Disclosed are green shade yellow pigments represented by the Formula I:

The present invention generally relates to metallized disazo green shade yellow pigments which are excellent in at least one of color strength, brightness and heat stability, a process for their preparation, and use of the pigments in plastic, coating, and ink compositions.
Azo yellow pigments are a class of colorants that are tinctorially strong and relatively inexpensive. Monoazo yellow pigments show good lighffastness and are particularly useful as coloring agents for paints and some printing inks. In plastics, however, monoazo yellow pigments tend to bloom and discolor at high temperatures. Monoazo yellow pigments also exhibit undesirable levels of bleed resistance.
Diarylide disazo yellow pigments, made from 3,3xe2x80x2-dichlorobenzidine, are much stronger tinctorially and show a much lower tendency to bloom and discolor at high temperatures. C.I. Pigment Yellow 17 is a strong green shade diarylide yellow and has often been used for plastics. W. Herbst and K. Hunger, Industrial Organic Pigments, VCH, New York, 1993, p. 252, state: xe2x80x9cThe plastics industry, however, uses P.Y. 17 extensively. P.Y. 17 is also frequently used in polyolefins. Its heat stability in these media was said to be about 220 to 240xc2x0 C.xe2x80x9d However, R. Az et al reported in Dyes and Pigments, 15, 1 (1991), that diarylide yellows are degraded to potentially carcinogenic by products (e.g., 3,3xe2x80x2-dichlorobenzidine) in plastics processed above 200xc2x0 C., a temperature lower than that used in processing most plastics (e.g., 230-330xc2x0 C.). To overcome these disadvantages, azo pigment manufacturers have actively pursued development of alternative types of azo yellows.
One alternative type of azo yellows are disazo yellow pigments made by coupling bis(acetoacetamido)benzenes into aniline derivatives. U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,778 describes coupling 1,4-BAAAB into 2,5-dicarbomethoxyaniline (to give C.I. Pigment Yellow 155) and heating the pigment in an organic solvent at 80-150xc2x0 C. for up to 6 hours. U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,216 relates to the preparation of printing inks involving the step of preparing disazo pigments in the presence of nonionic surfactants having a 5-90xc2x0 C. cloud point to give pigments suitable for printing inks. This patent does not mention any metallized pigments. German Offenlegungsschrift 3501199 describes coupling 1,4-BAAAB into mixtures of anilines substituted with one or two carboalkoxy groups to give pigments that disperse easily into polypropylene. Canadian Patent 1135688 describes the pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB into anilines substituted with nitro and carboalkoxy groups. Czech Patents 188727 and 185798 describe the pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB into anilines substituted with urea groups. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,146,558 and 4,103,092 describe coupling 1,4-BAAAB into anilines substituted with quaternized aminoalkyl or aminoalkoxy groups to give water-soluble dyes. Swiss Patent 585,247 describes coupling 1,4-BAAAB into an aminoquinoline derivative and heating with N,N-dimethylformamide at 140 C to obtain a greenish yellow pigment for coloring polyvinyl chloride plastics. U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,038 provides pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB or various substituted 1,4-BAMBs into anilines substituted with nitro groups. U.K. Patents 1400533 and 1396526 describe the pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB or various substituted 1,4-BAAABs into anilines substituted with a chlorine and methyl groups or two chlorine groups. German Offenlegungsschrift 2336915 describes the pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB or various substituted 1,4-BAAABs into anilines substituted with nitro groups and other groups. U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,162 describes the pigments resulting from coupling 1,4-BAAAB or various substituted 1,4-BAAABs into o-phenetidine.
Another alternative type of azo yellows are the metallized monoazo yellows. C.I. Pigment Yellow 62 is a slightly redder yellow, but much weaker tinctorially than C.I. Pigment Yellow 17. A recent metallized monoazo yellow, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,967, is stronger tinctorially than C.I. Pigment Yellow 17, but is an even redder yellow (though not as red as metallized medium shade yellows C.I. Pigment Yellows 183 and 191). A metallized disazo yellow described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,671 is a green shade yellow, but much weaker than C.I. Pigment Yellow 17.
Two alternative yellow pigments are C.I. Pigment Yellow 109 (isoindolinone) and C.I. Pigment Yellow 138 (quinophthalone). These green shade yellows are very close in hue to C.I. Pigment Yellow 17, but are much more expensive, much weaker, and contain eight chlorine atoms per molecule, a potential environmental disadvantage.
Plastics processors that use diarylide yellows are particularly conscious of the increased costs of using the higher concentrations of weaker yellows required for coloring plastics to the required tinctorial strengths. Although one disazo pigment made from coupling 1,4-BAAAB, C.I. Pigment Yellow 155, is a commercial pigment, this pigment (Sandorin 4G) is much weaker and slightly redder than C.I. Pigment Yellow 17 and shows poor heat stability (see below) at 288 C, a temperature commonly used to process polypropylene and other plastics. Thus, there is a need for a new green shade yellow azo pigment that shows strength comparable to C.I. Pigment Yellow 17, as well as good heat stability and good lightfastness.
Pigments that are used in plastics for food and beverage packaging must resist extraction in order to avoid contaminating the packed consumable. Organic substances, such as ethyl alcohol, are common ingredients in food and beverages that could cause pigment extraction. Plastic processors have a limited choice in using Pigment Yellow 138 or Pigment yellow 180 for food and beverage packaging in the green-shade yellow color range. Thus, there is a need for economical green-shade yellow azo pigments that exhibit good color strength, heat stability and resistance to extraction/bleed resistance.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Rather, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter. The present invention generally relates to disazo yellow pigments suitable for use as coloring agents, processes for their preparation and their use in plastic, coating and ink compositions. The disazo yellow pigments exhibit both a desirable green shade and strength.
One aspect of the invention relates to laked disazo pigment compounds represented by Formula I:
wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy carbonyl group having 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and halo-alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and M is at least one divalent metal.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making a green shade yellow pigment involving coupling a diazonium component containing a compound prepared from an aromatic amine represented by Formula II
wherein R3 and R4 are as described above with a coupling component comprising a coupler represented by Formula III
wherein R1 and R2 are as described above; and metallizing with a salt.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.
The present invention provides laked disazo yellow pigments, methods for their preparation, methods for their use, and compositions containing the laked disazo yellow pigments. The laked disazo yellow pigments of the present invention may be prepared by initially diazotizing one or more aromatic amines to provide one more diazonium components, coupling the diazonium component(s) with a coupling component to form the desired dye, and then laking the dye. The laked disazo yellow pigments have at least one of a desirable green shade, heat stability, good strength, bleed resistance, migration resistance, and low or no toxicity.
Aromatic amines suitable for the purposes of the present invention are characterized by Formula II:
wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and halo-alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Halogen atoms include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. In another embodiment, R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, chloro, an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, and fluoro-alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, such as trifluoromethyl. R3 and R4 may be the same or different. Alkyl groups specifically include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and isobutyl.
Examples of aromatic amines include 2-aminobenzoic acid; 2-amino-3-methylbenzoic acid; 2-amino-5-methylbenzoic acid; 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid; 2-amino-3-methoxybenzoic acid; 2-amino-3-hydroxybenzoic acid; 2-amino-3-chlorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-6-chlorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-5-bromobenzoic acid; 2-amino-4-fluorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-5-fluorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-6-fluorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-4,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid; 2-amino-3,5-diiodobenzoic acid; 2-amino-4,5-difluorobenzoic acid; 2-amino-3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid; salts thereof; and the like.
Mixtures of two or more amines where at least one of the amines is an aromatic amine represented by Formula II are within the scope of this invention. Amines not within the scope of Formula II are supplemental amines. A brief list of examples of supplemental amines include 2-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, 2-amino-5-methoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-5-ethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid, 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-chloro-5-ethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-methyl-5-methoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-ethyl-5-methoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-methyl-5-ethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-ethyl-5-ethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-amino-4,5-diethoxy-benzenesulfonic acid; 2-aminobenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 4-aminobenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 2-amino-5-methylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 3-amino-6-methylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 2-amino-5-chloro-4-ethylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 2-amino-5-chloro-4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid; 3-aminobenzoic acid; 4-aminobenzoic acid; 3-amino-2-methylbenzoic acid; 4-amino-3-methoxybenzoic acid; 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid; 3-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid; 1-naphthyl amine; 2-naphthyl amine; 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid; 4-aminobiphenyl-3xe2x80x2-sulfonic acid; 4,4xe2x80x2-diaminobiphenyl-2,2xe2x80x2-disulfonic acid 2-methoxy-4-nitroaniline; 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline; 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline; 2-amino-4-chloro-5-nitrotoluene; 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline; 2-chloro-5-nitroaniline; 4-chloro-2-nitroaniline; 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline; 5-chloro-2-nitroaniline; 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline; 2-chloro-4-methylaniline; 2-chloro-5-methylaniline; 2-chloro-6-methylaniline; 3-chloro-2-methylaniline; 3-chloro-4-methylaniline; 4-chloro-2-methylaniline; 5-chloro-2-methylaniline; 4-chloro-2-methoxy-5-methylaniline; 4-chloro-2,6-dinitroaniline; 6-chloro-2,4-dinitroaniline; 2-chloro-4,6-dimethylaniline; 3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline; 4-chloro-2,6-dibromoaniline; 2-chloroaniline; 3-chloroaniline; 4-chloroaniline; 5-chloro-2-methoxyaniline; 3-chloro-4-methoxyaniline; aniline; 2-amino-3-methylphenol; 2-amino-4-methylphenol; 3-amino-2-methylphenol; 4-amino-3-methylphenol; salts thereof, and the like.
