A container for transporting and displaying cut flowers comprising six elements. A material of the apparatus is substantially deformable and dishwasher safe. A base, top and sides are constructed to hold cut flowers and water and the top has at least a first and a second affixing element equidistant from each other on opposite ends of the perimeter. A bottom member suspends below the base. A carrying element has an adjustable functional length with a first and second functional end, a first and second actual end that can extend beyond each functional end, and a first and second attachable elements between the respective first and second actual end and the corresponding nearest functional end to each, the attachable element able to be removably attached at various lengths to the respective first and second affixing element for transport and attachment to a suspending element.

There is a need to an apparatus and method for transporting and displaying cut flowers.
Cut flowers out of water will wilt and die quickly. Preferably, cut flowers should be out of water no longer than 30 minutes. Presently, cut flowers typically are transported in paper or clear flexible sheet plastic wrappings or bags, sometimes with vials of water for each stem. Sometimes flowers are transported in a hard to carry, handle-less, container, typically glass or hard plastic, with water.
There still is a need for a way to transport and display cut flowers in a manner that permits them to be out of water for less than 30 minutes, preferably for less than 5 minutes, and more preferably for less than a minute. In addition, there still is a need for a better way to transport and display cut flowers, particularly on balcony railings and support beams in homes interiors and exteriors and on porch railings.


An engine assembly includes an engine block having a first bank of cylinders and a second bank of cylinders. A crankshaft is supported by the engine block and is configured to be driven by torque due to combustion energy in the first and second banks of cylinders. A first set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the first bank of cylinders. Camshafts driven by the crankshaft are operatively connected to the first set of valves to control opening and closing of the first set of valves. A second set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the second bank of cylinders. A controller is operatively connected to the second set of valves and is configured to vary at least one of lift, duration, and timing of the second set of valves based on commanded torque at the crankshaft.

Fuel efficient vehicles are desirable for cost savings and environmental benefits. Smaller engines tend to be more fuel efficient, but may be more limited in torque and power output. Performance flexibility can be realized by equipping an engine with continuously variable cylinder valves. Alternatively, a relatively large engine with a relatively high maximum torque can be used, with some cylinders selectively deactivated when torque demands are relatively low. However, uneven torque pulses may result when some of the cylinders are deactivated or the torque pulses at higher loads may generate undesirable noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) issues due to higher torque peaks at wider intervals. These issues may inhibit the useable dynamic range of the deactivated cylinders and reduce fuel economy. Furthermore, engines typically have predetermined optimal operating parameters at which combustion is most efficient.

Engine assembly with variable valve displacement on one cylinder bank and method of controlling same


The present invention relates to systems and methods for forecasting using time series datasets. A composite may be generated by receiving datasets, normalizing them, and receiving formula configurations in order to combine the datasets together. The transformation of a dataset may be restricted if the accuracy of the transformation would be decreased, and if no suitable alternate dataset is available. A forecast may be generated using selected forecast type, calculation type, cutoff period, pre-adjustment, post-adjustment, indicators, and selected weights and offsets for the indicators. The forecast analysis may be updated by locking the time domain for one or more of the indicators. Forecast results may be outputted to a spreadsheet or other system utilizing add-ins. Any composite or forecast generated may be stored within a model repository for later use as an indicator.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing time series data to generate forecasts. These forecasts enable the analysis and display of statistical relationships between data series.
Many factors influence the success or failure of a business or other organization. Many of these factors include controllable variables, such as product development, talent acquisition and retention, and securing business deals. However, a significant amount of the variables influencing a business' success are external to the organization. These external factors that influence an organization are typically entirely out of control of the organization, and are often poorly understood or accounted for during business planning.
While these external factors are not necessarily able to be altered, being able to incorporate them into business planning allows a business to better understand the impact on the business, and make strategic decisions that take into account these external factors. This may result in improved business performance. However, it has traditionally been very difficult to properly account for or model these external factors; let alone generate meaningful forecasts using many different factors in a statistically meaningful and user friendly way.
For example, many current methods of statistical analysis are often manual and require segment specific user expertise, thereby substantially limiting their usefulness and utility. In addition, most organizational financial and reporting solutions generate reports and forecasts based mostly on internal historic organizational data, and ignore potentially important external factors.
As a result, current analytical methods are incomplete, time consuming and labor intensive processes that are inadequate for the today's competitive, complex and constantly evolving business landscape.
It is therefore apparent that an urgent need exists for organizational solutions that enable the forecasting using time series data sets. These improved data analytics substantially reduces the time and effort required to compute and display more accurate results to organizations.

Systems and methods for forecasting based upon time series data


A system includes a processor and a computer-readable medium configured to store instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions include receiving a first document corresponding to a first application hosted by a distributed computing provider. The instructions include parsing the first document into a first data structure according to a data structure definition. The data structure definition describes an inheritance property. The instructions include, in response to presence of a first inheritance property in the first data structure: identifying an inherited document based on the first inheritance property; obtaining the inherited document; reading the inherited document; determining inheritance permissions from the inherited document; and, in response to the inheritance permissions permitting the first document to inherit the inherited document, selectively modifying the first data structure based on the inherited document. The instructions include controlling authentication of a user to the first application according to the first data structure.

In a highly configurable system, a specification document may define various parameters for operation. For example, the specification document for a personal computer security framework may define when a password is required (such as after a screen saver is displayed or the computer wakes from sleep), password complexity rules, whether removable storage must be encrypted, etc. For example, these settings may be referred to as group policy objects, registry settings, etc. The specification document may be a text file or may take the form of a set of options in a structured data store, such as a database.
The more complex the system, and the more configurable the system, the more complex the specification document may be. Logically and logistically, maintaining and acting on the specification document becomes much more complex when different parties need to exert control over the specification document. The situation is particularly problematic when multiple parties attempt to exert control over the same portion or specific setting of the specification document.
The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Federated configuration of distributed access, authentication, and authorization systems


A transfer gearbox may include an input shaft, two output shafts, two output gears, two sets of compensating gears, and a differential cage. The output gears may be arranged axially next to one another on a joint axis of rotation and are rotatable relative to one another. The first output gear may sit in a rotationally fixed manner on the first output shaft and the second output gear may sit in a rotationally fixed manner on the second output shaft and the output shafts lie opposite one another at a front side. At least one output shaft may be guided through a shaft feed-through rotatably about the axis of rotation relative to the shaft feed-through. At least the first output gear may be provided with a seal, wherein the seal bears in a sealing manner against a rotationally symmetrical surface portion of the shaft feed-through.

Such a transfer gearbox is described in EP 2 821 672 A1 as a component of an electric drive unit. The electric drive unit has a rotor shaft which is the input shaft of a transmission device. The transmission device is formed from a differential gearbox and from a reduction gear stage. The reduction gear stage is a planetary drive, the sun gear of which sits on the rotor shaft. The differential is what is known as a spur gear differential in which the compensating gears are planetary gears and the output gears are sun gears. Each sun gear sits on an output shaft of the differential. The torques introduced via the input shaft/rotor shaft are input via the reduction gear stage into the differential and distributed via the differential to the output shafts and thus to driven vehicle wheels. The rotor shaft is a hollow shaft through which one of the output shafts is guided. An annular gap is formed between the rotor shaft and the output shaft. The output shaft and the respective sun gear are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via a spline. The region of the electric machine between the stator and the rotor should, apart from wet-running electric motors, be kept free from lubricating oil. The transmission device is, however, lubricated with transmission oil. There are drive units in which the annular gap between the output shaft and the rotor shaft is used as an oil duct in order, for example, to supply lubricating oil to an anti-friction bearing which lies axially on the outside. There are, however, also drive units in which the anti-friction bearing which lies axially on the outside is lubricated in other ways or is lubricated over its lifespan.
For the sake of simplicity, the sun gears of differentials are generally provided with through-holes, so that the inner spline can be produced in an unhindered manner. The output shaft is provided with an outer spline which corresponds to the inner spline of the sun gear. This known plug-in connection is very easy to mount and is therefore very readily used. In terms of oil leaks, the plug-in connection between the sun gears of a differential is a weak point of the transfer gearbox since this is embodied with clearance. Lubricating oil can escape to the outside as a result of the leakage gaps associated with the clearance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Distribution gearing and electric drive unit having a distribution gearing


A material for connecting members for soft tissues and inner organs which consists of a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid containing in the alkyl group 2 to 8 carbon atoms at the following proportions of the components, molar percent:. ______________________________________ N-vinylpyrrolidone 40-90 alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid 10-60. ______________________________________

Known in the art are connecting members from a biological tissue which are adapted for increasing the suture tightness and improving its tenacity to avoid post-operational complications.
Thus, in operations on intestine as sealing connecting members for the above-mentioned purposes epipolic shields are used (cf. A. A. Zaporozhets "Vestnik Khirurgii im. Grekova", (Grekov Surgical Newsletters,) 1964, No. 1, p. 52).
However, a reliable fixation of tissues is not ensured in this case owing to low tenacity characteristics of the epiploic tissue. Furthermore, the use of epiploic shields does not exclude the formation of commissures.
It is also known to employ for the same purposes, in the case of reinforcing an esophageal membrane, a free dermal autotransplantant (cf. T. T. Daurova, A. P. Majsyuk. Experimental Surgery (Eksperimental'naya Khirugiya), 1959, No. 6, p. 37). The use of a dermal autotransplantant ensures a more reliable fixation as compared to epiploic shields, but this necessitates a more complicated preliminary operation with the formation of a new additional trauma. Furthermore, the use of connecting members of a biological tissue is associated with post-operational complications due to disruption (unsoundness) of the suture because of frequent suppurations and the occurrence of extremely undesirable commissural processes is observed.
Known in the art is a material for connecting members for soft tissues and inner organs based on biodegradable synthetic polymers, namely polyvinylformal (cf. T. T. Daurova, A. P. Majsyuk. Eksperimentalnaja Khirurgija, 1959, No. 6, p. 37).
However, in the use of this material a low biodegradation of the material takes place and the period of resorption is longer than the period of regeneration of the soft tissues. Furthermore, the use of such connecting members is accompanied by complications such as purulent pleurisy or mediastinitis resulting in death of 60% of experimental animals. Postoperation complications associated with disrupture (unsoundness) of the suture also take place due to frequent suppurations, accumulation of serous fluid, or with a total rejection. Because of the above-mentioned disadvantages the polyvinyl-formal-based material has found no practical applications in the medical practice.

