Various divalent ligands based on khellinone derivatives are described. These derivatives can be useful in the modulation of potassium channel activity in cells, including among others Kv1.3 channels found in T-cells. The compounds may also be useful in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

Many autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases are related to immunoregulatory abnormalities. Diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosis, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis have in common the appearance of autoantibodies and self-reactive lymphocytes.
Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease of young people. It is believed to cost more in medical care and lost income than any other neurological disease of young adults.
Multiple sclerosis affects the myelin sheaths of nerves. Myelin is an insulating material that coats most axons and allows rapid signal conduction over long distances by saltatory conduction. It is thought that antibodies and specialised cells of the immune system attack the myelin coating. This process leads to inflammation and scarring (sclerosis) which damages blood vessels in the area by the formation of a lesion known as a plaque. These plaques are characterised by being infiltrated by cells of the immune system. This results in demyelination with the consequential loss of the rapid signal conduction.
A possible method of treating these autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is by suppressing T-cell proliferation and modulating their activation.
The early stages of T-cell activation may be conceptually separated into pre-Ca2+ and post-Ca2+ events (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749). Following engagement of antigen with the T-cell antigen-receptor, activation of tyrosine kinases and the generation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate lead to the influx of Ca2+ and the rise of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. The rise in Ca2+ activates the phosphatase calcineurin, which then dephosphorylates a cytoplasmically localized transcription factor (N-FAT) enabling it to accumulate in the nucleus and bind to a promoter element of the interleukin-2 gene. Along with parallel events involving the activation of protein kinase C and ras, gene transcription leads to lymphokine secretion and to lymphocyte proliferation. Some genes require long-lasting Ca2+ signals while others require only a transient rise of Ca2+. Furthermore, Ca2+ immobilisation of the T-cell at the site of antigen presentation helps to cement the interaction between T-cell and the antigen-presenting cell and thereby facilitate local signalling between the cells.
Ion channels underlie the Ca2+ signal of T-lymphocytes. Ca2+ ions move across the plasma membrane through a channel termed the store-operated Ca2+ channel or the calcium release-activated Ca2+ channel. Two distinct types of potassium channels indirectly determine the driving force of calcium entry. The first is the voltage-gated Kv1.3 channel (Cahalan 1985, J. Physiol. 385: 197; Grissmer 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 9411; Verheugen 1995, J. Gen. Physiol. 105: 765; Aiyar 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271: 31013; Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749) and the second is the intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, IKCa1 (Grissmer 1993, J. Gen. Physiol. 102: 601; Fanger 1999 J. Biol. Chem. 274: 5746; Rauer 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 21885; VanDorpe 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21542; Joiner 1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 11013; Khanna 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 14838; Lodgson 1997, J. Biol. Chem. 272: 32723; Ghanshani 1998, Genomics 51: 160). When these potassium channels open, the resulting efflux of K+ hyperpolarizes the membrane, which in turn accentuates the entry of Ca2+, which is absolutely required for downstream activation events (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749).
The predominant voltage-gated channel in human T-lymphocytes is encoded by Kv1.3, a Shaker-related gene. Kv1.3 has been characterised extensively at the molecular and physiological level and plays a vital role in controlling T-lymphocyte proliferation, mainly by maintaining the resting membrane potential of resting T-lymphocytes. Inhibition of this channel depolarises the cell membrane sufficiently to decrease the influx of Ca2+ and thereby prevents downstream activation events. Advantageously the homotetrameric Kv1.3 channel is almost exclusively located in T-lymphocytes.
Accordingly compounds which are selective Kv1.3 blockers are thus potential therapeutic agents as immunosuppressants for the prevention of graft rejection, and the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. They could be used alone or in conjunction with other immunosuppressants, such as selective IKCa1 blockers or cyclosporin, in order to achieve synergism and/or to reduce toxicity, especially of cyclosporin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,895 discloses the use of a thirty-nine amino acid peptide, scorpion peptide margatoxin, as a selective inhibitor and probe of Kv1.3 channels present in human lymphocytes, and also as an immunosuppressant. However the use of this compound is limited by its potent toxicity.
International Patent Application publication No.s WO 97/16438 and WO 091716437, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,590 describe the use of the triterpene, correolide and related compounds as immunosuppressants in the treatment of conditions in mammals affected or facilitated by Kv1.3 inhibition.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,680 describes DNA segments and proteins of derived from sea anemone species, more particularly ShK toxin from Stichodactyla helianthus. The ShK toxin was found to block Kv1.1, Kv1.3, Kv1.4 and Kv1.6, but a mutant ShK-K22DAP found to selectively block Kv1.3.
ShK toxin has recently been shown to both prevent and treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats, an animal model for human multiple sclerosis (Beeton 2001, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:13942), by selectively targeting T-cells chronically activated by the myelin antigen, MBP (myelin basic protein). The same study also Indicated that chronically activated encephalitogenic rat T-cells express a unique channel phenotype characterised by high expression of Kv1.3 channels (approximately 1500 per cell) and low numbers of IKCa1 channels (approximately 120 per cell). This channel phenotype is distinct from that seen in quiescent and acutely activated cells and may be a functionally relevant marker for chronically activated rat T lymphocytes.
Khellinone, a substituted benzofuran and natural product from certain plants, and 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), both commercially available products have been found to have blocking activity on the Kv1.3 channel.

Khellinone, 8-MOP and four dimeric variants thereof were described in a Poster (abstract. No. 1078) at a meeting of the American Physiological Society in Snowmass, Colo. (The Physiologist 42: A12 (1999)). The authors were testing whether linking two active units with a spacer improved activity. Some of the bivalent derivatives were said to be ineffective, and others were said to block the Kv1.3 channel, but lack therapeutic utility due to their extreme sensitivity to hydrolysis (very poor stability) and high lipophilicity (poor solubility in clinical conditions).

Therapeutic ion channel blocking agents and methods of use thereof

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research


A data system is provided for biological sequence matching. The system includes a system memory, a cache controller coupled to the system memory, a first cache coupled to the cache controller to receive non-temporal data from the system memory, and a second cache coupled to the cache controller to receive temporal data from the system memory. The first cache to also receive the temporal data from the second cache. The system further includes a processor coupled to the cache controller and the first cache.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to biological sequence matching. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for scalable streaming processing of rigorous matching algorithms.
2. Description of Related Art
Biological sequence matching is a computational method for obtaining biological information. Sequence matching is used to determine if a biological sequence belongs to a known family of sequences, such as DNA sequences and protein sequences. In biological sequence matching, a comparison is made of a given sequence, such as a queried sequence, with sequences usually taken from a database of known sequences; for example, GeneBank®, LocusLink and/or UniGene at the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health
There are two classes of algorithms in biological sequence matching: "rigorous matching algorithms" which perform full combinatorial comparison, and "heuristic matching algorithms"′ which reduce the number of comparisons using heuristic processes. Two types of rigorous matching algorithms include Hidden Markov Model (HMM) algorithm and the Smith-Waterman (SW) algorithm. Rigorous matching algorithms, contrary to heuristic matching algorithms, cover all potential combinations, and thus may require high computational complexity and large memory.

Streaming processing of biological sequence matching


A media access control (MAC) filtering method is provided. The MAC filtering method includes setting a variable of condition on a target frame to be re-transmitted, with a relay control logic; receiving data from a physical layer; storing the received data in a relay buffer; determining whether to re-transmit the receive data; monitoring a transmission state of a MAC control logic and transmitting the received data while the MAC control logic is not used, to prevent data collision, when as a result of the determination that the receive data needs to be re-transmitted; and storing information that the received data is being transmitted, into a transmit state memory in the MAC control logic, when the received data is transmitted.

The present disclosure relates to a media access control (MAC) filtering apparatus for high speed switching and more particularly, to a technology to determine by using hardware whether to re-transmit received data when performing Ethernet communication to transmit data through high speed switching.
In general, there are many kinds of topology including a bus topology, a tree topology, a star topology, a ring topology, and a mesh topology.
Among others, the ring topology is a closed loop topology having no start and end points, unlike the bus topology.
Thus, the ring topology does not need a terminator and transmits data in a different method from that of the bus topology. That is, only a point having a token circulating in a ring may transmit data.
It is a means for preventing a collision in the ring topology.
The point having the token transmits the token along with data to a target device.
However, since data is transmitted only in one direction in this form, it takes a long time to transmit the data to a point before a start point.
Also, a node fault affects the entire topology.
There is a dual-ring topology in which nodes are connected using two rings in order to solve such a limitation.
That is, this form enables two-way transmission in addition to one-way transmission and provides redundancy.
Thus, even if one node has a fault, it is possible to transmit data to another node and thus, the dual-ring topology is more stable than a single ring topology. A technology for enabling data to be more quickly transmitted has been proposed for the dual-ring topology.
In order to transmit data received on the Ethernet to another node in the related art, data is stored in a memory by using the RX state machine, receive buffer 21, and receive direct memory access (DMA) 22 of Ethernet MAC, and then stored data is compared with fields such as destination address, source address and Ethernet type by using software to determine a frame to be transferred, as shown in FIG. 1.
When there is a frame to be transmitted, it is possible to transmit data from a memory to a transmit buffer through transmit DMA 24 to provide a Tx state command to a transmit state memory 26 to transmit the frame.
As such, according to a typical transmission method, since a receive frame is received, determined by using software, and then re-transmitted, many resources and much time are consumed.
Such general Ethernet reception and transmission perform operations as shown in FIG. 1.
Receive data being a digital signal is received from a physical layer 1, stored in the receive buffer 21 of the MAC 2 and then stored in a higher memory through a system bus. Stored data is processed in a higher program, data to be transmitted is generated to be stored in the transmit buffer 25 through a system bus and then, transmit data is transmitted to the physical layer 1 according to the control of the MAC to complete transmission.
If a typical Ethernet system is not a switch but a general device, Ethernet receive functions all need to be activated to store a frame in a memory and perform MAC filtering through software in order to receive data (frame) and then transmit the data to another node and Ethernet transmit operations and order need to be maintained in order to transmit the data to another node.
Since such a typical Ethernet system needs frame reception, MAC filtering through software and transmission, much time and many physical resources are consumed.