The diazotization of the aromatic amine(s) may be carried out in the manners known to those skilled in the art. For example, diazotization may be conducted through the use of alkali metal nitrites or lower alkyl nitrites together with an adequately strong acid such as a mineral acid. Examples of useful mineral acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, nitrosyl sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid. In one embodiment, the diazotization reaction can be conducted at a temperature in the range from about xe2x88x9220 to about +30xc2x0 C. In another embodiment, the diazotization reaction can be conducted at a temperature in the range from about 0 to about 15xc2x0 C.
Generally, bis(acetoacetamido)benzene couplers include 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene and substituted 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzenes. The bis(acetoacetamido)benzene couplers suitable for use in the present invention are represented by Formula III:
wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an alkoxy carbonyl group having 1 to about 5 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, chloro, an alkyl group having 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, and an alkoxy carbonyl group having 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 may be the same or different. Alkoxy groups specifically include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, and butoxy.
Specific examples of bis(acetoacetamido)benzene couplers include 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-chloro-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-bromo-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-trifluoromethyl 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,6-bis-trifluromethyl 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methoxycarbonyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-ethoxycarbonyl 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-cyano-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-ethyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene, 2-ethoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-propoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-isopropoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-butoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-phenoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-nitro-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-diethoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-ethoxy-5-methoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-dichloro-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,3-dichloro-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,6-dichloro-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-dibromo-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,6-dibromo-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-chloro-5-methoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-chloro-5-ethoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-chloro-5-methyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methyl-5-methoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methyl-5-ethoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methyl-5-propoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; 2-methyl-5-isopropoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene; and 2-methyl-5-butoxy-1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene.
In one embodiment, the bis(acetoacetamido)benzene coupler may contain mixtures of two or more of any of the bis(acetoacetamido)benzene coupler components of Formula III. In another embodiment, the bis(acetoacetamido)benzene coupler may contain mixtures of two or more couplers where at least one of the couplers is a 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene of Formula III. Couplers not within the scope of Formula III are supplemental couplers. A brief list of examples of supplemental couplers includes hydroxynaphthalenesulfonic acid couplers, pyrazolone couplers, acetoacetanilide couplers, and the like.
The coupling reaction may be effected by adding the coupling components to the diazo components, or by adding the diazonium components to the coupling components. Coupling is generally effected at a temperature from about xe2x88x9220 to about 80xc2x0 C. In another embodiment, coupling is effected at a temperature from about 0 to about 70xc2x0 C. As in the diazotization reaction, coupling may be carried out in the presence or absence of a surface active agent and/or suitable organic solvent, such as all of those identified above in connection with the diazotization reaction. Coupling is generally effected at a pH of about 4 or more and about 12 or less. In another embodiment, coupling is effected at a pH of about 5 or more and about 11 or less.
Generally, the diazonium component is coupled with a slight stoichiometric excess of the coupling component. That is, two equivalents of the diazonium component are coupled with slightly more than two equivalents of the coupling component. In one embodiment, the ratio of equivalents of the diazonium component to the coupling component is from about 1.7:2 to about 2.1:2. In another embodiment, the ratio of equivalents of the diazonium component to the coupling component is from about 1.8:2 to about 2:2. In yet another embodiment, the ratio of equivalents of the diazonium component to the coupling component is from about 1.9:2 to about 2:2.
In one embodiment, the coupling component is dissolved in a basic solution such as an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution and reprecipitated with a dilute acid such as acetic acid before use in the coupling reaction.
In another embodiment, it is advantageous in one or more of the diazotization reaction, the coupling reaction, and the metallization reaction to include one or more appropriate surface active agents and/organic solvents. Examples of surface active agents include amine oxide surfactants, and specifically cationic amine oxide surfactants, polymeric surfactants, ethoxylate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants and derivatives thereof and specifically anionic sulfosuccinate surfactants and derivatives thereof. These surfactants are known in the art, and many of these surfactants are described in McCutcheon""s xe2x80x9cVolume I: Emulsifiers and Detergentsxe2x80x9d, 2001, North American Edition, published by McCutcheon""s Division MCP Publishing Corp., Glen Rock, N.J., and in particular, pp. 1-233 which describes a number of surfactants and is hereby incorporated by reference for the disclosure in this regard.
In one embodiment, the diazotization reaction mixture, the coupling reaction mixture, and/or the metallization reaction mixture contains from about 0.1 to about 20% by weight of a surface active agent (for example, about 4 wt. %). In another embodiment, the diazotization reaction mixture, the coupling reaction mixture, and/or the metallization reaction mixture contains from about 1 to about 10% by weight of a surface active agent.
Ethoxylate surfactants include alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. The alkyl group may contain 1 to about 24 and preferably 2 to about 18 carbon atoms. Examples include octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol and nonylphenol ethoxylate. These materials are available from Dow Chemical under the trade designation Triton(copyright), N42, N-57 and N-101. An alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactant may be an anionic surfactant or a nonionic surfactant. Specific examples include alkylpolyethylene glycol ether acetic acid, and ethoxylate anionic complexes. Specific compounds are commercially available from Clariant Chemicals under the general trade designation Sandopan(copyright) and from Condea Vista Company under the general trade designation xe2x80x9cMarlowet.xe2x80x9d Alcohol Ethoxylate/propyloxylate surfactants include straight chain or branched alcohol ethoxylatelpropyloxylate. Specific compounds are commercially available from Rhodia under the general trade designation xe2x80x9cAntaroxxe2x80x9d.
Polymeric surfactants include fatty acid modified polymer resins, polyester hydrocarbons, and polycarboxy hydrocarbon compounds. Examples include those available from Efka.
Amine oxide surfactants include N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)cocoalkylamine oxide, N,N-dimethylcocoalkylamine oxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)tallowamine oxide, coco amidopropyl amine oxide, lauryl (12,14,16 blend) dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, and stearyl dimethylamine oxide. Examples include those under the trade designation Aromox available from Akzo Nobel Chemicals and specifically product designations C/12, C/12W, DMC, DMC-W, DMHT, DM16, and T/12; those under the trade designation Barlox(copyright) available from Lonza and specifically product designations C, 12 and 14; those under the trade designation DeMox available from DeForest Enterprises and specifically product designations CAPO and LAO; and those under the trade designation Schercamox available from Scher Chemicals and specifically product designation DMS.
Sulfosuccinate surfactants include disodium ethoxylatedalcohol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid, disodium ethoxylated nonylphenol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid, dicyclohexyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, disodium isodecyl sulfosuccinate, diamyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, dihexyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, sodium salt of sulfated nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, bis(tridecyl) ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, and disodium alkyl sulfosuccinate. Examples include those under the trade designation Aerosol available from Cytec Industries and specifically product designations A-102, A-103, A-196, A-268, AY, MA-801, NPES, OT, TR-70 and 501; those under the trade designation Geropon available from Rhodia and specifically product designations SDS, SS-O and 99; and those under the trade designation Mackanate available from The McIntyre Group and specifically product designations DOS-70M5 and DOS-75.