Material for connecting members for inner soft tissues and organs

Leninsky prospekt, 144, korpus 5, kv. 56

ulitsa Krasny Kazanets, 19, korpus 1, kv. 283

ulitsa Zelenodolskaya, 17, korpus 4, kv. 68

ulitsa Oktyabrskaya, 38, korpus 1, kv. 43

ulitsa Ostrovityanova, 27, korpus 2, kv. 93


An athletic glove having an inner glove with one or more protective members is discussed. Protective members may include metacarpal support members attached to the dorsal side of the inner glove configured to protect at least a portion of a metacarpal bone of the human hand; volar and dorsal metacarpal support member attached to the volar and dorsal sides of the inner glove, respectively, and configured to protect at least a portion of a carpometacarpal joint, a metacarpal bone, a metacarpal joint, and a proximal phalanx of a thumb of the human hand; and volar and dorsal distal phalange support members attached to the volar and dorsal sides, respectively, of the inner glove and configured to protect at least a portion of a distal phalanx of the thumb of the human hand. Optionally, the inner glove may include a protective strap.

Athletes including lacrosse players, hockey players, baseball players, softball players, soccer players, and the like are at increased risk for hand injuries. For example, lacrosse, hockey and soccer are high contact sports where goalies are prone to hand and thumb fractures. This is due in part to the high shooting velocities and high density balls associated with each of these sports and the mechanics of being a goalie whose role it is to stop or deflect the high density ball that is moving at a high velocity. To protect their hands and thumbs, goalies may wear protective equipment such as gloves. However, conventional gloves do not provide sufficient protection to the metacarpal bones and related joints of the hand and thumb. Additionally, conventional protective gloves may not provide sufficient protection to the hands and thumbs of a goalie because in conventional protective gloves protection is provided on the exterior of the glove. Additionally, conventional protective gloves may be stiff and prevent the goalie from having a free-range of motion, thereby inhibiting the goalie's ability to perform in an athletic setting.
Accordingly there remains a need for protection equipment and protective wear that provides sufficient hand and thumb protection to an athlete.

Hand and thumb protection and support for an athletic glove


A mechanism for a potentiometer, especially a miniature potentiometer used as a volume control in a hearing aid, onto a face plate includes a metallic band circumferentially surrounding a portion of the housing of the potentiometer. The band includes means for mechanically engaging a surface of an aperture in the face plate such that the housing is secured within the aperture. Preferably, the potentiometer also includes a stop means that engages a shoulder or surface of the face plate of the hearing aid positioning the potentiometer within the aperture a selected distance such that the knob of the potentiometer extends beyond a front surface of the face plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting potentiometers, and in particular, it relates to mounting a miniature potentiometer onto a face plate of a hearing aid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Great efforts have been made to reduce the size of hearing aids. A primary component of a hearing aid is a potentiOmeter that is used to control volume. The volume control potentiometer has to be easily accessible to the user. For easy access, the volume control potentiometer is mounted On a face plate of the hearing aid. In order for the potentiometer to be mounted on the face plate, the potentiometer has to be quite small, for example, having a diameter of an eighth of an inch (1/8").
The small size of such potentiometers poses problems in terms of costs and manufacturing efficiencies in mounting such potentiometers in hearing aids. Presently, such potentiometers are being adhesively secured within an aperture provided in the face plate of a hearing aid. Although a satisfactory mount results, the adhesive must be given time to cure to a point in which the adhesive starts to hold the potentiometer within the aperture. Prior to such a point, the mounted potentiometer must be handled carefully in order to avoid dislocation of the potentiometer prior to cure.


A sensor 30 has first and second electrodes 32A, 32B spaced to define a gap 34 therebetween. The electrodes are formed on a substrate which can be covered with a film of material. The width of the gap 34 is different at different positions on the electrodes 32. This results in a sensing characteristic which can be made substantially linear, without sensitivity varying with film thickness, which arises from the use of a constant gap width. The sensor can be used to detect or measure film or liquid layer thickness, or solid material deposition.

Measurement of a property of a film, such as film thickness, may be required in a variety of situations, such as measurement of the thickness of an oil film within an engine or machine. This measurement can be used to ensure that a lubricating film is adequately thick, or to measure leakage, in the event that the film is formed by leaking fluid. In other situations, measurement may not be required, but merely detection, such as threshold detection when the thickness passes a predetermined value.
Previous proposals for film thickness measurement have included electrodes spaced apart on a substrate. A film of material formed on the substrate therefore bridges the gap between the electrodes. Voltages applied to the electrodes allow measurements of resistance and capacitance across the gap. These values will change with changes in film thickness. However, previous proposals have been found prone to saturation in their response characteristics as film thickness increases, and have thus been limited in their usefulness.


Disclosed herein is a method for stimulating axonal outgrowth of central nervous system (CNS) neurons comprising contacting the CNS neurons with an effective amount of NEP1-40 and inosine, to thereby stimulate axonal outgrowth. The method may further comprise contacting the CNS neurons with a cAMP modulator that increases the concentration of intracellular cAMP. Also disclosed is a method for treating a neurological disorder selected from the group consisting of traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, optic neuropathy, retinal nerve damage and optic nerve damage, in a patient in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of NEP1-40 and inosine to the patient.

The inability of CNS neurons to regenerate their axons after injury places severe limitations on the functional recovery that can occur after traumatic injury, stroke, or certain neurodegenerative diseases. Regenerative failure has been attributed in part to proteins associated with CNS myelin and with glial scar that forms at an injury site. Several myelin inhibitors of axon growth, including the C-terminal of NogoA (Chen et al., 2000; GrandPre et al., 2000), myelin-associated glycoprotein, (McKerracher et al., 1994; Mukhopadhyay et al., 1994), and OMgp (Wang et al., 2002b), exert their effects via the Nogo receptor (NgR) and p75NTR or another co-receptor (Fournier et al., 2001; Domeniconi et al., 2002; Liu et al., 2002; Wang et al., 2002a,b). In culture, expression of NgR causes growth cones of embryonic chick retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to collapse upon contact with the C-terminal region of Nogo (Nogo66) (Fournier et al., 2001) and inhibits neurite outgrowth from cerebellar granule cells on MAG, OMgp, or myelin (Wang et al., 2002a,b). Conversely, transfection with dominant-negative form of NgR (NgRDN) enables cerebellar granule cells in culture to overcome the inhibitory effects of myelin, Nogo66, OMgp, and MAG (Domeniconi et al., 2002; Wang et al., 2002a,b). However, the effects of overexpressing either NgR or NgRDN have not been investigated in vivo, nor have the effects of deleting the gene.
Antibodies to NogoA, or a small peptide inhibitor of NgR, increase corticospinal tract (CST) regeneration only to some extent in rats (Schnell et al., 1994; Bregman et al., 1995; GrandPre et al., 2002; Sicotte et al., 2003), whereas genetic deletion of the NogoA gene in mice results either in a modest CST regeneration (Kim et al., 2003b; Simonen et al., 2003) or in none (Zheng et al., 2003). Thus, overcoming specific myelin inhibitors, or suppression of signaling through NgR, is not sufficient to promote the substantive CNS regeneration in vivo that would be required for the treatment of neurological disorders (Steward et al., 2003; Woolf, 2003; Zheng et al., 2003).
There is a need in the art for methods and compositions that can improve the ability of a neuron, or portion of the nervous system, to regenerate, and to maintain desirable function, which can be used for treatment of neurological disorders.

Method for treating stroke via administration of NEP1-40 and inosine


Provided is an aluminum alloy piston for an internal combustion engine. In the internal combustion engine, the piston moves back and forth in a sleeve made of grey cast iron or an aluminum alloy. Further, the piston, which is made from silver, silver alloy, copper, or copper alloy, is provided with a film that covers the scoring that is formed on the piston skirt and there are undulations in the surface of the film, formed from protrusions and depressions. There is a difference of 8-15 μm between the lowest point of the depressions and the highest point of the protrusions. The pitch of adjacent protrusions corresponds to the pitch of projections in the scoring. In addition, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of the protrusion peaks does not exceed 60 nm.

