example, as a suspension board with circuit which adopts the optical assist system, providing an optical waveguide on a suspension has been known.
As such an optical waveguide, an embedded optical waveguide in which a core layer (an optical waveguide) is embedded in a clad layer (an over clad layer and an under clad layer), and a loaded optical waveguide in which an over clad layer is laminated (loaded) on a core layer with its width narrower than the width of the core layer have been known.
There has been proposed that, for example, an embedded optical waveguide is formed in a linear shape and a loaded optical waveguide is formed in a curved shape, and these are connected to each other on a board (cf. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H07-142699).


An expandable computer system and a fastening device are disclosed in this invention. The expandable computer system includes a computer, an expansion device and a rigid component. The expansion device includes a first holding portion disposed at a first side of the expansion device, and a first interface socket disposed at a second side of the expansion device. The computer includes a second holding portion and a second interface socket. The rigid component has two transmission plugs and a transmission circuit. The two transmission plugs are coupled with two terminals of the transmission circuit. When the first holding portion is connected with the second holding portion, the two transmission plugs are detachably connected with the first interface socket and the second interface socket to fasten the expansion device to the computer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an expandable computer system and, more particularly, to an expandable computer system and a fastening device for different assemblies of the expandable computer system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with rapid development of consumed electronic products, different kinds of computer systems, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioning system (GPS), a notebook computer, a netbook and so on, with light volume and powerful functions are gradually populated. Recently, electronic manufactures bring out a mini desktop nettop computer between a notebook computer and a desktop computer to satisfy tendency of digital home. The main characteristic of the mini computer is that the computer has light weight and small volume. Therefore, the computer can be conveniently disposed anywhere at home, and the computer can even be hanged at a back cover of a liquid crystal television.
With development of present technology, a whole thickness of a mini computer can be reduced to be less than 2 cm, and the size of the mini computer is equal to that of a book. To simplify the structure, the necessary and kernel components, such as a central processing unit, a power module, an interface circuit, a network communication module, a storage media (such as a flash memory module), a signal processing module and so on, will remain in the mini computer, and the components, such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a graphic card socket and so on, with large volume and failing to reduce occupied space are omitted.
However, if only the components built in the mini computer are limit, the application range is also limited. For example, the mini computer lacks a storage media with large capacity. Further, a multimedia optical disk (such as a VCD, a DVD, a blue-ray disk and so on) may fail to be played, and the graphic processing ability thereof may be insufficient due to lack of an independent graphic card.

Expandable computer system and fastening device thereof


Disclosed are a core-shell type nanosilica fluorescent probe and a synthesis method thereof, wherein the core-shell type nanosilica fluorescent probe is a nanoparticle with a core-shell structure. Also disclosed is a method using the core-shell type nanosilica fluorescent probe for selection of functional microorganisms having toxic aromatic hydrocarbon degrading activity, wherein the method enables efficient, intuitive and rapid specificity sorting and analyzing of individual cells with high sensitively.

With the rapid development of modern industry, the production and variety of synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds are increasing. These compounds are complex in structure and difficult to degrade naturally, exhibit carcinogenic or teratogenic activity to humans, can be transported over long distances in media such as the atmosphere, water, soil and organisms, causing widespread nonpoint source pollution and seriously threatening human health and ecological security. Thus, pollution control of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds is a major problem in ecological environmental protection.
Microorganisms are important drivers of material cycle and energy conversion in ecosystem, having the ability to degrade pollutants into non-toxic and harmless products. Using microorganisms to purify toxic and hazardous substances has been considered to be the most promising means of environmental pollution control at present. For a long period, scientists have carried out research on microbial degradation of organic pollutants from different angles. With the development and application of analysis and detection technology based on microbial physiology and ecology, a large number of studies have shown that, functional microorganisms that can degrade toxic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants using their own enzyme systems are widely found in polluted environments. These microorganisms with degradation function play an irreplaceable role in the purification and recovery of polluted environment, and are an important force for accelerating the removal of aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants.
The isolation and selection of microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants is the core task for the control and recovery of aromatic hydrocarbon-polluted environment and accelerating the removal of aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants. For a single cell obtained by the conventional plate isolation and screening techniques, its characteristics and function will be manifested only after this single clone proliferates to form a population, which results in delay and low sensitivity in function characterization. Meanwhile, the heterogeneity between microbial cells in a population will lead to uncertainty in the function characterization, which reduces the accuracy of screening. Moreover, the conventional screening methods are only applicable for selecting the functional microorganisms that grow faster in specific media, but inapplicable for the analysis and selection of microorganisms that are difficult to grow or grow slowly. Thus, rapid and accurate analysis and screening of microbial functional activity at single cell level is the key to efficient selection of functional microorganisms.
Compared with the traditional analysis and detection techniques for cell function and metabolic activity, such as enzyme activity detection and metabolite analysis, fluorescent labeling technique is a rapid and convenient biological analysis method. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (flow cytometry) enables rapid, high-sensitivity analytical sorting of single cells. However, fluorescent probes used in bacteria screening studies are mostly generic nucleic acid probes, which is inapplicable for tracking the functional activity of microorganisms. Nanoscale fluorescent probes used for tracking microorganisms, as they exhibit high locating capability and the fluorescent substances will not be easily leaked, can solve the problem of non-specific tracking of microbial functional cells. Using fluorescence energy transfer technology to construct nanoscale fluorescent probes for target contaminants, which realizes rapid, accurate analysis and tracking of single functional cells, and in combination with FACS to establish a high-throughput screening method for efficient, intuitive, and specific tracking of functionally active strains, can significantly improve the efficiency of isolation and selection of functional microorganisms, not only providing important technical support for single-cell level studies of functional microorganisms and the deep excavation of undiscovered functional microbial resources, but also providing valuable bacteria resources for microbial treatment and recovery of environmental pollution.