Media access control filtering apparatus for high speed switching and operating method thereof


The present application relates to a slot wedge element, a stator device, a motor, and a wind turbine. The slot wedge element extends in a first direction and has opposite first and second edges has a first surface and a second surface in the thickness direction thereof, and is attached to a winding of the stator device via the first surface. The second surface includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion sequentially distributed in the first direction. A second thickness between the second portion and the first surface is greater than a first thickness between the first portion and the first surface, and the second thickness is greater than or equal to a third thickness between the third portion and the first surface. The first thickness is decreasingly distributed in a direction from the second portion to the first edge.

In the process of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy or vice versa, there will be certain loss in a motor (a generator or an electric motor), especially the loss caused by stator conductor, including copper loss of windings and iron loss of cores. These losses will convert into heat and raise a temperature of the motor. Because of its large heat dissipation area and good cooling effect, a radial ventilation cooling mode has gradually become one of the common cooling modes for the motor, especially in big-size wind turbine.

Slot wedge element, stator device, motor, and wind turbine

XINJIANG GOLDWIND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a conveyor belt configured to convey a tablet; a first suction path configured to suck the tablet to hold the tablet on the conveyor belt and suck the conveyor belt while allowing the conveyor belt to convey the tablet; a second suction path configured as a different path from the first suction path to suck only the conveyor belt while allowing the conveyor belt to convey the tablet; and a printer configured to perform printing on the tablet conveyed by the conveyor belt.

A technique that uses an inkjet print head to preform printing is known for printing identification information such as characters, letters, marks or the like on a tablet. In a tablet printing apparatus using this technique, tablets are conveyed by a tablet conveying device such as a conveyor. Ink (for example, edible ink) is ejected from a nozzle of the inkjet print head located above the tablet conveying device toward each tablet passing under the print head to print identification information on the tablet. As the tablet conveying device, there has been developed a device that holds tablets on the conveyor belt with a suction force. This tablet conveying device sucks the tablets onto the conveyor belt to hold them.
Generally, a plurality of, for example, circular or rectangular suction ports are formed in the conveyor belt so as to line up in the conveying direction to suck and hold tablets. The tablets supplied onto the suction ports are held on the conveyor belt by suction from the suction ports. However, there may be a suction port that is not completely closed by a tablet. For example, the suction port may be closed only partly depending on the size, shape, posture, or the like of the tablet, or the suction port may not be closed at all due to random supply of the tablets. When the suction port is not completely closed by the tablet, an airflow is generated above the suction port as the air is sucked from the suction port. In particular, when the suction force is strong, the amount and the flow rate of air sucked increase. This results in a stronger airflow or increased reach of the airflow, and thereby turbulence may occur.
With the inkjet print head, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the print head toward the tablet such that the ink hits on the surface of the tablet. Accordingly, the ink ejected from the print head is flying between the print head and the tablet until it hits on the tablet. At this time, if an airflow is generated in the space between the print head and the tablet, the ink does not hit on a desired position, and the print quality is degraded. For example, in the case where the airflow is strong, the airflow has a wide reach, or the airflow is disturbed, the print quality is remarkably degraded. Further, when the influence of the airflow reaches the vicinity of the nozzle of the print head, the ink around the nozzle dries, thereby causing ejection failure. As a result, the print quality is also degraded. In addition, ink that has not hit on the tablet may sometimes scatter in the form of mist. If the ink scatters like mist, for example, it may adhere to the side surface of the tablets being conveyed.
Therefore, in order to suppress the airflow, it is necessary to reduce the suction force of the suction port, i.e., the suction force for sucking the tablets. However, if the suction force for sucking the tablets is reduced, the force for supporting the conveyor belt is also reduced since the conveyor belt is sucked and supported through the same path as the suction path for sucking the tablets. When the force for supporting the conveyor belt is reduced, the conveyor belt may be lifted off the conveyor body or it may move up and down. In this case, the positional deviation of the tablet occurs, and the print quality is degraded.

Tablet printing apparatus and tablet printing method


An apparatus and method for creating an aligned subassembly of optically critical components of a temperature compensated, hand-held refractometer prior to installing the subassembly in a refractometer housing is disclosed. The preferred embodiment is a plastic subassembly frame with a critical angle prism reference surface, a temperature responsive member fulcrum, a compensating prism mount, an objective lens mount, and a reticle mount.

The present invention relates to refractometers, more particularly temperature compensated, hand-held refractometers, and to methods of aligning optically critical components thereof.
Temperature compensated, hand-held refractometers are well known in industry for measuring the refractive index of a test substance. Since the refractive index of a liquid substance is related to the concentration of elements within the substance, the units of a refractometer scale may be calibrated to indicate quantities which are of practical importance. For example, the sugar concentration in a soft drink or the lubricant concentration in machine tool cutting fluid may be readily measured using a suitably calibrated refractometer.
A common arrangement of optical elements in a temperature compensated hand-held refractometer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,060. The optical elements include a critical angle prism, a compensating prism or wedge, an objective lens, a reticle, and an eyepiece; a temperature responsive bimetallic member moves the compensating wedge to adjust for ambient temperature variations. It is known that temperature compensation may also be achieved by using a temperature responsive member to move the objective lens, as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,279,309 and 3,625,620, or the reticle, as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,619,003 and 3,447,875. Alternatives which do not rely upon mechanically moving parts to effect temperature compensation include refractometers having a liquid filled compensating prism, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,795. Regardless of the method of temperature compensation, alignment of the optical elements, excluding the eyepiece, is necessary for accurately reporting refractive values.
Prior art refractometers require that alignment be carried out after the optical elements have been placed inside the refractometer housing. In commercial models sold for over twenty years, as well as in currently available models known to applicant, the critical angle prism is affixed in the housing and the other elements are placed in the housing as an unaligned subassembly; alignment is subsequently effected using externally accessible adjustment screws. FIG. 1 shows a prior art refractometer subassembly with a metal strip 10, reticle mount 16 for holding a reticle 18, lens mount 26 for holding an objective lens 28, and compensating wedge mount 30 for holding a compensating wedge 32. Compensating wedge mount 30 is fastened to one end of a temperature responsive member 34, while the other end of member 34 is fastened to strip 10.
Various advantages of the present invention distinguish it from the prior art. Because the subassembly frame is a one piece unit, it may be formed from plastic in a single molding operation. By providing a reference surface on the frame for locating and supporting a critical angle prism, complete and even permanent alignment of the optically critical elements can be achieved before they are installed within the refractometer housing. Thus, if the housing is hermetically sealed to protect the instrument from possible immersion in a test fluid, the invention eliminates the need to access external adjustment screws which may only be reached by breaking the seal.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to allow for complete and durable pre-alignment of the optical elements of a temperature compensated hand-held refractometer prior to installing them as a subassembly inside the refractometer housing.
This and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying figures.

Refractometer subassembly method and apparatus


A novel NF-κB-inhibitor peptide is a component in a skin care composition comprising the NF-κB-inhibitor and a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The composition may also include at least one additional skin care active. Additionally, the composition may include a peptide that acts as a TGF-β1 mimic. Means for treating mature, languished skin with compositions comprising the peptide are also provided.