Automobiles are propelled by tires, which are rotated by rotational drive power converted from drive power generated by an internal combustion engine supplied with fuel. Various attempts have been made recently to increase the fuel consumption rate (mileage) of internal combustion engines in such automobiles, since a reduction in the amount of consumed fuel makes the engines energy efficient and contributes to the environmental protection of the earth.
One of such attempts involves reducing the sliding resistance between sleeves in an internal combustion engine and the pistons that are reciprocally moved in the sleeves. Such reduced sliding resistance allows the piston to move back and forth more easily. Therefore, the drive force required for the piston to undergo reciprocating movement is reduced, thereby resulting in a reduction in the amount of consumed fuel.
Sliding resistance may be lowered by depositing a layer containing a highly lubricative substance on a sleeve or a piston skirt in order to increase the lubricating ability of the sleeve or the piston skirt. For example, according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-068584, it has been proposed to provide a layer of binder resin with MoS2, C, or the like dispersed therein.
The applicant has further proposed, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-013802, to form line marks on a piston skirt, and to grow over the surface of the line marks an anodic oxide coating, which is impregnated with a lubricant and a molybdenum disulfide coating successively in this order.


A method and apparatus for removing oil from the produced water that is associated with the production of hydrocarbons. The method consists of providing a plurality of serially connected individual compartments with each compartment connected to the next compartment by a flow path that induces the oil droplets to coalesce. The method may also include the use of parallel plate coalescers and gas flotation devices to aid in treating.

The present invention relates to the removal of foreign material from water before such water is discharged to its original source or to another location. In particular, the invention relates to the cleanup of hydrocarbons in water that is produced with crude oil before the produced water is discharged to a disposal area.
Attempts to meet discharge criteria by providing retention time with large tanks or flumes have not been successful. Discharge criteria are generally set by regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") or various state authorities. A widely-recognized standard, promulgated by the EPA for the Gulf of Mexico, allows a minimum of seventy-two (72) milligrams of oil per liter (mg/1, generally equivalent to parts per million, or "ppm") of the discharged fluid mixture, and requires a monthly average of not over 48 mg/1 (ppm). These standards are somewhat stringent in the context of general oil field production operations. To meet such criteria it is necessary to remove drops of oil on the order of 25 microns in diameter or smaller. Tanks and flumes with theoretical retention times large enough to accomplish this are subjected to severe short circuiting due to temperature and density difference. Previously, this has been overcome by the installation of several pieces of equipment each with its associated controls and shut-down sensors as required. These pieces of equipment include, for example, settling tanks, parallel plate interceptors, and gas flotation units.
In offshore fields the space available on an offshore producing platform is limited; thus, the area that is occupied by the several pieces of water cleanup equipment limits the amount of space available for other activities on the platform. In addition, the problem exists in many onshore oil fields where the ratio between the oil and water decreases with the age of the field, and thus the quantity of produced water that must be disposed of increases as the field ages. In the past the waters produced in these fields may have been disposed of in injection wells after being treated in large tanks, flumes, or settling ponds. With increasing water production these tanks are no longer capable of treating the water.

Water treating using a series coalescing flume


A human trafficking case management and mentoring system, Coming Home, is a centralized system that seamlessly links victims of human trafficking with a Coming Home trained and licensed case manager mentor via an app that is accessible to the victim via a mobile communications device. The Coming Home case manager mentor coordinates one or more supporting services based on the current situation of the victim. Forward looking services assist the victim in recovery from their life within a human trafficking environment. The app includes a plurality of configurable victim activated tools to facilitate victim access for the employment of emergency services and protective measures to facilitate the victim's safety while using the app. The victim activated tools may include a camouflage screen tool: a geo-fencing/tracking tool; a facial recognition tool; a reporting HT Distress reporting tool; and a direct 911 emergency tool.

The present invention relates to human trafficking and more particularly to resources to prevent further human trafficking and to assist and provide resources, and services to victims of human trafficking.
Victims of human trafficking require coordination of services that often span local, state, and national and over global boundaries. Often, victims are caught up in global networks that presently, there is no system that can effectively reach victims wherever they may be located and provide critical services for them no matter their circumstance.
For decades no one noticed victims of human trafficking. and it was medical professionals, therapist, law enforcement, even our federal agencies and other responders from around the national and parts of Europe and other countries coming to us to be trained on "how" to identify and support victims and to learn what success and workflow looks like for victims so that they can discover what it means to survive. So, we know that objectives for each victim; (goals), measurements, documentation of (tasks and challenges) and outcomes are crucial. However, unlike anything the medical (mental or physical health) field or other responders systems and apps or combined out there does not gear itself towards the COMING HOME online human trafficking case management system and mobile application.
Until now, unique and often misunderstood services as well as identification of victims of human trafficking, have been challenged with prosecutions of violators down and fear in victims to come forward. Note, that Coming Home is designed by a former child survivor, who saw victimization where others could not. Within the Coming Home environment, case management is called mentoring because victims are very sensitive to certain terms and therefore, language is key in reaching the victims where they are as most victims do not come forward.

System, method, and apparatus for coordinating resources to prevent human trafficking and assist victims of human trafficking


Systems and methods are provided for modifying blemished image intensifier tubes that otherwise would be inappropriate for use in strictly specified night vision equipment. The systems include masks and display elements designed and structured to be oriented in a variety of directions so as to cover over and hide blemishes within an image intensifier tube. Masks may be provided utilizing glass discs that are ground, polished, and etched with particular geometric masking elements and fixed over the display end of the image intensifier tube. Electronic components may be presented as display elements over the opaque portions of the masks. Methods for manufacturing the masks are described that detect and characterize the location and size of the blemishes and select mask type, size, and orientation for manufacture and use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to image intensifier tubes used in night vision equipment and systems. The present invention relates more specifically to methods and systems for utilizing certain imperfect or blemished image intensifiers with night vision equipment using screen masks and ancillary screen elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
The core component in a night vision device is the image intensifier tube. These optoelectronic devices are manufactured to strict standards that frequently result in a high and expensive rejection rate of manufactured tubes that do not meet the standards for military (as an example) night vision equipment. It is not unusual to have blemishes in the nature of emission points or e-points in the resultant screen associated with the image intensifier tube that can jeopardize the "clean" quality of the image.
An image intensifier tube typically displays an image through the use of a fiber optic bundle. The output screen of the fiber optic bundle is ground and polished either flat or concave to accommodate or match the image gathering characteristics of the night vision system eyepiece that is used to view the image. Because of hard to control process variables in the manufacture of image intensifiers, they often have blemishes and emission points that make them un-useable, or at best difficult to sell. This is understandable because in general, a purchaser does not like to see imperfections in the field of view and generally considers such imperfections as a sign of a less than perfect tube. This is especially true given the high cost of night vision systems in general. Typically, blemished image intensifiers are a tough sell and usually a manufacturer must dramatically discount a night vision system that incorporates or utilizes one of these so-called "blem-tubes".
Most night vision equipment has specifications that require the absence of blemishes of a certain size within one or more zones within the typically circular image field. Reference is made to FIG. 9 for an understanding of the manner of grading an image intensifier tube with one or more blemishes. For example, Zone One 112, the center of the circular screen field 110, would typically require the absence of any blemishes of significant size, mainly because it provides the focal point for the view that the user is directed towards. A concentric Zone Two 114 surrounding Zone One may have a requirement of no more than one or two blemishes larger than 2 μm in diameter. A further concentric Zone Three 116 forming the edge of the circular image field 110 may have less stringent requirements such as no more than two or three blemishes larger than 5 μm or less. The above numbers are given as examples only and do not constitute the specific requirements for any particular night vision device. These example requirements do, however, convey the importance associated with the quantity and quality of the blemishes and their position within the field of view formed by the image intensifier.
As a result of the above requirements, many manufactured image intensifier tubes are discarded as defective and inappropriate for use in standard night vision goggle equipment. Typically these defective units can not be repaired and are simply disposed of even though they may present a field of view that is relatively free of blemishes and might operate satisfactorily for many or most purposes. It would therefore be desirable to have devices and methods for utilizing these so-called "defective" image intensified tubes so as to reduce the waste associated with a quite costly manufacturing process.

Systems and methods for utilizing imperfectly manufactured image intensifier tubes in night vision systems


A process for selectively etching a material comprising SiO2 over silicon, the method comprising the steps of: placing a silicon substrate comprising a layer of a material comprising SiO2 within a reactor chamber equipped with an energy source; creating a vacuum within the chamber; introducing into the reactor chamber a reactive gas mixture comprising a fluorine compound, a polymerizable fluorocarbon, and an inert gas, wherein the reactive gas mixture is substantially free of added oxygen; activating the energy source to form a plasma activated reactive etching gas mixture within the chamber; and selectively etching the material comprising SiO2 preferentially to the silicon substrate.