Core-shell type nanosilica fluorescent probe and synthesis method and use thereof

Guangdong Institute of Microbiology (Guangdong Detection Center of Microbiology)


A fixture for holding a workpiece during a manufacturing process includes a base and a rod received by and moveable relative to the base. The rod includes a proximal end presenting a bonding surface. Adhesive establishes an adhesive bond extending between and bonding to the bonding surface and the workpiece. The bonding surface is moveable with the rod relative to the base in an adhesive bond destroying motion. A method of holding the workpiece on the fixture includes the step of adjoining the adhesive to the bonding surface and to the workpiece to create the adhesive bond between the bonding surface and the workpiece during the manufacturing process. The method also includes the step of displacing the bonding surface relative to the base and relative to the workpiece to destroy the adhesive bond between the bonding surface and the workpiece after the manufacturing process has been performed on the workpiece.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixture for holding a workpiece during a manufacturing process and a method of holding the workpiece on the fixture and debonding the workpiece from the fixture.
2. Description of the Related Art
A workpiece is generally held by a fixture during a manufacturing process. The fixture supports the workpiece and holds the workpiece in place during the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process may be automated and includes machining, inspection, assembly, and the like. The fixture is reusable to perform the manufacturing process individually for a plurality of workpieces such that after the manufacturing process has been performed to one workpiece, another workpiece may be disposed on and held by the fixture. The fixture is capable of consistently holding each workpiece such that the manufacturing process is consistent among the plurality of workpieces.
The workpiece must be securely held to the fixture during the manufacturing process such that the manufacturing process is consistently performed to each workpiece. The workpiece must also be quickly and easily removed from the fixture to reduce the time required to perform the manufacturing process.
It is known in the art to use clamps to hold the workpiece stationary relative to the fixture. The clamps exert pressure on the workpiece to mechanically hold the workpiece in place relative the fixture. The clamps securely hold the workpiece to the fixture and allow for quick and easy removal of the workpiece from the fixture. However, because the clamps exert pressure on the workpiece, the clamps have a tendency to cause permanent deformation or fracture of the workpiece. The clamps also have a tendency to obstruct the access to the workpiece during the manufacturing process.
It is also known in the art to use adhesive to hold the workpiece relative to the fixture. The adhesive is applied to the fixture and the workpiece is positioned in contact with the adhesive to create an adhesive bond to adhere the workpiece to the fixture. The adhesive securely holds the workpiece to the fixture and does not obstruct access to the workpiece. After the manufacturing process, the adhesive bond between the workpiece and the fixture is destroyed by applying force by direct contact to the workpiece with a hand-held tool such as a hammer or a pry bar. The force applied by direct contact with the hand-held tool moves the workpiece relative to the fixture. The application of force by direct contact with the hand-held tool has a tendency to cause permanent deformation or fracture of the workpiece. Specifically, the hand-held tool is formed from a material harder than the workpiece and the hand-held tool dents, scratches, and/or cuts the surface of the workpiece. The use of a hand-held tool also creates torsion in the workpiece, i.e. twists the workpiece about an axis of the workpiece, leading to deformation or fracture of the workpiece. In addition, difficulties arise in applying force to a consistent region of each of the workpieces. Application of force to a weak region of the workpiece leads to fracture of the workpiece.
It is also known in the art to expose the adhesive to a chemical debonder to chemically destroy the adhesive bond. Chemical debonding is time consuming because the chemical debonder must contact and break down the chemical makeup of the adhesive. Chemical debonding is also often physically or economically impractical due to the size or shape of the workpiece, the size and location of the adhesive between the workpiece and the fixture, and the amount of chemical debonder required to destroy the adhesive bond.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to manufacture a fixture that holds a workpiece for a manufacturing process with the use of adhesive and that is capable of quickly and easily debonding the workpiece from the fixture without causing permanent deformation or fracture of the workpiece. It would also be desirable to introduce a method of holding the workpiece relative to the fixture for a manufacturing process and debonding the workpiece from the fixture after the manufacturing process without causing permanent deformation or fracture of the workpiece as a result of the debonding.