Currently, consumers have a wide variety of options—ranging from nonsurgical to surgical—aimed at combating the unwanted effects of aging skin and for furnishing a more youthful appearance. Nonsurgical methods include the topical use of moisturizers and keratolyic agents, cleansers, sunscreens and sunblocks, antioxidants, serums, exfoliants, and makeup. Surgical methods include chemical peels, the use of botulinum toxin or fillers (e.g., bovine collagen, silicone, and hyaluronic acid), and plastic or laser surgery. However, although the majority of the aforementioned alternatives provide at least one skin-care benefit, they are not without their drawbacks as well.
For example, many topical skin treatments contain ingredients that can clog pores, promote acne, trigger allergies, cause irritation, and block natural water evaporation, thereby disturbing the skin's normal healthy balance. Specifically, although retinoid therapy has shown promise in the treatment of skin-aging maladies, certain retinoids such as tretinoin and tazarotene, have been shown to cause burning, scaling, and dermatitis thereby limiting their acceptance by many patients. And because alpha hydroxy acids, a common additive to numerous skin care products, work mainly as an exfoliant whereby outer stratum epidermal cells are prematurely sloughed off, the resulting newly exposed cells are susceptible to irritation and sun sensitivity. Even ingredients as seemingly benign as emollients and moisturizers (e.g., mineral oil, petrolatum and lanolin), have been known to cause burning, stinging, redness, or irritation in some cases. Lastly, some commercially available compositions contain ingredients that are supported by pseudo-scientific claims, which are misleading or unsupported by scientific evidence, and are in fact hazardous to the skin.
Alternatively, although chemical peels help to improve the appearance of aging and dull skin by stimulating cell turnover and cell function in the layers just below the treated top layer of the skin, because acids are commonly used during the procedure, the patient may experience a burning sensation. And, depending on the compound used, recovery times may take up to four weeks during which the skin may ooze and scab. Finally, although not extremely common, the procedure can cause infection, permanent scaring or discoloration, and excessively dry skin that peels too often.
In addition, many modern treatments for aged skin—including the use of peptides and other actives that stimulate new collagen and connective tissue production—have been shown to have a limited temporary effect. As a result, once daily use has ceased, the skin will revert to its previous aged looking condition. Many of the limitations are a product of the peptide's reduced length, which in turn contributes to their generally poor specificity, their conformational flexibility, and their inability to fold into secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures. Furthermore, peptides are hydrophilic. Therefore, they are unable to penetrate easily the lipophilic stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. Despite their hydrophilicity, however, peptides are generally unstable in water-based formulations, as the water breaks down the peptide bond, rendering it inactive. Moreover, should peptides be absorbed, the abundant presence of enzymes found in the skin can also break down peptide bonds.
In addition, recent scientific studies on normal skin renewal processes have shown that NF-κB plays an integral role in the turnover of skin tissues; human skin is always being turned over, that is renewed. And, NF-κB is in large part responsible for the removal of the old skin, so it can be replaced by the new skin. As the skin ages, the skin's natural homeostatic condition changes to that typified by an older skin phenotype, as compared to youthful phenotypes. One of the controlling factors is an increase in NF-κB, which causes the skin to look older, thinner, dryer, inflamed, and more wrinkled. This aging process is accelerated by many different environmental factors, including exposure to sunlight, pollution, low humidity, and smoke. These external insults cause disruption in the skin's normal homeostatic mechanisms, which accelerate the worsening appearance of aged looking skin.
In light of the deficiencies and drawbacks prevalent in the prior art, it is readily apparent that there continues to be a significant need for skin care compositions which not only improve and maintain the health and physical appearance of the skin but are also safe, stable, long-lasting, and effective in treating the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, pores, discolorations, sallowness, and other forms of undesirable skin surface textures.

NF-κB inhibitor composition for skin health


An electron source substrate including: a substrate; an electron-emitting device having a pair of device electrodes locating on the substrate and an electroconductive thin film which is provided between the device electrodes and has an electron-emitting region; and an antistatic film which is come into contact with at least the pair of device electrodes and covers over an exposed surface of the substrate, wherein a leakage current flowing between the device electrodes in a non-driving mode at a low voltage is suppressed. A high-impedance portion which obstructs the current caused across the pair of device electrodes through the antistatic film is provided in the antistatic film.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electron source substrate having one or a plurality of electron-emitting devices and to an image-forming apparatus using the electron source substrate in which a plurality of electron-emitting devices are arranged in a matrix shape and connected by wirings.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, with respect to an electron source substrate in which an electron-emitting device comprising a pair of device electrodes and an electroconductive thin film which is formed over the device electrodes and has an electron-emitting region is formed on an insulative substrate, when the surface of the substrate is charged, electron-emitting characteristics of the electron-emitting device become unstable and a discharge deterioration of the electron-emitting device is caused. Therefore, there has been known a method whereby the surface of the substrate on which the electrodes and the electroconductive thin film have been formed is spray-coated with a coating liquid containing a component material of an antistatic film and baked, thereby forming the antistatic film (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H08-180801 and 2002-358874).
The device electrodes and the electroconductive thin film which construct the electron-emitting device are formed on the substrate on which the antistatic film is formed and, further, X-directional wirings and Y-directional wirings are formed on the electron source substrate which is used for an image-forming apparatus and in which a plurality of electron-emitting devices are matrix-driven. Therefore, such a situation that a thickness of antistatic film near the electron-emitting device increases due to a delicate balance of thicknesses of the device electrodes, the electroconductive thin film, the X-directional wirings, and the Y-directional wirings or the like and a sheet resistance decreases extremely is liable to occur. Particularly, when the antistatic film is spray-coated, distribution of the thickness of antistatic film is liable to occur due to conditions such as surface tension of the coating liquid, a contact angle of the substrate surface as a substratum film, and the like in addition to the above conditions. If the thickness of antistatic film is large and the sheet resistance decreases extremely as mentioned above, even at the time of a low voltage (for example, low voltage at which electron emission regarding the non-selection devices is not caused) in a non-driving mode, a micro current flows, so that there is an problem of an increase in electric power consumption. In the case where such an electron source substrate is used for the image-forming apparatus, a driver IC for driving of a capacity which is larger than an inherently necessary capacity by an amount of such a leakage current has to be used, resulting in an increase in costs.
Particularly, it has been found that in the antistatic film near the electron-emitting region, an influence of the increase in leakage current mentioned above is large. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 22.
In FIG. 22, reference numeral 1 denotes an insulative substrate; 2 and 3 a pair of device electrodes; 4 an electroconductive thin film formed over the device electrodes 2 and 3; 5 a gap serving as an electron-emitting region; and 6 an antistatic film. According to the studies of the present inventors et al., it has been found that even if the antistatic film 6 is formed as a high-resistance film, as shown by a path (current path) indicated by arrows in FIG. 22, a predetermined amount of current flowing through an area of the antistatic film 6 adjacent to the electroconductive thin film 4 exists and such a current amount largely influences a value of the leakage current. Although a detailed phenomenon is obscure, according to the consideration of the present inventors et al., it has been found that since the portion of the gap 5 of the electroconductive thin film 4 has an extremely high resistance, a voltage across the device electrodes 2 and 3 through the electroconductive thin film 4 is concentrated on the gap 5 (the electroconductive thin film 4 of the left side in the case where the gap 5 is used as a boundary has almost the same electric potential as that of the device electrode 2, the electroconductive thin film 4 of the right side has almost the same electric potential as that of the device electrode 3, and the gap 5 becomes the actual voltage applying portion), the antistatic film 6 of the area which is come into contact with the electroconductive thin film 4 near the gap 5 becomes a path (current path) whose resistance is lower than those of the other portions, and the leakage current is concentrated.
Since a similar current path also exists between the pair of device electrodes although an extent of the current path is smaller than that of the portion near the electron-emitting region, a measure against the leakage current is also necessary between the pair of device electrodes 2 and 3.

Electron source substrate with high-impedance portion, and image-forming apparatus


A multiple spark-gap arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment the arrester includes a series connection of a plurality of spark gaps between a first potential node and a reference-ground potential node and a trigger circuit having an input and an output, the input being coupled to a second potential node between two adjacent spark gaps of the plurality of spark gaps, and the output being coupled to at least one of the spark gaps between the second potential node and the reference-ground potential node, wherein the trigger circuit is configured, when at least one spark gap between the first potential node and the second potential node is ignited, to supply a trigger signal for the at least one of the spark gaps between the second potential node and the reference-ground potential node.

Spark gaps can be used to bleed off overvoltage peaks. A spark gap usually comprises a hollow body of insulating material, which forms a discharge space between two electrodes. If the voltage between the two electrodes increases to an ignition voltage, the electrodes are shorted by a spark. Spark gaps serving as arresters are overvoltage protection devices in which, after ignition, the short-circuit current bleeds off the voltage peak that arises.
However, in the case of DC voltage, the spark and the associated flow of current are not extinguished as soon as the voltage falls back below the overvoltage. This only happens when the voltage decreases to below the arc burning voltage of the spark gap, said arc burning voltage counteracting the applied DC voltage. When the voltage is below the arc burning voltage, the arc is quenched autonomously.
In order to increase the voltage at which the sparks in an overvoltage protection device are extinguished, it is possible to connect a plurality of spark gaps in series so that their arc burning voltages add up. However, the ignition voltage also increases as a result, said ignition voltage being required to ignite all the spark gaps. The ignition voltage at which the spark gaps of a series connection of N spark gaps ignite is approximately N times the ignition voltage of a spark gap multiplied by 0.7. This has the effect that the protection level of such a series connection of spark gaps is appropriately high. The aim, however, is a multiple spark-gap arrester having the lowest possible ignition voltage or the lowest possible ignition value, in the ideal case having the ignition voltage of a single spark gap.
To reduce the ignition value, previous approaches have interconnected each spark gap with a capacitor, for example, so that the increasing pulse voltage is gradually applied to each gap dynamically. Another approach is an auxiliary ignition gap arranged in parallel with the multiple spark gap, said auxiliary ignition gap providing an ignition transformer for each spark gap, for example. German Patent Application DE 102 30 827 A1 discloses triggering a multiple spark-gap arrester by means of a parallel auxiliary ignition gap.