The present invention is directed to selectively dry etching a material comprising silicon dioxide over silicon. In particular, the present invention is directed to selectively dry etching phosphorous silicate glass (PSG) over crystalline silicon (doped or undoped) in the manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells.
PSG is formed in solar cell processing during emitter diffusion by exposing a crystalline silicon substrate to phosphorous oxychloride (POCl3) gas. Under an oxygen atmosphere phosphorous is driven into the silicon to form the n+ emitter of the solar cell. After the phosphorous diffusion process, the PSG is removed. Prior art processes for PSG removal typically employ wet chemicals such as, for example, hydrofluoric acid (HF), which are extremely harmful to environment and to the handlers.
Dry plasma etching processes have also been developed for PSG removal that do not suffer from the drawbacks of wet chemical processes. Such processes typically rely on fluorocarbon gases that, in the plasma state, form a polymer layer on the surface. Selectivity between the PSG and silicon is mainly attributed to the formation of this polymer layer because its growth on silicon surfaces is much faster thereby preventing further etching of the silicon. Such prior art dry plasma processes typically employ oxygen in the plasma to limit the amount of polymer formation. Oxygen plasmas, however, are problematic for several reasons. For example, in semiconductor applications, oxygen plasmas are known to damage the dielectric properties of low dielectric materials. Moreover, in solar cell applications where a PSG layer is being etched from a layer of phosphorous doped silicon, oxygen plasma tends to form SiO2 on the doped silicon surface which acts as an insulator by hindering the flow of electrons through the layer. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a process for selectively etching a material comprising SiO2 over silicon that does not suffer from the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Selective etching of silicon dioxide compositions


A method for object visualization includes providing an operator with an object filter tool through a graphical user interface, the tool comprising a rail having a number of shapes placed at distances from each other along the rail, the shapes representing divisions within a list of objects, distances between the shapes correlating to a number of objects between the divisions. The method further includes receiving from the operator, an interaction with the tool indicating a selection of objects within the list and presenting to the operator, a list of objects filtered based on the interaction with the filter tool.

Graphical user interfaces provide a user with a way to interact with the functionality of a computer system. Often time, computer systems are used to manage large sets of objects. For example, standard operating systems manage large sets of files placed within folders. These files may be text, audio, picture, or video files.
Some computing applications manage more specific objects. For example, in a security operations center application, objects may represent users. Users may be associated with multiple dimensions. Specifically, users may be identified by usernames, users may be allowed to access specific resources, and users may be registered with specific hosts on a computer network. Each of these aspects represents a different dimension associated with a user.
When dealing with such multidimensional objects, it is often difficult for an administrator to visualize, sort through, and monitor such objects. Specifically, the administrator has to look at each dimension separately. For example, an administrator may wish to search for users according to usernames. Additionally or alternatively, an administrator may wish to search for users based on which users are able to access one or more hosts. Furthermore, the list of users may be so long that it is time consuming to scroll through the list to find a particular subset of users.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance. The notification appliance may include an addressable speaker. The addressable speaker connects to and receives messages over the pair of power lines, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.

Typical building fire alarm systems include a number of fire detectors positioned throughout a building. Signals from those detectors are monitored by a system controller, which, upon sensing an alarm condition, sounds audible alarms throughout the building. Flashing light strobes may also be positioned throughout the building to provide a visual alarm indication. A number of notification appliances comprising audible alarms and strobes, the audible alarms and strobes being generally referred to as notification devices, are typically connected across common power lines on a notification circuit.
A first polarity DC voltage may be applied across the notification circuit in a supervisory mode of operation. In this supervisory mode, rectifiers at the notification appliances are reverse biased so that the alarms are not energized, but current flows through the power lines at the notification circuit to an end-of-line resistor and back, allowing the condition of those lines to be monitored. Because notification circuits are supervised using an end-of-line resistor, the wires of the circuit must be a single continuous run with no branches and an end-of-line resistor across the wires at the end farthest from the system controller. With an alarm condition, the polarity of the voltage applied across the power lines is reversed to energize all notification appliances on the notification circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,492 issued to Stewart et al. (hereinafter the '492 Stewart patent) operates according to the system described above. The '492 Stewart patent further discloses that the visual alarms, or strobes, may be synchronized to fire simultaneously resulting from power interruptions, also referred to as synchronization pulses, in the power lines. Additional timing lines for synchronizing the strobes are not required because the synchronizing signals are applied through the existing common power lines.
Other alarm systems have controlled the function of the audible and visual alarms by interrupting the power signal to the alarms in a predetermined pattern as control signals over the common power lines or by communicating during the synchronization interruption of power. The audible and visual alarms operate their respective loads responsive to the control signal received.
One type of alarm system is an indoor commercial paging system. Common area indoor commercial paging systems (non-fire alarm) have used a "constant voltage" (25, 70 or 100 volt) technology for decades. Briefly, this technology allows easy distributed ceiling or wall speaker design that involve speakers that use "matching transformers" for each and every speaker in the system. These transformers permit easy calculation of how much power is needed for adequate volume in a given area.
For example, if a system consists of twenty speakers, and an adequate power for each speaker is one watt, then the driving power amplifier would have to provide at least twenty watts to adequately handle twenty speakers. Typically, though, it is more desirable to have a larger amplifier, say 50 or 100 watts, to accommodate for speakers that sound in a larger area and may require more than one watt for good sound level coverage.
This is where the transformer comes into play. Commonly, the speaker's transformer has multiple connections, or "taps," that range from ⅛ watt to as much as 30 or more watts. Again, just adding up the wattage for the system determines the size of the power amplifier that will drive it.
This same speaker technology has generally been adopted for use with audio (voice) fire alarm systems that utilize speakers to alert occupants of a building of an emergency. The warning typically consists of alert tones followed by spoken word messages that give instructions to occupants during the emergency.
The disadvantage to using this technology lies in the setting of each speaker's transformer taps. If it is deemed that a particular speaker is not loud enough in a given area, the service technician must remove the speaker from the wall or ceiling, move the tap connector to the next higher tap setting, re-install the speaker and then test the output, usually with a dB meter, to see if the audio is now loud enough. (NFPA 72 "National Fire Alarm Code" requires that speakers used in fire alarm systems produce a sound that is at least 15 dB above the ambient noise level of a given area).
This is, more or less, a trial-and-error method of setting speaker loudness, and may have to be repeated several times. One of the biggest factors in determining proper dB levels lies in the actual construction material of the area in question, and the anticipated ambient noise level. There are methods to predict the required dB level before installation, but it is cumbersome and expensive to make this prediction, particularly if there are unknowns involved, usually in new construction situations. Thus, these predictive methods are not widely used for fire alarm systems.


A flow control assembly for a single lever faucet includes a coupler adapted to operatively connect a handle to a valve stem of a valve assembly. A cam mechanism has a valve stem portion and a handle portion, where the cam mechanism is operatively connected to the valve stem and the cam mechanism engages the valve stem to move the valve stem to a predefined open position in response to the handle being moved from a neutral handle position to a water on position. The coupler provides a biasing resistance that increases resistance to handle movement as the handle is oriented in a position other than a neutral handle position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to plumbing fixtures and more particularly to a water-saving faucet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a world where the human population is going to exceed 10 billion in the next decade or so, water and its availability will be the natural resource problem over which disputes will arise. The U.S. has a relative abundance of clean water provided through a reliable supply system. This very abundance, however, has also led to a lack of urgency in recognizing this coming natural resource problem. Water shortages are just a matter of time. They are inevitable. Particularly, this is and will become an even greater problem in the dry southwest of the country.
Several of the faucet types sold in the U.S. and overseas are of the handle (mixing valve) type, where one lifts or lowers the handle to increase or decrease the volume of flow and twists it right and left to change the temperature of the water. The typical 'throw' up and down distance is about one or two inches, between off and fully-open positions. It is very difficult for humans to accurately adjust the volume of water without paying particular attention to the task of turning on the water. However, this is a task people most often perform without much thought. Hence, most users almost always turn on the water full, even when only a small trickle of it is needed. This is a huge waste of this precious resource.


A coaxial cigarette comprising an inner core of a material glowing away substantially without residue, in particular tobacco material, with a sheath for the inner core, an outer jacket coaxially surrounding the inner core and its sheath and comprising a tobacco and/or non-tobacco material, and a sheath for the outer jacket, has a diameter of the inner core which lies in the range from 45% to 80% of the outer diameter of the coaxial cigarette; the inner core has a packing density in the range from 300 to 400 mg/cm.sup.3 ; the outer jacket has a packing density in the rnage from 170 to 250 mg/cm.sup.3. The sheath of the inner core has an air permeability of less than 3 ISO units. The outer sheath has a front segment to be lit and a rear mouth-side segment; the front ignition-side segment of the outer sheath contains conventional glow salts and has an air permeability of 15 to 40 ISO units and the rear mouth-side segment of the outer sheath contains no glow salts and has an air permeability of less than 3 ISO units.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a coaxial cigarette comprising an inner core of a material burning substantially free of residue, In particular tobacco material, a sheath for the inner core, an outer jacket of a tobacco and/or non-tobacco material coaxially surrounding the inner core of the sheath thereof and a sheath for the outer jacket.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of publications exist on so-called "coaxial smokable articles", i.e., in particular coaxial cigars or cigarettes having an inner core which is surrounded by a jacket or shell of tobacco material. The fundamental principle of such a coaxial cigarette is known, for example, from French patent specification 998,556, the inner core consisting of tobacco of lower quality which is surrounded by an annular jacket of tobacco of high quality. This makes it possible to achieve savings in the costs of the tobacco materials used.
Further developments of such coaxial cigarettes are disclosed in French patent specification 1,322,254, U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,956 and 4,219,031, British patent publication 2,070,409 and British patent specification 1,086,443.
A coaxial cigarette of the type indicated is, for example, known from German patent publication 3,602,846 and comprises an inner core of a material which burns free of residue, in particular tobacco material, a sheath for the inner core, an outer jacket of a tobacco and/or non-tobacco material coaxially surrounding the inner core and a sheath for the outer jacket or shell. The particular advantage of this coaxial cigarette resides in that it can be made with the usual production techniques on specially adapted rod machines.
In a further development of this coaxial cigarette an embodiment is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 281,640 of Dec. 12, 1988 which is provided with a filter to trap the undesired smoke constituents.
However, such a filter often influences the parameter of such a cigarette which is essential to the smoker, namely its flavour, so that the reduction of the condensate is achieved at the expense of loss of flavour. On the other hand, (filterless) rod cigarettes are preferred by smokers, for example, due to their flavour and their "image".