Fixture and method of holding and debonding a workpiece with the fixture


An improved permanent waving process is disclosed. The improved waving process produces hair styles characterized as bouncier, more full bodied with an open/looser pattern of curls. Furthermore, the waving process of the invention provides for improved humectant properties that results in significantly less maintenance than is typically required when conventional waving processes are used. This waving process is a step-by-step procedure involving the addition of a rearranger, a wrapping lotion, and a neutralizer, in combination with intermittent rinsing. The improved quality and settability of the hair is believed to be attributable to a synergistic effect of an improved rearranging composition and an improved wrapping lotion. The rearranging composition comprises a homogenous mixture of a salt of thioglycolic acid and a homopolymer of methyacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC). A preferred rearranging composition includes a weight ratio of ammonium thioglycolate to monoethanolamine thioglycolate of from about 4:6 to about 7:3 and between about 1.0 to about 3.0% by weight of a cationic homopolymer of MAPTAC. The rearranging composition should also be pH adjusted to between about 3.0 and about 10.5. The improved wrapping lotion composition comprises a homogenous mixture of a guar component and a salt of thiogycolic acid. A preferred wrapping lotion composition includes between about 0.2 and about 2.5% by weight of a nonionic hydroxypropylated guar and between about 0.3 and about 7.0% ammonium thiogycolate. The wrapping lotion composition should also be pH adjusted to between about 7.0 and about 10.5 and have a viscosity in the range from about 500 cps to about 12,000 cps.

A. Field of Invention
This invention relates broadly to an improved permanent hair waving or curling process and the composition used therein.
B. Prior Art
Among the components of hair is a proteinaceous material called "keratin". The hair's keratin is made up of long fibrous polypeptide chains which are bonded together with horizontal cross bonds of two forms: hydrogen bonds and cystine bonds, also sometimes referred to as disulfide bonds.
Cystine bonds play an essential role in determining the degree of curl in hair. Some researches in the field believe that straight or slightly wavy hair has relatively fewer cystine bonds and relies heavily upon hydrogen bonding to produce curl or waves in the hair and that very curly hair has a relatively larger amount of cystine bonds. Other researchers in the field believe that straight hair and curly hair may have the same number of cystine bonds, but that the cystine bonds present in straight hair tend to occur in a relatively straight alignment, whereas the cystine bonds present in curly hair tend to occur out of alignment. Regardless of which theory is accepted, while the hydrogen bonds can be broken merely by wetting the hair, such that straight or slightly wavy hair will lose virtually all body when wet, very curly hair maintains its body even when wet because the cystine bonds are relatively unaffected by water. Thus, very curly hair cannot be easily reset into new or different hair styles different from its natural state merely by wetting and shaping the hair.
Permanent hair waving is usually carried out by subjecting the hair to a strong reducing agent, such as hydroxide or, more commonly, materials containing a free "--SH" group or thiol. These "thiol" materials are also called mercaptans. In this treatment, the hair is saturated with the thiol agent, which then acts to break the disulfide bonds.
When a sufficient number of hair disulfide bonds have been broken, the hair is rinsed, removing the unreacted thiol waving agent and disulfide reaction product. The hair is then realigned, e.g., usually by winding on rollers, in order to physically align previously unpaired hair protein thiol groups, i.e., one-half of the cystine groups. The hair and rollers are then saturated with an oxidizing agent, or neutralizer, such as hydrogen peroxide or a bromate salt, to reform disulfide bonds between the newly paired hair protein thiols and to give the hair a configuration or wave. This general process may be used to either add curl or straighten the hair.
Salts of thioglycolic acid, such as ammonium thioglycolate, and thioglycolic acid esters, such as glycerol mono thioglycolate, are typically utilized as the thiol waving agent. Other thiol-containing reagents such as thiolactic acid, beta-mercaptopropionic acid, beta-mercaptobutyric acid, mercaptosuccinic acid and alike have been suggested in the art to be effective.
Prior art waving processes are plagued with the problem of either underwaving or overwaving (under or over processing) that occurs during waving on different parts of a single hair fiber or different areas of the hair mass due to the physical or chemical condition of the hair itself. For example, hair which has been waved, or bleached, or both is more porous than hair which has not undergone these chemical treatments, e.g., these portions of the hair fiber near the hair root which has grown out since the last bleaching or waving. Similarly, even hair having no previous history of bleaching or waving is more porous near the tip end than near the root end simply because hair near the tip has been brushed more, or has been subjected to more weathering.
As a consequence of these porosity differences, the hair tends to take up more waving agent in some areas and less waving agent in others. Over waving or processing tends to occur in the more porous portions of the hair while underwaving or processing tends to occur in less porous areas. These trends are exactly the inverse of what is desired since the hair which usually needs the waving treatment the most gets the least waving, and visa versa.
Many products today are directed to the special problems and needs of the Black ethnic market. People in the Black ethnic market have, for example, hair characterized by a relatively large number of cystine bonds and relatively high dryness. Conventional permanent waving products have particular limitations applied to this market. Typically, the products result in a hair style that is either very curly and quite greasy or relatively straight and stiff and very dry. These prior products are characterized by the need for frequent, heavy maintenance, e.g., the consumer's application of activators and moisturizers on a daily basis or more than daily basis. None of the prior art compounds are able to produce a Black ethnic hairstyle characterized by thick, full-bodied hair fibers which form loose bouncy curls having good moisture retention.
Another problem that occurs during the hair disulfide bond breaking process is skin irritation caused by the thiol-containing agents. Irritation occurs usually because beauticians frequently use their bare fingers for the wrapping process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,286 (Hsiung et al.) and related U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,220 (Hsiung et al.) both disclose hair conditioning formulations that claim to overcome some of the problems just described. The '286 patent teaches a composition of water having dissolved therein a quaternary nitrogen containing polymer and a water-soluble, disulfide-containing polycarboxylic acid or salt. The '220 patent teaches the same composition as the '286 patent with the addition of a thiol-containing waving agent. The preferred disulfide-containing polycarboxylic acids are formed by the oxidation of two molecules of mercapto-monocarboxylic acid. Examples of these compounds include dithiodiglycolic acid, three-dithiodipropionic acid, cystine, dithiodilactic acid, dithiodisuccinic acid and the like. The preferred quaternary nitrogen containing polymer is a cationic guar where a chloride anion is usually associated with the polymer. The cationic guar is distinguished from other forms or derivatives of guar gum, such as nonionic guar which does not contain quaternary nitrogen compounds. Both formulations disclosed in these two patents are specifically designed and recommended for use on the hair after shampooing and prior to a waving process (i.e., pre-wrap solutions).
Another hair conditioning formulation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,760 (Jachowicz et al.). This formulation for decreasing hair hygroscopicity and improving settability comprises an aqueous solution of heximinium salt and resorcinol. To facilitate application of this conditioning formulation, it is disclosed that a cosmetically acceptable thickener, such as guar gum, may be incorporated into the formulation.
All of the known waving processes and solutions associated therewith are limited in their flexibility to produce a looser, bouncier, curl while maintaining the moisture of the curls. The present invention provides an improved in hair waving process, eliminating many of the problems associated with prior art processes and solutions.