In a one embodiment, a gas turbine system that includes a first pump that supplies distillate fuel to a combustor. A second pump that supplies fuel oil to the combustor. A fuel selection unit that controls a first flow of distillate fuel and a second flow of fuel oil to the combustor. A controller that receives feedback from a sensor and in response to the feedback from the sensor controls the fuel selection unit to start the gas turbine system on the fuel oil.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to gas turbines.
Gas turbines produce power by combusting a mixture of air and fuel. The combustion of the air and fuel mixture generates exhaust gases that flow through a turbine containing rotors. As the exhaust gases flow through the turbine, the exhaust gases contact turbine blades on the rotors. The rotors rotate in response to the force of the exhaust gases on the turbine blades. Rotation of the rotors in turn rotates a shaft coupled to the rotors. The shaft couples to an electric generator which converts the mechanical energy of the shaft into electrical energy.
Gas turbines may combust a variety of fuels including diesel, fuel oil, and syngas. Some fuels may be more expensive than others. These less expensive fuels may be used during steady state operation of the gas turbine. However, these less expensive fuels, such as fuel oil, may not be used during startup or shutdown of gas turbines because they cause coking and/or wax buildup in fuel lines after shutdown. Accordingly, a startup fuel is used to start gas turbines, such as diesel. The startup fuel is used to bring the gas turbine to full speed with a partial load. After loading the gas turbine the fuel source changes to the steady state fuel used during steady state operation. During shutdown, the steady state fuel may be purged to prevent coking and wax buildup in the fuel lines. Unfortunately, the startup fuel is typically more expensive than the steady state fuel. Over time each gas turbine start increases the operational costs of the power plant.


In one embodiment, an advanced voting system includes one or more computing devices operable to receive instructions from a voter to adjust a color of a screen of a computing device. The color adjustment instructions are indicated by the voter's selection of non-dedicated keys associated with a specific color adjustment. The system is operable to execute the color adjustment instructions received from the voter, display ballot questions to the voter, and receive interactive vote selections from the voter.

Voting systems have a variety of underlying objectives. First, a cornerstone of any democracy is an accurate voting system that minimizes disenfranchisement of voters. However, count accuracy is difficult because the large number of voters who participate in an election create variances in ballot output. Another objective of voting systems is to accurately gauge voter intent. Despite this objective, many factors may lead to situations in which voters are unclear as to what is required of them or unclear in indicating their selections. Such factors include ballot design, cumulative voting, multiple positions available for one office, proximity of candidate names on a ballot, unintentional markings left on a ballot, and misspelling of write-in candidates. Additionally, in some elections eligibility requirements or the issues involved restrict who has the right to vote. Thus, voting systems must also attempt to ensure that voters only vote the legal number of times and in the proper jurisdiction.
Methods of voting and counting votes have been in use since the earliest of human times. A paper ballot is a simple voting tool that is usually preprinted with the names of the candidates for a given office. In a paper ballot voting system, the voter marks an 'x' next to each candidate's name for whom the voter cares to vote. To maintain privacy, the voter folds the ballot and hands it to an election judge who deposits it in a ballot box. Alternatively, the voter may be requested to place the ballot in the ballot box himself. A second voting system developed to further these objectives uses mechanical voting machines. Typically, mechanical voting machines have levers next to the names of candidates and counters that increment each time a voter moves a lever to vote on a specific candidate or question. In a third system, the voter is given a paper ballot, called a punchcard, that contains perforated or otherwise weakened areas. The punchcard is inserted into a machine that displays the names of candidates or the questions in a referendum. The alignment of the punchcard in the machine is such that when the voter inserts a stylus next to the candidate's name, a piece of paper is punched out. The paper that is removed is called a chad. The hole in the place where the chad once was can be detected by a light sensitive card reader to determine the vote. In yet another system, the voter is given a paper ballot and the voter is asked to fill in a circle or box associated with the candidate or other ballot question. As is other paper ballot systems, the ballot is placed in a ballot box and is read at a later time. The machine that reads these ballots find light passing through some circles or boxes and not through others. The presence or absence of a mark in a box or circle indicates the voters' choices. Such systems are called "mark-sense" systems or, alternatively, optical scan systems.
Regardless of the system employed, problems have always existed with such systems. The first and foremost deficiency is count accuracy. When it comes to large numbers of ballots, human readers are often more prone to error. Mechanical voting machines improve the counting process by creating a tally for each candidate or question that can be recorded by election officials at the end of the election. Although more accurate, faster, and less labor intensive, mechanical voting machines do not leave an audit trail for authorities to follow in times of a recount. Additionally, voters have become disenfranchised by mechanical voting machines since allegations of tampering with the counters are difficult to dismiss and also because the voter has no assurance that his vote was tallied correctly.
Another deficiency in current voting systems stems from human error in making a selection. Variances in how voters mark a selection and erase a selection may render paper ballots unclear. Punch card systems attempt to replace human counting and selection entry errors with machine certainty, but create problems unique to punch cards. For example, voters may not force the stylus through with enough force to completely remove the chad. When entered into the counting machine, a partially removed chad may be reinserted into the hole nullifying the voter's intent altogether. Furthermore, a punched punchcard cannot be unpunched. An error in making the voter's selection requires the voter to begin the voting process anew.
Furthermore, other problems with a paper ballot voting system are overvoting and undervoting, which occur when a voter either votes for too many candidates or too few candidates, respectively. Mechanical voting machines sufficiently diminish this problem by making it difficult for a voter to vote for more candidates than is appropriate and by reminding the voter when a particular office or question has not been voted on. However, punch card and optical scan systems cannot detect an overvote or undervote until the votes are tallied. Additionally, where ballots are not counted immediately at the polling place, the voter is never afforded the opportunity to correct the situation.
Thus, regardless of the system employed, whether it is conventional paper ballots, mechanical machines, or punchcards, each system has deficiencies that effect the accuracy and efficiency of the voting process. The presidential election of 2000 has increased public awareness and concern about current systems employed.


The present invention provides a class of novel aryl pseudo-C-glycoside compounds that are effective for treating diabetes. Also provided are methods for making such compounds and methods for treating diabetes by administering such compounds to patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes, encompasses a variety of conditions that involve disordered metabolism, the typical feature of which is abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Blood sugar levels are controlled by a complex network of chemicals and hormones in the human body, including the hormone, insulin, produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. The abnormally high level of blood sugar seen in a diabetic patient is caused by defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action, attributable to a combination of hereditary, acquired, and environmental factors. Majority of diabetes are either type 1 diabetes, previously known as childhood-onset diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes and insulin-independent diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, resulting in a deficiency of insulin production. The principal treatment for this type of diabetes is therefore delivery of artificial insulin, usually via injection. Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes with over 90% of affected people having type 2 diabetes. The latter is closely associated with modernization characterized by obesity and insulin resistance (reduced insulin sensitivity) although diminished insulin production is needed for development of overt hyperglycemia. Both twin and family studies support a strong genetic component for type 2 diabetes. Recent genetic implicate multiple common genetic variants in the development of type 2 diabetes although these factors only explained a small percentage of the variance of the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes.
Various factors are known to be indicative of a person's risk to develop type 2 diabetes, most of them strongly influenced by the person's lifestyle, age, ethnic background, and family history. The presence of at least one, often more, of these risk factors, such as a body mass index (BMI) in the range of obesity (especially central obesity due to accumulation of excess visceral fat as indicated by large waist circumference), elevated blood glucose or insulin level (especially elevated fasting or post prandial blood glucose or insulin level), and reduced sensitivity to insulin, predisposes a person to the high likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, if no corrective measure is taken.
As people's living standards continue to improve globally, the number of individuals suffering from diabetes is also rapidly increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030 the number of people living with diabetes will exceed 350 million worldwide. At the present time, an estimated 35% of all US adults and 50% of those aged 60 years or older have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of pre-diabetic conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, which occur together can lead to significantly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, it is now known that diabetes increases risk of cancers of all sites by 30% except for prostatic cancer. Due to the rising incidence of diabetes, its chronic nature without an ultimate cure, and serious health implications associated with its complications, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, cancer, blindness, leg amputation, which collectively carry enormous social and economic impact in a global scale, there exists an urgent need for new and effective means for treating and managing diabetes and associated diseases. The present invention fulfills this and other related needs.