In one embodiment, it is advantageous in one or more of the diazotization reaction, the coupling reaction, and the metallization reaction to include one or more appropriate organic solvents. For example, suitable organic solvents include one or more of glacial acetic acid, lower alkanols, dioxane, formamide, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine or N-methyl pyrrolidone. In another embodiment, it is advantageous in one or more of the diazotization reaction, the coupling reaction, and the metallization reaction not to include one or more organic solvents.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispersibility of the pigments of the present invention can be improved by adding alkali-soluble resin like products before, during, or after the coupling is completed. Various resin like materials can be added for this purpose, and these include for example, rosin resins, polymeric rosins, resin soap, chemically modified rosin resins, such as rosin-maleinate resins, alkyd resins, and other synthetic hydrocarbon resins with a higher acid number, or combination of these resins. The resins may be present in a product with free carboxyl groups that are capable of forming a salt, or may be partially or completely in the form of salts, for example, with alkali metal ions. It may also be advantageous to perform the coupling reaction in the presence of a finely divided insoluble material, for example, alkaline earth metal sulfates and carbonates, titanium dioxide or clay materials or very finely divided organic plastic materials.
In yet another embodiment, the coupling reaction is performed in the presence of a finely divided insoluble material. Examples of finely divided insoluble materials include alkaline earth metal sulfates and carbonates, titanium dioxide, clay materials such as kaolin, or very finely divided organic plastic materials.
It is to be noted that the unmetallized product obtained by coupling 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene into about two equivalents of anthranilic acid and represented by the following chemical structure of Formula IV:
that displays a red shade yellow color instead of a green shade yellow color of the present invention. If the above product is processed at a higher pH, one obtains the corresponding disodium salt represented by Formula V:
that displays very weak color and is not of commercial significance.
The coupled disazo compound is metallized with a suitable amount of divalent metal so that the compound is fully or substantially metallized (not partially metallized). Metallization is performed using about two equivalents of a monovalent salt or about one equivalent of a divalent metal salt which forms the carboxylate salt. This is also known as laking and forms a metallized pigment. The divalent metal salt may be a salt of at least one or more of alkaline earth metals, manganese, nickel, and zinc specifically including mixtures of two or more of these metals. Examples of alkaline earth metals include magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. Examples of divalent metal salts include CaCl2, CaBr2, CaF2, Ca(NO3)2, MgCl2, MgBr2, MgF2, Mg(NO3)2, MgSO4, SrCl2, SrBr2, SrF2, Sr(NO3)2, BaCl2, BaBr2, BaF2, Ba(NO3)2, MnCl2, MnBr2, MnF2, Mn(NO3)2, MnSO4, NiCl2, NiBr2, Ni(NO3)2, NiSO4, ZnCl2, ZnBr2, ZnF2, Zn(NO3)2, and ZnSO4.
Metallization may be accomplished by adding the metal salt to the dye after coupling of the diazonium component present is complete or by including about one equivalent of the metal salt in the diazonium components whereby metallization occurs as the dye is formed (during coupling). If the unmetallized colorant is essentially insoluble in water then sometimes it is preferable to isolate the colorant by filtering and washing and subsequently metallize it with a divalent metal salt.
In most applications, it is desirable, in order to achieve the full brightness and tinctorial strength, to optionally heat the laked disazo yellow pigments. For example, the disazo yellow pigments may be heated to reflux temperature for about 0.25 to about 3 hours at temperatures about 100xc2x0 C. or higher optionally under pressure in the presence or absence of the above described resin soaps or other soluble resins.
After completion of the reactions and optional heating, the disazo yellow pigments are recovered from the water based reaction slurry by filtering to form a press cake of pigment which is washed with hot water (e.g., from about 40 to about 70xc2x0 C.) so as to remove the excess acids, bases and unwanted salts formed during the coupling reaction. The press cake is typically washed with from about 10 to about 20 times its volume of water. The filter cake is generally washed until the filtrate gives only a slightly positive test for chloride ion. The washed press cakes can be dried, ground and used in the form of a coarse or finely divided powder. Alternatively, the disazo yellow pigments of this invention can be dispersed into oleoresinous vehicles to prepare flushed bases or dispersed into aqueous or organic vehicles to prepare aqueous dispersions or organic pigment compositions.
The green shade yellow pigments of the present invention are represented by Formula I:
wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy carbonyl group having 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and halo-alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and M is at least one divalent metal, such as barium, calcium, magnesium, strontium, manganese, nickel, and zinc. In one embodiment, the green shade yellow pigments of the present invention are free of halogen atoms.
In one specific embodiment, the present invention relates to coupling 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene or substituted 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene into about two equivalents of anthranilic acid and metallizing with a divalent metal to give a metallized disazo yellow pigment represented by Formula VI:
wherein M is a divalent metal such as Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, or Zn; and R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, or a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, such as trifluoromethyl.
In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to coupling 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene into about two equivalents of anthranilic acid and metallizing with a divalent metal to give a metallized disazo yellow pigment represented by Formula VII:
wherein M is a divalent metal such as Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, or Zn.
In yet another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to coupling 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene into about two equivalents of anthranilic acid and metallizing with calcium to give a metallized disazo yellow pigment represented by Formula VIII:
In still yet another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to coupling 1,4-bis(acetoacetamido)benzene into about two equivalents of anthranilic acid and metallizing with strontium to give a metallized disazo yellow pigment represented by Formula IX:
The pigments and pigment compositions of this invention provide strong green shade yellow pigments exhibiting at least one of resistance to organic solvents while having good color strength, light fastness and/or heat stability and are useful as coloring agents in plastics, coatings, papers, electrostatic toners, and inks. This invention, therefore, also relates to coatings, ink, electrostatic toner, paper, and plastic compositions comprising major amounts of a coating vehicle, ink vehicle, paper vehicle, electrostatic toner, or plastic and minor amounts of the metallized disazo yellow pigment(s) of this invention. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to plastics comprising the metallized disazo pigment and another fine particulate material such as clay, kaolin, silica, or titanium dioxide. Major amounts include at least 50% by weight whereas minor amounts include less than 50% by weight.
The paint, ink, plastic, powder coating, electrostatic toner, and paper compositions in which the compositions of this invention are useful are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include printing inks, lacquers, thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, natural resins and synthetic resins, polystyrene and its mixed polymers, polyolefins, in particular polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylic compounds, polyvinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate, rubber, and also filaments made of viscose and cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters, for example polyglycol terephthalates, polycarbonates, polyimides, and polyacrylonitrile. Polyolefins specifically include high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, very low density polyethylene, and linear low density polyethylene.
Due to the high resistance to extraction by organic solvents and excellent heat resistance, these pigments are particularly suitable for the pigmenting of plastics in the mass, such as, for example, of polystyrene and its mixed polymers, polyolefins, in particular polyethylene and polypropylene and the corresponding mixed polymers, polyvinyl chloride and polyesters in particular polyethylene glycol terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate and the corresponding mixed condensation products based on polyesters.
Organic solvents to which the metallized disazo pigments have high resistance to extraction include alcohols, such as ethanol. In one embodiment, the metallized disazo pigments have high resistance to alcohol extraction. In a specific embodiment, when a plastic composition containing the metallized disazo pigment and low density polyethylene is exposed to 10% ethanol solution or a 95% ethanol solution at about 65xc2x0 C. for about 3 days, an extracted color in the solution is not observed. In another specific embodiment, when a plastic composition containing the metallized disazo pigment and low density polyethylene is exposed to 10% ethanol solution or a 95% ethanol solution at about 65xc2x0 C. for about 4 days, an extracted color in the solution is not observed.
See, for example, with regard to ink: R. H. Leach, editor, The Printing Ink Manual, Fourth Edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold (International) Co.Ltd., London (1988), particularly pages 282-591; with regard to paints: C. H. Hare, Protective Coatings, Technology Publishing Co., Pittsburgh (1994), particularly pages 63-288; and with regard to plastics: T. G. Webber, Coloring of Plastics, John Wiley and Sons, New York (1979), particularly pages 79-204. The foregoing references are hereby incorporated by reference herein for their teachings of ink, paint, and plastic compositions, formulations and vehicles in which the compositions of this invention may be used including amounts of colorants. For example, the pigment may be used at a level from about 10 to about 15% by weight in an offset lithographic ink, with the remainder being a vehicle containing gelled and ungelled hydrocarbon resins, alkyd resins, wax compounds and aliphatic solvent. The pigment may also be used, for example, at a level from about 1 to about 10% by weight in an interior paint formulation along with other pigments, which could include titanium dioxide, acrylic latices, coalescing agents, water or solvents. The pigment may also be used, for example, at a level from about 20 to about 30% by weight in a plastic color concentrate in polyethylene.
The following examples illustrate the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated in the following examples and elsewhere in the specification and claims, all parts and percentages are by weight, all temperatures are in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or near atmospheric pressure.