Permanent waving process and compositions


The presently claimed invention is related to compositions and methods for treating H2S related diseases comprising administering a pharmacologically effective amount of pharmaceutical composition containing a first therapeutic, wherein the first therapeutic includes one of an ATR kinase inhibitor and an ATR kinase promotor. According to further embodiments the H2S related disease is one of cancer, cardiovascular disease, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, and neurological disease.

Various human and animal diseases influenced by the amount of hydrogen sulfide bioavailability exist, which afflict millions of individuals, but for which there can be limited or no therapeutics. For such reasons, there is a pressing, but seemingly irresolvable need for more effective methods and therapeutics for regulate hydrogen sulfide bioavailability.

Methods and therapeutics to regulate hydrogen sulfide bioavailability

Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University


In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Common video slot machines randomly select and display an array of symbols, using virtual reels, then grant an award to a player based on the occurrence of certain symbol combinations across paylines. Typically, the game ends after the symbols are displayed and the award, if any, is granted. Although these types of games are highly successful, it is advantageous to provide bonus games that occur once in a while to make the game more interesting to a player. The bonus games typically offer the potential for a high payout. A more interesting game will generate increased revenue to the casino by its increased play.
It is desirable to provide a bonus game that has the potential to award the player a large sum of money to attract the players to the machines; however, such large sums should only be awarded very infrequently. During a typical playing session, the player should experience the bonus game multiple times to maintain player interest in the machine. It is therefore desirable to provide a bonus game that can be triggered relatively frequently to maintain player interest, yet provide only a very small chance of awarding the large sums. Such a bonus game should create a high level of excitement and anticipation in the player.

Bonus game having bonus pots for card hands obtained by player


A multi-color illumination apparatus for use in backlighting a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a substrate having a plurality of circuit paths made of electrically conductive foil leaf wherein the circuit path's configuration includes a number of tabs in a spaced relationship with one another and interleaved with tabs of an adjacent electrical circuit path. The tabs of one circuit path carry LED dies each of which produce a different color light with the anode of one and the cathode of the other connected to the tab. Leads connect the cathode of one and the anode of the other to the tabs of the adjacent circuit path. The second electrical circuit path also includes tabs in a spaced relationship with one another and located in registry with the tabs of the first electrical circuit path and also carry LED dies forming a second LED color pair. The second LED color pair is connected to tabs of a third electrical circuit which tabs are interleaved with the tabs of the second electrical circuit path. A light frame surrounds the outer peripheral marginal area of the substrate and diffuser tape covers the light frame and substrate below. A layer of reflective white ink covers the substrate surface and has openings in registry with the location of the LED color pairs.