A double-walled drill pipe includes an outer drill pipe, an inner drill pipe and a drill pipe sealing apparatus. The outer drill pipe includes an axial through hole and a wall surface through hole, and the wall surface through hole is disposed in a wall surface of the outer drill pipe to connect the outside of the double-walled drill pipe and the axial through hole. The inner drill pipe is rotatably disposed in the axial through hole, and includes a fluid guiding hole connected to the wall surface through hole. The drill pipe sealing apparatus is disposed between the outer drill pipe and the inner drill pipe. The drill pipe sealing apparatus is axially located between a driving end and a connecting port of the wall surface through hole connected to the axial through hole. A drilling machine including the double-walled drill pipe is also provided.

Drilling machines using a double-walled drill pipe for drilling have been proposed in the prior art. Such machines can realize rapid drilling, but they have a high failure rate and short service life in the drilling process, and thus are difficult to meet the special construction requirements of horizontal directional drilling.

Double-walled drill pipe and drilling machine

XUZHOU XUGONG FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.


The electrical terminals of a plunger switch are held in slots and extend into a housing for the switch substantially along the entire length of the housing. An electrical bridging contact operates between the terminals through movement of a plunger axially movable in the switch. A cap assembly for the housing includes a seal to seal the switch elements from the environment. Spring biased ears extend from the cap of the cup assembly and have notches which engage lugs formed on the housing to secure the cap assembly to the housing. Spring tabs extend from the housing to engage a base member to hold the switch. The spring tabs also trap the ears in their engaged position when the tabs engage the base.

The present invention relates to a switch and more particularly to a cap assembly for a plunger type switch.
Plunger switches are commonly used in appliances such as refrigerators. In refrigerators, for example, a plunger switch is used to actuate a function of the refrigerator when its door is opened or closed. In such applications care must be taken to insure that the switch elements are protected from hostile environments. In addition the switch must, of necessity, occupy a minimum of space.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a plunger switch which is packaged in such a manner that the effects of the environment on the switch elements are minimized and further that the switch occupies a minimum of space. In addition, the switch is packaged such that it is easily assembled.


The invention relates to a method of treating cirrhosis which comprises administering to a subject in need thereof lanifibranor or a deuterated derivative thereof.

Cirrhosis is the resultant of liver damage inducing necroinflammation leading to the development of scar tissue and liver fibrosis. The primary injuries could arise from many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as e.g. chronic alcoholism, chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C and D), fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), iron buildup in the body (hemochromatosis), copper accumulated in the liver (Wilson's disease), poorly formed bile ducts (biliary atresia), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) or medications, including methotrexate or isoniazid (see http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351487).
Although various events could lead to the development of cirrhosis, the physiopathology remains similar with inflammation, parenchymal necrosis, fibrosis, vascular impairment and loss of liver function being the main features (1). Compensated cirrhosis remains asymptomatic despite the numerous intrahepatic impairments until its decompensation identified according to the presence of bleeding varices, ascites and jaundice.
Systemic inflammation is one of the key element of cirrhosis physiopathology. The inflammatory reaction is the coordinated process by which the liver responds to local insults trying to restore the original structure and hepatic function. However if the insults or damages are persistent, the maintained inflammation gives rise to a gradual replacement of normal hepatic tissue by nonfunctional scar tissue (2). Systemic inflammation is mediated through the activation of all the innate and adaptative immune cells. This activation results in an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (ie: IL-6, IL-1β, IFNγ) and expression of cell activated markers (ie: ICAM-1, VCAM-1) (3). Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) plays an important role in immunology through its vitamin A storage role when quiescente and through its capacity to secretes many pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines when activated leading to immune cells recruitment within the liver Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) play also an important role in inflammation development through their expression of membrane markers allowing the immune cells to bind the LSEC and to enter the parenchymal liver. Of the different immune cells the macrophages are the main driver of inflammation through their abilities to further enhance inflammation. Dysregulation of the M1 (classical)/M2(alternative) macrophage polarized balance becomes apparent as a central mechanism implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. This suggests that strategies impairing M1 macrophage phenotype and/or enhancing the M2 macrophage polarization could protect against intensified inflammation and in this way they could limit tissue injury (2).
Progression of chronic liver disease of any cause contributes to changes in the hepatic sinusoids mostly due to phenotypic and functional alterations in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC).
LSEC are specialized endothelial cells localized at the interface between the blood derived from the gut and the adipose tissue on the one hand, and liver cells such as hepatocytes, Kuppfer cells and Stellate cells on the other hand. LSECs are for example major regulators of the bidirectional lipid exchange between the blood and the liver parenchyma. LSEC fenestrae allow for efficient transfer of lipoproteins, chylomicrons remnants and other macromolecules from the sinusoidal blood flow to the space of Disse where they are taken up by hepatocytes.
Hepatic stellate cells are nonparenchymal cells close to LSECs, in the space of Diss which stores retinoids in physiological conditions and shift their phenotype to an activated myofibroblastic state during liver injury and inflammation secreting large amount of extracellular matrix components and promoting liver fibrosis.
During chronic liver diseases functional alterations in LSEC and HSC are key elements of cirrhosis progression.
LSECs acquire a pro-inflammatory phenotype such as expression of inflammatory receptors (i.e., ICAM1, VCAM1) that favors the recruitment, adhesion and transmigration of blood leucocytes. In addition, the release of inflammatory mediators by LSEC contributes to the inflammatory response by activating neighboring Kuppfer cells, further enhancing intrahepatic inflammation. Finally macrophages located in the space of Disse and in the parenchyma respectively, will be activated by the inflammatory and profibrotic environment and further develop a deleterious environment (4).
LSECs also contribute to liver fibrosis through capillarization and endothelial dysfunction. Capillarization of LSEC is observed in patients and animal models of chronic liver disease and promotes the development of fibrosis. Healthy LSECs maintain HSC quiescence whereas capillarized LSECs lose this ability (5).
The main complication associated to cirrhosis that is responsible for moving from compensated stage to decompensated stage is portal hypertension.
Portal venous system drains blood from intestine, spleen, and pancreas into the liver mainly via the superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric and splenic veins. The portal vein supplies the liver with 80% of its blood and 20% of its oxygen requirement. The portal venous system is a valve less system, so that pressure anywhere in the system is the same. The pressure in the portal venous system can rise either due to an obstruction in the extra hepatic portal venous system or due to increase in resistance to portal blood flow. In cirrhosis, the increase in portal pressure is caused by liver vascular resistance. Increased intrahepatic resistance results from a combination of: (i) structural alterations in the hepatic sinusoids (sinusoidal fibrosis and regenerative nodules) and (ii) functional (dynamic) vasoconstriction of the intrahepatic circulation resulting from a decreased production of vasodilators from sinusoid cells. HSC respond to liver injury by proliferation, transformation into contractile myofibroblasts, and extracellular matrix deposition in the hepatic sinusoids. LSEC which normally contain fenestrae respond to injury by losing fenestrae leading to capillarization of the sinusoids by deposition of basement membrane. Capillarization may act as a very early player both in increasing intrahepatic resistance and in promoting fibrosis formation. LSECs can also increase the contractility of sinusoid cells.
The increased intrahepatic vascular resistance leads to an increased pressure in the portal vein system, which induces shear stress in the splanchnic vessels and the release of vasodilators. Consequent splanchnic arterial vasodilation is the core factor in the progression and worsening of portal hypertension leading to the development of clinically significant portal hypertension. Splanchnic vasodilation also affects the systemic circulation leading to a decrease in mean arterial pressure. Increased pressure in the portal vein causes large veins (varices) to develop across the esophagus and stomach to get around the obstruction. The varices become fragile and can bleed easily. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to function leading to decompensated cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening, and may require liver transplant surgery (6). Lanifibranor {4-[1-(1,3-benzothiazol-6-ylsulfonyl)-5-chloroindol-2-yl]butanoic acid; CAS 927961-18-0} is a pan-PPAR agonist which is currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), for which there is currently no approved therapy. PPARs are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor family that regulate the expression of genes. There are three PPAR isoforms known as PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ. PPARα is highly expressed in hepatocytes and controls fatty acid transport and β-oxidation and exerts anti-inflammatory properties (7,8). PPARδ regulates glucose and lipids metabolism as well as insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle (9). PARβ/δ serves as a receptor for a broad range of natural agonists with function in inflammatory processes, including unsaturated fatty acids and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) (10). PPARγ is highly expressed in adipose tissue where it promotes adipocyte differentiation, increases glucose uptake and triglyceride storage and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (11). PPARγ is also expressed in the hepatic stellate cells (HSC) where it controls their fate and maintains them in a quiescent state preventing their activation, trans-differentiation into myofibroblasts and production of collagen and fibronectin, the major constituents of the fibrotic scar in the liver (12,13). The effects of aleglitazar, a dual α/γ PPAR agonist, in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension, have been recently investigated (14).
While there are PPAR agonists that target only one or two PPAR isoforms for activation, lanifibranor activates all three PPAR isoforms (hence the reference to a "pan-PPAR agonist") in a moderately potent manner, with a well-balanced activation of PPARα and PPARδ, and a partial activation of PPARγ.
PPARδ is involved in liver inflammation through its role in promoting polarization to alternative M2 macrophages having less inflammatory potential relative to M1 macrophages (15). However the role of PPARδ in macrophages might be more complex and provides different effect on macrophages at different stages of NASH and cirrhosis development. Indeed PPARδ could control macrophages through canonical regulation involving DNA binding and genes regulation but also through endogenous ligand binding leading to the inhibition of multiple pro-inflammatory mediators (10).
It has now been found that lanifibranor exerts beneficial effects in a pre-clinical model of cirrhosis, improving the phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, leading to marked amelioration in fibrosis, sinusoidal capillarization and portal hypertension. Accordingly, the use of lanifibranor is contemplated for the treatment of advanced chronic liver disease, notably cirrhosis.