A germfree drinking water dispenser includes a reservoir for receiving and reserving drinking water such as mineral water and an ozone injecting device. The ozone injecting device includes a compact ozone generator and an injection opening which is opened into the reservoir. Ozone generated by the ozone generator is injected, by e.g. a blower, through the injection opening into the drinking water at the reservoir. The ozone injecting device is activated only for a short necessary period of time when the dispenser is out of service. So that, after the drinking water in the reservoir is fully sterilized, a sufficient period of time is allowed to lapse for any ozone remaining in the water to dissolve until the next first use of the dispenser.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drinking water dispenser for domestic and/or commercial use for dispensing drinking water such as mineral water with the water being sterilized.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, no drinking water dispensers of the above-noted type have been equipped with means for sterilizing water reserved therein. Such dispenser generally includes a bottle filled with the drinking water such as mineral water and a reservoir for receiving and reserving the drinking water flowed down from the bottle. The filling operation of e.g. the mineral water into the bottle is done in a sanitary manner at a factory under a strict quality control. Thus, even if the mineral water or natural water contains no germicide such as free chlorine therein, the water may be maintained at the germfree condition as long as the water is kept within the sealed bottle.
However, after the water is removed from the bottle into the reservoir, rapid germ propagation occurs due to the contact of the water with the ambience air. For this reason, after being kept for an extended period of time, there develops muddiness in the water, and this muddiness deteriorates the taste of the drinking water.
In order to restrict such germ propagation detrimental to the drinking water, the prior art has suggested periodical cleaning of the reservoir with hot water or water-draining and drying of the reservoir. However, these operations are not only troublesome, but uneconomical because not inexpensive bottled water has to be disposed of wastefully.
In view of the above-described state of the art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an economical drinking-water dispenser having sterilizing means, which can eliminate e.g. the troublesome reservoir cleaning operation as well as the necessity of wasteful disposal of the bottled water.


A combination for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising:                (i) an anti-gastrin effective immunogenic composition; and,        (ii) one or more chemotherapeutic agents suitable for inhibiting cancer growth.