The present invention relates generally to illumination devices and deals more specifically with a multi-color illumination device for use in backlighting a liquid crystal display (LCD) device.
It is well known in the art to provide backlighting for LCD devices which are either transmissive or transflective to provide a background against which the activated elements of the LCD are contrasted enabling a viewer to see the graphic, image or message displayed. The operation of LCD devices are well known to those skilled in the art and a more detailed description of their operation may be sought by reference to text books, literature and reference information available in the trade.
One well known drawback to LCD devices is the difficulty in viewing displayed images or messages and the like in very low light applications such as nightfall or dimly lit areas.
Since the human eye's sensitivity to red light is lower than its sensitivity to yellow/green light, displays having light in the red frequency spectrum allows the eye to adapt more readily in low light or nighttime applications. The human eye being more sensitive to yellow/green light makes light in the yellow/green frequency spectrum more suitable and visible in higher ambient light conditions.
It would be desirable therefore, to provide a multicolor illumination apparatus that may be used as backlighting for an LCD device to permit images, graphics, messages and the like to be more readily visible in differing light environments.
Conventional bi-color LED are generally well known and typically comprise LED dies bonded to respective ends of the leads of the device. A diffuser material forms a cap and encapsulates the leads and the dies to provide structural integrity and also to act as a light diffuser. Such conventional LED have a high profile and are generally unsuitable for backlighting applications.
It is a general aim of the present invention to provide a multi-color illumination apparatus that overcomes disadvantages of known multi-color lamps by providing a multi-color illumination apparatus that has a very low profile and on which uses diffusion tape to achieve uniform light distribution and avoid the light attenuation generally introduced by diffusion material used with conventional bi-color LEDs.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a multi-color illumination device which may be used as an alarm indicator, annunciator, attract mode device and in other applications in which a change of color is used as an indicating means to represent a given external condition.


The present invention provides an optical imaging lens. The optical imaging lens comprises seven lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through controlling convex or concave shape of surfaces of the lens elements and parameters to meet (EFL+ALT)/D67≤4.800, the optical imaging lens may shorten system length with a good imaging quality.

As the specifications of optical imaging lenses rapidly evolve, various factors, such as slim and thin in sizes, aberration adjustment are taking into consideration to the greater extent. Adding more lenses in an optical imaging lens will increase the distance from an object-side of the first lens element to an image plane along an optical axis, and usually comes out with a bulky mobile phone or digital camera. Therefore, size reduction and achieving good imaging quality are two of the aspects in designing the optical imaging lens. Further, small f-number facilitates light flux and great field of view is gradually becoming a trend in the market. Accordingly, achieving slim and thin in sizes for a short system length in view of the various relevant considerations of small f-number and great field of view may be a challenge in the industry.

Genius Electronic Optical (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to an aqueous composition comprising cells of at least one strain of a halophilic microorganism, and alkali sulfate in a concentration of at least 30 g/l based on the total volume of the aqueous composition. The present invention further relates to a method for treating a waste water, comprising obtaining or providing a waste water, contacting said waste water with cells of at least one strain of a halophilic microorganism, and thereby generating an aqueous composition comprising alkali sulfate in a concentration of at least 30 g/l, and incubating said aqueous composition under conditions which allow for the treatment of the waste water.