Non-migrating metallized disazo green shade yellow pigment

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, a halo-alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy carbonyl group having 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and halo-alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and M is at least one divalent metal. Also disclosed are methods of making the green shade yellow pigments, methods of using the green shade yellow pigments, and coating compositions, ink compositions, electrostatic toner compositions, paint compositions, paper compositions, and plastic compositions containing the green shade yellow pigments.


The disclosure provides a display panel and a flexible display device. The display panel includes: a non-bending region, which includes a first non-bending region and a second non-bending region; a bending region, configured to connect with the first non-bending region and the second non-bending region; a supporting structure, between the first non-bending region and the second non-bending region and close to the bending region, where the supporting structure is configured to support the first non-bending region and the second non-bending region; and a buffer structure, on at least one edge of the supporting structure close to the bending region, and configured to buffer pressing of the edge of the supporting structure on the non-bending region.

Along with the progress of the display technology, the flexible display devices are getting more and more attention due to the advantages of low power consumption, small in size, deformable, bendable and the like. The development of a flexible anti-bending display product becomes the research emphasis in the display field, and especially the implementation of a narrow-bezel flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device is the research and development hot topic of the display field.

Display panel and flexible display device

Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


Provided is a measurement method for measuring, in an electron microscope including a segmented detector having a detection plane segmented into a plurality of detection regions, a direction of each of the plurality of detection regions in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) image, the measurement method including: shifting an electron beam EB incident on a sample S under a state where the detection plane is conjugate to a plane shifted from a diffraction plane to shift the electron beam EB on the detection plane, and measuring a shift direction of the electron beam EB on the detection plane with the segmented detector; and obtaining the direction of each of the plurality of detection regions in the STEM image from the shift direction.

The present invention relates to a measurement method and an electron microscope.
A scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is an electron microscope configured to perform scan on a sample with a converged electron beam, and map, in synchronization with the scan, the strength of detection signals based on transmitted electrons or scattered electrons from the sample, to thereby obtain a scanning transmission electron microscope image (STEM image). The scanning transmission electron microscope has attracted attention in recent years as an electron microscope capable of obtaining quite high spatial resolution at an atomic level.
As an electron detector that is mounted on such a scanning transmission electron microscope, there has been known a segmented detector having a detection plane segmented into a plurality of detection regions. The segmented detector includes independent detection systems for the plurality of segmented detection regions, and each detection system only detects electrons incident on a specific detection region on the detection plane. In the scanning transmission electron microscope, the detection plane and a diffraction plane are matched with each other (are conjugate planes). This corresponds to that electrons having passed through or scattered from the sample to enter specific solid angle regions are detected. Using the segmented detector therefore has an advantage that pieces of information on the solid angle dependence of electron scattering due to the sample can be simultaneously obtained to be quantitatively evaluated (for example, see JP-A-2011-243516).
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a related-art scanning transmission electron microscope 101 including a segmented detector. In FIG. 14, only the main part of the scanning transmission electron microscope 101 is illustrated.
In the scanning transmission electron microscope 101, as illustrated in FIG. 14, an electron beam EB is converged on the surface of a sample S by an illumination-lens system 102. Then, the electron beam EB having passed through the sample S is detected by a segmented detector 106 after the camera length is adjusted by an imaging lens system 104. A charge coupled device (CCD) camera 108 is placed behind the segmented detector 106.
As a method for visualizing the electromagnetic field of a sample with the use of the scanning transmission electron microscope including the segmented detector as described above, there has been known the differential phase contrast (DPC) method. This method includes measuring how much an electron beam is deflected when passing through a sample, and calculating, on the basis of the measurement result, the electromagnetic field of the sample that causes the deflection of the electron beam.
When measurement is performed by the DPC method, the direction of a detection region of the segmented detector needs to be adjusted with respect to a STEM image. When the direction of the detection region of the segmented detector in the STEM image is unknown, the direction of an electromagnetic field that acts on an electron beam having passed through a sample, thereby deflecting the electron beam cannot be identified.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the crystal orientations of the sample S and the relative orientations of detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the segmented detector 106. FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image I (D2-D4) based on a difference between a STEM image obtained in the detection region D2 and a STEM image obtained in the detection region D4, and an image I (D1-D3) based on a difference between a STEM image obtained in the detection region D1 and a STEM image obtained in the detection region D3.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, for example, the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 are arranged so that the detection regions D2 and D4 are placed in a [110] direction, and the detection regions D1 and D3 are placed in a [−110] direction. Photography is performed under this state, and a STEM image is obtained for each of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4. The image I (D2-D4) and the image I (D1-D3) illustrated in FIG. 16 are then generated. An X direction of the photographed STEM image corresponds to the [110] direction of the sample S, and a Y direction of the STEM image corresponds to the [−110] direction of the sample S.
From the image I (D2-D4), which is illustrated in FIG. 16, information on deflection in the [110] direction that is caused when the electron beam passes through the sample can be obtained, and from the image I (D1-D3), information on deflection in the [−110] direction can be obtained. On the basis of the relationship between the crystal orientations and the deflection, the distribution of the electromagnetic field in the sample can be grasped.
Here, description is given on an example of a method for measuring the direction of each of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the segmented detector 106 in a STEM image. FIG. 17 to FIG. 23 are diagrams illustrating an example of the measurement method.
In order to grasp the direction of each of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the segmented detector 106 in the STEM image, first, the imaging lens system 104 is adjusted so that the surface of a sample is conjugate to a detection plane 105 as illustrated in FIG. 17. When scan is performed under this state, an image I1 having the shape of the detection plane 105 can be obtained as illustrated in FIG. 18. In addition, the segmented detector 106 is retracted, for example, and an image 12 (see FIG. 19) of a probe being scanned by the CCD camera 108 is obtained. In this way, a scan region can be confirmed. When these images are combined, the relationship between the direction of each of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the detection plane 105 and the direction of the CCD camera 108 is grasped as illustrated in FIG. 20.
Next, the scanning transmission electron microscope 101 is returned to the setting for obtaining a STEM image illustrated in FIG. 14. Under this condition, as illustrated in FIG. 21, an image 14 that is an image of the shadow of the illumination system's aperture (not shown) is observed. When defocus is added so that the detection plane 105 is shifted from the diffraction plane, the shadow of the aperture is moved along with the scan. For example, when photography is performed with long exposure time by performing scan only in the X direction, as illustrated in FIG. 22, an image I5 that indicates the locus of the shadow of the aperture is obtained. From a direction A of the movement of the shadow of the aperture and the direction of each of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the detection plane 105 in an image 13, which is illustrated in FIG. 20, the directions of the detection regions D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the segmented detector 106 in the STEM image can be grasped as illustrated in FIG. 23. The direction A illustrated in FIG. 23 corresponds to the X direction of the STEM image.
In this way, in the above-mentioned method for measuring the direction of the detection region in the STEM image, the direction of the detection region with respect to the STEM image (scanning direction) is measured in the two stages, that is, the direction of the CCD camera with respect to the segmented detector, and the scanning direction with respect to the segmented detector. Thus, in such a measurement method, it takes long time to only obtain the images I1 to I5 necessary for measurement. The direction of the detection region of the segmented detector in the STEM image is changed also when the scanning direction is changed. Performing the above-mentioned measurement every time the scanning direction is changed puts a heavy burden on a user. Further, in such a measurement method, the CCD camera is necessary.

Measurement method and electron microscope


The present invention provides a compound of formula I:

Opioids are widely used in patients with advanced cancers and other terminal diseases to lessen suffering. Opioids are narcotic medications that activate opioid receptors located in the central nervous system to relieve pain. Opioids, however, also react with receptors outside of the central nervous system, resulting in side effects including constipation, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and severe itching. Most notable are the effects in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) where opioids inhibit gastric emptying and propulsive motor activity of the intestine, thereby decreasing the rate of intestinal transit and producing constipation. The effectiveness of opioids for pain is often limited due to resultant side effects, which can be debilitating and often cause patients to cease use of opioid analgesics.
In addition to analgesic opioid induced side effects, studies have suggested that endogenous opioid compounds and receptors may also affect activity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may be involved in normal regulation of intestinal motility and mucosal transport of fluids in both animals and man. (Koch, T. R. et al, Digestive Diseases and Sciences 1991, 36, 712-728; Schuller, A. G. P., et al., Society of Neurosoience Abstracts 1998, 24, 524, Reisine, T., and Pasternak, G., Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics Ninth Edition 1996, 521-555 and Bagnol, D., et al., Regul. Pept. 1993, 47, 259-273). Thus, an abnormal physiological level of endogenous compounds and/or receptor activity may lead to bowel dysfunction.
For example, patients who have undergone surgical procedures, especially surgery of the abdomen, often suffer from a particular bowel dysfunction, called post-operative (or post-surgical) ileus, that may be caused by fluctuations in natural opioid levels. Similarly, women who have recently given birth commonly suffer from post-partum ileus, which is thought to be caused by similar natural opioid fluctuations as a result of birthing stress. Gastrointestinal dysfunction associated with post-operative or post partum ileus can typically last for 3 to 5 days, with some severe cases lasting more than a week. Administration of opioid analgesics to a patient after surgery, which is now an almost universal practice, may exacerbate bowel dysfunction, thereby delaying recovery of normal bowel function, prolonging hospital stays, and increasing medical care costs.
Opioid receptor antagonists such as naloxone, naltrexone, and nalmefene, have been studied as a means of antagonizing undesirable peripheral effects of opioids. However, these agents act not only on peripheral opioid receptors, but also on central nervous system sites, so that they sometimes reverse the beneficial analgesic effects of opioids, or cause symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Preferable approaches for use in controlling opioid-induced side effects include administration of peripheral opioid receptor antagonist compounds that do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. For example, the peripheral μ opioid receptor antagonist compound methylnaltrexone and related compounds have been disclosed for use in curbing opioid-induced side effects in patients (e.g., constipation, pruritus, nausea, and/or vomiting). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,972,954, 5,102,887, 4,861,781, and 4,719,215; and Yuan, C. -S. et al. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 1998, 52, 161. Similarly, peripherally selective piperidine-N-alkylcarboxylate and 3,4-dimethyl-4-aryl-piperidine opioid receptor antagonists have been described as being useful for treatment of opioid-induced side effects constipation, nausea or vomiting, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and idiopathic constipation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,250,542, 5,434,171, 5,159,081, and 5,270,328.
It would be desirable to provide peripheral μ opioid receptor antagonist compounds for administration to a patient in need of treatment for any of the above-mentioned disorders.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Peripheral opioid receptor antagonists and uses thereof

Abstract: wherein X−, R1, and R2 are as defined herein, and compositions thereof; useful as a peripheral mu opioid receptor antagonist.