In 1998, approximately 29,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and approximately 28,900 people were expected to die from this tumor [1]. The overall cure rate for pancreatic cancer remains less than 5% despite more than 20 years of clinical trials. Only 10% of subjects have a potentially resectable tumor; however, even for subjects undergoing a curative pancreaticoduodenectomy, five-year survival is 6-24% [2]. The vast majority of subjects have unresectable tumors and develop metastatic disease within the first year of therapy. The median survival for subjects with metastatic disease is 3-6 months.
The description of cancertrophic agents set forth below includes both growth factor and growth factor receptors which are surprisingly expressed or overexpressed in cancerous tumors or more specifically cancer cells.
Gastrin is highly expressed in the antral mucosa and duodenal bulb and expressed at low levels in a variety of tissues, including the pancreas. Gastrin is also highly expressed in the fetal pancreas, a fact which may be of significance in the development of pancreatic neoplasms [3].
The normal nonfetal pancreas shows no expression of gastrin isoforms or receptor. It has been shown that a large percentage of patients with pancreatic cancer possess progastrin, glycine-extended gastrin, amidated gastrin in their blood, and CCK-B/gastrin receptor are present in the tumor cells [4]. Thus, it was later found that pancreatic adenocarcinoma expresses the precursor forms of gastrin, especially the progastrin and glycine-extended forms. The tumor cells were also determined to express the CCK-B/gastrin receptor. Similarly, these precursor gastrin forms and receptors were detected in other cancers, such as gastric, colonic, and hepatocellular carcinomas.
Several growth factors have been postulated to affect the growth and development of pancreatic cancer. Moreover, it is well recognized that gastrin is a trophic hormone and promotes growth of gastrointestinal (G1) and non-gastrointestinal cancers [4]. Gastrin has been shown to promote the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the lung and also pancreatic carcinoma [6-9]. Gastrin affects cell behavior in the form of circulating fully processed peptides as well as autocrine process whereby incomplete processed precursor gastrin, especially in the form of glycine-extended gastrin can stimulate cell growth or cell function [10].
In particular, a number of investigations have shown the important role that G17 gastrin and glycine-extended G17 (Gly-G17) gastrin play in the proliferation of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It has been demonstrated that G17 gastrin causes proliferation of a variety of colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo [11] [12] [6] [13] and that an autocrine pathway may be involved [14] [15]. Gly-G17 gastrin has also been shown to stimulate growth of various cancers via an autocrine/paracrine pathway [16] [17].
Gastrin is actually a family of peptides including G17 gastrin, G34 gastrin, and the immature forms, glycine-extended G17 (Gly-G17) gastrin and glycine-extended G34 (Gly-G34) gastrin. G17 and G34 share a 5-amino-acid carboxy-terminal sequence in common with cholecystokinin (CCK). It has been shown that in this sequence that interacts with the CCK-B/gastrin receptor [11] [18].
Gastrin requires post-translational carboxy-terminal alpha-amidation using glycine as the amide donor. The penultimate intermediate is gastrin with a C-terminal glycine—the so-called glycine-extended gastrins (Gly-G17 and Gly-G34). Similar concentrations of glycine-extended forms and mature gastrins are often found. Gly-G17 appears to have some of gastrin's biological activities [17].
Different tissues exhibit different patterns of post-translational gastrin modification resulting in the accumulation of different intermediates. While gastrin produced by the gastric antrum is largely fully amidated G17 [19], anterior pituitary corticotrophs almost entirely fail to process the amidation site, resulting in >99% glycine-extended gastrins. In neonatal pancreatic cells, gastrin is largely in the G34 form [19] and it is fully sulfated at Tyr29, a unique modification, making it CCK-like in its potency [3]. In neoplastic tissue, immature forms of gastrin typically predominate. In colorectal carcinomas, a considerable amount of progastrin species accumulates [20] [21]. In rat pancreatic tumor AR42J, it has been reported that only glycine-extended gastrins are present [17]. Nothing has been reported on the forms of gastrin produced by human pancreatic cancer cells.
The gastrin and CCK-B receptors were recently cloned and shown to be identical [22]. Messenger RNA for CCK-B receptors was detected in all pancreatic cancer cell lines of ductal origin and in normal pancreatic tissue as well as in fresh tumor cells [23] [24] [25] and may be over-expressed in malignant pancreatic tissue in comparison with normal tissue [26]. Some authors have detected CCK-B receptors using radiolabeled ligand binding (either gastrin or CCK) technologies in both normal pancreas and tumor cell lines [27] Others have failed to detect receptors in the tumor cell lines but do detect them in normal tissue [28] [29].
MacKenzie et al. [30] demonstrated by radioligand-binding the abundant presence of CCK-B/gastrin receptor on the rat pancreatic tumor cell line, AR42J. Tarasova et al. [31] have shown that following ligand binding assays, rapid clustering and internalization of the CCK-B/gastrin receptor occurred in the pancreatic tumor cell line AR42J, as well as in a variety of human gastric and colorectal tumor cell lines. Incubation of the CCK-B/gastrin receptor with 1 nM of the specific inhibitor CI-988 inhibited the proliferation of gastrin-stimulated (1 nM) AR42J cells by about 47% after 96 hours of treatment, which is consistent with competitive inhibition of the gastrin receptor [32]. Anti-G17 antibodies have been shown to inhibit the binding of gastrin to the CCK-B/gastrin receptors on the pancreatic tumor cell line AR42J.
It has been shown that gastrin peptides increase the proliferation of GI cancer cell lines of human and animal origin both in vitro and in vivo [5]. More recent studies with four human pancreatic cell lines have shown that all proliferation was increased by 40-68% G17 gastrin relative to untreated controls. Studies with receptor antagonists showed that this proliferative effect was mediated via the CCK-B receptor [11]. Other studies have reported similar results [12], but not all studies report a positive effect even if the presence of CCK-B receptors was confirmed by binding studies [25].
Additional studies compared the mitogenic effects of gastrin on colorectal and gastric tumor cells obtained from cancer subjects at surgical resection. It was shown that cells from 69% of gastric and 55% of colorectal tumors had an enhanced proliferation in response to G17 gastrin, which was of greater magnitude than that seen in normal cells obtained from the G1 mucosa [33] [34].
It has been shown that the gastrin gene is activated in epithelial cells derived from G1 tumor specimens, but not in normal G1 mucosal cells [35] [36] [37] [21] [17] [38]. Malignant epithelial cells have been shown to produce mitogenic gastrin peptides, which can increase self-proliferation of the surrounding cells, thereby inducing a state of tumor autonomy [39][16].
Gastrin also stimulated in vivo tumor growth in mice inoculated with human Panc-1 cells. Tumor volume in mice treated with pentagastrin was 127% greater than untreated control tumors, while those animals receiving a CCK-B receptor antagonist (without pentagastrin) had tumors only 60% as large as controls [11].
The stimulatory effect of gastrin was also demonstrated by antisense RNA directed at gastrin [40] which suppressed the growth of human pancreatic cell lines. The observation that gastrin mRNA is detectable in all normal as well as tumor cell lines and in fresh pancreatic tissue, while gastrin peptide is detectable only in malignant tissue, suggested that gastrin mRNA may be translated only in the tumor cells [15].
Although inactive in stimulating acid secretion, Gly-G17 gastrin has been shown to increase the proliferation of pancreatic [41] cancer cells, G17 and Gly-G17 were found to be equipotent in stimulating proliferation of rat pancreatic tumor AR42J cells.
The normal physiological functions of gastrin are mediated by CCK-B/gastrin receptors. Expression of the receptor occurs in all types of gastrointestinal malignancies including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatomas and colorectal liver metastases [42] [43][24] [15] [44] [45] [46]. Different isoforms of the receptor exist [51] [52], and more than one isoform of the CCK-B gastrin receptor may be co-expressed on individual cells. Therefore, antagonism of CCK-B receptors may not be the optimal method to suppress the proliferative action of gastrin present either in the serum or produced locally by the tumor cells.
It has been shown that several types of tumors, e.g., colorectal, stomach, pancreatic and hepatocellular adenocarcinomas, possess CCK-B/gastrin receptors in their plasma membranes and that they respond to gastrin with powerful cellular proliferation [53] [13]. Furthermore, more recently it has been discovered that many of these cancer cells also secrete gastrin and thus effect an autonomous proliferative pathway [21] [37] [16].
The CCK-B/gastrin receptor belongs to a family of G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains with equal affinity for both CCK and gastrin [54]. This receptor was named a CCK type-B receptor because it was found predominantly in the brain [55]. The receptor was subsequently found to be identical to the peripheral CCK/gastrin receptor in the parietal and ECL cells of the stomach [56]. This receptor has been well characterized in a number of normal [57] [58] and tumor tissues [59] [34], and extensively studied using the rat pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line AR42J [60]. The AR42J CCK-B/gastrin receptor cDNA has been cloned and sequenced, and it is more than 90% homologous in DNA sequence to the CCK-B/gastrin receptor in rat and human brain, and more than 84% homologous in sequence to the canine parietal cell CCK-B/gastrin receptor cDNA [61], demonstrating a high sequence homology even between species.
The peptide hormones G117 and G34 bind to the CCK-B/gastrin receptor on the cell membrane of normal cells. However, it has been found that G17, and not G34, stimulates the growth of gastrin-dependent cancer cells. Serum-associated G17, in particular, has the potential to stimulate the growth of colorectal tumors in an endocrine manner mediated by CCK-B/gastrin receptors [34] in the tumor cells. Gastrin-17 appears to be particularly implicated in stimulating the growth of colorectal adenocarcinomas due to a possible increased affinity for the CCK-B/gastrin receptor on the tumor cells, over other gastrin hormone species [62]. The CCK-B/gastrin receptors were found to be expressed in a high affinity form on 56.7% of human primary colorectal tumors [53]. It has been postulated that a potential autocrine loop may also exist due to endogenous production of precursor gastrin peptides by such tumors [21]. The resulting G17 ligand/receptor complex stimulates cell growth by way of secondary messengers for regulating cell function [63]. The binding of G17 to the CCK-B/gastrin receptor leads to activation of phosphatidyl inositol breakdown, protein kinase C activation with a resultant increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration, as well as the induction of c-fos and c-jun genes via mitogen-activated protein kinase, which has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation [64]. Additionally, gastrin binding to the CCK-B/gastrin receptor has been associated with the subsequent increase in phosphorylation by a tyrosine kinase, pp125FADK (focal adhesion kinase), which may also have a role in the transmission of mitogenic signals [65].
A number of high affinity CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonists have been evaluated therapeutically both in vitro and in vivo in a number of experimental models of gastrointestinal cancer. For example, proglumide, a glutamic acid derivative [16] [66] [67] Benzotript, an N-acyl derivative of tryptophan; L-365,260, a derivative of Aspercillin [68], and CI-988 a molecule that mimics the C-terminal pentapeptide sequence of CCK [69] have been shown to effectively neutralize the effects of exogenous gastrin on gastrointestinal tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo [6] [70]. However, these antagonists have severe toxic side effects and lack specificity as they block the action of all potential ligands of the receptor such as G34 and CCK in normal cells. Recently, highly potent and selective CCKB/gastrin receptor antagonists such as YM022 [71] and YF476 [72] have been also described.
Proglumide and Benzotript have been widely assessed in pre-clinical studies. The main problem with these compounds is their lack of potency, with relatively high concentrations required to displace G17. Despite this, proglumide and benzotript inhibited the basal and gastrin-stimulated proliferation of a number of cell lines [67]. In addition, proglumide increased the survival of xenograft mice bearing the gastrin-sensitive mouse colon tumor, MC26 to 39 days in the treated animals from 25 days in the control animals.
Due to the low specificity of this class of gastrin antagonizing agents for the gastrin/CCKB receptor, the inhibition of tumor growth may not be effectively control with gastrin antagonists. Moreover, the cellular receptors which recognize and bind the gastrins do not bind all the inhibitors tested [16]. Thus, if complete inhibition of gastrin binding to the receptor does not occur in the autocrine growth cascade, then the gastrin antagonists may be unable to block this mechanism of tumor growth promotion.
Recent developments have demonstrated the feasibility of immunoneutralization of hormones or their receptor moieties in order to inhibit the hormone controlled physiological functions or effects, such as cellular growth. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,023,077 and 5,468,494)
For example, immunization with the immunogen G17DT elicits antibodies that react specifically with the aminoterminal end of G17 gastrin and Gly-G17 gastrin (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/798,423). The antibodies do not cross-react with any of the other gastrin species tested, including G34 gastrin and CCK. Antibodies elicited by G17DT inhibit the binding of gastrin to the CCK-B/gastrin receptor on a variety of gastrointestinal tumor cells, including pancreatic tumor cells. Antibodies elicited by G17DT inhibit the growth of human gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in in vivo animal models of gastric and colorectal cancer. Immunological neutralization has been discovered to inhibit metastsis of colorectal cancer [46] [47].
The alternate or additional immunological weapon against the gastrin effect on pancreatic cancer growth comprises the induction of anti-CCKB/gastrin receptor antibody binding with a specific anti-receptor GRE1 or GRE4 peptide epitope, as described in co-assigned pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/076,372. Accordingly, the receptor moieties can be prevented from binding the circulating gastrin hormone or fragments thereof. Furthermore, this immunological inhibition of pancreatic cancer advantageously results in the internalization of the receptor antibody complex causing apoptosis-like cell death.
Certain anticancer chemical compounds have been found useful for treating adenocarcinoma such as pancreatic tumors. For example, Gemcitabine (2′, 2′, difluorodeoxycytidine) is a nucleoside analog with structural similarities to cytarabine. Its mode of action involves disruption of cell replication. Gemcitabine enters the cell via a carrier-mediated transport system that is shared with other nucleosides. It is phosphorylated sequentially to difluorodeoxycytidine monophosphate (diFdCMP), difluorodeoxycytidine diphosphate (diFdCDP) and difluorodeoxycytidine triphosphate (diFdCTP). Preclinical studies of gemcitabine have shown incorporation of the phosphorylated diFdCTP into DNA [73][74].
Gemcitabine triphosphate is a substrate and competitive inhibitor of DNA polymerases alpha and epsilon. Once dFdCTP is incorporated into the growing chain, only one (or perhaps two) more nucleotide(s) can be incorporated, a novel mechanism termed "masked chain termination." Once additional residues are incorporated at the 3′ end, gemcitabine cannot be excised by the proofreading exonucleolytic activity of DNA polymerase [48]. DNA fragmentation and apoptosis follow. As predicted by its mode of action, gemcitabine is active only in S-phase when cells are actively replicating DNA [49].
Since pancreatic cancer has a high occurrence of metastasis, this method also comprises advantageous combination treatment with immunological anti-gastrin, anti-CCK-B/gastin receptor agents and chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan and optionally 5-FU/LV or gemcitabine, or both.
Irinotecan is a chemotherapeutic drug (CAMPOSAR), which has been approved for some types of cancer, mostly as second-live treatment. It has been applied in conjunction with 5-FU/LV against metastatic colorectal carcinoma which progressed after 5-FU treatment.
Cisplatin is a drug used in a variety of neoplasms that is capable of producing inter- and intrastrand DNA cross-links. Cisplatin can be administered alone or together with other chamotherapeucics.
In view of the very poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer and lack of significant survival afforded by the currently available therapies, a therapeutic strategy involving immunological targeting of gastrin and its receptor in combination with chemotherapeutic methods using one or more chemotherapeutic agents may provide a novel and efficacious therapy.