A method and an apparatus for downloading an installation-free application are provided. In the method, after receiving a request sent by a terminal for downloading the installation-free application, a server sends, to the terminal, information necessary for running the application, information of a home page of the application, and information about a subpage that has a highest association degree with the home page among subpages provided by the application. The server determines the foregoing association degree based on an obtained sequence of access to pages included in the application by multiple terminals. According to the method, the server does not need to send all contents of the application to the terminal at one time, to shorten an initial download time while ensuring that the terminal can normally run the application.

With development of Internet technologies, installation-free applications become popular. The installation-free application does not require any installation processes. A user may directly download the application from a server and run the application by taping an application icon. This implements a tap-to-use operation mode, so that the user does not need to worry that too many applications are installed.
Currently, all application packages of the installation-free application usually need to be downloaded at one time. If an application package is relatively large, the download time may be relatively long, and it is difficult to implement the tap-to-use mode. Consequently, user experience is affected. To provide better operation experience for users, WeChat limits a size of an application package of an installation-free applet to 2 MB, and Google limits a maximum size of an application package of an instant app to 4 MB.
However, how to implement installation-free and tap-to-use for a relatively large application needs to be further studied.

Method and apparatus for downloading installation-free application


A vital sign processing device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a pulse-wave sensor unit, an output unit, and a first filter unit. The pulse-wave sensor unit outputs a pulse-wave signal. The output unit outputs a heart-rate information item on the basis of the output pulse-wave signal. The first filter unit sets a first frequency band on the basis of the output heart-rate information item, and allows the set first frequency band of the pulse-wave signal to pass through the first filter unit.

In recent years, following trends of health-care and fitness, wristwatch-type or wristband-type devices equipped with a heart-rate sensor for heart-rate training have been developed. Many of these measurement devices employ photoplethysmography (hereinafter, abbreviated as "PPG").
Patent Literature 1 describes a pulsimeter including a pulse-wave sensor and a body-motion sensor. In this pulsimeter, there is provided an adaptive filter that uses, as a monitoring signal, a pulse-wave signal to be output from the pulse-wave sensor, and receives, as an input signal, a body-motion signal to be output from the body-motion sensor. A predictive value of a body-motion component to be calculated by the adaptive filter is subtracted from the pulse-wave signal, and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) process is executed on a resultant residual signal. A component at a highest level is extracted as a pulse-wave component from resultant frequency components. With this, a pulse rate per minute is calculated. In this way, the pulse rate is accurately measured (refer, for example, to paragraphs [0007] to [0012] of the specification and FIG. 1 of Patent Literature 1).

Vital sign processing device, vital sign processing method, and information processing device


A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘BBVOLFU’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; numerous double flowers that are pale yellow to white in color and held above the foliage; and good postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant, botanically known as Begonia×hiemalis, commercially known as Elatior Begonia, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'BBVOLFU'.
The new Begonia is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of the Begonia×hiemalis cultivar BBVOLBRO, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,390. The new Begonia was discovered and selected by the Inventor from within a population of plants of the cultivar BBVOLBRO in a controlled environment in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands during the summer of 2005.
Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia by cuttings in a controlled environment in a greenhouse in Rijsenhout, the Netherlands since the summer of 2005, has shown that the unique features of this new Begonia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


This disclosure provides a fuel line assembly for use with an internal combustion engine, an internal combustion engine including such as fuel line assembly, and a method for providing leak containment and detection in a fuel system, each of which include a double-walled fuel line including a high pressure fuel line component. The double-walled fuel line includes a high pressure fuel line, a jacket surrounding the high pressure fuel line, and a low pressure passage between the high pressure fuel line and the jacket. A fuel line nut includes a main body that houses a portion of the high pressure fuel line, and a first end portion supporting an enlarged end portion of the high pressure fuel line protruding from the first end portion. A second end portion of the fuel line nut sealingly connects to the jacket to extend the low pressure passage into an area between the main body and the housed high pressure fuel line. A fuel line connector mechanically and sealingly engages with the fuel line nut to house the supported enlarged end portion of the high pressure fuel line. The fuel line connector can connect to a single-walled high pressure tube provided in a bore of the cylinder head between an inlet of a fuel injector and the environment exterior of the cylinder head.

Marine Agency safety requirements, such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty, require double-walled fuel injection lines (also known as double skinned, jacketed or sheathed fuel lines or pipes) to contain fuel leaks and prevent the likelihood of fuel spillage and fire on a commercial marine vessel. A gap provided between inner and outer walls of the double-walled fuel injection lines provide a low pressure passage that can channel any fuel leaking from the high pressure inner wall to a leakage detecting system. At the same time, the outer wall contains, collects and/or recycles the leaking fuel to prevent fuel spillage onto hot engine components, which can cause fires or present other safety hazards.

Assembly for connecting double high pressure wall line to a single-walled high pressure connector


A dielectric ceramic composition, comprising a main component including at least a dielectric oxide having a composition expressed by [(CaxSr1-x)O]m[(TiyZr1-y-zHfz)O2], a first subcomponent including a Mn oxide and/or an Al oxide and a glass component, wherein “m”, “x”, “y” and “z” indicating composition mole ratios in the formula included in the main component are in relationships of 0.90≦m≦1.04, preferably 1.005≦m≦1.025, 0.5≦x<1, preferably 0.6≦x≦0.9, 0.01≦y≦0.10, preferably 0.02≦y≦0.07 and 0<z≦0.20, preferably 0<z≦0.10.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dielectric ceramic composition, an electronic device and production methods of them, and particularly relates to a nonreducing temperature compensating dielectric ceramic composition preferably used for an electronic device, such as a multilayer ceramic capacitor, using a base metal as an internal electrode thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multilayer ceramic capacitors are widely used as electronic devices, and the number used in one electronic device is also large. A multilayer ceramic capacitor is normally produced by stacking an internal electrode layer paste and a dielectric layer paste by a sheet method or a printing method, etc. and cofiring the result.
A dielectric ceramic material used for a multilayer ceramic capacitor, etc. of the related art has a property of getting reduced and becoming a semiconductor when fired in a reducing atmosphere. Therefore, as an internal electrode material, Pd and other precious metals, which do not melt at a temperature of sintering the dielectric ceramic material and are not oxidized even if fired under a high oxygen partial pressure of not bringing the dielectric ceramic material to be a semiconductor, have been used.
However, high prices of Pd and other precious metals have hindered a cost reduction of the multilayer ceramic capacitor much. Thus, use of relatively inexpensive base metals, such as Ni and a Ni alloy, as the internal electrode material has become dominant.
When using a base metal as a conductive material of the internal electrode layer, however, the internal electrode layer is oxidized when fired in the air. Accordingly, cofiring of the dielectric layer and internal electrode layer has to be performed in a reducing atmosphere.
However, when fired in a reducing atmosphere, the dielectric layer is reduced and the insulation resistance becomes low. Therefore, a nonreducing dielectric material has been proposed. But again, a multilayer ceramic capacitor using a nonreducing dielectric material has a disadvantage that the insulation resistance (IR) becomes poor when a thickness of the dielectric layer is made thin (5 μm or thinner) according to a reliability test.
On the other hand, demands have become stronger for a temperature compensating dielectric ceramic composition, wherein a temperature change of the capacitance is small, that is the capacitor-temperature coefficient is small, and able to be freely controlled in a range of −50 to +150 ppm/° C., so that a ceramic material capable of providing such a capacitor having a controllable low temperature coefficient has become necessary.
Note that, as described in the Japanese Patent Publication No. 2997236, there has been a proposal of a highly reliable nonreducing dielectric ceramic composition able to be sintered at 1300° C. or lower, wherein a temperature coefficient of the capacitance is small and able to be freely controlled in a range of −15 to +150 ppm/° C., the insulation resistance at 25° C. is 1×1013 Ω or higher, the specific permittivity and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) have a little frequency dependency, and accelerated lifetime of the insulation resistance is long even when the insulation layer is made thin. The dielectric ceramic composition is preferably used for a multilayer ceramic capacitor using a base metal, such as Ni, as an internal electrode.