A process for recovering 4,4' bisphenol sulfone from an isomer mixture comprising the 4,4' and 2,4' isomers of bisphenol sulfone, which process comprises dissolving the isomer misture in a basic aqueous solution and adding a non-neutralizing amount of acid to selectively precipitate crystals of 4,4' bisphenol sulfone.

4,4' bisphenol sulfone (4,4' dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone) has found particular utility as a monomer in the production of high molecular weight polymers such as polyphenylsulfone resins. For such use, however, 4,4' bisphenol sulfone must be substantially free of its 2,4' bisphenol sulfone isomer and be of high purity in order to yield a quality polymer product. Polymers made from 4,4' bisphenol sulfone having an appreciable amount of 2,4' isomer generally do not reach as high a molecular weight and do not exhibit mechanical properties as excellent as polymers made from purified 4,4' bisphenol sulfone. As little as 2 percent impurity can cause the 4,4' bisphenol sulfone to be unsatisfactory as a monomer for certain polymerizations.
Commercial processes generally have not been able to synthesize 4,4' bisphenol sulfone of sufficient purity for its general application as a polymerization monomer. Almost invariably 4,4' bisphenol sulfone is formed in admixture with undesirably large amounts of its 2,4' isomer. Depending on the method of its synthesis, 4,4' bisphenol sulfone also may contain minor amounts of a variety of other impurities such as phenol, phenol sulfonic acid, quinone-type coloring agents, resins and tars.
Accordingly, the literature is replete with descriptions of proposed methods for recovering 4,4' bisphenol sulfone from mixtures of 4,4' and 2,4' bisphenol sulfone. Proposed recovery methods include various processes using organic solvents to extract the 2,4' isomer and recover the undissolved 4,4' isomer from isomer mixtures of bisphenol sulfone. For example, there have been described solvent extraction methods using ethers (U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,828), S-tetrachloroethane (U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,274) and esters (U.S. Pat. No. 3,551,501). These methods, however, generally require a high temperature solvent extraction step, followed by a solvent wash step, and then a recrystallization step to recover purified 4,4' bisphenol sulfone from the bisphenol sulfone mixture. This succession of steps inevitably results in substantial loss of 4,4' bisphenol sulfone, as well as solvent, thereby rendering the methods commercially unacceptable.
Recovery of 4,4' bisphenol sulfone by recrystallization from water also has been often proposed. Due to the low solubility of bisphenol sulfone in water, the described methods employ heated solutions of alkali (U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,270) or convert bisphenol sulfone to an alkali metal salt (U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,666) in order to more readily achieve an aqueous solution to which is added activated carbon that adsorbs impurities. After filtration, the aqueous solution is neutralized or acidified and the bisphenol sulfone recrystallizes. These recrystallization methods, however, are only effective in recovering 4,4' bisphenol sulfone product free from by-product coloring agents and resinous impurities, as substantial amounts of 2,4' isomer precipitate along with the 4,4' isomer.
Other aqueous recrystallization methods that have been proposed for recovering 4,4' bisphenol sulfone are described as involving the formation and heat dissolution of a calcium complex (U.S. Pat. No. 2,392,137) or an alkali-metal complex (U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,183) which precipitate upon cooling of the solution. These methods, though they are said to be effective in removing some 2,4' isomer, nevertheless coprecipitate 2,4' bisphenol sulfone in amounts such that successive recrystallizations are required to recover 4,4' bisphenol sulfone of high purity. Again the succession of steps results in unacceptable product loss.

Process for recovering 4,4' dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone from an isomer mixture


An apparatus for measuring contents similarity based on feedback information from ranked users includes: a user ranking unit for receiving from a database information on users as contents creators and feedback information on contents and ranking the users based on the received information; and a user grouping unit for classifying the users into a plurality of groups based on the ranking result. The apparatus further includes: a sequence modeling unit for receiving from the database the contents and the feedback information and modeling the number of feedbacks as sequences based on the ranked user groups; and a post similarity calculation unit for measuring similarity between the modeled sequences.

In general, users can create user-generated contents and publish the created contents to other users on an online network such as an online community, a blog, a social network or the like on the internet.
Further, a technique for ranking various posts based on predetermined criteria and searching a desired post has been developed along with the development of the posts and the contents technique. A document ranking technique is used to search a desired post based on the ranking. A conventional document ranking technique is classified into a keyword-based document ranking technique and a document ranking technique using link analysis between web documents.
The keyword-based document ranking technique includes a TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) technique developed based on a conventional information retrieval theory. This technique utilizes a term frequency in a document and an inverse document frequency of a document frequency including terms.
Meanwhile, the document ranking technique using link analysis between web documents includes a page rank technique for computing rank scores of web documents by analyzing a reciprocal link relationship between the web documents and a HITS (Hyperlink-Induced Topic Search) technique for calculating an authority score and a hub score of each document by analyzing a reciprocal link relationship based on a web document search result.
Meanwhile, users can leave feedbacks on published posts. For example, the users' feedbacks on the posts include read or view, comment, reply, favorite, evaluation and the like.
Here, it should be noted that a post with feedbacks from users shows the users' tendency. For example, high-ranked users of high expertise tend to prefer high expertise posts and give feedbacks on such posts, whereas middle- or low-ranked users of low expertise tend to prefer commercial posts compared to high expertise posts and give feedbacks on such posts. When users read movie posts or image posts, movies or images that are artistic and professional receive high scores from experts of the related area, whereas movies or images that are fun are preferred by the public and receive feedbacks therefrom. In other words, a post preference tendency is different in accordance with user ranks.
FIGS. 1A to 1C show feedback graphs on three posts preferred by different user groups.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C showing the three posts preferred by different user groups, the x-axis indicates user groups, and the y-axis indicates preference of the user groups. A high value in the x-axis indicates a low user group, and a high value in the y-axis indicates high preference.
The post graph of FIG. 1A shows that the corresponding post is relatively preferred by the low-ranked user group; the post graph of FIG. 1B shows the corresponding post is preferred by the middle-ranked user group; and the post graph of FIG. 1C shows that the corresponding post is preferred by the high-ranked user group.
As described above, in the conventional user contents classification method, the user group basis preference posts can be classified based on the users' expertise and reputation measured by the feedbacks on the posts. However, it is difficult to accurately measure similarity between the posts based on the feedbacks.

Apparatus and method for measuring contents similarity based on feedback information of ranked user and computer readable recording medium storing program thereof

Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp.


Objective lens 20 is placed above the bobbin 40 at a position opposite to the light emitting end of the light guiding member, and the fixing portions 31 provided appropriately between the objective lens 20 and the lens support 41 are hardened in a short time because of being exposed to a UV hardening light beam which is selectively irradiated onto the fixing portions, or the intensity of which has been reduced to the wavelength region in which optical characteristics of the objective lens are practically deteriorated, in order to reduce the deterioration in the transmission characteristics in the wavelength range at which the optical elements are to be used, when fixing optical elements such as a plastic objective lens, etc., are used with a UV hardening type of adhesive.

The present invention relates to a method of fixing an optical element such as a plastic lens, as well as to an optical component and an optical pickup on which an optical element such as an objective lens has been mounted using the fixing method.
Many types of pickups for playing back and recording data on an optical disc including CD (compact disc), DVD (digital versatile disc) and BD (Blu-ray disc) have been developed and manufactured (see Patent Document 1). As an objective lens mounted in these optical pickups, plastic lenses have frequently been employed because of their light weight, and making for precious focusing and tracking. A plastic objective lenses like the above is bonded and fixed on a bobbin, which is a moving part of the optical pickup, using resin adhesive for example.
[Patent Document 1] Tokkai No. Hei 10-162407
In the mass-production process of optical pickups for CDs and DVDs currently available on the market, a UV hardening type of adhesive is mostly employed for fixing objective lenses in order to ensure a speedy manufacturing process. However, if the same techniques are applied to mass-production process of optical pickups for BDs which utilize shorter wavelengths, the problems below become evident.
That is, it was found through experiments by the inventor of this invention that, because an intense UV light beam is irradiated onto the entire plastic objective lens while curing the UV hardening type of adhesive, the transmission characteristics related to blue light and ultraviolet light, which are supposed to be utilized on the mounted lens, are deteriorated for some specific types of plastic objective lenses. Deterioration of the transmission characteristics of plastic objective lenses due to irradiation of an intense UV light beam has not caused any problems because most plastic objective lenses have conventionally been utilized in the region of infrared or visible long wavelengths.
However, if a UV hardening type of adhesive is employed for mounting plastic objective lenses in the mass-production process of new type optical pickups which utilize blue light or ultraviolet light for recording and play back, the transmission characteristics related to blue light and ultraviolet light deteriorate which are utilized by the mounted plastic objective lens as above, and which results in problems in that the recording and playing accuracy of data is lowered, and further the expected performance may not be achieved.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to offer a method of fixing an optical element, such as a plastic objective lens in which deterioration of transmission characteristics can be reduced in the working wavelength range of the optical element in the case the optical element is fixed by using a UV hardening type of adhesive.
Another object of the present invention is to offer an optical component equipped with an optical element that has been fixed by using the above fixing method, as well as an optical pickup containing the optical component.