Combination treatment of pancreatic cancer


Disclosed are structures and methods for slicing a broadband signal into multiple, narrower bandwidth sub-bands through the use of a look-up table (LUT). An input broadband signal is first loaded by a pre-defined LUT. The LUT is designed with multiple parallel outputs, wherein each output is one individual sub-band.

The widespread use and subsequent evolution of broadband optical communications systems has necessitated the development of methods, systems and structures that facilitate the "slicing" or decomposing of a broadband signal into multiple, narrower bandwidth sub-band signals. Accordingly, such methods, systems and structures that facilitate such broadband slicing would represent a welcome addition to the art.

Look-up table based digital filter array using digital transmitter


A connector includes: at least one of a contact 5; a housing 3 accommodating the contact 5; an insertion opening 4 to which a flat cable 2 can be inserted, the insertion opening 4 being provided in front part of the housing 3 and being defined by upper and lower walls 33 and 32 of the housing 3 at the top and bottom; and a lever 6 which is provided in back part of the housing 3 and includes cam portions 61 which bring the contact 5 into pressure contact with the flat cable 2 and establish electrical continuity therebetween when the lever 6 is turned. The contact 5 includes a contact 5A having a placement surface S1 which is located at a substantially same height position in the vertical direction as a contact surface S2 of the corresponding cam portion 61 in the housing 3.

The present invention relates to a connector.
Conventionally-known connectors include front-lock connectors having a lever in the front part of the housing (in the insertion opening side) and back-lock connectors having a lever in the back part of the housing.
The housing accommodates electrically-conductive contacts. Each contact includes a pair of arms which are positioned on the upper and lower sides of a flat cable. The flat cable is inserted between the pair of arms. When the lever is operated in this state, the pair of arms sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the flat cable with the front ends thereof about a fulcrum, provided between the both arms, as a center.
In this process, the rotation force of the lever acts on the front end side of each arm with respect to the fulcrum in a front-lock connector. On the other hand, in a back-lock connector, the rotation force of the lever acts on the back end side of each arm with respect to the fulcrum. In other words, the front-lock connector is configured to hold the flat cable by causing the rotation force of the lever to directly act in such a direction as to close the front end of the connector. On the other hand, the back-lock connector holds the flat cable at the front end, which is closed by causing the rotation force of the lever to act in such a direction as to open parts of the arms backward of the fulcrum of the connector. The front-lock and back-lock connectors, therefore, differ from each other in position where the rotation force of the lever acts on the contacts, such as forward of or backward of the fulcrum. However, the back-lock connectors can include space to accommodate the laid-down lever in the backward of the contacts and can have a lower profile than the front-lock connectors have.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2008-4404 describes a back-lock connector. In the back-lock connector, the cam portion made of synthetic resin is configured to slide on an insulator made of synthetic resin while minimizing sliding on the metallic contacts. This can very effectively prevent the cam portion from being worn even when an actuator is repeatedly turned, and the cam portion can, therefore, keep the shape thereof.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A microchip includes fluid circuits therein, formed by uniting together at least a first substrate that is a transparent substrate and a second substrate having grooves provided at the substrate surface and/or through holes penetrating in a thickness direction. The fluid circuits include a liquid reagent receptacle unit to store a liquid reagent, a quantification unit to quantify the liquid reagent or specimen, and an overflow liquid storage unit connected to the quantification unit to store the liquid reagent or specimen overflowing from the quantification unit during quantification. There is also provided a method of using the microchip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microchip valid for a μ-TAS(Micro Total Analysis System) and the like, suitable for use in environmental analysis, chemical synthesis and biochemical assays of DNA, protein, cells, immunity, blood and the like.
2. Description of the Background Art
In line with the recent increase in the importance of sensing, detecting and determining the quantity of chemical substances and biological material such as DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid), enzyme, antigen, antibody, protein, virus, and cells in the field of medical care, health, food product, development of medicine and the like, various biochips and microchemical chips (hereinafter, generically referred to as a microchip) that allow relevant measurement conveniently have been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-017342). A microchip is characterized in that the series of experiments and analytical operations carried out at laboratories can be performed within a chip that is several to 10 cm square and several millimeters to several centimeters in thickness. Accordingly, only a small amount of specimen and reagent is required, leading to reduction in cost. Assays can be performed with a high response rate and high throughput. Another advantage is that the examination result can be obtained immediately at the site where the specimen has been collected. A microchip can be used conveniently in biochemical examination such as a blood test.
A microchip has fluid circuits therein. The fluid circuits are mainly constituted of a plurality of sites such as a liquid reagent receptacle unit to store a liquid reagent directed to mixing or reacting with, or treating a specimen (for example, blood), a quantification unit to quantify a specimen and/or liquid reagent, a mixing unit to mix the specimen and liquid reagent, and a cuvette (detection unit) for optical measurement to examine and/or analyze the mixture, as well as minute channels appropriately connecting the sites. In use, a microchip is typically mounted on an apparatus (a centrifuge) that can apply centrifugal force to the chip. By applying centrifugal force to the microchip in an appropriate direction, measurement and mixture of a specimen and/or liquid reagent, in addition to introduction of the mixture to the optical measurement cuvette, can be effected. The examination and analysis of the mixture introduced into the optical measurement cuvette (for example, detection of a certain component in the mixture) can be implemented by directing light to the cuvette in which the mixture is stored and measure the transmissivity or the like.
In the examination and/or analysis based on the above-described microchip, a guarantee that the liquid treatment in the fluid circuits effected by application of centrifugal force is extremely critical. This is because, if such guarantee cannot be afforded, evaluation as to whether the result of the examination and analysis is reliable or not cannot be made. Unreliable situations include, for example, the case where the liquid reagent that should be stored in the liquid reagent receptacle unit at the time of using the microchip is not present at a predetermined location or is insufficient due to evaporation or drop off during transportation, the case where the introduced amount of specimen into the fluid circuits is insufficient, and the case where liquid leakage has occurred due to a defect in the fabrication of the microchip. In such cases, the quantified amount of liquid reagent and specimen will not be accurate, leading to incorrect resultant data from the examination and analysis. There is also the possibility of erroneous operation at the centrifuge equipment, which may impede appropriate fluid transfer. Therefore, a guarantee that the fluid in the fluid circuits is transferred to an appropriate site, fluid treatment is carried out appropriately, the amount of the specimen and/or liquid reagent is sufficient, without erroneous operation of the centrifuge equipment, is critical. However, the approach to actually introducing a specimen into the fluid circuits to conduct fluid treatment, and checking whether there is the aforementioned error, prior to the examination and analysis based on a microchip (actual usage), cannot be employed since a microchip is generally not reusable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,052 discloses a method for confirming that the fluid introduced into a blood analysis system has flown to a predetermined site. This method includes the steps of directing light to a predetermined site, and detecting the passing light.
The microchip disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-017342 is formed by uniting together a first substrate with grooves that correspond to fluid circuits, and a second substrate. The first and second substrates are united such that the surface of the first substrate where grooves are provided corresponds to the joining face. The microchip includes one layer of fluid circuits therein. As used herein, "one layer" implies that the microchip includes only one fluid circuit layer in the thickness direction of the microchip.
In a microchip directed to a blood test, various types of examinations are often performed using the blood plasma component in the whole blood. Therefore, fluid circuits in such a microchip generally includes a blood plasma separator unit to remove hematocytes from the whole blood introduced into the fluid circuits to extract and separate the plasma component.


A gap is formed between the vertically oriented slats of a vertical blind assembly and the wall or window associated with such blind assembly. A gap-bridging assembly includes a bracket that supports a vertical vane to move in that gap so that different portions of the gap can be covered as required.

Vertical window blinds are commonly installed as window coverings. These blinds include slats that are attached at one end thereof to a headrail located superadjacent to the window, and extend vertically next to the window.
The headrail is mounted on a wall window frame. When the blinds are installed on such a vertical mount, they may be spaced from the wall, and from the window. Such spacing can be as much as five inches or more.
When the blinds are fully closed, there is a gap between the blinds and the window, and such gap may be troublesome.
While the art contains examples of elements that are intended to close this gap, these elements are generally installed in a manner that prevents them form being moved or adjusted to accommodate a condition that is different from that existing at the time of installation. There are several situations which may require this gap to be adjusted. For example, the sun may shine through this gap at certain times of the day and not at other times. Thus, there may be strong shaft of sunlight entering the room at certain times of the day, while at other times, the room may be too dark.
For several reasons, such as aesthetic, energy conservation, or the like, it may be desirable to close this gap at some times while opening it at others.
Still another reason for desiring adjustability of a gap bridging element is to provide an ability to retofit such an element onto an existing setup. A pre-manufactured item may not provide an exact fit, and thus, movement and adjustment of such an element is desirable.
Many times, a blind assembly must be adjusted after it is installed. Unless there is some means of adjusting the gap bridging element, this element may not be positioned in the precise location that is most desirable.
Therefore, there is a need for a gap bridging element for use with a vertical blind assembly which is adjustable after it is installed.