Dielectric ceramic composition, electronic device and production methods of the same


A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel includes an organic electroluminescence device and a color conversion layer disposed on the organic electroluminescence device. The color conversion layer includes a quantum dot material and an organic electroluminescence material. The organic electroluminescent material is added to the color conversion layer. By mixing the organic electroluminescent material and the quantum dot material, the organic electroluminescent material forms excitons under excitation of blue light, and then singlet state excitons are transferred to quantum dots by fluorescence resonance energy, thereby improving an efficiency of the color conversion layer.

The present application relates to the technical field of display panels, and in particular, to a display panel and a display device.
For large-sized organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices, in order to achieve 8K resolution, bottom-gate devices decrease an aperture ratio due to an increase in a number of thin film transistors (TFTs), and service life of the OLED devices is reduced to one-third of that of 4K OLED television (TV). Top-gate devices mainly include two technical solutions of top emission white light with color filter and top emission blue light with quantum dot color filter (or quantum dot film).
Large-sized OLED display devices, especially quantum dot organic electroluminescence devices with blue light and quantum dot color filters, have low conversion efficiency of quantum dots, and urgently need to improve an efficiency of light conversion layers.
Therefore, it is really necessary to develop a new type of display panel to overcome defects of the conventional art.

Display panel having color conversion layer and display device thereof

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.


A method of establishing an encrypted session. An identifier is sent from a first node to a second node via a first connection. Either an encryption algorithm or an identifier of the encryption algorithm is also sent to the second node. The second node is also sent either an encryption key or an identifier of the encryption key. A command is received on a second connection indicating that an encrypted session is desired. In response to receiving a command including the identifier via the second connection, the encrypted session is established, using the encryption algorithm.

Establishing an encrypted data session is vital to protecting the communication between two electronic devices. A number of encryption algorithms exist for securely protecting such communication. Clearly both devices must know each other's encryption algorithm and have an encryption/decryption key in common. However, in some cases the two devices may be communicating with each other for the first time and may not share an encryption protocol or algorithm in common. Additionally, they clearly will not both have the essential encryption key in this case.
Some conventional methods that allow devices to negotiate an encryption algorithm are limited in that they require that the nodes be capable of performing a common encryption algorithm. However, the nodes may fail to agree on an encryption algorithm, because they have no algorithm in common. For example, the Telnet protocol requires that both parties agree on the encryption algorithm. It is possible that the parties do not have an encryption algorithm in common, in which case the conventional communication protocol does not provide a means for the nodes to encrypt the communication.
A second limitation of conventional methods is that even if two devices have an encryption algorithm in common, they may not be able to agree to use it because the communication protocol does not support that encryption algorithm. For example, the Telnet protocol limits the types of encryption that are allowed during a Telnet session by requiring the parties to negotiate the encryption algorithm by passing the other node a specific value to identify an encryption protocol. However, the encryption algorithms supported are limited. Thus, users are unable to select an encryption algorithm that is not supported in the protocol and may be forced to use an encryption algorithm that is not their best choice.
Thus, one problem with conventional protocols is that two nodes that may have an encryption algorithm in common may be unable to negotiate to use it, using the conventional protocol. Another problem with conventional protocols is that each node must support an encryption algorithm that the other is willing to support, otherwise they are not able to negotiate to use encryption via the conventional protocol.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In handling machines, in particular punching machines, operating in discrete steps, for sheets of paper or similar objects, a warping, waving or wrinkling of the sheets occurs during the deceleration movements of the sheets ahead of the delivery station. These deformations are smoothed by the hold-down device according to the invention, which consists of a circulating perforated endless belt, to which an underpressure is applied from below. There is also synchronization between the feed movement of the sheets and the movement of the endless belt.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a hold-down device on handling machines, in particular punching machines, for thin, flat objects, in particular sheets of paper. The handling machine includes several handling stations located at intervals in a series, through which the sheets can be fed in steps by means of an endless conveyor, in particular a feed or conveyor chain, by means of grippers. After an acceleration phase and a deceleration phase, the sheets remain in the respective handling station during a rest phase, whereby the sheets arrive at a delivery station after passing the final handling station.
2. Background Information
Generally, hold-down devices of the type described above are intended to prevent or eliminate, by smoothing, the warping, wrinkling, waving or folding of the sheets concerned. Such warping, wrinkling, waving and folding can tend to occur at high production speeds during the deceleration phase, in particular ahead of the delivery station, and can thus interfere with correct processing and even result in interruptions of operation. To accomplish smoothing, the following arrangements have been used: brake brushes; smoothing blocks; or blowing air currents acting on the sheet from above. Of course, each of the arrangements just listed may produce the desired smoothing effect, but, particularly when sheets of sensitive or delicate material are used, those arrangements tend to have the disadvantage that damage can be caused to the upper side of the sheet, or that the sheet can tear on account of the relatively large friction forces between the underside of the sheet and the sheet feed surface.
In the general field of handling machines for flat objects, in particular sheets of paper, German Laid Open Patent Appln. No. 39 03 389, or European Patent Appln. No. 0 075 685, disclose the use of endless belts provided with air passages, or openings. As disclosed in those patent applications, the upper strand of such a belt forms the support for the sheets, and the underside of the belt is guided over a suction box equipped with suction openings. These devices are used for the transport of the sheets by a system operating without conveyor chains, feed chains, or similar devices, but not for the smoothing of the sheets during deceleration in systems equipped with conveyor chains. Accordingly, essentially no synchronization is provided.

Hold-down device on handling machines, in particular punching machines, for thin, flat objects in particular sheets of paper


A composition comprising a dry cationic pectin salt which when suspended in water swells to heat stable particles having a mean equivalent diameter greater than 100 micrometers. Food, cosmetic, superabsorbent and skin adhesive compositions containing the dry cationic pectin salt. A process for making the dry cationic pectin salt having the steps: a) converting a pectin starting material into a pectinate in a liquid medium, b) drying the pectinate, and c) selecting conditions in steps (a) and/or (b) that allow for the production of pectinate which when suspended in water swells to heat stable particles having a mean equivalent diameter greater than 100 micrometers.

Processes for preparation of pectins are well known, as are many uses for these products. In general, typical pectin processes include the steps of:
(1) acid extraction from plant starting material at low pH, PA1 (2) purification of the liquid extract, and PA1 (3) isolation of the extracted pectin from the liquid.
In the acid extraction step, plant material is typically treated with dilute acids such as nitric-, sulfuric-, hydrochloric- or other inorganic or organic acids to remove the pectin from the cellulose components of the material. Commonly used plant starting materials are citrus peels from juice production and apple pomace from apple juice and cider production. Other plant starting materials can also be used, such as sugar beet, before or after sugar extraction, sunflower heads after removal of the seed, and other vegetables or waste products from plants. Extraction conditions are selected such that a major part of the pectin molecules contained in the plant starting material is transferred from the cell walls of said plant starting material to the extraction medium
The quantity and quality of the extracted pectin depends on the raw material source and the selection and control of the extraction conditions such as pH, temperature and extraction time.
ASfter the acid extraction step, a mixture of solid plant material and liquid that contains the pectin remains. This mixture is then subjected to a purification step in which the solid plant material is removed by filtration, centrifugation or other conventional separation steps known to those skilled in the art.
The extract can, optionally, be further purified by ion exchange and concentrated by evaporation of part of the water. Alternatively, the purification steps can be carried out by reverse osmosis, concentrating and purifying the extract in the same steps.
The pectin in the acid extract can be isolated by reacting with aluminum salts after adjusting the pH. The aluminum pectin gel thus formed is treated with alcohol/acid mixture to wash out the aluminum salt and transform the pectin into pectic acid. The pectic acid can then be neutralized and dried by washing with slightly alkaline alcohol.
More commonly, the pectin is isolated by treating the pectin solution with an appropriate alcohol to render the pectin insoluble in the ensuing blend of alcohol and water. Any alcohol or other organic solvent miscible with water can be used, most often ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol is most preferred.
The insolubilized pectin is separated from the alcohol/water mixture by appropriate means such as filtration, centrifugation, etc. The resulting pectin cake is dried and milled to the desired particle size.
In typical commercial processes, the presence of high levels of polyvalent cation is avoided in steps (1) and (2) as described above. While low levels of cation, i.e., those levels naturally present in the starting material, may be tolerated in some instances. It has been the general practice to never add additional cation(s) to the processes. This would result in unacceptable increases in viscosity and unacceptable levels of insoluble pectin in the final product.
Industrially produced pectins are made up primarily of anhydrogalacturonic acid chains in which rhamnose may be found. Neutral sugars may be attached to the rhamnose units. The anhydrogalacturonic acid makes up at least 65% of the dry matter in commercial type pectins. The galacturonic acids are partly esterified with methyl alcohol.
According to convention, pectins with more than 50% of the carboxylic acids groups esterified with methyl alcohol are referred to as high methoxyl pectins; whereas, pectins with less than 50% of the carboxylic acid groups esterified with methyl alcohol are called low methoxyl pectins.
The extract as obtained by the commercial production is composed of those molecules that are soluble under the conditions of pH, temperature, and time used during the extraction. The extract is composed of a mixture of molecules which differ according to molecular weight, distribution of molecular weight, and degree of esterification.
The properties of the pectin obtained are, therefore, very much dependent of the specific mixture of molecular configurations present in the isolated pectin. This mixture of molecules can be controlled only to a certain degree by the pectin manufacturer by selection of raw materials and extraction conditions. For this reasons, variation in pectin properties is seen from extract to extract, from manufacturer to manufacturer, and normalization of the properties is generally necessary. This may be accomplished by blending different extracts and diluting with acceptable diluent such as sugar, dextrose, fructose, etc.
One of the main functional variations between high methoxyl pectins is their sensitivity to the presence of varying concentrations of polyvalent cations. It is known that pectins of high degree of esterification, e.g., greater than fifty, are not particularly useful for applications involving reaction of the pectin with polyvalent cations such as calcium.
European patent application 0432,835 describes the production of a cation salt of pectin in the form of microgels. In said patent, a solution of pectin is reacted with a solution of a di- or trivalent metal salt, preferably calcium salts, under high shear conditions to create calcium pectin microgels with a mean equivalent diameter not exceeding 100 micrometers, more preferably not exceeding 50 micrometers. These microgels are described as being used as fat substitutes among other things.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,945 discloses a fat substitute of carbohydrate particles that display a fat-like mouthteel characteristic when the particles have a substantially spheroidal shape and a mean diameter distribution in the range of 0.1 about 2 microns with less than about 2% of the total particles being over 3 microns. The carbohydrates includes starches, gums, and cellulose and can be reacted with a calcium ion to form micro-colloid particles of the invention.
The above discussed references are seen to express a strong preference for the use of small particles for the successful simulation of fat in foods.