Fixing method, optical component and pickup manufactured by the fixing method


A windshield (window glass for a vehicle) 10 is a window glass for a vehicle emitting visible light through incident radiation of excitation light that is irradiated from a light source, and an end part 10E of the window glass for a vehicle is capable of emitting light through irradiation with the excitation light. The present invention can provide window glass for a vehicle such as a car that enables a driver to easily check warning display without narrowing the interior space or obstructing the field of view in the vehicle.

Conventionally, jumping out of pedestrians, approach of obstacles, and the like are detected using stereo cameras and other sensors to give various warnings to a driver in order to avoid collision of cars based on the detection results (for example, see PTL 1). Such warnings are generally displayed on an indicator, a side mirror, or the like. Further, a technique to project a speed, warnings, or the like as a virtual image on a windshield using a head-up display, instead of an indicator, has been practically used in cars (for example, see PTL 2).

Passenger vehicle window glass and warning display method


An alarm and monitoring system including a primary device and at least one secondary device, the alarm and monitoring system including at least one controller configured to: determine whether at least one alarm event is set; establish a wireless communication between a primary device and the secondary device, when it is determined that the alarm event has been set; transmit an alarm event signal including alarm information from the primary device to the secondary device in accordance with the alarm event that is determined to have been set; generate an alarm signal by the secondary device in accordance with at least the alarm information; and render the generated alarm signal on a rendering device.

As smart phones become more pervasive, users rely upon an alarm function of the smart phone to generate an audible alarm. Unfortunately, audible alarms have a tendency of waking up more than their intended users. Accordingly, alarms which can vibrate to alert a user have become popular. However, current silent-type alarms must typically be worn by a user to be effective. For example, one common type of silent type alarm must be worn on a wrist of a user. Similarly, monitoring type systems, such as those that monitor sleep, blood pressure, pulse, blood gases, etc., must be worn, which may be of inconvenience to the user. Further, it has been difficult, if not, impossible to customize the prior alarm in accordance with user's settings. Accordingly, embodiments of the present system may overcome these and/or other disadvantages in prior systems.

Alarm and monitoring system and method of operation thereof


Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Virtual reality is a computer technology that replicates an environment, real or imagined, and simulates a user's physical presence in the environment and, in some cases, enables the user to interact with the environment. Typically, virtual reality content is displayed on a computer monitor or with a virtual reality device such as a virtual reality headset, which is also commonly referred to as a head-mounted display. The user may interact with the environment by interacting with the virtual reality device, through the use of a standard input device such as a keyboard or mouse, or through a multimodal device such as a wired glove. As the user interacts with the environment, three-dimensional (3D) images are provided by virtual reality software that accesses virtual reality content.
A number of streaming media services enable multimedia such as movies and television programs to be streamed to client devices. However, since much more visual information needs to be available to simulate a user's presence in a 3D environment, streaming virtual reality content is particularly challenging.


A method and system for using processor compatibility information to select a compatible processor for addition to a multiprocessor computer. A software program is executed on the multiprocessor computer to determine the number of current processors in the multiprocessor computer and the revision number of each processor. A software program that compares the revision numbers of the current processors with processor compatibility information is then executed to determine the revision numbers of processors that are compatible with all current processors.

In order to increase the rate at which a computer system can execute instructions, computer manufacturers have adopted various multiprocessor architectures. First used in mainframe and high-end minicomputers, multiprocessor architectures are now commonly available in lower-end computer systems. Manufacturers commonly sell multiprocessor computer systems with fewer processors than the maximum number of processors that can be included in the system. The purchaser of such a system can later expand the multiprocessor computer system to increase its performance by purchasing additional processors and adding those additional processors to the system.
There are many different types of processors, or CPUs, manufactured for use in computer systems. Generally, a given manufacturer will produce different types of CPUs that each have a unique model number. For example, the Intel microprocessors included in personal computer ("PC") systems include the 8086, 80286, 80386, 80386SX, 80486DX, Pentium, and Pentium II processors. Within a given model number of processor, a manufacturer generally produces many different revisions. A new revision may include fixes to problems recognized in older revisions, and may include enhancements to the functionality and performance of the processor.
Additional processors added to a multiprocessor PC system must, in general, be compatible with the processors already included in the system, both in model number and revision number. Processor manufacturers produce lists or tables that include processor compatibility information. Thus, the owner of a multiprocessor PC system that wishes to expand the system by adding an additional CPU must first determine the model and revision numbers of the CPUs currently residing in the PC system and then use the compatibility information provided by the processor manufacturer to select an additional CPU for purchase that is compatible with the CPUs already residing in the system.
The model and revision numbers of a CPU are generally printed or stamped onto the surface of the CPU. However, modern high-speed CPUs are generally enclosed within heat sinks that obscure the model and revision number information. The heat-sink-enclosed CPU is often additionally obscured by a cooling fan mounted on top of the heat sink. The owner of a PC typically determines the model and revision numbers of the CPUs within the computer system by removing the cooling fan and heat sink. This disassembly process is time-consuming and can subject the CPU and circuit board that contains it both to mechanical damage and to electrical damage due to static discharges.

Method and system for selecting compatible processors to add to a multiprocessor computer


Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons. Other improvements include the use of a vacuum evacuation system to minimize dusting of the abrasive particles, as well as a dam removably positioned within the patient's mouth which reflects the abrasive particles back towards the evacuation system. Still other improvements include the use of a microvalve adjacent the nozzle which, when closed, terminates gas flow through the fluid passageway in order to further minimize dusting of the abrasive particles.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental air abrasive systems for removing and/or cutting tooth structure, amalgam, composites, other dental tooth filling materials and/or stain.
II Description of the Prior Art
There are a number of previously known air abrasive systems which have been used in dentistry for cutting tooth structure, such as enamel and dentin. These previously known air abrasive systems typically comprise an elongated tube having a nozzle at one end and having its other end coupled through a valve to a source of compressed air. Additionally, a hopper containing abrasive particles, such as aluminum oxide, are fed into the fluid passageway between the compressed air source and the nozzle. Thus, with the valve open, the compressed air creates an abrasive particle laden air stream which is expelled outwardly through the end of the nozzle. When this abrasive particle laden air stream is directed so that it impinges upon the tooth structure, cutting of the tooth structure results.
Although such dental abrasive air systems have been known for many years, they have not enjoyed widespread use or acceptance for a number of different reasons. One reason for the commercial failure of these previously known dental air abrasive systems is that such systems create a "dusting" around the work area. While such abrasive particles are medically harmless, they do create an untidy and undesirable condition for the patient.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known dental air abrasive systems is that it was difficult to properly aim the effluent from the system nozzle. If improperly aimed, inadequate and imprecise cutting of the tooth structure can result or, alternatively, cutting of the wrong tooth structure and/or overcutting of the tooth structure.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known dental air abrasive systems is that typically only one size of abrasive material could be fed into the air stream. In practice, however, different types of abrasive materials and/or different sizes of abrasive materials are more desirable for different dental applications.