Gap bridging assembly for use with vertical blind assemblies


An electrical connector assembly comprises a first connector unit and a second connector. The first connector unit comprises a first connector having an insulative housing with a plurality of contacts mounted thereon. A printed circuit board, on which the first connector is seated, defines a pair of mounting sections at opposite ends thereof and locate adjacent to the first connector. An insulative cover is attached to a first surface of the printed circuit board which is opposite to the first connector. The insulative cover forms a pair of guiding posts retained in said mounting sections and a pair of stand-off sections located at opposite ends thereof for supporting the first connector during the mating process. A metallic cover is attached to the insulative cover. The second connector defines a pair of guiding apertures at opposite ends thereof for receiving said guiding posts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, and more particular to an electrical connector assembly with enhanced blind mating features.
2. Description of the Related Art
TaiWan Pat. No. 531073 issued on May 1, 2003 discloses an electrical connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes an insulative housing having a mating tongue with a plurality of contacts disposed thereon. A pair of guiding posts are formed at opposite ends of the mating tongue. The second connector includes an insulative base defining a mating cavity therein. A plurality of contacts are retained in the insulative base with contacting portions disposed in the mating cavity. The insulative base also defines a pair of guiding apertures at opposite end walls for receiving guiding posts of the first connector. However, as the guiding posts need to be in alignment with guiding apertures during the mating process, it is not very easy for the first connector mating with the second connector. Hence, an electrical connector assembly which can solve the problem is needed.

Electrical connector assembly with enhanced blind mating features


A method includes receiving a plurality of data sets. Each data set includes a customer identifier field specifying a unique customer identifier associated with each entry in each data set. The plurality of data sets includes a first group of data sets and a second group of data sets. The method further includes storing the plurality of data sets, and generating a key map including the customer identifier field including unique customer identifiers of the first group of data sets of the plurality of data sets, and an anonymous identifier field including unique anonymous identifiers. Each anonymous identifier corresponds to a customer identifier of the key map. The method further includes replacing each unique customer identifier in the second group of data sets with the corresponding anonymous identifier.

Some embodiments described herein relate generally to methods and apparatus for data matching and anonymization.
In digital media, information managed and exchanged between business entities is often a combination of confidential information, that cannot be shared (e.g., home address information of customers), and other business information that is to be shared (e.g., purchasing activity). When confidential and business information is inextricably linked by a common identifier, it is challenging to effectively isolate, anonymize, and/or otherwise reversibly and/or irreversibly dissociate the information to be transmitted vs. the information to be protectively retained.
A need exists, therefore, for methods and apparatus for data matching and anonymization using one or more key maps.

Apparatus and method for data matching and anonymization


A corneal marker and a method of using a corneal marker are disclosed. The corneal marker includes a handle having a head coupled thereto. The inferior surface of the head includes a set of protuberances which form marking surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage corneal tissue. The marking surfaces form opposing sets of marks which allow a surgeon to form an incision of precise length and width. An alignment line on the superior and/or front surface of the marker facilitates the positioning thereof. A method of performing clear corneal surgery following the application of markings to the cornea is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to medical marking devices for marking the eye prior to surgery, and a method of using a medical marking device to make a incision of a predetermined length and width.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Medical marking devices have been developed for various surgical operations which involve making incisions in the eye. The marking devices are used prior to surgery, and provide markings to assist the surgeons in correctly locating the areas of the eye on which a keratome or other surgical knife is to be employed. Such devices function by leaving depressions in the eye or sets of ink marks. In either case, the markings identify the locations where incisions are to be made and/or sutures are to be placed.
Cataract extraction and lens implantation surgery is a commonly employed procedure. The techniques for performing such surgery have evolved over the years to the point where suturing the wound is often unnecessary. One procedure for conducting cataract surgery involves making an incision through both scleral and corneal tissue. Such a procedure for constructing a self-sealing incision during cataract surgery is described in the literature..sup.1 This procedure involves the use of a marker to create a grid of dots following cautery to allow selection of incision length and location. A perpendicular scleral groove is formed at the appropriate dots, followed by dissection of a scleral tunnel into clear cornea. The incision is complete when the selected keratome enters the anterior chamber. A more recent technique, called the clear corneal approach, is said to offer significant advantages over the above-described scleral approach. Whereas the scleral approach involves an incision through both scleral and corneal tissue, the primary incision is made substantially only through corneal tissue using the clear corneal approach. (The primary incision is used to remove the cataractous lens tissue and insert an intraocular lens.) Also, topical anesthesia may be used when employing the clear coneal approach.
Advantages of the clear corneal approach include faster patient visual recovery, the use of topical anesthesia, no subconjunctival hemorrhage, no cautery, and better refractive results. Selective location of the primary incision has also been said to allow correction for preoperative against-the-rule astigmatism.
The formation of a leak-proof, sutureless incision is desirable whether the scleral or clear corneal approach is employed. The risk of infection is believed to be significantly reduced if leakage can be avoided.
A corneal incision consists essentially of a tunnel created by a scalpel. The tunnel is composed of a "roof" and a "base". A corneal flap is formed at the distal end of the tunnel base. It is this flap that is pressed against the tunnel roof by intraocular pressure that actually seals the incision. A number of ophthalmologists have conducted research in developing the appropriate corneal incision architecture that would provide a reliable, leak-proof seal. The results of this research indicate that the tunnel length (i.e., the distance from the initial entry site to the tip of the corneal flap) is an important factor in determining the sealability of the incision..sup.2 A specific recommendation made by surgeons who have employed the clear corneal approach is to create an incision that has a maximum width to length ratio of about three to two.


The present invention relates a unit dose fabric treatment product comprising a non-aqueous liquid fabric treatment composition contained in a single compartment water-soluble pouch. The inner space of said pouch comprises (A) a cleaning system comprising more than 5% by weight of the fabric treatment composition of at least one anionic surfactant; and (B) a fabric softening system comprising at least one non-cationic fabric softening active selected from the group consisting of fabric softening clays, fabric softening silicones, and mixtures thereof, wherein the fabric softening clay is added as a premix comprising the clay and a solvent; wherein the fabric softening silicone is added as a premix comprising the silicone and a solvent or wherein the fabric softening silicone is added as pure compound without any solvent.

Fabric cleaning/softening products come in a number of forms, such as granules, liquids, tablets, and pouches. Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Recently, water-soluble pouches containing fabric cleaning or softening actives have become popular. In general, the pouches comprise a non-aqueous liquid composition surrounded by a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol film. These products have the advantage that they are convenient to dose, easy to handle and cause little mess in comparison with traditional composition forms. EP 339 707 (Unilever) discloses a non-aqueous detergent composition contained in a PVA film. WO 01/81 520 (Colgate) discloses a wash-cycle single compartment unit dose softener composition.
However, none of these two executions provide both cleaning and softening benefits at the same time. WO 01/85 888 discloses a unit-dose composition delivering fabric softening benefits and comprising up to 5% wt. or less of surfactants. The disadvantage of this system is the low cleaning performance due to the low surfactant content.
The prior art also provides unit dose systems, which provide fabric cleaning and fabric softening benefits at the same time. However, due to compatibility problems of the cleaning system comprising an anionic surfactant, and of the fabric softening system, comprising a cationic fabric softening active, the execution of WO 02/08 380 (P&G) involves dual compartment pouches, in which the first compartment contains a detergent composition and in which the second compartment contains a fabric softening composition.
It is well known in the art that dual compartment unit dose systems are not easy to manufacture, and especially not in an economical way. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide single compartment unit dose non-aqueous liquid fabric treatment compositions that impart superior performance, in terms of cleaning and fabric softening benefits.
In order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to overcome the incompatibility problem of anionic surfactants and fabric softening actives, especially when the fabric softening active is a cationic fabric softening active. The present invention provides a solution of this problem by utilizing non-cationic fabric softening actives which can be combined with anionic surfactants and do not cause incompatibility problems.
Another problem associated with the incorporation of cationic fabric softeners into water-soluble films is the interaction of the cationic softener with the typically negatively charged surface of polyvinyl-alcohol containing films. This difficulty has also been overcome by utilizing non-cationic fabric softening actives which can be combined with negatively charged film surfaces and do not cause incompatibility problems.
Furthermore, prior art unit dose products have shortcomings with respect to dissolving quickly and completely upon contact with water. Hence, it is another object of the present invention to provide pouched compositions which are able to disintegrate quickly and completely without excessive residue being left in the drawer, in the wash drum, or on laundered clothing.
It has now surprisingly been found that the pouched compositions of the present invention demonstrate very good cleaning performance and very good fabric softening, especially fabric softening performance. Additionally, it has been found that the pouched compositions of the present invention demonstrate better solubility and/or lower residues formation.

Single compartment unit dose fabric treatment product comprising pouched compositions with non-cationic fabric softener actives

Abstract: The invention further relates to a method of producing such compositions and to the use of such compositions to impart fabric-cleaning and fabric-softening benefits via single compartment water-soluble pouches to fabrics treated therewith.