Solutions of sodium sulfate are produced in numerous reactions of sodium compounds with sulfuric acid or with sulfur dioxide and oxygen. These solutions as well as solutions of other alkali sulfates (such as potassium or lithium sulfate) must be treated to prevent water pollution.
The treatment of sulfate rich waste waters includes physico-chemical methods (such as extraction or precipitation of sulfate) or biological treatment (such as use of sulfate reducing bacteria). However, these methods are sophisticated, partially require intense dilution and use high amounts of energy and/or chemicals. Goal of the conventional treatment is the conversion of sulfate to less ecologically harmful components and the release into the environment.
For the conventional biological treatment sulfate is degraded by sulfate reducing bacteria to form sulfide. Organic impurities in the waste water are degraded with conventional methane producing bacteria. However, such method produce sulfide which was shown to distinctly inhibit the activity of conventional organisms and to lead to an unsatisfactory COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal performance. Therefore, further purification steps such as stripping might be required in order to reduce the sulfide content (Yamaguchi et al., 1999).
So far, the conventional biological treatment only allows for the treatment of waste waters with concentrations of up to 5 g sodium sulfate per liter (see Vallero et al., 2005, Yamaguchi et al. 1999, or Saritpongteeraka, et al. 2008). Higher concentrations of sodium sulfate in the waste water, in principle, inhibit biological activity. In order to allow for a biological treatment of sulfate-rich waste waters, the content of sulfate is currently reduced by physico-chemical pretreatment steps.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,620 discloses a method for the treatment of sodium sulfate rich (>20% (w/v)) waste water by extraction of sulfate using organic solvent. After removing sodium sulfate, the waste water is treated biologically by activated sludge for removal of TOC (Total organic carbon) and reduction of organic nitrogen.
In contrast to the above mentioned US patent concept of this invention is the biological treatment of sulfate rich waste water (>30 g/L) without prior treatment. As high sulfate concentration results in high osmotic pressure microorganisms are used that are known for thriving in hyperosmotic environments: halophilic microorganisms. Experiments investigating halophilic microorganisms are generally performed on high concentrations of NaCl. Basic idea of this invention is to let the organisms thrive in high sodium sulfate concentrations instead of high NaCl concentration. Reaction of halophilic cells to changes of cation or anion in the medium has rarely been researched. One exception was presented by Amoozegar et al., who cultivated the moderately halophilic bacterium Salinivibrio sp. on medium, where NaCl was replaced by KCl or by NaNO3 (Amoozegar et al., 2008). While growth was inhibited for KCl, cells showed high cell densities for NaNO3. However, Lipase production was highly repressed for NaNO3, indicating that exchanges of anion/cation can have unpredictable consequences for enzyme production. Mechanisms and interactions of osmolytes in extreme halophiles are not well understood yet.
Growth of halophilic microorganisms on sulfate-rich medium is rarely reported in literature. Amoozegar et al. describe the moderate Halobacillus sp. strain MA-2 to grow in medium containing up to 15% (w/v) sodium sulfate (Amoozegar et al., 2003). The Halobacillus showed significant growth in all samples and increased production of amylase when grown in high concentrations of sodium sulfate. However, a later publication from the same group showed that growth of Halobacillus MA-2 was inhibited distinctly when sodium chloride was replaced by sodium sulfate (Karbalaei-Heidari et al., 2009). Formation of active product decreased to 0 units/mL with 2 M sodium sulfate. The example shows that reaction of microorganisms to high sulfate concentrations is difficult to predict and metabolic activity of halophilic microorganisms at high sulfate concentrations is unapparent.
Membrane electrolysis processes are commonly used for the electrolysis of solutions containing sodium chloride, but could be also used for cleavage of Na2SO4 to sulfuric acid and NaOH. Thus, waste water could be, in principle, treated by sodium sulfate electrolysis However, membrane electrolysis is only possible when TOC (total organic carbon) of the solution is below a certain threshold. Higher concentrations of organic components act as confounding factors in the membrane electrolysis cell.
Advantageously, it has been found in the studies underlying the present invention that the total organic carbon content of solutions with a high concentration of sodium sulfate can be reduced by halophilic microorganism. Therefore, the halophilic microorganisms are a valuable tool for the treatment of waste waters having a high concentration of sodium sulfate. Further, halophilic microorganisms may be also a tool treatment of waste waters having a high concentration of other alkali sulfates such as lithium or potassium sulfate. After treatment of the waste water by the halophilic microorganism, i.e. after reducing the TOC content, the treated waste water could be further subjected to electrophoresis. In case of sodium sulfate rich waste wasters, the sodium sulfate content of the waste water is reduced, and NaOH, sulfuric acid, oxygen and hydrogen are produced.
Based on the findings of the present invention, it is possible to recycle waste water streams having high alkali sulfate content. In the first step, alkali sulfate-rich waste water, e.g. sodium sulfate-rich waste water, is treated biologically for degradation of organic contamination. As a result the total organic carbon (TOC) is reduced. In the second step of the process the alkali sulfate, e.g. the Na2SO4 in the waste water is cleaved electrochemically, e.g. to sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide in case of sodium sulfate-rich waste waters. Without the prior biologic treatment, organic components from the industrial waste water would cause membrane fouling very quickly. As a result power consumption would increase distinctly and migration of sodium ions would be impeded. A high frequent purging of the system would be necessary. With the presented two-step process an efficient recycling of sulfate rich waste water can be advantageously achieved.
Main advantage of this treatment is that chemical components are returned to the resource cycle instead of getting disposed. In case of sodium sulfate rich waste wasters, the chemicals NaOH, sulfuric acid, hydrogen and oxygen are produced from waste streams. The waste-to-value approach would be, if applied, beneficial in terms of economic and ecologic factors compared to established disposal methods. The invention helps achieving an inexpensive, quick and efficient recycling process for sulfate rich waste water. Extremophilic features of the organism that is used do not require sterile processing. This is an advantage in terms of costs and manageability of the process.

Recycling of alkali sulfate rich waste water by biological pre-treatment with an extreme halophilic organism

Covestro Intellectual Property GMBH & Co. KG


A method of preventing epileptic seizures in a human or mammal subject susceptible to said seizures, comprising systemically administering to said subject a safe and effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (a) X is halo or hydrogen, and Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or halogen-substituted methyl, halo, nitro, amino, and methoxy; and. (b) R is N(R.sup.3).sub.2, OR.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, N(R.sup.2)R.sup.1 N(R.sup.3).sub.2, or N(R.sup.2)N(R.sup.3).sub.2 ; where PA1 or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.. R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene which is unsubstituted or substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl; PA2 R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and PA2 each R.sup.3 is, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; or both R.sup.3 groups are connected to form a saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen and nitrogen and said heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl or hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl;. Preferably X is halo, preferably Y is trifluoromethyl, and R is preferably 3-diethylamino-2,2-dimethylpropoxy.