A method of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD, is described. The method comprises delivering to the female an agent that is capable of potentiating cAMP in the sexual genitalia; wherein the agent is in an amount to cause potentiation of cAMP in the sexual genitalia of the female. The agent may be admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical that is useful for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), in particular female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). The present invention also relates to a method of treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD. The present invention also relates to assays to screen for compounds useful in the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD.
For convenience, a list of abbreviations that are used in the following text is presented before the Claims section.
The female sexual response phase of arousal is not easily distinguished from the phase of desire until physiological changes begin to take place in the vagina and clitoris as well as other sexual organs. Sexual excitement and pleasure are accompanied by a combination of vascular and neuromuscular events which lead to engorgement of the clitoris, labia and vaginal wall, increased vaginal lubrication and dilatation of the vaginal lumen (Levin, 1980; Ottesen, 1983; Levin, 1991; Levin, 1992; Sjoberg, 1992; Wagner, 1992; Schiavi et al., 1995; Masters et al., 1996; Berman et al., 1999).
Vaginal engorgement enables transudation to occur and this process is responsible for increased vaginal lubrication. Transudation allows a flow of plasma through the epithelium and onto the vaginal surface, the driving force for which is increased blood flow in the vaginal capillary bed during the aroused state. In addition engorgement leads to an increase in vaginal length and luminal diameter, especially in the distal ⅔ of the vaginal canal. The luminal dilatation of the vagina is due to a combination of smooth muscle relaxation of its wall and skeletal muscle relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. Some sexual pain disorders such as vaginismus are thought to be due, at least in part, by inadequate relaxation preventing dilatation of the vagina; it has yet to be ascertained if this is primarily a smooth or skeletal muscle problem. (Levin, 1980; Oltesen, 1983; Levin, 1991; Levin, 1992; Sjoberg, 1992; Wagner, 1992; Schiavi et al., 1995; Master et al., 1996; Berman et al., 1999).
The vasculature and micro vasculature of the vagina are innervated by nerves containing neuropeptides and other neurotransmitter candidates. These include calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY; Sequence No. 4), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP; Sequence No. 8) (Hoyle et al., 1996). Peptides that are present in the clitoris are discussed infra. Nitric oxide synthase, which is often colocalised with VIP (Sequence No. 8), displays a greater expression, immunologically, in the deep arteries and veins rather than in the blood vessels of the propria (Hoyle et al., 1996).
Female Sexual Dysfunction
It is known that some individuals can suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). FSD is best defined as the difficulty or inability of a woman to find satisfaction in sexual expression. FSD is a collective term for several diverse female sexual disorders (Leiblum, 1998, Berman et al., 1999). The woman may have lack of desire, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, pain with intercourse or a combination of these problems. Several types of disease, medications, injuries or psychological problems can cause FSD.
Studies investigating sexual dysfunction in couples reveals that up to 76% of women have complaints of sexual dysfunction and that 30-50% of women in the USA experience FSD.
Sub-types of FSD include hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder and sexual desire disorder.
Treatments in development are targeted to treat specific subtypes of FSD, predominantly desire and arousal disorders.
The categories of FSD are best defined by contrasting them to the phases of normal female sexual response: desire, arousal and orgasm (Leiblum 1998). Desire or libido is the drive for sexual expressionxe2x80x94and manifestations often include sexual thoughts either when in the company of an interested partner or when exposed to other erotic stimuli. In contrast, sexual arousal is the vascular response to sexual stimulation, an important component of which is vaginal lubrication and elongation of the vagina. Thus, sexual arousal, in contrast to sexual desire, is a response relating to genital (e.g. vaginal and clitoral) blood flow and not necessarily sensitivity. Orgasm is the release of sexual tension that has culminated during arousal. Hence, FSD typically occurs when a woman has an inadequate or unsatisfactory response in any of these phases, usually desire, arousal or orgasm. FSD categories include hypoactive sexual desire disorder, sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorders and sexual pain disorders.
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is present if a woman has no or little desire to be sexual, and has no or few sexual thoughts or fantasies. This type of FSD can be caused by low testosterone levels, due either to natural menopause or to surgical menopause. Other causes include illness, medications, fatigue, depression and anxiety.
Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is characterised by inadequate genital response to sexual stimulation. The genitalia (e.g. the vagina and/or the clitoris) do not undergo the engorgement that characterises normal sexual arousal. The vaginal walls are poorly lubricated, so that intercourse is painful. Orgasms may be impeded. Arousal disorder can be caused by reduced oestrogen at menopause or after childbirth and during lactation, as well as by illnesses, with vascular components such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. Other causes result from treatment with diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants eg SSRIs or antihypertensive agents. FSAD is discussed in more detail infra.
Sexual pain disorders (which include dyspareunia and vaginismus) are characterised by pain resulting from penetration and may be caused by medications which reduce lubrication, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammatory bowel disease or urinary tract problems.
The prevalence of FSD is difficult to gauge because the term covers several types of problem, some of which are difficult to measure, and because the interest in treating FSD is relatively recent. Many women""s sexual problems are associated either directly with the female ageing process or with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
There are wide variations in the reported incidence and prevalence of FSD, in part explained by the use of differing evaluation criteria, but most investigators report that a significant proportion of otherwise healthy women have symptoms of one or more of the FSD subgroups. By way of example, studies comparing sexual dysfunction in couples reveal that 63% of women had arousal or orgasmic dysfunction compared with 40% of men have erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction (Frank et al., 1978).
However, the prevalence of female sexual arousal disorder varies considerably from survey to survey. In a recent National Health and Social Life Survey 19% of women reported lubrication difficulties whereas 14% of women in an outpatient gynaecological clinic reported similar difficulties with lubrication (Rosen et al., 1993).
Several studies have also reported dysfunction with sexual arousal in diabetic women (up to 47%), this included reduced vaginal lubrication (Wincze et al., 1993). There was no association between neuropathy and sexual dysfunction.
Numerous studies have also shown that between 11-48% of women overall may have reduced sexual desire with age. Similarly, between 11-50% of women report problems with arousal and lubrication, and therefore experience pain with intercourse. Vaginismus is far less common, affecting approximately 1% of women.
Studies of sexually experienced women have detailed that 5-10% have primary anorgasmia. Another 10% have infrequent orgasms and a further 10% experience them inconsistently (Spector et al., 1990).
Because FSD consists of several subtypes that express symptoms in separate phases of the sexual response cycle, there is not a single therapy. Current treatment of FSD focuses principally on psychological or relationship issues. Treatment of FSD is gradually evolving as more clinical and basic science studies are dedicated to the investigation of this medical problem. Female sexual complaints are not all psychological in pathophysiology, especially for those individuals who may have a component of vasculogenic dysfunction (eg FSAD) contributing to the overall female sexual complaint. There are at present no drugs licensed for the treatment of FSD. Empirical drug therapy includes oestrogen administration (topically or as hormone replacement therapy), androgens or mood-altering drugs such as buspirone or trazodone. These treatment options are often unsatisfactory due to low efficacy or unacceptable side effects.
Since interest is relatively recent in treating FSD pharmacologically, therapy consists of the following:- psychological counselling, over-the-counter sexual lubricants, and investigational candidates, including drugs approved for other conditions. These medications consist of hormonal agents, either testosterone or combinations of oestrogen and testosterone and more recently vascular drugs, that have proved effective in male erectile dysfunction. None of these agents has been demonstrated to be very effective in treating FSD.
The sexual arousal response consists of vasocongestion in the pelvis, vaginal lubrication and expansion and swelling of the external genitalia. The disturbance causes marked distress and/or interpersonal difficulty. Studies investigating sexual dysfunction in couples reveals that there is a large number of females who suffer from sexual arousal dysfunction; otherwise known as female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV of the American Psychiatric Association defines Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) as being:
xe2x80x9ca persistent or recurrent inability to attain or to maintain until completion of the sexual activity adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement. The disturbance must cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.xe2x80x9d
FSAD is a highly prevalent sexual disorder affecting pre-, peri- and post menopausal (xc2x1HRT) women. It is associated with concomitant disorders such as depression, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and UG disorders.
The primary consequences of FSAD are lack of engorgement/swelling, lack of lubrication and lack of pleasurable genital sensation. The secondary consequences of FSAD are reduced sexual desire, pain during intercourse and difficulty in achieving an orgasm.
It has recently been hypothesised that there is a vascular basis for at least a proportion of patients with symptoms of FSAD (Goldstein et al., 1998) with animal data supporting this view (Park et al., 1997).
Drug candidates for treating FSAD, which are under investigation for efficacy, are primarily erectile dysfunction therapies that promote circulation to the male genitalia. They consist of two types of formulation, oral or sublingual medications (Apomorphine, Phentolamine, Sildenafil), and prostaglandin (PGE1-Alprostadil) that are injected or administered transurethrally in men, and topically to the genitalia in women.
The present invention seeks to provide an effective means of treating FSD, and in particular FSAD.
The present invention is based on findings that FSAD is associated with reduced genital blood flowxe2x80x94in particular reduced blood flow in the vagina and/or the clitoris. Hence, treatment of women with FSAD can be achieved by enhancement of genital blood flow with vasoactive agents. In our studies, we have shown that cAMP mediates vaginal and clitoral vasorelaxation and that genital (e.g. vaginal and clitoral) blood flow can be enhanced/potentiated by elevation of cAMP levels. This is a seminal finding.
In this respect, no one has previously proposed that FSAD can be treated in such a wayxe2x80x94i.e. by direct or indirect elevation of cAMP levels. Moreover, there are no teachings in the art to suggest that FSAD was associated with a detrimental modulation of cAMP activity and/or levels or that cAMP is responsible for mediating vaginal and clitoral vasorelaxation. Hence, the present invention is even further surprising.
In addition, we have found that by using agents of the present invention it is possible to increase genital engorgement and treat FSADxe2x80x94e.g. increased lubrication in the vagina and increased sensitivity in the vagina and clitoris. Thus, in a broad aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a cAMP potentiator to treat FSD, in particular FSAD.
The present invention is advantageous as it provides a means for restoring a normal sexual arousal responsexe2x80x94namely increased genital blood flow leading to vaginal, clitoral and labial engorgement. This will result in increased vaginal lubrication via plasma transudation, increased vaginal compliance and increased genital (e.g. vaginal and clitoral) sensitivity. Hence, the present invention provides a means to restore, or potentiate, the normal sexual arousal response.
More particularly, the present invention relates to:
A pharmaceutical composition for use (or when in use) in the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD; the pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent capable of potentiating cAMP in the sexual genitalia of a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD; wherein the agent is optionally admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament (such as a pharmaceutical composition) for the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD; wherein the agent is capable of potentiating cAMP in the sexual genitalia of a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD.
A method of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD; the method comprising delivering to the female an agent that is capable of potentiating cAMP in the sexual genitalia; wherein the agent is in an amount to cause potentiation of cAMP in the sexual genitalia of the female; wherein the agent is optionally admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
An assay method for identifying an agent that can be used to treat FSD, in particular FSAD, the assay method comprising: determining whether an agent can directly or indirectly potentiate cAMP; wherein a potentiation of cAMP in the presence of the agent is indicative that the agent may be useful in the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD.
In other embodiments, the present invention relates to:
A pharmaceutical composition for use (or when in use) in the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD; the pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent capable of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD; wherein the agent is optionally admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient; wherein the agent is selected from any one or more of:
a cAMP mimetic
I:PDEcAMP
I:PDEncAMP
I:NPY
I:NPY Yn
I:NEP
U: AcAMP
A:AC
A:VIPr
A:VIPn
I:I:VIPr
l:I:VIPn
PcAMP.
The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament (such as a pharmaceutical composition) for the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD; wherein the agent is capable of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD; wherein the agent is selected from any one or more of:
a cAMP mimetic
I:PDEcAMP
I:PDEncAMP
I:NPY
I:NPY Yn
I:NEP
A:AcAMP
A:VIPr
A:VIPn
I:I:VIPr
I:I:VIPn
PcAMP.
A method of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD; the method comprising delivering to the female an agent that is capable of treating a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD, wherein the agent is optionally admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient, wherein the agent is selected from any one or more of:
a cAMP mimetic
I:PDEcAMP
I:PDEncAMP
I:NPY
I:NPY Yn
I:NEP
U:AcAMP
A:AC
A:VIPr
A:VIPn
I:I:VIPr
I:I:VIPn
PcAMP.
An assay method for identifying an agent that treat a female suffering from FSD, in particular FSAD, the assay method comprising determining whether or not a putative agent is capable of acting as any one or more of:
a cAMP mimetic
I:PDEcAMP
I:PDEncAMP
I:NPY
I:NPY Yn
I:NEP
U: AcAMP
A:AC
A:VIPr
A:VIPn
I:I:VIPr
I:I:VIPn
PcAMP
wherein if the putative agent is capable of acting as any one or more of
a cAMP mimetic
I:PDEcAMP
I:PDEncAMP
I:NPY
I:NPY Yn
I:NEP
U:AcAMP
A:AC
A:VIPr
A:VIPn
I:I:VIPr
I:I:VIPn
PcAMP
then the agent may be useful in the treatment of FSD, in particular FSAD.
In other embodiments, the present invention relates to:
A pharmaceutical composition for use (or when in use) in enhancing genital (e.g. vaginal or clitoral) blood flow; the pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent capable of enhancing cAMP signalling in the sexual genitalia of a female; wherein the agent is optionally admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament (such as a pharmaceutical composition) for enhancing genital (e.g. vaginal or clitoral) blood flow; wherein the agent is capable of enhancing cAMP signalling in the sexual genitalia of a female.
A method of treating a female; the method comprising delivering to the female an agent that is capable of enhancing cAMP signalling in the sexual genitalia of the female so as to cause enhanced genital (e.g. vaginal or clitoral) blood flow.