A hydraulic system comprises a pump, low pressure drain, high pressure rail, fuel injector, a gas exchange valve actuator, and a timing valve. The high pressure rail is connected to the pump with a supply line. A method of operating an engine comprises the steps of opening a gas exchange valve by connecting it with the outlet of the pump at a first chosen time, supplying pressurized fluid to a high pressure rail by connecting it with the outlet of the pump after the first time, and injecting fuel by supplying fluid from the high pressure rail to a fuel injector at a second chosen time. An engine comprises an engine casing that defines a plurality of cylinders. A fuel injector, gas exchange valve actuator, pump, supply line, and timing valve is provided for each of the cylinders. A low pressure drain and a high pressure rail are also provided.

The present invention relates generally to engine hydraulic systems used for fuel injection and exhaust/intake valve actuation, and in particular to such systems having variable timing valve actuation.
Engineers are always searching for ways to improve the efficiency and performance of internal combustion engines. In many internal combustion engines, gas exchange valves and the fuel injection system are driven with a rotating cam coupled directly to the engine crankshaft, necessarily linking the timing and duration of fuel injection and gas exchange to engine speed and crank angle. However, engineers have recognized that combustion efficiency and overall engine performance can be improved by de-coupling this linkage of the fuel injection system from the rotation angle of the crankshaft.
Caterpillar, Inc. of Peoria, Ill. has seen considerable success by incorporating hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injectors into engines. In such engines, an engine computer is used to control injection of a calculated amount of fuel into the combustion space in a timing scheme based upon sensed operating conditions and other parameters. Caterpillar, Inc. has also developed an engine in which the timing and duration of both fuel injection and gas exchange valve actuation are de-coupled from the engine crank angle. An example of this engine can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,106 issued to Maloney et at. on Sep. 28, 1999. The Maloney engine utilizes a gas exchange valve integrated with a fuel injector in which the fuel injection mechanism is housed partially within the gas exchange valve member. Because both fuel injection and gas exchange are electronically controlled, actuation of both subsystems can be accomplished independent of the position of the engine""s crank shaft.
While this innovative design has promise, the merger of gas exchange actuators with fuel injector structure is relatively complex. Additionally, the gas exchange valve member is limited to moving between two positions, reducing the desirability of the design for applications in which multiple valve positions are desired. Furthermore, the hydraulic force provided for valve actuation may need modification to open the valve against the gas pressure in the cylinder when the piston nears its top dead center position to perform compression release braking. Due to this issue, Maloney may need design changes to be better suited for engine compression release braking, in which the valves must be quickly opened and closed against substantial pressure in the cylinder. The present invention is directed to solving one or more of the problems set forth above.
In one aspect, a hydraulic system is provided which includes a pump with an outlet, a low pressure drain, a high pressure rail, and a fuel injector fluidly connected to the high pressure rail. A gas exchange valve actuator is also provided, and a timing valve which has an off position and an on position. In the timing valve""s off position, the outlet of the pump is fluidly connected to the low pressure drain. In its on position, the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the gas exchange valve actuator. A supply line is also provided which fluidly connects the output of the pump to the high pressure rail.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a method of operating an engine. The method includes a step of opening a gas exchange valve at least in part by fluidly connecting a gas exchange valve actuator to an outlet of a pump at a first time. The method also includes the step of supplying fluid to a high pressure rail at least in part by fluidly connecting the outlet of the pump to the high pressure rail after the gas exchange valve is opened. The method further includes the step of injecting fuel at least in part by supplying fluid to a fuel injector from the high pressure rail at a second time.
In still another aspect, the present invention includes an engine comprised of an engine casing defining a plurality of cylinders. Attached to the engine casing is a fuel injector, at least one gas exchange valve actuator, a pump, a supply line, and a timing valve for each of the plurality of cylinders. A low pressure drain and high pressure rail are also provided. Each timing valve has an off position in which an outlet of the pump is fluidly connected to the low pressure drain, and an on position in which the outlet is fluidly connected to the gas exchange valve actuator.

Engine with high efficiency hydraulic system having variable timing valve actuation


The present invention relates to polyol compositions which can be used to produce dimensionally stable, low density water-blown rigid foams which have acceptable compressive strengths and acceptable k-factors. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polyol compositions are composed of at least one aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and at least one polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5 in which at least 50% by weight of the polyol composition is aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and in which no more than 50% by weight of the polyol composition is polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5.

Rigid polyurethane foams are widely known and are used in numerous industries. Rigid foams can be used, for example, in the construction industry as insulating materials as well as in the manufacture of appliances. Rigid polyurethane foams are produced by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of a blowing agent. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) were typically used as blowing agents in the production of rigid polyurethane foams. When used in the production of rigid polyurethane foams, CFC's vaporize as a result of the reaction exotherm, thereby causing the reaction mixture to form a foam. CFC's are now believed to contribute to the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere. As a result, mandates have been issued which prohibit the use of CFC's. Effort has therefore been directed to using water as a blowing agent in the production of some rigid polyurethane foams.
There are, however, drawbacks to using water as a blowing agent for producing rigid polyurethane foams. One such drawback is the fact that carbon dioxide gas, which is produced from the reaction between the isocyanate and water, tends to diffuse out of the foam cells, thereby leading to foam shrinkage. As more water is used in production processes, the resulting foams become less dimensionally stable, i.e., the foams shrink upon storage. It is generally recognized in the art that water-blown rigid foams having densities less than 2.4 lbs/ft3 are not dimensionally stable, particularly at elevated temperatures. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,169, column 2, line 25).
In an attempt to alleviate the foregoing problem, several approaches have been taken. One such approach is to produce open-cell rigid polyurethane foams. However, unlike closed-cell water blown foams, open-cell foams are poor insulators. (See W. A. Kaplan et al., Low-Density All Water-Blown Rigid Foam for Pour-in-Place Applications, Polyurethanes Expo '96 Conference Proceedings, pp.179-89 (1996)). Alternatively, highly functional, low molecular weight polyols can be used in the production of low density water-blown rigid foams to increase crosslinking density and improve foam strength and reduce shrinkage. However, these foams are generally brittle and tend to have poor adhesion to substrates.
A process for producing a dimensionally stable, low-density water-blown rigid foam is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,221. The foam produced by the process described in this patent has a free rise density less than about 2.5 lbs/ft3 and exhibits less than a 5.5% volume change when stored at 158° F. for twenty-eight days. The polyol mixture used in the process described in this patent is composed of about 50-90 parts by weight of a polyester polyol and about 5-50 parts by weight of a polyether polyol. However, the foams produced by the process disclosed in this patent have low compressive strength. (See Example 1, column 5, lines 51-52).
There remains, therefore, a need for dimensionally stable, low density water-blown rigid foams which have acceptable compressive strength.

Polyol compositions useful for preparing dimensionally stable, low density water-blown rigid foams and the processes related thereto

Abstract: In another embodiment of the present invention, the polyol compositions are composed of at least one aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and at least one polyester polyol in which at least 30% by weight of the polyol composition is aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and in which no more than 70% by weight of the polyol composition is polyester polyol.