This invention relates to certain novel 5-phenyl-2-furan esters and amides and the novel use of these and related compounds as antiepileptic agents.
Antiepileptic agents are used to treat seizure disorders. Approximately 2.5 million of all Americans have epilepsy. Epilepsy often begins in childhood, with three quarters of the patients having their first seizure before the age of 18. Two hundred thousand Americans have epileptic seizures more than once a month. Most epileptic patients are dependent on drugs to control seizures, but therapy is often inadequate. For certain types of seizures there are no specific drugs available.
The modern history of antiepileptic drugs marketed in the United States began in 1912 with the introduction of phenobarbital, a synthetic sedative-hypnotic drug which was shown to reduce seizure frequency. Since the barbituric acid molecule is easily modified, many analogs of phenobarbital were synthesized and marketed for antiepileptic activity. Antiepileptic drug development then entered a dormant period lasting for twelve years, from 1961 to 1973, during which the only new drug of interest was diazepam, an adjunctive drug used mostly in status epilepticus.
In 1968, the Epilepsy Branch of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders attempted to reverse the decline in antiepileptic drug development by conducting controlled clinical trials of several drugs that needed proof of efficacy. The resulting data eventually supported new drug applications for carbamazepine in 1974, clonazepam in 1975 and valproic acid in 1978.
Many patients with common types of seizures and most of those with rare types fail to respond to available drugs and/or suffer adverse side effects. The currently available antiepileptic drugs have many adverse side effects. They include cardiovascular collapse, central nervous system depression, aplastic anemia, congestive heart failure, visual hallucinations, liver damage, impaired cognition, ataxia, personality changes, psychosis, aggressive behavior, nausea, dizziness and sedative effects. For those patients whose seizures are controlled with currently available therapy, a new drug may allow a reduction in the adverse side effects. It has been discovered that certain 5-phenyl-2-furan esters and amides have antiepileptic activity. These compounds are potentially less toxic and/or have greater efficacy than current agents used clinically as antiepileptic agents.
A number of phenyl furans are described in the literature. However, these compounds have never been suggested to have antiepileptic activity. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,825 issued to Wright et al. on Dec. 24, 1974, discloses a series of 3-diethylamino-2,2-dimethylpropyl 5-(substituted phenyl)-2-furoates that possess pharmacological properties, particularly being useful as antispasmodics. U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,257 issued to Pelosi and Yu on July 24, 1979, discloses N,N-dimethyl-5-phenyl-2-furamides said to be useful as anti-inflammatory agents. Oleinik, A. F. et al., "Synthesis and Tuberculostatic Activity of 5-Arylpyromucic Acid Derivatives", Pharmaceutic Chemical Journal, Vol. 10, No. 4 (April, 1976), pages 463-465, discloses certain 5-phenyl-2-furans said to have bacteriostatic activity.

Use of 5-phenyl-2-furan esters and amides as antiepileptic agents


A miniature lamp for use in a holder, includes a miniature bulb and a longitudinally-extending base. The base in turn includes a body defining an outer surface and an open-top cavity configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the bulb therein, and a cantilever projecting generally longitudinally from the body. The cantilever is movable between a releasing orientation and a locking orientation, the cantilever in the releasing orientation enabling at least limited relative rotation of the bulb and the base and in the locking orientation precluding such relative rotation. The cantilever is biased to the releasing orientation and automatically assumes the locking orientation when the base is inserted into a holder. Dumet leads extend from the bulb portion in the cavity, through the body, and onto the body outer surface.