Compounds for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction


The present invention relates to a method for revising an error, wherein a user inputs a desired character string for revision so as to calculate a correlation between the desired character string for revision and previously inputted character strings, so that a character string with a high correlation is replaced with the desired character string for revision. A characteristic configuration of the present invention is in a step for deciding a correlation. According to the present invention, in the step for deciding a correlation, a plurality of error-revising operations are defined, an error-revising operation score is given to each of the plurality of error-revising operations, a total of scores are calculated in such a way that scores are summed up for each of the error-revising operations required for revising a previously inputted character string into a desired character string for revision, wherein, if the number of cases of error-revising operations selectable for revision are plural, a score of a case in which a total of scores become a minimum is used for deciding a correlation. A total of scores calculated in such a way are compared with a predetermined threshold, thereby implementing a correlation decision.

In case that an error occurs while inputting a character (referred to as all forms of characters that can be inputted, including English, Korean, numbers, special characters and the like) on a PC or a mobile device, a conventional method for revising an error is to delete all the characters, which were inputted after an erroneous character, by using a delete function key like Backspace, and then input a correct character, or move a cursor to the erroneous character by using a mouse (for a PC) or a finger touch (for a mobile device), and then delete the erroneous character, and then input a correct character so that the error is revised.
However, the method for revising an error by using a delete function key such as Backspace and the like has a problem in that not only an erroneous character but also other characters normally inputted between the erroneous character and a current cursor position are all deleted. Also, the method for moving a cursor to an erroneous character by using a mouse has the problem in that it requires a user to take a hand off the keyboard and use the mouse to move the cursor to a desired position, and then perform the action of revising the error and moving the cursor to its previous position again; so, the actions are troublesome and time-consuming. The same is true for a case of moving a cursor by means of a finger touch. In the case that a device has a small-sized touch screen such as a mobile device, it is necessary to move the cursor to a desired position by means of a finger touch within a small screen, so it is more difficult and troublesome to move the cursor to a precise position.
To solve the problems above, there is a method for revising an error, what is called an automatic revising function. This function has already been commercialized and mounted on various mobile devices, wherein, when a user inputs a word A and if it is decided that the word A is an error, the word A is automatically revised into word B. Word B, which is automatically revised and inputted, is not something that is directly inputted by a user, but something that has been already inputted in a library.
As such, since the conventional automatic revising function sets an input word for revision, not a word that a user inputs with an intention of revising, but a word that a system presumes that a user might have inputted, if the accuracy of such presumption is low, there is a problem in that a wrong word that a user never intended to input is actually inputted. This is partially based on which there is a limit to words registered to the library. Since users frequently use newly coined words or abbreviations on a current PC or a mobile device, unless the library is frequently updated, a problem caused by the limit to the library can occur more frequently. For that reason, although the automatic revising function is mounted on devices, many users turn off the function, thereby inputting characters without the function working.
To address such problems of the conventional automatic revising function, this inventor has invented a completely new method for revising an error. In the new method for revising an error designed by this inventor, when a user inputs a new character string and gives a command of revision, the new, inputted character string is recognized as a desired character string for the revision that the user desires, the new character string is compared with already inputted character strings, and it is decided that a character string having a high correlation with the new character string among the already inputted character strings is a candidate character string to be revised, thereby being replaced with the new character string. In addition to the method in which a user gives a direct command of revision, a method in which a system automatically figures out a user's intention of revising is also possible. Such new method for revising an error is registered to Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1294558.
In the above new method for revising an error, since a wrongly inputted character string is replaced with a new character string that a user newly inputs with an intention of revising, it is possible to provide an error revising function that suits a user's intention in comparison with the conventional automatic revising function. Since the method for revising an error operates in such a way that a correlation between a desired character string for revision that a user newly inputs with an intention of revising and an already inputted character strings is decided so as to replace a character string having a high correlation, the accuracy of the error revising function is determined according to the accuracy of deciding a correlation between character strings.
As provided in the specification of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1294558, as a method for deciding a correlation, in the conventional automatic revising function, it is possible to use a conventional method for deciding a correlation between a word that a user actually inputs and a word in a library, for example, a method for deciding a correlation based on characters adjacent to each other on a keyboard or characters of which input orders are reversed. However, such conventional method fails to carry out the quantification of correlation decisions, when comprehensively considering various typing errors that can be caused by a user. Also, error typing habits, which are different among users, are not considered in a quantitatively accurate way when deciding a correlation. Moreover, according to the method for revising an error of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1294558, a new function, in which a word including an already inputted error is not inputted as a whole, only an erroneous character string is replaced with a correct character string, is implemented, the conventional method for deciding a correlation does not consider the particularity of deciding a correlation between partial character strings.
Therefore, there is a need for a new method for deciding a correlation in order to more accurately implement the method for revising an error of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1294558.

Method for revising errors by means of correlation decisions between character strings