The present invention relates to miniature push-in lamps for use in a holder, and more particularly to a miniature push-in lamp designed to preclude relative rotation of the bulb and the base, thereby to prevent breakage or displacement the dumet leads.
Miniature lamps are used for the decoration of Christmas trees, commercial displays and the like and, depending upon their size, are known by a variety of different names related to their size. The miniature push-in lamp is an assembly composed of a miniature push-in bulb and a longitudinally extending base. The base includes a body defining an outer surface and an open-top cavity configured and dimensioned to receive a bottom portion of the bulb therein. The bottom of the miniature push-in lamp is configured and dimensioned to be received in a holder therefor so as to provide both electrical communication between the bulb and a power supply associated with the holder and a secure but releasable physical attachment of the lamp and the holder. The base is typically formed of an electrically insulative plastic with the cavity thereof being configured and dimensioned to receive the bulb portion with a push-in (non-rotational) insertion motion. In order to facilitate insertion of the bulb portion into the base cavity, the body typically does not apply to the bulb sufficient frictional forces to preclude relative rotation of the bulb and the body.
In order to provide an electrical connection between the bulb and the holder, dumet leads are provided. These dumet leads are uninsulated thin, flexible wires having one end physically secured to and in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry or filament of the bulb, a main body extending from the bulb portion in the cavity through the body of the base, and the other end disposed on the body outer surface for electrical communication with the electrical contacts of the holder when the lamp is inserted into the holder. Typically, the bottom portion of the body of the base is somewhat wedged shaped with one end of each dumet lead being disposed on a respective one of the small flat outer side surfaces thereof, the base being inserted into the holder with a push-in (non-rotational) insertion motion.
The conventional miniature lamps have not been entirely satisfactory in use. Because the bulb is capable of at least limited rotation relative to the base either during the process of inserting the lamp into the holder or during use of the lamp, the bulb and base may undergo a degree of relative rotation which results in breakage of one or both dumet leads, dumet lead separation from the bulb, and/or repositioning of the dumet lead on the base outer surface such that it is no longer properly positioned for contact with the holder contact. To overcome this problem, a portion of the base body underneath the base outer surface has been cut away so that the remaining strip of the base outer surface (overlying the cut-out portion) can be caused to flex inwardly by the holder when the lamp is inserted into the holder. The locking strip is capable of flexing or bowing inwardly sufficiently to frictionally engage the bulb, thereby to preclude relative rotation of the bulb and the base body.
In order to be effective, however, the lamp must be inserted into the holder to a predetermined depth to assure both appropriate electrical communication (between the dumet leads and the holder contacts) and appropriate physical security (so that the lamp does not fall out of the holder). However, the locking strip provides such a strong resistance to bowing or deflection inwardly that the consumer often fails to insert the base of the lamp to the necessary depth within the cavity of the holder. Presumably, the severe resistance to insertion (i.e., the inward bowing of the strip) is interpreted by the consumer as an indication that the lamp has already reached the limit of its insertability. Thus, while such a lamp upon appropriate insertion into the holder may limit relative rotation between the holder and the base body (and thereby avoid breakage of the dumet leads, their separation from the bulb, and/or their repositioning on the base outer surface), an appropriate full insertion is often not achieved. As a result, either the lamp is likely to become dislodged from the holder or relative rotation between the bulb and the base remains possible.
Furthermore, while the locking strip operates satisfactorily on an appropriately sized bulb to preclude relative rotation between the bulb and the base, there is frequently a substantial variation in the diameter of the commercially available bulbs which range from 4.5-5.5 millimeters in thickness. Strips which are designed to preclude relative rotation of bulbs in the higher diameter range may not effectively preclude relative rotation of bulbs having a diameter in the lower range.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a miniature lamp for use in a holder wherein relative rotation of the bulb and the base body is; precluded when the base is within a holder.
Another object is to provide such a lamp where the base can accommodate minor variations in bulb diameter and still preclude such relative rotation of the bulb and the base body when the base is within a holder.
A further object is to provide such a lamp which is easily insertable into the holder to the desired depth.
It is an object of the present invention to provide in combination such a lamp and a holder therefor.
It is another object to provide such a combination including a releasable locking mechanism for securing the lamp base and holder together.
It is a further object to provide a set or string of lights formed of such combinations.
It is a final object to provide such a lamp and combination which are easy and inexpensive to manufacture, use and maintain.


A clipper comb 10 for manipulating hair as it is cut with an electric clipper 46 has a handle 14 and an array of juxtaposed teeth 11 forming a bed 30. The bed has a clipper bearing surface 31, a forward segmented guide wall 32 and a rearward guide wall 33 for guiding the electric clipper upon the comb.

Electric clippers have been used to cut hair close to the scalp and to cut the short hairs growing on the neck. To cut hair to longer lengths, the clippers have been provided with wedge-like attachments which raise the clipper from the scalp. However, with or without the attachment the clippers follow the contour of the head thereby cutting most hairs to a uniform length.
Combs have long been used by barbers and hair stylists to gather sections of hair to be cut. The comb is held in one hand of a barber and the hair cut close to the comb with scissors or an electric clipper held by the other hand. Sections of hair are cut in this manner to give a head of hair an evenly layered appearance. However, because of errors in estimating the proper position of the comb prior to cutting, sections of hair may be cut to undesired lengths, thus giving the head of hair an uneven appearance.
Large platform-like combs have also been used so that sections of hair pass through the comb and are cut by an electric clipper sliding over it. However, with this type of comb its teeth are often buried deep within the hair making them difficult to see and therefore difficult to keep the clipper on the comb.
It thus is seen that a need remains for a comb for manipulating hair in a manner by which an electric clipper may more securely and evenly cut hair. Accordingly, it is to the provision of such a comb that the present invention is primarily directed.


A medical instrument handle includes a stem, a joystick assembly, and a medical-instrument-member first articulation cable. The stem has a proximal stem portion and a distal stem portion. The joystick assembly includes a platform, a proximal joystick portion and a distal joystick portion, wherein the distal joystick portion is articulatably connected to the proximal stem portion. The first articulation cable includes a proximal cable portion which is connected to the platform and which is substantially transversely constrained by the stem. Articulation of the joystick assembly with respect to the stem changes a distance between the platform and the stem as measured along the first articulation cable. A medical instrument includes a medical instrument handle and a medical end effector. Examples of medical end effectors include, without limitation, a medical grasper and a medical snare.

Endoscopes (including colonoscopes) are known which have an insertion tube which is insertable within a patient. The insertion tube has an articulatable distal end portion controlled by wires running from the distal end portion to control knobs on the handle of the endoscope. A wide angle video camera in the distal end of the insertion tube permits medical observation. Medical devices, such as a medical snare, are part of an endoscopic system and are insertable into the working channel(s) of the insertion tube of the endoscope and are translatable to extend from the distal end portion for medical treatment. Other medical devices are known which use a manually-pulled pull wire, surrounded by a flexible sheath connected to a handle, to articulate an end effector about a pivot pin.
Still, scientists and engineers continue to seek improved medical instrument handles and improved medical instruments having a handle.

Medical instrument handle and medical instrument having a handle